CHEF OF THE DAY...my little STAR!

Sometimes in life things happens that make you think... hmmm? that's ass backwards... life is gonna get interesting. Around here you never know when that might happen... but some how it always does. There are the normal hmmmm? Like when its still April and the kids are in the creek hunting crawdads, minnows and frogs, strange and early this year considering we were JUST on the frozen lake! There are the things you expect... like the saucy looks, the attitude, and the bold in your face Kamakazee Jane... and Mama's sweet kid ... the Fishslayer Aryk ... who for the most part has had no problem letting his sister take the stage, stepping back while she took charge, using his long locks for his hidden power, his Mama for his safety net (yes...I am a terrible Mom that has babied her baby!) and his kiss ass cute maneuvers to charm those around him.

Both little spitfires once they are in their zone...the comfort spot...the places that make them feel cool.

Last week the kids came a running.... shouts and smiles declaring a show at the mall the place to be. For Fric and Frac around here the TV gets but a few channels, only realizing at 2/3years old ... the cartoons actually came in color...cause Mom being the Loon that she is... really has no problem watching black and white of it means good reception. By choice we are anti~cable/satellite/million channel surfers.... mostly cause I am so cheap, and have trained My Love well... but also cause I think its crap... for the most part... advertising for little brains to train them how to dress... look... and what to buy to be cool.

Cartoons, nature shows, "educational stuff"..and mainly no commercials were always accessible on TVO or CBC, the kids always knowing when to switch the channel, dancing, learning and playing.

Saturday the TVOkids presented a show at the local mall, promoting healthy eating and their themed name... DSS... DON't SiT StILL!!! I googled it to check the schedules, agreeing that yes we could make that date. We also clicked on the contest icon and entered our FRESH SCRAMBLED EGGS as our healthy meal of the day option. Go figure... Ryki won!

The 48 hrs between the win and the show have been funny to say the least, as I watched my wee shy guy tremble, be proud, excited and in total despair.

"Mama....what if its on TV? and what if I SCREW UP AND ITS ON TV"

"Mama... whats this?" asked Ryki

"well honey its just a spot ...from the pineapple we ate this week! nothing to worry about...I can't even notice it.... !"

(hmm... pretty sure when the stress came out...so did the cold sore!)

"Mama... I know its great that Ryki won... but I am jealous... soooo jealous"

It was wonderful to find out that the show was in fact just a stage show... no TV camera's recording... a couple digital pics at most... on stage and off in no time. There was a sigh of relief come over Ryki's face... and a sigh of relief breath thru Mama's heart.

The reminders, the cheers, the fact that Dad was gonna be there! The nervous moments heading back stage to meet THE DSS Crew FROM TVO!?

The shy little voice that squeaked out "hello my name is Aryk" and the final reminder from his sister... "I would ..NOT BE SHY"

The introduction, the drum roll, the music from the speakers?! .....

hmmm? ya know what was ass backwards? my worry, was my fear, my thoughts of "he CAN do it right?????'

Ryki Racine... Chef of the Day and Guest of TVOkids DSS Crew

on stage live at the Northgate Mall

Proudly standing using his big guy voice... smiling for the crowds and handling the show like the wee man that he is...

My BIG STAR!

Besides my giddy emotions, and my proud babbles... it was a fun ... exciting and a COOL TIME at the show. So much fun to watch all the kiddies jumping, dancing and singing to the beat. I am an avid fan of all the TVO programming here ... TVOntario, its great to see the energy and enthusiasm behind the DSScrew there to help the kids... learn to grow... happy healthy and NOT SITTING STILL!

the whole net thing... and privacy.. and what not

You know literally a few months before this Loon came online she was anti~online.... phobic about the whole exposure, the privacy invaded... the potential to look into the screen and contract some terrible plague...generated by some nerd in the basement... I had a dream once and it stuck with me... OK!



But then I went online... I got connected and quickly learned from various sites, peeps, stranger friends and things how to get along.. meet and make new family and friends. I am still terrible at the phobia stuff... still a newbie when it comes into signing in ... logging on or managing to get a picture to go where I want... but at the same time great at spamming my own life thru pics into the computer... the things I do thru the day... saving my pics safely online after learning the depression that follows when a hard drive fries and there are a 'lifetime' of photos on there.



With anything ... its always been privacy first... never do anything that may leave a trail... my name should never be googled and found... little did I know...its tricky... hell My Love can be googled and turn up a porn star! I have always been careful knowing the life a blended family can spin to pay attention to the privacy details, and whats available out there.



Facebook was one of those things, the public forum that opens the world up like a grand park in the centre of town. Where you can say anything... be anyone(you can't be in person...learned this one fast from experience!), and share .. the details... the smiles ... the rants and raves...and sometimes... REAL life.



Now speaking as a Mama ... facebook has entered the playground. Where I bitched about the age appropriate~ness... the reality of life on the net and the implications of things that can haunt you forever... I have relented and turned yet another corner... thinking I should consider 'the domains of their names' and let them at it. Reality says...they do not hotmail anymore...there is not much MSN on the screen... the kids, the teens...they are there... crack'n'da'book.



BUT... and here is the Loony Mama thought of the day...



there is still life...our own space... our lifespace that tiny bit of megabyte that the KIDS don't need to be, can't hear from the next room... that extra click in our day where we say.... those thoughts are private.



Now for me ... its a personal thing as well as a Mama thing... where I know the access granted is not just viewed by my wee Boy in the Beach...where there is another set of eyes... watching. But a thing to think about for all... cause as a personal pet peeve....



I really think too many little people get to be seeing the big people things... making their young and exciting living shorter than it really has to be.



I love the connections... the smiles shared, and the chance to say hello... but really... do our kids need to see the REAL WORLD YET?



I have a policy... something to think about ... something to share...



If ya gonna be the favorite Aunt... the cousin from a far, the mom, the dad, or the Gramma... do our kids and the rest of their school really need to Read All About It? (insert sarcasm here for any cannucks who may remember! LOL)



When you write your next status... just remember... 10 friends or 154... maybe 1002...



if you add a kid is it PG approved?



Resolution... when updating your latest status... click on that little padlock... click customize...and add kids under 18... it stays just that way... defaulted to block the little minds from big people thoughts... if you have something special...quarky or true... by all means change it for a moment and default back ...

AND... just in case... what if you don't know you can...

do you want friends of friends...of their friends knowing today is the day you have cramps? today is the day you got kicked outta the laundry mat? the day you fell down in the beer store ? dropping a case of beer and taking out your comfy walking for the next six months?

you can set that too....

privacy is a right we all have...we just have to have the know how to set it...to respect it and to show it... says A. Loon April 2010



just saying... its a thought... to remember...once you post it... once you hit enter... it goes past your screen and onto the big wide web.



I was once asked about my friends adding my kids... and I replied...anyone who is my friend is not just there to share...but to have their eyes open... to watch and protect.... I believe in my friends and fam to do this... have done it to my own wee family members... sharing the realities...the warnings, and the plain old thoughts on privacy and safety on the net...



as a note... TODAY compared to YESTERDAY... things change... like life and like tomorrow...

I have recently added a skype feature to my laptop... I am working on a new project online... and having a freaking KAnipTion fit doing it... the skype is fantastic...the project... a pain in the ass (so I enlisted HELP! ) and still I type here looking at the webcam thinking....



HAS IT BEEN HACKED?

So about this Homeschooling Stuff

Its that time of year again when the sun shines that much brighter... when the birds are singing and there are so many other things to do besides sit at a table filling in the blanks. When our motivation leans towards calling it quits to another year of SCHOOL... at least the paperwork part of it anyways.

I have given up trying to count what year we are in... while I am sure the kids will say "I am in Grade Three/Two" I have never been one to name the Grades. We have accomplished our main goal this year... and that is to have both brats reading.. and they are!

I was asked on the weekend how things work with homeschooling by a local store clerk... as gradually in the small town people eventually clue in on why my kids are with me 24-7 and not in school. My answer was... however we want it to work!

I always try to resist the urge to spill the smart ass comments, and smile as I explain the basics.

1. No we do not have to spend from 9am-3pm sitting at the table filling in the blanks. When you are teaching two kids and not twenty the learning happens faster.

2. No we choose not to follow a curriculum... if I wanted that I would send them to school. The kids decide (this is where that unschooling thing comes in) If they want to do subtraction with borrowing ALL week long...so be it.. they can ... and they do. And reality says... these days ... you can pull anything off the Internet! Be it worksheets, lesson plans, or online learning games...its all there... available and free!

3. We DO have various rules ... like the Monday to Friday rule that says... you cannot Facebook until you have done your reading, and your expected 'learning on paper' So should they choose to not do their work... they do not get their facebook... and while I declare ... it must be done by 2pm... there are those days when they do not... when my patience to sit has wained, when Aspen will spend her time creating her art, painting, coloring, designing, and going through my paper like there is no tomorrow and when Ryki spends his day molding his clay, reading his comics, or just running around outside, stick in hand and adventures ahead. Around here ... THAT IS OK!

But most of all... we learn from everything around us. The fractions and measurements are learned when we are cooking, animals and classifications are learned when we are in the yard, or the window with our books identifying the little wildlife running around, and following their tracks, making our shopping lists for the week, searching for the best deals, while learning how much things really cost. And while we will bring the school year to an end earlier again this year.. I like to think the learning will continue, as we plan and plant the gardens, begin another fishing season, maintain and ride the wheeled toys, and master the watercrafts .... whatever we choose to build and create along the way, and of course... manage the farminals... Ryki current mission right now, to check on our chickens, checking for eggs, sneaking treats from my fridge and ensuring his birds R happy birds.

And of course... the number one question that people seem to ask, a true test of their own intelligence I have found... "DO YOU SOCIALIZE YOUR CHILDREN?"

I have to admit... this is my WTF moment in the question period on homeschooling. While I understand the question, the reasoning.. its the moment when asked that just makes me go hmmm. Like when I am sitting on the beach or in the park watching as my children play... not just with themselves, but with others, always quick to make new friends... this is when those mom's ask the stupid question... DO I SOCIALIZE MY CHILDREN? hmm... do you see them playing happily over there with stranger~friends? Are they walking around whacking kids cause they do not know how to play? Socialization can come in many forms, around here having two kids to bounce off each other ... it happens every day. Ryki gets bullied into doing what his big sister wants, Aspen learns the consequences when he flips her the bird and says NO WAY, we have made and maintained friends from all over, thru our travels and play, and YES I am proud to say... my children are more social than some teens (even adults?!) I know!

My Love will always complain when we get the 'report card' home from the Beach Boy.. the terms and classifications, the explanations of what he is learning... confusing to say the least giving you the moments of WTF? does THIS have to do with education? WTF? does that mean? While I am sure there should be names and classifications for the learning we do... I am also sure the learning is understood... retained in their little minds for future use and reference. Ryki .. my little book smart guy, quick to even overtake his sister's abilities to read, and multiply, and Aspen my little brainIac ...a creativity star... and I am sure the girl you wanna call if you need something built as she spends her time working side by side with her Dad in the shop, building this and helping out with that, often even giving him an idea that will work (BETTER) than his own.

LEARNING is part of our EVERY DAY!

During an early morning match of cribbage... learning the art of combos to 15, how to count your points to take the lead, and pegging your way thru math....

or learning to cut a circle of mirror from Dad, and the how to's of reflecting the sunlight to 'shoot' your sister in the eye, or finding the right angle to shoot Dad playing poker from across the room....

or mastering the art of mixing just the right amounts of Vaseline with that tube of fake blood ... just to play an April Fool's Day joke on Mom

or just plain old... enjoying the spring sunshine and a fresh crop of wild leaks, helping Mom and Dad clean'em up and get them ready for DINNER! Learning the art of cooking your own french toast for breaky... or mastering the techniques of dumpling making...YUM!

Education is all around us... it doesn't JUST have to come from a book!

Spring Is In the Air

It's hard to believe that just over a week ago we were out on the frozen lake fishing! That our yard was still filled with snow... Spring has Sprung in the north, despite the still chilly temps, our snow has gone, the lake is melting and the winter toys have been stored for the year.

Around here the signs of spring are popping up everywhere. Peeking through the winter muck, and the mess in the gardens there are signs of green, signs of new life popping thru ready to grow and bloom into summer. Exciting for me as I find them... knowing where they will soon become!

Replacing the snow and dirt, and mulch with blooms a plenty, colors a many and flowers for my table!

The kids have been busy in the yard, cleaning up their wrecking yard, Aspen cleaning her kitchen and preparing daily treats. I was served my first serving of MUDFUDGE last week, with an added bonus of hot MUDCHOCOLATE sauce to top it off.

"how does it taste Mama?" she asked with a smile.

I replied with the look, the look of "RU serious" to which she replied...

"you don't have to really eat it MOM, just fake taste it and tell me what you think!"

Yes there are signs of spring everywhere, from the bikes that park outside my door, to the baskets tied in the tree's. Little spots around the acres that make way for play, for the imagination to run wild, and for the free range kids to explore.

March Break came to an end, a fantastic week full of giggles and smiles, with the Beach Boy finding his groove, his comfort zone ... and his need for speed! Trying out and mastering the summer toys, the quad, the dirtbug, the things on wheels that make you go zoom!

Now I know we are spoiled, spoiled to live in such a space, full of life, nature and beauty, but I am also grateful, that my kids not only can...but DO run, play, imagine and explore. I think kids these days miss out on that fun, miss out on the learning that comes from ..just playing. With so many sports, and dance and clubs to be treked to, so many activities organized and planned, there is little time left for just that... just the time to play and pretend. Don't get me wrong.. I am not ANTI~CLUB sorta thing, but do wonder... if life is planned and always scheduled for kids these days, always with something to do... where does that leave our kids? Are they learning to occupy their time alone? Are they able to plan for themselves? or do they grow with the expectations that it will be done, planned and taught for them? I admit I do hold small grudges, grudges against the man who only gives credit to those with a receipt. To those who trek their kids to activities, to be taught by others, to spend time learning from the teachers, coaches and experts. There is no credit given to fams like us, to our receipts for minnows, worms, seeds and dirt. For the time we actually spend teaching our own kids, spending time together as a family, instead of standing on the sidelines holding our Timmy Ho's cup ... pointing to the head on the team that is ours. YES~ another favorite memory as a Loony child growing up was exploring the backyard at my Aunt Joan's, myself, my sister, my cousin Debbie, building small bridges and forts in the 'swamp' carefully staying dry so we could return, pretending and playing....I believe every kid needs moments like this! It is fantastic to see our own kids now, playing, getting dirty and doing just the same... having FUN!

So its onto the spring clean up, patiently waiting to clean up the gardens, leaving the muck and the mess to protect my tiny plants. Time to clean up the coup, cause while I was planning a Head Chopping sorta party... my farminals have decided with spring and warm weather... the eggs shall return. And while its still not at a rate (more than one a day!) I would prefer...I will be patient, tuck those invites away, and wait and see.

And of course its not all sugar and spice...there are those facts of life that come with the snow

melting , with the things that lay hidden, frozen beneath the snow, the leftovers of winter, and the damn dogs and those things that they find... bring home, and deposit for Mama at the door. I thought the dead rodents around the yard were bad...nothing prepared me for Daisy's gift... her special find... dragged from down the road, over the pipeline...the gift that keeps on giving, and like the cats... always comes back?! The pets are enjoying spring with the cats enjoying the sunshine on the sidewalk, the dogs excited to know that though the skidoo runs are over...the quad runs have returned, tracking us thru the bush at breakneck speeds, keeping those watchful eyes open for a rabbit, or a scent of something good. Smokey... our wee kitty remains a wee kitty? What she seems to lack in kitty size, she makes up for with kitty FAT! Guessing of course her tail situation is the cause of her size, she is a happy feline, learning the art of stalking chipmunks and squirrels, following and harrassing our other 'Mamakat' and hanging with her BFF Ryki.

And now the wait begins, waiting for the Northern air to stay warm, for the fear of a snowstorm to leave, and for the green to be greener, the flowers to pop, and the gardens to give us those tasty snacks.

Cheers! to the sun shining on us all! and a big WOOT WOOT for Spring!

Another Season for the Books Comes to the End

The sun is shining, the snow is melting and spring is just around the corner. For most, their favorite time of year, time to say goodbye to the winter blah's, the shovels, and the long cold nights of winter. For us, another season ends, time for us to say goodbye to our little cottage on the lake, and our peaceful sunsets with poles in hand, our season on the ice fishing is over for yet another year. It was another great season out on the ice, smiles and laughter, FISH and times with family and friends. We have yet to compare this year to last, our catches carefully recorded on the fish calendar, marking the days we ate, and the days we were skunked, happy I am to report...there are more days with fish than without. And a new trophy to add to the shelf for another winning catch by the Crew...third year running we brought home the prize!

A season that started early for a change with the ice being ready the first of January, and ended with a bang. Cold nights made for great ice this past week, the final days of the season. Also making for an easy removal of the shack... a blessing really after last year and the foot of slush on top to trek the truck and shack thru. Last week, with our last of the season visit with our favorite Uncles Fred and Bob, we ventured out to explore the big lake, the islands out from 'The Rock'. In summer, our favorite swimming hole, in winter...wow! Fric and Frac roaming the islands, exploring, and finding treasures, and walking about the frozen Lake, freedom to roam and play. Definitely beats sitting behind a desk in school all day!

And the view?! Forget fishing! I could spend all day snapping shots of this and that, wondering with my bff The Rebel, waiting for the sun to hit just the right spot, to sparkle and shine thru the ice, the tree's, my kids!... total Loony fun for this camera junkie!

So now its time, to put away the skates, bring the pots and pans home from the shack, and tuck away the ice fishing rods for the next season to begin. Collect the 'year round' fishing stuff, to be ready for May when the season of fishing begins again.

Ice Fishing Season 2009/2010 another successful year with the crew!

and a FINAL FUNNY

I rushed to the store last week for essentials, grabbing a tub of ice cream along the way. While dishing it out after dinner, Ryki asked..."what kind is it Mama" from the living room to the kitchen. "Its pecan, caramel swirl" I replied. Ryki came into the kitchen for his bowl, with that puzzled kinda look on his face, peering into the tub

"do they really put SQUIRREL in ice cream MOM??!!!"

just don't forget... Flour Your Balls~!

Recently I was tempted by the grocery store flyer to make use of a sale, one of those $4.99 deals where you get a box of premade meatballs... just heat up and serve. I was quickly reminded by My Love that those are really 'just crap in a box' and reality says they wreak havoc on our systems. Meatballs are like a staple @ our dinner table here, for the picky little Ryki who eats like FIVE grown men, non stop "I am hungry", and for me .. the chef who likes to get the job done in less than an hour and normally... just in time for Cornation Street to come on. And really...one of the easiest things to make and sooo tasty! But there are tricks to this trade of homemade goodness... so today ... lets share! First there are always those pesky bread crumbs, and me being picky... if I can't get the ones I like than I do it myself. Easy as toast...literally! Two pieces of bread toasted once, and then lightly gain, cut into strips and crush! After that I add the garlic (of course!) a tablespoon of onion soup mix, if I am feeling peppy... maybe even some Parmesan

But the trick my friends to the perfect meatball... when you R ready to fry....

FLOUR THOSE BALLS!

A quick roll in flour before they hit the pan... something I learned in a favorite old book of mine from 1909. The trick happens when the flour browns before your balls... leaving the most perfect little morsels in the pan...without burning them! And... a secret tip for tasty balls... when they are just about done...to add a little sweetness? sprinkle a little sugar (I prefer brown) and give them balls a whirl... adding a quick sweet glaze and flavor galore!

And with Ice fishing season here... and our lucky ways of catching those delish fish? works great on them fillets too!!!

And for a final note... from my Loony kitchen a cost saving trick that keeps the cheese fresh, frustrations low, and more money in your pocket. When it comes to storing stuff around here... my dream is that everything would fit in a mason jar. I have my own Loony issues with plastic, and the wrap that doesn't stick, or the foil that foils my fresh factor. When it comes to cheese...in this house it comes in a block, rarely 'in a bag' as Ryki calls those plastic slices. And when it comes to keeping the block fresh... I say ...keep it in the package. I must confess my visual aids today involve My Love's lack of paying attention... lack of listening when I say... CUT IT BIGGER! but the trick comes out the same... forget the additional wrap, or finding a container... use the package it comes in! go figure...it fits and keeps the cheese fresh!

note... another Loony issue comes to uploading these pics... WHY do I have to drag them thru the blog? WHY do they go left and not right?

WHY WHY do I have to be so gifted in the kitchen and so challenged at the keyboard? insert giggle here!

On a family note... we attended the local Callander Bay Ice Fishing Derby again this year... third year running... third year we brought home a trophy!!! Claiming first prize for the biggest Northern Pike... Ryki was very proud to bring home ... a BIGGER trophy compared to years gone by. And while I am willing to confess... it was Dad who actually brought in the fish, I am also proud to say that once again my kids have clocked many hours out on the frozen lake... fishing EATING, skating and playing in and around humble little shack. Our Beach Boy's first year on the frozen lake...fishing with his Dad, smiling and laughing with the fam...LOVING ice fishing like the rest of us! (AND besides...the adults do not get trophies! only the kids do!)

With only a couple weeks left of the season...here's hoping for many more fish in the pan!