Brenda's Blog, February 11, 2006

Who came up with the term "blog"?  That would be something interesting to research, someday when I'm bored!  My spell checker doesn't understand that it is a word, my version of FrontPage must be old! :) 

Let's sit down for a cup of coffee...alright, so I don't drink coffee, truly...I am eating Tillamook Yogurt--Marionberry flavored, my favorite.  So let's sit down for a cup of yogurt, or whatever you might have in your cup, and chat! 

Did I tell you all that I am working on menus with estimated prices and shopping lists?  Yes, that has been on my mind a lot these days.  I am beginning to memorize the costs of things, which is GREAT!  Last weekend I made zucchini bread to bring to church as a snack, and my husband asked "oooh, are you going to make chocolate chip zucchini bread?" and immediately this thought popped into my head: "why spend 60 cents extra when zucchini bread by itself is already good?"  Crazy, I know!  I'm thinking of the lowest priced, healthiest meals out there and I'm making those.  My favorite right now?  Simple--barely brown some chicken in butter in a skillet, throw into a crock pot, add a little water (like 1/4 cup), some lemon juice (a couple of tablespoons), oregano, salt, pepper, and garlic, and turn it on low most of the day or on high for 2-3 hours.  It's good, cheap, and yum!  Serve it with some veggies and a salad and you've got yourself a low carb, healthy, inexpensive meal. 

I'm a little worried about our 3 year old son, Kaleb right now.  For weeks now, he's been saying "I'm really tired today" and we thought he was going through a growth spurt--but now it's been going on for weeks.  He's also blinking a lot.  My grandpa suggested iron and maybe some...was it chlorofil?  I am not sure exactly what that second one is...I will have to do some research.  Have any of you had problems with your child blinking a lot and being tired?  If so, e-mail me!

You know, if Tillamook could make this yogurt without any chunks in it, then it would be my VERY favorite.  I'm planning to grow Marionberries and Boysenberries in my yard as soon as our house is finished, and I did get a yogurt maker for Christmas...Maybe someday, when I actually learn how to make decent tasting yogurt, I can make some Marionberry yogurt of my own, without chunks! :)

After my last blog, my husband sent me an e-mail telling me that his favorite quote was under the picture of Isaac: "He, out of all of them, is the most like me.  Wants to be a pig farmer"....He took it out of context, but it is pretty funny! :)  I don't want to be a pig farmer, no!  I don't know what I'd do with pigs, we don't eat pork.  We used to, but I can't.  Ever since that pig at the pumpkin patch...She was huge and smelly, and they said she ate 30 (or was it 300? or 30 lbs of?) ears of corn a day.  I'm not sure what's worse now, corn or pork?  :) 

Isaac says he wants a pink pig and he wants to feed it a bottle, and he wants it to be a "little" pig.  He also wants to sing Happy Birthday to it, and I think it's all because I let him watch my Charlotte's Web video one day when he was sick.  I can't remember if it was Isaac or Kaleb today who was saying "next year I want a farm yard."  Well, I'm painting their room like a farm.  I hope that will suffice!  I've asked them before "if we had a farm, would you clean up after the animals?" "No Mommy, you would."  "Would you feed them?" "No Mommy, you would."  "No dears, we're not having a farm." :)

Today I have been painting pictures for their farmyard bedroom!  I got some 12" squares of wood at the craft store, and then I painted each one with a crackle finish.  I drew pictures of a sheep, a cow, a pig, a chicken, and a barn (and I am going to also draw a tractor).  I copied pictures from my kids' book called Draw Write Now.  I liked the idea of simple looking animals.  Today I've been painting, with acrylic paints.  They look really cute!  I'll have to take pictures of them and post them when they are finished.  I've got blue skies, some dirt, and some black outlines to finish tomorrow.  I've been standing for the last several hours, painting--so it is nice to finally sit!

Actually, I should probably get going to bed!  I mentioned in my last blog how it makes such a difference in my life when I rise early.  I want to encourage you all to read this article by Pamela Spurling.  Let yourself be challenged by this article as I have!  And then move on to reading other articles on her site, this woman is amazing--in her testimony and in her writing.  You will be blessed by checking out her site!  Have a happy Sunday, everyone!