We went apple picking this week.We love eating freshly sliced apples as a snack or with lunch.We love them dipped in caramel or Nutella for dessert.We love them just about any way they can be consumed: as applesauce, apple butter, apple pie, or apple cobbler.We love apples.So I started thinking about ways to preserve apples, because just as we discovered on our blueberry … [Read more...]
Bonus Bathroom Storage that Works for Me
Before I was married, I lived in a simple, inexpensive apartment with a couple of roommates. We all shared one full bathroom.Several other friends had newer, nicer apartments, and I coveted their master baths and walk-in closets. I told myself that if at all possible, someday, I wanted to own a house with a master bath and walk-in closet.That "someday" arrived nine years … [Read more...]
Wanted Poster: Someone to Play Marbles (or Risk) with Ten-Year-Old Girl
MMM Monday Progress Report: Week 1
Every Monday in October, I plan to pop in and offer an update on my Mega Memory Month project. A "progress report," if you will.You can, too.For Monday Progress Reports, I'll try using Mr. Linky. Bloggers sign up by clicking on the Mr. Linky logo. Mr. Linky will automatically supply a line where you can fill out your name (or blog name) and another where you type or … [Read more...]
Mega Collection of Memorization Tips & Techniques
A resource post to assist participants in Mega Memory Month:I want to offer plenty of support during Mega Memory Month (MMM), so here you can find lots of memorization tips and techniques collected as neatly as possible in one place. I'll add to it as I find more, so bookmark it and revisit from time to time. I'll mark the date that I add any material following … [Read more...]
Don't Let the Word "Mega" Scare You Off
Rachel Anne brought up a good point: the word "mega" is intimidating.Don't be scared of Mega Memory Month.To ease your mind, consider these alternative interpretations of the word "mega" in Mega Memory Month: Mega could refer to the result of memorization, rather than the size of the selection. That is, your memory will grow with every effort, leading to a "mega … [Read more...]
Mega Memory Month–Time to Prepare!
It's the last Monday in September, and October arrives mid-week.Mega Memory Month is just about to arrive.Here's the visual reminder:As so much news about the economic and political challenges swirls around us, it feels like we're caught in a tornado of change.It might seem kind of trite, simplistic or disconnected to commit to a month of memory work in the midst of all of … [Read more...]
Memory Aids to Help Hide It in Your Heart
I can't remember the details of Fahrenheit 451 (which is, ahem, ironic, given that I'm writing about memorization), but I recall that the protagonist committed some Scripture to memory in a world where books were being destroyed.At the end, when the rest of the world is apparently bombed, a remnant, if you will, of people remains--those who have memorized at least portions … [Read more...]
The Parable of the Lost Nickel
As I was leaving the post office, I heard the jingling of loose change hitting the sidewalk. The lady in front of me--from whose hand or purse it must have dropped--glanced down, but didn't stop. She kept walking. I stopped.I saw a nickel and picked it up.I looked around, because it sounded like more than one had fallen, but only found the nickel.I thought about my … [Read more...]
Frugal Friday Thoughts: Old Brown Teapot
Years ago, I found a humble, old, brown, "Made in England" teapot at Goodwill.I loved that old teapot. It was just the right size for a couple of cups of tea in the morning with extra for iced tea later. Or it would serve two cups each to a friend and me.The old brown pot wasn't ornate or delicate; rather, it was simple, sturdy, and useful -- just what this tea-drinker … [Read more...]
"Quatre Quarts" Translates to a Common American Dessert: Guess Which One
Our French visitor offered to make a cake for us. "It's very simple and common," she said. "Everyone makes it." She called it "Quatre Quarts."There are only four ingredients, all in the same amounts. That is, if you weigh your ingredients, like the Europeans do. She didn't know how we managed to cook without a good scale. To a girl used to working in grams, all of those … [Read more...]
Dealing with a Mess (a delicious mess)
I picked what I think is considered a "mess of beans" the other day.From my own little backyard garden!I couldn't believe our meager plot produced so many beans!I wanted to get a picture of them just picked and piled high in my basket, but the kids had borrowed my camera to go to the zoo. I had no idea I'd be at home wanting to take bean pictures (obviously I haven't … [Read more...]
Improve the Mind; Find a Friend
Science Daily summarized a University of Michigan study thusly:Spending just 10 minutes talking to another person can help improve your memory and your performance on tests.And to think that the time you've invested in reading and playing Sudoku could have been replaced by a few minutes with friends!I wonder, though, does it matter what you talk about?Do you have to … [Read more...]
Eco-Friendly Experiments: Bicycling to Church (and thoughts on patience)
This past week we've only had one van. The other one is in the shop for repairs. As a result, we've been creative with transportation solutions, running errands by bicycle or simply staying home some afternoons.Inspired by this forced experiment (and with this post from Anne Jackson still affecting me a little every time we fire up the van on a Sunday), we decided to ride … [Read more...]
Lake Michigan!
When I sat on the sand and watched the water crash against those rocks and send up that spray, I thought, "Why, this could almost be California!" Yet, we only had to drive a few hours to enjoy this Lake Michigan beach.I guess I was surprised that the lake was able to offer such an ocean-like display of power.But when on the drive home I phoned my parents and mentioned the … [Read more...]
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