The Pursuit of Simple Dinners

It seems as time goes by that I get busier and busier and the days speed by faster and faster...
"How fast are they?" you say?

Weeeelll...I just finished drying that last dinner dish and it was time to make dinner again. (Yeah, it seems THAT fast) I vaguely remembered praying, sleeping, nursing, doing school, laundry and reading to the kids somewhere in between, but it is all sooo fuzzy...

I know for many, dinners are a special meal.
I am often tired when this hour arrives but I do recognize the fact that whatever efforts I extend towards my family are blessed and bear much fruit.  So, even if it has been along day, I try and find some little way to make my family feel special, especially when Daddy can be home to share the meal with us.

Simple, special, and nourishing....those three things I am always seeking.

Keeping this in mind, whenever I see a variation on simple ingredients that looks yummy, I just have to try it.  If  it is simple, I am usually able to pull it off and make it taste good even if I am distracted by all of my household's needs. 

Oh, like these wonderful dishes:

For our family dinner this past weekend, we enjoyed this savory Beer Chicken and these WONDERFUL potatoes.

... (don't even ask how much yummy garlic we used in all of those wonderful garlic holding potato slices)...let's just say we see garlic as its own food group here...

As I was saying...dinner was WONDERFUL.  We took about 3 large onions and sauteed them in butter until they were cooked waaaay down and mixed that yummy mixture with some cooked fresh carrots. 

It really didn't take any longer to make the meal that it ordinarily would, but it came out in a way that it looked like I took a lot of time fussing over it.

And while I am at it, if I take the time to have the table set nicely and maybe cut a lemon or lime in wedges to set by some iced tea or water with the meal, it is a little touch that seems to make a difference. 

Little things...done well...just a few thoughtful little things....

Family time is precious.  I want my family to enjoy meal time as a time of relaxation and happy moments.  It is a time where we take one step back from the world and its demands and enjoy the gift of each other. 
Why not fuss...just a little.

Things that only an older brother can teach you...

Say you are an 11mo old girl and the youngest in a bustling house of awe and wonder.  You are fascinated with all of the wonderful living that happens around you and the loving persons you dwell with, but you don't quite know what kind of potential it has. 

Fear not!  Your older brother(2.5yo) is here to help you learn the ropes!

If you squeal with delight as he jumps on the couch when Mom leaves the room but you are frustrated that you can't climb up and join him, he will push the cushions off to facilitate your access to said trampoline and jump <gently> holding both your hands so you can get used to your new skill.

If the oldest brother is making cookies and "carelessly" leaves an unattended bowl full of luscious cookie dough, your 2yo brother will scale the step stool with lightning quick agility and grab a handful of dough for you so that you can savor all of the wonderful nuances of this new flavor of food.  But of course his plan is somewhat foiled when big brother returns to his post. 

But, that's ok! 
There is another wonderful skill that you can learn in this situation!! 

What a wonderful opportunity to teach you every evasion method he knows!  He will teach you to split the booty with him and  run in the opposite direction of him so that one of you will have a reasonable chance of getting away with your spoils that can be shared when the pursuit is over.  (Note:  You will be meeting under the dining room table.)  He will always be sure to warn you  that a pursuit is inevitable but you have a 50/50 chance of evading capture, if you are alert.

If you want to splash in water and it isn't bath time yet, once again...big brother to the rescue!  He will fill up a watering can and shower it in front of you where you stand and teach you to step in the puddle and leave wet footprints across the floor, and he will hold your hand so you don't fall.  You will feel safe and confident in his capable hands!

If he tries to explain the wonderful substance SNOW to you and you do not understand, he will be sure and SHOW you the best he can!  Dumping a whole big box of baking soda on the kitchen floor may just give him the desired effect he is looking for.  He will then lay down on the pile of whiteness and proceed to show you how to move your arms and legs back and forth so you can make your very own snow angel in summertime!  Just to make it easier on you, he will make sure you are both without clothing so that you can pretend to be Frosty the Snowman when you are finished and he will march with you and the broom over the newly vacuumed carpets across the whole length of the house.   Experiential hands-on learning at its best!

Your big brother loves you so much and wants you to love him back.  He will patiently take your hand and run it down his face from his hairline down to his chin saying patiently over and over "gently, gently"  And is very patient with you as you repeatedly smack him in the forehead yelling "ge, ge" and then he will watch you clap your hands in delight.  He is so happy that you are happy, even at his expense.   Don't worry, he will be patient and you will get the hang of it soon!

If you want the chance to learn the wonder of art expression, your brother will give you the brightest sharpie he can find and show you the wonder of creating large scale murals on the girls' bedroom wall.  Since he is a head taller than you, he can help boost you up so that you can create the  height you desire your mural to have.  The light pink color of the walls will show off your drawing beautifully and there is virtually no chance that it can be erased.  You can be certain that he will also show you how to color your body with the same sharpie and demonstrate how to effectively swirl the colored pen around and around on your belly button.   
Pure bliss! 

Your brother knows all of the best ways of discovering this fascinating world you have found yourself in.  There is no limit to his wonderful creativity so you can be encouraged that you will always have the best time while sharing his company.  Assuredly, he will share with you every tip and trick in his repertoire that will see you well through your third year of life.  

Ah, the joys of having a doting  big brother that truly loves you! 

How blessed you are, little one!