I'm a very picky eater.

And I'm fairly thrifty.

And we dropped $20 on pumpkins this year, because we went to a real, organic 'Patch instead of Walmart.

So I thought it might be nifty and thrifty to recoup some of our costs by cooking said pumpkins to use in my favorite recipes (Pumpkin Sausage Soup, Pumpkin Cake, Pumpkin Bread, risotto. Notice I didn't say Pumpkin Pie, because Costco already makes the best pumpkin pie in the universe AND it's cheaper, easier, faster & a lot less messy than making pie from scratch. End of pie soliloquy.) Pioneer Woman recently posted a fantastic tutorial on roasting & pureeing pumpkin. I just followed her directions and concentrated really really hard on not chopping off my hand (cutting pumpkins is HARD!!). The results follow:

So what does this all have to do with me being a picky eater? I don't like lumps or bumps or stringy thingies in my food. And I could NOT get this pumpkin puree as smooth as the stuff that comes in the can. So now I don't have a clue what I'll use it in. Certainly NOT a cake (ewwww). Maybe in the soup or risotto if I can push it thru a sieve first??? Bummer.

"Six Random Things About Me" Tag, three at a time... part 2

Number FOUR: I'm going to one-up Julie: she might choose the same restaurant food item each time ... but, if given the chance, I would choose the same RESTAURANT, AND same FOOD ITEM each and every time we go out. Here's my favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant and my favorite fish tacos that I could probably eat every day.

Number FIVE: Meet my totally favorite coffee maker. It makes a PERFECT cup of coffee every single time. Funny background story: I didn't want this coffee maker. My husband did. I thought it was frivolous. We already had a fine Starbucks thermal coffee maker. Short story shorter: we have this coffee maker now. I LOVE it sooooo much. I can't stand to use our Starbucks machine now. Shown are my two favorite coffee flavors. Yummmmm.... My husband was sooo right. I was soooo wrong.



Number SIX: Six years ago, when we were first pondering moving from Northern CA to Southern CA to get away from my husband's nasty long work commute and super high home costs, we had three silly requirements for relocation: our new home must necessarily be in close proximity to an In N Out Burger, a Trader Joe's, and a Nordstrom. Our current home is close to all three of these. My love affair with Nordstrom is long over with. My new love became J. Jill. But then Talbot's bought my new love and that ended that affair. But, who needs new clothes, eh? I'd much rather spend the money (what money?!?!?) on camera equipment... :-) Anywho.... we ALL love In n Out Burger (unlike Baja Fish which is NOT well liked by two of my little dudes) and visit it regularly and SOON a new Trader Joe's will be opening about a mile from home! Yippee!



Thus ends my list of six and my LAST Tag.

"Six Random Things About Me" Tag, three at a time...

Number ONE: (yes, I'm counting this!). I don't do tags, memes, or chain letters (online OR off...). They stress me out. Julie at Journey to Family tagged me. But I don't DO tags. But Julie practically double-dog-dared me. And, I really like Julie. She makes me laugh out loud often. THIS is now officially my LAST tag. But I'm not going to follow any of the stated rules, and I'm not going to tag anybody at the end. So there.

Number TWO: I don't mind critters. That's probably why a lizard lives on my kitchen counter, and currently a large praying mantis resides there, too. That's probably why I didn't freak out yesterday when my Littlest Dude pointed out the following creature right by my foot on our walk:

I don't mind snakes in the least (except for the kind with rattles - I'm not fond of them). So I didn't mind getting right up close to this little guy and taking his portrait. And to his credit, he didn't seem to mind me, either. ;-)




He was very long.

Ok, so we've established so far that 1. I don't do tags (after this); and 2. I do just fine with critters.

Number THREE: I DON'T do phones.


I don't run to answer them when they ring. And even after I hear who's on the other end (often cold-callers, despite the do-not-call registry. argh.), I still don't pick up. I'm just not really a phone chit-chat kinda gal. And wanna know what else? I don't have a cell phone! And I'm easily bothered by those people who have cell phones and choose to carry on their "private" conversations in my midst. I hate that. So much.

Btw, did you want to see my mantis friend???


She's kind of cute, in a weird space-alien kind of way.

Tomorrow I'll list the other three random things, all having to do with food (hmmm, does that make it not random? )

Keeping it Real: Homeschool Edition, Part 2

The three dudes all share one bedroom. This leaves us with an extra bedroom that we can use as a dedicated school room. It's a great, wonderful, spacious room with bright light, bookshelves, three table/desks, walls for posters, timelines, a whiteboard, and a chalkboard easel (thanks to Aunt C & Uncle G). As a homeschooler who knows many other homeschoolers, I KNOW it's a total luxury to have a dedicated room for school. Here's the irony: we NEVER use it.

Here's where school takes place: crowded together at the coffee table. Dont'cha love the exasperated look on Eldest Dude's face? Admittedly, it *is* hard to concentrate on tough stuff when Littlest Dude is singing and making machine gun noises while copying out his math work. But they both seem to prefer this set-up than a quieter, more isolated one. So here's our quirky modern version of ye ol' one-room schoolroom.

Keeping it Real: Homeschool Edition, Part 1

I guess he didn't want to do what I asked him to do.

As you can see/guess, I was terribly sympathetic to his plight... ;-)

Living Stones...

... like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifrices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For this is contained Scripture: "Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, A precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed." (Is 28:16)
This precious value, then is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone," (Ps. 118:22) and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense"; (Is 8:14) for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (Hosea 1:10, 2:23)

1 Peter 2:1-10

Fall Miscellany...

in other words, leftover pictures from the last couple months that I like, that I haven't blogged yet.

Another Christmas card portrait reject (but I really like it!)

Middle Dude's latest Lego creation:


Morning regulars here: pockets of fog and pigeons on the lightpost:


More from the hot days in the canyons:


The Eldest Dude lightening my load:


The Tall Ship that lives at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point:


The beach I love :-)

NOT By-the-Book Chess...

We don't need no stinkin' rules. This is 'bout 'magination!

Poppies

There aren't many left this time of year. But here are some from earlier in the year...

Dog Dude Antics

So, our beast is an indoor doggie. I have the tufts of hair throughout the house to prove it. But he does like to hang out outdoors, also ... as long as I leave the back door OPEN. The second I close it, he HAS to be inside.

So, when People Talk about Fishing from their Balcony ...

I guess this isn't exactly what they're actually talking about? ;-)

Isaiah 55

"Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
And you who have no money come, buy and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk.
Without money and without cost.
Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance.
Incline your ear and come to Me.
Listen, that you may live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
According to the faithful mercies shown to David.
Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
A leader and commander for the peoples.
Behold, you will call a nation you do not know,
And a nation which knows you not will run to you,
Because of the LORD your God, even the Holy One of Israel;
For He has glorified you."

Seek the LORD while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the LORD,
And He will have compassion on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth,
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
For you will go out with joy,
And be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up;
And it will be a memorial to the LORD,
For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off."

Isaiah 55

Sunset Photo Tip ...

and an opinion poll... Which of these do you like better? I can't decide. And I'm adding one of these sets to Susan Keller Photography.

Leave God's artistry as is...? (I know, when I put it like that....!!)

Or enhance it a little bit ...? (not changing, just adding a bit of saturation)


So, on to the tip ...
Last week (yesterday's post) at the harbor I photographed the sun as it was actually setting. Last night we arrived AFTER the sun had already set. But the show in the sky was SPECTACULAR (generally Oct & Nov are the favored sunset months in SoCal). So here's my (again, totally obvious) tip for the day: your best sunset shots will happen in the 30-45 minute time span AFTER the sun dips below the horizon.

A Leisurely Evening Stroll ...

Well, ok, it was a leisurely evening stroll for ME and the Dog Dude.
These four dudes are training for the Turkey Trot.

I don't run. In the words of my youngest, "Running is not good to me." So the dog, my camera and I headed over in the direction of the sunset. Here are some things we passed along the way. Y'know how I said Fall in SoCal signals the beginning of fire season? Here in the distance you can see the smoke from the Pendleton Base fire last week. (oh yeah, now there are a couple new fires on Pendleton, but this fire is the one from last week).



Here are a couple boat-y things.


I get a HUGE kick out of these next photos. To me, they embody the spirit of "Stop and smell the Flowers." Every time I've walked over in this area at sunset time, there's a full audience of bench warmers, kicking back and watching the sun set.





Wanna see the sunset?



One last shot as I head back to the van... Fires always make such eerie colored skies.



FYI ... These are all photos taken [last week] with my Canon Rebel. Last night [we returned for more training], I left the dog at home (he was soooo sad) so that I could actually go down on the beach (which doesn't allow dogs), and I hauled my heavy 5d along this time. Tomorrow I'll post a couple of those pictures, give a lame sunset photo tip, and ask your opinion on which set of images you like best (because once again, I'm completely unable to make up my mind).

Oh, the Humanity!

pumpkin painting credit: The Big Dude

We are NOT a crafty family...

so you could have knocked me over with a feather when The Big Dude suggested that the boys could paint their pumpkins from the patch. Here's what we ended up with: a skeleton (the Littlest Dude's), a Death-Eater (Middle Dude's), Iron Man (Eldest Dude), and Cat Woman (as copied from the Lego.Com site by The Big Dude).

Tomorrow, I'll show you the piece d'resistance on the back of the Cat Woman pumpkin. Stay tuned. Same bat channel, same bat time. (hmmm, I'm probably dating myself a bit by quoting that...)

Pumpkin Patch

Really. The drive to Julian really was all about the pie. But, that there was also a beautiful pumpkin patch, was a total bonus. An organic, pretty, pumpkin-still-on-the-vine, pumpkin patch filled with tiny little frogs. Super duper bonus. The boys were in heaven. And I was happy to have a beautiful, natural backdrop for our pumpkin gathering pictures. The pumpkin "patch" closest to home is the dumb "Pumpkin City" that is erected in the Sears parking lot, replete with amusement rides. ugh. I like this patch much better, thankyouverymuch.

I AM the Vine...

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it,
that it may bear more fruit...

Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
unless it abides in the vine,
so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

I am the vine, you are the branches;
he who abides in Me, and I in him,
he bears much fruit;
for apart from Me you can do nothing...

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,
ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit;
and so prove to be My disciples.

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you;
abide in My love.
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love;
just as I have kept My Father's commandments,
and abide in His love.

These things I have spoken to you,
that My joy may be in you,
and that your joy may be made full.

John 15:1-11 (excerpted)

A Little Walking Tour thru Julian

We really were just there for the pie. But here are a couple sites along the way.

This is the old Miner's Diner. Built in 1886. Supposedly the oldest, still operational, soda fountain in CA.

Of course, we had to swing by jail. And threaten to leave a couple, or three, boys.



Here's a building I just thought looked interesting.



Oh. So this is why it was so stinkin' busy the day we went. Had we known, we probably would have waited for a different day. I'm NOT fond of crowds. Incidentally, Frommer's asserts that the fruit in Julian has proven to be more of an economic boom than gold ever was.

Four Hours Driving ...

200 miles (roundtrip) thru the oceanside and mountains and valleys, past ostrich ranches, past citrus, avocado and apple orchards, past pumpkin patches, and vineyards, 15 additional minutes to try and find parking, a bit of a walk (because we parked far away), a 30 minute wait in line ... all for a couple pieces of yummy, fresh apple pie.

Julian is an old gold-mining town northeast of San Diego.



Is that so unreasonable? It was really good pie.

The Middle Dude reads THE Book by Big Bro...

He was completely enthralled. :-)

Drumroll, please....

The Eldest Dude has sent his book sample off to Scholastic. We all have high hopes. His finished book clocks in at just under 100,000 words. He didn't send in ALL those words to Scholastic - just one chapter's worth, as per our instructions as found in The 2008 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market guide.

Note to fellow homeschool geeks using Classical Writing: we have wrung dry every last bit of wisdom from the Homer level in editing and preparing this book for submission. We've utilized summary paragraphs and precis statements for our submission cover letter. We have heavily edited beginning chapters using concision to remove unnecessary details. We have turned our characters inside out to make sure their words & actions were consistent and believable (well, as believable as possible in a children's fantasy novel!). Classical Writing is truly an amazing writing curriculum.


ps. Please ignore the bird poop on our mailbox. I try to.

The Weather was WEIRD, I tell ya...

I took these two photos from the exact same place at almost the exact same time, just facing different directions.

I also took these about the same time. Such a lovely location...




All in all, this weird weather made for the coolest, most ethereal, other-worldly-like photoshoot I've ever done.













So, a Beautiful Family + Really WEIRD weather = photos with which I'm super pleased.

This is the Way, Walk in it...

The LORD longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him.

O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer.
He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
when He hears it, He will answer you.
Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression,
He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself,
but your eyes will behold your Teacher.
And your ears will hear a word behind you,
"This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Isaiah 30:18-21

More from Yesterday...

Fun with teenagers...

Sign this girl up for Highschool Musical!


And not to be left in their dust...

Sneak Peek ...

Yesterday I got to take photographs of my dear friends whom I met at church 12 years ago when we were all living up in Northern California. We've all since relocated to Southern California where this delightful family has begun a new and thriving church.

Here are just a couple quick pictures. The weather was BIZARRE - super bright sunny with FOG all around us. It made exposure quite tricky for this photographer (moi!). :-)

Ok. I gotta get back to editing. I think I've got it down to about 183 (but, who's counting?) pictures that I like. [wry grin] I've gotta lotta work (and I use the word "work" quite loosely here, cause really, is it "work" if you love what you're doing?!?) in front of me. Oh yeah, and I guess I should go get the kiddos up and fed for school and all...

Fall in SoCal

Though many joke that SoCal has no seasons, I beg to differ. Fall here has a very distinct flavor.

Fall here is hot. It's dry. It's often windy (fire season starts here when the Santa Ana winds blow in from across the Mohave desert and the sickos come out to play with their matches). The nights are a bit cooler. And the land everywhere is brown. A tropical oasis Southern California is not. But it has a beauty of its own, nonetheless.

And because I'm a dork who sometimes can't make a decision, here's another collage of the exact same pictures.



addendum: I make these collages using Fotofusion which can be downloaded from Lumapix.com. The company generously lets you use/demo the entirety of their software (they even provide tutorial videos). Anything you create while demo-ing the product will contain Lumapix's watermark.