A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~ Tenneva Jordan

When my children have children of their own, it is only then that they will truly understand how deep my love for them is...

These four human beings have the power to control my universe. When they are happy and content, I have not a care in the world. When they are sad or sick, making them better is my reason for being. I found purpose in my life the very second I became a mother. As I looked around myself and saw the evidence of my child...his high chair, his toys...I couldn't imagine my life before.


I have not always made the right decisions. I have made mistakes along the way. But when I look at these four beautiful creatures, I know that I have done good. They make me PROUD to be a mother. I will love them with every breath I take for as long as I live and beyond.

Life itself is the proper binge. ~ Unknown

Once a week, Wyatt and I are going to look up recipes that we want to try at home. I think this will be an excellent way to get him away from his electronics obsession :) He loves my homemade chicken noodle soup so I found a recipe from Paula Deen and I am going to have Wyatt help me in the kitchen tonight. Wish us luck...

The Lady's Chicken Noodle Soup

~ 2 cups sliced carrots
~ 2 cups sliced celery, with leafy green tops
~ 2 1/2 cups uncooked egg noodles
~ 1 cup sliced mushrooms
~ 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
~ 1/3 cup cooking sherry
~ 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
~ 1 cup grated Parmesan, optional
~ 3/4 cup heavy cream, optional (HA! Optional...funny)
~ Seasoning salt
~ Freshly ground black pepper
~ Crusty French bread, for serving


Directions
Bring 3 quarts of chicken stock to a boil, add carrots, and cook for 3 minutes. Add celery and continue to cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Add egg noodles and cook according to directions on package. When noodles are done, add reserved chicken from 2 1/2 to 3-pound fryer chicken, fully cooked and cleaned from bone. Add mushrooms, parsley, sherry and rosemary. Add Parmesan and cream, if using :) Cook for another 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning, if needed, by adding seasoning salt and pepper. Enjoy along with a nice hot loaf of French bread.

Zesty Roasted Garlic Bread

~ 1 head garlic, unpeeled
~ 1 tablespoon olive oil
~ 1 cup (2-sticks) butter
~ 3 tablespoons minced parsley leaves
~ 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
~ 1/2 teaspoon salt
~ 1 loaf French bread, split horizontally


Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.


Cut top off garlic head. Place garlic on a piece of aluminum foil: drizzle with olive oil. Fold edges together to seal. Bake 30 minutes: cool.


Squeeze cooked garlic into a medium bowl. Garlic will be soft and sticky. Add butter, parsley, salt and pepper, stirring to combine.


Spread cut halves of bread evenly with garlic butter mixture. Broil 5 1/2 inches from heat, with oven door partially opened, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until butter melts and bread is toasted. Cut into slices and serve.


YUM...

WHY...?

I wish I had an on-off switch, but I don't. I try to mind my own business, but I can't. I always want to have the right answer or know what to do, but it's a reeeal tall order. When there is a problem I spring into action. I devise a strategy and mount an attack, but what if I don't know what the problem is? Is it "mother's intuition" that gives me this sinking feeling that something is wrong? Or is it my imagination? Something is wrong...or about to be...  :(