ABC's of Motherhood

I've decided to have a theme for Monday's.  Partly because Monday is a difficult day for me, but also because it's a good way to start the week.  I am going to work my way through the alphabet with something that applies to mothering that starts with each letter of the alphabet.

~~~~~

A is for attitude.

~~~~~

Over and over I've noticed that my attitude sets the theme for our home. 

When I am positive and upbeat my children are too. 

When I am grouchy and tired they snap at each other and grumble their way through the day.

I realize that not every day is a good day, and plastering a smile on your face like a clown will not automatically make things better.  However, when I feel myself spiraling into a "funk" I try to slip away from the situation and give myself this pep talk.

" I am the only one who can change my bad attitude--blaming it on someone or something else doesn't help--choosing to be happy in spite of my circumstances DOES!"

Things I'm Happy for This Saturday 3

Appliances--while I sit here and blog several of them are doing my work for me. :)

Sunshine--It is absolutely gorgeous out today.

Chamomile Tea--Nothing like a good nights sleep after a cup of tea.

A Clean House--Why oh why does that make me so happy?

A Good Book--There's one waiting on my night stand for me to read

Your turn!!!!  What makes you happy today?



Chocolate Cream Pie

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons baking cocoa

3 cups milk

4 egg yolks

4 teaspoons vanilla

Mix sugar, flour,salt and cocoa in a heavy saucepan.  Whisk egg yolks, and milk in a separate bowl.  Gradually whisk the milk and eggs into the dry ingredients. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until boiling.  Boil 1 minute and take off heat. Add vanilla and stir. Pour into baked pie shell.  Gently place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the pudding.  (This prevents a "skin" from forming on the top.) Chill 3-4 hours.

I know it's much easier to make a chocolate pie from instant pudding. 

 However, you should try this recipe. 

 It has a rich chocolate taste that no pudding ever does. 

Besides, it uses up 4 eggs. :)

Believe It Or Not

Believe it or not, I, the "chicken lover" did not always like eggs.

At one time I could barely choke one down.

Because I knew they were good for me I ate them.

But I didn't enjoy them ONE BIT.

When we started buying them from the farm.

I noticed something.

Eggs from the farm taste much different...

than grocery store ones.

The yokes taste almost buttery.

Now I actually LIKE eggs!

It makes it even more fun that they come from my own back yard!

I Think I Deserve This

I am a mother of boys............ALL boys.

There are no little pink hair bows by my bathroom sink.

There are sometimes rocks, and the occasional frog, but no pink.

There is lots of muscle showing and wrestling that goes on at my house.

There is bloodshed and tears.

There are lots of holes in the knees of jeans.

There are tigers, and wolves, and creepy things in the dark.

If you walk around a corner--brace yourself--because someone will jump out and yell boo!

There are long discussions about motors and horsepower and many things that make my eyes cross.

Oh, and this morning there were Indian names.

Everyone who could talk was announcing what their "Indian name" was.

The conversation ended when one blond haired blue eyed boy stated loudly

"My Indian name is Squatting Dog!"

Oh help!!!!

Does anyone have any cute little ladylike girls that I can borrow for the day?

Sunset Over The Farm

Sunset on Saturday night.

This farm is about a quarter mile away from us.

The clouds make me think of a water color painting.

What's For Breakfast

I haven't posted a recipe for a long time.  Not because I quit cooking, but there are so many good food blogs out there, and I figured I can't really compete with them. 

This recipe fits my criteria for being easy to make, but there are some hard-to-find ingredients.

  We have a bulk food store near our home, and that would probably be the best place to find the flax seed and pumpkin seed. 

If you use salted seeds or nuts you may want to eliminate the teaspoon of salt.

Almond Peanut Butter Granola

4 cups quick oats                         1/4 cup butter  

1/2 cup coconut                           1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup sunflower seeds                1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter

1/2 cup slivered almonds               1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup flax seed                           1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sesame seed                      1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup pumpkin seed                     2 teaspoons water
                          
                                                       2 teaspoons vanilla

Toss the first seven ingredients together in a bowl.  Mix the rest of the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat just until the butter, and peanut butter melt.  Stir the two mixtures together, and spread on a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan patting lightly.  Bake at 325 degrees for about 20-25 minutes.  Cool, and break apart. 
Store in an air-tight container.