Easter Pictures

Last Saturday, we had Easter Pictures taken of the kids and they turned out Awesome... Thanks You Very Much Andrea... http://www.designsbydreana.com/

What is Wrong with the Education System

For so many years we have heard about nothing but how bad our children are doing in education as compared to other countries.  Well, I am fed up.  I am fed up with the budget cuts to education, the emphasis on Math and Science as a curriculum and fed up with comparing our children to other countries.  I feel sad for my children and the children of my friends and family because they have no idea what it's like to learn the things we did, or even our parents did. 

If the education system wants to be in the running with these other countries that we compare ourselves to, then maybe they need to stop and take a look at what those others education systems are like.  Take China as an example: Their curriculum is filled with Art, Music, The History of their Culture, different languages, along with the studies of Math, Science and Reading. 

Our education system has cut too many and too much from our childrens curriculum.  Art, gone... Music, gone... History, gone... They focus on Math and Science.  But if you don't have the others, how can you even have a well rounded education?  The Arts and Music and History help open the mind to understanding Math and Science. 

I think it is time that we take back our children's education from the politicians and get our children learning again.

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes

Ingredients:
½ - ¾ c. buttermilk
2 tsp. melted butter
1 egg
2/3 c. white flour
1/3 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. sugar
½ tsp. salt

Directions:
Have milk at room temperature. Beat milk, butter and eggs lightly. Mix flour, soda, sugar and salt. Add to milk mixture. Stir just enough to dampen flour.

Chicken Pasta Primavera

Chicken Pasta Primavera

Ingredients

• 4 cups uncooked pene pasta
• 11/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs, cubed
• 3/4 cups chicken stock
• 1 tbsp dried minced garlic
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 packages frozen stir-fry vegtables
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute chicken and garlic in butter until chicken is no longer pink. Add the vegetables, stock and milk; cook until vegetables are tender. Drain pasta. Add the pasta, salt and pepper to the skillet; cook and stir until heated through.

Oh My...

As I am sitting here at this late hour helping my adoring husband finsh up some last minute work items, I decided to take a break and check out what has been happening in the blogging world in which I follow, when I came across a good friend of mine (Rachel)'s posting abou the Joys of Motherhood.  I started laughing because she can find the most positive things out of life when I tend to see a lot of the negative. Anyways, she explains how the joys of motherhood have given her two nice guns (bicepts) and a single white strand of hair.  I have to say I love her for this.  She has been a mom for 4+ years and can still find the time to laugh at and find the positives in being a mom.  I on the other hand struggle on a daily bases with my two lovely children.  I have been a mom for 9+ years and as I commented on her posting, I have more years under my belt... and I do mean UNDER my belt, which has expanded to include the entire North Western portion of the United States. (And yes that was a fat joke.) I have also accumulated several sparkling silver hairs that are bright enough to blind someone if the sun hits them just right. And circles so dark under my eyes you would think I was one of the walking dead. 

The whole thing makes me laugh! But the truth of it is that I applaude her for her positive outlook on it all. I still struggle with just the idea sometimes of being a mom.  Its not as easy as some make it out to be, and some days are just so much more than I can handle.  I applaude all of those out there who have the patience, the sanity and the gracious additudes that you have.  I struggle to find the balance.  When I look at my two beautiful children I know that I am lucky to have what I have with them and that I love them unconditionally! But some times, I don't like them very much.  I know that someone just gasped at that comment, but it is the honest truth.  Their behaviors drive me up a wall.  Both of my children are very head strong, independant, and smart! However, when they get into a room with each other, forget it, all brains go to mush and the boxing gloves come out.  They both have a will and a mind of their own, and when they want something, they get it or heaven help me all HELL is UNLEASHED UPON THE EARTH! My daughter has the additude of a 16 year old... (we all know the kind I am talking about... I AM ALL KNOWING... MOM AND DAD ARE STUPID AND DON'T KNOW ANYTHING, I WILL DO AS I PLEASE AND KISS MY BUTT IF YOU DON'T AGREE! yeah, that additude...) My son is the same way, only his outbursts are more covert.  He will destroy something or take something and doesn't care about the consequences.  OR he will just down right throw a temper tantrum (let me just say, he is 6 not 2 or 3), banging his head on the wall, throwing toys, or whatever. 

It is all just so exhausting.  And well it doesn't help that it is winter and the temperatures and weather haven't been agreeable so they are cooped up in the house all afternoon when they get home from school.  Which is a whole other headache and topic for another day...

SO... My hat goes off to all of you out there who truly have the patience and dedication to be that SUPER MOM! (I mean that honestly!)

Picture of a tired mommy...

Strawberry Squares

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup canned strawberry pie filling
• confectioner's sugar for dusting 
• baking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.  Spray Baking Pam in a 13 x 9- inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter with the granulated sugar until smooth, about 2 minutes.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla. Add the flour and mix thoroughly.
Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan.  With a small, sharp knife (or toothpick), score into twenty-four 2-inch squares.  Place a teaspoon of pie filling in the center of each scored square.  Bake for 30 - 35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean. Cool to room temperature, then sprinkle with confectioner's sugar before cutting and serving.

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

   Ingredients

• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts and or skinless boneless chicken thighs
• 1 Packet of Taco seasoning
• 1 Packet of Chili Seasoning
• 2 cans of chicken stock
• 1 can of Chili Beans
• 1 can of Kidney Beans
• 3 green onions chopped
• 1 chopped jalepeno pepper (with or without seeds and ribs, optional)
• 8  (6-inch) flour or corn tortillas or tortilla chips
• 1  cup  chopped tomato (optional)
• 1/2  cup  (2 ounces) preshredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) preshredded reduced-fat mozzerella cheese
• 1/2  cup  Salsa of your choice (optional)
• 1/2 cup shredded iceburg lettuce (optional)
• 1/4 cup guacamole (optional)
• 1/4  cup  fat-free sour cream (optional)
• 1 small can sliced black olives (optional)

Directions

In a medium bowl, wisk together Taco seasoning, Chili seasoning and 1 can of the chicken stock. In your crockpot, place chicken and second can of chicken stock.  Add the green onions, jalepeno pepper.  Pour in your seasoned stock.  Place lid on crock pot, cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, high for 3 to 5 hours.  One hour before serving, shed chicken with a fork, add in chili beans and kidney beans.  Cook another hour.  Then serve with your favorite taco toppings in a flour or corn tortilla shell or over tortilla shells.  (Can also be made as a soup as there is a lot of liquid in this dish)