Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited their doctor's office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle In the grocery store.
I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.
On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.
I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.
If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.
If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.
Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.
Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
Yours Always,
MOM...
P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
My feets new best friend
If you don't have one of these you need one. Your feet will love you for it!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Fall Fair for Wiseman Ward recipes
It was a wonder activity we had yesterday. I brought my camera to take pictures but forgot all about it when the fun started. I did get some of the yummy recipes of the treats that were brought to the activity. Next time I'll try to remember to take pictures.
Butterscotch Bundt Rolls
Also known as sticky buns-fabulous!
18 Frozen dinner rolls
1 (3-oz) package butterscotch pudding (not instant)
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup melted butter
Arrange frozen rolls in a greased bundt pan. Sprinkle pudding, brown sugar and pecans over rolls. Drizzle butter over all. Cover Bundt pan with a dishtowel, plastic wrap, or waxed paper and let rise at room temperature overnight, or about 12 hours. Remove dishtowel. Bake at 350 0f for about 25 minutes. Cool 5 to 10 min. before inverting to a serving plate. Serve warm. Makes 18 rolls.
Peanut Brittle
1 cup white corn syrup
2 cup white sugar
1 cup water
2-3 cups nuts (partially toasted (opt)
1/2 4 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 TBS butter
In a large pot cook first three ingredients together until soft ball stage (2360) Add nuts and salt then cook to hard crack stage (3000) Add soda and butter. Stir and put on greased cookie sheet.
Dorsy Forbush’s Rolls
Adapted by Angela
Scald milk:
3-¼ cups milk
¾ cup butter
To melt butter and scald milk, cook on the stovetop or in the microwave until barely boiling (I use the microwave because I don’t have to worry about burning the milk). Turn off heat and set aside. Let cool until it is the temperature of very warm hot chocolate. Te thermometer should read around 1300
Add to milk mixture, stir to dissolve:
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. salt
While milk mixture cools, combine he following in separate container (such as your stand mixer)
4 cups flour
2 cups potato flakes
Proof the yeast
¾ cup warm water (110 o)
3 big TBS active dry yeast (Fleishman’s active yeast works best)
Pinch of sugar
Mix these ingredients together for a minute or so until everything is dissolved and well combined. When the yeast doubles in size and gets all foamy you’ll know it is ready.
Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture, and then add foamy yeast and eggs:
4 eggs
Add additional flour:
4-6 cups flour
Turn the mixer onto low speed. Add ingredients while the mixer is going. Add enough flour until the dough does not stick to the outside edge of the bowl. (But after it mixes together for a while the dough may begin to stick to the bowl: again: this is okay). Knead together for about 4 minutes in a stand mixer or for 6 08 minutes if kneading by hand. Place lump of dough in a very generously greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 40 minutes, or until double in size.
Pre-heat oven to 350 0
Place parchment paper on two large cookie sheets (24 rolls will fit tightly on standard 12x17” cookie sheet, I usually use a 12 x 21” sheet.) Spray a large area (on a table or counter) with non-stick spray and then sprinkle four on top, or use a round silicon pie disk.
Dump out dough and divide into 4 parts. I will usually weigh the dough to make sure each lump is the same size. One of the quarter lumps usually weighs between 1 lb 8 oz – 1 lb 11 ox.
One key to good dough is to make sure it never dries out. With plastic wrap I will cover each ball of dough, to keep them soft and moist while I’m forming my first set of rolls.
Roll a ball into a circle. Cut with a pizza cuter into 12 triangles (like Pizza). Tuck in edges and roll up like a crescent roll. Repeat with a second ball of dough. Place 24 rolls on each cookie sheet (3 rows of 8 rolls each). Bake at 3500 for 15-17 minutes or until light brown. Bake each sheet separately unless you have a conventional oven that distributes the heat evenly. I usually bake the first sheet of rolls while rolling out and shaping the second sheet.
This recipe also works well for making orange rolls and cinnamon rolls. A good recipe for cinnamon roll frosting is:
8 oz cream cheese
½ cup butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Dash of salt
Butterscotch Bundt Rolls
Also known as sticky buns-fabulous!
18 Frozen dinner rolls
1 (3-oz) package butterscotch pudding (not instant)
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup melted butter
Arrange frozen rolls in a greased bundt pan. Sprinkle pudding, brown sugar and pecans over rolls. Drizzle butter over all. Cover Bundt pan with a dishtowel, plastic wrap, or waxed paper and let rise at room temperature overnight, or about 12 hours. Remove dishtowel. Bake at 350 0f for about 25 minutes. Cool 5 to 10 min. before inverting to a serving plate. Serve warm. Makes 18 rolls.
Peanut Brittle
1 cup white corn syrup
2 cup white sugar
1 cup water
2-3 cups nuts (partially toasted (opt)
1/2 4 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 TBS butter
In a large pot cook first three ingredients together until soft ball stage (2360) Add nuts and salt then cook to hard crack stage (3000) Add soda and butter. Stir and put on greased cookie sheet.
Dorsy Forbush’s Rolls
Adapted by Angela
Scald milk:
3-¼ cups milk
¾ cup butter
To melt butter and scald milk, cook on the stovetop or in the microwave until barely boiling (I use the microwave because I don’t have to worry about burning the milk). Turn off heat and set aside. Let cool until it is the temperature of very warm hot chocolate. Te thermometer should read around 1300
Add to milk mixture, stir to dissolve:
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. salt
While milk mixture cools, combine he following in separate container (such as your stand mixer)
4 cups flour
2 cups potato flakes
Proof the yeast
¾ cup warm water (110 o)
3 big TBS active dry yeast (Fleishman’s active yeast works best)
Pinch of sugar
Mix these ingredients together for a minute or so until everything is dissolved and well combined. When the yeast doubles in size and gets all foamy you’ll know it is ready.
Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture, and then add foamy yeast and eggs:
4 eggs
Add additional flour:
4-6 cups flour
Turn the mixer onto low speed. Add ingredients while the mixer is going. Add enough flour until the dough does not stick to the outside edge of the bowl. (But after it mixes together for a while the dough may begin to stick to the bowl: again: this is okay). Knead together for about 4 minutes in a stand mixer or for 6 08 minutes if kneading by hand. Place lump of dough in a very generously greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 40 minutes, or until double in size.
Pre-heat oven to 350 0
Place parchment paper on two large cookie sheets (24 rolls will fit tightly on standard 12x17” cookie sheet, I usually use a 12 x 21” sheet.) Spray a large area (on a table or counter) with non-stick spray and then sprinkle four on top, or use a round silicon pie disk.
Dump out dough and divide into 4 parts. I will usually weigh the dough to make sure each lump is the same size. One of the quarter lumps usually weighs between 1 lb 8 oz – 1 lb 11 ox.
One key to good dough is to make sure it never dries out. With plastic wrap I will cover each ball of dough, to keep them soft and moist while I’m forming my first set of rolls.
Roll a ball into a circle. Cut with a pizza cuter into 12 triangles (like Pizza). Tuck in edges and roll up like a crescent roll. Repeat with a second ball of dough. Place 24 rolls on each cookie sheet (3 rows of 8 rolls each). Bake at 3500 for 15-17 minutes or until light brown. Bake each sheet separately unless you have a conventional oven that distributes the heat evenly. I usually bake the first sheet of rolls while rolling out and shaping the second sheet.
This recipe also works well for making orange rolls and cinnamon rolls. A good recipe for cinnamon roll frosting is:
8 oz cream cheese
½ cup butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Dash of salt
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Red Light Green Light
I had previously posted this on my own blog and thought I could share it here too. Kylie was 3 1/2 when we started this form of discipline. I don't know if it would work well with younger kids or even kids other than Kylie. If you try it and it works, please let me know! I would love to hear your experiences with this.
We call it Red Light, Green Light. I made a paper light that is red on one side and green on the other. It hangs on our fridge. If she makes a bad choice (tantrums, fighting, whining, bad words, etc.) the light is turned to the red side. Then if she does something good (sharing, saying "Please", cleaning up without mommy having to ask over and over and over, etc. ) we turn it back to green. She will usually come up with a plan of action that will get the light to turn green and asks me if it would work, and I will usually agree since she is taking her discipline into her own hands.
We are always trying to find positive ways to discipline our girls (they are 4 and 2). Miki and I have tried so many different methods with Kylie and we have all been frustrated by them. For Kylie, it takes too long for a reward or she just doesn't get the process or what we are trying to accomplish. For me, I get tired of having to give out candy and gifts for her good behavior or it is difficult to be consistent. For Miki, everything is just too complicated. Simple and to the point is better. We want her to make good choices because it makes her feel good not because she will get a prize. So, Miki and I came up with our own discipline method and we love it!
We call it Red Light, Green Light. I made a paper light that is red on one side and green on the other. It hangs on our fridge. If she makes a bad choice (tantrums, fighting, whining, bad words, etc.) the light is turned to the red side. Then if she does something good (sharing, saying "Please", cleaning up without mommy having to ask over and over and over, etc. ) we turn it back to green. She will usually come up with a plan of action that will get the light to turn green and asks me if it would work, and I will usually agree since she is taking her discipline into her own hands.When she wants to do something fun (ride her bike, watch tv, play on the computer, have a snack, play with friends, etc.) I ask her to tell me what color the light is on the fridge. If it is red she knows that she can't do the fun things until she can get the light green again. If it is green then I have the option of telling her "yes" to the fun thing..JPG)
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Also, if she is bordering on getting a red light, I will let her know that her behavior is heading the wrong direction by telling her she has a yellow light (even though there isn't an actual yellow light). This has worked so well! She will tell me that she is going to make sure that she gets a green light all day long. Although, there have been days when the light has been red more often than not. She is able to keep track of her discipline and it is simple and easy for Miki to see what is going on when he gets home from work. I can stay consistent with it and we can see that she understands her choices and the consequences.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Invi
My sister-in-law Ruth share this on her blog, and I thought I'd share it with you. I loved it!
The Invisible Mother......
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously, not.
No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England ... Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals- we have no record of their names.
These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside
of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing pieces fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college forThanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
The Invisible Mother......
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously, not.
No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England ... Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals- we have no record of their names.
These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside
of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing pieces fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college forThanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
All Mothers Need This!
This is the best thing. I have used this on all kinds of stains on my carpets, furniture and even clothes. Give it a try. I know you'll love it!
Fun Thanksgiving treat
I found this on another blog that I am a part of. I think I will be doing this with Parker.
Chocolate Rice Krispy Cereal
Marshmallows- using the colored marshmallows works best at keeping the chocolate crispy treats brown.
Butter
Toothpicks- colored and party ones with the fun flare on top.
Assorted Candy- Mike & Ikes, candy corn, gum drops, mini m&ms, fruit loop cereal, more marshmallows.
Rice Krispy Turkeys You'll Gobble Up
By Marie LeBaron
These cute little turkeys are a great edible craft to make with the kids while the real turkey is roasting in the oven. Mix up a batch of Chocolate Rice Krispies and design them into turkey treats. Then save them for a fun table decoration, ready to eat for dessert.
Supplies for Turkey Treats:
Mix up a batch of Rice Krispies using the Chocolate cereal, marshmallows, and butter. Let it cool for a few minutes. Then grease your hands with vegetable spray and form the Krispies into balls. Try to use the colored marshmallows for making these. If you use white marshmallows, just roll your balls into more chocolate cereal to make them more brown for the turkey bodies.
Using a utensil, make holes for the candy to be placed in the body. For the snood (the red thing on the turkey's beak) I cut a red Mike & Ike in half or you can cut a gum drop in half. We also liked candy corn for the beak, perfect size and color.
Now add your feathers. So many possibilities here. We used toothpicks, marshmallows, cereal, etc.
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