A little Friday silliness

The Recipe For Kerry

3 parts Wisdom 2 parts Desire 1 part Delight Splash of Vigor Finish off with an olive

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

I'm doubtful about the "Wisdom" part, but they got the olive JUST RIGHT.

Are you an Episcopalian (or Anglican) Homeschooler?

Life on the Planet is looking for a few good homeschoolers...Episcopal (or Anglican) homeschoolers, that is.

Are you one? Then leave a comment here ('cause I am, too and I've got something to share with you) and then scoot on over to the Planet and say, "Hello!"

HT (and graphic courtesy of): Principled Discovery

Carnival of Christianity

Another good Carnival you'll want to know about: the Carnival of Christianity. This week it is at Parable Mania. At the top of his post, you'll find links to lists of past carnivals and future hosts.

Looking for some homeschool encouragement?

Have you heard about the new online homeschooling magazine? Do go check it out - The Heart of the Matter! See if you can spot some familiar bloggers there - I bet you will!

While there, check out their blog and you can add yourself to their blog ring.

Tupperware storage - loose lids?

Meredith at Like Merchant Ships has been sharing some great household organizational ideas the past few days. Today she is discussing tupperware storage. It can be a hassle, can't it?

To contain my tupperware lids, I've been using a Sterilite plastic "shoe box" that slides out like a drawer. With the lids stacked vertically, it is really easy to find what I'm looking for and the lids don't go falling all over the place.

For larger tupperware items (whose lids do not fit in this box) I store them stacked with the lids underneath and nestled together.

Menu Plan: Jan 7th - Jan 13th

Last week, I learned of a service in my local area that delivers fresh, locally grown, organic produce to your door. This is just the sort of thing I've been looking for, so I'm excited to give it a try. This will definitely change the way I plan meals, though.

Each week (Tuesdays) they email with the list of produce coming in the shipment. We can pick and choose from this list the things we'd like to recieve. Then the delivery comes on Thursday. So, this means I will have to begin my meal planning on Tuesday, shop for other things I need on Wednesday, and start my menu plan on Thursday. As this is the first week, I'll just have to stretch out my pantry until Thursday.

So, here is my plan for the first part of this week. Check back for the rest of the menu plan on Wednesday!

Monday
Tuna Tetrazzini*

Tuesday
Henerakaa (Finnish Yellow Split Pea Soup)* - makes a large batch. We'll eat half on Tues and Weds. and then freeze half for another week
Rye bread

Wednesday
leftover Henerakaa, rye bread

Check back for the rest of our weekly menu on Wednesday.
(* recipes to follow)

Tuna Tetrazzini

This is a stand-by in our family. I keep all the ingredients on hand (most are pantry items). It also makes a great casserole to share with a friend in need. When doing this, I mix it all up and deliver it ready to be baked.

2 7oz cans of tuna
1/2 lb of pasta (spaghetti is traditional, but rotini works well, too)
2 7oz cans of sliced mushrooms, drained
2 cans cream of celery soup (most any cream soup works well)
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c bread crumbs (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drain and flake the tuna. If using long spaghetti, break into 3 pieces. Cook pasta until tender. Combine mushrooms, cheese (reserve a little for topping), pasta and tuna in casserole dish.

Blend soup, milk, nutmeg and stir into pasta mix. Sprinkle top with reserved cheese. Bake for 35 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese lightly browned.

Henerakaa (Finnish Split Pea Soup)

This is a great winter meal. It uses lots of winter vegetables and dried yellow split peas are an easy pantry item to keep around. You can use any combination of the winter root vegetables you (turnips, parsnips) like, but do try to find and use some rutabaga. The flavor really makes this soup delightful, I think.

This makes a large amount of soup. I like to freeze half for another day. The other half is enough to feed my family of 5 for two meals with a good hunk of bread. I recommend a dark rye - especially sour rye if you can find it.

2 c dried yellpw split peas
8 c. veg or chicken stock (or water)
2 medium potatoes
2 large carrots
3 celery stalks
1 large onion
1 large rutabaga, peeled
2-3 tsp. dry mustard
dash of allspice
1 tsp dry marjoram
1 tsp ground cumin seeds
1 tsp dry thyme
2 tsp salt
a good dose of pepper (to your "heat" level)
croutons (optional - I like to make my own with pumperknickel bread)

Rinse the split peas. In a large soup pot, bring the peas and stock to a boil. Coarsely chop vegetables and add them to stock as it comes to a boil. Simmer for about 1 1/2 hours or until peas are soft and disintegrating. Puree the soup (an immersable "wand"-type blender is great for this, or just do it in batches with your regular blender) until quite smooth. It will be a thick soup. Add the spices and herbs. Reheat as needed and serve. Top with croutons.

When reheating leftovers, you may find it necessary to add a bit of water or stock to thin out the soup just a bit.

The Big Rocks

So, the Big Rocks from my last post. They've been rolling around in my head for the past day or so. Decided I needed to put pen to paper, or rather finger to keyboard, to do some active thinking about them.

What are the Big Rocks? For me, they are those things that nurture and sustain me and my family. Time spent: in enjoyment of one another, in worship or prayer, at creative pursuits, and in keeping a peaceful home are some examples of the things I consider Big Rocks. There is other stuff in my jar, the "grit" as Anne calls it, I'll look at that in another post, perhaps.

As I turned the rocks over in my brain, I realize that there are different types of Big Rocks. Some are daily rocks, some are weekly, some are monthly, some are semi-annualy - I think you get my drift. I understand thinking about the Rocks on a daily basis - and making sure these accomplished (not that I don't need to work on that, but I do try to do that). But I often find that I neglect planning for the Big Rocks that are the weekly, monthly and semi-annual type. I need to plan when these Rocks should happen and then....write them down in my calendar. This is not revolutionary thinking for many of you, I know, but for me it is!

Here's an example: Scrapbooking, obviously not a daily or even weekly Rock, but one I do want to accomplish. In my mind, I know that I want to do some scrapbooking each month; however, because I do not actually write it on my calendar, it doesn't happen.

So, following is my list of the Big Rocks in my life's jar for 2008. In each area (daily, weekly, etc.) , I will literally be writing these down in my calendar today with as much detail as I can. Some will have to be planned out month by month (like the cultural events, which will depend on local events), but most can at least be "penciled in" figuratively and literally.

Daily:

Prayer - personal and family

Home Education and family learning

Mother Culture (personal reading, blogging, crochet or other craft project)

Weekly:

Writing letters and making calls to family and friends

Special Lord's Day plans (special meals, activities)

Missionary support work

Monthly:

Scrapbooking

Enjoy God's Creation with family

Creative, Cultural, Educational events (taking a day to shoot some film or do some sketching, visiting a museum, attending a concert or play, listening to a lecture)

Semi-Annually:

Celebrating Feasts and Fasts and other Church Year observances

Family travel

I'll follow this post up in the next couple of days (time-permitting - we are getting back to homeschool) with some of my thoughts and plans.

Making resolutions - Rhythm, Reverence and Time

So, this week, after making some homeschool-related resolutions, I've been mulling over my personal resolutions. Of course, there are SO MANY I could make...that nagging 15 lbs, better organization, less TV, yelling at the kids, crabbing at the hubby...and on and on. I often feel so paralyzed by the thought of making RESOLUTIONS, that in the end, I don't. And to tell the truth, I've never been very faithful to keep arbitrarily set "rules" like New Year's resolutions, anyway. It just seems so "band-wagon", doesn't it? Most often, I find my best "resolutions" are made when I have just decided "Everything's (got to) CHAAANGE" (said in my best Holly Hunter Texas-drawl - and if you can name the movie, you'll win some link love).

However, this year I feel a little differently. Things in our family and my life have recently changed significantly for the better (in terms of stress and "busy-ness) and we are all really enjoying the breathing room. In fact, my husband has been telling anyone who asks, "This has been the most peaceful and enjoyable Advent and Christmas, EVER." None of us really know *why*, but we all agree with him. And we want it to continue!

I'm very quick to want to take on any task that needs doing, and of course, my particular weakness is church. (If it needs doing, just ask Kerry. Well, that is a little prideful when there are PLENTY of others who do so much more than me. How about this, if it needs doing, I volunteer.) But, after a long season of hyper-work at our church, hubby and I find ourselves in a lull with many of our previous responsibilities having ended. Now, we are able to truly evaluate what we take on vs. what we choose to not be involved in.

So, here is where I am in relation to resolutions. I want to spend some time this weekend evaluating the "big rocks" vs the "pebbles" vs the "sand" in my life. Then I want to begin developing a realistic "Rule" for myself and my family.

And my resolution? It's simple...and not.

Rhythm, Reverence and Time. I want to see our household, our family, our homeschool, and myself develop a sense of Rhytm and Reverence...and that takes TIME.

This saying "Rhythm, Reverence, and Time" is NOT mine - but it has been hanging on my kitchen cabinet door on a little yellow sticky for about 6 months. (If you know where it came from, PLEASE leave a comment!)

I'm not totally sure how I'm going to accomplish that...it might take all of 2008, but I'll let you know what I'm doing and how I'm doing it. In fact, any post relating to this I'll give it's own label "Rhythm, Reverence and Time". Check back in the coming days - I hope to share some of what I've discovered. In the meantime, do go read the two links in this post, you will be inspired and delighted.

A Family Epiphany

This Sunday is the Feast of the Epiphany, the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the season of "Epiphany". This Feast and Season commemorates the visit of the Wise Men or Magi to the Christ Child. Contrary to popular imagery, they most likely arrived in Bethlehem when Jesus was a toddler. Whatever the case, we recognize this also as a season that looks forward to the Gospel being shared with the whole world.

A lovely way to celebrate Epiphany is with a traditional home blessing. Below is a simple service for families. Start with Chalking the Door. Gather your family at the front door with a piece of chalk and say the following prayer together:

God bless this house,
From door to door,
From wall to wall,
From room to room,
From basement to roof,
From beginning to end.

God bless this house
and who enter here,
All who eat here,
All who work here,
All who play here,
All who sleep here,
All who visit here,
All who abide here.

(from a wonderful little book: The Anglican Family Prayer Book by Anne E. Kitch)

Then make the marks on your front door: 20+C+M+B+08. Each person can write a small part of that, or you can let an adult write the whole thing with the kids each making their own small cross somewhere on the door. (We find this easiest with little kids.) The C,M,B traditionally stands for the legendary names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazaar); however, I like the alternate: Christus Mansionem Benedicat which means "May Christ bless this dwelling." The numbers are for the year (2008).

Now, you can walk through the house with lighted candles (or just the adults) and Holy Water, if you wish, saying prayers for each room's occupants and activities. Perhaps end your "tour" in the kitchen or dining room with a candlelight dinner, tea or dessert of "Three Kings' Cake".

We don't wash off the marks and they've stayed up as a reminder almost all year long!

A very blessed Epiphany to you!

Favorite books of 2007

I'm enjoying reading the many "favorite books" lists on various blogs and forums (or is that forii?). Thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. Perhaps you'll see something that interests you and join us on the Day Of Reading!

Riding the Iron Rooster - Paul Theroux
He traveled through Communist China by train (just a little before Tianamen Square). I enjoyed this because he appreciated the Chinese people and yet didn't miss their foibles. Helped prepare me for my trip to China.

Brave New World - Aldous Huxely
A classic from 1930's. Shockingly prophetic look into the "future". Here are some posts inspired by reading this book: here and here and here and an excellent article. (The edition I've linked to has some contemporary responses in the back, which I enjoyed reading, too.)

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Houseini
I liked this one even better than Kite Runner, which was good.

Three Cups of Tea - Greg Mortensen
Excellent true story of one man's life mission to villagers in the high Himalays/Hindu Kush around Pakistan and Afghanistan. I should say his was not a Christian mission, but he was doing missionary-type work. He began his mission before 9/11, but has been able to continue it after as well. (In fact, he was there at the time of 9/11 and had a hairy escape from the country.)

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid - Bill Bryson Laugh out loud funny memoirs of his life growing up in the 50's. Some other greats by Bryson that I've thoroughly enjoyed: A Walk in the Woods(Bryson attempts the Appalachian Trail) and In a Sunburned Country(Bryson visits and writes about modern-day Australia). In fact, I'd confidently purchase any book by him. Be warned - he does use some bad language; however, it is not gratuitous nor frequent.

WFMW - Keeping Your Silver Shiny EASILY!

After Christmas, I bet you have all your silver all shiny and pretty looking, right? Sad to think you might have to go through all that polishing again next year, huh? What a chore! Wouldn't you like to avoid that? Well, last year I discovered a really great little product for keeping my silver all nice and shiny: 3M Anti-Tarnish Strips.

They come in strips approx 2 inches by 6 inches and keep silver looking nicely polished for up to 6 months. That is according to 3M, mine have been keeping my silver shiny for almost a year! They work by treating the air around the silver item and retarding the chemical process that leads to tarnish. They work great in silver chests, hutches, or other "closed" environments (like a jewelry chest).

I purchased a bag of 16 strips. This was enough for my silver chest (one per drawer), my hutch (used approx 10 in various places), and 1 in my jewelry box. I've got some leftover which I'll store in a ziplock bag and use to replace the ones in the hutch as needed.

Here is a link to purchase. I have no affilliation with this company at all - just love this product!

Want more great ideas? Check out Works For Me Wednesday!

Carnival of Homeschooling - 2nd Anniversary

The Carnival of Homeschooling is up and it is the 2nd Anniversary edition! Go by and say "Thanks" to the Cates at Why Homeschool for keeping this awesome Carnival up and running.

I submitted a post on Homeschool Resolutions, but it got missed somehow. Oh, well, you are here already, here is the link!

Meal Plan for Dec 30th - Jan 5th

Whew! We are a bit over-stuffed and ready for a change of pace. I'm still keeping us on a seasonal meal plan (using this book as a resource and inspiration) as a way to keep food fresh and inexpensive. I also try to keep our grocery purchases as local as possible.

Since we homeschool and my husband works from home a couple days a week, I plan for all three meals. Here is our plan for this week:

Sunday
French Toast
"Make Your Own" (ie. leftovers, sandwiches, whatever you can scrounge)
Church Potluck

Monday
Fried eggs and toast
"Make Your Own"
Spaghetti & Turkey meatballs (for kids; adults were treated to a Thai Feast courtesy of Gram!)

Tuesday
Cereal
"Make Your Own"
Hoppin' John, Spinach & malt vinegar, corn bread

Wednesday
Eggs and toast
Fried Mozzerella sticks, fruit
"Clean out the Fridge"

Thursday
Cream of Wheat
Chicken Nuggets, veggies and dip
Twice Baked Potatoes, salad

Friday
Eggs and toast
Corn Dogs
"Homemade" Pizza (I purchase the dough for the crust from a local pizza joint -a large for $1.50, then I throw, top and bake it myself at home.)

Saturday
Waffles and sausage
Sandwiches
Daddy's Night To Cook