The Weekend

OREGON FLOCK AND FIBER FESTIVAL

After the soccer game and a yummy Mexican lunch at Kate's, we went to go see the woolies.
There were lover-boy Llamas, like Valentino here:

fluffy Angora bunnies, and Alpacas, and more Llamas...

Curly horned Churro rams


Merino's, Shetlands, and Romneys

and cute little Pygoras
This year's festival was much larger and had a lot more attendees than when we went before.

There were people spinning in vendor booths and in clusters all about the lawn.

There were high wheels, uprights, traditional Ashfords like mine, and traveling Lovets.
There were more drop spindles in use than I've seen in the past.

And a girl using a Navaho Spindle. Spinners, in Birki's and barefoot, young and old, male and female.

Producing gorgeous yarns such as these:

There was one vendor with shawls knit in Russia, by women's co-ops. They were the softest most delicate thing I've ever layed my hands on. (I wish I had gotten her card)

On our way home, past views of Mt. Hood,

Hazelnut orchards, berry farms, and hop vines,

We were again intrigued by the sun glinting on the onion domes of the Old Believer churches.

Nestled in among farms and homes. A tiny village, on Bethlehem Rd.

There is restoration work being done on the domes right now.

The fresco on the front is amazing.

There is a picture on Wikipedia that shows the whole building with all of the domes in place.

This morning at our church: Awesome worship service. During the "meet and greet" time, I was observing different brothers and sisters in Christ, and thinking how much I loved them, my heart felt full to overflowing. Then came testimony time. Many testimonies, but one truth ringing in my ears as I write this...an old tune.."And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love."

Soccer Season

It's that time of year. And we have a new star entering the game. This is our man!

He really did a good job. He made 4 goals! Every time; he would put his arms up in the air. It was so cute......you're just going to have to take my word for it, because I got too busy cheering for him, and forgot to take a picture of it....yes....missed it 4 times!

His cheering squad--Sister and "Star Monkey". He was the designated "Star Monkey" person this week. Star Monkey came home from Kindergarten with him and is spending the weekend. There is a journal that accompanies Star Monkey, and photo opps.... Sort of like Travelocities traveling gnome.

There is only one other boy on his team. The rest are girls. During the game some of them were playing patty cake on the field, they were admonished "NO PLAYING PATTY CAKE!"

At one point when the ball was being thrown in from the side right in front of the "fans", One mother was heard saying to her little girl "you can visit with grandpa and grandma at home, after the game....play ball!"
So when the game was over and they had done their hand slapping/"good game, good game" routine..... Some of the parents and coaches thought they would do an arch for the team to run through, like the big hotsie totsie pros and collegiates.

I think it was the kids favorite part of the whole game. If they couldn't play "patty cake".... then they could at least play "London Bridges"!

Catchin' Up

Last weekend we went to my parents. On a little jaunt up the country a bit, I hollered "back up, back up! quietly!" Everyone thought I wanted a picture of this sweet little pair, but I actually hadn't noticed them until after I spoke up. What I wanted a picture of was this little guy....

He was so gentle and patient, and posed so proudly!

We celebrated Octoberfest homestyle.

German Brats/brotchen, and pommes frits

With Apple Strudel for dessert.

We even did the chicken dance.

Earlier this week we had some rainy, fall-like days. I pulled out the cashew, carrot ginger soup I canned. Ashlyn informed me (in case maybe I'd forgotten) that she doesn't "eat baby food anymore" Cracked me up! Evidently Jim doesn't either, because I think I saw him salivating over her peanut butter and jelly sandwich. So I guess I'll be eating it alone next time. It actually tastes just like the commercial one it was copied after, so I'm happy.

Soooooooo, no baby food anymore, and don't call the child labour law people, but I canned apples part of THREE days this week, and she helped me with all of them. What a trooper! I thought she would tire of the idea after just a couple of apples; but she just kept peelin' away! I stuck the apples on the prongs, and took them off. She did all of the cranking, while I was slicing/coring.

I'm working on de-cluttering this place. If there's something we're not using, and I think I can pawn it off on someone else.....no really, if someone else can use it...it's going. This little chair was a thrift find about 9 years ago. It had a well worn mahogany finish, and the chair seat needed reupholstered. Last week, Anna and I had been doing some decorating/rearranging "girl time" at her house. I thought if it were brought into this millenium, this little chair would work in her apt. So I painted it black and added foam to the seat with a crisp fabric to give it a fresh new look.

Yesterday, we cleaned out all of our old paints, stains, chemicals, etc. in preparation for the scheduled hazardous waste disposal day next month. We've missed it every year for the past....oh....10 or 20 or so...... It feels so good to have them all weeded out and ready to go!

So that's some of what's been going on around here this past week. What've you been up to?

Hijacking

Have you missed me at all? There have been no posts for awhile, as my computer is on a temporary sabbatical. ie. I left the charge cord for it at my parents last weekend, and bless Dad's heart...it's in the mail and on it's way home. In the meantime, there has been plenty to keep me busy. Family health issues, childcare, canning, etc. So before Jim kicks me off of his computer----let me just say-----Don't give up on me---will be back REAL soon! ~xoxo, m

Strange

A few nights ago, while working in the kitchen, I saw this amazing sunset out of my kitchen window. The strange thing about this is, my kitchen faces....east. At first I thought there was a forest fire, as we live in a forest district. I went out and took some pictures. It turned out to be a reflection on the eastern clouds, of the actual sunset in the west.

This one:

Pretty cool, huh?

Mint Tea Ice Cream

Last week when the girls were here, we decided to make some of their Mama's favorite ice cream. Our Cuisinart ice cream maker I got thrift shopping a couple of years ago, has been a blessing. This is not as custardy and creamy as the corn ice cream we made a couple of weeks ago, (which seemed a bit much to me this year), and not as grainy and tangy as our frozen yogurts. I guess you could say, it's pretty much perfect. (Unless you're Jim and don't care for mint ice cream at all.)

Mint Tea Ice Cream

1 cup heavy whipping Cream

2 cups half and half

2 Tbs. good quality dry mint tea leaves

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp. vanilla

Optional add-ins: (about 1/4 cup)

We used creme-de-menthe bits, but you could use

chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, crushed oreos,etc.

In a large saucepan, stir cream and half and half together. Add mint and bring to a simmer. Let it simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Let the tea continue steeping for 30 minutes.

Strain mixture of the tea leaves. Stir condensed milk into the mixture, add vanilla, and chill for several hours.

Freeze according to your individual ice cream makers instructions. Ours takes 30 minutes.

At the end of the freezing, add in your goodies and stir in. Put your ice cream into a plastic container and freeze until firm. (The consistency is even better the next day.)

This tastes so much better than the medicinal flavor of commercial mint ice creams; more like the best cup of mint tea you've EVER had.

FAIRE-Y tales Can Come True

It can happen to you...

if you're young at heart....

Once upon a Dandelion, it was a beautiful day in September...... We traveled through the Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire

Castle gates, to another time and place.
There were knights on fine steeds, and jousting tournaments.




There were many interesting "villagers", in Renaissance clothing.
Some in less than others.

This Brave Heart warrior, had his blue face paint on.

This chicken liver photographer took a picture of his back.

and hers

There were lively tunes

and hard working blacksmiths There were merchants and trades persons galore....

And villagers doing their marketing

There were rhythmic drums and dancers
And the cutest little family, who were more than obliging, in posing for their photo. The little girl LOVED posing, and the little guy, didn't mind as long as it didn't interfere with his lunch. Ye olde chicken leg was fine dinner fare.

Meet "Cloud", He was having his fine lunch too.....

of alfalfa. Puts me in the mood for the Flock and Fiber Festival, comin' up.

Our mouths watered at the aromas from the fires and meats,

but we had taken a picnic lunch, so we enjoyed it instead.

Sunflowers

You are my Sunshine.....My ONLY sunshine.....

You make me HAPPY....

When skies are grey.

The gray-day trip to pick up green beans was brightened with lovely bursts of color.

Those friendly, nodding, sunflowers.

Cheering all the passers-by.