Prayers of Thanks

Our eldest son had a rough day. He spent most of his time curled up on the couch, clutching a bucket. He began to perk up around supper time and eventually managed to eat a bit before bed.

As he lay on his makeshift cot on our bedroom floor this evening, our son prayed the following sweet prayer:

"Dear God. Thank you for a very nice day. And thank you that I got to play Lego with my family. Amen."

Such simple gratitude. In a day filled with disappointment (a missed play date and fun day at school) our son was thankful for simple pleasures.

Not to be outdone, his younger brother also prayed this adorable prayer:

"Dear God. Thank you for my mommy's petunias. For her petunias and roses. Amen."

No matter that my flowers have been dead for weeks and are buried under a blanket of snow! I wish our sons would stay so sweet and innocent forever.

Never Again

I will never again make a recipe that requires pork hocks.

Not after revisiting them at two a.m.

Splattered all over my son's top bunk bed.

And then at four. And at six. And eight.

Never. Ever. Again.

And It Becomes a Bit More Real ...

Last night Ben felt the baby move for the first time. We were both surprised.

"Wow!" he exclaimed, "I guess there really is a baby in there!"

Either that, of I've been eating way to many Christmas cookies ... ;-).

Book Review:

The Potty Training Answer Book
by Karen Deerwester

Potty training is an ongoing challenge in the Inkster household. Our youngest son turned three earlier this month and he's slowly learning to use the toilet. We've finally graduated from diapers to pull-ups. (The few days we tried regular underwear did not go well.) He still averages about one accident per day.

Though we've been through potty training with our first son, I feel like a total potty training newbie. The first time around we waited until our son was 34 months old. He trained in two days flat. It was incredibly easy. (Too easy.) Our first son basically trained himself.

Our second son is quite opposite from his brother. Whereas our eldest is intense and exacting, our second-born is easy-going and adaptable. Our eldest is an outgoing introvert. His brother is an extroverted social butterfly. Our younger son could care less about learning to use the toilet because he has so many fun, exciting things to do!

I borrowed the Potty Training Answer Book from the library upon the recommendation of a fellow mommy blogger. This book is compact and easy to read. It follows a simple question-and-answer format and addresses some of the following issues:

• What is the average age for girls to be potty trained?
• What is the average age for boys to be potty trained?
• Does a child’s temperament affect potty training?
• What words should I use for body parts and bodily functions?
• Is nighttime potty training different than daytime potty training?
• Can rewards be a positive potty strategy?

I can't say I learned anything terribly revolutionary from The Potty Training Answer Book. However, it did reaffirm my role as a potty training coach. I realized that potty training is a process and that for some children it can take a long time. I've started to relax, follow my son's cues, and offer him lots of positive encouragement. He's gradually learning to listen to his body and I'm learning to listen to him.

Best of all, our son has regularly begun exclaiming, "I have to go potty!" He'll race to the bathroom, take off his (dry) pull-up and use the toilet on his own. This is a major breakthrough! We're beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, thanks in part to the Potty Training Answer Book.

Ben, the Conquering Hero

I'd just like to say that Sobey's rocks.

Spiritual Growth

(2 Peter 1 :4-8)

And by that mighty power he has given us all the other rich and wonderful blessings he promised; for instance, the promise to save us from the lust and rottenness all around us, and to give us his own character.

But to obtain these gifts, you need more than faith; you must also work hard to be good, and even that is not enough. For then you must learn to know God better and discover what he wants you to do. Next, learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have his way with you. This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and finally you will grow to love them deeply. The more you go on this way, the more you will grow strong spiritually and become fruitful and useful to our Lord Jesus Christ.

This passage is just what I needed to read. In the midst of a discouraging, difficult week, it helps to take my eyes off myself and place them steadily on God and the people around me.

Strike Out

Maybe grocery shopping wasn't such a bright idea after all. Especially with three preschoolers in tow. (And in minus seventeen degree weather.)

Where in the world does one find canned water chestnuts? I logically thought to look for them in the canned vegetables aisle. Nope.

How about chow mien noodles? In Oriental foods? How about with the pastas and noodles? Nada.

And pork hocks? (Hocks is just a funny word.)

I'm sending Ben to Sobey's tomorrow.

Menu Plan Monday
November 26, 2007

Another week, another menu plan. This week is shaping up to be hectic and somewhat unpredictable. I may not stick to my proposed menu, but it's always good to have a plan.

To be honest, most weeks I stray from my meal plan a bit. Last week we ate tacos on both Tuesday and Wednesday, I made hamburger soup on Thursday instead, and I substituted spinach salad for coleslaw on Friday. Having a flexible plan is a real asset. Sometimes I adapt the meals when our schedule changes or to use up ingredients in the fridge.

Tomorrow I must make a hefty trip to the grocery store. My menu plan will certainly make that task a bit easier!

If you would like to browse other interesting meal plans, check out the Menu Plan Monday Mr. Linky hosted by Org Junkie.

Here is my proposed menu plan for the upcoming week:

Monday: Easy ravioli bake, spinach salad
Tuesday: Encore performance.
Wednesday: Chicken mystery casserole, brown rice, broccoli slaw
Thursday: U.S. Senate bean soup, homemade bread, green salad
Friday: Leftovers.

I am fairly certain we will be away next weekend, so I have decided not to include meal plans for Saturday and Sunday.

I plan to make a double batch of the chicken casserole and bean soup. The chicken casserole is a new recipe. I intend to adapt it and experiment with a low fat version. If the casserole turns out well I will post the recipe next week.

U.S. Senate Bean Soup
(from Saveur magazine)

Not even the Historical Office of the Senate can say for sure who ordained that bean soup should appear every day on the menus of the Senate's restaurants. We do know that the custom arose early in the last century and is still observed today.

1 lb. dried navy beans
1 meaty smoked ham hock
1 tbsp. butter
1 small yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Rinse beans in a colander under cold running water. Put beans, ham hock, and 8 cups cold water into a medium pot. Cover pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Uncover pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until bean skins are tender and interiors are soft, about 1 hour.

2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until soft and just beginning to brown, 3-5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and set aside.

3. When beans are cooked, reduce heat to low and stir in onions. Retrieve ham hock from pot and set aside to let cool until cool enough to handle. Remove and discard skin, bone, and excess fat, dice meat, and add to soup. Mash some of the beans against the inside of the pot with the back of a spoon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4-6.

Beware, Beware

My husband is frightened by Red River cereal. He claims the porridge is bad for his mental health.

Bedtime Prayers

We snuggled together on the big bed. The boys' hair lay damp and curly across the pillows. The sweet scent of bedtime filled the room --- peppermint, lavender soap and baby lotion. Our youngest son gently stroked a favourite stuffed animal as he closed his eyes and sincerely prayed:

"Dear God. Thank you for my little doggie. (Long pause.) And thank you for my doggie's googly eyes. (Another long pause.) Amen."

Cherry Delight Cake

Here's another one ...

I made this cake for the first time last weekend. I like this recipe because it is easy and adaptable. I made the cherry cake, but next time I may try blueberry or peach. I think strawberry cake topped with fresh strawberries in the summer could be tasty. (It could make a pretty dessert for Canada Day.)

Thanks to the ladies at Living on a Dime for another easy recipe!

1 pkg. white cake mix
1 pkg. (3oz) cherry gelatin
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 cups whipped topping
1 can cherry pie filling

Bake cake in a 9x13 pan according to directions on box. Let cool. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Poke holes in cake with toothpick or fork and gently pour gelatin over it. Cool for 15 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. In bowl beat cream cheese and fold in whipped topping. Carefully spread on cake. Top with pie filling and chill for 2 hours.

Taco Filling

I doubled this recipe and divided it into 2-cup portions. The doubled recipe made a total of 12 cups, or six meal-sized portions for our family. Our boys especially loved the soft-shelled tacos we ate for supper tonight. My younger son ate three (small) tacos all on his own! I served the taco meat with whole wheat flour tortillas, brown beans, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, grated cheddar, sour cream and salsa.

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
3 C. finely chopped onions (about 3 medium onions)
6 garlic cloves, minced (I omitted this)
1 jalapeno chile, minced (I omitted this)
1 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. ground cumin
1 tbsp. ground coriander
2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes (I will use less next time)
coarse salt

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, jalapeno, chili powder, cumin and coriander; cook, stirring, 1 minute.

2. Add beef; cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. (Next time I will do this step first, drain off the fat, and then cook the onions and spices.) Stir in tomatoes; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated, 15-20 minutes. Season generously with salt.

Christmas Baking

This week I plan to start one of my favourite activities --- Christmas baking! I recognize that this year I am in the hungry stage of pregnancy, and have the potential to go overboard with my Christmas treats. (Previous years are a testament to that fact!) Therefore, I've decided to carefully curtail my Christmas baking. I plan to make only a few tried-and-true favourites.

I will be trading treats with a friendly mom from my son's junior kindergarten class. We each plan to bake a batch of cookies and a pan of squares to share. I've proposed to make chocolate-dipped shortbread and turtle brownies. My friend will bake stained glass window cookies and caramel pecan bars.

I addition, I would like to bake two other easy cookie recipes. My kids love chocolate-kissed peanut butter cookies. I also plan to make cinnamon crescent rolls.

And that's it! Not too crazy this year, just enough to share with guests and family over the next month. Though I must admit ... I am sorely tempted to add one or two more recipes to my Christmas list. We'll see how well I stick to my conservative baking plan :-).

Menu Plan Monday
November 19, 2007

I am feeling tired an uninspired this evening. No time better than the present to plan my weekly menu, I guess!

Here's my proposed menu for the upcoming week. I plan to make double batches of the taco meat, soup and chicken dish in order to fill my freezer.

Monday: No cooking! (Supper at my parents')
Tuesday: Soft-shell tacos, brown beans
Wednesday: Hamburger soup, homemade bread
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Indonesian chicken in peanut sauce, brown rice, cabbage salad
Saturday: Supper with friends.
Sunday: No cooking! (Supper at Ben's parents')

I am also looking forward to using my new baking pans. (Thank you, Mom.) I plan to make banana bread in my mini loaf pan. I may also try baking some cute mini muffins as well. In a few weeks it will be my turn to bring a snack for my son's class at school. I think mini muffins could be just perfect, so I will have to experiment with a few new recipes!

Indonesian Chicken in Peanut Sauce (from Canadian Living Magazine)

8 skinless chicken thighs
5 carrots, thickly sliced
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 C. water
3/4 C. smooth peanut butter
1/4 C. soy sauce
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. hot pepper flakes (I omit this)
1 C. frozen peas
1 tsp. white wine vinegar
2 green onions, sliced
1/2 C. chopped unsalted peanuts

Step 1: Arrange chicken in dutch oven; top with carrots, onions and garlic.

Step 2: Whisk together water, peanut butter, soy sauce, ginger and hot pepper flakes; add to pan.

Step 3: Cover and cook in 350F oven for 1 1/2 hours or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced.

Step 4: Stir in peas and vinegar; let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Serve garnished with green onions and peanuts.

Slow Cooker: Use 16-24 cup (4-6 L) slow cooker; cook all but peas and vinegar on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or cook on HIGH for 2 hours. Add peas and vinegar; cook on LOW for 10 minutes. Garnish as directed. (I prefer using the slow cooker for this recipe.)

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If you would like to browse more great meal plans, please visit the Menu Plan Monday link at Org Junkie.

Anna Maria Horner's Crafty Goodness

I recently added a new link to my sideblog. Anna Marian Horner is a mom of five beautiful children and is an inspiring artist, crafter and entrepreneur. Take a look at her blog here. Her website is also filled with delicious images and project ideas.

Anna Maria appeared on the Martha Stewart show earlier this week. You may view her segment on the show here. Her "painted fabric silhouettes" project has started my own creative juices flowing. My boys room needs a couple of pictures to decorate the walls. Wouldn't a pair of Bob the Builder fabric silhouettes make cute decorations? I already have most of the required materials on hand...

Baby Love

I felt our new baby move for the first time this week :-).

What I'll Be Singing in My Sleep ...

I enjoy sleeping and I especially like dreaming. My dreams are suprisingly vivid but they're seldom scary or disturbing. As well, my dreams are always accompanied by a musical soundtrack. (I am not making this up.)

I've often wished I could specifically remember the music in my dreams. It's so real and bright when I'm sleeping, but I'll open my eyes and the music always fades away into silence. It's so disappointing. Some rare nights I wake up with a theme still running though my head. I think to myself, "There's no way I'll forget that in the morning," but I sadly always do.

Today my three-year-old son sang the same cute, little ditty. All. Day. Long. It went something like this...

Three little speckled frogs, sitting on a speckled log.
Eating lots of delicious bugs.
Yum! Yum! Yum!

That song has wormed its way into my brain, and for the life of me, I can't shake it out. My dreams tonight will be populated by speckled frogs. No doubt about it.

But at least I'll have an entertaining soundtrack to go along with them.

Hungry, Hungry, Hungry

It's no coincidence that I embarked on my recipe binder adventure at the same time I entered the second trimester of pregnancy. I am officially into the hungry stage of this baby-making journey. I think about food. A lot.

I've spent hours and hours leafing through (drooling over) food magazines, tearing out any and every tantalizing recipe. Thank goodness for my generous friends, women willing to feed my voracious recipe habit. My food binders are shaping up quite nicely. And I still have a lovely stack of magazines to sort through.

So tonight I am faced with several options ... Should I cut into the yummy fabric I purchased last week? Will I crack open that new book on potty training? Or would I rather sort through a few more recipes?

I think I know which activity will win out. This is the hungry stage, after all. ;-)

Another Milestone

My Baby Girl is growing up. She's officially seventeen months old today. She is also officially weaned.

My big girl has not nursed for more than four days in a row now. For several weeks she had only nursed for a few minutes each morning. Last week I (reluctantly) decided it was time for her to wean completely.

For whatever reason, I have weaned each of our children at exactly sixteen weeks into the following pregnancy. I haven't consciously made the decision or kept a particular date in mind. My body just says it is time, and I must concentrate fully on the new baby growing inside.

My big girl has adjusted quite well. She still asks for "muck" every morning, but is content with snuggles and tickles instead. I must admit, I am happy with our new found independence. However, I am also very much looking forward to snuggling my new little nursling in a few months time :-).

It's an Animal Rescue!

The few weeks ago we borrowed a Diego video from the library. Because we don't have a TV, it was the first time our boys have ever watched the popular show. Our three-year-old son was particularly enthralled by the video. Animal rescues! Exotic travel! Cool explorer clothes!

Since then, he regularly pretends to be Diego. Our little guy puts on his yellow rubber boots and orange Nemo backpack. He totes a toy butterfly net through the house, "rescuing animals in trouble". Our son can't get enough of the game.

This morning he wandered down the front hall as his daddy was leaving for work. His chubby, little hands were cupped around a precious treasure.

"What do you have there, Buddy?" Ben asked.

"Oh, nothing," our son replied, "It's just a pygmy marmoset."

A pygmy marmoset!? Where did he learn that one? I didn't even know what a pygmy marmoset was until I looked it up!

Menu Plan Monday
November 12, 2007

Inquiring minds want to know: Is there an easy way to cube a raw butternut squash?

With that question in mind ... here is my potential menu plan for the upcoming week:

Monday: Squash and bean chili, cornmeal muffins
Tuesday: Cheesy chicken and rice casserole, spinach and orange salad
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Homemade soup (from the freezer), fresh bread
Friday: Homemade pizza, broccoli slaw
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: No cooking! (Supper at Ben's parents')

Menu Plan Monday is hosted each week by Laura. Check out more great meal plans at Laura's site, Org Junkie.

Sweetheart

Our little girl has a soft, sensitive heart.

Last night our children slept over at their grandparents' while Ben and I enjoyed a fun date. Today when we came by to pick up the kids, our three-year-old burst into tears.

"No, no, no!" he cried, "I don't wanna go home! I wanna stay here!" He collapsed in a heap on the floor and buried his head in my lap.

Our seventeen-month-old crawled across the floor toward her distraught brother. She picked up a stray kleenex along the way.

"Dere y' go," she said as she lovingly wiped the tissue across her brother's face. Our caring girl gently patted his cheek.

"Nose. Eyes." She carefully dabbed his tears with her kleenex.

As her brother's crying subsided, she once again exclaimed, "Dere y' go!" and crawled away to play. The soggy kleenex lay abandoned on the carpet.

Our little girl has such a gentle, caring attitude. I look forward to seeing what a beautiful woman of God she will become :-).

Undisturbed

Beep, beep, beep, beep .... beep, beep, beep, beep.

Groggy and half-asleep, I groaned and opened my eyes. "What in the world? What time is it?" I silently wondered as I slid my glasses in front of my eyes.

I squinted at the clock.

4:12am.

Beep, beep, beep, beep .... beep, beep, beep, beep.

The strange beeping originated from our sons' room. I rolled out of bed and staggered to their door.

Beep, beep, beep, beep .... beep, beep, beep, beep.

A single nightlight cast an eerie glow across the room. I fumbled through the boys' toy drawers, searching, searching.

Beep, beep, beep, beep! .... beep, beep, beep, beep!

Eureka! I unearthed the source of the annoying noise. It was a small alarm clock, hidden among the toys.

Click.

Silence.

I quietly tip-toed across the room and hovered near the boys' bed. My two tired boys snored away, undisturbed.

I shook my head in silent wonder and mused, "Those boys could sleep through a tornado ... and they're only preschoolers. I can't imagine the industrial-strength alarm clock they will need as teenagers!"

Christmas Wish List (Update)

While the subject is on my mind ... I've thought of a few more gift ideas for the children. (You may take a look at the original wish lists here and here. I updated a few of the entries.)

• New slippers for the boys. Our stone floor is cold in the winter and it wears through socks like sandpaper. The boys could use some sturdy slippers with rubber soles. Big Brother wears size 12. Little Brother is about an 8.

• A family pass to Heritage Park.
  

• Big Brother is totally fascinated by books about the human body. (Books appropriate for preschoolers, of course!)
  

• Wooden blocks.

Gifts for the Children

I am finally getting a start on my Christmas gift shopping. My goal is to have everything ready by the end of November. (We'll see!) I have purchased only our children's gifts so far.

Ben and I have a gift-giving tradition. We choose to give each member of our immediate family three presents: a book, a toy and a piece of clothing. I ordered some neat new books for the kids from my son's book order. (Now I have to figure out how to get them home from school without him knowing!) Last weekend I bought materials to sew each of the children matching flannel pajamas. (I will share pictures if the PJs turn out well.)

Best of all, I found the perfect toy for our children. For months, Ben and I have wanted to buy a play kitchen for the kids. Last week I spotted the "Inside / Outside Cook n' Grill Kitchen" in an Air Miles Christmas catalogue. I redeemed some Air Miles to buy the kitchen (because we hardly ever travel anyway). It should arrive at the end of the month! I even received free shipping! What a blessing.

Laughter Therapy

(This groaner is courtesy of my dad.)

What did the zero say to the eight?

Hey, nice belt!

Menu Plan Monday
November 5, 2007

Thanks to Laura for hosting Menu Plan Monday! Check out the Mr. Linky on Laura's new site for some great meal-planning inspiration. Without further ado, here is my proposed menu plan for the upcoming week:

Monday: No cooking! (Supper at my parents')
Tuesday: Beef Pot Roast with Really Good Gravy (slow cooker), nugget potatoes, peas, carrots
Wednesday: Beef Pot Pie, green salad
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Date night!! (The kids are sleeping over at Grandma and Grandpas')
Saturday: Homemade pizza, raw veggie platter with dip
Sunday: No cooking! (Supper at Ben's parents')

Homemade Pizza Crust

I make this pizza crust in my 2lb. Black and Decker automatic bread maker. It makes enough dough for three regular-crust 12" round pizzas or one thick-crust 9"x13" deep dish pizza. I prefer to use whole wheat flour.

1 1/2 C. beer or water
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
4 1/4 C. white flour
2 tsp. yeast
Pizza topping ingredients

1. Measure first six ingredients in the order listed into the Baking Pan.
2. Insert Baking Pan securely into unit; close lid.
3. Select "dough" setting and push start button. There will be a 25-minute preheat delay before mixing begins.
4. The Complete Signal will sound when the dough is done.
5. Using a pot holder, remove Baking Pan from the unit.
6. Remove dough from Baking Pan to a lightly floured surface. If necessary, knead in enough flour to make dough easy to handle.
7. Grease 12-inch pizza pans and sprinkle with cornmeal. Divide dough into thirds.
8. Roll out one piece of dough and place on pan or pat in pan.
9. Top each pizza with desired pizza topping ingredients, such as tomato sauce, meat, vegetables and cheese.
10. Bake in preheated 425F oven for 15-25 minutes, or until done. Pizza is done when edges of crust are golden and cheese is bubbly.

(Time: 2 hours for dough)

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In related news ... I am slowly continuing to compile my recipe binders. I have fallen in love with Martha Stewart's Everyday Food, and have nearly decimated the stack of magazines from my friend. This week's recipes for Tuesday and Wednesday are courtesy of Canadian Living Magazine, November 2005.

Christmas Candy Wreath

Would you like to take advantage of Halloween candy sales this weekend? Check out this cute video from the ladies at Living on a Dime. The Christmas candy wreath is super-easy to make. Even preschoolers can help out ... if you can keep them from eating all the candy!

My husband has requested a "rocket wreath" for the door of his office. (Though he won't guarantee the wreath will last until Christmas. Those guys are candy fiends.) I think I'll also make a wreath for our home, depending on the candies I can find on sale.

Yummy!

Potty Training Update

Three accidents, three pairs of soiled underwear today. Guess we're not getting off easy on this whole potty training exercise.

Good thing it was laundry day...

The Day After

Our big boy was thoroughly spoiled on his birthday yesterday. We had a small party last night and invited our family over for cupcakes and presents. Our three-year-old is a sociable guy at the best of times. He was in his element at the much-anticipated Curious George Party. What a cute guy!

The kids spent hours this morning playing with our son's new presents. He received some very nice gifts. Favourites included a "builders and benders" type construction set, a lacing toy (as in shoe laces), and an "Optimash Prime" Potato Head. The kids were enthralled by the new Spot 7 book as well.

This morning the boys also created colourful pictures with our son's new paint set. I think we may use the paintings as Christmas wrap next month ... if they ever dry, that is. The pictures are still sitting on our kitchen counter. Hopefully the paint will dry overnight!

Our new paint set. The tubes have brushes built right in.

Some beautiful blobs (I mean works of art).

The painting on the left is titled "Lindsay and Benjamin dancing on their wedding day".

In related news, our three-year-old received one other notable gift for his birthday --- a new potty. (Potty training has been a struggle for our easy-going second son.) Today he used his potty six times and went diaperless all day long. No accidents! His underwear even stayed dry through nap time. It would appear a new potty and Halloween candy bribes are a powerful combination ;-).

Happy Birthday!!

Can it be? Our big boy is three years old today. How could he grow up so quickly?

The birthday boy.

Brotherly love (with many snuggles).

Our birthday boy is very much looking forward to his Curious George party tonight. We're off to make a batch of monkey cupcakes this morning!