I Was Lost, But No More...

I feel like I've been lost. I've been at my mother's and while THAT doesn't make me feel lost, the fact that her internet has been out for the past several days does. I even missed Homemaker Monday. :( I thought about going to the local Jack in the Box to use their free wireless internet, but then I remembered the odd-looking men I've seen there using their laptops and I just didn't want to join their ranks. And to top it off, I've had a fever for the past two days. Fortunately my mom stepped up to the plate as she always does and chased after the twins all day today. Thank you, Mom!

In closing, I hope everybody has a wonderful and safe New Year's. I'll be looking forward to seeing you regularly in the fine '09!

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Homemaker Monday: I have an unatural obsession with my oven timer and I'm okay with it.

Welcome to...

Thank you for joining us! If you're new to this carnival and would like to enter your post, please check HERE for the rules and regs. (By the way, if you have been featured on Homemaker Monday in the past, your name is on my left sidebar. Check it out!)

YOURS: This week's "YOURS" goes to "The Homemaker's Cottage" . She posted a recipe for an adorable cheese ball snowman. Here, check him out...


(Photo courtesy of Bettycrocker.com)

When I saw him, I fell in love with him, and I wanted to create him, show him to my friends, then eat him. If you'd like to create him and eat him yourself, click HERE for the recipe. Thank you, Homemaker's Cottage, for this lovely addition to our Homemaker Monday and please feel free to grab the "I Was Featured" button from my left sidebar. We'll look forward to more great ideas from your cottage in the future!

MINE: I'm scattered-brained. I'm pretty sure that's what it is. I feel that I'm too young to be senile, so that must be it. I guess my brain has room to process only one pressing issue at a time, and the most pressing issue right now is feeding the babies and trying to keep the toddler from pinching them. And so... I forget things. I forget that I put the toddler in time out, I forget that I have to meet with the 12-year-old's teacher after school to discuss why he wakes up too late to eat breakfast, I forget that I have to pick the hymns for Relief Society, the women's organization in our church, I forget that I have cookies in the oven, I forget that my visiting teachers are coming over, I forget that the kids get out of school early on Tuesdays and when I finally remember my kids half an hour later, I get to listen to the six-year-old girl exclaim, "Mom?!? What were ya thinkin'?!?"

In an effort to solve this problem, I have begun to utilize the timer to help me remember things. Here is a list of things I time with my oven timer:

1. 2 minutes for the toddler's time out
2. 10 minutes for the 8- or 6-year-old to take a turn caring for a twin
3. 20 minutes for the 12-, 13- or 16-year-old to take a turn caring for a twin
4. As a reminder that I need to start making the kids' lunch
5. As a reminder to check the bread rising
6. 20 minutes to clean something, anything, after the kids go to bed
7. 4 minutes to blend my wheat and milk in the blender in preparation for blender wheat pancakes
8. As a reminder to put another log on the fire
9. As a reminder that I have something in the oven (This is an important one.)
10. 10 minutes for a family clean-anything party right before bed each night

So there you have it - my obsession with my kitchen timer. Does your kitchen timer make your life better? If so, tell us how in the comments!

OURS: Okay, now it's your turn! And let me take this opportunity to thank all of you who participate regularly here at Homemaker Monday. When I view my site meter, I can see that so many visitors click on your links and I know your ideas, recipes, hints, and how-tos are much appreciated! I can't wait to see what you've got for us today! Have a great Homemaker Monday and a wonderful Christmas!



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Sabbath-Prep Saturday #3: Hermano Juan's Easy Pinto Bean Soup With Homemade Horchata and More!

Welcome to Sabbath-Prep Saturday, where we meet to share tips on how to make the sabbath what it should be - a more relaxing, enjoyable day to spend with our families and worship God. If you're new to Sabbath-Prep Saturday, and would like a little history as to what we're doing here and why I started it, click HERE.

The Menu:
-Hermano Juan's Easy Pinto Bean Soup (click HERE for recipe)
-Avocado, Cilantro, Fresh Tomato, Cheese and Green Onion Garnish
-Tortillas
-Homemade Horchata (Mexican Rice Drink) (click HERE for the recipe)
-Flan (click HERE for recipe)

Small appliances you'll need for advanced prep:
-Crock Pot

Prep Method:
Saturday:
-Make the flan and refrigerate.
-Make the horchata and refrigerate.
-Grate the cheese of your choice.
-Right before bed, place the beans and chicken stock in the crockpot on low.

Sunday Morning:
-Add the remaining ingredients to the beans and continue to cook in the crockpot on low.

Sunday After Church:
-Chop up the cilantro, tomatoes, avocados, and green onions.
-Warm up the tortillas.
-Set the table and serve your meal.

How I love a good Mexican meal! Here's Mr. Linky in case you've got a Sabbath Prep idea. Thanks for joining us today!



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This Week's Thankful List (With Photos)

I am thankful...

...that two teenage boys in our town have a habit of pulling this wagon around the streets at Christmas time giving rides to any who desire...


...that it snowed enough last year here in Mexico for the 12-year-old boy to build this...

...that when I threw together this hobo/clown costume a half hour before the Halloween party for the 8-year-old boy last year, I had no idea he would come home with a first place ribbon!

...that my husband's a great photgrapher...

...that the 16-year-old boy doesn't seem to mind getting mobbed by the toddler directly after his football game...

...that the 13-year-old girl trusted me to give her highlights...

...for the memories my husband gave me when he took the six kids camping for two nights six weeks before the twins were born - leaving me ALONE ...for 48 hours. It was a beautiful time for me. I closed all the blinds in our tiny apartment, made bean and american cheese burritos, and homemade chocolate ice cream, never took off my fluffy pink robe, and watched Madame Butterfly and some other really cool movies that I can't at this time remember. I even remember walking by a permanent marker in the kitchen, turning towards it to grab it and put it away, then telling myself, "No. There is no one here who will touch that. I don't have to put it away and I won't!" It was a weekend I'll never forget, cuddled up on my recliner, with my burritos on my lap and my twins stirring inside me, waiting for their day to meet the world.

...that my mom took care of the toddler for four days and nights as John accompanied me in the hospital while I recovered after the C-section...

...that the twins were delivered in perfect condition...

...that I have a toy all three babies enjoy...

...that I found the perfect "triple" stroller, one that will seat two carseats or babies, with a platform on the back where the toddler can sit or stand. You can't imagine how many times those wheels have rolled over these pot-holed roads here in our small Mexican town...

...that my mom has these really cool metal golden goblets, that are like fifty years old, literally, and when you drink milk from them, somehow, it seems so, so good and cold. It's such a treat...

...that the eight-year-old boy can find such happiness in doing this...(He has been begging me to blog this for months now.)

I am pleased to list this post @...

Grace Alone's...



Thursday Thirteen dot com,
Rose-Colored Glasses' "Thankful Thursday",
Cielo's "Hopeful Friday",
Jayelee's "Thursday Thirteen"
and...



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All Ten of Us, Plus Five Extra, Do Sugar Cookies With a Hard and Shiny Glaze!

Here's what...


...a hard and shiny sugar cookie glaze.

For family home evening last week, John suggested that the kids each pick a family or two to whom we could anonymously give gifts. It was fun to listen to their ideas and the 13-year-old girl recorded each family name, and what we would give them, on a sheet of paper. Along with their gifts, the kids decided that it would be fun to give them a plate of cookies as well. As I was searching allrecipes.com for a good sugar cookie recipe, I came across the following glaze. I love it because it's hard and shiny and beautiful!


See? It is, isn't it!

Here is the recipe:

INGREDIENTS
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
10 drops food coloring

DIRECTIONS
Stir confectioners' sugar, corn syrup, and water together. Stir in food coloring if desired. This glaze must be stirred each time you use it. If it is not stirred before each use it will dry with a mottled look instead of a solid color.

And here's the recipe we used for the cookies themselves:

INGREDIENTS
6 egg yolks
4 eggs
2 cups butter, softened
2 1/8 cups white sugar
7 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon hot water or as needed

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Cover dough and chill for at least one hour.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/2 inch thick and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place 2 inches apart on to the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. To make frosting, mix together the confectioners' sugar, oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. gradually add enough hot water to achieve a spreadable consistency.

On Saturday, we prepared the dough...


...and rolled out the cookies...


The teenage boy was as helpful as he could be...


I was trying to get a candid shot of the event, but the 13-year-old girl made this grotesque face. She plans on making a comment here on my blog to tell the world that I called her an idiot for making that face (even if it was in good fun with a smile on my face), but don't believe her. It's a lie.


Okay, a much better expression. She says I called her an idiot, but why would she be smiling at me if I had done such a thing. Yes, it's all lies I tell you, lies!


After baking the cookies, we dipped them in the glaze and set them to dry on cookie sheets covered with wax paper...


We then invited THESE little elves over to join in the fun,...


...gave everybody a ziploc bag filled with colored and flavored glaze, cut a tiny hole in the corner, and let the kids go to town...


Here's what they came up with...




Pretty great job, I say! All that was left to do was to cover the plates in plastic wrap, attach a bow, candy cane and tag, and deliver!


Now, if we could only get the bow away from the baby, we could finish the other plates!




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Wordless Wednesday: Beautiful, Bountiful "Bushel of Wheat" Bread

I am pleased to list this post @...
5 Minutes For Mom's "Wordless Wednesday"
and
Wordless Wednesday Dot Com.

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Join Me For The "Make It From Scratch" Carnival!

Welcome to this week's...


...blog carnival! Being the host, I got to be the first to see all of the wonderful things people are making from scratch in the blogosphere this holiday season. Rather than tell you about them, here - let me show you!

What to Eat:

Tamy ay 3 Sides of Crazy presents "Christmas Morning Brunch Casserole".


SeaBird Chronicles presents "Now Bring Us Some Figgy Goat Cheese".


TF at Made From Scratch presents "Pizza Sauce and Crust From Scratch".


An Hour in the Kitchen presents "Crystallized Ginger and Syrup".


Simply Forties presents "The Ultimate Christmas Dessert: Buche de Noel".


Jennifer at My Frugal Front Porch presents "Easy No-Bake Cheesy Cake".


Cheap Healthy Good presents "Gifts to Give Unless You Eat Them Yourself".


Our Red House presents "How to Make Chocolate Rum Truffles and Milk Chocolate Fudge".



Nerd Mom at Nerd Family Food presents "Best Holiday Cookie Ever! Chocolate Chip Peppermint Biscotti".


Christinemm at The Thinking Mother presents "My Husband’s Marinara Sauce Recipe Fra Diavolo, Lobster Sauce, and Other Variations".


Jennifer at My Frugal Front Porch presents "Beans and Rice Recipe".


Kristen at Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker presents "Corned Beef".

Stephanie's Stop the Ride presents "Making Jerky".


Stephanie at Make It From Scratch presents "Christmas Cookie Favorites".


Krusty the Cat at One Krusty Mama presents "Bisquick Chicken Fingers".


What to Put On:

Cindy at My Recycled Bags Dot Com presents "Recycled Christmas Gift Bag Ideas".


Belle at Born 100 Years Too Soon presents "Goat Milk Soap".


Learning the Ropes presents "Improving Skin Complexion With Saffron".


(Photo courtesy of www.golnazar.com.)

Gramma G at By George! You've Got It! presents "Ski Hat Thingy".


Audrey at Audrey's Country Crafts presents "Jean Blankets".


Delighting in the Days presents "Homemade Bath Salts".


(Photo courtesy of allposters.com)

Mama Bear at I've Got a Little Space to Fill presents "Hand Warmers - A Christmas Project".

What to Grow:

Bonsai Trees Care presents "A Quick Introduction to the World of Grow Lights".

What to Pass Around:

Money Blue Book presents "Tips for Giving, Buying and Using Discount Gift Cards".


Stitchin' Girl presents "Beaded Eggs".


How To Me presents "How to Help Children With Their Daily Chores".

Thank you so much for joining us today and a HUGE thanks to Stephanie for allowing me to host this week's "Make It From Scratch"! Be sure to check out Adventures in the 100 Acre Wood for next week's "Make It From Scratch"! If you'd like to enter your post, click HERE for the form. Thanks again!

I am pleased to list this post at...

-Tip Junkie's "Talk to me Tuesday",
-5 Minutes for Mom's "Tackle It Tuesday",
-Tammy's Recipe's "Kitchen Tip Tuesday",
-Blessed With Grace's "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday",
-Mary's "Tightwad Tuesday",
and -The Lazy Organizer's "Talk About Tuesday".


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