Mome reads Mommy, My daughter's way to spell it when she was younger... It stuck. My son calls me Mome... just like it looks. I now sign all my notes to them "Love, Mome". It's our inside secret and makes them smile. I always want them to smile.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Shredded Pork Tacos and Apothic Dark~ Recipe and Review

I spent an hour on Pinterest yesterday.  I got inspired and creative.  We've been in a taco/Quesadilla mood here at the house.  Beef and Chicken have made up the main ingredients.  I was ready for
something new.
With a frozen Pork Shoulder calling my name from the freezer, this is what I came up with.
I'm NOT disappointed.




I put this 8 pound butt, completely frozen. into the crock pot and covered with my Dad's secret rub.  It's a mixture of spices that I won't even try to figure out.  You can season however you like best.  A homemade taco seasoning (or even a few purchased packets) will work fine


Because the frozen pork was just slightly too big to allow the cover to fit on, I covered with foil until it became thawed enough to manipulate and properly cover.



I cooked on HIGH for 12 hours and then turned it to LOW overnight.  Cooking time was right at 24 hours.
I trimmed all the fat off the top and transferred meat to a container to shred.

I loosely shredded with tongs and a fork.  I added more of Dad's Magic along with miced onion and some garlic powder.  I added back in the juices from the crock pot and tasted along the way to get the flavor just right.




I put a teaspoon of the juice/grease into a fry pan and used it to heat up 2 tortillas


I then topped the tortilla with the pork, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, onion, shredded cheese and a squeeze of lime.

It. Was. Fantastic.

Then there was This...



I must admit, I've been a fan of Apothic since my first sip of Apothic Red back in 2010.
Last year I was sent a bottle Of Apothic Dark, after tasting it, I purchased a case before it was all gone.
This year I was sent another bottle of this limited release, and am hoping there are still some bottles left when I can afford to purchase another case.
The wine is full of dark berry, dark chocolate and coffee flavor (all my favorite things)
It is full bodied with a lingering finish.  It also went GREAT with the Tacos.

About Apothic
Winemaking Notes:

In the cellar, the grapes for Apothic Dark were fermented at a maximum of 90* to increase the extraction of dark jammy fruit characteristics.  Fermentation occurred in temperature-controlled cone-sweep and upright tanks for up to seven days.  A variety of yeasts were used to bring out unique flavors and features from each lot.  Following fermentation, the wine was influenced by a variety of oak to add complexity and enhance the coffee and dark chocolate flavors.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

It's Picture Day Confidence



Today is Picture Day for Puddin' Pop.  3rd grade starts the "labeling" of others.  I often listen to her refer to classmates as "the popular one", the "sweet" one, or the "smartest".  Poor kids are trying to find their way and are put under the scrutiny of who others think they are.  It's sad, really.
We do it as adults, label each other, so it's no wonder our kids do the same, doesn't make it right.

I've always tried to allow my children to be their own people.  Hairstyles, how they want to dress, what they enjoy or find interesting.  I want them to have the chance to try everything withing their grasp, and choose, for themselves, who they want and are meant to be.

Watching my baby girl (age 8) transform from  a sleepy, little girl into a confident young woman, with just the change from PJ's to her self selected outfit, is amazing to me.  She wanted her hair kinky, so we put it into tiny braids before bed last night.  I love that she embraces an 80's style.  It was the best decade.

If we could all commit to NOT make our children be the people WE want them to be and instead guide them to be the best THEM they can be,  I think we will be amazed at the end result and how much confidence and self esteem they will exhibit.

Who's with me?

Sunday, September 21, 2014

National Grenache Day

September 19 was National Grenache/Garnacha Day.

What better way to celebrate than by sipping on a glass and learning more about the wine and how it came to be...

In my glass...


With a nose and mouth of dark berries, pepper and oak, this wine was smooth on the palate with a rich mouth appeal and bold red in color.

About Las Rocas Garnacha (from the winemakers)

The vibrant red color of our 2009 Garnacha hints at its rich dark cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors. This well-structured wine integrates nuances of oak with round tannins to deliver a rich palate of decadent fruit flavors.
By cold-soaking the grapes prior to fermentation, we extracted the full range of color and flavors for whichGarnacha is widely renowned. We fermented the grapes for 15 days at temperatures between 75°F and 82°F. Malolactic fermentation softened the mouthfeel and added depth and nuance to the Garnacha. A portion of the wine was aged in French and American oak barrels for nearly one year.


 Typically called Grenache in the United States and France, this Spanish table wine received 90+ points by the Wine Advocate, and was a very enjoyable sipping wine that I would definitely drink again.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Happy Birthday Handsome




I love this kid 




Happy Birthday Handsome!!!!

I waited my entire life, or so it felt, to have a baby.

YOU made me a MOM.

I Love you, more than you could ever comprehend,

You are my EVERYTHING

I am amazed, every day,  with how smart you are.

Seriously,  I consider myself pretty smart.  You blow me away.

You are fearless, and yet fearful.  I have your back!

Please know, that I will be YOUR rock, even when you have to carry those rocks for us.

You are AMAZING.

I feel privileged to be your Mom and only hope that I can be everything you deserve.

From here to the moon and back,
Mome

Friday, June 6, 2014

The Winner Is....

Super disappointing that more people didn't think this was a GREAT prize.  Using Random.org, a WINNER has been chosen.

The Winner is.....

Cheeky Momma said...
Shared on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/bridget.axtell/posts/10203873110252344

Bridget
cheekymommaof2 @ live.com



Congrats!  

Prize will be mailed to you after confirmation of address.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Fun Summer Learning (Don't tell the kids) GIVEAWAY!

DISCLAIMER~ I was sent this map kit for review from International Gift Items.  The opinions are 100% Truthful and Mine.


We received this map kit and the kids (8 and 10) immediately went to work putting all the magnets in their proper homes.  The "cling" fits perfectly on the front of our fridge and we have had no problems with it staying put or with magnets falling off.



Once they completed the "puzzle", we took the magnets off and filled in only the states we have been to. Travelling to Michigan by car is always a fun time, the kids didn't realize the states they had visited and stayed in along the way.  They were excited to see the places we have been.  We are now picking new destinations to visit (like Florida) and they are excited about all the states they will be able to say they've been to (or through).

No one felt like it was a learning exercise.  No one resisted the opportunity to help.

Puddin Pop (8) seems to like it the most.  She will spend time with me in the kitchen during meal prep planning out potential adventures.  She also like to just remove all the magnets and put them back.  I'm not sure she realizes that she is preparing herself for future lessons in school.    Each magnet has the state capital on it as well.  As she places states, she tells me what the Capital is... or asks if I know.  I remember about 95%.  I learned them in 4th grade.




Win Your Own Set ($67 value)
for each entry, leave a separate blog comment with link to post and contact info.  No anonymous posting will count. 

Blog a short post about this contest.  Must link to:  http://www.internationalgiftitems.com/state-magnets-usa-map (3 entries)


Post about this contest on Facebook (link to this post) (1 entry)


Post about the contest on Twitter (link to this post) (1 entry)


Post to Pinterest  (link back to this post)


Contest Ends JUNE 5th.  Winner will be chosen at random on June 6th

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Divorce and Dating. 8 year old perspective

I had a conversation with my (newly turned) 8 year old daughter, about the possibility of dating.

Me.
Not her.

Her Father and I have been apart for more than 3 years.

I approached it like this...

Me: How would you feel if I started dating?

...:and this is what happened...

Her: I would feel hurt if you didn't tell me.

Me:  How about if I promise to tell you if he is worthy of YOUR company?

Her: Mom.  If you like a boy, and he doesn't like you, he is stupid.  If he does like you, he should get on his knees and be thankful, that a woman as great as you likes him.  You are Mome. and deserve for someone to love you.  I broke up with "K" today, but it's okay because "D" is my new boyfriend.  You should have that too.

How do you argue with that?

I have a champion in my corner.

Not sure I'm deserving.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Brownie Ice Cream Cake and Treana Red

I came across this recipe almost 20 years ago.  It is easy and Delicious and combines 2 of my favorite things, brownies and ice cream.  I realized that I hadn't made it, for a birthday, since Puddin Pop turned 1 so, I pulled it out of my bag of tricks for today, her 8th birthday.

What you will need:
1, 9x13 pan of brownies (any variety will work, make as directed and let cool)
1/2 gallon of ice cream, or just a little more (any flavor)
frosting (any)


I like to saran wrap a bowl for ease of removal


cut brownies into squares (not required) and mold around bottom and edges. to create a brownie bowl.
Put in freezer for, at least, 2 hours

looks full, but brownies are actually flat against the bowl

Take out ice cream (flavor of choice) 15 minutes before filling and let thaw slightly.
Mix, to get out the air, and create a denser ice cream (not required, but helps cake from caving when cutting)
Fill "bowl" with Ice Cream
Cover with saran wrap (I leave edges when lining the bowl and just fold over)
Put back into freezer and freeze overnight (or at least another 2 hours)

Take out of freezer and pull edges of saran wrap to release from bowl
(You'll be happy you lined the bowl at this point)

Flip bowl over onto a serving plate and uncover



Frost with frosting of your choice

Stick back into freezer until serving or serve immediately
(you can decorate any way you like, but have limited time as ice cream melts pretty quick)

See the smiles on everyone's face when they enjoy this delicious treat

We used Fudge Royal Ice Cream this time.  I've also done it with vanilla, mint chocolate chip, and butter pecan.  Whatever your favorite is, it will work.

5 hours later....

The company has all gone home, the Birthday Girl is asleep, and now I'm enjoying a second slice with this...

**Sample was provided.  Opinion is 100% Mine
Oh My.
I love a good spicy Red and this one does not disappoint.
Pepper, oak and cherry flavored, this 2010 Treana Red has a long finish and deep red color (the label is pretty awesome too).

Winemaking Notes:
(quoted)
After harvest, vineyard lots were fermented individually in stainless steel tanks for 14 to 20 days.  Extended macerations and carefully managed pump-overs enhanced the extractions of color and tannin,  The varietals were aged separately in French oak barrels, 70% of which are new, for six months,  The initial blend was assembled in summer of 2011 and aged an additional twelve months in barrel.  The wine was racked only twice during its cellar life, with the final racking occurring just prior to bottling.
A wine of great depth and structure, the 2010 Treana Red will continue to develop and mature for the next ten years. 
  70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah
Enjoy!




Saturday, April 26, 2014

Fun Easter Craft ~ Easter Tree

This year we decided NOT to dye eggs.
Instead, we made an Easter Tree.
With a simple dough of flour, salt and water, some paint and a branch from the yard.
Dough Recipe
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup salt
3/4 cups water


First we rolled out the dough
Puddin Pop decided a Tinker Toy was easier to roll with than a rolling pin.


We rolled the dough about a 1/4 inch thick and used an egg shaped cookie cutter.
We used a straw to punch out a hole BEFORE baking
Then we put them on a greased, foil lined cookie tray


We baked them for 2 hours on 250 and then let them cool completely
We painted to base coats, of crayola paints and let them dry again



Then we added dots and lines and even added glitter onto some of the wet paint.
Let them dry again
We tied ribbon through the holes and headed out to find a branch
In the end
We had this!


Sunday, March 30, 2014

Mome and Google take care of the Kitchen Sink

Yesterday, Puddin' Pop woke with a terrible cold.  Stuffy and coughing and achy all over.  She is NOT A FAN of any liquid medication.  She can take pills just fine, but liquids make her gag.  I went to Rite Aid to see what I could find to help her feel a little better.  Seriously?  Have they quit making the melt-aways, or anything that does not come in a liquid form?  It took me forever to look through all of the options, and in the end, I still came home with a grape liquid,  the least offending flavor.

Since we were obviously staying home for the day, I decided to get ahead for the week and get some cooking done.  I made some mashed potatoes (her requested comfort food), some mac and cheese,  a batch of cheesy chicken and rice and some spicy chicken for quesadillas.  While the oven and stove were rocking with food, I decided to clean out the fridge.  Just as I finished cleaning all the leftover containers and packaged up the newly made food, the sink started to back up.  It would go down if I ran the disposal, but would come back up when I turned it off.  We're not talking just a little.  We're talking, about to overflow to the floor, back up.

way too close to over-flowing


I tried plunging, several times over about an hour... no luck.

I tried pouring baking soda and vinegar down the drain while the disposal was running, and then putting in the drain plug... after about 5 minutes, the pressure from the back up would push the plug out and water would again fill the sink.

I googled it and came up with this...

Unclog-a-Kitchen-Sink

The first 2 steps were the ones I had already tried, the third suggested using the baking soda and vinegar and pouring boiling water behind it.  I put on a pot of water and got ready for my final attempt before calling maintenance.  Step 4 was taking apart the pipes and that was NOT something I was willing to take on.

It Worked!

Just after pouring the boiling water into the drain, after the baking soda and vinegar and with the disposal running, I turned off the disposal and nothing came back up.

Yay Me!

30 minutes later, maintenance came to my door to ask if I was having problems with my sink.  I told him I had, and how I had fixed it.  Apparently the neighbors are on the same pipe line and were having the same problem.  He filled my sink and lugged it, went back next door and ran their disposal.  He said the baking soda and vinegar I had used just needed to get into their side and the whole thing was fixed.  Took less than 5 minutes for him to fix theirs.  I had spent close to 2 hours on mine.

Where do I send my bill?

Saturday, March 22, 2014

This Video~ This Girl!

This Video




This Girl


All My Heart
All the Time




Tell it like it is, don't hold back.
Let people know what you think.
You have a voice.  
You are an amazing person and your voice should be heard.

Your feelings and thoughts are yours.  
No one can change or make you feel otherwise
Stand up!
Be Proud!

I am proud of you!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Crayon Lipstick

Puddin Pop has recently enjoyed watching some DIY make up videos.
She cam to me with an idea, a couple weeks back, to male Crayon Lipstick.  Sounded a little strange to me but, what could it harm?
She said all we needed were crayons and coconut oil.
A week went by before I was somewhere that sold coconut oil, I'm sure other products would work but, she was in charge of this project so, I wanted to make sure every thing was just as she planned.

We took a teaspoon of the oil and 1 unwrapped crayon.  We put it in a ceramic cup and put that in some hot water... so as not to burn the wax.  It was very quick to melt.




We ended up with 3 shades.  I used a little more oil in the blue... to subdue the color.  It actually turned out more like a gloss than a lipstick... which I, honestly, prefer.

I think thy turned out well.


Less oil provides a bolder color and "harder" product.

A simple project that was lots of fun.  Letting her be in charge... Priceless.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Best Omelette Ever

I love days off... when the kids are in school.

I usually end up eating all day, so it's probably good that I only get one every so often.

I was in the mood for eggs this morning.  I normally have nothing more than coffee for breakfast but, with all this time on my hands... I splurged.

Originally I had planned on 2 eggs, sunny side up, with toast, but then I opened the fridge, and the possibilities POPPED.

Left over Taco meat, shredded cheese, tomato, onion, hot sauce and sour cream...

I ended up with this....




...and I can't even come close to finishing it.

How creative are you with food?

Friday, February 14, 2014

The Other ~ Wine Review

I have to admit, I have the Bestest Friends EVER.

A long time friend, and companion in wine sharing, sent me a delightful box of goodies for my birthday.

It looked like this...


Chocolate and wine.  You should be jealous.  Dark Chocolate. and Wine.  Very Jealous.

The wine was one she picked up when her "go to" wine was not available.  She likes to shop by label... as do I.  No wonder we've been friends since 7th grade.

The wine is deep plum in color.

When first opened and poured, it was very fruity (think grapes and dark berries) on the nose, after 5 minutes, spice and oak took over.

The palate is deep.  Cherry, oak and green pepper immediately come to mind.  It's warm and smooth with a bold flavor and long, lingering finish.  Wishing I had a Medium Rare New York Strip to pair with this.  It definitely goes well with the dark chocolate covered pretzels that accompanied it.

A Red Blend of 50% Cabernet, 40% Merlot and 10% Syrah, and a really cool label...



                                                     This is the Perfect Valentine's Treat.


Taster's Rating:  Highly Recommended

Friday, February 7, 2014

What is it about that sound?


What  is it about the calm breathing of children, just falling asleep, that is like a sweet lullaby to put me out?

Each night, I lay with the children at their bed time.  It's a chance to catch up, hear about their day,  what they are looking forward to, what they are dreading, and sometimes, just a time to snuggle,  and tell them how much I love them, and how proud I am for the privilege to be their Mome.

But...

No matter how awake I am when laying down...

Once they start to drift off, and their breathing settles into a rhythmic sound... it's the sound a mother wants to hear every night when they are infants, the sound we listen for when we wake and have to "check on the baby."  Whether by monitor, or by them sleeping next to you, we NEED to hear it.... and it is so calming...

It puts ME to sleep.

Sometimes I have to limit the kids to 10 minutes of snuggling, each.  If I have stuff to do, I KNOW,  lying longer will put me in a comatose state.

I can't explain it.

It. Just. Does.

What is it about that sound?

Anyone else?


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy 2014


This is MY year.
Letting go of ALL the negative.
Focusing on being the BEST person I can be, and setting an example to the kids of what "Happy being ME" looks like.
Helping the kids be the Best they can be in every situation.
Having a ton of fun.
Getting out more.
Learning to Sail.
Spending lots of time on the water, unplugged.
Appreciating my blessings.

Let this be YOUR...

 BEST YEAR YET!