Done for love

My husband requested Chicken Noodle Soup for dinner tonight. Not really that big of a deal. Then he commented on how good it was last time I made it when I used homemade chicken stock.

My mental plan of buying all the ingredients in cans to save time was adjusted. Chicken was bought on the bone (and cheaper!) and baked. Chicken picked off to save for the soup and later meals. Bones cooked with veggies to make the stock. Everything recombined to make a soup my husband will love. A day long process completed. Dinner for 3, my husband and boys ready.

Me? Can't stomach chicken. Haven't been able to eat it since I was pregnant with my youngest. Four years since I've been able to enjoy chicken. Cooking it today was even difficult. For some reason my aversion to chicken, the smell, sight and taste, lasted longer than my pregnancy. I used to eat chicken probably 5 nights a week. Since the fall of 2005 I haven't finished a meal of chicken.

Cooking chicken for my family, a dish they love, is a way I show my love for them.

Pass the crackers and hummus, please.

Been too long

No excuses, just life and haven't been in the mood to blog.
Everyone is great and thriving.
We're truly blessed.
But even though I know that, it can be hard to see.
Sometimes we don't see the beauty of the forest, only the clutter of all the trees.
Lately our trees have been covered in white-snow-ice.

Todays Mama Giveaway

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
A massage
Pioneer Woman's cookbook
Dutch Oven
Lush bath items
Philosophy Gingerbread Man scrub

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
A scrapbook made by my mom

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
A quilt

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
My cabbage patch doll

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
Playmobil toys

6. What is your favorite holiday food?
Christmas cookies

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
PJ Pants for my boys

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
White Christmas

9. Favorite holiday song?
Ave Maria

10. Favorite holiday pastime?
Watching Christmas movies

1. All laundry from our trip is clean and put away
2. Floors have been washed and vacuumed
3. I helped the boys make construction paper jack-o-lanterns today. Bill just "loves it."

Small Successes

1. Exercised everyday this week.
2. Read books with the boys, checked out new ones at the library and returned the old
3. Made spaghetti pie for dinner and everyone loved it.