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Bella gets a new friend

Today we took Bella to the American Girl store at Alderwood mall to get a new doll. She picked Saige, girl of the year. We are so blessed to be able to this! Just to see that Smile!

Technology and life

In today's world you have so many resources at your literal finger tips. It is quite amazing when you think about.  I remember when a fax machine was like some object of voodoo!
Now every thing is mobile and easy. I just wonder how this will impact out children?
If everything is so simple in life will they even vaule it?

Chloe

Hearty Chicken stew

Tonight I made a chicken stew that was amazing! Low in fat, low in sodium, and just so good! Chicken Stew Makes about 12 servings 3 lbs boneless chicken breast 1 large onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp olive oil Celery, cut up 1 tbsp oregano 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 1/2 pounds of butternut squash,peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces 5-6 carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces 5-6 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces 1 32oz low sodium chicken broth 1 cup quinoa(optional) 2 cups chicken broth Add onions, garlic and celery to olive oil in pan, cook until all are soft. Add chicken, cook until no longer pink. Add all spices. Stir. All all veggies, cook for about 20 minutes. Add broth, bring to boil, and turn to low and cook until all in tender and done. I cooked the quinoa on the side in 2 cups chicken broth, following directions. I just put the quinoa ontop of the stew, after placed in the bowls...as it will absorb the liquid. Very good, and I really enjoyed it!

Summer in the Pacific Northwest

Summer has come to the Pacific Northwest! It is not like summer anywhere else. Most days we are lucky to get to 75 degrees. The past few days it has been hitting the 90's, which for many here is way to hot! I need to say that I do not like hot weather. Just a statement of facts. The good thing with the heat has been that it has boosted the garden, everything is doing wonderfully. So that means that canning season is comming soon! Everyone in this household is looking for to Autumn, and all that it means for us: canning, baking, crafting, and just the events that start happening for us! We are moving forward with changing our diet and general lifestyle. I decided that I need to do what is needed for my family, and I am sorry if that is not what others think I should be doing...this is not their family. I hoping to be able to make more tinctures over the next few days, and I know that need more Womens cloths made, as Chloe likes them better than the pads you buy in the store, so do I. They are far more comfortable, and I like the fact that we are not throwing anything away. I used old receiving blankets for ours, they work well, and are soft.

Life

Life has been keeping me busy these days. I had another hernia repair surgery less than a month ago. We shall see if this one holds. I have been making herbal balms, and remedies for my family. I have been inspired by friend Laura P. Who for me is one of the most gifted and magical people I know, I am proud to call her a friend. The first one I made was an Arnica and lavender one, it works wonderful for pain, I am now making another Anica based one, but with ginger and cayenne. I feel that it will work better for muscle pains. I have been using Laura's balm that she made with the kids in NOLA for my incision, the doctors believe that it made it heal better and faster, so do I. Life has been hard for us, money is a major daily problem in our lives, moving back to Tacoma has not been the best thing financially, this is becoming worrisome. Hopefully I will find work soon. I have been told recently that I need to do more to make money, and I agree with that, but this person feels that I am wasting my time homeschooling(well, un-schooling), making balms, laundry soap, hand soaps, etc. I am not sure what to say to that, I feel that me doing all those things are making life better than before I did them, the cough syrup I made recently saved the day, Chloe had a horrible cough, and it, the elderberry honey syrup was the only thing that helped! We have cut expenses by me making our laundry soap, making medicines, and just the whole overall diet. We eat red meat, maybe 4 times a month, our health is improving, it is slow, but it is getting better everyday. We are eating and living better than ever before. The children are more aware of where their food comes from, and why you should eat this, but not that. I feel that is amazing and important. So we will continue to go day by day, and change what we can on that day.