Jul. 31, 2008 Kids who actually LIKE doing chores!
I can't complain about my kids when it comes to doing chores. I have two boys- 7 and 4 (almost 5). They LOVE to do help do housework (except picking up their toys). But today, they were very wiling to help gather trash from the other rooms in the house so we could prep it for trash day tomorrow. They split the bathrooms (we have 4!), and my youngest took care of the Recycling. He also swept the kitchen rug with our little Swivel Sweeper, while I swept the hardwoods. He also emptied my dishwasher while I switched laundry loads. My oldest helped me mop the bathroom floors. It gave him a back ache...so he got to appreciate a little what I do! 
I need to be sure to keep this chore-thing up while they are young and wiling! One day, they'll get smart and realize it's WORK and then I won't stand a chance.
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Jul. 30, 2008 Frugal Christmas Giving Ideas- for friends/neighbors
My kids and I bought some fresh-made Kettle Corn at a local farmers market this weekend. YUM!!! SOOOOO much better than the Kettle Corn you buy in the store to put in your microwave (no surprise there...but I had never had the real stuff before).
I was thinking....making my own popcorns might be a fun and super cheap gift idea for Christmas- for friends and neighbors (and family too). I found a couple of sites I'm going to give it a test drive. I was thinking I'd try Caramel Corn and Kettle Corn- kind of a 'sampler' idea. (I can't get the Links to work- sorry!! You'll have to cut-paste until I can figure it out.  )
Caramel Corn:
http://www.ellenskitchen.com/pantry/home/crakrjk.html
Kettle Corn:
http://www.aliciakachmar.com/blog/life/homemade-kettle-corn-cheap-and-easy/
I'm trying to plan for Christmas now- since I want to try to make much of it this year if I can (utilize my 'talents' more and save money!). So I'll post more ideas and projects as I get them. (Please feel free to share!) |
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Jul. 30, 2008 Lift up your voice in praise
Have you ever been in church singing, and just stopped so you could hear the voices around you? It amazes me sometimes, all the different voices and how they harmonize together so beautifully. I can't help but imagine what it will be like in Heaven when millions of voices are blending together perfectly in song.
Needless to say, I've learned to carry kleenex in my bible cover.  |
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Jul. 26, 2008 A "peachy" day makes for an achy back and sticky floors
My DSs and I went to the State farmer's market yesterday (I love that place) and bought lots of fun stuff. I got 12 bell peppers, 3 qts blackberries, 5 qts blueberries, a dozen ear of sweet corn, a small watermelon, and 3 boxes (1/2 bushel each) of fresh peaches. YUMMMMMMMMMM. I washed and flash-froze the berries, as well as the peppers as large sections. I'll vacuum bag them later.
TODAY though, was the first of two days with the peaches. FUN FUN.
I took two boxes of these beauties....a lot of prep work (that takes the longest), a little slicing and dicing, and a couple of chick-flick movies, and we had.....
(Which movies, you ask? Good question! "Must Love Dogs" and Hallmark's "Hidden Places" . Don't you just love Hallmark movies?  )
Anyway, I digress....
Eight hours later, and I have 21 of these beauties...
and a back ache to match! I'd probably have at least 4 or 5 jars more, if I didn't keep eating them. They are just so darn good!! But I've learned, that those things must be diuretics!! I barely drank anything the whole day, but I sure went to the bathroom alot....phew! The kids came around a few times for a bite or two also. My 4 yr old didn't want to eat too many. He said "I want to save them for grandma and grandpa." HOW SWEET is that?
Tomorrow, I get to do one more box, and then mop my floors. I keep getting stuck to it. I don't know how that happens...just goes to show how much stuff splashes around. I'll have to scrub my kitchen to keep out the pesky ants.
I wish I could say that I'd be done with the peaches, but I have a deal with my mom. My parents planted 80 tomato plants, and their soil is the inspiration for Miracle Gro or something, because they are HUGE plants. One branch of her plants has as many tomatoes on it, as all of my 22 tomato plants combined! So we have an arrangement....she'll can tomatoes for me, and I'll can peaches for her. Since I live in the south, I have easy access to outstanding peaches. (She's in the north.) I'm going to do at least another 3 boxes, and then probably a box or so for jam and try some peach butter. I think my mom got the easy end of the deal! 
But it's fun and rewarding. Each quart of peaches cost me about $2. Not a bad return for homemade goodness that my family enjoys. |
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