Saying goodbye to my garden. Click on the picture to see more.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Another winner!
It's July, which of course means it's time for the OC fair. This year my older ds was old enough to enter the farm and garden competition and get a free ticket. Knowing this, I asked him several months ago what he wanted to enter. Of course, he wanted to enter a giant zucchini. He had planted a zucchini himself earlier, so that was perfect. We entered it last week and when we went to the fair to see it displayed, we discovered it had won first place! He was so excited. Yesterday his journal entry was all about his prize winning zucchini. Unlike last year, we are definitely not going to miss picking up his ribbon.
Green thumbs must be hereditary,
Alberta
Green thumbs must be hereditary,
Alberta
Monday, July 16, 2007
Final CA update!
AAAAA! We're moving in 2 weeks! There's no way I'll get everything packed by then!
Whew, sorry about that, just a little panic setting in.
Here's an update on things.
Resolutions:
1. Keep up with my exercise routine.
Slacked off during the Utah vacation, but I'm back walking, sadly without my friend! I hope she is enjoying her stay in Hawaii. Walking is very boring without someone to talk to.
2. Eat more legumes.
This one has kind of gone on the back burner because we've scraped the 4-week rotating menu for these next two weeks in favor of a menu that will use all to food in the fridge and freezer. We'll start again, probably in Sept. when we're finally settled.
3. Write in my journal once a week.
Once again, vacation interfered with this, but I plan to write until we move. After that, who knows!
4. Write in my blog once a month.
Still good here, even more than once a month! I probably won't be posting the first week in Aug. though.
5. De-clutter one room a month.
This month it's the whole house! I hope I can do it!
Compact:
The compact has been suspended until Sept. 1st in light of our move and the great possibility that we may need to buy new stuff in the process. C'est la vie. On the bright side, it has given me a chance to think about making some purchases with future Compact adherence in mind. For example, I want to buy some cloth shower curtains. They look much nicer than plastic ones, last longer, and when they get dirty, I can throw them in the wash (in my very own washing machine!) instead of in the trash. I also want to try some rechargeable batteries. I've had bad experiences with them in the past, but it's been such a long time ago surely they must have improved. And I'm tired of buying so many batteries, even if we do recycle them.
There it is! I can't guarantee that I will blog again this month, so if not....
See you in NJ!
Alberta
Whew, sorry about that, just a little panic setting in.
Here's an update on things.
Resolutions:
1. Keep up with my exercise routine.
Slacked off during the Utah vacation, but I'm back walking, sadly without my friend! I hope she is enjoying her stay in Hawaii. Walking is very boring without someone to talk to.
2. Eat more legumes.
This one has kind of gone on the back burner because we've scraped the 4-week rotating menu for these next two weeks in favor of a menu that will use all to food in the fridge and freezer. We'll start again, probably in Sept. when we're finally settled.
3. Write in my journal once a week.
Once again, vacation interfered with this, but I plan to write until we move. After that, who knows!
4. Write in my blog once a month.
Still good here, even more than once a month! I probably won't be posting the first week in Aug. though.
5. De-clutter one room a month.
This month it's the whole house! I hope I can do it!
Compact:
The compact has been suspended until Sept. 1st in light of our move and the great possibility that we may need to buy new stuff in the process. C'est la vie. On the bright side, it has given me a chance to think about making some purchases with future Compact adherence in mind. For example, I want to buy some cloth shower curtains. They look much nicer than plastic ones, last longer, and when they get dirty, I can throw them in the wash (in my very own washing machine!) instead of in the trash. I also want to try some rechargeable batteries. I've had bad experiences with them in the past, but it's been such a long time ago surely they must have improved. And I'm tired of buying so many batteries, even if we do recycle them.
There it is! I can't guarantee that I will blog again this month, so if not....
See you in NJ!
Alberta
Monday, July 02, 2007
Baby Steps
I was very excited to see the article "Natural Methods Offer Pill Alternative" in Sunday's Salt Lake Tribune. I'm a big fan of Natural Family Planning (NFP) and it's always exciting to see something positive about it in print. However, after reading the article I was disappointed with the information presented.
The insert "Natural Family Planning: How it works" presents CycleBeads as THE method of NFP. Actually, this is probably the least effective method of NFP available, being only slightly better than the old "rhythm method". And though the other, more effective methods are mentioned in the article, no details are given on how they work or where to find more info about them.
I am glad that, at least in Utah, health care professionals are beginning to take more notice of NFP, even if they are still woefully uninformed. At least they are willing to re-examine their ideas about why women don't use hormonal birth control and are willing to offer alternatives. As mentioned in the article, NFP isn't a good sell for pharmaceutical companies! The companies who do support NFP don't have the commercial clout of pharmaceutical companies, so they get drowned out by ads for hormonal birth control.
I hope that the trend started here will continue, and hopefully grow to embrace more effective methods of NFP as well. Though a small step, it is a step in the right direction!
For more information on other methods of NFP see these websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertility_awareness
http://www.creightonmodel.com/
http://ccli.org/
http://www.woomb.org/
Naturally,
Alberta
The insert "Natural Family Planning: How it works" presents CycleBeads as THE method of NFP. Actually, this is probably the least effective method of NFP available, being only slightly better than the old "rhythm method". And though the other, more effective methods are mentioned in the article, no details are given on how they work or where to find more info about them.
I am glad that, at least in Utah, health care professionals are beginning to take more notice of NFP, even if they are still woefully uninformed. At least they are willing to re-examine their ideas about why women don't use hormonal birth control and are willing to offer alternatives. As mentioned in the article, NFP isn't a good sell for pharmaceutical companies! The companies who do support NFP don't have the commercial clout of pharmaceutical companies, so they get drowned out by ads for hormonal birth control.
I hope that the trend started here will continue, and hopefully grow to embrace more effective methods of NFP as well. Though a small step, it is a step in the right direction!
For more information on other methods of NFP see these websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertility_awareness
http://www.creightonmodel.com/
http://ccli.org/
http://www.woomb.org/
Naturally,
Alberta
Thursday, June 07, 2007
We're Moving!
A call came to my dh's phone this morning at about 8:45. I thought, no one calls this early unless they live on the east coast. Well they did! My husband got the Professor of Political Science job at Ocean County College in New Jersey! So we will be leaving sunny SoCal sometime in mid-August. I am very happy for this job, but I'm very sad to be leaving all our friends here and the beautiful weather. And my garden.
Here's my dh's post on the topic.
Stay tuned!
Alberta
Here's my dh's post on the topic.
Stay tuned!
Alberta
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Updates
Sorry, this is a boring post. It's for my own record, but feel free to read it if you like. I have more interesting stuff to post, but it will have to wait until later!
Resolution Update:
1. Keep up with my exercise routine.
So far so good, but I lose my walking partner next month! :(
2. Eat more legumes.
Good. I have succeeded in adding legumes to all the soups on the menu and I even cooked some in the crock pot and froze them for later. It was so cheap and easy, why didn't I do it sooner?!
3. Write in my journal once a week.
Not as good but not terrible. My Sunday's tend to get swallowed up in primary stuff. I do think journal writing is important, though, so I plan to keep trying to keep my resolution.
4. Write in my blog once a month.
Still good, though my first post this month was a recipe, not really content rich. But, hey, it still counts!
5. De-clutter one room a month.
So the porch didn't go so well. No one on Freecycle wanted my trike or shop light! And I kind of lost my momentum after that. Oh well. I did finally Freecycle the gigantic bookcase that was eating up all the space in my bedroom though! Yay! It looks so much nicer! For May (which is already half over) the de-clutter room is the kitchen. It shouldn't be too bad. As part of the de-clutter, I would like to find a place to put some water storage.
Compact Update:
I can't seem to get my dh or dss to sit down and help me make up an exception list for the compact! We're still following it, it just would be nice to have it in writing so it's not so easy to forget (or cheat). We probably also need a specific 'forbidden' list for things that might qualify, but really shouldn't.
Here's my rough draft of our exceptions (so I don't lose it!):
Food ;)
Underwear/socks (non-fancy)
HP7
School supplies
Craft supplies (ie markers and paper for the boys)
Fabric and notions (but only if I can't use what I've got)
NOT yarn!
Clothes for the boys (mostly my older ds)
Running Shoes
1 (maybe 2) articles of clothing for the adults
Option of 1 new item per person at Christmas
Health and Safety purchases (ie medicine and tires for car and bikes etc.)
This is not really part of the compact, but we're also trying a "no out-of-pocket spending" streak. So far our longest stretch is 6 days in a row! After 20 days (not necessarily consecutive) we will go out to eat. We're up to 9 days. It's been fun and challenging so far. I think it will help keep our expenses down by keeping us from being "nickled and dimed to death".
Later!
Alberta
Resolution Update:
1. Keep up with my exercise routine.
So far so good, but I lose my walking partner next month! :(
2. Eat more legumes.
Good. I have succeeded in adding legumes to all the soups on the menu and I even cooked some in the crock pot and froze them for later. It was so cheap and easy, why didn't I do it sooner?!
3. Write in my journal once a week.
Not as good but not terrible. My Sunday's tend to get swallowed up in primary stuff. I do think journal writing is important, though, so I plan to keep trying to keep my resolution.
4. Write in my blog once a month.
Still good, though my first post this month was a recipe, not really content rich. But, hey, it still counts!
5. De-clutter one room a month.
So the porch didn't go so well. No one on Freecycle wanted my trike or shop light! And I kind of lost my momentum after that. Oh well. I did finally Freecycle the gigantic bookcase that was eating up all the space in my bedroom though! Yay! It looks so much nicer! For May (which is already half over) the de-clutter room is the kitchen. It shouldn't be too bad. As part of the de-clutter, I would like to find a place to put some water storage.
Compact Update:
I can't seem to get my dh or dss to sit down and help me make up an exception list for the compact! We're still following it, it just would be nice to have it in writing so it's not so easy to forget (or cheat). We probably also need a specific 'forbidden' list for things that might qualify, but really shouldn't.
Here's my rough draft of our exceptions (so I don't lose it!):
Food ;)
Underwear/socks (non-fancy)
HP7
School supplies
Craft supplies (ie markers and paper for the boys)
Fabric and notions (but only if I can't use what I've got)
NOT yarn!
Clothes for the boys (mostly my older ds)
Running Shoes
1 (maybe 2) articles of clothing for the adults
Option of 1 new item per person at Christmas
Health and Safety purchases (ie medicine and tires for car and bikes etc.)
This is not really part of the compact, but we're also trying a "no out-of-pocket spending" streak. So far our longest stretch is 6 days in a row! After 20 days (not necessarily consecutive) we will go out to eat. We're up to 9 days. It's been fun and challenging so far. I think it will help keep our expenses down by keeping us from being "nickled and dimed to death".
Later!
Alberta
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Broccoli Cheese Soup
So no regular post yet, but I thought I'd better play catch-up since there are a few loose ends in my blog to tie up. So, here's my recipe for broccoli cheese soup, finally! (Sorry Becky!)
Broccoli Cheese Soup
In large saucepan, bring to boiling:
3 cans (14 ½ oz each) chicken broth
Add:
2 packages (16 oz. each) frozen cut broccoli
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp bottled minced garlic (or 1 clove fresh garlic, minced)
Return to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until broccoli is tender. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Transfer half (or so) of vegetable-broth mixture to blender or food processor; cover. Blend until desired consistency. Return to saucepan. Or if you have a hand blender, like I do, just stick it in the pot and blend away! Don't get carried away though, you still want some identifiable broccoli pieces left.
Stir into soup:
1 ½ cups dry milk (could also substitute potato pearls or pureed cooked green garbanzo beans for some of the milk)
¼ cup all-purpose flour (if you are afraid of lumps, add the flour to the blended mixture)
Salt and pepper to taste
Add:
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Stir over low heat until melted. Sprinkle with additional cheese. Serves 6.
Stay tuned for my 'real' post!
Alberta
Broccoli Cheese Soup
In large saucepan, bring to boiling:
3 cans (14 ½ oz each) chicken broth
Add:
2 packages (16 oz. each) frozen cut broccoli
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp bottled minced garlic (or 1 clove fresh garlic, minced)
Return to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until broccoli is tender. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Transfer half (or so) of vegetable-broth mixture to blender or food processor; cover. Blend until desired consistency. Return to saucepan. Or if you have a hand blender, like I do, just stick it in the pot and blend away! Don't get carried away though, you still want some identifiable broccoli pieces left.
Stir into soup:
1 ½ cups dry milk (could also substitute potato pearls or pureed cooked green garbanzo beans for some of the milk)
¼ cup all-purpose flour (if you are afraid of lumps, add the flour to the blended mixture)
Salt and pepper to taste
Add:
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Stir over low heat until melted. Sprinkle with additional cheese. Serves 6.
Stay tuned for my 'real' post!
Alberta
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