Warmer Days

This week has been pretty warm, around the 45-50 range. It feels like spring and we are getting more sun. On one of our sunny days we took a walk to Victoria Park. We found a new spot above the rest of the park where we could look down on where the flowerbeds were located. It was a very nice day:

Flowers are starting to come up and we passed some walking to the park. They were white and purple and were all over the place.

These are my mom's new favorites, and are called 'snowdrops.'

On Saturday the market down in Partick was on again so we went down around 1 PM. Right as we walked out of our door we realized that none of us had keys, so we had to call our landlord and ask if he could come and let us in once we were back from the market. We walked down and bought some cheese, apples and coffee. I bought coffee beans and they ground them up for me at the market. I have been making a lot of iced coffee lately.

After the farmers market, we walked into Partick and stopped at Morrisons to get a few groceries. When we were checking out, we texted our landlord so that he could let us in once we got back. We waited for a bit after we got home and were finally let back inside. 

On Saturday, my Mom and I made a curried lentil, squash and apple stew. I first cut up an onion and a carrot and we put them in a large pot. Then we added some curry powder, salt, garlic and lentils, chicken broth and tomato paste. I cut up some squash into small cubes, we added that and cut up apples. Spinach was added also and it turned out to be a pretty tasty stew. 

While we were cooking, Levi was busy trying to open a coconut. 

Tomorrow is my birthday so we plan to order pizza from Paesano pizza which has really good pizza. Then we will probably plan our trip around Scotland we are (hopefully) taking during the first week or two of April. That, and finishing up our taxes!

Jackson

Lockdown Day 4,359,678 & 1/2

It's got to end right?  I mean it can't go on forever, can it?  So much lost and yet so much gained.  This introspective time is not all for naught, I will myself to believe.  But staying positive does present its  challenges day after day after day after day after day after daaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy....  

Here is what I am doing to combat the boredom... 

I've decided to learn the US tax system!  

Holy shit, that is a sentence I never thought would leave my mouth, but there you have it.  I've hit rock bottom!  😉  And trust me, the irony is not lost on me.  I had thought about starting to make sourdough bread, but the thought of that scares me more than taxes, so here we are, clueless and bread-less.  

I must admit, now that you are starting to know my most intimate and deepest thoughts, that a few years ago the fear of finances would stop me in my tracks.  STOPPED ME COLD!  I literally wouldn't even want to bring up my accounts on-line.  Always stating and believing I wasn't good at it, so why even bother trying.  All was well, they seemed to take care of themselves, so I let sleeping dogs lie.  Fear and ignorance won for many years, until I decided, that really isn't winning....

So then, a great mentor of mine, woke me up and made me realize, that they aren't scary and that I CAN learn them, and that low and behold, I AM smart enough to figure them out.  I guess when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.  

Who knew!?!?

So I started with reading books (of course), and what do you know, I started liking what I was reading.  Though to be brutally honest, I had to force every part of my being to get thru that first book.  If I hadn't had a seminar coming up that was discussing it all, I doubt I would have even stuck my toe in the water.  But diligently, with highlighters and pens at the ready, I read that book, wrote all over it, (much to Levi's chagrin) highlighted it as necessary and it thoroughly changed my life!  The seminar just took it to another level of mastery, and I've never looked back.

That was the beginning of a life changing event that was (one of) the best decisions of my life!

So now, back to lockdown, the wearing of masks, no shopping at TJ Maxx, and TAXES.  The 4 certainties of my current life!  

So here is my belief system at the moment...

There is absolutely no reason we can't learn anything we put our minds too anymore.  What with the internet and the multiple YouTube people so very willing to help and advertisers ready to show you products for sale.  I'm living proof that anything can be accomplished!  

As I did with finances, I rounded up some guinea pigs and started out plying my new found knowledge.  Neither were very excited at this proposition long ago with my finance knowledge, so it did take some massive (trust me, it was MASSIVE) coaxing to get them on board.  Oma finally relented when I put actual $$ and facts in front of her.  Jackson agreed to read the book, I wish I had read when I was his age.  Since they, surprisingly to us all, have done very well in the past few years in the finance department, my subjects are now 'more' on-board for me to test out my new 'love of taxes.'  (okay, that is clearly pushing it, but it is Valentines day as I write this and love is in the air).❤️

So, once again, I have gone down the rabbit hole of YouTube videos of all things taxes; which filing software to use (freetaxusa.com wins), what you must claim, how to claim, credits, deductions, etc.  You name it, I've watched it.  And the more I watch, the better I feel.  Except for when I don't and the overwhelm reduces me to a puddle and I give in for the day, awaiting a good nights sleep before I start again.  I win more days than I lose, so it keeps me happy enough to keep fighting the good fight.  

The greatest part being, you can just keep going until you have a question, then you just 'JFGI' it.  (just f@#%ing google it).  It works like a charm!  

So with that said, pray for me, as I endeavor to help both Oma and Jackson to file their taxes this year.  I figure I have a lot of time left to figure it out, and if I don't, I already know where the YouTube video is on how to apply for an extension!!  

TaTaForNow 

The Unstoppable Kitty Crocker

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do."  

Eleanor Roosevelt

What are you doing, or what can you do now that you think you cannot do?  I promise if you just start with baby steps, it will change your life!  

Snow Week!

 Levi:  This week off from school, my family and I have started a new show called "His Dark Materials." It is a very detailed story about a girl who doesn't know it, but is said to hold the world's fate in her hands. It is about her travels to find her dad far north and her adventures throughout her life.  It is a good show on BBC, I recommend you watch it. 

    Every night after dinner we all usually play a game and then watch the show and go our separate ways. Jackson usually goes to his room, my mother sometimes will go to the kitchen, her room, or sit at her desk.  I go to my desk and work on things and just hang out.  We have a system where every night the "game picker" rotates.  It goes Jackson than my mom then me (JKL).  Jackson always picks marbles and my mom likes to play Rummikub or Sequence.

                                                                                                      

    

The last time we played marbles everybody kept getting Jackson out and he couldn't do anything. The game went on and on, longer than usual, with everyone getting everyone out.  Eventually, we all surprisingly got one spot away from winning, so whoever rolled a 'one' first won the game. We were rolling the dice for like a solid 5 minutes before I got it and won. Marbles is very fun and it is always a good way to pass time.   (Jackson won the cribbage game).

    

    We also went down to the farmers market and went shopping a lot, the farmers market has some very good food. They have fresh burgers, Indonesian food, a coffee stand, and a bunch of other nice places. They don't have all food too, there is a soap stand that always is nice to walk by and smell. 

    

Though this week is coming to an end and school will start, I have enjoyed this snowy week very much.

Jackson:

This week has been a very cold and snowy week. One night it snowed and it has been snowing ever since. After it snowed many people were out and about since it usually doesn't snow in Scotland. I took some pictures on the first night that it snowed. 

About a week ago I was looking up recipes for cold beverages and I found a very good recipe for strawberry limeade. It only required water, lime juice, some strawberry's, mint and sugar. I have made it a few times now and have perfected the recipe and it is very tasty. 

We have had some delicious dinners recently, including a steak meal with broccoli and baked potatoes. We found that we could get better garlic at our farmers market in Partick rather than at Lidl, and we use it now in our meals and on our vegetables we cook.

Mama made a very good chicken pot pie recently. I could tell it was good because I never liked any of the store bought ones we have had before.

(sorry for the double post, but it was good enough to be featured twice!)

On the 11th we had Quesadillas with a ton of different things in them. We used gigantic tortillas so they ended up looking like huge tacos, but nevertheless were delicious.

Around the 13th of February it got a bit sunnier and less snowy and the coming week is sure to melt the rest of the snow and ice off of the sidewalks. 

Kitty:

The best of Kitty Crocker this week was the 'To die for Blueberry Muffins" from All Recipes.  Don't make these if you are on a diet, because just the crumble you make for the top is filled with butter, sugar and cinnamon.  But they are soooooo verrrrry good.  They barely lasted a day!  

This is Levi's attempt to drink fancy chocolate milk at dinner.

Well it is back to school this week.  On-line of course.  Have a great one!

Kitty 

Homeschooling in 2021

 

This is how it started...

Levi:   Well, online learning is so much better than actually going to school.  I can focus more and no kids are screaming and running around for no reason.  I enjoyed the past week because I knew that I got a week off starting Friday.  

Online school has been going very well and has been paying off for me.  My grades are going up and I am enjoying it a lot more.  

Each day I have about 5/6 classes which are somewhat of an hour each.  On Tuesdays, I have 3 exercise-type periods in which I get to do PE or run.  Sometimes the teachers will set up meetings and talk to their students if they need help or need to ask questions.  

I like the online school and I like the idea of being able to work from home with family and in your comfy seat, instead of a cheap uncomfortable plastic one.  

My favorite class is probably NuVu where I get to draw and create things.  Now that we are at home learning, we are concentrating on two-point drawing and it is enticing!  My least favorite class is math, I enjoy it but I just don't like doing 50 problems every day that is due in like an hour after they are assigned.  I wished teachers let us breathe a little more.  

Even so, this school is very nice and the education system here is much better than in the US in my opinion.  On the weekends me, Jackson, and my mother will go to the farmers market that is open on the weekends to go buy a burger or some sausage from a French guy we know.  He is nice and is full of stories and likes to converse. 

Other than all that we don't do too much and it is fantastic. 

The week has been nice and the 10-day break will be even better!

This is how it's going......

(Levi follows the rule, he assures me, of not playing video games during school, and as you can see, he is merely watching someone else play video games)  

😡

Mama:  As you may have surmised, I am not nearly the fan of homeschooling that Levi is, nor of lockdowns, if truth be known.  We are 4 weeks into school from home and I am waiting with baited breathe for when he can return!   This is not our forte, so please trust me when I say, Levi being at school is better for all of our mental well being!!   I don't know how you teachers do it, and I've ALL WAYS held you in high regard, but please know, I am ever in awe of your ability to wrestle these teenagers into learning.  You will continue to remain my highest (s)hero's!

So in the mean time, Kitty Crocker has got crackin'......

Chicken Potpie, that Jackson said he didn't want, but it went over amazingly well with everyone!  I'm just thrilled I got it to work.  

Steak, broccoli and potatoes (but I keep overcooking the steak).  arggggg!

Homemade Mac-n-Cheese.  But here is the secret, there is no cheese in it!  WTH?  Ever heard of nutritional yeast, yeah, me either, but I know what it is now and the boys are none the wiser.   

 I'm back to making my own hummus, because the stuff at the store has ingredients I no longer fancy (I know I'm becoming a hummus snob), so since I have the food processor, I might as well put it to good use!  Did you know that you can freeze hummus?  Google seems to think so.  I'll let you know how it goes.....

My favorite kitchen hack this week is using a head band for a page holder!  Note the blue line of stretchy cloth on the left page.  I was so proud of myself and how clever I have become, until I made the smoothie on the right side that both boys hated.  I thought it was delicious!  

So I will leave you all to your Superbowl and I shall return to Bridgerton!  Maybe I will catch up with you at halftime?!?!  

All my foodie love,

🧡

Kitty cooker Crocker