1917

This poster by the Committee of Public Safety in Pennsylvania borrowed its look from USFA posters by the artist Frederic G. Cooper, c.1917.

Source: Special Collections, National Agricultural Library

There are many, many more posters here. While it is miraculous and wonderful that we are not embroiled in a war of the magnitude of WWs I & II, why is it that if we asked Americans to cinch the waistbands of their food budget, we would surely hear protests? Elevating the importance of not wasting food is a need for the world, let alone America, but we don't push it in propaganda. Why? Why is it a luxury to have enough to eat instead of a duty to share the wealth?

I love that our CSA, Abbondanza, donates a portion of each crop to Community Food Share (rather than sell to restaurants for a profit) and if someone fails to pick up their share, that too is donated. How else can I (we) help? With this simple poster, I have all the tools I need. Here's to 1917 and the US Government's involvement. I love all the work Michele Obama is doing to encourage us all to grow our own, eat healthier and not waste. But how cool would it be if posters like this were on the highways instead of ads for geico or Toyota? Anyway. Spread the word!!!

it's coming along!

It's been another busy yet productive week. I subbed two days this week (which always throws my routine) but the house is "detail-cleaned", the painter has done the trim upstairs and will return Monday/Tuesday to finish the trim and paint the downstairs. The carpet will be installed on Feb. 1 and we will be ready to list on Feb. 9. The house is moving along and looking good. Simple things like new drip pans on the stove and an actual futon cover on the futon (!) make a world of difference. We meet with the mortgage guy next Thursday, so we can be pre-approved and ready to go. It's crazy how quickly things start moving once we set our minds to it!

In home news, it is a challenge to try to maintain order amidst the chaos of workers coming and going. The kids are a bit snippy, which I'm sure is stress. I know I'm snippy too!

We ran out of dishwasher powder tonight, and rather than dash to Safeway for a box, I did a quick google search on "homemade dishwasher powder." So easy! So cheap! 2 cups borax mixed with 1 cup baking soda with white vinegar in the rinse compartment. We'll see how clean things get, but I like this almost as much as my simple soap nuts, and general cleaning with vinegar or baking soda. (Did I mention, thanks to my short hair, that I now shampoo with baking soda and rinse with apple cider vinegar? Laugh if you will, but it's dirt cheap, natural, and my hair, short though it is, feel soft and silky!)

Our meals are still coming from the pantry, freezer and basement "root cellar." So far, so good on that end. I shared a list of our most common "go-to meals" on my other blog. Those foods and squash soups are pretty much standards around here these days, and it's really fun (in a nerdy sort of way) to only go to the grocery store to buy (local of course!) apples and cheese.

The majority of "stuff" has either been donated or packed away. The kids each have an under-the-bed box with their "must haves" and the superfluous kitchen and family room things are also boxed. This weekend we will pack the pictures and move the Lego table and Paul's computer/desk to the basement. A quick switch of family room/living room furniture will pretty much be it and we will be ready for the final touches. Wow.

Ted has started on the Magic Treehouse series. He thinks it is easier than Horrible Harry because "they don't do that annoying hyphen thing all the time," which I can see would get old. He is reading 2-3 chapters a night and doing 15 minutes of multiplication homework on the computer (kids and computers these days! even the homework is on the computer!) He is officially off his ILP and "no longer eligible" for services. Hee. Love it.

*Update* Everything in the dishwasher was as clean if not more clean. Seventh Generation? Buh-bye.

2009 Resolutions

I have a few resolutions for 2009, all in the same vein and all for the same purpose: simplicity. In some areas, this means simplicity in our home (consistent de-cluttering, not buying new, small daily routines to keep the house clean, crock pot meals, etc) and in other areas, this means simplicity in my daily life. I need more calm, more routine, more structure. I did very well this summer, when the kids were in camp almost every morning. I do well with a few hours alone in the morning. I get my run in, my laundry started, my dinner prepped, and some light cleaning done. But when the little ones aren't at preschool, or on weekends, it all falls apart. 

Thus, my 2009 resolutions:

• Wake up at 6:30am. 
• Decide on, if not prepare, that night's dinner.
• Get laundry started and kids up and fed. Don't forget vitamins!
• Run or walk with Ole every single day. No exceptions but illness.
• Since we will probably sell this house in the first half of the year, keep the house in order by doing a little bit every day.
• Do not buy anything new. Buy used, borrow or do without (huge exception here is the kids' birthdays.)
• Continue with the 2K/month savings plan. 
• Clean out the freezer of CSA meals by April 1. This requires nothing more than planning my meals: defrosting a pre-made meal and popping it into the crock pot in the morning...how hard can that be?! 
• Learn to sew. I want to make my own gift bags, re-attach a button, hem or take in/let out waistbands, and other simple things that I should know how to do, rather than buy more.
• Keep our budget updated. I'm using PearBudget (Quicken is what Paul prefers, but I like the planning Pear does for you.)

The kids have some fun stuff going on next year. Mae is going to take a break from Gymnastics, but will keep swimming with Judy. Sam too. Sam is also going to start piano lessons with Bestemor. Ted is going to continue with TKD and will start Stroke School at Lakeshore with SwimAmerica. The director of SwimAmerica is also the main coach of Rock Creek Flyers, so Ted is excited to 'get ready' for the summer. I plan to get this house sold! And continue with TKD, running and perhaps squeeze in a few yoga classes. Paul is playing soccer again and has a very rigorous training program he's created. Ole plans to have a walk every day, so we'll try and help him out with that. And Orestes plans to nap every day. He's kept the same New Year's Resolution every year with great success.

Happy 2009 everyone!! 

Simple Woman's Daybook

One of my resolutions for 2009 is to take time in the morning to plan my day. I did this for a while with the Daily Docket and loved it, but I do better on the computer and not as well on paper these days. I came across this the other day and thought it would be a perfect way to start the week. 


FOR TODAY DECEMBER 30 ...
Outside my window... are trees whipping and lashing in the wind
I am thinking... about my next crockpot (re)creation
I am thankful for... my cozy home
From the learning rooms... I'm waiting for Michael's to post their sewing classes
From the kitchen... wafts the nourishing aroma of cinnamon oatmeal, cooked all night
I am wearing... my snuggly new blue jammy pants and a Panicking Poultry T-shirt
I am creating... order in my home by putting things in their place
I am going... to take Ted to camp at Har HaShem
I am reading...  An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England (for bookclub)
I am hoping... the wind will cease so the kids can go ice skating today
I am hearing... wind wind wind
Around the house... are Legos, everywhere
One of my favorite things... is a warm mug of chai
A few plans for the rest of the week: include putting away the Hanukkah decorations and de-cluttering the rest of the rooms
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

photo by gumbylives

seriously

We keep our house on the chilly side. (I know that's a terrible pic!). 62 during the day (6am-10pm) and 52 while we're sleeping. While there is a fun challenge to go with it, the Freezer Yer Buns over at CrunchyChicken, we would probably do it anyway. Like under-5 minute showers, composting and recycling, it's just part of what we do anyway. BUT! People have reacted so strongly recently (not Aunt Nancy, btw, she was very supportive!) that I just wanted to point out that 62 is not cold! yes, you need socks on and probably a sweater too, but it's December, people! Plus, our kids are obviously not freezing, so don't call Social Services on us just yet.



We had a wonderful surprise today ... a HUGE box of presents from G'ma and G'pa Kessie! Tons of pics on moeltini. Mmmm!!!!! Thanks, Mom & Dad!