The Lenten season begins tomorrow. This year I am taking on the challenge of removing 40 bags (or boxes) of stuff from my house. When there is clutter around us, it is harder to focus ourselves. How can we give ourselves to God and serve Him when we cannot focus?
Take a moment to think about the things around you. Maybe you have a stack of old magazines that can be recycled, shared, or given to your local elementary school. What about your closet? Most of us have clothes that we can't or don't wear anymore. There's the linen closet with the kid-themed sheets that are deemed too childish now or sheets that no longer fit any of the beds in the house. Don't forget the collection of plastic containers that are missing matching lids!
I'm imagining how much more space I'll have once I've removed 40 bags. I'm already 4 bags ahead! More space and less distraction from my daily time with the Father! Are you ready for the challenge? Come on and join me!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Like Lists - Start that electronic To Do list...
I am such a list person! I have multiple lists running all the time - personal errands, professional tasks, household maintenance, scrapbooking tasks, crafting wishes, and on and on. I have spirals, journals, post-its, and electronic sources for these lists.
Now, I've found a great electronic source to keep track of my daily tasks - Teux Deux. This website does nothing but To Do lists. It even keeps a list of items that you aren't sure when to schedule. Even better, it is accessible from any computer or smart phone! Take a moment to check it out. You will definitely love it!
Now, I've found a great electronic source to keep track of my daily tasks - Teux Deux. This website does nothing but To Do lists. It even keeps a list of items that you aren't sure when to schedule. Even better, it is accessible from any computer or smart phone! Take a moment to check it out. You will definitely love it!
Spring Greens
Gardening is in full swing. The garden now holds onions, carrots, several lettuce varieties, potatoes, spinach and turnips. There is something so promising about a growing garden. Not to mention the peace of working in the soil.
Wouldn't it be great to have fresh greens at your fingertips? You can have them no matter where you live. Salad greens, as well as peppers and cherry tomatoes, will grow nicely in small ground spaces and even containers.
What's stopping you? Grab some garden soil, a little fertilizer, some seeds and a few containers and get to gardening! Just thinking about a nice fresh salad is enough to make your mouth water.
Wouldn't it be great to have fresh greens at your fingertips? You can have them no matter where you live. Salad greens, as well as peppers and cherry tomatoes, will grow nicely in small ground spaces and even containers.
What's stopping you? Grab some garden soil, a little fertilizer, some seeds and a few containers and get to gardening! Just thinking about a nice fresh salad is enough to make your mouth water.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Spring Financial Check
Spring is just around the corner. I've already started making my Spring Cleaning To Do List (I love lists!) Today, I found out I need to create a Spring Financial Cleaning List. A little time consuming, but a relatively painless budget cut possibly.
Why you ask? Today, I was verifying a charge on one of my credit cards for my last statement period. The charge was indeed there and correct, but there was also an interest charge on the statement. Yes, this is common, but.....you should not have an interest charge when you pay the balance in full prior to the due date. I verified that I had paid in full and days before the due date. A 30 minute phone call cleared it up.
Last month, I noticed that my cellular provider had added a new option at $9.99 per month. I did not request the service, so I didn't want to pay for it. Another phone call.
We all know that billing mistakes are unfortunately common and that we should scrutinize our monthly bills. We also know that life gets hectic and good intentions may go by the wayside. Have you scrutinized your bills lately? Take an afternoon (or break it up into smaller pieces of time) and closely review each of your bills. Check for errors and for those services that you really do not want or need any longer.
As an added incentive, treat yourself afterwards! Happy cleaning!
Why you ask? Today, I was verifying a charge on one of my credit cards for my last statement period. The charge was indeed there and correct, but there was also an interest charge on the statement. Yes, this is common, but.....you should not have an interest charge when you pay the balance in full prior to the due date. I verified that I had paid in full and days before the due date. A 30 minute phone call cleared it up.
Last month, I noticed that my cellular provider had added a new option at $9.99 per month. I did not request the service, so I didn't want to pay for it. Another phone call.
We all know that billing mistakes are unfortunately common and that we should scrutinize our monthly bills. We also know that life gets hectic and good intentions may go by the wayside. Have you scrutinized your bills lately? Take an afternoon (or break it up into smaller pieces of time) and closely review each of your bills. Check for errors and for those services that you really do not want or need any longer.
As an added incentive, treat yourself afterwards! Happy cleaning!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Delicious Jams from a Family Farm
I confess.....I'm a foodie. I love to cook and bake (yes, there is a difference). I enjoy looking for and trying out interesting recipes then tweaking them to my taste. Creating my own recipes is fun too.
I especially love tasting local foods when I travel. Seattle, Washington is foodie heaven. Pike Place Market is fabulous! There are fresh food items everywhere and they are made/harvested locally. I will admit that I made at least one trip daily to the market! One of my favorite finds was a really wonderful Bumbleberry Jam made by Johnson Berry Farms. They are a local berry farm priding themselves on organic berries. We've already finished our first jar and will definitely be ordering more. They have more traditional jams as well as vinegars, syrups, and vinaigrettes. Definitely worth a moment to browse their website and treat yourself to fresh, American made goodness!
I especially love tasting local foods when I travel. Seattle, Washington is foodie heaven. Pike Place Market is fabulous! There are fresh food items everywhere and they are made/harvested locally. I will admit that I made at least one trip daily to the market! One of my favorite finds was a really wonderful Bumbleberry Jam made by Johnson Berry Farms. They are a local berry farm priding themselves on organic berries. We've already finished our first jar and will definitely be ordering more. They have more traditional jams as well as vinegars, syrups, and vinaigrettes. Definitely worth a moment to browse their website and treat yourself to fresh, American made goodness!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
February Love - Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake Please
February is all about the love. This includes my love of chocolate.....Momma's chocolate pie, chocolate cupcakes, a Godiva truffle (or two), and my latest find...Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake.
Yes, Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake! I like browsing the Kraft Foods website for recipes. I will admit that I usually tweak them significantly to suit my tastes. This one, not so much. The ingredient list is a little long, but the recipe is very easy. I do all the mixing in one bowl even though they go into the pan in layers. The cake bakes up beautifully and presents well. Oh yes, the taste is decadent! Hope you enjoy!
Yes, Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake! I like browsing the Kraft Foods website for recipes. I will admit that I usually tweak them significantly to suit my tastes. This one, not so much. The ingredient list is a little long, but the recipe is very easy. I do all the mixing in one bowl even though they go into the pan in layers. The cake bakes up beautifully and presents well. Oh yes, the taste is decadent! Hope you enjoy!
Old Farmer's Almanac
Farmer's Almanac???? That's for old folks! Not so my friends! Okay, so I thought so once upon a time, but I've changed my tune.
I do buy the book, but the Old Farmer's Almanac website is even better! They have recipes and cooking ideas along with the gardening tips. Many people, even in the cities, have started trying their hand at gardening. This website can be a gardener's best friend with tips on when and how to plant.
Yes, I know that we just finished another round of winter weather, but it is time to think gardening! We must start prepping those plots now for planting. For my area, potatoes and onions go in the ground this next weekend. Thankfully, the garden has been "burned off" and preparations started for this planting. (Let's hope that the weather stays fair!) Those cool weather herbs are next up since I'm starting from seed.
Not a gardener, checkout the cooking and recipe section or the Best Days section. It really is a moment of simplicity in an otherwise hectic day. So, here's to sunny days and plentiful crops!
I do buy the book, but the Old Farmer's Almanac website is even better! They have recipes and cooking ideas along with the gardening tips. Many people, even in the cities, have started trying their hand at gardening. This website can be a gardener's best friend with tips on when and how to plant.
Yes, I know that we just finished another round of winter weather, but it is time to think gardening! We must start prepping those plots now for planting. For my area, potatoes and onions go in the ground this next weekend. Thankfully, the garden has been "burned off" and preparations started for this planting. (Let's hope that the weather stays fair!) Those cool weather herbs are next up since I'm starting from seed.
Not a gardener, checkout the cooking and recipe section or the Best Days section. It really is a moment of simplicity in an otherwise hectic day. So, here's to sunny days and plentiful crops!
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