RSS Feed

October, 2012

  1. Hermanson’s Pumpkin Patch

    October 29, 2012 by admin

    We love the tradition and adventure of picking our own pumpkins straight from the farm.  It is a Fall family outing that we eagerly anticipate.  Located just a short drive outside of Madison, Hermanson’s Pumpkin Patch is the only place we consider for our Halloween pumpkins.

    This farm knows how to do things right!  They offer up a large selection of pull along wagons to ease your journey through their property.  You’ll find a good variety of pre-picked fruits set up against the perimeters of the buildings.  One barn houses an array of ridiculously cute kittens that pounce freely around the farm.  As you make your way around, you’ll see goats, lamas, donkeys, rabbits, pigs, and a huge St. Bernard.  Near the entrance, you’ll be invited inside a family friendly haunted hay maze that is free for your enjoyment.

    If picking pumpkins from the vine is your desire, you’ll find acres and acres!  The pumpkins are incredibly priced.  Our family got one huge pick-your-own, one very large pre-picked, and one small pre-picked pie pumpkin for a grand total of $9.  You can also pay $1 for a tractor ride around the entire property to scout out a good picking spot or to just enjoy the scenery.

    Hermanson’s has numerous types and styles of pumpkins, squash, and gourds to choose from.  Whether you are seeking to make pies, painted pumpkins, jack-o-lnterns, soup, or anything else- they have the selection for you.  Employees are easy to find if you need advice.

    The farm also offers farm equipment to explore and large cardboard Fall themed punch-outs to pose your face inside for fun family pictures.  The workers/owners are incredibly friendly.  We just can’t recommend Hermanson’s Pumpkin patch enough!

     

    Category Jaunts | Tags: ,,,,, | Comments Off on Hermanson’s Pumpkin Patch

  2. VOTE

    October 27, 2012 by admin

    “I’m totally down with insurrection in the street.  I’ve had a great time with that over the years.  Insurrection in the voting booth is the other part of the equation.”  – quote by Jello Biafra

    Our children always come with us to vote.  We feel that it is our responsibility to show them democracy in action.  We are lucky that our small polling station offers up stickers and candy on the way out.  It is a nice “reward” for a civic duty and it gives our kids something to look forward to when heading to vote.  We hope our children will always be excited and informed about voting.

    Tip: If you don’t vote, we feel that you have little right to complain about the state of our Country.

    We find it terribly alarming that so many adults seem disinterested in politics and debate with themselves over whether or not it is worthwhile to vote.  It makes us angry that someone would take a feeling of helplessness and use it as an excuse for inaction, especially when the way to begin to take action is so simple.  And we are equally exasperated by people that find politics annoying and that actively choose to ignore anything political.

    We know that politics can be incredibly overwhelming and frustrating.  In many ways, political reporting encourages disenfranchisement by presenting all problems as intractable and unknowable.  But here’s our suggestion: why not take one thing that matters to you – the environment, pro-choice laws, pro-life laws, health care, education, roads, the economy, or whatever floats your boat– and begin exploring a candidate on where they stand on that particular issue?  Even if that one thing is your entire reason for casting your vote, at least you are then engaged in democracy and taking a stand for something meaningful!

    Regardless of how you identify politically, please take the time to vote!  If you need help figuring out the current voting laws, check out:  http://www.headcount.org/voting-faq.  And remember that there are volunteers in most areas that will arrange transportation to and from polling stations.

    Then take it one step further, and encourage someone you know to go vote!

    Category Rambler Ramblings | Tags: , | Comments Off on VOTE

  3. You Spin Me Right Round

    October 25, 2012 by admin

    If you’re like us, you love music.  One of our great secrets is www.spinner.com.  A fabulous source of music news and free mp3s.

    Spinner definitely focuses on the indie/alternative end of the music spectrum, which is just great for our punky, twee-girl loving family.  We grew up straining to bring in WLIR on our New Jersey radios, so Spinner is right up our alley.

    Tip: Don’t confuse Spinner with SPIN Magazine.  Although the names are similar, Spinner is your go-to for up-and-coming bands.  SPIN will keep you updated on the more corporate end of the music spectrum.

    Unlike some other big music websites, Spinner doesn’t hide its mp3 collection.  In plain sight, at the top of the main page, you’ll see the ‘MP3 of the Day’ link.

    Click on the mp3 link and you’ll get to not just the latest mp3, but a backwards rolling collection of months and months of free mp3s.  Spinner offers advice on what each band ‘sounds’ like, or is related to.  But you don’t have to take Spinner’s word for it.  You can listen to every song before you download it, if you like.  Or just grab them all and see which ones resonate for you.

    These are not bands you’ll hear very often on the radio (unless you have a good college station nearby.)

    While you are grabbing all those free mp3’s, check out the rest of Spinner’s extensive website.  You can stream full albums by tons of artists, read about strange music legends, and scan the Spinner “Top Songs” lists.  Catch up on your music news and tour info, or even listen to Spinner Radio.

    Search through the site and report your favorite finds back to us.  Right now, we’re off to check their list of the best sad songs.

    Category Thrifty Tips | Tags: ,, | Comments Off on You Spin Me Right Round

  4. Feeding the After-School Animals

    October 23, 2012 by admin

    By Brenda Winter Hansen

    I don’t know about your kids, but I have a sneaking suspicion they have a lot in common with mine when it comes to blood sugar levels at about 3:30 in the afternoon. Watch out for flying shoes, backpacks, and the occasional off-color insult! It takes more than music to tame this kind of beast, only a snack in time saves the stressed-out mind. Not kidding.

    You’re not alone in the temptation to buy a box of high fructose corn syrup “fruit snacks” or grab somefriedthing at the local deli, but with a little prep, you can have cheaper and more nutritious nosh available for those growing brains you love so much. With that in mind, I’m sharing a few ideas and recipes that can make the school-to-activity transition smoother and buy some time until dinner to boot. But first, make sure you have fresh fruit on hand and ready to eat. Then, add in these more substantial choices:

    For the dippers I suggest hummus. Seriously. I know you can buy this stuff at the store, but I have yet to find one that actually tastes as good as the homemade hummus that I make in about 15 minutes. Besides being low-fat & high-protein, it’s great for dipping an array of raw veggies and crackers.

    PERFECT HUMMUS

    1-2 garlic cloves

    1 can of chickpeas (or 2 c. cooked from scratch)

    2-3 T. of tahini

    zest from half a lemon

    juice from 1 lemon

    2-3 T. virgin olive oil

    1 t. salt, or to taste

    If you have a food processor: turn it on and add everything while it’s running. Scrape down the sides and add a little water if needed. That’s it! If you have a blender: add everything before you turn it on! If you have neither: mince or mini-grate the garlic and mash the chickpeas. Mash and mix everything until you have a fairly consistent  texture. If you want it to look fancy, dust it with paprika, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Voilà!

    For the sweet tooth try these homemade granola bars. They are easy to whip together in the evening during homework time, or even around bedtime. My kids love these in their lunches too. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients; it’s a pretty flexible recipe.

    NUTTY OAT BARS: Preheat oven to 325F Bake for 25-30min

    3 C. rolled oats

    1 C. chopped nuts

    1 C. cranberries or other chopped, dried fruit

    1 C. chocolate chips

    ½ C. brown rice syrup (or honey/maple syrup/brown sugar)

    ½ C. cooking oil

    1 egg (if you leave this out, use a little more syrup and oil)

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the first four ingredients.  In a smaller bowl, mix the syrup, oil, and egg then add this to the dry ingredients. Mixture shouldn’t be too wet or too dry. Spread and pat down in a foil or parchment-lined well-greased cookie sheet with a rim and bake for 25-30 or until golden brown on top. Less time = chewy bars, more time = crunchy bars. Know your animals and their tastes! While the granola is still warm, use a knife to score the mass into bar-sized portions. When cool, finish cutting and use parchment or plastic to wrap individually or place in an air-tight container. *BONUS sneaky additions: a couple scoops of protein powder, ground flax seeds, or flax oil. My kids are picky, and I’ve never had any complaints.

    For the adventurous youngster or an active adolescent who’s gotten past some pickiness and is beginning to eat you out of house and home, I present a delicious salad that is refreshing after school or in their lunch. Crunchy, light, and yet loaded with protein, it’s also a great side dish for any potluck. It takes a little more time because of chopping veggies and cooking spelt, but it’s worth it and good to make on a Sunday evening as it tastes better the next day and lasts for several days in the fridge. Again, the veggies and herbs are pretty flexible. Use favorites!

    YUMMY CRUNCH SALAD

    1 C. raw spelt, boiled for 1 hour, drained & rinsed

    1 can chickpeas, drained

    1 clove garlic, minced

    ½ cucumber, peeled & diced

    2-3 stalks celery, sliced

    1 pepper, any color, diced

    2 carrots, peeled & diced

    3 green onions, sliced

    ¼ C. red onion, minced (optional)

    ¼ C. parsley, minced

    1 T. basil, minced

    1 t. dill

    juice of 1 lemon

    2-3 T. cider vinegar

    ¼-½ C. mayonnaise, according to taste.

    While the spelt is boiling away, prep all the veggies and mix them together in a big bowl with the herbs and dressing. Add the drained, rinsed, and cooled spelt to the rest and mix thoroughly.

    For those who like it hot, I’ve recommend a mini-pizza that is super easy to make ahead and freeze. These are great to have on hand and a snap to microwave, bake, or throw in a toaster oven. It’s well worth making sure you have a well-loved red sauce on hand. Customizing to your child’s tastes is encouraged.

    MINI PIZZA LOVE

    1 package of English muffins, split

    pasta sauce

    grated cheese (mozzarella & cheddar are the standards, vegan subs work fine)

    toppings

    This is so simple, you may want to have your child help assemble these and use it as a math opportunity too! Spread sauce on each half of muffin and sprinkle with a little mozzarella. Pick your toppings, but be careful not to overload. Favorites: pepperoni (veggie & turkey are great alternatives), Italian sausage (or look for a veggie substitute near you), black olives, and peppers. If your kid just wants cheese, go with it. At least they’re eating the pizza and not you! When the muffin halves are all topped, sprinkle a little more cheese on each, then individually wrap in plastic and freeze. Good for a month. Bake at 425F for 10-12 minutes or microwave for 1 minute then add 30 seconds at a time if needed.

    You may already feel as if you have no time, but if you manage to squeeze any of these into your schedule, it will save you time, money, and nutritional worry. Just remember to have snacks close by when your young beast is released!

    Category Recipes | Tags: ,,, | Comments Off on Feeding the After-School Animals

  5. Shhhh! We bed-share.

    October 21, 2012 by admin

    We are very aware of the dangers associated with irresponsible co-sleeping.  We are raising 3 wonderful children and have had various levels of success and frustrations with co-sleeping.  We know this choice isn’t for everyone.  Honestly, it isn’t always for us either!

    Our Bluey has been a co-sleeper since infancy.  He made it clear from a very early age that he wanted nothing to do with his bassinet or his crib.  After a few stumbling, and loud, attempts to convince Bluey that there was nothing special about sleeping with Momma and Daddy, we realized we had a significant decision to make as parents.  Do we force Bluey to adjust to a crib or do we allow him to bed-share?

    The internet is rife with warnings on co-sleeping.  There is an active campaign in Milwaukee discouraging co-sleeping.  It should be obvious that if you are drinking heavily, using drugs (legal or illegal) that impede your decisions or cause drowsiness, suffering from severe depression, or are otherwise unable to think clearly – YOU SHOULD NOT BED-SHARE!

    You have to dig deeper into current research to unearth the benefits of co-sleeping.  We’d also recommend the book, Beyond the Sling, by Mayim Bialik.  We have had many discussions about whether or not we wanted to co-sleep, or continue to bed-share, with Bluey.  Would it interfere with our sex life?  Would he be in bed with us forever?  Would Bluey grow up to be confident, independent, and well adjusted?

    The great majority of our experiences with Bluey and co-sleeping have been wonderful.  It made breastfeeding for about 17 months far easier.  And there is little that can compare to waking up to your little one reaching out to pull you closer while murmuring, “Come back to bed, Momma!”  The conversations that we have with Bluey as he drifts to sleep are priceless.  And he is an extremely confident, independent, well adjusted boy who possesses an amazing desire to explore his world.

    We should note that we aren’t trapped in bed at 7pm because Bluey is asleep.  When he was very small, a firm queen-sized mattress on the floor, with a bed gate on one side, kept him secure and snug when we snuck from the room to finish up our evening activities.  And the same is true now, but with a raised bed and no gate.  Bluey also has his own bed and his own room should he express the desire to use either.  A great majority of the time, he naps in his own bed in his room with no complaint.

    It has taken this long to speak openly about co-sleeping as most of our friends snub their nose at this practice, as well as at a lot of our other parenting choices.  We have been accused of helicopter parenting on more than one occasion.  And we mean “accused,” as there was nothing friendly about this label being tossed out in conversation.

    After 3 kids, there is only one major thing that we know beyond doubt:  only you know what is best for your child.  And if that is co-sleeping, more power to you!

    Category Parenting | Tags: ,, | 1 Comment

  6. Encouraging Outdoor Exploration

    October 19, 2012 by admin

    Where are all the kids?

    One of Plum’s friends charmingly offered up some insight into the modern problem of finding kids outside:  “I don’t have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder,) I have ODD (Outside Deficit Disorder.)”  Translation:  she has little tolerance for the outdoors.  Couple this particular friend’s stance with the popular adult theory that our kids are at risk from various predators, and no one under 16 is to be found outside their home.

    Our city has numerous playgrounds nestled within many neighborhoods.  But these parks are never teeming with kids.  Our local playground has at least 15 children living on streets directly connected to the park (10s of more within walking distance), but you’d be hard pressed to find more than 5 of these kids at the playground on the best day.  On our daily walks, we hardly ever bump into a child biking alone around the neighborhood or just enjoying a walk on their familiar streets.

    When we TR parents were young, we recall a huge amount of independence in our day-to-day.  Our parents practically shoved us out the door on the weekends.  We walked/biked to through depressed neighborhoods and sketchy parks.  We roamed in packs with our friends that we randomly ran into while exploring around our town.  There were kids we knew, and kids we had never met, to be found everywhere.

    Now, our Bluey is usually disappointed to find that he is the only one at the park.  And our Plum goes out on bike rides hoping to run into a friend only to return home reporting that no one was found.  When Plum has a friend over, they usually stick to her room or to the family room.  Plum’s suggestions to go outside aren’t usually entertained for long, if considered at all.

    We demand outside time for our kids.  And we encourage them to explore independently within family guidelines that are appropriate for their ages.  We’d love to know that when they are out and about, spontaneous socialization is possible.  Unfortunately, it seems that only rarely happens.

    Category Get Outside! | Tags: ,, | 4 Comments

  7. Follow Me

    October 18, 2012 by admin

    ThriftyRambler (TR) would like to thank their loyal followers for discovering us and checking in with us.

    As we approach our 6 month anniversary, we wanted to send a reminder that you can also find us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/ThriftyRambler.  Don’t forget to “like” our page, as then you will be updated regularly about TR in your own news feed.  Our Facebook profile also includes periodic links to news articles and other tidbits that provoke further thought on topics covered by TR.

    We also have a Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/Thriftyrambler, if that’s a more convenient way for you to keep up to date.

    Our Pinterest page includes many links to recipes and home solutions that you may appreciate.  Remember to follow our boards, if you are a Pinner!

    We’d love to see your comments on what we’ve written- either on this blog or at the Facebook page.  Thanks again and we look forward to continuing this journey with you!

     

     

    Category Rambler Ramblings | Tags: ,,, | Comments Off on Follow Me

  8. Car Essentials: The Rubik’s Cube

    October 17, 2012 by admin

    OK. We know that it has been thirty years or more since this toy was all the rage.  But it’s still a great item to have in the car.  We consider it a “car essential.”

    Having a small stash of toys and activities in the car for our kids is a must for us.  When a trip goes too long, or a wait at the doctor’s office looks ominous, all we have to do is dig out a special car toy.  It can keep a kiddo occupied for a long time.  For us, one of the standbys in the car is the venerable Rubik’s Cube.

    Even when Bluey was still too little to really do much with it, he loved playing with the Rubik’s Cube.  Over time it has helped him learn his colors and has improved his hand-eye coordination.  Now that Bluey’s old enough to understand that the ‘goal’ of the puzzle, you can see his mind at work trying to figure out how to solve it.

    And of course, it is fun for all ages.  Although Plum didn’t encounter the Rubik’s Cube at the same young age as her brother, she also gets sucked into trying to figure it out.   Even Mom or Dad will take a crack at it on a long drive.

    The Rubik’s Cube is a great car toy.  It’s colorful. It has moving parts.  But it has no removable bits to lose.   And it offers a new challenge every time you pick it up.

    What’s your go-to boredom buster?

     

    Category Road Trippin' | Tags: ,, | Comments Off on Car Essentials: The Rubik’s Cube

  9. Little Critters

    October 15, 2012 by admin

    We are critter people.  The TR family includes 3 cats, 1 dog, and 2 catfish.  We have a very full house.  But at the end of the day, we wouldn’t have it any other way.  Our pets are complete members of the family with celebrated birthdays, special treats and quirky behaviors.

    Meet Jiji– an entirely black, seriously solid seven year old female cat.  She has one white eyebrow that we call her “power” brow.  Bluey has decided that her name is “Blackish.”  Jiji wants to be a lap cat but can’t quite lower her standards enough to follow through with her desire.  She has been known to swat at humans or other animals that dare walk in front of her.

    Meet Kismet – a mostly white, calico seven year old female cat.  One of her most often used nicknames is Kizzie.  But Bluey consistently calls her “Whitish.”  Kizzie is a love and never tires of strokes and kisses.  She has a fondness for beer and a local breadstick called “pokey” sticks.  Kizzie also loves to run into a previously closed room and hide in a hard to reach corner.

    Meet Pickles – a mostly solid grey, one year old female cat with tiger like printing on her tummy.  Pickles is a bit of a challenge.  She is not the smartest cat in the world but she is a love.  She is Plum’s cat even though the TR parents mostly take care of Pickles.  Pickles enjoys hiding for long stretches of time while the entire family panics and searches for her whereabouts.  Pickles and Molly are good friends.

    Meet Molly – the star pet of the family.  Molly is a mostly black mutt with red undertones to her coat.  Molly is three years old.  She has so many nicknames that we will only share a few:  Moo, Mooey, and Moostopheles.  We most often call Molly, Moo or Mo.  The only successful training we’ve accomplished with Moo is to have her consistently respond to our snapping fingers or the cluck of our tongues.  The snap is to stop a behavior.  The click of a tongue is to get her to respond to a request.  Molly enjoys eating table food, even if it requires sneaking up onto the dining table.  She loves to sleep and only occasionally freaks out and tears around the house like a maniac.  She barks at anyone that dares to come close to her beloved family.  She growls only at those that are deserving of warning. 

    Meet the Fish – our two catfish are approximately 4 years old.  Their claim to fame is that they have survived a trip from NH to WI.  Bluey enjoys monitoring their hunger level and usually reminds the TR parents that the fish require food.  They are fish.  Two of them.  They don’t do much.  And they shy away from pictures so we aren’t able to include one for your enjoyment.

    Most of our pets are rescued animals.  Molly is a Sato rescue from Puerto Rico.  Kismet and Pickles are from a stray cat rescue shelter in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, and Jiji was part of an unplanned litter from a neighbor’s cat.  Only the fish came from a store.

    We adore that our pets have as unique personalities as their human companions.  Currently, Bluey is in charge of feeding the animals in the morning.  It is a duty that he takes very seriously.  And it is wonderful to see Bluey’s dedication to this chore and his care of our pets.  Plum enjoys playing with Pickles and she attempts to train any of the critters that will tolerate her.  We all benefit from our pets love and their ability to comfort us and calm us down.

    Owning pets gives us a chance to talk about animal behaviors and diets.  And about proper health care and career choices with our kids.  Our pets greet us and cheer us up, in between knocking our stuff over, and stealing our food.  Like we said, they are members of the family.

    At times, owning pets isn’t always the most thrifty experience in life.  But there are tons of coupons and free samples to be found to stock pile necessary items.  And if you shop around, you can find cheaper quality products then the popular brand names.  Keep up on your pets yearly shots and wellness visits and you shouldn’t often experience emergency vet bills.

    We’d love to hear about your pets!

     

    Category Rambler Ramblings | Tags: , | Comments Off on Little Critters

  10. Quinoa Salad

    October 13, 2012 by admin

    We’re always on the hunt for new foods that are both nutritious and delicious.  It is especially exciting if these meals get a thumbs up from the kiddoes.  We want our children to have well developed palates and a willingness to try new foods.  The more new foods they try at home, the more likely they’ll be willing to experiment with different cuisines when they’re out and about in the world.

    Quinoa is an ancient grain from South America, technically more closely related to spinach and beets than wheat or rice.  But it cooks up like a grain.  Moreover, it is a complete protein and high in iron.  It has a somewhat nutty taste that joins well with herbs like oregano or cilantro.

    It took us a while to work with this new grain and to develop a recipe that was spot-on good and that the kiddoes look forward to eating.   The following recipe is our absolute winner.  It is a tasty combo of flavors and textures that we love.  Serve it as a main course, or as a side in a bigger meal.

    The Recipe:

    2 Cups Water

    1 Cup Quinoa (rinsed)

    1 Veggie Bouillon Cube (we recommend you find a brand without MSG. We use Orrington Farms.)

    3 Scallions (diced)

    2 Roasted Red Peppers (diced)

    1/3 Cucumber (diced)

    ½ cup Soy Nuts

    8 oz. Feta Cheese (diced)

    Oregano or Chopped Fresh Cilantro (to taste)

    Salt (to taste)

    Pepper (to taste)

    Boil the water with the quinoa and the bouillon.  When the water has all been absorbed, 20 or so minutes later, let it cool in the fridge and then add the other ingredients.  (If you mix all your extras into the quinoa too soon, you’ll par-cook the cucumber and melt some of the feta.)

    Feel free to change up the ingredients.  We’ve made it without the red pepper or swapped sunflower seeds for soy nuts.  Add to the recipe your family’s favorites and make it your own!  Once you start cooking with quinoa, you’ll find it easily adapts to all sorts of flavor combinations whether served hot or cold.  It’s as versatile as rice.

    Give quinoa a try and then we’d love to know what you think of it!

    Category Recipes | Tags: ,,, | 2 Comments

Older Entries