The Land of Toothpaste...

I have gone off the deep end people. I have entered a new level of slightly crazy...

I make my own toothpaste!

Don't be expecting before and after tooth pictures. For one, those are guross. For two, I don't have nice teeth. I have never had nice teeth. They are crooked and forever yellow. I do love my coffee you know, and there is no way I can talk myself into spending huge amounts of money for a whitening kit. Nope. Not gonna happen.

But I do LOVE my homemade toothpaste. I used to have really bad sensitivity issues. Cold, bad. Sweet, bad. Not anymore. My teeth feel so much cleaner and just all around more wonderful with this paste.

The Homeschool Life

   I was not going to homeschool our kids. Not. going. to. happen. Saying something like that is the sure fire way to make it happen, am I right?

   Yep, I homeschool.

   But I never had any intention to. I didn't want to, it sounded like the worst thing in the world to me. Why? I wanted my freedom. Thinking of the days when all the kids would be at school and I would have 8 hours to do whatever I pleased. I could go ride my horse, or take the goats for a hike, or go the grocery store, alone. Wonderful thoughts.

Oh. My. Lands.

   That pretty much sums up this past week.

   We had 2 different sicknesses sweep through the house. I of course caught them both, at the same time. Ridiculously horrible cold and stomach flu, not a good combination if you ask me. Between the sore throats and puking kids Mr. Wonderful and I got very little sleep and the house went to the dogs.

   And cats apparently. Lucy drug this fella in this morning and started plucking him in the laundry room. Cats and I have a love/hate relationship. Mostly hate.

    You have to forgive my "after" photo. I'm new to the blogging world and my first reaction isn't to grab my camera, yet.

Pumpkin Puree and Honey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

   Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is on it's way. Time to get those pumpkins ready for pie!

   Last year was my first time ever making pumpkin puree. I have no idea why I didn't do it sooner. The taste is great, and it's pretty cheap and simple.

   Take your pumpkin and pop the stem off. Place it on a cookie sheet, whole, unless it's too big for your oven then you can cut it in half and bake cut side down.

   Bake your pumpkin at 325° for about an hour depending on the size of your pumpkin. I place the pumpkin in a cold oven then let it warm up from there. When the time is up I shut off the oven and leave the pumpkin in there to cool.

Caramel Apple Pie

   We didn't have anything we needed to do this past Saturday. Those types of Saturdays are few and far between for us. It was wonderful! After our traditional Saturday morning donuts we headed off to the big city, AKA LaGrande, for the grand opening of the Coney Island Hot Dog Company. If you haven't had one of their hot dogs yet, you need to get one, SO good.

   After we got home I remembered we had Potluck at church the next day. So I pulled out a super simple, incredibly yummy recipe for apple pie. It is my all time favorite apple pie. After you're done reading this you should go make one, right away.

   On to pie!