My first book review (since school that is)

I am not usually one to do a "review" of a book in writing, but this book was so encouraging to me, I just had to share.  I just finished reading "If I'm diapering a watermelon, then where'd I leave the baby?: Help for the highly distractible mom" by Carol Barnier.

This book is specifically written for the "highly distractible" homeschooling mom, but applies to any mom who is not an organization goddess (such as myself).  She gives tips and tricks on how to do schooling and mothering "outside the box".  What I most appreciated about the book was her reminder that we "unorganized moms" have special gifts which should not be dismissed.

She lists some of those gifts as:
The "La-Di-Da Factor".  We are a little more unencumbered by life in general and can teach our children (and husbands) that roadblocks and detours in life are not something which has to hinder us.  We are typically more flexible and can keep the cheer in our homes when things don't go the way we had planned.

The ability to think outside the box.  We can often think of solutions to problems with a little less effort than our organized moms counterparts because we don't think as literally as they do.  We are able to come up with un-orthodox, yet effective ways to deal with the hiccups life throws at us.


Delight driven homeschool and/or conversation.  We are eccentric at heart and while eccentricities may be annoying at times, they are typically entertaining in the very least.  We may veer from one subject to the next with neck snapping speed, but our enthusiasm of each topic is not to be disregarded.  We are very driven in what we set our minds to and learn just as much in the end, even if it looks a bit messy to the outside world.

I was really encouraged by this book.  I was reminded that just because I am not as efficient as my uber-organized mom friends, I have gifts and talents and love which benefit my family too.  We may not receive the praise and admiration because we are a little messier at life in general, but we sure do have a good time in the process!

I was reminded that it takes all kinds to make the world go around.  I need to continue to admire, appreciate and learn things from my well organized friends and family, while not forgetting that my own style has value and is what God specifically intended for MY family.

Love and hugs to my organized and not-so-organized mom friends and family.  I love and cherish you all!

~Debbie

The candyman cannn...well, er...

Today was the day that my little sister Tammy and I went over to my mother's house to make Christmas goodies for family and friends.  On my list to make was the following:  Honey Peanut Brittle, Rice Crispy Treats and Chex Muddy Buddies.  My sister Tammy was making:  Chocolate Fudge, Cookies for the kids to decorate and Peppermint Patties.

The day started off not-so-good.  I followed the Honey Peanut Brittle recipe to the letter and it apparently never reached hard crack stage.  Soooooo, it STUCK to the waxed paper, NOT to be pried off.  The little, tiny bits that one WAS able to peel off would stick to your teeth so bad you just had to wait for it to dissolve.  Ewwwwww!  So I had to toss the whole batch!  **sigh**

So then Tammy proceeds to start her Peppermint Patties.  She started with the mint filling.  She accidentally put in 3/4 cup (instead of the required 1/4 cup) evaporated milk.  Sooooo...we ended up with a TRIPLE batch!  LOL!  Then she had all kinds of trouble with the chocolate coating.  It was thick and grainy...really weird.  Finally she got it to work.  The peppermint patties are a time consuming delicacy anyway...but a TRIPLE batch made it downright daunting!!  She's a trooper...she finished making all of it!

My Muddy Buddies were the easiest BY FAR!  Simple, and YUMMY!  I would HIGHLY recommend them!

My next attempt at Peanut Brittle was a microwave recipe my mother had.  It worked WONDERFULLY and I was pleased.  I made 2 batches of it and then called it a day.

I didn't make the Rice Crispy Treats as Christmas will not be celebrated at my mother's house until Sunday and I didn't want them to go stale.  All in all it was a good day...just not quite what we had planned.

Making memories!!

Gluten Free ideas

My son, Luke, is sensitive to gluten.  So, that makes the holidays a challenge as you can imagine.  I plan on making some rice crispy treats, some candied nuts and some energy bars (peanut butter, honey, carob and nuts/seeds) (recipe from my sister Cherie).

Does anyone have any other ideas???

Luke's birthday bash

December 4th at 3:00pm we had Luke's 3rd birthday celebration with family and a couple of friends.  Luke had been talking about his party for well over a month and begged me daily to sing "Happy Birpy dear Lucas!".  Any other day of the year and he wants to be called Luke, but for his birthday serenade, he specifically requested we sing Lucas.  Too funny!

He was SOOOOO excited when the day had finally arrived.  I TRULY think his favorite part was when everyone gathered around, looked at him and sang happy birthday.  He was all smiles!  It was so cute.

He received lots of wonderful gifts and he is being sure to enjoy each and every one of them.  I know he is only 3, but it seemed to have happened so fast.  I just can't believe it!

The next day, of course, reality set back in and we were back to the old whining, contrary and sometimes cuddly Luke.  Ahhhhh, the seasons we go through.  ; )