And February Began

And here we are to February.

February 1 was World Read Aloud Day. Sandra Boynton has great books to read aloud.

February 2 was Groundhog Day. Since things have been chaotic lately, we didn't have our traditional imitation groundhog burgers and we didn't watch the movie, Groundhog Day. I did wake kids with, "Rise and shine, campers..." and "It's cold out there this morning. It's cold out there every morning. What is this? Miami Beach? Not hardly." We've had a lot of cold temperatures and snow lately so it was appropriate.

 

I wore a red shirt on National Wear Red Day, February 3.

Eat Brussels Sprouts Day

Eat Brussels Sprouts Day was January 31. I tried out a new recipe from The Food Nanny. It had a balsamic glaze on it. After roasting the Brussels sprouts and picking at them while making the glaze, I decided (no offense to the Food Nanny), I like it better without the glaze. There was nothing wrong with the glaze, I just preferred how it was before I put the glaze on.

Pick off the old wilted outer leaves, rinse the Brussels sprouts, dry them and cut them in half. Toss them with olive oil, coarse salt, and cracked black pepper. Bake them (cut side down) in a 425 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Eat them hot/warm. 

Sooo good. That is funny coming from me because I used to hate Brussels sprouts but I really couldn't stop picking at them before I put the glaze on. Now I can't wait to make more.

It was also National Hot Chocolate Day. Several people in the family had hot chocolate.

Opportunities to Serve

There is a song that says, "Because I have been given much I too must give." I've always loved that song. I feel like I have so many blessings in my life. Even when things are hard, I still can count my blessings ("Count Your Blessings," incidentally, is another song I like). I feel like lately we've been given the opportunity to serve others and we've been taking those opportunities.

 

Sometimes it's serving in our own home. On Blueberry Pancake Day, January 28, I not only made blueberry pancakes but I also made chocolate chip pancakes and plain pancakes since there are different likes among my family members.

 

I planned to make a normal sized batch of taco soup this year for National Corn Chip Day, January 29, instead of filling the stockpot to the top with 7 times the recipe. I couldn't find any regular sized cans of hominy, though (which is how it all got started all those years ago), so I got a can to make a double batch. Making a double batch turned out to be the right thing since some neighbors were going through a great trial and we were able to offer them dinner. We had enough soup to share and we had french bread in the freezer so I was able to make garlic bread to go with it. I was able to give them a casserole and a loaf of homemade bread another day. It was the least we could do along with prayers for them during their trial.

 

Lucky's Activity Days group was split because of the number of boys they had so he got some new leaders. He wanted to do something for them and the boys at their first activity together, so he made cookies to take.

 

Jet and I were able to help an injured neighbor collect eggs from her chickens because it was hard for her. She was nice and let us keep the eggs we collected. Jr. Jr. and Lucky helped me collect eggs another time. They all enjoyed it.

Nichole and Jr. had an orchestra recital and got there early enough to help set up then helped clean up afterward.

I was able to use what I've been learning about shelf cooking and freezer meals to make some on the road food for Nichole and Jr. that night. They had to leave orchestra rehearsal early at a neighboring high school in order for me to drive them over to the orchestra recital at their high school.

 

Sometimes it's simple acts of service that are easy for us but make a big difference for someone else. I have been given much so it is a blessing for me to give to others.

A Room of One's Own?

January 25 was A Room of One's Own Day. I got maybe an hour or two total to myself in my room that day. I had such plans, too.

We got a new microwave delivered and Jet was so cute playing in the box.

He found some tongs and sat on my lap in my room to play with them.

Jr. decided to do homework in my room.

I just had to go out and see Nichole's artwork she was working on. She's taking a printmaking class this semester. If you give Nichole and medium...

Pie Day (Observed)

Pie Day was on January 23. Since we were too busy eating Chinese food that day (yumm), we celebrated Pie Day (Observed) the next day.

I made Chicken Pot Pie but in actual pie form with an actual pie crust- the same crust I use for my apple pies. Yumm.

The recipe for the pie came from budgetbytes.com and I do want to make it again. It wasn't as craveworthy as some foods but I did like it.

The 24th was National Compliment Day and National Peanut Butter Day. People ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because peanut butter and jelly compliment each other. 

People in the family also complimented each other. Jeremy and I compliment each other in a lot of ways.

Lunar New Year 2023

The Lunar New Year was on January 22 this year. Year of the Rabbit.

The night before, the mall had fireworks which the kids listened to.

Jr. Jr., Jr., Nichole, and I made a trip to Salt Lake City the evening of the New Year while Jeremy made Chinese food for us. We then ate that yummy food for the next few days. 

We went for an event at the Conference Center. It was cold and snowy while we were in Salt Lake City and we walked a lot because I didn't want to pay for parking on a Sunday and I didn't realize how many free spots were closer to our destination. It's been a while since I've been up to Salt Lake City.

Jr. Jr. did get his first ride on TRAX, though.

On a trip to the Orem Library another day, Jet and I saw the dragon the librarians made for the Lunar New Year. Some of the scales had been decorated by children at the library.

Jeremy got to build some balloon sculptures.

We have yet to eat fortune cookies because I keep forgetting to get them out of the pantry. But here are a couple fortunes Jeremy got.

Comedy Date

Jeremy and I went on a date to support friends who were doing a show. Marcus and Dan, both of whom Jeremy goes to fair conventions with. And Marcus, of course, hosts the juggling barbecue most Summers.

Their show was "Funny Guys Who Do Tricks." Dan did comedy magic and Marcus did a comedy juggling stunt show.

It was so great. I loved it and laughed so hard.

On the way home, I told Jeremy, "I need to drink a lot of water when we get home because I'm probably dehydrated from laughing so much."

 

Since it was Granola Bar Day that day, January 21, when we got home I ate a granola bar. 

It was also National Hug Day. I got lots of hugs. I have a loving family.