Kale Chips

This past Saturday was our first Farmer's Market of the year. The one here isn't huge but I still look forward to it. It's great just to take the kids out and around. Plus, it's next to the train depot and the boys love trains.

I ended up buying two pounds of kale. That's a lot of kale. So, we made kale chips. Actually really delicious! I would warn though-go easy on the salt. I used maybe a teaspoon and it was too much. Also, we stored them in an airtight container and they lost their crispness. A quick pop in the oven would rectify that though.

Kale Chips
-1 bunch kale (or about 8 oz), leaves torn off into about 2-inch pieces
-salt and paprika to taste
-olive oil for drizzling

Toss the kale with seasoning and olive oil. Lay out in a single layer on lightly greased baking sheets (or use a silicone baking mat). Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until crisp with edges slightly browned. Cool and eat!

Priorities

Today is one of those days where I am remembering something important: my children are little. My oldest is not quite 5. So far today, we have played, made giant messes, swept the kitchen, not vacuumed the Pirates Booty crushed into the carpet by the littlest, did school with the oldest ( counting to 30 and writing up to 40 were my highlights), put the littlest to bed, and are now watching Little Einsteins. I'm laying on the couch with the middle kiddo laying on top of me. My oldest is very proud because he got his own cereal without spilling a drop.

Our plans for the afternoon consist of walking to the park, watching Wild Kratts and making dinner.

This is not being lazy. The house will be cleaned today. This is letting young boys be young boys. And it is good.

"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

Microwave Popcorn...The Better Way

I've read about this before bit was skeptical until I tried it myself and now I love it!

You need:
Small paper bags (lunch size)
Popcorn kernels of your choice (I looove Safeway's white corn but...alas...we do not have them Idaho)

Put about 1/4-1/3 cup of kernels into the bag. Any more and your bag will explode like mine did.
Fold down the top of the bag and stick it in the microwave for around 3 minutes. Take it out when done popping. Eat as is, or if you're feeling naughty, add salt and melted butter while the popcorn is still hot. Or add cinnamon sugar. Or parmesan. The choices are endless.

Dyed Coffee Filter Flowers

To be honest, I wasn't necessarily going to let the boys help me with this project. But they found me so they helped. And, all being under 5, they did very well until Lincoln tripped and took down two bowls of dye and maybe colored the dog with pink and blue spots.

Here's the project:
Dyed Coffee Filter Flowers

You will need:
-Coffee filters, white
-Assorted food coloring (I used neon and regular and combined some colors)
-Jars or cups to hold watered down food coloring
-Tap water
-Yarn of your color choice

Full up your cups with about 1/2 c water in each. Put 10-20 drops of food coloring in each water cup. (More food coloring = darker flowers).

Fold coffee filters into triangles. Do just one or even a whole stack.

Dip one corner of a coffee filter (or a stack) into one color, then another side in another color. I often started with the sharp point and dipped it in yellow or orange then did the sides in other colors.

Open it back up into a circle and lay on a wire rack over paper towels (or something you don't mind being dyed) to dry.

Once dried, poke your finger into the center of the coffee filter and twist the bottom so it looks like a flower. Not really a wrong way to do it. Kids can help too.

Use to hang up and decorate, like we did, or put in a vase...probably with rocks or those flat beads to hold them up. If you chose the latter option, I would twist floral wire around them instead of yarn.

Happy Spring!

To Begin

<p dir=ltr>I always like to know about the person whose blog I'm reading. Call it curiosity or nosiness...whatever. :) So here's a little about me. My name is Christa and I have my dream job-a stay at home mom. I got married right after my freshman year in college at the ripe old age of 18. We now have three wonderful, crazy boys under 5, and the fourth is on it's way.

My quest with this blog (what is your favorite color? Sorry, dumb movie reference) is to share my "knowledge"...ok more so my adventures in...parenting, homeschooling, cloth diapering, anything DIY, crafting, sewing, natural cleaning, gardening, cooking, and anything that randomly interests me. I may have a short attention span. :)

But most importantly, my purpose is to worship and serve my Creator, strive to emulate Jesus, and follow what the Lord has said in His Word.
As a woman, I feel it's important to follow what is laid out for us in Proverbs 31.

"10 An excellent wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
    and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
    she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
    and provides food for her household
    and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
    and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
    Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
    and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
    and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
    for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
    when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
    she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
    and let her works praise her in the gates.
Some say that it's an impossible or ridiculous standard or that it's outdated. I disagree. I feel for those of us truly called to this journey of raising children and being a true servant, it is encouraging. "

Things are not perfect in my household. I am not a perfectionist. In fact, I'm more of a "ok that's good enough-ist". So heads up there.

Anyways, if you're interesting in following along in this crazy journey of ours, feel free. Hopefully you can pick up some helpful tips or find encouragement.

Let us remember everyday that "Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:31