Confessions Of A Brownieaholic

I am still on a dairy free plan as baby Butterfly does not seem to tolerate milk, butter, or cheese quite yet. I have come across a DIVINE brownie recipe which I have made them three times in one week! Yes they are that good!! The key is chocolate, lots of it!



The recipe is rather easy:

1/2 cup canola oil

2 eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP cocoa powder

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 F

Line an 8 inch pan with parchment paper or spray with oil.

Beat together oil and eggs, then beat in sugar.

Add the vanilla and cocoa powder.

Stir in the flour and baking powder. The batter will be very thick.

Spread in prepared pan, bake for 25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and cut into 16 pieces.

Enjoy a cup of coffee, hot cocoa, or milk with your delectable creation.

A Working Girls Dinner

So I did return to work yesterday. It turns out all of the fretting was for naught. Our sitter came and after a high five to the twins, Little Sprout came to me and blurted out "Go to work mom". I was a bit taken aback but at the same time very glad to know he was just fine with my departure. Let the party begin is what he was thinking! All went very well at work and on the home front.

Baby butterfly did not take much of her bottle but had not a word of complaint either. I have a great dinner in a pinch for anyone who could use it on a work night or any other night. Very simple, fast and SO delicious!

Ingredients:

Any vegetables you favor roasted - I used carrots, parsnips, potatoes and onionsolive oil

spices - I used all spice, tarragon, & garlic salt

One Rotisserie chicken - I opted for 3 lb chicken at Costco for $5, cooked and hot, can't beat it!!

Simply microwave the veggies until tender (10 minutes).

Place on a cookie sheet toss with spices and olive oil, roast (400 degrees F) for 15-20 minutes until browned.

Arrange veggies around rotisserie chicken on a platter and serve.

Work It Girl

So here it comes, I am returning to work VERY PART TIME on Tuesday (tomorrow!) I have mixed feelings. On one hand I crave some time with adults, away from three kids under three. I enjoy what I do professionally, working in a family practice as a Physician Assistant. The staff is great, the pay is wonderful, they are very flexible with my schedule, I enjoy catching up with patients I haven't treated for a while. On the other hand I am leaving my baby butterfly for 5 hours until Scarecrow comes home and takes over the fort!! Normally on Tuesdays my mother in law takes the twins for the day. The office could really use me on this day OF COURSE!! I really have enjoyed Tuesdays with just one. It just so happens my in laws are out of town this week. So it is trial by fire for our sitter. We do have a wonderful college woman who comes to our home and I do feel she is very capable.

My greatest concern is about my littlest one. I wonder how she will do with a bottle. She has taken a bottle since she was 2 weeks old as scarecrow would feed her pumped milk at 10 pm while I slept through a feeding. However, sometimes she just refuses to drink out of a bottle! What is the worst that can happen?

The two older ones somersaulting off of the couch while the baby is eating? Well, yes, been there done that. Let's not dwell on what could happen. I will just mind my diet (baby butterfly gets terribly gassy and crampy if I have any dairy) and send up some prayers. I will ask you to do the same - the prayers that is!

Christmas Past and A New Year Begins

Wow, Christmas is already past. That went fast. It's about time to blog about it!

It was a different Christmas this year as it was our fist Christmas away from home. We have always spent the night at my parents home on Christmas eve and celebrated Christmas together upon waking. This year things were different but good at the same time. My sis and her family decided to travel to see dear friends, so we hosted Christmas brunch. I do believe we may have started a NEW tradition.

It was baby butterfly's first Christmas. Sweet Pea and little Sprout are nearing three years old so they REALLY got into Christmas presents.

They actually enjoyed opening and playing with each and every gift. Opening presents took over two hours!!

Sweet Peas favorite presents were her new belt and underwear that she donned immediately!!

The new year was rung in with a fantastic party hosted by Ruby Red slippers and her Tin Man. It has been an annual event since B.C. (before children)!!

We get friends together, play games, have yummy food , drinks, dance ( dance dance revolution competitions), and toast in the new year as the ball drops.

We wish you the very best for a blessed new year!

Together On Tuesdays

I have been enjoying a weekly tradition for the past few months. It is being together with baby butterfly on each Tuesday of the week. Yep, just her and I. How is that possible you wonder? Sweet pea and Little sprout are not even in preschool! Well I will let you in on the secret ingredient. My mother in law! Oh, thank God for her. She takes the twins every Tuesday, ALL DAY.

They have a fun filled morning attending a bible study called Community Bible Study (CBS), then they eat the lunch I pack them and spend the afternoon at Grandmas. They even take their naps at her house (separating them into different rooms works well).

My day on the other hand consists of well whatever I want!! It usually involves running errands with baby butterfly, sooooo much easier with one child rather than three.

I spend time napping, exercising, knitting, eating a peaceful hot lunch, and of course often blogging. I think Tuesdays together with baby butterfly have helped keep my sanity intact.

When daddy gets home with Sweet Pea and Little Sprout his little butterfly goes straight to his arms.

Thanks to the best mother in law!!! Joy to you on your Tuesdays!

SNOW DAY

It was our first snow day this week. Now I know you are thinking WHAT a snow day already? Our school wasn't canceled. What district are you in anyway??

Let me clarify things. Our first "snow day" consists of just that, snow.
Yep, it was the first day of snow for the winter season and BOY what excitement there was at our house!!

Little sprout spotted it outside of the window that morning, "what that?" He questioned. Scarecrow asked him what he thought it was "mosquito's " he retorted. Yes, too cute. We explained it was snow. Soon he had put his snow pants on and was ready to go outside. That is just what we did. Everyone (excluding baby butterfly and Nana) bundled up and hit the snow. We made mini snow men (there was only 1/4 inch of snow fall :) , threw snow at each other which brought tears, stomped around in it and drew in it. We then headed indoors for some hot chocolate and marshmallows. Let the joy of winter begin!!

Our Christmas Tradition

We have a tradition in our family that started when Scarecrow and I first married.

It stems from when I was was a child, we did the same activity every year and it carries many fond memories for me.

It it cutting down a Christmas tree, hauling it home and decorating our live tree.

This year my sis (Ruby Red Slippers) came with her boys to help us pick the tree this year. They will be traveling for Christmas and didin't have to select one of their own. She donned the baby carrier and hauled baby butterfly the whole time!

We grabbed a wagon and some of the kiddos jumped on for a ride given by Scarecrow himself. We travel to the trees to find a beauty. Now, I must confess this part usually takes us a LONG time.

However, with three screaming children it is great motivation to settle for the tree that is decent, not perfect. This year I didn't care about perfect. With two toddlers and a baby
ALL crying at once, we aimed for quick!! It was the fastest tree finding mission in our families history. The cold air blowing helped a bit too.

We had it up in our living room the same day and spent three days decorating it with the kids. A few of the candy canes made it on the tree, many were eaten in the process.

There were oohs aaahs, and screams of delight as we pulled out ornaments and lit up the tree. "I so excited!!!" Sweet pea exclaimed. Well, so are we, it is a joy to relive the experience of Christmans through a childs eye. Merry Christmas to you and yours.