menu plan monday - january 3

It's January, people! Because it was pretty successful last year, that means it's time to Eat from the Pantry again. This is a two-fold money saving experience. First, we can save money by eating items we bought on sale to stock the pantry/freezer before they are no longer desirable to eat (freezer burn, expiration dates, etc). We won't be forced to throw something away in the future because we can't eat it. That is the same as throwing money in the trash! Secondly, it means smaller bills at the grocery store this month. After Christmas, we can use some smaller bills at the grocery store. Can't you? As an added bonus, clearing the pantry by eating it, makes it easier to reorganize or tidy up the pantry if it should need it. And it might ~ there's been a little bit of hasty shoving going on lately.

If we eat from the pantry, we will eventually have to restock it, right? Yes, but this will be done as there are sales, hopefully paired with coupons ~ just as we did this year.  Whether or not we eat from the pantry this month, we would still take advantage of stocking up opportunities. So really this is a clear money saving event.

We will still buy things that we need, of course, especially fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk. And I get to make my own rules for this challenge. My goal is to keep our grocery bill under $400 for the month (we typically spend an average of about $530 a month).

This week we are going back to school from our winter break. After having a crazy sleep schedule and no actual schedule during the day for the last two weeks, I will be t.i.r.e.d. at the end of the day. Getting back on the meal planning wagon will be helpful.

This week we will have:

• beef stir fry
• shredded beef enchiladas (shredded beef left over from the roast we had on Sunday)
• tacos
• mac 'n cheese 'n burger
• swedish meatballs (I tried a new recipe last time from the internet & forgot to print it out. I hope I can find it again because it was soooo good!)
• grilled cheese & soup

What's for dinner at your house this week? See what other people are eating at orgjunkie.com.

silhouette giveaway

Do you have a Silhouette? Do you want one?

Brown Paper Packages is sponsoring a giveaway. Head on over to win ~ but you gotta hurry because the deadline to enter is tonight.

and a happy new year

Alright, let's review. I hesitated to post New Year's Goals at the beginning of 2010. It's tough to advertise your shortcomings. But I did, so now it's time to be accountable. Let's see how I fared.


2010 New Year's Goals


Use Quicken to track our income/expenses all year. This is one I was successful with...sort of. I was able to keep it up until mid-October. Then, Greg and I reevaluated how we were keeping track of our money and we decided he would be in charge of the keeping track and we switched to a program called iBank 4. So far we are happy with the program and I am happy with not having to keep track of our money anymore. 



Read 35 books. Nope ~ but I did read 25 books. Can I get partial credit?


Go to work 15 minutes earlier so I can come home earlier. For the most part, I got to work earlier than normal for the rest of the school year. I tried to go home from work earlier than in the past. Sometimes this happened, sometimes not. This school year we are usually at school about an hour before I am required to be there because of Stephanie's drop off schedule. I should feel more organized and prepared, right? Hm, I think I just find more to do.


Deal with mail and other paperwork right away to avoid pile-ups. This was hit or miss. Overall, I think I did a better job than in the past, but it still needs more work. Since Greg is our accounting manager (hee hee, like that title, honey?) it is easier to deal with the mess. The future is looking brighter with this one.


Be active at least three times a week. You're so funny! Complete fail. Let's not discuss it.


And that brings us to 2011. 


When I try to think about what I want my goals to be, all I can seem to focus on are what I view as failures for myself. It becomes a whole bunch of "I don't do this right ~ I am really bad at this ~ I dropped the ball here" kind of talk. It has occurred to me in the last few days of thinking about this post that maybe what I need is a more positive approach. This approach is not as specific as "get to work 15 minutes earlier", but its general nature has the potential of being more effective. 


Ready?


For the year 2011, I am going to focus on being consistent. I can apply this concept to any area of my life. Sounds simple, right? For example, if I am more consistent with dealing with the mail, then it won't pile up. See? Brilliant.


I am going to continue with my reading goal, however. Since I didn't reach my goal in 2010, I will keep the same goal of 35 books. 


What about you? Do you have new goals for 2011? 

six hundred, a sale, & something new

I just noticed that the Blogger dashboard says this is my 600th post. Wow!

And it's New Year's Eve.

I just listed a whole bunch of stuff in my shop. Here's a sample.

Let's celebrate!

In honor of my 600th post and New Years's, I'm offering 10% off everything in the shop to you, my most favorite blog reader, for the rest of the weekend. Upon checkout, just use the code HAPPYNEWYEAR10 to receive your discount.

And here's a little sneak peak of something else I'm working on.

Now, go shopping!

christmas craft #1

Sometime around Halloween, Greg and the kids were in Joann's with me and announced they'd like to make Christmas blankets. So we bought the holiday fleece right then and there. And then it sat in the bag while I got ready for a craft show and filled special orders from school. 

We started this craft Monday, 30 minutes before we had to leave for dance (but please note, it did not take 30 minutes to complete).

First, cut a 4-inch square from each corner. Then on all four sides, make 4-inch cuts about a ruler's length apart.

I even let the kids use my good fabric scissors, with strict instructions to not cut any carpet. I know, wonders never cease.

While they worked on their cuts, I started my own little project.

After all the cuts are made, tie a knot in each piece of fringe.

This is a great t.v. activity. Put the blanket on you and tie while you watch.

Me? Still cutting.

All done! Snuggle up with a buddy and watch some Sponge Bob quality television.

Still! The skies continue to mock me with the constant rain for the last three days. At this rate, people will be getting Christmas cards around March. Greg says this is how he knows for sure that God has a sense of humor. It n.e.v.e.r. rains here, but in the busiest delivery week of the year, it rains constantly.

usually

Usually, seeing our mountain in the wispy embrace of old man fog on a blustery, rainy day is a welcome sight.

But not when I had planned to do an outdoor photo shoot to take pictures of the kids for our Christmas card. Hmph!

Maybe tomorrow will be the perfect overcast with no wind or rain until after we're done.

Cross your fingers.

humbug and a major award

This holiday season, Heather made her big break onto the stage as an actor in her drama club's performance of Humbug. It was a little play where the teacher, Mrs. Ebenezer, has lost her enthusiasm for teaching. There are visitations of ghosts. You get the idea.

During the dress rehearsal, Heather showed up on stage with this hat on and I busted out laughing. It's so outrageous and cute at the same time. When she is in high school, she will just wither with embarrassment!

Heather had a small part ~ one line ~ at the end of the play. Plus she had to share that line with another drama club member. Although it was not the part she dreamed of, she did a swell job.

This past week, Stephanie had her first band concert. Over 100 kids who just learned how to hold an instrument, read music, make noise on an instrument? That's quite a feat, so my expectations were low. I had been listening to Stephanie practice, so I knew how well she was playing. But everyone else? Who knew!

We were pleasantly surprised. I thought they were amazing. Each section (woodwinds, brass, etc.) played a little selection by themselves. They ended with a larger medley piece.

Just before the medley, the band director said a few words about how hard the kids have worked and how much they've had to learn in just a few months. Then she gave out a few awards. Stephanie was the first band member to get an award for being an outstanding oboe player. She mentioned how Stephanie takes her instrument home every day to practice and spends a lot of time practicing. The award was a surprise to all of us.

As always, I sit in the audience and watch my little lovlies on the verge of tears with a grapefruit-sized lump in my throat. They bring me such joy and I am so proud of them. When they choose to do something ~ dance, drama, instruments, singing ~ they also make a choice to give it their best efforts. That, alone, makes me happy. The fact that they are good at what they try makes it even better!

I don't know if I can take all this growing up!

it was bound to happen

So last week at a school function, a mom came up to me with news about her niece, whom I taught in 4th grade during my 5th year of teaching. Turns out she's gonna be a new mommy in April.

Whoa!

When did this happen?

Just as I am not quite finished reeling from the shock, I sense someone else standing beside me. Another mom. I have a much longer and complicated history with this one. I taught her daughter in 3rd grade during my second year of teaching. I also taught her grandson/son (long story) three years ago. Her sister watched Stephanie the year I had her. Anyway, she tells me that Brittany, her daughter, is there and wants to say hi to me. I haven't seen her in a couple of years and excitedly turned to say hello (she was one of my favorites ~ even though teachers don't have favorites ~ ahem). She said hello and proudly presented a baby carrier for me to see. Her baby boy is seven weeks old.

A little bit dizzy and weak in the knees, I oohed and aahed over him. He's a cutie.

I am fully aware that this is my 15th year of teaching. Believe me, that business alone is something I can hardly fathom.

I am also fully aware that the tiny humans grow up.

But somehow in my mind, these girls will forever be in 3rd and 4th grade.

And I will forever not have a gray hair in my head!

But I guess it was bound to happen.

vroom, vroom

My nephew, Gavin, turned two this week. 

I've been wanting to try to make a car roll-up for a little while. Now I had my chance!

What a great place to drive your cars!

I was a little nervous about the track. I didn't follow any instructions on that part. To up the stakes a little more, I didn't start making it until yesterday morning ~ and the party was at one. Greg smelled potential melt-down disaster. Fortunately, I pulled through on this one with only a few pin pricks and no tears.

When he's all done, he can park them in the "garage."

Gavin loved it. Wendy loved it. We even caught some of the older kids (jr. highers) playing with it.

All done? Park your cars and roll it up. Perfect storage for an on-the-go play item.

tales from the schoolyard

1. Yesterday, as one of my students was sitting down to read with me, this conversation took place:

Student: Are  you going to stay up late tonight?

Me: Huh? (Ok, so I'm not always the best conversational example for the students!)

Student: It's Friday, are you going to stay up late?

Me: (with realization of what the heck he's talking about) Oh. Yes, I probably will.

You see, he's remembering a time when I told the students that I was excited for a Friday because I like to stay up late and I don't have to get up early on Saturdays.

Too bad he can't remember the difference between a noun and a verb with such clarity.

2. Someone has been taking food from my little fridge in the room. Not just the candy bars that happened to be in there for a little while around Halloween, but the plums and string cheese too.  It has happened about half a dozen times. I've narrowed down the suspects, but when confronted, the sticky-handed student lies brazenly to my face. Yet, when I told her I kinda already know the truth, she cannot look me in the eye. Very telling.

Yes, I'm bluffing. But I also didn't say what truth to which I was referring exactly. There are lots of truths in life that I know.

3. In light of the downturned economy, I am wondering if it might be a good idea to put a tip jar on my desk to supplement my income.

Except, I'd probably just get a couple of broken pencils.

first challenge

Stephanie had her first chair challenge in band last week. They were told to practice the "Dreidel Song" for the challenge.

She practiced, and practiced, and practiced the weekend before the challenge. The repeated transition between the high and low notes was difficult for her, especially at full tempo. In steps used-to-play-the-clarinet-mom with a little hint on holding the instrument during the transition. I'm not sure if I helped or confused her. When she was in tears over that darn transition, we gave her pep talks and tips. Greg played in band much longer than I, so he's better at these "band talks."

Her band director is sneaky, I tell you. What a tricky way to get all the kids to practice the hardest song in their upcoming concert ~ over, and over, and over.

She had to wait an extra long time to find out the results of the challenge because one of the oboists was absent and needed a chance to perform. But today she found out that she is FIRST CHAIR! Of course, if you have a texting plan and Stephanie has your number, it's likely she already told you this news after school!

Way to go, little one!

first time friday

I've never been shopping on Black Friday before ~ at least not that I can remember. I've never gotten up at the crack of crazy to go stand in line in the cold only to get trampled when the store opens. I've never needed that b.i.g. ticket item for Christmas that would be deeply discounted for the brave.

This year, I did need to go shopping for a few things on Friday. We set out about 12:30 p.m. in hopes that all the crowds were worn out and at home in bed. Ha! Wishful thinking, right?

Our first stop was my favorite quilt store. Oh, the hours I could spend in there. When we were all done and back in the car, the kids proclaimed that we spent two hours in there. I could have stayed longer!

We went to the quilt store to get some supplies for an upcoming birthday. And a couple of weeks ago Greg asked me to make a holiday table topper for our kitchen table. And since he's the boss he hardly ever asks for anything, he gets what he wants. He just had to wait for my craft boutique to be over.

I couldn't decide which set of fabrics to get for the topper. I sent Greg pictures of each and asked him which he wanted. By the time he was able to text me back half an hour later to tell me which he liked, he figured I was long gone from the store, so he just said, "Surprise me." I was still in the store. I got both. He has since picked one. I will make another topper with the other fabric and put it in the store. You'll have to wait and see which is which, though.

We moseyed over to Old Navy, Target, and Hobby Lobby. Really, the crowds were nothing different than a regular Saturday except that we had to wait about 10 minutes in line at the dressing room at Old Navy. That's a small price to pay for $10 kid jeans. We stayed away from the mall. Good thing too, because as we drove by I saw the parking lot f.u.l.l. of cars.

Not a bad Black Friday experience ~ and I still got to take advantage of plenty of sales.

it's all about the food

That's not exactly what you expected to hear about Thanksgiving, is it?  But this year, "all about the food" meant all about the kids.

Our Thanksgiving turned out to be just the cozy four of us this year ~ no company, no going through the woods. So we focused on the girls. We asked them to develop the menu for our feast.

The menu consisted of the traditional fare for most houses ~ turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, yams, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce (no can!), Aunt Nell's salad, rolls, and pumpkin pie. Heather drew a picture menu that they used for list planning and strategic planning on Thanksgiving Day.

After the list was created, I helped Stephanie & Heather go through the recipes, both on paper and in my head, and make a shopping list. They were wholly in charge of Thanksgiving shopping. Greg had taken them grocery shopping the week before to practice. He merely supervised while they did all the shopping. Since they are nonworking children, he provided the means of payment at the end too. For our Thanksgiving shopping, Greg supervised the girls while I did our regular weekly shopping in a separate cart, and even in separate aisles at times. They really enjoyed doing the shopping and I'm thinking they will be doing it more often!

The night before Thanksgiving, Heather helped start the Aunt Nell's salad. First thing in the morning I supervised the pie making. We nearly had a mishap of sweetened condensed milk being substituted for evaporated milk. Other than that, all was well.

We cooked the turkey on the grill again this year. In years past, I had always been in such a rush to get the turkey ready for cooking, the kids had never really watched. This time they felt the innards and were amazed by the way the turkey felt in its raw state. We had an fowl anatomy lesson by the sink. I finally had to send Heather away because she started petting the turkey quite lovingly and asking about how they kill them and did the turkey know it was going to die. Attachment was settling in.

We had an easier time of getting the turkey on the spit and securing it this time. Greg rigged a counter-weight system so the motor was not so taxed in bringing the breast up to the top. It was a very windy day, however, and the flame snuffed out two or three times unbeknownst to us, which added more cook time to the bird. No worries. We weren't in a hurry.

The kids cooked the meal as much as possible. They followed recipes or followed directions quite well. The onions proved to be too much and too strong at one point, so I had to finish that up. They were proud of their accomplishments. It was a delicious dinner!

After dinner we went to the movies and saw Tangled. Super cute movie. We recommend it.

And don't forget the pumpkin pie after the movies! Never forget the pumpkin pie!

Even though this year's Thanksgiving was all about the food ~ it was really all about being Thankful. We are thankful

• for each other;
• that we have the means to buy the food;
• that we have a nice warm home free from wind on such windy days;
• that our children are healthy and such smart helpers;
• and so much more ~ too much to mention here. 

Next up ~ Black Friday shopping. Give me strength!

off they go

I sewed my fingers to nubs this weekend finishing up things for the craft boutique this weekend. I dropped them off at the boutique house tonight so the ladies can get everything set up. I always get a little nervous about this! Did I make things people are gonna like well enough to spend their hard-earned cash? Or will they put it back on the table, barely able to hide their disgust? You never can tell! Of course, I'm always rooting for their willingness to spend!

boo to you!

Stephanie went to a pumpkin carving party at a friend's house Saturday. Normally, we carve the pumpkins on the 30th, but Heather chose to wait until the next day and do it outside.  That girl loves to be outside.  Come to think of it, I think we did it Halloween morn last year too.  Stephanie "supervised" and played with pumpkin goo.

They took their time and did their own thing.  Gone are the days when they don't want to touch the gushy innards.

Heather carefully separated the seeds from the goo so we could roast them. Unfortunately, she forgot to lay them out flat to dry and now they are one big dried up glop in the bowl. Oops.

Jack-o-lantern success.

Afterwards I tortured them with chores.  Stephanie is mystified that she has to do the dishes when she "just did them yesterday." Yes, honey, that's how it works cuz you people keep eating! Then they spent the rest of the day outside enjoying the wonderful weather. Not too hot, hot too cold. Ahhh.

Dress up time! This year Heather was a nerd ~ and such a cute one she was.  She picked this costume with a little encouragement from Suzanne.  Stephanie was a delinquent devil. Although how can you call that face a devil?

 We made our usual "loop" around the neighborhood.  It was a perfect night for being out and about.