We're on our way home from Florida as I write this and almost to Nashville where we've got reservations for a late dinner at Blackstone Brewery. We're all starving, but we did have a good lunch at Five Guys burgers somewhere in Northern Florida. They use peanut oil for their fries! Not as good as beef tallow, but waaaay better than crappy canola or soybean oil that most places use. Obviously, this would still be a rare thing for us, but they also had a sign that said no preservatives, fillers, or trans fats. The burgers were pretty darn yummy, and of course I prefer our own healthy meat at home, but it was better than the junk at Disney, that's for sure. (Did you see my post, I probably shouldn't have told the chef that he uses crap oils in his fryers? Or the one about how to fry your favorite foods guilt-free?!)
I'll share a few links and a few vacation pics with you, and then it's back to my nursing CEU credit courses for the home-stretch tomorrow. Which, by the way, just about did me in earlier today. One course I picked was a nutrition course, not realizing how painful it would be reading all that rotten, misleading and flat out WRONG mainstream advice in black and white. Wow.
On to today's links…
- Jen over at Conversion Diary wrote a post recently about the TV show, Breaking Bad, that prompted me to ask the following questions in the comments there, and I thought I'd ask the same question of all of you… I've always chosen reading over TV when I have any free time, which isn't often. I know that many of you blog and also homeschool as I do, so I'm just wondering, how do you guys find time to watch TV? I need your tips! Also, say I was going to try watching one good show, and planning to go get the whole first season and starting there, which show should I choose? Thanks for your help!
- Local readers, remember to please sign up for bowling spots in this coming Saturday's benefit to help our good friends who have gone through a terrible time in recent years. Click here to read more!
- Jenny wrote a great post on how exactly the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund helps persecuted farmers who are {GASP!}, trying to provide us with nourishing, sustainable, local, real, chemical-free foods for our families: “We’ve all heard those stressful, strained 911 call recordings. Breathless victims of accidents, crimes or robberies call on first responders for help. Their voices evoke our deepest sympathies. Something inside of us tugs and yearns to help. We’re relieved to know that help is on the way. 800-867-5891. Write that number down … that’s a 21st century 911 number … for farmers.” Read the whole story here.
- Did you see my post yesterday with 5 Random Thoughts on Homeschooling as the new school year approaches? (Do you have your kids do schoolwork in the summer? Find out what my next summer plan will be at that post. Also I'll tell you about the learning assessments we're having our whole family do, just to see what type of learners we are.)
- A Facebook reader asked for tips on dealing with shingles naturally. Read the answers here.
- Have you ever wanted a little help learning how to use chopsticks? This post from Hallee can help: “Training Wheels for Chopsticks.“
- Now just a few vacation pics, scroll down for those. I put them at the end so that any of you who detest looking at other peoples' vacation photos can move along now. 🙂
Florida Bound!
We got to Naples early Sunday morning and napped a while. (We drove straight through from Michigan to Florida… Well, actually mostly Kent did.) When we got up we liked the Mass time at Ave Maria, and thought a Latin Mass would be interesting, which it was! It was a first for all of us.
The church is in the cutest little town, very quaint:
Naples was HOT and HUMID, but beautiful:
Of course we had to hit this place:
Cool beach shot from the pier:
An even more beautiful sunset shot:
We had two days at Disney, our first day was at Magic Kingdom, check out all the people and the rain clouds:
We all enjoyed Epcot much more (the rain at Magic Kingdom didn't help things) and the food was MUCH better, too. There were more attractions that interested our whole family there. We decided that MK is more for families with smaller kids.
We stayed at this hotel:
I was a dingbat and only took videos so there are no shots of this part, but oh-my-gosh, the “Cars Family Suite” was so stinkin' cute! Every single place your eyes looked had some adorable theme-oriented dresser or bed or light, etc. We had a blast in the pool, too, and wow, those lifeguards are ON it. They walk back and forth and keep scanning their eyes constantly. The poolside bar is kind of fun, too, if you don't mind $10/drink, youch.
Florida lost much of its appeal, however, when Kent saw a big rat snake just outside our hotel room door!!! After that I made sure the kids stomped as they walked in front of me wherever they went. Pathetic, huh?
Besides that part, it was a great family vacation, and I'm super thankful that we were able to scrimp and save so we could take this trip. (I'm sure there were some, but I didn't actually see any family at Disney with more than 3 kids besides ours, and I know why!) And also we're thankful to our sweet friends who let us use their condo in Naples! Right now, though, I'm ready to get OUT of this car. 24 hours is too long to ride, I'm here to tell ya. It helps having wifi through a hotspot on my phone so I can write posts. 🙂
Have a great week!
Pat says
Thanks for sharing your vacation pics. Looks like you had an awesome time! Like you, I typically choose reading over television, but the PBS series Downton Abby (my absolute favorite) and Call the Midwife have me captivated. Almost as good as reading! Good luck finding your favorite.
Becky says
Hi Kelly,
People who watch TV must sacrifice something else. You should take comfort that you are maximizing the use of your time since you have none left to waste on the Telly. If you really want to watch something, I recommend 17 kids and counting, 18 kids and counting, 19 kids and counting etc. Yes its reality TV but the family is wholesome and pro-life. They aren’t Catholic but they are so virtuous they inspire me to be a better person. Most of the shows I just can’t justify watching. I always think to myself if Our Lady were sitting right here next to me would I be comfortable watching this? Most shows, sadly would not pass that simple criteria.
KitchenKop says
Becky, I know what you mean. Do you read Conversion Diary, though? She wrote an interesting post on this very topic. I linked to it above, but I’ll add it here: https://www.conversiondiary.com/2013/08/why-a-show-about-meth-dealers-made-me-feel-closer-to-god.html
Becky says
Thanks for linking the post again. I guess I somehow missed it up top. While I see her point, seeing truth portrayed as truth and evil portrayed as evil certainly can lead our hearts and minds to God. However this show is NOT 100% truth but rather a mixture of truth and lies which is even more dangerous than obvious lies. She mentions CS Lewis but she ought to keep another one of his books in mind “The Screw tape Letters”. Satan is more effective at deceiving us with partial truths. While the main character begins to fall apart as he commits evil acts one of the other prominent characters (Gus) appears to be good and ordered despite how terrible he actually is.
Also watching all the violence and immorality even if it is portrayed as evil desensitizes our soul. Last and definitely worst, I think the frequent blaspheming alone couldn’t justify any good that may come from this series. Imagine if someone came into your house and insulted your family. You would be furious and kick them out. When someone on TV insults our Lord we should have an even stronger reaction because we ought to love Him above all else. How can we sit back and allow someone to insult our most beloved Lord Jesus Christ and then justify it?
Julieo says
We went to Disney a few years back and we all loved it. We had the free dining plan and we thought that was great, even though I just had to tell myself that “we don’t eat this way all the time, it’ll be OK…” Next time we go, we need to check out Ave Maria -I’ve heard good things about the college 🙂 We also enjoyed Epcot the most.
Colleen says
Hey Kel! Sounds like you and your family had a blast on your vacation!
As for TV shows, I guess everyone’s definition of “good” is different, but I recommend Revenge and The Walking Dead. I will tell you that I was totally against The Dead, my husband was addicted, people everywhere were talking about it and I was just not interested…until A&E ran all three seasons back-to-back over the July 4th weekend. I could not tear myself away! Luckily, for me, it rained the whole weekend. I cannot wait until the season starts. Netflix has most of the series by season so that you can watch them whenever you want.
As for finding time to watch TV…I record almost everything and watch when I eat lunch or just need some downtime/me time (although that seems to be harder to find). The thing I like best is that I can watch a 1-hour show in about 45 minutes. I also only allow myself to follow a couple of shows.
Jen says
My husband and I agree that The Walking Dead is the BEST show EVER! 🙂 We have 2 young children, so we DVR it and watch after the kids are in bed. I’m jealous you could watch all 3 seasons over a weekend. It’s children’s programming only around here during the day.
Danielle says
Awesome family trip!! I used to work at WDW as a lifeguard at Typhoon Lagoon and I loved that you noticed that they don’t take guarding lightly. It is seriously an intense, but very rewarding job down there. In my opinion I have never seen lifeguards any where else that have lived up to my quite high expectations of guarding since working there. We are getting ready to go on our WDW family trip in just a couple of weeks! Can not WAIT! Since we homeschool we wait until others go back to school so there are no crowds but still tons of fun!! 🙂
Kelly Metzler says
Hi Kelly! Glad you had a great vacation. Love your blog and all of its helpful info.
I recommend Big Bang Theory and Downton Abbey, both of which you can watch through alternative methods (DVDs for BBT and online on PBS after airing for Downton).
Best of luck in the school year.
Michelle Goldstein says
Fun reading about your vacation. We went to CA where I was able to buy raw milk from the health food stores there (which was thrilling.) Yosemite National Park sold grass fed meat in their burgers at the Grill and a local hostel the Bug in Midpines used non GMO locally grown corn from their own garden. I was impressed to find such good quality food! Other times we are not so lucky with eating out…and I am usually disappointed when I ask what oils are used!
Glad you had fun!!! Good luck with your home schooling.
Kathy says
Duck dynasty! Best show on tv! Kelly you and your family would love it!
KitchenKop says
Funny 2 of you (so far) suggested Duck Dynasty! That’s actually one I *have* seen, because Kent watches it sometimes. It cracks me up and I love how they end the shows with family prayer!!!
Kelly
Patti says
Glad you had a great vacation! Disney is my favorite place to go, but I do hate to eat their food. As for TV, I recommend Call the Midwife, a PBS show that is excellent. I think season 1 and 2 are on Netflix now. A good show the whole family can watch, but their are some pretty graphic birth scenes. And, of course, we have to watch Duck Dynasty! We tape every episode!
Nancy says
Hi Kelly,
BBC puts out some great shows. Right now the first season of Broadchurch is airing. It’s about a murder, but without all the blood and gore. They focus on the investigation. Great acting, beautifully shot. There is also Downton Abbey, which is a British period peice. You would have to get caught up on 3 seasons, though. Good luck finding your perfect show!
Soli says
I want to watch Broadchurch but it does not agree with my sleep schedule. Gotta remember to check the ondemand on my TV because ahhhh TEN AND RORY! /Doctor Who
Actually, Doctor Who is an incredible show and this year is the 50th anniversary. What I do for watching is not watch broadcast TV because it’s harder for me to follow. Stupid commercials and breaks in the season. I also just started Better Off Ted which is about a guy who works for a nasty, soulless corporation and is trying to keep his ethics. At some point I want to watch Breaking Bad because may people I respect enjoy the show.
Doreen says
I’m glad your family had a nice vacation! It’s a lot of work finding good places to eat. We travel a lot and bring or buy most of our food on the road. Kind of a pain.
We watch very little regular TV. I hate following series, as it just gets too hard to watch them consistently. We tried that with LOST, and gave it up, watching it later on Netflix.
Netflix is our go to program for TV viewing. We like to pick a series, and make our way through it on our own time. To name a few we”ve watched Andy Griffith, Leave it to Beaver, and Hitchcock. When the house gets messy, we watch Buried Alive: Hoarding. 🙂
Jill says
Great pics! What a fun family vacation!
My husband and I are currently addicted to Breaking Bad! It really draws you in! We just finished all the Fringe seasons that are currently on Netflix, and I have to say we were super into that one (more so than Breaking Bad). If you like Sci-fi I’d recommend that one! Other shows we’ve got into in the past: Jericho (based on the novel, Alas, Babylon), Life On Mars (one season only–really fun show that makes you develop and test “theories” the entire time), Lost (of course! So crazy addictive), 24 (of course!), Chuck (really fun and lighthearted)…. That’s all I can think of at the moment!
susan says
what a great looking family!!! thanks for sharing all the pics; you took some really good ones. glad you all had a wonderful time. now, to rest up from your vacation, right?
KitchenKop says
Oh my, you’ve got that right, especially a DISNEY vacation! 🙂
Jeanmarie says
Cute family photos! And that is one lovely looking church.