Not So Wordless Wednesday - French Cooking

Boma's Jungle Juice

Ingredients:

1 part guava juice

1 part orange juice

1 part passion fruit juice

Mix everything together, stir and enjoy!

Join Krystal tomorrow at http://www.magicaldismom.com/ for another magical recipe!

Is Cable Good for Kids?

Photo from popcultureandamericanchildhood.com

Recently, I have been re-evaluating the influences I place around my children. It's pretty safe to say that there are poor images/actions/decisions everywhere you look, but that does not mean I cannot do my best as a mother to try and shield them from the constant bombardment about adult decisions. I hate to say it, but cable has been one of the #1 things I am starting to resist.

Think about it, even on family channels (unless it is the wonderful Disney Channel) the advertisements played send horrible messages. There is no need for my children to have innuendos shoved at them when they should be seeing innocent afternoon cartoons. Even if it were not for some of the lewd messages being hidden, I find myself being upset by the attitudes portrayed in cartoons.

For example, a few month's ago my daughter was watching Ni Hoa Kai Lan (which I used to be a huge fan of). In it, one of Kai Lan's friends made an offense against the Grandfather and got an attitude. A major attitude. In the end, everything was alright after the friend was told they could be mad, but needed to apologize in the end. I understand kids needing to be able to express their feelings, but there is no way (I repeat, no way) that it will ever be alright for my children to scream those feelings at me. So why should the cartoons they see say it is alright? Why do current shows for kids have the parents as a secondary character - and usually being laughed at? Even my beloved Disney Channel has taken flack for the ways some of the tween shows have been written, and I sadly agree that they have started to contribute to the problem.Yes, I know that we as parents are ultimately the ones teaching our children the proper way to act, but when we allow them to watch a show with negative behaviors, isn't that our way of excusing the actions to our children?

Another issue I am beginning to have is seeing the current generation so focused on being inside with their beloved cable and internet, that they have no idea how to play anymore. In this house, it takes constant prodding (and threats) to get my daughter to go outside. Once she has been out for a few minutes, she is in heaven and not wanting to come back in. As soon as playtime is over, though, she immediately asks for the TV or internet. I am aware that it is my fault she is so hooked to these things, as I used to see them as learning tools. It can be amazing to see her navigating the internet, reading, learning extra facts: The same can be said for watching National Geographic on cable. At what point, though, is it too much to keep in the house?

Growing up, my parents had no cable but did invest in a TV/VCR and provided me with a library card. With it, I spent many days trolling the library for new movies to rent (I was allowed to watch classic cartoons, educational films, anything Disney, and black and white films) and books to read. Since my parents did not allow the TV to always be on, it opened up a whole new world to me in books, the outdoors, and crafts. I wanted to understand how the things in my books worked and looked, so I was given the tools to try and see (ever want to get a 7 year old to be engrossed in a project, teach them how to make a feather quill and ink, and let them have at it). The old movies I was allowed to see showed strong family units, respectful children, and had clean humor. Not only that, but these movies were excellent teachers at how things used to be (lack of women's rights, anyone?) and seeing the great leap our society has taken in such a short time.

We have a weekly family night, which has been put on hold as we figure out my husband's new work schedule; but on those nights we watch the Disney Classics like The Ugly Dachsund and the Swiss Family Robinson. It is such a great way to unwind and just not worry about what might be coming next, and my children are starting to love these movies. Because of that, I believe I am making the decision to rid this house of cable once the Olympics are over (an event that I feel important for my kids to see). At that point, we will rely on the library, Netflix, church,  and other outside experiences to fulfill us.

So tell me, what is your take on cable and its influence on your children?

Animal Kingdom Lodge's Paw Print Brownie

I have to admit that when I make something like brownies, it usually comes from a box. I'll add a lot to it for its own unique taste, but that is about it. I just really like the taste of box brownies; however, after trying these I think I have been converted. My husband actually took half a pan with him to work before they even fully cooled down. The paw print part I will either have to purchase a stencil for, or leave to the Disney experts (trying to free hand that while getting kids to eat dinner just doesn't work!). Definitely an all star recipe, though!

Brownies:
9 oz. bittersweet chocolate
1 lb. butter
6 eggs
4 cups sugar
1 TB vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup cake flour


Frosting:
1 cup heavy cream
6 oz. white chocolate
8 oz. semisweet chocolate
1/3 cup cocoa powder (I used powdered sugar instead)

Some sort of stencil - I started with construction paper, and then semi free handed things.

Melt the chocolate and butter on the stove (either double boiler, or stir constantly in a sauce pan). Make sure it completely melts and set aside. In a mixing bowl, put in the eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Mix at medium speed for a few minutes, then change out attachments to a paddle. Add in the chocolate/butter and mix until well blended. Then add the flower and combine well, but do not over mix.Pour the batter into a 12X16 inch pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Mixing the butter and chocolate

Fully melted

Eggs, sugar, and vanilla

Make sure to line with parchment paper

For the frosting, heat the heavy cream and then add the chocolate (after it has been broken into chunks, unless you're using chips). Stir well until everything has melted and combined. Set aside and let cool to room temperature. Then, ladle on top of the brownie and smooth with a spatula. Put the brownies in the refrigerator and let set.

Chocolate starting to melt

Frosting before it sets

For the paw print design, use the stencil and place on top of the brownie, then dust with powdered sugar or cocoa  powder. Serve and enjoy.

My version of a stencil

Ended up somewhat free-handing it. Not perfect, but oh well

Thursday Fit-Day

Each week I will be posting something fitness related whether it is something I have struggled with, or something I am trying/going to try. I hope you all stay along the journey with me, and saw my last post on how I have gotten to this point. Some time in the future I will be brave enough to be like my dear friend, Holly, and share the full details of what I have done to cause this weight problem.

Until then, I wanted to do a simple update on what I have done in the past week to start setting things in the right direction health wise. To start, I have dusted off my kickboxing DVD and started using it again (believe me, my thighs have been discussing murder plans because of it), and have been coming up with my outdoors things to do with the kids on the weekends so my downtime isn't really "down."

The biggest step I have made is to join the SHCC Cross Trainers, which is a running group through my church. We are all training together to run at a charity event for 4Us on July 28th. The leader of the group has successfully trained many people to do this throughout the years, and assigns weekly homework. Some of it is more about the mental state of not being able to push through, and some is actual exercise. Either way, I'm doing it!

Quote from our trainer, Brian Sweet:

"Expect Resistance. You're NOT too tired, it's NOT too hot, it's NOT too late, you DO have something to wear, you will NOT be embarrassed, you will NOT be alone. Whatever that nagging excuse, overcome it. Take the first step and show up (...). *Anything* you do is better than if you had done nothing."


See you all next week for a measurement posting. In the mean time, check out Holly's page http://hefinator.blogspot.com/ tomorrow for more fitness info!

School for Young Kids

Since the beginning of this school year I have eagerly been anticipating starting the enrollment process of my son in pres-school. It seemed like the natural step with his sister going to the same school, and both of them having many shared friends that will be in attendance, along with the (perceived) educational benefits. Over the past month, I have been experiencing many reservations, and have talked to my husband about not placing our son, Ken, in pre-school yet but simply enrolling him in sports and sending him for more church activities. Then, I read this today by the amazing Betsy Shaw that confirmed even more for me that school for young children may just not be the way to go.

My daughter (a very bright little thing if I do say so myself) has struggled this past year in school. It is hard for her to sit still for so long, not be able to joyfully socialize, and to be reprimanded for using her creative skills instead of the rigid ones provided at school. It has caused her to try and beg out of going to school constantly - and she used to be excited by it. Also, I would like to add that both my husband and myself are readily available to help my daughter and love doing so, as do her grandparents. The trouble she has had is in no way related to her abilities or issues in the home.

Please understand, I dearly love her teacher and think that the school curriculum is fantastic, but do 5 year olds really need to learn reading, writing, science, math, and history for a full 6 hours a day? In retrospect, I do not feel she was ready for such a transition. Maybe for half day kindergarten... Or maybe the home-schooled version (which I successfully did and graduated high school at a very early age) that allows flexibility with a decent dose of allowing kiddish happenings with a side of learning.

I know that this is not the answer for all kids - some could definitely use the structure that school provides at an early age; however, I do think it is worthwhile to consider the thoughts and studies that have been happening for years on the subject. When I was younger, my parents attended many seminars and classes, and I always remember my father telling me that no matter how early I learned to do something, I would be even with my peers (those without disabilities and had active parents) by about the third grade. The studies/thoughts have said that kids brains develop at different rates, but seem to even out by this age, and all kids (no matter what their learning process) seem to be neck in neck with their abilities.

Why, then, stress young children out with needing to know certain things faster than everyone else? Why put a bitter taste of education in their little mouths instead of gradually nurturing their expectations to make a fully positive experience? One that will hopefully lead to them making college choices early, and actually being involved with those choices for a better future.

Not So Wordless Wednesday - For the Newsies Lover

The Wave's Apple Brined Pork Tenderloin

I have never been one to marinate/brine meat , or do more to it than add a few seasonings and fry up or bake. My husband is the meat cooker in this family (and, I must say he does very well at it), so I have been wanting to find a recipe that could spice things up a bit. This recipe was perfect for that, and took very little time to complete

Apple Brine Ingredients:
1 cup apple juice
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
pinch of black pepper
pinch of kosher salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
pinch of red pepper flakes

Combine everything together, and boil until the sugar/salt is dissolved and the liquid is clear. Then, cool off completely before pouring over meat. Cover with foil and let marinate for a full 24 hours. Grill slowly so the brown sugar does not char. I personally covered my tenderloin in foil and baked at 300 degrees for about 2 hours - I have a grill, but not much could entice me to use it in the pouring down rain we have had in this state for the past few days).

Root Beer Demi Glace Ingredients: 
1 cup veal or beef stock
1 cup of your favorite root beer
1 teaspoon corn starch
1 teaspoon water

Pour the beef stock and root beer in a sauce pan, and simmer until it has been reduced by 1/4. Then combine the corn starch and water, and stir into the sauce. Cook for an additional five minutes and then keep warm until ready to use.

Just finished cooking

Meat by itself

Meat with the demi glace

Please join Krystal tomorrow for the next step in our dining challenge at www.magicaldismom.com

Disney Delights

I have been a Disney fanatic for years (no real surprise there, I'm sure), but have never actually owned my own pair of Mickey ears. The reason being, whenever I was in the parks before I always chose something that was Marie based (one of my favorite Disney characters) and had my own special pair of Marie ears headband. Over the last few years I have started realizing how much I have wanted a traditional pair of Mickey Ears for myself, but never ended up purchasing any.

Knowing this, Krystal, invited me to go along to the Disney Store's 25th anniversary celebration that gave away free ears. The morning of, I was in so much pain (darned wisdom teeth deciding to come in) that I had to pass up the opportunity. Wonderful person that she is, Krystal made certain to snag an extra pair of ears for me. Below, the kiddos in my first ever pair of Mickey Ears commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Disney Store!

Reyna with some Mickey love

My silly little guy

Being Satisfied

In a moment of panic, the tooth-fairy at our home
had no change... Improvisation was a must!

As many mom's, I know that life is busy and crazy: One minute it is full of rainbows and sunshine, the next is doom and gloom. And no matter how prepared we are with schedules, planning, the whole nine yards, that moment will strike when things seem to just fall apart. And in that moment (which seems to last for an eternity) I will admit to letting myself internally wallow in self pity. It is one of my biggest faults, and one that I am determined to over come.

What I have decided is that, in those moments, it's good to remember to be satisfied. Life is precious, and those off the wall times can create the most precious memories. For example, the picture on the right happened a few weeks ago. I knew my daughter had a loose tooth, and knew that I needed to get change. In the panic that is life, I forgot and when the tooth came out, the tooth-fairy had nothing. Literally nothing. So my wonderful daughter decided to write the tooth-fairy and ask for something else (just in case the tooth-fairy atm was closed). Fortunately, when my hubby got home from work he had the awesome idea to ask the neighbors to borrow change till morning. So, though things worked well, I let myself feel like an idiot for a moment, but ended up seeing a different side to my daughter's creativity and thought process.

Mother's Day is another wonderful example. Instead of being showered with gifts and attention, I spent the day with my parents and kids and did laundry. Before anyone feels too badly for me, my husband had just worked his 9th day in a row and fell asleep without meaning to. Was my day special? No, but I am more than satisfied knowing that my husband works as hard as he can to provide for me and the kids and that sometimes I have to sacrifice a superficial day for that.

Speaking of my husband, it always rubs me the wrong way that he misses the little things (or in my mind, the big things. Such as picking up socks and putting them in the laundry hamper or going on the perfect date). The thing is, though, I need to accept that he is far from perfect and full of flaws - and I chose to say "I do" to those flaws and "till death do us part" includes handling irritatingly dirty socks placed in the wrong place at times. Also, the little fights and inconveniences (and no princely romance) mean nothing compared to knowing I have a partner in life who will always make me laugh.He has the most wonderful sense of humor, and can ALWAYS (well, almost always) make me laugh at myself. Plus, he works hard, plays hard with his kids, knows the value of pushing them towards a good education, and always listens when he truly knows I need it. Oh, and he randomly picks wildflowers for me on his way home from work. Who needs prince charming with all of that anyways?

My children are wonderful, and I am blessed to have them; however, it feels like they never listen and are constantly taunting and ignoring me. There are fights, peanut butter on the walls (don't ask), broken toys, broken baseboard (they did learn a valuable lesson from standing on that when they were supposed to be in bed) etc. As a mother to them, I feel like a failure for always yelling, being at the very end of my rope, and feeling I do not do enough with them (some days, I will admit to plunking them in front of the tv so I can just breathe). And that I do not look the way they want me to. What I have been choosing to see, though, is that they are both smart, beautiful, funny, and do actually try to do right by other people. And, when they can see mom most needs it, they'll jump in to do their version of housecleaning and cooking:Deep down, they are truly good and wonderful little people.

What I am trying to say is this: Life is full of choices, so why not choose to be satisfied in zany situations? The photo perfect moments are just around the corner, and though it's difficult to remember sometimes, why not choose to look through that mental album of good times when the worst are hitting.

50's Prime Time Cafe S'mores

This recipe is so easy to do, and a little more unique than the average s'mores. As easy as this is, I did have some technical difficulties - which shocked me to be foiled by three ingredients!- as I forgot to cut the marshmallows in half. Doing this will save you and your family a bubbling marshmallow mass in your oven that immediately hardens with a rock like quality. So, please please follow the directions exactly. Also, after trying this I have decided that I prefer little bits of the traditional plus this: Toasted marshmallow over flames with a graham cracker on top and bottom; however, it is most excellent when the chocolate sauce is drizzled on top of the marshmallow and a little bit added on top of the cracker (also, if you have young children adding the extra cracker on top makes it much cleaner and easier). 

Ingredients:

2 whole graham crackers (4 sections)

1 milk chocolate bar (about 1.5 ounces)

15 large marshmallows

2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Put the graham crackers on an oven safe plate (or on a cookie sheet, which is what I used). Place the chocolate on the crackers and heat briefly under the broiler in the oven.

Cut marshmallows in half and top the cracker/chocolate. Broil until the tops of the marshmallows are golden brown. Remove from the oven and drizzle with chocolate (I melted down the chocolate bar and added some butter to make an easy sauce).

Toasted S'mores with drizzled chocolate

The traditional way with added chocolate 

Enjoying a s'more for the first time

So excited!

Join Krystal tomorrow at www.magicaldismom.com for the next step in our Dining Challenge

Getting Me Back

With the encouragement of a dear friend, I have decided to start including fitness things one day a week. I know the accountability to you all will be a real help, and that this will also help me get real with myself about my health problems. As this is my first post on the subject, which makes it the hardest, I am apologizing in advance for the style it is written in. Some of these things will be very difficult for me to share publicly.

To start, I would like to share how I used to look, and how things have changed along the way. This was me back in jr high/high school (no, I didn't always used to be thin and had to work hard to look that way, but my teen years were at a normal size).

Either ninth/tenth grade

Back in ninth grade

After the birth of my daughter

Family last October

My birthday adventure last December

As you can see, my weight drastically increased after having my kids and being a full time working mom. Though I could have made healthier choices, I chose to make the (mostly) economical and quick ones. If we had the money we ate out as a way to cut down on time, and bond together before crashing in the evenings. When cooking, it was mainly Hamburger Helper and whatever other inexpensive thing we could find. Though I was walking daily, this was not enough to burn off the baby fat along with the new calories.

Years have gone by (my youngest is almost 4) with me nearly giving up as it is not as easy as it once was to lose weight. Since having kids, I am able to lose but in small amounts with constant effort. Though this should be expected, it is difficult to me to work with this change after so many years of doing nearly nothing yet being a size 5,

Over the last 6 months I have joined a gym (yet rarely have the time to attend) and have purchased a few workout dvd's that were successful in the past. I also am starting to find healthier alternatives, and am seeing that eating out (unless for a special occasion) needs to be done with.

The plan is to begin utilizing my gym membership by going in any day my husband has off (his schedule changes weekly) no matter what unless it is a day the gym is closed. If that is the case, I have to force myself to choose a substitute day. The rest of the days I will alternate dvd's along with starting back up in my jogging training. Sundays will be my day off.

I hope you all will come along with me in encouraging these changes, and will be my own private cheering section!

Not So Wordless Wednesday

For all you mama's that loved Lizzie McGuire :)

Chefs de France French Onion Soup

When I was in high school (and college) I took many French courses, and really gained a love for the language and culture. French Onion Soup (or soupe a l'oignon) was one of the first French recipes I was given by Madame (my beloved teacher). Though I have never had it at Disney World, I can imagine sitting in Chefs de France, gazing out the windows while watching the fireworks, eating this amazing soup.

Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter
6 large sweet onions (about 5 pounds), thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced (I use garlic salt)
½ cup brandy or good red wine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 cups beef broth, homemade or canned
2 slices (1/2-inch thick) French bread, toasted, per serving
⅔ cup coarsely grated Gruyere per serving (I prefer mozzarella, personally)
S&P to taste

Heat the butter in a soup pot until melted, then add the thinly sliced onions and cook for about 40 minutes, or until caramelized, making sure to stir frequently. Add the garlic and continue cooking for an extra minute. Take the soup pot off the heat and add brandy (I used white cooking wine). Continue cooking until almost dry. Add the flour and stir for about 3 minutes.

Onions with butter

After adding the wine

Then, add slowly stir in the broth (I used bouillon instead of broth. Rule of thumb, one bouillon cube needs one cup of water). Bring the soup to a boil, then lower to simmer and with a cover slightly to the side to let excess steam escape. Do this for about 20 minutes and add salt and pepper to taste.

After adding the broth

Bringing to a boil

The next step is optional. You can either pour soup into oven safe bowls and add cheese and bread and broil until cheese is bubbling. The version I was originally taught is to bake the bread until crunchy (think larger croutons), place it into the hot bowl of soup, and sprinkle cheese on top.

With the croutons

Hopefully you have enjoyed the soup, and will continue to enjoy our recipes with Krystal at www.magicaldismom.com

Disney Delights

Photo from www.caffeinetime.wordpress.com

As most of you know, I'm from the West Coast (i.e. the land of coffee). When I first moved to Florida to take part in the Walt Disney College Program I had a very hard time adjusting to being so far away from home. It was the first time I had ever really worked, been away from home, and had roommates. The first few days in our wonderful Chatham apartment I remember being slightly shell shocked, and just existing between work related moments.

My wonderful roommates (they were/are wonderful, wonderful ladies) helped me out the best way they could with directions, work tips, and eager interest at my life back home. No matter what, though, I couldn't seem to make myself fit in.

About a week into me being there, my roommates surprised me with a small outing - we were on the hunt for a coffee shop! Let me preface this by saying they had heard plenty about my shock at not having a coffee pot supplied by Disney (I had been told that our kitchen would be fully furnished - a kitchen without a coffee pot is not really a kitchen!), and had seen my joy when a friend's Grandmother mailed me a small coffee pot. So, the three of them decided that I needed a small taste of home, and out we went into Orlando to find it!

It took 20 minutes for us to locate a Starbucks (in my own hometown there is literally a coffee shop every few blocks), but in that time I truly was able to let loose and get to know my roommates. After finally entering the shop, it was my pleasure (and also shock) to show them how to order a mocha, and what flavor pairing would be best. From that moment on I had lifelong friends.

Now that Disney and Starbucks are forming an in park relationship, it makes me happy to think of those old days and the joys that those two separately brought me.

Yacht and Beach Club's Chili

This is the first time I have tried making chili, and I have to say it was much easier (and quicker) than I expected. Very easy recipe to follow, and very filling! Quick suggestion is to make a small batch of cornbread muffins to accompany for an even better home style meal.

Ingredients:

3 ½ pounds Ground Beef

1 Yellow onion, diced small

1 Green Pepper, cleaned, diced small

24 ounces Tomato, crushed, canned

24 ounces Red Kidney Beans, canned

5 Tablespoons Tomato Paste

1 Tablespoon Chili Powder

1 teaspoon Cumin

1 teaspoon Granulated garlic

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

To taste: Salt & Black Pepper

Begin by browning the meat, and then draining off all of the fat. Once this is done, add the thinly diced onions and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Then add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, cumin, garlic, chili powder, and Worcestershire Sauce. Cook for 30 minutes and stir occasionally. Then, add in the chopped green peppers and kidney beans and cook for another 20 minutes. Once done, top with some cheese (if desired) and enjoy!

First half of cooking with just seasonings and crushed tomatoes

Everything added

Topped with cheese and cornbread 

Join Krystal tomorrow for the end of this week's Challenge at www.magicaldismom.com

The Learning Mom

Kids with Rosie the Riveter

With Mother's Day fast approaching I continually see articles about the need to praise/thank/give gifts to mother's to they know their value. As a mother, I love receiving all of the above, and it definitely helps keep me charged for a few months in knowing I am loved when those moments strike where it seems the household (i.e. my two beautiful children) are against me.

What has been on my mind, though, is not the praise I should receive (and hopefully will get this Sunday), but all of the things I have learned by having my kids. Below are the top five, in no real order.

1. No matter the age, if a child can speak they are capable of having some sort of intellectual conversation. Not only that, but they are way more perceptive than most of us give them credit for. My daughter, at age five, has had conversations with me about things she has seen on the news. For years she has been able to sense when I am upset, who it is at, and why, and will often reward me with a huge and kiss, accompanied by an "it'll be alright mommy" to cheer me up.



Though blurry, my daughter learned about women's
 roles in the workforce by choice and sought out opportunities
for pictures by things she saw as monumental

2. Cleanliness is good, perfection is not. My children will see me cleaning (and before I get any envious comments, this is not a daily occurrence) and will jump in to try and help. As mom, I have ways that I like things to be done, and rarely are the toddlers able to accomplish things to my satisfaction. What I have learned, though, is to let it go and show them how grateful I am that they are trying: There is nothing more disheartening to a child then to see someone following along behind to pick up the pieces. So what if my carpet doesn't have the nice lines in it, or my dishwasher is loaded funny. They both get an A for effort!
3. Though they may not be able to do much, kids in the kitchen (or alongside whatever your hobby may be) will create future memories and skills. It makes them feel important knowing that they are helping mom (much like the cleaning), and nothing makes them more proud than seeing their hard work put on the table.



My little guy helping make cornbread

4. Create an atmosphere of forgiveness. Sure, kids mess up and knowingly do so, but don't you as a parent maybe yell or do things you shouldn't as well? I know as a mother of two young kids (to be honest, even in being an employee, wife, part of a community, etc) I can be stressed and snap much too easily and my two lovelies are always quick to forgive, and provide a hug. So, unless their behavior truly is toxic (ex. stealing, lying, hitting, etc) and very repetitive offer up forgiveness and acceptance of their humanity. Not only will it create a better home atmosphere, but it will also teach them to forgive others that cross their paths later in life who have made mistakes as well.
5. I wish my home was always perfect and in tip top shape (Krystal has me on that, her time management skills are to kill for), I have learned that when my time is not managed well (and unless it has to do with work, it rarely is) that it is alright to leave the laundry for tomorrow, do the dishes later,  and leave the weeds for another sunny day so long as I can create a memory of my kids smiling. Growing up, my mother was a pack rat and I remember this only when truly focusing in on how things used to be. What I do clearly remember: Family bike rides, playing catch, going shopping, planting flowers, and learning how to play duets on the piano. In no way am I saying let the house fall apart, or that those who do have the perfect schedule to achieve everything are wrong. What I am suggesting is if there is an opportunity to create a memory, take it. 50 years from now you will be sharing those memories about what "little mommy/daddy" did as a child with your grand-babies.

There you have it, that is my list that I know will grow throughout the years. If you have a list of your own please share! Have a Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Not So Wordless Wednesday

Pop Century's Buttermilk Fried Chicken

For a long time I have been in search of the perfect fried chicken recipe - one that I would definitely not screw up. As silly as it sounds, though I have been cooking almost all of my life, I have never been good at cooking meat, and have almost always been horrible at frying things. This recipe seemed almost too easy, and I never expected the end result: juicy, lightly browned chicken with a crunch. Please do not let the marinading of the meat be a deterrent as it is so worth it in the end.

Ingredients

2 pounds chicken pieces (breasts, legs and thighs)
3 cups buttermilk
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 eggs, beaten
3 cups all-purpose flour
4 cups vegetable shortening, for frying

Put the chicken in a shallow container, and pour the buttermilk on top (make sure the skin side of the chicken is facing down). Cover with plastic wrap, and let sit in the refrigerator for 6 hours or over night - mine was in there for 4 hours). After the chicken has marinaded, remove from the buttermilk and season both sides with salt and pepper.

Soaking in buttermilk

 Then, dredge the pieces of chicken in the flour, egg, then flour again and fry in a skillet for two minutes on each side. After both sides are a light brown, put in a pan and bake for 15 minutes (mine took 20) at 375 degrees.

Season and cover with flour

Fry for 2 minutes on a side

After flour/egg coating and frying, bake in a pan

Enjoy!

Join Krystal for another fabulous recipe tomorrow at www.magicaldismom.com