Rainy Day Fun

With the rain today, feeling a little under the weather myself, and having just put on a big event at our studio last night to unveil the images for our project "Just As I Am", I decided to lay low today. My little guy got up early and my school boy slept in, so I spent some time on the couch this morning and decided we were skipping school today.



At 8:30, I found myself making two batches of playdough. I made it once about three years ago, but hadn't even wanted to since. It was fun to see the colours develop. Kept the kids entertained for quite a while. (And we all know how good that is!)











Here's the recipe (there are many versions apparently, some without cream of tartar):

1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 c. cold water
1 tbsp. cooking oil
food colouring

Cook all ingredients together over medium heat. It will be lumpy and hard to stir. Stir constantly until it begins to leave sides of pot. Remove from pot, then knead a few minutes. Store in an airtight container.



And here are some thoughts on rain from Sarah Ban Breathnach's "Romancing the Ordinary".

"Rain restores serenity to our daily endeavors because it slows us down, or it should. It's been my observation that when it rains, no one--from the dog to the boss--really expects much to happen or get done. This means we get to indulge in activities that would otherwise make us feel guilty--dawdling,idle conversation with coworkers, naps. "My, isn't the weather dreadful," we mutter as our frazzled bodies and restless spirits downshift with a sigh of relief.

Rediscovering the splendors of rain through your senses is a wonderful way to make an attitude adjustment. Watching a storm from a couch,window seat, or bed, especially as it grows dark, can be thrilling...cracking the window so that you can hear rain's melody--patters on a windowpane, drips through leaves, drizzle down drainpipes--is so soothing...breathe in the fragrance of rain before you shut the door behind you....A spring rain smells fresh and earthy; the fragrance of a summer shower is spicy, like incense....Rainy days are powerful personal prompts sent to remind us that in our desire to accomplish so much each day, we cherish ordinary time-outs too little. "

Then she also talks about developing a Rainy Day Cupboard, the "saving grace of Victorian mothers".

In these treasure troves of inspiration were neat, clearly marked boxes of arts and crafts supplies, games and novelties that were enjoyed only on rainy days.

This idea is great for small children (I would need to work on the neat, clearly marked part), but she also suggests it for us, the women/mothers. She insists you don't have to be crafty. Go beyond the norm, and walk through a crafts shop and find something that catches your interest: beads, leather, pottery, stained glass, ribbon, paper, framing, carpentry...there are lots of kits out there, even. She also has mixing bowls with all the non-perishable ingredients to make yummy treats. (pp. 106-110)


Fascinating.


Well, I should close off here. Maybe get out of these sweats and into the shower.

It's amazing. The whole time I've been typing here, my kids have been busy in the basement, discovering old toys in a box, and creating rooms out of some big boxes. They have not asked for the TV once! Maybe when we start the day with creativity, it catches on for the rest of the day...


Enjoy the rain!


P.S. This post is meant to inspire new ideas, not guilt...I know I've been in a rut...we all have them. I struggle with depression. I struggle with being overwhelmed. But this week, I started using my creativity for new things...and it's been refreshing (and yes, suppers got pushed back and bedtimes suffered, but I feel it was worth it...at least for this time). Okay, I'm done now!

Irony

Well, after posting about my adorable, lovable two-year-old, he turned over a new leaf and has become fiercely independent, openly defiant, and generally very challenging to deal with. And not napping very easily. Oh, the joys of motherhood! He's still great, but I find myself exhausted by all the emotional skirmishes. And with number three, mommy finds herself yelling right back! Sigh...

On another front, I just posted "How to make Chicken Noodle Soup" on our Eve blog. Feel free to check it out if you're in a space that feels like soup-making might be possible. It can be quite satisfying, especially if Daddy is with the kids and it's more like a little creative "me" time.

Enjoy the snow!

Another easy crockpot recipe...

Here's a recipe that calls forth images of summer:

Lemonade Chicken (from flylady.net if I remember right)

9 chicken thighs without skin (half of a club pack I think)
1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 can or so of frozen concentrate lemonade

Brown chicken in oil (you can dredge in flour and 1 tsp. salt if you like first). Put chicken in crockpot. Mix lemonade, brown sugar, vinegar (use regular vinegar if you prefer) and ketchup and pour over chicken. Cook on high for 3-4 hours (or low 6-8). When ready to serve, remove chicken to (warm) platter and thicken sauce with 2 Tbsp. cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water (I skip this part), and serve along with chicken. This is EXCELLENT and quick and easy.

Serves 2 adults and three small children fairly well unless one adult has a larger appetite/does hard labour etc.

Notes:
I make it with brown rice and peas. You can make the rice any time during the day and reheat it for supper.
I've also used bone-in thighs. You can use any chicken pieces really. I used to only buy chicken breasts, but now that I know a few good recipes for thighs, I rarely buy them. Usually quite a bit cheaper.

Quick salad idea:

coleslaw from a bag (Dole colourful is one)
sliced apples (well, diced almost)
creamy poppyseed dressing

Rodney updated the EveBaby.ca site recently...check it out!

Tasty and Quick

Part of the challenges of having a baby is figuring out how to care for this oh-so-dependent-and-unpredictable one and still get meals on the table. For many new moms, this can be even more challenging coming from a full-time work background and all that entails for meal preparation (whether it be shared, very quick prep, later meals, take-out or pre-packaged). Going from that to being home all day and having a fussy baby close to supper time changes things drastically. At Eve Baby, we know the many facets of motherhood and seek to help moms in as many ways as possible (besides giving them the most beautiful memories we possibly can!)

Thus I bring you our first meal ideas: French Beef Dip and Easy Spinach Salad

French Beef Dip (Crockpot Recipe) from "Cooking Con Brio" (Sask Music Teachers' Assoc)

3 to 4 lb beef roast (I use Outside Round Roast just because it's a mid-range price)
1/2 cup soya sauce
1 bay leaf
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp rosemary
1 beef bouillon cube (or 1 cup of beef broth)
6 peppercorns

Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Add water to almost cover roast (for large crockpots this makes a lot of au jus!) Turn slow cooker on low for the day. Slice meat (or fork apart) and put onto buns. Serve with juice for dipping.

Easy Spinach Salad (courtesy of my sister after one of my babies was born)

Spinach from a bag
Mandarins from a can
Sliced almonds from a bag
Creamy poppyseed dressing.

Mix. Done. Yum!


Variations for toddlers: cut roast into fry-sized pieces for finger food (dip into ketchup if necessary), put butter on the bun, set aside some mandarins for them...