Keepin' It Real

I often find myself cleaning up some sort of mess from my children. Having two children under two years of age and both mobile, they are always up to something.

Just this morning I found Sissyboo dancing on top of the kitchen table with a half chewed up tomato in each hand and covered in tomato seeds. By the time I got her down and cleaned up, I went to the bathroom, only to find my shirt covered in tiny tomato seeds too.

Usually the kids messes just make me laugh because it's a sign that I have been blessed with two wonderful children. I always say there isn't a mess that I can't clean up. Even the time when Sissyboo dumped an ENTIRE bottle of Soy Sauce on the newly dry cleaned carpet. Dawn Dish detergent worked wonders on that one!

Here is one of my favorite messes a piece of chewed up bologna....on the window.

The bologna on the window always cracks me up!

Bloom Where You're Planted Wednesday: St. Louis City Museum

Over the past weekend, my nieces known here as Lovely (age 11) and Kind Heart (age 6) came for a visit. This was their first ever trip away from their parents. I was wanting to show them a good time on Saturday, so in the morning we headed to St. Louis Zoo and in the afternoon, we went to the craziest place called The City Museum.

The City Museum is the product of local artist Bob Cassilly's wild imagination. It is a collection of salvaged objects: trucks, cranes, buses. Industrial gears, rollers, pins, and rods. Building fragments: columns, grotesques, cupolas, cornices, statueary. On the outside, these artifacts have been assembled into a four-story-high gymnasium known as Monstro City. Inside, the museum is only slightly more tame, with tunnels, tubes and slides writhing through multiple stories of the old warehouse.

We had a blast crawling our way through tunnels and swoop down multi-story slides. To the point that here it is Wednesday and I can still feel the bruises on my knees! However, I wouldn't change a thing.

Here are a few pictures of The City Museum that I pulled by doing a Google Search.




If you are ever in the area, this is a must stop. However, I recommend that you don't take children younger than 5 years of age and that you follow your children through every twist and turn. By the end of the day, I guarantee that you will do things you never thought you would do!

Meal Plan Monday

Good Monday Morning! I am just sitting here reminiscing about this past weekend. I had a wonderful visit with my Mom, Dad and two nieces (both had never been away from home before). My Mom brought me the kitchen towel in the picture above. It cracks me up! She said she saw it and it looked like me so she had to get it. Funny stuff.

I had the best time playing with my two nieces. On Saturday I took them to the St. Louis Zoo in the morning and then in the afternoon I took them to The City Museum. Needless to say we were all worn out by the evening but we had a blast.

My nieces had unlimited time with Sissyboo and Double D. They all play so well together and they take such good care of my babies, it makes me really miss living so close to them. However, it makes our time together a whole lot more special.

Here is my menu for the week. I am really trying to save some money so I will be again using what I have on hand and what is in the freezer. This is the first month I have really tried sticking to my budget and needless to say, it has been REALLY hard. I am hoping I will do much better next month.

Monday: Ham and Beans with *Sweet Cornbread

Tuesday: French Chicken in a Pot

Wednesday: Cream of Chicken Soup (using leftover chicken from the previous night meal) and Homemade Bread

Thursday: Pork and Sauerkraut

Friday: Steaks on the grill

Saturday: Stuffed Shells

Sunday: Hard and Soft Taco's

Happy 2nd Birthday SissyBoo

SissyBoo is celebrating her 2nd Birthday today.

Her favorite things are playing at the park, coloring, reading and tackling her baby brother Double D to give him kisses.

She is such a little lady that I often find her trying to use my nail polish, putting on my make-up, wearing my shoes and carrying around purses (usually one on each arm).

She is funny and already has little quirks about her. If there is a door open, she can't function unless it's closed, if a light switch is on, she will reach on her tippy toes and turn it off. She is very neat and orderly when it comes to playing and she loves to help me clean. I have known her to get up in mid diaper change to go wash the cabinets with a wet nap.

I have to honestly say she is the joy of my heart. Ever since I can remember, I have always prayed that I would have children. I am so blessed to call her my daughter.

Friendship

This week I received telephone calls from two of my high school best friends. It was such a surprise and just what I needed. Lately, I have been having a pity party for myself since I live so far away from my friends and family. Those phone calls where the perfect pick-me-ups and have put a song in my heart.

I love what this vintage 1958 Bell Telephone add says:

Turn a few minutes into fun by calling a friend or loved one.
Whether it's down the street or across the country, a sunny get-together makes the day a lot brighter. Lonely feelings are laughed away by a cheerful visit by telephone.
So treat yourself to a welcome break and just for fun - call someone!

While chatting by text, email or Facebook have become the norm, when was the last time you picked up the phone and called your long lost friend?

I know by experience, it will make their day!

One of My Favorite Things: Susan Branch

One of my favorite past times is to cuddle up on a rainy afternoon and peruse one of my Susan Branch Books. Susan Branch has such an amazing talent, and I love that you can see her love for friends, recipes, and nature in her artwork.

All of her artwork inspires me to cook, garden and be a better friend.

Here is just a sample of some of the things that you can find in her books:






Check her gorgeous website and be inspired!

Good Morning

Good Monday Morning. This week finds me in the midst of deep cleaning and getting ready for a visit from my parents and celebrating Sissyboo's 2nd Birthday on Friday.

Here is the menu for this week. I tried not to put a lot of time, money into this week's menu so that I can focus on other things. I am also trying to save some money by using what we have in the pantry and in the freezer.

Monday: Spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread

Tuesday: Cream of Chicken Soup and Salad Wedge

Wednesday: Beef Roast with Garlic and Rosemary New Potatoes

Thursday: Roasted Chicken Thighs

Friday: Pizza, Salad and Ice Cream Cake

Saturday: Dinner out with the family

Sunday: Ham and Bean Soup

Mommyhood

Sometimes, being a Mommy can be a bit overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help us enjoy Mommyhood:

~When you're tired, hand your kids a brush, point to your head, and tell them to play beauty parlor. When you're really tired, pretend that you're Sleeping Beauty.

~Take a bath with your infant. Make sure your husband is around for the hand off, so you can relax until the last minute. (Don't forget to smell your baby right afterward. Heaven!)

~Take your baby out to the movies at night. (Infants love the dark, and loud trailers make them snooze immediately.) Then you can sip your soda and munch your popcorn in peace.

~Give your kids quiet time every day. Let them learn to be by themselves with books, crayons, or blocks.

~Let your whole family take a day off and hang out in pj's all day long.

~Pitch a tent in the backyard. Use it as your outdoor reading room. Or when there's a full moon, plan a family camp out with sleeping bags, a transistor radio, and s'mores, of course.

~Invent a house fairy. Give her a name, and tell your kids that she is always watching them and counting up their good deeds.

~Listen for the deep, happy sighs that come after your kids play or laugh really hard. Tuck them away in your heart.

From The Fun Book for Moms by Melina Gerosa Bellows. copyright 2007 by Melina Gerosa Bellows.

Menu Plan Monday

I hope you all have had a great weekend. My Sweetie and I had a special surprise this week, a date! Saturday night, my wonderful in-laws watched the kids while we went out (this is a big deal since we haven't had a date in almost a year). My Sweetie and I had a wonderful time trying new places and talking. We actually were able to sit through an entire meal without someone throwing food or having someone trying to talk over us. It was so nice we were literally giddy the whole night. We went to Schlafly's Tap Room for dinner, and Fitz Soda Bar and Grill for a cream soda float. By the end of the evening, we went to four different places. It was wonderful to have one on one time with my man.

Here is the menu for the week. Since we had date night, I didn't have to prepare anything for Saturday. Sunday, My Sweetie met up with his BF from high school, so me and the kids just ate left overs. So you may see things from last weeks menu.

Monday: *Salmon Sliders with Lemon Dill Cream Cheese

Tuesday: Hamburgers on the Grill with *Mexican Street Corn

Wednesday: *Homemade Rotisserie Chicken

Thursday: Hamburger Spanish Rice

Friday: *Turkey Leg Pot Roast and Stuffing

Saturday: Family Picnic (no cooking for me involved)

Sunday: Green Beans, New Potatoes and Corn on the Cob (one of my favorite summer meals)

*Indicates new recipes that I haven't tried before. I am going to start doing this and then giving a review at the end of the week.

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

We're Not The Only Ones Who Receive a Sunday Newspaper Here

As I have mentioned before, we have an imaginary little field mouse named Tiny living here at the cottage.

I thought it was funny when Tiny acquired a mailbox recently. But now, he is receiving a newspaper on Sunday morning, The New York Times! I have a feeling he is going to be a little wisenheimer.
"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

~Lewis Carroll~

Cottage of Content

I came across this little plate and instantly knew it belonged in My Magnolia Cottage.

It reads:

As I was wondering oer the green,

Not knowing where I went,

By chance I saw a pleasant scene,

The cottage of content.

Can you imagine walking over a hill and seeing this little cottage around the bend? It is just begging for you to come inside and have a hot cup of tea and a biscuit.

I adore the wording on the plate because that is one of my desires for my family, to be content with what God has given us.

Blessings to you all,

Lori

My Children's Art Gallery

Before I had children I knew that I wanted to create little places in my home that were especially just for them.

The first little space I wanted to do was an art gallery to display all of their handiwork. I am not crazy about stuff hanging all over the refrigerator, so I came up with this little area on the back side of my pantry.

I found some great sticky letters in Tuesday Morning's craft area for the wording.
To hang the art work, I decorated four bulldog clips with ribbon and buttons.

Here you can see all four of the clips that I positioned to be able to hang different sizes of paper. We make a big deal every time we hang something up, so that the little ones know we cherish all of their handiwork.
Then I added a chalk board that is the perfect height for little hands.

It is imperative to me to show the children that we value all their hard work.

Thank you for stopping by My Magnolia Cottage.

That's So Peachy Keen Cobbler

I make this peach cobbler for my little family every Fourth of July Weekend when the peaches are in season. It is so easy, and so good. The top gets golden brown and almost has a crunch to it. It is delicious.

Serves 6

Ingredients:
2 large fresh peaches or 4 small fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 dash nutmeg
3/4 cup milk

Directions:
~Mix peach slices with 3/4 cup sugar, set aside.
~Pour melted butter in 8 inch square baking dish, set aside.
~Mix flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and remaining sugar.
~Stir in milk to flour mixture, until just combined.
~Pour flour/milk mixture over butter.
~Top with the peaches and sugar mix. It should look like a bunch of batter floating in butter.
Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.

Please enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday

I hope everyone has had a wonderful long holiday weekend. I have had a wonderful time having My Sweetie home for three whole days! We have had a great time going to the St. Louis Zoo, going to the park and watching the fireworks downtown by the Arch. Today we let the kids run wild through the sprinklers!

Have a blessed week everyone!

Here is my menu for the week:

Monday: Chicken Broccoli Braid (I rearranged the menu last week, so we are having this tonight)

Tuesday: Salt-Crusted Roast Beef I have always wanted to try to make a salt- crust. So this should be fun!

Wednesday: P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps

Thursday: Spaghetti with homemade Sauce

Friday: Homemade Rotisserie Chicken

Saturday: Sour Cream Pork Chops

Sunday: Grilled Hamburgers

Happy Fourth Of July

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country”

Benjamin Franklin

Good Bye Old Friend

Do you have a favorite cosmetic that you wouldn't want to live without? I love make-up and since high school I have been wearing Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara. I have loved it so much that I would often recommend it to my friends and family. It was a mainstay in my cosmetic bag and I would literally never leave home without wearing it.

I was sad to learn that Max Factor the 100-year-old brand with a long tradition as the makeup of Hollywood makeup artists has been worn by the likes of Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner and Marilyn Monroe was being discontinued by the first quarter of 2010.

I purchased as many as I could find left in the stores (3), however, I am now on my last tube. I spent a few minutes last night searching for some on the Internet and mascara that used to be $5.99, was now selling for $49.99! You read that right $49.99.

So to that price, I say, Good Bye Old Friend! You have been a great friend for the last 20 years.

If anyone knows of a great mascara, please let me know. I'm the kind of girl who never leaves the house without her make-up on!

Super Mom Syndrome

The Supermom Syndrome
by Jennifer McHugh

Speedier than a 2 year old child. More powerful than a blender. She can wash tall piles of clothes in a single load. Look up in the attic- It’s a cook – It’s a maid – no It’s A Supermom!

Do you ever fall into the trap of Supermom? I think I should have the perfect child, fix gourmet dinners every night, and meet my husband at the door looking like a glamorous model as Mr. clean stands in the background with his arms folded and a big smile on his face. Mrs. Cleaver wouldn’t hold a candle on me!

Do you ever feel this way? I lie awake at night trying to plan how I will get all my many tasks done as well as spend quality time with my husband and children. If we try to be Supermom, the kryptonite of overcommitment will kill us. We may keep up this feverish pace for a while, but eventually we are doing no task well because we are burned out.

Some Supermom symptoms are:

Spending less quality time with God.
Losing sight of why I stay at home.
Putting too many things on my “to do” list.
Expecting my child to be Supergirl or boy.
Always having a spotless house.
Being on everybody’s volunteer list.
Allowing no time for spontaneity.
What’s the solution, Supermom? How can we be everything God wants us to be without getting burned out?

Each homemaker has been called to serve God in her own way. Yes, we are all homemakers, but we have different strengths. We need to go to the Lord and ask Him exactly what He wants us to be doing. When we put out Creator first and give Him our best, He will show us what we should do and where our priorities should be.

So take time with the Lord and remember why you are called to work in the home. Cut out some “to-do’s” have realistic expectations. It’s okay if you haven’t vacuumed today. Only one person was perfect on this earth: Jesus. Don’t beat yourself up. When all is said and done, what really matters?

Ask God what He wants you to be and spend time daily talking with Him about it, and He will tell you how to be “Super” in Him.