Fourth of July!

Although there was no 5K, car parade or fireworks . . . due to Covid-19 . . . we celebrated by being with family and a few sparklers/fireworks with neighbors. And the sunset and moonrise didn't disappoint either.

graduation

Graduation was a bit unique this year as it was during Covid-19. After 12 years at Seton we gathered in the parking lot and via radio transmission each student was announced, came forward with their family with masks on and presented their certificate. Blaise and his classmates took their sixth grade picture on the lawn while appropriately social distancing.

Siena held a zoom graduation as there were too many students to do it in person. Ambrose was recognized with an award from the math department for Advanced Math. He won a Science award and the St. Catherine of Siena Award (which was voted on by his peers).

projects

During Covid-19 a menagerie of projects have been completed and/or started -

- painting (doors, bathroom trim touch-up, kitchen touch-up, trim in hallway, etc.)

- more stripping of hoosier cabinet

- moved furniture in the front room of the cottage

- tore out privot along our driveway and are trying to grow grass and do a planting

- Blaise and I have been coloring a lot and he has gotten into cooking

- Blaise and Ambrose are working on a go-kart

- Ambrose has taken apart items like a microwave, done various arduino projects and really gotten into Instructables - in fact he has challenged me to enter some as well in various contests. . . 

 Dutch Oven Low Country Boil

 Ambrose printed this 3D vase for a contest

 Ambrose designed and printed this key as a replacement for Monopoly board and a contest

 Ambrose did cross-stitch and programmed the lights for a contest

irises

We toured the Parkers 100+ variety of irises this past weekend. Fragrant, beautiful and what a treat to walk along a beautiful path along Mud Creek in their backyard. The best part catching up with friends while still maintaining proper social distance.

time together

Covid 19 some might say has stuck people together but for our family it has brought us even closer. We've slowed down as activities aren't on-going which has allowed the boys to explore other activities whether it is simply coloring a design, printing something on his 3D printer or working on a project together. We have spent a lot of time as a family working on various house projects - yard projects, working on the basement, I've started stripping the hoosier cabinet, etc.

It has also brought time together at the cottage earlier in the year then normal. Here the boys spend 'quality' time trying to wake up dad (not sure he appreciates this as much as they do).

egg drop

In 6th grade at Seton there are a number of traditions to end the year (May Crowning, egg drop, Niagara Falls field trip, Godspeed, etc.) The ending for our family after being at Seton for 12 years will definitely be different during Covid-19.

Last night, Blaise let his egg drop go from a second floor window in our house and we videotaped it. The videos will all be shared with the entire school.

Did his egg break? Well before I get to that I have to comment on the determination. Both of my guys (and I wonder where they get this from?) get an idea in there head and they want to see it through. Blaise didn't want to do like every other student and make his egg drop out of a box. He watched a video where the guy used straws in a triangular shape and insisted that was what he was going to do. Numerous straws, lots of tape (regular and duct) later . . . the egg broke. 

There was disappointment BUT there was so much learning. He commented afterwards that Mrs. K won't take off any points because the egg broke it is more about what you put into your design. And they do a follow-up lab report and I love that he recognized the design in triangular shape would have worked better if it was larger. We should test it out . . .

drive to penn yan

It was a lovely break from Covid 19 to get in the car and drive down to Penn Yan. The purpose of the drive was to pick up 1/2 a pig that we bought. We've never done this before and I really had no idea what to expect. We ended up with a HUGE ham, hot Italian sausage, ground pork, bacon, ribs, pork roasts, 1/2 heart and tongue. No, I have no idea what to do with the heart and tongue but I felt we shouldn't waste them. 

I drove through Amish country to a house where the mom (Ruth Ann) had just finished washing her 5 kids hair in the kitchen sink. They were such adorable little kids that followed their mother around and helped carry everything to my car. This city slicker was off to the Windmill next. A series of shops in buildings including everything from clothing to fresh vegetables. I left with one thing, fresh rhubarb! And then onto the Oakmill store where I stocked up on spices. 

The most beautiful part though was just driving along the country roads watching the rolling hills and spying Keuka Lake. Gorgeous!

lilacs are out

The boys and I enjoyed a walk at Highland Park this morning before getting started on schoolwork. Going in the morning beats the crowds which is important as we are still social distancing. The lilacs were in full bloom and the consensus on our favorite was the two-toned purple lilac called 'sensation'. Turns out we have one close to home . . .in our neighbors backyard!

Lilacs make this area so beautiful. We have three lilacs in our backyard and they smell so sweet. As I was doing yard work yesterday I enjoyed their fragrance.

may crowning seton

May Crowning was a bit different this year during Covid-19. We arrived at the parking lot of Seton at 9:30am and wore our masks up to the entrance of Seton. They had moved Mary and placed her near the flag pole. Each family was called up one by one and each student placed flowers by Mary. Ms. Snyder played/sang some music. Other teachers watched as they sat by their tables with students belongings for them to pick up.

Blaise got dressed up complete with a tie (love watching him use you tube to tie his own tie). We gathered lilacs, iris and other flowers from our yard to make a beautiful purple and white arrangement complete with ribbon bow. Although not the standard Seton tradition it was lovely to have the ceremony outside.

power tools

Picture Home (photo class) Day 9: Power Tools "Mom, why do you always put a towel underneath the cutting board", my 12 year old asked me. To stay in place. "Mom, what are you making?" "Mom, can I roll out the dough, my 14 year old asks." Sure. The tools have all come out in the kitchen and we are bonding even more while using them.

don't take time for granted

No longer taken for granted.
Slow down and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Outside time is a precious gift.
Togetherness is special.

free time

As if I just opened a new gift, I'm listening to podcasts. Before Covid-19 I didn't. I now have the time to listen or rather I make the time. Numerous podcasts later of various topics . . .I'm a huge fan of cooking (go figure) and Ted Talks.

From a podcast I embarked on a sourdough starter. From a podcast I'm reading an excellent cookbook/book Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. During a Ted Talk today I met Ulukaya who with not much money decided to save a processing plant that he read about in an ad. This plant is now the home to #1 selling yogurt, Chobani. Inspiring!

On one podcast I listened to were the editors of Bake from Scratch magazine which lead to the trial of this scone recipe that I mention in a photo class I'm taking . . 

Day 5: A Lot on Your Plate 2nd attempt at sourdough starter was a success. This recipe uses a cup of sourdough starter. My favorite type of scone - blueberry with lemon glaze. YUM.

perspective

Corona has brought a steady rhythm of work/schoolwork each weekday. We get out really only around our neighborhood.

This past weekend brought a new perspective. A camp-in right in our own backyard. While participating in the BSA Camp-In the boys cooked with pie irons, Dutch oven, hiked at Abraham Lincoln Park, hung in hammocks, slept in a tent and sat by the campfire.

Our menu was extensive and quite delicious! Tater tot, prosciutto, blue cheese waffles for breakfast, pull apart pepperoni and cheese bread for lunch, Dutch oven layered nachos (the boys called them Dos Hermanos Calientes) and skillet smores for dinner, and Dutch oven sourdough french toast the next morning.

We attended virtual zoom meetings and heard from Arctic Skiing Adventurers, Cooking Demonstrations, Virtual Campfire and more. We will be camping "in" or out again very soon. 

day 2

Picture Home
Day 2 Time Well Spent My first loaf of sourdough bread fresh from the Dutch oven using my homemade starter. Yum.

plans change

Sometimes we need prompting.

Especially when we receive sad news. Yesterday we found out Siena Catholic Academy will close at the end of this school year. Plans were made for Blaise to attend 7th and 8th grade there.

Sometimes plans change.

I enrolled in a photo class - prompting was needed a bit to get back out and take some photos.

Day 1 - Homecoming
Home is when I open the front door and see the second door. Springtime's lighting brings the reflection of the forsythia and the landing to the second floor, with the stained glass window.

Time

Getting up without an alarm in the morning and going for a run (well, okay jog) first thing with the boys. Afterwards stretching, yoga and a hot shower. If this were a normal day, I would have woken up early, rushed to the gym, workout, rushed to work and already be in 2nd period.

Lighter schedule. No activities. Time to do whatever I want. Wait there is another zoom call. Look at the calendar it is full of zoom calls. What happened to lighter schedule? Maybe not lighter but different. Our day is now planned around zoom calls. Instead of rushing to activities we are purposefully challenging ourselves with contests, merit badges, projects, etc. This is a treat but sometimes it doesn't feel like one as we can't go anywhere. But we should be grateful for this extra time to explore . . .

Pandemic

Covid19. Corona. Pandemic. A new normal for all of us.
Observation - I’ve found that I haven’t taken many photos during these 45+ days. In the past I always grabbed my camera to document an event we were going to or the boys had. No events equals no photos. Between watching others document daily what they are thankful for and the boys pulling out books of my blog and pouring over them with such interest....I found myself led back here.

The new normal. I’ve barely driven my car, I think Damian filled the tank once. He is our ‘dirty’ person who does all the errands which consists mainly of the grocery store. He goes to work but can adequately social distance as they have separate offices. I’ve been to work a few days in order to prepare the library for renovation. Most visits I was in school by myself working and listening to podcasts to tune out the silence. I packed over 125 boxes of books that will be stored during the renovation.

Schooling. Zoom meetings, zoom lunches, google classroom, this is the new normal. The teachers are working extra hard and are schools made a fantastic transition. The boys are on a schedule and although really missing friends are doing fine with digital schooling.

Time. There is a lot of it. How do we spend it? More on that next time....