48 Days and Counting

Wish I'd Done That: If your little ones are fans of a certain TV show, incorporate events on the show into your lives. For example, when LA and AA were little, Sesame Street had a wedding. I invited some neighbors over, and we had a wedding cake, mints and punch while the kids watched the show. My kids didn't watch much TV, but I wanted to make it more interactive when they did.

Since we've been attacked by ice this week, I thought it would be fun to LOOK AHEAD!

Spring is in 48 days - yea!

However, with spring comes many chores: weeding, mowing, sweeping, raking, watering, weeding, potting, weeding, etc....

So, while I don't like ice, there are many advantages to this season.

I thank God for a warm fire, a great book and no particular place to go!

Hey, also, I've gotten on Facebook. It's really fun, so come join me. Lots of techno going on here....

Next week: healthy recipes.

Ice Days

Wish I'd Done That: Despite what my friend, Sharon, would say, snow and ice days are great for being lazy, playing games, staying in pajamas all day, and just general horsing around. Kids need to see you take a load off, relax and have fun. It won't kill you to miss a day of "perfection"!

In spite of the previous advice, (I like to contradict myself) I've used today's ice storm to clean closets. I know; I REALLY hate to do this. You can tell, because I've got church dresses from 1991 still in my closet.....
Anyway, the hall closet was first, and the BEST. Because in it I found those large pictures we had taken of the kids at Sears, Wal-Mart, etc. when they were very small. LA as a baby, AA as a gun-totin' cowboy - you get the idea.
I found a studio picture I'd forgotten about. One of my whole family. I was pregnant with AA - I guess it was Thanksgiving, 1986. Jana's girls and LA were wearing dresses my mom had made them. Just darling little things.
My dad was healthy and smiling between my brother Rick and Jana's husband, Bart.
If only I had known how fleeting a time; how precious that picture.
Dad began to exhibit slight Alzheimer moments in the next few years, and those days passed in a flash.
Cuddle close; and remember: enjoy today!
(If I ever get a really big scanner, and post that picture!)

Jury Duty

Wish I'd Done That: When LA and AA were little, when they or one of their friends got the measles or chicken pox, I made a cake. We decorated it together - red hots for the spots, a red Twizzler in a frown, M & M's for eyes. We had lots of fun, and the sick one always had a smile!

I'm off to perform my civic duty. In the middle of the coming ice storm, I'm going to serve my jury duty. I hope I can serve this week, and finish my term.
I'll be anxious to give you all the scoop - when we're done!

I've already been sent home! Really, Judge, I didn't mean it!
I never got to say a word; they just pulled and my name and sent me away. (I do have to return next week, tho.....)

What's For Dinner?

Wish I'd Done That: Plan meals out for a week or two. That way, you will have all ingredients on hand, and there won't be that mad scramble to think of what to make. You could make a whole month's worth, and keep repeating it over and over. Stock your pantry with items you always use: pasta, rice, canned tomatoes, soup base, potatoes, etc. Meals will be a cinch!


On that note: What's for dinner at your house?


We're having a great stir fry. In my quest for better health, I'm using different veggies. Tonight, I'm adding zucchini to the mix, along with the traditional broccoli, carrots, onions, etc. Rather that the rice, I'm serving mine over spaghetti squash.

If you haven't tried this, I really recommend it. Slice the squash in half from stem to end, place face down in a microwaveable dish, add a bit of water, and micro 10 minutes on high.

Take it out, and remove the seeds. The rest of the squash can be pulled into spaghetti strings by using a fork run through the pulp.

Amazing, and really good!

The squash is also great served with grated Parmesan with chives or chopped green onions.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Wish I'd Done That: From my friend, Dana - store old books in plastic tubs with lids. She'd stored some in cardboard. You guessed it: a flood, and she lost all her precious books!

Ace has come through once again! For 3 years (I know!) I've wanted molding in my kitchen/dining. We just never got around to it. I finally decided to hire someone, since I didn't want to nag. I had really about decided to change the whole paint and everything, when Ace mentioned something about molding. He said, do you want it for your birthday? Sort of unconventional, I know, but I really love it!

It really finishes off the space - I went back and touched up the glaze on the walls, and now I just love the way it turned out!


Laura did the Scripture for me years ago; I scraped the popcorn ceiling last spring and refinished the ceiling with paint and glaze. (no, she won't do it ever again - I guess I scared her)
The foolish man asked if we were done now (with home improvements), and I just laughed!
Who ever heard of anything like that?
Now, we move to the bathrooms and master bedroom with all that molding. He said it wasn't hard!........

Growing Things

Wish I'd Done That: Ace and I always measured our kids on their birthdays. We had a really cute growth chart with Scripture that we put on the back of the kids' bathroom door. When they got taller, we moved the measurements to the kitchen door frame. If we ever move from this place, I'm taking the door trim with me!

For Christmas, one of my favorites is this herb garden. LA knows how I love to use fresh herbs, so she gave me this:

The set included seeds for: lemon basil (yum!), Italian parsley and marjoram. I'm excited to watch the herbs grow. It's so cold and brown outside, it's great to have something green and growing on the inside.

The real challenge will be keeping them alive until harvest time. I'll post periodic pics to see how things are growing.

Thanks, kid!

Remember to pray for our country and our new president. He will needs the prayers of God's people.

Collections

Wish I'd Done That: In today's world, child safety is a grave concern. When your little ones are 4 or so, teach them a "password". This helps when you have someone new pick them up from pre-school, church, or wherever. Unless the new person knows the "password" your child should not go with them. This is handy, and can be presented in such a way your child won't be scared, just cautious. Obviously, if it's Grandma, they don't need the password; you get the idea.


I love to go to garage sales, auctions, antique and junk stores. I've found lots of great things, and I loved doing it with my parents.

One of the things I love most is cobalt enamelware. You can find enamelware in lots of colors: yellow, green, grey, etc., but my favorite is cobalt.

My dad gave me the coffee pot, and I bought the cup and saucer. Later, Mom gave me the other saucer. We had so much fun together digging around for our treasures. Dad found the coffee pot in some junk place, and Mom said he was so excited to find one for me for such a great deal. He loved to bargain and talk to everyone he met during our outings.

I don't remember where I found either of these pieces, but I love the different mottling on them. Great!

The pot on the left that's upside down came from my grandmother. She didn't collect anything, she just had it lying around, and I wanted it! She probably used it for washing dishes, or something. Anyway, it's special since it came from her.

Grandma was a real hoot. I don't think she was even 5 foot tall, but she could cook like something you've never seen. Jana says she turned the heat up and cooked everything on high. She had 10 kids - one every 2 years. She made the very best noodles I've ever tasted! Gosh.......She always had a German chocolate cake on her kitchen table, too.! Wow!

I move my stuff around all the time, but I always keep this group out, because it reminds me of great times with Mom & Dad and my Grandma Headrick.