kidding around

It’s a tradition around here to share “first day of school” photos. As I was reaquainting myself with iPhoto and my new MacBook (love!) I stumbled upon old photos of my children, GULP!

The above shot is with a 3rd grade Ellie, kindergarten Simon and a 3 year old pre-school Penny. Really, they have GROWN THAT quickly? Good grief.

Next shot is a 4th grade Ellie, 2nd grade Si and a 4 year old home with Mom preschooler…yours have grown too, huh?

Do we want to get really depressed? Ellie- 6th grade, Simon- 3rd, and Penny- kinder.

This year, I present to you my 7th, 4th and 1st grader! We took a different turn this year and have planned to homeschool.

Let me introduce the students:

Ellie: avid reader, independent, responsible, mostly sweet and apparently good in math (Algebra 1, really?)

Simon: loves checking things off a list, full of facts, my constant helper

Penny: keeps up with the older kids, starting to read really well, and my fellow trampoline partner

I hope to update KIDDING AROUND as much as possible. I’m not sure what the content will be, but I imagine a lot of our adventures in homeschooling will be included. I’m starting off slowly and trying to avoid burnout before Christmas. I DO know this, I feel really happy and content and my kids seem to feel the same- which makes me happy beyond measure.

I feel like there is so much to update! Summer! Trip to NYC! Why we are homeschooling! Pitchfork Music Festival! Garden! Where do I begin!?

I can’t believe we have been out one week of school! We have eased into our summer days nicely (though I still have the same work schedule!) and have made ourselves decompress- not expecting a whole lot of the day, but just relaxation and fun.

This year, I decided not to sign up the kids for any activities. I found myself banging my head against the wall juggling work, kids activities and general home management. I also found myself dragging someone out of bed for a class THEY HAD TO DO and promised myself “never again”. I do suspect I MAY regret this, but we are already busy with day trips, summer camp, World Cup and visiting family. I’ll report at the end of summer. Wish me luck.

Posted above is a shot of my three kids soon to go into 7th, 4th and 1st grade. The biggest announcement around the Shack house is that we have decided to homeschool all 3! This Spring we have been going through some testing (lots of questions were answered!) with one of my kids and I felt a huge conviction that what they needed is a break…and so all 3 are along for the ride. My husband was homeschooled and we have always felt that this could be an option one day. I never felt a real conviction or desire to homeschool until this year…I’m excited.

Hopefully, I will post more regularly- there’s so much going on! I’ll be going to New York City in 10 days and will be sure to share shots of my adventure. Oh, and it’s our 15 year wedding anniversary this Thursday too…there has to be a tribute post sometime. And my garden is doing well, not fantastic, but it’s not summer without garden shots. BUT THE BIGGEST THIS THING IS THAT I am still out of a computer and I’m using a PC I don’t know how to use or don’t like to use (probably the latter). Someone needs to send me an iPAD.

Happy Summer!

Last week I hosted bookclub.

Every year I remind myself to keep it simple and just buy some cheese and call it a day.

Well, then I start scheming in my mind and start scouring my cookbooks and Epicurious and I changed my plan! It’s not like I entertain routinely…I’m not sewing…I NEED TO DO SOMETHING CREATIVELY…and on goes my justification.

SO what did I serve?

Corn fritters with chili lime mayo.

Carmelized onion dip with blue cheese (served it with vegetables…broccoli from our garden!)

Edamame and Arugula Crositini (photo above)

Cheese Straws (from Smitten Kitchen)

Ice Box Cupcakes (from Smitten Kitchen)

I have to say, it was all so delicious and totally enjoyable to prepare all these treats. Now next year, just chips and salsa…’cause everyone likes that, right? Maybe I’ll add a trilogy of homemade salsas, make my own chips…uh oh…

Ellie and Penny have been gone for the past 10 days. And so we will celebrate with pie!

I thought I would share with you all one of my very favorite ways to use up all the pie dough scraps. They are so easy to make and it totally makes my family go wild when they see me braiding up strips of pie dough.

So, after trimming your pie, gather up the scraps and create a rectangular shape. Roll it out fairly thin (the bigger you roll it out, the more twists you get!)

Now this may drive some of you nuts, but I eyeball rectangles and cut them out (2″x5or6″? you can make them bigger, of course depending how much dough you have on hand.)

Then just create 2 slits, evenly cut and braid like you would on someone’s hair…that’s why I call them “Ellie braids”, they remind me so much of her cute piggy tails she wore daily when she was younger.

Now just sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, I also like to add a touch of nutmeg and bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes. Eat warm or let them cool and drizzle a powdered sugar frosting.

So now you all know I am serious with my pie twists. What started it?

When Nathan and I were first married and lived in Whittier, CA I frequented a local bakery that made THE BEST TWISTS EVER. They would sell out pretty quick and I would seriously be totally disappointed if I couldn’t get one- I know, really…there are other things to attach such disappointment to that needs attention, but you know…

After Ellie’s birth, I used her as an excuse to watch the cake decorating lady. Fun for Ellie to watch and I could get my fill of twists as well. When we moved, I was heartsick- I know I know I know.

So now, each Thanksgiving after we make dozens of homemade pies at Moveable Feast, I have the honor of making twists for the staff and to sell. It’s a fun tradition and many can relate to their Grandmas “never wasting” and making these delectable treats.

When you make a pie next, try these twists. Heck, make pie dough and just create a bunch of twists- that’s what my family hopes I do!

More circled-felt ornaments! I suspect these will be popular and easy for our party. I may just be insane and already have the zillion circles already cut. Am I nuts? All I need is a few good movies to get me through.

After reading this post some time ago, I have been wanting to make re-usable sandwich/snack bags. This past school year, I was very aware of the sandwich bags that left this house. Although I like to say we reduced our usage, I do think we could do better.

I know school is not starting for another 5 weeks, but man, summer is speeding by and I feel a little out of control…and did you see Target? Back to school supplies! Ellie’s eyes were as big as saucers when she was checking out the notebooks. I would love to make a bunch for this upcoming school year. Not only wraps for sandwiches, but maybe pouches for pretzels and cookies. Thankfully my kids are pretty used to me sending them to school with food in other things besides plastic bags.

ANYWAY, what are your thoughts on using PVC/vinyl coated fabric? I have read this site’s information…I’m not overly nutty about that sort of stuff (maybe I should be). But I am nutty about wasting water, using a trillion plastic bags, and leaving lights on…

Okay, thanks for your help. On with summer living!

Currently, my favorite meal to make is this delicious pizza…homemade crust, pesto made with basil from my garden, goat cheese, red onion and a nice topping of arugula (also from my garden) with a bit of olive oil…be sure to add the arugula AFTER baking the pizza.

Summer is speeding by, isn’t it?

I need to take a break this week.

My week of made gifts will be hopefully next week. Sorry for mentioning something and then totally fizzling, but life has taken over and I just don’t have it in me. Thanks for all the enthusiasm and sweet comments- love them. always.

A trip to the city was a thrill for the Shackelford family. It was just what we needed- a day away from the everyday and a reminder that we live near one of the coolest cities in the country. One of the greatest gems, in my opinion, is the Art Institute of Chicago. It is full of famous art that I doubt is taken for granted, given the crowds we endured on Saturday.

A train ride was fun for the kids- a little long, a car ride would be much faster, but the gas we saved was worth the time. Plus, arriving at the station and being apart of the bustle is so fun and something I want my kids to experience.

As always, it’s fun to discuss art with children. This has always been a long time interest of mine and my kids did not disappoint. Especially when they were questioning a lot of the Modern Art. My husband and I explained the art processes of most artists and showed them specific examples of our explanations…I think we got through! Since Nathan is an art teacher and brings his students to the museum fairly regularly he was also our personal GPS system- perfect.

Of course looking at the many antiquities always blows me away. The kids picked up on my enthusiasm- hurrah.

A trip to nearby Millenium Park was also a treat. Simon was smittened by “Cloud Gate” the famous sculpture that so many love to visit and photograph.

Guess what I learned?

Family outings are so much easier now! No more strollers, diapers, diaper bag, nursing baby, stash of snacks/sippy cups or…here’s the big one…a napping child that needs to take a nap or a meltdown will surely ruin the day! Yes!

I realized that this has been my life for 9.5 years and it is so nice to be in a different stage. Sure, I liked that time and now I am dealing with bickering kids, rolling of the eyes and general sassiness…I think I’m ready!

Yesterday was the first day of Spring Break. We are one of the lucky ones and sticking around the house for the week (I swear more people LEAVE than stay). I don’t blame people for leaving, the winter we have had is making me seriously consider that Spring will be non-existent.

So although some VERY UNWELCOMED activity was occurring yesterday OUTSIDE, I decided to bake it up.

It was good therapy. Did I mention that sugar has been off my list as a major food group? I gave in- it was either impulsively booking tickets to Mexico or a slice of cake to get me out of my state of mind.

By the way, my little etsy shop will open next week. All my “dots” are complete, there are some photography issues being worked on…so check here and I’ll give the heads up. Sorry for all the unbroken promises…it’s kind of like the weather. It says SPRING on the calendar, but man, I have to remind myself we are celebrating Easter on Sunday and not Thanksgiving.