What I Would Feed my Family on a Monthly Budget of $250
This one got me thinking. I’m going to give it a shot. Watch for a post about how it goes.

Curried Carrot Soup
I can’t wait to try this. However, since Walt is neither a soup, curry, or carrot fan, I think I’ll have to wait until he has a night shift at the police department.
Or I could make it for lunch.
Or maybe make it for dinner alongside grilled cheese sandwiches. That way Walt could have soup and a sandwich, hold the soup…
No mater what, it will get made. And soon.

Seven Lies about Homeschoolers – Video
It’s funny because it’s true…

Doodling in Math: Spirals, Fibonacci, and Being a Plant – Video
Newt and I look forward to every new Vi Hart video on you-tube. We may not understand all of the mathematical principles that Vi talks about, but we enjoy watching. Math should always be this fun and interesting.

We Must See Past What it Seems…
I saved the best for last. This post was written a little over a year ago, which would make it about 147 years old in internet years. However, it is well worth revisiting. This is probably one of the most moving and outlook-changing things I have ever read. Go read it. You’ll be glad you did.

I often bust out into whatever song I feel is appropriate, much to the embarrassment admiration of my friends and family. Even when I’m not singing out loud, there is almost always a song running in the back of my mind. When I pay attention to it, I find that the words usually relate to whatever I am experiencing at the time.
For example: a couple of months ago, smack in the middle of my personal winter, I spent several days with The Lion King’s The Circle of Life running through my head. I had no idea why, and frankly, I was beginning to get a little annoyed by it. However, when I took the time to pay attention, I realized that the predominate lyrics I was thinking on were: There’s more to see than can ever be seen/More to do than can ever be done,
Lightbulb: I was silently belting out my feelings of anxiety and stress. Realizing that did absolutely nothing to relieve my stress, but at least I understood the soundtrack.

On a happier note (Ha! See what I did there? Song? Note? … Hello?), I’m pleased to report that for the last three days in a row, I have awakened to this song in my head:

Go ahead and listen. You can’t help but love it.

Here are a few things that are making me smile today.

one
The flood water is receding.
Note: It took me three tries to type w-a-t-e-r. My fingers kept wanting to type w-a-l-t-e-r. Walt is not receding. Thinning a bit, yes, but definitely not receding.
Not only is the water level going down, but we have had honest to goodness sunshine in patches over the weekend.
Me, suddenly bursting into song: I’m walkin’ on sunshine, yeah, yeah and don’t it feel good?
This is the kind of thing that people who know me well have to put up with all the time.

two
The slug slime came up off my couch. All I had to do was wait for it to dry, then scrape it off and then seal off and fumigate the entire area with napalm.
Now it’s gone, gone, gone, whoa-oh-oh-oh-whoa…

three
Things are getting done. Hurray!
Our remodeling/repair job feels like it is taking for-ev-er, but progress is being made. For example, we once again have two (count ‘em: one, two!) functioning bathrooms. The hall bath has received a complete makeover, including new tile flooring, new cabinets and sink, granite counter top, and a brand new no overflow toilet.
Haaaallelujah, haaaaallelujah, hallalujah-hallalujah, hall-ayyyy-ay-lu-yah!
We’ve still got some finishing touches to do; I’ll share pictures soon.

three-and-a-half
Remember this?

We found that old window at a garage sale back in September and I had such big plans for it. On Saturday, I batted my eyelashes and sweet talked Walt into finally helping me bring those plans to fruition.
The following horror was our entry when we first moved into our house. If you have small children on your lap, you may wish to cover their eyes.

We have done a fair amount of work there: replacing the front and closet doors, tiling over the ugly vinyl (not pictured) with a pretty matte black granite, replacing and painting the wood trim, and utterly demolishing those terrible prison bars spindles. Still the area didn’t look finished. Without the spindles, we had a hole in the wall that looked to me like a walk up ice-cream counter.
Enter new-old window:

Please note the new curtains too. Love. Them.
Here is another peek at my window:

This afternoon Newt told me: “Mama-
I love that she calls me that…
“Mama, if we sit right here on the couch and look at the front window and the entryway our house looks done. Let’s just not turn around briiiight eyes.”
Agreed. I’m not going to turn around and see my plywood and 70′s vinyl flooring (now with more asbestos!).
…but the view I love the most is on my front porch lookin’ iiiin!

four
Our church has multiple congregations that meet in the same building. Every year we trade meeting times around. Last year, we went to church at 8:30. AM. Twice a month I had early morning meetings. At 7:00. AM. As in, in-the-morning.
Aye-yi-yi, that’s early.
This year, we meet at 12:30. Sunday mornings are slow and relaxed again. We stay in our pjs for awhile, walk the dog together, make breakfast… It’s heavenly.
That’s why I’m eeeasy, easy like Sunday mornin’…

four and three-quarters
Newt made breakfast for us yesterday. I found her a recipe for pumpkin muffins and she went to work. They’re whole-wheat with no refined sugar, using honey instead, and oh-my-yum. The only modification she made (she is my daughter, after all) was adding some pumpkin seeds and walnuts to the batter.
Want some? The recipe is right here.
Why are there so many songs about muffins, and what’s on the other side?
Oh yeah, I also make up my own lyrics. Why not? It’s my show life.

What’s making you happy today? Sing it, Baby.

Linking up with: Not Just a Housewife, Create and Share, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Blue Cricket’s Show and Tell

Scratch that. Walt just asked me to google How to Clean Slug Slime Off the Couch. It seems that a fat one came in with him from the roof repair.
We may have to move.

part two: 2011′s most popular
Not surprisingly, the majority of the top ten most popular Frantically Simple posts were tutorials and recipes. I’ve always suspected that people like it when I tell them what to do.
In case you missed them the first time around, this is what all the cool kids were reading.

10: Hollow a Book to Hide Your Chocolate
9. Emergency Dinner: Easy Minestrone Soup
8. I Remember My reflections on 9-11
7. How many days are there in August? An easy way to tell how many days are in each month, without memorizing the poem
6. How Sweet it is: Honey Challenge Washing my face with honey
5. How to Make Silhouette Portraits
4. How to Freezer Paper Stencil (Harry Potter t-shirt)
3. Edible Thanksgiving Centerpiece Tutorial
2. An Enchanting Garden A wee little fairy garden made using found objects (and weeds!)
1. How to make Healthy (and Clumpy) Granola

part three: resolutions
In 2012 I resolve…
to not make any resolutions.
Funny, that’s the same one I made last year.
I don’t really do the whole “this year is the year I’ll finally lose 20 pounds/get a book deal/hike the Himalayas/clean the cupboard under the sink” resolution thing. However, I do feel much more motivated this time of year. Putting away the Christmas decorations makes the house feel so fresh and clean. It makes me want to organize everything. All the rich, sweet foods of the holidays are behind us. I’m craving good, wholesome food. After weeks of sleeping in, movies and video games, both Newt and I are ready to both hit the books and get our bodies moving. It’s time for a fresh start and I couldn’t feel better about it.
I’m positively bubbling over with ideas and plans.
Just you wait and see.

I’m taking part in Bliss Connect’s 6 Weeks of Bliss challenge. Care to join me?

Walt playing Santa for the police toy drive. Two-hundred and twenty children recieved gifts this year.

Christmas Eve: fireplace weenie roast (mine was chicken-apple sausage, served on a toasted whole-wheat bun with horseradish dijon. Yum!)

After church we put our jammies back on for present-time. It was so nice to have Grandma join us.

You all thought I was kidding, didn't you? Best gift of the day.

Pepper was... a challange, but no worse than usual.

Returning to my turkey roots. We didn't feel like cleaning the grill this year, so I fell back to my earlier method of roasting it in a paper bag.

Oops! We forgot to get a picture before carving...

It turned out perfectly. Fully cooked, but moist and juicy. Good thing we don't live close to the Bumpuses.

Beware the orange-shirted turkey snatcher.

And that's all folks!

This was truly a wonderful Christmas for us.
There were no grand parties, just us and Walt’s mom. When compared to some other years, the gifts were fewer, but truly loved and appreciated. Our day was quiet and simple with plenty of time to sit back and enjoy.
I think that was the key to what made it extra special this year. Instead of frantically running around trying to create the perfect day, we just let the day unfold around us.
And it was perfect.

Things are warm, peaceful and good.
If I could give myself a gift for 2011, it would be more of these peaceful times.
You know what? I’d like to give the same gift to each of you. I’m wishing each of you happiness this weekend and always.
Merry Christmas!

I’m taking part in Bliss Connect’s 6 Weeks of Bliss challenge. What health and wellness gift would you give yourself?

.

This seems to be the best format for posting today.
Wait. Did someone say pie?

two
Hoooney, I’m hoooome!
After nearly three weeks at the hotel, we moved home on Saturday. We still need to put down new wood flooring in the dining room, hall and entry and tile in both bathrooms, but plywood covered with throw rugs will do until we get our DIY on.
The bedrooms and living room have lovely, luscious new carpet, perfect for making carpet angels.

The brown trim around the windows will eventually be replaced with something pretty. Walt installs; I paint.  Floors first, though.

three
Still not ‘pooing. It’s been four months and my hair has never felt better.

Usually when it gets this long, it starts to get all snarly and annoying, but I’m loving it right now.
Updated to add: Scroll down to the comments for my best tips. Please add your own if you don’t ‘poo either.

four
We picked up Pepper from the borders today. The lady behind the desk got a little teary-eyed when she said goodbye.
Say it with me: awwww.

five
Yesterday, my real-life, lovely friend Annie emailed me about an awesome project she’s been working on. Since she is a great writer, even in a mere email, I’ll let her tell you about it herself:

Dear Friends,
As many of you know, our family experienced a shocking loss earlier this year. From the Mountain Democrat:
“On [February 2nd, 2011] principal Sam LaCara was shot to death in his office at Louisiana Schnell School in Placerville. That’s the reason Sam LaCara, 50, is in the news today, but there are other reasons he could have made the front page.

One reason might have been the heartfelt interest LaCara took in the 411 students at the K-5 elementary school. LaCara became an educator in 1988 after graduating from California State University, Sacramento. He worked in the Placerville Union School District for 21 years, as a teacher and coach, an assistant principal and as principal.”

Sam LaCara is my uncle. I lived across the street from him and could walk on over any time (especially if there was a ballgame on). There was always an open door policy, and Sam was always ready and willing to take his nieces and nephews out on the boat down the Feather river. I remember where I was standing, what time it was when I got the call that he’d been shot. My first thought, before my mom finished telling me the details of what had happened, was: “I wonder how long his recovery will take.” It never occurred to me that Sam wouldn’t survive.
This holiday season will be incredibly difficult for my aunt and her daughters. It will be their first holiday without their husband and father. I wanted to do something for my family, but what? I live 3,000 miles away now, and my ability to help felt so limited.
I’m not sure when the idea of sending them a storybook for Christmas hit me, but hit me it did. I asked for friends and family to submit stories, letters, poetry, and drawings. I gathered up the contributions and set about trying to get them ready for publication. I thought about just printing four copies, one for each of Sam’s “girls”. Then the idea came along to actually publish and sell the anthology, with all the proceeds going to the girls’ college funds.
The end result is Christmas Wishes: A Collection of Holiday Tales and Truths. Christmas Wishes is filled with stories that alternate between off-beat and giggle-inducing, to inspirational and moving. There’s a story about two little bear cubs, a letter from a soldier, as well as tales geared more towards teens and grown-ups. I am so proud of the results of everyone’s hard work. I think Christmas Wishes will be a wonderful gift for my aunt and her daughters.
It could also be a wonderful gift for you or someone you love. By purchasing a copy of Christmas Wishes, you will be helping to provide the LaCara family with opportunities to further their education and pursue their dreams. Sam made education a huge priority for his girls, and making sure they have every chance to pursue that education would be the greatest Christmas present I think we could give them. Not only would it open doors for the girls, but it would also honor Sam’s legacy.
It would be so easy to give in to the grief of reality, to despair. However, I believe if we try to reach out to those who are suffering, it will help them, and us, to see there is more in this world than darkness. The Christmas season is a constant reminder that with every blow to the human spirit, there is also light, love, and the warmth of human kindness all around us.
You can find Christmas Wishes: A Collection of Holiday Tales and Truths for sale here (Amazon). You can also go to any bookstore and request a copy by using the following information:
Title: Christmas Wishes: A Collection of Holiday Tales and Truths
ISBN: 978-1467975087

I’m heading over to buy my copy right now. Something for me that does good for others? That’s a Christmas wish come true.

six
Seriously, did someone say pie?

What’s on your mind today?

The Great Reveal

Progress is being made, but not super fast. Tomorrow the crews come to replace all the wet drywall that was removed from the bathroom. Walt and I plan to paint over the holiday weekend and hopefully the new flooring will go in early next week. And then we can go home.
What’s that? A choir of angels singing?
I’ll be home for Christmas. You can count on me…
Hallelujah.
There have been oh so many things about this experience that I am grateful for (insurance, good friends, the hotel housekeeping staff – I haven’t made my own bed in days!), but having your home flooded is no picnic.
Unless it’s a really bad picnic.
In the rain.
And the only sandwiches are headcheese and Velveeta.
If it’s a picnic like that, then maybe there is a comparison.
Anyway, Walt and I were picking out paint and I mentioned to a fellow paint picker-outer that we were recovering from a plumbing flood (because I’m social like that). He asked if our pipes had burst, which gave me pause because, you know, it hasn’t been that cold here. And, correct me if I’m wrong here, but I believe that it’s generally frozen pipes that lead to bursting. And, once again, I may be showing my ignorance here, but I think that in order for a pipe to freeze, the ambient temperature should probably be, um, less than freezing?
There is only one other explanation I can think of: an angry wizard.
If you do happen to live in an area where the temperature has fallen well below freezing, don’t forget to wrap your pipes, leave cabinet doors open so warmer air can circulate, turn your water to a fast drip and be nice to wizards.

This has been a sponsored post about plumbing repair. Though I was compensated by Bucks2Blog, all views, opinions, text and theories about angry wizards are mine and mine alone.

The kitchenette is fully equipped, but I did grab my spare blander and a sandwich press. Tomorrow, I’ll run home for some olive oil and my crockpot. I don’t think I did too badly for planning on the fly. I probably took ten minutes to figure out what I wanted and throw all this stuff in bags.
Well, Walt just went to bed. I think I’ll bring him some more Motrin and turn in too. Hang up that Do Not Disturb sign, things are about to get cra-zy! If he’s not in too much pain, and I’m not too tired, we might even cuddle for a minute or two.