Gardening made easier this year

my garden boxes

I am not a gardner! I hate to weed the garden. I have young children who tend to destroy the garden while trying to help. There are many reasons I hate to garden, but I want my children to learn about their food. I want to teach them to work. I want to be self sufficient. There are many good reasons to learn to garden. I want these things, but I get so frustrated by children, animals, and weeds that I just want to pull my hair out.

Last year was just a bad year in general for many people in the area.  It was our first garden in our new home. We did not enrich the soil, and the list goes on about why it was bad.  Taking all these things into consideration and making a plan to overcome We will triumph. I am working toward creating a simple garden that works for us. 

Grow boxes seem to be the thing for us this year I was able to create my boxes from scrap wood that my husband picked up for free. (Love freecycle but that is a story for another time).  I took some of the split and broken pieces  and created four garden boxes. We lined them with newspapers and a layer of leaves from the fall cleanup.  A few inches of dirt mixed with a good mulch lined the top and we were ready to go.





my girls were great helpers moving the dirt with the dump trucks




Filling the boxes up

  

My top three reasons for building boxes to grow my garden this year



1. Makes it look like I know what I am doing

2. Less weeds!

3. I can tell where the plants are supposed to be growing


In the past we have had a weed patch with a few garden items growing alongside the weeds. I am always unsure about what is a weed and what is a plant to keep. By the time I figure it out, that weeds are so big and out of control they seem so overwhelming. I let the weeds grow and hope that the vegetables will grow also. Looking back it seems so silly, but at the time it seemed like a good plan.  As a busy overwhelmed mother the things we do make sense at the moment. As I have been able to simplify my life I am finding that I am less overwhelmed. Being less overwhelmed means less crisis living and better decision making skills.  I hope that I will have less crisis in the garden this year by eliminating the big trouble spots.

 Being able to tell where the plants are growing has been a frustration. We have marked the rows, but somehow the plants still get trompled. The dog and kids can't really tell where it is safe to walk (expecially while running).  Building the boxes has saved me that frustration this year.  The kids and I both know that the boxes are where the plants are supposed to be growing.  It is alot easier for the kids to see the boundries. They know that they do not dig or play in the boxes. Now if I can keep the robins and chickens from eating my seeds.

Last year many of the rows of seeds got trampled by the children and dog. Those seeds and plants that were not trampled were eaten up by robins.  I would see robins out there picking up things in the garden, not knowing that it was my seeds.  I went out looking for plants I looked, and looked for the tiny plants. "They should be growing here" I thought to myself. I then noticed that there was a nice neat row of tiny holes right along in the spot that I thought I would see vegetables poking up their heads. The robins had eaten my tiny plants.  I was so frustrated I wanted to give up gardening forever. 

I will keep gardening.  I may not be good at it, but when I have to survive off of what I can grow I will be glad that I learned how to grow something. I would rather have the learning curve happen now when there is an abundance of food rather than when it is critical with no food. So I may not like to garden, but I do it because I love my family and I want them to have the values and skills that come with this process. I think that is part of what I loved about my Grandparents. You can read an earlier post about my Grandma.  She is wonderful.  I am grateful fof her teachings and want to pass that on to my children. I want to leave a good legacy.  I don't want to leave the legacy of a stressed out mom.  So I will continue on with the process and journey called life.

Family Blessings

Over the weekend we were able to spend time with my husbands family and witness the babtism of his nephew.  It was a wonderful experience. It was a blessing to see a young person have such a desire to come to the fold.  It will be exciting in a few years when my children will be able to make that same committment to living like our savior Jesus Christ.

I am that person

Today I had a realization that I am that person  you know that person that you told yourself  you were not going to be.  You see someone, and you think to yourself "I am never going to be like that"  Oh here I am.  Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you.  When you least expect it you get a reality check. This is one of those days.  Now I get a chance to change some things in my life to improve it. I suppose the lesson learned here is Never Judge others.

How we made three meals out of a couple of steaks

Being frugal is something that comes a bit natural to me. I love a good bargin expecially when it comes to the grocery store. Recently I bought some good steaks for a fabulous price.  I wanted to make  good use of them. So I was able to create three meals from these steaks.

1. Steak dinner.  We had a really nice steak dinner with some freinds.  I seasoned up the steaks and grilled them outside. I cooked more steak than we really needed. It made it look and feel like we had an abundance of food, and everyone was able to have thier fill. I have an abundance of good things in life, and I want others to feel of that. We were able to sit out back and enjoy the nice weather at the picnic table that my husband built out of scrap wood.  It was enjoyable.



My beef stroganoff as it was being finished

  2.Beef Stroganoff.  From those leftover steaks I was able to create a beef stroganoff dinner. (excuse the bad picture it does not do the food justice)  It was a good way to use up the mushrooms and sour cream in my fridge. My kids and husband ate it up.  We made a big pot so that there was enough leftover for meal #3

3. Beef noodle soup. The leftover stroganoff became the base for a nice lunch of beef noodle soup.  My kids love my soups. Soups are so easy to make with many kinds of leftovers in the fridge. I once worked in a place that any leftovers (and I mean any) went into the soup pot.  To me that is disgusting. I am not that kind of a cook.  I am careful about what leftovers go together.  With time I have become quite good at it. My son who is 6 is learning to cook with me.  He likes to create soups. We talk about what would go good together.  He will ask "should we put this in?" we will look at it, smell it, sometimes taste it; then decide if the item will go in the soup.  It is a fun learning experience with him.

We create soups quite often, my children love them and they are a frugal way to feed a family.  You can take a few items and stretch them to fill hungry tummies. My biggest problem is that when I make soup I serve it hot. The kids hate waiting for soup to cool. We have started putting frozen vegetables in the kids soup to cool it down.They love it!  My kids now think that every bowl of soup should have an extra serving of vegetables added from the freezer.

This is how we do and who we are.  It is something that we have found that works for us.Take from it what you will. Being able to create meals from leftovers is a simple thing for us. What is simple to one person may not be so for another.  To each their own.  For me, Freezer meals do not make sense. It does not work for me and my world. Throwing leftovers into soup makes more sense for us. Find out what works for you;  Find your own path to that place of simple abundance.

PS. For you that are interested in finding out if freezer cooking may be of use to you and your family you can check out money saving mom's freezer cooking 101

OUR APPLE TREE

We have blossoms this year. Last year we had one lonely blossom on the tree This year Lots!

We moved into the house in winter and had high hopes of apples in the fall. but that did not happen.  lucky for us our neighbor had a bumper crop of apples. They were selling the house. They did not have time for apples. They were kind enough to let us pick all the apples we cared to.  We canned and dried apples right and left last year,it was nice, but , to have our own apples on our own tree makes my heart happy!

  

What has happened to real food?

I am working on making my body and mind healthier. I am making strides, but sometimes old habits die  hard. Sundays can be a challenge because my husband and I both grew up with the notion that Sunday afternoons are for baking something yummy. I have been pretty good at resisting the urge to make something sweet on a Sunday afternoons, but this week it didn't happen.  "I want chocolate" my body was screaming at me.  I thought about making brownies from scratch, but that will not do, oh no not today.  If it is brownies, it has got to be fudgy brownies from a box.  I wanted that taste that you only can get from a brownie box mix.  I didn't want it all healthified (like some people I know) by mixing in beans, applesauce, pumpkin or other ingredients.

I made the brownies from a box and devoured them along with the family.  It worked, it filled that void and craving.  I don't know what chemicals they put in it that makes it cravable but yesterday I couldn't resist.  When I was in chef school one of my fellow students asked a very simple question.  Why can't I make a cake like Betty Crocker?  He then went on  " I have tried and tried, but I can't replicate that taste."  We grew up with that flavor profile and we think that cake is supposed to taste like that. I grew up thinking that all casseroles tasted like condensed soup. We are such a bottle, can and box society.  We are really good at opening packages, adding a few things to it and viola! dinner is served.


What has happened to real food?  Two years ago at Thanksgiving time this question was put past me; "Since when does Thanksgiving come from a box?" Instant mash potatoes, Gravy from a packet,  stove top stuffing, Rolls from a Tube, Pie from the freezer, and the list could go on.  I wondered that myself.  Thanksging used to be a time that we would get away from all the box stuff.  We would gather around the table and enjoy good home cooked food.  A number of years ago I offered to make the turkey.  I did this so that I could enjoy the flavorful, wonderful gravy that comes with the drippings that come from a roasted whole turkey.  I brought back my Grandma's pumpking pie.  I got tired of old yuck store bought soggy on the bottom pumpkin pie.




my son as a baby with a bowl of vegetables

  One of the questions that was posed to us at chef school "Where does the clients health fall in your duty as chef? Do you make your meals healthy, or do you give them what they want regardless of the calorie count?"  We all agreed that butter makes it better and making the customers taste buds happy was where it counted. As an example; On the way home from a trip we stopped at a hometown burger joint. Listed on the menu was a fruit plate.  When I asked about the fruit plate, the gal behind the counter told me that they no longer offered that.  She said that "people were asking for it, but when we actually put it on the menu, no one ordered it". People would think about it for a moment, but in the end  they would make a comment like "We are in a burger joint, I'll have a big juicy burger."

What about Value?  As stated in a previous post  I grew up where the Value menu hamburgers were what we ate at times. That is what my parents could afford.  A neighbor recently was talking with us about how his grocery bill has grown over the last few years, but his income has not. He talked about how all he can afford is junk food.  He said that they tried to eat healthy for about six months but could not afford it. I am a couponer and a frugal shopper.  Coupons have made it easy to supply my family with junk food. Coupons for truly healthy food (and the Staples) are few and far between.  I do have a stratagy, I use my coupons for buying toiletries and other goods.  Then I have a bit more in my budget for the good food.

But what is good food? We have been marketed to think that alot of things are "good food" It is amazing. healthy claims all over the boxes and bags of things we eat.  Just recently, in a hurry I picked up some juice for the kids; looking at the banner across the juice box reading 100% I placed it in my cart and when I got home realized that I had made a mistake.  100% daily recommened amounts of vitamin C not 100% juice. I could have kicked myself for that.  I usually do try to get real juice and not flavored corn syrup.  We drank it anyways.

Time for dinner now, but I will be back later with thoughts about our food choices, recipes, and more.

Simple things

 There has been so much on my mind lately. Most of it has been about my skills as a parent and Homemaker. Somedays I feel like I am not doing enough, I am not perfect enough. I don't feel that I have the skills within me.  I get tired of the same things over and over again. I have grown weary of being a parent.  As I glanced upon the refrigerator today I saw a pair of magnets that I created over a year ago.  Daily Fundamentals, a reminder that the things we do everyday do make a difference. The choices we make affect not only us, but those around us. THOSE  LITTLE THINGS MEAN ALOT.

This morning we were getting ready for church in a crazy rush (as it always is with three little ones), I made a choice that affected everyones attitude but mostly mine. I had just finished fixing my 4 year old daugher's hair.  She twirled around in her dress and she said to me "Dance with me momma"  My first frazzled instinct was to say "No, I don't have time, we are going to be late for church"  Oh yes, I worry about being late to church and it really frazzles me on a Sunday morning, but I put that aside.  I stopped and picked her up and we danced around the bathroom in a moment of bliss.  Instantly my emotions turned around. I no longer felt hurried and stressed. It was such a simple thing It took like15 seconds of my time to dance with my daughter.  She smiled and went on her way. Then as fast as it had appeared,the magic of the moment was gone.  We were then able to finish getting ready and off to church with alot less stress and fighting etc.  I felt happier, the children felt more at ease and we all went to church in a happier and more responsive mood. It really was like magic.  

I almost missed that moment with my daughter. I am guilty of missing alot of moments, but I am so glad that I am able to plug in with my family and be there with them and make memories like this.  I am getting rid of the clutter in my life and mind. I am clearing out room and making a place for these moments. My life has been a cluttered mess a list of things to be done, with no real reason behind them other than I am mommy this is my job.  I have been going along taking care of the basic needs (feed and clothe my family),  I had been going around in robot mode. "clean the kitchen, feed the kids, feed the dog, make the beds, clean the bathroom, vaccuumn the floors" and the list goes on and on.  I have emerged from survival mode and moved on to a good life. Plugging into my family has been the greatest joy for me in the last few weeks.  It makes it so that I am better able to withstand the little troubles and trials that come my way. 

My challenge for you today: Take a few moments to make a difference!  It can be as simple as a friendly smile. 

Slow down and savor your food and life

My kids favorite buddies "hanging out"
This is what we should all be doing more often "hanging out" together with our family

As I am on a journey of weight loss and good health.  One tip I have learned is to Slow down and enjoy life. We live in such a hurried world, running all about in a microwave "grab and go" society.  My father as a boy scout leader made an interesting observation.  The boys had gone out for a campout.  They had each brought a tin foil dinner to cook in the fire.  My father noticed that some of the boys were very impatient while waiting for the dinners to cook. He related to me that he sensed that these boys were the ones that lived in a home where the microwave was a main source of food.  He said it was about two minutes and they were ready to eat. This was about 10 -12 years ago.  I wonder what he would find nowdays. Do we ourselves exist where the microwave provides a majority of our food at home?  Or is takeout our best freind?  I am slowing down and cooking not only on weekends, but all the time. My body has been happier these last few weeks as I have made a move to pay attention to it. When we slow down our eating the body has time to respond to the food we are putting in. We are healthier today because I chose to slow down and pay attention. I want my family and I to be healthy in body and mind. Family time together at meals is something that I am begining to value. I am creating my world according to those things.

I grew up in a family that was on the go alot, my husband was different.  Both of our families value time together, but how we do that is different. We were always going and doing and on the move.  There were always games to play and places to see. My husbands family spends alot of time just sitting and chatting. It is hard for me because I want to be doing something more activity oriented. My husband values time together just sitting a while and watching the sunset etc. He is content to just sit a while. While I am sitting there I have a whole list of things going on in my brain. I think that as a woman I have to multitask. We get so distracted, Sometimes we forget to stop and take stock of what is really important. My husband is very important and he needs me to slow down and pay attention to him. My Children need me there. I am making them priority in my life. I am showing them by the things that I do. As Dr Phil says "You gotta get plugged into your family" My challenge to you SLOW DOWN, MAKE TIME FOR THE IMPORTANT THINGS  

Frugal food on the fly

I grew up in a frually fun home.We spent alot of summers going all about the great state of Utah and the adjoning states.  My parents were good at frugal food finding and feeding us kids when going out and about.  I learned alot of tricks from them.


1. The ice chest.  We ate alot out of the ice chests. Picnics are great entertainment for children.  My parents would fill up empty juice bottles or milk jugs and freeze them to keep the food cold. (There were always 2 or three in the freezer at all times)  It saved money and time. As an added bonus you had cold ice water to drink along the way.  There are alot of things you can make and eat from an ice chest, but sometimes a warm meal can go along way.

2. My parents were good at finding a hot meal for an inexpensive price We did not get a fast food combo meals, it was deemed too expensive. Dad would buy a pile of dollar menu hamburgers, tacos or such.  We would supplement the hot items with drinks, sides, and desserts from the ice chest.

3. Keep your eyes out for coupons and deals.  They do show up, you just have to look.  Sometimes places have a a deal of the day  buy one get one free etc. look for those types of things.  The local paper and/or local people can give you clues.

4. When staying in a hotel/motel take advantage of continental breakfasts. If that is not offered take advantage of coffe makers and microwaves that seem to be widely available.  With a coffee maker you can heat water for oatmeal and such.  For lunch there are many (just add water) options.

5. A crockpot or electric skillet can be a great way to cook a hot meal.  There are plenty of easy recipes that use canned ingredients with little prep. Simple things like dehydrated mash potatoes with chunky soup or meat in a gravy served over the top.   A bowl of canned chili or stew with bread bought from a local grocery store. Chicken and rice cooked in the slowcooker.  Mom would heat breaded veal or chicken patties, a can of creamed soup with frozen vegetables would be served over the over the top.

6. Ask about a room with a kitchenette. There are extended stay places that have kitchenettes. Sometimes these rooms are just as reasonable as a room without. 

I grew up thinking that these things were normal and that everyone picknicked at lunch, and ate from a slowcooker in a motel.  My husband is amazed at my parents and their ideas. It is fun finding our own way as we travel. 

More and more people are foregoing family vacations because the cost of food and fuel, and it is sad. Some of my best memories are of family vacations where we were away from the normal stress of life. We had fun together we made some fun memories. Saving on food will enable people to afford a fun family vacation.  With a little planning it can be done.

Homemade tortillas

That is not the roundest pancake, but it is yummy! Words from my six year old.  this morning.   Gotta love the kids and their honesty.  "my pancakes are never round too." he also says.  I don't make perfectly round pancakes or tortillas.  but they are basic good food.   I think we all need a set of good basic recipes I have some of my favorites that I will share here on my blog.   Todays recipe

                                                     HOMEMADE TORTILLAS

my tortillas



Love homemade tortillas and they are so easy and inexpensive to make.  I don't make them all that often because we tend to eat twice as many as we should.  They are a simple yet yummy addition to any meal.

3 cups flour I used 1/2 wheat and 1/2 white

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 fat melted  (You can use lard, shortning, butter, or oil)

1 cup warm water

That is it!   5 ingredients. I love this recipe because it is easy and you can use any fat you have available (I don't recommend olive oil because of its strong taste)

Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and fat together with a fork.  add the water and mix  until you have a nice dough should be nice and not sticky, if it is sticky add a  bit more flour

Let the dough sit and relax for 5-10 minutes.

heat a skillet for several minutes on a medium high heat.  you want a hot pan to get that toasted flavor and brown spots.  I have tried to use the electric griddle, but mine did not get hot enough  (it cooked the tortillas, but did not get that browning) they were not as good.

Divide the dough into 8-10 pieces roll each dough ball flat and paper thin on the counter (you shouldn't need any extra flour or anything)

my not so round tortilla dough rolled out with the cooked tortillas in the background

Carefully transfer the rolled dough to the hot skillet and brown on each side This takes about 10-15 seconds watch carefully because they can burn quick at such high heat. 

They are ready for eating store any leftovers (if there are any) wrapped tight in the fridge. 

Make these sometime they are yummy!  like I said earlier, I  don't make them all that often because we do tend to eat twice as many as we would store bought.  

Life is not a free ride

Today my role as mother and teacher in the home was really brought home.  At church today the speakers talked about the importance of home and family and about teaching children the values that will shape them. It is up to us and not the government to teach them. Children will learn alot of things in school, but the important things are taught in the home. 

I was in awe over a television talk program that I ran into last night.  They were  talking about education and equality.  They mentioned that Mitt Romney was recently asked a question by a young Senior in high school.  The question went something like this; If you are elected president how will you ensure that young people like me will be able to go to college? The host of the show then said something like this  Mitt Romney totally dismissed this fellow and told him good luck you're going to need it to get through college.  When they went to the footage I heard something totally different.  Mitt Romney told this young fellow I am not going to make any promises toward education that I might not be able to keep.  Then he told this young man to go and get an education.  He said something like go to school, shop around and find a good school that you can afford to go to, you don't have to go to an expensive school to be succesful; Apply for scholarships grants and financial aid.  He also warned this young man to be careful about student loans.  He said there will not be anyone to bail you out later on. I thought that it was good advice!

I changed the channel but came back later and they were still talking the role of government to ensure that every student has a quality education.  As far as I am concerned a quality education begins in the home and can be enhanced by the school system. My son loves Kindergarten. He has a really great teacher. I am thankful for her role in helping teach my child.  He is learning about how to react in social situations and many other skills. But it is not enough. In our government system there is so much bickering about what is to be taught; and how it is to be taught; it is unbearable. Our Broken goverment system cannot take over and provide what is so needed to be taught from family life. I am teaching my children how to work and how to live a good life. It is not always easy, but it is worth it.  I will leave you with a quote by one of my favorite speakers and Authors; the late Neil A Maxwell.  

"If you have not chosen the kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead." 

Finding joy in SPRING CLEANING

I did some spring cleaning today Yahoo!  Thank you Crystal Paine of  moneysavingmom.com. 
I love to read her blog.  I got started reading her blog while couponing and soon found out her blog is about so much more.  She blogs about coupon deals, as well as frugal recipes. She blogs about homeschooling, budgeting and a bunch of other stuff.  She has inspired me with her posts about her own weekly goals.  Her newest series 4 weeks to a more organized home has really made me want to step it up and get things done. She recently has written a series of posts 21 days to a more disicplined life that became so popular she published it as a book.  I realize that my home is not perfect as seen in these pictures of our flower beds out front (complete with dandilions),

 but our home is full of love.  When the kids made a huge water mess in the kitchen while trying to help me wash the grime and handprints from all the doors and walls, I wanted to be upset, but chose to say thank you for helping me today!  I want them to have good values and work ethic even when the world around us may not believe in traditional values.  I know that it is important for me and my family!  I am reminded of  Hymn #256 in the Latter day saint Hymn book.  From the second verse "The truth and values we embrace are mocked on every hand. yet as we listen and obey We know we can withstand the evils that would weaken us, the sin that would destroy. With faith, we hold the iron rod and find in this our joy."  I am finding joy in watching my children grow. I am finding that through Jesus Christ's teachings, I can have joy in an world that would not have such.  I am thankful for parents that have taught me and hope that I can live up to to that in my own life.  Thanks mom and dad

My Grandma Keyte

My dear grandma at Easter 2011

 I love my dear Grandma who is going to be 92 this year!  she is a wonderful imspiration to me.  She has always seemed happy with whatever life throws at her.  She has lived a simple life.  one that I would like to emulate.  She does not need alot in life.  She lives very simply and very happy.  She loves her children and grandchildren very much.  She was happy to raise children and take care of Grandpa and the ranch.  She raised a garden for years.  (She is part of a generation that grew up having to garden to survive.)  She has made it clear that no one at her funeral is to say that she liked to garden.

Growing up we spent alot of time with Grandma and Grandpa.  We lived a few blocks away and would visit them often.  Grandma always had good food to share with us.  One thing we learned early on was if Grandma said "do you want more?" it meant that another helping was ready to be deposited on your plate.  If you said "no" you might only get one more small scoop.  You would have to run away and hide your plate when done. She showed her love with the food.  she always had cinnamon toast for us, Or the fruit flavored mini marshmellows.  One thing she would make that I still have fond memories of is Strawberry cake on sunday afternoons.  She still makes yummy potato salad and cherry cream pies.  Our favorite is her special rice krispie treats with chocolate and butterscotch chips melted on top. 

When I was young (about 8) I had a rare opportunity to spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa  recovoring from having my tonsils out.  One of my siblings was really sick at the time and mom and dad sent me to recover at Grandma's house.  I thought I was in heaven.

Grandma's house was like a little heaven,  but when the camera came out (which was often) we all cringed. We all hated having our picture taken by Grandma, but we did it. How could you refuse such a loving person.  She would make us stand facing the sun where we couldn't see anything.  There is picture after picture of my siblings and I  (along with the cousins half the time)  eyes squinting in the bright sunshine.  That is the reason my eyes are shut in pictures nowdays.  Grandpa expecially those last few years hated the camera.  He taught the young grandchildren to show the camera the bird finger.  We have a whole supply of Grandpa and the Grandkids showing their displeasure for Grandma's picture taking.  

Grandma's house was always fun and adventuresome.  We played in the old chicken coop and the rabbit hutch, climbed the trees and spend time sitting on fences.  The orchard was a fun place to play, and the wars we would have throwing gooseberries at one another; oh it was fun! Working and helping grandma was always a joy. I want my kids to grow up having such memories.   I think that by living simply I will be able  to make those kind of Memories with my own kids. 

 

food choices: reconnecting with our food

There has been alot on my mind lately about my food choices. Before I met my husband, I was on a quest to lose weight and become a better version of me.  It worked and I was happy! Now as I realize I am only about ten pounds less then I was at my heaviest, it is not working for me.  I am turning into an emotional eater again, and I am taking my whole family down with me.  We have made half hearted attempts the last year or so, but NOW IS THE TIME!  

I know what I need to do, it is just getting it done with the family in tow. 

1.  Breakfast with a protien
2.  Move
3.  Journaling
4.  Recognizing eating patterns
5.  Eating mostly whole foods with high nutritional value
6.  Sitting down to eat a meal

Breakfast with a protien gets your body going.  I spent alot of years not eating breakfast and feeling lousy.  Eating sugar for breakfast just made me feel lousy later on in the afternoon when the sugar wore off.  I know this, but at times I get busy with the kiddos and I forget to eat breakfast. on a side note cheese is not considered a protien food; it is a fat.  (I made that mistake for a while).

Before I married and had the responsibility of raising these three wonderful children I was walking at least two miles each morning.  I was working hard at my job and I was  feeling good.  But three children that close together being pregnant and feeling lousy gave me a good excuse to sit about and not get the walking in. We walk our Andrew to school each day if the weather is nice.  But with the kids sometimes we wander so slowly that it isn't much excercise at all. 

Journaling helped me to be aware of what I was eating.  I am a picker.  If there is food out on the counter, I am picking at it. My husband asked the other day why I dish up the food from the counter and then sit down to eat it.  I told him that this is just the way that I do. He grew up in a family where they ate family style where everyone sat down and passed the platters of food around the table. The kids aren't really big enough to pass the plate around and dish their own food. I'm thinking that maybe we should start that in our family, but I am a picker, I end up picking and adding just one spoonful more until I have eaten more servings than I should. 

When I was single I was on a journey of healthy, but not always yummy foods. I still continued into the begining of our marriage There were several things early on that Gregg said something like "That was Ok, but I wouldn't care to eat it again!" Then I was pregnant and snacking took over.  If I didn't snack all day I felt awful.  Cooking was really a chore. Three pregnancies in a row and three children in four years has really changed me.  I cook differently now. I cook to please their taste buds.  We eat alot of "kid freindly" foods. I often cook foods that may not be as healthy, but I know they will eat it. I also like to please my husbands taste buds too.  

We sit down to dinner at night together, but during the day I find myself picking and foraging around for food. I am eating breakfast an hour or two after the kids and they are ready for lunch when I am not.  Lunch seems to be grab and go for me.  I know that when I sit down and eat a meal my brain remembers that and it resets itself.  I found that I could snack throughout the day and my brain would say "I haven't eaten".  If I sit down and eat a meal then my brain says "oh yeah I had luch it was ______"

Having the courage to make changes can be hard.  I find myself not wanting to fight the battle of new foods with the kids. I think that I will not pick that battle right now.  But I will pick the battle of eating breakfast with a protien and sitting down for luch. I think that playtime with the kids and more walking than just the 6 blocks to school is a good starting place. 
   

   

what happens when mom is busy trying to blog

Kaytlin's leg

While I was busy trying to blog a bit and trying to get my camera to load pictures to the computer this is what happened.  Kaytlin  age 3 decided to color her leg with markers.  This is what is left after we washed it a bit.  Oh well now you know, this is my life but it is a simply wonderful life! 

raising our own eggs

A few weeks ago I told my husband that I wanted to go to a community education class about raising chickens.  He thought it was a good idea and set out to turn the dog house into a chicken coop.  The class was educational and full of information, but I was still not sure that I wanted chickens (or nasty old yard birds as my husband calls them).  I really enjoy fresh eggs, but am a cheapskate and don't want to pay for them.  So a Few dollars later for some hinges and latches we sucessfully turned the old dog house into a chicken coop. Still not sure, I finally broke down and bought four barred rock chicks.  They were a bit bigger and had real feathers, they were not tiny fluffy chicks that my kids would have squeezed to death in one day.  The kids went wild over them.  We ended up killing two of the four chicks because the kids would not leave them alone.  Since then the children have calmed down about the chickens.  We ended up buying a bakers dozen more barred rock chicks (thinking that we would lose some).  Then we couldn't resist half dozen more tiny fluffy chicks of assorted breeds. In all we have 21 chickens.  During this time of obtaining chicks there came a couple of stray chickens who have taken up residence next door. They are pretty tame chickens.  The one wandered into my house when the door got left open.  Yesterday my four year old Veronica asked if she could have a big chicken.  There in the driveway under the truck were the two chickens. There is no one living next door right now, so we had a chicken rodeo and got those two chickens rounded up and into the back yard.   It was fun to watch the kids with the chickens. Miss Veronica got along behind the chickens walking with a good chicken strut, bobbing her head and flapping her wings.  it was fun to just soak it in on a sunny afternoon.  It is fun making memories like that. 

It is fun to watch the kids as they get so excited about making sure the chickens are in the coop for the night.  Waking up in the morning to let the chickens out and feed and water them is real excitement. .  It is good for the kids to have some responsibilities.  I think that kids should have responsibilities and that they need to do more than video games and such.  That is part of the chicken adventure  responsibility and self sufficency.  Now we just have to find ways to feed and take care of the chickens in a budget freindly way.  The gal that taught the chicken class actually said that she only breaks even on eggs, that it really doesn't save any money.  At this point we are into it a bit to buy the chicks and feed to start them, but  think that we will be feeding them scraps and letting them forage for food.  It is fun to watch the chickens fight over scraps of food waste that used to go into the trashcan.  They love banana peels and cabbage so far.  Keep watching for updates to our new chicken adventures.

Welcome to my new journey into blogging

It is time to start a blog!  A place to share and grow.  A journal of sorts for us as a family.  A place where I can express my opinions. A place to share my adventures as I try to live a simple life in an ever complex world.  A place to come to escape and relax.  A place to laugh love and learn. come join this adventure with me.