Mothering is Like Ice-skating

The other day a certain husband--to protect his marriage I won't say whose--said that his wife had it "so easy". The old watch TV and eat bonbons idea. A few days later while chatting with this "certain husband" he told me about all the mischief his young charge found while in his care.

Mothering, I've decided, is much like being a professional figure-skater. We make it look so easy. Only other mothers know the countless hours that go into perfecting our routine. Screaming children? No problem. Hungry? I got it covered. Fighting? Teasing? Pshaw that's cake.

Enchilada

These enchiladas are my favorite.

This recipe is from one of Emily's cookbooks (I won't say whose in case she doesn't want her name on my blog). I like it because it is so basic. No cream-of-anything soup--so it is low sodium. And no sour cream--so it is low fat too. It also contains fresh ingredients--that makes it so yummy! I usually double the recipe.

1 c. mild green salsa (I like Herdez)
1/4 cup cilantro sprigs
1/4 cup parsley sprigs (I like Italian parsley)
1 T. lime juice
2 cloves garlic
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
6 tortillas (I like corn)

Heat oven to 350. Spray 11X7 baking dish with cooking spray. Place salsa, cilantro, parsley, lime juice, and garlic in blender or food processor. Blend about 30 seconds or until smooth. Reserve half the mixture. Mix remaining mixture, chicken and 1/4 cup cheese. Spoon about 1/4 cup chicken mixture onto each tortilla. Roll tortilla around filling, place seam side down in baking dish. Pour reserved sauce mixture over enchiladas. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Back covered for 20-25 minutes.

It's All About Presentation

I never worried much about presentation. I figured I just wasn't one of those cutsie kind of people. . .until I brought home about five different dishes from different church functions completely unscathed. That was depressing--so I decided to do something.

First, I made Emily's Perfect Chocolate Cake for a Valentine Party. I knew the cake was good because I'd eaten it before. I also knew that my cake decorating skills were below average. So, I called a friend who excels at presentation. She came over and guided me through my first successful cake decorating experience. We made a large rosette for the middle and several small rosettes around the outer edge of the top. Then I piped some little dollops around the bottom edge. Everyone loved the cake.

Next, I brought enchiladas to a 30-minute meal tasting table. Again, I garnished the top with a sprig of cilantro. And what do you know--the enchiladas were a success.

Then, I dropped off a jello salad for a funeral dinner. This time I topped the salad off with three rosettes, and Dove chocolate shavings. The lady who returned my pan said, "We'd really like your recipe--your salad looked so good."

I've decided that with good friends, the right tools and practice I can make food that looks as good as it tastes--presentation is everything. Oh, and maybe I'll end up to be cutsie after all.

Energy Drain

Today the 2nd boy drained my energy. While I was working with the 1st boy on the computer, the 2nd boy silently crept into the kitchen, opened a drawer and opened a #10 can of hot chocolate mix. You can imagine the rest. The floor, the cupboards, inside the drawer, the boy and everything inbetween were covered with a thick, sticky chocolately powder. I even found a pile downstairs on the carpet.

Sorry, this event was not photographed. I thought about that afterwards.

Now I am trying not to wish away his toddler years. I am trying not to think about how 4 year olds get into a lot less mischief. I am avoiding thoughts about 4 years olds and their insatiable appetite for television. I am especially trying not to think about preschool.

Baby Birds

Here are my baby birds in the nest. Aren't they cute? Notice: two of them are in their pajamas. That is especially cute.

Caught

This is what the second boy does after he has done something naughty. What do you think he has just done? Unrolled a roll of toilet paper? Unloaded a shelf of books? Colored on the walls? The possibilities are endless.