Books!

I've got them all gathered up (and a few more that did not make the picture!  Like I said yesterday, I have a ton of these light hearted mysteries -- and this is only a small part of my whole library.  I know I was hanging on to them because I could not remember what I had read - there are several series here. So what did I do today -- I made a list!  Genius Right?!! 

I've posted them in the FaceBook Grand Rapids Garage Sale -- whatever I have left by the first weekend of May (when I've scheduled the Garage Sale) will go into there -- after that I will donate them.

I think I should go through all my cookbooks too - now that will be a challenge for me for I've loved collecting them -- but with the Internet -- I really don't refer to too many of them.

Donation Number Two...Check!

My second opportunity came at the same time as the sheets that I gave away.

Last year one of my Mary Kay Directors asked for donations of samples, shampoo from hotels, etc for a friend of hers that work with a women shelter.  So keeping this in mind last summer I gathered all the shampoos, soaps, body lotions in the hotels that I visited.  I brought these home and put them in the cupboard for the next request.  Now that I had in mind to clean items out - I came across these items along with several toothbrushes and toothpaste we have received from our dentist during the past year.  I emailed my MK Director to ask if she thought her friend would be collecting again.  She contacted her friend and got the response that YES she would love the donation to use for gifts for the girls in the Juvenile Detention Center.  I quickly packed them all up to donate.

I found the key for me is once I have a place arranged to donate - I need to do it right away.  I am such a procrastinator, I know if I leave time in between - the items would never get donated.  This could explain why there is so much stuff to clean out.

My goal here is to detach myself from all of the "stuff" in my life so that I can put that focus on my relationship with God.  This also gives me a chance to bless others.  Right now I am finding items I can easily give away - I know as I move along - the choices will begin to be more challenging.  And that is one of the reasons I wanted to blog about my progress - you are helping me stay accountable and encouraged. 

I think I will work on my stacks of books next.  If you know of anyone who like lighthearted mysteries - let me know I have a ton of them. 
 

My First Letting Go

I just could not wait....

I started giving items away - the opportunity presented itself - so, I took it as a sign it was ok to begin before Lent.

I had taken a lot of items out of my Mary Kay office to straighten it out.  One of the items is a lovely wicker hamper.  I had not looking inside the hamper in ages.  When I took it out of the room - I looked inside and found several sets of sheets and shoes.  I think I had placed them in there when we moved into our house -- 5 years ago!!  Seeing these sheets reminded me of other sets I had in the linen closet we were no longer using. 

I have been researching places to make donations to so that I would be able to give my items to the right organization.  I was not sure what to do with the sheets, so I posted on FaceBook asking if anyone knew of where I could donate used sheets -- and received excellent ideas -- one seemed to struck me the most.  One of my Mary Kay sisters noted that her family was working on a project looking for bedding and towels to donate to the children and Family Services in Mississippi.  Our Mary Kay weekly meeting was coming up the very next day - it could not have worked out better.  I filled two grocery bags and put them in her trunk at the the meeting.

 One of my husbands cousins also noted in my post, she was looking for a set of queen sheets - and in our linen closet was a very nice set that I was using when I met my husband - they were cream with eyelet lace.  Well, my husband told me he was hoping I would find a set of sheets what was not so feminine hence why the sheets were in my linen closet not being used.  I met with my husband's cousin and gave her the sheets. 

I have to admit - it felt pretty good to let go of a few items and know that others will enjoy them.

Now, what to give away next....

Less than 2 weeks to start

I can not believe Lent starts in less than 2 weeks - boy am I ready to start my Lenten project.  In fact I've decided to start early.  I've been looking at everything in my home with a new eye, questioning myself - do I really need that item for my life.  How can I organize things better to make my life easier?  By cleaning things out I will save time in cleaning, organizing, having to go through when I can't find something. 

I would like to redo my Mary Kay office - but I have a ton of stuff in there that I don't really need.  For example - I have this little cabinet to hold shoes - do I put shoes in it?  No, not really - it has a few pairs - but nothing I really wear -- so that will be one thing to go along with most of the items inside it.  I have my mother's sewing table with the sewing machine that folds down inside.  I don't use the table at all - when I sew - I put my sewing machine on the dining room table -- so, do I really need this sewing table - no, am I ready to let go of it - I'm not sure. 

Family items seem to be the hardest of items to let go of.  Some are very useful - I have a pie safe that was my Great-Grandmother Benson's - I just love this cabinet and I use it to store my holiday dishes and glassware.  Other items are just hear, hanging around the house - or I have them packed away.

I've found this truly to be a good exercise already.

Being Bless with Less!!

I found a wonderful book - entitled "Blessed By Less" by Susan Vogt.  I've heard her speak on EWTN Radio sharing about her book and how she got started.  She decided one year that during Lent she would give-up one item a day as her Lenten Sacrifice.  She found that it was such an eye opening experience of letting go of items that after Lent, she decided to do it for a whole year - letting go of over 1200 items during that year.

I was so excited about this concept, I decided this would be a good Lenten sacrifice for me too.  I have just under 3 weeks before it begins, and I've already began looking at my home, picking out items I am going to give up. 

I decided there are 4 ways I will give-up an item - Sell it (such as on Facebook, Craigs List or Ebay), Put in the Garage Sale, Give-away or throw away.  I promise that anything left from the Garage Sale would go to Goodwill.  There will be three criteria for deciding to give an item up -- one - have I used or wore the item in the last 2 years, two - is it something I am tired of -- lets be truthful -- there may be a perfectly good sweater/top/dress that I can still wear -- but I've worn it so much I just am simply tired of it, and three -- could someone else get better use of the item than I am right now. 

Susan book challenges me to really think about what is important in my life - what are the things I need to have a good life and what items are holding me back.

Susan choose to blog about her experience each day during Lent to help keep her honest - I think the same would be true for me.  So, I invite you to check-in with me as I post every day beginning on Ash Wednesday.

My goal is to free my life from clutter and remove items that are in the way between my relationship with God.  I think this Lent will be eye opening - and I hope you are inspired too!

Vegie Garden Update

It's a rainy day here in Michigan, so I thought I would take the time to give you an update on my garden.  It is all planted, and I have about three quarters of the mulch distributed in the pathways around my raised beds.  I need to get another half a yard of mulch to finish the project.  You can see in the picture - I have all the sides completed, just need to do the center.  I am laying down a layer of cardboard first, then topping it with the mulch to help control the weeds.

This year I planted:

• Tomatoes
• Green Peppers
• Yellow (Summer) Squash
• Zucchini
• Buttercup squash
• Butternut squash
• Pumpkins
• Cantaloupe (which is new for me - we grew them as kids in my mom's garden)
• Cabbage
• Brussels Sprouts (which are also new to my garden)
• Swiss Chard (hoping to entice my sister-in-law to visit this summer - I know this is her favorite...lol)
• Strawberries (I decided to change over one of the raised beds - planted six plants this year, will add to it next year).

The Swiss Chard is finally up, it is the only thing I planted from seed this year.  I just love that instant gratification of seeing the beds full right after you plant.

I had issues with something getting under the fence and eating my plants - I had to replant tomatoes (twice!) and my zucchini.  To stop it - I scattered used kitty litter and mothballs (Thanks Jodi for the suggestion).  I also really worked the mulch up around the edges to the fence to fill in any gaps.  This has appeared to work since I am not missing any think else.

Tomatoes, squash and strawberries are all in bloom - I keep checking to see if I can see any fruit developing.

Happy Gardening!

Enjoying a Regional Favorite

Here in West Michigan we have many butcher shops to choose from, this was not the case in Ohio (where I was born and raised) and so I was not exposed to some of the wonders that can come from these shops.  One in particular has become a favorite.  It is Rouladen, which is a German dish.  It consists of beef which is flattened and rolled around bacon, onions, carrots and a dill pickle (yes, I said pickle) with a little mustard.  We are able to buy these beef rolls already made, but if this is not the case for you, I will give you directions to make the rolls too.

Rouladen
1 beef roll per person
1 Onion - sliced
2-3 carrots - sliced
1 cup red wine (if desired)
2 cups beef broth (use 3 if you are not adding the wine)
Water
Oil or Butter
2-3 shakes of  Worcestershire Sauce (I use Lea & Perrins - there are a few things I am a "snob" over)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Melt butter (I use 1 Tblsp per beef roll) or add oil in the bottom of a Dutch oven, add beef rolls and lightly brown all sides.  Remove the beef rolls and add the onions, carrots, salt and pepper.  Lightly sauté the vegetables, add the wine and deglaze the pan.  Return the beef rolls to the pan on top of the vegetables.  Add the beef broth, Worcestershire Sauce and enough water to cover the beef rolls.

Place in 350 degree over for approximately 1 and 1/2 hours.

Place the Dutch oven on the stove top on a medium high burner, remove the rolls.  Stain out the vegetables and discard.  Bring the broth to a boil.  Mix together in a small bowl (I like to use a small glass) 2 heaping Tblsp of Corn Starch and enough water to make it a this sauce - stir into the boiling broth to thicken it.

Serve the Rouladen with the sauce.


To Make the Rouladen Rolls from Scratch
There is a few ways to go about this - here is the simples - though it may not be the most authentic

1 Cube Steak per serving
Thinly sliced onions
Thinly sliced carrots
Thick Sliced bacon
Mustard (I would use the stone ground, but you can use your favorite)
Dill Pickles

Lay the cube steak flat one the counter, lightly pound it to 1/4 inch think, spread the steak with mustard.  Lay out a few slices of the onion and carrot, 1 slice of bacon (which may need to be trimmed for length to fit) and 1 quarter of a dill pickle.  Pull the sides up of the cube steak and secure with about 3 toothpicks to make the roll.

Note:  the more traditional way is to use about 1 1/2 pound of flank steak, pounded until 1/4 inch thick, and cut into filets about 3 inches wide.

These are great served with mashed potatoes or rice.

Enjoy!

The Summer Soul Satisfying Drink of Ice Tea

Nothing is more satisfying after working in the hot sun as a sip of ice cold ice tea.  You have to understand, I was raised on the stuff.  Mom was from North Carolina, we lived on ice tea all year long, in fact I believe she even put it in our bottles when we were babies.  And not any old ice tea - but Sweet Tea - the kind where the sugar coats the ice cubes when you pour it into the glass.

Today, I still have tea in my fridge year round, but after calculating the calories of the sweet tea we grew up on (1000 per pitcher - which I could drink over 2 or 3 days - yikes!) I now make a more health friendly version.  I receive a lot of complements on my tea and everyone asks how do I make it.  Well....it's a secret....lol.  Not really - here is what I do.

Take 4 regular tea bags - lately I've been using decaffeinated so that I can drink the tea in the evenings - it's an adjustment to growing older..lol.  I brew it with about 1-2 quarts of boiling water (for me I have a pitcher that fits into my microwave - so I put the 4 tea bags in the pitcher full of water and cook it in the microwave for 5 minutes ) let the tea seep for about 15 to 20 minutes.  This is key - you need it to be strong since you will be adding a lot of water to the mix.  After the seeping, I pour the tea into a gallon pitcher and add one packet of Crystal Light Peach Tea (it's the 2 quart size pouch).  Mix well until all the Crystal Light is dissolved, then add water to fill the pitcher.  What I've found is the Crystal Light adds enough favor that I do not notice it does not have sugar - I've also made it with the other flavors of Crystal Light teas - Peach has become my favorite. 

To make an Arnold Palmer - I have another small pitcher of the Chrystal Light Lemonade and pour about a third of the glass with the Lemonade and two thirds with the tea - very satisfying.

Happy Sipping!!

 

Gardening Time Has Begun Again!

Wow! I can not believe it has been over a year since my last post - where has time gone?! 

Last summer gardening was a bust with my broken leg - the garden when to all weeds - Bill helped out a little, but it is not really his thing.  We did get some tomatoes, peppers and squash from the garden, but not much.  Well my leg is all healed up and I'm ready to get my hands dirty again.

I've cleaned out the front flower beds and planted a few things to fill in.  This year I thought I would try Inpatients in front of the shrubs - it is shady there most of the day.  The flowerbed by our back deck is mostly perennials, so I only needed to fill in with a few of my favorite Zinnias.

The herb garden is non-existent this year, mint has completely taken it over.  I have found that Roundup does kill it.  So this year will be a cleaning year for that garden with hopes for a full and fabulous garden next year.

Now on the my vegetable garden - what a mess!

 I've cleaned it out once this spring, but with all the rain we have gotten - the weeds have returned.  I was able to spread Roundup around the path ways earlier this week and noticed that the weeds are starting to die back.  I will work on them some more before I bring in the mulch.  My mother-in-law found a wonderful article last summer which I am planning on trying.  It said to laydown a layer of cardboard under the mulch to help put a barrier to the weeds.  I will share more on this once I get to that point in my gardening project.

Today, I was able to get two of the raised beds cleaned out and planted before the threat of rain ran me inside.  I am so excited to see the plants in the ground. 

I'll fill you in on what I planted in another post.
Happy Gardening for now!

Beware of the Mint

Sounds like the beginning of some bad B mystery movie, doesn't it.  Well, I mean it. 

One of the hopes of my blog is that others can learn from my mistakes in gardening.  And here is one big one.  Do not plant mint directly into your garden.  I did this a few years ago, and have paid the price.  I did not do my homework before I planted or I would have known not to do this.

I spent over an hour this afternoon working on my herb garden pulling up mint and only made a dent into it.  I am estimating I have another 6 to 7 hours of work to go before the herb garden is ready for planting.  I also saw signs where the mint was working into the lawn (Yikes! - Bill will kill me if it goes into his lawn..)  It is a very invasive plant!

The only good thing is that I have all the making for mojitos on hand...lol.

Basic/Classic Mojito
1/2 ounce lime juice - freshly squeezed is best
1 teaspoon superfine sugar (I pulsed white sugar in my food processor)
5 mint leaves, plus 1 sprig for garnish
Crushed ice
2 ounces white rum
1 ounce club soda

Put the lime juice and sugar in a highball or other glass.  Stir until the sugar is dissolved.  Add the mint leaves and crush or muddle them against the glass with the back of a spoon or a meddler (I found a meddler in a little kitchen store for a reasonable price).  Fill the glass with crushed ice.  Add the rum and club soda, and stir gently. 

Garnish with a mint sprig.

This makes one serving - for a pitcher - quadruple the amounts.  Doesn't this sound wonderful to go with this lovely warm weather we have been having?