I made bread today! It was my first time ever making homemade bread...and it turned out sooo yummy. David says I should make it every day. I don't know about that, but I will definitely make it again. It was pretty easy too! See the recipe here.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
mmmmm....
I made bread today! It was my first time ever making homemade bread...and it turned out sooo yummy. David says I should make it every day. I don't know about that, but I will definitely make it again. It was pretty easy too! See the recipe here.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day to both of our moms and grandmas! You are each wonderful and very special to us!
David, Theo and I celebrated "Happy Puppy Mother's Day" today. Theo helped David make me a yummy breakfast of omelette and fried potatoes and then served me breakfast in bed. Theo also gave me a very sweet card and a movie I have been wanting (27 Dresses). It was a wonderful morning with my boys!
David, Theo and I celebrated "Happy Puppy Mother's Day" today. Theo helped David make me a yummy breakfast of omelette and fried potatoes and then served me breakfast in bed. Theo also gave me a very sweet card and a movie I have been wanting (27 Dresses). It was a wonderful morning with my boys!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Extreme Makeover: Dog Edition
Before:
After:
Theo got his hair cut the other day and I swear, if I wasn't his puppy mother, I would never know he was the same dog! He looks so completely different, and even his personality has changed a bit since his haircut. I have to admit, I loved his fluffiness, and I cried the first time I saw him with all of his hair gone. I love him just the same, he just seems more "handsome" than "cute" now.
After:
Theo got his hair cut the other day and I swear, if I wasn't his puppy mother, I would never know he was the same dog! He looks so completely different, and even his personality has changed a bit since his haircut. I have to admit, I loved his fluffiness, and I cried the first time I saw him with all of his hair gone. I love him just the same, he just seems more "handsome" than "cute" now.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Blog Re-Design!
I was tired of my blog looking so boring, so I re-designed it. It's not exactly professional looking...but it's much more fun and bright now. I'm happy with it!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
A couple of months ago David and I joined a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, every week we go to a nearby pick-up location and pick up a big box with our name on it, containing 12-14 different kinds of fruits and vegetables (all organic and locally grown when possible). We love it!!
We have been eating so much healthier now because of all the fresh produce we've been getting. And you definitely notice a difference between certain veggies that are grown organically and ones that are not. I sent David to the store to buy green bell peppers the other day because we ran out, and he was rather grossed out by the thick coat of wax covering all of them. It's something that we never noticed before, but now that we've had fresh from the ground stuff it's easy to see a difference. Plus, we've gotten to try things that we've never eaten before and that I would probably never think of to buy...like sunchokes (a little like a water chesnut and yummy in salads or omlettes) and rainbow chard. As the summer gets closer, I'm excited at the thought of all the yummy fresh fruit that will be coming our way!
My biggest reason for wanting to join a CSA is because I really want to support local organic farms. I think it's pretty silly that in our culture that we often go to the store and buy items that have traveled 10,000+ miles to get to us, when we could buy the same item and have it come from a local farm where it only traveled 30 miles to get to us. By buying fruits and veggies that are locally grown we save resources and also wind up getting fresher produce in the process! I will say, that it is a much harder task to buy only local produce items in the winter and spring months. Our CSA is one of the few that even operates outside of the summer season. They get by by having partnerships with other organic farms throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. But, they always try to buy as local as possible while still maintaining quality (which is obviously much easier done in the summer and fall).
Some info on how to find and pick a CSA:
There are so many CSA's popping up everywhere, that it was very hard for me to choose one. I went to the Local Harvest website and spent several days weighing the pros and cons of each CSA. I wound up choosing Full Circle Farm. It is probably one of the biggest CSA's around, which comes with pluses and minuses. A huge plus for me is that each Friday we are e-mailed the list of what items will be in our box the next week, and I can then make up to 5 substitutions from a "substitution list." This is incredibly convenient, because then we don't wind up getting brussel sprouts or asparagus (which David and I both hate) and have it go to waste. Full Circle Farm also operates all year round, which most CSA's dont. Most of the smaller CSA's have a set "growing season" (often 12-16 weeks during the summer/early fall), and often you have to buy what they call a "share" ahead of time, usually in early spring (we pay weekly since ours is year-round). This share entitles you to pick up a box of produce each week during the growing season. A lot of the smaller CSA's also have u-pick flowers, herbs, and oftentimes, berries...which is something I had to sacrifice by going with a larger CSA. I've thought about switching to a different CSA for the summer, because I looove the idea of getting to visit a farm and do the u-pick stuff, but I would miss the ability to do substitutions an awful lot. So we'll probably stick with the one we have for this summer. Anyway, if anyone has ever thought about joining a CSA, I would highly recommend it! There are so many options out there, that you can really choose the one that's right for you and your family.
We have been eating so much healthier now because of all the fresh produce we've been getting. And you definitely notice a difference between certain veggies that are grown organically and ones that are not. I sent David to the store to buy green bell peppers the other day because we ran out, and he was rather grossed out by the thick coat of wax covering all of them. It's something that we never noticed before, but now that we've had fresh from the ground stuff it's easy to see a difference. Plus, we've gotten to try things that we've never eaten before and that I would probably never think of to buy...like sunchokes (a little like a water chesnut and yummy in salads or omlettes) and rainbow chard. As the summer gets closer, I'm excited at the thought of all the yummy fresh fruit that will be coming our way!
My biggest reason for wanting to join a CSA is because I really want to support local organic farms. I think it's pretty silly that in our culture that we often go to the store and buy items that have traveled 10,000+ miles to get to us, when we could buy the same item and have it come from a local farm where it only traveled 30 miles to get to us. By buying fruits and veggies that are locally grown we save resources and also wind up getting fresher produce in the process! I will say, that it is a much harder task to buy only local produce items in the winter and spring months. Our CSA is one of the few that even operates outside of the summer season. They get by by having partnerships with other organic farms throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. But, they always try to buy as local as possible while still maintaining quality (which is obviously much easier done in the summer and fall).
Some info on how to find and pick a CSA:
There are so many CSA's popping up everywhere, that it was very hard for me to choose one. I went to the Local Harvest website and spent several days weighing the pros and cons of each CSA. I wound up choosing Full Circle Farm. It is probably one of the biggest CSA's around, which comes with pluses and minuses. A huge plus for me is that each Friday we are e-mailed the list of what items will be in our box the next week, and I can then make up to 5 substitutions from a "substitution list." This is incredibly convenient, because then we don't wind up getting brussel sprouts or asparagus (which David and I both hate) and have it go to waste. Full Circle Farm also operates all year round, which most CSA's dont. Most of the smaller CSA's have a set "growing season" (often 12-16 weeks during the summer/early fall), and often you have to buy what they call a "share" ahead of time, usually in early spring (we pay weekly since ours is year-round). This share entitles you to pick up a box of produce each week during the growing season. A lot of the smaller CSA's also have u-pick flowers, herbs, and oftentimes, berries...which is something I had to sacrifice by going with a larger CSA. I've thought about switching to a different CSA for the summer, because I looove the idea of getting to visit a farm and do the u-pick stuff, but I would miss the ability to do substitutions an awful lot. So we'll probably stick with the one we have for this summer. Anyway, if anyone has ever thought about joining a CSA, I would highly recommend it! There are so many options out there, that you can really choose the one that's right for you and your family.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Being a Christian Democrat...
I've decided that my blog is far too bland. In the past I've been hesitant to ever state any real opinions on certain topics...but now, I'm over that...because this blog is supposed to be about my life and my opinions are a part of my life.
I've been thinking about politics a lot lately, as are a lot of people I'm sure, and I'm finding the whole pre-Presidential election quite frustrating in certain ways.
For one thing, I'm having a very hard time dealing with certain segments of the Christian population that think any true Christian would only vote for a Republican. I don't care who people vote for...vote Republican, vote Democrat, vote for Nader...whatever, as long as you vote. But don't judge me (or others) for having opinions that differ from your own. A person can be a Christian and still vote Democrat, it's not an oxymoron.
I've had several people tell me "I don't believe in abortion and I don't believe in gay marriage so I obviously vote Republican." A certain member of my family has even questioned me in the past on why I don't think that way as well, since I am very pro-life. Umm, because I've done a lot of research on the major campaign issues, more than most people my age that I know, and I've decided on what issues are most important to me and which ones I think will impact my life and my future children's lives the most, and those two issues just aren't it.
No candidate and no political party are perfect in my opinion, and most people (me very much included) probably hold views on different issues that fall on both sides of the political map. But everyone has to choose the candidate that they feel best reflects their overall opinions on how the country should be run. If that's a Republican for you, then great. But for me, it's usually a Democrat...and I don't think that makes me a bad Christian.
I've been thinking about politics a lot lately, as are a lot of people I'm sure, and I'm finding the whole pre-Presidential election quite frustrating in certain ways.
For one thing, I'm having a very hard time dealing with certain segments of the Christian population that think any true Christian would only vote for a Republican. I don't care who people vote for...vote Republican, vote Democrat, vote for Nader...whatever, as long as you vote. But don't judge me (or others) for having opinions that differ from your own. A person can be a Christian and still vote Democrat, it's not an oxymoron.
I've had several people tell me "I don't believe in abortion and I don't believe in gay marriage so I obviously vote Republican." A certain member of my family has even questioned me in the past on why I don't think that way as well, since I am very pro-life. Umm, because I've done a lot of research on the major campaign issues, more than most people my age that I know, and I've decided on what issues are most important to me and which ones I think will impact my life and my future children's lives the most, and those two issues just aren't it.
No candidate and no political party are perfect in my opinion, and most people (me very much included) probably hold views on different issues that fall on both sides of the political map. But everyone has to choose the candidate that they feel best reflects their overall opinions on how the country should be run. If that's a Republican for you, then great. But for me, it's usually a Democrat...and I don't think that makes me a bad Christian.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Happy 1st Birthday My Darling Theo!
In woolly mammoth mode!
After his recent haircut!
I love this little dog soo much! I know some people think it's irrational to love a doggy as much as I do, but I can't help it. Sometimes my heart just aches when I look at him. This has been a really, really hard year for me personally...but Theo has been the one thing (besides David) that has brought some light and joy to my life. I'm actually a bit scared to have human kids for fear I won't feel as strongly about them as I do my Theo. I truly feel like he was a gift from God when I needed one most!
After his recent haircut!
I love this little dog soo much! I know some people think it's irrational to love a doggy as much as I do, but I can't help it. Sometimes my heart just aches when I look at him. This has been a really, really hard year for me personally...but Theo has been the one thing (besides David) that has brought some light and joy to my life. I'm actually a bit scared to have human kids for fear I won't feel as strongly about them as I do my Theo. I truly feel like he was a gift from God when I needed one most!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Snow Puppy!
I loooove snow, so I was very excited that it snowed a bit today and that Theo got to experience his first real snow! He wasn't quite sure what to make of it and he wasn't too happy that his mom kept trying to make him sit still so she could take pictures!
"What is this wacky stuff?"
"Mooom, my tushy is getting really cold!"
"Dad, pick me up and save from the psychotic picture taking lady!"
"What is this wacky stuff?"
"Mooom, my tushy is getting really cold!"
"Dad, pick me up and save from the psychotic picture taking lady!"
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Wal-Mart documentary
Last night I watched the documentary WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price , and if you haven't watched it you should! I have never been a fan of Wal-Mart...in fact, I think I've only been in one about 3 times ever. But after learning about some of their business practices and how they treat their "associates" it is safe to say I am never stepping foot in another Wal-Mart for as long as I live!
I think one of the facts that struck me the most in the documentary was that The Walton Family, which is worth over $95 billion dollars, has only donated 1% of their net worth to philanthropic organizations. Yes, that is still a lot of money. But seriously people, what do you really need with the $94 billion dollars that are left over! Bill and Melinda Gates on the other hand, have donated 58% of their net worth and plan to increase that percentage. It's just such a staggering difference that it is astonishing to me.
I do realize that all documentaries are pretty much shown from one person's point of view, but if even half of what is talked about in this documentary is true (and it is, because I've done a lot of reading on the subject lately), it is just a horrible, horrible company that I do not wish to support with my money. I would much rather spend a bit more money on items and support a company whose ideals are much more in line with my own!
I think one of the facts that struck me the most in the documentary was that The Walton Family, which is worth over $95 billion dollars, has only donated 1% of their net worth to philanthropic organizations. Yes, that is still a lot of money. But seriously people, what do you really need with the $94 billion dollars that are left over! Bill and Melinda Gates on the other hand, have donated 58% of their net worth and plan to increase that percentage. It's just such a staggering difference that it is astonishing to me.
I do realize that all documentaries are pretty much shown from one person's point of view, but if even half of what is talked about in this documentary is true (and it is, because I've done a lot of reading on the subject lately), it is just a horrible, horrible company that I do not wish to support with my money. I would much rather spend a bit more money on items and support a company whose ideals are much more in line with my own!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Pirate Puppy
David won't normally let me dress Theo up, so I've told him I at least get Halloween. He didn't even want to walk Theo out to the car when he was dressed up though, lol. Luckily, my friend Elisa finds doggy dress-up just as hilarious as I do, so we went over to her house on Halloween. :)
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
My grandma is 92 today!
I know she doesn't even really know what the internet is and surely will not see this birthday greeting, but I just wanted to wish my grandma a Happy 92nd Birthday anyway. She is the sweetest woman and I just love her to pieces. So much so that any daughter I have will be named after her...luckily she has a nice name! :)
Here is a picture of her 2 years ago at her 90th birthday party. She looks sooo pretty!
Here is a picture of her 2 years ago at her 90th birthday party. She looks sooo pretty!
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