SimpleTimes

October 6, 2008

Quick note for tonight.....

Green tomatoes are finished up and put away for winter use! :) :) :)

9 quarts of dilled tomatoes (sorry~ no pics of those) yesterday and 11 quarts of green tomato relish today!

Ain't it purty?

Gotta get to bed, unfortunately, 4am comes a bit on the early side for me.

Just in time to go to work and get yelled at and made snide comments to and about....

*SIGH* I'd rather be home playing in my tomatoes....

Maybe someday....

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!

Monday, Monday...

Monday....one of my favorite days of the week. So much promise for the week ahead...

Today is filled with our normal Monday routine...laundry and school work. Plus anything else that comes up. Today, I am determined to not use the dryer at all. I normally do one load in the dryer....socks, undies, washclothes and napkins.....all those little things that are time consuming to hang out. After realizing that our last month's electric bill did not include the rate increase, we are conserving even more. Our bill was a bit higher than I expected, though lower than years past for August usage. But, the weather was cooler and we didn't run the a/c as much as normal. And I was diligent about hanging out the laundry (except for that one load each laundry day). Then I read that the rate increase took effect Oct 1st. Oh! Now, I'm not looking forward to this bill at all!

When Honey left this morning, we heard deer in the front pasture snorting. It spooked me a bit when I first heard it, but Honey told me what it was and calmed me. What a sweetie. I sure didn't want to give him back to Home Depot this morning..but that's what Monday entails. Bummer...I'd so LOVE for him to work at home. I just love being with him. He's my favorite person in all the world.

I had posted some clothes for sale on our local swap and shop...I sold the 6 bags of clothes on Saturday...but also had separate listings for sleepers and such. A woman called last night and wants to buy ALL of them!! She also asked if we had any other clothes or toys to sell. I'm meeting her in town tomorrow, before MNO, to sell her this stuff. Natalie and Mary have been cleaning their room and I know they have toys that they no longer want or play with. The lady buying this stuff is helping out a family that lost their home to a fire. I plan to give her plenty of stuff to give to this family too. I know I have a bag of sheets that I'll wash up and give her...and I'll be looking around today for other things. She told me they have little children and another on the way. How awful to lose everything......

I'm hoping to sell enough "stuff" to be able to buy new tires for the Burb before our trip to Nashville later this month. The back tires are worn...and when the Burb gets to about 55mph, the back end vibrates alot. It would be so nice to have new tires and not deal with that on I-65 that day. I plan to call the tire store to get a price once Honey tells me what kind of tires he wants to replace them with. He'd like to get truck tires instead of the passenger car tires that are on it now. They don't seem to last as long as the truck tires do.

I just heard the washer stop for the second time this morning. I have one load already sorted in the basket and it's time for the second to join the first. The sun is slowing rising, though it will still be awhile before it starts shining down here in the "holler"....

Guess I'll go tend to that laundry...

Have a blessed day!

Squashkin? Delakin? Pumash?

We couldn't decide what to call this new squash.  I had a plant come up on it's own and I just let it go, knowing my other squash weren't growing as well.  This is what we ended up with.  In looking at it, we think it is a cross-breed between the delicata squash that we grew last year and the sugar pumpkins.  Most all were growing on their bottoms, sitting upright.  The green stripes were a bit more apparent until just at ripening when they began to take on some orange. 

I decided to cook one up today and see what it tasted like.  I baked it for quite some time and once done, I served it at supper.  The texture was more stringy like in spaghetti squash (which is odd because I never grew that here).  I think it took on that from the pumpkin.  The smell of the item smelled identical to pumpkin, although it was more yellow in color like squash.  The flavor... was bitter.  We don't know what went wrong with this cross-breed, because delicatas are sweet and so are sugar pumpkins, but this was like a flat squash flavor with a bitter edge to it. 

I will be trying to boil the next one to see if I notice any changes and see if I can work with it enough to cause us to keep the 20 some that grew in the patch.  If not, I guess the girls can enjoy carving them... we have plenty. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Time for a new plan.

I have a new plan for trying to work in foods into our diet.  I seen tonight it will already need some tweaking, but I need to go with this to start.  What I decided to do was to try a new recipe each day, well at least 4-5 a week, I am hoping.  And no better time to start, than TODAY!

Today's recipe was a Vegan Macaroni and Cheese.  It was easy to cook.  It was a crockpot recipe.  The cheesy sauce however was a bit "sour" for our tastes.  After it was all done, I had to cut it with a bit of honey to even make it palatible for our family.  And then... it was still a no go.   I found that when I took a bite of steamed broccoli which I had for a side dish, with a bite of the pasta, it really wasn't too bad.  But alone, it was just too sour.  I know that lemon can be a great taste, but I did not grow up with it, and the sharpness of the flavor was nothing our family was used to. 

I also tried a cashew gravy.  It had onions in the gravy and the way it was directed to cook, they did not get blended up.  I put it onto a vegetarian loaf (which was new also, but I just tweaked a burger recipe that I had and made it into a loaf).  The flavor... was good.  The family says... It is a keeper.  Though, next time the girls would prefer me to blend up those onions instead of leaving them in pieces within the gravy.  Dh said he would have liked it better if I had made potatoes with our meal, LOL.  He lives on potatoes and prefers it with every meal unless it is mexican or pasta ...and even then we add potatoes occasionally.  The new loaf was a keeper as well.  I have one daughter that requested I exchange the carrots for more potatoes, but I just smiled and everyone else said... it's fine...leave it as it is.   When my girls don't eat too many carrots (this daughter especially), it seems that if it is tolerable, I ought to leave it in.  *grin*

After all the cooking tonight, I realized that I struggle with doing dairy-free and soy free at the same time.  An automatic substitute for dairy is soy.  I made the vegetarian loaf with a vegetarian burger, didn't even dawn on me that there was TVP (Soy) in it. 

I did not take a picture of the loaf, but basically here is what was in it...

One can of vegan vegetarian burger, one potato shredded, one cup of carrots shredded, 3 eggs, 4 slices of ww bread cubed, a good set of shakes of sage, onion powder, and garlic powder.  I baked at 350 for about 30 minutes.  During that time, I made the gravy and then topped the loaf with the gravy and baked another 20-30 minutes.  (enough for the carrots to soften and the gravy to bubble). 

The gravy recipe I found in the book "Choices:  Quick and Healthy Cooking" by Cheryl Thomas Peters.  It was good and I am relieved that I had ONE new recipe for today approved by all (even if I need to tweak it and blend the onions into the gravy next time!). 

My plan will need some tweaking as on the first day I was given some comments on the plan.  The new recipe is planned to be a side dish to the main meal.  That part works, that way if it doesn't go over, the kids still eat.    The next part is that I need to keep the menu plan a bit more "normal".  This will prove to be difficult as we are ingrained in a particular style of food and when you can't eat that food, finding a new normal isn't always as easy as substituting one food for another.  Like tonight, I should have made a potato dish for the new loaf.  It would have been much easier for the family to accept the new food without feeling like they were being deprived.  But, in my thinking... we had plenty on the table... the menu consisted of:  Trial: mac and cheese, pineapple and banana salad (have bananas that need eating), burger loaf, gravy, steamed broccoli and cauliflower and squash (trial... we had a crossbreed in the garden and we tried it tonight...not so good! LOL).  After looking at the menu, I need to try and keep it smaller/simpler as well.  It's not like we're going to potluck, so I don't need to have so much food on the table. 

Anyways, I will be sharing our journey as I try new recipes.  I will share my flops, my forgetfulness, etc.   All in all, going to a new diet will be hard on the entire family.   I guess it isn't that it will be... IT IS. 

Today's aftermath of whatever little Paige ate, allowed her entire dresser of panties to be emptied.  That is about 15 pairs of underwear.  She told me at about 6pm, that she ran out of panties.  She also had about 6-8 bowel movements today.  Totally cleaned her out, I guess.  Her skin still has  the redness that appeared yesterday afternoon.  She also has a red blood mark in her eye today.  She was aggitated most of today, but seemed to calm down after supper and fell asleep a bit early for her (around 7:45 pm).  She didn't eat the loaf tonight, she has always seemed to say no to soy substitutes, although she does like gluten and those usually have soy flavorings.  I guess I will likely need to make my own at some point.  Anyways... hopefully tomorrow is a better day. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

More about Lupus and......IT IS SNOWING!!

Thanks for the support on the possible lupus diagnosis.  Yes, I did actually have a doctor tell me I was just fat.  He didn't say the word "lazy", but he certainly implied it.  I have really been hurting for the past 2 weeks and I'm quite interested in getting all of my blood work and tests results in.  I go back for more next Monday. We shall see.  I know I should probably be more concerned than I am.  But I'm really just feeling relieved.

Friday, on our 2 year Alaska anniversary!,  we had our first snow fall. Nothing stuck, but there was quite a bit of snow mixed in the rain.  Then today...WOW!  We've got Charlie Brown flakes falling off and on.  I just spoke to a friend who lives across town and her yard is completely snow covered.  Ours isn't sticking at all.  We've got a fire roaring in the fireplace. Ahhhh, love it.  :)

Sunday evening

Wow...two posts in two days....yeah me!

If you think of it, please say a prayer for my Aunt Nina today...it would have been her and my Uncle Wayne's 45th wedding anniversary today.

After breakfast this morning, Rebecca looked through the Martha Stewart Baking Handbook (from the library yesterday) and decided to make a very decadent chocolate cake with chocolate icing.... that's my girl!

I spent the day getting little things taken care of. I'm working on a chore schedule to go along with the chore packs from Teri Maxwell's Managers of their Chores book. I didn't read the entire book since I'd just seen her speak on this...but I'm looking forward to starting this chore pack system.

I'm loving this new printer!!! I just ordered more ink as the cartridges are only supposed to print about 200 pages...I ordered the XL cartridges this time. I found the cheapest place to order them was from HP directly. They are offering free shipping...of any sort...next day (if it's available in your area..it's not in my area), 2 day and regular 5-7 days. I also found a coupon on Retail Me Not for $10 off! Love that! Once the new ink cartridges arrive, I have some major printing to do.

First, I have been blessed with the Old School House planner!!! I'm so excited about this!! Second, I have also been blessed to be able to review a new e-book from The Old School House. I plan to print it and read it as intended, in book form.  What a treat!!! Next, I have some materials for Keepers/Contenders to be printed before our meeting on Friday. Yep, that will be one busy printer this week!

'Tis time to get everyone ready for bed....will be back in the morning...Monday comes soon....so does 3:30 am!

Saturday....

It's been a busy, but fruitful day today!

We were up bright and early...and hit the road at 8:15. The girls went with me to get our monthly grocery shopping completed. We were to meet a lady at Piggly Wiggly to sell her some clothes. We got there early, so decided to go ahead and start shopping. I had given the lady my cell phone number, so I knew she would call when she arrived.

We did find some great deals...I'm sad that PW is closing...not because I shopped there alot, but because it was another choice. Now, I'm back to Wal Mart only as a choice...

Anywho, they had 40% off the entire store. We bought over $200 worth of groceries for $99! I had several coupons to use as well.

While we were shopping, the lady called...and Rebecca went out to meet the her and sell the clothes. I was so proud of her! She doesn't like doing such things, but she did it right away and without complaint!  That's my girl!!

We left there and went to Walgreen's. Another great trip there! We bought $72 worth of stuff for $1. Yep, $1. I used many coupons and my rebate card from last month...and spent exactly $1 out of pocket! And...I have almost $15 worth of register rewards to use next time.

Then it was off to the library. I found a few cookbooks to read. It's turning cooler here...that means the baking and cooking bug is hitting my home. Both Rebecca and I love to bake...it shows in my waistline...but I do love it!

We then went to the second hand shop...I'm so not impressed with that store now. It used to be such a bargain to shop there. But, they've made some management changes...and it's no longer a bargain. I found a pair of jeans for Natalie...they were priced at $8! $8 for used jeans??! I don't think so!

Then it was off to Wal Mart to finish our shopping. This time, we spent $280. Combined with our $99 at Piggly Wiggly, that's not a bad total for the entire month's groceries. I did forget a couple of things...that will cost about $10...and will need to add produce and fruit....but for feeding a family of 6, that's not too bad!

After we unloaded and put away all the groceries, Rebecca and I decided to rearrange some cupboards. We had loaded up on the energy and granola bars she likes as well as dried fruit. We put that into the cabinet where the cookbooks were kept. Out they came....which led to us rearranging three more large cupboards, labeling everything and making it look oh so much nicer! We still have a few cupboards to rearrange, but that will get done soon. I love opening the cupboards and seeing it all neat and tidy!

Then, it was time to start supper. Chili and cornbread was on the menu. I started frying the hamburger for it and then decided to fry up the hamburger that was needed for this month's meals. So, the pot was filled with hamburger for chili, hamburger potato soup and tacos. The rest of the hamburger went into a freezer bag to be made into Swedish meatballs. While that cooked, I sliced up the round steak into Philly cheesesteak slices, and had enough for two meals' worth! Same with the beef stew meat. Two meals' worth...and both meals are on the menu only once this month, which means it will be there for next months' meals. Once the meat was finished frying, I drained it and ran water over the remaining meat to cool it off. Into freezer bags it went.

Now, when it's time for those meals, all I have to do is pull out the freezer bag and get started. What a time saver!

I'm ready for some relaxing time...think I'll go get Penny (one of our dachshunds) and snuggle up with her. Honey is enjoying our free preview month of DIY this month. Saturday nights are now filled with This Old House, New Yankee Workshop and Wood Works. Reminds me of our early years of marriage...oh how we enjoyed sitting in our bedroom watching that little tv...watching those same shows (minus the Wood Works..but including HomeTime, and other home improvement shows)...then we'd move onto other PBS shows like Julia Child, Frugal Gourmet and others. We both learned so very much watching those shows!

Have a blessed evening!

October 5, 2008

This weekend, we have made quite a jump in preparing for the colder months... finished up a big pile of wood, cut and chopped. DH taught me to use a chainsaw! LOL!

This is what we have so far...

This still needs done...

We also finished up the garden, and I got 9 quarts of dilled tomatoes put up yesterday, and plan on finishing up today with some tomato relish... here's what we had left...

Abi made the family bread yesterday. 4 loaves. 2 white and 2 wheat. She's getting pretty good at knowing her way around the kitchen! And believe it or not, we are going to need to make 4 more today! (There's still 2 loaves left.)

Today, I am making the children's school schedules. So Dad (and I) can stay on track with what's going on. We get so lost sometimes, and find it hard to "regain composure" one might say... LOL!

Although the past 2 weeks have been purposely taken off so we could get caught up on everything needing done around the house, and that's ok.

I am going to try using the CIMT Math for our son, and place him at a slightly lower level than he is used to, but by doing this, he can play catch up, and whiz right through it and get a review while working toward the next level!

There really is a method to my madness, I promise!

Most of it is my fault for not keeping up with what I promise myself I can do....I make schedules, and then they fall off the face of the earth within a week.... bad habit....

30 lessons have just printed. So I had better go and get myself around, eh?

~Blessings~

Million Calorie Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Million Calorie Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

1 lb. softened sweet butter

3 cups sugar

6 large eggs

4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup whole milk

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons homemade vanilla or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 lb bittersweet chocolate chips

• Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.
• Grease a 10 inch tube pan and lightly flour. I also suggest that you line the bottom with parchment paper and have it come up the side an inch or so, as some batter leaked from the bottom.
• In a large mixing bowl by hand or with a beater, cream the butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
• Then add 1 egg at a time, beating well till incorporated.
• Alternating add the flour and milk stirring by hand with a wooden spoon.
• Add the extracts and combine the cake batter till well blended.
• Fold in the chocolate chips till incorporated evenly in the cake batter.
• Carefully add the batter to the tube pan, smoothing the top to make sure it is even.
• Bake till a tester comes out clean anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Cool the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes then turn it out onto the rack to cool.