Spice it up

Taylor and I both dislike table salt. (Basically we are the only people I know who don't like it, so please speak up if you don't too!) However we love sea salt and use it on lots of foods. Yesterday I was discussing this with Kim and we got to talking about how many spices we have. She claims to only own five.

So today after purchasing some rosemary (for these yummy breadsticks I am making tonight) I took a spice inventory...

43 in all. Yum!

almond (ground)
basil leaves
bay leaves
black pepper
celery salt
celery seed
cinnamon (ground)
cinnamon sugar
cloves (ground)
coriander flakes
coriander seeds
cream of tartar
crushed red pepper
cumin (ground)
curry blend
dill weed
fennel seed
garlic (granulated)
garlic (minced)
ginger (ground)
italian seasoning
lemon pepper
marjoram (ground)
mustard (ground)
mustard chili onion mix
mustard seed
nutmeg (ground)
onion flakes
onion powder
oregano flakes
oregano (whole)
paprika
parsley flakes
pepper blend
pepper onion
peppercorn (indian malabar)
rosemary
salt
sea salt
seasoned salt
tarragon leaves
thyme leaves
vegetable mix

I really need a spice rack!

Beach

Here is a product from my Mother's Day gift Photoshop Elements. Hope I can figure out how to use it better! Oh, and the beach was a lot of fun!

Mother

Yesterday at the beach (which I will blog later) I was talking with the friend we went with who has two beautiful children. She asked if we wanted another and I said we wanted five. She said, "Don't you want a life?"

The answer of course is yes, but what is the definition of "a life"? Mine includes lots of hugs and kisses and babies and love. A house full of kids is a house full of fun and laughter.

My choice in life is to be a mother. To spend my days loving and nurturing. Cooking and cleaning. Teaching and playing. Laughing and dancing. Singing and scolding. Talking and praying.

My children are my life.

And I LOVE my life. Being a mother is top on my list.

Shower

Lately I have been really spoiled to be able to grab a shower while the boys are playing in the toy room. A really weird concept. I'm so in love with this method!!

And the best part (I thought) was getting out of the shower to silence. Thinking, they actually managed to survive for 4 whole minutes without me. Incredible.

However, I have quickly learned that all silence really means is Matthias is an accomplice rather than a victim.

Hey, its orthodontic

Some of you may be aware of the intense love James shares with his binkie. For those of you who aren't I can only attempt to explain. This love goes deep and is long lasting. James has spent every night with his binkie for the past 1190 days (this is NOT an approximation). At about 10 months of age he and his binkie were relegated to only spending sleeping time together. No more day time usage. Since giving up his nap about 3 months ago his time with his binkie dwindled further. Yet the love remained.

You could say his love bordered on, no, was obsession. Many people would give advice on how they 'broke' their child of a binkie. No, not my kid. I was sure there was nothing to do but be tough enough to stick out nights, days, possibly weeks of weeping and wailing. And maybe even teeth gnashing. This would take working up a lot of courage on my part.

Finally realizing I would be really embarrassed if James was still on the binkie when next we visited Utah, I braced myself. The binkie fairy picked up Professor Darkness (which James has wanted since this day). And I told James the binkie had to go, but something would come in its place.


During Family Home Evening the switch took place. James looked under his pillow and was ecstatic. James went to bed with no binkie. Not one whimper, nor tear. Not even a question why. Simply went to sleep. Haven't heard a word about it since.

WHAT!?!?!?!?

Then I remembered my son. He does what he wants when he is good and ready. He moves on without looking back. Examples of this include talking, potty training (day & night), no more naps, etc. Apparently he was ready to be done with the binkie. And so we sing the Hallelujah Chorus.

(Matthias continues his binkie habit...my bravery only reaches so far.)

Six word memoir

1. Write your own six word memoir.
2. Post it on your blog and include a picture if you want.
3. Link to the person who tagged you in your post
4. Tag at least three more blogs with links.
5. Leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

Read on:
"Seriously, what were you just thinking?"

Here is Jill's memoir:
"Who said you have to grump?"


Tagging...Sierra, Lesley, Kim, Mandy

Did you make your bed?

I'm one of those people who makes my bed everyday. As soon as I get out of bed. Or as soon as the boys allow it.

Back in January 2007 I had a resolution to not be so up tight. One of my specific goals for accomplishing this new state of mind was to not make the bed. Every now and then. No way I could go 365 days with an unmade bed. Can you imagine? I cringe just contemplating such disarray.

Throughout all of 2007 I probably left the bed unmade maybe 12 times, maybe 15. It was a stretch. It took a lot for me to look at that unmade bed those 12 days and not just make it. Just hurry and make it.

3 of the last 4 days I have left the bed unmade. And Taylor made it the 4th day.

I guess I really am loosening up. Or staying out of my bedroom during the day.