My Pots and Pans

Many moons ago, when I was a young adult, my goal was to start collecting things for when I would move out -- either on my own or with a husband.  I made a list of things I would need.  (Because I really like lists.)  Every payday, I would try to get something on my list.  I'm pretty sure this is how I acquired my can opener.  And a few other items.  Sometimes I would save up -- or put an item on layaway.  That's how I got my futon (which I got rid of several years ago). 

Anyway, my mom knew about my goals.  My chestless hope chest, I guess we'll call it ;).  And so, for my birthday (my 20th maybe?), she bought me my very first set of pots and pans.  I didn't move out for a while longer...  Not until I was 22.  And until then, I saved them in the box -- brand new.  Because I wanted to treasure them and use them in my place.

And I did.  And I still do treasure them.  And use them!  They've cooked many a great meal.  Including tonight when they helped prepare our Marvelous Monday Meal.  But it's more than that...  They are a reminder of my mother's love.  A reminder that she has always tried to help me reach for my dreams.

What are you grateful for today?

THRIVE Golden Cornbread Mix

Today we had a linger longer at church.  Basically, what this means, is after all the regular meetings were over (at 4), everyone who wanted to could hang around and eat and visit.  It was a potluck sort of thing, so we were supposed to bring something to share.

I remembered a week ago I needed decide what to make for it and put stuff on my grocery list for this.  But I forgot.  And then my friend Leslie reminded me yesterday morning on our hike.  And then I forgot about it, again.  Until after I'd gone to the grocery store.  Until after I'd attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor -- with a toddler.  Until after I was beyond finished having to do stuff.  Especially anything requiring much effort (or ingredients, for that matter).

And then, like a light bulb flicking on, I remembered the box of THRIVE goodies I'd just gotten on Friday (since I decided to try my hand at being a consultant).  And, though what has drawn me to these products is really the vegetables and fruits and things like whole egg powder (I love that I can have eggs in my long-term food storage!), I remembered that also in those goodies was a can (or two) of golden cornbread mix.  With all the ingredients already in the mix.  And all I'd have to do was add water and pop it in the oven.  No measuring of many ingredients (just water), no softening of butter...  And for a Sunday morning last-minute dish, that was perfect. 

I suppose this may seem a shameless plug.  I don't intend it to be.  Because, seriously, this saved my bacon today...  or should I say 'my cornbread.'

What are you grateful for today?/

Tennis Shoes

...and very white legs -- but not the mosquito I just realized while looking at the picture was on me and must have been trying to suck my blood.

One of the opportunities that comes with working with the youth at church is being able to accompany them on various activities.  Frozen yogurt trips...  Fun party games...  5 mile hikes up a mountain...

Okay, so my out-of-shape self may not be quite as excited about that last one...  But it made the journey!  This morning we hiked 5 miles (well, 2 1/2 each way) up Green Mountain.  And was I ever grateful for my tennis shoes! 

These shoes have walked miles and miles and miles.  In lots of places.  I bought them a decade ago in Dothan.  I can still remember being in the shoe store at the Wiregrass Commons Mall trying shoes on and choosing these.  Funny the things we remember.  And they've joined me in my journey to Tuscaloosa, and now to Washington.  And today they hiked a mountain. 

So... they are a pretty awesome thing, in my book.

Also, I forewarned everyone I was with that I was going to be grateful for them today... That way they didn't think I was too terribly crazy when I started taking pictures of my feet :).

What are you grateful for today?

That We Have What We Need

I write often of a variety things which I tend to take for granted.  Warm showers, clean water, the ability to hear and taste...

Last night I watched a brief video that got me all teary-eyed.  True, I am a lot sappier now that I'm a mommy.  Apparently it comes with the territory.

Anyway, as I watched the video about a charity trying to improve the lives of people in parts of Ecuador, I had this overwhelming feeling of knowing how blessed our family is that we have what we need.  How blessed I am that I have what I need.  The part that really got to me was when the narrator spoke of the infant and child mortality rate prior to the work of this charity.  A mortality rate that was quite high, because the children didn't get the nutrients they needed. 

And I thought of my little girl.  Thought of how healthy she is.  How full of life.  And I thought of how much I love her.  And I couldn't help but think of how much those mothers in Ecuador must love (and have loved) their children as well.  How much they must want (and have wanted) to be able to give their children everything they need, and how it must hurt them when they can't.

And I realized how grateful I should be and how grateful I am that I have those things that I need.  That I always have, from the time I was a baby. And I'm grateful there are good people in this world who desire to help those less fortunate -- who set up charities such as this one about which I was learning. 

What are you grateful for today?

Seeing My Baby Girl's Personality Emerge

Okay, so she's not my baby anymore.  Except for the fact that she'll always be my baby.  (There's a song for that, by the way -- Mariah Carey).

But one of the most fun things I've recently had the privilege of doing is watching her personality emerge and develop.  And I don't think I fully realized it until tonight.  Tonight she was my shadow as I attended an ice cream social type of event.  And I watched her personality as she interacted there.

My munchkin is not shy.  I don't know if this is normal for this age or not.  But if it isn't...  Well, then she isn't shy.  She may stare a new person down for a bit before she decides whether or not to give them a smile...  But she isn't shy. 

She is also very curious and inquisitive.  And while it was a struggle tonight to keep her from poking some newborns in the face (she definitely kept me on the move)...  I love that she is wanting to explore her world.  She is learning so much.

And she is courageous.  She isn't afraid to explore.  I know, as a child, I was very shy.  I stayed with my parents all the time when I was in a new place or new situation.  Often my parents had to coax me to go play with the other kids.  It doesn't seem that will be the case with my little one.

I've heard people say that the parent the child looks like is not the one the child acts like.  At this point (since most people say she looks like me), I'm saying that is true for us.  And, knowing my husband's personality and some of the stories from his early years...  A part of me is terrified about what that means ;).

But oh how I love her.  And I am so grateful I realized today that I am having a beautiful opportunity to watch my sweet girl's personality blossom.  And I am grateful I can be her mommy and try to encourage all the goodness within her.

What are you grateful for today?

Arroz con Pollo (Panamanian Chicken and Rice)

I grew up on this stuff.  And so it holds a special place in my heart. 

As with many things, there's not a whole lot I can say about it.  My mom makes it way better than I do (even though I follow the same recipe).  And I guess, for me, it's just sort of like comfort food.  And it's pretty healthy.  (Especially if you cut down on the salt...)

Tonight was Baby Girl's first time trying it out.  And based on the results, I think there will be another generation loving this yummy deliciousness. :).

So here's the recipe my mom gave me (and which I follow, except I've cut the salt back to 1 1/4 teaspoons and usually use a little less chicken).

2 to 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup celery (about 3 sticks) chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 8-ounce (or 1 15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1 teaspoon oregano
1 can chopped pimiento (optional)
1 8-ounce can tiny green peas (optional)
1/2 cup chopped stuffed olives (optional)
6 cups water
5 tablespoons oil, divided
2 tablespoons capers (optional)
2 1/2 cups raw rice
1 tablespoon salt

In 3 tablespoons oil, cook chicken breasts until browned on both sides. Remove chicken and saute onion, garlic, green pepper, cilantro, and celery until onion is soft. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, oregano, and water. Cook chicken in this same sauce until tender (about 45 minutes at a low boil). Remove chicken from sauce and allow to cool until able to be handled. Shred chicken. Fry rice in 2 tablespoons oil until golden. Add 2 ladles of sauce to the rice, stir to mix, and then add all that back into the original pot of sauce. Bring sauce to a boil, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking until most of the liquid has been absorbed; add chicken. Cover. Continue cooking over low heat until rice is flaky and dry. Add olives, chopped pimiento, capers, and peas if desired. Serve hot.

 

What are you grateful for today?

A Clothes Line

Now that it's summer time, it's mostly warmer here in Washington.  Most days, at least.  And most days have some sunshine.  (I'm okay with the lack thereof when there isn't and it isn't...  Because it keeps the apartment cool.)  So we've decided to capitalize on some free clothes drying :).  Just because we want to experiment and see if it makes much of a difference in our electric bill.  We have one of those "apartment" washer/dryer combo things, and it's not very big.  Ergo, I've noticed that almost every load requires two dry cycles.  So I'm thinking this may be a significant impact.

And even if it doesn't, they sure do smell nice and sunshine-y after hanging out to dry!  Plus, Baby Girl loves to be outside toddling around, and she loves to "help" with the laundry (which constitutes picking up the damp item, sucking on it, and handing it to me...), so this gives us an outside activity to do. 

Anyway, our space is limited, so I can only do one load a day like this, but I'm grateful my husband could hang out a clothes line to try this out :).  Honestly, it's been kind of enjoyable for me!

What are you grateful for today?