My heart hurts and then made babyfood

This weekend and every weekend until the second weekend in January, we have something to do.  Traveling, weddings, football games, family in, birthdays, holidays, etc.  I looked at my calendar last week, noticed this, and about fainted.

This morning, we didn't have the girls, but they had two soccer games in 2 different towns.  Fun game.  So we took Guyface to both of them, in the 50 degree weather.  He was a good boy.  Biggest Sister's game was first, then Big Sister's.  Biggest Sister sat laughing at Big Sister's team and their ability (this is where I am going to need to remember to get video in the future, I'm pretty sure, three years ago, we found ourselves watching the same little girl, except her hair was red) she needed to be distracted.

In an effort to provide a distraction, Grandpa (known as 'Flash)  decided to 'race'.  He's trouble.  So he races her, then she rests, then her dad races her...then she starts harping on me to race her.  I couldn't resist a challenge.  So I did, I gave her a head start and let her win like I was suppose to, it wasn't fun for me.  I think I pulled my left quad and twisted my ankle and I am sure my heart has not had that much blood pumping through it since high school soccer-yeah, I'm getting old.  The whole time I'm thinking, why don't you bug your mom?? And then I decided I was happy that she wants to play with me, even though it's her mom's weekend.

So after we raced, there were a few things that I wanted to work with her on after watching her game.  Now, let's be clear, I was on the team, but I wasn't good.  I played because my friends played-did I enjoy Greg making us run our asses off at practice? No. I didn't, but you know what, I had a great time and have great memories from those seasons.  I feel like if I would have had a little more instruction as a youngster, I might have been better when I was in high school.  And even if that wouldn't have helped, I'm going to do my darndest to make sure I pass as much knowledge and skill to the children (all the children) as possible.

[In the back of my mind, I'm thinking, I'm only 22 years older than Payton, what is it going to be like when Guyface is 6 and I'm (gulp) over 30????  I can't even think about that now. ]

So, I took her over to an empty field and we worked on a few things.  And I may have knocked her down a few times and played rough with her and you know what, it didn't hurt her a bit to fall on her bottom or have someone kick her in the shin guards.  We played for about 30 minutes, what I would consider (at this point in my existence) hard.  She kept calling to her dad to come help her because I was beating her...and of course her mom kept turning around, once when she bit it on her face, but you know what, she was fine and she was having fun.

Sometimes, throughout my journey as a step-parent, I've found it very hard to find my place.  I'm not 'Mom', but I have a lot of mom-like characteristics.  I'm not just another woman in their lives, I think I'm more important than that, and I think they'd agree.  It's kind of tough to find the place you fit with each child, because where you fit with one, isn't always where you fit with the other.  I've found it a little easier now that I have a baby of my own.  He's mine and he's getting me and only me as him Mama whether he likes it or not, he has no other options, but the girls do.

So after I sacrificed my body in the name of step-parenting (sheesh, maybe I should start working out), I came home to make my monster some more baby food.  His daddy, of course, was off to have fun, playing in a golf tournament.  He liked the food so much last time and I had a number of things in my pantry and refrigerator that needed to be eaten and are great choices for a little monster, that I thought I should probably make some more.

I know there are some recipes out there for baby food, but I kind of look at it like this, if it tastes good and has good things in it and he'll eat it, it works.

So today, with the extra things I had around including tofu, peaches, butternut squash, and spinach.  We had made 3, sort of different dishes, in 1 food processor bowl.  Handy, isn't it?  Actually, it's laziness and a shear disdain for doing dishes. (is disdain the right word?  Anyone?  Mrs. Feeney? Are you there?)

So, here's how it started:  Put your baby monster down for a nap, because you know he is pesky, he'll be under your feet and whining at you to pick him up so he can stick his fingers in the food processor...while it's running (which is actually impossible, but you get the point).  Then put squash in the oven with a little bit of water in the bottom @ 350 for about an hour to get it cooked.

Do you like the nice picture of my oven, and blurry squash?  I know, I am a great photographer, thank you.

While you are waiting for it to cook, put the peaches and tofu in the food processor and mix.

Then take out a few spoonfuls for a protein packed fruit serving.

Then add in spinach and a little bit of squash.

Mmmmm, yum!

Mix again and fill the other 1/2 of the initial tray.

It looks good, right?

Fill the rest of the tray...

Then find a place in your very organized freezer where the tray can be level so your cubes don't get lopsided.  I'm glad my freezer was so organized so I don't look unprofessional while I'm showing you this, because that would be SO embarrassing!

Then, add another can of peaches, and the balance of the squash (now would be a great time to add brown rice if you can remember...I didn't remember.  I knew I was forgetting something).  And mix. Then grab a taste, because if you won't eat it, neither will he.

Surprisingly good, but I just happen to like all these things anyway.

And just when you are enjoying your creation, your baby monster will start to cry upstairs because he was awakened by the sound of you dropping the top of the food processor on the floor, and you have to go get him. And of course, he will see you making food and politely ask if he may try a bite, 'please Mama, oh please?'.  Then, he does this:

'No, I was just kidding Mama, it's green...No fank you'

'Well, what is it I taste in there? Is that peaches?'

'And a touch of spinach...'

'This is so embarrassing, stop taking my picture...'

I guess, I could stomach it.

Hey Mama, that's pretty good after all!

Then you load up a mini muffin dish because you made too much for the ice cube trays that you had to borrow from your mother-in-law because you had none... (Thank you Gloria!)

...all with this guy under your feet looking for a handout.

And then he went and made this mess and now, when it's time to clean up, he's no where to be found... =)

Thank you.

Warm fuzzies and wonderful people

Today while I was off from work, I saw a Facebook post one of my 'friends'-who is probably, actually more of an acquaintance, and maybe always was.

To provide some background, I met this individual in college.  We were in the same sorority-I guess I should probably say 'are' because as I recall, being a member of a sorority is something you take with you to the grave...but anyway.  She was a nursing student, I was in agriculture.  Other than the sorority bringing us together, I'm not sure our paths would have crossed.

We served on an executive board in the sorority and I can recall at least one heated argument we had during a meeting in the 'date-room'.  I remember feeling bad after that, but I never would have said I was sorry at that point in my life, even if I knew I was wrong.  I should have, I know that now, now that I've had a few years to grow up and live life.

She and her husband live far away from their family (I think), she did end up becoming a nurse, I think she works with babies.  And her husband is a firefighter.  I don't know him that well, I vaguely remember him from 'date-parties'.  From what I have seen and what I keep up with on her Facebook page, I think that they may be some of the most selfless people (besides my mother-in-law of course) that I know-or am acquainted with.

Both of them are spending their lives helping people and saving lives.  And on top of that, they have recently been taking in foster children. I watched (more like stalked on Facebook) them take a little boy in, they took him out and about, they fed and clothed and played with him like he was their own.  Then the day came, where he had to go somewhere else.  I think a family member wanted him with them instead of these lovely people.  I read this on Facebook, and cried, and cried and cried and cried (are you getting the point?).  It wasn't even me and it was SO SAD to think about it. I can't imagine my little guy having to go away, and I know (again from Facebook) that it wasn't easy for them. 

I cannot imagine the strength it would take to be a foster parent.  It has really opened my eyes.  You hear horror stories of foster parents in the news, people only doing in for money, abuse, etc.  I can assure you, this little boy was (and is) loved more than most children in their own homes.  He could not have been placed with better people, who would care more about him than these people. 

It is so nice to know that I know (or I guess am acquaintances with) such wonderful people.  I hope they know what a great job they are doing and the impact they are going to have on this little guy (and future children).  They probably did more with the most recent baby they had than we did with Guyface in the first 4 months. 

Next week, they will get two more children and her post (and where I was getting to in my opening paragraph) was about needing things for the newest two.  Again, two at once, that is A LOT to take on with two full time careers.  Not that I can do much, but I decided that I would make 2 burp cloths and a 'taggie' blanket to send and I may or may not have picked up some 'Hot-Wheels' while I was out and about running my errands this afternoon as well.  Below is what I'm sending, the least I could do for such great people.  I hope that they have another great experience, and I hope it ends how they want it to end. 

I'm not real sure what the desired outcome is, if families that have foster children have them forever, or if they expect just a short time, I just don't know enough about how it works.  But whatever happens, I hope that it ends the way they want it to, they deserve happiness. 

Anyway, I needed to share that today, because I think she and her husband are very special and have (and are going to) impact countless children throughout their lives.  I think we just don't hear enough 'happy' stories about children in foster care. 

A cooking day

We had a lovely late morning visit with a college friend of mine and her family.  It was great to get to catch up with her and see their almost six month old baby boy. We're glad they could make time for us on their long drive from Nebraska to Chicago.

Afterward, we stopped at Super Target (one of my all time favorite places besides the quilting and knitting stores). Brady stayed in the car with Guyface because he was napping (and there was something on ESPN radio that he wanted to hear...I don't pretend at all to think the reason had anything to do with the baby).

So, because I was on my own, I took my sweet time to grab the few things we'll need for the week.  I decided I should probably not let the 3 pounds of broccoli florets I had in the fridge go bad, so the only option with that much broccoli is broccoli cheese soup.  I made a HUGE batch.  Like a stock pot full.

And...I made the recipe up.  It was pretty good if I do say so myself.  My little brother and husband (Mr Picky Eater) agreed.  Here's what you need:

Broccoli Cheese Soup

1/2 cup of butter
1/2 cup of flour
A lot of broccoli florets
8 cups of milk
8 cups of chicken broth
1 tsp white pepper
2 cans of cream of celery soup
1.5 pounds of Velveeta (or some other type of processed cheese, shredded or cubed it so it melts in a reasonable time)
2.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups of shredded carrots-try a bot more coarse shred, but if you do, because to cook the shreds.  If you shred fine, they will cook with the soup.

Melt the butter at medium heat, add the flour after it's melted, whisk until thick.  Add chicken broth, milk and cream of celery soup and white pepper over medium heat.

While that is heating, boil water, add your broccoli to it, cook until cooked, but not falling apart.  Drain and set aside.  You would also want to cook your shredded carrots if you've shredded them coarsley.

Add Velveeta and shredded cheddar cheese to your soup stock stir until it's all melted.  Add broccoli and carrots. Serve when it's all warm.

I made this a like noon.

Then, for the evening meal (we skipped lunch after our late breakfast) we ate the soup, beer brats on the smoker and I made a batch of what I would call, 'candied apples'.  Brady likes them and I just happened to pick up some apples at the store today to make some baby food for my monster.

Here's how they went:  (beware, it's an exact science)

Candied Apples:

2-ish tablespoons butter (remember, butter makes everything better)
2 apples (I think I used Jonna Golds because they were what was on sale)
a heaping 1/3 cup of sugar (mostly because I use my 1/2 cup measure, to measure my dog's food each morning and night)
a (heavy) dash of nutmeg
probably a tablespoon (maybe more) of cinnamon

Peel, then slice apples fairly thin, but whatever you do, slice them all similar in size (this will keep cooking consistent).  Melt butter in a saute pan if you have it. [I found one in the racks behind our basement door just off our kitchen.  While I was using it, I was thinking, 'where have you been all my life?' Or at least since we got it for a wedding gift almost three years ago next month-if you don't have one of these pans, run out and get one, it makes a difference.  Trust me.]

So, melt the butter over medium heat.  While it is melting, mix the sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.  [I add nutmeg because when I used to sit on my granny's counter while we made pies, she always added nutmeg to her apple pie filling-she added Allspice too, but that is where I draw the line. My granny was famous for her pies.  I don't like pie, mostly because of the crust, but I do like apples, so I just took the important part of those lessons and serve it as a side dish.]

Oh right, back to the apples...  So put the apples in the sugar mix, coat them fully with the mixture.  Dump the apples in to your nifty saute pan on medium heat.  This part is important, if your mixture gets too hot and you aren't paying attention, your 'candy' will get burnt and it tastes nasty. So, pay attention and stir the apples frequently.

Don't step on you baby monster that worked his way in to the kitchen either...

What you're looking for is the apples to turn a cloudy translucent (oxymoron...I know) if you can imagine what that would be like.  It takes a while, so be patient 15-20 minutes, I think. Then enjoy!

What you'll need.  And yes, we do have 2 block of knives, I'm not willing to give my Foreshner's up and Brady won't put away his J.A. Henkles, so we have two.  He's such a stubborn ass! =)

Mix your dry goods and toss the apples in it.  I think a fork works best.

Add them to the heat, you'll get bubbles and liquid.

'I see you Mama...'

That is focus right there baby.  Go get 'em!

Determination...

I turned around from the stove to find this:  'I will eat your toes if you don't pay attention to me Mama!'

[Practicing my parenting skills:] Do as I say, not as I do...my apples were different sizes. You'll know they are done when most of the liquid has been absorbed and your baby is pulling on your pant leg and grunting at you.

'Book Bags'

What did I get myself in to?!  I saw that Oldest Sister's teacher looked like she could use some help (by help I mean she has some family things going on that are taking up a significant portion of her time and someone else could help with this task) making little fabric bags that go on the backs of the students' chairs.  They have tables, not desks and the way their reading program is set up, it appears the teacher selects a number of books appropriate to each individual student's reading level. 

So I sent her an e-mail and offered to 'help'.  Now let me clarify, when I do offer to help, I mean it, and I really do want to help.  I just didn't exactly count on making them ALL... Nor did I count on embroidering each child's name on them...  But I did.  It took me a while and a bit of neglecting my baby... well, kinda.
Making this chore even easier, my baby monster, GuyFace, has decided now would be an excellent time to begin crawling...

I see you!  [I see Lou running for cover?]

I'm a

gonna

get choo

get choo

get choo!

Hi Mama!

Look mom, still no teeth!  Just thought I'd remind you...

I made 14, I have 4 left, but those students have not yet turned in their yard of fabric to the teacher.  Here are some of them I made this afternoon.  Pretty basic, yes, and time consuming, definately.  Especially with the baby monster under my feet and pushing the pedal on my sewing machine.  His dad was watching him for a bit today, so I did get a little peace. 

Now I can get back to my usual grind.  I still have to make my baby's Halloween costume and hem a pair of my pants and a pair of Brady's pants and make some Christmas coasters and a pillow and... (this could go on FOREVER with the fabric backlog I have).

Unfortunately, now I can tell you which parents in Biggest Sister's class smoke...YUCK!  There was one child's fabric in particular that, was absolutely disgusting, and the parents should be ashamed of themselves.  I hate to spout my views, but I do NOT like smoking around children. If you want to smoke, fine, but go outside and wash your hands when you're done. When the poor kids come to school and smell awful because their parents smoke around them, it breaks my heart.  It's just too bad.  I tried to Febreeze the fabric, but it still smelled, I put it in a separate bag, so the rest of the kid's bags didn't stink too.  And washed my hands when I was done.  I still think I can smell it.

Hay, Nice Rack!

So another thing that we get to do to help manage the farm is to unload hay racks.  I haven't really done this, but I have watched.  It's not the most exciting job around the farm, but another one of those necessary evils.  Usually, now that my little brother lives here, he helps.  So, off it is to the farm!

We get two different types of racks, racks for feed (alphalfa) and racks for bedding (straw).  The alphalfa smells sweet enough to eat.  You know those purple flowers you see on the side of the road sometimes, they look like this:

Wait, that's not right...

That's better!  You can actually eat the flowers.

Then they cut it (the first cutting is generally not very good, you want the second or ideally the third cutting of alphalfa sometimes there is a 4th, I think, but for some reason, I think it's not always the best).  Then, they let it dry, they 'rake it' (but they use a piece of equipment that's unlike any rake I've ever seen) then they bail it, and stack it on a hay rack.  We hitch it up to the big diesel truck and take it back to the farm to unload.

This is what a Hay Rack might look like.

Then, they use an elevator to get it off the rack and up on the stack (haha, that rhymes, I'm a poet and didn't even know it-alright, I'll stop, sorry)

This is an eleavator-I know, not the kind of elavator I was acustom to either...It's amazing what you can learn on the farm.

Then you pick up the racks of straw, and repeat.  There are many different sizes of bails, we use what my husband calls, 'idiot bails' they are a lighter bail, I think about 40 pounds, there are other bails that are a little larger, then you get in to the ones that are round (weighing between 660-880lbs), they usually sit in the middle of the fields forever, and if you have eyesight like mine, when uncorrected, they may appear to be buffalo in the great white Iowa wilderness...

We get our racks in the summer, and they need to last all through the winter months when the sheep can't graze on the grass around the farm.  They also need bedding for the buildings when they are inside during the winter and in the nursery. 

Usually, when the boys get done, their arms are all torn up, they have remnants of alphalfa or straw all over them and they blow snot rockets in the shower.  Good thing they shower at my mother-in-law's house most of the time because if there is one thing that I hate, it's snot rockets being blown in my shower-shame on you!

(*Actually, I'm told that when you go to college for Agriculture, specifically in courses related to animals, they teach to to blow snot rockets as a way of properly following government guidlines when going from farm to farm, so that you don't retain any germs/bacteria, etc in your nasal cavity protecting yourself and hopefully not spreading disease to other animals-this is what my husband tells me anyway...probably to maintain his 'snot-rocket rights'.)

Another side note:  I'd like to apologize to Mrs Feeney for not blogging recently, I promise to try to be better.  =)

Taco Pie: What semi-country wives do when their husbands are away

My husband is very picky, and by 'very picky', I mean VERY picky.  He likes meat and potatoes and cottage cheese.  This presents a culinary challenge for me at times.  I work around it when he travels.  With my big brother temporarily living at our house, I decided to make Taco Pie.  A favorite from our childhood (and a recipe my husband despises). 

So, this is what semi-country wives do when their husbands are away.  They do whatever it is they want!  Oh wait, no, they really don't, they just make things their husband won't eat.  I still watered the flowers, changed the boy, fed him, bathed him and maintained the household and went to work...well until Thursday anyway.  It's glamorous, isn't it?

Due to a considerable interest, I will post the recipe, it's not mine, I obtained it from the internet, but you should probably add it to your weeknight, stand-by, favorites:

Impossible Taco Pie:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 ( 1 1/4 oz.) envelope taco seasoning mix
• 1 can ( 4 oz.) chopped green chiles, drained
• 1 1/4 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup Bisquick
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese

Preparation:

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease glass pie plate, 10 x 1 1/2 inches.
Cook and stir ground beef and onion in skillet until beef is brown;drain. Stir in seasoning mix, dry. Spread in pie plate; top with chillies. Beat milk, eggs and Bisquick baking mix until smooth. Pour into pie plate. Bake 25 minutes. Top with tomatoes and cheese. Bake 8-10 minutes. Longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Serve with sour cream, tomatoes and shredded lettuce if desired. 6-8 servings.  I also add homemade salsa or Ortega Taco Sauce for good measure.


I would have taken a picture for you, but, sadly, it's gone! =) 

Being the good, domestic goddess that I am, I also took the kids in for photos.  Here are a couple:

Resume: Livestock Photographer

I am adding 'Livestock Photographer' to my resume.  I bought myself a lovely Nikon D3100 for no reason at all, other than I wanted it about 3 months ago.  I got a carrying case and telephoto lens for Mother's Day, aren't my baby and the girls sweet??  Since then, I have tried to capture the girls, the boy and the dog.  However, every time we go to the farm, I'm asked to capture something else.  Sheep.

This is very technical, very important matter. There is a very distinct 'right way' to photograph sheep.  Me, I would come at it from a different angle (and height, and light, for that matter) but sheepin' photography, it's VERY specific.  Everyone takes the same basic three photos, for us 'lay-people':  from the side, back and then a face shot.  The difficulty comes with with the height, angle and placement of the animal.  Plus, you have to have them against the make sure the sheep is pushing (essentially flexing it's muscles).  Still with me?  Yawn, I'm not sure I'm with myself.

Anyway, it turns out my husband is VERY picky (I didn't realize how picky until after we were married...of course, I hate when that happens!).  So I take several shots (try several hundred shots), at several angles, at his direction.  Then he goes in the barn, where he can see the photos (it's too bright to see them out in the sun), then he growls and grumbles and tells me what's wrong with them.  After that, we go back out, take another hundred or so and do it all over again...several times.  Then, he picks the ones that I take on my own, without his instruction.  Like this one below:

Then he makes me take one of their backside.  He says people look at the bone and muscle in the rear end.  This doesn't exactly scream bone and muscle to me...I'll stop there.

And then a head shot for good measure.

Here is a shot my husband asked me to take, see that big blurry thing?  He 'set the sheep up', right in front of a tree. And told me to get pictures for the website.  Babe, I know this is a nice camera and all, but it doesn't uproot trees-I'll need Photoshop for that.  Can we expense it please, please, please, please, please?! Anyway, I did as I was told, because that is what submissive country wives do right?  Oh wait, I'm a semi-country wife, so that changes things a little...  I took the pictures, so he could see what a boneheaded move that was!  Love you babe. (OK, he deleted them from the camera before I could upload it...GRRRR!)

Then I took a few to capture the true beauty of the sheep and because I was bored and hot and wanted to go inside and eat something.

Then he told me to stop because it was annoying and they wanted to put the sheep away for the day.

Then we all went in and had 'farm-food' for lunch.  It was and always is, delightful.

We sold this Ram at the Stud Ram Sale, Sedalia, MO.  He was a sweet boy-he went to a farm in Arkansas.