Pantry Challenge 2012

One of the blogs I've been following has been doing a pantry challenge. Essentially you take stock of what food is in your storage and make a plan to use it up. I've been thinking of trying to clean up my storage (especially my freezer) do I think over the next month or so I'll plan on using up a lot of the stuff. I just cleaned out and organized my freezer. Had to throw out a few things because they were quite old. Pretty sure ground beef from 4 years ago isn't good! That's one of my reasons to clean out. Don't want anything else going bad. Here's a list of what's in the freezer so I can start planning. Next step will be to clean out pantry to see what's in there.














Meats
Assorted lunch meats (turkey, ham, roast beef)
Ground sausage - 3 rolls
Canadian bacon - 3 packs

Bacon - 3 packs
Cooked tri tip
Chicken breast - 7 packs
Cooked salsa chicken
Ground pork
Ground chicken
Beef loin
Pork loin chops
Hot dogs
Cheddar  wurst dogs
Pork roast
Orange chicken
Turkey burgers
Ground beef
Enchilada meat
Cooked, cubed chicken
Ground lamb
Chorizo - 2 types

Veggies
Sauteed onions - 4 packs
Chopped onions
Chopped broccoli
Broccoli spears
French style green beans
Stir fry veggies
Sliced bell peppers
Creamed spinach
Guacamole

Fruits
Cranberries
Black rasberries
Strawberries
Kiwi

Cheese
Blue
Goat
Feta
Blue Laughing Cow

Assorted
pie crust - 3 packs
Empanada shells
Tortilla

That's pretty much my sentiment too...

I had to laugh when I noticed this on the receipt that came out with my lunch right now.

!!Yes Pico!!

Looking for a method that works

I'm still looking for a method of journaling that works for me. I just downloaded an app to my phone so that I can post on the go. I'm not sure if it'll work any better but it's worth a shot right? The bonus of this method is that I'm able to easily upload pictures from my phone. I'm always taking random pictures of things. We'll see if they help to chronicle my life for posterity!

These are a few vegetable pants that I bought the other day on sale at the grocery store. I've quite missed having a little garden so I thought I'd try to grow these on my patio. I've already got some pots and potting soil so I won't be out anything more than the $6 I spent on the plants if it doesn't work. Wish me luck!

Am I giving the Lord equal time?

I just watched the following broadcast. I was looking for a transcript because I tend to learn better by reading but I still learned and was reminded about quite a bit. If you haven't already watched it - I would encourage you to do so.


Elder M. Russell Ballard's CES address November 7

Some of the key points I pulled out:

• Our generation has a mighty work to do. We are here on this earth, at this time to achieve that. God has given us the tools necessary.
• Give the Lord equal time. We have many demands on our time. And we also have many distractions. Are we spending too much time online, on social networks, or doing other "extra" things while ignoring our obligations, personal scripture study, journal writing, prayer, service opportunities, etc?
• We should have hope. Never before have such marvelous things come to pass. There are strides in medicine, learning opportunities and more.

I probably learned more but it's getting kind of late so I can't remember them all. I will have to wait until the transcript is out so I can reread and learn a bit more.

Elgin Pie Run

Yesterday was the last Saturday of the month which means it was time for a Pie Run! This is actually the first run I've made all year because the location has been too far away, the weather has been nasty or I've had prior commitments.

Don't know what a Pie Run is? Here's the definition: Pie Run - Two Wheeled Texan's (an online motorcycle forum) monthly excuse for a ride. Thinly disguised as a "Ride-to-Eat" (RTE), it is a chance for riders from all over the state (and sometimes from other states) to plan routes, organize ride groups, meet with like-minded folk, talk and gawk at all kinds of bikes, eat lunch and have pie for dessert!

An early meeting time of 7 AM meant I left the apartment when it was still pretty dark. A trip of about 40 minutes got me to the meetup point in Brookshire. Found Lee (leekellerking), Chris (dirtrideroader), and Donnie (fjrtx) already there. Dennis (ceddec) had dropped in behind me in Katy and followed me to the stop. Another rider metup with us but I've already forgotten his name.

Chris led us on a great route up some back roads. I wish I could keep all the street numbers straight so I could go down a few of them again! One of these days I'll buy a GPS and a Spot tracker and venture out off the beaten path a bit more.

A short stop in Fayettville allowed us to stretch out a bit. The weather in the morning was beautiful. Almost on the chilly side in some of the most rural areas even.

After only 2 u-turns to avoid unpaved roads we made it to our destination

Located in Elgin, TX just a bit outside of Austin.

The food was pretty good but of course the key component of a Pie Run is the pie! Chris's coconut pie looked pretty good.

But I was happy with my key lime choice. That's Becca's apple crumb and Jamie's Snicker's pie in the background.

Although we were some of the first ones to sit down we were some of the last served so I didn't get any pictures of the number of bikes at the peak. Someone counted and the tally was over 100 bikes.

On our route back I guess I didn't take any photos. By that time it was getting quite a bit hotter so I guess my focus was on that as well as trying to remain as comfortable as possible in my seat. We took a slightly more direct route home and when we got to Sealy I took a left on I-10 and slabbed it back to town. Camilo (cdc) followed and he cut off in Katy to his house. But my day wasn't done yet. I still had 2 parties to attend. I was hoping to get back into town early enough to head home, maybe take a quick shower and change clothes but it wasn't to be. Instead after a brief gas and stretch stop on the west side of town I headed to Heather and Lawrence's open house. No pictures taken there by me for some unknown reason. Then I headed up to the Northwest side of town to ChooChoo Sushi bar.  You might laugh but it's very stressful at one of these places - you have to decide what you want to eat and grab it before it passes by. If you miss you've got to wait until it comes all the way back around again. Next time I'll be more prepared and decide what I want before I get there! LOL.

After a game of Apples to Apples at Cristy's (which I won) it was time for me to head out. All in all it was a good day. Final trip total = 412.1 miles, about 17 hours, good food and a ton of great people!

And a sun up to sundown day of riding. Does it get any better than that?

I read an interesting article this evening entitled 10 Signs It's Time to Leave Your Job

I've talked with a few folks lately about their unhappiness at their current job and their concern about trying to find a new job in the current economy. I post this today for them. It has some good, thought provocking points.

For those I've been talking with...Look it over, see if you change your mind.

ChickFest Fall 2009

This last weekend was a girls only motorcycle ride.

I met Daryn closer into town and we headed out to Katy.
After discovering which gas station we were meeting at we met up with Squeaky, Wiggle Worm and Sunkissed.


A short stop to readjust (and resisting the urge to tell off some bikers who buzzed past us in an un-neighborly like manner)


Representing TWT!


The chairs are fun - I was thinking of getting some done with my name for the dining room.


If you go to the restaurant check out the chunky guac. It's pretty darn good but don't order the large unless you want it to be your meal or have 9 other women to share it with!


No shortage of photos. Luckily Jan had bodyguards who were willing group photo takers.


Stopping to gas up for the ride home. Must be nice to have a designated photo taker and gas pump operator.


The rest of us were on our own.




I just kind of liked how this photo turned out


And of course ice cream! What a better way to round out a day of riding?


After the sugar intake Daryn and I split off from the rest of the group to head back into town. My bike (after behaving itself all day) decided to start acting up again. There's nothing quite like going along at speed and then having no power for a few seconds at a time. Hopefully I'll be able to get it to the shop this week to figure out what's wrong. All in all a great ride and even better company. It's the first time that I've been able to go on a women's only ride, the feeling was definitely different. Both types of rides are good but each have their place. And remember what happens on the girls ride...