Every year I think of something to work on for the year. Last year I wanted to remove some of the clutter in this house.
I did succeed in getting rid of most of the baby clothes and things that just accumulate when a baby/toddler is around. My baby turned five this year so I thought this appropriate.
I got some boxes out of my bedroom that had not been unpacked since we moved in five years ago. Found my collection of my favorite books. This is important to me as I rarely purchase books unless I am at a garage sale. I had decided that if there was a book that made my top ten list I would purchase a hardbound copy. Funny that I only have three of them now because I still cannot bring myself to get out the money for a book when libraries are so plentiful. Silly me.
I also tacked the shelves in the basement. I have the boxes of donate-sell-toss to prove it. Well not the toss one anymore, but I have not gotten around to the sell part yet.
This year I am going to try two resolutions to make my world a better place and ... well you get the idea. Here are my thoughts on what I am going to do:
Try to instill some type of gratefulness in my boys. They have no idea how much they have. Not just material possession-wise. But in the fact that their parents are married and in love. That all grandparents are still married. That family lives close. That they have plenty of food on their table. That their parents can go out an buy any toy they want whenever they desire it (although we rarely do that on a whim). That there are plenty of adults in their world that love them to pieces and would bend over backwards for them. These things are invaluable and are a part of who they are, but because they are young and in the egocentric part of their development, my boys have not recognized it yet. We may even begin to do service projects-like Habitat for Humanity as my hooligans love anything having to do with tools.
Second, and more fun because it has to do with food, we are going to tour the USA through state favorite recipes. I found a "Best of.." cookbook in my holiday frenzy and the idea was born. I have a die cut machine and a cartridge of the states that I have already used to cut out a continental USA that is approximately 3 feet by 5 feet. I am in the process of laminating the states. We are going to create notebooks with state info and the boys will help me choose which recipe to use for each state. I am totally looking forward to this.
Happy new year to all! Be safe!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Tree
Finally, our tree is standing in the house. We put it in it's stand on December 18th. Wheww-almost missed the deadline.
Part of me wants to keep it up until roughly Valentines day because of all the time decorating a tree takes. The length of time should be in mathematical proportion to the length of time it took to decorate the tree. We will see about that one.
DadOfAllTrades had the tree in the garage to melt. Or at least have the snow from the blizzard that caused us to get the tree so late melt. He propped it up on the tractor so the water would melt down and the tree wouldn't be sitting in a puddle. When he went out in the morning, he noticed the tree had fallen over. No biggie, he thought and tried to right the tree.
Then he noticed that the top two feet were still on the ground.
So, we tried to put the tree up without the top two feet, hoping a large angel would cover the problem. It actually looked like the angel was in a volcano.
Then we tried to just prop up the top in the branches. Kinda worked, but it could not hold up the angel and she was listing to one side.
So, I did what any CreativeMama would do. I used duct tape. Of course the fullness of the tree (the part that attracted me to it in the first place) caused such fixing to be a mini nightmare. I tried with long strips. I tried with short strips. I think I finally have it. Just don't get near the tree this year or you may have pine needles embedded in your skull when the top springs off again.
Now our tree is up, it is taped, and I have yet to finish the lights and let the boys loose on the ornaments.
Ahh, Christmas.
Part of me wants to keep it up until roughly Valentines day because of all the time decorating a tree takes. The length of time should be in mathematical proportion to the length of time it took to decorate the tree. We will see about that one.
DadOfAllTrades had the tree in the garage to melt. Or at least have the snow from the blizzard that caused us to get the tree so late melt. He propped it up on the tractor so the water would melt down and the tree wouldn't be sitting in a puddle. When he went out in the morning, he noticed the tree had fallen over. No biggie, he thought and tried to right the tree.
Then he noticed that the top two feet were still on the ground.
So, we tried to put the tree up without the top two feet, hoping a large angel would cover the problem. It actually looked like the angel was in a volcano.
Then we tried to just prop up the top in the branches. Kinda worked, but it could not hold up the angel and she was listing to one side.
So, I did what any CreativeMama would do. I used duct tape. Of course the fullness of the tree (the part that attracted me to it in the first place) caused such fixing to be a mini nightmare. I tried with long strips. I tried with short strips. I think I finally have it. Just don't get near the tree this year or you may have pine needles embedded in your skull when the top springs off again.
Now our tree is up, it is taped, and I have yet to finish the lights and let the boys loose on the ornaments.
Ahh, Christmas.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Trying to find the joy
I am having trouble getting in the Christmas spirit this year.
There, I said it. Sometimes just putting it in words that come out of your mouth make one feel better. But I don’t, yet.
December is always busy. There are gifts to buy. [Then return because they bought it for themselves; then re-buy, then.. well you get it.] There are meals to plan and prepare for those you wish to honor in this way. There are decorations to put up. A tree to bring in the house and confuse the poor dog. Kids pageants to attend. Family members to argue with over who brings the cheesy potatoes to Eve dinner. Or not. Forget I mentioned that last one.
The list gets bigger and bigger every year and I just want to crawl under a bigger and bigger blanket every year. I am not sure why. There was one year I remember as an adult in which I felt particularly festive. I remember driving home from work so it was sometime after college, or I was in college on break, and thinking that even the stop lights are red and green. Wondrous! But I can’t remember much joy beyond that.
When does this fabulous season get to be so hectic and not festive for a mom? Shouldn’t I be feeling the joy through my kid’s eyes? Why don’t I drool at the thought of the special cookies we make? When did it all become so much?
Maybe it is the moving of my nephew out of the house. I never thought it would cause me to pause and think of how much I miss taking care of him. Well, not really as he is 24 years old. But he did live in the warmth of our house, and ate our food, and received mail here, and even took our advice. I guess one could say that he was like a son without the hours of back labor. And he has his first apartment. I get weepy ever thinking about it, and have refused to think about when my 6 and 5 year olds move out. Perish the thought.
Maybe it is that we have just got our tree and it is the 17th of December. You see, there was this huge blizzard on the day we wanted to get the tree. Then there was more blizzard the next day. Plans got scrapped, and we just got around to driving the quarter mile to the “tree house”, as the boys call it. This wonderful family started a tree business that we could practically walk to, but don’t because it would involve a main street of 55 mph traffic. They have the nicest Frasier Furs and a really cool wood burning stove. And, to make it all the more small-townish, their nephew is in Buzz’s kindergarten class. When we did arrive, we ask if the snow has kept people away because he seems to have quite a few trees left this year (not in those words. I think DadOfAllTrades did pretty well with eloquence in this occasion, I might add.) It turns out the PTO of one of the local schools had a tree sale this year. It was held at a location that was within one mile of three different places that sell trees and have been selling trees for many years. Then, they had the nerve to arrive on his property and ask if he wanted to buy their leftovers. I had heard about his sale because I have kids in the schools, but had no interest because we have our “tree house”. It reduced his sales by 1/3!!! Bah humbug I say. Keep the tree sales to the pros and find something else to raise money with. We already pay enough in taxes to the schools.
Maybe because during the blizzard our 15 year old dog started acting weird. Like stumbling around. Like head cocked to one side. Like walking over to his bed then staring at it like he didn’t know what to do. I have worked with enough elderly to recognize the symptoms of a stroke when I see it. DadOfAllTrades was beside himself because our dog is like his firstborn. This dog was his comfort during the roughest time of his life and is still 2 years old in DadOfAllTrades’ mind. I honestly think that DadOfAllTrades thought we were going to have to put the dog down. It was both touching and heartbreaking at the same time. I have to admit my prayers went something like this: “Please God, let him make it through Christmas because I cannot handle having to comfort my husband and try to crawl out from under my own haze. Sorry to be selfish, God, but you want us to tell you our fears….” Let it be known that doggie is doing well. He will always have a half-cocked head, but at least he is peeing outside now.
Maybe it is the fact that I want to have my own wife during this season. No, I do not play for both teams. I just want to have someone who does it all and all I have to do is show up dressed right. I cannot take full credit for this idea (thank you FB). How is it that the male persuasion of this world can pay only the bill for the holiday and the female persuasion run themselves ragged for five or so weeks? How is it that the male can ask “Boy honey, you look tired. Why?” and be serious that they do not know?
Maybe DadOfAllTrades, who lovingly suggested that we paint the front room before the 24th, is doing a whole lotta complaining. It was YOUR idea. Just saying.
Maybe this will pass. Maybe not. But I will have 13 people in my house on the 19th, and 25 or more on the eve of Christmas and there is not one clean toilet in the house. I must get a move on and crawl out from under this blanket. God bless us every one.
There, I said it. Sometimes just putting it in words that come out of your mouth make one feel better. But I don’t, yet.
December is always busy. There are gifts to buy. [Then return because they bought it for themselves; then re-buy, then.. well you get it.] There are meals to plan and prepare for those you wish to honor in this way. There are decorations to put up. A tree to bring in the house and confuse the poor dog. Kids pageants to attend. Family members to argue with over who brings the cheesy potatoes to Eve dinner. Or not. Forget I mentioned that last one.
The list gets bigger and bigger every year and I just want to crawl under a bigger and bigger blanket every year. I am not sure why. There was one year I remember as an adult in which I felt particularly festive. I remember driving home from work so it was sometime after college, or I was in college on break, and thinking that even the stop lights are red and green. Wondrous! But I can’t remember much joy beyond that.
When does this fabulous season get to be so hectic and not festive for a mom? Shouldn’t I be feeling the joy through my kid’s eyes? Why don’t I drool at the thought of the special cookies we make? When did it all become so much?
Maybe it is the moving of my nephew out of the house. I never thought it would cause me to pause and think of how much I miss taking care of him. Well, not really as he is 24 years old. But he did live in the warmth of our house, and ate our food, and received mail here, and even took our advice. I guess one could say that he was like a son without the hours of back labor. And he has his first apartment. I get weepy ever thinking about it, and have refused to think about when my 6 and 5 year olds move out. Perish the thought.
Maybe it is that we have just got our tree and it is the 17th of December. You see, there was this huge blizzard on the day we wanted to get the tree. Then there was more blizzard the next day. Plans got scrapped, and we just got around to driving the quarter mile to the “tree house”, as the boys call it. This wonderful family started a tree business that we could practically walk to, but don’t because it would involve a main street of 55 mph traffic. They have the nicest Frasier Furs and a really cool wood burning stove. And, to make it all the more small-townish, their nephew is in Buzz’s kindergarten class. When we did arrive, we ask if the snow has kept people away because he seems to have quite a few trees left this year (not in those words. I think DadOfAllTrades did pretty well with eloquence in this occasion, I might add.) It turns out the PTO of one of the local schools had a tree sale this year. It was held at a location that was within one mile of three different places that sell trees and have been selling trees for many years. Then, they had the nerve to arrive on his property and ask if he wanted to buy their leftovers. I had heard about his sale because I have kids in the schools, but had no interest because we have our “tree house”. It reduced his sales by 1/3!!! Bah humbug I say. Keep the tree sales to the pros and find something else to raise money with. We already pay enough in taxes to the schools.
Maybe because during the blizzard our 15 year old dog started acting weird. Like stumbling around. Like head cocked to one side. Like walking over to his bed then staring at it like he didn’t know what to do. I have worked with enough elderly to recognize the symptoms of a stroke when I see it. DadOfAllTrades was beside himself because our dog is like his firstborn. This dog was his comfort during the roughest time of his life and is still 2 years old in DadOfAllTrades’ mind. I honestly think that DadOfAllTrades thought we were going to have to put the dog down. It was both touching and heartbreaking at the same time. I have to admit my prayers went something like this: “Please God, let him make it through Christmas because I cannot handle having to comfort my husband and try to crawl out from under my own haze. Sorry to be selfish, God, but you want us to tell you our fears….” Let it be known that doggie is doing well. He will always have a half-cocked head, but at least he is peeing outside now.
Maybe it is the fact that I want to have my own wife during this season. No, I do not play for both teams. I just want to have someone who does it all and all I have to do is show up dressed right. I cannot take full credit for this idea (thank you FB). How is it that the male persuasion of this world can pay only the bill for the holiday and the female persuasion run themselves ragged for five or so weeks? How is it that the male can ask “Boy honey, you look tired. Why?” and be serious that they do not know?
Maybe DadOfAllTrades, who lovingly suggested that we paint the front room before the 24th, is doing a whole lotta complaining. It was YOUR idea. Just saying.
Maybe this will pass. Maybe not. But I will have 13 people in my house on the 19th, and 25 or more on the eve of Christmas and there is not one clean toilet in the house. I must get a move on and crawl out from under this blanket. God bless us every one.
It could be...
Well here we are. A full week has gone by without an update.
I could blame it on the season.
I could blame it on the blizzard.
I could blame it on the fact that our beloved dog had stroke-like symptoms last Sunday and I have been a nervous nellie about him passing. Which he didn't by the way.
It could be that our tree is still not in the house. That means it is not even decorated and there are only 7 days until the BIG ONE.
It could be that there was some shopping to finish (not done yet).
It could be that there is a room that DadOfAllTrades stated would be easy to paint now that everything is out of it and it is only half done (not by his fault, more by the fact that he has to bring home the bacon on a daily basis.)
It could be that I took a jiujitsu class on Thursday and I can still barely walk. Seriously.
It could be that there are (all the sudden) going to be nine other persons in the house for dinner tomorrow that we did not plan on having and now there is a huge dinner I must do and shop for.
Or it could be that I am having a semi-good time watching our children hunt for the Elf on the Shelf every morning.
Whatever it is, I am starting to get into the spirit if only by the fact that I must keep moving.
I could blame it on the season.
I could blame it on the blizzard.
I could blame it on the fact that our beloved dog had stroke-like symptoms last Sunday and I have been a nervous nellie about him passing. Which he didn't by the way.
It could be that our tree is still not in the house. That means it is not even decorated and there are only 7 days until the BIG ONE.
It could be that there was some shopping to finish (not done yet).
It could be that there is a room that DadOfAllTrades stated would be easy to paint now that everything is out of it and it is only half done (not by his fault, more by the fact that he has to bring home the bacon on a daily basis.)
It could be that I took a jiujitsu class on Thursday and I can still barely walk. Seriously.
It could be that there are (all the sudden) going to be nine other persons in the house for dinner tomorrow that we did not plan on having and now there is a huge dinner I must do and shop for.
Or it could be that I am having a semi-good time watching our children hunt for the Elf on the Shelf every morning.
Whatever it is, I am starting to get into the spirit if only by the fact that I must keep moving.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The links have it...
I have to admit, I am tired already this morning thinking about how my life will go today. Moving all day, potential city stopping blizzard on the way, no idea if we will even have time for dinner. I got a good night's sleep last night, so I do feel ready for this. But some other part of me wants to be home on a snowy Saturday and do next to nothing besides build my relationships with my family and wrap Christmas presents.
And then God talked to me this way...
I looked at a friend's blog...
Then I was linked to this one... (The best name ever, by the way)
Then I found this post," Seeing Past What It Seems".
Now, I am not saying that my business today is in any way on the magnitude of this woman's life. Her story is both heartbreaking and joyful. But this post brought me to tears. Her, and her husbands, ability to work through what had happened to them is beyond any words I can come up with.
Today I am going to take the time to look past the obvious and see past what it seems. I am going to look into peoples eyes and say "Happy Holidays", and REALLY mean it. And I am going to try to notice these little signs of struggle AND ask if the people I know need help.
Thank you God for putting it outside of me.
And then God talked to me this way...
I looked at a friend's blog...
Then I was linked to this one... (The best name ever, by the way)
Then I found this post," Seeing Past What It Seems".
Now, I am not saying that my business today is in any way on the magnitude of this woman's life. Her story is both heartbreaking and joyful. But this post brought me to tears. Her, and her husbands, ability to work through what had happened to them is beyond any words I can come up with.
Today I am going to take the time to look past the obvious and see past what it seems. I am going to look into peoples eyes and say "Happy Holidays", and REALLY mean it. And I am going to try to notice these little signs of struggle AND ask if the people I know need help.
Thank you God for putting it outside of me.
Friday, December 10, 2010
7 Quick Takes
From a website I so understand...Testosterhome. [She has five male children and a husband. Then she had a daughter. Bless her!]
The concept of 7 quick takes is from Conversationdiary. On Friday, one blogs about seven quick things, one for every day of the week. Or in my case, seven random things.
Here I go...
1. Lake effect snow is unpredictable. There are only a few places in the world that experience this phenomenon. I happen to live in one of them. What makes it most entertaining is that some folks seem to think that it is no big deal. Really? Three feet of snow on the roads is "no big deal"? They fly around like it is the Olympic ice driving course and wonder why they end up in the ditch. The news is actually entertaining during one of these storms.
2. Boys hit. 'nuf said.
3. I will never get all my shopping for Christmas done before Thanksgiving no matter how hard I try. This year I remembered all the random school gifts but forgot my one SIL and , gasp!, my In Laws. How did that happen?
4. I love making cookies for the season. Not the sugar thing, I think it is just the different things one finds in Christmas cookies. Like cardamom. And molasses. Yum.
5. Craig's List will never be successful for me. I have posted our Little People (rarely used) a week or so ago and haven't even got one hit. Sigh.
6. The Waving Santa has truly become an obsession for my son. He has begun sitting in a chair by a window so that he can stare at it's form in the snow, whether it is inflated or not. He has begun tying a latex glove to a straw to pretend that it is inflating; including laying on the floor and slowly rising like some kind of yoga move. He has even stated that he wants to be a Waving Santa for Halloween next year. (I may be good at costumes, but this one is going to take a while to do.) Once this thing dies or rips, DadOfAllTrades and I may have big trouble on our hands.
7. We do not have a tree to decorate yet. DadOfAllTrades wants to paint a room, impromptu style, before guests arrive on the 24th, and I have a million presents to wrap. Ahh, the holidays.
There you go-the first seven things that popped into my head today. I might make this a habit. That was fun!
The concept of 7 quick takes is from Conversationdiary. On Friday, one blogs about seven quick things, one for every day of the week. Or in my case, seven random things.
Here I go...
1. Lake effect snow is unpredictable. There are only a few places in the world that experience this phenomenon. I happen to live in one of them. What makes it most entertaining is that some folks seem to think that it is no big deal. Really? Three feet of snow on the roads is "no big deal"? They fly around like it is the Olympic ice driving course and wonder why they end up in the ditch. The news is actually entertaining during one of these storms.
2. Boys hit. 'nuf said.
3. I will never get all my shopping for Christmas done before Thanksgiving no matter how hard I try. This year I remembered all the random school gifts but forgot my one SIL and , gasp!, my In Laws. How did that happen?
4. I love making cookies for the season. Not the sugar thing, I think it is just the different things one finds in Christmas cookies. Like cardamom. And molasses. Yum.
5. Craig's List will never be successful for me. I have posted our Little People (rarely used) a week or so ago and haven't even got one hit. Sigh.
6. The Waving Santa has truly become an obsession for my son. He has begun sitting in a chair by a window so that he can stare at it's form in the snow, whether it is inflated or not. He has begun tying a latex glove to a straw to pretend that it is inflating; including laying on the floor and slowly rising like some kind of yoga move. He has even stated that he wants to be a Waving Santa for Halloween next year. (I may be good at costumes, but this one is going to take a while to do.) Once this thing dies or rips, DadOfAllTrades and I may have big trouble on our hands.
7. We do not have a tree to decorate yet. DadOfAllTrades wants to paint a room, impromptu style, before guests arrive on the 24th, and I have a million presents to wrap. Ahh, the holidays.
There you go-the first seven things that popped into my head today. I might make this a habit. That was fun!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
New Favorite Cookie Recipe #2
Without further ado...
Crinkled Molasses Cookies
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup veggie shortening (or butter for you purists, like me)
1/4 cup light molasses
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp salt
granulated sugar
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In large mixing bowl combine 1 cup sugar, shortening, molasses and egg. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add flour through salt. Beat at low speed until soft dough forms.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until set. Cool completely before serving.
So, here is my take on these gems:
The flavor is not overpowering as some molasses cookies can be, but it does have that warm, cozy winter taste.
I used butter because I love the taste. But you don't have to. Unless you want to be just like me. Then you would have to leave out to cloves and sub nutmeg, around 3/4 tsp. 'Cuz I don't like cloves other than those floating around in marinades. Just my tongues opinion.
Don't add the dry stuff all at once or you will have a lot of cleaning to do. Add it in three parts.
Enjoy!
Crinkled Molasses Cookies
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup veggie shortening (or butter for you purists, like me)
1/4 cup light molasses
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp salt
granulated sugar
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In large mixing bowl combine 1 cup sugar, shortening, molasses and egg. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add flour through salt. Beat at low speed until soft dough forms.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until set. Cool completely before serving.
So, here is my take on these gems:
The flavor is not overpowering as some molasses cookies can be, but it does have that warm, cozy winter taste.
I used butter because I love the taste. But you don't have to. Unless you want to be just like me. Then you would have to leave out to cloves and sub nutmeg, around 3/4 tsp. 'Cuz I don't like cloves other than those floating around in marinades. Just my tongues opinion.
Don't add the dry stuff all at once or you will have a lot of cleaning to do. Add it in three parts.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
My favorite cookies 2010 recipe #1
I recently asked another karate mom if she had any cookie recipes she enjoyed making for the holidays. I have a couple of favorites, but am getting bored. I do want to teach the boys more cooking, and what better way than with sugar? Anyway, karatemom brought six cookbooks into the lounge the very next day and pointed out her favorites. She told me the nuances of each recipe, a couple of which included the spice cardamom. I had never even heard of it, but she told me it was pricey and that the container she bought years ago is still half full. I won't tell you how many years because she cringed when mentioning it, and I realized I have a large container of pumpkin pie spice that is roughly the same age, so who am I to talk?
**As an aside, why do companies sell spices one needs in quantities less than one teaspoon in containers so big? Why don't they only sell them small? Cooks tell us to use fresh spices, then we buy them and can never use them up in the time frame when they are considered "fresh". So we leave them in our cabinets for years taking one little eighth of a teaspoon each time praying that the flavor is still there because it cost us a weeks pay. Just saying.**
Back to the lounge at the dojo... I grabbed a dull pencil and franticly started copying. In two hours I was able to copy six recipes. This weekend I was able to make two of those. And I have to say that karatemom is also the angel of cookies. She was absolutely right when it comes to cookie recipes. And cardamom is the scent of heaven! I am in love with this spice and am hoping that someone, somewhere has put it in a candle or a homemade soap so that I can smell it all day, every day. If you have heard of such thing, pass on the phone number so that I can order a case. Until then, enjoy new cookie recipe #1. I recommend making a double batch 'cuz half of them won't even get the chance to cool.
Browned Butter Cardamom Cookies
1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cardamom (can go up to 3/4 if you love this spice like me)
2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup powdered sugar
Melt butter in a 2 quart heavy saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly and watching closely until butter just begins to turn golden brown (5-8 minutes). Immediately remove from heat, pour in bowl and refrigerate until cool (30 minutes).
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine cooled butter and sugar in large bowl; beat at medium speed until well mixed. Add egg yolk, vanilla and cardamom. Continue beating until well mixed. Reduce speed to low; beat while gradually adding flour, until mixture is no longer crumbly and forms a dough.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place one inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies puff and just start to turn light golden brown (cookies will have cracks).
Immediately remove from cookie sheets. Cool one minute. Roll cookies in powdered sugar while warm and again while cool. Store between sheets of waxed paper in loosely covered container.
**As an aside, why do companies sell spices one needs in quantities less than one teaspoon in containers so big? Why don't they only sell them small? Cooks tell us to use fresh spices, then we buy them and can never use them up in the time frame when they are considered "fresh". So we leave them in our cabinets for years taking one little eighth of a teaspoon each time praying that the flavor is still there because it cost us a weeks pay. Just saying.**
Back to the lounge at the dojo... I grabbed a dull pencil and franticly started copying. In two hours I was able to copy six recipes. This weekend I was able to make two of those. And I have to say that karatemom is also the angel of cookies. She was absolutely right when it comes to cookie recipes. And cardamom is the scent of heaven! I am in love with this spice and am hoping that someone, somewhere has put it in a candle or a homemade soap so that I can smell it all day, every day. If you have heard of such thing, pass on the phone number so that I can order a case. Until then, enjoy new cookie recipe #1. I recommend making a double batch 'cuz half of them won't even get the chance to cool.
Browned Butter Cardamom Cookies
1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cardamom (can go up to 3/4 if you love this spice like me)
2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup powdered sugar
Melt butter in a 2 quart heavy saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly and watching closely until butter just begins to turn golden brown (5-8 minutes). Immediately remove from heat, pour in bowl and refrigerate until cool (30 minutes).
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine cooled butter and sugar in large bowl; beat at medium speed until well mixed. Add egg yolk, vanilla and cardamom. Continue beating until well mixed. Reduce speed to low; beat while gradually adding flour, until mixture is no longer crumbly and forms a dough.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place one inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies puff and just start to turn light golden brown (cookies will have cracks).
Immediately remove from cookie sheets. Cool one minute. Roll cookies in powdered sugar while warm and again while cool. Store between sheets of waxed paper in loosely covered container.
Monday, December 6, 2010
SNOW DAY!
We have been blessed with an extra day of weekend love. Folks around here call it a snow day-mostly 'cuz it has snowed so fast or so much that the plows cannot keep up. We are used to it and somewhat prepare for it. This time, however, I am totally unprepared and so flippin happy about it I can barely contain myself. Here is why I am excited about having a day totally unplanned, with two grade-schoolers, and nowhere to go. Not that we could get there if we wanted anyway.
My nephew moved out yesterday and amid my weeping, I got nothing done.
This is a poor excuse and I would normally have chalked it up to a "wasted" weekend day. You know, the ones where you had, for all intended purposes, getting a massive amount of things done because everyone was home. DadOfAllTrades could pound out the oil changes. I could clean and cook for the week. The boys could play, play, play. And we could all eat healthy meals. It becomes "wasted" when things beyond your control happen to not allow you to cross even one thing off your list. Like DadOfAllTrades getting called into work. Or a family get together (not that this is bad, but floors do not get vacuumed when one is not home). Or the boys are at each other and I am afraid to leave them alone for fear of having to make an ER run. So, "wasted" in this case was the moving van in my driveway. Oldest nephew moved into his first apartment and it bothered me in a big way.
So, there were many young strapping men in my house tracking snow and who knows what all over my floors. (I forgive the "No shoes" rule on moving days-not too practical to try to put on a pair of shoes while suspending a heavy sleeper sofa.) A few of these young strapping men arrived before I showered and saw me in my flannel jammies with crazy hair. Oh well. My SIL brought over donuts. My boys ate two donuts each in roughly four minutes. Really- I don't think I had time to even look at the clock to keep time before the donuts were in their bellies and smeared on their faces.
DadOfAllTrades had an overnight assignment and did not hit the sheets until 5am. By the way, he had to tell me this because I was soooooo sleeping. I do that sometimes-the queen of sleep. Anyway, he woke feeling groggy, grumpy, and walking like Frankenstein to the coffeemaker. Donuts and coffee lightened his spirits quite a bit as I rarely allow such trans fat to cross my threshold. A warm breakfast including fruit and whole grains is my habit, and sometimes DadOfAllTrades objects to this (as is demonstrated by the insane amount of Pop-Tarts I have owned).
So moving happened, my youngin's kept getting yelled at because they were underfoot, and I had to try to roll Christmas cookies in powdered sugar/chocolate/nuts amidst the chaos. I think I washed my hands 248 times yesterday. The boys received too few warm fuzzies for my blood yesterday. My mood did not help their mood. Ugh.
So here I am with a shot at redemption. I have a day of nothingness spread out ahead of me! Bliss! I could sit on the floor and make Lego somethings for hours (at least until my aging hips scream too loudly). I could create a list and we could go at it. Or I could let the boys dictate the goings-on.
Not sure. I'll decide later. Until then, we cuddle.
My nephew moved out yesterday and amid my weeping, I got nothing done.
This is a poor excuse and I would normally have chalked it up to a "wasted" weekend day. You know, the ones where you had, for all intended purposes, getting a massive amount of things done because everyone was home. DadOfAllTrades could pound out the oil changes. I could clean and cook for the week. The boys could play, play, play. And we could all eat healthy meals. It becomes "wasted" when things beyond your control happen to not allow you to cross even one thing off your list. Like DadOfAllTrades getting called into work. Or a family get together (not that this is bad, but floors do not get vacuumed when one is not home). Or the boys are at each other and I am afraid to leave them alone for fear of having to make an ER run. So, "wasted" in this case was the moving van in my driveway. Oldest nephew moved into his first apartment and it bothered me in a big way.
So, there were many young strapping men in my house tracking snow and who knows what all over my floors. (I forgive the "No shoes" rule on moving days-not too practical to try to put on a pair of shoes while suspending a heavy sleeper sofa.) A few of these young strapping men arrived before I showered and saw me in my flannel jammies with crazy hair. Oh well. My SIL brought over donuts. My boys ate two donuts each in roughly four minutes. Really- I don't think I had time to even look at the clock to keep time before the donuts were in their bellies and smeared on their faces.
DadOfAllTrades had an overnight assignment and did not hit the sheets until 5am. By the way, he had to tell me this because I was soooooo sleeping. I do that sometimes-the queen of sleep. Anyway, he woke feeling groggy, grumpy, and walking like Frankenstein to the coffeemaker. Donuts and coffee lightened his spirits quite a bit as I rarely allow such trans fat to cross my threshold. A warm breakfast including fruit and whole grains is my habit, and sometimes DadOfAllTrades objects to this (as is demonstrated by the insane amount of Pop-Tarts I have owned).
So moving happened, my youngin's kept getting yelled at because they were underfoot, and I had to try to roll Christmas cookies in powdered sugar/chocolate/nuts amidst the chaos. I think I washed my hands 248 times yesterday. The boys received too few warm fuzzies for my blood yesterday. My mood did not help their mood. Ugh.
So here I am with a shot at redemption. I have a day of nothingness spread out ahead of me! Bliss! I could sit on the floor and make Lego somethings for hours (at least until my aging hips scream too loudly). I could create a list and we could go at it. Or I could let the boys dictate the goings-on.
Not sure. I'll decide later. Until then, we cuddle.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Forgiveness
I never like to hear that trouble has landed in the lap of a friend. Unfortunately, a dear friend has been having some serious family issues. The topic of forgiveness has come up time and time again. Needless to say, the issue of forgiveness has been discussed a lot and has been on my mind. How should one forgive? Is it necessary to forgive all? Can someone not forgive and still be at peace? Is it possible as a human to really, truly forgive as Jesus can?
There are many phrases that contain this word-but few of those phrases some up it’s magnitude.
“Forgive and forget”. Yeah, maybe if someone stole your pencil. But not for most infarctions we face as humans. It seems so easy to do something that upsets another person. I am not talking about accidentally cutting off another with your shopping cart. I am talking about lending a book out that belongs to someone else and you are well aware of their feelings toward their literature. (Sorry, SIL) I am talking about telling a secret that you were sworn to keep to yourself. (Sorry, anonymous) These things just slide off our tongues or hands quite quickly. So quickly, almost that we don’t even realize it before it is too late and we cannot take it back. But if we forget what we have done, or how others have wronged us, how can we grow as a person? How can we learn from our experiences and work toward being a better person?
“Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge. “ (Isaac Freidmann) How is letting someone off the hook revenge? If they have cut us to the core, aren’t we being naive in letting them inside our feelings again? Maybe what the author of this quote means is that telling someone that we forgive is an acknowledgement of the hurt. Kinda like a “I KNOW you did this. God KNOWS you did this. Now live with your mistake. OH, and don’t let it eat you alive inside.” Seems kinda vindictive.
And this is the one that I have been stewing over for the past couple of days: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. Jesus asked for forgiveness for the people who were persecuting him. The people who were killing him for his beliefs. A friend said that maybe that is the key. He asks God to forgive them, but he did not forgive them himself. Jesus did not say “I forgive you for killing me” to the faces of those who were doing the deed. He told his Father. If the wrong against us is too large, maybe we are to forgive the person through our Lord. Maybe we are not to confront the person, or people, but pray for their souls. Even if they beg for forgiveness, maybe we are to follow his example and put it out to the Lord. This may be how he teaches us to truly forgive a big-deal-sin against us. He does not force us to go face to face with the person who cut us deep. He would never want us to experience more harm. But he does want us to experience the inner peace we could have by forgiving the wrong to him and knowing that He will take care of it.
For me, I am going to choose to offer it up to Him. I am believing that He will let me know if I am to go face to face, or just show it to him. And if I have to do it “seventy times seven”, then that is how many times it will be prayed.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Mother of Invention
I think I am going to try to be an inventor. Over the years of parenting there have been a few things I have done that other mothers have praised. Necessity is the mother of invention and I was just trying to be my practical self. So here are some of the things:
1) The Holey-Boob shirt. I had one child born in January. Nursing said child in public became a cold proposition. First, because I had to bear my midriff even if it was under a blanket with a baby against it. And second, my body chemistry changed and I have become a freeze-baby-anything under 65 degrees is cause for wool to be worn. I was shivering so much my poor son couldn't latch on! So I tried to solve this problem. DadOfAllTrades was getting rid of several old white undershirts. So I grabbed one before it hit the donation bag, put it on, tucked it into the huge pants I was wearing at the time, and grabbed a pair of scissors. I cut two vertical slits in the shirt by my busom. Perfect! I could keep a layer against my skin to retain body heat and could still access the nursing bra clips. Problem solved. Later, when a mom I knew had a winter baby, I passed them on. She blessed me up and down.
2) Boys in overalls. While I did not invent this per sea, I used this trick always. When my boys were precarious toddlers they wore overalls every single day. That way they always had a HANDLE. It came in handy constantly.
3) The bag-in-the-trunk: I ALWAYS have a bag in the trunk with stuff for the boys. While to contents have changed over the years, the bag has never left other than to restock. It hold a change of clothes in the right size including a junky pair of shoes, granola bars, juice boxes, and wet wipes, just to name a few. When they were littler I had such things as a change of clothes for me (one of my boys was a big spit-up-er and I was frequently doused with smelly stuff. I have changed in so many public restrooms that I lost count.) and a spare pacifier. Then it changed to nontoxic crayons and a coloring book and a plastic mat for germy restaurant tables. Now it is pretty much just clothes, I have boys after all, and a water bottle or two. But it is still there and will not leave until they leave for college. DadOfAllTrades does not like this as it takes up precious real estate in the trunk and just gets pushed around out of the way. But he has not had the occasions of being alone with the boys and needing something essential, like food, when they boys do not have another distraction. He has seen it in action though, and he agrees that is really does work.
4) My latest: A wrist worn recording device. It can be programmed with many phrases I find myself repeating every single day. All I would have to do is quickly type in the number corresponding to the phrase and the machine would say it. That way I would not have to repeat the same thing over and over...and over...again every day. here are a few of the phrases I would have already entered into the device:
1) The Holey-Boob shirt. I had one child born in January. Nursing said child in public became a cold proposition. First, because I had to bear my midriff even if it was under a blanket with a baby against it. And second, my body chemistry changed and I have become a freeze-baby-anything under 65 degrees is cause for wool to be worn. I was shivering so much my poor son couldn't latch on! So I tried to solve this problem. DadOfAllTrades was getting rid of several old white undershirts. So I grabbed one before it hit the donation bag, put it on, tucked it into the huge pants I was wearing at the time, and grabbed a pair of scissors. I cut two vertical slits in the shirt by my busom. Perfect! I could keep a layer against my skin to retain body heat and could still access the nursing bra clips. Problem solved. Later, when a mom I knew had a winter baby, I passed them on. She blessed me up and down.
2) Boys in overalls. While I did not invent this per sea, I used this trick always. When my boys were precarious toddlers they wore overalls every single day. That way they always had a HANDLE. It came in handy constantly.
3) The bag-in-the-trunk: I ALWAYS have a bag in the trunk with stuff for the boys. While to contents have changed over the years, the bag has never left other than to restock. It hold a change of clothes in the right size including a junky pair of shoes, granola bars, juice boxes, and wet wipes, just to name a few. When they were littler I had such things as a change of clothes for me (one of my boys was a big spit-up-er and I was frequently doused with smelly stuff. I have changed in so many public restrooms that I lost count.) and a spare pacifier. Then it changed to nontoxic crayons and a coloring book and a plastic mat for germy restaurant tables. Now it is pretty much just clothes, I have boys after all, and a water bottle or two. But it is still there and will not leave until they leave for college. DadOfAllTrades does not like this as it takes up precious real estate in the trunk and just gets pushed around out of the way. But he has not had the occasions of being alone with the boys and needing something essential, like food, when they boys do not have another distraction. He has seen it in action though, and he agrees that is really does work.
4) My latest: A wrist worn recording device. It can be programmed with many phrases I find myself repeating every single day. All I would have to do is quickly type in the number corresponding to the phrase and the machine would say it. That way I would not have to repeat the same thing over and over...and over...again every day. here are a few of the phrases I would have already entered into the device:
- Sit down with food in your mouth.
- Please stop knocking my arms while I am trying to type.
- Please stop hitting your brother.
- Are you choosing joy?
- Please stop antagonizing your brother.
- Please take your hand out of your pants.
- Wash your hands before you help in the kitchen.
- Yes, you need to rewash your hands.
- Please stop picking your nose and eating the result.
- Get your shoes on.
- Stop eating play doh.
- Good choice!
- Are you making the best choice?
- No, I don't know where your lovey is.
- I can't understand you when you wine.
- No, I cannot turn on the Waving Santa now.
- Please sound it out; do your own best spelling.
- You cannot hit your brother with anything.
- It is time to put away some of these toys before we take something else out.
- Stop jumping off the bed. I don't care how cool the thud noise is.
- I love you!
- I am so proud!
I am sure I will invent something else as the necessity arises. Until then, happy day!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
My all time favorite muffins
Here is the recipe for what I think are the best muffins for this time of year. They are not like other high fiber-high nutrient muffins. They are moist and sweet, although not as sweet as a blueberry muffin from a bakery. Just right!
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp each ground ginger, nutmeg, cloves (all optional)
** Mix above together and make a well.**
2 1/2 cups pumpkin or other winter squash, cooked and pureed
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I like pecans or walnuts in these)
**Add into the will and mix until all of the dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter into 24 muffin tins. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees, 25-35 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.**
Can be bakes into two loaves. Increase baking time to 50 min.
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp each ground ginger, nutmeg, cloves (all optional)
** Mix above together and make a well.**
2 1/2 cups pumpkin or other winter squash, cooked and pureed
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I like pecans or walnuts in these)
**Add into the will and mix until all of the dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter into 24 muffin tins. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees, 25-35 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely.**
Can be bakes into two loaves. Increase baking time to 50 min.
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