Pants

I just wanted to state - for the record (even though I never blog anymore haha) - if I owned a pair of dress pants I'd have worn them to church on Sunday. My husband told me to go out and buy some but I didn't want to drag my children around with me to find them as he was out of town.

Reading some of the reactions I wish very much that I had. I didn't see anyone in my ward wearing pants and I wished there had been someone so I could go hug them!

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, feel free to ignore this post.

Pants on Fire

Why I wore pants on Sunday

Wear Pants to Church - Pictures

Why Pants Matter


That's all.

Just wanted to put that out there.

Thomas Jefferson -

"I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be borne with; because, when once known, we accommodate ourselves to them, and find practical means of correcting their ill effects. But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

Egg Fried Rice

Another old post...
 The only thing I change now for this one is to use GF Soy Sauce/Tamari. Easy enough.

*****

As per requested...

Okay not really.

I mean it was requested but I don't really have a recipe. I keep rice cooked all the time. Jasmine Rice, Sushi Rice, Basmati Rice - whatever I'm currently in the mood for. Right now it's sushi rice.

Rice is the safest food on the planet for me and my digestive system so I like to keep it around all the time. I don't have it with every single meal but... pretty dang close!

Anyway - sometimes I turn it into fried rice but since for an IBSer anything high in fat is a no-no fried rice could be a bad thing. So here's what I do.

There are no measurements - sorry.

Ingredients:

• Cooking Spray (I use butter flavored)
• Cold Rice
• Soy Sauce
• Onion Powder
• Egg Whites (remember that two egg whites equal one whole egg)
• Salt
• Pepper
• a little bit of veggies - normally I try to include something that involves insoluble fiber since it'll be all wrapped up in the soluble fiber of the rice - peas, green beans, carrots

I heat the pan on medium high heat. Spray it with cooking spray fairly thickly (not like an inch of anything - just more than a passing spray), add cold rice, stir with spatula gently until rice warms and starts to break up, add soy sauce to taste, sprinkle with onion powder, and pepper - add the veggies you want at this point too if they're frozen or fresh.

When that mixture is to the taste you'd like - push it out in a circle and make a big hole in the center of the pan. Drop your egg whites in the middle, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Scramble. Just as the eggs are done stir them in with the rice. If you have warm/cooked/canned veggies to add do it now.

Done. Low Fat Egg Fried Rice.

*Sometimes I chop up a few pieces of turkey bacon and fry that first in the pan. Bacon Fried Rice. Sometimes I might pound a chicken breast really thin, season it with something, pan fry it with cooking spray really quickly then chop it up and add to the fried rice. Chicken Fried Rice.

After you do it a couple times the amount of seasoning becomes rather second nature.

Oh - and I really think this is the best with Sushi rice that's been cooked just right. But of course that's the one I'm in the mood for at the moment...

Meatloaf

This is a post I wrote a long time ago before I knew I shouldn't have all corn or no gluten/wheat.

Years and years ago Drew wanted me to make meatloaf. I'd never done it and I only had a few cookbooks at the time. One of them was this Campbell's book that had a "Best Ever Meatloaf" recipe in it. So I made it, it was a simple recipe and as it turns out it was SO GOOD. I've never even bothered to try another meatloaf recipe.

But now I have IBS and I can't have a million different things. A few days ago I decided I'd try making an IBS friendly meatloaf - a version of the Campbell's one we know and love.

The Original (should you be so inclined...)

• 1 can condensed Tomato Soup
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 pouch Dry Onion Soup Mix
• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup water

My IBS Version/Wheat free/Corn free

• 1 can condensed Tomato Soup (no hfcs! if you can't find that get some canned tomatoes, puree them and simmer until the right thickness - go from there - I'd guess about 1.5 cups worth)
• 2 lbs ground turkey
• 4 tsp beef bullion or veggie bullion (make sure it's safe)
• 8 tsp onion flakes
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs (preferably with no dairy)
• 2 egg whites or 3 TB egg whites (from a carton)

1. In a large bowl, mix 1/2 cup of tomato soup, meat, spices/bullion, bread crumbs, egg. Shape into a loaf and put into a loaf pan.
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. Spoon off or drain fat, reserving 1 - 2 TBSP.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine remaining tomato soup, water, reserved drippings. Heat through, stirring occasionally. You can just serve this with the meatloaf or I just slice the meatloaf in the pan and then dump it all over the top of it.

Drew says the new version is better then the original. I say both are delicious. Just different with the turkey. I think I like the texture better with the turkey.

Mock Cornbread

This is wheat free, corn free "corn"bread. It can also be dairy free or even vegan if you use an egg replacer.

Really it's millet bread but it tastes so much like cornbread it's absolutely amazing!

I found the recipe at Ginger Lemon Girl - here.

I'm in love with her - just for this recipe.

I'm putting my adjustments here so I can stop refiguring them out every time I make this.

Dry Ingredients:
1/3 cup sorghum flour
1/3 cup arrowroot starch
1 cup millet flour
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 teaspoon cream of tarter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon tapioca startch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar (She used 3. I wanted to see if this would work for savory dishes and I loved it with 1 tablespoon. I will do 3 when I'm wanting sweet cornbread!)

Wet Ingredients:
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 eggs
1 cup unsweetened almond milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice

I replaced the baking powder as I always do. I have yet to find any corn free baking powder here so it's just easier to use my own substitutes.

Also I have twice forgotten to the the lemon juice to the almond milk and the bread turns out fine. So if you don't have any - that's okay!

I only had some whole millet so I ground a cup worth in my little magic bullet thing and that worked perfectly. 

You can read the rest of the directions back at the original post.

Thanks again to Ginger Lemon Girl. I'm so happily eating "corn"bread as I type this. YAY!

Her own “special” pillow…

The other day our neighbors had a garage sale. Leah managed - with her own funds - to purchase this small square pillow with a princess of some sort on the front. She was quite pleased with herself.

And in typical, 'fantastic', older sister fashion she informed Hannah that this was HER special pillow and Hannah as not to every use it or touch it. (No I didn't smack her in the back of the head.) I comforted Hannah the first few times I heard about it and then I decided to tell Hannah we would go to the store and find her a pillow of her own.

When Hannah & I finally were out just the two of us we looked all over walmart for a decorative/kids pillow and couldn't find anything fun. So I took her to the fabric department and told her to pick out any fabric and I would make her a pillow.

She was so beyond delighted at the idea. Just that moment was worth it. 

She - of course - picked out some Dora fabric. I went and picked out the fringe and a pillow form. Away we went.

A few days later I produced a pillow and again her reaction was so completely worth it.

Here's a couple of pictures. It's just a simple envelope style. We are talking about Hannah here. It needed to be washable. I've never done an envelope and fringe at the same time but including drawing out what I was gonna do on paper the whole thing was maybe 20-30 minutes.

 

 

And now Leah is wanting a pillow made by mommy instead of what she has. And let's not stop there. Drew wants to know could I please make him a manly version (yes. he said that. manly version).

Potty training. Sigh.

Hannah: I want to wear underwear.
Me: You have to pee in the potty.
Hannah: I don't want to.
Me: Then you have to wear a diaper.
Hannah: No. I want to wear underwear.
Me: Then you have to pee in the potty.
Hannah: I don't want to.
Me: Then you have to wear a diaper.
Hannah: No! I want underwear.

....

Repeat.100 times.

....

Save me. And what is left of my sanity. Please?

Mommy Judges

I know this is an age old topic but I've seen a few things on facebook lately that have me thinking about it.

Why Why Why WHY do mommies spend so much time judging each other?!!?!

Forget the huge working vs not working. Spanking vs not spanking. Blah blah blah.

I mean all the tiny little things...

You spend too much time with your kids. You don't spend enough time with your kids.

Your kids watch too much TV. Your kids don't get to relax enough.

Your kids are in too many activities. Your kids don't get to do enough.

You complain about your kids too much. You don't enjoy your kids enough. 

You're too _______ with your kids. You don't __________ with your kids. 

Seriously people?

Motherhood is HARD! Yes it's joyful, Yes there are amazing & wonderful parts. I love being a mommy. It's so part of who I am - it's not ALL of who I am though and when your children are fighting and hounding you for things and you can't complete a task or a conversation in peace and you're frustrated and do a facebook status... the last thing people are needing is a panel of judgmental moms who feel they are doing a better job with life!

Give it a rest. Cut each other some slack and really - how 'bout we all 'pretend' that we're all just doing THE BEST WE CAN and offer some encouragement?

Personally I think it's a good idea.

That is all.

Manners

Hannah: *ACHOO*

*a moment passes*

Hannah: Say Bless you!
Leah & I in unison: Bless you, Hannah!
Hannah: Thanks guys!

It's a good thing she's here to remind us to be polite. Heh.

Pet Peeve of the Day

I was watching some reality TV... This is when this pet peeve is the most aggravated...

"I'm giving 110%!"

There is not a time when someone says that on TV that you won't hear me groan or yell at the TV or something.

It makes me crazy. If you say it in my presence, be certain I'm chewing on my tongue to keep from commenting - or I'm actually commenting and you're annoyed with me. lol

You can't give more than 100%. It's a silly little thing but nonetheless...

That is all.

Audiobooks

I love - love love love - to listen to audiobooks while I'm cleaning and cooking.

But so often this is how it goes...

Everyone is outside playing (and on this day I mean Leah, Hannah & two cousins - Elaina & Julia). I'm starting dinner and I think to myself: ohh. now is a good moment.

So I quickly plug my phone into the external speakers I keep in the kitchen and hit play.

*split second passes*

Hannah: MOMMY!

sigh. pause the book.

Answer Hannah's request.

Back to cooking.. wait a few minutes... push play again.

*about 2 minutes pass* (That was a good long time, right!?!?)

Leah: MOOOOMMMMMM!

Pause. Yes?

Elaina: I'm thristy. 

Sigh. pause the book.

You get the idea. 

So this generally happens four or five times before I yell at everyone. It makes me insane. It's like my pushing play triggers my children's request. It's worse than going to the bathroom!

Still I enjoy it. I get to do it the most when everyone is asleep or if Drew takes the girls to the park or some place.

Besides - the only thing worse than my listening to an audiobook or going to the bathroom? Actually sitting down and opening a book to read. That makes everyone go completely INSANE. Even Drew can't handle it. He has openly admitted he suddenly feels like he needs to compete for my attention with the book.

Oy. Some people's kids and husbands, eh?

Good thing I love them!

Procrastination Meme

What am I procrastinating? I'll answer that later...

heh.

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?

Hmm. I'm so loving the location I'm in right now that's hard to say. I'm definitely a fan of civilization! We have spent the last 5ish years leaving basically 100 miles from everything so at this moment I'd have to say my standards of location are fairly low. lol

I've wanted to have a home in Italy though. Or Ireland. One of those two places.

2. What is your favorite article of clothing? 

I have these 5 gowns/summer dresses. I love love love them. They don't touch too much of my skin (on the sensitive skin fibromyalgia days). They are flowy and comfy. My friend Jen (who also has fibro) told me about them one day and I ordered one, then another, then... you get the idea. I love them.

I also have this jean jacket I love. It makes whatever I'm wearing look better. Best jean jacket ever. It was made for me. I hate that it's too hot to wear it right now!

3. Last CD you bought? 

Sigh. Shake It Up. Leah cried and begged for it. We were getting ready to run out of town to go pick up the UHaul before we moved and she was headed off to her second to last day of school. And when it occurred to her we were going to pass a Walmart she wanted to come sooooo badly. It took me forever to get out of her why. Apparently one of her friends had told her she'd gotten this specific Shake It Up CD from the Walmart in Casper. Oy. The angst. That was a first for me from my own child. I got it while I was in there. She was very very happy.

4. What is your favorite place to be? 

I like to be where groups of family and/or friends are gathered.

5. Least favorite place to be? 

The doctor's office. What good comes of that?

6. Are you strongest in mind or body? 

Mind. Without question.

7. What time do you wake up? 

It's not normally of my own choosing. I get up when Hannah gets up - anywhere from 6:30 - 8:30.

8.  Favorite Kitchen Appliance

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. Love. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

9. What instrument would you like to play?

I can play the piano with mediocrity. I sing. I can play the guitar some. And I used to be really fantastic at the clarinet - it's been a long time though. I always wished I'd tried a brass instrument - just so I could learn to play the french horn. Why? Did you hear the name? The French Horn. Besides - it sounds cool (The name and the sound the emits from the instrument when played well)

10. Favorite Color

Depends upon the subject. I love blues (most shades) in clothing. In decorating I really just like earthy colors - earthy reds, yellows, browns, etc.


11. Sports Car or SUV?

I'm just gonna be honest here - I seriously love my minivan. A lot. I know that makes me not cool but I really do.

I also really love big trucks.

12. Favorite Children's Book

Barnyard Dance!

13. Favorite Season

Fall - Because then the relief of heat is OVER. Oy I hate being hot. (I am at this very moment so it's on my mind. If you asked me this question during winter I'm pretty sure I'd say Spring!)

14. Least Favorite Chore

I hate to put away laundry. And I'm not using 'hate' in some lose sense. I seriously loathe it.

15. Favorite Day

I've always thought that was a funny question and before being a railroad wife I guess it was probably the weekend days but that's not part of railroad life. I guess my favorite days are the ones when Drew is home and there is no school - then we all get to be together like a "weekend" day. And days when I touch base with the people I love - those are always better days.

16. Favorite Food

Sushi & Seafood (all the better if they're in the same meal - and often they are.)

17. Favorite Drink

Ice Water but I wouldn't turn down an ice drink like a virgin strawberry daiquiri at the moment. 

18. Favorite Word

Really? That's an odd question. I don't have a single favorite word. I do have words I just like the sound of - or some that I say and think (or say outloud): I really need to find more reasons to use that word! But I can't think of one at the moment.

19. Favorite Inspirational Book

That's not really my genre - and it seems cliche to just say - The Scriptures. I don't think that's the intent of the question. How 'bout my favorite book?

No... Wait. I can't answer that question either. It just depends on my mood. I love The Wheel of Time Series most of just about anything. Fantastic books. FANTASTIC.

But my all time most sentimental favorite book is The Girl of the Limberlost. Happy Sigh.


20. Who would you like to play you in the movie of your life? 

What in the world? I have no idea - Clearly she should have red hair. And be awesome.

Fried Donut Holes (Wheat Free)

Jelly Donut Holes
Makes 16-18 donut holes

Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
TB Butter butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups Artisan Gluten-Free Flour Blend*
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
Oil for frying

Those are all the things I used.

The instructions are here.

For the jelly I just used blueberry all fruit jelly. I stirred it until it was liquid enough and piped it into the donut holes.

*In the flour blend I substituted 1/2 cup arrowroot for the 2/3 cup corn starch. You use about half the flour blend recipe.

That's not funny!

Do I count as a blogger anymore? I'm seriously going long stretches here.

There are several factors. One - my laptop has been busted for awhile. And I don't mean it kind of doesn't work. I mean it's BUSTED. It's in pieces.

And I've been doing genealogy. A lot. So when I sit down at this desktop I am generally organizing dead people - which I love to do.

We are moving in two weeks and I've been packing, dejunking, organzing. Ew.

In really fantastic news, I am getting a new laptop in the next week or so. I so miss being mobile with my computer!

Now to the point of this post...

Just a funny little video of Hannah. She does the greatest dirty look!

Tattooed Smurf

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

(I wish I had actually videoed her seeing herself in the mirror. It was hysterical!)

A little more…

Enchilada Sauce

Today I totally made this up using things from the last two posts....

1/4 - 1/3 cup oil (olive, vegetable, whatever you want)
1 heaping cup of Taco Seasoning
2 T. glutinous rice flour
2 cups of Spinach Marinara Sauce
2 cups of Water

Heat the oil. Adding the seasoning and rice flour. Stirring constantly to avoid burning the flour. Do this until it darkens in color - it only take a few minutes. Add 2 cups of the sauce and 2 cups of water.

Let heat through. Just a few minutes.

Done.

Oh my word. I dipped tortillas in it and put cheese in them and baked them until hot and bubbly at 350. You could of course do this with ground meat, chicken, beans, cheese - or any combination there of.

YUM.

That would have been a lot of work if I'd started with the goal of making enchilada sauce out of it but since it was leftover marinara and taco seasoning that was already made it was a quick dish!

Note to self - always make extra of these things.

Taco Seasoning. The End.

I've made a lot of taco seasonings over the years.

Different proportions, different this and that.

Sometimes I've still bought it over the years but since discovering Daughter #1 is allergic to wheat - this has not been an option.

I tried this one this week and it got seriously rave reviews from my crew...

http://glutenfreemonkey.blogspot.com/2009/03/gluten-free-taco-seasoning.html

The only thing I changed was the cornstarch. I used arrowroot powder.

Big Batch Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning

1/2 c. chli powder
3 T. garlic powder
3 T. onion powder
2 tsp. oregano
4 tsp. paprika
3 T. cumin
2 tsp. table salt
4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 c. arrowroot powder
1.5 tsp. ground red pepper

Combine in a pint jar with a lid (or a baggie works) and shake well.

3 T. for 1 lb of meat.

This is what I do - Ground turkey, thawed and crumbled in the pan. Add the seasoning and water (2/3-1 cup). Browning/cooking the turkey with some water in the pan gives it a great texture. 

*If you follow the link above you can get the proportions for just one batch. I never do that though.

Spinach Marinara Sauce

First I have to say - yay for crockpots!
Second I really loved this sauce. It is wonderful but Drew? He said:

"This is the best sauce I have ever put in my mouth."

And then he wanted to know could he just eat it as soup... I think he liked it!

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 finely grated carrot
•  2 cups chopped fresh spinach
• 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
• 12 oz tomato paste
• 28 oz peeled tomatoes, pureed, with juice
• OR 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, with juice
• 15 oz can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 4 teaspoons oregano
• 4 teaspoons basil
• 1-2 tsp ground red pepper
• 4 teaspoons salt

Heat oil in a skillet, saute onions and carrots until soft, add  garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, salt. Continue to saute until garlic and herbs are fragrant.

Add to the crockpot: spinach and all tomato products and the sauteed mixture.

Cook on high for 4 hours or so. Or cook on low for longer - 6-8 hours. (From this point I really don't think you could mess it up. It just needs to cook a good long time so the flavors mix.)

PS - Crushed tomatoes are fine. I did the pureed ones to use up some whole plum tomatoes I had in the pantry.

Dino Socks

I first saw these on pinterest (click to see the pin and repin if you want) which links to this blog:

Happy Together

I didn’t have any kids knee socks like she suggested so I got some of my own socks I thought would work and after I cut the slit I cut and sewed closed the heel to just create tube socks the girls could wear.

I finally did this because Leah has silly sock day today. So she’s wearing the ones in the second picture and some jean capris. She was so excited. I tried to get her to wear one of each sock but she wouldn’t do it!

After I took the pictures I noticed that 2nd pair only had five spikes on the right sock. That’s what I get for doing it while I’m chatting on the phone. I cut it and fixed it. They match now. Whew.

The only part of this project that took a bit was cutting out the spikes. I had to cut out 24 hexagons. I like the way they look though. Doing a strip of triangles would have taken less time but I think the little shapes were worth it. Even at that I had both pairs done within a couple hours. And it wasn’t dedicated time. Hannah, Ava (I babysit her sometimes. She’s 12 days older than Hannah), Drew was here, etc. Anyway – my point – It’s easy. That is all.

And how cute are Hannah’s legs!?!?

Revised Chocolate Chip Cookies

2/3 cup oat flour* (I ground 1 minute oatmeal)
1/3 cup plus 2 TBSP Brown Rice flour
1/3 cup plus 2 TBSP Tapioca Flour/Starch
1/3 cup plus 2 TBSP Sweet/Glutinous Rice Flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp arrowroot starch
1 tsp cream of tarter
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted and cooled until warm
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup raw sugar (or white sugar)
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla
1–1.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips* (with no peanut warning!)

In one bowl sift all the dry things together – flours, xanthan gum, soda, salt, cream of tarter, arrowroot. I sifted them twice to ensure they were as smooth as I could get them.

In the stand mixer (that’s what I used. You can use whatever floats your boat – or is available in your kitchen…) put the brown sugar, raw sugar, and butter. Mix until very thoroughly blended.
Add to that mixture the eggs and vanilla. Mix again until combined and it turns a much lighter color and is fluffier.

Add the dry ingredients a cup or so at a time.. Mix until blended.

Add the chocolate chips. Mix by hand.

CHILL THE DOUGH – for about an hour.

Preheat the oven to 325. Center rack.

Make a ball of dough that’s about a rounded tablespoon and leave the cookies about two inches apart.

Baked for 12-14 minutes.

When you remove them from the oven allow them to sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.

*The amount of chocolate chips depends on my mood. These pictures have 1.5 cups. It’s a lot of chocolate and makes them messier to eat until they are totally cool. I really love the cookie part of chocolate chip cookies so sometimes I use less chocolate so that I get more dough bites.

**If you want you can use two tsp of baking powder and omit the arrowroot, baking soda, and cream of tarter. Baking powder has cornstarch so I have to avoid it.

I’m done revising these cookies now. In between my posts there were about 10 slight adjustments. I do want something to more finely grind my oat flour but I won’t change the amount.

The End! Yummy!

Five Words

Today I read two blog posts. One was from Camela who does a thing called BYOC (bring your own crazy) every Friday and the questions are always different. One of them today was to have several people (friends, family, etc.) describe you in 5 words.

And then another was a link Camela sent me to a post challenging a person to come up with 5 things you like about yourself.

I knew I’d have a hard time with that but having my friends say nice things to me was a lovely thing to have happen today as I’m mentally not in the best place in the world. Getting used to having Fibromyalgia – it’s a toss up whether that’s harder physically or mentally…

Anyway – this was great fun and I highly recommend it if you need a mental boost. And then ABSOLUTELY go write five nice things about yourself! Above all we should like ourselves!

Drew
I totally told him he had to add more to replace clean because… LAME.

1. Clean (gee. isn’t he romantic?)
2. Motivated (huh?)
3. Sensitive
4. Perfectionist (who is he talking about?)
5. Sexy (awww)
6. Sensual
7. Committed

Leah
(she was so extremely shy about this. It was so sweet!)

1. good cook
2. nice
3. gives lots of kisses (then we had a little talk about what the word affectionate means)

Hannah

Me: Can you describe mommy?
Hannah: Yes.
Me: Well?
Hannah: FUNNY! (with all the glee in the world. I love that girl)

Renee

1. smart
2. funny
3. awesome
4. compassionate
5. honest

Kathy

1. empathetic
2. creative
3. loving
4. patient
5. strong

Leah (my sister)

1. compassionate
2. nurturing
3. intelligent
4. talented
5. sensitive

Camela
who wouldn’t stop at 5 and when I pointed that out said she was doing a 2nd set of 5. She’s a rebel.

1. real
2. loyal
3. trustworthy
4. fun
5. a little crazy
6. intense
7. mother
8. friend
9. creative
10. smart

Jeff

1. Genuine
2. Irreplaceable
3. Witty
4. Vulnerable
5. Loyal

Ann Marie

1. Amazing
2. Brave
3. Fierce Dancer (I've not seen it, but I can imagine)
4. Cool Mom
5. Awesome Friend

Ann Marie said these things to me on FB and then we had the following exchange:

Me: Thanks!! And LOL at Fierce Dancer - In my own mind I am. That's the same thing, right??

Her: I believe that is the DEFINITION of being a fierce dancer. :D

(that made me laugh. hard.)

Jen

1. thoughtful
2. great listener
3. compassionate
4. strong
5. persevering

Becky

1. generous
2. selfless
3. Google-queen
4. genius
5. mathematician

My Mom/Cathy

1. brilliant
2. forgiving
3. absolutely fabulous friend
4. intuitive mother
5. such.a.wonderful.daughter.
6. thoughtful

Me

1. I’m a loyal friend
2. I’m a good mother
3. I am sensitive, emotional AND emotionally strong. (These things can coexist. I think people seem to often not know that.)
4. I am loving and affectionate.
5. I am generous.

That list I made myself took me forever! Sweet glory. I don’t know what that says about me but I don’t feel like analyzing it!

Now go forth and do this exercise. It’s good for you!

Drew for the win!

So yesterday I guess Drew was wandering around downtown Green River, WY and he happens upon a thrift store that is having a “going out of business” sale. He decided to go in a look around.

He found this silver set. And he thought I would love it. He also thought it was probably worth more than the 75 dollars they were selling it for.

The woman told him she didn’t think the silverware was worth much but she new the box itself was worth about 40 bucks. She had a paper that showed the silverware was worth about 500 dollars but she didn’t believe it. Anyway – Drew bought it for me and brought it home because he knew I would love it.

I did some research and found out that it was made in 1921 by Community Plate (which is now Oneida). The pattern is called Grosvenor. It’s silver plated and buying all the pieces I now  have individually… would cost about 800 dollars!

*faint*

http://www.silverpattern.com/Grosvenor.htm – You can see a bunch of pictures there. And if you feel the need to buy me a present… There are some pieces there I would love to have. haha.

Drew wanted to sand and refinish the box and I told him he was out of his mind. I LOVE it just like it is. All vintage and gorgeous.

So here is what it looked like this morning…

So I read all over the internet for awhile about the best ways to clean it. One of them is to induce a chemical reaction. You need aluminum foil, baking soda, salt, and boiling water.

And… then I forgot to take a picture while it was bubbling and doing it’s thing because I was so fascinated. It took most of the tarnish off. I still got a soft old toothbrush (poor Leah. That used to be hers… now it’s in the garbage.) and rubbed off the rest of the tarnish with the toothbrush and a little baking soda. Very gently.

I also cleaned the box inside and out and rubbed it with wood oil cleaner.

These are the after pictures:

LOVE! Yay!

Sisterly Love

Sunday Sentimental Share

I have a… thing… with this song  lately. I’ve been listening to it over and over again. I’ve known this song for many years and always I’ve gotten the message I think she intended but right now – with everything with my health and learning to function within the new normal I’m making for myself – It’s the bold part that is sort of speaking to me as I play it.

And that’s my sentimental share for today.

Also – I just have to publically say how fantastic my husband has been through all of this. He has taken on so much responsibility and is getting so much done when I’m having bad days. I know seeing me hurt is causing him pain. He loves me, He wants to fix it and he can’t. I’m so grateful for his caring and his love and his tenderness towards me. Love you, my Busband.

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all OK
and not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful
and useless in times like these

I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear

My hands are small, I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

Poverty stole your golden shoes
But it didn't steal your laughter
and heart ache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after

We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

We are never broken

We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's mind

We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart

We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's eyes

We are God's hands
We are God's hands

Lasagna Soup

I saw this recipe first on pinterest. The picture pinned there was from here. That blog got it from here.

And here is my version – Not too much changed.

Ingredients

• OLIVE OIL
• 1 lb Ground Turkey (seasoned to really be 1lb sweet Italian turkey sausage. *see note at the end)
• 1 large ONION, pureed
• 4 GARLIC CLOVES, minced
• 2 teaspoon dried OREGANO
• 1/2 teaspoon CRUSHED RED PEPPER FLAKES
• 2 Tablespoon TOMATO PASTE
• 1 28-oz. can FIRE ROASTED DICED TOMATOES
• 1 teaspoon crushed bay leaves
• 6 cups CHICKEN STOCK
• 8 oz. BROWN RICE PASTA
• 1 tablespoon dried BASIL
• SALT and PEPPER, to taste
• 8 oz. RICOTTA
• 1/2 cup grated PARMESAN CHEESE
• 1/4 teaspoon SALT
• pinch of freshly ground PEPPER
• 2 cup shredded MOZZARELLA CHEESE

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces, and brown for about 5 minutes. Add pureed onion. Sauté for a couple minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color.

Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, basil, and chicken stock*. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add uncooked pasta and cook until al dente. Do not over cook or let soup simmer for a long period of time at this point, as the pasta will get mushy and absorb all the soup broth. Right before serving, season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheesy goodness. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and mozzarella.

To serve, place a dollop of the cheesy yum in each soup bowl and ladle the hot soup over the cheese. ENJOY!

***

The changes I made from the first link: 1 lb of meat instead of 1.5, dried basil instead of fresh, mixing the mozzarella right into the cheesy goo and I pureed the onions so that I wouldn’t have a whining 6 year old.

Just as a side note: If you’re also avoiding dairy – this soup is awesome long before you put the cheesy goo into it.

Food Pictures… (There. must. be. food. pictures.)

I’m just gonna be real honest here… I forgot to take a picture of the bowl all put together. I might have eaten the whole bowl and then thought of it… heh. Yummy.

If you want to see one though – the other two blogs just have a picture of the finished product.

***

“Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage”

I put in my mortar and pestal: fennel seeds, caraway seeds, coriander seeds, red pepper flakes. I ground it until it was good and powdery.

As I was browning the ground turkey I added that mixture, salt, pepper, and a little brown sugar.

No. I measured nothing. I just did it until it smelled good. If I could buy seasoned ground turkey in my little town I absolutely would!

And certainly you could use regular pork sausage. If only that wouldn’t make me wicked sick… haha. Well and it would add a ton more calories.

***

This was a HIT in this house. Leah was beside herself and ate a huge bowl. Yay!

Chatting with Hannah

These four videos took place over the space of 14 minutes. I thought this was a good depiction of how much happy entertainment Hannah brings to our lives everyday!

Mommy is Obnoxious

Getting the look on camera may be the height of my mommying life.

I love that girl!

Do you like me? Do ya? Do ya?

Do you have people in your life who do that?

I do.

I have this one section of people in my life who want me to constantly prove that I like them.

I just don’t have any idea what to do about it. If you have some advice I’d love to hear it.

What I’ve been doing for years is… ignoring it. I’m just myself. If I don’t like you, you will know. But I don’t feel like I should have to go about life PROVING that I like someone.

That’s just exhausting. It’s more about them than it is about me really. A self-esteem issue? I don’t know.

But I don’t like it. And I get tired of hearing through the grape vine “She doesn’t like me.” when I feel like I have done absolutely nothing to suggest that.

Even from people who have rejected my invitations to spend time together! Seriously?

So don’t invite me over, etc… Decline my invitations when I extend them… flat reject me or blow me off about other invitations… and then? Say that *I* don’t like *you*.

*smacks head on desk*

Someone explain this to me. I’m apparently never going to get it.

 

Random Project

I keep all my makeup in a basket. Everything just all lump together in a basket under the sink. Two days ago I decided I didn’t like it anymore.

I did a little googling to decide how I wanted it to be different. In the process I read these two blogs:

Brush Roll & Makeup Bag

And then I made these things with those designs in mind. Just to fit my own needs though. The make up bag has magnetic strips sewn inside instead of a button/loop enclosure. It was all surprisingly easy. Yay.

And from seeing the blog post about the brush rolls my husband now wants me to make some big ones out of denim for his wrenches… Don’t tell him I told you though, k? Thanks.

Yay for Granola!

This is corn free, no nut warnings, AND wheat free! I was practically dancing in the aisle in the store. I can never find corn free granola! I don’t know about the other flavors/types of cereals with this brand. Only this particular one. Yay!

*Sidenote – Maltodextrin is made from corn. I don’t avoid it because I don’t seem to react to it but I know some people do.

Do me a favor?

If you know me, love me or if you know or love (or are even just acquaintances with!) that has a chronic physical condition/illness that they deal with every single day…

If you know anyone like that…

Read this. The Spoon Theory.

I’d repost the whole thing here but it requests at the bottom that I not repost it without permission so you have to follow the link.

Thanks

PS I just used up most of my spoons going to the grocery store. I think I’ll just sit here now. Whew!