Tis The Season For Happiness

So, it has been some time since I have posted so wanted to give a large update on many interesting things!

- Okay a few weeks ago I posted an entry about how hard of a time I was having fighting my daughter and her bedtime routine. Well, I am proud to announce that for the last two whole weeks I have put her to bed on my own and only had to go in once on a few nights...other than that there are no more fits...no more getting up fifty time, no more fighting her. I am not even sure what I am doing differently. BUt, I just began putting her to bed and letting her know I would see her int he morning and just like that...she began falling asleep on her own and no fits or problem...so maybe it was just a phase...sucks it was a 1 year things but it is over...yea!!!!!!

- Christmas is upon us and this year I am especially excited! This year we were ableto do well by our own family and by a few adopted families....which pleased me greatly that we were abble to do that.

- Our new puppy is growing greatly and doing quite well. She's a handful and as I suspected I am the one primarily caring for even though we had a good two toher people (boys and men) in the house swear it would be on them...lol...but she has become a great addition to our home.

- I no longer am caring for the 4 small children I was watching int eh evening--you remember them thier mother was the one who drove me craxy with her in-capability to take care of her children- well I had to turn her over to child services after I found out she was allower her unstable 4 yr old to attend after her 1 yr old on her own while she ran errands and such...ahhhh...so it was a double edged sword for me...lost 1700 a month in my income but did what was best for the children- she no longer is in care of any of them- I guess she was already on her 3rd strike....ahhh soo sad....but I had no choice in my situation. But I must admot I have loved having my weekends back to myself!

- I will after the new year be taking on a few new children of which I am very excited about- 2 boys around 18 months old- not siblings....also signed a new 5 yr old a week ago. Kinda refreshing after having soo many girls around (I only had my 2 sons and one other boy the rest were girls) and now it looks to be flipping...so it ought to be kinda interesting. Also had one of my day time boys go to nights.

- As of today i have baked 22 loafs of bread- banana, apple strussle and cinnamon strussel. Baked well over 300 cookies......

- Today- I woke up went to the store and began cleaning the house...when I got to the kitchen---SUPRISE SUPRISE My PIPES ARE FRZEN....and only in the kitchen...of all places....so all day I have been doing my dishes in the shower and tubs of water...this is soo not a good time to be having freezing pipes with all the cooking that goes ont his time of year. But, I bear with it....called the landlord and he said nothing he can do right now...so I hope they don't burst tonight....

- Ok so there's a little overview- oh ya an dmy daughters hair....hmm still looks bad but shes gotten used to wearing a hat when we go out...lol

Having a great Holiday everyone!!!

Tasty Fall Treat- pumpkin seeds!

So, every year we carve our pumpkins we save the seeds. Yesterday, my children a 4 children I watch in the evenings carved some great pumpkins...and we cleared all the weeds to save...so I thought I would share three ways we cook them.

First clear all the seeds...its okay for a bit of pulp as it adds to the taste. DO NOT RINSE THE SEEDS. It can take away some essential oils and flavors.

Recipe 1
Spread a tablespoon of oil on a sheet pan and lay the seeds in one even layer. Sprinkle with salt of choice. ( love sea salt), give the pan a little shake to make sure tha salt get everywhere. Then bake at 300 for 15-20 minutes r until lightly brown

Recipe 2
Spread honey...a very thin layer about 2 tablespoons on the botton of the pan...salt if desired and then spread out in an even layer then bake on 300 for 15-20 minutes

Recipe 3
Spread seeds in an even layer on pan and then sprinkle with a surgar and cinnamon mix....I always say mix i ahead of time to taste. You can once again give the pan a good few shakes and then sprinkle a bit more to coat both sides! Its up to you. Then bake at 300 for 15-20 minutes.

Each gives its own great taste!!! And all are loved by all the members in my family.....

PS- Something we tried last year...thinning down some peanut butter with a wisk -Add a small amount if syrup to make it a bit thinner...just so that its thick enough to coat the seeds...pour the mixture into a bowl and then mix seeds into it...strain if needed and put on pan and bake as above...these were really great as well!!