OAMC: Once A Month Cooking

I am a busy mom with a significant distance between my work and "fast food".  About 1 year ago, I started making mass quantities of meals just one day a month.  A freezer, or two to three, is necessary when living with a family in the country.  I currently have one large chest freezer and a stand-up freezer, they are both very full.  There is always meat, usually elk and deer, that we process in the fall.  I have an endless supply of sliced apples, cut up rhubarb, and other produce that are grown around this area.  The frozen food is great, if you plan ahead.  Meat requires thawing and usually I just start thinking about supper as I am leaving the clinic around 5:15 pm.  So this dilemma of not having something ready to eat during the evening led me to making prepared meals.  They are still frozen, but I can usually throw them in the microwave and have something ready in 30 minutes or less.

Meal days are "me" time so I will have a class (or two) of wine. 

My last "meal day" was before calving season where I had made a plan, shopped for the groceries I still needed, and spent 6 hours making 31 meals including breakfast burritos.  I start by organizing the recipes so I knew how many need each ingredient.  I then brown all the burger, chop all the veggies, and get the oven or stove going right away in the morning.  I usually start with some "dump" recipes to make me feel like I have accomplished a lot.  I call anything that doesn't require a lot of extra prep or cooking a "dump" recipes.  These usually go into a crock-pot or get cooked when it is ready to serve.  I must take a lunch break, because looking at all the food gets my stomach growling.  I usually end with breakfast burritos because if I am tired, they can always wait another day.  I usually do not follow directions very well and so I make substitutions for ingredients that I do not have and add my own quantities to satisfy are taste prevents.  So here are the recipes that I made on that day.

3 x Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
2 x Ham & Mozzarella Stromboli
2 x Thai Peanut Beef
3 x Slow Cooker Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
2 x Beef Tacos
2 x Hamburger Stroganoff
2 x Chicken Curry
2 x Sweet and Sour Chicken
2 x Paleo Zucchini Chicken Fritters (I didn't make these Paleo, I only had regular flour)
3 x Roasted Tomato Soup (I didn't make the croutons but will serve with
            grilled cheese sandwiches)
3 x Macaroni & Cheese with Ham (This is an absolute MUST every time I plan OAMC)
          - I follow this recipe but heat it on the stove adding the cheese before
            mixing everything in a bag.
3 x Homemade Toaster Strudels
2 x Breakfast Burritos (sorry, no link for this one)
          - We use tortillas to wrap up eggs, cheese, salsa, and a meat; sausage, ham
             or bacon
31 Total meals

Most meals get put into a freezer bag and laid flat to freeze.  Plastic wrap is used around the individual things like burritos.  I do label everything, mystery meals can be interesting.  Once A Month Cooking, or as often as I find time, has really helped me get healthy meals ready in a hurry for my family.
I am now out of meals in the freezer and will have to start planning another "meal day".  I am open for meal suggestions because summer cooking isn't fun, but is sure beats peanut butter sandwiches every day.

Dora The Babysitter

My kids watch television; they watch a lot of cartoons.  We have a TV, but we do not have any outside feed to the "box" like cable, satellite, or internet.  We rely on go "old" VCR tapes (kids ask your parents what those are), and DVDs that are mostly used and abused.  Yes, we are so in the early 90's.  About the time we found out we were expecting kids, we cancelled all outside media except dial-up internet.  We made that very hard decision (at that time) because of financial reasons and we were so busy we didn't get any benefit out of what we were paying for.  We haven't looked back since and I actually enjoy not having to watch a weekly series until 11:00 pm because I am hooked.  My parents have satellite, so we get updated on the major news.  We have upgraded to faster internet so I have certain places that "hook" me (darn that Pinterest) but I try to set a time limit on how much of my time is used searching.  The draw back to not having the immediate feed is I am usually 2 days behind some major news event.  I usually catch the middle of the conversation and feel awkward asking "What happened?", especially if I am not sure it is a celebrity or someone I should know.  We miss any previews to new movies, so I am way behind on inside jokes.  My sister is a movie-aholic (I secretly love it and wouldn't tell her to stop), so she supplies us with a lot of recent movies.  We also get caught up on our families favorite series with the luxury of watching the whole season from start to finish without having to wait until next week.
Yes, my kids also get there morning and, maybe, afternoon programming every day while at the grandparents.  There are some very educational shows that help teach my children, from counting, to letters, math, music, and art.  There is even some eclectic dancing involved if Grandpa is around (Lord help us!).  I was watching "Dora" with my children the other day.  Most people know about Dora and almost any parent could sing the theme, map song, or back-pack jingle.  My brother, a firefighter, gets some strange looks at debriefings when he starts singing the map song.
I was thinking about how Dora is very educational, fun, and energetic.  The episodes really do get the children involved and they then are "hooked".   I caught myself thinking that Dora wouldn't make a very good babysitter and had to laugh.


But seriously, here are my reasons.

1. She repeats every instruction 3 or 4 times.  This is very aggravating for me as a parent.  I think that is why I have developed as stutter.  
2. She never tells her parents or an adult where she is going or who she is with.  That would send me into "mamma-bear" panic mode. 
3. I do not understand everything she is saying.  Ok, I should have a second language, but I don't.  I get really leery about others saying things I can't understand, even mumbling is hard on my emotions.  
4. Her adventures are very dangerous.  She is always walking in some spooky forest, crossing oceans, or climbing high mountains.  Why don't we just tell our children they could sky dive also?



My children being adventurous while watching television.

5. No matter how urgent getting to the destination may be, she always takes a half-an-hour and has many distractions along the way.  I hate when "The Boy" has to fight off Swiper, the fox, on the way to bed.  

I am glad my children are "cultured" even if their dancing style makes me laugh.  Even though they watch TV, they aren't addicted to it.  They can't be because we don't have that option at home.  Sometimes, they just want to imagine and play, and that is great with me.  

Ode To The Veterinary Student's Dog

I will try my best to get through this post.  I had started writing about this topic a while ago so please bare with me if the present and past tense get confusing.  I have to admit it wasn't the next thing I had planned to share, nor did I ever want it to be a somber topic.  But tonight it is...

I have heard it said "don't buy a rental car".  One may think the same about a veterinary student's dog.  Every veterinary student wants to get their "hands-on" experience, and what better way to practice your new skills than with your own pet?  I have to admit that the pets receive great service, whether they needed it or not.  I can tell most clients about my own experience with a treatment or procedure, because I wouldn't recommend anything that I wouldn't do on my own animals.

Begging for food at my
veterinary school graduation

My dog Lucy is getting older and showing her age like most dogs eventually do.  I can't help but reflect on our memories together.  She became a member of my family the moment I got her as a puppy.  At the time, my home was very small and not adequate for a large dog.  But as a veterinary student that learns by visual means, I wanted a visual aid at home that could help me through.  Lucy is an American Bulldog, and boy, was she a great example with her over-sized anatomy.  In school she modeled more like a horse than a dog, and was often referred to as a Simmental because of her white and red markings (or perhaps her manure sized loads).  From the very start, I worked on training her to obey and also to do fun tricks (some unique ones are shake with both paws, speak and whisper, and hold a treat on her nose).  As a puppy, we went to an obedience class.  After a few weeks on leash, we spent one day off leash working on her recall.  The busy pet store had many distractions but that didn't seem to bother her.  With Lucy on one end and I on the other, I was doubtful she would make it past the treats, toys, and other people that made the gauntlet between us.  When I said "come", she was so food-driven that she blew past everyone, T-boned another dog, and was at my side in seconds.  My doubt was erased and food became her motivator.

She is horrible around other animals, cats better learn to fend for themselves.  Which made her meeting with a skunk 4 years ago very interesting.  She didn't back down and her white fur was soaked and dripping with yellow liquid.  You can imagine the smell!  For those of you who may only catch a whiff along the road occasionally let me educate you.  The smell of a skunk up close is distinctly different, it affects your entire body system.  All your senses are on overload.  Your eyes water, your mouth foams, and your stomach turns.  When Lucy was hit, I was 14 weeks pregnant and had morning sickness.  No matter how well you clean them up, or what product you use, they will start to smell again if their hair ever gets wet.  She stunk like skunk for at least 6 month after that episode.

Lucy adjusted very well to every circumstance.  Sometimes there was 12-14 hours before I could get back to the house during school to let her out.  She loved to play, yet would never beg for attention when I was busy studying.  She made her home out of my bed during the day, but knew to stay off when I was around.  She learned to be leery of strangers and makes a great guard dog, even though we haven't had to test her ability.  I would always tell new people, "she hasn't bitten anyone, yet."  She is AMAZING with my small children.  My kids can crawl all over her, pull her tail and ears, hit her hard, fall on her, and even "ride her" and she just loves every minute.  The Girl who is just learning to talk knows "oo-c-ee".

Every veterinary student can tell you about some "experiment" they have tried on their
own animals.  We tend to attract the troubled cases, or maybe we just fall in love with them.  Between the allergies, urinary incontinence, broken teeth, rattlesnake bite,  severed cephalic vein, and torn cruciate, I have "practiced" a few things.  But Lucy's last problem I couldn't fix.  I have all the books, knowledge, and medicine to save animals, but tonight she couldn't be saved.  The hardest, but sometime the best. service we can provide is ending the suffering.  I told you it would be a somber topic, but my joy is knowing that I did my very best for her (Lucy) and she did the same for me.

Hands Free

My work truck was recently upgraded to the newest model.  I spend a lot of time traveling to very remote, non-accessible areas of the country and a dependable vehicle is a must.  Apparently modern upgrades do not come simple.  There are so many gadgets, buttons, and accessories that come "included".  The accessories are there to help you drive "hands free" but have the most modern conveniences in the vehicle with you.  Every new vehicle I have driven (which is 2) includes 6 months trial period of satellite radio.  For about 6 months I enjoy the luxury of more than just the 2 country radio stations that I normally receive.  There are over 150 music and talk radio shows to choose from.  I usually spend my time on the Comedy, Christian, or Country stations.

Paved Road!!!
I do not see that often when driving, usually it is gravel.  

Other features included are designed to make answering or making phone call safe.  This would be excellent if I had service everywhere I travel.  My truck will link to my cell phone via Bluetooth.  This was a new concept to me, talking to myself while driving and actually having someone listen or answer back.  I occasionally yell at my truck when the commands are not followed.  "I SAID CALL DUSTIN'S MOBILE".  I am sure other vehicles passing me have a great laugh at the expense of some idiot (me) talking while driving.  My children love to scream at the pickup while I am talking to someone.  Leaving messages for others is interesting as I try to talk with The Boy yelling "Where are you?  Are you talking to me?  Why can't I see you?  Come inside."

 There is one feature that is very nice about the cell phone hands free option.  It will automatically connect to my phone when the vehicle is on and the phone is in close proximity.  I have started my vehicle a couple time just to FIND my phone.  When I see the "connection complete" signal, I know the phone must be on me or in my stuff, somewhere.  I did find out the hard way, that you can't answer your phone if it rings and you are not in the vehicle.  I left my truck running while going to pick up my children when a call came.  I had the phone, which rang like normal, but since I wasn't in the vehicle to hear or speak into the microphone, the call didn't work.  Another mishap was when I started my truck and the "connection complete" signal came on, but I still couldn't find my phone.  I searched all over and eventually found the phone.  It wasn't in the vehicle with me, but instead in the building but close to the corner where my pickup was parked.  I am sure it would have been a sight watching my truck going back and forth as I tried to find the distance where I lost the "connection".
Wouldn't it be nice if other things in life were hands free.  I could really see a value in utilizing this at work.  For instance, hands free toe nail trims would let me keep my fingers safe from biting Chihuahuas.  Also hands free anal gland expressions on dogs would be a lot more pleasant.  (Does that sound too weird? OK moving on)  The truck could be hands free in separating my fighting children.  My minimum request would be an option to count how many cattle guards I have passed while getting to my new country job.
It is great knowing that we have a hands free option when talking to God.  We don't have to wait for the "connection" signal and there isn't a required distance we must get to before he will connect to where we are, he's always there and listening.

Country Living

I love living in the country!  The quiet nature and clear sky are a privilege that many in this country do not get to enjoy.  Don't even get me started on the sun rises and sun sets, they are INCREDIBLE!  Many "city folk" think the country has green grass and they give it a try.  County-western songs have told the story of the small town girl/guy that left to make a fortune only to be unhappy and eventually came back home.  They paint a very pleasant and wonderful story about country living.  My small community has had an influx of "city folk".  They come from California, Colorado, or the east coast searching for the less hectic life.  I love meeting new people and finding out where they come from.  But my most pressing questions is:  Why did you decide to move HERE?".  I love it and I wish everyone had the same feeling that I do about living in the country.  But with the pleasure of simple quiet living, there is also some drawbacks that you don't find in a metropolis (but I like it that way).

Enjoying our country living with sledding.
(A great use of the calving sled)

First is running water.  No, we are not a third world country without any modern plumbing.  We do not dip water out of the local creek nor use an out-house (that is a building with a hole in the ground out side for your....um.....business).  Some are lucky to have a well where they can pump the water directly out of the ground, but that requires a long pipe to reach that far.  Around here, some areas are so rocky that drilling down would be a nightmare.  Also the water level may but up to 2000 feet down.  The best thing for most people is to have a cistern.  This is a holding tank in the ground that you can fill with water that you haul from the watering spot (usually in town) with your truck or trailer.  I am lucky to have my father around, because he fills our tank weekly and I never have to worry about running out of water in the cistern.  He never makes a trip to town without loading up the tank to fill our cistern, there cistern, the neighbor's cistern, or the livestock water tank.  I learned at a young age to conserve water when ever possible.

Horses waiting by the water tank.

Second, Fast Food.  You are kidding yourself if you think you can get off from work, run some errands, pick up your kids and have food prepared for the hungry mouths without planning.  The two favorite food prep items for a country mother is the large freezer and a crock-pot.  The phase "bulking up" doesn't refer to athletic training in the country, it is a phrase used when getting supplies at the monthly or bi-monthly trip to the "big city".  The only drive through windows in our town is the bank and the liquor bar, a fast meal for a hungry family wont be found at either spot.  So you adapt, you learn to plan and make meals fast.  The defrost setting on my microwave has been used many times when I forgot to set something out the night before.

Third, Privacy.  This is my favorite.  Newcomers feel they are being invaded and feel offended that "everyone" knows their personal business.  Trust me, everyone knew your business before you even arrived in town.  We are just curious, were not trying to be rude.  We think, maybe this new family would be the perfect fit for the fair board, Sunday school program, or Chamber of Commerce.  Don't try and hide because that just makes us talk more.  In a one horse town (actually there is probably 12 horses in town) we like news from the outside.  I am glad to know that when my children grow up, this whole community will be watching out for them and for me.  If they get into trouble, I will know long before they even make it home.

I think it is easier to see God's creations in the country.  Of course anywhere can become busy and noisy creating distractions from what is really important.

   

Time With Kids

My adorable children

I love my kids.  I LOVE my kids.  I LOVE MY KIDS!  Some days I need to continue repeating those words just to keep from causing damage to them or my things.  I want to practice patience and proper discipline when I am with them, so they have a good example to follow.  But these days I just want to mimic the tantrum they are throwing.  Laying on the floor screaming at the top of their lungs gets my spine tingling so it should do the same for them if I acted that way, right? 
The Head of The House and I are very busy.  I am a working mom with a professional career and my kids spend more waking time with care givers.  I am very fortunate that my care givers are GREAT! (it helps they are also their grandparents)  I hear stories in larger cities of suboptimal caretakers that are extremely expensive I and feel very fortunate.  Because I am only with them in the early mornings and late evenings (the crabby times,) I try and make the very best of it for a learning experience.  I hate being late for anything, but getting two small children up, eating breakfast, dressed, packed for the day, and out the door without forgetting something while also making sure I have been cared for is a LARGE CHALLENGE.  Any mother would understand.  I feel rushed every morning which makes starting my work day interesting.  I am privileged to have one half day at home with them each week.  Wednesday morning is my time to keep the kids, do any house work, and work on any personal projects.  I have high ambitions for every Wednesday morning.  Each week I get so discouraged because I mostly just keep the house from getting destroyed.

Today, I was determined to bake some treats during my Wednesday morning.  I cook in large amounts and freeze or store any extras because utilizing my time is limited and it is nice to have the extra available.  I decided to make my cookie bars because they are usually quick, good, and only require one oven time (versus cookies which require 12-15 minutes per pan).  I can't do anything in the kitchen without the small curious and "very helpful" children in the middle of everything.  Learning not to keep the egg carton open while cracking an egg is lesson learned a while ago.  Small hands grab anything and mimic your every motion.  I was able to get through mixing all the ingredients with minimal mess.  I then got the pan into the oven and the timer set without any small fingers getting burnt.  This was a wonderful accomplishment.  As long as I didn't look at the dirty dishes in the sink I was having a great time with my children.  While the treats were in the oven, I had 15 minutes to entertain and wait; no problem right?  Wrong!!!  My trouble came when I had to go to the bathroom.  Taking the children with me to the bathroom has many other challenges so I decided to leave them in the kitchen instead.  I put The Girl down from the counter where she was sitting so she wouldn't fall. 
When I came back from my 5 minute reprieve, I was aghast at the site.  My 15 month old, The Girl, had pushed a chair over to the sink counter and was playing with the dirty dishes and water in the sink.  My 3 year old, The Boy, was on the counter pulling the 101 cookie cutters out of the container and throwing them all over the floor. 
They had done so much damage in such a short amount of time, completely enjoying every minute.  The laughter would melt your heart, unless you are the mother who has to watch your personal time be destroyed with more work.  I counted to 10, took a breath and grabbed my camera before using the mess as a teaching moment on chores, although I did most of the work. 

The mess I returned to find.  

Even this post has taken me all morning to type.  I have had to stop many times to wipe noses, stop fighting and screaming, clean up poppy pants, and cuddle with my "momma's girl".  I know that this time will be gone before I know it and they will not be this age forever.  I LOVE MY KIDS, I just need to repeat it a few times. 

Giving It My Best Shot!

Welcome, (or I should say welcome me into blogging)