Thursday, February 25, 2010

3 chicks have arrived

We bought 3 chicks from the feed store yesterday. 1 barred rock and 2 ameraucanas. Our bunch is quite excited as this is all new for us. So far, I've learned that despite being so little and only 1 day old, these little girls are noisy! I'm so glad I listened to Ted and made their home in the laundry room versus the living room. We got 1 barred rock because that's the same kind Harriet is. At the check out line, Natalie asked me, "Mom! Does Harriet know she's a barred rock?" I thought that was adorable and it led to some interesting conversation. Later, I overheard Natalie outside explaining to Harriet that she was a barred rock and we got a friend for her that will look just like her. Too cute. The adventure begins and I feel this is a necessary piece in a year with chickens.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

I'm all pistachios for the Winter Olympics!

I'm not an early morning person or a night person, but my inner owl has been coming out to watch Olympic coverage. It's on so late which I do not understand since this awesome display of athleticism is occurring less than 4 hours from where I live! Anyway, all of this is not stopping me! I was up way past 11 the other night, ha most nights, to watch the competitors of men's figure skating. Ted folded and went to bed, I "stuck it out." True to the odds, I fell asleep neck kinked and body folded on the love seat. This happened before I saw all compete, thus leaving me to dream land or chiropractic land without knowing who earned gold. Well, I woke at 4:17 AM momentarily bummed, but then discovered in my sleepy state the Olympics were on and about at the point I had zonked. Yahoo, thanks NBC for the loop! Sweet I thought I can catch it now. I stayed up until about 5 am, watching Evan's rockin performance. It was awesome! I stumbled off to bed at 5 and decided I was a self proclaimed Olympics pistachio and I'm good with that as I love those lil green nuts.

Friday, February 12, 2010

chicks in our future

As you may have assumed, Hazel and Helga never came back. Maybe they found their promised land elsewhere or maybe they were a blessed dinner for a hungry critter. Either way, I miss them and think of them with GREAT fondness.

As a family, we've decided that Harriet needs new friends! Most chicks arrive to feed stores by the end of the month, I've been making calls. We may go that route or maybe mail order them this go around. I'm leaning towards mail, but a minimum order is 25 chicks. Did you laugh? I'm confident I could sell the excess, 20!, and maybe come out even for what I will put in. Can you hear the pitch I'm already sharing with my husband? The kids know that chicks will be coming soon and they are SO excited. Although none of us have a clue what this will mean to our daily life. I've thought of naming the second set all letter "i" names. Ingrid, Itchy, Isher, hmmm it may be hard to think of "i" names. Why "i"? It comes after "h" and our previous 3 were all "h's". Maybe I need to explore "g" possibilities....

To say our family loves living on land would be an understatement. I am slightly anxious for chicks and today the kids and I enjoyed biking in mud puddles. We went out looking for them and they exist in abundance here. The rain has not stopped our daily outdoor adventures. I love it. I'm also starting to get restless to work in my garden. I have BIGGER plans for this year. Also, since I can begin sooner than last year (We didn't move in until June!) I plan on starting most things from seeds. I welcome thoughts of dirt in my fingernails. Ahhh.... spring you are welcome here!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Borrowing Money

When I was a kid, I was the spender and my sister was the saver. This was very clear at an early age. Whether it be birthday or chore money, she stashed and I pulled out the cash. I'm not sure what I bought? Probably toys, candy, and when I was older definitely clothes. As a child, I was never successful at saving, or at least that's my recall. My sister, on the other hand, wedged all her loot in her piggy bank, which was actually a rabbit I believe, and would dig it out on occasion just to count it. I would watch, envious of all the possibilities, but she was a saver. I recall on various occasions my mom or dad needing cash and writing her an IOU, which she ALWAYS made them do. Back then, you needed to go to a bank for cash and there were times, I'm sure, when that wasn't an option.

Well, I borrowed my first dollar from Natalie about a month ago. I needed to tip my barista. (At this point I feel it's important to note that while I enjoyed my chai tea, the kids had a hot chocolate to savor too.) The same scenario played out yesterday and again my daughter willingly gave me a dollar. She didn't ask me for an IOU, but when Natalie learns that term I'm guessing she will adopt Aunt Tracy's practice. :) I have promptly paid her back each time.

I don't know if Natalie is a spender or saver yet. I do know she is generous. She currently has all her money in a black, butterfly purse. We saw a homeless man on Monday and true to my kids usual reaction they wanted to give him something. I drove on and explained I had no cash or food, but we did pray. (Will said, Lord give that man a job.) Natalie then remembered her purse and with big golf ball eyes, explained she had cash. After preschool drop off for Will, we headed to Ralph's to buy the man lunch (Don't worry, I paid.). I asked Natalie how much cash she wanted to give him. She handed me $1.06. I had to smile. We drove back to the corner on Pacific,but the man was gone. That's ok though, it was about all our hearts and they were willing. It was a good lesson, and especially so for ME.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Deb's (That's my mom!) Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup

1 white onion, chopped and sauteed in 2 Tablespoons butter
add
3 cups of water
add
5 chicken bullion cubes or the equivalent
boil for 3 minutes
add 1, 10 oz. package of frozen chopped broccoli and 5 oz. fine egg noodles
boil 5 minutes
add 3 cups of milk
add 12 oz. Velveeta cheese (I have tried to use other cheeses and it never turns out...)

Heat and stir constantly

Once everything is melted, serve and send to tummy town. Great with warm fresh bread!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Split Pea Soup

For those of you who know me, you better sit down. My friend Apryl convinced me to try split pea soup today. Can you even believe it? I wasn't wearing loafers, so I had to taste it. Much to my surprise, I didn't die AND it was actually quite yummy.

This tie in (Split pea soup and loafers) leads me to the George and Martha books by James Marshall. Have you heard of them? They are picture books and they are simply delicious! I was introduced to them in college while babysitting (Briggs) and then my roommate Martha confirmed how splendid they were. I think you will enjoy them with or without kids. They are that delectable. Enjoy! (And have an extra laugh on the split pea soup story for me.)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Envelopes are left out

I feel bad for envelopes. Here's the deal, as I see it. They are not the letter, which is the recipient of all the emotion, often joy. And as if that is not enough they get ripped open and discarded. Case in point, if someone sent you an empty envelope and you opened it you would just have disappointment and you'd throw it away. We need a plan for positive envelope self esteem. In college, I placed stickers on all my envelopes, including the bill company. I got teased a lot, but I figured they (The person opening the envelope) could use a smile. So, in 2010 I am committing to embellishing my envelope in some way that can evoke a smile that will be solely for the envelope. Care to join my cause?

The winner is......

Where oh where oh where is Robin (Sing and repeat as often as you like). I was in Cambodia for a couple weeks! I so meant to post the winner before leaving, but it didn't happen.

Without further ado, the winner is....... Annie and Lucas n Kari! Yes, I have molded 2 together, creating a hybrid name for "deviled eggs". I always was environmentally conscious. Ha! hybrid, get it??

The new name, at least at the Bailey camp will be
Dressed Cackleberries!

You realize choosing the winner is a bit like playing the game apples to apples. Well, here's my reasons. I LOVE the visual of eggs dressing. I mean seriously, how cute is that! The cackleberries tugged at my heart strings. That is what Ted's Grandma calls eggs and I've never heard anyone else use that term. Dorothy lives in MN and Lucas n Kari once lived in WI, so maybe it is a cool Midwest thing??

Anywho, congratulations my 2 winners! I split your prize and will be snail mailing you each a $10 Starbucks card. Have something wonderfully delicious and savor the win!