Frugal Granola

Seven Years

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:14:00 +0000

Happy Anniversary, my Beloved!
As I look across the room at you, with baby spit-up dripping down your elbow, wrangling hair pretties on a giggling preschooler (who is insisting on being called "Fink the Pig" today), I love you more than ever. I know it's not a candlelit dinner, and we can't "get away" this year (as we're surrounded by moving boxes), but you are my Romance. It is a joy to tell our story to our children (with the amusement of explaining what a "honeymoon" is to a three-year-old over lunch!)

Thank you for holding me in your arms- whether it's a brief moment in between changing little diapers, or a cuddle at 2 am, as we juggle a needy little one. Thank you for walking alongside me during this season, the years past, and the years to come.

Photo by Sarah Grace Photography.

Merry Christmas!

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Merry Christmas, dear friends!

May you be blessed with many simple joys today, as you celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Living A Simple Life-Part 83: Christmas Joys

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:43:00 +0000

This Christmas season has been such a joy to share with our little ones! The simple pleasures of going around the neighborhood looking a lights, smelling the tree, admiring the sparkling decorations, savoring Christmas cookies, and preparing gifts for family and friends are that much richer when shared.

I love to see their awe of experiencing these treasures! Calvin brought home a nostalgic set of "retro-style" colored lights for our tree, after I was reminiscing of my Christmas memories as a three-year-old, just so I could share the fun with my own dear three-year-old girl.

I've been busily sewing gifts in any spare moment, often wearing Enoch in my baby carrier, walking him as I stitch by hand. Or, stitching curled up in the quilts in Gen's bed (stopping occasionally to do the hand motions for Wee Sing Bible Songs!).

With the generous help of family and friends, we've moved most of our furniture into our new home already. So we're kind of "camped out" amid boxes, listening to Christmas carols on the laptop, and preparing to celebrate here before we move in January.

We had a treasured time with some dear friends the other day, as they stopped by to share the morning with us. It was so nice to "catch up" before having to say good-bye. We shared a pot of tea as I prepared a batch of "allergen-free" molasses Christmas cookies to share. They helped us get started putting up the Christmas tree (thankfully providing us with a tree stand!), and cuddled with our little ones. Ah, the blessing of friendship is so sweet. Parting with friends is the most difficult part of moving, even though we have excitement for the days to come.

Gen is thrilled to participate in our Advent readings this year, as she is understanding much more than last year. She loves to carry the "Advent book" around our home, telling us the "story" and proclaiming the joy of Jesus' birth. (She also shares many Christmas carols of her own invention with us, usually containing many "Hallelujahs!") :) Oh, I cherish this time with her.

Merry Christmas to you, dear friends!

Simple Homemade Gifts: Family Heart

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:17:00 +0000

I'm getting this post up a bit later in the day that I usually do, since I've been busy celebrating my birthday today! After breakfast in bed, I was given plenty of time to happily sew away at Christmas presents! Then we had a lovely lunch together as a family. (Now I've been given some quiet blogging time at the library, before returning home to a hot dinner and homemade milkshakes!) Anyway... back to those homemade Christmas gifts...

As I was reading in Amanda Blake Soule's new book, Handmade Home, recently, I was inspired by her Family Heart Project tutorial. It is a small stuffed heart "pillow" to accompany a family member as they leave the home, as a reminder of the family's love for them while they're gone.

I had heard that my youngest sister was attempting her first sleepover at a friend's house, and immediately thought of her when I saw this project! I immediate got to work stitching one up for her as a Christmas gift.

I used some scrap fabrics that coordinated with her bedroom decor of pale blues. The pocket of the heart is from the collar of an old purple sweater. (The paisley fabric was a scrap left from creating this purse for my Etsy shop, and the purple sweater is also a remnant from a set of legwarmers from my Etsy shop. If you've browsed through, you may have recognized these fabrics!)

Gen had so much fun helping me create this gift for her auntie! She helped stuff batting into the heart, and savored the smell of lavender as I poured it in. (Lavender has always been a favorite smell of both mine and sister's.) Then she "practiced sewing" with some Sewing Cards while I embroidered.

The batting actually appeared rather serendipitously; Calvin found it on the street in the middle of an industrial district while driving an ambulance in the wee hours of the morning. He hopped out, and picked it up! It was sure amusing when he arrived home with that bag of batting!

I used a small piece of pale blue linen scrap fabric to create the "love note" to stuff into the pocket. I used a lavender-colored embroidery floss to freehand stitch "I love you." (I used four layers of the fabric, with a "turned and stitched" method, so that it would be sturdy enough to be easily taken in and out of the pocket often.) I purchased the embroidery floss at a local thrift store for a few cents.

I packaged it up, and sent it off in the mail! (Another bonus of this gift; it's lightweight, and not fragile! Perfect for a long-distance gift!)

Living A Simple Life-Part 82: Preschool Fun

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:37:00 +0000

We're in the midst of moving right now, but I just wanted to quickly share with you one of our favorite recent finds at the library!

Gen and I are really enjoying the The GIANT Encyclopedia of Preschool Activities for 3-Year Olds lately. I had borrowed it from the library earlier this year, and checked it out again a few weeks ago. It covers a wide range of topics and has a wide assortment of ideas and activities for little ones.

This has been a great resource on those stormy days, when she starts getting antsy inside the house. For Thanksgiving, we used one of the ideas in the book to create a "Thankful Book." Using construction paper stapled together, we made the pages of the book. On each page, she named something/someone that she is thankful for (I did the writing), and then glued a picture. We cut out pictures from old magazines and photos to decorate the book.

She loves it, and is constantly carrying it around to tell us her "story!" We spent a couple days working on it, and it was a wonderful opportunity to teach her about thankfulness.

I have really appreciated the many simple ideas in the book that haven't called for lots of extra supplies. With various suggestions for each topic, I am able to find something to do with limited supplies on hand.

Simple Homemade Gifts: Tea Towels

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:40:00 +0000

This summer, my mom and I had so much fun with a morning of thrift store shopping. We stocked up on odds and ends to stash away for gifts and art projects for our little ones.

We discovered some fabulous fabric that we just knew had to be sewn into a set of tea towels! It seems to be a sturdy cotton (perhaps a blend with linen?). It had a lovely combination of sage/spring green stripes and periwinkle embroidery. Quality hand towels can cost a significant amount in a gourmet cooking supply store (but are a favorite gift for a devoted cook). I was thrilled to spend around a dollar for the roll of fabric.

I originally intended to sell the towels in my Etsy shop, but as a dear sister-in-law's birthday grew closer, her name kept coming to mind as I looked at the colors of that sweet fabric. So, it became a fun gift-sewing project!

I cut out two generous "towel-sized" rectangles, and carefully hemmed the edges. I neatly folded them, and tied them into a gift bundle with some organza ribbon.

Then, I tucked in a delightful bar of Organic Mint Soap from the sustainable Oregon Soap Company. (A great scent to remove any cooking odors from your fingers!)

A simple, sweet gift!

Living A Simple Life-Part 81: A Dream & An Answer

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:45:00 +0000

As God has shaped and molded our family over the years, He has impressed upon our hearts of the importance of family. We've spent the past few years transitioning from a very "independent" lifestyle, to a new set of values. Over and over again, we've discussed our dream of allowing our children to know their grandparents, and carried a hope that they will have the blessing of growing up with the blessings of family.

After much prayer, we were blessed with an answer! An opportunity has appeared for us to finally move into the same town as Calvin's family, just near the church and good friends. We wrestled in prayer for a bit, wanting to discern that this really was God's perfect timing for such a transition in our lives, and we are continuing to trust God to handle the details.

We aren't going to be delving into homesteading at this point, but are hoping for a season of simply nurturing our family. Calvin is working on pursing a dream of attending paramedic school this next year (near my family!), so this is hopefully a "sabbatical" type of season for us, before an intense school year. (But we'll see what God has for us in the future!) :)

We signed the rental agreement on the home this week, and Calvin is working with his employer on getting licensed for a potential "transfer" to this new state of residence. We're hoping to move gradually over the month of December, and get settled in by the beginning of January.

These past couple years have been an incredible blessing of learning and ministering. We've learned so much about living simply and frugally, and hope to put those lessons to use in a new way, as we move to a rural community. We also had the joy of ministering to friends here, as they encountered infertility, adoption, homeschooling, and other life seasons. We're excited to see how God may use us in our new home.

So, dear friends, it's a new adventure for us! :)

Simple Homemade Gifts: Baby Doll Accessories

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:12:00 +0000

Now that my sweet girl's third birthday has passed, I'm going to be sharing some of my sewing projects, as promised. This first post is to share her birthday gifts with you!

Since I gave birth to her little brother this summer, her "mommy instincts" have really emerged. She loves being my little helper (and imitator!). I often spy her pretending to nurse her baby doll or carry it in a make-shift sling (using fabric scraps).

I love her ingenuity and creativity at making do and pretending with what she has on hand, but I decided to give her some special gifts to encourage her feminine "mommy-ness". She has a doll given to her by Nana years ago that is much-loved. (So loved, that I have chosen not to replace it with a more "eco-friendly version," even though it is plastic. She has a cloth doll, too, but it is usually ignored.) When Nana was visiting this summer, she measured the doll to make some clothes, while I prepared for my own projects.

DOLL DIAPERS
Over the summer, we picked up some great scrap material at a local thrift store, and I found a bin full of upholstery fabric sample books and scraps. I dug out a couple pieces of what seemed like a nylon-type material (like a windbreaker jacket). I already had a bundle of flannel fabric from a previous shopping trip there.

Using the doll and her one (worn-out!) diaper, I used the nylon fabric, plus the flannel to sew her a couple cloth diapers. I used flannel for the inside, and the nylon for the outside, to imitate the look/feel of real AIO cloth diapers (which Gen is familiar with). I used tiny baby elastic for the back and the legs for a stretchy fit, and velcro tabs on the front. (This baby "needs" diaper changes very often, so it's good to have an extra!) :)

DOLL SLING CARRIER
I also decided to sew her a sling for carrying her baby doll. I was all ready to sew, when I happened across some sewing instructions in (my new favorite book!) Handmade Home. (I borrowed the book from the library.) The sewing instructions made the task incredibly simple, and I was able to complete it while my Beloved did me a favor and warmed up some dinner for us.

I repurposed some sturdy red fabric (once a tablecloth, then a window valence, now in the scrap bin!), which you may recognize from my bedside storage caddy project, as well. It is a "pocket sling", so there aren't any rings, fasteners, etc. for her to get confused with.

These gifts were fairly easy quick to complete, and brought joy to my little girl's day! :) I hope to share more of my gift-sewing projects with you throughout the month, as I prepare for Christmas.

Living A Simple Life-Part 80: Three Years

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:04:00 +0000

Wow, my sweet girl, you are three-years-old! How has time passed so fast? It seems just yesterday that I wrote you a birthday letter for your second birthday!

I have been so amazed to watch you grow these past months, as I see you gaining so many skills. You have an incredible imagination, and I love hearing the stories you tell me! I also love hearing you tell Bible stories to your little brother. You're right, sweetie; everyone does need to know! :)

I have such dear times with you, as we explore the fabric store together, read stories, sip tea, and pick flowers. You are also my match in stubbornness; God is definitely using you in refining me, dear girl! :)

As your daddy and I watched you play in the golden sunlight today, we mulled over what a gift you are. You are such a joy. I'm choosing to simply enjoy you today, little one. I love being your mama (and amazed that you've already switched to calling me "Mom".)

Happy Birthday, Gen!

Simple Fall Recipe: Baked Apples

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:32:00 +0000

On a chilly fall day, one of our favorite dishes is a pan of baked apples! They make a fun snack (often combined with a dollop of plain yogurt), round out a meal as a side dish, or even a simple dessert (sometimes with a scoop of real ice cream!). Our family enjoys this healthy treat at least once a week. (Sorry, I meant to take a picture of them, but they got eaten too fast!) :)

Baked Apples

Choose your appropriate number of apples (1/2 - 1 apple per person).

Cut the core/seeds out of each apple, but try to leave the base of the apple intact (just hollow it out from the top, without cutting through).

Place apples in a baking dish (I use a glass 9x9" pan). To each apple, place inside the hollow:
1 tsp. Butter
1/2 tsp. ground Cinnamon
Drizzle of Maple or Sorghum Syrup
1 tsp. Raisins
Optional: 1 tsp. minced Almonds

Pour some water into the bottom of the pan (about a 1/2" depth or so). Bake at 400* for 40 min. Apples will be soft, and the skins will be popping off! If desired, serve with yogurt or ice cream. Delicious!

Living A Simple Life-Part 79: Happy Thanksgiving!

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:34:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving!

As a family, we're keeping things simple this year, and staying home. We have so often traveled for Thanksgiving, and we're looking forward to a restful time at home this season. (Especially since traveling with a new baby can be additionally challenging.)

We will miss seeing family this time, but are looking forward to sharing the day with a dear friend in our home. Calvin has to work on Thanksgiving Day (hmm... I wonder what kind of ambulance calls he will get today?), so we will actually be celebrating on Sunday (as you can see from my meal plan).

Calvin and I have been talking about how to set a biblical example of Thanksgiving for our children during this holiday. We have been focusing on teaching Gen about gratitude and contentment (using shopping trips and storytimes to talk about wants vs. needs, etc.).

Throughout the Bible, we read of God's people celebrating with feasts, as well as an important illustration of gratitude from the thankful healed leper. We have been speaking to Gen of thinking of things that we are thankful for, and how God has blessed us.

Since we are going to celebrate with a day of "feasting," I have been preparing to make all of our favorite holiday dishes. Also, it is nice to know that since it is all made it my kitchen, everything is gluten-free! (When we travel for Thanksgiving, I usually end up packing my own plate of food for family dinners.) Eating a holiday dinner at home makes things a bit simpler for me during this busy season of juggling naptimes, nursing sessions, and diaper changes.

I'm also looking forward to the leftovers! As a nursing mama of a big baby boy, I'm constantly munching on something to keep up my calories. (I lost my "baby weight" within the first couple weeks postpartum, so I have to make a conscious effort to snack regularly.) This is the perfect opportunity to have some things prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator/freezer for future meals/snacks. This keeps things simple as we head into preparations for Christmas, too (making a double batch of cranberry sauce, for example).

We thank God for all that He has given us this year, and for how He has lovingly guided us through the days. Many blessings to you on this day!

If you would like to put my "Simple Living" button on your blog, feel free to copy & paste the code located on the right side of the page. Let me know if you do, so that I can visit your blog! To read previous "installments" in my "Living a Simple Life" series, click on the "Simple Living" tab at the top of the page. You are welcome to leave comments on any of the posts; I read them all. Let me know if this has inspired a blog post of your own! Each Thursday, I write a new post in this series, so stop by next week!

Simple Fall Recipe: Millet & Cheese Casserole

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Early on in my sleepy postpartum season, I found myself one evening trying to put together a dinnertime meal one-handed, as I tried to calm a fussy baby. I pulled a combination of things out of the freezer, tossed them together in a casserole dish, and popped it into the oven. (I had frozen some meal staples earlier in the summer, so I had a bag of cooked millet, a bag of grated cheese, and a bag of tomatoes to work with.)

It turned out to be a nourishing alternative to a boxed "macaroni and cheese dinner", as well as quick and delicious! This meal has had a weekly place on our menu since then as one of our favorites. By request, I'm finally getting around to sharing the recipe!

Millet & Cheese Casserole
1 1/2 cups dry Millet
3 cups Water
1 1/2 Tbl. Whey or Lemon Juice (Optional; for soaking overnight if desired)
1 cup diced Tomatoes (green ones work, too!)
2 cups grated Cheese (Cheddar, Colby, or Pepper-Jack are good); you can add frozen grated cheese, if necessary; it still melts quickly enough
1 clove minced Garlic
1/2 tsp. dry Mustard Powder
1/4 tsp. Paprika
Sea Salt & Pepper to taste

In a pot, combine millet and water. Add whey or lemon juice if soaking overnight. When ready to prepare, cook millet until soft and all water is absorbed. Into the hot millet, stir in cheese, tomatoes, garlic, mustard powder, paprika, and salt and pepper. Heat on the stove until cheese is melted and tomatoes are heated through.

(If desired, you can prepare this ahead of time with cooked millet (leftovers are great!), and mix in the remaining ingredients. Just pop into the oven until hot and cheese is melted (about 350* for 15-20 min.).

It's a great warm dish on a cold fall day!

Weekly Menu Plan

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:17:00 +0000

We will be waiting until Sunday to have our Thanksgiving dinner, so I'll be doing some prep work throughout the week (and looking forward to leftovers next week!) :) Calvin was thrilled to find a 5 lb bag of tangerines on sale for 99 cents during a quick trip to the grocery store the other day, so we'll be munching on those this week!

Monday
• Breakfast: Apple Oven Pancake (from Simply in Season), Eggs
• Lunch: Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks
• Dinner: Seafood Date Night, Tangerines
To Do: Soak Pancake Batter, Soak Dried Peas

Tuesday
• Breakfast: Buttermilk Pancakes, Eggs
• Lunch: Quesadillas on Homemade Tortillas (make extra for Friday), Pears
• Dinner: Pot Pie (leftover Elk & Veggies), Tangerines
To Do: Soak Porridge, Make Sourdough Bread, Make Cranberry Sauce

Wednesday
• Breakfast: Oat or Teff Porridge, Eggs
• Lunch: Roast Elk (leftover) Sandwiches, Pears
• Dinner: Millet & Cheese Casserole (I'll be sharing this recipe tomorrow!), Carrot Sticks
To Do: Bake GF Bread, Make Butter (& Whipped Cream for Pies), Thaw Salmon

Thursday
• Breakfast: Eggs, Toast
• Lunch: Cheese Sandwiches, Tangerines
• Dinner: Veggie Quiche, Bread, Baked Apples
To Do: Thaw Pineapple, Thaw Gravy, Soak Pinto Beans, Thaw Tomatoes, Soak Rice, Thaw Bread

Friday
• Breakfast: Apple Omelets, Toast
• Lunch: Layered Bean Dip, Tortillas, Pears
• Dinner: Lemon-Pepper Salmon, Brown Rice, Green Beans
To Do: Soak Porridge, Make Mayonnaise, Bake Sweet Potato Biscuits

Saturday
• Breakfast: Oat or Teff Porridge, Eggs
• Lunch: Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks
• Dinner: Cream Cheese & Herb Omelets, Bread, Tangerines
To Do: Bake Pies, Prepare Stuffing, Bake Muffins

Sunday "Thanksgiving"
• Breakfast: Pumpkin Muffins, Eggs
• "Thanksgiving Dinner": Roast Turkey, Herbed Pear Stuffing, Whipped Cream Cheese Potato Bake, Gravy, Baked Yams & Apples, Sweet Potato Biscuits, Green Beans, Homemade Pickles, Olives, Cranberry-Orange Sauce, Pumpkin Pie, Whipped Cream, Creamy Pear Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream, Cider

Living A Simple Life-Part 78: Holiday Preparations

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:47:00 +0000

We love celebrating holidays rather simply in our family. But we fully enjoy the anticipation and preparation for the special days! Together, as a family, over the past few weeks, we've begun making homemade gifts for birthdays and Christmas, as well as stocking the kitchen with staples for Thanksgiving dinner.

Gen's birthday is coming up in a couple weeks, so I've been sewing her some little things. (I'm looking forward to sharing those with you soon!) It's a bit of a challenge to find a time to sew when she's not looking (so it can be a surprise), but with "Daddy library dates," I've been able to get some things completed.

We also began preparing some wooden gifts for family and friends, and participated in a recent local DIY Fair. The whole family attended the event, and Gen even loved helping "man the booth," as we shared our ideas with friends. (She was really excited to help demo the power drill and sandpaper (with Daddy's help). :) I'll be sharing those gifts with you soon, as well!

You may remember last year, when I demonstrated my gift envelopes, as well as being inspired to make some homemade lip balm.

When the kids are in bed, Calvin and I have really enjoyed brainstorming holiday ideas together. We love celebrating holidays with a biblical emphasis, and seek to incorporate Christ-focused traditions in our days. We seek to exchange meaningful gifts, in order to bless our little ones while teaching them about the real meaning of the day. (I also donate a % of my profits from my Etsy shop sales to Advent Conspiracy endeavors each year.)

So, our home is being transformed into a bit of a "workshop mode" these days, with a touch of sawdust, sewing thread scraps, and tape. And I love it! I cherish the simplicity of homemade holidays at home, instead of spending them out shopping!

If you would like to put my "Simple Living" button on your blog, feel free to copy & paste the code located on the right side of the page. Let me know if you do, so that I can visit your blog! To read previous "installments" in my "Living a Simple Life" series, click on the "Simple Living" tab at the top of the page. You are welcome to leave comments on any of the posts; I read them all. Let me know if this has inspired a blog post of your own! Each Thursday, I write a new post in this series, so stop by next week!

Baby Essentials (or Not): Simple Bibs

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Years ago, even before our first baby was born, I found the free bib sewing patterns here, intending to begin some sewing projects. However, in they busyness of life at that time, I never got around to sewing anything!

This time around, I knew how helpful bibs are with little ones. Even now, before Enoch is eating solid foods, it is nice to have a drool bib on him as he coos away in my baby carrier. Later on, they're obviously great to have on hand as they begin experimenting with food. (I remember being thankful for a bib the day we introduced blackberries to Gen!) :)

I recently decided to pull the patterns out, to create a gift for a friend's little boy who was born around the same time as our son. I used the Bib B pattern, with a few changes of my own.

Instead of edging the bib with a trim/bias tape, I just cut around the pattern, giving it an additional bit of fabric as a seam allowance, and turned and stitched it. Quick & easy! I used a snap-setter to apply a snap, since I love "snap-close" bibs. (They're less likely to get pulled off, stuck to laundry in the wash, etc. than velcro closure bibs.)

In order to make the bib fairly "waterproof" (without using an expensive waterproof fabric), I used what I had on hand. I used a combination of a dark blue fleece and a blue print flannel fabric. (You may recognize these fabrics from some wipes I sewed earlier.)

The back of the bib and the pocket are made with the fleece, while the front of the bib is flannel. (Fleece is "hydrophobic," so it helps prevent spills from soaking through.) I edged the fleece pocket with a zig-zag stitch first, to help it stand out from the bib a bit, in order to catch spills easier.

This was definitely a simple and fun project to sew, and I'm looking forward to making some more!

Living A Simple Life-Part 77: A Rainy Day

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:29:00 +0000

We are entering the beautiful rainy season (yes, I really mean that!), and it has been fun to see how Gen has amused herself now that the weather has changed.

Calvin and I giggled as we watched through the kitchen window while preparing lunch, spying on her playing on the back porch the other day. She was decked out in her red rainboots and raincoat, seemingly impervious to the rain at first. She watched a dishwashing basin (left from camping) fill with the pouring rain, and then decided to jump into it! Upon discovering that her knit tights were wet, she struggled to peel them off, and then wiggled her cute little toes in the rain, ready for more playtime. (I stopped her before she kept going, and took the dress off, too!)

We've been taking regular trips to the library (she is so much fun to go with!), and we recently discovered the Mr. Putter series. (A friend gave one of the books to Gen when Enoch was born, and we've giggled at the irony in this amusing series these past weeks.) These books have been a great "stretching" read for her, as there are some new words and concepts for her, but still enjoyable and understandable. (These are in the "early reader" section, marked for ages 4-6, but she is almost 3 and enjoying them.)

We've kept warm with "tea parties" with warm milk (with a dash of vanilla) or cups of herbal tea (she calls anything warm in a mug "tea.") We all have added more blankets to our beds, and Gen is fascinated with her own "new blankets." (I recently transitioned her from a pile of baby blankets, to a made bed of "real bedding" that I purchased at a 50% off sale at the thrift store during Memorial Day this year.) She is especially thrilled with a granny-squares multi-colored afghan that I topped her bed with.

I have stashed away some art supplies for rainy days, and we pulled out some paints last week for a fall art project. We used brushes and sponge brushes along with red, yellow, brown, and orange paints to create seasonal pictures of trees with fall leaves, inspired by this FamilyFun Foliage project.

It's definitely a season of some simple joys!

If you would like to put my "Simple Living" button on your blog, feel free to copy & paste the code located on the right side of the page. Let me know if you do, so that I can visit your blog! To read previous "installments" in my "Living a Simple Life" series, click on the "Simple Living" tab at the top of the page. You are welcome to leave comments on any of the posts; I read them all. Let me know if this has inspired a blog post of your own! Each Thursday, I write a new post in this series, so stop by next week!

Simple Fall Recipe: Carrot-Apple Salad

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:06:00 +0000

One of our family's favorite fall dishes is my Beloved's Carrot-Apple Salad recipe, so I asked him if I could share it. Calvin graciously typed it up for me, so here it is! Yes, there is a bit of "non-measuring" involved; that's how we typically cook in our home. But you can't really "mess it up." (If all else fails, add an extra dash of cinnamon, right?) :)

Carrot Apple Salad
Peeled and grated Carrots
Grated Apples
The ratio of carrots and apples can be varied according to taste and what’s on hand. I usually start with three carrots and a couple medium apples.
Handful of raw or roasted Sunflower Seeds
Handful and a little more of Dried Fruit (raisins, cranberries, etc)
A heavy sprinkling of dried shredded, unsweetened Coconut.
A splash of Orange or Lemon Juice. Don’t get carried away. Start small and go to taste. The main purpose is to keep the apple from getting brown.
1/2 tsp Cinnamon (or more)
1/8 tsp Ginger powder
Pinch of Nutmeg
Chopped Nuts (optional)
Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Taste, and adjust seasonings as necessary.

This makes a wonderful seasonal side salad for a lunch or dinner. It even makes a fun light breakfast or snack, topped with a dollop of yogurt!

Menu Plan Monday

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:56:00 +0000

We are definitely in the midst of fall! A sweet friend loaned me her dehydrator, so I've been working on dehydrating apples this past week. I'll continue on with pears this coming week.

We've been eating lots of baked apples for snacks, and squash for warm meals. Popcorn and warm milk (with a dash of vanilla) has also been a favorite treat for a "tea party" (when you're almost 3, anything warm served in a mug is "tea"). :)

Monday
• Breakfast: Leftover Buckwheat Porridge, Eggs
• Lunch: Split Pea Soup, Coconut Muffins, Apples
• Dinner: Millet & Cheese Casserole, Carrot Sticks
To Do: Make Sourdough Bread, Make Butter, Soak Beans, Thaw Moose, Soak Waffle Batter

Tuesday
• Breakfast: Buttermilk Waffles, Breakfast Sausage Patties
• Lunch: Baked Spaghetti Squash with Cheese, Apples
• Dinner: Black Bean Taco Salad, Yogurt, Bread, Carrot Sticks
To Do: Make GF Bread, Soak Rice, Soak Dried Peas

Wednesday
• Breakfast: Eggs, Toast
• Lunch: Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Apples
• Dinner: Stroganoff (with ground Moose), Brown Rice, Peas
To Do: Soak Porridge, Soak Millet, Soak Garbanzo Beans

Thursday
• Breakfast: Oat or Teff Porridge, Eggs
• Lunch: Cheese Sandwiches, Pears
• Dinner: Veggie & Garbanzo Bean Curry, Millet
To Do: Dehydrate Pears

Friday
• Breakfast: Pear Omelets, Yogurt, Toast
• Lunch: Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Carrot-Apple Salad
• Dinner: Salmon Crépes, Steamed Green Beans
To Do: Soak Buckwheat

Saturday
• Breakfast: Apple Oven Pancake (from Simply in Season), Eggs
• Lunch: Cheese Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks
• Dinner: Moose Burgers (no bun), Herbed Buckwheat, Pears
To Do: Soak Porridge, Pick Up Milk

Sunday
• Breakfast: Oat or Teff Porridge, Eggs
• Lunch: Cheese Slices, Popcorn, Apples, Homemade Pickles
• Dinner: Salmon Patties (include leftover grains), Bread, Carrot Sticks

Visit Organizing Junkie for more Menu Plan Monday ideas!

Living A Simple Life-Part 76: Nurturing Marriage

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:38:00 +0000

Once we got past the intense "newborn stage" of having a new little one, my Beloved and I set a new goal of having a date night once a month (ironically inspired by a motivating article in Dr. Sears' Attachment Parenting Book). I don't know why we hadn't done this years ago, but we knew we really needed to do this!

It is so easy to become overly busy; whether it is from the kindheartedness of an inability to say "no" to too many obligations, or going to and fro to attend various "obligations" (even church-related ones!). Such busyness can really encroach upon a marriage.

We have learned over the years how important it is to cultivate the "best friend-ness" of our marriage. We love being together; why should this person whom we have a covenant to spend the rest of our life with, take a low priority on our "to-do" list for the week?

Our weekly date nights are frugal, of course, but absolutely priceless. We love being home together (we can really be such hermits, sometimes!) ;) and love taking the time to engage in conversation. Once the little ones are in bed (we try for early bedtimes on those evenings), we can dream and think deeply together. Over the past weeks, it has been so nice to discuss dreams and plans for the future, as well as reminisce over the past.

Our date nights at home have included a candlelit homemade dinner, juicing apples for homemade spiced cider, watching the Fireproof movie borrowed from the library, and a game of Scrabble with stove-popped popcorn, for example.

"So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
Matthew 19:6

Our marriage is a precious gift from God. We are so thankful for the work He has done in sustaining it, and we want to glorify Him by being good stewards of our relationship with each other. Simple, but challenging.

If you would like to put my "Simple Living" button on your blog, feel free to copy & paste the code located on the right side of the page. Let me know if you do, so that I can visit your blog! To read previous "installments" in my "Living a Simple Life" series, click on the "Simple Living" tab at the top of the page. You are welcome to leave comments on any of the posts; I read them all. Let me know if this has inspired a blog post of your own! Each Thursday, I write a new post in this series, so stop by next week!

Natural Medicine Kit Essential: People's Paste

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:17:00 +0000

Awhile ago, I promised to occasionally describe elements of our family's natural medicine kit. Well, here is another one, with a guest post from my Beloved!

Calvin shared this remedy from his childhood with me, and I'm so thankful he did. (He's usually the one that needs it, but with two little ones, it's great to have on hand!) Here is what he says...

People’s paste was often reached for by my parents as a natural antibacterial ointment. Many, many scrapes and bike injuries were quickly covered with the green goo. In every instance, infection was avoided and the wound was allowed to heal without synthetic antibiotics and petroleum-based products.

People’s paste is a mixture of equal parts myrrh powder, slippery elm bark powder, and goldenseal powder. The powders are thoroughly mixed, and brought to a paste form by stirring in raw honey. The paste is spread over cuts and punctures and let to dry to form a “scab” (the slippery elm bark can create its own "bandage"). Apply a band-aid or gauze over the injury, if desired, to prevent the dried the dried paste from falling off, or from getting wet & turning back into goo!

The dried people’s paste on your wound should be carefully reconstituted and dabbed off with a small amount of warm water and replaced with a clean application of paste at least once a day. Because people’s paste is so effective at drawing infection out of a wound, it’s important to remove the old “contaminated” paste regularly.

All of the components of people’s paste contain potent antimicrobial properties, while the raw honey also aids in tissue repair.

People’s paste may be made as needed, or a larger batch may be stored for future emergencies. People’s paste may become hard if stored for any length of time. This can be remedied by either mixing in more raw honey, or filtered water.

Weekly Menu Plan

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:02:00 +0000

I'm doing a bunch of "reusing leftovers" types of recipes this week, after our week of company meals. So, sorry, no recipe links this week; just some basics.

Sunday
• Breakfast: Oat or Buckwheat Porridge, Eggs
• Lunch: Cheese Slices, Popcorn, Apples, Homemade Pickles
• Dinner: Chicken/Veggie Soup (use leftover chicken/bones), Bread

To Do: Soak Brown Rice

Monday
• Breakfast: Eggs, Toast
• Lunch: Cottage Cheese, Bread, Carrot Sticks
• Dinner: Stroganoff (use leftover elk), Brown Rice, Yogurt, Baked Apples
To Do: Bake GF Bread, Soak Beans, Soak Millet

Tuesday
• Breakfast: Millet with Apples, Eggs
• Lunch: Cheese Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks
• Dinner: "Taco" Casserole (with beans & leftover brown rice), Yogurt, Sauteed Zucchini
To Do: Soak Pancake Batter

Wednesday
• Breakfast: Buttermilk Pancakes, Eggs
• Lunch: Salmon Salad Sandwiches, Peach Smoothies (from freezer)
• Dinner: Spaghetti Squash & Cheese, Apples, Fried Green Tomatoes
To Do: Make Sourdough Bread

Thursday
• Breakfast: Eggs, Toast
• Lunch: Cheese Sandwiches, Apples
• Dinner: Pizza with White Sauce & Spinach, Carrot Sticks
To Do: Soak Porridge, Thaw Beef

Friday
• Breakfast: Porridge with Peanut Butter
• Lunch: Egg Salad Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks
• Dinner: Cream Cheese & Herb Omelets, Bread, Baked Apples
To Do: Thaw Green Beans

Saturday
• Breakfast: Eggs, Toast
• Lunch: Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Green Beans
• Dinner: Baked Stuffed Squash, Bread
To Do: Soak Porridge, Pick Up Milk, Soak Beans

Sunday

Breakfast: Oat or Buckwheat Porridge, Eggs
Lunch: Cheese Sandwiches, Apple Slices
Dinner: White Bean Salad, Steamed Green Beans, Bread

Living A Simple Life-Part 75: The Joy of Children

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:32:00 +0000

Through this summer and fall (with a 4 week break after Enoch's birth), I have been babysitting a sweet little toddler boy each morning, with plans to continue through the winter. This past week, when we had a couple plumbers coming through our home for some maintenance, they both expressed shock at "all the little ones" we had in our home, commenting on how "brave" we were for caring for children so close in age.

We just giggled. We love having our home full of little ones! We definitely believe that children are a blessing from God, and love sharing life with them. Yes, caring for little ones is definitely hard work sometimes (especially if someone is teething or woke up on the wrong side of the bed!), but as we rock and cuddle them in our laps, we really feel like this is what we were created to do: to love these little ones.

We have learned how important is to make sure each child gets some one-on-one time. (If they don't get that much-needed positive attention, they tend to make sure they get some sort of attention; often by doing "no-no"s!). It can get noisy, and the potty/diaper-changing times can often seem endless, but we love hearing that pitter-patter of little feet and those sweet giggles.

Some days are certainly challenging (especially at first), as we've adjusted to caring for not two- but three- little ones! But it is good. Each child brings their own unique joy for life to our home, and it is so fun to see them interact with one another, as they learn about the world around them. (Photo by SarahGrace Photography)

It has been fun to see them learn about sharing and caring for others, and patience, as well as meeting new developmental milestones. Gen has learned how to be more of a "helper" as she has gotten older, and loves having tasks to do for the little boys. (As with most preschoolers, sometimes she can be a bit too exuberant in her love and helpfulness, and we have to remind her to "be careful!" to avoid spills, falling, etc.)

We typically have "outside time" for about an hour while Enoch is napping, where the two older ones can play on the swing set, explore the garden, dig in the dirt, pick flowers, find pretty fall leaves, or play chase in the yard. While inside, they usually play with wooden puzzles, toy cars, Legos, teddy bears/dolls, and toy food/dishes.

We try to go to "story time" at the library once or twice a month (two fit nicely in the red wagon, as we walk down the block!), and we regularly bring home stacks of books to read. They all love hearing stories read to them; even Enoch likes to look at the pictures.

We cherish each day with the simple joy of these precious little ones!

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him."
Psalm 127:3

If you would like to put my "Simple Living" button on your blog, feel free to copy & paste the code located on the right side of the page. Let me know if you do, so that I can visit your blog! To read previous "installments" in my "Living a Simple Life" series, click on the "Simple Living" tab at the top of the page. You are welcome to leave comments on any of the posts; I read them all. Let me know if this has inspired a blog post of your own! Each Thursday, I write a new post in this series, so stop by next week!

Fall Favorites Soup

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:28:00 +0000

I've been sharing about some of our favorite aspects of the autumn season lately, so I thought I'd post my soup recipe. I look forward all year to making this, and I was finally able to make it for the first time this year about a week or so ago! Yum.

Fall Favorites Soup
1/2 cup chopped Onion
1 Tbl. Butter
3 small Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced
2 cups Squash Soup or Pureed Squash (Butternut is good)
1 Apple, finely minced
1 cup Chicken Broth and/or Apple Cider (may need to add extra, depending on desired consistency of soup)
1 cup grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/2 tsp. dried Thyme
1/2 tsp. dried Sage
1/2 tsp. Paprika (plus more for garnish)
Dash (or two) of Cayenne
Salt & Pepper to taste
Plain Yogurt or Sour Cream to garnish, optional
Additional Apple Slices to garnish, optional

Saute onion in butter in a large pot until tender. Stir in broth/cider, potatoes, squash puree, apple, and seasonings. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes until potatoes are done. Gradually add grated cheese, stirring until melted. Adjust seasonings as needed. (If you desire a sweeter soup, you can add a drizzle of maple syrup.) Garnish with a dollop of yogurt , a couple apple slices, and an additional sprinkle of paprika per bowl, if desired.

Variation: Diced Chicken-Apple Sausage (nitrate-free) is also a fun addition to this soup!

Weekly Menu Plan

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:11:00 +0000

We have company arriving for the week, so I have an assortment of "cooking for company" meals. I'm still keeping things pretty frugal, and we're excited to start using some of the fresh, local, organic produce that we got from the Farmer's Market and a natural foods co-op.
Sunday

Breakfast: Oat or Buckwheat Porridge, Eggs
Lunch: Cheese Sandwiches, Apple Slices
Dinner: Roast Elk (in crockpot), Roasted Butternut Squash (from Whole Foods Cookbook), Bread

To Do: Soak Pancake Batter, Soak Beans, Thaw Roast, Soak Lentils, Soak Rice

Monday
• Breakfast: Buttermilk Pancakes, Eggs
• Lunch: Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Apples
• Dinner: Garam Masala Lentil Soup, Brown Rice, Rhubarb
To Do: Make Sourdough Bread, Thaw Salmon, Soak Quinoa, Thaw Chicken

Tuesday
• Breakfast: Coconut Bread, Eggs
• Lunch: Baked Spaghetti Squash with Cheese, Carrot Sticks
• Dinner: Lemon Pepper Salmon, Baked Apples, Quinoa
To Do: Make GF Bread, Make Butter, Bake Cake

Wednesday
• Breakfast: Eggs, Toast
• Lunch: Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Apple Slices
• Dinner: Veggie Quiche, Bread & Butter, Cake
To Do: Soak Porridge, Soak Millet

Thursday
• Breakfast: Oat or Buckwheat Porridge, Eggs
• Lunch: Cheese Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks
• Dinner: Chicken Drumsticks, Millet, Steamed Green Beans
To Do: Soak Pancake Batter, Thaw Spinach, Soak Rice

Friday
• Breakfast: Buttermilk Pancakes, Eggs
• Lunch: Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Carrot-Apple Salad
• Dinner: White Bean/Spinach/Cheese Casserole, Brown Rice
To Do: Make Chicken Stock

Saturday
• Breakfast: Apple Oven Pancake (from Simply in Season), Eggs
• Lunch: Cheese Sandwiches, Carrot-Apple Salad
• Dinner: Salmon Cakes, leftover Millet, Steamed Green Beans
To Do: Soak Porridge, Pick Up Milk

Sunday
• Breakfast: Oat or Buckwheat Porridge, Eggs
• Lunch: Cheese Slices, Popcorn, Baked Apples
• Dinner: Leftovers, Bread & Butter

Living A Simple Life-Part 74: Enjoying the Farmer's Market

paisleysister@yahoo.com (Michele @ Frugal Granola) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:03:00 +0000

Now is the season of stocking up on favorite fall produce, and getting ready for winter. We went to the Farmer's Market this week (which is soon closing for the year), and picked up a cute butternut squash and some end-of-the-season rhubarb. (A hot rhubarb sauce has been a perfect side dish to an autumn meal!)

Our whole family loves going to the Farmer's Market, wandering past all the tables overflowing with beautiful produce, and supporting/talking with our local farmers. We praise God for the beauty of this season, and the many autumn blessings!

The heirloom tomatoes in our garden were starting to tempt the local slug population, so we decided to pick them all- especially since frost will be arriving soon. I've been experimenting with some fun green tomato recipes, and have some bowls full of green tomatoes to start canning this week.

When visiting family a couple weeks ago, I asked my dear mother-in-law what she recommended for green tomatoes, and she suggested a green tomato salsa. Well, Salsa Verde has turned out to be a family favorite on some Mexican-flavored brown rice casseroles.

I know many people have tips and tricks for what to do with green tomatoes- I'd love to hear your suggestions! Mine are taken care of this year, but your suggestions will definitely be a good resource to read.

If you would like to put my "Simple Living" button on your blog, feel free to copy & paste the code located on the right side of the page. Let me know if you do, so that I can visit your blog! To read previous "installments" in my "Living a Simple Life" series, click on the "Simple Living" tab at the top of the page. You are welcome to leave comments on any of the posts; I read them all. Let me know if this has inspired a blog post of your own! Each Thursday, I write a new post in this series, so stop by next week!