Violin Recital

Last night Dash played at the school orchestra concert. He placed a photo of our beloved Rena on his violin. He played for her last night. He misses her so.

Married 29 years, our date in three parts

This a table scape on my dinning table

 We had a wonderful anniversary on Sunday. 

I was off count thinking it was our 30th silly me.

We were able to have three small dates during the day.

On the first one Steve and I left the kids alone for an hour and went out to lunch at Pei Wei my favorite. We walked down two doors to a fancy grocery store and there was an elder fellow playing an electric guitar. We sat and listened until a man came out with a bouquet of flowers that had the sunflower and orchid above. I was so enthralled with them. I told Steve so and asked for some (one of the perks of being best friends). We don't need to play games leading to hurt feelings over unmet expectations. I still remember laying that down. What freedom

The sunflower is of a meaning... Pride 

  

 the orchid meaning is...thoughts 

coreopis...meaning Always cheerful,Love at first sight...

We came home with subway for the kids, they ate and the next little date began when my dear friend came with her daughter for 3 hours or so. We went to the movies and watched the Kings Speech. It was riveting.

Afterward we stopped for a decadent Starbucks coffee.

We returned home again to relieve our friend. Our sweet neighbor across the street came. Soon the third part of our date began. We left and stopped at a Taco Bell for an inexpensive light supper. We drove to a wonderful little known bird sanctuary and walked in the moon light. We married the first day of spring so the moon this year was amazing. The brightest closest moon that will be for many years to come. We walked under it. As if it were day we were well lit on the darkened path. We returned home to Kids asleep and all being well at 10pm. Oh what a refreshing day. The kids were not left long at a time. It really worked out nicely.

Now in a year it will be our 30th wedding anniversary.

Time to turn your gold into grocery's

 As important as it is to have good liquid assets it is more so to mind the times. In the days of Egypt's famine there came a dreamer. He knew how to interpret the times. So should we interpret the times wisely. 

We took out some of our savings yesterday to bulk up the staples in the pantry. It was once upon a time that my pantry was always full. This last year with all the health stuff the bulk ran low. It is good to run out the bulk once a year or so however now is NOT the time to do so.

 The hard freezes, flooding in the mid west and the inter national scope of food sources is in crisis.

We in the states are about to see something we have not had to deal with for many decades. Our food stores are dwindling in comparison to years gone by. We have yet to see the full scope of what is coming our way.

Rising fuel cost is also effecting food costs.

Your savings accounts have a very low yield of return in compare to the percentage the food costs are increasing. The wage is not increasing yet the foods are at least 30% higher over a year or so. This is going to continue and spike very soon. the wise steward considers these things.

Even though most things here are homemade the basic short order items need to be kept on hand.

• what is it you use on a month in month out basis
• Imported spices and such items that we depend on from imports
• staples, flour and any grain items will increase rapidly
• pasta
• rice will get harder to get soon, my favorite basmati is now gone on market. I have kept my eye on the horizon and saw that the rice was increasing fast. I purchased 2 twenty pound bags now no longer available. Yes some other types are on market but of lower quality.
• cereals (we only use two main ones)
• bacon or anything related to your breakfast table
• sauce or condiments (glass containers are best)
• canned fruit (fresh is best but canned is better than non) imports will reduce rapidly very soon.
• orange juice (fresh is best yes) will sky rocket so get several frozen concentrates to have on stock. Florida lost a good percentage of crop this year to freeze
• pet foods
• feminine items
• dish washing soap
• vinegar (many uses)

 Keep your eye on the times by observing the world around you.

People freak out and that is because of a 'sudden panic'

there is no need to panic when you prepare and observe.

This is not a panic it is a proactive action.

Invest your earnings wisely.

The hardest part of a full pantry is keeping it secure with good containers. NEVER leave things in boxed packages if you can help it. Ration things out as well teaching the children that a full pantry is not a 'pig out' it is a resource. Teach the way of the grain stores to others. Joesph of old rose to great heights of honor by saving a nation. You can do the same for your family.

It is wisdom.

Each day as food rises your capital decreases. By filling up your pantry you reserve a greater percentage of your income. Use good shopping techniques. Couponing is a good thing too if you only get what you would normally use. Lead in adds are very helpful. Buying in a bulk fashion is costly at first yet saves so much more than your savings account yield. Remember to keep an eye on the expiration dates. Never get more than you can use before the expire date. The good years, the years of plenty are coming to a slowing. See the times at hand and be relaxed in your proactive stance.

Morning greeting

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy_Egret/idSnowy Egret at the very moment that I turned around and stepped out of the garage there he was! Right in front of me at roof level. Steve was just exiting as well. He got to see it as it flew down the street. Now that's a way to start ones day!

Learn more about him click here

World Water Day

learn more at  World Water Day site

—According to the World Economic Forum, nearly 60% of the world’s population will be living in cities causing a shortage of clean water for people and business in the urban environment worldwide.
—A third of humanity will have only half the water required to meet basic needs, which is likely to impact food production because agriculture accounts for more than 70% of water usage.

All things living are due the respect to sustain the life there in. 

Water is living and life sustaining. 

There is an old saying...

walk softly upon the earth.

Preserve what is here so it will not all be gone tomorrow.

Plug the tub. Then use the hot side to fill the tub while the cool water clears the line. As it gets hot then turn hot off. Then fill up with cold. The result is warm water. No water down the drain.

 

When doing dishes fill your washing sink up only 1/3 of the way. Rinse first load over the  washing sink until it is half full. Then fill up the rinse sink, that is what it is made for. Running water down the drain is just silly.

Keep a low sink of warm water in the kitchen sink and wash your hands in it through out the day (rinsing over it) . When just a few dishes need to be tended water is there simply add a little hot to it. If your using water that is set to boil pour it in the dish water after it has served it's use. Heats up the sink water and washes the last of the supper dishes. The rinse water in the other sink clears off all soap and such.

At the end of the dishes when it is time to rinse off the oils or muck off pots and pans use a measure or large bowl and simply transferred rinse water over to main wash sink.  Use paper toweling or newsprint to wipe off oils/grease. Run VERY hot water over the oily pans. Set water in a pot or pan that is caked on turn the burner on and let it boil. When soft shut it off. Pour off of soiled water a hot pan then will reheat the washing water.

This is just the method I have always used. 

Growing up poor has a way of instilling a healthy humility.

This all sounds complicated but it is not. Just makes good sense. Think of the souls in history...who would just walk on over to the well? They would never think of using so much water as now? Water is so very heavy to carry. I seriously doubt it would be wasted so. It would just ware your legs and shoulders so.
The cost of heating it (cutting a log) would also cause one to think twice. That is another story in itself however.

Hand Washing is the single most important means of preventing

the spread of infection but turn the water off while you soap up. 

Lower the flow as well.

 Do not just let the water run full blast.

Walk softly respecting this life sustaining gift.

Offer up to the future a cool drink of water.

Also consider rain water harvesting.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

It would be against all I am to disregard this provision.