Wisdom

I had to share this wisdom from DH. I about fell out.

and I quote:

"I don't whine or complain. I inform with flair."

Pantry cooking - Yet another Salmon Recipe

Here's another we tired from the "100 day Pantry" from Jan Jackson. Of course we changed them up a bit. I used a 14.5oz can of salmon, used 1/2 cup fresh sour cream instead of the sour cream powder, 3/4 cup regular celery instead of dried and added 1 tsp of garlic powder. I used the crockpot, because who has time to watch the stove for 4 hours?

Creamy Salmon Chowder
Serves 4

2 (14oz) cans chicken broth
2 (5oz) cans salmon, undrained
1 (15oz) can corn, undrained
3/4 cup whole wheat berries
1/2 cup sour cream powder
1/2 cup dried celery
1/2 cup dried onion
1 Tbsp dill weed

Directions:
In a medium pot, whisk sour cream powder into chicken broth. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer on low until wheat is tender (4 hours on stovetop or 8 hours in crock pot).

Pantry cooking - Salmon Recipe

Hello, hello. I modified this recipe from the book "The 100-day Pantry" from Jan Jackson. Of course I made a few changes. Instead of simmering the noodles in broth, I cooked them with water. I also used a 14.5oz can of salmon and 8oz of pasta shells. (Get it? Fish and shells?) It was an easy recipe to cook out of the pantry.

Salmon Noodle Casserole
6oz noodles
1 (14oz) can vegetable broth
1-2 (6oz) cans salmon with juice
1 (6oz) can mushrooms, drained
1 (15oz) can green beans, drained
1 (10oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 tsp onion flakes
1 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp dill weed
1/8 tsp pepper

Directions
Simmer noodles in broth until softened. Drain, reserving liquid. Add all other ingredients and stir together. If mixture is too think, add in liquid from noodles. Spread mixture in a sprayed 8x8 pan.Bake @ 350F for 25 minutes.

Headaches, Migraines.. My self-help list.

Purpose: To help myself and others with migraines. I find that I forget to try each of these things that have proven in the past to stamp out a migraine.

History: My migraines started with a head injury when I was 18. In the past they have taken me out for 3 to 4 days, required intense and expensive medicines, and few times an Emergency Room visit. For years I have been on preventive medicines such as ones for blood pressure, depression, seizures. Each one has other side effects and over time my headaches return.

Migraine Triggers:
MSG - Monosodium Glutamate - It's in everything.
Stress
Lack of caffeine (I need to fix this habit!)
Not enough sleep
Neck muscle over-exertion
Bright lights
Flashing lights
Strong smells

My fixes:
Icepack placed on the back of neck
Heat on temple
Lavender and Peppermint essential oils compress
Submerging hands in hot water
Caffeine with Tylenol
Lying down after Tylenol
Controlled breathing
Dark room with little noise

Outcome:
Sometimes my headache/migraine gets too intense and I am unable to speak, let alone think. So, I have put this list on a sticky note on my bedside table. This enables Mr. D. to walk through the methods and help me to banish the headache. They don't always work and we have to resort to heavy migraine medications. I can say that I haven't had to go to the Emergency Room in over 6 years though!

Hope this helps someone out there.

CSA week 3

Here's a picture of my produce this week.

I picked these up on Thursday. That night I cleaned and chopped all the turnip greens and Bok Choy. I put them in produce bags in the fridge. I sliced the radishes and baked them. Today I am working on the rest.

So, I am processing and cooking up the Radish greens, Mustard greens, Turnip greens. My good friend Charlene told me I could blanch the greens and then freeze them. This way I can process them all and add ham or a turkey leg when I am ready to eat them. How smart is that?

Christa.

CSA week two

Some of the lettuce we got this week.

How does your garden grow?

I have my first tomato turning red! Of course I had to share!

Cooking therapy..

Major migraine today... Pulled off dinner though..

It was some great curry off of allrecipes.com. I've linked the recipe. Therapy was in the fresh ginger. Seems it has some anti-nausea properties. Nice indeed.

CSA - Week 2

I don't have much time to post. But, I wanted to give an update on my CSA order for week 2. It is much the same as week 1. CSA is Community Supported Agriculture. My CSA is Home Sweet Farm and here is their website. They also offer chicken, milk, cheese, eggs, and more with their deliveries.

We got 2 bags of fresh greens this week. This included mustard green, arugula, a bunch of radishes in various colors, chinese lettuce, and 2 types of butter lettuce.

Last week I made radish chips in the oven, boiled the mustard greens, sautéed the arugula, and ate lots of salad. Looks like I'll be having a lot of salad this week too!

I will post pictures next week!

Busyness or Business

Have you ever noticed how close these words are.

I can be busy with business. Hmmm. It makes my head tilt with how much there is to stay busy with.

What is on your to-do list lately?

...I think what is on your list is on mine too.

Christa

Test post

Testing posting from remote.
Thanks!

Loving life!

So much going on. Wish I had time to expand!

Raven Audio - Logo

Christmas preparing..

Jams and Jellies are made..
Baked brownies, bread, and cookies..
Made fudge, muddy buddies, and hot cocoa mix..
Packaged the above items and made them into beautiful gifts..
Delivered 29 packaged baskets..

Now it is time to breathe..

Merry Christmas Y'all!

Current Projects

I have a few projects stirring in the pot at the moment:

Homemade vanilla

Dotted landscapes.. See my newest art below

Whole house design and decorating for a very blessed Air Force Wife

Canning/Dehydrating 220 lbs of frozen fruit

Cleaning up fall and pulling out Christmas

Baking up goodies for 2 awesome deployed Air Force men

Starting the baking list for the Office Christmas baskets

Crafting up 100+ Christmas cards

Whew. I leave for Denver this week and I hope I am able to get some things crossed off this list.
Speaking of decorating and designing for a new couple, do you have any quick, frugal ideas that I can put together in a week and/or take it with me on the plane?

Sunday Biking

We found our bikes in the garage this week! To celebrate, we took them out for a spin.

We attached them to the car and went for breakfast then rode our bikes home. It was perfect for our weekend out-and-about!

Krav Maga

I twittered the start of our Krav Maga journey. David and I went for the orientation
and fell in love with the concept.

We are into week 3 and I am loving it. It is very empowering to know
how to handle yourself in a self-defense situation. We are currently doing 2 hours a week and I hope to add another hour by the end of November.

One thing I learned this week: the Hebrew word for Fire = אש = pronounced: Esh

Whoopie.. I won!!

Photo credit: http://www.fontplay.com/

Sweet indeed! Thanks Lisa for running such a delicious give-o-way!
The whoopie pies have been amazing.. and YES I want the recipe!
Visit Lisa's page here.

Lost in reflection..

Thoughts on Uncle John..

There was an unsung melody in his eyes.
It was a delightful magic, a father's pride.
The man, the brother, the father that we all did love and adore,
Will be in our hearts to love forever more.

Though the pain seems to wash over our hearts and minds,
We know there is a loving savior who cares and is kind.
He watches and guards our hearts as we tremble and pray,
Even if it is only "Lord, come what may."

We wish and long for the beautiful days in our recent past.
But we know there is a God who will heal our hearts at last.
To Uncle John, to you, a father, brother, son, uncle and friend;
This isn't goodbye, it is a farewell and we will see you around the bend.

~Christa

Please visit the Obituary for John James Liesenfeld Jr.
http://www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=ls000144934085

Economy Watch - See the map turn black.

Very interesting mulitmedia map focusing on unemployment.

Unemployment Map It does some wild color changing..