Mom’s Musings

Hosted by Peggy

For Today…May 17, 2009

Outside my Window…is a misty, moisty evening. We had quite a downpour this afternoon, and it’s still raining steadily. The May flowers are drinking up the May showers. The hostas, dicentra, and ferns seem especially perky this evening.

I am thinking…that summer vacation will be here soon! School is done on June 12^th for us. I still don’t know if funds will be available for summer school to be offered this year. If there’s no summer school, I’ll be keeping busy at home instead.

From the learning rooms…Our 8^th grade students are keeping very busy with their Breakout projects. The students explore a social issue (such as hunger, gang activity, child soldiers, the plight of refugees, or modern-day slavery, for example), do volunteer work in the community, and finally write a report and give an oral presentation before a panel of adults before they pass on to high school. This project is meant to help students “break out” of a self-centered world view to care a little more about others in our world who are suffering.

I am thankful for…God’s faithful provision. We have enough of all that we really need even during these tight economic times.

From the kitchen…Yesterday I tried a recipe (modified it slightly) from the June 2009 issue of Better Homes and Gardens. They called it Potato Salad With Country Ranch Dressing, but I call it Roasted Red Potato Salad, since I just couldn’t bring myself to add the ranch dressing mix. It is our new favorite potato salad!

ROASTED RED POTATO SALAD

3 pounds round red potatoes, cut in 1-inch pieces

1 small red onion, diced

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 cup frozen whole kernel corn

¾ cup mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons cider vinegar

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

1 stalk celery, sliced

3 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped

Salt to taste

Optional: 1 one-ounce envelope dry ranch salad dressing mix

    1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and chopped

 

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place potatoes, onion, and garlic in 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Drizzle olive oil; toss to coat. Roast, uncovered, 20 minutes. Stir vegetables; add corn. Roast 15 to 20 minutes more or until vegetables are tender and browned.
   
2. Sprinkle the vinegar over the hot potato mixture. Once the potatoes are cool, mix in the remaining ingredients.
   

Makes 12 servings.

 

I am wearing…still warm clothing. Sunday was warm, though. I was able to wear a light-weight blouse without a sweater! Woohoo!

I am reading…or rather, just finished reading an interesting and well-written book by Wendy Mass, A Mango-Shaped Space. Did you know that some people really do see sounds, see letters and numbers as having a certain color, or even see colors and shapes accompanying some tastes? The main character in this story has this disorder, which is called synesthesia. That is just the framework within which this interesting story occurs, however. This book is meant for young adults.

I am hoping…that our son’s 7^th grade class gets to go on their field trip about the Snow Goose, a marine biology ship. Some windiness is expected tomorrow, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

I am creating…fewer blog posts these days, but didn’t want to miss this one.

I am hearing…my husband humming a psalm tune. We just finished family worship, our time of reading the Bible, singing and praying.

Around the house…Outside it is green, green, green. With longer daylight hours and plenty of rain, all the plant life is burgeoning.

One of my favorite things…is being dry and cozy inside with my family while the rain is pouring down outside.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…This Saturday, Lydia and Seth are participating in Lydia’s girlfriend’s Quinceanera party. They have been practicing a traditional dance for this elaborate coming-of-age 15^th birthday party. We pick up Seth’s tuxedo on Friday, and early Saturday morning, Lydia gets her hair done. Professional photographs in a lovely park happen first, then dinner, and then the dance. Our whole family is invited. I am excited to see what this will be like!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

Lydia did this little sketch recently. I think she’s looking forward to summer!

Hostess Peggy says this about The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

Are you content to linger on the simple things of life…then join me in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those of us who are focusing on simplicity…the beauty of the everyday moments around us. That is my vision for this idea!

This entry was posted on Monday, May 18th, 2009 at 8:25 pm and is filed under culture, Education, Family, Fun Things, Recipes, The Simple Woman's Daybook. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.