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!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
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!
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