Spring is a coming ... and we'll be ready!

So, its usually around this time of year (when the chill wears off and we get a warm spell) that we all get excited to start running again.  Yes, it is a fair-weather sport in this house. 


But, one look at everyone's shoes, made us realize that we were in dire need of some new attire for our feet.  Orin runs in Converse.  Dwight has holes in his shoes.  I'm sure you agree ... its time.


Nevertheless, these hardcore runners stretched and ran.  This was Chance's first time on the "training" runs.  Dwight and the older 2 boys used to run when we were in Hawaii (ahhh - memories!).  Now Chance joins the crew.

The highlight of this blog post ... Check out this video of yet another fun family moment. :-)  Quint is adorable!  After much ado (months and months of begging from the boys - mostly Burnell), we finally did the unthinkable!  It was a time to remember. Which is why we wanted to share it with you. :-)

The boys are excited to work on a new project this summer.  They have completely orchestrated this project on their own (with no encouragement from us).  First, they dragged it out of the stall in the stables, hosed it off, wiped it down, and then pushed it out.  Then, they pushed it around the stables, past the arena and UP the huge hill ... all on their own!!  It was one of those moments ... seeing them all working together to an end of their own liking.  Super exciting.  Hope Wade doesn't mind them tinkering on his old go cart.

Our New Business - All Natural Goat Milk Soap

I'm sure you've heard!!!  We have started a new business!  I want to officially introduce you to Bend Soap Company, the best soap in town!  Check out our website, hear the story, read about everything, and place an order if you like. www.bendsoap.com

Dwight started playing around with making his own goat milk soap last summer.  He made 3 batches -- one Oatmeal/Honey and one Unscented and one Peppermint.  We waited for 4 weeks until we were able to try that very first bar.  So exciting ... finally the day came.  We were blown away by how soft our skin felt and how amazing the lather was.  It was great.  But, the most amazing part was how Chance's eczema was helped.

We gave out several samples and found that people loved the product and wanted more.  So, he made more ... lots more!  I designed a website and he bought some larger soap-making equipment and voila!

Now, only a few months since our "soft launch" date, we see that we are outgrowing ourselves already.  We now have several "helpers" making the soap.  We just brought on an SEO/Social Media guy.  We have someone helping to update our photos and graphics.   And, we are moving into the next phase.  Super exciting!

Orin loves the smell!

The boys love helping out.  Just recently, they helped Grandma Gail paint our office and move all the labeling, packaging and shipping stuff in there (since we outgrew the table in the living room).  Burnell can read the labels and help pull orders now.  Super fun!

 Our first Sales Training Meeting went well.  We had 5 young adults come and get training on how to present.  Dwight - with all his awesome sales experience, uses humor, Cutco sales methods, etc.  We love sales!

The amazing cook off!!!

8 casserole dishes, 6 pots, 16 cups of freshly ground whole wheat, 5 lbs of organic beef, 1 gallon of fresh goat milk, 8 lbs of cheese, 5 lbs of chicken, several cans of tomatoes, olives and sauces, and 8 hours later ... we have successfully made 14 meals and 6 loaves of bread.  That should last us for 2 weeks.  I'm excited about not having so many dishes and cleanup each day.  Big thank yous to Rachel, Naomi, and Esther Z for all the help.  I leave the room and the meal prep continues!!  Such amazing help!

And, while all this was happening in the kitchen, Grandma Gail was busy painting our back room.  She engaged many little helpers who all declared "I love painting!!" when the job was done.  She had them edging and rolling.  Chance showed me the particular technique of rolling up and then pushing on the way back down.  Wonderful! 

Our treat ... a homemade marionberry protein shake - complete with homemade kefir, fresh raw goat milk, and fabulous GNLD protein.

An inspiring treat ...brings me back to the blog

Well, its been a while ...  I'm back, though!  What do we owe the cessation of the hyatis to?  FOOD, of course!  This time, the source of my inspiration came by way of the most amazing, most flavorful, most delicious, most memorable ... MARIONBERRY MILKSHAKE from Bend Burger Company! (www.bendburger.com)  I devoured all my fries, most of the milkshake (I was supposed to share with Dwight) and most of my yummy Ponderosa burger (they have pictures of their burgers on their website ... cool).  They have such good food there!!!  They even have these amazing green beans sauteed with bacon and onion as a side in place of fries (I'm going to try this next time - if I can give up my fries).  Mmm!  This place is even more special since one of its owners was our wedding photographer. :-)  Crazy!  Thanks Kristy!

Katie Hermeling stayed at our home to babysit our very active crew (THANK YOU!), while Dwight and I ventured into the snow storm.   After dinner, we headed back to Buck & Shoshana's ranch (THANK YOU) for a dip in the hot tub.  What a treat for tired, achy muscles.  The snow kept falling the whole time.  Ahhhh!   Such beauty and tranquility.  This is a seriously AWESOME activity for tired old folks. :-)

Back home ... the snow is really coming down now.  And we're not talking flurries here.  Its coming down "New York style"! We are all nice and cozy inside ... gentle whiffs of Gardenia soap wafting through our living room. Goats have been milked, meat has been taken out to thaw for tomorrow's cooking day, ham is slowly cooking in the oven, kidney beans are simmering on the stove, boys are all sound asleep.  And Dwight and I - side by side with our computers on our laps. :-)  How romantic!

Dwight is shopping craigslist for the "perfect" car.  We've been looking for a fuel-economy addition to our fleet. So far, the 12 passenger van and V10 truck keep us frequenting the gas stations more than we need.  We need an errand rig.  A rice-burner would be nice.  And if it had 4 wheel drive, that might help too.  A Jeep would be "fun" and Dwight's always wanted one.  A convertible would be "snobby" not to mention that it  would make a better date car than our van. A Subaru wagon would be "practical" but mainstream - everyone has one here!  A Toyota truck would also be practical and great for the window washing.  A Honda CR-V would be ideal.  What are your thoughts??  Dwight loves everyone telling him what he should do! :-) HA!  Do share!

What a funny day!

It was just one of those days. There were so many times when I caught myself saying, "I need to put that on the blog!"  Now, I wonder if I'll be able to remember any of it.... :-)


Its time to hay!!!  I LOVE haying season.  My sons are no different. :-)  Dwight and the boys hooked up the mower to the tractor and began mowing.  After the first loop, we realized that the blades needed to be a bit sharper, so we brought it back in for Dwight to change out the blades.  While this began, Mama made some yummy protein shakes with frozen peaches and bananas.  Mmmm....  Ty spilled his on the concrete. :-)  That wasn't a surprise.


Time to go to fiddle lessons over at Brendan and Sarah Booher's.  I loaded up Burnell, Orin, and Chance, and Wyatt.  We also loaded up the last of the kids (aka baby goats).  Yesterday, I sold 3!  Go Craigslist!  The remaining one belonged to Jeff and Lysa Severson, who were weaning it over at our place.  Lysa and I managed to meet and transfer the bleating goat into her rig.  That poor goat was now totally hoarse from the long night of yelling.  :-)  This is quite funny to me.


The boys did great at their lessons and Brendan taught them extra long.  Burnell learned a new song, Rubber Dolly.  Orin's working on Jesus Loves Me, which Brendan accompanied today with his guitar.  Chance has just begun to learn Twinkle Twinkle.  They are all doing quite well.  Sarah gave us tuna sandwiches and a special treat ... one of Brendan's new cranberry scones.  Mmmm... love those scones!  The boys all played with the puppies, golden retrievers.  If I didn't know how much work those dogs would be, I would love to have one.  They are soooooo cute!


Back home to hay with Daddy!  Yeah!  It was hilarious!  Dwight drives the tractor along with either everyone tucked in there with him, or some of them running along behind.  Adorable!  Then, at the end, Orin gets a ride on the mower.  Dwight has Burnell drive the Bobcat down to help him unhitch.  Then Chance gets to drive the quad up the hill with all of us on board.  I love seeing these little men growing up. :-)


Cutest thing .... Quint walking around with his hands in his pockets.  He struts around like he's all that!  Oh, my!


Well, that's all I can remember for now.....

Urgh! That Billy goat!

So, Dwight had to leave early this morning and the boys and I got to milk the goats.  We have 2 does now, Chewbacca (named because of her annoying yelling that resembles that Star Wars character, Chewy) and Skitso (our skiddish one), down from 14 last year.  Only having 2, you would think that we'd be able to handle things just fine.  However, we didn't account for the fact that Willy (the Billy goat) had gotten in with the does.  He's in the rut, you see, making it impossible for him to leave those does alone.  Well, he managed to bust through the separating fence and both does had acquired a new scent instantly.  Yeah!  Goat milking a la stench. :-)


So, Dwight's routine is to set the grain out, open the gate, and call to his "ladies."  They respond to his voice.  I am reminded of the verse in the Bible about "my sheep hear my voice, and they know me and they follow me."  Well, Dwight's goats know him all right.  As for me, I might as well be the butcher.  I can't get within 5 feet of them without them taking off.


I open the gate and call and Chewy runs out and loads up on the stanchion to be milked.  Good girl.  Burnell starts milking her while I and Orin have to go get Skitso because she won't come.  She and Willy are seemingly busy.  Orin manages to get her out while I get Willy in his pen.  However, she doesn't load up, but goes outside the Billy's pen and starts flagging.  He proceeds to BUST THROUGH THE FENCE!!  So, I now have two goats on the loose.  The four oldest boys and I start to strategically place ourselves so as to corner the two of them.  Normally, nearing grain usually entices them long enough to where you can grab a collar, however, they are on to us and spook if we even make a move towards them.


To make a long story short, Dwight ends up dropping by to help.  He shows up, walks directly up to Skitso and takes her by the collar.  Amazing!!  He had to be more aggressive with Willy, but got him back in his pen, too.  


We all end up smelling like a billy goat.  Urgh!

Lovin' summer!!

A day at the pond!  YEAH! Since my most recent "drowning" dream, I have a renewed interest in swimming lessons.  Teaching the boys how to swim just HAST to happen!  We came back from Hawaii with 2 strong swimmers (Burnell and Orin). Chance and Ty were very comfortable in the water, but still not able to "swim".  Put little bodies in 75 degree water .... you get lots of splashes and fun.  Put little bodies in 60 degree water (I'm guessing here), you get ... what shall we say "inhibitions."  However, I've been quite surprised at their successes!!

The kayaks and paddle boats were left on the pond after Camp Dwight and so we've been taking advantage of them.  If you've never seen a 4-year-old in a cute little life-jacket learning to paddle, you are missing something adorable!  Chance was the first to attempt, and now he, Burnell, and Orin are champs.  Children catch on so quickly.

Then there's Ty!  Oh, my little Ty!  There is nothing timid about this little one.  He attacks the water with all his heart.  He started out our afternoon at the pond by being the first to get wet.  Then he started swimming (with his life-jacket on) back and forth in the shallow parts.  Each time, he'd go out just a little further until he was about 15' out.  Then, he began jumping off the end of the dock to me.  By the end, he was RUNNING down the dock and LEAPING off to me!!  Then, he barks, "Let me go!" and swims to the shore.  He's amazing!!

Liberty wowed us all today as well.  She started by just wading (with life-jacket on) in the shallow parts.  But, when everyone began jumping off the dock, she gathered up her courage and went to jump, too.  I think she changed her mind just at the last minute but her body was already falling forward, so in she went with a look of "what am I doing"!  She clung to me at first and then we began to work on swimming.  In just a little bit, she jumped off again and swam some more.  By the end of our time, she would swim to me from the shore and then (without touching me) turn around and swim back to shore!  You go girl!

Burnell practiced gaining more confidence in swimming without his life-jacket.  He can book all over the pond with his cute little doggie paddle.  I think he's interested in learning how to swim backwards, next.  I demonstrated the sidestroke, backstroke, breaststroke, and poorly attempted the butterfly.  Lots of fun!

Yesterday ... after my second nap (thank you, hero Dwight), I decided to make Manicotti.  I had made the day before, my first batch of Ricotta Cheese.  Inspired by my amazing sister-in-law, Carla, I used 1 gallon of fresh goat milk from our Nubian does.  It was GREAT!  And super simple, too. The Manicotti turned out fabulous with Naomi raving that it was the best she'd ever had.  Dwight, Carrie, Kent, Naomi, Liberty, boys, and I all partook.  Mmmmmmm..... We topped our dinner off with a superb, homemade fresh blueberry pie made by Delores Booher and Sarah Booher.  Ah!  Delectible perfection.

'Tis all for now.  Check out my new blog when you get a chance: NutritionEachDay.blogspot.com.  I'll be posting info on nutrition that comes my way.