Feb 27, 2009 | Motherhood, Uncategorized
The topic of volunteering and how it can eat your life up seems to keep coming up. Suzy Ormon (that money lady from Oprah) says you shouldn’t ever volunteer when you could get paid, but I really don’t agree. I have always felt that volunteering is extremely important, whether it be in an organized setting or just helping a neighbor, and have always tried to do everything I can to help. But, that being said, how do you know how much is too much, and when to say “no?”
Last year about killed me and I vowed this year I wouldn’t do as much and would learn to be forceful and say “NO!” Scott says I have a big “Sucker” stamp on my forehead and that makes people ask me to do everything- maybe I do (I’d have to look in the mirror for that.)
My calendar this month has 21 days with volunteer “to do’s” scheduled, and I don’t think I wrote them all down. We have Girl Scout cookie sales going on, lots of school parties and trips, and Boy Scout (and Girl Scout) Pinewood Derby in the next two weeks. I don’t know if I want to add up all the work I do, because I might not do it all if I did. (Probably realize I could have a full-time job!) Does anyone else feel that way?
Now, I know I sound like I’m whining, and I’m not really… I don’t think I could give up any of the things I do now without feeling regrets (except MAYBE for the Capri Sun bag recycling!) We even were looking at a volunteer vacation but the kids are still too young. My poor little guy (and my mom) is always being dragged around for something or another, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt him. Everyone knows his name and he’s getting to be a good cookie salesman! I want my children to make a difference in the world and maybe by seeing how little things matter will help them achieve that.
So, I’m not going to look at next month’s schedule and get cracking around this place while I have a free moment… (yes, I have about four hours of “work” today I signed up for!)
I’d really appreciate your thoughts on how much is too much!
Feb 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
Today was the long anticipated arrival of Girl Scout cookies. I met the truck at 8:00 AM, and helped unload/restack the pallets into nice 5 x 10 rows of crates, then awaited our troops’ turn to be picked and sorted. The cardboard from the boxes got my allergies and I had a major migraine when I got home around noon. The good news was almost all my parents showed up at the Armory to get the cookies so I didn’t have to cart that many home! Another fine parent helped me unload what was left at my house. Now the fun of delivering our orders begins! I am taking more aspirin tonight!
Feb 19, 2009 | Arkansas, Travel, Uncategorized, United States
This weekend was so beautiful I have been officially bitten by the “Spring Bug.” The weather was chilly but sunny and the air was moist (which I enjoy.) We drove up to Petit Jean on Sunday after Emily played bells in two services, and rented a cute little cabin on the ridge of the canyon by Mather Lodge. They have started a “one pet cabin” trial and we took Cole to see how he’d take the hiking. The vet did say he needed to lose twenty (yes, twenty) pounds, so we thought it would do him some good.
We hiked the Seven Hollows trail the first day, 4.75 miles I think. There had been a major fire there since the last time we hiked that trail and it was almost surreal. I remember the last time we’d hiked it the trees were so magical and tall it was almost like being in a rain forest or fairyland. This time, it was like being on a totally different planet. Very strange feeling. It was really fun and the kids did great with hardly any “Mommy, carry me!” (Well, maybe a mile or two…) One thing we didn’t expect was how slow we’d be and didn’t pack a flashlight, we practically ran the last mile because the sun was getting so low!
The second day we just did the Falls hike and then headed for the climbing rocks and Bear Cave. The kids enjoyed playing hide and seek in the rocks and Max cried for a long while that he didn’t want to ever go home. We never found the petroglyphs in the caves, not sure where they are, have to research before next time. Emily fell on the way to the overlook and hurt her arm. Still aching and probably going to have to get it x-rayed tomorrow.
Feb 18, 2009 | Recipes, Sweets, Uncategorized
I think that out of the holidays there are to celebrate my mom loves Valentine’s Day the best. She always made it special for us with a special Valentine card, box of Whitman’s chocolates and a special dinner. I have always tried to continue this loving feeling to my kids because it was something special I remember from my childhood. This Valentine’s Day I was very behind on the preparations. Jac and I had watched a show (probably Martha Stewart Living, considering that usually that is the ONLY show we watch all day) with a special Valentine’s Day menu of “Love Birds” and other special treats. I meant to get that made but??? The funniest thing was that after sixteen years of marriage I did the horrible “Get up before you and run to Walgreen’s to get a Valentine” and then Scott did the “Ooops, I need razorblades/Valentine’s day card” run also. So romantic. (Sorry babe, I’ll do better next year!)
I did manage to make “Cinnamon Crispy Hearts” and hot cocoa for breakfast. The kids like these and I don’t make them very often, so they enjoyed them. I am a hot cocoa snob, I must admit, and have made my poor children into three cocoa snobs as well. The first time Emily had cocoa from a mix she said “Mommy, what is this? It is NOT hot cocoa!” I love to make the real deal, and trying to cut the calories have cut out their nightly hot cocoa fix to once a week (for my benefit, not theirs!) My mom brought the kids a box of chocolates and balloons, and Sharon brought them cards and animals so they were quite the happy campers!
“Cinnamon Crispy Hearts”
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/2 c warm water
3/4 c flour
3/4 c whole wheat flour
1/8 tsp salt (I used salted butter and leave this out)
2/3 c butter
1 egg yolk
1 Tblsp. melted butter
2/3 c sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon (I used the fresh, strong stuff so only used 1 tsp.)
Sprinkle yeast over warm water, stir until dissolved and set aside.
In large bowl stir flour and salt. Mix in butter with a pastry cutter until crumbly.
Stir in yeast mixture and egg yolk until well blended. Cover tightly with wrap and
refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
Turn dough out onto lightly floured board and knead until smooth, folding over at each
turn, about ten times or so. Roll out into a 12″ x 10″ rectangle.
Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar. Starting with a long side
roll dough up “jelly roll” style to center of the rectangle. Then on other long end roll up that side
to center mark also. Cut into 12 slices.
Sprinkle some of remaining cinnamon sugar on waxed paper and place a slice on the paper.
Flatten slightly with hand, pinching into more of a heart shape as you flatten, then roll with a
rolling pin to 1/8″ thick. (Turn slice as you go to sugar both sides.) Repeat with other slices.
Place hearts on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes.
Feb 13, 2009 | Green Living, Motherhood, Uncategorized
I am a greenie-mom. I admit it. In college my friends called me “Hippy Chick” because I just tend to slide to the natural side of things. I recycled and composted before it was easy to do. I try and shop responsibly, organic, and local. Saying this, my kids new school has gotten me in a dither.
THEY DON’T RECYCLE!
I personally think this is one of the worst sins considering how easy it is to do in our county. Little Rock and North Little Rock both have curbside recycling programs that are fantastic (North Little Rock started it of course.) We have containers and can recycle pretty much anything now- plastics to #7, aluminum (which I actually take myself and get the cash for,) tin cans, paper…
I signed the school up for a program called “The Drink Pouch Brigade” by Terracycle where we collect the drink bags from Capri-Suns, Kool-Aid, Honest Tea, etc. They make neat purses, wallets, and pencil pouches from them. In three days I collected two huge garbage bags full! The point is that the plastic is kept out of landfills, AND the bonus is that Terracycle gives the school $.02 for each pouch we send in. Not too bad, except that I am sticky from washing little Capri Sun bags and smell like apple juice (which I am very allergic to.) I also signed us up for cookie bags (Oreos, Cakesters, etc.) but haven’t gotten that started yet.
Well, better get counting juice bags…
