Mother's Day 2013

Well, they can't all be good ones.  It wouldn't be real life if every Mother's Day just magically transformed into the best day ever.  Wes joked and said next year he was going to get me what I really wanted, a day without the kids.  Even that wouldn't classify as a great day because I'd spend the day wishing they were there with me.  
Some days I just don't fly at full speed.  My flag only flies at half mast and I'm irritable.  Yes, I said it, I can be irritable.  And if you meet a parent who says she never has a day like that, run the other way because lightning might be about to strike.
Bring a mom is a tough job.  It's also a very fulfilling, joyous, gratifying, and rewarding job.  However, as a mom of 2 young kids, the tough days tend to outweigh the super days.  As much as I try to focus on the positive the truth is, we're in a serious learning and transition time.  I'm learning to be the best mom I can be, all while realizing I'm not perfect and 50 other not-so-fantastic traits about myself.  Meanwhile, my children are learning what buttons to push, how to cope with their emotions, how to share, and all the other life skills that we somehow take for granted and think came preprogrammed into their little minds.  

Being a mom doesn't always mean being in control.  That's a hard one for me.  Just because you know they need a nap and desperately want them to take a nap (or go to bed at 5pm), doesn't mean it's going to happen.  No amount of force - I've tried - is going to physically make their little eyelids close.  No amount of bribery, coercing, or reasoning is going to make a strong-willed, opinionated, 5-year old take a nap when he doesn't want to.  Part of me wants to praise him for standing his ground because that will serve him well later in life when peer pressure rears its ugly head, but the other part of me, the part that is in the here and now wants to throttle him.  Nap = Sanity.  That equation doesn't balance when one of the components is negative.  Sometimes though, you have to wave the white flag and move on to Plan B.  Start praying for the sun to go down early so you can sneak in an early bedtime without them noticing.  
No matter what kind of day it's been, the fact that I came to play is all that matters.  Sure I may have days when I yell too much, don't feed them enough vegetables (gasp!), let them watch too much tv, but at least I tried.  Some days I may try less than others, but I was there.  It's unrealistic to think that you can give 100% of yourself every day to every person in your life.  I lived in that make believe world for a long time.  It's painful at the end of the day to realize you fell short...again...and again.  At some point you have to be content with giving it your best and realizing you can learn from your mistakes and short comings and hopefully give it another try tomorrow.  That's one thing we have, hope for tomorrow.  By the time we get this whole parenting thing all figured out, they'll be grown and on their own.  Then we can either write a book or guide our children with their children.  Now I feel old.  
I take my hat off to all the mother's.  By coming to play each day, you are putting your best foot forward.  They won't all be noteworthy days that the little lady at the coffee shop was talking about when she said to, "Enjoy every minute.  They're only young once."  No, you won't enjoy every minute.  Yes, you will wish away certain phases of their life.  But, yes you will be a great mom who is remembered and revered by her children for her love, not her mistakes.  Happy Mother's Day!

Weekly Menu - Week 17

{Printable menu with links!}
This week there I'm trying some recipes from a new cookbook, Veganomics.  A friend of mine let me borrow it and I quickly broke it in by copying about 20 recipes from it.  The Cassoulet and Banana Bread are both from it and I can already report the Banana Bread was delicious!  The boys both thoroughly enjoyed it, even with my modifications to use whole wheat flour.  I actually preferred the amped up nutty flavor the wheat provided.  
I didn't include the delicious Mother's Day dish Wes made for me on Sunday.  We gobbled it up before I snapped a picture of it, but here's a link to the recipe.  He served it with a grilled caesar salad and a decadent bruscetta with goat cheese, toasted macadamia nuts, and a honey drizzle.  Heavenly.  It was certainly a treat to have such a special meal on Mother's Day.  What a guy :)  

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

It's been a while since I initially made these, but my children have not forgotten them!  Nearly every Saturday morning since then they have asked for "those donuts you made that time."  They were really good, as is just about anything sweet straight from the oven.  

I appreciate that Nicole reduced the oil and sugar from the original recipe and, like her, we didn't miss either.    I changed from her butterscotch icing to a simple sugar glaze, but I'm sure the butterscotch icing would be heavenly.  

Just seeing the pictures again makes me want to whip up a batch this weekend.  It's just as quick to whip up a batch of these as it is to get in the car and drive to our local donut shop, but these are definitely healthier!

Baked Pumpkin Donuts
adapted slightly from Prevention RD
{Print recipe}

Ingredients:

1 3/4 C. whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp allspice

1/4 cup canola oil

1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1 tsp vanilla

For the glaze:

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1-2 T. almond milk or water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.  

In a medium bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (flour through spices).  In a separate bowl, combine oil, buttermilk, brown sugar, egg, pumpkin, and vanilla, whisking to combine.

Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix.  Fill the donut pan with batter, filling each one 2/3rds full. 

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the donuts comes out clean.  Let cool while you make the glaze.  

For the glaze, sift confectioners' sugar into a small bowl.  With a whisk or fork, whisk the almond milk (or water) until smooth, adding more liquid as needed to reach your desired consistency.

Drizzle the glaze over the warm donuts.  If you don't want it to absorb as quickly, wait until the donuts have cooled completely before icing.

FYI Friday

1.  There is all kinds of truth, honesty, and wisdom right here.  I want to reread it every day until it sinks in that I'm doing the best I can and I'll never be perfect.  Drill it into my head! 2.  There are some real marketing geniuses out there.  I haven't seen this one on tv, so I'm not tired of it yet.  Not sure I ever will.

3.  Speaking of tv, why must I always choose the shows that no one else watches.  The networks run the shows just long enough for me to get totally invested in the characters and fall in love with them and then,  poof!  They pull the plug.  I hate you CW for cancelling 90210.   4.  I'm totally digging grey as a color to decorate with.  I haven't incorporated it much in my house because I'm afraid I'd tire too quickly of the drab color.  But just look how tranquil and clean it can be. 5.  Want to get your kids to eat healthy(er)?  Put one of these beautiful plates in front of them and watch them gobble it up!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mother's in the world!

Daddy Time

I don't think I give him enough credit, but Wes truly is one heck of a dad, husband, confidant, friend, and so much more.  He gives unselfishly of his time and energy.  Whenever I can't take the pressure or my patience is faltering he's right there to meet my cry for help.  He supports me when I feel like I'm not such a great mom and gives me the encouragement to believe in myself again.  He listens to me whine and takes orders well!

He is the fun dad.  The one who rough houses with the kids like dads are supposed to do.  He's the one who initiates sports-related play so that I can stay inside and bake or cook.  He insists on giving me "me" time just when I need it most.  I'm a really lucky gal!  I love you, babe.  

Oh, and he's head of the Grammar Police, so he's taught me a thing or 2 over the years (I had a lot to learn!).  I thought of that because I would not have put that comma in between you and babe in the last sentence, but now I know better :)

These pictures are from 2 months ago, even though Colin is sporting some Christmas pajamas!  They were hand-me-downs from his cousin, so anything new must be worn immediately.  Incidentally, Sawyer's pj's didn't even come with matching pants, but they were also from his cousin, so who cares if they match!

Weekly Recipe - Week 16

{Printable menu with links!}

Cowboy Coleslaw

Kids can be so unpredictable.  One meal they love everything on their plate, the next meal they're picking out pieces of who knows what and whining all the while.  Even though my kids are both good eaters, I assure you we are not exempt from this behavior.  My personal favorite is when you serve the same dish a second time and this time they suddenly don't like it and declare it "gross."  How could your tastebuds change in the matter of a few months?  Blasphemy!  

This coleslaw turned out to be one of those dishes.  That is until the oldest realized there were apples, grapes, and pickles, and that he did, in fact, love all of those things.  So just as quickly as he curled  up his nose, he was begging for more.  My day just wouldn't be complete without some unnecessary whining and protest.

Like the wee ones, the big ones enjoyed this coleslaw as well.  I love a good coleslaw alongside a burger or sandwich, but I'm not a fan of the boring, run-of-the-mill-mayo-laden varieties.  This one offers a little extra crunch with the fruits and a little tart with the pickle.  I don't really think a "cowboy" would make this, but I'm sure one would enjoy it if they tried!    

Cowboy Coleslaw

Printable recipe

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Veganaise (or regular mayo)

2 T apple cider vinegar

2 T sugar

2 tsp grain mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 bag shredded cabbage or slaw mix

6 dill pickle slices (the big "Stackers" kind)

1/2 cup red grapes, cut in half

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, pickles, and grapes.  Toss to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients until smooth.  Pour over cabbage mixture and toss well to coat.  Cover and refrigerate for 2-6 hours (or more).  Stir before serving.

FYI Friday

1.  Slow and steady wins the race.  Words I need to practice living by.  My to-do list will never end, so why do I beat myself up for not finishing everything?
2.  How stinkin' cute are these ice cream spoons?  As of this month, Colin is in favor of an ice cream party for his birthday.  Ask me next month and I'm sure that will have changed.  But how cute would these be?  They were sold out but I found the etsy store and she has plenty!
3.  I have managed to resist the temptation to buy Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter.  That is until I saw this recipe.  The problem is, I don't think I could stop at one.  She's entering this recipe in a contest and I don't see how she would get beat.  
4.  I'm in total mourning over the loss of one of my childhood favorites.  Kris (Chris Kelly), of Kris Kross died this week from an apparent drug overdose.  I guess this answers my question, "Where are they now?"  I feel like I should go to the funeral.  Or maybe I'll just wear my pants backwards today in memory.  So sad.  Drugs are bad, mkay.
5.  I've purchased one of these Project Life kits in the past and while I still haven't managed to get around to actually using it, I'm still enamored with their papers and patterns.  It really is a great solution for scrapbook wannabes with far too little time.
6.  Summer in a bowl.  That's all I have to say.

Have a great weekend!

Weekly Menu - Week 15

{Printable menu with links}

Dining Room Update

Several months ago I posted a picture of an inspiration piece that I wanted to copy recreate for our dining room.  I had the pictures painted and the frames finished months ago, but it took me much longer to have someone hang them (we have plaster walls and I don't want the walls to crumble from my ignorance) and to photograph the finished shots.  
After doing this project and a few other art-related projects around the house, I found this is a passion of mine.  I love to be crafty and creative.  I like to use paints, papers, and any other art supplies I can get my hands on.  I love seeing the transformation and I love the sense of pride and accomplishment when I look at the finished product.  I've definitely learned I need to do more of it because it truly makes me happy.

For a refresher, here was the inspiration:

After I painted the prints, I had to apply gold leafing to the natural picture frames.  My fingers were gold for days!  I used a piece of cheesecloth to apply it.  

And now for the big reveal...

I painted a total of 4 different designs, 2 for each side of a window in my dining room.  

To show how the gold blends with the room, here's one of the other walls.

Now I just need to finish out that wall with some simple drapes and that room will be finished.  We've only lived in this house for a year and a half now!
Have you tackled any art projects lately?