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March 2007
Newsletter Snippet
March 30, 2007
Have you ever been sitting in a circle (like at a wedding shower, baby shower, class or the like) and you are all supposed to share something very interesting? The sharing begins with the woman next to you and continues on around the circle and you become so intrigued and engrossed with the stories that you forget to prepare something to say when it’s your turn?
Well, today I am the lady in the circle that forgot to prepare something to say. I started reading blogs this afternoon and my, oh my, there were some fun things written and I forgot it was going to be my turn. Since I forgot, it’s your bonus. Today’s blog topic is supposed to be a snippet from the Newsletter, so just e-mail me at jp@neighborjanepayne.com and I’ll send you a free copy of this week’s newsletter.
And because no shower or class is complete without refreshments, here’s a good punch recipe:
1/2 gallon raspberry sherbet
1/2 gallon strawberry ice cream
1-2 (2 liters) pineapple flavored pop
With a hand mixer, mix softened ice cream and sherbet together. Slowly whip in pop. Serve immediately.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Loved the newsletter and am still chuckling over some of the metaphors.
Thanks, BRENDA
Jane, This is one of your absolute BEST newsletters!! I am still laughing as I read it over and over! Thank you so much for making my day! Verna
Mom, that was the best newsletter. Love, Cali
Jane, It's like a blogging contest where everyone wins! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to share the latest update from my google group - it has plenty of material for tip Tuesday, though I assume you only share tips you've tested. Love, Barb
I'll take one! I've been thinking about subscribing anyway.... Lisa Lewis
Hi Jane, I'd like to read the newsletter. I guess my subscription to your site must have run out long ago since I haven't gotten a newsletter for a while!! :) Thanks Tina
I cannot resist a freebie, even if I still need to subscribe! Thanks Jane. Chris
Your newsletters just get better and better. I'm still laughing over the analogies. They sound like the ones my kids come up with when we've all been up way too late at night. I think at 11:00 p.m. people begin to shed "conventionalism" and that's when creativity really gets rolling--like my grandsons' heads are about to if they don't quit roping my computer chair and dragging me through the front room in the middle of an email.....Lynn
Include me too please!
Gaye Vaterlaus
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Free Gift Idea
March 29, 2007
Susan, at Pyles of Clutter, often sends sweet little gifts to me via her kids or neighbor kids, my students. I love seeing them come to class with a little colored envelope—I know just what it means, sometimes it’s a funny card with cute calendar quotes, sometimes it’s a little bag of candy, sometimes it’s a magnet. The gifts are little “I’m thinking of you” or “thank you” tokens and the thing that most impresses me is that she is a busy woman with lots of volunteering commitments, but she always makes the time to send them to me.
Yesterday she sent me this book and card as a gift. It’s a library book that she had read. She knew I enjoyed this author and historical books so she thought I might enjoy it. In the card she wrote down the chapters she enjoyed and then . . . (this is the sweetest part of the gift) renewed the date on the book and included the return date receipt. She could have thought, “I’ll have to tell Jane about this book when I see her,” or “Oh, that would be a good gift to get Jane, but it’s too expensive so I can’t,” or she could have never even thought of me at all, but she didn’t. She took the opportunity to make a library book a gift to me. It didn’t cost her a thing and it was a wonderful, thoughtful gift that was very much appreciated.
Have you got any free gift ideas? I would love to hear about them.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Thanks for the tips. I am ironing myself this evening. Hope you find lots of deals at Sears and Michaels. Michaels is definitely a dangerous store. Especially since now they have a dollar section. Have a good night. Jenny :)
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Iron Right
March 28, 2007
Ty and I are headed out of town this afternoon and I can’t wait—a nap in the sunshiny car while he drives, a stop at Michael’s to spend a Christmas gift certificate (Ty’s dreading that stop), another stop at Sears to spend another gift certificate and then meeting up with Cali to eat. But, first things first: post a tip.
Yesterday I spent the whole afternoon, no exaggeration, ironing. My basket truly overfloweth.
Tip #1—remove ironing drudgery by keeping up with it so you don’t have hours to do at once or save it until you have a good movie’s worth. Pursuit of Happyness anyone? I watched it for the first time yesterday while ironing and loved it.
Tip #2—when the starch and hard water mineral deposits build up on the bottom of your iron, dampen a washcloth with vinegar and set your hot iron on it. Iron the washcloth back and forth until the bottom of the iron is cleaned.
O.K. Off to see what Michael’s and Sear’s think I can’t live without.
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Spring Fever Self-Portrait
March 27, 2007
Had Eve started us carrying vegetables instead of flowers to our weddings, my nosegay would have been heavy on the asparagus. I think they are a lovely vegetable and for me, one of the first signs of spring.
One spring day a few years ago Calvin stopped and picked me a bunch of asparagus on his way home from work, I thought it was terribly romantic and was happier than if he’d bought me roses and as happy as if he’d bought me daisies.
I love creamed asparagus over toast if I’m feeling down-home, or cream of asparagus soup with toast points if I’m feeling urbane. Either way, cream, asparagus, butter, milk, toasted homemade bread . . . spring never tasted so good.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Interesting combo toast with asparagus? I am fond of asparagus but can never cook it right! I guess I will have to resort to the good old restaurant. Jenny :)
Jane, I LOVE asparagus too! I love it plain with a little butter, salt and pepper. Oh and pickled isn't bad either. My grandma lives right by the plant in Mattawa and we get it for SO cheap. Do you grow your own or would you need some delivered to you? I'm going this weekend so let me know. You are getting creative with your picture, love the nosegay comment! Love, Melanie
I love your asparagus picture. I just went out to eat and was served fresh grilled asparagus with my steak. It was so wonderful! I love asparagus. I grew up on canned asparagus and it wasn't until Danny and I were engaged that I was served fresh steamed asparagus and really found out what I was missing!
What a great story about Calvin picking asparagus for you. That is true love that he truly knows what you like. *sigh* Nikki
I've been a silent lurker on your ingenous site for some time now, but just have to comment today. I love your creativity, your way with words, your abundant ideas. And I absolutely love asparagus. Amy S. http://www.meandmine.squarespace.com/
You're making me miss my old garden. The garden at this house has just not flourished - I've been buying my asparagus for a long time now.
Romance really is all about how well you know each other, and then acting on that knowledge. Good job, Calvin.--Barb
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Life in My World
March 26, 2007
Amazing. Some days are simply amazing. Saturday morning I got up early and put a huge pot of chili on the stove to cook, started a batch of bread and made a batch of cookies. Ty got up in time to help me make biscuits and gravy for breakfast and then we woke everyone else up, ate, read and had a fun discussion about I don’t remember what now, but it took an hour. As we were getting ready to clear the table I reminded Calvin and the kids what an amazing woman I was to have gotten so much done so early. Like a good family, they agreed.
But that wasn’t the truly amazing thing. After breakfast and dishes we took off for the “Gorge” by George, Washington. The Gorge is known for its amazing acoustics and natural amphitheatre—performers from all over sing there because of its natural beauty and sound. But, that’s not why we went. We went because the Gorge has great climbing cliffs.
Ty loves to mountain climb and is home for spring break this week.
Cali came home for the weekend, too, and also loves to climb. Between the two of them they had enough gear to take us all rock climbing.
 
Calvin and Ande climbing
It was such a great experience.
 
I was amazed at the skill Ty and Cali had in teaching and helping us.
yes sir, that's me on the wall
I was amazed I had the strength and guts to climb the cliff. I was amazed I made it to the top. I was amazed that I could let go and come back down (however, it is like labor and there really was no other option). I was amazed by the whole experience.
There were several other climbers there, but the kids wouldn’t let me clap whenever someone made it safely up and back down the cliff. They said grown men don’t necessarily appreciate someone’s mother clapping for them.
But no one could stop me from waving furiously to everyone below when I made it to the top. Looking that far down did make me a bit queasy so I didn’t look and bask long.
We came home starved to . . . you guessed it, chili, bread and cookies. What a day. What a day.
Ande and I went to a mother-daughter church meeting later that evening that was also amazing. Between climbing a rock, spending the day with my family and spending the evening listening to spiritually uplifting talks and messages with my daughter, I was amazed. _______________________________________________________________________________________
Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Oh, Jane - I loved reading this! You just have the neatest family, and you've got to be the coolest mom ever! I hope my boys still want to do things with me once they've left the nest! You've just got it all goin' on!! Heather
You were super- woman on Saturday! All that cooking! Rock Climbing! And all before your 6pm meeting? Such a cool mom should be able to clap for fellow rock climbers. -Barb
Well, good for you! I decided to try a climbing wall during the Christmas break. Of course, being the nurturing mother that I am....I let my son go first so that if it wasn't safe and someone fell on his head it would be him instead of me. (I figured he was younger and would recover faster...? Okay, but I'm not proud of it...) My son was "on belay" as I went up and I was utterly amazed at how jelly-filled my arms were when I got to the top. There's no denying it now-- I have Relief Society arms. -Lynn
Why don't grown men like someone's mother clapping for them? Men like cheerleaders and you were one! I love Mondays too, always a wonderful post. Love the photos, I am totally impressed with an outing like this! I bet the chili tasted wonderful! Love, Mel
Janey Paney ... You are so brave... I love my kids so much but I know for a fact they would never get me up there ... You are an awesome mom..What a day of accomplishments!!!! Darla
Oh Jane, I saw the perfect sign!! I wanted to get it for you but the little store didn't open until later. We spent Sunday morning waiting for our plane walking around the Omaha Old Market. It's just old, old buildings that they have stores and restaurants in.. Lots of Restaurants. Cobblestone streets and rickety awnings over the old sidewalks. Several blocks of old downtown. Anyway the sign was in the window of this little store and said "NORMAL to sit on the washer" It was painted in bright colors and I thought of you and then when I got here this morning and read the days that I'd missed on the blog I had to laugh.--Deb
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Newsletter Snippet
March 23, 2007
Today’s newsletter was on spring, chickens, nests—that sort of thing. It’s “Chick Days” at the feed store tomorrow which prompted the theme of this week’s newsletters. This isn’t the first time I’ve written about chickens in a newsletter, they’ve been a part of our family from the beginning—the part the kids hate and that Calvin and I love—and so they occasionally make it into a newsletter.
The picture above was taken of Ty back when he was raising chickens as a money making project. Looking at the t-shirt he’d have been in second grade (don’t ALL second graders become fascinated with dinosaurs?) Ty fed, watered and even helped butcher chickens and then sold the 7# carcasses (they were like mini-turkeys) to our neighbors.
All of our kids despised the job of tending the chickens at one time or another, but their stories are such good rerun fodder. One of my favorite stories is when Abe and Ty scaled the walls of the coop because Abe left the water running all night and flooded it. Rather than walk in the soupy mess to gather the eggs, they pretended they were treasure hunters on their way to retrieve hidden treasure (eggs) and scaled cliffs (walls) to get to it. That adventure took them hours to accomplish and as I remember it, there wasn’t one unbroken egg in the bucket. My absolute favorite story would have been when the rooster took after Ande and she ran as fast as she could the 100 yards from the coop, through the garage and into the house hollering a blood curdling scream the whole way. She was a teenager and in no real danger from the rooster, but seeing him chase her across the yard with his neck stretched out on a dead run and just a step behind her was comical.
Whaddayawanna bet that at least one of our kids will raise chickens someday? My siblings and I detested the chore as a kid, but three of us turned right around and raised chickens so that our kids could learn suffering and surviving and responsibility as we did.
After receiving the newsletter this morning, one of my neighbors (a dairy farmer) sent this poem:
IN DEFENSE OF THE CHICKEN
Baxter Black
Everyone says they love chicken,
Ambrosia sent from above.
But nobody loves a chicken,
A chicken ain’t easy to love.
It’s hard to housebreak a chicken,
They just don’t make very good pets.
You might teach on bird imitations
But that’s ‘bout as good as it gets.
Mentally, they’re plumb light-headed
And never confused by the facts.
That’s why there’s no seein’ eye chickens,
Guard chickens or trained chicken acts.
And everything tastes like chicken,
From rattlesnake meat to fried bats.
With this anonymous flavor;
I figger they’re all Democrats.
Some say this ignoble creature
With his intellect unrefined
And lack of civilized manners
Has little to offer mankind.
But let me suggest, the chicken
Has two contributions to make;
The first was the peckin’ order
The second, the chicken-fried steak!
The kids still give me a “rash a crap” about having chickens, but I still tend them. More than once they’ve saved my bacon (pardon the pun). More than once I’ve needed to make cookies and needed one more egg. Those hens seldom let me down and their yolks are so perky and pretty, they’re beautiful to cook with.
Ok . . . enough on chickens, I realize very few of you will ever have them, but if you do you’ll know exactly why I can write a newsletter or two or three about them.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
What can I say? I just love the term 'chicken husbandry' - cracks me up every time. I've visited this post more than once, now, for a laugh. Just so I can say to myself, 'I'm going to read about the Payne family and their 'chicken husbandry'. Barb
Keep the letters coming and know that I look forward to seeing you at the July wedding!! Love you - Sue
PS - couldn't believe you shared all of that great info and cute pictures on chicks and then gave us a recipe on how to cook them!!!
I loved your newsletter today! (Actually I love every issue.) But today's was so wonderful and springy. It is my hope that one day we can live in an area that we can keep chickens. And spring cleaning is my favorite thing. I used to dread it growing up, but now I love it. Sweeping out the old winter cobwebs and dust, shining windows to let the beautiful spring sunlight pour in, freshly mopped floors eager to attract springtime's muddy footprints, yipee! And of course Rachel's letter was so great and inspiring too. How fun! You're the best Jane. :) Nikki
P.S. Your March 21st homemaking tip's picture always makes me smile. I enjoy looking at the picture and reading about a nicely folded warm batch of clothes. It really does make a difference over folding a cold batch. But what I noticed this time when I looked were the three blocks that say, "Live, Love, Laugh." How nice to have something inspirational in the laundry room. Thanks.
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Craft Tip
March 22, 2007
In my wildest imaginings I could not have expected I would live next to a chocolate factory. I have always lived in the country and chocolate factories are in places like Switzerland, Belgium, London and Pennsylvania, not in rural America. But, it is true; I live next to a chocolate factory. Two of my neighbors, Brenda Goodrich and Nesha Roylance, have been dipping chocolates for years as gifts. A few years ago they created a business called Legacy Chocolates® and their dipping factory is two houses down—less than a mile through the field. Sometimes Ande will run over to Legacy with some quarters or I’ll stop by and buy a chocolate or two (but they always have a little tray of “seconds” that they generously offer instead) on my way home from town. It is heavenly having such good chocolates so close.
Today for Enrichment meeting we went to Legacy Chocolates® to learn how to make chocolate dipped marshmallows—and I forgot my camera. A kitchen full of hair-netted ladies dipping marshmallows is a picture that shouldn’t have been missed, but it was. I offer the consolation prize of the recipe we made along with a picture of my finished eggs. It was a fun project and very doable. Nesha said she also makes these marshmallows in an 8” x 8” pan and cuts them and bags them in cute cellophane bags to give away with hot chocolate at Christmas time, too.
Tender Marshmallows
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
˝ cup cold water
ľ cup hot water
1 cup light corn syrup, divided
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
In a small bowl, combine gelatin and cold water. Stir with a spoon until very thick. Allow to stand 5 minutes.
In a 2-quart saucepan, combine hot water, ˝ cup of the corn syrup and the sugar. Place over high heat and stir with a wooden spoon until mixture comes to a boil. Clip on candy thermometer. Cook to 238 degrees or soft-ball stage. Remove from heat and stir in remaining corn syrup. Pour into medium-size bowl. Using electric mixer at high speed beat hot syrup, adding gelatin mixture 1 Tbsp at a time. Continue beating until all the gelatin is incorporated, candy is thick and has cooled to lukewarm, about 10 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Pour into greased 8” x 8” pan. Cool and cut into squares. Cover with flour to prevent sticking. Makes about 25 pieces. (You may color the marshmallow if you desire.)
Today we poured the marshmallow filling into candy molds shaped as eggs; however, we also poured some of the filling into flour molds created by filling a 9” x 13” pan 2/3 full of flour and then putting several egg imprints in the flour by using a plastic egg and pushing it half way down into the flour to make an egg shape. Each pan of flour held about twelve egg indentations.
We dipped the marshmallow eggs in covered chocolate flavored coating—pink, purple, yellow and brown—and then decorated them with buttercream frosting. The final touch was putting them in a paper wrapper which hid a multitude of flaws J
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
I've only made marshmallows once, but it was really fun to try. Chocolate making is another thing. It's a big family tradition at Christmas time handed down through the matriarchy for generations, with occasional branching out to daughters in law that are interested. It's a real production. I've taught several friends (it's a technique more than a recipe), but none of them have ever gone on to do it themselves. When I'm in the middle of a chocolates project I sometimes wish I wouldn't have started, but when I give them to people I'm always glad I went through the effort. Lucky you to have neighbours who offer 'seconds'. My kids always hope I have a bad day dipping so that there's lots of seconds for them. Barb
Those eggs look too delightful to eat. I must say that making candy intimidates me to the core. I may have to try this one someday! Jenny :)
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Homemaking Tip
March 21, 2007
This is Cali sitting on our washer. Our laundry room is a glorified closet, but this scene has been familiar in every home we’ve lived in—someone sitting on the washer to hold it down. When our 23 year old washer starts thumping you can hear, “SOMEONE GO SIT ON THE WASHER!” from any corner of the house. The kids have always been willing to get a cheap ride. Here, it is Cali’s turn.
Did you know that washing clothes in cold water can save the typical family over $120 a year? I didn’t calculate the savings, but I have enjoyed them. Seldom do I wash things in hot or warm water. But, please, don’t tell my mother-in-law, she insists it makes a difference, so to keep her appeased I’ve washed in warm water when she’s here.
Another tip, fold the laundry while it is warm. Besides being easier to straighten the wrinkles out, it is mentally much easier to fold a warm batch of clothes versus a cold batch of clothes.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
That is the least cluttered laundry room I've ever seen! Barb
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Self-Portrait
March 20, 2007
This week’s self portrait challenge from Lelly was to show our lucky charms. I tend to agree with Thomas Jefferson when he said, “I find the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” I’m luckiest in love and health, but they have both taken some work. I’m also lucky to live in America, lucky to live where there is abundance . . . and lucky to have this doll—do you know how many people were in front of me to inherit her? Sufficeth me to say lots. The doll was my great-grandmother’s and sat in her kitchen window sill. Today the little doll in the bathtub sits in mine. My great-grandmother always knew when my great-grandpa had been in the kitchen because he turned the doll bottom side up in the tub.
It always made my great-grandma mad; I suppose it was a bit risqué for the late 1800’s. Today I know when Cali has been home because she turns the doll bottom side up when I’m not looking just like my great grandpa did. (It only makes me mad when she thinks she’s funny and dabs a little bit of brownie on his bottom.)
I’m lucky to be so lucky.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Can I just say, I LOVE, LOVE your self portraits! Your little doll and bathtub are so adorable, I would have stood in line for that too! I know you would take care of something so it did end up in the right hands. I do
hope I get a Cali out of one of the kids living in this house. She is such a crack up, not to mention a gorgeous crack up!! I can see her being so tempted by the brownie batter. How can she not give in to that? Great post Jane!! Love, Melanie
That gave me a SERIOUS laugh Jane. I can just imagine the dab of brownie to top it off. I thought of you today when I was using my yummy lotion you gave me. Delightful! Jenny :)
Oh! My! Goodness! Jane, I laughed right out loud when I read that and then when I read it to Terry I laughed right out loud again! That is just so precious and Cali, what a hoot! Love this story. Susan
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Life in My World
March 19, 2007
- Abe sent an e-mail last night telling us about a very poor family that he’s teaching in the Philippines. Now mind you, Abe’s been living amongst poverty for nearly two years and the pictures he sends home clearly show very primitive living conditions and yet, I’ve only heard him mention the word “poor” twice. He said the mother of the family they’re teaching makes shish-kabob sticks and earns about $1.50 a day. Abe said he isn’t sure what the father does, but that the family is “way stinkin’ poor”. Abe and his companion taught this family the fourth commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy. The mother immediately quit working on Sundays when she heard it. Her quick obedience and faith humbled me. I want to learn a shish-kabob stick craft that uses thousands of skewers or serve shish-kabobs every night for the next year to increase the demand for them to thank her for reminding me of what is important.
- We have been listening to an audio recording of the New Testament on the computer each Monday evening. While the computer read to us, Ande was making a picture book, Calvin was reclined on the couch, caramel popcorn was drying in the oven and I was crocheting a leper bandage. It was one of those quiet, peaceful moments where everything in the world feels right.
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I’m glad I had Cali to walk with me last week. She loves to walk and walk and walk and it makes the miles go faster when she’s with me. Loving science like she does, she teaches me little tidbits about a thousand things that I don’t know. For example, we were killing time reading magazines at the library while waiting for an appointment. She picked up the National Geographic and I picked up The Ladies Home Journal. She immediately started to show me pictures of black holes and other astronomy wonders while I was looking at recipes. I love being taught by our kids.
- Calvin has been busy making bows after work. The shop is only 50 yards from the house and is one of the most important rooms in our house.
- Ande has six new blisters on her feet. I am all about comfort, she is all about style. I’ve got to admit, her style is cute, but not worth six new blisters on my feet. I’m going to miss her badly when she goes to college next year. She’s such a pleasant companion.
- Ty was in charge of training younger cadets this week. The lesson he and his buddy were to teach was loyalty and unity in a squad. The younger cadets were brought into a room and Ty and his buddy manipulated the conversation with the cadets which encouraged them to bad-mouth and vent grievances against the upperclassmen. After the younger cadets aired their gripes, Ty and his buddy said, “Wouldn’t it be funny if they were hiding in the closet behind you?” The young cadets' faces fell as the upperclassmen came out of the closet to face their accusers. I can only imagine how awful they felt, but it clearly taught “it doesn’t matter who it is, or who it is you’re talking to . . . you don’t gossip.” Ugh. Important lesson, but what a way to learn it. Wouldn't it be nice to learn not to gossip like we learn how to breathe or chew—quick and natural like?
- And that is my report for the week. I’ve had a ho hum week. I like ho hum. Life’s good and I’m grateful.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
I’m on my way to check out the vintage bible pictures, but I wanted to share with you the recipe for Marsbars Squares if you don’t have it:
4 Marsbars
Ľ c butter
4 ˝ c rice crispies
Break up the marsbars into chunks, and melt together with butter (I use the microwave). Toss with rice crispies, and press into a 9x9 pan. The recipe actually calls for melted milk chocolate spread on top. Sometimes I do that, sometimes I don’t. These are crazy rich tasting – I cut the squares smaller than I would for regular rice crispies.
We keep bamboo shish-kabob sticks sitting on the molding above the doors in our house that have locks (bathrooms, 2 of the bedrooms) to unlock those rooms from the outside if we need to. Just another way to use shish-kabob sticks. I’m going to try to think of more.
I found a great bargain at T.J. Maxx once on CD’s of the Bible, and bought them, but we can’t listen to them. It’s the Bible read by James Earl Jones. Darth Vader and the Beatitudes just don’t mix.
Barb
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Newsletter Blip
March 16, 2007
picture from November 2006 Ensign
"It’s never too late to live happily ever after."
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Happily ever after is the longest, though neglected, part of the story! Barb
I hope that is me in my later years! ;) Susan
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I Spy
March 15, 2007
my friend, Linda, using an eye-spy
Fill an empty water bottle with rice and small objects representing the subject matter you are teaching. For example, when I used this idea to teach parables from the New Testament I put a house from the game of monopoly (“the wise man built his house upon the rock”), a grain of mustard seed (“if you have faith as a grain of mustard”), an imitation pearl (“ye shall not cast your pearls before swine”), and ten other objects similar to those to represent the parables. After putting the rice and objects in the bottle, shake well to distribute and hide the objects. When I gave the students the bottles, they shook and shook them searching for the objects. As one student said when he finally found the mustard seed, “Wow! I didn’t know they were so small.” This little activity helped the students to discover and become familiar with the objects used in the lesson before we read and learned about them. This idea is applicable to dozens of subject matters.
*I have also made little plastic and cloth packets to teach this idea. It makes a great quiet toy for church, but the bottles are much faster if using this method for a large class. For more information on the packets click here.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
Jane, I love your pic (for the self-portrait) - you look fantastic. Certainly feels like spring - we drove through the Tri Cities last weekend on the way to Utah and saw many green fields of something!!! Fun, fun - I love spring and summer! Tina
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Trash Tip
March 14, 2007
I just learned a few months ago that simultaneously holding down “shift” and “delete” on your computer keyboard will permanently delete photographs, files, e-mails and the like. Your trash will not go to the recycle bin or pass go, or go strait to jail; it will be completely obliterated. I love the power of those two little keys when it’s time to clean the spam out of the box, free up memory from poor pictures or clean out my files. “Shift. Delete”, “Shift. Delete”, “Shift. Delete.” It’s a healthy little exercise I just discovered and I feel so much more organized for it.
*Caution: a little of this goes a long ways. It also deletes things you might have or could have or should have saved.
**Was I the last person in blogosphere to learn this? __________________________________________________________________________________________
Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com . Thanks!
I think maybe I am the last person in blogosphere to learn this, LOL! I usually right-click and then hit delete, but then I have to fudge around later cleaning up the recycle bin. Now I'm going to try your idea--very smart!
Clare, aka Mom2Fur
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Lights, Camera, Action
March 13, 2007
The theme for Lelly’s self-portrait challenge this week is “Lights, Camera, Action.” She asked us to take a picture of ourselves by a famous landmark or the location of a movie filming.
Lo, my self-portrait in the middle of a grain field.
I live in a fertile agricultural area—boasted to be the most productive area in the world. So, next time you see those actors gnaw on a bagel, take a bite of pizza, or eat a sandwich? Good chance the grain that made that piece of bread came from right here where I live.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks!
and i like extra cream cheese. Your take on this week's challenge cracked me up!! thank you - lelly
Love it Jane. Every time I see that sign I wonder if it's true. I love to see the green poking out of the ground. Spring is on it's way isn't it? Happy day!! Love, Melanie
Creative twist on the theme today - I live in the middle of the prairie, I love your picture. Barb
So the question is do you eat a lot of grain?? People asked me that when I lived around orange trees. Sadly, I never was a fan. I LOVE bagels and any bread for that matter. Great photo Jane! Jenny
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Life in My World
March 12, 2007
The birds are back. I love when the birds come back. It’s such a happy thing to wake up to and hear when I walk outside. They are such hopeful chaps. First I hear the blackbirds, then last week I heard a couple of mourning (morning?) doves followed a few days later by a killdeer. That’s the extent of my bird knowledge. Oh wait. The owls. They were here first because they are winter residents. I love hearing the owls hoot.
This has been a good week—nothing stellar or new . . . but a good week.
Calvin has been busy making bows out in the shop. His craftsmanship is so fine. I love some of the comments his buyers make about how his bows shoot—“it’s as fast as a cheetah on fire.” I say things like, “Oh Calvin that is beautiful” or “Wow this one is really pretty.” Men and women see things so differently.
Ty got his wisdom teeth pulled. Bless his host mom’s heart; she invited him over to their home to convalesce. How thoughtful is that? I feel so humbled by her generosity. On Friday (the day he got his teeth pulled) I was begrudging myself for not getting some soups, jello and puddings in the mail to him and wondering how to help from a thousand miles away. Julie went and picked him up, made him take his medicine and fed him for the weekend. What would we do without “other mothers”?
Cali has spring break this week. I always enjoy having her home. I wish I could loan her to you all for a day. She is a cleaning machine and has a perspective so fresh and different from mine that she makes me think. One time she asked me for advice and after I’d finished giving it to her she said, “I just don’t trust either one of us—you only see the bright side and I only see the negative side and I don’t think either one of us is right.” She doesn’t realize she’s an optimist too; she just has a different grasp on reality than I do and it’s so refreshing to hear some days. Cali asked me to teach her how to crochet leper bandages for third world countries. An hour into it she said, “I just can’t believe they don’t have another solution for bandages. Can’t they get gauze? Wouldn’t strips of fabric do the same job?” Today we ran into the leper-bandage-guru and told her we were making some and asked her if our dimensions were right. Cali asked her the questions she’d wondered. The leper-bandage-guru said, “Those who receive these bandages recognize the work and care that has gone into preparing them by people they don’t even know and the nurses have discovered that knowing someone cares is making a real difference in their healing.” Crochet on. Crochet on.
Ande got accepted to the college of her choice! She is one happy camper. We will miss her next fall. I never dreamed the years would go as they have. I never dreamed I would get so darn attached to the kids J. Last week Ande made a couple of pies and made an extra pie shell for the freezer. Hooray. The hens are laying good and so we’ll have quiche to use up the pie shell and eggs.
Let’s see. That leaves Abe. He’s doing great. We get an e-mail every Sunday night and we look forward to it all week. His mode of transportation is a jeepney or motorcycle sidecar. I wish I could see him tootling around in one. Wait. Maybe I don’t. He says everyone drives drunk over there and they are amazing drunk drivers.
And there you have it, life in my world.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com . Thanks!
Jane—I love your Monday's blogs. I just love them. I enjoy the others too, but once in awhile after I read them I feel downright TIPLESS myself. But Monday's? Monday's are my favorite—Rachel
My birds came on Thursday. Wednesday morning when I went out to the car-- nothing. Thursday morning, there they were! Robins and Killdeers, competing to be noticed. I let them compete for awhile before I chose the Robins. I wonder if their coming has something to do with the vernal equinox. Probably not. If I don't know what a vernal equinox is, why should they? Lynn
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This, That and the Other
March 09, 2007
Well now, that wasn’t very neighborly of me. I didn’t leave directions for the tins below. I figured I was the last one to learn to do them I guess. Here are the answers to your questions:
Q. Where do you find the tins?
A. Well, if you come to one our retreats we’ll give you oneJ, or you can get them at craft stores, or order them on-line (Provo Craft)
Q. What do you use to get the paper to stick?
A. Mod Podge.
Q. How do you cut the paper for the lid?
A. Make a template by putting a piece of typing paper on the lid and tracing around the handles as best you can. Tweek it, redo it a couple of times and you should come up with a pattern. After you’re satisfied with your pattern trace it onto your paper and cut it out. If you still can’t get it, call Ande. She’s made several of them for me because I accidentally keep throwing them away.
Another tip that works well is to cut the paper in strips rather than using one large sheet of paper.
We like to attach charms and ribbons to the handles, too. Michelle made me this darling tin for Christmas and I love how she painted my initials on it.
Last night several of us went to the local scrapbook supply store for a card making night. The cards were quick and easy and I’m excited for some new ideas. I love these women.
Tiffany Deb Heather Dolly Annette Darla me
I was a died-in-the-wool-never- going-to-scrapbook-again woman. I’d made a pathetic Treasures of Truth album as a teenager and had no desire to repeat that mistake. I was sure I could outlast the scrapbook craze when it hit in the 90’s. I underestimated the power of Deb and scrapbooking. I met Deb at her scrapbook store while looking for cover paper for booklets I’d made. We had so many commonalities that a friendship was inevitable, and besides who doesn’t want a friend who laughs all the time? Deb introduced me to Darla. If I thought Deb could laugh at everything, I had only to meet Darla to know why. She is f-u-n-n-y, purely delightful and inspiring. Darla in turn introduced me to Heather the Genuis. Heather can figure out anything. In the meantime, Tiffany became Deb’s daughter-in-law and if Deb hadn’t sold me on scrapbooking Tiffany’s incredible lay-outs would have. Darla and Heather introduced me to Annette just a few months ago. She is such a pleasant woman—and can hold her own against Darla’s and Heather’s banters which speaks volumes of her character. I met Dolly, through Darla, last night and anybody associated with Darla is fun to know.
I am now eating my words about scrapbooking and loving every bite. I love the individuality of scrapbooking. I love the creativity of it. But most of all, I love the affects of it. And cardmaking? I love how it uses up my scrapbook scraps.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com . Thanks!
These are wonderful tins Jane! I've looked at this page several times wondering how you got the paper to stick. Just now, I read your new post with the instructions, so thanks! And then when I scrolled down to look again at the tins, my 3 year old Gabby walked up, sighed, and said, "Oh Mommy, that's beautiful! That's just beautiful!" So maybe I'll make her one for her big 4 year old birthday later this year. Thanks, Nikki
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Gift Tip—Tins
March 8, 2007
Deb (my scrapbook retreat partner) and I ordered dozens of white tins for our retreats last year. Cali, Ande and I have enjoyed covering them with paper and ribbon and using them for gifts. We have filled them with a variety of things
- Lotions and soaps
- Hot chocolate
- Socks
- Legacy Chocolates (sooo good, if you’ve never tried them, you really ought J)
- Books
- Homemade cards
- Inexpensive dating ideas
- Gift certificates
but recently I’ve been using them as a “just because” cookie basket, too. Instead of putting cookies on a plate with saran wrap, I’ve been filling a tin. They are cute and add a special touch to a batch of plain old chocolate chip cookies. I covered several tins at a time (while watching conferenceJ) so they’re ready to grab and fill when I have a fresh batch of cookies. _______________________________________________________________________________________
Crock-Pot
March 7, 2007
chicken breasts and herbs from the garden in crock-pot
Monday night we had tamale pie for supper and as Ande and I were clearing the dishes I told her why I so often bake casseroles, grill meats or cook soups—fewer dishes. Though I really don’t mind doing dishes now, they used to take hours when I was a girl. Every meal was like a mini-Thanksgiving with twelve guests. If you cooked, you were usually exempt from dishes so the cook wasn’t always careful about the number of pots she used. I remember looking at the sink from the supper table and nearly losing my appetite at the mess that was ahead. So I told Ande (I’m fitting in as many last minute lessons as possible; she graduates in a few months J) that that is why I always try to have the bulk of the dishes done before we sit down to eat because it makes the meal taste so much better.
A crock-pot is perfect for little clean-up and it can cook a whole dinner for about seventeen cents worth of electricity! Here are three easy recipes that I cook in our crock-pot:
Burritos
3 #’s beef round steak (or beef/pork roast or stew meat)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (8 oz.) can diced green chilies or 3 jalapeńo’s seeded and chopped
1 ˝ Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. salt
pepper to taste
Cover and cook all ingredients in crock-pot on high for 6-8 hours or until meat shreds easily with a fork. Shred meat and pull out any fat or bone. Add 1 (16 oz.) can pinto beans and heat until warmed through (approximately 15-30 minutes)
Economical serving suggestion: serve meat/bean mixture wrapped in a tortilla shell
Upscale serving suggestion: serve meat/bean mixture with grated cheese and salsa in a tortilla shell
Pricey serving suggestion: Serve over corn chips or tortilla chips and garnish with grated cheese, salsa, guacamole, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, chopped olives, chopped onions, and shredded lettuce.
Turkey
Place a turkey breast in crock-pot and pour a can of cranberry sauce and a can of lemon-lime soda over turkey. Cook 8 hours on low or until turkey breast in cooked through.
Swiss Steak
Place inexpensive cuts of steak in crock-pot (round steak, strip steaks, sirloin steaks). Mix one packet onion soup mix with one can of cream of mushroom soup and pour over meat. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice or baked potatoes.
A couple of months ago I put the crock-pot in the oven and melted the handle of the lid all over the pot. Argh. My grandmother used to screw a wooden spool onto the tops of lids that were missing their handles, but since wooden spools are hard to come by, I need to pick up a ceramic cupboard knob or something instead. That’s a tip for another day . . .
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com . Thanks!
Crock-pot cooking is wonderful! I'm always amazed how easy it is and that I turn out a good-tasting dinner from the crock-pot. I would much rather cook than clean up, but nowadays, I do both. So one pot dinners are very much a priority for me. I think it's great that you're filling Ande up with tidbits of useful information before she leaves the nest. And I love all the recipes! I can't wait to try the turkey breast with cranberry sauce and soda recipe.
Thanks,
Nikki
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Self-Portrait
mirror, mirror on the wall
March 6, 2007
Lelly's assignment: take a picture of yourself in the mirror—any mirror will do. Now, take a really good look at yourself and try to see your image as others around you see it. Does it bring to mind something kind or unusual that a friend has noticed about you recently? Can you see what they see? Will you tell us about it?
First, I must confess. I had to have Ande help me snap the shot. I’m a bit mirror-image challenged, (do you have any idea how long it took me to control a computer mouse? Loooong). Whenever I tried to take a picture, I kept getting the wall and towel rack instead of me; hence, her help.
I chose brushing my teeth because I spend more time looking in the mirror while brushing than I do at any other time. I’ve mentioned before that I come from a large family—there were seven of us sisters sharing a bathroom—and I remember one of my older sisters making fun of a handsome man (he had lots to look at) when she caught him looking at himself in the mirror. She would sing, “You’re so vain. You probably think this song is about you, don’t you?” behind his back. Being very sister-impressionable, I decided mirror looking was bad if it could bring upon you the wrath of my sister (besides, it hadn't helped out Snow White’s situation, either). I decided not to rely upon a mirror too heavily.
In some ways, I think I should use a mirror more. I would be more conscious of make-up, hairstyles and fashion. Just today, I showed my class a baby picture of me and asked them to state the differences between then and now (it was part of an object lesson). One boy raised his hand and said, “Well . . . well . . . you’re more masculine now.” The class and I laughed. He was right—no bows in my hair or ruffles and frills on my dress or socks. I could certainly improve my femininity and looking in a mirror more often would probably be a good place to start.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com. Thanks!
hello lovely neighbor jane payne,
just read your productivity post and am wondering if you have any words of wisdom for me. i "see" you as so on top of it and productive and i want to be the same. how do remain consistently motivated? i can only seem to muster it in spurts which leaves me never quite feeling on top of it but always somewhat behind. it's discouraging at times.
anyhow, i love your insights and your thoughts. thank you for sharing. great vt idea! i just may use it.
thanks,
crystalyn
p.s. is the only way to post a comment on your blog via email?
( What a delightful hello! You made my day. Yes, e-mail is the only way to comment because of the way my website is set up. Sorry for the inconvenience.
You are so kind to think I'm productive and on top of life. I have a hint for you...be patient with yourself. You're almost ready to have a baby...did you temporarily forget how productive that is?! Just think, you've turned your body over to another so that they can have life; it's pretty hard to out-produce that J Your time will come for getting "things" done, which aren't near as satisfying or productive as helping babies to grow up.
By the way, I enjoy your blog very much, and...I love my “Happiness Makers” that hangs on my fridge. Love, Jane)
Jane, You are a brave woman........ I'm not sure I could brush long enough without gagging *lol*. Can't wait to see you on Thursday. Darla
Well Jane, you don't look masculine to me. You are brave though. I think I'm too self-conscious to take a picture of me brushing my teeth. What a fun post! Nikki
What a great picture Jane. You had me laughing about the towel rack and door. You should have seen some that I took. They included gray hair and double chins! I'm not posting that! Isn't it funny how stuff can follow us through our life (the avoidance of mirrors altogether)? Great post as always Jane. I love that you do the self portrait! =), Mel
What we won't do for our blogs! You were really creative with that one, thinking through your own personal mirror habits, and arriving at that shot. As a dental hygienist I have to give you an A+ on your brushing technique. Barb
love your photo!! it is beyond cute. thanks so much for sharing such an *intimate detail* of your day!! i really must get back here and explore your blog. many fun things are here, i can tell. :) lelly
I love the picture too! But who is this Lelly person that inspires our Jane Payne? Cynthia
(Cynthia, Lelly hosts a Self-Portrait challenge each Tuesday. Check out her blog (link above in post) for more information!)
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Saturday . . . Get the Work Done Day
√
March 3, 2007
Today has been one productive day. My list was incredibly unrealistic and all be darned if I’m not going to get to check everything off of it by the time the day is over. The only bad thing about accomplishing an idealistic list is I’ll expect to be able to do it next time—with one or two new things added of course. Just for today, however, I’m going to bask in the accomplishment.
Beings it is the first of the month the bills needed paid and the paperwork organized. √
I even filled in a rebate and a warranty that have been sitting in the drawer for two months. √√ After that I cleaned the house, even down to washing the shower curtain, exercised, gathered the eggs and fed the chickens, did the laundry (still working on the ironing and washing and vacuuming the car) and wrote the monthly ward Relief Society newsletter. There’s nothing like a Sunday after a productive Saturday.
Here are a few tips I put in the newsletter.
  
Finding the lost sheep Christ at the temple Christ as a young man
There are some wonderful, vintage, old storybook pictures of the Bible (like the ones above) at http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/Picture.htm . The copyrights have expired and are in the public domain. They’re perfect for card making, book making, family home evening lessons, blogs or websites. There are some beautiful ones to see and they are fun to browse through.
Here’s a quick gift for visiting teaching or your family: Give them a single portion box of Lucky Charms® with a little tag to wish them a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Here’s a good, easy family home evening treat: Melt one bag of caramels in the microwave with 2 tsp. milk. Stir in several cups of cornflakes cereal and 1 cup of coconut. Spread on greased cookie sheet to cool. Cut in squares. It's a whole new level for cereal treats.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com. Thanks!
Oh, I love the pictures on that website in your blog. I'm going to print them and make a quiet book for the kids to take to church. The colors are so rich. I'm excited-- I HAVE A NEW PROJECT.....(and I need a new project like I need a hole in the head). Lynn
I enjoy giving gifts or treats with my visiting teaching message each month. I'm always trying to think of a theme related to the month or message. I love your St. Patrick's Day quick gift idea. It's fast and can be prepared ahead of time. You always have the greatest tips and ideas!
Thanks,
Nikki
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Newsletter Snippet—Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
March 2, 2007
“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” --Dr. Seuss
Something about his rhythm, rhyme and nonsensical good sense makes me smile when I read him. I enjoy his books more as an adult than I did as a child and sometimes find myself quoting (when I strongly dislike something), "I do not like it Sam I Am, I do not like _______" it's worse than spam.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com
Oh Jane. I did not know this about Dr. Suess. I shall use this in class today. Oh my goodness . . . I got a P.S. How thrilling. Marcia
Love the neighbor Jane Payne today Jane......I so loved Dr Seuss.....Chris
Oh, how I love Fridays and getting your letters. Happy weekend. Sue
I loved the info. today - just what we needed around here today with the cloudy weather! Something light and fun and positive. thanks again! I look forward every Friday to hear from you. Cyndi Bird
I do so like Green eggs and Ham..." I think I can be the first to tell you we are fond lovers of Mr. Suess in our home. He does have a way with words. Love the bag, I can't believe you found it at Wally World. Score! Have a great weekend :) Jenny
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Teaching Idea—Bag of Bags
March 1, 2007
For six years I’ve carried this bag back and forth from home to the classroom. I love it. It has 14 little pockets in it—perfect for carrying extra teaching supplies like poster putty, tape, markers, pens, chalk and eraser, dry-erase equipment, treats, tacks, anything! And it keeps it all organized and ready to use at any time. The center section is large enough to carry several manuals and books and since it was made for the garden, it’s sturdy and washable. I found this Better Homes & Garden bag in the garden section of Wal-Mart for under $15.
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