Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Bean Baking Day ~ Chickpeas
Today is another bean baking day. Although I should be cooking up more navy beans, I decided to cook 2 pounds of dry chickpeas. These freeze well after they have been cooked, rinsed and drained well. Typically, I use them for hummus, but these are nice for other recipes as well.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Monday Merriment
Last night the kids told me that school was closed for an in-service day today. I didn't believe them. The calender did say it was closed for that reason, but why not use it to make up all these snow days?
It may be a good day for me to get some more crocheting finished. I'd like to at least, get the larger projects done, as they are more difficult to crochet when the weather turns hot. It's not too comfortable crocheting a blanket across my lap in 90°F temperatures.
I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the snow to disappear and take a few camping trips.
It's pretty isn't it? My 17 year-old daughter snapped this photo behind our property. We may possibly get more rain and snow this week yet.
I'd rather be camping, however with all these extra helpers (hence my merriment) today, I can get chores completed faster. I've already started gathering materials to get my book writing goals written down.
Our new baby chicks are doing great and our white tetratint has been named "Lola," which is short for Lolita. She is loud, sings a lot, runs around the cage with vibrant energy and loves attention. She is definitely a "show girl." Yesterday she had a really thin, and darker colored piece of wood shaving in her mouth. It was hilarious to watch. She was running around in fast circles, with the barred rock chicks chasing after her. She thought she had a hot little snack, and was going to keep it all to herself. They are so funny to watch. Our one dog, who is "mother" to all babies, is already giving them "kisses."
It may be a good day for me to get some more crocheting finished. I'd like to at least, get the larger projects done, as they are more difficult to crochet when the weather turns hot. It's not too comfortable crocheting a blanket across my lap in 90°F temperatures.
I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the snow to disappear and take a few camping trips.
It's pretty isn't it? My 17 year-old daughter snapped this photo behind our property. We may possibly get more rain and snow this week yet.
I'd rather be camping, however with all these extra helpers (hence my merriment) today, I can get chores completed faster. I've already started gathering materials to get my book writing goals written down.
Our new baby chicks are doing great and our white tetratint has been named "Lola," which is short for Lolita. She is loud, sings a lot, runs around the cage with vibrant energy and loves attention. She is definitely a "show girl." Yesterday she had a really thin, and darker colored piece of wood shaving in her mouth. It was hilarious to watch. She was running around in fast circles, with the barred rock chicks chasing after her. She thought she had a hot little snack, and was going to keep it all to herself. They are so funny to watch. Our one dog, who is "mother" to all babies, is already giving them "kisses."
Friday, March 4, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Newest Addition to Our Farm ~ 5 Barred Rocks and 1 Tetratint
The barred rocks are straight run, so we are taking our chances at a few more roosters. The lady at the store showed us a way to hold them up, and if they are calm, chances are that it's a female. If it goes crazy, it might be a rooster (an elderly man told her this). Three were calm and 2 flung their feet around. Hmmm. We'll see what we end up with, and see if the elderly man has an old-age secret on sexing chickens. The white one is called a tetratint. I have no idea if I am spelling it correctly, but she will lay a light brown egg. I believe she is a hybrid.
The kids are already working on a name for the tetratint. She is very loud, active and funny to watch.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Down Side to Writing On-line and an A-musing Story
Times have changed. I've been writing for on-line Web sites, for extra freelance work. However, it's not always the best income. Rules change, companies buy out one another, and through it all, income is more difficult to make.
Writing on-line has it's ups and downs. It requires more articles, and pays less than you think. Another site I write for recently made changes, and of course, they want "all rights." To a writer, this is the last thing you want.
After participating in the NaNoWriMo last November, I realized that I've spent countless hours writing, and rating on-line articles, and could have put that energy into a novel. I keep saying I'll sit down and do it, but it's the deadline that I don't have, that motivated me before.
I think I need to prepare myself with a real deadline that will motivate me to spend more time on a project that will benefit my family more, than spending countless hours writing Internet articles for such little pay.
And above all, I need to get physically in shape. I can tell a difference in my mood, and with my children's and husband's moods, when we miss more than one day at the gym. It really does make a difference.
It looks like I need to make a trip to the office supply store for a new writing tool (fun pen), some super sticky notes, teas and coffees, candy (gotta have a jar of something around), and good music.
Speaking of all this writing, I have to share a funny tidbit about my 3rd grade daughter. All this talk about writing made me think of it. A while back, she was having difficulty thinking of a story to write for a school paper. They were told the prompt, but she didn't like it (had to do with something scary for Halloween), and she expressed her pain to me.
We talked, and discussed how to write a "scary" story that was not about ghosts, goblins etc. She still wasn't accepting my ideas, and still appeared flustered, frustrated and in tears. I went into my bedroom and came back with a large fashion ring. I explained to her that when Mommy can't write, she puts on a "bling ring" and gets busy with a story, a journal entry - any kind of writing. She smiled the biggest smile, and wore that ring until her story was finished. To this day, she takes that ring to school for any writing assignment. She even explained to her teacher why she was wearing it. Since then, her stories get more creative and detailed. I believe my daughter has discovered what "muse" is.
Writing on-line has it's ups and downs. It requires more articles, and pays less than you think. Another site I write for recently made changes, and of course, they want "all rights." To a writer, this is the last thing you want.
After participating in the NaNoWriMo last November, I realized that I've spent countless hours writing, and rating on-line articles, and could have put that energy into a novel. I keep saying I'll sit down and do it, but it's the deadline that I don't have, that motivated me before.
I think I need to prepare myself with a real deadline that will motivate me to spend more time on a project that will benefit my family more, than spending countless hours writing Internet articles for such little pay.
And above all, I need to get physically in shape. I can tell a difference in my mood, and with my children's and husband's moods, when we miss more than one day at the gym. It really does make a difference.
It looks like I need to make a trip to the office supply store for a new writing tool (fun pen), some super sticky notes, teas and coffees, candy (gotta have a jar of something around), and good music.
Speaking of all this writing, I have to share a funny tidbit about my 3rd grade daughter. All this talk about writing made me think of it. A while back, she was having difficulty thinking of a story to write for a school paper. They were told the prompt, but she didn't like it (had to do with something scary for Halloween), and she expressed her pain to me.
We talked, and discussed how to write a "scary" story that was not about ghosts, goblins etc. She still wasn't accepting my ideas, and still appeared flustered, frustrated and in tears. I went into my bedroom and came back with a large fashion ring. I explained to her that when Mommy can't write, she puts on a "bling ring" and gets busy with a story, a journal entry - any kind of writing. She smiled the biggest smile, and wore that ring until her story was finished. To this day, she takes that ring to school for any writing assignment. She even explained to her teacher why she was wearing it. Since then, her stories get more creative and detailed. I believe my daughter has discovered what "muse" is.
Cooking Up Kale
I've been playing around with Kale recipes lately. While trying to add more greens into out diet, I found this recipe that we tried last night. It was delicious.
Roasted Red Peppers Stuffed with Kale and Rice
And thank you momdrinkstea for the soup suggestion. I'll be searching the Internet for a recipe.
We grew winter Kale in our garden last year, for the first time. It mostly went to treat the chickens, as we did not grow a large amount of it. I think we will have a much larger selection this summer.
Roasted Red Peppers Stuffed with Kale and Rice
And thank you momdrinkstea for the soup suggestion. I'll be searching the Internet for a recipe.
We grew winter Kale in our garden last year, for the first time. It mostly went to treat the chickens, as we did not grow a large amount of it. I think we will have a much larger selection this summer.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Book Reviews: One Lane Bridge, by Don Reid
The genre of this book is Christian Fiction. If you, or your book club is looking for suggestions, this book contains group discussion questions for your convenience.
Read my review:
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