November Goals: Keeping It Simple

 

This month we've got a lot going on.  Caleb will be starting Montessori classes and working on potty training with someone other than me.  The renovations are meant to start.  The house will be torn apart.  I want to handle this month with as much grace and patience as I can, so I'm trying to keep my goals fairly simple and to the point of what I know absolutely must be done.

Outdoors:  Clear out the garden pots, though I'll leave the carrots if they appear to be okay.  I have compost I can spread on them that is ripe and then I'll see if I can gather enough leaves and pine straw to mulch the tops of the beds.  

Step by Step

 

Start where you are. Use what you have.  Do what you can. ~ Arthur Ashe

A few years ago, I used the above quote as inspiration for a full year to recreate my home.  I wanted to make my home pretty, functional and comfortable.  As I sat about moaning and groaning about the lack of funds, the lack of material, the lack of time, the lack of skill, I stumbled upon the above quote.  

It led me on quite a journey, so that my home was transformed into something that is cozy, comfortable, has personality.  And so was I.

Thrifty Thursday: Roll With It

 

I took the more difficult path last Thursday afternoon.  I wanted to make Enchiladas but had no tortillas.  I'd asked twice if others who were going out would please pick some up.  No one did.  I finally decided that since I didn't want to go to town myself, I'd just pull out my recipe and make some.  So I did.  I got fifteen and gave the 16th to Caleb to roll out on his own with his little rolling pin.  I cooked it for him, too, and he ate every bite of it.  

Truth: they were a tad too thick, and they were tough.  I'm pretty sure I know where I went wrong.  I skipped adding the oil called for and didn't knead them quite enough.  I knew this but just pushed ahead anyway.  Next time, I'll do this in a timelier way and knead them properly.

The Homemaker Plans Her Week: I'll Put It Somewhere

 

I'm not in the market for a new house, but I found myself looking at them of late anyway.  The other day we were in some neighborhood or another and I saw the nicest little English Tudor style home that was obviously new. In a world of cookie cutter look alike houses (not knocking them after all, you can hardly get more cookie cutter than a double wide!),  it was so refreshing to see a home that had unique detailing.  It wasn't a home with a massive soaring roofline, nor with ten different gables.  It just had one lovely curving peak above the front door and then a standard roofline but as an admirer of the 1920's and 30's Tudor style homes, I knew immediately that this house was meant to be like those storybook Tudor cottages of the past.  

Diary of a Homemaker's Week: Acknowledging Limitations

 

Saturday:  Since we had no real plans for today, nor any bagels or croissants, John and I played tag team in the kitchen together and cooked various components of a big breakfast, which is one of his ideals.  It was good and most welcome on a chilly Saturday morning.

Thrifty Thursday: This and That

 

We had the kiddos on Saturday afternoon for just a few short hours.  Pizza was the menu, as it so often is for those three.  I had a portion of pizza dough in the freezer that I'd saved when making pizza last time they were over.  I let it thaw in the fridge overnight, set it out at room temperature about an hour prior to cooking and it rose up like a champion.

On Sunday, we went into the grocery to pick up lunch.  BAD idea.  I picked up extras.  A Carrot bar cake (reasonable) but I could have bought at least 10pounds of carrots for the price.  Sandwiches, chips.  John had said "It will be cheaper than eating out."  Uhm...NO, it was not.  But we did get two meals off the stuff so there's that.

The Homemaker Plans Her Week: Letting Go of Every Plan...

 

Did you ever have the feeling that the universe just waits for you to announce that you have a plan and then kicks it good and hard?  My whole plan to return to routine went off into the air at the end of last week when I learned that Caleb will be starting school part time in two weeks' time.  It's only for a half day but it does change things somewhat.  Not an ill change mind you.  It's something I think Caleb very much needs in order to be prepared for school this next year.

As well, our plans to have Millie over every Thursday to play with Caleb has gone kaput with Caleb being gone.  So, it's all changing already.  I told you all, I could feel changes ahead and I suspect this is the tip of the iceberg.  So be it.  Let the changes roll in and we'll just stand here and watch them come and adjust accordingly.