Friday, July 31, 2009
The Fridge Clean Out
Ok, so we are going on vacation tomorrow for almost a week, so the answer to the question of the day (see earlier posts, "MOM!? WHAT'S FOR DINNER?") is: FRIDGE NIGHT! yay! whoo-hoo! (cue chirping crickets)...
Yes, I CAN resist the urge to go eat a $12 burrito at La Parilla! I can do it! Really though, we MUST do it, but it doesn't help that it is Friday night, sigh. I have already stated that I have a leftover-resistant husband, he is quickly turning most of our kids into leftover-resistant kids as well. Fun times! I must have enough leftover food in my fridge to feed China for a week. There is something very sinful about throwing food away, so I just don't do it. Of course, it is ok to let food sit in the fridge for 2 weeks, get gross and THEN throw it away. At least then I know I tried.
So, tonight, we will line our counter with every tupperware container we own that is filled with half portions of last week's dinner and let the kids have chili and broccoli together, or macaroni and cheese with that leftover piece of chicken. Sometimes the kids love it, like when we DO get to go out and bring home the stuff we couldn't finish: the 1/2 hamburger and fries from Chilis, the last taco from La Parilla, the 10 bites of salad from Ted's. But mostly, fridge night gets met with groans and eye-rolls and the kids end up eating Chef-Boyardee. (Supermom? That's me!)
So, I'm goin' in! Tonight will be fridge night! Unless of course we are weak and end up going out, but I'd really like to think I can make it through. Even if we do end up eating cereal. Tomorrow is another day, another meal...Kit
Yes, I CAN resist the urge to go eat a $12 burrito at La Parilla! I can do it! Really though, we MUST do it, but it doesn't help that it is Friday night, sigh. I have already stated that I have a leftover-resistant husband, he is quickly turning most of our kids into leftover-resistant kids as well. Fun times! I must have enough leftover food in my fridge to feed China for a week. There is something very sinful about throwing food away, so I just don't do it. Of course, it is ok to let food sit in the fridge for 2 weeks, get gross and THEN throw it away. At least then I know I tried.
So, tonight, we will line our counter with every tupperware container we own that is filled with half portions of last week's dinner and let the kids have chili and broccoli together, or macaroni and cheese with that leftover piece of chicken. Sometimes the kids love it, like when we DO get to go out and bring home the stuff we couldn't finish: the 1/2 hamburger and fries from Chilis, the last taco from La Parilla, the 10 bites of salad from Ted's. But mostly, fridge night gets met with groans and eye-rolls and the kids end up eating Chef-Boyardee. (Supermom? That's me!)
So, I'm goin' in! Tonight will be fridge night! Unless of course we are weak and end up going out, but I'd really like to think I can make it through. Even if we do end up eating cereal. Tomorrow is another day, another meal...Kit
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Horror
Today I had the daunting task of organizing my eldest daughter's half unpacked mess of a room. Basically she had opened and dumped her life on the floor and I was there to make it all livable again.When I'm tackling a job of this magnitude I like to think about it, get over the shock, and then dive in. Of course my daughter had to help cull and clear treasured possessions from her piles of old stuff. At various points in the process I would find her looking at a dirty rock trying to remember it's importance, reading old journal entries and she even played two dice rolls of Yahtzee before I shot her the "are you really playing Yahtzee look". She didn't want to go through the mess she had made. Really how many of us like to clean up our messes. Isn't it easier to buy a new bin or container to stuff it into? How many magazines and books do you see dedicated to this subject alone?
Here's what I know... If it's your mess, you're the only one who can clean it correctly. And secondly, if you've identified a mess don't ignore it. I promise you it will not go away on it's own. In fact did you know that one mess breeds more messes. It's a theory called the "broken-window theory". This is a theory used by modern police that says any sign of social or physical neglect in a neighborhood (a broken window) leads people to commit more crimes and misdemeanors. So the simple act of leaving dirty clothes on the floor could lead to all kinds of household upheaval.
Cleanliness is not my natural disposition. Being a mother of four it has become a large part of my life's calling. When I fall short of the mark I get out my new favorite book on the subject Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelson. This book is not for the faint of heart. It is a 856 page guidebook on almost every aspect of housekeeping. In it she details historical perspectives on housekeping as well as modern innovations that can help in our daily tasks. That's where I learned about the "broken-window theory". Yes, I'm a bit of a geek, even about housekeeping.
So if you are facing a mess be it household, financial, or personal start cleaning it up now. You may find it wasn't as bad as you first thought. The most difficult part is the first step in any endeavor. Even in cleaning your eldest daughter's mess of a room. -Candice
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Home vs. Heaven
So we leave Saturday morning for the beach - Saint Simon's Island in South Georgia. It really is heaven on earth (other than Chapel Hill, NC of course - go heels!). The minute we drive over the intracoastal waterway, stresses seem to melt away. There is something about all the low-lying grasses, the boats and yachts at the marina and the huge suspension bridge that goes over to Jekyll Island that just brings a peace to my soul. Even the smell is enticing, salty, humid and breezy - it just makes me want to close my eyes and forget all the stress of home: school, swim practice, laundry, sewing, deadlines.
My mom and dad's house at the beach is such a treat for us all. We are so very lucky to have this option - don't think we don't know this. The kids though sometimes find the relaxed pace of the beach "boring". I guess they're right, sand, sun, waves, it's just not enough - whatever! One day they will appreciate what they have. Until then though we have to deal with their eye rolling, sighs and complaints. For some reason, the older kids seem to equate having fun with spending money: the waterpark, going out to eat, renting the little bike things on the beach, etc. etc. The younger ones are different; they are quite content to build castles, chase the birds, throw the ball and run back and forth from the water a million times.
So, how do we handle this? That is still a work in progress, but we play the board games, do the shopping thing and in general try to come up with enjoyable, but inexpensive things to do. Plus, it is also fun if they can bring a friend, what's one more kid anyway? I think this time I will also get them to help me plan and shop for the meals. We definitely have the "standards" for the beach: roast, spaghetti, hamburgers and tacos. This time though, I think I will shake this up a bit and see what the girls want to have for dinner and involve them in the cooking. This is not something I usually do at home because I am such a control freak in the kitchen, but since we will not be at home, I think we will change this. Heck, maybe I'll even let them cook....hmm. Maybe not.
So, what's for dinner tonight? Here at home we are having breakfast: homemade waffles, scrambled omlettes and sausage. Tomorrow and Friday are "clean out the fridge nights" - fun times. Maybe at the beach we can have some grilled shrimp or fajitas? I guess I'll have to ask the girls...
My mom and dad's house at the beach is such a treat for us all. We are so very lucky to have this option - don't think we don't know this. The kids though sometimes find the relaxed pace of the beach "boring". I guess they're right, sand, sun, waves, it's just not enough - whatever! One day they will appreciate what they have. Until then though we have to deal with their eye rolling, sighs and complaints. For some reason, the older kids seem to equate having fun with spending money: the waterpark, going out to eat, renting the little bike things on the beach, etc. etc. The younger ones are different; they are quite content to build castles, chase the birds, throw the ball and run back and forth from the water a million times.
So, how do we handle this? That is still a work in progress, but we play the board games, do the shopping thing and in general try to come up with enjoyable, but inexpensive things to do. Plus, it is also fun if they can bring a friend, what's one more kid anyway? I think this time I will also get them to help me plan and shop for the meals. We definitely have the "standards" for the beach: roast, spaghetti, hamburgers and tacos. This time though, I think I will shake this up a bit and see what the girls want to have for dinner and involve them in the cooking. This is not something I usually do at home because I am such a control freak in the kitchen, but since we will not be at home, I think we will change this. Heck, maybe I'll even let them cook....hmm. Maybe not.
So, what's for dinner tonight? Here at home we are having breakfast: homemade waffles, scrambled omlettes and sausage. Tomorrow and Friday are "clean out the fridge nights" - fun times. Maybe at the beach we can have some grilled shrimp or fajitas? I guess I'll have to ask the girls...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
dinner tonight!
What's for dinner? No matter how much time I spend researching what's on sale, shopping, using my coupons (ask me for websites on that!), typing or writing out my menu for the week to hang on the fridge door, and no matter how much freaking toner I use printing out the beautiful calendar I have set up on My Documents with the color-coordinated menu, the question I get asked at least 6 times per day is, "mom, what's for dinner?" My favorite answer is, "read the menu", but lately, between working at the pool, getting the kids to swim practice and running the neighborhood team, not to mention the laundry, the house (see yesterday's blog) and the constant "stuff", my answer has been, "I'm not sure".
These days money has not been thick on the ground. I'm not really sure of a time when money actually WAS thick on the ground, but we've definitely been in better straights in the past. Thanks to the economy and the husband's new job with a boutique wealth management firm (as opposed to the national firm he used to be with), we are operating on a tight budget. So the days of Wednesday nights at the local Mexican restaurant - beer special night - are long gone. We still go out, and way more often than we should, but the cost of taking a family of 9 out to eat (never has it been inexpensive) has gotten even worse than usual. Two kids eat as "adults" and so-called "kids meals" are at least $4 each. The best way to combat this is to plan the meals, shop for the meals and execute the meals.
The problem with this is finding/making something that everyone will eat. I have a few "go to" meals; meals that are sure to please everyone at the table in some fashion. These include breakfast for dinner, shrimp and fish, sushi (believe it or not) and spaghetti. Beyond those limited choices however, I am guaranteed someone either not eating or telling me how much they "don't like chicken" or whatever it is we are eating. As a mom, part of me loves to say, "fine, we will eat again tomorrow, see you then" but then the guilt sets in and I really do try to make things that everyone can eat at least some of. Plus, there is the added issue of making sure that my swimmers get what they need to eat; two hour practices 5-6 times per week (not exaggerating!) takes a lot of fuel. I am big on them eating protein because too many carbs don't necessarily translate to them feeling good in the pool. There are ways to do this: marinating, grilling (they prefer the flavor), and serving beans in some fashion. I also encourage high protein snacks: cheese, peanut butter, ham roll ups, etc.
The other issue is making something that people will like without making the same things over and over again. I am not big on leftovers. This goes against the grain for most penny pinchers. but truly, my family does not make it worth it. I personally am fine with leftovers to a point, but there are some foods that don't really work well as a leftover because the flavor changes. Some chicken dishes get too "chickeny" for example. It doesn't help that I have a leftover resistant husband. So I end up trying to make "just enough", that way everyone gets full and I don't waste food or money by throwing out the leftovers a week later.
Tonight we are having homemade BBQ for dinner. Crock-potted Boston Butt makes the absolute BEST shredded pork. This IS something that can be frozen for later if there is any leftover. I have found one of the most effective ways to eat it later is to put it in a tortilla, Mexican taco style. So, into the crock-pot goes the meat, brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onions (lining the bottom), liquid smoke and a few shakes of dried chilies. Served with fruit (instead of a vegetable), sauteed cabbage (which they like better than outright slaw) and potato rolls and my kids (and husband) are very happy! And yes, it is posted on the menu, so every time I get asked "what's for dinner?" I get to use my favorite answer, "read the menu!"
These days money has not been thick on the ground. I'm not really sure of a time when money actually WAS thick on the ground, but we've definitely been in better straights in the past. Thanks to the economy and the husband's new job with a boutique wealth management firm (as opposed to the national firm he used to be with), we are operating on a tight budget. So the days of Wednesday nights at the local Mexican restaurant - beer special night - are long gone. We still go out, and way more often than we should, but the cost of taking a family of 9 out to eat (never has it been inexpensive) has gotten even worse than usual. Two kids eat as "adults" and so-called "kids meals" are at least $4 each. The best way to combat this is to plan the meals, shop for the meals and execute the meals.
The problem with this is finding/making something that everyone will eat. I have a few "go to" meals; meals that are sure to please everyone at the table in some fashion. These include breakfast for dinner, shrimp and fish, sushi (believe it or not) and spaghetti. Beyond those limited choices however, I am guaranteed someone either not eating or telling me how much they "don't like chicken" or whatever it is we are eating. As a mom, part of me loves to say, "fine, we will eat again tomorrow, see you then" but then the guilt sets in and I really do try to make things that everyone can eat at least some of. Plus, there is the added issue of making sure that my swimmers get what they need to eat; two hour practices 5-6 times per week (not exaggerating!) takes a lot of fuel. I am big on them eating protein because too many carbs don't necessarily translate to them feeling good in the pool. There are ways to do this: marinating, grilling (they prefer the flavor), and serving beans in some fashion. I also encourage high protein snacks: cheese, peanut butter, ham roll ups, etc.
The other issue is making something that people will like without making the same things over and over again. I am not big on leftovers. This goes against the grain for most penny pinchers. but truly, my family does not make it worth it. I personally am fine with leftovers to a point, but there are some foods that don't really work well as a leftover because the flavor changes. Some chicken dishes get too "chickeny" for example. It doesn't help that I have a leftover resistant husband. So I end up trying to make "just enough", that way everyone gets full and I don't waste food or money by throwing out the leftovers a week later.
Tonight we are having homemade BBQ for dinner. Crock-potted Boston Butt makes the absolute BEST shredded pork. This IS something that can be frozen for later if there is any leftover. I have found one of the most effective ways to eat it later is to put it in a tortilla, Mexican taco style. So, into the crock-pot goes the meat, brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onions (lining the bottom), liquid smoke and a few shakes of dried chilies. Served with fruit (instead of a vegetable), sauteed cabbage (which they like better than outright slaw) and potato rolls and my kids (and husband) are very happy! And yes, it is posted on the menu, so every time I get asked "what's for dinner?" I get to use my favorite answer, "read the menu!"
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Witching Hour
Ahh, the witching hour. So aptly named, I think. That time between 4:30pm and 6:30pm. When Everyday Italian and Barefoot Contessa and the news is on; the only time of day I want to watch TV, have a glass of wine, knit, or just sit down without something to do. Of course this 2 hour period is peppered with kids in and out of the pantry (“dinner’s an hour away, quit eating!”), Sponge Bob or I Carly on the porch TV, a crying baby who just woke up from her nap and “just wants to be held” because she’s not really hungry, just spoiled. This is the time I SHOULD be a good mom and cater to their every desire, but unfortunately the time I most want to shut down.
So does anyone else have this same problem? I was escaping upstairs, er, going up to make the bed (before the husband gets home and sees that it has been left unmade ALL DAY J - I have a little self respect!) and realized how much I love my bed. I love how pretty it is, I love how soft it is, I love how it feels, at the end of a day, to get in and feel how cool the sheets are on my feet. To make a bed really well is one of the little pleasures in life. I am extremely picky about it, and I pull the sheets so tight that you could almost bounce the proverbial quarter. But I really think those military people had something there. When my bed is unmade, my room is a mess, no matter if there is NOTHING else lying around. But when the bed is made, things seem in order, calm, and clean. The same holds true for the rest of my house; when I see nothing out of order, I can pretend that the rest of my life is just as orderly. I have a haven that I can always retreat to, say a few prayers and keep going.
This is one of my biggest goals in life – to create a haven for my family and friends. A place that everyone feels comfortable in, so that my kids WANT to come home and not stay out all night partying (fingers crossed). How do you do it with 7 kids? That’s the question I get asked anywhere from 1 to 20 times per day (depending on where I go during the day). It just happens, I make it happen. Am I a house Nazi? Probably, but I prefer to call it “high standards”. Really though, I have found that the most effective way to keep the house clean is to make the kids realize that THEY can’t stand it either when it is a mess, sneaky, eh? It is working too, my reverse psychology. I just praise them when they do clean up and tell them this is the surest way to my heart. When the house is neat, I’m a better mother; more able to play Parcheesi at a moment’s notice. Don’t we all want to just sit and play Parcheesi when your 5 year old asks?
I’m off, I think I’ll be blue this time…
So does anyone else have this same problem? I was escaping upstairs, er, going up to make the bed (before the husband gets home and sees that it has been left unmade ALL DAY J - I have a little self respect!) and realized how much I love my bed. I love how pretty it is, I love how soft it is, I love how it feels, at the end of a day, to get in and feel how cool the sheets are on my feet. To make a bed really well is one of the little pleasures in life. I am extremely picky about it, and I pull the sheets so tight that you could almost bounce the proverbial quarter. But I really think those military people had something there. When my bed is unmade, my room is a mess, no matter if there is NOTHING else lying around. But when the bed is made, things seem in order, calm, and clean. The same holds true for the rest of my house; when I see nothing out of order, I can pretend that the rest of my life is just as orderly. I have a haven that I can always retreat to, say a few prayers and keep going.
This is one of my biggest goals in life – to create a haven for my family and friends. A place that everyone feels comfortable in, so that my kids WANT to come home and not stay out all night partying (fingers crossed). How do you do it with 7 kids? That’s the question I get asked anywhere from 1 to 20 times per day (depending on where I go during the day). It just happens, I make it happen. Am I a house Nazi? Probably, but I prefer to call it “high standards”. Really though, I have found that the most effective way to keep the house clean is to make the kids realize that THEY can’t stand it either when it is a mess, sneaky, eh? It is working too, my reverse psychology. I just praise them when they do clean up and tell them this is the surest way to my heart. When the house is neat, I’m a better mother; more able to play Parcheesi at a moment’s notice. Don’t we all want to just sit and play Parcheesi when your 5 year old asks?
I’m off, I think I’ll be blue this time…
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