Dressing Room

I was out on a solo shopping excursion the other day. While trying on some clothes in the dressing room, I listened to a woman in the room next to mine, who was with her three small children. She was trying on dresses for a wedding. Her kids were sitting on a bench just outside the dressing room and after changing she would open the door and ask her kids "What do you think about this one? Is it pretty? Do you think it looks nice enough for a wedding?" Her kids were giving her lots of compliments and advice, "Oh mama, you look so pretty!" "Oh yes, you are like a princess in that one!" "I like that one, Mama, but I want you to try on the butterfly one next because that's the one I picked out for you!"

Their exchange made me smile in my small square room. Although I'm at the point in my life where I get to shop quite often without children in tow, I realized in that moment how sometimes I miss having my little fashion critics with me; trying on clothes and having my own kids ohhhh, and ahhhh over each item of clothing, commenting on how beautiful I looked. My kids have always been my biggest fans, my loudest cheerleaders, and my greatest supporters. Trying on clothes has always made me feel vulnerable, especially if my task is to find a pair of jeans in a bigger size...depressing. But I remember outings when even though I was discouraged, my kids were In awe of me--yes Mom, that dress, you are prettier than ever in that one!

When kids are small they require a lot of time--time for snuggles, time for reading, time for cooking, cleaning, picking out new shoes and going to doctor's appointments. Work schedules and holidays revolve around them. And even though it seems like it's a never-ending balancing act, I realized it's so incredibly temporary, fleeting in fact. And though I still recall those stressful early years with three small children fighting for my constant attention, it's standing alone in a dressing room, unsure whether these jeans go well with this sweater, that I miss that era of my life. I need my kids just as surely as they need me. And that is what happens as time moves forward. I thought my kids needed me most, but I understand now that perhaps I needed them too and that I'll always need them. And one day, probably soon, I will need them more than they will need me. And I hope I will be OK with that. Because right now, in this second, I really need another opinion on these jeans...

All about the Beans...

Mexican food. Two words that send shivers down my spine and set my salivary glands into overdrive. In all it's forms, I love it. Smother any kind of food with beans and cheese and some kind of hot sauce and I will no doubt annihilate it. And luckily, my kids love it too. They've been known to eat salsa that can't be tolerated by grown adults due to the heat. I have successfully ensured that my DNA has transmitted to my offspring and I feel raging success as a mother when one of them states, "I think it needs more jalapenos!" 

Who can forget Home Simpson's tango with the Guatemalan Insanity Pepper

Additional benefits to our beloved Mexican food is that it's typically very easy to prepare and it's low-cost. Even the husband can make tacos on night's I work. We lovingly refer to those meals as, "Dad Dinners" and it includes rotations of all things burrito, taco, and spaghetti have to offer. I do my best in assisting where I can to make sure Dad Dinners are a success. This means keeping the fridge stocked with homemade pinto beans and enchilada sauce.

Beans are a big part of our diet. With over half the family vegetarian, I'm constantly trying to ensure that we get protein where we can and beans are a great source of protein and fiber. Plus, they're cheap. When I was in nursing school and we were dead broke, we utilized food stamps and the WIC program while the kids were small. It saved us. There's no way we would have been able to make it through those years without it. The WIC program is wonderful. On the monthly vouchers in addition to milk, cheese, and eggs, you can get a one pound bag of dried beans--which means I learned to cook beans. All kinds of beans. And I learned to cook them very well (and this was a time before Pinterest, gasp!) In fact, I rarely purchase canned beans because buying dry beans in bulk and cooking them myself is much less expensive and much less wasteful, in my opinion. And you just can't beat the flavor! They can take some time, but with a nice crock pot handy, you can set some beans to cook and by the time you're home from work you have a delicious meal ready to go.

On to the subject of canned food. I love it. It's convenient, it has a great shelf life. It's great for food storage and it's perfect to have around when you need food quick. BUT, there are certain foods that for the quality and price it's just not worth it. Cue the enchilada sauce. Canned enchilada sauce is pretty pricey, usually costing around 2-3 dollars a can and it's mostly red-colored sugar water. Even the organic brands tend to be flavorless and runny. Enchilada sauce is perfect for spicing up soups, stews, and sauces. Shoot, my enchilada sauce is so delicious, you can just dip chips in it like salsa! The kids like to spread it on a tortilla with a sprinkle of cheese and nuke it in the microwave for a quick lunch or snack. You can double this recipe and keep some on stand by in the fridge or you can make a huge batch and can it in your own jars. Whatever you do MAKE THIS ENCHILADA SAUCE. I'm telling you it will change your life.

It's easy to get caught up in the hectic day-to-day life. I fall victim to the "cold cereal for dinner" nights just like everyone else (please tell me someone else gives up mid week and serves Lucky Charms for dinner...) but I've found that if I make time even once a week to knock out some homemade meal starters, the rest of the week seems to be much less stressful. I hope you try these recipes and that they find a regular rotation in your household!

ROUNDSHOUSE BEANS

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups/1 lb dried pinto beans
1 yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp seasoned salt (or to taste)
2 tsp cumin
2 chili's from a chili in adobe sauce can (buy a small can in the Hispanic food section)
2 Tbsp ketchup (this adds the vinegar/tomato flavor)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Rinse your beans of dirt and throw out any weird-looking beans
2. Put beans into a large stock pot or put into your trusty crock pot
3. Add enough water to your pot to immerse beans completely
4. Add the rest of the ingredients
5. Simmer in the pot until the beans are soft (2 hrs-ish) or turn the crock pot to the medium setting (4-6hrs). Check the pot often and add more water if needed so the beans don't burn. You want a low and slow cook. You can add lots of heat if you want--jalapenos, dashes of hot sauce or even a jar of salsa! When the beans are cooked they are great whole, or you can process in a food processor or blender ( I use my Vitamix for a re-fried bean texture. My family likes it half and half so I keep half the batch whole beans and mix the blended beans into the whole beans...perfect! My son typically eats just bowls of beans...for breakfast.

RACHEL'S RIDICULOUS ENCHILADA SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tbsp cooking oil (I use an olive oil/canola oil blend)
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
4 Tbsp Chili Powder (a good brand is typically found near the Hispanic foods at the grocery store, not             by the regular spices, sometimes it comes in plastic bags instead of the shaker)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp oregano
1 14 oz can of tomato sauce + water to make 2 1/4 cups liquid

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir together over the heat for one minute until you have cooked the flour a bit. Stir in the remaining seasonings. This is the best part because it smells amazing! I typically dump the tomato sauce into my 4 cup glass measuring cup and then fill the can with water and add it to the sauce until you measure 2 1/4 cup of liquid. Then gradually add in the tomato sauce and the water, whisking constantly to remove lumps. Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes until thick.

Add to your favorite taco, enchilada or burrito recipe! Drizzle on chips or nachos! Add sour cream and beans for a hot bean dip! The possibilities are endless! Can be stored for about two weeks in an air tight container, or can be canned for later use.

You'll fill up on bread!

So, I'm just gonna let you all know (if you didn't already) that I'm a bit of a geek.

Ok, ok so A LOT of a geek. I still collect toys and I'm approaching middle age status. I love cartoons and sci-fi. I live and breathe Doctor Who (which could have it's own post all together) and my wardrobe when compared to my 14 year old's is pretty much identical (all t-shirts, all movies, TV shows and bands) minus my work scrubs.

And I don't care.

It appears that my pop culture obsessions have found their way into my baking. It seems not only do I like to quote movies and TV shows incessantly, but I also name my recipes after them. See what I mean? Geek girl.

One of my favorite shows of the last few years airs on Cartoon Network and is called "Regular Show." It is beyond hysterical. It follows the misadventures of two best friends Mordecai (a blue jay) and Rigby (a racoon) as they work and live at a park. There are a smattering of other delightful characters who interact with these two and believe me, hilarity ensues. Luckily, I don't have to feel too alone in my obsession because my kids also enjoy this show and it has made it's way into our regular rotation of binge watching as well as quotable lines repeated daily.

One episode titled "Cruisin" Mordecai and Rigby are watching a movie that shows two dudes each getting a girl's phone number via "cruising" (i.e. driving around in a car and picking up on ladies). Mordecai and Rigby think they can get some digits using the same technique, only their female counterparts Margaret (a cardinal) and Eileen (a beaver) think there's no way they can get numbers from just driving around. They decide to make a bet between the four of them. If Mordecai and Rigby get a girl's phone number by cruisin' then Margaret and Eileen have to buy dinner for them. If not, the guys have to buy dinner for Margaret and Eileen. Part way through the episode, Margaret and Eileen can be seen perusing an upscale restaurant menu, teasing the boys on the price of the food they are going to order when they win the bet. Mordecai, frustrated, yells at them, "You'll fill up on bread!" Hilarious.

Now whenever I bake bread, you guessed it, my kids will quote, "You'll fill up on bread!" which also happens to be the name of my Pinterest board where I pin all of my bread recipes if you'd like to follow me.

The bread that gets the most quotes is now called my Mordecai Bread. It's so delicious and extremely easy. It's a variation of "peasant bread" recipes which derive their name from the fact that they take very few ingredients, and that there's no kneading. It's a very basic, "poor man's" bread. The best part is that only you will know how easy this bread is to make while everyone  else will think you spent hours and hours perfecting each loaf. Shhhh!

Please enjoy this recipe for my Mordecai Bread!

MORDECAI BREAD

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 tsp dry yeast (or one package)
2 cups warm water (110 degrees)
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp salt
4 cups all purpose flour (you could do 1/2 AP, 1/2 wheat flour)

Optional: 1 egg white or some melted butter for topping, you can also sprinkle some garlic salt over the top for a delicious garlic bread...)


INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix the sugar and warm water together so the sugar dissolves
2. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for about 10 minutes to proof
3. Then add your salt and flour and mix until just combined. It's OK if it's a little craggy, it will just add delicious texture. Do NOT knead!
4. Let is rise in a warm place until doubled
5. After rising, separate the dough into two round lumps and place them on a greased cookie sheet. Let them rise again until doubled
6. Turn on your oven and preheat to 425 degrees
7. Once your dough has risen, this is the time to gently brush the tops with some butter or egg white and then sprinkle with garlic powder or salt.
8. Bake at 425 degrees for about 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375 degrees for an additional 10-15 minutes (depending on your oven) or until golden brown.
9. You won't even need a knife--when I serve this to my hungry brood I just plop the rounds in a basket or plate and let everyone tear off big chunks for dipping in soup or olive oil and balsamic vinegar!

You will never buy bread rounds from the bakery again! I promise you!
I hope your family loves Mordecai Bread as much as we do!

It's a hard knock life

It's no secret that I love a clean house. I can't help it. It was wired into my DNA. I get a bit giddy when I smell cleaning products of any kind. It's a disease that my family and friends are all well acquainted with. I hide nothing. I know who I am.

With that being said, as the kids have grown so have their responsibilities. When they were little we focused on teaching them to put their toys away when it was time to clean up and also the consequences of leaving things out or not in their place. If something gets broken or lost because it wasn't put away...bummer. Now I want to teach them that being responsible also means being helpful.

 My kids always cleaned up after play dates or when at a neighbor's house. Even now when my daughter calls to check in when she's at a friend's house I can be heard telling her, "don't forget to clean up your mess before you come home!" I'm a firm believer that if you are polite and take care of any mess you made when visiting friends, you will always be invited back. Knowing how to clean up a mess, even one you didn't make, is a required life lesson.

As kids get bigger, so do their messes and the accumulation of their garbage. I thought having endless bins of toys and blocks when the kids were small was irritating. Now the stack of notes and paper, drawings, clay, and bits of plastic seem to be oozing from my girl's room like slowly cooling lava. It's an unstoppable force of nature. They save everything, And their idea of "cleaning" consists of teetering piles of garbage on the desk or a nifty little Tetris-style stacking of books and clothes between the dresser and the wall. Ugh. And I don't even want to get started on the teenager's room which looks like a set from some horror movie--dark, dusty, stacks of random crap on every flat surface in the room, all illuminated by the glow of a computer screen. It's really rather terrifying. But I have given up those spaces in my mind. Yes, we will do the giant spring clean where we pull everything out, rearrange furniture and fill garbage bags full of donate items. And my brain is happy. But between those times I just have to let them have their space, and hope to the higher powers that one day they will want to have a tidier living area--or not. But lets hope they do.

I give them their space in their bedrooms but the rest of the house is my domain and part of living in a house is contributing to the care of it. End of story. So this last year we have created "Chore Zones" and it has worked out fantastically. I work 12 hour shifts, so when I hit a long stretch of days, it can be awhile before I get time to attack the accumulation of gross in the bathrooms and kitchen. The husband pitches in when he can but he works too and some days it's all he can do to get home, get a decent meal on the table, start the homework, and then night routine before bed. It doesn't leave much time for the housework. So, we had a family counsel, I proposed the "Chore Zones" and the kids were moderately receptive. We haggled back and forth with the actual chore responsibilities and also the timing of them (every other day, weekends, holidays).  I told them, we'll try it out, if it doesn't work, we'll try something else. I always try to give them the benefit of renegotiation. Luckily, we struck gold on our first try.

Each kid has a "zone" they are responsible for. They can trade these "zones" or trade jobs in these zones only with consent from myself. They have their "zone" for one week, having to complete the chores on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The chores should take them about 20-30 minutes to complete--if you're done in two minutes, you are mistaken. Try again.

We've been doing this for about a year now and it has been awesome. Of course, it's not "Rachel Style" by any means, but just having a little help with the toothpaste splatters (seriously, that crap gets EVERYWHERE.) and dog hair on the rug gives me the little help I need to get through the busy week. And if there's a surprise visitor, I'm not freaking that I haven't cleaned the toilet in a month.

If you have older kids I think this is a great way to provide some extra responsibility, to teach them that if we all make the mess together then we all clean up together, and help them understand that cleaning sucks, no one likes to do it (stop judging me) but it's a necessary part of life.

Each zone listed has a small reminder card that is attached out of sight in each room (behind the cabinet door or in the end table drawer). This helps keep kids on task when they ask, "what am I supposed to do again?" Check your card! They know where the cleaning products are kept and can use the duster with the extension so even the littlest one can reach the tall picture frames.

This has made so many changes for us. I feel like I have more free time when I'm not working and I think the kids are learning a lot too, especially how to make Mom happy and they all know that I bake more cookies and cakes when I'm happy...

Viva la Chores!

MAIN BATHROOM

BOTH MIRRORS

TOILET (OUTSIDE AND INSIDE)

SINK

SHELVES

SINK CABINET

EMPTY TRASH

CHANGE HAND TOWEL

SMALL BATHROOM

MIRROR

TOILET (OUTSIDE AND INSIDE)

SINK

SHELVES/CABINET

REFILL TOILET PAPER

EMPTY TRASH

CHANGE HAND TOWEL

DUSTING/RUGS

VACUUM ALL RUGS

DUST ALL SHELVES (INCLUDING DINING ROOM)

DUST TV AND STAND/SPEAKERS/RECORDS

DUST PICTURE FRAMES

WIPE DOWN COFFEE TABLE

VACUUM COUCH AND PINK CHAIR

KITCHEN

EMPTY DISHWASHER

WIPE COUNTER TOPS AND STOVE

CLEAN FRONT OF FRIDGE, DISHWASHER, OVEN, MICROWAVE

WIPE FRONT OF CABINETS (WITH WOOD CLEANER)

SWEEP FLOOR

TAKE OUT GARBAGE AND RECYCLE IF FULL

Ok, Ok, I give up!

I've tried to put this blog to the back burner but somehow, it keeps coming to the front of my brain. I think to myself, "I should really be better about keeping up with the blog." And then I don't. Kind of like when I think, "I should really go to the gym today." And then I don't. Or, "I really should stay away from those delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies." And then I don't. 

So many things have changed with our family in the last few years. The kids are growing up, we've settled into a fairly basic routine of life--work, school, cook/bake, homework, repeat.  I feel that because I don't have a little baby who is hitting a milestones every other week, or some hilarious story to tell about my toddler's cute kid shenanigans, that I really don't have anything to share with anyone anymore. Then I thought a bit more.

I started really noticing how much people were asking me about my cooking, or needed advice about something childhood related or even asking me "how do you do it?" when referring to my crazy schedule. I began to toy with the idea of starting up this blog again with a slightly different tempo and focus. I may not be able to blog about the achievements of my toddlers but I do have a little bit of insight when it comes to managing a household, while working as an ICU nurse full-time. I don't have kids who are teething or learning to crawl but that doesn't mean I'm still not learning how to take care of one teenager, one tween and the caboose kid who sometimes gets a little neglected. I'm well past the diapers and bottle stage but I do have some experience with teaching a young man the responsibilities of treating girls appropriately, talking to my little one about puberty all while baking my own bread and making cleaning products! You're riveted right?

So, this will be a little bit of work stuff (because working in an ICU has it's own story to tell) and a little family related (three kids, need I say more?) with a little sprinkle of cooking and baking thrown in. Mostly, I feel like I've missed the opportunity to take the time to coordinate my thoughts and things that are important to me and put them down on virtual paper.

So here it is.

New what? Huh?

Because I had Christmas off work, I worked New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Christmas is more centered around the kiddos so I really wanted to be home for that. New Years has never been a big deal for me so I didn't mind working the holiday. So, to prove my advanced age, I rang in the New Year with my eyes closed. Asleep. With my alarm set for 5AM and work clothes laid out. Woooooo! Party!

Kris wins another gold star in the race for parent of the year since he kept the girls entertained and let them run around outside blowing air horns and yelling " Happy New Year!" after the clock struck twelve. He then quickly tucked them into bed and joined me in deep sleep...crazy, right?

Elliott partied with his cousin BFF at the Q household and reports they stayed up until after 4AM-- "doing nothing." Ahhh, those were the days!

When all was said and done, the new year passed us with minimal fanfair. Not sure if it's just because we're really happy to see 2012 behind us or if we are just way more excited for what 2013 has to offer.

Here's hoping that this year is the best ever. Here's hoping we get a house this year. Here's hoping we are all healthy this year. Here's to me getting into a Master's program this year. Here's to you! Here's to us!

Ok 2k13. I'm ready. Come at me, Bro!

Happy New Year from The Rounds!

Giftmas 2k12

Christmas in our family consists of the following traditions:

SkipBo marathons...

food...

more food...

food AND cards at the same time...

building graham cracker and candy houses...

wearing princess Santa hats...

Getting hugs from Uncle Blake...

feeding Santa's reindeer...

feeding Santa...

sleeping in the same bed...

getting excited for new books...

wearing footie jams and tearing wrapping paper...

getting dolls of your boyfriend...

rockin' the skulls...

did I mention footie jams?...

And finally...rockin' OUT!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, from our family to yours!