I had to whip up a dessert quickly for a dinner I was going to Tuesday evening. In my rush, I completely forgot to take a picture. I think I'm going to make it again for Easter since it was such a hit, so hopefully I can get a photo up this weekend.
This is a great cake for summertime! It is fresh, light, just sweet enough and absolutely delicious!
Fluffy Lemon Raspberry Cake
1 box lemon cake mix (prepared as directed in 2 8-inch rounds)
1 quart heavy whipping cream
1 large box instant vanilla Jello-O pudding mix (5.9 oz.)
1 pint fresh raspberries (12 oz.)
1/2-2/3 cup raspberry preserves (room temperature spreads easier)
Start with the boxed lemon cake mix and prepare as directed in two 8-inch round pans. I cannot stress enough how important it is not to over bake cakes. Bake just until a toothpick comes out clean. Another trick I use is tapping the cake in the middle with my fingertip. If it jiggles or the cake doesn't bounce back then it needs to bake longer. If the cake springs back to shape, then it's ready to come out. I usually line the bottom of my pans with waxed paper. It makes removal from the pan so easy and holds the cake together well while cooling. (Just don't forget to take the waxed paper off before assembling cake.)
While the cake is cooling, whip 1 quart of heavy whipping cream for a couple of minutes (just until it begins to thicken). Add 1 large box (5.9 oz.) of instant vanilla Jell-O pudding mix. Continue to whip on medium speed until peaks form and whipped icing has a good spreadable consistency. Put in refrigerator until cakes are ready to be iced. Icing will thicken slightly in fridge due to the pudding in mixture setting.
Level off the top of the first cake and then divide both cakes into two even layers. (You can do this by using a cake leveler if you have one, a large serrated knife, or my favorite, dental floss!). Place first layer on cakestand/plate and glaze top with raspberry preserves. Add second layer and top with a thick layer of whipped icing. Cut half of the raspberries in half and scatter a single layer of berries across the icing and push into icing. Add third layer and glaze top with preserves. Top with unleveled cake layer (rounded top). Ice entire cake with a thick layer of whipped icing. Finish by decorating with remaining raspberries. Enjoy!
Feel free to also decorate with mint sprigs, lemon slices, coconut or chocolate curls...whatever sounds good! Happy baking!
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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Dirt on Insecurities
I use the term "dirt" because insecurities will bury you. You have to dig yourself out of them or they will literally suffocate the life right out of you. No matter how many times I try to steer clear of them, they always hunt me down. It's something that women in general struggle with from their youthful years to marriage to parenting to who knows when. It changes shape and hides behind different masks, but when it comes down to it, it always affects you the same. It makes you second guess yourself, it makes you feel not good enough, and it always hinders you from being who you were meant to be.
In most cases, insecurities are lies that swim through our minds and drown us one breath at a time. They are manifested by the littlest comment or the skewed view by which we see ourselves. Do you have insecurities? I know I do. I am a recovering people-pleaser. It's in my blood. I used to seek approval like a bloodhound. Although I have worked through many aspects of it, the way people view me still catches me off guard sometimes. Every once in a while an insecurity springs up, and I think, "Here we go again." So what do we do with them?
There are a few things I've learned over the years in dealing with my own personal insecurities that I'd like to share with you.
Communicate. Like I said earlier, insecurities are often lies. Plain and simple. It's important for you to communicate how you're feeling. Whether you confide in your spouse, a close friend or family member, it's important for you to voice out loud the thoughts swimming through your mind. Having someone you trust who can listen and act as a sounding-board will help you work through the issues you're dealing with. They can tell you if there is some truth to what you're feeling, if you are blowing things out of proportion or if you are misinterpreting things. They can also be a source of encouragement for you and help you along the way as you dig your way out of these filthy things that are so hindering.
Plan of Action. Insecurities can have a "snowball" effect. They make you feel bad which in turn causes more insecurities and so on. If you want to dig yourself out, then you need to have a plan of action. Whether it's telling yourself two good things you are proud of for every one thing you're not, setting goals to help you change something in your life that is causing insecurity or simply writing down your priorities and staying focused on the woman you are meant to be, find a way to push those thoughts from your mind and focus on the good things in your life. Then find a friend who will help you stay accountable and check in on how you're doing. Scared of what they might think? Well, guess what? They have insecurities too and probably need you just as much as you need them.
Pray. It may sound silly to some, but so often I find myself on my knees asking God to help me view myself the way He sees me. He created me for a purpose, and He wants me to be the woman that He destined for me to be. My insecurities stunt my growth and often keep me from being the wife, mom and friend that God intended for me. He sees me, the good and the bad, and He loves me just the way I am. I need to do the same. Accept who God made you to be and pray that He will take away any obstacles that will hinder your personal growth.
Accept Your Imperfections. You're not perfect. Nobody is! Accept the fact that there is always going to be someone "better" out there, you're going to make mistakes now and then and life is going to throw you some curve balls. Unfortunately, life doesn't come with a manual, so you just have to do the best with what you've got. There is nothing wrong with being thankful for who you are while striving to become the best version of yourself. Give yourself a break. You're unique. Be glad about it!
Life is going to have ups and downs, good days and bad days (can we say hormones?). Insecurities are going to pop up, but they don't have to overwhelm us. Take an honest look at yourself and don't let those lies bury you. You're better than that. Dig yourself out, dust yourself off and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air as you keep moving forward.
In most cases, insecurities are lies that swim through our minds and drown us one breath at a time. They are manifested by the littlest comment or the skewed view by which we see ourselves. Do you have insecurities? I know I do. I am a recovering people-pleaser. It's in my blood. I used to seek approval like a bloodhound. Although I have worked through many aspects of it, the way people view me still catches me off guard sometimes. Every once in a while an insecurity springs up, and I think, "Here we go again." So what do we do with them?
There are a few things I've learned over the years in dealing with my own personal insecurities that I'd like to share with you.
Communicate. Like I said earlier, insecurities are often lies. Plain and simple. It's important for you to communicate how you're feeling. Whether you confide in your spouse, a close friend or family member, it's important for you to voice out loud the thoughts swimming through your mind. Having someone you trust who can listen and act as a sounding-board will help you work through the issues you're dealing with. They can tell you if there is some truth to what you're feeling, if you are blowing things out of proportion or if you are misinterpreting things. They can also be a source of encouragement for you and help you along the way as you dig your way out of these filthy things that are so hindering.
Plan of Action. Insecurities can have a "snowball" effect. They make you feel bad which in turn causes more insecurities and so on. If you want to dig yourself out, then you need to have a plan of action. Whether it's telling yourself two good things you are proud of for every one thing you're not, setting goals to help you change something in your life that is causing insecurity or simply writing down your priorities and staying focused on the woman you are meant to be, find a way to push those thoughts from your mind and focus on the good things in your life. Then find a friend who will help you stay accountable and check in on how you're doing. Scared of what they might think? Well, guess what? They have insecurities too and probably need you just as much as you need them.
Pray. It may sound silly to some, but so often I find myself on my knees asking God to help me view myself the way He sees me. He created me for a purpose, and He wants me to be the woman that He destined for me to be. My insecurities stunt my growth and often keep me from being the wife, mom and friend that God intended for me. He sees me, the good and the bad, and He loves me just the way I am. I need to do the same. Accept who God made you to be and pray that He will take away any obstacles that will hinder your personal growth.
Accept Your Imperfections. You're not perfect. Nobody is! Accept the fact that there is always going to be someone "better" out there, you're going to make mistakes now and then and life is going to throw you some curve balls. Unfortunately, life doesn't come with a manual, so you just have to do the best with what you've got. There is nothing wrong with being thankful for who you are while striving to become the best version of yourself. Give yourself a break. You're unique. Be glad about it!
Life is going to have ups and downs, good days and bad days (can we say hormones?). Insecurities are going to pop up, but they don't have to overwhelm us. Take an honest look at yourself and don't let those lies bury you. You're better than that. Dig yourself out, dust yourself off and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air as you keep moving forward.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Weekly Meal Plan 3/28
Sorry it's been awhile since my last post! I took a break last week due to some personal stuff. I needed some time to clear my mind and focus on some priorities. I'm back now though with a weekly meal plan as promised!
Monday-Grilled Lemon-Pepper Chicken with Rice and Sauteed Zucchini
Tuesday-Homemade Veggie Pizza (always a fun one for the kiddos to help out!) with Garden Salad
Wednesday-Fettucini Alfredo with Shrimp Scampi and Steamed Broccoli
Thursday-Saucy Chicken Burritos with Rice and Beans
Friday-Beef Stroganoff with Sauteed Asparugus
Saturday-B.L.T's with Vegetable Soup
Sunday-Happy Easter! Enjoy your day with whatever traditional foods you love! I'll be chowing down on some ham, potatoes au gratin, garden salad and deviled eggs at my parents' house.
I'll try to get some of these recipes up throughout the week, so check back and let me know if there is one in particular that you are interested in trying. Happy cooking!
Monday-Grilled Lemon-Pepper Chicken with Rice and Sauteed Zucchini
Tuesday-Homemade Veggie Pizza (always a fun one for the kiddos to help out!) with Garden Salad
Wednesday-Fettucini Alfredo with Shrimp Scampi and Steamed Broccoli
Thursday-Saucy Chicken Burritos with Rice and Beans
Friday-Beef Stroganoff with Sauteed Asparugus
Saturday-B.L.T's with Vegetable Soup
Sunday-Happy Easter! Enjoy your day with whatever traditional foods you love! I'll be chowing down on some ham, potatoes au gratin, garden salad and deviled eggs at my parents' house.
I'll try to get some of these recipes up throughout the week, so check back and let me know if there is one in particular that you are interested in trying. Happy cooking!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Recipe: Mahi-Mahi with Mango Salsa
I love fish, so this is one of my favorites! I usually save it for summertime, but with the warmer weather lately, I couldn't resist creating this tasty and healthy meal for my family this week. It's packed full of fresh fruit, protein, Omega-3's and a variety of vitamins and minerals. The best part is it's not a heavy meal (great for hot days), but still satisfies your tummy and tastes super yummy! The mahi-mahi with mango salsa goes great with sides of rice pilaf and black beans and strawberry spinach salad. To finish it off, I made up a refreshing glass of strawberry limeade.
Mahi-Mahi with Mango Salsa
2 medium sized mangoes
1/4 cup red onion (diced)
1 lime
cilantro (optional)
4 filets of mahi-mahi
salt
pepper
bread crumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
Peel mangoes and remove seeds. Cut into small cubes and place in bowl. Add 1/4 cup diced red onion to bowl. Add the juice of one fresh-squeezed lime. Add 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (I don't always have cilantro at home, so sometimes I skip it). Mix mango mixture together and set aside.
Season fish with salt and pepper. Lightly coat fish with bread crumbs. Add olive oil and butter to a large frying pan over medium heat. Place coated fish filets in pan. Flip fish when cooked halfway through (approximately 3-5 minutes on each side). Be sure not to overcook fish! You want it to be cooked through, but still be moist and tender. Cook just until flaky. Garnish fish with a few heaping spoonfuls of mango salsa and serve.
To make the rice and beans, I use one box of Rice-a-Roni's Rice Pilaf. Cook according to box directions. Drain and rinse one 15-oz. can of black beans. Add beans to rice 5 minutes before end of cooking time and stir. Cook 5 more minutes and serve.
For salad, toss together 4 cups of fresh spinach with 1 cup of fresh sliced strawberries and sweet vinaigrette to taste (I like Newman's Own Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette). I like to top it off with a few slices of fresh avocado.
Strawberry limeade is quick and easy. In a blender mix together 1/2 cup of ice, 1 can of cold lemon-lime soda (I prefer Sprite), 2 large strawberries and the juice of one lime for each serving.
Hope you enjoy this amazing meal!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie
Some girlfriends and I recently decided to swap some recipes and make our own little cookbook. This is a great idea to get some new recipes that are tried and tested by people you trust. I would highly recommend doing a recipe swap with your friends if you can. I got some great new things to try and am excited to add some new things to my weekly meal plans! Somehow in submitting some of my recipes for our "cookbook" I missed this one. After a friend recently requested it, I thought I would share it on my blog. This recipe seems to be a fan favorite of my friends and family. Personally, I don't make my own crust simply because it makes a mess and the store bought version saves me some time. However, I'm sure it would be super tasty with a homemade crust if you'd like to try it that way. I love this recipe because it's a comfort food, I can make it ahead of time and freeze it, and it always gets rave reviews. Hope you enjoy!
Chicken Pot Pie
One package of refrigerated pre-made pie crust (2 crusts)
2 chicken breasts (thawed if frozen) or 8 chicken tenderloins
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion
2 stalks of celery
1 baked potato (you can cook it in the microwave)
1 1/2-2 cups of frozen peas and carrots
1 cup of chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
salt
pepper
garlic powder
olive oil
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put potato in microwave on baked potato setting (about 4 minutes?). Set out peas and carrots to defrost. In a large frying pan over medium heat drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add chicken and cook through (juices should run clear). Season chicken to taste with salt, pepper and garlic powder while cooking. Chop onion and celery while waiting for chicken to cook. Once chicken is cooked set aside and chop into bite-sized pieces. In same frying pan melt 2 tablespoons butter. Saute onion and celery in butter until soft. Skin and cut potato into cubes, then add to onion and celery. Add peas and carrots to pan. Stir in chicken broth while scraping bottom of pan to pick up any seasoning left over from the chicken cooking. Add chicken back to pan. Add cream of chicken soup. Stir until mixed and let simmer for a few minutes on low heat. Add pepper and salt to taste if needed.
Line pie pan with one crust. Pour chicken mixture over crust (there may be extra that won't fit). Cover pie with second crust and crimp edges together. Cut 4-5 small slits around center of top pie crust to prevent bubbling. Place on top of cookie sheet in oven (cookie sheet will catch any leaks). Bake for approximately 30 minutes. It may take longer due to differences in oven settings. Cook until the crust is lightly browned. You may need to line the edge of the crust with foil for the first 15 minutes to prevent burning on the edges.
If you freeze it, baking time may take up to 1 hour. Cook it long enough to bake the crust (lightly browned) and warm the inside.
Chicken Pot Pie
One package of refrigerated pre-made pie crust (2 crusts)
2 chicken breasts (thawed if frozen) or 8 chicken tenderloins
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion
2 stalks of celery
1 baked potato (you can cook it in the microwave)
1 1/2-2 cups of frozen peas and carrots
1 cup of chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
salt
pepper
garlic powder
olive oil
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put potato in microwave on baked potato setting (about 4 minutes?). Set out peas and carrots to defrost. In a large frying pan over medium heat drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add chicken and cook through (juices should run clear). Season chicken to taste with salt, pepper and garlic powder while cooking. Chop onion and celery while waiting for chicken to cook. Once chicken is cooked set aside and chop into bite-sized pieces. In same frying pan melt 2 tablespoons butter. Saute onion and celery in butter until soft. Skin and cut potato into cubes, then add to onion and celery. Add peas and carrots to pan. Stir in chicken broth while scraping bottom of pan to pick up any seasoning left over from the chicken cooking. Add chicken back to pan. Add cream of chicken soup. Stir until mixed and let simmer for a few minutes on low heat. Add pepper and salt to taste if needed.
Line pie pan with one crust. Pour chicken mixture over crust (there may be extra that won't fit). Cover pie with second crust and crimp edges together. Cut 4-5 small slits around center of top pie crust to prevent bubbling. Place on top of cookie sheet in oven (cookie sheet will catch any leaks). Bake for approximately 30 minutes. It may take longer due to differences in oven settings. Cook until the crust is lightly browned. You may need to line the edge of the crust with foil for the first 15 minutes to prevent burning on the edges.
If you freeze it, baking time may take up to 1 hour. Cook it long enough to bake the crust (lightly browned) and warm the inside.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tasty Rainbows
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, I decided not to whip up green goodies, but rather some tasty little rainbows for my little leprechauns to eat. While there is no pot of gold at the end of these rainbows, the big smiles and happy tummies are enough "gold" for me. This is a simple treat that is super easy to make, but takes a little time. It's a great little recipe to work on while in the midst of laundry piles. Hope you like them!
Tasty Rainbows
1 box of red jello (6 oz.)
1 box of orange jello (6 oz.)
1 box of green jello (6 oz.)
1 box of blue jello (6 oz.)
5 cups of boiling water
I used two 2-quart glass pyrex dishes for this recipe. Start with your blue jello in a separate bowl. Mix with 1 1/4 cups boiling water stirring for approximately 2 minutes until mixture is completely dissolved. Pour liquid jello into pyrex dishes (1/2 of mixture in each dish). Place in refrigerator for about 15 minutes (until jello is set). While the first layer is setting, wash out mixing bowl and mix together green jello with 1 1/4 cups boiling water. Green jello can cool on the countertop while blue jello is setting in the fridge. Remove jello from fridge and add layer of green liquid jello (1/2 of mixture in each dish). Follow same steps with the orange jello and then with the red. Refrigerate for approximately 1 hour. Remove from fridge and set glass dish in an inch of hot water for approximately 15 seconds to loosen jello from dish. Cut into bars or squares and enjoy! Yields approximately 72 1-inch squares or 48 1 x 2-inch bars.
P.S.-You can add yellow and purple jello to your rainbows as well. I was running short on time and threw them together last minute, so I opted for just the four colors.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!
Monday, March 15, 2010
30% Off Coupons for Gap, Inc.
Many of you know that I work part-time for Banana Republic. It's a fun job that gets me out of the house and talking to grown-ups for a few hours a week. I have a blast with the people I work with and even though I'm "working" it seems to be a break for me from the chaos at home.
With that being said, Gap, Inc. is having their Give & Get promotion coming up this weekend (Thursday-Sunday), and I have about 30 coupons to give out! The coupons are good for 30% off your total purchase (including sale and clearance items!!!) at Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime and their outlet stores. You can use the coupon an unlimited amount of times during the promotion period, and you also get to use it for one online purchase!
I am the ultimate bargain shopper, and I love getting a good deal. It's even more fun for me when I get to share great deals! So, if you want one of these fabulous coupons, send me an e-mail with "Coupon Please" in the subject line to alesmiley@hotmail.com. Hope you find some amazing deals, and of course, happy shopping!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Meal Plans: Any Takers?
Okay ladies, I was thinking about posting my weekly meal plans with recipes on Sundays. Is that something you all would be interested in? Leave a comment and let me know.
On the menu for this week:
Monday-Chicken Enchiladas with Side Salad
Tuesday-Chicken Marsala over Pasta with Steamed Broccoli
Wednesday-Beef Tips with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and Side Salad
Thursday-Mahi-Mahi with Mango Salsa, Rice and Sauteed Spinach
Friday-Homemade Chili and Cornbread
Saturday-Chicken Parmesan with Bowtie Pasta and Marinara Sauce
Sunday-Sandwiches or Grilled Cheese and Potato Soup.
On the menu for this week:
Monday-Chicken Enchiladas with Side Salad
Tuesday-Chicken Marsala over Pasta with Steamed Broccoli
Wednesday-Beef Tips with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and Side Salad
Thursday-Mahi-Mahi with Mango Salsa, Rice and Sauteed Spinach
Friday-Homemade Chili and Cornbread
Saturday-Chicken Parmesan with Bowtie Pasta and Marinara Sauce
Sunday-Sandwiches or Grilled Cheese and Potato Soup.
Meal Planning in Style
One of my new goals to save money, time and headaches is to do a weekly meal plan and shopping list. I'm still working on planning my meals based on weekly sales and coupons, but that's going to take a little while to find my niche there. For now, the simple act of having a plan and shopping accordingly is going to save my family money on our grocery budget. Not to mention that it will limit any last minute shopping trips!
While looking through my local Micheals' Arts and Crafts store for some supplies I need for upcoming cakes I'm working on, I happened upon these adorable and stylish meal plan notepads. They ar
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e absolutely perfect for what I need! They have a magnetic back (perfect for sticking on my refrigerator) and have the days of the week in one column and a shopping list in the other column. On Sundays I can sit down, list my meals by day and then make a shopping list according to what I need (after browsing my fridge and pantry for what I may already have of course). It also helps to have my shopping list on the fridge because I can immediately write down the staples that we need as we run out of them. No more accidentally forgetting that one item you don't often think of.The best part...these cute little notepads were only $1.00 a piece!!! They come in a variety of styles, and there are 52 weeks on the notepad. I think my shopping budget can handle th
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e $1/year price tag!So, if you are looking for a cute and easy way to plan meals and keep track of your shopping, head on over to your local Micheals' and pick up a couple of these. They also work great as little gifts for girlfriends. Happy meal-planning!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats
With Easter quickly approaching, I thought I'd try out some fun new treats for the boys. I like to make up recipes, and luckily, this one turned out yummy on the first try! Hope you enjoy!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats
3 cups mini marshmallows
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
3 cups rice krispies
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate or white chocolate...whatever sounds good!)
1 tablespoon shortening (optional to thin out chocolate)
Icing for decorating (see buttercream icing recipe under the Thomas the Train post)
Put marshmallows and butter in a medium size microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals until marshmallows puff up. Stir melted marshmallows until smooth. In a separate small bowl mix peanut butter and powdered sugar. Add peanut butter mixture to marshmallows and stir until blended. Add rice krispies and mix well. Pour mixture out on a piece of waxed paper. Top with another piece of waxed paper and press down mixture until it's approximately 1 inch thick.
In a small bowl combine chocolate chips and shortening (I used semi-sweet because that's all I had on hand in my pantry, and I knew the decorative icing would add sweetness). Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Continue to microwave in 15-30 second intervals (stirring in between each) until chocolate is melted and smooth. Do not overcook (chocolate will burn). You can also melt chocolate in a double broiler on the stovetop.
Using cookie cutters cut out shapes in rice krispies mixture. You can roll leftover mixture into balls (I made ovals to look like eggs for Easter).
Dip shapes into melted chocolate (you can do one side or both depending on your preference). Place on waxed paper for chocolate to harden. Chocolate will harden faster if you put them in the refrigerator, but I just left mine out on the counter top for about 15 minutes. Once chocolate has set, decorate your shapes with icing. Yields 5-6 medium to large cut-outs and 8-10 truffle size balls.
Hope you enjoy these yummy treats! I know my family did!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats
3 cups mini marshmallows
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
3 cups rice krispies
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate or white chocolate...whatever sounds good!)
1 tablespoon shortening (optional to thin out chocolate)
Icing for decorating (see buttercream icing recipe under the Thomas the Train post)
Put marshmallows and butter in a medium size microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals until marshmallows puff up. Stir melted marshmallows until smooth. In a separate small bowl mix peanut butter and powdered sugar. Add peanut butter mixture to marshmallows and stir until blended. Add rice krispies and mix well. Pour mixture out on a piece of waxed paper. Top with another piece of waxed paper and press down mixture until it's approximately 1 inch thick.
In a small bowl combine chocolate chips and shortening (I used semi-sweet because that's all I had on hand in my pantry, and I knew the decorative icing would add sweetness). Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Continue to microwave in 15-30 second intervals (stirring in between each) until chocolate is melted and smooth. Do not overcook (chocolate will burn). You can also melt chocolate in a double broiler on the stovetop.
Using cookie cutters cut out shapes in rice krispies mixture. You can roll leftover mixture into balls (I made ovals to look like eggs for Easter).
Dip shapes into melted chocolate (you can do one side or both depending on your preference). Place on waxed paper for chocolate to harden. Chocolate will harden faster if you put them in the refrigerator, but I just left mine out on the counter top for about 15 minutes. Once chocolate has set, decorate your shapes with icing. Yields 5-6 medium to large cut-outs and 8-10 truffle size balls.
Hope you enjoy these yummy treats! I know my family did!
Taking a Break for Priorities' Sake
I've missed blogging this week, but I'm not going to apologize for taking a break. It's been busy around here! My husband and I were able to get away for a couple of days to celebrate our 8 year anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long already! We went up to Lake Tahoe for a night, shopped, had a nice intimate dinner and finished off our celebration with a day on the slopes of Sierra-at-Tahoe. It was a much needed break for us, and we enjoyed every minute of our time together. There was a whole lot of laughing (which we seem to do often) along with reminiscing about our past and looking forward
to our future. We had a great time! It's amazing to think back on the day we got married. We were so in love (or so we thought), but that is just a tiny portion of the love we have for each other today. We are so blessed! It will be interesting to see what our relationship looks like in 8 more years. I'm excited to find out!I've been thinking a lot over this past week about priorities and how I use my time. My church is in the midst of doing a weekly Bible study campaign. Last week we learned about stewardship. While most often stewardship is linked to our finances, the lessons over that week focused more on our spiritual gifts and time. We need to be wise stewards of all things whether it be finances, time or gifts and skills. The time thing seemed to hit me the most. I'm guessing that's because it's my greatest struggle right now. If I were to keep track of every minute of my day, I would find a whole lot of waste going on. I'm not one for keeping a tight schedule or living by my day planner. While I think there are extremes on both sides of the time scale (being too busy or being too lazy), I often find myself somewhere in between lingering towards the lazy side. How can a mom of three kids be lazy you ask? By procrastinating, misusing my time on unimportant things and not being purposeful with the hours given to me each day. These are the same hours that everyone gets. You can't "make" more time or "save" time, you can only manage the time you have wisely. It's a balancing act.
I've decided that in order to use my time wisely, I need to sit down and make out a list of priorities. Once I have an idea of what I want to do with the hours in my day, it makes it a lot easier to accomplish my goals. You can set daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly goals. Overall, I just wanted to write down a general idea of what I want to accomplish each day along with goals I can work on in how I use my time. In writing it down, I can go back to it and stay mindful of it. Seeing it written out also somehow gives me a sense of accountability.
Some days will be different, and I still have my schedule of "out-of-the-ordinary" events on my calendar, but for the most part, my average day is the same. Some of my goals include spending more time focused on and interacting with my kids individually and as a family, using more of my time with my husband to really connect and focus on him, spending a set amount of time on my cleaning schedule each day, planning meals a week ahead of time to save time (not running to the grocery store last minute) and money (not wasting food), spending LESS time on the computer and watching t.v., and taking five minutes each morning to write down and go over what I need to get accomplished that day (in order to stay focused).
Everyone has different priorities in how they spend their time. The important thing is to not be wasting it! Remember when we talked about being mom's WITH purpose ON purpose? Prioritizing your time will help you become that mom! It will also help you to take the time you need for a break once in a while without feeling guilty about it.
Take some time this week to sit down and write out some goals and priorities concerning your time and how you want to spend it. If you have a hard time with this, try documenting your time over a couple of days and see if there are areas where you can be spending less or more time on things you already do. Don't set so many goals for yourself that you can't keep up with them. Remember to prioritize...what's most important to you? Once you've decided what you want to "shoot" for, put them up somewhere to remind you (bathroom mirror, refrigerator, nightstand), and review them daily to help you stay on track. If you're already very organized with your time, don't forget to schedule "fun" time and "relaxing" time in your day, so you can stay refreshed and healthy!
Here's to using our time wisely!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Teamwork
I am learning more and more the importance of teamwork within a home. It builds a sense of pride and unity/belonging with those involved and also allows for everyone's daily lives to run smoothly.
I'm a stay-at-home mom on most days. However, I do work part-time substitute teaching and also work one day a week in retail to help supplement our income. This week I subbed everyday and also worked one evening in retail, so it ended up being a 40+ hour work week. This is NOT the norm around our house, and it's always interesting to see how the boys do with the change in their environment. My mom watched the boys for two days and my husband watched them for the other three. I am so thankful to both of them for taking on my daily duties, so I can get outside our home to work once in a while. My husband gets an A+ by the way. He had the house clean and the boys well taken care of during my hours away.
With that said, I couldn't have worked and our family couldn't have gotten through the week successfully without the sense of teamwork that my husband and I share. Our schedule and activities are ever-changing, and it's very important for us to keep a balanced household. We also want to instill this philosophy in our children. When you are a part of something that is important to you and that you can identify with, there is a sense of accountability/responsibility and a desire to work hard at it. My husband and I have been trying to live by a simple saying throughout our marriage..."I'll take care of your needs, you take care of my needs, and everyone's taken care of." It's a simple idea that teaches us to put our focus on others rather than ourselves. Although it doesn't always play out that way (we are only human and do make mistakes), it's a good goal to shoot for in our relationship and has served us well in our marriage.
As a couple we want our children to feel like contributing members of our family. We want them to feel secure in it and begin to develop an identity through what our family stands for. We try to build confidence and independence in them by allowing them to try new things on their own. Through trial and error, they learn persistence (keep on trying til they get it), they learn how to deal with and overcome failure, and they build confidence when they learn how to successfully do something. We also want to teach them responsibility within our family and also taking responsibility for their actions. They are responsible for their own choices and are rewarded for good choices through positive reinforcement and are disciplined for poor choices through consequences.
Responsibility is also learned through helping around the house. My husband and I both take part in keeping our house in order, and we feel it is important for the boys to take part in that as well. Whether it's cleaning up toys, putting their dirty clothes in the hamper, throwing their dirty diapers away, or putting their used cups and dishes in the sink, they are responsible to help with the upkeep of our home. As they get older, we will adjust their chores according to their responsibility level. At these young ages, they really enjoy participating and helping out. It makes them feel "big", and in turn, that "bigness" will help them as they learn new life skills in the future.
The last few months we've been dealing with the issue of lying with our 4 year old. I explained to him that the Browning family members are not liars and that we do not want to be associated with lying. Each of us has to do our part to be honest and tell the truth. I also explained that he will get in more trouble for lying than he would if he just told the truth. It has been a consistent conversation with him along with appropriate discipline, and we are now starting to see our efforts pay off. When he's in trouble and asked directly, he now tells the truth.
In dealing with the issue of lying, recently I've been thinking about family values and the characteristics we want our boys to identify with. The list my husband and I have come up with so far is Integrity (honest), Honor (loyal, respectful, dutiful, chivalrous), Loving and Kind. Now that we have a list to work from we are able to use different experiences to teach and instill these characteristics in our boys. We are a team, and it takes both of us as parents as well as the willingness of our children to represent these characteristics as a family.
On a side note, I think chivalry is a lost art form. It still seems to be around in the South, but in California, it's a rare sight to be seen. Now that my 4 year old (soon to be 5) is big enough to open doors, we have been teaching him to hold doors open for girls/women and say "Ladies first." The other day we went to a restaurant with two sets of doors. He held the first door for me and said, "Ladies fourst." At the second door he stood there and said, "Now it's boys fourst." I had to giggle. While he's still learning, at least I know he's got the idea of "taking turns" down.
Of course we will have many bumps along the way on this journey of building family values. I have slip-ups of my own everyday, and God is constantly working on helping me become the best version of myself I can be. BUT, it is a lot easier to get to where you want to be if you set goals as a family to work towards. If you don't have a goal to shoot for, you're going to miss every time! We are accountable to each other, and it builds unity within our family.
I talked on my last post about being "moms WITH purpose...ON purpose." Take some time to write down some goals for your family. Talk it over with your spouse and those who are old enough to understand and get their input. What characteristics do you as a family want to be known for/identify with? By setting goals and building an attitude of teamwork within your family, I think you'll see some amazing things happen in your home. Enjoy your "team-building"!
P.S.-It is VERY important that you and your spouse get some one on one time on a regular basis to connect and get on the same page. The best gift you can give your children is a happy healthy marriage. Date nights are great! I LOVE them! However, if you can't get away from the house, then make sure you set some time aside as a couple to talk and spend some quality time together after the kiddos go to bed. And remember, you're a team!
I'm a stay-at-home mom on most days. However, I do work part-time substitute teaching and also work one day a week in retail to help supplement our income. This week I subbed everyday and also worked one evening in retail, so it ended up being a 40+ hour work week. This is NOT the norm around our house, and it's always interesting to see how the boys do with the change in their environment. My mom watched the boys for two days and my husband watched them for the other three. I am so thankful to both of them for taking on my daily duties, so I can get outside our home to work once in a while. My husband gets an A+ by the way. He had the house clean and the boys well taken care of during my hours away.
With that said, I couldn't have worked and our family couldn't have gotten through the week successfully without the sense of teamwork that my husband and I share. Our schedule and activities are ever-changing, and it's very important for us to keep a balanced household. We also want to instill this philosophy in our children. When you are a part of something that is important to you and that you can identify with, there is a sense of accountability/responsibility and a desire to work hard at it. My husband and I have been trying to live by a simple saying throughout our marriage..."I'll take care of your needs, you take care of my needs, and everyone's taken care of." It's a simple idea that teaches us to put our focus on others rather than ourselves. Although it doesn't always play out that way (we are only human and do make mistakes), it's a good goal to shoot for in our relationship and has served us well in our marriage.
As a couple we want our children to feel like contributing members of our family. We want them to feel secure in it and begin to develop an identity through what our family stands for. We try to build confidence and independence in them by allowing them to try new things on their own. Through trial and error, they learn persistence (keep on trying til they get it), they learn how to deal with and overcome failure, and they build confidence when they learn how to successfully do something. We also want to teach them responsibility within our family and also taking responsibility for their actions. They are responsible for their own choices and are rewarded for good choices through positive reinforcement and are disciplined for poor choices through consequences.
Responsibility is also learned through helping around the house. My husband and I both take part in keeping our house in order, and we feel it is important for the boys to take part in that as well. Whether it's cleaning up toys, putting their dirty clothes in the hamper, throwing their dirty diapers away, or putting their used cups and dishes in the sink, they are responsible to help with the upkeep of our home. As they get older, we will adjust their chores according to their responsibility level. At these young ages, they really enjoy participating and helping out. It makes them feel "big", and in turn, that "bigness" will help them as they learn new life skills in the future.
The last few months we've been dealing with the issue of lying with our 4 year old. I explained to him that the Browning family members are not liars and that we do not want to be associated with lying. Each of us has to do our part to be honest and tell the truth. I also explained that he will get in more trouble for lying than he would if he just told the truth. It has been a consistent conversation with him along with appropriate discipline, and we are now starting to see our efforts pay off. When he's in trouble and asked directly, he now tells the truth.
In dealing with the issue of lying, recently I've been thinking about family values and the characteristics we want our boys to identify with. The list my husband and I have come up with so far is Integrity (honest), Honor (loyal, respectful, dutiful, chivalrous), Loving and Kind. Now that we have a list to work from we are able to use different experiences to teach and instill these characteristics in our boys. We are a team, and it takes both of us as parents as well as the willingness of our children to represent these characteristics as a family.
On a side note, I think chivalry is a lost art form. It still seems to be around in the South, but in California, it's a rare sight to be seen. Now that my 4 year old (soon to be 5) is big enough to open doors, we have been teaching him to hold doors open for girls/women and say "Ladies first." The other day we went to a restaurant with two sets of doors. He held the first door for me and said, "Ladies fourst." At the second door he stood there and said, "Now it's boys fourst." I had to giggle. While he's still learning, at least I know he's got the idea of "taking turns" down.
Of course we will have many bumps along the way on this journey of building family values. I have slip-ups of my own everyday, and God is constantly working on helping me become the best version of myself I can be. BUT, it is a lot easier to get to where you want to be if you set goals as a family to work towards. If you don't have a goal to shoot for, you're going to miss every time! We are accountable to each other, and it builds unity within our family.
I talked on my last post about being "moms WITH purpose...ON purpose." Take some time to write down some goals for your family. Talk it over with your spouse and those who are old enough to understand and get their input. What characteristics do you as a family want to be known for/identify with? By setting goals and building an attitude of teamwork within your family, I think you'll see some amazing things happen in your home. Enjoy your "team-building"!
P.S.-It is VERY important that you and your spouse get some one on one time on a regular basis to connect and get on the same page. The best gift you can give your children is a happy healthy marriage. Date nights are great! I LOVE them! However, if you can't get away from the house, then make sure you set some time aside as a couple to talk and spend some quality time together after the kiddos go to bed. And remember, you're a team!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Patience is a Virtue
I occasionally substitute teach for a private school about 30 minutes away from my home. Instead of going through the headache of sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on the clogged city highway, I often drive a twisty back country road called Marsh Creek. It was raining this morning and the clouds were gloomy, but the brilliant green of the rolling hillsides and valleys scattered with pale-blossomed trees and vibrant wildflowers along this curvy two-lane road presented a pleasant canvas of God’s amazing creation for me to enjoy.
I don’t get a lot of alone time, so I try to use my time wisely when I do get those sweet moments of peace and serenity (even if it’s just enjoying a small half hour drive to work). On this morning’s drive I spent some time in prayer and reflected on the woman I have been changing into over the last few months. I feel like things are coming together bit by bit, and I’m figuring out a little more about who I am and what my purpose is. As I’m letting go of my preconceived ideas of motherhood and what “the perfect mom” looks like, I’m finding an amazing new me emerging from the burden of unrealistic expectations I once put on myself. I am finally learning patience through love, and my view of God’s purpose for me as a mother is becoming much clearer.
I remember my “survival” days. I was sleep deprived, overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for three young children (I had three kids in diapers for 6 months) and on the brink of physical and emotional exhaustion. I felt alone as a stay-at-home mom and out of touch with the rest of the world. I remember my husband telling me one day that he wanted to watch the kids so I could take a day off and go do something fun. I thought for a brief moment, looked at him and said, “I don’t even know what I like to do anymore. I don’t know what’s fun for me or what I should do because it’s been so long since I had a moment to even think about me or what I want.” I felt like I had lost my identity.
My patience level was low and my fuse was short. I had days where I felt like the Incredible Hulk. I would be completely fine and have everything under control until something unexpected happened that pushed me over the edge turning me into this green growling monster. Frustration breeds anger, and those moments sometimes brought with them screams through clenched teeth in order to let off a bit of steam. Normally I would do this in a room by myself while taking a 2-minute mommy “time-out”. However, there was this one day...I was driving with my three boys lined across my back seat. They had been awful that morning getting into things and making a mess (you know those mornings when they scatter your kitchen floor with cheerios or paint your bathroom cabinets with hand soap). They were fighting and whining and crying in the car, and I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I let out one of my growling screams through my locked jaw and clenched teeth, and then when I was done I took a deep breath. After the initial wide-eyed looks of shock that my children gave me through the rear-view mirror, my four year old started giggling hysterically. He soon regained his composure a bit and simply said, “Mommy, you’re funny!” I apologized to my boys for my “outburst”, but as I look back, I have to say that I agree with him. It IS pretty funny to see a full-grown woman having a temper tantrum on par with a 2-year old. I remember that day clearly, because that was the day I decided something had to change.
I didn’t want to be a monster with my children, and my behavior certainly didn’t help them learn how to NOT be little monsters themselves. I lacked patience, and my lack of patience showed a lack of character on my part. Character is the very thing I want to build in my children. I began to pray for patience, peace and the ability to love my children to their core through my actions. Of course I love my children, it's natural. But to love them through my actions on a daily basis is a whole other ordeal. Having patience with them, spending quality time with them by playing and having conversations with them, building their confidence, teaching life skills...these are all ways of showing my love to them. As I thought about these things I realized that by letting go of the "control" I was seeking so desperately I was able to relax allowing myself to really enjoy my life instead of just getting through it and checking off "to do" lists. When I'm relaxed, I'm not uptight and I have more patience. I don't let things bother me so much, and I take the time I need to get things accomplished...the things that really matter like building character in my children.
I still have a long way to go, and I'm sure I will have more "outbursts" along the way. But I'm happy to say, they are few and far between these days. My attitude has changed to one of love and patience with a goal to raise up men who love God and people through their actions, and who are strong, confident, compassionate and patient individuals. The cool thing is God loves me (crazy I know) as he does you, and I find it ironic that one of the ways he shows his love for me is by teaching me lessons through these little walking talking miracles in my life. I also think it's great that He uses me in their life to do the same.
Take some time today to reflect on who you are as a mom. What are your goals as a mom? What type of adults do you want your children to become? How can you help them get there? What are characteristics that you can work on in yourself to be an example to your children? Let's be moms with purpose...on purpose...and try to have a good amount of patience along the way. Love you ladies!
I don’t get a lot of alone time, so I try to use my time wisely when I do get those sweet moments of peace and serenity (even if it’s just enjoying a small half hour drive to work). On this morning’s drive I spent some time in prayer and reflected on the woman I have been changing into over the last few months. I feel like things are coming together bit by bit, and I’m figuring out a little more about who I am and what my purpose is. As I’m letting go of my preconceived ideas of motherhood and what “the perfect mom” looks like, I’m finding an amazing new me emerging from the burden of unrealistic expectations I once put on myself. I am finally learning patience through love, and my view of God’s purpose for me as a mother is becoming much clearer.
I remember my “survival” days. I was sleep deprived, overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for three young children (I had three kids in diapers for 6 months) and on the brink of physical and emotional exhaustion. I felt alone as a stay-at-home mom and out of touch with the rest of the world. I remember my husband telling me one day that he wanted to watch the kids so I could take a day off and go do something fun. I thought for a brief moment, looked at him and said, “I don’t even know what I like to do anymore. I don’t know what’s fun for me or what I should do because it’s been so long since I had a moment to even think about me or what I want.” I felt like I had lost my identity.
My patience level was low and my fuse was short. I had days where I felt like the Incredible Hulk. I would be completely fine and have everything under control until something unexpected happened that pushed me over the edge turning me into this green growling monster. Frustration breeds anger, and those moments sometimes brought with them screams through clenched teeth in order to let off a bit of steam. Normally I would do this in a room by myself while taking a 2-minute mommy “time-out”. However, there was this one day...I was driving with my three boys lined across my back seat. They had been awful that morning getting into things and making a mess (you know those mornings when they scatter your kitchen floor with cheerios or paint your bathroom cabinets with hand soap). They were fighting and whining and crying in the car, and I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I let out one of my growling screams through my locked jaw and clenched teeth, and then when I was done I took a deep breath. After the initial wide-eyed looks of shock that my children gave me through the rear-view mirror, my four year old started giggling hysterically. He soon regained his composure a bit and simply said, “Mommy, you’re funny!” I apologized to my boys for my “outburst”, but as I look back, I have to say that I agree with him. It IS pretty funny to see a full-grown woman having a temper tantrum on par with a 2-year old. I remember that day clearly, because that was the day I decided something had to change.
I didn’t want to be a monster with my children, and my behavior certainly didn’t help them learn how to NOT be little monsters themselves. I lacked patience, and my lack of patience showed a lack of character on my part. Character is the very thing I want to build in my children. I began to pray for patience, peace and the ability to love my children to their core through my actions. Of course I love my children, it's natural. But to love them through my actions on a daily basis is a whole other ordeal. Having patience with them, spending quality time with them by playing and having conversations with them, building their confidence, teaching life skills...these are all ways of showing my love to them. As I thought about these things I realized that by letting go of the "control" I was seeking so desperately I was able to relax allowing myself to really enjoy my life instead of just getting through it and checking off "to do" lists. When I'm relaxed, I'm not uptight and I have more patience. I don't let things bother me so much, and I take the time I need to get things accomplished...the things that really matter like building character in my children.
I still have a long way to go, and I'm sure I will have more "outbursts" along the way. But I'm happy to say, they are few and far between these days. My attitude has changed to one of love and patience with a goal to raise up men who love God and people through their actions, and who are strong, confident, compassionate and patient individuals. The cool thing is God loves me (crazy I know) as he does you, and I find it ironic that one of the ways he shows his love for me is by teaching me lessons through these little walking talking miracles in my life. I also think it's great that He uses me in their life to do the same.
Take some time today to reflect on who you are as a mom. What are your goals as a mom? What type of adults do you want your children to become? How can you help them get there? What are characteristics that you can work on in yourself to be an example to your children? Let's be moms with purpose...on purpose...and try to have a good amount of patience along the way. Love you ladies!
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