Yesterday's post was super-long--sorry about that. Not sure anybody wants to sit and read the ramblings of my sometimes-difficult-to-follow mind. If you stuck it out and read the whole thing...yea for you!
The pickled green beans I made yesterday are pretty awesome. I will use that recipe again for sure. I'm heading out into the garden in a few minutes to see if any more green beans are ripe. They have a way of sneaking up on me. Pick them all one day, and you swear there isn't another one to be found, and there are hundreds ready the next day. It's crazy.
It's also time for me to plant some lettuce--I have lots of room in my beds and just need to make time to get out there and do it. Fresh salad would be lovely--I plant leaf lettuce and cut it when it's still small and it doesn't get a chance to bolt in the heat. I plant on a weekly schedule--two square feet this week, two more next week, two more the next week, and when the first row is ready, I cut them and they regrow.
This morning I think I'm going to the farmer's market with my daughter-in-law. My granddaughter has allergies and needs to be taking local honey every day. (Yes, this is actually a "thing"--not just a hippie remedy!) I'm looking forward to it--I LOVE THE FARMER'S MARKET. I hope the singing veteran is there--the baby girls love to dance! Even Kaleigh likes to go to the farmer's market.
I've also planted the hardened-off segments of Christmas Cactus into their new little pots. I hope they take. They will make nice little Christmas presents next year.
My plan for something nice to do today is to hang out with my daughter in law. She's having a hard time right now, realizing that my son (who is in the navy) will really be gone for two years and she'll be doing this basically alone. She has us, but we aren't the same, I guess. Plus, Bridgette is still really little and a lot of daily work--I forget how much WORK tiny kids are.
Yesterday I did some organizing of the shelves next to my computer desk. They tend to be a catch-all for whatever I have on the desk, which gets messy. I need to do better about putting things where they go when I'm done with them. Story of my life, I guess.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Just A Regular Day at the Homestead....(and Challenge: Day 15)
I just realized how short and unsatisfying my last few posts have been. But they kind of reflect how I've been feeling, so I guess I'll live with them. But this one will be different, I promise.
I got a good night's sleep last night, my presentation went well yesterday, all the kids and grandkids are snug and safe, and I have no huge responsibilities for this weekend, so there is no reason not to be happy. I got up early, I'm enjoying a cup of coffee (not a great cup of coffee, I've mentioned my struggles with coffee-making, but it'll do), I've been checking some stuff out on Pinterest, and doing laundry. I'll putter around this morning, read a little, knit a little, maybe sew a little, then take a nap. Saturday is the only day I allow myself a nap because if I nap on Sunday, I can't fall asleep at night, then I'm tired on Monday. No bueno.
I think I'll make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight. That sounds good.
I have to do my lesson plan for this week. It's actually pretty much done, I just have to organize my thoughts onto the actual plan. My class is doing something really cool to reinforce colors, while I am at the same time assessing who needs more support in this area. We are making a color portfolio, with different art each day. For example, on Monday (red day), we mixed red paint with black and white and painted with it. On Tuesday (blue day), we sponge painted with blue paint. On Wednesday (yellow day), we made yellow collages with all yellow materials. Etc. I think you get the picture. Different color and medium each day. Will post pics when they are finished. The children are really enjoying it too, as the art is finished we are putting it into their own personal portfolios. On the last day, we will use the Salad Spinner (best $1.99 I ever spent at Goodwill!) and use all the colors to make a rainbow painting for the cover.
I've been thinking about what to make for gifts for Christmas this year. I've already started knitting some market bags. They take a little time, but they are really pretty and stretch like crazy--they are perfect for the farmer's market. The key is getting the cotton yarn at half price, or they aren't really cost effective. I like a lot of bang for my buck. (Or, in other words, I'm pretty frugal--or cheap.)
My daughter admired a headband made with buttons sewn to wide elastic, so I'm making one of those for her--it's looking really pretty. I'm infusing it with positive thoughts and love for her. The Hawaiians have some superstitions about quilting for others--one of them is that as you work on a quilt for someone else, you stitch all of your feelings into the quilt and they go to the person you give the finished quilt to. Love this idea! However, you have to be sure you only work on the quilt when you feel happy and loving or you send bad feelings to the person. I like to think that this is true of all gifts that you make.
For my good thing today, I'm going to work on Christmas presents for the people I love.
Have a wonderful day yourself.
Later that same day....
I just spent a lovely couple of hours, working out in the garden--I picked a bowlfull of green beans, watered everything, admired my cucumber plants in the pot (they look really good), picked a meyer lemon from my tree, and filled some small pots with potting mix. I'm propagating Christmas cactus to give as gifts--probably next year-- and I cut the segments from the parent plant. They need to harden off for 24 hours, so they are resting comfortably on top of my microwave. I will plant them tomorrow--11 new little baby plants. For practically free.
Once I came in, I decided to make some pickled vegetables. I prepared my green beans, got the jars ready (clean and hot), and made the brine. This is what I did. These go in the refrigerator so they aren't water processed, and they last 3 weeks in the fridge. What I really love about this recipe is that it's good for any kind of vegetables--I did green beans, and a cucumber I had in the fridge, but you could add carrots, green tomatoes, really anything. I hate wasting food, so this is a good way to use up a couple of carrots or a half a cucumber you have left over that's not enough for something else. You can also make a jar or two at a time while things are getting ripe.
1 Tbsp. pickling salt, sea salt, or kosher salt--NO IODIZED TABLE SALT.
1 C. Vinegar
1 C. Water
1 head dill or a small bunch of leaves (I used 1 tsp. dried dill weed per jar)
1 clove garlic per jar, smashed and peeled
3 peppercorns per jar
(I also added 2 Tbsp. sugar to the vinegar mixture--sometimes I don't do this)
Put salt, vinegar, and water into a small pan and heat until salt and sugar (if used) are dissolved. While vinegar mixture heats, place a smashed garlic clove, dill, and peppercorns into each jar. Cut up vegetables (I like long narrow pickle shapes) and place into jars. Pour hot vinegar mixture over vegetables. Screw on lids tightly and shake to mix up flavors. Allow to cool, then put into refrigerator.
I have pictures, but I seem to be having a computer glitch so I can't upload--will solve that problem today with my IT Department.... Kaleigh.
If you have any interest at all in canning, I would recommend that you try it. I enjoy it a lot, although I suspect that would be because I'm not a farmer and don't have to spend days and days at it. I do it at my leisure a little at a time.
I got a good night's sleep last night, my presentation went well yesterday, all the kids and grandkids are snug and safe, and I have no huge responsibilities for this weekend, so there is no reason not to be happy. I got up early, I'm enjoying a cup of coffee (not a great cup of coffee, I've mentioned my struggles with coffee-making, but it'll do), I've been checking some stuff out on Pinterest, and doing laundry. I'll putter around this morning, read a little, knit a little, maybe sew a little, then take a nap. Saturday is the only day I allow myself a nap because if I nap on Sunday, I can't fall asleep at night, then I'm tired on Monday. No bueno.
I think I'll make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight. That sounds good.
I have to do my lesson plan for this week. It's actually pretty much done, I just have to organize my thoughts onto the actual plan. My class is doing something really cool to reinforce colors, while I am at the same time assessing who needs more support in this area. We are making a color portfolio, with different art each day. For example, on Monday (red day), we mixed red paint with black and white and painted with it. On Tuesday (blue day), we sponge painted with blue paint. On Wednesday (yellow day), we made yellow collages with all yellow materials. Etc. I think you get the picture. Different color and medium each day. Will post pics when they are finished. The children are really enjoying it too, as the art is finished we are putting it into their own personal portfolios. On the last day, we will use the Salad Spinner (best $1.99 I ever spent at Goodwill!) and use all the colors to make a rainbow painting for the cover.
I've been thinking about what to make for gifts for Christmas this year. I've already started knitting some market bags. They take a little time, but they are really pretty and stretch like crazy--they are perfect for the farmer's market. The key is getting the cotton yarn at half price, or they aren't really cost effective. I like a lot of bang for my buck. (Or, in other words, I'm pretty frugal--or cheap.)
My daughter admired a headband made with buttons sewn to wide elastic, so I'm making one of those for her--it's looking really pretty. I'm infusing it with positive thoughts and love for her. The Hawaiians have some superstitions about quilting for others--one of them is that as you work on a quilt for someone else, you stitch all of your feelings into the quilt and they go to the person you give the finished quilt to. Love this idea! However, you have to be sure you only work on the quilt when you feel happy and loving or you send bad feelings to the person. I like to think that this is true of all gifts that you make.
For my good thing today, I'm going to work on Christmas presents for the people I love.
Have a wonderful day yourself.
Later that same day....
I just spent a lovely couple of hours, working out in the garden--I picked a bowlfull of green beans, watered everything, admired my cucumber plants in the pot (they look really good), picked a meyer lemon from my tree, and filled some small pots with potting mix. I'm propagating Christmas cactus to give as gifts--probably next year-- and I cut the segments from the parent plant. They need to harden off for 24 hours, so they are resting comfortably on top of my microwave. I will plant them tomorrow--11 new little baby plants. For practically free.
Once I came in, I decided to make some pickled vegetables. I prepared my green beans, got the jars ready (clean and hot), and made the brine. This is what I did. These go in the refrigerator so they aren't water processed, and they last 3 weeks in the fridge. What I really love about this recipe is that it's good for any kind of vegetables--I did green beans, and a cucumber I had in the fridge, but you could add carrots, green tomatoes, really anything. I hate wasting food, so this is a good way to use up a couple of carrots or a half a cucumber you have left over that's not enough for something else. You can also make a jar or two at a time while things are getting ripe.
1 Tbsp. pickling salt, sea salt, or kosher salt--NO IODIZED TABLE SALT.
1 C. Vinegar
1 C. Water
1 head dill or a small bunch of leaves (I used 1 tsp. dried dill weed per jar)
1 clove garlic per jar, smashed and peeled
3 peppercorns per jar
(I also added 2 Tbsp. sugar to the vinegar mixture--sometimes I don't do this)
Put salt, vinegar, and water into a small pan and heat until salt and sugar (if used) are dissolved. While vinegar mixture heats, place a smashed garlic clove, dill, and peppercorns into each jar. Cut up vegetables (I like long narrow pickle shapes) and place into jars. Pour hot vinegar mixture over vegetables. Screw on lids tightly and shake to mix up flavors. Allow to cool, then put into refrigerator.
I have pictures, but I seem to be having a computer glitch so I can't upload--will solve that problem today with my IT Department.... Kaleigh.
If you have any interest at all in canning, I would recommend that you try it. I enjoy it a lot, although I suspect that would be because I'm not a farmer and don't have to spend days and days at it. I do it at my leisure a little at a time.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Challenge: Day 14
Today I gave a presentation at a conference about the way we teach at my school, which is very different from other schools. It went wonderfully.
The nice thing that I did today was to help someone find her way to her workshop. She was clearly lost, and we knew where she was going (me and Ms. Cathy, my coworker) so we walked her there.
Also, I didn't smack the two idiots sitting in the front row of my presentation giggling and chatting through our very compelling presentation. Very nice of me.
I am two weeks into my happiness experiment, and I have to say, I am feeling happier, and more aware of opportunities to be nice. I also think I should post every day something like the thing above, where I did something nice, like not throatpunch somebody for annoying the crap out of me.
Again, PMS sucks.
The nice thing that I did today was to help someone find her way to her workshop. She was clearly lost, and we knew where she was going (me and Ms. Cathy, my coworker) so we walked her there.
Also, I didn't smack the two idiots sitting in the front row of my presentation giggling and chatting through our very compelling presentation. Very nice of me.
I am two weeks into my happiness experiment, and I have to say, I am feeling happier, and more aware of opportunities to be nice. I also think I should post every day something like the thing above, where I did something nice, like not throatpunch somebody for annoying the crap out of me.
Again, PMS sucks.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Challenge: Day 13
Today my good thing was to let somebody in front of me in traffic who was obviously too stupid to figure out what lane they wanted to be in.
On an unrelated note, I'll be glad when my PMS is gone.
On an unrelated note, I'll be glad when my PMS is gone.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Organization of my Classroom...
I've been in my classroom now for three years, and I think I FINALLY have it organized in the way that makes sense to me. And my assistant.
First, let me say that I work at a university lab school (preschool) with five classrooms. All of them, except mine, have storage closets and/or shelves for storing rotating materials. EXCEPT MINE. I have a small cave of an office, which can't really be used for working in (it's about 5' x 10 ft) since the computer is out in the classroom. I like the computer in the classroom because we use it a lot with the children. Over the last couple of years, I've had some shelves added above the computer desk to store bins on, and moved a large cabinet out of the office to store art materials in. But that still didn't give me any good place to store materials that I rotate in my centers. I couldn't find anything when I need it, but everything was underfoot when I didn't need it!
This summer, I spent time every week procuring shelves for the office. We used to keep the rest time cots in the office too, but that was difficult to get them out and put them back, so I never liked that situation at all. As we added shelves (all of them--5-- free through surplus and donations), we moved the cots into a corner of the classroom. While we were closed this summer, I took everything out of the office and off the shelves and from everywhere else I had them stashed, and sorted them into centers. I labeled several shelves for each center-- art, play dough, light table/mirror, science, outdoors, block center materials, math, literacy, classroom decorations. I then sorted all the materials into bins on the shelves. I INSIST that everyone put things back on the shelves they came from, and make sure to do it myself.
This year so far has been so EASY! I haven't spent any time searching for this or that, and I've even found things that other people can't find. The bins on the shelves are for things we do every year and various celebrations and decorations like Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, etc.
I try to set out our art materials for the week, and the books we are going to read that week as well. That makes for easy set up every day. I try to clear off the computer desk at the end of each day, and faithfully keep a to-do list daily. On Friday, I make a list of anything special we are doing the next week so I can do any shopping I need to or make any requests from my administration or coworkers. So far, so good.
First, let me say that I work at a university lab school (preschool) with five classrooms. All of them, except mine, have storage closets and/or shelves for storing rotating materials. EXCEPT MINE. I have a small cave of an office, which can't really be used for working in (it's about 5' x 10 ft) since the computer is out in the classroom. I like the computer in the classroom because we use it a lot with the children. Over the last couple of years, I've had some shelves added above the computer desk to store bins on, and moved a large cabinet out of the office to store art materials in. But that still didn't give me any good place to store materials that I rotate in my centers. I couldn't find anything when I need it, but everything was underfoot when I didn't need it!
This summer, I spent time every week procuring shelves for the office. We used to keep the rest time cots in the office too, but that was difficult to get them out and put them back, so I never liked that situation at all. As we added shelves (all of them--5-- free through surplus and donations), we moved the cots into a corner of the classroom. While we were closed this summer, I took everything out of the office and off the shelves and from everywhere else I had them stashed, and sorted them into centers. I labeled several shelves for each center-- art, play dough, light table/mirror, science, outdoors, block center materials, math, literacy, classroom decorations. I then sorted all the materials into bins on the shelves. I INSIST that everyone put things back on the shelves they came from, and make sure to do it myself.
This year so far has been so EASY! I haven't spent any time searching for this or that, and I've even found things that other people can't find. The bins on the shelves are for things we do every year and various celebrations and decorations like Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, etc.
I try to set out our art materials for the week, and the books we are going to read that week as well. That makes for easy set up every day. I try to clear off the computer desk at the end of each day, and faithfully keep a to-do list daily. On Friday, I make a list of anything special we are doing the next week so I can do any shopping I need to or make any requests from my administration or coworkers. So far, so good.
Challenge: Day 12
Today's kind thing is a little lame. I'm sure I did nice things for people, but I didn't really do a "real" kindness. That's sad. So here is what I am going to do. Tonight when my daughter gets home, instead of starting what I know is going to be an argument, I'm going to just hug her and talk to her about some things. Talk.... not get mad, not yell, just talk. Give her information. That's it.
I think that's very nice of me.
Well, maybe not even exactly nice, but it's definitely going to make me and her feel better. Some days you can only do what you can do.
On Friday, I am presenting a workshop at a conference. This is big for me. Love it. This may surprise some people who knew me when I was younger, but I LOVE to give presentations. If I could speak in front of people every day, I'd be a happy girl. There's nothing more exhilarating to me. So I'm looking forward to this--not sure if my co-presenter feels the same way. But it is a form of sharing the love in the world.
I think I'll knit for awhile tonight and go to bed early. I'm tired from staying up late to watch Sons of Anarchy. I might have to stop watching it on Tuesday nights since I get all wound up and then can't sleep for an hour or more after the show. Ridiculous. What am I--3?
I think that's very nice of me.
Well, maybe not even exactly nice, but it's definitely going to make me and her feel better. Some days you can only do what you can do.
On Friday, I am presenting a workshop at a conference. This is big for me. Love it. This may surprise some people who knew me when I was younger, but I LOVE to give presentations. If I could speak in front of people every day, I'd be a happy girl. There's nothing more exhilarating to me. So I'm looking forward to this--not sure if my co-presenter feels the same way. But it is a form of sharing the love in the world.
I think I'll knit for awhile tonight and go to bed early. I'm tired from staying up late to watch Sons of Anarchy. I might have to stop watching it on Tuesday nights since I get all wound up and then can't sleep for an hour or more after the show. Ridiculous. What am I--3?
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Okay, this is the REAL post...
It's very gratifying to me when I sign into blogspot and there are a whole bunch of hits on my blog. It feels so good that I want to thank you for checking in. So...thank you....
I'm not feeling great today, PMS sucks. I'm sure I've said this before. So, due to my status--which is very PMS-ey, I want to post about some of my pet peeves. This is not a comprehensive list.
I'm not feeling great today, PMS sucks. I'm sure I've said this before. So, due to my status--which is very PMS-ey, I want to post about some of my pet peeves. This is not a comprehensive list.
- The word irregardless. It's not a word. You mean irrespective. Or just regardless.
- When people add -ical at the end of words that don't end that way. For example, cosmetical. Electronical. You get the idea.
- When people laugh at inappropriate times. Not when they laugh inappropriately, because that's hysterical. I'm talking about when nothing is funny, and a person laughs after every sentence. Horrible.
- Lateness. I'm early for everything, and I find it very annoying for others to always be late and make every event about them. Obnoxious.
My body is aching and I think I'll go to bed early tonight, even though Sons of Anarchy is on. Maybe I'll just go read until it comes on.
Have a great night.
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