didn't think I'd find you here. Oh wait, maybe you didn't think you'd find me here--I know it's been a while-sorry. Life is super busy. (and I am wildly popular and all that, sooooo...)
Anyway, we are all well, and getting excited for the holidays coming up. My shop is doing well and keeping me busy. I am trying to make everything I can think of out of beeswax these days, and possibly have a small (to medium) addiction to online shopping. Usually it's stuff for my shop that I can use to make other stuff, or sell with my stuff, but, um, sometimes it's lip stick and jewelery, kind of depends on the time of day, how the kids are treating me and how many cocktails I have had. :)
Layla and Maggie are both LOVING school, and let's be honest, I am also a huge fan. I get almost 3 hours, 2 days a week all to myself. I am supposed to be using it to work in my shop and run errands, but sometimes I just sit back, drink my coffee while it's still hot and have my english muffin in peace and quiet. They had a day off the other day and I was so mad! I almost took them anyway, but decided that maybe that wouldn't be the best idea, so I thought I would just take the opportunity to sleep in-haha-silly me. They have to be hauled out of bed every school day, but on vacation days, apparently they can't handle missing 6am. Why is life like that? There isn't even any good tv on that early. (just kidding-Alan got the 3000 cable channels to go with his ginormous tv, so there is ALWAYS something on. Freud would have something to say about this I am sure of it!)
Tonight is the JDRF awards banquet, we are finally going to attend this year. We have blown it off every year so far; well, one year there was an ice storm and it was cancelled at the last minute (I mean we were dressed up and headed out the door) so we went out to dinner instead and gave Layla a pack of bubblegum (sugarless) for her "prestigious award" when you're 3, that's big. So, I should say we are planning to attend. So far the sun is out and the weather is unseasonably warm for the week before Thanksgiving, so hopefully we'll make it.
So, now you are caught up, sorry it's been so long, please be patient. This is a busy time for us, I will probably post again in the new year, so until then.....Happy Holidays, and I wish you and yours health and happiness. Have a fun and safe season!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
I've got a buzz!
not from any substances or anything, it's my alter ego. Find me here: buzzhandmade.etsy.com.
It's my shop, I have been working overtime lately in preparation of my first "show", today and tomorrow I will be vending at the Pomeroy Farm's 15th annual pumpkin fest-woohoo! I am really excited and hope this weekend will bring great things, so far it has only brought a sore back, lack of sleep and tons and tons of rain. (ug) This would explain why I haven't payed you any attention in a whole month, it isn't personal I promise. We had the JDRF walk to cure diabetes last weekend and the weekend before that my mother-in-law was here, and now the fest prep-phew, I'm getting tired just thinking about it. Hopefully I will have a bit more free time for a while, I don't have anything scheduled until December as far as selling (except online, but I expect to keep pretty busy through the holidays) so I should be able to let you know what is going on here a little more frequently. (we shall see-haha) Everything we've done for my booth is ridiculously awesome and I think I am going to rock the squash off of all the visitors there this weekend, hopefully the economy pinch won't influence their candle buying. :)
I am planning on taking tons of pictures and will try to post some of them here--I see blogs with pictures all the time, but have no idea how to do it, maybe my IT guy will give me a hand. As for me, I have to go now--big and busy day ahead. They say you are successful at a show if you make 10 times your cost, I am not holding my breath for this, but I'll let you know how it goes!
Wish me luck!!!!
It's my shop, I have been working overtime lately in preparation of my first "show", today and tomorrow I will be vending at the Pomeroy Farm's 15th annual pumpkin fest-woohoo! I am really excited and hope this weekend will bring great things, so far it has only brought a sore back, lack of sleep and tons and tons of rain. (ug) This would explain why I haven't payed you any attention in a whole month, it isn't personal I promise. We had the JDRF walk to cure diabetes last weekend and the weekend before that my mother-in-law was here, and now the fest prep-phew, I'm getting tired just thinking about it. Hopefully I will have a bit more free time for a while, I don't have anything scheduled until December as far as selling (except online, but I expect to keep pretty busy through the holidays) so I should be able to let you know what is going on here a little more frequently. (we shall see-haha) Everything we've done for my booth is ridiculously awesome and I think I am going to rock the squash off of all the visitors there this weekend, hopefully the economy pinch won't influence their candle buying. :)
I am planning on taking tons of pictures and will try to post some of them here--I see blogs with pictures all the time, but have no idea how to do it, maybe my IT guy will give me a hand. As for me, I have to go now--big and busy day ahead. They say you are successful at a show if you make 10 times your cost, I am not holding my breath for this, but I'll let you know how it goes!
Wish me luck!!!!
Friday, September 5, 2008
this just in....
I had a few minutes and wanted to get a quick update out. (well, I actually don't have a minute, but I will make some time for you)
Layla started kindergarten this Wednesday, she has the morning class, so we had to wake up early. She has went for 2 days so far and loves it. Today she told me that all of the other kids were acting up and she was the only kid that was being good. Hmmmm, good day to not be a kindergarten teacher (wait, that's every day for me).
My mom, sister and aunts are in England, wait, let me check the itinerary just to be sure (please enjoy the light jazz playing while I find it) ok-um, looks like today they are leaving London for Paris on some high speed train-very euro-chic! Hope they enjoy a crepe (or 10) for me! I wish I had the energy to be jealous, but being me is pretty exhausting right now, and honestly, Paris probably can't handle me, so let's just say that I'm fine right here for the moment. (Now if you have any tickets to Mexico handy-please, by all means, give me a call) Me thinks that the aunts must be getting close to a free trip with all of the travelling of late, and I am going to demand a visit soon, so they can come take care of me, um, I mean come see the girls and check out the new place.
I made a new recipe of laundry soap this weekend, it smells great and seems to be working really well, it is a thick powder (with chunks that I couldn't seem to break up) and has been making the clothes smell yummy and clean and soft. I am probably the most impressed with this recipe and the dishwasher soap recipe. The fabric softener works ok, but Alan's new pants are a little clingy (think tired 2 year old wrapped around your leg and you are starting to get the picture), so he had to buy an emergency can of that toxic anti-cling spray one day when they started sparking while he was walking the halls at his new job. I told him he can keep it on hand for emergencies and use it when he is outside in a breeze if he holds his breath when he sprays it. (seriously I think I got an unintentional buzz one time from using that stuff, which might be handy if you are 12, but now that I can afford beer, not so much)
My shop has been going well, I have been making a couple of sales a week, so that is exciting. I just got some beeswax and am looking forward to making all sorts of cool stuff out of it. I am planning to do some local fairs and bizarres this November and hopefully that will help me out quite a bit. I am getting ready to revamp my etsy shop and get some business cards printed out, and a business license and everything, so that's fun and a little scary. Alan is awesome and supportive, the girls think it's fun, I'm tired. Being self employed is great and hard, you get to be your own boss, but your boss is cranky and demanding. If I ever have a minute to sit down I think I should go grab some wool, or a needle and thread. I need to stock up on my inventory for the holidays, I can't sell it, if I don't have it out, so I am trying to get tons of things made and packaged by the end of October. Let me know if you are interested in anything for the holidays so I can make it special or set it aside for you. The tea lights, votives and pillars are really beautiful.
I saved the biggest news for last. Tonight the girls are having a sleep over with a friend and we are getting out!!! This is amazing since my babysitter is in another country, but it is really happening. Alan and I are going to a concert and then staying overnight at a cool (haunted) hotel-eep! I can't wait, this is our anniversary present to ourselves and we are really looking forward to it. We will only be kid-less for about 19 hours, but that is time that we rarely get, so every minute counts. I have 807 things to do, and about 6 seconds to finish them up, so I better run. I will try to post again soon, but it's hard to find a minute, and since I only have 3 readers, and we talk twice a day as it is, the blog may suffer-haha.
Have a fantastic weekend-I plan to!
Layla started kindergarten this Wednesday, she has the morning class, so we had to wake up early. She has went for 2 days so far and loves it. Today she told me that all of the other kids were acting up and she was the only kid that was being good. Hmmmm, good day to not be a kindergarten teacher (wait, that's every day for me).
My mom, sister and aunts are in England, wait, let me check the itinerary just to be sure (please enjoy the light jazz playing while I find it) ok-um, looks like today they are leaving London for Paris on some high speed train-very euro-chic! Hope they enjoy a crepe (or 10) for me! I wish I had the energy to be jealous, but being me is pretty exhausting right now, and honestly, Paris probably can't handle me, so let's just say that I'm fine right here for the moment. (Now if you have any tickets to Mexico handy-please, by all means, give me a call) Me thinks that the aunts must be getting close to a free trip with all of the travelling of late, and I am going to demand a visit soon, so they can come take care of me, um, I mean come see the girls and check out the new place.
I made a new recipe of laundry soap this weekend, it smells great and seems to be working really well, it is a thick powder (with chunks that I couldn't seem to break up) and has been making the clothes smell yummy and clean and soft. I am probably the most impressed with this recipe and the dishwasher soap recipe. The fabric softener works ok, but Alan's new pants are a little clingy (think tired 2 year old wrapped around your leg and you are starting to get the picture), so he had to buy an emergency can of that toxic anti-cling spray one day when they started sparking while he was walking the halls at his new job. I told him he can keep it on hand for emergencies and use it when he is outside in a breeze if he holds his breath when he sprays it. (seriously I think I got an unintentional buzz one time from using that stuff, which might be handy if you are 12, but now that I can afford beer, not so much)
My shop has been going well, I have been making a couple of sales a week, so that is exciting. I just got some beeswax and am looking forward to making all sorts of cool stuff out of it. I am planning to do some local fairs and bizarres this November and hopefully that will help me out quite a bit. I am getting ready to revamp my etsy shop and get some business cards printed out, and a business license and everything, so that's fun and a little scary. Alan is awesome and supportive, the girls think it's fun, I'm tired. Being self employed is great and hard, you get to be your own boss, but your boss is cranky and demanding. If I ever have a minute to sit down I think I should go grab some wool, or a needle and thread. I need to stock up on my inventory for the holidays, I can't sell it, if I don't have it out, so I am trying to get tons of things made and packaged by the end of October. Let me know if you are interested in anything for the holidays so I can make it special or set it aside for you. The tea lights, votives and pillars are really beautiful.
I saved the biggest news for last. Tonight the girls are having a sleep over with a friend and we are getting out!!! This is amazing since my babysitter is in another country, but it is really happening. Alan and I are going to a concert and then staying overnight at a cool (haunted) hotel-eep! I can't wait, this is our anniversary present to ourselves and we are really looking forward to it. We will only be kid-less for about 19 hours, but that is time that we rarely get, so every minute counts. I have 807 things to do, and about 6 seconds to finish them up, so I better run. I will try to post again soon, but it's hard to find a minute, and since I only have 3 readers, and we talk twice a day as it is, the blog may suffer-haha.
Have a fantastic weekend-I plan to!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
no time to say hello-goodbye.......
I've been gone. Not from home, just from blogging. We have had a really busy time here lately. We have had play dates, a company picnic, I have been busy busy working in my etsy shop, trying to get that to fly, and getting ready for school to start--only 1 week to go.
Layla lost her first tooth on Friday, she was nervous and excited and traded it for a silver dollar to the tooth fairy. (a silver dollar!!! that's like a collectors item!)
Every free minute I have been up to my elbows in wool and buttons and bells and cotton floss, things are going well, I have made a few sales, but not nearly enough to even cover costs yet. I am supposed to get a big batch of beeswax this week and then will be able to get some more candles in the shop, those are a big seller for me. I have a custom order for some beeswax charms for a local waldorf fair, I'm excited about that, hopefully all of our hard work will eventually pay off. I have heard that it takes 3 years of hard work for a small business to turn a profit--hopefully by then, this can just be a hobby for me again-haha. A really cool side affect is that I am learning how to do more things on my computer, and am also learning how to use my little camera really well. I have been taking great pictures and it helps my shop to look great. Maggie loves to help me in my shop and model all of my things, Layla, not so much, so by default she is in less pictures, and then gets cranky. The funny thing is that I ask her EVERY time if she will come do pictures and she always says no. I have ordered a banner for my shop and it should be here soon (the graphic designer has had some technical difficulties this last week) That will help make my shop look a little more put together.
Anyway, just wanted to give you an update, the posts will be less frequent for a while, while all of my energy goes into my shop (and kids and the JDRF walk, and, and and)
My mom, sister and aunts leave in a few days for England, Anna is moving there, never to return, but my mom should be back September 21st, just in time to come up the next weekend and join us in the walk to cure diabetes-woohoo.
ok then-off to bed, I am super tired tonight........
Layla lost her first tooth on Friday, she was nervous and excited and traded it for a silver dollar to the tooth fairy. (a silver dollar!!! that's like a collectors item!)
Every free minute I have been up to my elbows in wool and buttons and bells and cotton floss, things are going well, I have made a few sales, but not nearly enough to even cover costs yet. I am supposed to get a big batch of beeswax this week and then will be able to get some more candles in the shop, those are a big seller for me. I have a custom order for some beeswax charms for a local waldorf fair, I'm excited about that, hopefully all of our hard work will eventually pay off. I have heard that it takes 3 years of hard work for a small business to turn a profit--hopefully by then, this can just be a hobby for me again-haha. A really cool side affect is that I am learning how to do more things on my computer, and am also learning how to use my little camera really well. I have been taking great pictures and it helps my shop to look great. Maggie loves to help me in my shop and model all of my things, Layla, not so much, so by default she is in less pictures, and then gets cranky. The funny thing is that I ask her EVERY time if she will come do pictures and she always says no. I have ordered a banner for my shop and it should be here soon (the graphic designer has had some technical difficulties this last week) That will help make my shop look a little more put together.
Anyway, just wanted to give you an update, the posts will be less frequent for a while, while all of my energy goes into my shop (and kids and the JDRF walk, and, and and)
My mom, sister and aunts leave in a few days for England, Anna is moving there, never to return, but my mom should be back September 21st, just in time to come up the next weekend and join us in the walk to cure diabetes-woohoo.
ok then-off to bed, I am super tired tonight........
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
movie night
so here lately I have been spending a lot of time indoors. It was 106* last week, and then the weather turned and it has rained (really hard with thunder and lightening and everything) every day so far this week. We have spent a lot of time making flower fairies and reading, but, I'm not going to lie, also a pretty fair amount of time watching movies. I will review them for you now.
*Charlotte's Web (2006)
this was a pretty good movie for one with talking animals. It was live action and they did a good job at making it look realistic. I was impressed with all of the talent that they recruited for this picture, we heard (since they were animal voices) Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah, Cedric the Entertainer, Kathy Bates, Reba McIntire, Robert Redford, Thomas Hayden Church and Beau Bridges. The little girl was played by Dakota Fanning who is cute and pretty talented for a 10 year old (or whatever she is--who can tell with kid celebrities??) but not her best work in my opinion. The girls liked it, and weren't at all bothered that Charlotte kicks it at the end, I on the other hand got a bit emotional and was a little disappointed that there was no songs like in the animated classic from my youth. "The fair is a veritable smorgasbord, orgasbord, orgasbord...." anyone??
all in all, didn't love it, didn't hate it. Definitely not as good as Babe, which it reminded me a lot of.
*How to Deal
Mandy Moore-um, not great. I am not a fan of these movies that have a ton of drama--real life has plenty for me, so I didn't love this one. The lowlights: divorce, death, teen pregnancy, blah blah, crap you know-ug! The highlights-her best friends name was Scarlett, which is a name I love AND it also featured the Flaming Lips with a song I love "Do you Realize". In case you are not familiar, find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvdma6tCnjw really those are the only good things about this one, I'd skip it. The "hot guy" in this one wasn't even almost good looking, pu-leez! BOO-next!
*A Cinderella Story
Hillary Duff. I actually liked this one, it could have been animated, and you know the plot, it is in about every preteen movie ever made. Still, who cares, you kind of know that going in. Hillary is cute and to me a bit less obnoxious than most of her teen sensation counterparts, she seems a little less, I don't know, um, trampy or something. I like a nice wholesome teen ager--call me old fashioned. Didn't hate it, probably wouldn't spend an hour and a half on it again, but then again, I'm not 15, so there you go. My mom would like it. My favorite character was her nerdy best friend-boy, he was great, reminded me of some of my nerdy best friend boys back in the day.
*A Lot like love
Ashton Kucher. I think it's been established that this boy makes me stutter. The movie was fine, you knew what was going to happen, and it would NEVER happen in real life--still this is why we like movies. I swear when ever he kissed the girl (Amanda Peet who I also like--she's quirky) it literally made my heart beat all fast and get a little jealous. Love that-when does that happen? I would watch this again just for the feeling--I think I deleted it--too bad.
*Garden State
Zach Braff. Loved this, had to watch it multiple times before Alan stayed awake to see the whole thing, and I didn't even mind. Mild drama, his mom dies at the beginning (which is harsh, but it is the premis of the movie, so it's fine, just not a huge fan of mom's dying in general) but that's really all, so I can handle it. When he kisses the girl (Natalie Portman) it doesn't do anything for me (rip off!) but the movie is completely random and I like that. My favorite quote from the movie, he's dropping his friend off and his friend says "...if you ever need a Kato, you know where to find me.." I cracked up, Alan didn't get it.
um-that's all I can remember for now. I am excited for September so I can get back to Survivor and the Office, until then I am working my way down the tivo and will let you know if I come across anything extraordinary. The pizza's done, so I better scoot. I have an interview lined up, so soon will have my first blog guest, I am really excited about that! Until then, stay dry and out of trouble and we'll meet again soon!
*Charlotte's Web (2006)
this was a pretty good movie for one with talking animals. It was live action and they did a good job at making it look realistic. I was impressed with all of the talent that they recruited for this picture, we heard (since they were animal voices) Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah, Cedric the Entertainer, Kathy Bates, Reba McIntire, Robert Redford, Thomas Hayden Church and Beau Bridges. The little girl was played by Dakota Fanning who is cute and pretty talented for a 10 year old (or whatever she is--who can tell with kid celebrities??) but not her best work in my opinion. The girls liked it, and weren't at all bothered that Charlotte kicks it at the end, I on the other hand got a bit emotional and was a little disappointed that there was no songs like in the animated classic from my youth. "The fair is a veritable smorgasbord, orgasbord, orgasbord...." anyone??
all in all, didn't love it, didn't hate it. Definitely not as good as Babe, which it reminded me a lot of.
*How to Deal
Mandy Moore-um, not great. I am not a fan of these movies that have a ton of drama--real life has plenty for me, so I didn't love this one. The lowlights: divorce, death, teen pregnancy, blah blah, crap you know-ug! The highlights-her best friends name was Scarlett, which is a name I love AND it also featured the Flaming Lips with a song I love "Do you Realize". In case you are not familiar, find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvdma6tCnjw really those are the only good things about this one, I'd skip it. The "hot guy" in this one wasn't even almost good looking, pu-leez! BOO-next!
*A Cinderella Story
Hillary Duff. I actually liked this one, it could have been animated, and you know the plot, it is in about every preteen movie ever made. Still, who cares, you kind of know that going in. Hillary is cute and to me a bit less obnoxious than most of her teen sensation counterparts, she seems a little less, I don't know, um, trampy or something. I like a nice wholesome teen ager--call me old fashioned. Didn't hate it, probably wouldn't spend an hour and a half on it again, but then again, I'm not 15, so there you go. My mom would like it. My favorite character was her nerdy best friend-boy, he was great, reminded me of some of my nerdy best friend boys back in the day.
*A Lot like love
Ashton Kucher. I think it's been established that this boy makes me stutter. The movie was fine, you knew what was going to happen, and it would NEVER happen in real life--still this is why we like movies. I swear when ever he kissed the girl (Amanda Peet who I also like--she's quirky) it literally made my heart beat all fast and get a little jealous. Love that-when does that happen? I would watch this again just for the feeling--I think I deleted it--too bad.
*Garden State
Zach Braff. Loved this, had to watch it multiple times before Alan stayed awake to see the whole thing, and I didn't even mind. Mild drama, his mom dies at the beginning (which is harsh, but it is the premis of the movie, so it's fine, just not a huge fan of mom's dying in general) but that's really all, so I can handle it. When he kisses the girl (Natalie Portman) it doesn't do anything for me (rip off!) but the movie is completely random and I like that. My favorite quote from the movie, he's dropping his friend off and his friend says "...if you ever need a Kato, you know where to find me.." I cracked up, Alan didn't get it.
um-that's all I can remember for now. I am excited for September so I can get back to Survivor and the Office, until then I am working my way down the tivo and will let you know if I come across anything extraordinary. The pizza's done, so I better scoot. I have an interview lined up, so soon will have my first blog guest, I am really excited about that! Until then, stay dry and out of trouble and we'll meet again soon!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
some pig
We have just finished up reading Charlotte's Web-our first out loud venture. The girls really liked it, especially Layla, as she has a longer attention span and didn't mind sitting still for the time it takes to read a story out loud from beginning to end. It took us a month, but still. We are planing to sleep in, eat pancakes and watch the movie in our jammies this weekend while Alan is away at a charity golf tournament for JDRF. (yay Dad!!)
Today I am outside doing some picking up and Maggie comes up to me with something in her hands--"it's Charlotte Mom!!" oh yay- a giant spider, with a big butt and tons of freaky, spidery legs. "Put Charlotte back sug--she needs to get back to her web" is what I say. "Good Grief-what the heck are you doing!!! That will bite your hand off and give you rabies!!!" is what I'm thinking. So she throws it. I love 3 year olds. I think I may be one. Today I was worried that some of my flower tubers weren't growing yet, so I dug them up and proceeded to accidentally break them into bits--oops! I considered putting myself in time out for a while, but decided that it would be more of a mini vacation than punishment, so I skipped it. Also, being so mad at myself and possibly wrecking my peonies is really punishment enough. I always wanted peonies. Apparently patience isn't my strong suit. (wow-really) Stop laughing Mom, it's hard to wait. (especially when the stuff is super great-like Christmas.....and peonies)
current jobs I am considering:
shot girl (at a bar)
late night shirt folder (at a discount store)
office lady (like lunch lady but with a copier and a stapler instead of a stove and hair net)
nothing like a little variety to keep it real.
that's it for today
p.s. for those of you not famliar with janina-speak "sug" is short for sugar, so say it like the first part of that word--it's hard for me to explain my made up language--please try and keep up.
Today I am outside doing some picking up and Maggie comes up to me with something in her hands--"it's Charlotte Mom!!" oh yay- a giant spider, with a big butt and tons of freaky, spidery legs. "Put Charlotte back sug--she needs to get back to her web" is what I say. "Good Grief-what the heck are you doing!!! That will bite your hand off and give you rabies!!!" is what I'm thinking. So she throws it. I love 3 year olds. I think I may be one. Today I was worried that some of my flower tubers weren't growing yet, so I dug them up and proceeded to accidentally break them into bits--oops! I considered putting myself in time out for a while, but decided that it would be more of a mini vacation than punishment, so I skipped it. Also, being so mad at myself and possibly wrecking my peonies is really punishment enough. I always wanted peonies. Apparently patience isn't my strong suit. (wow-really) Stop laughing Mom, it's hard to wait. (especially when the stuff is super great-like Christmas.....and peonies)
current jobs I am considering:
shot girl (at a bar)
late night shirt folder (at a discount store)
office lady (like lunch lady but with a copier and a stapler instead of a stove and hair net)
nothing like a little variety to keep it real.
that's it for today
p.s. for those of you not famliar with janina-speak "sug" is short for sugar, so say it like the first part of that word--it's hard for me to explain my made up language--please try and keep up.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
quickie
just a few things today:
we made potpourri out of acorns and cinnamon sticks and essential oils, they are "curing" and smell marvy-possibly a nice thing to make for Christmas.
I made a lemongrass/fresh mint simple syrup to use in lemonades, teas and cocktails, can't wait to try it!
Trying out a new gelato recipe tonight, coconut white chocolate (or maybe I'll call it vanilla, since that is the flavor I was going for)
It was over 90 degrees, I guess summer is still here.
final thought: is there anything that sounds as fabulous as "buttercream"?
I'm out-j
we made potpourri out of acorns and cinnamon sticks and essential oils, they are "curing" and smell marvy-possibly a nice thing to make for Christmas.
I made a lemongrass/fresh mint simple syrup to use in lemonades, teas and cocktails, can't wait to try it!
Trying out a new gelato recipe tonight, coconut white chocolate (or maybe I'll call it vanilla, since that is the flavor I was going for)
It was over 90 degrees, I guess summer is still here.
final thought: is there anything that sounds as fabulous as "buttercream"?
I'm out-j
Monday, August 4, 2008
Mary Mary Quite Contrary....
How does your garden grow? Time for a garden report!!
Well, I am feeling like quite the gardener this year, as EVERYTHING we have planted has grown-woohoo! This is most likely due to the fact that we have been watering regularly and taking time to thin, prune and sing to the garden (ok, well maybe not) The weather has been nice, the girls have been helpful and I have been amazed. Our tomato plants are taller than me and are loading up nicely with small to medium green tomato babies. Our crook neck squash have lots of little yellow crooked babies, we have eaten greens and blueberries until we turned that color, and our cilantro bed is extraordinary. The basil is making an honest effort (I am surprised we even got anything, as the seeds expired years ago and had also somehow gotten wet along the way, dried and stuck to the seed packet and we peeled them off, and planted them stuck to the bits of paper) The cukes are getting babies--although they don't look cuke-ish---hmmmm......more like acorn squash (watch out for the veggie start clearance rack I guess) We have gotten quite a few strawberries, and the bush beans are growing like crazy. Our flower beds are big, bushy and beautifully green, we are still waiting for any blooms. My cilantro bed is getting tall and threatening to bolt, I have big plans of making cilantro sauce and freezing it day after tomorrow. I don't want to cut it all though, one of the coolest things this year was that we planted and grew our own seeds that we harvested last year. We had amazing nasturtiums and cilantro, it was really so rewarding to see our seeds sprout and grow. We are wanting to do more of it for next year. Layla harvested some nasturtium pods this morning and we are planning to do our marigolds, cilantro and maybe beans too for next year. We are also wanting to build a little shelter to grow our own starts, since Layla is so into the planting part, and our season gets off to such a late start around here. I'll let you know when and if that happens. :)
Product Update
Vinegar of 4 thieves: I brewed up a batch of this to use as bug spray and we took it to the river this weekend. It must have been really strong because we didn't even see a mosquito the entire weekend (well Layla got 2 bites, but I think she's just sweeter than the rest of us) even though we didn't use it. Thankfully the wind changed (or something) and the bugs were all gone. Alan did spray it on a couple of times and he smelled a little vinegary for a bit until it dried, but then just herby and nice, I think I'll add a little citronella essential oil in the next batch just for smell-um good and extra bug protection. I am excited to have a natural alternative for chemical bug spray.
hand soap/shower gel: The girls have been using this and loving it in their bath room, it smells nice, it is gentle and cleans well. I am not a huge fan because of the consistency; it is, well, slimy. I think it is very similar to the feel of egg whites, which I don't really like to rub on myself, but apparently kids think it's great, and are into slimy stuff, so it has worked for us. Layla is into "rose" scent (ew) so I am planning to get a Dr. Bronners rose bar of castille soap to try for the next few batches and see how that works out. (they don't have a rose essential oil at my co-op, so this is the most cost effective option)
Oh-our 8th annual Blochtoberfest was amazing and as always a smashing success. Can't remember if I had given an update, and it's kind of a big deal around here-so in case you missed it, make sure to catch the next one (can you hear me all the way down there in California??) It was the party to celebrate my wonderful husband making it to his 35th birthday-the new fire pit was great, and we even have some special fire music planned for next year (can you say didgeridoo??) I laughed so much that I lost my voice and am still working on getting it back (maybe if I ever shut up?!?) ok then, Alan is watching some excruciating documentary on Hitler, so I obviously need to go grab the remote and change the channel to the smurfs or something, so he doesn't get nightmares (or die of boredom).
talk soon-j
Well, I am feeling like quite the gardener this year, as EVERYTHING we have planted has grown-woohoo! This is most likely due to the fact that we have been watering regularly and taking time to thin, prune and sing to the garden (ok, well maybe not) The weather has been nice, the girls have been helpful and I have been amazed. Our tomato plants are taller than me and are loading up nicely with small to medium green tomato babies. Our crook neck squash have lots of little yellow crooked babies, we have eaten greens and blueberries until we turned that color, and our cilantro bed is extraordinary. The basil is making an honest effort (I am surprised we even got anything, as the seeds expired years ago and had also somehow gotten wet along the way, dried and stuck to the seed packet and we peeled them off, and planted them stuck to the bits of paper) The cukes are getting babies--although they don't look cuke-ish---hmmmm......more like acorn squash (watch out for the veggie start clearance rack I guess) We have gotten quite a few strawberries, and the bush beans are growing like crazy. Our flower beds are big, bushy and beautifully green, we are still waiting for any blooms. My cilantro bed is getting tall and threatening to bolt, I have big plans of making cilantro sauce and freezing it day after tomorrow. I don't want to cut it all though, one of the coolest things this year was that we planted and grew our own seeds that we harvested last year. We had amazing nasturtiums and cilantro, it was really so rewarding to see our seeds sprout and grow. We are wanting to do more of it for next year. Layla harvested some nasturtium pods this morning and we are planning to do our marigolds, cilantro and maybe beans too for next year. We are also wanting to build a little shelter to grow our own starts, since Layla is so into the planting part, and our season gets off to such a late start around here. I'll let you know when and if that happens. :)
Product Update
Vinegar of 4 thieves: I brewed up a batch of this to use as bug spray and we took it to the river this weekend. It must have been really strong because we didn't even see a mosquito the entire weekend (well Layla got 2 bites, but I think she's just sweeter than the rest of us) even though we didn't use it. Thankfully the wind changed (or something) and the bugs were all gone. Alan did spray it on a couple of times and he smelled a little vinegary for a bit until it dried, but then just herby and nice, I think I'll add a little citronella essential oil in the next batch just for smell-um good and extra bug protection. I am excited to have a natural alternative for chemical bug spray.
hand soap/shower gel: The girls have been using this and loving it in their bath room, it smells nice, it is gentle and cleans well. I am not a huge fan because of the consistency; it is, well, slimy. I think it is very similar to the feel of egg whites, which I don't really like to rub on myself, but apparently kids think it's great, and are into slimy stuff, so it has worked for us. Layla is into "rose" scent (ew) so I am planning to get a Dr. Bronners rose bar of castille soap to try for the next few batches and see how that works out. (they don't have a rose essential oil at my co-op, so this is the most cost effective option)
Oh-our 8th annual Blochtoberfest was amazing and as always a smashing success. Can't remember if I had given an update, and it's kind of a big deal around here-so in case you missed it, make sure to catch the next one (can you hear me all the way down there in California??) It was the party to celebrate my wonderful husband making it to his 35th birthday-the new fire pit was great, and we even have some special fire music planned for next year (can you say didgeridoo??) I laughed so much that I lost my voice and am still working on getting it back (maybe if I ever shut up?!?) ok then, Alan is watching some excruciating documentary on Hitler, so I obviously need to go grab the remote and change the channel to the smurfs or something, so he doesn't get nightmares (or die of boredom).
talk soon-j
Thursday, July 31, 2008
mouths of babes
just a couple quick quotes from the girls today
only moments ago Layla and Maggie were playing house (Layla is the mom) and I heard her say "Well Maggie, moms are REALLY old, but they still take naps anyway"
.......word
last night we are down town Portland and there is a tall building with a ladder on the side. Layla asked about it, I told her it was the fire escape. If the building ever had a fire, the people inside could get out and down to safety on the ladder. Maggie said "ya cause if you stayed in there, your skin would burn off and you'd just be in yer bones!"
(Alan did not think this was funny-but I cried)
oh and last but not least, my Thrifty Thursday tip for this week:
skip the food and drink dinner. (maybe some times it will be thirsty Thursday)
Janina's Beer Punch
1 can of frozen limeade
12 cheap beers (clear)
2 limes
put 1/4 of the can of limeade in a pitcher, add 3 cheap beers, squeeze in half a lime (the plastic ones work too, but adjust accordingly) Stir and serve, good with chips or micro popcorn as dinner. Repeat until you are out of ingredients and can no longer stand--good job. See, you're not even hungry any more, and this has cost you less than $10, and you even shared. Good Work. Use this time to do important things like talk politics, tell dirty jokes, or call all of your very best friends--2am?-even better.
--that's all for me-we're off to the river for Alan's birthday--see you in a few!
only moments ago Layla and Maggie were playing house (Layla is the mom) and I heard her say "Well Maggie, moms are REALLY old, but they still take naps anyway"
.......word
last night we are down town Portland and there is a tall building with a ladder on the side. Layla asked about it, I told her it was the fire escape. If the building ever had a fire, the people inside could get out and down to safety on the ladder. Maggie said "ya cause if you stayed in there, your skin would burn off and you'd just be in yer bones!"
(Alan did not think this was funny-but I cried)
oh and last but not least, my Thrifty Thursday tip for this week:
skip the food and drink dinner. (maybe some times it will be thirsty Thursday)
Janina's Beer Punch
1 can of frozen limeade
12 cheap beers (clear)
2 limes
put 1/4 of the can of limeade in a pitcher, add 3 cheap beers, squeeze in half a lime (the plastic ones work too, but adjust accordingly) Stir and serve, good with chips or micro popcorn as dinner. Repeat until you are out of ingredients and can no longer stand--good job. See, you're not even hungry any more, and this has cost you less than $10, and you even shared. Good Work. Use this time to do important things like talk politics, tell dirty jokes, or call all of your very best friends--2am?-even better.
--that's all for me-we're off to the river for Alan's birthday--see you in a few!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
busy bee
I have taken a little blogging break, and someone noticed, so I just wanted to pop in and say howdy. We are busy getting ready for the big fest and basically summering which includes long hot days outdoors and tons of outside projects. This last weekend we shoveled 2 tons of rocks. (my friend Kristen informed me that that isn't really very many rocks at all-however, my back would like to disagree with her!) The place is really shaping up, and we are looking forward to this weekend when we finally get to sit back and relax and enjoy all of our hard work. Our guests will start arriving tomorrow, so this is crunch time.
I also wanted to mention that I am now the proud owner of "THE" heirloom tannie recipe that I eluded to in an earlier post. I just cannot bring myself to post it to the public, so let me know if you are interested and maybe we can work something out.
I had a job interview (yipes!) and hopefully will find out soon what my future holds--will let you know when I do. Right now I'm off erranding, so much to do, no time at all........
talk soon (or maybe later, I will be a bit busy celebrating summer for a while, I'll sip a frosty beverage for you!)
j
I also wanted to mention that I am now the proud owner of "THE" heirloom tannie recipe that I eluded to in an earlier post. I just cannot bring myself to post it to the public, so let me know if you are interested and maybe we can work something out.
I had a job interview (yipes!) and hopefully will find out soon what my future holds--will let you know when I do. Right now I'm off erranding, so much to do, no time at all........
talk soon (or maybe later, I will be a bit busy celebrating summer for a while, I'll sip a frosty beverage for you!)
j
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
just checking in
the weather has been wonderful and warm (ok-hot, really hot, with lots of sweat, and splashing in the water, and hiding in the shade). Tonight we are having taco salad made with greens and cilantro from our garden. Our mosquito bites are almost gone, and our landscaping is getting close to complete.
The herbs for my vinegar blend just arrived, so I am in need of some apple cider vinegar and will get to brewing my new, improved, all natural bug spray so it can be ready in time for our next outing. This week I also made shower gel for the girls out of ivory bar soap-yet another product replacement test to help s t r e t c h the budget, every little thing helps, and after a bit, things really add up. Again, thanks to boogiemum (http://boogiemum.com/) for the recipe and inspiration. (this can also be hand soap, but not dishwasher soap, or laundry soap, that's different)
Here's what you do:
Shower Gel/Hand Soap
*get a microwave safe covered casserole dish
*use a knife and shave about 1/4 to 1/3 of a bar of ivory soap into it-this is cinchy
*add 2 cups of water, or enough to fill up your currently empty soap dispenser
*microwave it and whisk it until soap is pretty much all dissolved (took me about 6 minutes)
*let it set there for a bit until it cools and turns into shower gel-taadaa!
ok, I had to add a little more water and whisk it some more to get it the texture I wanted once it was gooey, and I also added some essential oils, they wanted it to smell like "sweet orange". I had some left over that wouldn't fit, so I put it in an empty plastic water bottle, labeled it and saved it as a refill. Ivory soap comes in multi-packs for a really good price and from each bar I can make 3 or 4 bottles of shower gel. Compared to our usual brand this will be a substantial savings, especially considering last week Maggie squeezed an entire new bottle of shampoo right down the drain, just because. 3 Year olds are fun-really.
**just so you know, you can use any kind of soap you want for this project, but it has to be soap. Beauty bars like Oil of Olay or Dove won't gel, you will just get a big pot of soapy water. (I know this to be true--twice) You can also use the left over sliver bits from your bar soap, for an even greater savings--make your hubby Irish Spring, cool mountain mist shower gel from leftovers. (and then you have a few extra bucks to get the special yummy Mom's only shower gel for yourself--at least, that's my plan! Shhhhhhh.....)
The herbs for my vinegar blend just arrived, so I am in need of some apple cider vinegar and will get to brewing my new, improved, all natural bug spray so it can be ready in time for our next outing. This week I also made shower gel for the girls out of ivory bar soap-yet another product replacement test to help s t r e t c h the budget, every little thing helps, and after a bit, things really add up. Again, thanks to boogiemum (http://boogiemum.com/) for the recipe and inspiration. (this can also be hand soap, but not dishwasher soap, or laundry soap, that's different)
Here's what you do:
Shower Gel/Hand Soap
*get a microwave safe covered casserole dish
*use a knife and shave about 1/4 to 1/3 of a bar of ivory soap into it-this is cinchy
*add 2 cups of water, or enough to fill up your currently empty soap dispenser
*microwave it and whisk it until soap is pretty much all dissolved (took me about 6 minutes)
*let it set there for a bit until it cools and turns into shower gel-taadaa!
ok, I had to add a little more water and whisk it some more to get it the texture I wanted once it was gooey, and I also added some essential oils, they wanted it to smell like "sweet orange". I had some left over that wouldn't fit, so I put it in an empty plastic water bottle, labeled it and saved it as a refill. Ivory soap comes in multi-packs for a really good price and from each bar I can make 3 or 4 bottles of shower gel. Compared to our usual brand this will be a substantial savings, especially considering last week Maggie squeezed an entire new bottle of shampoo right down the drain, just because. 3 Year olds are fun-really.
**just so you know, you can use any kind of soap you want for this project, but it has to be soap. Beauty bars like Oil of Olay or Dove won't gel, you will just get a big pot of soapy water. (I know this to be true--twice) You can also use the left over sliver bits from your bar soap, for an even greater savings--make your hubby Irish Spring, cool mountain mist shower gel from leftovers. (and then you have a few extra bucks to get the special yummy Mom's only shower gel for yourself--at least, that's my plan! Shhhhhhh.....)
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
mosquito bugs
that's what has been on my mind non stop since Thursday afternoon. That is when we arrived to camp at the family compound on the beautiful Rogue River. About 3 seconds after we piled out of the car and were running over to my dad for hugs, we were intercepted by a swarm of 10 pound mosquitoes, that impaled us with their huge proboscis's and left us laying in the driveway as a big lump of itchy mosquito bug bites. Way to start a long weekend. I have to admit, I, as an adult, had a hard time not itching and whining about it, the girls are still whining about it, and Maggie only has about 1/2 of her skin left. (This very well may have something to do with her inability to stay upright at a flat run, she starts off great, and as soon as she hits top speed, BAM!! she hits the skids and it no doubt ends in tears--hers always, and mine sometimes, she really hits hard)
We had a fantastic weekend camping with my family and one of my best friends Jim and his family. We ate, we drank, we played, it was amazing. The only thing that put a damper on the whole deal was those stinking skeeters. We bathed in deet, we sponged it on, we inhaled it, nothing seemed to slow those suckers down! We tried Avon, OFF, camper's friend, citronella, we raided tents, cars and campers and we still got bit. This was miserable. We went to bed sticky and chemical covered and still sporting full bodies of bites. Let's just venture off here for one second as you realise what it means for me to be constantly spraying chemicals all over the tiny (ok, not really) bodies of my girls. It almost made me cry. Here I spend all of my time getting chemicals out of our house and bodies, only to be relying on them for protection now against these pesky, and painful bugs. The worst part was that it didn't even work!!!
So here I sit, scratching myself (not in the good way) trying to figure out what I am going to do for the remainder of the summer for this nagging (and itchy and annoying) problem. Alan is in LOVE with the river, I think he professed no less than 1000 times that he wants to go back every weekend (not going to happen-6 hour drive!) But we do want to go back for his birthday, and that is rapidly approaching. My mind wanders back to my new wonder drug-vinegar. I have heard tell of some ancients using it for everything from child birth to burying the dead, it has to have some practical applications for that span of time in between-dontcha think? Google, here I come. I stumble across "vinegar of 4 thieves", this is actually familiar, I had read about it last week before we left. This is an herbal concoction that is made with vinegar that has antiseptic and germicidal properties. It can be used in place of Lysol or hand sanitizer, people even use it with olive oil for salad dressing. ****(angles singing) it can also be diluted and used as a very affective bug repellent!!!!**** I just got an order in for my herb blend, and it will soon be on it's way to me. (horns trumpeting) It is possible that we may smell vaguely like pasta salad until the spray is dry, but it is reported to work like a wonder and is not even related to anything unnatural-yay me. Will report back after we use it and let you know. And then possibly mass market it to the public and retire early, you just never know.
We had a fantastic weekend camping with my family and one of my best friends Jim and his family. We ate, we drank, we played, it was amazing. The only thing that put a damper on the whole deal was those stinking skeeters. We bathed in deet, we sponged it on, we inhaled it, nothing seemed to slow those suckers down! We tried Avon, OFF, camper's friend, citronella, we raided tents, cars and campers and we still got bit. This was miserable. We went to bed sticky and chemical covered and still sporting full bodies of bites. Let's just venture off here for one second as you realise what it means for me to be constantly spraying chemicals all over the tiny (ok, not really) bodies of my girls. It almost made me cry. Here I spend all of my time getting chemicals out of our house and bodies, only to be relying on them for protection now against these pesky, and painful bugs. The worst part was that it didn't even work!!!
So here I sit, scratching myself (not in the good way) trying to figure out what I am going to do for the remainder of the summer for this nagging (and itchy and annoying) problem. Alan is in LOVE with the river, I think he professed no less than 1000 times that he wants to go back every weekend (not going to happen-6 hour drive!) But we do want to go back for his birthday, and that is rapidly approaching. My mind wanders back to my new wonder drug-vinegar. I have heard tell of some ancients using it for everything from child birth to burying the dead, it has to have some practical applications for that span of time in between-dontcha think? Google, here I come. I stumble across "vinegar of 4 thieves", this is actually familiar, I had read about it last week before we left. This is an herbal concoction that is made with vinegar that has antiseptic and germicidal properties. It can be used in place of Lysol or hand sanitizer, people even use it with olive oil for salad dressing. ****(angles singing) it can also be diluted and used as a very affective bug repellent!!!!**** I just got an order in for my herb blend, and it will soon be on it's way to me. (horns trumpeting) It is possible that we may smell vaguely like pasta salad until the spray is dry, but it is reported to work like a wonder and is not even related to anything unnatural-yay me. Will report back after we use it and let you know. And then possibly mass market it to the public and retire early, you just never know.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
hot fun in the summer time
so it is 10:21 and the kiddos aren't asleep yet. This is one of the reasons that summer is hard, the sun doesn't go down until about 10pm and until it is dark, no one believes that it is actually their bed time. Instead they think you are maliciously trying to get them out of the way while it is still day light, and they will miss some spectacular adults only party that will happen the minute they drift off to dream land. (note to kids: spectacular, adults only parties usually take place in the dark, just so you know)
We went over to have a little after dinner visit with some friends tonight and hang out. We got to check out their fabulous garden and engage in all adult conversation for about 2 hours-wow, I think that may be some kind of record. The kids are getting big enough so that they can play together and also try their hand at conflict management (if not complete resolution), and we can relax a little if we are still within range of sight and scream. It was awesome-the night was beautiful, the kids were pretty well behaved, now if they'd just get to bed, we'd really be getting somewhere!
Just wanted to weigh in (haha) on the posted tannie recipe, it was ok, got pretty high marks from Alan, but honestly not my favorite, and not the recipe I am familiar with. I will stay on the hunt for my recipe (not google's) and let you know when I make a new batch if it's better, or if everything just tastes better when you're 7, which might very well be the case.
Looking forward to another great day tomorrow of splashing in the pool, reading a book and then finishing up with a game of bunko--I'm pretty sure it's my turn to win. I guess it depends how you classify "winning" I get a night off, someone else cooks me dinner and cleans up, and I get to mess around and possibly leave with some money at the end of the night--oh yeah, I win.
We went over to have a little after dinner visit with some friends tonight and hang out. We got to check out their fabulous garden and engage in all adult conversation for about 2 hours-wow, I think that may be some kind of record. The kids are getting big enough so that they can play together and also try their hand at conflict management (if not complete resolution), and we can relax a little if we are still within range of sight and scream. It was awesome-the night was beautiful, the kids were pretty well behaved, now if they'd just get to bed, we'd really be getting somewhere!
Just wanted to weigh in (haha) on the posted tannie recipe, it was ok, got pretty high marks from Alan, but honestly not my favorite, and not the recipe I am familiar with. I will stay on the hunt for my recipe (not google's) and let you know when I make a new batch if it's better, or if everything just tastes better when you're 7, which might very well be the case.
Looking forward to another great day tomorrow of splashing in the pool, reading a book and then finishing up with a game of bunko--I'm pretty sure it's my turn to win. I guess it depends how you classify "winning" I get a night off, someone else cooks me dinner and cleans up, and I get to mess around and possibly leave with some money at the end of the night--oh yeah, I win.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
no tan lines
I love my Aunt Diane, she is a fabulous cook, and I remember her cooking (weird and) really great things when I was younger. She would always put wheat germ in stuff and later spelt and amaranth, she was way ahead of her time. Her yummy offerings always even had better, more fun names than everyone elses. She was the one who introduced me to thinnies (crepes) and tannies (also known to go by blondies or butterscotch brownies), and who still on occasion makes me something super I have never tried before (spinach, garlic, egg salad??) Aunt Diane, hats off, you will always be my kitchen guru.
with much love I share with you the recipe of the day:
Tannies
(0ven to 350*)
1 C butter melted
2 C dark brown sugar packed
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
pinch salt
chocolate chips
walnuts (opt)
1) grease 9X13 pan
2) mix butter & sugar until smooth
3) add eggs and vanilla "
4) add salt and flour "
5) mix in chips & nuts
6) pour into pan and bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes or until center is set. Please in the name of all that is holy, do not over bake your tannies. Everyone loves a little bit soft centered goody, do not, I repeat, dry out your tanny or your baking license will be withdrawn. (and a swift kick will be issued in it's place--this is nothing to joke about)
7) cool on rack and try not to eat entire pan by yourself
this recipe rocks because it probably couldn't be any easier, you only have the one bowl for prep and the baking pan, it is super yummy and you probably have the ingredients sitting in your pantry right now--go check.
Do you have them? Good, go now and make some tannies, then sit back and enjoy the sweet warm halo that encircles your head and the pleasant glow cast upon your wrinkle free face because of your efforts. (isn't it cool how wrinkles disappear when your cheeks get a little chubby? I love that!)
with much love I share with you the recipe of the day:
Tannies
(0ven to 350*)
1 C butter melted
2 C dark brown sugar packed
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
pinch salt
chocolate chips
walnuts (opt)
1) grease 9X13 pan
2) mix butter & sugar until smooth
3) add eggs and vanilla "
4) add salt and flour "
5) mix in chips & nuts
6) pour into pan and bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes or until center is set. Please in the name of all that is holy, do not over bake your tannies. Everyone loves a little bit soft centered goody, do not, I repeat, dry out your tanny or your baking license will be withdrawn. (and a swift kick will be issued in it's place--this is nothing to joke about)
7) cool on rack and try not to eat entire pan by yourself
this recipe rocks because it probably couldn't be any easier, you only have the one bowl for prep and the baking pan, it is super yummy and you probably have the ingredients sitting in your pantry right now--go check.
Do you have them? Good, go now and make some tannies, then sit back and enjoy the sweet warm halo that encircles your head and the pleasant glow cast upon your wrinkle free face because of your efforts. (isn't it cool how wrinkles disappear when your cheeks get a little chubby? I love that!)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
tids and bits
That's what today is about. Here's some stuff that's been going on here lately:
it has been super hot here for a couple of weeks, and I have been putting dinner together, as opposed to cooking, it's just too hot. Our current thing is wraps, you can whack up a bunch of stuff, add some schmeer and roll it up in a bread, pita, bun or our favorite-tortillas. You can do this with almost everything, we've had burrito wraps, salad wraps, tofu, sushi, you get it. Today I also topped a salad with popcorn shrimp and it was awesome-try this, you won't be sorry. It only takes a few and the boxes are reasonable, it was yummy. Not so much soup lately, just cool stuff, I will be breaking out tonight though and baking up some weiner wraps (they were out of buns) and baked beans. (grillin beans actually, Alan's new favorite-they are spicy) This will help us get into the groove of camping I think, and also is just a good excuse to get to eat hot dogs; I never miss an opportunity.
We finished up planting our flower beds and Alan got my herb border planted, everything is coming along so beautifully. We started at the back of the property with the fire pit and have been sort of working our way forward to the front area that used to be lawn but now will be landscaped. This is probably because it is the most labor intensive project, but also because it will cost money and take a bunch of time. We have sprouts in all of our garden beds, you can almost watch the beans grow! One morning there were 2 tiny bean babies poking up and at the end of the day there were 13! -the girls think it is so cool. Layla has quite the green thumb and has about 30 of her own pots planted with seeds.
We are heading to the river for the long weekend on Thursday, and the girls are getting really excited, they tried to start packing 3 days ago. They are planning to sleep in the trailer with Nana and Papa, and to hear them tell it, you would think we are going to Disney Land. I'm trying to think of something that makes me that excited (well something I can share with you at least) and I'm not coming up with any. That's not true, food would do it, I just wish it took something more. (I get all glassy eyed like a Labrador at the smell of bacon-which I don't even eat!)
I am thinking about taking a night job after dinner at a local department store to earn a few extra bucks. I am taking my application in, I guess now I just wait to see if they are interested. This somehow reminds me of highschool, when there were tons of people trying to get the same job, everyone was qualified (no skills needed) and no one had any experience--at all. I have been out of the work force for a long time now and I feel like besides my sparkeling personality, I really don't have tons to offer. Sure, I can do lots of really useful things, I just have a limited time frame I'm available, and I'm unwilling to put up with less than ideal conditions. It's funny how things change. So even with my strict guidelines, I am still going to be a little miffed if I don't get the job. I will be absolutley exhausted every day I work, but it will be fun to get out of the house and do my own thing, and also to have sushi money when ever I want.
that's it for now, I'll keep you posted for updates, have a great 4th of July!
it has been super hot here for a couple of weeks, and I have been putting dinner together, as opposed to cooking, it's just too hot. Our current thing is wraps, you can whack up a bunch of stuff, add some schmeer and roll it up in a bread, pita, bun or our favorite-tortillas. You can do this with almost everything, we've had burrito wraps, salad wraps, tofu, sushi, you get it. Today I also topped a salad with popcorn shrimp and it was awesome-try this, you won't be sorry. It only takes a few and the boxes are reasonable, it was yummy. Not so much soup lately, just cool stuff, I will be breaking out tonight though and baking up some weiner wraps (they were out of buns) and baked beans. (grillin beans actually, Alan's new favorite-they are spicy) This will help us get into the groove of camping I think, and also is just a good excuse to get to eat hot dogs; I never miss an opportunity.
We finished up planting our flower beds and Alan got my herb border planted, everything is coming along so beautifully. We started at the back of the property with the fire pit and have been sort of working our way forward to the front area that used to be lawn but now will be landscaped. This is probably because it is the most labor intensive project, but also because it will cost money and take a bunch of time. We have sprouts in all of our garden beds, you can almost watch the beans grow! One morning there were 2 tiny bean babies poking up and at the end of the day there were 13! -the girls think it is so cool. Layla has quite the green thumb and has about 30 of her own pots planted with seeds.
We are heading to the river for the long weekend on Thursday, and the girls are getting really excited, they tried to start packing 3 days ago. They are planning to sleep in the trailer with Nana and Papa, and to hear them tell it, you would think we are going to Disney Land. I'm trying to think of something that makes me that excited (well something I can share with you at least) and I'm not coming up with any. That's not true, food would do it, I just wish it took something more. (I get all glassy eyed like a Labrador at the smell of bacon-which I don't even eat!)
I am thinking about taking a night job after dinner at a local department store to earn a few extra bucks. I am taking my application in, I guess now I just wait to see if they are interested. This somehow reminds me of highschool, when there were tons of people trying to get the same job, everyone was qualified (no skills needed) and no one had any experience--at all. I have been out of the work force for a long time now and I feel like besides my sparkeling personality, I really don't have tons to offer. Sure, I can do lots of really useful things, I just have a limited time frame I'm available, and I'm unwilling to put up with less than ideal conditions. It's funny how things change. So even with my strict guidelines, I am still going to be a little miffed if I don't get the job. I will be absolutley exhausted every day I work, but it will be fun to get out of the house and do my own thing, and also to have sushi money when ever I want.
that's it for now, I'll keep you posted for updates, have a great 4th of July!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thrifty Thursday
ok-well, I'm a day late, but thrifty Friday doesn't have the same ring to it, and I want to start making this kind of a regular section, so here is the first installment....
On the budget front I have been doing lots of things to cut back on costs around here since we (and apparently everyone) have a more limited budget than usual due to various factors; not the least of which is soaring gas pricing, that has been affecting the cost of everything, from leaving the house, to running your dish washer, to buying grapes. One way we have been saving is as we have been running out of things, I have been making my own cost effective replacements at a fraction of the price and with only a small bit of effort (which of course is free). I have found my "recipes" in various places, mostly the internet, and surprisingly, mostly at other cost conscious mama's blogs and things, with the occasional website thrown in for variety. Following are my latest efforts at product replacement and a review of their performance (aka value; let's face it, if the home made version sucks, not exactly a savings, but more a pain in the butt)
Before we go any further, let me post my resource, as you know I am not huge on this, but some blogs ask you to give them credit, so here you go. My new secret weapon on fighting prices is:
http://boogiemum.com/
so far this is where I have gotten the recipes I have actually tried (she gathered them and changed them a bit, mostly adding essential oils and things--to make them pretty and smell good like I like) and her blog is funny and she is green (cringe at the word) and hip and cool--hmmm, reminds me of someone I know. On with it:
test product 1) Automatic dish washing powder
Conclusion : this is a tough one. If you use Cascade as your normal detergent, you will not fall in love with this product. It will not eat the left over steak and dried mashed potatoes off of your week old plate. We however have been using an earth friendly product for a couple of years and this is fierce competition. I have found that with more natural products, more cleaning is required on your part in the first place. We have always (no matter what detergent) scrubbed our dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, (so we could use the short energy efficient cycle) so this product works great for us, and we love the custom smell, this batch is grapefruit-peppermint and makes the house smell lovely when I ever get around to washing the dishes. On a rare occasion a piece or two will have to get hand washed after it comes out or run through again, but like I said, this was normal for us with our previous purchased product as well. We love this and will be using it from now on. The savings are substantial, and our cost will drop when I start to order the citric acid from Amazon instead of getting it out of the bulk bin at Freddy's. The rest of the goodies you can get at the grocery store, shop around for the best prices, and get your baking soda in the biggest box you can find. Here's the info in case you'd like to make your own:
Dishwasher soap
In a quart jar with a plastic lid put
*1 cup borax
*1 cup baking soda
*1/4 cup salt
*1/4 cup citric acid
*30 drops of essential oil (your choice!)
mix well, cap it up. To use fill each dispenser, I use about 1 Tbsp in each.
*I also read that you can sub 2 sugar free lemonade Koolade packets for the citric acid, but haven't tried that yet. Apparently the citric acid acts as a water softener, so weather it works or not will depend on your water, if your water is especially hard, you can adjust the citric acid levels to work for you.
Test Product 2) fabric softener
Conclusion: we like this one too. I originally got a more simplified version from an e-newsletter that I subscribe to, www.hillbillyhousewife.com, can't remember if I've shared this before, but this is a great site and I have found lots of money saving food tips here. She says that you can just add 1/4 cup of vinegar to your rinse load or downy ball or whatever you usually use to dispense your fabric softener and you won't come out smelling like pickles (which was an actual concern of Alan's--he HATES vinegar) but instead, your laundry will be odor and static free. The option I tried was from the boogiemum blog though and it goes something like this:
you have to recognise when you are getting low on fabric softener and plan to save the bottle to reuse for your home made fabric softener or recycle some other bottle that has a nice sealing cap. Then gather your ingredients:
*1 cup of white vinegar
*1 cup of baking soda
* 2 cups of water
* 10 drops of essential oil
now here's the tricky part, you probably remember a volcano experiment from grade school that had these same ingredients--use this knowledge of chemical reactions to your benefit when whipping up your first batch of this new product. This will take a little practice, but it is suggested to add the liquids to the bottle first and then add the baking soda a little at a time so you can control the fizzing (hahahaaha-yeah right, just do it slow and OVER YOUR SINK!!!) Let the fizz settle a bit each time before adding more. Let this rest for a day or so, and then screw the cap on. Before using this each time, give the bottle a swirl to mix in the soda and add about 1/4 cup to your wash as you would any fabric softener. We love the smell of ours and it has been working pretty well. I think something from the chemical reaction removes all traces of it's vinegary past, and it has passed the sniff inspection around here. Please note, this is not actually downy and will not have the exact same results as a chemical laden product, that being said, we have been satisfied with the results. I have been told from various sources that fabric softener is bad for your machines and should be avoided at all costs, so this information also reaffirms my conclusion that this new product is the choice for us. **Side note, I have a friend that insists you can use a clean wad of tin-foil in your dryer as well in lieu of any softener, it will work for something like 25 loads. I don't think she's actually tried it, but it's one more option if you're looking for a list.
That is all for today, I have more, but I can't give it all up at once, I have to give you a reason to come back. (As if my charming wit were not enough) The sun is out and we are off to play in our new totally awesome sun hats (spf 50 and great prices) check them out: www.coolibar.com
On the budget front I have been doing lots of things to cut back on costs around here since we (and apparently everyone) have a more limited budget than usual due to various factors; not the least of which is soaring gas pricing, that has been affecting the cost of everything, from leaving the house, to running your dish washer, to buying grapes. One way we have been saving is as we have been running out of things, I have been making my own cost effective replacements at a fraction of the price and with only a small bit of effort (which of course is free). I have found my "recipes" in various places, mostly the internet, and surprisingly, mostly at other cost conscious mama's blogs and things, with the occasional website thrown in for variety. Following are my latest efforts at product replacement and a review of their performance (aka value; let's face it, if the home made version sucks, not exactly a savings, but more a pain in the butt)
Before we go any further, let me post my resource, as you know I am not huge on this, but some blogs ask you to give them credit, so here you go. My new secret weapon on fighting prices is:
http://boogiemum.com/
so far this is where I have gotten the recipes I have actually tried (she gathered them and changed them a bit, mostly adding essential oils and things--to make them pretty and smell good like I like) and her blog is funny and she is green (cringe at the word) and hip and cool--hmmm, reminds me of someone I know. On with it:
test product 1) Automatic dish washing powder
Conclusion : this is a tough one. If you use Cascade as your normal detergent, you will not fall in love with this product. It will not eat the left over steak and dried mashed potatoes off of your week old plate. We however have been using an earth friendly product for a couple of years and this is fierce competition. I have found that with more natural products, more cleaning is required on your part in the first place. We have always (no matter what detergent) scrubbed our dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, (so we could use the short energy efficient cycle) so this product works great for us, and we love the custom smell, this batch is grapefruit-peppermint and makes the house smell lovely when I ever get around to washing the dishes. On a rare occasion a piece or two will have to get hand washed after it comes out or run through again, but like I said, this was normal for us with our previous purchased product as well. We love this and will be using it from now on. The savings are substantial, and our cost will drop when I start to order the citric acid from Amazon instead of getting it out of the bulk bin at Freddy's. The rest of the goodies you can get at the grocery store, shop around for the best prices, and get your baking soda in the biggest box you can find. Here's the info in case you'd like to make your own:
Dishwasher soap
In a quart jar with a plastic lid put
*1 cup borax
*1 cup baking soda
*1/4 cup salt
*1/4 cup citric acid
*30 drops of essential oil (your choice!)
mix well, cap it up. To use fill each dispenser, I use about 1 Tbsp in each.
*I also read that you can sub 2 sugar free lemonade Koolade packets for the citric acid, but haven't tried that yet. Apparently the citric acid acts as a water softener, so weather it works or not will depend on your water, if your water is especially hard, you can adjust the citric acid levels to work for you.
Test Product 2) fabric softener
Conclusion: we like this one too. I originally got a more simplified version from an e-newsletter that I subscribe to, www.hillbillyhousewife.com, can't remember if I've shared this before, but this is a great site and I have found lots of money saving food tips here. She says that you can just add 1/4 cup of vinegar to your rinse load or downy ball or whatever you usually use to dispense your fabric softener and you won't come out smelling like pickles (which was an actual concern of Alan's--he HATES vinegar) but instead, your laundry will be odor and static free. The option I tried was from the boogiemum blog though and it goes something like this:
you have to recognise when you are getting low on fabric softener and plan to save the bottle to reuse for your home made fabric softener or recycle some other bottle that has a nice sealing cap. Then gather your ingredients:
*1 cup of white vinegar
*1 cup of baking soda
* 2 cups of water
* 10 drops of essential oil
now here's the tricky part, you probably remember a volcano experiment from grade school that had these same ingredients--use this knowledge of chemical reactions to your benefit when whipping up your first batch of this new product. This will take a little practice, but it is suggested to add the liquids to the bottle first and then add the baking soda a little at a time so you can control the fizzing (hahahaaha-yeah right, just do it slow and OVER YOUR SINK!!!) Let the fizz settle a bit each time before adding more. Let this rest for a day or so, and then screw the cap on. Before using this each time, give the bottle a swirl to mix in the soda and add about 1/4 cup to your wash as you would any fabric softener. We love the smell of ours and it has been working pretty well. I think something from the chemical reaction removes all traces of it's vinegary past, and it has passed the sniff inspection around here. Please note, this is not actually downy and will not have the exact same results as a chemical laden product, that being said, we have been satisfied with the results. I have been told from various sources that fabric softener is bad for your machines and should be avoided at all costs, so this information also reaffirms my conclusion that this new product is the choice for us. **Side note, I have a friend that insists you can use a clean wad of tin-foil in your dryer as well in lieu of any softener, it will work for something like 25 loads. I don't think she's actually tried it, but it's one more option if you're looking for a list.
That is all for today, I have more, but I can't give it all up at once, I have to give you a reason to come back. (As if my charming wit were not enough) The sun is out and we are off to play in our new totally awesome sun hats (spf 50 and great prices) check them out: www.coolibar.com
Sunday, June 22, 2008
I've started smoking
actually I just smell like smoke because we have spent every nice evening by our new fire pit-it is awesome! We talk and have s'mores and Alan plays his guitar, we have had friends over to enjoy it with us, it is our new favorite thing. The only down fall is as Layla says "after this we always smell so campy!" that about sums it up. For some reason, sleeping in your sleeping bag smelling like a camp fire is really great, but cuddling up in your own bed smelling like it, is well, not exactly as nice. It feels a little grimy. Um, I guess it doesn't help when the fire circle ends your day of running in the yard and digging in the mud and planting seeds and gathering fire wood, I'm pretty sure it's not just the smell, summer is just a little, well, dirty around here.
Alan finished building my raised garden beds today and we got them all planted but the 2 that are outside of my kitchen window. So far we have planted a cucumber patch, spaghetti squash, tomatoes, crook neck squash, lettuce patch (mesculin mix), an herb garden, purple bush beans, a climbing miniature kiwi vine, and a strawberry patch. We plan to plant flowers for the butterflies in one of the kitchen beds and also a children's garden of flowers to cut in the other. Then it's on to the front yard!! Woohoo, I'm tired just telling you about it. I bought a lily and a red hot poker today, and we got a weepy maple and bunch grass and some bush honeysuckle, and some perennial herbs to plant around my kitchen bay. A few more giant pots of herbs and we'll be done (planting). There are still river rocks, wood chips and landscape fabric in my not so distant future--these things aren't quite as exciting to think about, so I keep going back to the flowers.
We went to kindergarten pre-assessment this week. They make everything sound so overwhelming when you are signing up. I honestly didn't know what to expect and was a little nervous--Alan teased me and said that you would think it was my first day of school, I was walking around all nervous and troubled. As always, it was all for not: Layla blew the teacher away and had her laughing by the time they called me back to go over what Layla had done. I got accolades for spending so much time working with her (huh?) and she was so impressed by how mature Layla was (me too) and said that she is more than ready to start kindergarten in the fall.
This was a busy week (even though we hardly left the house!) I had a medium sized nervous break down when I found a bunch of reproductive carpenter ants (of course I know what they are--don't ask) which is one of the reasons we had the previous house treated and then removed, just kind of a big deal. The green bug killers are headed out next week to take care of it, let's hope they get it under control, our guarantee runs out soon, and it's kind of an expensive procedure--not as expensive as what we previously went through to remove them, but whatever. And, of course there was the summer solstice celebration. This year it included a lot of running around saying "happy solstice!!" no less than 200 times, and playing in the pool and sprinkler and having Popsicles and finishing off with a campfire and s'mores. Just about the best party ever in my book. I have to go lay down, I'm exhausted, and my back up heads back to work tomorrow-ciao!
Alan finished building my raised garden beds today and we got them all planted but the 2 that are outside of my kitchen window. So far we have planted a cucumber patch, spaghetti squash, tomatoes, crook neck squash, lettuce patch (mesculin mix), an herb garden, purple bush beans, a climbing miniature kiwi vine, and a strawberry patch. We plan to plant flowers for the butterflies in one of the kitchen beds and also a children's garden of flowers to cut in the other. Then it's on to the front yard!! Woohoo, I'm tired just telling you about it. I bought a lily and a red hot poker today, and we got a weepy maple and bunch grass and some bush honeysuckle, and some perennial herbs to plant around my kitchen bay. A few more giant pots of herbs and we'll be done (planting). There are still river rocks, wood chips and landscape fabric in my not so distant future--these things aren't quite as exciting to think about, so I keep going back to the flowers.
We went to kindergarten pre-assessment this week. They make everything sound so overwhelming when you are signing up. I honestly didn't know what to expect and was a little nervous--Alan teased me and said that you would think it was my first day of school, I was walking around all nervous and troubled. As always, it was all for not: Layla blew the teacher away and had her laughing by the time they called me back to go over what Layla had done. I got accolades for spending so much time working with her (huh?) and she was so impressed by how mature Layla was (me too) and said that she is more than ready to start kindergarten in the fall.
This was a busy week (even though we hardly left the house!) I had a medium sized nervous break down when I found a bunch of reproductive carpenter ants (of course I know what they are--don't ask) which is one of the reasons we had the previous house treated and then removed, just kind of a big deal. The green bug killers are headed out next week to take care of it, let's hope they get it under control, our guarantee runs out soon, and it's kind of an expensive procedure--not as expensive as what we previously went through to remove them, but whatever. And, of course there was the summer solstice celebration. This year it included a lot of running around saying "happy solstice!!" no less than 200 times, and playing in the pool and sprinkler and having Popsicles and finishing off with a campfire and s'mores. Just about the best party ever in my book. I have to go lay down, I'm exhausted, and my back up heads back to work tomorrow-ciao!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
a slug in the hair
my job is weird. You wouldn't imagine some of the things I am called on to do on a daily basis that weren't exactly outlined in the job description when I signed on, nevertheless, there they are waiting for me to handle, each and every day. Some days it's not such a big deal, a few phone calls, stinky laundry, mountains of dishes, digging in the mud, you know just stuff. Yesterday I got something new. Layla came in from playing outside and she was freaking out. She had been outside playing alone, so I started to worry, it's funny how many random things can rocket through your mind in a split second. When I finally figured out the problem, it was hard to keep a straight face: somehow a slug had made it's way into her hair, and she had grabbed it and pulled it out, but now her head was covered with a giant booger. EW! We tried to wash her hands, it didn't work, we tried to wash her hair, it didn't work, apparently, slugs throw off this gross snot to deter predators, and it is permanent, to shame you for screwing with the slug. Poor baby. I ended up picking the slug jello out of her hair with my fingers and a towel bit, by slimy bit, until we could comb it through, and got it all out-mostly. We washed her hands no less than a dozen times and that stuff wouldn't budge. We finally used some minty foot scrub to polish it off and then had to rub it off with my fingers and a towel. This process took an hour and the whole time she was trying not to cry and I was trying not to laugh--it was a slippery slope. Later I dug a dry river through my front yard, kissed a new road rash, called the doctor for advice on a puncture by sea shell wound, and found the best deal for my grocery buck at 10 pm, after which I came home and formulated my own dish washer soap and fabric softener. All in a days work...
Monday, June 16, 2008
2 blogs are better than 1
ok, maybe not actually. I thought I blogged here about my upcoming Olympia trip, but apparently it was on my other (private) blog, which you are probably not able to read--oops. Well then, let me catch you up to speed. On Friday Alan came home at noon and my good friend Sarah and I caught the train to Olympia to spend the night with Aunt Wendy (not my aunt, but somebodies, and that's what she answers to, so that's what we call her) We snuck some cheap beers on the train and were having a great time heading out on our mini vacation. I have had a few mini vacations lately, and they might be one of my favorite things. For a trip to count you can not bring more than a back pack, and it has to be less than 48 hours, oh and you have to leave your home county--otherwise I don't know what it's called, but it doesn't quite count for mini vacation status. We were girls on a mission-there is a big market on the day after graduation and it is called Super Saturday. I hate to condense it, but the weather was great, the fair was awesome, we got some cool stuff and came home. I do want to mention that I saw a 300 pound man wearing nothing but a longish tutu made of purple tulle and dancing while waving 6 foot tall white feather angel wings (possibly the highlight of the trip). The point was to make it home in time for fathers day--and we did.
I got to spend fathers day with a few of my very favorite fathers. There are a few men I know that are great husbands, amazing dads, and well, basically just a little better than most every body else. Alan of course is at the top of the list, but my good friend Tyler is also high at the top, we got to have a barbecue with both of them and Tyler's dad, and it was a really great day. We ended with a fire in our new fire pit. Alan got a "SuperDad" shirt and a weed whacker--what more could a man want? We have been having fantastic weather lately and got some of our garden planted (about a month later than usual-yikes). It has been great, but is supposed to turn again soon, hopefully we can finish up before the rains come, and they can water our new plants for us.
you're all caught up now; we'll do something entertaining soon so I can tell you all about it, until then........
I got to spend fathers day with a few of my very favorite fathers. There are a few men I know that are great husbands, amazing dads, and well, basically just a little better than most every body else. Alan of course is at the top of the list, but my good friend Tyler is also high at the top, we got to have a barbecue with both of them and Tyler's dad, and it was a really great day. We ended with a fire in our new fire pit. Alan got a "SuperDad" shirt and a weed whacker--what more could a man want? We have been having fantastic weather lately and got some of our garden planted (about a month later than usual-yikes). It has been great, but is supposed to turn again soon, hopefully we can finish up before the rains come, and they can water our new plants for us.
you're all caught up now; we'll do something entertaining soon so I can tell you all about it, until then........
Sunday, June 8, 2008
drugs are bad
well, most of them probably are-but this week I, for one, am a huge fan of antibiotics!! WOOHOO! I am feeling much better (and it happened about 12 seconds after I started taking them--a little freaky really). In general, I am not a big backer of antibiotics, I think they are over prescribed and mis-used. I woke up sick on Tuesday, and woke up SICK on Wednesday and called the doc. She said it was probably viral (which doesn't respond to antibiotics) so we should wait until Friday to see if I got better on my own. Good plan I thought, until I was sick for 3 more long days, and cranky and crying and started neglecting my own personal hygiene. (I still had to hop off the couch to attend to various wipings and clean ups etc.., just none of my own) BOO! Finally on Friday I go the go ahead for the drugs and voila! I'm a new woman-just like that. Yay! Today I am all in favor of them, well, for the next 10 days, and then, I will resort to my presick mind set of overuse--but today, look out--I'm back.
In an entirely different direction, today we tried something wonderful! It is called maple butter. As you probably know we are a family with diabetes (only one of us gets injections, but it affects us all). For the past few years we have been using sugar free syrup for our pancakes and things, it is good because it mostly tastes like maple syrup and is low carb, so it seemed like a good choice for us. (it is bad because it has 89 ingredients and I can only pronounce 3 of them) As you also probably know I am a tad bit freakish about what we put into our bodies, so this chemical syrup was bugging me to no end. My dilemma is that I want Layla to feel like a normal kid, but at the same time she isn't. (honestly we always knew my kids wouldn't be completely normal by outsiders standards anyway) I have been looking and looking, and almost switched to pure maple syrup, it only has one ingredient, it's all natural--never mind it has more sugar than a snickers bar-hey, breakfast is where you get all of your energy for the day. (right?) This month I searched "maple syrup" on my co-op website so I could get me some, and there were a few variations--could this be? One of my choices was maple butter, it's only ingredient is pure organic maple syrup, and it is thick like whipped frosting. It isn't quite as sweet as syrup and only has 16 carbs per tablespoon. In case you don't know, maple syrup has about 60 or so per serving-whoa! Hmmmm...frosting for breakfast? How fast can this get to me?! We had it this morning on crepe-cakes with fresh strawberries and I wanted to kiss myself, I wanted to start a B&B, I wanted thirds. This stuff is good. Yay me, I get my good mom star for the day. I didn't have seconds even though I get a diet break on the weekends, I am a pillar of strength (a roundish pillar, but whatever). Tomorrow is my one week weigh in, and I have done great this week (possibly from not enough energy to get to the kitchen mixed with the very strict rule of no eating on the new couch, which I NEVER left).
I have heard the creeping crud is making the rounds right now, hope you are all feeling spry and fresh as a daisy. I am off to shower and brush my teeth (and then go dig in the mud that will one day be my yard)--see ya!
In an entirely different direction, today we tried something wonderful! It is called maple butter. As you probably know we are a family with diabetes (only one of us gets injections, but it affects us all). For the past few years we have been using sugar free syrup for our pancakes and things, it is good because it mostly tastes like maple syrup and is low carb, so it seemed like a good choice for us. (it is bad because it has 89 ingredients and I can only pronounce 3 of them) As you also probably know I am a tad bit freakish about what we put into our bodies, so this chemical syrup was bugging me to no end. My dilemma is that I want Layla to feel like a normal kid, but at the same time she isn't. (honestly we always knew my kids wouldn't be completely normal by outsiders standards anyway) I have been looking and looking, and almost switched to pure maple syrup, it only has one ingredient, it's all natural--never mind it has more sugar than a snickers bar-hey, breakfast is where you get all of your energy for the day. (right?) This month I searched "maple syrup" on my co-op website so I could get me some, and there were a few variations--could this be? One of my choices was maple butter, it's only ingredient is pure organic maple syrup, and it is thick like whipped frosting. It isn't quite as sweet as syrup and only has 16 carbs per tablespoon. In case you don't know, maple syrup has about 60 or so per serving-whoa! Hmmmm...frosting for breakfast? How fast can this get to me?! We had it this morning on crepe-cakes with fresh strawberries and I wanted to kiss myself, I wanted to start a B&B, I wanted thirds. This stuff is good. Yay me, I get my good mom star for the day. I didn't have seconds even though I get a diet break on the weekends, I am a pillar of strength (a roundish pillar, but whatever). Tomorrow is my one week weigh in, and I have done great this week (possibly from not enough energy to get to the kitchen mixed with the very strict rule of no eating on the new couch, which I NEVER left).
I have heard the creeping crud is making the rounds right now, hope you are all feeling spry and fresh as a daisy. I am off to shower and brush my teeth (and then go dig in the mud that will one day be my yard)--see ya!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
sicko
I am sick, sick, sick! My symptoms are: complete lack of any energy, and my glands are swollen, making me look like I am sprouting twin goiters or perhaps am a member of some intergalactic Galaxy as seen on Star Trek. The gland issue is extremely painful and makes it hard for me to even turn my head, and forget about swallowing- it brings tears to my eyes. If my mom or grandma were closer, I would be on the phone campaigning for them to get over here asap and take care of me, but, of course, they live in a land far, far away, and I am on my own. Well, I wish. I am actually here with the girls, and they have been making a game of trying to get me to completely lose it, and shout at top volume, making a vein poke out on my forehead, and the goiters stick straight out at attention--apparently it is funny enough for them to risk the rant, so it must be pretty good. I have debated trying it in front of the mirror, so I can at least get a laugh too, but it hurts too bad, and I just can't seem to work up the anger looking at my (poor) self in the mirror, it just makes me feel sick and sad.
The silver lining is that I started my diet on Monday, and nothing kick starts a good reduced calorie intake than a kick ass viral infection-yehaw!! I'm pretty sure I'm on track to drop about 5 l-b's by the end of the week. Granted, if I could move off of the couch, the loss would be even more significant, but hey, I take whatever I can get at this point. Well friends, the room is starting to spin, I must crawl back to the couch for now, just wanted to check in, and remind you that we can't kiss this week (unless you're trying to kick start your diet too....)
see you on the flip side, when the sun is shining, and I get the energy to brush my teeth again (hoping like heck it is soon)
P.S. if you bring get well gifts of sparkly things or dinner, leave them on the picnic table on the porch, and I will send my minions out to collect them.
The silver lining is that I started my diet on Monday, and nothing kick starts a good reduced calorie intake than a kick ass viral infection-yehaw!! I'm pretty sure I'm on track to drop about 5 l-b's by the end of the week. Granted, if I could move off of the couch, the loss would be even more significant, but hey, I take whatever I can get at this point. Well friends, the room is starting to spin, I must crawl back to the couch for now, just wanted to check in, and remind you that we can't kiss this week (unless you're trying to kick start your diet too....)
see you on the flip side, when the sun is shining, and I get the energy to brush my teeth again (hoping like heck it is soon)
P.S. if you bring get well gifts of sparkly things or dinner, leave them on the picnic table on the porch, and I will send my minions out to collect them.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
here comes the sun
today started off rainy (truthfully I didn't see it, I slept way in, until about 10 or so I think-yay me!) but then the clouds parted and the sun came out. We took the family to the Hockinson fun days parade and country fair as per Bloch family tradition, and had a great time. The girls played some games and got Popsicles and we came home. Then we worked outside until the sun went down and are now relaxing and getting ready for bed. Alan got the fire pit area almost finished up and I got lots of seeds planted and reclaimed my mint patch. It was a very productive day, not to mention that we get our "good parent" badge for the day-woohoo. I have been doing yard work every day that it hasn't rained and I have done enough squatting for 3 life times-my legs are sore! I hope it comes out tomorrow too, so we can keep up the momentum--there is so many things to do for this place to be in tip top shape. We are slow and unskilled at landscaping, but keep lumbering along hoping eventually it will all get done and we can sit back and admire our work and finally get to enjoy it instead of working so hard all of the time. (I have heard that this magical time of enjoyment never actually comes, but I hate to think that is true).
ding-pizzas done-gotta scoot.
don't forget the sunscreen!
ding-pizzas done-gotta scoot.
don't forget the sunscreen!
Friday, May 30, 2008
back in the day
when I was little we did cool stuff like go treasure hunting. You might have heard of these scores referred to as "road finds" and were a favorite and exciting treat. The treasures were varied and rare, so a find was a pretty big deal. Now don't get me wrong, some things you would find quite a bit of, bingy cords, for instance were not as exciting as most anything else, as you could find about 3 or so on the way home every day. Some things though, were really neat. I once got an Elk Grove Park Pool hoodie sweatshirt that was almost new and super big, like high-schooler size at least (when you are 9 this is a pretty big deal) that I wore almost every day for a really long time. (this was sunny California, so a hoodie was hardly a necessity by the way) There were random coolers, lawn chairs (barely bent or anything), well, you know, stuff that flies out of peoples cars that they don't know about or can't be bothered to stop for. We, on the other hand were known for slamming on the brakes on the freeway at rush hour to check out a mysterious lump in the opposite lane of traffic--usually nothing of interest, but hey, you never could tell. We never went on specific trips to look for these goodies, we just were always on the look out, just in case. I do believe that the sweatshirt was probably the nicest and item of highest value that we ever had the luck of finding. The reason the road finds are on my mind tonight, is that this evening I went to the store and on the way there, there was a stuffed garbage bag sitting in my lane. There were 2 lanes and no other cars, so I casually pulled around it (not even slowing down--I'm trying my best to evolve) but did venture a peek in the rear view--it was filled with what I think were lawn clippings, but it brought back the blue sweatshirt faster than I would have liked to believe it could.
Tonight I would like to raise a toast to all of the weird things our parents put us through that we hated, or embarrassed us, but that now we look back on and giggle (usually with family members that had to endure it right along side of us); and to that 300 mile road trip with my dad after I was an adult, where just for fun, we stopped for every (single, stinking) bingy cord turning the 6 hour trip into a much longer one. Laughs and memories are free, but, as with most things that matter, their value is much higher.
I would not like to raise a toast to the times we went to the dump and stayed to shop....just saying.
Tonight I would like to raise a toast to all of the weird things our parents put us through that we hated, or embarrassed us, but that now we look back on and giggle (usually with family members that had to endure it right along side of us); and to that 300 mile road trip with my dad after I was an adult, where just for fun, we stopped for every (single, stinking) bingy cord turning the 6 hour trip into a much longer one. Laughs and memories are free, but, as with most things that matter, their value is much higher.
I would not like to raise a toast to the times we went to the dump and stayed to shop....just saying.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Home Sweet Home
you know how when something is gone, you want it really bad? Maybe it's just me, or maybe it's human nature--who knows. I am fine without a snickers bar until my friend has one and then I think it's possible I will actually die if I don't have my own snickers bar. (not just a bite of hers either, I want my own super sized bar and one to stash in my purse for later and one for the freezer too, in case of an emergency) long story short (or vise-versa, I get confused) I really, really missed home when I was gone. And Alan and my sheets and my hand soap and well, just about every darn thing, things I take for granted daily, and I didn't even notice until they were gone.
I had fun in Klamath, it was good to see my family, and the weather was sunny for the first 3 days we were there--and the temperature hovered somewhere close to 90*, it was hot and dry and hot. The girls ran in the sprinklers and we barbecued, it was fun. Then the sun went away, the clouds moved in, and the rains came full force. It made me miss home even more-haha-I'm such a geek! Layla got to eat tuna sandwiches almost every day for lunch, which is her very favorite food at the moment, so she was in heaven. We went hiking in the woods a couple of times and the girls got some botany lessons from Papa, but unfortunately we didn't find any of the morel mushrooms we were hunting for, they were most likely burned into dust from the fore-mentioned 90* weather a few days before. (shrooms are very fragile and temperamental--probably they are girls)
I went out on a date with my very best friend from high school and we had sushi and then went to a martini bar (ok, it was a brewery that served martinis--but still--pretty impressive for K-Falls!!) Then Anna got me and we went out to the new Ashton Kutcher movie-that boy is yummy-mmm. I give the movie a 5, it was watchable and I will probably get it again for free from the redbox, but at almost $10 to get in, I am not sure they can make a movie good enough to justify the price of admission. If the leading man was not as good looking, I very well may have stormed the ticket box and demanded my mom's money back. (also, the fact that I didn't have to pay made it a little easier to swallow-heehee)
During the days, I stayed at my folks' house and hung out with my girls, it's kind of like hanging out here, except the toys are worse. All of the toys I hate, now live with my parents, they are plastic and take batteries (lots of batteries) and talk and sing and all kinds of annoying things, and there is a HUGE bin of them. So I took to reading and napping and digging through stuff that belongs to my parents. This is actually a favorite past time, the only bad part is when I get discovered, I usually get totally busted, and the conversation that follows is a bummer. Here's how it has gone in the past:
dad: "what is all of this stuff in the garbage?"
me: "I helped you sort out some things in your medicine cabinet"
dad: "that's my stuff, stay out of it"
me: "dad, that cologne is from 1973 (this is hardly even an exaggeration) and it was brown and thick, why don't you wear the new cologne I got you for Christmas?"
dad: "I like my stuff, stay out of it--that old spice is perfectly good still" (I assure you it wasn't)
kind of yelling now "Where is my bug spray?!?!"
me: "dad, deet is bad for you, and the can was actually rusted to the shelf"
dad: "GET OUT OF HERE!!!" this last bit is said while rummaging through the things I have discarded in the small corner waste bin
as you can see, after a week in Klamath Falls, what else would you expect me to do? They have cable there, but we are only allowed to watch the extreme fighting challenge (or something like that--I am still trying to block it out) This time, I accidentally stumbled upon the mother load. There is a weird corner in the kitchen, the microwave is wedged into it, but beside the microwave, things are hidden. Now to be honest, I have seen the corner before, but obviously I have never been this bored, because I never ever gave it a second glance. It is a drug hole. There are other things too, like some various supplements, but basically it's a lazy susan stacked with a random assortment of bottles of pills. Hmmmm. Fun times. Although, being an evolved human, this time, I just looked for the sheer fun (or boredom--hard to say) let's just say that I wasn't up for the conversation again, just for trying to help--geez. I got a good laugh. There were things there that I had never even heard of before, things for the dog (what dog) things for aches and pains that I didn't know could hurt, but the queen mother score was a bottle of PMS formula (what is that I wonder) that had expired in 1993. That's 15 years ago that it expired-wow. I think it is possible we brought that bottle of pills into that house when we moved there and it may have already been expired--cool. I just laughed until I had to sit down, and then I put it back on the turntable and walked away. What's a girl to do?
anywhoo-glad to be back--I missed you. (now about that snickers bar......)
I had fun in Klamath, it was good to see my family, and the weather was sunny for the first 3 days we were there--and the temperature hovered somewhere close to 90*, it was hot and dry and hot. The girls ran in the sprinklers and we barbecued, it was fun. Then the sun went away, the clouds moved in, and the rains came full force. It made me miss home even more-haha-I'm such a geek! Layla got to eat tuna sandwiches almost every day for lunch, which is her very favorite food at the moment, so she was in heaven. We went hiking in the woods a couple of times and the girls got some botany lessons from Papa, but unfortunately we didn't find any of the morel mushrooms we were hunting for, they were most likely burned into dust from the fore-mentioned 90* weather a few days before. (shrooms are very fragile and temperamental--probably they are girls)
I went out on a date with my very best friend from high school and we had sushi and then went to a martini bar (ok, it was a brewery that served martinis--but still--pretty impressive for K-Falls!!) Then Anna got me and we went out to the new Ashton Kutcher movie-that boy is yummy-mmm. I give the movie a 5, it was watchable and I will probably get it again for free from the redbox, but at almost $10 to get in, I am not sure they can make a movie good enough to justify the price of admission. If the leading man was not as good looking, I very well may have stormed the ticket box and demanded my mom's money back. (also, the fact that I didn't have to pay made it a little easier to swallow-heehee)
During the days, I stayed at my folks' house and hung out with my girls, it's kind of like hanging out here, except the toys are worse. All of the toys I hate, now live with my parents, they are plastic and take batteries (lots of batteries) and talk and sing and all kinds of annoying things, and there is a HUGE bin of them. So I took to reading and napping and digging through stuff that belongs to my parents. This is actually a favorite past time, the only bad part is when I get discovered, I usually get totally busted, and the conversation that follows is a bummer. Here's how it has gone in the past:
dad: "what is all of this stuff in the garbage?"
me: "I helped you sort out some things in your medicine cabinet"
dad: "that's my stuff, stay out of it"
me: "dad, that cologne is from 1973 (this is hardly even an exaggeration) and it was brown and thick, why don't you wear the new cologne I got you for Christmas?"
dad: "I like my stuff, stay out of it--that old spice is perfectly good still" (I assure you it wasn't)
kind of yelling now "Where is my bug spray?!?!"
me: "dad, deet is bad for you, and the can was actually rusted to the shelf"
dad: "GET OUT OF HERE!!!" this last bit is said while rummaging through the things I have discarded in the small corner waste bin
as you can see, after a week in Klamath Falls, what else would you expect me to do? They have cable there, but we are only allowed to watch the extreme fighting challenge (or something like that--I am still trying to block it out) This time, I accidentally stumbled upon the mother load. There is a weird corner in the kitchen, the microwave is wedged into it, but beside the microwave, things are hidden. Now to be honest, I have seen the corner before, but obviously I have never been this bored, because I never ever gave it a second glance. It is a drug hole. There are other things too, like some various supplements, but basically it's a lazy susan stacked with a random assortment of bottles of pills. Hmmmm. Fun times. Although, being an evolved human, this time, I just looked for the sheer fun (or boredom--hard to say) let's just say that I wasn't up for the conversation again, just for trying to help--geez. I got a good laugh. There were things there that I had never even heard of before, things for the dog (what dog) things for aches and pains that I didn't know could hurt, but the queen mother score was a bottle of PMS formula (what is that I wonder) that had expired in 1993. That's 15 years ago that it expired-wow. I think it is possible we brought that bottle of pills into that house when we moved there and it may have already been expired--cool. I just laughed until I had to sit down, and then I put it back on the turntable and walked away. What's a girl to do?
anywhoo-glad to be back--I missed you. (now about that snickers bar......)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
All Aboard!
I wanted to brag just a bit about Mother's day-I got breakfast in bed, and jewelry--both were a big surprise and I don't know which was sweeter. It really made my day, and made me feel special. It was the first time ever that I got breakfast in bed and I think it is my new favorite thing, I will be staying in bed as long as possible every single weekend day and hoping for breakfast to appear on a little tray, while I sleep in. I will keep you posted on how this works out, in case you need to try it as well. I also got the hot dogs I wanted-although this was not much of a surprise as I bought them myself when I went grocery shopping last week. All in all a great weekend, and now the rain is back.
Yesterday my sister called and invited me (and the girls) to come watch as she receives a prestigious award in Klamath Falls this Friday; so we are packing our bags, and tomorrow, boarding the Coast Starlight, to Southern Oregon. I love the train, but I'm a little nervous about the trip. Not to sound like a princess or anything, but it's hard not to have reservations about a trip that I am taking by myself with 2 little girls, and includes a dinner of premade pb&js. Now on a good day this journey only takes 9 hours (give or take about 9 hours), and we are due to arrive at 10pm (about an hour past bed time). I'm guessing the novelty will wear off about 20 minutes into it and I will start hearing things like "I'm bored", "are we there yet" "I miss Daddy" and Layla's recent favorite "this is a disaster". I am taking a big bag of food and entertainment (just like always when I ride the train) and checking the rest, and keeping my fingers crossed. It should be a fun trip, we are going to stay in Klamath for 9 days (kind of a long time to be away form home by myself!!) and then hitching a ride back home with my mom and will be back for the long weekend, just in time to plant my new lawn and flowers. I wanted to tell you about my trip, so you would know (in case you're familiar with Klamath Falls) that I won't be blogging until I get back, there is no internet there and they just recently got electricity and indoor plumbing (well most people anyway)
I will try to tell you about my trip when we get back, but will probably forget as I also have a reduced little span of attention. If anything of note happens I will write it down and then tie it to the neck of a pigeon and send it your way. (this is the preferred method of long distance communication in KFalls) and then someone will probably shoot the pigeon and grill it up on a stump for a potluck--that's kind of how they roll down there. Which is why I love it--you can take the girl out of the sticks............anyway here we go-wish me luck, I'll see you when I do!
Yesterday my sister called and invited me (and the girls) to come watch as she receives a prestigious award in Klamath Falls this Friday; so we are packing our bags, and tomorrow, boarding the Coast Starlight, to Southern Oregon. I love the train, but I'm a little nervous about the trip. Not to sound like a princess or anything, but it's hard not to have reservations about a trip that I am taking by myself with 2 little girls, and includes a dinner of premade pb&js. Now on a good day this journey only takes 9 hours (give or take about 9 hours), and we are due to arrive at 10pm (about an hour past bed time). I'm guessing the novelty will wear off about 20 minutes into it and I will start hearing things like "I'm bored", "are we there yet" "I miss Daddy" and Layla's recent favorite "this is a disaster". I am taking a big bag of food and entertainment (just like always when I ride the train) and checking the rest, and keeping my fingers crossed. It should be a fun trip, we are going to stay in Klamath for 9 days (kind of a long time to be away form home by myself!!) and then hitching a ride back home with my mom and will be back for the long weekend, just in time to plant my new lawn and flowers. I wanted to tell you about my trip, so you would know (in case you're familiar with Klamath Falls) that I won't be blogging until I get back, there is no internet there and they just recently got electricity and indoor plumbing (well most people anyway)
I will try to tell you about my trip when we get back, but will probably forget as I also have a reduced little span of attention. If anything of note happens I will write it down and then tie it to the neck of a pigeon and send it your way. (this is the preferred method of long distance communication in KFalls) and then someone will probably shoot the pigeon and grill it up on a stump for a potluck--that's kind of how they roll down there. Which is why I love it--you can take the girl out of the sticks............anyway here we go-wish me luck, I'll see you when I do!
Monday, May 12, 2008
mmmm...roast
I have a friend that is planning a tropical vacation soon, and would like to sport a golden bronze hue along with her suit. We were giggling because, this being the pacific North West, we are more likely to mold than tan, so she bought an unlimited tanning package at a local salon. I casually asked her if she had heard about the girl that baked her guts before the prom the very same way. (who hasn't heard this--and where, may I ask, does this crap come from??) I couldn't remember if it was true or not, but it seems doubtful, even though I am pretty afraid of the sun and it's damaging UV rays, so we decided that I needed to "research" it on snopes. Now if you haven't heard about snopes, it probably means you haven't sent me any ridiculous emails that you got directly from Bill Gates or the Gap promising you money or who knows what other forms of untold wealth....if you did, (and some of you have) then I most likely sent you a link to the snopes site, along with direct instructions to never forward this type of garbage again--I have kind of strong feelings about it. This website is so cool, I have spent hours there looking through urban legends, email hoaxes, and just, well, gossip. It gets addicting: do those Disney movies really have naughty things written in the clouds and dust poofs and things? Are microwaves going to bake your brain? Do people really find hypodermic needles in the pumps at the gas stations? Is that cell phone tower going to make my babies rabid? You know--the stuff you wonder about anyway. I have saved myself from many a heart attack by heading straight to snopes to check stuff out, and let me also concede this--lots of things are true that I thought were just a load...Scary stuff some of it, but always the information is good to know, kids really die from drinking hand sanitizer, huffing canned air and drugs that look and taste the the candy "Nerds". Without further ado--the website is www.snopes.com you can bookmark it for yourself and do some "investigation" of your own.
Just in case you're paying attention, the tanning bed/roaster oven story is completely false, there have been a couple of tanning bed related deaths, but no one was baked, one got freakish burns (due to some medication she had been taking) and another got skin cancer from her frequent visits (imagine that!?!)--nothing as exciting as cooked organs or smoke shooting out of someones ear-holes, I have to admit I am a little disappointed, life is rarely as exciting as movies/books/urban legends would lead us to believe. My friend will be glad to hear I won't bug her about baking her guts, although I'm sure she will be expecting me to sniff the air and ask her if she's barbecuing when I see her next--she wouldn't really know me at all if she didn't.
Just in case you're paying attention, the tanning bed/roaster oven story is completely false, there have been a couple of tanning bed related deaths, but no one was baked, one got freakish burns (due to some medication she had been taking) and another got skin cancer from her frequent visits (imagine that!?!)--nothing as exciting as cooked organs or smoke shooting out of someones ear-holes, I have to admit I am a little disappointed, life is rarely as exciting as movies/books/urban legends would lead us to believe. My friend will be glad to hear I won't bug her about baking her guts, although I'm sure she will be expecting me to sniff the air and ask her if she's barbecuing when I see her next--she wouldn't really know me at all if she didn't.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
getting cultured
I did great last week with my budget and even came in under my 1/2 previous budget budget-wow! This week I'm worried, I had to get gas. It has usually cost about $70 to fill up my car (it is huge and has a taste for premium gas--gulp) I decided that I wasn't going on any road trips and since my budget is by the week, I wasn't going to fill up, so I put in $40 and it got me about 10 gallons (argh). Next on the list was groceries for the week.
I had to forage in the freezer, but I found some seitan (wheat meat sub), shrimps, "meat"balls and fish sticks. I decided to plan around these items to save money, so here are the menus I came up with for the week: Fish stick tacos, seitan lo mein (this is so tasty!), lemony lentil spinach stew, sneaky broccoli soup, veggie pancakes, stir fried shrimp with cabbage, red peppers and black beans, and the standbys of spaghetti (how have I been neglecting this family fave for so long??) and chili fries (or tots). I also wanted veggie dogs for mom's day, so that was on the list too. I decided that Wal-mart was too far away to drive to actually save me any money, so I opted for Fred Meyer (which is my new favorite place because they have FREE playland for the kiddos-woohoo!). I was a little nervous because Freddy's prices are quite a bit higher than Wal-Mart, but lower than Wild-Oats, which, along with Trader Joes are the usual places I get my groceries. I get a little frustrated sometimes because we have a special diet and I can't find all of the foods we eat at one place, so I have to go to 3 different places (and order from the co-op, this also got cut this month-boo) to get everything we need. Today at Fred Meyers, they actually had most of the specialty items that we frequently use, so I felt renewed hope. I had a few items on the list that were budget breakers--these are the things that make me uneasy, I could totally do this budget thing if it weren't for the incidentals: medicine, laundry stuff, car maintenance, hygene items etc...you know, stuff you need, but it costs a bundle, and I was fearing it would do me in--I want to win every week, I'm a little freakish about losing (don't tell). Long story short--I ROCK!! My total today for food and stuff was $66.65, and this included organic produce, eco friendly fabric softener, soy ice cream and cough medicine for the baby-I even impressed myself. One new thing we're trying is making our own soy yougurt--the kids love it and it's a healthy snack--although kind of a deal breaker at $1 a pop. I found a recipe on a website I just found (last week) http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/ I got vanilla ingredients and we're going to try home made vanilla soy yogurt--I'll let you know if it turns out. I have tried yogurt making in the past with less than stellar results, although it was dairy yogurt and the gal says this usually turns out better. (just a note, I poured my un-successful yogurt down the drain last time and when we had the septic pumped they were really impressed with our healthy amount of bacteria, I'm pretty sure it survived the trip and took over our septic system). All in all it was a successful trip, I was less than impressed with the produce section though, the prices were high and the quality was not. This is my favorite part of the store, so I was disappointed, but I got over it since I got to browse by myself--the kid care thing has me hooked. They also have a pretty good health food section that includes bulk bins-you can hardly find bulk bins anymore-and I love them. If a store stocks vital wheat gluten and nutritional yeast-I am all over it, so Fred, you passed, and you even set the curve--Wal-Mart, not sure I'll be back........until next time
I had to forage in the freezer, but I found some seitan (wheat meat sub), shrimps, "meat"balls and fish sticks. I decided to plan around these items to save money, so here are the menus I came up with for the week: Fish stick tacos, seitan lo mein (this is so tasty!), lemony lentil spinach stew, sneaky broccoli soup, veggie pancakes, stir fried shrimp with cabbage, red peppers and black beans, and the standbys of spaghetti (how have I been neglecting this family fave for so long??) and chili fries (or tots). I also wanted veggie dogs for mom's day, so that was on the list too. I decided that Wal-mart was too far away to drive to actually save me any money, so I opted for Fred Meyer (which is my new favorite place because they have FREE playland for the kiddos-woohoo!). I was a little nervous because Freddy's prices are quite a bit higher than Wal-Mart, but lower than Wild-Oats, which, along with Trader Joes are the usual places I get my groceries. I get a little frustrated sometimes because we have a special diet and I can't find all of the foods we eat at one place, so I have to go to 3 different places (and order from the co-op, this also got cut this month-boo) to get everything we need. Today at Fred Meyers, they actually had most of the specialty items that we frequently use, so I felt renewed hope. I had a few items on the list that were budget breakers--these are the things that make me uneasy, I could totally do this budget thing if it weren't for the incidentals: medicine, laundry stuff, car maintenance, hygene items etc...you know, stuff you need, but it costs a bundle, and I was fearing it would do me in--I want to win every week, I'm a little freakish about losing (don't tell). Long story short--I ROCK!! My total today for food and stuff was $66.65, and this included organic produce, eco friendly fabric softener, soy ice cream and cough medicine for the baby-I even impressed myself. One new thing we're trying is making our own soy yougurt--the kids love it and it's a healthy snack--although kind of a deal breaker at $1 a pop. I found a recipe on a website I just found (last week) http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/ I got vanilla ingredients and we're going to try home made vanilla soy yogurt--I'll let you know if it turns out. I have tried yogurt making in the past with less than stellar results, although it was dairy yogurt and the gal says this usually turns out better. (just a note, I poured my un-successful yogurt down the drain last time and when we had the septic pumped they were really impressed with our healthy amount of bacteria, I'm pretty sure it survived the trip and took over our septic system). All in all it was a successful trip, I was less than impressed with the produce section though, the prices were high and the quality was not. This is my favorite part of the store, so I was disappointed, but I got over it since I got to browse by myself--the kid care thing has me hooked. They also have a pretty good health food section that includes bulk bins-you can hardly find bulk bins anymore-and I love them. If a store stocks vital wheat gluten and nutritional yeast-I am all over it, so Fred, you passed, and you even set the curve--Wal-Mart, not sure I'll be back........until next time
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
viva Mexico!
we LOVE Mexico, the food, the people, the atmosphere, the food, the drinks, well that about covers it, we love it all, especially every bit of it. Yesterday was the 5th of May, no big deal around here (unless you need a reason to celebrate-which of course we always do!) so we got all international and turned it into cinco de Mayo. (this is not an original idea, they actually have the 5th of May in Mexico every year and it is also called cinco de Mayo, however, not a huge holiday there as we like to think it is, mostly Americans just like to drink coronas and tequila and think they are all diversified--which by the way I think is great, so we participate) The budget for the week has been going really well (a little surprising actually) and I had a few pesos left so I bought a box of tecate (cheap Mexican beer--this is the authentic way to celebrate-real Mexicans don't really drink corona, they just triple the price and sell it to Americans--actually in Mexico we like to drink XX or modelo--but hey, this is a tight budget remember) and made taco soup and tortillas and we had a feast.
(sorry for all of the run on sentences-it's just that I get all excited when I talk about Mexico, and I can't help it)
My parents are actually in Mexico, and have been there for some time now, I'm trying not to get nervous that they won't come back. I think they are due back tomorrow, so I'll let you know if they show up, or if I have been left an orphan (not that I could blame them, but still). next issue:
We had a big day yesterday, on the 4th of May, Maggie wasn't potty trained, but yesterday, on cinco de Mayo, she was. Dry diaper all day, even pooped in the potty (I KNOW!!!!) I'm thinking it might be a magical day--there was enough money for beer, and I didn't have to change any diapers........she was even dry last night and woke up dry and is still dry this second. This is a big deal because we've been working on this for quite some time. Her game has been to ignore me, play with me, do what she wants anyway, pretend she doesn't get it, make a mess, sit on the potty for 40 minutes and play and then pull up her dipe and pee in it-you know, pretty typical stuff I think, but very tiresome for mama. And then--yesterday, that was that. Could this be for real do you think--is it crazy to hope? Her new game is to hop up there, toot and demand a chocolate egg (payment for deposit), she gets all irritated when I tell her it doesn't count--I'm tired.
Big birthday week for my family this week. I have a few friends with birthdays too, but it is both of my grandparents birthday--my sweet grandma is turning 80-WOW, she is one hot granny (I will absolutely get busted for referring to her as granny) I can't believe she is holding up so well, now that I think back on all of the shenanigans we put her through in our younger days, add that to raising my dad and his brother and I think she is possible a miracle herself. My grandpa is not far behind, and my little sister is turning 23 (I think). My family is headed down to California this weekend to celebrate together, and I am jealous. To celebrate without them, I am going to drink from the box of tecate and sprinkle grass seeds into dirt in a celebration of life ceremony--haha. Ok-really I just have to plant my lawn and am hoping there is a beer or 2 left, in case the sun is out and it is warm.
But is is mothers day and I have requested veggie dogs and tater tots, so I am excited to think I may get just what I ask for. A good rule of thumb is to keep it simple and cheap (dollar store choices are the best) and you can count on getting what you want. Today is the last day of my first week of the budget and I have stayed well within my goal, so this weekend I get (are you ready for this?) to pick the movie from the redbox, a foot massage, take out dinner, and a bubble bath-woohoo-I AM a princess! I can't wait for Friday.
and now, since you've been so patient--I give you:
Janina's taco soup (carnivore recipe)
1 onion chopped
3-4 carrots, chopped
4-5 celery ribs chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 can of mild diced green chiles (not jalapenos)
4 cloves garlic pressed
1lb raw chicken breast cut into small pieces (OR NOT)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
3 cans of chicken broth (or veggie or water)
1 lg can diced tomatoes
1 can beans (I like black)
2 cans refried beans (or just one for a thinner soup)
top with your choice:
grated cheese
avocado
sliced olives
green onions
chopped cilantro
sour cream
get out your big pot, and put some olive oil in the bottom. Put the first 7 ingreds in there and cook it up for about 5 minutes or so. Dump in the seasonings (I sometimes sub taco seasoning-it is easier and comes out yummy) add the tomatoes, broth and beans. Simmer 1 hour (or whatever) you may have to squish it up with your potato masher if the beans are clumpy. Break up tortilla chips into your bowl and pour the soup over the top, and top it with your choice of above. (the important part is in bold-let's be honest, you could serve up a bowl of those and it would be great, so don't skip this part)
We LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe, it was stolen from Sarah, and is a fave in all of the local kitchens-it is yummy and easy and cheap, and you can't screw it up-yay! Enjoy!
(sorry for all of the run on sentences-it's just that I get all excited when I talk about Mexico, and I can't help it)
My parents are actually in Mexico, and have been there for some time now, I'm trying not to get nervous that they won't come back. I think they are due back tomorrow, so I'll let you know if they show up, or if I have been left an orphan (not that I could blame them, but still). next issue:
We had a big day yesterday, on the 4th of May, Maggie wasn't potty trained, but yesterday, on cinco de Mayo, she was. Dry diaper all day, even pooped in the potty (I KNOW!!!!) I'm thinking it might be a magical day--there was enough money for beer, and I didn't have to change any diapers........she was even dry last night and woke up dry and is still dry this second. This is a big deal because we've been working on this for quite some time. Her game has been to ignore me, play with me, do what she wants anyway, pretend she doesn't get it, make a mess, sit on the potty for 40 minutes and play and then pull up her dipe and pee in it-you know, pretty typical stuff I think, but very tiresome for mama. And then--yesterday, that was that. Could this be for real do you think--is it crazy to hope? Her new game is to hop up there, toot and demand a chocolate egg (payment for deposit), she gets all irritated when I tell her it doesn't count--I'm tired.
Big birthday week for my family this week. I have a few friends with birthdays too, but it is both of my grandparents birthday--my sweet grandma is turning 80-WOW, she is one hot granny (I will absolutely get busted for referring to her as granny) I can't believe she is holding up so well, now that I think back on all of the shenanigans we put her through in our younger days, add that to raising my dad and his brother and I think she is possible a miracle herself. My grandpa is not far behind, and my little sister is turning 23 (I think). My family is headed down to California this weekend to celebrate together, and I am jealous. To celebrate without them, I am going to drink from the box of tecate and sprinkle grass seeds into dirt in a celebration of life ceremony--haha. Ok-really I just have to plant my lawn and am hoping there is a beer or 2 left, in case the sun is out and it is warm.
But is is mothers day and I have requested veggie dogs and tater tots, so I am excited to think I may get just what I ask for. A good rule of thumb is to keep it simple and cheap (dollar store choices are the best) and you can count on getting what you want. Today is the last day of my first week of the budget and I have stayed well within my goal, so this weekend I get (are you ready for this?) to pick the movie from the redbox, a foot massage, take out dinner, and a bubble bath-woohoo-I AM a princess! I can't wait for Friday.
and now, since you've been so patient--I give you:
Janina's taco soup (carnivore recipe)
1 onion chopped
3-4 carrots, chopped
4-5 celery ribs chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 can of mild diced green chiles (not jalapenos)
4 cloves garlic pressed
1lb raw chicken breast cut into small pieces (OR NOT)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
3 cans of chicken broth (or veggie or water)
1 lg can diced tomatoes
1 can beans (I like black)
2 cans refried beans (or just one for a thinner soup)
top with your choice:
grated cheese
avocado
sliced olives
green onions
chopped cilantro
sour cream
get out your big pot, and put some olive oil in the bottom. Put the first 7 ingreds in there and cook it up for about 5 minutes or so. Dump in the seasonings (I sometimes sub taco seasoning-it is easier and comes out yummy) add the tomatoes, broth and beans. Simmer 1 hour (or whatever) you may have to squish it up with your potato masher if the beans are clumpy. Break up tortilla chips into your bowl and pour the soup over the top, and top it with your choice of above. (the important part is in bold-let's be honest, you could serve up a bowl of those and it would be great, so don't skip this part)
We LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe, it was stolen from Sarah, and is a fave in all of the local kitchens-it is yummy and easy and cheap, and you can't screw it up-yay! Enjoy!
Friday, May 2, 2008
carbs are good
well, kind of. I am noticing that they are about the cheapest form of food, so this month, at least, they are my friend. Next month when I have my regular budget back and have to work off these extra soft bits, I might not think so. (next random issue--and quit laughing about the working out--it could totally happen--it could!)
I was talking to my sister today on the phone, this is new because I usually only talk to other moms, the conversations go like this..."how have you guys been; don't put mud in your sisters hair; yeah, us too, it is good to get outside; I said that stick is not a weapon, it is a magic wand; we are staying home this weekend, I'm so glad to have a few minutes to relax: STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!" this is completely normal to other moms, you figure that only about 1/4 to 1/3 of the things that are said are actually said to you, the rest is (well, let's just call it) parenting-haha. My sister is cute and young and kid-free and was completely lost during the whole conversation. At one point she laughed and said, "I bet you never get bored do you?" Ah-to be bored again, man, what a treat that would be. (give me a brief minute to imagine it-mmmm...almost as good as chocolate--but not quite because I can actually attain chocolate) We had a laugh and I had to admit that the one super things about kids is the constant (we're talking every single second) entertainment. Well, sometimes it is called other things--like last night for instance. Let me paint a picture for you, imagine if you will, it is past 9 o'clock and I'm exhausted. I did like a weeks worth of dishes (leave me alone--sometimes if I leave them long enough they actually do themselves!) and dinner and dessert and we made mothers day cards and various random other little activities, and I need a break. We get the girls to bed--well, Maggie has been going to bed in our bed lately, so she's in there, we get survivor rolling on the tivo, and put my feet up. Then we heard it. What was that? Was it coughing, choking, hmmm--Alan is up and across the room in record time (possibly not land speed record, but close I'm sure) Did you guess? We opened the door and poor baby is sitting in the middle of (MY) bed in a gigantic lake of vomit. It is red on account of all of the strawberries she had just eaten. Here's the weird thing, you eat, say, 1/2 cup of berries, and then puke about 3 cups of yuk--how does this happen?? (IN MY BED!!) She had eaten a big dinner, and then had, oh, I don't know, about 3 or 4 cupcakes with berries, didn't think anything of it at the time. (they were angel food and so it didn't really count anyway) So, I'm on again-bath, laundry, bed time the whole bit-but now it's over an hour later and I'm a little grumpier (haha-a little). For the record--Alan picked up most of it, and I was actually the helper--just a small disclaimer incase he reads this or for those of you that know how it is around here :)
well, you probably didn't miss me, but I was just gone for about 40 minutes. Maggie walks up to me and all shy asks if she can have a bubble bath. (she is already wearing jammies and ready for bed) I sniff the air--not so sweet. Where is her diaper? I check her out-she has definitely just made a deposit--and there is poop on her foot. YIKES!! Now I'm no Nancy Drew, but if someone shows up with poop on their foot, this means that somewhere (probably hidden-fun times) there is a poop trail from where they started the journey. Long story short, I am now doing a huge load of laundry that includes all of the towels and rugs from the bathroom------and she got her bubble bath after all. Now, truthfully, I'm a little bit edgy, but I bet you are entertained-see-I told you.
I was talking to my sister today on the phone, this is new because I usually only talk to other moms, the conversations go like this..."how have you guys been; don't put mud in your sisters hair; yeah, us too, it is good to get outside; I said that stick is not a weapon, it is a magic wand; we are staying home this weekend, I'm so glad to have a few minutes to relax: STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!" this is completely normal to other moms, you figure that only about 1/4 to 1/3 of the things that are said are actually said to you, the rest is (well, let's just call it) parenting-haha. My sister is cute and young and kid-free and was completely lost during the whole conversation. At one point she laughed and said, "I bet you never get bored do you?" Ah-to be bored again, man, what a treat that would be. (give me a brief minute to imagine it-mmmm...almost as good as chocolate--but not quite because I can actually attain chocolate) We had a laugh and I had to admit that the one super things about kids is the constant (we're talking every single second) entertainment. Well, sometimes it is called other things--like last night for instance. Let me paint a picture for you, imagine if you will, it is past 9 o'clock and I'm exhausted. I did like a weeks worth of dishes (leave me alone--sometimes if I leave them long enough they actually do themselves!) and dinner and dessert and we made mothers day cards and various random other little activities, and I need a break. We get the girls to bed--well, Maggie has been going to bed in our bed lately, so she's in there, we get survivor rolling on the tivo, and put my feet up. Then we heard it. What was that? Was it coughing, choking, hmmm--Alan is up and across the room in record time (possibly not land speed record, but close I'm sure) Did you guess? We opened the door and poor baby is sitting in the middle of (MY) bed in a gigantic lake of vomit. It is red on account of all of the strawberries she had just eaten. Here's the weird thing, you eat, say, 1/2 cup of berries, and then puke about 3 cups of yuk--how does this happen?? (IN MY BED!!) She had eaten a big dinner, and then had, oh, I don't know, about 3 or 4 cupcakes with berries, didn't think anything of it at the time. (they were angel food and so it didn't really count anyway) So, I'm on again-bath, laundry, bed time the whole bit-but now it's over an hour later and I'm a little grumpier (haha-a little). For the record--Alan picked up most of it, and I was actually the helper--just a small disclaimer incase he reads this or for those of you that know how it is around here :)
well, you probably didn't miss me, but I was just gone for about 40 minutes. Maggie walks up to me and all shy asks if she can have a bubble bath. (she is already wearing jammies and ready for bed) I sniff the air--not so sweet. Where is her diaper? I check her out-she has definitely just made a deposit--and there is poop on her foot. YIKES!! Now I'm no Nancy Drew, but if someone shows up with poop on their foot, this means that somewhere (probably hidden-fun times) there is a poop trail from where they started the journey. Long story short, I am now doing a huge load of laundry that includes all of the towels and rugs from the bathroom------and she got her bubble bath after all. Now, truthfully, I'm a little bit edgy, but I bet you are entertained-see-I told you.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
I've missed you!
so it looks like it has been just over 3 months since I last blogged. Well.........life was pretty rough there for a while, my mind was gone and the winter was very long, BUT I'm back! woohoo! Spring is trying to chase away winter, so far, winter is having none of it. (Maggie actually made a snowman on her birthday last weekend-wow!) My new house is done and we have moved back in, it is beautiful and huge (well, not really, but it feels huge and I have my own bedroom with a door and a lock!!) We are still getting settled and learning how to live here, it's really hard to get everything just how you want it. I LOVE everything about my new house (well except for these tiny stupid cabinets that flank my sink-I hate those, and wish they were different) but mostly everything, and we are so happy here. I went on my cruise and had an absolutely fabulous time--the weather was warm (mostly), we ate fantastic healthy food (mostly) and slept tons and came home happy and rested (mostly), all in all a great time was had by all.
Well then, off on our next adventure, which this month is paying the bills-haha. So it was wierd living in the garage, I used to joke, "we aren't poor, it just seems like it." Well, now that we live in the new fancy house, there are some bills coming due and so I have challanged myself to a bit of a game. (If I call it a game it sounds fun and not desperate right?) I used to spend a certain amount of money every month on things (food, gas, bandaids, hair pretties, socks, etc, you're getting the picture) but this month I am attempting to cut that amount in half. That's right-in half (crazy I know) so in order for me to want to play, I have made incentive amounts and the prizes are cumulative, so if I do in fact meet my goal, I will have a nice night off at the end of each week. (then possibly continue the game to save up for my hottub...yeah right) The plan is to buy as little pre-packaged things as possible and make tons of stuff to save money. The funny thing is, this is generally the plan, but apparently some things don't count. Alan needs snacks for work, and doesn't like my oaty, nutty concoctions that so often grace our goodie jar, he prefers granola bars (store bought) and pop tarts (don't even ask, I know these are evil, but it is something we have agreed to disagree on) among other high calorie, high fat, preservative filled "treats". Well come to find out--these things can get really expensive. He has agreed to play along this month and eat the (wierd) things I come up with instead of his usual fare, but will be happy to go back to "normal" as soon as this is all over.
So today was payday, and we were out of everything, so I had to hit the stores. I was pretty excited to see if I could actually pull this off, so headed in with high hopes. I had to pick up some picutres of the girls first thing, and they had printed some extra prints (really cute) I spent $14.06 before I had even totally entered the store. (not so good) But all in all, after all of my stops, I had spent a little over half of my budget for the week. Not bad considering I have the menu for the whole week planned out, and will only have to get fresh fruit and veggies with the rest (hopefully!) It is amazing the price difference in some things--store brand graham crackers and vanilla wafers are half the price of the name brand-wow, that's a huge difference. I almost got some cheaper bread, but when checking out the ingredient list noticed that high fructose corn syrup was the second ingredient-YIKES!-guess I will be saving that dollar some place else-we got our favorite brand like always, some things are worth the price. It looks hopeful for me, but it also looks like we will be coming up due for a lot of things next week--gas, diapers etc, I am wondering if I should go ahead and get one or 2 of those this week, so I don't get slammed all at once--we'll see how it goes. (also hoping for a few $$ left for beer money)
here's some recipes I'm going to try this week:
*brown rice crispy treats
*fruit and oatmeal bars
*vegan chocolate chip cookies
and dinners with noodles and potatoes (haha-like in college but a little fancier and more nutrients for the kiddos) I'm off for a nap before Alan gets home and I have to boil up some veggie dogs (gourmet I know)
Well then, off on our next adventure, which this month is paying the bills-haha. So it was wierd living in the garage, I used to joke, "we aren't poor, it just seems like it." Well, now that we live in the new fancy house, there are some bills coming due and so I have challanged myself to a bit of a game. (If I call it a game it sounds fun and not desperate right?) I used to spend a certain amount of money every month on things (food, gas, bandaids, hair pretties, socks, etc, you're getting the picture) but this month I am attempting to cut that amount in half. That's right-in half (crazy I know) so in order for me to want to play, I have made incentive amounts and the prizes are cumulative, so if I do in fact meet my goal, I will have a nice night off at the end of each week. (then possibly continue the game to save up for my hottub...yeah right) The plan is to buy as little pre-packaged things as possible and make tons of stuff to save money. The funny thing is, this is generally the plan, but apparently some things don't count. Alan needs snacks for work, and doesn't like my oaty, nutty concoctions that so often grace our goodie jar, he prefers granola bars (store bought) and pop tarts (don't even ask, I know these are evil, but it is something we have agreed to disagree on) among other high calorie, high fat, preservative filled "treats". Well come to find out--these things can get really expensive. He has agreed to play along this month and eat the (wierd) things I come up with instead of his usual fare, but will be happy to go back to "normal" as soon as this is all over.
So today was payday, and we were out of everything, so I had to hit the stores. I was pretty excited to see if I could actually pull this off, so headed in with high hopes. I had to pick up some picutres of the girls first thing, and they had printed some extra prints (really cute) I spent $14.06 before I had even totally entered the store. (not so good) But all in all, after all of my stops, I had spent a little over half of my budget for the week. Not bad considering I have the menu for the whole week planned out, and will only have to get fresh fruit and veggies with the rest (hopefully!) It is amazing the price difference in some things--store brand graham crackers and vanilla wafers are half the price of the name brand-wow, that's a huge difference. I almost got some cheaper bread, but when checking out the ingredient list noticed that high fructose corn syrup was the second ingredient-YIKES!-guess I will be saving that dollar some place else-we got our favorite brand like always, some things are worth the price. It looks hopeful for me, but it also looks like we will be coming up due for a lot of things next week--gas, diapers etc, I am wondering if I should go ahead and get one or 2 of those this week, so I don't get slammed all at once--we'll see how it goes. (also hoping for a few $$ left for beer money)
here's some recipes I'm going to try this week:
*brown rice crispy treats
*fruit and oatmeal bars
*vegan chocolate chip cookies
and dinners with noodles and potatoes (haha-like in college but a little fancier and more nutrients for the kiddos) I'm off for a nap before Alan gets home and I have to boil up some veggie dogs (gourmet I know)
Monday, January 28, 2008
things I love
chocolate
Alan
tequila
my ugg boots
camping
girls night out
reading
jeans that fit
my family
chick flicks
my friends
salty snacks
a day off
Mexico
sleeping in
salad
Valentines day
Blochtoberfest
wool
gnomes
natural stones
jewelry
vacation
when you are feeling down, make a list of things you love, and it will make you feel better. (especially if you love tequila and you have a little of that)
Alan
tequila
my ugg boots
camping
girls night out
reading
jeans that fit
my family
chick flicks
my friends
salty snacks
a day off
Mexico
sleeping in
salad
Valentines day
Blochtoberfest
wool
gnomes
natural stones
jewelry
vacation
when you are feeling down, make a list of things you love, and it will make you feel better. (especially if you love tequila and you have a little of that)
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