March Update

Already a week into April!

As mentioned in my February update, we were on break from co-op most of March.  We had an unusually large number of social gatherings, especially Kylen.  He went to three birthday parties!  I love it when he has lots of opportunities for seeing friends.  He has begun going to a weekly church youth group that he seems to like a lot.  We hosted his friends a few times, met family and friends for dinner, and started back up attending a monthly Bible group.  Greg is no longer going to his men's group Friday mornings, but he and Kylen are still enjoying a youth group for boys and their dads.  So even though we didn't have co-op, it still felt like a pretty busy month!

Recently, I've been feeling a desire to begin reducing my responsibilities at our co-op.  Much of my free time over the last 10 years has gone into INCH, and it has been incredibly rewarding (and sometimes stressful).  Overall, I was happy to do it, but I am  getting the strong sense that it is time to begin winding down and putting my energy other directions.  I thought I would be sad, but I'm feeling mostly excitement, as I begin transitioning toward life after Kylen graduates.  I've made arrangements for handing off two big responsibilities for next year: planning our co-op's Christmas party and preparing the family bins each trimester.  The following year I would like to hand over all the picture taking for the yearbook.  Probably last will be sending out the weekly newsletter, but we shall see!

I'm hoping we can make progress on a few home projects in April related to decluttering and do a bit of work in the yard.

Spring is here!  :)

She's Beautiful!

We weren't able to make it over to see my brother's little girl at the hospital before his wife was discharged, but he did send us a picture.  She sure is a pretty baby, isn't she?  I'm looking forward to meeting her!

Spots of Green 'Round the House

1828 Webster's on the desk.

 

 

Necktie for Kylen.  Earlier in the day, I got to pinch him.  :)



Fake palm in the corner with white lights.

 

Cards, calendar page, cardboard initial, and kit from B&N.  Think I'll get a four-leaf clover?

 

 

Spots of green are extra welcome when yearning for spring!
 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I always like to listen to Loch Lomond by John McDermott on St. Patrick's Day.  It just seems so Irish!

Happy Pi Day!!

Some friends of ours have a son who was born March 14th, and they got us warmed up to Pi Day last year with their fun celebration.  The mathematical term "pi" is a number that begins 3.14, hence March 14th or 3-14 being designated as Pi Day.  Well, I found out from my uncle's family that today is an extra special Pi Day that only comes up once every 100 years.  If you go out several more decimal places, pi is equal to 3.141592653.  This means that March 14th, '15 9:26:53 is a very special moment!  Happy Pi Day!!!  (Where will you be at 9:26:53?  Or where were you?  Better make note of it!  ;-)

Elimination Diet: "Taco" Dinner or Perfect Meat for Rice

So how do you have a taco dinner when you can't eat tomatoes, corn, or flour?  Here's how, and it's one of my favorite meals.  :)

"Taco" Dinner

1 onion, chopped

1 lb. ground turkey or chicken
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
Beanitos black bean chips

Optional Toppings
Avocado, diced or mashed
Fresh cilantro, 10 sprigs or to taste
Green onion, sliced

Cook onion until translucent.  Add meat, and cook until beginning to brown.  Add garlic.  Cook a few minutes.  Stir in seasonings.  Heat a few more minutes to blend flavors.  Adjust seasonings to taste.

Wash and dry cilantro.  Pull off leaves and tear into pieces.

Break up chips, and place on plate.  Top with meat, onion, avocado, cilantro, and green onion.  I may skip the cilantro and onion, but I really like to have the avocado if I'm do this taco style.

 

In the picture below, I topped the meat with a cabbage slaw that needed to be used up.  (You just mix sliced cabbage, cilantro, green onion, olive oil, and Herbamare.)

If you skip the toppings, this makes a flavorful meat to mix with cooked rice.  Then, add veggie on the side such as peas for a complete meal.

February Update

It's March!

February flew by in a whirl of school and driver's ed.  Kylen was VERY happy to have his last classroom session Thursday (final drive with instructor tomorrow).  I don't think the poor kid has ever experienced such a demanding schedule.  It was rough!  But he took the written portion of the test and passed.  Woo hoo!  Now he just needs to keep practicing driving with Greg, and he should be able to get his license on his 16th birthday.  :)

We also had our last day of co-op for the trimester and are officially on break (although school will continue without co-op!).  I will not be teaching during the spring, as I will be aiding in two classes as backup for a friend who has a lot of health challenges.  I won't need to spend the month of March preparing a class.  Yay!  I'm starting to feel almost guilty about having a calm schedule for so long . . . almost!

But I'm not completely idle!  Researching new recipes for my restricted diet (and even trying a few out now and then ;) . . . researching curriculum for next school year, since we'll be changing what we use for at least three subjects . . . researching college info.  After spending a full day looking into options for becoming a writer, Kylen told me he really feels the Lord directing him toward ministry.  He had told me not long back that he is interested in becoming a minister, but I didn't know how serious he was about it.  Apparently, pretty serious!  I'm excited!  I feel like he's going to learn all sorts of awesome things I'd love to know.  :)  I'm not sure where the Lord will take him, but I'm so, SO incredibly proud of him!!!!