Coffee and candy

I love coffee. But really only in the morning. I love the smell as it percolates and when I can have a hot cup with coffee, I am in better spirits. I don't like the discoloration of my teeth because of it but like any vice, you weigh the pros and cons and go about your business.

Last night, the boys and I had an Oompa Loompa candy-eating fest. My lovely is on a trip and the boys were sad so I went a dug out the Halloween candy that was stashed in the depths of my messy closet and just let them at it. They laughed and truly just enjoyed themselves like they were in on a secret. It took them 10 minutes of inquiry before they realized it was the Halloween Oompas that brought us the candy. Hmmm. Truly a fun moment with the kids because I let go of my need to allow only nutritious food through their mouths and just let them have their candy and eat it too. Once we had our fill, I threw away the rest of the bag.

Pizza balls

I make a killer calzone. Really, my family loves it more than pizza. I put meatballs, pepperoni, and tons of cheese. Homemade dough. No sauce inside or vegetables. The reason is it makes the calzones soggy when you reheat. Last night I took a break from making the traditional calzone and made them into pizza balls instead. They bake in a pie plate and sprinkled with seasoings and cheese. With this, there is marinara and ranch to dip these bad boys in. I was able to make two platefulls and passed one to my neighbors.

Pizza Dough:

3 to 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 TBSP sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp SAF instant yeast

1 TBSP oil (canola was what I have on hand)

2 TBSP plain yogurt (very warm too)

1 cup very warm milk

Filling:

pepperoni

salami

cheddar cheese

mozzarella cheese

Parmesan cheese

meatball

chicken

Topping:

butter or olive oil

Italian seasoning

Parmesan cheese

Place all dry ingredients in Kitchen-Aid mixer. Add oil. Place milk and yogurt in microwave safe glass and microwave 1 min and 30 sec. Pour over dry ingredients slowly while mixer is going with hook attachment. Mix for about 3-5 minutes. Scrape the sides and spray with Pam. Cover with towel and allow to sit in a draft-free area for 40 minutes or doubled.

Once the dough has doubled, punch down and pinch off about 1/2 cup size balls. Roll out and add whatever filling you'd like. Pinch sides together to form a ball. Place in greased pie pan with seam sides down. You get seven balls. Add a thin layer of butter or olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Cover and allow to proof for 30 minutes. Bake at 400F for 12-15 minutes.

Serve with sauces.

Scraps

Three years ago, I made flannel nightgowns and pajama pants for my nieces and nephews. Well, I had a bunch of scraps left from those projects and have held onto them thinking I would do something with them. Well, I was browsing through blogs this morning and someone made a scrap quilt like this. So, while the boys were playing, I ironed, cut, and pieced together the scraps from leftover flannel fabric from the girls' nightgowns. I still have to piece the border and backing but I've been forgetful about taking pictures of my projects and didn't take a picture of another quilt I just finished for our favorite doctor.

We are strong, We are proud, We are SAHMs!!!

My fellow blogger friend asked some questions regarding motherhood and SAHMs and if it's worth it. Here's my take.

TOTALLY WORTH IT. I was cuddling S.E. (which is near impossible these days because he hates cuddling as much as broccoli) at the doctor's office yesterday, a really neat lady sat next to us. She was older and asked if I stayed at home to watch my boys. S.E. replied "Yeah, she stays home so we can have playdates afterschool and not be on the bus"(very important to a six-year old these days-playdates).

This started the discussion on staying at home. She stayed at home with her six kids (ages 21 to 5), homeschooled all until they were old enough to head off to college, and she really enjoys being there to experience everything with her kids and husband. She spoke with pride and gratitude for being able to stay at home. I'd like to dub her the "Super Stay Homers".

While I am not a SSH, I wouldn't trade being there for my kids and seeing all their silly, crazy, awful, and happy moments. They are just moments that go way. too. fast. I miss their baby smell but can appreciate the tight hugs they give throughout the day. I love how they love going on daily adventures but love just lollygagging around the house.

I am not just a SAHM. I am a loving momgineer. I shell out love in the form of taking care of their needs, providing a stable foundation of security where they don't panic when I leave a room or house, and they will be the first to tell you I am here to take care of them. Because according to them, I earned the name "Mom" and I can only get this name by having them. This is not to say if you have adopted, foster, or raising stepkids you are not a MOM, just the act of loving and nurturing kids so they know they are important to us.

As I sat across them this morning, I said a prayer of thanks because they are truly the best thing that happened to me.

This much I know (so far)...

There are just certain truths, trials, and life experiences everyone goes through. We all may take different paths, call them differently, but because we are more alike than not, we will all muddle through life gaining wisdom and compassion once we come out ahead.

I lay awake in bed talking to my lovely husband about my worries for the boys as they get older and what decisions they make will help or hinder their progression into adulthood. I fear the peer pressure of drugs, sex, and just hurting themselves or others. Don't we all as parents? I know I can be consumed by my need to hammer in every opportunity to influence their thought process now (hoping they will use it when necessary to come out ahead). Let's hope.

Now, one area that seems to get everyone tripped up in adulthood is the "high school" mentality of friendships. Some high school girls were catty, fickle about friendships and words. There's gossip and there's today-you-are-it-to-be-on the-crap-on list and so on. We were not done being a kid but some of our decisions came with adult consequences.

Since I've been a stay-at-home mom, I've run across some groups of women who still act like they are in high school and seem to enjoy the gossip and taking apart some other mom they are "friends" with. I was in a friendship triangle when S.E. was a few months old. I was trying to find my niche in the world of SAHMs and what I had to do to ensure my baby would be accepted and liked. I joined a baby group at the hospital. I met a few wonderful moms and one I am grateful to have in my life (that's you C). I was eager to join in a group-but it was at the expense of my values and morals. I listened to gossip. Partook in gossip. I took part in being appalled at how another mom would behave to her baby. Not nice stuff. Then, they turned on me. It was my turn to be in outcast. Wow. It hurt. I cried. I whined. I questioned my motives for being friends and how I try earn a friend but expect nothing back from the other person. I mistook being liked with being happy. I was not happy during this time of watching my every step for fear of criticism.

Here's my ah-ha moment (a la Oprah)...true friends don't bring you down. They don't shun you because you had a bad day or your baby cried for hours during playtime. They are supportive and don't get jealous when you don't do things with them. I learned that my relationship with my kids and husband are supreme above the playground moms I meet and try to be friends with. We all have enough insecurities (Lord knows I've got two luggage jammed packed full) to be worrying about if someone doesn't like you or not.

These days, I am a lot better about it-in fact I'm happy and content. I am accepting of myself and my ability to know what's best for my family. And when I don't, I try harder. While I would like to be liked, I don't obsess about whether someone likes me or not. I don't care if no one asks me to girls' night out or whatever. Sometimes my feelings get hurt just a tad but then I remember who I am and how much I like doing things by myself or having a good friend over or just talking on the phone with my family.

Why am I bringing this up today? A new to the area mom came over today and she's having the same problems adjusting to being at home and finding her ground. I am glad I went through what I did years ago because I think it helped her not feel so alone and beaten down.

Here's what I know: love your husband, love your kids harder, and make the most of the time you have and enjoy the encounters you have with people you come into contact with. Also, when you are in bad place, get through it, ask for help and learn something from the experience and either pass it on or try not to hurt others.

Mom's quilt

I made this quilt for my mom. I started this quilt in November and I am finally done with it. I have been wanting to do a family tree quilt of some sort for a very long time but not sure how to do this. I found this tree design from another blogger's website and I copied it to make this quilt. Six trees are embroidered with names of my family on the quilt. I am happy to have it finished. The center tree has my parents' names on the trunk and five branches for my siblings and I (there's five of us). Then, there's five trees surrounding it with each of my siblings and their kids' names. The quilt looks bumpy because instead of using cotton for the backing, I use fleece for the softness and warmth.

Sneaky Smoothie

My oldest child S.E. has been picky about eating vegetables. So blasphemous. I don't understand it. I love vegetables. The only reason I'm not a vegetarian is because I love eating meat just as much. So, this is what I've been doing every other day so he doesn't come down with some condition I'm not sure I recall at this time or any other. I'm just worried he won't get his good nutrients from vegetables. Fruit-he's good with.

Sneaky Smoothie

1 cup Organic spinach
1/2 cup Greek or Nancy's plain yogurt
1/2 cup OJ or Apple juice (whatever I've got on hand)
1 cup frozen strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries
1/2 banana (or whatever fruit you've got laying around i.e. oranges, kiwi, cantaloupe)
1/2 cup crushed ice

Throw it in the blender and let it do its' mushy magic. Put in an opaque cup and straw and there you go. He doesn't even suspect. I even add flaxseed from time to time but he gets suspicious about the seeds that didn't get pulverized. This recipe is very flexible.