Backpack Treasures

Going through Sidney's backpack, I found this little wish list, must have been left in her desk. I was so touched. It was one of those moments when you realize that your kids are developing into thoughtful individuals and are understanding some of what you're trying to teach them about the important things in life.

Taking a Challenge to Heart

We've determined to join some friends, both near and far, in a commitment to really reel in spending in 2010 and determine what are wants versus needs. This thought process dovetails beautifully with our increasingly self-efficient lifestyle and would be good for us in our current heavy house predicament. In addition, we can use this experience to teach the kids the value of money.

Since January 1st, Brian has wanted me to put a Flo-chart of our spending in the kitchen (the non-essential kind, which as seen at Simply Spent has it's own set of rules). I've balked at this idea, because Jeez, That is what quickbooks is for, saving us paper and ledgers.

Today we went to the office supply store to buy a pencil sharpener. I've resisted. I've bought cheap ones in the past and they all break within a month. I was aggravated when at my folks in November. The electric pencil sharpener they bought when I was in 8th grade is STILL going strong! This morning while finishing homework and using a knife to whittle at the dull and broken pencils, I'd had enough!!! So, I bit the bullet! We are now the proud owners of a $38 pencil sharpener and it has been added to the newly put up non-essential expense calender in the kitchen for tracking said expenses.

Moral of the story, I know that my laid back husband is serious about a project when he goes all type 'A' on me, and is asking me, the queen of organization, to chart the project and hang it on the board!!

As I Look Out The Window

As I look out of the window this is what I see. But today is the day we begin to envision much more. Yes, it's only January 11 and we've just caught a glimpse of our first seed catalog. When we were in the car this morning, I prompted: "you know we really need to start thinking about this berry patch if we're going to put a big one in this year" to which Brian said "oh, did you see what I was looking at online this morning?" No in fact I did not, but I can see we're both on the same wave length and ready to jump in with both feet.

The garden is truly a labor of love, but I think that the most satisfying are the things that we put in that become a sort of infrastructure. I talked here a bit about the history that we contribute for future generations. When we pulled the diseased raspberries out at the end of last season, our commitment was made. Now we're researching sod removing equipment and different trellising techniques so that we may plant and/or transplant our raspberries, boysenberries, gooseberries, black and red currents, lingonberries and we're looking at the very non berry hardy kiwi. Yum!

So this afternoon we will turn some of these wonderful peaches, that have been waiting for months for the perfect time to make an appearance, into a sweet peach crisp. We will then get a taste of the sunshine that will inspire our future berry garden.

**I think I will turn my 'garden harvest' area into the 2010 garden plan for now so we can chronicle this years plans as we make them.

Growing, Cooking & Learning

We've really been focusing on using the produce we have stored and I've found that my grocery bills have been significantly diminished so far this winter! Last year we used what we had, but oh so sparingly. It was almost like I was paying homage to it. It was all so carefully stored I hated to disturb it. Almost like all of the summer work we had done was too pretty a picture to disrupt. Totally crazy! So, this year we have been digging in with wild abandon and loving every minute. I still feel a bit wistful as the beautifully displayed mason jars diminish, but it's been well worth it.

We are such foodies. I think I'm raising a mini-foodie too. We've developed quite a web and cookbook collection. My most recent acquisition is "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and I've been cooking from it all week. Sidney has seen me putting together a casserole roast chicken and gotten out her own little cookbook and made the accompanying muffins.

The food frenzy of the grown-ups, using wonderful new recipes with what we've mostly grown, must be catching. Today Sid's cooked breakfast for us and this afternoon made us all egg nog from scratch. I love that she's enthusiastic about cooking and I hope that she can see how much fun and how rewarding it is too. We spent the evening with a few foodie friends cooking impossibly difficult recipes, laughing at the chaos of preparation, and then relishing in the rewards. I've learned that even the most challenging of recipe's is doable. I look forward to continuing to find new and innovative ways to utilize the treasures stored in my root cellar. As I write this, Brian is turning some of our gorgeous summer tomatoes into a savory spaghetti pie and I didn't even have to run out to the grocery store to pick anything up!

Bon Appetite!

Silent Snow

Just a quiet look at our last twenty-four hours

Snow Poodle

Yes, I was the one out in the snow taking pictures at night.

Dawn Digout

Noon Glory

Happy Friday!