tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21210697805936307692024-03-12T20:59:35.405-04:00Aunt Nancy's BlogFood, gardening, chickens, saving money, family, and living an enjoyable life while returning to the simpler ways of yesteryear - to the times of Aunt Nancy, but with a modern twist.Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-63346253725664495222015-03-30T08:50:00.000-04:002015-03-30T08:50:35.067-04:00Deciding what to eat is a major choreWhy is it that deciding what to eat is a major chore? I sit and stare and am overwhelmed by the amount of healthy eating plans that are out there. Which one is best? I have no clue. In a nation that is overweight I wonder if any of us does know what healthy is. Grocery stores are filled with tons of easy processed foods full of colorings and god knows what else. <br />
<br />
Shop the perimeter of the grocery store is what I have heard. Ok. Read labels. Ok. Buy whole foods. Ok.<br />
<br />
In Aunt Nancy's time there weren't all these things to bog you down. You went to the local very small grocer, grew most of your own, and fixed things from scratch. I think perhaps it is time for people to slow down. <br />
<br />
I know for my family it certainly is. I have to make a trip to the grocery store today and my goal is to find one thing to fix from scratch that I can make easily. Something that is healthy. Something that we will all like. One dish at a time that is how I hope to change our family eating habits.<br />
<br />Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-53569205527349724002014-08-10T08:23:00.001-04:002014-08-10T08:23:11.033-04:00Goal - to reduce stressLiving in these modern times can make anyone feel stressed out. We are plugged in 24/7. We have constant access to the whatever number of friends we have through social media like facebook, twitter, etc. Which always leads me to worry why didn't they respond? Our children are involved in extra curricular activities and we are the taxis that must get them to those destinations. We grab meals through the drive through all the while watching the clock. Hurry, hurry, hurry! Then at home the t.v. blares, the computers, iPads, and X box are sucking electricity until bleary eyed we stumble into bed. ENOUGH!<br />
<br />
Again, I say ENOUGH.<br />
<br />
But just how will I manage to reduce stress in my life? Over the next 21 days I have some ideas I wish to try. I want to know which things work for me and which don't. "To thine own self be true" a famous quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet. If only I knew myself then I could be true to myself. So here goes<br />
<br />
1. Walk early every morning.<br />
2. Drink a cup of tea in the afternoon.<br />
3. Eat one sit down meal slowly every day.<br />
4. Read a real book with the smell of paper pages.<br />
5. Set a limit to aimless computer time.<br />
6. Turn off all media an hour before bed.<br />
7. Set a nightly routine.<br />
8. Meditate or do yoga daily.<br />
9. Be at home at least three nights and one weekend day.<br />
10. Crochet, paint, or quilt each day.<br />
11. Wash the dishes. (Seeing dishes in the sink really stresses me out!)<br />
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<br />Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-3334307750721137862014-01-02T16:28:00.002-05:002014-01-02T16:28:52.577-05:00Happy New YearWell, another year came and went. We let it go very quietly. We sat at home and watched a movie with the kids and ate a slice of cheese cake as has become our family tradition. There were no horns to toot or confetti to shoot. I can honestly say I wouldn't have it any other way. Being in the comfort of our own home surrounded by the people we love the most is truly the way to end and begin a new year.<br />
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I stopped blogging part way through the year last year, and yet here I am again. I enjoy blogging, but sometimes I feel as if I get carried away and lose sight of why I blog in the first place. I enjoy writing. Last year I was thrilled to see all of the views on the different blogs I posted, but then I realized that most of them were some kind of computer phishing. So, I just stopped. <br />
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So if anyone is reading, I hope you have a comfortable year. That is my wish for my family as well. A year where we enjoy the little things. A year where we explore art and hobbies. A year where we take time for each other.Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-4566396959249407112013-07-19T15:24:00.002-04:002013-07-19T15:24:38.843-04:00Carrots from the GardenToday I pulled the carrots! Yeah. It looks like we will be having carrots for dinner. I couldn't help but think of the story of <i>Goldilocks and the Three Bears</i> as I tugged the carrots from the ground. Some of them were too big and they had split open, some of them were too small, and some of them were just right. All in all, I am pleased. These are my carrots. They were planted by me. Tended to by me. And pulled by me. What satisfaction!<br />
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Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-73788113186981440472013-07-19T08:18:00.002-04:002013-07-19T08:18:37.607-04:00Google ChromeEveryone has a favorite browser and for the most part people tend to prefer the one they used first. Years ago my husband convinced me that Firefox was better than Internet Explorer. So that is what I have been using. I am such a creature of habit. Of course, he has been through multiple browsers since that time. <br />
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This morning when I wanted to look for a typing instruction program for my daughter he nonchalantly said, "Just go to the Chrome store and get an APP."<br />
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I responded, "Huh? What? Do I have to pay for the APP?" <br />
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Long story short - No, I didn't have to pay and now when I open the extra tab on the Google Chrome home screen, voila there is the APP, Typing Club! <br />
<br />
Looks like I'm switching browsers. <br />
<br />
, Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-69279111735715619352013-07-18T22:57:00.000-04:002013-07-18T22:57:13.993-04:00My Redneck ClotheslineDid you know that it costs about $100 to dry your clothes in a clothes dryer per year, assuming you do 3 loads per week?<br />
<br />
Did you know that is costs $0 to dry your clothes on a clothesline outside?<br />
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I am sure you did! But life is complicated and busy, busy, busy! Who has time to wait for the clothes to dry? What if it rains? These are all powerful arguments for using the clothes dryer; however, I really enjoy the smell of clothes fresh off the line. I have never found a dryer sheet that could replicate that smell. One whiff and I smile.<br />
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I don't have a real clothesline. My husband tied a rope from one tree to another. It does the trick - helps me save a few bucks, conserves some energy, and makes me smile.<br />
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Here is my redneck clothesline - <br />
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Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-87830236471960579242013-07-17T06:58:00.003-04:002013-07-17T06:58:42.642-04:00Going Blueberry PickingWe are off bright and early this morning to go blueberry picking at Mason Beach Farm. It is about a 45 minute drive to get there and the farm opens at 8:00a.m.<br />
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I just hope it is worth our trip. I want to be able to go and fill up our buckets quickly. Our days are sweltering right now. High humidity and mid 90 temperatures are keeping us close to the AC. <br />
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If the berries are plentiful this year I can see lots of blueberries in our future - pie, muffins, jam, bread, crisp, and so much more. Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-48026569844221064312013-07-15T07:08:00.001-04:002013-07-15T07:08:38.525-04:00Summer ScheduleAs a teacher I am home for a chunk of the summer. Not as much time as what the vast majority of the country thinks! Today I have to go in to work as well as several other days this summer. But, I am so thankful for all the days that I can stay home. It gives me a chance to see what life as a stay at home mom is like. I value this extra time I have to be with my family.<div><br></div><div>I am the type of person who really needs a schedule or a checklist to really function at me best. I don't see this as a short coming. I look at it as my way to stay on track and keep focused on my family. I don't want regrets when the summer ends. I want to look back and smile as I think of all the time we spent together doing a variety of wonderful things.</div><div><br></div><div>I sat down yesterday and made a list. It is a list of the things I feel are important to my family. You will notice there are no set times. I just wanted to have this visual so that each and every day we could try to do at least 7 of the things on it. Some days certain activities will take longer than others.</div><div><br></div><div>Here is my schedule -</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--H4HkiosB1s/UePYMAZ1jOI/AAAAAAAAAXY/J70bCBnlp-o/s640/blogger-image-712706529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--H4HkiosB1s/UePYMAZ1jOI/AAAAAAAAAXY/J70bCBnlp-o/s640/blogger-image-712706529.jpg"></a></div>Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-72305846984767240052013-07-13T18:15:00.000-04:002013-07-13T18:15:59.898-04:00EVO Brewery TourToday my husband and I drove in to Salisbury where the Evolution Brewery is located. We went to the 1:30 p.m. brewery tour and my husband came home happily with a growler filled with his favorite brew.<br />
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I enjoy taking tours. I love learning how things come into being. I was not disappointed! I learned that beer is made with 4 essential ingredients: barley, hops, water, and yeast. We followed the hops on the journey it makes from beginning to end. Absolutely fascinating!<br />
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The EVO Brewery even has a restaurant as part of its facility. The items on the menu sounded wonderful, but we skipped this part as it was a bit out of our budget for today. Perhaps another time!<br />
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Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-68430974600098549272013-07-12T09:55:00.001-04:002013-07-12T09:55:41.107-04:00Buying a Canner<br />
This year I am going to invest in a canner, not the pressure ones, just an old-fashioned hot water bath canner. I missed strawberry season completely! I will not miss blueberry season. It has been a long time since we canned any produce. We used to make jellies and relishes. Then, life got very hectic and canning was forgotten. <br />
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<br />
This morning I was searching on Amazon and found the canner I am going to get. I like the Granite Ware products and this one has all the added bells and whistles of equipment included. Since I am a Prime member, there will be no shipping charge and the canner will arrive in 2 days. Prime membership is expensive and not something I would usually splurge on, but I have a 6 month free student trial membership. So why not put it to use.<br />
<img alt="Product Details" class="productImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41v81B9LrBL._AA160_.jpg" /><br />
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Here is the link for the canner - $38.75<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Granite-Ware-0718-1-Enamel--Canning/dp/B002KHN602/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1373636295&sr=1-3&keywords=hot+water+bath+canner" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Granite-Ware-0718-1-Enamel--Canning/dp/B002KHN602/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1373636295&sr=1-3&keywords=hot+water+bath+canner</a>Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-54756162410733375542013-07-11T10:59:00.002-04:002013-07-11T10:59:30.871-04:00PerfectionistI have often been told that I am a perfectionist. People say this word as if it is a bad thing! I don't think wanting perfection is a bad thing; I think that not being able to cope when things don't turn out perfect is a bad thing. <br />
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I have been taking graduate classes recently to add an English Language Learner endorsement to my teaching license. I have carefully looked at the course syllabus and the rubrics for grading. I have taking notes and turned my assignments in early. <br />
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My husband said, "Honey, do you always have to get an <i>A</i>?"<br />
I responded, "No, I don't have to get an <i>A</i>, but I do have to do my best!<br />
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Then an idea popped into my head - I am not a perfectionist. I just don't do half-assed. So, I even made up a poster with this saying on it. I feel liberated!<br />
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<br />Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-43722692109680348292013-07-10T14:37:00.000-04:002013-07-10T14:37:06.282-04:00Renaming behaviorsI am now through chapter 2 in the book, Raising the Spirited Child. I am trying to identify the behaviors that my four year old exhibits that just drive me nuts. He is defiant! If you tell him to stop doing something he has to do it one more time. If we put him in time out he throws a tantrum with ear splitting screams, slams his bedroom door, and declares he hates us or that we don't love him. He is very manipulative.<br />
<br />
Here goes-<br />
My son is <strike>hyper</strike> spirited. He is <strike>stubborn </strike>focused. He is <strike>defiant</strike> determined. <br />
<br />
WOW! These are all labels that do fit him and they fit him in a positive way. Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-81394670481397828282013-07-06T19:38:00.001-04:002013-07-06T19:38:29.420-04:00The BEST Oatmeal CookiesThis is one of my very favorite cookies. They are soft but with a crisp edge. They taste great warm from the oven and even days later. My husband loves to frost his with vanilla icing for an extra special treat. The recipe makes 4 dozen decent sized cookies, but I am hard pressed to keep them in the house for long.<br />
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Here is the recipe -<br />
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<u><b>Oatmeal Cookies</b></u><br />
1 cup of butter softened<br />
1 cup of sugar<br />
1 cup of packed brown sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 teaspoon of vanilla<br />
2 cups of all purpose flour<br />
1 teaspoon of baking soda<br />
1 teaspoon of salt<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon<br />
3 cups quick cooking oats<br />
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1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a cookie sheet.<br />
2. Cream the egg, butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla with a mixer.<br />
3. Measure and stir together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Then add a little at a time to the egg mixture and continue mixing.<br />
4. Stir in the oats by hand.<br />
5. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a greased cookie sheet.<br />
6. Bake for approximately 11 minutes. Let cookies rest on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool. <br />
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Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-60572672605995070732013-07-04T07:00:00.000-04:002013-07-04T07:00:08.691-04:00Happy 4th of JulyIn the United States, we celebrate Independence Day, better known as the 4th of July.<br />
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The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. On July 4, 1776 Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence and proclaimed that the 13 colonies no longer belonged to Great Britain. They were then a new nation - The United States of America. This document was signed by 56 delegates.<br />
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If you travel to Washington D.C. you can sign a miniaturized photocopy of the Declaration with quill and ink at the Jefferson memorial. You an also visit Constitution Gardens which honors the men who signed the Declaration. The memorial has 56 stones. Each stone has engraved the signature of one of the signers as well as his hometown and job. The original Declaration of Independence was lost, but many copies had been made. One very famous signed copy, now thought of as <i>the</i> Declaration of Independence, can be seen in the dimly lit hall of the National Archives building.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">humans</span><br />
<i>We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all <strike>men</strike> are created equal<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_men_are_created_equal" title="All men are created equal"></a>, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.</i><br />
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So today, I will give thanks for my life , for my freedom, and for being able to do the things that bring me joy. I will have a picnic with my family. I will go canoeing with my daughter down the river. I will through a ball to my son. And I will hug my husband.<br />
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Happy 4th of July!<br />
<br />Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-50916902172881616752013-07-03T08:15:00.000-04:002013-07-03T08:19:25.128-04:00Broccoli Ham QuicheThe hens are laying eggs daily and I needed to find some other ways to use them up besides the same old, "Would you like eggs for breakfast?" Yesterday I examined two different quiche recipes and and chose what in my opinion was the best of both for my own version. I have to say it was absolutely yummy. My daughter even had three slices. Here is my version -<br>
<u><b><br></b></u>
<u><b>Broccoli Ham Quiche</b></u><br>
Instant Mashed Potatoes (prepared)<br>
2 cups broccoli florets<br>
1 cup of cheddar cheese<br>
3/4 cup of honey ham from the deli sliced into thin strips<br>
3 eggs<br>
1 cup of milk<br>
1/2 teaspoon salt<br>
1/2 teaspoon pepper<br>
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg<br>
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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9 inch pie plate with cooking spray.<br>
2. Make instant potatoes according to directions on box.<br>
3. Spread the mashed potatoes into a thin layer covering the bottom and sides of the pie plate. This serves as the crust.<br>
4. Bake in oven for 30 minutes.<br>
5. Layer the broccoli, ham and cheese on top of the potato crust.<br>
6. Mix the eggs, milk, salt, peper, and nutmeg until frothy. <br>
7. Pour the egg mixture over the broccoli, ham, and cheese.<br>
8. Bake for another 40 to 50 minutes until the egg mixture has become solid and not runny.<br>
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<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sy942_8NZmk/UdQWyAFv0II/AAAAAAAAAVo/shNhDkNolZ0/s640/blogger-image-1072729991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sy942_8NZmk/UdQWyAFv0II/AAAAAAAAAVo/shNhDkNolZ0/s640/blogger-image-1072729991.jpg"></a></div>Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-77785866906590087032013-06-29T21:29:00.000-04:002013-06-29T21:29:34.719-04:00Goodbye StormyThis week Stormy, the kitten, turned seven weeks old and we were preparing to move her from my parent's home and into ours. I was on my way to have the car inspected this morning when my father called with sad news. Stormy was dead! The last of eight kittens had gone on to kitty heaven to be with her brothers and sisters who had gone before her. My husband took care of burying her before I returned home, and there was one very sad little girl at my house who wouldn't have the kitten for a pet that she had become so attached to. My husband is a great writer and upon returning home I found him typing furiously on his computer. I did not realize how much this little kitten's death had touched him until I read the finished story. Here is what he wrote -<br />
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<b><u>Scooter's Story</u></b><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was raining when he buried her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was out in the yard, wandering from dry spot to dry spot,
under the deck to under the truck, to under the tree, back to the deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was trying to avoid the other cat, Sasha,
whose naïve<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>attitude and blind affection
assure that one of the humans will ALWAYS pick her up and let her sleep in
their lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m Mr. Independent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They feed me (from the same bowl as that
Siamese bimbo), and I allow them to scratch under my chin or pet my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever. Point is, I was out in the yard
when the Master walked by carrying his shovel and a Wal-Mart bag, heavy with
something small inside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The shovel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Around here, it’s a thing of legend… a fairy tale almost, or
a kind of boogey man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever a new
animal comes in to our family, the shovel is one of the first topics of
discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maggie, the golden
retriever, lives in fear of the day when the Master will have to use it for
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was just a puppy when she first
saw it, digging a hole for the beagle that died from being<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>too old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Master had tears in his eyes as he drove the shovel into the dirt,
but the “chuff” sound it made sounded more like “you too” to Maggie’s
ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The shovel has been around since forever, digging holes for
hamsters and rabbits and chickens and even Bella the goat’s sister, Lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was not so lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember when the Master came inside after
gouging the earth for a long time on that gray day, and he said to his wife,
“That’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re never getting another
animal bigger than the hole I want to dig for it when it dies.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This day, he was digging another hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I settled down in the gravel of the driveway under the truck and watched
him heave the soil, in great black lumps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When he was satisfied that the hole was deep enough, he carefully placed
the bag inside. As I watched, I saw a tiny gray tail push up against the
translucent white bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this was the
last one, then.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was Number Eight. The Survivor. The calico cat next
door had birthed a litter of kittens 7 weeks ago, and one by one in that first
week, they all died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All but Stormy, the
gray kitten. She will make it, they said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is strong, they said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look
how she plays!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haha, she is quite a
climber, isn’t she?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started washing my front paws as shovelful by shovelful he
undug the hole.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wonder how long it will be before there are no places to
bury us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This spot, the one with the
kitten, was near the little apple tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My eyes wandered around the yard, and I noted all the places that had
little animals sleeping a couple of feet below the grass or weeds or trees or
shrubs above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sam and Charlie, brothers,
were buried in the front yard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those two
cats lived for a long time, or so the story goes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were way before my time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other cats, Petey and Alex, were in the
back yard. Chubbers the hamster is under a brick, which is tangled up in the
roots of the tall sycamore tree that the Master parks his truck under. Sara the
beagle, she’s buried near the shed, cruelly close to Maggie’s pen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder she freaks out about the shovel,
she has to look at that grave all day long, every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucky the goat occupies a spot on the
boundary of the back yard and the woods beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a great big fluffy rabbit buried at the base of the Curly
Willow tree. Yoyo, also before my time, is buried somewhere but no one can seem
to remember where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other animals
seem to remember stories about him being carried away to the vet and never
returning, but I think the Master would have brought him back to help fill up
another hole somewhere here in the yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He loved that cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stormy’s
siblings, all 7 of them, were in tiny holes scattered around the property. The
first hole was hard for the Master to dig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was very sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next one… a
little easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time he got to the
seventh hole, days later, he seemed almost dead to the horrible thing he was
doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the eighth hole, that was
hard for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His daughter, the one who
I allow sometimes to pet me as I sleep on her bed, was attached to Stormy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was going to be her cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last scoop of dirt fell on top of the hole, and the
Master whacked it flat with the shovel before stomping on it to level it
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder what was going through his
mind as the damp dirt gave way to his shoe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His face was a mask, but I admit that human faces are always hard for me
to read. More telling than his face was the way he let the shovel drag behind
him as he took it back to the shed, leaving a faint trail in the wet grass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wonder if he ever gets tired of digging all those holes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sasha came bumbling by, and I took a swipe at her but it was
half-hearted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned around for a
second like she wanted to play, then noticed for the first time the fresh pile
of dirt nearby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Another one?” she asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I nodded.</div>
Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-70178440134337758542013-06-24T07:39:00.001-04:002013-06-24T07:41:09.492-04:00Lemon CookiesOn Sundays I like to make cookies to have on hand for the week. They are so much better than store bought cookies. Plus I know exactly which ingredients are used! Yesterday we made lemon cookies. Here is the recipe -<br>
<br>
<u><b>Lemon Cookies</b></u><br>
1 cup butter softened<br>
1 1/2 cups sugar<br>
2 eggs<br>
1/4 cup lemon juice<br>
1/2 teaspoon vanilla<br>
3 cups all purpose flour<br>
1 teaspoon baking soda<br>
1/2 teaspoon salt<br>
<br>
1. Soften the butter and then cream together with sugar using a mixer.<br>
2. Add eggs and continue mixing.<br>
3. Add lemon juice and vanilla and continue mixing.<br>
4. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.<br>
5. Add flour mixture in small amounts to butter mixture and continue mixing.<br>
6. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto baking sheet lined with no stick foil or spray lightly with cooking spray.<br>
7. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 9 minutes. <br>
8. Remove cookies from pan and place on wire rack to cool. This made about 90 cookies.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1bxsGiVgrDs/UcgwUDnQlDI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/6Z4Gdp2NaSs/s640/blogger-image-2086775009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1bxsGiVgrDs/UcgwUDnQlDI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/6Z4Gdp2NaSs/s640/blogger-image-2086775009.jpg"></a></div>Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-27907793852436224772013-06-23T15:05:00.000-04:002013-06-23T15:08:41.744-04:00Assateague Island Virginia - Our Day 1 TripWe live in a rural area but have access to nearby vacation hot spots. My favorite of which is Assateague National Wildlife Refuge and Chincoteague Island. It is only 30 minutes away. So although we never go away on vacation to this place, we have all the fun that a tourist would spread out through the summer.<br />
<br />
This morning my daughter and I went to the Bike Depot and rented a tandem bike. At 10 years old, she is adamant that she can't ride a bike. Today I showed her about balance by putting her on the tandem with me. It was smooth biking and we rode about 10 miles total.<br />
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We saw a wide variety of birds including great white egrets, mourning doves, terns, and many others which I had no name for. Along the way we crossed paths with 4 rabbits, a snapping turtle, and many chubby little Delmarva Fox Squirrels while leisurely riding. It was a great time and one in which we were able to talk freely and just have fun. A perfect mother daughter time!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Tandem was actually red. For $6 per hour we had a delightful time!</td></tr>
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<br />Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-41334047418109815262013-06-21T07:25:00.000-04:002013-06-21T07:25:02.995-04:00End of the School YearIt has been a crazy last two weeks. School officially ended yesterday. I walked out at 12:10 after checking off everything on my end of the year <i>to do</i> list with a major migraine. I love beginnings but hate endings! I have been so busy that It has been a while since I blogged. Next week I begin a college class and have already turned in several papers for it. But for the next three days I am looking forward to life at home!<br />
What is on my home to <i>do list</i>?<br />
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A trip to the beach with my kids<br />
Cleaning all of the animals cages<br />
Searching for recipes for all the eggs we get daily now<br />
Crocheting a really nice afghan<br />
Clearing out some junk<br />
Mowing the lawn<br />
Planting some really neat loofah plants my neighbor gave me <br />
Beginning writing lessons for my daughter<br />
Sitting in the shade and drinking a cup of tea<br />
Reading and discussing the parenting books my husband and I are reading<br />
Enjoying my new iPad<br />
Weeding the garden<br />
<br />Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-52479499372438802202013-06-09T21:39:00.001-04:002013-06-09T21:56:07.270-04:00Hobbit Style Pouch<br />
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This weekend my daughter went to a birthday party and we made something special for the birthday boy. He and my daughter are both prolific readers and raced one another through <i>The Hobbit</i> and <i>The Lord of the Rings Trilogy</i> books. So off to the fabric store we went and she picked out this fabric in a color which she felt a <i>well to do Hobbit </i>would want. We then proceeded to the bank and traded in some paper money for the golden dollar coins to fill the bag. Since it was his eleventh birthday we put in eleven golden coins. We also included a gift certificate. And the final touch came with the card which we made on the computer. It included a stanza from the song sung by the dwarves in <i>The Hobbit</i> -</div>
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<i>For over the misty mountains cold</i></div>
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<i>To dungeons deep and caverns old</i></div>
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<i>We must away ere break of day</i></div>
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<i>To seek the pale enchanted gold.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouch was sewn from suede like fabric and a leather cording.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bilbo's Handscript font was used to write stanza from Dwarve's song</td></tr>
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Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-83851453158678726372013-06-08T21:45:00.000-04:002013-06-08T21:45:08.107-04:00Trials and Tribulations - raising a busy boyHome has been getting progressively more stressful. Our son, now four years old, has been very defiant. He yells, "NEVER!" when we tell him to do something. He throws things across the room in anger and screams in an ear splitting way when things aren't going the way he wants. He slams doors, refuses to nap, and bedtime is a nightmare. We don't go off often as a family anymore because his behavior is embarrassing. <br />
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I have spoken to his doctor and he encouraged us to try positive reinforcement such as stickers. They worked for a day at most. After that he tried to control the whole sticker situation telling us he required a sticker to come sit at the dinner table. He then found them during the night while we were sleeping and stuck them all over the house. I am still scraping them off the floor weeks later! We are back to square one. The situation doesn't seem to be improving, so I decided to do what I always do when I need help - READ.<br />
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My husband and I are now reading, <i>How to Raise the Spirited Child</i> by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. We are on Chapter 1. Hopefully we will find some useful strategies that will help us to be a happier and calmer family.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TJ2YBY" target="_blank"><img alt="" id="main-image" rel="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-GrAAsg6L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="display: inline;" /></a>Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-30797940977226935512013-06-08T20:56:00.001-04:002013-06-08T20:56:42.412-04:00Buddah, A Quote on Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So true, but so very hard to do! I have been having a lot of anxiety recently. Why? I keep worrying about the future and dwelling on things in the past that I should have done differently. Today I went for a walk and during that walk, peace came for a while. How? It came when I was totally focused on the present moment - body posture, speed, foot placement, angle of arms. No sooner than I returned however, the past and future invaded my thoughts again. I guess I need to walk some more!Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-78791805839988416342013-06-05T05:52:00.002-04:002013-06-05T05:52:35.698-04:00Peanut Butter CookiesMy 4 year old son requested peanut butter cookies the other day. The recipe I have always used calls for shortening, but there wasn't any in the house. I improvised with a slightly different version, and we were very pleased with the results. The cookies were delicious, not overly crispy, and held up well for packing in school lunches even days later. Here is the recipe -<br />
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<b><u>Peanut Butter Cookies</u></b><br />
1 c. butter softened<br />
1 c. peanut creamy peanut butter<br />
1 c. sugar<br />
1 c. brown sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour<br />
1 tsp. baking powder<br />
1 1/2 tsp baking soda <br />
1/2 tsp. salt<br />
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1. Mix the butter, peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar until well creamed.<br />
2. Add the eggs and continue to beat.<br />
3. Measure and stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.<br />
4. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in small amounts continuing to mix.<br />
5. Refrigerate the batter for 30 minutes or until you can roll the dough into balls without the dough being too sticky.<br />
6. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and space 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.<br />
7. Use a fork to flatten each ball. <br />
8. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 11 minutes or until the cookies begin to just brown at the edge.<br />
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Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-32060315486418434382013-06-04T05:47:00.000-04:002013-06-04T05:47:55.618-04:00Meet StormyA few weeks ago I told about a stray cat having a liter of kittens in my shed. My parent's had named the stray Cally when she arrived on their deck a few weeks prior. When I realized the cat was pregnant and shared this with my parents, they were actually excited. All of our cats have been spayed or neutered and are usually adopted from the SPCA. We thought it would be fun for the kids to experience kittens growing and learning.<br />
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There were 8 kittens in total. This was not the experience we thought it would be however. The kittens all died within a week, except one - Stormy. We call her Stormy for a variety of reasons: she looks like a puffy little gray rain cloud, she was born during storm, and her life has definitely been stormy.<br />
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Stormy will be 4 weeks old this Wednesday, so we are hoping that she will indeed survive. She walks around in that kitten wobbly way. She is very curious and turns her head to look at whatever sound or movement is made. She enjoys being held. We have all become attached to this little one. She will definitely be staying. <br />
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Here are pictures of Stormy -<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Kitten at 1 week</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitten at 2 weeks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitten at 3 weeks</td></tr>
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Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121069780593630769.post-80136082833138754872013-06-02T03:57:00.000-04:002013-06-02T03:57:01.113-04:00Planning for Grocery ShoppingWe just paid to sign my daughter up for Marine Biology Camp this summer. The cost was $250. I am therefore trying to be extra cautious with our grocery spending. So tonight I sat with the Food Lion sale paper and planned my meager purchases. First thing Sunday morning I plan to arrive and purchase the following -<br />
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<li>3 jars of Prego spaghetti sauce for $5</li>
<li>5 lb whole chicken for $5</li>
<li>1 box of Ritz crackers for $2.50</li>
<li>2 boxes of Wheat Thins for $5.00</li>
<li>1 16 slice package of American Cheese slices $2.00</li>
<li>1 64 oz. jug of apple juice $1.69</li>
<li>1 box of spaghett noodles .99</li>
<li>1 can of Manwich .99</li>
<li>5 cans of whole kernal corn $2.50</li>
<li>10 pounds of white potatoes for $2.99</li>
<li>1 3 pound bag of gala apples for $2.99</li>
<li>1 loaf of bread $2.19 </li>
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I have one $1.00 off coupon for the Ritz/Wheat Thins combo. So my grand total will be $31.85<br />
Thank goodness I still have lettuce and celery to harvest in the garden and a few things to pick from in the cupboards. Plus I will make some cookies to go with our lunches for the week tomorrow.Diana Kiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134346891344140493noreply@blogger.com0