Sweet Simplicity!

In my desire to simplify, I have been trying to reuse things for a different purpose.  In this case, it's orange juice containers.  I don't drink juice because it has too much sugar in it, but I know other people do.  In this case, it is my mother.  I asked her to save her orange juice carton for me.  She saved two of them because they were different sizes.  I cut the the top section off and now I use them to hold bags for me to pour things into.  As you can see, the top was not cut off perfectly in a Martha Stewart fashion.  I'm trying to get away from the perfection thing too.  It causes too much stress and I don't need any more than what I already have.  As a matter of fact, I'd like to get rid of it too, but that's another story for another time.  Back to the OJ cartons.  It's hard to put left over soup in a bag to freeze without another person standing there holding the bag open.  The big one is good for gallon sized ziploc bags and the smaller one is good for the quart sized bag.  Just put the bag in the container and fold the sides of the bag over the edges of the juice container.  TA-DAA!  Today I put a gallon bag in the bigger one and poured in chocolate chip banana muffin mixture.  That recipe is already on the blog.  I zipped the bag closed, squeezed out the air, snipped the corner off the bag, and squeezed the mixture into the cups of the muffin pan. I will NEVER spoon cupcake or muffin batter into the cups again!!!!!  It was not messy in any way and then I just threw the bag away.  I know.  I am a simple person.  It's the small things that make me happy!  Ahhh!  Sweet Simplicity!

A Bunch of Randomness

Wow!  It's been a while since I've posted anything!  Life has been CRAAAAZY.  School has ended and I'm on summer break now ... a MUCH needed summer break.  Next year I will be teaching 3rd grade.  This was not my decision.  I loved teaching 2nd grade and I loved the people I worked with.  However, the forces that be felt I should be in 3rd grade. In the mean time, I get to sleep in, eat when I want, go to the bank during the day, run errands when I want, and best of all, go to the bathroom whenever I choose!  Yes, summer is good!

On a happier note, my beautiful, amazing, smart, sweet granddaughter turned 4 years old last week.  I love her so much!!!!  It's hard to believe she's already 4! She loves her family and friends, singing, drawing, church, and so much more.

I have also found the most miraculous thing around!  Essential Oils!  Have you heard about them?  They are natural and have been around for thousands of years.  They are used to add in healing so many ailments from bug bites to pneumonia!  They kept my husband out of the hospital a couple of months ago, helped clear up a sinus infection I had, helped co-workers with plantar fasciitis and headaches, drove mosquitoes away, and many other things.  You ca eve cook with some of them!!  Let me know if you are interested in learning more.  I'd love to share what I know with you!

I went to the grocery store this morning and the people passing out samples were there.  One of the samples was salmon with a mango salsa.  I thought the lady would have a recipe to pass out, but she didn't.  The lady told me how she fixed it and I ran around the store picking up what she said she used.  I made it for dinner tonight and I must say it was pretty good!

Salmon with Mango Salsa

1 diced mango

Pepper to taste

½ fresh lime squeezed
2 drops doTERRA Lime essential oil

Olive oil

Salmon

Mix the first 4 ingredients in a bowl.  Cover and refrigerate.  Put the salmon on a baking sheet and cook at 425 degrees for 25 min.  Top with salsa and cook for 10 – 15 more minutes.

The sample lady said you could add jalapenos if you'd like, but I don't care for jalapenos so I didn't include them.

This post was a little bit of everything.  I'll try to stay focused more on one topic next time.