Casner Family Blog

Even though I still need to go out and water today, school books are being opened back up,  football games are starting and the nights are beginning to cool off and I can not help entertaining thoughts if cooler weather coming.  While I do not enjoy the cold, I do like wearing hats and hand warmers and jeans. (I really like knitting them as well. :))

I finished this hat Monday, still need to take a photo of it. If you recall last year, I spent a lot of timing trying to find and knit Matheau a good winter hat. Well, I finally found it. The pattern is from Brooklyn Tweed and it is perfect (and a free download). 

Our heirloom tomatoes are getting close to ready. These are Black Krim’s and will turn a shade of purple. I can’t wait! My sweet potato “patch” is going crazy, so I am hoping this Fall I will have lots of sweet potato fries to enjoy! Enough daydreaming - time for school to begin… 

Days go by so rapidly. Some many times I have so many things I want to get down on paper or here, and by the time I get to the computer, I have forgotten or am too tired to record it all…

1.  Lizzie took the photo of Alli and me
2. Some of the flowers in the garden-I love the colors.
3. Luke pondering some serious stuff of life.
4. Some recently finished handwarmers. Pattern is from The Knitter’s Book of Yarn. Yarn from The Plucky Knitter.

Sunday, a couple of our local churches hosted a back to school mud volleyball/dodgeball tournament at our new church property. Lots of mud and fun on a beautiful day… 

I have been blessed to be able to share a lot of vegetables and flowers this summer.

Just another trip to the garden… 

Alright, I am pretty stoked, I have a couple of dear friends pregnant right now. And if one of them have a girl… my gift is ready. 

I still need to add the buttons and block, otherwise, it is finished! 

There are days that when I get up, I am just a bit anxious about life and I have a hard time settling down into our normal pattern for the day. Some times I just need to take a walk to pick some flowers from the garden.   A few moments alone to gather my thoughts and ask the Lord for a little extra love and patience to help me through the day, and then I’m ready to live the rest of the day.

Luke’s new way of eating has been a bit hard. I decided it is a good thing that I love to bake, and a bad thing. The bad part is I am currently restricted from baking fresh breads, the good part is that as we try to find foods he can eat AND like, well, I am already used to spending time in the kitchen… We tried buckwheat pancakes yesterday. We didn’t like them one bit, not at all. But today, at my second attempt with apple muffins. Luke called them “the muffin miracle”. Hopefully today more of the gluten-free products I ordered will come in and I can make us some homemade pizza. I am really craving some pizza.   

On Saturday, Donna (Mom/Grandma) turned 60 and we surprised her. Everyone did a great job keeping the secret, so she was truly surprised.

 I had heard her say at one time that German Chocolate cake was her favorite. So this year, I called my Mom for her recipe. She makes an amazing one for my Dad for his birthday, and made it. -Mom I now have no reason not to help with Dad’s if you ever want me to.   

 I think our kids were just as excited about the surprise. They could not wait. They never understand why grown-ups don’t have real parties like they do. After Saturday, I think I agree, we all deserve a party.  

Last week Matheau helped me dig up our carrots. I knew I had a problem because every time I would pull one to see how they were doing, the carrot would look like it was supposed to be two, not one. When the package says to thin them when they start to grow close together… even if you may be worried that you will thin too much, just do it. I think they would have been alright if I would have, instead they are a bit small and all look like they were way too crowded to grow they way they should. 

I am still meal planning, just behind posting about it. Hopefully tomorrow I will post menus and later this week instructions for the recipe card holder.  

Yesterday I joined the ranks of all the other Moms taking pictures of their children in front of the school to help record their first day. I have been preparing for the first day for several months. Ever since the decision was made that Hannah would attend public school this year, it has been on my mind. It is not an easy transition to go from total control over your child’s education, to letting a whole group of people (not including yourself) make the decision. I know God allowed me to already know and love her teacher, or I don’t think I could have let go so easily. Wednesday evening, to help ease my first day of school jitters, I stitched up another napkin to surprise Hannah with for Thursday.

I made homemade white bread-her favorite and along with her fruit vegetables, packed her one of her favorite cookies.  Hannah’s lunch:sandwich made with homemade bread, all natural peanut butter and low sugar jelly. Tomatoes, cucumbers, cherries and a sugar cookie. Stitchery pattern from Wee Wonderfuls.   

Her lunch was much easier to pack then preparing Luke’s meals have been. He has always been a picky eater, now it is magnified 1000%. If he isn’t asking about purchasing a new pocket knife, he is asking about something to eat.Thankfully, I think Matheau found something else Luke likes, helping drive the tractor. Dad and son had a few lessons last night.

 I was walking down to the house from putting the hens up for the night and I saw them switch seats. My walk turned into a dash to the house to grab my camera.   

Tomorrow is everyones official first day. Luke and Allison at home and Hannah is going to public school for the first time. So we needed a couple of new things to go with school boxes, scissors, backpacks and much prayer. ;) 

Haircuts. Hannah found her own new look. It looks really cute AND moregrown up. 

Allison’s haircut is scheduled for next week, she is now consideringone like Hannah’s.  

I first found this lunch box at Berlin’s Whimsy.  To purchase, you can find them at Laptop Lunchboxes. There are separate compartments for each of your foods and it includes silverware and a water bottle. When you order one you also receive a book on recipe ideas and information on recycling and waste reduction. The cloth napkins are a reminder of home and reducing our amount of trash. I try to use them at mealtime at home, I just run out too quickly. I need to sit down and make about a dozen so they are always handy.