Let's Salsa

So this week I decided that instead of jumping right into the books I’d take it a little easy, just do a bit of school, and use the rest of the time to get my salsa made. Packed up the kids, went to the local farmer’s market to get my tomatoes, onions and peppers. Bought a fancy new pot from Costco. Blended all my ingredients, went to turn the stove on and discovered that the forecast was for a high of 32C for the next 3 days (with increased “feels like” temp due to high humidity) OOOOPS! Our Coleman stove was neatly packed away for the winter in the trailer, so we’ve just been battling the heat. 55 jars later, I’m done and enjoying the fruits of my labour (and sweat!) When we went camping earlier this summer I forgot to bring along a jar for our tacos and bought a jar…I knew I liked my salsa but had forgotten just how much better it is than store bought! Some things are just well worth it.

What I've learned from the Internet

I've recently discovered the following two sites that have made a world of difference in my daily life. Thought I'd pass them on and maybe they'll help you too...

#1 - What I DIDN'T learn in Kindergarten...

With the dawn of round shoelaces came shoes that never stay tied. I've found the solution. A new way to tie shoes! AND the kids find it much easier to tie and, since they're not double knotted, they're easier to untie too! What more do you want?!?

Here's the link: http://www.freedomknot.com/index.html

Just a hint we discovered...to untie, pull both ends at the same time and it won't end in a knot...

#2 - How to clean your house without spending all day cleaning your house

True confessions time...I hate cleaning. I can always seem to find someting else to do, or reasons not to do it (I'm sure I just cleaned that a few days ago (day's...weeks...who's counting...)) or don't think I have time (I only have 15 minutes, definitiely not long enough to do any cleaning!) And on the excuses go.
Well I've found the key that works for me! This system generated by motivated moms.com tells me what I have to do each day and breaks it into tiny little pieces that I can "bite off and chew" when I have time. And it even comes with a spot for my checkmarks so I can relish in my accomplishments. I could go on and on explaining it but it's a lot easier for you just to head on over and check it out for yourself. It even allows you to download a 2 week demo to try before you buy (It's only $4.00 when you buy it half way throught the year!)

Check it out! http://www.motivatedmoms.com

In Thanks of Grandparents

This past week my parents took Devin, Brent and Shannon camping! They were gone for 3 days and 2 nights and had an absolute blast. They went to a local “kid friendly” (or possibly more appropriately “grandparent friendly”) campground that came complete with a trampoline, pool, waterslide, craft time and hay rides. Not exactly a back-to-nature trip but a different kind of fun. When we tucked them in last night their prayers were as follows: Brent: God, thank you that we could go camping. Shannon: God, thank you that I could feed the seagulls. Devin: God, thank you that I can go to sleep!

SO what did the mouse do while the cats were away?!?!?! I did some scrapbooking, went out for a Thai dinner followed by a Chai Tea Latte with a dear friend (who I don’t see often enough), did some more scrapbooking, had guests for dinner (I even put a table cloth on the table!) and went shopping, followed by tea at my cousin’s house (a random bump into in the Costco parking lot!).

Yes, a good time was had by ALL. Well, Mark still had to go to work, but he did get to enjoy the fruits of my culinary labours…