MENU - FIRST HALF OF OCTOBER 2011

Here's how we'll start October off.

BREAKFASTS
oatmeal with brown sugar, milk, raisins, and energy mix as optional toppings x4
Tam's granola (crockpot) x7
almond poppyseed muffins (Costco, no recipe)
pumpkin bread
leftover oatmeal pancakes (freezer)
baked oatmeal
egg & potato scramble

DINNERS
leftovers x3
tacos x2
Tig's black bean chili/cornbread
rice cooker mac & cheese/peas & corn
Papa Murphy's/salad
grilled Hawaiian chicken/rice/tropical salad
new salmon recipe (Tim's catch)/new couscous recipe/peas & corn
black bean & couscous salad/tortilla chips/raw veggies
summertime orzo & chicken/salad
marinated chicken/new potato recipe (need to tweak & try one more time)
vegetable barley soup/garlic bread
Cajun sausage & beans (crockpot & freezer)/cornbread
new soup recipe (flop)/whole wheat drop biscuits

DESSERTS
apple brownies/ice cream
pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

BOOKS I FINISHED - SEPTEMBER 2011

FOR SCHOOL

Across Five Aprils, by Irene Hunt
Read aloud for Silas that I pre-read and he listened to on CD. I'm not drawn to war stories and it took me a few chapters to get into this one, but it was a good book. It's set during the Civil War and is about a boy, who due to relatives fighting for both the North and South and family members with health issues, is forced to grow up faster than most kids. Not only is it informative as a piece of historical fiction, but it's also a neat story about family, coming of age, and dealing with things that aren't completely right or wrong.

Shades of Gray, by Carolyn Reeder
Pre-read for Silas. Good story, easy read, probably one of the kids' school books I've most enjoyed over the years. It's the fictional story, set immediately after the Civil War, of a boy who has lost his whole family to the Yankees and is then sent to live with relatives, including an uncle who wouldn't fight for the Confederacy. Good lessons in respect, courage, and understanding those who make different choices than our own.

Strawberry Girl, by Lois Lenski
Read aloud for Devon. This was our second time through the book and I'd forgotten how much I liked it. Maybe I was better at the accents this time around ... or maybe I just didn't care so much about getting them perfect. Anyway, it's the fictional story of a family living in the backwoods of Florida during the 1800s and dealing with business ventures, neighbor problems, etc. Both of our boys have enjoyed this book.

The Minstrel in the Tower, by Gloria Skurzynski
Read aloud for Devon. Roger and Alice, the two main characters, are siblings whose mother is very sick and whose father never returned from battle. They set off in search of an uncle they've never met, in hopes that he can help them care for their mother. They get kidnapped along the way and have to demonstrate some courage in order to get help for their mother. Short chapters, lots of illustrations. Both boys have enjoyed this book each time we've read it.

FOR MYSELF

Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, by Bethany Hamilton I'll eventually watch the movie, but wanted to read the book first. Bethany has an incredible story to tell, as any shark attack survivor would, but the book itself wasn't particularly amazing. Talking about the attack and days immediately following was interesting, but the other 150 (or whatever) pages are just about her life. It's a pretty ordinary life, except that she's a good surfer.

Mixed: Portraits of Multiracial Kids, by Kip Fulbeck
While I did read the text, this book is primarily pictures of mixed kids. Cute kids and it was interesting to see what the particular mix of each kid was. I learned two new terms from this book - Blaxican (black & Mexican) and Jewpanese (Jewish & Japanese). Random, I know.

The Secret to True Happiness: Enjoy Today, Embrace Tomorrow, by Joyce Meyer
Lots of "duh" stuff and some chapters I just skimmed, but also some good reminders about the attitudes we choose to have and the way we deal with our circumstances.

Quoted:
p.108 - I like to define wisdom as "choosing to do right now what you will be satisfied with later on."

p.187 - As we move beyond saying, "I'll be glad when ..." we need to begin saying, "I am glad now. I am going to be happy and positive today. My life may not be exactly what I want it to be, but I choose to be glad today."

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living, by Tsh Oxenreider
I just skimmed this book, as it's filled with a lot of things I already do, but it would be an excellent read for someone whose home holds more stuff than they can keep track of, schedule is jam-packed, spending is not accounted for, or who otherwise needs to get some aspect (or more) of their life under control.

The Peach Keeper, by Sarah Addison Allen
Romance, mystery, friendship, memories ... this book has a little of everything and I enjoyed it. That being said, I'd love some books of a simiar style that don't have sex scenes. I hate getting super far into a book and then having a sex scene show up. I realize Christian books don't have sex scenes, but those books are often so corny that I can't bear to read them. So, any suggestions for books, Christian or not, that aren't cheesy and avoid sex scenes?

Not My Daughter, by Barbara Delinsky
A group of high schoolers make a pregnancy pact. The mother of one of the girls is the high school principal and was also a teen mom. The pact and resulting pregnancies rock the community and strain various relationships, both personal and professional. I got totally sucked into this book, curious to see if the community would be successful in removing a woman from her job because of the decisions her child made and wondering how all the relationship dynamics would play out.

Lucky, by Alice Sebold
With an incredibly graphic beginning, the author tells the story of being beaten and raped, the way it changed her relationships, and how she was ultimately able to help convict the man who attacked her. Violence, language and sex (not just the rape) are part of this book, but it's not gratuitous. It's real and relevant. It's the author's life. For me, that makes a difference in my willingness to read it. It's a hard read, though.

THE BOOKS I BAILED ON

All Sail Set, by Armstrong Sperry
Read aloud for Silas. Between every other word being ship lingo and most conversation taking place with heavy accents, neither of us could get into this book. We bailed halfway through. It's the first time we've ditched a school book out of boredom.

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Compassion, by Gregory Boyle
Random pick from library shelf. It was the book's disjointed feel that made me bail about a third of the way through.

9/29/11 THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful that the apartment office is willingly and cheerfully working with us as the lack of a closing date has us possibly needing to stay here a week longer than planned.

What's one thing that you're thankful for?

IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY

I think all long days should end with something that makes you smile. So, here's my smile inducer.

FAITH IN A JAR

* I'm having a hard time living in this apartment. * I'm having a hard time wondering if there will be problems in underwriting. * I'm having a hard time not knowing our closing date. * I'm having a hard time not knowing when to schedule our move. * I'm having a hard time living in a home that's being packed. Today I left for a few hours. I had some errands to run, gift cards that had been sitting around for months, and a strong desire to just be alone for a while. Here's a picture of one of my gift card purchases. To the naked eye it looks like a candle. To me, however, it's faith in a jar. We're not allowed to burn candles in our apartment and you know I'm frugal enough to not spend money on something I can't use. So buying a candle, one specifically suited to autumn, was my feeble attempt at having faith that things will work out and that they'll work out soon. I'm going to leave this candle out where I can see it during my day, a reminder that the season we're in won't last forever.

TWENTY BUCKS WELL SPENT

Tim took Naomi shopping for a friend's birthday gift over the weekend and the boys went along for the ride, bringing their spending money "just in case". Not only did Naomi find a gift, but the boys split the cost of a Perplexus. Ever seen one? Here's what it looks like.

They spent about $20.00 for it and it's already provided hours of entertainment for each boy. They love it! It has a quiet marble noise. That makes me happy. It has a little stand you can rest the ball on to save your spot in the game, which is handy if you need to stop for any reason. That makes me happy. Each boy is having fun trying to improve on his previous game. That makes me happy.

Why am I telling you this? First, because I'm happy with their purchase. Second, because it's something to consider as a Christmas gift for the kids in your life. The boys got theirs at Target, so I'm sure it's available at most department and toy stores.

9/22/11 THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful for the change of season that turns so much of the greenery we see to reds, oranges, and yellows.

What's one thing that you're thankful for?