kidding around

It is my routine to go grocery shopping on Monday mornings. I despise going to the market a few times a week. And if you are trying to stick to a food budget, you could be doomed if you only need “just milk”. Plus, I usually only have one kid with me…last year Si was with me, which sort of made it a fun adventure for him!

Anyway, as I was in line at Trader Joes, I overheard a worker apologize to woman for the lack of tuna in the case. I thought perhaps there was a delay in the delivery, but the cashier commented that the demand can not keep up with what our natural resources can offer. Likewise with cod, one of the most plentiful fish is now becoming depleted. Wow, I walked away feeling pretty melancholy…as I looked across the way and saw once farmland is now a big Walmart…we live on some of the most fertile land in the world and we are building huge houses and convenience stores. As the cashier and I continued to chat, he commented on how we are so focused on Social Security etc., but what about the basic needs we need as humans?

As I have noted before, I LOVE the book REAL FOOD REVIVAL (I need to figure out to make a link). The author speaks of the US as becoming a monoculture. Gone are the traditions in passing down recipes or making everything from scratch. We are depending on big business to water down what makes our society tick…celebration, nutrition, ritual, healthy living! Are we really that lazy or stupid to let this go? I don’t know, unfortunately many have become pretty dispassionate in the way we live our
everyday lives.

So on a happy note…the Shackelford’s fridge is full with raspberries, strawberries, milk, and eggs…all delicious…and we are sincerely grateful for it!

It has been a long week. And to end it all, we had a fun bash with Ellie and her friends…see photos below.

The day was busy with making dolls, munching on popcorn, and flower boquet making…and there we have it…Ellie has another year until we have more festivites…whew…

Okay, it happened…the summer has ended…or as Ellie likes to say, “summer isn’t over, just the vacation” (what an optimist!). The kids started school today! It was a short day, so there was a lot of running around this morning and then there was a lot of running around before lunch…whew!

Ellie has a great teacher and is eager for the 2nd grade and all the choices she is given. Simon I think will do fine. I went with him to check out his preschool room. He was pretty independent and serious about building and drawing and was pretty antisocial. We will see…Last week, I was describing his school and I felt it really didn’t sink in what he was about to experience. BUT, after being tucked in that night, he came back downstairs and asked if he could bring a phone with him in case he wants to hear my voice. I think he gets it now!

With every new school year there is always change. It’s kind of like the beginning of a year. You try to create new, better systems or become more disciplined. For me, I have been obsessed with a book I have been reading Real Food Revival. I really want to make my food budget work with buying locally and organic. I am totally put off with the whole agribusiness and the extremely unhealthy and sometimes toxic choices we are given to nourish our bodies. I know this is nothing new and I have always prided ourselves in being fairly healthy, especially with Nathan’s type 1 diabetes…but…WOW this book reveals so much! See my side bar list of books if you want to get the authors name. I just found the book at the library, but will buy my own copy. AND if you are a family member, you may just get it for Christmas or a birthday!

In the next few weeks I will do a comparative shopping list with Whole Foods/Farmers Market and a mainstream grocer. I know to be thrifty is wise, but I do think making healthy choices (and I don’t mean blah food ) are way more important. So I spend $15-$20 more- I can cut out the other “stuff” that is not needed. In today’s American culture, even the most frugal and go without or save…

Isn’t it strange that more and more people are dealing with allergies, illness, obesity, infertility, and 8 year old girls developing breasts? YIKES!

Okay, I am off of my soap box.

We are now officially ridding the world of our mauve/pink and blue house! I am so excited you would think I was given my dream house…gone are the apologies for our houses color scheme. We will keep the blue and cream, but instead of pink, chocolate brown will outline the windows, trim and other details. YES!

This summer, I was not hard on either Nathan or I and expect a thriving garden. Instead, we have a beautiful pumpkin patch that is growing every day. The humidity really helps these rascals grow!

But to our surprise, our nonchallant appoach to gardening sprouted a corn stalk! Strange! I’ll have to “harvest” it soon…must have been a corn cob thrown in that direction.

And of course, nothing in this house goes without a face drawn on it! Guess who drew which one?

This morning, a pancake breakfast welcomed Ellie…along with a daisy crown and “celebrate” banner! She had fun opening the doll clothes I made her…thanks to many friends and family, she put money towards an American Girl Doll. Last Friday we traveled to the city and she picked out her doll and enjoyed the sites of Chicago. With a camera in hand, she shot away like a true expert.

Happy Birthday dear Elisabeth Helene! Tomorrow, August 22nd, marks Ellie’s 7th year of life!

I am grateful to have this sweet little girl as my daughter.

We are making big plans for a grand party this coming Saturday…a “summer frolic” actually. Over the summer we have been reading the “Little House in the Prairie” books which have inspired us to square dance, tug of war, and bean bag races. It should be fun!

This upcoming week will prove to be big changes for all of us in the Shackelford household. Ellie will be entering the 2nd grade, Simon will be an official preschooler and Nathan will be entering his 10th year of teaching. Leaving Penny and I a lot of time to figure out how to get things accomplished especially since she is 10x more active than the other 2!

Okay, if you don’t have a strong stomach, go to my next post. If you want to laugh or even cry, keep on reading!

Yesterday, I took the kids to the Iowa State Fair. We packed our bags and spent a short 2 days with my mom’s side of the family. As I was pushing Penelope through the “Swine” barn I noticed a huge beast relieving himself (or her)! No big deal, turned my head and redirected the kids eyes elsewhere. A few minutes past and I crouched beside Penny to observe a cute “little Piggy” and noticed something on her face. Like any good mother I just wiped the spot off and immediately thought “This could not be what I think it is…could it?!?!?” I thought, noone has had chocolate today……GASP!! Yep, your right, my little Penny Lu Whoo got BOMBED!!

All in all we had a great time visiting the farm animals and seeing the cow made of butter…the 884 lb pumpkin…but I will never forget the Swine barn!