Facebook, MySpace

I have not blogged in awhile because I have been learning my way around Facebook and MySpace what serious juvenile fun. I can send stickers, throw Justin Timberlake at people, play games, see how compatable I am with you, right on your wall, design mine just for starters. My teenage daughters think I am a total geek to have both facebook and myspace but I love trolling both of them if for no other reason than to see the look on the teenagers faces when I ask to be their friend!

Do you really need another phone book

OK, I know it is the wrong time of year but do you really need a NEW phone book each year? With access to the Internet and the online phone directories which are very up to date you could certainly call your phone company and cancel your phone book. Or if you get more than one (why do they do that anyhow?) and still feel the need for one be sure to call and ask for only one. That is my plan. And don't forget to recylce your old ones.
God Bless,
Christy

(saving the world one phone book at a time)

Buy Local and in Season

One of the frugal and green hints that almost all blogs, lists and books bring out is to buy local and in season. Rarely did they tell me what was in season where I live. I know I *should* know what is in season but I don't. I found this site and now I know! Hurray!

God Bless,
Christy

The 80's had Reagonomics we have Reconomics

Reconomics? Yes, if you have ever bought something used - book, car, or house you are a reconomist.

The Reconomy is good economy. Good for the planet, good for the pocket book. Recycle, resell, reuse, rehab. Buying, selling, donating and sharing "gently used" items rather than always going for the brand spankin' new gizmo or gadget.

The Reconomy also promotes simplicity. By getting rid of the stuff you don't want or need anymore through selling, donating or sharing your life becomes simpler.

Not only does each item that is reused, recycled, rehabbed and or resold help both parties it one less thing that needs energy to be produced, it reduces the size of your personal environmental footprint and one less thing landing in the landfill. I love reconomics!

This week I was a reconomist in the following way:

• gave my sister all my leftover diapers for her babies
• bought Christmas flannel sheets from the Salvation Army to make into gift bags
• purchased a red hat lady book from a rummage sale for a 40th BD gift for a friend
• found 3 bags worth of stuff to donate to the Goodwill
• bought Ellie a pair of army pants from a rummage sale
• refilled and refrigerated numerous water bottles from the tap
• took the leftover broth from my mom's beef and noodles home to make soup (there was a half gallon of delicious broth which she was going to pitch.)

How about you?

The reconomy is economically frugal, environmentally friendly and really rather fun!

God Bless,

Christy

Bargains for the Groom and their family

Skip the rental shoes - why? they hurt like the dickens, cost about $10.00 and NO ONE will notice they are wearing their own comfy black dress shoes.

Buy your tux at Mens Warehouse for about $199 if, like my husband you have 5 daughters and 3 sons who may be getting married eventually. Dad doesn't have to match exactly does he? Nope!

God Bless,
Christy

Freecylce Yardsale

I was meandering around the frugal sites and happened upon a post about having a Freecyle Yardsale. Brilliant I say. I do not have the time, energy or umpf to post often to freecyle but I have tons of stuff to get rid of. This lovely lady suggests posting to all local freecyle groups that you are having a freecyle yardsale and then after having ruthlessly gone through your house haul it out to the driveway and wait and watch as people come. Once you have gotten rid of a lot of your excess it is easier to be frugal when your house isn't cluttered.

God Bless,

Christy

A little here, a little there

A little here a little there, that is a great mantra for so many things.

• Reuse plastic baggies.
• Instead of buying video games that your kids will beat in 2 days, borrow from the library.
• When shopping, just say no to one item that is frivolous.
• Drink water with your meals, at home and out - better for your health and save bundles.
• Drive less, take public transportation if possible, bike, walk - better for your health, the environment and your pocket book.
• Buy clippers and cut your husband and boys hair, your daughters' too if you dare.
• Squeeze every fiber out of clothing that is stained and not donate-able. Cut it up, use it for cleaning cloths or for personal care cloths. When it is nothing more than shreds, compost it.
• Unplug things, lots of things, like your microwave when not in use or the lamps in the living room and especially your cell phone charger.
• Keep your lights off in the day time.
• Buy in bulk - less packaging and usually cheaper.
• Bring your own bag to the store. Saves the environment and you get some use out of those bags you have hanging around.
• Pack your lunch. Even you - you know the sahm's - you save a fortune, calories, the environment AND if you bought your food locally you are supporting your local economy.
• Park in the shade. Not only is it more comfortable to get back into it also decreases the amount of fuel you lose to evaporation AND requires less a/c when you get back in - saving you $$.

I have literally hundreds of these tips. Maybe I will organize them into some sort of useful post. Or I won't. We'll see.

God Bless,

Christy

Frugal Hacker

So, I signed up to be on the Frugal Hacker Blogroll. I have never done this before ... I admit I am a little nervous that this site is not frugal looking enough. We shall see. I think that it should be based on the fact that we are a family of 10, living on 1 income and always have. My posts give others a little look into our world. We'll see. I also pledge, ( does that sound good) to post more frugal posts. Pledge, hmm is that too much? How about if I promise real nicely?

Here is my tip for tonight: reuse all your bags. Not just the obvious ziploc kind. I mean your bread bags, pretzel bags, cereal liners - anything that HAD food in it will be safe for short term food storage. I have to admit my kids think I am nuts - I have bags hanging all over the place because I rinse them out and hang them around. This not only save the environment a little but it also saves on purchasing ziploc baggies. What do I put in them you may ask - snacks for the road, leftover tomatoe halves, sandwiches to go, really anything that isn't going to leak.

God Bless,
Christy

Chicken Enchilada Lasagna

OK, I have to admit this will be a crap shoot. Sometimes when I make dinners up they are really good and sometimes we have to get carryout. I am hoping for really good. I vaguely remember watching Emeril make something similar - but that was a long time ago, it was late at night, and I don't have a bunch of prep cooks.
Anyhoo, this is what I did...

1/2 chicken breast cooked and cut up tiny - looks like more
2 cups shredded mexican cheese, divided
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4-1/2 cup cottage cheese (I used up what I had)
1/4 cup sour cream
2 TBS or so of cumin
salsa - canned mexican tomatoes would have worked better I think but I don't have any
Green Enchilada sauce
flour tortillas (if I would have had corn tortillas this would be g/f)

Spray a smallish rectangular pan with cooking spray. Mix together everything BUT 1/2 cup cheese, 3/4 can sauce, and tortillas. Put in a layer of tortillas - rip to make fit. Then put half of mixture over and then another layer of tortillas then mixture then tortillas finally top with rest of Enchilada Sauce and cheese. Cover with foil cook @ 375 for 20 minutes, remove foil, cook 10 more minutes.

How I adapted it for Joe:
1 egg, beaten
cheese (rice)
chicken
salsa
cumin
enchilada sauce (I forgot to save some for him - will next time if it is good)
crushed tortilla chips
tortilla

spray a single serving corningware thing with canola spray. Put in 1 tortilla like a cup. Mix the rest and dump in. Cook along side main meal.

Why is this frugal? because I fed 5 people with 1/2 a leftover chicken breast, the rest of some odd bags of cheese, my remaining cottage cheese and sour cream, stale tortilla chips and a can of enchilada sauce I had laying around, and some funky fruit salsa leftover from Dougie's graduation party - I bought nothing new to make it. Love it when it turns out!

here's hoping this is edible!
God Bless,
Christy

update: It tasted delicious but I needed to cook it 30 more minutes, I think I will add a 2nd egg next time to hold it together more, oh and definitely let it stand about 10 minutes to what do you call it? um gel? Joe loved his meal also - he has many food allergies among them milk.

Bags from shirts - baggy-shirt.com

I found the most amazing idea - bags from used shirts. These are super simple looking and if you had even the tiniest amount of sewing ability it would work. Check out Baggy-shirts.com .
According to the website they:

Purchase recycled men's shirts obtained from warehouses of surplus goods collected from charitable organizations - no petroleum-based materials.
Use the entire shirt - absolutely no waste.
Prevent clothing and tens of thousands of paper and plastic bags from going to the landfill each year.
Employ LOCAL artisans to fabricate bags at home, slashing carbon emissions by 80% to 90%. No overseas manufacturing.
Pay our fabricators a livable wage that is above average for the industry.
Operate with the least possible amount of negative environmental impact – we ship Internet orders in recycled and recyclable materials.
Donate a portion of our proceeds to organizations that work to stop global warming.

God Bless,
Christy

Sushi - yummy!

Here is a picture of the rice seasoning and a sushi rolling mat in case you wanted to see them. I got them at Woo's Oriental Store but I bet you can find them at your local Asian store.

I could live on Japanese food - sushi, sashimi, maki rolls,dons - yum yum yum. My kids also love rolls. (all but Josh and Sylvia but they will eat katsu or teriaki chicken so they love going to sushi) What is a cheap meal for 1 or 2 becomes a little salty for 10 so I taught myself to roll California Rolls - that is right I can make maki rolls but can't hem - hmmm - things that make you say hmmm.

Anyhow, I was thinking a little maki sounded good but didn't have all the ingredients for a california roll but had fresh asparagus, cucumbers and leftover sticky rice. The makings for a delicious roll. I can't explain how to roll but go here and they have good directions.

I will however tell you my ingredients.

1 bowl leftover sticky rice - put a little rice vinegar in - you can add a pinch of sugar but I didn't

Big shake of Wasabi fumi furikake rice seasoning stir into warm rice

1 steamed in the microwave asparagus spear

1/8 cucumber sliver with seeds cut out and skin removed if it is waxy

1 sheet of nori (shiny side down)

oh, and don't forget the wasabi and the soy sauce (g/f of course)

I have always made this with a bamboo sushi rolling mat which you can buy in the oriental section of Walmart by the teriaki sauce.

Lay nori down, top with rice mixture, asparagus, cucumber and roll up. Cut with sharp wet knife, serve with wasabi and soy sauce. Yum!

Happy Eating!

God Bless,

Christy

Sew yourself a morsbag and save the world

OK that might be exaggerating a bit, but I don't know. Don't all us earthy crunchy types love to do these things? FYI, I cannot sew. I have a lovely machine I got for Christmas 18 years ago and have only made 1 pair of toddler pants. I just don't get it. I have taken lessons 3 - yes 3 times and still cannot hem a pair of pants. Yes, I am 5 foot tall, thankfully clothes are made now for short people. It wasn't so easy in the olden days not to be able to hem. Yes, my name is Christy and I cannot sew.
HOWEVER, I think I could do this. It is just a bunch of straight lines. I am going to try. I will post a picture if it turns out - or if it doesn't you all can see how craft impaired I am. I am hoping to make a bunch to use as Christmas gift bags. Just need to find some material at a garage sale and I am set!
Go here for a tutorial - pdf, or word do or even an animation of how to make a morsbag.
God Bless,
Christy

South Side Farmers Market

I did it, I ventured forth to a rather scary part of the Fort this morning. Why? Because I wanna be green. And the best way it seems is to buy local, organic food. The Amish don't have much yet and besides I was in the mood for an adventure. What fun! This place has been here since oh I don't know before my dad was born. It seemed like a cross between a farmers market and a flea market. I love flea markets so it was like a double bonus. Did I get any great deals - no. Definatly not unless you count the 2 Valentines plates I bought for my plate collection. Was the selection good - fair not good.,but I think this will improve as the summer moves on. Were the people friendly - absolutely. Will I be going back??? You bet! I wouldn't miss it for the world!

South Side Market is on Warsaw Street between Rudisill and Pontiac. The hours are from 7am -1am on Saturdays in the summer.

There is also several amish places much closer to home, Schmuckers on Doty Rd. (quite large with a great selection. Everything isn't "theirs" but they let you know if it is. As you drive around in the Woodburn, Harlan, Grabill area you will run into many more. I am grateful for the choices. I hadn't thought of these Amish stores as 'farmers markets' but duh! Of course they are! Just not as fun as South Side!

The moral to the story - get out there and hunt for your local stores and markets. It is like I tell my family: I am saving the world one organic strawberry at a time. or reused ziploc baggie, or not using paper plates etc, it is how I am saving the world ONE thing at a time! What next? Public Transportation. I have to drive 6 miles to catch a bus to the other side of the Fort. Is it worth it? I wish I had a reason to go now just to try it out. Wish me luck - I am a total wimp.

God Bless,

Christy

Ham and Cheese Strata

Original Ham and Cheese Strata
12 slices bread, cubed
2 cups shredded cheese2 cups cubed ham
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 9oz pkg. thawed brocolli
1 2oz jar pimento drained
6 eggs
3 cups milk
tsp salt, dry mustard
Grease 13x9 baking dish. Layer bread, cheese, ham, onion, brocolli and pimento. In bowl combine eggs,milk, salt and mustard. Blend well. Pour mixture over bread mix. Refrigerate at least 6 hours. Heat oven to 325, bake 90 min. (check for doneness) Let stand 10 minutes.

How I made it today
1 loaf g/f rice bread cubed
2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
1 lb sausage cooked and drained
1 orange pepper diced
1/4 cup diced onion
1 2oz jar pimento
6 eggs
3 cups milk
(I forgot the mustard and salt)

Both ways are delicious. This is a fabulously forgiving recipe. Any bread products work, I usually use sausage instead of ham. I rarely use the broccoli because I don't keep it on hand but another vegetable works as well like asparagus or peppers or mushrooms. I only use pimento if I have it, I think it is more for color than taste. Any kind of shredded cheese works also.

Spicy Peanut Sauce

(I usually double this batch)
1 1/2 Tbs. creamy peanut butter
2 Tbs. vegetable oil (I use coconut oil)
2 Tbs. reduced sodium soy sauce (regular makes it too salty according to the original recipe but I always use regular)
2 Tbs. sugar
2 tsp. rice vinegar (or distilled white)
1/2 tsp. sesame seed oil - dark if possible to find
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Stir together in small pot and warm until ingredients are well mixed.

We eat this over sticky rice but the recipe can also be used for chicken satay.
My family absolutely loves this. My dear friend Laura gave me the recipe and an authentic Asian Hat looking thing to cook the rice in.

I never got the hang of it but love love love my rice cooker.

Wonderful way to get groceries cheap in these hard times

Angel Food Ministries


I have to admit that I am unsure if I qualify - money is tight but not "that tight" to warrant help. But the website says it is for anyone. For $30 you get a predetermined grocery list that is worth about $60. There is meat, fruit, veggies - a wonderful assortment. Click on the link to see if there is an Angel Food Ministries near you. Let me know what you think!

OK I am so bugged

This evening my 2 big kids - 19 and 17 went and bought a couple of dogs. They had only permission to buy 1. 1 for the son who is moving out in August. Not for the daughter who is severly allergic. Now I am the BAD GUY. I won't let them keep the 2nd dog because a. they didn't have permission, b. I am allergic, Cassie is allergic, Joe is allergic (they suggested I get shots so they can keep the dog - I DONT THINK SO!!) c. Sylvia loves loves loves dogs. She will get dog all over her and want to love on me thereby transferring said dog dander. d. did I mention they didn't have permission and were trying to pull one over on me. e. I am afraid of dogs.
gggrrrrr It might take awhile to get over this. I know they are very very angry with me. I wish they could see how they made this situation happen, I didn't. They both knew if they had asked I would have said no. So, they just didn't ask.

Fun Meme, consider yourself tagged!

ABC, easy as 123...
(I found this on her blog)

A is for age:42
B is for burger of choice: Lettuce tomato ketchup mustard cheese
C is for what kind of car you drive: Yukon
D is for your dog's name: read K
E is for essential item you use everyday: toothbrush
F is for favorite TV show at the moment: Monk
G is for favorite game: Euchre
H is for Hometown: Fort Wayne
I is for instruments you play: none
J is for favorite juice: Blueberry
K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: My kids for buying 2 dogs today without permission and now they are mad at me for not letting them keep them both -sheesh, like I did something wrong.
L is for last restaurant you ate at? Lone Star - 2 thumbs down, bad service, bad food
M is for your favorite Muppet: C is for Cookie Monster!!!
N is for Number of Piercing:2 - 1 for each ear although my ears are so sensative I can't wear earrings anymore
O is for overnight hospital stays: hmmm 9 kids, tonsils =10 for me, 4 months with Luke
P is for people you were with today: my sisters
Q is for what you do with your quiet time: Read, browse the www
R is for biggest regret: Not saying sorry enough
S is for status:Not sure what this means, how about married
T is for time you woke up today: 9:00 (it is Sunday)
U is for what you consider unique: my sense of humor
V is for vegetable you love: asparagus - made my way
W is for worst habit: eating when stressed
X is for x-rays you've had: 10 maybe more
Y is for yummy food you ate today: Ham sandwich on organic bread with cranberry mustard, sprouts, spinach, tomatoes and tortilla chips -yum!
Z is for zodiac sign: Taurus

Tag to anyone who wants to play!

Pure Fashion Photo

Looky there I made it bigger! (so what if I used a different pic! LOL)

(I can't seem to make the picture bigger ... any ideas?)

I know this is late, but on May 3rd my daughters Katie andTessa participated in the annual Pure Fashion Show. in Fort Wayne Indiana. This was Katie's 2nd and Tessa's first time. The absolutely fabulously studdly man is my husband. This was his 2nd time. My oldest daughter was a participant for 4 years. It has been a beautiful way to teach modesty not only to my daughters but others as well. If there is one near you, run don't walk to sign your high school aged daughter up!

Pure Fashion is an international faith based program designed for girls 14-18 to help young women re-discover and re-affirm their innate value and authentic femininity.
Pure Fashion is a character formation program that enhances not only a young woman's external appearance, but more importantly, her interior beauty and balanced self confidence.
Our goal is to emphasize a young woman's inherent dignity and therefore create in her a desire to dress and act in accordance with that dignity. We understand that many young women today are losing their sense of innocence at a very young age, and Pure Fashion aims to reverse this trend by offering a fun, exciting and effective virtue formation program that can impress the hearts and minds of young girls at a very critical stage in their lives.

Pure Fashion is an Apostolate of Regnum Christi.

A thoughtful post on the Candidates

Two Ways of Seeing Babies

Wonder who to vote for?

A fabulous article from the National Catholic Register.

Graduation

Today was my oldest son's last day of high school. He could conceivably never ever take another class in his life. Sigh, it also means that I have a child out of school. Gasp, the horrors. Am I old enough? I don't feel it. Is he old enough - certainly. He is such a man. A wonderful man who is loving and caring, hard working, honest and an all around great kid --oops I mean man. I know he is itching to move out - we keep a pretty close eye and grip on our kids. He wants some freedom. I don't blame him, it is time. His mommy is just not ready to let go! I hope to get a picture to put here of him all cap and gowned. A milestone in both his and our (dh and I) lives. The time has gone so fast I can hardly believe it. Wasn't it just yesterday that I sat outside the preschool for an hour and listened to him cry when I left? No? Where oh where did the time go??
God Bless,
Christy

This is an even better picture of "What My Husband Does All Day"

I wish I had a picture of him on the phone - he spends a lot of time fielding calls and putting out "fires".

Wanna See What My Husband Does All Day??

I was sure I was going to fail - the last question brought me up to a "C"

last on of these quizzes for awhile ...I promise....they are just so much fun!

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Online Dating

I love Ginger!!!!

You Are Ginger

Like ginger, you are a total shape shifter. You can be sweet, spicy, mellow, or overpowering. You are both soothing and unique. You are popular... yet you are often overlooked.

What Spice Are You?

Galadriel

Possessing a rare combination of wisdom and humility, while serenely dominating your environment you selflessly use your powers to care for others.

Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.

Galadriel is a character in the Middle-Earth universe.

Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

...If You Lived in Colonial Times by Ann McGovern

We read this today and thoroughly enjoyed learning about life in colonial times. I have posted what Josh, Joe and Ellie wrote about colonial times. I had asked them to write a page and so there are some "filler words" but it is interesting to see what impressed them. We used 2 different publishings and so the pictures in the books were different and it was wonderful to see different artists pictures.

This is what I learned:

• That colonial times begins in 1565 with the first Spanish colony in St. Augustine Florida and ends in 1776 when the English colonies become the United States.
• That babies wore puddings - pillows around their midsections to keep them from getting hurt.
• The colonist' wore colorful clothing - yellow, red, purple, blue. I thought everything was brown and white or maybe gray.
• Schoolmasters used more than dunce caps to make children (boys) behave, they would use both punishments that hurt your feelings and made you feel foolish along with the ones that just HURT>
• Some of the "medicines" were quite weird and even harmful - bag of the sick person' s fingernails tied around the neck of an eel should bring down a fever when the eel dies. Or bloodletting - ouch and dangerous.
• Some of the crazy laws included ones that said it was against the law for a baker to bake bad bread, or a brewer to brew bad beer. Or the one that said a poor man can't have clothes as fancy as a rich one.
• Many of the laws were punishable by hanging. Some by whipping, ducking (this one was for wives who talked back to their husbands) being put in the stocks.

We learned many more things but these were my favorites.

We will continue to learn about this time in history and finally finish the year with the American Revolution.

The Stuff I learned about Colonial Times by Josh

I learned that if you were a boy you would be done with school at the age of twelve years old. I also learned that girls only learned how to read and write while they went to school. This is because most people in that time didn't think it was important for girls to go to school after that. Those people thought girls should know how to cook, clean, and sew more. But some people said that girls should learn to do all the things a twelve year old boy should know. I also learned that there were a bunch of laws. Like it is against the law to swim, and to fall asleep during church, if you do you might get a fine. Boys at school had to stay good or they would have one of these punishments like getting put into the coldest part of the room during the winter, or having to sit in the dunce chair with a dunce cap on. Or wear a thing around you neck that said something stupid like "BITE FINGER BABY".

Colonial Times by Ellie

Age 9

You could not talk at the table. You could not smile at church or talk or move. You would have to stand or sit on uncomfortable benches. Only Mom and Dad can sit in chairs. Only the men can vote for the laws. The people work all day long. The boys even have to hunt. They have only one room, the bigger kids sleep in the attic. The little kids sleep in the kitchen where they work and cook and eat. Boys went to school longer than girls. There were no bathrooms, no running water so they took buckets of water and stood in a big bucket and poured water on them. They drink beer and the little kids too. they had to make their own things. The boys and girls wore weird clothes. They ate a lot of corn and meat.

What I learned about Colonial Times by Joe

If you lived in colonial times kids could drink rum and beer. Kids didn't have much time to play. Kids couldn't move in church. Kids wore funny looking clothes. Boys and girls got out of school early. There were lots of punishments. Girls were only allowed to wear dresses. You weren't allowed to work on Sunday. You couldn't even smile or giggle in church or you could be fined. Kids had to stand while they were eating because they didn't have seats. Men were the only people to make the laws. Men and boys hunted while the women and girls cooked and cleaned. And men and boys fished as well. If you fell asleep in church you would be smacked in the head. In Boston the first person to be put in the stocks was the person who made them.

My Baby is Getting Married

Ashleigh and Dougie are the first 2 in the picture - I don't have another picture on this computer.


GASP!
I am not old enough to be the mother of the groom am I???? I am only
41 and 11/10ths. That is just entirely too young! LOL My oldest son has gotten engaged to a very lovely young woman who I will be proud to have as my daughter-in-law. The fun begins as they decide things like oh, say, when they are going to get married. (they are looking at next spring) They are very young - he will be 19 in July and she will be 20 in August but they love each other, he will have a good job working for his dad and I know that if they keep God in the center of their marriage it will all be good.

Benedict XVI is here!!

The pope is here in the United States. How exciting! I know of quite a few people who have secured tickets to attend a mass the Pope will be presiding over. My oldest son even received one today in the mail - we aren't sure where it came from but he can't use it. Unfortunatly the tickets are non-transferable or I might be tempted to hop a plane and go! I so love Benedict XVI, he is very different than JPII the Great but so holy and full of love that I love him.

The best site on the internet to watch it live is here at Pope 2008 at EWTN.

So, when the Pope is out and about this is the place to watch and listen.

Not Quite as Green as I wanna be ....but how high could I really score with 10 people in my house?

Crockpot Oatmeal

OK, I tried this today and it was yummy. Lest you think this blog is becoming a food blog I am adding it to help with time management.

Crockpot Oatmeal

3 cups oatmeal
4 cups cold water, 2 cups ice
pinch of salt
sprinkle liberally with cinnamon (makes it smell sooooo good in the morning)and we all need more cinnamon in our diet)

opt.: chopped apples, or raisins or other dried fruit.

SPRAY the inside of your crock first - VIP I think it took me days to get it clean.
add all to crock, turn on low, go to bed, snuggle with dh, wake up to yummy breakfast. Can add raisins or dried fruit in the morning if you like it chewier.

God Bless,
Christy

Cranberry Mustard Salad Dressing

In an attempt to eat less processed foods and use up some odd mustard I have created the following. It is delicious over a green salad. I even added a little to what I loosely call guacamole (avacado, lemon juice, salsa all mashed together)it gave it a great flavor.

Cranberry Mustard Salad Dressing

1/4 cup Cranberry Honey Mustard
1/8 cup honey (I just used a big squirt)
1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt
1/4 cup lemon or lime juice
tsp of organic dulse granules - optional, I just add this to almost everything to get the nutrients from this sea veggie.
1/3 cup water

Blend in the blender, can store in frig for up to 2 weeks.

(this can also be made with regular Dijon just use 1/4 cup of honey and add about a tsp of poppyseeds)

I just made a fantastic salad with sliced strawberries and toasted walnuts with this as the dressing - yum!! If you like feta cheese I bet that would be delish also.

I think I will serve this with a salad when we row Cranberry Thanksgiving!


God Bless,
Christy

Quote

"For instance, take the matter of eating, God has given us an appetite for food and stomachs to digest it. But that doesn't mean we should eat more than we need. Don't think of eating as important, because some day God will do away with both stomachs and food.

1Cor 6:13

Steak and Beer in the Crockpot

This recipe got 2 thumbs up from my family!

Round steak or roast
1 - 12oz beer
1 large can tomato sauce
1 chopped onion
1TBS instant sweet tea
1 container sliced mushrooms

Put all except mushrooms in the crock and cook 8-10 hours on low. Add mushrooms 1/2 hour before serving. This is delicious with mashed potatoes and a salad.

Lentil Soup or "Shorabat Addas"

This is a delicious gluten free, vegan soup that also meets my very allergic son's criteria.

2 cups Red Lentils
8 cups of water or broth of your choice or a combo
1/2 tsp of cumin (I use more)
1/2 tsp tumeric or paprika
1 large onion, diced
1-2 cloves garlic minced
2 TBS EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
salt and pepper
juice of one lemon
2 bullion cubes of choice

Wash lentils. Add to broth and bring to a boil, cover for a half hour stirring occasionally. When Lentils are tender, add dry spices and bullion to the pot. Saute onions and garlic in evoo, when golden brown, add to soup. Simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add lemon juice to pot, stir. Can garnish with parsley and paprika. Serve with lemon wedges on the side. Serves 6-8.

Bittersweet Magnolia Memories

I read the following at the Happy Homeschool, a great blog post on the pain of divorce as seen by a grown child of divorced parents:


Bittersweet Magnolia Memories
As an adult, I find myself assured that I have endured enough painful events to have a heart for others' sufferings. On the other hand, I have had the privilege to live out enough joyful times to be able to say I have had a pretty happy life. I believe most of us move about doing the chores of our everyday living without being aware of how complex the journey was to getting us where we are now. Even so, every once in awhile, some small thing can jar us to a full awareness of some long-ago painful or bittersweet event that made us who we are.
Yesterday, I drove my teenage son to his weekly piano lesson where I normally go inside, sit at a dining table and read while waiting for his lesson to end. However, yesterday was so lovely and sunny, with the owner's garden just beginning its spring showing, I felt compelled to just sit outside to wait for the lesson's end. The idea was perfectly fine with our piano instructor. Thus, my son disappeared into the house for his lesson and I went out into the garden and found a primitive-looking bench in the shade. Paying attention to the overall beauty of the yard, I was not really focused on any one plant. So it was not until I was comfortably seated for a moment and fully appreciating the scent on the breeze that I realized I was being shaded by a huge magnolia tree not yet in bloom. The scent of the tree filled me with an instantaneous flood of memories. It only took seconds for tears to sting my eyes and for me to be transported to another time and another place.
The "happiest" years of my childhood were played out in an old house whose yard was graced by one of the most monstrous magnolia trees I have ever seen. My sister and I had spent countless hours hiding in its branches. We had used its big, brittle, brown leaves in the fall to make hats and baskets, "sewing" them together with twigs. We made "perfume" in old bottles with its beautiful white blossoms which we would grind up and mix with water. We peeled back petals to reveal what looked like matches to play with in our pretend house under the magnolia.
Sitting at the foot of that strange magnolia yesterday, enveloped in a scent I had not smelled in years, it was as if I had hit an air pocket during a plane ride--my stomach was in my throat. I wanted so badly I could taste it to go back and somehow claim all my childhood memories left laying strewn beneath that magnolia tree. I wanted to go back and make a happy ending to something that ended in tears. I wanted to go back and tell the neighborhood children who used to come play with us, we were happy there one time. We really were.
Though the "old house in the country" was the first real house my parents bought together to grow their family (after years of living in what they knew were stepping stones to get where they really wanted to be), it ended up being the place where their union together fell apart. Children have a way of being able to keep playing even when pieces of their lives are falling down around them. So it was with me and my sister. We played in that tree right up until the day we left, without the foresight or wisdom of age to say some kind of goodbye and make some kind of peace with the giant that had been the center of our world for several years.
I didn't cry yesterday. I almost did, but not quite. It was startling to realize that this strange magnolia which had awakened in me a sleeping memory capable of producing tears was not even in bloom! It was simply the smell of the bark and the leaves. Had there been blooms on the tree, I may have truly cried.
Though painful, somehow there was a lesson in the piano teacher's garden that I needed to find. I am a grown woman now, happily married with children. My husband and I found "our house" on the first try many years ago, though I didn't always see it that way. This house we live in would NOT have been my choice, but it was all we could afford. Eventually, we went from being renters to owners of this old house we live in, and now we have four children who have only known this one house as "home." I felt almost ashamed yesterday as I sat in the breeze under that magnolia thinking of all the times I have complained about my current house and life--a leaky faucet, ending up in town versus being in the country, not having big enough closets, and other things. What matters most has been before me all along. My husband and my children. The half-hour under that magnolia tree further solidified a resolve that was born long ago, probably in part out of my own parents' sad estrangement from each other. As long as I am breathing and able to stand by my vows, there will be no scattered, abandoned memories that my children will have to look back on with sadness and longing. Though storm clouds may gather over the union I have made with my children's daddy, I want my children to witness and be strengthened by our endurance of the storms.
I do realize, as I have learned that life does not deal all hands equally, that sometimes a union must end for reasons beyond a person's control, no matter what their resolve. In the end though, how many times could vital repairs have been made to a marriage if pride, anger, self-pity, and jealousy had been removed from the table, or if someone had only been willing to get some help?
My husband and I don't have a magnolia tree, but we have some pretty magnificent maples. It is my dream and hope that one day my husband and I can sit under these maple trees with our grandchildren and say, "your mom spent some of the happiest years of her life playing under these trees." I want to be vigilant and guard my children's happy memories which are living under our maple trees. They'll need these memories one day. I know they will.


You may reproduce the above article on your website with the following byline: Lynn Wilson, mom to four delightful (and perhaps challenging) children, is the eclectic and nature-loving owner of The Healthy Homeschool (http://www.thehealthyhomeschool.com). She welcomes you to visit her any time at her website!

Cranberry Thanksgiving

Today at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store I found Cranberry Thanksgiving and I paid ..........$5.00 for 5o books and this was included! So very cool. Cannot wait to use it next year for FIAR.

God Bless,
Christy

Wii, Wii, We got a Wii!!

We got a Wii! Yes, I caved in and bought the newest and coolest game system EVER! (just ask around). It really is a lot of fun. I think I might even improve my bowling and tennis game - couldn't hurt!

With the money we didn't spend on a vacation we bought this. I think it is a great trade.

God Bless,

Christy

Happy Birthday to .....Josh, Molly, Michael, Randy, Mitsie, Monica, Mimi, Sylvia, Mary Alice, Gigi and TJ

Happy Birthday to them! Happy Birthday to them! Happy Happy Birthday dear Josh, Molly, Michael, Randy, Mitsie, Monica, Mimi, Sylvia, Gigi, Mary Alice and TJ Happy Birthday to you!!

Yes this is the list of birthdays we celebrate in my immediate family in April - astounding isn't it??

Party On Garth!!


God Bless,
Christy

More Scary Stuff

One world power? 911 not a terrorist attack? Who really is in charge? I am not sure but if you want an opinion which seems based on substantial fact go here and read and watch the videos. It will certainly open your eyes to another point of view that isn't manipulated by our news media.

Brother Jeremy and friend, Legionaries of Christ brothers.

Brother Jeremy and friend: Please pray for them and all young people discerning vocations!

Lord Jesus, eternal Shepherd, in your kindness, look with mercy on this part of your beloved flock. Lord, we cry out to you as orphans. Grant us vocations! Call many of our young people to be holy priests and consecrated men and women.

We ask Mary, your tender, holy Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, to intercede for us. Jesus, grant us priests and consecrated persons after your own heart!

Wait until you hear who I am related to.

OK I admit it I am going to do a little name dropping. My ancestor was the FIRST governor of Jamestown! That is right, he was the guy who didn't like John Smith and had him brought to the New World in chains. Seems like the 2 guys didn't like each other. We didn't know this when we read - This Dear Bought Land so now I need to do some serious research on him. His name was Edward Maria Wingfield. More exciting information to follow........stay tuned! click here and here for more information. Oh wait, I want this for my birthday!!!

oh, looky what I found .......(here) (I cut and pasted the following)

Edward-Maria Wingfield Jamestown's First President - 1607

Edward Maria Wingfield was the true founder of the first successful English colony in America in 1607. History with few exceptions, ignores this fact. Nevertheless it is for this accomplishment he is best known, although he was also a valiant soldier in prior years for England.
Wingfield an active leader in getting the Jamestown expedition up and running, was one of the Big Eight Virginia Company stockholders and the only venturer representing the London company in Virginia.
Most of the accepted history of Jamestown was written by the better known, John Smith himself, who became an adversary of Capt. Wingfield. Smith's enormous ego basically denied merit to anyone but himself. Therefore history of the event is unfairly slanted with many inaccuracies.
Smith describes Wingfield as a weak person, who misappropriated rations, held Smith in custody without cause, tried to escape from Jamestown, did not build temporary defense works or even unpack the arms. Each and every one of these accusations were disproved by chapter and verse in a 1993 book ("Virginia's True Founder: Edward-Maria Wingfield") by Jocelyn Wingfield of London, England. The simple undeniable fact is Smith was not in charge of building the fort, did not initiate bartering with the Indians or keeping peace with them. He was not the founder of Jamestown as most people tend to believe.
John Smith was a brave and daring individual with many accomplishments at Jamestown to his credit. Unfortunately telling the truth was not one of them. History has vastly exaggerated Smith's role and ignores that Wingfield was the true founder of the Jamestown colony.
Wingfield and his cousin, Bartholomew Gosnold were responsible for recruiting around half the settlers from their ancestral homes in Suffolk, England area. Wingfield was the only stockholder and charter grantee to sail with the one hundred and five colonists on three ships into Virginia. He had been chosen president of the council and took complete charge upon arrival. Incidentally, John Smith arrived in chains for promoting mutiny inroute.
Wingfield was not popular as the responsibility was staggering, nevertheless the 57 year old military man was extremely experienced in defense works, constructed the fort in an incredibly short time of a month and a day. It was indeed a dismal, fledging colony in the early days. To add to the overwhelming problems, many of the colonists were "gentlemen" and did not take well to "labor." It was working, watching and warding, so much so that Wingfield's cousin, Gosnold advised him to ease up a bit as he was working the men too hard.
After arrival to promote harmony Smith was released from his incarceration and allowed to take his seat on the council. After Gosnold died, Smith led a drive for the council to depose it's president, his adversary, Wingfield.
As the going got especially tough, with starvation, disease, a high percentage of deaths as well as Indian attacks, Wingfield was deposed. History often overlooks that John Smith was also deposed as was his two predecessors as president of the council.
When Christopher Newport's ship returned from England with supplies, he (Newport) dismissed all charges against Wingfield as ludicrous, except one and that was he was an atheist. This was also untrue, as he was a Protestant. The fact remains that Wingfield led the colony from selection of a brilliant defense position on the James River, building the fort, establishing contact with the Indians during a tenuous and a most dismay period between arrival in April until September, 1607. His leadership established the colony on a foundation to become a permanent settlement in the new world. So it was Capt. Edward Maria Wingfield, the first president of Jamestown who was the true founder.

Just for fun.....I love these things!

What Color Sharpie Are You? (25 Different Colors) Updated Again!

Blue Sharpie
Element: Water
Sense: Sound
Gemstone: Sapphire
Some Qualities: Trustworthy, Calm, IndependentFact: Sapphires are considered antidepressants. Also, blue is considered to be a calming color

Take this quiz!








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What did you learn in history?

I have been reading "Lies My Teacher Told Me" and "People's History of the United States 1492 to Present" both books are fascinating. I am often taken aback by what I was never taught in school. Both books are written by very liberal thinking gentlemen and it is obvious in what they present. However, I had never learned about Columbus' atrocities, I learned the term "carpetbagger" and certainly received a skewed teaching of many historical events. It was mindblowing almost to read a different view than what I was taught. I am intregued to learn more. I recommend these books as an informative read. I don't think you should take as gospel everything these men write but I don't think they want you to either. They both say that they want students to think about history and when their is conflict of stories to make their own informed opinions. But informed is the keyword I think. Don't just take their word for it, or the textbooks, or event the encyclopedia or wikipedia - read many sources and then decide. Well, that is if you have time . Sigh, once again something to fill my free time with. Wait, what is free time??????

God bless,
Christy

Lent

I want to recommend a great article about Lent here. An article by Theresa A. Thomas at Catholic Exchange. It talks about how to live simply during Lent following these five ideas:
First attain mastery over time.
Second, live more naturally - get up earlier, go to bed earlier.
Third recognise that less if often more.
Fourth decrease expenses.
Fifth embrace silence.

I feel the need to look at my lenten progress - which is minimal and see where and how I can implement these in my life. More so than just at lent, making them a more permanent life plan.

God Bless,
Christy

Father Marcial Maciel, Founder of the Legionaries of Christ Dies

Legionary of Christ Founder Dies at 87


Father Marcial Maciel Began Lay Regnum Christi Movement



ROME, JAN. 31, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Father Marcial Maciel, founder of the Legionaries of Christ and the Catholic lay Regnum Christi movement, died Wednesday at age 87.

A communiqué from the Legionaries of Christ reported that Father Maciel died in the United States and that he had "communicated to Father Álvaro Corcuera, general director of the congregation, his desire that the funeral be celebrated in a climate of prayer, in a simple and private way."

"The Legionaries of Christ and the members of the Regnum Christi movement announce with sorrow the loss of their dear father founder who was the instrument of God in beginning this work at the service of the Church and society," the note added.

Father Maciel suffered various health conditions, aggravated by his advanced age.

"He leaves as a legacy the congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and the apostolic movement Regnum Christi, present in nearly 40 countries," the communiqué stated. "In his 87 years of life, Father Maciel dedicated his energy to completing the mission that God entrusted him of contributing to the evangelizing mission of the Church, so that more men and women of all social conditions would know, live and spread the love of Jesus Christ and the good news of the Gospel."

"The Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi movement ask prayers for the eternal rest of his soul and earnestly appreciate all the condolences and signs of appreciation and affection," the note concluded.

St. Guízar

Marcial Maciel was born in Cotija de la Paz, Mexico, in 1920. During his childhood, Mexico suffered the religious persecution of the 1920s. Maciel left for the seminary at age 15, studying under his great uncle, Bishop Rafael Guízar of Veracruz, who was running a clandestine seminary in Mexico City. Bishop Guízar was canonized Oct. 15, 2006.

At age 20, before his priestly ordination, Maciel founded the Legion of Christ, establishing a minor seminary where 13 adolescents began studies for the priesthood.

Maciel was ordained four years later, in 1944.

In the 1960s, Father Maciel began the group Regnum Christi, made up of laypeople (including lay consecrated men and women) and diocesan priests.

In the 1970s, Pope Paul VI entrusted the Territorial Prelature of Chetumal in southern Mexico to the Legionaries of Christ. The prelature, renamed in 1996 to Cancun-Chetumal, is populated by a large number of Mayans, and includes popular tourist destinations such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

The Holy See approved the constitution of the Legion of Christ in 1983 and the statutes of Regnum Christ in 2004.

In 2005, Father Maciel stepped down as superior-general of the Legionaries of Christ, after having been elected for another term by the General Chapter. The congregation elected as his successor Father Álvaro Corcuera Martínez del Río.

In May 2006, after accusations against Father Maciel, which he repeatedly denied, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, "taking into account both the advanced age of Father Maciel as well as his poor health [invited] him to a reserved life of prayer and penance, renouncing all public ministry."

The Vatican note at that time recognized "the distinguished apostolate of the Legionaries of Christ and of Regnum Christi," saying they were "acknowledged with gratitude."

Scary Stuff

You will want to watch this. I pray it isn't true, yet it is hard to shake the eery feeling that Big Brother really is coming.

"Porkchops and Applesauce"

Do you remember the Brady Bunch episode where they had pork chops and applesauce?? Me neither, but the saying stuck and my family won't eat their chops without their sauce. Crazy isn't it?
I have a delicious, gluten free, milk free, soy free, beef free recipe that my family loves. I don't know where I got the recipe - I wish I could give credit because this is so good.


Apple Saucy Pork Chops

2 cups applesauce
1/3 cup sugar
2TBS soy sauce ( I use fish sauce from the Thai section of the store to make this g/f and soy free)
1 garlic clove minced
1/4 tsp ground ginger
6 pork chops ( give or take)
2TBS EVOO (calls for butter but this is a great substitute)

In a bowl combine applesauce, sugar, fish sauce, garlic and ginger. Mix well.
Pour into greased 13x9x2 baking disth. In skillet brown chops in oil. Place over applesauce mixture. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 30 minutes or until tender.

Baby Luke, pray for us!

5 years ago, January 29th, I gave birth to a very special baby. He was born with cystic hygroma. But he was an overachiever - his was the largest ever born. We only had him for 4 short months but we were very blessed. As hard and as sad as that time was there was so much good and we received so many blessings. Baby Luke changed all of us. Without him and his short life my other children would not know suffering, sadness, loss in such an intimate way. Without Luke they also wouldn't know sacrifice, generosity, love of others, personal saint in heaven. They love him and never ever say a prayer without the invocation " Baby Luke, pray for us". I know that he is praying for us. He and my 4 other babies that we have lost. I always say "God must have big plans for us to put so many saints in heaven with no one else to pray for but us!"

I miss my baby, my buddy, my sweet little boy. I know that he is in heaven. I can hardly wait to get there and be with him.

I wish I had a picture to post. Maybe someday I will figure it out.
God Bless,
Christy

A Meme

Just because I have always wanted to do one of these!
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ? My dad - his nickname was Chris when he was young (but his name is Gene? )(3 of us were named after him!)
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Thursday - when I heard of a mommy who is carrying a baby that wont live.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? If I take my time
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Honey ham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 8 living 5 in heaven
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? I am trying to quit this vice!
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Yes. well, maybe I would rather jump out of an airplane
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Baby cereal - wheat, cold with milk and lots of sugar - no I don't feed this to my babies. It was just the only cereal my mom always had around!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes, but I don't wanna be sometimes.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Not big on icecream.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? I notice folks’ smiles.
15. RED OR PINK? Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? If I told you I would have to kill you
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Luke
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Denim and no shoes.
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? PB cookie
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? silence
21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? sky blue
22. FAVORITE SMELLS? Newborn babies, and my dh when he gets out of the shower.
23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?Cassie
24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Any sport my kids are in - but basketball is the favorite.
25. HAIR COLOR? Brown
26. EYE COLOR? Blue
27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no
28. FAVORITE FOOD? Sushi
29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.
30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? National Treasure 2
31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Grey basketball T-shirt
32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Spring and Autumn.
33. HUGS OR KISSES? um, both
34. FAVORITE DESSERT? raw chocolate chip cookie dough
35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Splendor of Love by Fr. William Schu LC,
36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have one
37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Monk and Psych
38. FAVORITE SOUNDS? silence, babies breathing, my oldest son singing in Latin
39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? um, neither -
40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Italy
41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? No, my "talent" is appreciating others talents - someone needs to clap!
42. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Fort Wayne

Dan Morgan, Rifleman

Dan Morgan Rifleman
By Josh

After a day of hunting Dan was coming home when on his way he saw a trail of foot prints. Dan thought that he was the only one that knew the trail.
So he started to follow them for awhile and as he did he thought maybe his father was out looking for him or a farmer who lived near the Morgan’s was near.
But their was some thing about them that was strange but what was it Dan thought.
Then he dropped to one knee to get a better look at them.
The footprints had no heel marks in them so the man that was wearing moccasins.
Then he jumped to his feet the thought that Indians were around instead it was Jed.
That is when he met him after that he would see him every once and a well.
Then after many years Dan and Jed were in the army then Dan became General Morgan.
He and his 1200 man went to Quebec and lost the battle and became prisoners they were released months later then he became Colonel Morgan and fought hard in many battles.
He died of old age in his bed.

Davy Crocket

DAVY CROCKET BY Joe


When Davy was a boy all he wanted to do was hunt. The first time he did it was when he was 10 years old. It was Christmas and when his dad thought he was big enough he got to shoot. The first time he did it he missed but his older brother asked his dad to give Davy another try. His dad said yes and Davy hit the bulls-eye. When he got older he ran away sometimes. When he got married He had two kids. Then he became a colonel. Everybody knew Davy because he was a great hunter. Davy became a congressman and moved to Washington .This was around the time when we were fighting for Texas. So Davy went to Fort Alamo and that’s where Davy Crocket died.

The end

Weight loss - is Weigh Down ok for Catholics?

This is what Amy Wellborn has to say about the Weigh Down Diet started by Gwen Shamblin. I bought the book at the local Thrift store on Saturday and have not been able to put it down. Weight is something I struggle with - like most Americans I suppose. She has some good points - you can't let food be your god, and you can't "make food good". But I had some nagging thoughts in the back of my head and so I googled and came upon Amy's take. She too has valid points.
I also found a Catholic Site with a weight program all on one page. It also has one of those BMI calculators.
I was so hoping that I had found what I needed when I read the book by Gwen. I believe that God is leading me to answers to my prayers about weight loss. I just must be careful and take only what is "good, lovely and of good report".

This I do know, God doesn't want me to love food more than Him. He wants me to be healthy. I pray that I will find the answers. In the meantime I will eat only when I am hungry, stop before I am full and pray like the dickens when "head hunger" is pulling me to a sleeve of crackers or a bowl of raw cookie dough.

God Bless,
Christy

Green, crunchy and altogether earthy

At least that is what I would like to be. I love to read blogs like No Impact Man or Crunchy Chicken. To see what all the earthy crunchy, tree huggers are up to. And truth be told I am one - just in the closet. How far in the closet? Well you would never know if you came to my house but let me give you a few examples. Please keep in mind that there are 10 people living in my house. And a husband who makes a living recycling concrete but doesn't have another tree huggin' bone in his body.
1. We use plates. Real plates - maybe 3x a year I buy paper for daily use. Oh, and real cups that are used more than once.
2. I do not buy bottled water. We refill other containers with water from the tap and keep them in the fridge.
3. I cook with beans - dried beans several times a month.
4. I recycle gift bags over and over and over.
5. I buy with packaging in mind whenever possible.
6. I keep our house cold as I dare - I turn it down and someone who will not 'fess up turns it up. Not as cold as others do but definatly nippy.
7. Shop the Thrift stores and garage sales -
8. Clothing - those of us who can or are willing - myself, the littles boys, dd#4 and #5 wear our clothing over and over until it is dirty. I change my uw daily but who knows about the 10 and 11 yearold boys???
9. Towels - same one all week.
There are more but you get the idea.

Things I plan on doing or would like to do if the ick factor wasn't there.
1. I would love to use the Keeper and just might someday.
2. Keeping the temp lower - 65 in the day and 60 at night - but "I" am not the only one who lives here - just ask around .
3. Cloth wipes - for all. This has an incredible ick factor with 10 people but maybe I could myself. Hmmm.
4. Reusable grocery bags. This would be possible, just annoying as I buy lots of groceries because I only go ever 2.5 or 3 weeks.
5. Low water showers and washer etc.
6. I would love to hang my wash on the line but most of us have enviromental allergies and this just aggrevates them to no end.
7. Be a vegetarian - more because I don't really care for meat than because of its earthy crunchyness but that has some merit.
8. oh, and freecycle I would love to do this.

Just a few of my earthy crunchy hopes and dreams. I know that I cannot "save our planet" alone but do feel that being wasteful is a sin. I love it when earthy crunchy crosses with frugal living - it makes me so happy all over!

Here's to all the Republican earthy crunchy, in the closet, conservatives that I know are out there!!

Our January Read a loud

We have begun reading this book by Jean Lee Latham and totally love it! It is a suspenseful book about the founding of Jamestown. It is told from the perspective of a young nobleman who was "dared to be a man" by Captain John Smith. My kids are loving this book and it certainly gives a different view of the story than the one from Disney's Pocohantas movie. It was hysterical when they realized that Capt. John Smith and Powhatan and even Pocohantas were real people.

I highly recommend this book as a great read aloud.

Katy and the Big Snow

DD#4 and I are excited to get back into the FIAR swing of things. We will be doing Katy and the Big Snow. We read it tonight while we were waiting for dinner to be done cooking and we loved the book. I don't have any big plans but am certainly hoping for a snowstorm this week so she can go plow some snow with her dad or stinky oldest brother! Will keep you updated on the fun.

We have really enjoyed the FIAR method of learning. DD4 struggles to read and this is a nice way to still read picture books but not seem too babyish for a "3rd grader". Reading the book every day seems to really help her learn.

Blessed Christmas and a Holy New Year

How's that for being politically incorrect? We had a wonderful Christmas and a blessedly uneventful New Year. We even went skiing for a day at Timber Ridge Ski Resort in Michigan. What great fun! We took everyone except the little princess and added a girlfriend and boyfriend. The 3 youngest learned to snowboard - wow they did great. DD#3 worked through her fears and is now skiing allbeit slowly but off the bunny hill. Last time she skied she was removed on a board and taken to the emergency room. So you can see where she might have issues! She skied down the "big hill" the first time with her dad. It was a sight, he was holding her hand and had a cigarrette in the other as they plowed their way down the hill. God love her, she was crying. But at the bottom agreed to go back up! There is no place for wimps in our family!
I pray you all had a wonderful holiday season filled with graces and blessings like we did.
God Bless,
Christy

For Your Marriage

I discovered this great Catholic Marriage site
it is called For Your Marriage it is for those who are going to be married and those of us who have been married awhile. It has a tips page to help you bring kindness and thoughtfulness to your marriage. It even has a page with links to the official Catholic Teachings on Marriage.

I have seen protestant sites similar to this but this is the first Catholic one. I think it is done very well.
God Bless,
Christy