Oh, here's the original post I saw: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-sidewalk-chalk-pai-84828
Friday, March 16, 2012
Sidewalk chalkin'
So, on the wonderful pinterest I found sidewalk chalk PAINT. I doctored the recipe a little b/c I couldn't find my measuring spoon, but it's basically cornstarch, water, and food coloring. I watered mine down quite a bit to make it easier to paint with, and the kids had a blast! We painted a while and then discovered it was even MORE fun to pour it into small liquid-solid puddles side by side and blow on it to swirl the colors. My kids were fascinated that it poured like a liquid but felt like a solid! Enjoy!
Oh, here's the original post I saw: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-sidewalk-chalk-pai-84828
Oh, here's the original post I saw: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-sidewalk-chalk-pai-84828
Friday, March 9, 2012
How do you put it into words?
I haven't written in several days...not because I haven't had any inspiration to write, but because I just haven't known how to put any of it into words! For some reason, this week I have been very emotional about my roles as a wife and mommy, and I've been paying close attention to the "simple moments" that have shaped each day. We have not been without our struggles this week, but those issues have seemed to pale in comparison to the wonders of motherhood and wifehood (is that even a word?). So, I'm going to try to share a little of our week, though it may be scattered and disjointed as I try to find the right words.
First of all, this week has shown me that Love is:
1. Listening to a SkippyJon Jones book on CD at least 100 times in the car because my 4 year old
loves it. I'm sorry, but I don't! I know lots of people love that series, but for me, it's torture.
2. Letting your sister be "player #1" on the Wii because it makes her day.
3. Telling your mommy that "dinner smells SOO good! Thanks for making it!" when all we had were pancakes and beef cocktail smokies.
4. Telling a new girl at school that you are glad she moved here in March of her kindergarten year.
5. Serving food to the elders at an appreciation dinner hosted by you and your other elementary school friends.
6. Waking Mommy and Daddy up in the middle of the night because you "just want a hug and a kiss" so you can sleep better.
7. Doing the dishes for your wife because her dishwasher broke and washing dishes by hand makes her gag.
8. Washing dishes by hand because your dishwasher broke, even though it makes you gag, and not complaining that you don't have the $ for a new one. And being okay with it!
9. Postponing grading papers because your daughter sleeps better when Daddy reads a chapter of a princess, fairy, or pony book before bed.
10. Holding your 4 year old son on your lap while he's sound asleep, even though it puts both of your legs to sleep and makes your back hurt.
11. Letting your wife fall asleep with her head in your lap (when you really need to be grading papers) because she's been up every night for 2 weeks straight with the "kid parade" of nightmares.
The list could go on and on, but these few struck me as notable this week.
We've been discussing an "attitude of servitude" in our family Bible studies this week, because we were facing some bad attitudes from our children. I don't know if they "got" all of what we taught, but I do know that I can see a difference after just a week. The gains have been small --no giant leaps yet-- but I have seen the kids switch to being less selfish with a few decisions this week as we've studied Abigail's humility towards David, the good Samaritan's willingness to help even his enemy, Jesus washing the disciples' feet, and, of course, and Jesus' final prayer for his disciples and for US! on the eve of his trials. I have to admit that it has made me do some thinking, too. Our lives are so programmed to be all about us that sometimes we forget that others have needs, too. I've been challenged this week to look for small ways to have an "attitude of servitude" in my daily life. For instance, doing my daily tasks like laundry and dishes and being happy to do so, as it means I'm blessed with a family who needs those things done for them. Or, helping my son with a task that he can do but that is difficult but has frustrated him to his limits. Maybe it's even fixing a loved one's favorite meal, even if I hate it! Even little things can be big things and can make my tiny little "light" shine brighter as I pass it on to someone else.
First of all, this week has shown me that Love is:
1. Listening to a SkippyJon Jones book on CD at least 100 times in the car because my 4 year old
loves it. I'm sorry, but I don't! I know lots of people love that series, but for me, it's torture.
2. Letting your sister be "player #1" on the Wii because it makes her day.
3. Telling your mommy that "dinner smells SOO good! Thanks for making it!" when all we had were pancakes and beef cocktail smokies.
4. Telling a new girl at school that you are glad she moved here in March of her kindergarten year.
5. Serving food to the elders at an appreciation dinner hosted by you and your other elementary school friends.
6. Waking Mommy and Daddy up in the middle of the night because you "just want a hug and a kiss" so you can sleep better.
7. Doing the dishes for your wife because her dishwasher broke and washing dishes by hand makes her gag.
8. Washing dishes by hand because your dishwasher broke, even though it makes you gag, and not complaining that you don't have the $ for a new one. And being okay with it!
9. Postponing grading papers because your daughter sleeps better when Daddy reads a chapter of a princess, fairy, or pony book before bed.
10. Holding your 4 year old son on your lap while he's sound asleep, even though it puts both of your legs to sleep and makes your back hurt.
11. Letting your wife fall asleep with her head in your lap (when you really need to be grading papers) because she's been up every night for 2 weeks straight with the "kid parade" of nightmares.
The list could go on and on, but these few struck me as notable this week.
We've been discussing an "attitude of servitude" in our family Bible studies this week, because we were facing some bad attitudes from our children. I don't know if they "got" all of what we taught, but I do know that I can see a difference after just a week. The gains have been small --no giant leaps yet-- but I have seen the kids switch to being less selfish with a few decisions this week as we've studied Abigail's humility towards David, the good Samaritan's willingness to help even his enemy, Jesus washing the disciples' feet, and, of course, and Jesus' final prayer for his disciples and for US! on the eve of his trials. I have to admit that it has made me do some thinking, too. Our lives are so programmed to be all about us that sometimes we forget that others have needs, too. I've been challenged this week to look for small ways to have an "attitude of servitude" in my daily life. For instance, doing my daily tasks like laundry and dishes and being happy to do so, as it means I'm blessed with a family who needs those things done for them. Or, helping my son with a task that he can do but that is difficult but has frustrated him to his limits. Maybe it's even fixing a loved one's favorite meal, even if I hate it! Even little things can be big things and can make my tiny little "light" shine brighter as I pass it on to someone else.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Puddle Jumpin'
My kids LOVE puddles after it rains. And, I must confess, so do I! The Louisiana neighborhood I grew up in had great "drainage" curbs that led to the sewer holes, and we'd have fabulous puddles to stomp in all the way down the street. Here, the hills and curves in the roads (and potholes in parking lots!) make some great places for puddle jumping.
I have a bad feeling that one of these days I'm going to see the front page of the paper and my picture is going to be on there with the headline, "Crazy Puddle Jumper Frightens Grocery Shoppers," or something like that. Grocery stores seem to have the best puddles, and my kids and I just can't resist them. I'm pretty sure that I am recorded on the security footage for every parking lot in town, jumping in puddles with my children with reckless abandon. I even asked for rain boots for Christmas (Thanks, Mom and Dad!), just for the purpose of jumping in puddles in the parking lot beside the library! Most times I'm splashing as hard as the kids, which leads to some very strange looks from other pedestrians. When my kids were tiny, most people looked at me rather indulgently, with an "Oh, how sweet" kind of look. Now that my kids are older (4 and 6) it's more of a "What is WRONG with that lady?" kind of look! Sometimes I briefly fight that feeling of insecurity that comes when you KNOW someone thinks you've lost it, but most days I just give in and splash.
Today was such a day. My son and I had to stop at the store for some fruit and veggies, and he was smart enough to wear his rain boots. So, after we put the groceries up, off we went to find the best and biggest puddles to see if we could soak each other. Hand in hand, we stomped with both feet into the biggest puddles, and as the cold water splashed up on us, we caught our breath, shivered, and raced off to the next puddle. I was not fortunate enough to have remembered MY boots, so before long, my feet were soaked and freezing. However, we jumped until we were out of breath and soaked from the knees down, and then we headed off to the car. Looking around, I noticed several people watching me with strange looks. Self-consciously, I looked down at my 4 year old son, his hand in mine, and saw the biggest grin I've seen in weeks. Beaming, he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, thank you! I love you! That was SOOOOOOOOOO much fun!!!!" Let me tell you, that was worth the wet, soggy shoes and muddy jeans. Fellow shoppers, stare away. The only stare that matters is the happy one from my precious, muddy little boy.
I have a bad feeling that one of these days I'm going to see the front page of the paper and my picture is going to be on there with the headline, "Crazy Puddle Jumper Frightens Grocery Shoppers," or something like that. Grocery stores seem to have the best puddles, and my kids and I just can't resist them. I'm pretty sure that I am recorded on the security footage for every parking lot in town, jumping in puddles with my children with reckless abandon. I even asked for rain boots for Christmas (Thanks, Mom and Dad!), just for the purpose of jumping in puddles in the parking lot beside the library! Most times I'm splashing as hard as the kids, which leads to some very strange looks from other pedestrians. When my kids were tiny, most people looked at me rather indulgently, with an "Oh, how sweet" kind of look. Now that my kids are older (4 and 6) it's more of a "What is WRONG with that lady?" kind of look! Sometimes I briefly fight that feeling of insecurity that comes when you KNOW someone thinks you've lost it, but most days I just give in and splash.
Today was such a day. My son and I had to stop at the store for some fruit and veggies, and he was smart enough to wear his rain boots. So, after we put the groceries up, off we went to find the best and biggest puddles to see if we could soak each other. Hand in hand, we stomped with both feet into the biggest puddles, and as the cold water splashed up on us, we caught our breath, shivered, and raced off to the next puddle. I was not fortunate enough to have remembered MY boots, so before long, my feet were soaked and freezing. However, we jumped until we were out of breath and soaked from the knees down, and then we headed off to the car. Looking around, I noticed several people watching me with strange looks. Self-consciously, I looked down at my 4 year old son, his hand in mine, and saw the biggest grin I've seen in weeks. Beaming, he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, thank you! I love you! That was SOOOOOOOOOO much fun!!!!" Let me tell you, that was worth the wet, soggy shoes and muddy jeans. Fellow shoppers, stare away. The only stare that matters is the happy one from my precious, muddy little boy.
Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
I grew up in Louisiana. Why is that relevant? We didn't eat potatoes in Louisiana...ever. We had rice with almost every meal, but the only potatoes we ever ate were the mashed variety, loaded with gravy, at a restaurant. So, when I married your classic "meat and potatoes" man, I had to quickly study potatoes. Let me just say that, 11 years into my "classes," I am a failure at cooking potatoes. I know, all my friends are thinking, "How do you mess up potatoes??!!" Trust me, I wrote the book on failed potatoes! Most times, my husband decides to make them so that I don't ruin them. As a matter of fact, the one and only time he ever said, "These don't taste like my mom's," it was because of potatoes. I even had a recipe that time, and totally ruined them!
So, why do I confess my potato faults? Because I'm no longer a failure! I've discovered a fool-proof way to get perfect potatoes, every time. In the crock pot!!! Yes, baked potatoes and mashed potatoes can be made IN THE CROCKPOT!!! Who knew? Actually, I'm sure most of you already knew that, but I didn't!
Here's how it works:
For baked potatoes: Wash potatoes well, prick with a fork, and wrap in foil (or not! as I discovered today when I ran out of foil!). Place in crockpot...it's okay if they are placed on top of each other. Cook on high for 1-2 hours or low for as long as you want! [Note: My crock pot cooks VERY VERY hot, so my times on high may need to be adjusted if yours cooks more normally.] This yields perfect potatoes. Every time. No hard spots or uncooked lumps in the middle of your baked potatoes. YUM!
For Mashed potatoes: Cube/dice peeled potatoes and place in crockpot sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Pour just enough water in the crockpot to come to the top of the potatoes and cook on high for 1-2 hours or low for 3-4 hours, until most of the liquid is dissolved and potatoes are tender. Mash with a potato masher and then stir quickly with a strong spoon until there are almost no lumps. Stir in butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste and continue to stir until you reach desired smoothness. No mixer needed to get smooth (NOT LUMPY) potatoes. Every time. Hooray!
So, why do I confess my potato faults? Because I'm no longer a failure! I've discovered a fool-proof way to get perfect potatoes, every time. In the crock pot!!! Yes, baked potatoes and mashed potatoes can be made IN THE CROCKPOT!!! Who knew? Actually, I'm sure most of you already knew that, but I didn't!
Here's how it works:
For baked potatoes: Wash potatoes well, prick with a fork, and wrap in foil (or not! as I discovered today when I ran out of foil!). Place in crockpot...it's okay if they are placed on top of each other. Cook on high for 1-2 hours or low for as long as you want! [Note: My crock pot cooks VERY VERY hot, so my times on high may need to be adjusted if yours cooks more normally.] This yields perfect potatoes. Every time. No hard spots or uncooked lumps in the middle of your baked potatoes. YUM!
For Mashed potatoes: Cube/dice peeled potatoes and place in crockpot sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Pour just enough water in the crockpot to come to the top of the potatoes and cook on high for 1-2 hours or low for 3-4 hours, until most of the liquid is dissolved and potatoes are tender. Mash with a potato masher and then stir quickly with a strong spoon until there are almost no lumps. Stir in butter, milk, salt, and pepper to taste and continue to stir until you reach desired smoothness. No mixer needed to get smooth (NOT LUMPY) potatoes. Every time. Hooray!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)