Last week I submitted my post about Meals On Wheels to a site called The Real Housewives of Oklahoma. It’s a collaboration of Oklahoma mommy bloggers who post their everyday musings, kid adventures, faith journey, recipes, etc. This morning they posted my Meals On Wheels article and I’m their guest blogger for the day! WhooooHoooooo!
Check it out
Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on August 31, 2011
http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2011/08/31/rhok-star/
The other day I was enjoying some tv surf time. It doesn’t happen very often so I love my time on the couch watching mindless tv cuddled up next to Dear Husband. I stopped on TLC to see what crazy was happening on Toddlers & Tiaras. Mistake. In the few seconds (literally, it was about 10 seconds) I was watching I saw a mom and her what looked to be 2 year old daughter. The mom wanted to curl the daughter’s pageant wig. Sitting on her couch she put the wig on a teddy bear and proceeded to curl what was an already curly blond wig and sought help from her toddler. She set the hot curling iron on the couch to comb the wig and while she was talking to the camera her daughter grabbed the hot end of the iron. There was crying and cool water was applied and the mom gave hugs, kisses and I’m sorrys. She told the camera that she was surprised that her daughter did that because she has told her before that the curling iron is hot. SHE’S TWO! The curling iron has a gold shiny barrel, it’s sitting on the couch and you don’t expect her to pick it up?!
I got so upset that Dear Husband made me change the channel lest I work myself into a tizzy.
Excuse me a moment while I step up on my soap box. (more…)
Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on August 30, 2011
http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2011/08/30/toddlers-tiaras-trashy/
Tis the season for cobbler. The fruit is ripe, the picnic table is set (unless you live in Oklahoma where it’s one hundred billion degrees) and the farmer’s market has what you need.
If you’re a regular reader (and if you are then bless you) then you may have noticed my new love affair with garam masala. Well, guess what? It has made it’s way into my cobbler. Now just so you know…this cobbler has a much more cake-y batter than a traditional biscuit type cobbler. Now that I’ve given you the disclaimer, here we go.
Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on August 29, 2011
http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2011/08/29/spiced-peach-cobbler/
From the ages of 2 to 5 Addison was all trains all the time. We had other toys and played with other things but 95% of the time he was playing Thomas, watching Thomas, watching model trains on YouTube, building up and tearing down tracks all over the house. I thought surely he would someday have a career on the railroad. Then one day he announced that he “wasn’t really into trains anymore.” He had moved on to space and building marble and domino runs and other “big kid” endeavors. It was a sad day. Later that afternoon I found Thomas hiding under the bed. His eyes were all red and puffy like he had been crying. We consoled each other with the knowledge that it wouldn’t be long before Harry was old enough to play with him.
Last weekend the library had a model train show. It’s an annual thing, small but free and fun. Addison and I went and I could tell that deep down inside he still loves trains. He bounced around the room from one set to the next, driving the trains and taking video on my camera. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back while watching the tiny trains make their way around their tiny towns. No need for the vigilant mommy radar looking for a little hand about to grab the train as it thundered past. He’s a big kid now and knows how it all works…or so he thinks. He asked when he would be able to get a real model train. “Someday when you’re older and know how to take care of them” was my reply.
I know, I know…I need to get his hair cut. I’m on it.
If you have a little train enthusiast and you’re in central Oklahoma check out these fun train events:
If you have more train activity suggestions I would love to hear them!
Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on August 26, 2011
http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2011/08/26/closet-train-enthusiast/
School started this week and that means Mother’s Day Out is starting next week! Let’s all give a collective sigh of relief. We all love our little munchkins but every mommy needs a little time away to recharge.
Harry will no longer be in the “cribs” room this year. *sniff* He is moving up in the world and nap time is on the floor. How in the hell they expect a 19 mo. old to lie still on the floor and fall asleep is beyond me. But it’s not my problem, it’s theirs. Regardless if Harry will be doing any sleeping or not; whatever he will be doing he will be doing it on a super-cute sleep mat.
Yes, I made this and no, it was not difficult. Anyone who owns a sewing machine has enough know-how to get this done. If you don’t own a sewing machine and want one just like this I might be sweet talked into making one for you.
I’m not going to try to give a sewing tutorial because I’m just not a good enough seamstress to know how to do that and make it make sense. Instead I’ll give you lots of pics. If you have a specific question I would be happy to try to answer it. However, I will tell you that the biggest shortcut I made was the attached blanket. I used a blanket I already had – I only have about 260 baby blankets crammed into Harry’s closet, I thought I could spare one for this project. I cut it to fit and now am finally going to get some use out of it.
Enjoy!
Matching tote bag coming soon. Hopefully.
Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on August 25, 2011
http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2011/08/25/back-to-school-sleep-mat/
Thanks to Meals On Wheels in Norman for having me guest blog on their site. I love driving for them and I’m happy to blog for them too.
~~~
When I was a little girl my mom would take me on her Meals On Wheels route. The thing that I remember most was how happy those old people seemed to be to see me. They didn’t even know me but how they would gush and want to hold my hand and ask how old I was. In the few brief minutes we were guests in their home a shy little girl with auburn hair would bring them a breath of fresh air along with their lunch.
Fast forward a few decades and here I am with my very own route. When I was at a place in my life where I had the time to commit to community volunteer work the first thing I did was call up my local Meals On Wheels office to find out about driving a route. I’ve been doing it for four years and love every week. When my 1st grader was in pre-school I would take him on my route with me. Most of the time he would clam up and not say much but the clients loved seeing him.
Driving Meals On Wheels has been a life lesson for both me and my son. It teaches us to serve those in need. For the clients who are home bound and unable to make their own way to the grocery store this service is essential to their daily survival. It teaches us kindness and compassion. For some of these folks their driver may be the only other person they see all day long. No person is an island unto themselves and no one deserves to be left alone all day. We all need interaction with another human being even if it is as simple as a friendly smile, a pat on the hand or a quick chat. It teaches a sense of community. This service is a vital part of our community that would not survive without it’s volunteers. It’s important to give of yourself, your time and resources without expecting anything in return.
One of the most important life lessons for me has been humility. There were many times I had to explain to my tender little boy that not everybody lives in a big house with nice things and lots of toys to play with. Not everybody has someone to take care of them, cook them dinner everyday, play with them and kiss them goodnight every night. Not everybody can keep their house clean and smelling nice or have new, clean clothes. Not everybody can just hop in the car whenever they feel like it and go out to eat at their favorite restaurant or buy lots of groceries without worrying if they will have enough money. These are difficult life lessons for a little boy and sharp reminders for an adult. But one lesson that would follow up the “not every body has…” lesson is that even though many of the people we delivered to had less than we did, what they did have is the assurance that they could depend on us to bring them their lunch that day.
After all these years, Meals On Wheels means to me: Service, Kindness, Compassion, Community and Humility. I’m so glad my mom knew to haul me all over town with her.
Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on August 23, 2011
http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2011/08/23/what-meals-on-wheels-means-to-me/
Some people are blessed with a green thumb. I am not one of those people although I wish I were and every year give it my best shot. Sort of. So far I’ve been able to grow a small herb garden but that’s about it and that’s not saying much because it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to grow a few green leaves. Every year I think, “this is it. This year I’m going to grow a real garden and have a bumper crop of squash and bell peppers.” Not so much.
My mom on the other hand, has two green thumbs. (more…)
Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on August 21, 2011
http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2011/08/21/green-thumb/
Some of the things that go through my head when I can’t fall asleep.
It’s 11:30. That means I have 7 hours to just lie here and do absolutely nothing. It’s 11:30. I should have been in bed over an hour ago. I wonder if Harry is too cold with just those summer time jammies on. Maybe I should go put a blanket on him. I wonder if we’re ever going to go to Disney World. There’s no point in putting a blanket on him, he’ll just kick it off. How in the world do people afford to go to Disney World? Did Addison have short summer time jammies or have footie jammies all year round? I wonder how we’re going to afford college. Is that Harry crying? No, I’m just hearing phantom cries. Man it feels good to just lie here. Tomorrow I’m going to clean the bathroom, I promise. I need to drink more water. What the heck is the deal with this zit on my chin? I’m way too old for that kind of crap. I need to get the dates for the PTA newsletter. I wish so-n-so would email me back. Logos starts in 3 weeks. I still need volunteers. I need to get Addison some new shirts for school. When is the new season of Mad Men going to start?
(long pause) Almost asleep…
…someone is staring at me…
Addison, are you sleep walking? (sigh) Let’s go back to bed.
Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on August 19, 2011
http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2011/08/19/sleepless-night-random-thoughts/
Who doesn’t love homemade pesto? Everybody loves it. But who wants to pay the price for pine nuts? Nobody, that’s who. Unless you’re willing to lay down a brick of gold bullion for the stuff you have to come up with an alternative. I submit to you a more affordable solution.
Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on August 17, 2011
http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2011/08/17/almond-pesto/
I received a pizzelle press for Christmas or my birthday last year (I always forget what I got for which because they are so close together). In case you’re wondering a pizzelle is a flat cookie pressed in an iron to give it a lacy pattern. They are light and delicate with a little bit of crispness but not too much to create a crumbly mess when eaten.
The other day I dusted off the press and came up with a recipe for spiced pizzelle.
Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on August 15, 2011
http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2011/08/15/pizzelle-magic/
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