More soap...

I told a friend that I made more soap today, and my friend asked,

"Did you already use up all the soap you made??"

 

Well, no, but, it's really fun to make---at least the method I'm using is fun. Not sure I'd like mixing lye soap up very well, but the melt-and-pour method is really neat to experiment with! I've been using different essential oils to scent the soap, so not only does it look neat, but it smells great too! Some of it seems like it should be edible...  Does anybody want to buy some soap so I can make some more? ;)

 

 Mom and Andrew went to Bismarck today, as Andrew was asked to video-record a common core meeting and Mom wanted to hear it. Tomorrow, they'll be going up again to attend some hearings and such. They did not make it home in time for chores, so I milked Sally and fed the kitties and Jacob did his regular chores and he and my dad fed the cows...

I also made some Queso Blanco (more commonly known as vinegar cheese) and added some garlic and herbs to it, so we'll see how people like that.

 

Tomorrow, I get to spend the day with the 3 "Littles" (Johanna, Tracy Jo, and Vonn) as their mama calls them. :) I'd better get to sleep so I have energy to keep up with them!

 



The Perfect Family!

 

My mom shared something cute on her blog that I thought some of you may wish to see, if you haven't done so already:

http://dawns-hope.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-perfect-family.html

 

We sure are not the perfect family, but we do have some perfectly grand times together!

Stickers anyone?

My dad spent quite a bit of money on these stickers...

 

 We finally finished printing, folding, addressing, stamping, sealing, and sending our annual (or bi-annual as it ended up being this time) family newsletter yesterday, so now we can start doing interesting things to write about in the next new year letter. ;) 

It is a sunny, minus 7 degrees day here in North Dakota. 

"Come on it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together...." 

The promised picture...

 

I remembered to take a picture of the new dryer tonight! It will take a while to learn all of it's features. Modern conveniences sure are nice, especially one such as this.

Thanks Dad--for buying this for Mom--and for letting me use it. ;)  

 

I was busy babysitting Johanna, Tracy Jo and Vonn for most of the day again. We drew rainbows; built a zoo out of blocks; made banana/apple/yogurt smoothie; read my friend, Paula M's (from MN) new book about poodles; danced around the living room; and did lots of other things too. The wind has been very strong and blew up quite the drifts to plow through on the way home. 

 

Please join us in praying for comfort for our friend, Clifford (you may remember him from a post a few months back when he had his 90th birthday party), as his dear wife, Ellen passed away today from a massive heart attack. She will be missed by many!!

Makin' and bakin' cookies...

 

While baby Vonn slept, the girls and I made a batch of cookies this afternoon. As you can see, Johanna mixed up some water in her mixer as Tracy Jo stirred the butter and egg in her bowl. :) There is never a silent moment with these two in the room! They're so full of questions and ideas. It is so amazing to watch them grow and change and learn. I LOVE my job!!!

 

Dryer troubles...

With the water situation being as it is in the Winter months, my mom sometimes gets clothes washing in the middle of the night if/when she's up. Well, this morning she had 3 loads washed, but the dryer had dried it's last and would dry no more. It served us well over the years (we figured it was probably 20 years old).

 

SO, my dad had some things to do in Bismarck (go to the chiropractor for example), and he returned with a shiny new dryer!! This one is fancy shmancy and you can put water in a side-compartment to steam dry your clothes and everything. That will be neat to experiment with! I'll try to remember to get a picture of it tomorrow. :)

 

We're almost finished with our new years letters (printing, folding, addressing...). I did a little babysitting today. Andrew took 2 of the loads of laundry up to his place and dried them in his dryer there. Mom wasn't feeling the best, so she rested a lot.

 

It is very cold out tonight! My dad said it could feel like -50F degrees with windchill overnight. I pray for the animals to stay warm when it's like this. Can't imagine being out there. So thankful I don't have to be! 

I spent most of the day...

...with this little guy:

 

 

I told him a lot of things, and he listened. 

Baby Vonn was a bit fussy today, but I did finally get to see him smile! :)