Labor Day!

I'm go glad you're taking time out of your Labor Day to visit! 

I, too, am taking time to relax and unwind with the kiddos so I'm keeping it simple today and just sharing gratuitous photos of our little clan's comings and goings from the recent past. 

Enjoy. 

{we found some sneakers for CJ's toes from Once Upon a Child only to find out the next day that our dear friends are the ones who sold them to the store just days before!} 

 CJ watching mommy make grape juice.

 CJ asked for more juice. I told him "you've had enough" and he replied "more juice, please", put his cup on the floor outside his room, said "thank you", and resumed his play in full anticipation that I would eventually obey and fill'er up.

That's totally my kid! 

We take our ice cream seriously around here.

... as well as the cleanup

Miss Mak is a wonderful helper

Sweet Hubs can sleep anywhere/anytime/through anything... and he does!

{I'm so jealous!!!}

Finally, we snuck in some photos with Monkey while Miss Mak napped...

I {heart} Sweet Hubs

Maybe Someday... {a wishlist of sorts}

I confess, it has been a long canning season for me and what do I have to show for it? 

57 quarts of Dutch Soup. 40 jars of peaches. Green Beans.Plums. Pears. Grape Jelly. Strawberry Jelly. Strawberry Lemonade Mix. Chocolate Raspberry Sauce. Oh yeah, and it's not even apple season yet! 

So I am tired. Actually, I am very tired. 

After spending some time at the waterpark with our friends yesterday morning...

I came home, started some homemade grape juice {which has been hanging out in the fridge all night}...

 and during naptime I blog browsed. Alot. 

See, I am a designer at heart. A decorator by certification. 

Then I had kids and that put a hold on things. 

My creative juices were bottled inside for a while until I started this blog and now I have an outlet. Whether or not a single soul views my pages I feel compelled to "do"... to create. {That may explain the ridiculous amounts of food preservation.} 

So that's my background. 

Now for my "rut". 

Okay, I can't say I'm officially "in a rut" but I feel like I'm teetering on the edge of one. I have ideas. I have plans. But I'm trying to get things done as inexpensively as possible because... 

1. who doesn't love to find a great deal. 

2. it requires creativity and a serious assesment of your on-hand resources. 

3. we would like to move in the next 3-4 years so putting money into this house just doesn't seem wise anymore. Don't get me wrong, I don't consider future moving plans an excuse for being uncomfortable now but I have all I need so I have no complaints. 

I'm just bored. 

So I have found some {what I consider to be} spectacular ideas for what Hubs and I have aptly named our "never-ever-house" {a.k.a. our dream home} and since I think these ideas are so great, I figured I'd share. {Click on any photos to enlarge}

Magnetic Chalkboard Wall
{kids art/Bible verse/"dont' ask me what's for dinner cause it's on the wall".
Oh the possibilities!}

Lil Blue Boo

Framed Chalkboard
{I know, what's with all the chalkboard, right?}
J'adore the idea of having scriptures all around the house. I have wanted to do this for a while. What an adorable way of making it happen, no?

burlap and blue

Maps as Wallpaper

BHG, I think

Master Bedroom
{Relaxing. Breezy. Light. Natural. Soothing. Unwind. Notice, no kids!}

My Home Ideas

Candice Olson

Playroom

See the rest of the room @ Perfectly Imperfect

I admit, this one is a little crazy for me BUT isn't that the point? Kid's rooms are meant for creativity, imagination and fun. I am usually a very clean cup, type-A, organized mind and I love the idea of giving my kids a little controlled chaos when they need to get away from me.  {Hubs on the other hand... this might be too much for him...}

Casa Sugar

CrEAtInG RoOm 
{thank you, as always, Pottery Barn for your overpriced items and brilliant ideas!}

Project Girl

Beautiful Stairs
{darken the wood a little and I'm yours!}

Country Living

Laundry Room

Country Living

Martha Stewart's Basement

It's so sterile and functional. I love it.

Classy Kitchen

I've been drooling over this kitchen/house for a year now...
I'll take the whole house, to go, please.

HGTV 2010 Green House

Rate My Space

Rate My Space

Is all this a tad superficial? You bet! But a girl can dream, right?

Enjoy this mindless post and your long weekend. I hope it's relaxing. 

{Chocolate Zucchini Bread}

During my blog-browsing the other day I skimmed over a recipe for chocolate zucchini bread. Of course I didn't save it and when I went back to look for it I came out empty handed? recipied?? 

Anyway, good ol' FoodNetwork.com heard my cry and Paula Deen came to my rescue with her Chocolate-Chip-Zucchini-Bread and in case you don't feel like browsing all over the web... here's the recipe.FYI: This takes 50 minutes to bake so be sure you have plenty of time. {Or maybe it's just me who waits till the last minute.}

What You'll Need: 

3 C all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1teaspoon salt 

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 eggs 

2 cups white sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups grated zucchin

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon orange zest {I skipped theis}

Whipped cream, for serving 

Zucchini ribbons, for serving

How To Do It:

Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Grease (2) 9 by 5-inch loaf pans.

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, spices and baking soda.
In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and fluffy. Add sugar, and continue beating until well blended. Stir in oil, vanilla, zucchini, pecans, chocolate chips, and orange zest. Stir in sifted ingredients. Pour into prepared loaf pans.
Bake for 50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove loaves from pans and cool. Chill before slicing. Serve with whipped cream and ribbons of zucchini.

How does it taste? 

I wouldn't share it with you otherwise.

A Mother's Apology

Looking back on the past few days, I see many many ways that I was rude, wrong, forceful, loud, proud, judgmental, harsh... It's very easy for me to get caught up in my own life and the life of my kids/family. I often find that I have forgotten where I am and how my/my kid's actions affect others. Thankfully, most people I encounter are gracious and understanding. {If they aren't, I'm usually oblivious to their daggers.} None the less, I wanted to take some time out to apologize for what I have let being a mommy do to me.

This is sincere. 
Not intended to be condescending or patronizing. 

To The World: 

I realize not everyone is comfortable around a nursing mom {whether they're covered or not}. 

I was there.
I felt awkward too.
It won't change the fact that I nurse in the restaurant across from you or on a bench in the park but I'm sorry it makes you feel that way. 

I mean that.

I'm sorry when I am so consumed with keeping my munchkin happy and quiet that I cut you off in the grocery store or bump into you without even knowing it.
I may not apologize.
I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for being a rude driver.
Sometimes my infant cries and getting home to feed them or put them down for a nap is the only thing I can think of.
That is not a valid excuse.

I'd like to think I'm not normally that inconsiderate. 

I'm sorry if my kids' behavior is distracting and I don't immediately correct them.
Sometimes I just like to finish what I'm doing and have to mentally weigh the pros and cons of getting something done versus quick discipline.
Sometimes, a completed task wins out. 

Yes, I am aware that sometimes my kids play with potentially dangerous objects for longer than they should because it's keeping them quiet. 

I'm sorry to all stores where I allow my kids to touch things that I am not going to buy because it, again, keeps them occupied.
A momma's time is precious so sometimes I let things slide. 

I'm sorry for taking up the handicap accessible restroom stall or fitting room because the stroller doesn't fit in regular rooms and my toddler needs space to move. 

I'm sorry that my little ones don't always understand the concept of personal space and often borrows yours. 

We'll work on that.

To Mrs. Bilton: 

I'm sorry for when my son mistakes your produce section for his own personal taste-test kitchen and helps himself to a bite of plum or tomato and then puts it in your bird bath.
I didn't teach him that. 

To My Friends: 

I'm sorry for cutting you off in conversation to tell my kids to "put that down".

I'm sorry for asking you to repeat things because my mind was somewhere else.

I'm sorry for forgetting what you've said moments after you'd said it because my kids were too quiet and I was wondering what trouble they were getting in to.

I'm sorry for interrupting you and talking a lot.
I don't get out much.
I'm sorry for talking about me and not asking about you.

I'm sorry for forgetting important events in your life and filling your ear with stories about my kids and my day. Usually things that aren't important.
Ugh.
I hate when I do that.

I'm sorry that, when we go somewhere together, I take a long time to do anything. 

I'm sorry that I'm usually late and can't give you more specific times than "between ten and eleven".
I'm sorry that I am not as "cool" as I used to be.
I'm sorry to cut fun girl's nights short because it's past my bedtime or I need to go nurse the baby.
I'm sorry that I can't come over to play during the best times of the day because my kids are asleep.
I have to admit though... I love nap time no matter when it comes.

I'm sorry if my kids' diapers offend your nose and I don't rush to change them.
I'm either immune to the stink and could use a reminder or I know and just have to work up the will do to anything about it.
I value my time with you though I may not always show it.

To You Other Mommies: 

I am a proud and judgemental woman.
I always have been. 

I apologize. 

I often watched mischevious toddlers and thought, I would never let me kid act like that. 

I was wrong. 

I 'm sorry. 

I can't help it.
I'm not convinced that they can help it.
Terrible two's are not a joke.
Even a strict mommy like me will be embarrassed by their child who lies prostrate on the concrete floor in a long line at Costco in protest in the because he doesn't get his way. 

To all the people who waited in line behind us that day...

Sorry for the wait. 

I too quickly assume "my kid wouldn't ever do that".

Boy was I wrong! 

Husband: 

I'm sorry that I'm not "in the mood" the way I used to be. 

I'm sorry that sometimes I shower less often than I should. 

I'm sorry for the days when body spray is my shower. 

I'm sorry for not dressing up and doing my hair more.
I'm sorry for the lounge pants and over-sized sweatshirts.
I'm going to make an apron soon so I can justify wearing nicer clothes. 

I'm sorry that it is so much work to give you attention sometimes. 

I'm sorry that I use being with kids all day as an excuse for grouchiness.
It's not you.
It's me.

I'm sorry for using my "mommyhood" as an excuse for griping sometimes. 

I'm sorry when you have to eat hot dogs because I found things to fill my day with that didn't ensure you were cared for.

I promise, I'm working on it.

To My Kids:
I'm sorry for taking frustrations out on you. Even when you don't know that's what I'm doing.
I'm sorry for treating you like a neusense sometimes.
You're not.
I'm just selfish with my time.
I'm sorry when I am sometimes inconsistent in what I say and what I do.
That's not who I want you to be.
I'm sorry when I don't do what I say I'm going to.
That includes discipline.
It's not fair to you... though I'm sure sometimes you appreciate it.
I'm sorry when I discipline first and consider your true motives and behaviors later.
Sometimes I'm wrong.
I'm sorry for plopping you in front of the TV just because I know it will keep you quiet.
I'm sorry that sometimes I make the wrong decisions.
There are lots of decisions to make and I am bound to get plenty wrong.
I wish that wasn't the case.

There are more redeeming reasons for having children than I can list. Children are a blessing from the Lord and "blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them" {Psalm 127:4-5}. Little did I realize, however, that my dignity, organization and consideration would take a serious blow. I try. I really do. Praise the Lord for His forgiveness, right?

Oma's Tomato Soup

We call it "Dutch" tomato  soup but there's actually little to nothing about this recipe that is Dutch other than the amazing woman who passed it on. There will come a day when I do a post about her, I'm sure, but for now, just know that my Oma {Dad's mom} was a beautiful example of domesticity and I think of her each and every time I bake homemade bread, make a beef roast or this delicious soup. This is an incredibly simple recipe and you may even already make it at home and not even know it. 

What You'll Need:

Tomato Base:  

Tomatoes

Onions

Food Mill

Once Ready to Serve: 

1 lb Ground Beef

1/4 c Bread Crumbs (optional)

1 c Thin Egg Noodles (optional)
1 bouillon (optional)

One: Cut tomatoes into quarters or large chunks and place in large soup pot.  {We used BeefSteak, Better Boy and Cherry... really, you can use any tomato though Plums and Romas probably won't yield as much as the other, more juicy varieties.}Also, cut up one onion into chunks and break it up into the pot.

Two: Turn the pot onto medium/medium-high heat and cook the tomatoes down until they're soft and have lost a lot of their juice.

Three: Once the pot has cooked down, pour the mixture into your food mill and puree the liquid into a large pot.{NoTe: I have a different mill than many have. It was given to me as a gift. Any mill will do.}

If you're planning to can this soup mixture, at this point you can use a hot water bath or a pressure canner to process your jars for 20 minutes at 10 lbs.

Ready to eat it now? It's time to get the ground beef, bread crumbs and noodles out. 

Four: Add 1 beef bouillon to the tomato base in a large pot and bring your tomato base to a boil.  

Five: In a large bowl, combine beef and bread crumbs and roll out meatballs about 1" in diameter. Once all rolled, add the meat to the soup and continue to boil until the meatballs float {5-10 minutes}

Six: Add noodles, boil for 1-2 minutes and you're ready to serve. {NoTe: It is very tempting to add lots and lots of noodles. As a noodle lover I must warn you that it is easy to add too many noodles and end up with American Chop Suey. Moderation is wise.}

In our family, we always serve this meal with a loaf of Italian bread, some good Dutch gouda cheese and Maggi, a spice that is similar to soy sauce that adds saltiness. You can just add salt if you'd like.

And as they say in Holland,  Eet Smakelijk! {pronounced ate smock-a-lek}

Roma Food Strainer - A Tutorial

If you're like me and you grew up with a food mill like this...

Pix Credit

then I completely understand why you may not like the kitchen anymore! Okay, that's a lie. I love the kitchen and encourage anyone to spend lots of time there but this old school food mill is enough to make any kid dread helping mom out with making applesauce and soup or whatever else you make with these things.

Anyway... I've done all the above complaining in order to make the the Roma Food Strainer seem all the better. If you notice in the following pictures, I can even get Sweet Hubs to help in the kitchen with this doo-hickey. That's gold!

So here's how it works and why you should get one if you make soups, sauces, purees of any kind in large amounts.

I use this to make "Dutch" Soup. It's a breeze!  

{Disclaimer: The "old school mill" works just fine and probably isn't all that bad. I just like this one WAY more. You're an impressive gal no matter which you use.}