Garden happenings

Spring is coming and there is a lot happening in the garden.

The horses have an afternoon napping ritual now that they can count on sunny afternoons. If you look closely there are 4 horses lying down with 1 guard. Tonto is the guard today.

Here is a close up, only Little is out of the shot.

We have bog plans for the vegetable garden this year. We just finished 3 new raised beds. We are putting a fence around the whole thing to keep the chickens out. This year we are adding an asparagus bed, berry bushes in the garden and several fruit trees which we are going to espalier.

Scout is back in the sandbox...preparing meals all day long!

Bulky coats have been put away.

Spring jackets and sweaters take their place!

Picnics in the garden again...Life is Good!!

A trip to the beach, a lesson in death

We had a great day at the beach and an opportunity to talk about death.

Scout said the day before she wanted to see the water. Already she is a Cape girl.

We loaded everyone in the truck and headed out. We are so lucky that one of our (yes, one. WE have 3 ocean and 3 pond beaches!) town beaches is Sandy Neck . It is 7 miles long, we can camp there, build fires, drive the jeep on and ride the horses. As you can see the dogs can enjoy it too.

We LOVE collecting treasures.

The landscape looks different every time. Today, lots of smooth stones and tumbled shells.

Finding crab shells

Walking Seamus

We believe death is part of life. It is something that should be talked about as easily as anything else in your life. There are photos of a dead dolphin coming up. If you don't want to see them stop looking now.

We came upon this dolphin on the beach. It was a great opportunity to talk about death. What you talk about is personal to you and your family and not important here. We talked about it. At the same time we talked about it's body parts and how it swam. It all seemed normal to Scout.

Living in the woods and on a farm we will continue to have these opportunities. We will continue to talk about it.

This one was about 75 yards away from the first. It was much smaller, maybe a baby.  We talked about bones and felt our own bones.

We learn something everyday, each night we marvel in all the learning opportunities that we encountered throughout the day. The life of an unschooler...Life is Good!

Sleep Ponies

Horses only lie down to sleep a few hours a day. Because they are prey animals, and they do nit get up quickly, it is a dangerous position to be in. In a herd at least one horse will remain standing as the guard.

If you look closely you can see 3 horses sleeping.

Here is a better shot.

Little "Frodo" stands as big "Little's" guard.

I heart faces- best February Face

This weeks I heart faces challenge is February Faces. I will see if I can get the link right. Wish me luck!

February Faces

Battleship Cove

We had a GREAT family day yesterday at Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA. It is one of those places you never go because you live nearby. Zach has been wanting to go and Scout enjoyed the opportunity to climb, climb, climb.

View from the USS Massachusetts

Me and my awesome kids!

Dreaming

exploring

This was a great time of year to go because there was no one else there.

Lots of climbing up...

...and down.

Loving her big brother.

Everyone had fun!

I cherish these family days.

Check it out

Our officer

Zach commissioning day is drawing near. Uniforms have been ordered and are arriving in the mail. We are so proud and so happy that the dreams of a 6 year old boy were never given up on and finally are coming true.

Heart smart cookies

Heart Smart Cookie

I love altering recipes to create my own. My cookie has the cholesterol lowering benefits of oats, all the benefits of whole wheat flour and omega-3's from flax. I have eliminated most of the butter, increased the whole wheat and reduced the sugar.

2 Tablespoons Smart Balance buttery spread

3-4 mushy bananas (or thaw frozen ones to make mushy)

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 farm fresh egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

shredded coconut

2/3 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cup whole oats

1/2 cup flax

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

chopped dates

chopped walnuts

mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in banana, brown sugar,egg, vanilla, coconut and dates, one at a time until smooth.

In another bowl mix remaining ingredients. Mix both bowls together. Drop spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Cookies don't spread so you can size or shape them artistically if you like!

Bake for about 12 minutes or until they bounce back when the top is touched.

These cookies freeze well and travel well, perfect for taking along on adventures! Enjoy.