Husking Corn

Husking Corn

I love husking corn,
Watching the bucket overflow with husks and hair,
Oh the soft, yellow corn hair that always seems to stick.

I sit on the back porch and face the sunset,
The summer's warm rays upon me.
I sing, or think, or talk out loud.

Then I give my dog a pat on the head and turn
To go inside.
I hear the clatter and clutter of a summer's canning.

Peaches, pears, plums, green beans...
I only eat mom's.
I hand over the corn and watch it slip into the boiling water.

Beside it is a bubbling pan of zucchini and chard.
To the right, fresh zucchini bread.
I love summer's bounty.
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I wrote this poem in 2001. I spent that summer writing poems; they mostly revolved around my farm upbringing. I do love living on our farm again. I love living seasonally. It makes each season something to be embraced. Right now we are eating more corn, tomatoes, and plums than we know what to do with, but that is OK. For a time will come, very soon, when they will be no more. It is a very seize-the-day type of life.

The picture is of my grandpa, my sister, and I. He used to come down each September and help with the corn harvest. He is now 97 years old. He still asks about our orchard and garden.

You'll notice I talk about summer in this poem. Even though school has started and the summer is waning, it is still summer. September 22nd is the first day of fall. So, embrace these last days of this warm, free season.

Religious Book Bombs...Or Maybe Just What We Needed...

I feel very sacrilegious saying I found some religious book bombs, but I really did....or maybe I didn't. We will verbally process this together.

1. Creation by Gennady Spirin. First of all I loved this book. It was a visual masterpieces and spiritually challenging for me, as an adult. But my kids could not relate. The words for this book came directly from the Bible,how can you go wrong! But, for 3 and 4-year-old boys....it didn't connect. I can see owning this as a coffee table book. Or using it as an opener for a group discussion, meditation, etc.



2. Jonah and the Two Great Fish by Mordicai Gerstein. Ok, so this version of the story involves two whales, and I think it must be based from Jewish literature/mythology. I have to admit I'm a bit ignorant in this area. My oldest did love the pictures and the language and words per page were right at his level. However, I was frustrated that he was learning a version different from the original Biblical account, as far as the versions of the Bible I read etc. Or am I wrong? Was it always two whales that took turns swallowing Jonah? I'm really wanting to know the Jewish tradition behind this story. I should take the time to do a little research.




3. Lastly, David and Goliath retold by Mary Auld. Ok, I have mixed feeling about this book. For my kids, there were too many words on a page, but I think for elementary kids it would be perfect. However, the pictures were great for me to modify the storyline and make it preschool appropriate. Everything was going great until I turned to the picture where David is holding the beheaded Goliath by his hair and there is blood dripping off his serrated neck. Nothing like a bit of gore and violence before bed. But, I was the one who checked out the book. I should know better since there isn't anything very G-rated about David and Goliath. Except, I remember singing the Sunday school song about five little stones and not realizing I was doing a jig to a murderous tale. Guess I wasn't being very discerning at the library this last visit.



BUT! I did have a very good conversation with my oldest about God because of this book. We discussed the Philistines and how they didn't like God. (Or believe in the God of Israel.) This was a new thought for my son. I've often wondered when he'd realize that not everyone likes, loves, or even believes in God. I was a bit worried about his first encounter with a friend at school who might let him know that his family's beliefs are not held by everyone. He wanted to know why the Philistines didn't like God. I told him that lots of people don't like God. He asked why. I said, "Well, they don't want to do what God wants them to do. They like making their own choices in life even if those choices are bad and even if those choices hurt other people." This conversation continued and got much more relevant when I talked about how I don't let my son do everything he wants because I want something better for him. Examples were being mean to his brother, hitting other kids, making huge messes in my kitchen etc. Basically a whole conversation about selflessness and thinking of others first.

So, actually, this book was exactly what we needed.

First Day of School: Chickens

While most bloggers are chatting it up about the first day of school, I've decided to focus on chickens.

Chickens are the IT thing these days. Nothing says sustainable, green, organic, and living seasonally than a bunch of chickens flip-flapping in your back yard.

I like to think I am joining the rage not because of peer pressure, but because I have a strange love for chickens.

We had chickens when we were little. I want my boys to experience the same. You hardly make money or save money with your own crew of laying birds. A dozen eggs from the grocery is much cheaper. (We eat an average of 5 eggs a day.) However, I do think they taste better.

Oh, and our chickens will be "pasture" feed. They will have a large yard to cluck and scratch in and get all the worms and bugs they need.

Oh how yummy and fun they will be. Plus, good fertilizer for the garden.

We are hoping to get our chickens in late October. Grandpa is remodeling the old chicken house: new ventilation system, better laying boxes, windows for more light, and new ramp for their little legs to race down into the free range yard below.

I'm feeling very Oregonian! Hope the boys are on board.

Religious Books for Kids

I feel self-imposed pressure to find good Biblical literature for my kids. I have had crummy luck finding the perfect mix. I think my kids are at an age when they are younger than the "really good" ones out there. I did purchase one about two years ago that is just now perfect for my 4-year-old, but still it is a bit lacking. The stories are brief and simple, but he still seems interested. We can read the entire New Testament in one night! Probably our best Bible is Picture That! Published by Zonderkidz. It is a read-along-book. There is a little picture of a boat when the boys are supposed to say, "Boat!" There is a picture of water when they are supposed to shout, "Water." And shout they do! They like it. It is both a good way to introduce some basic Bible stories and a good way to teach your kids to follow along and track with words etc.





Still, I wanted something more. By accident I found Jan Brett's Noah's Ark.

It was mixed in with all the non-religious picture books at the library. I guess because she isn't viewed as strictly a religious writer. It is great! The pictures are engaging. The storyline is both basic and interesting---something tricky to do when writing Bible stories for young readers. That seems to be the bummer in general with retold Bible stories for young kids: they take all the excitement out of the story to get it at their level. The other problem I run in to with these types of books is that they don't edit out enough and then they are way too wordy. I find myself retelling the stories as we flip through the pictures.

I was pleased with a four volume series put out by Moody Press called Read-Aloud Bible Stories. They were first printed in 1982 and won the Gold Medallion Book Award and the C.S. Lewis Honor Book distinction.




But, once again, not a perfect fit. The story lines are perfect for a 2/3-year-old, but lacking for my 4-year-old. And the people in the pictures are a bit non-descript....especially Jesus. My middle boy kept asking where Jesus was, but every time he was referred to the artist chose to only show his back and not his face. I get the purpose behind that, but my little boy doesn't and just wanted to see this guy we talk so much about. :)

Still, I think it is a good Bible series and would be worth buying used on Amazon.

My next posting will be highlighting some disasters in this religious category, some books to stay away from....or not...I think you'll find the next post very interesting as it ends up being a spiritual discussion between me and my oldest.

Books: Country vs. City

When I saw the title and picture on this next huge reading success, I knew we'd all related.

The Old Blue Pickup Truck by Candice F. Ransom was a major success. My boys smiled and beamed the whole time. I'm giving it four stars. Out of our huge pile of book picks this week from the library, it is the one they keep grabbing again when it is reading time. My little boys loved riding in their dad's green truck and now their grandpa's blue one.

Plus, this writer took the time to play with words and create simple, beautiful images for children. Here is an example:

"It was raining on all our things. Our whole day was getting wet!" Simple, but I love it.

Now, for a setting that my sons really shouldn't relate to we checked out the book Clang! Clang! Beep! Beep! Listen to the City by Robert Burleigh and illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe.




The onomatopoeia in this book was complimented so well by the images. Good job Beppe! Good job Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

My four-year-old is a bit beyond the simplicity of this book, but we made it interactive and so it was a good pick. My three-year-old loved it.

This would also be a great book to help a teacher demonstrate the power of onomatopoeia in a literary elements unit/lesson plan.

However, I think it was the images that made this a strong read. The life and noise of the city was well captured and even though we live on a farm, my boys were engaged by the city and understood its excitement. (We do drive through Portland on occasion. However, this city seemed a bit more like New York.)

Shopping and Planning Meals for a Month

It is an event. I open my cookbook cupboard, take down my faithful four, spread out at the kitchen table, brew some tea, and plan. I plan out my meals for the entire month. Like a budget, there is room for flexibility. If I plan focassia bread pizza, but really feel like eating BLT’s, then I let myself switch it up etc.

But, my biggest struggle is knowing what to fix. Once I know, I can make. Once I make, I can eat.

I also do my shopping once a month, excluding items like milk and eggs. It does help that all my produce comes from my garden, orchard, and I preserve it all for the winter. I rarely am forced to buy out of season. I do find myself reaching for some apples and oranges in January, but for the most part we eat what we grow.

I’ve often had people ask what this once-a-month shopping and planning looks like. (Note: if you do it right you will save a bundle of food money.)

Here is my list of what to buy this month and a list of meals for the month. I don’t make the same meals each month. Each month looks different. I also don’t plan sides for my meals. I come up with those the day of.

Shopping List:

2 whole chickens
5 lbs of beef
Find fun meat on sale, like steak etc.
3 packs of bacon
5 packs of morning sausage
____________
Yogurt
Ice cream
Creamer
Sour cream
Butter sticks and tub
Feta cheese
__________________
Syrup
Cous cous
Noodles of all types
10 various soups
Various canned beans
Corn bread mix
Dry It. dressing
Balsamic vinegar
_________________
Frozen fries
10 frozen dollar meals for H’s lunch
Frozen burritos
2 frozen pizzas
______________
Focassia bread
10 healthy bread loaves
10 cheap white bread for the kids (they eat way too many PB&J to buy them fancy bread)
3 bagel loafs
______________
Fruit snacks
Granola bars
______________
Apple juice boxes
___________
Chips
____________
T. paper
Aluminum foil
Dish soup
____________
Baby puffs and mum mums

Meals:

I plan 4 to 5 meals per week and allow for some leftovers, but leftovers are mainly eaten for lunches the next day.

Week 1:
Meatloaf
Crepes and sausage
Roasted Chicken
Teriyaki noodle chicken
Frozen pizza
Meatloaf sandwiches

WK 2:
Taco soup with corn bread
BLT’s
Leftover soup
Super Easy Chicken Meal
Mac and Tuna Casserole

WK 3:
Pita Bread Pizza
Hamburgers and Fries
Zucchini Garden Chowder
Greek Tom Salad with grilled Ch.

WK 4:
Crustless Zucchini Tom. Quiche
Steak and pesto/tom pasta
Whole Ch with sides
Spaghetti
Omelets

(I often switch meals in week 1 for meals in week 4.)

Even though the day I go shopping is crazy and somewhat insane, it is way better than doing it once a week or twice a month. Taking my kids to the grocery store is not what I like to do with my time and with them.

Plus, I had to change my shopping and buying habits once we moved to the farm and live 30 mins. away from any legitimate grocery store.

Another Great Book Blog

http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=1572

If you enjoy my book reviews, you'll love this blog. Of course, keep reading my thoughts too! :)