Just a moment ....

... yesterday, my 20 mo. old, wearing her puffy green bloomers and a little pink top- knot bow in her hair, served me and my 3 yr old "tea" (water from her water table) from a little pink plastic teapot (poured into our little plastic cups). Her brother (the 3 year old) really thought it was funny. I thought it was so sweet... my initial reaction was to grab the camera, but... did not want to ruin the moment. She walked so deliberately and carefully across the brick patio in her LL Bean flip flops - our tomato plants, beans, peas and flowers behind her - everything so green, vine-covered, dewey and pretty. She was just perfect - even stopped to pick up a seeded dandelion and blow on it. Her chubby face looked so serious, and she was clearly so proud. Just a nice moment in a hectic week ...

Back from the Beach!

To refute rumors....

... that I have gone to the dark side - off the deep end - whatever - I'm going to leave everyone (and by leave, I mean... take a break until after my beach trip :) with a couple cool, positive, helpful "things" (still experiencing the brain fry that diminishes my vocabulary, however)....

First - made an easy peanut sauce last night that was GREAT. Dipped grilled chicken (though you vegans know you can do tofu - other non-meat eaters who do fish can do shrimp - whatever - pretty versatile). You'll need coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, asian fish sauce, chicken broth, crunchy organic peanut butter, limes - that's IT! Vegans - obviously, forgo the chicken broth and fish sauce - should taste the same with some tweaking or use of vegetable broth.

Take the coconut cream off the top of your organic canned coconut milk (this trick I learned somewhere else - a recipe exchange somewhere??? - it'll come to me) - about 2 tablespoons - stir fry it until oil separates and sizzles in saucepan over med. heat (this will make about a cup in the end, so.... use an appropriately sized pan). Then... whisk in red curry - another tablespoon and a half (more later if you need it - though it is pretty strong tasting - not overly spicy - just strong). When this mixture gets kinda fragrant - feels / smells like it's integrating a bit.... whisk in the following: 1 cup chicken or veggie broth - 1/4 cup coconut milk (though I ended up adding more in the end after tasting) - 1/4 cup chunky peanut butter (the organic Whole Foods brand that I use is not at all sweet, so... to taste at the end.. I had to add some organic sugar bit by bit until I had it right) - 1 tablespoon fish sauce (again, obviously not vegan... but also very strong and pungent - use less if you have a sensitive palate or you'll taste it). Let this mixture simmer for 10 min. or so (until thick - don't overcook) - cool to room temp. - then whisk in lime to taste (I used one really juicy lime). Yummy.

And ... before I say good-bye - a product testimonial..... Neutrogena's basic, over the counter, $5 or so acne treatment is the best. I have had pretty clear skin my whole life... But - after three consecutive pregnancies .... nursing and / or ovulating off and on for like four years straight.... and hitting my late '30's caused an adult acne that, off and on, has made me crazy - would not go away - baffled dermatologists - had other doctors tell me to wait until my hormones stabilized, etc., but.... this stuff worked. When I go off it, the acne starts creeping back. Look for it. I believe it is supposed to be a "spot treatment" but I put it on daily. It does seem to mark or discolor certain fabrics, however, but... can be used with other night / day creams, etc. Fantastic - love it!

Until I'm tanned and rested......

Lately....

... My life (every morning) has become ... vitamins, tylenol, hair up, work out clothes on.... GO! Then... my day with the kids starts. Forgive me for how I look lately - dark circles under my eyes (which aren't focusing well these days either - total fatigue), clothes that look like pajamas, bags hanging from every arm, kids hanging there too.... And... forgive me my anemic posts.... nothing to say, down, harried, sparse..... I don't scrapbook or write in my spare time anymore - I fold laundry, mop, straighten up toys.... I'm in transition right now.... will regain control, I promise :)

A few things are contributing to this phase.....Some negative - a traffic ticket got me down, my 4 year old has allergies; the baby has a cold. Some neutral - end of the school year means lots of printing for my middle schooler and the preschoolers have discovered Noggin computer games plus we've had a string of rainy days so ..... I get just snippets of time on my computer - I just finished organizing a successful fundraiser at my daughter's school - we've had holidays and events almost every weekend - we're potty-training and, therefore, peeing lots of pants. Some positive - we're planting veggies and flowers, adding toys and "summer stuff" to our backyard - planning a vacation - starting a new venture.... MORE.....

Anyway - need to get back on things - revisit some fab recipes I've received since the holidays - talk cool Mommy and Baby product and service (mothers morning out programs - cheap and drop-in... need I say more?) - A new "what to do when..." list / discussion (for example - preschoolers want to do some art - baby does too, obviously - combination results in furniture decorated with orange marker, a glitter glue "tragedy" and some fighting.... Help, right?) All good (extreme brain fry has robbed me of my ability to use other adjectives, adverbs - well... descriptors in general).

Can all you other SAHMs relate to this "phase" (carb-craving, detail-forgetting, early-crashing - the list goes on)? I'm thinking "YES"!!!! Without the downs from which to learn, we would never have our amazing highs, right? Currently rejuvenating..... See you all mid / late June (with photos, links, etc. - among other things.. got a new computer, so.... free to play!).

Happy Mother's Day...belated....

I hope everyone had fun.

Nothing to report on my end - had a nice day - busy week - cut my boys' hair today (looks pretty good - was down to their shoulders - one all curls). Working a fundraiser this month - so .... am slackin' a bit.......