Monday, January 28, 2013

Frosty Nose Hair

Well, it's Monday morning and once again my housekeeper did not show up. Right, that's because I don't have a housekeeper. Damn. I guess the place will just have to remain disgusting for a few more days until I summon up the mojo to dig my way through the crap and find the floors. Whatever.

This morning as I soldiered outside through the cold to feed the chickens and my nose hair glossed over with ice, I thought dreamy January thoughts of tropical weather and escaping the doldrums of New England winter. Let's face it, I think about this every minute of every day until I see the first signs of spring. I can't envision a winter where I don't dream about escape. That just wouldn't be me.

Even the pets are suffering this winter. Our older cat, MiniMe, has completely given up going outside, and has  taken to using the kitten's litter box instead. Disgusting. I am becoming somewhat resentful, but I try to be empathetic and rationalize the fact that I would not like to crap outside in the cold any more than she does. But still, first thaw and that box is history. Polly, our loyal canine, is rapidly widening around the haunches and looking at me with pleading eyes to take her on a walk. I feel like a bad dog mama but really, when it's 2 degrees outside that is probably not going to happen. Maybe later today when it warms up to a balmy 25.

Francisco and I are in desperate need of a wood stove. Becoming homeowners has opened our eyes to the shocking revelation that oil is expensive and winter is freaking cold! First item on the tax return agenda: install cozy stove to warm our feet and snuggle by at night. Not sure how doable this is on a budget, but it must happen.

Until then I will keep burning the oil and shedding a tear each time my checkbook groans from the bill. I keep it low, bundle up in sweaters, and try to remember that winter doesn't last forever. Ugh.

Friday, January 4, 2013

A Very Unrewarding Job

Motherhood has plenty of rewards. Even when I'm sloshing through a whiny temper tantrum, or bleary eyed from middle of the night fevers, being a mother pays off every day. Just look at their smiles when you pick them up at school, or the way they drape their arms over me when I read them a story. Little beautiful joys.

But what isn't rewarding? Being the housewife. Even though I am a working mother, I spend most of my week home, caring for this house and my family, making most of the meals, and cleaning up after what feels like a small army every freaking day, only to have the mess reappear as if by magic overnight. The most obnoxious thing about this tiring routine: Dinnertime.

Every day I debate what to feed the family. What will make them eat heartily and give them the nutrients they need. I am coming to realize that this is the impossible dream. I am not a bad cook, if I do say so myself. Sometimes there are dishes that fail, this is true for most of us, but for the most part I know my way around the kitchen. I use fresh ingredients, make most things from scratch, and pay attention as I go, and I enjoy cooking, I put love in every bite.

So why then is it impossible to make a meal that everyone in my family will eat and say "Mmmmm, this is really good!" The bastards won't say this. Someone (including my spouse) will whine that something is wrong with it, there is always a reason why I am prodding them to eat a few more bites. So obnoxious and super unrewarding. All of my hard work driven down to me poking and screeching to make sure that this delicious food doesn't end up in the compost. Grrrr.

I need a strategy to deal with this annoyance. I am thinking about an all out boycott on the kitchen, going on strike. Or maybe I should just make them cook (as I threatened Sofie last night when she wouldn't eat her beautiful chicken stew). Whatever it is, this is certainly not working for me, and I'm ready to quit. Suggestions welcome...

Thursday, January 3, 2013

A Day for Baking Bread

My first blog post from my new adorable computer. It took me a while to decide whether or not I liked this thing, it's tiny sleekness and internet-only capabilities threw me for a loop, what if I need to do more? The reality is that I don't, this little machine does everything I ever do with a computer (which isn't much), and has the amazing feature of not needing to boot up or take forever to shut down. Super fast, it just goes where I say, when I say. I wish it could train my children to do that. It's pretty awesome.

But enough about that. Today is a bread baking day. I have been trying out all sorts of breads for the past couple of months, and have decided that there is nothing so satisfying as taking a hot, fresh, loaf out of the oven, buttering it up and serving it to your family (or more likely yourself). Here's what I'm making today:

Whole wheat flax no kneed artisan bread. My friend Jen gave me this recipe, and I tried it yesterday but I think I got the proportions wrong because it was super salty (which was not totally unpleasant, but thoroughly rejected by the peanut gallery). So I am making it again today, and hoping it turns out better.

Here it is, baking up and smelling really amazing. Recipe is pretty simple, for today I just added:

3 cups hot water
3 cups white flour
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons ground flax seed
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar

I proofed the yeast with the salt in the hot water in the bowl of my kitchen aid mixer, then added the flour and flax seed and mixed with the dough hook until a very sticky dough formed. Then I covered tightly with plastic wrap and let it rise for 2 hours, formed two balls of sticky dough (put one in the fridge for another time), and baked at 450 degrees for about 20 minutes. Not bad, and practically no work at all. I have had better breads but I love the simplicity of this one.

Next on to cinnamon bread to make the kitchen smell outstanding. Today I am trying a recipe I found on someone else's blog:

Definitely can't wait to see how this one comes out, looks beautiful from the pictures, but I always wonder, can my culinary abilities match up? I'll let you know...