A fierce mama general

The last thing I think of as I'm falling asleep at night is: what shall we have for dinner tomorrow?  It is the first and last question to assault me each day.  I don't know if it's the same for everyone, but I can't rest until I've settled on a solution.  It doesn't have to be fancy (more often it's not).  It doesn't have to be time consuming (it almost never is).  But it needs a somewhat nutritiously satisfying answer.

I should clarify that I actually don't lose sleep over this.  (Precious little in this world is important enough to make me lose sleep over, and what is enough usually includes some form of a sick/teething child.)  No sir, dinner doesn't qualify.  Here is how it happens.  The thought pops into my head just as I start to zone out.  I struggle for a minute to stay conscious enough to think of a reply.  It usually only takes a minute - long enough to run through an improvised list of possibilities.  I pick one.  I do a mental jig.  Then, I'm out.  Like a light.  Goodnight world.

But let me tell you, when I have my answer, I feel like I've conquered a battle.  I am General Mama and I have vanquished my enemies!  Armed with a menu of sorts, I can loosely plan the day, sally forth into the kitchen and create.  The kids enjoy being part of this creating process too.  I think having M at home to recover a little more has been so good for him.  Besides resting well, he has taken up all kinds of domestic hobbies like peeling carrots and potatoes, vacuuming, mopping floors and turning over the laundry.  (He likes to watch new loads start their sudsy dance in the washer.)  It's as though he feels more connected to home and the rhythm of life here.  And that gives us both an inner peace and contentment.  

I have finished S's hat and gone and started another.  An owl hat.  A delicious blue owly hat.  I suspect it'll be for my little boy.  But, as I keep trying to convince myself, it seems a little silly to make him another hat right now.  He already has 3.  He loves to play pretend though.  We are often a family of lions, or dinosaurs, or rhinos... whatever the prince's fancy dictates.  I am always the mommy animal.  I am a fierce mommy.  A general of my troops.  We sally forth to do battle with numerous foes - crocodiles, bears, or lego trucks.

When they get tired of fighting, we retreat to our den - an elaborately constructed fort under the dining room table.  Here we rest and eat our well-earned snack.  Preferably something crunchy like raw veggies and hummus, or crackers and cheese.  We will also take cashews and apple slices, thank you very much.  The perfect way to end a play.

And the perfect way to end this post would be to share a favourite dinner recipe.  It's a very simple dish - a type of stew I guess.  Whatever.  My kids adore it and that is good enough for me.  We eat it with rice.  It takes only a few minutes to set up and meets my nutritional standards.  You can even substitute lima beans for the peas.  I feed it to little S, pureed up of course.  She loves it.  I hope you do too!

PEA STEW WITH BEEF CHUNKS

1 bag (750g) frozen sweet peas (or 500g dried lima beans)
1 kg beef tenderloin, cubed
1 large onion
3 Tbsp tomato paste
salt, to taste
3-4 Tbsp sunflower oil
2 cups water

Dice onion roughly.  Fry in sunflower oil until onion is translucent.  Add beef chunks and saute until fully browned.  Add water and peas.  (If using lima beans instead, boil in water until tender before adding to beef.)  Cook on high until boiling.  Turn heat down, cover and cook until peas are tender and beef is cooked through.  (Can add more water if desired.)  Add tomato paste and salt.  Serve hot with rice.

PS - As of this past week, I am working on a book.  Not writing, reading.  It's called The Theology of Illness by Jean-Claude Larchet.  (Yes, I picked it on purpose after this month's convalescence.)  I have found it rather comforting - it really has been such a perfect book.  I highly recommend it.

Starting and finishing

I've been working on a hat for S.  It's a lovely soft gray wool twined with white.  I just need to finish the ears.  Something I enjoy doing at night after the kids are all in bed.  The time I should be using to wash my floors.  Oh well.  Clean floors will have to wait one more day.  

Speaking of things to finish, atayef (those thin little stuffed Arabic pancakes) were on my to do list for a few years.  We had them a few times while we were in Lebanon, but I never got the chance to make them until now.  They are so decadent when paired with real whipped cream.  I didn't have crushed pistachios to sprinkle on them, but they dress up well with berries or even a dollop of jam too, though now I wonder if I'm being too un-traditional.  I used this recipe and it was very helpful.  I did find that I needed quite a bit less water however.  I suggest starting with 2 cups of water (instead of 3) and working your way up slowly as needed.  I may also have used slightly less yeast, but I can't remember. 

Anyhow, if you love pancakes, you'll be hooked on these!  They are perfect for entertaining - say an elegant bite-sized teatime treat.  The syrup is nice touch too.  Adds a little pizzazz when drizzled on top or used as a dip.  (My kids are fans of dipping.)  

And before I sign off, here are a few little projects and lovelies to share.

• This is a lovely shop.  The animal designs are especially nice.  
• I'm all about organizing and this is beautiful!
• This blanket is gorgeous and wouldn't take half the time to finish that knitting or crocheting would require.  An excellent idea for next Christmas?  That or I'm going to have to try quilting.  I am dying to make one for each of the kids, and I think I'd start with something like this.
• I have promised to make J a messenger bag like her brother.  Which means I am on the lookout for a good pattern.  I like this one, likely in a smaller size.
• And because I haven't had enough of making dresses for my girls, this pattern and this pattern are just begging to be started.