A day of Mennonite shopping...

A couple of weeks ago, my mom, sister and I headed up north for a day of shopping. Plain-style.
At the Mennonite Community of Lead Mine.

It was a chilly, rainy day. The gps took us on some little dirt roads. We got turned around/lost more than a couple of times. But we had SO much fun!!

Our first stop was to the Wenger General Store, where he carries natural herbs & medicines; books, wooden toys, bolts of solid colored material; black felt hats; sorgham, honey, & jams.

We traveled around til we found the bakery...which is closed til late April.




Next up was the Meadowveiw Dutch Market. Here they sell, bulk grains, flours, pastas, spices, candies, etc....They also have a deli in the middle of this tiny store. Fresh sliced meats & cheeses. They sell sandwiches for lunch outside on picnic tables.

My big wants for this shopping trip - rye flour, bulk yeast, licorice tea, chicken soup base, and spices to refill my jars at home. Found a bag of frozen wheat croissants. Yumm! Also got some lemon drops for the kids :)

Did I mention the rows and rows of spices & herbs stacked on the shelves! Oh, how hard to decide which ones to get. And the prices are amazing.

I came home and washed up all my spice jars/rack. Refilled and ready to cook and season some amazing meals.

Don't they look pretty? --

While I was at it....and while my Mom was helping with the kids...I cleaned out and reorganized the cupboards as well. I had a bunch of Tupperware modular mates stored, but by taking out shelf was able to get them to fit in the cupboard.

So neat and organized--

Five Question Friday --

1. Did you pass your driver's test on the first try?

Yes. Yes I did! I don't remember what my grade was though.

I do remember his marking me down for slowing down to let a robin cross the road... seriously!!!

What?! It was just hopping across the road and I didn't want to hit it :(

2. What is your most embarrassing moment?

Hmmm...this is a hard one. I'm SURE I've had some...at least a few...but I can not remember a single one.

Now ask me how I used to totally embarrass my sister out places :D LOL

3. What TV show would you like to be on- Oprah, Biggest Loser, or What Not to Wear?

Oh definately What Not to Wear! I absolutely love that show. My husband and I have decided that after we are someday rich....we will hire Clinton & Stacy to shop with us in NY for a week.

Ahhh...such a dream. A nice, dreamy, so-not-ever-happening, dream.

4. Would you ever get plastic surgery and what kind?

Honestly, I can't really see that I would do this. I've had enough medical stuff done/recoveries to know I wouldn't choose to go through it on purpose.

However, now that I'm getting deeper into my 30's and those little lines are appearing around my eyes....and mouth....though....I dunno. Just saying.

5. What are your favorite jeans to wear?

Silver was definately a favorite - back in the day when I could afford to just go buy jeans.

Now....just love it when a pair of jeans, any pair, fits and is comfy!

Menu Plan Monday 3-22-10

Monday: Chicken Stir-fry with our spicy shrimp sauce copycat recipe from our favorite Japanese hibachi.



Tuesday: Goulash, peas, fresh rolls



Wednesday: Crock Pot - Italian Stew over Garlic Mashed Potatoes



Thursday: Carnitas



Friday: dinner @ my sister's....send-off dinner for my bro-in-law leaving for a year in Afghanistan



Saturday: Home fellowship group - BBQ....so I think I will try Fried Potato Salad. I have wanted to try this recipe ever since I first saw it on Diner's, Drive In's, & Dives.



Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner - french toast & link sausages, orange juice smoothies

Coming this week:

• our day trip to the Mennonite Stores


• fried potato salad recipe (havent tried this recipe yet, due to baby getting sick/so didnt go to bbq. will post after I try it)


• spring break pictures
  
  

Check out more menus at MENU PLAN MONDAY

Menu Plan Monday

What's for dinner at your house this week?? Be sure and check out orgjunkie.com if you need more great ideas. And also some free printables!!

Monday: meatloaf, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, broccoli with cheese sauce

Tuesday: Crockpot - Vegetable Beef Soup

Wednesday: New Recipe to try -chicken enchiladas

Thursday: Creamy Ranch Chicken, noodles, a veggie

Friday: Family Night - Chicago Style Stuffed Pizza & a movie. Last week we watched the new Veggie Tales movie. Very cute, of course. This week might be Planet 51....I have to check the reviews on how child-friendly it is first.

Saturday: Breakfast for Dinner -

Sunday: Snack Night - venison summer sausage (if I get it made this week!) cheese, crackers, raw veggie tray

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, March 1st, 2010...


Outside my window... its a gray and chilly 40 degrees


I am thinking...I would like to be alone. Just for the afternoon, or an hour, or even 10 minutes would be good!

I am thankful for...knowing God's promises never fail. And that I can hand it all over to Him.

From the learning rooms...the kids just finished up their water color/salt pictures. By sprinkling salt on the wet paint and leaving it to dry overnight, then when you brush the salt off it leaves water spots on the picture. Very cool effect.

Logan's fish

Ashleigh's fish

From the kitchen...comes the smells of last night's reuben sandwiches. Love love love reuben sandwiches. We had corned beef leftover from last sundays dinner. I tried my hand at homemade rye bread...which wasnt very rye-tasting, we were dissapointed in it, but will try and different recipe next time. And Fred made his amazing russian dressing.

I am wearing... jeans & a purple hoodie.

I am creating...this. Not sure what else. I am going to have to pick up sometime today. I just don't feel like it now...major headache today :(

I am reading...and hi-lighting my way through this parenting book. Hoping to discover the how's and why's of strong-willed children!

I am hoping...to do some up-dating and changes to my blog this week.

I am hearing...the dryer running, Logan watching Olivia on tv and Ashleigh singing along to new TobyMac song on the ipod.

Around the house...baby is finally snoozing.

One of my favorite things....my new pink leather Busy Mom's Bible from Zondervan.

A few plans for the rest of the week: MOPS tomorrow night, skyping with my mother-in-law on her birthday wednesday, homeschool co-op class on Thursday, sorting thru baby clothes that are being out-grown way too fast, as well as cleaning house, daily school lessons, and who knows what else pops up.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Keira - six months old already - enjoying the jumparoo.

Go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ to join the Simple Woman's Daybook.

Perspective

Yesterday, Logan informed me as to why God made his feet.

"So I can walk. And so I can WIGGLE! And jump!"

What perspective. And reasoning.

He is probably more right-on than I would have been.
Which got me to thinking about the other two...

God created feet for six year-old girls so that they may dance & TWIRL.

And do cartwheels. And wear mommy's high-heels.

God created little chubby feet for six month old girls to JUMP.

And to be tickled and KISSED!

Five Question Friday

Its time for some fun questions with....

1. Do you sing karaoke? If so, what is your go to song?

would you believe I NEVER have?! Seriouslly!!

Now that's not to say I never had the opportunity! haha

However, knowing that I was not blessed in the musically talented department....(I cannot carry a tune, much like my mother. though the rest of the fam is all blessed with pickin' and singin' abilities :(...I have always chickened-out.

Secretly, I have always dreamed that I would get up and sing...and yes it would still stink...but (much like in "My Best Friend's Wedding") everyone would join in with praise & admiration at my bravery and likeable fun-side.

Since I am dubious it would be like the movies....I continue to sit quietly in my chair.

2. What is your favorite coffee drink?

Mmmm coffee. I exist on coffee. With lots of sugar and cream. Hot & steamy...or iced.

I think my fave is White Chocolate Raspberry Cappuccino or the Blackberry Blossom that our little local Djangos whips up.

The frugal me can get by on whatever kind of beans we have at home...with a splash of flavored non-dairy creamer :)

3. If you could choose your own name, what would it be?

I've never had a problem with my name....if I had of been a boy, Mom says I would have been Michael. (thankful I wasnt a boy!)

I would probably name myself Elle or Elise, maybe Lindy. Its actually pretty weird to think about! Me with any other name would not be as sweet. teeheehee

4. Were you ever bullied?

Does sibling rivalry count?!!?

5. How often do you eat fast food?

Not too often, honestly. Maybe 2 or 3 times a month. Though there are those weeks/months that exceed the average!

And usually its a playdate at McDonalds.

(the only indoor play area where we can go thru the winter. Has saved my sanity on more than one occasion, let me tell you!)

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Casserole - Lady & Sons Chicken Pot Pie

Tuesday: Broccoli Cheese Soup and artisan bread

Wednesday: Crockpot Night - Salisbury steak, buttered noodles, creamed peas

Thursday: Leftover Night - Reuben sandwiches...using leftover corned beef from last sunday's dinner. Making my own rye bread!

Friday: Family Night - homemade pizza & a movie

Saturday: Breakfast for Dinner - Belgian waffles with maple butter, sausage

Sunday: Mexican -

Mondays Simple Womans Daybook

( http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/)

For Today: Feb 8th 2009

Outside my window...more snow is falling. Big fluffy flakes. Melting fast.

I am thinking...God is good and will see me through this.

I am thankful for... my 5 month old is feeling better.

I am wearing...plaid pj pants, gray t shirt, blue slippers

I am remembering...

I am going...to be dealing with plumbers & contractors in and out of our place this week. Replacing our master bathroom floor and toilet.

I am currently reading...a Women of Faith novel, A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley

I am hoping... to visit the nearby Mennonite community stores. Needing to replenish my spices.

On my mind...a friend who lost her mother-in-law this past weekend.

Noticing that...I dont mind the new look of facebook that everyone seems to be complaining about.

Pondering these words... "Preventive Parenting provides a much more peaceful environment in our homes. It allows us to work on the discipline issues that are really crucial--and to ward off punishment, etc. for situations that can be handled ahead of time, rather than the heat of the moment. As an added bonus, Preventive Parenting teaches our kids how to solve problems, come up with options, get a handle on things before they become too big, etc. as they watch us model these skills for them." http://positiveparenting3-6-5.blogspot.com/

From the kitchen... greasy cheeseburgers, pickles, green beans, potato chips

Around the house... pillow fights...guitar playing...

One of my favorite things...quiet moments.

From my picture journal...Logan tromping thru the snow -