Cage Free Monkeys

Out of My Comfort Zone

If I could draw my theoretical "comfort zone" as a circle on the ground-- I'd be standing atleast 15 feet away from it as I write this post.

I can do a lot of things, and don't have much reserve, restraint, or fear when it comes to some things. I mean I started a not-for-profit corporation this past year with no knowledge of how to do it! TV interviews in my home with little warning--no problem! Come on...I can tackle almost anything with an I-Can-Do-It attitude followed quickly by the I-Will-Do-An-Awesome-Job mantra.

So WHY-- has my latest venture turning me into a cold-footed, stomach-aching-bordering-on-nausea, quick-where's-the-Xanax kinda' girl?

I decided after a good deal of procrastination to start Karate. I will not start anything without knowing full well I will finish it meaning I am committed to getting a Black Belt. ( And at this point-- I don't even HAVE a belt! My son ranks higher than me!)

I finally went for my first one-on-one lesson and did well (I Guess-- that's what they told me)....but talk about UNCOMFORTABLE! I don't know what it is...the mirrors? the other people watching my uncoordinated self trying to look all stealth? the need to say "Hi--ya!", I could list more and more but you get the idea.

So here it is Monday morning which means I have my first official group class tonight-- a good 10 hours from now. However, my stomach is queasy and I'd love to come up with a really believable reason that I can't go tonight. Kind of like I do with dentist appointments.

I think I would actually rather a root canal....but quitting: not an option. A self imposed limitation that may drive me to drink.

Joys of the State Fair

The NY State Fair opened yesterday and we quickly made our way over for our first of several days. Today was all about wasting spending money on the many carnival games to win treasured prizes, eating some fantastic fair food, and taking in the sights.



The butter sculpture is always a hit.


The food...... what more can I say??

A Summer Ritual Introduced

Sunflower Fields

Though not as majestic in years past, and a bit droopy as the week of display winds down, the sunflower walk is still quite a beautiful sight.

Rite of Passage

All I have heard for weeks--months even--is how she wants her ears pierced. Earing have been the topic of conversations and crayon drawings.


We agreed for her 5th birthday-next week she could get them. But apparently it was causing her some stress both the waiting and the anticipating the unknown.

So last night, at bedtime nonetheless, we jumped in the car and ran to the mall to do it and put all the anxiety to rest. She ran skipping into the mall. She couldn't have jumped into that chair any faster.
She knew what to expect and was giddy and happy...until....



They did the first ear.


Well, Im sure the ENTIRE mall heard my baby screaming and crying. And then she began to refuse to get the other ear done. LOUDLY....

So inevitably I had to hold her on my lap, bracing her head still against my chest so the next ear could be finished while I got the look of death from passers-by who were thinking "My GOD, what kind of mother drags her unwilling daughter to the mall at 8:30 at night to get her ears pierced --AGAINST HER WILL!!!!!"

There is something about me and lousy parenting moments at this mall--(remember when I lost Michael? ) Here she is a good 10 minutes after the trauma- red puffy eyes and still remnants of tears.


I was SURE CPS would arrive at any minute.


Happily, Cold Stone Creamery was next door and was able to restore my red puffy faced daughter to her former happy self. The power of ice cream is an amazing thing.

She strutted out of the mall, hair tucked behind her ears so everyone could see--and just in case they couldn't-- she swung her head from side to side as she walked proudly out of the mall way after her bedtime.

No Words Needed

I ♥ Faces Challenge: Nostalgia

So for this week the challenge is Nostalgia. Any picture that brings back a memory. I instantly thought of this one--who doesn't remember jumping with wild abandon into a pool when they were younger?

Go over to I ♥ Faces to check out the other awesome entries.

Saturday Nights in the Summer

We enjoy our weekend and especially our Saturday nights -- and we are pretty well known for them around here. Saturday nights include bon fires, Pete's Mussles and Clams (cooked in a hot sauce on the BBQ), SMores, frog hunting, and friends.



As we sat there last night we all felt the sun set a little sooner and saw the woods start to thin out a bit as the goldenrod started to bloom we realized summer is starting to come to a close.

Making a Splash

Works For Me Wednesday: Homemade Bread

Here's my favorite bread recipe that I found a friend uses also. It yields great results and is simple.

Makes 4 1 pound loaves


I cook mine in a preheated cast-iron dutch oven at 425 with the lid on-- it makes the crust super crunchy!
3 cups warm water about 100 degrees
1 1⁄2 tbsp granulated yeast (1 1⁄2 packets)
1 1⁄2 tbsp coarse kosher or sea salt
6 1⁄2 cups unsifted, unbleached, all-purpose white flour
plus extra four to dust

1. Combine ingredients quickly and let rise for about 3 hours. No need to knead!


2. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Cut off a one pound chunck and let rise at room temperature for 20 minutes.
4. Preheat oven and cast iron dutch oven at 425 degrees.

5. Drop bread into cast iron dutch oven and cover. Let cook with lid on for 30 minutes.

6. Remove, cool and devour!

Sometimes Things Grow Best Without All The Work

I didn't purposefully plant sunflowers this year. I ran out of time and soon it was too late to start the seedlings indoors. So I gave in to the idea that this year I would not have sunflowers outside of my kitchen window and would have to plan better for next year.

Much to my surprise I had a couple crop up in the area of where they were planted last year. A few stray seeds must have found their way into the ground when I dead-headed and removed them to the compost pile.

The unexpected was that a good thirty feet away from where my sunflowers grew- this one appeared. Not only did it appear, but it morphed into a massive sunflower monster. All with no work, no tilling, no soil preparation, no purposeful watering and no help.

We've estimated its tops around 12-13 feet and you can be sure I'll be harvesting its seeds for planting next year.

Just goes to show that sometimes the greatest things need no planning or work at all to be wonderful.

Why Summer Is the "Kids" Season

Camping

Two nights spent at Green Lakes State Park is enough to both recharge and wear out anyone...including us.



Nights were spent roasting marshmallows by the fire.

The days were filled with time at the playground,


Gloriously sunny days at the beach making sand castles with moats and secret passages,


And the ability to gain a bit more independence and explore.


And then night rolls around and the cycle of sparklers, glowsticks, roasting marshmallows and passing out begins again.

My Children Help Make Homes for the Homeless

Homeless birds.

There Are Days.....

When you are a homeschooler there are days...

When you need to be a princess and hold a tea party in the garden.


When you are shocked at how muddy you got.



When you build something.

When you jump.

"Some Pig"--Quote from Charolette's Web

If Charolette was around she surely would have written "Some Pig" in her web above this guy. Check out other cool critters in the I ♥ Faces Pets category.

Silly Girls

This week's theme at I ♥ Faces is Silly Funny Faces. Well, we have that topic covered here very well. The tough part was choosing a photo.

Celebrating the Erie Canal

We took part in Tow Path Day along the Camillus section of the Erie Canal. A chance to celebrate and explore the history of the canal. The "tow paths" were where the mules would pull the boats down the canals.
We enjoyed music during lunch.

Lunch which featured salt potatoes-- a Syracuse summer meal standard.

Painted rocks.
Built bird houses.

Met baby goats-- fell in LOVE with them actually.

Met a very fancy and dressed up pig-- who owns several hats and a tiara.

Went down the canal on a replica boat.


Learned to spin wool into yarn.


It was a fantastic day and as homeschoolers, it was part of our ongoing study of the Erie Canal and Early American history. Yes, this took place on a Saturday--in the summer, and the kids learned quite a bit. We dont limit learning to specific days or months, and they are engaged in the learning as it arises.