What I've been doing (or not)

1. ... [not] blogging of course. Why? I'm not too sure. I'm a slacker. And I've been uninspired.

2. Babysitting a sweet girl, Junebug.

3. Watching Big Love, season 1. I didn't know this show existed until a few months ago (we don't have a tv, ok?). I'm not sure I really like it yet, or that I want to spend the time watching all the way through season 4. What I do know is that Bill Paxton sure gets a whoooooooooole lotta sexy time. Wow.

4. Taxes. Ugh. Not fun when you're self-employed.

5. Enjoying the gorgeous spring weather we've been having.

6. Sewing here and there. I've been making lots of aprons, but I'm seriously considering starting to make some clothes for myself. I will need lots of help though.

7. Planning our vacations. We are going to Hilton Head with my family in August, and Josh and I are hoping to go to the Cape Cod area for our anniversary this year. Please let me know if you have suggestions on where to stay/what to do!

8. Teaching my little rascals. 10 of my students are under the age of 8. Lord help me.

9. Making my own pizza dough. Here at the Macs, we eat a lot of pizza. Mostly homemade. It's kind of my go-to meal. I've been using Fleischman's pizza dough yeast (not bread yeast), and substituting some whole wheat flour. It turns out great!

10. Planting a garden with some friends. More to come on that later... As soon as I figure out how to get the pictures from my iphone to my computer. In the meantime, I can't wait for yummy veggies this summer! And we will have LOTS.

What I want to do in Twenty Ten

I'm still not used to writing '10. It's weird. And yes, I realize it's halfway through January. I better get movin'.

I didn't really make New Year's resolutions. I was so busy over the holidays I kind of forgot about it to be honest. There are plenty of goals that I have- be a better wife (you know- keep the house cleaner and cook more--- kidding), be a better friend, love God more, etc. But I want to tell you about what I want to DO this year! Real, practical sorta stuff.

1. Make (and eat) a red velvet cake.

yummmmmmmmm

2. Sew at least one item of clothing from a pattern. In my opinion, that's when someone is really good- when they can follow the pattern!

3. Do more thrift store shopping and upcycling.

4. Eat more "whole" foods and cook healthier. I just stumbled across this search engine, and I'm excited about trying it.


5. Take more pictures. I'd have a lot more to blog about if I had more pictures.

6. Be able to get through more than one circuit of Jillian Michael's workout DVDs. (And recover in less than 4 days.)She is a scary, scary woman.

7. Sew a quilt?? Maybe, I don't know. It would be a cute one though, not all country and stuff.

8. Sew more aprons in new styles.

9. Take a vacay to Cape Cod with my hubby.

10. Start/participate in/attend a crafty/sewing social event on a regular basis. I would love to sew/craft with others!

What I've been doing, besides not blogging

I haven't been blogging. Duh. I feel guilty, but I shouldn't, because it's supposed to be for fun and fun only. So there, I'm done feeling guilty.

Here's what I've been up to:

1. We had Thanksgiving in the good ol' US of A last week. I made mashed potatoes and two apple pies. I still have half of an apple pie in my fridge if anyone wants to come eat it! We had quite a potato peel incident right before we had to leave for T-giving- someone (ahem, Lydia) forgot to run the disposal until there were 10 lb. of potato peels in the sink. Let's just say we had to use the toilet plunger in the kitchen sink. Yuck.

2. Being a kitchen failure. It all started with the potato peel incident of 2009 (I blame Lydia only to take the real blame off of myself- I know, I'm a saint). On Tuesday, I was boiling a whole chicken, and while trying to take it out (with two large spoons) of the hot, greasy, gross water, it slipped and fell back in the hot, greasy, gross water and splashed ALLLLLL over me, the floor, the wall. Well, me being a genius thought that would just be a once and done thing- so I tried again. Slipped again. Tried again. Slipped again. Humph. Greasy, gross, chicken water all over me and my kitchen.

3. I started a fire. In the kitchen, no less. I think remnants of the greasy, gross, chicken water incident of 2009 were still on the burner of the stove the next day. I was trying to boil some rice, but I turned the wrong burner on. There was a lid to a pot on the [wrong] burner that I turned on, and while I'm doing dishes, Josh yells, "ABBY!" I turn around, and there is a flame coming from the burner. Yes. I caught the metal lid on fire. Oh, you didn't know that metal could catch on fire?? Me either. Welp folks, she's done it again.

4. Decorating for Christmas. Hopefully I won't catch our Christmas tree on fire with my mad kitchen skills. We got our tree this past weekend. I think it is the earliest I have ever gotten a tree in my life. Growing up we always got it about the week OF Christmas.

Also, Josh broke my kitchen scissors trying to cut the top of our Christmas tree off. I will be expecting a new pair in my stocking!

Dancing and [not] being a hipster. My sisters and I (minus Lydia- sorry Lyd) and our husbands/boyfriend went hipster bowling and dancing this past weekend. I'm REALLLLLLY good at bowling. I think my score was 54. Here's a pic of my great form:

Best picture ever:

I clearly didn't get the no smiling memo.

Love these girls! (I love you too, Lydia!)

I'm back! Plus interesting article

Oh, dear blog, how I've missed you. Oh yes, I've missed my bloggy friends too. This past weekend turned into a busy, non-internet time for us. Well, we didn't really have a choice, as the Verizon guy couldn't come until yesterday. But we are all moved, settled, and mostly unpacked. Pictures of the new place to come later! Unfortunately, I don't have time for a real post today... i have a mountain of sewing projects hanging over me that I put on the back burner while the moving process occurred. So, i must go.

But I want to share this article. It's long, but a good read. The article shows that buying SOLE foods (Sustainable, Organic, Local, and Ethical) can be done on a food stamps budget. I am pretty conscious of what food I buy and eat, but I could do a much better job. Honestly, it's laziness- it takes more effort and time to go to the Farmer's market for a few items, and grocery store for others. And also, I do have it in my head that buying organic, free-range, healthy food items is for rich people. Guess not.

I also looked up CSAs- in the article, she talks about being a part of this "community supported agriculture." I didn't even know that existed until now, and I think it's a really great concept. Basically, you buy a "share" of the farm, and usually from June-October/November, you'll get a box of fresh fruits/veggies every week. Some require a few hours of work every season, but you get to know the farmer and even the cows. I looked it up and there are actually a lot of farms around me that do it. I might think about it for next year. Have any of you joined a CSA or know anyone that has? Am I the last person in the world who has never heard of it?? (I'm always afraid that I'm the last person to hear about things, and then when I talk about it, you are all bored.)

Ok, I must end this non-post post. Will be back tomorrow... hopefully.

Pesto Panini

I made the best dinner the other night. It was so easy and I just made it up on the fly because we didn't have much food in the house. I got the, "mmm, mmmmmmm, MMMMMMMMMM," from Josh, so that's always a good sign. (I know I know, go ahead and say it!)

Ingredients:
yummy, fresh, crusty bread (I used a round loaf)
pesto (I made my own using this recipe, but Trader Joe's also has good pre-made pesto.)
chicken (if you don't eat meat, substitute fresh mozzarella)
1 garlic clove
mozzarella cheese
tomatoes- I used cherry tomatoes b/c that's all I had
salt and pepper

1. Put some olive oil in a pan and warm it. Mince the garlic into the pan. Cut the chicken into small strips. Cook the chicken in the garlic and oil. You could also grill the chicken.
2. Get out your handy George Forman grill.
3. Cut the bread and layer pesto, cheese, chicken, tomatoes, and more cheese. You want the cheese to hold the sandwich together.

4. Spray your grill with cooking spray.
5. Load it up! Cook for about 3-5 minutes, until brown.

Yummy, cheesy, pesto-y goodness! Serve with whatever you feel like serving it with!

Peas and Clotheslines

1. We picked a lot of peas in our Community Garden last night because pea season is just about up 'round these parts. See?

I will be busy looking up recipes to see what I can do with them today. The goal for our Community Garden is to give fresh food (or food made from fresh, healthy ingredients) to a local food pantry, Manna on Main Street. Anyone have any ideas?? Pea Soup?? Does anyone really like pea soup?? I'm not sure if I do. These peas are really good though, very sweet. Hmmmmm....

2. I finally got my clothesline up and running. (Ok it doesn't really "run", it is just tied to a tree). I love hanging my clothes out to dry because #1 it saves money on our energy bill, and #2 I feel like I am being environmentally friendly and that is a good feeling. The only downside, I have found, is the towels. They get too stiff. There is nothing like the feeling of a towel just out of the dryer! So soft and warm...

Anyway, I needed something pretty to put my clothespins in, so I made this!

Doesn't it just look so cute hanging there?

Maybe I'm overly sentimental.

I just like to have pretty things (especially things I can make myself) around when I am doing mundane tasks like doing the laundry. It really helps with the mundane-ness.

I got the idea from this blog that I like, Made by Rae . Of course hers looks a lot prettier than mine. But I wanted mine to have a hole on both sides, so I could reach in from either side of the clothesline. And see how the circle has little waves in it?

I kind of like it, but I didn't mean for it to turn out that way. I actually don't know how to sew a complete circle. "Seams" to me that there will always be a fold somewhere (sorry, couldn't help it!) Still lots to learn!

Fork 'n Knife Quesadillas

What I had planned on blogging today was my new ruffle shirt. But I have some adjustments to make to it because it didn't turn out so well. Soooo.... here we go! My first recipe (maybe my only, too!)

I made a yummy dinner a few nights ago: Fork 'n Knife Quesadillas. You can't really pick it up, hence the "fork and knife." Josh said, "Where did you get this recipe?" And I quickly and proudly responded, "I made it up!" (Well, it's partially true. Sister Bekah made me quesadillas once with corn and beans, so the corn and bean idea was hers 6 years ago!)

Here we go!

You will need:

corn (I used some leftover corn on the cob- 2 ears, already cooked- It's in season right now, so I highly recommend it! But you could use frozen if you want. Just DON'T use canned corn. Yuck!)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 lime
a few sprigs of cilantro
1 pkg. Mexican blend cheese
tortilla shells
salt 'n peppa
sour cream
salsa
lettuce
tomato

Mix together the corn and black beans. Add juice of 1 lime and the cilantro. I just snipped it right into the bowl. If you like the cilantro taste, add a lot. If you don't, well then don't! Add a little salt 'n peppa.

Spray one side of the tortilla shell with cooking spray and add a little salt to the shell. Flip it over onto a cookie sheet or stone, and add a small palmful of cheese. Add some of the bean mixture, and put more cheese on top. Top with another tortilla, spray the top, and add salt to shell. Repeat for however many you want to make. Two quesadillas were plenty for my hungry husband and me.

Bake at 350 for approximately 10 minutes, or until the tortillas start to brown a bit.

When it is done, plop it on your plate and top with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and salsa, if you wish. You could serve it with Mexican rice. (I wish I took a picture of the final product! You can just imagine how pretty it looked.)

Easy!! And so yummy! And good for you too!

My weekend

Hi! I am trying to think of something special to do on Mondays- like a funny video or how-to or something- you know, to give Mondays a little lift (not that it matters to me, since Mondays are pretty much just like any other day for me!) So today, the special treat is this link:

Our Best Bites

I don't really know how I came across it, but seriously, these recipes are so good. Most of them are very easy, and you don't have to go all over the world to find the ingredients, which is important to me. I hate buying something I will only ever use once in a recipe.

I made the Spicy Honey Chicken, Spicy Honey Chicken salad with the leftovers, cupcake frosting, grilled potatoes, and creamy pesto pasta so far- YUM! Everything was so good.

Ok, now for my weekend update:

On Friday, I made these:

I actually didn't try them so I don't know what they taste like, but they look yummy! I used the cupcake frosting recipe from Our Best Bites. I did have a taste of that while I was making it and it was sooo yummy and creamy.

Then, Rachael and Austin (sister and boyfriend) came over and we watched He's Just Not That Into You. Did anyone else see that yet? I never read the book, but I didn't like the movie very much. A lot of it is about how girls just talk and talk and get these things into their heads about how much a guy likes them, and they read into these "signals" (which aren't really signals), and inside the girl's head the guy is in love with her, but the guy is actually thinking "when can I end this?" This all seems very true. So, this is what happens in the movie and it's funny and ridiculous, but then everyone is happy at the end and it doesn't seem like anyone learned any lessons! (sorry if I ruined the ending for you).

On Saturday, I had a recital for some of my students: (hence the cupcakes)

Me with five of my students.

They did a great job! I always get nervous before my student recitals because I just want them to do well (and all of their parents and grandparents are in the room). Don't they just all look so cute? I love it. I also make them introduce themselves and their piece before playing, for a few reasons:

1. because it is good for them to practice speaking in public and projecting their voice
   
2. I had to do it, so they should too.
   
3. It is just so darn cute! (is that mean??) "Hi, my name is so and so, and I will be playing such and such." but in a 5 year old's voice. I love it.

It was a very nice recital, very short, with yummy treats afterward.

After the recital, Josh and I went to the mall to get a few new things for our vacation! We decided this past Friday to go to Cancun for a few days! We are very excited/I am a little nervous. You know, just about the kidnappings, drug cartels, and swine flu.... that's all. So, if you don't hear from me by next Wednesday, please come to Mexico and rescue us. Gracias. No, but seriously, they say it is safe, and we will be at a big resort..... sooo, yeah.

So anyway, we (and by "we" I mean mostly "I") bought a few new clothing items for our trip. Then we went to our friends Ben and Lindsey's house for dinner. Fun day!

On Sunday, I made this:

A sunglasses case!

I noticed that I had a huge scratch on my sunglasses, so I need to get another pair before we leave for our trip. I always just buy the cheapos. But I wanted to make a case because that sounded easy and so that my new pair wouldn't get scratched in my purse. Here is the lining:
You can see that I kind of messed up the top stitch. I should have had it on a bigger stitch. It got a little crooked. However, in my defense, it was really hard getting it under the machine because I put some kind of felt in there to make it soft and give the sunglasses more protection. So it was a bit "fiddly" under the machine. I learned that word from a blog I read and I just love that word. It gets stuck in my head. Does that ever happen to you? Just one word getting stuck in your head?

Anyway, last night we went to Rachael's softball game. Good job, Rach!

I think she was embarrassed that I was taking pictures. I snuck this one on the right!

Josh was embarrassed too. Come on people, I am a blogger now! :)

Have a good Monday! Make something yummy for dinner!