I got something to say

Nuts!

Its pretty quiet right now. Except for the thunking of copious amounts of walnuts tumbling out the three in the back yard. I’ve been watching Sassafras out their in the yard with buckets- diligently filling each with walnuts- dumping and filling some more. She’s about got hit a few times with the ka-thunking nuts but continues to steadfastly fill buckets. I am amazed at her diligence and stick-to-it-iveness. I doubt I’d be out there singing and talking to myself and continuing picking up (well, I would be doing the talking to myself part)- I’m sure I’d have quit after the about the 3^rd five gallon bucketful. I would probably have shaken my fist at that tree and murmured a few things when it kept showering down more nuts. I doubt I would have persevered as she is. She’s been out their for a good half hour or so. It is a joy to watch my beautiful daughter in the warm afternoon sun.
I do believe I have it in me to join her and fill up a couple of buckets.
And then
Perhaps
a bit of sweet chocolate for the two of us.

Getting it back on track

Frayed

Today I feel frayed at the edges.
It’s my fault.
I completely woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
I didn’t even want to get up.
The blanket cocoon was so very comfy and warm and it was so dark, cold and dreary.
It didn’t help matters that I knew there were a couple of things I had to attend to today that I just didn’t want to do.
Cranky.
Then that frustrating email.
Ugh.
And it seemed like I couldn’t quite get in sync with teaching all 3 children simultaneously this morn.
I ended up letting Mr. Conductor color with sharpies on a large piece of heavy paper. Right next to me.
The fumes quickly gave me a headache.
He didn’t seem to mind the least little bit.
We made a huge mess on the table and on the floor with schooling.
Which is normal.
Except that it helped perpetuate the continual fraying of the edges.
Mr. C and I are discussing circles this week.
I let Mr. C have a hole punch.
The floor is peppered with bits of colored paper.
I need to get my perspective back- there is still a lot of day left.
I gotta get past these grumpies.

Are you tired [grumpy]? Worn-out [frayed at the edges]? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Matthew 11:28-29

[my additions for today]

Pulling into Frustration Station

I am currently fighting a growing frustration.
My frustration is with email. I am amazed at the amount of “between the lines” reading that can go into email and the trouble it causes.
I have learned, with some job/ministry related emails to say a prayer before even opening them.
Sometimes I feel like opening my email is like walking through a mine field- some days I make it through alright and other days . . . . .
Boom!
Ker-blooie!
So I pray when I get emails from certain people and I pray when I read the emails and I pray when I am forming my replies and I pray when I hit “send”.
I think to myself that I do not want to perpetuate the frustration they are making me feel. I work hard to answer the email words not the tone.
And there are times when I fail to make that happen. Times when what I perceive to be the “tone” of an email pushes my hot button down so far that I don’t think it will ever pop back up.
Some emails I do not reply to right away- I have walk away, think about it, pray about it- talk it over with Mr. Steady.
Email can be an ugly thing.
I often find myself saying to Mr. Steady, “Does so-and-so think or proof read before sending emails? Does so-and-so have any idea how they come off in this email?”
Or “Boy, I wish so-and-so understood how their emails made me feel- I wonder if they would continue?”
Unfortunately for me I do not feel that I can speak to the two biggest so-and-so’s who send me frustrating emails.
Right now it seems that the frustrating emails are job/ministry related but in the not-so-distant past there were frustrating, confusing and misunderstood emails within a group I belong to.
I know there is email etiquette but how many people use it? It is so very VERY easy to whip off an email to someone- and very tempting to do it when you are mad/angry/frustrated and want to share all your thoughts without someone butting in- you have your say, your rant in all it’s glory.
Email is easier than phoning. Email is easier than face-to-face. But I’ve learned that it is not better. There are times we take our rants too far in emails and do irreparable damage. Yes, I know this for certain. I’ve been on both ends of the rant and no lasting good comes from it.
I often hear myself mumbling that the emailer is too narrow-minded. Can’t they see it from another point of view, I ponder. Like mine? Don’t they know that a little sugar with a complaint makes it easier to swallow?
Does anyone keep “some thoughts” to themselves?
Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying, “A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.”
and
“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”
And here is something I wrote down in my quote journal and try to remind myself of when I wallow in frustration and more- just like this.
Its alright to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush it when you are done.

WFMW: Freezer Tip

Day book entry #13

 Please visit Peggy, the host of the Simple Woman’s Daybook and others here.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

FOR TODAY~ October 6^th 

Outside my Window... a cold, grey day.

I am thinking... of how to arrange my schedule this week to get everything done that needs to get done in the time frame it needs to get done.

From the learning room... a bit of a slow start to our school day- it is after all, a Monday. We enjoyed a bit of lapbooking with our Botany and will take a nature walk later today to look for moncots/dicots to add to our nature journals. Mr. Conductor asked for a countdown chain for pumpkin carving and so we made one. 21 days is a long chain- hope he makes it. American History continues on- we’ll be making a Teepee sometime this week (I say we- I mean Mr. Steady and the girls!).

I am thankful for… tried and true recipes that you can always fall back on. I was going to try a new dessert recipe for homeschool group but with my full schedule I decided to stick with what I do best- triple fudge brownies.

From the kitchen... breakfast was apple pancakes and sliced bananas. [Mr. Steady made a HUGE batch last week and we’re still enjoying them- note- best was to freeze pancakes is to put them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze- then take out, remove from tray and place in a freezer bag- that way they are individually frozen and not stuck together!] Lunch is Sunday’s leftovers (stroganoff) and supper will be Spanish rice with bacon and homemade bread. Check out the rest of my weekly menu here.

I am creating... learners. Some great homeschooling going on here this week. Plus I’m also creating youth ministry reports for this week’s church board meeting. And a framed special verse for a couple of friends. And doctored photo postcards to send to a couple of youth group kiddos. Lots going on!

I am going... to town later- errand running. After Mr. Steady comes home- so I can go “alone”.

I am wearing... well worn and frayed blue jeans, Trevecca Naz University Tshirt and zip up fleece, thick socks.

I am reading... On Sparrow Hill by Maureen Lang and another book I can’t remember the title of.

I am hoping... to get everything done that needs doing without stress or worry.

I am hearing... Mr. Conductor sing his ABCs (it still needs a bit of work) and the girls laughing.

Around the house... we’re babysitting my parent’s pampered pooch so we need to keep things picked up so she won’t think they are her chew toys. Plus the ever present loads of laundry and weekly cleaning schedule. Mr. C has taken to cleaning the downstairs bathroom every Monday after his school is done. I will continue to enjoy this while it lasts . . . . .

One of my favorite things... gator rides with the family.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... another high school football game, church board meeting, worship team practice, a trip to a local mill and cider press that is having a Civil War reenactment. And homeschooling. And teaching creative writing at Homeschool Group.

Menu with Daily Costs

Notes: From the Garden: The garden is just about done. We’ve taken to stopping at a local orchard/farmer’s stand for tomatoes, potatoes and apples. Nothing like real local produce to remind you why store bought just doesn’t taste the same. Monday 
B: Apple pancakes, sliced bananas
L: Diner Dinner (Sunday leftovers and then some)
D: Spanish Rice, homemade bread
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $2.65 (Yay! Cheap night!)
Tuesday
B: Cherry & brown sugar oatmeal, toast
L: Homeschool group lunch: bring: Triple Fudge Brownies
D: Crockpot: Chicken Bacon Swiss Melts
Dessert: any leftover brownies
Daily Cost: $10.39
Wednesday
B: Choice: yogurt or cereal
L: Macaroni-n-cheese w/bacon crumbles
D: Messy Tacos
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $4.37
Thursday
B: Baked apple and toast
L: Nachos
D: Chicken Alfredo, biscuits & salad
Dessert: warm tapioca pudding
Daily Cost: $10.30
Friday -Football Game
B: Eggs in a basket
L: Diner Dinner
D: One Pot Salsa Beef Skillet
Dessert: none
Daily Cost: $5.28
Saturday –Field Trip- Civil War Reenactment
B: Daddy Cook (eggs, toast, bacon etc)
L: Leftover Smorgasbord
D: Leftover Smorgasbord
Daily Cost: $3.00
Sunday
B: Cocoa Wheats, toast
L: Crockpot White Chicken Chili & corn dodgers
D: lunch leftovers
Daily Cost: $7.15
Weekly Total: $43.14
~~ Don’t forget to check out the yummy menu ideas every Monday over at The Organizing Junkie’s blog. You just might find your next favorite family recipe!

meant to do- did do

I meant to do my work today—but a brown bird sang in the apple tree, and a butterfly flitted across the field, and all the leaves were calling me.
g Richard Le Gallienne g

Crockpot Cowboy Stew recipe

Crock Pot Cowboy Stew Recipe

1-1/4 lbs beef stew meat
4 unpeeled potatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (28.00 ounces) can baked beans
2 Tbsp. BBQ sauce

Mix stew meat, potatoes, onions, salt and pepper in crockpot. Spread beans over the meat mix and pour BBQ sauce over beans (work it in a bit with the flat of the spoon on the beans). Cover and cook on low heat 6-8 hours until the beef is tender. Or on high for 3-4 hours.
We love to serve cheddar chive biscuits with this! Also- I love using our enamelware bowls and cups and bandanas for napkins- gives us a cowboy feeling!
Cost breakdown: stew meat (a little over 1 lb)cost $3.31, potatoes- free (out of garden), onion- free (also out of garden) can baked beans $1.00 and BBQ sauce- well, we’ve had this sauce in the fridge for awhile- no price tag, I have no idea- let’s say 10 cents.
Total Cost: $4.41 or there abouts.
Add the biscuits (you can purchase a mix for 99 cents- just add water or milk depending on mix) and you have a delicious meal for under $6 for a family of 5.

Sunday dinners- crockpot- and a link

Sunday Dinners are beginning to earn that capitalization in our home.
Thank you to the wonderful readers who sent links to great sites with crockpot recipes. I really enjoy this website- one woman’s goal to use her crockpot every day for an ENTIRE YEAR. Oh, yes, 365 days of crockpotting.
While, I am no where near that level of dedication nor do I feel that much crockpot love, I really admire it.
In a week’s time, I’ve collected about 20 new crockpot recipes. I believe that is a good start. Should I only find 5 keepers out of the bunch that will still give us a variety in our Sunday Dinner menu.
A new family favorite is my tweaked version of Crockpot Cowboy Stew. I hope to have time to post that recipe real soon.