Summer Solstice Week

This week was the Summer Solstice.  Nevermind the fact that we have yet to have more than a day or two in a row of summer type weather.  Whether we feel ready for it or not the days are getting shorter again.  We were almost too busy to give it much thought.


We started out with a music recital.  Stephanie played piano and played a piano/flute duet with Kylie.  Jacob and Clara also each played piano and Jacob opened the performance with his Tenor Saxophone.  Both Jacob and Clara played pieces that they had wrote for the recital as well as some classic pieces.  They all did very well!

Then Tuesday was our retirement home volunteer day.  Clara chose the craft this time.  We brought sun catchers that you paint.  We met a new friend this time named Ruth.  She had only been there a week and she enjoyed the craft.

But more exciting than all of the other things we had going on....

We entered a new chapter in our family.  We are now the parents of an adult!

Stephanie turned 18!  We could write down all of our thoughts on this event but it would read like a cliche about how fast the time has gone and how it all seems like yesterday...  so we will spare you all of that and just say -

Stephanie we are so proud of the young woman you have become!  We look forward to seeing the plans God has for you in the next years.

Graduation!

We have our first homeschool graduate!  Stephanie completed her high school studies on June 7th!

She graduated with a 3.87.  We are so proud of you Stephanie!  You have worked so hard!

Thank you friends who came and helped make her day special!

Little Family Member, For a Little While

Had to do a quick post on our newest little family member who will be with us just a short time. 

We sure are enjoying her while she is here!

EJ left our home in May.  We do miss him but are happy to know he is doing very well where he is!

Mask Craft

The children enjoying putting together jewel masks.

The Visitor

Not what the chickens wanted to see perched above their netting.  He sat staring at them for about 10 minutes before coming to the conclusion that he couldn't get to them.

Anyone Remember This?

Does anyone remember the porch project from a year ago? 


In true Stetson style we started the project with the best of intentions but life got in the way and we never got back to it last summer.


Well we have completed it! 


We have such amazing, hard working young adults. 


Jacob did all of the brick work by himself.


Everyone helped with the beauty bark.


Mom designed the pond and waterfall.


Stephanie and Jacob built the pond and waterfall.

Jacob wore out a set of gloves.  These were new when we started.

Pond and waterfall leading to front.

Butchering class *Warning: Extremely Graphic*

Ok, Last warning, the pictures below are posted from the day of the butchering class and are extremely graphic.  If you eat any kind of meat know that someone works hard and spills the blood of animals this way on your behalf all the time. 


We took this class because:


We desire to be a little more a part of what we are eating
To understand the process 
To commit to treating the animal in the kindest way possible while it is with us 

And to grow meat in a way that is healthier for our bodies

This was an absolutely fantastic class that allowed a lot of hands on experience.
My homeschooled kids went way above and beyond disecting a frog.  They got to see entire body systems in intricate detail.  To be a part of removing organs.  To really be a part of the process.
I am so thankful for this learning opportunity for them.

This was a 6 year old boar that had been castrated about 6 months ago so that there would be no trace of boar taint to his meat.  You can see his tusks.  They had been cut about once a year and still looked like this!

Because of his age the skin was very difficult to get off.

First leg removed

My little guy all grown up sawing the legs off animals

Both Stephanie and jacob learning about the cuts of meat.

The head was difficult to remove

Removing the organs

Pork chops

Sausage bin

A nearly empty pan of the freshest sausage you could ever have.

Delicious!