3/9/09

It's Monday...again

Mondays...you either love them or hate them. For me, it was one of those days I felt I was always two steps behind schedule. Must be the time change...my brain is an hour behind the real world.

The trees/bushes are budding out. The 70 degree weather for the last few days is really bringing on Spring!

I did get the cabbages and broccoli planted in the garden over the weekend.

And tomorrow is Tuesday. Hooray!

3/4/09

Is it Spring Yet??

After a cold start to the week...things seem to be looking up. Maybe I will actually get some gardening chores done this weekend. I have some cabbage transplants, broccoli babies, and beet/carrot/mesclun seeds to plant.

I am sooo ready for a little dirt therapy!

2/27/09

UGH...rain, more rain, and SNOW??

I really had high hopes to get out into the garden and get my cabbage and broccoli planted this weekend...but the weatherman is not cooperating...AT ALL!

Rained all day today...flash flood watch.
More rain tomorrow...flash flood watch continues. Chance of severe thunderstorms/tornados.
Sunday...they're calling for 2-4 inches of snow.

Sheesh.

Guess I'll scrap some layouts of my garden...and just dream for a day that's suitable to play in the dirt.

Hope you and yours are well and have a fantastic weekend!

2/25/09

Time to Plan the Garden

Here in the SE United States, spring is around the corner. It's time to plan the garden, plow/turn the soil, order/gather seeds and so forth.


This year I am determined to 'work smarter, not harder'. I will win the battle of the weeds. (Positive thinking...go with me on this...ha!)


I read an article that suggested laying old cardboard over the entire garden, moistening it, and covering it with a mulch. Then when it's time to plant, the cardboard will be softened enough to put your hole in it and plant your little seedling.




I'm really considering this idea! What do you think? Do you have a great way to make the garden less labor intensive?? Email me your ideas and I'll put them all together into a little "Helpful Hints for the Garden" for everyone.


Have a wonderful Wednesday. Say "hello" to someone you don't know today. It might be the only smile they receive today.


2/23/09

Economical Chicken 3-Ways

The best way to stretch your grocery dollar is to make multiple meals out of a single meat. For example...my grocery store had packages of bone-in chicken breasts on special for $.98/pound.
So...I bought several and stocked up the freezer. The real stretch comes from how I prepared the chicken...I cooked 1 package of 4 breasts in the Pressure cooker until tender. When cooled, I put the breasts in the fridge. I saved the stock made from cooking the chicken and put in the fridge.

Dinner number 1: Pasta w/Santa Fe Style Chicken. I deboned and sliced 2 of the chicken breasts...made a quick sauce of olive oil, chili powder, cumin, can of chili style diced tomatoes, 1/4 of large onion diced into large pieces. I served over whole grain pasta and had a small mixed green salad. Delicious! Served 3 for dinner...and have left-overs for lunch tomorrow.

Dinner number 2: I will dice up the remaining chicken and make a nice chicken salad. I'll probably make a traditional chicken, apples and pecan salad.

Dinner number 3: Chicken and Dumplins or Chicken Soup. I'll make more broth by boiling the meat still on the 4 bones. Add whatever veggies/pasta/rice sounds good to me at the time.

For a 4 pound package of chicken that cost me roughly $4.00...you have to admit that making a meal that costs under $1 serving is outstanding budget stretching!

2/22/09

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This is the Day that the Lord hath made...

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Wherever you are...whatever your situation...whatever your needs...you have the choice to be joy-full. I pray you make that choice today.

One way to bring joy back into your life is to do something that you enjoy. I have loved scrapbooking for years. I get a thrill when I take an ordinary snapshot and turn it into a work of art.








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Today is the Lord's Day...remember to praise Him and thank Him for the many blessings in your life. I have thanked Him for you today.