Frustration: The Mother of Invention?

I’m trying to lose those last few pounds of baby weight, plus the couple that creeped back on over the holidays. Me, being me, I have plans:

I will eat more vegetables

I will workout at least 30 minutes a day

I will cut Coke back out of my life, this is not my first time, read my good-bye letter here

I will plan not only what’s for dinner but breakfast and lunch too

Ambitious right?

The other day I spent all day cooking and made these frittata things that you make in a cupcake pan so it’s all pre-portioned and sitting in the fridge ready to go. (Baked omelets for non-cooking people)

Except, the damn things stuck to the pan and I was only able to get the tops off. Frittata  tops anyone?

Then, for the last week, yes, it’s taken a week, I have been trying to get the cupcake pan clean.  I was just giving it another go, and actively contemplating tossing the thing in the recycle bin. I started scratching at it with my finger and it started coming off. Now, I don’t have the time or the patience to finger-scrape a cupcake pan. It is nap-time after all and only last so long.

English: A tin with large divets in it, for making cupcakes. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But, I started thinking, what do I have that will act like a little scraper, since my bigger scraper had not worked. and it came to me.

My GRAPEFRUIT cutter thingy that my mom got me years ago from Tupperware.

Now, I’m not a grapefruit fan, although every few years I try it out again. But, that little baby is handy at other citrus fruit. AND I’ve recently discovered it’s good for opening the lid to salad dressing.  On that line that says “cut here” or whatever nonsense, just line up the cutter like you’re cutting the foil on a wine bottle, and there you go! Come to think of it, this little tool is coming in pretty handy these days. Thanks Mom!

Needless to say, I had to share my excitement with you.

And hey, if you have any kitchen gadgets that you use for other things, let me know. I’m always looking for shortcuts!

Well, Hello Sugar!

Oh boy am I in trouble.

They only LOOK innocent!

Most of you know I’m the proud Mommy of two. When Baby #2 announced his imminent arrival, I made up my mind that I would lose all the baby weight by his first birthday. Around 45 pounds give or take. I stuck to that goal. I worked hard at eating well, getting plenty of water and exercising almost daily. Nothing too extreme mind, but consistent.

When Thanksgiving and his birthday rolled around, I had made my goal and was feeling pretty good about myself. I still have a few extra pounds hanging around from Baby #1 aka Miss Sassy Pants, but that’s another matter.

Then came December. I’m huge on handcrafting Christmas, which translates to a lot of goodies to eat. Of course, as everyone knows, if you are giving the gift of food, it has to be good and you have to TASTE it as you go. Quality Control at its’ yummiest!

I CAN’T turn off the SUGAR!

I know it’s bad for me, but I swear those extra Oreos are yelling my name every time I walk by the pantry. The tub of chocolate icing leftover from my birthday cupcakes did the same every time I opened the door to the fridge. Come on, just a little taste. What’s the harm….

I’m entering a plea here. How do I kick this sugar habit back to the curb where it belongs??

If any of you know any Jedi-mind-tricks I can pull on myself, let me know!

Because I’m in TROUBLE.

To add to the temptation, Miss Sassy Pants is a Daisy Scout, which means: GIRL SCOUT COOKIES will very shortly be invading my home!

I’m trying, I really am. Wish me luck!

Twelve Tips of Christmas: 10 Practically Magic Stain Removal

Stains happen any time of year, helping get them out is my gift to you.

1 squirt of BLUE Dawn dish soap

1/4 scoop of Oxy Clean

Using a container where you can let your item soak, put the Dawn and Oxy Clean in. Then add BOILING Water, about a quart. The Dawn/Oxy Clean combo will foam up a bit. Then add your item of clothing. Add enough hot water to cover the item, and let it soak at least overnight. I like to poke at my stuff with a wooden spoon, I don’t know that it helps but it makes me feel like I’m part of the process.

Disclaimer: Please read your tags. If your item is dry clean only or made of a fabric that cannot tolerate hot water, please do not follow these instructions. Unless that is you’re a risk taker and feel your other alternative is the trash can. Your call.

I’ve had great luck with baby clothes, removing sweat stains from white baseball hats, chocolate, ketchup and other assorted everyday food-type stains in mainly cotton or cotton/poly blends.

Related articles

• How to Combat Holiday Stains and Chores (mamanista.com)
• How to Treat Oil Stains Versus Dirt and Debris Stain in Rugs and Carpets (hadeedcarpetcleaning.com)
• Popular Holiday Stains and How To Treat Them (y98.cbslocal.com)

Twelve Tips of Christmas:5 Fake Out Fudge

Shhhhh. I’m about to tell you a secret. I feel like I should be looking over my shoulder even as I type this.

Again, just add chocolate

Years ago, I was taught an easy way to make fudge with just two ingredients and a microwave.

So in the spirit of any wait-to-the-last-minute-chocolotate-fanatic-procrastinators out there, like me…

You will need:

1 tub of chocolate frosting

1 bag of chocolate chips 12 oz,

or so

Directions:

Line a brownie pan with wax paper up and over the sides

Scoop out the frosting into a microwave bowl

Microwave for about a minute or until frosting is melted

Stir in chocolate chips until they too are melted

Pour into waiting brownie pan, and refrigerate to set

That’s it. Even the kiddos can help, if you want them to know about it that is.

Twelve Tips of Christmas: 4 Just Add Chocolate!

When in doubt, just add chocolate chips!

I love baking for the holidays. Like everyone, I have those time-honored special treats that just say home and holidays.

But sometimes, it’s a lot of fun to mix things up. I’m talking add-ons and here are some of my favorites.

Rice Krispie Treats are good. Make them great by adding Peanut M&Ms, holiday ones make them festive. Just stir in at the last-minute before you press them into the pan, save a few to press on top.

Make brownies extra special: add 1/2 cup or more of chocolate chips to your batter, and bake as normal. Fudgey- gooey brownies…yum!

Making banana or pumpkin bread this season? Add a dusting of powdered sugar to the top.

Making a 9×13 cake? Use a 8×11 piece of paper, cut out a seasonal shape and sprinkle cocoa or powdered sugar on top.

A last-minute get together or pot-luck? Take white cake mix, add mini chocolate chips and bake in a mini muffin pan (I do recommend the use of paper liners). While they are still hot, sprinkle granulated sugar on top. You will be the hit of the party!

You get the idea, the options are endless.

Yes, I believe that adding chocolate to just about anything makes it better!

Happy Baking!

Enter Daddy: Stage Left

As a stay-at-home Mommy, there are times where I feel unequal parts entertainment director, teacher, artist, short-order cook, referee, police/parole officer…

Some days, I feel just this side of a lunatic!

Enter Daddy STAGE LEFT:

In our home Daddy is always good for:

Rough-housing; especially when it is past bedtime! Bonus points if there are pillows and aerial manuevers involved.

Jumping into the kitchen with a frying pan in hand; ready to stir up some culinary magic, usually off the top of his head!

Or alternately whipping out his phone where he has the pizza place on speed-dial.

Blithely ignoring the STAGGERING piles of laundry & diapers in favor of a family movie night…

Finishing any attempted home (ahem) improvement, aka baby-proofing– projects that I have been unable to get accomplished.

Turning a blind eye to the dining room table when it plays home to the sewing machine and other assorted crafting projects for weeks or months on end.

Backing up Mommy with that stern Daddy Voice when the sassy six year-old is getting a little too sassy.

Generally walking in the door ready to do what he can to help me, more or less.  In the way that only Daddy can…