Hi all, I just received this email from Kathy Kuss- I think I personally am suffering from a little bit of lung imbalance, and this garlic recipe sounds really good to me, so I thought I would share.
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As the fall weather arrives, you begin to feel the changes as your body adjusts to, and prepares for cooler weather. Fall is a time of harvesting, of pulling in and building up energy reserves for winter. It is a time of planning, regrouping our thoughts and evaluating our goals. I often reflect on the fall as a time when the winds of change are blowing, a time when you need to listen to your body and your life and make changes where they are needed.

In Chinese medicine the Metal element rules the fall season. The Metal element is a poetic description that represents your lungs, colon and skin. This is the time of year when we become susceptible to colds, coughs, mucus congestion, bronchitis, constipation and skin conditions. The Metal element is represented by the symbol of the sword and shield, because it is considered the controlling force that governs your immune system and protects your body from invaders. This is the time of year to pay special attention to building your immune system so it is strong during the winter months. It is also the time of year to do a colon cleanse, especially if you are constipated or have a sluggish colon (less than 2 good bowel movements per day), this will indirectly improve your lungs, sinus and immune system. Emotionally this is the time to let go of negative old ideas and make room for new and positive thinking. Let go of past mistakes and losses and reach for what is new and promising before you.

Signs of Metal (lung energy) Imbalance

Asthma / mucus congestion/ bronchitis / allergies/ sore throats
Weak immune system prone to catching colds and flu
Shallow breathing, shortness of breath
Skin eruptions like acne or rashes
Self-Protective armor/defensiveness
Deep seated grief or sadness
Meticulousness / perfectionism
Difficulties being emotionally open to new ideas or relationships, withdrawn.

Herbs that balance your lung energy…
At this time of year it is good to choose spicy foods like garlic, horseradish, onions, and hot peppers. These foods increase circulation, open the bronchioles and help thin mucus.
I often recommend Garlic soup at the first signs of a cold:

6 cloves garlic

16 ounces of vegetable or chicken broth

A variety of vegetables including spicy ones

Sauté the garlic in a little olive oil for about 4 minutes, add broth and vegetables. Cook at a low simmer until veggies are soft. Discard the veggies (unless you want to eat them) and pour out the liquid and put aside.

Drink a 6 oz. cup of hot garlic soup 3-4 times a day while fighting a cold or cough. It really helps shorten the duration of the cold.
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I'm not going to wait for a cold or cough, I'm making it today.

XOXO
Joce

A certain topic has come up twice in two days, and so I will put my thoughts about it here.
How much should we, that is, us women folk, put into our physical appearance? What does a God-fearing woman look like on the outside? Where does she shop? How often does she get her hair done? How much make-up? How often? On and on these questions can go. I think that the answer will be slightly different for different women because of their God-given gifts. And I don't mean their physical gifts. I mean that some women are artists and enjoy cultivating and decorating things that God has made. Which could include themselves. God made women to be prettier than men, and it's okay if some women want to enhance that a bit (or at least maintain it better than some of us).
But here' the nitty gritty of what I have to say: Two Rules.
1. Your body and grooming should allow you to do the things you like to do. (Possible exmaples: Walk up stairs, play with kids on the floor, ride horses, walk in the woods, etc.)
2. Your spouse should find you attractive.
That's about it.
Here's how that translates for me personally. I can do the things I like to do (pretty much the above examples) and Joe thinks I'm hot.
And now, one more point. Vanity. Vanity pretty much means "things that are pointless." And, um, curly girls who straighten their hair everyday? That's pointless. It's not getting straighter ladies. You're just frying your dead cells. That's gross. Anyway. Back to vanity. Consider the amount of time you must spend to maintain the image that you are currently trying to maintain. Does it equal the benefits you reap? Does the money you spend on your nails improve your life proportionately? And, here's one more thing about vanity. The things we do to improve our looks, does it positively affect those around us? And how long does it last from now? 10 years? 20 years? For the lucky (or rich) few, maybe 30 years? Eventually our faces fall off. There's nothing for it. But, the people around us who we've helped, or the ones for whom we have been a light in a dark world, or for those whom we've been Jesus' hands, feet, arms, or ears? Those deeds are eternal. God cares about that, not our nails or our hair or if our clothes. So keep yourself presentable, brush your teeth, keep your body odor down, and try not to look so scary that you can't be of any help to people. But remember what's important. What do you want on your tombstone? "Here lies a beautiful woman who had really good eyebrows, perfect nails, and always had a very fashionable shirt on her back?" or "Here lies a beautiful woman with caring hands, a gentle expression, and who gave me the shirt off her back"
Tell me what you think about this and how you find your balance on the subject.
XOXO
Joce

http://www.ninaplanck.com/index.php?article=Whole_Milk

Cool article on milk. In case some of you are still scratching your heads as to why I want a cow.

XOXO

Hello!
Just a quick post here. We are thinking of buying a milk cow. Her name is Clara, she is a Jersey cow. Here's why.
If you, or someone you know might interested in helping us use the 5.5 gallons of delicious, nutritious milk per day, let me know.

And now for something that I read and liked enough to post it here: (It is written by Lewis Napper, not me.)

'We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, and delusional folks who seem to be everywhere. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights.'

ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes. Get an education and go to work. ..don't expect everyone else to take care of you!

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. (AMEN!)

ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill o f Rights.

ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from!

ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!

Well, I am off to class after this, and guess what? I only have 7 more classes after this! For ever and ever, unless I decide to go for my doctorate. (Not likely at this point.) December 2nd will be a day of much rejoicing let me tell you. Red Osier, here I come! Anyway, leave me some comments folks. It's nice to know who is reading.

XOXO
Joce

Family with Down Syndrome Child Meets John McCain and Sarah Palin (from Rush Limbaugh show)
September 9, 2008
BEGIN TRANSCRIPT

RUSH: Kurt in Pittsburgh, hello, sir. Nice to have you on the EIB Network, and how about the Steelers defense?

CALLER: How about those Steelers, huh?

RUSH: How about that?

CALLER: Hey, listen, Rush, longtime listener, first-time caller, one of those Bible, family, gun clingers from western Pennsylvania.

RUSH: Thank you.

CALLER: And I wanted to share a story with you. A week ago last Saturday we went to the Palin-McCain rally in Washington, Pennsylvania, was the day after he announced her, and we have a five-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, and we made a sign that said: 'We Love Kids with Down Syndrome.' So when they pulled in in their bus the sign did catch their, McCain and Palin and the rest of their family, it caught their eye, we could tell, they gave us a thumbs-up from the bus, so we were all excited just by that --

RUSH: Wait, wait, wait. Who gave you the thumbs up, McCain and Palin?

CALLER: McCain, Palin, Cindy McCain, we could see them from the bus. We were in a position where we had eye contact with them --

RUSH: Oh, cool!

CALLER: My wife was holding our daughter.

RUSH: Very, very, very cool.

CALLER: It was really cool, Rush. I was like, 'Wow, that's awesome,' because I love Governor Palin and so I thought that's really neat. So then we moved around as the bus was getting ready to pull out, we kind of positioned ourselves so we could just wave them on and a Secret Service agent came up to us and said, 'Hey, can you come with us?' I was like, 'Do we have a choice?'

RUSH: (laughing) You shouldn't have worried. It's not the Clinton administration.

CALLER: Right. So we accompanied them up the hill, we went right to the bus, where it was, and Governor Palin, Senator McCain, Cindy, Todd Palin, they're all standing there. We're in this inner circle with just us and them, and the Secret Service agent, and they came right up to us and thanked us for coming out, said they loved our sign, and Governor Palin immediately said, 'May I hold your daughter?' and our daughter Chloe, who's five, went right to her, and I have some pictures I'd love to send you maybe when I'm done here, but Governor Palin was hugging Chloe, and then her little daughter brought their baby Trig who has Down syndrome from the bus, he was napping, and Chloe went right over and kissed him on the cheek, and my son Nolan who's nine, he thanked her.

RUSH: This is amazing.

CALLER: I will send you all the stuff, Senator McCain was talking to my son, and we thanked him for his service, and he asked my son if he wanted to see the bus, and we were hanging out and it was very surreal. I felt like we could have had a pizza and a beer with them, they were so warm.

RUSH: You know what? I want to put you on hold. I want Snerdley to give you our super-secret, known-only-to-three-people here, e-mail address.

CALLER: I will send you everything, Rush.

RUSH: And then could you send us these pictures? Would you mind if we put them on the website?

CALLER: I would be honored, and my main thing is they are warm, kind, genuine people, and they represent the best of this country.

RUSH: That's right. And when you send these pictures, make sure you identify them. I mean, we'll know Palin and McCain, of course. Identify yourselves.

CALLER: I will, I will identify everybody in the picture, Rush, and God bless you for being a beacon of hope and truth in this country.

RUSH: Oh, no, no. It's nothing, it's nothing. You're doing the Lord's work.

CALLER: Well, we're very blessed and I want people to know what a blessing it is to have a child with Down syndrome. These kids, they're angels.

RUSH: That's the thing. There's always good to be found in everything that happens. It may be a while before it reveals itself.

CALLER: Absolutely.

RUSH: Right,

CALLER: And when she hugged my daughter I said, here's the difference, this candidate embraces life and all its limitless possibilities.

RUSH: All right.

CALLER: That's what she is.

RUSH: Terrific, okay, I gotta run here, but I'm going to put you on hold.

CALLER: Thank you, Rush.

RUSH: Thank you, Kurt. I really appreciate it.

END TRANSCRIPT

Oky-Doky!
Just a reminder that our super-de-duper party was rescheduled for this Saturday, October 4th.
Come around 5:00 p.m. and bring warm clothes, a snack to pass, an apple dish to enter in our best recipe contest (there are prizes), your favorite yard game, etc.
Come for the hayrides, contests, pumpkin paiting, apple cider pressing, the resulting very fresh cider, the mulled cider, bobbing for apples, donuts on a string, bonfire, and all the other cool stuff we'll be doing. RSVP. Which means, please tell me if you are coming or not.
XOXO
Joce

This post is in response to this.

Hello Gillian,
I was recently made aware that WestJet has a policy of providing nursing mothers with blankets if they choose to nurse while flying. I am concerned because this policy is not in accordance with breastfeeding laws in both the United States and Canada. A woman has the right to feed her child wherever she is allowed to be. The forceful proffering of a blanket by a hostess is nerve-wracking and anxiety provoking, which is overwhelming when combined with the stresses of flying with a child. It is my understanding that the flight attendants are there to help insure that the flight is as comfortable as possible for passengers. As a woman, it is important for me to know that your airline will make any flights I choose to make with you as comfortable as possible.

I would ask that the current policy be changed so that blankets are made available to nursing mothers only when requested by the nursing mother.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Jocelyn Duesler Rebisz

I also included my contact information.

Please feel free to use this letter as a base for your own.

Send to: gbentley@westjet.com

Because the babies like it.


XOXO
Joce

Just few quick thoughts since it is Monday and that means I am supposed to be attending to things on my list.
1. I was baking cookies the other day. Cade paid me the highest compliment to their Chewy Gooey goodness by...wait for it....licking the oven window when I put the next batch in. (Recipe note: reduce almond extract down to 1/2 teaspoon)
2. Today, Brilyn mentioned liking "that movie about the little mousies." I said, "Oh! You liked the Chipmunks movie." And she said, "Pssshhht! That's for sure."
3. I got a free trial magazine- Mary Jane's Farm They have clubs for big girls...it's like 4-H! I love 4-H!
Anyway, crying baby seems to be all done with his lunch. Actually I just typed "all one with his lunch" and that is accurate too, and funny to me.
XOXO
Joce

I didn't write this, but it reflects what I am thinking and, it took a lot less time than writing it myself. So I saved time, and time is money, and a penny saved is a penny earned, so I just made myself some money.
Anyway, Joe and I have embraced a similar philosophy to this couple and we are working on people's Christmas presents as I write. (Really, these preserves on my stove will end up in some family members stocking come December.)
Here's the article-

A Simple Christmas: Learning something new by buying nothing new.
by Amy Ard

In the past, the bulk of my Christmas shopping has usually been done between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. There’s something about waking up on the day before Christmas in a sheer panic that propels me straight into the open arms of every electronics, sporting goods, and department store within a 10-mile radius. While my family spends the morning sipping coffee, making red velvet cake, and cutting intricate little gift tags, I’ve spent the day with folks I’ve come to recognize as my extended family—a dysfunctional, wild-eyed bunch with a procrastination problem.

This year, however, will be different. Last January my husband and I embarked on an adventure inspired by newspaper coverage of the Buy-Nothing-New Year covenant groups forming across the country. Together with a few friends from work, we agreed to spend an entire year living more simply by not buying anything new, with exceptions made for consumables (food, toilet paper, etc.), replacement parts such as water filters, and intangible services such as a night at the theater. We’ve found the best thrift stores, traded items with friends, and managed to give birth to our first child without ever stepping foot in a Babies “R” Us.

I’ve never been particularly good at sticking to spiritual disciplines, but I’ve come to recognize this year of living simply as a kind of living prayer. When I toss the catalogs that inevitably appear in my mailbox into the recycle bin, I feel spiritually liberated. I’ve come to cherish the feeling of having enough, of not needing or wanting more stuff.

But my spiritual journey met a serious roadblock when it came time to think about what other people might expect from me at Christmas. Just because I had stopped buying new things didn’t mean that the rest of my friends and family would be thrilled to receive thrift-store hand-me-downs. In the back of my mind, December loomed large.

IN MARCH I really started to worry. If I was going to take up a craft, like knitting, I needed to learn pretty fast in order to make everyone a sweater in time. But I’ve never been a very artsy person. So in September, two hours into a 10-hour road trip, I told my husband we needed to get serious about the Christmas gift situation. Without the safety net of department stores and their aisles of over-packaged goods, I was at a total loss for how to manage.

We spent the next few hours making our way through the list of people close to us. We talked about the things they like to do in their spare time: My brother loves going to see plays in Atlanta; Michael’s sister is an avid underwater photographer. These conversations led us to talk about the kind of people they are. For example, I love my brother’s comedic timing and his ability to create characters that entertain us all. As Christa’s photographs reflect, she is passionate about animals and protecting their environment. I was shocked at how easy it was to think of gifts for everyone—theater tickets, yoga classes, antique photographs, gift certificates to a local farmers’ market—gifts that actually fit their interests and personalities, without requiring a trip to any big-box store.

My gifts this year won’t be extravagant. For the first time in many years, however, they will be purchased used (or traded, made, or cooked) before Dec. 24. I hope that each one will reflect the time I’ve spent thinking about each person and the qualities in them that are so inspiring. On Christmas Eve I’ll wake up, sip some coffee with my baby on my knee, and say a little prayer for my extended “family” out panicking at the malls. Later that evening, as I stand and sing “silent night, holy night,” I’ll be free from the distraction of gifts still to wrap—and the words “all is calm” will take on a whole new meaning.

Amy Ard, a former Sojourners organizer, lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her 5-month-old daughter and husband.

And now for what I have to say:
Because we all have enough stuff. And sometimes when I am in WalMart, I feel like Charlie Brown, that it is all a big commercial racket. And, "I have to spend at least $XOXO.OO dollars because that's what they usually spend on us" is a really stupid thing to think about. So, we are trying something new and buying nothing new. And, we don't expect anything new either. Like I said, we all have more than enough stuff. So, to quote the darling little Linus, (and umm, Luke):

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes; lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavnly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And that is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

XOXOX Joce

CANCELLED! One super duper party tomorrow. (Due to inclement weather)
Rescheduled! For October 4th!
XOXO
Joce

Pictures for the day:
Brilyn swims in Lake Ontario
Cade eats rocks at Hamlin Beach

Consider this your official invitation:

Tillaboro Orchard 1st Annual Corn Roast
You are cordially invited to attend our
1st Annual Corn Roast
on Saturday September 13th, 2008 at @ 5:00 p.m.

Things to do:
• Camping
• Hay rides
• Bag-O Tournament
• Cider Pressing
• Bobbing for apples
• Apple Recipe Judging
• Bonfire
• Square Dancing
• Wiffle Ball
What to bring:
• Snack to pass
• Your best apple confection for Apple Recipe Judging
• Tent or camper
• BYOB
• Your favorite yard game


Fresh roasted corn, apple cider, mulled cider, mulled cider as an adult beverage, wine, and contest prizes will be provided.
R.S.V.P. via comments on my blog here. Or, if you know my phone number, you can call me.


And now, for something funny said by Brilyn:
B: "Mommy, why is the pizza on the counter?"
M: "It's just the box, the pizza is in the fridge."
B: "Oh, so it's just chillin'?"
M: "Yeah, babe." (smiling)
B: "Like a villain?"

Chillin like a villain. Cute.

And, now, a joke I read via email:

"So, I was talking to this little girl Catherine, the daughter of some
friends, and she said she wanted to be President some day. Both of her
parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there with us - and I asked
Catherine - 'If you were President what would be the first thing you
would do?'

Catherine replied - 'I would give houses to all the homeless
people.'

'Wow - what a worthy goal you have there, Catherine.' I told
her,'You don't have to wait until you're President to help the homeless,
you can come over to my house and clean up all the dog poop in my back
yard and I will pay you $5 dollars. Then we can go over to the grocery store
where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $5 dollars to
use toward a new house.'

Catherine (who was about 5) thought that over for a second, and replied, 'Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and clean up the dog poop, and you can just pay him the $5 dollars?'

And I said, 'Welcome to the Republican Party'."

Okay well I thought of a funny thing to say, but it was inappropriate so I didn't write it. Sorry. You'll have to call me and ask, but by then it won't be funny, so I guess, don't bother.
Anyway. So I was just folding some diapers/canning some beets/cooking supper when Cade starts harassing me to change his diaper. So I get down on the floor, take a sopping wet diaper off the poor neglected child, and say "There you go Cade, go be free."
And Brilyn says from the background, "Mom! Cade's not free, he's one!"
So, umm, I am going to talk to her about homophones, which maybe sort of applies in this case.
Yep.
And here's a good way to eat apples:
Take a package of cream cheese, add some maple syrup, a drop of vanilla extract, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and beat it till smooth. Dip apples in it. YUM!
XOXOXO
Joce

Hello! It's morning for me, but may not be morning by the time you read this, so I won't say good morning to you, but you should know that it is a good morning for me. I am awake, coffee in hand, dog walked, breakfast eaten, list made, and my kids are still sleeping. THAT is a good morning.
And, I had a really good walk with Bailey and God. The grass was sparkly with dew, and there was mist in the air and I could see my breath. I LOVE those kinds of mornings. So, I took my devotional book of hymns with me and meditated on the verse for today. And it's a good thing too, because I didn't quite get the first, oh, 20 times I read it. A lot of you who's and He who's and Him who's and such. I was like, who the heck are they talking about? But, God is faithful to bless those who read His word and I figured it out on my second loop.
The walk itself was a bit of a devotional today. The very first signs of the changing season were there. The seasons are all my favorite (except spring, really, it's kind of ugly). And when the next one starts to show up it makes me feel excited for the next thing that life is bringing me. Although it is always bittersweet because 'every new beginning is some other beginning's end.' But keep in mind that dark chocolate is considered bittersweet too and is quite enjoyable for those of us with an educated palate. Life is bringing me lots of new things.
Things like being the MOPS coordinator, and my LAST grad class!
Well, I just wanted to check in, not wrote a tome, so have a lovely day!
XOXO
Joce

Hello...for those of you wondering where the heck I am, I am outside. And I am very happy to be outside. But, it makes it hard for me to blog.
I am writing quickly, so if this post doesn't flow super well, that's why. I am writing quickly so I can go back outside. To weed my delicious onions, that's why. Pamela warned me this would happen, but here I am giving the preemptive "that' why" to every anticipated "why" question.

One quote: "Oh my goonness mommy, you just scared my hecks out of me." -Brilyn

One thing I am looking forward to: Camping out in our yard tonight. I especially like tin foil dinners (a meal of potatoes, burger, and onions cooked in a tin foil packet) and stockbrot (Snack made by molding bread dough around the end of a stick, cooking it in the fire, and then filling it with honey. Plus you eat it. Plus it's German.)

Word of the week: "Plus" (Anything may follow this phrase. It's like Ranch dressing it just goes wth anything.) -Brilyn

Cade has a word of the week, er, month for you too: "UP!" Must be pronounced with vehemence. Definition: "Something needs to change, I am not happy with the way things are right now." I really like that you can say so much with so little, so I may adopt this phrase-um- word. So, if I say "UP!" you know what I mean.

Brilyn has an imaginary friend. His name is Sean. Sometimes I respond to something
Brilyn has said, only to be informed that she was "talking to SEAN!" Let's just say I am really okay with this. Mommy's ears are tired. Actually, sometimes when I am cooking supper I say, "Go talk to Sean." And she GOES! That is really cool for me. I think I should get mommy-points for that one. Or, demerits, depending on your perspective.

I haven't written about Bailey because he is still more of a stress-inducer than stress-reducer. When that changes I will tell you more about him. I think it will change when we install invisible fence. I am looking forward to that. (Having it, not installing it.)

And now for my pictures:
Cade, being cute.
Brilyn, in my wedding dress.
A rainbow that actually landed in my backyard...it was better than Lucky Charms.
Our beans are purple, but they turn green when you cook em, but if you rinse them in cold water, the water turns blue.
Brilyn likes the BIG blackberries we found growing behind a neighboring wheat field. YUM!

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I must go outside to weed my onions. And they are really good on ka-bobs. OH! One more thing...Brilyn checked a book out of the library... Emeril's cookbook for kids. (Only my daughter...she was like, "Mommy! This book is about FOOD!") So, in it there are some wonderful yummy recipes, and something new for the spice cupboard... Baby BAM!
Love, love.
XOXOX
Joce

Well, the summer is going pretty well.
I dont think I have mentioned this before (but I may have). We have been watching a fun video series- Road to Avonlea. We get the DVD's from the library and have been watching season by season.
They are nice because:
1. We can watch them whenever we get a chance (after we get our chores done).
2. Brilyn can can understand them (mostly).
3. They don't give her nightmares (although Aunt Hettie is a little scary).
4. They allow me to maintain my (possibly unhealthy) addiction to anything connected with Anne.

Okay cool, so when I was looking up the link to give you for this TV series, I saw that they just made a prequel movie Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning. Let's hope it is as good as the book prequel by Budge Wilson.
Just a reminder, if anyone would like to go the the Anne of Green Gables picnic with me at Present Tense Book Store in Batavia, it is on Saturday, August 16th, at 1 pm. We need to RSVP by August 9 if we want to attend.
Okay, enough about Anne for now.
I found some GREAT goat milk soap at the new Farmer's Market in LeRoy. It will be every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It's nice, but not very big yet. But, judging by the turnout, it will probably grow to be big and famous. Anyway, about the soap, it's from Harper Hill Farm in Darien and works so nicely. Ah, my face is so happy that I am not putting salicylic acid on it everyday anymore.
And lastly, I would like to make a rag rug for my NEW kitchen floor (that's a story for it's own post). So, if you have any old flannel sheets, shirts, nightgowns, etc. please pass them down to me. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me with that.
Here's a rag rug in case any of you don't know what I am talking about.
Okay, I'll tell the floor story and update you on my flourishing garden next time, I have to go work in the garden before my kids wake up.
Love ya!
XOXO
Joce

Okay-
For those who like to have updates:
Bailey is a great dog! He has the best manners and worked his charm on Joe. So, I put my application in to the NESR and I understand that they are checking my references. I will keep you updated on the process.
Summer school is going well. I have nine students- two boys and seven girls. Let me just say that there was a reason God had me take play therapy this summer before starting work. It has really changed the way I deal with kids, and for the better. (Which is saying something, because, not to toot my own horn, but I have always had a knack for working with kids) (toot!)
I have one little lady in particular who is one of the most overtly manipulative people I have ever met. For example:
Me: Go to time out.
Little Lady (LL): I'm SORRY!
Me: You are sorry that you made the choice to go to time out. But, now you have to go, because that is what you chose to do. But, you are really sorry about that.
LL: You're mean! You don't like me.
Me: You're thinking I must not like you if you have to go to time out, but really, you are the one who chose to go to time out by talking during the story.
LL: I promise I'll be good. We can be friends! You're pretty and we can do ballet together.
Me: You think that if you promise to be good, you won't have to go to time out. But, you already made that choice to go to time out.
LL: I hate you, I wish Miss Alissa was my teacher instead. Miss Alissa! Miss Alissa! Can you be my teacher?
etc. etc.
Fun, huh?
Anyway, you can also see in the example my new tool in dealing with challenging kids. Pretty much, empathy. It is amazing because, it works. And that is cool.
Well, gotta go eat Ralph and Rosie's pizza. And that is a really good thing.
You should absolutely eat only Ralph and Rosie's pizza for the rest of your life. That's what I think.
XOXO
Joce

Some quick pics:
Sunday Best!



YUMMY!

The thinker...

Going to see Bailey tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. YAY!

News Story of the Day~
"Today the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) delivered its ruling on District of Columbia v. Heller. This case challenged Washington D.C.’s ban on the possession of handguns and its requirement that guns be stored locked or disassembled. In a 5-4 split decision the court affirmed Heller and ruled the ban unconstitutional. Justice Scalia delivered the court’s opinion which went on to clarify many disputed attributes of the Second Amendment while leaving others open to litigation. Justices Stevens and Breyer delivered separate dissenting opinions. The entire text of the opinion is available here.
This ruling is a huge victory for those who interpret the Second Amendment like the other nine in the Bill of Rights: an individual and inalienable right. Among other things the court held:
The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.
One of the few things the court clarified without room for interpretation is that the Second Amendment is an individual right. Justice Scalia delivered an impressive argument for the ruling consisting of textual criticism, historical precedent, and context within the Constitution.
Comparing the phrase “right of the people” to its usage in other parts of the Constitution, he writes
Nowhere else in the Constitution does a “right” attributed to “the people” refer to anything other than an individual right."

Hear, hear! Whatever else folks may say about George W's work as President of this great nation, his role in filling spots on The Big Bench has certainly been helpful here. And now, on to the....

Quote of the Day~ "Our unalterable resolution would be to be free. They have attempted to subdue us by force, but God be praised! in vain. Their arts may be more dangerous then their arms. Let us then renounce all treaty with them upon any score but that of total separation, and under God trust our cause to our swords."

Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, April 16, 1776

Not only can he turn a nice phrase, but man, can he make beer!

Happy Fourth of July!

xoxo
~Joce

Well, I was planning on going to meet Bailey today, but his mommy is sick today and so we couldn't. To help myself get over the disappointment, I got a hair cut.

I didn't let Brilyn do it, although she obviously has talent in the cosmotology area.
The cool thing is, I went to Transformations in LeRoy like I always do, and who is there to cut my hair, but Heidi Kollarik! YAY! And, no offense to others who have cut my hair in the past, but, she did an absolutely fabulous job, really the best short hair cut I have ever had. I must recommend her.
My kids like to ride the vaccuum, and they are really cute, so here is a picture of that.

I love living on our little ten acre patch. There are so many really cool things about it. Here's a new one- we have black cherry trees. And they produced like crazy this year.

So, besides the gallons of cherry coridal we made (bet you want to come to my house around Christmas, don't ya?) I made a really quite beautiful cherry pie. I have never made one before in my life, so you have to understand how proud I am. And, it tasted as good as it looked.

And, I set it on the window sill to cool.

And then Joe took my picture. He didn't take it the way it appears here (ahem). I um, cropped it because my face didn't look very good. And that's the truth. So note to self and anyone else who has never pitted cherries by hand before...they spit at you. DON"T WEAR A WHITE SHIRT! Nasty little buggers.

Here's the recipe for the pie: Never mind, it was too good, I can't tell you.
And finally, please vote on Cade's hair...
Thanks folks!
XOXOX
Joce

This is fun...

This is what we are having for supper, except I will use fresh baby lettuce and baby beet greens instead of spinach.
Spinach Salad
3/4 c creamed cottage cheese
1/2 c sour cream
1 T sugar
5 t vinegar
2 t horseradish
1 t mustard power
1/4 t salt
Blend in mixer & toss with fresh spinach ( about 10 cups)
Add 1/2 c chopped pecans and a 1/2 c bacon pieces
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......................

Oh Yeah- I forgot to post the the pictures from Adam and Nicole's wedding.
Bridesmaids: Andrea, Sundi, Jocelyn, and RoseLynn
The Beautiful Bride Nicole and Jocelyn and Andrea
Jocelyn and Sundi
Roselynn, Jocelyn, and Sundi

Here's Bailey- A National English Shepherd Rescue dog that we are considering adopting. We are planning to go meet him next weekend! How fun that will be. I hope that he likes us and fits right into our family. I have been praying that God would send us just the right dog for our situation, and he just might be the one.
Here are a few more of the promised pictures:
Brilyn and Daddy on the Tractor
A few juvenile delinquents we found hiding out in our barn...
Cade acting as a puppy for me one day when I needed a puppy fix...
BIG egg from a previous post-
Tiny egg we recently found-
Love ya!
XOXOX
Joce

Good Friday Morning.
I recently finished the Anne of Green Gables series. I am a different person because of it. There are not too many books or book series about which you can say that. Like Harry Potter- I LOVE Harry Potter, but reading that series did not change me. Because I have read the Anne books I am more compassionate, am more likely to see the good in people, have more respect for myself and women everywhere who minister to those around them through cooking and cleaning and gardening and visiting and running commitees and helping others and kissing boo-boo's. Self sacrifice and getting through hard times are not opportunities for pissing and moaning, but for "being a brick" and doing your part bravely. Bravery and duty are themes in the books and I am better for having read them. I hope you read them too. I will be reading Christmas with Anne this coming December if anyone wants to do a little holiday book club. Also: (thanks for the heads-up Pam) Present Tense bookstore in Batavia, NY is hosting an Anne of Green Gables picnic on Saturday, August 16th, at 1:00 pm. You need to RSVP so visit the website if you are interested. We can go together!
Next up: some cute pics. Enjoy!
Brilyn and Felicity taking a ride on Penny
Princess Brilyn in Jammies
Family Camping Memorial Day Weekend
Cade Pimpin on Felicity