I truly meant to get out to the camp today, knowing the chances are slipping away. But, it was so nice and cool in the living room with the air pumping full blast through our trusty little window unit. And Ryan was working. And the baby was a little on the fussy side with a runny nose (and maybe some teeth on the way.) And I wasn't completely feeling 100% either. So, I played my mean-mom card and informed my very disappointed children we would not be heading out to the lake as originally requested by them on the way home from church.
Right now I am in the prcoess of backing up my files on my computer. I'm not entirely sure I know what I'm doing, but I'm winging it. When I started it up this evening it informed me that there were errors and could not start. And I panicked a little. Okay, so little is a little bit of an exaggeration, but I'm trying to play it nonchalant here because of this teeny-tiny admission: I've never backed up my files before. Never-never. And I've had this computer for approximately 3 years. I'm not exactly a dare-devil, but this in my books kind of classifies. Gives me sweaty palms and everything. (This happens. Like when I'm real nervous and such? Like when I'm standing somewhere way up high and I look down and... Okay... nevermind.)
Anyways. Problem number 1 occurred when my computer would not recognize that I'd put a disc in the drive. Uh. No clue how to fix that problem- if anyone out there has any suggestions for me, bring 'em on. So, when I say I'm backing up my files- they are only being backed up to a D drive. Does this help me at all if my whole computer was to crash? Or fail to start? Or is it totally useless? I do plan to back these up to cds or dvds or whatever (I'm so intelligent with computer-related stuff as you can clearly see), but that has to wait until my hubby can figure out what's wrong with the dvd drive. But I'm just doing this to make myself feel better (remember? sweaty palms?) Yeaaaah.
So, I'm going to just sit here and pretend it's doing something. Makes me feel better than imagining all the pictures I've taken and not printed in the last year completely lost... Oooh. That would really not be good.
Other than that... I'm working on a balanced life. Example: I did yoga tonight. And then I ate ice cream. Honestly if I had to I'm pretty sure I could survive completely on ice cream. I usually don't have the stuff in the freezer because I struggle with trying to recall why it's bad for me to eat a whole container at once. You think I'm exaggerating, but sadly I am not. Hah. Not. At. All. Thankfully, there's only enough for one more indulgence and I promise I'll wait till tomorrow. Shhh... I won't tell you when I opened it.
Okay, that's two not-so-fantastic admissions in one night. That's enough.
How did you enjoy this hot day?
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
August Thoughts
After spending a much-needed weekend away with my husband and no kids I have been settled back into reality. I don't even want to count how many years it's been since he and I got away together without a car seat or four in the back. Completely enjoyed every moment! Of course, the joy of it was punctuated by the fact that I found out I'd passed my boards the day before we left. What a relief to finally have that over and done with. And no, I do not yet have a job, a possibility, or even an application. But, just to have my boards done makes me happy. At the moment, I am content to just be where I am. Whatever will be will be.
I'm gearing up for fall over here.
Excited to see the days cooling off and the nights carrying a chill.
Ready, even, to find some sort of schedule.
Hoping my baby decides that this season she will actually begin to sleep.
Realizing this probably won't happen based on her record.
And being okay with spending much of my days holding and playing with her.
And, of course, readying myself for the fact that I'll be sending my oldest off on the school bus in two weeks time while remembering an August six years ago when we moved into this house awaiting her birth.
Feeling just a wee bit reflective tonight. Letting my heart travel where it will as I look back over the photographic memories of a summer we so fully enjoyed while I can't help peeking ahead at what's coming next.
How about you? Squeezing out the last drops of summer in a fun getaway, a family camping trip, or an afternoon at the beach? Feeling ready for cooler days and colored leaves, apple cider and sewing projects?
Whatever it is you are doing to enjoy summer's fading light- embrace it. Enjoy it.
I'm gearing up for fall over here.
Excited to see the days cooling off and the nights carrying a chill.
Ready, even, to find some sort of schedule.
Hoping my baby decides that this season she will actually begin to sleep.
Realizing this probably won't happen based on her record.
And being okay with spending much of my days holding and playing with her.
And, of course, readying myself for the fact that I'll be sending my oldest off on the school bus in two weeks time while remembering an August six years ago when we moved into this house awaiting her birth.
Feeling just a wee bit reflective tonight. Letting my heart travel where it will as I look back over the photographic memories of a summer we so fully enjoyed while I can't help peeking ahead at what's coming next.
How about you? Squeezing out the last drops of summer in a fun getaway, a family camping trip, or an afternoon at the beach? Feeling ready for cooler days and colored leaves, apple cider and sewing projects?
Whatever it is you are doing to enjoy summer's fading light- embrace it. Enjoy it.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Iced Coffee
**UPDATE: Turns out the following recipe is actually BETTER if you omit the step of freezing it and just put it in a blender with some ice cubes. Add a little chocolate syrup and it's just like a McDonald's Frappe!***
I don't remember if I posed this recipe last summer, but even if I did I think it deserves to be posted again. Because if you happen to be a coffee-addict like myself you might find yourself struggling to get in your daily quota of caffeine on these hot August days. And that just can't be. Not with a house full of wild, wound up children and temperatures creeping higher will I surrender the one thing that keeps me sane.
So here it is (recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com)
Ingredients
3 cups hot, strong brewed coffee
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 cups milk
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
In a freezer-safe container, stir coffee and sugar; until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Add the milk, cream and vanilla; freeze. Remove from the freezer several hours before serving. Chop mixture until slushy; serve immediately.
Sip and enjoy. Sip and enjoy.
Ahhh. That's better. Let the kids pull the filter out of the vacuum cleaner and smear chocolate frosting from one end of the kitchen to another. Watch as they pull out every piece of dress up clothing and throw them down the stairs. Sit there and slurp away as they slide down the stairs and pile into a heap amongst the pile of dress up clothes. Just chill.
And pour yourself another iced coffee.
I don't remember if I posed this recipe last summer, but even if I did I think it deserves to be posted again. Because if you happen to be a coffee-addict like myself you might find yourself struggling to get in your daily quota of caffeine on these hot August days. And that just can't be. Not with a house full of wild, wound up children and temperatures creeping higher will I surrender the one thing that keeps me sane.
So here it is (recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com)
Ingredients
3 cups hot, strong brewed coffee
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 cups milk
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
In a freezer-safe container, stir coffee and sugar; until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Add the milk, cream and vanilla; freeze. Remove from the freezer several hours before serving. Chop mixture until slushy; serve immediately.
Sip and enjoy. Sip and enjoy.
Ahhh. That's better. Let the kids pull the filter out of the vacuum cleaner and smear chocolate frosting from one end of the kitchen to another. Watch as they pull out every piece of dress up clothing and throw them down the stairs. Sit there and slurp away as they slide down the stairs and pile into a heap amongst the pile of dress up clothes. Just chill.
And pour yourself another iced coffee.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Blueberry Pickin'
I almost panicked a few days ago when I heard there would be no more picking after this past Sunday at the local blueberry hot spot. Almost thought I'd have to actually pick my blueberries by {audible gasp} by hand. I know! You see, last year I became obnoxiously spoiled when I discovered the ability to pick several (as in, oh 50 or so) pounds of blueberries in just as many minutes using a blueberry rake. Ah, the ease and instant gratification (I'm just a child, really. Never quite truly learned to looove berry picking- just the results.) I only felt a momentary twinge of guilt the first time I tried raking blueberries-- it felt a bit unnatural not to bend over in the blueberry patch for hours to fill a couple of pails. And then the guilt passed; raking them was oh, so criminally quick.
So back to the begining- when I heard the season was in and out in a week I rationalized with myself that if I wanted berries this year I'd have to do things the old way and gear myself with a few ice cream buckets and the better part of a day. Then I talked to my sister who informed me there might be (drum roll, please) one more day of picking at the blueberry farm.
And, so for my giddy conclusion: I got my 47 pounds of berries in about 47 minutes much to my heart's content. Most of them went right into the freezer, many went into three little mouths, some were left out for eating, and others went directly into a pie... which, if my husband doesn't come home from work quickly, might soon disappear.
I love having a freezer full of berries. Sadly, there are no local strawberries in there this year so I'll just have to get the preservative infested frozen ones from the super center that never quits supplying all our major necessities. We'll probably survive and I'll probably discover how easy that way is too- much to the dismay of my inner domesticated homemaker's voice that seems to get quieter with each baby.
The busier life becomes, the more I realize I can only make room for a certain amount of passions- spending insane amounts of time housecleaning and berry picking do not top off that list. Sewing, baking, writing, and spending the day with my family at the beach tend to win out. Oh, and eating- preferably ice cream. And that's what's important in life, right? Not pretending to be what you wish you could be but just going with what you are. If you hang around me long enough you'll soon discover I invent all sorts of neat little rationalizations to combat my guilt. It's a coping mechanism. Really.
And now, I'm off to (No, I'm not going finish up the pie! Shame on you!) ahem, I'm off to search for a superb blueberry muffin recipe for tomorrow's breakfast. Fresh blueberry muffins and coffee... Mmm.. I could turn into a morning person, you just watch.
So back to the begining- when I heard the season was in and out in a week I rationalized with myself that if I wanted berries this year I'd have to do things the old way and gear myself with a few ice cream buckets and the better part of a day. Then I talked to my sister who informed me there might be (drum roll, please) one more day of picking at the blueberry farm.
And, so for my giddy conclusion: I got my 47 pounds of berries in about 47 minutes much to my heart's content. Most of them went right into the freezer, many went into three little mouths, some were left out for eating, and others went directly into a pie... which, if my husband doesn't come home from work quickly, might soon disappear.
I love having a freezer full of berries. Sadly, there are no local strawberries in there this year so I'll just have to get the preservative infested frozen ones from the super center that never quits supplying all our major necessities. We'll probably survive and I'll probably discover how easy that way is too- much to the dismay of my inner domesticated homemaker's voice that seems to get quieter with each baby.
The busier life becomes, the more I realize I can only make room for a certain amount of passions- spending insane amounts of time housecleaning and berry picking do not top off that list. Sewing, baking, writing, and spending the day with my family at the beach tend to win out. Oh, and eating- preferably ice cream. And that's what's important in life, right? Not pretending to be what you wish you could be but just going with what you are. If you hang around me long enough you'll soon discover I invent all sorts of neat little rationalizations to combat my guilt. It's a coping mechanism. Really.
And now, I'm off to (No, I'm not going finish up the pie! Shame on you!) ahem, I'm off to search for a superb blueberry muffin recipe for tomorrow's breakfast. Fresh blueberry muffins and coffee... Mmm.. I could turn into a morning person, you just watch.
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