The Daily Grind

My morning usually starts with breaking out a grinder.  The Kitchen Mill (left) is used for wheat, the coffee grinder is used for flax seeds (what else?) and the Oat Flaker is used for groats.  Fresh oatmeal!!!  It's almost too good to be true. It tastes fantastic and nutrition wise how can you top freshly ground anything.

I know health claims change day to day (eggs are good, now they're bad, now they're good again) but I believe grains retain most of their nutrients when ground and then diminish with time.

That said I also buy white flour for baking cookies and such but try to at least go half and half with some freshly ground white wheat.

My mom ground wheat and made bread growing up and encouraged me to do the same.  I don't grind wheat daily.  I grind about 5 lbs worth and keep it in my fridge for a few weeks until I need more.  I do grind flax as I need it though because I've learned it's very heat sensitive.  I keep the whole seeds in my freezer.

 I wish the oat flaker lived at my house but alas it is my Mom's.  You just feed the oats in the top and less than a minute later you have these incredible Oats!  Look at them!  Honestly, they would win a beauty contest over any other.

Prices vary greatly on wheat berries.  I go to a cannery and buy them in person and they can be as cheap as $17 for a 50 lb. bag.  Ground Flour is anywhere between $2.50 and $5 per 5 lb bag.

The price of wheat varies just like the stock market and can be quite expensive as well.   I buy when it is cheap as whole wheat berries if stored correctly will last 25 years.

Price is not my main motivator as I just really enjoy the taste & health benefits of the whole grain.

Just thought I'd do this little PSA so if you desired you could put one of these babies on your Christmas list. A coffee grinder can be bought for around $15.  The best place to find the other 2 are online.  They will set you back about $150-$250 each.

I am going to go add this oat flaker onto my list.

Right along with a new bonnet and a butter churner.

Text Book

I look normal right?  I drive a minivan & watch Modern family.  Do 10 push ups and call it a day, love Ne-Yo and steal my kids good Halloween candy.   I make my husband deal with all the car problems and truly believe my kids will continue to love and trust me through their teenage years.  Just another typical mom.

What's abnormal is I do not now, nor have I ever owned a cell phone.

I've always said the only people that need to get a hold of me are my kids, and I am always with them.  As for my husband, he knows if he needed to he could track me down in under 20 minutes because I am either: at home, the library, Walmart, Costco or the park.  Not ideal for him, but he's only had to do it once because he had the afternoon free and wanted to take us all to the beach (like I said, an emergency).

I kind of joke but there is some truth when I say 'no one really needs to get a hold of me, I am not that important'.  As a human being and a Child of God I absolutely feel I have great worth, but in the day to day scheme of my life no one really needs me enough for me to justify spending the money on one.  Besides, I barely answer my home phone.

I have a  love/hate relationship with technology.  I love blogs.  Writing and reading them and the information that can be gained.  I love being able to Google any and every question my kids come to me with from their homework.  I love Allrecipes and never having to scour another cookbook.  I love having a dish and being able to type the ingredients into google and come up with the recipe within a minute.  As of today I love online shopping because I ordered a bathing suit from Nordstroms (my small town selection leaves something to be desired).  It's great, it's wonderful.  But sometimes, sometimes I hate it.

It makes me sad seeing two teenagers walking together but not talking because each is plugged in to their phone or ipod.  I find it downright rude when you are talking to someone and they are nodding their head while checking texts.  It's discouraging when kids don't know how to make their own fun because they are so used to the stimulation from video games that go with them everywhere because heaven forbid their parents might have to entertain them for a minute (run-on sentences, also discouraging).

The worst is when kids and are horrified at what I would do in an emergency.  These kids definition of an emergency is what really gets me.  They can't fathom how I would get out of a 'deathly' situation like my car breaking down.  Luckily I have a good car.  Also luckily I have two legs and could walk a few blocks, or even 20 miles if I had to.  And if my kids are with me?  Luckily they too were born with strong legs.

I've never text or tweeted.  I've never had the opportunity to lose a charger or have my kids drop my cell in the toilet.  I am a Facebook dropout.  Writing this blog is a miracle.

The truth is Technology scares me.  I am not good at it and it's overwhelming.  When everyone else was familiarizing themselves with the computer I was reading and playing with 1, then 2, then 3 little babies.  When they were all in school I started this blog.  I am totally late to this party, I am fully aware of that.

My life is simple verging on boring.  Boring people don't need cell phones because they're home grinding wheat and baking bread.  They're scouring the Goodwill for Berenstain Bears books.  They're wondering what Pinterest is and why everyone is talking about it.  They're organizing their kid's bookshelf stopping to play with the Legos for a few minutes.

They're making sure they have a few quarters in their wallet in case they happen to have a real emergency.

They're also hoping  pay phones still exist.

Too Much of a Good Thing

My kids don't necessarily lunge for brussels sprouts and spinach.  That hasn't stopped me from continually trying (sometimes bribing) my kids to try new food.  I have been known to make 'Hulk Muffins' green because of spinach (and if you name it after a superhero chances are your son will eat 10),  rename chia 'Strong Seeds', and do 80% of my baking with Whole Wheat.

My kids love artichokes, broccoli & carrots.  Lila will eat raw bell peppers, Ethan will eat an entire avocado in one sitting & Emry will down a whole plate of steamed green beans. 

We're off to a good start, but I always feel the need to amp up meals with more veggies (you know, to make up for the marshmallows). 

That's why soup is my best friend.  You can chock that baby full of veggies and my kids will eat it up, especially if there is ice cream in their future.  Lila requested chili for dinner tonight.  In my never ending quest to nourish their growing bodies I decided to deviate slightly from the recipe.  About a cup of bell peppers and almost a whole head of shredded cauliflower later this is what my chili looks like.....

Not exactly what Lila had in mind, she asked why it wasn't brown (I also subbed ground turkey for the beef). I thought it would still look like chili but I guess I was wrong.

I dished them all up big bowls, grated some extra sharp cheddar on top and everyone ate and I even got one compliment on the delicious dinner.  I am happy with one.

The real star of dinner though was THIS cornbread.  Oh my gosh deliciousness.  I will never make another recipe.  The only change I made was pouring my batter into a hot cast iron skillet to bake and of course subbing in some whole wheat flour.

My next challenge is getting these same kids to clean the kitchen after dinner, volunteer to help their little brother with his homework, put dirty clothes in the hamper and not on the floor or stuffed into drawers, and have them express gratitude daily for their wonderful parents.  I don't think it's too much to ask.

Have you ever...........

Waited tables?  I served food from the time I was 20 to 27 and I loved it.  That job fit me so well  I think the stars were aligned.  The restaurant was awesome, my co-workers crazy and fun, atmosphere happy, food delectable and the pay was great.  I worked in downtown San Jose when everyone was working at Dot Coms and throwing money around like they were millionaires (oh yeah, they were).

I loved it so much I talked Glenn into joining me.  After attending classes all day he would tend bar all night.  We were young, newly married and full of energy.  Eventually he graduated with his degree and I got so pregnant I had to quit my happy little restaurant home to create a new home for my baby.  I tell Emry how she actually waited tables with me.  I was 7 months pregnant when I quit.

The restaurant cooked a lot of crazy good food and I may have stumbled upon a top secret recipe binder and accidentally memorized some of the recipes.  Possibly.

I fancy myself a gourmet chef.  And by chef I mean sometimes I make really good food along with the nachos and peanut butter bananas.  When I had company for dinner tonight I thought a really good chef would make their own marshmallows for smore's right?

And their own graham crackers.  Don't think I am an over achiever, remember I waited tables for 7 years?

 Not anymore though.  Now I am a trophy wife who eats bon bon's and shops all day.  And by bon bon's I mean the leftover crusts from grilled cheese sandwiches and by shopping I mean the Walmart variety.

Did I mention my angelic children?

And by angelic I mean.........................

Bad Words

 When I was 8 years old I was sick on the last day of school.  The last day of school!  This is the day there are games and parties.  Parents brought in cookies and cake and soda.  Soda!  I was so bummed.  In bed all day feeling miserable, and not just because I was sick.  I was fuming mad I had to miss out on all of the festivities.

When all my siblings arrived home from school they, along with my mom, gathered around me  to see the surprise my sweet sister Margo had brought me.  She had wrapped a big ol' oatmeal cookie in a napkin and kept it intact all the way home from school.  You'd think I would have given her a big  hug.  You'd think wrong.  My greedy little hands snatched up that cookie ready to demolish it in 2 seconds until I realized it had raisins in it.  Raisins!

I remember vividly I did not say "no thank you", I did not say "thanks so much" and then give it to the dog.  I said a new word I had recently heard, the F word.  I remember a collective gasp, wide eyes and everyone froze.  I didn't know what I was saying, but by the look on everyone's face it wasn't good and I prepared my bum for a whoopin.

As memories go I can't remember what happened next.  I am sure my mom talked to me in depth about appropriate language, as well she should have.

I like raisins now, but my kids don't, so I usually omit them in baked goods.  My kids are great eaters so I have to give them some slack because I know their tastes will change as they get older.

Thankfully I never used that word again.  My parents did not tolerate swearing and not to sound like a Pollyanna (although I absolutely love that movie)  it hurts my ears to hear foul language.  I don't like it at all.  When I hear girls boast about their 'sailor mouth' I kinda cringe. 
So here's a delicious Zucchini Cake sans raisins.  Heaven forbid you should share it with someone who doesn't like them.

 Now I know the proper way to thank people for the nice things they do for me.  So from the bottom of my heart Shauna, thank you for the recipe.

Lila Glenn turns 9!!

I remember like it was yesterday the day Lila was born. It was a Saturday and I just knew she was coming soon, I literally could feel it.  So of course I did what any expectant mom would do when she knew her time was almost up, I gave myself a pedicure.

Glenn, Emry & I were just hanging out in our little apartment because I didn't feel like going anywhere or doing anything.  It was exhausting trying to keep a 2 yr. old busy and I was beat.  Come about noon my water broke & off we all went to the hospital.

Lila came so quick I thought I might just give birth in the car.  I remember getting upset with Glenn when he stopped at red lights.  The pain was strong and babies don't wait for stoplights.  Luckily we made it to the hospital in time so Glenn didn't have to deliver his own child. 

 Emry was actually 2 weeks shy of 2yrs when Lila was born.  She went around calling her bay-Lila meaning baby Lila.

 Lila was as sweet and calm as Emry was wild and rambunctious. 

Lila was playing in the backyard and decided this comfy cozy piece of concrete on the side of the house made for a good bed.  I don't freak out often but it did give me a scare when I called and called and looked and looked and couldn't find her.  When I did my heart melted.

2005 3yrs.  We turned off the girls bedroom light because it was time to go to sleep, Lila called out "I can't see my boo eyes!" (blue eyes).  Glenn & I burst out laughing.  We had to call Lila out on that one and tell her that even with the lights on, she  "couldn't see her boo eyes!"

I think this picture is so sweet.  I wonder what Lila is thinking. "Mom has a new baby now, does she have time for me, does she still love me?  I hope she's still my mommy".

I love this picture of Lila.  Sweet, happy, messy haired and playing with her siblings.

2006 4yrs  Lila received some candy canes at Christmas.  She opened the first one and it broke.  She opened the next one and it broke too.  She then said "I got 2 broken candy canes and now I got a broken heart".

2006  Lila saw a poster of a lost dog, turned to me and said "If I get lost, I wait for mommy".

2007  "Mommy I love you more than pony heaven, and that is the highest heaven".

2008  6yrs. Lila thought a man was her friends dad and I told her he wasn't.  She then said "Who was he?  Her uncle or a dignitary?"  She said she learned the word from one of her books on tape.

ANIMAL LOVER EXTRAORDINAIRE!!!!!

Lila bought all this pet shop loot for $3 at a garage sale!  Lila loves everything girly, especially little things like pet shops.

I've known since I was 13 that I would name one of my daughter's Lila.  I fell in love with the name while reading the "Sweet Valley High" books.  Her middle name is Glenn after her dad.  We love her so much.  She is sweet and responsible.  My one child who I can count on to obey me the first time I ask.  Lila you are a living doll who is playful and kind, mischievous and curious, fun and spirited, thoughtful and brave.  We love you so much.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY  to our big 9 year old.

Yeah x 3

Lila turns 9 on Wednesday November 9.  On Friday evening I let her invite 6 friends over for a 'spa party'.  I love planning adult parties, kid parties, not so much.  But I had to grin and bear it for my sweet girl.

This party cost right under $50.  Invitations were homemade.  Entertainment was in the form of games, dancing, and my right hand girl Emry and her friends giving treatments and makeovers to all the girls.  The main cost was in food and party favors.

I learned a long time ago not to stress about kid parties.  Why would I put time, energy & money into decorations when I have Emry doing this awesome decor to the island.  I am not sure what it means or how it goes along with the spa theme, but I really don't care.  It kept my kids busy and they liked it.  Now why would you scour Pinterest when you could just come to my little ol blog and see creations like this? 

The girls who made this party possible, Valerie, Emry & Evelyn.

 Party favors included lotion, nail polish, spa socks, an eye mask and a loofah.

And what birthday party would be complete without a saxophone performance.  Thanks Emry, it's a wrap.
(that is her friend Evelyn's sax, we don't play musical instruments in this house.   I think our ability to decorate for a party more than makes up for what we lack in musical talent).

PARTY #2 was Saturday night.  I invited some friends over to celebrate Jeannette's RD status.

I thought I'd be somewhat clever and put a 'Registered Dietician' spin on all the food.  Everything was
labeled listing the nutritious health benefits.

Mom, Jeannette & Dad

A party's not a party without the kids.

I saw a this idea in a magazine for a chocolate sampler bucket and thought I'd use it.

Brutus was nervous with all our guests and stayed by my side the whole night.  OK fine I held him all night.  I do love that dog.  I am pathetic I know.

PARTY #3 was Sunday night for my niece Kylee.  She turned 14!!

Kiera Roberts, Lila & Emry Wallwork, Kylee Roberts

Jeannette made the most scrumptious dinner of braised short ribs over a mashed up mixture of potatoes, turnips & sweet potatoes with roasted vegetables.

Cake of course. 

We partied all weekend long.  Glenn wouldn't exactly classify this as partying as there were kids involved each time.  But there was also lots of chocolate and I put on makeup 2 days in a row, so to me, that's a party.