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I know in most parts of North America, there's been a big heat wave. However, I live in NORTH America. No heat wave here, people. In fact, I just came back from a Relief Society social, and one friend put on a second coat. Over her first coat. That's right, two coats. I was wearing long jeans and a thick cable knit sweater, and I was chilly and had goose bumps. That's right, goose bumps.
Anyway, for the rest of you who are actually experiencing summer, I have another no bake cookie recipe. This is for Puffed Wheat Squares, which I have never had anywhere else but Alberta. I'm not sure where I got this recipe, it's just one of those things everyone knows how to make, like Rice Krispy Squares. The kids like it a lot, and it makes a really great lunch box treat as well.
Puffed Wheat Squares:
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup corn syrup
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 cups puffed wheat
Combine first five ingredients in medium saucepan. Stir continually on medium heat until it comes to a boil. Pour over puffed wheat in large bowl, mix together until all the puffed wheat is coated. Pour into greased 9x13 pan, pressing down very firmly. Chill for 2 hours and cut into squares.
There's no way I'm going to share a picture of this one, it's just not pretty. Enough said.
My tip this week is about saving the leftovers of a roast chicken for making stock. The leftover bones and meat and stuff, you know. I keep a big freezer bag in the deep freeze, and every time I have a roast chicken, I wrap it in cling wrap and add it to the freezer bag. When I have four or five carcasses, I make stock. Because there are so many bones and bits of this and that, it makes a better quality stock. Not pretty, I know, but useful and frugal. Ta Da!
Our family has decided to challenge ourselves physically. I know it's not New Year's Day, or the beginning of a month, or anything like that. I like to jump right in wherever I am. (It's just a coincidence it's a Monday, really!)
Scott and I decided to encourage our family to participate in a 100 Days Challenge. This means that for the next 100 days, we will aim to participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Charts will be involved, and stickers. And a little festivity at the end of the 100 days. Go, Team MacIntyre!
"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well-being of ones companion." - Gordon B. Hinckley
photo: Scott and Jen, Blomidon, NS, August 2010, taken by Sarah M.
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them..." - Psalm 127: 3-5.
photo: Jeff, Sarah, Justin, Josh, Jason, Herring Cove Look-Off, July 2010, taken by Scott M.
"For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies, Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise." - F.S. Pierpoint.
photo: Clam Harbour, NS, July 2010, taken by Scott M.
I'm taking part in This Good Life's Attitude of Gratitude Link Up today. I am grateful for my darling, Scott, who is so kind and thoughtful, and not only is husband, father and sweetheart, but also is my best friend. I am grateful for five healthy, happy, handsome children, who make my life the adventure it is! I am grateful for the beautiful world we live in, and for our Heavenly Father.
"A boy is the only thing God can use to make a man."
-author unknown
photo: Jason's first birthday, September 17, 1993
I'd like to spend my reviewing time wisely this week, by passing along the link to a website that I have found most helpful over the last many years. I'm talking about the Flylady, baby!
What is Flylady, you ask? Flylady is a lovely lady from the southern United States named Marla. She is a doll! Marla has created a website that shares her home organization system. You see, she was one of those people who have a problem with clutter, and in desperation came up with a home keeping system that is so practical, one has to try it to believe it. Mostly she focuses on forming good habits, and getting rid of clutter. Because you can't organize clutter. She is also very positive and encouraging, helping people take babysteps to a neat and organized home. This is not a perfectionist system, one of her big pet peeves is perfectionism, which she believes leads to discouragement, disappointment, and a messy home.
I started using her system years ago, when we were planning a big cross country move. And if you're moving across Canada, that's a pretty big move. I've been following her ever since, receiving daily email reminders about which weekly zone we're in, with little mini missions for each day. She does have products available to buy, to help support her site, but I'm dirt cheap and don't order stuff over the internet.
I invite you all to check out Flylady, I hope you find it as practical and useful as I have.
In January, I dream of growing things. I make long lists and draw up plans. I dream of the taste of a fresh sun-warmed tomato. In July, these dreams seem more like a possibility.
In February, I imagine the taste of raspberries picked right off the bush and popped in my mouth. Jars of jam waiting to be made. Raspberry sauce over vanilla icecream. By the end of next week, this will be a reality.
In March, I start buying seeds. Pole beans, nasturtiums, green onions, sunflowers, sugar sprint peas. In July I can crunch on pea pods and admire the bright red flowers on the scarlet runner beans.
In April, I start hoping the last of the snow will disappear, and poke around in the garden beds for signs of life. In July the delphiniums are taller than I am.
July makes everything seem possible. All the hopes and dreams of the winter come into fruition. When spring came, this little rosebush was so badly damaged by our cold winter, I thought it had died. I cut it back hard, almost to the ground, said a prayer, and miraculously it made a remarkable comeback, and now is loaded with buds. Even more than last year. Gardens can teach you to never give up on a lost cause.
