Kitchen & Dining Room Updates

 I removed the wine border & painted the east kitchen & diningroom walls red, to match the west livingroom wall and painted the west kitchen wall tan.  The border was just too busy and it needed a little color.
I also scrubbed the cabinet tops - YUCK! Years of grease & dust.  I topped everything with tinfoil (bc I didn't have wax paper) so next time I can just throw it away and start fresh and not use so much elbow grease,
Now to attack the spare bedroom and I should be ready for my chicks, garden, and outdoor "stuff".

My Joy Joy in the Hospital

Last Friday Felicity had a 101* temp. It pretty much stayed around 99-100 all wkend with Tylenol & Ibu. She'd be happy then sleepy, nothing of great concern. She's cutting 4 molars, so I thought that could be the cause as well. But Monday we called the dr bc her appetite was decreasing, as well as her drinking, & she developed diarrhea. We got in at 1:00. She cried at seeing the dr and this wore her out. Her fever had broke and she had a little rash started on her neck. They took blood to test. By 4:00 they called us back & said her CRP & EDR levels were way too high. So they admired her to the hospital.  They thought it may be roseola (non-life-threatening and goes away on its own) or Kawasaki disease (needs treatment & can be detrimental to the heart).  So we stayed overnight & they monitored her heart & O2.  

They took more blood x2 (that is horrible) & decided that her levels had decreased & it was roseola. Her WBC was on its way back up as well. PTL!  By 6 pm Tuesday we were on out and on our way home. Lots of prayers and cuddles for me sweetie. 

Lent Handout from Church

Happy Valentines Day

It was daddy-daughters day and they still remembered mama while they were out having fun eating at a restaurant & playing games @ the arcade. 

The Procrastinating Perfectionist

I'm a perfectionist. I'm also a procrastinator. Once I read an article about these two characteristics going hand-in-hand: often times one will put off a task since they believe they cannot do it perfectly.  I have done this my whole life; putting off homework until Sunday night, putting off grocery shopping until all my coupons are in order, putting off making a will or switching over my 401k. I've always admired my friends who had their project done weeks before it was due in college. If I were to do that I would fret about whether it was good enough for the whole time I had it done early. 

Fr Mike Schmitz was a priest in Hibbing before David and I started attending. I never have met him face-to-face, but I listen to his weekly podcasts. He is a man wise beyond his years.  He is currently in Duluth & is the college priest at the Newman center. One of his most powerful homilies for me was this one: DO.IT.NOW. 

Fr Mike says you'll be living an extraordinary life if you do it now. Everyone does it later. That's ordinary. Do it now, at home, at work. Do what's necessary, then you'll be able to do what's possible, opening the chance to do the impossible.  Make your bed, make that phone call, mail that letter, the little things add up. It doesn't need perfection. We put things off why? Because we can. 

DO.IT.NOW. 

It's something to reach for and challenge myself. 

Ash Wednesday - And Lent 2016 Begins

Today is the 1st day of Lent.  I have learned through the years that what we choose to give up and/or take on is a very private matter.  At times I have been in groups where we took turns sharing what we were giving up, and other conversations where the person dodged the question.  Like I said, I let others share if they want, but I don't probe...anymore.

Father Chuck gave everyone a nail to keep with them.  We are to write down our Lent Intentions as a family on a piece of paper with a nail on it and hang them up around the church.  Whenever we are tempted to fall back into old habits, we are to reach into our pockets and hold onto the nail as a reminder what we are preparing our hearts for in the coming days.

I was asked a few weeks ago why Catholics give up anything, and why is it many times something trivial like salt, chocolate, snacking, swearing, social media, tv, etc.  I quickly prayed about it and asked God to put the correct words in my mouth.  "Many times we give something up that we use everyday, something we may be addicted to, so that it is a sacrifice.  Or, like swearing, giving something up that you feel separates you from God.  The reason?  So that every time we want or crave this sacrifice that we have given up we remind ourselves that we cannot be controlled by worldly things.  God is bigger and He is in control.  Also it reminds us to grab the nail in our pocket and thank Christ for what he has done/is about to do as we re-live Easter."  WOW...I couldn't have thought of that on my own.

Sure I could give up that Hawaiian vacation this year...that's big, but I wasn't going to go on one anyhow.  That's not a sacrifice.  Years ago our old priest said he gave up salt as he is guilty, like me, of pouring it on everything before even tasting the food.  Every time he wanted it, he'd pray.  God says to pray unceasingly.  What better way than praying every time you are given a reminder of some kind?  And, as a side note, he did try to cheat and go to McD's to order french fries to get his salt kick...and it just so happen that they didn't salt them! haha  Don't try to out smart God. ;)

El Cheap-o to the Penny Pinching

I'm cheap, thrifty, careful, stingy...whatever.  Pretty much always have been.  I don't mind spending on others, but for myself -- the knock-off brand, on sale, with a .50 manufacturer's coupon is good enough for me.

Since I quit my job my new goal was to save $ where I could, especially groceries.  The first few months were tough settling into a new home because even though we had everything we needed, it was amazing how many NEW things the new house did need.  So when we had to buy a new $100 toilet right off the bat since this one was broke, I like to try and justify the spending by the savings.  

Some months I do very well and others...not.  Some months the grocery stores have everything I use. Other months they don't have anything I use and I end up paying full price.

Sundays: I used to buy the newspaper to clip the coupons and read the paper, but w/ littles around I don't take the time to read the paper, and sometimes the coupons aren't enough to justify a $2 paper. Instead I go to free coupon websites and print out my own.  I then checkout the grocer ads of Marketplace, Lueken's, Walgreen's, & Walmart online.  They may have an item on sale for .50 off then I have a manufacturer's coupon for another .50 off.  Walgreen's has a lot of items B1G1 free or 50% off and they have a lot of groceries too.  I use my Walgreen's customer (not credit) card and save up points -- I got $50 off my bill in September by saving up my earned points.  Marketplace uses stamps that can be traded in for $1 off per filled card, and Tuesdays are double-stamp day.

Even with our special diets, we can get a lot of items on sale when looking close enough.

Many of my meal ideas come from sale items.  If ground beef is on sale, that's what we're having.  However watching prices helps too.  Some places had B1G1 free turkeys in Nov, but they were >$2/lb.  December they were under $1/lb.  Sounds too good to be true, and it was once you realize it wasn't a good buy.  I found an awesome butcher shop today and went crazy on home-smoked bacon, wieners, and beef.  It was slightly more expensive, but better quality meat.  I also bought Chex cereal on sale so we'll be eating that for breakfast as well as experimenting with making puppy chow, per my husband's request.  

My kids clothes come from my gf's garage sale or I buy out of season.  Today I saved $4 on snow pants for E for this year/next year because they have their winter items marked down. 

Gas: I buy Walmart gift cards and use them @ the gas pumps and save .03/gal. Plus Murphy Gas is usually .03+ cheaper than other places in town anyway -- so that's a .06/gal savings.
I started a spread sheet to keep track of my savings to see if it was worth my time Sunday nights. Nov I forgot to document until mid month.  Turns out it is worth my time when I save between $127 to $197/mo.   I also like to look @ the % I'm saving on my total bill.  Love it when I can save 40% on my grocery bill!!

October	MarketPlace	$40.00
4	MurphyUSAgas	$0.20
12	MurphyUSAgas	$0.52
10	Office Max	$7.28
9	MurphyUSAgas	$0.57
7	MarketPlace	$40.00	26.00%
12	Walgreens	$33.00	34
16	MarketPlace	$45.61	27.00%
15	Menards	$20.00	freezer
17	murphyUSAgas	$0.60
23	MarketPlace	$9.00
26	murphyUSAgas	$0.45	$197.23
November	MarketPlace	$64.00	35.00%
23	Walgreens	$21.05	22.00%
23	MarketPlace	$18.10	29.00%
23	Wal-mart	$3.00
23	Lueken's	$21.75	34.00%
			$127.90
December
2	Walmart	$1.00
2	MarketPlace	$43.23	38.00%
2	Luekens	$19.73	40.00%
11	Lueken's	$12.81	11.00%
14	MurphyUSAgas	$3.55
15	MarketPlace	$30.62	38.00%
18	Walmart	$7.50
23	MurphyUSAgas	$1.54
26	MurphyUSAgas	$1.56
26	Wal-mart	$12.11	groc
26	Wal-mart	$31.44	household
			$165.09

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce

GF Bread, Pizza, or Buns (dough)

I LOVE this recipe, esp for homemade pizza. One thing I added when making pizza was sprinkling the pan w/ cornmeal before adding the raw dough. 

SOFT GLUTEN FREE SANDWICH BREAD RECIPE

 

PRINT

PREP TIME

35 mins

COOK TIME

35 mins

TOTAL TIME

1 hour 10 mins

 

Soft Gluten Free Sandwich Bread Recipe - Makes 1 9x5 Loaf of Bread

Author: Erika

Recipe type: Baked Goods

Cuisine: Gluten Free

Serves: 1 9x5 Loaf

INGREDIENTS

YEAST MIX:

• 1½ Cup Water or Milk (or Milk Alternative)
• 4 Tablespoons Honey
• 2½ teaspoons Dry Active Yeast (I use an organic round yeast instead of the rod type. I buy it in bulk at my local natural food store - just be sure your yeast is fresh and alive.)

DRY MIX:

• 3 Cups of Erika's All Purpose Gluten Free Flour Mix
• 1½ teaspoons Xanthan Gum (in addition to whats already in the GF Flour Mix)
• 4 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• (you can add sweet or savory seasonings to taste)

WET MIX:

• 2 teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice
• ¼ Cup Olive Oil
• 2 Large Eggs (see options for egg free below)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In measuring cup, measure & warm milk to just above body temperature - should be warm to the touch (not hot or cold). Stir in Honey and add Yeast last. Set-aside & let proof for approx. 10 minutes.
2. Combine Dry Mix ingredients in small bowl.
3. Combine Wet Mix ingredients in bowl of stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix just for a few seconds.
4. Add in the proofed Yeast Mix and mix again for just a few seconds.
5. Add the Dry Mix and beat on medium-high for approx. 3 minutes. Dough will be wet, but thick and sticky!
6. If necessary, oil and flour your 9x5 Loaf Pan or spray with non-stick coating. I use USA pans and do not need to coat them.
7. Using a spatula, scrape the bread mixture into your prepared loaf pan and set on top of your stove to proof while the oven is preheating. Be sure to smooth out the loaf with spatula or wet fingers before proofing as the loaf will not smooth out itself.
8. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
9. It is important not to over-proof the bread - just let it rise until the mixture is approximately double in size (20-30 minutes depending on your room temperature.) Don't let it rise above your loaf pan… or just until it crests the top. Gluten free breads do not maintain their structure and will flow over the pan or collapse if left to over-rise or over-filled.
10. Bake for approx. 30-45 minutes. If the crust is darkening too quickly, you can cover it with foil (tent open ended) and return to baking until done. (If it helps, I usually cook mine until I get an internal temperature of 210 - 220 degrees on my digital thermometer).
11. Remove loaf pan from oven and let cool for 3-5 minutes before turning out onto your cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before attempting to cut into slices. I use my meat slicer to achieve even slices.

FOR PIZZA:

1. I use a 9x13 Cake Pan, let rise as directed, & bake a thick flat loaf - once it cools cut it in half sideways and split it open to prepare with my toppings. Or, you can shape into rounds, let rise for approx. 15 min. and then bake on a Pizza Stoneas directed. Once cooked, top with your favorite ingredients & return to oven and bake at 450 until done.

FOR HAMBURGER BUNS:

1. Prepare as you would for Pizza in a 9x13 Cake Pan and then cut into 12 square 'buns', which can be split in half. Or, you can use a Hamburger Bun Pan (like the
2. USA 6" Mini Round Pan I have by USA Pans) and fill each well ½ full and let rise until double in size. Bake as directed until done.

EGG SUBSTITUTION:

1. Although some of you have had success with this - Due to the responses in the comments, I DO NOT suggest using Flax or Chia Seeds as a substitute for eggs. However, I have had some success using Chia & Ener-G egg replacers when making pizza dough and buns. I also have a tortilla and pita/flat bread recipes that are egg free! =)

ADDITIONAL ADD-INS:

1. Feel free to add in seeds, nuts, raisins, cinnamon, etc…. Just be sure to stir them in by hand at the end before scraping the mixture into your pan.

LEFTOVERS:

1. Store any leftovers in a airtight bag on your counter for up to 2 days. Refrigerate or Freeze as needed, but be aware that the bread will dry out quickly. Use extra bread to make Gluten Free Bread Crumbs, by drying them in the Dehydrator or oven and then blending them in your VitaMix.

Homemade Thieves Lozenges

Ingredients;

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup water (I used lemon tea instead)

1T lemon juice

1 T honey

1/4 t ginger

8-12 drops therapeutic grade Thieves EO

5-10 drops lemon essential oil 

1/3 cup confectioners sugar

Add granulated sugar, ginger, water (or tea), honey, & lemon juice together in saucepan and put on high. Constantly stir until mix reaches 250*. Reduce heat to low or med-low with lots of stirring for 15 min or until it thickens. 

You can put a drop on parchment paper & see if it solidifies to test if it's ready.  

Once it has slightly thickened, remove from heat and let it slightly cool. Once ready to make drops, then add your essential oils. Don't add while still very hot because they will evaporate. 

Cover with confectioners sugar to prevent them sticking to each other. 

Trial & error:

This is what I found from experimenting with other people's YouTube videos;

•I tried making drops with a spoon or by filling a turkey baster up with the concoction and making drops, but the best way I found was pouring into a measuring cup & using a silicone mold. 

•Don't heat to 300*, it's too hot and it scorches the sugar as some suggest. 

•Don't use the turkey baster bc it's too hot to handle and it cools too quickly thereby getting stuck in the tube. 

•Make a couple of trial drops before making them all. I dropped about 20 then realized they weren't firming up. I scraped them back into the pan and heated to 250* and kept cooking until it looked like (real) maple syrup. 

2 is FUN @ the bgca

The boys and girls club has a free open gym two days a week.  Felicity and I had some fun 1:1, but we may bring big sister this week. It's not a huge deal, but the kids get to burn off some cabin fever on bikes, trampolines, playing ball, building forts with different size blocks, tunnels, & with hula hoops in a huge gym. 

It's nice having other options besides the Gym Bin & the 2 McDs play places. 

Bathroom Changes in 2 Days

Removed the horrible wallpaper boarder. 

Pretty easy once the top layer was off, spray with water, & scrape with putty knife. 

Removed the 2-handled faucets and replaced w/ a 1 handle--easier for everyone. 

Painted walls lt. brown-same as hallway. 

I like warmer colors vs the white walls. 

My little helper. 

3-Day Boot Camp Complete!

We started the 3-day potty training boot camp last Sunday since it was 3 days we would not be going anywhere. Felicity did great. 6 accidents each the first 2 days. 1 accident each the next 2 days. Now she's doing well, accident free for the last 4 days!  She even did well on our trip to Goodland for our Maki Christmas. 

Makes momma a little sad, but I don't miss the added laundry & added trash. 

Plus her first 2-yr molar, top left, started poking through the same time. 2 1/2 has been big changes for this sweetie. No more nukies either. At least she still lets me "rock-a-bye" her at night. (Sniff)

Elizabeth's New Projects

Grandma got her a candy making kit. She's having a lot of fun with it. 

Perfect Popcorn

In an effort to save $ and have fun making our own popcorn, I have been making it on the stove.  After a few trials & errors I have it down pat. 

I heat a few Tbls of veg oil @ med/high heat with 3 popcorn kernels. Once all 3 pop I know the oil is hot enough. So I remove the 3 kernels, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of kernels and occasionally shake the pot while keeping the lid tilted to let the steam, but not the popcorn, escape. 

It happens so fast and the kids have fun with it. Then we add a little popcorn "butter" and salt. 

I was using coconut oil, but didn't like the sweet coconut after taste.  EVOO or veg or canola oil work best! Yum!!!  A fun treat for family movie night. 

Elizabeth's Pre-K Christmas Concert

Allergy Treatment: The Next Step

After 45 weekly allergy shots I have finally reached "maintenance" and switched from shots to drops. PTL!!!

A year ago I decided to go with the shots because (1) it's a faster buildup & (2) shots are FDA approved and paid for by insurance-sort of.  Even though we have good insurance I still paid about $30/shot and also paid for follow up visits to the allergist.  The drops cost $90/3-4 months.  Looking back in glad I did the shots and got to maintenance faster, but the cost is nuts. 

Anyway I still have a buildup on these as well, getting up to 3drops/day for 3-5 years.  It's suppose to build up my immune system and encourage my body not to make histamine when encountering an allergen.  My allergies were progressively getting worse and I needed to build myself back up. 

In this concoction are trees, cat dander, grasses, and weeds. Yummy!  Actually they're sweet so it tastes nothing like cat! ;)

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

For years I've struggled with sticky shells, raw or overcooked yolks.  After many experiments and reading others blogs, I have a fool-proof system for the last few months.  It works with fresh eggs and older eggs. I've always heard to buy eggs and let them sit for a week or 2 before using so they peel better. That didn't work. 

Start water to boil w/o eggs in pot.  Add a shake of baking soda to boiling water.  While water is getting up to temp put cold eggs in bowl of warm water - otherwise cold eggs break when put into boiling water. 

Hard boil 10 minutes. Turn down slightly if water starts splashing out of pot, but keep it rolling. Shut off stove & let eggs sit 5 minutes.  Immediately give them an ice water bath & place bowl in fridge. 

That's it. 

I had bought a cheap egg timer so that I knew when the centers were done, but I no longer use since I have a method. 

Now this works with my glass top stove, which stays hot after turning off.  This technique may or may not work with a gas stove, for instance, so covering the pot to keep the heat in that last 5 min may be necessary. 

Maybe not everyone boils eggs as much as we do, but if making egg salad sandwich or deviled eggs, these eggs practically slide out of their shell. This is a plus for a 2 yo who is adamant about peeling her own eggies. 

Prayer for a Happy Death

I love the Catholic religion. They have a prayer for everything. I was listening to a homily via podcast the other day and Father said that people no longer pray for a "happy death".  I internally giggled at first as the title sounds like a Chinese meal. (What do you want today? Oh....I feel like the happy death.)

Once I composed myself and read the prayer it was very centering.  We are all born, we all die. In the meantime we do the best we can to love and serve others on earth and make it to heaven.  People fear death and thereby avoid talk about it.  

O God, great and omnipotent judge of the living and the dead, we are to appear before you after this short life to render an account of our works. Give us the grace to prepare for our last hour by a devout and holy life, and protect us against a sudden and unprovided death. Let us remember our frailty and mortality, that we may always live in the ways of your commandments. Teach us to "watch and pray" (Lk 21:36), that when your summons comes for our departure from this world, we may go forth to meet you, experience a merciful judgment, and rejoice in everlasting happiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Making Memories

     I have this hanging on my bedroom wall. It's a reminder to me that life is short and we only have this short time on earth. We have an even shorter time with our kids to set a good example and give them memories, good & bad. 

     That being said my husband and I rarely fight, maybe once every couple of years.  Last night we did, in front of the kids, which is wrong.  He was late for date night, and hungry, angry me...I spazzed. 

     We were in the car so there was really no place to go, but we still should have put our emotions aside or at least cancelled the night.  My poor children witnessed this incident and of course this sign in my bedroom reminded me that life is all about making memories, esp for our children, so try to make them good ones.

     This morning David and I sat down with the girls and explain to them how our argument in front of them was wrong. We explained that we still love each other and that we didn't mean to scare them.  This doesn't cover up last night's memory, but I do hope the girls learn forgiveness through this outburst of emotion. Not all memories are happy, but we hope everyone can learn from them and have good come from them. 

48* in December

Temp on my van was 48* even though net said 45* @ airport.  The kids were WAY over dressed to play outside, but we had FUN!  I've never seen so much grass in December. 

12/09 : Saint Juan Diego

First called Cuauhtlatohuac (“The eagle who speaks”), Juan Diego’s name is forever linked with Our Lady of Guadalupe because it was to him that she first appeared at Tepeyac hill on December 9, 1531. The most famous part of his story is told in connection with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12. After the roses gathered in his tilma were transformed into the miraculous image of Our Lady, however, little more is said about Juan Diego.

In time he lived near the shrine constructed at Tepeyac, revered as a holy, unselfish and compassionate catechist who taught by word and especially by example.

 

Walmart Altercation

My kids are good kids. That being said I am strict with them and I'm on top of their misbehaving--maybe even a little too proactive.  I'm definitely not the parent who ignores behaviors or bribes their kids out of tantrums. 

That being said we had had a lovely morning.  Until we stood in line to return an item at Walmart. Elizabeth decides to stand on the side of cart and (three times) I asked her nicely to get off so she doesn't tip the cart with her sister inside.  

THEN she gives me the "stink face".  It's what we call the naughty scowl that is disrespectful and downright wrong.  See below:

For the last week or so I've told E that this is rude & inappropriate.  And now the little sister is starting it. 

I don't take it. So after getting the "stink face" from E, a deliberate outward sign of disrespect. So I told her, "wipe that look off your face or I will slap it off".  I said it calmly & quietly. I didn't shout or have to lay a hand on my child. She stopped & knew I meant business. 

Then this 20-something, unmarried (no ring so I'm assuming) woman standing in front of us turns around, looks at E, looks at me and loudly says, " you should be nicer to her."  And in the heat of the moment out of my lips comes, "you should mind your own business."  She turns back around. We make no more contact.  I contemplate apologizing or explaining that I'm trying to teach my children respect and this had been a week-long battle.  BUT I just couldn't do it. She was wrong in butting into a conversation she knew nothing about prior to this encounter.  It irritates me that an adult took a child's side whom she didn't see E's "stink face", hasn't been around during this week-long battle, and didn't even take the time to determine if the kiddo was in any danger.  I would stand up for a child of they were in harms way, but this wasn't it.  Spanking has become abuse to some people. This is why our society is in the position it is today.  

E didn't understand the 'altercation' (hehe) and F was too busy picking her nose (a new hobby).  Minutes later both girls are happy, giggling, singing and finding word games to pass the time in the long line. The guy behind me joked with the kids and a guy 2 people ahead of me turned, made eye contact & smiled.  This is not the sight of 2 abused, neglected children.  These are 2 cherished kiddos whom, I hope, will become pillars of society. 

God loves me.  I love my children, and let them know so they never doubt it.  He punishes those he loves. I punish those I love.  And I love my kids enough for them not to grow up to be little jerks! Haha

Thanksgiving 2015

Yoga with grandma Candy. We spent the night. 

Pretty pies. 

Playing catch with Uncle James. 

Eating Bry's pie. 

The Thanksgiving piñata. 

Maki family comes to out home overnight!  Super fun. 

Talked to Grandma & Papa:

Felicity Joy Visits the Dentist

First visit to the dentist. They didn't do X-rays & will hold off on her first cleaning until next visit, but she did well. The dentist said they usually start crying/screaming so that's how he sees inside, but she just opened up for dr Mike!  She was pretty comfy lying on mom.