Mmm.. Mmm... Monday!

Round two.


For this week we have:

Tuxedo Brownie cups:


These are a hit every time I make them. YUM! They look like a lot more work then they really are and are quite versitile. At Christmas time I top them with crushed candy cane. In the summer a slice of strawberry and some melted chocolate or a chocolate curl. FABULOUS! (This is a Pampered Chef recipe)



*Ingredients*

1 package (19-21 ounces) fudge brownie mix (plus ingredients to make
cake-like brownies)
2 squares (1 ounce each) white Chocolate forbaking (or 1/4 cup white
chocolate chips)
2 Tablespoons milk
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup thawed, frozen whipped topping
Optional:
1 pint small strawberries, sliced
Orange zest, mint leaves and melted semi-sweet chocolate


Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 325. Spray mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray
(don't use paper liners) or grease with shortening. Prepare brownie mix
according to package directions for cake-like brownies. (I've always just
done regular brownies, not sure what difference it will make). Fill muffin
cups 2/3 full. Bake 14 minutes or until edges are set. Do not overbake.

2. Remove pan from oven to a cooling rack. Immediately press tops of
brownies with a mini-tart shaper (anything small and rounded about the size
of the middle of the brownie will do- but I recommend covering it with a
plastic bag or the brownie sticks) to make indentations. (You're going to
fill the indentation, so make sure you press down as much as you can). Cool
in pan 15 minutes. Loosen edges and remoe brownies from pan. (I've found the
easiest way to get them out is to 'scoop' them with a large spoon). Cool
completely. Repeat with remaining batter.

3. Micowave white chocolate and milk in and uncovered dish for one minutes.
Stir until smooth. Cool slitghtely. In large bowl combine cream cheese and
powdered sugar; mix well. Gradually stir in white chocolate miture until
smooth. Gold in Whipped topping.

4. Fill icing bag with large decorating tip with cream cheese mixture. Pipe
cream cheese mixture into cooled brownie cups. If you want arrange
strawberry slices and mint leaves on top of brownies, garnish with orange
zest or drizzle with melted semi-sweet chocolate. Place in airtight
container and refrigerate 1-3 hours before serving. (I usually refrigerate
overnight).

*Serving Information*

- Serves: 48
- Fat: 6.0 g
- Calories: 110

Happy (late) Birthday to Steve

So my hubby Steve turned 32 yesterday. He however, doesn't buy into the 'birthday hype'. He feels like he's, 'not 10 and so he shouldn't get all excited about his birthday.' So using that as an excuse I kept it low key. He specifically requested to not have anyone over. So I didn't invite anyone over. Well, almost. Apparently I signed up to feed the missionaries weeks ago not thinking about it when I signed up. Oops. They called to confirm this afternoon. So Steve did have people over for his birthday- but we didn't tell them that it was his 'special day'. I did take him out for dinner Saturday night to Tony Roma's- but he paid. (I did schedule the babysitter though).

After dinner plans? Well- walking around RC Willey looking for a new kitchen table of course. We're old apparently- we can never think of fun things to do for dates once we get past the dinner part. We usually just take advantage of kid free shopping time. We need some ideas. We're not big movie theater fans. We prefer watching movies from the comfort of our couch in our pj's. But that nixes the 'dinner and a movie' option. Most things here are in casinos- which nixes that option because you come home from any date reaking of smoke. Which is really quite gross.

Now while Steve doesn't like celebrating his birthday I love celebrating mine. Of course my birthday is a ways off. (September 29th if you're wondering- and yes- I accept gifts).

In my observations it seems like there are two sorts of people as adults. The kind that likes their birthdays, likes to celebrate, and likes a big party with lots of people and hoopala. Then there is the Steve type person- the kind that doesn't like to be the center of attention, doesn't like a big fuss, or a party and for whom a surprise party is torture.

Of course most couples (once again in my observations- and in some cruel twist of fate) contain one of each. The party lover and the party hater. Of course the party lover (who would LOVE to have a surprise party for themself) throws parties for their spouse (who hates attention and doesn't like surprises) and at the same time is hoping that their spouse will return the favor- but of course they don't- because that's not how they like to celebrate... cruel irony...

Why I am 'just' a mom (getting up on my soapbox)

Pardon my soapbox:

I was reading my friend Smart Mama's blog and she got me thinking about motherhood and being 'just' a stay at home mom (SAHM). I don't feel like it's a degrading thing, I don't feel like I've 'settled', and I definitely don't feel like I've done a disservice to myself or my children by not having a career. Being a SAHM is a choice I made- one that was more important to me then any other choice. It is also an important choice to my husband. Together when we got pregnant with our oldest child we decided that I would stay home to take care of our children. That it was more important then anything else. I feel that because we've stood by that decision that we've been incredibly blessed in numerous ways. (*Disclaimer- not saying that if you can't or don't SAH then you're not blessed- just that we have been).

I wasn't always planning on being a SAHM. When I was in college I was a biology major headed towards med school. My goal? To be a pediatric neurologist. The summer after my freshman year I took a job as a nanny for a family where the dad was a traveling juice salesman (not kidding) and was gone from Sunday night until Friday afternoons EVERY WEEK. Honestly I wondered if he was leading a double life. The Mom was getting her master's degree in counseling. She left for school at 6:30 in the morning and returned home about 7 in the evening. She had a full load of classes and had to put in X amount of hours a week doing counseling at their center. She'd come home, eat dinner and then kiss her kids goodnight (after I'd gotten them into bed and read stories ect).

They had twin boys that were 6 and a little girl who was 4. The kids were out of control. They couldn't keep a nanny for very long (because of the parents really) and they never saw their parents. When Mom and Dad were around (weekends) they indulged every whim because of the guilt associated with being gone all the time.

I only worked for them for 6 weeks. I wasn't ready to be a full time parent to three out of control children (and I wonder now if I'm up for that task daily) and the parent's were trying to parent me (I had a 10:00 curfew ect) and I didn't need a job like that.

But I'm glad I had it. It clarified to me the importance of Mom being home. I could teach those kids anything I wanted and they soaked it up. I didn't want my babysitter/daycare provider to have more influence than me in my children's lives. So I decided that summer that I could either be a fabulous doctor and not have children- or I could be a fabulous mom and not be a doctor- but that I couldn't do both. I've stood by that decision and it's the best one I've made.

Am I the perfect mom? No. Not even close. I'm striving to be a better mom on a daily basis- but I think that 'being' here is a good start. I plan to stay home and be a SAHM for the long term. I've made that choice. I'm glad that I had the choice to make. I realize that is a blessing and I'm grateful for that. I'm also grateful for a husband that sees the value in that.

*stepping off my soapbox*

Flame away.

Works for me Wednesday!!

It's Works for Me Wednesday! Today is a conglomeration of tips for dealing with migranes. Mostly because it's what I'm doing today. I had a headache most of the day yesterday- the dull aching though- not the infernal throbbing.... until this morning. Unfortunately staying in bed wasn't an option since Child #1 had to go to school- and I had to take her. So to school we went and then came home and took some drugs, and had a diet cherry vanilla dr. pepper and put Child #4 to bed and put on a movie for children #2 and 3. Then I laid back down. Dozed until they needed another movie, lather, rinse, repeat. Unfortunately they decided they needed lunch- which is why I'm up again. I'd forgotten about my Bath and Body Works Headache relief kit- which is what I'm trying now. It's peppermint cream for your temples and neck, and a lavandar essential oil eye mask. I'm rubbing the cream on and as soon as all children are once again napping I'll be using the eye mask. I hope it works- I really do. And if it does then I'll be happy dancing.. well, cleaning, but you know.

So-
drugs
caffinated beverage (seriously- check out that link)
sleep
more drugs
peppermint cream
eye mask

I hope it works for me!

It's here!!

My piano has arrived. I'm officially giddy.

Smell this Internet!

I walked outside today and was greeted with my favorite flower smell in the world... well- for the moment at least. This:


Seriously, can you smell the jasmine? It's what marks spring in Las Vegas. Well- that and 90 degree weather. I really wish you all had scratch and sniff screens so you could enjoy this with me. I have 4 of these bushes outside my front door- how lucky am I!?!

Also today child #3 is wearing panties. Real, potty training ultra thick panties. It's 10 am, she's been up since 6:30. Once in her panties and once in the potty. I'm feeling good about this. I really really am. My strategy? Otter Pops. She can eat as many as she wants- as long as she's sitting on the toilet when she does. I'm cutting them in half- but then she's getting liquid so she has more 'opportunities' and she's getting potty sitting practice. Best of both worlds. I tried doing the naked thing for about 5 minutes. But this is my OCD child who insists on being fully clothed- so I told her she could wear shorts as long as she uses the potty, but if she gets them wet then she'll have to go naked. Hopefully that'll work.

Mmm Mmm Monday!

A column! Everyone is doing it- so why not me right? Food is my thing. I enjoy making it- and eating it (have you seen my butt?) I like good food. Food that looks good and tastes good (and if it's good for you it's a bonus). So I'm going to be sharing a favorite recipe of mine (or my family's) with you each Monday. Mmm Mmm...Monday! I love trying new recipes as well. So if you want to share a recipe today let me know in the comments and I'll link you.


Today's treat?

Blueberry Banana Smoothie- the breakfast of champions!



1/2 cup of fat free yogurt
1/2 cup of milk
1 small banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 tsp of vanilla
Ice/water to consistency
dab of whipped cream


Blend all ingredients together until smooth, top with whipped cream.

I have this or a variation of this for breakfast daily. Fills me up until lunchtime. It is core if you are on Weight Watchers- or 4 points if you're doing flex. This recipe makes 4-5 cups (so twice the amount in the picture. So if you split it with someone (or half the recipe) then it's a great 2 point treat. YUM!

Alissa's Macaroni and cheese