Morning Smoothie

This morning I was in the mood for a smoothie with only fruit.  I really liked how this turned out.

Ready to blend

Blended

Ready to enjoy!

Morning Smoothie

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/2 cup almond milk

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 cup pineapple

1 cup strawberries

1 cup frozen cantaloupe

1 orange

1 cup ice

Blend and enjoy!

Super Green Smoothie

I got this idea yesterday that I wanted to make a super green smoothie.  So, this morning I tried it and it actually turned out pretty good.  It wasn't too sweet, which is how we prefer our smoothies.  

Here are the ingredients (I fogot to add the ice before I took this picture).

All blended

It made a lot!  

Super Green Smoothie 

(ingredients listed in order that they go into our Vitamix)

1/2 cup apple juice

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (you could also use vanilla)

1/4 cup oats

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1-2 cups greens (of your choice)

1 Granny Smith apple

1/2 cup green grapes

1 kiwi

1/2 cup cucumber

1 stalk celery

1/2 banana

1-2 tsp agave nectar

2 cups ice

Enjoy!

Super OJ Fruit Smoothie

Lee bought us a Vitamix Blender for our anniversary.  Best present EVER!  For the most part we have followed recipes, but we have also experimented a little. I forgot to write down the first one we tried, but tonight I made one with the kids and decided to take pictures and write it down.  No one else may ever try it, but I want to make sure I remember what we did.  Lee and I always like to add almonds, a little bit of oatmeal, and/or protein powder when we make our smoothies, but since this was just me and the kids, we went simple.  Ian also requested no greens or carrots.  LOL  

Here is some of it in my glass.  Yummy!

This was after I had poured three cups for us.  It made a lot!

Super OJ Fruit Smoothie

1 cup oj

1 cup papaya

1 banana

1 orange

3/4-1 cup pineapple

1/2-1 cup strawberries

2 cups ice

Enjoy!

The Ridiculousness of Renewing a Teaching License

Today has been one of those days where I feel like I can't win for losing.  Almost four years ago I graduated with my MA in teaching and got my teaching license in CA and KS.  In those four years, I have had only a handful of interviews and those were mostly last summer.  I was told by the few principals I asked that my interviews were great, but they offered the job to other candidates who didn't cost as much.  In other words, someone with a BA and no experience.  So, I have been substitute teaching for four years.  My license is due to expire in July.  To renew it, I will have to: RETAKE two tests that I had to take to get my license in the first place.  OR I can pay $800-$1000 to take 8 credits (which I don't need because then I would cost even more to employ), OR pay the same amount to get 120 professional development points.  

IN OTHER WORDS: To continue to work as a sub or to get hired, I have to pay $250 to retake tests I have already taken but don't remember the content of so will have to study for weeks to remember.  Had I been hired before this, the district would have helped me get the professional development points I needed.  I also would have gotten the experience I needed to move from an initial license to a professional license, making much of this a moot point!  How do other subs keep current????  Maybe they are all ex-teachers and so it is easier to keep their license current.  All I know is that this is crazy!  I can't seem to get a job because I "cost too much," but in the long run I am more experienced than many new teachers because of all the sub work, and because I am a mom.  And to stay licensed I have to take these dumb tests.  To take them, I will have to study, which means not subbing as much.  

Yes, I am frustrated and annoyed.  I will take the tests and continue to hope that I get hired this summer.  If not . . . . I am not sure I even want to think about it.

Guns

Another shooting on a military base and the media is having a field day.  "How could he have gotten a gun if he was mentally ill?"  "How did he get on base with a gun if you can't have guns on base?"  How about the obvious question?  Why aren't guns allowed on base so that these military men and women can protect themselves?  These men and women go through weeks of training and know how to use firearms, and yet we tell them they cannot carry a gun to protect themselves.  Then, when someone who has evil intentions brings a gun on base and starts shooting, they have to wait until the military police show up.  By then, people are dead and injured!  When will we learn?  Preventing law-abiding citizens from carrying a gun will not stop criminals from carrying a gun.  The criminal will still carry out their crime, and the law-abiding citizen will have no recourse.  

Sigh.  I am proud of my husband who served in the Air Force and for my son who is currently serving in the Air Force.  I believe in the 2nd Amendment and our right to bear arms!

My New Garden Box

Last year Lee and I discussed moving one of my garden boxes from it's location near the house and having it near the back fence instead.  I completed that project a couple weeks ago.  We also discussed building a couple of new garden boxes as well.  Since spring was getting closer I started to think about what I wanted and decided I wanted a U-shaped box.  Lee asked me to draw a design for him.  After looking through some designs online, I made up a very intricate drawing for him of what I wanted.  This is my drawing:

I know, I am quite the artist.   This weekend we went to Home Depot and bought the wood that we needed to build my new garden box.  We made some adjustments to the original design.  One thing that isn't on this drawing is how deep the box will be.  I wanted it to be 18" deep, but Lee had the idea to make the back of the box deeper than the sides.  Also, there is a gate in the middle, which is hard to tell on the drawing.  So, on Saturday we were at the store for a very long time buying supplies.  We spent hours building on Saturday and Sunday.  We also had to return to Home Depot on Sunday because, of course, we needed more wood.  Although it isn't 100% complete, it is almost there.  Here is what my fabulous husband built for me using my oh-so-wonderful drawing.

We are adding chicken wire around the outside, and on the back box, the chicken wire will actually be on panels that are on hinges so I can get access to that part of the box.  The pathway in the middle will have 12"x 12" bricks eventually.  I think next weekend we will get all the dirt we need.  There isn't a huge rush since it is still a little early to start planting my veggies.  Anyway, this is my garden fortress, guaranteed to keep the bunnies out!

Fabulous Friday

It's Friday!  Despite the grey, chilly day outside, I am doing my best to enjoy the day.  It has been a long week and I have been reminded many times that I am blessed.  The news has been full of sad stories of lost lives, and every time I hear them I feel sadness for those families, and thank God for blessing me.  So, today, I hope you will have a fabulous Friday and find the blessings in your life!