First day of School

The first day of school went reasonably well. Everyone found their classes ok, no shoes were lost, and the kids all got on the right buses so that's good. We got kind of worried when the girls were a half hour late but they showed up eventually. The boys got the new runners they need and Steve and I had yet another disappointing experience at Zellers...but apart from that, it was a pretty good start to the school year.

The weather has cooled off and we had a day of pretty solid rain which will be good for gardeners getting their last crops ripened. The humidity is down which is good for me and I'm going to get stuck into some unpacking and sorting tomorrow after I do our weekly grocery shop. While enjoying a leisurely drive yesterday, Steve and I got some local apples and potatoes plus 50lbs of onions so our menu will definitely revolve around them for the next 2 weeks :) Tonight I used up a bunch of leftovers and make an Italian pork stew. Included were 2 leftover chops that I boned and cut into 1 inch cubes seared in the pan. Then I tossed in hot water and one beef bouillon cube. I used up some of the lovely skinny carrots we got from our friend Pam Muise. Kate scrubbed then clean with a plastic dish scrubber and instead of peeling them which would be tricky with skinny carrots they scrubbed up nicely and we just cut them into 1 inch lengths. We also chopped in a large onion and 6 potatoes. Half a head of cabbage diced and about 2 dozen very ripe cherry tomatoes. I think that's about it. Because we seared the meat first it made a nice stock when the water was added and I let the meat stew for 30 minutes before adding the vegetables. I made my infamous 'stuffing dumplings' and served it hot in bowls with no frills or toppings. It went down well with everyone, even the kids, and nobody had to add pepper or salt (the bouillon cube was salty enough) and the whole pot got emptied in short order with everyone having seconds. Not wanting to waste the fat trimmings and bones from the chops I've put them in to boil gently with water after searing them, the onion peelings and the stalk from the cabbage went in too. I'll take it off the boil tonight and cool it then skim the fat tomorrow, remove the veggies and take all the meat scraps off the bones. I'm going to pick up some split peas tomorrow to use with a ham bone I've got so I'll boil the bone in the pork broth until it's nice and rich then use it to make split pea and ham soup with fresh crusty white bread. Sound good and hearty? A meal for 7 and it'll have cost me about $4.50. Don't believe me? Here's the breakdown and usually it would be cheaper because I wouldn't buy a ham bone but use one left over from a previous dinner.

$1.25 Dried green split peas
$2.40 Smoked ham hock from a local farm stand
$ .35 One large yellow onion
$1.00 French Bread made from scratch

$5.00 Dinner for 7 with second helpings. Okay so I was off, it's actually $5 for the meal. But that's not bad for a high protein one pot meal you can cook on the woodstove don't you think? One thing... Steve and I love brown bread but there are some things that are just better with white and this soup is one of them. I think that grilled cheese is another and Steve likes hotdogs on white buns. But apart from that we like brown bread especially if it's from freshly ground wheat, Mmmmm.

Another use for the stock would be to add some veggies chopped fine and some pot barley and make a soup. Then your costs would be about $2 cheaper.

Ok, it's time for bed. I have to get kids up and lunches made so I've got to start going to bed before midnight.

Labour Day

It's Monday September 5th, Labour Day. Unlike many Canadian towns and cities, here there isn't a single store open except the convenience stores. No shopping even in the Malls or the big box stores. It was supposed to be inclement weather but so far it's a beautiful slightly windy day so as soon as Steve is up I'm gonna wash linens and get them out on the line for a few hours. I've got to find the school supplies I have stashed somewhere too so that the kids are ready for school on Tuesday.

Steve was sick last night from something he ate but is happily sleeping now, it's nearly 10am. I think we'll have an easy family day and then figure something to do for Chris' birthday. The kids are playing computer games as we speak so I'm just going to let them veg until lunchtime.

Yep...just a lazy day. Maybe we'll go for a drive and explore somewhere else today. Or nap, that sounds good too.

Meghan's Baptism / Christopher's 15th Birthday

We had a great day. Chris is now 15 years old. He got a Blizzard ice cream cake from DQ this evening. We've got something planned for him for tomorrow...Sshhh!

Meghan's baptism was this evening. We planned on about 24 people and had double that amount come to the baptism, the talks were fantastic, despite the pump not working they got it rigged to put just enough water into the font to go up to Steve's knees and he was able to completely submerge Meghan so her baptism was perfect. Here's a picture of her trying to be cool right before she was baptized. See how shallow the water is? Steve said he never even got his pants wet above the knees. He also said he looks like the man from Glad :)



After her baptism she got changed into her new dress and had a party. Everyone had a great time and we ran out of food just as everyone got full, I think there were only a few squares of ham sandwich left. The girls made an impromptu show and here it is.




We missed our family and friends from the island but had a great time with our new church family. And we didn't have to wash any dishes because there's no water so we'll do it tomorrow. It'll be BYOW...Bring Your Own Water.

This is just the beginning for Meghan of a life filled with love, faith and hope. I hope she continues to know that she is a beloved daughter of a Heavenly Father who is real and who knows her personally and loves her.



Please feel free to ask us any questions you might have about baptism. We believe that baptism is a necessary ordinance and must be performed by one having the correct authority. We believe that a child is not accountable for their sins until they are 8 years old, at which time they know right from wrong and can make a decision if they want to be baptized. Baptism is a choice and before any child is baptized they are interviewed by their bishop or branch president to make sure they know the basics of the gospel and that this is their decision. We believe in baptism by immersion, as practiced anciently and as Jesus was baptized by John.



Hope you all had a great day too and that you enjoy Labour Day if you have it off. Sigh...the last weekend of the summer but also a happy time as the kids are back to school on Tuesday, Hooray!

For The Strength of Youth

We has a great time at the church corn boil with our great friends the Mullen family who put on a really good BBQ for us all. Thanks guys!

And we went to the Tremont Fair.

Watching the ox teams and the draft horse pulls was really great so next year I'm going to stay longer. It was nice to see the children involved in their little projects. And while we might be tempted to dismiss the childrens projects as 'cute' but not really of much worth, we'd be wrong. We often overlook the contributions of our children and youth instead of realizing the great potential we could nurture in them. Be they our own children or those around us, we can make a difference in the life and self-esteem of a child. Instead of worrying where the world is heading we should have faith in the youth and give them the support and encouragement they need to realize good for themselves and others. It's a hard world to live in and to be righteous in. They need to know they can count on us for help and for strength when times get tough. Not every one of them will accomplish big things but a multitude of little things can change the world too.



I hope you enjoyed this message. Our youngest daughter Meghan has turned 8 years old and as such has made the decision to be baptized into the Latter Day Saint church. Her baptism is this evening so I won't be posting until tomorrow. Have a wonderful Sunday!

Tremont World Fair

Tremont has a little agricultural fair today so we're going over to see what it's all about and the the church is having it's annual corn boil over at the Mullens house so we'll go hang out with them and have supper. It should be a nice day once this little bit of fog burns off and a sunny 24 degrees (75 Fahrenheit) under sunny skies. I'll update this post once we get home tonight and let you know all about it. Hope you are well and that you're getting out and enjoying the last of the summer weather.

Talk to you later!

Elizabeth

Overcoming Adversity - Inspiring

Everyone in this world has their own share of unique problems. Some are born into difficult circumstances such as war, poverty, abuse, or a culture that stifles their freedom of expression. Some people struggle with addictions or mental disorders. Disease and health problems can ruin lives. Some babies come to this world with birth defects that can affect the rest of their lives while some older people suffer from loneliness, regret, and despair.

And some of us have it relatively easy.

We worry about having a nice clean shirt, or the right conditioner. A shiny car. Maybe we wonder if that other person really likes us, or if we said something dumb. Or if we have a cool enough hoodie for school. If our shoes are the latest style. Or if we have bottled water o we don't have to slum it and drink tap water. We worry that we're too fat/thin, too blonde, too shallow, too....just keep the list coming.

Now I'm not saying that we don't all have valid challenges that we face each day because I know we do. Every single day we're faced with dozens of little choices that over the course of a lifetime define who we are and what we stand for. We will each have struggles and heart breaks that can lead us to be more grateful for the blessings we have or they can make us hard and bitter people. I remember a lovely talk given a few years ago and I'll post it below because I know they made it into a short video.

But first I want to share this video with you about one mother who loves her sons, one man who loves and supports his brother, and one young man who hasn't let his experiences make him angry and bitter but instead he has risen above his trials and is able to help others rise above theirs too.



And here's the other talk as promised. For an eternal perspective on why we have trials and sorrows just take the 4 minutes out of your day for a little pep talk. And hang in there, do what you can to make life better and help others along the path of life. It's a good way to find happiness.

East Coast Smoke Alarm

Just a quick chuckle for those of you who think that all Maritimers are just a little bit hick (country bumkin). Here's a lovely photo of a Newfie Smoke Alarm

(And you never have to change the batteries!!)