M is for Motherhood #atozchallenge

Where does the time go?  Fifteen years ago Sunday I became a mother for the first time.  We did not know the sex prior to delivery and were awed by our baby girl with amazing green eyes.  Today that little bundle is growing into a young woman finishing her Freshmen year in high school.  She has always been a very introspective child, who continually develops her own unique world view.  As she matures she has her struggles and joys, disappointments and triumphs. Each day bringing something new to navigate, strengthening her resolves as she heads towards adulthood.  I am awed by her quick wit, kind heart, creativity and thoughtful intelligence.

Motherhood has taught me the depths of love, patience, worry and joy.  It is a task that fills you with appreciation for those who have come before and gives you a broader understanding of life.  The photo above is of a picture drawn by a dear friend of my mother who recently passed away.  It was a gift upon our daughter's birth and has held a special spot hanging in our house ever since.

The Big 1-1

It is hard to believe that time can fly so incredibly fast and seems to speed up with each passing year.  This little man has interests far and wide and is willing to try anything...as long as it is not b-o-r-i-n-g.  Like his dad, he must know how things work and will work very hard at anything new that he tries.  Along with all of the rugged outdoorsiness that he loves, he found music this year in the form of baritone and piano.  The way he can quickly process new things and the internal drive that he exhibits is quite amazing.  To my eleven year old: as you grow may you keep your drive, inquisitiveness, wit, politeness and incredible empathy.  They are wonderful building blocks to the man you will become.

Thirteen

It is hard to believe that she is thirteen years old.  In the last year especially we have caught glimpses of the young adult that she is growing up, far too quickly, to be.  She is confident, active, witty, smart, sarcastic, thoughtful and caring to name a few.  We are oh so proud.  Our wish for her is that as she grows and changes, she continues to be true to herself.   She should place trust in her good sense and solid instincts to guide her while knowing that her forever sounding boards are just a room, text or phone call away and always ready to help. She will forever be our 'squid', and never too old to snuggle.

A Decade

Today, that boy of a thousand smiles and an endless number of expressions, reaches the double digits!  It is hard to believe how quickly the time goes.  To my fearless, thoughtful, smart little man, whose brain never stops working for a moment, the happiest of birthdays!  I so look forward to what Charlieisms the next twelve months hold!

12 Years Old

It is so hard to believe that my little bird is twelve years old today!  This year she has continued to build on what she loves at her core, she has tried new things, started a new school, and is very comfortable in her own skin.  I am not certain where the time has gone, but I am sure that she is turning into an amazing person and I am so proud.  Happy Birthday Sid!

My First Annual 39th

 Funny thing, I come from two conflicting perspectives.  I always send e-cards for birthdays, Mother's Day, Fathers Day etc.  It's better for the environment  and then there's the disposal in general.  I always feel guilty getting rid of cards because I want to save the sentiments.

On the other hand, I have loads of beautiful note and post cards for sending on random occasions for the purpose of the written (handwritten) word not getting lost in our ever digital lives.  I'll tell you though, it sure is nice to open a couple of honest to goodness birthday cards from loved ones.  You know, the moms and dads who knew no different in their coming of age.

I used to save the cards, then cut them apart and put them into my intricate scrapbooks.  Alas, I haven't scrapbooked for several years, what with blogging to have a legacy of writing.  Now there are a pile of cards.

Hmmm, I think I just figured it out.  Take a pic of the lovely cards, and then blog about them!  Problem solved.  See I'm getting smarter and smarter and all on this my first annual 39th!

Pure Red Decadence

In B's family, the traditional birthday cake is none other than Red Velvet.  I had made it only once before, years ago, because the kids have always picked other things that they wanted for their special birthday treats.  This year, Sidney requested we roll out the red carpet and that is just what we did! 

This is not a cake for the faint of heart.  It has all of the good, that's truly bad for you in it.  It runs the over indulging gamut from shortening, to butter, to whole milk, to two full bottles of red food coloring.  This treat is as gorgeous to look at as it is sinful to eat.  Just be sure that you don't have your cholesterol checked immediately after.  So without further adieu...

Red Velvet Cake

1 1/2 C. Sugar

1/2 C. Shortening

2 Tbsp. (heaping) Cocoa

2 oz. Red Food Coloring

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 Eggs

2 1/4 C. Flour

Pinch Salt

1 C. Buttermilk

1 tsp. Baking soda

1 Tbsp. Vinegar

Cream shortening, sugar and eggs thoroughy.  Make a paste of the cocoa and food coloring and then add to creamed mixture.  Add Vanilla.  Add sifted flour and salt alternating with buttermilk until completely incorporated.  Add soda to vinegar (hold over bowl as it foams up), then mix gently into batter.  Bake in 2 well greased and floured 8" pans at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, cool, split layers (if desired), and ice.

Icing Recipe

6 Tbsp. Flour
1 C. Whole milk 
Cook constantly stirring until thick, cover and cool

1 C. Sugar
1 C. Butter
1 tsp. Vanilla

Cream until very fluffy and no sugar granuals are detectable.  Then add flour mixture to creamed mixture and beat on high until it has appearance of whipped cream.  Ice cooled layers.

Enjoy!



Birthday Bash

 This weekend was nothing less than a fast and furious birthday extravaganza.  Each day had a different birthday activity complete with meal and it's own dessert, by Sidney's request.  It began Friday evening with Sidney's slumber party.  

 She requested terriaki stir fry with tofu (I also made chicken for the rest of the girls, but they all tried the tofu and loved it), samosas and naan bread.  Dessert was her favorite saucer size chocolate chip cookies that I make stuffed with ice-cream for messy, homemade, and delectable ice-cream sandwiches. 

I had several crafts planned but they were so busy playing games, singing songs to YouTube, and just plain being silly, that painting the eggs from our hens was the only one they got accomplished.

Several of the girls then "party hopped" Saturday morning to another birthday party filled with 3 hours of swimming.  By late Saturday afternoon we collapsed for a little pre-game night rest and watched large snow flakes fall for about an hour....what?  Wasn't this April 16th??  Game night (for the grown ups as well as kids), was breakfast delicacies for dinner prepared by our friends and, I brought her favorite Chocolate, Honey, Almond Tart for dessert.

Sunday, the birthday proper, we took her to her favorite restaurant for lunch.  It's a Mongolian grill and we all got our fill, she opened her presents and then we headed home to work in the garden and prepare for yet more food, birthday dinner with friends.  It ended up being an absolutely gorgeous afternoon! We were able to accomplish tons of garden work, have a leisurely evening, and watch the kids jump on the trampoline until dark.  We had her requested favorite chili followed by red velvet cake (which will be a post all to it's own)!

Needless to say, a perfect birthday weekend for Sidney!

Mom, Dreams Really Do Come True!

A few weeks ago, on one of our regular Sundays,  a very unusual thing happened.  Sidney came running up to me saying..."Mom!  Dreams really do come true!  One of my dreams has always been to hold a wild bird and I just did,  dad got it on his iPhone!"  Yes, indeed.  A small sparrow got stuck in the barn and allowed my little girl to approach it and pick it up.  Once outside, she set it free.  Off it went into the crisp Autumn air.

I wonder how she dreams?  Does she have a succinct list of dreams, or just vague longings? I've always been very much a list maker.  But when it comes to dreams, or achievements, my thoughts are much more broad and become more refined in the moments preceding my achievement of one.  Many bloggy friends make a bucket list of sorts for things they want to accomplish in a certain period of time, or by some landmark.  Today, I am two years from my 40th year.  I feel like I'm constantly working on and realizing my dreams.  Maybe a goal for the coming year will be to try to better articulate each milestone I want to achieve.  Something to think about, this day, as I revel in the simple splendor of one of my daughters dreams.