2014 in 100 Words

Growth and new experiences defined our life this year.  We sold a house, grew our business, expanded the homestead and had the best farm bag year ever!  We preserved a record amount of food while still managing to travel far and wide to visit family.  Dreams were realized as I met old friends for the first time.  Most of all, the kids grew exponentially, continuing to develop into amazingly thoughtful people full of their own ideas that never cease to amaze or entertain.  This year was a time for refining vision, experiencing things old and new, and propelling ourselves forward.

Merry

We are beginning the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve....last minute shopping, wrapping, camera repair, games, movie watching and of course the commencement of cooking!  We are thankful that our family regained the health that we were deprived of much of last week, and were able to make it to California.

From our family to yours, a magical holiday filled with warmth, laughter and light.

Strictly for Medicinal Purposes

After two days of nothing but coughs, fevers, and restless sleep, I had confirmed what I already knew, as soon as the swab hit the rapid test, Sidney immediately tested positive for influenza.  Through deduction, as they came down with the same symptoms on the same day, B too has the dreaded virus.  

I spent yesterday nesting, doing laundry, diffusing essential oils, rubbing the weary with them, and hoping to be giving some ease.  So what does one do on day two when your mind is swimming with ways to  keep half of your family comfortable,  while trying desperately to make sure that Charles or myself do not get it?

I am in need of teacher gifts as well as distraction, so what better way to spend the wee morning hours than surfing pinterest?    I found this link that lead me to the idea of making these simple and fragrant ornaments.  Why not fill the house with the smells of cinnamon and holiday, by busying my hands with cinnamon dough ornaments.

They have just two ingredients, a long time in the oven, and viola, they are done!  The above recipe worked very well, but I would suggest coating your rolling surface with more cinnamon (as you would flour typically), it will save you much aggravation!

A skewer worked perfectly well to make the hole for threading string, be sure that you move it back and forth a bit to make sure the hole goes straight through.  I used a braided thread and had a few that had closed a little in back during baking which made threading difficult on some of them.

It was a simple craft, and made the house smell wonderful!  Oh, and I also made almost 100 meatballs to freeze from the Seriously Delish cookbook.  Let me tell you, they are a family favorite, and the perfect thing to batch freeze and add to a quick weeknight meal.

As I mentioned, I am somewhat obsessed with Outlander right now, so in true Scottish fashion, I am having a sip, strictly for medicinal purposes!

It's a Wrap

It has been quite a week, full of wrapping things up.  I guess that is what happens at year end, but especially so as we are traveling for Christmas so there is a deadline looming.  Aside from final finishes around the farm and decorating the house, the shopping is done, gifts are wrapped and were shipped to various locations around the country on Monday.  It also seems that the last month of the year is the schedule that I am on for various appointments, because that makes so much sense! Then of course there are little things like completing the year end inventory at work and readying for the staff Christmas party.

What else is wrapping up?

**I am half way through book seven of the eight book Outlander Series, and have been obsessed enthralled with them!

**Speaking of reading I challenged myself to read 50 books this year and I have only completed 37 of them, however 8 of them had right at 1000 pages, so that counts for something right??

**Please tell me that you have been listening to Serial!?  The final episode is next week, and though I know we will not necessarily get the answers, it has been quite a ride.  I can not wait to see what they do for season 2!

Another wrap?  This week!  Happy Weekend!

Navigation

I am in a constant state of amazement over how quickly the kids are growing up. Having a teenager and pre-teen it is so fun to listen to them communicate, and no matter how hard I try to 'keep up' or think that I do, I will get the aghast looks that say Mo-om! I watch them maneuver social and scholastic situations in both a state of amazement and pride.  Their interests are varied and unique as they strive to create individuality. As we move through this holiday season one of the many things that I am thankful for is navigation; their ability to each find their own unique paths through, with trial and error, yet confidence.