Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A day in the life

I consider myself a fairly boring person, although people tell me I’m interesting.

I beg to differ with them.

I’m sure a psychoanalyst could have a field day with me, my vacuum and cleaning issues, and my many annoying habits. Ok, that last one is from my husband. I think I have very few annoying habits, actually. I’m fairly certain that I’m perfectly sane, although I do know I must have many faults. Everyone does, right? Anyway, I put the fun in dysfunction, as far as I’m concerned.

So on that note - here are a few photos of my perfectly uninteresting day. I know. You’re thrilled. You simply must try to control yourselves, you know.



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My drive to work. God, I am such a good photographer. I had the camera with me this morning because I was taking photos of the kids at school. I think it’s more important to drive, however, than to see if the camera is set right.

Please note that I rarely do this. And I was only going about 18 mph.

Got the film stock texture {here}.



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Portrait of my favorite mug. This was given to me as a gift by one of the kindergarten teachers at school who found it at Anthropologie a couple of years ago. It’s a teeny tiny mug that only holds about a half cup of coffee which is all I ever have at school. Too much coffee makes me jittery. And we can’t have that.


I ended up taking 60 shots today. My downfall is that I have so much else to do that taking photos is often just another added chore. So I tend to try to get it done as quickly as possible. With young children, this actually works out best. I go right into their classrooms and take them sitting at their desks.



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The highlight of my day was taking the photos of the little ones. How can your heart not melt from their smiling faces? This is the daughter of one of our fourth grade teachers, (and my friend), Tara.

I take photos for our two Spotlight boards on a monthly basis. We have one in Lower School and another by the main office. This month we are highlighting the entire freshman class. I’m sure they absolutely love having their photo taken.

Not.

But I make it fun.



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Taken out my front door when I got home this afternoon. It’s snowing!! But nothing was laying yet.

As of this writing, it’s stopped snowing and we don’t even have an inch accumulation on the ground but it’s really cold out there. Doesn’t look promising for a snow day tomorrow.



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Tulips in the kitchen. Spring is on its way, right?



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Tonight I made pasta sauce and served it over spaghetti squash. I’m doing fine on the no wheat/gluten-free diet I began 2 1/2 weeks ago. I don’t weigh myself but my clothes are definitely fitting better. Going off bread and pasta and crackers and all that hasn’t really been too much of a hardship at all.

I bought a couple of new cookbooks and am anxious to try out the recipes. They just came today, so I’ll keep you posted. Meanwhile, this is an easy meal I’ve made a couple of times lately.

Quick pasta sauce: Pour a little olive oil in a saute pan and add a half of an onion (chopped), and some peppers (chopped). Saute on med. low heat, then add sliced mushrooms and turn up the heat just a bit. Cook until mushrooms begin to brown on edges, then add 1 can diced tomatoes (drained), then a little oregano, basil, rosemary. Heat through. Then add about a cup or more of your favorite jarred pasta sauce. (I use Paul Newman’s). To this, add about a tsp. of sugar, and about a half Tbsp. of grated parmesan cheese. Stir in, then lower heat and simmer, covered, for about 20 min. or so. 
Serve over spaghetti squash. 
To cook spaghetti squash: Preheat oven to 375. Cut squash in half lengthwise. Place in 9x13 baking dish, cut side down. Add about 2/3 cup of water and bake for about 45 minutes. I think it’s easier to remove the seeds after it’s cooked. Then gently scrape the squash with a fork, then a spoon into a bowl. Use potholder – squash is hot! Season with butter, salt & pepper if desired. A good substitute for pasta.

: : :


If you’re trying to eat gluten-free, or just want some healthy alternatives, check out the Gluten-Free Goddess website. I love her writing style, her photos, and her deliciously healthy eats.

Gluten-Free Goddess

Hope your day was a good one. Only one more day and then . . . it’s Friday. Woot!

Until tomorrow, then?

123 Signature[5]

ps – and if you know of other websites that feature no wheat/gluten-free, feel free to shout it out in the comment section.

40 comments:

Hilary said...

I feel the same way sometimes.....and wonder what the heck.......people actually keep coming back???
I guess to ourselves, we are not very exciting.....but maybe to those looking in, we are.
Who knows?

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

I loved peeking into your day! I'm catching up again and was so glad to read that your DH got a good report on his MRI. You must have melted with relief.

Stay warm... still no snow here in the Shenandoah Valley!

Grace

Deb said...

sounds like a busy day...your dinner looks good...

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

I like to think I'm interesting, but who knows!!! LOL!!!! I've never asked . . . maybe I'm afraid of the answer! LOL!!!

Love the photos, especially the little girl, such a sweet face. She reminds me of my niece!

Your dinner looks great, and I may try it this weekend! My husband took me out for Mexican to celebrate the last day of teaching a middle school class from hell!

Cheryl said...

Loved peeking into your day. I am waiting for snow up here.... Please send some!!!!
It's a great idea to snap your day. I may try. I do believe that not much will be going on.
Enjoy tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

No snow here in Northern Illinios. Love the white tulips. I have a mason jar full of daffodils on the kitchen table that remind me that Spring is coming but I still wouldn't mind some snow. :)

Debbie from Illinois

P.S. I adore your Blog

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

You realize we could make a killing off t-shirts and other assorted paraphernalia with the "I put the fun in dysfunction." Too funny.

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

I love spaghetti squash. I think the hardest thing about squash is cutting it!

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Going off bread, pasta, and crackers would put me over the edge! I'd have to trade macaroni for Marlboros or something? You are one tough cookie, keep up the good work!

spindrift,maine said...

You are a funny woman, Kate. And that's interesting right there! I've been wondering about the wheat thing. I'm glad you are doing it with relative ease. I really love rice noodles in Japanese food. In a pinch, I have used them with non-Asian food as well. Do you think they would be "legal" on this food plan? No way could I go cold turkey on pasta. Brownies would be bad enough. ;o)

Country Girl said...

Thank you, everyone. I often respond to people directly through my e-mail but some don't have their addresses enabled. So I just want to say "thanks".


~ C.G.

Candylei said...

Our snow started before 11:am! I'm thinking school will still be on time tomorrow. Your tulips are gorgeous!! Our daffodils are above ground reaching for the sky.
I was reading a newpaper called Maryland Woman's Journal or something similar and it told about wheat/gluten products attacking the small intestine so people can't absorb all of the nutrients we need. Eeek! You are doing the healthy thing! Have you heard of the raw food diet? No dairy, no meat, but lots of fresh vegetables, nuts, etc. Nothing is cooked out so all of the goodies are there for you. Some people go 90 percent raw and may eat fish or meat only occasionally. ;-)

JacksDad said...

I commend you for being able to stop eating bread. The bakery close to my house would make that almost impossible for me!!

Caroline said...

I love your random shots. Oh goodness, I have been taking photos of school kids for the past 2 weeks...I am tiring of it!!! LOL. Will check out the gluten free goddess...sound fun!

The Weaver of Grass said...

One of the very few sad things about being retired is that Friday is much the same as any other day!

Need A Latte Mom said...

Enjoyed your post today...
the snow picture is very calming.
Happy Thursday!

Anonymous said...

Thank you! It has been a crappy (literally) morning and it's only 9:15. Messy dog, carpets that had to be spot cleaned, etc. However I read your entry & viewed your photos for today and I smiled a little/felt a little less stressed. Life ain't for sissies however you help make it a better day.

The JR said...

I believe everyone has a few annoying habits....makes us unique.

Mental P Mama said...

Yum!!! We didn't even get a single flake...

Linda said...

YOU may consider myself a boring person but, it's the way you photograph and retell it that makes it interesting to me.

abb said...

No snow here. NYC had flurries, tho.
I feel so much better when wheat isn't part of my diet. Interesting theories out there about why so many folks don't tolerate wheat well. One of them is that the "wheat" of today doesn't even come close to what it's forebearers are.

Anonymous said...

I love seeing your life. Mine is boring to a lot of people too, but I love it the way it is.

I posted tulips on my blog the other day too, from the botanical gardens a year ago. My readers loved it.

There are a number of gluten free blogs out there. I'd suggest using Google to see what comes up. I did gluten free for a while and then found it was flour in general I had a problem with, not wheat.

http://livingtheseasons.com/2012/02/07/iphone-photography/

Nancy

Skogkjerring said...

Are you allergic to gluten or is this just a fad diet you´ve heard of? I can´t imagine giving up my pasta and such..I´m such a carbo-holic! Although it is definitely a positive to cut back on them, I just can´t bring myself to cut them out completely. UGH...be still my heart!

you know it´s ok you´re boring...we´re all a little boring so it´s fine that you are too. :-) Makes you normal I guess...or maybe we´re all unnormal...is that actually a word in English? Ugh, Lord...I´m so embarrassed by my English after 17 years in Norway!
I´ll stop here before I embarrass myself anymore! Have a great evening Kate!

Bluebird49 said...

We had snow close to West VA at our son's house. Grandson had to have tonsils out today--and thankfully, all went well. (You know how grandparents get over their grandchildren going in for anything!) So--we had enough snow to enjoy and admire, and watch melt in the same day. But---since it was the first I'd seen all YEAR--it was a good thing.
Wonder if I had a really good vacuum cleaner--would it make me like vacuuming? uh.forget that...

Beth said...

This is a great site, http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/

She does everything in the crock pot and gives gluten free directions in a lot of the recipes.

Hope you find something yummy.

Mary said...

Aw, I remember taking pictures in school when my kids were little. Always fun!

I've been eating so many more vegetables since I gave up wheat (and sugar, too). At the moment, I'm loving broccoli with olive oil and garlic. Yum. :)
xoxo

tamikamaria said...

http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/

She also has a cook book (Well Fed) that is fantastic.

My other favorite is nomnompaleo.com. Some awesome gluten-free food porn there.

JaneK said...

you are interesting and don't you forget it!

Hilary said...

I love using spaghetti squash as a faux pasta and that sauce looks yummy. The kidlet is adorable.. such a sweet, bright face.

Jill of All Trades said...

One person's boring is another person's interesting!

Unknown said...

boring might just be contentment in disguise....maybe?.....smiles

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful photos, and the little girl looks adorable!

And of course you're interesting; that's why you're one of my favourite bloggers!

CJ x

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Darn winter hasn't given us any snow days either...but at least they won't be going to school making it up half the summer.

You are interesting. I know so. :)

Daryl said...

As soon as the birthday cake is gone I am back on the no carb wagon .. you know I have to keep eating it til its gone ..

Kerri Farley said...

I've thought a lot about trying the spaghetti squash - its so much healthier than pasta. Maybe I'll put that on my list for this weekend.. Although I'm not sure my list can take much more added to it :)

Your tulips are lovely and the shot of the snow coming down is AWESOME!

Happy Friday my friend!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

THis sauce sounds delicious! and can you believe I've never had spaghetti squash? ...

I have tulips on my kitchen counter.

mrs mediocrity said...

You had me at "I put the fun in dysfunction..." snort
We all have our foibles, what a boring world it would be otherwise. And you always crack me up.
xoxo

Lili said...

Loving those white tulips! You are so much fun! xo ~Lili

beth said...

you are so far from boring and i know you could entertain the pants off me....WELL, NOT that you'd want me without my pants, but, well......AACKK you know....xoxoxoo

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

We had a wet snow that lasted only the morning! The temp is not that low, but it feels raw and cold. I cannot wait til May so I can plant flowers and get outside!
I'm going to have to try the recipe in your previous post! I do LOVE spaghetti squash--have been tinkering with the idea of going gluten free just to see how I do. So what do you have for breakfast? No toast, cereal, fiber bar--what in the world would I eat?
V