I was on the Daniel fast for two weeks instead of the forty days that I had planned. I ran out of beans and other things that made the fast work so I'll finish up the forty days when I get to Alabama. Right now I am challenging myself more to eat as much as possible from the pantry and freezer.
We have a few blueberries left so blueberry muffins will be for breakfast a couple times a week. We have oatmeal so we'll have that for breakfast every other day. We have veggies that we'll eat for lunch. We'll have chocolate pecan cookies with the pecans we have left. We have so many breakfast options that we may do breakfast for supper as well.
I've really enjoyed the process of creativity to make what we have work. I've also noticed feeling more content. I appreciate what we have that helps me create something delicious. I want to continue this.
When we get moved, I want to shop sales and stock up when I can so that I am shopping for the pantry and not just for what I want to cook for the week. As I cook more and more with what we have, I'll get better and better at making it work. Practice makes perfect.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Kitchen mistakes make for interesting results
We have really been cleaning out the kitchen. We made vegetarian chili with adzuki beans and a small amount of red lentils last night. Breakfast and lunch are still pretty easy but supper is requiring some major creativity.
It makes me anxious to see the shelves emptying. I know I need to only buy what I need to use up what is left in the cabinets but I have to fight the urge to buy a buggy load. A full pantry and freezer makes me feel secure. But being creative and finding ways to make do make me feel satisfied and more content.
I made a big batch of muffin mix to make 12 batches of muffins using the recipe from The Gluten Free Gourmet Bakes Bread. I made one batch with blueberries. I wanted a streusel topping but I softened the butter too much and it was more like a paste. The baby was crying so I just spooned the brown sugar/cinnamon/butter mix and watched it sink into the muffin batter.
Well the brown sugar mix pushed the blueberries to the bottom. Removing the paper and putting it upside down made it like a muffin topped with a blueberry/brown sugar jam. Super delicious!
To Do list: Visit my brother
On my to do list when we get moved to Alabama is to find directions to my oldest brother's grave. I don't guess that I've been there since his funeral so long ago. He was 8 yrs older than me. He's still the coolest guy I've ever met.
I still remember the day we got the news that he had died in a car accident. I had never seen nor would I ever see again that grief on my father's face. And regret. Even as a young child, I could see that he wished that he had been there more for his child that he would never see again this side of Heaven.
I remember the funeral. I wasn't sure what to do. When my great Uncle Red came by to shake my hand, I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on for dear life. I remember only four figures from that day. Davy in his casket as the music of Friends are Friends Forever by Michael W. Smith played. Sean, our brother between Davy and me, whose face showed that the closest person on this planet to him had been taken away. Me wishing that I knew what I had missed out in knowing him since we didn't get to see each other very often. And Uncle Red, someone to hug me and let me know that this day wouldn't last forever.
At his burial, I remember his mother telling our father that Davy was a good boy. I'm sure he was. I've always felt that he was our rock. And we're all a bit shaky without him. It doesn't make sense for a talented young man to be taken from this world when the world is better for him being here. Just one of those things we can't see from our viewpoint.
David Greely Fulgham - Gone but not forgotten.
I still remember the day we got the news that he had died in a car accident. I had never seen nor would I ever see again that grief on my father's face. And regret. Even as a young child, I could see that he wished that he had been there more for his child that he would never see again this side of Heaven.
I remember the funeral. I wasn't sure what to do. When my great Uncle Red came by to shake my hand, I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on for dear life. I remember only four figures from that day. Davy in his casket as the music of Friends are Friends Forever by Michael W. Smith played. Sean, our brother between Davy and me, whose face showed that the closest person on this planet to him had been taken away. Me wishing that I knew what I had missed out in knowing him since we didn't get to see each other very often. And Uncle Red, someone to hug me and let me know that this day wouldn't last forever.
At his burial, I remember his mother telling our father that Davy was a good boy. I'm sure he was. I've always felt that he was our rock. And we're all a bit shaky without him. It doesn't make sense for a talented young man to be taken from this world when the world is better for him being here. Just one of those things we can't see from our viewpoint.
David Greely Fulgham - Gone but not forgotten.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Digital worksheets
We use the Head of the Class website for a good portion of the boys' schoolwork. We print out the worksheets. After they're completed, we do some other reading, writing and unit studies. Since getting the ipad, they are using it for the educational apps. I got to thinking, "I wonder if I can get their Head of the Class worksheets on there in a editable form so that they can complete their worksheets using a stylus and the ipad.
We can!
I was able to download pdf-notes lite on the ipad. I went to the Head of the Class website in Safari (the Ipad browser). I looked under Free Content and downloaded some of the third and fourth grade worksheets. When you open a pdf, you can look in the upper right hand corner. I open the flash cards in ibooks. I open the worksheets in pdf-notes.
It gets better!
I'm able to open the correct worksheet that they need. They use the stylus to complete the worksheet. Then I can email the flattened pdf to my gmail account. I move each boys worksheets to their special folder in my email account.
Then I just erase the page in pdf-notes and it's ready for the next child that needs to use it. How cool is that! You can even color inside this app.
I do still have plenty of workbooks as backup but I can totally see that this is where education is headed. I like using the ipad better than the computer because at least you can practice holding a pencil when using the stylus.
Lot of fun and very cool!
We can!
I was able to download pdf-notes lite on the ipad. I went to the Head of the Class website in Safari (the Ipad browser). I looked under Free Content and downloaded some of the third and fourth grade worksheets. When you open a pdf, you can look in the upper right hand corner. I open the flash cards in ibooks. I open the worksheets in pdf-notes.
It gets better!
I'm able to open the correct worksheet that they need. They use the stylus to complete the worksheet. Then I can email the flattened pdf to my gmail account. I move each boys worksheets to their special folder in my email account.
Then I just erase the page in pdf-notes and it's ready for the next child that needs to use it. How cool is that! You can even color inside this app.
I do still have plenty of workbooks as backup but I can totally see that this is where education is headed. I like using the ipad better than the computer because at least you can practice holding a pencil when using the stylus.
Lot of fun and very cool!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Leave it all and follow him
I'm so intrigued by the stories of the saints. They are from all different paths of life, but the most fascinating to me are the ones like St Ignatius of Loyola and the Company of Jesus. These men were wealthy and well-educated. They could have had a comfortable life of success and prestige. Instead, they did what the rich young ruler could not do. They left it all to follow Christ by taking a vow of poverty.
Sadly, we often associate great Christians with their material success or their popularity. You can see that in the mega-churches that are becoming so popular. Are we on the wrong track?
What if Jesus stood before us today? What if we asked what more we needed to do? I imagine he was say the same. Leave it all and follow me.
So what do we need to leave that is keeping us away from the footsteps of Jesus? Do we have too much "stuff" in our lives? Do we focus too much on what we can get from others and less on what we can give? Are we absorbed in our own entertainment and enjoyment to focus on our purpose?
As we're packing up to leave, I'm evaluating every item. Does this help me follow Christ? Does this only benefit me? Does this help me serve my family? Does this cost unnecessary money to maintain that could be better used elsewhere? There are more than a few things finding it's way out the door.
I don't want there to be anything in my life like the rich young man's wealth that holds me back from the adventure of following my Savior.
Sadly, we often associate great Christians with their material success or their popularity. You can see that in the mega-churches that are becoming so popular. Are we on the wrong track?
What if Jesus stood before us today? What if we asked what more we needed to do? I imagine he was say the same. Leave it all and follow me.
So what do we need to leave that is keeping us away from the footsteps of Jesus? Do we have too much "stuff" in our lives? Do we focus too much on what we can get from others and less on what we can give? Are we absorbed in our own entertainment and enjoyment to focus on our purpose?
As we're packing up to leave, I'm evaluating every item. Does this help me follow Christ? Does this only benefit me? Does this help me serve my family? Does this cost unnecessary money to maintain that could be better used elsewhere? There are more than a few things finding it's way out the door.
I don't want there to be anything in my life like the rich young man's wealth that holds me back from the adventure of following my Savior.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Clutter Buster: Ipad 2
I had my doubts about how one device could really be worth so much money. My husband didn't pay anywhere close to full price. But after using it for a couple of weeks, I can definitely say it would have been worth it at full price. Worth every penny.
Why?
Because of all the clutter it eliminates.
I can save my pdf files of craft projects in ibooks.
I can have an app to review the presidents eliminating flash cards.
More flash cards are available for babies and toddlers. A great way to keep the little ones busy while the older ones do their school work.
Math drills are available through several apps.
Stack the states and Stack the countries are apps that help review geography facts. We have the lite version that's free but will definitely be getting the full version that is a whopping 99 cents.
I have a Catholic Calendar that tells me what feasts and saints are celebrated on any given day. Also an app with popular Catholic prayers. I have a full version of the Catholic Bible.
I have the kindle and nook apps that help me find lots of free books.
I have a "This Day in History" app that connects me to Amazon so I can find free books about the people and places that are applicable for that day.
RecorderMaster is a recorder tutor.
Dust Buster is a piano tutor.
Interactive textbooks that would cost a hundred dollars or more are available on Itunes U for $14.99 at the most. Educational videos are available for free through Itunes U
I have a myriad of other educational games, list keepers, calendar, camera, magazines, maps and more. I have easy access to email and browser capabilities when hooked up to WiFi but many of the apps work without internet.
All the books, flash cards, educational games and tutors that I would need to replace what's available in this small tablet would take up massive amounts of space. But instead I can carry all of it wherever I go. So the boys are doing schoolwork joyfully when we are in the car or waiting at the dr's office.
My biggest reservation with Ipad was that if it broke, then I would be left high and dry without all my information. Icloud keeps all my calendar, list and contact information safe and accessible from any browser. Itunes keeps all my purchase history even of the free apps available to reload if this Ipad ever had to be replaced. Hopefully it will last a very long time. But I will keep my eyes peeled for another deal. This brings us closer to being digital homeschoolers and eliminates the need for all the clutter that can be associated with traditional homeschooling.
Why?
Because of all the clutter it eliminates.
I can save my pdf files of craft projects in ibooks.
I can have an app to review the presidents eliminating flash cards.
More flash cards are available for babies and toddlers. A great way to keep the little ones busy while the older ones do their school work.
Math drills are available through several apps.
Stack the states and Stack the countries are apps that help review geography facts. We have the lite version that's free but will definitely be getting the full version that is a whopping 99 cents.
I have a Catholic Calendar that tells me what feasts and saints are celebrated on any given day. Also an app with popular Catholic prayers. I have a full version of the Catholic Bible.
I have the kindle and nook apps that help me find lots of free books.
I have a "This Day in History" app that connects me to Amazon so I can find free books about the people and places that are applicable for that day.
RecorderMaster is a recorder tutor.
Dust Buster is a piano tutor.
Interactive textbooks that would cost a hundred dollars or more are available on Itunes U for $14.99 at the most. Educational videos are available for free through Itunes U
I have a myriad of other educational games, list keepers, calendar, camera, magazines, maps and more. I have easy access to email and browser capabilities when hooked up to WiFi but many of the apps work without internet.
All the books, flash cards, educational games and tutors that I would need to replace what's available in this small tablet would take up massive amounts of space. But instead I can carry all of it wherever I go. So the boys are doing schoolwork joyfully when we are in the car or waiting at the dr's office.
My biggest reservation with Ipad was that if it broke, then I would be left high and dry without all my information. Icloud keeps all my calendar, list and contact information safe and accessible from any browser. Itunes keeps all my purchase history even of the free apps available to reload if this Ipad ever had to be replaced. Hopefully it will last a very long time. But I will keep my eyes peeled for another deal. This brings us closer to being digital homeschoolers and eliminates the need for all the clutter that can be associated with traditional homeschooling.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Kitchen clean out: Squash brownies
I am trying to use up as much food in the kitchen as possible. Less to move! I had some grated squash in the freezer so I made squash brownies last night. They were a hit! I used a zucchini recipe from allrecipes. I just used yellow squash instead of zucchini.
Ingredients
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup margarine
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched. To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and margarine; set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares.
Ingredients
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup margarine
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched. To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and margarine; set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares.
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