What a week this has been!
We moved one boy's stuff home from college. They will both be home for a week. Oldest child will then be moving in with friends for the summer, and he will continue working with his research job on campus. I still thank God every day that he found this job. The research he has done has translated into published research, that he has presented at a National Conference. This is, in turn, helping his in his quest to go to Grad. School.
Middle Child will be home for 3 weeks, until he returns to the camp where he works for the summer.
We cleaned out the carport. The wood has all been stacked up into the log rack. From the tree branches that came down over the winter, we have a half cord of wood to start this fall. The snow shovels were put away, and the rock salt was covered tightly and moved back into the shed. We got a van load full of trash together off of the carport that went to the dump.
I cleaned out the boys' room. I am packing up oldest child's stuff. This week, I put together a box with all of his yearbooks and photo albums. I found a whole bunch of middle child's paperwork lying on his book shelves and in his drawers. I took the best of his submitted papers, and put them in plastic page protectors and put them in a binder. I had a hoot looking at the papers from his Excellence Folder from Middle School! The work just captured the essence of the boy that he was. I still see vestiges of that boy in the man he has become, but some of that playfulness hides a little deeper than it used to.
I had some dental work done yesterday. Ouch. I had a crown put on. Not a root canal - thank heavens - just a crown. My jaw is still sore, but I haven't had any Motrin since early this morning.
We packed several hundred pounds of topsoil up next to the foundation of the house. Over the 40 years since this house was built, it's settled. As a result, water is draining towards the house - and into our basement. We built up the foundation around the house more. Husband would put down a bag of topsoil, then pound it down again and again until it was as hard as he could pack it. We're still looking at putting a front porch on the house in order to put the water further away from our house, but we hope we've put that time off a little bit longer, so that we can do it on our terms, not as a knee jerk reaction to the situation.
I knitted a blanket/shawl for my niece for her high school graduation. I went to my mother's house the Friday before Mother's Day, and left it with my Mom. She is going to give it to my niece at her graduation party.
I have one other blanket/shawl that I made for one of my kids' friends who is graduating later this month. I am planning on dropping off her blanket next weekend, just before her graduation party.
I hit up the local thrift stores, in my continuing to search for professional summer clothing. I found a couple of very nice shirts, but I am still searching for capris.
I managed to lose enough weight that I have gone down one size. The upside of this is that I have been able to pull out the clothes I had saved "in case" if I managed to lose the weight. So, a few more shirts have been added back into my wardrobe, as well as one more pair of capris.
We cooked every meal from scratch over this past week. Have you checked out the prices of a pound of meat lately? Many of our meals over the last week were vegetarian. It's great to be able to put together a meal for less than $5 for all of us.
What did you do to save money this week?
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
Random Pictures
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| Cherry Blossoms! |
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| Believe it or not, this little dino sits on the file cabinet at work. |
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| Early Spring, down in the "crick", deep in the woods. |
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| The leaves are out! Hooray! |
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| A rainbow appears, early one morning, just as we were leaving for school. |
Spring has sprung in the Mid-Atlantic. It's wonderful to see the green on the trees, beautiful green grass, and see the yellow sheen of pollen on my car when I go out in the morning to go to work.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The Resilient Gardener
Here's an awesome book: The Resilient Gardener: Food Production and Self-Reliance in Uncertain Times, written by Carol Deppe.
We are living in some very uncertain times. The weather is uncertain, with the result that our food crops for the next year could also be very uncertain. Massive droughts in California are threatening a huge chunk of the U.S. food chain for the next year.
In a time when people are becoming concerned about the source of their food: organic or conventionally grown, GMO or heirloom, and unique dietary challenges facing more and more people, the one way to make certain that you have total control over what is in your diet is to grow your own food.
I was fascinated by the in-depth look at gardening methods. I am by no means a new gardener, but I learned a lot of new tricks that gave me insight into how I planted my garden, and how I intend to maintain it this summer.
Not only does the author look at the entire garden, she looks at how to garden with special dietary guidelines in mind, and provides recipes for the gluten intolerant. (HOORAY! I can't wait to try her corn bread recipe!)
I originally checked this book out at work, and read it through once. I returned it, and two days later, I found myself pulling it back off the shelf to find out how best to plant and maintain a garden when you have a bad back. Put it back, pulled it out again a couple days later to find out more about fertilizing with grass clippings. Put it back on the shelf, and checked it out again earlier this week to research potatoes a little bit more. I know, those potatoes should already be in the ground... I'm hoping that it's not too late.
If you're interested in gardening, and supporting your family's budget by growing your own food, it's worth checking this book out from the library and giving it a read through.
We are living in some very uncertain times. The weather is uncertain, with the result that our food crops for the next year could also be very uncertain. Massive droughts in California are threatening a huge chunk of the U.S. food chain for the next year.
In a time when people are becoming concerned about the source of their food: organic or conventionally grown, GMO or heirloom, and unique dietary challenges facing more and more people, the one way to make certain that you have total control over what is in your diet is to grow your own food.
I was fascinated by the in-depth look at gardening methods. I am by no means a new gardener, but I learned a lot of new tricks that gave me insight into how I planted my garden, and how I intend to maintain it this summer.
Not only does the author look at the entire garden, she looks at how to garden with special dietary guidelines in mind, and provides recipes for the gluten intolerant. (HOORAY! I can't wait to try her corn bread recipe!)
I originally checked this book out at work, and read it through once. I returned it, and two days later, I found myself pulling it back off the shelf to find out how best to plant and maintain a garden when you have a bad back. Put it back, pulled it out again a couple days later to find out more about fertilizing with grass clippings. Put it back on the shelf, and checked it out again earlier this week to research potatoes a little bit more. I know, those potatoes should already be in the ground... I'm hoping that it's not too late.
If you're interested in gardening, and supporting your family's budget by growing your own food, it's worth checking this book out from the library and giving it a read through.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Sorry for the Long Silence
I love my new job. I love the challenges, and most of all, I love the people.
I've been there for 6 weeks now.
Slowly, but surely, I have gotten myself used to the new routine.
Previously, I would wake up early in the morning, get the kid ready for school, send her off, go out for a long walk while the weather was still cool, and then come home and blog. If I was subbing, I'd skip out on the walk, and most days I'd blog before I went to work.
Now, I have a 40 minute commute. I get up at 6, and then get the daughter up. We are out of the door a little before 7. I drop her off at school on my way out of town. It's on my way, and I really enjoy spending that little bit of extra time with her.
Most days my commute is 40 minutes. For some reason, on Fridays, my commute is 30 minutes. Traffic is always lighter on Fridays. I think a lot of people telecommute on Fridays. On really bad days, it can take up to an hour.
I get to work before 8, my official report time. If I'm more than 15 minutes early, I'll go walk through the labyrinth before work. (How cool is that? We have a labyrinth literally right outside the door?)
I work in the library. It's a great place to be, when you spend your day surrounded by books and the people who love them.
I'm done by noon.
I have finally found the refrigerator, and I now eat my lunch on campus before I leave. Most days, I eat outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. If it's really nice, I walk to the end of the business park and back before I leave - the walk is a little bit over a mile long.
On the way home, I run errands, get groceries, etc.
Daughter gets home at 2:30. Except for the last two weeks, she's had Driver's Ed. and stayed after school until 6.
I then spend some quality time with just the two of us, before starting dinner.
It's wonderful.
Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed subbing. I loved every single minute of it, and working with the kids. This is a different challenge, and I am enjoying it immensely. Even better, I have guaranteed hours, so, I have a guaranteed paycheck. Nice not to have to rely on people being sick in order to get a day's pay.
And so, the long silence is ending. When daughter gets home from school, after we've had a chance to catch up on the day, and the absolutely absurd things that have happened, and before I start dinner, I have some time to work on the blog.
I have so many things to share. Awesome new books I've found. Observations about the world around me. New insights into preparing meals for pennies in advance. Pictures, oh so many pictures. The list goes on... If you care to continue to join me, I do have some things to share!
I've been there for 6 weeks now.
Slowly, but surely, I have gotten myself used to the new routine.
Previously, I would wake up early in the morning, get the kid ready for school, send her off, go out for a long walk while the weather was still cool, and then come home and blog. If I was subbing, I'd skip out on the walk, and most days I'd blog before I went to work.
Now, I have a 40 minute commute. I get up at 6, and then get the daughter up. We are out of the door a little before 7. I drop her off at school on my way out of town. It's on my way, and I really enjoy spending that little bit of extra time with her.
Most days my commute is 40 minutes. For some reason, on Fridays, my commute is 30 minutes. Traffic is always lighter on Fridays. I think a lot of people telecommute on Fridays. On really bad days, it can take up to an hour.
I get to work before 8, my official report time. If I'm more than 15 minutes early, I'll go walk through the labyrinth before work. (How cool is that? We have a labyrinth literally right outside the door?)
I work in the library. It's a great place to be, when you spend your day surrounded by books and the people who love them.
I'm done by noon.
I have finally found the refrigerator, and I now eat my lunch on campus before I leave. Most days, I eat outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. If it's really nice, I walk to the end of the business park and back before I leave - the walk is a little bit over a mile long.
On the way home, I run errands, get groceries, etc.
Daughter gets home at 2:30. Except for the last two weeks, she's had Driver's Ed. and stayed after school until 6.
I then spend some quality time with just the two of us, before starting dinner.
It's wonderful.
Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed subbing. I loved every single minute of it, and working with the kids. This is a different challenge, and I am enjoying it immensely. Even better, I have guaranteed hours, so, I have a guaranteed paycheck. Nice not to have to rely on people being sick in order to get a day's pay.
And so, the long silence is ending. When daughter gets home from school, after we've had a chance to catch up on the day, and the absolutely absurd things that have happened, and before I start dinner, I have some time to work on the blog.
I have so many things to share. Awesome new books I've found. Observations about the world around me. New insights into preparing meals for pennies in advance. Pictures, oh so many pictures. The list goes on... If you care to continue to join me, I do have some things to share!
Friday, May 2, 2014
Dinner Tonight
I found this recipe on the ACE (The American Council on Exercise) website. They have a plethora of healthy recipes. This particular recipe is from their flier, Healthy Cooking on a Budget. http://www.acefitness.org/acefit/PDF/healthycooking/ACE_HealthyCooking_1_BUDGET.pdf
We made this for dinner earlier this week. It was so good!
I will say this: we did not have brown rice on hand when I went to make this recipe. I don't like to run out to buy any one item, so I used the Bob's Red Mill Wild Rice blend that I had sitting on the shelf. The recipe calls for cooked rice. Make sure you cook it before you add it, or else you will end up with a boatload of rice!
Brown Rice and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
5 cups brown rice, cooked
1 can black beans, drained
1 cup corn
2 cups chopped vegetables
1 cup onions, diced
1 12 ounce bottle enchilada sauce
1/2 cup low fat shredded cheese
Preheat oven to 375*. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, except for cheese. Pour mixture into a baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove dish from oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and serve.
A few more notes:
1) Husband and daughter are allergic to dairy. No cheese went into our version, it was amazing!
2) I made my own enchilada sauce. It was so much easier than I was expecting! You can link to the recipe that I used for enchilada sauce here: http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/red-enchilada-sauce/
3) The website for the American Council on Exercise: www.acefitness.org/acefit/PDF/healthycooking/ACE_HealthyCo
4) This was amazing the second day when we served it in warmed corn tortillas!
We made this for dinner earlier this week. It was so good!
I will say this: we did not have brown rice on hand when I went to make this recipe. I don't like to run out to buy any one item, so I used the Bob's Red Mill Wild Rice blend that I had sitting on the shelf. The recipe calls for cooked rice. Make sure you cook it before you add it, or else you will end up with a boatload of rice!
Brown Rice and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
5 cups brown rice, cooked
1 can black beans, drained
1 cup corn
2 cups chopped vegetables
1 cup onions, diced
1 12 ounce bottle enchilada sauce
1/2 cup low fat shredded cheese
Preheat oven to 375*. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, except for cheese. Pour mixture into a baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove dish from oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and serve.
A few more notes:
1) Husband and daughter are allergic to dairy. No cheese went into our version, it was amazing!
2) I made my own enchilada sauce. It was so much easier than I was expecting! You can link to the recipe that I used for enchilada sauce here: http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/red-enchilada-sauce/
3) The website for the American Council on Exercise: www.acefitness.org/acefit/PDF/healthycooking/ACE_HealthyCo
4) This was amazing the second day when we served it in warmed corn tortillas!
Thursday, May 1, 2014
My Resolutions
I'm still keeping track of my resolutions. It's been 4 completed months now....
1) 365 Grateful
I'm not journaling every single day. I am still making a point of listing something different that I am thankful for every couple of days. I might have to begin doing my gratitude journal on here...
2) Lose 10 Pounds
Done! Who-Hoo! 11 pounds down from January! Can you believe it?
I'm going to work on the next 11 pounds, but this isn't one of my resolutions. I'm going to keep going while I've got the momentum.
3) Run
I haven't actually been running, but I have been walking more. I park at the far side of the parking lot at work, and on nice days, I walk around the business park before I go home.
4) Get Out of Debt
Making progress. We are paying cash for everything now except for gas. I pay about $35 to fill the Civic with gas, about once every 5 days. The van costs well over $50. I'm not sure how much since the husband drives the van and I don't. He carpools with several other people in our neighborhood in the van down to the Park and Ride, where they catch a van pool. He fills the van once every 10 days or so, but I have no idea how much it costs him to fill it completely.
5) Finish Cleaning Out the Basement
No progress made this month. It's just such a mess, and just so darn discouraging. Maybe this month....
6) Finish Oldest Child's Quilt
I've pieced it, and I've begun sewing the blocks together. Progress!
7) Spend More Time With My Family
The boys will be home from college this weekend. I have cleared the calendar so that I can sit around with them and catch up.
8) Finish the Book I Keep Saying I'm Going to Write
No progress this month. Starting a new job has kind of put a cramp in that.
9) Finish the hallway bathroom
Still saving for this. We want to pay cash for this, there's no way it's going on a credit card.
10) Get Back Into My Music
Done and done.
How are you doing on your resolutions?
1) 365 Grateful
I'm not journaling every single day. I am still making a point of listing something different that I am thankful for every couple of days. I might have to begin doing my gratitude journal on here...
2) Lose 10 Pounds
Done! Who-Hoo! 11 pounds down from January! Can you believe it?
I'm going to work on the next 11 pounds, but this isn't one of my resolutions. I'm going to keep going while I've got the momentum.
3) Run
I haven't actually been running, but I have been walking more. I park at the far side of the parking lot at work, and on nice days, I walk around the business park before I go home.
4) Get Out of Debt
Making progress. We are paying cash for everything now except for gas. I pay about $35 to fill the Civic with gas, about once every 5 days. The van costs well over $50. I'm not sure how much since the husband drives the van and I don't. He carpools with several other people in our neighborhood in the van down to the Park and Ride, where they catch a van pool. He fills the van once every 10 days or so, but I have no idea how much it costs him to fill it completely.
5) Finish Cleaning Out the Basement
No progress made this month. It's just such a mess, and just so darn discouraging. Maybe this month....
6) Finish Oldest Child's Quilt
I've pieced it, and I've begun sewing the blocks together. Progress!
7) Spend More Time With My Family
The boys will be home from college this weekend. I have cleared the calendar so that I can sit around with them and catch up.
8) Finish the Book I Keep Saying I'm Going to Write
No progress this month. Starting a new job has kind of put a cramp in that.
9) Finish the hallway bathroom
Still saving for this. We want to pay cash for this, there's no way it's going on a credit card.
10) Get Back Into My Music
Done and done.
How are you doing on your resolutions?
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