Oil and Balls

Yep so this post is totally not what all you dirty birds think it's about! Just a blurb about a few new favorite things.

So visiting my Sis back in Chicago, she has the complete opposite hair type that I do, she said she had started using Marrakesh oil. Now given the origin of this oil I am sure I am one of the last people on earth to know about this amazing stuff but I highly recommend it. If you style your hair often with hot tools or just have naturally dry, colored, or processed hair try this stuff out! A little dab and it's like you've put on a whole new head of hair. It smells fantastic to me, like a masculine version of a vanilla cupcake. It's not greasy and I am generally not one for hair products and I try not to wash my hair everyday (no that's not gross, it's unnecessary and environmentally responsible) so products build up or end up on my pillow and I end up breaking out. My sister has crazy curly hair and mine is stick straight so it obviously works well on either hair type.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002D4CXII

Ok and so now for the balls or ball as it may be. Yep I finally did it I finally bought one of those ball office chair contraptions. Ok so it looks totally ridiculous and I've already been teased about it several times. The fact of the matter is I sit at a desk 8+ hours a day with little opportunity to get much movement other that from the 64oz. of water and 3 cups of coffee I consume at my desk or heading the break room or copier I pretty much am stuck chained to my desk, blarg!



I started to notice my back and neck were really bugging me at the end of the day which proceeded into being an all day thing which I finally attributed to my posture and subsequently to my office chair. If you've ever contemplated a ball chair or read any reviews you know they get mixed reactions. Personally I can FEEL it working. If you don't keep your muscles engaged you sink side to side or fall off the chair in general. I can feel the back of my legs and butt working and ABsolutely can feel my core engaged to keep me upright. No slouching either! Slouching pushes the chair back which makes it awkward and uncomfortable. Anyway long story short is if your work in corporate America and are not allowed to escape your desk invest in one of these babies.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VK7CEG



I don't suggest using the oil and balls together though!

Cheers to all things wonderful and healthy!

Back to Basics

So by now you have no doubt viewed the Chipotle commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, if not take a peek now. I am literally nearly brought to tears by this commercial. Not just by the sweet sentiment of the thoughtful farmer or the cleverly animated little piggies but by the over all concept. I commend Chipotle for not only building an environmentally conscious business model but for being bold enough to put together a mass marketed commercial stating their opinion on what is wrong with our agricultural society, government, and consumption without being blatantly offensive.

While Chipotle is technically "fast-food" and isn't necessarily healthy it presents an option to the giant, corporate, conglomeration fry it up and pump it out as cheap as humanly possible chains. If Chipotle can sustain this type of business model my question is why can't all fast food chains? Sure this would probably mean they'd have to increase what they charge for a burger, but would that be the end of the world? If it means making their global foot print smaller and maybe avoiding what seem to be inevitable increased taxes on their products to make up for their unhealthy burden on those with less than stellar will power and failing health why would they want to continue to use up precious resources that eventually will decrease their revenue?

Maybe I'm getting to gushy over a little ole commercial but deep down a little part of me was touched and reawakened by Chipotle's commitment to a better product and a better business model. Food is just plain important, it doesn't need to be pumped full of chemicals and antibiotics to be mass produced to feed an ever increasing population or feed our ever growing waist-lines. Maybe if we all stop being such gluttons in American and quit pointing the finger at each other or at our government and own up to our decisions this type of practice would be sustainable for every business.

Invisibility

February 14th, 2012 - Driving home after picking up the kiddos. Miles says, "Mom, can real things be invisible?" I said, "No bud I don't think so. I think that's just pretend in movies and stories." Miles, "I have a friend who's invisible named Ryan." Me, "Oh cool." Miles, "I also saw an invisible pond once. It was just a pond hole." (HAAAA made me laugh so hard. Pond hole.)

Love the Skin You're In

I made a trip home to Chicago which became the speed dating version of visiting my family. With only four days and four households to visit the kids and I spent one night at each family members home. Wheew were we tired when we made it back to Minnesota. Families are complicated, everyone knows that, but they get logistically more complicated when they are spread far and wide across the Chicagoland area. My parents divorced shortly after my ex-husband and I did in 2007 after some 30 years of marriage. I knew, unfortunately, from early on they most likely would not be married forever. Sometimes though this is for the better. Both of my parents now seem happy in their new lives and still have respect for each other and there hasn't been any family drama to emerge out of their separation. The only real challenge for me has been trying to find a way to spend any amount of quality time with them and their new spouses now that I live 400 miles away!

From left to right: My sister, my son, me, my daughter, and my magnificent Grandmother.

The kids and I and my wonderful sister spent a few hours with my fraternal Grandmother on Saturday afternoon. She is completely amazing to me. Into her 80's now she is one of the most intelligent, compassionate, articulate, and motivated women I have ever met. All of my life and all of hers she has been passionate about the environment, working tirelessly to support any cause she thought could make a difference. She is an animal lover to the extreme and was an avid hiker and horseback rider. A gourmet cook and health nut, Dr. Decker is what we lovingly and mockingly call her because of her knowledge and passion for all things health related. Oh and the art oh the art! Her home is filled with her masterpieces and I have been lucky enough to inherit several of her works which proudly hang in my home. She is and always will be a legacy to which I am sure I will never live up to. Visiting my Gram was one of the highlights of this trip.

It dawned on me after my visit home that one of two things generally happens as we age, either our mind goes before our body gives out or our body gives out before our mind is ready to give up. We have little control or choice in the matter of aging. The way I see it we should take full advantage of our mind and body while they both get along. The world is far to big and exciting, colorful and wonderful to allow ourselves to be unhappy or bored. Maybe I'm feeling a bit sentimental with it being Valentine's Day and all but the truth of the matter is our time with our loved one's is limited and the legacy we choose to leave or the one that happens by accident is in fact important. I want my Grandchildren to look at me some day and think the same things and be inspired by the same wonderful motivations my Grandmother has represented to me.

Happy Valentine's Day today and everyday!

Time Saver Ravioli Soup

I literally threw this all in the crock pot in about 10 minutes this morning before I left for work. This easy, filling, healthy soup is a great addition to your weekly menu rotation. It's also easily modified to incorporate ingredients you have on hand.

Time Saver Ravioli Soup

32 oz. unsalted chicken stock
28 oz. can unsalted diced tomatoes
18 oz. frozen ravioli or tortellini
2 small zucchini grated
1 small yellow onion diced
1 large clove garlic chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. garlic powder

You can use a cheese grater or shredder disc on a food processor for the zucchini or dice it small. Throw everybody in the crock and set on low for 6-8 hours. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and serve with garlic toast and a fresh salad for a complete fast and easy winter meal.

Italian Mac n Cheese with Parm Chicken and Red Wine Deglazed Mushrooms

Love is in the air and I just know you want to spend hours preparing a special meal for that special someone! This should do the trick and put everyone involved in a food coma after it's all said and done!

Ok first let me warn you I cook on the fly adding this and that so some of this may not be exact as I don't typically measure as I go along but here goes: (feel free to improvise adding or subtracting your favorite ingredients) Read all the way through so you don't miss any steps first.



The pasta dish alone I bet would serve 6.

Ingredients:

1 large yellow onion (chopped)
1 8oz package baby portobello mushrooms (slice with stems)
1 8oz package button mushrooms (slice with stems)
1 1/2- 2 TBL chopped garlic or garlic paste
(cook onion, mushrooms, and garlic until onions are transparent and mushrooms are firm but cooked through. Reserve approx. 1 - 1 1/2 cups in a separate pan)
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
1 10oz package frozen chopped spinach with some of the liquid
1 healthy dash Nutmeg
Salt to taste (the cheese has lots of salt so not to much especially if you are using sea salt)
Pepper
Red Pepper flakes (to taste) I probably used a TBL
1 1lb. box of large elbow macaroni
1lb. mozzarella cut into cubes
3 cups shredded Parmesan and or the Italian cheese blend (that's what I used) (reserve 1 cup)
Butter
Your favorite red wine


Start pasta boiling should take about 7 minutes to aldente.

Pour a glass of wine drink. Cook chopped onions, garlic, and mushrooms until onions are transparent and mushrooms are firm but cooked through. Salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes. Reserve approx. 1 to 1 1/2 cups mixture in a another pan. Pour another glass of wine.

After reserving part of the mixture add the spinach and tomatoes. If you really like tomatoes like I do I think this recipe could even handle another half can of tomatoes. Cook through.

Drain pasta add to a very large mixing bowl. Add onion, garlic, spinach, mushroom, tomato mixture along with cubed mozzarella and Italian cheeses. Add a healthy dash of nutmeg. Mix together thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top off glass of wine.

Coat the bottom of a very large casserole dish with butter. Dish should be about twice the depth of an average 8 x 8 dish.

Mix about 4 oz of bread crumbs and 1 cup Italian cheeses. Coat bottom of casserole dish with about 1/2 the mixture. Reserve other half to top the dish.

Add pasta mixture to the casserole. Spread bread crumb mixture over top. Sprinkle with a bit more Italian cheese blend.

Pinch pieces of butter from the stick and dollop on top randomly on the dish.

Place in a 375 degree over for about 30-35 minutes.

Relax and finish glass of wine.


Part two chicken and mushrooms.

Chicken-Skinless chicken breasts (2)
marinate in your favorite Italian Parmesan dressing. Add a healthy dose of good paprika, salt and pepper. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 2 hours. Bring to room temp before cooking.

Add a healthy dose of red wine to your reserved mushroom mixture, add a tiny dash of nutmeg. Cook over medium to low heat until wine thickens and is absorbed by the mushrooms and onions. Keep and eye on it as the pan will need to be scraped as the wine reduces or it will burn. Add a dash of tarragon and thyme.

While the mushrooms are cooking coat the bottom of another pan with olive oil at medium high temp. Sere the chicken on both sides to lock in moisture then reduce the temp to medium low. (Cook chicken low and slow for best results.) Should take approx. 20-25 minutes to cook through at correct temp. You may want to cover the pan part way through to lock in more moisture. Sip wine while attentively tending the chicken.

Viola serve chicken covered with the mushrooms with a side of pasta. I think this pasta dish would be fantastic with the chicken added to it but would need an additional can of tomatoes for sure to add enough moisture.

I hope I didn't leave anything out. Good luck and let me know how yours turns out :)

Midwest Minestrone

This version of Minestrone makes me chuckle a little as it is such a Midwestern adaptation to traditional Minestrone. I love soups because they are so easy to modify and a classic Minestrone would have been exactly what this recipe represents, a gathering of scraps and leftover vegetables as well as any available pasta. Feel free to modify and let me know how it goes.

Midwest Minestrone

2 TBL butter
1 medium onion diced
3/4 c. cabbage sliced
1 leek diced
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 turnip diced
1 potato diced
1 carrot diced
1 tomato diced
1 clove garlic chopped
1 tsp. chopped parsley
7 c. chicken stock
5 1/2 oz. tomato juice
2 1/2 oz. spaghetti
Pinch celery seed and thyme
Grated Parmesan cheese to taste

Heat butter in large sauce pan. When hot add onion, cabbage, leek, and season to taste. Add basil, oregano, and remaining spices. Cover and cook for 4 minutes over low heat. Add turnip, potato, and carrot, mix well. Continue cooking covered 3 to 4 minutes over medium heat.

Add tomato, garlic, parsley and pour in broth and tomato juice. Stir and bring to boil. Season soup well and cook uncovered for 5 minutes over low heat. Break spaghetti in thirds and add to soup. Season and continue cooking for 12 minutes over medium heat until pasta is cooked.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Grandma's Turkey Noodle Soup

Classic comfort is Grandma's Turkey Noodle Soup. This is a great use of left over turkey or chicken especially if you have actually cooked the entire bird a day before.

Turkey or Chicken carcass
Water - enough to cover carcass
3-4 stalks celery with leaves chopped
1 medium onion chopped
1 small cans chicken boullion soup
1-2 TBL salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
1/2 c. chopped parsley
1 1/2 c. sliced carrots
1 can cut green beans drained
4 c. egg noodles
1/4 c. butter
1.4 c. flour

In a large stock pot place carcass and cover with water. Add celery, onion, chicken boullion soup, slat, pepper, and bay leaf. Heat to boiling, reduce heat and let simmer 1 1/2 hours. Remove carcass, let cool. Add parsley, beans, and carrots to stock, let simmer 10 minutes. Remove meat from carcass and add to soup. Heat soup to boiling, add noodles, cook uncovered for 10 minutes. Melt butter in a small frying pan. Stir in flour. Cook over low heat until flour is browned. Stir flour mixture into soup. Return soup to boiling and stir. Reduce heat to simmer for 5 minutes.

Cream of Asparagus Soup

I'm a big fan of asparagus and even if you aren't give this a try. It's not far off in flavor or consistency of cream of broccoli soup and can be so warm and filling on a cold winter's day. As always this is great served with fresh bread or warm rolls.

Cream of Asparagus Soup

1 1/2 lbs asparagus, woody ends trimmed off
6 c. chicken broth unsalted
2 ribs celery chopped
1 medium onion chopped
3 TBL butter
3 TBL flour
1/2 c. heavy cream
salt and fresh ground white pepper to taste
1 dash cayenne
1 1/2 TBL fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Do ahead steps:
1/ cut tips off asparagus and simmer tips until tender. Drain, set aside.
2. In large sauce pan heat chicken stock, asparagus stalks, celery, and onion. Simmer covered 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly and blend in blender, food processor, or with an immersion blender in pot until smooth.

Final steps:
Return stock mixture to pot. In small pan melt butter, whisk in flour and allow to bubble over moderate heat for 2-3 minutes. Slowly whisk in heavy cream, stirring until thickened. Add this mixture to blended stock mixture, stirring constantly. Add asparagus tips and heat soup until very hot but not boiling.

Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Garnish with parsley.

Don't Be a Dip

Another childhood favorite I fondly remember present at family gatherings, spinach dip served in a Hawaiian bread bowl. Yum, I can smell the garlicy, herby, creamy goodness and taste the sweet, fluff of the bread. There was just something about those little chewy bits of dehydrated veggies from the Knorr soup mix that made it special in an odd sort of way. I guess this is one way to get your kids to eat their veggies! Add enough mayo and sour cream to anything and even spinach becomes delectable to a 5 year old.

Spinach Dip

1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. sour cream
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 8oz. can water chestnuts (chopped)
1 pkg. Knorr dried vegetable soup mix
1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Tear out the center of a round Hawaiian or rye bread. Scoop dip into the center of the bowl and served with the remaining diced center of the bread.

This recipe works well with the Hellman's olive oil based mayo and greek yogurt in place of sour cream for a lighter option.

Put on Your Game Face

Here's another fun recipe from my Mom's blue gingham binder. Sounds like a win win no matter who you are rooting for in this year's Super Bowl. Either way you and your guests are sure to get in the spirit after a couple of these babies just be sure everyone has a sober DD to get them home! Go TEAM!

Grandma Tippy's Bourbon Slush

7 cups strong brewed tea
2 cups Bourbon (gin or vodka)
1 large can frozen lemonade (do not add water)
1 large can frozen orange juice (do not add water)
2 cups sugar

Combine all ingredients and freeze. Should take about a day to freeze. Then shave into glasses. Serve straight up or cut with 7up.

The School of Essential Ingredients

For those of you who are avid readers, go you! I on the other hand have never been a let's pick up a novel and spend hours wrapping myself in words pouring from the page kind of gal. I read a few good books as a kid and got really into the Judy Blume books, even writing her once and was fall over excited when I received a letter back. Other than that there have been the occasional try and fail attempts at becoming a "reader".

Long story short I occasionally receive mystery gifts in the mail that usually end up being thoughtful displays of affection from my Mom. As long as I can remember she has been the spend any available minute reading anything good she could get her hands on type. I admire those types and have always felt their knowledge of the world and intellect was far superior to my own, though I know this probably isn't true it's just a different view of the world and a different use of their brain cells. Ha!

Recently I received a small package in the mail containing a book, The School of Essential Ingredients. My first thought was, ugh a book when am I going to find time to read this and blarg I have to sit and read this! See I've always thought maybe I am slightly dyslexic and I know I have a slight astigmatism so concentrating on black and white pages of tiny words doesn't exactly get me excited. I'm not a speed reader by any means and if there is one thing I am becoming more conscious of as an adult it is patience. Patience with myself that is. I have to remind myself that it doesn't matter now if it takes me 2 days, 2 weeks, or 2 months to finish a 300 page book. This isn't high school or college with a report due in 10 days or an exam critical to passing a class. This is my time. If I want to read and reread a page to fully understand or enjoy it then I can do that. I do, however, have to use some will power to turn the TV off and avoid my favorite travel and cooking shows and find a quiet place to allow myself to be enveloped by the story I hold.

This book, The School of Essential Ingredients, is a fairly quick read. No doubt you avid readers would have it finished in a day or less. It struck something inside me with so many of it's characters hitting notes from my own personal life. I literally found myself laughing out loud and a few chapters later sobbing with my dog coming over and gently putting her face in my lap to see what was wrong. It is truly a beautiful story of the nature of the human condition and of course about food! I wish this author had more fictional works under her belt but for now I will remain excited about this one in the hopes there are more to come.

http://www.amazon.com/Bauermeisters-Essential-Ingredients-Bauermeister-Paperback/dp/B0037JSNIW/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328278692&sr=1-4


Happy reading.

Make a Statement

As I mentioned I love unique fun finds no matter if it's food, clothing, jewelry, art, or otherwise related. Though I'm not a girly girl in the traditional sense, my Mother couldn't get me to wear a dress to save my life as a kid, I've learned to embrace my 5' 10" athletic or ummm maybe curvy frame. I love to wear heels and dwarf my competition and find new fun hair products, makeup, and especially shoes. I thought I'd share a few of my most recent finds that I think everyone should have.

First the boots. OH the boots. I waited months to purchase these as they are a bit spendy. Though when you live in Minnesota you basically live in boots for 6 months of the year. The splurge can be worth it to get them to last a few seasons and keep you warm and stylish at the same time.

I am in love with these Dansko Brinkley boots. They have a nice little platform to keep the leather up out of the slush and salt and a low enough heel that I can wear them to work everyday.
http://www.zappos.com/dansko-brinkley








Next up is this fantastic little dress from Maurices. I'd never in a million years think putting stripes on my Amazon woman frame could work but the diagonal stripes work wonders and both the print and material are so flattering. Paired with a sweater bolero jacket, the above boots, and a fun colored statement piece of jewelry and you've got yourself a great feel good outfit for work, dinner out, or a night on the town with the girls. The best part is it's sleeveless. I can see getting lots of miles out of this little dress in the summer too.
http://www.maurices.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12369945

Ok and this last little fun find is the new Infiniti by Conair® You Style Multi-Functional Styling Iron. My old iron bit the dust in all it's smoking glory so I was on the market for a new tool. This thing is fantastic. I was completely skeptical that it would be easy to use or deliver on soft curled waves but it did. After a little practice the end result are soft, gentle, slightly curled waves. This is a great alternative to strong curls that always make me feel like I am 12 on my way to Easter dinner. A little bit more grownup of a style. I found mine at Target and was well worth the investment.
http://www.conair.com/infiniti-by-conair-you-style-multi-functional-styling-iron-p-761-1_73_12.html

Happy styling!

Hit the Sauce!

If you're anything like me and have a crazy busy Brady Bunch family or even if you aren't and just like to try new things or eat more healthy give this pasta sauce a chance. It's a great solution from the jarred sauces that are often very high in sodium and sugar and low in actual nutrition. The pickiest of our four kids actually said this was his favorite pasta sauce, I nearly had a heart attack, of course he didn't actually know what was in it. Make an extra batch or two and keep it frozen for a quick sauce on busy nights. 

Adapted from The Six O'Clock Scramble's Sneaky Tomato Sauce

· 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
· 1 small yellow onion (preferably a sweet Vidalia onion), finely diced
· 10 baby carrots, or 2 large carrots, finely diced
· 2 tsp. minced garlic, (3 - 4 cloves)
· 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
· 2 cans 15 oz. tomato sauce
· 1 Tbsp. brown sugar

In a large heavy skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and garlic and sauté them for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly softened. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and sugar and simmer it gently for about 15 minutes. Puree the sauce in a large food processor, in batches if necessary. Refrigerate then freeze unused sauce for later.

White Chicken Chili

It's Super Bowl time again which means wings, lots of snacks, and of course chili. This is my favorite chili recipe next to my Boyfriend Chili. I'll explain more about that one when I post that recipie. This one is full of flavor, super easy, and very filling, though you'll want to go back for seconds. I'd love your comments and suggestions if you give this one a whirl! (This is great in the summer too.)

White Chicken Chili
Ingredients

2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
1 tsp ground cumin
2 ½ c. chicken broth (low sodium)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1lb.)

1 medium onion
2 large cloves garlic
1 TBL olive oil

1 11oz. can white shoepeg sweet corn
1 4 oz. can chopped green chilies
1 can white beans (undrained)
1 can butter beans (drained)
2 cans chickpeas (drained)
3 TBL lime juice

1 bag shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Tortilla chips
Avocado diced
Tomato diced
Cilantro chopped
Tomatillo salsa
Lime juice

Directions

In a large pot add chicken broth, cumin, and lemon pepper. Bring to a boil then add chicken. Return to a boil then cook at a high simmer for 20-30 minutes.

While chicken is cooking cut onion in to large chunks and chop along with garlic in a food processor OR finely hand chop. Sautee onion and garlic mixture with about 1 TBL of olive oil in a sauté pan until clear. Careful not to burn.

Remove chicken from stock and chop into bite size pieces. Return chicken and onion mixture to the stock and continue cooking.

Add beans, corn, lime juice and chilies to stock, chicken and onion mixture and continue cooking for 30-40 minutes.

Top with cheese and crushed tortilla chips. For the grown ups or adventurous kids add avocado (instead of sour cream), fresh chopped cold tomatoes, cilantro, a dash of lime juice and a few spoonfuls of tomatillo salsa. Enjoy!

Handyman?

I laugh sometimes at my determination to take on household projects that are typically left to male counterparts. I grew up with one half of my family, on my Father's side, who were all creative types. They are and were artists of every medium, architects, painters, sculptors, builders, you name it and it could be imagined, designed, and created. Food of course was the one common element that united us all no matter what other medium someone specialized in. My Father chose to go against the grain of his family, while still working with his hands, he became an airplane mechanic.

I grew up in a house that was well never really finished. It was a beautiful rambler that when I was about 5 or 6 my parents decided to COMPLETELY remodel including adding an enormous addition. At that time interest rates to buy a new home were something between 17.5% and 22%! It was much more economical to take out a loan than to buy a new home. Over the years I watched my Father pour literal blood, sweat, and tears into our family home. When I hear a table saw running it instantly draws me back to my childhood, hearing the scream of the blades running and the smell of fresh cut lumber in the air. The smell of the old blue Dawn dish soap does that for me too. My Dad would first wash his hands at the kitchen sink to scrub away the oil and debris of the day when he got home.

Being 6 when the projects started I was naturally curious and looking for any way to help. I remember being given jobs such as picking up nails around the outside of the house that had fallen into the bushes and grass after the house had been reroofed. My friend across the street and I got a penny a nail. Other odd jobs included handing sheets of tile to my Dad when he tiled the sunroom or taking the old hardwood flooring outside from the then den after it was pulled up. I remember it was Bruce hardwood and we thought that was so funny because that was my Dad's name too.

Other jobs I was given around the house as a kid which I LOVED were to carry bags of shot down to the basement at I think 25lbs a piece. My Dad was a trap shooter when I was between 9 and 12 years old and he taught me how to reload shotgun shells. We'd spend hours sitting at the reloading station at his workbench in the basement and he'd always tell me to be sure to put the primer in the right way or the shell could backfire. The bags of shot he'd never forget to tell me each time to not drop them or b-b's would be everywhere. Of course I never dropped one but he did!

I certainly didn't grow up a girly girl. I was expected to pull my weight as my Mom coming from a rural farming family no doubt wasn't allowed to just sit around and cause trouble either. Mowing the lawn when I was barely big enough to use my own weight to push the thing was fun back then and a challenge and I always felt like I accomplished something for the good when I was done.

Being the oldest with only one sister 6 years younger than me I received the brunt of the household tasks. Laundry, dishes, picking up sticks in the yard after a storm were all just part of regular expectations. Though we weren't "rewarded" monetarily my parents certainly made sure we were taken care of and had fun.

The point being because I wasn't treated as a girly girl I learned to wheeled a hammer and drill and fix things that needed fixing with confidence as an adult. So much of this transpires into cooking too. I'm not afraid to try a new gadget or ingredient or cooking method and I'm eager to learn new skills.

Last night I decided to tackle a small project that has been eating away at me for the better part of 2 years waiting for my other half to do something about it. Our 2 year old Golden Retriever/Yellow Lab mix is a chewer. She managed to get her teeth into a small dent in the basement door and chew a 2 foot by 8 inch hole in it. The door handle had stopped working properly some months ago and would lock anyone who visited the basement and closed the door behind them down there. So yesterday with my kids by my side and my son amazed at my ability to use a drill and jig saw helped me fix the door and solve a long standing problem.

To me life is about teaching my kids that it doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl. If there's something that needs fixing fix it, if someone has a problem help them, and if you are told you can't do something because of what's in your pants then try harder and prove them wrong!

Handyman, no, capable person yes!