The first ever Juneau Farmer's Market is coming up on Saturday, August 30 from 9am to 2pm.  I have signed up for a table and will be selling jams and jellies, rhubarb bread, blueberry muffins and strawberry plants - all from local fruits.  I will be busy this weekend making the jams and jellies - hope I get it all done!  I will bake the bread and muffins on Friday.  I also volunteered to give a short talk about raising chickens for eggs.  I told them I was just a beginner myself, but would be willing to share what I've learned so far.  I will do that from 12:00 to 12:30.

There will be other speakers on topics such as growing garlic, flavoring with flowers, composting, free gardening resources, making cheese, greenhouse construction, and edible native plants.  The Dept of Fish and Game will have a tent setup and will present how to fillet salmon and tips on smoking and butchering a deer and how to take care of the meat.  Sounds to me like a wonderful day!!  I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to listen to all the presentations and still work my table  :o)

So if you live in Juneau, make sure to check it out!  It will be downtown at the old armory building, now the Juneau Arts & Culteral Center.  Oh, yeah, and come buy some homemade local jam!!

My husband and I have been married for 15 years now.  We started off as a Navy family and then settled back in my hometown with a little farm.  We have 4 wonderful kids that we teach at home.  3 girls ages 12, 5, and 3...and a 7 year old boy.  We raise sheep, goats, rabbits, and a lot of noise.  Our homeschool story is probably typical of alot of people.   We did not start off as a homeschool family.  My oldest went to a nice preschool, then a great kindergarden, then we bought our farm and she began a new school.  First grade was good...second grade was a nightmare!  We found out she was dyslexic, which is perfectly fine, except that the school system did not know how to "deal" with it...they wanted to put her into "special education" even though her i.q was above normal.  So why "dumb down" her work!?!?  I could see a horrid pattern forming and it did not look good.  I had talked to many people that had 16 year olds that could not read at a 4th grade level...I did not want to see this happen...  SOOOO we spent the summer learning all about dyslexia and homeschooling.  We are on our 5th year now and all 4 of our children are learning at home.  We have lots of fun and learn so many things together.  Everything turns into a learning experience.  None of the kids are alike so it is great teaching them in there own way.  It is not always easy or fun but I know it will be worth all of the struggles.  There are some people that do not understand, think that we are insane, and think we are ruining our children's futures...I do not see it that way.  Homeschooling is a personal choice and is not right for everyone...but I know we made the right decision.  Somedays I second guess myself, but don't we all!? 

Outside my window... A beautiful September morning, in August...heehee Nice and cool!!

I am thinking...  I could really use some caffeine right about now.

I am thankful for... a husband that takes care of himself!

From the kitchen... chocolate chip cookies need to be made!

I am creating...  well, I have to restart my quilt if I want my dresser redone....a little challenge from hubby

I am going...  to nanny's to pick up my boy...he has been camping this weekend with her but now it is school time again.

I am wearing...  A DRESS!!!  This week is my feminine challenge week.....and it is definately that!!!

I am reading... Homeschool Enrichment magz and other old magz ..time to purge!!!

I am hoping... to get more accomplished this week than last...Between me and hubby not feeling good and kids taking turns camping not much has been done except house work...and that is always temporary..haha

I am hearing... the washing machine, as always...kids talking in the livingroom...sounds like the U.N. discussing who is doing what in there...haha

Around the house... the classroom is done and ready to be used.

One of my favorite things... my bread machine...it has been a while since i have had it out...I think it is time to break it out again.  I never cook in it but the dough only cycle is wonderful!

A few plans for the rest of the week...  to get the "new" truck home, grocery shopping done, kitchen cabinets cleaned out.....hopefully more...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I did terrible at wearing just dresses this week.  Between my being sick and half the kids being with nanny I did not get much of anything done, other than tons of housework.  So, no pictures, no dresses, no nothing at all :((  It has just been insane here.  But now the house looks lots better!  And things are begining to slow down a bit.  I did find a site online that actually challenges you to wear a dress for a week...perhaps I will have to join up just for that extra push.  The site is at  www.feelinfeminine.com the link will be on my sidebar>>>>>

Well, I am off...kitchen is screaming at me to clean it....night all  >:D<

A week ago Monday our little grandson, Nick came down to spend a couple of days getting ready for the fair.  We have so much fun when he is here.  One of his 4-H projects is foods, so we did his baking here this time.   He made chocolate chip cookies and rocky road fudge brownie muffins.  He did everything himself except I did help him get some of them in and out of the oven.  Let me tell you that it takes a lot of patience for this old grandma to watch and let him do it all by himself.  He did a super job and learned a lot too!  Both got blue ribbons!!  The brownies are a recipe I found this summer and they are so simple to make I thought it would be a good one for him to try.  Here it is........... recipe from Cookie Madness.

Rocky Road Fudge Brownie Muffins

8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 scant teaspoon salt (if using salted butter, omit)
3/4 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided use)
1/3 cup toasted pecan pieces or coarsely chopped pecans
2/3 cup mini marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or spray top of a 12 cup muffin pan with cooking spray and line cups with paper liners.

Place butter in a 2 cup glass measuring cup; microwave on high for one minute or until butter melts. Add cocoa to melted butter and stir well. Set aside and let cool slightly.

Whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt together in a medium mixing bowl. Add butter/cocoa mixture and stir until well mixed. Add flour, stirring just until blended’ stir in 1/3 cup of the chocolate chips.

Spoon the muffin batter into cups, dividing evenly among all 12 (halfway full).

Stir together remaining 1/3 cup chocolate chips, toasted pecans and mini marshmallows. Set aside.

Bake muffins for 18 minutes. Pull pan from oven and sprinkle with marshmallow mixture. Return to oven and bake for 2 minutes more for a total bake time of 20 minutes. Let cool in muffin tins for about 10 minutes, then carefully loosen muffins from tins and let cool completely before serving.

Makes 12

Note: If you skip the topping, divide batter among 10 muffins cups to make the brownie muffins slightly taller. Bake time is still 20 minutes.

On Wednesday evening Nick and I took his goats and food entries to the fair.  His house is only a few miles from the fair, so I stayed the night with them.  He and I went back on Thursday morning to check in the goats and weigh them and for conference judging for his foods entries.  Both got blue ribbons!   I headed home to bake for Market.

Friday afternoon was the goat show, so hubby and I went up.  It was a long day as the judge took a lot of time on the classes before his.  The favorite goat, Lucky placed 3rd in his class.  Rain Drop, his little doe was the only one in her class.  He did well in showmanship placing 4th or 5th.  We rushed home to get garden produce and baking ready for Market the next morning........

Well, as we were getting ready for Market on Saturday morning it started to rain!!  Had we known this would happen, Friday could have been a lot more relaxed and rested I might add!!  Hubby did sell some things at his market, but I sat in the car for an hour thinking it will let up soon, and then came home.  We got 3.75 inches of rain.

The parade was cancelled and the demolition derby also at the fair for that night.  However the 4-H livestock auction turned out fine as the rain stopped before it started.  Nick sold Lucky, if you remember I mentioned he was the favorite goat,  and I expected to cry myself over this, but to my surprise neither of us did. 

Sadly the fairs are over now for the year.  I can't expain it, but I so enjoy the fairs.  Most folks are ready for them to end, but it really does make me sad.   We plan to attend the State fair in September, so I have that to look forward to.

Nick has learned so much and had a lot of fun this year, so that is what counts the most, and he is looking forward to next year too!  I was able to spend some real quality time with him this summer, both during the fair and when he stayed here getting ready, those memories are priceless.

Yesterday hubby had a Dr. appointment, so we spent some time in Topeka. Also checked out Good will and found a bed spread.

Today I went to a friend's house all afternoon, was supposed to help her work some goats, but mainly just caught up with visiting and had a nice time. 

The kids are coming Sunday evening for a cook out, a belated Birthday celebration for Mom, whose big day was last Wednesday during the fair.  And my cousins and Aunt are coming on Monday to spend a day at the farm.  So need to think about some food to fix.  Also a pot luck dinner at church on Sunday at noon.   Need to do a little cleaning......have done some this week and the laundry is done.  I got a new vacuum cleaner and so have had fun trying it out??  I must say it sure works better than the old one, so that does make it a little fun.

School started here today, way too early in my opinion, but they didn't ask me.  Kaylan starts pre-school tomorrow.  Nick and Lexi don't start until the 25, they attend a private Christian school so have a different schedule.

Some good news on the farm and some bad news...........The little bucket calf, Blossom is doing great and we got her a room mate.  We purchased a little heifer that was a bucket calf 4-H project from some friends after the fair.  Her name is Tootsie, she is an Angus cross.   Buttermilk "Casey" my little bottle baby goat from last summer was found dead this week.  No idea what happened to her, I am thinking one of the bigger does may have butted her and hurt her, as they can be pretty mean to each other at times.  She was the one that would ride on the garden tractor with me last summer,  good memories!

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Thank You Jesus For Everything!

For all those who have been visiting Glenda Gay's blog [ Amazing Grace Homestead], she sent me a beautiful card and a note in it to send her best to all. She is praying that her other kidney will not be effected by the one that is working 20 %. She lost one of her jobs although all bills are being paid. She knows it is only possible with God this is done

Just wanted to update you about this precious lady as she uses her Faith to make it through each day in such a difficult situation. She I know will be grateful if you say a prayer believing the best on her behalf. Thank you in advance and may you have all  your needs met also. Lovingly, rilda *U*

Today is the first day of class...To join the blogger class for weekly assignments just go to the link below....

http://homeschoolblogawards.com/2008/08/blogger-class-mates/#comment-1368

There is also a link at the sidebar over there somewhere>>>>>>>>>>>>heehee

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW....J.R. chases a rabbit!

I AM THINKING....how great my little family is for putting up with a whiny sick mom all weekend.

I AM THANKFUL FOR....a great husband that pampered me when I was not at my best.

FROM THE KITCHEN....so clean I hate to cook, but it seems I have to make crepes...the kids overheard dad....

I AM CREATING...crepes with the kids, and later more tomato juice it seems.

I AM GOING....to feel better rather I want to or not!!!!!!!!!!

I AM WEARING....a dress that reminds me of my grandma M...It is bigdaddy's least favorite so I thought I should wear it while he is gone..haha

I AM READING...a really informative book called The Foxfire Book ...it is about the plain living people of the mountains...planting by the signs, moonshining, and lots of other crafts....

I AM HOPING...that we are all feeling better before the end of this week.

I am hearing...children waking up...

AROUND THE HOUSE...laundry is getting done, kids are slowly waking up, and we are gearing up for our Monday.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...my sewing machine...even though I havent been using it like I should..it is always there waiting for me.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...going through kids toys, getting classroom table clear, keeping the house as clean as it is right now, haul off cans!!!!

HERE IS A PICTURE THOUGHT I AM SHARING WITH YOU...

I must say I have one of the few good gentlemen left...Yes, we drive each other crazy but...Yesterday morning I got breakfast in bed!!!..I did not cook all weekend...my house was super clean and I didnt have to do it!  I even had hot baths with no child interuptions!!! 27 jars of jalapeno jelly was made (and 3 jars of sliced) and I didnt do anything but help cut peppers....My husband would make a fine wife!!!  He cooks, cleans, and keeps the children at bay.  I knew this morning he was going to be leaving me to go to his "real job"...But that is ok, I think he has helped  me rest enough so I can face the new week.  I dont know if we got much else done but that is ok too.  Oh, I did manage to make a huge garden apron yesterday...I had read all of the wonderful comment left by the ladies...I dug WAY back into my closet and found a long denim dress was from back in my maternity days.  It was big, bulky, had a huge collar and big puffy sleeves...I HAD AN IDEA!!!  I cut the collar and sleeves off...searched pictures of aprons and decided on a Edwardian design, kind of.....Anyhow..I made a few more cuts and some passes with my sewing machine....and poof....Front totally covers..and the back can go together to cover completely...It will work!!!                                                                                                                    

Anyhow...time to get busy...I have to do daybook and get off this computer to start the day!!!!

I have 8 red current bushes that are 3 years old now (or 4, I can't remember).  The berries were so big and plentiful this year!  Our summer has been so cool and rainy, I'm suprised anything is producing.

It looked like all the berries were ripe, or very close, so I picked them to make jelly.  They are fun and quick to pick if you just take the whole string.  Since they will be used for jelly, I won't have to pick them off either, just boil as is to get the juice out.  I got two gallon size bags full and they weighed 7 1/2 pounds!!  I'm very pleased!  They are in the freezer waiting for me to make jelly.