Holy Tuesday Temptations

Boo has been just terrible the last week or more, and the effort to manage his outbursts, bad behavior, clingyness, early wakings, no-nappings, and everything else has worn me to a nub.  I do have my regular babysitter to help me out, but Boo is staunchly refusing to do anything she asks him to, and will only do what I ask if he can stay with me all.day.long.  By the time we both get him out the door to the park or wherever (because it has turned into a two-man operation even though I stay home), the screaming fit has been going on for more than 30 minutes, and I just feel wiped out by the effort.  I don't even feel good about the time I have when I get it.  I've got things to do today to get ready for late Holy Week and Pascha, but after this morning's ordeals, all I want to do is curl up with a book or watch a movie and try to recover.  I desperately need and want the space, and I can only take so much of a child who wants to be physically glued to me most of the day, especially with all our stairs.

I feel like crying every time he has an epic tantrum over being made to participate in an activity or family routine that isn't his idea (and these are so so frequent right now).  It also doesn't seem to matter how much time or attention I give him; it is never enough.  He's a great sucking sponge of neediness and he is draining me dry.  I get that he is anxious about the new baby coming, and that we have a lot of non-routine things happening this week with Holy Week and Pascha on Sunday, but his anxiety levels and need for control are just beyond the pale right now.

Add to that the other two kids' increased anxiety and spring upsetting their various sensory issues, and we have a fairly volatile kid-stew lately.  It isn't all bad and there are certainly moments of levity and even some feeling good moments for me, but mostly, I just want it all to be over.  I want them to be older, better, normal.  I want to have my body back, and feel better, and just find my groove again, instead of sleep walking through my days and nights.

It is Holy Week, and these things are here to tempt us, so I guess the best thing I can say in these trying times is: 

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner."

7QT: The Monty Python Boys, a Car, and Evidence of Creative Genius (or something...)

--1--

I mentioned last week my problem with blog writing amnesia; of course, the minute I published my post, I remembered what I was going to write for take 6!  My husband and I have commented several times lately that watching Boo walk or run down the sidewalk is not unlike watching the Monty Python boys on their "horses" in The Search for the Holy Grail.

Behold:

--2--

In other news, we bought a car!!  On Saturday, we took a family road trip into Lancaster County (also known as Amish Country around here) and went to see a man about a car.  We test drove a white Mazda5 that was an ex-rental, had it checked out by PepBoys, ate some fast food and the kids and I browsed a dollar store whilst waiting for the car inspection to be complete.  Considering one of my children *cough*Birdie*cough* is one of the worst car travelers evah, the trip went spectacularly well, and we now own a car that will seat our whole family come June (without having to contemplate who rides in the trunk!)

 

It is technically a microvan, and has sliding doors like a minivan, but it is much smaller so we can park it more easily in the city.  (It is only 9" longer than our Corolla, actually).  It doesn't have much cargo space, but as we were comparing it to the six inches of cargo space in the Kia Rondo, it seems fairly spacious to us!

--3--

Speaking of dollar stores, I usually avoid them for a variety of reasons not worth going into here, but that said, $4 buys a lot of happiness when one is waiting with three impatient little children while waiting for a car to be finished!  They all picked out a $1 pair of sunglasses, and I ran some quarters through a vending machine that dispensed jumbo erasers shaped like birds and between those and the little plastic action figures in the Happy Meals from McD's, everyone was pretty happy for the rest of the afternoon.

 --4--

We have this pretty flowering tree outside our house that looks very nice, but is basically the bane of my existence from April-October.  (It also doesn't belong to us; it belongs to our neighbor).  In the spring, before it flowers, it sends out these annoying little pods that get into everything and stick to everything and get tracked all over the house.  A few weeks later, it flowers, and then the petals rain down on everything and also get tracked in all over.  It is like a flower storm over here!  I'm dust-busting the floors multiple times a day just to get up the petals (and we are shoe-free in the house, so what gets in is what is blowing in whenever the door is open for a minute or two).  Things aren't too bad over the summer as the tree just has green leaves once the flowers are done, but then in the fall the mess starts up again as the tree sheds its leaves and anything else that didn't come down in the spring. 

We've had a lot of viral respiratory illness these last two weeks, and I'm sure all the pollen on that tree isn't helping. On the other hand, the nicer weather means the kids can play out on the back patio again, so that is a bonus.

--5--

Speaking of respiratory illness, I came down with a pretty bad sore throat about a week ago, and my voice has gone from mid-range to authentic Lauren-Bacall-whiskey-soaked-range.  I feel like I should be auditioning for To Have and to Have Not:

My singing voice is total rubbish, and my speaking voice kind of comes and goes, so I can't really get after my kids with any kind of volume, but I suppose that is a reasonable penance for the end of Great Lent.

--6--

As for the end of Great Lent, tomorrow is the unofficial start of Holy Week for us; it is Lazarus Saturday, which makes Sunday is Palm Sunday. Then, we are in the race to Pascha!  I'm so ready for Lent (and this pregnancy) to be done!!  It is unlikely I will post any Quick Takes next Friday, as Holy Friday is always a busy day full of lots of extra church services.  

--7--

I have nothing crafty to share today except the evidence of my creative genius (i.e. a messy craft desk), but I will share pics of my scarf-back-roll hair do that I've been relying on a lot this winter (plus a gratuitous 34 weeks belly shot...because it's my blog and I can do what I want to...).  I used Tasha's excellent hair tutorial, and it really is a snap to do.  Takes about five minutes and voila, an instant vintage hair do!!

--Bonus--

 

 

My boys play with the Little People Farm and Zoo exactly the same way, Every Time. I can't decide if it is some kind of weird commentary on our childproofing situation or the ways in which our house is small.  Either way, it always strikes me as slightly sinister.  But maybe that is just the hormones talking...

Go see Jen for more Quick Takes!!

Foodie Friday: Lazy Man's Veggie Bake with Garlic Couscous

I wish I could take credit for this creation, but I got the original recipe from a friend at church, who in turn got the recipe from our priest's daughter.  I adapted it quite a bit because of what I had on hand, combined with the protein needs of our family.  Oh, and I remembered to take a picture this time!!

Lazy Man's Veggie Bake with Garlic Couscous

Serves 4-5

2 boxes Near East Roasted Garlic Couscous (note: contains soy protein)
1 can sliced beets, drained and rinsed and then diced
2 hearty handfuls of frozen sliced carrots (or two sliced fresh carrots)
1 can mushrooms, drained (or use 16 oz fresh sliced)
1 -2 bell peppers, diced
1 handful sliced frozen peppers (omit if using two fresh)
1 small zucchini, diced
1 red onion, large diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
½ teaspoon salt (I recommend using a large flaky sea salt like Maldon--totally worth the price of admission)

Slivered almonds (optional)*

Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place vegetables in a large mixing bowl and add oil, spices and salt.  Toss thoroughly to coat.  Place vegetables in a 9x13 glass baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes or until nicely steaming.

Make couscous according to package directions and fluff with fork.  Serve roasted vegetables over couscous and top with slivered almonds.  Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired.

*For those who are aware of my very serious nut allergy, I'll just say that almonds are one of the few nuts I can tolerate to have in the house.  Until 2006, I was even able to eat almonds myself, so I tend to keep them around for the kids, since it isn't so dangerous for me to handle them, or to inhale the odors (as opposed to say, walnuts, pecans, or cashews--those are lethal and must never enter the house!)  I do take precautions, however, and am careful not to handle almonds with my bare hands if I can avoid it, and scrupulously clean twice anything that comes in contact with almond butter or whole almonds. 

Oh, Hello!

I mentioned previously that I volunteered to make some boards for a stamping event in June.  The second set of cards I made had to feature one stamp set, but could use any layout or color combination.  I found the best way to go about this project was to peruse the splitcoaststampers gallery and pick 12 cards I wanted to CASE.  (I originally picked closer to 25 cards, but then narrowed it down based on complexity of project and available supplies). I admit, this stamp set wasn't super high on my wish list when the catalog first came out, but it has definitely grown on me!!  I'm glad I got it, because it is turning out to be a super versatile set.  Most of these cards are straight copies, but I did adapt a few here and there a little bit.

Talking Tuesday

I'll admit, I did borrow this quote from a priestly friend's Facebook post, but it spoke to me, as I sometimes feel that I'm sleepwalking through this season of my life. 

“The glory of God is the human person fully alive.” - St. Irenaeus of Lyons (2nd century)

7QT: Catcalls, book repairs and Mama, the Human Train Track

--1--

When you live in a big city, random weird things happen when you are on the street.  This past Tuesday, I was waiting at a bus stop, and this random guy came out of the nearby Wawa, gave me an up-and-down look, clicked his tongue, and said, 

"Mmm, girl, you look fine."  I was flabbergasted (especially as he'd caught me subtly readjusting my clothing a bit), and just looked dumbly at him.  (In my head, I was thinking: "Hello?  8 months pregnant, here??")  

He looked back at me again, and said, "I don't mean any offense or anything, but you look good."  

"Uh, thanks, " I said weakly, never so happy to see a bus pull up in my life.  

In case you still care: 33 weeks tomorrow

I'm still not sure whether to be flattered or creeped out.

*A note about the dress I'm wearing (in case anyone cares): it is a vintage feedsack dress from the late 1930s, bought on etsy last year.  (It was one of my first vintage purchases!)  I bought it big so it does fit now, it's just a little short (thank goodness for ASlipShop slips!!)

--2--

Sad packing tape repairs

We have a book problem in this house.  There is the obvious problem of volume--my husband and I were dual academics before children came along, and had the requisite home libraries of two pretty dedicated bibliophiles.  When we moved in, we had 60 boxes of books.  We've since pared that down, but we have also added a whole new category to our collection: children's books.  I have a love-hate relationship with children's books.  Many of the newer titles are just dumb and painful to read more than once, and the classics can sometimes be hard to come by (although I'm having great luck with the Little Golden Book "Classic" series, which features titles all published before 1955).  I love that my kids love books, and want to read them, but I hate that all the sensory issues in this household mean that our books take a serious beating loving from the kids.  I feel like I'm constantly repairing books with packing tape and it drives me bonkers that they are so hard on these books, many of which are out of print and difficult to replace.  I've always had the most precious books up out of reach, to be read when an adult is supervising (ChildCraft series, I'm lookin' at you, kids).  I know I shouldn't be so attached to books--they are things after all--but I do regard books like friends and it pains me to see them treated so harshly.  

I'm sure no one else has books that look like this inside! (snort)

--3--

He only looks innocent.

 Yesterday, I think I had a parenting first.  Boo was running his Henry train over my arms and legs, using me as a train track.  I didn't mind that until he started running up my neck and into my hair, where Henry promptly got stuck fast in one of my pin curls.  Because I couldn't see how it was tangled, my attempts to disentangle him just made the wheels more stuck, and in the end, I had to give him a yank and took some hair out with it.  After that, I declared all areas above the neck to be train-track free zones.  I did have

a clump of hair in my hand this morning after I took the pins out.  Oh well.  Preview of post-partum coming attractions.

--4--

I wrote several weeks ago on the other blog about my Vintage Seven fashion picks,* with maternity and nursing in mind.  My shoe picks included Dankso sandals, which have been quite fabulous for me in the summers, pregnant or not.  This pregnancy, however, is rewriting the rules on so many different levels, and I suddenly find myself without casual shoes that fit well and it is only April 19!!  I can still get my dansko sandals on, but they are snug, and because of some non-pregnancy related foot issues I'm having, almost all shoes are a little painful to wear right now.  My green AE ballet flats are okay, but not great, so I'm on the hunt for something to wear on my feet for these last 6-7 weeks, as I hope the swelling in my feet will go down.  I'm considering some Blowfish flats, but I have a terrible time finding flats that don't tear up my feet because I have bone spurs and high arches, so I'm hesitant to take the plunge (and mostly, I don't want to spend any money on shoes right now, since I have several perfectly good pairs that will fit again soon!)

--5--

Update on the car drama:  We test drove a Mazda5 last night, and we are sold!  It has more cargo space than the Rondo, I like the captain's chairs set up in the middle row, as it allows easier access to the third row, and I really like the way it handles.  We were able to park it easily in the neighborhood (we borrowed a friend's car to try out), and the kids seemed pretty happy in it.  The blind spots are less troubling than in the Rondo, which I like very much as well.  We decided that it was better to get a car that suited us best now, rather than buying a car on the contigency of another child in a few years.  We can cross that bridge if we come to it, says I.  It is also easier to find a used Mazda5 than a Kia Rondo with the specs we need, and frankly, I just want to check another box on the list of Things That Need to Happen Before This Baby Comes.

Obviously, after driving an old Corolla for so many years, my husband and I will have to get used to driving the bigger vehicle, but that would be true of any car we buy.  There are two potential used vehicles within 45 minutes of here, and my husband is planing to go check one or both or them out tomorrow.  Perhaps by Monday, we will be proud owners of a car that will fit our whole family!  

--6--

Sometimes I have great bloggy thoughts as I'm drifting off to sleep, and I think, "I should write this down so I remember to put it in the blog in the morning."  Then I get lazy about going down a flight of stairs to write something down at my desk and think, "Nah, I'll remember it."  Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I know I thought of a great take last night about Boo, but can't remember it now (and I'm sure it has nothing to do with the splitting headache I woke up with, or the fact that the kids have been fighting non-stop since 6:30 a.m.)  

To be perfectly honest, lately I feel a bit suffocated by my kids.  Boo has always been a clingy kid, and needs lots of hugs and cuddling, but lately, he freaks out whenever I leave the room, and is constantly climbing on me, rubbing my legs and arms, and generally hanging all over me all.the.time.  Piglet and Birdie, who are the complete opposite when it comes to physical affection, have also gotten clingy lately, and it is driving me a little bonkers.  (Not to mention the physical strain on my increasingly awkward body).  

The trouble with having three kids five and under with sensory issues who are also going through a clingy phase is that when I can't give them what they want, they cry and scream and carry on for hours, because not one of them is good at self-soothing.  So even though I've had some good days lately, I still feel worn out by the daily grind with them.  I know it probably has a lot to do with the impending arrival of the babe in the bell, and that things should settle back down sometime this summer, but that seems a long way off. 

--7--

I felt pretty bad on Monday after having to run around after the kids so much on the weekend, and so took it easy that day.  I woke up Tuesday feeling worse, and thought, here we go again.  Then suddenly, around 2:30 on Tuesday afternoon, I perked up, got a second wind, and started feeling much better!  The rest of the week has been smoother, for which I'm grateful.  I won't say I feel fabulous, but I definitely feel better than I did.  I even got a few days worth of stamping work done!  I'm doing a project for my upline, Claire, and this week had me making mini cards, using up some of her old dsp scraps.  I didn't have time to photograph all the iterations, but this is what I made this week:

 

 
Go see Grace and Co. (while Jen is still recovering) for more Quick Takes!!

Foodie Friday: Barley Caponata

My husband loves barley.  I mean, LOVES it.  He will eat it in almost any form: pilaf, soup, plain, you name it.  I made this dish quite often last year and the year before, but it hasn't really appealed to me this Lent (and I'm not tolerating chickpeas very well any more), but it is a good hearty recipe.  You could also use brown rice, orzo, or any other separated grain in place of the barley.

Image courtesy of National Barley Council: barleyfoods.org

Barley Caponata
from National Barley Council

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 4 cups chopped eggplant (one large eggplant is enough)
• 1 red or green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 pound small fresh button mushrooms, sliced
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves or 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves, crushed
• 1-1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves or 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, crushed
• 2 cups cooked pearl barley (see cooking directions below)
• 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes and juice
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon seasoned pepper
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives
• 10 drops red pepper sauce

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until golden, stirring occasionally. Add eggplant, bell pepper, mushrooms, basil and oregano; sauté 10 minutes. Stir in cooked barley, garbanzo beans, diced tomatoes and juice, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes. Mix in vinegar, olives and red pepper sauce; simmer 5 minutes longer. Makes 8 servings.

To cook pearl barley
Place 1 cup pearl barley, 3 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 45 minutes or until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed. Makes about 3 to 3-1/2 cups. (Place extra cooked barley in an airtight container and freeze for use later.)