I enjoy cooking and, if I do say so myself, I am pretty good at it. One of my talents is making up new recipes on the spot with whatever I happen to have lying around. I recently made a dish that came out extra good so I thought I'd post it here in case anyone else would like to try. Since I just kind of threw it together, I don't have a lot of exact measurements so I can only say to add stuff to your taste...here goes!
1 pound of ground beef (I used local grass fed)
6 tablespoons of butter (this needs to be exact)
6 tablespoons of flour (this needs to be exact)
3 cups of milk (this needs to be exact)
1 bunch of asparagus
1 onion chopped
Extra virgin olive oil
Spices - I used pepper, basil and thyme
1 pound of pasta - I used whole grain wheat
Mixture of cheeses - I used American, provolone, raw milk Cheddar and raw milk farmhouse jack. Basically just what I had in my cheese drawer.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Set a pan of salted water to boil.
In a frying pan, heat up a couple tablespoons of olive oil. Once it is hot, throw the onion in and saute until soft. Try not to let them get burned.
By now, water should be boiling, add pasta and cook according to package directions.
Once the onion is soft, take it out and put the ground beef in the pan. Brown that and then drain out any fat. Add the onion back in and the spices. Also add the asparagus. Lower the heat and cover so that everything simmers together.
In a sauce pan, melt the butter over low heat. Once the butter is melted add the flour and whisk together constantly. Do not let this mixture sit because it burns and clumps very fast. (This is called making a roux - it is the base for many sauces and gravies. My Dad taught me how to do this. The proportions that we have always used is two tablespoons of butter and two tablespoons of flour to one cup of liquid.) Once the butter and flour are well mixed, slowly add the milk, whisking the whole time. This mixture will eventually thicken up into a nice sauce. As long as you can keep whisking the whole time, you can go ahead and put the heat to medium so it doesn't take as long. While whisking, add in your cheese. I'd say I probably used around 2 - 2.5 cups of cheese but I'm not sure. I just tossed cheese in until I thought I had a nice mix of flavors and a good ratio of cheese to milk so that it would get thick and cheesy but not too thick. Once the cheese is melted and the sauce is thick and creamy - turn off the heat and remove the pan from the heat. Keep whisking just a bit longer to make sure no burning or clumping takes place.
In a 9 x 13 baking dish, mix all the stuff together. Pop it in the oven and let cook for around 15 minutes. The baking time is just to kind of let it all settle in together. I timed it by taking it out when my husband got home so you can experiment with different cooking times if you want. Maybe even add some kind of bread crumb topping? I was too lazy for that.
Anyway - that's it. I hope you like it! I'm sorry I don't have a picture...it was really pretty especially with the nice bright green pieces of asparagus...
On a related note....if you come across fiddlehead ferns at your local grocer - give them a try! They are quite tasty :) I sauteed them with mushrooms and leeks...yummy!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Countdown to Chickens!!!
The plan is to start keeping chickens here on our lovely little patch of land. It is the first step towards our attempt at homesteading. We are hoping to eventually move from laying chickens to meat chickens...having a very large and varied veggie garden...some berry bushes....keeping bees....any maybe a pig....and maybe a couple of mini-goats...and if we can buy the piece of land behind our house...a cow...and maybe a llama...and a pony for the kids...
But anyway - chickens first. And first before the first chickens...we need a coop! Some friends of mine did get the chicks first and then built a coop for when the chicks were ready to move in but, I gotta do the prep first - that's just me :)
I read the following book on chickens:
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Chickens-Jeremy-Hobson/dp/0715336258/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
It was okay - had great pictures of the breeds but...on one page it said to wash the eggs. It basically intimated that eggs are laid in places surrounded by bacteria and that as the egg cools it sucks the bacteria into itself so the egg should be washed. But, I'd always thought that washing an egg was bad, by washing the protective coating that actually keeps bacteria out is removed. Which, oddly enough, the book points out later on. So, I am a bit unconfident of the book's contents. It also suggests using a lot of chemicals like flea powerders and virucides that I don't want anywhere near my chickens, children and eggs. And it was very restrictive on the types of scraps it recommended when I thought that chickens benefited from a very wide and varied scrap supplement to their daily diet. More research is clearly needed (I love research!)
I have two other chicken books on the way:
http://www.amazon.com/Building-Chicken-Coops-Bulletin-224/dp/1580172733/ref=pd_ybh_7?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=09VTPR5ADT4B1AYS3256
http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide-Raising-Chickens-3rd/dp/1603424695/ref=pd_ybh_8?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=09VTPR5ADT4B1AYS3256
Hopefully the information in those books will be a bit more reliable...
***By the way, I do know most info is online but there is just something so nice about having it in book form...I am starting to collect homestead type books and am looking forward to having a lovely country crafty bookshelf with all my beautful agri-books :)***
But anyway, I digress...the first step is the chicken coop...so many styles to choose from! Right now, I like a coop that is up high with a small chicken run underneath and easy access to allow the chickens out to the yard. External nesting boxes easily accessed from the outside of the coop. And some type of very simple trap door or tray method of cleaning the bottom of the coop daily.
Another small bit of prep work we have to do is fence in the rest of the kids play area. It is all sand and I do not want the chickens wandering in there and pooping all over where the kids play. I know they'll poop on the lawn too but, that just seems different...
So, once that is all done - we get to pick and buy the chickens!!! I found one place that looked good on craig's list and the woman replied back right away but I have not heard back from her since when I asked a follow up question about visiting the farm...
Anyway, we are considering:
Australorps
Barnvelders
Orpingtons (hopefully black)
RI Reds
If you have an opinion or any other ideas - let me know! Another draw back of this book is that it actually inspired me to try to find a pure breed instead of a hybrid but, it doesn't tell me which of the breeds it lists are which. I think all of the above are hybrids...But, for now, we'll go with a hybrid since they lay more eggs and we eat a lot of eggs. If we have room for more chickens later, I'll try harder to find a pure breed.
So, that's it for now....I'm so excited to get our chickens that I just had to post about it. I'll keep updating as things happen.
But anyway - chickens first. And first before the first chickens...we need a coop! Some friends of mine did get the chicks first and then built a coop for when the chicks were ready to move in but, I gotta do the prep first - that's just me :)
I read the following book on chickens:
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Chickens-Jeremy-Hobson/dp/0715336258/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
It was okay - had great pictures of the breeds but...on one page it said to wash the eggs. It basically intimated that eggs are laid in places surrounded by bacteria and that as the egg cools it sucks the bacteria into itself so the egg should be washed. But, I'd always thought that washing an egg was bad, by washing the protective coating that actually keeps bacteria out is removed. Which, oddly enough, the book points out later on. So, I am a bit unconfident of the book's contents. It also suggests using a lot of chemicals like flea powerders and virucides that I don't want anywhere near my chickens, children and eggs. And it was very restrictive on the types of scraps it recommended when I thought that chickens benefited from a very wide and varied scrap supplement to their daily diet. More research is clearly needed (I love research!)
I have two other chicken books on the way:
http://www.amazon.com/Building-Chicken-Coops-Bulletin-224/dp/1580172733/ref=pd_ybh_7?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=09VTPR5ADT4B1AYS3256
http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide-Raising-Chickens-3rd/dp/1603424695/ref=pd_ybh_8?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=09VTPR5ADT4B1AYS3256
Hopefully the information in those books will be a bit more reliable...
***By the way, I do know most info is online but there is just something so nice about having it in book form...I am starting to collect homestead type books and am looking forward to having a lovely country crafty bookshelf with all my beautful agri-books :)***
But anyway, I digress...the first step is the chicken coop...so many styles to choose from! Right now, I like a coop that is up high with a small chicken run underneath and easy access to allow the chickens out to the yard. External nesting boxes easily accessed from the outside of the coop. And some type of very simple trap door or tray method of cleaning the bottom of the coop daily.
Another small bit of prep work we have to do is fence in the rest of the kids play area. It is all sand and I do not want the chickens wandering in there and pooping all over where the kids play. I know they'll poop on the lawn too but, that just seems different...
So, once that is all done - we get to pick and buy the chickens!!! I found one place that looked good on craig's list and the woman replied back right away but I have not heard back from her since when I asked a follow up question about visiting the farm...
Anyway, we are considering:
Australorps
Barnvelders
Orpingtons (hopefully black)
RI Reds
If you have an opinion or any other ideas - let me know! Another draw back of this book is that it actually inspired me to try to find a pure breed instead of a hybrid but, it doesn't tell me which of the breeds it lists are which. I think all of the above are hybrids...But, for now, we'll go with a hybrid since they lay more eggs and we eat a lot of eggs. If we have room for more chickens later, I'll try harder to find a pure breed.
So, that's it for now....I'm so excited to get our chickens that I just had to post about it. I'll keep updating as things happen.
Nature
The other day we went for a walk with friends to a really pretty spot. Locals refer to it as the Daffodil Fields but the proper name is Parsons Reserve. Every spring, hundreds of daffodils bloom creating a blanket of yellow flowers. Unfortunately, the blooms had already faded by the time we got there. We did get to see some pretty little wild flowers though which always bring back such nice memories for me of walks in the woods behind my house when I was younger.
Here is a link to the reserve's website in case anyone wants to plan a visit next year.
http://www.dnrt.org/management/reserves/37.htm
This is what it looked like by the time we got there:
Parking is across the street and there is a small playground, outhouse and river.
While we were at the playground there was a momma goose, daddy goose and baby geese - so cute!
On a related note, a robin has built a nest on the covered portion of our deck. I sure hope the robins don't mind all our comings and goings so they can keep the eggs warm! I got a picture of the eggs and hope to get a pic of the chicks after they hatch.
Here is a link to the reserve's website in case anyone wants to plan a visit next year.
http://www.dnrt.org/management/reserves/37.htm
This is what it looked like by the time we got there:
Parking is across the street and there is a small playground, outhouse and river.
While we were at the playground there was a momma goose, daddy goose and baby geese - so cute!
On a related note, a robin has built a nest on the covered portion of our deck. I sure hope the robins don't mind all our comings and goings so they can keep the eggs warm! I got a picture of the eggs and hope to get a pic of the chicks after they hatch.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Earth Friendly Baby!
I'm very excited to be going back to cloth diapering. I always felt guilty about using disposables but my cloth diapers were just NOT working out. They smelled awfully funky which I thought was due to our poor water. Some friends today told me though that the brand I had was notorious for stink issues. So, I bit the bullet and bought nice new easy to use pre-folds. I can't wait for them to come in! I got some really cute covers too. One has a cow pattern on it that I am very excited to use :). There is also a wool cover coming to that I will use at night.
Hopefully I will post some pics when I get the new stuff. For now, here's one of Anika in one of the few non-stinky brand diapers and cover that I had...
Hopefully I will post some pics when I get the new stuff. For now, here's one of Anika in one of the few non-stinky brand diapers and cover that I had...
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Thanksgiving
Today I went outside with Sam and Anika and moved a shrub from one spot to another. Sam sure was cranky! Was not happy with anything we were doing even though he ordinarily loves gardening. Being the cracker jack mom I am, I realized he was tired. Off to the swing we went to swing to sleep. He knew he was tired and asked for the "squeaky" swing since that is actually the one he can fall asleep in. The other one he would fall off of. Anyway, I popped him on and started swinging him. Took a while for me to find a good spot to stand as Anika was in the carrier on my back and I wanted her out of the sun but I needed to be able to push the swing. Finally, I find a good spot and get settled.
After a few minutes, I notice that Anika is quite still. I pull out my cell phone and use the black screen as a mirror to check on her. She's fast asleep. One down, one to go.
I started to notice Sam's head getting just a little bit floppy. A quick peak under his hat revealed those big brown eyes still open but very sleepy. A few minutes later, he is out....
As the swing starts to slowly cease its movement now that I no longer have to push, I notice the other sounds in my yard. The most noticeable sounds are all the birds. I love to hear them sing! I have a feeding station set up with a few feeders and they seem to like it.
As I stood there with my sleeping children, listening to the birds, I realized how thankful I was to be there, in that moment. I am so thankful to live in a place where the loudest sound is birds! I am so thankful that I am in tune enough with my children to know when and how to get them sleeping when needed. I am so thankful that my commute to work simply involves carrying a sleeping child to his bed and then moving to the kitchen island to stand while Anika continues to nap.
Life has been very hectic lately and I always feel very far behind in all that I need to do. It is days like today that help me to realize that I am actually doing quite a bit raising my kids to love nature and to hopefully set an example to become good parents themselves. So, most of all, I am thankful when I realize that I can give myself a break and a pat on the back!
After a few minutes, I notice that Anika is quite still. I pull out my cell phone and use the black screen as a mirror to check on her. She's fast asleep. One down, one to go.
I started to notice Sam's head getting just a little bit floppy. A quick peak under his hat revealed those big brown eyes still open but very sleepy. A few minutes later, he is out....
As the swing starts to slowly cease its movement now that I no longer have to push, I notice the other sounds in my yard. The most noticeable sounds are all the birds. I love to hear them sing! I have a feeding station set up with a few feeders and they seem to like it.
As I stood there with my sleeping children, listening to the birds, I realized how thankful I was to be there, in that moment. I am so thankful to live in a place where the loudest sound is birds! I am so thankful that I am in tune enough with my children to know when and how to get them sleeping when needed. I am so thankful that my commute to work simply involves carrying a sleeping child to his bed and then moving to the kitchen island to stand while Anika continues to nap.
Life has been very hectic lately and I always feel very far behind in all that I need to do. It is days like today that help me to realize that I am actually doing quite a bit raising my kids to love nature and to hopefully set an example to become good parents themselves. So, most of all, I am thankful when I realize that I can give myself a break and a pat on the back!
Frustrating!!!
I live in RI, I would like to get some chickens. I want to be able to search for chickens online. I do NOT necessarily want RI Red chickens. Can you see the difficulty here????
That's it for today.
That's it for today.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Hospital Stay
Before I write this, I just need to put a note here to my Mom...***in case you have stumbbled across this blog someday... I am exploring my feelings on your recent hospital stay hope that is okay....***
My Mom took a bad fall over the weekend and is now in the hospital. Two broken shoulders one of which required surgery. It's scary to see an older parent in the hospital. I guess I worry that the first occurance will be followed by more until "the end." I'm not sure why I have this fear. It seems like a slippery slope kind of thing like, if a person can avoid going to the hospital that first time, they won't ever get sick or hurt other times...I know that doesn't make much sense, it's hard to explain what I am thinking. The hospital just makes someone look so much frailer than they are in real life. It is scary. And sometimes, even when the person has gone home, they for some reason seem older and frailer than before. It makes it seem like death could be closer than before. I can say though that these were mostly fears I had before going to see my Mom the first time. After I actually saw her, she seemed like herself...groggy and in pain but not frail and sickly. I was very relieved. Hopefully there will be no more visits.
And now a bit of a rant...
Why do many members of the hospital staff speak to the patients like they are children??? I don't know why they do it and it is so irritating! Like, nails on the chalk board irritating - makes me want to scream! I know they are trying to be nice and it is tough for them that no one knows what the heck they are talking about since we haven't all been to medical / nursing school so they are probably trying to "dumb it down" but all the "honey" and "sweetey" and sickening sweet voice just doesn't seem necessary. But, I do have to admit, I haven't heard any of the actual patients complain so maybe it works. One doctor was being so ANNOYING at least from my point of view...using all those terms of endearment and saying words in Spanish like she thought my Mom couldn't understand even though she knew my Mom is actually a medical interpreter so actually has a very good understanding of the words in Spanish and English. I figured my Mom was going to get really irritated but then she told me how nice the doctor was...and my Mom has no patience for people who annoy her. So, maybe it is just me that doesn't like the way the staff talks...
Oh well...time to get ready to go visit...should be interesting bringing to small children with me...hope it goes okay...
My Mom took a bad fall over the weekend and is now in the hospital. Two broken shoulders one of which required surgery. It's scary to see an older parent in the hospital. I guess I worry that the first occurance will be followed by more until "the end." I'm not sure why I have this fear. It seems like a slippery slope kind of thing like, if a person can avoid going to the hospital that first time, they won't ever get sick or hurt other times...I know that doesn't make much sense, it's hard to explain what I am thinking. The hospital just makes someone look so much frailer than they are in real life. It is scary. And sometimes, even when the person has gone home, they for some reason seem older and frailer than before. It makes it seem like death could be closer than before. I can say though that these were mostly fears I had before going to see my Mom the first time. After I actually saw her, she seemed like herself...groggy and in pain but not frail and sickly. I was very relieved. Hopefully there will be no more visits.
And now a bit of a rant...
Why do many members of the hospital staff speak to the patients like they are children??? I don't know why they do it and it is so irritating! Like, nails on the chalk board irritating - makes me want to scream! I know they are trying to be nice and it is tough for them that no one knows what the heck they are talking about since we haven't all been to medical / nursing school so they are probably trying to "dumb it down" but all the "honey" and "sweetey" and sickening sweet voice just doesn't seem necessary. But, I do have to admit, I haven't heard any of the actual patients complain so maybe it works. One doctor was being so ANNOYING at least from my point of view...using all those terms of endearment and saying words in Spanish like she thought my Mom couldn't understand even though she knew my Mom is actually a medical interpreter so actually has a very good understanding of the words in Spanish and English. I figured my Mom was going to get really irritated but then she told me how nice the doctor was...and my Mom has no patience for people who annoy her. So, maybe it is just me that doesn't like the way the staff talks...
Oh well...time to get ready to go visit...should be interesting bringing to small children with me...hope it goes okay...
Friday, April 23, 2010
Random
Jack's Big Music show was on the TV today - cute kids' show featuring lots of different music. One of the performances on this episode featured two guys with violins. They were so good! I did a Google search and here they are...doesn't seem to usually be kids music, great sound! Hoping I can find them on Itunes...my Itunes store seems to be all messed up and can't figure out why - if this is some kind of new format they have chosen, it is not workin for me...
http://www.nuttinbutstringz.com/
Sam is now old enough to play outside by himself while I keep watch from inside. I love seeing what he comes up with to do. If I'm out there, he reacts to what I am doing but on his own, his choice is completely independent. Right now he has found an old watering can and is "watering" various items. So cute!
Time for the daily afternoon fight with myself - coffee or no coffee...as in, risk Anika having difficulty sleeping due to caffeine in breast milk or risk me smashing my face into my computer when my head hits the keyboard after falling asleep while working...I think I'll go with....COFFEE!!! Amazing how after holding out for so long, one Keurig machine can turn me into an addict - obviously I like gadgets a bit too much that I found myself HAVING to use this one so much that I now HAVE to have coffee... And yes, I do realize that maybe if Anika slept better at night I wouldn't be so tired during the day - however, since forgoing the coffee does not actually GUARANTEE a good nights sleep - I'm having the coffee...so there.
I read a sad newspaper article today about a man in Tiverton who lost some of his property to an accident by a road construction worker. They are building a new bridge to go from here to Portsmouth and in order to save themselves a few bucks, they decided to not buy this man's property (who would have sold it to them) but to build the on-ramp to the bridge right on the border to his property. And, its not like its a huge property, the house is RIGHT there...he will be able to read the coffee cups of the commuters from his kitchen window it looks like. Anyway, so they are trying to stick right close to that property line and go over instead. So, now, he's got this huge whole where some of his land used to be. The state is going to pay to fix it but really - they can't truly fix something like that. He has a lawyer to try to force them to buy the property from him. I hope he wins. His lawywer did our closing on this house and seemed like a nice guy.
http://www.nuttinbutstringz.com/
Sam is now old enough to play outside by himself while I keep watch from inside. I love seeing what he comes up with to do. If I'm out there, he reacts to what I am doing but on his own, his choice is completely independent. Right now he has found an old watering can and is "watering" various items. So cute!
Time for the daily afternoon fight with myself - coffee or no coffee...as in, risk Anika having difficulty sleeping due to caffeine in breast milk or risk me smashing my face into my computer when my head hits the keyboard after falling asleep while working...I think I'll go with....COFFEE!!! Amazing how after holding out for so long, one Keurig machine can turn me into an addict - obviously I like gadgets a bit too much that I found myself HAVING to use this one so much that I now HAVE to have coffee... And yes, I do realize that maybe if Anika slept better at night I wouldn't be so tired during the day - however, since forgoing the coffee does not actually GUARANTEE a good nights sleep - I'm having the coffee...so there.
I read a sad newspaper article today about a man in Tiverton who lost some of his property to an accident by a road construction worker. They are building a new bridge to go from here to Portsmouth and in order to save themselves a few bucks, they decided to not buy this man's property (who would have sold it to them) but to build the on-ramp to the bridge right on the border to his property. And, its not like its a huge property, the house is RIGHT there...he will be able to read the coffee cups of the commuters from his kitchen window it looks like. Anyway, so they are trying to stick right close to that property line and go over instead. So, now, he's got this huge whole where some of his land used to be. The state is going to pay to fix it but really - they can't truly fix something like that. He has a lawyer to try to force them to buy the property from him. I hope he wins. His lawywer did our closing on this house and seemed like a nice guy.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Here comes the rain and waves!
Anika did her first sign today - I'm 90% sure anyway ;-) Sam came into the kitchen after his nap (dry bed - yay!) and Anika raised up a hand and wiggled it at him. I'm pretty sure that was a wave. It is one of the signs I've been showing her. I waved to her and said "hi!" and she did it again. She was so crabby while he was napping but now she is happy as a clam. She loves him so much! It's pretty amazing considering how for several months he was pretty mean to her. But, he's been much nicer lately and they are starting to play together and I just love to see their relationship starting to form!
It looks like a very big storm is going to hit us within the next hour - maybe half hour. I love watching it approach. One one side of the house is sun and light blue sky. On the other side, dark clouds moving really fast! Weather report from my eyes on the sky in Warwick (hubby) reports torrential rain and hail. Can't wait! I love storms :) Hoping for an extra big one that will knock out power and give me a little unexpected vacation time...
Tonight's dinner - Amaral's chourico with peppers, onions and potatoes - yum! I would have never thought the brand name mattered with chourico but then one day I sprung the extra $2.00 a pound for Amaral's and I will never go back!
Yesterday's bread turned out very good! Nice light and fluffy loaf of white bread. Next time will try substituting some wheat flour for the white so it is a bit healthier.
Picture of the day (by the way, picture of the day is not a picture I took this day but just a picture I decided to post):
It looks like a very big storm is going to hit us within the next hour - maybe half hour. I love watching it approach. One one side of the house is sun and light blue sky. On the other side, dark clouds moving really fast! Weather report from my eyes on the sky in Warwick (hubby) reports torrential rain and hail. Can't wait! I love storms :) Hoping for an extra big one that will knock out power and give me a little unexpected vacation time...
Tonight's dinner - Amaral's chourico with peppers, onions and potatoes - yum! I would have never thought the brand name mattered with chourico but then one day I sprung the extra $2.00 a pound for Amaral's and I will never go back!
Yesterday's bread turned out very good! Nice light and fluffy loaf of white bread. Next time will try substituting some wheat flour for the white so it is a bit healthier.
Picture of the day (by the way, picture of the day is not a picture I took this day but just a picture I decided to post):
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Yummy
I really want to get in the habit of posting more often but, I have trouble finding the time most days. So, expect to see more frequent but shorter posts...just to try to get me in the habit because I do enjoy blogging...
Found a new yummy snack today - plain yogurt with local raw honey. I was having trouble finding a way to enjoy a little honey every day that didn't involve adding it to tea or oatmeal which I worried killed all the good stuff due to heat...But, plain yogurt with honey is so yummy! And, this will allow me to keep those nice big, cheaper containers of yogurt in the fridge without it going to waste. Another yummy...pretzels dipped in honey...
Anika is crawling like champ!
Sam is diaper free - still has pretty much daily accidents though but I refuse to backwards and use pull ups or something like that. I think he'll get it quicker this way...I hope so!
Love Spring!!!
Trying a new bread machine recipe today...
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Bread-Machine-Bread/Detail.aspx#
I feel bad because I neglected to cook or clean or do laundry today...again...maybe after I am done working...if I'm not too tired...
Picture of the day:
Found a new yummy snack today - plain yogurt with local raw honey. I was having trouble finding a way to enjoy a little honey every day that didn't involve adding it to tea or oatmeal which I worried killed all the good stuff due to heat...But, plain yogurt with honey is so yummy! And, this will allow me to keep those nice big, cheaper containers of yogurt in the fridge without it going to waste. Another yummy...pretzels dipped in honey...
Anika is crawling like champ!
Sam is diaper free - still has pretty much daily accidents though but I refuse to backwards and use pull ups or something like that. I think he'll get it quicker this way...I hope so!
Love Spring!!!
Trying a new bread machine recipe today...
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Bread-Machine-Bread/Detail.aspx#
I feel bad because I neglected to cook or clean or do laundry today...again...maybe after I am done working...if I'm not too tired...
Picture of the day:
Monday, April 5, 2010
Playtime
Several months ago I came across a message board discussion on Mothering (www.mothering.com) that discussed playing with one's children. The mother who wrote the original post was saying she felt bad because she didn't like playing with her kids. She seemed to be having a lot of the dreaded "mommy guilt" because of it. Several other posters chimed in that they too did not enjoy playing with their kids. I wish it hadn't been so long ago so I could put a link to the discussion here. I tried a search but too many unrelated threads come up.
Anyway, the gist seemed to be that as long as the parent provided a place to play that encouraged play, it was not necessary for the parent to actually play with the child. I was a bit taken a back by this. While I certainly agree that it is important for kids to learn to play on their own...I think it is really good for kids to get play time with their parents too. And, I was mainly just surprised that there were parents who didn't like to play with their kids. I've thought that getting to play with my kids was one of the best parts about having them.
I noticed lately that I was not really spending much time playing with my kids though. Life kept getting in the way - "gotta do this, gotta do that...blah blah blah" And that post I read, and the thoughts I had when I read it, kept creeping back into my head...not that I don't like to play with my kids but that even if I did like it, if I didn't do it, then my kids were still missing out - and so was I.
So, I've been trying to really play with my kids lately. Maybe I just get really silly with Sam and start running around the house making funny noises or spinning him around. Or, I'll get in the sand box with him and make some really cool sand castles. Today we played with his blocks and cars making ramps and roads and buildings. I've totally fallen in love with playing all over again! It is just fun! I'm laughing outloud, my kids are laughing, we're bonding, I feel younger and can literally feel all this energy. Normally, after Sam goes to bed, I'm like a big giant couch turd - good for absolutly nothing other than maybe changing the channel on the TV if the remote is close enough. Tonight, after playing with Sam before he went to bed, I cleaned the kitchen and dining room - something that I always mean to do at night but rarely manage. The wonderful feeling I had from playing has stuck with me. What a bonus!
Another thing I noticed is that while I start playing with Sam mainly to spend time with him and to kind of show him stuff that can be done with his toys by example...I end up playing like a kid - not an adult. I'm just doing what seems like fun and enjoying myself...I have to remind myself that I am the parent so I don't snatch toys away from my kids 'cause I wanna play with them! Today, at the playground, I got in the sandbox with Sam and was going to build sand stuff with him but he seemed like he wanted to play on his own so I built a sand snow man and it just felt so great to just play instead of just sitting there like usual having the same old parenting discussions with whichever parent happens to be near bye - that just gets dull after a while.
My point to writing all this is that while I rarely think I am the type of person who be an example for anyone, I do think that I've met lots of people who do not spend enough time playing like a kid. Just free for all - no thoughts attached - fun playing. I'd like to tell people - go on out and play! Laugh! Run around chasing someone! Play capture the flag! Be a kid again :) I hope to spend at least some time every day in child like play, if anyone wants to join me - let me know!
And, since I've heard that blogs without pictures are boring - here's some random shots :)
Anyway, the gist seemed to be that as long as the parent provided a place to play that encouraged play, it was not necessary for the parent to actually play with the child. I was a bit taken a back by this. While I certainly agree that it is important for kids to learn to play on their own...I think it is really good for kids to get play time with their parents too. And, I was mainly just surprised that there were parents who didn't like to play with their kids. I've thought that getting to play with my kids was one of the best parts about having them.
I noticed lately that I was not really spending much time playing with my kids though. Life kept getting in the way - "gotta do this, gotta do that...blah blah blah" And that post I read, and the thoughts I had when I read it, kept creeping back into my head...not that I don't like to play with my kids but that even if I did like it, if I didn't do it, then my kids were still missing out - and so was I.
So, I've been trying to really play with my kids lately. Maybe I just get really silly with Sam and start running around the house making funny noises or spinning him around. Or, I'll get in the sand box with him and make some really cool sand castles. Today we played with his blocks and cars making ramps and roads and buildings. I've totally fallen in love with playing all over again! It is just fun! I'm laughing outloud, my kids are laughing, we're bonding, I feel younger and can literally feel all this energy. Normally, after Sam goes to bed, I'm like a big giant couch turd - good for absolutly nothing other than maybe changing the channel on the TV if the remote is close enough. Tonight, after playing with Sam before he went to bed, I cleaned the kitchen and dining room - something that I always mean to do at night but rarely manage. The wonderful feeling I had from playing has stuck with me. What a bonus!
Another thing I noticed is that while I start playing with Sam mainly to spend time with him and to kind of show him stuff that can be done with his toys by example...I end up playing like a kid - not an adult. I'm just doing what seems like fun and enjoying myself...I have to remind myself that I am the parent so I don't snatch toys away from my kids 'cause I wanna play with them! Today, at the playground, I got in the sandbox with Sam and was going to build sand stuff with him but he seemed like he wanted to play on his own so I built a sand snow man and it just felt so great to just play instead of just sitting there like usual having the same old parenting discussions with whichever parent happens to be near bye - that just gets dull after a while.
My point to writing all this is that while I rarely think I am the type of person who be an example for anyone, I do think that I've met lots of people who do not spend enough time playing like a kid. Just free for all - no thoughts attached - fun playing. I'd like to tell people - go on out and play! Laugh! Run around chasing someone! Play capture the flag! Be a kid again :) I hope to spend at least some time every day in child like play, if anyone wants to join me - let me know!
And, since I've heard that blogs without pictures are boring - here's some random shots :)
Friday, March 26, 2010
Things I'd like to do someday...
1. Climb Mt. Katahdin.
2. Climb Mt. Ranier.
3. Club Mt St. Helens
4. See the Red wood forests out west.
5. Visit a place with hot springs.
6. Write a book that people would actually want to read. (No, I have not written one yet that people do not want to read...)
7. Have a small farm that provides lots of different things: chickens, eggs, honey, milk, wool, cheese, yogurt, candles, mums....
8. Become a volunteer that works at the hospital rocking babies that do not have anyone to hold them.
9. Learn to ski.
10. Go scuba diving at the Great Barrier reef...have to learn to scuba dive first...I learned that SCUBA stands for self contained underwater breathing apparatus from watching Family Ties.
11. Blog more often
Those are not in any particular order...just as they popped into my head. Guess I have a lot of traveling to do but I need someone to watch the farm while I do it :)
2. Climb Mt. Ranier.
3. Club Mt St. Helens
4. See the Red wood forests out west.
5. Visit a place with hot springs.
6. Write a book that people would actually want to read. (No, I have not written one yet that people do not want to read...)
7. Have a small farm that provides lots of different things: chickens, eggs, honey, milk, wool, cheese, yogurt, candles, mums....
8. Become a volunteer that works at the hospital rocking babies that do not have anyone to hold them.
9. Learn to ski.
10. Go scuba diving at the Great Barrier reef...have to learn to scuba dive first...I learned that SCUBA stands for self contained underwater breathing apparatus from watching Family Ties.
11. Blog more often
Those are not in any particular order...just as they popped into my head. Guess I have a lot of traveling to do but I need someone to watch the farm while I do it :)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Better late than never!
Ok - I know I have not written in so long it is almost silly of me to start up again. But, it's my blog so I will if I want to :)
A few quick updates...
I have a daughter now - her name is Anika Rose. She is absolutly beautiful and sweet and perfect in every way. Wanna see? (sorry to all those on facebook - these pics will all be repeats...)
I think Facebook is why I hardly blog anymore...but, I like blogging better - facebook is just quicker. Mental note - spend more time blogging and less time on facebook.
Sam is now a sasssy 2 year old. However, he is also still perfect and wonderful :)
And the dynamic duo...
I am still trying to regain my former thinner figure...and trying to learn to like the one I have now. So far, no success on either front...
Still working at home and praying to not be laid off.
Just finished The Friday Night Knitting Club and now plan to knit Sam a scarf using the pattern from the book.
I know I am not up on much that is current but, exactly what did Obama do to get the Nobel Peace prize?
And why is it that the guy who's commercial I hear on the radio who's running for something (don't remember what) is for gay marriage but also for gun control? Can't we have a politician who wants to hunt in rainbow colored camo's???? Dammit - I wanna see my gay friends get married and wanna go shoot with with them too! (not that they all shoot but, one does! :)
Ok - that's it for now. Hopefully I will go back to being a more regular blogger...which reminds me, what exactly does it mean to be irregular? Anyone know? I see those Activia commercials with Jamie Lee Curtis and I have no freakin clue what she's talking about...too lazy to google it though...
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wonderful Day at the Park
Today we had a wonderful day at the park (hence - the title) and I just wanted to write about it so I didn't forget it. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera at home so do not have any pictures.
It was the first really nice sunny day that fell on playgroup day. We met up at Humbolt park on the East Side of Providence. Sam and I hadn't been there since last Fall so it was great to be back. We also hadn't seen some of our playgroup friends in so long so that was nice too to see mostly everyone again.
Sam had such a good time!!! He started off slow playing with some toys he played with last year. But then, he was off to the climby thing with stairs and slides! He was doing really good for a while going up the stairs and down the slides. Then, he decided to go down the big slide on his belly face first. Wump - nose digger right into the wood chips! He was not happy - poor little guy. And, low and behold, the first bloody nose!!! Is this cruel of me, I thought it was an exciting milestone? :) He was great though, cried for a little bit but let me wipe the blood off and then he was his normal happy self. He ended up with a little cut on his lip too. One other little fall of a plastic climbing thing was the extent of his mishaps for the day. The rest of the time, he was having fun fun fun!!! He didn't even get upset when a couple of older kids used him for target practice with sand. Parents intervened and Sam decided to seek out enjoyment somewhere else other than the sand box. Sam mostly played by himself but did have some moments of nice interaction with the other kids. He certainly never felt the need to stay near Mommy! He wandered all over the place while I watched from our blankets like a momma hawk.
The big moment for me was when it was time to go. I was dreading this. I always hate to dissapoint him but I had to be home for work and it was his nap time. I gathered up all of our stuff and walked over to where he was playing. I bravely mustered up my courage and told him we had to go. He said, "no." I asked him if he would walk with me to the gate. He said, "ok." Hmmmm, maybe this will be good after all? So, we get to the gate, I open it and he walks through out onto the side walk. I'm thinking, "wow! he left the park without doing the kicking tantrum thing - sweet!!!" Now we are on the sidewalk on a semi-busy street. I would really feel more comfortable if he was holding my hand but I know Sam, he never - ever - holds hands. Even when he was learning to walk. Very independant. But, I'm a sucker for punishment, so I ask anyway. Wouldn't you know it - he put one of his cute pudgy little hands in mine!!! He walked with me that way all the way to the truck! At one point, we became disconnected and he held out his and and said, "hand!" I was so excited! I had been getting worried that I'd never be able to teach him the whole holding hands thing when walking near traffic and crossing the street. Plus, it was just so sweet to walk with him that way. :) I plopped him in the truck and got him strapped in and headed home. He was asleep about 5 minutes later. All in all - a very pleasant leave taking of the park.
I sure do love my little man!!!
Since I don't have a picture from today, here are a couple from last year...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Miracle!!!
Sam has managed to accomplish something that neither I nor my husband can seem to do on a regular basis. I gave him a cup that had a little bit of juice on the bottom. He finished the juice and then toddled over to the dishwasher, opened it up, put the cup in and shut the door. I am now giving him the rest of the dirty dishes scattered throughout the house to put in the dishwasher. That boy is going to make someone a fine husband some day! He even put the cups in the right way!!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Webster! We need more words!
One thing that has annoyed me since Sam was born is that there are no words to describe the love for a child. I love my husband. I love lobster. I love a good BM. So, love doesn't seem like an adequate word. We need a new one. I know in other languages there are all different kinds of words for love. We seem to be lacking.
But, what would such a word sound like? What combination of constinents and vowels could capture such an emotion? I don't even have any idea how to describe such a love. I just wish there was a word I could use.
But, what would such a word sound like? What combination of constinents and vowels could capture such an emotion? I don't even have any idea how to describe such a love. I just wish there was a word I could use.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wanna see some pictures?
Since my recent posts have had a lack of pictures, I thought I would post a few here:
Before we had Sam, we liked to ride our motorcycles. We each had one since I refused to ride on the back. We sold the bikes when I got pregnant since we didn't want to risk leaving our babe an orphan. We used the money we got from the sale of the bikes to buy a camper since that seemed a much more family friendly activity :)
Before we had Sam, we liked to ride our motorcycles. We each had one since I refused to ride on the back. We sold the bikes when I got pregnant since we didn't want to risk leaving our babe an orphan. We used the money we got from the sale of the bikes to buy a camper since that seemed a much more family friendly activity :)
In June of 2005, we went on an amazing trip to the Grand Canyon. We did a white water rafting trip down the Colorado River. We spent the nights on the banks of the river. During the day, we were either travelling on the river or doing day hikes up and down the sides of the canyon. We went with my Dad and my little brother. It was a trip I will never forget!
Sam was born on 8/5/07 around 4pm. Here is a picture of the two of us shortly after we were brought into the recovery room.
A couple of cute random Sam shots:
Sam on Halloween:
Recent pic:
Anika's first u/s:
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Potty training???
Maybe I am wrong but I think Sam is potty training himself??? I introduced the potty to him a few months ago in an effort to try late introduction of elimination communication (EC.) He liked it but we couldn't really get the signal thing going. Just too much other stuff going on. The potty ended up being put away for a while. I recently brought it back out one morning because it seemed like a good time to catch a poop. Since then, he's definetely interested in the potty. I, however, still have too much going on to really try to establish the whole communication thing. I figured, if I knew it was his normal time of day to poop, and all the other stars were aligned, I'd bring out the potty. If not, he can go in his diaper. No big deal. Sam started to say "poop" but not always when there was a poop or when he had to go. Once in a while, he would say "poop" and "potty" and I'd try then to get the potty out. Only once though did we catch something and it was pee.
Today, he said "poop" and "potty." He also pointed to his diaper and said, "off." So, I get out the potty. I read to him when he sits on it. A book always helps me go so I figure, maybe it will help him too? Anyway, he's definetely working on something but when he gets up, just pee. I very excitedly praised him for his efforts said "yay - pee!" or something like that. He sat back down so it looked like he had more to do. He kept getting up and down and checking. I would ask, "are you done?" and he'd say, "more" and sit back down. Finally, he said he was done. No poo. I put a diaper on him and cleaned him up. I pretty much figured he'd poop in the diaper shortly but wasn't going to force him to sit on the potty. A little while later we are downstairs. Sam is playing and I am watching TV. He goes, "poop" and then goes "potty?" and says, "off." By this time, I'm pretty tired. I've been dealing with a cold all weekend long and really just want to relax. So, when he doesn't insist on anything, I figure, he'll poop in the diaper and I will change him. Easier than going back upstairs, getting out the potty blah blah blah.
Well, next thing I know...he's got his clothes all undone, his diaper off and there is poop everywhere!!! Luckily by then my husband had come downstairs. He took Sam upstairs for a batch and I cleaned up the carpet and shoes and sippy cup and toy that all had poop on them.
Important lesson learned - when given the gift of a child who wants to potty train early, listen to what he says!!! Way easier than cleaning up after :)
By the way, I realize this is a very long post basically just about my son's bowel movements. I don't honestly think there are a ton of people interested in this. I have to admit, my blog is more for me than for others. It is a fun way for me to remember things that I otherwise may forget. So, I'm sorry if I am boring you!!! And I know blogs are more interesting with pictures but I just seem to be blogging lately about stuff I don't have pictures for. I did have one of a pile of poop in the potty but, I don't think anyone really needs to see that...do they?
Today, he said "poop" and "potty." He also pointed to his diaper and said, "off." So, I get out the potty. I read to him when he sits on it. A book always helps me go so I figure, maybe it will help him too? Anyway, he's definetely working on something but when he gets up, just pee. I very excitedly praised him for his efforts said "yay - pee!" or something like that. He sat back down so it looked like he had more to do. He kept getting up and down and checking. I would ask, "are you done?" and he'd say, "more" and sit back down. Finally, he said he was done. No poo. I put a diaper on him and cleaned him up. I pretty much figured he'd poop in the diaper shortly but wasn't going to force him to sit on the potty. A little while later we are downstairs. Sam is playing and I am watching TV. He goes, "poop" and then goes "potty?" and says, "off." By this time, I'm pretty tired. I've been dealing with a cold all weekend long and really just want to relax. So, when he doesn't insist on anything, I figure, he'll poop in the diaper and I will change him. Easier than going back upstairs, getting out the potty blah blah blah.
Well, next thing I know...he's got his clothes all undone, his diaper off and there is poop everywhere!!! Luckily by then my husband had come downstairs. He took Sam upstairs for a batch and I cleaned up the carpet and shoes and sippy cup and toy that all had poop on them.
Important lesson learned - when given the gift of a child who wants to potty train early, listen to what he says!!! Way easier than cleaning up after :)
By the way, I realize this is a very long post basically just about my son's bowel movements. I don't honestly think there are a ton of people interested in this. I have to admit, my blog is more for me than for others. It is a fun way for me to remember things that I otherwise may forget. So, I'm sorry if I am boring you!!! And I know blogs are more interesting with pictures but I just seem to be blogging lately about stuff I don't have pictures for. I did have one of a pile of poop in the potty but, I don't think anyone really needs to see that...do they?
Birth
I read this post on my friend's blog and was going to make a comment but realized it would be too long. So, I'm putting a link to the post here...read it first and then come back if you want...
I was at Women & Infants recently to get checked out after a car accident. I wanted to make sure Anika was okay. Because of the whole blood type RH thing, they decided I should have a Rogham shot. I am a pretty big baby when it comes to shots. I don't like them. They hurt. What's to like? So, afterwards the nurse commented that she thought it would be funny (in a coincidental type of way) if she was my nurse for Anika's birth and she had to be with me when I got an epidural. I explained that I was planning to have a drug free birth. She's like, "why???" I explained I thought it was better for the baby. She had this funny look on her face like, "this lady is nuts!"
I had an epidural with Sam, it wasn't my plan but I ended up with one. Looking back, I think it could have been avoided if I had done a couple things during labor differently...
1. Stayed home longer. I mistakenly thought, the sooner I get to the hospital, the sooner Sam will be born. I had done enough research to know differently but it was kind of a "simple mind" take over thing.
2. When I was at the hospital, I let the midwife break my water. Again that was me trying to rush things. I was already having enough problems handling the contractions. Having my water broked was a stupid thing to do. Midwife suggested it but I should have known better than to accept.
I consider going to the hospital the first intervention. It's not necessary to go to a hospital to have birth. It's certainly not necessary to go to that hospital to labor for birth. We do plan to have Anika in the hospital. But, I will try to stay home much longer this time.
The breaking of the water was the second intervention. Sam would have taken care of that when he was ready.
I then ended up needing the epidural - 3rd intervention. I didn't list that above as something I could have done differently because I don't think I could have. I was delirious with pain.
Then the interventions just kept coming, I don't know how many wires I had going up my hooha but it was definetely too many! I was so close to a C-section which would have been the ultimate intervention.
I know this is all kind of redundant since I wrote about all this in my birth story but since the post I referanced up top was about interventions, I wanted to point them out.
Now, to the point...I think we need to get to a place where if someone says, "I plan to have a drug free birth." the natural reaction would be, "of course!" And if someone says, "I plan to have an epidural" then the reaction would then be, "why?" (in a nice friendly curious way - not a judgemental look down upon way.)
The funny thing is, insurance companies are notorious for refusing to pay for things they deem unneccessary. We're talking procedures that can really help someone and improve the quality of their life. But, they have no problem at all in paying so much extra money for births where interventions were chosen even if they were not necessary. How did that happen? I think if someone has a drug free birth, the insurance company should give that person some type of credit or bonus or something. And if a person has a home birth, they should get a huge bonus! It's odd to think about but the industry that is known for being the worst offender when it comes to being money greedy could have a huge positive impact in the way babies are born...and still improve their bottom line. Maybe then people that need experimental treatments or things like that would have a better chance of having them covered by the insurance companies.
I was at Women & Infants recently to get checked out after a car accident. I wanted to make sure Anika was okay. Because of the whole blood type RH thing, they decided I should have a Rogham shot. I am a pretty big baby when it comes to shots. I don't like them. They hurt. What's to like? So, afterwards the nurse commented that she thought it would be funny (in a coincidental type of way) if she was my nurse for Anika's birth and she had to be with me when I got an epidural. I explained that I was planning to have a drug free birth. She's like, "why???" I explained I thought it was better for the baby. She had this funny look on her face like, "this lady is nuts!"
I had an epidural with Sam, it wasn't my plan but I ended up with one. Looking back, I think it could have been avoided if I had done a couple things during labor differently...
1. Stayed home longer. I mistakenly thought, the sooner I get to the hospital, the sooner Sam will be born. I had done enough research to know differently but it was kind of a "simple mind" take over thing.
2. When I was at the hospital, I let the midwife break my water. Again that was me trying to rush things. I was already having enough problems handling the contractions. Having my water broked was a stupid thing to do. Midwife suggested it but I should have known better than to accept.
I consider going to the hospital the first intervention. It's not necessary to go to a hospital to have birth. It's certainly not necessary to go to that hospital to labor for birth. We do plan to have Anika in the hospital. But, I will try to stay home much longer this time.
The breaking of the water was the second intervention. Sam would have taken care of that when he was ready.
I then ended up needing the epidural - 3rd intervention. I didn't list that above as something I could have done differently because I don't think I could have. I was delirious with pain.
Then the interventions just kept coming, I don't know how many wires I had going up my hooha but it was definetely too many! I was so close to a C-section which would have been the ultimate intervention.
I know this is all kind of redundant since I wrote about all this in my birth story but since the post I referanced up top was about interventions, I wanted to point them out.
Now, to the point...I think we need to get to a place where if someone says, "I plan to have a drug free birth." the natural reaction would be, "of course!" And if someone says, "I plan to have an epidural" then the reaction would then be, "why?" (in a nice friendly curious way - not a judgemental look down upon way.)
The funny thing is, insurance companies are notorious for refusing to pay for things they deem unneccessary. We're talking procedures that can really help someone and improve the quality of their life. But, they have no problem at all in paying so much extra money for births where interventions were chosen even if they were not necessary. How did that happen? I think if someone has a drug free birth, the insurance company should give that person some type of credit or bonus or something. And if a person has a home birth, they should get a huge bonus! It's odd to think about but the industry that is known for being the worst offender when it comes to being money greedy could have a huge positive impact in the way babies are born...and still improve their bottom line. Maybe then people that need experimental treatments or things like that would have a better chance of having them covered by the insurance companies.
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