We have tubs of tiny seedlings!
We managed to keep them alive through a tornado, keep them dry during the wet spell, and then. . . I left them out for too long on a sunny day and scorched them. Oh well, it's hard to be a plant around me!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Publix Shopping Report!
Today we snagged $68 in groceries and a $50 gas card for. . . . (drumroll). . . . . $53!!!!
I also had to run into Save A Lot to supplement and spent around $30. Not too shabby, considering that I feed a family of four and a daycare of 5!
I also had to run into Save A Lot to supplement and spent around $30. Not too shabby, considering that I feed a family of four and a daycare of 5!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Local Disasters - Tornadoes!!!
I cannot describe how scary last week was! We Southerners are used to mild and laid back weather - so the massive tornadoes that flattened whole towns last week came as a SHOCK.
Homeschooling was halted last Wednesday as I gathered the daycare kids into our basement, praying hard as the lights flickered. A tree fell on a friend's house and she brought her two little ones over for our basement, bad-weather vigil.
The children were all completely oblivious to the danger - begging to play flashlight tag, playing sleepover under a sheet tent, and excitedly eating at a basement "picnic." It's times like this that make me remember my parents telling me to not be in a hurry to grow up - being the one in charge is scary sometimes.
Thankfully, our home and family came out OK. We have a bit someone else's insulation storm strewn in our yard as the only reminder. Many were not so lucky.
We'll be going through our coupon stockpile for items to donate. I've been told that almost everything is needed - everything. A few things that I am thankful to have surplus of: deodorant, soap, and a few bottles of Herbal Essence shampoo. Any couponers out there? Or maybe just big hearted people with a few extra bottles of water to donate? I've been told that Publix is taking donations to distribute, and I'll double check that later tonight.
Homeschooling was halted last Wednesday as I gathered the daycare kids into our basement, praying hard as the lights flickered. A tree fell on a friend's house and she brought her two little ones over for our basement, bad-weather vigil.
The children were all completely oblivious to the danger - begging to play flashlight tag, playing sleepover under a sheet tent, and excitedly eating at a basement "picnic." It's times like this that make me remember my parents telling me to not be in a hurry to grow up - being the one in charge is scary sometimes.
Thankfully, our home and family came out OK. We have a bit someone else's insulation storm strewn in our yard as the only reminder. Many were not so lucky.
We'll be going through our coupon stockpile for items to donate. I've been told that almost everything is needed - everything. A few things that I am thankful to have surplus of: deodorant, soap, and a few bottles of Herbal Essence shampoo. Any couponers out there? Or maybe just big hearted people with a few extra bottles of water to donate? I've been told that Publix is taking donations to distribute, and I'll double check that later tonight.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Cheese from Publix - Ready for Pascha Cooking!
This being Holy Week - I haven't had much of a chance to post. We've been spending our evenings down at the Greek church, as the monastery is a bit of a drive.
Are there words to describe Holy Week? I'll try - incredible, overwhelming, exhausting, exhilarating. . . awesome.
Last night was the reading of the Passion Gospels, and a nice gentleman gave the kids each a bit of ribbon. They were to tie a knot after each gospel - a sweet little idea. Sadly we were unable to stay throughout. We NEEDED groceries and the little ones were really starting to feel the effects of being out past bedtime every day this week.
The good news?
We spent $58.19 and saved $125.29!
My favorite deals:
Kraft Cheese $.66! (Pascha Mac N Chz, here we come!)
Dove Chocolates $1.15/bag (Pascha basket fodder)
Dole Pineapple $.37/can
Duncan Hines Brownie Mix $.35
Breakstone Sour Cream $.15
Are there words to describe Holy Week? I'll try - incredible, overwhelming, exhausting, exhilarating. . . awesome.
Last night was the reading of the Passion Gospels, and a nice gentleman gave the kids each a bit of ribbon. They were to tie a knot after each gospel - a sweet little idea. Sadly we were unable to stay throughout. We NEEDED groceries and the little ones were really starting to feel the effects of being out past bedtime every day this week.
The good news?
We spent $58.19 and saved $125.29!
My favorite deals:
Kraft Cheese $.66! (Pascha Mac N Chz, here we come!)
Dove Chocolates $1.15/bag (Pascha basket fodder)
Dole Pineapple $.37/can
Duncan Hines Brownie Mix $.35
Breakstone Sour Cream $.15
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Guac That Rocks!
It's just a few more days till Pascha - you can do it!! If you are tired of beans and rice, noodles and sauce, and vegetable soup like the rest of. . . there's always Guac That Rocks!! I've eaten it for a meal twice this week, it's that good.
Ingredients
peeled avacado (nice and soft)
juice of 1/2 lime
1 clove of garlic, minced (or squashed through a garlic press)
sea salt to taste
1/2 can of black beans
Mash the first 4 ingredients together till smooth, add the beans, and wha-lah! You ready to dip! I used some multi-grain tortillas from Aldi's and I am quite satisfied indeed.
And for all you out there who say, "Where's the cilantro?!", you can add it if you want to. I skipped it because of the WICKED indigestion I expected it to cause.
Guac That Rocks is a great way to finish a day of chalking up the driveway, homeschooling, and painting over water leaks in the ceiling.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Orthodoxy. Children, and the Ladder of Divine Ascent
We have been focusing our daily lessons on Lent, for as much as possible with my 5 year old - with outstanding results. (Reeeeeally liked hearing her explain to a monk why we venerate the cross :)
Next Sunday is the Sunday of Saint John Climacus or Saint John of the Ladder. This is pretty heavy stuff for a little girl. Honestly, she would probably handle it all ok - I'm just not sure how well I can convey it!! But I am determined to do the best I can.
The Plan So Far:
Monday: Read the story of Jacob's Ladder (from the Old Testament)
Tues: Read the Life of St. John of the Ladder, talk about monks, hermits, etc. Introduce that he wrote The Ladder of Divine Ascent. Use his icon as visual aid.
Wed: Explain what the book is about, using the icon of the ladder as a visual aid.
Thursday and Friday will work themselves out, depending on how well Mon-Wed sunk in (for either of us :). Somewhere along the way, we'll throw in some ladder crafts, too. Construction paper goodies!
I'm excited.
Next Sunday is the Sunday of Saint John Climacus or Saint John of the Ladder. This is pretty heavy stuff for a little girl. Honestly, she would probably handle it all ok - I'm just not sure how well I can convey it!! But I am determined to do the best I can.
The Plan So Far:
Monday: Read the story of Jacob's Ladder (from the Old Testament)
Tues: Read the Life of St. John of the Ladder, talk about monks, hermits, etc. Introduce that he wrote The Ladder of Divine Ascent. Use his icon as visual aid.
Wed: Explain what the book is about, using the icon of the ladder as a visual aid.
Thursday and Friday will work themselves out, depending on how well Mon-Wed sunk in (for either of us :). Somewhere along the way, we'll throw in some ladder crafts, too. Construction paper goodies!
I'm excited.
Friday, March 25, 2011
I Made It Hard (I Tend to Do That)
The very sweet abbot asked me very nicely if I could help him with a project. It was a simple one (HA) and was really quite pretty (that usually makes it easier- sewing black, black, black cassocks can be hard on the eyes).
There is a large piece of reversible fabric, with some nice galloons (fancy gold trim) to be sewn along the edge. Simple. One side is gold with navy blue flowers, the other navy blue with gold flowers. It can be flipped at different times during the liturgical year, so that the appropriate color can be face up. Perfect.
The problem: only enough trim for one side.
Hey - that's not really a problem! I'll just hem the fabric to one side, then sew the trim to the other side - still reversible!
EXCEPT- that now The trim must be sewn on by hand, because the machine stitching against the trim looks gaudy and unfetching against such beautiful fabric.
Whoops. I made it hard.
UPDATE: It's finished! I made it easy again ! Turns out that it looked gaudy on the reverse whether I sewed it by hand or machine. The abbot was really sweet about my disappointment of not making both sides equally pretty - he gracefully told me that I successfully applied the trim to the right side. Hooray! Something crossed off the old TO DO List!
There is a large piece of reversible fabric, with some nice galloons (fancy gold trim) to be sewn along the edge. Simple. One side is gold with navy blue flowers, the other navy blue with gold flowers. It can be flipped at different times during the liturgical year, so that the appropriate color can be face up. Perfect.
The problem: only enough trim for one side.
Hey - that's not really a problem! I'll just hem the fabric to one side, then sew the trim to the other side - still reversible!
EXCEPT- that now The trim must be sewn on by hand, because the machine stitching against the trim looks gaudy and unfetching against such beautiful fabric.
Whoops. I made it hard.
UPDATE: It's finished! I made it easy again ! Turns out that it looked gaudy on the reverse whether I sewed it by hand or machine. The abbot was really sweet about my disappointment of not making both sides equally pretty - he gracefully told me that I successfully applied the trim to the right side. Hooray! Something crossed off the old TO DO List!
The Garden Will Have to Wait
I am COMPLETELY gung-ho about the garden this year. I have stakes in the ground to show how much wider it will be than last year, I have a stack of seeds a mile high, and I've been exercising my garden muscles so as not to get overly sore this time around.
However.
It is going to rain ALL DAY tomorrow (says the local weather shaman) and I will have to exercise some patience.
In the mean time, a rainy day will provide the perfect opportunity to finish sewing on the galloons (sp?) to the icon stand cover. . . that I should have finished last week. If I can finish it in time to utilize good lighting, I'll post a pic. We'll see.
However.
It is going to rain ALL DAY tomorrow (says the local weather shaman) and I will have to exercise some patience.
In the mean time, a rainy day will provide the perfect opportunity to finish sewing on the galloons (sp?) to the icon stand cover. . . that I should have finished last week. If I can finish it in time to utilize good lighting, I'll post a pic. We'll see.
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