Autumn Sausage Casserole

From: Make it Fast, Cook it Slow by Stephanie O'Dea

Family Rating: Different

I would not rate this as a "We didn't like it" or a "You've gotta cook this again!" It was good but falls in the different category probably due to the spices (cinnamon and allspice). The prep work involved cooking a pot of rice and chopping vegetables and meat. I did start the crock pot later in the afternoon than I should have. After an hour-and-a-half the carrots were still crunchy so I cranked up the heat from low to high. It cooked on high for another hour-and-a-half which was too much. The edges were a little brown and crunchy and overall the rice was mushier than I like.

What I'm glad I did:
I mixed all of the spices, sprinkled them over the chopped vegetables and meat, and tossed to thoroughly coat the veggies and meat with spice. The spices were distributed more evenly this way.
I used a granny smith apple which added a nice tart flavor.
I used golden raisins and the kids didn't notice. I don't like cooked raisins and even I didn't notice them.

What I would change:
I would like to try a different type of sausage (used Polska Kielbasa 'cause I love the stuff).
Cut sausage in fourths instead of halves. More likely to get a bit of sausage with each bite.
Slice the carrots thinner to reduce cooking time.
Possibly add the rice later to reduce overcooking.
I think this meal might be even better cooked in a sauce pan. Cooking the onions and carrots together (caramelizing?) would be the trick to taking this from "different" to "We would eat this again."

Women and Education

Ladies, whether you have a degree or not I hope you'll participate in my mini-poll. Men, chime in with your observations about the women in your life.

What part of your post high school education do you use on an everyday basis?

Has your post-secondary education been useful in specific situations? (ex: financially supporting the family, church callings, community or social participation, being an informed consumer, etc.)

Is there anything you wish you would have done differently in regards to post-secondary education?

Thank you for sharing your experiences!

Neti Pot Party!

Neti pot demonstration.

A year ago when I first heard of neti pots, I decided to buy one thinking it would be a great way to avoid sinus infections related to colds. For me that is the worst part of a cold...the lingering stuffy nose and sinuses that won't clear.

Procrastination happens.

This morning 7yo woke me complaining of an earache. She has had a bad cough and then yucky nose for about three weeks. For me, an earache is a sign that I'm on the mend. I know it sounds weird, but I've found that if I'm going to get an earache that is when it happens. Assuming 7yo's situation is similar, I gave her Tylenol and spent the day telling her, "Blow. No, blow harder!" (We avoided blowing the side that made her ear hurt.)

This evening the girls and I loaded up and drove to town on a mission to buy a neti pot. 7yo was happy to be in possession of the neti pot until we got home and mom announced we were going to have a neti pot party. Then the whining began. Yes, there was whining, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Of course she survived. 14yo sister came in afterward to demonstrate how to use a neti pot without the drama. And 11yo had to show the rest of them that she was game too. She generously left me enough fluid to try rinsing at least one side.

Yeah, I know. We shouldn't have shared the pot. But, we've all had the same bug recently and hey, we're family. We love sharing...even germs. c:

Learning to Read

This warms my mommy heart!

Just a day....

My eyelids pinged at 6:40am (way too early in my book). I decided I might as well tackle the dirty laundry which was overflowing into the kitchen floor. It's only 10am and the third load is ready for the dryer.

While I'm waiting for my pants to dry so I can go on a walk, I'm contemplating making a grocery list. Sigh. I don't really want to go to the grocery store today, but we are out of food I can make a meal out of. Hey, we're even out of milk! I'm combing over the last two menus from e-Mealz to see what I'm willing to cook and what the troops may be willing to eat.

I'm also pondering homeschool. I have some things I want to do, but we still don't seem to have enough time in the day to get them accomplished. I could turn into a organizational Nazi and possibly get them done, or I could accept that it isn't going to happen.

I also decided that I'm going to have to do teacher prep on Saturdays. There's just no way around it. I can study Biology while 14yo is in seminary but there is still more to learn. Participial phrases are making my head spin and I hear Egypt calling my name.

I hear the dryer buzzer.