I love these brownies (blondies).
1 3/4 c flour
3/4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
12 T butter (unsalted)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 c maple syrup (grade B if possible)
2 large eggs
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
1/2 c chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 9 inch square pan with Pam with flour.
Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl, and set aside.
In stand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar at medium speed for 6 minutes. Beat in maple syrup and then beat in each egg. Add vanilla. Continue to mix the batter. Stir in chocolate chips and flour by hand with rubber spatula. The batter will be sticky.
Spoon batter into pan.
Bake for 35 minutes (start checking at 30 minutes, depending on your oven). Cool on wire rack for 30 minutes. Cut into 16 squares.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
Morning Routine
Here is an article that I read recently:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthaettus/2014/11/17/morning-routines/
First, I wanted to point out that there NO evening routines! I want to see BOTH!
Let's review my morning routine.
5:25 AM - alarm goes off, and I jump out of bed - I am the first one to shower. After the shower, I do my hair, and put on my make up (I would be a scary ghost if make up was not applied.)
5:48 AM - into the bedroom and confirm that my hubby is awake. . . . . I might jump out of bed, but he shuffles (not a morning person). We make the bed together, locate the remote, and turn on the WBZ news for the weather and traffic. I jump into my clothes (which I mentally picked out while I was in the shower) and put on my jewelry (every day I wear jewelry).
6:00 AM - Enter Naomi's room, to confirm she is awake - 50% of the time she is dressed and playing; the other 50% of the time, she jumps out of bed, goes to the bathroom and gets dressed. I then enter Mark's room . . . . . . wear the alarm has been buzzing for a few minutes, and he is DEAD asleep. DEAD asleep. Turn on the lights and basically yell his name until he wakes up . . . . . . he shuffles out of bed (not a morning person), turns off the alarm, resets the alarm for the next morning, and shuffles to the bathroom to shower.
6:05 AM - I bounce to the kitchen, where I empty the dishwasher (and dish drain if needed). The breakfast table has been set the night before - post dinner clean up. I text my BFF to talk about the morning routine with the kids . . . . . I check my email, to confirm no dire personal emergencies. I start a CD, and I pour the medication for the kids for their breakfast, pour the waters for breakfast and then start packing a lunch and snack for Naomi, pack a lunch for Mark and pack Adam and myself a lunch. In the kids lunches, I write a little note.
6:15 AM - Naomi comes downstairs, and we put on her earrings, and she gets the newspaper, and then pours her cereal, and I pour her some milk. I return to the lunches. If Mark comes home after school, there is a note on the front door with his tasks listed (call your mother, have a snack).
6:30 AM - with any luck Mark, the preteen, shuffles downstairs, hopefully with his hair brushed and his eye glasses on (most mornings I have to send him back upstairs to complete one if not both of those tasks). He pours himself a mountain of cereal and some milk, and starts to eat.
6:35 AM - Adam comes down to breakfast and makes the coffee. Finish up packing the lunches and putting the lunch boxes in the backpacks with Mark's cellphone.
6:40 AM - Adam and I each have a bowl of cereal. We read the newspaper, and we discuss with the kids any interesting news stories, such as 12 feet of snow in Buffalo or news about Israel. Gentle reminders about the afternoon routine. Naomi likes the comics and the cancan. Each kid brushes their teeth and reads at about 7 AM.
6:55 AM - grab coffee, walk around saying goodbyes and get my bags and leave for the day.
Adam makes sure everyone has weather appropriate jackets and shoes, and gets the kids on the buses, and then he leaves.
7:20 AM - arrive at the office. Use the treadmill desk for 30-60 minutes (depending on the day) to check my email, the news and other interesting websites. Make sure my to-do list is in good order, and make sure I know about each appointment.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthaettus/2014/11/17/morning-routines/
First, I wanted to point out that there NO evening routines! I want to see BOTH!
Let's review my morning routine.
5:25 AM - alarm goes off, and I jump out of bed - I am the first one to shower. After the shower, I do my hair, and put on my make up (I would be a scary ghost if make up was not applied.)
5:48 AM - into the bedroom and confirm that my hubby is awake. . . . . I might jump out of bed, but he shuffles (not a morning person). We make the bed together, locate the remote, and turn on the WBZ news for the weather and traffic. I jump into my clothes (which I mentally picked out while I was in the shower) and put on my jewelry (every day I wear jewelry).
6:00 AM - Enter Naomi's room, to confirm she is awake - 50% of the time she is dressed and playing; the other 50% of the time, she jumps out of bed, goes to the bathroom and gets dressed. I then enter Mark's room . . . . . . wear the alarm has been buzzing for a few minutes, and he is DEAD asleep. DEAD asleep. Turn on the lights and basically yell his name until he wakes up . . . . . . he shuffles out of bed (not a morning person), turns off the alarm, resets the alarm for the next morning, and shuffles to the bathroom to shower.
6:05 AM - I bounce to the kitchen, where I empty the dishwasher (and dish drain if needed). The breakfast table has been set the night before - post dinner clean up. I text my BFF to talk about the morning routine with the kids . . . . . I check my email, to confirm no dire personal emergencies. I start a CD, and I pour the medication for the kids for their breakfast, pour the waters for breakfast and then start packing a lunch and snack for Naomi, pack a lunch for Mark and pack Adam and myself a lunch. In the kids lunches, I write a little note.
6:15 AM - Naomi comes downstairs, and we put on her earrings, and she gets the newspaper, and then pours her cereal, and I pour her some milk. I return to the lunches. If Mark comes home after school, there is a note on the front door with his tasks listed (call your mother, have a snack).
6:30 AM - with any luck Mark, the preteen, shuffles downstairs, hopefully with his hair brushed and his eye glasses on (most mornings I have to send him back upstairs to complete one if not both of those tasks). He pours himself a mountain of cereal and some milk, and starts to eat.
6:35 AM - Adam comes down to breakfast and makes the coffee. Finish up packing the lunches and putting the lunch boxes in the backpacks with Mark's cellphone.
6:40 AM - Adam and I each have a bowl of cereal. We read the newspaper, and we discuss with the kids any interesting news stories, such as 12 feet of snow in Buffalo or news about Israel. Gentle reminders about the afternoon routine. Naomi likes the comics and the cancan. Each kid brushes their teeth and reads at about 7 AM.
6:55 AM - grab coffee, walk around saying goodbyes and get my bags and leave for the day.
Adam makes sure everyone has weather appropriate jackets and shoes, and gets the kids on the buses, and then he leaves.
7:20 AM - arrive at the office. Use the treadmill desk for 30-60 minutes (depending on the day) to check my email, the news and other interesting websites. Make sure my to-do list is in good order, and make sure I know about each appointment.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Prepping for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holiday. No presents and no synagogue - just family, friends and food! I am still working out the kinks of my menu, which is below. But also, there are few other things that I will be doing to make it a bit easier for me.
1. Finalize the menu tonight, and sit down with each recipe, and write down on my grocery list what I need to buy this weekend (including the cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, knishes, etc.)
2. Write the menu on a large piece of paper and attach to fridge.
3. Write down a countdown, of what items can be made each day, and a timeline for the day of the big feast.
4. This weekend clean the dining room so that all objects on the table are put away, and not clogging up the works (such as my kid's Halloween candy, girl scout troop snacks, random paperwork, etc).
5. Start to get the dining room ready for guests. Put down the table cloth, and start to place the dinner plates, silverware and glasses on the table. Take out serving platters and dishes, and write down on a post it note, what is going IN the dish! Take out enough serving spoons and forks.
6. Assign kid #2 to make place settings.
Right now this is the menu:
hummus and pita
mini hot dogs
red pepper pate with crackers
Knishes (meat and vegetarian)
Challah
Turkey
Gravy
Sweet potato with marshmallow
Kasha for the vegetarian
Mystery side dish from a guest
Homemade cranberry sauce from mom
Stuffing from mom
A green bean dish if I can find the parve cream of mushroom soup
Candied Cranberry chocolate tart
Mae's chocolate pie
Apple Pie
Maple Brownies
Any other suggestions?
1. Finalize the menu tonight, and sit down with each recipe, and write down on my grocery list what I need to buy this weekend (including the cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, knishes, etc.)
2. Write the menu on a large piece of paper and attach to fridge.
3. Write down a countdown, of what items can be made each day, and a timeline for the day of the big feast.
4. This weekend clean the dining room so that all objects on the table are put away, and not clogging up the works (such as my kid's Halloween candy, girl scout troop snacks, random paperwork, etc).
5. Start to get the dining room ready for guests. Put down the table cloth, and start to place the dinner plates, silverware and glasses on the table. Take out serving platters and dishes, and write down on a post it note, what is going IN the dish! Take out enough serving spoons and forks.
6. Assign kid #2 to make place settings.
Right now this is the menu:
hummus and pita
mini hot dogs
red pepper pate with crackers
Knishes (meat and vegetarian)
Challah
Turkey
Gravy
Sweet potato with marshmallow
Kasha for the vegetarian
Mystery side dish from a guest
Homemade cranberry sauce from mom
Stuffing from mom
A green bean dish if I can find the parve cream of mushroom soup
Candied Cranberry chocolate tart
Mae's chocolate pie
Apple Pie
Maple Brownies
Any other suggestions?
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
I am NOT sick - repeated 100,000 times
I am NOT sick. Yesterday, I felt a little something in my throat. Last night I felt a little post nasal drip. I am not sick. I don't have time for this! (Like anyone has time for this.) Thanksgiving is next week and my husband is away for the weekend. I don't have time to be sick.
I used the dreaded netti pot today.
I am not sick.
I have an extra box of Kleenex on my desk.
I am not sick.
I took some Advil.
I am not sick.
I sucked on a cough drop - disgusting.
I am not sick.
My head is not full of stuff.
I used the dreaded netti pot today.
I am not sick.
I have an extra box of Kleenex on my desk.
I am not sick.
I took some Advil.
I am not sick.
I sucked on a cough drop - disgusting.
I am not sick.
My head is not full of stuff.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Power to the People!
After a day that started with no power and no shower for six hours, I ended the day on a really high note. It was the monthly meeting for my Women's Networking Group. At our last session we discussed what tricks we each use to save time at home:
1. Having kids pick clothes out the night before;
2. Setting the breakfast table the night before;
3. Meal planning by the week.
This time we were going to discuss change, but we landed up not only talking about change, but the desire to tweak. Things are going well, but yet, if we tweak the schedule here and adjust there, would the outcome be better? We also discussed how our spouses are more willing to take on family tasks. One woman shared how she hated flu shot season. Her kids schools do not give out flu shots. On the day of the flu shot in years past, she drove the kids from the house, to the pediatrician (in another town) and then distributed her children to two different schools in two different towns, and she drove to work in another town, only to have to leave a few hours later, since it was now the end of the day. This year she said to her spouse "It is flu shot day on X, and here is issue." She shared that her husband (who works in Boston) offered to take the kids to the doctor, while she worked at home and then she met them at the pediatrician, and they divided up who would take the kids to school. She said it was revolutionary. All she had to do was present the issue and the solution was easy.
We discussed the "Default" parent article. There was a lively discussion.
By the time 9:30 PM came, I was pumped up and already thinking ahead. Thinking ahead of what issues my husband and I can solve together, and where I will be in ten years. A scary thought is that in ten years, I will have kids that are in college and post college. What do I do now, to plan for those ten years for myself.
1. Having kids pick clothes out the night before;
2. Setting the breakfast table the night before;
3. Meal planning by the week.
This time we were going to discuss change, but we landed up not only talking about change, but the desire to tweak. Things are going well, but yet, if we tweak the schedule here and adjust there, would the outcome be better? We also discussed how our spouses are more willing to take on family tasks. One woman shared how she hated flu shot season. Her kids schools do not give out flu shots. On the day of the flu shot in years past, she drove the kids from the house, to the pediatrician (in another town) and then distributed her children to two different schools in two different towns, and she drove to work in another town, only to have to leave a few hours later, since it was now the end of the day. This year she said to her spouse "It is flu shot day on X, and here is issue." She shared that her husband (who works in Boston) offered to take the kids to the doctor, while she worked at home and then she met them at the pediatrician, and they divided up who would take the kids to school. She said it was revolutionary. All she had to do was present the issue and the solution was easy.
We discussed the "Default" parent article. There was a lively discussion.
By the time 9:30 PM came, I was pumped up and already thinking ahead. Thinking ahead of what issues my husband and I can solve together, and where I will be in ten years. A scary thought is that in ten years, I will have kids that are in college and post college. What do I do now, to plan for those ten years for myself.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Gluten!
Last night was one of those nights, that I just had to bake! Of course, I also had to attend a 7 PM meeting about the local elementary school!
Dinner - Once I got home, I started making my homemade pizza dough. I was making pizza for dinner. People ask why I make my own dough. First, it is really good and really easy. Second, it probably is cheaper and third I know exactly what is in the pizza dough - flour, water, salt, sugar and yeast. That is it. Nothing else. One plain cheese pizza and one pizza with cheese, olives, sliced orange grape tomatoes and sliced orange pepper.
THEN, I put the ingredients in the bread machine to make challah. Yes, my family loves challah, and baking it on Thursday night allows my family to have fresh challah on Friday night. And if you work with me, you know I never have any leftovers by Monday. The challah is gone by Saturday night.
And then Smitten Kitchen published a new recipe.
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2014/11/pretzel-parker-house-rolls/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+smittenkitchen+%28smitten+kitchen%29
And I had to try it! Mixed that up. Ate the pizza with the kids, and while the challah and pretzel rolls were rising, I could attend my 30 minute meeting.
Once I returned home, I shaped the challah and let it rise. I continued to work on the pretzel rolls, and allowed that to rise again. Then I put the challah in the oven, and 25 minutes later I had a beautiful challah. Then I worked on the rolls again, and popped them into the oven.
Once the rolls came out of the oven, I knew I had a successful recipe. I could not wait to cut into the rolls. I also know if I don't wait, I will only burn my mouth. So I waited. So glad I did!
Delicious!
Covered them up, and then in the morning allowed each kid to have a roll. They also declared it two thumbs up good!
Dinner - Once I got home, I started making my homemade pizza dough. I was making pizza for dinner. People ask why I make my own dough. First, it is really good and really easy. Second, it probably is cheaper and third I know exactly what is in the pizza dough - flour, water, salt, sugar and yeast. That is it. Nothing else. One plain cheese pizza and one pizza with cheese, olives, sliced orange grape tomatoes and sliced orange pepper.
THEN, I put the ingredients in the bread machine to make challah. Yes, my family loves challah, and baking it on Thursday night allows my family to have fresh challah on Friday night. And if you work with me, you know I never have any leftovers by Monday. The challah is gone by Saturday night.
And then Smitten Kitchen published a new recipe.
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2014/11/pretzel-parker-house-rolls/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+smittenkitchen+%28smitten+kitchen%29
And I had to try it! Mixed that up. Ate the pizza with the kids, and while the challah and pretzel rolls were rising, I could attend my 30 minute meeting.
Once I returned home, I shaped the challah and let it rise. I continued to work on the pretzel rolls, and allowed that to rise again. Then I put the challah in the oven, and 25 minutes later I had a beautiful challah. Then I worked on the rolls again, and popped them into the oven.
Once the rolls came out of the oven, I knew I had a successful recipe. I could not wait to cut into the rolls. I also know if I don't wait, I will only burn my mouth. So I waited. So glad I did!
Delicious!
Covered them up, and then in the morning allowed each kid to have a roll. They also declared it two thumbs up good!
Monday, November 10, 2014
Mini Camp Reunion
As many Jewish parents know, at about age 12/13, the kids start the "Bar Mitzvah Circuit." This is when the kids have a more active social life than the parent, and the parent starts driving his/her child and others to the many services and parties. As a Jewish parent, you expect that this will be a busy year, since there are family friends, school friends and synagogue friends. If your child attends Jewish overnight camp, then there are the camp Bar Mitzvahs.
Last year, Mark was invited to a camp friend's Bar Mitzvah in Andover, MA which wasn't a big deal for us.
This past weekend, Mark was invited to a camp friend's Bar Mitzvah in Newton, MA - right down the street from us! It was going to be easy! And then E's mom (from CT) emailed me. . . . could E spend some time at our house, between the ceremony and the party? Of course! And then B's mom (from NY) emailed me. . . . could B spend some time at our house, between the ceremony and the party? Of course!
My husband drops off Mark to the Bar Mitzvah, and I am running around town doing errands (grocery shopping, library with my daughter) and then I get a phone call from B's dad. It turns out there is one additional boy that also needs a place to stay between the ceremony and the party . . . . can we help. Of course!
And then I think - what do I do with four 12 year old boys for five hours? What do I do with four boys in SUITS?????? Turns out, these boys just wanted to hang in our family room and be together. It was a wonderful five hours. It was great to see them talk and play and hang! It was my pleasure to have them at our house, and I would do this again!
It was great to have a glimpse of what my son is like with his overnight camp friends. I can see that the four of them are peers and friends. It was a wonderful experience that I would do again. (Actually I emailed the parents to let them know that I am a willing host for the next one.)
Last year, Mark was invited to a camp friend's Bar Mitzvah in Andover, MA which wasn't a big deal for us.
This past weekend, Mark was invited to a camp friend's Bar Mitzvah in Newton, MA - right down the street from us! It was going to be easy! And then E's mom (from CT) emailed me. . . . could E spend some time at our house, between the ceremony and the party? Of course! And then B's mom (from NY) emailed me. . . . could B spend some time at our house, between the ceremony and the party? Of course!
My husband drops off Mark to the Bar Mitzvah, and I am running around town doing errands (grocery shopping, library with my daughter) and then I get a phone call from B's dad. It turns out there is one additional boy that also needs a place to stay between the ceremony and the party . . . . can we help. Of course!
And then I think - what do I do with four 12 year old boys for five hours? What do I do with four boys in SUITS?????? Turns out, these boys just wanted to hang in our family room and be together. It was a wonderful five hours. It was great to see them talk and play and hang! It was my pleasure to have them at our house, and I would do this again!
It was great to have a glimpse of what my son is like with his overnight camp friends. I can see that the four of them are peers and friends. It was a wonderful experience that I would do again. (Actually I emailed the parents to let them know that I am a willing host for the next one.)
Friday, November 7, 2014
Today
I had today well planned for my work day.
It was until 6 AM, when my 8 year old daughter walked into my room, burst into tears, and told me that her head hurt and when I felt her forehead, she was burning up! Her fever was 103! Off to the pediatrician! The other times she has spiked a fever that high it was strep. The moment she saw the swab, she clamped down her jaw and refused to get the test. No amount of pleading from me, the nurse or the NP helped. Finally, we had to have one nurse hold her, while I held her feet and the NP got the swab.
Five minutes of tears. . . . .
Five minutes of waiting. . . . .
POSITIVE! Yup, my little one had strep. Good thing we did the test. She missed PJ day at school. But she did get her favorite pink medicine.
It was until 6 AM, when my 8 year old daughter walked into my room, burst into tears, and told me that her head hurt and when I felt her forehead, she was burning up! Her fever was 103! Off to the pediatrician! The other times she has spiked a fever that high it was strep. The moment she saw the swab, she clamped down her jaw and refused to get the test. No amount of pleading from me, the nurse or the NP helped. Finally, we had to have one nurse hold her, while I held her feet and the NP got the swab.
Five minutes of tears. . . . .
Five minutes of waiting. . . . .
POSITIVE! Yup, my little one had strep. Good thing we did the test. She missed PJ day at school. But she did get her favorite pink medicine.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Exercise
I have many passions. . . . I love being a wife and a mom. I love baking and I like cooking. I like having people over for dinner and I like eating at new places. I really, really hate to exercise. But, sitting is the new smoking. Try as I might, I can't find time daily to exercise. And I have all the "reasons."
Exercise before work - I get up at 5:25 AM every weekday. Every single weekday. I hop into the shower, and I do my make up and get dressed. I then go downstairs, and make a lunch for my daughter, a snack for my daughter, a lunch for my son, a lunch for my husband and a lunch for myself. The breakfast table is already set. I put away the dry dishes from the dish drain . . . .Adam makes the coffee and we empty the dishwasher. The kids get the newspaper. I leave the house at 7 AM every day.
Exercise after work - I make dinner nightly, and I like to spend time with my kids! I oversee shower time, and there is laundry and the dreaded homework time. My daughter goes to bed at 8 PM, and I guess I could get on the treadmill then, but I am super tired.
Walk at lunch - I am hoping to do that a few times each week. It provides a great break and lets me breathe some great fresh Waltham, MA air.
But as I type, I am walking on my office's treadmill desk. Yes, it is a treadmill that has a desk. Sure, I can't walk super fast. But at least I am walking! I am going to try to do this first thing each day. Doesn't even matter if it rains. Plus, I can check my email and get some work done. Stay tuned to find out how successful I am!
Exercise before work - I get up at 5:25 AM every weekday. Every single weekday. I hop into the shower, and I do my make up and get dressed. I then go downstairs, and make a lunch for my daughter, a snack for my daughter, a lunch for my son, a lunch for my husband and a lunch for myself. The breakfast table is already set. I put away the dry dishes from the dish drain . . . .Adam makes the coffee and we empty the dishwasher. The kids get the newspaper. I leave the house at 7 AM every day.
Exercise after work - I make dinner nightly, and I like to spend time with my kids! I oversee shower time, and there is laundry and the dreaded homework time. My daughter goes to bed at 8 PM, and I guess I could get on the treadmill then, but I am super tired.
Walk at lunch - I am hoping to do that a few times each week. It provides a great break and lets me breathe some great fresh Waltham, MA air.
But as I type, I am walking on my office's treadmill desk. Yes, it is a treadmill that has a desk. Sure, I can't walk super fast. But at least I am walking! I am going to try to do this first thing each day. Doesn't even matter if it rains. Plus, I can check my email and get some work done. Stay tuned to find out how successful I am!
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