Attempting to be a Super Mom

In our house we love to dip our meats here.  Ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, ranch, and blue cheese dressing are all quite popular here.  Every now and then I like to try new dips and creations.  Some are winners and others aren't.  I have chicken thighs marinating in the fridge, and while I have no doubt that they will be quite tasty, (I have them marinating in mustard and caesar dressing.) I wanted a dip for us to eat them with.  I have recently fallen in love with my Southern Living Homestyle Cookbook all over again and decided to try this White Barbecue Sauce.  Seriously, it tastes so good I can't wait to bake the chicken and eat them together. White Barbecue Sauce 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tbsp ground pepper 1 tbsp spicy brown mustard 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp salt 2 tsp horseradish Stir all the ingredients together until well blended.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator at...

The Weather::: It's 73 degrees today.  We're getting ready to go to the park here in the next few minutes. Right now I am:  Watching silly reality TV and looking through cookbooks while the kids finish their lunch. Thinking: I could really use a nap, but I have no time.     On my reading pile::: Haven't had much opportunity to read for me, but when I do I've been reading Widow of Larkspur Inn.  I've also started reading Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the kids at bed time.   On my tv::: Ripper Street and hopefully some Chicago Fire with my husband this evening. Favorite Blog post this week (mine or other)::: I've not been doing a whole lot of blog reading this week Something fun to share::: Barbara Brackman is a Quilt Historian, and she has a gorgeous blog filled with beautiful quilts and the story behind them.  Well worth the read if you love quilting :)    On the menu for this week::: I'm wo...

It's rest time here in the Tiemann house.  I try to do rest time for the kids everyday.  The big kids can nap or just lay in their beds and watch tv or read.  Usually I catch them playing with toys, but as long as they are somewhat quiet I don't say anything.  I love my kids and love spending time with them, but it's nice to get that little break during the day, to blog, nap, paint my nails, or watch a show my kids can't or shouldn't watch.   Today, I'm watching Chicago Fire . My father-in-law got me addicted.  I like crime dramas and medical dramas.  This just so happens to be right in between the two.  So good and really good people in it.  Besides, what lady doesn't like a hot man in fireman gear.  Warning, it is a little gross... I'm also snuggling with my sweet kitty. ...and putting off putting away laundry. I've been admiring this beautiful flower my husband got me for our anniversary. He knows me so well...

I have never tried brussels sprouts before, probably because my dad didn't like them so they were never fixed at home and had a bad reputation.  I like to say that I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to trying food. I finally bought some and set out to find a good recipe. I found the perfect recipe here .  I have to tell you also, that my 2 year old loved them! Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Onions 1 lb brussels sprouts 1/2 large onion, sliced 3 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 3 sprigs of thyme, plus 1 tsp of thyme leaves 1/2 tsp salt pepper to taste 1 tsp lemon juice Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil.  Cut brussels sprouts into quarters and add to boiling water.  Cook until barely tender, about 3-5 minutes, and drain. In a large skillet, brown the bacon until almost crispy.  Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and put onto a paper towel to drain.  Drain all of the grease but about a tbsp....

The Weather::: It's 21 degrees.  That's cooold.  We are spending the day inside where it's nice and warm Right now I am:  Sitting on the couch getting ready to fix lunch. Thinking: Lunch         On my reading pile::: The Widow of Larkspur Inn On my tv::: Hopefully some Doctor Who.  I've been missing it. Favorite Blog post this week (mine or other)::: I got behind on my blog reading.  :( Something fun to share::: On the menu for this week::: Monday  - Pork Tenderloin Tuesday  - Grilled Cheese Wednesday  - Egg Sandwiches Thursday  -   Cheesy Chicken and Rice Friday  - In KC Saturday  -  In KC Sunday  - On my to do list::: Put laundry away Kitchen floor Dusting Glass What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating::: My hexagon blanket and some warm compresses. Homemaking Tips::: I can't think of anything today. Looking around the house::: I have a giant basket of...

I'm working hard to roll with the punches, but it's getting difficult. So, I've started a couple of blog posts over the past few days but because I've been so busy, I never got to finish them.  I'm going to try to compile them all into one blog post now since so much has happened. I started the week out with a fun crafty idea.   It's a warm compress.  I think I'm going to make them for the kids because their room is so cold at night, to heat up their beds.  I used rice for the first one but was told I could use flax seed to avoid the rice smell.  I also thought about putting in essential oils.  It turned out really cute though. I also have been working on my hexagon blanket a little bit when I get the chance. It's taking so long because I have so many things I want to do and not enough time to do it.  I've also picked back up and old book (The Widow of Larkspur Inn) I had just stopped reading about half way throu...

The Weather::: Right now, it's 15 degrees.  Today it's supposed to get up to 28 degrees but by Wednesday it will be back up into the 40s and then almost 60 Friday.  This Kansas weather... Right now I am:  Sitting on the couch on my laptop watching the Today show on tv, sharing a blanket and cuddling with Sydney.   Thinking: I'm the luckiest mom and wife.  My kids are super sweet and snuggly today and my husband helped a lot with the housework yesterday and there isn't much to do this morning.       On my reading pile::: Just started Under The Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes On my tv::: Last weeks Grey's Anatomy and hopefully some Doctor Who Season 3.  I also promised the kids popcorn and a movie. Favorite Blog post this week (mine or other)::: I'm afraid I don't have one really. Something fun to share::: I was poking around a little bit on pinterest, as I often do, and came across this really cool and cute blog. ...

It's Friday!!!  Yay!  I love my kids, but between taking care of them and the house as well as taking Ben to and from school, doctor's appointments, etc, I am beyond worn out!  I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I don't know how mothers with full time jobs outside of the home do it.  At the end of every day, I'm completely exhausted so I can't imagine adding 40+ hours at a job on top of my normal stuff.  Ugh, just thinking about it is wearing me out. Thank goodness for my coffee or I don't know how I would manage it all. The kids have all been sick.  It's been pretty much every symptom in the book, but last Friday evening, Sydney started breaking out in hives.  I'm not talking a tiny pin point rash, I'm talking huge welts.  We took her to the doctor only to hear that her body is having an allergic reaction to the virus she has... Weird. I've been working on a hexagon blanket in bed, for the past several nights. I...