Purling Oaks

Journal Assembly - Day 1

I've been looking for a day-book/journal for the past month and a half.  I want to use it to record events that happened or what I did on a particular, not to keep to-dos or appointments.  Yes, I'm looking for a memory enhancer.  Of course, I could drop out of the human rat race, find a hammock on a thinly populated island in a warm climate, and be relatively sure my memory would be better for lack of stressors.  BUT, I think that approach may be a bit extreme.  For now.  Also, I want to see how I use my time and maybe make a few changes.  It is the most valuable thing I have and I know I'm not efficient.  I don't want to be nuts about being active all the time but I would like to be able to show I did more than look at Pinterest all day. 

My search found a wide range of planners.  One key focus was to have the same amount of writing space for each day of the week.  I don't know about you, but my Saturdays and Sundays are just as full as the other five days of my week.  Apparently, a lot of planner designers must have pretty dull weekends.  I also wanted the actual calendar day to be reflected without me having to record it.  Yes, lazy-are-me.  Finally, I wanted my daily journal to be relatively attractive.  

Today, being almost one-twenty-fourth of the year past, required a decision.  With the help of Bill at office supply store, I purchased a few items for a quasi-doitmyself planner.  I am using a Day-Timer 1-Page-Per-Day Planner insert.  It allows an a full day of space for each day and has some pretty colors.  However, I didn't want all the bulk of the binders available.  I am going to make a cover for my journal myself.  I'll let you know what I come up with.

 

Justified!

Hours spent browsing Pinterest.....JUSTIFIED!

'Twas the night before Christmas and, well, I was not in my 'kerchief nor was Dan in his cap.  We were returning from dashing through the snow to G'Ma S's house where we enjoyed Christmas Eve festivities.  I knew I need to bring a dish to our next stop tomorrow morning, but what?  (Yes, I did leave my plans open until less than 24 hours before the event.  I worked well under pressure, this time.)  For inspiration, I pulled out my iPhone to check my Pinterest boards.  Hmmm, the mexi-corn dip looked good....so we decided to stop in Columbus at the Pick N'Save and get the ingredients.  Oh you may have guessed my problem.  Being Christmas Eve, the grocery store had closed about 25 minutes ago!  Oh boy.  

Never fear, KwikTrip and Walgreens were open in Columbus..........although I had to make a few modestly creative substitutions.  :D  

Here's the resulting recipe that has been tested twice and won the Clean Bowl award each time:

Corn/Veggie/Taco Dip

One 7 oz can of Niblets corn, drained

1/3 of a 16.5 oz jar of Tostitos Chunky Salsa (medium) - drained a bit in a fine strainer

4 green onions, sliced thinly - both green and white parts

1/3 cup (or so) of chopped green pepper.  I also used a combo of red and green in one version-either works.

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mayonaise

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 teaspoon taco seasoning (I used Bold Taco from Penzey's)

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate at least two hours; overnight is better.  Serve with Fritos Scoops or some other sturdy-type chip.  The Pinterest version used a can of hot Rotel and a can of green chiles---things just.not.available at a KwikTrip or Walgreens on Christmas Eve in Wisconsin.   I do know that this version will be a must-do-again for me.

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I also made one of the cute projects I've seen on Pinterest - a little Clementine candle.  Since the pin did not link to instructions, I Googled "Clementine candle" and found the original reference and instructions.  I was entertained.....and it burned for about an hour.  Fun. 

 

I'm looking forward to what the new year will bring.  Six months ago, I thought I had a good idea of my immediate and mid-term future.  Ha.  Double Ha!  Have plans, my dear, but be flexible.  And healthy.  Healthy will take you places.

Happy New Year!