Jun 26, 2009 | Uncategorized
I’ve been trying to “Keep It Local” to feed my family but do you know how hard it is to get local, organic milk? I’ve been trying to get the local farmer’s market co-op to bring in a monthly order just for us. I know people talk about how bad it is to consume a lot of dairy, but that’s what we do here. I really wish I had a cow in the backyard. Talk about having to use the pooper-scooper though- and I think a Labrador is bad.
It’s a lot easier to get fresh eggs, but boy are they expensive. I sort of wish I had a chicken coop like this one and some laying hens…
Scott just asked if this was the boy’s new bedroom picture. (Ha!)
Jun 22, 2009 | Arkansas, Travel, Uncategorized, United States
This weekend we made a jaunt up to my grandpa’s in Clarksville. The goal of the trip was to be there in time for some of the Johnson County Peach Festival festivities.
Rodeo Queens
Neat picture of the diversity in Clarksville. The building with the green awning used to be my great-grandfather’s drugstore “The Palace” and later my great uncles ran and owned it. My granddad had his doctor’s office next door! Walmart managed to eventually run them out of business. I love the festival- so much small town fun! Even the governor got in on the parade action!
It was hot but we had a nice wall to lean on so had our bit of shade.
We missed the fiddle contest, which is always phenomenal, because the kids were too hot and wanted to jump in the lake. I was bummed but the cool water of the creek we found at Horsehead Lake made up for it (I think.) Cole really liked it! I know the Thai Steakhouse in Ozark made up for it. I LOVE that place. The family that owns it is the nicest and it’s probably the best “oriental” restaurant in Arkansas. (At least that I’ve found.) Beats everything in Central Arkansas hands down.
I decided to try to “color” my grey hair with cassia obovata I’d gotten from this site. It is a natural plant that you make into a paste and put on your hair. It’s supposed to condition hair and turn grey blonde. Doesn’t change any other hair colors. It really did work! Not supposed to last very long, but much better than all those bad chemicals. I don’t think it conditioned my hair though, made it feel a bit dry. Maybe it’s the orange juice you have to mix the powder with. I might try yogurt next go round like some suggest.
We came home for a nice Father’s Day cookout at my in-law’s and a movie (kids and I saw “Imagine That”.) Then J decided to stand up just as I was bending over to pick him up last night for bed. Perfect timing and a broken nose for mom. A little purple and a lot swollen, at least it is straight. That kid has one hard head.
Jun 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
Flowers in my yard (anyone know what they are?)
This past weekend Scott built a railing for the side of the deck. Keeps the kids & dog from jumping off and digging! We still have to stain it and sand/stain the rest of the deck (again.)
Yesterday I finished building a flowerbed in what was the digging pit. I still need to add some more plants and mulch -not sure if I’m going to move some plants from other areas or just buy new. (See my little banana trees!)
Here are a couple of frugal ideas:
An old IV hanger as a plant stand (got it at a yard sale for $2) Won’t rust and has wheels!
Grow your own basils (3 kinds here)
Not the best picture but this is a pretty asparagus fern I planted in an old basketball goal that is grown into the oak tree
Jun 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
Been a busy few days…
Friday was the big two’s last day of school. Both kids “graduated” with straight A’s! I picked them up early from school and we rode the trolley to the Rivermarket for lunch. Then, we walked around to the library and registered for their summer reading program. Scored some tickets to a Travs game! Then we realized we were all hot and tired so went to wait on the trolley to take us back across the river to Dog Town. On the assent of the river bridge we heard a huge clap of thunder, my phone rang and my mom said “Where are you? You guys need to get home!” I look out the west window and the darkest cloud I’ve EVER seen is coming up the river in a low, straight line. The trolley driver was nervous, trying to play it off but said he’d be stopping the trolley in a few stops for a bit. We got out on Main Street where I’d parked the car to a sky opening up on us. I’ve never seen the rain come like that. It was like a sandstorm was coming up the street- but it was rain pelting us harder than any tropical storm I’ve witnessed. We had about 15 ft to the car and the kids were being blown so hard I had to make us all hold hands to get there! Crazy.
This is what the cloud looked like! I was too scared to get a picture so imagine this from the view of the River Bridge coming up the river…
Saturday and Sunday were two picnics (one office, one Cub Scouts,) and a party.
Today we drove to Cox’s Berry Farm in Clarksville to pick a little summer joy. Strawberries were at the end, blueberries at their peak, and peaches just starting!
Home for a dip in the pool to try and kill any chiggers or other bugs that managed to crawl up our legs at the farm.
Bumblebee on a Passionflower
Yummy Blueberries
Jun 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
I scored big at the market yesterday. Awesome yellow round zucchs, baby ‘tatos, turnips, beautiful green beans, garlic and onions. I am really enjoying having a farmer’s market that is closer to home and all organic!
I made stuffed squash out of the lovely globe zucchini’s. I didn’t realize they were zuch’s, thought they were some sort of yellow squash- delish!
Stuffed Squash
- I used 4 yellow globe zucchini (steamed in the microwave for 8 minutes)
- Cut off the tops and scoop out the insides and put in a bowl. I smashed these and drained a bit. Add to this all the below:
- Cooked germinated brown rice (I LOVE DHC brand but trying to find a local source) which I also threw in some barley grains that I had about a 1/4 cup left
- Sauteed chopped onions and garlic
- Some cooked lentils (I used Massor Gota- think they are red, but might be orange. My new favorite lentils!)
- A bit of tomato juice or sauce and salt and pepper to taste.
- About 1/2 cup of grated parmesean cheese
Stuff the squash with this mix and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until it looks done!
Yummy!
Scott just asked if this was the boy’s new bedroom picture. (Ha!)
