Sunday Afternoon in Pleasantville

The house has this rare "perfect mom" feel to it today. Clean wood floors and newly vacuumed rugs (clearly someone needed a little alone time), a running dishwasher, the hushed sounds of a snoozing baby playing over the monitor and the smell of baked oatmeal with raspberry and walnut wafting into the playroom.

Clean floors! Rejoice! Perfect for a game of Boggle...or, to stare in confusion at this thing that your parents call a game, but doesn't seem to be a game at all...

I love that moment when batter becomes baked good. You mix your eggs, milk, flour, sugar etc. grease the 9x13 and place this promising pan of gloppy goop into a preheated oven. I am so impatient in those first few minutes (this is why I do best with cookies--10 minutes to bliss), but I find, each time, that the wait is SO worth it. As soon as I catch the first tantalizing whiff of my baking treasure, I shift into relax.

Fresh out of the oven. Baked Oatmeal with Raspberry and Walnuts

Right now, the aroma of cinnamon, brown sugar and raspberry is making a lovely introduction. With it comes the giddy excitement of a three-year-old who was promised sweet things if listening ears proved to be "on" and the contentment of a mom who rarely gets to make such promises--not because of poor behavior, but because of limited time to do things that moms are supposed to do.

Soon the dishwasher will need to be emptied, the rug will be a less than chic dog hair shag, the baby will cry and the oatmeal will be gone, but, for now, I'll just enjoy the perfection.

Baked oatmeal, will you marry me?

Molly vs. Butterick Pattern B5629

Steps to sewing success:

Take a staycation. Go into start of staycation expecting to focus on LARGE list of honey-do projects that have been amounting while incorporating lots of play time, reading time, relaxing time with two adorable children.  Two days into staycation, decide that honey-do list is boring, and that completing to 65% is just as good as completing the whole way.  Shrug off the remaining 35% in favor of a "project". Surf internet for awhile, spend midnight hours on mommy-blogs, wonder why other moms are so awesome. Feel both strong dislike, and great admiration, for these D.I.Y. moms (seriously, they basically have their own sorority...sisters of DIY, we don't think we're better than you...we know we are). Only half-decide on a project, figuring that you can "flesh out the details" at the store.

Arrive at local Jo-Ann Fabrics.  Wander through aisles filled with colorful bolts of fabric. Having been seduced by said fabric (on sale! of course) and with delusions of crafting grandeur, venture into the abyss of the "sewing patterns" section. Go against better judgement to elect an easy project that could be completed over the course of an afternoon (new throw pillows, kitchen curtains...), instead, decide to sew a dress for your daughter.  (The plans said "Very Easy"...so it really can't be that difficult).

Emerge from fabric & pattern section half an hour later, with ridiculously well-behaved children in tow ("Oh, yes, thank you, they're always like this"). Pay for two yards of fabric, two Butterick sewing patterns, fusible interfacing and $15 worth of bonding/elastic/hook-eye closure/bias tape "stuff" that you know nothing about, but that you seem to remember as "important"...maybe...maybe not...who cares, just buy it.

Reward angel-boy with a trip across the mall to the sporting-goods store (or, "The Golf Shop" as it is referred to in our home).  Let him putt on the mini-green for 10 minutes, or until angel-baby wakes up and decides to pitch a fit.  Escort rumply, fussy, once perfectly-behaved children out of store.

Make it to car in just-in-time moment, only to realize that keys are lost.

Back into mall.  Tempting fate.  Search frantically through fabric store with crying baby and close-to-fit preschooler.  Allure of fabric store is lost after purchase has been made, and these other shoppers really seem to know what they're doing.  Feeling regret for such an ambitious project, but no time to revisit.  Keys are missing.  Run across to sporting goods store, smartly avoiding golfing section ("But I neeeed a 5 hyyyyybrid, mommeeeee"), realize five minutes into this crazy-lady search that keys were in front of stroller all along. Sigh of relief. Slap forehead with hand.

Lunch at Issei with Lizzie (best part of the trip!) and then home to piece through the goodies in the Jo-Ann bag.

After wrestling preschooler down for nap-time (unheard of), revisit contents of the shopping excursion with excitement and some uncertainty.  Sense of false confidence--check!  Am convinced that if Butterick says "Very Easy", it should be a walk in the park.  Get started making that "very easy" reversible dress with empire waist, button closure and gathered skirt for Kitty!!

About 2 minutes into instructions, realize that people who sew have their own super-special secret language.  Understitching? Grainline? Easestitch? Out-facing? Ok, that last one is sort of self-explanatory, but in the context of the overall plans it is just as confusing as the rest.  W.T.Elf Butterick Pattern B5629? Very Easy? Very easy for who, exactly? Martha Stewart?!

I managed to cut out pieces for the "bodice" (who uses that word?!) and have decided to just wing it for the rest.  Above is a photo of a cleaned-up version of what my dining room table looked like an hour into the project.

I'm going to preserve my crafting self-esteem and finish two projects that were already on my to-do list.  Sewing a ring-bearer pillow for the upcoming nuptials (SOOO SOOOON!!!  We are giddy with excitement--can you tell?) and a wedding bow-tie for my dapper nephew, Liam.  I'll post photos of those projects once completed and my confidence (or, over-confidence) in my sewing abilities will be restored.  Someday I'll finish that dress, I just hope Alice is still wearing size 12 months when it's complete.

Now, to enjoy the last day of staycation with a trip to visit my sister and Liam in Chambersburg.  A much nicer way to spend the day.

101 and aren't we having fun

I just realized that this is my 101st post!  I feel so impressed and proud, which, honestly, isn't that different from my day to day life.  I have a pretty high opinion of myself.  Not gonna lie.  It's obnoxious.

Since my last post, things have been busy but at a tolerable pace.  Last week my colleague and I shared a "Inside the Admissions Process" presentation/discussion with parents/students in the Gifted & Talented program at the local high school.  The following day was the graduation for the students in the Youth Leadership program that I "support" (weird word choice...I'm the chair of the committee for the program, so I'm not sure what the appropriate active verb would be).  Lots of changes will likely be made to that program in the coming year--expanding to include 7th and 8th graders (currently just offered to 9th graders), will focus more on mentoring & academic success, less on themed sessions/field trips.  Hopefully changes that will enhance the program and allow it to reach more students and have a greater impact over time.

The rest of the week was blurry--Senior Week for our Class of 2011.  Lots of special events and parties, lots of bittersweet exchanges, lots of glasses of champagne.  Holy Hannah, senior week was very "college senior-y".  I even saw closing time at the local bar.  MAN that brings me back.  The last time I saw closing time: Barack was a senator, Britney Spears was bald and stink bugs hadn't yet invaded my world.  Needless to say, this was a special event and definitely one that will not be revisited anytime soon.  I learned my lesson at 7:00am the following morning (or the same morning? I'm still confused...) when Mike woke me up as he left to go play golf.  7:15am tee time?  Douchey move, Mike Boegel.

Lucky for me, sisters were in town and we had a little McDougall rendezvous (minus Mary) at the empty nest.  Speaking of that nest--now that we're all good and gone my parents are redecorating EVERY room in the house.  I'm not even kidding.  Every room.  It has always been a really beautiful home, but now, it's Better Homes & Gardens photo-ready.  Dang! Mom and Dad!  What are you trying to say here?  You had to wait until we were all gone to have super nice stuff?   Are we not capable of living amongst lovely things without ruining them with nail polish, ink or food stains?  What are we, animals?? Thanks.A.Lot.Parents.  (Real life sidebar: Nearly everyday, as we watch our children and pets wreak havoc on our home, Mike says to me "Someday, when everyone is gone, and it is just us, we will finally have nice things."  Ok Suz & Mac.  I suppose I sort of understand.)

McDougall rendezvous was followed by Mrs. Stamm's -- fried chicken, stuffing balls, mashed potatoes and gravy -- **buzz buzz** Alex, what is...hangover food?  Glorious stuffing balls.  If you live in my town and you DO NOT know about Mrs. Stamm's you are missing out my friend.  Best.Food.Evs.

Rest of the weekend was low key.  I brought best-baby to graduation and she wowed people with her pleasant disposition and Mona Lisa smile.  Coy little kitty love.  Hen opted out, he had golf balls to hit...aggressively.  I'm starting to wonder if we might trade in that seven iron for a hockey stick.  Kid can swing.  Hard. 

Quick recap and now I'm ready for bed.  PM is about to turn over to AM and that is something that I do not need to see on this already long night.  So long, farewell.

April 16: Rainy Day Activity: Creating my Summer List

 From me, to me.  Twenty things that I will make an effort to do this summer.  Mostly serious...

1. Plant beautiful things. Plant delicious things. Attempt to keep said things alive.
2. Make a kite and fly that kite
3. Use the ice cream maker often. Use it to make Lavender-Lemon Sorbet. Try not to eat it all yourself.
4. Move picnic table onto front porch for more family dinners outdoors
5. Yard Sale all of that tacky crap in the basement
6. Seek out more interactions with neighbors. Attempt to be less awkward around neighbors...I'm just sayin', they think you're a little strange
7. Read for pleasure
8. Sew a sundress for Alice in honor of the Magpie (Great Grandmother)
9. Make Project Share or Goodwill donations a monthly event (and get Henry to help)
10. Go on family walks
11. Picnics!!!
12. Martini Picnics!!!
13. Porch Parties!!!
14. Dance Parties!!!
15. Dance Club Martini Picnic Porch Parties!!!
16. Go on bike rides...once Mike fixes my bike...which he was supposed to fix two years ago...Mike!
17. Turn...er...can't say it...30.
18. Hit up the pool on weekday afternoons
19. Bug hunts with Henry
20. Finding joy in simple things

April 1: Helloooo Picksburg!!!

I really shouldn't be posting right now.  I've got a ridiculous list to accomplish before bed tonight and I've got a dangerous case of ADD brain.  Clothes to pack, toys to remember, lunch to prepare...all of it for our weekend trip to Pittsburgh ("Picksburg, where Shane with an Ssss lives, and I'm Henry with an H and we will plaaaaay!")  In addition to cousin Shane (just a year older than Hen and a celeb in our home), we'll see nearly the entire Williams clan, minus my cousins Fred, Matt and Hunter who went all "college" on us.  What you might not understand is that "the entire Williams clan" (my nan, my mom, her sibs and their families) amounts to just under 70 people.  Yes David, this is real life.

One of my tasks before the night ends (does it ever end, really?) is to prepare lunch and snacks for the ride.  I'm putting together curried chicken salad wraps for Mike and I and trusty ol' PB&J for Hen.  Here is a shot of the ingredients I've pulled out of the cupboard to prepare this meal:

Oh, I'm sorry dingus, did you not know that mini marshmallows and space shuttle were necessary ingredients in curried chicken salad?  I know what you're wondering, and yes, it is difficult to be this refined.

P.S. What is my husband doing right now?  He's being super helpful and not at all annoying, snoring LOUDLY from the family room, while Ghostbusters plays through (almost as loudly) on the tele.  I keep going in there and yelling politely suggesting that he take those precious Zzz's upstairs.  He oddly refuses. Oh really?  Seems like an appropriate time to use all of the loudest kitchen appliances we own.  Sleep while I'm cleaning?  H to the No, M.Boegs.

March 24: Order in Chaos

Our lives are hectic.  With two kids, two dogs, two jobs, Mike in grad school, me in volunteer organizations I think it probably goes without saying that we are never not busy.  The calendar is especially full this month with our commitments to family, work, school etc.  As I've suggested before, we are not the world's most organized people, and so we try our best to put systems in place that will make our days and nights a bit less ridiculous.  The menu board in the kitchen is a great example:

The only problem?  This is the menu from 3/13-3/21 (created the weekend before I started back to work...which now feels like it was ages ago)  Eh, oh well.  Maybe we'll get things together this week...or maybe we'll just have PB&J every night?  Sounds good to Henry!

Some Men Dream of Fortune, Others Dream of Cookies

This is definitely the first (and likely last) time the Super Buffet inspires my creativity...

"

"You married me...you couldn't be any luckier"

Smart-alecy in my fortune telling, I'll own that.  I had to come up with something that was relevant to my audience (hubster), and I had to do it quickly!  You have to fold those cookies seconds after they come out of the oven.  Makes for sore fingertips, but deliciously crisp fortune cookies.  

Fortune Cookies (small batch: makes 6 cookies)

1 egg white

1/8 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

1/4 c. flour

1/4 c. white sugar

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and generously butter cookie sheet(s)

2. Whisk egg white and vanilla together until foamy

3. Sift remaining ingredients together and add to egg mixture (if mixture seems too thick, add water by the tsp)

4. Drop by teaspoon onto cookie sheet and spread batter into circle, 3 inches in diameter.  Space 4 inches apart

5. Bake 5 minutes (edges will be brown, centers pale)

6. Remove from oven and quickly transfer cookie onto wooden surface (using wide spatula).  Flip cookie over, place fortune   near the middle, fold cookie in half over fortune.  Place folded edge along rim of a cup, pulling pointed sides down (one point on outside of cup, one on the inside). Place folded cookies in muffin tin to help retain shape.

February 21: Toytown USA

Population: 4 (1 easily distracted preschooler, 1 cranky baby, 2 busy parents, up to their ears in messiness)

I was on the phone this morning with my very dear friend, Talu discussing plans to visit our other very dear friend (and new mom to twins) Lulu.  I've just written that sentence and already I feel judged--no, I did not make them up, they are real people and no, those are not their given names, but nicknames given affectionately during our high school years.  I wish I could have been more present during that conversation (sorry Talu), instead, I spent most the 30 minutes or so pleading with Henry to pleeeease put away some of these toys before we are all buried alive.  Apparently his listening ears were not on...not even close.

I am usually very self conscious about mess and tidiness in my home.  I often wish that things were better organized and am very uncomfortable entertaining any guest when I feel like my space is in disarray.  My dad always encouraged organization (I use the word "encouraged" quite generously), but it didn't really stick for me.  I try my hardest to find a place for everything, and to keep everything in its place.  It's just not that easy for us.  Mike and I are what I'd kindly call, "creative", which translates as "people who are so taken with their own imagination and pursuits of happiness that they hardly notice that they can't see the top of their dining room table any longer".

Now that we have kids, we are both much more aware of the state of things in our home, and we do work together to keep our mess small and contained.  The family member that could give two hoots about the joys of a clean and organized home is, of course, Hen-Bo.  Going against my general need to display a picture of order to the outside world, I'm posting photos of the family room.  This mess took about 3 minutes and has only gotten worse.  I honestly don't know where to start.  I'll eventually get everything back to its home, but it will last for about 20 minutes, and then, toy mania once again. If you're in the area, come on in and embrace the chaos.

In the Land of Milk and Hondas

We got a van last month.  I find that I say that to people almost as if I'm sitting on the guilty side of the confession booth when really, I feel like shouting it to the rooftops!  We got a VAN!!!  And not just any van, but a Honda Odyssey.  This thing is bananas--enough room for a small country (exaggeration..maybe a city-state).  Tons of leg room with storage under the floor and a completely removable eighth seat.  Eight seats?!  Hellooo luxury!

I'd like to be cool enough to say that it pained me to get a van.  That I just couldn't bring myself to admit that we were now "van people".  That I yearned for my younger days, rattling around in a manual transmission white Toyota Camry.  Yeah, I do miss that little car, and am nostalgic about that time in our lives, but not enough to deny my true feelings about van-dom and to embrace the evolution of my wheels.  Perhaps this is because, growing up, we almost always had a van.  Four kids and a dog? You'd be crazy not to.  To up the "rad" quotient and impress you mightily, I'll share that it was this van.  Or, one almost exactly like it--and yes, we did kick-A stunts in it like this guy in the photos (not true--we drove it to basketball games, the grocery store, and Pittsburgh).

If it wasn't my early introduction to the convenience and comfort of the party bus, then it was definitely this video that got me fully on board.  I'm such an easy sell.  Swagger Wagon?!  Come on, who doesn't love that?

In addition to the Odyssey, we also rock out in our silver CR-V.  Jealous much?  We quickly realized that these two vehicles are among the most popular driven, at least in our area, and in order to always easily identify ours, we've left our mark on them by way of the Vermont peace sign magnet:

  

We bought these when we lived up north during the great ribbon magnet craze (2005-2007) and have held onto them ever since.  A reminder of our life before kids, I guess.  If you told me 4 years ago (when I bought this magnet) that I'd be slapping one of these babies onto a sweet-A mini-van, hustling around town with a sassy-mouthed preschooler and a chunky-thighed baby girl, I would have shaken my head in disbelief...but in secret, I'd be high-fiving myself for getting to van status.  Where my mother-fathers at?!

Ode to Cornbread

Check out my skillet full of cornbread. The cast iron skillet is easily our favorite and most frequently used piece of cookware. I've never attempted skillet cornbread but am quickly convinced that this is the ONLY way to make it. Oh heavenly cornbread, will you be my Valentine?


What pairs better with cornbread than chili? Nothing! The house smells so amazing I just couldn't wait to dish this out and eat it. Mike and Hen aren't even home yet. It looks like Kitty and I will enjoy an early, delicious, hot and spicy dinner. Here's to comfort food!

February 12: Lovebugs

This photo doesn't even come close to capturing how sweet this moment was. I spend all day with Alice, and often, much of the day with Henry and still there is nothing that melts my heart more than seeing them with Mike. Sometimes, when we're all in the same room, which is often--Alice doesn't really do her own thing yet, and Henry would much rather be with us than without--I look around and think, "how did I get this beautiful family?"

Today was a lovely, low-key day with our little foursome. Delicious eggs and bagels for breakfast, new glasses for Henry (a weaker prescription--yes!!), a stop in to our favorite local shop, Miss Ruth's Time Bomb where we filled up on cupcakes and I enjoyed a mimosa with my girl Sarah and a lazy afternoon at home. We're calling it a day soon with some plain and simple comfort food: sloppy joes, sweet potato fries and corn. Saturday, I love you.

February 10: ...on the 48th day of Christmas my true love gave to meeee...

A wreath that is Christmas festive, but not overtly holiday themed--meaning that I can get away with letting it hang into mid-February. My obsession with decorating the house for the holidays began in, well, late September when I fully accepted the fact that for the bulk of the holiday season I would either be enormously pregnant, or healing postpartum with a newborn. For this very reason, everything was moved up. Fall decorations were up after Labor Day, Halloween candy was purchased about 3 weeks before Halloween (and then "repurchased" a few days before due to the fact that I'd consumed most of what we had) and we were ready for Christmas by Thanksgiving.

I didn't do this alone. My sister Megan, who had her first child in October, generously offered to come during her maternity leave time and help me. It was really kind of nice to have someone else tending to garland and lights while I rested on the couch cooing with my then 5-week old nephew. Fall decor was down and holiday decorations up by November 22nd, tree was up and decorated by November 26th, cookies baked by December 1st, baby born on December 3rd--scheduled down to the minute. I kind of feel bad for not taking it easy, especially since I was supposed to be on bed rest, but it was truly out of my control. A ridiculously dangerous marriage of my passion for holiday decorating and an extreme case of nesting had consumed my brain. It was a lost cause from the start.

This beautiful wreath and the holiday flower box arrangements that you can't see were compliments of my very talented mother who, in addition to coming and helping me with Alice the first week home, created and added the finishing touches to my Christmas cottage. She made this wreath, adding four birds--one for each of us. Everything else is down, packed away in the basement until next winter, but I just can't bring myself to remove the wreath, a beautiful symbol of my very loving, giving, tender family.

February 9: Forever in the rinse cycle

two minutes later...


Notice something different? Yes, you are so observant, Alice is not wearing any clothes in the second photo. This was costume change #4 for the day, perhaps a record for my stinky little kitten-baby. She goes through more clothing than her father and brother combined, and that is quite a feat. At 2 going on 3, Henry practically invented the word "mess". Apple juice, milk, pudding, tomato sauce--you name it, we've washed it. The most endearing part, is the heartfelt "sorry!!" that follows every spill. Of course we give him a big hug and kiss and explain that we understand it was an accident and that he's not in trouble. Still, his clothes have seen the spin cycle so many times I'm surprised they're still in tact. As for Mike*, he changes after work each day then wears something for an hour and it's in the laundry basket. Honestly husband, do you really think it got that dirty in 60 minutes time? While I'm on the topic--who washes their jeans after two wears? TWO wears?! Denim sacrilege! I'll hold off to the bitter end before I throw my jeans in the wash. Maybe I'm revealing too much here? Are you thinking of me and finding this image coming to mind? I'd say between the three of them--Mike the outfit-changing wonder, Henry the bull in the china shop and Diaper disaster Alice--I've got about a load of laundry a day. I truly have NO clue as to how I'll keep us stocked with clean clothes once I go back to work. And with that, I'm off...to throw the wash in the dryer. Just another exciting day in Mollywood.


*should note that Mike was borderline offended by this exaggeration of life in our house as he has been very good about cutting back on his dirty clothes pile. I recognize and appreciate that immensely and in no way mean to suggest that he is a burden...I love him dearly and would marry him and his pile of laundry all over again today if I could. ;)