Just life these days.

Why is it that I feel just as busy, if not busier, now that I'm "home" than when I spent most of my day at the office?  Maybe that's unfair to say--I'm definitely not busier with busy work.  But I am up to my ears with certain things I've chosen to take on. 

It's the usual stuff for many moms:  PTA, volunteering, family duties, etc.  But I've also decided to co-chair a certain community committee for our school board.  Did I mention that the report is due right after the holidays?  The very time of the year, if history tells us anything, that I become smitten with every holiday craft, recipe, and activity I happen upon...which leads to a gazillion false-starts and piles of abandoned projects, handmade gifts, and children stuffed into cutesy sweaters?  It should be interesting. 

Until then, here are a few highlights from the week.

Quick and easy Nutella brownies, recipe from here.  These aren't terribly rich, just so you know.  And since I prefer a gooey and fudgey experience if I'm going to have a brownie, I thought I wouldn't make them all too often.  But because they require only four ingredients (which happen to be pantry staples in my kitchen), they are a great choice for impromptu baking with the kidlets.  And because my kids love treats--even more so if they're involved in making them--Nutella brownies seem to be everywhere these days.

 

I also did some serious organizing around the house in preparation for a casual dinner party last weekend.  Every time our living room is clean I swear I am a nicer person.  Is it just me who gets crazy by the sight of clutter?  I'm not completely unrealistic...I know that it is impossible to avoid clutter when you share your space with small children.  But still.  There are only so many times that I can shuffle and reshuffle piles of mystery toy parts before I default to communicating soley through deep, huffy sighs. 

The boys have been kind enough to keep it this way for days.  It is such a treat to be greeted by this sight when I walk through our front door--I don't have a before picture but just imagine a scene that might make you question whether I run an in-house daycare. 

I should probably mention that my birthday was Monday and that maintaining this "clean zone" was my special birthday request (although I also overheard the oldest asking Charlie where he could get some "peace and quiet" for me, ahem)...

The dinner party was lovely.  It's been a few months since we last entertained, so it was nice to set up the dining room, make a big batch of sangria, and settle in for a nice night.  It was a full Tex-Mex menu for the very dearest of Texans.  I hope to reconstruct some recipes to share--especially my sister-in-law's marinade for the fajitas.  If we can recreate it, my search for the perfect marinade is over.  And to know me is to know what a huge statement that is.

Sandra