Life Lately 6/11/13

Finally attempted to make Pad Thai!!

Our rooster protecting the hens from Izzie

Picking out flowers with my mom and grandma

First seeds planted for the season!!

First baby bump photos. eek!

Our sweet baby...

Slytherin

Your welcome Mr. Turtle

Harvest from the land. Morels and fresh eggs!

Minnesota Baby!

No I didn't go to Minnesota and I've actually never been there. But what I did do this weekend was ice fish! Ice fishing to me is something that I typecast Minnesota people as doing. Whenever I do something that requires ice and sub-freezing temperatures, I imagine that it is what people in Minnesota are doing. Probably because I watched New In Town, and when I say Minnesota, I say it Minn-a-sooota. Emphasis on the 'O'.

Back to the weekend. Every winter they have a fishing tournament at the lake my parents have a cabin on. I have never gone until this year, and man was it a hoot. Here's a play by play of the day.

Eat fresh eggs and sausage
Take a ride on the quad to check the tip-ups
Return back to the heated cabin to eat some chocolate chip cookies
Take a ride on the quad to check the tip-ups
Stand in a circle on the lake discussing who knows what
Back to the cabin to warm up
Take a ride on the quad to check the tip-ups (sensing a pattern yet ;)
Sit in spearing shanty and try to slay a pike (I missed one, apperently a lesson would be good first)
Take a ride on the quad to check the tip-ups
Sit in spearing shanty w/my pops to try and slay a pike
Return to cabin to eat fish
Play Euchre with friends
Eat more fish and chocolate chip cookies
Play more Euchre
...

This was my first time spear fishing, and it was an exciting experience. Here's a video, that's not of me, but it gives you an idea of what it's like. The only difference between their experience and mine was they speared a fish. Details.

It's on weekends like this that I wish I took more photos, but I only have myself to blame...

Currently

My friends pig.

Reading - Urban Homesteading. If I could live anywhere and do anything, I would want a homestead somewhere close to town, but far enough to not hear the traffic. There's something about farming and homesteads that mesmerizes me, and it's not the smell people. It would be hard work, but the simplicity of it and using my hands to make life. ..sigh.. We are by no means living on a homestead right now, but I did can tomatoes for the first time last year, and man do I have a ton of jars of salsa and spaghetti sauce. I also installed my first garden, shopped at our local farmers market, and just yesterday I bought 9 chickens. The chicks come in Monday and I couldn't be more excited!! I don't know if I ever want to be 100% self-sufficient, but I love the idea of knowing where my food comes from and being able to provide for ourselves. I plan to write more on this topic later as it is one that truly fascinates me. And the little guy to the right is my friends pig. They raise them and then sell them for meat. Out of all the pork you can find, this pork is probably the most well cared for. I'm thinking about buying one from them, or a half of one.

Watching - Man vs. Wild. For one, it is highly entertaining. For two, I feel more knowledgeable after watching Bear Grylls. Not that I ever intend to be stuck in the desert or the arctic, but isn't that the point. But lets face it, I watch it mostly for the entertainment value.

Pinning - All things canning. It may be early, but come canning season I want to be ready to go! Canning was fun and addicting last year, and I can't wait for the next season :)

Loving - The anticipation of spring. I love every season in its proper time, and the proper time for spring is now, or at least next week. Hopefully not much longer than that. Cross your fingers! It'll be March after all :)

Last nights dinner from our
canned spaghetti sauce.

Dreaming about - My summer garden. I have plans to expand my little city garden to include strawberries, asparagus, sweet corn, squash, cucumbers, and whatever else suits my fancy. Last year was a baby step. We only planted tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. Tomatoes are my favorite and peppers are Kenny's favorite. Now that we have the first year under our belt, I'm excited for this years expansion and all of the canning that comes with it! Eke!!

Eating - Lots of hummus veggie wraps. I was introduced to the wonders that are veggie hummus wraps through Emily by way of Trader Joe's. Since there are no Trader Joe's within a 100 mile radius of us, I've been making my own. The basics include a wrap, hummus, and spinach. Then I throw in whatever other veggies I have lying around. Also eating turkey burger, spaghetti from our canned wonders, and mango greek yogurt.

Changing - How we do laundry. I can't wait to post about this soon. It's winter and I haven't used our dryer  in over a month! Boom! This has been no small change since I don't live in a warm climate and I use to wait until the last moment and do several loads of laundry in just one day. My new method only allows me to do one load a day. Can't wait to update you on that too. Did I mention I like the idea of being self-sufficient ;)

Life Lately

1. Finally made some pillows for our living room!

2. Got our MSU tickets in the mail. Can't wait to go to the Breslin Center today.

3. Found a puppy. And so far no one's claimed him.

4. Izzie loving to play with the new puppy.

5. After playing pond hockey. Winter is never complete without pond hockey!

6. On our way to play in the snow.

7-8. Missing the Florida warmth

9. Made Izzie a new toy and she loves it.

10. Wondering what the 'Land of Living Skies' looks like.

We Found a Baby

A baby puppy that is :) It all started Friday night. I was on my way home from knitting and watching Duck Dynasty (which is a gem of a show) at the Bell's when I saw a black blob bouncing through the snow. I stopped to see what it was and the adorableness over took me. It was a little black puppy. He whimpered and it was all over. I scooped up the little guy and took him home. The poor guy was very hungry and thirsty. Once he was well nourished I let the crazy out. The crazy being my GSP dog, Izzie. She's a sweetheart, but she usually has too much energy for the average folk. They sniffed each others hind parts and then proceeded to wrestle for the next couple hours. Mind you I got home at 11:30pm. I put in a movie and fell asleep on the couch. Kenny was out plowing so it didn't bother him any. I was awoken several times by licking and random barks. By 1:30am I was ready for my bed and the pup was going in the cage because lets face it, I don't trust random puppies to be left out in my house. Alone. All night. I put him in the kennel downstairs and Izzie and I went to bed in my room. The puppy cried and barked and cried and barked, but finally he went to bed. Or he went hoarse. Either way he was eventually quiet.

Ain't he adorable. Swoon :)

The next morning I contacted the proper authorities, ie facebook, the animal shelters, craigslist, and the vets. But no one seemed to be missing the little guy. So he spent the weekend at Kenny's parents. His brother is a Sophomore in high school and is doing some serious leveraging to keep the dog in the event that his owner's don't come forward. I wouldn't be that sad if he was never claimed. Izzie could use another friend :)

Here's to hoping :)

Learning to Relax

“What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.”  -Anonymous

This past couple of weeks I’ve had a lot of time to myself. I’ve watched several movies, made food, organized our home, read books and magazines, knitted a blanket, went for walks, played with our pup, slept long hours, played board games and card games, and rested. I don’t feel guilty at all about taking a week and half away from people to relax and refuel.

During this time of rest, I worked, but only three days a week, and I didn't spend time with anyone except my husband. No family, no friends. Just alone time. And through all of this rest and relaxation I’ve found out what truly relaxes and refuels me.

Less Stuff

I spent several hours going through our home and only keeping the things I find to be useful and valuable to our home. If the things didn't meet those criteria they were taken out. I am most relaxed in simple environments that have no clutter. Whether that be outside in nature, or in my own home, it is far more relaxing when there are no piles or distractions around me.

Physically Fit

After working out or doing some sort of physical activity, my mind and body feel alive. So I've taken to making physical activity part of my daily life. Ideally it would involve going for walks or playing soccer, but since the temperatures are fridged, I've been forced to find alternatives. I’m most likely going to join our local gym, at least until the sun comes back out here in Michigan :)

Clean Home

I've never been one to have a clean bedroom, car, or home. The reason I do not have a clean or organized home is because I’m lazy. There is no way around it. While on break, I've cleaned the house and have taken to picking up after myself. Novel idea, right? I've noticed that I set stuff down everywhere. Need to open a frozen bag of green beans, I leave the scissors on the counter. Return home, plop coat, purse, and whatever else are in my arms on the table. And then the table is cluttered and messy. Picking up after myself has taken some getting used to. I find myself walking away from something and then realizing that I’ve left several things out that have a home.

Reading and Writing

I enjoy watching movies and tv shows, especially if I'm folding laundry or knitting, but I don't enjoy the feeling of just sitting and watching tv for the sake of sitting and watching tv. While I had all that extra free time, I made a point to sit down and read or write, especially before falling asleep. It relaxed me and I didn't have that feeling of I just wasted several hours.

As life begins to press in again, I am making a vow to continue with these things that breathe life back into me.

I'm Currently Liking

1. Pearl Couscous. Did I mention how yummy this stuff is and the texture alone is so good. I just bought another giant bag at Costco :)

2. Working out at the Y. Just joined a few weeks ago and I love the fact that I can go for a run in a temperature that is above 20 degrees :) Also enjoying the fact that I feel great post-workout.

3. Finishing misc. projects that I started ions ago. I'm almost done knitting a blanket I started a couple years ago, completed pillows I bought fabric for a couple months ago, and cleaning out and redoing our room of requirements. If you're not up to speed on Harry Potter terminology, a room of requirements is a catch all room.

4. Snow landscapes. It took a while, but winter is finally here! Snow almost everyday for the last week. Kenny's not enjoying it because he has to plow, but I'm loving the fluffy stuff. If it's going to be cold, it might as well be pretty.