tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25902361628913594402024-03-13T10:39:41.640-04:00The Three Women that I amMaking Sense of it all!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-51007098819450065322018-03-06T12:21:00.002-05:002018-03-06T12:21:27.232-05:00Surprises are really everywhere!I have to write this post here, because surprises really are everywhere! <br />
<br />
You see, I haven't added to this blog in a very long time. I had given up on it all together actually! But there are some of you that have been posting comments which tells me that my itty bitty blog is still being read!<br />
<br />
Well, Holy Crap!<br />
<br />
I have started a new one <a href="http://alifemostbizarre.com/" target="_blank">over here</a>, at A Life Most Bizarre, if you are interested in reading what's up lately. I will try to come back here more often.<br />
<br />
So, Thanks for reading and keeping my life full of surprises!<br />
<br />
<br />
Cheers, Sylvie!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-69244432023100892422016-01-04T18:55:00.003-05:002016-01-04T19:03:23.743-05:00bahamian recipes<h4 dir="ltr">
No this isn't going to be another new year post about the resolutions, diets and fads to "Plan" for. thank the gods....</h4>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
This is a post to catalogue the two things I loved the most about eating in the Bahamas! I couldn't find another place to keep these recipes so here they are.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Anyway, it is also an attempt to enjoy the Pantry Challenge Month from over on <a href="http://goodcheapeats.com/2016/01/pantry-challenge-meal-plan/" target="_blank">Good Cheap Eats</a>. Will you try it out? It is a challenge to use up what you already have in the fridge, freezer and/or pantry cupboards. The key is to plan it all out carefully so you spend as little as possible in the grocery store this month.</div>
<h4 dir="ltr">
So, while I have many more recipes and food ideas to add to the menu this month I want to incorporate these recipes as well.</h4>
<h4 dir="ltr">
peas n rice</h4>
<div dir="ltr">
Ingredients:</div>
<ul>
<li>1 small onion</li>
<li>1 small sweet pepper</li>
<li>1 tbsp cooking oil</li>
<li>2 strips cooked bacon</li>
<li>2 tbsp tomato paste</li>
<li>Three or four sprigs of fresh thyme</li>
<li>Salt & red pepper to taste</li>
<li>1 tsp browning (optional)</li>
<li>1 chopped fresh tomato (optional)</li>
<li>1 large can of regular pigeon peas or pigeon peas in coconut milk</li>
<li>2 cups uncooked long grain white rice</li>
<li>3 cups water</li>
</ul>
Directions:<br />
<ul>
<li>Dice onion and sweet pepper</li>
<li>In a hard-bottom pot heat up oil and fry onion, sweet pepper, and bacon along with the thyme</li>
<li>Stir in tomato paste, add salt and pepper to taste (and optional browning and chopped tomato)</li>
<li>Add the pigeon peas and stir well, add water and bring to a boil. Season to taste.</li>
<li>Add the rice until it is about an inch and a half below the water line</li>
<li>Stir well, lower the stove to medium with pot uncovered</li>
<li>While the pot is simmering, stir at regular intervals</li>
<li>When the rice has absorbed most of the water, turn the stove to low heat and cover the pot</li>
<li>Leave to steam until fully cooked</li>
<li>Enjoy with meat or fish</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">mac n cheese</span><br />
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Spicy Variations</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ready to take your mac and cheese up another notch? Many locals love to concoct spicier versions of this dish, mixing in more mild tabasco sauce or including larger quantities of the much hotter crushed “goat pepper” (like a Habanero), jalapeños, or fiery “bird pepper” as it’s called here on the islands. If you want to test out a hotter variety of your own, <a href="http://steakinthepan.com/2011/08/09/spicy-bahamian-macaroni-and-cheese/">try this one</a>, made with chilli peppers, thyme, garlic, salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Talk about a flavour explosion!</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
How to Make at Home</h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For a Traditional Pan of Bahamian Macaroni and Cheese, follow this recipe adopted from <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/kevs-bahamian-baked-macaroni-306977%20">Kev’s Bahamian Baked Macaroni</a>:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>Ingredients</em></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>1 lb uncooked elbow macaroni</li>
<li>1/2 cup butter</li>
<li>2 (16 ounce) bags cheddar cheese</li>
<li>1/2 large green bell pepper, diced</li>
<li>1/2 large white onion, diced</li>
<li>4 eggs</li>
<li>black pepper</li>
<li>2 pinches salt</li>
<li>2 teaspoons paprika</li>
<li>1 habanero pepper, diced</li>
<li>12 ounces evaporated milk</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>Directions</em></div>
<ol style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Add 2 pinches of salt to large pot of water. Bring water to a boil and add uncooked macaroni pasta. Boil until tender.</li>
<li>Strain macaroni and place back in pot. Add butter and stir in macaroni until butter melts.</li>
<li>Slowly stir in most of cheese evenly. Reserve 8 ounces (or half of a 16 ounce bag) for later topping.</li>
<li>Add paprika, black pepper, onion, bell pepper, and 1/2 of a finely diced habanero or goat pepper. Stir well until cheese is melted and blended.</li>
<li>Beat eggs lightly and stir into mixture.</li>
<li>Slowly add evaporated milk, pouring about half a cup at a time. Stir well, and spread the mixture evenly into a large prepared baking pan about 13 x 9.</li>
<li>Top with remainder of cheese and loosely cover with foil.</li>
<li>Bake at 375°F for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until top is a golden color.</li>
<li>Allow macaroni to cool for 45-50 minutes until room temperature before serving.</li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-39170650605180936242015-05-27T18:21:00.001-04:002018-06-07T19:36:04.364-04:00Run of Bad Luck...Part 2Wow, What a Week!!!<br />
<br />
I thought it can't get any more hectic than what I told you about in my last post....Boy, Was I Wrong!!<br />
<br />
This being the final week before our trip there were a few things that needed to be done to "catch up". I use quotations because of its significance, as there are never enough ways and days to actually do this strange and elusive THING.<br />
<br />
Anyway, Monday was trim the in-laws hedge day. Yes, in the rain. Sick, I know. But, when we come back there will be no moment the first week back to do it, and then we'll be right into the thick of a heat wave, I just know it!<br />
<br />
Then Tuesday, My older two boys have been in drama class and this particular Tuesday was their last rehearsal and then the performance...all in one day.<br />
<br />
My oldest asks me if I had a chance to get their pictures ready for the marquee. Um...No. Thank God for Walmart Photocentre!! Online download of the pictures to pick up an hour later! I then realized that we have no gps unit for this trip and we wanted one. This particular Walmart was sold out, and they were out of duffle bags to use as suitcases...crap.<br />
<br />
We raced out of the store to go from South Keys to Orleans. Arrived with ten minutes to spare!Yahoo! Made it! but still nothing.<br />
<br />
\the next dayI then raced over to a different Walmart with my three year old to find that dang Gps unit and duffle bags. Last one and the box had not been opened! Great Luck! I decided to grab a few pre cut trays of healthy foods for the kids back at the theatre, as it was a hot day and they were going to be hanging around a lot longer than usual. Good thing I did, because not one child had a snack with them!<br />
<br />
I called hubby to make sure he was going to be there for three when the show started...it is now two pm... my cell had died and I actually found a thing called a payphone! <br />
<br />
And guess what!<br />
<br />
His power steering busted and he needed to get to the garage asap....so could I meet him there and pick him up?<br />
<br />
Our garage is back near our end of town! 45 mins away<br />
<br />
<br />
So, back onto the highway. 25 minutes later I pull into the garage, ten minutes wait and we are back on the highway to get back to the theatre....made it just in time to pay for tickets and fiddle with the video camera that isn't working!!<br />
<br />
Crap!!<br />
<br />
On the way into the theatre I touched something on the screen and all of a sudden I could see! Thank God!! There are Grand-parents that are going to want to see this! <br />
<br />
So, now our car is in the shop, power steering needs an overhaul, timing belt and water pump were due, so they'll get it done now...they get to keep the car until we come home. Cha-ching!<br />
<br />
Wish us luck, it looks like we may need it!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-739915800686900812015-05-19T20:02:00.003-04:002015-05-19T20:02:51.682-04:00A Run of Bad Luck???Well Now!<br />
<br />
WT_!!<br />
<br />
Yesterday, my hubby was driving home from work at around 3am and a "hobo" (his words not mine) walked across Hunt Club road, right in front of his car, without looking, almost causing his wandering days to be over!<br />
<br />
Rattled and unnerved, not even a block later hubby ran over a raccoon! Just rolled right over the huge monster as it raced out from the dark. OMG!<br />
<br />
THEN....Today....<br />
<br />
Hubby dropped a cast iron patio umbrella holder on his big toe! Now, huge, purple and angry, he had to come home from work, unable to put on his safety boots.<br />
<br />
Sigh, our vacation in a week and a half cannot come fast enough!!<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-86677481036507753402015-05-07T22:07:00.005-04:002015-05-07T22:07:48.781-04:00My (long) list of failures!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Well, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here I am, There you are!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It has been months since I've been back. You, I know I suck! Let's just list this as failure #1. I don't seem have much direction lately, not that I had much before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So, straight off, I apologize. It is inconsiderate of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now onto my list of failures. This list consists of the things I planned to do, planned to change, and planned to share with you . Eek! I really DO suck!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">#1. Blogging at regular intervals</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">#2. Last October I wrote a post about our change of diet, including removing sugar from our lives. Fat Chance, my family refused to do it, and I am weak enough not to have pushed harder!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">#3 same goes for veganism</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">#4 and Vegetarianism</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Granted though, that I have iron deficiency and #3 and 4 make it very difficult to feel healthy when I can't get in enough iron!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">#5 Finishing my first novel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">#6 Getting my Baby Diaper Rash spray business off the ground</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">#7 My homeschooled kids tried "real" school this year and failed miserably</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">#8 My homeschooled kids are not geniuses, and are not ahead of their peers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">#9 My home reno is STILL not finished! (5yrs later!!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">#10 More debt than income, 'nuff said.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Can I keep going? Sure, but I'm depressed enough that I want to go lay down. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Everyone blogs about how wonderful things are going, how motivated they are, how much they are doing....positive sunshine shining out of their asses. Well, I cry BullShit! No one person can be so bloody wonderful, all-of-the-time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Enough people!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Trying admitting the truth!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Try a blog post about how well everything is NOT going right now! Please let us know that you're human!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So, tell me, how shitty are things going for you right now?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-54528565791005985712014-10-14T10:44:00.001-04:002014-10-14T10:59:12.372-04:00Got Pumpkin??Who doesn't love SOMETHING in pumpkin??<br />
<br />
Something....anything??<br />
<br />
If the answer is you...try these...not too heavy on the pumpkin flavour. you may be converted!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hu_iKocaZeU/VD06Mp1pQXI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/V-96RVM59CI/s1600/100_2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hu_iKocaZeU/VD06Mp1pQXI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/V-96RVM59CI/s1600/100_2315.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
2 cups flour<br />
1 pkg instant butterscotch pudding mix<br />
2 tsp baking soda<br />
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon<br />
1 tsp ground ginger<br />
1/2 tsp ground allspice<br />
1/2 tsp ground cloves<br />
1/3 cup finely chopped candied ginger slices<br />
1 cup butter, room temp<br />
1 cup granulated sugar ( not the time to worry about sugar folks!)<br />
1 cup packed brown sugar (honest not the time!)<br />
4 eggs<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
15 oz pumpkin puree<br />
<br />
<br />
Cream the butter and sugars together first until light and fluffy, this is important because the butter needs to be evenly distributed before you add the flours, otherwise you'll end up over mixing it.<br />
<br />
Add the spices next, then the eggs one at a time (or they will splash about) then add the pudding mix, mix well, add the pumpkin next and mix well. (make sure you puree it if you roast a pie pumpkin from the fresh state as it will be too stringy) add the vanilla, then slowly add the flour mixing until only just mixed in.<br />
<br />
Grease your tins or silicone liners or use foil lined liners as I found paper liners stick too much to the muffin.<br />
<br />
Bake in 350f 12-15 mins. Makes 24 muffins if regular tin is filled 3/4 full.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-65011527491262546262014-10-14T10:26:00.000-04:002014-10-14T10:26:15.881-04:00Home made Instant OatmealHere's my favourite Instant Oatmeal, hope you like it! It is so much healthier than the boxed versions sitting on store shelves.<br />
<br />
1/2 - 3/4 cup 1 minute oats<br />
1 cup of milk of your choice, I love unsweetened almond milk<br />
<br />
mix together and put into microwave for 2-3 minutes, until soft. add in your fave toppings.<br />
<br />
examples:<br />
1 tbsp. brown sugar 2 tbsp. maple syrup<br />
mashed banana<br />
applesauce and cinnamon<br />
blueberries<br />
strawberries<br />
<br />
keep trying new combos!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-12395213469307965532014-10-14T10:14:00.001-04:002014-10-14T10:14:58.297-04:00Home made Chai Tea Bliss!!My hubby loves Chai Tea. if he has to have it bagged he prefers Twinings, but....I made it for him from scratch once and he asks for this whenever I have more time as he says it tastes so much better!<br />
<br />
so for Chai lovers here you go:<br />
<br />
<br />
For a mug size cup:<br />
<br />
1 1/2 cups water<br />
8 whole cloves<br />
8 green cardamom pods<br />
1 1inch piece of cinnamon<br />
2-3 tea bags of black tea or green tea<br />
<br />
milk and sugar to taste<br />
<br />
Simmer spices in water on the stovetop in a pot with a tight fitting lid, watch out not to boil off the water! Add tea bags and simmer until darkness is to your liking. Add sugar then milk, strain and serve.<br />
<br />
My larger pot version of extra spice chai<br />
<br />
3 cups water<br />
15 whole cloves<br />
15 green cardamom pods<br />
1 3 inch piece of cinnamon<br />
3-4 tea bags black or green<br />
<br />
Milk and Sugar to taste.<br />
<br />
Same method as above.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-56877347631954538512014-10-14T10:07:00.000-04:002014-10-14T10:07:03.407-04:00Mom's Perfect PancakesOriginal Recipe:<br />
<br />
1 1/2 cup flour<br />
2 tbsp. sugar<br />
3 tsp. baking powder<br />
1 egg, large<br />
2 tbsp. oil<br />
1 tsp. vanilla<br />
1 3/4 cups milk, soy milk, almond milk or what ever you choose<br />
<br />
<br />
Mix well with a fork and pour into hot buttered pan by 1/4 cupfulls.<br />
<br />
Can be wrapped in waxed paper and frozen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Changes the I make once in a while:<br />
<br />
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, (or combo of white, ww, with 1/4 cup substituted for soy flour)<br />
2 tbsp. sugar substitute, (Or 2 tbsp. applesauce, and add two tbsp. flour)<br />
3 tsp. baking powder<br />
1 egg (or 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed with 3 tbsp. warm water)<br />
2 tbsp. oil (or melted butter)<br />
1 tsp vanilla (Or any flavouring of your choice)<br />
1 3/4 cups liquid ( milk dairy non-dairy, mashed banana, applesauce)<br />
<br />
what do you feel like today?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-53288512874582301272014-10-14T09:55:00.001-04:002014-10-14T09:55:22.267-04:00measurements equivalencies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vxMgzBf2ZI/VD0q4HyFRtI/AAAAAAAAAJo/5lKrk0IqoTc/s1600/measurements.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vxMgzBf2ZI/VD0q4HyFRtI/AAAAAAAAAJo/5lKrk0IqoTc/s1600/measurements.jpeg" height="640" width="464" /></a></div>
I hope i'll be able to read this! I want to upload my cook book pages to throw away all the pages I have! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-57634182478506862692014-09-28T10:36:00.001-04:002014-09-28T10:36:03.199-04:00Our year of healthful eating has begun...sigh wish me luck<p>I have to say that this quest of mine is probably getting oneveryone's nerves! I read...a lot!!... and i watch food documentaries...a lot... and if one of those sources makes sense i try to implement their advice for my family. Not an easy job, let me tell ya!!</p>
<p>This September, 2014, my oldest boys, 12 & 8, have gone to school. The second time for my oldest but the first tine for my second. Talk about stressful! My middle son is already incredibly picky about what he will eat, now with the stress of school, he eats even less! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!<(</p>
<p>I didn't do too badly feeding healthy foods, but realized after two months of working out, and hard, at the gym and not having lost ANY weight that there still had to be something wrong with my diet. </p>
<p>Enter in SUGAR.</p>
<p>All the things that we eat are loaded with sugar...and i don't have large amounts of processed foods in my house! Yet, it still sneaks ( guilty) into our foods via the baked goods i offer, juice, our favourite crackers, peanut butter, middle son's fave nutella, pasta sauces, and the list goes on! </p>
<p>So, with everyone having been sick these past two weeks, including me, I have researched changes for my recipes to reduce or eliminate sugar from mybaked goods and from our drinks.</p>
<p>Tough luck!</p>
<p>It has been hard, Daddy is having the hardest time of all, by sneaking in the cake from the freezer! The juice boxes for the kids lunches have been replaced with water bottles. </p>
<p>Although i am still having an impossible time getting Chet to eat his lunch.</p>
<p>Help is appreciated!</p>
<p>So, today i am roasting pumkpins and their seeds. Going to see what ican make from this without buying cans of pumpkin puree.</p>
<p>I seem to be ranting now, so i'll leave off for now.</p>
<p>What do you do to reduce sugar consumption in your family's diet?</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-89397464273264336622014-06-16T19:18:00.001-04:002014-06-16T19:18:27.861-04:00Rena Untitled...intro paragraph<p> Rena opened her eyes when her alarm chimed and had a moment of panic when she forgot where she was. Sitting upright quickly she looked around frantically before remembering she was in her new apartment. She was in New York City. Then a wave of mortification passed through her as she remembered why she was there.</p>
<p> Flopping back onto her pillows she tried to bury herself and forget what she had to do today. Hiding almost worked, until the nagging voice in her head made her come out of bed and get started with her day.</p>
<p>Walking into her bathroom she stared at herself in the mirror,"Sure! Youcan be reasonable now! Where were you three months ago!" With a deep sigh she reached over to start the shower, hoping against all hope that the day won't be as bad as she feared.</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-89213007821951792642013-09-30T00:05:00.001-04:002013-09-30T00:05:33.836-04:00Kandinsky project<p>http://kidsartists.blogspot.ca/2011/02/concentric-circles-in-style-of.html</p>
<p>I love how simply this lesson is. I have been scouring books at the library for an idea of how to present this particular painting to my boys and found tonight when doing another search. This was myfirst hit for tonights search....can't imagine why i haven't seen this one before!</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-47961463477844397352013-09-12T22:55:00.001-04:002013-09-12T22:55:39.245-04:00Another hit...not quite a sucker punch<p>Just spent some time google searching a title of a book i read ages ago, but felt it needed a re-read. After searching on and off for weeks i finally found it: one minute millionaire.</p>
<p>Anyway, in my search box i typed in " woman having to make a million dollars to get back her kids story line". Yes, fourth or fifth on the list was the book i was looking for but also on this list was amanda hocking....ebook author.</p>
<p>Self-published e-book author whom is now published on paper and has her first three books optioned to be movies!</p>
<p>Why this is a hit for me (a slap or even a punch) to my ego is i have been toying with storylines in my head for years and thinking that "there's no way that I could do this and people would actually want to read it!!"</p>
<p>And, while looking for something else, a not-so-gentle reminder makes itself known and i realize what it is i am not doing....again.</p>
<p>However, i do realize that the list of things that i want to be doing is a touch longer than one or two things so i do know that not all can be done. </p>
<p>Time is short on this earth and to be spending sooo much of it doing things we don't want to be doing is a terrible waste!!!</p>
<p>Changes need to be done asap!!!!!</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-9669251893624823472013-09-03T21:48:00.001-04:002013-09-03T21:48:31.175-04:00Tempting Tuesday<p>Todays recipe of pullingan idea out of the air is.....</p>
<p>Homestyle philly cheese steak sandwich</p>
<p>How:<br>
Leftover cheese bread stickcut inhalf<br>
Stew beef sliced small<br>
Steak sauce<br>
Onions, fried<br>
Cheese</p>
<p>Cook the beef with the sauce pour over bread cover with fried onions and cheese</p>
<p>Result....yummy!</p>
<p>Caution: must use a low salt and milder variety of sauce next time as it is intense and salty</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-72668774642949210022013-09-03T21:43:00.001-04:002013-09-03T21:43:59.795-04:00New to do list september<p>For september:</p>
<p>Figure out a budget to get ahead...not fall behind or break even<br>
Continue planning for december trip<br>
Birthday cakes<br>
Muffins<br>
Menu planning<br>
Cleaning schedule and list for kids jobs<br>
List of planned financial expenses coming up<br>
Winter clothing check up<br>
List of repairs for home<br>
Schedule to get sample bottles filled up andshipped out</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-62054704575467791472013-08-29T12:23:00.001-04:002013-08-29T12:23:19.288-04:00Tricky Thursday<p>Today I am going to attempt the daring...a pulled pork bbq recipe WITHOUT pork!</p>
<p>I hope it goes well!</p>
<p>Dried tvp granules soaked in warm water<br>
Chicken and rib bbq sauce<br>
Leftover biscuits<br>
Cheese</p>
<p>I will post a pic, if it works out well. Wish me luck!</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-1981295821279431312013-08-25T19:47:00.001-04:002013-08-25T20:11:32.783-04:00Planning to do list<p>Here is my to do list:</p>
<p>Laminate stars<br>
Write out passages from How to eat fried worms in improper grammatical form<br>
Use red marker to edit passages using editting symbols<br>
Create poster board for reading stars<br>
Create poster board for monthly reading trackers<br>
Create flash cards for hooked on phonics set 2<br>
Create poster board for postcard project<br>
Create poster board for book and movie comparison<br>
Create poster board for tv/game time allowance</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-20883986200492073782013-08-25T17:25:00.001-04:002013-08-25T17:25:03.097-04:00School planning- part 3<p>I bought the stars you see, hopefully, to use as a reading log for our wall. I am looking for something cute to draw on a white poster board with an inspiring reading/ star quote. I hope i' ll find something.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6yr0xG65Ny4/Uhp2LGtl8CI/AAAAAAAAAFw/8-ufZgENAQc/s1600/T10007LRG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6yr0xG65Ny4/Uhp2LGtl8CI/AAAAAAAAAFw/8-ufZgENAQc/s640/T10007LRG.jpg"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-75578087796016300042013-08-22T23:57:00.001-04:002013-08-22T23:57:12.620-04:00Distraction projects<p>I figured that with all my planning it would be good to come up with a few activities or projects that are not school centred but fun centred therfore giving the kids the idea that they are being given a day off, or afree day. They would be learning something anyway, but kids like a break from scholarly learning.</p>
<p>1. World license plates - a cool site to see all the different license plates in the world. Using Ontario plates guidelines they can create their own vanity plates to put on the wall.</p>
<p>2.Family newsletter - write about what they are learning, loving, hating, things they've seen and done etc.</p>
<p>3. Postcrossing.com - postcard program with people worldwide</p>
<p>4. X-Mas thumbprint ornament project with photo glued to one side.</p>
<p>5. Create a country</p>
<p>6. Artist appreciation- learn about an artist, view some of their work, recreate a piece your own way...add names and dates to abc book</p>
<p>7. Grow bulbs in water indoors, measure and chart their progress</p>
<p>8. Glow in the dark bowling at home- use plastic pop bottles filled with water, crack a glow stick and put one in each bottle and close tightly, trydifferent kinds of balls to find one strong enough to knock them down but not break open.</p>
<p>9. Treasure hunts- using pictures, words and riddles or clues</p>
<p>10. Bake cupcakes and decorate them to look like dirt and worms</p>
<p>11. Activities from 3 puzzle books</p>
<p>For now these 11 will do, but as ifind more i may add them here and on my pinterest page if it is an online tidbit.</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-55221148305388884552013-08-22T23:35:00.001-04:002013-08-22T23:35:51.841-04:00School planning- part two<p>Alright, math will be relatively easy/ straight forward....each has an hour of one on one tutoring time with me, our visual math dictionary, and whatever manipulatives they need, as i've got plenty!</p>
<p>Let's just hope baby cooperates with my time managing methods to get this accomplished!</p>
<p>I have devised a unit study for Chet to learn about nursery rhymes. Our first unit will be Little Bird. So, there will be a lot of bird projects, writing practice, cutting and pasting and colouring. We will then pick a bird to learn about and create a poster board to highlight interesting facts. There are also 1-2 minute cartoons on youtube for a bunch of rhymes so it'll be fun to see it another way.</p>
<p>Language learning will be done at home this year using the free program from BYKI.com in hungarian as this is my hubby's family heritage. We will also be using our hungarian/ english dictionary and the hand full of picture books we already own....hmmm maybe a new one would be good, maybe one where we can also own it in english for context.</p>
<p>Chet will also be receiving half hour reading lessons from Hooked on phonics kits from chapters. They do really work well for him after enjoying phonics cartoons from leapfrog.</p>
<p>For group work we will be doing exercises from crime scene who dunnits, dr.dooriddles, and some comprehension detective assignments. Alexwill do more detailed assignments from the comp.detectives on his own.</p>
<p>I have a writing assignment book called 1001 writing projects, that i haven't yet decided on how often it should be done. They only take about 15 minutes to do, so i wonder if Alex already has too much to do to use this every day or every second day. </p>
<p>It's hard to decide how their work load "feels". Is it sparse, too busy, too long, too easy? I mayjusthavetotryit as it is for now and wait and see.</p>
<p>As i only want to plan for september to see how everything plays out i won't worry too much, i can edit or add in october.</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-53500165510289822502013-08-22T22:17:00.000-04:002013-08-25T18:14:05.166-04:00School year planning- part one<p>Alright writing this post a second time as i forgot to save it.</p>
<p>I need a place to write out my ideas for this school year so i don't lose it, rewrite it to three different notebooks that I have going and to see if it makes sense at all.</p>
<p>So for September:</p>
<p>• How to eat fried worms : • each day a chapter will be read aloud<br>
                                               •Alex will correct/edit a passage from the chapter        that I have written out incorrectly<br>
                                               •Chet will write out the corrected version of the passage for handwriting and reading practice<br>
                                                • both will draw pictures for various assignments<br>
                                               • Alex will have writing assignments at the end of the book as a review and one as an ending rewrite<br>
                                                • both will create a poster for nightcrawlers research project(science) internal anatomy, food sources etc.<br>
                                                • compare to movie <br>
                                                 • vocabulary and dictionary research for unknown words used in the book</p>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-27738008681460034422012-12-07T14:38:00.001-05:002012-12-07T14:38:00.491-05:00What's in a Name?<div><p>A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet...</p>
<p>So, how does one come up with a name for a company that will effectively stand at the forefront of all that this company will give the world??</p>
<p>Start with what I want my business to mean, what message I want to say with the products I am developing, how I want my customers to feel about both the company and it's products....does that sound right?? </p>
<p>Why then is it so dang hard to do??</p>
<p>And why are all the names I come up with already taken??<br>
</p>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-19717267203682776942012-10-06T13:21:00.001-04:002012-10-06T13:21:57.756-04:00My Morning Rant~A.K.A My Quest to change body image<div><p>As a mom, we run into many open opinions, comments and observations by friends, family, and even complete strangers.</p>
<p>It starts with the moment our first baby belly starts to show. People offer advice, misguided or otherwise, and seem to think you belong to everyone, hence the belly touching.</p>
<p>Then you get more unsolicited advice, more pawing and ogling after the baby is born and you finally venture out in the world.</p>
<p>This is where my rant reallly begins. I appreciate the comments of 'how beautiful' or 'so cute', but how about the awful comments? Hmm?? </p>
<p>Yes, they do actually exist and they always come with a smile, a cooing of somekind and the person speaking to your child as though you knew it wasn't directed at you and something you were doing wrong in their opinion.</p>
<p>The comments of 'my aren't you a chunky one' and 'you must be a big eater' or 'that's an interesting way to do...'</p>
<p>Listen up people, this world is hard, harsh and difficult enough without cramming your body image problems into the lives of growing, innocent babies and children!</p>
<p>Can anyone wonder how eating disorders start at such young ages??? They don't learn to criticize themselves without help.</p>
<p>So, if y'all don't mind....leave my baby alone...he is not chunky...and so what if he eats well, he's supposed to grow 2 to 3 feet in two years! He needs the energy to keep up!</p>
<p>And on that note everyone should leave all children alone about their weight....it is the parents(caregivers) job to make sure their diet is healthy, not everyone else's. Open comments are no business of anyone else. </p>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2590236162891359440.post-89115380898133626752012-10-05T11:14:00.001-04:002012-10-05T12:02:51.705-04:00Home-made Yogurt<div><div><p>I know I don't write often enough about my Sally-Home-Maker side and this post is meant to change that!  So bear with me a while.</p>
<p>After having read about two methods of making yogurt on <a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org">keeperofthehome</a>.org and another similar method in the amazing book called The Homemade Pantry-by Alana Chernila, I have decided to try this again!</p>
<p>It is absolutley amazing how much money I spend on yogurt.  Tubes, mini cups, larger tubs...incredible!  And I buy the cheapest priced and sale items whenever I can.</p>
<p>I bought my ingredients (and even splurged for organic milk!)  Then started to make my creamy(hopefully) concoction.  While I was waiting for the milk to warm I did the calculations to see how much it is costing me per cup to buy ready to eat tubs and how much to make my own...</p>
<p>Results?</p>
<p>0.75/cup homemade<br>
1.33/cup store bought at 3.99/750mL tub</p>
<p>So, here it is:</p>
<p>2L. Whole milk <br>
5 tbsp. Plain, unsweetened yogurt w/ probiotics<br>
1 ice cube
Large pot<br>
5qt or larger crock pot<br>
Candy thermometer<br>
</p>
</div>
Directions:
Take out a large cooking pot and place the ice cube in the pot, as it melts naturally, no added heat, coat the bottom of the pan with the cold water. When it is completely melted add your milk then the thermometer and turn heat on the medium.
Take out your yogurt starter too come to room temp, and plug in your crock pot and set it on low to preheat, with the lid on.
Wait and watch, stirring occasionally but making sure not to touch the bottom of the pot, use a metal spoong for this so there aren't any errant flavour from other materials being added to the pot.
When your thermometer reads 180•F, turn the dial of the stove down a little to maintain this temp without dropping lower and hold it there for 10 mins or so.
Then you will need to remove from heat and cool down your mixture to 100•F, so cover the pot with a lid and sit the pot in a few inches ofcold water in your sink. It should take about 10 mins, give or take.
I like to put my starter yogurt in a glass measuring cup so when I need to mix in a little warm milk it is easy to pour back into the pot.
That being said you need only mix a cup of milk to the yogurt to mix it evenly with no clumps in it then add it back to the pot. Stir it well then pour all contents into crock pot...unplug the unit now and wrap in towels to keep in the heat...let it sit undisturbed 6-12 hours.
The time varies according to your taste, the longer it sits the more sour it will be.
Carefully transport the crock into the fridge without shaking too much and when it is cold enough you can transfer to smaller containers.
Be sure to save some as a starter for our next batch!
Have you tried this? How did it turn out for you?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05773045091338030991noreply@blogger.com0