Organization is the Key!

Or at least I am hoping it is! I just spent three straight hours organizing my pantry! In my defense I will mention that my pantry is actually a small 6x6 room. It houses not only food, but all my small appliances, carpet cleaner, mops, brooms, etc. So this was not a small task. I took my label maker in with me and went crazy. I found things I had forgotten I owned, things I have not used once in the ten years I have lived in this house. Those are going to goodwill. I found four containers of bread crumbs...that seemed a bit excessive to me, perhaps I will hold off on buying anymore for awhile ;)

(OK, small disclaimer....this is not a pic of my pantry....mine is nowhere near this empty!)

This is all part of my belief that becoming more organized can help me save money in the long run. I did the same fun thing with my large upright freezer that had been sitting in the garage unused for the past few years. It is now freshly cleaned and in the basement with cute little baskets in it that have tags denoting what hides inside. A dry erase board on the door helps me keep track of the meats I have inside. This way I can buy in bulk during sales! Great ideas, right? I have discovered the joy of freezing things like butter, blueberries, and even fresh herb ice cubes! I can see the savings adding up! Maybe.

The problem for me is in the follow through. I can organize like a pro! It is sticking with it that is the problem. All it takes is a few times of being in too much of a hurry, or dare I say it, too lazy, to put items away properly. The next thing I know the pantry is regurgitating out into my laundry room and the freezer is an iced over tomb of unknown foods. I glance in, shut the door, and suggest eating out. 

This time I have promised myself to reign in my ADD and keep on the task set before me. I am helped in this mission by my supportive husband and children (biological & in law) who have openly scoffed at my ability to stay organized. I am now more motivated than ever to prove them all wrong! I can conquer my disorganization! I am woman, hear me roar!!

.....But prayers for this endeavor are appreciated ;)

~Marla

So You Think You Know Me?

Labels. As humans we feel the need to put them on everyone. Republican/Democrat. Liberal/Conservative. Right Wing/Left Wing. Pro Life/Pro Abortion. Pro Choice/Anti Choice. Pro Gun Control/Anti Gun Control. Animal Rights Proponent/Hunter. Law Abiding Citizen/Criminal. Capitalist/Socialist. Evolutionist/Creationist.  Pro Capital Punishment/Anti Capital Punishment. Evangelical Christian/Mainstream Christian. I could keep going, but I’m sure you get the picture. We use labels to define the people around us every single day. But are we correct in our assumptions? Do we know the individual we are labeling as well as we think we do?

Here is an exercise for all of us. Copy the labels above and think of a friend or relative that you think you know fairly well. Now circle each items as you believe it pertains to them. Now looking at the labels you have selected do you believe you have an adequate grasp on this person’s inner most thoughts and beliefs? If you do, then you, my friend, are guilty of stereotyping. I look at the list above and know if I had to choose “either or” labels for myself it would be a poor representation of me as a person. It would give absolutely no insight to my soul, my thought processes, my hopes, my fears. And yet we do this continuously to others, and then believe we “know them.”

I am a registered Republican, my son is a police officer, I love animals, and I am a member of an Independent Christian Church. Think you have me all figured out? You might be surprised! When I start to agree with every single thing that my political party, my favorite news station, or even my pastor says, I have quit thinking for myself and simply become a mouthpiece for others.

So the next time you are around a friend or relative who you believe holds very different views from yourself, take some time to talk, calmly, without an “us versus you” attitude, and find out what they really believe and feel. You may find that despite very different labels, you really do have a great deal in common in the end. And if not? Well then, maybe you can come to see that their worth as a person has little to do with the labels they wear.

~Marla 

Afraid to Prune?

One of the hardest things for me to do in my yard or garden is to prune. I have a small Japanese Maple with a branch growing into my patio area. It looks ridiculous and is growing the wrong direction. It is in my way, and still I put off lopping it off. It’s the same story with my tomato plants. They have dying areas that need pruned and I will put it off until the entire plant is suffering for it. I keep wanting to give those still living parts a chance, but often it is to the detriment of the entire plant.

I like analogies, so I began to consider this idea of pruning as it applies to my own life. For example, while I am hardly a hoarder of the caliber seen on TV, I do have way too many “things” cluttering up my house. I can never seem to get every room, drawer, or closet all cleaned and neat at the same time. I keep way too many items that I should trash or give away, and as such it affects my entire demeanor and my entire house.

On a more personal note, I have some bad habits that I need to get rid of as well. Things I hang on to for dear life instead of lopping off so that I will be better off in the long run. I’m sure everyone has some of these issues as well. Things you know you need to get rid of in your life in order to be healthier or to feel better, but you just can’t seem to let go of.

As a country we do this as well. We watch our politicians trying to balance the budget in a society that is afraid to lop off the half dead limbs. Meanwhile the tree is struggling to survive. I’m sure if I took my pruning shears to Washington, neither major political party would like the results!

So my challenge to myself is to start lopping off some branches. I know it won’t be easy, and likely will even be painful, but if I want to be at my best it has to be done!

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful  John 15:1-2 NIV

~Marla

Thursday Travels; Millennium, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico is rather unique for a Caribbean port of call. It is a very large city, with a population of over 400,000, but relatively safe to get around. This was factored into our decision to not book an excursion for this port. Old San Juan was within walking distance of the pier, and it was quite safe to walk there on our own. It was also a money saving decision. Even a 2 hour bus tour of the city cost $30-$40 per person as a ship excursion. What we didn’t know was that San Juan was to be our introduction to independent tour operators.

As we left the pier we were accosted by people with signs hawking their tours. A man approached us and asked if we had booked a tour. He had a small bus and was offering tours of the city for $15 per person. Several passengers had already loaded onto the bus, so we decided to take the plunge as well. The bus was older, but clean and well air conditioned. The tour leader spoke both English and Spanish. We were definitely being adventurous, as we had no idea what we were in for, and no guarantees were given.

The tour was absolutely wonderful. They began by driving us through some of the districts of San Juan, discussing the history of the city as we traveled. Our first stop was the Playa del Condado beach area. There we spent time viewing the ocean and enjoying the seaside park and fountain area.

Our next stop was the Puerto Rico capitol building. This was a beautiful building, and we had an hour to explore it. But most amazing were all the Christmas decorations, both on the lawn of the capitol and inside.

 Most surprising was the nativity scene set up inside the capitol building. Though Puerto Rico is a US commonwealth, they are self-governing, and have their own constitution. It was very different from the states with our interpretation of the separation of church and state.

Next was a tour of the Castillo de San Cristóbal. A Spanish fort built in 1783; it was fun to explore, especially for the guys. At the end of our time at the fort the tour took us to Old San Juan to be let off. The tour had lasted 4 hours. We had definitely gotten our money’s worth, and I had learned that independent tour operators can offer a great alternative to the more expensive ship excursions!

We finished our lovely day in Old San Juan, walking the cobbled streets and checking out the unique little shops. On the walk back to the pier we came across an outside market and enjoyed the homemade goods offered for sale there. Overall one of my favorite ports and one I look forward to exploring more extensively on a future visit.

Next stop: St. Thomas and St. John, US Virgin Islands

Bon Voyage ~Marla

Texas Road Trip

In just over a week I am traveling to San Antonio, Texas. Normally when I have a trip planned I am pretty pumped up about it. Although I am looking forward to this trip, I noticed a lack of excitement about it that is very unusual for me. Then it occurred to me…it is because I am not planning this trip.

This trip to San Antonio is for a couples shower for my son and his fiancé. Her mother’s family that lives in San Antonio is hosting the shower. I was kindly invited along, and I am sure I will enjoy myself, but I am totally out of the loop when it comes to planning the trip. This got me thinking, why does this impact my anticipation of the trip so much? Am I a total control freak? Well maybe a little, but I don’t think that is really the answer. I just plain enjoy planning trips! Heck, I like to help other people plan their trips! I really missed my calling as a travel agent J

I actually came across an article on how to get the most possible enjoyment from your vacation. One of the tips was to get travel brochures, maps, etc. for your destination and to spend the months prior to the trip pouring over these. They said it would give you a vacation “high” of sorts, long before the actual trip. Well, hey! I’ve been doing that my entire life!

So I guess I’ll pull out my Texas travel guides and start planning. It really doesn’t matter if my plans aren’t used…it’s the anticipation that is half the fun! Plus I already found out we are going to my very favorite restaurant in San Antonio…La Margarita…it doesn’t get better than that!

Adios ~Marla

Tasty Tuesday: Freezer Dill Pickles

It is time for me to start picking my cucumbers. This year I planted cucumbers specifically for pickling. I had planned to can them, however since my pantry is full and my freezer is empty...I decided that I will freeze them instead. I came across the following recipe which is sworn to make nice crunchy pickles.

Freezer Dill Pickles

1 pound cucumbers, sliced 1/8" thick

3/4 pound yellow onions, sliced 1/8" thick

4 tablespoons Kosher salt

2 tablespoons water

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1 tablespoon dried dill weed

Mix cucumbers, onions, salt and water in a 2 quart non-metal bowl. Let stand 2 hours. Drain after stand time but do not rinse. Return vegetables to bowl and add sugar, cider vinegar and dill weed Stir occasionally until sugar completely dissolves and liquid covers vegetables. Pack wide mouth jars or plastic freezer containers leaving 1 inch head space. Seal tightly and freeze. Defrost in refrigerator or at room temperature.

Well, there you have it! I’ll let you know how they taste.

Bon appétit! ~Marla

My Noisy Backyard

American Robin

I have a very noisy backyard. Peaceful, but certainly not quiet, it is full of the sounds of birds singing and squirrels chattering. I love it! We live in an older neighborhood with mature trees of many different species.  Looking west from my back patio it is hard to believe you are in Kansas. In the summer the sun only makes to the ground in about 1/3 of my backyard and 1/4 of my front yard. I love the shade and the birds love the trees. Add to that a small pond, birdbaths, and a tangle of honeysuckle in one corner, and you get lots of birds checking out the area. Then of course there is the food.

Just off our patio there are seven bird feeders and one squirrel feeder. I can sit in my family room and see all of them through the large sliding glass doors.  The feeders are all different types and all contain different feed. They overhang an area that houses a maple tree and they have no grass below them, so the ground feeding birds love the area too. Here is a look at the birds who have visited so far this year. These pictures are not mine. I haven’t gotten good at catching them on film through the glass door. They are just representative of my neighborhood birds.

House Sparrows, Female & Male

The house sparrows are one of my most frequent visitors. They eat mostly the songbird blend.

House Finch ~ Male & Female

My next most frequent visitors are the House Finches. They come in small flocks to eat almost anything I put out. They seem to prefer the safflower seeds, which surprises me. They don't even go near the finch blend I put out! 

Northern Cardinal ~ Female & Male

The Northern Cardinals are my favorite feeder birds, and they are here year round! They love the black oil sunflower seeds best.

Brown Thrasher

The Brown Thrasher likes the dogs water bowl! Primarily an insect eater, like the Robins they don't use the feeders, but they do hang out on my patio a lot!

Hairy Woodpecker

The Hairy Woodpecker doesn't hit the feeders often, but will show up about once a week for some black oil sunflower seeds. They hang off the feeder as seen in the photo.

Wren

The Wrens are my smallest visitors, as I didn't get my hummingbird feeder out in time to attract any Hummingbirds this year. They generally eat the song bird blend.

Common Grackle

My least favorite feeder birds are the Grackles! Loud and obnoxious bullies, they can drive away all the other birds, even the Jays and Squirrels! The only feeder they can use now contains safflower seeds, which they dislike, so they mostly eat off the ground now, which helps.

Blue Jay

The Blue Jays are pretty, but bossy and loud! They love peanuts in the shell! Of course they have the Grackles and Squirrels to compete with for these.

Mourning Dove

The Mourning Doves keep busy cleaning up under the feeders. I love the cooing sounds in the morning.

Next year I hope to have a Oriole feeder and to get my Hummingbird feeder out early enough to attract those species. As the summer progresses and fall comes, I usually see a few more feeder birds. One nice thing about all the birds...we have practically no mosquitoes!

Have a wonderful day! ~Marla