Eating Bon-Bons all Day!
08 May 2012 1 Comment
in Foodie-Ness Tags: bon bons, dessert, food, ice cream, sahm, stay at home mom
As a stay-at-home-mom, I’m often teased with the proverbial, “oh, it must be nice to stay home and eat bonbons all day” line. Now, of course, any of you who have ever actually SPENT an entire day at home with small children knows how laughable that line really is. Alas, the stigma remains. So, in the spirit of “if you can’t beat em’, join em’,” I decided that I should AT LEAST know how to make bonbons – even if I never really get to spend time eating them. So, here is a fabulously easy recipe for Ice Cream Bonbons.
You’ll need:
1 pint of Ice cream – any flavor (My boys love Mint Chip.)
¼ cup of sprinkles (or crushed nuts)
½ lb (8oz) semi-sweet chocolate – you can use the bulk chocolate bark bars and grate it (preferred), or buy chocolate chips or even candy melts. (Also, you can definitely vary the flavors by changing the outer coating – white chocolate, peanut butter candy melt, peppermint candy melt, or dark chocolate would all work)
1 TBSP of Vegetable Shortening. (Such as Crisco) – Yes, there are probably healthier ways of doing this….feel free to enlighten me!
Start by scooping out your ice cream. You’ll want a SMALL ice cream scoop, and you should be able to get about 12-15 scoops out of your pint. Divide these onto two parchment-lined, baking sheets, and cover with plastic wrap.
Freeze the scoops till very firm – best if you freeze overnight.
Next, combine your coating chocolate and shortening in a double boiler. You can fashion a “makeshift” double boiler by using a heatproof bowl and setting it over a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water. Make sure the bottom of the bowl does NOT touch the water. Simmer over low heat – do not boil. You’ll want to stir often until the chocolate coating is smooth and glossy. Remove from the heat, and let cool SLIGHTLY – so that it’s warm, but not hot to the touch.
For step three, you’ll want to work quickly. Prick a frozen ice cream ball with a fork, and hold over the chocolate bowl. Using a large spoon, spoon chocolate over. Let excess chocolate drip back into bowl, and then follow with sprinkles. Now, if you are quick and nimble enough, you can TRY dunking the ice cream balls into the chocolate bowl and then likewise through the sprinkles bowl. But if you’re not fast enough – you’ll just make a big ice-creamy mess, so keep your spoons handy.
When coated, place back on baking sheet and re-freeze until ready to serve.
Go ahead, moms….GIVE EM’ SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT!!!
Today, I think you SHOULD eat bonbons!!
Thoughts on Motherhood
07 May 2011 4 Comments
Being a mother takes sacrifice.
I have given up so much.
From the moment of conception, my body was given away for the pleasure, purpose, and enrichment of someone else. Thus began my journey of complete sacrifice.
When I became a mother, I surrendered – body and soul.
My womb became a shelter for a growing life, protecting it from the evils of this world.
My hands became tools to change diapers, to clothe, to bathe, to rock.
My bosom became an endless buffet of nourishment for a hungry child.
My feet became instruments to carry me up and down the halls, walking until the colicky cries subsided.
My shoulders became pillows for a weary toddler head.
My knees became hinges to both rock my body, in a mothering dance, until sleep overtakes the weary one, and to bow my body in fervent prayer for a watchful charge of angels to stand in my stead over his bed.
My voice became an all-night radio of lullabies.
My fingers became safety bars for a wobbly toddler, and the feathery stroke of comfort on the cheeks of a feverish child.
My ears became sonars, intently tuned to the frequency of small sounds in the night; a wimpering baby, a thirsty toddler, a fearful child, and someday, I’m sure – a tiptoeing teenager.
My eyes became x-rays – observing everything – seeing past surface awareness and assessing scenarios like only a mother can – with the keenness of a secret agent.
My mind is captive to thoughts of my children – no daydream is complete without a wandering to thoughts of them.
My heart is held prisoner by their love.
Everything I am is now punctuated by this first and noble role, and I will never be the same.
Yes, I have sacrificed a lot.
I have given away every part of me to fulfill this purpose, but in the beautiful way he always does, God gives it all back ten-fold.
When pudgy hands reach out to hold mine, my hands are mine again – better hands than before.
When I dance around the living room, with his little feet on mine – my feet are mine again – better feet than before.
When he runs to me with open arms to fling around my shoulders and climbs on to my knees for a story and a snuggle, my shoulders and knees are mine again – better shoulders and knees than before.
When he whispers, “I love you mommy.” And I whisper back, “I love you too.” My ears and my voice become mine again – much greater ears, and a much greater voice than before.
When I became a mother, every sense was heightened.
Awareness was elevated to a new level.
Pleasure and pride became a euphoric bursting in my chest.
Pain and anguish became agonizing depths of desperation.
Peace and comfort became abiding .
Love multiplied like sunshine on mirrors.
As I reflect on the things I have “given up” to be a mother, I am reminded that whatever God asks us to give away, he returns to us in greater measure than we could ever imagine. I purpose to live my life looking expectantly in faith for those moments of return on my investment. I know they will come, and they will be many.
Mothers, I leave you with these encouragements from the words of God…”Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…”
“Therefore, Be not weary in well doing, for in due season, ye shall reap, if ye faint not!”
What moments can you point to in your mothering journey when you recognized that God has given you back “above all that you could ask or imagine,” and the sacrifices you made that seemed so great at the time, became small in the light of the blessings you have received.
I don’t know about you, but my cup runneth over!
Happy Mother’s Day to the beautiful women in my life who continue to teach me what being a mother really means. With special love and a grateful heart to my own mother, Kathryn Maldonado, whose sacrifices for me were greater than most.
With love,
Corrina
Mother to Luke – age 5, and his brother – scheduled to arrive in this world on June 18th.
Repurposing Plastic Easter Eggs
10 Apr 2011 1 Comment
in Homeschooling, House and Home, Parenting, Uncategorized Tags: Easter, eggs, homeschool, language, learning, math, plastic eggs, science, storage
As the impending giant community Easter Egg Hunt draws near, I’m already seeing mounds of multi-colored plastic bubbles in my sleep. I don’t know about you, but at our house, those things NEVER seem to disappear. They lie, in wait, in the darkness of my hallway, just outside the bathroom, so that my middle-of-the-night, jammie-clad trek to the “facilities” is interrupted with either; the obnoxious sound of a crunched plastic egg piercing the peacefulness of the night, or the slightly more obnoxious sound of my muffled scream as said egg pierces the tender skin of my recently pedicured, statue-esque feet. (Okay, fine…truth be told, my feet are more like Hobbit feet, but you get the picture!)
But I digress…
Anyway, long after the masses of freckle-faced children in pigtails and denim overalls (yes, I live in Mayberry in my head), leave the carnage of their epic hunt behind on the grass, and long after your little angels have eaten their fill of “individually wrapped, non-melting” sugar bombs, YOU will be left picking up the plastic, multi-colored pieces.
Never fear…..Corrina is here!
When I took acting improvisation classes, we played a game called, “What is it?” An everyday object is tossed around a circle, and each person must come up with a new idea for what the item is. (Simplified Example: A paper towel roll becomes a telescope…etc) I found it very stimulating to make my brain do this, and I have compiled this list for you, in hopes that you will be inspired to think about everyday objects in a new way as well. It can be a frugal, GREEN (yes, I said it), creative and fun way to engage your family and be better stewards of the things you have at home. I have included ideas for learning tools – either for home or classroom – as well as household uses. If you have other ideas for creative repurposing, please submit them in the comments section below!
So without further adieu, here’s the list:
Using Plastic Eggs as Learning Tools:
1. Resurrection Eggs – An Easter Advent calendar. For the 12 days, leading up to Easter, have children open one egg each day. Contained inside is one item representing an element of Passion Week – i.e., a nail, a sponge, a cloth, a rock, etc. Here’s a link to a great demonstration of how to make Resurrection Eggs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YZZKe73_-8
2. Spring Advent Eggs – A less religious version of the above, you could substitute items representing new birth, such baby chicks, flower seeds, etc to countdown the days until the first day of spring. (This obviously may fall before Easter, so save the eggs, or plan ahead)
3. Vacation Eggs – Same idea as above….getting kids to countdown to vacation with small items representing the trip in each egg. You could also include “coupons” for things to redeem whilst on vacation if your child will need extra incentives to behave or participate. For example, you could offer a coupon good for a “before dinner ice cream cone,” to be redeemed after child has successfully carried their own luggage through the airport….or whatever works for your family.
4. Math Eggs – There are many variations on this idea, and it can obviously be adjusted based on the level of your child (mine is a preschooler), so think outside the “egg carton.” Here’s a few; 1.) Using a marker, write a number on each half of the egg. These two numbers will be added together. Give the child dried beans or jellybeans to use as manipulatives, and have them put the “answer” inside the egg. 2.) Same as the addition, but start with the largest number of beans already in the egg. They then subtract the smaller number to leave the answer. After child has completed the dozen, have them write out each sum in long form with the answer, and then recite them to you out loud. 3.) Here’s a different twist as they get better at “head math.” Break the eggs apart completely. Write out a sum on one half of the egg, and the answer on another half (keeping the halve colors the same will give help, so adjust accordingly). Have the child match until the dozen is complete. 4.) For young children, you could draw dots on one end of the egg, and have the numeral on the other half for matching.
5. Language Eggs – Thinking just like the math concept, you can do; 1.) Rhyme matching, 2.) Uppercase/Lowercase matching, 3.) Synonym/Antonym matching, 4.) For young children, a sticker with the “first letter” – i.e..(Ant picture with an “A”) 5.) Sentence making – this is a longer, more independent activity, and can be adjusted to the difficulty level. It does require some prep on an adult’s part. Have parts of speech (pieces of a sentence) in each egg. The children can hunt for the eggs first, and then put the pieces in order to make a sentence. This activity can be expanded for a classroom setting, or over the course of a week if needed. In a classroom, you can divide into groups and have each group come up with the parts of speech, and then hide the eggs for the other group. Make it a race. To expand further, make it a paragraph with multiple sentences, and require the story written out with illustrations to be complete. This can be really funny if you use silly verbs (think Mad libs), and have interchangeable options for the story. 6.) Foreign language Eggs – Useful for drilling vocabulary. Have the English word on one half, and the translation on the other half. Make it a timed drill.
6. Social Studies – 1.) Label an egg carton with the name of a president (or other historical character). Have facts about that person written on slips of paper inside plastic eggs. This works best if you have either; more than one character to work on, or more facts than are true for the one character. Have the child correctly place all the “true” facts about the character into their egg carton. 2.) Timeline Eggs – Have important events inside each egg. Number the inside of the empty egg carton 1-12, have the children place the eggs in chronological order.
7. Science Eggs –Just adapt the concepts in the other subjects to fit. Here’s a couple of quick thoughts; 1.) Phases of metamorphosis, 2.) Scientific names of plants or animals matched with layman names, 3.) What’s Inside? Fill each egg with a different substance. (Dried corn, oatmeal, flour, beans, Jell-O, etc.) Make sure you use different weights, sounds, textures, etc. Have all the items available to look at, and using only feeling and listening, the children must guess what’s inside.
Using Plastic Eggs as Household Tools:
1. Store pantyhose
2. Store individual necklaces to keep from tangling. (Especially useful for trips).
3. Fill with Potpourri, and place in a drawer, or the bottom of a trash can for freshening. (Be sure it’s the type with holes, or you’ll need to poke your own holes in it.)
4. Fill an egg with sand and use in the bottom of a “too light” gift bag.
5. Store crafting supplies or beads.
6. Store small hygiene items such as tweezers and nail clippers in eggs in your bathroom drawer for ease of finding.
7. Strings eggs together and make an Easter garland for the mantel or as a window decoration during Easter Season. Also consider turning those Fichus in your house into an Easter Tree. Decorate it like you would your Christmas tree – ribbon, garland, eggs etc.
8. Store spare buttons.
9. Make your own mini travel sewing kit. Store some thread, safety pins, and a small piece of sponge with a couple of needles poked in it.
10. Make your own mini first aid kit to store in the glove box or purse. Include Band-aids and a mini tube of Neosporin.
11. Store USB or SIM cards inside an egg in your desk drawer. Keeps them protected, and easy to find when you need them!
12. When traveling, store cotton swabs or cotton balls in an egg to keep them clean and ready.
13. Use to hold small “servings” of play-dough. Take a few in your bag – great for restaurants and waiting rooms.
14. Use to hold single servings of snacks – for you or the kids. Keeps the portion size right and its fun to hand an egg full of cheesy fishes to the back seat when needed.
15. Use as reinforcement for good behavior. Fill with surprises and give one to your child when deserved. EXCELLENT for plane travel or long car trips.
16. Homemade Croquet! Use sticks and plastic eggs, and fashion makeshift goals in your yard for a quick family game!
17. Decorate with ribbon and lace and fill a basket for your table.
18. Decorate eggs with googly eyes and felted features, glue to a popsicle stick and have a puppet show!
HAPPY EASTER!!!
Homemade Donuts: Regular and Gluten-Free!!
18 Mar 2011 1 Comment
Thanks to my friend, Amber, I’m making the world’s intestines a little calmer with this gluten free donut recipe. I can attest to the yummy-ness factor of these donuts. Some of the best homemade ones I’ve ever had – and if she hadn’t told me, I would NEVER have guessed that she had made me the gluten-free version!! It’s a rainy weekend in my part of the world, so this is a great family activity with yummy rewards!
Happy Baking!!
Regular Recipe: (gluten free subs below)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp salt
…1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon(although I use a full tsp.)
dash ground nutmeg(i use about 1 1/2 tsp.-makes them taste better!)
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup of milk
1 egg, beaten
1 quart oil for frying
Heat oil to 375. In a large bowl sift together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg . mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in milk and egg until smooth. knead lightly, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface. roll out to about 1/4 inch. cut with doughnut cutter. carefully drop into oil. fry for 3 minutes(turning them over half way) or until they’re golden brown. drain on paper towels and when they are cool melt chocolate, or make a glaze to pour over.
for it to be gluten free:
replace the all-purpose flour with bob’s red mill gluten free all purpose flour.
add 1/2 tsp xanthum gum(it replaces the “elasticness” that gluten has.
Then follow the recipe. you wont need to knead it, because gf dough is super sticky. i use about another cup of GF Flour to roll it out with my hands. then i dip my doughnut cutter in the flour every time i cut out a doughnut-then it doesn’t stick to the cutter.
Custom Baby Set Giveaway!
09 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
One of my favorite crafters of handmade bags, Bekah of www.leidibird.com is giving away a Custom New Baby 4 Piece Set, which includes a quilted changing pad and 3 coordinating burp cloths in your choice of a custom fabric! TODAY is the LAST day to enter, so head over to her blog at http://www.leidibird.com/blog/ and check it out!
The Value of One
03 Mar 2011 7 Comments
in Christian Living, Homeschooling, House and Home
Recently, I read a quote that said, “Everybody is God’s somebody.”
Can you imagine how different the world would be if each of us truly embraced that thought—that we—each one of us—is important in the scope of this life, and in eternity? How would I behave differently if I believed that my life has value? How would I treat others differently if I believed THEIR life has value?
I thought that quote was such a simple profoundity, and it got me thinking about the value or worth of a person – and whether or not I assign the people that I meet the value they are due. How do I show the people I interact with that I think they are valuable? Do I really even BELIEVE that they are? How can I make THEM believe that?
Enter my five year old son, who, with his innocent charm, unwittingly taught me a life lesson of eternal magnitude.
Here’s the story:
With the recent closure of our precious preschool, I have found myself flung (slightly prematurely) squarely into the talons of full time homemaking and homeschooling – something I always knew I would probably do, but wasn’t feeling quite prepared or equipped to begin yet.
As an ambitious, gregarious person who likes to “make things happen,” I’ve never lacked for a project. Along the way, I’ve been a student, teacher, production director, recording artist, small business owner, skin care consultant, group coordinator, preschool founder, and committee chairperson – to varying degrees of excellence. Accomplishments in each of these roles all contributed to feelings of success in my life. Or you might say they made me feel important.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve made a concerted effort to “do” homemaking and homeschooling right – as I have with every project I have undertaken. I’ve made a home control binder. I’ve done menu plans and shopping lists….created lesson plans and art projects….scheduled play dates and field trips. I’ve packed my husband’s lunch, and been thoughtful about budgeting.
My son has thrived.
As much as he LOVED his preschool teachers, and classroom buddies, he is bounding out of bed each day, so excited to begin the adventures of our home school day.
I was feeling successful, and important…and umm…..valuable.
His appreciation showed, and his affection level grew in just a couple of days, and I was the happy recipient of a plethora of spontaneous hugs, kisses, and “I love you’s.” The other day, he crawled up in my lap for one such snuggle, and I thought I would take a moment to get myself a little affirmation, so I asked him, “Honey, what’s your favorite part of homeschooling?” –expecting him to say something about all the THINGS we’ve (read: I’ve) been doing to make it great. But he said, quickly and unflinchingly, “just being with you, everyday, mommy.”
*Crickets, chirping*
See…I had it backwards. I was finding my value BECAUSE of the things I was doing. But really, I should do them because I AM VALUED.
Me.
Just being Corrina – a child of God, uniquely created in His image – makes me special. Everything I do within that role is BECAUSE I am a life of worth in His sight. That sure changes my motivation, doesn’t it? My son valued ME – above anything I did for him. Just like God.
Kids are so wise, aren’t they.
Therefore, my husband is valuable BEFORE he does anything for me. The girlfriend who isn’t a very available friend is valuable BEFORE she puts anything into the friendship. The salesperson who isn’t working very hard to earn her commission is valuable simply because SHE IS.
If I am to be like Christ, then it is my responsibility to show them that, and treat them accordingly. It could be as simple as a look, a touch, a word….a hug, even. A mindful moment where I assign another child of God’s life the value that God himself does.
So today, I am purposing to live OUT my value instead of trying to make myself valuable. And I’m purposing to affectionately show others that they are valuable too.
Matthew 10:29-31
“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. “
In Praise of Family Night
14 Jan 2011 2 Comments
In our home, we try to have at least one night each week which we dedicate to a family night. Depending on my hot date schedules (ahem….with my husband), family nights generally occur on Friday or Saturday night. This usually consists of some kind of fun meal (either out at a restaurant, or cooked together as a family), and a planned activity that all three of us will do actually at the same time.
I know that’s an odd way to say it, but let me clarify.
My husband and I have a pretty good system worked out for most evenings – so that we alternate who is the “on” parent. This means that while we are all usually together at home most evenings, both of us have time to do a thing or two without the kidlet (hence, I’m blogging at the moment, and kidlet’s bath is being facilitated by the husband unit.)
So, on family night, we purpose to put our “other things” aside to all focus on SOMETHING together.
Our family night exploits have included such simple thrills as homemade pizza and a game of LIFE (the board game) – which is amusing to play with a precocious five year old. Last time we played two things happened; 1.) He cried when he didn’t land on the square which forces the player to pay $40,000 for an SUV. When we asked why, he explained, “I have three kids now, and I need a van…this car is too small, and the kids keep falling out of my car.” 2.) He danced around the living room in glee when his “college tuition loan notes” were paid off, chanting in a sing-songy voice, “I’m debt free, I’m debt free!” Stifling our giggles, husband and I exchanged knowing glances, and I silently prayed that only ONE of these would happen again in his lifetime.
Rarely, we choose outrageous evenings, such as a 9pm trip to a fancy restaurant for appetizers and ice cream sundaes or the classic pajama run to McDonald’s for French fries and milkshakes (don’t judge).
Tonight, we did something so quintessentially American that I nearly broke out in a rousing chorus of “Yankee Doodle Dandee” on the way home. I know, I’m dramatic.
We began the evening at a place called, “Jimmy’s Diner.” Yeah – it’s really called that. At said diner, we ordered a tuna melt, a patty melt, and a shrimp louie – seriously, how cute are we? And then, the pièce de résistance……we went to the drive-in! Yes, the movie kind!! Now, let me just be clear – the drive-in theatre in our town doubles as a flea market on Saturday and Sunday, so there’s a little strategic driving maneuvering necessary if you want to avoid taking home a stall with you. But, it’s a drive-in, nonetheless. We all sat in the front seat of the truck, and shared blankets, popcorn and a kit-kat, while we watched Tangled, which was surprisingly entertaining.
Yes, I’ll be hanging the star-spangled bunting on the eaves in the morning.
Seriously, kidlet couldn’t have been happier, and I was reminded again that it’s the simple things done TOGETHER that make life special.
Maybe we’ll have TWO family nights this week.
As for you, you still have time to make a special family moment – the weekend is just beginning.
Go out and play!
Super Yummy Easy Banana Bread (with chocolate chips for added guilt)
13 Jan 2011 6 Comments
in Foodie-Ness
So, I seriously cannot believe that the very first recipe I’m posting is a banana bread recipe.
I honestly haven’t made (or probably even eaten) banana bread in at least four years.
Here’s the thing though: we like to eat our bananas pretty close to green, so when that last lonely banana gets a little too freckled for our liking – it gets thrown into sub-zero solitary confinement in the freezer. I’m not exactly sure why I did this, except that I don’t like to throw food away, and somewhere in my mind, I thought, “Hey, maybe we can bake with those at some point..”
Today, however, was what alcoholics refer to as ”the moment of clarity” wherein ridiculous heaps of frozen, black, humiliated bananas stared at me from under piled up bags of frozen burritos and from inside frozen pie shells . Yes, they taunted me. I opened the freezer to fill my water cup with ice, and they stared at me. Glared, even. There they sat in all their “has-been-ness,” overripe, and now frozen to themselves.
At first, they just looked pathetic to me. A frozen blackened testament to my own procrastination. But the more I stared at them, the more sinister they became. It was as if they were planning a revolt, and that perhpas one night I would awaken to find an army of them marching in formation across the granite countertops.
So, I did what any self respecting housewife would do; I yanked them from their dungeon, peeled their ugly shriveled skins off, exposing their once plump flesh to the warm, forced air-heat of my house, dumped them in a bowl and mashed the heck out of their little banana army. I felt much better.
And lucky for you, I renewed my affection for banana flavored loaves in the process- although, that may have actually been the Chocolate Chips’ fault. Anyway, here’s my recipe. I couldn’t find one that I liked the sound of tremendously, so I made one up…..it came out delicious. I reccommend a slice of it, served warm, with a pat of butter melted on it, and a cup of good English tea.
Ingredients:
2 cups of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup milk chocolate (or semi-sweet) choc. chips
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup brown sugar, softened
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup), melted and cooled slightly
4 overripe bananas, mashed well
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan.
Sift together flour, salt, soda, and cinnamon, and toss in chocolate chips, coating them in the flour mixture well.
Mix together brown sugar, vanilla, and butter until creamy and smooth, with no lumps, and then stir in the beaten eggs and the mashed bananas. Combine the wet mixture with the dry mixture and mix lightly just until fully incorporated. Pour into loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
By the way, simple recipes like this one are great ways to get your children baking with you. I wish I would have taken a picture of the kidlet in his apron – or the finished bread. I’m learning. 
Hello world!
02 Jan 2011 9 Comments
Hello world. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m Corrina! *waves wildly*
I’m wife to an adoring husband, and mother to one curious five year old, and as I write this, I’m currently building a human child inside me who will make his/her appearance in early June.
Thanks for stopping by – really. I’m excited to share a little bit of my world with you here in cyberspace. My passions are many, and I look forward to indulging them here with your help! I’m new to the blogsphere, and would love to connect with any of you who are pros!
My many loves and interests include mommyhood, wife-ery (my word), homemaking, homeschooling, (and educational choice) foodie-ness, decorating, and real people stories. Oh yeah, and I’m a singer of songs too.
I’m happy to know you.
