Project Simplification Update

Three and a half weeks TV-free. Who knew it was possible? Don't get me wrong, there are definitely pangs here and there wishing I could pop on a show when it's rainy outside and naptime, and Allen keeps up with his Top Chef via the internet, but overall, we are surviving! We definitely have no intentions of being a TVless family for ever, but for now, it works. With the girls finally all in bed (hopefully for good this time), I wonder how we found time for all the shows they got to watch. Many post-work nights movie nights because my energy level was in the negatives and parenting seemed too difficult. Now it seems as though it's bedtime before we realize it. The girls don't even mention the TV anymore.

Our move from processed foods is also going well. We aren't a die-hard, throw-everything-in-the-pantry-away family (who really trashes a couple hundre dollars worth of groceries?!), so we are still eating the occasional processed item as we are working our way through what we have left. We have not, however, brought any new processed items into the house. I actually felt guilty drinking a Pepsi yesterday! I'm suprised at how quickly I am noticing some changes - fast food no longer seems all that appealing, even on the crappy days; my Pepsi-cravings are in check; slight weight loss. Spending less money and losing weight? What took me so long to jump on this?!

What could be next in Project Simplify? Can you even find the baby in this picture?!

An evening of produce and bread.

Although we are still awhile away from summer produce, we have still been enjoying the fruits of the fall/winter garden. The kale is producing marvelously, as well as the spinach. There is cilantro and chives popping up everywhere along with green onions that make great salad toppers. Today's pick included a little of all of that, along with some rosemary.

The rosemary immediately inspired me to try and reproduce one of my favorite things to eat... rosemary bread. A floury mess of children later, the bread is tucked in tight and rising.

The smell in the kitchen is already marvelous and the bread isn't even in the oven yet.

And the finished product:

I'm going to bed tonight looking forward to my fresh spinach salad with rosemary bread on the side tomorrow. Would it be odd to have that for breakfast?!

I definitely can't say enough about this beautiful weather we've been having. There is no better way to wind down after a long day in an office like coming home and swinging with my three lovely girls while Farmer Allen gets some much needed garden time in. And there is nothing like some sunny days to make me shutter-happy again...

Here are the girls and dogs enjoying some quality time. Mary Claire's new favorite past time: sitting on Sheeba. Luckily, Sheeba seems to enjoy it just as much!

Olivia also has a new favorite past time: talking to the dogs. She LOVES chatting it up with whichever dog is within ear shot. But of course, you can't disregard the housework just because it's beatiful outside. Thank goodness I have help...

Here's to more warm, sunny days!

The weekend

There is nothing more perfect than having beautiful weather hit at just the right time.... the weekend. Sunny and in the 70's. Perfection.


Allen was a good sport and helped me get the girls ready for a trip to Sam's (who doesn't love bulk shopping with three young kids?!) before heading outside Saturday morning. Although the tiller did not want to cooperate for the first half of the day, he still managed to get a decent bit done. The garden push is definitely on. Less than 60 days until the first farmer's market. Daylight savings time couldn't have come at a better time.... except the whole turning my children's schedules upside down. I never knew what a difference 1 hour could make until I had babies who don't understand that by simply resetting all the clocks, it is officially bedtime an hour earlier. And that they should be sleepy by then.

In other farm news, the new chicks we got over a month ago are doing very well and getting big. The blue silkies are gorgeous. We should be getting eggs in from them shortly. The chickens from last year are starting to pick up on production, so we are finally getting enough to start selling again.

And once again, I leave this post promising to post pictures from the weekend.... slightly late.

The TV's officially left our house on Saturday. I think my favorite part is the quiet in the evenings after the kids have gone to bed. Who knew our house could be that quiet? We aren't even a week in yet, so I know better than to be too bold in assuming what a great job we are doing, but so far, things are going smoothly. Our bank account is seeing noticably less transactions, the kids aren't begging for TV, and some organization is starting to get accomplished. Oh, and our trips to the library have already increased exponentially. We have also upped the amount of cooking, baking, and eating. Sadly, while I have been without my soft drinks for days now.... I miss them. A lot.

I am daydreaming about fresh summer produce on a regular basis now. Sauteed squash, tomato sandwiches, cucumbers with Ranch dressing... be still my stomach. Heart. Whatever. We are also counting down the day until the Old Town Farmers Market opens back up (and crossing our fingers that our garden doesn't decide to make a laughing stock out of us our first year in!!).

I took pictures of the house. I planned to post them. They are a little insight into why I am so dead-set on de-cluttering. They are slightly (more than slightly) embarassing. That's why I don't feel too bad not to be uploading them with this post. Maybe later! Or maybe I'll just declutter and invite you all to come over for dinner.... Thanksgiving dinner.... might be decluttered by then.....

Simplify

sim·pli·fy
verb \ˈsim-plə-ˌfī\
sim·pli·fiedsim·pli·fy·ing
Definition of SIMPLIFY
transitive verb
: to make simple or simpler: as a : to reduce to basic essentials b : to diminish in scope or complexity : streamline c : to make more intelligible : clarify


Simplify: an on-going conversation between Allen and myself since the beginning of time… Living the sustainable life. Providing for ourselves and not partaking in the commercialism. And we’ve done ok. We live in a small house. We don’t go out to eat often. We don’t have a million TV channels. We provide a good portion of our own veg and all of our eggs. We pat ourselves on the back because compared what we consider "the American Standard," we live a fairly simple life. But, we want to hold ourselves to a different standard. Our own standard. And so the simplification beings….

Step one: Our lowly basic cable and Netflix plans have both been cancelled. Over the weekend we will be moving our TV’s out of their comfy homes in our den and bedroom and out into the cold, cold garage. Television…you will be missed!

Step two: A lowering in our consumer intake – buying less (especially if it creates much waste like individually packaged drinks or foods). We plan to stick to the basics buying only what we need and cooking at home. There is no clear-cut plan for what we will/won’t buy, just the question of whether or not we can do without it. And I for one am really hoping that I can do without High Fructose Corn Syrup. Goodbye, my friend, goodbye…..

We don’t expect all of this to come about overnight. It’s a process. I’m hoping by putting it in writing, I am making myself accountable. Please – hold me accountable! We look to turn our energy away from TV, away from the clutter, and to the family and the farm. And the blog, of course! That’s right – internet is staying (we can’t go crazy with this whole simplifying!) My hope is to weekly update on how we are doing. The next week and a half will be phasing things out – we aren’t throwing out those lovely sugary cereals and my lone Dr Pepper in the fridge. But we aren’t replacing them when they are gone. Back to the basics, here we come!