ode to Martha

I just saw the comment you left under me and Brett Brett and I.  Can I tell you something?  I love that you embrace my "Becky Homecky" side.  I love it that I can tell you creative ideas I've run across and we can talk about homemade this and homemade that and sewing and cooking and you are all in, sister.

Once upon a time long, long ago before the man was born, I was known, by my boss, as Martha.  As in Martha Stewart.  I am as the Mister would say, a "jack of all trades, master of none".  It's true, I'm capable of doing plenty but, cooking is where I feel I stand out most.  I'm more "Betty", as in Betty Crocker.  The kitchen's where I'm at home.  It's where I live to be more than any other place in the world.  I have outlets like sewing and crafts and such, but it's the kitchen that calls my name.  For me, it's warm and fuzzy there.

And so you, my friend are Martha.  You are so home decor, so sew, so crafty, and so Betty.  You are well rounded, friend. 

I love it that we embrace the homemade, do-it-yourself, handcrafted side of each other and that I don't feel like a total homely nerd when I'm with you.  No, that doesn't mean you're a homely nerd either.  Cuz you've also got style.  No, you're the coolest!

Thanks for being my totally crafty, uber-talented friend, Martha.  Can't wait to see you and your latest creations soon!  Hope you're enjoying the same exquisite moon we're seeing tonight!

the man turns 6

I went to wake up my sleeping babes this morning and realized in an instant that it was the man's birthday.  Yep, he turned SIX today!  For fun, I asked him if he felt older.  With a wrinkled forehead, he looked at me and replied, "No."  He's so serious like his father.  He told me he wanted to go back to Virginia today.  He knows his Nana's promised to take him shopping for his bday.  He couldn't pinpoint anything when asked what he wanted.  So, she assured him she'd take him on a little shopping trip.  Now, that's all that he thinks about.

I use the excuse that we're displaced for a lot of things.  This would be one.  We haven't planned anything big.  We don't have the room here to invite all of our friends and so, we're playing it by ear this weekend.  When asked what kind of cupcakes he wanted me to bring for his class today, he kindly explained that he didn't want cupcakes.  He wanted chocolate and vanilla pudding with Cool whip and crushed oreos and vanilla wafers.  So, per his request, I whipped everything up this morning and it all patiently waits in the fridge.

We've watched this little boy grow and become more and more independent.  He still sleeps in that exact same position.  He's a fierce competitor, self-proclaimed shy boy (but really, he's not), loves waffles and pancakes and anything breakfast-y.  He never tires of chicken sandwiches or chicken patties (uck!)  He's adventurous and wild.  He still screams like a little girl.  He's a hardcore wrestler.  He'd buy a Hot Wheels or Matchbox car every day if you let him.  Money burns holes in this boy's pockets!  He loves him some mama snuggles.  He tells his friends he's a break dancer.  No joke y'all.  He does have rhythm, that's for sure.  He quit sucking his thumb, only after we duck-taped it for weeks on end.  He reads like it's nobody's business.  He is always an accident waiting to happen.  He has more cuts and bruises than you've ever seen, although the knots on his head have been gone for quite some time now.  He loves to take pictures of random things...shoes, a belt, a chair.  He rides his bike with wreckless abandon at high rates of speed and crashes regularly but, he always gets back on the horse.  He wants to be an airplane pilot and a train conductor when he grows up.  He loves his friends and shares easily with them.  He is sweet and always thanks God for the simple things..."thank you for our pillows so our heads don't have to lay flat and for our beds and a warm place to live."  This list could go on and on.

Simply put...He is special.

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

I do believe Million Dollar Casserole was a bust, for me at least.  Maybe 2 oz. of sauce makes a huge difference.  Maybe it's that we are meat eaters and there was none.  Oh well, the girls liked it.  So, it served its purpose.

Knowing it would be 66 degrees and breezy today, I planned ahead.  Crock pot Chicken Noodle Soup was in by 7 this morning.  Cross Country is a bit arctic on an already cool morning with blustery winds.  It's 1pm now and only 57 degrees!  Did you know that northern Wisconsin saw its first snow last night?!  Do you know that we're the state below Wisconsin?  I sooo wasn't prepared for this.  Back to the story...Upon arrival home, I opened the door and it smelled heavenly!  It tasted that good too.  This recipe is definitely a keeper!

 

 



Crock pot Chicken Noodle Soup

5 cups chicken broth - 5 chicken bouillon cubes + 5 cups water
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup carrots, finely chopped
pepper to taste - 1/2 - 1 tsp.
parsley to taste - three dashes or so + whatever else you like
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - frozen
1 1/2 cups egg noodles

Whisk chicken broth & cream of chicken soup together just until combined.  Add onion, celery, carrots, pepper, and chicken.  Cook on high 5 hours.  Shred chicken using 2 forks.  Add egg noodles, continue cooking on high 30-45 min. or until noodles are done.

This recipe called for cooked chicken, but my thoughts...why cook the chicken when your crockpot is rollin'?  Why thaw it even?  It's a crock pot, it's like magic!  So good, so easy!

Million $ Casserole

We have company coming after school today.  Yes, we're hosting the fabulous four for "Speech Practice" (forensics/drama club) and dinner.  I've been using them as guinea pigs for my latest test recipes and they've been pretty honest.  I found this one for Million Dollar Casserole on Pinterest and so, tonight's its night to shine.  Luckily, this casserole has awesome companions garlic bread, broccoli and homemade applesauce.  Then, for dessert...banana pudding.  So either way, I can't go wrong.  (My edits/substitutions can be found in blue and I will return with a verdict.)

Million Dollar Casserole

1 lb. pasta (your choice), cooked - macaroni (on hand)
1/4 cup sour cream
4 oz. cream cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. garlic salt - garlic powder & additional salt if needed
1 tsp. pepper
28 oz. jar spaghetti sauce (flavor = your choice) - 26 oz. & rinsed jar with an oz. or so of water
additional veggies (optional)
shredded cheese (your choice), enough to cover top - mozzarella

Put half of the cooked pasta in bottom of a 9x13in. baking dish. Combine sour cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, onion, Parmesan cheese, garlic & pepper.  Spoon cheese mixture over noodles.  Pour remaining noodles over cheese mixture.  Pour spaghetti sauce over casserole.  Sprinkle any additional veggies on casserole & top with cheese.  Refrigerate overnight, then bake at 350 degrees for 45 min.

Banana Pudding

bananas
vanilla pudding
vanilla wafers
whipped topping
cinnamon

You know the drill - layer wafers, pudding and bananas.  End with whipped topping, sprinkle crushed vanilla wafers and a few dashes of cinnamon to top.  (On occasion I've done a meringue top.  That decision lies completely up to you)

Why cinnamon & crushed vanilla wafers you ask?  1) A little cinnamon never hurt anybody (unless you're allergic, of course) 2) Cinnamon gives it a little color on top 3) Crushed wafers give it that polished look 4) Lastly, they keep the plastic wrap from sticking to the whipped topping.

with love as my arsenal

While I was in the shower today - because that's when a girl does some of her best thinking - I pondered a few of the things that've been troubling me...

Every morning, we drive to school and we see this lady.  Miss Crosswalk.  She looks like hell warmed over, pardon my french.  She's mad, grumpy, she yells.  Looks like someone was not so nice to her Cheerios, ya feel me?  Well, by default, my sinful nature wants to mow her down with my car.  I know, that's not nice, huh?  But I don't.  The kids whine and moan about how bitter she is.  And I agree, the look on her face says, "I hate standing here with this dang-dong sign.  Heck, I'll bite your head off, spit it out and stomp on it!  Just try me!"  I've wrestled to gain eye contact with her, but she won't even give me the time of day.  Maybe she's not a morning person?  And luckily, I'm not that mean.

Instead, I'd love to throw my car in Park, jump out and squeeze her tightly (OK, maybe not so much.  I'm just not a hugger by nature.)  I'd tell her we all have struggles, strife and suffering.  I'd steal that STOP sign right out of her hand and give it to the mom in line behind us and I'd scoop Miss Crosswalk up and take her to the cafe and let her spill her guts, telling me all about her anguish.  Even though I wouldn't know what to say to comfort her, I would want her to know that someone cares.  That I see her pain, it's written all over her face like fushia-colored lipstick.  I want to pray with her, to hold her hands and be the tool that God has called me to be.

Realistically, I don't see much of that happening for many reasons (i.e. the lady in the next car isn't going to just pull over and be the crosswalk while we have coffee, and troubles take more than 5 minutes to wade through, coffee or not.)  Surely, I can take baby steps to reach out to her.  They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach but, can I use my God-given talents to spool her in?

Usher in hot chocolate and homemade chocolate chip cookies...

 

Yes, I have an idea.  Mother Teresa's the only one I've told, so shhh, keep it a secret!  I ran by the dollar store and picked up some throw-away coffee cups with lids.  I want her to know that while I have no idea who she is or what her struggles are, I think of her and her troubles trouble me and that I care and God says we should love our neighbors as ourselves and to share each other's burdens.  And so, I'm gonna love her.

Last night, I read a small portion of Luke and this stuck with me (God always has a plan, isn't it great?!) "But love your enemies, do good to them without hoping to get anyhing back.  Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin.  Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy." ~ Luke 6:35-36  It's not that the verse pushes me to do good deeds in return for rewards.  It's what God puts on my heart...to love daily.  The feeling when I put myself and anger aside, this is truly "making my motive God's glory" in action. 

Today, we started our official study of Nehemiah and how broken he was for the people of Judah.  My heart breaks for Miss Crosswalk and little Miss K's teacher, Miss Witch (again, not poking fun.)  We continue to pray for Miss Witch every night.  I can't imagine being a sixth grade teacher with all the puberty and hormones flying around in that room.  It's probably like lighting a dozen bottle rockets and watching them bounce off the walls!  Ooooh, I do not envy that poor young lady one single bit.

So, with love as my arsenal, we're making these ladies hot chocolate in the morning (because coffee can be made so many different ways, but hot chocolate's a one way street), accompanied by homemade chocolate chip cookies (they're the best, the Original Nestle Toll House cookies!) and a thank you card for their service.  I pray it softens their hearts and eases their morning.  Even if it's just for a few blessed minutes.

It's awesome, how when you put yourself on the back burner and focus on the hurting people around you, you forget about your struggles and the burden you were carrying's gone.  I love how the Lord works!

Fruity Baked Oatmeal

Photo courtesy of Taste of Home

Since the weather's cooling off here, hot food and drinks are on the menu!  We happen to fancy this recipe (found in my Taste of Home Most Requested Recipes book.)  It's perfect for cool mornings, makes a good amount, it's EASY and even the picky kids will like it!  You'll love leftovers or sharing with neighbors.  And really, you could substitute any fruit you like.  (You'll find my edits in blue.)

Fruity Baked Oatmeal

3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar - 3/4 cup or to taste
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon - pumpkin pie spice + dash nutmeg
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted - could substitute unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup chopped, peeled tart apple
1/3 cup chopped fresh or frozen peaches - 2/3 cup canned peaches
1/3 cup fresh or frozen blueberries - excluded (I'm the only blueberry fan)
Additional milk, optional - add a little sugar and spices, to taste

In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.  Combine the eggs, milk and butter, add to dry ingredients.  Stir in the fruit.

Pour into an 8-in. square baking dish, coated with cooking spray.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 min. or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cut into squares.  Serve with milk if desired.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw before adding to batter.

As for serving with milk - my grandma always made what she called "Milk Sauce" (it was really nothing more than sugared up milk with spices) to pour over cobblers, etc.  This is a perfect recipe to use "Milk Sauce" with.  Just be careful, the baked oatmeal is a little sweet if you use 1 cup of brown sugar.  When making the oatmeal, I would start slow with the sugar and add more if need be.  Enjoy!

uncertainty

At the exact moment that things start to go all haywire, doubt knocks on my door, my house of surety.  He doesn't ask if he can come in or even stay a while.  Instead, he pushes past  and crashes on the couch.  He lingers and I feel uncomfortable.

There are times when I wonder...was it time?  Were we supposed to wait a bit longer to come here?  When you've looked at ump-teen houses and you backed into the trim on the landlord's garage, those are the times when everything seems bleak.  And I begin to question is this God's plan?  Or is this my plan?

How many houses will we have to look at?  Is there really such thing as "that feeling" when you walk in to a place?  Or do you just pick something and make it home?  How does that work exactly? 

How do you not feel like a failure when your sixth grader comes home and tells you they're reading out of third and fourth grade books or that they did this or that in first grade?  Or that the teacher yells all day and calls them crybabies?  I'm beginning to question things.  I'm beginning to miss home in a different way.  A way that doesn't necessarily miss the who's but, the what's.

I'm beginning to feel like we should run, run fast.  Back from where we came.  And not look back.  Looking back tows what if along for the ride.  It never fails...what if's a party pooper. 

Forget the coffee shop/bakery because it's infringing on my child's education.  Her happiness.  Is God's plan hunky-dory for all of us?  Surely, everyone experiences suffering.

I was the one struggling to find my purpose.  Now that it's in reach, my child is suffering and that doesn't sit well.  It cozies up next to doubt and they yell, "Hey, bring a couple bags a chips and some soda."  Oh gosh, they're trying to spend the day.

I'm feeling unsure and unaccomplished all over again.  Somehow, my suffering's not so important anymore.  Is my purpose something unforeseen, unimagined in my own eyes?  James Openheim once wrote, "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet."  Right under my feet?  Was it always there?  I thought I was growing it under my feet.

"How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?"
~ Psalm 13:2

There are days when the pieces of this puzzle are coming together, making sense even and days when they're not.  Today, they're not.

So, I'm resting doing my best to rest here... 
"Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation,
pray and ask God for everything you need,
always giving thanks.
And God's peace,
which surpasses all understanding,
will keep your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ."
~ Philippians 4:6-7