Where have you been all my life?

I am not usually one to salivate over technology, but the latest love in my life is my Samsung Galaxy Tablet.



It entered my life in a casual way and saw at a glance what I needed...

(Sorry for the blatant plagairism there.  But it's true!)  I received it FREE for signing up with Telus for our TV and internet.  I thought I would like it.  Tablets have always intrigued me.  But little did I know that I would fall in love.

Sorry dear, move over.  Tabby is here to stay.

I used it today to teach piano.  So great!  The little girl was enthralled.  It reached her like no method from my stone age lessons ever could.  All because of a little app called My Piano.  It plays like a piano.  At the table.  What a great way to quiz notes and chords!

I listened to my other guilty pleasure, the Rutherford show, all morning on my Corus radio app.

It beeps when I get mail in my Gmail account.  And then I answered my sister right then and there.  Brilliant!

It already downloaded all my pics from my blog so I don't have to.

We already downloaded too many FREE apps.  (Have you played Where's my Water?  Don't go there unless you have time to kill.  I could hardly turn it off to get ready for lessons today.)

I know, I'm way behind the times.  But I have to say - two thumbs up. 

Tabby, how did I ever live without you?

Weekend Trip

This weekend we were able to go to Edmonton to the temple.  Thanks go out to the Morais family who let us invade their home when we do.  We always have such a good time!  Although the temple was the highlight, we were also able to do some shopping we can't do here in the north, so we ended up using most of our Saturday wandering Ikea and Walmart and my new favorite store the Bulk Barn. 

I hated the Bulk Barn in Lethbridge, but that's because I only really looked at the candy which is ridiculously priced.  Inalee turned me onto the spices there.  I was complaining about cream of tartar costing $8 for a little Tblsp size box and she took me there to show me how cheap it is there ($2 for about a cup.  Playdough here we come!).  We chose some good stuff and it was very affordable and Inalee feels it tastes fresher.  We also got  a few treats that brought back good memories of our family trip to South Dakota - GIANT JAWBREAKERS!  I had to buy one for each of the kids and they had to hear the story again, but it was worth it...

And if you ever find yourself in Fort Assinaboine, Alberta, check out the World's Largest Wagon Wheel and Pick (meaning pick axe, not nose-picking).  Pretty impressive.  You know there is actually a map for all of these giant icons on the Travel Alberta Site.  We have seen the Mushroom, the Egg, the Vulcan Spaceship and I think a couple others.  I'll have to start making a photo journal...

Our only trip regret was we didn't get to spend much time with Em and Trevor and Ty-Ty.  We were too rushed having gotten away 5 hours late due to tire issues.  Next time we have big plans...

Garden Update

An update on the indoor garden -

We transplanted the tomato seedlings into plastic cups - 50 cups to be exact.  That's a lotta tomatoes!  Luckily, Inalee took some off our hands this weekend.  I wish all my family lived closer so I could farm them out to you...

Oh, Emily, I should have asked you!  I will keep them and grow them and bring them next time if you want.  Let me know!   I wasn't sure if you really gardened.

Here are our sunflowers and marigolds...

And the zucchini and cucumbers on the ledge in the boys rooms...

And this is the pic of our tomato plants today, the one above is a couple of weeks ago.  Good thing we love em!

The Final Birthdays

And now for the Birthday Wrap-Up, 2012 edition.

Clayton had a great 9th birthday, complete with a day off school for PD day (best birthday EVER!) and swimming with the fam and his friend Nolan that night.  He requested an ice cream cake, but we don't have anywhere in town that makes them, so I had to get creative.  This cake is a recipe I have saved in my box for 10 years but never done.  Well worth it...

See the excitement?

Malcolm's big day came 10 days later.  He was home with me all day so he helped make and decorate his own cake.  He found out Aunt Emily's birthday is only 3 days after his and that she loves Swedish Berries, so he saved her a piece of cake in the freezer and took it down this weekend.  I'm sure it wasn't too delicious by then, but it's the thought, right?

And that concludes the birthdays for this year.  All in all, pretty successful.  The kids only wanted money which, in my opinion, is about the easiest and best gift for me to give them.  No toys scattered and broken the next day.  In fact they receive money from all their grandparents too, so our trip to Edmontont this weekend yielded fantastic results.  Things I never would have bought them on my own.  Plus they've been saving their money from allowances, so that brought the total up.

The boys pooled their money together and bought a Wii to replace their broken console they have been missing since August.  Madison finally got a pet.  She bought herself a budgie in the city and carried it all the way back in a box.  It's name is Isabella (or Izzy) and she (we hope it's a she) is beautiful.  Madi is using the cage from Dan's work right now until we can locate one in her price range, so it's way fancier than it will be in the end.

A New Career Path

I recently made the decision to begin teaching piano lessons again.  When looking around for a teacher for my own kids, I realized it was slim pickin's around here, so I'm gonna give it a go.

I'm really excited.  I've been reading and planning, prepping games and activities and theory lessons.  I'm tring to incorporate internet resources too, as much as possible.  It's gonna be a fun time!

Things are going good so far.  I put a few posters up around town last week and so far 4 students have signed up.  They're all beginners, so it will be a good chance for me to go back to the basics. 

Here we go, so wish me luck!  Lessons start next week.

p.s.  I started a new blog for my piano 'business' with info etc.  Right now it's not much, but I plan on having categories for practice tips and links to various websites that are useful at home, as well as information on what's going on in our studio.  This will grow as the number of students increases, but if you want to check it out, try highprairiepianoteacher.blogspot.com

Comments and suggestions from outside sources would be welcome as I shape and hone this.  And it actually worked!  I decided to tap into the internet saavy world we live in and people have actually gone to look at it.  Much better than giving the info over the phone a hundred times.

Good Reads

As many of you may know, I'm a sucker for a good whodunit, especially the English village variety.  In the past couple of weeks I have read two that I particularly enjoyed.  Just some ideas in case you're looking for something new to read...

1. "Still Life"  by Louise Penny



I read another book by this author a few years ago and really enjoyed it, then took it back to the library without imprinting the title or author on my brain.  I stumbled across this, her first book, and remembered why I liked the other one.  She is Canadian and her books take place in Quebec.  Very well written and keeps you guessing til the end.


2. "The Killings in Badger's Grift" by Caroline Graham



While living with my parents I became as addicted to the British murder drama as my dad.  I PVR them every Saturday night, in particular Midsomer Murders.  Love it.  While watching, I noticed they acknowledged Caroline Graham as the original concept idea.  Based on her books.  Looked them up in the library and gave it a go.  It did not disappoint.  If you've ever watched the show (and you should!) the characters in the book read just like they are portrayed on tv.  The storyline is captivating, and moves along at a good pace with just enough surprise moments to keep you going.

Powdered Sugar Morning

This morning it looked like a bag of powdered sugar had been opened up and dumped over everything:

Beautiful!

And inside our house spring is coming early:

Because we don't have a garden, we are going to try container gardening this summer.  We've already started some plants to get things on the go.   We have tomatoes, zucchini, kolrabi, and various flowers starting to pop up.  We are planning to keep them in the house as long as we have to, then transfer the pots outside.  Here's hoping!

Vampire Repellent Chicken

Dan also suggested "Transylvania Chicken", since you could eat it and then visit there unharmed.  Hee hee. 

This is one of the best crockpot chicken dishes we've had yet.  Don't be put off by the amount of garlic.  By leaving the skins on the cloves it lessens the flavor, but you can also fiddle with how much you use.  The first time I only put in about half, but yesterday we went full out and it was soooo much better. 

Of course, we love garlic. 

Try it.  It's very easy, very quick to put together but it tastes like you spent hours on it in the end.  I think I will try using a whole fryer next time for a change up. 


Super Garlic Crockpot Chicken Thighs/Legs  (Vampire Repellent)

Place 20 cloves of garlic in your crockpot.  Leave the skins on.

6 chicken pieces (or however many you need to make)

Brush the chicken with olive oil, then rub with salt and steak spice.  You could also use rosemary, red pepper flakes, etc.  Whatever you like and want to use.

Put the chicken pieces into the pot.  I usually put some of the garlic on top of the chicken too.

Pour 1/3 c. of chicken stock over everything.

Cook on low for 7 hours.

Just before dinner, place the chicken under the broiler (on low) in your oven for 5 minutes.

Serve with whatever sides you like and enjoy the fall-off-the-bone garlic goodness.


Be prepared if you are at home all day.  This chicken smells so good cooking away that you will be foaming at the mouth by supper.  If you like garlic, that is....