A Few of my Favorite Things...

So, I saw this on Pinterest....
How many times have you heard that one?  I say it multiple times daily...just ask my friends!

This time, I will share with you the wonderful evening with cool friends that resulted from something I saw on Pinterest: A Favorite Things Party. I loved the concept I read about but I wasn't crazy about the rules (too many things, too high a price range) and the way the game part of the party was supposed to go.  I adapted the party to suit me and my guests and what I wanted us to get from the evening. At the end of the night we had some cool new things and some more cool new ideas for things we may love that we may not have gotten to take home. 

The concept is this: Invite some people over.  Ask them to bring 3 favorite things (the same three things) within a given price range.  I set the range to be $5-7 for the items my guests chose, so they spent anywhere from $15-20.  Guests will get to take three different things home-read on to see how my party rules went.

I was thoughtful about who I invited.  I thought about people I work with who don't get to spend time with each other in as much fun ways as we'd like, neighborhood mom friends whose company I absolutely adore and don't get to share time with enough and some other people I love to be with for a variety of reasons.  I wanted it to be a fun night for my friends and important people in my life to relax and unwind in a different kind of way.



Thank you basket with more of my favorite things

I wanted to give an extra thank you to my friends for taking a night out of their busy lives to trust me and come have fun doing something new and different so I made up a basket of other favorite things for them to choose from before they left.  This was a surprise until later in the night.  In the Thank You Basket I included:

• an issue of Cooking Light Magazine
• 479 Artisan popcorn
• square s'more marshmallows
• wine stoppers
• mini can of margarita (found for $1 at the grocery!)
• locally roasted organic, fair-trade coffee (this is what I use always!)
• stationary
• two bottles of Sally Hansen quick dry polish 
• Endangered Species brand chocolate bars and
• Burt's Bees chap stick.

I gathered some wine (of course!), simple foods and mint iced tea (that no one touched-go figure!) for snacking, set it all up nicely with a bouquet of flowers and away we went...

As my friends arrived, we put their favorite things out on the table I had ready for the night and asked them to write their names on little slips of paper I had ready.


To begin we had the always, sort of, uncomfortable introductions (you know, your name, how long you've known/how you met the host/ess), what you brought and why you chose to bring it.

After we were all acquainted (which didn't take long since my friends started chatting and introducing themselves before the actual introductions), the game began. I pulled the first name out of the jar.  That friend got first pick of anything on the table.  She then pulled the next name. Once all the names were pulled, we put the slips of paper back in the jar and started another round.  We did this a third time until all items on the table were picked.  It sounds like it should be quick, but we had lots of laughing and fun along the way!



Our table of favorite things

Favorite things brought by me and my guests:

• Plastic, stemless wine glasses
• Margarita mix
• Neutrogena Rainbath
• Nature's Path Organic Love Crunch Granola
• Baskets of fresh bread with dipping oil and checked napkin
• wine spouts
• guacamole recipe with ingredients and bowls
• mason jar drinking cups with straws 
• patterned head wraps

This party idea can be adapted to many budgets.  I had a hard time choosing what to bring to my own party because some of my favorite things were less than the price range! You could even theme it  to add more fun as well.  I liked it just as it was and I know my friends did because I got many messages of thanks and heard how much fun they all had.  It was a really great night with some of my favorite people and a wonderful way to start summer!  Can't wait to do it again...because, I mean, I think we all had a good time...

 

 

Bread Obsessed

Yes...Obsessed with baking my own bread.  Some people think I am crazy.  Some people wonder how I have the time. Some people think it's ridiculous. Some people think it's fabulous. And crazy. 
Well, I think it's kinda fun and fulfilling! It gives me a sense of pride and great satisfaction making something myself for people I love.  Bread.  It's that simple!  Have you ever made anything all by yourself, then stood back and said, "I made that!" and felt proud?  Bread does that to me every single time.  Oh, and then there's the amazingly wonderful aroma of fresh baked bread-you don't get that with the checkered bag!  And, I must not forget, the "yum!" and "wow!" I get from my kiddos!  They love when I pull bread fresh out of the oven (and freezer!).
I'm in my sixth month of baking our own sandwich bread for our household.  I am happy to report I have only purchased about 5 loaves of bread in the last 6 months.  Two of those loaves were because we were out of town, without my mixer, my flour and my bread pans.  The others were various reasons-sick, tired, kitchen mini-redo so I opted not to mix building materials with my dough!

So, how does she do it, you must be wondering?  Read on for some tips and thoughts.



Oatmeal Toasting & Sandwich Bread

• Find a good recipe, or two. I have found the best place for me to be King Arthur Flour's site: www.KingArthurFlour.com.  There are three go to recipes I have found myself rotating through.  Here' they are:
• Oatmeal Toasting & Sandwich Bread
• King Arthur's Classic White Sandwich Bread
• Oatmeal Sandwich Bread

• Using a dough hook and stand mixer make this less messy and so, so, so easy.  If you have a break maker still in the box from your wedding shower, then by all means, go dust if off and get started now.  You have NO excuses! 

•  Choose a good time of day to start the process.  The recipes I use all take 15 miutes or less to get the dough made.  It takes another hour or so to let it rise, so if I have some local errands to run that's a great time to start-before the quick running begins.  If it's a rainy day and we're home, then any time is good!  After the initial rise, it takes another hour or so.  Depending on the temperatures in the house it can take more or less time.  Then, of course, there is the cook time, usually no longer than 45 minutes.  So, in all, you'll need 4 hours.  I know this sounds like a ton of time, but most of it is waiting, not actual hands-on time.                                       I've also been known to start bread after dinner, using the wait time duing bath and bedtimes-that makes it super easy.  I always stay up later than I should, so at least I am using my time a little more wisely, huh?  Well, that's what I tell myself, anyway...

• Make more than one loaf at a time. I have made 2 sandwich loaves at once (often you can just double the recipe, except for the yeast (that stays the same), then separate your dough into 2 pans for the second rise time).  My mixer bowl isn't really that big, so I make one loaf after another or bake bread 2 days in a row. Once I have a couple loaves, I freeze them for later so when I am tired, or sick or have my kitchen in shambles, I have no excuse!  To freeze, once your loaf is cooled, wrap in plastic wrap then in aluminum foil.  Don't forget to write the date and what it is so you aren't playing a guessing game in a couple months!

• You must use BUTTER to grease your pans.  Lots of butter, smeared all around, especially the corners. I use a paper towel, folded in quarters and about a tablespoon of butter.  I use the paper towel to keep my hands from becoming a hot, greasy mess.  I hold the butter in it and smear away. You can imagine this must have been a learning opportunity for me, huh?  I was trying to save some calories and used oil and flour early on in my baking.  Nope.  Wrong. It kept sticking and I would be left with a huge hole in my bread-on the sides, bottoms or all sides and the bottom! I had a little chat with one of the people at King Arthur one day.  S/he steered me back on the right course.  Those little pop-ups on some web-pages that are there for questions...yeah, this site is awesome!  Use it if you have questions. They've answered some of my obviously amateur questions so kindly!  I've since come to love butter!  it works every single time.

Give it a try...Let me know how it turns out!  If you have a favorite bread recipe, please share it here!

~You are the boss of that dough...~

-Julia Child



On Strike! (For 18 or so hours, anyway...)

So, after a lovely Mother's Day all bets were off.  Monday started with (louder than Mother's day) bickering and less-than-grateful-ness all around.  No one wanted to pitch in, yet expected me to give 200% and have all their laundry done, dishes washed, grocery shopping done and meals prepared.   Seriously...

-----This post interrupted by motherly duties (child #2 was sick with strange symptoms and picked up from school earlier in the day and needed tending to)-----

Yeah, I started this post and I did start a strike.  You ever tried it before?  Been successful?  Yeah, me, neither!  So, I won't go into the details of my tantrum the day after Mother's Day; I'll spare you.  Plus, I kinda forgot since I had to cross over the picket line and get back to work and it's taken me a couple weeks to get back to this. 

What I learned, well, not really learned, but realized is well, I am not sure realized is the right word either...Ah,  yes, what I was reminded of is there are good days and bad and my kids are really NOT ungrateful but forgetful.  Okay, so maybe I am making excuses for their behavior that sometimes borders on entitlement (we're still trying to figure out where this comes from-they do not get the latest and greatest gadgets, they are told "NO!" on a regular basis and have certain expectations that they meet, kinda, sorta, usually) but they are human and so am I, so I am giving myself (and them) a pass and working to be calmer with my voice and more patient with my babies who aren't such babies anymore. 

Plus, there are these words from Phyllis Diller...

Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.
She was totally on to something, huh?

Seriously, if you have gone on strike, let me know how it went...I know I am not alone!

Cinco De Mayo!!

Okay, so I am a day late, but I have a great little recipe for taco seasoning you can make at home.  I prefer to make my own because it is made with things I already have in my pantry and doesn't have any of those preservatives that the packets I used to buy have to have in them to sit on shelves until you buy them...and then for me, until I remember where I stashed those little packets that easily slip behind anything and everything!  Anyway....

I thought to share this with you because yesterday, in honor of Cinco De Mayo, we had, what else?  Yep!  Tacos for dinner, along with a quick little history behind the "holiday."  It was so quick because my kids had already learned about it at school that day.  As I was browning my beef for tacos, I reached for my homemade seasoning...uh-oh!  I was almost out!  But, as you can see from my picture, I was smart enough to write the recipe on the container-I just reused an old chili powder seasoning bottle (score 1 for the environment, right?!?) so I was able to quickly and easily whip up a new batch before I burned my beef!  Here's the recipe just in case you can't read it:

4 Tablespoons chili powder
3 Tablespoons paprika
3 Tablespoons cumin
1 Tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Just mix them all together and you've got your taco seasoning!  I usually add 2 tablespoons of the mix per pound of ground beef.  The great thing about this is once you know what you like, you can alter the measurements to suit your and your family's preferences.  I prefer the smokiness of smoked paprika, so I often will add a bit of that.  I also like to use chipotle chili pepper in place of the cayenne sometimes because it has a smokier flavor, too.  And, of course, if you like heat, add more cayenne...my kids are a little wimpy about heat so we take it easy on the spice.

Oh, and this might just happen to have gone nicely with a margarita to celebrate Mexico, too! ;-)

I love the look of the layers before I shake it up-I double the recipe to almost fill this 7.5 oz container

Enjoy!

My honor is to try....

...and my duty is to love.

 

Those are the words that brought me silently and gratefully to tears tonight as I sat at the glowing fire under the moonlight with a girl (scout) and her guitar.

 

I was a Girl Scout for many years.  Once my daughter was born, I couldn't wait until she was old enough to be a Scout herself and I'd hoped I'd be able to be her leader.  It's been my honor to be not only her leader, but the leader of many other girls.  They've grown stronger, bigger, become more confident, learned to try new things and learned that they just might like some of the new things they've tried.  I've seen them all become comfortable what one another to share, speak, or not choose to even though everyone else did.  They are in a judgment-free zone when we're together as scouts.  I am honored to have touched their lives and am grateful to their parents for sharing their girls with me in this way. 

 

The reason I was under the moonlight last night (I started this post as I sat last night in the moonlight) was because I co-chaired a regional enrichment weekend for leaders.  My co-chair is a fairly new friend of mine, made through....scouting, of course!  It was a ton of work and while working with many committee members with varying opinions, ideas and personalities was no easy task, all the work paid off for me last night.  I was able to look up at the stars and recall my own memories with a woman who was my leader for most of my scouting years.  She also attended the weekend event...talk about full circle!  I was reminded what a huge impact scouting had on my life and how lucky I am to have a place to go where we all accept one another, even now, as adults from varying backgrounds and experiences.  I also was reminded that there will be a girl (or hopefully, hundreds) who will one day sit at a campfire singing songs, recalling her own leader, perhaps one who was with us this weekend, and the opportunities she had.  She will look back at her friends, experiences and life, knowing that she belongs somewhere always and that her life was touched and the cycle will continue. 

 

I am completely exhausted, but refreshed and renewed in the knowledge that our time together this weekend is more far-reaching than we'll ever know.

 

~A circle is round, it has no end; that's how long I wish to be your friend.~

Resolution Revisit

So...I figured it was time to check myself with these resolutions I made...why, why, why did I make so many?  So, here's my rundown, excuses and all!

• Be more grateful (more on that in a future post)-So, yeah, I have been thinking about what I am grateful for most days, but haven't taken the time to write it all down as I'd planned...hmmmph...looks like I have some catching up to do.  I do think that taking a moment a few times a week to notice every day things that make me grateful and happy is a great first step, but writing them would help me remember on those days I'm feeling less than grateful.
• Lose 5 lbs (or exercise more-again)-Well, you see...hmm....I am watching my portions, thanks to my month-long stint with My FitnessPal.  I got frustrated with seeing no weight loss results after a few weeks.  The logging can be tedious, as I cook a lot from scratch, but I think it's a great app and website!
• Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains-Not too bad on this one.  I can always do better.  I am making my own bread and sometimes sub out some whole wheat flour.  That counts, right?
• Spend more time outside with the family-find more nature trails near and maybe even a little far away-Yeah, so this one's a little tough to report on with the winter we've had.  Once it warms up I will have happier news to report on this one!
• Make my family eat more good stuff and less bad-ha!  Well, that will at least be easier when all this Christmas candy and treats are finally out of the house....it is trash day, hmmm....-I am cooking a lot more these days, no drive-thru trips at all this year!  They asked for fruit salad (made from fresh fruits, not canned!) just this week. Score one for mom!
• Read more books (goodreads says only 8 books in 2013...say what??  I swear I read more than that!)-So far, I've read 11/2 this year...on track for 12 books this year at this rate.
• Begin meditation and yoga again...it was unbelievable how calm my school year started out when I was taking just 10 minutes to be still and quiet before I started my day.-Nothing to report here...
• More dates with my husband.  We've not done this nearly enough in 2013.-Well, we've had a couple of quiet meals at home after feeding the kids and one official night out.  We also had a quick 36 hour trip out of town. So, I'd say we're doing well so far!
• Actually do for others rather than plan and think about doing for others.-Our visit to Matthew 25 was a good start!  We're taking our Girl Scout Troop there next month.   Looks like I have work to do here, too. 

All in all, not a bad start.  I am giving myself the whole year and I am continuing to work on all of these things at some point.  Slow, and steady wins the race...right?

A Fancy (Valentine) Dinner

We've never been ones to make a huge deal out of  Valentine's Day, though I did get a special delivery at work! It's rare to fall on a weekend, so this year was different.  We planned a nice dinner at home with our boys.  Our oldest had plans with friends (how we're there already, I don't know!).  I'd decided I wanted to make the night a little nicer and more special and thought I would pull out some candlesticks that, honestly have never been used for more than decorative purposes in the 16+ years we've owned them.  Actually, they've been hidden in my candle stash for years.  So, they were happy to see the light, I am sure.  I set the table with placemats, cloth napkins and lit the candles just a few moments before dinner was ready. 
I was amazed at how that really set the mood for our usually, how shall I say...."spirited" 4 year old.  He sat still (only happens when he's sick...really, really sick), used nice manners and his napkin.  He thought the whole candle thing was so cool.  We all enjoyed this nice change of pace for mealtime.  We had nice conversation as usual, but those candles really made for a nicer night.  I hope to do more dinners like this, just to change things up a bit.  I know it won't be hard, as the little one has already asked twice this week for another "fancy dinner."  He loved it so much and was sad his sister didn't get to experience it, so we did it again the next night for her!  Who knew some candles could make such a difference! 
I'm always looking for fun little ways to treat my family.  This was definitely fun and different and will likely be a lasting memory.  I know the night felt more special than any words I can find right now...

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."

~Dr. Seuss