Work vs. Sugar Cookies

"School's out for summer!"

The lyrics to the "School's Out" rock song have been going through my head all day. I'm not a big Alice Cooper fan, but something about the evil sounding....is it joy? Probably not, but I guess that fits the mood.

I love summer. I love having my kids home. I love being on our own schedule, coming and going as we like; playing, creating, reading, exploring, lazy afternoons, all of it. Unfortunately, today was not like that.

It started out well enough, good morning cuddles, hugs and kisses wiping the sleep away. No rush breakfast and even a little music and dancing, courtesy of Hup. Then, things went sour. Squabbles turned violent and disrespect for all was the tune. I had to pull out my chore list just to get things back in line. Come on, the first day of summer and we we're doing chores? I'm not sure who hated it worse, me or the kids.

What is it about work that brings things back in order? It's more that just the physical cleanliness of my kitchen cabinets, attitudes seem to be cleared out and washed to a shine. As Rosebud scrubbed, she asked why I always make her work when she's ornery. Without hardly thinking I replied that work makes you happy. She rolled her eyes at me, but not three minutes later she was humming with suds dripping from her elbows.

Time well spent, yet I felt behind somehow. So, we made sugar cookies....for lunch.

Summer Savin' Sugar Cookies

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/4 cup sour cream

1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F . In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside. (At this point make sure you put the baking soda back in the cupboard so your two year old doesn't grab it when you're not looking and pour it all over your living room)

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and sour cream until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or just until the edges start thinking about turning golden. Let cool a few minutes on the sheet then remove to wire rack.

Let the good times roll.

Dirty Little Secret

It all began a couple weeks ago when Laser Boy, who is exploring all the different realms of learning to go potty, began to flush things down the toilet. The first items to not clear the goose neck were two pencils....the two pens luckily made it to septic heaven. After plunging daily for a week, I convinced my husband to get serious about the problem and he took the toilet off it's base and retrieved the pencils, amongst other...um objects that ended up all over my bathroom floor.

Yuck.

All worth it though to have a working toilet again, or so we thought. Two days later down went a lego window. Since the toilet continued to flush with perfect force we figured luck was shining down on us. A few days later everything stopped draining. I'm tired of thinking about the disgusting details so I'm not going to relate them all here, only to say that my husband canceled my call for help to the plumber, and spent a week playing in crap. After the third try at clearing the pipe, and a very creative pipe/hose structure, things seemed to be draining smoothly.

Yesterday, as I was doing some laundry everything started coming up in my bathtub. I didn't even hesitate.

I called the plumber.

The plumber came. The plumber retrieved the lego window from our main drainage pipe with his handy snake, chopper thing. The plumber collected his $80. The plumber left.
All before hubby came home from work. I still haven't told him. He didn't want to spend the money, and I didn't want a stinky ornery husband. Our food budget will be a little low this month, but we'll squeak by, and we're all the happier.

Maybe one day, when the air has cleared, I'll clear my own concious and come clean....and we'll laugh.

(Dear Husband, If by some chance your reading this, I just want you to know of my gratitude to you for spending so much time in the depths of filth and slime so we didn't have to. I am amazed by your ingenuity and determination to get a job done. Please forgive me for being weak when I saw sewage coming up in my bathtub and calling the plumber.)

Where I Live

We went for a little walk on Sunday....perfect weather (not anymore, now it's roastin' hot, or as Sunshine would say, "It feels like hot lava out here!"). This is one of my favorite views of the mountains...minus the wires.

Where do you live?

Oh So Simple Tomato Sauce

I love this sauce. I have used it to add zing to canned spaghetti sauce, as a starter for pizza sauce (add some oregano and onion), and as a topping for chicken Parmesan (I'll post that another time). Last fall I canned a few pints using tomatoes and basil from my garden and it has been so handy and delicious, that I'll be doing a LOT more this year, and hoping to use my own garlic also.

1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
4 cloves minced garlic
1 T tomato paste
1 tsp olive oil
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1T minced fresh basil leaves
Salt and pepper

For a smoother sauce use a blender to chop tomatoes until mostly smooth, set aside. Cook garlic, tomato paste, oil and pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat until the tomato paste begins to brown, just a few minutes. Stir in the pureed tomatoes (or chunky if you like) and cook until the sauce is thickened and measures about 2 cups, about 20 minutes. Turn off heat and add basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Can't we all just be friends?

Blurb Book Photo Contest....Anything goes this week, so pick out your favorite photo, post and link at iheartfaces.

Love the color on this picture...and the boy in it. What a serious little man, so calm and peaceful (hehe)....what deep thoughts, solving all the problems of the world, I'm sure.

"I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites."

Note to Self

You have a two year old. Please remember this next time you make a "quick" trip out to the garden.


p.s. Hide kitchen knives.

Glory in Chaos

"How can we glory in tribulation?"

The question was asked and then, leaning forward and lowering her voice, just like she was about to impart some great secret, she looked around the room to make sure she had every one's attention. To be honest, I was all ears. She had just led a wonderful discussion on having faith through our trials; the importance of depending on Him, trusting Him, and never denouncing His truth no matter how hard it gets. We talked of His innocent blood spilt and the importance of not forsaking that, and how the nature of our trials are more spiritual than of tests of physical prosecution. All this accumulating to this final question. My heart burned, and I too leaned forward with a desire to share. She spoke, "The glory is in the success."

What?

My heart fell flat. I think I understand what she meant by this, but I couldn't have disagreed more with this as a final statement. I mean, what if I fail, as I so often do? Success is so vague, so dependent on perspective. Such a statement without defining success, was a like appreciating a greener lawn and missing the beauty of the storm.

No.

Glory in success is obvious, I mean, who wouldn't? But what about now? Isn't there more...even more required, than sitting huddled under a blanket, surviving the storm? Recently I read a post by Amber at therunamuck, and she asked similar questions.

What does it mean to seek Gods kingdom and His righteousness? Where is His
kingdom in our dirty houses and in our daily relationships? What does
simplicity look like?

She continues to blog about these questions, as I have continued to think deeper than my knee-jerk answers. Maybe the first question should be, what is His kingdom.....what is His glory? Is glory simply the joy of accomplishment, or is it part of the struggle? Does it get dirty and mangled, gashed and torn?

Sunday was Mother's Day...my day. Seriously, I've been a mom long enough to know what the day is all about, but to be honest I wasn't looking for any real special treatment, I just wanted to spend time with my kids, but the whole day seemed to be filled with fighting. It was so stressful I was ready to send them all out with their dad so I could....I don't know...

So where's the glory in that? Where's the kingdom in that....simplicity...yeah, get them out of my face and I'm sure in an hour or two I will love them again...maybe. Even still, I felt something more, it was in the back of my head and lingering at the edge of my heart, and once I noticed it, it came pushing through the aggravation of my ornery bunch on my happy day. I am so thankful....thankful to Him for these kids, and I prayed to see more clearly what they must be screaming for just as loud as I was screaming for them to stop screaming. By bedtime, sweet bedtime, we found peace.....peace amongst wet pants and hurt feelings, and around the crumbs on my couch we snuggled and read and even laughed. Touch and forgiveness; trust rebuilt...glory in chaos.

One of my favorite times to take pictures is just before a storm, when everything seems to be getting dark....the light is amazing. Not the bright beautiful light of a spring morning, but a light that brings out contrast and different hues.....shades that only exist in that moment. Such an interesting beauty. Whether the storm will be just a light passing mist, or a violent hail hurling wind, that moment of queer wonder is the key to seeing the glory in the storm.

The simplicity of gratitude, a showing of faith's power over fear. Gratitude doesn't just loiter in ease and beauty, it blows though doubt, washes though loneliness, and shines clarity on grief and pain. I know this isn't all encompassing, everyone has to find their own path, but for me, gratitude is key in seeing His glory in the everyday, feeling His glory when my heart is broken, and giving glory to Him through it all.

Humbly acknowledging His ways....striving to make them my own.

Contrast

Speaking of contrast.....I found myself sleeping in yesterday morning (and by sleeping in I mean 6:30), kiddos piled all around; the window was open and I could hear spring serenading my whim.

I love mornings like that.

The day before I was up before 5 so I could get my run in before hubby had to leave. Still a little dark, but with the promise of light.

I love mornings like that.

Two perfectly wonderful ways to start the day....completely contrasting, each right in it's own time.

Contrast...not good and bad, but good and good for you....the kind that makes you feel humbled; the only choice being the ability to acknowledge His control.

Is it possible for a moment to bring peace, even happiness, and rip you apart at the same time?

Where I Live

Saw this during a walk with my kids. Why is it that such contrast makes it more beautiful, and if not beautiful, at least interesting?

Where do you live?

Naturally Mischievous

So natural, but so mischievous....with all these bunny ears maybe I should have used this picture for Easter week at iheartfaces, looks a little chilly though. I love all their different expressions, especially Sunshine, so I'm glad I had another chance to get this photo in for my kids entry for hat week.

For my adult entry it's my favorite man with an adorable addition. I never get tired of taking pictures of these two hiking buddies.....I think I'm in love.

Put on your hats and join the party at iheartfaces.