Weekend Warriors

We non-parent married kids tend to take the weekend warrior thing a little seriously. We have no soccer games, no play dates... and so we work!

Last weekend we spent all weekend doing yard work. There was a rented tiller, 6 yards of dirt, 5 yards of mulch, and 2 gallons of paint. We were exhausted! And if this sudden freeze tonight (it's been in the 70's for WEEKS!!) doesn't kill it all, we might actually have grass this year in our yard instead of clover! We also started the garden - potatoes and onions in the ground, and all the other vegetables are started inside.

But this weekend, I cooked. A LOT. I have 2 lasagnas, a double batch of daal, a crockpot of beef stew, and a prepped batch in the freezer ready for later. Oh, and I bought 6 pounds of clementines from Trader Joes. I don't intend to cook anything for at least 2 weeks. Mmmm, delicious homecooked meals.

Totally worth it though. Next weekend - laundry? Ha!

Another Recommended Read: The Jesus Question

I recommend this blog, not just because of an interesting topic, but because of the author, the delightful Mrs. Victoria Jones. Her husband, Eric, was a good friend in high school and college, and is probably one of the smartest people I know. His wife, Victoria, is delightful, intelligent and witty, and I highly recommend her new blog project.

The Jesus Project, as she describes in her first post, is her attempt to answer the two questions Jesus raises in Mark 8: Who do men say I am, and who do you say I am?

Her wit becomes apparent in posts like this one: Does Jesus Have Your Sole? - and she shows off some Jesus shoes.

Do yourself a favor and subscribe to The Jesus Project!

From the Mouths of Babes

My husband and I have had an ongoing banter about the rise of the "Green" movement. He says it's becoming "the new morality of the day", and I say that's just silly, but even if it was, who cares?! If people take care of the environment because it's popular, or they think it's necessary to be a good person, does it make the environment any less cared for?

Well, I may be starting to change my mind, after this conversation heard at the grocery store the other day. I know I have a tendency to exaggerate conversations but I tried *REALLY* hard to remember this one.

Little boy: "Can I have this candy?" (or whatever it was)
Mom: "No, you were very bad today."
Little boy: "I wasn't bad! I wasn't bad!"
Mom and Dad give him a look.
Little boy: "I won't be bad for the whole rest of the day! I won't be bad I won't be bad! I'll be green! I'll be green!"
Dad: ............. "Did.... you just say "green"? I'm not sure you understand what that word means. Green is not the opposite of bad. It just means you take care of the planet. Good is the opposite of bad."


So yeah. Maybe we are teaching that green is the new morality. Oops.

A Confession

Domestic Diva has a confession to make. I....... hate cleaning! I know I know, I'm a domestic diva! This should probably include some loudly pumping anthem, high heels, and a vacuum... but the truth comes out. I hate it all. I'll make you fresh bread from scratch, served with some tomatoes from my garden, but please oh please don't make me do the dishes afterwards! In fact, usually, our laundry only gets done with my poor husband has some important event and he's out of clean socks, so he does it himself! (and thank goodness for him!)

But I love my vacuum. Do not be confused. I still hate *to* vacuum. But if you're going to make me do it, I want my wonderful Shark. [In the interest of full disclosure, Shark company has never paid me or contacted me inquiring about a raving review of their product for any compensation. I would gladly accept payment though!]



When Jake and I were looking for a vacuum, we found 2 types as reviewed by Consumer Reports, CNET, and all our random google-ing.
1 - vacuums that worked great, "but I have a dog and it just leaves that pet hair behind"
OR
2 - vacuums that were great for pet hair, but would leave the peice of paper next to it behind.

The Shark Navigator was the only one that claimed to do both well according to the reviews. So we bought it. We've had it for close to 2 years now. It picks up dog hair amazingly, it has great suction, it can vacuum rugs, carpets, my hard floors too with the flip of a button. It has a great long cord, so a thoughtfully placed plugin means I can get from my front door, to the back of my kitchen, down the hall and into both downstairs bedrooms without ever unplugging! It's light enough to move, but sturdy enough to really have some power. And it's very easy to clean out. (it's bagless, which was new to me, but I really like how quick and easy it is to dump out.)


And now I better finish cleaning the house before my husband gets home! (Just don't get distracted and look at facebook... don't do it............... *click*)

A recommended read: Church is for sinners

I've been reading the blog of one very funny, very "snarky" Elizabeth Esther for awhile now. She grew out of a very fundamentalist cult and has had trouble readjusting to the church. Its been fascinating (and sometimes hilarious, and sometimes sad) to watch her go through this process...

She wrote a very thoughful (and serious) guest post today about how we use issues (moralism, hairstyle, eco-friendliness, politics) that are not the gospel but elevate them above the gospel. http://deeperstory.com/when-church-is-too-good-for-sinners/

Creamcheese Coffee Cake with fruit preserves.

Last night, I made our new favorite breakfast, a cream cheese coffee cake. I've made it with blackberry and now blueberry jelly. It's delicious. I highly recommend it.

• 4oz reduced fat cream cheese (not lowfat)
• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/4 c butter, softened
• 7/8 c all purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1/8 c milk (I used 2%)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 c blackberry, raspberry, or blueberry preserves.

1. Grease and flour a loaf pan. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, butter until fluffy. Add rest of ingredients (except preserves) and beat 2 minutes.
2. Spread batter in a pan. Spoon preserves and marble with a knife.
3. Bake for 25-35 minutes. Cool. (optionally top with powdered sugar)

Nutritional Information: For a slice, 1/12
147 calories; 6.6 g. fat; 150g sodium; 20 g carbs; 0.3g fiber; 11.7g sugar; 2.5g protein.

(Modified from the Better Home and Garden's Diabetic's cookbook)

All The Answers

What was the point of going to college if for some reason (kids, personal choice, firing, economy) I don't do this job forever? College gives you more opportunities but many people change jobs and God has things in store that you couldn't imagine.

Why do I feel so restless? Because your husband is a study aholic and when you were in college you planned to change the world and now you are a "corporate slave" as a friend put it. It's where you are supposed to be and most day you enjoy it.

Am I a bad empowered diva because I think babies are adorable and I want one? No, this makes you human.

Am I a bad woman because I might work while I have kids? No. If and when you have kids, you will so what makes sense for your family. There is no right or wrong way because every situation is different.

Why won't God just tell me the 5 year roadmap? Because you would be paralyzed with fear if someone gave you even a 1 day roadmap.

Why isn't knowing all these answers enough to convince me?