tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107972032024-03-07T16:58:12.432-05:00She Sits and Knits (and sews, too!)Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-9255642781874842852013-06-30T20:18:00.002-04:002013-06-30T20:20:44.001-04:00Creuset Cookware Cleaning Tip<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZSB4rs1EAXT0-eLIunZ5uqHpaPQGEA5UtrbToQJg0HeXwhl4ukuHM4wlijhO3CfussYppqOQruiONW3tQJ5PU0lRvJYRe5QJRmOSLqaK2Lk9MANUXERAQHUO0sckiBvW0YSeSA/s943/salt+and+scraper,+clean+a+creuset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZSB4rs1EAXT0-eLIunZ5uqHpaPQGEA5UtrbToQJg0HeXwhl4ukuHM4wlijhO3CfussYppqOQruiONW3tQJ5PU0lRvJYRe5QJRmOSLqaK2Lk9MANUXERAQHUO0sckiBvW0YSeSA/s400/salt+and+scraper,+clean+a+creuset.jpg" width="98" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I found a method to clean the crusty bits from the bottom of my enameled cast iron Le Creuset cookware. I remembered my MIL saying something about salt for cleaning seasoned cast iron, so I knew the salt would be abrasive enough for the job. But rubbing the salt (I used maybe 2 tablespoons or so) around with the wet sponge only caused the salt to dissolve before it could do its job. I grabbed the nearest thing to the sink, a Pampered Chef scraper, and first tried scraping with the edge, as it was meant to be used, but not enough of the salt came in contact with the crusty bits. I set it down flat on the salt and scrubbed in circles. I used very little effort at all, a quick rinse and the pan was clean! No need to soak the pan first. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z_ofUT-84-fYaCDWfceeLWthfTrper2EKzMpdSmzv4PYhvjhEsNkGo24V5_MQDoDEqXr1vBpi3LicN-xgo7NwfLDRTELSrrjdoCjLRjguYoH7fdG6L-c01qaK4_XmGKvJsf6TQ/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Z_ofUT-84-fYaCDWfceeLWthfTrper2EKzMpdSmzv4PYhvjhEsNkGo24V5_MQDoDEqXr1vBpi3LicN-xgo7NwfLDRTELSrrjdoCjLRjguYoH7fdG6L-c01qaK4_XmGKvJsf6TQ/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_kXix77LmWpgB7oFtHhjqjOVD5tmJFvDex_plaljmtjjesI0gobzfPmCoZKvDnBEPSkTa2VSaS8oVyNW3fTfuxnlHogN8Ym7vZZH_-r4txNzgPGdFJWtir6jIcwbX59_Hel6Ww/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_kXix77LmWpgB7oFtHhjqjOVD5tmJFvDex_plaljmtjjesI0gobzfPmCoZKvDnBEPSkTa2VSaS8oVyNW3fTfuxnlHogN8Ym7vZZH_-r4txNzgPGdFJWtir6jIcwbX59_Hel6Ww/s320/DSC_0114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ivl-l3htnYVZ08FTZh9zQ5bfv0KXLRjnzADQ9issGKCeoCnwMZlheDB2WwyEGZX-XmuHtLp2RnmHonaGI8tG3wTpHaHu5ov05e1kaAhnXIBO5jzczu9VBa6kfHs-LeZjQLK7Vw/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ivl-l3htnYVZ08FTZh9zQ5bfv0KXLRjnzADQ9issGKCeoCnwMZlheDB2WwyEGZX-XmuHtLp2RnmHonaGI8tG3wTpHaHu5ov05e1kaAhnXIBO5jzczu9VBa6kfHs-LeZjQLK7Vw/s320/DSC_0120.JPG" width="320" /></a>Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-78435547496705337742013-06-13T19:05:00.000-04:002013-06-13T19:10:46.654-04:00Fabric PopCorn BucketI was tired of my kids using my mixing bowls for their popcorn snacking habit. The big bowls were always dirty when I needed them, I'm the only one that was washing them - either by hand or they were taking up space in the dishwasher, and I really don't like the kids eating out of the bag with all that residual grease in the bottom getting all over the place. Also, I needed to use up some scrap fabric... that's always the case around here! These go straight in the wash with the fabric napkins and dishtowels (which are the kids' responsibility anyway!)<br />
<br />
You'll need<br />
<ul>
<li> a fat quarter of fabric (quilter's cotton will do if you back it with some fusible interfacing, but I like something a little more substantial.) </li>
<li>an equal amount of PUL for the lining, </li>
<li>a package of ready made piping or bias tape (homemade bias tape is okay too.) </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Start with 15" by 19" rectangles, one of fabric and one of lining. Line up the edges, pin if you wish, and fold them in half so you are looking at a 7.5" by 19" rectangle. Lay a 3"x5" card centered along the edge <i>opposite of </i>the fold. Pin in place, or trace with fabric marker (or pencil, if that's what you've got) and cut out around the edges of the card. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKh32sITWxs4_IfR1qJake7VCSMEToUCuSyjU7-QiESrLDqXvK4OuSRVV0KtuwQvQ1RFvQyaqhTbzMEo4IhnrzFOLpO8pmApCPdkY67R19aMo8zuRt3QI0L-Xhi23u006Dzly8A/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKh32sITWxs4_IfR1qJake7VCSMEToUCuSyjU7-QiESrLDqXvK4OuSRVV0KtuwQvQ1RFvQyaqhTbzMEo4IhnrzFOLpO8pmApCPdkY67R19aMo8zuRt3QI0L-Xhi23u006Dzly8A/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfold and admire the <i>I </i>shape you have created. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjRXn5aNg5e6Dkr4AzSUyIip4BsRl9IzaKKHR3EMTJBxCksywMMyTCuDZ2-bkT1vR_8aKxKTafaTPqvSfuOIkXJNDdcHTV1HjnMRMrUdtPif6rquDwJpE5LIvW9rAXlAHboKwhg/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjRXn5aNg5e6Dkr4AzSUyIip4BsRl9IzaKKHR3EMTJBxCksywMMyTCuDZ2-bkT1vR_8aKxKTafaTPqvSfuOIkXJNDdcHTV1HjnMRMrUdtPif6rquDwJpE5LIvW9rAXlAHboKwhg/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Separate the lining and the outer fabric and fold each in half the other
direction from when you were cutting. You now have a two 9.5" by 15" rectangles with the bottom
corners cut out. Pin these side edges above the corners.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGMmNpsmLT-gLQsE9WpIq-TzSJEQxSBmk9mE3Gd-eKpPRieFPVqpXX9NCJqZRGJv3dkChvEonvLTsG_erz-zvFZeQHyB-ygR3Ge60ss5U6RwxF_P8YqkAbWgMpdLenVyWCE7UBw/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGMmNpsmLT-gLQsE9WpIq-TzSJEQxSBmk9mE3Gd-eKpPRieFPVqpXX9NCJqZRGJv3dkChvEonvLTsG_erz-zvFZeQHyB-ygR3Ge60ss5U6RwxF_P8YqkAbWgMpdLenVyWCE7UBw/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sew along the pinned edges for both pieces. Whatever seam allowance you are comfortable with, use a slightly larger measurement on the lining for a better fit. Press your seams flat. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxzJiZW2hyphenhyphendQuj6l-lKhIe8OphX_2wcFwJ_gMLkB131WvzdCJhKdlOMSXRoRAAgah5xpb0YXSXcd9T0ULJmROhfa-8h-SUQFrz9K7XxrPKik4fkruZwv8ANpOD0FQ6gS9zrY6-w/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxzJiZW2hyphenhyphendQuj6l-lKhIe8OphX_2wcFwJ_gMLkB131WvzdCJhKdlOMSXRoRAAgah5xpb0YXSXcd9T0ULJmROhfa-8h-SUQFrz9K7XxrPKik4fkruZwv8ANpOD0FQ6gS9zrY6-w/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
The tricky-to-explain-but-really-not-that-hard part: rearrange the bottom of the box, so that the cut out corners resemble a mouth. You will be sewing across this mouth perpendicular to the recently formed side seams. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxEEEdI4gdjawbxW7y4P0M58Eo78LKzZumGXh_Pv6JiP7wTO0AnegdmrvdurKVOxXCP64qPehQYN3RUEP-lm3TI6iPR-5H25lCyzygKi5flvgEgEzVPRMusYIOmnMC-EgaAgyPw/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxEEEdI4gdjawbxW7y4P0M58Eo78LKzZumGXh_Pv6JiP7wTO0AnegdmrvdurKVOxXCP64qPehQYN3RUEP-lm3TI6iPR-5H25lCyzygKi5flvgEgEzVPRMusYIOmnMC-EgaAgyPw/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pin both sides of both lining and outer fabric, then sew with same seam allowance. Be sure to go right up to the edge, even go off the edge to be sure there is no hole in the bottom of your bowl. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3Qf8qK107lyIMbD2q0c380uECGtJrrCICHHJqjucReIaNiG-s0STqhjKpyzUn7jsseXH1S1CsoZ0j-yoUzsiQiYAkIqVZuejcyvHZkwvviEy5SUFYj7u-xekkBsSCWe8gIRwSQ/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3Qf8qK107lyIMbD2q0c380uECGtJrrCICHHJqjucReIaNiG-s0STqhjKpyzUn7jsseXH1S1CsoZ0j-yoUzsiQiYAkIqVZuejcyvHZkwvviEy5SUFYj7u-xekkBsSCWe8gIRwSQ/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Behold, two flat bottom bowls! One of lining and one of outer fabric. (I don't usually bother with ironing the bottom corner seams flat.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72_EkdmyPuQ8AfxlOFT6c-yHGbcy-EY0CN_Nr6HvF68IUINe6B8UWXs78fY9hdrM_k6amu4huX9tGl9gtmPaO7TBmXYmwLeELQBqRjsPcyxhCHMXlU21013k583SeAY7BaQ4zBw/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72_EkdmyPuQ8AfxlOFT6c-yHGbcy-EY0CN_Nr6HvF68IUINe6B8UWXs78fY9hdrM_k6amu4huX9tGl9gtmPaO7TBmXYmwLeELQBqRjsPcyxhCHMXlU21013k583SeAY7BaQ4zBw/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Either sandwich them right sides together with a length of piping in place between them, or wrong sides together with a length of bias tape applied (shown here). Be sure the raw edges of the trim, the outer fabric and lining are lined up well, and pay attention to how the ends will finish out - fold the bias tape appropriately, or steer the piping so the cut ends are hidden in the seam allowance. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yFH2rwFc7FCFU5cTr6yj9qkJra2Bk6T0L9GOUkyrQ42cBwDY-WWtx1KVAzqmSrT0O8p8GR3wqpIWJCoRjwSrACGqnhAAmw8D5NnOqM6scbg1WHn5RUI0JeTO2-YHcZwbc-Lp2g/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yFH2rwFc7FCFU5cTr6yj9qkJra2Bk6T0L9GOUkyrQ42cBwDY-WWtx1KVAzqmSrT0O8p8GR3wqpIWJCoRjwSrACGqnhAAmw8D5NnOqM6scbg1WHn5RUI0JeTO2-YHcZwbc-Lp2g/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sew along this top edge. If you're using piping, leave a 4" - 5" gap for turning. After turning the bowl right side out, press the top edge neatly and top stitch all the way around to close the gap. If you're using bias tape, fold it over to the inside, pin and press, then whip stitch by hand or machine topstitch the folded edge in place. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWX51RTbIipAKAKTE8Pz46KDltHJ4sjvXthnIlUo2qOQ3JOUXbonxmePQLv0fkONS5n0ohHjhogkikPVoqITieWkBJ-vCmWztl21l8FSDAVF3xtktU54FNtz_MP7SqAyv1W4hrA/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWX51RTbIipAKAKTE8Pz46KDltHJ4sjvXthnIlUo2qOQ3JOUXbonxmePQLv0fkONS5n0ohHjhogkikPVoqITieWkBJ-vCmWztl21l8FSDAVF3xtktU54FNtz_MP7SqAyv1W4hrA/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
A machine washable bowl for popcorn or other movie snacks! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAdQWx0iJcqtlXZiePRMMSTVb05_CXJOTQvoi0GKiWbf1cL5ERKnJG4DQ_TOuvVbOnQ5jFn9GVy6Y0ylJc6LdO_7ZTelow5z6YkALbiZiUTchj1oVT_UENhbClgPYYOMyA39ySQ/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAdQWx0iJcqtlXZiePRMMSTVb05_CXJOTQvoi0GKiWbf1cL5ERKnJG4DQ_TOuvVbOnQ5jFn9GVy6Y0ylJc6LdO_7ZTelow5z6YkALbiZiUTchj1oVT_UENhbClgPYYOMyA39ySQ/s320/DSC_0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-79862711501010971332011-02-28T18:36:00.004-05:002011-02-28T18:50:32.494-05:00GROUNDSPEAK LOGO CHART<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qTN0r9Q8p4LwK1h5cLls3ND6FwF07ncAap9QJbtA6fRBUu7VDqVxB0C9digv8kyRlQezeyBLdqMxg2kl44tXoMMQOb15rYJZKJuTpaxWD4QPRfDd-Z11k03BkEMJh9hmz-kryA/s1600/groundspeak_logo_knitting_chart_medium.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qTN0r9Q8p4LwK1h5cLls3ND6FwF07ncAap9QJbtA6fRBUu7VDqVxB0C9digv8kyRlQezeyBLdqMxg2kl44tXoMMQOb15rYJZKJuTpaxWD4QPRfDd-Z11k03BkEMJh9hmz-kryA/s400/groundspeak_logo_knitting_chart_medium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578890125141201666" border="0" /></a><br />Here's the chart for the Groundspeak Logo! Unsure how to add this to your own project?<br /><br /><br />For the hat, I made a swatch with the needle and yarn I wanted to use, and did a little math to work out that 6 repeats of the chart fit around a man’s size hat. I fudged and worked with the number of stitches <span style="font-style: italic;">between </span>the charts to make it work out just right.<br />For the brown and white hat, I used <span style="text-decoration: underline;">the </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/regular-guy-beanie">regular guy beanie</a> pattern which worked out well for <span style="font-style: italic;">six </span>repeats of this chart, with little rivets (2 stitch by 2 stitch blocks) added in to anchor the floats on the backside. I used worsted weight yarn and either a US7 or US8 needle, or maybe both. <br /><br />For instance, if the chart swatch equals 3" across, NOT including any margin stitches, and I want a hat with a circumference of 20", I'll make six repeats (makes only 18") of the chart around and add in a few stitches between repeats to make up the other 2", plus a few more for 'ease'. I found with intarsia and stranding on hats it's very difficult to get the tension right, and the stretch involved with putting a hat on can distort the stitches and make the strands of the backside show through. <br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/THEMUG%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-79592284388806739672009-08-24T09:30:00.002-04:002009-08-24T09:40:55.566-04:00<p><a href="http://lewisfamof5.blogspot.com/2005/08/mia-made-it.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Mia's First Birthday</span></a></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lewisfamof5.blogspot.com/2006/08/our-100th-blog-post.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">2 Years plus one week</span></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">We skipped over posting her third birthday pics... <a href="http://lewisfamof5.blogspot.com/2007/09/almost-through-packing.html">here is probably the reason why. </a></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lewisfamof5.blogspot.com/2008/08/get-cup-of-coffee-and-settle-in-for.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Mia Chan wa yon sai deshita!</span></a></p><p></p><p>and</p><p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=98730&id=637284905&l=e8d9094615"><span style="font-size:130%;">This year. </span></a></p>Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-27466492836547888392009-06-30T04:23:00.004-04:002009-06-30T04:28:25.285-04:00<span>I have been posting pics over on facebook, if you haven't 'friended' me yet, you can easily find me as user name 'jaxlewis'.<br /><br />You don't need to be a facebook user to check out these picture albums recently posted.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=85039&id=637284905&l=09555382ce">Simon's Birthday Party</a><br /><br />and<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=85367&id=637284905&l=e634553d63">A Day at Torii Beach</a><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-21089240704839446502009-06-12T00:36:00.004-04:002009-06-12T00:48:16.696-04:00Yummy LunchThis morning, I cooked (on 'auto') in my japanese rice steamer:<br />1 cup pearl barley<br />1 cup chicken broth from the carton<br /><br />For lunch I threw that into a skillet with:<br />2 tbsp garlic (to taste)<br />2 tbsp butter<br />1/2 (or so) chicken broth<br />broccoli, cut rather smallish, enough to cover the bottom of the skillet<br />two 1/2" slices of a large onion, coarsely chopped<br />black pepper to taste<br /><br />cook until the broth is almost gone, and the broccoli is still a little crisp. Serve and top with shredded cheddar cheese.<br /><br />The boys and I loved it. Mia says she prefers her broccoli separate. Chas pointed out that it was grain, veggie and protein all in one bowl.Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-61847532649342580772009-06-11T20:40:00.003-04:002009-06-11T21:11:35.270-04:00Math for BreakfastTen sausage links divided four ways is 2 and a half each. Chas got it right away and thoughtfully explained to the others how he figured it out. As they were dividing up the links and breaking them in half, somehow Simon was left with a few pieces and was near meltdown. Mia stepped up to explain 'Simon, you don't have two and a half, you have 1, and 3 halves!' He was so delighted by her show of advanced math that he happily took his serving and ate it up!<br /><br />The kids do math like this everyday. I'll whisper to them, wide-eyed, that they are doing <span style="font-size:78%;">math</span>. <span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />'Awwww mom! You tricked us!'</span><br /><br />Now they catch themselves doing it and it's become a family joke. In this manner, we have even found that Mia has an understanding of multiplication and division. Once, I took a week to watch the kids from a distance and wrote a journal of all the things they were doing that involved learning something (I know, a busy week for me!) and translated it into 'curriculum speak' just for fun. It may be time to do that again. I have to pick just the right week to do it, because sometimes their play is simple and sometimes more obviously academic.<br /><br />Other Lewis news, in no particular order...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=76059&id=637284905&l=942f262655">We have a new kitty named Snips.</a> He is very young, apparently abandoned at around 3 weeks old. He is probably about 6 weeks old now and is very active and playful. We are h<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqGiLoiaaifM1T8r9bJ41CDy-z1Y3EhjC9kTVyoN-lHM1HKFfdiNzor1H0USssBSaF90l-zH2W0nerOS-VTqQMyZ_sxut0Nfy-OqcKRnS9k1WWLatSJ0EVvMtnk7wbf9RdY3nlg/s1600-h/DSC_0120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqGiLoiaaifM1T8r9bJ41CDy-z1Y3EhjC9kTVyoN-lHM1HKFfdiNzor1H0USssBSaF90l-zH2W0nerOS-VTqQMyZ_sxut0Nfy-OqcKRnS9k1WWLatSJ0EVvMtnk7wbf9RdY3nlg/s200/DSC_0120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346242410374063410" border="0" /></a>aving to socialize and discipline him in the absence of his mother and littermates. The kids are having a little trouble waiting out this kitty toddlerhood. He is playful sometimes, snuggly sometimes, and very tenacious - he has actually turned and attacked the spray bottle we were using to train him off the foot-attacks.<br /><br />And our neighborhood candy store had to close a few months ago, but this week it reopened as an organic vegetable market. It's small, but close by, a block and half, in fact close enough for the kids to go by themselves on their bikes - no busy roads to cross! They were closed yesterday when I went by for our first visit, I'll try again today - if we get a break in the rain and thunderstorms.<br /><br />Next week we start swimming lessons, every day for two weeks, at 5pm for the boys, and at 6:15 pm for Mia. The following two-week session, I was able to get them all at 5pm. It is going to be intense, and I'll have to call on my best organizational skills to get through it.<br /><br />We are still bowling every Monday night, and doing the Family Night thing at the club on base. Tim's shop moved to a closer base which provides for at least 5 hours more family per week that he isn't commuting! It's a huge blessing for our family.Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-83246116438333666612009-04-21T05:21:00.002-04:002009-04-21T05:24:35.927-04:00<span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#993366;"><span style="font-size:+1;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Chas had an unfortunate accident on his bike this afternoon. He has a huge 'strawberry' on his elbow and has been nursing his wounds all afternoon. Right now he is chilling out in the guest room side of the tatami, reading to me the poems he likes from A Light in the Attic. <br />Like this one.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#993366;"><span style="font-size:+1;"><span style="font-style: italic;">How Many, How Much</span></span></span></span> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;" ><span style="color:#ffffff;">`</span></span> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;" >How many slams in an old screen door?</span> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;" > Depends how loud you shut it.</span> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;" >How many slices in a bread?</span> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;" > Depends how thin you cut it.</span> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;" >How much good inside a day?</span> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;" > Depends how good you live 'em.</span> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;" >How much love inside a friend?</span> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;" > Depends how much you give 'em.</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;font-family:Smash;font-size:100%;" >shel silverstein</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;" ><span style="color:#ffffff;">`</span></span></div>Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-23719945661847839992009-04-19T07:08:00.002-04:002009-04-19T07:15:33.777-04:00fast chicken and rice.$1.48 for 4 chicken thighs, sliced thin and cooked fast and hot on a skillet, without oil or butter<br /><br />$.50 for 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce<br /><br />$.65 for 1 cup of frozen peas<br /><br />$2.48 for 2 pkgs of Uncle Ben's brown rice in a pouch<br /><br />total $5.11<br /><br />Next time I will probably use a whole crown or maybe two of fresh broccoli, steamed a few minutes in the microwave, and brown rice from my steamer instead of from a pouch (will cut down the cost a lot) and less teriyaki sauce (this was a strong taste and almost too sweet.) I think they liked it though.Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-45743471197636000012009-04-17T04:25:00.002-04:002009-04-17T04:36:31.434-04:00Gardener's PieTonight's 5 ingredient recipe was Gardener's Pie. I made some adjustments - instead of refrigerated mashed potato product I used a 90 cent box of garlic mashed instant potatoes, and I added in three boneless chicken thighs, which I sauteed and then cut into cubes. <br />So it's frozen mixed veggies, and soup and thyme, and chicken, with mashed potatoes on top, bake at 350 covered for 30, uncovered for 15, and with cheese for 5 minutes.<br /><br />$1.29 cheddar cheese condensed soup<br />$.75 1 cup of cheddar cheese for the top<br />$.69 pound of frozen mixed veggies<br />$.90 garlic mashed potatoes<br />($.70 2 cups of milk and<br />$.32 4 tbs butter to prepare potatoes)<br />$1.12 boneless chicken thighs<br /> 1/2 tsp thyme<br />$5.77 total<br /><br />I won't make this on a regular basis because of the sodium in the soup and the potatoes. It is nice that it is all shelf stable or frozen items (and milk and butter, which I always have anyway) that I can keep on hand if I find myself in a pinch and need to make something easy, or to bring along, pot luck or whatever, especially since it made soooo much, we only ate half of what it made.Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-81448098647240515352009-04-14T05:00:00.004-04:002009-04-14T05:08:08.909-04:00Praline Crunch BarsThe ham and asparagus pasta was a hit. We'll be keeping that one on the menu.<br /><br />Next up was a dessert to bring to knitting group tonight.<br /><br />In an one gallon zipper bag, knead together a roll of sugar cookie dough ($1.89) with 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans ($3.00 for the whole bag, I used less than half) and 1/2 cup toffee bits (like Heath Bar baking pieces, $2.01, used less than half). Press into a 9x13 pan.<br />Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, then immediately pour an entire bag of semisweet mini chips (2.21) on top, cover with foil, come back in five minutes and spread the melted chips, then some more toffee pieces. Chill until set, cut, and eat. <br /><br />About $7, less than the cost of two cups of Starbuck's (which ironically is about about how much I save by our group not meeting at Starbuck's twice a month, gathering instead at the USO, where the coffee shop is not as good, and, also, closed.)Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-21932082377698888552009-04-12T06:04:00.003-04:002009-04-12T06:27:24.322-04:005 ingredients, $10.63, happy familySo I got this new magazine at the checkout stand, a Good Housekeeping Special Interest Publication, with 200 + recipes that use about 5 ingredients. I picked a few to start with this week, knowing that the fewer ingredients called for the more likely it would mean buying prepared and/or packaged foods. No matter. I went ahead and planned them anyway, choosing only the ones which didn't compromise my standards, and of course, which used ingredients I know my family will eat. As a math lesson this week, we'll look at the cost per meal and cost per serving each night. <br /><br /><br />Tonight's meal was ham and asparagus pasta.<br /><br />$1.19 - - 1 lb. box of bowtie pasta<br />$1.19 - - frozen broccoli florets (added these for my non-asparagus-eating family members, only used half a bag)<br />$2.29 - - frozen asparagus<br />$4.97 - - 1lb ham steak (maybe a little high in sodium, but I did trim the fat out and gave it to the dog)<br />$1.58 - - 8 oz. chive and onion cream cheese (the only ingredient I wouldn't normally buy or have on hand, and a glance at the ingredient list reveals no items of questionable nutritional value)<br />pennies - 1/3 c. milk<br />TOTAL MEAL cost - $10.63 ($1.32 per serving)<br /><br />(Fresh broccoli and asparagus can be expensive here, so I substitute frozen at times when the quality is low.)Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-14895223082450356582009-04-11T23:29:00.002-04:002009-04-11T23:35:04.381-04:00Spelling Lessons for the next week or so...We are going to go through this website and correct the spelling errors for spelling practice. <br /><br /><a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/">lolcats</a><br /><br />And we will be graphing jelly beans and other Easter candy for math. <br /><br />And rearranging the plants in the garden for their benefit, as a science project. <br /><br />Mia is starting back on piano lessons (with a new teacher) this week. <br /><br />The boys are going to get lots of exercise riding their bikes around the neighborhood.Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-64958995823470825102009-04-06T17:57:00.001-04:002009-04-06T17:58:20.704-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_9JSY22hUmOj95bM1U8Jpd-b5RB5nf_xYNglnCS6tDLhJaBFLc7NPHkO7OM0o1BRQ2dePBHWYzx9Z0nXRx-ItZ5bx1pM6lTLjB_m3TyxAb7DSmUOu9PArkm9cl5BOc3WuULwNg/s1600-h/putt+putt+with+SHOO.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_9JSY22hUmOj95bM1U8Jpd-b5RB5nf_xYNglnCS6tDLhJaBFLc7NPHkO7OM0o1BRQ2dePBHWYzx9Z0nXRx-ItZ5bx1pM6lTLjB_m3TyxAb7DSmUOu9PArkm9cl5BOc3WuULwNg/s400/putt+putt+with+SHOO.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321701115033398194" border="0" /></a>Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-60546577404166951562009-04-05T04:37:00.003-04:002009-04-07T20:56:42.604-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x29OIzi7EhGgwyOG50G_dr6hbp1rfYI3DCY6mKKvlFGCCw9NPTT72JZhxipBMkb8jeHm6-9bCxzoUBryHUCWgLiP5ntXup_Ki23DEpkTucL8oyRxIHPhZEsVaGjR8IbPWrPecg/s1600-h/DSC_0133.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x29OIzi7EhGgwyOG50G_dr6hbp1rfYI3DCY6mKKvlFGCCw9NPTT72JZhxipBMkb8jeHm6-9bCxzoUBryHUCWgLiP5ntXup_Ki23DEpkTucL8oyRxIHPhZEsVaGjR8IbPWrPecg/s320/DSC_0133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322118144004388706" border="0" /></a><br />Mia has a new baby care set from the nearby electronics and toy store, Yamada Denki. It includes a front or back baby carrier. She hurried to open the box and put the carrier on, then headed up to get a baby doll from her room. When she came down she told me she had shown her brothers. They pointed out to her, and she had to agree, that carrying the baby on the front is better than on the back because no one can sneak up and put bombs and grenades and blow the baby up.<br /><br />Let's see... what else is Mia up to? She is reading quite fluently, and choosing more challenging books every day. She is also showing understanding of advanced math concepts like multiplication. Now, if I show her a multiplication worksheet or even one written problem, she wouldn't know what to do with it. But, if we are playing a game that needs twelve cards laid out, she knows she needs 3 rows of 4. Or when make fuse bead creations, she'll count the four hooves of a horse and see that she needs four black beads for each hoof, so she'll get 16 black beads on her tray.<br />When we watch movies she pays close attention and asks questions and discusses things with me, like about the characters and their motivation, etc. We bowl once a week as a family, Monday nights, and she graduated from bowling with a ramp, and only uses the bumpers now. An unfortunate accident with her scooter left the basket cracked, so Simon generously gave her his razor scooter, a <span style="font-style: italic;">two</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">wheeled </span>scooter. She has been practicing with this and doing very well turning and using the brake. She delights in gardening with me, insists that I let her do it, and I am not allowed to help her. She has grown about two inches since last June. I am not sure how much weight she has gained, but I can tell she is filling out and is not the tiny little thing she used to be. We just got her some new clothes, and had to get size 6!<br /><br />Last September she and Simon started taking violin lessons. Well that morphed into violin and/or piano and then Simon said he was done, and I think we decided that Mia's violin is too big for her (it digs into her neck). So now it is just Mia learning piano, and I even thought she was losing interest and said we would stop and give her a break, but that she could go back to it after a while. Of course she could still practice at home. Then she found out about the recital at the end of the semester, which I'll be performing with my cello, and now she wants to continue so she can perform on stage. She practices every day, sometimes first thing in the morning, I'll wake up to her playing downstairs. She is reading music, using the right and left hands independently, moving her fingers independently, and counting out notes (whole, half, quarter, etc) and rests too.<br /><br />So that's what Mia has been up to, in short. I will post about the boys individually in the next day or two. Gotta go make supper, cut the boys' hair, and get them all bathed and in bed early. This gorgeous weather has had them outside all day for two or three days now.Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-5661537458773066952009-03-07T06:08:00.003-05:002009-03-07T06:09:57.656-05:00click the pic to see the facebook album of all our family portraits from this year.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=62189&id=637284905&l=84091"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXFCepgF5MJoizCw7w3B_Z1koQL2OY1ahI4N0DiCALuK4daOShXNDG034_09tu0VS2jvh2Okmh4MuCbki9CQpz_7ksBKyfD53KfFL_u_jveEVO31sLW9Vi9augxC1Ka82bNYgwg/s320/kidz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310401231967936194" border="0" /></a>Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-33567807568875512032009-03-05T07:20:00.004-05:002009-03-05T08:40:59.327-05:00ugh, I hate the tv!!It's been raining all day. So I took the kids bowling this afternoon to kill some time between piano lessons (and my first cello lesson) and family night at the club on base. We were the only people there besides some Japanese men who were relaxing a few lanes over with their pitcher of draft, at 3 in the afternoon... hmmm. Anyway, the employees there thought it would be nice to put pokemon on the tv for the kids while they bowl. Well, until they turned it on, the kids were having a blast, getting excited for each other, and bowling well. It was like someone flipped a switch. They turned into zombies, focused only on the tv. They stopped talking to each other. And when it was Simon's turn to bowl, he didn't want to.<br /><br />I went up to the counter and thanked them for thinking that the kids would like it. But I asked them to turn the news back on. They asked 'are you sure?'. 'Um, yeah. Look at the kids. I brought them here to bowl and get some exercise.' I paid for bowling, not tv time. SO they changed it back.<br /><br />To their credit, all the kids went straight back to bowling. One or two of them noticed the change in channel, and I freely admitted that I had asked them to change it back. We went on to finish the game and not another word was said.<br /><br />Thursday family night at the club offers a buffet and some poor souls dressed up in costume (tonight was elmo, pooh and pikachu) drawing numbers for door prizes. Last week, Mia won this giant Barbie Sleeping Beauty Castle, and the boys didn't win anything. They were cool about it, even came home and helped her put it together. This week, some friends joined us for dinner there and when their daughter won a Barbie and didn't want it, she gave it to Mia. Well, I guess that was the end of the line for Simon. He fell apart, and another mom that was with us offered a toy that her son had won and was too young for. We graciously declined, citing the valuable lesson of dealing with the disappointment. Well, we were right, in a matter of minutes he was running around having fun, and watching... tv.<br />We were all staring at the kids standing up in front of the big screen they had set up. We chose to eat at the tables behind the tv, so they wouldn't be staring at it during dinner. But they found it anyway, after they had eaten, and were staring at it like zombies, some of them with their (green popsicle stained) mouths half open. It was creepy, actually.<br /><br />I have a book coming from amazon.com called Four Arguments Against Television, or something along those lines. Tim asked what was the point of that book, everyone knows tv is bad for you. But nonetheless, I would like to read the book.<br /><br />Gotta get to bed, so glad tomorrow is Friday!Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-45855739448567773572009-03-02T22:38:00.004-05:002009-03-03T00:03:28.775-05:00reviving an old post, never publishedHere's a little bit I wrote a while back, came across it today and thought I would post it. I am contemplating a second post on a related topic.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">from September...</span></span><br />School is back in session for those who use DoDDS or other schools on island. This time of year homeschoolers can stick out like sore thumbs and usually elicit a question or two from acquaintances and strangers alike. Most people have probably heard of homeschooling, and most people probably even know a homeschooling family. However, these questions (and I have heard my share of them) can range from 'is that legal?' to 'what about socialization?' and can conjure strong reactions from the depths of a homeschool mom's heart.<br />For starters, here's the low-down on homeschooling on the island, specifically the legalities. I looked around on the net for a clear and simple answer, alas I came up empty handed. I am no lawyer, so I need to leave it at a simple 'yes, homeschooling is legal here.' The basic idea is that states regulate these matters and we are not technically residents of any state. There are some sources that claim a servicemember's command has some oversight, but this has been disputed in numerous places.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Although it may sound like it, it is not as if there are a bunch of families out here doing whatever they want with regards to their children's education without accountability or oversight. I have heard this question many times - 'do you have to be accredited/test/get approval to do that?' The implication that a family might hold their children to lower standards than the government schools appalls most homeschoolers. For most homeschooling families the decision to teach our children at home is to ensure a <span style="font-style: italic;">higher </span>standard. Who has their children's best interest at heart, if not the parents? Of course, there is no shortage news stories of horrendous child abuse cases in families that claimed to be homeschooling. And in CONUS, state and local governments make no secret of the fact that their oversight of homeschool families enables them to identify child abuse and neglect cases, and provide services to at-risk families. The reality is these families slipped through the cracks of the <span style="font-style: italic;">social services </span>system (the system already in place to handle abuse and neglect cases.) Lawmakers use these tragedies to push for more government oversight into homeschooling families. Consider this quote:<br /></div></div><a href="http://home.kc.rr.com/milhmschlhq/military_DoDEA.htm"><span style=";font-family:Berlin Sans FB;font-size:85%;" > </span></a><span style=";font-family:Berlin Sans FB;font-size:85%;" >"<i>One message does not appear to penetrate official thinking in these cases. Child abusers are criminals. CRIMINALS DO NOT COMPLY WITH LAWS that expose their crimes. Revising homeschooling laws to catch child abuse will result in child abusing criminals hiding elsewhere. Refocusing homeschooling laws on child abuse prevention will result in one thing only: a bureaucratic nightmare and the invasion of the privacy of the 99.9+% of homeschooling citizens who are not criminals.</i>" </span><span style=";font-family:Berlin Sans FB;font-size:85%;" >Ann Lahrson-Fisher, Home Education Magazine; quoted on <a href="http://home.kc.rr.com/milhmschlhq/military_DoDEA.htm">The Military Homeschooler</a><br /></span>Here on Okinawa, homeschoolers are a subset of the military community. Servicemembers, and their spouses and children, comprise a group of people already subscribing to a high standard of conduct. Of course, military families have been found to be involved in abuse and neglect. This is not the norm, however, and there are programs in place to intervene in these cases.Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-73105149022028870832009-03-02T07:03:00.004-05:002009-03-02T07:27:07.332-05:00On this date in History...A look at all the March archives since the beginning of this blog...<br /><br /><a href="http://lewisfamof5.blogspot.com/2005_03_01_archive.html">March 2005</a> - Tim was on his second tour in Iraq, Mia was about 7 months old, Simon approaching 3 years old, and Chas 4 1/2. We were living in Clayton, having moved back to wait out Tim's deployment near our families. <br /><br /><a href="http://lewisfamof5.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html">March 2006</a> - Our Clayton house was on the market for the fifth and final year, as we grew weary of Tim commuting home from Lejeune on the weekends. Simon moved into the realm of big boys. <br /><br /><a href="http://lewisfamof5.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html">March 2007</a> - Living in DC provided us so many opportunities - like meeting Neal Boortz, talk radio celebrity. We used the ample space in our rented townhome to do some unit studies, and the boys started their own blog.<br /><br /><a href="http://lewisfamof5.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html">March 2008</a> - Our final month of preparations before our first overseas PCS (Permanent Change of Station) was filled with saying goodbye to friends, doctors appointments, and movers and packers coming and going.Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-31015372416949565902009-03-01T19:47:00.010-05:002009-03-01T20:20:25.093-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SZ8nHgupFLqtDjMeaQNqXNrBi0WJjs6uXHYvyQLHW0G2YX98PmMquVmtWHQlgh96c5Tp-1FVaq0F8OfNhkhQ1B1j6MpvzYe2a1HaCzQCC_nyxX2-3P_bEaJ4qYQFoAk6shs3aA/s1600-h/DSC_0208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SZ8nHgupFLqtDjMeaQNqXNrBi0WJjs6uXHYvyQLHW0G2YX98PmMquVmtWHQlgh96c5Tp-1FVaq0F8OfNhkhQ1B1j6MpvzYe2a1HaCzQCC_nyxX2-3P_bEaJ4qYQFoAk6shs3aA/s320/DSC_0208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308385785570315410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhyphenhyphen3VcnnX3RZUWzjuvjRNr0tTL2QL6x30ieMpXE5TaCDpPwZfjk2aSV_QeCQrm51tURYsuMcAfawo8m1GbQSMLDP2TpEyR2GimcBfdZuHushqHcA1Jo0ORFkrGtu-fg1uG0YVBA/s1600-h/simon+climbs,+cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhyphenhyphen3VcnnX3RZUWzjuvjRNr0tTL2QL6x30ieMpXE5TaCDpPwZfjk2aSV_QeCQrm51tURYsuMcAfawo8m1GbQSMLDP2TpEyR2GimcBfdZuHushqHcA1Jo0ORFkrGtu-fg1uG0YVBA/s320/simon+climbs,+cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308387339330931394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN1-KCE7z_zG3Yf0Ai6v7icC-SlA_vAf7EjqQ4MB2vHQXRAjPxaFpGL1D2ewyjb2efBomlujujh3YvHd6Lv2C10fp5ffKirLCcDoQ1BoXfZmEourzIQCp04-mzgUiAFrNIlAGdQ/s1600-h/DSC_0213.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN1-KCE7z_zG3Yf0Ai6v7icC-SlA_vAf7EjqQ4MB2vHQXRAjPxaFpGL1D2ewyjb2efBomlujujh3YvHd6Lv2C10fp5ffKirLCcDoQ1BoXfZmEourzIQCp04-mzgUiAFrNIlAGdQ/s320/DSC_0213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308385920046007634" border="0" /></a>A trip to a local park last week. Tim has placed a puzzle <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocache">geocache </a>there. On this beautiful day, the kids and I solved the puzzle, but were unable to get to the cache as other geocachers were also looking and we didn't want to ruin the first-to-find for them. These spider web climbers are in just about every park all over the island. This day Simon and Mia both overcame their feaer and climbed all the way to the top! We actually came home with a little bit of sunburn. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEder4tK_AKlkQ6LaRaGDqQZiaeqH18bkx0c9VRc1qjrcb_9wxApH-6_NRnaPJcISFQYbgPVzKp3cnJv5QTltiMSumgX8E6CCyXweXUJrY3wIbsnJa1bolTSnTVgHAW9Q3fHFHGg/s1600-h/DSC_0245.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEder4tK_AKlkQ6LaRaGDqQZiaeqH18bkx0c9VRc1qjrcb_9wxApH-6_NRnaPJcISFQYbgPVzKp3cnJv5QTltiMSumgX8E6CCyXweXUJrY3wIbsnJa1bolTSnTVgHAW9Q3fHFHGg/s320/DSC_0245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308386156688037714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AOKrFykKXeecxKhhNiFmrkZLfrZUv-pNfnOYXbbnaF5FqgEOZPQSgPJk1LasXhA1JUzZTySme1MypwFYNIqIQFpQekVeuQU62CvqT0F146ssPwthbAG3pa8_0TtqWXlQlu3hUQ/s1600-h/DSC_0252.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AOKrFykKXeecxKhhNiFmrkZLfrZUv-pNfnOYXbbnaF5FqgEOZPQSgPJk1LasXhA1JUzZTySme1MypwFYNIqIQFpQekVeuQU62CvqT0F146ssPwthbAG3pa8_0TtqWXlQlu3hUQ/s320/DSC_0252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308386497034358674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2Qn6DcmD8Gw9B2AQrHPf0GCUjP4mrXuwCCODv9yZPCtfeev4Yg5v0DBVJfqaOm0T1LZjWa6Lg8-FN3o5IFzu1E9iYHZxwYKflKWXo7qJ4HWq0bam3mFYVD-5r-L7ImsUC0B_Gw/s1600-h/DSC_0250.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2Qn6DcmD8Gw9B2AQrHPf0GCUjP4mrXuwCCODv9yZPCtfeev4Yg5v0DBVJfqaOm0T1LZjWa6Lg8-FN3o5IFzu1E9iYHZxwYKflKWXo7qJ4HWq0bam3mFYVD-5r-L7ImsUC0B_Gw/s320/DSC_0250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308386321682694450" border="0" /></a>This weekend, we attended an event cache on Saturday morning at a Japanese campground with an amazing view (tent sites, as well as huts with small kitchen and bath facilities which seem to be run entirely on solar power), met some of the other cachers on the island. There were games, contests, and fellowship. Lots of kids running around, climbing rocks, running races, throwing sticks - good clean fun. Then Sunday, we headed up to find a geocache at The British Wine and Tea Shop in the northern part of our island. Lovely shop, good company, delicious menu, including <span style="font-style: italic;">proper </span>English tea and fresh homemade scones and jam. We also headed up to Yaedake Bread of Life Bakery and adjacent farm (where a friend of ours recently spent a month <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWOOF">WWOOFing</a>) to place a cache of our own, using our minimal Japanese to explain geocaching to the owners. This was all totally new to them, they were excited to learn about the game. We left there with a bag of oranges and a papaya from their farm, and, of course, some bread from the bakery. We got home late and the kids were naturally and happily exhausted. Since our weekends are pretty much full of geocaching and exploring, that means Mondays are catching up on housework and chores, so I must go...Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-86345422321746590832009-02-28T20:20:00.002-05:002009-02-28T20:24:44.872-05:00hey I don't want to hear it...I know it's been a while. <br /><br />But you have just got to hear this one...<br /><br />Mia doesn't like being upstairs alone, so today I suggested she go upstairs when Daddy goes up. So she's following him up and starts saying that they have to get dressed in separate rooms, because they have different parts and we aren't supposed to see each other parts. <br /><br />'and Daddy, last night when I was being Simon's bath buddy, we were having <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >technical difficulties</span> because Simon kept standing up in the tub and I kept seeing his priiiivaaates!'Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-88126306228755941302009-01-04T21:55:00.001-05:002009-01-04T21:55:32.698-05:00<a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=49727&l=9c473&id=637284905">facebook photo album </a>Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-43546382610181379372008-11-09T06:20:00.003-05:002008-11-09T06:45:11.957-05:00They're at it again...Remember <a href="http://csmdad.blogspot.com/2007/09/perils-of-homeschooling.html">this little homeschooling gem?</a><br /><br />They're at it again. This afternoon, I was watching a movie and the kids were... around, but not necessarily watching it. After a bit, they went upstairs to play. They were being a little wild up there, I could hear. But it's been rainy and wet, so they haven't been outside to spend any energy. It's somewhat tolerated some days - at least they were getting along. <br /><br />Tonight, during clean up leading into 'lamp time' I asked them to gather up the little pieces of what seemed like fifteen different games, building sets, etc. into a big pile in the middle of the rug so we could sort them out. They busted out laughing, yelling 'feed the fire'. They admitted that they had been pretending to 'feed the fire' by throwing toys and bed sheets in the middle of the room. So where on earth did they get this idea? <br /><br />Well, the movie I was watching is <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309820/">Luther.</a> It's a bit graphic and more than a little hard to understand. I didn't think they were absorbing any of it. But there's a line in the movie spoken by the character <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><a name="qt0283448"></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Professor Andreas Karlstadt:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > </span> Feed the fire with every lie ever written in Rome!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-jilpbQaHpY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-jilpbQaHpY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I highly recommend this movie. Ralph Fiennes is amazing, as is Sir Peter Ustinov, and many others, whom you'll recognize, by face, if not by name.Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-65830834202141474272008-11-03T07:52:00.002-05:002008-11-03T08:01:21.850-05:00Heads Up!Just a heads up to all of you readers states-side... Japan does not practice daylight savings time, so we are now on a 14 hour time difference! We are <span style="font-style: italic;">ahead</span> of you.<br /><br />This just occurred to me tonight while waiting for <a href="http://boortz.com/nuze/index.html">boortz.com</a> to update with today's program notes, usually 9:30pm our time. Ugh, now I have to wait till 10:30pm?? But, on the up-side we get election result coverage Wednesday beginning at 9am! No staying up all hours of the night nursing our <a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/10/erica_jongs_fear_of_losing.asp">back spasms </a>waiting for election results.Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10797203.post-76933127589025107472008-11-02T22:37:00.003-05:002008-11-02T22:40:17.205-05:00Mia (rolling on the floor in a pile of puzzle pieces, for the second time in a week): Can someone please help me with this puzzle?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[silence]</span><br /><br />Mia (increasing her pitch): Can someone please help me with the puzzle or my head will explode from an invisible nuclear missile?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[muffled giggling]</span>Jax and companyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202841415448369006noreply@blogger.com2