To Do Lists

Today's agenda for Tim and me basically summed up the kind of people we are:

Tim's List: Fix a computer for a friend, do some work for BIL's business, and relax.

Sarah's List: Get eyebrows waxed, hair cut, pick up bedding for the rat's cage, take Mattie to skating and sign up Jonah for swimming, finish laundry (fold and put away), clean our bedroom and change our sheets, steam clean the carpet in our room, bake for memorial tomorrow, maybe take a walk or hike.

As we were exchanging lists of the "to-do" variety, we realized (for the millionth time) that Tim really likes to relax on the weekends, and I really like to get myself in over my head and then after only completing half of my list, complain I didn't get anything done. I feel like the perpetual Martha. Sometimes I even see sleep as a waste of time because I can't get more things done!
What makes me antagonize myself like this? Is it a woman thing? A mom thing? A Sarah thing?

In any case, by writing it down, I have acknowledged this to be a problem, and realize that I cannot humanly get to everything on my list everyday. I want to say to myself: GIVE ME A BREAK.

Here's to a happy and relaxing weekend to you all!

Sledding!

Fun times! Since most of February was spent either sick or hibernating, we decided today was just the right weather to hit the slopes. And by slopes, I mean sledding hill! Sidenote: Advantages of homeschooling include no traffic on the hills.

Oxymoron

I was perusing the Sunday paper this afternoon and found a good one in the Meijer paper. It said "LENTEN EXTRAVAGANZA!" and was trying to sell more fish with this little advertising ditty. What would a Lenten Extravaganza look like anyway? Now with more crucifixions... Sheesh. People will use anything to sell a product.

At dinner tonight, we talked about Lent with the kids and the topic of sacrificing something we like to remind us of Jesus' sacrifice came up. Mattie suggested we give up Biggby's coffee for Lent, which is probably not a bad idea. Jonah said he would give up candy (but not cookies) and Mattie shot down any suggestions we had for her. She said, "Do we have to give up something?" Hmm, maybe this lesson hasn't soaked in yet.

Hmmm, don't have an idea for a Top Ten list tonight, but I will end with the books I am reading:

-Three Cups of Tea -- this is an awesome book about an American guy who builds schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan...really inspiring and thought-provoking.
-Living More With Less (Longacre) -- this book is written by a Mennonite woman, and the title explains it all. It is a really simple book, but has some profound truths in it about American society and the overwhelming need for more "stuff". Has lots of practical tips too, on how to reduce, reuse, recycle. She also wrote a cookbook called More-With-Less Cookbook that has some simple and inexpensive meals in it.

Sun on the Brain

I must have warmer weather on my mind lately, as in my last blog, I wrote "isle" instead of "aisle" -- silly me.
I have been planning/plotting/scheming a trip for Tim and I (it's not very secret, since I run things by him on a weekly basis). It will be our 10 year wedding anniversary this fall on September 25th. Woohoo! It's hard to believe it's been that long, but it's definitely something we want to celebrate.
I'd like to do something really fun but not too expensive -- we've kicked around ideas like Disney (minus kids) or a bed and breakfast in Key West, or a cruise...
Only problem is that it's totally hurricane season. We lucked out for our honeymoon and never ran into bad weather besides it being cloudy a few days.
So, does anyone have any suggestions? Should I just take my chances and quite worrying about the weather? The nice thing is that in general everything is cheaper during that time of year... :D

Mango Sorbet

I got this recipe out of the Thai cookbook I've been reading lately. It is really great!

6 tblsp. powdered sugar
1/2 scant cup water
3 tablespoons cream of coconut (also called Coco Lopez, and usually found in the alcoholic drink isle -- make sure it's real coconut and it's not an imitation) You can use the rest of the can to make virgin pina coladas for the kids, they'll love you!


Bring these two ingredients to a boil in a small sauce pan. Stir and boil for 2 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off heat, add coconut and stir it in, and let cool.

4 limes
1 large ripe mango

Cut in half and squeeze the limes for the juice. Peel the mango and cut into chunks. Add the lime juice and the mango into a food processor and puree. Add mango puree and the sugar/water/coconut mixture together and place into a freezer safe container with a lid.

Let freeze one hour -- then remove from freezer and stir to break up ice crystals. Let freeze one more hour and repeat. Leave in freezer until it's frozen solid.

It's such a good dish because it's very refreshing, but also creamy and satisfying from the coconut.

:)