Robin's Nest

Second day and two resolutions already broken...Well it could be worse I suppose. I could have broken every resolution and just gave up...But no I shall try again tomorrow. And so far Today the only one I broke was not getting dinner into crockpot. I have started researching Projects for birthdays for the children and grandchildren. In fact I found a pattern for slippers and started them but little miss ran off with my directions last night...and then unexpected company showed up and then it was time for bed...and then work this morning.  But all is well the girls are playing at number 6's house so I could have time to myself but apparently that is not DH plan for my new found free time. Well the girls had a wonderful time at Gigi's house. She got a new bouncy house and they got to play in it. That made their day. And I enjoYed not making dinner for them. Then it was time to settle in for bedtime that took longer than usual as they took a cat nap on the way home. But settle ...

It is the last day of 2015. I can't recall any year in the past that I have had new years eve off, much less new years day to boot! I need to get my list of goals written down and my plan of attack in place. One goal was to have all our laundry caught up by the first day off the new year. I am currently about for loads away from that goal. Another was to have the kitchen organized and all the containers matched with lids and took get rid of any without matching parts. Sorry to say that goal is still waiting to be fulfilled. Other things like meal planning and making sure all bills are caught up and paid on time will be a continual effort through the year. Patience is something else that I could use more of. As PJ comes off her medication I can see that she does need help settling down....and focusing.we had stopped the medication after she had been on a new herbal product that seemed to be working, however this morning...she Has been throwing herself around, screaming, repeatin...

I am pretty sure the answer is you don't...something has to give. Yesterday was DH birthday and the little ones were on me like white on rice, I did not get to spend any time with him at all besides having a slice of pizza and a piece of cake. So I thought since the little ones got up at 0200 and my hip is really bugging me any way I may as well get up and clean something. I will start with this pile beside DH chair and then move to the stuff behind the chair. While at work he called me wanting to clean the kids room,  I explained to him that I would get on that first thing tomorrow. He said I needed help with cleaning so I said what about doing the dishes or feeding the chickens? Of course he claimed those items were already accomplished, so I suggested there was certainly something that could be done in the main living areas that I would consider more helpful than their room.  I say this because the little darlings will mess the room back up in 30 seconds flat. And when ...

Yesterday our supervisor came to us to let us know that census is low and hours will have to be cut back. You could have heard a pin drop while she was in the room but as soon as she left panic was running wild. This morning a quietness gripped report that could be described as mournful. Then the whispers started and next thing you know the "what ifs" took over. As they worried and mumbled I tried to assure them it was just till census picked up. But you can't always predict what will happen and some folks just cannot "wait" they must know what will happen next. This next month should be interesting. Now back to the chaos that I call home. I was tired last night so I really was glad till have two crock pots full with something the family could have without much work on my part. One had northern beans, onions and ham hocks and the other chili on the less spicy side. The two kids opted for cereal lol. They are a little picky.  I wish I had taken a picture of the...

Here it is December 27th and I am still trying to get gifts in the mail! This Happens every year it seems...I have great plans to be ahead is the game but rarely do I actually get there.  In my house I am still trying to get caught up sorting through the chaos of every day life, never mind getting packages out to the post office! With that said I am finding very hard to resist the after Christmas sales. It is a very good thing I am having to work every day 6-2...or I would probably be out shopping every day! And with January being a no spend month I will be avoiding shopping for extras. I will keep you informed on how that is going...  my youngest of the thirty year olds had suggested that for Christmas next year there be no gift exchanging with anyone..to do with your own family as you want but that our get togethers be just that..get togethers to enjoy family not count gifts.  I am feeling inclined to agree. I really hate receiving gifts but I love giving gifts! So ...

Wow! I wish I could say I was really impressed with the bone broth... but I can't.  It seems like it turned out the right way in which it gelled but the taste is so blah...  Why would anyone pay $9 a cup for this?  In all fairness I am going to try some of the variations in the book before I bail on this idea.  After all I did make a gallon of it.  And there are three quarts in the freezer! I just finished bagging up the French onion bone broth and hopefully it will be better than the original... Now on to a better project.. the Christmas gifts for the residents. My five year old and my three year old helped me make 29 rice socks this morning. I had purchased a fifty pound bag of rice and it took almost all of that just to do that many. Now I have to make slip covers for them so that they can stay clean longer. above PJ places the sock over the canning funnel so she can pour the rice in easier this is her pouring the rice into the funnel ...

A few posts back I said I would post a picture of two of my favorite books both by Jonni McCoy well here they are These two books are so full of helpful information and some of the best recipes! I know you can find them on eBay and there are newer editions out there but I am partial to the editions I have. This is where the chocolate syrup recipe that I am going to share with you comes from currently Hershey chocolate syrup is $2.00 a bottle at the commissary. I can't speak for Wal-Mart as I have not looked for it there. But as a rule the commissary is a bit cheaper than Wal-Mart on name brand products. Well here goes.... Chocolate Syrup 2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup cocoa powder Stir these together in a heavy bottomed sauce pan to combine and get rid of any lumps in the cocoa Stir 1 cup cold water, mixing well, add 1/4 teaspoon salt Bring ingredients just to a boil over medium heat then take off stove and allow to cool. Once cool stir in 1 tablespoon vanil...