Help!

Okay, I have this image that matches my background that I would like to edit and use as my header. I want to add pictures of my kids to it, but I have no idea how to do so. What I picture are three small frames of pictures placed cock-eyed on the header picture.

I have no idea how to do it. I have no idea what program to use to do it. I've thought about printing it off, printing the pictures I want to use, making a scrapbook page, basically; then scanning it and inserting it into my header.

There has to be an easier way. Please help if you have any idea how I can accomplish what I'm envisioning.

Thanks.

Scribbit's Awesome Bread Machine Bread

I love this bread. Love it. Super easy and wonderfully delicious. I'm sure I'll be making it again and again and experimenting with it lots.

I'm not a big fan of the loaves that come out of the bread machine, too dense. I'm thinking I'll be a lot happier with it if I use it as in this case--let the machine do the hard work of mixing and kneading, then I'll shape it and bake it. It worked beautifully in this case.

I found this recipe on Scribbit's blog about a week ago and I've made it twice already. It's that good. Just look how pretty it is too. I followed Michelle's variation that after it rises for 30 minutes, spray with olive oil cooking spray, sprinkle with salt (I used kosher) and rosemary, slash the bread, and bake. Very nice touch, I'll play around with other herbs and ideas in the future. Michelle says it makes good dinner rolls, I can definitely believe that. I'm also going to try splitting it in two and putting it in 2 loaf pans. It seems like it would be very versatile.


Bread Machine Bread
1 1/2 cup warm water
4 1/2 cups white all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons powdered milk
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon fast acting yeast (though this may need to be reduced if your machine has a very long rising time.) Next time I make this, I'm going to reduce the yeast slightly, I'll probably try 2 1/2 tsps.

Add all of the ingredients into the bucket of the bread machine and set on the dough cycle. When finished, shape as you wish on a greased cookie sheet and allow the bread to rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 28 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Michelle's notes: While I also adapt it for whole wheat, I never make 100% whole wheat because I dislike the heavy, dense texture. Instead of 4 1/2 cups of white flour you can use 2 cups of whole wheat and 2 of all-purpose with excellent results and better health. Either way is good for dinner rolls and loaves.

2010 Meal Plan #5

Busy week ahead, what else is new?
We're supposed to get 6-12 inches tonight. It figures it would happen on a Friday night. No snow day. :(

Here's what we'll be eating this week. I'm off to the insanity that is the grocery store before a winter storm.

Saturday lunch: Southwestern Chicken Salad
Saturday dinner: Soup-combining Ina Garten's Wedding Soup and Tyler Florence's Chicken Meatball and Tortellini Soup, Scribbit's awesome bread machine bread (We had this bread this week, absolutely DELICIOUS! and very, very easy.)
Sunday lunch: BBQ Cheddar Chicken Pizza Roll Ups
Sunday dinner: skins and wings
Monday (dance, theater): Plum chicken, roasted vegetable long grain and wild rice, pea pods,
Tuesday (piano theater): Crockpot chicken sandwiches, broccoli rice casserole, cut up veggies, valentine cupcakes (Spaghetti & Meatballs for piano teacher)
Wednesday (dance, scouts theater): leftovers/potluck
Thursday (theater, sax lesson): Tuna Noodle Casserole,
Friday: Baby Back Ribs, potato wedges, cole slaw

Have a wonderful week. Check out more meal plans at Organizing Junkies.

Pinewood Derby PSF

What kind of parent are you? You get to question that from time to time as your children grow. What kind of parent are you, what kind of parent do you want to be.

Both my younger kids have had major projects due recently. As I watched the projects stream in, it became obvious that some of them were done by first and third graders and some *ahem*, weren't.

We're more the hand's off kind of parents. Happy to help, and I did have to help quite a bit with Julianna's first research project, but definitely child-led.

Our Cub Scout Pack's Pinewood Derby was last weekend. Jacob was very excited about the design he wanted to make for his car. He had a picture in his mind and Mark was happy to leave it in his hands. Jacob was pretty happy with how it turned out...and then...the car was slow. Very slow. Humiliatingly slow. It was all he could do not to cry. I felt so bad for him. Honestly, it never occurred to Mark and I to think about aerodynamics. His car was a NASA vehicle with a satellite on top. Cool looking, but it definitely slowed him down.

Next year we'll focus more on helping him build a fast car. He really, really wants to be in the race. It's not necessarily about winning or not, but he wants to know he has a chance.

Ironically, many years ago, Jason came in second in the pack. He doesn't even remember that. Life. :-)

You have to love the "before" picture--full of optimism and excitement.

Putting the car on the track--getting ready...

Not going well.

Everyone gets a trophy.

Anybody out there have any good tips? We could sure use them.

Hosted by Cecily and Robyn

365 Project week 5

January 29, 2010
Julianna went on a field trip to the zoo.
She's very excited that she came home with parsley seeds.
We'll! have! parsley! come! spring!
I don't have the heart to tell her with my black thumbs
there's no way we'll have parsley come spring. :-)

January 30, 2010
Can you see what I see?
I'm guessing no.
This is quintessential Jacob.
He's sad. Full of disappointment, but still eking out a smile.

January 31, 2010

It's very secondary, but I do enjoy attending a beautiful church.

February 1, 2010

Do you ever outgrow Lucky Charms?
My guess is no.

February 2, 2010

Always up for performing. Always.

February 3, 2010
Julianna.
Beautiful.
Multi-faceted.
Complex.
Loving.
Priceless.

February 4, 2010

Odd comfort food. This is Rebekah's (and my) idea of comfort food.
Kraft Spaghetti dinner, bread and butter sandwich,
and green Kool-Aid. Mmmm.
Yes, I realize you had to be raised on it.

Once a week Rebekah brings a group of friends home for lunch.

This is what they had today. I think they "got" it.

Just in case, I had a pan of Buckeye Bars standing by.

Hosted by Chris

The Universe is Mocking Me

Rebekah's been nagging me for months to get the FAFSA! done. Yes, months. Yes, you can't do the FAFSA! until you've completed your taxes, or at least have a pretty good idea of how they're going to turn out. Yes, she started nagging me before 2009 was over. Yes, this is all to say it's been a little annoying.

FAFSA! is drilled into high school seniors over and over and over again. They come to believe it's the Holy Grail. Nothing good will ever happen again ever if the FAFSA! is not completed. On time. Which, this year means by February 15.

So, all that is to say I've been working diligently on completing the FAFSA!

Today, I filed our income taxes and filed the FAFSA! Immediately, I received our FAFSA report. The federal government estimates that it will cost Rebekah $17, 770 to attend Ohio University for one year. Guess what our expected family contribution is. Go ahead, guess.

Yup, you got it $17, 770.

I completely think the universe is mocking me.

Glad I beat myself up to get that one done.

By the way universe, you're completely allowed to make a fool out of me when financial aid award letters come out in April, in fact, I encourage it.

Edited to clarify: I have no right to complain. Rebekah's receiving a merit-based full-tuition scholarship, we "just" have to pay room and board. However, with room and board running $10,000 a year, it's not an insignificant worry for us. I'd love to see them show me in our family's budget where that $17,770 comes from. Yes, I'm not great with money, but we don't waste that much!

Curious

I'm sure it's happened to many of you...you get approached by someone who wants to pay you to put a link on your site. Many times I've said no, but with the way our budget is, I'm starting to think about saying yes more. The yes I said recently will pay for Julianna's daycamp as well as a month of Rebekah's saxophone lessons. In light of our financial changes, I do not feel I have the luxury of saying no any longer.

My question is, how do you decide what's a fair and appropriate rate? One company who contacted me had a ridiculously low offer, it was easy to say no. Another, asked me to set my rate. Ack! I did, but they complied so quickly I have a feeling I could/should have said more.

Anybody been in these shoes? How do you know?

Random Dozen

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”
No, but I do use the ones my insurance company sends me. I don't think there's anything wrong with using anything I receive unsolicited however.

2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?
I don't get to do much skywatching between our lifestyle and the light pollution where we live. When we go camping though, I love to look at the sky when it's nice and dark.

3. What is the most adventurous you've ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)
Ahhh, memories. :-)
Okay, G-rated. Well, the most adventurous we almost got to be was a few years ago when we went to Walt Disney World. We had booked the coveted chef's table at Victoria & Albert's. It was going to be an obscenely expensive meal full of wonderful gourmet experiences that we would have very little control over. It would truly have stretched our comfort zone, and I have no doubt we would have been presented with foods that gave us pause, but would have been delicious. We were to be celebrating our Anniversary. Unfortunately, the day before Jacob got food poisoning, and we had a 24 hour cancellation window. We didn't know if he'd be better or not, and we didn't feel comfortable leaving him, so we had to cancel this once in a lifetime experience. It would have been wonderful, but I've no doubt we did the right thing.

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing? (Trust me, there's a reason for this one!)
Um, no?

5. If you could learn a language you don't presently speak, what would it be?
I would learn to speak French fluently. I speak very, very little left over from my high school days.

6. Al Capone's tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?
Much loved wife and mother and daughter.

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it can be, if you’d like.
Sorry, I just don't have the imagination for this one.

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?
Inordinately? No.

I do remember Luke and Laura being a HUGE event in college. Huge.

I loved Party of Five.

I can remember watching 90210 from Rebekah's bedroom at night, through the door into our room, while I fed her and rocked her, with towels all around waiting to catch her nightly vomit.

There hasn't been anything that makes me obsess about it in a long, long time though.

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?
Unfortunately, much bigger than I'd like. *sigh*

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?
I recently gave up our daily paper. I miss it, but not enough to restart it. I get my news from the internet and Anderson Cooper.

11. Are you a good speller?
yes

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about Lost lunch?
Never seen Lost. Lunch? Right after breakfast. *sigh*

Check out Linda at 2nd cup for more Random Dozens.

Resolutions Revisited

Getty images

I decided I'm going to do a once a month update on how my resolutions are going. I think one of the keys to making changes is to keep the idea that you want to make changes front and center. Just remembering there are changes I want to make, helps me to make them. I hope. : )

In 2010, I said I wanted to lose 25 lbs:
This one's not going so well. I haven't been on a scale in weeks, but I'm keeping it as a goal. I've all the usual excuses as to why I didn't get a good start on it, but they're not really important. What is important is that I will keep start, trying. Update: Okay, it's not as bad as I thought, I'm still down 4 lbs. from when I started mid-December. Honestly though, none of that's from January, so though I haven't messed myself up any, I haven't made any progress either.

Begin an exercise program:
Some of the same things that tripped up the losing weight goal also tripped this one up. I don't know if it's that it's not a true priority or if life really is that hard to make this happen, but it didn't happen this month. I've begun to realize that making it to the gym just isn't going to happen regularly right now, so February's goal is to dust off the treadmill.

Start doing hobbies I enjoy again:
Yeah! Finally a goal I made great strides with. I've begun knitting again, and even completed a fun project. I'm thinking about taking a class soon, but I don't know if I'll be able to find one that works with my schedule.

I've started reading a lot again. That's been a lot of fun for me.

I've completed four weeks of the 365 project. I haven't shot the kind of shots I'd hoped for, but I'm still doing it and I'm proud of that.

I'd like to find the time to start sewing again soon.

Keep on top of keeping my house clean:
It's been up and down this month, I'm not doing as well as I would have hoped, but as I sit here writing this, the laundry's all caught up, the house is relatively straightened, the kitchen's clean. I'm not beating myself up about how things are. I still wish I could find a system that works for me, I still long for a spotless house, but in the meantime I'm holding my own.

Reduce our grocery budget:
I'm probably most proud of this one. I haven't stayed within the guideline I hoped to, but I have reduced what I was spending significantly, I have become much more thoughtful and cognizant about what I'm buying and why, and I'm very happy. This is one goal I see being able to maintain.

Less time on the computer:
Um, yeah. Fail. Except the few days the laptop was out of commission, then I did great! I'll keep working on this one.

Focus more on relationship with Mark:
Definitely a work in progress, but we've been out on two date this month, we had a lot of fun, and it's a good beginning.

Turning off the voice in my head:
I've done really well with this one. It's still there, but it's whispering. I find myself blaming myself less when things don't turn out well and just accepting that sometimes that's the way it is. I'm forgiving myself my shortcomings and accepting myself more. I still have a ways to go, but it's a good beginning.

All this introspection has led me to another goal I'm setting. I want to do more puzzles and games with my kids. We have a ton of great puzzles and games, the kids love doing things together, I need to make this happen a lot more.

2010 Meal Plan #4

It's one of those weeks where we are beyond broke. Life has a way of doing that. Both Jacob and Julianna had holes in their shoes on Friday, so they both needed new shoes. The aquarium heater broke. Not very realistic not to have one of those in January. The laptop, though fixed, took another chunk out of ye old budget.

Thankfully, I've been meaning to use up more of what we have. Life will force my hand and make me do it. With stocking up, buying pet items and Aveeno items for the rebate, I'm already at my grocery limit for the pay period. I'll be doing my best not to grocery shop at all until next Friday. With that in mind, here's what we'll be eating this week.

Sunday lunch: Chicken tacos, sweet corn cakes
Sunday dinner: Waffles, ham
Monday (dance): Grandma's chicken and rice casserole, green beans, wheat rolls
Tuesday (late dentist appt., piano): pasta w/sauce, salad, bread from the bread machine
Wednesday (dance, scouts): leftover beef barley soup, bread
Thursday: Tuna noodle casserole, bread from machine
Friday: Spaghetti dinner at school

Hmm, interesting that every meal has bread. A good, cheap filler and not bad on these freezing winter days. I've checked some bread machine books out of the library, maybe I'll give some of those recipes a whirl.

Hope you have a great week.

Check out organizing junkies for more meal plan ideas.

365 Project Week 4

It's been a rough week. When I sat down to do this post, the 365 project was something I was prepared to let go of. I don't feel like I've done a good job. There's been way too many times that it's late, I haven't taken a picture, and I take something lame. I don't like that.

Then, I sat down and worked on one last 365 update and I realized how much I like looking back through my week. It reminded me of some of the fun things that happened and I knew I'm not ready to let go of it just yet. So, I'll keep going. I'll try to do better and we'll see where it goes.

January 21, 2010
I've always had a thing for calico cats. I've no idea why beyond the fact that I think they're beautiful. Right now we have a beautiful calico. We got her from a local pet shelter several years ago, with a littermate who unfortunately, soon disappeared. Butterscotch appears to be here to stay, thank goodness. She's an awesome cat. She keeps us in our proper place, rules the house, but also is very affectionate and will come running when we call for her anytime.

January 22, 2010
Rebekah played a jazz concert with the high school jazz band at a local coffee house/music hall.
It was a lot of fun.
Yet another of the many things I will miss next year.

Easily my favorite picture of the week.
You don't get to see her mischievous side often, but it's definitely there. : )

January 23, 2010
True to my new year's resolutions, I've been knitting again. I spent most of last Saturday being tutored. I love this knitting shop, it's straight out of a Debbie Macomber novel, I wish it were closer to my house, but it's probably good that it's not.

January 23, 2010
I had to throw this picture in for Saturday too. These are the moments I treasure in my mind about our family.

January 24, 2010
I teach Sunday School.
Third graders.
Completely out of my comfort zone. Seriously.
Fortunately, this Sunday's lesson went well.
One week at a time.

January 25, 2010
The upside of a broken laptop, welcome back books.

January 26, 2010
I'm getting really, really tired of my couch looking like this.
Really tired.

January 27, 2010
It's back!

January 28, 2010
Can you see how tired this girl is? Me too. : )

That's it, a snapshot of our week.
Check out Chris' blog for more Project 365 participants.

Have a good week.

Hosted by Chris

Off Air

So, last week Jacob came home very excited about a new website kids at school were enjoying. We checked it out, he loved it, he played...

Our laptop is now out of commission. Very sick. I was hoping for a slight cold, but it's looking more like a bad virus...as in won't log on at all virus. *sigh* We'll be off to the doctor later this morning, and I'm really hoping 1. there's a cure and 2. we can afford it.

Hopefully, it's only temporary that we get to find out the answer to that horrible question, "what would we do without our laptop?"

We do have a desktop as well, but it's in our basement Family room and I don't tend to be able to get on it much. Therefore, I'll still be checking in once in a while, but I guess I'm finally going to earnestly work on that New Year's Resolution. Divine intervention?

PS Can I just say that I'm really, really not happy with our anti-virus, anti-spyware software?

à bientôt

2010 Meal Plan #4

Things got re-arranged a bit last week, using up leftovers. I know that's a good thing, and I'm trying very hard to convince myself it's yummy to eat leftovers. It's a hard sell. *sigh*

To save money on my groceries this week, I'm trying to take advantage of what I have frozen and in-pantry. I've been utilizing leftovers. I'm still trying to find the balance between curtailing grocery spending and stocking up on good-buys at the grocery store. Balance. It's a recurring theme, isn't it?

Back to Basics Update: Grocery Spending so far, I spent $203.00 at Walmart. I still have a list for Whole Foods for groceries this week. I stocked up on Aveeno products so I could take advantage of a $10 rebate. I'm happy to say I've gotten quite aggressive with Julianna's skin and it's doing much better. I can tell if I let up though we'll be right back where we were. Everyday she has at least two flares that need treated with hydrocortisone cream. I'll be so happy when I can get her in to her dermatologist.

I also got dog and cat food as well as kitty litter. I had to buy a snack for Sunday School, my class regularly has 20 kids, so that adds up as well. Finally, I bought 20 bars of soap for Mark's cub scouts to practice on as they work to earn their whittling chip. I think I'll always wish I had spent less, but in light of the almost $85.00 in "extras" on the list this week I think so far, so good.

I also tried something new for me this week. I bought 20 coupons for $2 off All laundry detergent on Ebay for $3. Big Lots has All on sale this week for $2.50 a bottle, plus a coupon out for 20% off your total purchase. Obviously this could work out to be an awesome deal, but I have a feeling it's not going to be that easy. I'll let you know...

Updated: The All deal didn't work out as well as I had hoped. I learned some things for next time however. Big Lots deals sell out FAST, but Target and Walmart will sometimes price match. I wish I had known that. As it is, I got 15 bottles of All for $2 each after coupon which is not a bad deal. The Electrasol deak worked out awesomely. Kroger has boxes on sale this week for $3 a box when you buy 10. I bought 20 $2.50 coupons from eBay for $3 and paid $13.40 for 20 boxes of Electrasol. Fantastic deal. I'll be keeping my ear out for more deals like this.

One lesson I learned to watch out for: Walmart will price match other grocers in our area. Giant Eagle had Barilla pasta 10/$10. I love Barilla pasta. I think it's far superior to other products. I took my GE ad planning on having them price match the pasta as well as GE's sale on Paul Newman's pasta sauce 4/$10. Well, to my surprise, the Paul Newman's sauce is regularly $1.81 at Walmart. Whole Foods had Herdez salsa on sale 2/$5. I was going to have them price match that as well, but again, Walmart's regular price beat the sale hands down. It's amazing to me how low Walmart's prices can be. I don't particularly like shopping there, but at this point in our lives I can't ignore the financial reality that it saves a lot of money.

Sunday lunch: Chicken Gyros w/tzatziki, oven fries
Sunday dinner: Meatball Subs, salad
Monday (dance): Salmon w/mustard crust, roasted vegetables long grain and wild rice, asparagus if it's a good buy, brown sugar roasted carrots if it's not
Tuesday: Mom's night...Mark's in charge
Wednesday (scouts): Soup Night! Ina Garten's wedding soup
Thursday: Orange Beef w/rice, szechuan green beans

Friday: Sweet & Sour Chicken, white rice, sugar snap peas

Check out Organizing Junkie's for more meal plan ideas, and check out Erin at The Many Days of the DiCarolis Family for grocery budgeting tips.