wall-e

Chad went on a 125 mile bike tour this weekend. I'm so happy for him! He has wanted to do this for a loooong time. Unfortunately, he's being pelted with rain, and there is NO shelter in the middle of Nowhere, NM. So, the girls and I are having a girlie weekend complete with toenail polish, princess movies, a dinner out and a real movie in a real movie theater. I have wanted to take the girls to see WALL-E and this was the perfect opportunity.

First of all, we loved it (save the 2 potty breaks and tiny meltdown quickly quashed).

If you haven't seen WALL-E the basic premise is this: earth has become a giant garbage dump filled with the discarded byproduct of humanity's consumerism at the behest of Buy N Large (I am pretty sure this is Allway Artmay (I don't want some corporate lawyer coming after me). So humans abandoned the planet to an army of clean-up robots. Hundreds of years have pased and only one is left, WALL-E. He is a lonely little guy, with only a VHS copy of "Hello Dolly" to keep him company -- until humans send a robot probe to who discovers that life is again possible on earth, allowing repopulation. They become friends. Meanwhile, humans have become completely dependent upon robots and machinery; B n L takes care of them from cradle to grave. They are (pardon the term) fat, lazy and without any ambition. Long story short, the computers are overthrown, humans regain their ambition and repopulate earth, starting from scratch.

I thought for sure that the girls would just remember the cute little robots and their funny antics. Given this is a PIXAR movie, I knew it would be very funny, and it was. But, when I asked them on the way home what the movie was about, Smart Cookie Ingrid said, "don't buy too much stuff." HALLELUJAH!

Consumerism is a challenge that we really struggle with. When we moved from Almost Canada, ND to Almost Mexico, AZ, we dumped about 1/3 of our stuff via a really successful garage sale. We often talk about our "'Almost Canada' Mindset", and our desire to maintain the attitude.

We've tried to scale back here, going back to essentials on our shopping list, using safer cleaning chemicals, cooking from scratch, Chad's biking to work, starting a modest garden (which we want to expand this fall).

As most Christians know , Jesus talked more about money than any other topic. The reason of course is because stuff can become a slave master, and a hard driving one at that. Think about how greed, unchecked desire, gluttony, etc. consume every part of our life. We work too hard to earn extra money, thereby neglecting our families, drive bigger vehicles that we now can't afford, bigger homes than we need, eat fast food meals because we didn't have time to cook at home because we worked too hard to buy the stuff that we want, and the circle goes round and round...

Now I know this problem is way more complex than I've stated in one little paragraph. I type this as I'm watching a Disney movie that the girls wanted to rent at Blockbuster on our nice TV...I know there are plenty of extenuating circumstances. People's lives are complex, not simple. Moms DO have to go back to work for lots of very good reasons. Dads DO have to work really long, hard hours to make ends meet. Children do love princesses, pirates and dragons, and the DVDs about them -- it brings them joy. I'm not saying we all need to "live off the grid".

But WALL-E did slap a little bit of sense back into me. I will think twice the next time the girls ask me for that Disney toy/gummy/cereal/clothing tie-in to their next princess movie. After all, aren't I more "socially conscious" because I shop at Argetay instead of Almart Way? HAAA! Nope.

first *real* sourdough

Here is today's bread project: hearty European style sourdough. I started this process (not counting creating the sourdough starter) on Wednesday morning by building up my starter. I created the sponge on Wednesday night (a portion of starter, water and some flour, which sat on the counter for 12 hours). On Thursday morning, I kneaded the actual dough, adding into the sponge the full amount of flour - 4 kinds! spelt, rye, white bread and whole wheat - and salt to the the sponge, and stuck that dough in the fridge to slow rise for 24 hours. This step is where the sourdough really develops its taste and tang.


This morning (Friday) I took it out of the fridge, formed a boule' (round blob) shaped loaf and let it sit on the counter for 5 hours. Baked. Cooled (yes, you have to let it cool!!!!!).

Click for the method and recipe

I waited the full cooling time -- went out for Chinese food to get away from the temptation of cutting it open. Pretty nice even crumb. I tend to like bigger holes, so I'll experiment with hydration percentages next time. Very tangy! Definite sourdough taste! Interesting other flavors. I don't know that I've had spelt before. It lends a very distinctive taste. Kind of like pumpernickel (is there spelt in traditional pumpernickel?).

friday fun

I cut up a canteloupe for snack today. I had chunked up the first half and was called away for something. I came back and "somebody" just couldn't wait. I love the perfect little bite mark.

I'm always scrounging for crafts, so I thought I'd post this idea for other scrounging moms. It was fun, and took about an hour. (Aren't there just some days when the LENGTH OF TIME of the craft is just as important as how cool it is?) I just cut out butterfly shapes from foam sheets I got at Michael's. The shapes were just bits and pieces from those bags of foam shape stickers that are always on sale there.

Our tree fell over during last night's strong thunderstorm. I had just taken down the stakes this week. Glad I kept 'em. I called the local knowledgable nursery and they said I didn't do wrong unstaking the tree (they don't even like staking trees) but that mesquites only send out roots as far as the water moistens the soil. There is only one drip emitter on this tree and it is right next to the trunk, hence a very underdeveloped root system. We're going to have to cut into our front yard and add some emitters (not a hard job). We have to restake it asap as it looks like there's another whomper storm coming. And the local weather guys all thought the monsoons were done for the year...you can never second guess God, huh?

10 things for which I am thankful

Not in any particular order...

1. my robust sourdough starter

2. the cooooool thunderstorm last night

3. my cawfee tawk time with Kellie A.

4. that Chad is home today and monday

5. that our beautiful mesquite didn't break when it fell over during last night's storm

7. online Bible websites

8. the cool Chewbacca Star Wars bobblehead toys from "Old McDonald's" last night (yep, this crunchy granola mom occasionally takes my girls to Mickey D's because it brings JOY to their hearts!) (CORA, ignore this one!)

9. Ingrid and Ilsa having tickle wars with Daddy

10. Cook's Illustrated online http://www.cooksillustrated.com/ and Epicurious online http://www.epicurious.com/

angry update

I posted an update...if you read the original "angry" please read the update.

http://bikebookandbread.blogspot.com/2008/08/angry.html

Thanks!

six foot long purple rope

I think my blog entries have been a biiiiitttt toooo serrrriouuuusssss lately, so I offer up to you the most useless accessory in Almost Mexico, AZ: a six foot long purple wool scarf.

Two weeks ago I decided to teach myself how to crochet...it was truly a whim. I was driving down a major road in town, and saw a store I have passed a million times, Purls. I said to myself, "why not" and turned in. I walked out with a book, 3 skeins of wool yarn and a new hobby. My paternal grandmother crocheted, as do my husband's Aunt Joyce and my sister in law, Trina. Aunt Joyce has made quite a few things for me and the girls, including a darling dolly dress (which is on a big stuffed teddy bear). Trina had knit a really cute baby cap for Ingy when she was tiny, but has recently taken up crochet. I like how portable it is...I even took my purple rope to Starbucks last Tuesday morning. It even was the impetus for a conversation with the gentleman at the next table...apparently another "yarn lady" (who is quite skilled) frequents "my" Starbucks often. Maybe I'll hit her up for pointers.

This is my first project from an actual pattern. It is probably the easiest crochet pattern ever written, so I can't brag about it tooooo much. I do like how it accessorizes my favorite chair.

So now what is next? I think I'll start working on a dolly blanket for Ilsa to swaddle her baby dolly...she's constantly wanting to use one of Ingrid's dolly blankets.

angry

**UPDATE**

Ingrid did not have a happy morning. Understatement. I left her in the capable hands of her Pre-K teacher SCREAMING AND WRITHING on the floor. But you know what? I didn't get angry! I kept thinking about Eph. 4:26: Be angry and yet do not sin...

Some more convicting verses I read today:

Proverbs 29:22 - An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 - Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.

James 1:19 - This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger...

I loaned a book to a friend a while back on this topic. She's Gonna Blow by Julie Ann Barnhill is a very practical, Biblically sound, really honest book about this issue. Maybe it is time retrieve it. Here's link:

http://www.amazon.com/Shes-Gonna-Blow-Dealing-Anger/dp/0736915524

****END UPDATE 8/28/08****

I had a great time last night with my soon-to-move friend, Kellie. We talked about everything from big bugs to homeschooling, but of course, as the topic so often does, we landed on the subject of mommyhood.

My youngest daughter can go from sunshine and gumdrops to a Nearly Mexico, AZ monsoon in less than 3 seconds, and then back again. (My first Kirsten blogged about this amazing fact a while back.)

But this blog entry is about Mommy Anger. Capitalized In Red. It's strong, ugly and scary. There is something so amazingly frustrating about a 4 1/2 year old who sticks out her little lip, turns up her nose, stomps her little fit and firmly plants her fists on her hips and says, "I....Don't....Want....To....(fill in the blank)". I know, I know, I'm the adult, I'm the grown up one, I'm emotionally advanced and (supposedly mature).

But just how fast can I go from sunshine and gumdrops to a Nearly Mexico, AZ monsoon? In less than 3 seconds, just like my 2 1/2 year old. I'm indwelt with the Holy Spirit! I'm regenerated! So why is this happening? Because I'm still influenced by my black as black heart, my sin nature.

Kellie and I discussed how the lack Scripture reading has a great effect on our day-to-day living. For me, the first of the Fruit of the Spirit to shrivel up and spoil are patience and self-control.

I guess I had better open my Bible and start reading...Ingrid's fists are moving to her hips, and that lip is starting to pooch out. It's Pre-K Day and she...doesn't...want...to...go.

cuteness

If only every moment were like this one...

10 things for which I am thankful

In no particular order...but in technicolor...


1. Purple yarn
2. Rain, but no lightning and thunder
3. That my girls ask for bedtime stories from The Jesus Storybook Bible
4. Fettuccini and jarred pesto sauce from Costco = instant deliciousness
5. Keebler elf sandwich cookies
6. Paypal
7. Programmable coffee makers that have the coffee ready for me in the morning
8. Ilsa's homemade Kleenex box =====================>
9. The Olympics are done -- now I can go to sleep at a decent hour
10. Teddy, Baby Stella and Bum Bum

shelter from the storm

Okay, I'm frustrated...Ingy is begging to see Spiderman and Batman. She's 4 1/2. Frankly, other than the picture of the yellow and black bat logo and Spidey's face, I don't know that she even knows what she's talking about.

But I'm frustrated that these icons are even in her psyche. I'm frustrated that the parents of kids in her 4's and 5's class at church let their kids see these films. I'm frustrated that she thinks we are keeping her "out of the loop". We have explained over and over that there are some things that although not necessarily bad are just not for her due to her age, etc. She understands...and accepts this...until the next time a little buddy at church brings it up.

I knew we would never be able to shelter her completely, but I didn't realize just how pervasive the culture at large would be down to her little level. It makes me MAD! We work hard to "edit" what our girls are exposed to. We have kept the princess thing to a minimum (princesses are great, but can be all-consuming for many little girls); we have avoided Barbie (and hope to continue to avoid plastic dolls similar to her); books are still their favorite thing; they still love blocks and stuffed animals and coloring. We are determined to continue to filter their entertainment and the cultural influences that touch them.