about the crabs

Just thought I would update since this blog kinda started with them. I have 17 of the little guys; a mix of strawberries, Caribbeans, Ecuadorians, and one other kind whose name escapes me at the moment. I have not had a death in the tank for a least 1.5 years. The secret to keeping hermit crabs alive in captivity is the quality of the saltwater. I bought a big container of ready made saltwater petco and I have not lost a crab since. They like to climb and bury themselves and trash the tank. Lately several of them have been piled in the corner near the heater, they just sleep in a stack. They don't eat much. Mine live on branches and leaves from our oak tree, dried baby shrimp, dried fruit and oats, and the occacional branch from a mangrove tree. They also like to eat earthworm castings (looks like dirt). I have all but given up on keeping track of individuals cause so many of them look so similar, and they change shells. But there are a few that stand out: Mumper with his grumpy attitude and his missing antenae. Baby with her bright purple claw. Klinger cause he is kinda small, but i'm not 100% sure about him. Anyway, they are fine, although their tank is totally trashed at the moment. Geuss that is one more thing to add to my list.

butternut squash / black bean casserole

Note: This recipe came from the fatfreevegan website.

These shots are before and after baking.I know the finished product is not what they call food porn, but it sure tastes good.
This is a very good dinner. I have made some changes to the original recipe. I use butternut instead of pumpkin. (It was good with pumpkin, but butternut is easier to get.)
I replace the tahini with raw cashews cause I can't stand tahini.(I would use raw cashew butter, but I can't find it anywhere.) The first time I made I used tahini- it was ok- ang liked it both ways.
I use arrowroot instead of cornstarch.
I also add chopped spinach to the filling, and omit the salt.
I think the filling and sauce would be good to make stuffed peppers. I would chop the squash in the food processor, and add it to the bean mixture. I would leave green peppers out of the filling. Use the mixture to stuff green peppers, top with sauce, and bake. might even add some brown rice? could sub kidney beans for black just for color.

Busy girl

what i need to get done in the next five days (in no particular order)

• write R's IEP-done
• write H's IEP done
  
• invent final exams for 5th and 6th hour done
  
• make copies of all exams for admin- done
  
• start W's IEP-done
• make a pot of split pea soup -done and a pot of veggie-chili to freeze for lunches done
  
• set up sub plans for tues and wed (picking up Joe)-done
  
• ride at least 25 miles on my bike not quite
  
• gather appropriate videos for exam days-done
• finish setting up eating disorder project-done
• find a plastic comb binder for ABC books
• make a black bean and butternut casserole- done- or stuffed peppers
• make a thanksgiving loaf done or black bean burgers
• make spinach lasagna
• shop for supplies for the above items-done
• oh yeah, get the consult sheets signed
  
• find my way to south carolina and follow the army's arbitrary and obscure procedures for soldier pick-up
• drive up tues, pick up and drive home wed, back to work thurs
• attend R's IEP meeting- done, but miss H's (yeah!!!)
• i guess i should put up some sort of christmas decorations- Ang did this and it looks beautiful
  
• pay bills done
  
• come up with lesson plans for bobby
• talk to geometry teacher about work
  

ok that should do for now, no wonder i almost fell asleep sitting on the toilet

so i've been thinking about this blog. i am making it a journal for me. if anyone wants to visit and comment that's fine too.

weird things interest me. i once kept a yearlong journal documenting the types, locations, and behaviors of dragonflies and damselflies i observed. i mean, who does that? while i am still interested in dragonflies, spiders, and crabs, I have other hobbies, too.

• cooking- i used to be an indifferent cook at best. cooking was just another chore to get done. well, out of necessity, i have had to take it up a notch (because there are very few people capable of cooking something i will eat) i guess that isn't fair. i know some pretty great cooks. that fault is that i am now too picky about what i will put into my body. i know too much and it ruined lots of food for me. so i am going to use this blog as a sort of food/ recipe log, to keep track of what worked and what did not (remember the high- crucifeous stew -yucko)
• keeping the classroom in order - a full time job
• my pets- nicky, the 17 crabbies, and the cats

so this is my first post, i will try to post once a week or so just to get my cluttered head clear