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April 2008
SPT
April 29, 2008
Lelly’s Self-Portrait-Tuesday challenge this week has to do with our rebate checks—our pretend money.
gas price 4/29/08
We’re supposed to imagine that gas prices aren’t so high (and that the rise of living expenses won’t swallow those rebates) and that we get to take the amount of money it takes to fill-up our cars once and spend it on something we’d like for ourselves instead. And . . . we’re only supposed to buy one item that is within $5 of that fill-up amount. Since Lelly sent me into the world of make believe, I'm pretending that this wooden porch swing only costs $60.
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Please send your comments tojp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Love the porch swing! I wish I had a porch to put it on! Dacia
Oh, that swing is just beautiful...quit dreaming and get it!  Courtney Milius
I will imagine it with you and send it your way. Then would you send me your wonderful back yard and view and I will imagine that it all fits neatly into the small strip of grass I have outside of my townhouse! Deb
I'd only buy that porch swing if it came with the gorgeous lawn too! - Windy
That porch swing is only $60!! It's so nice! I would love that! I hope you'll get it someday (Mother's day is coming up). - Tilane
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Life in My World
April 28, 2008
There is just enough rattle and rolling riding our ten-year old lawn mower that I can’t think real deep. I’ve tried to use the time constructively by preparing talks or lessons or newsletters or lists, but after a half an hour or so, my little mind settles to a very small lump because as Eleanor Roosevelt says, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people,” and by the time I’ve made a few laps on the mower I’m discussing people with myself.
There seems to be one exception to this thought of Eleanor’s. Bloggers. Thinking about the different blog posts written and the situation behind those posts has provided me with interesting subject matter and I don’t feel small minded at all. In fact, two times this past week I’ve had a dream about bloggers, people I’ve never met except through their written words. I don’t dream about movie stars or astronauts or news anchors or others that I have met through the media. But bloggers? They must be very special because they shine even at night, besides providing good thought material for lawn mowing. Thank you fellow bloggers.
Cali and Ande
Cali and I have been trying to convince Ande to start a blog. Ande is an English major and details do not escape her. Her weekly e-mails are greatly a-n-t-i-c-i-p-a-t-e-d.
Cali said, “C’mon Ande. It’s really fun. You’d be good at it, too.”
Ande skeptically said, “And what would I write my first blog about?”
I said, “Well, lots of people start their blogs with their reasons for starting a blog.”
Ande said, “So mine would go, ‘My mom and Cali started a blog and want me to, but the last time I followed them my haircut ended up looking stupid like a boys’.’” Why is it kids remember things like that when you want them to trust you?
Stay tuned to see if Ande follows us off the blogging cliff.
Maddie
Another great thing of this week has been e-mails that I’ve received from my funny little niece, Maddie. Maddie is best described through one of her mom’s e-mails, “I went in to check on Maddie and found her MIMICKING me, I'm sure you're shocked. She was laying with her back on the bed, knees bent and butt in the air zipping up her pants. She said, ‘I just wanted to see why you always do that.’”
Here’s one of her e-mails to me:
dear aunt jane
im relly tierd  but when i saw your e-mail i had to right back. i had a great day at church for singing time we did april showers it was very FUN but my class is very bad but my teacher is very nice his name is brother bathkey but the kids our teribol they clim ther chars and the tabell . my friend ther is named taya she is my only friend ther i know no won altes relly dosent talk to me. i am learning how to type it says after every camma im spos to put 5 spaces i misssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss you a hole lot
love
maddie
Can you imagine the time it must take her to write me one of these?
Ty with his mission president's wife and mission president
Ty is doing great on his mission in Taiwan. He wrote last week, “I saw this pretty old lady helping a really old man walk. She was holding his left arm and he had a cane in his right hand. He was taking about 5 inch steps at max. Maybe only 3 inch. I started talking to the lady. The man was 103 years old. I was quite amazed he is still out and walking around.” He loves the people and the country.
blurry picture of a tired Abe
Abe is hanging in there at West Point. He’s just coming out of the gray season (their uniforms are gray, the buildings are granite, the sky has been overcast and the concrete and pavement are . . .well, gray). I suppose spring and color can not come too soon for the cadets. It’s hard to believe he’s nearly completed his third year. We’ve tried to get him to start a blog, too, but no-way-no-how-not-now. I can’t blame him really, it takes me forever to compose a post and forever is something a cadet doesn’t have.
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Please send your comments tojp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Fun family update! Thank you. Maybe Maddie should blog. Lynn
I've been hugely unsuccessful at getting people to start blogs. I don't like to think of the reasons why. Your family stories are interesting and fun. Lucy
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52 Blessings
April 27, 2008
I often imagine life here on earth as a game of Follow the Leader where everyone is free to pick the leader they wish to follow. I also picture that the game of Follow the Leader takes place on the side of a very steep mountain near the top. If I dare to look to my right and down, over the side of the mountain, I see boulders and pine trees and overhangs and cliffs—scary things. If I look to my left and up, I see only the mountain, steep, hard and seemingly un-climbable. However, in front of me is the Leader following the best and safest path there is to the top of the mountain. The Leader encourages me to follow Him by telling me that I can do it, that He can see the top of the mountain from where He is and that He can safely get me through the slippery and narrow spots to the top. He reminds me to enjoy the good things along the way—the air, the conversation of fellow climbers, His stories, the beauty, the experience. He warns me not to look down as it will disorient me and cause me to fall, He urges me to step in His footsteps and then He takes steps that are just the right size—not baby steps which would tire me out, nor daddy steps which I could never reach. He takes steps that are secure. The trick to climbing the mountain is to keep my eye on the Leader and trust Him.
I don’t know why I haven’t posted about the Savior, the Leader, as a blessing before today for rightly, He would have been the first one and is the One from whom all my other blessings come. Nonetheless, I am blessed by a Leader who helps me climb the mountain.
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Please send your comments tojp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
The "he takes steps that are secure" line - in all its beautiful simplicity - keeps running through my head. I'm not sure when or where, but I once heard someone say they were grateful the Savior died for us, but also grateful that He Lived for us. He did Live to guide and lead us...making our paths secure. Thank you for the reminder! Amy
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Excuses
April 25, 2008
Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.
Wednesday: I just didn’t think you wanted a homemaking tip on asparagus no matter how good or pretty or easy it was.
Thursday: I didn’t get the project started that I wanted to share with you and whoever heard of sharing an idea this fun without pictures?
Friday: I’ve been running two hours behind all day and I feel like the girl who prayed in class today, “Thank you that it’s finally Friday.” Albeit I’ve had a good week there is just something fantastic about Friday afternoon . . . especially when we’re going out for supper.
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Please send your comments tojp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
I loved the newsletter today Jane, I thought it was a great one. Rachel
Thanks for the very timely message. I've been holding visiting teacher interviews for two days. So many of the younger sisters are doing just what you talk about - comparing themselves to the successes of others. I plan to use your info the next time it's my turn to teach. Happy weekend.
Love you - Sue
Dear Jane,  Your wonderful thoughts on being able to accept ourselves as we are was much appreciated!  The importance of service to others is well taken, too! I also heard wonderful things about you from your presentation to the RS in Wenatchee!
Way to go, Girl!  --Lora B. __________________________________________________________________________________________
April 22, 2008
Some of Lelly’s self-portrait-Tuesday challenges send me into identity anxiety. Since today is Earth Day, “The Green Generation” is this week’s theme. We are to identify whether we are green or at least greener than last year.
Here’s where my identity crises comes in:
I am a child of the 60’s and perceive green as hiking boots worn with gauzy skirts, halter tops with unshaved armpits, no mascara on bleached out eyelashes and long stringy hair.
I am a teen of the 70’s and perceive green as Grape Nuts® and Euell Gibbons, Willie Nelson and a dirty bandana, marches with rallies and peace signs and Volkswagen buses.
I am a young adult of the 80’s and there was a huge gathering of radical green-peace’ers camping on a national forest near us. Calvin and I were at the church (which sits on the highway that leads to the national forest) helping to prepare a bbq for a Native American pow-wow type thing. A few vans filled with the green-peace’ers stopped in at the church for a pit stop—food, water for their radiators, directions, to use the bathroom, etc. I remember one van in particular. Before getting out of the car, the woman spent several minutes primping in the rearview mirror and smoothing her hair. She walked up the sidewalk to the church and approached one of our friends to ask for directions to the national forest. She was topless, as in not even a band-aid. It still makes me laugh to think she was worried about her hair because I guarantee no one saw it.
So, am I green?
I just don’t know.
I grow a few herbs, tend a garden, keep a big yard, drink well water from the tap, raise a flock of hens, don’t like to waste, love Grape Nuts® and could be convinced to wear a gauzy skirt. On the other hand, I always wear a shirt and mascara. __________________________________________________________________________________________
Please send your comments tojp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
That was great! I can just imagine the whole scene of that woman primping and getting out of the van! SO SO funny! How do you start to compost? That is something that I think we could do. Alisa
Hippie Chicks: oh, jane, you are one of the greenest people i know!! (i think of you as a blogging barbara kingsolver.) i enjoyed your various perspectives of "growing up" with "green." happy earth day to you!! lelly
I think all the things you "do" are very green and that you don't need to go topless to be "green." If that's the case...well, let's just say our earth is doomed in more ways than one! Ha Ha! Love the green through the ages descriptions! Courtney Milius
I think that counts! There aren't too many that have a real "green" thumb (myself included) I would have loved to see a visual of that girl (ha!) So glad that your sweet girl is home. Her pottery is impressive! Jenny :)
Great post! Loved the story. I'm glad that's not required of us to be considered "green"!! Sounds like you do a good job being "green" and like you, I'd keep the shirt! Dacia
Jane, It sounds like the only thing your soup was missing was the stone, because ultimately stone soup is all about sharing. I'm glad Eldon had someone to remember Janine with on her anniversary.
Ande's pottery is amazing. She did that in a college class? Carmen might go to college after all! I imagine you are reaping all kinds of rewards from the way you mothered Ande when she was small, pottery and more, no doubt. And the way you continue to mother, giving her a soft place to land at the end of a college year. Love, Barb
PS You are as green as Kermit the Frog.
Jane --This totally cracked me up! I would say you are definitely green -- in fact, it sounds like you are doing far better than I am -- but I am relieved to know that you always wear a shirt. Too funny. Michelle Olivier
Being green has definitely changed to something a lot more popular, hasn't it. But thank goodness for bras! Have you seen what women look like when they have never worn one in National Geographic's? Not a pretty sight! Deb Kress
Someday...I hope I'm a lot like you!:) Lucy
Jane, I LOVED the recipe in last week’s newsletter! It was absolutely yummy, and I want it for every meal (except breakfast) now! We did have to substitute pork for chicken, as we had that on hand and I forgot to get chicken when I got the other ingredients. But it’s absolutely yummy yummy yummy! Oh, and I think you are “super green”, and am also relieved that you wear a shirt while being green…..Beka
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recovering
Life in My World
April 21, 2008
The biggest and most notable change in my world this week is that Ande is home! She’s officially finished her first year of college. She is so companionable and pleasant and has the funniest courtesy laugh (it’s a chortle really and my Aunt Cleo had a similar one so it is a two-fold memory when I hear it). It also feels good to see Ande’s stuff in her room rather than my projects. And look what else she brought?
a few of Ande's pottery projects
I am so glad I hung all that grade school refrigerator art because look what it led to. She’s had a great year, but it feels really good to have her home.
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Please send your comments tojp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Welcome Home Ande! Just in time for all the spring work. I mean bonding time. You do it well. Love your pottery gifts Jane. Do you get to keep them or are you just housing them until Ande has a home of her own? Mel
welcome home to ANDE! Have a great week. Shelly
Jane, Even BEFORE I saw the picture of Ande asleep on her bed, I thought, "aahhhh, can you even imagine how wonderful it would be to go home to such a house and recuperate, with Jane and Cali there to visit? (Actually I could because I recuperated there one summer myself) It would be so nice to be in the back bedroom with the light green walls, and the curtains blowing in the breeze. It's almost directly out of a L.M. Montgomery book." NO JOKE, and I thought of it FIRST. Give my apologies to Ande that I didn't imagine her red room. Although I truly love red (and can prove it by my walls, couch, and new bathroom), it's not the relaxing sea breeze green you think of in a L.M. Mongomery "recuperating" type mood. And if I'd only have typed it before your blog.....Rachel
Beautiful pottery. She must be wiped out to be able to put that book down. I know that book. it's a good one. I hope she woke up and kept reading. Lucy
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52 Blessings
April 20, 2008
This week I had a day of chain reactions—one thing continued to lead to another. The first thing that morning I started a couple of batches of bread, one wheat the other white. After it started to rise I thought I might as well make cookies while the oven was hot. While the kitchen was a mess, I thought I might as well make a batch of raspberry fruit leather. While the leather was drying I figured I might as well make a pot of soup. First I added a dried soup base I’d never tried. It tasted so flat that Cali said, “Taste’s like stone soup to me” so I started adding onions and celery and garlic powder and Italian seasoning and bits of beef and a scant bit of sugar and some barley and brown rice and finally some diced tomatoes and tomato/spinach curly noodles. That soup just grew and grew until I had quite a pot.
There was too much for us, so I called Eldon to see if we could take him supper. Eldon is the kind that keeps tootsie rolls in his suit pocket to share at church. Eldon greeted us at the door with, “Come in, I want to show you a picture of Janine.”
Suddenly I thought, “Janine. Hmmm. Didn’t she die in the spring? I wonder. . .?” so I asked, “Eldon how long has she been gone? Five, six . . .”
He said, “She died six years ago today.”
Cali and I visited with him for an half an hour or so and then came back home. I’m so glad one thing led to another that morning so that I had bread and cookies and soup to share. I’m so glad that Eldon has shared his tootsie rolls and friendship with us for years. Sharing is a real blessing in my life, it doesn't seem to matter who does the sharing and who does the receiving, it's a blessing to both. I’m so glad we could share that day together. __________________________________________________________________________________________
Please send your comments tojp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
How nice of you to share your soup, it looks like that was definitely inspired. Who would have thought you actually made him dinner on that exact day. What a blessing for both of you :) Jenny
I so loved your tumble into *Sharing*. And agree entirely with your last assessment...giving & receiving, we all can't help but benefit. Amy
This read like the "If You Give a Mouse a Pancake" books. But better. Because you did so much good and shared all of it. Lucy
Hey Jane!!! I wish that I was that ambitious in the kitchen :) I have not seen ya at Wal-Mart for way to long, I miss seeing you! Have a great week. Jessica Croft
Jane – this is a great post – and what a blessing. Your chain reaction in the kitchen led to the start of a chain reaction of blessing. How cool is that?? -Heather
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April 18, 2008
Today is a blustery day . . . which suits me just fine because then I didn’t feel a bit guilty for not transplanting the strawberries or trimming the lilac suckers. After I wrote the newsletter, I read a chapter in Jesus the Christ. I am determined to finish it before a year is up from when I began it. I only have a few chapters left (of course, that means close to 100 pages too) and a month or so to do it. It is one of the best books I have ever read. It’s a thinker one. After reading, I exercised and read some more of The Book Thief. I can ride that bicycle as long as I have a book. The TV doesn’t hold my attention well enough, but a book is different. The rest of the day I worked on that darn Physical Science class. I think you’ll be as glad as me when it’s over. In the middle of the assignment, Calvin stopped by on his way to drop off samples in south-town. I went with him, in hopes of an ice cream cone or hamburger and a good conversation. I got neither. He was grumpy. However, he called after he’d dropped me back off at the house with a peace offering—he’s cooking supper tonight which definitely beats a burger.
I got a sweet gift this week from one of my students. She’d gone with her family to the beach during spring break and brought me back a little handful of sea shells she’d gathered. She put them in a little piece of purple toile and gathered it with heavy jute. It reminds me of a fish net. It was the sweetest thing and the thought of her gathering shells for me still makes me happy.
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Please send your comments tojp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Jane, Thank you so much for this weeks letter. I NEEDED it! It really made me think that I do need to evaluate myself a little more, even if I know that I won't be happy with some of the results! Anyway, you always do such a great job of making me learn things in a fun way, and I appreciate it. Also, I LOVE your sister Rachel! Have a great day neighbor and friend! Nesha
Oh Jane! A meeting with myself (newsletter topic) sends shivers down my spine. If you think your meeting would be long, you should consider my borderline ADD brain that can not stay on task for more than a few minutes. And if I only have myself to keep myself in line and on topic or agenda or whatever you want to call it, wow! Am I in trouble! I have to have several mini meetings with myself, when I'm captive, like you do with the nursery kids. Have a lesson while they are eating so no one is jumping up and making a break for the toy closet. You know how it is. I'm going to work on that for sure, right after I...... Susan Pyle
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1913 Cream of Wheat ad featuring
Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and
Aunt Polly
by artist Leslie Thresher
Homemaking Tip
April 16, 2008
When I spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa Hoops I always knew what would be for breakfast, cream of wheat. Grandpa ate it sprinkled with a little wheat germ every morning and I wondered how he never tired of it. I wonder no more. When the kids were home I fixed a variety of breakfasts and they would balk if I fixed something too many times in a row, but now that I no longer need to cook a big breakfast, I have quickly fallen into Grandpa’s habit.
Our kitchen is pretty well organized and easy to use so it’s not like it’s much work to make oatmeal from scratch, but still making these little oatmeal packets is a time saver. They’re about 1/20 the price of prepackaged oatmeal packets with half the calories and no preservatives. To make the packets I measure ½ cup of oatmeal, 3 Tbsp of bran (wheat or oat), some sugar substitute (or brown sugar and maple flavoring) and salt to taste and put them in a resealable snack size baggie. You could also add cinnamon and nutmeg, raisins or dried apples, too. To make the packet into a bowl of hot oatmeal, measure one cup of water into a microwave safe bowl, add packet, stir and heat in microwave for two minutes. Then save your baggie and reuse it.
Besides being easy, the advantages to these little packets are
- the bran added to the oatmeal tastes nutty, is fibrous and keeps you feeling fuller longer
- buying the bran and oats in bulk makes this very inexpensive
- this breakfast takes only 2 ½ minutes to prepare and is really healthy
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Please send your comments tojp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Your easy oatmeal sounds yummy. I will have to try it. The Fedex story made me really laugh. I'm sure that he has stories of much worse things that he has seen at the door. Good to hear from you,
Nanci Farnsworth
I am so making these oatmeal packets. What a great idea. I have it almost every morning, and I work hard to find sales and coupons, so it’s not always bad – but to buy Quaker Weight Smart oatmeal at full price???? Yikes!!!! You have saved my pocketbook yet again. Thanks! -Heather
You're a wonder! I love the idea of pre-packaging these breakfast staples. I never thought of that before...but I say that phrase overly often when I visit your blog. I also have to say that I TOTALLY wish you were sporting the tent dress in the SPT below. The dirt just isn't enough...:) Amy
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SPT—What Was I Thinking?
April 15, 2008
On Saturday I had finished raking, mowing and was spraying off the sidewalk when the FedEx man pulled in. I seldom think about what I’m wearing until it’s too late. I was sporting an enormous, green flannel, plaid, tent dress (luckily it was warm so I’d shed the red sweater with white fuzz a little earlier). After he left, I went in the house and saw what he saw:
Picture doesn’t show the dirt too clearly,
nor the tree things stuck in my hair,
but you can get the gist with the teeth specks
Egads. No wonder he kept his distance when he gave me the computer tablet to sign, didn’t smile back and only said, “You have a nice private place back here.” I think he was hinting private as in backwoods or compounds, as in people don’t brush their teeth or bathe and do who knows what when it’s private.
What was I thinking? Since I knew I would get disgustingly dirty, I should have worn something normal for dirt like levi’s and a t-shirt not an oversized dress that should been tossed years ago. But even more, what am I thinking sharing this picture with all of you now? __________________________________________________________________________________________
Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
the question of the hour is... "did you toss the green plaid flannel tent dress?!?" i'm sure the twigs in your hair were a lovely addition. i wonder if FedEx drivers go back to their hubs and swap stories from the road every day... Lelly
Yes, I have had many experiences like that. In fact, the only days I have someone unexpectly ring my doorbell are days when it is 11am, I am still unshowered and wearing my exercise clothes, my front entrance is a mess, and the kids are crying. Why is it no one ever stops by when I've got it all together? Love, Marie
HA! I bet you had the fedex guy shaking his head as he was backing out the driveway...but seriously, don't you think he's seen it all?! You are really not looking too bad in the photo for the description you gave :)! Courtney Milius
Your post made me laugh not only because of your experience but because I too used to have something similar to wear when I was younger. I stole it out of my mom's closet and wore it whenever I got sick. Not only was it plaid but it was quilted and had puffy, long sleeves, pretty huh? It was just so dang comfortable! My siblings still tease me about it! Mindy
Oh Jane, this is so funny. You really should have included a full body shot so we could get the full image of the dress, you pioneer woman you. I actually had a blogger show up at my house last year while I was doing my first big planting of the year, so I felt like such a wreck in my big gardening hat, kneepads and outdoor clothes. Oh well. --Jill
Ah yes, I too have been out working in the yard when someone stops by...and then have gone into the house later and been horrified when catching a glimpse of what they had to look at!! And it's ALWAYS when I look my worst, never fail! Linda Chasin
It would be funny to hear Fedex and other delivery guys stories of people they have met as they do their delivering. I'm sure they entertain the whole party! I laughed at the nice private compound! After the polygamy raid you got to wonder! Deb Kress
Jane, Okay, I tried to send this yesterday, but I was one letter off on your address, so I have to send it today. Luv ya! Thanks so much for your post today (yesterday, actually)! I got a REALLY good laugh out of it, and can really imagine what the scene looked like. I sit here and giggle as I’m typing this, because it’s just too funny! (I probably would have been caught in a similar situation. In fact, I have been. It never fails that when I don’t shower, put on makeup, or even get dressed for the day, someone comes over to work on the house or something.) Beka
I feel bad for any delivery guy that comes to the house before noon. It seems that with kids I don't get in the shower before noon and they always come to the door before then. Poor guys! We don't have a fence yet, so everytime I'm out in my garden dressed in my grubbs ALL the neighbors drive by and see me. My house is in the front of our subdivision. It's a lovely, sweaty sight! Dacia
Love your spt's.. It was funny reading your What was I thinking... I seem to feel like that a lot.. Sounds like you have a lot of land to do work on. How fun. I would love to live on a big piece of land & have tons of trees & a place for the kids to play & explore...Bren
Jane I love how honest you are. I am sure my postal guy or the checkout person has thought those very same things about me. I have often ran errands after mowing my lawn (luckily not too often). At least you are a hard worker, and that says alot! Jenny :)_________________________________________________________________________________________
Life in My World
April 14, 2008
We’ve got a child that thinks in numbers. He says he doesn’t, but I’m not sure he knows since that’s all he has knows. On the other hand, other than grocery prices and smallish budget amounts, numbers seldom cross my mind, so I think my chances of recognizing a number mind when I see one is greater. I first noticed it when he was five, we were driving home from the grocery store and I asked, “What are you thinking about?” He said, “Nothing, I’m just skip-counting by eights as fast and high as I can go and then skip-counting back down again.” Whenever we asked him a question from our scripture reading he could never remember what the big words meant that we’d just painstakingly defined, but he could tell you precisely how many people were killed in the battles. When he was in high school a friend asked him what the square root of a big number with lots of digits in it was and he quickly gave him the answer. I was amazed and still looking for the calculator when I asked him how in the world he knew it and he said, “Oh, sometimes when I finish my assignments I memorize square roots.” And yet one more proof for my point, his goal was to ace the math portion of the SAT but he missed one question. He came home and told us exactly what problem it was and what numbers were in it and that he knew what he’d done wrong (and it hadn’t even been graded yet). So don’t you agree with me that he thinks in integers, for who in a numberless mind practices learning big square roots or skip counts by eights for fun?
This Life in My World post is for our number child, however I had to guesstimate some of the numbers from this past week since I don’t routinely count everything we do:
- 263 wheelbarrow loads of leaves and branches were raked and hauled this week
- 3 big fires were built to burn the above loads of debris (however, there were untold reignites as the fires would burn to embers and then flame again with a new load of leaves. Do not worry. They were in burn-safe spots)
- 1 pasture burned (there seems to be a pyromania theme in this post)
- 1 weenie roast
- 4 questions answered (I’m telling you, if you want a piece of humble pie trying taking a Physical Science 100 class just to remind you how little you know and even less can comprehend)
- 6 #’s of strawberries eaten
- 11 strawberries dipped in chocolate (6 white/5 milk)
- 30 servings of spaghetti sauce made (I made it in the crock-pot with no splatters, no mess—as in Zero.)
- 3.5 acres of lawn mowed
- Dozens of pages read
The quote by Albert Einstein, “Mathematics are well and good but nature keeps dragging us around by the nose” was apropos this week. Nature certainly pulled our chain all week.
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Please send your comments tojp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Jane, As far as eating 6#’s of strawberries, with 11 of them dipped in chocolate, all I can say is, “WHY DIDN’T YOU INVITE ME??!!!!” I love strawberries, and I LOVE chocolate. They’re the perfect pair! Beka
Jane – I am a little late, but I’ve been either busy or away for the last week. I LOVED you numbers child post – you and I have talked about this a couple times, I think! Chance will count until he is totally bored. He can tell you how many steps in each staircase of our house – how many before the 90^ angle, and how many after. He knows that our clock does a small, almost imperceptible move every 15 seconds. He remembers the number of steps in the Eiffel tower, and probably the number of notes in his favorite songs on Guitar Hero. I love it, because I can just relate. We’ve been bantering back and forth lately, asking the other “have you noticed how many . . . .?” and trying to stump each other. Matt thinks we’re both weird. What does he know – he probably just chew his M & M’s in one big glob, instead of distributing them evenly to each side of his mouth – they taste so much better that way! Thanks for this post! -Heather
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seagulls in Seattle standing at attention while waiting their turn for french fries from Ivars
52 Blessings
April 13, 2008
Order. I like things neat, tidy and put in order. I wouldn’t do well in a world of chaos where I never knew when or if the sun would rise, when or if a new season would appear, or if I planted a corn seed whether corn or flowers or radishes would grow. Having an orderly universe is definitely a blessing for my little mind that flounders in pandemonium and likes things organized.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Yes, neat, tidy, and in order...love it that way. I don't do well with chaos either. It kinda makes me nervous. Linda Chasin
Yes, order indeed! I woke up the this morning to the left over chaos that the weekend brings to my house and I am trying to bring back the order...hopefully we'll get there by the end of MONDAY MONDAY MONDAY! Courtney Milius
I love order and don't accomplish quite as often as I'd like. In fact, I was ready to send the kids to school this morning not because I was ready to see them gone but because I wanted our routine back. But it's so sad, they were sick in the night and ALL are home with fevers and headaches (wait, not all. Reed is healthy and happy as always). Ugh! I'm crossing my fingers things will be orderly tomorrow! Love, Mel
That is a fantastic picture of the seagulls - they do look military-like, don't they? How funny! I do like order as well, but don't find it as often as I'd like. I really like to start the week with everything cleaned up, but sometimes I just want to relax on Sunday afternoon/evening . . . so I do and it's great too. I used to be what I would I like to refer to as a "neat freak" - however I have had to suppress the "freak" in me to keep the "nut job" from taking over and having insanity in life. When "neat freak" wife meets "not-so-neat" husband, both need to compromise. :-) We do pretty well and we get better all the time, it just takes longer for "not-so-neat" husband to get irritated at the chaotic mess - and once it becomes his idea to clean it all, it gets done! Thanks for sharing! Love ~ Tina
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April 11, 2008
One of this week’s links is right here at the NJP website—Quotable Quotes. Thanks to Deb's talent, the picture on Quotable Quotes makes me smile every time I see it.
I gave this link in today’s newsletter—Bakerella. She has some darling cupcake ideas. I made these flower pops using her instructions for making cake balls.
Flower Pops
(I can't wait to make these with chocolate cake/chocolate frosting/chocolate coating
and put them in the center of silk sunflowers this summer.)
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Good Morning, Jane, I just read your blog and the idea for the "Flower Pops" would be such a fun thing for our next ladies' craft day at church because we would use them for treats at coffee time after church the next day! I'll suggest they bring along their big flower punches and leftover cardstock and patterned paper and I bet we'll have a very colorful flower bed! I can always count on you for great ideas just when I need one! Love, Verna
I am never disappointed when I come over to Jane's world. I love all of your tips and tidbits you share with us all. I just may be making those Hawaii Haystacks for dinner next week. And those flower pops, what a darling idea!! Those monkey's are so cute. What a talent she has! (can't all mothers' smell crime? :) Jenny :)
I saw those cake pops on Bakerella, and I love your creative twist. Your friend's comment, "Grandkids prefer soft bodies!" (in the newsletter) is cracking me up, and has me wondering who prefers hard bodies, anyways? Barb
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Teaching Idea: Charted Lesson
April 10, 2008
I occasionally use this method to teach because it is so versatile. The kids like it, too, which helps.
Items needed: poster board*, marker, small candy bars or cookies
Draw chart on a large poster board. Fill in the blank spaces with:
Different topics to be taught
Three or four bonus spaces
A few casual activity suggestions (10 sit-ups, get a drink, stand and stretch, etc.)
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Tell your neighbor one good thing that happened to you yesterday |
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Play “1-2-3-4 I Declare a Thumb-Awar” with the partner behind you.
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Memorize the first paragraph of the Gettysburg Address
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Discuss the Battle at Gettysburg |
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Brainstorm 30 adjectives describing Abraham Lincoln
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Place the poster chart on a table or desk at the front of the room. Cover the writing in each space with a cookie or small candy bar.
When the lesson begins, call a student to the front of the room and let him choose a treat from the chart. If he chooses a topic to be taught—then teach the topic to the whole class. If he chooses a bonus space—he chooses another square. If he chooses an activity—the class participates in the activity.
This learning activity has at least four benefits.
1) It involves all students.
2) It is an effective way to break large chunks of material into small components.
3) It is a way to introduce several subjects.
4) The energizers (casual activities) allow for energy release so that the students’ focus can be redirected.
*stick-it notes placed in a grid arrangement on a desk and covered with treats works, too.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Hi Jane, I love your cookie chart idea, I'll have to use it. Which reminds me, I still haven't used your spinning chair idea! Barb
This teaching idea is a keeper-- and a passer-arounder. I plan on sharing it liberally. This Sunday I'm using tangrams to help teach a Relief Society lesson. There are so many applications for tangrams, and patterns abound on the Internet. Besides, it keeps the widows row awake. Thanks for the bonus activity! Lynn
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Homemaking Tip
April 9, 2008
You know the tune to “99 Bottles of Pop on the Wall”? That song has been stuck in my head ever since I baked a big turkey a week or two ago, only bafflingly enough the words are “25 Pounds of Turkey in the Fridge” instead.
I’ve mentioned this before, but my family doesn’t really like turkey. I want to make it clear, I do, I stay true to my pilgrim roots, but he-whose-name-must-not-be-spoken can’t stand it; hence it takes a lot of disguising to rid ourselves of a 25 pound carcass. Here are two recipes that I love and that also used up quite a bit of that cooked turkey meat.
The first recipe will be well recognized by women who belong to the L.D.S. Relief Society. Recipes circle fast at church socials and this one gained momentum back in the 70’s. Deb and I served this recipe at one of our scrapbook retreats and the women were thrilled with it. At first, they were skeptical and took tiny portions, but they quickly went back for seconds and now Heather and Darla even request it. Deb and I are happy to oblige because it is crock-pot easy and we aim to please, you know.
Hawaiian Haystacks or Chinese Sundaes or Rice & Toppings or Give-It-Your-Own-Name
To serve 20:
4 family size cans of cream of chicken soup
10 cups chopped turkey
Parsley
Empty cans of soup into crock pot. Add 2-3 cans of water or milk. Stir well. Add parsley (for color). Heat until hot.
20 cups cooked rice
Toppings:
Chow mein noodles
Chopped celery
Grated cheese
Chopped tomatoes
Crushed pineapple
Water chestnuts
Sliced green onions
Slivered almonds
Chopped olives
Any other topping you think sounds good.
Put all of the toppings into small bowls. To serve, eaters help themselves by first scooping rice onto a plate and then covering it with turkey gravy and adding the toppings of their choice. A good thing about Hawaiian Haystacks are you usually have enough toppings left over to add to homemade pizza the next night.
This next recipe is one Cali discovered. However, she’s changed it enough it’s hers now. It’s really, really good.
Turkey Tortilla Soup
2 cups frozen corn
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper
4 cans chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes with chilies
2 cans beans, drained (black, pinto, kidney, you choose)
2 taco seasoning packets
1 cup masa harina (masa flour)
Grated pepper jack cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips.
Pour 3 cans of chicken broth into soup pan and add onions and celery. Bring to boil and cook until vegetables are tender. Mix masa with 1 can of chicken broth and add to chicken broth and vegetables. Bring to boil. Add corn, garlic powder, salt and pepper, both cans of tomatoes and the seasoning packets. Return to boil. Cook ten minutes, stirring often to keep masa from sticking. (If it’s too thick, add more broth or water.) Serve and garnish with grated cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips.
Is turkey a "yea" or "nay" at your house? How do you eat 25 pounds of turkey?
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
After Hawaiian Haystacks in Tri-Cities last year it has become a regular favorite at my house. My granddaughter would eat it every day if I would make it. Thanks for the recipes as I can always use more things to do with leftover turkey. You are the greatest inspiration - keep up the good work. Oh, and enjoy spring break! Michelle Rogge
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If I Had Eyes in the Back of My Head
April 8, 2008
(sculpey clay figures that Ande made Cali for Christmas several years ago)
I distinctly remember a college professor teaching our class about the dangers of over-involved parenting and that all good mothers have “one blind eye and one deaf ear”. I must have followed her advice religiously because there are plenty of stories the kids tell that I swear I didn’t hear or see.
However, I do remember a solemn conversation between two of the kids that went: “Mom knows everything we do. (Pause.) We can’t do anything wrong without her knowing, she just knows that kind of stuff.” Ha. I may not have eyes in the back of my head and may have one blind eye and one deaf ear, but evidently I can smell a crime. __________________________________________________________________________________________
Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
I totally agree about the blind eye and deaf ear- I am learning now after 4 children how valuable that is. The poor first 2! (I love the photo under this post of your tree!) Alisa
I loved your post! If I knew half the things my kids did I would surely be in the nut house...but let them think I know everything and they will be better for it! So...I know I have the blind eye and deaf ear...but as far as they know, I've got eyes in the back of my head as well as in every room of the house! Ha! Courtney Milius
What a great spt. I try not to be over involved but think I might be. Elizabeth
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I just love this picture of the old and the new
Life in My World
April 7, 2008
Hooray for Spring Break, I can stay awake later than 9:00 pm. Today I’ve spent the live-long day organizing on the computer—pictures, letters, journals, newsletters, e-mails, scrapbooks. It feels grand to have everything sorted and many things printed, other than I’ve had to replace an ink cartridge and another one is getting low. I swear those things are as tiny as a baby’s bladder. Surely they can’t be that expensive to make.
I have high hopes of getting a lot done this week. Spring break always means it’s time to get the yard back into shape (which is a monster of a job) and the garden ready to plant. I think I’ll put pansies and primroses in our planters until the heat wilts them, usually I just wait and plant them once with summer flowers, but this year I think I’ll do two rounds. Besides the yard, I’d like to do some scrapbooking and work on my on-line class . . . but regardless of how much gets done, it’s spring break and the fever feels good.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Happy Spring breaking!! I hope the weather cooperates for you. I need another spring break :) Jenny
I also got energized for spring, and decided to take up my journal again to record every day one thing that I had accomplished in that day in a "spiritual" category, a "physical" category and a "service" category. I didn't start off so great because the only good physical thing I had done was get my husband to eat a bowl of chocolate angel-food dessert with me (thus reducing my calories by eating only one bowl instead of two, don't ya see....). But if those robins, canaries and finches keep cheering me on....I shall prevail! Lynn
Happy Spring Break, Jane!! I hope your week is as accomplished as you want it to be, and I hope you squeeze a bit of relaxation and fun in there as well! -Heather
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52 Blessings
April 7, 2008
“He that hath an ear, let him hear . . .” The New Testament is filled with this verse; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all repeated it again and again. My ears bring me a lot of blessings. In the last 24 hours hear here are a dozen happy sounds I’ve heard:
- morning doves, quail, blackbirds and the rooster telling the Earth “Good morning”
- Josh Groban and other great singers and musicians
- Prophetic counsel (that might as well have been music to my ears it was so enriching)
- Calvin’s whisper
- The refrigerator and computer hum
- The tick of the mantel clock
- A knock on the door from friends
- The kids’ voices on the phone
- My purse zipper (revealing $ no less!)
- The unwinding of the exercise bike gears when you’re finished riding
- The pages of a book turning
- An itch being scratched
They say your ears never quit growing. Mine are okay right now, but looking at Grandpa Hoops’ mine have the potential to grow and grow. I hope so, I hope so. There are still so many things I’d like to hear and according to what the big bad wolf told Little Red Riding Hood big ears are “The better to hear you with, my dear.”
Ears: a much appreciated blessing.
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April 4, 2008
This post of Michelle’s at {chez moi} makes me smile just thinking about it.
Such incredible photography talent and the ability to make us feel makes this video, Reflections of Christ, worth watching and rewatching and rewatching. Note: You can expand the screen to fit your entire computer screen for a better view by clicking on the lower right hand square icon (next to the volume).
I hope you enjoy these two things as much as I did.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
This (week's newsletter) is hilarious. I've got to find a way to use this somewhere.....It's even funnier because now that I deal with human resources for my company I can't believe HOW MANY RULES THEY BROKE EVEN IF THEY BELIEVE ALL THIS. The pictures are priceless. Lynn
Jane, I loved the pictures (in this week's newsletter) especially the one "We Can Do It.!" I would love to have that one in my garage to greet me as I come home each night. Maxine
Loved this newsletter! I remember my mom and aunts talking about these very things. Great memories. Happy weekend. Sue
What a hoot! This line is my all-time fav: "You have to make some allowances for feminine psychology." Ha! Definitely sticks for 2008. Amy
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Abe and Ty, summer 2007
Gift Giving Idea—Memories
April 3, 2008
Ty is in Taiwan and Abe is in New York. That's a big distance for two brothers that are only 15 months apart. For Abe’s 23rd birthday, Ty sent him a letter telling him of his 23 favorite memories with him. Now that is a gift without a price—it didn’t cost a thing and it can’t be purchased. (I added the pictures for your benefit.)
Ty and Abe with their number one fan, Kaden
"My sophomore year playing football. Not so much my playing as getting to be on the sidelines watching and cheering for you. I love being able to congratulate you after a great run or pass. I am also thankful you let me hang out with you during the season."
Brothers Scrapbook Page
(I’ve been wondering what to put in that blank spot and now I know,
all the memories Ty recorded.)
"Bike jumps. Whether they were cinderblocks and a board or a giant figure-eight track with one jump on it. I especially liked it when we would try to jump puddles."
"Playing at the Nat-Soo-Pah with Lance and Jared. Chasing the frog bouncy balls down the slide."
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
I need to make these tips mental in my mind (for future reference). What a great idea to send to the boys. I can only imagine the excitement on their faces opening up this priceless letter. Thanks for sharing. Jenny
Janey Payney – I just have one thing to say – you raise fabulous kids!! -Heather
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Homemaking Tip—Notes and Razors
April 2, 2008
Our girls, Cali and Ande, are note leavers. It might be because (before the days of cell phones) Calvin and I always left each other notes on the counter in passing—“I’ve run to Cosinteno’s, I’ll be back in 15 minutes” type of notes. Or maybe they’re note leavers because I left them on the counter for them if I wasn’t home when they came home from school—“There’re cookies in the jar, do your chores, no TV and I’ll be home at 4:30” type of notes. No matter why they do it, they leave me funny notes all the time and I love them. One morning, while waiting for school to start, Ande, bored, plastered my office with funny sticky notes she’d written—“The earth says hello” stuck to the silk plant in the corner type of notes.
Last week I came home to a memo on the dishwasher that effectually said, “Open at your own risk, I stink because I contain 3-day-old lunch containers kept in the sun that had broccoli in them.” Last night, the note above was taped in the shower: “Hello There! (picture of razor and bubbles) You are the proud new owner of the 5 blade super shaver razor head. However, exercise extreme caution with the lateral portion of that certain knee. SHARP! Cali”
Tip of the Week: In the day of high-tech electronics, don’t forget the caveman edition of communicating: notes. They’re quite fun. And tip two: have you tried the new Venus 5 blade razor? Oh my. Good. I shave my legs daily because it’s a frugal luxury and thanks to Cali introducing me to the five blader? Wow. Luxurious comfort.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
I love notes! When I went to study abroad in Mexico my dearest friend and roommate left me many notes in my scriptures and other things I had packed! I have left "I Love You" notes in my husband's pockets, wallet and toiletries bag when he went to Utah to visit family. I haven't left any around the house lately, so that is a good reminder! I know my darling sister-in-law, Susan, has notes at her house on mirrors and such! It is fun! I can't wait until my kids can read, I always imagined leaving them notes in their lunch! :) Haven't tried the new 5-blade razor. At the cost of replacement blades for my husband's razor, I switched to his kind! The replacements are super expensive - like $38 at Costco for a pack of 16. Ok, so I just had to go look at how many were in the package and come to find out they are actually 5-bladed also! Crazy! So, I guess I tried it, but we use the men's Gillette Fusion - ooooh! ahhhhh! Tina Livingston
Don't you love SPT? Have you ever had so many beautiful pictures of yourself, ever, let alone in one year? This is a great photo of you! With Chloe in 1st grade I am getting lots of wonderful notes. First grade is the best! (shhhh, I've be stealing Ken's razor lately) Barb
I saw your blog and I just wanted to tell you that I think it is very cute. Is it a community blog? I really like the post about the silly notes that your girls would leave. It inspired me to try to put some of that old effort into leaving notes behind to humor others. Who doesn't enjoy a funny note once in awhile? Lots of love, Nanci
Your daughter writes so beautifully! I recently upgraded my razor also, yes, five blades is very luxurious. Mindy
I love notes too. I have never, never, not once, shaved without cutting myself. The idea of 5 blades staring me down is terrifying. I can only imagine 5 times the bandaids. -Marie
I'm also guilty of stealing the husband's razor, Barb. But the idea of a 5 bladed Venus just might convince me to get my own. I love, LOVE leaving notes - almost as much as I love getting them. Amy S.
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April 1, 2008
Calvin is working on our taxes and has only hollered ONCE this year and that was to say, “Jane! What were you thinking writing a check for $1.25?”
I laughed and hollered back, “You think it’s annoying entering it into the records, try writing it. I didn’t have any cash and had to pay for parking because I had to make an emergency run to Tri-Cities to the airport to pick up _______ for her husband because he was in the hospital, but she forgot to call him and say she’d decided to switch flight dates. When she didn’t come out to the curb, I had to park, and you only get the first 20 minutes free in that parking lot but it took me 23 minutes to find out she wasn’t on the flight, and the parking attendant doesn’t let one minute (let alone three) slide. I promise, entering that check is not nearly as frustrating as writing it was.”
And though Lelly’s challenge was to photograph us in our Sunday-go-to-meetin’-best this week, here’s a
"She Pays Taxes" ($1.25 at a time) photo instead.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Love the new meaning for SPT- You look beautiful! I love your necklace too! Alisa
Strolling around Lelly’s SPT – the $1.25 check is cracking me up! Great pic. Kim Sue
You look so great in this photo! Amy Hendrix
That is a crack up. Funny, Doug hollered at me for something similiar while doing our budget. He asks, can't we just rid of the check thing? In which I replied I think it would be a bit of a pain carrying a wad of cash to pay dance, tithing, etc. Great photo as always! Jenny
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