mod·ern do·mes·tic ma·mas

Mamas milestone meeter...

2009-06-18T18:18:00.000-07:00

Click here for my reflections as a mom of a milestone meeter today.

MOM·RAD·ERY: M-O-M-R-A-D-E-R-Y

2009-05-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

COM·RAD·ERY: the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability

Now lose the "c" replace it with an "m." What does that spell?

MOM·RAD·ERY! Heyyyyyyyy!

You are in the line at Target after a strenuous shopping trip with your 2 year old. You bribed said child the whole way through the store by lettering her play with an obnoxious toy without any intent to purchase it. You're hoping to pull the old "bait and switch" at the last second at the checking out-swapping the annoying toy out for the old sippy cup. You pull the switch too early and a tantrum erupts. You stand your ground firm and refuse to give into the tactics of your two year old. As you attempt to will yourself invisible, you lock eyes with the woman in line behind you and you can tell by her empathetic smile and slight nod, that she too has pulled an unsuccessful bait and switch. She is giving you a nod of approval for being a rock star. You feel empowered, slightly less embarrassed, and even tougher. Those are the moments I love, het ones where you feel in the company of your fellow "momrades." Instead of rolled of eyes, glares, loud sighs, and judgmental looks, you get a shout out-whether through a look, an applause, or someone actually shouts out. You get it. You feel it. You love it.

I was at Old Navy one day. I was childless-amazingly-standing in the checkout line. 2 people in front of me, at the checkout counter stood a mother completing a purchase. Behind her, stood a little girl approximately 3-4 years old screaming. Now there is a scream that as a fellow mom, you recognize immediately as a tantrum scream. A tantrum scream sounds completely different from a legitimate fear or injury scream. A tantrum scream is loud, annoying, ridiculous, and takes serious concentration and control on the part of the mom, not to lose it!

Checkout mom kept her cool. She glanced back at the little girl and whispered something that I strained to hear, I think it was, "you need to CALM down." Her child's reply-extreme head shaking accompanied by additional screaming with some stomps thrown in for emphasis. I admit it. I was staring right at the "situation" you are supposed to look away from. I wasn't staring because I was judging (sometimes I do stare at people because I am judging); I was in awe at how calm and cool checkout mom played it. After what seemed like an eternity for checkout mom I am sure, she made her grand exit. She reached for her daughter's hand; the child dramatically refused the non-negotiable gesture. Check out mom STILL kept her cool. She hoisted the hysterical child over her shoulder, calm and collected, and marched out of the store.

At that point applause should have erupted. The sales clerks should have ushered checkout mom back into the store and presented her with a 50% coupon for being the bomb. I wanted to run out of the store and tell her, "I know you’re dealing with some major drama, but can I just say, you were AMAZING in there! You rocked that whole tantrum situation. Way to stand your ground and not lose it. Way to rock at this whole mom thing." My hypothetical pep talk would have gone something like that, had I sprinted out of line. I am slightly embarrassed to say, I did not want to lose my place in line, so I just sent her a "shout out" in my head.

Every mom experiences embarrassing moments in public with children. If you haven't experienced one yet, one is coming. And when you do experience one, remember that your fellow "momrades" paved the way. Other moms painfully stood in that checkout line or store aisle, or on the playground, or sat in that restaurant booth with a child behaving badly. Let that be an encouragement to you. And when you see your fellow "momrades" out on the battlefield looking tired and weary, stop and salute your fellow woman or at least give her a quick smile, a slight head nod and look that says, "You are a rock star!"

Presto Pesto!

2009-05-19T18:17:00.001-07:00

Fresh Basil.................................................................... Fresh Pesto Parm Pasta!

Pesto. Quick! What are you thinking? Either you're thinking, "Mmmm...yoummy!" or "No thanks, could you just post a cupcake recipe or something?" Lovers and haters alike, I am here to tell you that the pasta I made tonight rocked!

Typically, you would not find me sitting in the pantry eating pesto by the spoonfuls (that would actually be disgusting) and I do not recall ordering pesto ever at a restaurant. What I will tell you is that I am having a love affair with my herb garden. After you take a look at my herb garden pictured below, you will see that I am using the term "garden" rather loosely-as I only have 6 herbs planted in a long planter box.

There it is, my little (literally) garden.

Today while "gardening" (watering four pots), I thought, "Wow, I have a lot of basil." Being the true farmer I am, I decided I had to make something fresh from the land (or planter pot). Pesto requires a large quantity of basil, and that is how Tuesday became Pesto pasta night!

I know all that background was incredibly thrilling and now you are on the edge of your seat, heart racing, eagerly awaiting this recipe. So lets get to it!

Pesto Fuller-style. Yummy!
This is my ultimate favorite pesto. Its not overpowering, or too "pesto-ee." Its a little cheesier than your average pesto-sort of like if pesto and parmesan had a little pesto-parm baby.

1 cup basil leaves (pack the cup full)
3 cloves garlic
3/4 tsp sea salt-or regular salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 c virgin olive oil
2 TBSP room temp butter
1/4 c pine nuts
3/4 c parmesan cheese (I used some nice shredded)
Food processor (preferable) or blender
8-10 oz of fettuccine pasta or another kind if you prefer

Boil water, add some salt and a little oil and cook the pasta to al dente. Drain and set aside
While your pasta is cooking, add all the ingredients listed above, except the cheese and butter and blend until very incorporated and almost a paste like texture.
Add the butter and 1/2 c of the cheese to paste mixture and puree or mix in food processor until blended.
DO NOT heat the pesto. Add the pesto mixture to the warm pasta. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 of parmesan over the pasta and serve! Approx 4 medium size servings

FYI: Pesto is best fresh. You can keep a pesto mixture refrigerated up to a week. If you do this, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top of the pesto mixture and cover with plastic wrap or in an air tight container.

True False Friday

2009-05-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

This quiz was made up by me at 12:15am while eating a bag of salt lime popcorn. I make no promises!

A QUIZ

True or False. Letting your children carry snack cups around the living room, only to dump out contents (pretzels, crackers, cereal, etc.) of said cups and smash them into the carpet is not a good idea, annoying, and results in more work for mama. None the less, this practice will continue.
TRUE

True or False. Your children have a trendier, more extensive, and attractive wardrobe than you do.
TRUE

True or False. Day dreaming of naps or coffee or napping while drinking coffee is completely normal.
TRUE

True or False. Putting a bag of cereal in the freezer by mistake and then searching for it all morning the next day is also completely normal.
TRUE

True or False. You have a willingness to drop kick anyone's child across a field who would cause your own child harm or sadness.
TRUE

True or False. You have the ability to complete multiple tasks at the same time, while at the same time forgetting what are all the tasks you are completing.
TRUE

If you answered TRUE to these questions, congratulations, you are a mom! If you answered FALSE, than you must just be better than the rest of us, or not a mom.

Have a great weekend.

More than your trusty little T.

2009-05-14T20:40:00.001-07:00

So, yesterday while writing a little life biz over at Still Learning Life, I was writing about the t shirt which I am fondly referring to as my official "Summer T" And it got me thinking...

So what all can you do with a t shirt?

Here's the thing. I am a sewer of things. However, I am a SLOW sewer of things. I have come across numerous delightful little patterns and then thought in the back of my mind "Hmm...but Target does have their girls coordinates on sale right now for $3.50...so..yea...think I'll pass on sewing this one!) Sewing isn't quite what it was in the olden days-you know, when our parents were running across the Prairie (this might be an exaggerated statement for effect).

Truth: You may not always save time and money sewing clothes. Most people take on these sewing of clothes projects for fun, fulfillment, because they want to, and sometimes to save money.

HOWEVER, what I love about these three t shirt patterns, is that they are fairly simple (and simple coming from me really means simple). Not simple like the "Simplicity" patterns I have sewn (or should I say, attempted to sew) and almost SIMPLY lost my mind!

So here are the facts:

FACT 1: I guarantee you own numerous t shirts. Don't lie.

FACT 2: I guarantee you do not wear all of those t shirts, and if you do, I am concerned about your wardrobe choices.

FACT 3: If you try to make one of these patterns out of an old t shirt, and end up sewing the legs together, for example, as if you were making a pair of pants for a mermaid, who cares! Toss the t and start again! (Or donate the pair you botched to a mermaid).

FACT 4: Most t shirts are soft and cozy, so why not wear them in many forms all over your body and your baby's body? **

**I am sure I would be crucified for that last statement by the "What Not to Wear" crew, so just don't tell them...or if you do, be sure to mention my name very clearly with the above statement. I could tolerate a $5000 shopping spree.

From T to 3! (just click on the image and you will be whizzed away to tutorial land!)

1. T shirt pants for little boys (and girls). So easy! And how many t shirts do you have laying around? Thanks to Whitney at Rookie Moms. There are instructions or a video tutorial, even better!

2. T shirt pants for mama!

3. 3-in-1 t-shirt dress, tunic top, skirt!!! Thanks to KYMY at "Everything Your Mama Made and More!" So easy. So cute.

OH SPRING!

2009-05-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

With Spring will come all your modern, domestic, and mama desires...or at least some new and exciting posts. I promise!

COMING...

2008-10-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

It has been way too long!
Here's what is coming very soon-a.ka.-what I've been up to.

The nursing cover tutorial!
The best bread ever!
Easy apple butter
Organization pointers-not that I'm organized, just passing on some tips from more organized people than myself!
Kids and eating

Make this soup and you will be happy

2008-09-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

Food is on my mind. I admit it. And with fall, comes all kinds of yumminess! It is officially the season of the soups, apples, breads, hot beverages, and good home cookin'. I will most likely be consuming large quantities of comfort foods and baked goods, which is why I have started to go to the gym. I have lost 4 ounces so far. Thats worth a batch of cookies I think.

Don't get too excited, but I am sharing an original recipe. I have had a number of people ask me about the soup and I have never actually shared it (they probably think I'm holding out), because I never had it written down, and never made it the same way twice! But the last time I made it, I paid attention and here you have it.

The X-Waitress Chicken tortilla soup (makes about 8 servings-excellent leftovers!)

(So a little clarification. I was a waitress, I'm sorry, "server," at Chilis for almost 7 years in high school and college. My favorite soup was the chicken enchilada soup and so here is my tribute to that soup!)

You Need:

3 chicken breasts cooked and cut into pieces (you can do the chicken in the skillet or the grill, seasoning it lightly with some of the seasonings you will use in the soup. You can even do the chicken the day before, or make extra chicken when you are doing another meal and cut it up for this soup and set it aside).
2 small onions
2 3/4 c tomato puree (canned) You can buy one large can and use about 2/3 of it.
1/4 c vegetable oil
3 c chicken broth (or 3 c water with 3 chicken bullion cubes)
12 oz velveta cheese (I get the big block)
1 cup of corn (frozen, canned, or 1 to 2 ears of fresh corn)
1 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp cumin
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 c mixed cheese shredded (I get a mexican blend)
6 white corn tortilla shells and a few Tbsp of vegetable oil (or use tortilla chips)
Sour cream (optional for topping)

Put that apron on, here we go!

Dice onions (I usually do mine in the food processor because I don't like chunks).
In a large pot, heat oil and saute onions. Add chili powder, garlic, salt and 1 Tbsp cumin.
After a few mins add in the tomato puree. If you want a heavier tomato taste, you can add more. Stir and let simmer a couple mins.
Add the chicken broth. Let simmer a couple mins.
Cut the Velveeta cheese Whisk in the Velveeta cheese. Until it is melted completely. Now whisk in the shredded cheese. Add the rest of the cumin.
Add in the corn and chicken and stir.
Taste it! If you want a thicker soup, add some more cheese. If you want a spicier soup, add a dash of hot sauce or some cayenne powder. If you want a smokier taste, add some more cumin. You are the boss!
For tortilla strips: Fill about a 1/4-1/2 in of oil in a sauce pan. Heat the oil. Cut the tortillas into strips and place in hot oil until hard or slightly browned. Remove to some paper towel. Sprinkle with salt.
I like to put a dab of sour cream on top of the soup and sprinkle the tortilla strips on top. If you really want to get fancy, put some sour cream in a ziplock bag. Snip the tip of one of the corners, and drizzle the sour cream onto the soup (the the domestic entertainer mama).
Pair it will some yummy corn bread or french bread for added comfort.

*Optional: You could add in some black beans in place of chicken for those vegetarians or add some chopped tomatoes, peppers, and chiles. I am just not into chunks and like the cheesiness of the soup which is why I make it the way I do!

Here's how I store my extra "tort strips" as we called them in the Chilis days. In a plastic bag with some paper towel.

Mama loves a good cinnamon roll (with cream cheese frosting you will want to frost your body with)!

2008-09-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

OK-Let's talk cinnamon rolls. There's nothing like a bad cinnamon roll. Actually, there is nothing like a good cinnamon roll topped with bad frosting. Just so we are clear here, let's get all the crimes against a cinnamon roll out on the table:

A roll that tastes like you are eating a pile of cinnamon with some roll on top.
A bad glaze.
Dry.
Overcooked edges and undercooked centers.
A monstrous pile of cinnamon in the center. Bad.
Burnt bottoms!

Now that we have the "What not to do" list covered, lets move on to the cinnamon roll that will change your life, or should I say the cinnamon roll FROSTING that will change your life. I consider myself somewhat of a "connoisseur" of breakfast foods. I love a good brunch and truly have an appreciation for that amazing breakfast buffet you encounter at least once in your life that is out of this world! And lets give a round of applause for eggs. So much potential, versatility, a great contribution.

My point is that when I tell you, "Make this frosting." I would never steer you wrong. I believe very strongly in the code of food ethics: Never pass along a bad recipe and only pass along the best recipe! Actually, I just made that up. But it IS my personal mission statement. So here we go: Cinnamon! Rolls! Frosting! And action!

THE CINNAMON ROLL
(with Cream Cheese Frosting you will want to frost your body with)

You Need:

1 Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix (I use this or make a recipe for dough in my bread machine. If you have some secret family roll recipe to use, more power to you! But I do love the speed of the Pillsbury Rolls Mix, it only requires 30 mins to rise. You will follow the directions on the box and will needs an egg and some water.
1 1/2 c brown sugar
2-3 TBSP cinnamon
2 sticks of butter softened-not melted (not margarine, not pretend butter. REAL BUTTER)
4 oz cream cheese softened (Philly all the way)
1 3/4c to 2 c of powdered sugar (Start with 1 3/4 c and if you want it sweeter, add some more sugar!)
1 1/2 TBSP Vanilla

Instructions:

To make frosting, Mix on high speed cream cheese and ONE STICK of butter for a good 10 mins. Yes 10. If you have a hand mixer, plan your day while you are mixing, if you have a standing mixer like a Kitchen Aid, you are probably smiling. The mixture should be very light and fluffy, and lighter in color. (But if you aren't in the mood to stand there for 10 mins, we can compromise at 5mins and call it a day and still have a decent frosting! It will still be fluffy, just not ultra, ultra fluffy.)
Add powdered sugar and mix until well blended.
Slowly add the vanilla and blend for a minute.
Done! Put directly on rolls or keep refrigerated.
For rolls: Follow instructions on the roll mix. Try to roll the dough into a rectangle. Once you have rolled out your dough, spread the other one stick of butter on top. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle mixture on top of dough. You can always add more cinnamon, but you can't take it away! You can also add more brown sugar for extra stickiness!
Starting at the end closest to you, roll the dough away from you into a roll. Pinch the outer edge to itself to seal the roll.
Now cut the rolls, about an inch thick. Lay them on a greased pan with a little space in between. Let rise according to the box instructions and bake.
Top warm rolls with yummy frosting and eat!

Helpful tip: Sometimes I will bake the rolls the night before I want to have them, and then just warm them in the oven and top with frosting the next day!

This is another one of those recipes that will increase your "modern domestic" status! When you make fresh baked cinnamon rolls with "better than cinnabon frosting" for whatever occasion people will "Oooooo!" and "Awwwww!" And just because the Pillsbury Dough Boy helped with the roll making does not take away from the domesticity. Any dough that has to rise is considered "made from scratch" in my book! So-Make. Eat. Serve. Enjoy. Become known for your cinnamon rolls :-)

Tasty Tuesdays: Don't take your Pom for granate!

2008-09-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have some exciting news. It is officially pomegranate season! Are you thinking, "Question mark?" Do not be alarmed, it is time for the unveiling of "Tasty Tuesday!" Yes, a new tasty treat every Tuesday-a treat that will raise your domestic stock even in this economy.

In honor of "Tasty Tuesday" and "Pomegranate Season," I thought, "Why not a pomegranate recipe?" And this one goes out to my own "Modern domestic mama," Pam. Here's a shout out mom, for making this yummy pomegranate recipe. I am sorry that the first time you made this dip in my midst, I ate all of it!

Please keep reading. Pomegranates are not that scary. I know you have seen them in juices and teas, and that is probably the extent of your pomegranate knowledge. So allow me to introduce you to your new best edible friend. These misunderstood fellas are usually about the size of an orange and a dark reddish purple in color. Inside, they are filled with a red pulp and juicy seeds. The seeds are edible and have a tart-sweet taste. Click here if you are just dying for a mini pomegranate history lesson!

I love pairing sweet with savory. Listen to me, do I watch the food network or what! I also love appetizers-making them, eating them, inventing them, sharing them, and taking them places. For that reason, I am sharing with you an awesome dip that is simple, savory, sweet, and seasonal. And I promise, you will be considered a "Domestic Diva" if you show up at your next gathering with a "pomegranate cheese dip" instead of the old veggie tray!

Pomegranate Cheese Dip: Sweet and Savory Yumminess!

Before we get started, here's the "Cliff's notes" version of "The Pomegranate."

Find them in your produce section of the grocery store. Pick one that is solid and dark reddish purple. Keep in the fridge whole for up to 2 months.
To remove seeds follow these instructions or simply cut the pomegranate open and scrape out the seeds with a fork. Be warned, the first set of instructions is a little more time, but a whole lot less mess and you can store the seeds in the freezer up to a year.
Warning! The inside is bright red and just like a blueberry can stain. So don't where your favorite cream sweater while removing seeds.

You will need:

The seeds from 1/2 a pomegranate. You can always add more seeds.
1 block of cream cheese (I prefer the good stuff-Philly all the way!)
3 TBSP sour cream
Between 1/2 cup and 3/4 cup grated (not the stuff you shake out of the can) Parmesan cheese. You can use some shredded parmesan cheese located by the shredded cheeses. I love to use Kraft Grate it Fresh Natural Parmesan Cheese but you can also get the grated kind in a bag or do it yourself. Depends how cheesy you like it!
2 Tbsp shredded mixed cheese of any sort (optional)
Plain tasting crackers, I like a variety. I've used Wasa Crispy n' Light, Wheat Thins, Townhouse crackers, Ritz, or even tortilla chips. You don't want a flavored cracker, as it will taste funny with the dip.

Instructions:

Remove pomegranate seeds and set aside.
Let cream cheese set until room temp, or microwave to soften. Stir together cream cheese, sour cream, and grated/shredded cheese.
Carefully fold in pomegranate seeds.
Eat it up or store in the fridge. I like it nice and cold and like to let it sit.

There you have it. I think conquering the Pomegranate is worth at least 10 shares of Domestic Stock!

Homemaker Mama

2008-09-19T12:37:00.001-07:00

“…the homemaker, who in her inimitable way creates a place of comfort, beauty, and interest for her loved ones. It is she who surrounds her family with furniture, gardens, color, and warmth. She looks to others for inspiration and education.” – Martha Stewart

Ahhh…Martha: A modern domestic diva with a dash of performance enhancement gone mad. In spite of her well known character flaw she has mastered the art of living well and in the process made it mainstream and popular. We are no longer just “homemakers” but “artists at work” and our blank canvas is our homes. A house must be transformed into a home. I challenge you, Modern Domestic Mama, to live in a more thoughtful, more meaningful manner in a home that expresses your own personal style.

Color has a huge influence in our daily lives. Specific colors set a particular mood, emotion, and energy. It is an easy way for us mom’s to express ourselves when we feel like nobody is listening. I find myself dressing in the morning (or afternoon, no judgment made dear one) according to my inner emotions and desires: Light pink when I am feeling playful, blue on a calm day and grey when I am feeling “ho hum.” I use color to let the outside world know what is coming to them before I even open my mouth, crack a smile, or give the evil eye. I would love for my husband to pick up on this daily context clue…but I digress.

As an interior designer, I feel that color tells a similar type of story for your home. What mood, emotion, and energy are you trying to portray in your personal spaces? All Modern Domestic Mama’s have their own flair that is bursting to get out. You need to channel your inner “joie de vivre” and let your creativity and sense of humor shine through. That being said, I have a few design guidelines that I have let inspire me:

There is no single way to decorate and that good taste has no passport or price tag.
When in doubt, as to a good paint color for your wall, go with a neutral. Never underestimate the power of a good neutral and I mean it must be good. I have a paint deck devoted solely to whites and there are 133 different shades of white!
Definitely fill your home with personal and meaningful items. You can do this with furniture, accessories, artwork, dishes, etc. I love a good show house but they are void of personality and interest. Boring! And of course you can tell that nobody lives there.
Even though you have a favorite color there is no need to have it in every room, accessory, clothing item, and artpiece. I think that you understand what I am trying to say. There is a time and place for everything in moderation.
Enjoy the freedom of editing. Did some distant ancestor will you a monstrous china hutch that does not fit anywhere in your home let alone make sense? You have my permission to get rid of it! Many design crimes are committed with good intentions. Simplify your life by purging unnecessary and unsentimental items.
There are always exceptions to every rule. Yes, your middle school English teacher was right in many ways. Although there are definite design mistakes and examples of bad design there is no “right way" of decorating.

So friend, I encourage you in your domestic adventures to master the art of living well in your own home. You owe it to yourself to tell your own personal story in your home. I urge you to come up with your own inspiration guidelines!

(Allison is an interior designer, artist, and domestic diva. She has one little cutie named Luke.)

Just Jammin'-The secret's out!

2008-09-19T06:39:00.000-07:00

I feel my "domestic stock" went up significantly this summer when I started cranking out jam. When my jam making obsession was in full swing, I pretty much supplied the entire community with enough jam to make PB&Js for the rest of the summer. One regular size freezer can only hold so much jam-approximately 20 jars if you still want to use the freezer for other purposes...but who's counting? I am sure it would be a surprise to most women who are not versed in the art of "jamming" that baking chocolate chip cookies takes more time and effort than making a batch of freezer jam! As much as I would like to remain a legend for my jam making skills, I cannot keep this simple domestic secret to myself. Making freezer jam is truly one of those things you can do that makes you look super intelligent and domestic and the end result is pretty yummy too!

My addiction to jam began at the start of the summer when my mom delivered some strawberry freezer jam to me that had been given to her by my grandma, that had been given to her by a lady who made the jam from Amish Strawberries. Stay with me here. This jam was amazing. I felt like it announced, "I am strawberry jam!" when I took a bite. I was hooked.

I quickly made my way through the 3 jars and wiped out my supply. Being that it is not every day that you can find jam made from Amish strawberries transported through a chain of people, I decided I needed to figure out how to make this miraculous creation. So after some research, recipes, and trial and error, I found the perfect "freezer jam" recipe. Perfectly delicious, perfectly easy.

Now typically jam is more of a "process." It involves heating and cooling ingredients and boiling jars in hot water to seal them, which can be a bit of work. However, freezer jam involves no heating of ingredients or boiling of jars. For that matter, you don't even need special canning jars, simple Tupperware that is freezer safe works just fine. So let's get started!

Super Easy Super Delicious Freezer Jam (Yields approx. 5 (8 oz) half pints)

Tips to remember:

This jam is called freezer jam because it can be stored in the freezer for 1 year. You can keep it in the fridge for about a month.
Good jam comes from good fruit. If the fruit is ripe and sweet, that is how the jam will taste. Even though it is late in the season, I was still able to find some nice strawberries this week.
I have substituted the Splenda/Sugar Mix (approx 3/4 c-that is the exchange) to make a lower sugar version and I thought it tasted good, if you are looking to cut the suar even more.
You can really use any fruit. I have made strawberry, blueberry, cherry, and peach jam. The more acidic fruits are going to make a thinner jam. I also don't like chunks, so I puree all my fruit (usually frowned upon in the jam community-I am such a rebel!). This also makes a thinner jam, which I don't mind.
Obviously making jam out of something like strawberries is a whole lot easier than pitting enough cherries to make 4 cups crushed. Keep that in mind if you are looking for fast and easy.

You will need:

1 packet of Ball Brand Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin (I buy mine at Walmart-about $1.50) It needs to be this exact kind for this recipe which requires no cooking.
1 1/2 c of sugar (this is amazing because regular jam uses about 5-6 c. of sugar-ouch!)
4 cups of your favorite fruit crushed or pureed (If doing strawberry, I use 2 (16oz) packages of strawberries, and since I don't like chunks I puree the strawberries)
6 containers that can hold 8 oz each and are freezer safe. I use the Ball Plastic 8 oz Freezer Jars (I buy mine at Walmart)
Either a potato masher, blender, food processor-something to smash, mash, and break down the fruit

Directions:

Mix Pectin Packet and 1 1/2 c of sugar in a bowl.
Cut up the fruit and mash it in a separate bowl.
Stir the fruit into the dry mixture and stir for approximately 3 mins. I use a whisk.
Pour into jars. When making freezer jam, never fill jars to the top as the jam will expand in the freezer. Leave at least an inch of space.
Put the lids on jars and let sit for 30 mins.
You are done! The jam is ready to eat. Store in the fridge for about a month or the freezer for 1 year. You can even take it in and out of the freezer to use it if you want.

Once you make this recipe you will realize that these instructions are basically those on the package of freezer jam pectin. I am no genius, just an ingenious mom who found the perfectly genius jam recipe!

(Brooke has creative project ADD. She is a teacher, designer, culinary artist. Check out her latest creation! She has 2 little girls Aislynn and Isla)

Mamadrama I: Adventures in Diapering

2008-09-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

Our First "Mamadrama" comes from Kelsi. She has two sweet little girls and amazing photogskills. Check out her website!

Be warned, this blog post is rated PG and is not for the faint of heart or those considering having a child; it may sway your decision...

So Maddi, (who at the time of this incident was 24 months) is allergic to everything under the sun. Unfortunately, I realized after months and months of diaper rashes, that she was allergic to disposable diapers, so we reverted to old-school cloth diapers. That's not even the scary part. (and it's really not as scary as you might suspect - I love using cloth!!!). ...Well, Tuesday, I got her out of bed and after changing a sopping wet diaper and stripping her down, I realized that all of her cloth diapers were downstairs, folded neatly on top of the washing machine. So, I took her downstairs in her birthday suit, planning to diaper on the couch. We make our way downstairs - sleepy mom and naked little girl - and low and behold, there are the diapers, but I left the little poop papers upstairs. (let me explain the necessity of poop papers; this is where it starts to get PG... Poop Papers, aka Kushies Flushable Inserts, are little soft paper inserts that look like toilet paper. You lay them in the cloth diaper and then when Jr. does his business, you can flush it away in the toilet without having to scrub #2 out of the cloth. They are MANDATORY for squeamish moms.) Well, I get downstairs and realize that the poop papers are upstairs and there's no way I'm willing to risk going without. So, I think to myself, she's just had a sopping wet diaper, there's nothing left in her, and there's no harm in leaving her naked downstairs for the 8.4 seconds it will take me to go upstairs, grab the poop papers, and come down. (You can see where this is going....)

So, being a naive first time mom of an ornery toddler, I sprint up the stairs, grab the poop papers, and coming running downstairs. As I reach the bottom step, Maddi is standing at our back door, in all her glory, with her hands over her head, waving her little fingers. She looks at me and says in her deepest grovelling voice, trying to accentuate the severity of what she is about to say, "MOMMY! BIG POOPY!!" (I pause, not wanting to contemplate the full meaning of this statement...), so again she says: "BIIIIGGG POOPY". yup. In less than 10 seconds, Maddi had left her perch in front of the TV watching Elmo, had run to the front door, done her business, and had time to run to the back door, before I came down the stairs. it HAD to have been premeditated. and she was right. it was a BIIIIGGG POOPY. moral of the story: never leave your laundry downstairs and never, under any circumstances, believe that a 2 year old can 'hold it' for more than 5 seconds.

Coming Up...

2008-09-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

So after a brief hiatus, the moderndomesticmama is back. You will notice that instead of "Modern Domestic Mama" we have now added the "s." We're talking mamas! What does this mean? It means there will be guest authors sharing with you some wonderful hidden skill that even their own mothers didn't know they possessed, or perhaps a mamadrama (yes, I meant that to be one word) that will make you feel better about yourself. To clarify, a "mamadrama" is one of those stories you have, about an insaine, stressful, or silly mommy moment in your life about which other moms can empathize (or feel better about something stupid they did, because you did something stupider). Can I get a witness?

Our lovely guess authors and fellow modern domestic mamas, will sign their posts so you know exactly where such genius info is coming from. We have some exciting topics and authors lined up. Stay tuned for yogurt making with Lauren, home decor with Allison, and Amazing insights from Michele on what to do with all that scrapbook paper now that you are clearly not making a scrapbook. Also coming soon, a new nursing cover tutorial and baby leg warmer tutorial!

For the love of Starbucks; recipe

2008-09-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

As most people know, i love Starbucks! If i had my way in life i would own a Starbucks so i could practically live there to get my drinks handed to me on my whim ;-) However, and sadly, i do not own a Starbucks so i have to pay just like everyone else. Recently my husband left his nice steady paying job... for a less steady paying job to be his own boss. We support him 100% in his choice; however, my Starbucks budget went out the window! And i am now forced (forced seems like a harsh word, but it seems to work in my mind lol) to get my favorite drink(s) once a week instead of every single day.

I have adjusted to making my own tea and my own drinks so much that i am now searching around for recipes to keep making my own at home and get it to the point of "Starbucks perfect". It still doesn't beat walking in the door and them making it for me, but i am saving a lot of money.

Cold-Brewed Ice Coffee
New York Times
Yield: Two drinks
1/3 cup ground coffee (medium-coarse grind is best)
Milk (optional)

1. In a jar, stir together coffee and 1 1/2 cups water. Cover and let rest at room temperature overnight or 12 hours.
2. Strain twice through a coffee filter, a fine-mesh sieve or a sieve lined with cheesecloth. In a tall glass filled with ice, mix equal parts coffee concentrate and water, or to taste. If desired, add milk.

(Michele is a creative and innovative mama with mad art skills and she is the PTA Prez. She has one amazing daughter Claire)

Photography Tips

2008-09-09T11:48:00.001-07:00

i wanted to have my first post BIG, but then i thought that might overwhelm people. Instead i am going to share some basic Photography tips. Everyone loves photos of their children, but we often have those random photos that look far from professional ( you know the ones, the back of their head, they have closed eyes, it's blurry, etc). Many times we spend hours setting up and then even more time trying to get the child(ren) to just cooperate; and in the end you have taken only one photo that didn't turn out well at all. It doesn't need to be a hard task. You can capture wonderful photos without really trying if you follow a few simple rules.

One simple trick is this; Take your camera with you EVERYWHERE! If you have a small digital camera that will fit in your purse or diaper bag, take it with you. I can not count the times when i was just doing an average task and my daughter did something i wanted to capture on film. Even if you are in the middle of the grocery store and your child falls asleep in a cute way. Simple things that only matter to you might happen when you least expect it. Not to mention the ones you'll want to share with everyone; First step, first smile, first bites of food, etc. Always have your camera on hand, and do not be afraid to use it. After all, you spent the money to purchase the camera, don't forget why you bought it; the adorable kids!

Second is this; if you have digital, buy that big memory card! Then take lots of photos. And keep taking lots of photos. Take them until you fill up that memory card! Once you get home spend a few minutes transferring your photos from your memory card to your computer. Once the kids have gone to bed take 30 minutes and flip through the folder one image at a time. Examine the photos you took, think about it, and then make a choice to either save it or trash it. Not every photo you take will be a keeper, learn to be OK with this...otherwise you will need another computer to hold all of your photos ;-)

Third is pretty simple...don't over-think. Do not spend too many minutes trying to "stage" a photo. Some of the greatest photos for me are ones where the child is just living in their daily moments and you capture it. Let them be who they are when you are taking their photo. Save the "Posed 'Say Cheese' face" for when you pay a professional. Your kids will end up getting use to you being there with the camera so you are able to capture more photos of them in their moments and less of them posing for you.

In the end, just have fun! Don't be afraid to take photos. Don't be afraid to get down to their level and see things from a different perspective. Don't always stand above them looking down with the camera...get down there, get your jeans dirty along with them. Just remember to have fun! :o)

*peace*

Michele Blue

How About Them Apples?

2008-09-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

No, seriously, how about them apples? I love a juicy, crisp, crunchy apple. I thought since apple season is approaching I would share with you one of my absolute favorite apple recipes that is not so common. Its one of those recipes that is that missing element, when you are like, "Hmmm...we need one more side item." Its perfect for that church potluck or family gathering where you are supposed to bring a side dish or salad. It is a recipe loved by the old and young alike and might even qualify as a dessert on the "yumminess scale." This recipe is also great to let your kids help out in the kitchen. Once you have cut up all the apples, let your little one pull up a chair and help you mix it all together and take a taste!

AUNT JAN'S TAFFY APPLE SALAD

6 cups of your favorite apple (I absolutely love honey crisp apples once they are available)

¾ c pineapple juice

(tip: I use a large can of pineapple in 100% juice and drain the juice to use which equals about 3/4 c!)

¾ c granulated sugar

1 ½ Tbsp flour

3 Tbsp white vinegar

12 oz cool whip

1 /2 c. dry roasted peanuts

1 egg at room temp already mixed in a small bowl

Combine in a saucepan pineapple juice, sugar, flour, vinegar, and egg (Tip-Blend the wet ingredients together first in a separate bowl, I even use a hand mixer, but you could use a whisk, and place the dry ingredients in the sauce pan. Then whisk dry and wet ingredients together before you heat them up. It helps to prevent lumps).
Heat at medium heat until thickened. Stir constantly so the mixture is well blended and not lumped. If the mixture becomes lumpy you can strain it or scoop out any clumps. Simmer for 5 mins until it becomes like pudding.
Set aside and let this cool completely (I even make this mixture the night before and place in the refrigerator to cool overnight).
Chop all the apples into small pieces (I like to peel my apples).
Fold into the apples the cooled mixture and the cool whip, alternating. Sprinkle chopped nuts on top. Chill in the refrigerator covered 3-4 hours and serve. You can eliminate the nuts or add caramel drizzle on top for added yumminess!

So what's this "mod·ern do·mes·tic ma·ma" all about ?

2008-09-07T18:34:00.000-07:00

I'm glad you asked! Some questions you might be asking and some awesome answers!

Who are you?

I like to think of myself as current, contemporary, and somewhat trendy. I will admit that most days, especially the days I don’t go anywhere, my outfit includes some form of elastic. I understand that elastic isn't necessarily considered “cool” but then again, I know a whole lot of moms wearing yoga pants around the house, so…I do believe elastic may have to be discussed in length in a later post!

The point, is that I consider myself to be a “modern” kind of gal, but at the same time I have been known to make a jar of jam or two (or actually like 75), dabble in some sewing, use some crafty skills, and cook just about anything and everything for fun. Apparently this makes me somewhat of a genius among some of my friends. I am of course flattered by this, yet a little concerned at the same time if I am the definition of genius!

Why this blog is titled “Modern Domestic Mama?”

I suppose you could call me a “modern domestic mama,” hence the title of this blog. I admit that I enjoy doing certain domestic tasks, creating things, and cooking yummy food. I think a lot of the projects I complete and recipes I make are a little bit of talent mixed with a whole lot of common sense. Therefore, I think any mom can do what I do with a little coaching, a little direction, and a little “you can do it! Ra! Ra! Ra!”

“Modern Domestic Mama” is for all moms. It is for the moms that are looking for new ideas or ways to change the same old way of doing things. It is for the moms that wish they could be “domestic” or wish they knew how to cook but have no clue where to start. It is for the moms that think that it is fun to read what other moms are doing. It is for the mom that is thinking, “I wish I knew how to…” It is for the moms that think I am a genius, and will think that no longer once they see that much of what I do is quite simple!

What are you going to post?

So here’s the scoop. I have lots of ideas running around in my ADD, overactive imagination about what I want to share with you! Some topics off the top of my head: Lots of “how tos,” from frosting a birthday cake, to making leg warmers, to making yogurt, to making homemade games and activities for your children, to ideas for indoor fun with the kiddos when the weather gets crazy cold! And sometimes we might post something to give you a good read or a little comic relief. Perhaps your baby has jumped off your bed recently and made you feel like a bad mom, and hearing how I have let Isla fall off the bed 5 times will make you feel better! These are just a few of the topics we will explore. And when I say “we” I mean myself, and my favorite mom counterparts that have mad skills in a variety of domestic and creative areas. I am just getting excited thinking about all the creativity and domesticity! Hooray. So let’s get this show on the road and get this domestic party started. Are you with me?