Thoughtful Thursday

It’s not them, it’s me…

I realized this morning that the escalation in naughty behaviour by my precious little boys isn’t actually so, and that the problem has been with the way that I have been reacting to said behaviour.  I have lost my Zen Mama Groove.  I am usually a much more mellow, easy going Mama.  Not letting the small things get to me.  Something changed.  Since the move here I have been saying that they boys behaviour has deteriorated to the point of disaster, and that I am at my wits end.  But maybe it is me.  Have I just given up trying?  Have I just lost the ability to handle them?  To have fun with them and enjoy their craziness and go with the flow?  I think so.  And this makes me sad. 

I need to lighten up.  Find my place again.  I have started taking the steps to get back into the groove that I enjoy.  Playing with my boys, baking, creating, getting involved in volunteering, learning.  Do what makes me happy.  Tired of worrying what people think or perceive as reality and get back to what really matters.  My boys.  All three of them.  Be kinder.  Talk sweeter. And stop being so hard on myself. 

Gone in 21 hours….

And 10 of those Aiden was sleeping!  Aiden has devoured 75% of this yummy cake:

Aiden is my baked goods fiend.  He will try my creations and ask for them over and over again.  Jakob likes certain things I make; chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, sugar cookies, and chocolate cake.  But when it comes to new things like scones, biscuits, or this ah-mazing Strawberry Cake, he hesitates.  Not sure if he will like it he immediately says “No, Thank You” rather than taking a bite to see if he likes it.  Quite frustrating as this goes with ALL food, if he isn’t sure he will like it he refuses to try it.  Makes for a very limited diet for him.   But I digress.

Aiden makes it easy for me to consider if a recipe is a success or not, usually by how quickly he devours it.  And I will guarantee that this recipe from Maria, Two Peas and Their Pod, is a KEEPER.  With strawberries about to come into season here, I can picture this being made many times over.  And will make it with other berries as the seasonal fruit comes in. I look forward to making it again and adding a little bit of lime to it….maybe a glaze?  Not that it needs it.  It is light, a delicate crumb, with the burst of berry slices peeking out.  It is called a cake, but I had no problem serving and eating this for breakfast….Aiden inhaled his piece! (I also recommend eating this with a little dollop of whipped cream….just saying!)

You can find the recipe HERE.  And while you are there, check out Maria’s recipes for cookies….she always has great cookies going on!

Happy Jelly Bean Day

Another obscure food holiday….just in time for Easter.  National Jelly Bean Day!!

My lovely husband, Jason, is a jelly bean fiend.  Probably eats at least a full bag by himself each Easter.  But they have to be the right kind, NO fancy Jelly Belly Beans here, he like the cheap Brach's beans.  Like these….

I, personally, LOVE the black ones and am glad that you can now buy bags of ONLY black.

What’s your favourite colour of jelly bean??

If you are still looking for more Easter treats….check out this post from She’s Becoming Doughmesstic, or this one for JELLY BEAN cookies from In Katrina’s Kitchen.

Wordless Wednesday

He has a new habit of sneaking in my bed and stealing all my pillow. And I love it.


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Salted Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce

 

Yes, it is as wonderful as it sounds….check out my guest post over at She’s Becoming Doughmesstic and show Susan and I some LOVE!

Wordless Wednesday

Cherry Lime Scones….

I used my “go to” scone recipe (find it here) and added in HUGE dried cherries, some lime zest, some lime powder, and then glazed them with lime juice, powdered sugar and more lime powder.

Just for an afternoon snack with a good cup of coffee.

Monkey Monday–Brave Mama

We are expecting a visit from the Tooth Fairy any day now.  Jakob has his FIRST loose tooth.  And this freaks me out.  Totally.  Jakob is quite relaxed about it all, when asked how is tooth is doing he basically shrugs his shoulders and says “good”.  Nothing more.  He is not one of those kids that is constantly wiggling it either.  I can remember pretty much wiggling it till it popped out! 

There is something about my big boy losing his first tooth that totally grosses me out.  It’s icky.  A part of him is going to fall out of his mouth.  And even though it is a fact of life, that it means that he is growing up (which also makes me sad), it still gives me the heebie jeebies.  Totally irrational. 

So now comes the planning.  I try (and sometimes fail) to make the big milestones something to remember.  We make a big deal out of family traditions around the holidays, birthdays, etc.  I am trying to figure out what to do for this first loose tooth.  I am thinking tooth cookies (I already have the cutter), a dinner of his favorite soft foods, and…..I am stumped.   I need your best ideas.  Oh, and I need to know how much does a tooth go for these days?

I did a little bit of surfing on Etsy and found these lovely little tooth fairy pillows….

I suspect there will be a late night Etsy purchase later today…I mean, they are just the cutest right?

Please….let me in on your families traditions for this huge milestone.  If you have blogged it or read about someone else’s experience, leave me a link.  I need your help!  Jakob will appreciate it.