Who would have thunk?

......that a computer game could have inspired a desire to learn all about history. I knew it could happen, I'd heard all the interesting stories of how homeschooled kids take an interest and run with it but this is my first hands on experience. The game in question Age of Mythology. Wallace has taken every book on Greek, Roman and Norse Mythology out of the library along with a bunch on Roman History. The book he really likes is Magnifications -A Roman Fort by Stephen Johnson. This is a picture of his paper Auxilary Roman soldier, I made the the body out of the back of the Easter Bunny box and he did the rest, he followed the detailed picture in the book. I've said before we aren't very creative around here (something about me and messes but that is a different blog entry) but this turned out incredibly well, he still wants to make a paper Legionary soldier and now there is talk of make a model of a fort. I thought we were studying Canadian history, I guess we have interupted our regular programming for a special interest program. Hey, that is the beauty of homeschooling. BTW-Thanks are you due to my sisters fiance be was the one who gifted us with the game in the first place.

another FO

(FO stands for finished object for you non-knitters)

I am really bad at taking photographs of my work. Lately most of my work has been done in dark yarn and I am not sure if that is part of the reason. My camera is also a rather cheap on so I am wondering if the lack of focus is a problem. Anyhow (or as my friend Sue says 'Anywhooooo' ) this is my latest finished project an a pair of socks for Michael, made in SISU, not sure of the colour a navy of some sort, I used Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's sock recipe. Love this yarn, love the recipe!!
OTN (on the needles) another pair of socks for Michael, a ribbed pair in a heavier weight yarn.

Easter Dessert

Recently, I have been make one sweet treat a week, usually on Sunday. It has been something different each week. It seems that since we don't get treats all week long that we seem to truly enjoy our weekly treat. This week being Easter I wanted to make an extra special treat, and since I'd been craving Black Forest Trifle that is what I made. I need to improve my food photography but I think you get the point. It was yummy.

Layers of chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, whip cream (the real stuff), and cherry pie filling. Not the most healthy but it tasted good.

Menu Monday

Monday - lentil stew, chapati bread, salad
Tuesday-cabbage roll casserole, fresh whole wheat bread
Wednesday-homemade mac and cheese, oriental coleslaw
Thursday-turkey a la king, popovers, frozen broccoli
Friday-Taco Style lentils, hard tacos, salad
Saturday-ham, potatoes, vegetable medley
Sunday-cheese lasgna, garlic bread, salad

If you would like to see what others have on their menu this week, pop over here and have a look see.

Happy Easter!!!

Christ, the Lord is Risen today

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Celebrate the empty tomb!

by Charles Wesley

Matthew 28:6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

The colour of the front door

I am trying to figure out what colour I should paint my front door. When we bought this house 5 years ago we drove up to it and I wasn't too impressed. We had spent quite a few weeks looking at homes and nothing was right. I remember thinking "Oh no, here we go again." However, when I walked through the front door I was quite taken aback by the interior. This back ground to tell you that we are trying to add some 'curb appeal' to the house, not that we have a curb or that you can even see the house from either or the roads to which we have access.

We started last October by building the arbour and rebuilding the front porch. We also have 2 large window boxes to go under each window. (I guess I should add that we only have 2 windows on this side of the house because it is the north side and the house is R2000.) This spring we are going to treat the arbour and porch so that it will have the look of aged cedar. We are also going to edge around the arbour and put pea gravel under it (it is very shaded and little grass grows, mostly moss). I am also investigating a vine/climbing plant that I can plant at the base of each post and will grow up and cover the arbour, any ideas? In the planters, which are being painted white I am going to plant impatiences, my favourite annual and shade lover to boot. So now the big decision is what colour do I paint my front door. I want something to set it apart, maybe a sunny yellow (eh, Yem)? Tell me what ya'll think.

Spring Clean Up Projects

Well since this is the first day of spring I thought I would post some of the outdoor spring project we need to do this year. If we don't write it down we won't remember when we have a couple of hours of 'spare time'.

1. remove the gravel that the plow piled up over the winter
i) by the garage
ii) at the bottom of the hill
2. collect the sticks all spread out in the back yard
3. clean up the doggie poop
4. apply Lifetime to the new wood structures
i) the arbour
ii) the front porch
iii) laundry stoop
5. scrap the window frames for painting
6. paint the window frames
(I want to do 5 and 6 for each window together, so we don't have all the windows scraped and none painted)
7. paint front door (still have to pick a colour)
8. replace front screen door
9. move old front door to the kitchen door
10. finish painting the flower boxes
11. install the flower boxes

I'm sure there is more but this is a good start.