On the Lack Thereof

I miss, miss, MISS my blogging. Really miss it.

To the point that right now, I am resisting resentment towards the things that keep me too busy to blog.

I took a "career quiz" today to prep for my last class of the day, where I am having my students take a series of quizzes to determine which careers might suit them.

The career topping my list? High school teacher.
Followed closely by middle school teacher and a host of other teaching-related professions.

Homemaking was listed 8th. Writer was listed somewhere down at the bottom, in the 20s. (Those are the two areas my future "job" lies in....)

So clearly, my job as a high school teacher suits me. And yet, on days like today, when I miss my blogging, and feel guilty for posting anyways (because you know, I should be marking or lesson-prepping) - days like today I struggle to not resent my job for the time it takes up.

It doesn't make me teach any differently than last year, when I had time for both; I don't love my students any less, I just wish I could stretch the day.

It really is "my fault" for moving to a new place, with a much longer commute.
But I can't resent the commute when it means I get to be closer to family, friends, and the love of my life each evening and weekend.

So, for now, I keep not blogging, and instead go to planning and marking. (Getting there!) And when I'm not working, I try to keep up on cooking and laundry and sleeping and seeing the people that mean much to me. (And buying a house, moving again, planning a wedding....you know. The other things that have changed since last year that take more from my spare time...)

And, by the way, I love my life. All of it. The work, the people, the multiple blessings.

God is so good to me. And now, after reflecting on it in writing, I don't resent any more. Phewf! 
















Plus, I've learned to say 'no'!!! (Good, right? Could still be better....)

Long Overdue

Wow. Life has taken over, and I've stayed true to my promise not to blog as often. There's so much to blog about, but with a commute that's been extended by an extra 2 hours every day, there's just no chance to sit down & write it out.

I started this on the Teacher Convention days, and now, a few weeks later, report cards are done and I'm treating myself to a blog post.

Because I miss it. I really do.

But I hardly ever take out my computer after I get home from school. Most often, it's dinner, shower, bed. With a little time for meetings or wedding business or family/friend functions.

Nearly all school work needs to be done at school. Before school, after school, during prep or break. It's good that I'm teaching some very familiar courses, and that I've got a great co-teacher for the new course. I've also been getting some help with my 'easy' marking.

And, planning a wedding. Speaking of which, Ed & I got engaged! You knew that already, because I'm so slow that everyone knows despite the fact that my blog didn't, til now. You want some details? Okay:

• Engagement date: September 8th.
• Morning gift: Beautiful yellow flowers
• Place: Port Dalhousie (fave childhood spot of mine - Ed's first time :)
• Carousel
• Walk on the pier
• Walk on the beach
• Ring! "Will you marry me?"
• "Yes!"
• "Are you sure?" (ha!)
• Then I might have tooted. Elegant, right?

And then we went for dinner with both sets of parents = awesome! The waitress discovered that we'd just been engaged, so we got free champagne as well.The pictures should be coming, because I can't find them (thought I had them!)

And we started planning.
The wedding date: August 2nd, 2013. See the wedding page for any other details, as they come.

We had our engagement party on October 6th - it was so wonderful to see all the family & friends who came out to support us - probably about 75, and that wasn't even all who were invited! Thanks for coming out, everyone!

Gift table/Guest book signing

Where the party started...

Just a few great desserts :)

The whole party...!

New Comfort-food Recipes from Lately

Acorn Squash Soup - new ingredient, my own recipe

• 1 acorn squash, microwaved whole for 8-10 minutes, then cut in half, remove seeds, and scoop out the flesh.
• leftover celery, chopped (about half a bundle, leaves & all)
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 250 mL chicken stock
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp ground thyme
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 c. milk

Directions: 

1. Chop onion, garlic & celery while acorn squash is microwaving
2. Toss with olive oil & let it saute while scooping out acorn squash. (Careful, it's hot!)
3. Toss squash in pan, along with everything but lemon juice & milk.
4. Heat until all is soft.
5. Remove bay leaf
6. Blend using immersion blender
7. Stir in milk & lemon juice.
8. Serve

Grilled Brie Sandwiches w/ homemade chili ketchup - my own take on something I'd had elsewhere, and paid $5 for half the size!

Ingredients:

• 2 thin slices flax-seed rye or some other rye-style bread
• sliced brie cheese
• butter

• 1/2 c regular ketchup
• 1/4 c diced tomato (homemade canned or fresh)
• 1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp paprika

Directions:

1. Spread one side of each slice bread with butter
2. Put brie cheese between slices, buttered side out.
3. Place on parchment-paper lined baking sheet & place in 350 degree oven.
4. Check & flip when browned on bottom (about 5 min.) 
5. Pull out when browned on both sides.
6. Meanwhile, stir ketchup, diced tomato, chili pepper flakes & paprika in small sauce pan. Heat over med-low heat, until hot through.
7. Blend
8. Serve with grilled brie sandwich.

Vehicular Milestone!

150,000. I added 50,000 km to my car in just over a year. Pretty good, no? Ed was driving when the odometer clicked over, so photo is courtesy of his skills (and my camera.)

A first!

The end of this summer marked the very first time that I have ever put up canned preserves by myself.

Tomato juice was the start!

My first batch! Food mill, jar lifter & other tools on the left.

Simply take your tomatoes & boil them so that they are thoroughly cooked through. You want them soft.
Then, throw them in the food mill, a few at a time, and crank the handle over a large bowl.
Ta-da! Juice.
If you're not interested in seeds or pulp, find yourself a strainer. I didn't have a decent strainer or the time for this, so mine is seedy & pulpy, but deeeee-lish!

Then, use a funnel to pour the juice into the pre-warmed & sterilized jars. Leave a 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of the jars. Top with a new tin top that has been heated in hot water for approx. 5 minutes.

Finally, boil in a water bath for 25-30 minutes.

Take out using a jar lifter, and set on a towel on the counter. As they cool, you'll hear the lid "snap" shut as it seals.

For the next batch of juice, I added one hot banana pepper, 1/2 onion, and some garlic. It was spicy! (Means I got a good hot banana pepper!)

Enjoy!

Cottage friend

On my last day at the cottage with Ed's family, we saw this little guy sleeping on my car. He gets an award: "First Canadian Tree Frog I Have Ever Seen."

Seeing Triple?

The other day, I got stuck behind this sight on the way home from work. Not as bad as being stuck behind a group of bikers taking up two thirds of the road. That was just bad manners. These guys were moving faster than the bikers. And from all I could see, they were cuter too. (I'm not seeing the people weren't cute - I wasn't really checking. It's more of a statement on spandex. Not. Cute.)