My other new adventure

I’ve also started another project, since I’m no longer working.  I’m now an Avon lady!  I think the camp guy is happy, too, since I’ve actually been wearing makeup lately.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by what I’m learning about the company - not that I thought they were bad, but they’re making a real effort to be a socially conscious company.  They are huge supporters of the fights against breast cancer and domestic violence.  AND more pertinently to this blog, they have a new line of products that are made with FAIR TRADE ingredients!
You can check out my Avon site at HERE.  Right now, all my new customers get FREE shipping!  You know you want to buy something…
Jean

edited to add - I fixed the link, so you can now actually get to my Avon site.

The Hectic Eclectic Family’s New Adventure

We have embarked on a new adventure, and I wasn’t sure if I should tell you about it or not.  It’s not a secret, it’s just that this is not really that sort of blog.  Since I tell you all about my antics, though, and since this is such a big part of our lives now, I’m not going to be able to NOT talk about it so here goes….

We’re homeschooling!  Well, err… sort of.  The program that we’re in is actually public school, at home.  Think of it like a hybrid – the support and resources of public school with the flexibility of homeschooling.  We have a designated curriculum, but I get to supplement as I see fit.  We’re assigned to a certified teacher for support and guidance, but I’m their learning coach.  The lesson plans are done for us, but we decide the schedule.

I won’t bore you with all the details, but we’re starting week three and we’re starting to settle in.  I’m excited about the possibilities that this holds for us – and still a little terrified about implementing it all, but that gets a little less each day.

I’ll keep you posted!

Jean

ps.  if you want more information about the program we’re in, check out Georgia Cyber Academy.

The squash bugs are mocking me…

They have now eaten every bit of squash and squash plant out there, and while I’m not really mourning the loss of the squash plants at this point, they have turned their attention to the other plants in the garden.

I would like to be able to do a second planting of some things without them being overrun, so I finally broke down and pulled out the sevin dust (seven dust?).  I marched resolutely to the garden, not proud that I was breaking my no pesticides rule, but determined to solve the squash bug problem one way or another.

I found several large groupings of bugs and murderously poured large amounts of the dust on their little buggy heads.  They, instead of following the script and politely keeling over, frolicked in the “snow” and laughed at me.

Then, it rained, and I thought any remaining chance I had at the dust actually doing its job was gone.  Two days later I went down there and I can still SMELL the stuff, but the squash bug population is thriving.

They’re down there mocking me right now.

O Squash, how I loath thee…

I’ve baked, fried, grilled, grated, chopped, peeled, dried, frozen squash until I don’t even wan to see squash anymore!

It’s seriously become like an episode of Iron Chef around here, with squash as the surprise ingredient.  I have squash in the fridge, squash on the counter, squash on the floor in a basket.  I can’t give it away because everyone I know is as sick of squash as we are.  I’ve hidden in chili, tossed it with pasta and put it on pizza.

We had a cookout with some friends and I made mixed veggies to put on the grill (with squash, of course).  Our friends brought pasta salad with chopped squash.  Then the camp guy requested a patty pan dressed for the grill.  WE HAD SQUASH ALL OVER THE PLACE!

So now, the beautiful lush green squash plants that I’ve been so in love with all summer, are looking bad.  You know something?

I couldn’t be happier.

Today’s Lunch and Yesterday’s Harvest

 

mmmmm…. BLT with organic baby spring mix, lemon boy tomatoes from the garden, thick cut bacon and homemade bread with just a hint of ranch dressing.  It was so good, I barely had time to take this picture before I ate it all!

The garden is looking pretty sad and wilty, and I’m need to get in there and start pulling things out to make room for  a second planting, but it’s so stinkin’ HOT.  Some things are still producing, though – this is what I got yesterday.  There are still more red tomatoes out there that I need to get, but my basket was full! 

How’s your garden?  Is it surviving the heat? 

Eating Locally

Check out this article from Eat Local Challenge on Five Steps to Local Eating. The Eat Local Challenge blog is written by a group of folks who are committed to the idea of eating local, sustainably grown food. You can find TONS of info on farmer's markets, how to eat locally, sustainable agriculture, and cooking what you find.

If you want to learn more about eating locally, you can also check out the 100 Mile Diet blog here.

I can't quite commit to eating ONLY locally grown foods, but I pay much more attention to where our food is coming from, and have made a commitment to step up my local choices and cut back on the non-locals. And I know that every time I make the choice to purchase locally grown food, I help my local farmers, and our environment. And that's a choice I can live with!

love y'all!
Jean

My July Mini-Sabbatical

Sorry I’ve been absent so long, but here’s my proof that I haven’t been completely lazy!  I’ve been canning like a crazy lady… if crazy people canned… which since I have been, I guess they do!

 

As you can see, the pantry is full, and my counters are overflowing, but all that summer goodness, squirreled away for the winter….  It’s so beautiful! 

How has your summer been?

Love,

Jean