Today I got my letter from the district. And it was the good one...on cream stationary, not pink. I get to stay.
I know that there are many people in this country, particularly this state, including some friends and colleagues, who cannot share my enthusiasm right now. I have no idea why my name didn't end up in the sad face column. But I am thankful. And for those of you who are still waiting, or who have received a very different letter, I'm on my knees for you, and I pray that God will provide and take care of you (as I know he will).
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement during this extremely difficult time. I believe that it is by God's grace and provision that I get to keep my job, and that I owe this generous gift to him.
Today I am grateful.
I went into the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life...to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. ~Henry David Thoreau
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Baby Food
So I've had a couple of people ask me about how I prepare and store baby food. I do not, by any stretch of the imagination, consider myself a knowledgeable person in this area. But I'm happy to share my methods (as well as get tips from others!).
For vegetables, I spent a Saturday whipping up a stockpile. I bought frozen peas, carrots, and green beans. I know fresh is better...but for peas and green beans, I just didn't have the time to do the whole shelling thing, and grating a large pile of carrots didn't sound appealing. So...here are my steps:
1. Buy frozen veggies (check the ingredients and buy the kind without salt)
2. Dump the bag in a big pyrex bowl and water (almost to the top of the veggies)
3. Put a plate (or a lid if available) over the bowl and microwave for about 10 minutes
4. Stir, then heat for another 10 minutes (or until veggies are very soft)
5. Put veggies and water in food processor
6. Blend until pretty smooth
Storage:
I've tried a couple of different things. The first time I measured two Tbsp. into old Gerber prepared food containers. Then when the food was frozen, I popped it out and put it in a freezer bag. Lately I've been trying ice cube trays. The food is a little hard to get out, so I run some hot water over it really quick and it comes out nicely. Again, stored in labeled freezer bags.
I don't always use frozen veggies. I often take a carrot or a potato or other fresh veggie, prepare it, and mash it up. I've found this site to be very helpful in tips for making tricky veggies like sweet potatoes and squash:
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/homemade-baby-food-recipes-intro.htm
For fruits, I try to make them fresh. My steps:
1. Take a piece or two of fruit and peel, core, and cut it (depending, of course, on the fruit)
2. I boil it for 5-7 minutes (again, depending on the fruit)
3. I grind it using a handy Munchkin baby food grinder ($10 at Target...thanks mom!)
For bananas, I just peel them and throw them in the grinder (I've tried just mashing them with a fork...apparently I suck at that)
So that is my completely amateur and not at all expert tips on baby food preparation. As a working mom, I don't have a ton of time, so I'm probably taking some short cuts where I could be doing more. But it works pretty well, and, after a few trial and error sessions (Ben seems to be as finicky about texture as me), my kiddo seems to dig it.
I am still, however, searching for the way to do meat! I'm still buying the jarred stuff until I can find a way to do that. Any suggestions???
For vegetables, I spent a Saturday whipping up a stockpile. I bought frozen peas, carrots, and green beans. I know fresh is better...but for peas and green beans, I just didn't have the time to do the whole shelling thing, and grating a large pile of carrots didn't sound appealing. So...here are my steps:
1. Buy frozen veggies (check the ingredients and buy the kind without salt)
2. Dump the bag in a big pyrex bowl and water (almost to the top of the veggies)
3. Put a plate (or a lid if available) over the bowl and microwave for about 10 minutes
4. Stir, then heat for another 10 minutes (or until veggies are very soft)
5. Put veggies and water in food processor
6. Blend until pretty smooth
Storage:
I've tried a couple of different things. The first time I measured two Tbsp. into old Gerber prepared food containers. Then when the food was frozen, I popped it out and put it in a freezer bag. Lately I've been trying ice cube trays. The food is a little hard to get out, so I run some hot water over it really quick and it comes out nicely. Again, stored in labeled freezer bags.
I don't always use frozen veggies. I often take a carrot or a potato or other fresh veggie, prepare it, and mash it up. I've found this site to be very helpful in tips for making tricky veggies like sweet potatoes and squash:
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/homemade-baby-food-recipes-intro.htm
For fruits, I try to make them fresh. My steps:1. Take a piece or two of fruit and peel, core, and cut it (depending, of course, on the fruit)
2. I boil it for 5-7 minutes (again, depending on the fruit)
3. I grind it using a handy Munchkin baby food grinder ($10 at Target...thanks mom!)
For bananas, I just peel them and throw them in the grinder (I've tried just mashing them with a fork...apparently I suck at that)
So that is my completely amateur and not at all expert tips on baby food preparation. As a working mom, I don't have a ton of time, so I'm probably taking some short cuts where I could be doing more. But it works pretty well, and, after a few trial and error sessions (Ben seems to be as finicky about texture as me), my kiddo seems to dig it.
I am still, however, searching for the way to do meat! I'm still buying the jarred stuff until I can find a way to do that. Any suggestions???
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Infant Containment
So I'm all domestic and crap lately. I took the day off because my mom couldn't watch Ben, and I was looking for an excuse to hang with him and get some things done. Part of my domesticity involves creating extraordinary culinary delights; on today's menu was Beef and Wild Mushroom Stew. So during Ben's nap I put everything together and realized that we didn't have potatoes. When Ben woke up, I decided to make a quick run to the store for potatoes. I know, "quick run to the store" and "seven month old" don't generally go together. But I really wanted to be the perfect Donna Reed today, so I thought I'd give it a go. So I loaded Ben up into the car and headed to the store.When I got to the store I had to make the Big Decision. Use the stroller? It seemed like quite the hassle to haul it out of the trunk, unfold it, and strap him in...all for two potatoes. Get a cart? How lame would I look carting around two lousy potatoes? Carry Ben? He's getting pretty heavy and squirrely, but it seemed better than the alternatives.
Wrong.
As I walked in there was a big sign that said "10lb bag of potatoes $1.97." Who could pass that up? Shannon the Super Saver decided to save some money. So that put me standing in the so-called "express" lane with a 10lb sack of potatoes and a 17 1/2 lb monkey. Of course the two people in front of me were very un-express. Lady #1 apparently won a gas card and was mystified. Lady #2 realized after paying with her card that she forgot to get cash back. In the mean time the monkey decides now is the best time to practice his lunges; and when I say lunges, I don't mean "let's warm up for soccer" lunges, I mean "Oooh, that magazine looks fun and I want it...maybe if I throw my body towards it I'll get it" lunges. When I finally make my purchase, Mr. Funny the checker asks "Did you want a cart or any help out?"
No thanks, buddy. I've made it this far.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Dear Camelot Used Books,
Thank you for being the best place ever in the history of time. Okay...that may be an exaggeration. Obviously that title belongs to the New York Public Library. But you're pretty great. 75% off Children's Books Day is pretty much the best thing ever. Thanks to you, I got hundreds of dollars worth of books for $30. Again. Thank you for making my dream of having a great library for my little one a reality, especially these days.
See you next time,
Shannon
See you next time,
Shannon
Ben and his bounty.
You should know that I did not lay him on top of the books, he did this to himself.
Ben in his reading corner.
