1 year ago.......
today.....
Happy birthday my Zoe bug. Man I feel emotional after looking through baby pics. It's way too fast! Bittersweet, bittersweet.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Pancake Tuesday
We made pancakes and faschnauts, which were pretty good, especially the faschnauts, dipped in mollasses or maple syrup.. And crepes which were delicious. We had the crepes for supper, with cream cheese, bananas and maple syrup. It was so yummy.
But for some reason Lana wouldn't eat hers. She heard us all talk about how yummy they were and she looked like she wanted to try them, but couldn't bring herself to. So she put them in the fridge and went to bed on an empty tummy. I couldn't understand her hesitation, she normally loves pancakes and sweet treats like these.
2 days later, after me prompting her many times in between, she finally sat down and ate them. She looked and sounded very pleasantly surprised when she told me,
"Mummy, these craps actually taste really good!"
But for some reason Lana wouldn't eat hers. She heard us all talk about how yummy they were and she looked like she wanted to try them, but couldn't bring herself to. So she put them in the fridge and went to bed on an empty tummy. I couldn't understand her hesitation, she normally loves pancakes and sweet treats like these.
2 days later, after me prompting her many times in between, she finally sat down and ate them. She looked and sounded very pleasantly surprised when she told me,
"Mummy, these craps actually taste really good!"
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Food Net
Is this just a Lincoln, Nebraska thing? This is fantastic, I don't know why it took us until now to discover it.
Food Net is a non profit, volunteer run organization, whose slogan is "Tummy fill, not landfill". They encourage stores and food businesses to donate the produce and foods that they are about to throw away, because they're at or past sell by date, then they let people come and take a portion of it for free, at particular pick up points on particular dates. There are many locations throughout the city and many times through the week.
We went yesterday. Rene and I were each allowed to sign up, so we got double the amount. We brought our bags and just filled up with what they said we were allowed. The only things that weren't in fantastic condition were tomatoes and bananas and bell peppers. The tomatoes worked fine in a sauce for enchiladas last night and and the bell peppers will most likely go in a sauce too. Or a curry. The bananas were perfect for banana bread, which I also made last night and enjoyed a slice of this morning for breakfast.
Additionally, we got 3 packs of donuts (not so healthy, but the kids were thrilled!), 2 heads of lettuce, 2 bags of salad, 1 large potato, 1 bag small potatoes, 3 turnips, 1 summer squash, 1 bag green beans, 1 package broccoli, 2 avocados, 1 slice apple pie, 1 cinnamon bun thingy, 1 poppy seeded artisan loaf, 1 pack sprouted wheat bagels and 1 round pesto bread thingy (which tasted great with butter and mozzarella, then put in the oven for a bit last night, to go with the enchiladas and salad. All for free. And we were doing our bit for the environment, by saving it from the landfills.
It was also an enjoyable experience, all huddling together outside in the cold, waiting for our number to be called to go inside the church and collect the goodies. There were people of all different ages, cultures, shades, colors, accents and no doubt fascinating stories to tell. Everyone was extremely friendly, open and helpful. There was a spirit of community like you just don't feel when you're walking through Hyvee with the posh folk.
I'm thinking we'll be doing this a lot more often! I wish every city had one.
Food Net is a non profit, volunteer run organization, whose slogan is "Tummy fill, not landfill". They encourage stores and food businesses to donate the produce and foods that they are about to throw away, because they're at or past sell by date, then they let people come and take a portion of it for free, at particular pick up points on particular dates. There are many locations throughout the city and many times through the week.
We went yesterday. Rene and I were each allowed to sign up, so we got double the amount. We brought our bags and just filled up with what they said we were allowed. The only things that weren't in fantastic condition were tomatoes and bananas and bell peppers. The tomatoes worked fine in a sauce for enchiladas last night and and the bell peppers will most likely go in a sauce too. Or a curry. The bananas were perfect for banana bread, which I also made last night and enjoyed a slice of this morning for breakfast.
Additionally, we got 3 packs of donuts (not so healthy, but the kids were thrilled!), 2 heads of lettuce, 2 bags of salad, 1 large potato, 1 bag small potatoes, 3 turnips, 1 summer squash, 1 bag green beans, 1 package broccoli, 2 avocados, 1 slice apple pie, 1 cinnamon bun thingy, 1 poppy seeded artisan loaf, 1 pack sprouted wheat bagels and 1 round pesto bread thingy (which tasted great with butter and mozzarella, then put in the oven for a bit last night, to go with the enchiladas and salad. All for free. And we were doing our bit for the environment, by saving it from the landfills.
It was also an enjoyable experience, all huddling together outside in the cold, waiting for our number to be called to go inside the church and collect the goodies. There were people of all different ages, cultures, shades, colors, accents and no doubt fascinating stories to tell. Everyone was extremely friendly, open and helpful. There was a spirit of community like you just don't feel when you're walking through Hyvee with the posh folk.
I'm thinking we'll be doing this a lot more often! I wish every city had one.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Fear Not
Labels:
funny
Somehow I came across this website today and have been amused and intrigued as I read through it.
It's a list of phobias, and people give small testament to owning the fear and how it affects them. I have a number of irrational fears myself, most of which aren't even listed here (I guess they're too weird!) and one of which I plan to post about here soon. But reading some of these helped me feel a little more normal. The following fears are listed, and particularly tickled me. I'll include a quote from the site for each fear, for your amusement.
fear of ankles
"they really freak me out! I am always sceared that someone could cut them with a knife in a swimming pool""
fear of buttons (seemingly common, and has a name, koumpounophobia)
"If I touch one by mistake, I would wash my hands for about 30 mins.. "
"I also think buttons smell. Even the word button is disgusting."
"If I find a button just lying around I am liable to vomit"
fear of pine trees
"I am scared that the trees will smother me or I will die."
fear of toilets
" I fear a toilet overflowing and I especially fear toilets with a high-level cistern or wall-hung toilets as it has been called. "
fear of people breathing
"i can't stand the sound of it...it just drives me up the wall. i also can't listen to clocks tick. "
fear of going to the mailbox
"sometimes it takes me a couple of weeks to go to the mailbox."
fear of wind blowing clothes off *chuckle*
"i no this is strange but i have a huge fear of walking down the road and the wind all of a sudden blowing my clothes off, i aslo have a fear of a fish getting out of its tank in the middle of the nite and sucking on me till i got no blood left. "
fear of migets read more here
"I know migits are people but they are scary looking."
"Im also afraid of to go in public places because of the fear of midgets, but not just any midgets, bald midgets"
"we have seen a total of 11 midgets since 12/6/03. That's an approximate average of 2.2 midgets per day!!!!"
fear of baked beans
"there is something so contrived about a solitary baked bean....they look like they're really angry about being left alone and look like their plotting how to kill you for doing so. You just can't tell what they are thinking."
"I think that when I am asleep they will make an army and come and kill me. Once, as a cruel joke, someone put a bean in my ear. I just lashed out at them and broke their arm... "
There are so many more on the website.
Check it out.
It's a list of phobias, and people give small testament to owning the fear and how it affects them. I have a number of irrational fears myself, most of which aren't even listed here (I guess they're too weird!) and one of which I plan to post about here soon. But reading some of these helped me feel a little more normal. The following fears are listed, and particularly tickled me. I'll include a quote from the site for each fear, for your amusement.
fear of ankles
"they really freak me out! I am always sceared that someone could cut them with a knife in a swimming pool""
fear of buttons (seemingly common, and has a name, koumpounophobia)
"If I touch one by mistake, I would wash my hands for about 30 mins.. "
"I also think buttons smell. Even the word button is disgusting."
"If I find a button just lying around I am liable to vomit"
fear of pine trees
"I am scared that the trees will smother me or I will die."
fear of toilets
" I fear a toilet overflowing and I especially fear toilets with a high-level cistern or wall-hung toilets as it has been called. "
fear of people breathing
"i can't stand the sound of it...it just drives me up the wall. i also can't listen to clocks tick. "
fear of going to the mailbox
"sometimes it takes me a couple of weeks to go to the mailbox."
fear of wind blowing clothes off *chuckle*
"i no this is strange but i have a huge fear of walking down the road and the wind all of a sudden blowing my clothes off, i aslo have a fear of a fish getting out of its tank in the middle of the nite and sucking on me till i got no blood left. "
fear of migets read more here
"I know migits are people but they are scary looking."
"Im also afraid of to go in public places because of the fear of midgets, but not just any midgets, bald midgets"
"we have seen a total of 11 midgets since 12/6/03. That's an approximate average of 2.2 midgets per day!!!!"
fear of baked beans
"there is something so contrived about a solitary baked bean....they look like they're really angry about being left alone and look like their plotting how to kill you for doing so. You just can't tell what they are thinking."
"I think that when I am asleep they will make an army and come and kill me. Once, as a cruel joke, someone put a bean in my ear. I just lashed out at them and broke their arm... "
There are so many more on the website.
Check it out.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Little Sister
Just more than a week until my baby girl turns 2. I can't believe how fast it's passing. Zoe is so full of charisma and mischief and conversation. I can't imagine life without her.
Here's a song we sing affectionately to her, and I do feel a tad guilty when she sings along and doesn't quite realize what the song means. We do love her, really. The song mentions being 1 year old so I figured I'd better hurry and get it finished before she turns 2. I've used photos from the past year *sniff sniff* quite emotional looking through them all.
I had to split it in two to upload to smugmug.
Here's a song we sing affectionately to her, and I do feel a tad guilty when she sings along and doesn't quite realize what the song means. We do love her, really. The song mentions being 1 year old so I figured I'd better hurry and get it finished before she turns 2. I've used photos from the past year *sniff sniff* quite emotional looking through them all.
I had to split it in two to upload to smugmug.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Concert
Saturday afternoon, I sat down to write a grocery list, we were planning to leave right after to do the shopping. It takes me about an hour to write the list (I am trying to plan a diverse, wholesome, tasty weekly menu using mostly whole foods, vegetarian and also on a tight budget. It takes some planning to make it work!) By the time I had finished the list I had muscle aches, chills, a sinus headache and felt dizzy. Not just because I hate grocery shopping, but because I was fast coming down with an infection.
I went straight to bed where I pretty much stayed until today. Rene took the day off yesterday, he wasn't feeling good either, plus he helped take care of us. I'm still feeling pretty rough, but was at least up and about today. Poor Lana though, she had it for a couple days before I got it and is still extremely ill.
Anyway, enough moaning. I went to a concert on Thursday night, back when I still felt great! I had an awesome time. It was one of my favourite bands, Vota (previously called casting pearls), who I loved when we lived in Scotland, they were one of the first bands I ever paid for music to put on my ipod. I love them. Then I discovered last year they were from Lincoln, NE. Woah. Then recently I learned they are from my church!! I often see the lead singer picking up his kids from the same Sunday school as me, and I'm standing right next to him, feeling star struck. It's soooooooo cool.
Anyway they were the support band. And they were awesome.
And then the main act was David Crowder Band. I've always thought they were okish, wrote good material but I wasn't blown away by the band itself. But I was very impressed with their live performance. Such an awesome atmosphere in that place, so worshipful. It really enjoyed it.
I went straight to bed where I pretty much stayed until today. Rene took the day off yesterday, he wasn't feeling good either, plus he helped take care of us. I'm still feeling pretty rough, but was at least up and about today. Poor Lana though, she had it for a couple days before I got it and is still extremely ill.
Anyway, enough moaning. I went to a concert on Thursday night, back when I still felt great! I had an awesome time. It was one of my favourite bands, Vota (previously called casting pearls), who I loved when we lived in Scotland, they were one of the first bands I ever paid for music to put on my ipod. I love them. Then I discovered last year they were from Lincoln, NE. Woah. Then recently I learned they are from my church!! I often see the lead singer picking up his kids from the same Sunday school as me, and I'm standing right next to him, feeling star struck. It's soooooooo cool.
Anyway they were the support band. And they were awesome.
And then the main act was David Crowder Band. I've always thought they were okish, wrote good material but I wasn't blown away by the band itself. But I was very impressed with their live performance. Such an awesome atmosphere in that place, so worshipful. It really enjoyed it.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The masala recipe
Labels:
food,
vegetarian
Sorry I've been an absentee blogger. We all have off weeks, right? I'll endeavor to do better this week.
So here's the recipe for the clean-out-the-crisper-masala. But I just made it up as I went along, and I'm doing my best here to remember so this might not be correct. Experiment with it yourself, and change things up according to taste.
The veggies I used were turnip, eggplant and red pepper. The turnip and red pepper were fantastic in it, but the eggplant wasn't quite right, I'll maybe try this again sometime, but use cauliflower in place of the eggplant. You can use whatever veggies you need to use up.
Veggies (I used turnip, eggplant and red pepper)
oil (I used canola)
1tbsp curry powder
1 1/2 tsp garam masala
1 1/2 tsp cilantro
1/2 tsp dried mango powder
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp tumeric
1/4 tsp ground coriander seed
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp ground ginger (or you can use fresh, probably better)
1/8 tsp cardamom
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 - 2 cups tomato puree
1/4 cup water
1 small tub soured cream (I bet heavy whipping cream would work out much better, I just used what I had)
DIRECTIONS
Chop up veggies
Saute the turnip in a little oil and 2tbs water, for I guess 15 minutes ish, covered. Then add the other veg, and saute for an additional 5 minutes or so (just eyeball it, don't let the veggies get soggy).
Meanwhile in a small dish or tub, make a paste by mixing about 1-2 tbs oil and all the spices
Add paste to veggies, and stir well, for 2 minutes.
Add the tomato puree and water, stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes
Add cream, stir well and simmer 5 more minutes.
Serve over basmati rice.
I think that's about how I did it.
So here's the recipe for the clean-out-the-crisper-masala. But I just made it up as I went along, and I'm doing my best here to remember so this might not be correct. Experiment with it yourself, and change things up according to taste.
The veggies I used were turnip, eggplant and red pepper. The turnip and red pepper were fantastic in it, but the eggplant wasn't quite right, I'll maybe try this again sometime, but use cauliflower in place of the eggplant. You can use whatever veggies you need to use up.
Veggies (I used turnip, eggplant and red pepper)
oil (I used canola)
1tbsp curry powder
1 1/2 tsp garam masala
1 1/2 tsp cilantro
1/2 tsp dried mango powder
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp tumeric
1/4 tsp ground coriander seed
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp ground ginger (or you can use fresh, probably better)
1/8 tsp cardamom
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 - 2 cups tomato puree
1/4 cup water
1 small tub soured cream (I bet heavy whipping cream would work out much better, I just used what I had)
DIRECTIONS
Chop up veggies
Saute the turnip in a little oil and 2tbs water, for I guess 15 minutes ish, covered. Then add the other veg, and saute for an additional 5 minutes or so (just eyeball it, don't let the veggies get soggy).
Meanwhile in a small dish or tub, make a paste by mixing about 1-2 tbs oil and all the spices
Add paste to veggies, and stir well, for 2 minutes.
Add the tomato puree and water, stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes
Add cream, stir well and simmer 5 more minutes.
Serve over basmati rice.
I think that's about how I did it.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Kaya-less
Labels:
kaya
Daddy's dropping off Kaya at a friend's for a sleep over just now. She lives just at the bottom of the hill next to our house, about a 2 minute walk away. She tried going for a sleep over to her house a year ago, but she missed us and missed her own house and bedtime routine and wanted to come home. I'm thinking this time she'll stick it out though, she's that wee bit older and more confident.
So I should be enjoying the peace and quiet right? I've often been asked before, "Don't you sometimes just want to be away from your kids for a while?"
My answer is, absolutely not! I'm just not one of those mothers who enjoys time away from my kids. I love being around them. Sure, they drive me crazy sometimes, but I love being near them. I feel kind of lost when they're not around.
So here I am, setting the table for one less, with rather a bit of sadness. I hope she has a blast and I look forward to collecting her again in the morning!
So I should be enjoying the peace and quiet right? I've often been asked before, "Don't you sometimes just want to be away from your kids for a while?"
My answer is, absolutely not! I'm just not one of those mothers who enjoys time away from my kids. I love being around them. Sure, they drive me crazy sometimes, but I love being near them. I feel kind of lost when they're not around.
So here I am, setting the table for one less, with rather a bit of sadness. I hope she has a blast and I look forward to collecting her again in the morning!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
What do you get?
Firstly, thanks to those of you who e-mailed me and messaged me to ask me to keep posting about the food I cook. You made me feel all fuzzy inside.
I've decided to take on the Food Waste Reduction challenge at Crunchy Chicken's website.
So what do you get when you take the leftover crusts from the kids grilled cheese sandwiches (sorry Rene I didn't tell you what went in it!) and the bits of carrot cake they left on their plate because it didn't have frosting on it, and try to reuse it??
Scrummy bread pudding.
And what about the veggies about to expire in the crisper? Turnip, eggplant and orange pepper...not exactly the type of veggies you'd think would go together. But they went great in a made-up-as-I-went-along curry. I call it Clean Out Crisper Masala.
I've decided to take on the Food Waste Reduction challenge at Crunchy Chicken's website.
So what do you get when you take the leftover crusts from the kids grilled cheese sandwiches (sorry Rene I didn't tell you what went in it!) and the bits of carrot cake they left on their plate because it didn't have frosting on it, and try to reuse it??
Scrummy bread pudding.
And what about the veggies about to expire in the crisper? Turnip, eggplant and orange pepper...not exactly the type of veggies you'd think would go together. But they went great in a made-up-as-I-went-along curry. I call it Clean Out Crisper Masala.
The bread revolution
Labels:
food
This 5 minutes a day bread thing is all the rave. I'm thinking I need to give it a try, just to be popular. Though I'm currently making at least one loaf a day in the bread machine, and it's working fine for me. Maybe I should stick with it...but this does seem worth a go.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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