A Reflection:The final day of the year and decade

It's been an interesting 10 years to say the least full of changes and indecision and new paths. This past year has left us still in a place of uncertainty as we wait to hear on job applications that have been in place for many months. We are expecting a new addition to our family in just a couple short weeks. This year has also taught me to love my sewing machine even though I quite frequently have a hate relationship with it as well.

I am thankful for my husband and child. They give me great pleasure as well as the normal heartaches and aggravation. I'm sure I dish out just as much to them.
I am thankful for the roof over our heads even though the situation itself is less than ideal and quite frequently hard to accept from a lack of independence.
I am thankful for the work my husband has been able to acquire this past year and very thankful that we've had health insurance through his service to country.
I am thankful that I get to be a stay at home parent to my child even though it came with a few prices (the SAHM came as a result of numerous layoffs and childcare being an unaffordable option in today's economy).
I am thankful to have a fairly healthy pregnancy with our second child and am happily awaiting her arrival.
I am thankful for the friends we have who have been so supportive emotionally when we've needed it.
I am thankful for the wonderful support network I've made with some incredible women online who I can go to when I want to learn how to be even more eco-friendly or just budget conscious in general (they're who really got me to try knitting again, albeit slowly, so that I could help cut some of our diapering costs).
And most importantly I am thankful for the health of my family and myself and that we have made it through this past year relatively unscathed.

In the coming year I look forward to:

Job opportunities for my husband that he will enjoy and is looking forward to
Time spent with my husband and two children
Learning some more domestic skills that have fallen by the wayside but are slowly making a comeback (like canning which I look very forward to finally jarring up my own sauce)
Some sort of stability (if it can be called that for anyone) and getting back on our feet
And I look forward to getting the ocassional bit of quality time to myself so that I can continue sewing and maybe even pick up some of my old favorite books for a re-read.

These past few years have lead me on a journey that I never would have imagined for myself. I got married to my wonderful husband almost 6 years ago. We had our first child just a couple short years ago who is growing into a wonderfully imaginative person. My plans for serving my country didn't pan out originally but it's still not off the table in a year or two at which time I will look into my options again as it's still something that plays in the back of my mind.

I still haven't quite figured out the direction I'd like to take for finishing my college education but I'm slowly realizing that I'd still like to be able to do something that helps people. Originally that was going to law school and specializing in family law because I wanted to work with adoptions. It's still an option. My other option that has been coming to mind lately is becoming a chiropractor. I've not been injured but in terms of the daily wear and tear on my body of caring for and nursing a toddler it has been beneficial to be able to go so that I can be physically comfortable again. And even in my pregnancy it is proving to be a beneficial tool and something I am seriously considering as I'd like to see more people have the same comfort factor and option for pain relief.

This decade has taught me even more about loss as both my father and his sister, my aunt, passed away. They were two of my favorite people in the world and their passings came at crucial times in my life when I could have used their guidance and had to go about my life without it. And while I rarely show the emotions from their loss I will admit that I am deeply saddened but I know that they are onto bigger and better things. The loss of my father-in-law also occured barely more than a year into our marriage and that was also difficult to deal with and accept for the entire family. These people were all important to us and to who we've become and their presence will be missed especially as our family expands.

I am slowly learning as well that I can't plan everything much to my chagrin. I still try to and I am learning to try to go more with the flow. You'd think I'd have this down after over three decades, but nope. My wish for everyone in the coming year is to have health, a turnaround for the sadness in their lives, the ability and will to follow their dreams/heart even if they think no one is cheering for them and more happiness overall.

Happy New Year to all! And best wishes for a green and prosperous year ahead!

Ok, updates will be coming

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been enjoying time with my husband and child the past couple weeks while were in job limbo.

Updates I have coming.... A tutorial on replacing the elastic in BumGenius diapers since the only one out there is on Diaper Swappers and I am sick of the viruses...Anyone else?

Putting a gusset onto the older style Happy Heiny Diapers. I want to test this out first before I post to see if it actually works. Plus, I'm converting one of these to snaps as well, so I'll post that as well.

And if I have any good recipes I'll obviously share those.

I'm in the midst of working on the diapers currently and trying to complete Christmas projects as well. So sit tight and stay tuned!

Happy Monday!

Tuna salad with egg

Ok, I didn't get to post this earlier. I "passed" my three hour glucose test that I took earlier however I still have to test/monitor myself because I was spilling it at the doctor's office. So, 3 numbers in and only my fasting one was normal so far. Hopefully my lunch number is good because I am starving beyond belief right now.


TUNA SALAD WITH EGG

1 small can of Albacore tuna drained well
3 hard boiled eggs chopped coarsely
1/2 large onion chopped fine
3 tbsp mayo (heaping, I just eyeball the wet ingredients and add more to suit my tastes... I know some people like their salads runnier, just fix to suit your tastes)
4 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp spicy brown mustard
1/2 tsp garlic salt, pepper, dill weed, paprika, onion powder (again adjust to your tastes after giving it small taste once mixed)


Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. I usually mix them all together when they're cold because I don't like warm salad. Serve on whatever bread you like or even scoop some onto lettuce and tomato and eat. There should be about 3-4 servings here on regular size bread. And it keeps well in the fridge for about 3-4 days and tends to get better overnight because the flavors really meld together. I will try to post a pic later when I can grab the camera.

It's been a long week

I've been going non-stop with running errands. I took my one hour glucose test and failed so I have to do the three hour tomorrow. I don't foresee passing because I had Gestational Diabetes (henceforth to be known as GD) when I was pregnant last time. So, this puts me at a huge conundrum for the holidays because I always associate it like most others with great food. I am not baking this year though just because I'm getting too tired to stand over a hot oven. And if I do fail the test tomorrow I am at an even bigger problem in terms of eating. There's a problem if my body acts the same as last time I had it (most veggies made my numbers high so I avoided them as did most carbs which I also avoided). And with this pregnancy I am usually unable to tolerate meat and especially can't cook it. So, that will leave me with very few options of things to eat. I'm pretty much set to eggs and cheese and possibly tuna or non-offensive fish if I can keep that down. And lettuce. Lots and lots of lettuce. Not a great menu when you get down to it. Plus, starvation comes in leaps and bounds with that kind of diet. And no amount of extra calories can help the hunger go away with a protein laden diet. Note: I could never do Atkins or Sugar Busters or any of those kinds of diets that tell you all carbs are bad!


On another note of things going on I will be getting to sit down at the serger this week which I'm looking forward. And I've been able to do some productive things at home just in cleaning up the mess that gets made daily with a toddler. And Christmast gifts are in the starting stages of progress. I just need to sit down and think of some other gifts that will be appreciated for the rest of the family. The husband and toddler will enjoy everything I have planned I am sure. That is all for tonight I guess. I will try to post my tuna salad recipe tomorrow since I plan on making it for lunch. It may sound funny, but I promise that it is very good. Try it once. If you hate it you at least tried something new and if you like it then it can always be added into lunch rotations when you have a craving for it. :-) Good night all!

One of my versions of crock pot chili

Today is a throw it in the crock day. And it's vegetarian (probably vegan but I didn't look closely at the ingredients in the cans)

Here it is:

3/4 pound of dried kidney beans (these were already prepped and in the freezer ready to go. So, it's probably about 5 cups of beans prepped)
1 14 oz. can black beans
1 14 oz. can garbanzo beans
4 14 oz. cans zesty chili seasoned tomatoes
4 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp cumin
2 tsp onion powder
1 large onion chopped
9 oz. green chilis
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper, garlic salt, paprika

Throw it all in the crock pot and let simmer for 8 hours. Top with shredded cheddar and serve with brown rice or whatever floats your boat.

**Warning, if you're not going to be home during the day to stir this one add some olive oil (about 2 tbsp to the crock to help prevent some overcooking). I usually make this when I know I'm going to be home and able to stir throughout the day so the tomatoes don't burn. Nothing like burnt chili to turn you off!
And one more thing.... I go by smell usually when cooking so I know if it needs to be reseasoned. I also like my seasonings on the heavier side. If you don't adjust as needed. And since this is vegetarian this is one of those things that if you are giving an occasional stir throughout the day to also give a quick taste to make sure it suits your desires.

Another Egg Salad Variation

This is for 2 people.

I have a hard time choking down anything with mayonnaise in it without something to block the taste. It may look weird but the flavor is really good.

4 hard boiled eggs chopped to whatever size you like
1/4 small onion diced fine
1.5 TBSP mayo
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tsp brown mustard or a spicy mustard
salt and pepper to taste
1/8 tsp garlic powder and dill weed and paprika

Sometimes I add a 3 or 4 chopped fine green olives for a little more zing. Mix all ingredients together and let chill for a little bit if you can. If not still good just mixed. I serve on a kaiser roll with a tomato slice or pickle slices and chips or cheesy tortillas on the side. Great lunch.

Halloweeen is over...

Thankfully. We didn't do anything because it was rainy and we were just flat out tired. So, we did relax for the most part. But, now with the cold weather approaching that means crock-potting should really kick into full gear. Especially before the new baby arrives so I can cook without too much stress. Throw it in the pot and let it do it's thing! So, stay tuned. I will run the gamut of some of our past favorites. Most are meat recipes because I hadn't really gone towards vegetarian leanings yet, but as I concoct something that is tasty I will be sure to post that recipe as well for any who might appreciate it. Here's the first: Not making today so I don't have a picture, but my very picky in-laws who think my cooking is generally weird (even though you'd pay out the nose at a restaurant for it) like this...

Crock pot roast beef (6qt)

2.5 lbs bottom round roast
4 potatoes peeled and cubed
1 large onion diced
3 large carrots peeled and julienned
1 can of golden mushroom soup (if you have home made, even better!)
1/2 cup of water
1 tsp each of the following: garlic powder, paprika, parsley
1/4 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp each of salt and fresh cracked pepper
Variations tried: add 10 oz. sliced mushrooms (love)
can also just use 1 cup beef broth in crock in lieu of mushroom soup and the water, but it will be more juice than gravy. Still good to sop up with bread though.


Place beef in pot fat side up! Add rest of ingredients and put on low for at least 8 hours. 10 is better to be honest. When it's ready pull beef out carefully and pull off fat layer. Put back in pot and shred the meat which is what it will want to do anyway. Serve with warm crusty bread and small side salad. Great on rainy, chilly nights!