A Red-Letter Day

By definition, a red-letter day is any day of special significance. Some people might not consider chaperoning a kindergarten field trip to the zoo a red-letter day, but for me it was. Simply stated, it was a great mom day. There were no raised voices; no arguments or conflicts, and although I was still tired at the end of the day, it was a good tired.

I'm always grateful for the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom during these early, quickly passing years. But today I felt especially grateful for the blessing of being a mom. Wandering around the zoo with my child and his kindergarten class made me truly thankful for the chance to experience mommyhood.

In the days leading up to this trip, I think I was just as excited as my son. I couldn't wait to see him in his school environment, and he got to ride ‘the big yellow school bus” for the first time, which is kind of a big deal. This morning at breakfast, he excitedly reminded me of just that. While I was driving down to the zoo, I couldn’t help but picture him on the bus and wonder what he was thinking, and if it was as cool as he expected it to be.

Sunny, crystal blue skies with temperatures in the mid 60’s made for an absolutely perfect day to stroll around the zoo. I was thrilled when my son’s teacher informed me I would have a small group of three, two girls and my son, to spend the day with. My little six-year old was the perfect gentleman, holding doors open for “the goils” and agreeing to see what they wanted first, saving his coveted reptile hut for last. I reveled in watching him interact with his classmates and seeing their eyes widen at all the sites, simply amazed and astonished by all the zoo had to offer. 

Amidst all the mom duties and the trying times, it's so refreshing to have a simply fun day. A chance to cherish each moment with your child while making memories that will carry you through the more difficult days. Before ending our time together at the zoo, our little group took a small time out to talk about what we liked best. I think my son summed it up well: "This day was just nothing but fun." Yes it was, and how cool is that.   

Avocado Poetry

(this one's for you, girls. and you know who you are...)

Here's what I know about the avocado.

Good ones come from California and sometimes Mexico.

Hass are the best by far and bar none.

You can forget all the rest, I've tried them, I'm done.

Not a veggie, but actually a fruit.

They taste devine and are nutritious to boot.

The fat isn't bad, they call it a MUFA.

Won't add cellulite to your bod, so you can put away the loofa.

The fruit hangs heavy in pairs on a tree.

I heard it's named after something from the male anatomy!

Some ancient cultures regarded them as holy.

You can make a lot with them, but my fave is guacamole.

Actually, the way I like to eat avocados the most

is mashed, smashed and spread on toast (rye, that is. the darker the better).

Leftovers in disguise

Great White Hunter is pretty easy to please when it comes to food. I can cook up just about anything and he'll eat it. With one exception: leftovers. He does not like leftovers. Period. I normally don't cross that line with him, but there are exceptions to every rule.

Since we've had house guests FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS STRAIGHT (I'm fine with it, really), I've been preparing larger meals. The other night I made enough meatloaf to feed 5,000 (wait...that was Jesus with the bread and fish...) 10 people, so needless to say we had leftovers. I am the kind of person who hates to waste, plus I'm always up for an excuse to get out of cooking, so I crossed the leftovers line. Sort of.

"What are we having for dinner?" he asks. "Grilled burger subs with caramelized onions, potato wedges and a salad," I replied (not a lie, just a tiny twist of the truth). He gobbled it up, complimented my effort and was none the wiser about my trick. Or maybe he was and didn't feel the need to call my hand. Whatever. He ate it, and it was good.

Make this: thinly slice one sweet onion and caramelize. Slice leftover meatloaf and grill in fry pan. Spread spicy mustard on whole wheat sub rolls, add grilled meatloaf, top with onions and sliced cheese (I used smoked provolone). Place, open face, under broiler until cheese melts. Add ketchup if desired. Serve under alias of your choice.

The more things change

My sweet boy is growing up, changing right before my eyes and it's an incredible process to watch. Sometimes, emphasis on some, I have these truly lucid moments with him where I'm able to absorb everything that's happening. Like this morning, when out of the blue he asked me to sing him one of the "mommy songs" I used to sing him to sleep with. So, as we waited for the morning carpool, there we sat, him on my lap, his head on my shoulder while I sang to him (one our favorites, Lullaby by The Dixie Chicks). I was completely in the moment, one of those I feel are becoming few and far between. Well, moment over as soon as my neighbor arrived to take him to school. He hopped off my lap, grabbed his backpack and lunch box, and said, "see ya later, mom." Mom...what happened to Mommy?

As I was cleaning his room later this morning, it hit me. The more things change, they don't stay the same. His bookshelf, which once held brightly colored stacking blocks, ABC books, and one of those wooden pull ducks, now houses dinosaurs, die cast airplanes, and books on bugs. He doesn't even need his "blankie" anymore, a recent decision he came to all on his own (I couldn't believe it was that easy). While it's wonderous to watch them grow, it's bittersweet too. Oh well, I guess as long as he needs me in his life I'll be OK. And I'll strive for more lucid moments with him so I can capture all the memories safely in my mind. I'll need them one day.

A slump to get you out of one

It's unbelieveably cold here right now. Today it's a whopping 21 degrees and I can't seem to get warm. It's been cold for quite some time now, I guess you could say we're in a cold slump.

In my effort to create a more balanced life, yesterday I made a slump. It was a busy day for me: interviews and writing, helping out at our local food bank, and the first day of my new Bible Study class. So last night I decided we needed some comfort food to warm us up and, since I love to cook, balance out my hectic day.

While thumbing through the new issue of Bon Appetite, I came across this recipe for a dried fig, apricot and cherry slump. I'd never heard of a slump before, but anything with fruit poached in wine and topped with dumpling-like biscuits has to be good. And it was. Oh so good. Can't wait for leftovers tonight, or maybe I'll just have some for lunch...

It was very easy to make, and looked and tasted fabulous. I added a bit of sugar and vanilla to the cream, making it even more yummy. If you're up for a dessert sure to warm a cold night, try it. If you don't like dried fruit, you can make slumps with apples and pears, or berries. Hmm, berries. Maybe I'll try that one next.

Balancing out the New Year

I love the feeling of a new year. It's one of hope and ambition, a sense of renewal, and the chance to start fresh. It's a gift we are given each year, a cleansing for our souls if you will. How we choose to use this gift is up to us.

Most of us make resolutions and start holding ourselves to a higher standard right off the bat. Sure, we need goals to move forward, but sometimes we become so focused on those goals that we miss out on the little things. This year, instead of making a resolution, I'm choosing a word to define my goals for the year. I want to live each day to the fullest. I'm going to find the peace in the chaos. I'm going to savor every minute, for time is also a gift. If I accomplish some goals along the way, then all the better.

Now that my Christmas decorations are safely tucked away and the house is back to normal, I am full of exhilaration and anticipation. I don't know what the new year has in store, but I do know I'm ready. Life will always throw us curves. It's how we deal with those curves that matters. For me, this year will be about going with the ebb and flow, taking the good with the not-so-good, and finding balance. Through balance we can achieve inner peace, and through peace we can truly enjoy the gifts of life.

Happy New Year, I hope you enjoy every minute. Oh, and thank you to my very dear friend for sharing about the word of the year. Have you guessed mine yet?

B A L A N C E

What word will you choose?

Hope...Peace...Change...Possibilities...

Reach...Believe...Intention...Optimism...

Joy...Simplicity...Persist...Acceptance...Connect...

Focus...Create...Explore...Love

Warm Wishes

I haven't disappeared, or dropped of the face of the earth. I haven't posted in a while, not because I'm buried under laundry or swamped with Christmas shopping (even though I am), but mostly because I still get chills when I read the bake sale post. So, with that in mind, I'm going to let that post carry us through to the New Year.

Have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever you celebrate this wonderful time of year. And my wish for you all in the New Year is that you find some way to give back. You will be amazed at the gifts you will receive in return.