Kids say the darnedest things...

So, I've found that I don't have too much going on in my life that is blog-worthy, as I do most of my personal writing in my journal - and that not for public consumption. However, I realized that I do have some pretty cute kid anecdotes, so I will begin relaying those here.

About a month ago on a crisp but sunny Friday morning I met my first class of the day - Ms. Davidson's 1st grade - and had just seated them after the pledge of allegiance when one little girl (smart as a whip, and not shy of saying just about whatever is on her mind) piped up with a gasp, "You got skinny!!"
Her exclamation took me a bit by surprise, but I realized that, since that morning was not as cold as it had previously been, I was not wearing my favorite chunky sweater that I had used as a jacket and worn pretty much daily over the past month or so. This sweater may have been the culprit that led to her misconception - at least, I hope so.
Anyway, I think I said something to the effect of, "I did?" and the little girl (hereafter referred to as "Y") replied,
"Yeah! You had a baby and it popped out!"
I couldn't help but laugh, but at the same time I wondered if I should be a bit offended? I then said that, no, in fact I had not had a baby, and was never pregnant, and pointed out to her gently that if you're not sure about whether or not someone is pregnant, you should probably refrain from telling them you think they are - or were. She looked a little taken aback, but I figured it was okay for her to hear that from me, who was not offended, than from someone who might have been, were she to say the same thing to them in the future.
Y didn't have much time to think too hard about this, though, because another student chimed in loudly, "No, she wasn't pregnant, because she's not even married!"
I then, of course, had to correct her and say, "Actually, I AM married," to which the entire class cried, "EEEEEWWWWWWWWWW!!!"
Ah, kids...

Kaiser visit + prescription ibuprofen = $44.
Wrist brace bought at Long's = $7.00.
2&1/2 hrs lost at the doctor's office for tendonitis diagnosis = priceless.

Slainte! (To Your Health!)

I have recently come into a new lifestyle - of the Vegan persuasion. I actually am not Vegan, and don't plan to be for the rest of my life, but for now it is a really nice, healthy way to eat! It has been 27 days now, and I have 13 more to go, in which I eat no meat products, no dairy products, no refined sugars, no white flour-type breads or anything processed nor with lots of preservatives.

I must say I was quite concerned when our church announced these 40 days of consecration, during which we were to do a "Daniel Fast" (originally only vegetables and water, but slightly modified by our church to what is basically a Vegan diet, but can include some fish). I didn't know if I could do it, much less if I WANTED to do it, and had no idea just how many awesome recipes are out there in such a "diet," if you will. But there are TONS of great things to eat here! And I feel so much healthier - I've probably dropped a whole pants' size by now, but I have no idea what kind of weight I've lost (we do not own a scale). The first week of this fast I noticed that all the usual lethargy I experience after a day at work was GONE. I would come home and, instead of flopping down on the couch, I would figure out what new yummy recipe to cook for dinner, and have found the new culinary delights to be delectable!

My recent favorite is Butternut Squash Mash - who knew?!? This recipe is in lieu of mashed potatoes (not that potatoes are bad) and I must say that it is QUITE a treat! I've never cooked any kind of squash before, and I'm pretty sure that the last time I even carved a pumpkin was in like the 5th grade. Even then, though, I highly doubt I did any of the actual carving. Just took a permanent marker and drew a crude face on the thing...

Anyhow, if you're interested in the B-nut squash, take a gander at the recipe, which I have pasted below:

Butternut Squash Mash 4 servings (Serve instead of mashed potatoes.)
(original source: http://www.greatfood.ie/item_display.asp?cde=2&id=450)
Slightly modified by: Me! :)

Ingredients
1 butternut squash
soy butter and/or vegetable broth (non-vegan use: creme frâiche, butter or cream)
Directions
1. Peel the butternut squash with a vegetable peeler.
2. Cut in half, and scoop out the seeds and stringy bits with a large spoon.
3. Cut into chunks and simmer in salted boiling water for 10-14 minutes until you can pierce the pieces easily with a fork.
4. Drain well, mash and add creme frâiche, butter or cream and beat with a wooden spoon until creamy. (Start with a little, then taste, add more if you want more. It's your food, you can do what you want with it. There is no right way or wrong way!). Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cook's note
If you wish, you can press the mash through a conical sieve or a mouli for a finer 'restaurant' texture.

Fun picture found

I just found this picture and wanted to comment on it. How cute is my husband as he smiles one of the biggest smiles I've seen out of him? And I wonder - what kind of a smile is that? Is he cheezing it up for the camera? Or laughing at his cousin's speech? Or is he really just that happy? You know, it's more than likely all of the above. That's the man I married! :)

Just here to say...

Alright, then! I just wanted to see what this blogging thing was all about. I do enjoy writing down my thoughts. So, as the URL suggests, this really will be a whistle-stop tour of my ramblings on whatever. Enjoy! :)