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!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
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
Victorian apron with pleated bodice
Toile apron with simple fold pleats
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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.
"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.
Monday, March 9, 2009
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!
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!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
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.
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.
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