Mothering Many

It’s birthday party time here at Chez Many, and while we usually indicate “no presents” for parties, we did not get the word out for Spidey’s party, and one of his guests brought him the coolest toy. Let me just say that what Corvette spoilers are to the man, so Hot Wheels accessories are to the boy. He got the V-Drop Super Velocity Track Set, and it was put together and played with at. the. party. Ice cream was left for this toy, ya’ll. By 8 year olds.

Obviously, I can’t speak as to longevity at this point, but for now, this toy is a winner.

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Sometime ago, like in October, which was three lifetimes in the past, I attended some training sessions for my role as Cub Master. As part of that we covered the ages and stages boys go through as they move through scouting, and I knew at the time I wanted to discuss it here for ya’l, but as things tend to do, it just slipped through the cracks. Except!! I have been writing a massive to-do list (when I finally got started on it today, it totaled 6.5 pages, that’s practically a mattress ya’ll), and guess what? That’s right, typing this post was on it. Along with many other things, HA! Anyway, here we go.

Seven year olds have a very difficult time with time. They have no concept of “later”, life is now or never. They are also very literal.

Nine year olds are into verbal violence. Dork, retard, and I’m going to kill you are real high on their list of cute things to say (personal experience indicates that this phase can last well into the teen years).

Eleven years olds need clear instructions, preferably just a few steps at a time. “Clear the table” may be more than they can handle, but they can certainly handle the job if it’s broken down for them.

Thirteen year olds are all about the fair. They want to make sure that everyone is treated equally (experience indicated that this phase can begin as early as eight in some kids).

Sixteen year olds are able to understand rules and their function. They are good with younger kids and able to think of others.

Eighteen year olds are beginning to show even more adult skills. They can delay gratification, compromise and set goals (and work toward them).

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Nope, this one is not a repeat of number one. It just so happens that when I went to get the Turtle Cookie Dough I had talked about previously there was none to be had in the store. There wasn’t even a slot for it. It was as if I had dreamed it or something, and I was sorely disappointed. In fact, I was sore right up until I hit the chip aisle, and saw chocolate and caramel chips. Like combined, with chocolate and caramel in the same chip. Umm-hmm, I said to myself. Oh yes, I said. And so I bought them. And I came home, and I followed the TollHouse cookie recipe, except I used the chocolate caramel chips and the roasted pecans I had made, and let me tell you: THIS IS A COOKIE! This may in fact be the world’s perfectest cookie. Truly.

Totally worth the plate real estate it occupies.

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If you are like me, then you have to taste those cookies the minute they are cool enough to touch without raising blisters on your fingers. And if your family is large and you make one batch of cookies, then they disappear in less than 24 hours. This year, I made 3 huge batches of cookies, and we have not polished them off yet, so I can finally speak from experience and tell you that cookies are so much better after they sit for 24-48 hours.

So next time you make cookies, make them a day or so ahead, and then grab one of your personalized pens and scrawl “HANDS OFF” on them. You’ll be so glad you did.

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Here’s a twist on a couple of old favorites. Like sugar cookies? Like butterscotch and peppermint and other hard candies? Make your sugar cookie dough, and then use your rolling pin or mallet to crush some hard candies. Sprinkle them over the tops of your sugar cookies and bake as you normally would.

Speaking of rolling pins and mallets, I am looking for a tip or seven about what to do with my kitchen implements. I love gadgets, and there are several that I would love to have, but I just don’t have any place to put them. Short of buying a dedicated kitchen tool storage cabinet, do you have any ideas for me? I do have a place I could put such a cabinet, but I would prefer to avoid that option.

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I did say recipes, tips and ideas, and today, it’s a tip. And, yeah, I know it’s Christmas Eve. And you know I said eight. There will be eight. Remember that we’ll be celebrating well into January. On to the tip!

When you are baking cookies, and the recipe calls for nuts, roast them with a bit of butter and salt before you add them to the cookie dough. Just a bit now. It adds a wonderful flavor. Trust me. Go roast some nuts now, because I’ll be in my kitchen doing the same shortly! I have two pounds of pecans in there just crying for some flavor enhancing salt and butter!

PS: If you’ve ever wondered why contemporary furniture is so much wider than antique furniture, tips like this one are why.

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I can take absolutely zero credit for this cookie, I simply found it on the internet. But I am going to make these Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies, oh yes I am, because bacon! in a cookie! with CHOCOLATE!!!! That’s like cookie heaven or something! I may need to order some eca stack afterwards, but make them I am. I’ll probably skip the glaze though. I don’t typically like glaze of any sort, except on doughnuts. Think that will help?

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Ok, what can I say about a child who climbs in the dryer? Yes, we laugh at her all the time. She’s just funny, and she knows it. She also thinks we can’t see her if she hides her eyes, and that is just hilarious. DaBaby gives great hugs, and loves to nap in her highchair. Yes, you can read that as “only sleeps when tied down”.

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Okay, here it is 6 days until Christmas and I have yet to post the first of the promised Christmas Cookie recipes, tips or ideas. I guess it’s time to do that, unless I plan to be a big ol’ Christmas loser, like one of those folks who forgets you wanted an unlocked phone, instead of one you couldn’t actually use.

This is possibly the world’s finest Turtle cookie. It has chocolate and caramel and pecans and it. is. so. good. Here’s my secret: it’s one of the Ultimate refrigerated cookie doughs from Nestle. I know it probably sounds like cheating, but for seriously. So good. Trust me! Use them to kick start your baking, and the house will smell great and you’ll have a tasty treat while you get serious about the measuring and mixing.

Now, I had decided that our Christmas celebrations were going to last well into January even before the events of the past 10 days. Let me announce that being pre-occupied with non-Christmas things does not lend itself to being fully prepared for Christmas, and that my extended schedule appeals to me even more now. The house is finally almost clean, and then we can put up the tree. Maybe. But the cooking and celebratiing and such will go on long past December 25th here at Chez Many.

My next post, however, will be about one of the children, and while I would like to get back here today to do that, my chronic inability to be two places at once tells me that it probably won’t happen until tomorrow.

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Sorry guys. It’s been real, and it’s been hairy, and in fact, it’s been real hairy. I’ve spent the past week burning up the roads to the nursing home where my Grandmother was, and this weeks I am burning them up traveling to her wake and funeral, and I know that I left you without explanation, but I simply have not had much time to blog, and when I have blogged, it’s been all about Cass.

I’ll be back midweek, and I’ll continue telling you about my adventures with truck accessories. Oops, that’s not quite right, is it? I meant to say children. For now, I need to finish dealing with the laundry.

Also, the cookie stuff is still coming. It just may be a little late. Sorry.

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