Finally... some respect!

In the past, I have ALWAYS been blocked from writing my blog at school.  At the end of last year, I found a way to still update using the email way.

Finally, a new technology director was hired in the middle of the year last year and made some great changes for our district.  He really believes in doing blogs with students (I am most defiantly not there yet).  He told us that we are professionals and he trusts us on the internet.  And of course, they can always monitor the websites we visit-- alas, no Facebook still.  So, I clicked on some of my favorite websites that were blocked last year (tasteofhome.com, hotmail, youtube and blogger) and low and behold, they are open!  So, to the title of my post today, finally.. .some respect!

In other school news, scheduling is a beast sometimes.  I have had some trouble with the band director from Patton not being able to come to test the kids, AM/PM Kindergarten (mEsS!!) and just the general plan-being-taken-up-by-stupid-people routine.  It sucks, but it should be back to normal next week or so.

Programs... getting a great head start on them.  But I'm still stumped on backdrops.  Paint?  Fabric? Just can't figure it out.

Composting

I love to search new sites.  It seems like I spend countless hours on the internet seeking ways to become more frugal or eat more healthy or ways to use my endless supply of fresh veggies from the garden.  I came across this website yesterday The Frugal Girl and began to search her website.  It took me a while to search out all the different "stuff" on her website.  It looks like she is doing photography 365 too!  (Oh yeah, I've pretty much stopped because I don't have lightroom anymore... boo).  Anyways, I saw that she made a compost pile out of a Rubbermaid tote.  Well, I can do that!  So, in about 15 minutes, I made one!!

Here's what you need:
A drill
A drill bit (I had Whit put on the largest one he had)
A rubbermaid tote
A lid to the rubbermaid tote












Next you will need to drill holes in the top, sides and bottom.

Last, just place it where you want it.  I put ours in our garden where we didn't have any vegetables planted.  This way if it leaked, it would go right into the soil.

Complaining but Not Too Much

McCoy never takes naps!  Well, he usually takes 2-20 minute naps a day.  The only way he will take a nap longer than 30 minutes is if someone is sleeping next to him or holding and rocking him.  Yesterday, we had the Amons over for dinner, so I asked Whit to watch McCoy while I got the food and the house ready.  Well, Whit ended up getting McCoy to take 2 ONE HOUR naps!  Of course, I got stuff done, but then last night-- guess who did not sleep at all?  McCoy.  And guess who was up with him?  Me.  So, it looks like Whit wins again and gets to sleep in.  Sheesh.

Curried Chicken Shepherd's Pie

I have made this twice!  A record for my cooking... usually try new recipes every time, and then I wonder why I never know what to cook.  I made Sunday dinner tonight for Mom, Dad, Nick, Codi, and Aunt Donna (and of course, Whit and McCoy).  It was declious!  Very flavorful!

Curried Chicken Shepherd's Pie
Prep: 25 min, Bake: 25 min.
Yield: 4 servings


1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
3 Tbsp. butter, divided
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
3 Tbsp. all purpose flour
1 tsp. curry powder
1-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup 2% milk
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 Tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 cups mashed potatoes (with added milk and butter)
1/4 tsp. paprika


In a large skillet, saute onion and celery in 1 Tbsp. butter until tender.  Add frozen vegetables and remaining butter; cook 2 minutes longer.


Stir in flour and curry powder until blended; gradually add broth and milk.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened.  Add the chicken, parsley, salt and pepper.


Transfer to a greased 2-quart baking dish.  Top with potatoes; sprinkle with paprika.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.




YUMMY!

July's Better ME

What was I thinking?!? I can't do this!  Become a Better Builder?  I don't even know what I wanted to build.  Maybe that tote rack that I was wanting to build and mentioned in the previous post... but let's face it, I don't have time this month!

So, can I skip this one?  Why am I asking your permission?  I don't even know who you are!  So, being that I'm in charge... I'm skipping this one.  Sorry, fellas.  Next one is August-- Become a better musician.  That I can do.

101 Things in 1001 Days (Update III)

Just an update on my ginormous list... I have completed many more tasks. I just wanted to repost my list to show that I am still doing it all.


The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in 1001 days
Start Date: August 2, 2009
End Date: April 29, 2012

House:
1. Organize the master room closet
2. Organize the baby’s closet
3. Move stuff back into the basement
4. Install doors and trim in basement
5. Organize the Tubberware cabinet
6. Buy new pots and pans (Paula Dean)
7. Wallpaper master bathroom
8. Paint hallway bathroom and hang up mural
9. Keep the kitchen clean
10. Replace all burnt out light bulbs
11. Organize under the sink in the master bathroom
12. Clean out refrigerator once a month
13. Clean out the pantry
14. Donate old coats/jackets to Project Warmth
15. Organize drawers in kitchen
16. Re-organize red shelf in dining room
17. Clean out storage under stairs
18. Reorganize seasonal decorations (I did this, but still not happy... I want to make this tote rack for the garage)
19. Get new tires (Elantra)
20. Keep car clean for at least a month (clean it first!)
21. Plant trees

Hobbies:
22. Finish wedding scrapbook
23. Make homemade birthday cards
24. Scrapbook for the baby
25. Sew (by myself) baby’s Halloween costume
26. Finish Whit’s stocking
27. Decorate the fireplace mantel
28. Make homemade Christmas gifts
29. Learn to pickle cucumbers
30. Learn to sew a zipper
31. Take a photography class
32. Take a cake decorating class
33. Start and finish baby’s Christmas stocking

Personal Enrichment:
34. Get a new hairstyle
35. Start photography 365
36. Keep a blog
37. Use the library more
38. Send birthday cards to every family member
39. Start/continue to use reusable shopping bags every time
40. Send Christmas treats to families
41. Make a compost pile
42. Make a rain barrel
43. Join a church
44. Frame Whit and Tenessa’s baby pictures and hang them in the hallway
45. Start Master’s Degree
46. Take Level II Orff Training
47. Read Chronicals of Narina

Entertainment:48. Attend a local festival
49. Go to a pumpkin patch
50. Organize a Progressive Dinner
51. Have a fondue party
52. Go to a wine tasting party
53. Go to a dinner theater
54. Go on a picnic
55. Take a nature walk with Whit and baby

Baby:
56. Join a “story time” with baby
57. Buy an Air Purifier
58. Make baby food and freeze
59. Cloth diaper at least part time
60. Teach baby sign language
61. Read the Bradley Book
62. Give birth naturally (sort of!)

Music:63. Learn to play a difficult piece on the piano
64. Practice piano at least once a week
65. Keep better records for piano lessons
66. Start hand bells/chimes at school
67. Log all piano books and put them in order
68. Paint piano drawers

Wellness:69. Don’t go out to eat for a week
70. Don’t go out to eat for two weeks
71. Don’t go out to eat for a month
72. Drink only one soda a week for at least a month
73. Walk at least three times per week
74. Lose 25 pounds
75. Take trips to the park weekly (when baby is born and weather is nice)
76. Use up all shower gels and lotions before buying new
77. Participate in a Benefits walk

Cooking/Baking:78. Make a dinner plan for the month
79. Bake a pie from scratch
80. Decorate baby’s 1st Birthday cake
81. Cook less from a box or frozen bag
82. Bake a cake from scratch
83. Use the cookbooks more
84. Use the vegetables from the garden to cook

Financial:85. Pay off at least three credit cards
86. Pay off at least half of student loan (as of September 2009)
87. Keep a log of gas spending for four months
88. Get all bills automatically taken from bank
89. Start using coupons
90. Sell books on Amazon.com
91. Read Dave Ramsey’s book/information
92. Make a savings plan and stick to it
93. Borrow items from friends and family instead of insisting on buying new
94. Buy a camera
95. Pay off the Yaris
96. Have a yard sale
97. Start an IRA or CD type of savings

Travel:98. Plan a summer vacation
99. Stay at a Bed and Breakfast
100. Go camping with baby
101. Use the cabin at the lake five times

Pumpkin Soup

Yes, I'm having a blast cooking for my baby!  I love to create new and fun foods while we are experiencing this "flavor explosion"!  So far, my little McCoy has not tasted anything he didn't like.  He likes it all.  As long as it starts with "f" and ends with "d" and has too "o"'s in the middle-- he is all for it!  And he just can't get enough!

Here is a fun recipe that incorporates pumpkin.

Pumpkin Soup
one 15-oz can pumpkin puree
1 cup cooked white or brown rice (I used brown rice)
1/4 tsp pepper.


1. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the pumpkin, 4 cups water, rice, and pepper.  Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low.  Simmer until the rice is very soft, about 20 minutes.
2. Let cool slightly, then puree in batches in a food processor or blender until smooth.  Check the temperature before serving.
3. To store, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or spoon into ice-cube trays or other freezer containers and freeze for up to 6 months.


Yummy!  McCoy loves to eat.  And I love to cook.  I'm telling you, we are a perfect pair.