Some Things I Wanted to Pass On

Do ya'll love history?  I know I do and apparently have pass this love onto my oldest son.  The Travel Channel has a show I just absolutely adore that comes on Tuesday nights called 'OFF LIMITS.'  The host Don Wildman takes viewers into abandoned: buildings, weapons sites, rivers, manufacturing plants, government sites, and tells viewers about the historical contributions made to Americans from passed generations.  Last night, he took us to New York's Governors' Island, a ship grave yard, the biggest arm's dealer in the US, a military prison, and the island used to quarantine 1000s of people with small pox all in or near New York City.  In my opinion so worth the viewing.

New York's Episode slides here:
http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Off_Limits/Photos/secrets-of-new-york-islands
or just the whole season to come here:
http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Off_Limits
plus museum mysteries (haven't seen this one yet)
http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Mysteries_At_The_Museum

Another thing I wanted to tell my readers about is a website called icivics.  I found this website looking for information to teach our boys about civics, economics, and budeting for personal use and discussions on the national level.  This is an excellent site for home school parents or those just needing to find information layed out in a manner that is easy to understand.  This week Saenz, Zephyr and I are going over our lessons in budeting and yes; I teach them about coupons and rebates -- very important in my way of thinking.  There are both teacher and student pages to print out or download for later use.  Excellent site, I hope ya'll enjoy.

We still have not gotten another pup.  It is so lonely outside without Banjo.  Seriously, I think I have been depressed since he was killed.  We do have the word out to find another pet for our family.  Have ya'll noticed that fall is here?  It is such a blessing not to be over 110 by noon.  The boys and I will be spending more time outside now that the Fire Ball has taken a break from our daily torture.  I hope all is going well in your slices of heaven...

BTW is it time to think about planting a fall garden yet? Thoughts anyone........

Gardening and Homeschool Lessons: Week 2

How lucky for us that one of Mr. Larry's gifts (Grumpy Gramps) was a subscription to Weekly Reader program with the added Life Pac for science.  So, when I broke open the packet yesterday Zephyr found this issue right off the bat.

Week 1: http://saenzmom.blogspot.com/2011/03/our-garden-seed-project-week-1.html
Planting Day: http://saenzmom.blogspot.com/2011/02/welcome-to-world-boudan.html

Later today, we will water the beans we have already placed in the yard.  And will decide where to place our melons and squash since, they are about ready to put in the garden.  It has been a bumpy road trying to fence the chickens out of the garden area we have next to our house. The feathered monsters keep trying to get to our tender seedlings.  I will take some pictures later of our progress when it is not so cool outside. 

Brrrrr, in the 40s this morning but is around 65 degrees now.  For South Texas it would be a really stellar day if not for the chilly wind. Hopefully this afternoon will be warm enough to take the boys outside for watering and transplanting.  Zephyr woke up with a cold this morning -- thus I am waiting for more heat.

Sad news, one of the turkey poults died late yesterday.  I have no idea why -- they are not over crowded, are dry and warm.  Grrrr, now I understand a bit better why there is a saying:

TURKEYS LIVE TO DIE...... Kinda sad really

No news on my sister yet.  She was still in the hospital yesterday with the staff running a bunch of test.  So far, nothing has shown to be the cause of her strokes.  I firmly believe the science of medicine is really an ART form  instead of science since, each individual is unique.  What will work for a few will not work for others.  Hopefully soon; she will find a doctor who listens to her entire history and is clued in enough to treat her as an individual instead of as a member of the herd.

Okay, off to teach some phonics and hopefully more reading to Zephyr. I hope your slices of heaven are full of blessings.

Mal

Our Garden Seed Project: Week 1

Last week, the boys and I planted seeds to see how long it would be before sprouts appeared.  Bean sprouts were the first to appear at three days.  As you can see the surprise 'cups' will be ready to transfer to the beds before long.  

http://saenzmom.blogspot.com/2011/02/welcome-to-world-boudan.html

Mom, took the time to write numbers on the cup bottoms to equal to her cheat sheet as to what was actually growing.  LOL Doncha hate surprises?  It is hard to plant and maintain a vine plant next to one that likes their space.  * means the plants have sprouted

1.  Jubilee tomato *  2.  Big Boy hybrid tomato  3.  Artichoke 4.  Brussel sprout  5.  Parnips  6.  Swiss chard  7.  Vine peach 8.   Lemon mint  9.  Strawberry popcorn  10. Roma tomato * 11. Rhubarb 12. Garlic chives  13. Black diamond watermelon 14. Iroquis melon  15. Minnesota hot chili (rooster's) 16. Butternut squash* 17. Turnips* 18. Leeks 19. Banana melon 20. Banana squash 21. zuchini squash 22. Okra ,
coffee cups*, I forgot to write them down
one flat box of Chantenay carrots
one bowl of purple pole beans* one bowl of white beans *

This was the cup placement this morning after he turned them to face away from the window.  Zephyr has learned that plants will change their growth direction to face the sunlight.

He noticed a little bit ago, the sprouts have changed their direction back to face the window this afternoon.  So our experiment now, is to see if the sprouts will have a 'S' curve in the morning.

Having fun with gardening.....

Welcome to the World: Boudan

March had her buckling late yesterday afternoon. So we are calling him Boudan to go along with the Cajun Creole theme.  He has blue eyes like his mum but, his eyes will change to high yellow gold in about a month. He is large and sassy already.  As a matter of fact all our kids this year are larger.  Guess they will all be huge bucks and large doe. 

24 hr Kid Count: 1 Doeling Lady Walver, 3 Bucklings Roux, Bercer, and Boudan.

We have to stop at Tractor Supply today and pick up banding pliers for castration. Only Boudan will remain intact. That way if the decision is made to sell them as meat goats; they will be a viable source of income.

 So while waiting around yesterday while March was trying to kid.  The boys and I put some seeds in cups for the garden.  As you can tell, Banjo wanted to help.

We planted over 25 varieties of seeds to include at least two types of: beans, melons, and of course tomatoes.

Cubby even took some seeds and planted them in a secret boy place.  Last year when he did that; we wound up with some suprise maze.

Don't forget to play in your slices of heaven, today!