Free Stuff In Search Of Good Home

My friend Christy recently told me about an online organization called Denver Freecycle. The purpose is to exchange free stuff, instead of throwing out something that someone else might be able to use. I thought it was ingenious! We had some moving boxes left over from the summer, and used Denver Freecycle to give them away. I had three offers for them the same night I posted them.

But I found it was a little bit of a pain to use. You have to get permission to join, and have your post reviewed before it goes live, so it's a little bit of a process. For the sake of comparison, we decided to give away some carpet remnants that were in the basement, and I used the "Free Stuff" category on Craigslist -- one of my favorite websites as I'm sure most of you know! It was quite a bit easier, and again I had three offers for the carpet within an hour of posting it.

So all this is to say -- before you throw things out, give a thought to whether someone else might be able to put it to some use. It seems quick and easy to find it a new home! And the people who came for our stuff seemed really grateful to have it.

Look How Strong!

Ada's Turn!

Logan Gives to TEDDY

Our family owes a big debt to the medical community after all the events of this summer. While I was in the hospital we were asked if we might be receptive to participating in a study or two. Sure enough, we qualified for one, and have agreed to support it.

The TEDDY Study is a long term effort to understand contributing factors in juvenile diabetes. Logan has a slightly higher possibility of contracting it than other children, so they are interested to monitor his health and lifestyle. Not only is this a way that we can contribute to an excellent cause, but it hits close to home in a couple ways. Our god-daughter was just recently diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, and it was quite a sudden shock for her family. Since Logan is at a higher risk, an important benefit of the study is that he will be actively monitored for it, giving us lots of preparation and education.

We just had our first visit today, and Logan was a champ! He even gave us a couple smiles while we filled out paperwork, although he was MUCH less excited about having blood taken. So this afternoon I treated him to a little nap under a tree in the park. For him, of course....

My Shopaholic Companion

Over the last few months I've been able to keep up pretty well with my reading. When I needed something light and cheerful, I started re-reading Sophie Kinsella's books, and I haven't been able to stop! She has 5 books in a series that starts with Confessions of a Shopaholic. I've also enjoyed her "standalone" books, The Undomestic Goddess, Can You Keep a Secret?, and Remember Me? They are completely girly, funny and romantic, with no intellectual value at all, I refer to them as snicker bar books. What a yummy summer it's been. : )

Beginning to Smile

I didn't think I'd be such a sucker for this stuff...

Little Hawkeyes

Veggie Enchiladas!

We've been on the receiving end of many wonderful meals over the last few months. But there has been one in particular that I had to ask for the recipe, and try myself. It turned out wonderfully -- and if I can cook it, anyone can!! I have to pass it along...

Whole wheat tortillas

Vegetables - red pepper, yellow squash, zucchini, and a little red onion

1 can black beans

Onion (green or white, about half a cup chopped)

Cilantro

Cumin

Garlic

Enchilada Sauce--one big can or two small ones

Cheese--about 2 cups shredded

Cut the veggies into 1/2 inch cubes, sautee with olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix with black beans, cheese, and onion. Add one clove of garlic, more if you like. Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin, more if you like. Mix in 3/4 of the cheese. Lay out tortillas, put in veggie mixture, and roll into enchiladas. Put in pan, cover with sauce and the rest of the cheese. Chill, freeze, and/or bake at 350 for ~30 minutes.

Thanks for the recipe -- and the enchiladas -- Sandra!!!

Tummy Time!

Free Stuff In Search Of Good Home

My friend Christy recently told me about an online organization called Denver Freecycle. The purpose is to exchange free stuff, instead of throwing out something that someone else might be able to use. I thought it was ingenious! We had some moving boxes left over from the summer, and used Denver Freecycle to give them away. I had three offers for them the same night I posted them.

But I found it was a little bit of a pain to use. You have to get permission to join, and have your post reviewed before it goes live, so it's a little bit of a process. For the sake of comparison, we decided to give away some carpet remnants that were in the basement, and I used the "Free Stuff" category on Craigslist -- one of my favorite websites as I'm sure most of you know! It was quite a bit easier, and again I had three offers for the carpet within an hour of posting it.

So all this is to say -- before you throw things out, give a thought to whether someone else might be able to put it to some use. It seems quick and easy to find it a new home! And the people who came for our stuff seemed really grateful to have it.

Delivery!

I have always been a pretty big fan of ordering things for delivery, but none has worked out so well as groceries. It's such a great arrangement that Dave suspected it was a scam at first! What a pleasure not to fight with crowds, to shop at your leisure over a couple days... Not to mention, there is NO WAY I'm taking two newborn babies to the grocery store. For $10 our local store (King Soopers, for anyone local) will deliver an order placed online. The only requirement is that your total expenditure is $50 or more, which is pretty easy to meet. I could eat that much ice cream, to be honest.

Speaking of which, here is your courtesy reminder that Dreyers is now selling their holiday varieties, so be sure to try the pink peppermint, eggnog or pumpkin! They're heaven.