Wanted to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
I love you!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Mmm Hmm
He slept with me.
When it was bedtime and he realized that he would be away from me, his big, beautiful eyes welled up with tears. He heartbreakingly said he just couldn't be away from me. I couldn't resist.
Mama's boy.
When it was bedtime and he realized that he would be away from me, his big, beautiful eyes welled up with tears. He heartbreakingly said he just couldn't be away from me. I couldn't resist.
Mama's boy.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday stuff
Here's the meal plan for the week:
Monday - cereal
Pork loin, mac and cheese, mustard greens
Tuesday - toast with peanut butter
Beans and rice, homemade tortillas
Wednesday - fruit and eggs
Tamales (Christmas Eve tradition)
Thursday - Pancakes, sausage, eggs
Chili cheese dogs
Friday - free for all breakfast
Steak and potato tacos
Mustard Greens -
1 lb mustard greens, torn
1 ham hock or hunk of bacon or salt pork (or salt)
2 T vinegar
water
Place mustard greens and ham into a large pot, add water till there's enough to cover when you push them down a bit, add vinegar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour to an hour and a half.
The vinegar takes the bitterness away from the greens, and the end product is almost sweet. They are very tender and tasty.
***************************************************************
We live in a two bedroom home, with the girls in one room and Danny Jr tucked away in a corner of our room. It has always worked well for us all, everyone has been content with the set-up. Today, Danny and Sophia decided that it would be great for him to move into the girls' room! He helped them clean up a spot for his bed and we moved it - I am very amused and am looking forward to how this will work out.
If you ask me, Danny Sr. and I are the lucky ones! ; )
I found a good article in our local newspaper that features our soup kitchen. Find it here. I love that place.
Have a great week!
Monday - cereal
Pork loin, mac and cheese, mustard greens
Tuesday - toast with peanut butter
Beans and rice, homemade tortillas
Wednesday - fruit and eggs
Tamales (Christmas Eve tradition)
Thursday - Pancakes, sausage, eggs
Chili cheese dogs
Friday - free for all breakfast
Steak and potato tacos
Mustard Greens -
1 lb mustard greens, torn
1 ham hock or hunk of bacon or salt pork (or salt)
2 T vinegar
water
Place mustard greens and ham into a large pot, add water till there's enough to cover when you push them down a bit, add vinegar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour to an hour and a half.
The vinegar takes the bitterness away from the greens, and the end product is almost sweet. They are very tender and tasty.
***************************************************************
We live in a two bedroom home, with the girls in one room and Danny Jr tucked away in a corner of our room. It has always worked well for us all, everyone has been content with the set-up. Today, Danny and Sophia decided that it would be great for him to move into the girls' room! He helped them clean up a spot for his bed and we moved it - I am very amused and am looking forward to how this will work out.
If you ask me, Danny Sr. and I are the lucky ones! ; )
I found a good article in our local newspaper that features our soup kitchen. Find it here. I love that place.
Have a great week!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Our family's first famous artist
Olivia was born with a crayon in her hand. She has always occupied herself with all forms of art and has been interested in all the different art media. This year, we decided to enroll her in formal art lessons. This has been a great investment as she has really blossomed in her techniques. Her ability has really taken off!Here she is at her very first art show. What a ham!!!!
Menu Plan and Soup Kitchens
My week has been wacky (in a good way) so far and have only gotten around to menu planning today. I usually make the plan before I go grocery shopping but forgot to do that this week. What's up with that??? So I am going with the flow. So here is the week's menu:
Monday - poached eggs, sausage and toast
Roast pork loin, ranch potatoes, and corn
Tuesday - oatmeal
Lentil brown rice soup with veggies and leftover pork
Wednesday - toast with peanut butter, juice
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas
Thursday - sausage and egg tacos
Pasta with chicken and cheese
Friday - French Toast
Pizza
And now for the soup kitchen. I have had the privilege of volunteering at our local soup kitchen for the last month (and now fill in a permanent slot). It is held at a location that I have felt drawn to since its opening a few years ago, but never had the chance/opportunity to serve there till now. The project is simple - to feed men, women, and children a warm and healthy lunch all week long. There are no qualifications to go there - anyone, regardless of anything, can eat lunch there. I see young and old alike, and every age in between. The project runs on donations and volunteers. Food items are always accepted and needs range from desserts, potatoes, canned goods, breads, frozen vegetables and more. Monetary donations are great, because the chef can purchase any needs beyond what has been donated. Volunteers prep, serve, and clean, and basically do whatever the head chef needs them to.
The holidays (AND all year long) are a great time to get involved in projects like these - it is a great opportunity to turn away from the consumerism that is so prevalent, more so at this time of year. It is a great way to find a deep shift in perspective, to bless those in need, and to get our own minds off of our problems. It also gives our children a good example of sharing love, time, and effort.
So, you may be thinking...what can I do to help? Well, you can visit this site, or this one. Here's another great article. You can do a Google search of soup kitchens in your home town, contact your local Salvation Army office, or even call local churches, they may have some info. You can volunteer your time, resources, food, or money. You can sign up to get Angel Food, and drive it straight over to the soup kitchen. You can invite a friend and team up (gotta add, that is a way to make this very fun!). You can tell everyone what you find out and encourage your friends and family to get involved. If you live right here in the town I live in and are interested in our local soup kitchen, leave a comment and I'll give you the info (or leave a comment anyways!).
Do you have anything to add? Ideas? Comments? I would love to hear it!
Have a wonderful week!
Monday - poached eggs, sausage and toast
Roast pork loin, ranch potatoes, and corn
Tuesday - oatmeal
Lentil brown rice soup with veggies and leftover pork
Wednesday - toast with peanut butter, juice
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas
Thursday - sausage and egg tacos
Pasta with chicken and cheese
Friday - French Toast
Pizza
And now for the soup kitchen. I have had the privilege of volunteering at our local soup kitchen for the last month (and now fill in a permanent slot). It is held at a location that I have felt drawn to since its opening a few years ago, but never had the chance/opportunity to serve there till now. The project is simple - to feed men, women, and children a warm and healthy lunch all week long. There are no qualifications to go there - anyone, regardless of anything, can eat lunch there. I see young and old alike, and every age in between. The project runs on donations and volunteers. Food items are always accepted and needs range from desserts, potatoes, canned goods, breads, frozen vegetables and more. Monetary donations are great, because the chef can purchase any needs beyond what has been donated. Volunteers prep, serve, and clean, and basically do whatever the head chef needs them to.
The holidays (AND all year long) are a great time to get involved in projects like these - it is a great opportunity to turn away from the consumerism that is so prevalent, more so at this time of year. It is a great way to find a deep shift in perspective, to bless those in need, and to get our own minds off of our problems. It also gives our children a good example of sharing love, time, and effort.
So, you may be thinking...what can I do to help? Well, you can visit this site, or this one. Here's another great article. You can do a Google search of soup kitchens in your home town, contact your local Salvation Army office, or even call local churches, they may have some info. You can volunteer your time, resources, food, or money. You can sign up to get Angel Food, and drive it straight over to the soup kitchen. You can invite a friend and team up (gotta add, that is a way to make this very fun!). You can tell everyone what you find out and encourage your friends and family to get involved. If you live right here in the town I live in and are interested in our local soup kitchen, leave a comment and I'll give you the info (or leave a comment anyways!).
Do you have anything to add? Ideas? Comments? I would love to hear it!
Have a wonderful week!
Monday, December 15, 2008
A Photo
I was looking for this photo to post with the entry about our anniversary, but couldn't find it anywhere! I found it today, so here it is....the picture was taken on our wedding night, and this was a Valentine's card I made for Danny two years ago.
Love Birds!
XOXOXOX
Saturday, December 13, 2008
10 Years of Bliss
Thursday marked a very special milestone in our lives. Danny and I celebrated 10 years of marriage! We met under unusual circumstances (who doesn't??), dated for a few months before deciding to move in together (gasp!). I moved in with him at his grandparent's home - bless them, I wasn't the easiest person to get along with at the time! We lived there together for three years, during which we conceived and had our first baby, got married, and conceived our 2nd baby. At that point, we decided to move out and find a little rental house, which we lived in for a year before we found our gem of a home in the country. We have been here for a little over 7 years.
As all couples, we had our ups and downs, but our downs never got so low and I can't remember a time when we stayed upset with each other for over a couple of days. We always found forgiveness and love, no matter what. We have been with each other through the loss of his grandma, my dad and step-dad, a couple of beloved pets. We also gave birth to three beautiful, precious children. Danny always has been right there with me, encouraging and loving me and the kids with everything he has.
We made the decision for me to stay at home with the kids, we knew it the moment I gave birth to Olivia. I was a breastfeeding/cloth diapering/baby wearing mama, and it was great to see him advocate those causes to various friends and family members who became pregnant and had babies. That always brought a great big smile to my face! Meanwhile, as I was home keeping these kiddos, he was out there, working his tail off, making sacrifices so we could parent our children in the way we believed was right for us.
Danny has taught me so much about being peaceful and laid back (trust me on this one, I had a long way to go with that!), humble, patient, unconditionally loving, selfless, brave, and tough. He took my good and made it better and showed me how to work through the bad and get over myself when I was being a self absorbed brat (which, by the way, could be because I am an only child and he is the oldest of 9!!!).
If you can't tell, I love this man with my whole entire being! God found the absolutely most perfect man for me (and perfect woman for him???) and He led us to each other, He blessed us with an incredibly wonderful marriage, three beautiful children, a home full of love, hope, joy, and laughter. For this I am very, very thankful.
As all couples, we had our ups and downs, but our downs never got so low and I can't remember a time when we stayed upset with each other for over a couple of days. We always found forgiveness and love, no matter what. We have been with each other through the loss of his grandma, my dad and step-dad, a couple of beloved pets. We also gave birth to three beautiful, precious children. Danny always has been right there with me, encouraging and loving me and the kids with everything he has.
We made the decision for me to stay at home with the kids, we knew it the moment I gave birth to Olivia. I was a breastfeeding/cloth diapering/baby wearing mama, and it was great to see him advocate those causes to various friends and family members who became pregnant and had babies. That always brought a great big smile to my face! Meanwhile, as I was home keeping these kiddos, he was out there, working his tail off, making sacrifices so we could parent our children in the way we believed was right for us.
Danny has taught me so much about being peaceful and laid back (trust me on this one, I had a long way to go with that!), humble, patient, unconditionally loving, selfless, brave, and tough. He took my good and made it better and showed me how to work through the bad and get over myself when I was being a self absorbed brat (which, by the way, could be because I am an only child and he is the oldest of 9!!!).
If you can't tell, I love this man with my whole entire being! God found the absolutely most perfect man for me (and perfect woman for him???) and He led us to each other, He blessed us with an incredibly wonderful marriage, three beautiful children, a home full of love, hope, joy, and laughter. For this I am very, very thankful.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Dannyism of the Day
On the way to the farm today, Danny exclaimed, "Hey Mom! Did you hear that? I whistled!"
"No, Honey, I didn't hear it! You'll have to do it again so I can hear it this time!" I replied.
"Eh, Sorry, Mom, I only whistle once a month."
What a turkey!!!!!
"No, Honey, I didn't hear it! You'll have to do it again so I can hear it this time!" I replied.
"Eh, Sorry, Mom, I only whistle once a month."
What a turkey!!!!!
Kefir Smoothies
I got it! A delicious way to drink my kefir.
8 oz home-cultured milk kefir
1 banana
1/2 c frozen fruit (I use strawberry/mango/papaya mix)
1 t honey (more or less)
blend
drink
enjoy
8 oz home-cultured milk kefir
1 banana
1/2 c frozen fruit (I use strawberry/mango/papaya mix)
1 t honey (more or less)
blend
drink
enjoy
Monday, December 8, 2008
Menu planning and Monday stuff
With Christmas coming fast as it can, I am finding it a crazy thing to have to add stuff to my already busy schedule. I am getting some great lessons in time management! I am also learning that the world will continue to revolve if I don't get something done or if I don't make a certain function. It was quite freeing to accept that. : )
I took the handmade pledge so the gifts I will be giving, of course, will be handmade. That doesn't stop me from feeling attracted to, and tempted by, all the pretty shiny things I see when I enter a retail environment. That temptation is real, alive, and kicking. I have to stop and remind myself what this is all about. It is easy to speak about the reason we celebrate Christmas, about the birth of our Savior, about living Christmas all year round, but it is more of a challenge to practice that. That being said, just because it's a challenge doesn't mean that I am going to give up. No siree.
Along with the pledge and joining Advent Conspiracy, I made a promise to myself - a way to keep my mind off all the shiny pretty things, and that is to give more of my time in various capacities. This includes spending better quality family time, helping the art teacher at school, and other volunteer opportunities. By stepping out and sharing love with others, by being a light unto the world, I am motivated and encouraged to get my own mind off the worldly things this culture has to offer, and blessing others in the process. From my perspective, there is nothing in the world that is better than making someone smile and know that they are loved and appreciated.
My beautiful family and I are celebrating a very special landmark this week! Thursday the 11th is our 10th wedding anniversary! Woo Hoo! Ten fabulous years down, the rest of our lives to go. Oh how I love this man! I am so thankful to have found him.
So, here's our meal plan for the week. I don't know if we'll be doing anything special on Thursday or if we'll save it for the weekend. It all depends on babysitting. I'd rather save it for a non-school night, maybe Saturday.
Monday - oatmeal and bananas
Macaroni and tomato sauce with ground beef
Tuesday - French toast
Roast chicken with mashed potatoes and peas
Wednesday - cereal
Celebrating a friend's birthday after school so will eat there.
Thursday - poached eggs and toast
Steak and Crash Hot Potatoes from The Pioneer Woman
Friday - biscuits and sausage gravy
Cheeseburger macaroni
I took the handmade pledge so the gifts I will be giving, of course, will be handmade. That doesn't stop me from feeling attracted to, and tempted by, all the pretty shiny things I see when I enter a retail environment. That temptation is real, alive, and kicking. I have to stop and remind myself what this is all about. It is easy to speak about the reason we celebrate Christmas, about the birth of our Savior, about living Christmas all year round, but it is more of a challenge to practice that. That being said, just because it's a challenge doesn't mean that I am going to give up. No siree.
Along with the pledge and joining Advent Conspiracy, I made a promise to myself - a way to keep my mind off all the shiny pretty things, and that is to give more of my time in various capacities. This includes spending better quality family time, helping the art teacher at school, and other volunteer opportunities. By stepping out and sharing love with others, by being a light unto the world, I am motivated and encouraged to get my own mind off the worldly things this culture has to offer, and blessing others in the process. From my perspective, there is nothing in the world that is better than making someone smile and know that they are loved and appreciated.
My beautiful family and I are celebrating a very special landmark this week! Thursday the 11th is our 10th wedding anniversary! Woo Hoo! Ten fabulous years down, the rest of our lives to go. Oh how I love this man! I am so thankful to have found him.
So, here's our meal plan for the week. I don't know if we'll be doing anything special on Thursday or if we'll save it for the weekend. It all depends on babysitting. I'd rather save it for a non-school night, maybe Saturday.
Monday - oatmeal and bananas
Macaroni and tomato sauce with ground beef
Tuesday - French toast
Roast chicken with mashed potatoes and peas
Wednesday - cereal
Celebrating a friend's birthday after school so will eat there.
Thursday - poached eggs and toast
Steak and Crash Hot Potatoes from The Pioneer Woman
Friday - biscuits and sausage gravy
Cheeseburger macaroni
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Lack of Posting Lately
Hello, everyone....sorry for the lack of posting lately. I am still alive and kicking. But for a while there, I wasn't exactly kicking. I have nursed two separate, pretty bad colds and haven't had much to blog about because I haven't done too much other than being at home, recovering. I've had sinuses so my head's been a little foggy.
I didn't even post my meal plan for the past week, so I'll just tell you what we ate: clam chowder, meat and beans, King Ranch casserole, chicken tenders with rice and veggies, and pot roast. Today, Danny and his brother Javi are picking up Subways for dinner. Yum.
I started culturing (don't know if that's the right word) kefir this week...and am forcing myself to like it. Well, to drink it, anyways. I am looking for more palatable ways to consume it, so if you have any suggestions, they are very welcome, just leave a comment. I also started brewing kombucha, it's on day 3, so we'll see how that goes - I'll let you know!
Alrighty then, catch ya next time!
: )
I didn't even post my meal plan for the past week, so I'll just tell you what we ate: clam chowder, meat and beans, King Ranch casserole, chicken tenders with rice and veggies, and pot roast. Today, Danny and his brother Javi are picking up Subways for dinner. Yum.
I started culturing (don't know if that's the right word) kefir this week...and am forcing myself to like it. Well, to drink it, anyways. I am looking for more palatable ways to consume it, so if you have any suggestions, they are very welcome, just leave a comment. I also started brewing kombucha, it's on day 3, so we'll see how that goes - I'll let you know!
Alrighty then, catch ya next time!
: )
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Speechless.
While doing my daily blog reading, I came across this quote from The Margins:
“The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in the wardrobe is the garment of the one who is naked; the shoes you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.”
St. Basil the Great, from “The Call to Justice” by Dorothy Harris
A great challenge for us to act, don't you think?
“The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in the wardrobe is the garment of the one who is naked; the shoes you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.”
St. Basil the Great, from “The Call to Justice” by Dorothy Harris
A great challenge for us to act, don't you think?
Friday, November 28, 2008
What's in a name?
Last night as we were going to bed, Danny Jr. brought up an interesting subject. All his life (almost 5 years) his nickname has been "Da." It's one of those things that we don't have an explanation for, we just call him Da.
As we were laying in bed, he said, "Mom, I just don't know why everyone has to call me 'Da.' That is not my name, my name is Danny, and I would prefer it if everyone called me Danny." I assured him that I would spread the word and we would honor his wishes and call him Danny from now on.
This morning, we were all hanging out and I told Dad about Danny's wishes, and how cute he was as he explained that he didn't like his nickname anymore. As we were having a little laugh about it, Danny looked at me and said, "I love you, Mom......or should I say.....Melanie?"
: )
As we were laying in bed, he said, "Mom, I just don't know why everyone has to call me 'Da.' That is not my name, my name is Danny, and I would prefer it if everyone called me Danny." I assured him that I would spread the word and we would honor his wishes and call him Danny from now on.
This morning, we were all hanging out and I told Dad about Danny's wishes, and how cute he was as he explained that he didn't like his nickname anymore. As we were having a little laugh about it, Danny looked at me and said, "I love you, Mom......or should I say.....Melanie?"
: )
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
I have so much to be thankful for...my heart swells with gratitude for the precious gift of family and friends. I am thankful for the love that surrounds us.
Hope your day is wonderful, stress free, and filled to the brim with love and peace.
Love to you!
I have so much to be thankful for...my heart swells with gratitude for the precious gift of family and friends. I am thankful for the love that surrounds us.
Hope your day is wonderful, stress free, and filled to the brim with love and peace.
Love to you!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Meal Plan Monday
Here is the plan for the week. This will be a bit of a crazy week, so it will be a loose plan, and we'll see where it takes us!
Monday - cereal
Sloppy Jalopies
Tuesday - poached eggs and toast
White beans, ham, and rice - crock pot
Wednesday - chocolate pumpkin muffins
Sausage and CSA veggies, to be determined that morning
Thursday - yogurt breakfast
We're having Thanksgiving here, so turkey and all the fixins
Friday, Saturday - I'm gonna go out on a limb here and not plan anything but leftovers!
Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving, Everyone! LOVE to you!!!!!!
Monday - cereal
Sloppy Jalopies
Tuesday - poached eggs and toast
White beans, ham, and rice - crock pot
Wednesday - chocolate pumpkin muffins
Sausage and CSA veggies, to be determined that morning
Thursday - yogurt breakfast
We're having Thanksgiving here, so turkey and all the fixins
Friday, Saturday - I'm gonna go out on a limb here and not plan anything but leftovers!
Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving, Everyone! LOVE to you!!!!!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Great Times
We had such a lovely weekend. Despite the fact that I had been fighting a yucky chest cold (I think it's finally gone!!!!) we managed to have some great family times. Dad took Sophia and Danny Jr fishing Saturday morning. Little Guy caught and released one small fish, but they had a fun time doing it! Meanwhile, Olivia and I went to the craft shop so I could teach a knitting class. Olivia had a creative explosion as she was able to use any scraps she could find. She is such an imaginative kid (um, young lady).
After we came back to town, we took the kids to a Chinese buffet. Since Danny Jr scored a goal at his last soccer game and chose the restaurant for the reward we promised, we have been meaning to go. The food was delicious. We had lots of crab legs and Danny got to have his favorite...sushi!!! This was his first plate. He got seconds after this.
Sunday we went to church in the morning. It was a great, inspirational service and a wonderful way to kick off a day filled with family and fun.
After we came back to town, we took the kids to a Chinese buffet. Since Danny Jr scored a goal at his last soccer game and chose the restaurant for the reward we promised, we have been meaning to go. The food was delicious. We had lots of crab legs and Danny got to have his favorite...sushi!!! This was his first plate. He got seconds after this.
Sunday we went to church in the morning. It was a great, inspirational service and a wonderful way to kick off a day filled with family and fun. We went to visit with Grandpa for lunch and relaxation, stopped by Stuff-Mart for a laundry hamper (Dad's way of trying to encourage Mom to stay on top of the laundry) and then home. We started tidying up but the weather was perfect so we decided to go outside. Dad fired up his favorite outdoor pastime - the cast iron wood stove. He turns into a chef when that thing gets hot! He roasted some tomatoes and peppers - bell peppers and jalapenos (and they were the hottest we ever tasted!).
Olivia is showing somy chef-y potential. She makes a mean burger! I don't know what her trick is, but it has to do with minced shallots, crumbs, and seasoning. Her burgers come out so tasty! Here they are making patties. The grill had a mesquite log in it for flavor.
Even Ellie and Sarah were hungry. The chickens could smell the food and were hanging around. We had to chase them off.
Little Danny couldn't stand by and not make some "crabby patties!" He joined the fun too.
We used fresh Kaiser rolls which were chewy on the outside and soft on the inside. I think we'll never use another kind of bread. I topped my burger with roasted red pepper, roasted tomatoes and jalapenos, avocado, and meunster cheese. It was decadent! Danny Jr ate two burgers!
Does life get any better than this?
Olivia is showing somy chef-y potential. She makes a mean burger! I don't know what her trick is, but it has to do with minced shallots, crumbs, and seasoning. Her burgers come out so tasty! Here they are making patties. The grill had a mesquite log in it for flavor.
Even Ellie and Sarah were hungry. The chickens could smell the food and were hanging around. We had to chase them off.
Little Danny couldn't stand by and not make some "crabby patties!" He joined the fun too.
We used fresh Kaiser rolls which were chewy on the outside and soft on the inside. I think we'll never use another kind of bread. I topped my burger with roasted red pepper, roasted tomatoes and jalapenos, avocado, and meunster cheese. It was decadent! Danny Jr ate two burgers!The sun went down as we ate, so we came in to tidy up and the girls and I started a knitting club.
Does life get any better than this?
My heart swells, it runs over with love for this beautiful family. How blessed we are!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Great blog with a great giveaway!
I found a great blog this morning...just in time for a giveaway! Simple Mom is giving away reusable bags! Giveaway ends tonight, Nov 22nd, at midnight.
Go to http://simplemom.net/reusable-bags-an-easy-colorful-and-free-way-to-go-green/#comment-14137
While you're there, check out the rest of her blog - great reading! Have a super weekend!
Go to http://simplemom.net/reusable-bags-an-easy-colorful-and-free-way-to-go-green/#comment-14137
While you're there, check out the rest of her blog - great reading! Have a super weekend!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Funny Stuff
OK, so, bearing in mind that I took the handmade pledge, doing the advent conspiracy thing, pursuing new and improved ways to be frugal, and so on, I came across this wacky website called Perpetual Kid that has the coolest and wackiest gifts. This is great for that big overgrown kid that you just can't seem to find the right gift for. I love the humor in most of the products in there. I got a good laugh just perusing the site. Enjoy!
Pumpkin, pumpkin, everywhere
Today is a chilly day for South Texas standards. It's mid afternoon and only 55*, not expecting it to get highter than that. There is a brisk wind which is keeping the sun from warming us up too much.
I have been fighting a chest cold since the weekend, so I have been staying in as much as possible, besides the errands and appointments that I couldn't avoid. That's OK, though, because I love the excuse to just stay home.
Earlier this week, I sent a request on Freecycle for a pumpkin. I got many responses and went with two folks that happen to be my friends. I picked the pumpkins up yesterday and I took care of them today. I cut them up and roasted them in my oven at 325* for 2 hours. I had to do this in two batches. Once the second batch came out, I got a cookie sheet sprayed with non stick spray, and spread the seeds on it. They were still a little moist, so I let them roast without oil or seasoning for the first 10 minutes. I pulled them out, sprayed with the cooking spray and sprinkled lightly with powdered Ranch mix. Ten more minutes, another little spray and another light sprinkle, then 5 more minutes. They came out all nice and GBD (golden, brown, delicious) and the Ranch was a nice tasty treat. Meanwhile, when the pumpkin was cool enough to handle, I scooped it off the skin and put it into freezer bags. I got 8, two pound bags of pumpkin (which I will share with you if you are local). There was some left over so I looked up a recipe for Mexican Pumpkin Candy and used the rest for that. This won't really be ready for a few days, but I can hardly wait! It will be a tasty addition to our Thanksgiving table (along with pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, pumpkin muffins....nah just kidding!).
This morning, while all the pumpkin was roasting, there was enough time to knit a mini Christmas stocking in some cool rockin' colors for some cool rockin' friends. I am gonna try to whip another one out before the day is up.
I started making soap and I am totally in love with that - been looking up more recipes that the one I got started with - I love that recipe, but I am looking for a little variety. I am trying to find a way to do this without going farther than the grocery store. : )
I am off to take care of this kitchen which looks like I have been using it all day. : P
I have been fighting a chest cold since the weekend, so I have been staying in as much as possible, besides the errands and appointments that I couldn't avoid. That's OK, though, because I love the excuse to just stay home.
Earlier this week, I sent a request on Freecycle for a pumpkin. I got many responses and went with two folks that happen to be my friends. I picked the pumpkins up yesterday and I took care of them today. I cut them up and roasted them in my oven at 325* for 2 hours. I had to do this in two batches. Once the second batch came out, I got a cookie sheet sprayed with non stick spray, and spread the seeds on it. They were still a little moist, so I let them roast without oil or seasoning for the first 10 minutes. I pulled them out, sprayed with the cooking spray and sprinkled lightly with powdered Ranch mix. Ten more minutes, another little spray and another light sprinkle, then 5 more minutes. They came out all nice and GBD (golden, brown, delicious) and the Ranch was a nice tasty treat. Meanwhile, when the pumpkin was cool enough to handle, I scooped it off the skin and put it into freezer bags. I got 8, two pound bags of pumpkin (which I will share with you if you are local). There was some left over so I looked up a recipe for Mexican Pumpkin Candy and used the rest for that. This won't really be ready for a few days, but I can hardly wait! It will be a tasty addition to our Thanksgiving table (along with pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, pumpkin muffins....nah just kidding!).
This morning, while all the pumpkin was roasting, there was enough time to knit a mini Christmas stocking in some cool rockin' colors for some cool rockin' friends. I am gonna try to whip another one out before the day is up.
I started making soap and I am totally in love with that - been looking up more recipes that the one I got started with - I love that recipe, but I am looking for a little variety. I am trying to find a way to do this without going farther than the grocery store. : )
I am off to take care of this kitchen which looks like I have been using it all day. : P
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday meal plan
Here's the plan for the week:
***Stuffed Roasted Bell Peppers
10 medium bell peppers - I get these from my farmer friend, all colors
1 # ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
2 t minced garlic
3/4 c white rice, uncooked
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 c water
1 can tomato sauce
shredded cheddar cheese, about 4 oz.
Creole seasoning
Preheat over to 400*
Brown the ground beef with onions and garlic. When cooked through, drain, return to pan and add rice and chopped tomatoes and water. sprinkle some Creole seasoning in - start with a bit you can add more later. Bring mixture to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, roast your bell peppers over an open flame till charred. I usually run two burners and roast 2 at a time. If you have an electric stove, broil till charred, turn over and char the other side. As the peppers are done, put them in a covered bowl to sweat. Once finished roasting all peppers, carefully scrape the charred skin off with the side of a knife. Cut around the stem and remove the seeds.
By this time, your meat/rice should be finished. Leave lid on until you are finished with the peppers. In the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish, add about 3/4 c tomato sauce. make sure it covers the bottom of the dish. I sprinkled a bit of the Creole seasoning on the sauce. Stuff each pepper with the meat and rice mixture and place in the dish. Once finished, top with shredded cheddar. Don't use too much, just a bit. Drizzle more tomato sauce over the whole thing and another sprinkle of the Creole (I like it hot - this is to taste - you can use whatever seasoning you like).
Bake in the oven till heated through and cheese is melted.
Sunday - Stuffed roasted bell peppers ***
Monday - oatmeal
Shepherd's Pie (growing up my family called it Chinese Pie - don't ask me why)
Tuesday - French Toast
Chicken and dumplings
Wednesday - poached eggs and toast
Spaghetti
Thursday - Chocolate pumpkin muffins
Roast Beef, carrots and potatoes
Friday - oatmeal
Toasted sandwiches
***Stuffed Roasted Bell Peppers
10 medium bell peppers - I get these from my farmer friend, all colors
1 # ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
2 t minced garlic
3/4 c white rice, uncooked
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 c water
1 can tomato sauce
shredded cheddar cheese, about 4 oz.
Creole seasoning
Preheat over to 400*
Brown the ground beef with onions and garlic. When cooked through, drain, return to pan and add rice and chopped tomatoes and water. sprinkle some Creole seasoning in - start with a bit you can add more later. Bring mixture to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, roast your bell peppers over an open flame till charred. I usually run two burners and roast 2 at a time. If you have an electric stove, broil till charred, turn over and char the other side. As the peppers are done, put them in a covered bowl to sweat. Once finished roasting all peppers, carefully scrape the charred skin off with the side of a knife. Cut around the stem and remove the seeds.
By this time, your meat/rice should be finished. Leave lid on until you are finished with the peppers. In the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish, add about 3/4 c tomato sauce. make sure it covers the bottom of the dish. I sprinkled a bit of the Creole seasoning on the sauce. Stuff each pepper with the meat and rice mixture and place in the dish. Once finished, top with shredded cheddar. Don't use too much, just a bit. Drizzle more tomato sauce over the whole thing and another sprinkle of the Creole (I like it hot - this is to taste - you can use whatever seasoning you like).
Bake in the oven till heated through and cheese is melted.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
TWLOHA
Today is National To Write Love on Her Arms day!Check it out...and if you are on Facebook, stop by and visit the TWLOHA group page.
LOVE TO YOU
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
I am taking the challenge...will you?
See http://crunchydomesticgoddess.com/2008/11/11/the-no-plastic-holiday-challenge/ for more info, or if you would like to join in on the plastic free holiday challenge.
Menu plan
It seems like my menu plan is happening later and later! I promise to do better next week. : )
Monday - yogurt breakfast*
Spaghetti
Tuesday - PB & J sandwiches
meat and beans
Wednesday - smoothies
TBA - mom will be out and Dad is cooking : )
Thursday - yogurt breakfast
chicken salad sandwiches
Friday - smoothies
white beans and rice with ham
*Yogurt breakfast:
3/4 c plain home made yogurt
1/4 c. raw oatmeal or packet oatmeal mix (home made)
2 T raisins
2 T almonds
1 T brown sugar if using plain oats - none if using the mix
I got this from Misty's blog....Tuesday fun!
What I've doneBold the things you’ve done and will admit to:
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band - junior high band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (lake)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (I am reteaching myself Spanish, does this count?)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (actually learned to be content with or without it)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (a lake beach)
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (I am actually just a few chapters short - and working towards the goal every day!)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
What I've doneBold the things you’ve done and will admit to:
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band - junior high band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (lake)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (I am reteaching myself Spanish, does this count?)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (actually learned to be content with or without it)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (a lake beach)
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (I am actually just a few chapters short - and working towards the goal every day!)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
Thursday, November 6, 2008
I got some good advice today.
I was at the grocery store this morning, getting a few items. It was pretty early, the store was quiet, and I didn't pay too much attention to my cart. I turned my back on the cart to get a bag of potatoes. As I turned around, one of the produce workers approached me and said, "Ma'am, I would like to ask a favor of you. You see, it's that time of the year, and you turned your back on your purse like you don't even want it! Someone could have walked off with it in the time it took you to get your potatoes.: He proceeded to show me a neat little trick (I usually get things after everyone else, so if you already do this, bear with me, I am happy to have learned this.) - He took the baby seat belt and looped it twice through my purse handles and buckled it. This would prevent someone from picking up the purse and walking off. How about that!?!?!?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Hand Made Happenings
Saturday night was a peaceful, easy evening at home and I canned about 4# of jalapenos - I got 7 pints out of them. They are so hot and way better than store bought! They even have carrots and onions. YUM.
Monday I made Pan De Muerto (see previous post for recipe link). Here it is after first rise and shaping. It rose for about 50 minutes before I baked it.
Here is the bread after baking. I slathered it with orange glaze then topped with powdered sugar.
Spooky! Sophia says we found a skull in our cake.
I thought I'd try to knit a mitt. Here's my first ever knit mitt. : )The mitt is knit with Red Heart self-striping Sock yarn.
Advent Conspiracy
Last year, a friend pointed me to Advent Conspiracy. I am not sure if I was ready to read it then because I glanced at it, unaffected. This year, another friend pointed me towards it, and I really took the time to read it, followed the links and suggestions, and now I find myself deeply affected.
I know my challenge will be introducing it to the family. It will be difficult to stand firm and tall amongst our extended family while many of them are not interested in the true reason we celebrate Christmas.
Another challenge will be for my own self, to not get caught up in all the craziness, consumerism, stress, expectaions, and more, that are associated with the season.
If you are interested in this, please leave a comment here - let's keep each other accountable! Let's make a promise to each other to be encouraging and uplifting. Let's give each other ideas on handmade gifts, whether it's a link we have found on the net or our own ideas. This won't be easy for a newbie, but together we can do it. To start, there are a lot of great suggestions at Rethinking Christmas.
Let's do this!!!!!
I know my challenge will be introducing it to the family. It will be difficult to stand firm and tall amongst our extended family while many of them are not interested in the true reason we celebrate Christmas.
Another challenge will be for my own self, to not get caught up in all the craziness, consumerism, stress, expectaions, and more, that are associated with the season.
If you are interested in this, please leave a comment here - let's keep each other accountable! Let's make a promise to each other to be encouraging and uplifting. Let's give each other ideas on handmade gifts, whether it's a link we have found on the net or our own ideas. This won't be easy for a newbie, but together we can do it. To start, there are a lot of great suggestions at Rethinking Christmas.
Let's do this!!!!!
Pictures....later today
I know I promised some pictures yesterday, but I need DH's computer to get them uploaded - my usb cord is broken. I never told him I needed the computer, so it stayed at his office. It will come home today and I'll get that done.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Monday Menu Plan
Hi! Sorry I have gotten this post in so late today - I had to take Olivia to the Dr this morning for a viral throat thing. DH went to the Dr this afternoon, too, for the same thing, only he has had it for two weeks and it turned into an infection. After we got home, we made Pan De Muerto from this awesome recipe. For the first time I ever made it, it came out great! I will show some pictures once DH comes home with his computer, the only place I can upload my photos.
I am trying to skip a significant trip to the grocery store this week. We are stocked up with enough meat to feed us for the week, and I am going to use what pantry/freezer food I have here. I did run in today, however, to get loratadine for Olivia and chicken noodle soup ingredients. Other than that, we are set.
Here's this week's menu:
My Chicken Noodle Soup recipe:
1 onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, sliced
3 large carrots, sliced
32 oz chicken stock or broth
48 oz water
1 large chicken breast, sliced, browned, then cut into 1/2 inch cubes (or whatever you like!)
1/2 bag whole wheat egg noodles
1 t thyme
1/2 t savory
2 t minced garlic
a good handful of minced parsley, about 1/2 to 3/4ths cup
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder
2 T vegetable oil
In a pot, heat vegetable oil. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook over medium for a few minutes. Add broth and water, thyme, garlic,and savory, cover and bring to a boil then reduce to simmer. Meanwhile, brown the chicken breast (season with salt and pepper and garlic powder). When it is browned, remove from heat and cut into small pieces. Check the carrots - if they are tender, add the noodles and chicken and simmer till noodles are cooked, about 7 minutes. Add parsley and cook a couple more minutes. Check your seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste.
'
Serve with buttered saltines. YUM.
I am trying to skip a significant trip to the grocery store this week. We are stocked up with enough meat to feed us for the week, and I am going to use what pantry/freezer food I have here. I did run in today, however, to get loratadine for Olivia and chicken noodle soup ingredients. Other than that, we are set.
Here's this week's menu:
Sunday - pasta with leftover sauce from Friday
Monday - poached eggs and buttered toast
Chicken noodle soup with saltines
Tuesday - smoothies
Roast backstrap with potatoes and carrots - crock pot
Wednesday - yogurt with raw oatmeal, raisins, and almonds
Chicken tacos
Thursday - smoothies
Sophia's last soccer game and out to eat with the team
Friday - hot oatmeal or cereal
Dry garlic spare ribs, brown rice and veggies
(MOM if you are reading this it is my LAST packet of Dry Garlic rib mix!!! Hint Hint!!)
My Chicken Noodle Soup recipe:
1 onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, sliced
3 large carrots, sliced
32 oz chicken stock or broth
48 oz water
1 large chicken breast, sliced, browned, then cut into 1/2 inch cubes (or whatever you like!)
1/2 bag whole wheat egg noodles
1 t thyme
1/2 t savory
2 t minced garlic
a good handful of minced parsley, about 1/2 to 3/4ths cup
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder
2 T vegetable oil
In a pot, heat vegetable oil. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook over medium for a few minutes. Add broth and water, thyme, garlic,and savory, cover and bring to a boil then reduce to simmer. Meanwhile, brown the chicken breast (season with salt and pepper and garlic powder). When it is browned, remove from heat and cut into small pieces. Check the carrots - if they are tender, add the noodles and chicken and simmer till noodles are cooked, about 7 minutes. Add parsley and cook a couple more minutes. Check your seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste.
'
Serve with buttered saltines. YUM.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Meal Plan for the week
Sunday - snacky foods, pizza
Monday - apples (got up way too late for regular breakfast!)
Sauteed chicken tenders with kidney beans and corn, brown rice
Tuesday - oatmeal
Sloppy Jalopies
Wednesday - French Toast
Pork tacos, rice, beans
Thursday - Smoothies (this could change if it's really cold in the morning)
Steak, baked potatoes, grilled veggies
Friday - Oatmeal
Spaghetti
Saturday - TBA
Monday - apples (got up way too late for regular breakfast!)
Sauteed chicken tenders with kidney beans and corn, brown rice
Tuesday - oatmeal
Sloppy Jalopies
Wednesday - French Toast
Pork tacos, rice, beans
Thursday - Smoothies (this could change if it's really cold in the morning)
Steak, baked potatoes, grilled veggies
Friday - Oatmeal
Spaghetti
Saturday - TBA
Weekend Thoughts
Hi there! It seems like Monday mornings are the time to get my thoughts down. Some Mondays, my thoughts are on what's ahead, like meal plan, schedules, and so on, but today, I want to share a little bit about my weekend. Meal plan hasn't been done yet, so that will be posted a little later.
We had a pretty busy yet low-key weekend. In other words, we faced the same craziness, yet nothing terribly exciting like an ER trip (like last weekend for Sophia's foot, no break, thank God) or anything like that.
Sadly, I was a first hand witness to anti-missional living on a few accounts. At the grocery store, as we were pulling out, this big guy in a big truck aggressively zipped past us to hurry and get the spot designated for pregnant women. I could see DH's mouth wanting to open, I looked at him, the kind of look that says, remember your children are here! He looked out the window and smiled at the guy and said, "Congratulations!" He looked at DH and said "There ain't no d%*m pregnant women here!" It was sad, but I loved DH's humorous chiding.
Then at the soccer fields.....sigh. This broke my heart. At the end of the game, when the coaches, siblings, parents and friends are to gather together to create a tunnel for the young stars to run through, something happened that was so unnecessary. ****disclaimer - the uses of the words attractive and unattractive will be used here, according to culturally and worldly expectations of attractiveness, and I do not wish to offend anyone by the use of the words - they are to give you, the reader, an idea of how things transpired **** a young-ish, "attractive" woman was approaching the tunnel line up with her hands up ready to form a tunnel. She looked up and saw that the person with which she would have had contact was an "unattractive" man so sidestepped and had contact with no one and left the man to have contact with no one. I tried to dash across to form the tunnel with him, to show him some grace and acceptance, but the children were running through and I couldn't get across, then it was over.
I saw how an action that lasted maybe 5 seconds could have possibly crushed another human being's spirit! Ugh! I felt so sad when I left. So sad.
A thought to ponder....was this woman, a mother of two, raised with unconditional love? Or was she raised to believe that she would be accepted only if she was attractive enough? Skinny enough? Was she raised to accept others primarily because of their physical appearance?
God has been really speaking to me lately about the power of our words and actions. I was able to see a strong example of the hurt that one simple decision (to act or speak) can hurt another person.
After all this, our church service was beautifully set up with an open mic. We were first given three questions to discuss amongst ourselves. They were about reaching out to others. The questions were a follow up to last weeks' sermon, which I didn't make it to because of Sophia's ER visit. Following that, three more questions were given to us and the mic was made available. What has God been doing in your life? How has He been at work? (this is so not verbatim, hehe) and How has God challenged you this week? One by one, people got up in front. They bared their souls and shared some very deep hurts and some praises and some encouragements. We were able to collectively pray for our church family members. It was a very intimate hour.
I shared how He has been at work in my life this week, and I was unable to come up with a way that He has challenged me (don't know why nothing came to mind because He challenges me all the time!) I did walk away feeling very challenged, though. All in the essence of this post. To actively pay attention to my thoughts and actions - to only speak words of encouragement to others. To live a life of loving others and making them feel loved and not condemned or discouraged.
We had a pretty busy yet low-key weekend. In other words, we faced the same craziness, yet nothing terribly exciting like an ER trip (like last weekend for Sophia's foot, no break, thank God) or anything like that.
Sadly, I was a first hand witness to anti-missional living on a few accounts. At the grocery store, as we were pulling out, this big guy in a big truck aggressively zipped past us to hurry and get the spot designated for pregnant women. I could see DH's mouth wanting to open, I looked at him, the kind of look that says, remember your children are here! He looked out the window and smiled at the guy and said, "Congratulations!" He looked at DH and said "There ain't no d%*m pregnant women here!" It was sad, but I loved DH's humorous chiding.
Then at the soccer fields.....sigh. This broke my heart. At the end of the game, when the coaches, siblings, parents and friends are to gather together to create a tunnel for the young stars to run through, something happened that was so unnecessary. ****disclaimer - the uses of the words attractive and unattractive will be used here, according to culturally and worldly expectations of attractiveness, and I do not wish to offend anyone by the use of the words - they are to give you, the reader, an idea of how things transpired **** a young-ish, "attractive" woman was approaching the tunnel line up with her hands up ready to form a tunnel. She looked up and saw that the person with which she would have had contact was an "unattractive" man so sidestepped and had contact with no one and left the man to have contact with no one. I tried to dash across to form the tunnel with him, to show him some grace and acceptance, but the children were running through and I couldn't get across, then it was over.
I saw how an action that lasted maybe 5 seconds could have possibly crushed another human being's spirit! Ugh! I felt so sad when I left. So sad.
A thought to ponder....was this woman, a mother of two, raised with unconditional love? Or was she raised to believe that she would be accepted only if she was attractive enough? Skinny enough? Was she raised to accept others primarily because of their physical appearance?
God has been really speaking to me lately about the power of our words and actions. I was able to see a strong example of the hurt that one simple decision (to act or speak) can hurt another person.
After all this, our church service was beautifully set up with an open mic. We were first given three questions to discuss amongst ourselves. They were about reaching out to others. The questions were a follow up to last weeks' sermon, which I didn't make it to because of Sophia's ER visit. Following that, three more questions were given to us and the mic was made available. What has God been doing in your life? How has He been at work? (this is so not verbatim, hehe) and How has God challenged you this week? One by one, people got up in front. They bared their souls and shared some very deep hurts and some praises and some encouragements. We were able to collectively pray for our church family members. It was a very intimate hour.
I shared how He has been at work in my life this week, and I was unable to come up with a way that He has challenged me (don't know why nothing came to mind because He challenges me all the time!) I did walk away feeling very challenged, though. All in the essence of this post. To actively pay attention to my thoughts and actions - to only speak words of encouragement to others. To live a life of loving others and making them feel loved and not condemned or discouraged.
Ps 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Mortgage in Texas
My husband, Danny is a Loan Officer - he is hard working and honest, he does what it takes to make your home buying experience the best it can be. If you live in South TX and are considering a home loan, please stop by here first. You'll be glad you did. : )
http://www.esquedahomeloans.com/
http://www.esquedahomeloans.com/
Monday, October 20, 2008
Meal Plan Monday
Here's the menu for the week:
Sunday - snacky foods and leftovers
Monday - oatmeal - red beans and rice, ham, and turnip greens
Tuesday - smoothie - chicken enchiladas
Wednesday - baked rice pudding - spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the triplets at church
Thursday - smoothie - meat and beans
Friday - oatmeal - chicken noodle soup and saltines
Sunday - snacky foods and leftovers
Monday - oatmeal - red beans and rice, ham, and turnip greens
Tuesday - smoothie - chicken enchiladas
Wednesday - baked rice pudding - spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the triplets at church
Thursday - smoothie - meat and beans
Friday - oatmeal - chicken noodle soup and saltines
Monday, October 13, 2008
The work...
This morning, taking the kids to school, Shout to the Lord was playing on the radio. I will admit, a lot of the time when a slow paced song comes on the radio, I change it to something a little heavier : ) but today, I din't. I don't know if I blogged about this before, but oh well. It's a story I love to tell.
My father passed away in November of '05. The more time that passes, the more I miss him. We had a very rocky relationship. I had huge steel walls set up around my heart which prevented me from letting my guard down. I learned to do that because when I did let it down, I was hurt. His alcoholism had many terrible effects on me and everyone with who he had relationships.
I really see God's work in my life, especially because He drew me to him at a time when life was really hard, dealing with Dad. God knew that for me to forgive dad, I needed Him first. End of story. Or beginning??? I was still a very immature Christian when Dad passed away, and I never made it to give him the love and compassion and approval that he so desperately desired. It wasn't till the Christmas that followed his death that I came to true forgiveness.
Christmas Eve happened to fall on a Sunday that year. I was pretty emotional going in, a combination of hormones and grief (not good). We had a big day ahead of us, Danny's family has a very large celebration on Christmas Eve, steeped in tradition and family. I was extra tired that morning, too. Anyways, to make a long story short, during the music portion of the service, the song Shout to the Lord came along. I was once told to envision our children when we came to the part that goes...I sing for joy at the work of your hands...and I was doing just that - thinking of my babies - when a beautiful voice, loud and quiet at the same time, spoke directly into my heart, "Your father was the work of my hands, too, Melanie." I was stunned and joyful, all at once. I couldn't accurately express the range of emotions that swept over me at the time, but I can tell you that relief and love and forgiveness came in to replace the regret, anger, unforgiveness, and sadness in me.
That year, I received the best gift of all, God spoke directly to my heart and enabled me to forgive Dad, once and for all. From that point forward, I have been able to remember the good things and love him like he needed to be loved. I hope he knows that.
My father passed away in November of '05. The more time that passes, the more I miss him. We had a very rocky relationship. I had huge steel walls set up around my heart which prevented me from letting my guard down. I learned to do that because when I did let it down, I was hurt. His alcoholism had many terrible effects on me and everyone with who he had relationships.
I really see God's work in my life, especially because He drew me to him at a time when life was really hard, dealing with Dad. God knew that for me to forgive dad, I needed Him first. End of story. Or beginning??? I was still a very immature Christian when Dad passed away, and I never made it to give him the love and compassion and approval that he so desperately desired. It wasn't till the Christmas that followed his death that I came to true forgiveness.
Christmas Eve happened to fall on a Sunday that year. I was pretty emotional going in, a combination of hormones and grief (not good). We had a big day ahead of us, Danny's family has a very large celebration on Christmas Eve, steeped in tradition and family. I was extra tired that morning, too. Anyways, to make a long story short, during the music portion of the service, the song Shout to the Lord came along. I was once told to envision our children when we came to the part that goes...I sing for joy at the work of your hands...and I was doing just that - thinking of my babies - when a beautiful voice, loud and quiet at the same time, spoke directly into my heart, "Your father was the work of my hands, too, Melanie." I was stunned and joyful, all at once. I couldn't accurately express the range of emotions that swept over me at the time, but I can tell you that relief and love and forgiveness came in to replace the regret, anger, unforgiveness, and sadness in me.
That year, I received the best gift of all, God spoke directly to my heart and enabled me to forgive Dad, once and for all. From that point forward, I have been able to remember the good things and love him like he needed to be loved. I hope he knows that.
Monday Meal Planning
Here's the plan for the week:
Sunday - leftovers and snacky foods
Monday - oatmeal
Roast beef with potatoes and carrots
Tuesday - smoothies
Burgers and chips
Wednesday - sausage biscuit sandwiches
Tacos (with leftover beef roast) rice and beans
Thursday -smoothies
Sloppy Jalopies (renamed, thanks J.R.)
Friday - oatmeal
Sausage and ribs, corn, mashed potatoes
Saturday - TBD
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Catching up on pictures
Sunny
Oliv, peering into the distance.....
Sophia, chilling on the swing...
Icees - these were Danny and Sophia's first ever!
Our morning coffee...our propane tank was empty this morning so we made our breakfast outside. It was so fun!!!!!!!
Bacon and eggs
The kids eating their breakfast...
Moon and Star
Midnight and Moon (no picture, but we still have Eddie!)
Last Sunday's baking - bread and peanut butter cookies
Homemade breakfast sandwiches.
We made sushi for lunch Monday. It's D Jr's favorite lunch.
Here are the babies. Final head count is ELEVEN!
Oliv holding a baby. Awwwwwww.Thursday, October 9, 2008
Following up on pet drama and yogurt making.
My suspicions have been confirmed. Yes, we do, in fact, have two female fancy mice. Lizzie had a litter over the weekend and Dungeon had her litter yesterday. Now we have many little mouse mutts. I will count them tomorrow when we transfer them to an aquarium to keep them contained till they wean and are big enough to go to the pet store. I'll take a pic tomorrow when I transfer them.
If you read my yogurt making post, the one where I provided a link to a recipe, and are considering making your own yogurt, please read this. I made my third batch last night and this one came out perfect. The first batch, I used organic yogurt, 2% milk from HEB, and about 12-16 oz of yogurt for the starter. This came out very thin, although it tasted great, made great smoothies and yogurt cheese. I held back about the same amount from that batch and made a second batch of yogurt. (Both times, I heated the milk to 160 then cooled to 110). I used 2% milk from Walmart. This batch came out grainy - sort of the texture of ricotta and was much more sour than I was expecting. I strained this and now have a container of sour yogurt ricotta in my fridge. If I can't think of something to do with it, it will be a nice nutritious snack for the chickens.
After batch 2's failure, I decided to do some research to where I could have gone wrong. I found 3 things: 1) it is not recommended to save some from each batch as a starter, like you would do with sour dough. The bacteria loses it's potency. 2) every other source said to heat the milk to 180* rather than 160*. This ensures the opposing bacteria are killed off and all you have working are the ones you need for the yogurt. I still cooled it to 110* before adding the starter. 3) You only need 2 T of starter. That is way less than I used and much more cost effective. I used plain Dannon yogurt. You can freeze the starter and it works just fine when you use it. An ice cube container works perfectly because each cube holds 2T of starter. One container of yogurt gave me 14 doses of starter plus about a cup and a half of yogurt left. If I had another tray, I would have frozen what I had left. Instead we used it in smoothies this morning. I used half whole milk and half 2% milk from HEB for batch 3. I am sure the added milk fat helped.
Two tablespoons of yogurt and one half gallon of milk yields 2 quarts of yogurt. A half gallon of milk is about $2, and one quart of yogurt is about $2. Without getting the calculator out, this comes out to about $1.10 a quart of healthy, additive free yogurt. That so works for me. : )
Batch 3 turned out nothing short of perfect. It had the right thickness, tastes great and I will be going with that formula from now on. Yay!!!!! I love kitchen science! (did I just reveal myself as a nerd???)
If you read my yogurt making post, the one where I provided a link to a recipe, and are considering making your own yogurt, please read this. I made my third batch last night and this one came out perfect. The first batch, I used organic yogurt, 2% milk from HEB, and about 12-16 oz of yogurt for the starter. This came out very thin, although it tasted great, made great smoothies and yogurt cheese. I held back about the same amount from that batch and made a second batch of yogurt. (Both times, I heated the milk to 160 then cooled to 110). I used 2% milk from Walmart. This batch came out grainy - sort of the texture of ricotta and was much more sour than I was expecting. I strained this and now have a container of sour yogurt ricotta in my fridge. If I can't think of something to do with it, it will be a nice nutritious snack for the chickens.
After batch 2's failure, I decided to do some research to where I could have gone wrong. I found 3 things: 1) it is not recommended to save some from each batch as a starter, like you would do with sour dough. The bacteria loses it's potency. 2) every other source said to heat the milk to 180* rather than 160*. This ensures the opposing bacteria are killed off and all you have working are the ones you need for the yogurt. I still cooled it to 110* before adding the starter. 3) You only need 2 T of starter. That is way less than I used and much more cost effective. I used plain Dannon yogurt. You can freeze the starter and it works just fine when you use it. An ice cube container works perfectly because each cube holds 2T of starter. One container of yogurt gave me 14 doses of starter plus about a cup and a half of yogurt left. If I had another tray, I would have frozen what I had left. Instead we used it in smoothies this morning. I used half whole milk and half 2% milk from HEB for batch 3. I am sure the added milk fat helped.
Two tablespoons of yogurt and one half gallon of milk yields 2 quarts of yogurt. A half gallon of milk is about $2, and one quart of yogurt is about $2. Without getting the calculator out, this comes out to about $1.10 a quart of healthy, additive free yogurt. That so works for me. : )
Batch 3 turned out nothing short of perfect. It had the right thickness, tastes great and I will be going with that formula from now on. Yay!!!!! I love kitchen science! (did I just reveal myself as a nerd???)
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Snack
Last evening, as we were watching a family movie, Little Danny, my bottomless pit, asked me for a midnight snack. I told him, "Honey, you have been eating all day! Besides, it's not midnight yet." A moment later, he asked me, "Mom, what time is it?" I replied, "8:19." ...."Can I have an 8:19 snack, please?"
Goofball!
Goofball!
Talents and Gifts...Possessions???
A very large dose of reality hit me the other day after I wrote about The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing.
I have been struggling with pretty bad wrist pain for the last several weeks. This pain has come from repeated movement associated with knitting and is not showing signs of going away.
I have been praying to God about this - why does my wrist have to hurt so much? This stops me from knitting! Knitting is my gift! You have given me this talent! I love on people with my knitting! It calms and relaxes me and I exercise my creativity with it!
It's funny how we can read words on a page and pick up new things every time we read them. Case in point:
(again, a quote from The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer)
"Our gifts and talents should also be turned over to Him. They should be recognized for what they are, God's loan to us, and should never be considered in any sense our own. We have no more right to claim credit for special abilities than for blue eyes or strong muscles. 'For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?' "
I have been struggling with pretty bad wrist pain for the last several weeks. This pain has come from repeated movement associated with knitting and is not showing signs of going away.
I have been praying to God about this - why does my wrist have to hurt so much? This stops me from knitting! Knitting is my gift! You have given me this talent! I love on people with my knitting! It calms and relaxes me and I exercise my creativity with it!
It's funny how we can read words on a page and pick up new things every time we read them. Case in point:
(again, a quote from The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer)
"Our gifts and talents should also be turned over to Him. They should be recognized for what they are, God's loan to us, and should never be considered in any sense our own. We have no more right to claim credit for special abilities than for blue eyes or strong muscles. 'For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?' "
How humbling. What else can I say?
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing
I have been reading a book entitled "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer. This book was written in the late 40's yet is still relevant in our time. I am making slow progress, as every time I pick it up, I must have a block of time in which to read, meditate, digest the words. As you might have picked up from my blogging, blocks of time are scarce, thus making this slow reading! HA!
What I want to talk about is the second chapter. I read this over a month ago yet the words of it still ring in my ears as a beautiful encouragement and comfort, especially in the midst of financial crisis that is currently overwhelming our country.
The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing.
(any quotes that I present are from this chapter in this book.)
When God created all the "things" of the world, he intended for them to be external and subservient to man. God created us with a place in our hearts to be filled by none other than God Himself. The trouble for us began when we allowed "things," the very gifts that God gave us, to replace Him in our hearts. We allowed these "possessions" to take root in our hearts. We use the words "my" and 'mine" when we truly should acknowledge that all things are from God, that we and all things are His. Our "self life" is actually "an enemy within us which we tolerate at our own peril."
"To allow this enemy to live is in the end to lose everything. To repudiate it and give up all for Christ's sake is to lose nothing at last, but to preserve everything unto life eternal." When Christ refers to the "poor in spirit," this is what He is referring to. To get to that place, we need to follow these words, "Let him take up his cross and follow Me."
The poor in spirit are the ones who are not slaves to things, to possessions, gain, profit, earthly and familial relationships.
Tozer made an example in this chapter of Abraham and his son Isaac. God realized that, since Isaac was a miracle baby, Abe's whole live revolved around him. Abraham had everything that would constitute worldly possessions. He had his precious son. God knew that for Abe to surrender himself and to become poor in spirit (God didn't ask him to be poor in possessions), he was to sacrifice his own son. Imagine the grief and confusion that Abe felt as God asked this of him! Abraham ultimately obeyed God and was rewarded by not only being able to have his son live and his descendants be the chosen people of God, but the temple within his heart was made available for God to "reign unchallenged."
In the scenario of the state of financial crisis our country is experiencing...where are our hearts? Will we survive great financial loss? Security in things? When we put our hope and faith into things and people, where do we find ourselves when the going gets rough? Things will go away, people will let us down. God will never do either. He will always be with us. If we put our hope in Him, when the going gets rough, we still have Him! We will never lose everything. He will always take care of us.
I pray that we all can allow the roots of possessions to be pulled from our hearts so that God, our Heavenly Father, can reside there, filling us to the brim with His love and care.
Here is Mr. Tozer's prayer at the conclusion of this chapter:
"Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide them from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus' name, Amen.
What I want to talk about is the second chapter. I read this over a month ago yet the words of it still ring in my ears as a beautiful encouragement and comfort, especially in the midst of financial crisis that is currently overwhelming our country.
The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing.
(any quotes that I present are from this chapter in this book.)
When God created all the "things" of the world, he intended for them to be external and subservient to man. God created us with a place in our hearts to be filled by none other than God Himself. The trouble for us began when we allowed "things," the very gifts that God gave us, to replace Him in our hearts. We allowed these "possessions" to take root in our hearts. We use the words "my" and 'mine" when we truly should acknowledge that all things are from God, that we and all things are His. Our "self life" is actually "an enemy within us which we tolerate at our own peril."
"To allow this enemy to live is in the end to lose everything. To repudiate it and give up all for Christ's sake is to lose nothing at last, but to preserve everything unto life eternal." When Christ refers to the "poor in spirit," this is what He is referring to. To get to that place, we need to follow these words, "Let him take up his cross and follow Me."
The poor in spirit are the ones who are not slaves to things, to possessions, gain, profit, earthly and familial relationships.
Tozer made an example in this chapter of Abraham and his son Isaac. God realized that, since Isaac was a miracle baby, Abe's whole live revolved around him. Abraham had everything that would constitute worldly possessions. He had his precious son. God knew that for Abe to surrender himself and to become poor in spirit (God didn't ask him to be poor in possessions), he was to sacrifice his own son. Imagine the grief and confusion that Abe felt as God asked this of him! Abraham ultimately obeyed God and was rewarded by not only being able to have his son live and his descendants be the chosen people of God, but the temple within his heart was made available for God to "reign unchallenged."
In the scenario of the state of financial crisis our country is experiencing...where are our hearts? Will we survive great financial loss? Security in things? When we put our hope and faith into things and people, where do we find ourselves when the going gets rough? Things will go away, people will let us down. God will never do either. He will always be with us. If we put our hope in Him, when the going gets rough, we still have Him! We will never lose everything. He will always take care of us.
I pray that we all can allow the roots of possessions to be pulled from our hearts so that God, our Heavenly Father, can reside there, filling us to the brim with His love and care.
Here is Mr. Tozer's prayer at the conclusion of this chapter:
"Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide them from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Sunday fun, pet drama, meal planning and living up to my maiden name
Today, I took a self-imposed break from the norm. I didn't set an alarm clock, I woke up at my own pace, read for as long as I wanted while I sipped some coffee. I didn't wake the kids up, instead they got up when they were ready. I took a long shower and shaved (a rare treat! Hehe!) and we all took our time to get ready for brunch. We went to eat, no rush, had a delicious meal at a popular West Side Mexican restaurant. The kids and I walked to Grandpa's house while Dad waited for Grandpa's lunch to go and squared up the bill. We visited with G for while and loaded up our old cast iron wood stove that Danny and I bought before we had Olivia that has been sitting in the shed all these years. Sophia and I got a few items at the grocery store and then we came home. Once here, I got some bread going in the Kitchen Aid mixer and did some dishes. As the dough was rising, I warmed up the oven and baked 3 dozen peanut butter cookies and 15 baking powder biscuits. (BTW this is where I live up to my maiden name - BAKER).
Sophia has been coveting the neighbor kids' breakfast biscuit sausage sandwiches. I made the biscuits and some sausage patties, assembled the sandwiches, wrapped individually and put in the freezer. Voila! An hour of work and a weeks' worth of healthy convenience food! : )
While I was inside baking, Danny got the wood stove burning outside and fixed chicken fajitas with red and green peppers and purple onions from Julie's farm. He even heated up the corn tortillas tight on the stove top! Delish! We topped these with my home made salsa ad some yogurt cheese (I know this sounds icky, but it is from my yogurt I made last week - I strained it over a pot overnight and it turned out with a taste and texture very close to sour cream. (Sophia likes to mix raspberry jam into it.)
The bread, in all it's fragrant glory, came out of the oven, ready to be tested out on my family as our daily bread....good for sandwiches, toast, etc.
Meanwhile, during all this cooking and baking, I sent Olivia outside to clean the mouse cage. She got Lizzie and Dungeon into a safe place and went to work. She soon ran in, crazy excited, holding 4 newborn baby mice in her hand. I mean they were the size of large kidney beans. I sent her out to make sure that was all and she came back with three more! These babies are no more than 24 hours old. There is a problem, though. Lizzie and Dungeon are both girls. We have had them for at least 15 months. We suspect that there have been unexpected visitors sneaking in and out of their cage. The girls are pretty big, but the field mice are pretty small. Living near a field, out in the country, we have had mice in the house before. I guess it's time to start a mouse control effort again! Ugh! Olivia completed cage cleaning and we got the mice reunited with the babies (we don't know which one's the mom because they seem to have turns mothering them. Sweet.) As soon as they start moving around easily, we will have to either find a glass aquarium with a screen top or take them to the pet store. I don't know if they'll take mutts, though.
(I have taken a bunch of pics but lost them all while getting them downloaded...the program wasn't responding and I took the card out, the pics had already been removed from the device but never made it to the program).
As soon as the excitement died down, the kids and Dad washed my car (and each other!) and I got the meal plan done for the week. Here it is...
Sophia has been coveting the neighbor kids' breakfast biscuit sausage sandwiches. I made the biscuits and some sausage patties, assembled the sandwiches, wrapped individually and put in the freezer. Voila! An hour of work and a weeks' worth of healthy convenience food! : )
While I was inside baking, Danny got the wood stove burning outside and fixed chicken fajitas with red and green peppers and purple onions from Julie's farm. He even heated up the corn tortillas tight on the stove top! Delish! We topped these with my home made salsa ad some yogurt cheese (I know this sounds icky, but it is from my yogurt I made last week - I strained it over a pot overnight and it turned out with a taste and texture very close to sour cream. (Sophia likes to mix raspberry jam into it.)
The bread, in all it's fragrant glory, came out of the oven, ready to be tested out on my family as our daily bread....good for sandwiches, toast, etc.
Meanwhile, during all this cooking and baking, I sent Olivia outside to clean the mouse cage. She got Lizzie and Dungeon into a safe place and went to work. She soon ran in, crazy excited, holding 4 newborn baby mice in her hand. I mean they were the size of large kidney beans. I sent her out to make sure that was all and she came back with three more! These babies are no more than 24 hours old. There is a problem, though. Lizzie and Dungeon are both girls. We have had them for at least 15 months. We suspect that there have been unexpected visitors sneaking in and out of their cage. The girls are pretty big, but the field mice are pretty small. Living near a field, out in the country, we have had mice in the house before. I guess it's time to start a mouse control effort again! Ugh! Olivia completed cage cleaning and we got the mice reunited with the babies (we don't know which one's the mom because they seem to have turns mothering them. Sweet.) As soon as they start moving around easily, we will have to either find a glass aquarium with a screen top or take them to the pet store. I don't know if they'll take mutts, though.
(I have taken a bunch of pics but lost them all while getting them downloaded...the program wasn't responding and I took the card out, the pics had already been removed from the device but never made it to the program).
As soon as the excitement died down, the kids and Dad washed my car (and each other!) and I got the meal plan done for the week. Here it is...
Sunday - Fajitas
Monday - sausage biscuit sandwiches
grilled cheese and tomato soup
Tuesday - smoothies
Posole
Wednesday - oatmeal
Sloppy Jotatoes*
Thursday - smoothies
Spaghetti and meat sauce
Friday - sausage biscuit sandwiches
chicken and dumplings
Saturday - TBA
*****************************************
*the Sloppy Jotatoes are a personal creation -
Brown 1 # ground beef with chopped green peppers and onions
Drain, add 1 can tomato soup, 2 T brown sugar and 2 T Worcestershire sauce.
Cook till thick and bubbly.
Meanwhile, bake potatoes in the microwave.
Split in half and top with sloppy joe mixture.
YUM-O
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I am inspired!
Reading Happy to be at Home I have been so inspired to really push to do even more to take feeding my family seriously. In today's H2BH entry, there was a recipe to make home made yogurt. I have seen recipes like this before, but never felt like I wanted to make it. Today is different. I halved the recipe - I happened to have a pint of organic plain yogurt in my fridge and a lot of milk. I am calculating - all I need to do is save a pint from each batch, make it in the evening, and have 2 quarts the next day. This is way more cost effective than buying yogurt, and it is a great encouragement to eat more of it. I can use it in smoothies (we have those for b'fast 2 days a week), baking, eating with fruit, and so on. It can also be strained and used in place of sour cream on baked potatoes and tacos.
The other thing I made from that entry was the packet oatmeal. I threw it together in about 2-3 minutes, did a test run in the microwave for 1.5 minutes (just add water) and voila! Delicious, nutritious, cheap instant oatmeal. Olivia loved it - this will make an easy quick snack any time of day.
The funny thing is that the powdered milk I have (that I thought was plain old powdered milk) is actually a Latin version of "formula" for kids - it was sold with the evaporated and powdered milk, so I was surprised to see what it really was. The great thing is that it is fortified with even more vitamins and minerals so the kids are getting a nutritious kick in their breakfast.
I am feeling so inspired! I think I'll whip out the sewing machine and tackle a few over-due sewing projects. I have a couple of minor repairs - an article of clothing for a friend, a couple of my green bags are getting worn out, and I have this gorgeous Mexican looking table cloth that we set on fire last year (don't ask). Enough of it burned to not be usable as a tablecloth, but there is still enough left to make a couple of bags. I am not too skilled with the sewing machine, so that will be fun. They will be used for groceries, so I guess it doesn't matter much if they are perfect or not.
Good night!
The other thing I made from that entry was the packet oatmeal. I threw it together in about 2-3 minutes, did a test run in the microwave for 1.5 minutes (just add water) and voila! Delicious, nutritious, cheap instant oatmeal. Olivia loved it - this will make an easy quick snack any time of day.
The funny thing is that the powdered milk I have (that I thought was plain old powdered milk) is actually a Latin version of "formula" for kids - it was sold with the evaporated and powdered milk, so I was surprised to see what it really was. The great thing is that it is fortified with even more vitamins and minerals so the kids are getting a nutritious kick in their breakfast.
I am feeling so inspired! I think I'll whip out the sewing machine and tackle a few over-due sewing projects. I have a couple of minor repairs - an article of clothing for a friend, a couple of my green bags are getting worn out, and I have this gorgeous Mexican looking table cloth that we set on fire last year (don't ask). Enough of it burned to not be usable as a tablecloth, but there is still enough left to make a couple of bags. I am not too skilled with the sewing machine, so that will be fun. They will be used for groceries, so I guess it doesn't matter much if they are perfect or not.
Good night!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday stuff
Greetings! I realize that I haven't been regularly posting. My schedule is a little hectic and I get caught up in mundane things and forget the really important ones, like blogging, hehe!
I have been exercising and really enjoying it. I am also trying to take food preparation a step further and put more effort into healthily feeding my family. I got hooked on making my own pita bread. I use the recipe from Joy of Cooking (an excellent resource!). The family has been eating it like regular bread, which is great. I am also going to switch to making our bread for sandwiches and toast. I have done this before, but I am going to hit it again. I have a renewed desire and skill to do it. I am hoping that the family enjoys it enough to not really miss store bought. There is something great about knowing every thing you put into your body. I just cringe when I read ingredient lists and can't pronounce most of the words. And I can pronounce a lot. So...I'll let you know how that goes in the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, on the feathered friend front (OK, say that 5 times fast), our beloved Eddie is turning into a mean little guy. All the chickens we got earlier this year are bigger than him, but he has the biggest attitude. He may take a trip to the feed store. I might look around to see if anyone wants him. I am so sorry about this because he has been a fun pet, but is way too aggressive. We have our three kids plus several others who come on a regular basis. I can't have any animals that aren't kid-friendly. Eddie chased me this morning so bad that I had to whack him with a stick - otherwise, I would have gotten it. UGH.
Well, I had better get on to the menu plan for the week....then off to get some work done before I have to leave again.
I have been exercising and really enjoying it. I am also trying to take food preparation a step further and put more effort into healthily feeding my family. I got hooked on making my own pita bread. I use the recipe from Joy of Cooking (an excellent resource!). The family has been eating it like regular bread, which is great. I am also going to switch to making our bread for sandwiches and toast. I have done this before, but I am going to hit it again. I have a renewed desire and skill to do it. I am hoping that the family enjoys it enough to not really miss store bought. There is something great about knowing every thing you put into your body. I just cringe when I read ingredient lists and can't pronounce most of the words. And I can pronounce a lot. So...I'll let you know how that goes in the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, on the feathered friend front (OK, say that 5 times fast), our beloved Eddie is turning into a mean little guy. All the chickens we got earlier this year are bigger than him, but he has the biggest attitude. He may take a trip to the feed store. I might look around to see if anyone wants him. I am so sorry about this because he has been a fun pet, but is way too aggressive. We have our three kids plus several others who come on a regular basis. I can't have any animals that aren't kid-friendly. Eddie chased me this morning so bad that I had to whack him with a stick - otherwise, I would have gotten it. UGH.
Well, I had better get on to the menu plan for the week....then off to get some work done before I have to leave again.
*************************************************************************
Sunday - chicken and rice, Asian flavors
Monday - warm pita bread with eggs
tuna salad and egg salad sandwiches
Tuesday - smoothies
meat and beans, rice and tortillas
Wednesday - cereal
Spaghetti and meat sauce
Thursday - smoothie
grilled beef short ribs, mashed potatoes, peas
Friday - toast with butter and jam
toasty sandwiches and chips
Saturday - cereal
TBD
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In case you don't hear from me again, have a great week!!!!!!!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Boring
OK, Y'all. I have to apologize for a lack of interesting content on this blog lately. It seems like I am slipping into another "sponge" phase, where I am soaking in lots and lots of information. I have to let it sink in, digest it, sit on it for a while, and then attempt to organize this information and see where it fits into my thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.
Currently I am reading The Irresistible Revolution, Organic Community, The Pursuit of God, the Bible, and I am doing a bible study based on the book of Daniel. As usual, I have all the different books situated at different spots around my home. I have a stack of books staring me in the face every time I sit down at the computer, which I am sad to report is a little too often.
I am hooked on Facebook and enjoy reuniting with long lost friends. This weekend, I reconnected with 3 of my really good friends. These were not in my grade, just people that I spent time with outside of school and had a lot of good times with, including University of Maine at Fort Kent theater production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Great times!
In addition with all this information processing and some time wasting, I have been doing some exercise videos - Turbo Jam - the direct result of watching an early morning infomercial while feeling fat and ugly. Hehe! I ordered it, not even terribly fired up about it, but did it with a little vow to myself to try it, and if I didn't like it, send it back. Well, surprise, I love it! I actually look forward to this nutty work out every morning. I can't report any significant weight loss yet, but I do feel my body transforming, and that is what it's all about. There are several different work outs and some have some funny names, and that makes me smile. (Booty Blast Plus Abs....Fat Blaster...Totally Tubular Workout, to name a few! Hehe!) I must say, I am very pleased with the program and I feel better.
My days are getting busier and busier. Mondays are grocery shopping and laundry day (I do that every day, but Mondays I catch up from the weekend). I finally got to a spot where I can help out at the girls' school and have started on Mondays and any other days I can fit some time in. I help the art teacher prepare and display the students' creations. Monday evenings, Olivia has art a 5:30, Danny has soccer practice at 6, and soon co-ed softball will be on at 7. This is all Mondays! Tuesdays and Thursdays I try to keep clear so the family can be together peacefully and not have commitments. During the days I just go with the flow, leaving room for social stuff, volunteering, helping, whatever comes along. Wednesdays all 3 kiddos go to AWANAs at a friends' church and if my knitting class ever gets enough students, I will be teaching on Wednesdays. Fridays are Sophia's soccer practice and Girl Scouts, and in the morning is my bible study. Saturdays are soccer and whatever we have energy left to do, be it veg on the couch or visit Grandpa, or whatever. Sunday is church and Grandpa. I get pooped just writing this schedule out!
We had a weather teaser last week - it was nice and cool but it's been getting warmer again. I am looking forward to lows in the 30s and highs in the 60s. Perfect. This 90s business is for the birds.
My pastor has been really working at encouraging us to live our lives, our Christian lives, every moment of every day. To worship no matter where we are, to love no matter who it is, to help others, to not judge, to bless God and others. I am taking his encouragement very seriously. I have been doing much reading and research on living my life for Jesus....I have been trying to practice it everywhere I go. I recognize that I am human and I will fall, but I will reach for God's loving hand and keep getting right back up. (I realize this looks silly, saying that I am reading about how to live my life for Jesus - I am simply reading other people's words and experiences and applying this information to my circumstances, my life, my environment. I am very thankful to have Pastor Tim as a shepherd and I pray that his passion and zeal are absolutely contagious, and this love he has for Jesus spreads like wildfire.
Have a wonderful week, and please humor me and try out some of my Happy Twit suggestions...you might even be surprised and get a good laugh and maybe even make some one's day!
With Love.....
Currently I am reading The Irresistible Revolution, Organic Community, The Pursuit of God, the Bible, and I am doing a bible study based on the book of Daniel. As usual, I have all the different books situated at different spots around my home. I have a stack of books staring me in the face every time I sit down at the computer, which I am sad to report is a little too often.
I am hooked on Facebook and enjoy reuniting with long lost friends. This weekend, I reconnected with 3 of my really good friends. These were not in my grade, just people that I spent time with outside of school and had a lot of good times with, including University of Maine at Fort Kent theater production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Great times!
In addition with all this information processing and some time wasting, I have been doing some exercise videos - Turbo Jam - the direct result of watching an early morning infomercial while feeling fat and ugly. Hehe! I ordered it, not even terribly fired up about it, but did it with a little vow to myself to try it, and if I didn't like it, send it back. Well, surprise, I love it! I actually look forward to this nutty work out every morning. I can't report any significant weight loss yet, but I do feel my body transforming, and that is what it's all about. There are several different work outs and some have some funny names, and that makes me smile. (Booty Blast Plus Abs....Fat Blaster...Totally Tubular Workout, to name a few! Hehe!) I must say, I am very pleased with the program and I feel better.
My days are getting busier and busier. Mondays are grocery shopping and laundry day (I do that every day, but Mondays I catch up from the weekend). I finally got to a spot where I can help out at the girls' school and have started on Mondays and any other days I can fit some time in. I help the art teacher prepare and display the students' creations. Monday evenings, Olivia has art a 5:30, Danny has soccer practice at 6, and soon co-ed softball will be on at 7. This is all Mondays! Tuesdays and Thursdays I try to keep clear so the family can be together peacefully and not have commitments. During the days I just go with the flow, leaving room for social stuff, volunteering, helping, whatever comes along. Wednesdays all 3 kiddos go to AWANAs at a friends' church and if my knitting class ever gets enough students, I will be teaching on Wednesdays. Fridays are Sophia's soccer practice and Girl Scouts, and in the morning is my bible study. Saturdays are soccer and whatever we have energy left to do, be it veg on the couch or visit Grandpa, or whatever. Sunday is church and Grandpa. I get pooped just writing this schedule out!
We had a weather teaser last week - it was nice and cool but it's been getting warmer again. I am looking forward to lows in the 30s and highs in the 60s. Perfect. This 90s business is for the birds.
My pastor has been really working at encouraging us to live our lives, our Christian lives, every moment of every day. To worship no matter where we are, to love no matter who it is, to help others, to not judge, to bless God and others. I am taking his encouragement very seriously. I have been doing much reading and research on living my life for Jesus....I have been trying to practice it everywhere I go. I recognize that I am human and I will fall, but I will reach for God's loving hand and keep getting right back up. (I realize this looks silly, saying that I am reading about how to live my life for Jesus - I am simply reading other people's words and experiences and applying this information to my circumstances, my life, my environment. I am very thankful to have Pastor Tim as a shepherd and I pray that his passion and zeal are absolutely contagious, and this love he has for Jesus spreads like wildfire.
Have a wonderful week, and please humor me and try out some of my Happy Twit suggestions...you might even be surprised and get a good laugh and maybe even make some one's day!
With Love.....
Menu plan for the week
Here's our weekly menu plan!
Sunday - Grilled steak and corn, ranch potatoes
Monday - Scrambled eggs, toast
Vegetable Barley soup and biscuits*
Tuesday - smoothie
Penne with tomato cream sauce and Italian sausage
Wednesday - French toast
Taco salad with chicken fajita meat
Thursday - smoothie
***either - meat and beans and tortillas *** or kidnap my MIL for a birthday dinner***
Friday - cereal
Toasty sandwiches
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*3 Ingredient Biscuits
2 c self-rising flour
1 stick butter (I grate it in on a cheese grater, rather than cut in)
3/4 c buttermilk
Cut in butter, then add buttermilk.
450 degrees
15 minutes for large biscuits
10 for smaller ones
This is a "drop" biscuit recipe, but I just lopped off a piece of dough, formed it into a patty, and went from there. The recipe made 7 large biscuits - that took 15 minutes. The recipe says it makes 12 biscuits, and the time called for was 10 minutes.
I also brushed a little butter on top half way through.
Be careful - these are sooooo good!!!
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