Happy Halloween.....

Blog Challenge

Some of you may know what a blog challenge is and some of you may not.  There are so many out there in the blog-o-sphere and I try to participate in the ones that I think I can do and the ones that mean something to me.

The new Freeze yer buns challenge starts tomorrow.  I did this one last year and this year, I am doing it again.  I pledge to keep the temperature in the house at 58 during the day (when we aren't home) and at 60-62 when we are home.  If Nonni can ever come back here to our home, then the temp will skyrocket, but that will be about it.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), this is an extremely easy challenge for me - I would do it anyway.

I just finished with the hang em dry challenge.  For the month of October, we were challenged to hang our clothes outside or on an inside rack and NOT use the dryer.  If my boys weren't here and if I got to the wash before my hubby, I hung the clothes outside or inside on the rack.  If someone else did the laundry, the dryer was used.  All in all, I think it was a successful challenge though.  It made everyone in the family stop and think about dryer/electricity use........and that in and of itself, is a success.  

CSA Friday

This is the last CSA of the regular season (22 weeks):

Half Share:
eggplant (3 small)
tomatoes (2 large)
2 sweet peppers
1 bunch radishes
1 bunch Hakurei salad turnips
1 lb loose beets (eight)
1 head lettuce
1 head escarole
1 bunch carrots
1/2 lb asian salad mix
1 dozen eggs (6 onions instead)
 
I will get something else for my eggs, though I don't know what yet.  I'm hoping they have some onions, because I'm down to 1/2 an onion in the fridge!

Next week starts the FALL CSA for five weeks.

Edited (in red) after I picked up my veggies!

Chickens and cat food

I think it is gross, but the chickens love the cat food.  I have to be careful, to only put out the cat food when the hens aren't around....otherwise, the cats get nothing.......

Tuesday Word of the Day

CANCER

The ugliest word in the English Dictionary. 

Definition: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, to metastasize (spread).  Cancer is not one disease. It is a group of more than 100 different and distinctive diseases.

I hope none of you ever have to use this word.....It is worse than the F word. 

Sunday afternoon

I didn't do much of anything yesterday afternoon.

For those of you who know me, you know I don't say this lightly......I really didn't do much of anything yesterday afternoon.  I can't tell you the last time I did nothing!!!  It was very exciting!  I read, I watched a little football, I watched my crazy hens play in the backyard, I did a little cooking....and that was it!  It was WONDERFUL!

I need to make time for more afternoons like that!

Winter is coming and I'm actually looking forward to some down time....after the holidays, of course!  :)

Zumba Weekend

I taught two classes yesterday, in a row!   I can feel my age....Thank goodness for Bayer Back and Body!!!

This morning, Christine and I are off to Waterbury for a Masterclass with the incredible Tanya B.  It's Christine's first time!   I can't wait to see her expressions!!!!

Wish my body luck, it's going to need it!!!

Edited to add pictures of a FANTASTIC Masterclass with Tanya....So much fun!!!

Pesto

With the cooler weather, it is almost time for our first frost.  I needed to get my basil in for the fall/winter.  I have been picking it and just freezing it in freezer bags to use in sauces when I need it and with the rest I made pesto.  Thank you Catie for telling me I can use walnuts!

2 cups of fresh basil
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup walnuts
3 Tablespoons garlic (I used a little extra)

Pulverized in the blender and froze it in sandwich bags (each batch makes one cup).  I made two batches of this so far and I will probably make 2 or 3 more this weekend.  My recipe said adding the parmesan cheese before you freeze it wasn't a good idea, but another recipe said it would be fine.  I didn't add the parmesan or the salt and pepper prior to freezing.  I will add it fresh when I thaw it and use it on pasta! 

Next, it's time for the parsley to be picked - Anyone need any? I have a lot!!!

CSA Friday

Here is what I will be getting:

Half Share:
1 large head broccoli
1 cabbage
1 bunch kale
1 lb turnips
2 sweet peppers
2 hot peppers
1 head escarole
1/2 lb brussel sprouts
1 butternut squash

Another Green Smoothie

I hadn't had a smoothie for breakfast in a while and I had a bunch of ingredients, so I just went with it....

Three Turnip Greens (I could have used a few more, but I cooked and froze the rest)
1/2 cup raspberries - I'm still picking them from my bush!
1 cut up apple (small)
1-1/12 cups of vanilla almond milk unsweetened
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup plain vanilla yogurt

Put everything in the blender (pulverize) and wow!   Good Morning to me!

Guess what's coming?

.......Christmas!

Less than 10 weeks and counting! 

I'm already shopping and trying to figure out a gift list and what I can give for handmade gifts this year.

Are you getting ready?

Another short story

To those of you who would understand....

Last week I had a mass said for my ex-husband.  My children and I went. 

A little background......my ex always used to say "I will know when I am a success, because there will be a Porsche Carrera in the driveway".  It was his goal car - he loved it and always wanted one.  They are very expensive vehicles and you don't see them around much.  Needless to say, he never got one!

So, after mass, I was on the highway driving to work and a black Porsche Carrera passes me by.  I think to myself...that was weird, I haven't seen one in a long time. 

On the way home from work that day, a red Porsche Carrera passes me by.....Too freaking coincidental....YEP! 

So, Rich is driving a Porsche Carrera somewhere and this was his way to let us know that he is (finally) successful.......Thank God!!!  By the way, this was all on his birthday!!!

The Walton's

The series has started on television again - Okay, I'm admitting it....it is my all time favorite show!  And it's back on INSP network (I never even heard of the channel), but I get it on channel 564! 

Back before being "green" was in style (Circa 1989 through 2000), I watched the Walton's and literally learned SO much.  I knew about a ton of stuff from my parents and grandparents and growing up in an Italian home, but the Walton's taught me other things: canning, using cloth napkins, making a fire when I was a cold (instead of turning on the heat), raising chicken, raising children, morals, etc. 

My kids never understood my love of that program, but they are partially a product of that program. 

Let the DVR-ing begin!!!!!

Busy weekend

It was a busy weekend and I'm glad it is over!!!

My daughter got her dress and last night she got her shoes for her formal next month!  One less thing to think about - whew!  Zumba routine is complete...now I just have to practice every night this week!  Competition - 1st place!!!!  (But we aren't thinking about Disney yet! - :)

Babysat for one of the trips - so cute and so good!  Three dozen brownies for open house at SHA - done!  I got to visit with Nonni and my dad yesterday for a little while.  Both are doing well, thank you for your continued prayers - this is another big week for treatments for my dad.

Bookkeeping job done and all accounts balanced.  Now it is back to my real job this morning and I think it is going to be a good week.  Last Monday Zumba class tonight - looking forward to it!

Have a good week!

Friday

I am going out on my lunch hour later to pick up my CSA, pick up a bookkeeping job and pick up a Zumba Tank for one my new students who is going to become licensed to teach Zumba - this will be my second student getting licensed and to me it is very exciting.  The love and happiness I feel with Zumba has been transplanted in many of my students (or so they tell me!) and it is two-fold with the two who have decided to up their game and get licensed to teach.  The first student who got licensed will begin teaching next week - four times a week!  Congrats, Danielle!!

CSA This Friday should include:

1/2 dozen corn
1 dozen eggs (I got four tomatoes instead)
1 butternut squash
1 lb turnips
1 head lettuce
1 bunch of cooking greens

Edited to add that I got a bunch of carrots and a head of broccoli extra (love those extras!)
 
I will trade in the eggs for something else as usual, as five eggs a day for us can be a little overwhelming.  Thank goodness, I have baking to do this weekend for my daughter's school Open House. 
 
Tonight, my daughter has a game.  Competition is tomorrow afternoon for my daughter's squad that she helps out with. (younger girls).  I will attend to see how they do and support her.  Sunday is CCD and then working on the new Zumba routine with Lauren.  Another tough playlist - but fun music! 
 
Everyone have a a great weekend - it will be windy (or so they say) here in Southern CT. 
 
PS - Nonni is doing well - walking well with her walker.  The prayers are working, so please keep them up!!

The outlaws

A random pic from my wedding two years ago.   I just wanted the outlaws to feel special........

LOL

Miners

As I write this, the 16th miner is on the way up in the capsule.  I am watching it on CNN Live and it is very emotional.....

God Bless the Chilean Miners!!!!!

Random pictures

Taken two weeks ago at my friend's home...trying to preserve some summer and warmth!!!

Friday Night Lights

Cheerleading has begun and I finally got to see my daughter cheer last weekend.

AND I finally figured out how to use my camera with the computer!!  Yeah for me!!!

Cleaning

I am going to bare my soul....  :)

I cleaned yesterday and today.  To some, this is normal, everyday stuff.  To me, it is hell.  I am being honest when I say, I absolutely utterly abhor cleaning.  Yes, I can admit this.  I am a big girl and I hate to clean.

I CAN clean...at least I know how to clean...dusting, vacuuming, straightening.  The problem is that because I have literally no time in my life, I just hate to waste what precious little time I do have in cleaning.  I would rather be baking or cooking or gardening or ANYTHING but cleaning windows, washing the curtains for fall, dusting the baseboards, vacuuming behind the furniture.

I know I have to do it, so I do it when I can.  I wish I didn't have to work so much, so that maybe I could find time to do all this cleaning.  A long time ago, I gave up cleaning in order to take care of the kids when I wouldn't let my ex husband drive the kids anymore.  So for 10-12 years, cleaning has been the LAST thing that I HAD to do.  Everything else had to come first.  Now, I think it may be too late for me, to ever WANT to clean again.  There is just too much and so much else to do.......

Oh well. 

CSA Friday

Here is what I am scheduled to get this week:
Half Share:


1/2 dozen corn
2 heads lettuce (green leaf - my favorite)
2 bunches turnip greens
1 bunch carrots
1/2 lb beans
2 sweet peppers
1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes

I got it all and they added one cucumber to the list! 
Chicken Stir fry for later on after the game!

College Fair

The process has begun of looking at schools for my daughter who is a junior in high school now.  We attended a local college fair and got a lot of information.  Hope refused to look at colleges in the northeast.  She wants to go away and that is fine with us.  She is very independent. 

So, I may be gone on the weekends, looking at open houses and such.  Although, she is is thinking about NC and that is a little bit farther away than a weekend........

I loved this process of college hunting with the boys....I'm sure it will be bittersweet with Hope as she is will be the last....

Almond Milk

Have you tried this product?  It is a new staple in my family's fridge.  It is delicious (albeit pricey - thank you, Mom, for the coupons!).  My daughter is lactose intolerant - neither she nor I loved the flavor of lactose free milk, but Almond milk is a whole 'nother story!  Hope likes the vanilla and I like the original (we haven't even tried the chocolate yet!).  It is great with cereal or with dinner or in a smoothie. 

If you try it, let me know what you think....

PS: Samantha, stay AWAY from our fridge please....(she is allergic to almonds!).

PPS: Nonni is still in the hospital.  She has an internal infection.  She is a trooper though!!!

Tuesday Word of the Day

Behoove

It doesn't even look like a real word, but, I just like the way it sounds...

Definition: To be necessary, or proper, or appropriate; to fit or to be advantageous.

Nonni

Nonni is at the hospital again.  Prayers are always needed and appreciated. 

I will fill you in when I know more. 

The Weekend

It was  a successful weekend and I got a lot accomplished.  Made 8-1/2 pints of corn cob jelly.  We made sauce (both marinara and meat).  I got my clothes changed out for the fall and winter.  I hung three loads of laundry outside today and only one went into the dryer.  We had beautiful weather on Sunday!

Watched a football game, taught Zumba, taught my CCD Class, cheered on the runners and walkers at the cancer walk (I got there too late, so I played cheerleader for the morning).  Straightened up the attic (I know what I need to get rid of now!).  Took six bags of clothes to the Kiducation Clothes Box at our church!  Went shopping with my daughter  - I got two pairs of shoes for work - desperately needed!  I went to church and I also got my Halloween decorations up and I'm done!

I had a great, busy weekend!!!

I hope you all did, too!

PS - pictures are coming, I promise.  I know how to use the camera but I just have to figure out how to load them on the computer......

More updates....

I feel like all I've been giving is updates, but I have been swamped with so many things....(hence the name of the blog :)  )

Update on Nonni - she is doing well.  I "sat" for her this week twice and she was doing very well.  She still needs help to walk which is fine, but she is doing awesome with her memory/brain function (She can do seek-a-word puzzles better than most).  She knew my name (always very important!!).  She watched the Yankee game and Dancing with the Stars and everyone who has been "sitting" for her says she is doing great!!  I am hoping in a couple of more weeks to take her back to church! 

CSA Today:
6 ears of corn (yes, more corn cob jelly coming up...you have to try this! - remind me to give you a 1/2 pint)
1 Zucchini
2 Yellow Squash
3 Cucumbers
2 Turnips
4 Tomatoes
1/2 lb of string beans
1 Dozen eggs (but I switched it out and got another 1-1/2 lbs of string beans - more for the freezer - we will be eating a lot of string beans this winter)
2 heads of green leaf lettuce

Work is going well, I am busy, so that is always good!  Teaching Zumba four nights a week plus all my other jobs, so I'm not complaining as I know others who still don't have a job. 

Lots and lots of rain here in the northeast - the chicken coop looked like a pond this morning - it is time to move it to a grassier area of the lawn (although, I am seriously thinking about getting a new coop for the winter)! 

Cleaned the kitchen this week - really cleaned it - it was quite bad!!!!  Next project is the attic - I need to throw away stuff I have been saving since my kids were in library school  - they were two and three years old (so for almost twenty years I have been saving this stuff)......With the change of weather, comes the change in wardrobe, so I need to take down my winter clothes and start looking for some new things.  It is fall.......time to cleanse and simplify!

Dad is doing okay - just the normal fatigue that comes 24 -72 hours after a big chemo treatment.  There is a walk for cancer this Saturday morning at the local hospital.  I'll be there right after Zumba.

Going to watch my nephew play football this weekend - it should be fun! 

I still have tons of green tomatoes in the garden - they don't seem to be turning red.....
I'll be picking peas this week, too. 

My daughter was invited to the local high school formal dance at the end of November.  She is searching for a dress now on the internet.  I'll be in dress-finding mode in a few weeks.....

My fried chicken from last weekend came out wonderful - thank you Nonni in heaven for the recipe!  I hadn't had it in years.  Local chicken from the CSA....so nice!  

While I've been "sitting" for Nonni and watching TV with her, I've taken up crocheting again.  I should be done with one afghan for my nephew for Christmas within the next two weeks or so.  (hopefully).  I would really like to get another one done by Christmas but I'm not pushing it.  I did find another project that I would like to try to make for Christmas gifts this year.  (last year it was the aprons)  I'll let you know when I get a better handle on what this project entails!

That is enough for today - I will try to stay more current this weekend!