My little Anna has a new favorite practice. She likes to pat the floor next to where she is sitting to indicate she would like you to sit by her. She will keep her face completely serious as she slaps the floor repeatedly until someone answers her patting call to sit with her. I am … Continue reading “Love is a Nuclear Bomb”
My husband and I have almost the same heritage. I am Finnish/Swedish/Norwegian and Irish. He is, for the most part, Norwegian and Irish. Living in the township of Oulu, Wisconsin, an original Finnish homesteading community, has really called us both back to our Scandinavian roots. How we would have enjoyed talking with those homesteading ancestors. … Continue reading “Santa Lucia Brunch (and no-guilt cinnamon rolls)”
Introduction: Picture a gigantic, gaudy, sparkly red and green ball of panic, trussed up with anything that emits Christmas, marching like a trumpet band into your house to camp out in every nook and cranny for a whole solid month. Imagine with your nose an olfactory hallucination of a noxious, artificially scented evergreen dust bomb … Continue reading “Dearest Decor Ghosts of Christmas Past”
We went for a little shopping trip yesterday. All we needed was a basket and gloves, no money or a car. I knew I needed to go when I started perusing “natural decorations” online at Target. Only the girls were interested in my little trip. I told them to be on the look out for … Continue reading “Going Around and a Peasant’s Twig Wreath”
I do not pretend to be a fabulous cook, and definitely do not claim in any way to be a food photographer. BUT, this soup had all nine of my people singing their nums and yums all the way from baby to adult. Some words: “This soup is sooooo good!” Brutally-honest-adolescent “Can you make this soup … Continue reading “Creamy Wild Rice & Salmon Soup”
At times when the sun casts its light over our lawn, I feel like I am looking at a stage in a play. Especially when it’s the orangey-yellow-green light before a storm. It makes the whole yard look like it is lit up with an artificial glow and appears surreal. I am not particularly fond … Continue reading “In the Presence of Gratitude (also guest posted at Blessed is She)”
If you came to our house unannounced you would be greeted by a chicken on the porch, a bag of garbage by the door, and a tribe of half-naked cherubs turning cartwheels, hurdling piles of unfolded laundry. Just a heads-up, I may have to shoot you at this point because you would have seen too much. No … Continue reading “Spiffin-up da’ Whole House in a Mornin’”
Chickens are not vegetarians. I am a vegetarian that butchers chickens. My husband loves chicken. He eats chicken even after butchering one an hour ago. If you eat chicken, you should probably try butchering one. One daughter has become a vegetarian this year. We like vegetables. Chickens like vegetables. Chicken manure makes great compost. Tractor chickens … Continue reading ““Concerning Vegetarians and Chickens” a poem (part one)”
One of the meat birds habituated with the Australian hens. She now thinks she is one of them and so do we. The other day my husband thought someone was at the door. He heard a faint tap, rap, tap. He opened the door and there was no one there. “I am down here.” It was one … Continue reading ““The Chicken Crossing” a reflection (part two)”
I am sorry I have to show you this shirt. This shirt is just wrong on me for so many reasons. I promise I never wear this shirt in public. It was a find at a garage sale thinking my teenage son would like it. He wanted nothing to do with it. When I was looking for some clothes … Continue reading ““How We Harvest Chicken” a tutorial (part three)”
