Ready steady go!

Spring is on its way as well as the running list of things to do and that we are doing. So what have I been up to these last couple of weeks? Hear is the whirlwind rundown. Ready. Steady. And GO!


I have been cooking up a storm. Making all our bread lately and trying new recipes. As for the bread, I have added a sour dough starter to my ingredients and have experimented with different flours as well as non yeast breads like a yummy raisin bread that was in the old Pope family cook book. Daniel and I have both enjoyed taking turns cooking with the zuchini and liked the results. The kids aren't so keen on that. (Daniel cooks one or two nights a week lately and I get to sew or something that lets me wind down a little.) At least the children liked my Borsht (Russian red beet soup). They were skeptical at first but once they tried it they liked it. My soups are usually their favorite meals. :)After I tried my hand at Swedish dinner pies (not pot pies), my oldest declared I was really good at cooking and should do that for a job when I go to work. It was a quiche and a red beet pie plus an experiment breakfast oatmeal pie! (see picture) This week I made special swedish easter deserts for the mutual activity. (no pictures) They are called Semlor. If you like almonds, sweet bread and cream.... this is a good one for you.






I have been sewing alot as well. I was trying to get a quilt done for orphans in Burundi, but the group that I was going to send it with decided it would take to much space for their plans and trip. I finished the top anyway and am considerinf sending it to the church there anyway, along with instructions to find some one in need to give it to. (The church was recently organized there and so I can get the information from the brach president there. I found that out on line. Because of the family from Burundi that we know I have become interested in Africa and the church's progress there. I read all I can at the church newsroom and watch special programs on BYUTV)





Other sewing projects have included pajama pants for me, repair of cloths and other small projects. I think I will tackle new cushion covers for the cushions we sit on on the couch. (I redid the back cushions back when we lived in Malmö. We have used throw blankets or sheets to cover the rest.) I think I am going to wish for a staple gun for my birthday so I can redo the seats on the chairs for the computer and the piano. With the furniture in order we will have one really nice room.

Meanwhile for the house.... Now and again I and the kids will take an hour and tackle the wall paper on the stairs. It is an ordeal to take off. But it gives us a project that we can do together. They enjoy it and I love that they are helping.

I started the late winter pruning for our apple and pear trees. Joseph helped me with the low stuff on the pear tree. He always wants to help with the saw. So I am trying to let him do what he can. It makes me a bit nervous, but we talk about safety and I am there. And if the wind will stop trying to blow me away I will get back to it soon. They are really overgrown. So anything I get done will be good.

I have been using the root tops from the beets and carrots and cuttings of potato eyes to start some plants in doors for replanting outside later. I have one pumpkin plant started on accident too! I better get a fried or so growing soon.

And for those of you who know how much Daniel and I love doing dishes... Well we really love our dishwasher. So it was time for a new step in improving our lives. Our new years goal was to get the table clean and sweep the floor everynight before bed. Usually we get one sink clear and the dishwasher going. No more intense pileups of dishes. The other sink often has drying recycling. That is one thing that we are working on getting a handle on. We might give in and pay and have them pick up recycling. Otherwise, we may always have piles of plastic and cartons in the house. It isn't easy to take it to return stations. But living in the environment sensitive area of Norwich has left its mark. They really worked hard at educating everyone on environment benefits of many things.

These last two weeks have even seen me move to cloth diapers. I NEVER thought I would do that, but learning how long it takes to decompose and also how much money we save not buying daipers or paying for they weight they add to our garbage disposal has finally brought the change. Or the trial. 2 months and we will have earned back our investment. (We used mine and Rebekah's Christmas money and we get that back, and if I keep it going the difference of what I would have spent on daipers will go to things for the house that I can't afford now. Like the staple gun... or material for the back of quilts I am working on.... etc. It is extra work for washing, but I am trying it two months and then I will see if it is worth continuing for the continued house improvements.)

So.... that was about two weeks read (minus the church stuff which has also been great!). If you need to stop and catch your breath.... I understand. That is what I am doing when I stop to do my email or a blog entry!

haha.

:0 ;)