Thursday, April 2, 2009

How Many Days Can I Go Without Complaining?


{Said in the Tootsie Roll commercial voice, the one with the owl} One...two ooh, three...CRUNCH!

I guess we will never know...

Except I do know..it took me 79 days before I complained. So lame. Especially when I thought the day would never come.

{My daughter saw the above picture and said, "Mom, why is that guy naked?" In all my years watching that commercial...I never noticed that! Hee, hee.}

Anyway, the situation I'm frustrated with...my laundry attitude.

Living in our other home, you might remember that we didn't have a washer and dryer. We had a clothes line...and I had to pack up our dirty clothes twice a week and get them to the next little town to wash them at my sister in laws. Such a struggle. Especially since living by the beach we had plenty of wet, soon to be mildewy clothes. It was ROUGH!

Moving here we acquired a GLORIOUS washer and dryer. They are so beautiful and my most coveted items in the house.

Then yesterday morning, I woke up and the first thought that went through my head was, "Was I drooling?"

Oh no...I meant the second thing that went through my head. "Augh...I have to do laundry today!!!"

Can you believe it?

I swore I got it! I understood how good and easy life is with these modern utensils to help me through my chores. I really thought I would NEVER complain at the luxury of having a washer and dryer again.

How long did forever last? 79 days, exactly.

Don't worry...I quickly realized my folly and changed my laundry attitude. I reminded myself of my blessings and hopped on the "gratitude wagon" again.

Whew!!!

Tonight my son Dallin and I took a casual walk to our favorite bread store and had an interesting conversation on our way home.

Dallin: "Remember when we used to complain about having to put dishes in the dishwasher? giggle, giggle"

Me: "yeah..."

Dallin: "I'll be so thankful when that's all I have to do."

Me: "Me too."

Dallin: "Costa Rica sure has changed us."

Me: "Yep."

{I just need to fight harder not to change back. Being human can be so frustrating some times.}

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Disneyland's {opps can't say that!} Cornbread...



This could be titled "Corn Bread Cup Cakes" because they are so sweet and yummy. I don't cook them in a skillet, but in a 9x9 pan or muffin pan. Do whatever you are most comfortable with, but you have to try these! I figure most of you still have some cold weather left in your month {I saw your weather report} so enjoy.

Amusement Park Cornbread {you can print it here}

SUBMITTED BY: Trish
"A delicious cornbread that will transport you to a magic kingdom of flavor. This recipe can also be used for cornbread muffins."

INGREDIENTS

* 2/3 cup white sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/3 cup butter, softened
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 eggs
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 3/4 cup cornmeal
* 1 1/3 cups milk

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8 inch skillet.
2. In a large bowl, beat together sugar, salt, butter and vanilla until creamy. Stir in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and cornmeal. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture alternately with the milk. Beat well until blended.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

These deserve a little honey butter...don't forget to mix some up.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Is There Anything Better...

than sitting down after a long day of cooking, cleaning and refereeing and realizing your little ones have come to snuggle?I wonder how long they have been waiting to hang out with mommy today?

Life is so good...

and I refuse to let it pass me by without noticing.


This is my daughter. My one and only daughter. She is the most interesting and entertaining child I have ever met or heard of.

I was working on the computer one night and she too just wanted to be by mommy I guess. I didn't notice she had escaped her room but when I finished up my work, there she was, sleeping on the hard tile. I believe she decided to use my waterproof mascara to become a fair Indian maiden.

Or was that permanent marker?

Anyway, she is amazing.