4 Sweet Sisters

Yesterday some friends and I held a Little House on the Prairie Open House. We had a lot of fun (so did the kids)! We had stations set up with butter making ( I'll never grow tried of this activity), Hush Baby making, knot tying, animal scouting, vintage paper dolls and fun pioneer games. We also had some yummy, easy treats. Johnny Cakes with maple syrup , corn bread, sweet corn, candied ginger, and birch beer. Yummy! Superman shak'n the butter. Some of the pioneer girls getting ahead start on paper dolls. School Girl made up the outfit designs for the dolls! The whole point was to get people excited about Little House on the Prairie the Musical. We did that...but to me it was really about getting together and having fun. No pressure to perform (which I feel a lot when I'm teaching a class ((perfectionism??)). Just fun! I had to remind myself of this a couple of times when I was thinking of projects ( I am my own worst enemy). Simplicity at it's best! The...

We loved the Little House on the Prairie Series and the girls have enjoyed many of the shows on TV. Now there is a Broadway production about Laura and her family! We really enjoy music and dancing here on the Urban Farm and can't wait to experience it live. The Chickadees and I have been given the opportunity to go to the show and meet the cast afterwards. The dates are March 2nd through the 7th. If your interested in joining us, we'd love to meet you at the show! Oooo, did I mention that Melissa Gilbert was starring as "Ma" in this production! Pretty neat. I can't wait for the music to begin! Take a peek over at my side bar to click on the neat links they have for the show. Hope to see you there! julie I hope to have pictures to post after the event!

Bessy, Bessy my messy Bessy how we have used thee. Through rain and heat we've stuck to the seats. Drawing patterns with our breath on thy windows. Spilling Slurpee's and iced tea and even a little wee. To thee sea, thee country and thee snow(?) we hath gone. Hauled manure and compost and even had a toast. Through diapers and drool, you have been no one's fool. It's time to say a due. We will always be thankful and grateful for you! O Bess you were always a mess. How we doth love and appreciate you! Bessy 1994-2010 julie

One way I've decided to challenge myself and my family (a bit) is by being creative with all the "funky" veggies we get in our kitchen basket. The first year we belonged to a co-op I did this, but then we got away from it when we got our chickens. They really enjoy chard, kale, beets greens, you name it! I justified giving the chickens these veggies 1) by they didn't get to roam as much as we would like and 2) we would be getting the nutrients in our eggs. So in my mind we are eating the veggies!(not- i know a bit gross) Yesterday was our pick up day and we got 2 big bunches of kale (can anyone say yuck). I decided that night was the night for Kale Chips! Mmmmmmmmm. Okay, I'm still thinking gross! Anyhoo, I got all my dicing of our abundance of peppers, dill and cilantro done and put in the freezer. Then I washed and remove the rib from the kale leaves. It really was a pretty color of green. I then found a couple of recipes online and went from there. Basically y...

We've had a crazy good week already and I will share some later. I wanted to pop these up of my Valentine Candle Holders. Ummm they were nice. Yup, I said were. I only have one left. The candy kept mysteriously disappearing! Note to self: shellac whatever I don't want eaten. I mean gee whiz! julie

Getting caught up in perfection can be haphazard to my health. Today the Little Chef found a tea set that I don't let the girls use very often. Not because there are Disney Princess' on it, but because it is breakable. Hmmmmm. Usually I feel as though we need to plan for a party. Make or at least have some sort of cookie in the pantry. Get tea and honey out etc. Well, not today and not because of my own doing! The Lord orchestrated this very simple but terribly fun time! This morning I saw a commercial amidst the news hour about a little girl having popcorn at her tea party. No fancy cakes, pastry or cookies. She was drinking fake tea. Yes, I know the commercial was an add for popcorn but I was allowed to see it at the right moment. To prepare me for my little ones plea... So when the Little Chef ran in excitedly asking for a tea party and her older sister suggested apple juice and crackers, was there any doubt I would say yes ? Actually, to be honest for a split second I thou...

Today is a double whammy. I wanted to show you how wonderfully yummy School Girl's bread turned and it's Works For Me Wednesday over at We Are That Family . My thought is: they learn to make it and I don't have too! Fresh ground whole wheat flour. As simple as flipping a switch! See how easy. Preparing the yeast. Milk makes for a tender crumb. Honey and Olive Oil A lot of flour. Mom's inspection. A little dough. Wah La! Beautiful girl and delicious bread. She made 2 loaves of sandwich bread, 1 loaf of cinnamon raisin and a batch of french boule. WFMW Aprons! I use camp dry spray to repel liquids and messes. Just spray it on a new or clean apron and hang outside to dry for a day or two. Helps keep aprons looking great much longer! So get some new cute aprons and keep your cute clothes drom getting ruined! Do you wear aprons and how often? julie