Today was officially a Pajama Day in the Hopper household. It all started off very unintentionally. You get up, eat breakfast, start a task, check your email then before you know it, it is 2:27 pm. You eat lunch. At this point you are not leaving the house, so why not continue on in your pajamas? For about a half hour I was feeling really cranky that I never showered or got out of my sweatpants. I loathed my lack of accomplishment but finally surrendered to the fact that today was just one of those days and I should enjoy it. For tomorrow, we work!
This past week however was tainted with a streak of misfortune. I missed out on the PERFECT dresser for the baby at an estate sale. We spent Saturday morning roaming the Augusta area looking for a good quality dresser for baby G. After many "legal U-turns" per the GPS we arrived at our last rummage for the day. But alas, the white brand new Bassett dresser was already sold. This spurred me on to create a yard sale map for this coming Saturday. I've been tracking listed yard sales in an effort to effectively target those close by home and that might hold that diamond in the rough I'm looking for.
Secondly, I picked up my locally grown goods on Tuesday. My only disappointment here is that the milk didn't come in a glass jar like I'd hoped. The glass jar is purely to please me asthetically but still, I had high hopes. So far I've tasted the milk, butter, grass-fed beef and organic romaine. All have been wonderful (even if the beef was covered in man-made taco seasoning mix)! The highlight of this day was that my good friend Liz came to visit and helped me find a few more maternity pieces to add to my wardrobe!
Thirdly, my strawberry-rhubarb crisp was not as fantastic as I imagined it would be. I haven't had anything with rhubarb in it for many years so I thought I would give it a try. The overall product came out alright, but just didn't have either one of us coming back for more. I will include that recipe here for anyone that might be a fan and also the recipe for Lentil soup which did come out as tasty as it always does!
Lentil Soup (freezes well and is great for a rainy day):
1 cup dried lentils
2 1/2 cup water
2 beef bullion cubes
1 tsp salt
Bring all to a boil, then simmer 20 minutes.
After simmer is over add the following to 6 qt pot:
1/2 bag lil' smokies (cut into thirds), 1 large onion, 1 clove garlic
1 cup chopped carrots
5 or so red potatoes cut into cubes
1 tsp oregano
1 TBSP parsley
1 tsp vinegar
14 ounces petite diced tomatoes
6 cups water with 6 beef bullion cubes (it is okay to use less cubes but it won't be as salty)
2 stalks celery cut up (optional)
Cook together for at least 1 hour. Yummy when served with warm bread or rolls.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp
4 cups cut up strawberry
4 cups diced rhubarb (about 5 stalks)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 TBSP lemon juice
Coat crock pot with butter or pam and place above ingredients in pot on High for 1.5 hours. If it is dry, add a little water. If it is too wet (mine was full of liquid) mix a 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch with a little cold water then add to pot and stir to thicken. Cook additional 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 and make topping: 1 cup all purpose flour, 1 cup old fashioned oats, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 cup butter cut into small pieces, 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional). Cut butter into mixture with 2 knives or pastry blender.
Place topping on fruit and transfer stoneware to oven. Bake 15-20 minutes or until topping begins to brown. Best served with vanilla ice cream!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Exploring in Georgia
Forgive me father, for I have sinned. It has been 9 days since my last day at work. For all practical purposes I am unemployed and have entered a transitional stage of life- in between the working world and motherhood. Thus, it only seemed appropriate that I attempt to document this time in my life. I am typically a "paper and pencil" girl and have been known to scorn blogging but in tribute to this whole experience and also to keep up my writing skills I have ventured into this blogging world. I don't know who would want to read this or why, but I am going to have fun with it!
Derrek and I arrived in GA on the night of Monday, August 14th. As fate would have it (and my 7 months pregnant squished bladder), I had to use the restroom immediately after crossing into GA. What a treasure I found in that "Welcome to GA" rest stop! I picked up a splendid piece of cardstock listing GA made and grown products in the Augusta area. This has provided for me an entertaining scavenger hunt during my first week here. Sure, the first several days were spent unpacking, organizing and cleaning. After day 3 I had to find an excuse to get out of the house. I decided to put together a very late wedding gift incorporating handcrafted GA made products for a lovely couple we know living just a few minutes away. This led me first to Harlem, GA where I discovered Lucky Lady Pecans and Red Oak Manor. I also spotted the Laurel and Hardy Mueseum which I will have to make a trip back for later. Maybe. Then on a Tuesday morning...when I would normally be at work...I pulled up to a rustic little cottage and purchased raw honey from a nice older man in overalls. I am absolutely loving the randomness of each day!
Granted, this holy grail has led me astray. Garden City Organics no longer exists. After much internet searching I have found a service that just may be able to furnish me with the organic and locally grown food products I have been looking for. Not to say there won't be any last minute Stouffer's lasagnas or Ramen noodles, but I am looking forward to putting more thought into our food now that I have the time. Primarily, I'd like to purchase locally grown produce, grass fed beef and milk in glass bottles. I am also determined to buy some handmade soaps and even discovered a soap making class that I am tempted to attend. I am having a ton of fun exploring a part of me that work left little time or energy for. However, I do miss my job. It provided for me a set routine and sense of accomplishment on most days. I am having some difficulty setting priorities without the time constraint that used to finely tune my each task. I understand that this will likely change once baby arrives, but for now I am learning to enjoy this unusual opportunity.
I should also say that since Derrek has this time off as well it is very different for us as a couple. Sleeping in, home projects and big breakfasts have been highlights of our day. I made homemade cinnamon rolls and frosting for the first time. We were able to attend Wednesday night dinner and Bible study tonight at the church we visited on Sunday. We were so blessed by the teaching and by the friendly faces we have encountered. I have already become so fond of a lovely lady named Gloria, who, upon finding out that is to be the name of our little one squealed with joy and has since re-told the story to each person we've met. She is a beautiful energetic Christian woman in her 70's and I hope our Gloria is much like her!
Derrek and I arrived in GA on the night of Monday, August 14th. As fate would have it (and my 7 months pregnant squished bladder), I had to use the restroom immediately after crossing into GA. What a treasure I found in that "Welcome to GA" rest stop! I picked up a splendid piece of cardstock listing GA made and grown products in the Augusta area. This has provided for me an entertaining scavenger hunt during my first week here. Sure, the first several days were spent unpacking, organizing and cleaning. After day 3 I had to find an excuse to get out of the house. I decided to put together a very late wedding gift incorporating handcrafted GA made products for a lovely couple we know living just a few minutes away. This led me first to Harlem, GA where I discovered Lucky Lady Pecans and Red Oak Manor. I also spotted the Laurel and Hardy Mueseum which I will have to make a trip back for later. Maybe. Then on a Tuesday morning...when I would normally be at work...I pulled up to a rustic little cottage and purchased raw honey from a nice older man in overalls. I am absolutely loving the randomness of each day!
Granted, this holy grail has led me astray. Garden City Organics no longer exists. After much internet searching I have found a service that just may be able to furnish me with the organic and locally grown food products I have been looking for. Not to say there won't be any last minute Stouffer's lasagnas or Ramen noodles, but I am looking forward to putting more thought into our food now that I have the time. Primarily, I'd like to purchase locally grown produce, grass fed beef and milk in glass bottles. I am also determined to buy some handmade soaps and even discovered a soap making class that I am tempted to attend. I am having a ton of fun exploring a part of me that work left little time or energy for. However, I do miss my job. It provided for me a set routine and sense of accomplishment on most days. I am having some difficulty setting priorities without the time constraint that used to finely tune my each task. I understand that this will likely change once baby arrives, but for now I am learning to enjoy this unusual opportunity.
I should also say that since Derrek has this time off as well it is very different for us as a couple. Sleeping in, home projects and big breakfasts have been highlights of our day. I made homemade cinnamon rolls and frosting for the first time. We were able to attend Wednesday night dinner and Bible study tonight at the church we visited on Sunday. We were so blessed by the teaching and by the friendly faces we have encountered. I have already become so fond of a lovely lady named Gloria, who, upon finding out that is to be the name of our little one squealed with joy and has since re-told the story to each person we've met. She is a beautiful energetic Christian woman in her 70's and I hope our Gloria is much like her!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)