Fiskars Blog

Up and running...

The Montrose Community Garden Fiskars Blog!

Check out that beautiful banner, baby!

Add her to your favorites or put her in your reader. I will be blogging twice a month.

I am not really a Yankees fan, but the stadium is cool.

Isn't it funny how things affect you differently after your life, well, for lack of a better word, happens.

I saw Joel Olsteen in person a few years back and I thought he was okay. When he cried at the end of the night, I felt it was a little too convenient. But, I enjoyed the message.

When I saw Joel and Victoria Olsteen on the morning show this weekend talking about this event they were having at Yankees stadium I thought to myself, I might like to see that.

It was a sheer accident that I turned on the tube just as the event was about to start. I watched most of it live and dvr'ed the end. For the record, he cried at the end again.

I was shocked at how many similarities his message had to Beth Moore's Believing God. Check out this video at about the 4:55 second mark. Interesting, huh?

If you have time you can listen to the entire night here.

Rainy days...

We had a bit of a crisis today when Gavin purchased a new refrigerator for his Webkinz and then accidentally placed the fridge in front of the bathroom door and locked his pet inside. Whew! Thank goodness Maleah knew how to use the map and remove items. Gavin was sure his pet was a goner.

I subbed today and volunteered to monitor the indoor recess which is held in the old gym. I don't think I will ever do that again unless I am forced to. Almost 50 kids let loose in a small room screaming and running everywhere. The noise was deafening. I had to ask a child to speak up three times before I realized he needed to use the restroom. It was the hopping and holding of the privates that finally convinced me, not his words. I couldn't hear a thing for hours.

I wore the wrong shoes again today. My feet are killing me. I think I may be allergic to exercises. Every time I actually get out and walk a bit, my feet hurt. Not the bottom, but the top of my feet. It feels like they are sprained or something. The pain is real. I feel dumb saying anything. I would blame it on the heels today, but I wore running shoes (ha, like I could ever really run) the other day on my walk and the next morning I had the same terrible pain in my feet. I don't have a clue what is causing it. Must be my old age and extra plumpness. My hip joints aren't what they used to be either. If I sit for an extended amount of time, man do I ache when I get up to move. I may as well get the walker out.

The rain today greened everything up. It sure was a pain to get to school this morning in the sheets of wet stuff but, man, is it beautiful out there now. My grass is so green it looks like someone colored it with a crayon. Nuts, and it was snowing just a few days ago.

When I can't get my hair up in a clip I know it's time to get it thinned. Most people get their hair cut every few months, I get mine thinned out. I called yesterday and she had a spot for me today. I feel lucky she could get me in so quickly. I may go out and buy myself a powerball ticket. So, after school got out early today for teacher in service I trucked my butt in to the salon. When I got home, Ryan asked my why I drove 60 miles for a haircut. I asked him why he drove 20 miles last night for a can of chew.

We had the same thing for supper tonight as we did last night (oh, the horror)I made enough meatloaf and cheesy potatoes to feed an army last night. AND, I used raw potatoes instead of frozen hasbrowns in the casserole. DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME. I cooked the casserole for an hour and a half and the potatoes still weren't done. So last night we nuked portions for our supper and I cooked the rest of the pan again tonight. Next time I will mostly cook the potatoes before assembling the dish. They were perfect tonight, though. So was the meatloaf. Leftovers rule.

That's enough rambling for tonight, I am getting a little too sassy. Besides Addison has one whole leg scribbled on with a pen.

Must get back to being a mommy.

She LOVES pretending.

Listening and laughing lesson.

My house was clean before children, sorry you missed it.

Regular box of kleenex.

Box of Kleenex after Addi gets to it.

Schwan's Fundy...Don't forget to reserve your favorites!

Here's my preorder. I just have to be around next Saturday from 9-5 to pick it up on Main St. What are you ordering?

Lemon Italian Ice

#87 | $5.99

6 - 8 fl. oz. cups

$0.50 per Serving, Serves 12

Amazing authentic lemon flavor in every guiltless spoonful. An excellent source of vitamin C and fat free!

Mini Bow Tie Pasta and Vegetable Blend

#767 | $5.49

Buy 2 Vegetables, Save $1

2 lb. resealable bag

$0.69 per Serving, Serves 8

Mini bow tie pasta mixed with super sweet corn, shoestring carrots, garden green peas and diced red peppers. Grade A Vegetables.

Fire Roasted Vegetable Blend

#797 | $7.99

Buy 2 Vegetables, Save $1

2 lb. resealable bag

$0.73 per Serving, Serves 11

Fire roasted, skin-on red potatoes seasoned with rosemary, plus broccoli florets, green beans, fires roasted red peppers and onions. Grade A Vegetables.

French Baguette Bread

#667 | $5.59

3 - 7 oz. loaves, 1.31lb. bag

$0.47 per Serving, Serves 12

Classic-style French baguette is crusty and delicious.


Six Cheese Tortellini

#846 | $9.99

2 lb. resealable bag

$1.11 per Serving, Serves 9

Our tortellini is filled with Ricotta, Swiss, Fontina, Asiago, Romano and Parmesan cheeses.

Where oh where did my little week go?

Where oh where could it be?

Yesterday, Addison and I put markers in and out of a box for a half an hour. I thought for a minute or two how boring other people might think it was to sit on the floor and put markers in and out of a box. But, you should have seen her delight. I hardly ever let her play with markers (see this). She was so happy to be able to touch them and every time she took out one she would take the lid off and look at me and smile and put the lid back on. Then she got lazy and took the lid off and handed me the marker and then handed me the lid. She did this over and over and I think she was just gosh darn happy to have my full attention and a 12 pack of stuff that was normally 'off limits'.

That only took about 30 minutes out of it, but the week sure did zoom by. Ryan has had in service most of the week so he has been gone. The weather has been too hot to take the babies out or too cold or too windy. I tell ya, blink and it'll change.

I did get some fun garage sale-ing in. I got an umbrella for our patio table for $5, now we can eat supper without the sun glaring in our faces. I got some good clothing finds for the babies, nothing over a buck. Nora got some cool toys that I put in the wash. She is just starting to play with things. I found some cool kids books that I have been wanting to read, one by Katie Couric, "The Blue Ribbon Day" and another by Henry Winkler, "Holy Enchilada". I also found one inspired by The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren that looks pretty cool, it's called "Made for a purpose." The big kids got to spend a dollar of their own. A dollar still buys a lot, you know?

I bought some seeds, finally. I planted them in containers. I am having an herb garden this year. I hope it's successful. I know some of us are better at this planting thing than I am, but I am excited, none the less, and hoping for at least something to help me make yummy salsa and tomato sauces. I am buying tomato plants, unless I get some given to me (hint hint). I also started some green and hot peppers from seeds.

The kids and I planted flower seeds. Not sure if they will even come up. Last night when I was cleaning some of the outdoor toys and chairs, Addi decided to borrow the hose and water my pots. The dirt was swimming by the time I caught her. Oh well:)

The garden is tilled up and I would like to get the peas and carrots out this weekend. It sounds like rain tomorrow so I am not sure if it will get done.

The kids got to go to the circus. Their aunt and and cousins took them last night.
They had a blast. They brought home a ton of cheap plastic toys that will be in the trash by Sunday.

I got mad at my fat and packed up 4 trash bags of clothes the other day. I dropped them off at the thrift store. I just want to get back to my normal fat and not be extra fat, is that too much too ask? I tried to walk away the pounds yesterday and ended up getting 16 minutes in before Nora woke up screaming. Sigh. I need a nanny, a housekeeper and a personal trainer, for free.

Tomorrow is our 11 year anniversary. Seems like just yesterday I was trying on wedding dresses and picking out colors. It's been quite a ride, and we're picking up speed. Hopefully we'll be able to stop and spend some time together soon to celebrate. Maybe I can email him or send him an e-card?

I really need some chocolate, but I shouldn't. I'm dieting...sort of. I am trying not to eat all the chocolate in one day, at least.

How to make lemonade, by the Gavinator

Gavin made lemonade at preschool today, when I asked him how he did it, this is what he said.

First go to the store and buy lemons.

When you get home use the lemon in a bottle 'cuz you don't have the squeezer thingy.

Get an ice cream a bucket.

Fill it up with water, about 30. (Mom, "30 what?") cups.

Put it in the fridge for 5 seconds or maybe 15.

Take it out.

Then you put the lemon in a bottle in the ice cream bucket, just pour it for this long. Count to 5 when you pour it. Then stop pouring.

Get the sugar. Pour it in. Two scoops. FULL scoops. Then you stir it up for 5 seconds or until it stops crunching.

Okay, go back to pouring it in. When you pour it in you have to stir it. It has to be a good stir, 'cuz when you pour it in the cup it goes on the table.

Then you put the scooper in and take some juice out and put it in a cup.

If you want you can put a lemon on the side of your cup.

Then drink it, or you can buy straws and go to make a lemonade stand.

Go around the corner and down the hill. Go to the store for a large box.

Get a piece of paper.

Make the stand. Build it. Put it up. All people will come and have a drink.

Somewhere good where people will come, like at the park or something.

That's all I know.

Crazy Hair Day

Maleah came home from school the other day so excited about crazy hair day. She wanted to know if girls could wear mohawks. I wasn't sure if this would work, but here is what we came up with. This is a variation of what I saw here. Introducing the crazy bun mohawk or the BUNHAWK.

Have you seen this?

I don't watch much live TV anymore. I am spoiled by my dvr. Sometimes I wish I had no televsion at all. But, today, in a rare but short streak of quietness, I turned on the tube and saw this commercial. I was so moved. It looks just like that playstation game that I beg my husband not to play around Gavin...something about stealing cars... I just had to go online and check it out. This is what I found.


Kudos to you, Interstate Batteries!

Schwan's spring fundy SHOUT OUT!

Okay all you village people... now that didn't come out right, did it?

Anywho, the community daycare and preschool is having a spring fundraiser.

This is a great one because it's Schwan's frozen foods and come on, who doesn't love Schwan's AND %20 of the sales will go to the daycare in cash! WOHOO!

Here's the low down.

Go online to Schwans.com and pick out your favorite products. Write down the product code, quantity, description, price and your name and address on a piece of paper.(You can also email me at rani.gordon@gmail.com) Get your information to me or April at the daycare by April 27th if you want to be guaranteed your product is on the truck. NO MONEY will be collected! You can pay for your items when you pick up on Saturday, May 2nd, from 9-5pm. The truck will be parked on Main Street near the bank all day. You can also show up on Saturday and purchase from the Schwan's representative directly. But, if you want a specific item be sure to pre-order!

Another way to give the daycare credit for your purchases, if you can't make the fundy, is to purchase gift certificates. Call 1-888-413-0003, choose option 2 and give the campaign ID number 13826. All major credit cards can be used as payment. The gift certificates will be mailed directly to your home.

Okay now for a quick description of all my favorite products (I wish I was getting paid for this, or at least get some free product, huh? Hint Hint Mr. Schwans, are you out there?).

All italicized words are quotes from the schwans.com website.

1) Italian Style Meatballs
#401 $8.99
1.75 lb resealable bag
$1.00 per Serving, Serves 9
Our fully cooked meatballs are delicately seasoned with Italian spices. Great on Italian bread with plenty of your favorite tomato sauce or piled high on spaghetti. The kids will thank you for making “Italian night” a weekly event! Makes great appetizers too.

I love using these on spaghetti night or for a hot meatball sub. You can take a few out at a time or use the whole bag at once. My kids really do love them.

2)QUIK TATERS® Potato Rounds
#760 $4.99
2.5 lb. resealable bag
$0.38 per Serving, Serves 13
Golden nuggets of shredded potatoes with a crunchy outside and a tender inside.

I love these on casserole or just as a side dish. These are good quality taters and not too bad on the pocketbook, either.

3)French Baguette Bread
#667 $5.59
3 - 7 oz. loaves, 1.31lb. bag
$0.47 per Serving, Serves 12
Classic-style French baguette is crusty and delicious.

This you have GOT TO TRY! It's it perfect with soups, pasta or just on it's own. I can make this homemade, but it's way easier to just pop a baguette in the oven for 10 minutes and devour.

4)SCHWAN'S HEAVENLY CREAMS® Black Raspberry Supreme Ice Cream
#309 $4.59
Buy 3 Ice Cream products, Save $1
Pint
$1.15 per Serving, Serves 4
Super premium, black raspberry flavored ice cream loaded with bright swirls of ripe red raspberry and dark chocolate fudge—a classic pair. This extravagant and boldly flavored treat is perfect with a slice of pound cake.

This is definitely a splurge for me. But everyone in this house likes it so I do purchase it once in a while. If you read the description above I personally skip the pound cake and just go for the ice cream itself. YUMMO!

5)Golden Fruit Blend
#803 $7.99
6 - 3/4 cup servings, 2 lb. resealable bag
$1.33 per Serving, Serves 6
Chunks of pineapple and mango, cut peaches and strawberries. 100% Grade A fruit.

This is so yummy. I think it's pretty economical, too. Fresh fruit is spendy. I usually have a bag in the freezer to serve at meals or over vanilla ice cream. (Right now I have two.)

Let me know if you have any questions, will ya? HAPPY SCHWAN'SING!!!

ooooo my spell checker hates me ;)

Naked and I'd rather be...

Some prayer requests...

I am learning (thank you Beth M.)to use a Bible verse as a prayer. Several members of my extended family and friends are currently suffering health issues and I need to spend some time praying for them. I chose the following verses to help form my prayers.

If you have a moment, please pray for;

Callie Jane; my three year old niece who has been hospitalized (she's home now) for mono and strep. She is recovering.

Larry; Ryan's uncle has been hospitalized. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy and now has some complications that are pretty serious. We had the pleasure of visiting him on Thursday evening at his home. He is beginning dialysis tonight. Please pray for his wife, Donna, and his four children and their families. Pray also for his two sisters(one is my mother in law, Judy) and his brother, as they are very concerned.

Kris; a friend, who has been hospitalized for more than a week. She is having some complications from surgery. She is in the ICU.

My children; Maleah is feeling better, now the Gavinator is coughing and complaining of a sore throat. Both Addi and Nora are teething, OUCH!

Grandpa Geno; has a cold and needs to rest so he can get better.

Grandpa Tom; has a hernia that is pretty stubborn and won't get better. Pray that it heals and right quick. Pray that Grandpa will see a doctor if it gets much worse(speaking of stubborn:))

Jeff; my baby brothers' wife's brother in law. That is a mouthful. Jeff has lymphoma. Things are not going well right now. He is married with three small children and he could really use some healing prayers.

Great Grandma Rosalyce; She is in the hospital. It seems she fell and has the bruises to prove it, but she cannot remember it, or much of anything right now. Pray that the doctors and nurses can help her and that her children will be able to help decide how to best care for her now.

Exodus 15:26

He said, "If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in his sight, and give heed to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you."

Exodus 23:25

You shall worship the Lord your God, and I will bless your bread and your water; and I will take sickness away from among you.

Isaiah 53:4-5

Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are whole.

Psalm 103:2-5

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits--who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 91:3-4

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Coloring eggs and faces...

Happy Easter!

Romans 6:8-11
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Not gonna happen.

I felt bad for my sil the other day when she tried to photograph Addison. Addison was non-compliant, in a big way.

So when the school sent home the flyer for spring photos I jumped on the chance to get a professional shot of all the kiddos. This company has a family policy where the first two packages are full price and the rest are free! You know I am all about a good deal.

I even went to the $100 store yesterday to get the girls new onesies and spring colored shirts for the older kids. I splurged. I felt guilty.

So this morning I get up plenty early to get every one spiffy. Maleah is not feeling well, I take her temp. Well, I'll just take her for photos and she can come home and rest. The rest of the kids are all ready.

We get there. Maleah takes a photo, fever and all. Addison cries. Gavin takes a photo. Addison screams. Nora takes a photo, not smiling but not crying at least. Addison runs for the exit crying and screaming. As if the backdrop and the photographer are big scary monsters.

We try again for a shot with all the kiddos. Addison clings to her father for her dear life. We give in. We pack them all up and take them home. I feel defeated. Dad feels bad for me and tries to get a shot of Addi at home. This is what he gets.


Gavin goes to preschool. Nora goes in the jumper. Maleah goes to bed. Addison goes to bed. It is 8:45 am. I go crazy.

That is what I get for being cheap, I guess. Wonder if I learned my lesson or will I attempt this again next year?

Sheesh. I need chocolate.

April snow brings what? May mud, I think.

6.5 inches of snow (see tree photo and video)
1 four wheel drive vehicle stuck on the closed interstate
1 husband a little late for work
2 older kids happily occupied for
2 days with
1000 legos (see photos)
2 crockpot meals (veggie meatloaf and Greek chicken and potatoes)
1 batch of puppy chow made
12 cups of blue jello with sea creatures made for preschool(ocean theme this month)
5 loads of laundry completed
1 meal of octopus and squid eaten (hot dogs and noodle rings)
12 or so emails to my college roomie in KS during the storm (actually she is the one who alerted of the blizzard!)
lots of tummy time (see photo)

the quiet is too loud

Last weekend the kids played outside all day.

This morning we awoke to a simple, but persistant snowfall. It's actually a blizzard.

I put the legos out and the kids played nonstop for 4 hours. Then they were tired and crabby. So I put them to bed.

Meanwhile the babies were tired and crabby, too. So I put them to bed. Addi slept. Nora whined. I picked her up. We rock-a-byed.

It got real quiet, quiet enough for me to almost hear the snow falling.

Presently, it's coming down in medium sized flakes forming small swirling tunnels and when the wind picks up it swirls really fast making a barely transpapent curtain like shape until the breeze passes.

The quiet is almost deafening. I can hear cars driving by, the clock ticking, the slow and unsteady breathing of my 5 month old. I can hear the buzz of the kitchen lights and my computer. It is a very unfamiliar sound, the quiet.

I half expect Ryan to wake up because of all this non-noise. He is sleeping because he is working the night shift this weekend.

I hope the blizzard comes fast and big so he cannot make it into work and we get snowed in and can eat and watch movies all night.

Just wishful thinking, I guess.

I should have known.

Addison has this funky rash. It starts like small red bumps, at first I thought it may have been a spider bite. Then it multiplies and get red and irritated and then dries up and disappears. She has had it for a month.

Her skin is super sensitive compared to my other children. It seems she breaks out from everything/anything. Her bottom gets red at the slightest exposure to a wet or soiled diaper. I started blaming it on the diaper brands, but I think it is just her skin.

I have been keeping an eye on this rash, waiting for it to define itself. I have asked people about it, googled it, asked the dr. about it, medicated it with a topical and an ingested med. Nothing gets rid of it for good.

I began to wonder if it was her body letting me know that she was teething. I have read and read about the changes in your body when you get teeth. Changes in bowels, fevers...it made perfect sense.

I thought her eye teeth were coming in. Every dramatic intervention to see or feel her gums led to nothing. No sign of teeth. Red, swollen gums would appear for days at a time and then they would disappear.

Until this morning.

Addison LOVES brushing her teeth. She rubs the brush along her gums back and forth for 10 minutes at a time. I think she would sleep with a toothbrush if I let her.
So today while she was scrubbing her mouth, I noticed a white chunk of skin on her gum. It was a large piece of skin that's why it was so noticeable as it was flapping back and forth around the tiny toothbrush head.

I wrestled her to the ground and pried open her mouth. There, about 1/4 inch behind the spot where her eye teeth were supposed to pop up were 4 tiny corners of tooth. Same thing on each side of her jaw, top and bottom. All of a sudden, the crabby mornings and begging for cold milk bottles made perfect sense. Enter first year molars. DUH? I hope this explains the weird rash, too.

Maybe by the time Nora gets her teeth, I'll have this all figured out, huh?

Everywhere I go

How many verses do you think are in the entire Bible?

Why is it that the same verses keep finding their way to me? How can this be?

It must be an act of God. Either that or Pastor and Beth Moore are working together.

Tonight during the confession and absolution we responsively read several verses from Lamentations and Hebrews, 1st Timothy, and Isaiah.

Pastor has been preaching about Jonah during Lent. He calls it Jonah, The Survivor Series. I seriously think he should publish it. It is/was that good. I missed one week when the girls weren't up to attending the late night Lenten church and I wanted to ask Pastor to email me his notes. GOOD. STUFF.

The verse that has been highlighted for me for the last month or so is this one.

The Lord says, "I am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Isaiah 43:25

As I get older it becomes more and more clear to me just how amazing His forgiveness truly is. I know that having children allows me to see my sins more often, or at least in a new light. It's like I am looking in a mirror. Soon it will be four mirrors. It is painful. My sins are bad enough, but to pass my sinful behavior on to my children is a terrible, awful, experience to witness every day.

I desperately want to receive the forgiveness of our patient and compassionate God. On Calvary's cross, Jesus bore the punishment and wrath of the Father that we deserve. "Our God will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:7
He gives us abundant pardon and strength to walk in His ways.

Every time I confess my sins, I pray for forgiveness. I beg and plead for forgiveness. I do not feel worthy of it. I cannot understand why He would grant it to me. It is something that boggles my mind every time I go through it. I want to be turned completely away from my sinfulness and set on the path of righteousness and blessedness. Save me, Lord Jesus.

He did, He does and He will.

Praise the Lord, I am forgiven. I am new. I am clean.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassion never fails. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23