Cinnamon Raisin Bread ~ Bread Machine

I know not everyone owns a bread machine. Or two if you are like me and are addicted to kitchen gadgets.  I just can't say no when someone wants to give me gadgets.  First a good friend gave me one machine and then my parents gave me another for Christmas.  I tried giving one to my little sister but she's not the "Susie homemaker" type.  This is a wonderful and sweet bread.   I look forward tasting it as the smell fills the house.

Cinnamon Raisin Bread using a Bread Machine

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups warm water -- (110 degrees)

2 TB butter or margarine -- softened

3 1/4 cups bread flour

1/4 cup white sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3 1/2 tsp active dry yeast

3/4 cup raisins

Directions

1. Place ingredients in order suggested by your machine's manufacturer.
2. Select the sweet bread and light crust settings.
3. Add raisins when indicated by your manufacturer.

This recipe yields a 1 1/2 pound loaf.

Variations

Omit the raisins for just a good plain cinnamon bread.

My Baby-Wearing Experience and What an Experience it has been

I haven't always been a baby wearer.  In the past I was more of a baby holder. I always said that your baby will only be small enough to be held for so very little before you are going to need to chase them down for your hugs and cuddling.

My problem has always been with the carriers.  Either you are going to be spending WAY too much for something that will get bodily fluids on it or it is reasonably priced and uncomfortable to wear.  On top of that, other carriers I've had in the past were horrible to clean and didn't support the baby very well.  The final straw for me with standard baby carriers was when I pinched my youngest daughter with the closures on my last standard carrier.  After the tears cleared Daddy just said "she must be too big to be worn" and we moved her to a stroller. I sadly gave up baby wearing with her.  Every time she rode in the stroller I mourned the time spent being close to her without having to sacrifice productivity.

When I became pregnant with my son I was determined to find a better carrier. Even against my husband's complaints. "Don't you own enough carriers?"  No.. not enough of the right one.  Stubbornly I searched for my dream carrier. Supportive for my back and child, easy to clean, and it must grow with my baby.

After endless amounts of searching and comparing I finally found a carrier that intrigued me, the Moby Wrap.  I wondered how could one long strip of material secure my baby to me.  Thank you for the clarification goes to all the video's online showing the many ways to wear your baby safely in the Moby wrap and even all the way to toddler years. I convinced my husband to let me order just one more baby carrier and he actually agreed.  I think it was the promise that it was the last item I was ordering in my online baby shopping frenzy.

The carrier arrived even before my son did.  I resisted the urge to try it out, even though my 3 yr old would have still been within the weight limit.  My big belly and aching back wouldn't have been in on the fun.

Once my son was born I was excited to put it to use.  I will be the first to admit it took some getting used to and lots of reference to the booklet that came with it. My husband even helped me get it on myself and the baby inside safely the first few times. I think it was more because he didn't trust a long strip of material to hold the baby well enough, rather than him just being helpful.

My son went from fussing  to asleep in less than a minute. It frightened my husband when our son went silent that fast.  He thought something was wrong.  When he leaned in to check on the baby he shocked to watch baby Maxx snuggle closer and let out a little sigh.

I will be the first to admit that at 4 months old my son is very different from any of my daughters were. Not just the usual gross little boy stuff... stinky farts and already amused by them. He is a much calmer and happier baby than his sisters were. I never even thought it was possible to have a happier baby then his big sister was.   On the rare days when he is being grumpy all I have to do is hold up the Moby wrap and ask if he needs some Moby time. As soon as he sets his sight on the Moby wrap he is all smiles and giggles.  Once inside he's either fast asleep or calmly quietly observing the world around him.  Daddy is even amazed at the difference the Moby wrap has made.

If I could go back in time.. I would own just one carrier.  I found the perfect one for me. It may not be the same for everyone, but it's the one I can't live without. Although I may get a second Moby wrap for wash day...  Just don't tell my husband.

Real Banana Pudding

This is one of my favorite desserts to make and eat.   With summer in full swing I try to avoid using the oven as much as possible. This delicious dessert makes another sweet summer memory without baking the whole house.

Real Banana Pudding ~ Not instant pudding mix

Ingredients
1/3 cup sugar
3 TB cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups milk
1½ tsp vanilla extract
1 TB butter
1-2 bananas, sliced
Vanilla wafers
Directions

1. In a medium saucepan (not over heat yet) combine the  sugar, cornstarch and salt.
2. Slowly whisk milk into cornstarch mixture until well blended.
3. Cook mixture in saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until pudding thickens enough to coat a metal spoon.
4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and butter.
5. Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
6. When ready to serve, line the bottom of 4 bowls with vanilla wafers. Top the wafers with banana slices and then pour the pudding on top, dividing evenly between 4 bowls.

Variations
If you plan on serving this in one large bowl slice banana's and mix in a small amount of lemon juice and water to prevent browning.  (not too much lemon or banana's will be very tart)
I enjoy layering my banana pudding with whipped cream sometimes mixing a small amount of pudding into a portion of the whipped cream to give it a light fluffy texture but still have the same flavor and add it as a new layer.

Growing Great Sharers

I can't point to any one thing and say Yup, that's what did it! I just know that I can proudly say I am growing great sharers.

My older two daughters being only 15 months apart have never known anything but sharing. They shared everything.. from clothing to toys.  Even the things I didn't want them to.. like lollipops to colds.

Nadia is 6 years younger than her older sister but even she is great at sharing. When she is given a special treat she will ask for a treat for her sisters as well.  Some days she's not as direct.  Instead she will say,"My sisters sure would like this too." And just look up at you smiling.  When I give her a stick of gum, I tell her, "here is one for you" and she will add, "and two more for my sisters too?"

Maybe, it's because while her big sisters are at school when we go shopping I let her pick out special surprises for her sisters.  It could be their Littlest Pet Shop collection that they all play with and collect together.

I don't know what it is exactly that made this possible, but my heart swells with pride each time it happens.

Hmm, maybe I need to add a just bragging about my kids category.

Peanut Butter Noodle Cookies (No Bake)

This caramel like cookie was very quick and easy to make. It was a huge hit with my kids as well. Before even finishing her first cookie my 4 yr old worriedly asked me if I had made more. When I told her we do have more and we can even make another batch this weekend. She jumped into the air like a little happy leprechaun. Then she sweetly adds, " I love you mom.. you are the best mom ever. " I'd have to say this cookie was a success.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Noodle Cookies


Ingredients

• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 1/2 cups chow mein noodles

Directions

1. Bring sugar and syrup to a full boil in a heavy pan. Stirring occasionally. Remove from heat at once.
2. Stir in the peanut butter and mix well. Turn the chow mein noodles into the peanut butter mixture. Mix thoroughly to coat the noodles.
3. Drop rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper or a greased cookie sheet.
4. Let the cookies set for at least 15 minutes.

Variations

You can add more noodles 1/2 cup at a time for a more crunchy cookie. Stirring well to coat all noodles between additions. Substitute the creamy peanut butter for a crunchy type for even more crunch.

What are other additions would you add to this cookie?

Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms

I came across this today and had to share it.


Dr. Seuss for Nursing Moms

Would you nurse her in the park?
Would you nurse him in the dark?
Would you nurse him with a Boppy?
And when your boobs are feeling floppy?

I would nurse him in the park,
I would nurse her in the dark.
I'd nurse with or without a Boppy.
Floppy boobs will never stop me.

Can you nurse with your seat belt on?
Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her `till she's full!

Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy's milk is the best start!

Would you nurse him at the game?
Would you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare complain?
I would nurse him at the game.
I would nurse her in the rain.

As for those who protest lactation,
I have the perfect explanation.
Mommy's milk is tailor made
It's the perfect food, you need no aid.

Some may scoff and some may wriggle,
Avert their eyes or even giggle.
To those who can be cruel and rude,
Remind them breast's the perfect food!

I would never scoff or giggle,
Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would not be so crass or crude,
I KNOW that this milk's the perfect food!

We make the amount we need
The perfect temp for every feed.
There's no compare to milk from breast-
The perfect food, above the rest.

Those sweet nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy's milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can't be beat.

I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I'll meet her needs, I'll always try.
It's not about what's good for you,
It's best for babies, through and through.

I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be lads and ma'am.
I will nurse her, Mom I am.

Confession of an accidental Co-Sleeper

Yes, I admit it...  I co-sleep with my son.  Not throughout the night, but from his 4 am feeding to 7 or 8 am when my older girls wake up the household.  I fought co-sleeping when he was still that brand new little ball of cuteness and grossness all at the same time.  Not quite a real person, but a ball of needy loud mess.  (don't get me wrong I love all my babies, but I love them even more once they get more of a personality.. like he is now.)

Not just the fear of SIDS held me back from co-sleeping (although it was a HUGE one).  After listening to horror stories about my brother-in-law trying to sleep with his parents until he was almost 10.  Than the guilt hubby laid on me for buying a beautiful gliding cradle only for it to gather random baby stuff I needed to survive another night.

I held firm about not co-sleeping until baby Maxx was just over a 1 month old.  My  lack of sleep had caught up to me.  I was falling asleep at random times and my brain felt like it had short circuited.  I would find myself starting sentences only to end them in either a snore or some other completely random thought.

One night after another bout of marathon nursing I fell asleep with my son curled up next to me in bed.  I woke in a panic a few hours later. (it was the longest he had slept since being out of the womb) He was perfectly fine snoring away just like daddy.  I knew then that some major changes had to occur before I could sleep comfortably again...

I removed any spare pillows and even stopped sleeping with a blanket.  Maxx never ever sleeps in bed with us if either of us have had any alcohol. (I still haven't had my first drink since getting pregnant.) We always keep the ceiling fan running. (it's been proven to reduce SIDS) Even though hubby hates some of the changes, he goes with the flow knowing they are for my sanity.  These minor changes have made it so that I can comfortably and safely continue to exclusively breastfeed no matter the time he demands my attention.

I will admit that Co-sleeping has gifted me with the best Mother's Day I have ever experienced.  Just last Mother's day, I woke up to the smiling face of my 3 month old son.  He was just laying there watching me expectantly but with such joy.  When he saw  that I was awake his whole little body exploded with excitement.  It was the first time he had really smiled at me, Just for being me.. not doing something silly.  Just being his Mom.

Chocolate Oatmeal Refrigerator Cookies

I loved this recipe as a child and now love to make it with my children. I always come to this recipe on days when I am craving some chocolate sweetness, but just the thought of running the oven in the middle of a hot summer day has me cringing.

This is the simplest recipe. There are many other recipes that add chopped nuts, raisins or even coconut.  Try your own versions and let me know how they turned out. Happy No-Baking!

Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup Cocoa
• 1/2 cup Butter
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• 3 cups Quick-cook Oatmeal (Quick-cook oatmeal is essential here. Or they just don't set up)
• 1/2 cup Peanut Butter (optional)

Directions

1. In a large saucepan combine the sugar, cocoa,  butter and milk. Mix it well.
2. On medium heat, bring to boil for about 3 minutes.  Stirring constantly. (to prevent grainy cookies make sure the sugar dissolves before moving on to next step.)
3. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter, and vanilla until smooth.  Add the oatmeal and mix well.
4. Let mixture stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Finally drop the mixture by rounded spoonfuls onto wax paper. Let it cool for 30 minutes.  Or the mixture can be placed into a greased 9x9 pan and cut once cooled.

Just don't try to make these on a rainy day.  The high humidity will ruin them every time.  One more bonus to living in the dry heat of the SouthWest.

Boon Inc. Oval Animal Bag

I was always on the look out for a way to store my kids' stuffed animals.   Sure, the nets are great if I want to constantly fetch toys for my 4-year-old.  I was finally motivated enough to do something about all the fluffy cuteness overflowing the kid's toy storage.   So, recently I bought a Boon Oval Animal Bag.

It has been great!

The Boon Animal Bags are like bean bags without the fear of messy explosions.  Another bonus is that there is no need for my kids to empty out the entire toy container for one special fluffy friend. With multiple zippered mesh windows my kid's can easily find the toy they want and without removing them all.  Soft toy storage and a soft fluffy seat all in one.

Next year, I may buy the largest Boon Animal Bag because my children end up wrestling over who gets the choice spot on the Boon Animal Pod (as they have come to refer to it).   Which also means we are going to need a lot more stuffed animals too.

Welcome to the Nuttiness that is my Life.

This is my first blog so please forgive the complete randomness.

I hope to write about everything from crafting, product reviews, parenting tips, many different things about cooking and all based on the nuttiness that comes with being a SAHM of 4 kids.