I should be in bed.

"Let no corrupt communication...

proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it might impart grace to the hearers." Ephesians 4:29

Five days into the Husband Encouragement Challenge, I continue to follow the rules.

* You can't say anything negative about your husband ...to your husband...or to anyone else, about your husband.
* Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband...to your
husband...and to someone else, about your husband!

I haven't told Surferman about this challenge, so he's not monitoring my words. Should I?

I have noticed that even though my mouth doesn't speak... my brain sometimes thinks. I catch myself with a complaining, comparing and even contemptuous heart. This challenge isn't about words alone. I need to work on my heart.

The good man brings good things
out of the good stored up in his heart,
and the evil man brings evil things
out of the evil stored up in his heart.
For out of the overflow of his heart
his mouth speaks.

Luke 6:45 NIV

Recipe Box Swap - Fun Foods

Randi at "I have to say..." hosts a monthly recipe swap. I'm joining in this month. Here's how she describes February's theme....

This month's theme is "Fun Foods". You know those foods, you don't make often, but they are staples in your family's menu just because they are fun. Fun foods are usually sticky, salty, sugary or fattening, and we all love them!

Bop over to her blog for more Fun Food recipes. Here's mine...

I've posted these before, but they really fit the bill for Fun Food.

Robin's Top Secret World's Best Brownies

Ingredients
1 box brownie mix - the cheapest box on the shelf, tastes best if bought on sale
ingredients for above box of brownies

1 can chocolate frosting

Directions
Follow the directions on the brownie mix package. Bake the brownies as directed for the shortest time recommended. Set a timer and do not let them cook a moment more.

While the brownies are still hot... Microwave the can of frosting in 30 second bursts until the frosting is smooth and melted. Usually about 1 minute.

Pour half of the frosting onto the warm brownies. Tilt the pan to cover the corners and edges with frosting.

Let cool before serving.

Ooey, Gooey, Yummy.

Blogs Hunting Volcanoes While Dealing with Angry Celebs Eating Pickles and Much More

1. What is one of your favorite blogs to read? Why is it your favorite?
Making Home Jess is gifted by God as an encourager and a teacher. When I open my Bloglines and see that she has posted something new, I get excited and then scared. Nine times out of ten, she hits me between the eyes with something that I need to surrender to the Lord, or deal with. She is straight forward and honest, speaking the truth in love.

2. Have you ever been hunting?
Only if garage sales count... I'm always hunting for a bargain or something I need.

3. Do you live near any active volcanoes?
I live near an active nuclear power plant, so I sure hope there aren't any active volcanoes nearby.

4. If VH1 came out with a new reality show called Celebrity Anger Management, who would you most like to see on the show?
I don't know. I don't pay much attention to the doings of "celebrities".

5. Would you drink horse's milk if offered?
I'd try it. Do they make chocolate horse milk? Or horse lattes?

6. Do you buy pickles? If so, what do you do with the juice after all the pickles are gone?
Dill pickles are yummy. I usually throw it away, but I read that you can refill the jar with sliced cucumbers and turn them into makeshift pickles. I'm trying that next time.

7. Do you have a myspace or Facebook account?
I recently joined Facebook because of good friends who moved to their mission field in Kenya. I don't get it. I may just delete my account or give myself a funny alias so I can keep up with the Pottengers but not be bothered with the rest of it. Is that bad?

8. Facial hair on men, yea or nay?
I like the look of 5 o'clock shadow. Don't like the 80 grit sandpaper feel of it on my soft check. I really like a soft, smooth face.

9. Do you know anyone personally who is stockpiling stuff for WWIII or a date they think will be the end of the world (i.e. 12/2012)?Not that I'm aware of. I know some women online who have incredible stockpiles and BOBs (bug out bags). I choose to trust in the Lord.

10. Have you downloaded Skype and use it?
Not on this computer.

11. Have you ever been stuck by cacti?
Once. When I was little (maybe 7) I had a cactus I called Prick. My parents giggled all the time.

12. Do you still have packed boxes from your last move you have yet to unpack? If so, how long have they been there?
No.

13. Ever have a toxic friend you had to break ties with to save your sanity? Yes, and that's all I'm saying.

Read what others are thunking at Thursday Thunks.

"...let him labor,

working with his hands what is good..." Ephesians 4:28

I remember my Grandpa Pete's hands. They were rough and calloused. His fingers seemed permanently curved to hold a hammer. He was a carpenter. One of his nails was always that deep shade of purple that comes from mishap.

Surferman's hands show how hard he works. Rough and calloused, but because he works on cars, they are also black with grease. His fingers seem permanently curved to hold a wrench. His knuckles are forever tore up from putting his big hand in small areas.

Surferman like my Grandpa Pete was built to work... built for hard work.

Please pray with me that he'll be back to working full time soon.

I'm off to offer Surferman a very manly manicure.

Read more about the 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, and check out Kelli's blog, "Embracing the JOurYney.." as she leads us through it.

Just two rules:
You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband.
Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband. . . to your husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband!

"love suffers long...

and is kind." 1 Corinthians 13:4
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

The rules have been a lot easier to follow than I thought they would be. I did have a slip today, but I tried to turn it around mid complaint. Regardless, my heart was complaining. Old habits... well you know.

I long ago realized the truth from the Philippians scripture. People are people - sinful, silly creatures... they all struggle and pursue godliness the same way I do. I no longer expect anyone to be God in my life. Instead I look for Jesus in people.

I see Jesus in Surferman... more and more.

Read more about the 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, and check out Kelli's blog, "Embracing the JOurYney.." as she leads us through it.

Just two rules:
You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband.
Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband. . . to your husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband!

"through love...

serve one another" Galatians 5:13b

I have been blessed by the way Surferman has stepped up his service while he's been laid off. It's an understatement to say that surfing is pretty important to Surferman. He has ushered at church for a while, but always held back the time he gave. For Surferman, Sunday mornings were for surfing and then church. Without a job, there has been more time for surfing. I was pleased when he increased his ushering commitment because he doesn't need his Sunday mornings for surfing like he used to.

He has been able to help a few people here and there with various things.
Another blessing in the midst of this trial.

He has also been able to help me. He makes laundry a little less daunting.
Another blessing in the midst of this trial.

YOU ROCK SURFERMAN!

Read more about the 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge, and check out Kelli's blog, "Embracing the JOurYney.." as she leads us through it.

Just two rules:
You can't say anything negative about your husband . . . to your husband . . . or to anyone else, about your husband.
Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband. . . to your husband . . . and to someone else, about your husband!

Daybook February 2, 2009

FOR TODAY... Monday February 2, 2009

Outside My Window... I just had to roll down our shade as the setting sun was searing my eyes.

I am thinking... about friends and babies and friends and no babies and friends and...

I am thankful for... Surferman. He rocks!

From the kitchen... Pizza tonight. And asparagus. I love asparagus.

From the schoolroom... Grom and I need to finish rowing "If Jesus Came to My House" this week.

I am wearing... black pants, grey t-shirt (with sparkles none the less), croc flip flops

I am creating... Surferman's Valentine's Present.

I am going... well, we're going to Las Vegas next week to spend some time with Surferman's family. I'm excited to see his family, excited to see friends, not so excited to deal with the worldliness of Las Vegas.

I am reading... Round Robin and Shepherding Your Childs Heart... still.

I am hoping... that I'll make the most of my time. That Surferman and I will be able to stick with our TV fast until 2/15.

I am hearing... 4 1/2 year old car noises from one room and "smooth jazz" (I'll always think of it as old people music) from the front room where my folks are playing a game.

Around the house... Surferman turned in a job application today. It's not super promising, but it's a job. Please pray for God's will.

One of my favorite things... wearing flip flops in February.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: get the office cleaned out, get the laundry caught up, serve Surferman, play with Grom, have fun.

Here is picture I am sharing... my latest bento purchases.
I really restrained myself. A new 2 tiered box with straps. A replacement strap for a box I had. Cute fruit themed sauce cups. Heart and Star hard boiled egg molds. I smile thinking about them.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

"The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."
Proverbs 31:11-12

I'm joining Kelly, a blogging friend, in a 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge. I think it needs another name. Like... 30-Day Hey You Wife Get Worked Over, Refined and Challenged While Encouraging Your Husband and Improving Your Marriage Challenge.

Whatever it's called, I'm in.

I don't expect it to be easy. Not the encouraging Surferman part, but the taming Robin part.

Each day there is something to read, and there is also a prayer guide.

These are the only rules.
* You can't say anything negative about your husband ...to your husband...or to anyone else, about your husband.
* Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband...to your
husband...and to someone else, about your husband!

I'll let you know how it goes.

What's for Dinner - Week of February 2, 2009

Monday
~Crafty Women's Fellowship~
Costco Pizza
Salad
Asparagus Parmesan

Tuesday
Use up those CSA Veggies Soup
Sourdough Bread
Applesauce

Wednesday
~Potluck before Kids Club & Bible Study~
Honey Baked Lentils
Rice

Thursday
Scrounge the Pantry (there is lots to eat in there)

Friday
~Couples Home Group~
Hamburgers
Salad

Saturday
~Date Night?~

Sunday
~Family Dinner~
my parents cook

Hundreds of menus are hosted every week by Laura the Organizing Junkie. Why not post yours?

Thursday Thunks - 1/29/09

1. Have you ever felt alone, but yet there are people around you?
My parents have taken Grom on vacation a few times. Sometimes Surferman and I get to where we are being alone together - just not connecting. I usually don't let it last very long.

2. Do you have any video game consoles? Which ones?
nope

3. Do you freak out at food warnings/outbreaks, such as the recent peanut butter salmonella scare?
I don't freak out. I think about what products I might have and see if I'm effected. It's very matter of fact, not hysterical.

4. What color/pattern is your beds' comforter/bedspread?
Right now we have a blue and orange quilt (broken dishes) on our bed. Our sheets are navy, rose and maroon. The comforters is tangerine sherbet colored.

5. How many windows do you have in your house?
My home is not normal. It's big, but has small rooms. Believe it or not we have 35 windows. That doesn't count doors with windows in them.

6. Name six things that are in your bathroom.
I'm going to try to come up with things that might not be in yours.

• 1 oak dresser
• 2 fake plants
• 3 toothbrushes
• 4 Harbor Freight catalogs
• 5 headbands (love a good headband)
• 6 or more african violets

7. How big is your garage? Should it be bigger?
We don't have a garage. We have an almost falling down, semi-enclosed, metal roofed utility room. It is our laundry room, pantry and storage. No cars. I would love to tear it down and turn it into a proper garage or even a car port, but I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

8. Got your taxes done yet?
nope. Don't have my W-whatever yet, so I can't even think about it.

9. Think of a mental disorder..... why did you think of that particular one?
Schizophrenia. A good friend was affected by schizophrenia for a good part of her life. She live in perpetual hope that the next new drug would be the one that really helped.

Read what others are thinking at this Thursday Thunks.

Vincent VanGrom??

Grom's first masterpiece from Montessori.

I won!

Blogland has been good to me.

This week I won Spell Quizer from Freely Educate. (And I just found out that Quizzer has 2 z's). I probably need this as much as anyone.

She has another giveaway going for All About Homophones. Homophones are those pesky words that sound like another word but mean something totally different.

The author of the book has a fun website with a homophone machine. Go play with it. It's good for a laugh or two.

By the way, I added my twitter feed to my side bar. Right now I'm mostly posting about giveaways I find in my wanderings around blogland. There is some cool stuff being given away.

Eye hope ewe win if eye don't. Aren't homophones hilarious?

Daybook January 26, 2009

FOR TODAY... Monday January 26, 2009

Outside My Window... a gentle breeze is moving some towels on the line.

I am thinking... about some hurting moms I've met recently. Lord, help them.

I am thankful for... family. We had a nice Christmas celebration with my Dad's side of the family. It was great to see cousins and their kids. Grom had so much fun. Here's the text of an email I just got from my Grandma.

i just have to tell you how proud i am of my family...my children, my grandchildren, and my adorable little greatgrandchildren..you all bring joy and happiness to me... and i love you all soooo much...you are wonderful parents to your children ...and i know you will feel the same as i do when you reach my age..lve, mimi
p.s. don't hve some e-mail addresses so pls pass on to the ones i hve missed..

From the kitchen... baked halibut and bento boxes galore.

From the schoolroom... If Jesus Came to My House (BFIAR).

I am wearing... my second favorite t-shirt (magenta) with shirring and buttons, black pants, black shoes.

I am creating... valentine's day book for Surferman. I'm going to a craft night tonight and I'm going to work on his gift.

I am going... crafting tonight. It'll be nice to have time with girlfriends and a chance to exercise some creativity.

I am reading... Round Robin and Shepherding Your Childs Heart. (see last week)

I am hoping... to get a bunch of stuff done this week. I have lists of lists.

I am hearing... the constant shoosh of traffic on Hwy 1.

Around the house... WE GOT THAT RAT! He was huge. I won't miss him.

One of my favorite things... a vanilla latte made at home and some time alone with my computer before I start making dinner... wait! that's happening right now!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Surferman parents are in town so hopefully we'll see them some. Other than that it's a normal busy week of work, school (Surferman started a class at Community College), church, homeschool, yada yada.

Here is picture I am sharing...
These are our new surfboard rugs running down our long hall. They are really fun.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

What's for Dinner - Week of January 26, 2009

Life is always better when there is a plan for dinner. It's a plan, so it doesn't always happen, but I try. If you don't menu plan, give it a try and let me know how it goes.

Monday
Baked Halibut Steaks
extra Zucchini
Rice

Tuesday
White Bean Chili
Corn Bread
Salad

Wednesday
~Kid's Club / Bible Study~
~Potluck~
Fuss Free Ravioli and Cheese Bake
(we took BBQ chicken legs instead of this yummy casserole last week)

Thursday
Freezer Buffet

Friday
~Family Movie Night~
French Bread Pizza - pepperoni, veggies, cheese
Salad

Saturday
???

Sunday
Dinner with the folks?
They are going out of town. I'm not sure they'll be back in time.

Check out lots of menus at Organizing Junkie. If you post yours, you'll also be entered in a great budget helpful giveaway.

Prayer for a Child

Here's what we did with Prayer for a Child in addition to the curriculum.

Books we read in addition:
First Prayers illustrated by Anna Marie Magagna
The Milk Makers by Gail Gibbons
A few more but I returned them to the library before I blogged... sorry.

Videos:
Dairy Farming for Kids
Bread Come to Life

Here's our lapbook.


I made a pdf of the sequencing cards, the bread and milk picture pages and the "People to Pray For" elements. If you'd like the file, leave a comment with your email.

Letter P coloring page

P Words Book

Words that start with P

Circle Words that start with P

Praying Hands dot to dot

Lord's Prayer Puzzle - print on cardstock

Coloring Page - Psalm 61:1, Luke 11:1

Praying Hands Memory Verse Craft

Cow printout

Make a Silly Sandwich Book

365 Days and Counting...

So I just one year left on my list of 101 things to do.

I'm working on it. Slowly but surely.

Some won't get done. Maybe they'll make the next list?

Immediate plan?

• I'm reading a Chronological One Year Bible and doing a good job of keeping up.
• I have a lot of places to go, people to see and things to do. I've never been to Boston in the fall.
  
• I want to spend more time in creative pursuits, and it looks like I have quite a list of places to start.
  
• Have fun while I'm doing it. It's my list, my time, my life.

Anyone want to go to a Dodger game?

The Bane of My Existence

I thought she might offer to come and do my laundry. Unfortunately (and fortunately) Beth at My Simpler Life just offers some great tips.

If only she had linked back to my blog...

Thursday Thunks - 1/22/09

1. Obama tattoos. What do you think of people who got one?
Obama tattoos? That's the dumbest thing I've heard lately. Have you ever seen a tattoo on an old person... U G L Y ... that's all I'm saying

2. How many blogs do you read a day, and do you always comment?
I have 135 feeds in Bloglines. I do a good job of keeping up with them. I comment occasionally. Sometimes I get behind and dump them to start over. I'm constantly evaluating if I want to keep up with a blogger.

3. Do you know to swim?
Yep.

4. Describe your favorite shirt.
I'm wearing it right now. It's a beautiful deep purple color with short sleeves and some fun detail around the neckline - pleats that are sewn into Xs kinda. It's hard to explain. It's soft and comfortable and I always get compliments when I wear it. I think I got it at Target, so it was a deal too.

5. What is one thing that is ALWAYS on your grocery list? Extra points for imagination and creativity.
San Luis Sourdough Bread.

6. Have you ever done any acting?
Aside from school plays in elementary school... no.

7. I just made a delicious smelling dinner with mystery meat. Will you have some?
Sure as long as it's not road kill.

8. If you are driving in the rain and you see a person walking along the road, do you intentionally try to splash them?
NO! That's mean.

9. Yearbooks- do you still have any from school? I don't think so. I did Yearbook all through High School and was the Managing Editor my Senior Year. I had all my High School Memories in a box in the garage that got filled with water when the roof leaked. I believe the Yearbooks were casualties. I'm ok with it.... now.

10. What kind of shampoo do you use?
John Freida Sheer Blonde - because I'm much more blonde in my mind than the top of my head shows. It can't hurt can it?

11. And just to counter Ber's first question from last week.... What's the hottest temps you have experienced? Last year we had a heat wave strike our normally foggy and cool coast. My little town hit 118F one of the days. We don't normally need air conditioning. Sweltering is a great word.

Thursday Thunks is a blog meme for those who need a little kick in the butt to find something to post about. Head over there and play along if you want. I'd love to hear what you thunk. If you're in my feed reader, I'll be sure to comment.

Public Service Announcement

If a friendly happy guy comes to your door with a bunch of "Omaha Steaks" that he wants to sell you for a great price, and if he's moving and talking so fast that you can hardly see him and if he then offers to throw in a box of seafood and offers to only charge you the price of one box of chicken and you don't have money in your food envelope for the ultra low price he's offering you, just say NO.

I wrote a check. I'm such an idiot.

I paid an average price of $7.76/pound.

Hopefully I'll be eating this lesson for a long time.

My only defense... Surferman let him in the house and my mom egged me on.

Daybook January 19, 2009

FOR TODAY... Monday January 19, 2009

Outside My Window... darkness. It was a beautiful day... low 70s. We might have rain coming. I sure hope so.

I am thinking... I need more time to do all the things I need to do, want to do, have to do. I was laying in bed this morning thinking about a different clock. What if the clock ran for 8 hours and that we had three rotations a day instead of 12 hours for two rotations? And then I think, why do I spend time thinking such things, get yer butt out of bed...

I am thankful for... podcasts. Bible teaching, entertainment, audio books and more. Some of my listens... NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Pastor Bob Coy's Active Word, The Dave Ramsey Show, Apple Quick Tips, NPR's Story of the Day, NPR's Car Talk, and Grammar Girl. You can find them all through iTunes.

From the kitchen... A feast tonight. My parents friends Bill and Shirley (or as Grom calls her "Shurl") are visiting so we had a bonus family dinner. My sister and her husband came. Ribs and Chicken. Butternut Squash Risotto (yummers!) and even the Turnip and Turnip Greens (yep! I used 'em!) were delicious. Uh... I forgot the truffle brownies for desserts. (See Menu Plan Monday for recipes).

From the school room... a last push with Prayer for a Child. We need to put the lapbook together. And then our last BFIAR book - If Jesus Came to My House.

I am wearing... black pants, pink tee... no shoes.

I am creating... mess. I've pulled a bunch of fabric for some projects. That's as far as I've gotten. Now I have piles of fabrics cluttering up my studio.

I am going... to get my brain back in order. I haven't been using it very well and my life is sufferning because of it. I've been reading about to do lists and time management. I might try some changes to the ways I've been keeping my brain lately. Hopefully it will work.

I am reading... Shepherding Your Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp and Round Robin by Jennifer Chiaverini.

I am hoping... to get an iPhone very soon.

I am hearing... NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me podcast - a very funny way to get some current events.

Around the house... Surferman and my Dad are going to go pick up a piano tomorrow. We're cramming it in Grom's School Room. I wish there was anywhere else it could go.

One of my favorite things... sleeping with our sliding glass door opened a crack to let fresh cool air in. There's nothing better than snuggling under cozy cover in a crisp room.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Grom's 2nd day at Montesorri. Kid's Club. Family Christmas Gift Exchange (trip to Bay Area - including a trip to Ikea!)

Here is picture I am sharing...
Moon Wishes from Kindly Rhymes for Children via a great website Old Book Art

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

What's for Dinner - Week of January 19, 2009

Monday
BBQ Chicken
Sweet and Buttery Turnips
Delicious Greens and Ham (minus the ham)
Butternut Squash Risotto
Spinach Salad

Tuesday
White Bean Chili
Salad
Cornbread

Wednesday
Potluck before Bible Study and Kids Club
~bring BBQ Chicken Legs~

Thursday
C.O.R.D.
Leftover Buffet

Friday
Steak and a Movie Night
or
Date Night

Saturday
Family Party in Bay Area
~bring beverages~

Sunday
Family Dinner
(my folks cook)

Get more menu ideas at Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Surprises from the CSA Box

This is the biggest and purplest cauliflower I have ever seen.

Here's what I'll do with it... Roasted Cauliflower with Capers.

1st day of Montessori Bento Lunch

Grom started Montessori today. I've been packing Bento Box lunches for him to bring to work and to his Aunt La's for a while. Bento boxes and all the paraphernalia have become a bit of an obsession with me.

Here's the lunch I packed for him today...
Grom has a limited palate so I keep it simple. We keep him trying new things.
Today (top photo) shells and white cheddar sauce with extra parmesan and mini meatballs.
(bottom photo) carrots, blueberries and bbq sauce for dipping.

One of Grom's chores is to empty out and wash his bento stuff when we get home. Moldy forgotten bento boxes are GROSS. He ate everything today. However, on the way home he asked why he didn't have a sandwich for lunch.

I'm guessing the other kids don't get bentos.

I can make a sandwich fit in a box.

Child Labor

Grom has been coming to work with me sometimes since he was born. It's been hard sometimes. I'm torn between my job and my boy. Lately though he is getting useful at work.

He shreds until the shredder over heats and shuts off.

He sharpens pencils until the sharpener over heats and shuts off.

And then... back to the shredder.

His pay? A juice box.

I can't wait until he can answer the phones.

Thursday Thunks - 1/15/09

1. Whats the coldest temps you've experienced?
It was pretty cold when we travelled to North Dakota last March to bury Gigi. I don't remember the temperatures (selective amnesia?) but it was in the teens.

2. Whats for dinner tonight?
We're cleaning out the pantry and freezer. Probably some soup amongst other things.

3. Would you consider this job in Australia?
For sure. Conditions would be that Surferman and Grom would have to come with me and I'd have to be able to get a leave of absence from my employment. I'd want my job back when I return from paradise.

4. What was your favorite subject in high school?
Wow, that's tough. I liked school, but don't remember liking anything better than anything else.

5. How many hours a day is your tv on?
average 2 hr /day.

6. Have you ever received an award?
We won a 1st place trophy in our town's 4th of July Parade. The parade is a big deal. We were stoked to win. We had GIANT puppets.

7. Whats your mousepad look like?
No mousepad - Macbook.

9. How many browser tabs do you have open right now?
Five.

10. If you are a parent, have you or did you ever put Vicks VapoRub on your children under the age of 2?
I used Baby Vicks on Grom, but never under his nose. Lately we've been putting it on feet. It really helps with coughs.

11. If you had to pick one insect to infest your house for 1 day and after that day they would just suddenly vanish, which insect infestation would you pick?
Butterflies would be so pretty. But I think the question regards a pesty insect... I'd have to pick locust. Maybe they'd eat my clutter and leave me with a clean slate to start. It would also be interesting and bring Exodus to life to experience a plague of locusts.

13. What was the last think you watched on tv? The Mentalist. It was pretty bloody. It's probably coming off my list of shows I watch.

14. What are your plans for the 4th of July this year?
July? ummm... I'm trying to get through January. I'm guessing it'll have something to do with the parade mentioned before and church and lots of fun.

15. Tell us about one absolutely wonderful thing that happened to you as a teenager and every time you think of it, it brings a smile to your face.
I don't remember how old I was. I was driving. My parents let me take a summer job in Beverly Hills. It was about an hour drive on a congested rush hour freeway. I don't remember the job much, but I remember the feeling of freedom and trust that my parents gave me.

16. What product could you sell someone based on your love for it?
Organizing Bags. There are a million uses. You need these.

(I edited out a couple of questions that I didn't want to answer (TMI) or weren't relevant. Unlike the 4 year old I live with I can count quite well and I realize some numbers are missing).

Thursday Thunks (TT) is a blog meme for those who need a little kick in the butt to find something to post about. I found out about it on a blog last week and thought it might go along with my Daybook posts as another way to get a glimpse of what my life is like. Head over there and play along if you want.

Proof that God blesses me

San Luis Sourdough bread is a really big deal at my house. It really is delicious. Good with peanut butter, good for a sandwich, just plain good.

The 11th Commandment: Thou Shall Not Runneth Out of SLO Dough.

I planned a special trip (20 miles one way) to Costco just to restock.

Here's what I found...

proof that God blesses me.

It's just one of the little things. God blesses me in big ways (Surferman for example... you should see how that man is growing and being refined) and in little ways. May my eyes always be open to the goodness of my Lord.

How to get rid of a Gingerbread House?

How to get rid of a Gingerbread House?

Grom and I love building a gingerbread house every Christmas. It's lots of fun and becoming quite a tradition. The hard part is when the holidays are over. What do you do with the thing? If you're 4, you think you want to eat it. If you're a mommy, you want to toss it in the trash. This year we came up with something fun to do instead.

Directions: (click on any of the pictures for a bigger view)

1. Take off the gumballs.

2. Go to the beach.

3. Put it on the sand and step back. Sea Gulls drop bombs, you know.

4. Watch the seagulls try to figure out what is going on.

5. Enjoy the carnage and feeding frenzy.

Works for me.

Before giving me grief for feeding gingerbread to sea gulls...
Please consider that these birds are essentially flying rats. They get into our trash. They steal our lunch at the park. They are mean and nasty. Maybe a little gingerbread will sweeten their disposition.

My kid cracks me up

S

Still a pillow.

Daybook January 12, 2009

FOR TODAY... January 12, 2009

Outside My Window... a pretty sunset today. Not gorgeous, but pretty. Yesterday Grom called me outside to show me a sunset God had made just for me. It was beautiful orange.

I am thinking... there is laundry that needs to be tended to. ick.

I am thankful for... Aunt La. My friend Lori has been watching Grom most every Tuesday since he was 6 weeks old. He always comes home better mannered after spending time with La. She treats him as her own and shows him Jesus through her love.

From the kitchen... lots of soups. Grom and I made a delicious vegetable soup to clean out the produce drawer on Saturday. Grom has mad knife skills. And today... dinner leftovers became a yummy soup for lunch tomorrow. I love soup.

From the school room... We need to finish up "Prayer for a Child". We were derailed when Grom took a vacation with my parents. I sent along his school work. He and Grandma did some. We should be able to finish it up this week easy. We have a couple more books and we'll be finished with Before Five In A Row. I bought Five In A Row Volume 1 (with some of the books) off eBay today. Anxiously awaiting that package. Grom is also starting at a Montessori School this week. We toured the school at the end of September and they just now have an opening. If you think about praying for Grom and his mommy on Thursday, it would be appreciated.

I am wearing... black pants, black socks, black shoes and a wild and crazy floral print top.

I am creating... A QUILT! Finally! Well, at least I pulled fabric from the stash today. Tomorrow I have to get cutting.

I am going... to figure out how to get the video off our camera and onto this computer. I will not be defeated by a couple of machines!

I am reading... The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini (almost done). I'm going to read something non-fiction next. I also started a Chronological Daily Bible. I'm happy to say I'm only 1 day behind. I should get current tomorrow.

I am hoping... Grom's first day at Montessori goes well, that he makes friends and that he doesn't get crap because his mom is fat.

I am hearing... Surferman making the funniest yawning, tired noises. He shakes his head and flaps his cheeks like a cartoon character.

Around the house... We put up a new light fixture in our family room. I think the room is done. Well... maybe a few more pillows. I should share pictures. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

One of my favorite things... grapefruit. To eat, to drink, as lotion to slather on your body... so refreshing.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Grom has his last Tuesday with his Aunt La. We're going to take her out to lunch after. Grom starts at Montessori. My quilting friends come to my house.

Here is picture I am sharing...
I've been dreaming of Maui. I keep Lahaina weather on my Mac dashboard - right now it's . This is Puamana Beach Park. There was a nice surf break here. Surferman surfed, I sat in the shade reading. The waves were breaking pretty far off shore (great for surfing). When they got to the shore, some would give a great splash. I had fun trying to catch their exuberance.


Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

What's for Dinner - Week of January 12, 2009

Guess what? We're eating again this week. Here's my plan...

Monday
Pinto Beans
Rice
Cheese
Salsa

Tuesday
Stir Fry Veggies and Shrimp
Rice
Fruit

Wednesday
Potluck Dinner at Church
I don't know what I'm taking yet.

Thursday
The Quilters are coming to my house.
Something Savory?
Something Sweet?
Drinks?

YOYO- you're on you're own
~we'll find something from the freezer and pantry~

Friday
Steak and a Movie Night

Saturday
Date Night (I hope!)

Sunday
Family Dinner

~my folks cook~

It's a pretty simple week. No new recipes unless I decide to experiment on my friends.

Check out more menu plans - some with recipes - at Organizing Junkie. She's hosting a giveaway this week.

If you don't menu plan, give it a try. I highly recommend it.

Cookbook, Shmookbook.

There are notes like these all over my kitchen. The scratches of a woman who doesn't want to print the recipe she found on the internet. I write just what I need to remember - the ingredients and measurements. The directions are instinct I guess.

I'll find the slips of paper weeks later and sometimes I'm perplexed as to what it could've created. With the internet, I don't have a lot of use for cookbooks. I like to check them out of the library, but I rarely purchase them anymore.

Recipe Sources:

1) Blogs - I read blogs through Bloglines. (If you haven't tried this reader, you should. It lets you gather all of your favorite blogs in one place. It lets you know when new entries have been added. It's the best). With Bloglines, I'm able to email recipes that I might want to try someday to myself. I can search my in box for words like, "kale" (I'm always looking for a good kale recipe) or "bread" and can find things pretty quick.

2) All Recipes - This is my go to site when I'm looking for a recipe. The general search is pretty good. But really great is their ingredient search that lets you put in items you have on hand and it'll find a recipe for you that includes them. It's great for cleaning out the fridge or using the things in your pantry. Most of the recipes are rated and reviewed. It's very helpful to find out what works and what doesn't work with a recipe. Some of the reviews are a crack up... "I changed this and I added that and I did this different too and this recipe really stinks"... umm... maybe it stunk because you didn't follow the recipe?

3) Epicurious - I head to Epicurious when I have a little more time to cook or am looking for something a touch more gourmet. It has ratings and reviews also; the cooks are snootier. The advanced search is helpful, but not as good as All Recipes.

4) Google - When all else fails, Google will find it.

5) Cookbooks - I do have a couple of favorites.

• The Joy Of Cooking - I love the edition from the early 60s. I think it's 1963. Subsequent editions aren't quite as good. It's a great book to learn cooking basics. I was stoked to find one at Gigi's during the clean out. Now I can get rid of the one that is duct taped together.
• The Passionate Vegetarian by Crescent Dragonwagon - I think of it as the vegetarian version of The Joy of Cooking. Great book.
• Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. I waited just under a year to get this from my public library. It is so packed full of info, I'm going to have to buy it. Maybe it'll be my Valentine's Day present.

What are your favorite cooking websites? cook books? Anyone have a great vegetarian / vegan resource?

This is one of those accidental shots.
I could never make him be still for such a shot.
I love the light. I love the dirt. I love this boy.

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.
Psalm 89:15 NKJV

Lord, Let him walk in the light of Your countenance all of his days.

Flowers from Grom

We made plans to go to Farmer's Market last Thursday. When Grom learned of our plans he proudly told me that he was going to buy me flowers with his own money.

WOW!

We carefully pulled some dollars out of the bottom of one of his piggy banks and he stuffed them in the pocket of his pants. We had our usual wonderful rib dinner and then walked up the street towards the farmers. Of course we had to stop for Grom to get a cookie. We started looking at booth after booth after booth and we were unable to find flowers.

Grom was really disappointed. I reminded him that it's winter and that a lot of people have snow on the ground like The Snowy Day and that flowers don't really like cold weather. I also told him that we'd be going to Trader Joe's tomorrow and that he could get me some flowers there.

The next day at Farmer's Market. He stops at the flowers and asks me which ones I want. I choose a lovely bouquet and then he says that he wants me to have a different bouquet. So I'm standing in front of the flowers at Trader Joe's arguing with a 4 year old. You never realize how stupid it is arguing with a 4 year old until you are in the throes of it and then it's just a matter of how quickly you can stop the arguement. I told him that it was he who wanted to buy me flowers and that he should just pick out something that he thinks I would like.

Orange Tulips. Genius!

What's for Dinner - Week of January 5, 2009

Well, it looks like the holidays are officially over. The Christmas decorations are getting put away tomorrow. Back to menu planning...

Monday
Honey Baked Lentils
Brown Rice
Veggies

Tuesday
Pinto Beans
LO Brown Rice
Salsa
Salad

Wednesday
(Kids Club / Bible Study)
Pure Cream of Tomato Soup
Chicken Sandwiches

Thursday
(Farmer's Market)
eat out - we haven't been in forever!

Friday
(Game Night)
Baked Potatoes with toppings
Salad
Cookies

Saturday
???

Sunday
Dinner with the Folks

Check out what everyone is eating this week. Organizing Junkie host Menu Plan Monday.