Diet??? What diet??? I have my big collection bag for *select* Halloween candies all ready to fill up! Sorry...dieter's rebellion sets in this holiday time of year. :D Ginger

This makes me hungry. I just made a pot of garlic cheese grits this week, and used a hunk of Velveeta and some garlic powder. So yummy. Ginger

Peppermint tea is a standard around here, and also having a squeeze of fresh lemon in water seems to help. I keep a bag of lemon or jolly rancher candies around to keep that 'awful taste in the mouth' away. So sorry for the bug hitting your place! Ginger

I would really recommend you go to the Five In A Row websight and look at the books they use for volume 1 and 2, especially. Wonderful read alouds, every one! Ginger

I wonder if it was her dentist? :D Ginger

Tonight we had rolls that were bought (shhhhh!) in a frozen bag. They were very small and required all-day rising, but were just heavenly. I have not frozen my regular bread dough, but would be almost positive that you could with no problem. Why don't you go ahead and make up a batch, and form it into loaf shapes and freeze one. Then you could (I am guessing here) put a frozen loaf in a greased pan and let it rise overnight or all day before baking. Ginger

My Mom just goes berserk when I tell her of our latest Goodwill finds, so I don't tell her anymore! She believes the used clothes still contain the *energies* of the previous owners. I wonder what those poor people are doing without their energies? :D She would recommend that I burn sage by them (smudge) to remove all that negativity! My goodness...nothing that a nice run through the washing machine with some happy soap won't cure! Not to worry... Ginger

That's one cool hound...but when he feels sad, does he howl in G flat? :D Ginger

http://www.famousfrenchdesserts.com/whole-wheat-french-bread-recipes.html

We shop at Goodwill weekly. Our local store is huge, and the turnover of inventory is staggering. Yes, we can afford to go to the mall or Walmart, but choose not to most of the time. The bargains you can find there are amazing! Just last week I found my husband an Eddie Bauer dress shirt, with the new tag attached, for $3.00. The kid's clothes are $2-$3.00 a piece, and you get so spoiled with the prices, it hurts to go pay retail. You just look until you find something in new or like-new condition, and you have a real bargain. You just never know what you will find there, so it's always an adventure. I consider it a blessing and really makes our money stretch. We also make big contributions to the store monthly, so it's a give and take relationship. :D Ginger

I love short grain over long any day...I just think it tastes better, and a bit softer. Basmati is our all-around favorite. Smells like popcorn when it's cooking! We had a nice big rice cooker full last night. I make double batches so we can have stir fried rice the next day for lunch. Love that basmati. Ginger

Did anyone see last night's 20/20 show? They were doing a segment on some man and his girlfriend...the man loves/lives among/lives like...the pack of wolves he considers his family. The reporter said the man has to keep his 'scent' the same, so as not to disturb the wolves. Which means HE NEVER BATHES...can you imagine?? What's worse is that the woman said it didn't matter to her! :eek: Ginger

Bless her heart. :grouphug: I know she may be acting out of deep hurt/loss/anger/frustration, but is she seeing any hope at all with her marriage? Is he able to talk rationally to her? He may not see any other option than to leave. Could there be any kind of connection that could be revived? Maybe he needs to do more soul searching to try and get to the root issues he is dealing with? His infidelity is an ugly symptom of a larger, deeper problem. He perhaps feels frustrated at work...weak and vulnerable...embarrassed...needing to validate himself...lost. It goes both ways. She is of course deeply wounded, but he may be, too. Is there any way they could seek the good council of a professional? Can they sit at a table and discuss things rationally? It would take a lot of prayer, but the Lord is certainly able to move mountains if we allow Him to. I remember a friend mentioning a book that really helped her when she was in this same situation. I think it was The Myth of the Greener Grass. (?) She and her husband revived a marriage that was dead and are now one of the most vibrant couples we know! I will pray for wisdom for your friend, and for you. Blessings~ Ginger

I would stick with the name brands of wheat since I think their harvesting procedures produce a 'cleaner' grain (less pebbles, etc.). As far as brown rice, if you soak it in the water for several hours before cooking, it tends to have a softer texture. I love to cook it (dry) with a bit of onion and garlic...maybe a few pecans... in some olive oil until it starts to smell delicious, and then add the water and some bouillon cubes for flavor. Lunberg (sp?) is a good brand. Ginger

Thanks...you are FAST! Ginger

Well, what do ya know...I googled Jon and Kate and found it. :lol:

OK...I am also completely in the dark, and this show sounds eerie and fascinating. What is the name of it? Thanks~ Ginger

Since you have so much grain to deal with, I would do this...I would clear out a shelf in my freezer, pour as much grain as I had room for into a clean pillow case, and put that amount into the freezer. After a week, I would remove that and set in another pillow case full. Slow, but effective. Ginger

I always put my new, unopened bags of grain in my deep freezer for a week or two. That way I know at least, if there are buggies, they will be dead. :D Then you can do a visual check and, if necessary, shake your grain in a colander to sift them out. So sorry it happened! Ginger

Thank you SO much, ladies...I felt as though I had permission (yes, it helped!) from tender voices to go have some *me* time, and I took it! I told the girls (9, 10 and 15) that I had a skirt that really needed a matching top, and they all said without hesitation, "Go, Mom, please go to town." I told them we really needed to do our school instead, and my 15dd replied, "Don't worry, Mom, I did most of today's work yesterday. I can do my algebra (2) while you're gone." :glare:My 10dd said, "Oh Mommy, you deserve a fun trip! But what about our art program? We always do our art program on Fridays! (smile...eyelash batting). To which my 9 dd replied, "Come on, we can play Nintendo instead!". They squealed. So I grabbed my shoes and hugged them all, promising to be back by lunch time. I had a wonderful time browsing...found that shirt and 2 sweaters, too, but still found myself watching the store front for *friends* shopping with their kiddos. :D When I got back, all 3 came running out to see what I had found. They were, of course, fine and dandy. The kicker was, "I hope you're not hungry, Mom, we've already eaten!" . Then they dashed upstairs to finish the movie they had started. So everybody is very happy. Hurray for Friday! Hurray for voices of reason! Thanks so much. Happy *time away* for you all! Ginger (who should have stopped for a hamburger on the way home! I'll be more brave next time. ;))

Thanks, y'all. I do need some fresh air...school/housework/ all the time gets sorta old. But, the last time I went to town alone (maybe a month ago) I ran into 3, yes, 3 friends...all of whom were transporting their children around so they could shop/have fun in town/be with Mom for a nice outing. All 3 said, "Where are the girls?". Gulp. Made me feel like a real heel to say they were at home while I did some quick grocery shopping. I just don't want the guilt, but I seem to be unable to shake it. Ginger (who is so glad it's Friday)

Good morning. I have been wanting a simple thing lately...it seems simple anyway. I want to go to town (we live in the sticks) and just have girl fun. You know, pondering the shampoo, smelling perfumes, looking at make-up, finding something for the skirt I have no matching top for, trying on new bras. I just want to go and have some alone time being me. The problem is that I feel guilty leaving the girls at home to babysit a puppy and stare at the walls while I am out having fun. We don't go many places, and I know they would all enjoy going to town to goof off with me...but it would be easier to go alone. They would be fine to stay home, but I still feel so self-serving to leave them. Thoughts? Ginger

Oooo, I think it's a good idea to suggest to him that (whatever) evening is date night. Sure, that can be at home, no need to go anywhere. Tell him that you desire him...his company...his full attention, for that hour or two. Tell him that your relationship/communication/unity are to take full control during your date time together. The Lord will honor that! He needs to know that *you* have needs for his undivided attention and have a God-given need for security and devotion. He needs to put the schedule aside and slow down his thinking. Hubbies want to change the world! He can, starting with his own home. It is not selfish of you to need to be noticed. Wear something nice...light a candle...serve a provocative snack. :D So please consider telling him that you both can be blessed mightily with a regular weekly date time. Sometimes hubbies try so very hard to 'handle' all their pressures and responsibilities, that they can't see the forest for the trees. So pick a night and circle it in red on his calendar. Ginger

Some people are just carb enthusiasts. For them, the Dr. McDougall program may be helpful. He bases his meal suggestions around lots of healthy starches, and then adds veggies and fruit around them. He has a 12 day meal plan with recipes on his site. Ginger

I love the way you talk! :) Ginger