what's up weekly. (In Which I Slow to A Crawl in Preparation of Fall.)

Whew, you guys.  This week has been a mental fight.  I think the shortening days are getting to me or something; I just don't have much gumption to get at 'er lately.  If I could, I think I'd maybe just opt to lie in bed watching Meg Ryan movies.  Well, maybe I wouldn't, but life just keeps trucking and Meg Ryan movies aren't free, so I guess we'll never know.  

The big kids are doing an amazing job of keeping up with their heavy workload.

BUT TODAY IS FRIDAY and we have a lot to look forward to: we're hosting Men's Beer and Books tonight, so the guys from church will be sitting out in the backyard around the firepit, smoking cigars and singing hymns and talking about all kinds of things.  The kids and I will probably watch a movie (though nothing with Meg Ryan) and then hit the sack.  Tomorrow will be our first Saturday home in nearly a month, so I will probably spend it dusting the living room, but since it desperately needs it, it should be enjoyable.

Another day, another installment of Skeeter Wars.

But let's back up to last weekend.  We headed up to Iowa for my niece's birthday and spent the day playing, eating, and running around with their chickens and ducks.  We came back in time for dinner, and Todd made the kids Brinner, which was clearly a genius parenting move.  

On Monday we kicked off our fourth week of school, and I can officially say WE HAVE MADE IT TO FALL BREAK!  After lab science this morning, and a little Little Town on the Prairie this afternoon, we will be on break for the next week.  I have big plans: I need to build a compost bin, clean out the chicken coop, switch out fall clothing for the kids, clean out the garage, take Atticus to retake his driver's test, can up a bunch of stuff that's been waiting in the freezer, and seal the wood on my garden bed before the weather turns cold.  

Think I can get it all done?  Normally, I would bet on myself and say, "Yeah, it will take a push, but I can do it all."  But after the lethargy of this week, I'm starting to think I need to get a little more realistic and pick just a couple of things to tackle.  I definitely have to do the chicken coop, and by default build a compost bin for somewhere to put the old bedding.  But beyond that, we'll see.

Back to this week.  What else happened?  We had friends over for dinner Wednesday night, which was fun.  I found a great deal on beef, so I canned up some stew meat, and a friend gave me a free bushel of apples, so I made apple butter.  The canning shelves are getting full, but I'd like to get more protein and starches put up - meat, broth, potatoes, beans - because right now my cabinet looks pretty fruit- and salsa-heavy.  Which is fine, but doesn't help a ton with meal prep, which is my favorite reason to can - it makes dinnertime SO EASY when the ingredients are prepped and ready.  Maybe I can at least get some meat canned up over break week.

And... I think that's it!  Ophelia would like you to know she is officially walking now, so she will see you out.

Have a good weekend!