The Well Rounded Mama

Summer Highlights

Time at the beach

Bonfire

Getting pounded by the waves

Kitchen helper

Lucy Lovin'

Friends lovin'  on the baby

Seeing beautiful growth and maturity

These two back together

New looks

Feeling patriotic

Kitchen helpers who eat more than they help

Strawberries and powdered sugar...and the mess that follows

10 am on a Saturday morning

Boat rides and happy kids

Triple stack

Kissing baby

UNO H₂0

New spaces

Legos + Lucy

Levi + Lucy

Interuppting some gardning to snap a picture of this guy

Little people caught unaware

First snips

School planning

Finding toes

Celebrating with friends

Happy smiles

First foods...gags and smiles

 

It's been a great summer. Six days left.

Mocha Cupcakes

I was craving sugar.  Actually, I think my family was craving sugar for me. You see, I have a serious addiction to sugar, and I feel guilty about it.  So once again, I tried to stop. Cold Turkey. And then I felt good about myself...for a day or two. After that, my body started revolting and I started turning into the mom I try very hard not to be. I got grouchy, short-tempered, and I lost some of the precious ground I have gained in my determination to speak kind and gentle words at all times.

And so yesterday, I gave in.  I'll take a sugar addiction over speaking unkindly to my husband or children.  It's not that I am giving up entirely. I think I need to wean myself off of sugar at a little slower pace or find some sort of balance in my sugar intake. Too bad I am the all-or-nothing type...I really need to work on that. In any case, in an effort to easy my body's discomfort of sugar withdrawal, I baked. I baked these.

Mocha cupcakes with Espresso Buttercream Frosting. Mmmm.

 

They were yummy.  They satisfied my craving. Nice mommy returned.

 

The cake was seriously the lightest and fluffiest cake I have tasted. It was so, so good. The only problem was that it was almost too light.  The weight of the frosting made it so when I ate it, the cake crumbled. Next time I will either refrigerate them before serving or use a lighter frosting (with a whipped cream base).  But still...they are were so good and perfect with some coffee.

 

I also made chocolate zucchini muffins, but those don't count because they are a vegetable. Right?

I'm Over at Sweet Shoppe Designs Today...

Just wanted to pop in to say that I am blogging over at Sweet Shoppe Designs today (where I sell my digital scrapbooking products).  I've posted the recipe for my recent Snickerdoodle Cupcakes.  Mmmm.  See the post HERE.

Because...

... it was a Monday

... I like to bake

... I have been spending too much time on Pinterest

... I had a craving for amazing sugar cookies

... I might be moving and I might not, which means I can't pack anything

... I have so much on my mind that I think it might explode

... I felt like it

 

I made these...

 

 

 

As I was finishing them it occured to me that the kids might not know who this is.  So I asked, "Do you even know who Cookie Monster is?  Alaina answered, "Yes, of course!"  Then she paused and said, "Wait...who is it again?"

 

Oh well, at least I know who it is and I think he is cute.

These are AWWWESOME!

 

Those were the words that the kids blurted out as chocolate crumbs dropped from their mouths.  And I have to admit, they were quite tasty. I haven't been baking much lately (because baking = eating and I am trying to be better about my sugar intake).  But I was craving both the baking and the eating, so we made these oh-so-fun and oh-so yummy cookies.

 

 

I got the recipe from Confessisons of a Cookbook Queen.  Since I love (and miss) Little Debbie snacks so much, I knew they would be worth a try.

 

 

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 cup salted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs 
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda 

Heat oven to 350.

In the bowl of a mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time mixing after each addition. Mix in vanilla.


In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda. Add slowly to the butter/sugar mixture in the mixing bowl. Beat until combined.

Drop spoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 7-9 minutes. I used my cookie scoop so that they would be uniform and perfectly round. Remove baking sheets to cooling racks and remove cookies after a few minutes to continue cooling.


While cookies cool, make your filling.

FILLING


1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup salted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons warm water


In the bowl of a mixer, beat the shortening and butter on medium speed until smooth and combined. Beat in vanilla. Add cocoa powder and powdered sugar and beat on low until just combined. Add water and beat on medium high for about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.


Once cookies have cooled, pipe or spread filling on the flat side of half of them. Gently press another cookie on top of the filling.


For the stripes, microwave 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until smooth. Drizzle or pipe on top of Fudge Rounds. Refrigerate until chocolate is set.

___

For my Indonesia friends...here are the substitutions I made/tips I have for you:

-- I always use Orchid butter when I bake here. The red/gold box is the salted variety, the blue/silver is the unsalted.

-- I use the cheap clear vanilla you can get at most stores in the little glass bottles.  Stores run out a lot, so when I see them, I buy a ton (like ten!)  Not the best, but it works and is easy.

-- For shortening I use the white cream fat you can get at Setia Budhi (in the baking aisle).

-- Whenever I have to used melted chocolate (like for the drizzle on top), I use the big chocolate blocks you can get at Setia Budhi. They come in dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. They are huge (1 kilo!) but I just break some off and freeze the rest.  They melt BEAUTIFULLY over a double boiler.  Don't add anything to the chocolate.

-- I always sift my powdered sugar and cocoa powder so I don't get lumps

____

 

 

Awwwesome indeed.

Today...

 

Outside my window... It's dark with a cool breeze in the the air.

I am thinking... a lot about obedience and how much it matters to God.  And how hard it is for us.

I am thankful for... my family, who keep me laughing, praying, growing, longing, and refreshed every day.  They make me want more of God so I can be more to them.

From the learning rooms... Much different with Alaina in school.  The boys and I do a lot on our bed, which I love. Today Alaina wrote me the sweetest note that began with, "I love school, but I miss you all the time!"

From the kitchen... Kitchen is closed up for the night, after a yummy dinner of chicken Parmesan.  On the list for this week (by request of different family members)...homemade pizza, french toast, Chicken Tikka Masala, Taco Rice, and "Mommy's special cinnamon rolls."

I am creating... Nothing!  Believe it or not, I haven't been crafting lately.  Since finishing up handmade Christmas gifts and the baby's new blanket, I haven't felt the urge much lately.  I have been much more into reading and just playing games with the kids.

I am going... to bed pretty soon. It's not even 8:00 pm, but really, my days go much better when I am well rested.

I am reading... A few things. 1) I am into 2 Kings now as part of my read through the Bible in 90 days schedule.  24 days down, 66 to go.  2) The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson  3) Love Life for Every Married Couple by Ed Wheat.

I am hoping... for wisdom, understanding, and direction and Jason and I seek the Lord on some big issues and questions.

I am hearing... Nothing! The kids are asleep, Jason is out fixing a tire on the car, and even the puppy is quiet.  Bliss.

 Around the house... "Mailboxes" outside of everyone's door...courtesy of Alaina who wants us to all be able to leave notes for each other.

A Picture I Thought of Sharing...

Homemade biscuits from yesterday. Cooking yummy homemade, from-scratch food makes me feel like a good mama. Just one of the tangible ways I try to say "I love you" to my kids.  We enjoyed these biscuits in a variety of ways...with bacon, egg, and cheese, some with jam and butter, and some with butter and honey..

S'MORE PIE

 

 

 

 

Last week, as I was trying to patiently wait to indulge in Thanksgiving yumminess, I indulged my dangerous habit of reading food blogs.  The number of amazing recipes is just mind-boggling! There is so much to be found...so much to be made...so much to be eaten.

Upon my perusal, I cam across this incredible recipe.  Mmmm...s'more pie.  It sounded incredible...a graham cracker crust, roasted almonds, smooth chocolate, and marshmallow topping. Really, how could I resist?   I thought about this pie for days before I finally got around to making it (really, I was waiting on the chance to get to the store so I could buy heavy cream).  On the day I finally decided to give it a go, I was so excited.  I knew I didn't have everything that the recipe called for, but I figured I could substitute (such is life overseas).  In the end, I only sort of followed the recipe. But it was still amazing!

Here is what I had to substitute/change:

• We can't get graham crackers here, but we can get a local cookie that has a somewhat similar flavor (Sari Gandum Digestive Biscuits for any of my expat friends)
• I didn't have any bittersweet chocolate (though I had had good intentions of going to a specialty baking store where I have seen it).  I figured dark chocolate would do the trick!
• I didn't have bittersweet chocolate chips, either.  My standby mini chips were fine
• The marshmallow topping:  I didn't follow this part of the recipe at all.  I had planned to, but time was getting low and I knew I already had homemade marshmallow fluff already made and in the fridge.  I'll try the "real" recipe next time.  I also didn't try to burn the top...I just threw some "graham cracker" crumbs and mini chocolate chips on top.

 

Even though I only sort of followed the recipe, it was fabulous.  I loved it.  The chocolate layer filled up more of the pie than I had anticipated so there wasn't as much room for the marshmallows.  I will account for that next time.  But this pie was so, so good.  I craved it for days. I ate it for breakfast for three days straight.  It will be made again.  Mmmm....

Thanksgiving Wekend Part One

Like I said, lots of photos.

 

I do try to narrow it down, but since this blog is primarily a way for ME to remember, I err on the side of too many.  I will, though, share these photos in two parts.

 

First, our two Thanksgiving meals. Two? Yes two.  In my current dilemma of how to deal with the holidays/build tradition/create memories, we decided on two meals.  We had one with friends and one just as a family. Every year we get fun opportunities to do stuff with other people but I don't necessarily want every year to be different.  Thus the idea of two Thanksgivings...one for whatever cool things come our way each year and one that is just us, and basically the same every year.  Clear as mud?

MEAL #1

Sadly, I don't have many photos from this meal (which was on Thanksgiving Day).  I took a few photos before we sat down to eat, and then i didn't pick it up again.  Sad to have missed the pictures, happy to just have been in the moment (which included stuffing myself).

We went to the house of our good friends, the Ransom's.  They have three little boys (ages 4 and below) and are expecting their first little girl any day now. Another couple joined us and I have to admit, as much as I love hosting things, it was nice to just show up with a few dishes to share and not be worried about entertaining all day.

We ate roast chicken, sweet potatoes with marshmallows (which Jason said was just like pie!), mashed potatoes, stuffing, yummy green beans (cooked with bacon grease!), bread, and pie.  Oh the pie.  I had never had pecan pie before...YUM.  Too bad I can't buy pecans here!

The only photos I have are of the kids table...

A four year old cutie

 

This is the only picture I have of Levi that doesn't have him showing me all the mashed potatoes in his mouth!

 

I love this little face!

 

Katie devouring her roll, which given the opportunity, would have been all she had eaten

 

Caleb, who is obsessed with doing the typical Asian thing of flashing a peace sign for every photo

 

Can you tell how thrilled Alaina is with the fact that she had to sit at the kids table??

 

 

_____

MEAL #2

And then, Thanksgiving number two.  Just us, a family of six (soon to be seven), all around one table, sharing what we are thankful for and enjoying time together.

Alaina said that the best part of the day was getting to help stuff the turkey.  Little Miss Katie tried to help too.

 

Their handiwork

 

Getting ready...

Me being proud of my pretty turkey.  My best one to date.

 

 

Miss Katleynn, just out of the shower, who insisted on having her picture taken.  Happy to oblige.

 

My cute man carving the bird

 

My sweet Caleb

 

My girl, growing up faster than I can handle

 

My sweet little guy.  Is there a place I can order more of these???

 

LOVE this girl.  And so thankful for the way she makes me laugh...even when she is being naughty.

 

Enjoying my sparkling apple cider.  Not quite like the champagne I would have at home, but with champagne starting at $35 (for what would be an $8 bottle in the States) sparkling cider will just have to do.

 

Caleb made me come back to him so he could flash me yet another peace sign

 

After lunch we did some singing, including teaching the kids, "If I were a butterfly."  Jason grabbed my camera and took far too many photos.  Most of them I dare not post, but I am willing to embarrass myself with a few. (Above, we're fish squirming in the sea.)

 

"...'cuz you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile..."

 

"You gave me Jesus and you made me your child..."

 

"If I were a crocodile, I'd thank you Lord for my great smile..."

 

 

"...and you made me your child." (As you can see, Katie wants to be the baby here)

 

Happy to oblige, Miss Katelynn

 

The afternoon ended with some silly photo taking by the kids (who have no idea about focus, settings, or the fact that these are not automatic).  Alaina did snap this one of me...it is very out of focus, but you can see me at 23.5 weeks :)  I am much bigger than I was with my other kids at this stage.  Hope I don't continue at this rate!

 

 

 Part two of our weekend...coming soon!

 

 

Thoughts on the Holidays

I have a LOT of Thanksgiving weekend photos.  It was a great weekend. It was filled with food, family, fun, some hard work, some sickness, some rough moments, and some quiet times of cuddles and kissing boo-boos.

 

First, though, I want to say I have been giving a lot of thought to the holidays.  Raising kids overseas is full of so many amazing opportunities and experiences.  I love that my kids are growing up with a world perspective and I love knowing they are building attitudes and skills that will carry them far in life. I would choose this life for them above most (all?) others.

That said, there are some disadvantages to being overseas.  There are the obvious things like being away from family, lack of "typical" American kid opportunities, and a few other things that we miss from time to time.  Holidays, especially big ones like Thanksgiving and Christmas, are hard.  I love that we can escape the materialism overload but I am sad that the other beautiful things about this time of year are missed. 

• Football games in the fall
• Trick or treating in fun costumes
• Changing leaves
• Christmas music in every public venue
• Gorgeous church services
• Driving around looking at lights
• Nice meals with family
• Christmas carolling
• Snuggling up in warm sweaters
• Hot cocoa in front of a warm fire
• Family traditions
• Christmas Morning with cousins and grandparents
• Etc...

 

We miss out on a lot, I admit.  However, we also gain amazing opportunities during this time.  In fact, my thoughts about all of this have stemmed from the fact that we get so many great (although not typical) opportunities around the holidays.  Beach trips for the weekend? Sure. Fly to another country for a day or two?  Easy. Pot luck meals with lots of other family-less families?  Done. 

So how do we choose? How do we know what to say yes to and what to turn down?

As our kids get older, these decisions get harder.  I want each of my kids to embrace their life as a TCK (Third Culture Kid), but I also want them to understand and appreciate their passport country of America.  I want them to be ready to reintegrate into that culture, whenever the time comes (perhaps college?)  When someone talks to them about their Thanksgivings or Christmas's growing up, what do I want my kids to picture?  What traditions do I want them to recall fondly?  What do I want them to be able to say they did every year?  What foods do I want them to think of when they are asked their favorite holiday meals?

I don't have all the answers, but Jason and I are starting to form some ideas of how we want to instill traditions that they can carry with them throughout their lives as well as help them intertwine the unique experiences that growing up overseas can offer them.  A delicate mix of their American heritage (a heritage that they may want to embrace fully as adults) and an embracing of the amazing childhood in a third world country (that includes other families and kids in the same situation!) A little this way, a little that way.  A balancing act.

 

Really, we get the best of both worlds.  We just need to figure out how to make it all work.

 

Stay tuned for photos of our weekend (and one of our first real attempts at this balancing act.)

 

 

My First Attempt at Strawberry Jam

 

For the last few weeks,  I have been making homemade bread.  I followed the recipe from Aristan Bread in 5 Minutes a day, and after a few modifications, we are HOOKED.  Jason just loves this bread and eats it for breakfast most days.  He also has a love of strawberry jam, so I thought it would be fun to try my own.  I have never made jam or done any canning, so when I found this recipe, I decided I could give it a try.  I made some modifications for what I had on hand and after some research on suitable substitutions, here is the final recipe I used.  Really, it doesn't get much easier than this.

1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled

2 cups white sugar

1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

 

 

I wanted to make a small batch in case it didn't work, or in case Jason hated it. No sense wasting strawberries!  After reading all of the reviews, I decided to go ahead and use the full amount of sugar because I know that these strawberries aren't the sweetest on their own. Also, I read that using this amount of sugar would help the jam set (remember, this is a no pectin recipe!)

 

I used my all-time favorite kitchen tool to chop the strawberries: my Pampered Chef food chopper.  I was blessed with a "Pampered Bride" party before I got married and this was one of the things I got.  I have used it faithfully for eleven years.  I have to admit, though, this one is looking pretty gross and although you can't see it, it is broken in back and taped together.  Anyone want to send me a new one??

 

 

I put the strawberries on the stove and added the sugar and the vinegar.  As the recipe said, I put the stove on low until the sugar was dissolved, and then I increased the heat to high, stirring constantly.  I knew the next part was going to take about 20 minutes, so I pulled up a stool so I could sit while I stirred (trying to be kind to these pregnant legs!)

 

 

 

The jam definitely went through some different stages: smooth and light, frothy, and then eventually, thick.  I knew I was shooting for 220 degrees, but I wasn't sure if my candy thermometer was working properly.  I had read that you can eyeball it a bit, so between the thermometer, my eyes, and the clock, at about 16 minutes I decided it was done.

 

 

 

After it was done, I let it cool a bit and then transferred it to a clean glass jar.  I know the rate at which Jason consumes jam, so I knew there would be no need to preserve it with a water bath or some other canning method I know nothing about.

 

The results:

• It is THICK.  Too thick, really.  I don't know if I cooked it for too long, but I will definitely get a new thermometer before trying again.  I did find, though, that putting a bit in the microwave for about ten seconds thinned it right up, making it perfect for spreading.
• Jason would like more chunky pieces of fruit in it, so after cooking next time, I may stir in some reserved fruit chunks.
• I thought the taste was wonderful (and that coming from someone who doesn't even like strawberry jam).  It isn't something *I* would eat every day, but I suspect that if I had a natural affection towards jam, this is something I would be craving. As it is, though, I think I will stick with my beloved peanut butter and leave the strawberry jam for Jason and Alaina.