The Doing

I think I'm going to try more DOing,

and not quite so much SAYing.

I think my kids will be more apt to listen.

The Cake

Today was a day for comfort food. Not because of anything out of the ordinary; just a need for some solace in the form of chocolate...and only one kind would do.

My grandma's chocolate sheet cake made from "scratch"...one recipe I had never tried to replicate before today. Her recipes are sacred to me; the tastes of my childhood wrapped up in her cooking and baking and the doing of it so effortlessly.

Never before has cocoa and sugar and flour together looked so pretty.

Suddenly I was six again; transported back in time to my grandma's kitchen, standing beside her on a white kitchen chair waiting for the next cup full and spoon full and tiny little lick.

A bubbling concoction of butter and oil and water on the stove; my grandma in her apron stirring it just so.

The flour, always sifted, followed by sugar and cocoa, and salt...just a pinch.

And as I followed her recipe, that I'm sure she knew by heart and still does today, I can hear her giving me the tips she so lovingly wrote on each of her recipe cards, because she knew I would doubt; especially that first time.

My mouth starts to water, and my eyes start to sting, because please don't let me screw this up, not today.

Next comes the frosting, the oh my word, melt in your mouth, little piece of exquisite chocolate heavenly frosting.

My past and my present suddenly collide, as children wander in, wondering what is she making? and what is that smell? and what kind of a cake is it that didn't come out of a box? I try to explain, but they'll just have to wait and see, because once you have this, and they never have, you can never go back; no cake will ever taste as good as this.

Only one snag, I didn't have the correct pan; an 18 x 11 jelly roll pan; but I improvised and prayed and one look and I knew, it was right and heavenly and everything I remembered it to be.

Who thinks this is the best cake they've ever had? yelled my kids...all hands raised up high.

Suddenly, it's not really about the cake, but the memory of the little girl me, eating until my belly ached but always having room for just a little more; and the smells of my grandma's kitchen and wanting to give my children these memories; passing down the recipes, wrapping them up with love, and knowing that we can never go back.

Spring Break Blues

I have the Spring Break blues today...

My kids just had a wonderful week off of school, and today was the first day back.

There were tears...

and homework...

and lunches to pack.

There was an I hate school! and extra hugs at drop off.

There were How many days until summer vacation? muttered by all of us.

There may have been a curse word said under my breath about giving a 3rd grader homework...every.single.night. As if they aren't cooped up and caged in all day, and then make them come home to do MORE school work.

I'm completely against homework if you couldn't tell.

Forty-nine...

days of school until summer vacation.

You better believe I'm counting down.  Summer time is my guilty pleasure.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

1. Clouds

2. High angle

3. Low angle

4. Seven

5. Sun flare...I took this on my phone during my morning run. This picture doesn't do justice to what I actually saw.

Learning to Ride

From It's impossible!!

I'll never get it!!


To this...

effortless...

Mama! I found my balance!  


Now, if I could just find mine.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

1. Whimsy (this is a bit of a stretch for whimsy, but it's all I've got)

2. Dust (I'm a little embarrassed...this is actually a lamp in our house..dusting is on the bottom of the to do list)

3. Swing

4. Create (from dough to ice cream sandwiches...delicious)

5. Seed or sprout

To My Kids

Good thing you are a little charmer, so you can get away with things like...

telling me my cooking smells hideous...

and I'm the worst mom in the history of moms...yeah, that was a good one.


And you, mister, better step away from the computer. I've got a few things to tell you...

You have a few years before puberty hits. Do you have to ask me all of the hard questions already?

And how about you NOT point out every gray hair I have. I'm pretty sure you're the one that gave them to me.

Also, I am not a loser, a wicked witch, the meanest mom ever, or anything else cruel and unusual that you'd like to call me...mmmmmmkay?

And, you two, my Barbie Buddies...don't ever stop being buddies, ok? Because you two sisters are the most adorable (when you get along) sisters in the history of sisters.

Even though, you...

have the eye roll perfected...

I know, I know. I should be so proud. It took me years to master this.

And you...

are the loudest toddler in history. I mean, really loud, and sort of demanding.

Good thing you guys are cute.

And when you're older, I have this blog so I can blackmail you all.

Bwaaaahaaahaaahaaa!! (that was my wicked witch cackle)