Hello!

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while.  School inservice began (school BEFORE school, for the teachers) and then of course, school itself began.  Let me just throw in here, I have great classes this year!  It’s going to be a SUPERB year (I can tell already).

Exercise has become a challenge with the lack of time and sleep that I have been getting.  I am bound and determined to find a way to fit it in better this coming week!

Also, I wanted to check in and let everyone know that I (in fact) have NOT fallen off the wagon.  Actually, I’m more checked in than ever.  We just watched “Forks Over Knives” last night and WOW!  Can I just recommend that to EVERYONE who reads this?  Today (Saturday) has been spent canning black beans for the upcoming week, making A TON of marinara sauce for canning later today, and also putting together an okra dish.  My dear friend at school Collette Berry surprised me on Friday with a box full of fresh okra and purple hull peas.  YUM!  She went on to say that she was thinking of us, and brought us some “meat” I had lunch with my dear friend and co-teacher Margaret George who said that she loved to eat okra steamed with fresh tomatoes (skinned).  Also, cooked along with some diced boiled red potatoes.  I am working on that right now.  I intend to water saute (sweat) some onions and garlic, carmelizing them and adding vegetable broth if needed.  Then I will add sliced okra, chopped tomatoes (skinned) and diced potatoes.  I will season that with some Tony Chatcheres (salt free!) that we found earlier.  I hope it turns out as good as it sounds right now!

Meanwhile, I need to keep up with the laundry, clean the kitchen, and grade papers.  Tonight I will drive to the stake dance (in Louisiana!) and chaperone that.  Tomorrow, teaching the Young Women lesson.  Pfew.  Does it ever slow down?