What's Cooking?

I decided that we'd stay put today.  We've been out and about for the past two weeks--out of the house for some reason or another.  I needed to catch up on all kinds of things and focused on baking this morning.

We made some apple-cinnamon muffins--YUM!

The break maker has helped me get a loaf baked--just put another in.

Then, I made some pop-overs that Debbie shared on her blog, The Loving Path.  I substituted some vegetarian protein slices in place of the meat.  My children were hesitant to try them...but once they did they found them rather tasty!!  My sweetie-pie said, "It tastes like macaroni and cheese!"  And they do, a bit.  We ate them with baby carrots and apple slices.  What a nice lunch.  (Thanks Debbie, for sharing that recipe).

So, I think we're set...for another day.  I wanted to make some more granola bars, but I'm pooped right now.  Perhaps later this afternoon.  (I've been de-cluttering the kitchen and bathing children between all this!)  When I think about all the work those who lived years ago had to do to put a meal on the table, I'm amazed.  There is definitely great rewards in being able to make your food but it does time a lot of time.  I'm glad we took that time today!

So what's cooking in your kitchen today?

Book Sharing Monday

Good Morning Everyone!

Today's book is Going to Grandpa's by Hiawyn Oram, Illustrated by Frederic Joos

The boy asks me to read this book quite often.  It's a cute little book about how a little bear makes use of her time on the train-trip to visit her grandpa.  She does all sorts of things as she continues to ask, "Are we almost there yet?"  Each time I read it, it makes me want to take a train trip, well, sort of! :D

If you'd like to participate in Book Sharing Monday click the picture on the left which will take you to Serendipity Home School and let Alex know.  You're welcome to join at any time.  You can also find a list of other families who participate.

Happy Reading!!

It's Soup!!!

Since it's gotten a bit chilly these past few days I decided to try my hand at another soup recipe.  I ask dh to choose one, since he's waaaaaay more particular about his food than I am.  This is what he chose.  I picked up the items yesterday and put them together this evening for dinner.  It was very simple and VERY tasty!

Here's the recipe.  It's from my very favorite cookbook: 1000 Vegetarian Recipes from Around the World.

Garbanzo and Tomato Soup
2 tbsp olive oil
2 leeks, sliced
2 zucchini, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups of diced tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
3 1/2 cups vegetable bouillon
1 fresh bay leaf
8 oz fresh spinach, chopped

In large pan heat oil.
Add leeks and zucchini. Cook for 5 minutes. Stirring briskly.
Add garlic, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, bouillon and bay leaf.
Bring to a boil then simmer for 5 minutes.
Add spinach. Cook for 2 more minutes
Serve immediately
Salt & Pepper to taste.
Suggested serving: Add fresh Parmesan cheese and eat with Sun-dried tomato bread.


We found that we didn't need any salt or pepper.  We had bread sticks with ours.  I used an Italian cheese blend instead of Parmesan.  I used all organic products. I used fresh tomatoes instead of canned.  It was quick and easy,  My eldest help me prepare it.  The 'cutting up' time took longer than the actual cooking time.  We're looking forward to trying another recipe soon.

Enjoy!

Outside of Doors :: April 11

We took a little stroll around the block.  It's much cooler.  We noticed the sky--looks like rain.

We're participating in 5 Orange Potatoes' The Great Outdoor Challenge.  Here are a list other families who are participating too.  (It's never too late to join in!!)


lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise,luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia,becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney,branflakes,jessica, renee, haiku,brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth,julie,kyndale,kelly,lizzie, eileen,ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita,lisa, jenn, montessori, marita,jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella,missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia, angela, rana,jamie,lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, jen, jenni, gabby, renee,korina, linda, kerrs, laura, melissa, eva, jenny, amber, deb

You can also join the Family Nature Club at Ordinary Life Magic (Too).

Have a great evening!

Outside of Doors :: April 8

Today we took a little time to pay attention to what was going on around us.  Not so much the playing side of being outside, if you know what I mean.

We looked for the tallest tree we could spot.

We noticed all these little holes in the ground (like hundreds of them).  

They appear to be homes for some sort of bee-like insect.

We watched a rather large bird soaring.

We also noticed that 'our' tree hasn't started budding yet.

We're participating in the 'Great Outdoor Challenge' for the month of April started by 5 Orange Potatoes.  If you haven't join in yet, sign up there!

Here's a list of others who have joined in and are participating too:

lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise, luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia, becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney, branflakes, jessica, renee, haiku, brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth, julie, kyndale, kelly, lizzie, eileen, ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita, lisa, jenn, montessori, marita, jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, joey, carmen, teena, stephinie, gidget, elizabeth, emma, rosina, saminda, melissa, katie, becca, atouria, barbara, ariella, missy, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, lisa, stacy, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa C, morticia

We are also participating in the Family Nature Club at Ordinary Life Magic (Too).  There's a list of participants and activities you can do with your children.

April's One Small Change:: Update

Today was a day full of nice surprises.  One of them being receiving my handmade produce bags in the mail.  Everything about them I'm loving...from the packaging...

...to the light and airiness they have!

Thanks so much Stephinie!! I can't wait to go shopping again.  

If you'd like to get a few bags for yourself, do check out Stephinie's Etsy's shop, or her blog Gypsy Forest.

Outside of Doors :: April 7

The trees are in full bloom!

I have to say--this is one of our favorite outdoor places!

Bright, cool, peaceful.  We missed our friends again today but still had great fun!

Next time I'll wear my 'water' shoes so I can get closer.  

They saw several small fish and a crayfish.

Dh has even joined in.  

He went outside to read in prep for his class tomorrow.  

That's he and sweetie-pie under "our" tree (we adopted it!).

Outside of Doors :: April 6

We're participating in 5 Orange Potato's Get Outside Challenge.  As you can see we enjoyed our time!! (Hope to catch our friends next time.) :D

April::Children & Nature Awareness Month

In catching up on my blog reading today, I found out that April is Children & Nature Awareness Month. I'm happy to say that although I didn't know it, we've been outside since the 1st.  I also did a little bit of reading on the Children & Nature Network there are lists of resources and a list events happening 'near you' for those who'd like ideas and people to join in with. 

Now that I know (officially), we will definitely be participating and I'll be more intentional about making sure we are out every day. I'm even joining in the challenge going on at 5 Orange Potatoes--to go outside each day this month, rain or shine.  We're to help spread the word by posting a single photo of our child/children outside each day.  I think we can handle that! :D

I have plans to plant some flowers in our hanging baskets, to plant some herbs for cooking and to put up another bird feeder.  My children LOVE exploring so we'll definitely make time for that as well. I'm excited to see just what we find.

Here's a few shots from the weekend.  Won't you join us?

Book Sharing Monday

Today we're sharing the book entitled: The Clown-Arounds Go On Vacation by Joanna Cole, pictures by Jerry Smath.

This is a silly book and I have to tell you that it's not one of my favorites--because I've read it like a brazillion times!  We used to own this book until two weeks ago when I added it to the 'give away' box.  The day after I gave it away we went to the library and the children found it there and checked it out.  I just can't seem to get away from this book. LOL.  There are a lot of knock-knock jokes and riddles throughout this story, even an alphabet game.  As you can see, my children like this book and this is why they think your kids will like it too! :D

Want to join us in Book Sharing Monday?  Click on the photo on the left that will take you to Serendipity Home School and let Alex know.  We've love to have you!

Happy Reading!

Monday Mumbles

I've been reading TOOJMama's blog, Circling the Square Table, for awhile and decided to join in on her Monday Mumbles thing.  Here are 10 things I'm thinking about this Monday Morning (almost afternoon). :D

1. What is up with all the pollen?  Yeah, I know, it's Spring but my sinuses are hurting.  I guess I will have to try this netti pot.

2. I gave two awesome massages last evening.  I say awesome because it was nice to give a relaxing massage--candles, music, near quietness--it's relaxing for my spirit as well.  I'm really enjoying being a MT.  Hopefully my clients felt the same way! :D

3. Two months.  That's all I have left (well, there might we a week or two).  It's not enough time to do everything I want to do.  I talked with my cousin via email about this very thing this weekend.  Her family is moving South about the same time too.  When she said two months I had to stop and think (and look at the calendar to confirm).  One thing that I'm thankful for is that I've taken advantage of my time here--I've been seizing the days!!

4. Two months.  Isn't a lot of time to pull all this stuff together.  My dh and I have decided that we're not going to move back with a lot of this stuff.  We've started identifying the furniture that will be remaining here.  There is part of me that is excited about this--it's almost a relief.  There is another part that wants to jump in and say, "Hey, wait a minute, aren't we gonna need that?"  Yeah, we probably will but we'll learn to live without it! (I'm being brave at this moment--lol!)

5. The boy is getting sooooooooo tall.  Last week he woke up on day was I could see he was taller.  He's loosing those juicy little cheeks I've kissed on for about 3.5 years.  He's growing up.  You can hear him telling everyone, "I'm NOT a baby!" or "I'm NOT a little boy!!" Correcting them with, "I'm a BIG boy!"  He tickles me.  I love him dearly.

6.  Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who is always trying to one up you?  I'm still in one of those.  SMH  I can't believe it sometimes.  I think, "really?" and I look and listen and say, "yep! that's what it is!"  Because this is not my motivation it often takes me off guard--well, it takes me off guard most every time I recognize what's happening.  I have to say that the longer I live the better I handle these kinds of interactions.  I have to remember that it's not about me and as long as I keep focus on what I'm about it doesn't have to impact me at all. (I'm growing!!) :D

7.  My little sweetie pie will be 5 at the end of this month.  She has been coming into her own more and more each day.  She sees her big sister reading and writing and is doing her best to keep up.  I was talking to her this morning and letting her know that she will learn when it's her time.  It's ok if it doesn't happen in the same way.  She smiled broadly with that magical smile she has and those eyes that sparkle and said, "Mommy, I know."  She's my sweet heart!!

8.  Today is laundry day.  I've been putting it off.  I'm so behind.  It's ashame.  I just don't like having to go to the basement (dungeon) to do it.  We are living in a home with four levels (including the basement) so besides the fact that laundry isn't my favorite and that I have several flights of stairs to walk up and down, I must go into a dark and damp basement.  UGH!  But we must have clean underwear--so to the basement I go!

9.  We spent the end of last week and most of the weekend with our friends.  It's been a lot of fun and although we Mama's have had to lead out having the kids play together has given us a bit of a break.  The weather is supposed to be nice all week--so the weather reports say.  If it actually turns out that way we will have to get over to our creek and hopefully with our friends again!

10. I was looking at my first born this morning during breakfast.  Listening to her giving instructions to her brother and sister.  Watching her pour her own cereal and milk.  Seeing how independent she's become.  Listening to her plans for today and what she's reading and listening to (on CD) and how much she's enjoying it.  She's becoming more of herself each day.  I'm really liking who she is and I'm proud to be her mother!

Well, now that I've gotten those things off my mind....let me get back to laundry!  I'm hoping that each of you have a great day today.  If you're at all interested in joining in check out the blog above.

One Small Change :: April

All week long I've been thinking and rethinking this One Small Change Challenge.  I recently joined this challenge which started in January of this year.  For the past two months I've made some changes that are new and we're getting adjusted to them.  I've even made a lot of changes as I look back over the past year and have not wanted to take the 'easy' way out by simply repeating or restating ones I've already made simply for this challenge, as I haven't chronicled them here.

We recycle, compost, and reuse.  We've changed cleaners, hair and body products (usually make our own).  We cut out much of the paper-product use around the house (paper towels, napkins).  All the obvious (to me) ones, we've done our best to change.  Honestly, it's been rather hard for me to come up with something.  I've talked with friends and read through blogs to see what others are doing--to get some more ideas.  No such luck....until today! :D

I went to the One Small Change blog to see what new things have been posted/shared.  But before I click on their list of ideas I saw a post about reusable produce bags!  As I read it I thought--THAT'S IT!  Funny how things come together like this.  I was just talking to dh about the fact that it would be nice to have something other than using all those plastic bags to tote produce in when shopping at our local health food store.  (On my last few trips I've used a large tote bag.)  When I saw these bags that Stephanie sewed I thought, "These are just what we need!"

So, for the month of April, our One Small Change is switching from those plastic bags the store provides to using reusable bags for our produce.  This means that I'll be either purchasing some from Stephanie's Etsy shop or making them myself.  My decision will depend largely how just where they'll be shipped from--as I don't want to add more to the environment in this way--so I'll let you know during my mid-month update on what we've done.

So what small change will you and your family be making for April?  I'd love to be inspired by you, as well! :D  Have a wonderful weekend!!

Sun-Fun!

Today was such a beautiful day here.  We met friends at a community park and play most of the day way!  The sun was bright.  We drank a lot of water.  There was much laughter and very few tears--and this is a big deal when you have little ones. :D  Here are some shots of our time.  Can't wait until the next time (tomorrow, perhaps?)!