Muscovy Duck Homestead

Attack of the Muscovy Ducklings!

2011-06-24T10:46:00.000-06:00

Emma, my tiger striped cat, was outside walking around near the house when suddenly my Muscovy ducklings (now 4.5 weeks old) became defensive!

Off they went after poor Emma... who promptly ran away! I decided that I'd better let her in the house.

Then Katie came around the house... and off they went after her! Ok... all kitties in the house before the "killer ducklings" get you!

I'm making whole wheat bread today

2011-05-20T07:53:00.000-06:00

It's an overcast coolish day here in Wyoming. A good day to run the oven!

I've started my bread sponge and soon the house will be filled with the wonderful aroma of home baked bread!

It's been a while since I've made bread. I seem to go through spurts, on and off. Last week we ran out of bread... so I decided to make some! Thus began my "on spurt!"

I came up with a really yummy whole wheat recipe... that's what I love about making bread! You can be really creative! This recipe includes a bunch of ingredients from my home storage... like wheat berries (ground into flour), dried whole eggs, and dried milk powder.

Here's the recipe... Toni's Whole Wheat bread.

What do you have cooking today?

How to make Greek Yoghurt

2011-05-17T11:09:00.000-06:00

I don't know how I stumbled upon this video. I only know that several friends have mentioned how much they enjoy Greek Yoghurt... and I've had the thought that I should try some!

Here's the HOW TO video that I found:

Julia Child, her book

2011-04-30T19:31:00.000-06:00

Has anyone read, "My Life in France" by Julia Child?

I picked it up at the book store last week. Just love Julia!

Sunchokes...

2011-03-06T05:57:00.000-07:00

Recently, the food co-op that I belong to gave us Jerusalem Artichokes. They are the oddest looking root vegetable... and I've never had them! Picture in your mind ginger root...

Today, I thought that I'd try this recipe...

I'm hosting a Shaklee Brunch on Wednesday... still pondering what yummies I will make! I welcome your inspiration... and recipes!

New Year Eve cooking...

2010-12-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

Oh no... the cooking has NOT stopped here in northern Wyoming!!!!

When I was growing up in Massachusetts our tradition was to get some Chinese food to enjoy for New Year's eve.

Now that I'm here in the boonies of northern Wyoming... we've taken on different traditions!

Today we'll be making some yummy food including our very favorite... Clam Chowda!

Our kitchen's going to be a buzz of activity... on the list:
Clam Chowda (Brattan's Boston Clam Chowder recipe... google it)
Egg Rolls (this will be our first time!)
Sushi (really California Rolls... thank you Keiko for teaching us how to make these!)

For fun...
Board Games!!!!

It's our family tradition....

Oh Christmas Tree...

2010-12-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

It just doesn't seem like Christmas until we get our tree up and decorated!

So at some point today, I'll be hunting down a Christmas tree! And tonight for FHE, we'll decorate it! Yay!

Boy do I have a busy day planned! I'm so excited to begin the tile job in the 1st floor bathroom! And I have a whole list of other things that need to happen today... but it's all going to start with 25 minutes on the treadmill... so off I go!!!!

Wish me luck with the tiling!

Happy Sunday...

2010-12-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

It's an overcast morning here in northern Wyoming. There is a possibility of snow they say... I think that it has snowed, well at least flurried, every Sunday for the past 3 weeks!

But here in my sunny kitchen, I've got apple muffins and apple bread cooking! No, you can't smell it yet, but soon the house will be filled with the delicious scent of cinnamon and apples!

Here's the recipe that I used:
Apple Muffins presented by Alexander Bed & Breakfast
3 1/2 C Flour
1 T Cinnamon
3 C finely chopped apples (I used my canned apples)
1 C Veg. Oil
2 C sugar (1/2 brown, 1/2 white)
3 Eggs
1 T salt
2 C chopped nuts
2 T soda
2 T vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Grease muffin tins. Thoroughly combine apples and sugar, then add the rest of the dry ingredients. Mix well. Add oil, egg, nuts and vanilla. Then mix in flour. The batter will be very thick and gooey. Fill muffin tins ⅔ full. Bake about 30 minutes. Can be frozen.

must remember gloves...

2010-12-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

I was out to the hoop house this morning gathering some greens to go into my breakfast smoothie. I just feel so good when I drink up my fruity green smoothies!

Oh my gosh is it ever chilly out there! I must remember to put ON MY gloves before attempting to remove the snow surrounding my hoop house! It's only 18 degrees F out there!

I added some pineapple chuncks, a whole banana, an asian pear, juice of 1/2 lemon, some pomegranate seeds, 2 frozen strawberries and greens from the hoop house (including peppery arugula!) mixed with about a cup of water, ESP and Vanilla Cinch. Yummy!! I just love the taste of that peppery arugula in my shake!

I'm getting ready to paint the 1st floor bathroom.... final coat! Did the brush work yesterday... now for the easy part!

A fast breakfast for kids (and us big kids too) who...

2010-12-07T07:16:00.001-07:00

Good morning! It's a bone chilling 12 degrees Fahrenheit this morning in northern Wyoming.... Burr...

Do you have kids that run out the door for school without eating breakfast? Or maybe you find yourself running to work on an empty stomach...

One of boys has to be out the door before 6:45am... and really struggles with eating so early in the morning.

My friend Peg told me about these Energizing Protein balls that she's made for years and suggested that I try them. They are yummy!

I've come up with my own twist that the kids love! And I call my version, Energizing Crispy Peanut Butter Balls!

Energizing Crispy Peanut Butter Balls... almost gone!

They're loaded with energy sustaining protein!!!! And they only take a few minutes to whip up.

Here's what you need:

Shaklee Energizing Soy Protein... or... Shaklee Cinch Shake (I use chocolate)
Peanut Butter (or my friend Peg suggested using Hazelnut butter or Cashew butter)
Rice Crispies
Honey or Agave

In a mixing bowl (I use my Kitchen Aid mixer with the mixer paddle), add 1 serving of Shaklee protein, an equal amount of peanut butter, about 3 tablespoons or more of rice crispies... and enough honey (we use agave) to keep it all together.

Mix briefly until it forms a loose dough.

Form into little balls. Put them on a pretty serving dish on the table at breakfast time and after school.

Freeze the extras... if there are any!

Magical Monday morning...

2010-12-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

Magical Morning...

Sunday brought us fog so thick that we could barely see our neighbor’s house! My son A had spent the night at his grandmorther’s Saturday night and as he made his trek home just a couple blocks said, “I just kept walking knowing that our house was there even though I couldn’t see it.”

As the sun rose this morning, we were treated to a magical morning of shiny frost crystals enveloping the countryside! Hoar frost was covering everything!

It's just magical!!!! I love how the sunlight makes the crystals shimmer. It is truly a winter wonderland out there!

I'm making split pea soup for Sunday dinner...

2010-12-04T17:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't made split pea soup for ages... I mean it's been years and years.

I've got a ham bone in the freezer from Thanksgiving so I'm giving it a try using Emeril's recipe.

I may even make some sour dough bread to go with it!!!

Mission... use up left overs...

2010-11-29T14:46:00.001-07:00

Hope that you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends! I'm on a mission... that's a "use up left overs" mission!

The Turkey Pot Pie before it went into the oven.

In the works:
Turkey Pot Pie
Ham & Bean soup
Quiche Lorraine

We've been enjoying left over turkey, ham... and all the fixings! Gosh, I think that we had enough food for 30 people even though we only had 16!

Today for my husband's lunch I made a nice sandwich of ground up some left over ham, mixed in some dill relish, celery, mayo topped with a nice piece of curly leaf lettuce on 9 grain bread. I know... he's totally spoiled!

But for tonight, I've made up a Turkey Pot Pie and that used up a bunch of the dark meat. What's left of the dark meat is now in the freezer.

I've got some friends coming over for lunch tomorrow... and we're going to have ham & bean soup!

Tomorrow night I'll be making a couple quiches! That will use up some of the extra ham. I've got company coming over for dinner! Quiche is such a lovely dish to share!!! We'll have quiche and salad!

Oh boy... Tuesday's going to be a wonderful busy day!!!

What is your favorite soup or stew?

2010-11-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

It's really really cold here in northern Wyoming... a bone chilling 7 degrees Fahrenheit. I'm thinking that this we would an excellent day for fresh bread and some kind of soup or stew...

I need some inspiration! What are your favorites? Would you share your recipe?

Perspective changes everything...

2010-11-20T09:17:00.001-07:00

It's Saturday morning on a snowy, frigid morning in northern Wyoming....

I'm sitting at the kitchen island sipping on my fruity green smoothie enjoying a few quiet moments before the kids come home. They spent the night at their grandmother's just down the street.

I'm thinking about my business... and fondly reminiscing over the past 17 years of my life!

I'm at that age where I have "perspective." I mean... I have had some experience with different things and have learned lesson that I can now reflect upon...

I've decided that... Perspective changes everything! It totally shades what we think and how we interpret things that happen in our lives!

I mean... I thought I new about this one thing (sorry for being vague...) but come to find out... I didn't know beans! Well maybe I did know a few beans... but I didn't understand how it all fit together.... you know... like the big picture!

So, 17 years isn't a lot of time really... but I've gone from babies to teenagers... wow!

Life is such a grand adventure!

Just thinking... and sipping on my fruity green smoothie...

Parent Teacher Conference

2010-11-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

Parent Teacher Conference
Over 2 hours later... I have emerged... Wow...

I love talking to the teachers, but standing in line for a really really loooong time... I don't know about that part! I was having flash backs of sitting on the bridge going into Boston... car after car after car... just moving an inch or so at a time...

But that's done so moving on!

House Stuff
I primed the 1st floor bathroom this afternoon! Yeah! Sure felt good to get going on the bathroom again. I so want to have that bathroom finished for Thanksgiving!!! More details on my house blog... here.

Well got to run and get boy2 to get his reading done.

Canning 30#s of Green Beans

2010-11-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

I belong to a food co-op called Bountiful Baskets. Every week I get a basket of fresh vegetables and fresh fruit! It's like Christmas every Saturday... waiting to see what goodies we'll have to pick up!!!

Sometimes my co-op has case lots... like last week, I got 30#s of green beans!!!

So this afternoon, my mom, aunt, and I cut up a big box full of green beans in preparation for canning!

I got my pressure canner out... had to find it first! I'm on my second batch now... My canner holds 7 quarts at a time. This batch will be a bit zippy... I added a garlic glove and slice of jalepeno pepper!

Green Smoothie adventures...

2010-11-05T11:17:00.000-06:00

Green Smoothie adventures...
I love smoothies! I've been drinking them for 13 years now! I have them for breakfast and sometimes for lunch too!

Typically my smoothies include a cup of water, frozen fruit and ESP and/or Cinch.

But recently, I began hearing about the health benefits of adding greens to smoothies.... so... during the summer I started adding my garden greens too!

Apple, Pear, Banana green smoothie...
Today I made THE MOST delicious green smoothie yet!!!

Into my Vita Mix (high powered blender), I added:

1 cup of water
the juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 red delicious apple
1 pear
1/2 banana
1/2 cup of spinach
3 sprigs of kale
a little ice
1 serving ESP

Yum!

I love FREECYCLE!

2010-11-01T13:44:00.000-06:00

I joined our local FREECYCLE group recently.

It's such a great idea! You OFFER want is still good and usable... and ASK for what you need!

A treadmill...
A few weeks ago I connected with a woman who had an older version treadmill to give away. She had gotten a new one... and this one had to go. So... I got it! It works great for me!!!

Yarn...
I had a box of yarn that was just sitting around... so I OFFERED it! It's gone!

Artist's Easel...
A water color artist had a homemade easel to give away. I've been wanting one for my mother-in-law who is a newish oil painter! Going to get it this week!

What a great way to recycle our good stuff!!!!

Want to trade?

2010-10-30T09:10:00.000-06:00

Christine posted a comment on my garden blog... so I wandered over to her site and discovered a video all about the new economy of Swap Trading! It's fascinating!

Wow!

I currently belong to FREECYCLE and have scored an older "works great for me" treadmill and... I have given away a box of yarn that was sitting around the house.

So... do you utilize any of the swap trade sites? Do you have a favorite? Could you share an experience?

whoa... I just got a call from one of Aaron's teachers...

2010-10-01T17:06:00.000-06:00

You know, when the teachers call... I brace myself...

But I just a good call! A call to tell me that son #2 is "getting it!"

So now... I pause and sigh with deep gratitude to that wonderful teacher for taking the time to make my heart sing!

getting back to work on the house...

2010-09-13T11:03:00.000-06:00

I just finished up in the garden. Picked some more tomatoes and pulled my royal burgundy beans. More details on my garden blog.

On my counter are 4 baskets of tomatoes. Looks like I'll be putting on some sauce today.

We continued working on the kitchen this past weekend. And I'm happy to report that we now have our fridge installed!

I'm back to painting the 1st floor bathroom. Over a month ago, I did the first coat of paint... a pretty earthy green color called Willow Tree by Olympic paints. Never got to the brush work... but now... I'm ready to get it done!

So... I'll sign off now as precious time is passing me by! Bye for now!

puttering around the kitchen...

2010-09-12T09:52:00.000-06:00

It's a beautiful fall day here in northern Wyoming!

I'm just back from walking Missy, our dog, all around town.

I have about an hour and a half before church starts... I'm thinking about getting a beef stew started and some homemade bread! Don't you just love the fall?

Puttering around the kitchen...

2010-09-09T13:59:00.000-06:00

I love puttering around the kitchen, don't you?

I just finished steam juicing some PLUMS that my Mom gave me... and now I'm thinking about making Plum Jelly!

Then I was looking at my basket of tomatoes from the garden.. and decided to go find my food dehydrator that's just fresh out of storage (since 2003!).

What a mess! My dehydrator was so dirty... well... 7 years of yuck! So, I took it all apart, and got it all washed up using the same cleaner stuff that I wash my veggies with!

So now I have my little cherry tomatoes drying away... to be enjoyed in stir fries and soups in the dead of winter!!!!

And then I decided to slice up some of my Viva Italias... and get them dried up too!

And continuing with that line of thought.... why not some apples too?

OK... now to search for my Blue Ball canning book! I've got to make Plum Jelly!

Something to think about...

2010-09-05T09:56:00.001-06:00

Here's something I'm thinking about...

"If you keep doing the same things....

you will keep getting the same results." Dave Ramsey

Free Gift to my blog readers!

2010-09-01T10:55:00.002-06:00

Back in 1997 a friend introduced me to a non-toxic, organic cleaner. She used it to clean her floors, her counters, all over her kitchen... and even to clean her vegetables and fruit!

It is my favorite green cleaner! I use it on just about anything that needs cleaning. It has no odor and doesn't give me headaches when I use it!

Just a few drops cleans up my garden veggies. It's amazing to see all the grit and dirt that comes off my veggies and fruit... even the store bought produce!

Here's a video that I made recently about washing up my veggies.

I want to send you a FREE sample!

I think that you'll love it too!

Email me directly (put FREE SAMPLE in the subject line!) and tell me where to send it by clicking here!

From Garden to Table...

2010-08-30T14:40:00.000-06:00

I've got tomato sauce simmering on the stove today!

Between what I gathered last week and today for tomatoes, I had enough to make a batch of sauce!

I took my bucket of tomatoes and washed them up in my favorite organic cleaner then piled them high into my VitaMix container for processing.

My VitaMix grinds everything up... skins, seeds, and all! Then I dump the tomato stuff into my heavy pot, add spices like garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper... and simmer... simmer... simmer...

Tonight we're going to have meatball subs using my homemade garden tomato sauce!

Getting Healthy with Alton Brown

2010-07-19T09:03:00.000-06:00

My life is all about....

2010-06-28T23:06:00.000-06:00

I have become a drywall finisher.

My life is all about THIS NEW HOUSE right now.

I have a full-time (and then some) job finishing walls/ceilings. But I have to say... it sure is looking good!

So... if you're wondering what's going on in my life.... come on over to my house blog.

An afternoon ride to the foothills of the Pryor Mountains

2010-06-21T08:58:00.000-06:00

For my birthday, my husband & I took a drive up to the foothills of the Pryor Mountains.

The views are just beautiful!

The Pryor Mountains are to the north of our new home. They are just a few miles away!

Vision Board

2010-06-16T08:40:00.000-06:00

Do you have a vision board?

This is such a fun thing to do!

John Assaraf shares how it worked in his life. John's Vision Board

Tomato, Roasted Red Pepper, and Swiss Cheese soup!

2010-06-14T20:59:00.000-06:00

Today for lunch I made a delicious soup on my Vita Mix!

Here's the ingredients:
-2 fresh tomatoes
-few pieces of celery
-1/4 Cup or so of Roasted Red peppers
-dash of oregano & basil
-some Swiss cheese
-1 serving of Shaklee Energizing Soy Protein, vanilla

I put all the ingredients in my Vita Mix using the tamper to push everything down. Then ran it for a few minutes until steamy hot! Oh my gosh... so yummy... and filling... and so totally HEALTHY!

My yard sale find...

2010-06-13T10:23:00.000-06:00

Yesterday on the other side of town there was a yard sale to benefit our High School FBLA.

There was this George Jr. Rotisserie with a bag of attachments... I've been wanting one of these! So I scarfed it up!

This morning twirling around in my rotisserie are 5 chicken breasts! They smell wonderful!!!

My computer talks....

2010-05-21T08:38:00.000-06:00

I love my MacBook! A while ago while reading an article about Apple computers, I learned that my MacBook comes with software that allows it to talk! It can read text to me!

So this morning while rushing to put on my socks and shoes... I highlighted some text on a website about raising chickens, hit command-z (the default on your mac) and learned about how a school teacher helped her students learn about chickens!

Very cool! And now... off to work!

How to eat a Mango...

2010-05-18T10:53:00.001-06:00

OK, so I joined a produce co-op called Bountiful Baskets. Picked up my very first "basket" of fresh and delicious smelling fruit and veggies this past Saturday.

Included in my bounty... were Mangos! Something that I never buy... didn't even know how to eat except someone mentioned that you don't eat the skin.

So I found this link: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_cut_a_mango/

We have a co-op!

2010-05-15T21:57:00.002-06:00

Bountiful Baskets has arrived in our little town! We have our own little co-op of fresh fruit and veggies!

You should have seen the wonderful cooperation among the 15 to 20 ladies who all went to work... unloading the truck... parsing out the goodies. That statement, "many hands make light work" is so true! Two pallets of fresh fruit and veggies went home to 80 families!

In our baskets went...

tomatoes

brussell spouts

romaine lettuce

baby carrots

squash

corn on the cob

melon

lime

apples

peaches

bananas

I'm sure that I've forgotten something...

All for a contribution of $15! And everything is sooo nice and fresh... and tasty!

As soon as I figure out how to get the pictures out of my phone... I'll post them!

I made chicken salad sandwiches for lunch with sliced tomato and topped with romaine lettuce... and carrots on the side! So delish!!!!

a Girl's lunch out....

2010-05-11T13:54:00.002-06:00

Took Mom out for lunch today. We enjoyed some fried fish at our little cafe downtown.

It was nice go out with Mom and to treat her!

OK, I really like it...

2010-04-30T22:06:00.002-06:00

I took the big leap to a smart phone a few months ago.

It was a little awkward at first... learning how to "do it." You know... all the apps... and getting my macbook ical to sync with Google calendar.

But I think that I'm finally "there" now. I mean, I really like having a smart phone and now... it's part of my life!

I got the Motorola Devour... a Droid-based phone.

Tonight I downloaded the Flixster app! We love going to the movies... that's what we do most weekends. This app is awesome!!!!

It lets you see what's playing at cinemas all around you! And shows you places to eat nearby! Very cool! We're going to get a lot of use out of this app!

Earth Day

2010-04-24T17:38:00.002-06:00

It's Saturday...

This morning I had the opportunity to teach kids & parents about using green cleaners!

Picture this....

5800 Windex bottles lined up back to back! That's a LOT of bottles!!! And a LOT of $$

Now... Picture this GREEN solution...

1 bottle of Shaklee's Basic-H2. YUP... just one bottle of Basic-H2 gives you the cleaner power of over 5800 bottles of Windex type cleaner! Cost... under $15!

Our youth are totally into being GREEN. The world is going to change BIG TIME as they become adults!

Taxes...

2010-04-13T19:18:00.002-06:00

Ok... everytime about this time of year... when I'm in the depths of tax preparations... I tell myself... "Next Year is going to be BETTER!"

Then, I go about my year... and forget my counsel to myself!

Well, I can honestly say that 2010 tax preparations WILL BE better! Why?

Because I'm going to have a dedicated office with files! Yes!!! Files in which to organize my stuff!

spring is on it's way

2010-03-25T10:47:00.001-06:00

Just back from a walk with Missy (the dog that adopted us).

Saw what I think was a quail and some deer tracks.

The sun is shining brightly today~love it!

spring is on it's way

2010-03-25T10:46:00.001-06:00

Just back from a walk with Missy (the dog that adopted us).

Saw what I think was a quail and some deer tracks.

The sun is shining brightly today~love it!

I was cleaning my bathtub when...

2010-03-17T14:43:00.005-06:00

My journey to GREEN!

14 years ago this very month I made the big switch to green cleaners!

Bleach was my favorite cleaner! You would walk into my home and know that I had been cleaning that day! My house would reek of bleach!!!

One day I decided to clean my clawfoot bathtub. It had that ring about halfway up... and it just needed to be cleaned! So I grabbed this spraying foam stuff one night after supper... started spraying the bathtub... and... I couldn't BREATH!!!

I knew that it was time for a change in my cleaning products!!!

When my friend Alycia who had young kids like me asked me, "What do you use to clean Matthew's potty chair?" My answer... bleach!

Alycia then told me about the earth-friendly, non-toxic cleaners that she used from Shaklee! We call them green cleaners now... but back 14 years ago... green was just a color!

Well, I got rid of my bleach and foaming bathroom cleaner... and made the change to Shaklee's non-toxic... yes.. GREEN cleaning products!

I did it for me... for my family... especially for my 2 1/2 year old son!

Well, it's been 14 years now! I still love the Shaklee cleaners! They clean my windows, my floors, my fruits & veggies, my microwave, stove, all my appliances, my dishes, my bathroom, the truck... even Missy, the dog that adopted us and more!

I'm on a mission now! I want to help 100+ families do what I did! Switch to Shaklee's GET CLEAN kit!

So, if you've ever walked down the cleaner aisle at the grocery store and your eyes started tearing... or you started sneezing...

Or, if you've ever gotten headaches after cleaning... or had your breath taken away... or gotten dry cracked hands...

Take 3 minutes now!

-->Or you just want to get your house clean, really clean the GREEN way... please take 3 minutes to watch this video!

Be one of the 100+ families!

-->Then... take the next step! Order the Get Clean kit for your family! Be one of the 100+ families that switch!!!

Enter to Win!

Every month, there's a drawing! They give away $200 in Shaklee products! To enter, click here.

For examples of how I use the GET CLEAN kit, click here.

Got a question? Contact ME here!

Thank you MobileME!

2010-03-14T07:24:00.003-06:00

I tried and tried on my own to fix my computer... but finally had to take it in.

Here's what happened... my internal hard drive died... and to make matters worse... my external backup hard drive crashed & burned AT THE SAME TIME!

On the good side...

1. My Macbook (purchased 10/06) is still covered under warranty with Apple Care until September. So I got a brand new internal hard drive... and my case was beginning to crack and that was also replaced... cost to me ZERO!

2. I have MobileME! All my business contacts, calendars, previous emails, even my recipes were backed up to my idisk somewhere on Apple's computers!

Lesson learned...

I will do a much better job utilizing my idisk to back stuff up!

I found a good blog entry about getting the most from your idisk here.

Missy goes to the vet...

2010-02-26T08:26:00.002-07:00

Well, we've had Missy a little over 3 weeks now... guess she's a keeper! (Previous blog entry on the Missy saga... here!)

This morning she goes to the vet. Hope to find out exactly what kind of dog she is... and how old.

This week we've been working on playing ball. She's getting better at returning the ball to me now.

Yesterday as a break from working in the kitchen, I did some raking and burning weeds. It was fun to have Missy outside with me... well... that is... until my cat Katie tried to chase her away!

So NOT fair!

2010-02-25T13:44:00.001-07:00

I am NOT happy right now... just heard back from the computer place about my beloved Macbook. Internal hard drive... fried... back up drive where all my data has been happily backing up... fried...

Good news... got a new internal hard drive installed... FREE... was covered by my Apple Care Plan. So it's like a new computer now.

Bad news... no data... photos?

Anyone have any experience with hard drive recovery companies?

Will be contemplating my fate... and lessons learned as I tape, mud, sand... CRY!

Worth considering...

I just discovered Prezi... and learned more about Twitter!

2010-02-18T20:17:00.003-07:00

Today I attended a business luncheon with the topic of Social Media.

Wow...

I learned about Facebook Fan pages... I think that I need one of these for my business!

And then there's Twitter... tweet tweet about whatever... connect with like-minded people!

Then I learned about Prezi! Have you heard of it? It's a way cool presentation tool!

You've got to watch this Prezi about Twitter! I especially liked the 60 second video clips revealing... Why Twitter?!

PS... You can follow my tweets @tipsfromtoni..

Going to a Lecture Luncheon today!

2010-02-18T07:17:00.004-07:00

I'm looking forward to attending the luncheon at NW College entitled: Social Media - What's the Latest?

I've gotten into Facebook & Twitter somewhat recently. What a ball I've had reconnecting with friends way back into my childhood. It's so fun to see what old friends are up to!!!! And to connect with folks who have similar interests thru Twitter!

Do you have a favorite Social Media?

I'll tell you... the world has become a much smaller place!

Get my tweets if you'd like @TipsfromToni. I tweet often about using Shaklee products... because... I love them! Just recently tweeted about cleaning your veggies... and letting the sunshine in.

Well, time to go walk Missy... the dog that adopted us!

Fascinated with how the mind works....

2010-02-17T09:29:00.005-07:00

A big welcome to Bryan! Thanks for following my blog!

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For a long time now I've been fascinated with how the mind works... and how our thoughts influence our lives in the choices we make.

Here's a quote from Dr. Robert Anthony, "I say that quite confidently: I personally do not teach positive thinking. To me, by the time you think positive it is too late. It is important to understand that is not our thinking that creates our circumstances, but the emotion that is attached to our thoughts."

So... what are you thinking... with emotion? And is that what you want to attract into your life? Our thoughts determine and shape our lives! Our thoughts open up for us opportunity that jives exactly with what we're thinking!

A book that I've found most helpful in getting my thoughts in alignment with what I want in my life is The One Command by Asarah Lovejoy.

It's so important to get our thinking right! For sure... what ever you "think" is the truth for you!!!!

But... is it what you want?

OK, I admit it... I love having a dog.

2010-02-14T10:32:00.004-07:00

Missy has won over our hearts!

It's been over a week now. She takes me for walks and I have to admit... I love getting out and walking again!

She walks with me to take the garbage out at night...

No need for a door bell anymore! I'm alerted to all potential visitors!

She respects my 2 kittens and 2 adult cats... Again I ask... "Missy did you know when you chose us that we had 4 cats?"

For My Boston Friends! This is right on!

2010-02-13T07:36:00.001-07:00

Got this in an email from my Mom. Boy is it right on!

I'm getting a bit homesick.... I think!

For those of you who have never been to "Bawstin", ( Boston ) this is a good guideline. I hope you will consider coming to "Beantown" in the near future.
Information on Boston and the surrounding area:

There's no school on School Street, no court on Court Street, no dock on Dock Square, no water on Water Street. Back Bay streets are in alphabetical "oddah" (order): Arlington, Berkeley, Clarendon, Dartmouth, Exeter, etc. So are South Boston streets: A, B, C, D, etc. If the streets are named after trees (e.g. Walnut, Chestnut, Cedar), you're on Beacon Hill. If they're named after poets, you're in Wellesley.
Massachusetts Avenue is Mass Ave; Commonwealth Avenue is Comm Ave; Dorchester Avenue is Dot Ave.
South Boston is Southie. East Boston is Eastie. The North End is east of the former West End. The West End and Scollay Square are no more; a guy named Rappaport got rid of them one night. Roxbury is The Burry, Jamaica Plain is J.P.

How to say these Massachusetts city names correctly:
**Say it wrong, be shunned**
Worcester : Wuhsta (or Wistah)
Gloucester : Glaw-stah
Leicester Lestah
Woburn : Woo-ban
Dedham : Dead-um
Revere : Re-vee-ah
Quincy : Quinzee
Tewksbury : Tooks-berry
Leominster : Lemin-stah
Peabody : Pee-ba-dee
Waltham : Walth-um
Chatham : Chad dum
Samoset: Sam-oh-set or Sum-aw-set but nevah Summerset!

Definitions:
Frappes have ice cream, milkshakes don't.
If it is fizzy and flavored, it's tonic.
Soda is CLUB SODA.
"Pop" is DAD.
When we want Quinine water, we will ask for TONIC WATER.
The smallest beer is a pint.
Scrod is whatever they tell you it is, usually fish. If you paid more than $7/pound, you got scrod.
It's not a water fountain; it's a bubblah (bubbler).
It's not a trashcan; it's a barrel.
It's not a spucky, a hero or grinder,... it's a sub.
It's not a shopping cart; it's a carriage.
It's not a purse; it's a pockabook.
They're not franks; they're haht dahgs (hot dogs); Franks are money in Switzahland or Franz.

Police don't drive "patrol units" or "black and whites" they drive a "croo za". If you take the bus, your on the "looza crooza". It's not a rubber band, it's an elastic. It's not a traffic circle, it's a rotary. "Going to the islands" means Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket.

The Sox = The Red Sox
The C's = The Celtics
The B's = The Bruins
The Pat's =The Patriots
Things not to do:

Don't pahk your cah in Hahvud Yahd .. they'll tow it to Meffah ( Medford ) or Summahville (Somerville) .
Don't sleep on the Common ( Boston Common).
Don't wear Orange in Southie on St. Patrick's Day.

Things you should know:

There are two State Houses, two City Halls, two courthouses, two Hancock buildings
(one old, one new for each).

The colored lights on top the old Hancock tell the weatha':
"Solid blue, clear view...."
"Flashing blue, clouds due...."
"Solid red, rain ahead....."
"Flashing red, snow instead...."
- except in summer;
flashing red means the Red Sox game was rained out!

Most people live here all their life and still don't know what the hell is going on with this one:
Route 128 South is I-95 south. It's also I-93 north.

The underground train is not a subway. It's the "T", and it doesn't run all night (fah chrysakes, this ain't Noo Yawk)..

Order the "cold tea" in China Town after 2:00 am you'll get a kettle full of beer.

Bostonians.. . think that it's their God-given right to cut off someone in traffic.
Bostonians.. ...think that there are only 25 letters in the alphabet (no R's - except in the word: "idea" idear).
Bostonians.. .think that three straight days of 90+ temperatures is a heat wave.
Bostonians.. .refer to six inches of snow as a "dusting."
Bostonians.. .always "bang a left" as soon as the light turns green, and oncoming traffic always expects it.
Bostonians... .believe that using your turn signal is a sign of weakness.
Bostonians.. .think that 63-degree ocean water is warm.
Bostonians.. .think Rhode Island accents are annoying.

Send this to your friends who don't live in Boston
(and the ones who do!!)

Big day today for the Middle School kids

2010-02-13T07:07:00.003-07:00

Just got Aaron (6th grade, age 12) out the door. He had to meet the school bus before 7am this morning.

It's a big day for Middle schoolers all around today. It's Showalter day at Northwest Community College. More details... here.

All middle schoolers learn to play an instrument and sing in choir. TODAY, they get to perform individually or in small groups in front of a judge!

This performance represents a significant portion of their music grade!

Let the instrument playing and singing... begin!!!

And so off Aaron went all dressed in his black dress shoes, black socks (yeah!), black dress pants, white shirt with red tie! Very handsome!

Aaron will perform a Trombone piece with 2 other trombone players in his school.

Break a leg kids!!!!

Did she know?

2010-02-08T09:50:00.002-07:00

Did she know when she picked our house that she chose a family not only with two boys... but with 4 cats?

Day 4 with...

2010-02-08T07:22:00.007-07:00

The dog that adopted us.... day 4.

Missy enjoyed many walks this weekend! She seems to be settling in nicely and is already taking a place in each of our hearts...

She had a run in with our big black fluffy cat this morning. Fluffy was out all night and more than ready to come in this morning at 5:30am when I took Missy out.

Missy was a little too rambunctious for Fluffy... and learned her first... "Stay away from Cats" lesson.

I'm about ready to go for a walk with her before getting started with my morning stuff.

Charlie

I was so upset last night! Charlie our flame point siamese kitten had gone outside with Fluffy while I was making supper. Then... I forgot about him.

So at 9:30 last night fear struck when I remember what I had done... and couldn't find him anywhere in the house. (The kids usually let the cats in when they see them out the french doors to the backyard.)

For an hour I was calling "Charlie.... Charlie...." walking outside all around the house... Sadly at 10:30 I crawled into bed saying prayer that he'd be OK during the night.

In the bathroom this morning our other kitten named Emma was smelling around the vanity door... so I opened it up... and out came Charlie! Sigh...

Aaron (age 12) had had the door open, Charlie went in... Aaron closed the door... last night at shower time.

The Chicken Wisperer had this FB entry this morning: Madison, WI Couple

It would be so cool to have chickens! Maybe?

Day 3 with...

2010-02-06T07:34:00.004-07:00

We're going on day 3 with little pouchy. She arrived on our doorstep late Thursday afternoon just before it was time for the kids to arrive home from school.

I have questions...

1. Who does she belong to?

2. Was she abused?

3. Exactly how old is she? I believe that she's got to be at least 4 months old.

4. How did she arrive on my doorstep?

I've named her Missy. She's a very well-behaved, very smart. She sits to have her leash put on even!

Her belongings have grown: borrowed dog house, water bowl, food bowl, dog food, chew bone, treats.

For now she resides on our enclosed (unfinished) front porch until...

until....

So this dog...

2010-02-04T19:33:00.004-07:00

A big welcome to Diz! Thanks for following my blog!!!

DOG....

OK, I swear that I wasn't thinking about a dog today... at all!

This afternoon my mother-in-law stops by. She sees a dog sitting on the front steps.

She's thinking, I didn't know they got a dog.

Then the kids come home right after the dog appears. We've never had a dog... the boys have always wanted a dog...

PROBLEM... I have 4 cats... two of which are kittens. I've never been in charge of a dog!

I'd like a dog... like... sometime in the future... when I'm done with my house... but NOW?

She must belong to someone. She's just a pup... and so sweet and clean... Looks like an australian shephard, border collie mix... maybe???

Well, she's on my front porch for now... yes, I bought dog food, but just a little bag.

More later.

What are you thinking about?

2010-02-04T10:29:00.003-07:00

Was having an email conversation with a wise friend about a recent challenge...

She shared these words of wisdom:

"what a wise man once said, what you put your attenion on increases and grows."

Oh my gosh... that statement is so true!!! Honestly, I thought that I knew this... but maybe some lessons need to be relearned...

My challenge stemmed from a LACK OF ATTENTION OR FOCUS!!! I can see this clearly now!

So, I grabbed my trusted notebook and pen... wrote down some goals... and am now thinking of some action steps.

You know, I just love LIFE! As a Mom, you HAVE TO get good at balancing lots of things at once.. like this... and this... and this.... I love the start of a fresh new day... new month... new year... a chance to get back on track!

Sigh....

Now, off to get something accomplished!!!! Because before long... it'll be... "hey Mom, what's for supper? I'm starving!!!!"

Follow Me on twitter... @TipsfromToni

Today's Lunch: crunchy, green salad

2010-02-01T14:53:00.003-07:00

I've been craving salads lately! Which is soooo awesome!

Costco has these packages of lettuce... they're whole little heads of lettuce. They keep great!!!

Today using part of one of these lettuce heads, I added blueberries, a few strawberries, a few chunks of sharp cheese, walnuts, crutons, topped with Olive Garden's italian salad dressing (did you know that you can buy jugs of this stuff to take home?). On the side for extra crunch I added 4 sesame crackers.

Oh... it was so good! Refreshing... light... OK... just yummy!

Leave a comment! Share you favorite salad ideas!

Mud Artiste...

2010-01-22T15:47:00.003-07:00

I'm just taking a quick break... as I sit here and look down at my coral color shirt... it is speckled with drying sheetrock mud... sigh...

Everyday I work on mudding the walls... and someday... in the NOT SO DISTANT future, I will PAINT! I so look forward to that day!

I bought a couple books from Lowes that talk about Color. I'm still trying to decide on a color scheme.... will have to decide soon! I'm favoring rich earthy colors though...

The Costco trip.... the List...

2010-01-21T07:58:00.005-07:00

We live in rural Wyoming. I love it!

I'm from Boston... so I have a true appreciation for the country!

Costco? Yes we have one... in Billings, MT. About 90 miles away!

So going to Costco or to Billings... it's an all day event! Why? Because one can't just go to Costco... one must bring also your list for Walmart... Lowes... and ONE MUST also go to the book store!!!!

When it takes you almost 1 1/2 hours to get to your shopping metropolis... you must make a comprehensive list... AHEAD OF TIME!

When I lived in the city... max... 20 minutes from just about everything... a list wasn't so important... because if I forgot something... I could just go back later.

Anyway, we DID go to Costco. Man I love that store! But why does each item that goes into my cart cost $10 or MORE? And WHY can't I get out of that place for LESS THAN hundreds of dollars? Whew...

Well, that's it!!!! The BIG monthly grocery shop is DONE!

Got to go and deal with bulk meat breakdown... bagging... freezing...

Craving Green...

2010-01-20T08:04:00.003-07:00

It's going to be a sunny spring-like day here in Wyoming with temps in the 40s.

As I sit here in my temporary office in the attic looking out the window south... I see dribs and drabs of what's left of snow... and lots of beige... beige trees... beige ground... beige houses!

At this time of year I really crave GREEN!

I've got gardening in the back of my mind... but honestly I'm having a difficult time thinking of any but finishing my house!

I've got so much mudding to do before I can paint... but I do have to say that it is very exciting to be at this point!

If you've been following my house blog, you know that it's been a long process! Years!

Happy Hanukkah to my dear Jewish friends!

2009-12-09T12:27:00.002-07:00

Happy Hanukkah to my dear Jewish friends!!!

http://vimeo.com/7971216

On a snowy, blustery day...

2009-12-08T08:58:00.002-07:00

My plans for a Christmas shopping trip to Billings, MT with Mom were cancelled today... due to the cold... snow... and ice!

It's a great day to stay home! Sip on hot cocoa... sew... tape... mud...

I'm finishing up some breastfeeding pillows that are heading east to new Moms in the Newton, MA area.

Remember recently I posted about finding my Lutterloh system? Well... so far I've made a new night gown and a T-shirt. I bought some light weight denim the other day... will possibly make a dress... or pants... ah... the choices are endless! Let the creativity flow!

Still need to decide on a Christmas party outfit.

Sewing!

2009-11-29T17:49:00.002-07:00

I recently found my Lutterloh pattern making system. I'm so excited! I need some new clothes... and I really DON'T like clothes shopping... plus... making my own clothes allows me to be creative!

I bought my system in the early 90s and just subscribed to the annual supplement to bring my patterns up to date!

Last night I made a patter and sewed up a nightgown! Took a couple hours start to finish!

Now... I really need something special for the Christmas season... and Christmas parties! I think that I've picked out the pattern...

What I really like about my Lutterloh system is that my patterns are custom made to fit me! Yeah!!!

Just found this wonderful blog all about creating Lutterloh patterns!

The Goat & the Beagle... Stan's story

2009-11-14T08:25:00.002-07:00

Don't you just LOVE Facebook? I DO!!!

My FB friend Stan shared this awesome story about a Goat & a Beagle... it's just SO Wyoming and funny!

So with Stan's permission to share it... here goes:

I was driving to work, like any other day. As I was coming into [town], going east and of course watching out for [our town Police Officer], I noticed a brown pygmy goat walking west on the highway with a beagle. Not only was the beagle walking beside it but it looked very much like the beagle was herding the goat for it to stay on the highway. I looked past this interesting duo and saw a flatbed pickup parked on the next intersection. In my mind I thought, OH...he's the owner and is trying to get them both into the truck and I will help him. So I whipped around and parked on the shoulder, opened the door and without even calling them they both hopped into my car. With the beagle and the goat in the back seat, I noticed the driver of the flatbed turn the corner towards me and I was thinking he was going to park and retreive his unusual pair. But instead he waved and headed down the road. Now what????? I had a beagle and a goat, both about the same size in my backseat and they were probably asking the same thing, now what? So I sped home, wondering what I was going to do. Thankfully I had just finished a pig pen and thought the goat could stay in there. After dropping the goat off in the pig pen and dropping the beagle off at the house, I thought, OK, my deed is done for the day. About 9:30, I get a phone call from Amy. She tells me the goat got out of the pig pen and was running down the county road. Some local rancher picked him up and took him to a lady's house up the road. Later on that night, after work, I went to pick up the goat. She was locked in a dog cage, jus big enough to stand in. I brought her home and after putting a few more planks on the pig pen, now probably three times the height of her, thought this was for surely tall enough. Well, I was wrong and after three weeks of trying to get the word out about this goat and beagle, I still was pulling my hair out about this intersting situation.

Finally, someone called about both of the animals. Someone came for the beagle and then a call came for the goat. I went down to get the goat, which we called Billy the Kid (get it? Ya, I'm dumb) and the goat was gone. He managed to get as far back as possible, run and dig his tiny hooves into the edge of one plank and jump out of the pig pen. From there, he was gone forever. With my tail between my legs, I had to go home and call the people back and explain their goat is no longer there and has run away.

So the lesson is, if you ever see a pair as interesting as a goat and beagle walking down main street, just let them be. They probably know where they're going.

Out with Mom today...

2009-11-12T08:27:00.002-07:00

I'm so blessed to have my parents nearby! They moved to our little town here in Wyoming 2 years ago... all the way from New Hampshire!

Mom and I are escaping today!!! For T-Day shopping... and well... just... because!!!

Got to run and put my list together!

Question????

What's your favorite fixings for Thanksgiving? More later....

how to eat an elephant...

2009-11-10T08:46:00.004-07:00

I'm just back from a walk with my Katie girl along the canal.

It's a day full of promise with blue skies with a hint of white clouds... still... the mountains are capped in white and the birds are flittering about.

Today I'm back to mudding the boys' bathroom. I've got to move forward every day to make some good progress...

I keep reminding myself...

How do you eat an elephant? ONE BITE AT A TIME!

And so... with one swipe of mud at a time... I inch toward my goal of walls... ready to paint...

Well, I'd just better get to it, right?

My Katie girl is BACK!

2009-11-07T15:58:00.004-07:00

Katie (beige) & Fluffy (black)
Charlie (little white fluff ball at 4 weeks old)
Emma (approx 8 weeks old)
My Katie girl... my shadow!
So... off we were heading to Billings this morning when we got down the street near the house we were renting... when a cat looking just like my Katie girl crosses the street and stops in the yard looking at the truck.

I jump out of the truck to see if it was my Katie girl who has been missing for 3 weeks....

She was very timid. Missing her collar... and wasn't so sure about me : (...

We turned right around and brought her home and put away the kittens to give her some space. As soon as she entered our new home... downstairs she went... straight to the food bowl. YUP! That's Katie alright!

She's a little thinner, but in very good health. I think that someone had her all this time. She was lost... went back to the old place... and someone (who??? I don't know!) took her in not knowing how much we were missing her!

So... now we have 4 cats! Yes, I most certainly must be the... Cat Lady....

With our youngest son (almost 12) to watch over all cats... off we went to Billings.

On the Walmart list:

Cat Food

Kitten Food

Cat litter (Feline Pine is my favorite!)

and... an addition litter box!

It'll take a while for all of our cats to get adjusted to one another....

I'm so very very very pleased to have my Katie girl... my shadow... back!!!!

My dear Canon PowerShot S400....

2009-11-05T07:48:00.008-07:00

I love taking photos... especially flowers... and landscapes! I fell in love with photography when I was a kid.

I remember the day when it happened...

My uncle Gary was snapping photos with his Nikon SLR 35mm at a family gathering at Meddybemps Lake in beautiful Maine. I remember watching him.

Then he put HIS camera in my hands... and showed me what to do...

That was it for me, the beginning of a passion!!!

I'm so sad to report that my little Canon PowerShot S400 digital elph which has gone everywhere with me... is NOT working correctly anymore...

It's been a fantastic companion for over 6 years! I kept it in the truck... in my bag... it was so small that I could always have it with me!

One time while framing out the house, I left it out on a pile of sheathing. Forgot all about it... till the next day... after it had rained during the night. Well, after it dried out... it was perfect again!

Yes... and it HAS BEEN dropped... I admit it! OK... more than once... But it's got this tough outer case... and NO harm done...

But... I NEED IT!!! I have these adorable kittens that MUST HAVE their photos taken while they are tiny... sigh... look out the window... those snow capped mountains with that delicate morning light breathing life onto the countryside... and what about the vibrant glow of sunset????

And the holidays are coming! And there's family pictures... and pictures of friends to take... and HOW will I share with you the outcome of my last batch of tomatoes??

Can it be fixed? I'll have to find out!

Yes, I admit it... it may be time for an updated version... but this would be such a great camera to pass on to the boys...

UPDATE 11/5/09

Just got off the phone with Canon. He said that what's going on in my camera is a KNOWN PROBLEM called CCD Malfunction with a sensor gone bad.

They will email me a UPS return ticket... and FIX MY BELOVED CAMERA... for FREE!

I'm so thrilled!!!!!!!! Yeah for Canon Customer Service!!!! You have my loyalty!

Made another batch of Salsa today!

2009-11-03T19:57:00.003-07:00

We had Nachos for supper tonight... complete with homemade Salsa... and all the fixings... tomatoes, avocado, lettuce, green onions, sour cream, refried beans, seasoned ground beef... forgot the black olives!

May do another version of this dinner in the future, except with taco shells or those taco bowls!

I'm getting ready to can Salsa now! I may have enough tomatoes to make a few more batches! Granny, thank you so much for sharing that awesome Salsa recipe!!!!

little blessings...

2009-11-02T07:44:00.004-07:00

Good morning... or good day to you!

Woke up a little early to feed my little hungry white puff ball. He thinks that he should be fed all the time!

We're all enjoying the kittens so much!!!

My family is all off to work and school... the house is very quiet except for the meowing of my little ones!

I'm getting ready to call some of my dear friends and customers! And getting ready for our group leader conference call!

I'm so blessed to be able to work from home! I get to help people have more ooomph in their step... and to be able to breathe deeply without coughing, choking, & crying while they clean!

Thank goodness for the internet that has brought all of us so close together where we can freely communicate... share ideas... knowledge... wisdom... passions... and friendships!!!

Isn't it awesome... and wonderful... and fantastic to live in this technological age? What would we do without computers and the internet... and cell phones?

Eat your veggies!

2009-10-31T07:20:00.002-06:00

Everyone's done eating and the food is mostly gone... but wait... didn't anyone have any corn? Why do I have SO MUCH corn left over???

Is it only my family that can't seem to eat 1 can of veggies for dinner? Should I enforce the "No one leaves the table until the vegetables are all eaten"... RULE?

Here's what I'm going to do with all my left over veggies!

1-Veggie collection! I'm going collect all the left over veggies into the fridge or freezer.

2-SOUP! Each week, we're going to enjoy a homemade soup... AND use up those leftover Veggies!

Any other ideas... please DO post in comments!

And then there were two...

2009-10-30T16:56:00.005-06:00

(This is Emma. She's 8 weeks old)

(This little fluff ball is Snowball. Just 4 weeks old.)

So... yesterday we took home a female grayish striped kitten from the Animal Rescue Shelter... she's so cute.

This afternoon I was out in the backyard (all wilderness on the outskirts of our little western town) calling for my black fluffy cat... FLUFFY... FLUFFY... FLUFFY....

When I hear a little... MEOW...MEOW...MEOW...

So, I go to investigate and there's a little white fluff ball... all alone... I hemmed and I hawed... oh my... should I??? Sigh... Blue eyes.... all white... with a hint of a striped tail... maybe 4 weeks old.... Every time I called for FLUFFY she would come to me.

OK, my heart strings were sufficiently softened... Yes, I'm turning into the "Cat Woman."

I picked him up... knowing that was it! The point of NO return... And... home he went!

So... now there are 2 kittens in the Parker household... and 1 adult black FLUFFY cat.

We ran little white fluff ball to Dr. Jane. She said he looks healthy and bring him back in two weeks for shots. Home we went with kitty formula and a special little bottle.

Got a new little family member...

2009-10-30T07:55:00.002-06:00

We rescued a little kitten from the animal shelter yesterday. She's 8 weeks old and absolutely adorable!

As soon as you touch her.... her purring motor turns on!

I went to take a photo this morning but the camera battery went dead on me... so will post one a little later.

Well, it's house building... I mean finishing day here. Hope to have a working vanity in the guest bathroom today! Follow our house progress over on my house building adventure blog!

No one eats the bread ends...

2009-10-29T07:46:00.002-06:00

Do you have bread bags with the bread ends in them? No one will eat those bread heals right?

Well, I love them toasted with jam... but as I was making my homemade meatballs yesterday... and NOT having any ready made bread crumbs in the house... I decided to grab those bread ends... toast them... whiz them in the blender... and use them as my bread crumbs!

So don't throw away your bread ends!!!

Toast them.

Blend them into tiny bits.

Store in a jar for your next batch of homemade meatballs... or meatloaf... or breading on chicken... or fish... or????

I'm going Italian today...

2009-10-29T07:35:00.004-06:00

We get up in the morning and it's dark out. The kids head off to school... and it's dark out!

Just doesn't seem like we should be getting up... because it's soooo dark out!

Well, the kids are off to school now. The house is quiet. Listen.... Ahhhh....

Yesterday I made a big sauce from some of my ripe garden tomatoes. But I started late... like at supper time, so it hadn't simmered down enough. I put the big stock pot outside to chill. My older son asked if I was taking advantage of the free refrigeration... I said, why YES!

So now my sauce is simmering away again. Going to cook up the manicotti that I made yesterday too! And make some more meatballs...

Oh my house is going to smell yummy today!!!!

If the spirit moves me... I may even make bread sticks... we'll see!

Hey, I'm getting into that tweeting thing... twitter. You can follow me @TipsfromToni.

Well, time to get something done! I'll try to save you a bit of manicotti and a few meatballs... but I'm not promising anything with a hungry teenager and tween!

Out for a walk with Katie

2009-10-07T10:57:00.002-06:00

Katie and I went for a walk on the canal road just above our new home. It's a dark, dreary day here today... a good day to work inside!

We passed this beautiful decorative crab apple tree. The red crab apples are so bright against the greenery of the trees!

Here's our walking path this morning... very peaceful! Saw some deer tracks...

This thorny dead tree was once a Russian Olive tree. We own a forest of these thorny buggers... Their one redeeming quality is the incredible fragrance given off in the spring... and for now... they make a good wind break on the north side of the house.

On the way back, picked what's left of my carrots and beets! More about that here...

Getting started is the hardest part!

2009-09-05T20:13:00.002-06:00

A beautiful warm summery day here today with bright sun beaming down on my ripening tomatoes!

It's Saturday... house finishing day...

My nephew (senior in HS) stopped by the new house to lend a hand on our house finishing project. He did a little mud work then helped me get started laying tile!

I can't tell you how good it feels to have come this far!!! I've been dreaming about laying tile for months now. I've been looking forward to it... in an optimistic... um... trepidatious kind of way! I was looking forward to it, but had NEVER done it before.

Any, getting started is always the hardest part!

So quiet, so busy!

2009-09-02T08:47:00.003-06:00

The boys are back to school. We're getting into a routine of homework and rising early in the mornings. And I think that they're enjoying it, really!

I'm enjoying the quiet of the house... and NOT having to make lunches for everyone! Am I being selfish?

Aaron gets his band instrument today. When he woke up this morning, he started talking about that... Baritone... that's what he wants to play. Can't imagine him lugging it back and forth to school! Whew...

Matthew's excited to get back to doing Grizz Food Den. That's our high school's student business. The kids run it, keep the books, manage inventory, and shop for supplies. It's a wonderful experience for everyone involved!

House notes...

We're so close to getting a bathroom together up the new house! We've decided to move out of our tiny tiny tiny... tiny... rental house and move into our "to be finished" big big big... BIG.. house this month.

We're meeting with a guy from the gas company today to determine where our gas meter is going... then will begin doing the gas plumbing... which translated means... HOT SHOWERS!

I'm actually amazed at how warm the water is that is collected in the storage tank from the running of the geothermal heat pumps! That could mean WARM SHOWERS until the gas is connected!

I've moved my office up the new house! And cable, phone, and internet have been set up! My little mac wireless router is working fantastic! It's set up in the basement and here I am in the attic receiving a nice strong signal!

Anyway... no more watching TV at the little rental house... should help us get to it up here!

More details on the house progress on my house blog.

Garden notes:

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my square foot garden. It has been such a pleasure to garden this year! Garden details can be found on my Square Foot Garden Adventure Blog!

Let me back up a bit... I wanted a garden so that I could can tomato sauce and I wanted it up the new house. Rich couldn't take the time to till the hard ground and make ready a garden for me... of course!!! So, I went to work building square foot garden beds, mixing soil, growing seedlings... etc.

What I love most about my SFG is NO WEEDS! All I've had to do is water and harvest... OK, I have a weed here and there... but with Mel's soil mix... so loose... I just pluck it easily out! Guess you have to know Wyoming Weeds to truly appreciate what I'm saying here.

Next thing to do in the garden after canning season... and tiling... and floor... mudding.. and painting... oh ya... and MOVING... I want to get all the weeds out of the walking paths and all around! So much to do!!!

Registered for school!

2009-08-13T12:57:00.002-06:00

Just got both boys registered for school!!!

Our youngest, Aaron, is starting middle school this year... he's a 6th grader. Our older son, Matthew, will be in 10nth grade.

Last week we got Matthew's school shopping all done... next week it's Aaron's turn.

Matthew picked out an "awesome" black and red checkered tie... interesting...

Chicken noodle soup and homemade bread...

2009-08-09T12:00:00.004-06:00

It's Sunday... ah.... I love this peaceful sabbath day!

My guys are a bit under the weather... not sure if it's allergies... or what. So today I've got chicken noodle soup simmering on the stove. Wish you could smell it! I love filling the house with yummy aromas!

Went to the garden and pulled a few lovely carrots, plucked off some swiss chard, a few green beans, some basil, and two little onions. Into the soup they went!

Aaron just had two bowlfuls complete with bread! Guess it has his seal of approval.

Soup time!

In a few weeks...

2009-08-05T07:55:00.003-06:00

It's only weeks until the beginning of school. How can that be?

The kids are ready... they're getting to the "I'm bored!" stage.

Soon we'll buying new shoes... oh how Aaron's feet have grown! Actually... he has grown so much this year!!!! He's 11. What a big year for growth!!! I'm just maybe... maybe.. 1/2 inch taller than him!

I had to laugh because the other day he was trying to put on a pair of socks (they're way too small now!).... he was pulling and pulling trying to get them to pull up more.

Add to shopping list:

Socks for Aaron

Shoes for Aaron

All new clothes... for Aaron

Next week, we'll have to have a Billings, MT shopping day.

Went to the Bighorn County (Wy) Fair

2009-07-31T12:17:00.003-06:00

Totally missed the Park County Fair last week... darn! We were really working diligently on our new home... couldn't take the time.

But did make it to the smaller fair in Greybull. The highlight is ANIMALS and lots of kids there to show their animals!

There were lots of beautiful quilts too! Didn't take any pictures though.

The big fire...

2009-07-30T17:21:00.003-06:00

Last Friday, we set fire to a growing pile of debris.

We've been collecting wood scraps from the house for over a year now.

It was an all afternoon job. My husband said that it took 3 hours to extinguish it!

The big celebration

2009-07-23T20:02:00.003-06:00

The Pioneer celebration is about to begin in our little town. Cowley Wyoming was settled by pioneers about 100 years ago.

We'll have a parade down Main Street... and lunch in the park. My favorite event is the Saturday evening talent show. Such talented roots, trunks, branches, and leaves in this town... families gather from all over to sing, play instruments... and share their talents in different ways.

There's a rodeo that lasts all afternoon. My niece is doing barrel racing this year. My nephew usually tries to stay on a bull... but generally only lasts a few seconds. Our kids lost interest after riding sheep.

At our house, we're getting ready to burn a huge pile of wood. It'll be a huge bon fire! Complete with marshmellows... maybe some hot dogs too. Pictures to follow.

How can it be?

2009-07-22T07:57:00.003-06:00

I just don't know how I can be the mother to a driving teenager!!

Who then got his long hair cut short. I was so overwhelmed with how good his hair looked short... that I forgot to take the after photo!!!

This is Matthew (our 15 year old son) sitting in the hairdresser's chair... getting ready to have it CUT OFF!

Kind of like Christmas....

2009-07-14T18:48:00.004-06:00

Our extra stuff from our move to Wyoming has been in storage for 5 1/2 years... in my brother-in-law's garage.

We've been living temporarily... in a tiny rental house all that time while building our new home.

Today with the help of my two sons (ages 11 & 15), we started going thru some of our boxes and bringing them to the basement of the new house.

My older son found a metal slinky. I guess they don't make them that way anymore... I haven't gotten it back yet...

My younger son found my grab-it thingy for reaching into high cabinets. He thought it was great fun until I took it away. Poor kitty was being tortured with it!

I'll tell you... it's like Christmas... except as I went thru each box... I had a flood of wonderful memories of life back home in Massachusetts. I could remember where I kept each item in my big, old turn of the century colonial home.... sigh... : )

Now, if I can just get the mudding done... and painting done!!! Yes, I know... one step at a time!

I'm just getting impatient because I have all those wonderful kitchen appliances that I want to start using!!!!!

Big day!

2009-07-10T23:04:00.003-06:00

(Old Faithful, taken summer 2007)

Matthew is just got back from 5 days at scout camp. He did high adventure... and I haven't heard the whole story just yet... but I did hear that he went CLIFF DIVING....

Our scout camp is located on 40 acres just outside the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park. I hear it is frequented by grizzly bears!!! I found this awesome video overview of Buffalo Bill Scout Camp: See Buffalo Bill Camp!

Worked all day on the house. I'm getting so excited, I can hardly contain myself! It is truly changing from "the house..." to our "home!"

Our kitchen appliances came today. I ordered them back in Nov 2008... so you can imagine how excited I am to finally get to see them! Can't wait to use my new stove!!!!

Getting late... and we've got a big day tomorrow!

The back of my pickup

2009-07-07T09:45:00.004-06:00

The back of my pickup has a bunch of buckets and a shovel.

Came in handy this morning when a friend invited me to dig up some of her Shasta Daisies!

It just got me to thinking... how most trucks here in the country have at least one 5 gallon bucket and a shovel in the back... but usually... there's also a dog back there!

(photo of Bighorn Canyon, Wyoming)

Enjoyed a fun family gathering

2009-07-05T22:21:00.006-06:00

We had such a nice weekend. Rich's uncle and girlfriend are here from Iowa for a visit.

Dinner outside with family... complete with s'mores and sunset!

And a cool... I mean...totally... rad.... little video involving Cheese Puffs..

Kids say...

2009-07-04T08:05:00.002-06:00

Today is work at the house day... until the celebration, BBQ, fireworks...

From the mouth of my 11 year old... in reference to his chores... and the holiday...

Nice try...

"It's Independence Day, a day to celebrate being free... I should be free from working at the house... and doing chores..."

Happy 4th!!!

2009-07-04T06:53:00.003-06:00

The sun is shining brightly as I write this post.

I'm so looking forward to this day!

Today, my laundry room will have walls! Yeah!!!

Later this afternoon we'll be celebrating the 4th with friends, food, and fireworks... how awesome is that????!!!!

Wanted to share these pretty flowers with you this morning... Have an awesome day!

Mudding, Gardening, and Yellowstone!

2009-07-02T09:17:00.003-06:00

A photo taken at Yellowstone summer 2007. Hope to get back there this summer!!!!

Going to be a busy day..

-got mudding to do up the house...

-and in the garden it's time to dig out the leaf lettuce that has gone by. Hmm... what to plant in it's place???

-veggies to chop up for Clam Chowder for a big July 4th celebration at a friend's house.

Because I've got so much going on today, I threw a beef roast in the crockpot. That'll be yummy for tonight! And there will be lots to share with family that might be arriving today... and with the friends that the boys always have hanging around!

Thought for the day...

Every experience brings wisdom and perspective into our lives.

Mom, would you log off?

2009-07-01T20:27:00.002-06:00

So, when Aaron (age 11) reads 5 chapters in his book... he gets 30 minutes on my computer.

Recently he said to me, Mom when you're done on gmail, would you log off?

Hummp.... I was thinking that when he's done... that HE should log off MY COMPUTER!!!

It's the season of Pioneers... what to bring for the pot luck???

2009-06-27T10:47:00.002-06:00

Here in the west... where Pioneers settled this land... it's a time of remembrance and celebration!

Our town's celebration isn't for a few more weeks.. .then end of July... but the next town over is having their big time.

It's a tradition that one branch of our family has a gather for lunch after the parade in one of the town parks... it's a pot luck type deal...

Been so busy with our house building activities that I didn't really have time to pre-think my take along dish. So I went into the pantry...

OK... black beans... corn... I have fresh cilantro growing in the garden and some onions... one of my favorite spices is cumin... and let's see... got some mild picante sauce... oh and garlic powder (next year I want garden fresh garlic... love it!!)

Great... a yummy bean salsa!

Chips... none in the pantry (that's because they get sniffed out by the kiddos and last about 2 seconds after they arrive from the store... LOL!)

Yes, have some flour tortillas!!! A local mexican restaurant that we enjoy going to makes their own chips out of tortillas... Hmm... I guess that I can do that too!!!

Found this video on google: How to make tortilla chips!

Almost done baking chips!!! And off we go!

Ever wonder where it's made?

2009-06-23T07:42:00.002-06:00

Barcode info

I never knew that you could tell where a product was made by looking at the first few digits of the barcode... how interesting!

My blogger friend, Sue, just shared how you can know... where a product is made... by looking at the barcode! More here....

It's finally summer!

The weather has finally turned here! Been a cool June so far. But the next week will be sunny and in the 80's or above... bring on the summer!!! Time for my cucumber plants to grow!!!!

Maybe now the kids will be able to get some use of the town's swimming pool! I think that it's so awesome that our little town has a swimming pool! I buy the kids a pass so that they can go whenever they want.

Aaron (my 11 year old who broke his leg in Jan... had screws put in his ankle.. and just had the screws removed on 6/11) hopes to get his stitches out today... and hopes to be able to go swimming really soon... at least by July 4th!

Well, got to "git er going!" I want to make the kiddos some waffles this morning!

Zappp... back to real life...

2009-06-21T07:25:00.002-06:00

It's Sunday morning...

Why are there NO towels in the bathroom cabinet? None... not a one...

Why must teen boy... and preteen boy use a fresh, clean towel EVERY TIME they bathe?

A longing for the country...

2009-06-20T09:29:00.004-06:00

It's another beautiful day here in Wyoming. Blue skies with a slight breeze. The weather man had forecasted thunderstorms... rain... possibly and it still might happen later... but until then I delight in the beautiful sunshine!

--*--

I grew up in Massachusetts just north of Boston. We lived in a city with lots of people from all over the world. My neighbors on one side were Italian and on the other side, they were from Israel.

What a great experience to live in that place with all it's culture and diversity. I loved going into Boston... to the Museum of Science... the Aquarium... and into Fanueil Hall. Wonderful restaurants with delicious food were taken for granted...

My folks came from the country... eastern Maine and just over the Canadian boarder. We got to visit there. I have memories of traveling by car across route 9 known locally as the Airline to visit my grandparents for Thanksgiving.

I remember my grandfather's huge garden... eating beat greens is what I most remember!

This is where my dream of country life began... a longing deep within my soul.

Another beautiful Wyoming Day... and I love it!

2009-06-19T06:37:00.004-06:00

Sunset at the Horse Shoe Bend campground in Bighorn Canyon

Bighorn Canyon

Another beautiful day here in northern Wyoming.

I was thinking yesterday how blessed I feel to live here. I am surrounded by sooo much beauty! It really contributes to my well-being!!!

The sunsets are incredible...

the mountains ever changing...

the animals grazing are ever so peaceful...

the bright sun makes me feel happy...

my growing garden helps me feel connected to nature that surrounds me...

the singing birds provide wonderful music that makes me smile...

I am so incredibly blessed to live here...

and I truly love it!

Sunlight Basin. As I toured this area with my son's 5th grade class... I was filled with awe and brought to tears by its beauty!

Got too much Rhubarb?

2009-06-18T09:43:00.003-06:00

Rhubarb seems to grow really well here in northern Wyoming. I don't have a plant yet... waiting to get into our new home.. then I'll pick a spot for it.

Recently, I attended a church pot luck... and there... was Ann's Rhubarb Crunch. I took a bite... and my taste buds sang.... sweet... sour... crunchy... ooooo. I ate each bite slowly... and just enjoyed it!

If you've got too much Rhubarb... I learned from Frankie that you can cut it in small chunks, then store it in the freezer.

Comments welcome! How do you use up your Rhubarb?