The Home List: What I'm Trying Part 1

I'm trying out some new things here in my household.  As the keeper of the home, the keeper of the grocery budget, the keeper of my own small photography business, and the keeper of the kids (during the day at least), I've decided to try my hand at a few strategies to make the most of the money and the time we've been blessed with as a family.

I'm sharing all of my latest, wildest endeavors here because 1) I need something to post about, 2) I LOVE to make lists, for any reason, and 3) maybe you can get an idea or two for yourself or leave a helpful comment or tip that I can try.  I'm determined to not feel guilty if I'm not completely successful...we're talking baby steps, here.

First up:

*  HOME-GROWN FOOD

Last year, we tried out a local CSA program.  We had to pay $450 up front and received a half bushel of fresh, organic produce each week.  We forgot to pick up our stash a couple of times, and it was rough going in the spring when our delivery was mostly mustard greens and under-developed arugula.  This year, we decided instead to expand our garden and include some additional veggies.  Grace and I planted a flat of bell pepper seeds last week and they're germinating cozily by the kitchen heater.  We also have lots of wild blackberry bushes in our yard, and two peach trees at the end of the driveway.

That reminds me about our peach situation.  For the past two years, we've come home one day from church during peak peach-picking season only to find both trees completely stripped of peaches.  It's devastating and very mysterious.  Even the immature greenish ones are taken.  We don't know who is responsible, but after two years of having my would-be peach pies and peach cobblers and peach jam taken from me, I'm already thinking of ways to protect the peaches.  Any suggestions?  Technically I suppose they belong to the school, but no one knows where the trees came from.

Grace and I are starting bell peppers, summer squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and pole beans from seed.  We'll get tomatoes, strawberries, and herbs later.  And I'm also trying my hand at an expanded cutting-flower garden this year, with zinnia, sunflower, and dahlia seeds-- so that I'm not tempted to buy flowers at Trader Joe's every week.

*  CANNING/PRESERVING

Peach jam brings me to the subject of canning.  I'm going to try it for the first time this year.  Nothing drastic, I just want to make some fruit jams and maybe some applesauce and fruit leather.  I have no supplies whatsoever but I think it'll be fun.

to be continued...

Heather's Brief Moment in the Spotlight (Sort Of)

I'd like to dedicate this moment to Aunt Candy (I know she'll read this) because she alone is responsible for introducing me to make-at-home funnel cakes, and for serving them to her adoring nieces and nephews for breakfast.

Here it is:
Pioneer Woman likes my funnel cakes.

Get Quenched...

Today

Sometimes there are days when I take several photos that I like, and all are put in the running for "photo of the day".  Today was one such day.  I have to ask the love of my life to help me choose.  There was something about each of these photos from February 25th that I love, so I posted one on my Heather Grace Photography blog and posted the rest of them here....maybe you'll love one of the "rejected" photos better than the one Steve and I ending up choosing for Project 365.

I love this photo of Grace because it perfectly captured her mood today, it documents her current habit of choosing summer-time outfits to wear, and the lighting on her face made me happy (I can't help being technical).  It also shows the once-beautiful gardenia that I nearly killed and am trying to revive.  I wonder if it will make it to the end of my Project 365?

I love this photo of our friend because her hair looks so soft and whispy and her big eyes are shining so much.  She's sucking on the pacifier that she somehow manages to find whenever she comes over to play (don't worry, mom, I washed it!)

I love this photo of Leah and her friend (still with the pacifier!) because it highlights her amazing eyelashes as well as her particular way of pursing her lips when she's really concentrating on something.  Her daddy does the same exact thing.  In this case, the girls are playing a game on my iPod Touch.  I also love how they're sharing so nicely.

I love this photo because I love Leah's little toes, especially when they're peeking out from jeans.  Those toes won't stay so little much longer.

I love this photo because of the texture and "bokeh" (more technical photo-geek lingo).   It captures the deadness that is my yard, now that the snow is finally, slowly, melting away.  I haven't seen plants in a long time.

I love this photo, the official Photo of the Day here, because it makes me feel.  I feel joy, giggles, and love when I look at it.

Snack time

For Grandma

18 months old!

Leah is quite a conversationalist now!  Within the past couple of weeks, she's gone from saying some 2-word sentences to 3- and 4-word sentences; some that we hear often are "I want watch Elmo," "I want a pop [lollipop or icicle, depending on the day's activities],"and "I need help."  One of the things I like the most about kids at this age is that they change so much from day to day.  Leah is sprouting new words, new skills, and new teeth like it's going out of style.

She's starting to show some memorization skills-- she can say the answers to the first 3 catechism questions just from hearing us go over them with her big sister, and Leah also likes to sing the B-I-B-L-E.  It just goes to show that little siblings need to be included in the "big kid" activities; they'll always surprise us!

She's now 22 lbs. 3.5 oz. (20-25th percentile), 31.5 inches long (50th percentile), and her head is a moderate 47 cm around.   For those who have been wondering, Leah still has eczema breakouts, although we have some prescription cream that seems to work really well keeping it under control.  She also breaks out in a rash around her mouth after eating sometimes, and although I can't seem to narrow it down to one food culprit, the allergist says there's the chance that her sensitive skin just reacts to acidic foods.  Today's tomato and basil hummus is the latest rash-inducer to add to the list.  As she gets older, we'll simply have to remind her not to eat tomatoes on a first date, especially if she still smears food all over her face at that point (see photos above)!