So this is probably one of those totally inappropriate things that I should keep to myself...but I'm such a goober I couldn't stop laughing. We just saw on the news that a guy today in Fort Worth held a lady hostage at the "T&A Cabaret," which is a *EHEM* gentleman's club. Seriously? T&A Cabaret? How much more obvious can it be? Boob & Bootie Barn?
So maybe I'm a little cynical, but COME ON...the dog ate 9 of our valentine's cupcakes while we were taking the truck to the shop yet again! Yeesh. Anyway, last week the paper had a gorgeous picture of red gerbera daisies in a beautiful red glass vase, and so I circled it with a big red sharpie, and wrote "HINT, HINT" above it. Left that in a conspicuous place where honey would be sure to see it. That's what I really thought I wanted until I visited Colleen's house last week.
You have to understand that since we've been married, I've been on a quest to make perfect sweet tea. Honey's mom makes the best sweet tea in the whole entire world. I've stood and watched her make sweet tea, and written down every exact detail of the process, but I can never ever replicate it. EVER. So understand, there's almost 10 years of frustration mounting here. Anyhoo, I was at my wonderful friend Colleen's house last week, and had a GREAT glass, and asked her secret. She pointed to her Mr. Coffee iced tea maker, and the rest, as they say, is history.
So this is what I wound up getting for myself for Valentine's Day. As for the red daisies, I asked honey to surprise me with them the next time he thought I needed a happy. Oh, and he got me a box of thin mints. Yum-o. I support Ellen's reason for it being OK to eat them: "They're "THIN" mints!"
For some reason that just makes me think of that idiotic skit I did in college (made infamous by mikee v's ever-hilarious interpretation), so there's a little shout out to all you crazy Tech kiddos.
Anyhoo, I really do have a point. I was having a conversation the other day with my amazing SIL Sha, and we were discussing how frustrated I am not knowing what I want to do when I grow up (don't get mad at me, all you stay-at-home mommies...I'm not saying I don't have a job now. I'm just thinking about days to come, that's all). We talked about why I have such a hard time making that decision, and the only reason that really sticks with me is the fact that it's such a HUGE decision, so there's tons of pressure (in my mind anyway) that comes with it. She (gently) reminded me that not 45 minutes earlier I had been talking about how, if we were to move in order for honey to get a new job, and it wound up being a bad move, we'd just learn from it and move on; and she wondered why I couldn't just apply the same principle there. I don't know that I know the answer to that yet...besides just stupid pride, and an inability to remember that I'm in the Father's hands. Proverbs 16:9 says The mind of man plans his way,
but the Lord directs His steps. So there you have it. I guess I just want to skip the planning my way part, and just get right to the Father directing my steps. Which He is...even when I'm totally unaware of it. So I sent off for some information about digital sonography school, and I pulled out the info about getting my master's in education, and I'll keep thinking about what I want to be when I grow up. Maybe one of these days I'll actually decide something.
This pic has nothing to do with what I wrote about. I just love it. Miss MA loves to be a ballerina...all the time!
What is it about toilets that make kiddos HATE to use them? My lands...maybe I'll make a million dollars by inventing a potty that doesn't freak the pumpkins out. So Miss K is definitely trained, but if it's not her idea to go (ie, we're about to leave, and I don't want her to have an accident while we're at the grocery), she fights it like crazy. Her newest protest is "DON'T BE HAPPY, MOMMA, DON'T BE HAPPY!" What? I can't rejoice when she uses the toilet instead of her pull-up? What's a momma to do? We've tried candy, and sticker charts, and tattoos...but a couple of times it's actually turned into a matter in need of shepherding, and I definitely don't want her to associate using the toilet with correction. SIGH. Any suggestions? I wonder how
often I'm like that...absolutely need to obey, and finally do, but ever so reluctantly, probably after some serious shepherding. Father, give me patience with the pumpkin, and help me to be a good shepherd to her the way you are with me. Help her to obey the first time, with a happy heart...and help me to do the same.
OK, I guess they really don't go together. But did anybody see him Sunday night? It reinforced (at least in my mind) just how amazing a musician he is. Not knowing anything about using electronic devices while wet, I worried about him getting a giant shock, but I figured the super bowl people had better sense than to let that happen. Slate had an interesting article on why he didn't get electrocuted while playing Purple Rain in the pouring rain (they titled it "When Doves Fry." Ha!).
Valentine's Day is next week, and the pumpkins and I have been trying to think of ways to make it special. Food is always a winner at our house, so we're going to be making Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes. What's your favorite Valentine's food idea? We're always on the lookout.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Cook's Country has a great recipe in their latest edition. I adapted it to suit us:
1 21 oz can cherry pie filling
2 cups mini chocolate chips
1 recipe white cake batter (use your favorite store-bought or homemade)
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries with stems, drained and wiped dry
Red food coloring
4 cups vanilla buttercream frosting (store bought or homemade - you may not need this much)
For the cupcakes: Drain and rinse cherry pie filling under running water. Press cherries between several layers of paper towels until very dry. Chop cherries fine, save 1/2 cup for cupcakes, and discard the rest (or save them for the frosting). Gently fold the 1/2 cup cherries and 1/2 cup chocolate chips into the cake batter. Place paper baking cups in muffin tins, and fill each 2/3 full. Bake on middle rack in 350 degree oven until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool in tins for 10 minutes, then let cool completely on a rack.
For the cherries: Melt remaining 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and shortening in bowl. Holding stems, partially dip maraschino cherries into chocolate and place on parchment lined plate. Refrigerate until hardened, at least 10 minutes.
For the frosting: Beat 5 drops red food coloring into frosting; add more color as needed.
Generously frost cupcakes. Decorate with cherries.
I'm not ready to be awake today. Truly. Not. Ready. I've been up for two and a half hours, so one would think I'd be ready, but I'm not. Staying up till 2am 2 nights in a row, and consuming more sugar, caffeine, and grease in a weekend than I have in the past 2 months can do that to a gal. But it was SO worth it. I returned from our first annual college girls weekend yesterday, and although incredibly tired, I'm refreshed & recharged, a better wife, momma, and person thanks to the precious time spent with my amazing friends. So here's a shout out to all you girls; in the midst of getting back into our routines, know that I'm thinking about you! How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you... I Thessalonians 3:9
Those of you who have ardent Barney fans in your house will recognize that title (a quick aside...I actually love Barney. His music drives me crazy, but everyone on his show is so nice! I would much rather the pumpkins be like the kids on Barney than Calliou...). Anyway, we have a new favorite in our house: Breyers Double Churned Light Ice Cream. Comes in all different flavors, but we love cookies & cream...yum-o.
