Kid History

photo courtesy of kid history

Who needs a little comedy?  For this old couple, it's the cutest rendition of love in young bodies.  Kid history is one of our favorite Youtube comedy groups.  You'll fall in love with all of them.  Try this one first.

Garbage Recycling in Sweden

This is Sweden doing a great job recycling.  Not just any old recycling but they have a process to recycle garbage as energy.  Money saving business for everyone.  Wish our country would adopt this practice.  What do you think?

How to Can Tomatoes from your Garden (or the store! ha!)

photos by SMW

How to can tomatoes from your garden:

Ingredients:

• 15 pounds ripe whole Roma, paste, or other low-moisture tomatoes (you can certainly use juicier heirloom varieties or any garden fresh tomato)
• 3/4 cup bottled lemon juice
• 6 quart-size jars with sealable lids and rings or tattler

Bring a large pot or canning kettle of water to a boil. While the water works on coming to a boil, use a sharp knife to cut a small "x" in the bottom of each tomato. Once the water is boiling, put the tomatoes in. Cook them for about a minute or two, then lift them out with a slotted spoon or a wire mesh basket.

Put the tomatoes directly into a large bowl of ice water or on a large baking sheet so they can cool quickly.

Wash  wide-mouth jars, rinse and put in  hot water, ready for hot tomatoes to put into the jars.

As soon as the tomatoes have cooled off enough so that you can handle them easily, use a sharp paring knife to remove (and discard) the tomato skins. Having blanched them, the skins should slip right off without too much fuss.

I put the extra skins in the compost.  Yummy stuff for garden compost!

Boil some more water.  Add 2 T. lemon juice and enough boiling water to each jar until 1/2" head space is left in each jar.

Next, put the lids in a small saucepan full of boiling water, for 10 minutes or so, to soften the sealant.  You may notice my lids are white.  Those are Tattler lids .  I love them because they are re-usable.  The only difference is the lids and ring are separate, but you use them just the same as a regular lid and ring.

I use my gas grill on my deck when I do canning, so I don't steam up my kitchen.  It works perfect.  Bring the canner water to a boil then lower the hot jars into the water.  Process them for 45 minutes. Remove from the canner immediately.

Aren't they pretty?!

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
 
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
 

• Total Time: 75 minutes

Love having a piece of my garden during the winter.

Lee Rider Jeans- How to get a free pair of jeans!

Who needs a pair of jeans?  In the PNW, you wear jeans, sweats, or workout gear pretty much year round.  

When I was a teenager in Dallas, TX no one wore jeans ALL the time.  Jeans were for Friday football games or a service project. What did we wear?  Dockers or 'chinos' as we called them in the 80's.  Times have changed.  Comfort is king.

So Lee Rider jeans has a pitch.  Go to Facebook and 'like' their page. Then a screen will pop up so you can share with your friends.  If 10 of your friends like their page, you'll get a pair of jeans.  Sweet!

Please go 'like' their page here and then share on, my friends!

Music Moment Monday

Please please watch this!  It will be a happy part of your day!

Music is fun.  I love the Swedes that they chose to do this project music + fun.

It's interesting that the last person went up and down.  I wonder how many people did that.  If my son was there, he would have been all over the stairs;  he wouldn't have gone just straight up.

Enjoy this sweet little gem.

In harmony,

Leslie

Hamburger Buns made EASY!

photo by SMW

I must be losing it, losing my mind that is.  A month ago I, gasp, left my purse in the cart at the grocery store.  Today I left all my purchased groceries in the store.  Uhuh, I just walked out of the store purse in hand all happy that I had paid for bags of food and then left them there!

What's in my brain?  Straw?

That's not all.  I forgot to buy hamburger buns.  This has become a given- I always forget 1-2 items on my list, usually the most essential parts of a meal.  Yep, I'm good that way.

Since I refuse to retrace my tracks back to the store, I decided to make buns from scratch- the bread kind.  I have made whole wheat ones before, which are just as easy as these pure white ones.  Today we wanted white and fluffy hamburger buns.

photo by SMW

I only had a little crumb (I'm gluten free, rats!), man, are they good?!  Almost melt-in-your-mouth-bread-good! These would work for sliders at a football party just perfect.

Can I impress upon you that it was EASY? As in baby easy.  Five min. of assembly and stirring and then leave it, shape it, leave it, bake.  While you pick up kids from school, let the dough rise.  Then unpack backpacks.  Interrupt that for a second with shaping the dough into little buns, then go back to backpack and lunch bag duty.  By that time, the oven has pre-heated and you're ready to bake.  This is the perfect time to start frying up the hamburgers themselves.  See, no time at all is involved in these buns.  And they cost pennies!  Like change in your pocket, my friends. Enjoy some yummy rolls, and maybe add some hamburger meat to them :)

 Beautiful Burger Buns

   adapted from a King Arthur flour recipe

     yield: 8 buns

1 c. warm water

2 T. sugar

1 T. yeast

1 t. salt

1 egg

2 T. butter, melted

3 1/4 c. flour

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, sprinkle the sugar & yeast over the warm water; let sit for 5 minutes. Add the salt, egg, and melted butter.
• With the mixer running on low, slowly stir in the flour, a cup at a time until a soft dough is formed. Knead the dough in the mixer for several minutes.
• With lightly floured hands, shape the dough into a rough ball. Coat the inside of the mixing bowl with cooking spray. Place the dough ball back into the bowl, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled. Divide into 8 pieces and form into rolls or buns.
• Let rise on a greased baking sheet for 30-40 minutes. If desired, brush with melted butter or egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds or dried onion flakes.
• Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes or until light brown on the tops. Cool on a rack.

Walmart- something New

I am going to attempt something.  It's rather daring of me and a bit scary.  It won't be professional at all (maybe down the road ;)). So please bare with me and chime in whenever you want.

I'm a blog reader.  I enjoy international news to coupon clipping. What gets me is there aren't enough local blogs to cover my local needs.  So that is why I started writing  the series "What to do...?" because I don't go to Seattle or Olympia that often, which is where those bloggers live.  

And, wait for it, I'm attempting to start a series on Walmart.  I must preface this- I'm not a huge Walmart fan because of the theory of big box stores.  However, if I can save a few dollars there and do the rest of my shopping elsewhere that helps the little guy, I'm in. Here is my attempt to let you in on the 'secret' to shopping at Walmart.  If you have secrets I don't have, please share.  Also, this list is for our local Walmart at 172nd Ave.  The list would be a lot longer and better deals if you go to the superstore in Marysville, but who wants to drive there?!

The Rules:

1. Walmart will match an advertised price from any local store. See their store policy with the exact radius of distance between stores.

2.  All you have to do is tell the cashier at the register you are price matching.  You don't have to show them the ad from the other store or anything.  But, just for my piece of mind, I write down on my shopping list what store each price match is from- in case they need to check.

3.  Be honest.

Here is my list for 9/5/14:

- Challenge Cream Cheese $2.27

              ibotta -$.75

              coupon for -$1.00 on coupons.com

Total price $.52

- Celery                       $ .58 cents/lb from Food Pavillion

-Green Grapes            $1.28 /lb from Food Pavillion

-Cheese, 2 lbs             $3.99      from Food Pavillion

I saved a total of about $5 just for these 4 items.  I had more things on my list, but this Walmart has a limited stock.  A superstore Walmart is where the savings are at.  So if you are driving by Marysville or the Lake Stevens Walmart you'll want to price match there.

What is ibotta?  I talk about it here. Go here to sign up for ibotta and save the easy way. Join my team and we earn money together. No coupons needed.

DIY furniture upgrade

photo by SMW

DIY has been a thing for my husband and I've since we've been married- 25 years to be exact.  We were DIY kings and queens before it was cool and hip.

We had skills and we weren't afraid to use them- shop vacs, saws-alls, power tools galore. Our garage is full of tools for every DIY project you might think of.

Since we are redoing the 1980 house we bought in SLC, Ut those tools and DIY skills have re-emerged.

After a long day of tiling a bathroom, I saw the above cabinet in the garage leftover by the previous owner.  It was dusty.  Like, 20 years of dust caked on it.  I didn't get a picture of the lovely gold medallions that went on the front, because they had been detached years ago.  The whole thing looked straight out of "I Dream of Genie"'s living room.

After I washed the cabinet and nailed the back piece in its original place and figured out that those medallions actually went with this cabinet, my brain started to move into gear.  Not only was there a stamp on the back that said "Lane"- yes, meaning high quality furniture, but I realized it would be super cute painted.

photo by SMW

The house has now transformed from multi-colored throw-up rooms to a cool shade of gray.  I hadn't planned on an accent color, but the girls renting the house had a cute clock this shade of blue.  So I matched the paint and it looks stunning in the living room.

My guess is this piece was a HiFi- which translates from the 1960's-1970's era into a media console.  This was the 'it' furniture to put your albums and music inside and a nifty turn-table on top for easy listening.

Don't you love it?  I do.  What have you transformed lately?

What to do .....in the Summer? Scrub-a-Mutt

photo by V. Dahlgren

Never mind my get-up, focus on Bono.  He is getting a doggy massage!  Say what?

Yes, Bono was pampered last Saturday at the Strawberry Fields Scrubb-a-Mutt day.  It's kind of like a street fair for dogs. The organization that puts this event on is raising money for dog shelters and the like.  

For a small fee (small, as in $10) Bono got a bath with warm water and his nails clipped, with the flashy bandana to top off his coiffe.

There were booths to buy dog paraphanalia and companies offering free doggie gifts.  Oh, and raffles with really awesome dog goodies going on all the time.

There was so much going on- the gawking at other dogs, pooches getting tangled up in leashes, and not to mention the LARGE breeds.  We saw a St. Barnard so big they had a ramp on the back of their truck so the Big Dog could get himself up to his seat.  That's a big, heavy dog!

So near the end of the summer, if you're a local, look for ads in the paper for the Scrubb-a-Mutt festival.  It's like a little fair day for your dog and you'll have some fun too.

Garden 2014

photo by SMW

Here is my garden so far...a lot smaller than last year.  But I'm happy that I even got a garden in this spring.  So.much.going.on.

photo by SMW

In the planter box that huge monster of a plant was really only 2 little tomato starts that decided to overtake all the other plants I had growing there.  I had my first tomato yesterday.  Nummy....with sea salt.  Heaven!

How is your garden?  
Check out some photos of last years garden here and here

What to do ..... in the Summer? Can Apples or other produce!

photo by SMW

Sometimes there are long days at home during the summer with nothing (for the kids!) to do and the entertainment budget is running low. 

If you have a free source of produce or know a u-pick farm go get some of that fruit!  It's a fun outing.  Then you have a second option for something to keep everyone occupied- canning, freezing, or dehydrating.  Let's get in the kitchen.

We had a free apple source.  They were on the 'worn' side and needed to be put-up right away.  We made applesauce and dehydrated apples!  Yum!

Pierce loved turning the apple/peeler/corer/slicer.

We used to do this as a family for years and would do about 40-50 quarts of applesauce, pie apples, and dehydrated apples, but now that my kids are older they don't prefer applesauce and the like as much.  So, it's more of a novelty activity for us, and it's still fun.

Why Buy in Bulk?

Have you noticed food prices have gone up?  Hello, I'm down to 4 people at my house.  My food bill should be down.  It is NOT.

Let's talk buying food in bulk.  Not Costco talk, but bulk bins chatter.

At times, I've been skeptical of bulk bins.  Do they rotate the food often?  Are there people touching the foods, running their hands through the bins, sneezing on an open bin?  Is the quality of food as good as packaged goods? These thoughts do run through my mind.

While I read this post about bulk bins it helped ease my fears about hearing from actual grocery store clerks how they service the bin area.  At my local Winco I see them service the bins often.  At Whole Foods I have too.  And at QFC, whoa!  I love their bins!  I wish I had that store closer!

So here are the reasons to buy in bulk using the bulk bin area:

• cost
• reduce waste
• eliminate the middle man
• freshness
• desired quantity

Do you have another reason for shopping the bulk bins?

Whole Wheat Blender Pancakes

Ingredients:

·        1 ½ cups milk, divided

·        1 cup whole wheat (not cooked)

·        4 ½ tsp. baking powder

·        1 tsp. salt

·        2 eggs

·        ½ cup vegetable oil

Place 1 cup of milk and the raw wheat in a blender. Blend until like mush, 2-3 minutes.  Add the baking powder, salt, eggs, oil and remaining ½ cup milk.  Blend for about 2 more minutes.

I taught Pierce how to make these this morning.  Halleluja!  He's on his way to making his own breakfasts!

What to do ....in the Summer? Berry picking

photo by SMW

If you live in the PNW, the first thing you do in the morning is check the weather report....because looking out your window doesn't always give a person the whole picture.  The weather can change on a dime, my friends.  Like this whole week, the reports said rain, rain, rain.  And, thank the stars, it's been sunny, sunny, sunny, and even warm!  Yahoo for warmth!

photo by SMW

If you are a sandals and socks person (meaning a true Northwesterner!)  you drop everything when the sun comes out.  We did that today after the fog lifted and headed to Biringer farm which is a few miles away for us. Notice above, we are like moles.  Pierce can hardly open his eyes when the sun is out.

photo by SMW

Can you see the beauty of these strawberries?  Wish you could taste them!  I will entice you a bit.  These berries are at their peak- big, fully mature redness, a tad soft but not hard, sweeter than sugar, and ready for any recipe, or just plain because plain is God's perfectness!

Biringer Farm in Arlington, Wa has berries that won't last much longer.  Maybe a week or so.  But there are tons left.  Come get them soon for a fun outing.  We are happy campers with our berry loot!

No bag for your gift? Problem solved!

photo by SMW

I am notorious for not having gift bags.  Let me explain.  Buying the gift bags isn't a problem.  I buy them in bulk actually, but we use them up so fast I don't remember to buy more bags in bulk.  So I'm often running to the store for a lone bag, insert, BIG waste of time.  You know me, Efficiency time master here, I don't like to waste time.
As it was Sunday (we don't shop on Sundays) and Father's Day, and "thee olde problem of no gift bags in the cupboard" yet again surfaced!  I found this easy tutorial on Pinterest.  It took me about 8 minutes to make this small bag.  Knowing that fact, makes me think that I can whittle down my time to 4-5 minutes next time.  So excited to share this new simple, frugal living, tip!

Hot and Sour Soup

mmm, this opens up the airways!

Been sick?  I have, like the rest of my town.  Besides a garlic sandwich, I'm always on the hunt for hot and sour soup.  Hunt is an understatement.  My Safeway usually has it in the deli section.  Nope, not anymore.  Our local Thai restaurant, not my favorite. Can I get a good bowl of hot soup to open up my nose anywhere?

Necessity provided me with the opportunity to make my own.  Let me know if you try it and what you think?

INGREDIENTS

4 cup(s) fat-free chicken broth

2 tbsp rice vinegar

2 tsp asian hot sauce, or chili paste, (or to taste, start with a little and add until it seems like it carries the right punch) I used srirachi sauce

2 cup(s) mushroom(s), sliced (I prefer crimini, but white, shitake or any kind of mushroom will work just fine)

9 oz firm tofu

1 tbsp cornstarch, mixed with 2 tbsp water

1 tbsp soy sauce

2 eggs

1 tsp  raw sugar

1 tsp diced ginger, fresh

2 medium scallion(s), sliced

optional - 1/3 cup(s) bamboo shoots, sliced

DIRECTIONS

Dice up your tofu, mushrooms and bamboo shoots

In a soup pot, stir together the chicken broth, vinegar,sugar, ginger, hot sauce, soy sauce, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and tofu.

Bring to a simmer and cook for five (5) minutes.

Stir in cornstarch and simmer two (2) minutes more. Scramble eggs in a bowl, slowly stir into hot soup.

Serve, sprinkling each bowl with sliced scallions.

Like most of my other recipes – you add more of what you want and less of what you don’t. I love mushrooms – so I add a lot. Tofu regularly goes on sale for $0.99 a container (it seems like it’s on sale a lot at Safeway?) and this can be a great meal to whip up when you find a good deal on mushrooms. I think this soup would freeze just fine.

Let me know what you think!

Worn Wear- Documentary

My family watched this last weekend.  We can't stop talking about it.  For a 30 minute documentary it really packs a punch.

The scenery is eye-popping gorgeous.  

I'm not ready to be a mountain climber yet but I'm seriously thinking of becoming a long distance hiker.  What people decide as hobbies is uncanny!  Who knew?!

Do you have any clothing that you've had for an embarrassing long time?  I used to have some jeans from high school until about 5 years ago (then I gained too much weight, sigh).  Yeah, I hear you loud and clear, if I started long distance walking I could wear those jeans again.

Hope you can squeeze in 30 minutes of watching time for this.  It's a great conversation starter!

New Year Excitement and gone with Burnout!

no burnout here, just pure exhiliration!

Everyone online seems to be talking about getting over burnout.**
 I must be ahead of the curve because I was having me some serious burnout about 7 months ago.  Whew! Over that now and feeling good!  Excited to go to work and be with kids, all these ideas running through my head of things to do with my family- I think that's a sign I'm over the mindfry.

Plus, I'm excited for the new year.  Truly- even though at home we have some challenges coming our way.  And, they aren't necessarily in our control. But, I feel peace in my heart.  It's all good.

Burnout is so real for everyone.  It creeps up unexpectedly.  The nagging problem won't go away even with our best efforts, at times.  This problem can be so frustrating and there might not be a solution that fits for you, readily in view.  Some people suggest taking a sabbatical.  Others leave their jobs and find new ones.  What do you do to combat serious burnout?

It happens in any area of life: child-raising, work, marriage.  I don't have any answers, but I'd like to hear yours.  I think it's a very individual sort of solution and psychology plays a big part in helping anyone get through it.  One way I combat it is to read self-help books and talk to friends.  Let me know your ways of coping?

In harmony,
Leslie

** see here and here  for some good discussions on burnout and how others combat it.

Dreaming of Heat and What to Wear!

photo credit

I do like the season changes.  I also sit in front of the fireplace often during the winter.  So today I've been thinking about wearing shorts and bathing suits.  That reminded me that I might not have told you I really don't like showing my skin.  Mostly it's because I have flabby rolls, but there is another reason.

Read on here for the best explanation around.

Here's to a modest day in the winter!

In harmony,

Leslie

Tuesday Music Video

Warning:  These are old, as in dated.  With that in mind, the content is excellent and at times the corny songs are catchy.

Back in the 90's, we bought the full blown set of these videos and more, for our children.  I wrung my hands with the money that we spent, but it has been well worth it.  My kids learned a lot and these VHS tapes have been well used, loved, and adored.  They've brought memories and learning into our home.  I hope my grandchildren enjoy them.

Do you have anything you've bought that you lost sleep over then realized that every penny spent was worth it?

It's so hard to make these kind of purchases.