Our House

I have been trying to stay off the computer and trying to stay away from it actually it is hard. But if I turn it off and leave it off it is alot easier. The last week or so since I blogged has been busy but slower that usual.

We have had much needed rain a little here and there. Like some yesterday as the kids and I sat at a park in one of the towns near us as hubby and another gentlemen visited a sister who is in need of some help. Since it was best we didn't go and we didn't want to sit at home we went to the local park and waited for Handsome. It was nice sitting under the pavillion in the cool evening breeze as the storm came up.

We have delved in history the last few weeks. First the American Revolution our countries early begginings, then the industrial revolution, colonial life, and the plains indians. We have the civil war, WW2, the roaring 20's to finish up this summer. And then this years unit from winter promise we are doing a Quest in the Ancient World. Some math studies and maybe science from BYU

The heat has been hard on our garden and flower beds. All the barn cats are so skinny even though they get fed way to much and the people in the house only venture out early in the morning or after dinner in the evening. But with the rain it has cooled things nicely so the morning and evening outings are longer. The laundry is drying so fast on the line with the dry heat and that has been a blessing. Today Ash says its to rain this afternoon and so my laundry mountian will be partly on the line and partly in the dryer maybe.

We have bread to bake today, some artisan dough in the fridge I think maybe cheese sticks for lunch with dipping sauce. And a large amount of garden produce to make in to something for dinner. Oh and chickpeas for making falafel in the crockpot.

Wampum (indian money) They traded beads, shells, etc it was their currency in our colonial life book one of the projects was making wampum and we make them with salt dough for family home evening one night.


This is a squash that popped up from last year. I call it a squashini since the veggies on it are shaped like zukes but are yellowish green and the leaves of the plant are yellow squash leaves. To look at you would think yellow squash on zucchini but to look at the veggie on it you think zuke that is yellow. The squash next to it is yellow squash. It has been a fun lesson in cross pollination etc.



Sorry about the pictures I forgot to flip them before uploading. Excitment on our road we no longer live on a dirt road. 1st picture is after they graded, 2nd is the black primer this stuff slings all over a 4wheel drive truck ask hubby, and the 3rd is the tar and gravel. In theory the tar and gravel stick together giving us a hard top road in a couple of months. Yesterday we came home and someone had already done a burnout and left a long deep groove that was full of water from the rain.

This was this morning. Our property is on the left side of the picture or the bottom since I am such a blond. Just look at the pictures with your head tilted. :0)

The squashini flowers I love early morning with all the squash flowers open and the bees are busy on them.

Rain last week or so. The dalmation statue is the best dog we have. He is my dog and my only dog. He doesn't shed, bark in the middle of the night, his diet is so simple. This morning some of the barn kittens were standing on his head and jumping off on top of one another.

My japanease maple turning green. It comes out so pretty and red in the spring and then changes to this. Still pretty but I love the red. We have been multching with last years oak leaves to help with the dryness. They are great mulch and we have so many of them every spring.

My flowers are fading. But the zinnia in the garden are doing a great job. I didn't put zinnias in the flowerbeds this year someone gave me what she calls blackeyed susans they aren't more like wild sunflowers but still pretty. I have cut most of them back since they are fading now. I have had a few zinnias pop up from last years crop and that is fun.

Yellow squash getting ready to be eatin.


I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. I do believe that it is in ours. All the youth activities for the summer are over. Youth conference was this weekend and Ash had a great time. Yguy and I found a new health food store and learned of a brand new one in one of the towns near us.

Independance day was spent working in the yard and going to a friends house we had alot of fun. Yguy had a blast shooting off fireworks with a friend. It was a late night but fun and worth the loss of sleep.

Here is a treat that Yguy has gotten good at making and hubby loves.

Applesauce Cake

1/2 shortening we use smart balance

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 c apple sauce

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp soda

1/2 tsp cloves

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp allspice

1 c raisens optional we don't add them

1/4 cup chopped nuts we use almonds

cream shortening and add the sugar beating till light. Add the egg and beat it until fluffy, then add the applesauce and mix well. Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, soda, cloves, cinnamon and allspice. then add raisins and nuts. Combine 2 mixtures. Bake in 8 inch square pan at 350 for 40-45 minutes.

Well another week starting and many things to do. Until next time.....

Philippians 4:6-9

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethen, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and of there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and see in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you