yesterday, i was feeling very accomplished. i got out of bed, and immediately began marking things off my list. first things first, i started the coffee (which takes about 30 seconds, and for that i am grateful) and medicated my small whining boy with a bit of pepto bismol, then i really got going. when all was said and done, i had cleaned the kitchen, washed AND folded a load of laundry, cleaned up the living room, had ingredients set out for dinner so bub could have it going when i got home (this takes a lot of time ya'll. i like to leave no room for error) packed the kids' back packs with homework (which i really think is stupid for pre-k and kindergarten), flipped sissy's hair (she asked me to, then decided she hated it and asked me to flip it back. not a chance.) i showered, got dressed and was out the door without being late, without major conflict, with a new found love for mornings. well, with as much as i can love mornings.
i didnt have to shampoo my hair yesterday, that gave me an extra half hour i guess.
i was so inspired by myself that i got up early again today. i havent done anything yet but catch up with pioneer woman, and start the washing machine, but its something. it is something. and i have to shampoo my hair. im already running out of time. i have to get everything ready so i can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan. --ok, i might not actually bring home the bacon, its at brandye's house. and shes sorta busy- im fairly sure shes never there. i hope they have room in their freezer to store it til winter. i should call. maybe not right now. its morning time. she has 3 girls. not the best hour for a bacon pick-up-coordination-phone call.
i'll have my coffee instead.
and shampoo my hair.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
the cinnamon rolls that changed my life
i've been on a long search for a cinnamon roll recipe worthy of the effort it takes to actually produce these babies! here is what i came up with...
Cinnamon Rolls
Yields 2 dozen rolls
For the dough:
2/3 C warm water
3T (or 3 packages) yeast
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (plus 2-3T more for buttering pans)
2 eggs, beaten
2C milk
1C white sugar
2T salt
8C flour
For the filling:
2C brown sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
Sprinkling Cinnamon (about 2T once you’re done)
1C chopped pecans (optional)
For the icing:
3-4C powdered sugar
1T vanilla extract
½ C milk
In a small bowl, mix yeast and warm water, and set that aside. Scald the milk, and then pour it over the butter. (this should be done in the bowl you will be mixing the dough in – it has to be fairly large. If you have a mixer, that bowl will work.) After the milk is added to the butter, pour in the beaten eggs, the sugar, and the salt. Allow this mixture to cool to tepid, and stir until just mixed. One cup at a time, start adding the flour. Mix after adding each cup until the flour is well incorporated. Let the dough sit for a few minutes, then knead it well until it is fairly elastic.
Use a few tsp of oil, and coat the inside of another large mixing bowl. Transfer the dough to this bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let it rise for 1-1 ½ hours in a warm-ish spot. (this is when I turn my oven on to pre-heat and set the bowl on the stove so some of the heat warms the dough – but if your kitchen is warmer than mine you don’t have to start pre-heating just yet.)
When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide in half. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle about 12 x 30. Use one stick of room temperature butter and smooth it over the surface of the dough using your fingers a spoon or spatula. Make a thick layer with 1C brown sugar and sprinkle cinnamon and nuts. Roll this beautiful creation into a log, pinching the seam when you get to the end. It is perfectly acceptable, at this point, to pinch off a section of the buttered, sugared dough and sample it. Just to make sure its ok. With a sharp knife, cut about 1-1 ½ inch rolls and place in a buttered 9x13 pan. Allow the rolls to rise another 30 minutes, until they are smooshed together and just to the top of the pan. They will look lovely. Bake in a 350 oven for 15-20 minutes. Repeat this process with the other half of the dough.
** unless you don’t want to. You could use the remaining dough for dinner rolls. If you choose to do that, roll them in balls and freeze, or bake until just browned. Also, if you make these you won’t need as much filling or icing**
While the rolls are baking, you can mix up the icing. In a sauce pan, heat the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla stirring often ( or constantly depending on how nervous you are about burning things…) when the icing is smooth, set it aside and wait patiently for the rolls to be done. Pour immediately over hot rolls.
Cinnamon Rolls
Yields 2 dozen rolls
For the dough:
2/3 C warm water
3T (or 3 packages) yeast
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (plus 2-3T more for buttering pans)
2 eggs, beaten
2C milk
1C white sugar
2T salt
8C flour
For the filling:
2C brown sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
Sprinkling Cinnamon (about 2T once you’re done)
1C chopped pecans (optional)
For the icing:
3-4C powdered sugar
1T vanilla extract
½ C milk
In a small bowl, mix yeast and warm water, and set that aside. Scald the milk, and then pour it over the butter. (this should be done in the bowl you will be mixing the dough in – it has to be fairly large. If you have a mixer, that bowl will work.) After the milk is added to the butter, pour in the beaten eggs, the sugar, and the salt. Allow this mixture to cool to tepid, and stir until just mixed. One cup at a time, start adding the flour. Mix after adding each cup until the flour is well incorporated. Let the dough sit for a few minutes, then knead it well until it is fairly elastic.
Use a few tsp of oil, and coat the inside of another large mixing bowl. Transfer the dough to this bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let it rise for 1-1 ½ hours in a warm-ish spot. (this is when I turn my oven on to pre-heat and set the bowl on the stove so some of the heat warms the dough – but if your kitchen is warmer than mine you don’t have to start pre-heating just yet.)
When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide in half. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle about 12 x 30. Use one stick of room temperature butter and smooth it over the surface of the dough using your fingers a spoon or spatula. Make a thick layer with 1C brown sugar and sprinkle cinnamon and nuts. Roll this beautiful creation into a log, pinching the seam when you get to the end. It is perfectly acceptable, at this point, to pinch off a section of the buttered, sugared dough and sample it. Just to make sure its ok. With a sharp knife, cut about 1-1 ½ inch rolls and place in a buttered 9x13 pan. Allow the rolls to rise another 30 minutes, until they are smooshed together and just to the top of the pan. They will look lovely. Bake in a 350 oven for 15-20 minutes. Repeat this process with the other half of the dough.
** unless you don’t want to. You could use the remaining dough for dinner rolls. If you choose to do that, roll them in balls and freeze, or bake until just browned. Also, if you make these you won’t need as much filling or icing**
While the rolls are baking, you can mix up the icing. In a sauce pan, heat the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla stirring often ( or constantly depending on how nervous you are about burning things…) when the icing is smooth, set it aside and wait patiently for the rolls to be done. Pour immediately over hot rolls.
girls just wanna have fun
been thinking about my girlfriends lately. if you have spent much time with me at all, you have heard me say at least once (or a hundred times) "i dont like people." its true, i dont . there are a few exceptions, though.
as i was watching sissy walk in to her school, i started thinking about the girls i have known since i was her age. it was an interesting perspective. there are not many ladies i have known since i was 5 (or 6 or 10) that i still keep up with. at least i could (usually) tell you what town they live in, at best i can tell you their husband's name and how many kids they have. such a strange thing to look around and see that all i have in common with most of those girls anymore is that we grew up together. so many of those friendships made me who i am, got me through the angst of my teenage years, offered the stability that only life-long friendships can offer. in the past several years (you can call them adult years, i choose not to) there have been more girls who have worked their way into my affections. (lets face it, they didnt have to work. if it had taken work i would have decided early on that i didnt like them. i am just that cranky. --my uncle even dared to call me judgmental.) with our busy, crazy lives, my contact with them has been reduced to the every-so-often text message or email. even though i dont see them... ever.... i know they would take on the world for me, and i would do the same for them.
these are the girls i talked with about baby dolls, b b guns, boys, ball games, brown hair, blonde hair, big hair, bobbed hair, bible, boys, broken hearts, breaking hearts, baptism, books, brothers, bin-laden, bombing, boys, bus rides, budgets, bosses, bereavement, beverages, baking, breast cancer, bikinis, babies, breast feeding, bellies, butts, boobs, bad days, better days, and ok, there are only so many things that begin with 'b', but you get the idea.
i love my girls. with all my heart.
as i was watching sissy walk in to her school, i started thinking about the girls i have known since i was her age. it was an interesting perspective. there are not many ladies i have known since i was 5 (or 6 or 10) that i still keep up with. at least i could (usually) tell you what town they live in, at best i can tell you their husband's name and how many kids they have. such a strange thing to look around and see that all i have in common with most of those girls anymore is that we grew up together. so many of those friendships made me who i am, got me through the angst of my teenage years, offered the stability that only life-long friendships can offer. in the past several years (you can call them adult years, i choose not to) there have been more girls who have worked their way into my affections. (lets face it, they didnt have to work. if it had taken work i would have decided early on that i didnt like them. i am just that cranky. --my uncle even dared to call me judgmental.) with our busy, crazy lives, my contact with them has been reduced to the every-so-often text message or email. even though i dont see them... ever.... i know they would take on the world for me, and i would do the same for them.
these are the girls i talked with about baby dolls, b b guns, boys, ball games, brown hair, blonde hair, big hair, bobbed hair, bible, boys, broken hearts, breaking hearts, baptism, books, brothers, bin-laden, bombing, boys, bus rides, budgets, bosses, bereavement, beverages, baking, breast cancer, bikinis, babies, breast feeding, bellies, butts, boobs, bad days, better days, and ok, there are only so many things that begin with 'b', but you get the idea.
i love my girls. with all my heart.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
cold as ice
the first day of fall came and went with not much change in the temperature or clothing selection. today, however, its a fantastic 54 degrees outside and we're breaking out the long sleeves to wear to church. my kids could not be more excited. for some reason, they have been asking to wear long sleeves and sweaters for weeks now. finally they get their chance.but what will they wear?! its a hard decision, with all of these new things to choose from! that little man was so happy when i told him that after church he could change in to another long sleeved shirt (one that would not require an iron or the words "dont get dirty") -i fear the laundry that follows all the wardrobe changes that accompany this season change.
sis went out to ride her bike this morning (at 7:30 because shes crazy) not expecting anything different from last night when she was wearing sorts and a t-shirt. after only a few minutes she came running back inside with snot dripping from her nose. i told her she was gross, and asked what in the world she was doing. "well, i had to blow it out because i was afraid it was frozen in there," she simply explained. its gonna be a long hard winter. except, i guess she wont be riding her bike at 7:30 am when its 5 below. if she was doing that, i would voluntarily submit my letter of resignation and join the ranks of failed mothers.
im fairly sure that pancho (the big black labrador retriever that lives in my house) is depressed. he skulks around the house from one place to the next and flops himself down with a big sigh. the only excitement i have seen out of him today was when sissy held the cat up to his face and taunted him with the notion of possibly having a play mate. that big dog bounced and wagged all over the place. awfully sure that the cat was not having as much fun, i strongly encouraged sis to put her down. she looked like one of those halloween cats with their back arched and tail sticking up (and shes all black) running around the house scared to death. i dont know where she is now, shes in hiding. terrified, im sure, of the little girl who threatened to hand her over to the monster-dog.
so far, sunday morning has been pretty entertaining around here. so much awaits us with church, baking, chiseling and very possibly, football.
(oh, there goes the cat. shes fine. gazing, dreaming, wishing sitting in the window imagining a life outside these walls)
sis went out to ride her bike this morning (at 7:30 because shes crazy) not expecting anything different from last night when she was wearing sorts and a t-shirt. after only a few minutes she came running back inside with snot dripping from her nose. i told her she was gross, and asked what in the world she was doing. "well, i had to blow it out because i was afraid it was frozen in there," she simply explained. its gonna be a long hard winter. except, i guess she wont be riding her bike at 7:30 am when its 5 below. if she was doing that, i would voluntarily submit my letter of resignation and join the ranks of failed mothers.
im fairly sure that pancho (the big black labrador retriever that lives in my house) is depressed. he skulks around the house from one place to the next and flops himself down with a big sigh. the only excitement i have seen out of him today was when sissy held the cat up to his face and taunted him with the notion of possibly having a play mate. that big dog bounced and wagged all over the place. awfully sure that the cat was not having as much fun, i strongly encouraged sis to put her down. she looked like one of those halloween cats with their back arched and tail sticking up (and shes all black) running around the house scared to death. i dont know where she is now, shes in hiding. terrified, im sure, of the little girl who threatened to hand her over to the monster-dog.
so far, sunday morning has been pretty entertaining around here. so much awaits us with church, baking, chiseling and very possibly, football.
(oh, there goes the cat. shes fine. gazing, dreaming, wishing sitting in the window imagining a life outside these walls)
Saturday, September 25, 2010
i am not afraid
lots of girls get all germ-a-phobic when they have kids. i didnt. im not afraid of germs. if one of the kids' pacifiers fell to the floor, i might or might not wipe it off on my shirt before i put it back in their (screaming) mouths.
sometimes when food is recalled, eggs, for example, people get nervous. i dont. i go buy eggs by the truck load. im not scared.
my grandma sends newspaper articles to my house warning me about everything from preservatives in canned foods to baby carrots. i dont care. i throw them away and move on with my life.
there may be ladies who would never pick up a sledge hammer and start whacking away at their tile entry way. i did. i figure i can fix anything.
i have met a few folks who would feel that there was cause for concern if they saw their husband hanging from the kitchen ceiling kicking the beams down in order to 'fix it'. i laughed and grabbed my camera.
most people wouldnt grab a pair of scissors and cut their hair off to 2 inches long and dye it maroon. i. am. not. afraid.
i hyperventilate when bub drives on the really high up over pass.
i cant look when the kids ride the ferris wheel.
all of the sudden, im terrified of roller coasters.
anxiety attacks are familiar friends of mine - sometimes for no apparent reason.
i get the hee-bee-gee-bees when i see spiders. especially tarantulas.
to illustrate that last point, i will tell you the following story:
when i was mowing the lawn earlier today i stopped the mower and scurried across the yard as if some someone had poked me with a cattle prod. there it was. all wadded up in a fuzzy looking ball. i knew that it would have been at least 6 inches across if its legs werent bent up underneath it. -- well, if it had legs to begin with. bub was nice enough to point out that it wasnt a terrifying tarantula at all. it was a pine cone that had been run over several times. it was terrifying.
sometimes when food is recalled, eggs, for example, people get nervous. i dont. i go buy eggs by the truck load. im not scared.
my grandma sends newspaper articles to my house warning me about everything from preservatives in canned foods to baby carrots. i dont care. i throw them away and move on with my life.
there may be ladies who would never pick up a sledge hammer and start whacking away at their tile entry way. i did. i figure i can fix anything.
i have met a few folks who would feel that there was cause for concern if they saw their husband hanging from the kitchen ceiling kicking the beams down in order to 'fix it'. i laughed and grabbed my camera.
most people wouldnt grab a pair of scissors and cut their hair off to 2 inches long and dye it maroon. i. am. not. afraid.
i hyperventilate when bub drives on the really high up over pass.
i cant look when the kids ride the ferris wheel.
all of the sudden, im terrified of roller coasters.
anxiety attacks are familiar friends of mine - sometimes for no apparent reason.
i get the hee-bee-gee-bees when i see spiders. especially tarantulas.
to illustrate that last point, i will tell you the following story:
when i was mowing the lawn earlier today i stopped the mower and scurried across the yard as if some someone had poked me with a cattle prod. there it was. all wadded up in a fuzzy looking ball. i knew that it would have been at least 6 inches across if its legs werent bent up underneath it. -- well, if it had legs to begin with. bub was nice enough to point out that it wasnt a terrifying tarantula at all. it was a pine cone that had been run over several times. it was terrifying.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
communication breakdown
with both of my babies now in public schools, i have cause for concern. as i sifted through the pile of papers sent home by little bit's teacher, i realized that there is much more to this "other people in charge of my kids" thing than i had been aware of. my 4 and 5 year old children are now the conduit for information transmitted between myself and their teachers. does this seem like a good idea? well, for my baby girl it should be fine. she remembers everything. she teaches the entire lesson from her school day to her brother when they get home. she recounts, word for word, the rules and stories and instructions given by her dear teacher. no problem at all. ( i think...)
that little boy of mine, however, may be a different story. i ask him how school was, he says "fine." nothing more. wait, he did say he made two new friends, but he doesnt remember their names. also, he has a bit of a language all his own. i may need to forward this list to his teacher, but i think she will figure it out. here are a few snippets of conversations between my son and me.
i say:"son, dont go outside without shoes on" he says "i am't."
i say: "are your new friends boys or girls?" he says "grils" **this becomes problematic when bub tells me that he wants a new grill. i get nervous.**
i say: "how much do you love me?" he says "the whole wide rild."
i say "you look like you dont feel good, are you sick?" he says "yeh, do i need to go to the hopsital?"
i say "man, youre getting big. how big do you think you are?" he says "68"
i say "what did you do today in class?" he says "lots of tings"
so i suppose they all make sense, except for the 68. i dont understand that one.
sissy told him he needs to go to speech class. i was furious when she said that. i dont ever want him to talk like a big boy. not ever.
that little boy of mine, however, may be a different story. i ask him how school was, he says "fine." nothing more. wait, he did say he made two new friends, but he doesnt remember their names. also, he has a bit of a language all his own. i may need to forward this list to his teacher, but i think she will figure it out. here are a few snippets of conversations between my son and me.
i say:"son, dont go outside without shoes on" he says "i am't."
i say: "are your new friends boys or girls?" he says "grils" **this becomes problematic when bub tells me that he wants a new grill. i get nervous.**
i say: "how much do you love me?" he says "the whole wide rild."
i say "you look like you dont feel good, are you sick?" he says "yeh, do i need to go to the hopsital?"
i say "man, youre getting big. how big do you think you are?" he says "68"
i say "what did you do today in class?" he says "lots of tings"
so i suppose they all make sense, except for the 68. i dont understand that one.
sissy told him he needs to go to speech class. i was furious when she said that. i dont ever want him to talk like a big boy. not ever.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
you light up my life
this small child not only looks good as a disco dancer, he also makes me laugh every day. every. day.
he is one of the most loving children i have ever seen, and i get the privilege of being the recipient of so much of that love! this does come at a cost, however. often, my kids compete with one another, convinced that one of these days they will find out which one of them i love the most. my baby boy asked me the other day, "momma, am i your honey sweetness?" naturally, i said yes, though i had never heard the title before. he quickly informed his sister that i MUST love him the most, because he was my honey sweetness. "no." she retorted, "i am her loverton. she loves me the most."
you should know that this conversation was taking place in my bed, where the two of them had wormed their way right up against me. i let them know that i loved them equally, and that they needed to back off. "guys, when your dad sleeps in this bed, i dont even let HIM squish me, so scoot over and get off of me!"
their response? "do you love dad more than you love us?"
ugh. seriously? so i answered them: "yes. i love him most. scoot over." and they did. and they went to sleep. they're weird.
during one of our many car rides, we were listening to praise music. even though my little bitty didnt know the words, he was singing along. next thing i knew, the song was over, but he was still singing, and i was thinking about how wonderful it was to listen to his little voice singing praise songs. then i actually listened to the words he was saying-- "heaaaavvvvenns .... to betttttssssyyyy" over and over. in the sweetest voice ever.
its not just me. everyone adores him. because he is precious. every night he gives us kisses. here is the routine: a kiss on my lips, eskimo kiss, a kiss on each eye, a kiss on my chin, a kiss on my throat and a tight snuggle. some days he likes to tease me and say he might be all out of love, and i might have to come back when he finds more. he always finds some hidden away somewhere and showers it on me.i cant keep from talking about him, because hes hilarious. check this action out-- we walked in to the store, and little bit says "ooooh mom, its halloween-er in here!" i was laughing, and said "WHAT?!" so he changed it up with "its halloween-ee!" cracking up, and really wanting him to say it again i said "bub, what is he saying?!" exasperated, my baby said "aaaaahhhh!!! theres more halloween stuff." and thats the last he wanted to talk about it. ~but i've told the story a million times now. ha.
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