Thursday, April 3, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Camera
3/30/08
I have misplaced my camera, I vaguely remember hiding it somewhere the little ones couldn’t find it, and now I can’t find it! But I am secretly happy because I have been wanting a new camera. Conveniently George Bush wants me to buy a new one too. I think I want the SLR type but wonder if I would use it less then a regular digital camera and then you have to buy all those fancy lenses with it too. I really don’t have one picked out yet though. I know I want one with more artistic capacity.
What kind of camera do you have, and do you like it? Please help!
I have misplaced my camera, I vaguely remember hiding it somewhere the little ones couldn’t find it, and now I can’t find it! But I am secretly happy because I have been wanting a new camera. Conveniently George Bush wants me to buy a new one too. I think I want the SLR type but wonder if I would use it less then a regular digital camera and then you have to buy all those fancy lenses with it too. I really don’t have one picked out yet though. I know I want one with more artistic capacity.
What kind of camera do you have, and do you like it? Please help!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Cleaning Tools
I have been bitten by the spring cleaning bug. Here is some helpful tools I have discovered.
Squeegees
When I was a child I always loved to wash the car windows at the gas station. This fun tool makes washing windows fun and soo fast.
Castile Soap
This is a "green" concentrated soap that can be used on everything like carpets, counters, hand soap, and even shampoo and toothpaste if you are desperate. It comes scented like peppermint or unscented for you to add your own essential oils.
Borax
This is a recent discovery for me when I bought some for a science experiment ( fun slime recipe is here http://www.fatlion.com/science/slime.html) It has many uses but I really like it for deodorizing and a light scrub for surfaces.
Broom
There is something very therapeutic for me about the repetitive motion of sweeping. I have been known to sweep carpets, not to mention the noise and trouble of a vacuum gets very annoying to me.
Vacuum extension snake
However, there is times when a vacuum is needed and mine comes with an extra long snake attachment. I can easily and quickly do stairs, ceilings, and all the cracks and corners of our old house.
How about you? What tricks and favorites do you have? I would love to know. My grandpa-in-law (he is 85) still hangs his clothes out on the line. Im not sure if he is being economical or really loves the sundried feel and smell. I have to laugh when I see his underwear hanging on the line, but kudos to him.
Squeegees
When I was a child I always loved to wash the car windows at the gas station. This fun tool makes washing windows fun and soo fast.
Castile Soap
This is a "green" concentrated soap that can be used on everything like carpets, counters, hand soap, and even shampoo and toothpaste if you are desperate. It comes scented like peppermint or unscented for you to add your own essential oils.
Borax
This is a recent discovery for me when I bought some for a science experiment ( fun slime recipe is here http://www.fatlion.com/science/slime.html) It has many uses but I really like it for deodorizing and a light scrub for surfaces.
Broom
There is something very therapeutic for me about the repetitive motion of sweeping. I have been known to sweep carpets, not to mention the noise and trouble of a vacuum gets very annoying to me.
Vacuum extension snake
However, there is times when a vacuum is needed and mine comes with an extra long snake attachment. I can easily and quickly do stairs, ceilings, and all the cracks and corners of our old house.
How about you? What tricks and favorites do you have? I would love to know. My grandpa-in-law (he is 85) still hangs his clothes out on the line. Im not sure if he is being economical or really loves the sundried feel and smell. I have to laugh when I see his underwear hanging on the line, but kudos to him.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Pesto Minestrone
Loved this new recipe tonight, but I am a soup lover. Wanted to share...
Pesto Minestrone
1 TBL oil
1 leek or small red onion chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups chicken or vegi broth
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 carrots diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 cup small soup pasta
4 cups chopped cabbage or kale or spinach
2 cups cooked cannellini (white kidney) beans (I used garbanzo)
4 TBL pesto
Salt & pepper
Saute leek or onion and garlic about 5 min. Add broth, tomatoes, carrot, celery, rosemary and thyme. Bring to a boil then simmer 20 min. Boil again add pasta and cook about 5 min. Add cabbage and beans. Simmer 5 min more. Add pesto (and seasoning if needed). Serve!
Pesto Minestrone
1 TBL oil
1 leek or small red onion chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups chicken or vegi broth
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 carrots diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 cup small soup pasta
4 cups chopped cabbage or kale or spinach
2 cups cooked cannellini (white kidney) beans (I used garbanzo)
4 TBL pesto
Salt & pepper
Saute leek or onion and garlic about 5 min. Add broth, tomatoes, carrot, celery, rosemary and thyme. Bring to a boil then simmer 20 min. Boil again add pasta and cook about 5 min. Add cabbage and beans. Simmer 5 min more. Add pesto (and seasoning if needed). Serve!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Despite having the worst day ever teaching “sunbeams”
Despite the fact that one car is not working even though we just put $700 into it (arg)
Despite the fact that I havn’t seen my husband for more than 5 minutes in the last 4 days
Despite the fact that gray clouds and cold rain have moved back in
Despite the fact that 2 young children are going winter stir-crazy
I deem tomorrow HAPPY DAY!
(and maybe the whole month of March if nessecary)
This means we should…
Smile a lot – even if you don’t mean it
Skip whenever possible
Dance
Hum
Take a bath
Wear Orange or Yellow
Eat Chocolate
Smell the flowers
Pet friendly dogs
Hug, Kiss and cuddle a lot
Bask in the sun if possible
Doodle happy faces and sunflowers
what makes you happy?
Despite the fact that one car is not working even though we just put $700 into it (arg)
Despite the fact that I havn’t seen my husband for more than 5 minutes in the last 4 days
Despite the fact that gray clouds and cold rain have moved back in
Despite the fact that 2 young children are going winter stir-crazy
I deem tomorrow HAPPY DAY!
(and maybe the whole month of March if nessecary)
This means we should…
Smile a lot – even if you don’t mean it
Skip whenever possible
Dance
Hum
Take a bath
Wear Orange or Yellow
Eat Chocolate
Smell the flowers
Pet friendly dogs
Hug, Kiss and cuddle a lot
Bask in the sun if possible
Doodle happy faces and sunflowers
what makes you happy?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Digi Book
I’m working on a really fun project right now. Did you know over here at Shutterfly ( http://ck.shutterfly.com/inspire/? ) you can print a high quality picture book of your own design? You can create your own digital design pages or use their super easy templates. I am working on a few ABC books; a family one, and one for each of the kids. Each letter gets a word, a picture and a little explanation.
Here is a few from the ABC’s of Owen
B is for boots
E is for Ear protectors
F is for Firetrucks
G is for Gloves
O is for Oatmeal
P is for Perrie
Here is a few from our family ABC’s book:
C is for camping
D is for Dancing
G is for Gardening
H is for Hikes
V is for Vacations
I have most of the letters figured out, now I just need some more pictures to match up with them. You could make this project yourself with just scrapbook supplies. Check out the website though because they have a big list of ideas for each letter and some great examples. Fun huh?
Here is a few from the ABC’s of Owen
B is for boots
E is for Ear protectors
F is for Firetrucks
G is for Gloves
O is for Oatmeal
P is for Perrie
Here is a few from our family ABC’s book:
C is for camping
D is for Dancing
G is for Gardening
H is for Hikes
V is for Vacations
I have most of the letters figured out, now I just need some more pictures to match up with them. You could make this project yourself with just scrapbook supplies. Check out the website though because they have a big list of ideas for each letter and some great examples. Fun huh?
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Lost in the woods
“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.”…
“What business have I to be in the woods and be thinking of other things?”
Henry David Thoreau
We took a hike yesterday and I heard my soul sigh “Ahhh.” I am so at piece in the woods (as long as there is not grizzly bears around) No messes to clean up, no tv-phones-computers, the kids can run and not argue, we can all breath and use our senses and just BE. I find a lot of spiritual strength there. I like how it makes me feel small and humble. I have really been needing this. It has been too gray and too wet here too long.
We feel like we are visiting a royal museum when we hike. We try to be very respectful, quiet, and notice everything small and big. However some do not take this same appreciation. One trail we took today was a bit more popular and we passed a group of people who where shouting, yelling and making weird jokes about nature. We saw a fair amount of litter on the trail too. It was very annoying and I wondered why those people even come out to the woods.
“What business have I to be in the woods and be thinking of other things?”
Henry David Thoreau
We took a hike yesterday and I heard my soul sigh “Ahhh.” I am so at piece in the woods (as long as there is not grizzly bears around) No messes to clean up, no tv-phones-computers, the kids can run and not argue, we can all breath and use our senses and just BE. I find a lot of spiritual strength there. I like how it makes me feel small and humble. I have really been needing this. It has been too gray and too wet here too long.
We feel like we are visiting a royal museum when we hike. We try to be very respectful, quiet, and notice everything small and big. However some do not take this same appreciation. One trail we took today was a bit more popular and we passed a group of people who where shouting, yelling and making weird jokes about nature. We saw a fair amount of litter on the trail too. It was very annoying and I wondered why those people even come out to the woods.
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