Sausage & Lentil Soup

I had never made lentil soup before trying this recipe. A family member used to make it and I loved it. I haven't had it in years though and had a craving. So glad I made it! AND, I like this recipe better than the soup I had all those years ago. My Sophie just ate all of the carrots out of it. LOL This is a recipe that I found and tweeked to my liking. Afterward, I looked up the health benefits of lentils and was amazed. Here is a link so you can be amazed too! http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=52
I'm going to try a Lentil Bread recipe next. Watch for the post!

6 Cups vegetable stock
1 1/4 Cups dried lentils, rinsed
1 Can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 to 3 carrots, sliced
2 celery ribs, sliced
1/4 Cup chopped green onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 tsp. pepper
12 ounces bulk turkey sausage, cooked and drained
2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley (or dried)

In a large pot, bring vegetable stock to a boil. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils and vegetables are tender. Enjoy!! (I thought the soup tasted even better the next day!)

The Mush Man

"There's a sadness in your eyes," he said as he wrapped me in his arms. "And I need to fix it. I'm going to make you an apple pie this weekend. Would you like that?"

I buried my face in his chest and nodded, remembering the weekend that he moved in. I had been away on a business trip. It had been a long flight, complete with an engine that wouldn't start, followed by free cocktails, (to convince us all that the plane was perfectly safe for take off) a two hour wait and finally a new plane. I got in around 3 a.m. to find the biggest, most colorful fall leaves and a love note taped to my front door. Smiling, I turned the key and went inside. I headed up the stairs and there he was, lying in my bed, sound asleep. I cuddled in and fell asleep in his arms. It was the beginning....

I woke up late the next morning to the most wonderful smells coming from the kitchen. And then, there he was again, standing in the doorway of what was now our bedroom. He was holding a plate with the biggest slice of freshly baked apple pie and his big blue eyes were saying, "I'm going to take care of you forever."

And he has. He loves me, that man, who has become my safe place. That man, who loves my children as if they are his own. My Joe.... He is my best friend, the father of my children and my partner in everything. He helps with the cooking, the laundry, the shopping, the homework and everything in between. He is the man that I hope my boys become and my girls will find. Gentle and humble, yet strong and confident in who he is. Always loving us, always taking care of us.

Every fall, when I'm least expecting it, he comes to me. In his hands are the biggest, most colorful, newly fallen leaves. "I'm going to make you an apple pie," he says. And in his big blue eyes, there is a love that will never end.

Colonial Style

There is no topic of conversation that is off limits in our house. I have always wanted my kids to feel comfortable coming to me with anything. So, whenever they have come to me with a question, I have always answered, age appropriately. The following is an example of the kind of kids you end up with when you parent this way!

It is early evening. The baby and boys have gone to bed. Joe, the girls and I are settling into the living room for our favorite shows. We are switching from National Geographic's, "Doing the Deed Colonial Style," when Sarah's head whips around to face her sister.

"Wait!", she exclaims. "Did they have condoms in colonial times?"

"I don't think so. I seriously doubt it," Tori answers.

Slightly annoyed, Sarah asks, "Well, why not?"

"Because!" Tori retorts, "They aren't going to be all like, walk down to Ye Druggeth Store and buy me thine condoms and Ye Old NuvaRing!"

Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child

Spanking, paddling, whipping, smacking, slapping, yanking, beating... I received all of this growing up. And do you know what I learned from it? To fear. To hide. To be quiet and not show my feelings. To avoid being at home. To be angry. And though I was not a disrespectful child, I did not respect the parent that was inflicting all of this upon my siblings and I.

I don't hate him. And, I do forgive him. It took me a long time to get to that place... Forgiveness... It's a good place to be. The anger, resentment and hurt are gone and I am truly living my life. I arrived there by coming to realize that, this man was once a child himself and someone, probably his own parents did these things to him and he came to learn that this was an acceptable way to discipline a child. After all, his parents and grandparents raised their children this way. It must be right! Add in the fact that he was an alcoholic and you just have a mess...

"How is it then," my sweet man asks, "that you turned out to be the way you are? So gentle, patient, and calm." "How did you come from all of that and not turn out the same way?"

The answer is, I remember.... I remember the physical pain, I remember the bruises and explaining them away. I remember the fear and the shame. I remember hiding it all and keeping it a secret from the world. Most of all, I remember the emotional anguish. That deep, deep sadness and not being able to escape it. And now... I'm a Mom. The greatest gift that can ever be bestowed upon a human being. I'm a Mom!! A parent!! And I NEVER, EVER, want any one of my children to have to feel the pain that I felt growing up. NEVER!!!

And so, I teach them. I lead by example. I treat them with respect and most of the time, they return that respect. I don't hit them, I talk with them. I explain things to them. I take away their privileges. I hold them accountable. And, I love them.... And, do you know what they are learning? To love. To respect. To show compassion and kindness. To be patient and fair. They are learning to be confident and to have self worth. And, they are learning that this is how they deserve to be treated.

Mommy, I have puberty....

Oh, my funny little man. He is 12 and is learning about puberty at home and in school. He came through the door yesterday after school with his chin and bottom lip sticking out, Billy Madison style and announced in a very serious, much deeper voice that I did not recognize, "Mommy, I think I have puberty."

Trying very, very hard not to laugh, I asked, "You do? How do you know that?"

"Because," he said, "I got taller and my voice got deeper."

Nor'easter Hot Cocoa

We're in the middle of a snow storm here. I LOVE snow storms! The kids were out playing but came in because the wind is starting to pick up. I was out of the pre packaged stuff so I fudged a recipe. It came out pretty good!!

5 Cups of Milk

3 TBS. Sugar

2 TBS. Nestle Cocoa

In a sauce pan, whisk ingredients together and bring almost to boil. Let cool slightly. Pour into mugs and top with real whipped cream. Yum!!

Executive Decision

I am the grocery getter, gas filler upper, taxi car driver and bill writer outer. Washer of laundry and dishes, homework helper and boo-boo fixer upper. I am the maker of breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner. (Pizza anyone?) Bath giver, hiney wiper and queen booger picker outer. I am NOT the garbage taker outer! I am CEO of Home Affairs and I can multi task like nobody's business. I have owned bakeries and restaurants, a music collectibles business, a licensed daycare and a cleaning business which I named, "Sweeping Beauty," because I am beautiful. I have been a public speaker and educator, a Rape Crisis Coordinator and Crime Victims Advocate. I have provided customer service, sales, advertising and marketing for a multi million dollar product distribution company. I have traveled all over this country and have worked with all kinds of people. I am smart, detail oriented, well spoken and possess a wealth of skills. And... I am jobless.

After more than six months of searching, sending resumes and attending job fairs, I have an interview scheduled. I am stressed, behind on bills, not sleeping, barely eating and... I'm not going to the interview.

No, I'm not crazy. It was a decision between putting my baby into day care and surviving financially versus staying home with her and knowing that she is safe, loved and treated with kindness and compassion but risking our financial future. Though I completely understand that some do not have a choice and must work, I have never left any of my children. When my older children were small, I was able to be home with them. I would not have had children if I were not able to do so. I did not bring them into this world so that I could give them up to someone else for 9 plus hours a day. These are my babies. I want to love them. I want to raise them. I want to know that they are safe, home, with me. I was a stay at home mom for ten years. So, when Joe and I decided that we wanted to have a child together, the stipulation was, only if I could be home with her. So, I opened my licensed day care and I have been home with my sweet baby girl ever since. She is 18 months old now. Unfortunately, the day care was not successful. You have to be willing to break knee caps if you want parents to pay you when they are supposed to pay you and give you the amount that they are supposed to give you. I closed my doors last August and have been looking for work since.

This decision has literally made me physically ill and nearly sent me over the edge. But, what it comes down to is this. I am a mom. From the time I was six years old, I knew that was what I wanted to be. Not being here for my baby and not being here for my older children is not an option for me. I want to be here when my children come home from school. I want to hear about their day and be the one to comfort them if it was bad or share in their excitement if it was good. I want to be here with my baby, loving her, teaching her and comforting her. I would be miserable if I had to leave them. Just miserable.

So, here is my decision. I didn't make it alone. My sweet man and my very dear friend, Wendy were the support and advice that I so desperately needed. I'm staying home. I will be going to school in the fall for marketing, management and sales. Most of it will be online but I will have to leave a few nights a week. Joe will be here with the kids during those times. I plan to start another business. One that I can run right from home and completely online. Sorry... I can't tell you what it is. It's a surprise!

I choose my babies. You can always recover financially. You can always find a way to make things work. We have one shot at bringing these little people up. It's a big job. I'll take it! They can pay me in love, hugs and kisses!

Best Oatmeal Cookies Ever!!

I made these oatmeal cookies tonight. It's the best recipe I've come across and I used to own restaurants and bakeries so, I have A LOT of recipes!! Enjoy!!

1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour

1 Cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/2 Cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 Cup butter flavored crisco

1 stick of margarine, softened

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 Cups old fashioned uncooked oats

1 Cup raisins OR chocolate chips OR just leave them plain like we did

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugars, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt until they are well combined. In another large bowl, cream together the shortening and margarine. Add the eggs and vanilla, beat well. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat well after each addition. Add the oats and raisins OR chocolate chips and stir until evenly mixed in. Drop by tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet about 1 inch apart.

Bake for 11 to 12 minutes or until the tops are light brown. Cool the cookies for 1 minute on the sheet, then transfer them to a wire rack and let cool completely (if you can wait that long)!

*Store in a covered container with a couple of slices of bread layed on top to keep your cookies moist and chewy! :0)

And.... We're Off!!!

6:00 A.M.- My eyes are barely open, the covers are up to my chin and I'm oh so warm and cozy. "Hi Mama! I pee!" I roll over. Two feet away, standing in her crib, is my pink cheeked, blonde, fuzzy headed, feety pajama wearing chublet. She stretches out her arms, "Up!"
"Okay Baby," I whisper. "Mama up." Slowly, I ooze out of bed, not ready for the marathon that lies ahead. I scoop up my little love and press my face to hers. She's warm and soft and smells like her bath from the night before. "Mmmm.... I love you. I love you. I love you," I tell her softly, giving her as many morning breath kisses as I can before the race begins.
"Walk!", She says. I put her down. She takes my hand and leads me down the hallway to the rooms where her big brothers and sisters sleep. We wake everyone up and give them the 10 minute warning. Tori is already in the shower. Sophie knock, knock, knocks on the door.
"Come in," she sings, knowing it's her baby sister as this is our morning ritual. Tori pops her head out from behind the shower curtain and with a giant smile says, "Hi Baby!"
Returning an even bigger smile, the love of all our lives says, "Hi Sissy!" And then, she is satisfied. We can go down stairs now.

And we're out of the starting blocks! I change Sophie's diaper, put her in fresh clothes, put her in her high chair and make her breakfast, complete with her favorite show on the tv. Slowly they start to trickle down the stairs, dragging blankets from their beds and spread themselves across the couch, holding onto the last few moments of morning coziness. I scurry off to the kitchen to make breakfast and lunches. Somwhere in between, I run upstairs to get clothes for the boys. No, I don't lay them out the night before because I am just not that organized. Someday I'll learn!

"Mommy, I have swimming today. Did you dry my towel and swimming trunks?"
"Mommy, these pants don't feel right. Can you get me another pair?"
"Mommy, I need money for lunch. I'm buying today. Oh! And I have rehearsal today. I don't know how late it will be."

"What smells like it's burning? Come on you guys, get dressed. You're going to be late. Did you brush your teeth yet?"
Three little boys, in harmony, "No..."
"Well, go do it! Girls, you're gorgeous! Get out of the mirror! You're going to be late!", I bellow up the stairs. "Zach, where is your lunch box? It's not in your back pack."
"I don't know," my boy mumbles.

"Mommy, I need help with my shoes."
"Baby down? Baby down? Baby dowwwnnn!!!"
"Sorry Baby. Mommy get you. Ok, coats, hats, gloves! Come on guys, we have to move. You're going to be late! Chris, where are you going? Get your coat on."
"Mommy, I need my swimming stuff from the dryer."

Somewhere in there I managed a shower and make-up. Five hugs and kisses later, my lipstick is gone and off to school on the faces of my children. God.... I love them like I love oxygen....

I pack the diaper bag and get Sophie into her coat and hat. She pulls her hat off, "No Mama."
I put it back on. "Sophie, it's cold outside Baby. Hat on."
"No Mama." The hat comes off, goes on, comes off.
"Ok Baby. You win. No hat." Here we go. Out the door. "What's that smell? Sophie, did you poop?"
"I poop Mama!" Back in. Diaper bag down. Coat off. Sneakers off. Pants off.... "I laloo Mama!" She stopped me in my tracks. Slow down Mama. You don't have to run so fast.... "Thank you Baby.... Mama loves you too..."

Side Effects May Include....

Since my last post was about sex, I thought I'd share a funny story with you.

A few years back, I was walking out of the hospital after an appointment with my OB/GYN, bag of goodies in hand. Joe (the love of my life and man I'm going marry in the very near future) was waiting in the van with all 5 children out of their seat belts and bouncing all over the place as it had been quite a wait for them. There were all kinds of people streaming out of the hospital behind me and in the car parked next to ours there was an older couple. My sweet, sweet, oh so funny man leans his head out the window and as loud as he can, yells across the parking lot to me, "Hey Baby!! Did you get the birth control????" Yes... Yes sweet man... The doctor gave me a prescription for a sledge hammer!!

Until I'm Blue in the Face

"Mommy, I know what SEX is!" An announcement from my then 5 year old and in kindergarten son, Christopher as we were sitting down to dinner one night. My mind raced. How am I going to handle this one? What do I say? He couldn't possibly know, he's 5! What if he does know? I'm not going to lie, I was panicking! Calmly, I turned to him and asked, "You do? Tell me then, what is it?" To which he exclaimed, "You don't want to know! It's disgusting!" The room was suddenly filled with uncontrollable laughter. We laughed so hard! It really was funny. When we all pulled ourselves back together, I asked Chris again what he thought it was. He whispered his answer in my ear and I'm sad to say, his answer was not far off. A little boy in his class had told him. He asked me if he was right. If that was in fact, what sex is. I have a rule. Because I always want my children to feel comfortable coming to me with absolutely anything, I have always answered any question that they have, age appropriately and I never, ever get upset with them or show alarm when they ask. My children have asked me: What is sex? What is gay? What would you do if I got pregnant? What would you do if I got drunk at a party? All kinds of questions. We are very open in our home and I have always taught them that they can come to me with anything and have promised that I would never get upset with them. And it is never to early to start talking to them about sex, birth control, abstinence, STD's, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, smoking, bullying, dating, dating violence and any other topic that may come up. As you can see from my experience, if you don't talk with them, someone else will. I would much rather they receive the correct information from me, their Mom, than to be misinformed by a friend. If I see an opportunity to talk about one of these topics, I jump on it! We talk all the time about everything. We get into some pretty deep discussions sometimes. I figure if even 10 percent of what I'm blathering on about is sticking with them, then I'm having an impact. So.... I talk, talk, talk....

No Rest for "The Wicked"

I'm not really a "Wicked Step Mother." I gave myself that name years ago when my Emily was small, just to tease her. That sweet baby girl always defended me though, telling me what a great Mama I am. To this day she still tells me how much she loves me. I love her too. She has turned out to be quite an amazing young woman. I'm very proud of her. But, as proud of her as I am, there is a sadness in me at the thought of how quickly it all goes. I met her when she was just 10 months old. She took my breath away and I was instantly in love. We spent every minute together, blowing bubbles, singing, playing with her imaginary friend Francis, baking cookies for Santa, reading bedtime stories. My first baby.... And now, in the blink of an eye, she's a grown woman. Out on her own, going to college, working, managing her finances, in a serious relationship, making her life. Her all grown up life. And the others are not far behind. As exhausted as I am in this very moment, after all of the cooking, cleaning, laundry, doctors appointments and running that won't end until 11pm tonight when we pick Tori and Sarah up from their Valentine's dance...... I wish I could stop time and just hold them and keep them all. Just for a little while longer....

Never a Dull Moment

Did I mention that there is never a dull moment in our house? Just about an hour ago, my girls were headed up to bed. Sarah (my 13 year old) had an accident and without skipping a beat, her big sister, Victoria (Tori- my 15 year old) whipped off a poem to make her feel better. Here it is!!! Yes, we laughed hysterically... These girls are nuts!

When Phone Meets Toilet

The click of the keys as I enter the bathroom.

Absent mindedly sliding my phone into my pocket.

Ooops. Miss. Slip. Splash!

My phone... is in the toilet.

Gasping for air. Feels like I'm dying.

Screaming NOooo as I collapse in front of the demon that just swallowed my life.

Automatically my hand is in it's mouth, searching... Hoping...

My fingers close around what I consider my child.

Screaming in agony as I pull it out and hear a sizzling.... Like bacon on a skillet.

Snap... Pop... The screen goes black... And my life... Is over....

And Joe, being the funny step Dad that he is says to Sarah, "It's the new 'P' phone Sarah. It comes with all the latest 'craps!'"

Hello everyone! I thought I'd give this blogging thing a try. I am Mommy, Mama, and Wicked Step Mother to 7 really amazing kids. I have a step daughter from my first marriage who turned 21 today. Four children from that first marriage, ages 15-daughter, 13-daughter, 12 today-son and 9-son. I also have a step son, age 9 and a sweet baby girl who is 18 months old from my current relationship. How many is that? I lost count! We truly are the definition of a "Blended Family!" There is never a dull moment in this house and we are always laughing, joking, arguing, loving, cuddling and talking, talking, talking. We love each other and respect each other and we make it work. We're happy. I hope to share some of that with you here. How we make it all work. Our talks, our funny moments, our struggles and triumphs, my beliefs and decisions as a mother and a wife to be. I hope to inspire you, make you laugh, think and appreciate. Please feel free to comment and/or email me.

Mama Tess