Marshmallows

Even though I love sweets, marshmallows aren't on the top of my list. Unless, of course, they are on s'mores. Then they are an all time favorite.  I was reminded of this last weekend when we had s'mores at Miss Landers' house. During the course of roasting our marshmallows, someone mentioned that they now made flat marshmallows to go between graham crackers. I thought that idea sounded very gimmicky, but I guess "Build it and they will come," or "Make it and they will impulse buy it," applies here.

Anyway, I wondered what else I didn't know about the world of marshmallows, so I did a little Googling. I learned that first the marshmallows were actually made from the root of the marshmallow plant and were used to treat sore throats. I also learned that along with the flat marshmallows, there are mini ones, fruity ones, chocolate ones, and just about every other size and shape you can imagine. In addition, I discovered that the world record for stacking regular size marshmallows with chopsticks is five and I found a recipe for making marshmallow peeps.

Despite all of this new found knowledge, I continue to hold onto the one thing I know for sure. Marshmallows are one of the best highly processed foods out there--as long as they are used on s'mores.

Making s'mores at Miss Landers

Second Look--May 16, 2012

I thought it was still spring with new iris and wild cherry trees blooming. Then when I looked outside today for a Second Look, I found blanket flowers along with the first day lilies--both things I associate with summer.  I guess only the plants know when the time is right for them to bloom.

Also, I have seen a couple of new calves in the field behind us. After talking to the farmer, I found out that most of the calves go to kids for 4H projects. Some are kept for breeding. Anyway, it's fun to watch them chase each other. The birds remain active and the deer visit every day. And the squirrels... they ate entire cake of suet this week.

See what I found this week.

Blanket Flowers (Gaillardia)

Tulip poplar. This actually is not a poplar tree. It's a member of the the magnolia family.

Calf

Yellow iris

Gray squirrel

Geranium-Rozanne

 Wild Cherry in full bloom

Watchful deer

Stella Dora Day Lily

Cardinal and downy woodpecker

Happy Mother's Day

When I think about my mother and what she taught me, my head spins because the list seems endless. She taught me how to measure a cup of flour with the straight edge of a butter knife and the dying art of ironing a shirt. I know how to treat a fever and plan a menu thanks to her tutoring.

A table I helped lash at Girl Scout camp.

And when she didn't know how to do something herself, she made sure that I learned in other ways. She took me to swimming lessons and clarinet lessons. That says a lot for someone who was afraid of the water and wanted to wear earplugs during my early music instruction. Thanks to her, I know how to lash a table out of branches and I don't think that's something she learned in nursing school. I think the 23 years she dedicated to being a Girl Scout leader had something to do with that.

However if I have to pick one thing that she taught me, I think the most important is respect for others and especially the elderly. When I was growing up, we had several older people in our neighborhood.

Mrs. Craft, one of the neighbors I visited growing up.

We regularly took food to them and just visited—sitting on the couch and talking. It wasn't always easy for me, but I learned how important it was over time. I hope that I have taught this respect to my children as well.

So, Mother, when I can't be there to take you some food and just sit on the couch and visit, I want you to know that you've got one* grateful daughter wishing you a Happy Mother's Day.

*Actually, I've got three sisters, so my mother has four grateful daughters this Mother's Day.

A Day in the Life of...

A Day in the Life of..
or The Good, Bad, and the Mundane.


I'd like to say that my blog readers have been asking me what a typical day in my life is like, but they haven't. I'd like to say that I had a very interesting day yesterday that I'd like to share, but I didn't. What I will say, here is an experiment I did. I documented a day of mine, so when someone asks me what I've been up to, I might have an answer instead of a blank.

Did the experiment help me understand how I spend my time on a typical day? Well, sort of.  Did I learn anything else? Yes, I learned that I don't need an exciting day to go to bed happy.

With no further ado, here is a day in the life of me.

Dawn broke and the cats' stomach alarms went off.  And the only way to turn them off was to feed them. So I fed them.

Next, I fed myself. I had my usual bowl of cereal (and some cookies.) But you won't see those. I like to present the illusion that I eat well.

After breakfast, Wally and I chased down Annie to give her her medicine. And after we caught her, we had to catch Leo for the same thing. The whole process was exhausting.

I was cutting it a little close, but on the way to work, but I stopped at the post office to mail a letter. Everything worked out just right and I made it to work on time. Hurray!

Work was fairly routine. Book, book, everywhere a book. I won't mention the piece of birthday cake I had because as you know I eat well.

After work, I went home for a healthful lunch of salad and cottage cheese. Fortunately, you can't see the three cookies I also had. And if you ask me about them, I will deny I know anything about them. I usually always have a good diet.

Then I was off to see the eye doctor. (Get the pun. "See" the eye doctor. I amuse myself sometimes.) All was well and I got some free samples of eye drops.

I decided that I should pick up a few groceries on the way home. Can't live without skim milk and Cheerios. Part of a good diet you know.

After I got home, I did a little weeding. The rain we've had made the weeds fairly easy to dig and pull.

While I was out, I thought I had better take the recycling down to the curb for tomorrow's pickup. It seems like we only remember to do this about half of the time, so I was pleased with myself.

Then for some work on my blog. Joining me, with a little lap time, were the cats. All of them took a turn but Annie. She was still a little leery of me because the this morning's medicine chase.

It was soon time to start supper. We had baked potatoes, green beans, and pork. And no cookies. (Ward got to them before I had a chance.)

After supper we had a little relaxing time in front of the TV watching the Big Bang. We all love that show (except Wally).

Soon it was time for bed.

And a little reading. (And a few cookies that Ward didn't get to. Darn, they were good, but I had to brush my teeth again.)

The End.

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Food Waste Friday--May 11, 2012

It's time for Food Waste Friday, when the Frugalgirl encourages us to post pictures from the previous week of wasted food from our household. This accountability hopefully will help us to be more careful with our food and maybe save some money. 

Here it goes for this week.

Apparently, we have gnomes that visited us in the middle of the night this week for a snack. They picked out what they thought was tasty, and left the rest on the counter overnight. That sent rice, green beans, and vegetable soup to the trash. Boo. Hiss. The gnomes better be more careful the next time they think they want a midnight snack. The food waste police are waiting for them.