December 30, 2010

Gone, But Not Forgotten

Well, I'm actually not dead, so that may not be appropriate. Hello, my dear mama friends! I am sorry that I have gone MIA like that. Really, you deserved better. I hope you'll forgive me. The holidays sort of took over and it has been a while since I even opened my poor laptop. It's got abandonment issues now, and the other day I caught it trying to attack the iPhone. 
This week I had a really great idea. My parents got me some laminate flooring, and my Dad and I installed it. Because really, why wouldn't home improvement projects be a great idea right after Christmas? I am full of glorious ideas!
This was my house this week:
So hopefully you can forgive my absence. I appreciate your understanding. 


It's been tough lately, I tell ya. 
Just look what I found in the bathroom. 
 I'll be back in 2011, I promise, my dears. Not Blessed Mama has missed you. 
Happy New Years to you all. 

December 20, 2010

Blah Humbug!



So... Christmas, if you hadn't noticed, is in a few days. As was probably made obvious by the title of this post, I am having some difficulty getting into the spirit this year. Of course it's always fun with the kids- they are so excited, it's hard not to enjoy it. 


But I must say (and I hesitate to share this, but I think I'm not alone here) that financial problems are making this a tough year. Our story is like so many others- husband laid off, then got a crappy job with a big pay cut (and then another pay cut on top of that- yahoo). We'll be okay, though. Many others have it worse than me. We have a roof over our heads, food, electricity! So I shouldn't complain too much. 


BUT, if you know Not Blessed Mama, you know she loves complaining. Complaining makes the world go 'round! So for today's Christmas inspired post, I thought a "Blah Humbug" was in order. Instead of being festive and joyously celebrating the season like everyone else is, let's complain and be bitter and crabby. Just temporarily, and then we can be all jolly come Friday. For now though.....


-Toys 'R' Us sending me 3 e-mails a day makes me stabby. How many "best sales of the year" can they possibly have?
-Ok, this is hard to admit- but Salvation Army bell ringers make me stabby too. I don't have any money! And every where I turn someone else is asking me for it! Yes, I realize how horrid it sounds for me to say that people volunteering for charity are irritating. 
-Wrapping presents makes me REALLY stabby. I remember when I was younger I used to love wrapping presents for my grandmother. Wrapping presents for fun? What a stupid kid I was!
-Kay Jewelry commercials make me so stabby I scratched the television with a knife before I got ahold of myself. Not every thoughtful present has to be a diamond- and not every kiss begins with Kay! Screw you Kay!!!


So, I'm really hoping some of my readers will chime into Blah Humbug so I don't have to be a crabby, whiny Scrooge on my own here. What's making you stabby this holiday season?

December 17, 2010

Mukluks??

I'm sure my lovely loyal readers will recall my commitment to review my favorite purchases from an environmentally friendly, family-run small business- Hip Mountain Mama. Well here is November's December's installment!
There are always a ton of new things added to this awesome site, and great sales too. There are many things I'd love to order, but as soon as I caught sight of the Mukluks I knew I had to get them. Spawn#2 had these slipper-moccasin-sock-hybrids when she was a wee lass and they were awesome. These Mukluks (I am not the only one who didn't know what Mukluks were, right???) from HMM only come in adult sizes, which was perfect for Spawn#1- did I tell you he's a giant? He's a giant. 
So anyway, they arrived and they are perfect! There are some really cute colors but also neutral ones that are great for boys. 


They're warm, thick and toasty and they stay on very well. Since they're 100% wool they are a little scratchy, so you will need to wear socks with them. I may actually just tack a sock inside of them so they are easy for Spawn#1 to wear. 


And remember (as always), when you purchase from Hip Mountain Mama you are supporting hand-made and fair trade practices. It's not often that you get to feel good about purchasing something these days, and I am always happy that the quality items I order from HMM are contributing to the lives of others. 


And pssst! Check out HMM on Facebook, they are always having sales and specials for fans. They ship daily, so hurry, you still have time before Christmas!

December 13, 2010

Lost In Translation- Christmas Edition

Remember the other day when I said everything was going to be Christmas themed? I wasn't kidding!
Yesterday Spawn#3 and I were out in the front yard. I was on the lawn, he was walking on the sidewalk. When I went to check on him, he told me that a neighbor 2 houses down had just said "a-s-s". And yes, he spelled it. Getting alarmed, I looked down the street- I wondered if the neighbor finally realized how much I detest him for constantly letting his dog roam without a leash. I asked Spawn#3 again what happened- "He said a-s-s, like Kick Ass". (That stupid movie that enthralled everyone in this family with it's catchy title.) "He said a-s-s to you or to someone else?" "No, mom, that letters over there says a-s-s and I know that 'cause I'm a small boy", he said, pointing-
He' such an advanced reader. 

December 12, 2010

December 8, 2010

Wordless Wednesday... And A Few Words

Christmas Edition! It is December, so that means that everything must be Christmas related. Everything. Are you a communist or something? Get on board!


This is a glimpse of my Dad's house. Crazy, huh?

This is a super cute tiny little Nativity Scene I got at the
thrift store because it was so stinking cute.

Another tiny, ridiculously cute Nativity Scene. 
I have a lot of Nativity Scenes for an atheist.

Our first gingerbread house.
Hansel is missing already. 
Guess the witch ate him.
Or it was the Spawn picking at it. 


And last but certainly not least, the Walmart Victorian
Christmas Village. Notice the amazing detailing on this
piece. It's high quality and sought by collectors. 

December 6, 2010

Not Blessed Mama's Christmas List

It appears that the Christmas rush is officially upon us. Less than 3 weeks to go! Somehow time has passed me by again. While I'm distracted with my Christmas shopping, I thought someone might be able to pass my list on to Santa. I have been a (reasonably) good Mama this year, and I think they're very reasonable requests.


Dear Santa, I've been nice! Can I have:
1. A manicure. Santa, have you seen my hands? They look like I dig trenches instead of raise children. 
2. 18 hours of straight sleep. For some reason I am convinced that all life's problems would be solved if I just got to sleep for a day. Or two.
3. Meal delivery service. Do you have any idea how many more things I could get done in a day if I wasn't spending half of it in the kitchen?
4. A bathroom that doesn't smell like pee. Yes, I can have that now, but I'd like it without having to scrub the toilet. And the floor. And everything else. 
5. Clothes with no stains on them. It's bad enough that the Spawn must go around town in clothes covered in dirt, paint and whatever else they get on themselves. Must Mama look like a bum too? That stupid homemade slime. Knew it was a bad idea.   
 6A Roomba. What? Those things are cool!
7.  A big ol' tricked out mini-van. Ok, I know this one is asking for a bit much... but Santa, I have been soooo good and I want a mini-van sooo bad! I have 3 kids! And you know how much crap they have- you've given them half of it, so I feel you are a little bit responsible here. I want one with a cooler in the floor for drinks and removable seats and DVD players and and and.... all that good stuff. Any color is fine. 
I anxiously await your decision, and thank you for your consideration.
Love, Not Blessed Mama



December 1, 2010

Wordless Wednesday... And A Few Words

Yes, yes, I know- I'm a little bit late. But it's still Wednesday on the west coast!
If you are a loyal Not Blessed Mama reader (I love you, loyal readers), you may have seen last Wednesday's photo where I had to go all crazy kung-fu style on the garage door. Sigh. BUT, I am happy to report that thanks to a generous and resourceful father and a handy-dandy husband, I can present to you.....
TA-DA!
Our brand new (to us) non-broken in half garage door. Yeay!

November 30, 2010

Why Must The Post Office Be So Hellish?

Everyone hates the post office- that's no secret. I avoid it at all costs, which is actually pretty easy. Unfortunately, lately I have been E-baying my butt off to get Christmas money and we are out of printer ink (I have a cartridge ordered but it's taking a while). Yesterday I had no choice but to drag the Spawn to the USPS at about 4:30 pm (which is the witching hour in post office world- right before closing). WOW was it crowded- there was even a line for the automated machine. 
Now, you have heard me complain about my Spawn before, but in reality I think they're pretty normal, average, rotten children. We go places- sometimes it sucks, mostly it's fine. But the post office. *shudder* What is it about the post office? It's like a full moon to a werewolf, but for children. The second we approach the door the Spawn are racing in, elbowing each other for first place- what's the prize? Apparently only dirty looks from senior citizens. As we took our place in line I quietly threatened the Spawn with serious bodily harm if they did not stand next to me and be quiet. Why is that place so quiet? Why does it echo so much? Every move makes a huge sound- and when the Spawn make huge noises, it's echoed around the world. 
As we stood in line, the Spawn did everything they could to make sure every one in the place was staring at us. Stomp their feet, push each other, argue loudly about who gets to hold the packages, throw toys on the floor. To make it even better, we were all slobby with un-brushed hair after having a lazy day at home. Maybe people thought we were wild people from the forest and it was the first time we had been in a building?
I finally completed my transaction, and waited for Spawn#2 to put my last package in the drop slot. Waiting, waiting, waiting.... "Mommy, it's not working." Well of course it had gotten jammed  on my last package! I grabbed a postal employee to let them know, so 50 people wouldn't be smashing my box while trying to get the drawer open. He quickly ran in the back to check- I imagine he'd probably have done anything to get us out of there. 
This is Spawn#1 before we went in. I suppose I should have known how awful it would be if he was preparing for battle. 

November 26, 2010

Black Friday, You Were Fun

But I cannot say I will miss you. One day a year of crazy, insane, psychotic shopping is enough for me. I saw on the news that our local Toys 'R' Us was expecting 2,000-3,000 people. CRAZY! And hello, on-line shopping.
I did venture out though for a little bit, and got to chat with an old friend while waiting in the whoreanus lines. So I had fun. But, now I am exhausted and have a Black Friday hangover and am very grateful to be guest posting over at Things I Can't Say's Blog Friend Feature- Black Friday Edition, of course! So go check out my words of wisdom over there, 'cause I'm about to take a nap.

November 24, 2010

Wordless Wednesday... And A Few Words


Do you need a door kicked in?
Do you want fast, friendly service
with a smile?
Then please consider
NOT BLESSED MAMA
for all your door kicking-in needs!
Lock your keys in the garage?
Husband out of town?
Not Blessed Mama can kick that door right in for you.
Her prices can't be beat!
Want that pesky door to break right in half?
Not Blessed Mama can do that too!
Don't delay, call today!


P.S. Happy Thanksgiving, my dear mama friends. 

November 22, 2010

OTT: High Heels

Hello, my dear mama friends. Today's off-topic tantrum is brought to you by none other than those atrocities called high heels. On their own, I don't think they're that bad. Sure, they're uncomfortable, bad for your feet, expensive.... but it doesn't bother me when I see people wear them. Some are really cute.....
These beauties are by a company called Iron Fist and I am a little infatuated with them. I mean, high heels and zombies? Pure genius. Alas, you do not see many plus sized mamas flitting about in high heels, and there is a reason for that.
BUT, what has really been irking me lately (irking- isn't that a great word? If it's a word) has been these pregnant celebrities I see out on the red carpet in their stilettos. 
 Christina Applegate- doesn't she look gorgeous? And adorable? Glowing? YES, she does! And when she gets home and her feet swell to twice their normal size, she's not going to be glowing so much anymore. Please, pregnant celebrity mamas, ditch the high heels. It hurts me to watch you walk around in them. It can't feel good. It's gotta be dangerous- can't the surgeon general chime in on this? Grant a reprieve to all pregnant woman from heels over an inch? It's something I'm going to work on. 

November 15, 2010

Things I Love.... And Don't

Things I Love...
1. A quiet rainy afternoon, curled up in a comfy chair with a good book and the window open to listen to the soft droplets fall.
2. Cooking and enjoying a delicious, relaxing dinner at home with my family.
3. Having a date night with my husband and going to the drive-in to watch movies- childless!
4. Cuddling up with my little ones at bedtime to tell stories, snuggle and laugh. 
5. The warmth of a purring kitten curled up between my feet.
6. The laughter of a good friend during a long phone conversation.
7. The excitement and promise of the holiday season, and the joy of sharing it with my loved ones.
8. Kind neighbors who are thoughtful enough to call when my car light gets left on.
9. A big, cozy, comfy, warm sweater.
10. My beautiful, healthy family. 


Things I Don't Love
1. The Spawn getting muddy and wet within 2 seconds of walking out of the door on a rainy day.
2. Burning dinner and having my husband ask me why I burned the dinner. 
3. Wasting $14 to watch 2 lousy movies at the drive-in while I freeze my arse off.
4. Being forced to threaten the Spawn with bodily injury if sleeping does not immediately commence. 
5. The psychotic cat biting, attacking and licking my feet while I try to sleep. 
6. My friends being too busy with their hectic lives to listen to me complain about my hectic life. 
7. Stores forcing me to start my Christmas shopping the day after Halloween. 
8. Neighbors who give me the evil eye because my kid spilled nail polish in their driveway- once!
9. My new big, comfy, cozy sweater stained with a batch of homemade goo.
10. My crabby, sniffley family. 




What are you loving and hating lately?

November 10, 2010

November 8, 2010

Not Blessed Mama Cooks... Sometimes

So, what's for dinner tonight, my dear Mama friends? In our house it's.....




frickin' nothin'.
Not Blessed Daddy has been working out of town during the week for a while now. And while he is a lazy ass bump on a log doesn't always help out at home, at least there is another adult in the house. Another adult to distract the screaming, crazy, relentless, lovely Spawn. Single Mamas, I salute you. It sucks major ass to be the only adult around. It's hard. Lately I have been so tired- the house is suffering, the cooking is suffering. The Spawn don't seem to be suffering, but I did find a pig's head on a stick in the backyard. Oh wait, that was in a book.
About the cooking.... I thought I'd share another of my super simple recipes that the Spawn are just loving lately. 

Not Blessed Mama's Famous Pasta
1. Boil spaghetti.
2. Put in a bowl with parmesan cheese.
3. Eat!

This dish will be a favorite in your house, I promise! It doesn't seem to go over so well at potlucks and on the holidays, but we love it anyway. 
Do you have any simple, easy, quick recipes you'd like to share? Because you KNOW I need them!

November 3, 2010

Wordless Wednesday... and a few words

The funny things is- they were both awake. ;)

Christmas Cards from Shutterfly

You all know how much I love Shutterfly- I've been using them for years, and even had their photo cards as my first give-away. Well Shutterfly is now offering  20% off all holiday cards..... and they have the cutest designs. I love making photo cards to send out. People get to see my cute Spawn, I don't have to write a message (since it's printed on the photos), and I don't even have to SIGN the dang things. And some of the designs are quite affordable:
This design is great because I can never get a decent picture of the 3 Spawn together. Someone is always looking drunk or making a fist behind someone's head. 
This card (and this one too) also have multiple spaces for pictures. This year, I think I'd like to get as many of
our animals in on the Christmas card action as possible. How awesome would it be if our 3 guinea pigs were wearing Santa hats and wishing people Merry Christmas? It' be sweet!

Shutterfly is giving me 50 free photo cards to blog about how awesome they are. And they are awesome, trust me! I continue to be a satisfied customer. 





November 1, 2010

The Two Most Important Things I Have Learned In My Life

Not Blessed Mama has been around the block a few times. She's learned a few things. She's seen things.......
Ok, not really. But I do have two wonderfully awesome tips from my dear friends that I feel the need to pass on to you. They are beautiful in their simplicity. Without further ado...


MIND BLOWING TIP NUMBER ONE:
Do you ever hang wet laundry or towels (or bathing suits or bath mats or jackets or hand-washed halloween costumes) from your shower curtain rod? I always used to- until one day at a friend's house, and I saw the inside of her shower. My life was forever changed. 
Do you know what you are looking at? Has the Earth moved beneath your feet? That's right- it's my bathtub, with two curtain rods. Yes, I know- how brilliant is this? Not only do I now have plenty of room for hanging items to dry, I can simply pull the outer curtain closed and all items are easily hidden when company comes. Wow. It's utter genius. 



MIND BLOWING TIP NUMBER TWO:
You may know that Not Blessed Mama loves wearing skirts and dresses. Sometimes when you are wearing a skirt or dress, your thighs can get sweaty and sticky. It's ok, we can talk about it- we're all friends here. This tip actually comes from a friend's sister, but it has changed my life in such an amazing way that I must tell you that.....
Deodorant applied to the insides of the thighs will keep you feeling smooth and soft, even in the stickiest (hehe) of situations. And if you're thighs don't ever touch, we probably shouldn't be friends. Just kidding. Not. Yes I am. 


Well my dear Mama friends, I hope you have enjoyed these lovely tips. I know they have probably brightened your whole day- or maybe even life. You're welcome!









October 29, 2010

Halloween Is Almost Here?................. (dammit)


Oh, my dear Mama friends, I just do not know what happened. Time just keeps passing me by. A few days ago I was telling Spawn#2 that we couldn't start her Halloween costume because it was too early. I had a whole October/Halloween curriculum packet- not opened until yesterday. And we finally carved our pumpkins today, 3 days before Halloween. Ok, to be fair, you can't carve them early here in Sunny California.... last year they were filled with mold in 3 days, and super squishy and really disgusting.  
I broke down and bought another of those rip-off pumpkin carving kits today for 5 bucks, so the Spawn could (in theory) carve at the same time. It took a good 30 minutes to get all those pumpkin guts out- the kids hate doing it, so of course Mama has to. We started carving, and all 3 of my little pumpkin carvers broke! I almost stomped back into the drug store with my twisted scraps of metal to demand a refund, but I was covered with pumpkin entrails. So that meant that, you guessed it, Not Blessed Mama had to do all the carving with a damn steak knife. We wound up with some pretty sad Jack 'o Lanterns, but they are DONE! And the kids love them, so I guess all's well that ends well. Or whatever that saying is.

Spawn#3 wanted something super scary. 

Of course, so did Spawn#1. Boys.

And Spawn#2 wanted eye lashes, but messed up and
had to cut these big ol' eyes out. 


HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!

October 25, 2010

What Does your Clothing Say About You?

Normally, my clothing says, "I was made in Vietnam by a man who doesn't earn enough money to feed his family". Really rather depressing, isn't it? I have been making a big effort to buy as much of our clothing used as possible. It's quite easy for the kids. But I am a plus-sized mama- and since I don't wear muumuus, options at the thrift store for me can be limited. Recently I told you about my new endeavor with Hip Mountain Mama- she was looking for mamas with a commitment to the Earth who were interested in sharing their experiences with her products. I recently ordered the 4 Tiered Lace Skirt and I LOVE it. I am definitely a skirt and dress girl- they're easy, comfortable and cute. Plus, if you get them long, people don't stare at your natural (not shaven) legs!



The skirt is lovely- well made, gorgeous, with a nice cut and feel. It's made by Gypsy Rose, and reading the tag warms your heart- "This garment was hand crafted in the peaceful mountain Kingdom of Nepal, where the mountains are high and the air is pure." Gypsy Rose's goal is to ensure that the environment is not harmed and they pay their workers fair wages (no child labor!) and provide clean , safe working conditions. Now, if you had just gone to Wal-Mart and bought a $5 shirt, an angel would be crying. Well, probably. 


Gorgeous, hand made clothing made by a company with morals- sold by a family owned business committed to the environment? Win, win! Please check out Hip Mountain Mama for amazing green products for your entire family. 


I was not paid to do this review- all views are my own and are completely true!

October 22, 2010

Where Do You Belong?

I gotta tell you about something that's been bothering me, my dear mama friends. At home I am the classic mama martyr- doing everything for everyone else, tirelessly, ignoring or postponing my own needs. You know the drill. The thing that bugs me is that I don't have any place of my own in our house. I don't have it decorated how I would like- I'd have to say our style is Ikea-HandMeDown-Cheap. We don't own the house either so we can't do too much to it, although I have painted a little. Since we co-sleep and I'm constantly nursing a babe at night, I bed hop to which ever room happens to need me (with a nursling in tow). So the master bedroom isn't really mine- we have no office to make a computer corner- the living room has Taco Bell lights in it. My stamp just isn't anywhere. Well, my friends might argue that the kitchen is mine- it's decorated in Hello Kitty stuff. But I didn't buy any of that stuff (even though I do love it)- and let's face it, the kitchen is a torture chamber of endless chores not somewhere you can relax and enjoy yourself. 
But upon reflection, there is one place I really love. And here it is. 





It's my hammock. A good friend gave it to me when she was leaving town a few years ago, and she has no idea how much joy this simple thing has given me. I nurse my little guy in it. I read in it. I snuggle my big kids in it, and tell them that I will squash them if they dump us out. I watch the kids screaming "LOOK AT ME MOM!" on the trampoline in it. I chat with friends, play with my iPhone, and listen to the breeze in it. It's big, orange, and comfy. And this is the view:




And finally, the people in the hammock:


So, where do you belong?

I took these pictures with the Hipstamatic app for the iPhone, which has to be one of the coolest apps ever. It isn't free, but it's awesome.  

October 20, 2010

Wordless Wednesday... and a few words


Spawn#3 and his cousin. Don't they look like angels?
It was a nice break from the screaming. 

October 18, 2010

Autumn- Or, GermyTime

Who doesn't love Fall? The trees turn gorgeous shades of red, orange and yellow. It's sweater time- a welcome break from the sweltering summer heat.
And, my kids are sick. Without fail.
Growing up, I was a sickly child. I didn't have anything specifically wrong with me- I just caught everything, and I was always sick. Back before medical records were computerized, the Doctor would heft in my chart and drop it on the desk with a big thump. I remember my mother asking why I got sick so much- and there was no answer. Immunity wise, I just suck.
So I suppose it is fitting that I have the snottiest, sniffliest little kids around (sniffliest- did you like that word?). If someone sneezes in France, my kids get sick. Poor Spawn#1 gets it the worst, then it trickles down in a lovely domino effect. Kids all get wiped out- bam, bam, bam. I lug out the towels, the vomit bowls and the wash cloths for wiping noses. I'm a pro at dealing with puke- shouldn't I be getting some kind of medal for that? Why don't the real skills in life get honored- like the ability to catch a 2 year old's vomit in a bowl, without spilling a drop on the bed, while you vomit in a plastic bag yourself? Yes, that seriously happened. It was probably one of the worst moments of my life. I just don't understand why I'm not getting some national recognition. How about November 3rd can be Moms Are Awesome for Cleaning Puke  Day? And you send your mom a bouquet of rags and Lysol? Just a thought.
And hey, if your kids aren't puking and you have a moment- go check out the blog post I wrote for Laugh Until you Cry- I promise, it's not about vomit.

October 15, 2010

My First Guest Post- Oink!

Gather round, my dear mama friends. I told you exciting things were afoot! I am so excited today to be hosting my very first ever guest blogger! I feel so worldy, and fancy. She's a fellow mama humor blogger from a group of awesome moms on SITS, called the Oink tribe. Don't laugh- I'm trying not to take offense to the name. Without further ado.....
Hey There! I’m Losing Brownies, and I’m so excited to be guest posting today for my Oink Tribe SITStah, Not Blessed Mama!
Over at Losing the baby weight…one brownie at a time I often write about my life as a SAHM to The Boy and usually I include my husband, Gadget Guy, in these adventures, mishaps, and antics. I write about a variety of things, but you really don’t know what you’ll get on any given day.
The Boy turned 5 months old this month. Since The Boy is my current employer and I came into this job knowing not so much, I’m going to write about 5 things I’ve learned in this new job.
1.      Never leave the house without a change of clothes… for yourself. No matter how well you plan you will be spit up on, pooped on, peed on, or vomited on. Having a back up is worth it, especially if you are having family photos done! Believe me, this happened to me both times we attempted to have pictures taken!
2.      When making plans always allow yourself a two hour buffer. So if want to meet up for lunch at noon, then make yourself think you are meeting at ten, because between getting the diaper bag packed, feeding your child, a diaper change, an outfit change and stopping for gas or some other forgotten errand, you’ll eventually get to your destination two hours later. My non baby friends always expect me to be late, running behind, or feeling a bit crazed when I finally show up.
3.      Your child will make a liar out of you. If you ever mutter the phrase “My child never…” or “My child does/doesn’t...” they will automatically do the opposite. Take for example my Grand Dad. He came down for a visit and for the last 5 months I’ve been telling him how wonderful The Boy is with new people and how easily he adapts to them. Well the first time my Grand Dad tries to pick him up The Boy starts wailing and screaming. We tried this the entire weekend. It wasn’t until the very last day that he finally warmed up to him, and then Grand Dad had to leave.
4.      The laundry will never be done, the house will never be spotless, and the dishes will always need to be washed. You could spend all day getting it done, but the next day there will be more of it. Don’t sweat it if it takes a while to get to it. And don’t forget to ask for help! If someone doesn’t want to help clean, you know there is someone who at least wants to cuddle and squish your baby.
5.      No matter how bad the day goes, seeing your child smile and coo at you will always make you feel better, even if it’s just a tiny bit.


October 13, 2010

Goings On

There has been a lot going on over here at Not Blessed Mama lately. You know, Hollywood producers calling wanting to know my life story, Juicy Couture sending me free purses, getting invited to movie premieres. It's been amazing! Well, that was a slight exaggeration. But there has been a lot going on here. It's been fun and rewarding watching my little blog grow, and getting involved in some really cool projects.

Firstly, I got my first anonymous hate mail over my pro-breastfeeding post. I knew it would happen one day- I knew someone wouldn't like what I was writing. But I honestly didn't expect the meanness and spitefulness of the personal attacks. It's why I turned on comment moderation- it almost made me quit blogging (the horror!). I decided to keep chugging along though, writing my little bits of insanity for the internets. 

Secondly, I got my first product to review- the BrytonPick Flosser.

And the reason I am only writing this little blurb about it instead of reviewing it is that- it sucks. It's a little plastic stick with a metal tip you stick between your teeth to floss. Who wants to be sticking metal up into their gums??? My husband and I cracked up when we saw this. The package warns you to be careful and not cut your lip with it. And I couldn't even get it between my teeth. Sorry Bryton, this one's a fail. 

Thirdly, I have joined a really cool website of women supporting each other in their blogging endeavors- The SITS Girls. You probably all know about them, since I am last in line about everything- but if you are not familiar with them, go check them out. And a shout out to my fellow SITStahs!

And finally- you may remember me shamelessly begging you for votes a few months back in a writing contest I entered, if you are a loyal reader (I love you, loyal readers!). Well the lovely Suzy over at Hip Mountain Mama sent out a call to her customers to form a Sisterhood of like minded women who would love to talk about the items they have purchased from her awesome family owned business. And I guess she needed a little bit of snarky to go with all that green-ness, so she chose Not Blessed Mama. I'll be posting a review of a skirt I recently bought, and I'm pretty sure it's going to be my gateway to plus-size modeling. Or, there will be pictures.

SO that is all the exciting, fun, craziness that is going on with Not Blessed Mama. I'd like to thank you again, my dear mama friends, for reading. I'm loving this wild ride we're on together, and I love hearing from you as well!

October 11, 2010

Not Blessed Mama Cooks! (sometimes)

Mamas, let me be honest with you- cooking isn't my thing. I do cook- we try and eat at home as much as possible, and only eat out on the weekends once or twice. But I really don't enjoy it. At the end of the day I'm getting tired, the house is getting messy (or already is a disaster), Not Blessed Daddy's home and things are generally just chaotic and busy. The last thing I want to do is slave in a hot kitchen over a meal that will be either inhaled in 30 seconds or picked and prodded and rejected. Needless to say, simple meals are generally preferred. One pot? Excellent.  Few ingredients? Yahoo! So in that spirit, I would like to share one of my favorite recipes. It's simple, easy, tasty and the ingredients are probably already in your cupboard. AND it's Filipino. You see, N.B. Dad is Filipino, and I figured it would be nice for him to eat some food from his childhood. I knew I would never stack up to his Mama, but I was okay with that- until he asked me to make this dish to take to the in-laws the other day. As I told my brother-in-law, "Do you have any idea how intimidating it is to make Filipino food for your in-laws when you're white?!" They all raved over my Chicken Adobo,  and I hope it lived up to their stringent standards. 
it doesn't look like much, but you'll love it!


CHICKEN ADOBO
ingredients: 1 cup soy sauce, 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, 2 Tbs brown sugar, 
1 Tbs chopped garlic, 3 bay leaves, black pepper, chicken thighs
  1. In a pot, combine soy sauce (low sodium is good), vinegar (I use white distilled), water, brown sugar, chopped garlic (I use canned!), bay leaves, a dash of black pepper, and as many chicken thighs as you like. I used about 3 lbs. the other day- the leftovers are excellent, so don't worry about making too much. I prefer boneless/skinless, but that is not the Pinoy way- we compromise with skinless, bone-in.
  2. Boil like crazy for 30 minutes and don't turn the heat down until you hear the pot boil over. Frantically hope dinner is not ruined
  3. Okay, okay, number 2 was a joke. Well, it's what I do- but do as I say, not as I do. Gently simmer for about 40 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. You want it bubbling, but not a rolling boil. Check broth after about 25 minutes. Add water if it's too strong- but it should be tangy. It will be soupy.
  4. Eat! Ladle the sauce over rice. 

This recipe is super easy and hard to mess up. I don't even measure the ingredients anymore, just dump it in and cook away. I hope you try it and enjoy it!
And if you have any quick, easy recipes (especially for the crock pot), comment below! My family will thank you for it. 

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