Aug 5

Dreaming of Crafting Spaces

My sewing machine is living on the kitchen table, my rubber stamps are residing in the utility room, and my Nicostuff jewelry supplies are hanging out in the buffet in the dining room. I am longing for a crafting room.

I would love to have a nice quiet room where I could paint the walls petal-pink and leave all of my projects out without little boys getting into them. I could set up my computer on a small desk, and in the evenings when the boys are asleep I could sew, make bracelets, and possibly learn to knit. Maybe one day…

Do you have an ideal room for your projects, or are you day-dreaming of that perfect space like me?

Aug 4

July Coupon Savings

I’m still keeping track of my monthly coupon savings, but the month of July brought a tiny bit of savings. I saved $2.75 in the month of July, it brings my year to date savings up to $139.77! I hope to do a little better in August, and see some great savings.

What about you… Are you using coupons to save on your groceries?

Aug 3

11 For July

As you might have read, I’m trying green my driving routine by not driving (or riding) in a car at least one day a week. Last month I decided that I would put a gold star on the calendar for every day that I didn’t drive. On the first day of August I totaled the stars, and I had 11 for the month of July! I was really shocked that for 1/3 of the month, I didn’t drive.

Strangely, I didn’t miss driving that much. I thought that I would feel stuck, bored, and miss out on all of those little trips here and there. It was fun though, I planned my errands and shopping trips wisely. I also found several places close to home that the boys and I could walk to. We would wake up early, and walk to the Post Office or Farmer’s Market before the weather became too warm. Getting out and walking became a fun way to connect with my kids, and they got to see a little bit more of our town.

I would like to continue this trend of Gold Star days for August, and see how just many more days I can go without driving. If I can make it 10 days this month I’ll be really happy, but even a few here and there will help a bit.

Aug 2

Reducing the Food Mileage

2008 is the year that I am “greening  my family and home”, I’m trying to live more eco-friendly, and attempting to reduce those food miles by growing our own organic veggies. Our garden has also helped Thade realize that our food doesn’t just come from Wal-Mart.

I’m really proud of those little Yellow Squash, and it proves to those local naysayers that YES, you can grow veggies without pesticides. I can’t wait to make my Garlic-Squash Couscous with my fresh produce.

We are out in the garden every day in the morning before it is too warm. Occasionally we have a cool insect that Thade has never seen before, and sometimes a toad or two. I love to watch the busy honey bees buzzing from flower to flower.

This week we had an amazing Moth that paid the garden a visit. The moth was huge, and Thade couldn’t believe his eyes. He asked if it was a bat, and gave it a little space just in case it was.

I hope that next week we’ll have a few more veggies, and maybe the kids will give them a try too.

Aug 1

August Dinner Menu

Well I didn’t accomplish my goal of no take-out for July, so I’m going to try and do better in August. Here is what I have planned for dinnertime and a few desserts for the month of August…

8/1/08: Lasagna and Garlic Bread

8/2/08: Beef & Broccoli Stir-fry with Rice

8/3/08: Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Bean Casserole

8/4/08: Grilled Sausage, Hominy, Rice & Lentils, and Cream Cheese Bars

8/5/08: Turkey Leftovers and Sides

8/6/08: Chicken Rings, Mac & Cheese, and Fries

8/7/08: Chicken Chow-Mien, Rice Noodles, Crab Rangoon, and Orange-Coconut Candies

8/8/08: Grilled Chicken, Rice-a-Roni, and Green Beans

8/9/08: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice

8/10/08: Pot Roast and Potatoes

8/11/08: Chicken Fajitas, Re-fried Beans, Cheese Dip, and Tortilla Chips

8/12/08: Steak and Steak Fries

8/13/08: BBQ Beef Sandwiches, Fries, and Brownies

8/14/08: Shrimp & Sausage Jambalaya, Hominy, and Corn Bread

8/15/08: Fish Sticks, Fries, and Mac & Cheese

8/16/08: Pasta. Mozzarella Sticks, and Garlic Bread

8/17/08: Turkey Noodles and Mashed Potatoes

8/18/08: Angus Burgers and Fries

8/19/08: Chicken Chow-Mien and Rice Noodles

8/20/08: Fish Sticks, Fries, and Mac & Cheese

8/21/08: Beef & Broccoli Stir-fry and Rice

8/22/08: Turkey Sloppy Joe’s and Fries

8/23/08: Grilled Sausage, Hominy, and Rice & Lentils

8/24/08: Pasta, Mozzarella Sticks, and Garlic Bread

8/25/08: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips and Cheese Dip

8/26/08: Chicken Rings, Mac & Cheese, and Fries

8/27/08: Steak and Steak Fries

8/28/08: Beef w/ Rice-a-Roni, Green Beans, and Hominy

8/29/08: Lasagna and Garlic Bread

8/30/08: Dorito Casserole, Re-fried Beans, and Tortilla Chips

8/31/08: Grilled Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Bean Casserole