Today we picked 3 1/3 lbs. of blueberries at Pat's, and then it was off to the LeRoy farmer party (aka farmer's market) where we bought 1 fudge nut cookie, 1 head of organic garlic, 1 big sweet onion, 1 quart smaller cooking onions, 3 bars of Charleen's soap, (Egyptian spice w/ clay- good for shaving, Lavender- good for smelling, and cucumber mint w/corn meal-good for scrubbing), and 2 peaches from the Watt's (where we bought the peaches for last year's wine for those of you who know about that).
We had a good time with that.
And, now that I have my bathing suit on, the sunshine has vamoosed.
So Brilyn and I are going to eat cake and play My Little Pony Memory.
See ya.
XOXO
Joce

Try this

So, a friend brought me some chocolate pudding. Which is good. But, I really should be eating yogurt, not pudding. So? I mixed it half chocolate pudding, half plain yogurt, and accidently made up a practically gourmet treat. It is so so good.
So, you should try it.
And, I made mulberry preserves. Mulberries are a LOT of work. But, I think, now that the work is done, that it was worth it. I have never had any jams, jellies, or preserves with such a rich flavor. Basic recipe: 1 cup fruit, 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice. And a new trick: how to tell when it's jam- put a teaspoon of fruity stuff in question on a plate, and when cool enough, run your finger through it. If it doesn't run back together, but stays in two blobs, its done!
That trick worked for me. Quite well. Plus, you get to lick some jam (or almost jam) off your finger.
XOXO
Joce

Just in case...

Just in case the baby in my belly is a boy, I am going to need some boys' names.
So I don't end up with a Justin Case, who is a real person in Oppenheim, NY.
Rules: I need boys' names that are cool like Cade, but not trendy like Caden, Braden, or Jaden. Okay?
Go.


Thanks.
XOXO
Joce

Two pictures and two precious gifts

My mom passed into glory one week ago today.
I was very happy to find this picture in my camera. It was taken a few weeks ago, the last time she was able to visit. See previous post- we had a good time.

And here is a pic (as is the new header) of the bouquet my sister and I chose for my mom from our kids. Flowers have never been more meaningful to me.

Thanks for your prayers- I'm doing okay. I can take some comfort in the fact that I held her hand as she was meeting Jesus.

I am also comforted by two gifts straight from heaven:

1. The last time my mom visited here she felt good, and we had fun, and cooked together. And I was aware of the fact that it could be the last time I ever cooked with my mom and I savored every second of it. I'm so glad I took the time to notice. That's a gift.

2. I was able to say a few words and play the piano at mom's funeral. I wanted to say something, but I was unsure what I could do without breaking down. The morning of the funeral, I was playing my mom's piano- "It is Well"- and God just calmed my heart. I knew that playing that song would express two things I have received from my mom- music and faith. That I was able to do that was a gift to me and to those who were there. That's the second gift.

XOXO
Joce

Rambling me

So, my kids are both asleep. I had a chance to check my email and my blog, and I want to write something here...but I also want to go out to my garden and weed a bit. The planted plants and the weeds are all QUITE big enough to pull weeds without hurting the planted plants or my fingers. (Pulling baby weeds hurts my cuticles, call me a wimp, I don't really care.)
So, my onions are really begging to weeded.
We ate our first fruits (vegetables) of our labors for supper yesterday- Lettuce and baby beet greens. What a salad. My mom and dad were visiting (yes, my mom is well enough to travel, the oxygen lets her do more than she was before, and that is a praise report right there. And the swelling in her arm due to a tumor she has went down while she was here, Amen!) and I cooked up one mean meal for them and Joe. It was in honor of Father's Day. Here's the menu:
Green salad from the garden, pickled beets from last year's garden, yummy steaks from a grass fed cow I never met, but have enjoyed eating, creamed potatoes (which I made and were really really good), and scalloped onions (which my mom made and were out of this world). It was fun to do a bit of cooking with my mom (read as: I spied on her and found out how to make scalloped onions) Everything was delicious and I had seconds on everything except the salad, of which I really took two helpings the first time.
No dessert- my mom had requested cookies, so we had already eaten those before supper. Because we eat dessert first if we want to. The cookies were quite yummy, too- oatmeal three ways. Oatmeal with semi-sweet chocolate chunks (Pamela I need more bulk chocolate), oatmeal with walnuts, and oatmeal with big glops of chunky Pamela-made peanut butter (Pamela, I need more peanut butter too. And so does my dad, so my order is for 1 quart creamy, amd 2 quarts crunchy. My dad said, with a look of mild elation, "It comes in quarts?" And that is funny to any LOTR fans who can picture a certain hobbit saying, "It comes in pints?" But that is not about peanut butter, it's about beer.)

Okay, if that isn't enough rambling for you, you'll never get enough, so I might as well go weed my onions. And my peppers, because I am looking forward to kabobs.
XOXO
Joce

Easy community service

Okay, so this is easy.
Go to twitter, create an account, and then follow @Mom_17.
I have two very strong reasons.
1. Pamela (the classy gal you would be following) is funny beyond reason. Go read her for proof.
2. She is in a contest, that has really cool baby-related prizes. And, if she wins, Pamela will donate everything but the camera (which she will give to her mom, because I guess she really needs it) to Teen MOPS of Batavia. Which is a great ministry that helps teen moms gain skills for parenting and stuff.
So, go ahead and do that. Go to twitter. And follow.
XOXO
Joce

Strawberries

I had a little outfit when I was about 8 years old- a pair of shorts and a tank top with three strawberries across the chest. I called it- My Strawberry Outfit. And, I had big plans for this outfit. On my first day of summer vacation, I was going to wear it strawberry picking. Ah...poor ALP Farms had no idea that my 40 pound self could eat so many strawberries. Honestly, they should have weighed me coming in and going out and charged my mother accordingly.

Anyway, I took my own dear children strawberry picking last Saturday, over to Duysson's in LeRoy. I must recommend it. The farm, not the taking of children. However, I now appreciate that mom took me strawberry picking. It is not as joyous for the mommy as it is for the little strawberry party animals. I take it that Cade enjoys strawberries as much as his mommy, because, as Hanna put it, "He looks like a crazed little strawberry murderer." His red mouth and hands, and the red juices dripping from his chin and finger tips really were a little disturbing.
Since then, I can't recall how many times I have had to say, "No more strawberries!" I feel like a mom in a bedtime story for pre-readers, the amount of times I have repeated myself word for word. He's a naughty little pilferer of strawberries. He's sneaky. He's persistant. Everytime I prepare a strawberry recipe, he's there. Lurking.

Anyway.
Here are the recipes.

Number one, Strawberry Jam, go here: http://cincinnatilocavore.blogspot.com/2008/06/strawberry-preserves-no-pectin-recipe.html
I pretty much followed those directions.

Number two, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie:

INGREDIENTS
1 egg
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon corn starch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 pound fresh rhubarb, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
12 oz. fresh strawberries, halved
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell

TOPPING:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup quick-cooking or rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¾ stick cold butter

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg. Add the sugar, flour, corn starch and vanilla; mix well. Gently fold in rhubarb and strawberries. Pour into pastry shell.
2. For topping, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and oats in a small bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.

Yum.

XOXO
Joce

Oh, yeah, you probably want my pie crust recipe, too. Fine. Here it is.
2 cups flour
2 teaspooons sugar
pinch salt
2/3 cup oil
3 Tablespoons milk
Mix it up in the pie plate and shape into crust. No rolling. Easy Squeezy.

And, some updated photos of the fam:

A recipe, a request, and a moment of silence

Recipe:

Asparagus thingys

1 package cresent rolls

cheese

asparagus

In the little triangles that the cresent roll people make, place some cheese (I used sliced mozz, shredded cheddar, and shredded swiss- that's what was in my fridge) and about four 4-inch spears of asparagus. Roll it up like the cresent roll people say on the package, and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. Wow. That's all I'll say. (I do apologize for posting this now that asparagus is done for the year.) (And, sorry that the picture is blurry. I did my best, but my camera just wasn't feeling cooperative.)

Request:

Please identify this plant-

And this one, too-

And a moment of silence: (for my baby's hair)

Due to a very unfortunate miscommunication (on my husband's part, I won't mince words there)my dear sweet baby accidently received a Big Boy Hair Cut while I was Out of Town.

Sweet Baby-

Big Boy-

That's all for now, my little people are in need of food.

XOXO

Joce

Quote of the moment...

God is great.

Beer is good.

And people are crazy.

And a picture:

"Princess Brilyn of the long hair"

In the merry merry month of May...

Birthdays!

Brilyn:

2005

20062007

2008

2009

Cade:

2007

2008

2009

Happy Birthday!

A - N

Hey! I hit th 12 week mark on Monday. That means I am feeling better. Just hungry. So, I should be able to post....just as soon as I catch up on, oh, about 5 weeks worth of work around here. Indoors and out, my duties are totally in arrears. Even the laundry. Who knew we had that many pairs of underwear? Good thing we do, that's all I'll say about that.
Quick updates and then I gotta go lie down. Lay down? No that's what I have to do with my kids..."Lay down the law." So, when speaking of flopping my tired butt down on the couch, I think I should say "I must lie down."
Anyway.
Asparagus is up! Yum.
Berry bushes are growing.
Cow is mangy, but soon to be treated with Pour-on Ivomec.
Daffodils are on their way out.
Eggplant is on my list of things to grow in my garden.
Frogs are all over the place in the back.
Garden is rototilled.
Hog is ordered, ready for pick-up May 19th.
Igloo-building is out for oh, the next 4 months or so. YAY!
Joe went to the doctor today because he keeps coughing and coughing. Honestly, we (I) just want to get some sleep.
Kara is huge. www.bugro2.blogspot.com
Lilacs!
Making some dandelion jelly, I'll let you know if it's edible.
Not able to think of anything here...must be time to quit for the day. I'll finish the list soon.

XOXO
Joce

Ramps

We went on a walk in the woods yesterday, and what did we find? Ramps are up!
So, in the next week or so, my family will be enjoying one of these delicious-sounding recipes from this really helpful site.
Seasonalchef.com
I'm thinking the first spaghetti recipe (not the pesto, I don't have pine nuts, nor do I really like them very much) and the grilled ramp soup. (ramps? check. oodles of heavy cream? check. Emeril's Essence (aka Baby BAM!)? check.)
I'll take pictures if/when I make supper from ramps.
I did make a macaroni salad the other night with wild chives instead of onions. It was really good, and the green chopped chives looked really nice.
XOXO
Joce

Here I am. Just grumpy.

So, I keep checking in on my blog, and it is not posting on its own. So, I guess I will post here, now.
The only trouble is that I can't think of anything to write. Why? Because I am so so so so tired. Exhausted. Really really sleepy. And sick to my stomach. And lacking in energy. And nauseated. Alright. That's enough of that.
Hmmm.
Oh! It's because there's a baby in my belly. FYI.
Just in case the baby growing in the top right hand corner of my blog didn't give it away. I am very excited about it, I just can't work up the appropriate affect through the nausea-haze.
Hmmm.
Oh! Here's some news. We planted some trees. One each pear, peach, nectarine.
And raspberry bushes.
I got a tan today. Reading a book on the deck, and also transplanting some hyacinths and grape hyacinths today to make room for the raspberry bushes.
My cow is great, we bought a stake so we can tie her out on the lush grass on our lawn. She seems to really like that.
We bought some meat chicks at Tractor Supply. 12. They are eating/pooping machines. Luckily Joe just finished the chicken tractor, so we won't have to shovel their refuse. Which is good. Because shoveling chicken poop, just the thought, really, is making me sicker. More sick. Yeah, sicker.
Well, Brilyn is ready for bed, and really? So am I.
So.
XOXO
Joce

OH! I went to my parents' house on Monday and Tuesday, and I took these pics in their driveway on Tuesday morning. I was glad I brought my camera. It was invigorating. :)

Contentment

Contentment is truly one of God's best blessings. Like many of God's gifts, the hardest part is learning how to open it. It has a lot to do with trusting that God has your best interest in mind, and that your circumstances are exactly perfect. No need to obsess about improving your lot in life, just rest assured God will continue to provide your every need. I am truly thankful that through the Holy Spirit's gentle urging, Joe and I have learned to be content.
All that to say, I have been finding that the more areas of my life that I entrust to God, the more content and peace-filled I become. I will elaborate more on that in a later post.
And now for the point of this post. I had an amazingly peace-filled moment yesterday. God's presence in my life was so tangible and my heart just overflowed with His goodness. What was I doing, you may ask? Walking in the woods, meditating on His mercies? Reading my Bible quietly at my kitchen table? Praying in the quiet sanctuary of my bedroom? Nope. I was walking out to the mailbox with a chubby and sticky little hand in each of mine. I mention the stickiness to make it clear that this was by no means an idyllic scene. Brilyn was wearing dirty red size 3T (too small by about 4 inches) sweat pants with candy canes appliqued on them OVER her PJ's, complete with purple snow boots with no socks. Cade was wearing a mismatched outfit because of a diaper explosion earlier in the day that had obliterated his pants that matched the shirt he was wearing. Both their hands were sticky from eating some fresh sourdough cinnamon buns earlier, and then coated with a fresh layer of dirt (or was it chicken poop on Cade's hands?). And me? I was looking hot in a Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt, jeans, glasses, and workboots. I can't even think of a way to describe the atrocity of my hair.
I think sometimes that when people talk about contentment, they paint a rosy picture of clean kids, clean house, attractive mom, etc. (There is nothing wrong with any of those things, and they are good to work toward.) But I think that gives us the idea that we will only experience contentment when we have our ducks in a row. Paul talks about learning to be content in WHATEVER state he is in. That means in the sitcky hand state. And the weird outfit state. And the too-tired-to-put-my-contacts-in state. I think that is a stumbling block for some moms to feel content and fulfilled in their vocation (root word Latin 'vocare', or "call") as a fulltime wife and mother. If we are not keeing a picturesque home with adorable smart children with size 6 jeans and a cute haircut, we are not 'doing it right.' So we don't feel a sense of accomplishment the way we did when we worked outside of the home. I believe that is why some women "have to go back to work." Not for the money per se, but for the feeling of respectability, productivity, and accomplishment.
I'd like the point of this post to be, find contentment and joy in the small pleasures of holding chubby hands while walking to the mailbox, despite the fact that nobody would want to take your picture for a parenting magazine. God himself thinks that walk to the mailbox is worth joining you. That's right, God thinks your job as mom is so cool, he makes time to walk to the mailbox with you. And wash hands with you. And wipe baby booties with you. Think that is stretching it a bit? Think back to the story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet. That's pretty much grosser than wiping a toddler's heiny. (Stinky dirty man-feet are worse in my opinion.) Anyway. Each of our tasks, no matter how menial, can be done to the glory of God if only we remember that He is right there with us. You can find contentment in those tasks if you take the time invite God to come with you. And then? You find that you are right where God wants you. In your home. With your children. And you will find peace under the couch with the Cheerios. And contentment on your trip to the mailbox.

XOXO
Joce

Who loves chocolate syrup? I do! I do!

Yeah. So I've been wanting me some chocolate milk. And I don't have any Hershey's. Why? Because it's got like 5 different forms of corn syrup in it, that's why. But I still want chocolate milk. And by want, I mean, give it to me now or I'm going to d.i.e.
So, I decided to make my own chocolate syrup. Corn syrup free, special dark syrup.
And? It's super easy. If anyone reading this ever buys Hershey's again, well, then I'll have to consider you s.t.u.p.i.d. Because, this recipe? Is easy. And cheap. And doesn't take very long. And doesn't contain the corn syrup. And is the most wonderfully delicious syrup you'll ever eat by the spoonful taste.
In a deep saucepan (it bubbles and grows while cooking) mix together 1 C cocoa powder 1 1/2 C sugar, and 1/4 t salt. Add 3/4 C water and stir that in till smooth. Then, turn your burner on medium and stir like crazy when it starts to boil. Boil for a while, till it seems like it will be thick when it cools down. (yeah, pretty much guess). Add a tablespoon of vanilla when it cools down.
Store it in the fridge, probably for a long time since it is made of things that don't really spoil.

Yummy yummy.

XOXO
Joce

PS Watch this video.

I got me an Ergo

I spent money today, and since that is so extremely rare, I thought I would share my excitement about my purchase.

I bought an Ergo baby carrier. For Cade. Because he says "Up Up! Mama! Up Up! Ride! PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE! Mama! Up Up Ride! Me See! Peeese! UP! RIDE! PEESE!!!!!! PEESEPEESEPEEESE! MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA! UPUPUPUPUPUPUP!"

And, Hanna, my dear sweet partner in cream, and also my friend, let me borrow her Ergo one day when Cade asked for a ride. Cade is very persuasive.

So, today, I bought one. A NEW one. Because it doesn't pay to buy them used, they are like Corolla's. They don't depreciate much. Because they're good, that's why. And they last a long time. So.

And I got some new diaper inserts. And I asked specifically for two of each: female snaps, male snaps. Because last time, they sent me like 30 male snaps and 6 female snaps. That means I can only make 6 snapped pairs. And I like to snap them. So.

And, I bought vitamins today, but that is not as interesting. But, it does mean that I spent a lot of money in total today. Because, I bought vitamins for the rest of the year (yes, 2009), and diaper inserts and an Ergo, which is not cheap. But COOL AS HECK. Yep.

And, I bought the Ergo and diaper inserts at Cotton Babies. And they are nice there. And the Ergo was cheaper there than at the Ergo official online store.

One more thing- when I ordered, I used my already existing account and my address was my LeRoy address. Which means I haven't spent any money since 2006. That's pretty good, eh?

(And by 'spent money,' I really mean just very much at a time, on something specifically for my use- mostly).

XOXO

Joce

Do it NOW!

From http://www.radiantlifecatalog.com/page.cfm/cid/39/ :

"USDA COMMENT PERIOD ENDS MARCH 16

In January, the USDA proposed a rule to require farms and other properties where animals are raised to be registered in the federal NAIS database for existing federal disease control programs. The rule also sets the stage for future mandatory animal identification. If you haven't already submitted comments on this proposed rule, please be sure to do so before March 16! An easy way to comment online is through the Organic Consumers Association's automated system, at
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26665

SUBMIT COMMENTS TO THE USDA BEFORE MARCH 16The USDA has proposed a rule to require all farms and ranches where animals are raised to be registered in a federal database under the NAIS for existing disease control programs. The draft rule covers programs for cattle, goats, sheep, and swine. It also sets the stage for mandatory NAIS animal identification in the future. It is CRITICAL that the USDA and Congress hear from the hundreds of thousands of people who will be adversely affected by the NAIS program. This includes not only animal owners, but also consumers who care about local and sustainable foods, taxpayers who object to wasteful government programs, and advocates for a safer food system. TAKE ACTION: Submit comments to USDA online or by mail. The comments must be received by USDA by Monday, March 16, 2009. You can submit comments online at the USDA's official site:

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2007-0096

Please be sure to personalize the letter! It can be as easy as a couple of sentences at the beginning stating who you are (for example, a farmer, consumer, property rights proponent) and why you care about NAIS. "

So, here's what I did.
I wrote my letter:

Dear soandso,
I am writing concerning the USDA proposal of a rule to require farms and other properties where animals are raised to be registered in the federal NAIS database for existing federal disease control programs. As the owner of a small farm with 10 chickens and 1 Jersey cow, I am concerned that this law would infringe on my rights. I am also concerned as a consumer. I prefer to buy locally and from small scale, sustainable farms. I am concerned that this type of law would interfere with my ability to do so. Thank you for your consideration of my perspective in this matter.
Sincerely,
~Jocelyn Rebisz

Please go to the USDA, http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?edeployment_action=changenav&navid=FEEDBACK_FORM
and email the secretary of agriculture.

Write to Gillibrand, kirsten_gillibrand@gillibrand.senate.gov
And to Schumer, http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/webformdeplist.cfm

Okay.

So I made really really easy for you. So do it. Really. If you care about this even a little, do it. For more info: www.FarmAndRanchFreedom.org

XOXO
Joce

A bit of fun on this Wednesday morning

"Take a picture of this, mom."

My practically famous mozzarella.

Hanna tagged me on Facebook to have my kids answer these questions.

Brilyn odds, Cade evens:

1. What is something mom always says to you? Be patient.

2. What makes mom happy? Daddy.

3. What makes mom sad? When you hurt something, you cry.

4. How does your mom make you laugh? Daddy.

5. What was your mom like as a child? A donkey.

6. How old is your mom? Eleven.

7. How tall is your mom? This big (holds hands about 12 inches apart).

8. What is her favorite thing to do? Cheese.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Type on the computer.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Daddy.

11. What is your mom really good at? Playing games.

12. What is your mom not very good at? "docky" (Brilyn says that means hockey).

13. What does your mom do for a job? Wash dishes.

14. What is your mom's favorite food? "Beyato, eat eat" Anyone wish to interpret that one?

15. What makes you proud of your mom? When you go out to milk, you have to look both ways to make sure the light's on.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Mousie.

17. What do you and your mom do together? Play games.

18. How are you and your mom the same? "Jour hubby-up." (Brilyn adds, your hair is the same, too. Apparently, she knows what Cade meant by jour hubby-up).

19. How are you and your mom different? Because we don't have the same hair, and I have darker hair and you have lighter hair.

20. How do you know your mom loves you? "Oooh deek shan." (Any takers?)

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? When he goes to work and looks both ways at a red or a green light, and he go left or straight or that way.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Milk cow.

XOXO

Joce

Happy March.
So Here's a story for ya. And, it's gotta be quick because I want to make ice cream. So.

Ah, let's see...it was 3:30 Wednesday morning. Joe, who was awake from severe abdominal pain, heard a car pull into our driveway. He figured they must be turning around. About 5 minutes later, our phone rings. He runs downstairs to answer it, and there is car sitting in our driveway with the lights on. So Joe runs back upstairs to tell me (really, to put pants on) and then goes back downstairs, where someone is knocking on our door. It's a Genesee County Sheriff guy.

"Do you guys have a cow?" (Shines huge flashlight over near the barn.) "Is that it right there?"

Turns out that this poor deputy sheriff had been tracking our cow all over the county for about four hours. Or, at least, he had gotten a few reports of a cow spotted near our home. Yeah, Clara's Big Adventure. Good times, good times. We keep finding cow pies in the strangest places. "She went over here, too? Really?"
How many times can a cow poop in a few short midnight hours? The answer is a lot a lot.

That's my story. And now, for a commercial I keep hearing about from people who watch TV. They say, hey, there's a little girl on TV who reminds me of Brilyn. So I went to youtube to watch the commercial. And so, now, you can too.



XOXO
Joce

A few of my favorite things

So, I was reading this book- Plain and Simple- written by a lady who went to live with the Amish a couple of times and then wrote about what she learned.
One thing she learned is to get rid of any possessions that aren't (a) useful or (b) your favorite.
I decided to apply that principle to my dining room and I am oh-so-happy with the results.
She went on to say that when all of the things in your home are things you use or things that are your favorite, you feel more comfortable in your surroundings because your home becomes a very clear representation of you. That's cool in itself.
Then, she makes the claim that when all you own are things that you need or things that are your favorite, you will LIKE cleaning them. Huh. Well, I tried that out today, and I will say this. I didn't HATE cleaning my dining room. I felt kind of satisfied. It was a fulfilling experience instead of job to get done.
And that brings me to second thing I (re)learned from what she learned. Be here now. Don't look at tasks as something to be quickly completed so that you can get on to something more important or interesting. All tasks in your life are part of what makes your life your own. Embrace them all and don't count some as more important than others. This even applies to brushing my retainers which, up until I read that, was something of a hateful task keeping me from my warm bed and good book. Now, as I carefully brush the little buggers, I think to myself, "Isn't it nice to have straight teeth?" or at least, "Isn't it nice to have teeth?"

So anyway, here's a few pics to enjoy.

Cade sleeps

Sleeping babes

Waiting for spring

Watching the chickens peck

Dining room

Dining room

XOXO

Joce

PS One thing I forgot to tell you about is that yesterday when my kids were wrapped up in blankets out on the deck watching the chickens, they decided to make a little trip down to see them up close. Which would be great, except that as you can see from the pic 'Waiting for spring' Cade was wearing his jammies (mammies, as he would say) and not so much wearing the shoes. Yeah. :)