Door to door...

Living rural Idaho we get very few door to door sales people. But can I say when we do its always quiet entertaining. Yesterday while doing my routine kids count, a car pulled up into my driveway. A small girl with a huge smile on her face climbed out of the car, first approached my kids, which by this point were talking to her and practically jumping on her. After repeatedly telling my kids to stop mauling this poor girl, she stuck out her hand and introduced herself. She had a thick accent that was hard to understand. She told me her name and said she was from??? somewhere in Europe. She told me that she was with the educational department and that she was sent out to explain some "educational resources" that were available to us and the school district. She also told me that she was required to meet 40 parents in our school district per day. She explained to me that it was very hard for her to do. So me being a PTO member, Mom, huge supporter of our school district I thought... well... sure I am busy, but I can help this poor girl out.

Can I say this girl was smooth....she asked if we could sit down somewhere and of course I invited her in. First strange oddity I notice was that she seemed really comfortable, took her shoes off and made herself comfortable. Other oddity....she for a short time sat on my couch..But then made her way to the floor and pretty much sprawled out. She sat on my carpet the way I would expect my 8 year with ADD to sit. She didn't start her spiel right away, she asked me questions first, one right after another....after 15 Min's of this I finally said, so what was it that you needed to show me? At this point she pulled out a note book that I assumed had her "educational resource's". She proceeded to show me a list of people. She asked me if I knew any of them and I said, "oh yes quite a few....."
She had pages of them....To not hurt people's feelings I will not name names.....But you know who you are...
She then started her educational spiel.... I should of known.....I shoulda seen it coming.....she was selling books....and the reason that she was so nice to my kids.....(skkkkills) is that she wanted them to be their to put the pressure on me.

(you Must say this in a THICK European accent, a cross between swedish and german)
"You kids like these books? OHHH good these are books your mommy can buy for you??? arn't they nice, you want these don't you"

to which I had 4 children looking at me saying,
(you must say like whiny 2,4,5 and 8 year olds......)
"ohhhh please mom, they are so neat, we would love to read these....Please" "can we have them, we never get anything, pleassssssssee"

at this point my children were silenced and were told to go outside..NOW.....
I explained to this sweet young lady that we would not be buying any books now or later. She then abruptly asked to use the bathroom. Then ever so nicely told me that she would leave a few books so I could look through them while she was in dispose. While in the bathroom I placed her "educational Resources" back in her bag and gathered her stuff up for her. At the same time I heard oddity number 25, I heard my bathroom drawers being opened and shut.... AND then my closet bathroom door.....(I heard these because of my stealth eagle hearing that I have developed over the last 8 years of hunting children). Maybe this is what they do in Europe but not in my house. I wasn't to worried about to much I mean if she really wants to steal kids under ware and hair bows.....then so be it.....When coming out of the bathroom I handed her her bag a walked her to the door....She got the idea....
Oddity number 30.....
she said before stepping out of the door "please wave to me when I leave" and she walked to her car. I promptly told my kids to come inside and Shut the door. I did not wave.
Weird right?
Later that day I sat down at my computer and looked up the cost of the books... that Roughly I figured when bought in her "deal" cost about $25 per book, I found the EXACT BOOKS for $14.95 at amazon. The set $69.95, her set $149.99
I saw many names of my dear friends on that list....I hate to say you were had....but you were...and if she went to the bathroom while she was there....you ott to look around and make sure nothing is missing.....

Its kohlrabi...the purple stuff....and swiss chard..the leafy stuff

I love gardening.....I love sharing gardens....Soon to be pickled.....YUMMY Purple potatoes..... Grape flavored

I found this a few morning's ago...she went and got her own breakfest..........

This was taken a few weeks ago...it is now 3 times this size!!!! ITs a WATERMELON!!!!!!!

NO JOKE....I grew a watermelon in Idaho
and a cantalope... I love it!!!

Don't judge it looks gross....

I remember seeing canned Beef on a food storage shelf at Mikes parents house. I remember saying to my self that I would never eat that vommit sludge in a can....... So here is crazy me eating my words again..... Cause.... I love the stuff.....Oh you will judge as I did, cause the look of this canned vomit is almost enough to abstain from ever eating it and making a silent vow to die rather than partake as I did. Though if we are about to run out of food you just remember that I will be the one to live (slowly dieing) but eating good....

This stuff makes tamale meat that will blow you away, it is great for that quick stew, soup, or Shepard's pie. This time I took a mixture of elk and beef.....

You cut everything into small chunks...I prefer them on the larger size, but its your preference. I think the ball book says 1 inch chunks.

I had a helper....and willing child to learn to art of the trade. Plus a ankle biter that just won't go to far from me.... he looks so Idaho....any who...

I seasoned the raw meat with onion soup packets..... You can use mushroom... Cajun....taco or just salt and pepper. You just need enough to cover each piece. Its about 3-4 soup packets for about 20 pounds of meat.

Then I shoved the raw meat in the jars....(tasty... nothing like meaty kids hands)....take a butter knife and push all of the meat to the bottom leaving No air space. add nothing else..... You can add beef stock. I dont...but you can...

Righty tighty all of the lids....

WITH A PRESSURE cooker...Process at 15 pounds for 1 hour 30 mins.

So as for having some protein in your food storage, this is the way that I would go. I mean "them there Beans" will due for a while but just wont cut my meat craving's. By far this is cheaper than spam (and way less spammy) or freeze dried yuck I mean fake meat.

I will post a Homemade tamale recipe that will have your mouth wanting more really soon!!

First day of school!! yah for MOM!!!

Today was Hannah's First day at school! My big Kindergartner! Age 5 Mrs. Wilson, I guess she really like rules....Which I'm hoping will help Hannah.... in the long run.....She has trouble with rules (like her dad) She seems so tiny still!!! The nice thing is that Hannah had such a great big sister that was there to help her, sit by her on the bus and help find her classroom for her!

Grace started yesterday in 2nd grade age 7. Yes she is wearing and coat....its cold here in the morning.Grace has Mrs. Coffin and is very excited and just wants to please. She was so truly nervous. New school , teacher and friends! By day 2 she was a champ, and helping Hannah!

It was fun but thank goodness its over!!!!

This year (again) I coached soccer. I had a really fun bunch of kids. 9 Boys and 3 girls. Not too rowdy of a bunch, but rowdy enough to be undefeated! OH YAH....Soccer is very time consuming and although I have a lot of fun doing it...two days are taken, one for practice and the other for the games. I had some great Parent helps....you can't do it with out them!!! Things really snapped for Grace this year, she started to get and understand that the game is not running around following the ball. This year she made 2 goals!

This would be a typical Heather face out on the field, This year I only managed to tell off 1 parent, maybe a few more...coaches But I can say that most of the refs were forewarned about me....and most likely had previous experiences with me. I found that the mother in me doesn't stop at the soccer field. A few kids on my team found out the hard way. This year Hannah played. I was a bit worried that she might be a bit timid out on the field. NOT SURE WHY I THOUGHT THAT. But she carried soccer just as she does her normal life.

No holds barge style. She had girls that would try to hold conversations with her out on the field and would just run right past them...She was playing, not talkin'. She did really well.

Next year I will coach Hannah's team.

She scored once this year and was so excited.