June 30 - July 6

And just like that, my running days may be over.  In the past I've had a bit of knee pain while hiking, mostly caused by descents.  Not sure what the ultimate cause is, but the pain would normally go away in a couple of days.  It seems that running is also bad for my knees.  I had some pain over the weekend but was still able to go running.  On Monday, it was too much.  I had to stop.  As I'm writing this over a week later, I still have knee pain.  [note- I started writing this about a week before I actually got around to finishing and publishing.] I'm torn between trying to run again or just giving up.  My stubborn side doesn't want to give up.  Part of me wonders if new shoes would help, but I'm hesitant to spend the money on them if it doesn't help and I still need to stop running.  Advil and knee braces kind of help, but not completely.  Hopefully I'll be able to get in to see a doctor soon to get some actual medical advice.

In other Monday news, Bennett started watching Peter Pan after school.  We had tacos for dinner, which he normally likes.  Unfortunately he wasn't a fan of the salsa (that he requested) so he took forever and didn't finish eating. 

Tuesday was a no nap day at school.  When we got home Bennett finished watching Peter Pan and then played with his Duplos for a while.  We also finally got around to putting the air conditioners in.


On Wednesday morning there was much excitement as we were driving to school and witnessed an accident.  I was waiting at a green light for the oncoming car to go through the intersection so that I could turn.  However, the car on the cross street ran the red light hitting the car coming towards me.  I'm amazed that my car was spared, because the other cars came to rest just a few inches from my car.  We pulled over and Chris called 911.  Ultimately 3 police cars came (1 to direct traffic, 1 to take statements, and I think the last one might have helped with some translating), a firetruck, an ambulance, and a tow truck.  Ultimately it's probably a good thing that we stuck around because both drivers were claiming that they had a green light.  Bennett was full of so many questions about everything!  Two weeks later and he's still mentioning it.  And I'm also much more cautious going through that intersection now.

On Thursday we decided to head of to Ikea after school.  I wanted to get some shelves for the basement and for the shed.  Since Bennett hadn't napped at school he fell asleep on the way there.

We got home really late (at least by Bennett standards) but unfortunately he didn't sleep in the car.  I also did some purging and organizing of Bennett's toys.  I can't seem to do this when he's around, but he handles it pretty well when he asks where things are and we tell him they got put in the basement, etc.  And hopefully, if he isn't missing them, in a little while I can take them to the second hand store.

For the 4th of July (Friday) we had originally planned on going to Sturbridge but the forecast called for rain.  It was clear in the morning so we went to Tougas Farm and picked strawberries, blueberries, and cherries.  I think we'll have to go back again for more blueberries because we don't have nearly enough.  The rain started just as we were leaving.  After nap we baked cookies, went to Target, and then came home and Bennett put together his very first Lego (not Duplo) set!  Daddy helped him read the book with the instructions.  Bennett loves playing with his little police station.

On Saturday, after a late start, we went to Sturbridge.  We got there around noon and we weren't sure if this would mess things up since we've developed a bit of a routine.  However, after some snacks Bennett did well with a late lunch.  As we were driving we asked what he wanted to see.  His answer?  The fish! Since we had a late start and Bennett was in a good mood (not always the case in the afternoon) we were able to stick around to see the sawmill operating in the afternoon. 

a completely unrelated photo from the blacksmith shop

We also spoke with Victoria and were able to schedule a day for my special activity.  (You may or may not recall me mentioning this back in March.)  We also learned that Victoria requested Bennett's birthday party off as soon as she learned the date.  She will likely be coming to do a special project.

While at the farmhouse Bennett went to work filling the woodbox.

After nap we went food shopping and as we were driving home we were discussing if we would be able to make it to any fireworks.  We found out the Millbury had them at 9:30, so we quickly went home, put the groceries away, cooked some food to eat later, and got back in the car.  We weren't sure how Bennett would do with the fireworks, but he did great.  He even did a pretty good job of not squirming around too much while we waited for them to start, which was our main concern.  And now he keeps asking when it will be the 4th of July again so that we can go see fireworks at Sturbridge.


On Sunday we cleaned out the shed.  I know, not very exciting.  But it was a big jumbled mess and it was hard to get to anything.  So we pulled everything out, set up the new shelves that we got, and put things back in a more cohesive fashion.  We also added a few screws so that Bennett could hang up some of his tools.


While we were doing that Grandpa came over to hang out for a bit, and also to dry out his tent.  He'd been in Maine and got rained on so he needed some space to spread out.  Bennett helped a bit with setting up the tent, sweeping it out, bringing things in and out of the shed, etc.



The rest of the day was spent at home doing not much of anything.  It's not that often that we have a whole day at home!

Happy Holidays!

In case we ran out of cards before getting to you (sorry, more than 75 cards was out of the budget) here's our card from this year.

Here's the note that we included with the cards:

You may be wondering why we chose to feature oxen on our holiday card this year. The reason is simple. Doc and Blue (Doc’s horns go down, Blue’s horns go up) are one of the two teams of oxen at Old Sturbridge Village, an 1830s recreation village. OSV was an important part of our lives in 2013 as, to date, we visited 39 times this year (there may be another visit post-Christmas). 25 of those times were consecutive weekly visits. On our many visits we’ve watched the animals grow (plus we’ve learned the names of all of the animals that have names), helped plow a field, swept out a bake oven, made tin biscuit (cookie) cutters, pet chickens, sheep, and the calf, been photographed for the local paper, harvested ice on the mill pond (Mr. Chris even has a cameo in one of OSV’s promotional videos), eaten lots of cookies, watched musical performances (and particularly enjoyed fifes), took many wagon, stagecoach, and river boat rides, learned the names of many of the interpreters, learned why the animals on this card are technically steers and not oxen (they aren’t called oxen until they are fully trained and these are still learning), helped cut and stack wood, picked and sorted potatoes, toured the root cellar, watched a Naturalization Ceremony, learned how to command a team of oxen to turn slightly left vs. a sharp left (“haw to me” vs. just saying “haw”), watched demonstrations at the sawmill, gristmill, and carding mill, watched a Revolutionary War reenactment, toured the costume storage building, cooked a period meal using period methods, watched blacksmith, shoemaker, tinsmith and print shop demonstrations, threshed grain, watched animals be harvested, dressed up as Doc for Halloween, and so much more. Needless to say, OSV was a big part of our year!

What else did we do? Bennett and Mr. Chris went sledding for the first time, we continued with ice skating lessons, had our 10th Annual Pinewood Derby, went swimming, potty trained in 4 days, had a great cardiology visit (Bennett’s heart continues to do well), celebrated 10 years of marriage, Bennett had his first haircut, we raised money for Boston Children’s Hospital, and Bennett turned three and had a Curious George birthday party.

Guy Fawkes, hand turkeys, and sheep

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot.

That's right, Guy Fawkes Day was this week.  As crazy Anglophiles we dressed Bennett in his Spurs shirt and Union Flag arm/leg warmers.  Bennett apparently liked the arm warmers so much that he wanted to wear them again on Friday.

Saturday was the first skating class of the session but we missed it for our weekly OSV trip.  Yeah, I know what you're thinking, but we really wanted to be there on Saturday right when they opened.

The reason?  They were butchering a sheep and it had been suggested to us that we should plan to get there right when they opened.  More on this later, after the warning.

Uncle Andrew and Aunt Gentry came along as well.  This worked out well to have a couple of extra people to help keep an eye on Bennett, especially when things were going kind of slowly.

Since things were going a little slowly we went back and forth from the farm a few times.  Plus it was cold so we needed mulled cider to warm up.

When we stopped in the tin shop we were talking with Phil about how almost daily Bennett shoots his "musket" and how the other day he was saying that he'd forgotten his powder and his earplugs.  When we asked him where they were, he said they were in the tinshop.  Phil also gave Bennett a  musket ball.

Another fun moment was when Dave started to fill the woodbin.  Bennett asked if he could help.  Sure! Dave then had to go and do something else, but when he got back Bennett made sure to tell him that he's filled the woodbin.

On Sunday we went to Uncle Andrew and Aunt Gentry's house for a brunch and hand turkey craft party.  Bennett had so much fun cutting paper that he wanted to do more after his nap.

His finished hand turkey.

In other news, here's a friendly reminder (and doing my wifely duty) to remind you of Chris' Etsy shop.
Now is the time of year where he sells lots and lots of his Nativity Advent Calendars.  I know, it's crazy early to be thinking about Christmas, but if Santa can be at the mall already I guess it's not too early.

In years past he hasn't been able to keep up with the demand for them.  This year he worked a bit harder to have more of an inventory.  Only time will tell if it's enough.  What I find exciting is that I've been able to find lots of these pinned on Pinterest!

If this particular puzzle isn't of interest to you, he has lots of other designs available in his shop, plus even more that aren't listed.  And if you are local, his work (including puzzles, ornaments, and pens) is available for purchase at Sign of the Dove Gallery in Newton at The Mall at Chestnut Hill.

In other shopping news, I’m having a thirty-one catalog party, open until the 22nd.  If interested, you can peruse and order online at https://www.mythirtyone.com/beckythackston.  Go to “My Parties” and then select my name. 

The special for November is a limited edition Medium Utility Tote for only $7 (with $35 purchase).  It’s also available at the regular price for $30.

There are lots of great items for organizing your home, car, etc or plenty of items that would be great hostess/teacher/whomever gifts.

Also, if you would be so inclined to click on the ads on this site it would earn me a few pennies.  Not a lot, but every little bit helps, right?  And I'm not kidding about it only being a little.  Last month there were 6 clicks which earned a whopping $2.05.  Only you have to earn $100 before they will send you a check.  Hmm, this could take a while.  :)

And now for pictures of the sheep.

Here's my warning for Mel and other people who are squeamish that you may want to stop reading.  These are a bit more gruesome than last week's turkey photos.
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THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!
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Sturbridge opens at 9:30.  Just before they opened they shot the sheep.  We were there right when they opened and headed straight back to the farm.  When we got there the sheep was lying on the table.  They then sliced the skin on one of the legs and hung the sheep up to better be able to work on it.  

We were the only ones there (other than the interpreters) for at least a half hour, but it was nice because Bennett was able to run around a bit to check on the other animals, see what was going on inside the farmhouse (not much), etc.  Lots of back and forth running.  Also most of the people working know us as regulars so they knew that Bennett would be ok.  Plus if he went into the farmhouse we were usually right behind him.

As you can see below, Dave is taking some notes about the process.  Since this type of event doesn't happen very often it becomes an educational experience for all of the staff as well.

It was taking a while to remove the skin so we went to get warm drinks and visit some of the other buildings.  When we came back it had been skinned and the organs had been removed.  Victoria asked Bennett if he wanted to see the organs, mentioning that they were similar to the turkey he'd seen the week before.  Dave is working here on the heart and lights (lungs).  The other useful organs are in the pan.

Here it is about to be brought inside. 

Inside Victoria starts by removing the "hams".  Apparently this is the name of this cut of meat- the legs.  She had to ask one of the guys to come in with an axe to help break it apart.

And that's all the butchering pictures I've got.  We went away for lunch and when we came back it was pretty much all cut apart.  They cooked up the loins right then, but the rest was going to be saved for other cooking presentations.

Ultimately a sheep is pretty small.  The amount of meat would only be enough for 3-4 meals.

It was interesting being there for so long and hearing different parts of the process and also learning about Victoria's transformation from a vegan PETA member to the head of the butchering program.