Painting update
August 17th, 2011
August 8th, 2011
Ender got along really well with his cousin Myra in Bellingham. He didn’t seem jealous when I held her, though he often wanted to sit with us. He was very interested in looking at her and touching her, and he was really gentle. This gives me hope that he will do well with our new baby, due in November. He is such a mama’s boy that I’ve been a bit worried about that! I think I will be amazed how much more mature he is in 3 months. That is how it was with Alice: almost two really is different than one and a half.
July 27th, 2011
Independence Day was celebrated in Bellingham this year. We started before dark since most of the kids go to bed before dusk (about 9 pm). The smoke bombs were a big hit. Note to children: it may not be a good idea to stand directly over the smoke bomb with just shorts and bare feet. Kezia got a little burn on her leg. We also did sparklers, jumping jacks, and fountains while it was still light. Benji brought out some of the bigger stuff once is was dark.
July 20th, 2011
We planned our vacation to Bellingham this summer with STRAWBERRY SEASON in mind! Last year we were there for blueberries, which was great, but Benji and I couldn’t shake the memory of that huge flat of strawberries we bought from a road-side stand on our way home after living there for the year. Those fresh strawberries were so much better than store-bought ones.
We picked the strawberries ourselves with the help of ten children! Some were more helpful than others. Ender contributed to the cause by picking about 3 and eating about 20. It was allowed to eat as much as you wanted while picking!

Then Benji proceeded to make about 20 jars of jam. This was his first canning experience and it went really well. I also made some fruit leather in the dehydrator, which was immediately consumed. Ten children, remember? As well as the six cousins and our two, Eric and Rosie from Tucson were visiting also for the first week of July. I think they had a great time. Doesn’t Rosie look proud?
June 8th, 2011
We recently went on a trip to my families cabin in the white mountains. http://cabin.bensuz.com/?p=43 here is a link to my post with pictures about the trip. I just thought I’d share the grinding stone I found this trip that completes my set of metate stones.

March 2nd, 2011
Well we’ve begun the garden. I’ve got the tomatoes planted and have a bed of lemon basil also. I’m planning to add a cucumber bed. If anyone wants I’ve got left over lemon basil seeds which I harvested from last years plant, just let me know.
Maybe I’ll get motivated to post some pictures….. maybe.