What I Learned April

SOURDOUGH

I took a short class on sourdough.  We were given sourdough starter so I decided to give it a go. Making sourdough bread had been on my bucket list for a while. More details here of the whole sourdough experience

DIVING INTO THE DEEP END

My son is getting ready to graduate from High School .  There is a lot of madness surrounding that and adding to that is my son's special circumstances.  IT is a recipe for chaos. As my son transitions from high school to the community transition program, I am learning a lot about what the deep end might look for my kid.  I won't lie I am scared to death for him.  It keeps me up at night.  I have done more advocating this past month than I have done in a long time.  (calls, emails, MEETINGS) 

NO LONGER A DYE VIRGIN!

I think that declarative statement speaks for myself.  I got tired of referring to my gray hairs as glitter. My friend and cohort Mrs Epi gave me a non permanent dye job.  She did a terrific job. No one noticed but I felt a lot better.

Linking up with Chatting Up with the Sky

Earth Day Ivy Pulling

This is all of standing by the fruits of our labor.  We pulled so much IVY that it is

also piled in front of us - photo PNWbrat

A week ago we got a chance to volunteer with a local geocaching group to pull invasive ivy at Larabee State Park.  It was a great time. We did this a couple years back.  We pulled ivy right next to the area we did a couple years back.  It was amazing how clear it is still of ivy.  Our work really paid off. Our kids were real troopers and came out and pulled ivy too.

Our Selfie was photobombed by the rabbit ears

Diary of Mediocre Homemaker- Sourdough

Dear Diary
I feel like I have accomplished the holy grail of homemaking and even managed to make that mediocre.  My friend and I attended a short class on sourdough at the library from a cute baker guy. We received sourdough starter. 

Meet My Little Friend - My Starter - Tigger is checking it out.

First, I want to say the baker guy made it look extremely easy.  I managed to make a giant mess. I had starter everywhere and FLOUR too. 

The MESS

dough ball

I made two loaves. I was trying to use up my old wheat flours.  The one I made with whole wheat pastry flour we enjoyed more. The starter we received was part rye and whole wheat. This sourdough is the more healthy kind. We slathered ours in butter. Both loaves were totally edible though.

Linky Love

My Worst Nightmare - What if I accidently raise the bully - aka Where Helicopter Parents Need to Hover. OH SO VERY EXCELLENT !!!!!

The Kind Gesture That Helps Elizabeth Gilbert Find The Light Her Worst Day

Realistic Konmari for Moms - Marie Kondo wrote the book "The Magic of Tidying Up"  Her method is interesting and it helped me but I love this more realistic approach.

Doctors Explain How Hiking Changes Your Brain

Harriet Tubman to Appear on the 10 Dollar Bill - I think this is pretty exciting.

t-shirts with a message #9 - hitting the motherlode

Sometimes for entertainment purposes, I look through the t-shirts at Value Village.  It is a great source of entertainment for me and my friends.  I have decided there is really nothing off limits for t-shirt sayings.  During Spring Break, Mrs Epi and I found the motherlode of amusing t-shirts. 

my favorite t-shirt

Something for Everybody Linky

6 Words to Say to Your Kids Today

The Novogratz Renovation  - Emily Henderson - Style by Emily. I love Emily and I love the Novogratz.  You got to check out the Novogratz Castle renovation.  It is pretty awesome.

John Schnabel's Eulogy - John Schnabel 96 years old is best know from the reality series Gold Rush. This was a really touching and interesting Eulogy. 

13 Signs You're a Washed-Up Couponer - I think I might be washed up.

19 Reasons Smoke Bombs are the Latest Wedding Trend - For REALS! Can't decide if  I like this or not.  Some of the pictures are really cool.

Man's Fitbit helps Doctors Save His Life

Hotel Guest Finds a Not of Warning in Sheets YIKES!

What I have Been Listening To (Podcasts)

I am a bit late to the whole podcast experience.  But I am addicted so I thought I would share a few I have enjoyed this week.

Only Human - Every (Dead) Body Has a Story - 29 min  - This follows some first year medical students in their anatomy class.  Discusses how students feel about the body they are dissecting and why someone who would donate their body to science. This  was really fascinating

Also from Only Human - When Opera Meets Autism

The House on Loon Lake on This American Life - This was intriguing.  A true story about a house found with all it's contents just abandoned  as the people just left in a hurry and never returned.