Summer pig roasts........Part 2

Pig Roasts - Part 2

Another posting from our summer expeditions and experiences to present to you today, this is part two of “Pig Roasts”.

Imagine, two pig roasts in one summer, both within one week of each other in calendar timing. We’d been to a pig roast twenty years ago, something unusual and an incredible oddity of the day for us and those present. The couple who had hosted that year’s dinner pig roast long ago had been my work colleagues and were originally from the prairies, where we are told, pig roasting is quite a bit more common.

This second pig roasting invitation of the summer for our family here in the east, was hosted by a couple from our church. We had been befriended by them the first Sunday we arrived at the parish church, and have gathered together several times since, visiting with all our family members, though they actually live quite a distance away from us. I wished they lived closer! They are full time farmers, something no one would guess, as both hold master degrees in science engineering (that’s how they met), yet chose this lifestyle and the husband purchased the family farm he grew up on, the sixth generation to live there and continue on with the legacy.

Acres and acres of country farmland

With eight children ranging in ages 2-20 (losing several along the way, very sad), we had much in common, including home education, though some of their older children now have chosen to attend a boarding school in the USA at the higher levels of college and high school. Our younger children living here with us hit it off immediately with theirs, and we wished another daughter in the west was present to meet their older girls too, as we know they’d be great friends.

Anyway, this is also the farming family I wrote about before, the organic farmers who produce seed, product and items with a booming organic business, shipping their organic seed, crops and meats locally and all the way to Asia, as well as other far away places in need of Canadian products. They even have their very own mill to sort, grind and bag products!

On to the pig roast then….

It was a lovely summer Saturday, with sun shining brightly inside the upper reaches of a clear blue sky, and the scent of a fresh sea air drifting into the vehicle on our drive to the pig roast location.

End of the carving session with happy hosts, the cook and guests

Upon arrival, we noticed all the campers and tents pitched in the back grassy area, families who had taken the opportunity to gather together the day before and camp on location to save them from the drive the next day. Evidence of a large campfire was still present and the teen group especially was still bleary eyed, waking up from a long, late night of assisting with the basting of the pig cooking. We knew this invitation and gathering was to be something special for us immediately, as the day began with a scheduled morning mass first before luncheon festivities and events of the day, held in “one of the huge barns”. Almost giggling with laughter when entering the huge sliding barn doors, admittedly it was a great set up, though odd for us! Apparently this was the eighth annual roast which many of the same families present attended every year, including many relatives of the family hosting it. So though it was old hat to everyone else, we had to hide our smirks when entering the “church barn”.

Our "church" barn

Our older son was chosen to serve on the makeshift wooden pallet altar, though no cassocks for the boys were present to suit up in. He was honored to be (shoved by one of the three wonderful kid loving priests) into service along with others, as being new to the area; he hadn’t really been able to participate much before now. It turned out to be a special time, reverence was high and the mood pleasant, as all attempted to sit, kneel and stand in the lowly barn, something humbling likened to the Christ child’s birthing place we thought. Personally, I’ve never sat on hay bales as seating before inside a church, nor shouldered closely next to a large combine machine either. Oh, a little dirt didn’t hurt anyone when down on our knees, and no one gave it a thought. We were united in spirit and happy to be there, though a slight distraction to those present praying, was the smell of pork floating through the air from its stove nearby inside the very same barn, fresh coffee aroma brewing and glorious platters of food contributed by the many families present, displayed and in full view (if we turned around slightly), on two very large tables distracting our senses, lifting us higher, right up into the presence of God thanking him for the incredible heavenly gift of smell…laugh.

Acting silly pointing at the gal over the camera

In all eight years of the annual pig roasting feast, one particular young priest took on the duty of playing "pig roasting head master" each year very seriously. He tended to the meat dish from start to finish, a pig raised by the farming family, though he was the one taking it to the butcher, picking it up, preparing it for the roasting and ultimately carving and serving the entire dish up. He was delightful and comical to observe at his appointed station, and provided all present with a super charged energy and charm, attracting all to the memory of the day. Yes, he was fun, fun, fun!

The pig cookery

Making "oink, oink" noises and laughing heartily
showing off the pig's head on the platter for all to see.

Not only did he take his cooking duties seriously, waking through the night to take turns basting the animal, he also led the volleyball and football matches he had rounded up and produced teams for, which each team's spirit was something else to witness. Like a blockade, he called all to their selected teams, became immensely competitive, and led the exciting sport games to their finish, challenging many and enjoying every minute of it himself. Like a big kid, he had such a good time, wearing himself out and all present playing in the process.

Game time! Lots of participants, many teams.

Our children vanished on me, all participating in some sort of activity, though I did see them eating first, here and there throughout the day, a few came to join in the fabulous hay ride through their fields, others deep in the competition of sports. I wasn’t going to tag along on the hay ride initially, choosing to take pictures instead as the children came to join in, then a few mothers decided “let’s go too”, and on we hopped, happy we did.

Wagon ride anyone?
So popular, both sides of TWO wagons were filled.

No path, no problem. Carving out his own, the tractor mowed down corn field crops to allow fo the lovely tour of farmland.

Add a whole whack of water guns to the festivities for the younger boys, and what else but smiles, chuckles and thrills while they ran and ran everywhere, hiding amongst the huge crops, many barns and out buildings, garden area, and fence sidings, pooped by the end of the day. Much to the parents chagrin, those water pistols were provided by the priest (!), remnants of the boy’s camp held recently, the rascal we blamed, as we dodged shots here and there when the boys were nearby.

Water gun culprits attacked this stage coach with
their pistols (hay wagon ride) and delighted in hitting
the targets with cool moisture output.

Little children mossied about playing in the playground area, watching the sports, taking a ride on the hay wagon, and generally visited.

My little friend with the same name as me.

All our children didn’t want to leave, begging to stay longer, though their daddy who was called into work that day unexpected, was on his way home and we wanted to meet and be with him there when he arrived.

Fierce competition in the fields,
incredible plays with son (in green shirt
upper right side) loving it all.

What a great memory! What a great day! Thank you to all! We were so grateful to be included and everyone had a blast! Looking forward to next year’s roast already, we’ll be there!

This week's "life skills" lesson...

The laundry detail

As laundry habits are learned and practised around our home, two things I am sure of. First, all of our children have been taught how to use the washer and dryer (they haven't mastered the new ones we bought here just yet though), know how to fold and store clothing away on their own too in proper drawers, bins or baskets, folding all properly, or hanging dressy items on a hanger just right so they don't fall off immediately following. The second thing I know for sure, laundry piles will always be around to sort, mend, and get through. They are like a monster, always around to haunt us!

Actually, our laundry never needs sorting around here, as we have two rubbermaid hampers in the hallway, one dark in color and one white. The children have been taught to save mommy work by choosing the proper hamper for their dirty duds, simply by browsing the color selections on top of the hampers on the labels.





This makes a huge difference for me on laundry days, and the children not to have to do this chore at the same time next to me. Free for the download and printing, you too can have the helpful labels ( pdf file) at THIS SITE HERE...

This week there was an opportunity to get the younger two into action, deep in the cave of the laundry room. With the ironing board lowered to their height, detailed explanations and instructions were given for safety and usage of my iron.

The lesson began with simple instructions ironing pillow cases from our morning chores of changing our own sheets. After the laundry pile was complete from its cycle in both washer and dryer, these pillow cases appear more inviting for laying down our heads on them, if they are wrinkle free and nicely ironed.

Therefore, one willing participant was eager to gather her training, ironed two pillow cases when all of a sudden, her older brother entered the room fretting over why he was being left out of the lesson.

Happily he divided the rest of the pile waiting their decreasing, and awaited his lesson to begin. Daughter was happy, Son was happy, Mom was very happy and all will enjoy the fresh ironed pillow cases for the next "sheet change day" chore.

Lest I burst their bubble, I'll continue to guide them onward, slowly teaching them to iron various types of clothing, tablecloths, cloth napkins and the like, until they are proficient at the task, loving it so much they will simply beg for more. Then I'm hoping (wink, wink) to hand over the chore to them completely.

I will never tell them frankly their mother cannot stand the job herself, though tackles it herself because she loves freshly ironed clothing and other household paraphenalia, rather I've already learned this particular "life skill" myself especially having a husband who wears dress shirts to work each day. Can you say MOUNDS of those shirts enter my laundry room every month! If they enjoy the task of ironing thoes particular types of men's dress shirts, perhaps I will end up having to pay for the child labour, a price per shirt to have the task completed someday.

Meanwhile, they too, will become proficient at this life skill so they have the experience at the very least behind them for the future.

The importance of learning life skills...

Life skills are so important to learn for life!

Over the many years of child rearing within our parenting duties we’ve logged on, it’s always been our desire as parents to ensure our children will be completely successful with knowledge of (at the very least) basic life skills.

Lunch duty

Chop, chop, we're helping out

Our goals have been simple really. When our children grow up, and are prepared to venture out of our nest, they will experience one of these scenarios; live on their own having a single vocation, marry having a spouse, or share space with a roommate. Whatever the path, they will succeed tremendously in life if they are well aware how to perform life skills around the home, not only how to tackle them, but why to do them and how often will be necessary for good general health if anything at all.

I'm so lucky, today I get to help with the dishes

Therefore, no matter the age of the child in this home, chores are generally tailored and adapted to the age and ability of each child, revolving between basic household cleanliness, kitchen helpers, assisting with outdoor necessities, and everything in between as maturity dictates more responsibilities.

Folding my own laundry

Yep folks, we are a team!

Add to this another checklist of pertinent items to learn as maturity allows, basic or complex as they might be; learning first aid and attending a mandatory babysitter’s course due to having many siblings and now nieces and nephews.

Just me and my niece

They’ve been taught and have the ability to perform simple acts of checking and/or changing the furnace filter, plunging a toilet and turning off the water for necessary items, know what to do in the event of a power failure, fire safety around a fireplace and candles/matches, how to test and clean smoke detectors, work a household alarm system, and know a fire escape route from the home. Taking a course on “consumer math” has been a must for each high school student somewhere in the mid to upper years of their education, learning the value of simple bookkeeping and that of balancing a checkbook, also the super importance of remaining at best - out of any debt.

A natural skill which came in handy when enabled
to create ballet costumes in exchange for prviate dance lessons

Even the boys were taught to sew.
Some chose never to do it again,
however they learned the skill anyway.

Those still living at home have had to learn something new here in the east, safety around overhead wiring, usage of outdoor power tools and the ride on mower, gasoline concerns, and of course so much more.

Time to walk the dogs

Pet duty has doubled with the menagerie in the barn, and much to our chagrin, they are admittedly doing a very fine job with that topic. Now to remember to feed the fish in the house and all will be well…laugh.

The team having a break while helping dad with yardwork

As the teens age, it’s a given to teach and pass along information so they can take responsibilities over with the family vehicles (with parental assistance and participation), little fiddly items such as ensuring the windshield washer fluid is filled up and the fluid cavity levels are where they should be and of course, general additional tasks of washing the vehicle outsides and vacuuming interiors for a fee to us as an “extra” duty for cash.

Peeling apples for making a huge vat of applesauce

One son now has the responsibility of the simple vehicle maintenance issues we encounter with our vehicles, that of not only the fluid checks, but also checking the oil, gauging tire pressure, and will also learn how to change a tire soon enough.

Always a lawnmowing duty to care of over the years

Along the way though, it’s amazing how we were sometimes ridiculed by other parents, as they felt it more important to do the household chores themselves while their children were in school because they couldn’t stand the way their children did them!

Kitchen helpers!

Our children’s chores revolve around a weekly schedule, so if a child had a buddy over for the day, those children visiting were welcomed and encouraged to assist with the duties, things like kitchen clean up and dishes to make the chores completed sooner. Many remarked on how they never did anything at home….ever then marveled at how we all moved around in good order working together to accomplish goals for the timing of the day as a team. They said; their beds were made for them, clothing gently folded and in their drawers by some magical fairy, no expectations whatsoever were expected. We find that actually very sad. The parents are not doing them any favors at all, because in the big wide “real” world, life isn’t like that and the children are being set up for failure for their years ahead without any knowledge of how to become an independent member of society.

The baking guys and gals!

Imagine too if mom or dad becomes ill, what would the house look like, how would meals get onto the table, and who would assist the family when other family members are simply helpless and not cognizant of their own household functions? Ah, but the loss of the learning curve is missed within the younger years and into the adult levels. No child could boil the kettle and bring you up a cup of tea then with fresh baked buns to nibble on. Our children have announced to me they love it when I’m ill or not feeling well enough to complete my own chores for the day. (Sounds awful for them to think that way huh?) They enjoy being “mom for the day”, doting on me and tending to my needs, and they are completely capable of running the entire household should they have need to do that. It’s a rare thing for me to be under the weather though, lucky for them as the novelty might wear thin.

This early photo shows two very capable kitchen
helpers in charge of making a vegetable platter
for the afternoon snacking time.

Our children learned and have been taught “All Of Life Is School”, so there’s so much more to learn than mere book work. Some things are just not found there! Being “street-smart” has huge merits, and having knowledge of life skills will be a bonus to them, as they travel onward in life on the road to adulthood.

Working in a wood working shop with my dad

Yes, often we realized we were an anomaly, with other parents of the children’s friends not having the same instruction or upbringing, often doing nothing at home to assist in the team efforts. That’s the key though! It’s a “Team effort”, for there is no “I” in the word team! Hands down, it works to teach children what will be “next” after schooling is complete. All is done for the good of the family unit! Many hands make work light!

Many hands make work light

In our experience too, the old saying of “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” is true and will prevail as you become fed up with habits being formed the wrong way. On the flip side, it takes TIME to teach proper skills in life, and if you don’t take that time necessary to pass along the methods, it’s also not going to succeed the way you’d prefer.

Kneading pizza dough for dinner

Shredding the cheese for the pizza

And yet another pizzeria night at home

We’ve all been there right? Oh, come on…groan! Clothes under beds with dust bunnies growing on them, sweaty dirty clothing piles up in the far reach corners of the closets, coats/shoes and boots in utter disarray, sporting equipment all over the garage, whatever… Sometimes due to utter chaos, we review and teach - yet again, the importance of organization and everything placed back where it belongs. Oh yes, there are draw backs, hills and valleys to cross over often requiring nipping bad habits in the bud before they get out of hand, though usually we return to normalcy and things become much better for clutter attacks.

Square foot gardening 101

Within the realm of our life’s experiences of children and chores, teaching life skills to them all, in the end we can state we’ve tried very hard to sift out and pass along tools of the trade for living a good life with confidence for enabling knowledge to the “little things” certain to follow them around, those that count and are of huge importance to them, and not observing our adult children simply coasting along, depending on others for simple assistance. Once living on their own, should they choose not to complete their tasks in life themselves, at the very least, they will have knowledge of it, and they can hire someone else to do their mundane chores, marry and share with a spouse, or simply use their puppy dog eyes and get volunteers to assist them, those poor souls who require aid. (laugh)

Never too young to begin learning about life skills!

Hello neighbor

Good Day Neighbor!

The neighbors were out in the fields again, minding their own business when along came two thrilled gals with their homemade snack treats for them.

Not certain of the goodies before their noses, taking their time to assimilate their sense of smell, then their taste buds, the entire platter of horse treats were gobbled up, while the girls stroked their manes and cooed loving murmurings to them. Fear not though, the neighbor has given them permission to visit with a snack upon occasion without any complaint.



During "horse camp" this year, the eldest daughter learned to make the horses treats , those especially in the fields for the summer. They consisted of apples cut in half, scooping out the cores and insides, chopping them all up , and then mixing with molasses & brown sugar. When complete, the mixture was scooped back into the apple outer extremeties and stuffed tight. A delectable fair for a horse, a rarity usually at best as well.


Both girls had been keenly aware of a younger girl visitor to this neighbor's barn. Then startled, they witnessed her upon one of the horses, thinking no one was going to ride them except for the owner as she had been hesitant to allow anyone on the older horses untrained. To our girls, this younger visitor looked very untrained to them, so now that they are in riding lessons, they are eager to befriend the horses much more, visit more often with them over the good neighbor farm fencing, and eventually both are hoping they will be allowed over to do more, even if just to work with the animals on barn duties. At least, that's what they are hoping!