Lots of Randomness

This post is going to be all over the place... but that's because it's been a really busy week, and I haven't had much time to post.

I feel like I spent half the week at the hospital - my friend's mother had a stroke on Monday (she's okay but will need at least two weeks of inpatient rehab) and my other friend who I posted about here had her twins (a perfect white-haired baby boy and a perfect black haired baby girl!) They're little bitty, but totally healthy and will go home with mama probably tomorrow. Amelia had to go back to the pediatrician for her wheezing, and I got an insane muscle spasm in my neck Friday and couldn't move my neck at all. I'm better, but poor Amelia is still sick (you can see the circles under her little eyes).

It took some convincing to get my friend and her mother to agree to go to the ER immediately on Monday. Time is crucial when someone is having a stroke, so please familiarize yourself with the signs and if you or your loved one experiences these symptoms - even if they seem to be improving - get to the hospital as soon as possible! The last few years of my grandfather's life would have been a lot different if he had gotten medical attention sooner after he suffered a stroke.

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Sophia and I spent this afternoon cleaning the house while Davis took Amelia to his brother's house. I wanted to post some tips on getting toddlers/preschoolers to help with cleaning. With Sophia it's like pulling teeth - this is a kid who at age two spent TWENTY MINUTES in time out rather than picking up seven markers and putting them back in the box. She just sat there the whole time, knowing that all she had to do to get up is put the markers in the box.

But here are some things that work, even with her:

• I ask her to "surprise me" - like walk out of the room and let her surprise me with how well she cleaned it up while I wasn't looking. This afternoon we decided to surprise Daddy with a totally clean house before he got back - the anticipation of his reaction, and the time crunch to get it done before he returned really got her moving.
• I fill a spray bottle with vinegar water, then give her a wash cloth and let her clean the appliances and cabinets in the kitchen and the front of the tub and tile walls in the bathroom. Even Amelia can do this - they love it, and the vinegar water really works well.
• Sophia and I hand-washed the floors today. I just filled a bucket with warm water, a little dish soap, and a little white vinegar, then we each got a wash cloth and washed the kitchen tile. For the hardwoods, I used warm water and Murphy's soap, but I didn't want her to do too much of it, so I just wrung out the wash cloth for her and asked her to clean spots that I couldn't reach - like the little area between the couch and the wall. She loved that she was doing something I couldn't do!
• For the kids' room, I set a timer and say "let's see if we can pick up all the dress up clothes before it goes off!" and then I set it again and say "okay let's pick up all the blocks before it goes off!" I keep going until everything is picked up.
• I give the girls Target brand Wet Ones and have them wipe down doors, baseboards, light switches, the base of the pedestal sink, etc.
• Both the girls love to help with laundry. Some things they're actually good at are putting all the towels in the washer, folding towels and blankets, and sorting their own clothes into lights and darks.
• I think their favorite is cleaning out the drains... we go around the house and pour some baking soda into all the sink/tub/shower drains, then I let them pour white vinegar down them - they bubble up fabulously! It actually works to clean them out and freshen them up.
• The Dust Buster is the best invention ever. Both the girls can vacuum under the couch cushions, Goldfish spills, and they will actually vacuum our whole office (the only carpeted room in our house).

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We also gave Porter a bath today. Sophia sat on the edge of the tub and helped me lather him up and massage him. He doesn't love bath time, but he LOVES being clean!

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I made chili tonight, so I thought I'd post my chili recipe. It's simple and mild and my family loves it. It takes only 30 minutes to make, so along with Jiffy cornbread muffins, it's a frequent weeknight meal at our house.

Chili

1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp chili powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cornmeal
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes, with their juices
1 (14 oz) can kidney beans, drained
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

In a medium pan over medium heat, brown ground beef or turkey with onion and garlic. In a small bowl, stir together the chili powder, salt, cornmeal, and cumin, then stir into meat mixture. Add tomatoes and their juices, beans, and tomato sauce. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes.

I think there should be a you know you're a blogger when, and the first item should be...when you start taking pictures of your dinner!

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And as promised, a discussion of this week's vegetable - the brussel sprout. My love of brussel sprouts began when I was a little girl. I would take one to my play kitchen and pretend it was a little head of lettuce for my dolls :) This is a super nutrient-rich vegetable, containing lots of vitamins K and C, folate, and fiber.

There's only one way I prepare them, and I've converted some brussel sprout haters with it.

Peel off the top layer, and wash, then cut fresh brussel sprouts in half. Steam in steamer baskets until they turn a deep green color, but be sure not to over cook - maybe three minutes or so. Melt butter in large skillet and transfer brussel sprouts to skillet. Saute until edges start to get a little brown. Salt and serve immediately.

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If someone knows why Blogger puts a billion ransom extra spaces between lines, and how to stop this insanity, PLEASE PLEASE let me know!!!

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Finally, I'm sorting through some old pictures, so check back later... I've decided to scan some in and supplement my 100 Things post with photographic evidence :)