The Holiday Season has come to a close

Wow. The year has come to a close, where did the year go? It was a fun year, but as I say every year the days go quicker, much different when I was a child and the weeks and years took forever. Every time I look at the kids, they have grown. Oh....

Our Christmas was filled with crazy kids, who's isn't? The kids got lots of clothes, homemade toys and "junk" toys from my in laws. The best present was different colored towels for each of us with our names embroidered on them. This has a made a huge difference in our bath times.

We decluttered our home after Christmas and took an entire van load of things to the local Salvation Army, great for taxes and great for our home.

Next week is the start of Ciaos in our home. The big kids and Daddy return to school as well as myself, not only attended but teaching. I will be an Adjunct Instructor in the School of Nursing at MNSU. I will be carrying Master Credits as well. I also have taken on another hat at work and will be teaching Perinatal Education Courses quarterly to new and seasoned nurses.

So I must say, that I will blog when possible, but believe that I will not be on here very much.

Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful New Year

BOYS and Noses

Well this evening I got the kid all tucked into bed, then Evan came into the kitchen just wondering what I was doing at the same time as discovering a goggly eye on the floor, he picked up and said oh, " I will throw this away". Away to be he went, a few minutes later he shows up in the living room, "um mom, I have, I have a eye ball in my nose". Oh my GOD!!! Sneezing he was. I could not see it. I told him to blow his nose really hard, still no eye ball to be seen. I took him into the bathroom with my husband at my side, leaded him backwards, inserted a small tweezer when I say the item and out it came. OH MY GOD!! BOYS>>>>>>>>>>.

Around the home

When I look around the house and see the mess and dust that needs to be taken care of, I have a hard time deciding where to start. I look at the laundry, the carpet, the tile and the toys everywhere and am amazed that so much can get dirty and pile up on a daily basis.

I vaccummed the house today and it took close to an hour with all the steps that needed to be done. The couches need to be moved yet and I know that the coushens need attention.

The floors need mopped but I will have to do this when the kids are in bed tonight.

What do you do to keep the house kept up, even with the busy schedule I know that you all have?

Wild Child

What to do with a 2.5 year old that constantly is keeping me on my toes. I turn my head his is attacking the baby, I turn around he has taken or hit his older brother. Man oh man.....

All my parenting techniques that were good for the first two do not even touch his approaches to learning. On any given day he tackles a new object, idea, way to get into something, make a bigger mess, attack someone new, rearrange his room, pull all the books out of the bookshelf, oh the list could go on and on. I typically take a deep breath and count to 10 but 20 is more beneficial, now.

Explanation as to where I have truly been

In recent weeks I have felt lost in my day, unable to focus on as many things as I have in the past. I was easily frustrated with the kids, which is very abnormal, I can handle the noise volume beyond what my husband can on a daily basis, but not recently. I would read something, have a conversation with someone, put something somewhere, but was not able to recall.... anything.... I found myself very frustrated at my husband, for nothing.... For 3 weeks or so this is what my life was like... until two weeks ago... I had a breakdown....from the DOG barking. I called the doctor and was seen and evaluated for Postpartum Depression. Yes Postpartum depression, with a side of agitation. Wow, I was surprised, but ok with this, as treatment for PPD was going to make me function better and feel better. I was given the medication Zoloft, funny side effects? Just the strong desire to drink all the water in site........

Diapers

Disposable no way. Cloth all the way. When Sidney was born I was introduced to the prefold kind by my mother, used them for a small time period and they were just not for me. Then I was introduced to the new cloth by a friend. I was directed to the webside Montana Diaper Store and fell in love. Cloth diapers are not only good for the environment but also good for your babies butt's. You life does include 2-3 extra loads of laundry each week, but it is worth it in my mind.

We use a large wet bag that after emptying the solids into the toilet, pulling the liners out and velcoring the entired diaper around itself, we then unvelcor and throw them into the large wet bag and empty into the washer, while using the bag as a glove so you don't have to touch the diapers.

We stuff and fold after washing and store them in the bathroom cabinet until ready to use. For wipes we use reuseable ones as well. We wash with the diapers and then fold and store in cabinet. We use a LionHeart wipe warmer with the solution of 2 cups water, 2-3 squirts of Tea Tree oil Dr. Bronners Soap and 2 drops of Lavender oil. The wipes are wonderful for wiping the butt and get everything off, just like receiving a sponge bath.

I always educate on cloth diapers and have convinced a few friends to change over, but like I say cloth is not for everyone, so if it is not for you, I am doing it for you......

Dog Days of Summer

I look out into the garden and wonder, should I pull the plants that are let or continue to harvest what is remaining? Tomatos, peppers, beans, squash, okra, herbs, oh and I guess there is more.

Kitchen motivation. I have motivation at 6 am but it seems to be that preparing lunch and supper are a far cry from exciting. I am sitting here thinking that I must go to the kitchen soon and prepare dough for pita pockets for tomorrows lunch.

I need to go to the fabric store and get stuffing for my Toad stools that are a work in progress. Cut up an old towel and make new big boy bibs. Finish my daughters new knitted scraf, I must add my first knitting project. I have enough yarn I believe to make her a hat as well. If anyone has a great hat pattern that is easier for a beginner, it would be much appreciated.

Well since I have made a now made a make shift list, off I go to the kitchen and then to the store.

Oh How our Children Grow.

I am so sad that today is my kids last day of summer till next year. My daughter is off to 2nd grade and on Friday my first born son, is off the preschool then kindergarden, next year. Everyday I wish I could freeze time and enjoy them a little longer, because when we go to bed and wake up in the morning they have changed, over night. When I look my kids in the eyes, I see time that has past, I still see the baby in them and cherish that but wish it took longer for them to grow, then just over night. You know what I mean?





I believe I have mentioned in the past that at the end of the month, my husband and I sit down and fill out a index card of what each child did each month that is speacial to them. Funny sayings, growth and development, teeth, visits, friends they meet, ect. We started this over 2 1/2 years ago, because time was flying by to quickly that I felt I was losing these precious memories, well I guess not all are capture, but rereading them every so often I am reenlightened with their personal growth...

When my babies out grow the kitchen sink, they have moved beyond my bust and out on their own, so I keep them in the kitchen sink as long as I can............

Oh Where Have I been

I have been busy learning to knit, working on some new designed toad stools, cloth play things for the kids, canning and getting things ready for school.

Our family summer came to a quick halt this week, as my husband returned to school in preparation for the students to arrive after Labor Day. As for myself, I have been going through closets moving too small out and too big in for winter growth. I have been analyzing the shoe situation and what what we are going to do for winter gear. Oh my gosh I know it is only the end of August, but as everyone in the US knows that Minnesota can get snow in October.

My garden growth is slowing and I am realizing that canning is almost done, but I seem to have a lot of jars left. Yesterday was a bad canning day. I had one jar that busted opening in the water bath and another that did not seal. I think that when I look back, my kitchen was very busy at this time and I did not take as much time placing lids as I typically do.

On Thursday I made 4 loaves of bread for my husband to take to his last night of golf, as they have an end potluck where all 40 guys bring something.

My second born, Evan is so hungry for friendship other than his siblings that he brings me the phone everyday asking to call someone to play with, I think are neighbors are a little tried of our phone calls, but the kids love to play together. Our direct next door neighbor has 2 girls a little older than Sidney and they played all day long here, with no issues what so ever. Everyone played so nicely together it was a brake for my sanity. She came over to retrieve her kids at 5:00 and apologized for them being here all day and I thanked her for them being here all day. She with 2 doesn't really understand the mom with 4 and that adding more pretty much doesn't change anything but bring more happiness.....

As for me in the next few days, I will be working all 4 days. This is tiring but overall not so bad, as then I have a few days off.

4 things

Thanks Annika. sounds fun....

4 things I was doing 10 years ago...
Moving into my first home
Starting college
Trying to figure out life
Questioning my decisions

4 things on my to do list for today...
Make bread
Attend the farmers market
Love my kids
Take the kids ice skating

4 things I love about my husband...
He answers pretty much every question I don't know
He thinks the same as I
I can trust him without a doubt
He LOVES his kids

4 jobs I have had...
Checker at HY-Vee
Wedding Gown Sales Person
HouseKeeper at Hotel
Nurse

4 movies I have watched more than once...
Dirty Dancing
Star Wars
Borne Series
Steal Magnolis

4 places I have lived...
My parents home
My first Home
El Paso, TX
My present home

4 places I have been...
Alaska
Hawaii
Hondurus
Mexico

4 places I want to visit...
Japan
China
Europe
Brazil

4 t.v. shows I watch...
UMMMM>>>>

4 things you may not know about me...
I have a lizard tattoo on my foot
I have breastfeed all my babies
I wish I was a stay at home mom
I live across the street from my parents

4 people I tag...
Texan Mama @ WhoPutMeInCharge
Sabrina@ Mamacraft
Kristin @ homemakersatheart

A little BOYS attire.

This is Shafer, my child who rises in the am and head outside with either his crocks on or his Giraffe Boots and stays out all day long until it is time to come in.......... Rather it is raining, snowing or shinning, the adventure is awaiting him outside the sliding door........and he never forgets his hat.

KIDS.....In the summer

How to: Cleaning Product

I have tried numerous "green" cleaning products and have decided to use what my grandmother has used since the beginning of time, well her time.

• Empty Spray Bottle


• Vinegar


• Distilled Water


• Essence Oil


• Food color, if you wish


• Measuring Cup

Ok, so now take the spray bottle and pour is about 1.5 cups of vinegar and water. The put in the essence oil. I use orange, lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint, just depending on where I am going to use the spray. I then put food coloring into the bottles, depending on what smell it is. Lavender of course gets purple, Peppermint gets blue, Eucalyptus gets green, Orange get orange and so on. The coloring makes it fun for the kids to use the bottles to help clean. This cleaning option is good for windows, counters, tubs and floors.

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

I guess from the title you can just about guess what I am about to write....... Well from the sore nipples post birth to the engorgement 72 hours later to the leaking, what else can go along with breastfeeding???? With not my first, nor second and not my third, but my forth breastfeeding experience I have now taken on a new understanding to teeth.... My other kids did not sprout their first teeth until 8 months and at this time they understood, bit means no food. Well good ole Soren has no idea that bitting leads to removal of the breast, I think he just understands that when he bites, mommy dances. Oh but those shinny new teeth are oh so beautiful and wonderful he just wants to use them. So the other day he got his first go at it, rice cereal and rice cereal with pureed necterines. YUMMY. Yummy may I repeat. I even enjoyed it. I must admit I have tasted everything that I have put in my children's mouths, I must repeat, everything that "I" put in their mouths. Yes even breastmilk and colostrum. This is how I figured I was pregnant with my 4th. Oh I will tell the story sometime. They do taste slightly different and to a nursing 14 month old, they taste quite different.

For lunch I search around the house and threw together a wonderful bean soup.

1 bag of 15 bean soup mix, throw out the package of spices.
1 small minced onion
3-4 T. minced garlic

Saute both and then add, 1 T. Thyme, 1 T. oregano, 1/2 t. red pepper flakes, 2 T. Balsamic Vinegar, salt and pepper, then simmer until beans are soft.

Ladle into soup bowls and place generous amounts of your choose of Cheese on top

Prep Day

Today was a late start to the day, we all stayed up and watch Nims Island, great movie.

I started today out with making 3 casserole dishes to keep my family feed while I am gone long hours Monday through Thursday. I am attending a Perinatal conference and have to leave my home each morning at 5:15 to get to the facility by 7:15. Oh my will I be tried, and my personal milk supply both at the breast and in the freezer will take a big hit.

I was able to can another 6 pints of beans and prep both lunch and dinner so that the afternoon was free to play.

The casserole recipes listed below, and they will keep in the fridge for a few days, otherwise they can be frozen.

Casserole #1 Tuna Casserole
3 Cans of Tuna
1 cup frozen peas
1 box of noodles, cooked

3 T butter melted with 3 T flour, add 1 1/2 cups milk to mixture, salt and pepper. When thick, add 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese. Pour over Tuna, peas and noodles,

Warm in oven 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. You can crush up Ritz crackers if you wish.

Casserole #2 Poor man's Lasagna
1 Can of Sauce
1 pound of Hamburger, plus cooked sausage that I had in fridge
1 box of noodles, cooked
1 T oregano
1 T Basil
1 bag of mozzerela cheese

You can add chopped peppers, pepperoni, squash, ect if you wish

Warm again in oven 15-20 minutes, 350 degrees.

Casserole #3 Tator Tot Hot Dish
1 pound hamburger, cooked
2 cans of green beans
1 can of corn
1/2 cup of sour cream
2 cans of cream of mushroom
1 cup of cheddar cheese

Mix above ingredients then place an entire bag of tator tots on top, cook in oven 350 degrees, 30 minutes or until tator tots are crispy.

Farmers Market

Today was filled with attending the local farmers market, bring home the goodies and prepping them for canning, freezing, ect.

I ended up getting enough chopped J-peppers to fill 2 quart jars and just added vinegar and put in the fridge. The best way to chop is to hold onto the stem and chop away, then taking tongs and placing into the jars, this way you do not get the stuff on your hands.

I bought a califlower as big as a basketball, no kidding and then chopping 2/3 and froze, the other will be in the fridge for this weekend cooking.

I picked enough green beans from the garden to can 5 pints today alone.

I have baked 3 loaves of bread, all from the new book of mine, but I have got comfortable enough to tweek a few recipes to satisfy me and my family. I have changed a few ingredients, taken things that were to be free form loaves and placed into a bread pan, and vola sandwich bread. Right now I am baking Granola bread, recipe in book for both granola and the bread, but I made my own granola from a combination of recipes and that is what I am using.

I bought baby new potatoes that I will use this weeked to make ham, beans and potatoes, Yummy. And of course some homemade bread.

Don't Cry Over spilt Milk

Well, where has the time gone since I last posted???? All I can say is that it has been busy, busy and more busy. I have canned, made more jam, preserves, work and wiped the floor numerous times since my last blog post.

Three days ago, my 2 year old reached into the Fridge and out came not only the juice jug but the juice as well, all over my floor, two towels later and no tears at this point I felt like I should just wipe down all the tile, 30 minutes later, I was done.

Two days ago my 4 year was helping himself to some juice but this time while pouring it into a cup, it ended up all over the counter and floor, needless to say, the floor was then again cleaned, this time by all of the kids and myself, 1 hour later. Yes I did say 1 hour.....Lets see, soap, rags, buckets and more soap, rags, buckets and of course bubbles.

Well finally I came to understand fate a little better in life at this time and knew that my daughter would soon spill something tragic on the floor, and of course today it happened, my tea all over the floor, from her coming and going out of the cup cabinet, she did not even know that the hit the tea pot and spilt it all over the ground, soap, rags, bucket... you get the picture.

I made cinnamon rolls from so dough I wiped up the other day from the Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a Day, but this time did a spin on my own. I made the sweet bread and then turned it into cinnamon rolls, made powdered sugar frosting. Well 7 are missing from the photo. No I did not eat all, just 2... The kids had the rest, plus my mom and neighbor.

Some other photos of bread that I have made over the past few days.

Callah Bread

Crusty White Sandwich Loaf

We made the Sandwich Loaf for egg salad sandwiches.

8 Large Hard Boiled Eggs, shredded with cheese grader

1/3 Mayo

1 T. Dijon Mustard

3 T. Pickle Relish

1/4 Cup Celery, chopped small

1 t. pepper

1 t. salt

Oh Yes and the yummy jams and preserves, I have photos of some Kiwi Jam, peach preserves. I did make pear jam, but it did not make it into the photo.

And the pickled beets.........

Wine and Bread

Today was the day that my husband returned home from a week long chemistry class, today was a reunion for the kids whom missed their daddy in addition to my husband turning another year older.

Yesterday I packed up the van with the kids plus my neice and nephew and we went to the mall in seach of a book that I have been lusting after, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day . Well after throughly reading through I tackled the basic recipe and lo and behold, we had bread appetizers before heading to the local wine vineyard. We sampled numerous wines, drank a bottle their and brought 2 more bottles home. Yummy, we loved everything we tried.

Ciabatta Loaf

This is what I saw on TV and was hooked. I love bread and everything associated with bread.

All in a days work

Today started early with some lawn mowing exercises. I moved the yard for the 3rd time in 4 years, I thought it was getting a little long even for GREEN people. Mowing was followed by filling the bird feeders, hummingbird feedings and weeding the 6 gardens. My 2 year old was with me every step of the way, his favorite part is to water when we are all done.

We finished the yard work, just as the crockpot had our Sweet and Sour Pork Chops done. All I had to do was cut up summer squash and cook some rice with almond silvers and we had lunch.

I thought since all the activity occured this morning we would hide out in the house today baking. We had some excess blue berries from my fathers generosity so I decided to make Blue Berry Buckle.

Cream 1/4 c butter, 3/4 c sugar, and 1 egg.

Combine 2 c flour, 2 t baking powder, and 1/2 t salt.

Alternate adding dry mix with 1/2 c milk total to creamed mixture.

Add 2 T flour to 1 pint blue berries and then fold into thick mixture.

Make crumb topping, by squashing 1/4 c soft butter, 1/2 c sugar, 1/3 c flour and 1/2 t. cinnamon with a fork. Sprinkle on to batter.

Bake at 375 degrees for approx 1 hour, start checking at 50 minutes with a chop stick or something thin. I recommened using a grease springform pan like you would use for cheese cake.

The kids make what they call Sushi Balls while I mixed up the Blue Berry Buckle.

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1/3 cup honey

2 t. cocoa powder

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup coconut

1/2 mini chocolate chips

Combine all and refridgerate for 2 hours. Take a cookie spoon and drop into a bowl of coconut flakes (1c), roll into hands forming a ball, then roll in sesame seeds and flax seeds (2/3c) and then roll into cashews crushed (2/3 c). The dip measurements are approximate, as some kids can get more to stick to the peanut butter rolls. Place the Sushi Balls on the cookie sheet and then refrigerate to harden and then you can place them in a covered dish in the fridge to store.

Work Work Work

Well the past few days have been busy so I have not been able to blog. I feel a sense of need to do so now.
I worked a long stretch of 4 days, and to me that is long. My household falls apart and I spend a whole day making things up. Laundry, cooking, cleaning and playing.

I was able to can a few more green beans, attend the local farmers market early Saturday morning and attend my daughers last Softball game of the season. I picked more Raspberries at my mothers home and enjoyed a blackberry pie from her garden as well.

My husband left yesterday afternoon for a 2 week educational quest, leaving me at home to figure out how to parent 4 kids all by myself.

Soren has been unusually upset the last 24 hours and with deep inspection as to why, I discover his cutting his first tooth. At 4 months!!! Oh my.