Aunt Jemima in the Kitchen

I was blessed with two amazing additions to my kitchen...the first was from my sweet husband- a new 7 Qt Professional KitchenAid Mixer in a gorgeous red.

The second came from a dear family that the girls and I clean for- a Double Belgium Waffle Maker.

Both of these things are quite wonderful! You see, I have secretly longed for, wanted and wished for each of these things for well over a year.

 Each time I would go to a store that sold them, I would stop by the display, touch them, play with them and imagine how nice it would be to actually own them ONE DAY.

Now, before your mouth drops in appalling disgust at my ungodly dissatisfaction with the abundance that God had already provided, please note that it wasn't that I wasn't happy with what I had, I just thought that these would be nice to have, seeing that we do so much baking and with a large family, I had long maxed out my small mixer.

Plus, I don't find my true joy and happiness in "things" -my husband and I have had this discussion many times when he was trying to find out something that he could buy me. I live contented. I feel so blessed, that honestly, I cannot wish for more!

...BUT there are things that may make life a bit easier, convenient and would be very helpful.

Having said all of this, you can imagine that I was pretty excited to break out the beautiful red Professional KitchenAid Mixer ***did I mention that it's a beautiful red? ;) and the new Belgium Waffle Maker.

I searched for a wonderful recipe...one that I could put together the night before, seeing that I would have to start cooking pretty early if I wanted to give everyone a chance to eat piping hot, fresh waffles before heading out the door.





I decided to triple the recipe so that we would have enough to eat for breakfast as well as enough to freeze. My plan is to make fresh waffles every Tuesday, freeze some and then on more stressful mornings, be able to pop our homemade waffles in the oven or toaster without having store-bought frozen waffles or cereal.

                       So far, so good. I have a nice bag full of waffles for "grab and go" mornings. :)

Ready for the freezer, seperated by paper plates.

My only complaint is that the recipe tastes a little like a sour-dough version. (which is fine BUT my husband walked into the kitchen and asked if they were fermented!)

So, I think I'll search for another recipe for next week. :)



All in all, my first week of trying to get back on track after the Holidays and sickness has been wonderfully productive...which makes for a well-managed home and ONE HAPPY MAMA!

Cream of Wheat and Silly Songs

Ever wonder what your kids will remember from their childhood?

I don't mean things like brush your teeth after every meal, close the door when you go to the bathroom (mother's of boys...Heaven help us) and don't talk with food in your mouth.

I mean memories.

Sure they will remember the big stuff, like moving into a new house, the death of a family pet and a family vacation.

But what about the little stuff? What kind of things are going to stand out in their minds, so much so that they reminisce and tell their children or grandchildren about it? What about their life gives them security, makes them feel loved or even makes them laugh when no one else is around?

I can look back and remember the way my dad smelled when he walked in from work every evening. He worked at the Post Office and chewed Trident Gum (the blue kind). You may not realize this but the Post Office has a distinct smell..maybe it's the glue on the stamps ;) -I don't know but whatever it is, my dad smelled like it. Whenever I go in to mail a package, I think of my dad. It warms my heart and makes me miss him all at the same time. He died when I was only 17 and I still miss him just as much as I ever did. (It amazes me how you can miss someone so much even after 20 years of them being gone)

I remember holding my moms hot, black coffee every morning on the way to the babysitter (my great-aunt who had lots of dogs and fed me tuna sandwiches with carrot sticks EVERY day). I remember having horrible ear infections and my mom snuggling with me on her lap to try to ease my pain.

I remember spending the night at my grandparents' and all the little things that made me feel special and so very loved...like spending the day with them, grocery shopping at Kroger and grandma saying, "If you see something you want, just get it, Doll." I remember how my grandma would put about an inch of water in the tub (seriously one inch) and help me scrub up and then let me wear her pajamas. After my bath, we'd sit on their carport watching the cars go by, playing with their little dog and just talking until dark. In the morning, we'd eat Cream of Wheat and drink ice cold Tang out of her colorful frosted glasses.

 

 

I can close my eyes and remember my papa getting out his guitar and singing for me. He would sing silly songs and his eyes would get really big which made me laugh. Grandma would smile and just shake her head.

I wonder... What kind of memories MY kids will have.

What will stick out in their mind?

Will they remember their Mama's silliness...

Their daddy singing funny songs...

I wonder if I am giving them good memories, godly examples and something to pass on to their children.