Hummus

After many many tries, I have finally perfected my hummus recipe.  We use it as dip for pita chips (Stacy's brand.  I could do a commercial), carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, and especially our fingers.  The kids love it, and its super high in fiber and protein.

2 cans garbanzo beans - drained, not rinsed

1 small container (6 oz.) plain Greek yogurt

1 garlic clove, crushed

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cumin

2 Tbsp. lemon or lime juice

Combine it all in the food processor.  And then just process the holy heck out of it.  Eat it chilled.

I know it doesn't look like your traditional hummus ingredients.  But just trust me.  You will like it.  And your wallet will thank me.  You're welcome.

Fashion, Tattoos, and Roadtrips

Just a few things making me smile this week:

We were quite fortunate to have Einstein spend the night on our couch.

Quite the fashionable guy.  You'll notice that the flashlight accessory makes the outfit.

Oh he loves her so!

Can't you just see their brains growing?!
I'm hoping that by letting Eva put tattoos on her face NOW, she won't want a real one there when she's 16.
Anne Lamott says that having a baby "is like getting a tattoo on your face".  It's that life-changing.  Agreed.

The Community Garden is growing!  Ryan started this two summers ago, and it has grown to quite the project.  We're so proud of the community for spending time in the dirt together!

They decided to take a roadtrip to Michigan.  All set to go.  Who cares if their still in their pjs and Eva doesn't know how to drive?  That never stopped anybody before.
(No need to call SRS - that's a doll in the backseat - not Sage!)

Marching Penguins

The other night when Eva and I were watching March of the Penguins, she said that it's really too bad that penguins don't trust people because we could take care of their babies for them.  The winters are so extremely brutal.  The penguins march and then find love — the filming of their matchmaking was poetry, just so pure and simple and beautiful.  And then they hatch this precious egg, and then more and more marches start.  

That film should have been called The Marches of the Penguins.  I lost track of how many, but suffice it to say that there are a severe number of marches each year.  

And they have these precious babies who they carry on top of their feet under their fur for months.  The babies are passed from parent to parent — whoever isn't marching at the moment — but tragedies happen.  And Eva's right, how great it would be if we could take care of those babies for just a little while.

But her thoughts struck me on another level too...Isn't that what our Creator God meant this world to be?  That humans and animals and just all living things would peacefully co-exist and help one another?  In our lifting one another up, we would be lifted by another one who is lifting?  

I don't believe in “The Fall” as it is typically taught.  I don't think Eve ate a fruit and the whole world was screwed for all eternity.  I understand that Jesus came and taught us a new way to live and think and love.  But I don't think that the fact that we are drawn to actions that oppress and destroy is hinged on a woman's bite.  And I believe that God is Love.  Not that God shows love or wants love or teaches love or gives love.  God is Love.  Except not quite because God is even bigger than just love. 

My six year old is so pure.  She sees that we could care for penguin babies.  Of course we could, she thinks.  There are no obstacles other than that penguins don't yet trust us.  So simple.  And couldn't it be so true?

I guess that regardless, I'm just sad that we don't all co-exist in a harmony of lifting up.

And I'm disappointed in myself for not being more firm with those I've met who think that children are born “fallen” and “evil”.  I can't find any place in any tiny corner of my mind where that has one shred of truth.  And I know for sure that, tragically, anyone who promotes that way of thinking can't be truly living in Love.

Seedlings

"Let them play.  Let them run in gangs.  

Plant the seedlings in good compost and let nature do the rest."

~ Tom Hodgkinson

We frolicked at the sprinkler park for about 3 hours Thursday with Mara, Adam, Jude, Clark, and Libby.    Frolic.  Isn't that a fun word?  There's no better word for what those littles did.  Magical things happen when you put kids in swimsuits, feed them a little picnic food, and then set them free to get as wet and dirty as they please.  It rained about half the time, which just made the night even better!

It seems like my kids are most inventive and get along best when in nature with few or no toys.  Maybe this is why my parents talk so fondly of their childhood?  Its like I can stick them in the dirt and watch them sprout up - watch knowledge and creativity and happiness grow like vines out of their souls. Their problem-solving ability triples.

The four kids spent quite awhile trying to get rings to stick up in the tree branches.  And then equally as long trying to get them down again.

5 for 5

Look at these delicious berries.  

Dad went to a farm and picked them and shared! 

MMMMmmmm-mmmmmm.

Within about 20 seconds of waking up, before her eyes are even open, Eva asks me "What is our day going to look like?"  Like mama like daughter....I like variety and I like to know what's coming my way.

So in an effort to make us all a little more cheerful, we are jazzing up our days this week:

Movie Monday...whoohoo for free movies at the library...this time it was Jungle Book 2.  (My views on Disney movies can be saved for another post.  Let it just be said that I'm not thrilled with the movie options for kids.  Any suggestions?  Help me please!)

Library Tuesday...The story-time at the library was awesome.  And I felt like super-mom b/c I had Eva reading on a beanbag, Buzz listening to the story, and Sage on my lap.  Everyone quiet.  I gave Sage a bottle while putting a bandaid on River.  All still quiet.  No small victory.  After that, I declared that it was no longer Library Tuesday, but...

Tasty Tuesday...so Eva picked Subway and we all split a foot-long.  Yum.

Then Tuesday got even tastier when we went to the Koontz house for a backyard picnic.  Esther is my partner in great conversations.  The first time we talked, she got so going that she got out a napkin and made a list of the seven things she had in her mind at once that we needed to cover.  So now when we converse, we make lists.


Wet Wednesday...We went to the pool.  It was Sage's first time and she loved it.  Looks like we have 5 swimmers in this family. 5 for 5 in the water makes me happy.

Thirsty Thursday...That's today.  I'm thinking fruit shakes made from the berries.

Fun Friday...This is going to be the best day ever b/c it can be anything.  I'm thinking maybe a trip to a new park?  Or maybe just all day in pjs.  Or both.  We'll see.

My plan is to continue it next week.  I'll keep you posted!

Monkey Bread

Eva and Kirsten had a slumber party this weekend.  At about 11:30 pm, I wondered what in the world I was thinking.  But mostly it went great.  They were kind enough to let the little bro watch Happy Feet with them.

They were up half the night - at least - and woke up hungry.  They made Monkey Bread.  Yes, they made it.  Its that easy. This is Melody's recipe.  I got it from her after a similar slumber party night at her house.  

You'll see that it is quite low in fat and sugar.  Absolutely zero calories.

We made a half-recipe.  The whole recipe is below.

4 cans of Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

3/4 c. butter

cinnamon-sugar mixture

Cut biscuits into quarters and then roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.  Place half of them in a greased bundt pan.  Heat sugars and butter to boiling in the microwave.  Pour half of the mixture over the biscuit pieces.  Add the remaining pieces and pour in the remaining mixture.  Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees.  Cool five minutes and then turn out of the pan.  (Can add chopped pecans after the sugar/butter layer.)

banana eating and monkey impressions are required

it will boil faster if closely watched  

         

We were all craving naps after that sleep-little night.  I thought I was taking a picture of Sage catching a doze on the couch.  When I walked over to take her picture, this is the look I got.  She promptly went back to sleep after I took it.  Perhaps some monkey bread could've helped her mood?

Ode to Jeans

Dear Favorite Jeans, this is my Ode to You...

You perfectly washed and faded in all the right places jeans.

You soft fabric stretched in all the right ways jeans.

You rolled up just how I like them jeans.

You 2004 edition jeans.

We met at the $10 rack at Kmart.  Yes Kmart. 

Yes $10 jeans.

I knew we were meant to be together and bought you without wasting time trying you on.

You jeans that are missing the top button.

You jeans whose inseem - in both legs - has been sewn.

Twice.

You jeans who three times endured the rubber band trick for my bulging pregnant belly jeans.

Age has been kind to you and made you softer, cooler, and more stretchy jeans.

Age has been mean to me and made me saggier, wider, and less patient.

It is not your fault that I can no longer wear low-rise jeans.

You jeans who now lie in the trash jeans.  

Our parting time has come, Jeans.

I've covered you with dirty diapers, moldy pizza sauce from the back of the fridge, and egg shells just so I'm not tempted to take you back out again.

Jeans, don't worry.  I haven't traded you for Mom-Jeans.  

But I have traded you for jeans that I don't need to mend that have a button that make me feel skinnier jeans.

They could never replace you, Jeans.

I miss you already,

My 2004 edition Kmart $10 Favorite Jeans.

Harvest

 Ryan and River have been waiting and watching for the time to cut wheat for weeks.  Uncle Ron started cutting this week, and the boys spent last night out with him.

 

 I wonder what goes through a 2 year old's mind when he watches that gigantic machine.

He looks like a natural.  

Ryan's little boy loves metal music and tractors.  

Couldn't make his papa more proud.

He got to ride while Ryan drove the combine.  

Ryan said he could've died happily right there...in a wheat field with his little man beside him. 

I never ever paid one bit of attention to anything "farmish" until I met Ryan.  And even then, it took me years to warm up to it.  I get it now that this profession is so important and incredibly respectable.  That the feel of the wheat in your hands or the knowledge of what God is creating in those stalks is so life-giving.  My grandpas would be pleased, I think.

Fireflies

"Fireflies are proof that God believes in whimsy."

Moments

Its the little moments that count, right?

I'm feeling stretched to my edges this week.  Keeping up with the kids and our home and our friends and our life and my own inner chaos is really challenging me.  

I'm clinging to the little moments of success...

Buzz, Adam, Mara, and Eva.  Pausing their pool play long enough for pizza and capri suns.  That's a well-balanced meal, right?  cheese = protein.  bread = grain.  tomato sauce = vegetable. juice = fruit.  Hope the pediatrician doesn't read this blog.

Sage and Jude.  1 week apart.  When these two get married in 25 years, I'll say I called it.  Libby and I went through pregnancy and birth and now mama-hood together.  She is a pillar of strength and wisdom and fun and spontaneity in my life.  I'm so lucky. 

There aren't words for the bliss in my soul in this moment.

Two cool dudes.  This is why we live so close to grandparents.  For moments like these.  Buzz looks just like Dad did when he was little.  And he wants to be Grandpa Howard when he grows up.

At the art museum...Eva is front and center and genuinely interested in this work of art.  Makes me proudmouth, I have to admit.

I challenged Dad to a race because I genuinely thought I could beat him.  He kicked my butt.  And Ryan laughed hysterically at my "unique stride".  Thanks guys.

Now when I'm on the couch, she's outside my belly instead of in it.  Thank you God!

m.o.n.e.y.

With our current budget, I've decided to let Eva cut and style my hair. 

Well, ok...maaaaaybe not.

UG.  Money.  I know it can't buy happiness, but having enough that every little decision doesn't have to be made around how much or little we have WOULD buy me a certain level of freedom that I currently am so missing.  I'm trying to figure out how to spin through this whole topic without sounding ungrateful or spoiled.  

I'm frustrated that at least 75% (a highly researched and accurate number of course!) of the people I know are working their a-double ss off and are still living paycheck to paycheck.  These are people in just about every job imaginable.  They have respectable jobs with decent benefits.  Ryan and I have expensive college degrees, great jobs, and good connections - as do most of the people I know in our situation.  We are making decisions that make us tight - the biggest one being that I stay home full-time with our kids and we live on one income.  But Ryan works 3 jobs - teaching, mental health work at Prairie View, and tutoring.  Plus sometimes works with Zach on Bridgewater jobs.  We are good people who make smart choices.  I make my grocery list based on a menu for the week.  We don't take vacations.  We rarely eat out.  We get sitters only once in awhile.  We wear hand-me-down clothes.  We drive second-hand cars.  We use coupons.  We don't shop for fun gadgets like new phones or clothes or dishes or furniture.  

We have all we need and so much more.  We are usually quite content.  We are healthy.  We love our home.  We have more than most of the people in the  world.  That's really something.  My parents help us out.  A lot.  We are able to give money to church and friends who need it.  We are lucky to have friends that don't make us feel bad when we have to say no to doing things that would cost money.

But I feel such frustration on behalf of myself and the many other people I know with the same money concerns.  It is so clear that its true that in America, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.  And then there are those of us in the middle that are trying so hard to just plain stay in the middle.

Ug.  Not the most uplifting blog post ever.  But its what I'm thinking on a lot right now, and I'm guessing if you fall into that 75% group of people, you are too.

6 Week Muffins

This is Grandma Birky's recipe.  The best, easiest, handiest, tastiest, cheapest bran muffins of all time.  You can keep them in the fridge for up to 6 weeks and just make them as you need them.  Makes about 3 dozen.  Thanks, Grandma!

3 c. bran flakes

1 c. boiling water

1 stick butter or margarine, melted

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

almost 2 c. milk

2 1/2 c. flour

2 1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

Pour boiling water over bran flakes and let stand while mixing other ingredients.  Mix together the lemon juice and milk (to make 2 c. sourmilk).  Mix together all ingredients, and then add bran flakes.  Bake as needed in greased muffin tins at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

In other news, Boot Camp is going as well as can be expected.  Eva and River have been asking to be together, but when they get together they still fight after about 20 minutes.  Better than a few days ago, but still not great.  My figure is doing very well though - the brownie pan is 3/4 of the way empty.

And these pics from this morning just for the fun of it...

"Well behaved women rarely make history."  Been using this mug every morning for 5 years now.  A great way to begin my day for so many reasons.

Tasty toes.

Obviously, the Buzz prefers that things be in a neat and orderly line.

Boot Camp Brownies

Remember those amazing mint brownies I posted about last month?  

Look at the Recipes! page if you forget.  

I made them tonight because my two eldest children are going to Boot Camp tomorrow.  This is not what you might imagine - not some military base or some fun in the sun summer kids' camp, but a good old fashioned dose of "TOE THE LINE ALREADY DAMMIT" camp.  It will be located right in our very own home.  And the best part is its free.

I'm sick and tired and sick and tired and sick and tired and sick and tired of them fighting.  I'm sick and tired of it.  I'm also sick and tired of Eva not taking "no" for an answer and trying to have the last word with me.  Here's what's not working:

spankings
time-outs
discussions
stern talking-to's
letting them wrestle it out
rewards
losing privileges
sticker charts
sending them to their rooms

Tonight we put them in separate rooms of the house and they had to stay that way all evening, including supper.  We ate supper in shifts - first Ryan and me, then Buzz, then Eva.  It was so peaceful.  We should've lit candles or played soft music.  The plan is that tomorrow they will remain in separate rooms.  They WILL also act more respectful and agreeable to me - and to each other if their paths must cross.

That's where the Boot Camp Brownies come in.  I'm under no illusion that this is going to be easy.  I will require serious amounts of chocolate to remain as patient, clear-headed, and straight-forward as I need to be.  I don't care if I have to triple my nightly workout on the elliptical... I need brownies.

If you're considering taking a large and difficult leap in your week, make yourself a batch and join me.  I'll keep you posted on how camp goes.  And how quickly I eat the brownies.

Mumford!!!

So the concert was amazing.  Being out with Ryan was amazing.  It was just plain a.maz.ing.

trying my darndest to rock the minivan.

found a yummy ethiopian place to eat supper.  only $12!

they forgot to tell me that they invited 998 other people.  i thought it was going to be just the two of us.   major bummer.

sweaty sweaty sweaty.  it was so hot and stinky. so so so hot.

Weap Little Lion Man.  A.MAZ.ING.