I was reading an article on reducing our carbon footprint this morning, with Earth Hour coming up and all. The article actually consisted of 50+ tips for saving energy, and sometimes money.

In the technology tips, two related to computers stuck in my mind. The first was that we shouldn’t replace a fully functioning computer just because we want to have a new one with all the latest bells and whistles on it. Obvious to me. But the article went on to say that pound for pound, computers are worse polluters than cars. Now I don’t know, my computer doesn’t currently spew any carbon monoxide or greenhouse gases into the air - and I’ll panic if it starts! It’s also powered by hydroelectricity, rather than the burning of some fossil fuel like coal. So I’m not sure whether that statement holds true if we take actual operation of the device into consideration.

But I will overlook that for now, because the other mention of computers was that if you do need a new one a laptop is a more environmentally friendly option than a desktop system. Hmmmm, a new laptop….. Yeah, maybe I should be looking into that while this old beast is still functioning. I don’t want to wait until my current computer dies, after all. We’ll need time to transfer files and programs, configure the system. You know, it takes time to “move in” and get settled with a new computer.

So now the only problem is affording that lovely laptop. Next stop, coupon web sites. Maybe I can save a little cash when I buy my new personal toy family computer. Way cool! I discover that I can save oodles on an XPS 1330, and I even have the option to buy it from a company located in Canada. This is great news, because often specials are only applicable in the United States.

Hey, maybe I’ll get some new running shoes for the kids too. They’ve all grown over the winter, the Bug especially. And I keep saying we have to get out to do more nature study, after all. We do a lot of walking all year round, as we use public transit. I just don’t seem to find enough hours in the day for the nice, long rambles in the woods we used to enjoy so much as kids. (That’s because of the computer, but I have to admit I wouldn’t want to give up my internet!)

I need a new blender too. The kids love their smoothies, and berries will be in season again soon. I “cheated” this week and bought imported strawberries. I guess it’s that tail end of the winter weather cabin fever we get here in Montreal. I’m dying for fresh fruit, and all of a sudden I want to trade (one of) my cups of tea for glasses of juice. We’ve been debating getting a juicer for a while, too.

And a dehydrator. And sometimes I even hover on the edge of buying a bread making machine. No, it stops right there! If I’m going to bake bread I actually want to do the mixing and the kneading. Granted, I have a lot less time now to bake bread. But I’d rather do it less often than have a machine do it for me.

I think we do need a new kitchen scale, though. Ours seems to not be working properly after the kids dropped it on the floor - a couple times…

Oh dear, I’m turning into my mother! (No offense Mom, I know you’ll be reading this within a day or two… It’s just your love of shopping is not one of the things I ever expected to share with you!)

I’m not much of an in-person shopper, but give me a good web site and a credit card and I can easily while away a couple of hours! We’re back to computers with that one! Add some savings and coupons, and I can be quite pleased with myself (that is something I share with Mom )

For the jet setters among my readers, you can get promo codes for Travelocity. I also saw coupons for the crafters and youth leaders among you. School teachers or people planning parties for an upcoming graduation might find some goodies to distribute too. And there were coupons for a couple of popular web sites that sell second hand or rare books. You never know, you might be able to start stocking up on next year’s reading materials at a good savings!

OK I had to throw that in there. I mean, it’s end of March and I’m supposed to have my mind on homeschooling. Not shopping sprees. It’s the wind calling me, and the ankle deep puddles on the sidewalk near the grocery store. Winter has just been too long, and even though it’s technically over, we’re still tromping around in our boots. I want to be outside in my bare feet!

All right, enough! I have to take myself in hand. I’m rounding up the girls and heading out for a little retail therapy, um consumer education. We can do some price comparison, and work on our nutrition labelling project. Yeah, that’s it….

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I’m a little late on this, but I just discovered the recipe and simply had to tell you about it! The folks at Hayes Happenings have posted a simply wonderful Resurrection Cookie Recipe. Make these the night before Easter, and let them bake in an oven you’ve preheated then turned off. It’s a wonderful family tradition that will help your kids better understand the meaning behind Easter.

Enjoy!

This work was created by Ruby of Freehold 2, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License.

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The Grand Opening and Easter Egg Hunt are now over, but CurrClick is still a terrific source for homeschool curriculum and support materials. I picked up the Trail Guide to World Geography this week, and will get a proper review put together for you shortly. In the meantime, watch for publisher discounts as well as the weekly CurrClick free download.

Amy Puetz offers us a collection of four old-time recipes in Tea Time. This free e-book will be of interest to all those whose daughters (and sons!) who enjoy throwing tea parties. If you want a little extra material for your explorations you might also want to look at Heroines of the Past - Victorian 1870-1900 - which has collector cards, games from long ago, biographical information, craft patterns and more.

As we begin to make plans for our next homeschool year I’m sure my readers are compiling lists of those “gotta have” texts to purchase. Remember to check CurrClick before you look elsewhere! Often the e-book version of a popular text is less expensive, and it’s certainly more flexible when it comes to anything consumable like worksheets and reproducibles! E-books are a boon to the large family who intend to use a certain text for several children, as the price of printing is usually less than paying for a hard copy, tax, and shipping - and you can print as you need, to spread the cost out.

The other great advantage with CurrClick is that the transaction is almost instantaneous, and books are never out of stock. Pay with a credit card or use your PayPal account. As soon as the payment clears (under a minute) you’ll be able to download your text. No waiting!

If you’ve never downloaded an e-text don’t worry, CurrClick is a very “forgiving” merchant. All purchases automatically come with repeat downloads, just in case something goes wrong. You just need to click and save to your computer. Most computers come preloaded with a PDF reader, so the rest should be as easy as clicking on the file to open it. Print only what you need. It’s that easy!

This work was created by Ruby of Freehold 2, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License.

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Here’s a dish you can easily do with the kids. (Or bake it while they’re busy, so they don’t know they’re eating fibre!)

Ruby’s Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

• 10 - 14 apples, sliced
• 2/3 (about 160 mL) white sugar
• 2 tbsp (30mL) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp (10 mL) ground cinnamon or apple spice
• zest of one lemon or orange (optional)

• 1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (125mL) butter or margarine
• 1 cup (250 mL) whole wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp (roughly 1 mL) baking powder
• 1/4 tsp (roughly 1 mL) baking soda
• 1 cup (250 mL) oats
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) wheat germ
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped walnuts (optional)

I make this in my 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Core and peel the apples, and cut them up. Some recipes call for them to be sliced thinly but I prefer thicker pieces. I’ve also seen some folks leave the skin on, to boost the fibre content. I don’t much care for it this way myself, but do try if this appeals to you (excuse the pun!)

As for choice of apples, I like to use 2-3 types together if I have them on hand. Spartans are good for baking, as are Granny Smith, though the latter are pricier. Around here we get a lot of Cortland and Empire, which I quite like in my crisp. If you can get your hands on Ida Reds you can make a “Ruby Red Apple Crisp.” If all you have is McIntosh, these work just fine too.

You may need to adjust the amount of sugar if your apples are very tart or sweet. This is a bit of trial and error, but personally I find the topping is sweet enough and will sometimes completely omit the sugar in the apples. Mix the cut apples with the sugar, flour, spice and zest. Lay out in your baking dish. I often omit the flour, especially if I’m using the zest.

To make the topping cut cold butter into the brown sugar to distribute it evenly, then just stir in the other ingredients. If you really like spice you can add a touch to the topping as well. Pat it down over the apples.

You can use regular all purpose flour instead of whole wheat. We just prefer whole wheat in our house for baking. If you can’t get wheat germ or flax seed don’t worry. Your topping will be perfectly fine without it. Any kind of nut or seed could be used, instead of the walnuts. I knew a woman who used sunflower seeds, which I think would have been quite tasty if she had toasted them first.

Bake your apple crisp 45 minutes at 350°F (175°C.) Serve warm with a bit of heavy cream or vanilla ice cream. It’s just as good cold the next day, though. This is one of the few sweet things I’ll let the kids eat for breakfast when there are left-overs. It’s sweet, but between the apples and the oatmeal I figure it’s better than a chocolate chip muffin!

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If you are a lover of sweets this is a recipe you really should try. It may sound odd but it’s a wonderful pie, similar to a southern pecan pie or our Québecois tarte au sucre (sugar pie.) If you like raisin tarts you’ll like this too. I first discovered Oatmeal Pie courtesy of Miss Maggie (aka the Hillbilly Housewife.) This recipe is my own take on her frugal dessert.

Oatmeal Pie

Ingredients:

• 3 medium eggs
• 1/3 cup (about 80mL) honey
• 1/3 cup (80 mL) melted margarine or butter
• 2/3 cup (160 mL) sugar
• 1 cup (250 mL) uncooked oats
• 1 tbsp (15mL) wheat germ (optional)
• 1/4 tsp (about 1mL) salt
• 1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) medium coconut and/or raisins (optional)

Beat the eggs with a whisk. Add honey, margarine & sugar; mix together well. Stir in oats, wheat germ, salt and cinnamon. Mix until all the dry ingredients are well incorporated. Add coconut and/or raisins, and stir just enough to distribute evenly.

Pour into a prepared 9″ (22 cm) pie shell. Bake 45 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Best served warm with vanilla ice cream (isn’t all pie?)

If you like maple, add 1 tsp maple extract or substitute maple syrup for the honey. Use walnuts instead of the coconut.

This is a pretty kid-proof recipe, so if the kids want to help don’t worry about including them. As long as they can be trusted around the melted margarine, and they won’t try to eat the filling (raw eggs!) they should be able to take part in the preparation. My kids love to help with cracking the eggs & measuring the ingredients (a good fractions lesson!) We usually measure out some extra nuts or raisins for them to munch on during the preparation or baking - it’s hard to wait for the treat!

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