Building a Memory

This Memorial Day weekend our family is building something big.  Really big.  So big, in fact, that if you were 8 years old, you might even call it EPIC!  It’s……..a treehouse!

Did you have a treehouse when you were a kid?  I didn’t, but I sure wanted one.  How awesome is it when you’re young to have your own place to play and dream and store all your treasures!  A place that is all your own.  Far enough away to feel like you’re all by yourself, but close enough to hear “Dinner” being called.  Ahhhh, the magic of a treehouse!

My husband and I want many things for our boys, but more than anything we want them to know we love them more than we could ever express (my husband would say this in a much more manly, Marine-like way, but he shares my sentiment).  Sometimes we show that love through going to all their Cub Scout meetings and events,  sometimes through hugs and tickles, sometimes through punishment and often through prayer.  But on this 3-day weekend, we show it by building them a treehouse.  (Actually, just my husband built it with the help of both boys, but I did provide all food and beverages so I think that counts).

The treehouse is made from a few 2x4’s, plywood, nails and bolts, and a camouflage tarp, with a whole lot of sweat, determination, and hard work.  It’s only about 20 square feet, but it’s big enough to hold the dreams of two little boys.  It’s their play area, their hideout, their kingdom.  A place where they can bring their friends to play; a place where their imaginations can run wild.  A place they will have all but forgotten when they get their driver’s license.  A place they will long for as they first move out on their own and realize how tough the world can be sometimes.

While I can see how thrilled my boys are about this, I wonder if I’m even more excited knowing that we’re not just building a treehouse.  We’re building confidence, independence, dreams, and love.  We’re building a family bond.  We’re building a memory.

Garden Fresh Summer Salsa




My boys and I like to make homemade salsa with all fresh ingredients.  It's a great snack or a good starter on taco night!

 



Clean and coarsely chop 15 Roma tomatoes.







Saute half of the chopped tomatoes in a skillet over medium heat.





Liquefy the other half in a blender.  Pour into large bowl.  Set aside.




Finely chop one small onion and add to tomatoes in skillet.  Coarsley chop another onion and set aside.




Chop 1/2 cup each red and orange bell peppers.  Saute with tomatoes.




Finely chop 1/4 cup cilantro.  Add to tomatoes.




Cut 2 limes in half and squeeze juice into skillet.



Seed and dice two jalepenos (my strawberry huller works great for seeding the jalepenos).  Press 3 cloves of garlic.  Saute both with tomatoes.





Add 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup brown sugar to mixture.  Saute five more minutes stirring frequently.




Add contents of entire skillet to liquefied tomatoes in bowl.  Add coarsley chopped small onion.  Stir until well mixed.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.




This recipe will make 3-4 jars of salsa.  ENJOY!!!

 Garden Fresh Summer Salsa
15 plum/roma tomatoes
2 small yellow onions
2 jalepenos
1/2 cup each red and orange bell pepper
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup cilantro
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions
1. Chop tomatoes.  Saute half in skillet on medium heat.  Liquefy the other half in a blender.  Poor liquefied tomatoes in large bowl and set aside.
2.  Finely chop one small onion and add to tomatoes in skillet.  Coarsely chop another onion and set aside.
3.  Chop 1/2 cup each red and orange bell peppers.  Saute with tomatoes.
4.  Cut two limes in half and squeeze all juice into skillet.
5.  Seed and dice two jalepenos.  Press 3 cloves of garlic.  Saute both with tomatoes.
6.  Add 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup brown sugar to mixture.  Saute five more minutes stirring frequently.
7.  Add contents of entire skillet to liquified tomatoes in bowl.  Add coarsley chopped small onion.  Stir until well mixed.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

**Most ingredient amounts are approximate.  I tend to just throw in as much as I think "looks good".  It comes out great every time so change the amounts to your liking.**

This recipe makes 3-4 jars of sals and can easily be doubled.  I have given it as a gift many times and it is always well received.  I can't wait until the farmer's market opens so I can use locally grown, uber-fresh ingredients.  YUM!!!

Guide to Being a Stepmom on Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is here again.  It’s a day to pay honor to your mom for all that she has done for you by showering her with cards, gifts, breakfast in bed and overall making her feel loved.  But for stepmoms, this day can hold many different emotions.  There are stepmoms who will receive gifts, and stepmoms who will receive only blank stares.  There are some who will receive a forced wish for happiness and others who will receive a warm hug of appreciation.  Some stepmoms do not want or expect any recognition and yet there are some who hold onto a quiet hope that they will hear those three little words—“Happy Mother’s Day”.

I am incredibly blessed to have a great relationships with our boys.  But I know that’s not true for every stepmom.  While shopping for a Mother’s Day card this week, I noticed something strange.  There are literally no cards for stepmothers!  I was at 3 different stores  and saw all sorts of cards for mom,  mommy, mama, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, grandma, sister, aunt, daughter, daughter-in-law, wife, and friends.  Yet not one card for stepmoms.

I was rather perplexed since I have not heard of any new holiday called Stepmother’s Day (because if I had, I would be having quite a celebration).   So I asked my husband, “Did you know that there are no Mother’s Day cards for stepmoms?!?!!!”.  “Yes I did”, he replied (score 1 to my hubby for having checked out the card sitch).  And it made me think about all the stepmoms out there for whom Mother’s Day might not be so joyful.  So here are a few tips for a happy Mother’s Day.

Be Gracious.  If possible, wish your stepchildren’s mom a happy Mother’s Day.  This is really her day, you just get to share it.  Help your children create cards and/or crafts for their mom.  No matter what your feelings towards her, you would not have your stepchildren in your life without her.

Be Clear.  If you’re expecting nothing at all or you’re expecting to be showered with gifts, be clear with your husband about what you want.  Tell him exactly what you would like because (surprise, surprise) he is not a mindreader.  Chances are, he’s already thinking of some way to honor you, he just doesn’t know how.  And once he knows how, your stepchildren will likely follow his lead.

Be Thankful.  Whatever recognition you get, be thankful.  A simple text or hug may be a lot for your stepchildren to give, so appreciate every bit of it!  What you put in may not be what you get out (at least not immediately), but that’s true of any parent.  You’re in good company here!

Most of all, even if no one seems to recognize all the hard work and effort and love and caring you put into your relationships with your stepchildren, I can guarantee you one thing—God notices.  He sees everything you are doing and He is rooting for you!  He is cheering you on and smiling even as He sees you struggle.  You will one day be rewarded for all your time and devotion!

From one stepmom to another, Happy Mother’s Day!!!

My purpose

Simply stated, the purpose of this blog is to encourage, educate and inspire stepmoms everywhere!  There are many truly amazing stepmoms out there, but that “Evil Stepmother” stigma still exists and I want to change that by sharing ways in which we can all become better stepmoms! 

The information in this blog is relevant not only to stepmoms, but also to anyone who is considering becoming a stepmom, has a stepmom or knows a stepmom.  (Or if none of these apply, but you like to create yummy things in the kitchen, don't worry, I will be posting recipes too!

I will include personal stories about my journey towards becoming a better wife and stepmom.  I know that every situation and family is different, so this section is simply meant to share my own goals, trials, and triumphs.  I would love to hear about your journeys too!

There will also be tips, guides, how-to information from my own personal experience and the experiences of some fantastic stepmoms I am very blessed to have in my life.  I also include materials from expert research and other resources devoted to stepmoms.

Please subscribe below if you want to stay current with all my posts.  I encourage questions and thoughtful feedback, so feel free to comment.  My prayer is that God blesses every person who finds their way to this site.  Enjoy!!