Christmas Newsletter... Why?

Sandrajo Files. Wordpress.com

Is it still necessary? With today's technology, everyone can catch up on a daily basis (Facebook, Blogs, E-mail, Cell Phones, Skypes). Even on a hourly, minute-by minute even (Twitter). So how does a condensed version of a whole year's memory written down for others to see, for the sake of catching up, still show value?

I find myself asking because it is rather getting more and more difficult to compose one. I started out with a nice, semi-formal enough look that summed up what we did for each year since we were first married, but then it morphed to some fun ones, some with pictures, still, the "but" lingers...

We've received many as well over the years, along with generic cards, postcards with pictures of just their kids, and ones designed to make you admire how funny and clever the author is. I certainly look forward to receiving them but we also "see" the same friends and families on Facebook and other networking sites and catch up on what they do so... why a Christmas newsletter? Do people even still read one? Or do the intended recipients now quickly assume, "I already know about that, she just wasted paper." With that in mind, why a Christmas newsletter this year, why not be just like most and just go to the local store and crank out a hundred or so copies of my family's smiling faces with the cursury, "Merry Christmas!" and be done with it?

(As I'm writing this, the answer comes)
... Because it is not about catching up or showing off or keeping up with what's easiest. It's about taking the time to reflect on the year of blessings & trials and finding the Hand of God in each day that passed by. The newsletter becomes a final page to a non-existent journal book that is chosen to be shared with all that we care about. A final way to show of our beliefs, our lifestyle and what we truly value as we celebrate the best holiday of all, the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ...

Knowing this once again, I think I will go back to our former way of doing our newsletter... Because we want everyone to know that we love Him and all that He stands for...

Thanksgiving is a Must

HELLO and Happy Thanksgiving! We made it! We had another great Thanksgiving! As I'm sure you did, too! Like you, I'm sure, we also ate too much and had a great set of rounds of what we are grateful for. So here we are after dinner...

I wanted a Thanksgiving table, but I had no idea what and how. We've also been just bogged down with all sorts. But I'm glad my body and brain worked together last minute, literally, and this is what I came up with...

If you want to see more of our table/dining room/story behind it, click here:
http://whatnowtablescapes.blogspot.com/2011/11/au-naturale-t.html

It's rare that I have my pictures taken so don't be scared. That's really how I look like, posed next to my centerpiece.

and here with my 2 little ones, I-Dude and J-Pony. (Obviously) Mr. Man took the picture. We totally missed not having L-Infinity again this Thanksgiving, but we talked to her and she's among friends in Pearl City, Honolulu, HI for her Thanksgiving break at BYUH. She's doing really well in all her studies and might even have an intern job this summer!

I-Dude and J-Pony smiling up at the camera. (I would too, if I'm waiting to be fed!) lol

As always, we had a feast, but definitely toned down. It was nice having plenty to choose, but just eating enough to be full and satisfied...

After talking to L-Infinity and realizing we wanted to send her some pictures.

Just after dinner and dessert time. I-Dude patiently watching Mr. Man cut him a piece of pie.

Afterwards, I went upstairs to upload these pics for the family and when I finished and came back down, Mr. Man washed the dishes! He is just amazing! Love him!

Alright, time to go. Time to play Apples to Apples with the kiddos!

Happy Thanksgiving! How did you celebrate yours?

Cooking and Saving

I miss my kitchen... Though the drywall is almost all up on the backwall, the counters are still full of tools and between the kids getting sick and me, too, plus busy schedule, it's still a mess. I've only managed to catalog some of the few great meals I've been doing for the kids' cookbooks (someday). But at least I captured some and they are delicious, nutritious and economical!

Been using One Note to store my recipes (totally not a recipe person), and we're all learning to rely on it to choose and plan our dinner menu for the week. But I'm also into seasonal produce, so until I have it all down, the recorded recipes are not that reliable yet. Here are some of the great ones I have yet to include:

I call this one, Green Steak over Linguine. It's got mainly green ingredients-broccolini, spinach, parsley, basil and little leftover steak. Total cost, under $5.00!

Pan-fried Tilapia fillets. Just S&P and a hot skillet/pan and 4 minutes later, "viola!" Total cost, $4 for 8 fillets!

 I love my Autumn soup, Sweet Leeky Squash Mash; it's hearty nutritious and completely vegetarian. The creamy base, coconut cream! Sweet potatoes, Winter squash, leeks, and spices. Yummy! Topped with Roasted Pumpkin seeds! Filled a 5-cup Rubbermaid container! Total cost, $3.50!

 Steamed Artichokes! Hubby found them at Krogers for 10/$10! Yep, only $1 each!

 Berry Veggie Medley Smoothie, my whole family loves it! Healthy and oh-so cheap! (Blueberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, Spinach, Carrots, Yogurt and OJ) Total cost for the whole pitcher, less than $2.00!

Haven't been doing any tablescapes since back in 4th of July... I'm so sad...

I've been busy researching a healthier approach to eating. So much information available, it's amazing! But, the pattern seems to point at the obvious... Clean food means clean body!

Til next time!

Autumn Bliss

I love, love Fall! Just the simple fact that the leaves change colors, the weather cools after fighting summer's imprisonment or burning punishment. I love Fall!

The colors, the smells, the feel! There's just nothing like it!

The wind whispers, "slow down, slow down..." The air invites, "play, play"... The leaves call, "have hope, have hope..."

And then of course, there's School time, Halloween and Thanksgiving...

What a wonderful way to set our minds and hearts towards the Christmas season, but with a grateful heart when Thanksgiving rolls by and moves on...

I love Autumn, such a wonderful time of the year.

(Pics from last year...)

How do you feel about Fall?

Early Halloween?

Each year, since 2008, we've participated in our church's Trunk-or-Treat gathering both in the Cultural Hall and the Parking Lot. We deck out the back of the van with lights, pumpkins, cauldron, black roses and vinyl tablecloth. We give out glowing bracelets. Just a blast!
Normally, we are used to knowing that it will not follow when Halloween is, especially if it falls on Sabbath day. But each one has been only within a few days before. But this year, it would seem we won't be able to participate in the traditional way-no trunk to dress up for us this year because it's being done 9 days before Halloween! Talk about caught unawares! Between the repairs, books fairs, concerts, hectic work and school schedules this year plus volunteer work, I'm lucky to even remember to get a costume for the kids this year! Forget about candy! (Nah... We can make time to get candy, right? Right!)

Anyway, to ensure that we can at least get the kids to participate and enjoy a pre-Halloween celebration, I signed up to make and bring chili and cornbread while the church funds hotdogs and juice/water. I think it's a fair trade...

As far as Halloween here at our house goes, nada, zip, nothing this year... We just have too much going on and no real time to setup the holiday decor without adding to the mix of boxes already needing to find a spot in the attic or the garage. Did I mention the current deluge of repairs we have? Let's see... sink and water heater, just fixed (love my new Moen "Lindley" faucet!), AC being monitored for leaks, back wall still missing in the Eat-In/Office area of the Kitchen, puppies poked a hole on the expensive couch, carpet being changed to tile, under sink particle board floor ripped and to be changed, bugs needing to be repelled around the house, curtains still need to be hung up, and painting in the Library windows and two of the kids bedrooms still need to be finished.

At least they are our projects to do... (after sighing loudly...)

Happy Halloween to all this year!

The Water Heater Gets in on the Act!

Hello all!

In our current saga of "Repairs-a-Callin'", our seemingly quiet water heater unit decided to get our attention.

Mr. Man fixed the hot water pipe leak under the sink recently and decided it was time to turn back the hot water tank on yesterday. Well! "Sir Expansion Tank" literally blew his top off and crashed into the ceiling! Followed by a jet of hot water! Good thing no real damage as Mr. Man managed to turn off the water line just in time. Whew!

After a trip to Lowe's and Home Depot for a new expansion tank, pipe tapes, temp & pressure gauge, fittings and new piping, "Don Water Heater Tank" is humming his merry little tune again at a nice toasty 120 deg F. Most would have it set at 140 deg F, but the previous owner did not gauge their room well and fitted into a tiny closet, Don's girth capacity of 50 gals while his height almost didn't allow for any noble "Sir Expansion Tank" to fit on top! So to make things work, the water temp had to go down so the pressure can go down and keep "Sir" happy and content being "on top" of things for the "Don".

More updates later... Happy Fall y'all!

I thought I was ready to come back...

but... The past few weeks, I've been everything else but FREE. Yeah, I play on FB, but that's more of a "white noise to keep me focused on keeping sane while I kept up with all of our activities lately. I can't wait  to have some downtime...

Hopefully soon. Til then...

Homeownership Wows and Woes

Now that we have our own home, I feel more stressed. (don't get me wrong, I feel very blessed to own our home, well... maybe that we have a bank that let us pay them monthly over it.)

I feel more stressed because there are MORE:

-space to fill and make cozy

-storage to fill but with what

-problems due to more space and areas to maintain

-careful planning of how to make space sing with personality and style

-corners to miss in cleaning and organizing

-walls to paint and architecture to update

-competition on which room to do first

-home age-related issues to deal with as opposed to calling the apt mgr to send someone

-bills to pay out since even the garbage is in your name

Also because there are LESS:

-money to deal with problems as they arise

-time to do it all when you have school-age children

-patience in keeping up with problems that pop up

-ideas to run through when home value vs. style clashes

-opportunities to get things done due to lack of time and money

But I guess in the end, it all balances out. (good thing, too since I practice Feng Shui and a balancing act goes a loooong way) We love our home and can't wait to realize its potential.

I'm busy designing closet shelving ideas to maximize storage and built-in cabinetry to lessen the impact of bare walls and add more storage in the living areas. Designing the kids' rooms so they'll want to study in there (and not just use it to text their friends in private). Researching the garden ideas for this part of Texas (aka still waiting for my thumb to turn green). My hubby's busy bringing home the bacon to repair the walls, air leaks, keep cooling and heating and the materials to maintain the house. The kids, they have their chores... (if they ever get to them!)

It may take a few (fingers crossed) or several years before most of our projects are realized, but at least they are our projects...

Side note:

Tonight's BTS Brain Menu:

Pork Adobo (complete protein)

Steamed Rice (niacin, zinc, selenium, manganese and almost complete protein)

Asparagus and Tomatoes (vitamins and minerals)

Melon and Grapes (vitamins and minerals)

It was delicious! And I didn't have to beg the kids to eat it! (winking until you notice)

Good night and later!

BTS- Prepping The Brain Menu

Now that summer is almost over in the sense that school's almost back in session, I am quite curious as to how we as parents prepare our children to go back to school mode.

I guess I can share that I have three children who love to learn and go to school (ok, they like hanging out with friends mostly, but we can pretend, right?). Honestly, they love school and learning. Since reading, art, science, history and practical knowledge are covered 365 days a year, my main focus is on what they put in their bodies.

Summer is wrought with temptation! (Eating out, bbq's, shakes that are fatter than a whole cow, fruits that no one eats because there's ice cream waiting in the freezer; did I mention eating out?) Of course we balance it out with swimming, touring vacation spots on foot, walking the dogs in the early morning to escape the heat (alright, you do that)

Well back to my reality. I love to cook and the cooler months seem to entice me into that love more than Summer or Spring. So I get creative and don my invisible scientist coat and delve into the latest research on children's good health in relation to food choices. I cook for their brain, a whole week before school starts. They just don't know it (yes, I'm Dr. Sneaky McSneakypants! mwahhhhahahahaha! (booming thunder in the background))

So tonight is 4 days left before school starts on Monday, the 22nd. Here's what I made to beef up their brains... (no, I didn't feed them beef brains... what were you thinking?)

Baked Pacific Cod with Mixed Summer Vegetables

Steamed White Rice

Ice Water

Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie

What, you didn't know that Fish and Blueberries are good for the ol' noggin? Yes, yes they are!

Omega 3 & 6 helps your heart and brain while blueberries...

"Blueberries have compounds that boost neuron signals and help turn back on systems in the brain that can lead to using other proteins to help with memory or other cognitive skills." (James Joseph, Nutrition Researcher) http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/health/article/Living-Well-Blueberries-trigger-neurons-that-1153313.php

So now you know just how easy to feed the buzzing and budding brains in your children, even if they don't like fish, just find the nutrients that can help their brain and your next school year can be that much better... Not to mention the other nutrients that a healthy menu provides for their behavioral and emotional needs. Love the B family for that!

See you next time!

Hello and Welcome Back!

To all passersby... I'm back! Got so many pics to post, updating and all that good stuff.

The DIY projects list is still long, but at least we had two great vacations!

Quick Update:
1) Vacations- California and Utah
2) Met newest members of family (Jernon & Garrison)
3) Found termites in back door wall (hot fun!)
4) Sorted old clothes (too many, too long!)
5) BTS shopping (coupon filled)
6) Lots of OT (to fund the DIY projects)

(What, you thought extra $$$ for fun, I wish!)

School's almost upon us, so that means another BTS Fashion Show in our house! (makes this the 6th annual one.)

Can't believe how Summer's almost done. (thank goodness! not my season! funny, being tropical and all!)

Ok, see you all soon!