Minus the eye candy

After the batteries burst in my six-year-old digital camera, I am shopping for a new one.  I would hate to miss C on Halloween, dancing in her black and red polka-dot tutu, singing ” I’m a ladybug.  I’m a ladybug.” . 

The Two Sisters Gourmet  party was filling and fabulous!  How fun to cook with friends.  Newby friend Beth proposed a cooking club, and I am so ready for it.  And now, with all of the bonuses I’m receiving from Two Sisters, I can cook just about anything.  I especially loved the strawberry sangria sauce, which is, um, telling.  And the caramel apple cupcakes were BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE.  I would never, never say it if it weren’t true.  Dr.Husband is relieved that chocolate is not a man.

We are somewhat back to normal after the sisters left, though we do have Colorado Aunt and Uncle visiting this week.  They have run down to Memphis for two days, as they are entranced by Elvis.  Coming back to Podunk will be an adjustment, for sure.  They will be attending Grandparent’s Day at preschool with I. and Grammy and PawPaw, my in-laws, on Friday.  More moments I’m missing without the camera.

Our favorite chicken pot pie

We had this for dinner tonight.  Its easy, works with frozens and rotisserie chicken!  So yummy and healthy.  Only my son complained.  (“I see green beans!”)  Wally-world in Podunk does not consistantly carry Simply Potatoes, so I use the frozen Potatoes Obrien.  Also, leeks aren’t available, so I omit them.

Biscuit-topped chicken pot pie from cooking light.com 

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
2 cups chopped leek
1/4 cup chopped shallot
3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 cups refrigerated diced potatoes with onions (such as Simply Potatoes)
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 cups chopped roasted chicken breast
1 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
2/3 cup half-and-half
 Cooking spray
1 1/4 cups low-fat baking mix (such as Bisquick Heart Smart)
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425°.Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add leek, shallot, and thyme; sauté 2 minutes. Add potatoes; sauté 2 minutes. Add wine; cook 1 minute or until liquid evaporates. Stir in mustard and broth; bring to a boil. Cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chicken, mixed vegetables, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute. Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add cornstarch mixture and half-and-half to pan. Reduce heat, and simmer 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Spoon mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Lightly spoon baking mix into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine baking mix, milk, and egg in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Spoon batter over chicken mixture; spread evenly to cover. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes or until topping is golden and filling is bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes.

Yield

6 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)

writeNutrient();

Nutritional Information

CALORIES 348(24% from fat); FAT 9.2g (sat 4.1g,mono 2.2g,poly 0.9g); PROTEIN 23.5g; CHOLESTEROL 55mg; CALCIUM 131mg; SODIUM 634mg; FIBER 4.4g; IRON 3.1mg; CARBOHYDRATE 43.3g

David Bonom , writePublicationAppearance(); Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2006

Sisters in the House

Not much serious going on here.  A few bad days with the attitudes.  A few fun days with friends.  A small mishap at school, conference with the teacher, apologetic notes to two friends on J’s part. 

The Big News is that we are throwing a party on Wednesday, in honor of my two older sisters coming to the House for the first time.  Elation!  Celebration!  Jubilation!  We are throwing a Two Sisters Gourmet party, as Kat is a consultant.  Needless to say, the laundry is neglected while the refrigerator is cleaned, the white tile is bleached, and the toys are rearranged.

And, the people of Podunk will make an appearance at the party.  I am thrilled to have them meet my family.  At least most of them.  You see, I am fairly choosy about the people I let into the House.  Not that all of the residents here are judgemental, but at least half of them have expectations of what Dr.Husband’s house will or should be like.  (I can’t imagine the role of preacher’s wife!)  And me, well, I could care less what they think.  Since I’m supposed to be endowed with grace, I try to keep most of the sight-seers at bay, in hopes that the lioness in me will not roar at them.

But on Wednesday, I throw open my doors to friends, sight-seers, and busy-bodies alike.  Surely the excitement of my sisters’ presence will tone down the lioness.  And, btw, we will have all seven children, ages five and under, in the House.  That’s enough noise to tune out the gossip! 

 The Two Sisters yummies will be flowing, our sitters Ott and V will manage the children upstairs, and our new friend, the baking hairdresser, will bring her town-famous cookies-on-a-stick.  Mercy, what a shindig.  Prior to life with children, I dreamt of Gatsby-like birthday parties on the grounds of our estate.  Now, I’m elated with cookies-on-a-stick.  Am I blooming where I’m planted?

Duffing It Up

Tonight, I did something I

 1) swore I would never do AND

2) Haven’t done in fifteen years (and I’m not that old)

I played nine holes of golf with my husband!  At the prompting of a new friend, Beth, we scrambled with she and her husband.  Prior to our tee time, I hit some balls in the back yard.  Our neighbor’s shed took a beating, but I gained confidence in that I could at least come in contact with the ball.

I am not a person of high confidence when it comes to athletic prowess, largely because I am a clutz.  When I was a child, I played Jr. golf.  I could hear everything that my father and coach told me EVERY TIME I WENT TO HIT THE BALL.  Needless to say, I was overwhelmed with self talk, all of it seemingly negative to me in my childhood, but truly meaning to correct my swing. ”Keep your eye on the ball.  Extend your arm all the way.  Swing straight.  Pull your leg in.  Straighten your back.  Bend your knees more.  Choke down on the club.”  I was confused. I hated golf.  Hated it.  I swore that I would never play it again.

And then my husband became captivated by the game.  When he began digging deep to pay for rounds, I knew that he was hooked.  He does enjoy a challenge (me included).  With his hobby becoming a habit, I began to see how much time I might spend with him if I were on the course.  Also, I noticed how he spends sooooo much time on the course with my Dad, time that I create for him, but secretly wish that I had with my Dad. 

So today, I braved the self talk.  It was not so negative, but coaching me on.  To some degree, I worked to remember it as I tried to look somewhat polished.  Of course, my best balls came from tuning out my self talk and quickly striking the ball with confidence.  Regardless of my self image, I suprised myself.  There’s no doubt that I can drive the ball 150 yards, right past the hole and into the water.  I really could play well, at least in the long ball game, if I wanted to.  If I cared enough, I could try my best to be precise and work on a putting game.  So do I ….  want to play golf?

The women’s league has invited me to play in their Thursday night scrambles for the summer, and I think I just might.  I have from October to May to talk myself out of it.   Mercy me, a golfer.  The next Nicole Castrale, probably not.   Do they have port-a- potties on the LPGA tour?

Did Beckham start this way?

Its 5:00 PM and 101 degrees.  J and I, my five-year-old daughter and four-year-old son, and running with sweat dripping in their eyes.  Their goal?  To knock down seven orange cones.  They scream and laugh.  I. hollers across the field in the direction of the twelve parents overseeing the practice.  “Mom, I LOVE this coach!”  Thank you, Lord, that he didn’t say anything else.

Surprising, isn’t it?  They are in love with soccer.  We have been kicking the ball around in this miserable weather and mosquitoes for a month.  I enjoy the coaches, the way they finesse through the mistakes to give these nine 4 to 6 year-olds pointers.  When I see them, I know what they are thinking: when is this mom going to get it together?  And, what I desperately want to say each time I see them is:  Get over it.   I’m never going to remember the water, the pads (or shin guards, as they have corrected me seven times), the knee socks, that we hope are all four still in the dryer from the weekend game.  I’m never going to be able to watch them with my undivided attention and catch their trouble spots for practicing at home.

Soccer practice is on Monday evenings at 5.  Since weekends are cram-packed and Monday is already our grocery shopping/ preschool for three hours/ laundry/ piano lesson day, Mondays are the worst day for soccer practice.  Especially at the joyful hour of five in the whining, crying, why can’t five-year-olds take naps evening. 

And, for sanity’s sake, the soccer field is flanked by port-a-potties.  My children are fascinated with these smelly pits of modern society.  We have a routine:  open the door with one hand, hold your nose with the other.  Turn around, pants down, don’t look in.  Flush and let go of your nose long enough to wash hands and get out asap.  This works well for the four or five-year-old, but NOT SO MUCH for the two-year-old.  Thus soccer practice is just a practice in distraction for me.  We don’t want to go to the port-a-potty.  Let’s run.  Let’s go through the groceries left in the trunk.  Umm mixed nuts and Strawberry Special K.  Let’s kick our soccer balls to oblivion. 

And finally, let’s use our own version of the port-a-potty.   On-the-go-potty  can sit anywhere, even in the trunk of my mom’d out minivan, within view of soccer practice.  It has its own plastic baggy for collection, which fits nicely into the paint-striped trash can next to the port-a-potty.  And C truly enjoys her time on her very own potty, upon which she sings two to three songs before she wonders what she’s missing elsewhere.

Getting it together has never seemed so elusive.  I have decided not to fight this battle on the soccer field, seeing that the season only lasts two more weeks.  And J says that she is not playing soccer in the spring, but opting for T-ball.  “They have snow cones.” 

Love your cookies again

The chocolate chip cookie, one of the greatest recipe inventions of all time, has been a staple in our house.  From a young age, I remember my mother’s chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa on cold winter mornings.  I have vowed as a mother to provide the same feel-good treat for my children.  We’ve enhanced Mom’s plan, though.  Who needs cold weather to bake cookies?!

Our first chill hit the area this week.  The low has been in the 50’s, which feels fabulously like sweatshirt weather.  Of course, my hunger hit for chocolate chip cookies.  This time, though, I used a Cooking Light  recipe.  I substituted Splenda for sugar and voila!  We have a new family favorite.  I don’t know the exact calorie difference, but the Splenda has to make it a little better.  As Cookie Monster now says, cookies are still “a sometimes food”.

Chocolate Chip Cookies from Cooking Light June 2007 page 252 (with my Splenda sub)

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 c packed brown sugar

3/4 c Splenda

1/2 c butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large egg whites

3/4 c semisweet chocolate chips (several more fell into our batter!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Mix flour, baking soda, and salt with a whisk.

Combine sugars and butter in a large bowl; beat with mixer at medium speed until well blended.  Add vanilla and egg whites; beat 1 minute.  Add flour mixture and chips; beat until blended.

Drop dough by level teaspoons 2 inches apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray.  (Or use a slip mat like the ones at Bed Bath and Beyond .)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Cool on pans for 2 minutes.  Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.  Yield 4 dozen.

Calories 83, Fat 3g, Protein 1g, Carb 14.6 g, Fiber 0.2g, Chol 5 mg, Iron 0.4mg, Sodium 56 mg, Calc 5mg

Enjoy!

A Taste of Independence

This week, I GOT OUT OF THE HOUSE.  By myself.  For a day and a half.  Wild isn’t it?

I attended a conference for nonprofit organizations as a volunteer fundraiser.  I was thrilled to go.  One of my master plans is to develop a consulting business for nonprofit development when C begins Kindergarten.  This conference gave me “the light at the end of the tunnel” feeling.  And while I relish the thought that my endeavors might once again be a priority, I must add that I missed the children and Dr.Husband terribly.

The conference was held in Springfield, IL, where we once lived before the kids were born.  I enjoyed visiting with colleagues and friends in my old offices.  I was struck but how motherhood has changed me so much, remembering the things I used to do in the office and about town.  Now, I am more likely to value others’ input.  In my previous selfish state, I only valued the opinions with which I agreed.  Maybe motherhood does make a woman a better worker in some ways. 

In the evening, I went to dinner.  Like a normal adult.  I didn’t bring a diaper bag or snacks.  And I had wonderful, adult company… Dr.Husband’s aunt, uncle, and many of their friends.  We went to Augie’s , an old favorite of mine.  I thoroughly enjoyed the food and company.  The aunt and uncle complimented me on my ability to act like an adult!  I think I mentioned the children twice.

And the clothes I wore! Heels and knee length skirts! My Ann Taylor shopping paid off.  I received many compliments, which I took to heart, even though many of the people in Springfield had last seen me nine months pregnant.

And kudos to Dr.Husband for getting the children to bed and ready in the morning.  He didn’t even call me!  I had to call them to make certain there were no accidents! 

Just as I consider my short-lived independence from my family, I remember whose I am.  It was through motherhood and leaving my occupation that I truly learned to depend on God for my sense of self.  Grace defines who I am, now.  Concentrating on me not only seems foreign, it seems a little wrong.  Thank you, Lord, for giving me multiple occupations in which I can serve you.  I pray that I can always remember that it’s not about me, that these wonderful opportunities help me to promote Your work to the best of my ability. 

Schedule Schmedule

 The boy cousins with I on the left.

So, who needs a regular schedule anyway?  I’m pulling my hair out, partly because I have no set schedule.  And partly because I see the need for one and secretly DESPISE them.  “Wouldn’t it be nice to just go with the flow” I think.  And two days later I am runnover by things I forgot to do.

Our schedule problem intensified when we took the kids down to visit my family in Florida.    I removed our Kindergartner for a week of school.  (And I found no opposition to that in the school.)  We did homework in the car to and from, piano on my Sister’s upright.  We did miss the first soccer game of the season.  Next game is this Saturday! 

We came home to meals without groceries, overtired, non-napping children, more homework and piano, and (need i say it) MORE LAUNDRY.  We wouldn’t go if we didn’t enjoy it.  Could’nt we just vacation forever? 

Still, joy fills us to the tippy top, as my son would say, when we think about our trip and our loved ones.  My Nana played checkers with J.  We attended my niece’s birthday party, complete with “beach cake”.  We boarded Dad’s boat and had a few spins around the lake.  We played at “Wet and Wild”, which was extremely fun, albeit a little dirty.  We visited Merrit Island and the Kennedy Space Center.  Who knew that little C could endure a 2 1/2 hour tour?!  We loved the rocket garden.  My beloved son will become a surfing astronaut at age 18.  And I shopped for two hours with my lovely step-mom.  (One hour with kids, one hour without.  Ann Taylor will be adding “no children under 16″ to its store policy.)

Now it is time to hunker down for the fall and winter here, with no trips planned until the week after Christmas.  Maybe now I will be a regular blogger.  Or a regular exerciser.  Or both.

Going home with the cows

 Say “mooooo”!

 I’ve been enjoying and lamenting the invention of the school house.  I do understand the need for homeschooling.  However, J is having too much fun for me to bring her home.  Busy and pleasurable could describe the first week of school for J.  She has come with stickers for good behavior every day.  And she has almost earned enough allowance at home to repay me for tearing up her church shoes!  School is the schedule change we needed!

The kids studied farming during their first week.  Each Kindergartener ended the week by writing a book (with pictures) regarding farming.  On Friday, parents and Kindergarteners were invited to another student’s home.  Which happened to BE a dairy farm, a Prairie Farms  affiliate. 

The farmers are originally from Europe, so I enjoyed their take on small town America.  Its amazing to me that people who make their living in this country can despise it so.  I would think that they are ungrateful, but I have met too many foreigners who hate America.  Partially, I think its homesickness.  And the rest?  We could all dwell on the negative, if we weren’ t too busy trying to be joyful in our state of too much. 

HRH J enojyed all of the animals.  She managed to surpress the need to complain about the heat, the smell, the poo.  My heart was overjoyed.  Furthermore, the farmers’ daughter is becoming a friend to J, which could only be good for her.  I think of the life they live, happy and hard-working.  We could stand to be around more of that.  And can you say chocolate milk??????  Ummm.  I have been raiding the Walmart for more Prairie Farms chocolate milk since we visited.  Six cups of chocolate milk is roughly 1/3 of my points for the week.  Lettuce goes well with it, don’t you think?

The first day of school!

Hooray!

 

 Two nights in a row, we worried about J’s first day of Kindergarten.  We prayed that she would not get into trouble for tattling at J’s request.  We laid out the clothes.  We discussed the events of the first day.  We talked about the classroom. 

 And then we cried.  “Mommy, why do you have to drop me off?”  “I really want to go, I just want you to go, too.”  “How come we have to stay all day?”  I was READY for this day.  I prayed that God would help her be.

6 AM is incredibly too early for anyone to rise.  I felt guilty as I dragged the children down for breakfast.  We dressed and brushed our teeth well.  Finding ourselves presentable, we said goodbye to Daddy and hopped into the car.  We pulled up to school and quickly took the above pic.

Her sweet teacher welcomed us to the classroom.  She put her backpack away.  She met the children in the seats next to her.  I expected to stay for the first fifteen minutes or so and then exit through her sobbing.  Surprisingly, she smiled, hugged me, and said “Bye Mom!  See you later.”  I walked out with I and C shocked and proud of my Kindergartener!

J had a stellar day, playing outside, reading books, and sitting through Chapel.  She waits impatiently for tomorrow, when she can play with her new friend Pipa.   Tonight, the big girl spent forty minutes debating what to wear for picture day tomorrow.  She decided on a red polo and sparkle jeans because “it looks like what big kids wear”.  Mercy, where has my baby gone?