Living day to day while seeking the truth in life. Finding wisdom through Christ in marriage and my children. Finding beauty in the world in which we live... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 9 Nov 2009 18:54:00 -0600 Mon, 9 Nov 2009 18:54:00 -0600 Tom Kitten was very fat, and he had grown; several buttons burst off. Unfortunately Tom Kitten isn't the only one.... Last week at work I was asked what I had done different to my hair, as my face looked 'so round'.  And just tonight, in vain, after watching the Duggar vow-renewal/wedding re-do thing I decided to try on my wedding gown.  You don't actually think that it fit, do you? It did... almost, it did, but in the end the zipper didn't go all the way up. I've been complaining about being overweight for a long while now, but nothing has seemed to really work.  Maybe it's because I'm still overeating and using exercise as an excuse to eat more?  Sounds like a possibility, doesn't it? So for the last two weeks I've taken a different approach that seems to be actually working.  Instead of eating PERFECTLY, as I feel I should do if I am dieting, I'm eating less.  Probably around 1500 calories a day.  I'm exercising, but not to the extreme. So often I tend to have problems finding the middle road... I don't like normalcy or mediocrity, so I feel the need to go overboard with whatever I'm doing.  Maybe the middle isn't so bad.  Maybe it will be easier to stick with something that isn't so drastic. I'm eating 3 small meals and 2 snacks during the day and getting some form of exercise 4-5 days a week.  I've been limiting carbs after 12noon, and really sticking with veggies at that time.  In fact, I've made my own 'diet' soup that is basically beef broth, and pumpkin broth (left over from pressure cooking pumpkin) and add in a bunch of veggies like green beans, kale, greens and onions.  I also add a ton of hot sauce for flavor as I love the stuff.  This, with a touch of parmesan, has been dinner for me most every night. I may never be able to get into the wedding dress, but I think I'm at a pivotal point at this time.... one where if I put this off any longer things will only get more out of control and worse.  I guess it's really for me just about realizing what I can accept about myself, and this isn't something I'm just willing to accept...   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/743420/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 18:54:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/743420/ One must realize that I don't blog for others, but for my own sanity.... I've had way too many 'general meanderings' that I wish I hadn't said in fits of my own personal insanities, but mostly it's because I write things down here, and at least I know where I can go to find them as my 'book' is constantly lost or I forgot to write things down.  Pretty much if you are reading this, then consider yourself reading my diary.... ha!  I am pretty confused that the number of you guys reading daily has maintained, and that the countries represented have increased as well.... I really don't get it, but I have to admit that as I am way too obsessed by numbers,  I find it pretty cool.... and I'm not like obsessed with the amount, but by the number.... just to give you a glimpse into my hopefully, well-hidden in person, OCD mind. So if you've lasted thru the last run-on sentence/paragraph... I have a lovely pumpkin recipe for you.  A wonderful friend came over yesterday with pumpkins her husband had found (sorry, but that is another story).  We pressure cooked the jack-o-lantern sized thing in a couple of batches, and this is what I made today: Easier than you think, and better than you think it will be: Pumpkin-Broccoli Chowder 2 tbsp butter 1 red onion chopped 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 ripe tomato, chopped/peeled, (or cheat like I did and use about 1/4 cup of canned tomatoes 4 cups of chicken stock, or an equivalent liquid 4 cups of pumpkin puree' 1 tbsp honey 1 bunch of broccoli, cut into bites 1/4 cup of cream Saute onion in butter for several minutes until translucent add the soy sauce and tomato.  Cook stirring often until the tomato's juice is evaporated Add the chicken stock, pumpkin, honey and salt and pepper, and stir frequently Steam the broccoli for about 3 minutes until bright green Stir int he steamed broccoli to the soup and add the cream.  Let it cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot for about 8-10 minutes.  Do NOT let it boil. Serve hot. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/741845/ Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:08:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/741845/ Sorry, I know everyone is waiting with baited breath for pumpkin recipes, but I'm out of time, and this was way better..... Please take time to watch.... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/740446/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:37:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/740446/ Can you say 'pressure cooking pumpkin' five times real fast? It doesn't matter if you can say it, just as long as you do it....  In my adventures in pressure cooking, pumpkin has been one of the treats I've made. Actually it's quite simple.... the hardest part was cutting thru the pumpkin.  Once you do that, simply cut it into strips, and fill you pressure cooker.  No need to peel it, just chunk it up, and pile it in the pressure cooker with about an inch or water in the base. I didn't worry about over-filling the cooker, as the pumpkin wasn't a solid mass, and there was room for movement.  This actually isn't as full as the picture appears though... This was actually right at/slightly above the max-fill line. I then pressure cooked it for 5 minutes per my cooker's directions.  THis still blows my mind!  Five minutes and you have a wonderfully cooked food with all of the nutrients contained and not wasted! Tomorrow (if I can get it together, and find the time) what I did with the pumpkin....   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/739814/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/739814/ Honestly, the real cuteness was seeing the day or 2 old baby quail running around.  My life in the suburbs means that I won't be hatching any, but it doesn't mean that we still can't enjoy the lovely little eggs. These are actually boiled...  4 minutes and they are perfect..... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/739811/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:38:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/739811/ We aren't hunters by nature in our house.  We would much rather grow something than to think about killing for our food.  We do eat meat, but me are picky about what we use.  I don't like contributing to industries that consider animals a crop, and prefer to buy from local people who treat their animals well. This past week a friend who does hunt gave me some pheasants.  I have to admit that I've never cooked wild game before, but figure that it can't be that different.  The thing I found out with wild birds is that you need to determine if it is dark or white meat so that you can get the time and temp appropriate.  I ended up roasting the birds in the oven, and they were delicious.  We all enjoyed the meal.  Jett felt that it would be best to just not throw away the head, but to honor the bird by burying it.  Here he is in the backyard taking care of that..... So feeling inspired by the BreadBecker's class I decided to make the left overs into something even more wonderful.... I took the meat off the bones.  I still got some use from the bones (and feet and neck as well).  I put them in the pot and made a wonderful, flavorful stock. The pot pie was layered with the meat on the bottom, a mixture of veggies over this. I used carrots, potatoes, onions and celery.  As I am constantly wanting to use my pressure cooker these days, I cooked these for 5 minutes in some of the before mentioned stock, and they were wonderful.  I also used some of the broth to make a sauce.  This isn't a bechemel sauce, but is much healthier and quicker.  I put 3 cups of stock in a pot and brought it to a boil.  I than whisked in 1/3 cup of baby white bean/lima bean flour along with some Italian seasoning that I ground in my grain mill.  Cook it for a few minutes until it is thickened.  Add salt to taste. On top of this I put a biscuit style crust using soft white wheat. 2-1/2 cups soft white flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking salt 1 stick of melted butter 2 cups of milk Combine the dry.  Stir in milk and butter. Pour this gently over the meat/veggie mixture. Cook the whole thing at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/738821/ Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:02:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/738821/ I have to admit that I've been dying to blog all week, as I've learned so many cool, new things.  I've taken pictures, and played out the steps in my mind, and yet, they've not ended up here. So tomorrow is yet another day, so mea culpa and all that.... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/738349/ Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/738349/ It only took me a year, but my first quilt is finally finished.... It's not perfect by any means, but I'm still really glad..... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/737496/ Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:26:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/737496/ I have to admit that I'm supposed to be at work right now... and no, I did not call in sick.  I am on-call as we don't have a huge number of patients today, but as always, I'm sure on Monday it will all change. The cool thing about it is that yesterday Shawn and I went to Bread Beckers for a class.  It was wonderful... the theme was fall comfort foods.  I mainly wanted to see some new recipes and learn more about pressure cooking as that always scares me. When we got back from church last night Marc helped me pressure cook some potatoes in the old pressure cooker I got from my grandmother this summer.  It wasn't one of the new fangled ones, but it didn't blow up or make alot of noise since I had Marc here helping.  Well... essentially he did the actual work, I just stood around trying not to look scared. So now I am inspired.  Today my plan is to get comfortable with pressure cooking, and to make a pot pie.... but then that's another post.... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/737080/ Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:22:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/737080/ I'll admit it... my kids spend time dreaming during this season of playing dress up out in public and getting candy from strangers.  But as I am frequently looking for pieces that multi-task, in my uni-tasker world, I came to the decision to make a bag  that would not only carry the above candy, but would also facilitate books and other gear when needed. I also have to admit that I didn't sew the actual bag, but instead used a coupon and teacher discount card at Joann's to get them incredibly cheap (I think that the original price was around $7 for 3 bags, I haven't made mine yet). I made the owl design, and Shawn made her spider design using scraps that seem to be everywhere these days. I also used this time to do a bit of a hand sewing lesson with both kids, yes, boys can learn to sew.  Shawn did an over stitch around her spider, but Jett just decided to practice a running stitch..... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/736785/ Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:32:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seethebluesky/736785/