A really good day

Today we got every.single.thing done on our assignment sheets...all four of them.

If you're a homeschool mom, you understand the significance of that statement. If you're not, just imagine having four people's page long "to-do" lists all rolled into one giant list and then imagine you were able to cross everything off. Yeah, it's that good. We even got the science experiment done! Can I get an "Amen!"? I'm gonna revel in it a bit because I'm pretty sure it will not repeat itself tomorrow. They never do...but that's life and I'm OK with it.

Sinfully delicious buttercream frosting

I've discovered over the last couple of years that I love baking. This is not good for my waistline, but my family and my taste buds are quite happy with the discovery.

One of the things I've been searching for is a good buttercream frosting recipe...one that will hold up well to decorating cakes and cupcakes, but not taste like you're eating from the Crisco can. Well, the search is over. This stuff is so good I just like to stand in front of the open fridge with a spoon and eat it straight from the bowl. Now you know my dirty little secret. The best part is people will think you bought your cupcakes from some high-end bakery...unless of course they catch you in front of the fridge with a spoon in your hand.

The Most Amazing Buttercream Frosting Recipe EVER

1/2 cup butter (the original recipe called for margarine, but then it wouldn't be "buttercream" now would it?)
1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco (you can use regular, but you might get that "Crisco" taste)
1/8 t salt
1 1/2 t vanilla
5 cups confectioners' sugar (otherwise known as powdered sugar)
1/8 - 1/4 cup milk

Cream butter and shortening until light and fluffy. Add salt, vanilla and sugar, beat well. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until you get the right consistency. It will depend on what you're doing with it...eating it straight from the bowl? You can add more milk. Using it to ice your pretty cupcakes? You'll want it a bit stiffer.

Now where's that spoon?

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup OR how to pretend it's fall in Texas

I mentioned before that fall is a bit elusive here in Texas. The calendar says it's late October, but the temperature is still hitting the high 80's. Nonetheless, I will continue to pretend it's fall...even while wearing shorts and flip-flops.

In honor of those who are truly experiencing a change in the seasons, here's an amazing recipe for Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. It's on the menu tonight with dark pumpernickel and salad. Don't even ask for the nutrition information or fat content. Forget it. If you have to ask, you shouldn't be eating it. Of course my 11 year old had to add, "What would Bob and Jillian say if they saw this much butter Mom?" I don't care what they'd say Mr. Smartypants! I'm not inviting them to dinner!

Cream Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (Serves 8)

INGREDIENTS:
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
2 cooked, boneless chicken breasts, shredded
1 (4.5 oz) package quick cooking wild rice with seasoning packet
onion, chopped fine (however much you like...I don't measure these things!)
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped fine

sliced portabello mushrooms
1/2 t salt

1/2 t pepper
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup butter, divided
2 cups heavy cream (or substitute 1/2 and 1/2 or milk depending on the fat content you want, or if Bob and Jillian happen to be coming for dinner just use water!)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine broth, water and chicken and bring to a boil. Stir in rice, reserving seasoning packet. Cover and remove from heat.

2. Combine salt, pepper and flour in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Saute onion, garlic and mushrooms in a small amount of butter until tender. Set aside.

4. Melt MORE butter over medium heat. Stir in contents of rice seasoning packet until bubbly. Reduce heat to low and stir in flour mixture one tablespoon at a time to form a roux. Cook flour well...you don't want that nasty pasty flour taste. Yuck! Whisk in cream (or milk) a little at a time until smooth. Cook until thickened.

5. Stir cream mixture into broth/rice/chicken mixture. Add onion, garlic and mushroom mixture to the pot. Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes.

Get your bread ready for dunkin'! Oh my, my, my that's tasty stuff!

UPDATE: Mike is not a huge soup fan, but he couldn't stop saying "This is the BEST soup I've ever eaten!" as he ate two big bowls! Guess it's a keeper.

Daily do-overs

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23

Remember when you were a kid skipping rope or playing a game and you called for a "do-over"? A do-over meant a chance to start again; to take another turn without a penalty. If you're a golfer it's called a mulligan. You can take one mulligan per round and wipe out a poor shot.

God's mercy is like a daily "do-over". We have the chance each morning to begin again; to do things differently with no penalty. I am so thankful for that opportunity. I know God's not keeping score. Unlike golf where you only get one chance at a new shot, God's rules allow for fresh chances every day. What a huge blessing to a weary mom, wife, teacher and friend. Whatever I messed up on yesterday, I have a chance to work on today. I don't have to worry that I've already had X number of chances. No one's keeping score...except for maybe me. I think it's time to tear up that scorecard and embrace what He has for me today.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Now that is some do-over.

Random thoughts on camping

We went camping this weekend. Though we'd planned to stay until Tuesday, a sudden thunderstorm cut our time in the wilderness short. OK, so it wasn't exactly the "wilderness", but anything without electricity for plugging in my coffee pot is considered "uncivilized". We packed up the entire camp in the pouring rain. The most amazing part is that we all still had smiles on our faces when we were done. I was so proud of my family.

I am not exactly what you would call "camping material". My sweet husband says I'm a "glamper"...glamor camper. I can live with that. I will say I am learning to enjoy it for the sake of my family. They love it and I know we're making great memories. Hey, I still remember camping as a little girl and waking up to a tent full of water because the river we were camped next to suddenly flooded. Aaahhh...the memories.

So in honor of this weekend's adventure, here are my random thoughts on camping.

1. I can't go to bed with dirty feet. I don't care if I am camping. Yuck!

2. We were just far enough from the potty that we had to drive to get there. Emma and I took many a drive to that facility because of course ladies do NOT use a tree!

3. I think camping is easier if you're a boy. See #2.

4. Food tastes better when you're camping. We eat well when we camp. If I'm going to have to rough it, I will at least enjoy my food.

5. Apparently October in Oklahoma is Daddy long-legged spider mating season. They were everywhere. Eewww! Emma loved to say, "Bye-bye spider!" as she stomped on them. Stomp away sister! Thankfully the tarantulas kept their distance, or I would have been headed home much sooner. Double eewww!

6. I love electricity. Yes, I do. We did enjoy being unplugged from the entertainment aspect of things, but I missed some of my modern conveniences; mainly the aforementioned coffee pot.

7. Roasting marshmallows with my kids is one of my favorite things to do in the world.

8. Hot showers make me happy...very happy.

9. I could sit and look at the stars all night. I think I saw more shooting stars on this trip than I have my entire life. I am in awe. "The heavens declare the glory of GOD; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1

10. Sitting around the campfire with my family at night makes every single dirty, grimy second worth it.

Emma and I are off now for our post-camping pedicure. I do believe that girl is taking after her momma.

Harvest pumpkin cupcakes

Fall peaked its head out for a brief moment here in Texas only to disappear as quickly as it came. Though it's not as cool as I would like, I'm pretending it's fall nonetheless.

Enter these amazing little beauties...and I mean UH-mazing! Harvest pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, because of course we all know cream cheese makes everything divine. I may have to leave the house to keep from eating any more. On second thought, the Benedryl induced coma still hasn't worn off, so I think driving is a bad idea. Probably shouldn't have been operating a mixer or an oven either, but it was so worth it!

1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

FROSTING:
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar (I added closer to 2 1/2 cups for stiffer frosting)

Directions:
In a mixing bowl beat pumpkin, eggs, oil and vanilla until well mixed. Combine dry ingredients; stir into pumpkin mixture and mix well. Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until brownies test done with a wooden pick. Cool. (CHANGE - I made mine as cupcakes rather than brownies and the texture/consistency was perfect)

In a small mixing bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, milk and salt until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar; mix well. Frost brownies/cupcakes. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a candy corn for color. Store in the refrigerator...if you have any left!

I dare you to eat just one!

(I tagged this one under 'exercise' just for kicks!)