For sensory's sake!

Little Man is our only child so we were new to the parenting scene when our bundle arrived. Looking back, we had no idea what we were doing but utterly determined to figure it out! My experience with babies was minimal, especially in charge of growth and development. It was "sink or swim" for this Mom (President of the Old Parents Club).

With much due diligence and a rapidly developing toddler, I became the "let's try this" Mommy. For sensory's sake, something has to capture his attention for more than 2.7 seconds...I just haven't found it yet.

Our first success, with an overflowing toy box, was old school pots and pans. Who knew? He was a certified one man band! Many attempts to insert head in pot followed.

Yes, we too had the walker stage. The music and switches were hours of fun but spinning the wheels was the most fascinating. This was the first time I noticed his interest in how things operate, their "mechanism of action". (The walker was recently retired, may it rest in peace.)

Super Hunk's bike (err, bicycles) remains one of his beloved gadgets. Pedals, brakes, greasy chain (YAY!)...he loves it all. Did I mention the greasy chain?

This photo has nothing to do with his sensory development but it makes me giggle...and giggle...poor Dall! 

Light shows, I highly recommend them. Fun for the whole family's senses...except for sight, I may or may not have fallen off the bed!

This is his affection for latches and knobs. It's similar to my affection for chocolate and hoodies!

Super Hunk and I wanted to nurture his new infatuation so we began the McEwen Sensory Board Scavenger Hunt. Qualifying items included anything that clicked, latched, turned, or snapped. Things with knobs, hinges, springs or bulbs. I believe the people at Lowe's thought Super Hunk and I were heavily medicated. It was like a crazy episode of Supermarket Sweep! 

We had loads of fun assembling it and he's crazy, mad, nuts about it! Mission accomplished!

Sensory development is vastly important for our little people. It can also be fun for you, the parent, as well! Take time, be creative and get involved in their discoveries. They're only this small for a moment, let's make it matter!

(Sensory board includes light switches, combination lock, push light, door chain, tape measure, gate latch, hooks, mailbox flag, and a bunch of other random items. Of course, I painted it to match his room!)

If you enjoyed this, caring is sharing!

Post, Tweet & Pin!

What would life be without social media? Face-to-face conversations, actual human contact, brushing your teeth and shedding your pajama pants. I can see why some opt to "log on" instead of "go out", I sure do love my pajama pants (much to Super Hunk's dismay)!

However, it's the world we live in...why not embrace it? I'm a hugger and my computer doesn't reciprocate!

I've learned to enjoy social media. It was a bit intimidating at first but if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Right?

The thing I find most fascinating is how they all serve the same purpose (connecting individuals) but in completely different ways.

The Saucepans & Superheroes Facebook community is a "good time having" bunch! I link all blog posts but I also share other recipes, links to creative sites, daily bits of encouragement. Other than the blog, it feels like the Saucepans & Superheroes home (a place to prop my feet up, by the fire, and chat with friends). I'm still a little uncomfortable with "Poke" but I'm sure it's harmless.

Then there's Twitter, which I'm considered a newbie...my 9 followers! I think it's safe to say "world domination" is not in my near future! 

I have to admit, this might be my favorite social networking place. While Facebook gives you space to express paragraphs of rambling thoughts, Twitter gives you 140 characters. It forces you to be creative with your "tweets"..."I just fell down a flight of stairs with a guitar and accidentally wrote a One Direction song" (thank you, Will Ferrell). It's definitely the place for a good laugh (I'm still working on the correct usage of a hashtag but I will prevail)!

And Pinterest, you will always hold a special place in my heart! I know I speak for women everywhere when I say "Who was I before Pinterest? I know I've had a few original ideas in my lifetime...or did those come from Pinterest too?" Who knows. Either way, I pin things that will hopefully make your life easier, more fun, and oh so pretty!

To sum it up:

Facebook: "I like donuts. My Mom used to make donuts when I was a child...blah blah blah."

Twitter: I'm eating a donut! #yum

Pinterest: Here's the recipe for my donut, along with 40 other various kinds of donuts.

I know this hasn't been my most thought-provoking post but now you know what people mean when they say "I'm going to tweet your Facebook status"!

If you're on Twitter, you should become my 10th follower. If you're a Pinterest addict, check out my Profile. And if you're on Facebook, will you become a Saucepans & Superheroes Fan? I promise, it's worth your precious clicking time!

Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

Here are my links:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Color me green!

(Little Man on his first Day O'Irish)

Happy St. Patty's Day (tomorrow) from our meat and potatoes home to yours! 

Before I met Super Hunk, the only thing Irish about me was my love of plaid skirts. I now embrace all things green...and red hair...and fair skin! 

Apparently, you're not truly Irish until you've cooked corned beef and cabbage and attempted Irish Soda Bread (I think it's some sort of right of passage). The smell of cabbage cooking makes my nose want to jump off my face but I WILL press on...I'm always a girl with goals!

My bestie, Rekah (and her husband, Doc) were visiting this weekend. I wanted a festive dessert, tipping my hat to the clover holiday. Brookies seemed a logical choice, incorporating a little green...of course. 

Brookies, if you've never had them, are a cross between a brownie and a cookie. In my opinion, the most ingenious culinary cross breeding! You'll never eat a regular brownie again!

Chocolate Mint Brookies

1 Ghirardelli brownie box mix ( I used Chocolate Supreme but Double or Triple Chocolate would work well too)

8-10 Mint Oreos

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped Andes chocolate dinner mints (or green M&M's for more color)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x 13 pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with baking spray.

Make brownies according to package directions and pour batter into the prepared pan.

 

Cut Oreos in half and place them on top of the brownie layer. Chop Andes Mints in small pieces and set aside to use for topping. 

 

In a medium bowl, Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, and two types of sugars until blended. Add egg and vanilla and mix. Add flour mixture in two or three additions and mix thoroughly until blended.

Stir in chocolate chips by hand. (It's another good workout...I apparently have more of these recipes than I realized!) Mixture will be thick.

Divide dough into several parts, flatten them by hand and lay them on top of the brownie and cookie layers in the pan and pat down slightly. (Cookie dough does not have to completely cover brownie and cookie layers). You can allow brownie and cookie pieces to "peek" through. Sprinkle mint pieces on top and press in cookie dough.

Why is it when I think of mint I find myself singing "double your pleasure, double your fun, chew doublemint, doublemint, doublemint gum"?

Bake for approximately 28-36 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is set and a toothpick comes out fairly clean.

Allow to cool for at least 45 minutes before cutting them into bars.

(My Irishmen were watching the rain fall, I was eating a Brookie!)

 

Please don't blame me for your new addiction. You're welcome to join my support group!

Sidenote: I look ghastly in green clothing. It somehow has a way of making me look queasy. My compromise for pinch happy people is to wear it on my toes. I'm hoping tomorrow is warmer than today, taking my shoes and socks off to reveal my green might be a little awkward!

"May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright, happy hours. That stay with you all the year long." Irish Greeting

Caring is sharing! Be sure to introduce Brookies to your loved ones!

(Original recipe from two-in-the-kitchen)

Chicken Basil Pesto Pasta

This is a McEwen favorite and I promise, it will be yours too!.

I was first introduced to this marvelous mingling by my sweet friend, Natalie. A few of my "Lordy, Lordy" recipes have come from her...she's that kind of pal! I spent many hours sitting in her kitchen, anticipating the loveliness that would emerge from her stove! That girl has mad cooking skills!

I've eaten this dish so many times with the intention of burning myself out. Nope, never happens...joke is on me!

It's a perfect "throw it all together after a busy day at work" recipe, we all need a few of those in our arsenal!

Chicken Basil Pesto Pasta

1 large red bell pepper, cut into large pieces (you can also use a jar of roasted red peppers)

2 small cans of sliced black olives

1 jar basil pesto

3/4 box bowtie pasta (Farfalle)

2 chicken breasts (add more if you like, you can also use a rotisserie)

2 tablespoons olive oil

Grated parmesan cheese

Boil pasta, drain and rinse. Set aside.

In a large pan, heat oil and add pieces of red bell pepper. Cook until skin is slightly roasted on medium heat.

Reduce heat to medium-low and add olives to pan.

Then add chicken to pan.

Stir until mixed well.

Add pasta and mix well.

Add jar of basil pesto and mix until noodles are coated (make sure you smear it all over the sides of the pan, like me...no Photoshop here, this is real messy life).

Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes until warm.

Top with grated parmesan cheese and prepare for a party in your mouth...you've been warned!

Enjoy!

A tattered grocery sack!

This, my friends, is a perfect illustration of my day...a tattered grocery sack.

After a haphazard morning of being busy but accomplishing nothing, I headed to the shower (with the idea it would somehow wash away the chaos...silly me). Forgetting I had washed the towels (I was being so productive...but never put them in the dryer), I splashed my cold wet self across the bathroom floor...leaving a substantial body of water in my wake.

Next step, attempting to beautify my face...taking a shot at making myself look twenty (or at least, a rested thirty).  Brushing the bangs (I've been meaning to trim) away from my face, I unwittingly smudged eyeshadow along my forehead (Survivor style). Does your eyeshadow explode in 1,000 tiny pieces when you travel? Mine explodes in a fine dust that invariably coats my fingers every morning...you'd think I'd learn!

Applying mascara was a debacle, unless you're supposed to wear it under your eyebrow. If so, then my application was a success...and I'm trendsetting! Warning, blinking while applying is detrimental to the rest of your face.

These series of events convinced me I was simply not anointed to wear makeup...it was like putting lipstick on a pig. I'm certain the pig would've looked better!

Remember the body of water on the floor? Ouch!

A morning like this, what is one to do? Take a toddler grocery shopping! Genius!

I'll spare you the details of that outing but let's just say I may or may not have said "Here, suck on a lime"! I'll save those particulars for another day!

To finish off a seemingly daunting day, I unloaded the car and the last bag of groceries. The photo above illustrates my success. I now realize why paper is used to write on, not carry cans!

There you have it! "Lord, if this day was a test, I'm pretty sure I failed!"

So thankful I get a do over tomorrow! Can you come apply my makeup? I can't be trusted!

Pecan Pie Muffinettes

Super Hunk was up and out the door early this morning. I hate to send him down the road with an empty stomach....but I also hate getting up at the crack! Solution...Pecan Pie Muffinettes prepared the night before! Awesome sauce (as my friend, Lana, says...she's cute, perky and can pull it off)!

Here's the sinfully simple recipe.

Pecan Pie Muffinettes

1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
2/3 cup butter, softened
2 eggs beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 18 mini muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.

In a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and pecans. 

In a separate bowl beat the butter and eggs together until smooth, stir into the dry ingredients just until combined. 

(I want to eat this with a spoon!)

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Cups should be about 2/3 full. 

(Make sure you are extremely overzealous with the cooking spray, like me!)

(Little Man was helping me by constructing some sort of Polar Bottle structure at my feet!) 

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on wire racks when done. 

This morning...

Super Hunk is off with coffee, muffins, and a smile! And breakfast is ready for Little Man and me! Yippee!

(Don't forget the fresh fruit!)

Happy Saturday, friends!

(Recipe from allrecipes.com)

Flat Apple Pie

In my post yesterday (read it here), I listed food, glorious food, as one of the reasons I love Easter.

Whether it's a church potluck or a family gathering, the sight of a table full of assorted goodies makes my heart go pitter patter! It also reminds me that every year I vow to have bigger plates!

Flat Apple Pie is Super Hunk's favorite, consequently becoming a staple at any and all family feasts (thank you, Pioneer Woman)! While its sheer deliciousness makes it a fan favorite, I'm convinced Super Hunk's attraction is the "eat it by the slice" feature (just like a pizza pie)!

Flat Apple Pie
(Recipe from Pioneer Woman)

Ingredients:
1 pie crust (store bought or see recipe here)
(I make a few batches at a time and keep them in the freezer)
3 peeled, cored, and sliced apples
1 tablespoon flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Juice of 1/2 lemon
(This is usually too tangy for me so I use 2 tablespoons of apple juice instead)
3 tablespoons of cold butter

Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Roll out dough on floured surface.

In a large mixing bowl, combine apples, flour, juice, sugars, and salt. Stir until apples are coated.

Place crust on pan or in pie plate. Pour apple mixture in center, assuming you haven't eaten the entire bowl already! 

Fold sides over apples, the messier the better! There's no place for perfect pie crust in this his-ouse!

Top with butter, I cut my tablespoons in half because I want every inch of crust to experience the goodness of butter. No crust left behind!

Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and apples are bubbling.

Allow to cool slightly, slice and serve!

I promise, you'll never eat traditional apple pie again! Now, go have a slice...or three!