Earlier this year I wrote a poem and I liked it. Having done that, I've been waiting around for my brain to happen upon another line that I liked so that I could write another. I don't love this one quite as much, but still, writing poetry is a new fun thing that I didn't think that I could do. I *think* I welcome comments/criticism. Many thanks to Linda for inspiration--now I ought to get to work on her ghazal.
The good year
Wheat falls out of the lint trap during Harvest.
I smile.
It snowed and iced and snowed too late, and you were worried. (Farmers are always worried).
But this year everything worked.
The heads are tall and full and prices are high (!)
Before Harvest, we couched our hope in allusions.
"Don't put glass windows on the house".
Waiting for hail or grasshoppers.
Now you're cutting.
When I see you-moments when I bring lunches and suppers to the field-you're happy.
This is our good year.
One in ten, or maybe one in fifty.
I pray we harvest enough hope to sustain us;
enough that every year I can smile
When wheat falls out of the lint trap during Harvest.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
A productive nap
Today during Anna's nap I got several little things done that had been sitting in my sewing basket forever. Here's a list.
1. I finished the Madgwick baby blanket. I'm glad I splurged on the super cute flannel, because I didn't do too much with this one, and it's still pretty cute because the fabric is so cute. I used the serger to finish the edges, which was a really strange choice, but I tend to learn by doing so...
2. I serged around the edges of some pueblo-y fabric that Matthew's mom gave me, making a nice tablecloth for my classroom.
3. I fixed this sweet little apron that didn't have a neck tie. I've used it for about 4 years, and FINALLY, it's finished. I bought it at an auction, so who knows how long it's really waited to be done.
4. I fixed my yellow and red bandanna--remember it? It was my staple for so long, and then it broke and now it's back! I'm excited.
5. I made a pillow for Jairus and Cephas and Silas. In the random bag of fabric I bought from ebay was this nice pieced square that kind of matches the boys room. Matthew's mom has given me lots of poly-fil lately as she cleans out her craft supplies. I put the two together and there you go!
I've fed the boys in the field, Anna's up, and we're off to town.
1. I finished the Madgwick baby blanket. I'm glad I splurged on the super cute flannel, because I didn't do too much with this one, and it's still pretty cute because the fabric is so cute. I used the serger to finish the edges, which was a really strange choice, but I tend to learn by doing so...
2. I serged around the edges of some pueblo-y fabric that Matthew's mom gave me, making a nice tablecloth for my classroom.
3. I fixed this sweet little apron that didn't have a neck tie. I've used it for about 4 years, and FINALLY, it's finished. I bought it at an auction, so who knows how long it's really waited to be done.
4. I fixed my yellow and red bandanna--remember it? It was my staple for so long, and then it broke and now it's back! I'm excited.
5. I made a pillow for Jairus and Cephas and Silas. In the random bag of fabric I bought from ebay was this nice pieced square that kind of matches the boys room. Matthew's mom has given me lots of poly-fil lately as she cleans out her craft supplies. I put the two together and there you go!
I've fed the boys in the field, Anna's up, and we're off to town.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Looky looky!
I have amazing sisters. I didn't even have to talk them into it, I just asked and they came, and we finished the mudroom together on Saturday. We hung a pegboard and laid laminate flooring. We used power tools and no one was injured. We did a wonderful job. I'm so proud of us and thankful for them.
Here's before, during, and after.
We also installed the new TV that Dad got Matthew and me for our Anniversary. We had a dickens of a time getting the old CD player out, but sweet Matthew worked on it when he got in from Harvest, and before bed last night, we got the new one put in. I'm excited. I can have Dad DVD me cooking shows, and then cook along with them! I can watch the music DVD's that came with my CD's that I've never gotten around to! I can watch TV on DVD while doing other things! Here's a picture--I cleaned the kitchen while watching Monchy and Alexandra!
Thanks Dad!
Here's before, during, and after.
We also installed the new TV that Dad got Matthew and me for our Anniversary. We had a dickens of a time getting the old CD player out, but sweet Matthew worked on it when he got in from Harvest, and before bed last night, we got the new one put in. I'm excited. I can have Dad DVD me cooking shows, and then cook along with them! I can watch the music DVD's that came with my CD's that I've never gotten around to! I can watch TV on DVD while doing other things! Here's a picture--I cleaned the kitchen while watching Monchy and Alexandra!
Thanks Dad!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
You're it.
Linda tagged me...
5 things I dig about Jesus...
1. He cried when Lazarus died, even though He knew, more than anyone else could, that life is not all there is.
2. He liked to play with the kiddies.
3. He didn't mess around with doctrine. He said to love God and love people.
4. He told John to take care of his Mom when He was gone.
5. John 10:10 It's not just about the hereafter-He wants to make the here better too.
Doing this is an interesting way to take a snapshot of personal faith-It makes me wonder what it says about mine.
Now I'm to tag people...Sarah, Jenny, Susan, Trinket, Michele. (I'll take the girls)
5 things I dig about Jesus...
1. He cried when Lazarus died, even though He knew, more than anyone else could, that life is not all there is.
2. He liked to play with the kiddies.
3. He didn't mess around with doctrine. He said to love God and love people.
4. He told John to take care of his Mom when He was gone.
5. John 10:10 It's not just about the hereafter-He wants to make the here better too.
Doing this is an interesting way to take a snapshot of personal faith-It makes me wonder what it says about mine.
Now I'm to tag people...Sarah, Jenny, Susan, Trinket, Michele. (I'll take the girls)
Monday, June 18, 2007
A little bit of catch up
Months and months ago-there were two comment questions that I've never gotten around to answering. It's summer now, so I have time to catch up everything. I adore my job. I don't know what I would do without a summer.
Michele wanted the recipe for Spaghetti Squash with Tomato and Parmesan. This is from the Betty Crocker cookbook.
1lb Spaghetti Squash
2-4 tomatoes
clove garlic
1T olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp basil
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
*Cut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds and fibers. Salt and pepper, dot with butter. Place in baking dish with 1/4" water and bake @400 30-40 minutes.
*Saute tomatoes, garlic, and spices in olive oil.
*Dig out fibers of squash with fork and top with tomato mixture and Parmesan.
I loved this. It was so tasty. I'm sure the original recipe calls for onion, but I usually take that out. This is from my recipe book, so it's how I fixed it, not necessarily how Betty would. I also think there may be other ways to cook the squash-I don't know if you can cook it whole?
And Sarah asked what kinds of Spanish music I've been listening to. Here's a list of my favorites, in no particular order.
1. Ricardo Arjona: "Si el norte fuera el sur"--This is one of my very favorite favorites. I got it in college, and realized this year that I must listen to it quite a bit, because Matthew was able to sing along as he walked through the kitchen. For him to know the words, but not the language-impressive. I got it because we did a unit on "Ella y él" (#3) in my advanced conversation class. It's still one of my favorite songs ever. I haven't ever gotten any more of his CD's, I don't know why.
2. Vico C: "En honor a la verdad"--Spanish Christian Rap. It's so good. I have "Emboscada" too, and I like it. I like "En honor a la verdad" a bit more.
3. Shakira: "Dónde están los ladrones"--This is actually Linda's. I should give it back. It's a great album. I have "Pies descalzos" too, but this one is my favorite.
4. Selena: "Amor prohibido" is my favorite, but punk kids stole it at the High School, so I have "Live, the Last Concert" which is also very good, and "Ones" which we bought at the Selena Museum, which has a DVD of videos too, which is fun.
5. Intocable: "Sueños"--This is very Garden City. My favorite song is "Sueña" (#1). It's the first song I had the kids sing. I heard it more than 200 times, and I still really like it.
6. Natalia Lafourcade: "Natalia Lafourcade"--This is really funky and fun--jazzy.
7. A.B. Quintanilla y los Kumbia Kings: This is one of my favorite bands--. I love them, except when they sing in English, and then I am forced to skip songs. Again-I may be influenced by the fact that the kids loved them, and so we listened to these CD's lots in class. I would recommend any of their CD's-I especially like "Amor, familia, y respeto", "Shhh", and "4"
8. Juanes: "Un día normal" and "Mi sangre". I listen more to the first one, but I like them both. It's Pop.
9. Andy & Lucas: "Andy & Lucas"--This is cheesy pop, but the lyrics are clear and simple, so I like it for that reason.
10. Limite: "Soy así" and "Por encima de todo"--Tejano. I really love "Soy así". Incidentally-lots of their music is written by A.B. Quintanilla too, so really-I love everything he does.
11. Crystal Lewis "La colección" I had this CD in English-she's a Christian singer who I liked in High School, and when I found the CD in Spanish I was so excited.
12. Monchy & Alexandra: "Exitos y mas" This is Bachata-from the D.R. I adore this CD, but Matthew can't stand it.
I noticed in making this that most of the people that I like have put out new CD's since I quit teaching at the High School and paying attention. My Christmas and Birthday lists are taking shape nicely.
So there you go-two answers, not too late.
Michele wanted the recipe for Spaghetti Squash with Tomato and Parmesan. This is from the Betty Crocker cookbook.
1lb Spaghetti Squash
2-4 tomatoes
clove garlic
1T olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp basil
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
*Cut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds and fibers. Salt and pepper, dot with butter. Place in baking dish with 1/4" water and bake @400 30-40 minutes.
*Saute tomatoes, garlic, and spices in olive oil.
*Dig out fibers of squash with fork and top with tomato mixture and Parmesan.
I loved this. It was so tasty. I'm sure the original recipe calls for onion, but I usually take that out. This is from my recipe book, so it's how I fixed it, not necessarily how Betty would. I also think there may be other ways to cook the squash-I don't know if you can cook it whole?
And Sarah asked what kinds of Spanish music I've been listening to. Here's a list of my favorites, in no particular order.
1. Ricardo Arjona: "Si el norte fuera el sur"--This is one of my very favorite favorites. I got it in college, and realized this year that I must listen to it quite a bit, because Matthew was able to sing along as he walked through the kitchen. For him to know the words, but not the language-impressive. I got it because we did a unit on "Ella y él" (#3) in my advanced conversation class. It's still one of my favorite songs ever. I haven't ever gotten any more of his CD's, I don't know why.
2. Vico C: "En honor a la verdad"--Spanish Christian Rap. It's so good. I have "Emboscada" too, and I like it. I like "En honor a la verdad" a bit more.
3. Shakira: "Dónde están los ladrones"--This is actually Linda's. I should give it back. It's a great album. I have "Pies descalzos" too, but this one is my favorite.
4. Selena: "Amor prohibido" is my favorite, but punk kids stole it at the High School, so I have "Live, the Last Concert" which is also very good, and "Ones" which we bought at the Selena Museum, which has a DVD of videos too, which is fun.
5. Intocable: "Sueños"--This is very Garden City. My favorite song is "Sueña" (#1). It's the first song I had the kids sing. I heard it more than 200 times, and I still really like it.
6. Natalia Lafourcade: "Natalia Lafourcade"--This is really funky and fun--jazzy.
7. A.B. Quintanilla y los Kumbia Kings: This is one of my favorite bands--. I love them, except when they sing in English, and then I am forced to skip songs. Again-I may be influenced by the fact that the kids loved them, and so we listened to these CD's lots in class. I would recommend any of their CD's-I especially like "Amor, familia, y respeto", "Shhh", and "4"
8. Juanes: "Un día normal" and "Mi sangre". I listen more to the first one, but I like them both. It's Pop.
9. Andy & Lucas: "Andy & Lucas"--This is cheesy pop, but the lyrics are clear and simple, so I like it for that reason.
10. Limite: "Soy así" and "Por encima de todo"--Tejano. I really love "Soy así". Incidentally-lots of their music is written by A.B. Quintanilla too, so really-I love everything he does.
11. Crystal Lewis "La colección" I had this CD in English-she's a Christian singer who I liked in High School, and when I found the CD in Spanish I was so excited.
12. Monchy & Alexandra: "Exitos y mas" This is Bachata-from the D.R. I adore this CD, but Matthew can't stand it.
I noticed in making this that most of the people that I like have put out new CD's since I quit teaching at the High School and paying attention. My Christmas and Birthday lists are taking shape nicely.
So there you go-two answers, not too late.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Purging
No, not the dangerous kind.
As in purging STUFF. The last two weeks I've been on a getting rid of things spree. Precipitated, I think, by too many people commenting on the amount of stuff in my basement. And helping clean out Grandma's house, and realizing I have WAY too much, and helping Megan and Travis move, etc, etc. I have donated/thrown away/Freecycled at least 30 bags/boxes full of stuff. It feels wonderful. I highly recommend it. It's hard to get rid of the first thing, but after that it's easy and fun. Here are a couple of pictures of completed sections. You'll remember that prior to the purge, you couldn't see the walls and the boxes went out at least 6 feet. All of the baby clothes are now in nicely labeled tubs instead of all of those copy paper boxes, and all of the boxes that I was saving because "they're such nice boxes" are broken down and ready for the next fire.
Please don't comment anything like "It's about time" That hurts my feelings.
Now I'm considering starting to finish the basement myself. Matthew suggested it yesterday (I think he was joking, but I took him seriously). I like to get things done, and I've always thought it looked like fun. We'll see what happens. I need to finish some other things first.
FYI-my favorite website- Craftster-was just redesigned and it's much easier to navigate and explore. Go have some fun there, I know you'll be inspired to make something. And making things is good for us.
I've been getting up early-before Anna-and going out for a little jog. I've read before how early morning exercise is wonderful, even for non morning people, but I didn't really believe it. Boy, I do now. I wake up feeling good! I never wake up feeling good. And the mornings are sometimes still and always beautiful. I ran with my Mp3 player today, but I think I prefer the birds.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Bowling Blankie
I wanted to post a picture of the Howard Blankie because it's really cute. It was my first attempt to use the slinky fabric, and it was slippery. It's just flannel on the front, slippy stuff on the back, with a little batting tied in to be comfy. It was quicker than a crocheted blankie, but it doesn't look as nice, but the fabric is neat, and I like the idea of having the two contrasting textures. I wish I were better at detail and working to make things right, but I like to FINISH projects.
I know it's ridiculously early to think about this--but every time I sew something I think of who will be available to teach Anna to sew. It has to be someone more careful than me, I'm always skipping steps. Megan and I were discussing the "skipping steps" tendency. My mom is a careful sewer, but I'm like a wild renegade 8 year old with the sewing machine. I don't pin, I don't measure, I don't iron, I don't redo things. And Megan--She's muchly much much more careful than me, and actually rips out seams and likes things to look perfect, but even she admits to skipping steps that her mother would not. Is it natural to do less than your mom? If that's true, then is my slap-dash attitude going to cripple Anna? Do I have to cultivate perfectionism to save her from a life of crooked seams? Or is it genetic and already too late?
Anyway-here's the blankie. I like to think that baby blankets should be imperfect so that you don't feel bad about the poo.
I know it's ridiculously early to think about this--but every time I sew something I think of who will be available to teach Anna to sew. It has to be someone more careful than me, I'm always skipping steps. Megan and I were discussing the "skipping steps" tendency. My mom is a careful sewer, but I'm like a wild renegade 8 year old with the sewing machine. I don't pin, I don't measure, I don't iron, I don't redo things. And Megan--She's muchly much much more careful than me, and actually rips out seams and likes things to look perfect, but even she admits to skipping steps that her mother would not. Is it natural to do less than your mom? If that's true, then is my slap-dash attitude going to cripple Anna? Do I have to cultivate perfectionism to save her from a life of crooked seams? Or is it genetic and already too late?
Anyway-here's the blankie. I like to think that baby blankets should be imperfect so that you don't feel bad about the poo.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Save the Date!
It's been a while since we really did it up--
07/07/07
7:00
Start getting excited (and making travel plans).
Lots more information and planning to follow, but I want you to put it on your calendars now.
Yay for numbers!
07/07/07
7:00
Start getting excited (and making travel plans).
Lots more information and planning to follow, but I want you to put it on your calendars now.
Yay for numbers!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Patience
Look! We did it! We went from this...
to this!
In just two years! I remember talking to Matthew about being patient, and asking how long it would take, and finding it hard to believe we would ever have a lawn. And now we do, and it makes me so happy. And it gives me lots of extra hope for the trees. Here they were a year ago, I can't even see the tree in this picture. They were tiny.
to this!
In just two years! I remember talking to Matthew about being patient, and asking how long it would take, and finding it hard to believe we would ever have a lawn. And now we do, and it makes me so happy. And it gives me lots of extra hope for the trees. Here they were a year ago, I can't even see the tree in this picture. They were tiny.
And here are the trees...
and the lilacs this year. The lilacs started out even smaller than the trees, and look how robust they are now!
Someday I'll look out and feel this way about our windbreak, and our shade trees, and our flowers and our patio (future goals)
And because I really don't have many hobbies... I planted a garden today. It's not very big, just a zucchini, yellow squash, cantaloupe, and two tomatoes. I'd like to be a big gardener, but I'm not sure I'm cut out for it. I'll start with this teensy plot, and we'll see what happens.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happiness is found in little things.
Megan spent the day at my house and we had such fun. We made things. First we made the pincushions, but blogger doesn't work same way my brain does, so the pictures are backwards.
We made 10 bags! Some Megan had started, but these beautiful 6 were from scratch. I love making bags. Megan showed me how and it's easy peasy. I will now be one of those girls in the grocery store who brings her own bags and saves the earth from plastic and earns 5 cents a pop. We figured that's at least $12.00 a year!! Imagine!
We made 10 bags! Some Megan had started, but these beautiful 6 were from scratch. I love making bags. Megan showed me how and it's easy peasy. I will now be one of those girls in the grocery store who brings her own bags and saves the earth from plastic and earns 5 cents a pop. We figured that's at least $12.00 a year!! Imagine!
We made adorable pincushions, but I'm impatient and so the pictures are blurry. They're so cute! Watch out, you may all get these for Christmas. Here's the inspiration.
That last one is mine. I almost want to take the time to pin things now. (almost). It says "Happiness is found in little things". My favorite kind of motto is the kind that is cutesy and accompanied by a drawing of a cute little girl. I tend to surround myself with these. I have a little platter in the kitchen that says "Every day is a happyday", with a little girl; a little wooden sign in my craft room that says "The time to be thoughtful is now", with a little girl; and three books with drawings of little girls that are filled with the same sort of cutesy sayings. But they all make me happy, so, I guess it's true--Happiness is found in little things.
Happy Mother's Day to you, and may you find happiness in little things.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
I *heart* Kansas
The Kansas Sampler Festival was here this weekend. I love the Kansas Sampler Festival, and Kansas, and Kansas Explorers, and Marci Penner, and living in Garden City. We spent the past two days at the festival, talking to people from all over the state, finding out fun things to do, learning about Kansas, and getting all excited about loving where we're from.
I love it that I'm from a place that raised $1200 in 6 hours, just by putting a jar in the Greensburg booth.
I love it that this morning at the Kansas Explorers meeting, we all sang "Home on the Range" together-and I wasn't the only one who was teary.
I love it that I live in a community where I can't walk around a festival for 30 minutes without seeing 5 people that I know. At least!
I love it that I got to eat Indian food today, and watch Indian dance, and that the community response to this first offering of Indian culture was so great that they ran out of food by 1:00, and there was an enormous crowd there to watch the dancing.
I love it that on Friday night, I got to see a delightfully funny and impressive GCCC show, that Matthew got to play drums for, and that lots of my former students were in. I get to see at least one play every year, and the Garden City Symphony, and at Easter, Handel's Messiah, and band concerts in the park in the summer. All of these things are made up of people in the community. They are always wonderful, and I don't think I would enjoy anything else as much as I enjoy seeing our people perform. Even if it were a big fancy symphony, how much better could it be?
I love it that we have a Strings Professor at the college who played with a big fancy symphony for 30 years, and is now here, to play with us and start the Southwest Kansas Music Academy . Abby gets to sing with a fantastic children's choir (accompanied by the big fancy violinist), and in 2 years, if we like, we can sign Anna up for "Violin for the young child" and she'll get ridiculously early exposure to playing music.
Honestly! What a wonderful place!
I love it that I'm from a place that raised $1200 in 6 hours, just by putting a jar in the Greensburg booth.
I love it that this morning at the Kansas Explorers meeting, we all sang "Home on the Range" together-and I wasn't the only one who was teary.
I love it that I live in a community where I can't walk around a festival for 30 minutes without seeing 5 people that I know. At least!
I love it that I got to eat Indian food today, and watch Indian dance, and that the community response to this first offering of Indian culture was so great that they ran out of food by 1:00, and there was an enormous crowd there to watch the dancing.
I love it that on Friday night, I got to see a delightfully funny and impressive GCCC show, that Matthew got to play drums for, and that lots of my former students were in. I get to see at least one play every year, and the Garden City Symphony, and at Easter, Handel's Messiah, and band concerts in the park in the summer. All of these things are made up of people in the community. They are always wonderful, and I don't think I would enjoy anything else as much as I enjoy seeing our people perform. Even if it were a big fancy symphony, how much better could it be?
I love it that we have a Strings Professor at the college who played with a big fancy symphony for 30 years, and is now here, to play with us and start the Southwest Kansas Music Academy . Abby gets to sing with a fantastic children's choir (accompanied by the big fancy violinist), and in 2 years, if we like, we can sign Anna up for "Violin for the young child" and she'll get ridiculously early exposure to playing music.
Honestly! What a wonderful place!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Something cheery
My dad said that I don't update my blog often enough, and he's always right so I'm updating twice today! ...and I thought we ought to move back to something cheery, as this is a cheery blog.
"Overheard in the Office" and others are websites that document how awful life in the city is. Today in 2nd grade I thought about "Overheard in the Spanish Room" and how much nicer it would be. The 2nd graders were coming up to the front of the room to read a story. As they came, a few were grumbling about not getting to stay in their seats.
Girl 1: "I like it because my eyesight is not that good."
Boy 1: "My eyesight is good, my eyesight is the best in the world."
Girl 1: "No it's not"
Boy 1: "Yes it is, it is the best in the world"
Girl 1: "Your eyesight is not better than God's eyesight, He has the best eyesight in the world" Boy 2: "Your eyesight is not that good, even if there was a wolf right in front of you you would not see it."
Boy 1: "Yes I would, and I would growl at it" Boy 1 proceeds to growl.
And then we read a story.
How about some excessively domestic thoughts?
I've decided to go ahead and switch from the generic detergent to this one. It's much nicer to pick up and pour in and even though it costs more I am getting it. I feel very luxurious and a little smug every time I do the laundry.
Tonight I made a very yummy dinner. I got a Rachael Ray cookbook for my birthday, and this is the first recipe attempt. It was delicious. I used regular pork sausage, and not as much, and part skim ricotta, and the extra good for you Barilla Penne pasta, and twice as much broccoli, and just a bit of Parmesan. I think it came out to be pretty good for you, and so tasty. Anna liked it, but she likes everything. She's nice that way.
For my birthday I got new knives, and they are so fun to use, but I need to learn how to use them well. Maybe the next time Sarah comes home she can teach me a little.
I also got a beautiful bag from Matthew. He did such a nice job on my Birthday. I got new knives-something practical that I wanted. A beautiful bag-something frivolous and pretty. And he fixed the bathtub-a chore done! Perfection.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
From hand-me-down boys overalls that are too small, with snaps that don't snap anymore, into...
An adorable dress I made myself. It only took about an hour all together, with three phone calls to my Mom. It's not perfect, but it's cute! Please comment with effusive praise. I'm so proud. I feel almost like a legitimate mother. She looks so cute in it. What fun. I want to make lots of clothes now.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
VoteJez.com
Jez Luckett's gonna be on TV tomorrow morning! Go to his website for details and to find out how to vote for him.
Go Buffs!
www.votejez.com
Go Buffs!
www.votejez.com
Thursday, April 05, 2007
It looks like I have a new cleaning rag
I guess Susan was right. He's just not K-State.I'd like to call him names, but that's not K-State.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Musical productivity
Matthew and I both got MP3 players for Valentine's Day, and I've been putting music into my computer ever since, and I'm almost done. Since I was touching all of the CD's anyway, I also reorganized them today and I'm happier with the system. Instead of alphabetical, they're organized by category. 2 of the categories that I like best are "Betsy music" and "Matthew music". No more searching through the rock to get to the Carole King. Of course Johnny has his own category. In doing the organization, I realized that I have LOTS of Spanish music. It's virtually the only current thing I've purchased in the last few years. Other than Spanish music, it's a lot of Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc. I suppose I ought to get current somehow. What have I missed that's great?
Tomorrow's a 1/2 day workday at school! I love workdays.
Tomorrow's a 1/2 day workday at school! I love workdays.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Lake of Shining Waters
It's melting! All of the snow and ice is melting and it's warm and lovely. On Saturday I sat outside for a few minutes and listened to the water running over the road. It was kind of like having my own babbling brook. Today when I got home from school I couldn't help but go over and look at my little lake, with it's pretty reflections and relaxing ripples. Amazingly enough, it made me want to get in a boat (not as a coxswain, just in a scull by myself) The lake was pretty in the morning. So I'm enjoying our temporary lake, and all of the moisture of this winter, and the snow days, but also the warm weather.
I am a K-Stater and I support my team no matter what. I support my coaches because they know much better than I do how to coach a team. I am glad that we have Huggins as our coach and that we are getting attention and winning games. (But our team color is purple-not black) I understand the point and the video is cool...but we're purple! The important thing though is to support the team and the coach so I will. But I'm glad I'm here and I can wear a purple shirt.
I had a startling thought today while getting ready to do the laundry. I was picking up Matthew's clothes and I wondered if there was a point in marriage when you just realize that he's never going to pick up his clothes and you start doing it cheerily instead of crankily. And then I was cheery about it! (Surely I was just in a good mood, right?)
Now for two cooking questions. (And a sad note--the chopping class was canceled, low interest and bad weather. They're going to try again in the Fall.) (Ooh, and another sad note-Cynthia's Pizza closed and it was my very very favorite)
1. I made chocolate chip cookies the other night and they didn't flatten out like normal and tasted sort of cake-like instead of cooky-like. (fluffy not chewy) Of course, there were a number of strange things that I did-which one or combination caused the non flattening? I didn't have any eggs so I just used egg whites, I probably beat the whole thing for too long (sometimes I just like to turn up the mixer because it's fun) and I used a new air bake pan, with and without parchment paper. Whaddya think?
2. For our new vegetable this week I bought fresh green beans. Now what do I do with them?
Last week I had a spaghetti squash with tomato and garlic and Parmesan. Super yummy.
All week I've been putting music onto my computer in anticipation of the installation of my new car stereo. MJL gave it to me for Christmas, but it's been too darn cold to install it. He's working on it now and I'm super excited. It has a place to just plug in my MP3 player. No more CD switching! Lots of books on tape! (which aren't on tape anymore...audio books?) No more lots of wires everywhere!
Along with the installation he's going to vacuum and set traps for the mice who either live in or visit my car. I'm so well taken care of.
I am a K-Stater and I support my team no matter what. I support my coaches because they know much better than I do how to coach a team. I am glad that we have Huggins as our coach and that we are getting attention and winning games. (But our team color is purple-not black) I understand the point and the video is cool...but we're purple! The important thing though is to support the team and the coach so I will. But I'm glad I'm here and I can wear a purple shirt.
I had a startling thought today while getting ready to do the laundry. I was picking up Matthew's clothes and I wondered if there was a point in marriage when you just realize that he's never going to pick up his clothes and you start doing it cheerily instead of crankily. And then I was cheery about it! (Surely I was just in a good mood, right?)
Now for two cooking questions. (And a sad note--the chopping class was canceled, low interest and bad weather. They're going to try again in the Fall.) (Ooh, and another sad note-Cynthia's Pizza closed and it was my very very favorite)
1. I made chocolate chip cookies the other night and they didn't flatten out like normal and tasted sort of cake-like instead of cooky-like. (fluffy not chewy) Of course, there were a number of strange things that I did-which one or combination caused the non flattening? I didn't have any eggs so I just used egg whites, I probably beat the whole thing for too long (sometimes I just like to turn up the mixer because it's fun) and I used a new air bake pan, with and without parchment paper. Whaddya think?
2. For our new vegetable this week I bought fresh green beans. Now what do I do with them?
Last week I had a spaghetti squash with tomato and garlic and Parmesan. Super yummy.
All week I've been putting music onto my computer in anticipation of the installation of my new car stereo. MJL gave it to me for Christmas, but it's been too darn cold to install it. He's working on it now and I'm super excited. It has a place to just plug in my MP3 player. No more CD switching! Lots of books on tape! (which aren't on tape anymore...audio books?) No more lots of wires everywhere!
Along with the installation he's going to vacuum and set traps for the mice who either live in or visit my car. I'm so well taken care of.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Maybe there's actually nothing new to say
I sat down to blog, but it occurs to me that I don't really have anything in mind to talk about. I wanted to note that there was a furious battle between Braeburn and Fuji. I changed my mind several times, and finally decided that they are tied. Initially I prefer the Braeburn, for it's tartness, but the fuji is nice and sweet. They're both crisp and juicy, which is very important for me. This week we'll have to get some more and fill in the gaps. It's been a great food week. We ate lots of produce, and I have the menu and list all ready (and in store order!) for today's errands. Being organized makes me happy.
I've had a visitor at school a couple of times in the last week. Bible Christian Academy is going to have a Spanish teacher to replace their music teacher, and she has no teaching experience, so she's been coming out to watch see what Elementary Spanish looks like. I like it, because it helps me to see the kids and the classroom from an outsider's perspective, and it is really impressive. I should probably be all proactive and be inviting parents and other teachers and administrators and school board people to come and watch my classes, but I'm not. I do have enough other stuff to deal with, right? I'm not going to worry about it. I'm just going to do my best.
Our principal sent us a link to a website called Sparkpeople, which I am addicted to. It's lots of fun and actually very motivational for me. We're doing "The Biggest Loser" as a school. We weigh in with the nurse on Wednesdays, and if you gain weight, you have to put a dollar in the jar, and the winner at the end gets the money. It's kind of a nice thing, and since everyone is doing it, we have lots of healthy snacks in the lounge now instead of just doughnuts. I do miss baking for the teachers though. I used to make lots of cookies and cupcakes and muffins and etc. and now I can't really do that. I made banana bread for the women's retreat at the church, that was a small baking fix, and a lemon cake for the ladies at Joan's store, but I want to bake more! It's one of my favorite things to do.
Oh! I remember. I posted awhile back about wanting a class to teach me how to cut things up and now GCCC is offering that very class. I'm excited. Does anyone want to go with me? 2/13 and 2/20 6:30-8:30. I would like a buddy. I'd be willing to go to a class with you, if you want to trade. I'm also considering the seafood class and the herb class, but how much time do I really have?
And in other good news, our insurance will reimburse us for all the food we had to throw out after we lost power. So now I have to make a list and price it, but that should be a nice brain exercise....with money at the end!
I've had a visitor at school a couple of times in the last week. Bible Christian Academy is going to have a Spanish teacher to replace their music teacher, and she has no teaching experience, so she's been coming out to watch see what Elementary Spanish looks like. I like it, because it helps me to see the kids and the classroom from an outsider's perspective, and it is really impressive. I should probably be all proactive and be inviting parents and other teachers and administrators and school board people to come and watch my classes, but I'm not. I do have enough other stuff to deal with, right? I'm not going to worry about it. I'm just going to do my best.
Our principal sent us a link to a website called Sparkpeople, which I am addicted to. It's lots of fun and actually very motivational for me. We're doing "The Biggest Loser" as a school. We weigh in with the nurse on Wednesdays, and if you gain weight, you have to put a dollar in the jar, and the winner at the end gets the money. It's kind of a nice thing, and since everyone is doing it, we have lots of healthy snacks in the lounge now instead of just doughnuts. I do miss baking for the teachers though. I used to make lots of cookies and cupcakes and muffins and etc. and now I can't really do that. I made banana bread for the women's retreat at the church, that was a small baking fix, and a lemon cake for the ladies at Joan's store, but I want to bake more! It's one of my favorite things to do.
Oh! I remember. I posted awhile back about wanting a class to teach me how to cut things up and now GCCC is offering that very class. I'm excited. Does anyone want to go with me? 2/13 and 2/20 6:30-8:30. I would like a buddy. I'd be willing to go to a class with you, if you want to trade. I'm also considering the seafood class and the herb class, but how much time do I really have?
And in other good news, our insurance will reimburse us for all the food we had to throw out after we lost power. So now I have to make a list and price it, but that should be a nice brain exercise....with money at the end!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Keeping busy
Yesterday was a nice day. It snowed all day, and we didn't leave the house. Anna was a little cranky and is not napping well, but she was still pretty fun to be around.
I've been going through my recipes and cooking magazines and finally getting them all organized into one place with one uniform system. It makes me really happy. It's been on my list to do forever. And I made a floral arrangement for the January mantel, but I'm not sure about it. I think next year we'll have to do it differently. And Matthew and I played a ping pong match (he won), which always means it's a nice day. And I made a really good dinner and everyone liked it.
I have a zillion new years resolutions this year. One of them is to try a new vegetable every week, as we have been firmly settled into a carrot, green beans, yellow beans pattern forever. So far we've had butternut squash, sweet potato, shallots, yellow pepper, and red pepper. It's been lots of fun.
The apple testing continues... Ambrosia lost yesterday to Fuji, but it wasn't a very good ambrosia, not very crisp. And Fuji beat a Cameo today. A few days ago Cameo lost to Ambrosia. So... we have 1. Fuji, 2. Ambrosia, 3. Cameo for those three. There are so many combinations. I'm having a great time with this.
I've been going through my recipes and cooking magazines and finally getting them all organized into one place with one uniform system. It makes me really happy. It's been on my list to do forever. And I made a floral arrangement for the January mantel, but I'm not sure about it. I think next year we'll have to do it differently. And Matthew and I played a ping pong match (he won), which always means it's a nice day. And I made a really good dinner and everyone liked it.
I have a zillion new years resolutions this year. One of them is to try a new vegetable every week, as we have been firmly settled into a carrot, green beans, yellow beans pattern forever. So far we've had butternut squash, sweet potato, shallots, yellow pepper, and red pepper. It's been lots of fun.
The apple testing continues... Ambrosia lost yesterday to Fuji, but it wasn't a very good ambrosia, not very crisp. And Fuji beat a Cameo today. A few days ago Cameo lost to Ambrosia. So... we have 1. Fuji, 2. Ambrosia, 3. Cameo for those three. There are so many combinations. I'm having a great time with this.
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