It doesn't take much to get me off track. I started the night by canning pureed tomato, and at two-thirty in the morning I'm now looking into how I would keep pheasants in the back yard.
Here is the general train of thought: I really like making my own food. I love the idea of eating fresh things. Oh, I drove past that 'farm fresh eggs' sign today. I wonder how much they cost. Probably a lot. Eggs are expensive enough as it is. I wonder if it would be cheaper to just keep my own chickens. Can we even keep chickens here? I don't think so, but I'll look it up. HOLY SMOKE WE CAN KEEP GAME BIRDS. Wait. What are game birds, anyway? Pheasants and quail are. I wonder if we can eat pheasant eggs. Hey, cool, they're green! Oh, right, eating eggs. Yes, we can. Maybe I could keep pheasants instead of chickens. Oh crap, I forgot about taking out the jars of tomato. At least the stove is off. Wait, did I turn off the other burner?
There was more than that, bits in between and then what got me to blogging, but that's about the gist of it.
But anyway.
I think that there are two things that really pique my interest when it comes to keeping fowl. The first is that "game birds" are okay on residential properties where we are, but "poultry", which includes chickens and turkeys, is not. We can only keep obnoxious birds. (Curiouser and curiouser, as a certain young lady would say; bonus points if you can name her.)
The second thing is a little less curious: it's the idea of being that little bit more self-sufficient and 'homegrown'. Having decided to go for a real food diet, I think it would be nice to know that my eggs are coming from my own birds, and that I know (almost) exactly what's going into said birds should I decide to turn them into a lovely roast or stew.
Logistically, though, pheasants would be a nightmare. There's the initial outlay that goes with building a coop and run. There's also upkeep, which costs money and takes time. Then there's going away, like I mentioned. Who in the world would be willing to take care of my pheasants for a week at a time while we're gone?
On the other hand (I think), there's the payoff. I figure that we spend about 130$ a year on eggs, if we buy a dozen a week at 2.50$ a dozen. Is it worth it to have pheasants? Time notwithstanding, will I be spending more on birdie upkeep than I would be on store bought eggs? If I am, maybe the freshness would be worth the extra money. Quality, quality, quality.
Don't get me wrong. Pheasants are out of the question, as
fascinating as the idea is. For one, I have SO MUCH spare time (end sarcasm), and for two, I like to
be able to leave the house for a few days at a time. Pheasants just
aren't accommodating that way, and they're definitely
time-taker-uppers.
Also, as someone pointed out, "They're gonna sh*t on
everything you love."
Yes.
Yes they will.
Sunday, 1 May 2016
Wednesday, 27 April 2016
Refried Beans and Other Things
I don't know why, but I'm making refried beans.
Well, I kind of know why. It's because I needed to get rid of two unsealed jars of kidney beans; however, why I chose to fry them I'm not sure. At the moment, they taste rather...blah.
It's been a while since I've blogged. A long while, actually. It's tough to blog when you don't have a direction, but I think I have one now.
I'm going to become the ubiquitous food blogger.
I never planned, when I started blogging, to become a food blogger. In fact, I wanted to be anything but. Family! Play! All sorts of Fun Things! However, apart from family, the only thing I do is FOOD. Prepping and cooking are a huge part of my days. Yesterday, for instance, I spent my entire afternoon and evening in the kitchen. I made stew, canned beans, baked apple pie with Mr. Fantastic, and then did part of the clean up before I passed out around midnight. It was a food day.
The impetus for change, though, was a discussion I had with The Man today. I won't go into the details, but the result of the conversation was that we've decided to drastically change our household diet. Fewer refined-carb-type-things, less red meat, more vegetables, no processed food if we can help it. We're both tired of defaulting to things like Kraft Dinner or Mr. Noodles or chicken nuggets when we can't think of anything else or when we just don't have the energy. Personally, I want to stop carb-loading and filling my tummy with, well, fillers. I don't care about the clean eating or paleo or raw food diet fads. We just want to eat real food.
Things aren't going to change overnight, I know, but any start is a good start. Now I wish I had some catchy way to end this, but alas! I have no ideas.
Well, I kind of know why. It's because I needed to get rid of two unsealed jars of kidney beans; however, why I chose to fry them I'm not sure. At the moment, they taste rather...blah.
It's been a while since I've blogged. A long while, actually. It's tough to blog when you don't have a direction, but I think I have one now.
I'm going to become the ubiquitous food blogger.
I never planned, when I started blogging, to become a food blogger. In fact, I wanted to be anything but. Family! Play! All sorts of Fun Things! However, apart from family, the only thing I do is FOOD. Prepping and cooking are a huge part of my days. Yesterday, for instance, I spent my entire afternoon and evening in the kitchen. I made stew, canned beans, baked apple pie with Mr. Fantastic, and then did part of the clean up before I passed out around midnight. It was a food day.
The impetus for change, though, was a discussion I had with The Man today. I won't go into the details, but the result of the conversation was that we've decided to drastically change our household diet. Fewer refined-carb-type-things, less red meat, more vegetables, no processed food if we can help it. We're both tired of defaulting to things like Kraft Dinner or Mr. Noodles or chicken nuggets when we can't think of anything else or when we just don't have the energy. Personally, I want to stop carb-loading and filling my tummy with, well, fillers. I don't care about the clean eating or paleo or raw food diet fads. We just want to eat real food.
Things aren't going to change overnight, I know, but any start is a good start. Now I wish I had some catchy way to end this, but alas! I have no ideas.
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love the Bomb.
As I write this, I am sitting alone in a friend's living room. Quietly. I just put down my crochet. I am childless: three of the Four are at the beach and the Invisible Woman is sleeping. I'm enjoying it.
But.
But it's almost too quiet. The dog is on a walk with a lady friend, and the yelling and running feet and flying blanket-capes and Ninja Turtle sound effects are missing. As I've been sitting here, I've realized that I've learned to love the bomb.
The bomb is the bomb of "It looks like a bomb went off in here!" My house is in constant chaos; keeping on top of things is frequently lowered to the level of keeping my head above water. My tea goes cold on a regular basis.
It's all okay, though. I would rather have a bomb perpetually exploding in my living room than be tidy and childless. Four is a little much sometimes, but I love them and I finally, finally got an "I love you, Mama," for the very first time from any of them, from the Human Torch. I wouldn't give up moments like that for all the tidiness and quiet in the world.
I can't compare having kids to anything. I've never been much good at literary devices, except hyperbole, so not even a basic simile comes to mind. It's terrible and wonderful all at the same time. Some days I get so overwhelmed I have to lock myself in my room and hide, but some days the kids are in a good mood and I'm in a good mood and we have a grand plan and we can just go for it. It's great. It's a day at the beach, a walk in the park, skipping school to go on vacation. It's making memories.
This is a bit of verbal diarrhea, so it may be hard to follow, but I hope you get the gist. I think that when I go home, the bomb will be a little more tolerable, because suddenly I've learned that I miss it when it's gone. All too soon, it will be gone for good, and I'll be longing for 'those days.'
Kids grow. Things change. There is only now to enjoy, and maybe from now on I can, and I can find something to remind me every day that The Bomb is something precious.
Cheers,
Kelsey
But.
But it's almost too quiet. The dog is on a walk with a lady friend, and the yelling and running feet and flying blanket-capes and Ninja Turtle sound effects are missing. As I've been sitting here, I've realized that I've learned to love the bomb.
The bomb is the bomb of "It looks like a bomb went off in here!" My house is in constant chaos; keeping on top of things is frequently lowered to the level of keeping my head above water. My tea goes cold on a regular basis.
It's all okay, though. I would rather have a bomb perpetually exploding in my living room than be tidy and childless. Four is a little much sometimes, but I love them and I finally, finally got an "I love you, Mama," for the very first time from any of them, from the Human Torch. I wouldn't give up moments like that for all the tidiness and quiet in the world.
I can't compare having kids to anything. I've never been much good at literary devices, except hyperbole, so not even a basic simile comes to mind. It's terrible and wonderful all at the same time. Some days I get so overwhelmed I have to lock myself in my room and hide, but some days the kids are in a good mood and I'm in a good mood and we have a grand plan and we can just go for it. It's great. It's a day at the beach, a walk in the park, skipping school to go on vacation. It's making memories.
This is a bit of verbal diarrhea, so it may be hard to follow, but I hope you get the gist. I think that when I go home, the bomb will be a little more tolerable, because suddenly I've learned that I miss it when it's gone. All too soon, it will be gone for good, and I'll be longing for 'those days.'
Kids grow. Things change. There is only now to enjoy, and maybe from now on I can, and I can find something to remind me every day that The Bomb is something precious.
Cheers,
Kelsey
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Happy Canada Day!
It's Canada's birthday again! Somehow it comes on the same day every year, which seems to be a little confusing for Mr. Fantastic. The flags above are today's craft; I really need to stop making The Thing's crafts for him (his is second from the left, which is not what it would have looked like had I not helped him). He's a capable boy, and I need to remember that at craft time! I think I'll have him make another. I was super impressed by how well The Human Torch did his. He put the glue on all by himself, and stuck the pieces on in just the right places.
The Canadian flag is obviously the best known symbol of Canada, but I think my favourites are this guy:
and this guy:
(Images courtesy of www.wikipedia.org)
Who doesn't think of Canada when they see those regal animals?
Happy 147th birthday, Canada!
Saturday, 28 June 2014
Sea Week Is Over...On To the Next!
Space was replaced by Sea this week, as we decided to celebrate the Human Torch's birthday by taking the Fantastic Four to the aquarium. I felt that all things considered, Sea Week was a little more fitting -- and besides, I didn't have all the craft items I needed for Space Week. One more trip to the dollar store, I guess. I'll have to be ready with a list.
Now that our sea theme is over and done with, we are on to Canada Week! What better way to celebrate our beautiful country than with beavers, moose, Canada geese, and flags? I even, in my insomnia-induced enthusiasm, painted an empty can white with red maple leaves, to make the top of a wind sock. I'll hang it in the kitchen for the week, where it can blow gently in the breeze created by our (brand spanking new) fan. Right now I'm watching paper-plate-and-tissue-paper jelly fish blowing gently in the breeze. It looks pretty nifty, actually.
As to the aquarium, we unfortunately weren't able to take any pictures (it was quite dark) but there are some lovely images to be found at The Vancouver Aquarium's website. The boys' favourite was the dolphin show -- especially the flip that one dolphin did as the finale! It was quite incredible. I think my favourite were the jellies. I could have sat and watched them for far longer than I was able to. They made me feel peacful.
This week's crafts were limited but fun. The one that I like best were the tropical fish:
They turned out so adorable! I love the way they reflect the light. The Thing's fish looks a little bit like a Picasso masterpiece, but he still had a blast making it, and picking up all the little sequins from the table was great for his fine motor skills.
This is another little guy that we made:
I'm still not sure why, but the Human Torch wanted to colour his red. Sure, whatever! I helped him colour it, because he gets so frustrated by colouring outside the lines. He wants really badly to be able to colour as well as Mr. Fantastic.
Hopefully Canada Week will be as much fun as Sea Week. Do you have any plans for Canada Day?
Cheers,
Kelsey
Now that our sea theme is over and done with, we are on to Canada Week! What better way to celebrate our beautiful country than with beavers, moose, Canada geese, and flags? I even, in my insomnia-induced enthusiasm, painted an empty can white with red maple leaves, to make the top of a wind sock. I'll hang it in the kitchen for the week, where it can blow gently in the breeze created by our (brand spanking new) fan. Right now I'm watching paper-plate-and-tissue-paper jelly fish blowing gently in the breeze. It looks pretty nifty, actually.
As to the aquarium, we unfortunately weren't able to take any pictures (it was quite dark) but there are some lovely images to be found at The Vancouver Aquarium's website. The boys' favourite was the dolphin show -- especially the flip that one dolphin did as the finale! It was quite incredible. I think my favourite were the jellies. I could have sat and watched them for far longer than I was able to. They made me feel peacful.
This week's crafts were limited but fun. The one that I like best were the tropical fish:
They turned out so adorable! I love the way they reflect the light. The Thing's fish looks a little bit like a Picasso masterpiece, but he still had a blast making it, and picking up all the little sequins from the table was great for his fine motor skills.
This is another little guy that we made:
I'm still not sure why, but the Human Torch wanted to colour his red. Sure, whatever! I helped him colour it, because he gets so frustrated by colouring outside the lines. He wants really badly to be able to colour as well as Mr. Fantastic.
Hopefully Canada Week will be as much fun as Sea Week. Do you have any plans for Canada Day?
Cheers,
Kelsey
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
Dino Week Crafts.
Now that Dino Week is over, so I wanted to share with you the three crafts we did.
Day one was marked with a (very time-consuming) stegosaurus craft, the Standing Steggie:
This is the first craft, I think, that I've come up with on my own. Not bad, if I do say so myself. The Fantastic 4 (less the Invisible Woman, who just lounged in her bouncy chair and stared while we worked) thought it was great, but wanted legs. I'll have to work on that.
Day two was the Shapeasaurus:
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I thought he was pretty cute, for a simple craft. The theory was that we would learn about shapes, but I was the only one who did it. Mr. Fantastic made an alien pteranodon with four eyes. The Human Torch got as far as tracing the pieces with me, and The Thing just skipped it altogether. The Invisible Woman, as usual, just lounged.
Days three and four were craftless; day four was a bit of a fiasco altogether, but we all made it through relatively unscathed...except for Dino Week, of course. Dino Week got left behind completely.
Friday was day five (kind of a given) and the craft of the day was a triceratops made of craft foam:
Um. It turns out I never took a completed picture of one, but here is one that is half-finished:
Just imagine it with three horns and a pair of googly eyes. This one is the Human Torch's. Technically the feet should be sideways, but art is all about creativity and originality! If you want to do something different, go for it. Maybe it will turn out to be a masterpiece.
Cheers,
Kelsey
Day one was marked with a (very time-consuming) stegosaurus craft, the Standing Steggie:
This is the first craft, I think, that I've come up with on my own. Not bad, if I do say so myself. The Fantastic 4 (less the Invisible Woman, who just lounged in her bouncy chair and stared while we worked) thought it was great, but wanted legs. I'll have to work on that.
Day two was the Shapeasaurus:
I thought he was pretty cute, for a simple craft. The theory was that we would learn about shapes, but I was the only one who did it. Mr. Fantastic made an alien pteranodon with four eyes. The Human Torch got as far as tracing the pieces with me, and The Thing just skipped it altogether. The Invisible Woman, as usual, just lounged.
Days three and four were craftless; day four was a bit of a fiasco altogether, but we all made it through relatively unscathed...except for Dino Week, of course. Dino Week got left behind completely.
Friday was day five (kind of a given) and the craft of the day was a triceratops made of craft foam:
Um. It turns out I never took a completed picture of one, but here is one that is half-finished:
Just imagine it with three horns and a pair of googly eyes. This one is the Human Torch's. Technically the feet should be sideways, but art is all about creativity and originality! If you want to do something different, go for it. Maybe it will turn out to be a masterpiece.
Cheers,
Kelsey
Thursday, 19 June 2014
Building a Schedule.
With summer already underway for the kids and my course ended, it's time to catch up on my sleep and get going with our daily schedule, which will run throughout the year, not just throughout the summer. You've already seen my (kind of ridiculous) summer schedule here. Now, here is my (kind of ridiculous) daily schedule:
Wake up - 9:00: Breakfast and free play
9:00 - 9:15: Clean up
9:15 - 10:00: Craft
10:00 - 10:15: Snack
10:15 - 11:15: Active play (outside or inside, depending on weather)
11:15 - 11:45: Directed learning
11:45 - 12:30: Lunch prep with the kids, and lunch
12:30 - 1:15: Daily chores
1:15 - 1:30: Clean up
1:30 - 2:30: Quiet time. For everyone. Including me.
2:30 - 2:45: Snack, for those who are awake
2:45 - 3:15: Directed play
3:15 - 3:30: Clean up
3:30 - 5:00: Free play and supper prep
5:00 - 5:30: Supper
5:30 - 7:00: Free play or movie, and supper clean-up
7:00 - 7:15: Snack
7:15 - 8:00: Getting ready for bed
8:00: Bedtime!
Yes, I know. Looks obsessive. But hey, schedules work for me; and, with no one else to accommodate, we can change or completely drop the schedule as I choose, if something else more interesting or important comes up. Like I said, though, schedules work for me. I like schedules. They make me happy, except for one thing.
If the schedule is going to work, I have to work.
Now, I am generally a highly unmotivated person. I have great intentions, but very little initiative. I love me my schedules, but I'm terrible at timing, and a schedule only works if you implement it. That takes initiative and timing. And work.
Do you have a daily schedule? How in-depth is it?
Wake up - 9:00: Breakfast and free play
9:00 - 9:15: Clean up
9:15 - 10:00: Craft
10:00 - 10:15: Snack
10:15 - 11:15: Active play (outside or inside, depending on weather)
11:15 - 11:45: Directed learning
11:45 - 12:30: Lunch prep with the kids, and lunch
12:30 - 1:15: Daily chores
1:15 - 1:30: Clean up
1:30 - 2:30: Quiet time. For everyone. Including me.
2:30 - 2:45: Snack, for those who are awake
2:45 - 3:15: Directed play
3:15 - 3:30: Clean up
3:30 - 5:00: Free play and supper prep
5:00 - 5:30: Supper
5:30 - 7:00: Free play or movie, and supper clean-up
7:00 - 7:15: Snack
7:15 - 8:00: Getting ready for bed
8:00: Bedtime!
Yes, I know. Looks obsessive. But hey, schedules work for me; and, with no one else to accommodate, we can change or completely drop the schedule as I choose, if something else more interesting or important comes up. Like I said, though, schedules work for me. I like schedules. They make me happy, except for one thing.
If the schedule is going to work, I have to work.
Now, I am generally a highly unmotivated person. I have great intentions, but very little initiative. I love me my schedules, but I'm terrible at timing, and a schedule only works if you implement it. That takes initiative and timing. And work.
Do you have a daily schedule? How in-depth is it?
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