Good Morning Glory!

Emma's Second Birthday

Sunflower Office Complete

My wonderful friend and teaching partner, Mary, brought the curtains for my office today. I got the material and she sewed them for me. AWESOME!

McKenzie ESL Office

This year, I decided to clean and remodel my office at school. Teachers start back to school next week, so this week I worked on the project. I spent 23 hours working on it so far, and have probably another 10 more hours to call the office complete.

I decided sunflowers are the decor of choice. So far I've made wreaths, used silk flowers, added border, incorporated some of my own photography, thrown away a lot, and rearranged the shelves. Still in the plan are curtains and more cleaning. I'm looking forward to having a nice, pleasant work space this school year. Here's a sneak peak.

We've never been to Belgium...

Yet we grew and enjoyed Brussels sprouts. They are kin to broccoli and cabbage. They resemble miniature cabbages, with diameters of about 1 inch. They grow in bunches of 20 to 40 on the stem of a plant that grows as high as three feet tall.

According to WHFoods.com:

History

While the origins of Brussels sprouts are unknown, the first mention of them can be traced to the late 16th century. They are thought to be native to Belgium, specifically to a region near its capital, Brussels, after which they are named. They remained a local crop in this area until their use spread across Europe during World War I. Brussels sprouts are now cultivated throughout Europe and the United States. In the U.S., almost all Brussels sprouts are grown in California.

Now, these Brussels sprouts didn't come from California. They came from our backyard garden. Steamed simply with spray butter and a little bit of salt, they were yummy.

Flash from the Past

Being a single mother raising my kids, money was tight, thus encouraging some creativity on my part in cooking for my children. One favorite at the time was Stuffed Hot Dogs. It's simple to make.

Slice a hot dog lengthwise until it will lie open. "Stuff" with mashed potatoes. Drizzle bbq sauce over the potatoes and sprinkle with grated cheese. Cook at 350 degrees a few minutes (10-15) until cheese is melted and browned. Serve with green beans and fruit for a balanced meal kids (and husbands) will like.

Recently I made Stuffed Hot Dogs for Daniel and Randy. For those who know me well, this is significant since I've been vegetarian for 5 years now.

Randy: "The blend of these flavors works."

Daniel: "It's a happy face."