Daddy's Home!

As I spend time focusing on prayer and gratitude, I find myself being thankful for the unexpected blessings resulting from Dave's job loss. Aside from God making a way for us financially, the biggest blessing has been having Dave around more! For the past 10 years, he's worked 50 hour weeks. He missed the fun of lazy Saturdays around the house with the kids and eating dinner together in the evenings. Some days, he'd leave for work before the kids were up and didn't get in until after they'd gone to bed. And the stress of the job put a tremendous physical and mental strain on him as well as the family. It's so frustrating to see someone one you love dealing with such crap day in and day out and not having any power or control over the situation. Towards the end, it got to the point where the precious time we did have together was difficult and frustrating as the job was never far from Dave's mind.

But now, I have my husband, my friend and my support back! And the kids are getting wonderful quality time with Daddy. The change in Dave's disposition has been remarkable. He smiles more, laughs louder and is more present - not just physically but also mentally. He has a new perspective on work, one which he'll take with him in whatever new opportunity God brings his way. When that new opportunity does come along, I know our schedule will change again. But for now, we are enjoying having Daddy home!

Heavenly Homemakers - Gratituesday

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 54:17

Grow Kombucha Mother - Check!

Kombucha Mother

I did it! I grew my very own Kombucha mother!

Look how lovely and thick she is!

The next step now is to allow the kombucha mother to ferment in a gallon of sweetened tea for 5 days.

Food Renegade - How to Brew Kombucha: Double Fermentation Method

Around the House

The dining room is getting a splash of color - Caribbean Sunset.

AND...

Somebody is finally getting the hang of the potty!!! Just when I thought I was going to have to send that boy off to college in pull ups LOL!

Harris Teeter Super Doubles

Made a quick trip this morning by Harris Teeter for the Super Doubles coupon event. I didn't have much on my list so I'm glad I found the stuff I really wanted!

3 Garnier Fructis stylers - sale 2.50 - 1/1 Q doubled = .50 ea
3 Dawn Pure Essential - 3.55 - 1.50/1 Q doubled = .55 ea
1 Bayer Low Dose aspirin (for my Mom) - 2.99 - 1/1 Q doubled = .99
1 Lifeway Strawberry Kefir - 3.59 - 1/1 Q doubled = 1.59

Total oop: $6.63
Total savings: $23.35

Momma's Salmon Patties

I've seen plenty of variations around of this salmon croquette recipe but I'm partial to my Momma's of course! She used to make these growing up and it was one of my favorite meals. I was happy when I finally perfected the recipe on my own.

Ingredients:

1 can Wild Caught Alaskan salmon

1 egg, local & free-range

1/2 - 1 cup organic sweet onion, diced

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

A few tablespoons of oil for frying - I've used olive, organic extra virgin unrefined coconut oil and butter before. Whatever is on hand.

1. Empty can of salmon in a bowl. Don't be alarmed by the flesh and bones! Speaking of bones, the bones are small and completely edible. I believe they even contain calcium and thus some health benefit. However, to suit our family's palette, I remove the bones. If you carefully separate the fish into chunks, it makes it easier to remove the backbones in one piece.

2. Using a fork, mash the fish.

3. Add in diced onion, egg and whole wheat flour. Combine ingredients.

4. Take a scoop of the fish mixture and form into patties.

5. Fry for a few minutes on each side until browned.

I usually sprinkle my cooked patties with a bit of Redmond Real Salt before serving.

That's it! Simple yet tasty.

Balancing Beauty & Bedlam - Tasty Tuesday

Our New Normal

Well, we have our first full day of thriving despite job loss under our belts. Our Father's Day was quite peaceful and relaxing. While Dave and the babies went out to get donuts for breakfast (a special treat), I spent some time outside on our back porch soaking up the warm summer sun. The breeze smelled so sweet and the warmth of the sun was like the tenderest of embraces. Dave loved the Kale & Sausage Frittata I made him for breakfast! I used this recipe but made changes according to the items I had on hand, all of which came from our lovely farmer's market. Later, we headed out to a nearby park to play with the kids. It was quiet and most importantly shady! We delighted in the swings, the slides (the twisty slide was really fast!) and explored the tree-lined paths and bridges. It also seemed fitting to me the name of the park was Optimist. Dinner was our favorite pizza buffet, followed by an evening stroll in our neighborhood. Reedy squealed with delight at the sight of the fireflies dancing across the yards. And so did I :) Later in the night, I came across the EWTN broadcast of the Holy Rosary. I prayed along with an old rosary I found buried in my nightstand. Meditations on the Glorious Mysteries - of hope, faith and perseverance.

It was a good day. Filled with a multitude of simple joys that a job loss can't take away.