Orange Julia --- as good as the original and . . . my first Quiet Book page

I have been making the following for many years and can't believe I haven't shared it with you.

It's better than plain orange juice (which is great all by itself) and easily lives up to it's expensive commercial counterpart.  Plus it is quick and simple to make.

It's 6 p.m. and still 105 degrees outside.  When I finish this post I think I will go make up a batch.  How 'bout joining us?

Orange Julia

In a blender combine:

One-half of a 12 ounce can of frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed but not reconstituted
1 cup water
1 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
10-12 ice cubes

Place all but ice cubes in blender and mix. Add the ice cubes, a few at a time, until crushed. Serve immediately.

Peek-A-Boo Quiet Book Page

In my last post I mentioned the huge task I am undertaking -----  making 12 quiet books to leave for our posterity --- one for each of our grandkids to have for their children when that times come. 

When I first started making these 48 years ago, the page I am about to show you was simply a large felt face with felt hair and sewn on eyes and mouth. The mittens were also cut and sewn from double thicknesses of felt so the children could put their hands inside of the mittens and open them for peek-a-boo.

This time I found little mittens on clearance for 50 cents a pair, a little cheaper than the same amount of felt would cost.  I stitched them 3/4 of the way across the lower side of each cuff so they could put their hands in them.

I added the heart because it fit the "theme" and was quick and easy to do.

Instead of a face I cut  a clear plastic pocket from a heavy sheet protector (I used both sides to make it even more sturdy), and used a wide zig-zag stitch around three sides leaving the top open so a photo could be inserted.

Before I sewed the pocket on I inserted the little caption "My Family Loves Me" I made on the computer.

A Make-Up Magnet and . . . a Quiet Book?

Wow, I guess you would have to see my make-up basket to
truly understand how much I appreciate this.  

I just had to share this creative, simple, and relatively cheap make-up container with you. Thanks, Laura, for sharing it with "the world."

http://laurathoughts81.blogspot.com/2011/03/make-up-magnet-board.html

HOW I FOUND THIS MAKE UP MAGNET and/or 
THE JOYS OF SHARING

I happened on Laura's blogspot as I was searching for Quiet Book ideas.  Laura has made some terrific ones that she shows on her site.

Blogs, and Pinterest*  are wonderful ways to learn and to share.  I am very thankful for all who take the time to do so. I learn so much.

(*even though I don't know how to use it; even though our daughter, Heidi,  showed me how to use it, and  even added a few of my things; even --- in spite of all that---I quickly and completely forgot how to use it!)

In case you are not familiar with Quiet Books, let me describe.  It is a cloth book, usually made from felt, that contains quiet self-entertaining activities for toddlers and tots. Activities that teach as well as entertain. The books are not everyday books but kept for  special times when the child is required to be still, both body and mouth, like in Church, a meeting, a waiting room, etc.  Quite a challenge. Quiet Books can be a life saver for the child as well as the parent.

I made them for our children many years ago.

These days many of my friends are busy knitting or crocheting afghans and baby blankets, or quilting....quilts, to leave, carefully stored away,  for their great-grand posterity---Those that will still be coming after they have long gone.

What a great idea. Something I had never even thought of doing. Probably, at least partly, because I don't know how to knit, crochet or quilt. Even so, unless I am reading (which I love) I don't like to sit still. My new undertaking will solve that.

MY/OUR POSTERITY PROJECT

I know there will be many ways Dave will be able to help so it is our project.  Putting in grommets comes immediately to mind!


Back then, and still now, the books had bows to tie, shoes to lace, ribbons to weave, buttons to button and zippers to zip, etc. Also, back then they had clocks that had hands you could move and telephones with a cord and receiver so the child could dial the numbers and pretend to talk  Ooops! What kind of clock has hands these days? What is a telephone with a dial and a cord? The dawning of technology, as far as quiet books are concerned, was an eye-opener---maybe even a page-turner, if I can be so corny.

One daughter-in-law encouraged me to still include the clock.  I declined. We already know junior and high school kids that can't read an analog clock NOW ---- they will be ancient history in the futures of these quiet books. One of the sites' quiet book had a cute cell phone page and another had a microwave page.  Great for today and tomorrow.  Probably not great for the in-the-future tomorrows I am working towards.

I have purchased/found/adapted/repurposed most of the materials for 12 quiet books!! Yep, 12!  I figure the practical way to do it is to complete each page, 12 times.  Then move on to the next page.  Doing it that way will keep me from getting so bored I won't finish 12 complete books (I know I will get very bored before each group of 12 identical pages are done.

and

if I die before they are finished, each family will have at least a few pages, rather than a few families having a full book with others having none. I'm not anticipating this but I am a realist, today is my 71st birthday, and you just never know.

I have decided to make a sample of each page first so I can work out the kinks, and list and obtain the items still needed.

I will probably post them as I go along. As I have used ideas from sites and adapted them to fit my needs; hopefully my pages can be helpful to others.

and

I ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT. . . 

Sometimes, Simply Gail gets carried away.  As I've mentioned before, our oldest son, Romm, suggests I refer to myself  as Simple Gail.  (what a difference "ly" makes!) Maybe this project is one of those times.

I hope not.

A Little Prep Goes a Long Way Towards Cool, Refreshing Summer Drinks . . .

Ready to Enjoy in about a Minute!

It is 4:00 in the afternoon and 

our thermometer currently

registers 114 degrees!

(same as yesterday--same forecast for tomorrow) 

And the thermometer isn't in the direct sun!!

It doesn't take much time to chop fresh fruits and stock the freezer.  Whenever beverage-friendly produce is on sale I buy a lot. This week it was 30 pounds of bananas at 39 cents per pound ---  $12.00. The regular price of bananas range from 53 to 69 cents per pound, depending on the store.

We use frozen bananas as the base for the majority of our smoothies and icy drinks.

I know many people freeze bananas whole and break them up when it is time to use them.  I don't want my hands or our blender to work that hard! We do it simply by . . .

Using:

• quart-size zip lock freezer bags
• one wide mouth container to hold the bags upright if desired. (I like to fold the edges of the bags down, so the area to be sealed doesn't get banana goop on it.)
• one damp washcloth to wash said goop from hands, as needed.
• one knife

I thinly slice 2 bananas into each bag. After doing several bags, I wipe off my hands, and one at a time, lay each bag flat on the table, seal it about 3/4th of the way closed, and using the flat of my hand, smoosh the bananas. This spreads the bananas throughout the bag and pushes out the extra air at the same time.  I seal it the rest of the way. Stack the flattened bags and freeze them. 

To use, I bend the unopened bag back and forth to loosen the frozen bananas and break off the amount I need. When I am making drinks for the two of us I usually use the entire bag.

I also reuse the bags --- over and over and over. I thoroughly rinse them out, drape them over a faucet to dry, fold them and store them in an empty cardboard tissue box in a drawer.

Currently our favorite cool-off drink is simply one package of the frozen bananas and some frozen cantaloupe cubes blended with apple juice to achieve the consistency you like. 

I use different juices and different fruits and berries for   variety. Sometimes, canned pineapple. Sometimes orange juice.  Occasionally, unflavored sparkling water. You are limited only by your likes and your imagination! 

If you want more ideas, check under beverages in the recipe list on the right hand column of this blog.

FLAVOR YOUR WATER!

You can freeze lemon slices and add a few to a pitcher of cold water.  Fresh (not frozen) cucumber slices, added to cold water also makes a refreshing drink. Both are 100 percent calorie free.

I buy frozen raspberry pieces in 10 pound blocks, defrost slightly so I can  divide the block into portion-sizes and freeze them in the zip-lock bags.

Grapes are a delicious snack to eat frozen---or to garnish a slushy fruit drink. Simple wash and stem them and spread them on a cookie sheet and freeze. This keeps them separated after you bag them. 

BAG THE ICE!

We don't have an ice maker and I hate to bother with ice cube trays so I do the same with pebble ice. Pebble ice is what butchers use in their fresh meat displays. In our local store the pebble ice machine is actually located in the butcher department. Years ago, when I would ask to buy a plastic grocery bag full they would just give it to me. Now I buy it in the freezer section, right next to the other bagged ice.

I buy a large bag, divide it as above and freeze those bags. They are perfect!  Grab the portion-sized bag, bang it on the counter once or twice and the ice is back to its pebble form. (Even when I have left the large bag in the freezer for weeks before dividing it, it still easily breaks into pebbles. Not so with crushed ice.)

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

I am Simply, Gail and I hope you find my postings helpful.

  

Our gift exchange with our God

From Dave and Gail : We don't know how or when this got started but since it has worked so well for us for over 50 years, we want to share it with you.   

In spite of our deep love for, and friendship with, one another --- once in a while we each encounter little irritants in one another. 

You know, little things like, one puts the glasses top side up in the cupboard while the other turns them upside down, one puts the toilet paper on the opposite way the other thinks it should go. Sound familiar? Little unimportant things that some couples let fester. 

As they have occurred we have simply categorized each as an IN SPITE OF  (relegating them to their proper place of unimportance)  and go on with life.

As in, I love Dave in spite of . . . and Dave loves Gail in spite of  . . .

In happy marriages both the husband and the wife consider their relationship to be a treasure of infinite worth---Something to be nourished and strengthened daily. Their marriages are based on cooperation, not negotiation. 

Disagreements can be expected on occasion, as each spouse comes from different backgrounds and different ways of doing even simple everyday things. Discussion is the way to handle those times, along with mutually agreed upon compromise when needed. Arguing is nothing more than a power struggle!  

Recognizing that the most important work that anyone can do takes place in their home,  couples consciously turn off electronics and tune in together by making their dinner hour and the family time that follows the center of their day and the object of their best efforts.They share household duties, and share in getting their little children ready for, and putting them, to bed. Ideally, following that, the electronics stay off allowing the couples to share meaningful time together. 

Successful marriages are built on the foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and adherence to His teachings. Couples do not consider the commandments to be a buffet from which they can pick and choose only the most appealing offerings.

In happy  marriages transparency is a key element to that happiness. Ideally, couples should make all financial decisions together, both have access to all information; both keep their social media use fully worthy in every way with no secret Internet experiences nor anything that approaches the appearance of impropriety---either virtually or physically. 

Joy is gained when marriage is not a 50-50  relationship but rather a 100-100  --- one in which each spouse strives to give their best to the other. 

In fulfilling marriages husbands and wives treat each other with respect and as equal partners, making decisions unanimously, with each of them acting as a full participant and entitled to an equal voice and vote in decisions. At no time should it be a competition. 

Humility, (and repentance in partnership with forgiveness) maintains (or restores) harmony and peace. 

Consider the letter at the center of the word pride.  Pride is pure selfishness and the need to always be right. 

Humility is selfless, not selfish. It doesn't demand its own way or speak with superiority. Humility answers softly and listens kindly for understanding, not vindication. 

Working towards a great relationship requires each of us to realize, and accept the fact, that we cannot change someone else. With faith, effort, and the help of God, we can honestly examine our own self, and make changes in our own  heart and behaviors. Taking needed steps to improve ourselves improves our attitude and our improved attitude improves the atmosphere in the home as we strive to treat others, especially our spouses, as we want to be treated.

Our Lord has commanded couples to cleave to one another, or in other words to be completely devoted and faithful to one another. Couples, when marrying, should  leave behind their single life, establishing each other and their marriage as their first priority. 

Much of the above comes from  a talk by L. Whitney Clayton, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Dave and I, still very much in love and "in like" after 50 years, second everything he says.  If you would like to listen to, or read,  the complete talk simply click below

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/marriage-watch-and-learn?lang=eng

Part 7 - Gain Peace of Mind by Having a Complete First-Aid Kit for times . . .

when it will take more than a kiss to make it better!

This post concludes my "Just in Case" series. 

 I sincerely hope these posts have made a difference.

Your answers to the following questions will tell you if they have made a difference in your life: 

• Have you started thinking about what your family will need in times of need?

• Have you started taking steps so you will have the items on hand to provide for your family when the need arrives?

Getting started begins simply by doing just that, basically putting one foot in front of the other --- taking one step, then another, then another. 

• Will you continue gathering basic emergency needs until you have sufficient for each family member for, at the very least, three days (72 hours of basic survival amounts of food and water)?

Self-Discipline is the ability to carry out a resolution after the enthusiasm is gone!


If you missed the two (un-numbered) posts that introduced this series please go back and check them out. Actually, even if you did read them initially 

I ask that you look at Why are Realists Called Alarmists again --- Please! As one picture says more than one thousand words can say, viewing these emergencies are vivid, indelible reminders   of how fast things can change and how horrific these changes can be.

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2013/05/are-you-prepared-for-emergency-national.html

One thing we know for certain is . . . we never know for certain!

Simply Preparing for "Just in Case" Brings Peace of Mind gives a simple overview

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2013/05/simply-preparing-for-just-in-case.html

It really can happen --- you may suddenly find yourself in a situation that requires . . .

     more than a kiss to make it better!



Last year, as I began my  "What If . . ." series, I posted on the wisdom of assembling a comprehensive first aid kit "just in case."  

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-if-your-first-aid-cupboard-is-bare.html

Important Note: The supply list included in the below post was compiled about 30 years ago when, as a Church group, we assembled our kits.  Since the majority of the items are still "accurate" I didn't see any reason "to reinvent the wheel" as the saying goes.  You may not recognize a few of the old "stand-by" liquids listed but many are still available and still totally appropriate.  Your pharmacist will be able to advise you in this area and make suggestions/alternatives.

If you are creative you can save a lot of money in putting this kit together by 

• substituting, where practical, things you already have on hand*
• finding items in your cupboards that may be duplicates 
• going in with a few friends so you can divide and share

* Following are a couple of internet sites for making your own band-aids/bandages. There are numerous other sites if you want to search further.

The first one is an  excellent and extensive but simple tutorial from July/August 1995 Backwoods  Home Magazine, shows several different types made from used white bed sheets or similar white material and  "ace"/elastic bandage wraps from stretch-type pants. The second one teaches you haow to make an "ace"/elastic bandage wrap from athletic socks.

http://theamericansurvivalguide.com/a/c/BHM/Emergency%20Prepardness%20and%20Survival/Medical/How%20to%20make%20your%20own%20dressings%20and%20bandages...By%20Marjorie%20Bur.pdf


http://www.ehow.com/how_5892269_make-elastic-bandage-home.html


Being ready "just in case" brings peace of mind---the peace of mind that "will allow you to sleep when the wind blows" . . .



A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him.

A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace.

The young man slept soundly. The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well.

The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, "I can sleep when the wind blows." Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.

The story about the young farmhand illustrates a principle that is often overlooked about being prepared for various events that occur in life. There was nothing dramatic or sensational in the young farm hand's preparations -- he just faithfully did what was needed each day.

Consequently, peace was his, even in a storm.

It is that simple!

Part 6 - Gain Peace of Mind by Being Prepared If Women's Personal Products are Unavailable. . .

Uh-oh here comes Gail with another one of her unmentionable
posts. 

 A few days ago I  directed a long-time and long-time-no-see friend  to my blog for the recipes for microwave bread and butter pickles and Greek Yogurt.  Because of the date of our exchange (and thankfully just in time) I remembered to warn her that the first post she would encounter would be the one on "disposing of human waste."  I assured her it  was not my usual blogging topic.

The fact of the matter is  --- 

no matter who we are, at what point or station or circumstance in our lives  we all gotta go and for some --- flow.  And it is helpful if the under-discussed could be openly-discussed. 

Sanitary Hygiene Products were a  most welcome invention back in the day. What may surprise  many of you is 1) back in the day actually wasn't too many "days" ago and 2) necessary sanitary products aren't necessarily sanitary!

When I was just getting started, these products came in plain brown wrappers.  

If you want to learn more and, more importantly, want to learn of some alternatives just-in-case --- simply click on each of the following. 

This first one gives you some interesting history on where the commercial products all began and some back-then-frank-talk you will probably find amusing.

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/06/what-if-i-dared-discuss-feminine.html

This next post is the getting-back-to-the basic whys, wherefores and, most important, how-to's ------ just in case you want them or may need them. 

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-if-you-consider-going-back-to.html

I haven't even tried to give time-line assignments for this post but I hope you will give yourself some time to get past the yuck factor and consider the possibilities of  knowing how to go back to the basics ---- just in case. If you do choose to be prepared in this area I hope you will not put off preparing.

I am Simply Gail, trying to be down to earth  in broaching these basic plain-brown-wrapper subjects. Sorry Heidi, I don't feel it is TMI.

Part 5 - Gain Peace of Mind By Being Prepared When the Power Fails . . .

Isn't it amazing how much light remains in our homes when we turn off all of our lights?  

IF WE are the ones to turn our lights off!  

No so when the power shuts off, for whatever reason - - - a completely different situation.

Gone are the little glowing areas from our computers, televisions, microwaves, stoves, radios . . .

Gone are the street lights and multitude other sources of ambient light.

Unless there is a  moon, it is dark! So dark you can't even see your hand in front of  your face.

Qualifier: we lived on a remote atoll in the Central Pacific Ocean for six months. There are zillions of stars in the sky, so many, so close and so bright in those isolated areas they do provide some light --- even a few that cast a beam across the water. It was/is beautiful and beyond belief ---  that was there.

Begin Today: Inventory your flashlights and batteries. Inventory lanterns (and their fuel) and any other sources of non-electric light you may have on hand. Inventory your candles and and matches. 

Continue:  Organize what you have on hand, list what you need and purchase, as you can, enough so that you can feel prepared just in case . . . Be sure to include small flashlights, for each member of your family,  in your grab-n-go bags.  

Expand: As you see fit for your family and what you may need or find helpful. 

Our Supply Contains  ---- wonderful finds from the Dollar Stores!

• Glow bracelets/necklaces---multiples in each $1.00 package.
• Solar yard lights, again from the dollar store.  They are still going strong after a full year outside---still as bright as the more expensive ones in our neighbors' yards.

We have brought these solar lights inside when the power has gone off. They provide good and safe light.  If the power was still off the next day we would simply put them outside to recharge.  We have additional ones in storage that we haven't activated. Actually we did pull the little activation tab on two of the storage ones this season to see if they were still good and they were!

To use now,  they are great pushed in the dirt outside a tent when camping, inside the tent for a safe light, and for fun and/or decorative light in the house, even when there is power --- just in case for fun!

I have tried to put these just-in-case-posts in order of importance, which gets harder and harder to do, as I go along, because we each have personal priorities. Stored WATER is the absolute first.

Because we are who we are, because we love the security of being prepared, because we like to experiment  with things we can do/make ourselves and well, just because ---- we have expanded in this area.  If you would like to gain more light on the subject of light -----

How to Make Simple Five-Minute Matches for use in adverse conditions
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/search?q=matches

Safe, Quick to Make, Long-Burning Oil Lamps --- using fuel that will not catch fire --- vrom  things you probably already have on hand
 http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/search?q=oil+lamps

Guide to Lasting/Burning Times for batteries, candles, fuel and more
http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2011/08/alternate-lighting-and-cooking-sources.html

Once again,  I love to hear from you, and I respond to all appropriate comments. We are having so many spam problems  we have had all "anonymous" responses blocked.   If you want to contact me please do it personally through our e-mail address, listed in the bar on the right side of the blog.  Thanks for understanding.