All I need to know I learned from Trees

• Its important to have roots.
• It pays to branch out.
• Dont pine away for old flames.
• Dont be afraid to go out on a limb.
• Be flexible so you dont break when a harsh wind blows.
• Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.
• Grow where your planted.
• It okay to be a late bloomer.
• Avoid people who want to cut you down.
• Your cant hide your true colors in the autumn of your life.

Happy Earth Day!

Fun

I should have put this one up for Easter but my camera was missing!

my day in pictures

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!

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.

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!

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?