tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252209752024-03-13T13:52:15.270-06:00The Ink SpotWife to one. Mommy of four. Proud Canadian. Committed Christian. Striving to become a Proverbs 31 woman in a postmodern world.Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.comBlogger1058125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-7954287708893079842009-06-17T17:03:00.001-06:002009-06-17T17:04:57.746-06:00<b>Quote of the Day</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>"So, dude. What are you going to do all summer now that you're done school?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"I'm gonna stay inside a lot ... and play school."</div><div><br /></div><div>(Now there's a dedicated student!)</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-66172776493946748852009-06-16T14:11:00.004-06:002009-06-16T14:22:45.168-06:00<b>First Harvest!</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>We ate our first harvest from the garden today! It was a radish. A single, tiny, lonely radish we carefully sliced into four little pieces :-). Many of the radish's friends should be ready to pluck from the ground this weekend!</div><div><br /></div><div>In other gardening news, we have plenty of green poking up through the soil. The spinach, peas, beans and sunflowers appear to be growing especially well. Sadly, the zucchini is nowhere to be found. (We planted the seeds over three weeks ago, so we should have sprouts by now. Right?) This past weekend we sowed our second crop of beets, carrots and lettuce. We also thinned all those cute little seedlings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gardening is turning out to be really fun. Our three-year-old especially enjoys helping mommy water the plants each morning. (She also enjoys <i>digging up</i> the plants. Yikes!)</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-3528450737714459482009-06-14T21:09:00.004-06:002009-06-14T21:20:28.827-06:00<b>The Big Green Field</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Our family loves the big soccer field behind our house. It is truly an endless source of entertainment. Right now I am watching (what I suspect is a church group) play a rowdy game of dodge ball. Yup. Dodge ball. It is hilarious.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other parts of the field I see a young family chasing after toddlers, another family lounging in the grass, and a couple of soccer players. Earlier this afternoon I saw a man flying a huge kite. A cricket league plays in our field several nights per week. Kids' soccer practices are always fun to watch at supper time.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think we love our field because it is <i>fun</i>. Almost without fail, people visit the field to play and relax. We hear lots of laughter. The sea of lush, green grass is rather intoxicating and people enjoy playing within it.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I think of all the ways God has blessed our family, I am truly thankful for our beautiful house. Most of all, I am grateful for the huge grassy field it sits upon.</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-67126289369947364992009-06-12T13:02:00.002-06:002009-06-12T13:04:40.223-06:00<b>Quote of the Day</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>This morning I cracked open a jar of mayonnaise to use in a recipe. Our little girl saw the jar and exclaimed:</div><div><br /></div><div>"Hey look, Mommy! It's egg butter!"</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-59035738173896322122009-06-11T10:38:00.003-06:002009-06-11T10:45:51.696-06:00<b>The Whirlwind</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Phew! We're caught in a busy season around here. End of school activities fill our calendar for the next couple of weeks. For a family who plays it very low-key, we're not used to all the excitement! I'm looking forward to the end of the craziness next week!</div><div><br /></div><div>We've been...</div><div><br /></div><div>Dancin' up a storm</div><div>Celebrating kindergarten graduation</div><div>Crafting for a special birthday girl</div><div>Baking for a party</div><div>Practicing piano</div><div>Shopping for the teachers</div><div>Working on the yard</div><div>Going on a field trip</div><div>Hangin' at a picnic</div><div><br /></div><div>And trying desperately to stay caught up on sleep!</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-9660019466835916602009-06-08T09:46:00.001-06:002009-06-08T09:46:00.857-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/SiyJszxegjI/AAAAAAAABN4/61B2c6ln2hU/s1600-h/greenmpm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 139px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/SiyJszxegjI/AAAAAAAABN4/61B2c6ln2hU/s320/greenmpm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344798260686914098" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Menu Plan Monday</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">June 8, 2009</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Here's our menu plan for the upcoming week:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Monday:</span> No cooking (supper with my parents)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday:</span> <a href="http://lindsayinkster.blogspot.com/2008/11/menu-plan-monday-november-3-2008-heres.html">Chicken, tomato and red pepper pilaf</a>, green salad</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday:</span> <a href="http://lindsayinkster.blogspot.com/2009/05/fast-food-homemade-style-this-week.html">Super-easy quesilldias</a>, sliced oranges </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday:</span> <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Meaty-Noodle-Casserole">Meaty noodle casserole</a>, fruit salad</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Friday:</span> Leftover night</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday:</span> Homemade pizza, veggies with dip, cupcakes for the Birthday Girl!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday:</span> No cooking (supper with Ben's parents)</div><div><br /></div><div>Menu Plan Monday is hosted by <a href="http://www.orgjunkie.com">Org Junkie</a>!</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-62985772850084990252009-06-07T20:58:00.002-06:002009-06-07T21:02:40.803-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Who Ordered This Crazy Weather???</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Tonight they're forecasting frost for the third night in a row. It's June! Where is all this cold weather coming from?</div><div><br /></div><div>I've diligently covered our garden each night with old sheets. I think almost everything has survived. The peas actually seem to be loving the cold temperatures. Only the tomato plants look frost-bitten (and I think they'll bite the dust, sadly). At least it's early enough in the season to try the tomatoes again. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's to hoping tonight is the last we see of winter!</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-10385290885173982262009-06-05T11:55:00.002-06:002009-06-05T11:58:21.549-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Say It Ain't So!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Here's to hoping our cute little sprouts don't freeze tonight. They're predicting a chance of SNOW! It's June, for goodness sake! I'll definitely put our garden to bed under some comfy old sheets tonight.</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-28660122673695920152009-06-04T09:40:00.002-06:002009-06-04T09:43:57.293-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Let the Sun Shine In!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>The big gardening news of the day?</div><div><br /></div><div>We have sunflower sprouts! In one day they are already becoming HUGE (compared to our other little seedlings). I'm curious to see how quickly they grow. The variety we chose is supposed to reach six feet tall!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll need to buy some garden stakes this weekend...</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-6767148240901646692009-06-02T16:27:00.002-06:002009-06-02T16:40:50.110-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Great Books for Children:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">How Groundhog's Garden Grew</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">by Lynne Cherry</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Gardening seems to be the topic of the moment around here :-). Our family has shared much excitement this week watching tiny sprouts emerge in our backyard garden. It's been fun and a terrific learning experience for us all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our family is also reading the following fantastic book:</div><div><br /></div><div><center><iframe src="http://rcm-ca.amazon.ca/e/cm?t=thinsp060-20&o=15&p=8&l=as1&asins=0439323711&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=FFFFFF&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr&npa=1" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe></center><div><br /></div>Lynne Cherry wrote and illustrated <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">How Groundhog's Garden Grew</span> during several artist-in-residencies at institutions such as the Smithsonian Museum and Cornell University. Cherry's illustrations are beautifully detailed. Our family particularly enjoyed the pages depicting many types of sprouts! The story "introduces children to the cycle of an entire gardening year: gathering seeds in fall; storing them in winter; planting in spring; weeding and watering in summer; and a delicious and bountiful harvest at Thanksgiving time."</div><div><br /></div><div>I can only hope our little backyard garden grows to be as lush and green as Mr. Groundhog's ....</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-82419693268927119592009-05-31T12:06:00.002-06:002009-05-31T12:06:54.859-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Green Update</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>This morning we found buttercrunch lettuce and tiny pea sprouts!</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-85688645307382423622009-05-30T15:25:00.001-06:002009-05-30T15:26:56.448-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Hooray!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>More sprouts today! </div><div><br /></div><div>Black seeded simpson lettuce and lots of radishes.</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-50743977328432744982009-05-29T13:30:00.004-06:002009-05-29T13:52:12.995-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Big Excitement!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Sprouts! We have sprouts! Hooray!</div><div><br /></div><div>We planted our garden a mere 6 days ago, so I wasn't expecting to see any green for another week or so. However, this morning my little helper and I spotted tiny green sprouts poking through the soil! We have a wee row of spinach and a few eager radishes!</div><div><br /></div><div>I've started keeping a gardening journal to log these exciting discoveries. The journal is nothing fancy. I'm using a pretty notebook I've been squirreling away for ages. (The notebook is perfect because it says "maison des gardins" on the cover.) Each day I jot down the little things that happen and the work we accomplish in the yard. Since gardening is a new adventure, I'm hoping the notebook will prove to be a handy record.</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-32521512509349277902009-05-29T09:16:00.002-06:002009-05-29T09:19:52.480-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Joke of the Day</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Our (almost) three-year-old was in an especially good mood this morning. Here are two of the gems she shared with us:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Knock, knock!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Who's there?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Cookie and banana and apple</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Cookie and banana and apple who?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Don't cry, it's just a joke!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Q: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">What did the chicken say when she burped?</span></div><div>A: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Excuse me! </span> </div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-70654335904579055602009-05-28T22:08:00.000-06:002009-05-28T22:09:22.217-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Quote of the Day</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>"Mommy, I don't know how anteaters kiss."</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-21523239266380825452009-05-26T14:09:00.003-06:002009-05-26T14:14:12.031-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Shopping Online (with a six-year-old)<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>"Hey Mom!"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yes?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"I can't wait until I'm older."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Why's that?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Well, then I can buy things on eBay."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Oh? And what will you buy on eBay."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Good stuff, like bows and arrows..."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Oh, really?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"... Yep. And maybe even a ninja sword!"</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-81791097739601468612009-05-25T08:58:00.002-06:002009-05-25T13:35:19.963-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShoJiH-zGnI/AAAAAAAABNg/9uFXKh8e8sk/s1600-h/greenmpm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 139px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShoJiH-zGnI/AAAAAAAABNg/9uFXKh8e8sk/s320/greenmpm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339590790063790706" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Menu Plan Monday</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">May 25, 2009</span></div><div><br /></div><div>We've had a full weekend --- full of work and fun and visiting. Now it's time to plan for the week to come!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's my proposed menu plan for the upcoming week:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Monday:</span> No cooking (supper with my parents)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday:</span> <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Orange-Glazed-Salmon">Orange-glazed salmon</a>, brown rice, green salad</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShoLu-sIfTI/AAAAAAAABNo/L_eCZ7NYCQs/s1600-h/orange+glazed+salmon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShoLu-sIfTI/AAAAAAAABNo/L_eCZ7NYCQs/s320/orange+glazed+salmon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339593209931136306" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday:</span> Hamburger soup, homemade bread</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday:</span> Leftovers</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Friday:</span> (Carried over from last week) chicken skewers, <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Baked-Beans-with-Pineapple">baked beans with pineapple</a>, <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Poppy-Seed-Tossed-Salad">poppy seed tossed salad</a>, <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Blueberry-Ice-Cream-Tart">blueberry ice cream tart</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShoLu-q-l5I/AAAAAAAABNw/yoDSgmxD-0s/s1600-h/blueberry+ice+cream+tart.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShoLu-q-l5I/AAAAAAAABNw/yoDSgmxD-0s/s320/blueberry+ice+cream+tart.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339593209926293394" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday:</span> Homemade pizza</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday:</span> No cooking (supper with Ben's parents)</div><div><br /></div><div>Our family especially enjoyed two recipes from last week's menu. The kids loved the <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Meaty-Noodle-Casserole">meaty noodle casserole</a> and also the <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Crispy-Pretzel-Bars">crispy pretzel bars</a>. (I actually made those sweet treats twice last week!)</div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to browse other great meal plans and recipes, check out Menu Plan Monday hosted by <a href="http://www.orgjunkie.com/">Org Junkie</a>.</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-2649779992087698012009-05-24T15:06:00.003-06:002009-05-24T15:21:31.314-06:00<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Garden is Planted!</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/Shm3YMtsVNI/AAAAAAAABNY/pYZsr2-D_TI/s1600-h/garden.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/Shm3YMtsVNI/AAAAAAAABNY/pYZsr2-D_TI/s320/garden.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339500459582051538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/Shm3Xxh8X-I/AAAAAAAABNQ/yecVWokOLX8/s1600-h/spinach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/Shm3Xxh8X-I/AAAAAAAABNQ/yecVWokOLX8/s320/spinach.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339500452285013986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/Shm3XlxQ6_I/AAAAAAAABNI/ND-HBi9kjEI/s1600-h/L+garden.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/Shm3XlxQ6_I/AAAAAAAABNI/ND-HBi9kjEI/s320/L+garden.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339500449128049650" /></a><br /><div>Didn't Ben do a great job building our garden beds? </div><div><br /></div><div>The veggies are planted and now we wait! I followed the plan for "square foot gardening" and between our two beds we have about 30 sq. ft. of space to work with. Today only half the beds are actually planted, though. We'll successively plant the rest of the garden over the next few weeks in hopes of spacing out our harvest.</div><div><br /></div><div>What did we plant?</div><div><br /></div><div>Carrots</div><div>Radishes</div><div>Beets</div><div>Zucchini</div><div>Pole beans</div><div>Peas</div><div>Black Seeded Simpson lettuce</div><div>Buttercrunch lettuce</div><div>Spinach</div><div>Sweet peas</div><div><br /></div><div>The kids and I will plant sunflowers at the corners of the garden this afternoon. Next week I also plan to plant one or two tomato seedlings. This is all a grand adventure, so we'll see what actually grows :-).</div><div><br /></div><div>Next on the list ... put up those gates to keep the bunnies at bay!</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-49099681542797453562009-05-21T15:03:00.004-06:002009-05-21T15:39:10.387-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">All About the Yard<br /></span><div><br /></div><div>This week it's been the number one topic of conversation. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The yard</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>What to do with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">the yard</span>?</div><div><br /></div><div>The good thing is this: Ben's plans and my plans are pretty well in agreement. We are certainly on the same page.</div><div><br /></div><div>The bad thing is this: We don't have enough time! A few hours each weekend just aren't going to cut it. (And let's face it --- we don't want to be slaves to our yard either.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yes, and there's also the issue of our budget. Home improvement projects can get very, very expensive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ben and I have been riding high from <a href="http://lindsayinkster.blogspot.com/2009/05/mr.html">last weekend's productivity</a>. Ben did a fantastic job with the raised garden beds. They truly look great! I was also happy to get the weed barrier put down under our mulch. We reached our goals before the poor weather set in and it felt good to work out in the sun.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, what's the plan of attack for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">this</span> weekend? Here are our priorities:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Mow and water the grass</span>. Green Drop is scheduled to aerate and spray our lawn today. They were supposed to arrive a few days ago, so Ben's been putting off the mowing and our yard looks like a jungle!</div><div><br /></div><div>2. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Plant the veggie garden</span>. I am very much looking forward to this! Last night I actually dreamed about planting our garden. I was worried we were planting too late in the season, however I found an extremely useful chart in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Calgary Gardener</span>. The chart lists May 24 as the best day to plant many veggies in Calgary. Looks like we're right on track!</div><div><br /></div><div>3. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Figure out where to build gates</span>. This is a rather pressing concern. Our yard is fenced but not gated. Ben and I discovered evidence of a furry friend living under our deck (a veggie-loving rabbit) and need to fortify the yard! We may rig a temporary barricade until we decided where to install gates. Sadly, utility lines and a water spigot interfere with the most logical placement.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Power wash the house and deck</span>. This is ambitious, and if it doesn't get finished I won't sweat it. The house is grimy from winter. The deck is in sorry shape. We were upset to discover the previous owner failed to seal our deck last year. It is now a mess! We don't want our beautiful deck to rot away and need to strip, stain and seal pronto. This was not a project we had anticipated and it will likely require a lot of effort.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think my mom and I will visit the garden centre on Saturday. I may be sorely tempted but I'll probably wait another week before buying flowers. (We had a frost advisory last night in Calgary!) It will be fun the look, though.</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-2830775857714116912009-05-20T09:56:00.000-06:002009-05-20T09:56:00.587-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShOEJY02X3I/AAAAAAAABMo/-W4liSUSGa8/s1600-h/martha+stewart.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 128px; height: 160px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShOEJY02X3I/AAAAAAAABMo/-W4liSUSGa8/s320/martha+stewart.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337755280181976946" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Crafty Goodness:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts</span></span></div><br />If you love crafts and are looking for some serious eye candy, this is the book for you. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts </span>is a gorgeous compilation of inspiring projects and stunning photography. This is a must-read for craft enthusiasts.<div><br /></div><div>Imagine my surprise when I caught <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Ben</span> reading this book a few days ago. We actually shared a cozy moment leafing through the book together. My (secretly crafty) husband was especially inspired by Martha's section on punched tin and created the following project in response:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShOEJjwozjI/AAAAAAAABM4/TgzlJQGFsaU/s1600-h/salt+shaker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShOEJjwozjI/AAAAAAAABM4/TgzlJQGFsaU/s320/salt+shaker.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337755283117100594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShOEJleZVII/AAAAAAAABMw/m8UOecd_YtA/s1600-h/pepper+shaker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShOEJleZVII/AAAAAAAABMw/m8UOecd_YtA/s320/pepper+shaker.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337755283577459842" /></a><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShOFsv3IGNI/AAAAAAAABNA/UxNf-ktu67E/s1600-h/salt+and+pepper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShOFsv3IGNI/AAAAAAAABNA/UxNf-ktu67E/s320/salt+and+pepper.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337756987172591826" /></a><br />Ben used baby food jars to make these cute salt and pepper shakers. Not only that --- he also constructed a thrifty homemade light box in order to photograph them. Who knew I had married such a crafty dude?<div><br /></div><div>It just goes to show <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts</span> is a truly great book!<br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-22581127067973656112009-05-19T08:23:00.000-06:002009-05-19T08:23:01.092-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Mad Dash</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Here's a classic video from the Inkster family archives. Hope it brightens your day!</div><div><br /><br /><center><embed src="http://share.ovi.com/flash/player.aspx?media=beninkster.10016&albumname=beninkster.public" width="512" height="420" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></center><br /></div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-13738316719439784012009-05-18T15:58:00.009-06:002009-05-18T16:37:01.640-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShHaIYAT81I/AAAAAAAABL4/UxDNgpxWy5Q/s1600-h/greenmpm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 139px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShHaIYAT81I/AAAAAAAABL4/UxDNgpxWy5Q/s320/greenmpm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337286870828315474" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Menu Plan Monday</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">May 18, 2009</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>It's a cool and rainy Victoria Day here in Calgary. We did enjoy sun for the first part of the weekend, however. Ben and I accomplished lots in the yard (and did even more planning and dreaming for the weekends to come). It's been a great few days!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have some sad news to share. Last week my bread maker died. (Boo hoo!) I use the bread maker often and am quite upset. I did have a couple weeks warning of the machine's impending demise, thank goodness. I decided to learn bread-making the old fashioned way and have made a few (successful!) batches of <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Milk-and-Honey-White-Bread">milk and honey bread</a>. (I changed the recipe slightly and used 50% whole wheat flour.) I've also discovered that my bread machine recipes are fairly easy to adapt. Maybe, just maybe, I'll learn to live without my handy machine.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's our menu plan for the upcoming week:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Monday:</span> No cooking! (Supper with my parents)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday:</span> <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Meaty-Noodle-Casserole">Meaty noodle casserole</a>, fruit salad</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShHeWJupikI/AAAAAAAABMI/eMYyDFmbtF4/s1600-h/meaty+noodle+casserole.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShHeWJupikI/AAAAAAAABMI/eMYyDFmbtF4/s320/meaty+noodle+casserole.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337291505560816194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday: </span> Encore performance</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday:</span> Soft tacos with beans, veggie fixings, salsa</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Friday:</span> Chicken skewers, <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Baked-Beans-with-Pineapple">baked beans with pineapple</a>, <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Poppy-Seed-Tossed-Salad">poppy seed tossed salad</a></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShHfumvBcMI/AAAAAAAABMQ/ka2G341rXh8/s1600-h/poppy+seed+salad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShHfumvBcMI/AAAAAAAABMQ/ka2G341rXh8/s320/poppy+seed+salad.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337293025175498946" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday:</span> Clean out the fridge</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday:</span> No cooking! (Supper with Ben's parents)</div><div><br /></div><div>I also plan to do some baking this week. Here are the treats I hope to make:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShHgWXM8_dI/AAAAAAAABMY/FemOwUarTf8/s1600-h/crispy+pretzel+bars.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShHgWXM8_dI/AAAAAAAABMY/FemOwUarTf8/s320/crispy+pretzel+bars.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337293708200836562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Crispy-Pretzel-Bars">Crispy pretzel bars</a></div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShHhCvyrktI/AAAAAAAABMg/BRbsil0a5vI/s1600-h/oatmeal+raisin+cookies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/ShHhCvyrktI/AAAAAAAABMg/BRbsil0a5vI/s320/oatmeal+raisin+cookies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337294470715773650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Oatmeal-Raisin-Cookies-2">Oatmeal raisin cookies</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For more menu planning madness, check out Menu Plan Monday on <a href="http://www.orgjunkie.com/">Org Junkie</a>!</div><br /></div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-32269148399382675272009-05-15T09:40:00.002-06:002009-05-15T09:42:20.664-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">You Know It's Time to Lock the Cabinets When ...</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>... you catch the one-year-old eating out of the compost pail under the kitchen sink.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ugggh.</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-55027531834697642472009-05-14T16:21:00.004-06:002009-05-14T17:04:00.010-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mr. Sun, Where are You?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Ben and I have BIG plans for the long weekend. (Big plans to work on the yard, that is!) We have our fingers crossed that the rain will dry up and we'll finally see some sun.</div><div><br /></div><div>A couple weeks ago Ben edged our flower beds and filled them with mulch. They look great --- except for all the grass and weeds now poking through! Yuck! We did not use a weed barrier because I thought I would plant some flowers. Guess what? Plans have changed and "low-maintenance" is the word of the day. This weekend I plan on scooping out the mulch, laying down weed barrier, and putting it all back together.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Ben has a project of his own in the backyard. After weeks of deliberation (and seeing the soggy results of recent downpours) we've decided to build raised garden beds. Last week Ben dug the foundation for the beds along our back fence. We plan to use landscaping ties to build up the garden. This is our most ambitious yard-improvement project to date, so we'll see how it turns out!</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, I booked Green Drop to look after our lawn. To tell the truth, I'm not sure how I feel about the decision. I certainly look forward to green, lush grass. Will it be worth the expense? I guess time will tell. Ben is the first to admit he is not a "lawn guy" and our poor grass could use some TLC. The bigger issue is the chemicals, though. Green Drop offers a 100% organic program (and it costs the moon). We've gone with their standard program of aeration, fertilization and spot-pesticide. (Green Drop will not spray the entire yard with weed killer.) Ultimately, Ben and I plan to lay paving stones over most of the backyard. (Who needs grass when we have a gigantic field out our back gate?) Maybe lawn maintenance will be less of an issue in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the next week or two I look forward to making our yard "pretty". I have four flower planters and plan to hang some baskets on the deck. We'll stick with easy, colourful flowers like petunias. The kids and I will also plant our veggies (providing the raised beds work out). The following book has been a great source of information and I highly recommend it:</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/Sgyh3uazVcI/AAAAAAAABLw/eR3wGjifANc/s1600-h/veggie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 111px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/Sgyh3uazVcI/AAAAAAAABLw/eR3wGjifANc/s320/veggie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335817637252519362" /></a>Phew! That looks like a lot! Ben and I are quickly realizing that yard work is HARD work.</div><div><br /></div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25220975.post-11738136733038477712009-05-13T11:00:00.001-06:002009-05-13T20:53:20.924-06:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Inspiration</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Inquiring minds want to know ... how did our six-year-old learn about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_coil">Tesla coils</a>? It all began when his father showed him the following video:</div><div><br /><center><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0KRja415Iwk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0KRja415Iwk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object></center><br /><br /></div><div>Feeling inspired, our son created this scene with Lego. (Look familiar?)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/SgpXVDrL0xI/AAAAAAAABLo/RXuwnVE4_lM/s1600-h/DSC00089.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/SgpXVDrL0xI/AAAAAAAABLo/RXuwnVE4_lM/s320/DSC00089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335172727849079570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/SgpXU94BVTI/AAAAAAAABLg/qyBSYzUzVJU/s1600-h/DSC00090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/SgpXU94BVTI/AAAAAAAABLg/qyBSYzUzVJU/s320/DSC00090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335172726292305202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/SgpXUoUAtSI/AAAAAAAABLY/_vs7pctip00/s1600-h/DSC00091.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gmfjpfRC8x8/SgpXUoUAtSI/AAAAAAAABLY/_vs7pctip00/s320/DSC00091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335172720504124706" /></a><br /></div><div>I suppose I should be thankful our son's fascination with Tesla coils hasn't gone any further than Lego and bad puns. Here's to hoping that's where it stays!</div>Lindsay Inksterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09813467186610890863noreply@blogger.com1