7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol 200)

1
July through to October for us has no less than ten major events!! Last week we survived four; 3 children’s birthdays, their birthday party, our niece’s engagement party 6 hours away and our Deacon’s Ordination.  Now though it’s time to focus energy towards the next 6, all of which involve far more details, planning and execution.  In two weeks we co-ordinate and host our local homeschool sports day, in five weeks we host our annual Catholic homeschool camp, and Anna Maria’s 21st, in eight weeks we all attend my brother’s Wedding (one son is in the Groom’s Party) this will be held 7+hours away, and in eleven weeks we all attend our nephew’s Wedding 5 hours away and at the conclusion of October the oldest four/five attend a Pilgrimage 3 days travel away.

2
This morning I realised I could procrastinate no longer on preparations for these events.  To this end I wrote out a major ‘to do’ list and began working my way through it, I am no longer hyperventilating, as I completed many major ‘to dos’ today:)  One item to do and now done was finding accommodation for all 12 of us whilst attending our nephew’s Wedding.  Outfits for both Weddings are still on the ‘to do’ list, fortunately both dress codes are formal and as they are for different sides of the family they can be re-cycled.

3
Contributing this week to my feelings of ‘being overwhelmed’ was the fact the washing had backed up severely, due to a combination of several factors including wet beds a few days in a row.  On Wednesday I hung 16 loads of washing which really is insane and definitely sets the top record for the largest amount of washing undertaken in one day.  I give thanks that I didn’t live in the days prior to electric washing machines, I consider the invention of the washing machine the most pivotal invention of the Century.

4
Maturity is a wonderful process, it really is. Jack Jack our 8 year old has moved back into a bedroom with his younger brothers, as part of this move he has voluntarily taken on the role of mentor.  He encourages the younger boys to clean their room and leads the way.  Today, unasked he sorted 6 baskets of washing (from Wednesday’s wash) into separate piles for each boy, and then into clothing piles, ie jumpers, jeans etc, this made it all a ‘tackle able task’ for me to fold. His maturity has happened overnight and I’m bemused as to how he has learnt these skills and made this transition.

5
Thinking maybe I should teach him how to iron;) with his enthusiasm and energy he may just manage to scale that insurmountable, towering pile. Actually I’m sure if I put a monetary value on each item needing to be ironed I’d have some takers, tackling the mound in no time at all.  Yep the electric iron was another important invention.

6
Fantastic news, thanks to my eating changes I’ve lost weight, 2kgs (4.4lbs) in just one week!! Sticking to the plan of, cutting out all grains,(except oats) all sugars and white potatoes.  The potatoes have been the hardest to eliminate, they are rather a staple here.  The first three days were tough, I really, really craved sugar and might have ahem indulged in an undignified pity party.  Once however I sugar detoxed I’ve been doing much better, I even went to a Sisterhood meeting last night and cast nary a glance at the goodies.

7
In my efforts to learn more about nutrition I have been reading about fermenting food. I’m soaking oats the night before for breakfast the next day and have begun a sour dough starter with rye flour and can’t wait to make a sourdough loaf using rye and spelt flours.  I’ve made bread lots of times before but never sourdough, looking forward to tasting that loaf.

Visit Carolyn Svellinger, this week’s hostess for more 7 Quick Takes