Holiday Travel Alert

I am blogging from Jess's laptop as we inch our way through Atlanta. Although we are south of it, having been inching for a couple of hours, we are expecting a long night. Just as we were getting our hopes up to be almost out, we passed a sign "Holiday Travel Alert: Expect long delays on I-75" We are tired and cranky, having left Jess's parents at 5:59am. (Almost 12 hours ago).

However! We are THANKFUL that we left southern IL and drove SOUTH through the good weather. We are thankful that we got to see all the fam and eat. And eat. And eat some more. And we are thankful that we have had minimal crying so far. Oh, and the kids haven't cried much either.

Anyone know any good travel games?

That reminds me--we are thankful for our Honda Odyssey with its DVD player.

Love, Sarah

Indulgence

I couldn't resist. It just looked so good on the shelf, and boy, oh boy it was not a disappointment.

Since I have been more intentional about reading labels and feeding my family fewer processed foods I have also tried not to indulge in flavored coffee creamers which begin with "water, sugar, palm oil, corn syrup" and end with a list of unpronounceable ingredients. This has been a tough one because it's in the genes. When the Publix grocer sees my mom walk in, he lists off the new creamer flavors because he knows she'll take one of each. I've been using milk and a little splenda (OK, I know splenda's made in a factory too, but I'm taking baby steps here) but I just had to try this one. Vanilla Spiced Rum. And it is sooooooooo good.


Maybe I'll try to stop the diet soda habit instead. Except Diet Dr. Pepper was on sale today for $1.75/12 and I bought four.

Menu Plan Wednesdays

Thanks for the well wishes this morning. I am ending the day with a fairly clean house, folded laundry, a clean kitchen, and coffee ready to go. God is good to me even when I'm lazy. I even figured out what we were going to eat for the rest of the week. Did you think I forgot Menu Planning Mondays (or in dad's case, did you hope I forgot)? Nope, but my sweet husband took me (and 4 kids) out for a steak dinner last night to celebrate alleviate his frustrating day (hmmm. . . how can I make that happen more often. . . it probably wouldnt take much. . . ) Soooo, I was able to use the fajitas for tonight. They weren't quite a hit. In fact, I'm striking out a lot lately in my attempt to provide healthier meals and this week, we're going yummy, fattening, and easy (that's also because I have 14 bags to make before we leave for Illinois on Monday and I won't be spending time in the kitchen). Anyway, here's what we're eating this week:

Thurs: Beef Enchiladas, shredded lettus, corn, avacado salad (and don't tell Jess, but the sour cream will be yougurt cheese from our homemade yougurt). Oh, and The Office. We get to watch it together for the first time this season. Ahhh....

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Some sort of casserole with chicken, brocoli, cream of soup, and cracker crumbs. I think we used to eat it in college. carrots.

Sunday: Sandwiches (turkey and cheese or blt) and spinach salad

I'm going to make a cheese ball for snacks (suggested by Tricia-thanks!) and hopefully some more of those yummy pumpkin oatmeal muffins.

Now to finish my grocery list and hit the bed sewing machine. But before I go, here's some pics so dad will keep reading.

Morning Must-Dos not Done

The other day I opened my "home binder" (which rarely gets opened anymore) and looked at my "morning routine." It went like this:

• Wake up and start coffee
  Make bed and tidy room
  Contacts in and wash face, swish and swipe bathroom
  Coffee and quiet time
  Check email and to do list
  Empty dishwasher, clean coffee maker
  Prepare breakfast—kids up!
  Breakfast and family devotions
  Feed baby
  Everybody dressed
  Switch laundry to dryer
  Plan supper

This was my morning:

• Stumble out of bed at 6:30.
• Scowl as I said "Don't talk to me yet" while I tried to start the coffee.
• Get backpacks and snacks ready (which should have been done the night before).
• Prepare breakfast as jess dresses the kids (I LOVE my husband--especially as he tries to get Ella up and she yells (really, yells) "YOU WOKE ME UP!" and starts sobbing, which continues through breakfast)
• Let baby cry in bed until I can finish getting bags packed--including finding 3 "K" words for show-and-tell (which should have been done the night before)
• Kiss 2 big kids and husband goodbye
• Feed baby while drinking lukewarm coffee and checking emails
• Warm coffee, change 2 poopy diapers, put laundry in the dryer, come back to lukewarm coffee.
• Warm again, take a satisfying sip, then try to get dressed, make bed, and entertain baby.
• Change another poopy diaper, coffee's cold again.
• Start washing sheets from bedwetter and think "I HAVE GOT TO WAKE UP EARLIER!"
• Rewarm coffee again (I'm becoming my mother-in-law), take fussy teething baby in my lap, and browse blogs a little, since I decide I can't get much done while she wants to be held (or at least that's my excuse).
• Become convicted at my waste of a morning and write a blog about it (instead of getting off my %$#&$ butt)

I read some blogs by homesteading, homeschooling mothers of a zillion children, highly organized, utterly frugal, proverbs 31 women and they can sometimes be helpful and inspiring. but sometimes they can make me feel like (running the list through my head of who reads this blog) crud. Still, I think the waking up earlier part has got to happen. But today I'm going to leave the dirty dishes and take Si to the library. Hope your day goes well!

Happy Birthday Adeline Louise!

Yes, that teeny tiny baby we brought home from the hospital weighing just under 6 pounds is 7 months old today. Whoosh. Just like that. Seven. Months. Old.


This was a big month for you, Adeline. You started your 7th month by meeting your namesake, Grandpa Louis (and a whole slew of aunts, uncles and cousins) in Illinois. You decided on the way home from that trip that you did not like long trips, and we're thinking we might have to stay within a 100 mile radius until you're old enough to turn around and watch the TV.

You learned to sit so fast that we never even got out the boppy pillow. Now you can now get where you want, and pretty quickly, by scooting and rolling, especially when you see your favorite monkey toy. You spend a lot of time up on your knees and we expect to see you crawl soon. Oh, and you are eating rice cereal (love it! What babies love rice cereal?!?), squash and yogurt (funny faces--can't tell yet what you think) and bananas from your little feeder. Maybe you'll start to catch up to the curve--right now you're 25 inches long (that's the 25th percentile) and 13lbs11oz (the 10th percentile--which I can't believe--you have beautiful rolls of fat!)

Now, here's the deal, Addie Lou. You are not a good nursery baby. In fact, I kind of think you're becoming a problem at church. My beeper goes off at least once a Sunday to come get my screamer, especially during the evening service. I know you're so tired by then, but Curry babies have always been nursery favorites, and, for goodness sake, you're number 4! I thought number 4s were supposed to be the laid back easy going babies. Here's my secret though: I think it's a blessing. You see, last week someone said to me that God gave me a tough situation, having a fourth who needs her mama so much when I have so many other responsibilities now. And you know what I told them? I think it was God's grace because it gives me the chance to slow down and sooth and cuddle my fourth baby, since she can't be comforted by anyone else. I think it would be easy for you to get overlooked, Addie, if you didn't insist on having your momma at your side. So I will nurse you and wear you in my sling as long as you need me to, Lou, cause I know it will be over too soon.

Beach Trip

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it;

Psalm 96:11

Ah, the beach! Even in November we enjoy the sand and the sound of the waves. For Veteran's Day we got to visit Jess's brother, Tim and family who were spending a couple of days just south of us at Amelia Island.
the whole Curry Clan

Cousin Ally! It was so fun to see the girls together again. They are quite a pair-as I'm sure their daddies were 30 years ago.

I took a picture right before I yelled, "GET HIM DOWN FROM THERE! ARE YOU CRAZY?"

Curry Girls

Menu Plan Mondays *revised

First an update on last weeks menu: The goat cheese stuffed chicken meal--mixed reviews. I loved it. I thought it was delicious and simple. The kids didn't like it at all, and Jess said he didn't think it had enough flavor, but i think I'm right :-) I mean, my kids didn't even want the cheese grits that night--who doesn't want cheese grits?!? The Fiesta Chowder is always good, as well as the chimichangas, but my kids were just picky this week. Cheese tortellini in broth and calzones were gobbled up--should have made more. We didn't have the black bean soup or the pork this week so they'll carry over:

Tuesday: No cooking! We're going to visit Jess's brother and family who are visiting Amelia Island.

Wednesday: Pork au Poivre, roasted potatoes, creamed spinach, applesauce

Thursday: Jess is at Ft. Bragg, we'll eat frozen pizza

Friday: Chili Corn stack ups (another favorite of Emily's and I have chili in the freezer)

Saturday: Chicken fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli and bread

Sunday: Black bean soup, bread, salad

Monday: Chili Dogs, veggies, chips and dip

Tuesday: I think it will be this because I have the ingredients--it's from my catering friend Tricia so it's gotta be good:

Mu Shu-Style Fajitas:

1 T. butter
2 eggs beaten
3 cloves minced garlic
1 lb boneless pork-cut in thin strips
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 c sliced mushrooms
1 8 oz.can bamboo shoots- if desired
6 green onions chopped
1 t. lemon juice
tortillas warmed

In skillet melt butter and scramble eggs with garlic, salt, and pepper. Remove and set aside. Saute carrots in oil –set aside.
If you want to add any other vegetables( ie; zucchini, yellow squash etc) do so now then remove and set aside. Brown meat in oil. Add seasoning of choice (fajita seasoning or just salt and pepper). Add ½ cup water and bring to boil. Reduce heat and add eggs, carrots and remaining ingredients except tortillas. Cook 2-3 minutes. Warm tortillas. Put meat and veg. mix in tortillas with plum sauce if desired and roll up like a burrito.

Salad and fruit are usually our sides.

Plum Sauce:
In saucepan combine ½ c grape or plum jelly, ¼ cup sliced green onions, and 1 T cornstarch. Add 2 T dry sherry or ( I use dry white wine if I don’t have sherry),2 T soy sauce and 1 T vinegar. Cook until bubbly then stir and cook 1-2 min longer.

Might be a little too exotic for my crew, but it sounds good, and we need to break away from the Tex/Mex - Italian rotation.

I did it!

I MADE YOGURT. Really. I made it. Real. Live. Yogurt. This is so cool.


We love yogurt. I use coupons and buy up what I can, or I buy the bigger tubs of plain and we sweeten it with splenda and Grandma's jam. But we still run through it fast around here. I have been wanting to learn to make it for while, and then I found this on one of my new favorite blogs, a crockpot blog.

I followed her directions almost exactly so I won't repeat them here--you can check her blog out if you want to try this. For my starter, I accidentally got vanilla yogurt instead of plain, and was worried it would mess up, but it didn't. The only tricky thing was finding organic, NOT ULTRA PASTEURIZED milk. It's ok to have pasteurized, but not ultra, and the organics at a few grocery stores are ultra. Our health food store has 2 brands that were not ultra pasteurized. I picked

The crockpot lady said to start with whole milk, so we did. Later we might try lower fat milk with added powdered milk or gelatin to help it thicken. I even thought we could try goats milk so Adeline could have a taste! Can you tell I'm a bit excited?

Here is our finished 1/2 gallon of yummy healthy yogurt.

On the left, next to the milk, you'll see I'm draining the whey from one batch, to thicken it like a Greek yogurt. I'm using a coffee filter. I've read whey is excellent to use in baked goods but I'll have to research it a little more.

Here is our favorite yogurt tester. She wanted to eat it all even before I sweetened hers with a little splenda.

I would HIGHLY recommend this easy crockpot recipe. And let me know if you try it!

If you can't say something nice. . . .

I haven't blogged much lately because, well, Jess says I've been a little feisty and I promised I wouldn't get all up in your grill again after Halloween. (Man, I AM feisty. Sorry.) So I will just direct you to the link of the story I saw on the evening news about my pediatrician. I'm trying to get out of there as fast as I can.

In Curry news, right now, at 11pm, my hunk of a handy husband is putting up crown molding. And my children are sleeping soundly. As the sounds of the miter saw and hammering is practically shaking the house, I have one question: WHY then, do these children wake at the faint beep of my coffee maker in the morning?!?!?!?

Oh yeah, and while I'm asking questions, can someone explain to me what I did to turn on my car alarm today in the Cici's parking lot: Jess took the keys and kids with him while I stayed in the car to nurse Addie. When I opened the door to go, everything started honking and beeping and flashing and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off! So I took the baby and started to push through the crowd waiting in line at Cici's (it was out the door--popular place, for good reason!) to find Jess and the keys. Luckily a friend found him quickly but of course, by that time, I was "that woman with the honking minivan." I was thankful that I at least remembered to "get myself back together" after nursing!

I better go make sure the kids are still breathing. . .

Feeling blue?

Here's what makes me happy:

Menu Plan Mondays

I usually do my coupon clipping and plan my weekly menus on Mondays (commissary's closed) and shop on Tuesdays. Why not blog it? AND ask, no beg and plead you bloggers to show me yours. Emily did it for a while (no pressure, em, still fighting the femcha) but wouldn't it be SO FUN and EASY if we were able to plan a week of menus, and then get 4 or 5 weeks in return? I did this once with girls here in Savannah on paper and I ended up with some family favorites. So. . . I'll get the ball rolling.

Tuesday: Chicken Breasts stuffed with Garlic and Herbed Goat Cheese, Cheese Grits, Broccoli, sliced apples

Wednesday: Use slow cooker black beans for Black Bean Chimichangas, save the rest for Saturday (from Emily's menu Mondays!), corn

Thursday: Southern Living's Fiesta Chowder, bread sticks, use leftover toppings from wed.

Friday: Pork au Poivre, roasted potatoes, creamed spinach, applesauce

Saturday: Black bean soup, french bread, veggies and sour cream dip

Sunday: cheese tortellini in light broth with Parmesan crisps, Italian mixed salad

Monday: Calzones (sauce and dough already in the freezer)

Also baking: Apple Buttermilk Muffins and Banana Bread

Oh, and tonight, since Jess has a deacon's meeting, we are having Honey infused oat cereal in a light milk bath.

Praying for soldiers. . .

I wanted to take a sec and ask y'all to pray for a soldier, Rob Yllescas, who was seriously wounded in Afghanistan this week. I don't know the family, but we have mutual friends from our last post. The reason I mention it here is that Rob's family has started a blog, and besides your prayers, it is encouraging to the family to hear that folks are reading and praying and rooting for them. So when you think of it, pray for this family, and then go to their blog and just let them know you did! And while you're thinking of it, keep my friend Catherine and her husband in your prayers too. They have a long road of recovery ahead as well.

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. . ."