Spring Piano Recital

A little nervous on the ride down....

Grant had confidence in her...

As did her teacher!

I tried to upload a video of Anna playing, I even left it loading all night and it still wasn't up! So here are pictures from Culvers for your viewing pleasure!

Caroline spent most of her time reading the newspaper on her grandpa's lap!

a little rearranging

After acquiring this very nice, large ottoman, I was called upon to do a bit of rearranging.

Anna and I (with the help of those nice little gliding things you can slide underneath) moved the book shelf out of the piano room, exchanged one chair for another in the sitting room and had the couch and love seat trade places! We found a new home for the coffee table and swivel rocker from the sitting room. And voila!

Please ignore the table full of books and stuff behind the chair Anna is sitting in - gearing up for a home school book sale the first May! There always has to be some area still in progress :)

Maple Syrup!

finishing off the boiling down of the sap we collected off of 3 trees - thought it would never reach the desired temp - 219° --only to find out my thermometer was inaccurate! grrr.

But, thankfully, the syrup turned out delicious! We ended up with a couple of gallons of pure yumminess!!

Mrs. Berry, Indeed!

the Barry family - Diana, Aunt Josephine, Mrs. Barry and Minnie May


Adoring fans...

Caroline with her two youngest aunts!

~ seen here with Anne Shirley! ~

I don't have any 'performance' pictures - you'll have to take my word for it - they did an awesome job! Over 40 kids from kindergarten through 12th grade in the cast!

Luke and Anna Get a Puppy!

Luke and Anna stopped by tonight to introduce us to their little Australian Cattle Dog, Lace!

Although Mia looks pretty comfortable here, she was actually intimidated by this little girl!

Lace gave a little growl when she met Mia, but after awhile it looked like they might be friends after all.

Sweet and cuddly - she's a real chunk!

Leather and Lace!

Day 1/2 No Wheat, Corn or Dairy

Even Mia is curious about how this will turn out!

Feeling pretty pumped up after Day .5 of No Wheat Dairy or Corn!


Actually I felt great when I got up this morning and hadn't even started - I'm guess I'm a great candidate for Placebo Effect!
For several different reasons, Anna and I are eliminating wheat, dairy and corn from our diet for 2 weeks. The plan we're following also calls for no caffeine - we'll see about that.
In the picture is sloppy joes made with venison, celery, green pepper, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes and a few spices - we ate in on green pepper wedges. Pineapple and oranges for a side. I realize I'm taking a risk posting this, after only 1/2 a day into it, but oh well!

Oops! Forgot to Make These at Christmas Time!

What's so funny, Anna?! :)

Grant's Special Request - Sour Cream Cherry Rolls - somehow just didn't happen during Christmas break - but he's enjoying them all to himself (mostly) today!