Veteran's Day During Civil War

We honored Veteran's Day by teaching an all-day program for homeschoolers at the One-Room Schoolhouse. Of course, we used the 34-star flag of 1861 for flag-raising.

Polar Bear and Winger were great helpers: they braved the chilly weather to help boys saw logs for firewood and played games at recess despite the spitting rain. Indoors, we girls worked on embroidery and learned about quilts. We did ciphering, recitations, butter churning, and finished up with a couple of fiddle tunes.

Prodigal Son

Meggar calls him the "Prodigal Son," since he hasn't come back since college began in August. But Dorito looked so grown up when he walked in!
He is claiming a "No Shave November" look, and told us stories of being swamped with studying and socializing at K-State. Spencer liked his Phi Kap jacket, and the twins liked hearing about the sorority girls he has met. Dorito was also on the evening news at the Free Bacon Night at Bramalage Coliseum.

This weekend, we tried to roll out the red carpet for everyone with homemade food (including three desserts) and visits with friends. The boys went skating, watched movies, and enjoyed NHL hockey at Buffalo Wild Wings. We girls drank tea and went to the craft shows and estate sales around town (including the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art). Saw several people we knew. At the Rusty Chandelier Gift Expo, I came upon a booth of antique button jewelry and the "Closures" name seemed very familiar. So I asked the owner... Sure enough, I remembered her! She began her button jewelry business in Salina roughly 20 years ago. I bought a bracelet of Civil War buttons from her the summer of 1996 at the Smoky Hill River Festival (we lived in Salina that year). It has 12 pretty brass buttons in a row, and I spent a fortune on it. Well, $30 was a fortune to me back then as a stay-at-home mother with a toddler and baby. Best coincidence of all, I was wearing it today! She was tickled to see my bracelet, and she offered to replace its missing button--for FREE.

Old Home Week

Lesa was in town for some business. Just saw her in Detroit in September at hockey tournament, but it was fun to catch up with her this week. And to celebrate Alison's birthday. And to hear Brenda's report from book club.

Home, Sweet Home

Been back for three days in our "own" beds, which is always nice after lots of driving. Captain calculated 90 hours in the past few weeks, but I didn't want to check his math. Instead I calculated hockey stats for twins, proofread two papers for Dorito, and worked the polls all day Tuesday. The ballot only contained a tax measure, so the turnout was low. I don't mind working 13.5 hours when I'm allowed to read! I finished three magazines and half of the PD James novel "Death Comes to Pemberly."

Hockey Games in Pittsburgh

Yes, all my posts are about hockey lately.

Polar Bear is keeping stats for the Super Series in Pittsburgh this weekend. Captain said knows more about the game than we imagined. He can see the full ice and the strategies of other players. He would make a terrific coach. We tried be happy about having won four games, but today's loss against Belle Tire was hard to stomach. They are our rival and appeared to roster three players from their National squad this afternoon. Plus their crowd of moms was rowdy and plain rude. On the bright side, Polar Bear remains the only Thunder player to score against the Belle Tire team, as we lost 0-4 today without him.

Foods of New England

Laurie took us to Clyde's Cider Mill for hot caramel apple cider and cider doughnuts.

This is the only steam-powered mill in the U.S. and is still operating like it did in 1881. They make hard and sweet ciders, wine, jam, preserves, etc. with the sixth generation family members.
We left yesterday with full tummies of clam chowder, and we were grateful for the hospitality of the Green and Peoples families.

A Walk on the Beach

We enjoyed the mild weather and spent some time gathering shells and critters at the beach today.

 Winger had to help Polar Bear get on and off… his crutches are helping take the weight off but his right leg is compensating and has become so tensed up that it is nearly 2-inches shorter than the injured left leg now.

The twins also enjoyed the tree swing that Tom hung out back.  Better than trick-or-treating!!