7 Quick Takes: October 30, 2009 (Vol. 20)

~ 1 ~

I have been working on trying to find time to exercise every day lately.  It's funny though, I feel like I am wasting time when I am doing it.  It's like time exercising is akin to time spent reading Facebook to me.  I seriously need to adjust that thinking.  If I could manage to exercise as often as I was on Facebook, I would be a size 2 now.

~ 2 ~

Speaking of that exercising, I have noticed an interesting thing about Wii Fit Plus
(which I really, really like by the way, and think it's a great addition to your existing Wii Fit).  You see, when I used to do it once every couple of weeks, they would say things like, "It's nice to see you again, Angie."

Not anymore.

Now, I skipped one day, and they said to me today, "Too busy to exercise yesterday, Angie?"  Well, yes, yes, I was.  Thank you animated Balance Board for your concern.

~ 3 ~

I'm super excited to share that I have purchased my ticket for Blissdom 2010, and even have my hotel room reserved!  I kept thinking that it was a long way away, but then realized that it's actually only three months away.  Wow!  I think I need to start saving my pennies, using the Wii Fit a little more (or a lot more), and get some business cards printed up!

Anyone else going?

~ 4 ~

This week, I was delighted to do something for the first time.  I actually spoke on the phone (at length) to one of my blogging friends.  Of course, I have spoken to friends who blog on the phone before, but never anyone that I only knew because of blogging.

I had a delightful conversation with you, Brenda. Can't wait to talk (and email) more!

~ 5 ~

Do you know what else I enjoy?


 Cottage cheese.

In fact, I just had some as a late night snack.  (Don't tell the Wii Fit Plus Balance Board though, okay?  They keep talking to me about my late night snacking.)  Here's the funny thing though -- I have got to use a fork when I eat it.   The idea of using a spoon to eat cottage cheese literally gives me a chill up my spine that I can't explain.

Very odd.

~ 6 ~

I would love to post a little bit about my beloved local homeschooling group.  We had a meeting about restructuring our group this week.  I was excited about the idea, but it appeared that there were two distinct view points on what our group should look like, and a lot of people left still charged with emotions.


I expected the meeting to go like that, but I guess it really surprised some people.  And then, after having to talk to many people on the phone about it the next day (the other former co-coordinator and I got an awful lot of phone calls), I wondered if things could be healed.

And, then the funny thing is -- just 48 hours after such a meeting that left a lot of people feeling miserable the next day, it already seems like there is a lot of healing, and I'm so encouraged by it.  I just pray that everyone will continue with this new spirit of trying out some new ideas.

Do you know what my favorite thing about it all might be though?

I got to meet someone that goes to my very own parish that I had never met before, and I think she is just delightful.  I am so excited to have gotten to know her just a tiny bit, and I can't wait to get to know her better.  Life is funny like that, isn't it?

~ 7 ~

Speaking of life being funny (and apparently the staying power of Post It notes), those Post It Notes I mentioned last week that I let the kids stick all over the walls -- a couple have fallen, but otherwise, they are all still there.  I have considered taking them down, but then I look at them and smile.  So, I leave them there.

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday and Weekly Wrap Up.



photos by: carbonated (cottage cheese) / google images (post it notes)  /  JaviC (Wii Fit)

Play It Again: Cleaning Out the Pantry for Halloween

Here's something I have done for several years now, and I thought I would pass it along. I do some pantry cleaning every year on Halloween -- right into the Halloween treat bowl!

Okay, don't get the wrong idea, I am not putting in cans of pinto beans or packets of dry spaghetti mix. I look through the pantry and see anything that is:

(1) Still Good

(2) Something we just aren't going to eat

(3) Is appropriate for the treat bowl.

If it meets all that criteria, it goes into the bowl.

For instance, last year from the pantry, I put in: a few packets of mini bags of microwave popcorn that were going to expire in November that we weren't going to use in time (we had an over abundance of microwave popcorn at the time), a small box worth of Cherry Kool-Aid single packets -- I picked them up once, but nobody was interested, an individual size of Coco Krispies from a time not too long ago when I splurged on a package of the single boxes of fun cereals (nobody will eat that one), some individually wrapped fortune cookies, and some gummy snacks that were not of a preferred brand.

Of course, I also have regular candy in the bowl that I pick up for trick or treaters as well. But, as I said, I have been doing this for a few years now, and I have found out something interesting -- the trick or treaters always choose those crazy things from my pantry first. Sure, I get the kid here or there that will pick regular candy instead, but mostly it is those things from my pantry that are the first to go, and then the regular candy is left for later trick or treaters.

So, before Saturday night, why not take a look through your pantry and see if you have any non-traditional goodies awaiting your trick or treaters!










photo by .imelda

For lots of great tips and ideas, be sure to check out Frugal Friday!

 

***this post was originally posted on October 31, 2007, but since it's the right time of year, I thought it would be great to repost!***

Exploring Electronics with Dad

This winter, our DVD/VCR combo died.  First the VCR portion died, and then finally, the DVD player bit the dust as well.  As you can see, our DVD player died with a DVD inside.  This meant that before we got rid of it, Eric was going to need to take it partially apart to get the DVD out.

That wouldn't be fun though, would it?

So, I told Eric that he should let the kids help with taking apart the DVD/VCR to get the DVD.  In the end, he not only let them help to open it up, but then they just took it the rest of the way apart.  Not only did the kids get to safely see inside some electronics (which they thought was pretty darn cool), but Eric had a great time exploring it with them.  Since he is experienced in electronics like this, one highlight for the kids was when he took apart the drawer that the DVD goes into, but was able to still trigger it to open and shut.


I love it when we are able to take advantage of these exploration opportunities.  It always seems that they are not only enjoyed by the kids, but we enjoy them too.  What better way is there to learn than that?

What are some of your favorite exploration opportunities?


 






This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday and Finer Things Friday.

Cleaning My Itty Bitty Craft Room...Once Again

Do you have a room or area of your house that always seems to get messy?  I would like to say that my craft room is that area in our house, but I would be overlooking my desk and the counter.  (I will admit, however, that I did notice that two of the most problem areas are my areas in the house.)

Since I am having a group of women over this weekend for a mixed media painting class, I figured that I better get my craft room in order.  Since it's a mere 35 square feet, we won't use it for the class, of course.  But, I suspect everyone will see it at some point, so I have to be prepared.

Brace yourself -- this is what the room looked like right before I started to clean:

Unsettling, isn't it?

It's true -- I couldn't even walk into the room.  Every surface had something on it, and it kind of freaked me out every time I walked past it.  This was definitely not something that I wanted to show off to my friends.

After a couple hours of clean up, one bag of stuff to give away, and one bag of stuff to throw away, here is what I ended up with:

 

It's not as beautiful as the craft studios that I see in books and around the Internet, but I have to admit that I am pretty pleased with how it looks right now.  If it can just stay looking like this until the end of this week, then I'll be set!

What are the most problem areas in your house?

 

This post is linked to Tackle it Tuesday.

Many Little Links: October 25, 2009

How to Make Your Home a Natural Learning Environment -- Zen Family Habits

This is a great post with all kinds of mostly simple ways to enrich your home environment for your kids.

These Shoes -- Finding My Way

The very moving story of one woman's journey on a 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk. 

Whole Chicken in a Crockpot -- The Happy Housewife

I have been very intimidated by the idea of cooking a whole chicken, though they are often very reasonably priced at the store.  This post made me excited to pick one up the next time they're on sale.

Simple Living Myth: DIY is Always Best -- Small Notebook

It seems that so many of the blogs that I read are all about doing things yourself.  So, it was nice to read this post where some of the reasons for not doing something yourself are talked about.

 10 Ways to Reconnect with Your Family -- Zen Family Habits

Love these ideas!  And, obviously, I love this blog too.  If you don't read it, you should go check it out.

Clean As You Go: Managing the Meal-Prep Mess -- Simple Mom

I really love cooking and baking, I just hate the mess that follows.  This is a great game plan for enjoying your cooking time, and not having to have mountains of clean up to do later.

7 Quick Takes: October 23, 2009 (Vol. 19)

~ 1 ~

Right now, I have orange star-shaped Post It notes all over my house.  They are stuck to the walls and to many surfaces.  Many, many surfaces.  Some have pictures on them, and some have labels of whatever they are stuck to.

Molly and Jack did this yesterday.  They did one, and then asked if they could do more.  It would have been easy to say, "Don't make a mess, guys.  Let's not do that."

Instead, I said, "Sure," just about every time they asked about a new area of the house.  Not only did they have fun, but I am actually enjoying being able to see happy stars each time I look around.

~ 2 ~

I have been at a bit of a loss lately about what to write about on my blog.  The funny thing is, I feel busier than ever.  Isn't it amazing how you can be so busy sometimes, but have so little to say?

Does this happen to anyone else, or is it just me?

~ 3 ~

Are you planning on going to Blissdom 2010?

Registration will be opening next week for those that have not attended before.  This looks like such a good time!

~ 4 ~

I was so thrilled earlier this week to have officially finished a set of eight (mostly) identical handmade Christmas gifts that I had been working on!

I bought all of the materials last December, and then left them sitting around until late summer.  I even kept thinking, "I don't really want to work on this anymore."  But, of course, I had already invested the money into the project, and decided that I needed to stop being wasteful, and just suck it up and make them.

So, on Sunday of this week, after having spent four all day crops working only on this project, they are all done!  I'm so thrilled.  I would show pictures (I will after Christmas), but some people that will be getting them also read this blog.

I just hope that those receiving the gifts will like them!

~ 5 ~

This week, there were several days where I canceled things that we had planned.  Not only did Eric and I skip out on a class that we were supposed to go to (we still did our reading and homework though) in order to have dinner together instead, but I also canceled things throughout the week.  Things that it wasn't a big deal if we canceled or didn't attend, of course.

It was just what we needed!  I realized that sometimes a person just really needs to be a lot less committed, and it's not a sign of weakness.  Sometimes, it's just a sanity saver.

~ 6 ~

One thing that Eric and I did find time to do this past week was to watch the Netflix movies that we had received.  We watched The Proposal last weekend.  We both really enjoyed it, and I would recommend it. 

We also watched the first disc of season one of The Big Bang Theory, since we only began watching that show several months ago.  We agreed that we would only watch one episode before Eric went to bed.  Instead, seven episodes later, he had been up way too late (on a weeknight!), but we definitely enjoyed it!

~ 7 ~

Why do I have to consistently have such a hard time finding a science homeschooling program that I like for the kids?  Last year, we did Catholic Heritage Curricula's Behold and See 3, and I did like that.  But, now I'm at a loss.  We have tried a couple of things, and it's not working.

I will be continuing my science quest soon, I suspect.  Wish me luck.

 

Be sure to check out both 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap-up!

photos by: google images (post it notes) / Image Editor (science)/ hannahspanna (writer's block) / creativeFlutter AKA MazerDesign (handmade gift box)

Support Your Favorite Bloggers This Holiday Shopping Season

My Works for Me Wednesday tip this week is something that is quick, easy, and helps out fellow bloggers.  And really, who doesn't like all of those things?

With the Christmas shopping season coming up, Amazon.com is one of my favorite places to shop.  (I especially love shopping there since I sprung for buying a Prime Membership at the beginning of 2009!  Love that -- it's a Works for Me too!)  When I shop from Amazon.com, I try to use affiliate links from some of my favorite bloggers.  That way, my shopping experience is just exactly like it would have been normally, but then that blogger will receive a percentage of what I spend.

While not all bloggers are Amazon affiliates, many are.  (These links to Amazon are actually affiliate links for me.)  If you are not familiar with the program, if you follow their affiliate link (to a specific product or even just to the site's homepage or to their own A-store, or Amazon store that they select the products for), then the things you order will benefit them. 

It makes me happy when I shop through affiliate links of fellow bloggers, knowing that they will get to check their stats and see some new orders, and it didn't cost me a thing!  What a great way to support some of your favorite blogs and blog friends! 










photo by Rignes

Flash Freezing Fruit to Save Money and the Environment

Forgive me, but I should have posted about flash freezing before our weather went to flash freezing in the blink of an eye.  However, I got to think about it while cleaning out my freezer and coming across cherries and blueberries.  So, I decided to go ahead and post about it right now anyway.

Why flash freeze?

By flash freezing locally grown fruit (or vegetables, like chopped peppers, for instance), you can not only save money, but you are also helping the environment.  For instance, because my family enjoyed blueberry muffins this summer when I made them, then I bought several pints when the prices were very low this summer at the grocery store.  I saved quite a bit of money, and the blueberries all came from the next state over from ours, rather than buying them during the winter and heaven only knows where they would have to ship them from (that's where the helping the environment comes in).

I didn't purposefully set out to flash freeze cherries though.  But, I bought some and we ate through them like crazy.  So, I bought more, and we didn't really touch them.  So, instead of letting them go to waste, I flash froze them instead.  I did this with bell peppers from our garden too.  Rather than let them go bad, I chopped them and flash froze the pieces.

To flash freeze produce (such as the cherries that I have pictures of), I washed them all first.  (For cherries, leave the stems intact.)

Then, I made sure that everything was very dry.  I both dried them myself, and also allowed them some time to air dry.  If you leave water on them before putting them in the freezer, of course, they will get very icy.

Spread whatever you are freezing out on a cookie sheet or whatever type of pan you can fit in your freezer.  Make sure to leave space in between items, or they might stick together as they freeze.

I let these freeze for around 30 - 45 minutes, or until they were cold and solidly frozen.  Then, I just bagged them into freezer bags in small portions, and put those smaller bags into a larger freezer bag that I put the name of the contents and date on the outside of.

This is a fun and frugal way to enjoy locally grown goodies in the middle of winter, as well as to avoid possible waste around your home.








This post is linked to: Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, and Frugal Fridays.

An Epiphany on Homeschool Scheduling

I had a couple of homeschooling epiphanies at the end of last week.  Granted, they weren't things that I didn't already know.  But, for whatever reason, it just really hit me.

My first epiphany came upon while I was thinking about a project that my kids are supposed to be working on for a saints party that we will be attending.  I was thinking about it, and I thought, "When will we have time to work on this?"

To read more about what I realized, as well as to help me with some ideas, please read the rest of my article at The Homeschool Classroom.

7 Quick Takes: October 16, 2009 (Vol. 18)

~ 1 ~

Molly is having a birthday party this weekend (though she turned five a couple of weeks ago).  It will be her very first party with friends, instead of just family.  She is so excited, and it sounds like a lot of her friends are too (from what I have heard from some of the Moms).

It is a tea party/dress up party.  As part of the party favors, I went to Goodwill and bought all kinds of different tea cups for $.49 each.  That way, each girl can pick a special cup to use during the party, and then she can take it home as a way to remember the party.

Wish us luck!

~ 2 ~

I almost wanted to bang my head on a table tonight.  I'm sorry -- it may not be right, but it's really hard to have to listen to someone who always has to have the last word, always needs to one up people on whatever story they are telling, and always has to be right.  This is not a person that I really know well at all, but it definitely made my evening seem considerably longer than it was.

What are some of your biggest pet peeves?

~ 3 ~

Anyone else a fan of the show Big Bang Theory?  Eric and I have found ourselves looking forward to Monday night each week.

Oh, and Eric, if you're reading this, I have just one word for you...

Bazinga!

~ 4 ~

We have now officially given up on the violin.  With Jack having motor delays, it just seemed like violin wasn't the way to go.  He was having such a difficult time with it.  But, what a trooper -- he was going to just keep sticking with it.  However, seeing how it was going, I realized that I needed to step in.  I gently worked on moving his interest toward the piano (you know, what with our refinished "free" piano now).

He started piano lessons last week, and he seems to be enjoying it.  And, with Noah just about a month ahead of him in lessons already playing many recognizable songs, I suspect Jack will be very pleased with his instrument change.

The only draw back?  They can't practice instruments at the same time anymore.  Oh well -- it does save me a total of 60 - 70 minutes of driving per week, so I guess I'll deal with them having to take turns practicing.

~ 5 ~

I've been trying to think of some handmade gift ideas (either for me or for Eric to make) for my boys (ages 8 & 10), and am coming up blank.  Any great ideas for something handmade for Christmas that might appeal to this video game loving age?  I would love any ideas!

~ 6 ~

My boys (especially Noah) have just been loving all of the books with Winter Promise's American Story I.

In one day this week, I had both a child that begged, "Can we please read more about John Paul Jones?" and then another that started crying because he was so worried about the main character in the book Sign of the Beaver (so we have to read far beyond bed time to finish the book).  As far as I'm concerned, that's the sign of some engaging education.

~ 7 ~

Where did Fall go and why is it so darn cold? 

 

This post is linked to Weekly Wrap Up and 7 Quick Takes Friday.

Photos by:  :: Wendy :: (tea cups), TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ (violin), cutiepie company (gift)

Soda Bottle Recycled Into a Bird Feeder

My kids have a great love for birds.  (I have even written about using bird feeders as a homeschooling tool before.)  The kids just can't get enough of watching birds in our backyard at our bird feeder.  So, when I saw a small contraption that would allow us to turn a soda bottle into a bird feeder, I knew that the kids would really love that!

This project was easy for the kids to primarily work on by themselves, with a bit of help from me (specifically when making holes in the top of the "bird feeder" aka the bottom of the two liter bottle).  And, with the actual feeder costing only a few dollars, this was a fun and frugal way to recycle an old bottle.

Not only were the kids able to enjoy watching the birds, but the birds seemed to enjoy it as well!

What are some inexpensive utilitarian crafts that you enjoy with your family?
 






This post is linked to Thirsty Thursday and Frugal Friday.

Cousins Share a Special Bond

Looking through pictures, and seeing this one of Molly with our 9 year old niece just makes me kind of sad.  It was hard to see them go when their week with us this summer was over, and still feels hard when remembering how close Molly and "Em" have been each time they get together.  Life is hard like that sometimes, isn't it?


This post is linked to Wordless Wednesday.

Light and Airy Homemade Vanilla Frosting

Do you know what makes me happy?  Well, lots of things.  But, the one that I have in mind right now is my children's great love for the frosting I make.  Jack, in particular, will sometimes say (just out of the blue), "Mom -- you make the best frosting I've ever had.  It's so much better than frosting from the store."

Love that kid.

This recipe is simple, and you probably have everything in your house right this moment to make it.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups powdered sugar (aka confectioners' sugar)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, soft and at room temperature (this is important -- so try to remember to set it out before you want to use it)
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla (sometimes I put in a tiny bit more)
• 3 tablespoons of milk (although I always end up adding a bit more than that -- if you want very thick frosting though, you can even go less than 3 tablespoons)

Put the butter in a bowl first.  Since I have a handy dandy Kitchen Aid mixer, I beat the butter pretty well after adding it to the bowl.  You can do this with a hand mixer as well, of course.  But, you know what?  I'm pretty spoiled by my Kitchen Aid.

Add the powdered sugar a bit at a time to the butter, and cream them together. 

Stir in the vanilla and milk.  Then, beat the mixture well.  If it is not thick enough, add in some more powdered sugar.  But, if you're like me, you are always apt to add in just a bit more milk to make it slightly thinner.

If you want to add in food coloring, this is the time to do it!

So, at this point, I beat the frosting for several minutes.  I didn't always do that though.  However, one time, I was trying to make the frosting orange, and I had a horrible time making it happen.  I just kept having to add more yellow, then more red, then more yellow, then more red, and so on.  All that time, of course, I was mixing it in my Kitchen Aid.  I was then rewarded with not only orange frosting, but light, airy, and delicious orange frosting.  I got so many compliments, and people even asked how it was so light.

Perhaps you don't want to make orange cupcakes though.  Just keep in mind, there's always blue cupcakes with monkeys instead.

Thanks to Party Cupcake Ideas for the Barrel Full of Monkeys cupcake idea.  I sent them in to Eric's work, and everyone loved them.  (Plus, as a bonus, I filled the barrel they came in with extra frosting and sent in graham crackers.  Yum!)







This post is linked to: Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Works for Me Wednesday, and Finer Things Friday. 

Many Little Links: October 11, 2009

 Red Velvet Cake with Fluffy White Frosting -- Joy the Baker

This just looks good.  Sinfully good.  I may have to make it, and then go to confession.

Counting the House -- Let's Explore

I love this great printable to work on math around the house.  Even my older kids would have fun with this!

Sister's Night and Man Country -- The Tie That Binds Us

I love what Brenda's family is doing on these special times together!  Even the name of the special times makes me smile.

Creating a Good Green Salad -- Make and Takes

Fabulous salad ideas!  I know that I'm guilty of often making salads that just aren't very exciting.  This is a great post with ideas of what to add to really liven up your salads.

Play Time Kits -- The Homeschool Classroom (written by Angela)

Angela has so many great ideas of what to put together (from things you might have around the house) for these fun play time kits that are perfect for a variety of ages.

I Feel So Sorry for You... -- Heart of the Matter Online

Contributing writer Angela DeRossett's reactions to hearing that from people after they find out that she has a child with Autism -- I couldn't help but smile throughout reading it, having thought all of those things before too.

3 Great Ways to Spend More Money -- Small Notebook

While this sounds so wrong, it's really so right.  So very right.

That's One Sneaky Doctor We Have

Molly had her five year check up on Wednesday.  During the course of the appointment, our doctor asked Molly what she was learning.  She, of course, looked at me like a deer in headlights.  That's what kids are contractually obligated to do in those kinds of situations, right?

I suggested to Molly that she tell our doctor what exciting thing she just did for the first time on Sunday of this week.  She was very pleased to let him know that she had received a bike for her birthday and was having fun riding it.

Our doctor asked her about her bike, so Molly described it in all of its Barbie-wonderfulness.  (Seriously -- it even has a little plastic bike on the handle bars where a Barbie can ride.)  Then, as if it was a perfectly normal next thing to say, without missing a beat, our doctor said, "What color is your bike helmet -- is it pink too or a different color."

She told him all about how it was also a pink Barbie helmet, and that it had come with knee pads and elbow pads too.

Then, I couldn't help myself, I laughed and had to say, "You were trying to make sure we had a helmet for her, weren't you?"

He laughed too.  He claimed that he was just asking a simple question, but I knew better.  That's one sneaky doctor we have.  But, you can't fault a guy for just wanting to make sure that your kids are safe.