MommyCoddle

good eats

I have twenty minutes to write this post. I've got myself on a strict schedule this morning–something we homeschoolers are not used to–because I have been asked to sing at the funeral of a woman from my church who passed away this weekend. I will be bringing the girls, but they'll be playing together in the nursery while I slip in and out to offer what I can to this sweet family and in honor of this sweet woman who was such a strong part of our church community. I feel honored to be able to offer my voice as a gift to the family.

I knew I wanted to write this post first thing in the week for those meal-planners among us. I made the transition to meal planner in the last year and although there have a been a few weeks where I've slacked, the peace and time-saving of knowing what to buy at the grocery store and exactly what I'll be making at the end of each day is so helpful to me.

So I thought I would share a few recipes that we've been enjoying lately. Some are simple classics–but that is what I love. And I love finding a recipe that works. Others are great comfort foods. And of course, I had to throw in a kid-friendly dessert as well…

Enjoy!

Sarah's Chicken and Dumplings : Drop whatever it is that you are doing, and make this recipe tonight! Sarah is my neighbor and friend and an amazing, amazing baker and cook. This recipe is so good, I can't even tell you. We've had it twice in two weeks it is that good. The second time I made it my husband was so happy because he'd been under the weather the first time I made it and "couldn't fully appreciate how good it was." He proclaims it the best dumplings he's ever had. And while you're visiting Sarah for the recipe, check out all her recipes. Amazing, folks. Amazing.

Baked Ravioli : I know most people probably have a version of this in their repertoire, but this one was so simple and delicious. Especially the sauce. Usually my children pick out the chunks of tomato, but I found certain members of the family eating the tomato-y parts straight out of the dish.

Pasta with Turkey Meatballs and Bocconcini : This was is so yummy, too. You'll have to spring for the bocconcini–it's not exactly a pantry staple, but it's worth it.

Pork Tenderloin with Honeyed Butter : I like how simple this recipe is. Although be warned that, in my opinion, in needs to cook longer than the 7-10 minutes recommended in the recipe.

Vegetarian Black-Bean Chili : I'm trying to introduce more vegetarian dishes into our meal plans. It saves money and it's good for us. This one was a hit with everyone. Though I will confess to have a little bit of cheese and bits of bacon on hand to sprinkle over the top.

Buckeyes : And of course, dessert. I had to try this recipe because the last time I made buckeyes, it was a culinary disaster in the kitchen with my big sister–and I was probably in middle school. We had chocolate and buckeyes everywhere. Not to mention the number that completely dropped into the bowl of warm chocolate only to be fished out and plopped onto the waxed paper. It wasn't pretty. In a very weak attempt to redeem this recipe, I added 1/4 cup of wheat germ to the peanut butter balls. And we dumped the eyeball part in favor of a more traditional buckeye look. *My children helped me make the peanut butter balls. They were distracted during the chocolate dipping step. I think it was better that way. 🙂

What recipes are working for you these days? I'm always excited to add some more good things to my recipe box!

Enjoy!

Pasta with Turkey Meatballs and Bocconcini : This was is so yummy, too. You'll have to spring for the bocconcini–it's not exactly a pantry staple, but it's worth it.

Pork Tenderloin with Honeyed Butter : I like how simple this recipe is. Although be warned that, in my opinion, in needs to cook longer than the 7-10 minutes recommended in the recipe.

What recipes are working for you these days? I'm always excited to add some more good things to my recipe box!

17 Comments

lessons from the landscape

Sometimes I wish I had it all figured out. That I'd learned all of life's lessons so that I didn't need to be taught anymore. I wish my well of patience was overflowing and that when faced with annoyances, stresses, messes, unwelcome news, I could handle it with more grace and calm.

Yesterday my car broke down.

My laptop keyboard broke, leaving me to type this post at an excruciatingly slow speed.

I missed an ultrasound appointment.

My vacuum cleaner broke.

I felt the heavy strain of the same thing that always wears on me lately.

My two year old is waking way too early, napping way too briefly, and taking way too long to fall asleep.

And my house feels dirty and disorganized.

I can hear my mother's voice in my head, "this too shall pass." And I've said to my husband many times that I see the light at the end of the tunnel, yet for some reason we're on a treadmill.

Yesterday afternoon when Elizabeth woke up from her nap, crying, I went in to hold her, hoping to lull her back to sleep. I wrapped her in quilts and we sat in the chair, in her dark quiet room. Within seconds I felt the heaviness of her little body against mine and I heard her breathing switch to the raspy rhythms of sleep.

As I sat there in the chair, I tried to talk myself out of my mood. I tried to regain perspective. I prayed. But man, I just couldn't. I so wish I could have gotten that fresh breath, that new perspective, but it just wasn't coming. And I knew that I was being faced with one of those days where every reserve of patience is required. But I was either finding my reserve empty, or I was just unwilling to dip into it.

I have to say, I'm learning as I type this post. That sometimes on the hard days it feels easier to just rage against all that's wrong in your life. It feels easier to be in a bad mood. To snap at your children. To curse the mess. To allow yourself to believe that everyone else has it all together, has everything in their house working, has every load of laundry folded and put away. But if that is the path you choose it leaves you feeling worn out, exhausted, disappointed and does absolutely nothing to change the situation.

I've been thinking lately how the view out my window has changed. In what feels like the blink of an eye, the trees have shed their leaves, the zinnias flower heads have turned brown and gone to seed. But now, with the landscape stripped bare, it is amazing what hidden beauty comes into view. The trees are littered with nests. Tiny works of woven art. If I stand in the girls bedroom and look out the window, I can see the shimmer of the sun hitting the stream that runs at the back of our property.

When stripped bare, the landscape is revealing its inner beauty. When taken back to bare bones and twigs there is still something to behold.

In a small sense, yesterday stripped me bare. Some of my leaves were blown from the tree. And unfortunately, afterward, there wasn't much beauty to behold.

But I'm still learning. I'm still a young tree. I'm growing. And maybe next time when things seem to be falling down around me, there will be a little more beauty to behold on the inside.

Yesterday my car broke down.

My laptop keyboard broke, leaving me to type this post at an excruciatingly slow speed.

I missed an ultrasound appointment.

My vacuum cleaner broke.

I felt the heavy strain of the same thing that always wears on me lately.

My two year old is waking way too early, napping way too briefly, and taking way too long to fall asleep.

And my house feels dirty and disorganized.

I can hear my mother's voice in my head, "this too shall pass." And I've said to my husband many times that I see the light at the end of the tunnel, yet for some reason we're on a treadmill.

When stripped bare, the landscape is revealing its inner beauty. When taken back to bare bones and twigs there is still something to behold.

In a small sense, yesterday stripped me bare. Some of my leaves were blown from the tree. And unfortunately, afterward, there wasn't much beauty to behold.

But I'm still learning. I'm still a young tree. I'm growing. And maybe next time when things seem to be falling down around me, there will be a little more beauty to behold on the inside.

56 Comments

art with children / crafting with children / home / sewing projects

sun, day 2

Good Morning, friends.

We are on day two of sunshine and I am soaking it in. It has been a wet, dreary fall so far and I'm learning to truly appreciate each sunny day, as if it were a gift.

Yesterday, I actually found myself out on the mower–mowing our grass in the middle of November. I have to say, I'm sad to see that job disappear for the winter. It is one of my favorite things–ipod on, children can't interrupt me, seeing the trail of accomplishment (mowed grass) behind me. And to top it off, the mower we use is one of those commercial zero-turn kinds. The kind that spins on a dime. I think you all know how much I enjoy a good power tool. And this, though much bigger, falls in the same category. And when you have as much grass to mow as we do, a little riding mower would take half a lifetime to get the job done.

Did I just write about riding mowers on my blog?? I'm turning into my husband….

Last week was a long one–Dan was home sick for two days, which always seems to throw everything off, even though we barely saw him emerge from the guest bedroom. And the girls and I were on house arrest the rest of the week, as my car was in need of brake repair. Let's just say, when it gets to the point of grinding, it's time to change the brakes. Thank goodness, my husband could do it, and save us the astronomical costs of repair.

Did I just talk about changing my car's brakes on my blog? I am turning into my husband…(I did refrain from talking about the frozen calipers [my new vocab from the weekend])….

We also had rain all week and by Friday the girls (and I) were suffering from a severe case of cabin fever. I could tell they had huge amounts of energy that needed to be expended, so I got them going on a project. I figured they could expend that energy in a creative form. Creative therapy, I like to call it.

So we pulled out the iron and ironing board and my big basket of fabric scraps and began cutting out triangles for what will eventually become a little flag banner to hang above the beds in their room. Each child had a job–Mary turns out to be an excellent iron-er. And Emma traced and cut out (with pinking shears) all the triangles.

Elizabeth "sorted" the scrap basket. And Ruby laid behind me and chewed up tiny bits of fabric scraps and paper. She's such a help.

Immediately, the mood of the house changed. The girls settled down and became engrossed with their jobs. Emma, who loves a good project, began to talk my ear off. I barely spoke through the whole project except to answer a few questions, or agree with the things she was sharing with me. It seemed like all that energy was coming out through her hands, and her mouth.

It was a great way to break the week's foul mood.

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In other news, the winner of Friday's Show & Tell giveaway is Emily Preston.

Emily, please send me an email (you'll find it on the About Molly page) and let me know you're mailing info. I'll get the book out to you asap.