Sowing Seeds

I grew up on acres of land that was planted every year with any vegetable you could imagine and even watermelon some years. I have always wanted to plant a garden for a variety of reasons, but have always be intimidated by it. I have not a bit of green thumb in my body - I successfully kill everything. So, I am totally excited to do a square foot garden that we learned about in Enrichment. David and I assembled the "box" together and will let the kids help put the soil and seeds in it tonight. It is supposed to be idiot-proof - we'll see. We are planting eggplant, peas, watermelon and peppers this month. Happy planting!

Here is the book that is making it all possible:

We sure do enjoy our food around here...

...can you tell?????

It will work!

I have always been a 'budgeted' person, but with all the food, energy, housing, etc. crisises we are facing, I have been trying to find ways to keep our spending at the same level. A few things we have done are: recycle more (equals less trash bags we go through), cutting down on unnecessary driving, sticking to a grocery list and using more coupons, and the big, new thing is using powdered milk!

So, most of you are going - yuck, gross, no way, Jose - I can hear it now. But, it is not as bad as you think! I grew up on powdered milk and even used it in college, but David and the girls won't touch it. Here is what we do: we mix it half and half with whole milk. I have been a milk nazi by absolutely refusing to buy more than one gallon a week (very hard to do with David and Pam!), so we tried to see how/if we could stretch the milk with everyone using the same amount. All new recipes must be okayed by David before becoming a 'regular' and he actually likes the 'new' milk! And, a gallon of milk from the store lasts twice as long (I am cheering). Here is the math (simplified): if you were to use straight powdered milk, milk is about $1/gallon and a gallon of milk from the store is about $4, so now we are spending about $2/week in milk verses the $4 before - 50% savings!

I know, I know $2 may not sound like a lot, but over time and combined with other things we are doing, we have been able to keep our bills the same as before.

Cream Puffs...why not?

Some people nest by doing projects. I, on the other hand, am guilty of baking. It was great when I worked, because I could bring them and have others eat them. Now, I am at home and find myself 'snacking' more on these baked goods (that is why I am a exercise freak!).
Cream puffs are the latest.

1 c.water
1/2 c. butter
1 c. flour
4 eggs

1. Bring butter and water to a boil, reduce heat and add flour. Stir over low heat until mixture forms a ball.
2. Beat in eggs, one at a time, mix well before adding each egg. Mixture will become lumpy and begin to separate. Keep mixing until mixture is smootha nd well blended.
3. Drop a spoonful of mixture onto an ungreased tray.
4. Bake at 400 for 30-35 minutes.
5. Cool and fill with desired filling (i.e. whipped cream, pudding, chocolate sauce). Freeze or refrigerate and ENJOY!
**I filled mine using a cake decorating bag - filled it with pudding and squeezed it inside and with the canned whipped cream. Delish!

The Standoff and other pictures

THE STANDOFF


I wish we could really catch the stern "I am not going to give in" look. Ashlyn has always been a fan of throwing things especially her food on the floor; Kylie was never like this - if we told her once, she would not do it again - not Ashlyn. She is determined to get her way all the time. But we are just as determined - we have met our match!


Finger-Pointing (for food, of course, (she is saying "eat") and Kylie wanted to join in)




34- Weeks Pregnant - my, how I've grown!

In Retrospect

These were given to me, along with cards and a gift card to Carrabba's (a favorite, but not frequently visited, restaurant of David's and mine), from my seminary students. I knew going into it that I was going to learn way more than I could ever teach, but, what I did not realize is that not all the learning was going to be from the scriptures. I learned so much about myself, my family, youth, teaching and the list goes on and on. It was a great experience, albeit, a challenging experience. I always thought I would be assigned to be a seminary teacher (because of the tough times I gave my teachers) just not this soon and with young children at home. I can now enter into the nesting stage of pregnancy, since I won't be so tired or stressed and have more time to be with (really with them) my children during the day.