Quotable Quotes Of Today
After reading part of the fifth Harry Potter book in which Lily tells James if she could choose going on a date with him or a giant squid, she would Choose the giant squid, then Ken was thinking about how Lily ended up marrying James.
Kenn: I guess the giant squid was unavailable.
Talking about basketball players, and Mom not knowing who they were.
“Well, I’ve heard of Michael Jackson.”. She then corrected herself and said Michael Jordan
07/08/2010 | michele | Comment
Sesame Street Character
I’m coming out of blog retirement to post which Sesame Street character I am most like. i’m not sure they got it right though.
http://www.wyff4.com/entertainment/21438756/detail.html
11/10/2009 | michele | Comment [1]
Quinan Quote: What happens when a boy grows up with only sisters
Mom: Quinan, you know you have school tomorrow, right?
Quinan: I do? What am I going to wear?
08/24/2009 | michele | Comment [2]
Family Chaos
Sometimes the funniest thing about my family is the every day chaos. We were waiting for family home evening to start and Kennerley was in the living room practicing the piano, I was in the family room at the computer with Jensen sitting on the couch reading a book to Hugh with Quinan sitting on the other end of the couch playing a guitar while singing, “I love rock-n-roll.” I just started laughing because I have no idea how anyone could do anything there was so much chaotic noise. Just an everyday occurrence around here.
06/15/2009 | michele | Comment
I LOVE SUMMER!!!!!!!
I love that by 9:00 am we are just getting started instead of already feeling like I have half my day over. I love that I can stay up later than 9:00 pm without thinking the whole time “I am really going to regret this tomorrow.” I love that I can enjoy the day and still have time to get things done! I love the heat (well, we haven’t really had that yet – but I am looking forward to it) I love making lemon bars which for some reason just taste the best in the summer. I love that I am not rushing around like a crazy woman taking kids someplace, picking up kids from someplace, taking them again. I don’t think I have ever appreciated summer as much as I do this year. Everyday I say to myself, “I love summer!”
What is your favorite part of summer?
06/11/2009 | michele | Comment [1]
Fruits and Veggies
The past few months our family has really strived to eat more fruits and vegetables. Actually not only eat more but have fruits and vegetables be our primary source of food.
One of the reasons for this was an article I came across which stated the following information: “Since the early 1900s, significant changes have occurred in the American diet. In 1909 about 60 to 70 percent of our caloric intake came from whole garden foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds. We consumed less than 20% of our calories from animal-based sources, and less than 20 percent of our calories were consumed from oils, sugar, and other refined and processed foods. As the food industry has perfected the most profitable way to sell food, our intake of meat has more than doubled per person; fat intake has more than doubled; cheese and soda intakes have risen 7 times; intake of sugar has more than doubled; intake of salad oils has risen 13 times; intake of fresh garden produce is 13 times less; and we consume 100 pounds less grain per person per year. The U.S. now consumes 42 percent of its calories from animal-based foods; 51 percent from refined and processed foods; and 7 percent from whole garden foods.”
From some reason this really struck something in me when I read it and as a result we have dabbled in having our primary source of food come from fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and legumes. I have to say it is not easy. And its not easy because processed or man-made foods are made to taste so good so we often fall back to those delicious chips. At least that is what does it more me. So one of my goals this summer is to really get my body used to eating only fruits and vegetables. I have found some recipes that fit in that I have started trying out and I have to say I am pretty surprised how good they taste. Another problem I have had in eating this way is that I love to cook and I love trying new recipes. It seems sometimes like there isn’t so much you can make when eating fruits and vegetables. But so far these recipes have kept the chef part of me satisfied. The funny thing is that the times in the past when we have tried eating this way we always feel great and have more energy and then somehow get sucked back into the processed foods, oils, sugars, etc. I wonder why that is when we can actually feel the difference?
Please share if you have any recipes using no oils, processed items, etc. Or if you are successful in finding ways not to eat those yummy chips. Can you tell chips are my downfall?
05/31/2009 | michele | Comment [2]
WE ARE BACK!!!
Yea! We only have 4 more days of school left and only one of those is a whole day. I think I am more excited than the kids!
I couple of years ago there was an article in the Washington Post, Pearls Before Breakfast. This article is long so if you don’t want to read it here is a quick summary (though I HIGHLY recommend reading it). The writer of the article did an experiment. He placed Joshua Bell – a very accomplished violinist in a busy subway station during the morning rush hour dressed in street clothes. Joshua Bell played and they video taped how many people would stop and listen. “His performance was arranged by The Washington Post as an experiment in context, perception and priorities — as well as an unblinking assessment of public taste: In a banal setting at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend? The musician did not play popular tunes whose familiarity alone might have drawn interest. That was not the test. These were masterpieces that have endured for centuries on their brilliance alone, soaring music befitting the grandeur of cathedrals and concert halls.” This article has made such an impression on me because so many people not only did not stop to listen but many did not even notice. I am often afraid that if I had been there I would have been one of those who had not even noticed. I get so focused on what I need to do that I don’t notice the beauty around me. I know I miss alot. So I have really been trying not to rush through life. But slow down and enjoy it. Well, this past school year I didn’t do so well with that. There was to much new stuff our family went through and life got rather crazy.
So yea I am going to get back to slowing down my life. As I am getting back to living life and not just being in life I also need to do 2 things. #1 – get my house under control. It is messy and dirty and I need to clean it and organize it. #2 – get in better health by eating better and getting into shape.
Of course I will be trying to do these thing – along with enjoying whatever is going on – while I try to keep 3 kids from being bored and fitting in a busy church calling. So wish me luck!
What do you want to do with your summer?
05/29/2009 | michele | Comment [1]
The bravest thing you ever did
I can think of lots of times when I have had to do something that took me out of my comfort zone. I think doing those took bravery. But the first thing that came to mind is when I went to Interlochen Arts Academy.
I was 15 the first year I went to the Academy. My family lived in Colorado which was really far from Michigan. I had been away from home before, though not for months at a time. I think though what makes it so brave is that I went and did not know a single person. I had a good set of friends in Colorado and sometimes I can’t believe as a teenager I left a place I had friends and chose to go somewhere where I knew no one. Also, now that Kennerley is at about the age I was when I left I can’t believe I went. She seems so young to leave home! I also think letting me go was the bravest thing my mom probably ever did. Sending her oldest off someplace she really did not know to much about.
03/16/2009 | michele | Comment [1]
Describe a typical day of your Junior High years...
I went to Northeast Junior High. I don’t remember what time I got up. But I think I might have practiced the piano before school. Then after a good breakfast which my mom always made (eggs, pancakes, etc) I was off. I walked. It probably took me 20 minutes. If I remember correctly I met my friend Allison part way and we walked the rest of the way together. After school I would stay and practice. My harp was kept at the school because I needed it for orchestra. I’m thinking I stayed till 4:00 but I don’t really remember. Then I would walk home. After school, I had piano lessons once a week, mutual and occasionally a harp lesson. I think that was about it. Mom, did I leave anything out?
How about you? Describe a typical day of your Junior High years. Do you remember?
03/12/2009 | michele | Comment [2]
What are you reading?
I am reading The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara.
My sister Kim had read it and when I saw the title I thought “What in the world is she reading!” Other then the title it is a good book. It is about the Civil War – the battle at Gettysburg. It is a historical fiction. Growing up the Civil War fascinated me. I always wanted to live on a huge plantation and wear great, big, huge dresses. How fun would that be!
So what are you reading?