PREPARING FOR WINTER

photo source

Winter is about to set in here. It was 31* this morning, the coldest is had been at our house this year.  We even had snow flurries.  I am not ready for snow yet. It is almost the end of October.

My husband cut up some wood that was left by the previous renters. I split is all and my boys stacked in all on the porch. What great helpers they are. We will still need to get more wood to last the rest of the winter.

We are also hunters, so it is important to make time to go hunting, as this is our main source of meat. We are planning to can a bunch of wild game this year since we don't have enough freezer room.

We cube the meat into bite size pieces and I pressure can it. I use it for enchaladas, bar-b-que sandwiches, and I mix it with mayo like tuna fish sandwiches for hubbys lunch.

What are you doing to prepare for the winter months ahead??

PROJECTS

Last week my husband brought home a bunch of garden goodies he got from the people he is currently working for. We got a couple heads of cabbage and small zucchini, a hand full of peppers (they are spicy but we are not sure what kind, I think I am going to make some salsa later in the week), and a large zucchini.

My mom had given me a zucchini from her neighbor as well. Saturday morning, I grated both of the large zucchinis and bagged them in 2 cup portions.  I got 11 bags, this will be great for lots of zucchini bread. I also chopped a bunch of onions to toss in the freezer.

I am always looking for opportunities to teach my children to work hard at what they do. Saturday and Sunday, the family got all dressed up in our warn work clothes (rain doesn't seem to make working more fun). We loaded and hauled some firewood for some friends of our.

And boy was I impressed with how hard our boys (almost 9, 7 and almost 5) worked. I don't think I have ever seen them work as hard as they did those two days. It pays off to be consistant. I am looking forward to continue to teach my children to have a good work ethic.

GETTING THINGS DONE

Yesterday, my husband didn't go to work. We called off school and had a cleanup day, haven't done that in a while. We had a clean up the yard and burn day.

 I don't think I have ever messed with so many pine needles. Not something we had at our old residence, (we have only lived here for 11 months). It will make spring clean up so much easier.

We got a lot done yesterday and it gives me the motivation (thanks to my husband, he is such a motivator if I would just listen to him more often) to clean the inside of my house things I don't clean on a regular basis (windows, baseboards, etc.)

I know having a clean and organized home is a step to a less stressful life and a much happier mommy.

Just little ways to get it together.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE CHANGE MAKES

The weekend seemed to fly by. On Saturday I ran my first 5K. It was something I definitely want to do again.

For the past six days I have decided to make a big change that was worth making. I have been getting out of bed in the morning between 5:00 and 5:45. I know I am crazy, that is a bit early. Well that change has done wonders for my attitude as well as my spirit.

Giving myself that little bit of quiet time before the kids wake up in the morning is so refreshing.   I was having a hard time getting motivated in the morning when I woke up at the same time as the kids as well as rushed and over anxious.

What a great reward. I now look forward to getting up in the morning. I can workout without the kids trying to talk to me the whole time. We can start and finish school earlier. And have the afternoon to just hang out and have fun.

What changes are you making to Get it Together?