Thoughts on Organics and My Life in General

Happy rainy Tuesday morning!  It's dreary here in PA.  But, as always, I thank God for taking care of watering my gardens for me.  One less chore on my list.  I wish there was a better way to entertain the kids though on these rainy days...especially when summer is around the corner, and especially after a 3 day weekend at home.  They're not here yet but I am predicting wound up is the name of today's game.  Followed closely by drive Miss Sheri insane.  ;-)

But I did get started early on their breakfast...banana muffins.  I have some secret weapons.  These are definitely the way to get at least 10 minutes of peace while they eat.  And I love that it's super easy.  I use this banana bread recipe and adapt it first to be muffins, so I cut the cook time to about 20 minutes give or take and I cut the sugar to 1/2 cup because it really can stand it.  I mean, 3 bananas are pretty sweet already.



I also am sucking down large amounts of caffeine this morning trying desperately to get rid of this migraine that is slowly wearing down my will to survive.  It's been here 4 days and counting.  This morning I blended a banana, some ice, lots of cold coffee and some almond milk into a smoothie-ish concoction.  Oh, I hope something works soon.  I don't enjoy visiting the doctor and getting a shot.  :(



Oh, and as an intro into my original idea for this post...I got real strawberries from my garden yesterday.  Not babyish almost strawberries like last year but lovely, big strawberries.  And there are lots more ripening where these came from...



So, how do my garden's strawberries lead into an organic discussion?  Well, my strawberries aren't organic in the sense that they are not from organic plants.  This is the third year for these strawberries and it predates my family's switch to all organic.  So, they are homegrown without pesticides but they weren't organic plants originally.   Why is this an important distinction?  I thought I knew.  I thought that somehow these strawberry plants, while homegrown and sustainably grown were still inferior to the heirloom varieties of strawberries.  And maybe they are.  But maybe they're not.  I finally rented In Organics We Trust over the weekend.   You can watch the trailer here.  So, anyway, the gist of the movie was whether or not organics are truly the healthier or more sustainable choice.  And, after watching it, I'm not sure.  Yes, the lowered amount of harmful pesticides is a desirable thing, but if that food item then happens to have traveled 1700 miles...is that the better choice?  Bananas are a good example. I love bananas.  We go through A LOT of bananas in our house.  And I've been buying organic as much as I possibly can (conventional only when they're out of stock) and thought I was doing the right thing.  But I am still supporting the mass transit of our food sources.  Is that right?  And, if it's not, what do I do?  Do without bananas?  I don't know.  But I do know that after watching the movie, local and sustainable practices are definitely the way to go.  Choose to know your farmers and food sources over blindly following a label that may or not continue to support large scale agriculture that is killing our ecosystems.  If a large corporation grows both conventional, GMO crops as well as organic crops, that means that my food dollars inadvertently are still supporting the practices that I don't believe in.  But, if my food dollars go to local farmers and seed companies, then I am giving them more incentive to keep doing what they're doing.  And that is a choice I can feel good about.

What are your thoughts?  How do you feel about the organics vs local?

 

Back to Normal

Today, for the first time in awhile, I'm feeling okay.  Just content and at peace.  It's a lovely feeling.  I don't know where all of the chaos of my feelings from yesterday came from, I only know they came crashing on me at the wrong time, in the wrong moment, and I couldn't support them all anymore.  I just let them fall.  And, maybe that's the secret to my peacefulness today.  Letting go of all of the stuff that no longer matters and stop trying to make sense of things that have no explanation.  Whatever the reason, I'm thankful.  The kids and I had one of the best mornings here.  We watched Finding Nemo and just enjoyed this rainy Friday morning.  Now they're all crashed out on nap mats (well, most of them are anyway) and I am stealing a few moments to blog when I should be catching up on paperwork.  It is Friday after all.

Tonight we're taking the boy and his friend who is a girl but kinda is dating out to dinner.  Whew.  That's a mouthful.  I guess we can shorten it to girlfriend but don't tell him you heard that from me.  I am trying to be decidedly hands off on any comments or conversation about her.  They went to her prom and her parents seem very nice and they have known each other awhile because they work together.  It seems good.  So, nothing from mom to jinx things.  :)  We're going to Texas Roadhouse so it's salad and sweet potato for this girl.  Oh, and a yeast roll.  Or two.  Those things are seriously addictive.

So, weekend plans?  I have none.  Except to finish the deck staining and wrap up menu and food buying for the boy's graduation party next weekend. It feels good to be facing a 3 day weekend of no real plans.  I am hoping for some good running!  Cooler temps and 3 days with the hubby sounds perfect.   What about you?  Any plans.

I'm working on some themed post ideas.  I know I am deviating a bit from homemade when I venture into budgeting, home management and other things like that but I think it can be helpful. And really, a homemade life focuses on being self-sufficient, right?  So, that's what I'm working on here...that and checking out race calendars to find a way to spend some $.  I'm thinking it might be time to pick a race.  A whole year with no races seems so long...

Sheri

 

Is it really only Wednesday?

Back in the Groove - some DIY around the house.

Okay, even though I haven't been posting any new blog posts, I have been busy around the house, in the kitchen and, most importantly, while wearing running shoes.  :)

My newest running streak is alive and well!  I completed day 17 yesterday and maybe today might even get a long run in.  I can hope!  So, what's been keeping my mileage down?  The house.  We have been so busy with little house projects here and there that I feel like there's little time (and sometimes energy) left over for any running adventures.  But I love, love, love working on my house and adding little touches here and there so it's all good.  Keeping fit and healthy is more important to me than racking up the miles anyway.  I'm happy and that's the important thing.

So, what have we done around the house lately?  Well, we added a new storm door.  And by we, I mean my father in law and my husband.  The day before my daughter's wedding.  The. Day.  Before.  So, no painting or finishing of any kind could be done by me and there was a ton of building out that had to be done to attach it.  Why do builders not allow for a space of any kind to add a door?  Anyway, so finally that job was done and all of the trim was repainted around the front door to match it all up.  Looks nice but geesh.  So, then, after the new door was put on and the painting was done, I noticed our light fixtures had turned from black to some sort of grayish blah.  I decided to buy new.  Well, I thought I had decided that.  After going to Lowe's and realizing we needed FIVE outdoor lights....I decided painting was the way to go.  Hubby took one down and I spray painted it copper (trying to be all trendy and all) and HATED it!  So we tried several different versions of metallic paints and settled on flat black.  LOL!  All the lights were redone and they look like new for the cost of a small can of rustoleum paint, $5.  And the cost of a few other non-winning metallic paints.  But all in all, cheaper than new lights.

And, I was really, really set on a rocker or some type of seat on the front porch.  I just couldn't bring myself to pay $100 for something that would never see use.  So, I decided to wait, figuring the right thing would come along.  And it did.  I was heading to the grocery store and noticed two wicker rockers along the road.  Hmmm.  I thought to myself I should stop and pick them up, but decided to wait and go to the grocery store first.  The hubby HATES when I pick up things like that, lol, and I wanted to be really, really sure I wanted them.  So, I went to the store and they were still there on my way home.  I stopped, turned on the flashers and managed to fit them both in.  I was rewarded with a splinter for trouble.  :(  I only needed one but when I put something out at the curb and someone doesn't take it all that frustrates me.  So, I dropped one off to my sister.  And then I casually mentioned I found a rocker to my hubby when I got home.  I got a head shake and a whatever, but I wasn't listening because I was already digging through my paint cans to paint it brown to match the front porch scheme.  Win for me!  And when a daycare family who was leaving my care brought me some beautiful flowers, it completed the look on the porch.  We did add a new doorbell that I love (who gets excited over a doorbell????  I guess me.) and the hubby tolerated me enough to put in. 

Other than those biggie things, I've just been cleaning, organizing and otherwise DIYing all types of things.  Sanding and staining where the puppy chewed the steps.  Staining where the dogs have scratched the wooden floors.  Making plans for the hubby to build me some deck furniture since I can't find what I'm looking for it seems...but this plan here looks promising.  We'll see.  The son's graduation party is in a few weeks and he'll probably want to build these with his dad that morning or something.  I'm kidding of course.  It will probably be the night before.  Our new sliding patio door arrives tomorrow and that will be his first project.  We practically stole that from Lowe's with the price we were given since it was a discontinued model.  I will be thrilled to have the awful atrium door gone!

And, this morning, I created something wonderful.  Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes.  I found a recipe for Cinnamon Roll cake here...and tweaked away.  I cut it in half, omitted the eggs and did it in cupcake liners instead of  a pan, and I didn't add the glaze.  I even cut the butter for the cinnamon crumb in half again and it was still a bit over the top I thought.  But they were delicious!

And, now, I'm off to take a shower and get this day started.  Time to rip off trim to get ready for the new door being delivered and do some cleaning since the rain is keeping me from finishing my deck staining duties. :(  Darn rain!  But I'm not complaining too loudly, because that rain keeps me from having to water all the new plants and my garden.

Hope you enjoyed all my adventures!

Sheri

 

Now What...?

So, I think by now you all know that my beautiful daughter got married last weekend...and I finally am sharing a pic with all of you!   This was snapped by her maid of honor, Mandy, as I was fidgeting with her veil.  Isn't she lovely?



My friend, Kelley, did the wedding shots and he was amazing...his first wedding shoot and he totally rocked it.  I was impressed.  I could just share photo after photo with all of you.  Okay, I guess, we should have a few more...



This is her and her hubby to be in a before the wedding, but not seeing each other pose.  It came out perfectly!

And this is one of my favorites.  Cake everywhere was pretty much the theme.  But don't they just look so content and happy?  What mother doesn't want to see that look on her child?



I really, really can't believe I have no food pics.  I mean, I know I've been a little absent from the blog while planning the wedding but to have no food pics is just shameful!

So, now it's time to plan the boy's graduation party and then figure out what I'm going to do after that.  I have to admit, it's been a rough year for me so far.  I just can't seem to get into a good rhythm with running, blogging, anything.  Maybe just too much going on to have a chance to settle in?  I am starting P90X again and am excited for that, and am also thinking of doing my running streak again.  I mean, committing to one mile a day minimum shouldn't be that hard.  I need to get the last 7 months of this year off to a better start!  So, all you running, biking and fitness friends of mine...start kicking my butt into gear!  Keep me moving until I find my groove again, cause I need to find it again!  :)

Okay, so after that little rant...I hope you enjoyed the pics.

Sheri

 

Wedding Food Prepping

In less than a week, my daughter will be getting married.  I can hardly believe her wedding day is just about here already. It has been two months of days filled with planning, tears born of all kinds of emotions, and thoughts imagining this day.

I hope that my daughter's day is one to remember; full of memories that she will cherish.  I've tried hard to give her the wedding I never had and I hope that I've succeeded.  I wouldn't trade a moment of the work I've done if it brings her and her new husband happiness.  I have two rooms in our house full of wedding decorations, catering supplies, etc.  And, now, after today's shopping trip, the basement pantry and freezer is full of extra food that I'll be turning into an appetizer buffet.  I will be making one more big shopping trip Friday morning because everything else I'm using will need to be fresh.  What's on the menu?

• Spiced Old Bay shrimp with Cocktail sauce (Old Bay is a requirement in our family.)


• Finger Sandwich platters


• Mini Quiche


• Mini baked Wonton wrappers filled with crab dip


• BBQ Meatballs


• Fruit Skewers


• Caprese salad bites


• Chocolate Mousse Cups


• Brownie Platter


• Cookie Platter


• And, of course, cake with two different kinds of accompanying cupcakes

I'm also creating a brunch for the morning of the wedding for people who are coming in and out of the house, as well as those helping us set up the venue where the wedding will be.  I'm thinking bagels, muffins, maybe donuts as well as fruit salad and juice, coffee and tea.

And if all that is NOT enough...my daughter and her new husband will be hosting an after party at their house for all of their friends.  I'm making the food for that as well....Pork BBQ, Potato salad, Broccoli salad, Mac & Cheese and a Cookie Platter.

I love to cook and share the food I make but I think I might need a recovery day after all of this.   Did I mention I made 240 cutout sugar cookies last week that are in the freezer, waiting to be iced?  Those will go to the favor bags we'll assemble on Friday.  Whew!  That was A LOT of cookies.

Here's hoping it all goes smoothly and everyone enjoys the food and the day.  :)  I can't wait to share pictures with all of you!!

Sheri

 

 

I am a Runner

Today has been one of those days.  All morning, as soon as preschool time was done, I had the Boston Marathon streaming on my laptop and would watch, checking in on the elites and cheering for the start of the rest of the field.  I marveled at the sheer amount of people and the runner in me wished so badly that I was there.  Just to feel that rush, the adrenaline, even for a moment that the runners on the screen had.  I guess my excitement must have been contagious, because I was quickly joined by 6 little faces, all craning for a better look.  They asked questions about the wheelchair finish, and cheered as runners overtook other runners and asked me if these were my friends.  I guess they know I'm a runner, and figured I must run with people like Kara Goucher on a regular basis.  I love kids.  I tried to explain, but in the end, I think they thought I would be hanging up there in the front, ready to win, and there wasn't much I could do to dissuade that line of thought.  So, we sat, watching and enjoying it until it was time for lunch, and then naps and they forgot all about the people running for the moment.

I got a few glances in from time to time but had to take my hubby to the sports doctor mid afternoon for a running injury.  Ironic, huh?  So, while my daughter watched the kids, I was sitting in a doctor's office and not knowing that a whole different kind of excitement had overtaken Boston.  I wasn't getting feed updates on my phone any longer and I just assumed it was overloaded.  Until I got home and my daughter asked if I'd heard about the explosions.  My hubby instantly went to the tv away from the daycare kids to see what was going on and I checked my facebook feed, my heart growing heavier and heavier with each post.  I was angry, confused and scared for every person that was there, whether I knew them or not.  I was able to sit down and watch the coverage after the last child left and just couldn't believe what I saw.  I didn't even want to see it.  We turned it off, watched Food Network and I made dinner.  I won't say I didn't revisit Facebook throughout the evening, but somehow that made me feel better.  The news coverage just felt so impersonal, but reading the updates from other blogs, from friends and even shared updates from people I don't know, reminded me that I am part of one of the most awesome communities ever.  Runners are just amazing people.  They're welcoming, helpful, do anything for others type of people, and I think that was represented today.  We're mad as hell that anyone would do this to what is supposed to be a joyous celebration of a runner's hard work and dedication, but we will stand strong and together to show this won't stop us either.  I am prouder than ever to be a runner, to be part of that community, and show my support any way I can.

Tomorrow I will be wearing a race shirt, something to show my support for every runner who was on the course yesterday, whether they finished or not, and to celebrate all of the volunteers, the emergency workers, the family and friends cheering the runners on and to Boston and the BAA for everything they stand for to the running community.  You are all awesome.  Thank you.