Book Review: 15 Minutes Outside Rebecca Cohen

I have been reading some really great family living or parenting books (if you would) lately!  One of the things that has been difficult at times in my house is getting Aidan outside everyday.  We love spending time outside, but let's face it, being sick last year and the beginning of the year hasn't helped that much, and Aidan's long commute to NH to school, one hour round-trip for him, and two hours for me sometimes makes it hard to make that extra effort to get outside.  I gotta tell you, it was a lot easier at the old apartment being on the first floor to spend time outside while supper is cooking, in the back yard playing or watering our garden.  Also, now that Aidan is in first grade we don't get home until about 4, which isn't that bad, but I am surprised at the amount of homework first graders get!

So, in an effort to acknowledge the fact that we needed some new ideas to get us moving to Create More Time in our busy days to just get out there, I ordered a book written by Rebecca Cohen, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids.  Rebecca's book is great!  It organizes activities by season, and by month, so it is easy to pick up and find a good activity for the current season, without having to read through the whole book!  I got the book a few weeks back, and decided to put my plans into action!  Rebecca mentions her kids getting up a bit early to enjoy some play time outside before school.  What a great idea!  A nice way for Aidan to move around and wake up before our long drive to school.  I figured if he got the wiggles out before school started, maybe he would be more focused in school during his morning classes.  We have a great park right on our street that is on our way to school!  It's the perfect spot for morning play time!  I can't wait to try some of her other simple, fun ideas, and I think you should order her book too, if you are looking for new inspiration!  You can find out more about Rebecca on her site, Rebecca Plants.  She has a ton of great resources, including her own tv show called Get Out of the House!  On her site you can download a checklist of 50 Outdoor Activities Guide For Busy Families.  You can find the free download here 50 Outdoor Activities download.  Here are some pictures of our fun outside before school!  Enjoy!

I'm King!

Practicing his reading skills!

We have such a beautiful view overlooking the water.  Aidan was so relaxed.  It was so nice not rushing around last minute out the door, and straight to school.  I made sure he knew the night before that if he got dressed and got his stuff together, I would make the time for him to play outside before school.  I never saw him get ready so quick.  It helped to have his clothes ready the night before, but you know how kids are for an adventure they will be ready in a flash!

There is no playground at this park.  The area above, Aidan enjoys feeding the ducks and fish.  We will be getting him a fishing pole soon!  You can see how little rain we have had lately by looking at the next pictures.  Last time we were here, Aidan couldn't cross the smelly Swamp!  He enjoyed using a stick to push around in the mud, and get his rain boots wet, but on this day he was really excited to be able to cross what a few weeks before was a swamp.  It made for a very educational conversation on our ride to school, and Aidan got started off to a great day!

Book Reviews Net Galley (Amish)

I mentioned Net Galley in one of my last posts.  It is a great way to get some books for your Kindle to read and review for the publisher.  Since I have not been feeling too well, I have been doing a lot of reading.  For me, reading is a great way to take a break from my own life and to get lost in a story.  When I started learning more about the Amish faith and culture, I became fascinated with their simplicity and their ability to stay that way in today's times. I enjoy reading both Fiction and Non-Fiction, and I have enjoyed learning more about the Amish and their ways.  Within the past few days I have finished two books pertaining to the Amish way, one fiction, and the other non-fiction.  Both were from authors I have not read before.  I know a lot of people are not religious and the Amish are very religious people.  Even for people who are non-believers, or have different beliefs, I feel there is still a lot of great qualities and skills that can be gleaned from the Amish of today.

The first book I read is Almost Amish by Nancy Sleeth.  It is a memoir of Nancy's families quest to lead a simpler life, and grow together spiritually, with all the modern conveniences we have.  Almost Amish is the story of how Nancy's family went from living the big life, in a big home, her husband was an ER physician and she an English teacher, and through her husband's new found belief in God, the family decided to downsize their home, get rid of many of their worldly possessions, and learn to live a simpler life.  During this journey, they moved a few times, and studied the Bible in search of scripture about nature, and how we, as the Lord's stewards should treat it.  It is the story of how a family grew spiritually, all committing their lives to the Lord, and through studying the Amish way of live, staying close to home (riding a horse and buggy), therefore the Sleeths' looked for ways to Become "Almost Amish"  Some great examples she gave that I have been gradually adding in my own life are things such as buying locally (to support your community and know your community), having faith when times are tough, building a community of like-minded people you can count on and share with, spiritually and otherwise.  Nancy talks about branching out when you go to a new community and making friends.  The Sleeths' have made Friday night Dinner at home where sometimes twenty of more people including their now grown children get together and break bread and share food.  Food brings people together.  In the Amish Culture, food is a huge part of their lives.  Families eat together mostly 3 meals a day, and are closer because of it.  Nancy's family is very close and she attributes this to the fact that they have slowed down, to enjoy life.  Nancy does enjoy using the internet, in fact she uses it for her job in their ministry.  She does keep the Sabbath however, as does the rest of her family, and does not use email on Sunday.  She finds that this has helped her relax more and enables her to spend more time with her family, and doing things she enjoys such as reading, taking long walks, spending time visiting, gardening etc.  Nancy includes scripture that applies to these beliefs and that the Amish apply to their lives daily.  It is a great book, and it makes me want to continue to simplify my life even more, so that I can enjoy more time with my family and friends.  It is often difficult to find time for things you truly want to do, in today's fast paced world.  Nancy's book, Almost Amish, shows that it is possible to reevaluate your life without sacrificing the things that are truly important to you and your family.  I would highly recommend this book, and I know that I will definitely read it again.  The book is due out April 1st 2012.
Nancy's website is Blessed Earth.  There are many great references on this site, including a list of books about green living.  I am going to get some of those books and see if I enjoy them as much as I enjoyed Almost Amish.  The great thing about Almost Amish is you can have the attributes listed in the book anywhere you live, in the city of in rural areas.  If you find yourself interested in learning more about Amish ways this book is definitely worth a read.

 Return to Grace by Karen Harper was another enjoyable book I read from Net Galley.  This book was unlike any of the other books about the Amish I have read so far.  This book is suspenseful, and focuses on a murder investigation in Amish Country.  The main Character Hannah Esh, leaves home when her beloved Seth, tells her that he made another woman pregnant and he would have to wed her.  Hannah left to pursue a singer career in the Englisher world.  She turned Goth, and returned to the Amish graveyard for a midnight party on Halloween night.  While there, they were shot at.  Hannah was injured and a friend killed.  She is hospitalized and home for the investigation and her recovery.  Harper weaves a great story with many twists and turns.  This book is a part of a series, and I enjoyed it so much I am going to buy book two as soon as it's available.  During all of the investigating and the chaos that occurs Hannah is caught one foot on each side of the fence, trying to decide if she will go back to her worldly ways, or stay Amish with the family and friends in the community she loves.  This book is set to come out on February 28th.  I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens in book two and others to follow.  I had a difficult time putting this book down and if you like Amish stories as well as suspense/mystery stories you should enjoy this is well.

I finished Return to Grace Last night, and I have not decided what I will be reading next.  Since Spring is fast approaching I may look at some of my gardening or sustainable living books, even though my yard at the new place is not as big to do as much as I would like, and there are three kids that live and play here as well, I think it will be some container gardening for me this year! 

New Year! Update!

I know I haven't posted for several months now.  I had just got my blog up and running, and then I needed to have a major surgery.  I thought I would be better after recovering, but we had to move, due to a severe mold infestation.  During these last few months I have still been having health issues, some mold related, and had to have a few more surgeries.  Unfortunately, I haven't been spending as much time in the kitchen as I would like to.  I am grateful that I was able to get a lot of canning done thanks to my CSA share at Farmer Dave's CSA, and the Haverhill Farmer's market.  All that work before I was sick is helping a lot now.

Farmer Dave's Apples!

 We are reaping the benefits of our canning during the Summer and Fall. We are lucky to be enjoying "fresh" vanilla peaches in January!  The recipe is found in an earlier post here,  Peaches in Vanilla,  Hot Pepper Jelly for Christmas gifts, Dilly Beans, and Pickles for snacks, and homemade canned beans, saves some money at the grocery store.  Last night Aidan and I made a "homemade" apple pie with Apples from Farmer Dave's and the Haverhill Farmer's Market, because we canned some Apple Pie Filling!  With a store bought refrigerated crust, we had the fresh taste of homemade, local apples, and Aidan and I enjoyed a bit of time in the kitchen.  Since I have been spending much of my time taking it easy, I have found more time for my other passion, reading!  The recipe that we used for the apple pie apples came from a recipe I adapted from goddesshobbies.blogspot.com  Her ingredient list are as follows. 

Sarah Jean's Apple Pie Filling

Granny Smith Apples

4 1/2 cups of sugar

2 Tbs cinnamon

1/2 tea nutmeg (I liked 1 tea)

1 tea salt

1 cup corn starch

10 cups water

Mix all ingredients, except corn starch. Mix the corn starch with a little water and then add it in. Boil all ingredients. 

Fill jar half-full with apples.  Jam them in.  Then fill the jar part way with the syrup and fill with more apples to the rim of the jar.  (Normally, I am prepared and have pictures for you, but today, I don't....Sorry ; ) !  )  

Work bubbles out with a knife.  Wipe the rim of the jar, and add lids.  Submerge in a hot water bath for 20 mins.  I believe I got 6 or 7 quarts and a pint or so.  I never made a pie with a canned filling before, but my boy and I were pleasantly surprised.  It took almost two quarts to make a 10" pie.  Some of the sauce was left and a few apples, but my boy enjoyed snacking on a bowl of the delicious apples right out of the jar, while our pie was in the oven.  Easy Peasy!  I will definitely be using this recipe for years to come! 

As a family, my lil guy, the big guy and I are all avid readers.  My parents bought me a kindle for my birthday.  I didn't think I would like it much because I love turning the pages, and the feeling and weight of holding the book while I read.  I knew I would need to find a good cover!  I searched high and low.  I wanted to find one that is made in the USA, and would stand up to being used a lot.  I found one I truly loved on Oberondesign.com.

Here is the link to my Tree of Life Kindle cover!
http://www.oberondesign.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1609

Oberon Designs Tree of Life Leather Kindle 4 Cover.  Made in the USA!

I love the way it feels and it is so nicely hand tooled!  Between Amazon's free reads I have found on pixelofink.com and www.netgallery.com, I have managed to find a bunch of great books to start my ebook library.  I hope to share some of my reviews on here.  I enjoy many different genres, to the cooking, canning, gardening, memoirs, Non-fiction, historical fiction, romance, inspirational, and more.  I find myself reading a lot of Amish fiction lately.  I am enjoying learning about their culture.  I love doing things the old way a lot, and if you know anything about the Amish way of life, they live without electricity, they can, bake, cook, garden.  My son calls them "the pioneers of today", and he's right.  I hope you will enjoy my new entries when I get a chance to get on here and post some updates and reviews.  I hope everyone enjoyed a safe and happy Holiday season with their families.

I just ordered a Vitamix a few days ago, so once we receive it and get a chance to try it out, we will be having a post hopefully soon!

Our little tree at the new place! 

Me and my Little Baker!

Kellie~

Chickens!

I so wish that I could have a small chicken coop, so that we can have fresh chicken eggs for all our our cooking and baking.  Chickens are great.  They are not messy, they keep away fleas and other bugs such as mosquitos, and they are not messy or noisy.   The other cool thing about chickens is that you only need to have three hens (no rooster needed), to be provided with an abundance of eggs for you and your family. 
We are so interested in chickens that we went to a discussion at the Haverhill Library put on by the Haverhill Farmer's Market. about keeping chickens put on by local farmers.  So one of my reading topics as of late has been urban farming, and  keeping chickens in the city.  I know realistically I will not be able to have chickens any time soon, but as a start my family and I can commit to buy local farm fresh eggs, and learn as much as we can about someday having a coop of our own.  I have read some great books on the subject.  One is called Made from Scratch Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life by Jenna Woginrich.  Two others I have been perusing are A Chicken in Every Yard by Robert and Hannah Litt.   I also just got the book Chicken and Egg by Janice Cole, but I have not had the time to look through that one yet. 

Jenna has a great blog  called Cold Antler Farm which can be found here:
http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/