Today I had a head-to-head with #2. She is learning how to ride a two-wheeler for the first time. I know, she's 8 years old and doesn't know how to ride a bike. Totally our bad (our almost-10-year-old is learning also). It's just that a bike has rarely been on our radar for Christmas or birthdays, and if it has it was at a time where we weren't able to buy one. We've had a few hand-me-downs with training wheels but the kids never really got into riding them. So this is the year that everyone gets a bike for her/his birthday.
#3 was first - she got a cute little pink bike with training wheels for her 5th birthday and rode it all the time. Until I ran over it while backing out of the driveway. Now she is scared to death because the training wheels are off-kilter and she feels like she's going to fall off. Fantastic.
#2 was next. She was so excited and couldn't WAIT to get her bike. It was all she talked about for 2 whole months. Finally, her birthday came and she got her cute purple bike with a black and purple helmet (thanks, Nana!). Only, the bike is a smidge too big for her, it only has hand brakes, and it doesn't have training wheels. She is learning to ride pretty much from scratch.
Let me give you a little background on this child. She is just about as
sweet as she can be (when she's not being a typical 8-year-old girl).
She has come to me recently saying that kids make fun of her and some of
her friends are setting her up to get in trouble at school. We've
talked a lot about standing up for yourself. She has a hard time talking
back to her peers because she wants, and I mean reaaallly wants, them to like her. I
tell her that she doesn't have to be mean, but she should let them know
she will not allow them to treat her that way.
So today was the third biking lesson. I tried really *really* hard to maintain my cool, and it was working (seriously, I would be willing to pay someone to teach my kid how to do this). She wasn't even close to being able to ride on her own but I kept encouraging her and telling her that she was doing great, and she really was, considering she was "falling" over every chance she got. Then, all of a sudden it was over. We were halfway up the street and she decided she just didn't want to do it anymore.
Well, me being the stubborn sassypants that I am said, no you're not finished until I tell you you're finished. And that was it. She stood up to me. "It's a free country, I'm my own person and I can make my own decisions." Oh, Snap!
Has the important life lesson backfired on me? What do I do with this? Here's what: I informed #2 that she is, in fact, not free to make her own decisions while I am in charge. Outside of the realm of the family, yes, she should make good choices and do what she feels is right for herself. But not here, sister. We were officially at a stand-off: she wanted to go home; I told her she couldn't go home without her butt on the bike and feet pedaling. So we stood there. She sassed me some more and I kept on telling her how it was gonna be. I was prepared to stay in that spot with her until dark. I was going to win. My team *always wins*!
And then she said, "I can take care of myself, you know. I can find my own food and shelter, and get myself to school. For two whole days. . . well, at least for one day."
Oh, is that so? Well then let me be the first to say, IT'S ON!
To Be Continued...
Wednesday, May 9
Thursday, January 19
Yummy Chicken Pot Pie
I wanted to show my kids that Chicken Pot Pie can actually be tasty compared to the frozen 10 for $10 variety they're used to, so I used what I had on hand to make this deliciously easy pot pie. It's no 30-minute meal, but I had it done in 2 hours, start to finish, all while reigning in the fighting children and helping with homework. In my house, ease and accessibility of ingredients usually trumps a speedy prep or a trip to the store. The best part is that this meal fed my family of 6 AND the kids asked for seconds before they asked for dessert. In my book, that's the mark of success!
I've noted some short cuts at the end of the recipe because sometimes it is just easier to spend a little more to have dinner on the table in a reasonable amount of time. Also, I'm a big fan of using what I have. I used to be really nervous about not following a recipe to the T but I've come to realize that some of my best meals have been things I have just thrown together. Don't have parsley? Use something similar. Heck, sometimes I just read the backs of the spice labels in my cabinet - if it says "good with poultry", then throw it on in! It can't be that bad.
So here's what you'll need:
2-layer pie crust (I used Martha Stewart's pate-brisee)**
4 bone-in split chicken breasts with skin on
2 carrots, peeled and chopped into large chunks
1/2 large onion, chopped into large chunks
(You can also chop some celery if you have it. I didn't have any so I left it out)
Kosher Salt to taste
1 Tbsp. whole black peppercorns (or ground pepper to taste)
1 Tbsp. Parsley (I used an herb squeeze tube but use whatever yummy herbs you have in the pantry, fresh or dried)
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. dried ground thyme (or any other herb you have on hand)
1/2 c. milk
1 bag frozen peas & carrots (or any other mixed veggies), thawed
And here's what to do:
If you're not using pre-made refrigerated pie crust, make the pate brisee first. It has to chill for an hour, which is just the time you will need to prep everything else. While your pastry dough is waiting . . .
Take the peas & carrots out of the freezer to start thawing (if this wasn't in the instructions I would forget!) Place the chicken breasts into a large pot. Add the carrots, onion, 2 generous sprinkles of Kosher salt, the peppercorns, and parsley (or other herb) right on top. Add enough cold water to the pot to just cover the chicken. Put the lid on and set it on High until it comes to a boil. Turn the heat down until it is bubbling happily but not going crazy trying to jump out of the pot (about medium-high) and keep the pot partially covered.
Now you're good for a while. You can take some time to scream at the kids or read your book. The chicken will be done in about 20-30 minutes. I check mine with a meat thermometer (170*) but you can do the fork test too. Just make sure it's cooked.
When the chicken is done, take it out of the pot but leave everything else in and turn down the heat to Medium. Shred the chicken off the bones (I use a fork in one hand and my tongs in the other). Place the bones and other parts you won't be eating back into the pot with the stock and let it simmer uncovered until your pastry is ready. This will fortify the stock with extra flavor. At this point you probably have about 20 minutes left. Put some foil over the shredded chicken and check on the kids or sneak in another chapter of your book.
After the pastry has been chilled for an hour, your stock should be ready to go. Preheat the oven to 400*. Take the pastry out of the fridge and let it sit for a few. Remove larger pieces of chicken/veggies from the pot and strain (or ladle if needed) the stock into another saucepan or bowl. Roll out the pastry on a lightly-floured countertop and place the bottom part in a deep dish pie plate or a 9x13 baking dish.
Melt butter in a large skillet on Medium heat. When it begins to bubble, add the flour. Cook and stir for a minute or so until thickened and add the dried thyme (or other herb) and salt & pepper to taste. Slowly stir in the chicken stock. The mixture should start to thicken. Then add in the milk. Let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens up a bit. Stir in the shredded chicken and the bag of peas and carrots.
Transfer chicken mixture to your pie plate and top with the second piece of pastry. Cut slits in the pastry to vent. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Let it sit about 5 minutes before serving.
Short cuts/tips:
I've noted some short cuts at the end of the recipe because sometimes it is just easier to spend a little more to have dinner on the table in a reasonable amount of time. Also, I'm a big fan of using what I have. I used to be really nervous about not following a recipe to the T but I've come to realize that some of my best meals have been things I have just thrown together. Don't have parsley? Use something similar. Heck, sometimes I just read the backs of the spice labels in my cabinet - if it says "good with poultry", then throw it on in! It can't be that bad.
So here's what you'll need:
2-layer pie crust (I used Martha Stewart's pate-brisee)**
4 bone-in split chicken breasts with skin on
2 carrots, peeled and chopped into large chunks
1/2 large onion, chopped into large chunks
(You can also chop some celery if you have it. I didn't have any so I left it out)
Kosher Salt to taste
1 Tbsp. whole black peppercorns (or ground pepper to taste)
1 Tbsp. Parsley (I used an herb squeeze tube but use whatever yummy herbs you have in the pantry, fresh or dried)
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. dried ground thyme (or any other herb you have on hand)
1/2 c. milk
1 bag frozen peas & carrots (or any other mixed veggies), thawed
And here's what to do:
If you're not using pre-made refrigerated pie crust, make the pate brisee first. It has to chill for an hour, which is just the time you will need to prep everything else. While your pastry dough is waiting . . .
Take the peas & carrots out of the freezer to start thawing (if this wasn't in the instructions I would forget!) Place the chicken breasts into a large pot. Add the carrots, onion, 2 generous sprinkles of Kosher salt, the peppercorns, and parsley (or other herb) right on top. Add enough cold water to the pot to just cover the chicken. Put the lid on and set it on High until it comes to a boil. Turn the heat down until it is bubbling happily but not going crazy trying to jump out of the pot (about medium-high) and keep the pot partially covered.
Now you're good for a while. You can take some time to scream at the kids or read your book. The chicken will be done in about 20-30 minutes. I check mine with a meat thermometer (170*) but you can do the fork test too. Just make sure it's cooked.
When the chicken is done, take it out of the pot but leave everything else in and turn down the heat to Medium. Shred the chicken off the bones (I use a fork in one hand and my tongs in the other). Place the bones and other parts you won't be eating back into the pot with the stock and let it simmer uncovered until your pastry is ready. This will fortify the stock with extra flavor. At this point you probably have about 20 minutes left. Put some foil over the shredded chicken and check on the kids or sneak in another chapter of your book.
After the pastry has been chilled for an hour, your stock should be ready to go. Preheat the oven to 400*. Take the pastry out of the fridge and let it sit for a few. Remove larger pieces of chicken/veggies from the pot and strain (or ladle if needed) the stock into another saucepan or bowl. Roll out the pastry on a lightly-floured countertop and place the bottom part in a deep dish pie plate or a 9x13 baking dish.
Melt butter in a large skillet on Medium heat. When it begins to bubble, add the flour. Cook and stir for a minute or so until thickened and add the dried thyme (or other herb) and salt & pepper to taste. Slowly stir in the chicken stock. The mixture should start to thicken. Then add in the milk. Let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens up a bit. Stir in the shredded chicken and the bag of peas and carrots.
Transfer chicken mixture to your pie plate and top with the second piece of pastry. Cut slits in the pastry to vent. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Let it sit about 5 minutes before serving.
Short cuts/tips:
- Use pre-made refrigerated pie crust instead of the pate brisee
- Use 4 cups of pre-cooked chicken and 2 cups boxed stock. Then just make the gravy (starting with the butter & flour) and bake it up.
Sunday, May 8
Welcome to Stevensville!
I thought Mother's Day would be an appropriate time to start documenting the new adventure in my journey of Motherhood. We all have our own unique experiences that mold us into the Mothers we are, starting from the moment we see that little pink + on the E.P.T. Feelings of joy, fear, delight, relief, and yes, sometimes even disappointment have filled the hearts of every Mother in those few nervous seconds when our eyes are focusing on the little stick that is telling us that our life has changed. Forever.
So begins the journey of Motherhood. If there were emotions you had never felt before, you'll feel them throughout the next 8 months or so with an endless series of firsts. The first time you hear the heartbeat, like a racehorse on the track. The first little flutter of a kick - did you really feel that? The first time your "favorite" food makes you want to vomit. The first somersault that you can see from outside your belly - yep, definitely felt that! The first picture of baby waving or blowing bubbles or sucking her thumb in there. And on and on and on.
With this overload of emotions comes the loss of brain cells. Why did I walk into the bedroom? Where are my keys? Why am I wearing two different shoes (and for that matter, how in the heck did I even get these shoes on?!?)? I have lost a lot of brain cells. I believe they diminish exponentially with each bundle of joy that arrives. It's like a swap with Mother Nature - a baby for your thoughts. This is what makes for an interesting journey. But I digress. We will discuss loss of brain cells in future posts, you can be sure of that.
Back to the point: every Mother's journey is special and no two are the same. This blog is a little taste of my journey. I have four little kidlets - three girls aged 8, 7, and 4 (aka #1, #2, and #3); one boy age 2 (aka "The Boy"); and one Husband for Keeps. Up until now, with the exception of the first 10 months of #1's life, I have been outsourced to the career world (known more commonly as "working-outside-the-home"). My kids have been very well taken care of by their grandmother, a daycare, a nanny, and another daycare over the years. Now it's time for a change. Housewife, Domestic Engineer, Stay-at-Home-Mom, Homemaker, Full-Time Mom (what Mom isn't a full-timer, you tell me), Lady of the House - whatever you call it, that's me.
I'm excited about this new chapter in my journey and I look forward to discovering what it will bring to me and my family. I have everything planned out in my head, but I also have enough Mom experience under my belt to know that none of it will go by the book. We'll take it day by day. I'm certainly not going to say that I have perfect children or that I am the perfect mom (if there is even such a thing). But I will give the cold hard truth. I will do anything (well, almost) for these kids, even though they drive me crazy sometimes. I hope that our joys, woes, triumphs, and defeats will all make their way to this blog and that people will share their thoughts and their own experiences with Motherhood.
Finally, I want to give a shout-out to my Mom. I aspire to do half as good a job as a Mom as she has done, and if I succeed my kids will be the better for it. I love you, Mom.
Happy Mother's Day!
So begins the journey of Motherhood. If there were emotions you had never felt before, you'll feel them throughout the next 8 months or so with an endless series of firsts. The first time you hear the heartbeat, like a racehorse on the track. The first little flutter of a kick - did you really feel that? The first time your "favorite" food makes you want to vomit. The first somersault that you can see from outside your belly - yep, definitely felt that! The first picture of baby waving or blowing bubbles or sucking her thumb in there. And on and on and on.
With this overload of emotions comes the loss of brain cells. Why did I walk into the bedroom? Where are my keys? Why am I wearing two different shoes (and for that matter, how in the heck did I even get these shoes on?!?)? I have lost a lot of brain cells. I believe they diminish exponentially with each bundle of joy that arrives. It's like a swap with Mother Nature - a baby for your thoughts. This is what makes for an interesting journey. But I digress. We will discuss loss of brain cells in future posts, you can be sure of that.
Back to the point: every Mother's journey is special and no two are the same. This blog is a little taste of my journey. I have four little kidlets - three girls aged 8, 7, and 4 (aka #1, #2, and #3); one boy age 2 (aka "The Boy"); and one Husband for Keeps. Up until now, with the exception of the first 10 months of #1's life, I have been outsourced to the career world (known more commonly as "working-outside-the-home"). My kids have been very well taken care of by their grandmother, a daycare, a nanny, and another daycare over the years. Now it's time for a change. Housewife, Domestic Engineer, Stay-at-Home-Mom, Homemaker, Full-Time Mom (what Mom isn't a full-timer, you tell me), Lady of the House - whatever you call it, that's me.
I'm excited about this new chapter in my journey and I look forward to discovering what it will bring to me and my family. I have everything planned out in my head, but I also have enough Mom experience under my belt to know that none of it will go by the book. We'll take it day by day. I'm certainly not going to say that I have perfect children or that I am the perfect mom (if there is even such a thing). But I will give the cold hard truth. I will do anything (well, almost) for these kids, even though they drive me crazy sometimes. I hope that our joys, woes, triumphs, and defeats will all make their way to this blog and that people will share their thoughts and their own experiences with Motherhood.
Finally, I want to give a shout-out to my Mom. I aspire to do half as good a job as a Mom as she has done, and if I succeed my kids will be the better for it. I love you, Mom.
Happy Mother's Day!
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