The water has just came on in our house after a day and a half of being frozen solid! Yeah!
I am so thankful for the luxury of running water! There are so many things that are hard to do with no water in your home. Wash dishes? Laundry? Use the bathroom? Wash your hands? Shower? Forget about it!
I am so thankful for the "little" luxuries I take advantage of. I can promise that I will say a little prayer every time I start the dishwasher, or washing machine, or even turn on the facet! And I am very thankful that I don't have to walk next door to Grace's house to use the restroom!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Learning Patients
I think that one of the main tricks of patients is tricking yourself into doing something else more consuming of your brain power.
Today for instance I got up and cook S and egg and cheese bagel sandwich for breakfast. Then he started to finish watching a movie we had started two nights ago and I started to clean.
I picked up trash, a full cans worth. Started and put away 3 loads of laundry. Moved the bikes around the front room to make room for the tree and organized lots of buckets with my supplies for making Christmas presents.
It was great! I got a lot done, no one called my phone and S was there to talk to me the whole time I was cleaning but was occupied with the movie enough to not bother me!
After the movie S rode his bike to town to return it and another movie we rented and watched and Lauren and Jared's house last night. He called me when he got to town and we discussed lunch: leftover mock turkey noodle soup and homemade cornbread.
I made the cornbread and kept cleaning while he was on his way home! I have checked my email a few times but I have a real peace about it now. I find it worthwile to clean and get ready to move, because some day we will move! I will find a job, even if it is not this one (but I REALLY want it to be this one!).
Easy Easy Cornbread
(adapted from allrecipes.com Great-Grandmother Steinbeck's Johnnycake)
Ingredient List
Measure all dry items including the buttermilk powder into my sieve and sift into a medium bowl.
Fill glass measuring cup to 1 cup line with water. Add oil to the 1-1/4 cup line. Add the egg and mix with a fork.
Pour contents of measuring cup into dry bowl and mix until combined.
Pour mixture into a greased pie plate and bake for 25-30 min.
*I made this cornbread last night to eat with soup and again for lunch today. S and I have really enjoyed having a hot quick bread. I bought the bag of cornmeal who knows how long ago for something and have a can of buttermilk powder in the fridge from cake baking I think! In this "we might be moving" time, I am trying to use up as many things in the house as I can! This is working well until I run out of baking powder! 4 teaspoons is lot!
Today for instance I got up and cook S and egg and cheese bagel sandwich for breakfast. Then he started to finish watching a movie we had started two nights ago and I started to clean.
I picked up trash, a full cans worth. Started and put away 3 loads of laundry. Moved the bikes around the front room to make room for the tree and organized lots of buckets with my supplies for making Christmas presents.
It was great! I got a lot done, no one called my phone and S was there to talk to me the whole time I was cleaning but was occupied with the movie enough to not bother me!
After the movie S rode his bike to town to return it and another movie we rented and watched and Lauren and Jared's house last night. He called me when he got to town and we discussed lunch: leftover mock turkey noodle soup and homemade cornbread.
I made the cornbread and kept cleaning while he was on his way home! I have checked my email a few times but I have a real peace about it now. I find it worthwile to clean and get ready to move, because some day we will move! I will find a job, even if it is not this one (but I REALLY want it to be this one!).
Easy Easy Cornbread
(adapted from allrecipes.com Great-Grandmother Steinbeck's Johnnycake)
Ingredient List
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons buttermilk powder
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1 egg
Measure all dry items including the buttermilk powder into my sieve and sift into a medium bowl.
Fill glass measuring cup to 1 cup line with water. Add oil to the 1-1/4 cup line. Add the egg and mix with a fork.
Pour contents of measuring cup into dry bowl and mix until combined.
Pour mixture into a greased pie plate and bake for 25-30 min.
*I made this cornbread last night to eat with soup and again for lunch today. S and I have really enjoyed having a hot quick bread. I bought the bag of cornmeal who knows how long ago for something and have a can of buttermilk powder in the fridge from cake baking I think! In this "we might be moving" time, I am trying to use up as many things in the house as I can! This is working well until I run out of baking powder! 4 teaspoons is lot!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
What a morning!
I could not stay in bed this morning. Well, to be honest I went to bed at like 5pm!
Final around 3 am I decided I could not say in bed anymore and had to get up. What is there to do at 3am? Bake of course!
The first thing I made was another Pumpkin Cake. I made one for the coffee shop yeasterday and left 1/4 of it at home for S and Grace to share- but S ate it all. So I made another one. It takes 1 hour and 15 minuets to cook so I had lots of time once it was in the oven.
S had been wanting me to make Cowboy Cookies with white chocolate chips (from the massive chip sale a few weeks ago). So I made up the dough and let it firm up in the bowl for a while in the fridge. Then I started rolling to balls into 1 inch balls and putting on a wax paper covered plate for the fridge until I was ready for them to go in the oven. They are butter based cookies and this worked really well. Also, I don't have to bake them all- the balls keep in the fridge for 3 days.
After the cake was done and unmolded I cooked 2 pans (2 dz.) cookies and put them on the cooling rack to cool before going into the cookie jar.
By them it was 6 am and I was tiered enough to get back in bed. So I did and stayed there untill after S left at 8:30.
Then I got up and showered. While getting out of the shower I heard the strangest noise. Kinda like a rusling leves and a hopping around sound.
As I rounded the corner into the kitchen I saw it! An empty cooling rack, coffee grounds and butter papers on the ground and pumpkin cake crumbs on the table!
DUKE!!!
Fortunatly Cache is too short to reach both places so we know it was him! He was even licking his lips!
I was so mad! I called S at work and yelled at him- blaming him for not putting the dogs out side and all kinds of other things that arent really his fault (although Duke is HIS dog!).
So I did what every good country girl does. I put the remaining cookies (11 out of 24) in the cookie jar, cut off the eaten parts of the cake and sliced the rest!
Now what to cook? I am thinking oatmeal bars since S kept bugging me to get up and cook him breakfast (yeah right!). This way he can just eat em cold or heat em up and I don't even have to get out of bed!
Final around 3 am I decided I could not say in bed anymore and had to get up. What is there to do at 3am? Bake of course!
The first thing I made was another Pumpkin Cake. I made one for the coffee shop yeasterday and left 1/4 of it at home for S and Grace to share- but S ate it all. So I made another one. It takes 1 hour and 15 minuets to cook so I had lots of time once it was in the oven.
S had been wanting me to make Cowboy Cookies with white chocolate chips (from the massive chip sale a few weeks ago). So I made up the dough and let it firm up in the bowl for a while in the fridge. Then I started rolling to balls into 1 inch balls and putting on a wax paper covered plate for the fridge until I was ready for them to go in the oven. They are butter based cookies and this worked really well. Also, I don't have to bake them all- the balls keep in the fridge for 3 days.
After the cake was done and unmolded I cooked 2 pans (2 dz.) cookies and put them on the cooling rack to cool before going into the cookie jar.
By them it was 6 am and I was tiered enough to get back in bed. So I did and stayed there untill after S left at 8:30.
Then I got up and showered. While getting out of the shower I heard the strangest noise. Kinda like a rusling leves and a hopping around sound.
As I rounded the corner into the kitchen I saw it! An empty cooling rack, coffee grounds and butter papers on the ground and pumpkin cake crumbs on the table!
DUKE!!!
Fortunatly Cache is too short to reach both places so we know it was him! He was even licking his lips!
I was so mad! I called S at work and yelled at him- blaming him for not putting the dogs out side and all kinds of other things that arent really his fault (although Duke is HIS dog!).
So I did what every good country girl does. I put the remaining cookies (11 out of 24) in the cookie jar, cut off the eaten parts of the cake and sliced the rest!
Now what to cook? I am thinking oatmeal bars since S kept bugging me to get up and cook him breakfast (yeah right!). This way he can just eat em cold or heat em up and I don't even have to get out of bed!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Back on Oklahoma
After some delays in Madison and Chicago we final touched down in Tulsa last night around 11pm. Grammy and Grandpa Bill were there to greet us- I love them!
Our original plan was to drive back to Stillwater last night but due to the late arrive and the fact that we were both very worn out we took over Grammy's guest bed one more night.
We awoke early this morning to dress and come back to Stillwater at a recpectible time so S could get to work at the bike shop. I droped him off earlier and am now home with the dogs.
Cache was very excited to see us and took is now eating her weight in dog food. I know Grace fed him- he is just a pig like that!
My plans for today are to contine cleaning and sorting though the house. A lot of things need to be donated because we no longer need or use them, and other things are broken or just clutter. I hope to sort though the entire craft room today and weed though all of our clothes. Then it will be on to the craft supplies.
We still have not decited what to do about Christmas decorations. For the moment I am not decorating with great hopes that there will soon be a call about a job in Wisconsin!
Keep praying for- we ceartinly are!
*Pictures of "The Great North" to come later!
Our original plan was to drive back to Stillwater last night but due to the late arrive and the fact that we were both very worn out we took over Grammy's guest bed one more night.
We awoke early this morning to dress and come back to Stillwater at a recpectible time so S could get to work at the bike shop. I droped him off earlier and am now home with the dogs.
Cache was very excited to see us and took is now eating her weight in dog food. I know Grace fed him- he is just a pig like that!
My plans for today are to contine cleaning and sorting though the house. A lot of things need to be donated because we no longer need or use them, and other things are broken or just clutter. I hope to sort though the entire craft room today and weed though all of our clothes. Then it will be on to the craft supplies.
We still have not decited what to do about Christmas decorations. For the moment I am not decorating with great hopes that there will soon be a call about a job in Wisconsin!
Keep praying for- we ceartinly are!
*Pictures of "The Great North" to come later!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Welcome to Wisconsin!
S and I are currently sitting in a Culver's in Madison, WI!
I had my interview this morning, and although I have a good feeling about it- I don't have the job yet.
The entire complex was amazing! The design team was great and I think I would work well with all of them. They were all very knowledgeable and I know that I have a lot to learn.
Now it is just a waiting game!
*Oh and we found an apartment of our dreams and it is cheap and available! I hope they call soon I don't think my heart can handle the wait much longer- I am so excited!!!
I had my interview this morning, and although I have a good feeling about it- I don't have the job yet.
The entire complex was amazing! The design team was great and I think I would work well with all of them. They were all very knowledgeable and I know that I have a lot to learn.
Now it is just a waiting game!
*Oh and we found an apartment of our dreams and it is cheap and available! I hope they call soon I don't think my heart can handle the wait much longer- I am so excited!!!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Super easy leftover soup!
The worlds easiest soup if you already have some roasted vegetables left over from Thanksgiving or something.
What you need:
Ladle soup into bowls and eat!
S was resistant because it was so easy. The bullion cubes add a lot of flavor and the veggies were already flavored from the roast.
I wish I would have added more pasta. S suggested adding some rice while the water was boiling- I really wish I would have done that now. I might buy some exotic wild rice to try next time!
I love soup! I hope that we eat lots more soup as the weather keeps getting colder!
*We leave for my interview in Wisconsin tomorrow morning. Please think and pray for us as we travel! We are very excited!
What you need:
- 6 cups of water
- 4 vegetarian vegetable bullion cubes
- Pasta (cooked or uncooked)
- Roasted veggies (we had onions, potatoes, and carrots)
Ladle soup into bowls and eat!
S was resistant because it was so easy. The bullion cubes add a lot of flavor and the veggies were already flavored from the roast.
I wish I would have added more pasta. S suggested adding some rice while the water was boiling- I really wish I would have done that now. I might buy some exotic wild rice to try next time!
I love soup! I hope that we eat lots more soup as the weather keeps getting colder!
*We leave for my interview in Wisconsin tomorrow morning. Please think and pray for us as we travel! We are very excited!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
I Love Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. Food and family, and congregating at Grammy's house are the best times of the year.
Sterlin and I outside in Grammy's backyard before lunch, thanks H for taking the picture!
Sterlin and I outside in Grammy's backyard before lunch, thanks H for taking the picture!I have always been partial to the turkey, cranberry sauce (the jelly stuff of course!) and the sweet potatoes. So this year I made sure we had things just the way I like them!
I made a tofurkey for S and I. I am pretty proud of myself, I used a roasting bag and added some onions, potatoes and even onions. I coated it all with olive oil, black pepper and parsley flakes. Easy and fast! My cousin Courtney even ate some! I love adventurous family and friends.
I am an expert Chef!I also made the sweet potatoes so I wouldn't have to worry about the marshmallow thing (they have gelatin which we try not to eat). So I made them in the crock pot and took marshmallow fluff (gelatin free!). The funny thing was we were late getting to Grammy's and therefore the crock pot didn't get plugged in until about 2.5 hours before eating. Needles to say they were finaly done for dinner after the movie!
Crock-pot linners- a nessecity for holiday slow cooking!No big deal, every one thought it was funny- and they tasted great!
So easy, and even (pretty) healthy- recipe soon!
So easy, and even (pretty) healthy- recipe soon!*Yummy!: I ate some of the leftover veggies fromt the roast for lunch yeasterday. Next time (I still have two foux turkeys in the freezer) I am going to make soup with the extra veggies!
Monday, November 24, 2008
I Just had my Interview!!!
They said I was the first person they talked to as a group but they were talking to a few more people and that would take a week or two- so be patient, but I WILL here from him again.
He actual told me to be patient! Maybe because I called everyday for a week straight until someone would talk to me!
Yeah! I am so excited and scared! and Hungry! And....
Yeah!
He actual told me to be patient! Maybe because I called everyday for a week straight until someone would talk to me!
Yeah! I am so excited and scared! and Hungry! And....
Yeah!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Halloween M&M's- not the same
As the OSU v. OU games draws near I have started to get things together- but this year I have been thrown a wrench!
Halloween is an OSU fans favorite time of year. Everything is orange and black! For the previous 4 years it has also been my time to buy a years supply of Halloween edition M&M's (yup! They are orange and black!).
But not this year. For some reason the marketing masterminds at M&M's decided to make a "Cool Ghoul's Mix" which includes an (ironically) chartreuse and periwinkle color.
So if I want to make anything with OSU edition M&M's I have to separate out the other unwanted (but still edible!) colors.
For the past year or so I have been loving all the creative special edition M&M's. At Valentines Day I was so thrilled to find a an entire bag of green (my favorite!) ones. I thing the slogan was "Green... the new color of Love".
Ever since, I have been thinking about looking to see if there is a marketing job open! I think I would also be good at writing the cool recipes and tips on the bag of the bag.
If you want some other cool M&M recipes you should check out the idea website at BrightIdeas.com.
*Yes Jessica, this is where the M&M's for my cereal came from!
Halloween is an OSU fans favorite time of year. Everything is orange and black! For the previous 4 years it has also been my time to buy a years supply of Halloween edition M&M's (yup! They are orange and black!).
But not this year. For some reason the marketing masterminds at M&M's decided to make a "Cool Ghoul's Mix" which includes an (ironically) chartreuse and periwinkle color.
So if I want to make anything with OSU edition M&M's I have to separate out the other unwanted (but still edible!) colors.
For the past year or so I have been loving all the creative special edition M&M's. At Valentines Day I was so thrilled to find a an entire bag of green (my favorite!) ones. I thing the slogan was "Green... the new color of Love".
Ever since, I have been thinking about looking to see if there is a marketing job open! I think I would also be good at writing the cool recipes and tips on the bag of the bag.
If you want some other cool M&M recipes you should check out the idea website at BrightIdeas.com.
*Yes Jessica, this is where the M&M's for my cereal came from!
Spoon Update- up to 5!
Today I located another spoon!
S cleaned out the Vibe a few days ago and put all the stuff in one of my famous huge Rubbermaid tubs. It took a few days to get to the bottom of it but I finally did.
And to my surprise, sitting right there in the bottom of the bucket was another spoon! One of our nice matching ones from when S first got this house before we were married.
This gives me hope! Maybe I will get around to cleaning out the Rodeo tomorrow and find a few more! The set we bought, the matching ones came with 4 of 2 different sized spoons. So that means I should have 8 matching spoons plus the random miss matched ones.
Well- up to 5 is a start, right?
*Side note: the in-laws are here and the new tractor was delivered on Friday! Yeah! S and his dad apparently had tons of fun with it when it came and even mowed down the forest growing by the road around our driveway. I got very confused coming home last night!
S cleaned out the Vibe a few days ago and put all the stuff in one of my famous huge Rubbermaid tubs. It took a few days to get to the bottom of it but I finally did.
And to my surprise, sitting right there in the bottom of the bucket was another spoon! One of our nice matching ones from when S first got this house before we were married.
This gives me hope! Maybe I will get around to cleaning out the Rodeo tomorrow and find a few more! The set we bought, the matching ones came with 4 of 2 different sized spoons. So that means I should have 8 matching spoons plus the random miss matched ones.
Well- up to 5 is a start, right?
*Side note: the in-laws are here and the new tractor was delivered on Friday! Yeah! S and his dad apparently had tons of fun with it when it came and even mowed down the forest growing by the road around our driveway. I got very confused coming home last night!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Here comes tofurkey day!
S and I have already started our all out tofurkey binge!
We have already had several "turkey" and ... meals.
Monday was turkey and mashed potatoes! I haven't made mashed potatoes in quite a while because I thought they took too long and I had one very fateful mess where I ended up making potato paste with the hand mixer (oh the horrors!).
We used to eat potatoes all the time and then we just... stopped.
I think one of our problems was the lack of a potato masher so last time we were at the grocery store and I bought a huge 10lb. bag of potatoes, S ran off and grabbed a potato masher.
Well I get emails from MarthaStewart.com, like 5 a day at least! Cookie of the Day, Everyday with Martha, etc.
Last week or so I got a message about a Mashed Potato How-to. Yeah! Martha is going to help me make potatoes!
According to Martha a potato masher is alright if you like and "inconstant" texture, but if you want smooth mashers you can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment! (Thanks G-mama and Pap for my Kitchen Aid!). S was still scared from the electric mixer instead and insisted I use his new masher. So, I did.
I used 1/4 stick of butter, two heaping spoonfuls of sour cream (1/4 cup maybe) and a few splashes of milk.
They turned out great! And we ate it with our new favorite meatless turkey product!
*More on our new favorite "turk'y roast" to come in a few days!
We have already had several "turkey" and ... meals.
Monday was turkey and mashed potatoes! I haven't made mashed potatoes in quite a while because I thought they took too long and I had one very fateful mess where I ended up making potato paste with the hand mixer (oh the horrors!).
We used to eat potatoes all the time and then we just... stopped.
I think one of our problems was the lack of a potato masher so last time we were at the grocery store and I bought a huge 10lb. bag of potatoes, S ran off and grabbed a potato masher.
Well I get emails from MarthaStewart.com, like 5 a day at least! Cookie of the Day, Everyday with Martha, etc.
Last week or so I got a message about a Mashed Potato How-to. Yeah! Martha is going to help me make potatoes!
According to Martha a potato masher is alright if you like and "inconstant" texture, but if you want smooth mashers you can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment! (Thanks G-mama and Pap for my Kitchen Aid!). S was still scared from the electric mixer instead and insisted I use his new masher. So, I did.
I used 1/4 stick of butter, two heaping spoonfuls of sour cream (1/4 cup maybe) and a few splashes of milk.
They turned out great! And we ate it with our new favorite meatless turkey product!
*More on our new favorite "turk'y roast" to come in a few days!
What I am eating for lunch!
Just in case you were interested this is what I decided to make for lunch!
I sauted in a pan with a little oil till good and~ roasted?
Right now we are addicted to this mini farfalli (bow tie) pasta- it is great!
Pour veggies over pasta and eat! (I am doing this now!)
*I have been productive all day! I almost have our master bedroom super clean and organized! I just have to put away all the stuff that didn't belong in there- this may inadvertently make all the rest of my rooms dirty!
I sauted in a pan with a little oil till good and~ roasted?
- Diced Onion
- Frozen corn
- Peeled, sliced carrots
- Canned Lima Beans
Right now we are addicted to this mini farfalli (bow tie) pasta- it is great!
Pour veggies over pasta and eat! (I am doing this now!)
*I have been productive all day! I almost have our master bedroom super clean and organized! I just have to put away all the stuff that didn't belong in there- this may inadvertently make all the rest of my rooms dirty!
Lacoste Scarf!
I found the most amazing knit Lacoste scarf at a local store called Wall's. Its a lot like Ross where they just have lots of random stuff.
The scarf was with a bunch of stuff that said it came from a Cruise ship boutique store and all the items were 50% off their marked price.
The scarf- was ticketed at $185.
It was awesome as a scarf and pretty cool that it was Lacoste but seriously- $90 + tax? The only logo on it was the tag I it said it was 100% baby Aplaca.
I looked at it for a few moments and counted the pattern. It used a pretty easy pattern! It had 4 knit, 2 pearl, 6 stitch rope cable, and 2 pearl again. Pretty easy!
When I got home I scoured the internet to find a picture. I started at the Lacoste webside and it does not appear to be this years style. Another reason not to pay for it, but rather harvest it for inspartation!
After I finish a few more projects I am going to hunt out some great yarn and get to knitting this up!
* I tried to take a pic of the scarf in the store by my phone was dying! Ah! I wish batteries didn't die!
The scarf was with a bunch of stuff that said it came from a Cruise ship boutique store and all the items were 50% off their marked price.
The scarf- was ticketed at $185.
It was awesome as a scarf and pretty cool that it was Lacoste but seriously- $90 + tax? The only logo on it was the tag I it said it was 100% baby Aplaca.
I looked at it for a few moments and counted the pattern. It used a pretty easy pattern! It had 4 knit, 2 pearl, 6 stitch rope cable, and 2 pearl again. Pretty easy!
When I got home I scoured the internet to find a picture. I started at the Lacoste webside and it does not appear to be this years style. Another reason not to pay for it, but rather harvest it for inspartation!
After I finish a few more projects I am going to hunt out some great yarn and get to knitting this up!
* I tried to take a pic of the scarf in the store by my phone was dying! Ah! I wish batteries didn't die!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ahh!!!! A mouse!!!
When Cache was a puppy she would catch mice at the farm. It was gross and creappy! I put out mouse traps and caught most of them (1 a week or so) and she stopped catching them.
Until today.....
Actually, I am pretty sure that the mouse was already dead because I smelled something funky (i.e. dead mouse smell) but decided to make S look harder when he came home.
And then- it happened...
I turned around and Cache was standing over her prize! A gross, medium sized field mouse (dead of course).
So I shooed her outside and then created an attack plan. I chose to scoop it up on newspaper and then shove it in a plastic Wal-Mart sack (now I am glad I have a few around!).
Into the trash and the trash went outside to the DOG PROOF trash bin!
Eww... MICE!
*On a sad note- it made me think of Hammy! I miss Hammy! I can't even go into PetsMart without being tempted to get a new one- but as this proves small rodents and dogs DO NOT go together.
Until today.....
Actually, I am pretty sure that the mouse was already dead because I smelled something funky (i.e. dead mouse smell) but decided to make S look harder when he came home.
And then- it happened...
I turned around and Cache was standing over her prize! A gross, medium sized field mouse (dead of course).
So I shooed her outside and then created an attack plan. I chose to scoop it up on newspaper and then shove it in a plastic Wal-Mart sack (now I am glad I have a few around!).
Into the trash and the trash went outside to the DOG PROOF trash bin!
Eww... MICE!
*On a sad note- it made me think of Hammy! I miss Hammy! I can't even go into PetsMart without being tempted to get a new one- but as this proves small rodents and dogs DO NOT go together.
$40 in baking suplies and gifts!
Why do the sales of grocery stores always suck me in!
Things I needed:
Now- I must get baking! (and no, I did not buy anything on my list of things I NEEDED!)
Things I needed:
- mouse traps
- spider glue traps
- batteries
- spaghetti sauce
- mozzarella cheese
- string cheese
- glue
- sweetened condensed milk (2 cans)- full price
- evaporated milk (2 cans)- full price
- 6 bags of assorted chocolate baking chips- on sale for 2 for $3 or 2 for $4
- Cream of Mushroom Soup (2 cans)- on sale for $.65
- Clear cellophane "treat" bags for all this baking! Duh!
- Pack of 50 blank note cards for the card craft project
- Assorted OSU stuff for a young family friend- clearance isle
- A new cloth shopping bag because I forgot mine and felt bad getting plastic- $.50
Now- I must get baking! (and no, I did not buy anything on my list of things I NEEDED!)
Where have all the spoons gone?
We are officially down to 3 regular spoons and one "tea" spoon.
I don't know where they went! We have enough forks although I can tell some are missing and more than enough butter and "steak" knifes!
But spoons? No idea!
Now I am on a recovery mission! The Vibe was cleaned out before S went to Arkansas and now all the previous contents are in a large bucket next to me. I am planning on cleaning it out soon and then refill the bucket with the contents of the Rodeo.
I know the Rodeo has lots to hide! I hope it produces some spoons though!
Right now we use our ZooPals utensils when the 4 spoons are dirty. Mainly for ceareal in the morning and yogurt at night.
I will keep you updated!
I don't know where they went! We have enough forks although I can tell some are missing and more than enough butter and "steak" knifes!
But spoons? No idea!
Now I am on a recovery mission! The Vibe was cleaned out before S went to Arkansas and now all the previous contents are in a large bucket next to me. I am planning on cleaning it out soon and then refill the bucket with the contents of the Rodeo.
I know the Rodeo has lots to hide! I hope it produces some spoons though!
Right now we use our ZooPals utensils when the 4 spoons are dirty. Mainly for ceareal in the morning and yogurt at night.
I will keep you updated!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
M&M's in My Cereal!
Right now I am eating cereal- with M&M's in it!
I know that this could be considered unhealthy but I really wanted to just eat a bunch of M&M's so I compromised with myself and let me have (quite) a few if they were in my Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds! Oh- and its with almond milk... YUM!
I would highly recommend M&M's in your morning breakfast for an extra chocolate fix.
I would however advise AGAINST M&M's in your omelet- that sounds gross!
I know that this could be considered unhealthy but I really wanted to just eat a bunch of M&M's so I compromised with myself and let me have (quite) a few if they were in my Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds! Oh- and its with almond milk... YUM!
I would highly recommend M&M's in your morning breakfast for an extra chocolate fix.
I would however advise AGAINST M&M's in your omelet- that sounds gross!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Eating by the Sason
I have been thinking a lot about how to eat fresher and cheaper. Every time I stand in the produce section I keep thinking "What is in Season?".
Right now we have some butternut squash soup in the crock-pot, and late last week we had acorn squash for the simple fact that I know winter squash are in season. They are also fairly cost effective!
I found this simple list of Fall produce
Fall favorites include:
| apples | Brussels sprouts |
| bok choy | cabbage |
| carrots | cauliflower |
| celeriac | cranberries |
| collard | cress |
| kale | horseradish |
| kohlrabi | jicama |
| lettuces | mushroom (fall varieties) |
| mustard greens | onions |
| parsnips | pears |
| pomegranates | potatoes |
| pumpkins | radishes |
| rutabaga | shallots |
| sweet potatoes | turnips |
| winter squash |
The Benefits of Eating What's in Season, an article by GaiamLife.com also says that we can help reduce world wide gas consumption because when we buy local and in season (i.e. not grown on the other side of the world). More nutrients are also retained because they are picked closer to ripeness the lest distance they have to travel.
WhatsCookingAmerica.net has a great Squash Glossary complete with pictures, cooking, cleaning and storage tips.
This article from Real Simple suggests how to select and store various Fall produce.
Eating by the season can also improve your diet and mood by providing variety. This summer we ate a lot of food from the farmers market such as summer squash, cucmbers, tomatoes, etc. The winter farmers market will be moving around since they don't really have place, but I have really got to get there (and remember to take cash).
*Side note: S has decited he wants to eat "normal" things like potates and carrots. He used to complain that I didn't use any spices, now he things I use too many. Last nights bean thing was spicy but I didn't do that, it came with a spice packet! The soup (which we are now eating), apparently has too much ciniman, or corriander, or something. Oh well, I guess I can go back to spigetti, frozen french fries, and grilled cheese.
Fish Bowling
On Monday, Grace got the great idea that we should all go bowling. We called it "cheepie" night because games were only $2.25 a pieces (plus $2.75 for shoe rental) after 9pm.
We had been needing a night out and though this would be fun so we headed to town around 8pm or so. We called the Lauren and Jared but Lauren was studding for a test in Econ (EEK!!). Jared was at Hastings so we called and asked what he was up to. Then we decided what the heck lets go find him!
Jared headed home and we headed to the bowling ally. Jared called while we were on his way saying that Lauren said he could come play while she studied (thanks Lauren!). While we were waiting I worked on coming up with our bowling names.
The tradition for a while has been Whinny the Pooh names (I am Piglet, Grace is Eeyore, and S is Pooh).
Then I thought how about colors!
I made me Pink
S was Blue, then Red.
I made Grace Orange,
but she like Jared's Green better.
Then Grace wanted to Chartreuse but I told her no because Chartreuse was a green color and I didn't know how to spell it.
Then S suggested since Jared still wasn't there so we should change his to Salmon.
And then we were all fish!!!
I made Grace Trout (her new nickname!!!)
S was named Big Mouth Bass (but the first time I typed it the B's didn't type- figure that one out yourself!)
And I was--- Walleye!!!
*Last night at our "Get Smart" dinner and movie night we named Lauren Red Snapper (no she is not a red head, she is actually blond)*
Bowling was fun. The first game went really well for S and Jared (Big Mouth Bass and Salmon).
But... the second game I WAS ON!!! Yeah! I even made the guys do a print out! (Yup! Thats my 154 is 1,2,3..4 Strikes! And 1 spare. In every frame I knocked down at least 8 pins! yeah!)
I want to go bowling again- soon!
*Side note: the wind is blowing at ~32 mph. and S is out riding his bike around the section getting ready for a race. It is super windy! We also have some "server weather" approaching including hail and possible tornadoes.
We had been needing a night out and though this would be fun so we headed to town around 8pm or so. We called the Lauren and Jared but Lauren was studding for a test in Econ (EEK!!). Jared was at Hastings so we called and asked what he was up to. Then we decided what the heck lets go find him!
Jared headed home and we headed to the bowling ally. Jared called while we were on his way saying that Lauren said he could come play while she studied (thanks Lauren!). While we were waiting I worked on coming up with our bowling names.
The tradition for a while has been Whinny the Pooh names (I am Piglet, Grace is Eeyore, and S is Pooh).
Then I thought how about colors!
I made me Pink
S was Blue, then Red.
I made Grace Orange,
but she like Jared's Green better.
Then Grace wanted to Chartreuse but I told her no because Chartreuse was a green color and I didn't know how to spell it.
Then S suggested since Jared still wasn't there so we should change his to Salmon.
And then we were all fish!!!
I made Grace Trout (her new nickname!!!)
S was named Big Mouth Bass (but the first time I typed it the B's didn't type- figure that one out yourself!)
And I was--- Walleye!!!
*Last night at our "Get Smart" dinner and movie night we named Lauren Red Snapper (no she is not a red head, she is actually blond)*
Bowling was fun. The first game went really well for S and Jared (Big Mouth Bass and Salmon).
But... the second game I WAS ON!!! Yeah! I even made the guys do a print out! (Yup! Thats my 154 is 1,2,3..4 Strikes! And 1 spare. In every frame I knocked down at least 8 pins! yeah!)
I want to go bowling again- soon!
*Side note: the wind is blowing at ~32 mph. and S is out riding his bike around the section getting ready for a race. It is super windy! We also have some "server weather" approaching including hail and possible tornadoes.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I Voted!
This morning Grace, S and I got up early and headed out to our local poling place. We thought getting there right at 7am when they opened would be sufficient.
I made some small town jokes and S got mad at me- thinking I would offend the locals. We have to go into Glencoe to vote. I think the town only has one polling place- the community center. It was easy to identify as they random building in town that had about 30 cars around it. We took some pictures and everyone chatted about the length of the line and what they had to do today.
When I put my ballot in the box it said that it counted it showed that mine was the 25th ballot.
And the volunteers had cookies! Yeah for small towns!
As always I was a faster test taker. I beat both Grace and S, even though Grace went before me. I also had the "privilege" of getting to use the handicap booth because the other 6 or so were full. When we left S made sure to point out how good he did in not making a joke about it- haha.
Yeah for voting!
I have got to go get my free coffee from Starbucks, ice cream from Chick-fil-a, and if we had a Krispy Kreme I would go get a star shaped donut and if we had a Ben and Jerrys Scoop Shop I would go get a free scoop today also! Guess I will have to settle with the coffee and ice cream we have here.
Just a Note: I am testing a new bannana muffin recipe right now (can you smell it baking- I can!). I had no nuts but I did ad golden raisens. As normal I subed the oil for applesauce but this one has eggs in it where as my normal recipe does not. Hope they are good! 25 min to go!
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Dirty Dozen
The question about organic food and what things it is worth spending your money on has been on my mind this week as I transition out of full time employment. Jessica and I started talked about the dirty dozen and I went in search of more information.
What I found was the Environmental Work Group and there page on Food News.
The thing I was most interested in was pesticide contamination in produce.
You can print a handy wallet shopping guide from this page
The funny thing about this list is I did know some of the things such as strawberries should never be eaten non-organic because their thin skin allows pesticides into the fruit. Peaches with there fuzzy skin also hang on to pesticides even after being washed. I have been buying organic onions and grapes from Wal-Mart for a while now because the price differnce was verry little. I think I will ditch the organic onions now, since it appears I should be buying organic bell peppers because we eat a lot of them. I am also going to try and find organic potatoes at the natural food store.
The article notes that measurements were taken after the food was prepared in "traditional" ways such as after washing (berries, peaches, etc.) and peeling (bananas, mangoes, etc.). Some fruits could reduce their pesticide load by peeling such as peaches and apples, but many of the vital nutrients are also lost.
Side note: I have got to make a crock-pot post- soon!!!
What I found was the Environmental Work Group and there page on Food News.
The thing I was most interested in was pesticide contamination in produce.
The Full List: 43 Fruits & Veggies
| RANK | FRUIT OR VEGGIE | SCORE |
| 1 (worst) | Peaches | 100 (highest pesticide load) |
| 2 | Apples | 96 |
| 3 | Sweet Bell Peppers | 86 |
| 4 | Celery | 85 |
| 5 | Nectarines | 84 |
| 6 | Strawberries | 83 |
| 7 | Cherries | 75 |
| 8 | Lettuce | 69 |
| 9 | Grapes - Imported | 68 |
| 10 | Pears | 65 |
| 11 | Spinach | 60 |
| 12 | Potatoes | 58 |
| 13 | Carrots | 57 |
| 14 | Green Beans | 55 |
| 15 | Hot Peppers | 53 |
| 16 | Cucumbers | 52 |
| 17 | Raspberries | 47 |
| 18 | Plums | 46 |
| 19 | Oranges | 46 |
| 20 | Grapes-Domestic | 46 |
| 21 | Cauliflower | 39 |
| 22 | Tangerine | 38 |
| 23 | Mushrooms | 37 |
| 24 | Cantaloupe | 34 |
| 25 | Lemon | 31 |
| 26 | Honeydew Melon | 31 |
| 27 | Grapefruit | 31 |
| 28 | Winter Squash | 31 |
| 29 | Tomatoes | 30 |
| 30 | Sweet Potatoes | 30 |
| 31 | Watermelon | 25 |
| 32 | Blueberries | 24 |
| 33 | Papaya | 21 |
| 34 | Eggplant | 19 |
| 35 | Broccoli | 18 |
| 36 | Cabbage | 17 |
| 37 | Bananas | 16 |
| 38 | Kiwi | 14 |
| 39 | Asparagus | 11 |
| 40 | Sweet Peas-Frozen | 11 |
| 41 | Mango | 9 |
| 42 | Pineapples | 7 |
| 43 | Sweet Corn-Frozen | 2 |
| 44 | Avocado | 1 |
| 45 (best) | Onions | 1 (lowest pesticide load) |
You can print a handy wallet shopping guide from this page
The funny thing about this list is I did know some of the things such as strawberries should never be eaten non-organic because their thin skin allows pesticides into the fruit. Peaches with there fuzzy skin also hang on to pesticides even after being washed. I have been buying organic onions and grapes from Wal-Mart for a while now because the price differnce was verry little. I think I will ditch the organic onions now, since it appears I should be buying organic bell peppers because we eat a lot of them. I am also going to try and find organic potatoes at the natural food store.
The article notes that measurements were taken after the food was prepared in "traditional" ways such as after washing (berries, peaches, etc.) and peeling (bananas, mangoes, etc.). Some fruits could reduce their pesticide load by peeling such as peaches and apples, but many of the vital nutrients are also lost.
Side note: I have got to make a crock-pot post- soon!!!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Eat your Veggies
Tonight we had the most wonderful dinner. S got the idea to do a cookout so we started brainstorming things that were (kinda) in season that we could grill. Our inspiration came from the very tasty "stuffed poblano pepper" you often find at Mexican restaurants.
We purchased some green peppers, corn on the cob, and hamburger buns. I know I should have had homemade buns made but it just didn't happen this week.
Lauren and Jared came out to hang out with us this afternoon so we made sure we had enough for the 5 of us.
After some playing with the tractor and a walk though the fields we started the fire.
I cut and scooped all the seeds out of the peppers while Lauren shucked and buttered the corn. Jared shredded the random pieces of cheese we had (some block mozzarella and sharp cheddar). Lauren and I also spooned melted butter over the cut side of all the buns so they would toast up on the grill.
S and Jared started the coals (with LOTS of lighter fluid).
We grilled the peppers and corn on the cob, flipping them a few times. On the last flip, with cut side up we filled the peppers with shredded cheese. After everything was sufficiently grilled the veggies were removed and the buns toasted.
I sliced some tomato and the some slathered mayo on their sandwiches.
The corn on the cob was great!
Grace provided sprite and BBQ Baked Lays (to make up for here eating mine yesterday!).
Jared commented on how colorful of a meal it was. You know you are getting a good mix of nutrients when you eat a colorful diet!
Just a Note:
All in all this meal cost us less than $10. We had the cheese left over from meal this week. We purchased 3 peppers and 4 cobs of corn were around $0.50 a piece. The buns were around $2 for a pack of 8, which we ate 5. We did buy charcoal and lighter fluid but there is plenty left over for other adventures. I had bought the tomato last week and it needed to be used ASAP.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
More Fun in the Sun!
The Sun is Good for YOU!!!
Today after S rode his bike to town and I met him for breakfast at Qdoba. He is very upset about tomorrow being the last day that Qdoba will serve breakfast so of course we HAD to go!
I then ran a few errands.
I mailed Ryan's Halloween Costume to Jessica and it cost a LOT to get it overnighted. I also picked up some frozen orange juice so I could make our acorn squash for dinner (i promise to take pictures!).
And I checked out the sales at Hobby Lobby. If anyone needs a Christmas idea- Hob Lob has the cutest knitting bags! They are amazing!
I have missed my quiet time for a few days now because of the whole finishing out my last days at work. I was bound and determined to spend some time in Bible first thing when I got home.
The weather was perfect and the dogs were excited to see me when I got home so I decided to do my quiet time outside. This was my view:
And of course on our farm you are never truly alone! They had to be near me the whole time I was outside!!!
After I was done we did a little photo shoot! Here is Duke looking as regal as always!
And Cache showing off her new collar!
And the pumpkins that S surprised me with the other evening. Hopefully by tomorrow they will be carved.
And anywhere I go....
Cache fallows!!!
Have a good day and I hope to post at least one recipe tomorrow.
I then ran a few errands.
I mailed Ryan's Halloween Costume to Jessica and it cost a LOT to get it overnighted. I also picked up some frozen orange juice so I could make our acorn squash for dinner (i promise to take pictures!).
And I checked out the sales at Hobby Lobby. If anyone needs a Christmas idea- Hob Lob has the cutest knitting bags! They are amazing!
I have missed my quiet time for a few days now because of the whole finishing out my last days at work. I was bound and determined to spend some time in Bible first thing when I got home.
The weather was perfect and the dogs were excited to see me when I got home so I decided to do my quiet time outside. This was my view:
And of course on our farm you are never truly alone! They had to be near me the whole time I was outside!!!
After I was done we did a little photo shoot! Here is Duke looking as regal as always!
And Cache showing off her new collar!
And the pumpkins that S surprised me with the other evening. Hopefully by tomorrow they will be carved.
And anywhere I go....
Cache fallows!!!Have a good day and I hope to post at least one recipe tomorrow.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Operation Craft Studio
Over a year ago S and I decided to move our bed to the "guest bedroom" on the other side of our house and turn the larger "master bedroom" into a sewing and craft room. We opted to leave our closets intact and therefore we had one sleeping room, and the other room to dress, craft and take care of laundry.
Well, the laundry has taken over! For the past few months (read: while working way to much) the craft table became the folding table, then it became the storage table and it got to where you couldn't even get to the dresser, so nothing got put away.
This has changed! I had all of Wednesday and a good part of Thursday off this week and all I did was clean!
(Ok, Ok, so I did a bunch of other stuff too. I spent a good long time in my Bible, I am so behind our congregation on Romans! And I finished some cooking and did a bunch of "research" on crock-pot recipes on my favorite crock-pot blog ever! Crock-Pot 365)
But I did clean A LOT! I started with the washer/dryer area. I cleaned off everything on top of the dryer like all the plastic grocery bags that I have said for a year I am going to take to recycle, and the empty dryer sheet box, and the huge clump of miss matched socks.
I ran the washer continually for that whole time washing probably 4 loads of "everyday" clothes and 2 large blankets.
I set up our laundry separator basket thing in front of the washer and filled it to capacity with towels, dirty clothes and dishrags.
I worked on the craft room by getting all the fabric together in the dresser, and all the scrapbook stuff in the scrapbook container (and now the overflow scrapbooking box), and all the thread together- oh! and all the straight pins I found in the carpet surrounding my sewing table.. and... and... and....
Then I found a SPIDER! A BIG SPIDER! and that was the end of cleaning!
Grace gave me a bunch of tips on trapping/killing/getting rid of spiders and I plan on implementing them tomorrow.
My craft room does look a whole lot better and we are enjoying our reclaimed laundry area.
I know, post without pictures are boring- but the camera battery is dead! Oh no! Will find charger in morning and plug in!
Well, the laundry has taken over! For the past few months (read: while working way to much) the craft table became the folding table, then it became the storage table and it got to where you couldn't even get to the dresser, so nothing got put away.
This has changed! I had all of Wednesday and a good part of Thursday off this week and all I did was clean!
(Ok, Ok, so I did a bunch of other stuff too. I spent a good long time in my Bible, I am so behind our congregation on Romans! And I finished some cooking and did a bunch of "research" on crock-pot recipes on my favorite crock-pot blog ever! Crock-Pot 365)
But I did clean A LOT! I started with the washer/dryer area. I cleaned off everything on top of the dryer like all the plastic grocery bags that I have said for a year I am going to take to recycle, and the empty dryer sheet box, and the huge clump of miss matched socks.
I ran the washer continually for that whole time washing probably 4 loads of "everyday" clothes and 2 large blankets.
I set up our laundry separator basket thing in front of the washer and filled it to capacity with towels, dirty clothes and dishrags.
I worked on the craft room by getting all the fabric together in the dresser, and all the scrapbook stuff in the scrapbook container (and now the overflow scrapbooking box), and all the thread together- oh! and all the straight pins I found in the carpet surrounding my sewing table.. and... and... and....
Then I found a SPIDER! A BIG SPIDER! and that was the end of cleaning!
Grace gave me a bunch of tips on trapping/killing/getting rid of spiders and I plan on implementing them tomorrow.
My craft room does look a whole lot better and we are enjoying our reclaimed laundry area.
I know, post without pictures are boring- but the camera battery is dead! Oh no! Will find charger in morning and plug in!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
"...Where the Wind Comes Whipping Down the Plains!""
Yesterday was a pretty exciting day! I was home in our house and Grace was asleep in her house and all the sudden I heard the loudest loudest sound I have ever heard!
I knew what it was and thankfully when I looked out the front door nothing was hurt.
Notice the proximity of the corner to Graces car! Like 2feet!
This is 1/2 the roof we were putting on Graces house. The other half was going to be finished this weekend and then this storm rolled in!
It was truly a miracle that none of us were hurt. 3 dogs were outside and they were all fine.
This pic was taken after we picked up all the insulation that was strewn across the yard and down the driveway. While we were picking it up and putting in the shed more would fly off. And it was very COLD!
So then Grace and I had to make all kinds of jokes about taking "on the roof pictures". Then I made a comment about too bad we don't have a fiddle. Oh- but Grace did!
I knew what it was and thankfully when I looked out the front door nothing was hurt.
Notice the proximity of the corner to Graces car! Like 2feet!
This is 1/2 the roof we were putting on Graces house. The other half was going to be finished this weekend and then this storm rolled in!
It was truly a miracle that none of us were hurt. 3 dogs were outside and they were all fine.
This pic was taken after we picked up all the insulation that was strewn across the yard and down the driveway. While we were picking it up and putting in the shed more would fly off. And it was very COLD!
So then Grace and I had to make all kinds of jokes about taking "on the roof pictures". Then I made a comment about too bad we don't have a fiddle. Oh- but Grace did!
Looks like fun huh?
We got it all on the ground so the wind couldn't hurt it anymore and for the most part the wood and metal are in good shape. S thinks it will be easy to get back on the roof especially if his dad gets the new tractor this weekend!
We are so thankful for our safety! And this just proves one reason I am not too fond of Oklahoma!
We got it all on the ground so the wind couldn't hurt it anymore and for the most part the wood and metal are in good shape. S thinks it will be easy to get back on the roof especially if his dad gets the new tractor this weekend!
We are so thankful for our safety! And this just proves one reason I am not too fond of Oklahoma!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Day 1
This is my new blog, created mainly as a place to document my semi-transformation into a stay at home… crafter!
Today I have already cooked several things. We had broccoli cheesy ricey casserole for lunch along with bean and cheese burritos (with homemade refried beans). The dishwasher is running with breakfast and lunch dishes and the dryer is washing my newly acquired “vintage” sheet set that I plan on making into cloth napkins and placemats and such. I am also thinking maybe napkin rings? Maybe!
I have spent a good part of the last few days looking up tips on starting a craft business and even looking for supplies at good prices. My dad is working on getting some metalwork done for me at a shop in Austin and I have been looking for suppliers here on the internet.
Today was my day to go to town and get my Tax ID # and DBA and all that jaz. I was even going to go open a business account at my bank! Unfortunately it has been horrible weather all day. We have already started to get pea sized hail today.
Guess God is telling me to work on my house and my workspace. I have got to get this place cleaned up so I can start crafting more!
Promise more pictures in the next post- the camera is in the car and the car is across a flooded front yard!
Thanks for stopping in!
Today I have already cooked several things. We had broccoli cheesy ricey casserole for lunch along with bean and cheese burritos (with homemade refried beans). The dishwasher is running with breakfast and lunch dishes and the dryer is washing my newly acquired “vintage” sheet set that I plan on making into cloth napkins and placemats and such. I am also thinking maybe napkin rings? Maybe!
I have spent a good part of the last few days looking up tips on starting a craft business and even looking for supplies at good prices. My dad is working on getting some metalwork done for me at a shop in Austin and I have been looking for suppliers here on the internet.
Today was my day to go to town and get my Tax ID # and DBA and all that jaz. I was even going to go open a business account at my bank! Unfortunately it has been horrible weather all day. We have already started to get pea sized hail today.
Guess God is telling me to work on my house and my workspace. I have got to get this place cleaned up so I can start crafting more!
Promise more pictures in the next post- the camera is in the car and the car is across a flooded front yard!
Thanks for stopping in!
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