52 Blessings

I look forward to garbage day: it's a great feeling to get rid of my rubbish from the past week.

Almost spiritual.

Shopping Style

Jaclyn and I spent a Saturday last month shopping for a grade 9 grad dress. We hit every store in the mall, and emerged victorious (pictures to come after grad, don't laugh: it's a K-9, these kids have been together for 10 years), but exhausted. I much prefer to dash into a store for 30 minutes and then see what I come out with. (Except on holidays, and then I can shop for hours and hours, women's' conference girlfriends beware.)

.

This week I popped into Value Village. As I walked around the store I felt like I'd arrived an hour too late because I kept admiring items already in other shopper's carts. Darn! But then I headed down the boys clothing aisle - I have no idea why, I've never bought clothes for Steven at Value Village.

.
.

.

There were 30 t-shirts just like this one. Some organization, presumably Extreme Soccer, must have donated a large batch of last year's shirts (still new with original tags). This was a super find for me because Chloe is crazy about soccer. She is so looking forward to soccer season starting up again soon, and she's been talking about having a soccer birthday party. This find solidified the birthday plan. I bought a dozen soccer shirts for $0.99 each. Score!

.

.

I popped into Superstore - my discount grocery store that now carries it's own clothing brand.
I got a funny look from an employee for taking a picture in the store - not that long ago I also would have thought it was strange behavior.

.

.I found Carmen's pink pleated skirt on the clearance rack for $1.94! The jacket is also from Superstore; I bought it with my PC Points (credit earned by shopping and banking through Superstore) so whatever the tag said it cost, it was free to me. Ken reminds me that it is possible to buy groceries with PC Points, but I say NO WAY! PC Points are a reward and I'm going to treat them that way!
.
.

Chloe's green pear patterned shirt and red jacket were purchased with PC Points. I also bought her the most darling green gingham swing shirt, but it is in the ironing pile right now. I don't know what I was thinking buying children's clothing that requires ironing (?)

.

Here's a close up of my dressy t-shirt that matches my new fruit punch poppy bobby pin. I think I might love this shirt and hair accessory too much. I'm concerned I'll quickly wear out the shirt - not sure I trust the quality of grocery store clothes. I just have to keep reminding myself that I've been very happy with the furniture I've bought there, which gives me hope of Superstore's general product quality. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm also hoping I don't lose the pin, thanks for that April. Ha! .

.

.

It wouldn't be a shopping post for me without something from Winners (TJ Maxx sister store). This yellow jacket has me hoping for a cool spring and summer. It is the perfect color, the perfect fit. I love the big buttons and the weight of the fabric. It was perfection at $50, especially with in store credit, which I know just means I spent the money long ago, but it felt free.

.

Good Mail in 3 Posts

It has taken me 3 hours to get this good mail uploaded to blogger. (With distractions like talking on the phone for an hour, picking up kids from a friend's house, making sandwiches for dinner. My afternoon has been strenuous like that.)

When I finally seriously tried to upload my good mail I experienced some technical difficulties that I could only overcome by dividing up the photos. I wonder if I had trouble because I scanned rather than photographed the images?
'

Going way back, Lucy sent me this personalized card with a thoughtful note inside. I'm using it as a bookmark, and if you know Lucy at all you know why.

'

Elizabeth sent me a note, and the envelope was a work of art! Look how beautifully the stamps are arranged.

'

Elizabeth has a cute stamp that looks like the back of a postcard which she transferred onto the back of the envelope. Or is the post office in Hawaii is extra special, and this came through the stamp cancelling machine. I really don't know!

'

'

'

I ordered something I saw featured on Design Mom, and when I opened the envelope this is what I found. I have seen a few cute ideas for packaging and cards from old books recently, and I plan on spending more time in books the next time I go to Value Village.

second

This is what was inside, but only one of them. They were $6 each, so I stopped there. I have the perfect dressy t-shirt to go with this hair pin. Can you get cute clothes at your grocery store? I have been enjoying shopping for the change of season, but that would be another post for another day.

third

'

Carlo sent me a sweet note. I appreciate your words, Carlo. The note was like one giant happy comment.

'

'

My cousin-in-law on Ken's side (honestly that was the simplest way I could think to describe the relationship, other than friend, which actually would be better). One of my friends - Tannis - sent me a second thank you card for something. This time she sent her note in a homemade envelope that came together so uniquely in the back.

'

'
This was the most I could unfold the envelope and have it fit in my scanner. The center rectangle was 5x7. The rounded flaps fold exactly to center, spiraling together, and she secured it with a sticker. I would have been afraid to trust Canada Post not to tear the envelope apart, but it arrived intact, so now I will have some confidence to make some of these envelopes myself!

'

Kristi posted about the Easter cards she sent this year. An empty envelope symbolizing the empty tomb, with a reference inside to Mark 16: 1-6.
'

Ken sometimes describes blogging as a giant affirmation exercise - he's teasing, but there is some truth to it. Only it's more sincere and genuine and relationship-based than he makes it sound. Thanks for brightening my mailbox these past weeks!

SPT: Easter Egg Hunt

I actually hosted an egg hunt on our street this year. Thursday morning Ann (a neighborhood mom) and I hid 18 dozen plastic eggs in the yards of the participating families. When it was time for the Easter egg hunt, we told all the kids they had to stop once they found a dozen, we gave the preschoolers a head start, and that was all the work that went into it. No biggie for me, but so much fun for the kids. Kiddos and moms were all very appreciative - I don't know why this was our 1st annual instead of our 7th annual Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt!

I sent Chloe into our side yard, but Carmen scooped her on the egg hidden in the hockey net.

*

Saturday we went with my parents to Writing-On-Stone for the afternoon, and I couldn't help thinking
.

it would have be an *egg*stra special place for an Easter Egg Hunt!

.

Red Lentil Soup

2 c. washed red lentils (but I never wash them any more)
6 c. water
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped (or dry onion from the food storage)
2-3 stalks celery, chopped (worst case scenario: omit)
1 garlic clove, chopped (another dehydrated substitution here)
3-4 carrots, chopped (I've used dehydrated carrots)
2 potatos, peeled and diced (hello - potato pearls)
1 (19 oz.) can diced tomatoes (a food storage essential)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 chicken bouillon cube
2 T. dried parsley
1/4 tsp thyme
1 bay leaf

Combine lentils and water. Bring to a boil and simmer 15 minutes. Rehydrate the onion and garlic if you've gone with the dry storage foods. Saute onion, garlic, and celery in olive oil until tender. Stir into lentils. Add all other ingredients and simmer 1 hour. Or: if using dried vegetables, add one cup of potato pearls and 1/2 cup dried carrots with maybe 15 minutes of simmering time to go.

(Christy: this is from the 'Celebrate' cookbook page 58, but I added the potatos, which changes the soup completely - don't omit the potatos!)


As for the cornbread, I don't think my recipe is anything special. I'm sure freshly ground cornmeal would improve any recipe.

52 Blessings: This week and every week.

I know the actions and existence of my Savior are greater

than any other blessing I enjoy.
Happy Easter.
.

Provident Living

One of my 10-hour personal progress projects was to get a year supply of basic foods and learn how to cook with it. I already had a significant amount of food stored in the basement, which I inventoried. I then went to the cannery once a month for months and months. By the time I starting the cooking half of the project, I was well past 10 hours. I made a couple of lentil recipes, both are now family favorites, and called the project done.

.

I bought a wheat grinder mid-project with my Ralph Bucks, but until last week it remained in its box on the floor of my pantry. Trying out the grinder has gradually moved up my action list as my manic mode is settling into a way of life. (How long is this going to last? I have no idea.)
.
I got out my instruction manual.
.
And then, instead of grinding wheat, I decided to experiment. I'd heard that you can grind popcorn into cornmeal, but I didn't know anyone personally who had tried it.
.

The cornmeal came out very fine, which had me a little worried that it wasn't right.

.

But the cornbread turned out more than 'fine'! It was the best I've ever made. Those pounds of popcorn in my basement will be put to good use, I'm never going to buy cornmeal again.

When the cry goes out, "The sky is falling!" we'll fill our tummies with red lentil soup, and now, cornbread on the side.

SPT

Your feet will bring you to where your heart is.

~Irish Proverb~
.

I think that's a lovely sentiment, and I've pondered on it since Lelly set out this week's challenge.
.

The thing is, I'm not a wanderer.

.

I'm more of a:

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."

kinda girl.

.

However, there is one place I wander, without thinking, my feet and heart leading the way . . .

.

To look in on my sleeping littles before I go to sleep myself.

.

My internet is down.

Hopefully my home internet woes will be solved soon.
Of all the days to have internet troubles: SPT!

52 Blessings

Best friends moving to our school!

One of my best friends just told me today that she is transfering her kids to our school. I am so excited to have them with us next year - her 3 kids match up in age very closely to my youngest 3 kids, and we are looking forward to seeing more of them by sharing the same school.

Erin, you are a blessing in my life and it will be fun to be *school mom* friends.

Triton, Enzo, and Blue:

'

Welcome to the Blue and Gold!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Redwood Forest August 2007

Cupcake Cake

For Carmen's birthday party I wanted to make cupcakes because they are so easy to serve and fairly clean for kids to eat. Carmen sort of wanted a cake, but she was flexible, so she asked me to frost all the cupcakes together to look like a cake (I think she'd seen it done at a friend's party). I agreed. After the cupcakes had baked I shoved them as close together as possible and spread the icing across, creating a questionable and bumpy landscape. Not something I could have piped 'Happy Birthday' onto.

.
They didn't turn out as well as they look in this photo.
.

No problem, we piled a few more cupcakes on top, placed the extra long candles in odd positions, and had a wack-a-doo cake. It suited Carmen very well, actually.

.

I really liked Carmen's idea of icing cupcakes together to create a cake sized cake for decoration, while still providing the ease of serving cupcakes. I tried again this weekend, but this time I put all the cupcake papers squished together tightly in cake pans. This picture from the top doesn't show how well the cupcake cake worked: it had a nice even surface to frost. I could have easily piped on flowers or words, but Kelly's cupcake therapy recipe calls for shredded coconut sprinkled on top.
.

You don't want to frost the sides of a cupcake cake, but ribbon is prettier anyhow!
.

I was very pleased with the way it turned out.
.

We all were.
.

Five for Friday

Five posts I didn't write in the past two weeks:

.

. The last time I made pie crust I stored up some small pie shells, then on an unscheduled Sunday afternoon we each made our own small apple pies. Well, I made Ken's. Steven was the apple slicing expert because of all of his band fundraiser pie making experience back in the fall.

(Casey, Carmen's Webkinz, looks on as Steven works.)

I was wandering the aisles of Shopper's Drug Mart recently while Jaclyn deliberated over a body spray scent, when I found Sippahh Milk Flavouring Straws (spell check doesn't like my Canadian spelling for Flavouring).

. .

.

They're these straws with flavour beads inside that flavour the milk as you draw it through the straw. I bought strawberry and chocolate, but it comes in other flavours (now I'm just having fun annoying spell check with my Canadian/British spelling). After I found them at Shopper's I started seeing them everywhere. I bought a whole bunch of chocolate flavoured straws for Jaclyn to take to school. On school milk days if the kitchen runs out of chocolate milk 9th grade gets stuck with white milk, so Jaclyn is just keeping the straws in her locker ready to be class hero one of these days.

Chloe has a special talent for cajoling me into something fun. And as soon as that fun thing is done she is ready with another fun idea. She has really been wanting to go to Home Depot for the kid's club that is held on the second Saturday of the month ever since another friend of hers went. So right after Karate last Saturday we headed to Home Depot and she and I built this little art caddy (she calls it a tool box and thinks I need to buy mini tools for her now). We had a good time, but as soon as we were done she was talking about going on a picnic to the park that afternoon. Her fun appetite is insatiable.

.

Jaclyn participated in the Kiwanis Music Festival on Wednesday. She played 3 pieces in a recital class, taking about 18 minutes of time. She entered the festival just for the opportunity to get some adjudication on the pieces she is working on, which she got. The bonus was she coming home with a second place certificate..

.

.

Last Easter I shared the paper bunnies I like to make through good mail, and now a few of them are travelling the web. I just gave away another pattern yesterday - it is fun to share. As I am typing this I am not sure if you will be able to click on the pattern to print it full sized, but if that works, you have a template for a paper Easter bunny. Fold a piece of paper lengthwise, line up the long straight side of the template along the folded edge, trace, cut, and voila! A quick and easy kids craft.

.. .

Nope, it doesn't expand. Why do some pictures take you to their own image web page and some don't? Try this photobucket page then click on the image to get a full sized template.

SPT - Ring My Bell

/

The coast is clear - no neighbors outside to observe my bizarre blogging behavior!

.

Lelly asked:

if i came to visit you next week, how would i know which doorbell to ring? do you have a formal entrance? should i come to the front door? or do you prefer your guests to come around back? (would you be surprised if i came in through the garage?!?)

.

My front door. My extra tall (9'), black front door. Our house blends well with the community, but singled out, the front door is . . . intimidating. Those poor girl scouts who have to come ring my doorbell and sell me cookies!

The dog comes in the deck door. He's left his smudges all over it, but I sit with my back to this door during presidency meetings, so I don't have to look at it. But I suppose my counsellors do.

The family comes in the garage door. The kids don't have house keys, but they know the garage keypad code. The tape marks on the door have been there forever - I can't get them off. They're a sad reminder of a failed organization system.

/

I hope sharing the smudges and the tape marks on our other entrances makes my big black door more approachable. I love a pop-in! So go ahead, ring my bell.

.

I'll open up, even if I'm a little tired. Right after I hide the paper towel tube Chloe's left laying in the front entrance.