Skipping ahead to February for my Mom

The pink card uses a variety of pink scraps.

Little did I know I would be tested!

Yesterday afternoon, I had a nice technological exchange that brought tears to my eyes and a case of warm Momma fuzzies.  I made that considered pot of coffee and enjoyed the coziness of our home.  I sat down and appreciated this life I have.  I reached for my stash of Dove chocolates given to me for a gift...two...that is absolutely all that was left of that bag of sweetness...given to me.  Those warm fuzzies blew across the room on the breath of my sigh...and the rest of them crumpled up with the little foil wrapper...can you read those words?  Let me type it out clearly for you to enjoy too...

"Appreciate the people around you and share." 

Thanks, Dove Company Wrapper Writers, for stating the obvious unconscious choice when you open a bag of chocolate in your home...you share...whether you know it or not.  I will choose to be appreciative that they left me two...to enjoy with my coffee...as I ponder embracing these stages of motherhood...and the need for a hiding place for a chocolate stash...out of reach of three little loves and a fuzzy, white dog.

Ok...you convinced me...I'll wait...a few days more...

I guess.  Since all the snow is gone and it looks a little stark outside, I will leave the trees up awhile longer.  It is cold outside, so we may as well make the inside feel cozy and warm!  Chevy found the one spot where the sun was shining and curled up.  When the sun goes down, we will still enjoy the twinkle of the little lights...for at least another few days.

This is how I make "Buckeyes"

I smash them in the pan and cut them in bars.  It is much faster and they taste just the same!  We needed a little sweet treat this afternoon.  Chocolate and peanut butter...what is not to love?

Buckeye Bars

1/2 cup margarine (I didn't have that.  I had unsalted butter.)

1 1/2 cups of peanut butter (Chunky is my preference, but we didn't have that.)

3 cups powdered sugar

Melt butter.  Stir in peanut butter.  Add powdered sugar and mix well.  Pat in 9 x 13 pan.

Melt 1/2 cup margarine (Yep, used butter here too!) with 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Spread over peanut butter mixture and chill in fridge.  Cut into small bars...because you can't each just one.

As for any type of New Year's new eating resolutions...not yet.  There are still lots of different recipes to try with my little cookers.  I would never want it to be said that one of our children was a contestant for Worst Cooks in America...that wouldn't be right now, would it?  I have a legacy to pass on to our daughters and son.  Guys make good taste-testers...and cookers too!

"Mom, your roses are opening!"

They are so pretty...closed or opened.  There is nothing so lovely as a rose...except the love from those who give the rose to you!

Another new skill...

for the new year for the guy who fills the fifth chair at our table begins today.  To say that he is excited is an understatement!  Thursdays bring early evening practices and Saturdays bring early morning games for the next couple months.  The "girls" are not invited to practices...we'll see if he wants fans for game days! 

After having two girls, I am enjoying the difference that a boy brings to our home and life.  I see the importance of active moments that are shared with Dad and other guys.  And...it is ok!  I don't have to be there!  Moms, your guys need breaks from you and your girly ways.  Step back...you don't have to "mother every moment"!  Dads know best when it comes to what their boy needs!

Hopefully, I'll get invited to watch a game and do what I do best...take pictures and give that nod of approval or thumbs up from across the gym floor.

I did this for him...

...he did this for me!

I don't do well with messes like this...especially when it is the result of goofing around...and especially when the glass was full!  It is wasteful.  It is maddening.  And I worked hard not to yell because the rules of table etiquette were ignored.  WE DON'T PLAY AT THE TABLE...EVER...finish up and then go play.  That is not an unreasonable request!  They know better.  And I know I shouldn't get upset...but I always do...even when I have a little, fuzzy, white dog to step in and help with the clean-up!  The proof that I worked hard not to turn into a stark, raving lunatic of a mother...I looked down to see Chevy's little tongue going to work while my phone was buzzing with the 3 Stooges ringtone that signals a call/text from Grampy...

I didn't laugh, but I smirked, snapped a picture...and got busy supervising the clean-up.

Next time, I need to work very hard not to talk so loudly and sternly.

One of these days...children will observe to do what they are taught...and mothers will have great stores of patience.  The children will have children who will spill and the grand-mother will draw from that store of patience...grab a rag...and clean it up for them...again!

Those guys...

ran a very important errand last night after supper.  They came back with their purchases...and one was for me!  Those guys know how to make me feel better...quick!  And when I heard the story of the conversation between those guys of mine, my eyes welled up and my throat tightened.  Yes, those guys know when mom is having a hard time.  It bothers them and makes them want to do something to fix it or make it feel better.  Then...those guys got hugs and kisses!

A morning checklist

Are you dressed?  "Check"
Did you make your bed?  "Check"
Did you  brush your hair?  "Check"
Are your clothes picked up off the floor?
"Well, where exactly do you mean?" Alisa asked.
You mean there is more than one area of the floor that has clothes on it?  I mean in front of your bed, on the closet floor, in the middle of the room, behind the bed...does that help you?
"I'd better go check," she said as she skipped out of the room.

We are off to a good start.  Maybe the pep talk last night before bed and the morning huddle with Dad helped!  I know it helps me!  Knowing Ted is there to lead our family...and God is there to guide all of us.

New year...new calendar...new month...

Thanks to my Mom and Dad for the new yearly calendar that will grace our kitchen wall!  Time to fill it up with all the special days to remember...then to fill in the weekly plans...finally to fill in the fun plans for the week of Ted's vacation!  We are looking forward to some special plans that we have up our sleeves for that week.  But...first...we have to get through Monday, January 3, 2011...back to school routine!  I wish I could say I was ready and excited...but I'm not...so I won't!  Shhh...don't tell our students! We have enjoyed our Christmas vacation time...maybe a little too much!  I'm putting on a brave and happy face...for the new year...new calendar...new month!

New thing learned in the first days of the New Year

I had a craving for Gram's pecan tassies, a Christmas tradition, but didn't want to stand and press dough into little pans for hours.  Then time got away from me and Christmas came and went.  We did not suffer for want of another sweet, really.  But I took time on New Year's Eve to make a pecan pie (in a square pan) for the first time ever.  It was so good...and faster than making the little tarts.  I found out today, as we enjoyed a Sunday afternoon cup of coffee, that Ted really likes pecan pie!  We have been married for 12 years...and that is the first time I heard that...or computed that information from the look I got!  I always make coconut cream because that is the one that is always requested...that or chocolate chip cookies.  Our dessert request list is getting longer!

Happy New Year!

A lazy way to welcome the new year...at least for us...while Dad is at work!  A marathon of The 3 Stooges...with a couple play breaks...and Funniest Home Video breaks.

Festive strawberry lemonade in special occasion glasses.

And they wanted fondue for lunch and snacky type food!  That's easy enough!

The snow is gone thanks to the 52 degree weather yesterday!  From the sound of it, winter is blowing back into the area today!