THE DAY AFTER...

It is the day after Mother's Day, and everything is back to the normal chaos. I look back at my day yesterday and relish in the peace that I had for that short period of time.

I woke up to my husband asking where the cinnamon was. I mumble, partially incoherent, that it is in the second drawer down by the stove... orange lid. Next thing I know he is bringing in a plate of french toast with whipping cream and syrup over the top. The kids are all in tow and carry a huge glass of milk along with cards they made.

I eat my breakfast in bed and admire all the art work scattered across my bed. That is until some of it starts flying into my syrup. Thanks number 4! He is in the throwing stage. We never know what he will throw next. Number 3 starts crying because her art is covered in goo, number 2 tells her it will wipe out just as his art work goes flying into the milk. His good advise is nothing that will stop him from shouting at number 4 to "stop it!". Number 1 goes to get me a baby wipe so we can salvage all the flying masterpieces. Catastrophe avoided!

The kids are singing at my husband's church so I get up and get dressed. I have to do number 3's hair. She wants me to do it and doesn't want to wear the headband number 1 and daddy are asking her to wear... might as well do something as mom! We are off to church and singing!

After church we get home and I make sandwiches with the kids. We are far too hungry to wait for another option! It is overcast outside and we are debating on what we should do. We flip on a movie and begin watching that. Suddenly the clouds break and the sun shines through. The temperature outside begins to warm and I can't help myself... we are beach bound. Perfect Mother's Day activity!

We drive down to Seal Beach. To our wonderful surprise we get parking near the beach, and find that the sand is nearly empty! We walk across the warm sand, and against the wind to find our spot. We plop down near a guard tower and in perfect view of the pier. The sun is shining and the wind is not too cold. We play in the surf, dig in the sand, number 1 goes body boarding, number 2 finds a long piece of sea weed to use as a whip, number 3 does her little princess prance through the shallows, number 4 watches everything and eventually finds a stick to use as a sword, my husband bundles up and falls asleep in the sand, and I get to sit back and enjoy! 3 hours later we are done and head home.

Dinner is served at 7 when my husband picks up In-n-Out. His cooking tolerance was reached during the morning meal. I don't miss the cooking today. We eat our burgers with the kids picnic style in the front room while watching the end of the movie we started earlier. Everybody is happy... so quiet. Our movie and meal end.

The neighbor boy turned 18 so we went to their house for an evening treat. They are a fantastic family with older kids who are fantastic with my kids. We spend about and hour talking with all the neighbors, and letting the kids run and play. It is time to get everybody off to bed so we say our good byes and head home. My husband scoots everybody to bed, and my mother's day is over.

It was a great day!

BUSY TIMES...

Hi all!

Sorry I took a bit of a vacation from my blog here. We have been in the process of spring cleaning. We have to move over the summer so we have been sorting through everything in the house. Busy stuff.

On top of that I have been filling orders. I sent out 2 orders of aprons by "apples and approns" as well as 3 orders from my baby line under the "simply smith" lable. I have a couple pictures of my last custom order from "simply smith" as well as a few examples of what friends recieved for their baby showers this month.

Anyway, I thought you all would like to see! This is what I do with my time...

"sneak-a-peek" 1
A classic black and white cotton material trimmed with ruby red.




















"sneak-a-peek" 2
A victorian inspired white and green print with eggplant trim.



















pocket rags for girls: gifts at showers



pocket rags for boys: gifts at showers

SAUSAGE AND RICE CASSEROLE

This is a jambalya style casserole. The kids loved it!!

SAUSAGE AND RICE CASSEROLE

Chop 2 large onions and saute in olive oil. Add 1 pound sausage of choice and allow to brown. Add in one can of diced tomatoes, 2 tsp. basil, 2 tsp. parsley flakes, 1 clove minced garlic. Allow to simmer for 3-5 minutes. Add 3 c. cooked rice. Mix well and pour into greased 9x13 casserole.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and bake another 10minutes.

*I added 1 TBSP of spicy brown mustard in the simmering stage. Was really good.

APPLES AND APRONS: CURRENT PROJECTS

These are the latest of my ApplesandAprons projects. These will be auctioned off at http://thegarberfam.blogspot.com. This auction will be the second of a series to help raise money for Robert's leukemia treatments. Check on that site for these and other great auction items starting on March 20! (see previous post under mom matters for more details)

Victorian apron with pleated bodice









Toile apron with simple fold pleats

WHAT'S THAT... BEEF CASSEROLE?

I made this the other night, and while it resembles something that should NEVER be eaten... it is really good!! I know there are a lot of processed items in it, but it was my cheat meal. Once in a while the old standby of creamed soup and velveeta cheese is just too alluring! My kids shoveled it down, and my husband actually ate the leftovers. He isn't much of a leftover person so I was very surprised.

"WHAT'S THAT?" BEEF CASSEROLE?

Brown 1 1/2 pounds ground beef with one chopped onion, 1 clove garlic and drain when done. In a bowl combine 8 oz. soft cream cheese, 1 can cream of chicken soup, and 1/4 c. milk. Stir well. Add into bowl 4-8 oz. velveeta cheese, 1 tsp. salt, and cooked meat. Stir well and pour into a 2 qt. casserole. Top with a can of oven ready biscuits.

Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes.


*If you are using pre-cooked beef from the freezer make sure it is defrosted completely. Stir into soup mix and cook for 10 minutes without the biscuits. Top with biscuits and cook the normal amount of time.

**If you are not a fan of creamed soups (I have stopped using them) make a basic white sauce, but incorporated chicken bullion in for cream of chicken, and cut up mushrooms for cream of mushroom. Same can be accomplished with celery or onion.

GET A HOBBY MOMS!!

I am a person with many hobbies and a very short attention span. This has worked for and against me equally.

I have done ballet, swimming and water aerobics, baking, hiking, skiing (water and snow), rock climbing, candy making, sewing, fashion design, yoga, writing, cooking, babysitting, refinishing furniture (I just conquered this)... and the list goes on. That gives you some idea. It seems every time I get the impulse to do something I just do it. Maybe I don't master it, but I do try. This is another one of the quirky personality traits I have my late Grandma Grace to thank for. She was the type of woman that just did things, and did them well. Once a notion was in her head there was no stopping her!! She was always so happy and willing to try new things. I am lucky to follow in her footsteps. Right now I am considering learning to hula or making jewelry and setting stones. I will keep you posted on what I decide.

This little habit of mine is a blessing in the way that I get to try all kinds of new things, and a downfall in the way that it usually drives my husband insane. I tend to be a lot to keep up with! In any case I have found that every new thing that I try, and succeed with, makes me feel accomplished, free, and independent. Each of these feeling are important to moms. Each hobby provides me with an escape from my daily duties. I can escape from kid drama, from the pressure to do everything, and from any negative feelings that have popped up.

Moms fall into the family routine and tend to forget about themselves. It is in our nature to give and give, but never take. We are creatures for the greater good. When you are severely out numbered it is extremely easy to feel that giving in to the crowd is just easier. It may be easier, but may not be healthier!

I would challenge all of you stay at home moms, as well as all the stay at home dads we adore, to take on a new hobby ever year. If one a year seems lame, then take on two a year. Expand your horizons and learn new crafts. You never know what will come in handy and when!! Keep us posted on what you try!

HAM AND RICE DINNER

I made this tonight and it was a huge hit!!

HAM AND RICE DINNER

Cook 2 c. rice in 4 c. boiling water (or rice cooker).

In large pan cook 2 1/2c. cooked ham in 2 TBSP EVOO or butter. Chop an onion and add to ham. Cook until tender. Add to pan 1can cream of chicken soup, 1/4-1/2c. white wine, 2TBSP prepared mustard, and 1 tsp. dill weed. Allow to cook to a gravy like consistancy. Add a bit of water if needed. Reduce heat and add 1 c. sour cream.

Stir in cooked rice and frozen peas. Enjoy!!

**Can use regular or spicy mustard. also can leave out the wine if you like.

*If you don't like cream soups you can make a white sauce with flour and butter then stir in chicken stock to thicken into a gravy. Add a splash of evaporated milk for the cream element.

ACTION TODAY!!!

One of my dearest friends has a brother in law that need a second bone marrow transplant. He had his first about 9-12 months ago and has been doing well. Then early last month his blood work showed his leukemia was back! This family needs help raising funds to pay for his second bone marrow transplant as well as chemo treatments. You can follow the entire story at:
http://adventuresofrobdobandashpants.blogspot.com/

Should any of you feel like you want to help you can find more information and items available for auction at:
http://thegarberfam.blogspot.com.

Many creative people have been kind enough to donate items, and the family themselves will be offering up everything from a cookbook to a softball tournament in an effort to raise money. I have donated a few of my baby line items ("simply smith"), and later will offer up a few "apples and aprons" items.

Please check out the link and help if you can. We all know the economy has made it hard for everybody, but every little bit helps. Check back often if you don't see something that interests you. Items will change as auctions end and new ones begin.

Spread the word!!

STATIC CLING?

Have you ever had some static cling when putting on a dress or skirt? Have you noticed that it only seems to happen when you are in a rush or going to a big event? This one is easy to solve!

Grab a dryer sheet and rub it over the material, your panties, nylons or whatever esle is creating the cling. If need be spray the sheet lightly with a squirt bottle of water and then rub it. The cling will dissapear!

This also works great with organza style drapes.

CROCK POT PORK CHOP DINNER WITH APPLE AND SQUASH

I missed posting this yesterday. I spent the day re-covering my couch instead of getting on the computer. Sorry.


PORK CHOPS WITH APPLE AND SQUASH

Peel and scoop out seeds, 1 small butternut squash and cut into bite size pieces. Cut and core 3 large, unpeeled, apples. Cut into bite size pieces. Place both in the crock pot with 2 TBSP dry onion flakes (or use 1 small fresh onion), and 1 TBSP spicy mustard (optional).

Cut excess fat from 4-6pork chops. Place meat in a large ziploc bag with 1/3 c each brown sugar and white sugar, 2 TBSP flour, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. salt. Toss to coat and place meat in crock pot with remaining breading.




Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or until pork is tender.

**add a handfull of toasted pecans or walnuts to the top of each helping for variety.

COLA ROAST/BRISCUT

This dish is tasty and cheap. The tougher cuts of meat are fantastic for this crock pot recipe. The dark cola will serve as a tenterizing agent and make the meat all but fall apart when you lift it out of the cooker. Serve with potatoes or rice and use the drippings for a fantastic and tangy gravy!

COLA ROAST

Place a roast big enough for your family in a crock pot. Top with a drained can of mushrooms, an envelope of dry onion soup, and pour a can of coke (diet or not, name brand or not) over the top and allow to cook all day on Low. Enjoy!!

*leftovers are great in chili, quesedillas, stroganoff or shepard's pie. Play with it and have a great time.

TUNA ON TOAST

This is one of those great "go to" dinners. It is done in a matter of minutes and tastes great. I like this on the days that we don't feel like cooking. Kids adore this and there are a million ways to spice it up. Play with the spices and see what your family likes!


TUNA ON TOAST

In a medium sauce pan make a basic white sauce... Melt down 2 TBSP butter with 2TBSP EVOO. Whisk in 2 TBSP flour and allow to cook a couple minutes. Whisk in 1 c. milk and 1 c. water. Season with salt, pepper, parsley, and nutmeg. Splash with white wine (optional), and add a handfull grated parmesan cheese. Allow to thicken. Stir in 1 can drained tuna and frozen peas.

Serve over toast.

*Try Herb de Provance in this for an extra flavor. The lavander taste is fantastic, but only a pinch as the seasoning is very strong.

**Also try drained chicken bits rather than tuna.

***Great over noodles too!

SLEEPING GIGGLES

EVERY night for the last week I wake around 2 am hearing noises. I know, for those of you that know me well this may not be a surprise. But the fact of the matter is that these are not in my head!

My youngest has been semi awake during the early morning hours. I go in his room following the sounds. I find him sitting straight up in bed, holding Bob the bear, eyes closed and giggling out of control. I place my hand on his head and start rubbing his hair. He then calms down and drifts back to a deep sleep. He wakes again at the normal time... 8am.

It looks as though he got the same gene my number two has. He giggles uncontrollably when he is tired. That is how we have always known he needs to go to bed. Being just a mom can be highly entertaining.

PREVENTING SCARS

If your kids are anything like mine they bounce all over the place and pay little to no regard to what might happen. My oldest, my tomboy, always seems to be skinning something. Everything from road rash on her face to cutting her feet or hands. She is just into everything... all the time. She doesn't have any scars to show for her adventures.

The last case of road rash all around her left eye is what prompted me to try lanolin. I didn't have anything but lanolin based breast feeding cream. I figured if it could help breast feeding moms it should re-hydrate the damaged skin. I applied to the scab 3 times a day until healed. It worked like a charm.

Since then I have used it on various cuts, scrapes, and burns (I have a horrible habit of scraping my arm inside the hot oven). Everything I have used it on has worked!

EASY CHICKEN COUR DON BLUE

Chicken Cour don Blue has always been a favorite of mine, but it was time consuming and annoying to make. I recently found this recipe and have started making it more often (every couple months). I believe the bare bones of this recipe are from Rachael Ray. As always I make adjustments or comment on what might work on everything. Enjoy!

EASY CHICKEN COUR DON BLUE

Season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Insert a knife into the fat end and twist to make a "pocket" for the stuffing. Set aside.

In a bowl mix together 2 had fulls chopped spinach (fresh is best here), zest of one lemon, 4-5 ounces of blue cheese crumbled, and 1 clove garlic finely chopped. Shove spinach stuffing into the "pocket" you made in each chicken breast.

Wrap each breast with a piece of bacon and place on a cookie sheet. Bake in oven at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes, or as long as it takes for the bacon to crisp and the chicken to cook through.

Great served with mashed potatoes and green beans.

*Don't want to heat up the house? Cook this on the BBQ! Med-high to high heat for 5-ish minutes each side. Bacon will crisp, and chicken will cook through. I prefer to use this option.

**This is also great with a touch of white wine, basil, mint and/or parsley in the stuffing.

THE BEST HALF TIME SHOW EVER!!

Yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday. We went to our friend's house for food and fun. They have three kids ages 16, 13, and 20 months (boy). The women socialized, the men cheered on the game, the teenagers drifted and played with my older three, and we all ate way too much. Then the half time show started.

The teenagers left the room. Muttering as they left. They were completely puzzled who Bruce Springstein was... and why was an "old man" standing on a piano? My 10, 8, and 4 year olds followed them. That is, after all, the cool thing to do. Video games were their entertainment for half time!

The two little boys stayed in the living room with the adults. As soon as the music started they were dancing all over the place. They started grooving to the first song, but quickly decided that grooving on the couch was the best. That way they could do belly bumps while jumping. Anticipating that this would lead to other things we placed pillows on the floor surrounding the couch.

Belly bumps swiftly turned into a wrestling match; turned into a who can shove who off the couch; turned into steam rolling each other; turned into using each other's heads as step stools to get back on the couch. Boys!

Through all this activity they never stopped with the deep belly laughs that only accompany sheer entertainment. I think they may have drooled on each other in the process. They both laughed so hard they got the hiccups. Something that, in turn, made all the parents laugh. We were so entertained by them that we didn't pay any attention to the tv.

I can't tell you what songs were played, if there were any back up dancers or singers, or how long the show was. In the end all I can admit to knowing was that it was the best half time I have ever seen. Those two little boys just cutting loose and having fun being boys was all the entertainment I needed.

HAVE A COLD?

I had a horrible head cold all weekend. I tried a couple approaches to trying to clear the congestion. The results are in!

Sniffing an onion can clear a head cold.

This idea was gross, but I tried it anyway. While it did help for about 20 minutes the congestion was back with a vengeance. Every sniff just lead to a heavier dose of mucus. I only did this for the first day and quickly became annoyed. This is one I am going to say failed.

Ginger tea can clear a head cold.

This approach actually did help- a lot. I used this 3-4 times a day for 3 days. That means I made one 4 cup batch a day. The first day it helped some, but both days after I noticed huge improvements. My cold is gone now! My youngest daughter has the cold, but thanks to the ginger tea is is not getting any worse and she is able to sleep at night.

I am going to say this was a huge success!




GINGER TEA

Boil 4 cups of water on the stove. Pour over 2-3 inches of cut up ginger root (fresh). Let steep for 15-30 minutes. Pour through a fine mesh strainer.



Pour into a cup with a dusting of sugar or honey (takes the bitter edge off). Drink while still warm.

FAGIOLI SOUP

This is a hit every time. We enjoy this and it is great to take to new moms. Mild in taste, but healthy. There are a million ways to spice this one up. Just play with it! The recipe calls for specific beans, but we just use whatever is in the pantry. This time it was red kidney and garbanzo. Enjoy!




Pasta Fagioli Soup
In a large crock pot combine: 1pound cooked ground beef, 1 small onion diced (or can use dry), 3 stalks celery (opt.), 3 carrots diced(or hand full of baby carrots), 2 cloves garlic, minced, 2 cans(14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz.) red kidney beans, 1 can (15oz.) great northern beans, 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce, 1 can (12 oz.) V-8 juice, 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce, 1-2 cups water, 1/4-1/2 c. red wine, 1 1/2 t. salt, 1 t oregano, 1 t basil, 1/2 t. pepper, 1/2 t. thyme.






Cook on low 10 hours or high 6 hours. In the last hour of cooking add 1/4 lb. little shell pasta (can sub. another shape) and turn temp to high.

FOUR!!

Yes, I have four kids. But not every time you hear "four" coming out of my mouth does it mean we are searching for the youngest. We enjoy a wide range of out door activities, and always have the kids in tow.

Lately we have been doing quite a bit of Disc Golf or if any of you are located in Missoula, Montana: folf. I played quite a bit while growing up in Missoula. Friends and I would hit the unmarked course at Pattee Canyon, or drive up to Blue Mountain where there was an official course. Recently my husband got into it and we found some friends that do it here. It quickly became a family activity.



We enjoy going out with the kids, but not getting hit with the discs. We are trying to teach them to shout four, and in turn listen for the shout. So far the results have been hit and miss... no pun intended.

Number one has quite an arm, but no aiming ability. Duck and cover is generally the best with her. She tends to "forget" to shout out to whomever is in her path.

Number two has his mom's backward arm. He throws side style, and can do quite well. That said, your ankles are never safe with him behind you. The extra skip and roll will chase you down!

Number three is a bit too girly to really enjoy this activity. She spends most of her time picking flowers.

Number four has his own baby size disc that comes flying out of the stroller on occasion. His usual victim is number three. This leads to shrieks of laughter on his end and shrieks of dramatized pain on her end. Doesn't this seem like a fun outing?

Once in a while somebody gets really nailed with the disc... usually when they are not paying attention and walk in the way. They are getting better about paying attention. Learning the hard way isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it makes them learn faster... mom and dad too.

SMELLY CAR

This is a car lot trick. We discovered it from a used car manager after numbers 2 and 3 had thrown up in my car.

We cleaned the entire back seat with every available cleaner and could still smell the foul milk! We were told to cut up a couple apples and lemons and place them in a pie dish with just a touch of water and place it in the back seat. We rolled up all the windows and let the car sit with the fruit in it for a day or two. When we got back in the odor was gone! The apples and lemon absorb the bad odor.

I have had many friends use this technique. All of them have had success weather it be spilled milk, broken wine bottle in the trunk, the sports smell, or a mystery odor from their kids. This is just a good one to keep in mind.

SALT WATER FOR MOUTH PROBLEMS?

A wive's tale says to use warm salt water for sore spots in one's mouth or throat. This is supposed to help with bad breath, drain any infection and numb pain.

My trials on this have been successfull to some degree. My son, husband and I have tried this for gum or tooth pain. The pain did subside some. As far as bad breath and draining infection I can not draw any conclusions as I am not medically inclined.

Our whole family has tried the warm salt water gargling for sore throat. The results were spotty. 2 of 6 of us in the house had good results and continue to use it. I suppose this along with so many other wive's tales is subjective to pain levels and other personal prefrances.

CHICKEN PIE WITH BISCUIT TOPPING

I made this lastnight. Sorry I forgot to take pictures, but it was a winner. Every member of our family had seconds and the kids were dying to know if we had leftovers. They want to eat it as snack before their various activities this week. Here it is!!

CHICKEN PIE WITH BISCUIT TOPPING

Bring 2 1/2 c. water and 1/2 c. wine seasoned with 1/4 tsp. rosemary, 1/2 tsp. thyme, 1/2 tsp. basil, and 1/4 tsp marjoram. Add 4 chicken breast (frozen or fresh), 1 onion chopped, 4 carrots chopped (or a couple handfulls of baby carrots), and 1 large potato chopped. Boil 30-45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Use a slotted spoon to remove chicken and veggies from water. Place veggies in a 9X13 casserole and add chicken after cutting into cubes. Add 1/2 c. each frozen peas, corn and spinach.

In a large pan melt down 1/3 c. butter (or can do 1/3c. olive oil and 1 TBSP. butter) and whisk in 1/3 c. flour. After a few minutes of allowing rue to cook add in 1 c. evaporated milk or cream. Add boiling water from chicken and veggies to thin into a gravy consistancy. Pour over veggies and chicken and stir to coat.

Combine in a large bowl 2 c. flour, 4 tsp. baking powder, and 1 tsp. salt. Cut in 1/3 c. shortening. Mix in 1/3 c. evaporated milk. Roll out on a floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Use a 2 inch cookie cutter (or open end of a water glass) to cut biscuits. Place biscuits over contents of casserole dish.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken mixture is warmed through and biscuits are lightly browned.

VACATION DAYS AND WHAT THEY DO TO US

When you are "just a mom" everyday is the same routine. Get up, feed my army, get everybody dressed, have some kind of a catastrophe to clean... not even 9am yet... get the older kids off to school. Finally 9 o'clock. Get the exercising out of the way, shower if I am lucky, do some house work, make lunch, clean up whatever the two year old has destroyed while the cleaning was happening, work on any sewing orders I have to fill, get after a dog or two, pick up the kids at school, do homework, do taekwondo/diving lessons/dance lessons/scouts/whatever else has been penciled in, throw together dinner, get the army in bed, spend a hour or so with my husband, and then off to sleep. Repeat for at least 5 days every week. Finally the weekend comes. I take an hour to read in the morning, do yoga/exercise with the kids, forget about the housework, and live for fun. Weekends are my release from the week.

I like my rough and tumble routine. It is chaos, but chaos is a near and dear friend of mine. I have a great relationship with chaos. But, what happens when my routine is interrupted? What happens when chaos takes a nap? What happens when there isn't any school, no activities, no homework, just an empty day?? Today happens...

No alarm was set since the kids have the day off from school. I seem to wake within minutes of my kids everyday. Little did I know they were in no rush to wake up. They slept until 10am... and I know I shouldn't be complaining... but, I am already hours behind. Instant question: how I am going to fit in everything. I talk myself into the idea that it is okay. All I really want to get done is my yoga, and the kids can do that with me! Maybe a trip to the beach. We will have fun. I had no idea how it was really going to play out though...

The fighting begins before I make it to the kitchen. Number 2 and 3 just can't co-exist today, number 1 wants to defend whoever she decides is right, and number 4 thinks it is all very funny. I entertain the notion that I am raising animals.

I tell them if they want to fight with each other I am not getting breakfast for them and they are on their own. BACK FIRES!! The older two tell me they will make breakfast. Instead of being satisfied to be off the hook I find that I stalk out of the room. I can still hear the arguing. I go back to my book I started. I mean, really... you would rather fight than have breakfast with me? Fine!

I start reading, they eat, my cell phone rings- a lot, my house phone rings- a lot, but of course I can't find the dumb thing, I get a few emailed responses to the New Year email I sent out- of course they come to my cell phone, and I finally decide to re-emerge from my room.

What do I find? My youngest has been in the clean laundry and dumped it all on the floor. Then I notice it is wet. I would like to believe it is only water, but can't tell for sure. I decide its not worth the risk and put it in the washer just to be safe. Then I ask if chores are done, knowing from the sink full of dishes that they are not. Numbers 1thru 3 tell me they are, and I have to start counting to get them moving and everything done. After all, they know if they don't do their chores they get to do some of mine. They don't want that.

I am thinking about working out so that I will feel somewhat okay for the rest of the day when my husband calls and wants us to meet him for lunch... in ten minutes. Okay. Get everybody dressed, hair brushed and into hair ties, shoes, diaper change, and out the door in 3 minutes. Drive to pick him up and have a nice lunch at Chick-fil-A. Get a phone call at lunch... playgroup moms want to do dinner tonight at 6. Have to tell them I am only a maybe since my husband is at work till 7. On the drive home I am promising myself I will work out when I get home. Should have time. I know I will feel better, more centered, after that.

Come home to a huge mess the dogs made with the trash. Clean up the easy stuff and clean the floor with straight ammonia since something sticky and stinky just won't go away. Ask kids to take out trash and get the, "MOM!! This is our day off. Why to we have to work all day??!!"... what I really want to know is: WHEN IS MY DAY OFF? I would settle for an hour off really. Beyond that where did my exercise time go? I almost respond, but get distracted.

Knock on the door. Answer while shouting at dogs to stop barking (where did that spray bottle disappear to) and hurdling over tantrum engulfed 2 year old. He needs a nap. Talk to the neighbor getting back to me about spraying the yard for fleas. Ask number 1 to put number 4 down for a nap. I watch her slump away with him. I know; its the end of the world! Plan a time for the neighbor to come back, and close door. Look at my house in complete disarray and surrender fully.

At this point I am going to do some light housework, a hour or two of sewing- number 3 and I do need new aprons, chalk the day up as a partial loss/complete adventure, and debate dinner options.

Tomorrow may or not be a loss, but at least I will be getting back to my routine!

SWEET BRAN MUFFINS

This is one of the best recipes I have come across. My father-in-law made these over the holiday season and I am hooked. They are not like cardboard, and even my kids like them. What I love about them is that you can maake the batter once and have enough to freeze. I have included pics... let me know if you have any questions!




SWEET BRAN MUFFINS

In a medium sauce pan bring 2 c. water to a boil.

Add 2 c. 100% bran cereal and remove from heat. Let cereal soak up water.



In a mixer cream together 3 c. sugar, and 1 c. veggie oil. Add 1 quart buttermilk, 4 eggs, and hot bran (soaking). Mix in 5 c. flour, 5 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt. Mix well.

Add 4 c. all bran.



Bake in greased muffin tins (or use paper cups) at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.





***This recipe makes enough to fill 4 one quart jars. Each quart makes roughly one dozen muffins. Can freeze dough in air tight container and use later.


*If you like fruit in your muffins add to batter before cooking. Fresh or dry would be best as frozen will change the consistancy.

CURE STOMACH ACHE AT HOME?

Depending on your background you may or may not have heard about curing stomach aches.

The first is a tale that my Grandmother lived by... stomach ache or nerves are always cured with a shot of Blackberry brandy. My brother and I were introduced to that early on, and while I do remember it working, I have not used that as an adult.

The second is a tale that states that Coke will cure stomach ache or gas. I do use this one often. Anytime any member of our family has either excessive gas or a stomach ache we dish out the coke and the problem is solved.

There is even a scene devoted to this idea in Michael J. Fox's film "Doc Hollywood". It unfolds with him playing a young doctor serving some community service in a small town (for wrecking his car into a white picked fence). A boy comes in to the office during the night with a stomach ache. Fox's character jumps to the conclusion that his appendix is bad and calls for an ambulance. Enter small town doctor with a can of Coke and problem is solved!! Hollywood does get it right once in a while.

I AM "JUST A MOM"

During my youth I never dreamed of being "just a mom". I thought that the women on tv in their fancy power suits and stretchy body suits were fantastic. Yes, I am dating my self some, and may not be as old as some of my visitors, but I was a child of the 80s. I spent my teen years teaching swimming and lifeguarding, but all the while planned to have a career. No kids included in that idea.

Fast forward to College. I attended a fashion design school in sunny southern California. A far cry from my native Montana. I was going to have my career and fancy clothes. Next thing I knew I was pregnant and still fighting my fate. I started working in the fashion industry and swore that there would be no more kids. Lucky for me my husband never listened to me!

Fast forward 2 years and I find out I was pregnat again. Good bye industry. Hello stay at home mom of 2. The costs of daycare and my commute made it impossible to make money when we had two.

Fast forward another 8 years. I am a young stay at home mom of 4 kids. I have become the "just a mom" figure I never wanted to be... the funny thing is that I have become hard pressed to come up with something else I would rather be doing. I have the flexibility to teach swimming lessons in the summer, write blogs, do yoga, sew my aprons and baby line (I will be posting examples. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in ordering), have some fun with the kids, and for a small portion of the day make sure my house is presentable... after all that is the best I can do and still live life.

I don't have any secrets on how to be a great housewife, how to organize or keep your house clean, or even how to handle your kids from a professional point of view. I can promise on every level that:
1.I do not do anything in an orthodox manner

2.My housewife skills are minimal at best... a far cry from the 1950s super mom.

3.I have NO organization skills... something my sister in law and organization genious can verify for you,

4.I can only give you thoughts on kids based on my being a mom. Take them or leave them as I do sound crazy occasionally,

5.Keeping things simple seems to help, and

6.Every mom needs a break from reality. Even if that is only for a few minutes. My hope is that this site will become just that.

I do have LOTS of random information and recipes, LOVE old wives tales (something I enjoy trying just to see if it will work), and think that being a parent is both a creative and logical proposition. My job is ever evolving, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I would like to have this be a semi-interactive site, so if you have any wive's tales you would like to suggest or have recipe thoughts or requests feel free to contact me! This site is for fun... nothing else.