Family is Love

I have one sibling. Only one brother. And though some people may think this is normal, I know plenty who find it odd because they come from huge extended families. In fact, it seems more normal these days to meet people with 2+ siblings. Even in my family, that I've had, there are 5 kids (6 really but that's for another time).  And I know they have their differences but they seem to love being from a large family filled with love.

For me, one brother is enough though. He's so awesome I couldn't imagine having to share him with anyone else but my parents. I am the first born. Seemingly I would be the protector, the leader, the one that saves the day and makes everything good. But it is not so. My brother is my hero. He stands strong against the test of time. He has weathered the harshest of conditions and yet he still has kind words for people and always makes me know that everything, in the end will be ok. 

We did not have the most conventional of upbringings. Our father died when I was only 7 and he a mere 4. It has been a hard thing for us. Being raised by a single mother whom did nothing but teach us acceptance and love for others despite anything. She is a powerful woman, our mother. She always let us make our own decisions no matter how rash always reminding us that it is our own choices that lead us down paths in life we have to live with. I think my brother listened to these words more than I though. 

Being the eldest child I always ran free, not really having a care in the world and always doing whatever seemed fun and exciting. Not to say my brother hasn't had his own fair share of adventures, but

his lifelong dream was to be a husband and a father. 

He used to always tell me how he was going to work hard, raise a bunch of kids and just be a dad. A happy go lucky fun dad (similar to the way our own father was before his death). And this is what he has become. It has taken 30+ years of trials and tribulations, but I think he has achieved his ultimate goal. He's the father. He takes care of everyone around him (not without his faults of course. I'm not trying to say he's perfect).  He is always worried about tomorrow and what we are all going to do. He tries to have this cool aloof exterior when I know inside it's eating him alive, but he always says "It's going to be ok. No matter what". And he's always right. Every time. No matter what. It all works out, and he makes me feel better in the course of it all. 

When we were small our mom saw a psychic, this woman told my mom she had one child, a boy. But in her description of this child, it was a mix of my brother and I. Some people think we're twins when they meet us. We are very close and look strikingly similar (more so than most siblings). I think this says a lot about how I feel towards him. He's my better half. The less wild (which is saying a lot about me because he's an animal), and the kinder, more nurturing side. 

He's quick with hugs, always there with the laughter and has kind words for the worst of situations. All things I struggle with in life. My best friend (someone I've known since birth once told me she was afraid to hug me because I have that standoffish vibe I give off), but my brother, he always has his arms stretched wide open for those in need. 

I on the other hand am harsh, demanding, angry, quick with the words that cut and attempt to protect everyone. I'm possessive, he's just not. He lets everything be mine.  Probably because he knows I'm going to share with him in the end. He always wins. Everything. And he always makes me feel better when I'm at a loss. There's never a time when he doesn't make me see where I was wrong, and still accept me for being myself. He's never judging me. 

All of these rambling words come to one thing; I am most grateful for my brother. For all the times we fought and for all the times we've cried and laughed, I wouldn't trade him for the entire world and I'm thankful there's just him. No one else I have to share my love or him with. And of course, he's always making me feel safe and well loved despite all my downfalls.  

Cookie Monster

I imagine there are a lot of people out there in the world in similar situations as myself.   I have a large family, two hard working adults and 5 rambunctious children.  We do not have a lot of luxuries, and we attempt to live a simple life that affords us the little things we have.  As I have stated before (I think) we love food.  Baking, cooking and eating are things that we enjoy together as a family.  I know that over eating can lead to obesity, but I do not mean to say that we are out of control in our eating habits. Rather we cook dinner together and warm our home on blustery days with baked goods that warm the soul.  I must admit though, when November hits, our home becomes a baking frenzy.  I think a very large portion of our Christmas fund is poured into the kitchen.

Cookies, banana bread, brittle, pretty much any concotion that sounds delicious are things that come out of our cozy kitchen.  Because I bake so much at Christmas time, we generally give more than half of it away as gifts.  Everybody loves snickerdoodles, devil bites and chocolate espresso cookies!!! 

Rarely though, in the spring or summer, do I fire up the oven because it is so hot (we do not use AC) and we are more in the mood for ice cream and iced tea.  Today is a rare occasion.  The weather has decided that it is more like winter outside (even dumping snow in the mountains now in May) and I wanted a little something to warm our home.  Of course because it is 5 months after the winter, Christmas season, my baking supplies are diminished to some bakers chocolate, half a bag of chocolate chips, a cup of flour and a lonely little cup of brown sugar.  What on earth can you possibly make with any of that??

Like many other days, I take to the internet and search eggless, dairy free, and quick recipes.  And much like other wonderful moments of discovery I come across this wonderful blog Authentic Simplicity.  Anne Simpson  (also on Pinterest) gave me the key to quick, easy, scrumptious chocolate chip cookies that just happen to be vegan.

No eggs, no dairy and veagn.  I imagine this may not sound like the most enjoyable recipe for a lot of people, but I am telling you, in a pinch, in a time when you don't have money but you're craving something sweet, or your baking cabinet is depleated, these Chocolate Chip Cookies are going to rock your world. The most simple cookies I think I have ever made really.  I made a few adjustments (I am not vegan) but they still seemed to come out just as tasty as any TollHouse cookie I have ever baked (maybe it was the chocolates).  And I must interject, they came out fluffy, soft and moist, all things that I struggle with in other recipes.  I have been advised by my wise Aunts and Mother that it is due to the elevation but I don't buy it.  I don't think TollHouse was ever the way for me to go.  I was meant for something more exciting, more daring and maybe a little more healthy.

My Survey Addiction

So every housewife and mother out there can identify with the overpowering need to do something for herself. For a very long time I struggled with what to do in my precious moments caught alone (you know there are few when you have small children), but I found my outlet in online surveys. Who wouldn't want to do something fun and gain in return? I have tried every site out there I think. Few have kept my attention past the first survey. 

Often times surveys involve the disclaimer "sign up for these promotions to collect your points". I have no time or energy for the junk mail that ensues beyond that point. Many a survey site I have tossed aside. The two programs that I have found, that have really paid off are e-rewards and the new Raley's Something Extra Try-It program.

 e-Rewards has provided 100s of dollars worth of Game Stop gift cards to me over the years. I'm not sure exactly how or where on the Internet I found this awesome survey site, but I have been a happy member for over 8 years. Every survey you opt into and qualify for "pays" you money. The money collects in your "bank" and when you've earned enough you can redeem your "cash" for which ever program they offer. 

 

Excellent for a gaming family like ours!! Every little penny helps me save money I didn't otherwise have. 

Now the Raley's Something Extra program is a program I recently joined (I think in late fall of last year). The program is simple enough, it is a money saving shoppers program with a twist. You buy your regular groceries, your card tracks you, gives you a penny to the dollar in points (extra points on selected items throughout the store) and tailors in store coupons to YOU! At the end of each Fiscal Quarter (every 3 months) Raley's gives me BACK my points in dollar form to spend, any way I choose within their store. 

Now I understand 1 penny to every dollar doesn't sound like much in the form of return, but it adds up. In the month of December I received $40 and a few coupons for free items (that I needed). Who doesn't need $40 extra in their life? And for doing nothing more than shopping the way you normally would. Count me in!!! 

Just recently while inside my Something Extra application I noticed a new tab, the Try-It program. Upon further investigation, I found out Raley's is asking regular customers to join in and better their company through surveys. Oh my gosh my heart leapt, I hit the button and joined right in! This program, much like the Something Extra program, cost me no more than I'm already spending. This particular area of the site asks people like you and me what we think of their products. Talk about their program and products, share your experiences, and reap the rewards of discounted or free products. 

In my eyes, it really doesn't get any better than that. 

I love the idea of being rewarded for the things I'm already doing, or interested in. Free is free and getting money back after I have already saved money, even better. If you have any noteworthy survey sites please share! I'm always looking for something that helps me enjoy my few quiet moments but still benefits my entire family. 

Our Little Family

Conventionally I wouldn't say we have a small family, in total there are 7 of us, but I think we are a happy one. Although two of our five children are rather picky in their eating habits, each of them enjoys cooking with mom. 

For each season I attempt to bring my monsters together and encourage them to join in the making of something fun. Of course Christmas calls for the most goodies, but we try to do something all the time. Chex Party mix and Snickerdoodles (from Grandma's recipe of course) are family staples. 

This past year we have tried a lot of new foods, desserts and crafts. My beautiful daughter even started her own little bakery for school. You can find her on Facebook at Sophia's Bakery I encourage you to check out the power of a driven teenager. She loves to bake. That makes my heart happy because I love it too. There's something powerful in creating delicious moments you can enjoy. My little Boots loves too cook as well.

He is a bit of a ham and really doesn't like to eat many foods, but he LOVES making food and sharing it. Even went to school dressed as a chef during reading week to show what he wanted to be when he grows up. ( I'm not sure at the age 7 this will stick, but one can hope).

I suppose the idea here was to introduce a bit about us and our cooking adventures that are yet to be logged.  I'm still trying to get a handle on what I am doing so I can properly convey our adventures. I will try my hardest to source and link everything I ever share (with better looking links I might add). I am a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due. And that being said, I love the power of the Internet. I know a lot of it is the same information, but of course the presentation differs. I love pretty things. (Oh Pinterest *swoon*) I love to share. I hope you find something exciting on my page eventually. Please feel free to comment or share. I love meeting new people and am always open to suggestions of new sites to see and things to try!!




  

Revamping Blog time

Oh my gosh it has been YEARS, literally, since I was able to access this blog.  After a quick look over, it is quite apparent it needs a serious overhaul.  Where to begin? What do people blog about? What in the world are you interested in? You tell me what you want to hear and I will be more the willing to attempt to fill you in.  I suppose for the time being I will share my adventures in cooking (I kind of love food a lot) cool stuff I have seen on the internet and what not.  That's what people do right?  My ultimate goal is to use a new blogger app ( https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bloggo-for-blogger/id605860879?mt=8 ) on my sexy little iTouch my hubby got me for Valentine's day.  Must make best use of that bad boy any way I can.  I think hubby is starting to worry that I am only playing BeJewlled Blitz and Line Play on it........maybe I am......