Monopoly Anyone?

I bet some of you just love board games.  I feel like I should....  doesn't every good mom want to play endless hours of board games with her kids?  We played some growing up, but let's just say our family didn't always play....  well.....   functionally. So I'm not a fan.  Even though I feel guilty about it. 


Because of this guilt, I do from time to time get sucked into playing.  Last night Alyssa asked me to play Monopoly.  The mother of all board games.  You're looking at a 3 hour minimum time investment.   Do you know what I could with 3 hours?  (read a good book, make a gourmet meal, sleep, plant a garden, rearrange my closet...... )

This is what I got when I said I didn't want to play.  Ok, how do you say no to that?

Soooooo.....   he we are.  Setting up and getting ready to play Monopoly America Special Edition.   It's going to be a long night.  We started at 6:30pm.

Taylor got in the game too.  He was the top hat.  Alyssa wanted the space shuttle.  And I picked the pie...   because everything else was weird (like movie reels) and I could relate to pie.  Oh, and by the time we got the board set up and the money counted out, it was already like 7:30.  

Taylor was the banker.  This picture is out of focus, because he didn't want his picture taken and after 10 attempts, this was the best shot.  And the top hat really isn't the best piece for him....   but what piece do you choose to illustrate how cutthroat you are in Monopoly?  Hhmmm...... maybe they need a new piece.   An icicle maybe?  How about a scrolled up eviction notice?  All I can say is,  the boy is cold.

Oh fake Monopoly money....   how I wish you were real.

Oh, and right before we started, Dad jumped in the game too.  

Early in the game, Alyssa accused Taylor of cheating and left the game in a 12 year old girl emotional melodrama.  Natalie quickly took her place much to the annoyance of others who insisted she can't play on her own.

We've got hotels and some serious real estate happening here...   and Natalie learned that she CAN count out money on her own!

Now, one thing I so dislike about board games, is that as a mom you are constantly interrupted because one child or another needs you.  In the few minutes it took me to get the 3 year old a snack, something sinister went down.  When I came back to the game, Mafia Pete here and his Dad had formed an unholy alliance.  They agreed to merge all their holdings (and they had most of them already), and give each other amnesty (AKA free rent) until they took Natalie and me out.  Then they'd dissolve and go after each other.  Wow....   that's all I can say.   Such cruelty from your spouse and a child you gave birth to (without drugs, who weighed over 10 lbs).....   I'm just sayin'.

They just sat there and waited for the inevitable bankruptcy.  It didn't take long.  Which is actually not a bad thing.  Because my bankruptcy, which came shortly after Natalie's, ended the 3 HOUR LONG GAME.    Next time could we just play chutes and ladders?  Or, here's an idea!  Play without me.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving morning, about 7am.  Woke up with a smashing headache, and thought I'd blog a little while everyone sleeps, and before turkey prep begins.  I wanted to list a few more things that I'm thankful for, although I could never, EVER list them all.  


1.  Purple.....   how can you look at purple and not feel a little happier?


2.  Snow (not snowy roads), because it makes my kids SO happy


3.  The kindness of people...   we've had a rough year and been on the receiving end of help and support more than I'd like (because I love giving, not receiving).  But so awesome, and so thankful to have had it.


4.  Cheesecake.  In high school, my best friend brought an entire cheesecake and can of blueberry filling to school....   and 4 of us shared and ate THE WHOLE THING.  And yet, I still love cheesecake.  


5.  Making re-connections with friends and family on Facebook


6. All the things I've learned this year about myself;  my abilities, the power of having vision and thinking positively, and experiencing the truth that action conquers fear.


7.  Newly waxed hardwood floors.  Oooohhhh......  shiny!


8.  Christmas music.  I'd listen to it all year if I could, because it's message of hope, salvation, and joy is one I need all year long.


9.  Technology.  It can be a pain at times...  because I don't always know how to use it or how to fix it.  But having my mom and Chloe get to see each other from across the miles when Chloe blew out her birthday candles.....   priceless!


10.  Lipstick....   I love lipstick.  I usually forget to wear it.  But I love the perfect shade of lipstick and how it helps me feel a little more polished and together.  


Now, it took for forever to find this.  I've seen it ascribed to President Lincoln as his Thanksgiving Day address.  But it's not.  It was a few months later when he proclaimed a National day of fasting and prayer.  It's still a marvelous speech on gratitude and God ,  and worth reading and pondering this Thanksgiving.  Enjoy your day and your many blessings!

SNOW!!

You see this?  It's on my front porch, because it's autumn.  Now I've lived in places where autumn (or even late summer) means snow.  But not generally here.  We're in a desert.  We have pretty mild winters for the most part. We hardly get any precipitation at all.  Less than two weeks ago we were heading out the door without jackets.  

And then this happened.  Not just the dusting we usually get.  (ok, you Utah and Idaho people can stop laughing at my "very much snow" picture...  but really, this is a lot for us... we were overwhelmed with snowiness).

Giada likes it.  It makes our dogs frisky.  They can't get enough of romping through it.  

The girls can't get enough of romping through it either!  

Chloe and I have been reading "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats.  The first thing she wanted to do was make an angel.  A snow angel made by an angel. 

The snow was a little dry for a good snowball fight, but they tried.

Silly girls...

Michael's traditional "I'll be crazy and pretend it's summer for the first snow" pose.  He's just flat crazy.  

The best way to end playtime in the snow...   a warm cookie in front of a warm heater.

Changes

Ok, so I get bored easily.  If I could rearrange my furniture monthly...  I probably would.  Sadly, my house doesn't really accommodate many workable configurations....   so I'll have to be content redesigning my blog every so often (or really often).  There are just too many colors and too many designs to stick with just one for very long!    

More to be Thankful For

More of my continuing list of things to be especially thankful for....


1.  the absence of flies....  which hasn't actually happened yet, but I'm sure looking forward to it...  (my country sisters share my pain I'm sure).


2.  warm, fuzzy socks on a cold autumn night


3.  God's tender mercies that we receive every single day


4.  homemade spicy Asian peanut sauce.....  YUM!


5.  the sound of the wind through the trees on a warm spring day


6.  waterfalls...    I find them breathtaking no matter the size or scale and someday I'm going to have one in my house (I'm not kidding).  


7.  digital cameras, so when my younger children take 27 photos of each other's feet and nostrils, I can simply hit delete instead of having to pay to develop the whole role for the one precious picture on it...   like with my older children  (you all still owe me).


8.  breastfeeding my babies... I've spent a total of 15 years of my life lactating to date (no, that is not a typo) and for me it has been one of the greatest privileges and blessings of motherhood.


9  musicals...   because I like idea of people just bursting into song at random moments.  I think musicals should be taken off stage and into real life...  wouldn't that be something?


10.  homemade soap...  love love LOVE it... love making it, smelling it, using it.   The 130 bars I had in my basement are almost gone and I think I'm gonna have to make some more soon. (yeah!)

Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish

I love cranberries, but I'm not a big fan of the canned, jellied cranberry sauces.  They're ok.  They have their place (I guess).  And I know some of you really really like it.  But you have to try  fresh cranberry orange relish!  Only half my family will touch a cranberry sauce/relish of any kind...  and this is what they prefer.  It's super easy to make, good for you, and yummy!  Cranberries have anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties...   you can't say that for much of the food on our Thanksgiving tables, so eat up!

You'll need 1 lb of fresh or frozen whole cranberries, sugar, canned mandarin oranges (or fresh orange sections if you prefer), and a bit of cinnamon.

Use a blender or food processor to chop the cranberries.  You don't want a fine puree.  If a few berries make it through practically whole, no problem.

This is how they should look.  If you use a blender or small processor, you'll want to do this is 2 or 3 small batches.  

Add about 1 cup of sugar.  You may want it a little more or less tart...  so you can add slowly and adjust to taste.

Now you can put in 2 small cans of drained, Mandarin oranges, (or about 2 cups of fresh orange segments)

About 1/2 tsp of cinnamon..  again you can adjust to taste.  You really can't mess this up.

Give it a stir and let it chill for a couple of hours to mix the flavors and dissolve the sugar. You want the oranges to break into smaller pieces, so don't be too gentle.  I love how the cranberries keep their crunch this way, and how some larger bits of cranberry burst in your mouth.  Heavenly!  


(In the spirit of full disclosure, I'll tell you that this recipe can also be made as a cooked version, but that would be so sad.) 

Where in the World is..........?

We are studying the wonderful world of geography this year!  It's something I've always been fascinated by, and decided to learn more  with my children.  Since we're studying US History, we're starting with the United States, but we'll move on to the rest of the world shortly.

I've always been fascinated by other places.  As a child, I went on many  trips with my family.  I was born in upstate NY and we traveled the New England states for camping and fishing.  Later, we moved to Virginia and my mother's parents moved to Alabama.  We made many road trips  from Virginia to Alabama.  My father was from Hungary and all his family still lives there.  When I was six, we traveled there to meet them.  I went on to live in UT, NJ, CA, and finally WA.

I remember driving through little towns seemingly out in the middle of nowhere, or big cities all lit up at night,  and wondering who lived there, what their lives were like, and what was it like to live there.  I used to wish I could live in all  of those places just for a little while, to see for myself.  (I still feel that way sometimes...  I  warned you earlier, I'm a dork).

The world is just so amazingly beautiful and diverse.  Wouldn't it be cool to travel the US in an RV for a year and just explore as you go?  Well, that's not happening for us this year (but maybe someday), so instead we're taking a virtual trip.

We found a great little resource for basic facts about each state (they have a world one too).  We've learned them in order of statehood, doing our best to memorize the first 13 that changed from colonies to states.  We use a dry erase marker to outline and label by number each state, doing about 5 each week.  We have this great wall map that's laminated, so we can write on it and erase later.

Once we've done them all (we're almost finished), we'll learn state capitals, and read some about each state's  history.  I had almost forgotten I even had this book on my shelf, and we're looking forward to diving in.

We'll take some extra time to mark the map with states we were born in, or traveled through, and talk about which states we'd like to visit someday.   We'll work on a puzzle of the United States so they get a physical feel of how they all connect together. We'll probably connect it to cooking, and talk about regional cuisine and make some together.  Geography is the favorite part of their morning, which makes me happy, because I love it too.

Thankfulness

I believe abundance and prosperity begins with gratitude for all we  have and a true and deep appreciation for  the little things.  I also know I get busy and take for granted what many of these things are.  Shame on me!  I was at a wonderful leadership training event last night where a mentor of mine talked about the "language of increase".  If we want prosperity and abundance then we must talk about the blessings, good news, and success in EVERY situation.  This past year has been like a hard, bumpy roll downhill.  We have experienced a lot of discouraging and frustrating circumstances.  I'm sorry to  admit I've struggled to see anything to be grateful for in some of the things that have happened.  My children are watching, and I need to do better.  


 I'm going to make some random "gratitude lists" this month of the little things that need my focus and appreciation.   I'm hoping a little public acknowledgement of my former ingratitude will help set me straight!  


1.  I'm thankful for music!  I LOVE a huge variety of  music (well ...   not rap, and not screaming death rock).  Music can turn your whole mood around in just minutes.  


2.  I'm thankful for the variety of four seasons.  Each one has beauty and something to look forward to.


3.  I'm thankful for dark chocolate.  I mean really...   right?   The darker the better too.  72% cocoa?  Perfect!


4.  Water.  Trust me, it's AWESOME!


5.  I'm thankful for three year olds.  Every day is discovery and mastery and the most amazing things come out of their mouths.  


6.  Books (and highlighters.....  don't forget the highlighters).   Give me a book and I'm a happy camper!  (as long as I've got a highlighter)


7.  My bed.  We recently watched the movie The Blind Side (EXCELLENT true story).  The main character is in high school and tells his foster mother he's never had his own bed before.  Wow.  And I complain because my comforter is old.  


8.  I'm thankful for mentors.  I'm grateful to have amazing mentors in my life who have willingly taught me all they know, believed in me more than I believe in myself, and always cheer me on.  


9.  I'm thankful for geography.  We have a varied and beautiful earth.  We're having LOTS of fun this year studying states and countries.  If I could, I'd live in each of the 50 states, just to see what they're like (I know, I'm a dork).  


10.  Corelle ware.  I have seven children.  Enough said.  

PUMPKIN RECIPES

I don't love how early it gets dark in November.  I don't like the cold wind that can blow right through a person.  But I do love the warmth and comfort of fall foods!  We especially love pumpkin.  First of all, it's a vegetable, so how's that for healthy! 1 cup of pumpkin has 19% of your daily vitamin C, and 245% of your vitamin A!  It's loaded with important anti-oxidants.   And it's pretty versatile.  I thought I'd share several of our favorite pumpkin recipes....  some we use year round, because we like it that much.  


I don't have pictures of all of these.  That would require me to actually stay home for a few days in a row and cook and bake (which I LOVE) but I haven't been finding the time for... but I'm going to have to!  These are too yummy to pass up.  Oh, and if you've never discovered the bliss of dark chocolate with pumpkin....   you've been missing out.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes

These are light and fluffy and yummy and good for you and a little indulgent too.  I quadruple this and freeze the extras for quick breakfasts because I'm just that lazy.  They defrost nicely in the microwave. 

2 cups flour (I use at least half whole wheat)

2 Tbs packed brown sugar

1 Tbs baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup solid pack pumpkin

1 egg, slightly beaten

2 Tbs oil

1/2 cup or more semi-sweet chocolate chips

Go ahead and preheat a griddle.  I prefer cast iron, but whatever you're used to is fine.  Then combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients and mix well.  Add this to the flour mixture and stir until just moistened.  The batter will be fairly thick.  Add the chips and stir lightly.  The batter is too thin if the chips sink to the bottom.  They should be held in suspension.  

Using a 1/4 cup measure, pour batter onto the hot seasoned griddle.  Cook until the edges appear slightly dry, then flip.  

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

We love cheesecake.  We love pumpkin pie.  So this is the perfect combination.  

3 8 oz packages of cream cheese (we use 1 fat free and 2 low fat)

1 cup sugar, divided

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1 cup pumpkin

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

dash of cloves

2 cups crushed ginger snaps

1/2 cup chopped pecans

6 Tbs butter

Crush the gingersnaps, add the finely chopped pecans, and add the 6 Tbs of butter.  This is the crust.  Press this into the bottom of a springform pan and 2 inches up the sides.

Beat the softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup of sugar, and vanilla.  Add the eggs.  Reserve 1 1/2 cups of plain batter, then stir the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, pumpkin, and spices into the batter.  Spoon 1/2 the pumpkin batter over the crust.  Use 1/2 the plain batter and drop in dollops.  Repeat the layers and cut through gently with a knife to swirl.  

Bake at 325F for about 55 min, til almost set.  Chill for 4 hours.

Pumpkin Bars

1 cup wheat flour

1 cup of white (you could use all whole wheat)

1 Tbs pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup pumpkin

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup chocolate chips

Combine dry ingredients.  Beat butter and sugars in a large mixer til creamy.  Beat in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla.  Slowly beat in flour mixture.  Spread in a greased jelly roll pan. Sprinkle the chips on top and bake at 350F for 18-22 minutes.  We get RAVES on these wherever we take them, and they're gone in minutes at home.

Pumpkin Banana Smoothie

This is a super healthy, super tasty breakfast treat.  It'll make 2 adult servings and will stretch further if feeding little ones.  

• 1  cup  low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 3/4  cup  canned pumpkin, chilled
• 1/2  cup  ice cubes
• 1/3  cup  fresh orange juice
• 1  tablespoon  brown sugar
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/8  teaspoon  ground nutmeg
• Dash of ground cloves
• 1  ripe banana, sliced and frozen
• Dash of ground cinnamon (optional)

I hope this adds to your autumn enjoyment!