Everything Pudding

Ok, so how many of you read the Betsy, Tacy and Tibb books growing up? (And how many of you plan to find the books for your daughters to read?) They were some of my favorite books in late elementary school. And yes, the inspired me.

How, you might ask?

Wellll if you haven't noticed, I sorta like to cook. And I may or may not have mentioned that my mom's idea of cooking meant boiling to death an entire box of pasta then putting it in the fridge in a Ziploc for us to pick at as we were hungry. (No, I'm not joking).

I certainly didn't get my enjoyment of food from her (cottage cheese with canned peaches is her standard breakfast because it's easy but ewwww!), nor my love of cooking. She still dosn't get it, but she will at least eat some of the food, generally whateve is left that no one else wants to eat.

So back to Betsy, Tacy, and Tibb. In one of the books, Betsy comes up with a great idea to cook. They decided to learn how to cook by making "everything pudding" which essentially consisted of everything but the kitchen sink.

I thought that was a pretty cool idea, but my mom pretty quickly laid down the law that if I made it, I ate it. Or maybe it was my friend's mom, and my mom simply copied.

Regardless, we made everything... cookies and cakes and muffins and bread and pancakes. And using no recipes, putting in some sometimes odd ingredients, we occasionally came up with some pretty good stuff.

We also quickly learned to make very small batches of things to avoid having to eat a whole lot of something nasty.

I look back on that now, and oh the fun we had! It was a great way to spend a sleepover, and generally a pretty inexpensive proposition. We were always safe, and it was a great way to exert some independence safely. I only wish that we'd taken photos of our work and written down some of our better recipes.

In fact, I think I might have to try this with the wee ones one of these day wen we have some free time. I have a feeling they might enjoy continuing this little tradition.

So what did you love to do as a child that was - maybe - a little more unique?

I Need Some Ideas Here

Today is one of my favorite days. Living where I live, the day before Ash Wednesday has special meaning. Granted, I'm not in New Orleans where this is the culmination of a wonderful celebration of Mardi Gras (ahhh to be in college again where I can drive down on a moment's notice and spend a day and a night there, sleeping under a tree). Nope, here we have something totally different.

It's Packzi Day (pronounced essentially "poohnch-key").

Mmmm, packzis.

They're a Polish delicacy - thus the name I have a hard time reconciling pronounciation with spelling - that is traditionally made on the day before Ash Wednesday when all the fats and sweets had to be used up. We have an awesome bakery near me that makes them. In fact, they're awesome enough that I woke up early this morning so I could drive twenty minutes out of my way before work to pick up a couple. For my family. Ahem.

Ok, so I got my six packzis, the owner was taping up the box, and I shouted "no no no -- wait, don't tape it!" He looked up with a question on his face. I explained that it was for my breakfast.

And looking back now, I understand why he laughed. To clarify, I only ate one packzi today. Single.

Needless to say, he laughed and untaped the box. And adding insult to injury, he grabbed a plastic fork and stuck it into the box for me. Apparently I do something memorable to him every year I buy packzis.

So what is a packzi?

It's essentially a lovely donut stuffed with fruit. Traditionally (from what I understand being Irish and Scottish and German but not Polish), they were cut in half with sliced fruit and whipped cream being placed inside and powdered sugar atop. Prune filling was also another traditional flavor.

While the bakery I patronize has those options, it also goes for the big flavor. They have raspberry filled glazed packzis. They have custard filled chocolate frosting packzis. They have apricot filled packzis. Pretty much pick a (good) flavor, and they have them.

Mister Man chooses blueberry and pineapple packzis - to be doled out over a several day period - for his, while I got nontraditional with my chocolate frosting filled covered in powdered sugar.



Yum.

And the other tradition here? That would be Shrove Tuesday where the British essentially do the same thing - celebrating the last of the fun before the start of Lent.

Thus, my church has a Shrove Tuesday party with English crepes served with both lemon and sugar (traditional) and nutella, ice cream, whipped cream, cherries, and more.

Did I mention that a friend of mine took me out for lunch today for Mexican? Yikes.

So Mister Man and I headed over to the church where we indulged in some traditional yummies before playing their version of bunco. My partner and I were terrible at Beetle Drive, unable to roll a six (which you have to do to start the game) most of the time. Mister Man managed to win most of them, however, and I have a feeling we're going to be playing a lot of that game around here.

It's been thoroughly drummed into me that Lent is fast upon us (no pun intended, I swear). But I'm stuck. I can't come up with anything good to give up this year.

I don't drink pop or caffeine. I don't drink alcohol enough to remember that I'm trying to give it up. I don't swear; I rarely chew gum. Chocolate is done so often. So what do I do for Lent this year? I've got three hours before I need to figure it out, and I'm not there yet?

Do I commit to planning out meals for my family for each day in Lent?

Do I commit to doing a particular (painful) exercise each day?

Do I go for the chocolate route?

Do I clean one room in the house thoroughly each day?

Do I give up the Food Network (that would make my husband happy)?

So after all the fun indulgences I had today reminding me that a solemn time is nearly upon us, what do you suggest? Help a girl out, would you?

Tasty Tuesday!

Well, ok so I'll admit to having been out of town for most of the last week, which means I haven't done much in the kitchen. Yesterday I had sushi for Valentine's Day (mmmm, sushi), and today I worked and got home too late to make a "real" dinner.

So you know what's left? I've gotta go with the blondies I made for the Super Bowl. Honestly, I'm tempted to whip up another batch right now so I can be sure I have pictures. Really, that's the only reason. What, you don't believe me?

Ok, so I just want some more of the treats. They went quickly and were soooo yummy. I had hardly any leftover (two, to be exact).

Double Chocolate Blondies

Ingredients:
2 sticks butter, room temperature
2 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 t baking powder
2 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
2 1/2 c flour
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
1 c milk chocolate chip chunks

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13x9 pan.

Cream the butter and sugar until it comes together and is lightened and creamy. Add the eggs and beat until well mixed. Do the same for the vanilla.

Add the baking powder and salt and beat well again. Add the flour and stir until just combined (some flour will still be showing). Add the chocolate chips and stir until distributed.

Scoop the batter into the pan, spoonful by spoonful. Use the back of a spatula to squish it until it's fairly evenly distributed and flat. Sprinkle the milk chocolate chunks atop the batter, and lightly press them in. If you have any leftover chocolate chips, do the same.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Let cool thoroughly, then slice into 24 (or more) bars.

Enjoy! (And hide them from your family.)

Does this sound good to you? Go find more with Tempt My Tummy Tuesday over with Blessed With Grace.

Oh Those Things They Say

Soooo, I know I've been somewhat MIA, but I promise I have a good reason. I'm finally back - at least physically, if not mentally - from Orlando and a conference there, with more to be posted on my other blog in the next couple days.

While on "vacation" with my parents and wee ones, I had several ahhhh memorable moments, shall we say.

Proof that my parents spoil the wee ones:
Upon walking into our hotel room, Mister Man turned around to look at us and asked, "Where's my bedroom?"

Granted, when my parents take us on vacation, we usually stay in a rented condo for a longer period of time, so having a standard hotel room apparently came as a surprise to him.

Upon deciding that she was finished with volunteering, Little Miss declared, "I want to go. I don't like this place. There aren't even any 'lands.' I want to go somewhere that has lands. And rides."

So this is why so many volunteer opportunities don't include four year olds....

Upon seeing yet another character at breakfast, "Grandma, did you order Daisy, too? And did you order and pay for Donald? I see them; I see them!"

And yes, that would be a character breakfast at Chef Mickey's that my parents took the wee ones to, not knowing that they were in for more than a typical breakfast place.

Trying to convince Little Miss that it was ok to ride the teacups, as she is not a fan of "spinny rides," Mister Man tried the logic of: "But I'm the Fear Master. It's ok to ride because I'm the Fear Master, and I take away your fears. Fears: begone!"

Nope, it didn't work, as evidenced by:

"Slow down. Slow dowwwwwn! Slowwwwwww! Dowwwwwwwwn!" from Little Miss the entire teacup ride.

And no, we weren't spinning. At all. Fortunately, Mister Man joined me on the ride immediately afterwards where we spun as fast as we could the whole ride. Now if I could just find someone to ride the roller coasters with me, I'd be set.

Being directed to dinner at the Wide World of Sports, Mister Man insisted, "Mommy, don't follow them. They're going to try to trick us. Look, they have red light sabers; that means they're bad guys."

Uhhhh, no. However, I do think that it's time to take away some of those Star Wars books.

Upon exiting Energy Universe at Epcot, Little Miss explained, "It's important to never fall asleep for a nap while watching television. It gives you nightmares, and you'll dream about dinosaurs coming to get you. Make sure you don't fall asleep with the tv on, Mommy."

Yep, that's all she got out of the educational ride about how energy is created. Needless to say, she was very worried when she saw Grandpa the next day asleep with the television on.

There were so many more, but I can't remember them. Maybe once I catch up on my sleep, they'll come back to me. Even if they don't, I know they will always be creating more.

I Love Red Tape

Last day for the soup giveaway... and what, only two people like soup? Come enter here; you've got great odds!

***

In Illinois, we've got the I-Pass that allows us to go through the "temporary-just-until-we-pay-for-the-highways-built-in-the-1950s" tolls, which makes it ever so convenient. And it's technically half price now, since cash tolls are twice the price.

Needless to say, my husband and I both have I-Passes, even though we don't go on the highways that often. They pay for themselves, and they're awfully convenient.

Well, most of the time.

When we went to go see Disney on Ice last week, I noticed that my husband's I-Pass didn't go off when we went through the toll. In fact, I was pretty sure I saw flashes of light behind us instead of the nice blue light on the toll pole that shows that the toll was properly deducted.

I sighed and asked if he'd refilled the I-Pass lately. Or if by chance he'd noticed the yellow light going off the last (at least) twenty-five times he'd gone through a toll. Mmmm no. He didn't believe it was out of money.

I tried calling the 800 number on the I-Pass figuring to get it straightened out immediately. After being told that I had a "more than ten minute" wait to provide them with money and arriving at the Allstate parking lot, I decided we could try later.

When we got to the toll booth on the way back, we went into the cash lane, and the lovely man working in the toll booth confirmed that yes, the I-Pass was out of money.

My husband then, smartly, decided that he'd call to fix it the next day. And - amazingly enough - he called. Except that he was told that they couldn't talk to him about the account at all, and no, he could not give them money to replenish the transponder because he wasn't on the account.

Ohhhh-kay.

I totally get wanting to avoid identity theft. I completely understand not wanting to talk to people regarding, say, credit card accounts when they aren't on the account. This reminds me of getting married and having no issues changing my name on my credit cards and bank accounts but requiring original notarized copies of my marriage certificate to change the name on my grocery loyalty card.

The next day, I called, and fortunately, I did not have a more than ten minute wait.

I gave the transponder number to the woman who requested it.

I verified my name.

I verified my date of birth.

I verified my email address.

I verified my home address.

I verified my email address.

I gave my phone number.

It wasn't the right one. No biggie, right? I asked that she update it, but she couldn't do that. She couldn't talk to me about the account until I provided her with the correct phone number.

Apparently all the other information isn't enough for me to provide them with money.

I sighed and asked what my options were. She reiterated that she could do nothing for me until I validated my phone number.

I explained that I had moved three times since getting the transponder, plus a few different work numbers and two cell phones. I could almost hear her shrug with disinterest.

I sighed again and began listing phone numbers, hoping that I remembered them correctly.

The fifth phone number was finally the right one. Thank goodness. From there, I was able to successfully replenish my account and pay them money.

But seriously? There is a time and a place to be overly careful verifying information. A tollway authority where one is trying to give them money is neither. I mean, really, if someone else wants to fund my account, why should I care?

I think I remember now why I'm not a public servant. Not that I ever really forgot.

Tasty Tuesday

It's cold and snowy in Chicago, which is - appropriately - perfect weather for soup. And lucky you, I'm giving some away here.

***

So for those of you living under a rock, Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday. Ahhh, the day when everyone forgets diets and good intentions and it's all about getting together with family and friends to critique commercials. Of course, if I had my act together, I'd put up my Super Bowl menu the week before the game, but hey, be glad you're getting it at all!

This year, we had:

Bufalo Chicken Dip (mmm)
Crab and Artichoke Dip (ahh)
Veggies with homemade Spinach Dip
Chips and my Guacamole
My husband's Chili (and I missed a bowl yet again!)
White Chocolate Party Mix
Blondies

Plus the goat tacos I promised awhile ago. Yep, they're meatless, and I didn't even use the goat cheese that gives them their name. But ya know, they still worked out pretty well.

I made these for the Super Bowl, but going forward I'd probably make them less for a party like this and more in a situation where I have girls over for appetizers or a holiday party. They weren't a ton of work, but they were a bit of overkill probably.

And they're best eaten within a couple of hours of being made -- and at a Super Bowl party, there are too many choices and too much nibbling over a five hour period. I'll be honest - the chips were a bit soft at the end of the night.

Fooled Ya Goat Taco's

Ingredients:
Scoopable tortilla chips
Guacamole (really, use mine - it's worth it)
Salsa
Crumbled feta or goat cheese - I used a mediterranean blend

Directions:
Ok, can I *really* call these directions?

Set the chips out onto a platter. Spoon a small scoop of guac into the chip. Follow with a small glop of salsa. Top with a bit of cheese.

Admire and eat. See, so easy. Any requests for next week?

Enjoy this and other more "real" recipes with Blessed With Grace and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

What Has Being A Mom Taught You?

Go check out my giveaway here and then come on back orrrr read this, then go enter! Mmmm, soup!

***

I'm far from an expert, after all, I've only had this gig for six years, but there are so many things that I've learned. They have to be only the tip of the iceberg, though. Being a mom teaches you so many things. So many. I'll start the list with ten, but I really want to know what being a mom has taught you (ok, or dad or aunt or uncle or just a person who hangs around kids.

So.

My Top Ten Things I've Learned As A Mom

10. Kids have a reason for everything they do. We may not understand that reason. The reason may leave us rolling our eyes or groaning or sighing in frustration, but they always have a reason. It's part of our job to figure out what that reason is and help them understand if it's a good reason or not and figure out how to best reason their way through the situations they come upon in life.

9. There will always be something I regret. Who didn't think they were going to be a perfect parent - or at least "better" than our parents? Nonetheless, there will always be moments where I wish I could hit the rewind button and do it over again. And yet, we do the majority of things to the benefit of them. They'll turn out well in the end, even though we'll have days that we wish we could forget.

8. Sleep is for the weak. I remember (vaguely) the days when I wouldn't wake up until the afternoon. I remember lazy days when I may not have actually fallen asleep for a nap, but I came awfully close. I remember being exhausted from a long week and going to bed when I got home from work. Now? I laugh. Those first few months as a mom - especially as a second time mom - I still look back on those days and wonder how I survived on so little sleep. I functioned - not just managed, but actually functioned - with almost no sleep. While sleep is nice, we can do without. And we do. Regularly.

7. Things really aren't that disgusting. Vomit? Ok, so I still don't do vomit. Fortunately the wee ones aren't pukers, and Mister Man is good at making it to the toilet on the rare occasion when he throws up. But drool on my hand or shirt? Please. I don't even notice it now. Wiping someone else's bottom? Ha! Blood? Well, I'll be honest and admit that this never bothered me before children. But really, some of the things I do? I just step back and shake my head sometimes. Before I was a parent, no way could I do half this stuff.

6. Simple decisions, aren't. How hard is it to choose an outfit for the first day of school? How hard to choose a doctor? What sports do they play? How many? Should we encourage this friendship? Is this the right school? Are we putting them on a path to be happy in life? The things we have to decide, day after day, are sometimes heart-wrenching and sometimes silly. But oh how I wish I had a crystal ball to know that the decisions I'm making are the "right" ones - even knowing now that there is no one right answer.

5. I'm far more patient than I ever thought. I have yet another talent I never thought I did. I never saw myself as a patient person. I had my fair share of instances where I grew frustrated over something insignificant, where I just couldn't deal with any more. But since kids? My well of patience grew. Maybe it's something in the hormones that finally lets this part of your brain develop, but oh the things that I let roll off my back now that before children would have had me spinning in circles....

4. I want better. As a childless person, I thought I had my life pretty well under control. I did the right things with regards to recycling and eating well and balancing my life. Now that children arrived, I realized how shallow so much of that was. There is so much more that I can do and that I should do. I've realized what's really important in life, and I strive to get there. I don't always succeed, but that view of what is better and what I want is right in front of me every day. And I'm never going to stop reaching for it until I get there.

3. I can have more fun for free than I can for $500. Oh how my priorities have changed. While I was never a spendthrift, I had my time in life where I loved doing "big" things. I loved going on ski vacations with my friends where we ate out at fancy restaurants at night and skiied all day. I loved going to benefits for my favorite charities where I dressed up in my formal duds, bought my expensive tickets, and won my silent auction items. I can't tell you the last time I did any of those, although I know it was before children. Now my fun consists more of squatting on the floor trying to make the perfect Lego creation or chasing the wee ones around at a park or working together to make our favorite granola.

2. There's never a happy medium. Before children, my husband and I saw both sets of our parents about the same amount of time, in fact we probably saw his more due to visiting for football games. But since the wee ones were born, my in-laws have visited three times. When they visit, they sit on our couches all day or visit the casinos. They don't have or push for a strong relationship with their grandchildren. My parents? Oh, I've written about them before. They love the wee ones. They moved ten minutes away from us. They are my childcare, and the wee ones frequently prefer their (spoiling) company to ours. Too much or nothing at all. We make it work, of course, but somehow I wish for the right balance.

And the Number One Thing I've Learned Since Becoming A Parent?

I love more than I thought I could. Watching the wee ones run up to me with a smile on their faces? It warms my heart. Seeing their joy brings me joy. Watching them in pain destroys me. And it isn't just them. Watching the world around me, they color it - and me - with joy. Strangers touch my heart far more than they did before. And really, that's one gift I wouldn't trade for all the sleep in the world.

So what have you learned?