The Sideline Mom

Cinnamon rolls and the (almost) Christmas Cat-tastrophe

Cinnamon rolls. Just the mere word can bring such joy, such comfort, such love, such salivation.

So I started the tradition of making the rolls a few years ago when The Pioneer Woman posted a recipe on her site and suggested others try it themselves. I like suggestions. I liked her rolls. So I went for it. And I have been making them ever since.

Family, friends, neighbors, noblemen and children of all ages love them. They are just so darn wonderful.

This bring me to a little story about the said cinnamon rolls.

This year I layed out my pans started my dough on the stove and got the remainder of the ingredients prepared to make the delicious mounds of bliss.

They call for butter people. Lots and lots of glorious butter.

 

I rolled out lots of dough and began the baking process.

After I finished several gooey pans (I only made 23 pans this year) I set out to deliver them to all the lovely people in my life.

One of those said people being my neighbor Olivia. She has two daughters. One is a senior. One is off at college at the moment and I noticed that her car was in the driveway and that she had made it home from school for the holidays. I thought the girls would love some rolls.

  

Upon seeing her leaving for work the next morning I dashed (yes dashed) over to hand her a pan of rolls. She was overjoyed to recieve them. In her rush to get to work she ran in a left the rolls on the kitchen counter.

After she returned home that evening she walked in the house to find the pan completely empty and totally clean.

She immediately called to tell me and said she could not decide whether or not to be angry that the rolls were all gone and she never got to enjoy one herself or laugh at the fact that the pan was honestly clean enough to be used again. She also said she called because she thought I would enjoy hearing how much her girls enjoyed the rolls.

I totally enjoyed hearing how much they enjoyed them and after a few more minutes of normal happy phone chatter we said goodbye and hung up.

I thought to myself I will have to send over another pan and instruct her to have one before the girls devoured them again.

Approximately and hour and fifteen minutes later my phone rings and again it is Olivia.

Here is how our second phone conversation of the evening went.

Me answering the phone: Hey Olivia! What's going on?

Olivia: Well you are not going to believe this. ( in somewhat of a distressed tone)

Me: Oh my goodness what?

Olivia: Well right after I hung up with you I went into my bedroom and found Coco (her cat whom I take care of while shes away at times) lifeless on the bedroom floor.

Me: Oh no! Oh my gosh Olivia!! What happened?!!

Olivia: Well she had used the bathroom all over the bedroom and had white stuff all over her mouth and was not moving. I called the girls who were not home at the time and told them to get home immediately.

Me: (listening intently and totally shocked)

Olivia: We managed to determine that Coco must have eaten something. Upon asking the girls how many cinnamon rolls they had eaten between them we figured it was five rolls. How many are in a pan?

Me: Oh my! There are eight in each pan. 

Olivia: Okay I am here at the emergency vet and he wants to know what's in them. You don't put any aspartame or sweet and low in them?

Me: Nothing artifical. And some ingredients are organic. It's simply flour, butter (lots of butter) milk, yeast, vegtable oil, sugar, cinnamon and a small amout of baking powder and soda and vanilla.

Olivia: Good! That's what we are worried about. Nothing in it that should hurt her. If she turns out alright this will be really funny.   

Me: Yes, but please keep me posted! I am so sorry!

Olivia: Oh no it's not you, it's my girls and them leaving the pan of rolls out. I'll let you know what happens.

Me: Okay please do. Bye.

 

I have never in my life heard of a cat eating people food other than tuna or milk until now. But apparently it's really common.

Coco is indeed alright and I am as well as my lovely neighbors are relieved.

I'm not sure I could have enjoyed Christmas knowing that I had something to do with a friend losing a dear family pet.

But we now know that with Coco we can't leave them out on the counter.

Thank goodness she was alright.

Thankful that they found her in time.

Kinda even glad to know that she loves those cinnamon rolls as much as we do. But only kinda.

But most thankful that it didn't end in a cat-tastrophe. Not a fun holiday memory for children of any age.

I still encourage you to make these delicious rolls for your family and loved ones just  please keep them away from your furry family members.

Over and out.

The SLM

 

Entering into unknown territory

This guy is having a birthday today. A monumental birthday. He's turning thirteen. We are entering into unknown everything here. I really don't know what I'm doing. What is it we are suppose to do with a teenager? Anybody, anyone... Bueller?

I'm sure it's not much different than when I first brought him home. I didn't know what I was doing then either.

All I did know was that suddenly or somewhat suddenly I had this little precious ball of human and all I knew to do was sit and stare at him all day.

I couldn't help it. I mean look at him. How could I not stare at him all day. I also fed him and changed him and all the other good stuff that a sweet new baby needs and you know what we were all just fine.

The he got a little bigger and I wasn't quite sure what to do so I dressed him up and and took him all over the place to show him off.

 

I couldn't help it. I was kind of excited about him.

 

I took him to visit friends.

  

I took him on vacations.

And to the beach.

I took him out and about town.

Took him lunch when he could just barely see over the table. Now he can no longer eat from the twelve and under menu. Not that he has in a while now anyway.

All while toting him around in this. Man would I ever get an arm work out.

Then he really started to want to move around. I was not sure what to do with him. So we found him this. And he was just fine.

 

Then he started to walk and move even more.

So I would dress him in really cute outfits so he could walk around in them.

It's all I knew to do. That and keep him out of the toilet.

Then he started doing stuff like this. And the only thing I could do was laugh. 

 

Then he went through this time when he wanted me to pick him up all the time. So I did.

 

Then he got a even bigger and at that point I really didn't know what to do with him so I put him in preschool.

And then I would go and watch him in a preschool show. This would be where he would wave to his public and peeps while making his way onstage. There was no just walking strait to your spot for him.

No. He made an entrance. And this is when I found out he had a performers heart.

I really didn't know what to do then either. So I just enjoyed it immensley is what I did. We were all really fine then too. For sure.

He continued to entertain me.

How could this face ever not just make you crack out in a smile?

Then he was going to have a baby brother come and live with him soon.

And I really, really didn't know what I would do.

But soon he arrived and he just hung out with is new bro. And all was fine.

Well mostly fine. I mean there were times when I would lay his new baby brother in one spot only to come back and find him somewhere else.

I seriously didn't know what to do. So I watched much more carefully. And we were all just fine. Really we were.

It was not long and he was teaching his little brother to do things like this.

And this.

 
And I didn't know really what to do about it. So I just kept taking pictures. And we were fine. Really.

 

Then there was this phase that I like to call his "I'm tough and can do whatever I want" . I was really wondering during that time if I knew what I was doing.

But that phase dissipated and we were all just fine. Kinda. That was rough one on his Mama .

Then one more somewhat chivalrous span of  time where he was saving his mother from the unexpected evils of the world.

All the time. Every hour. Everyday. But at least I felt safe. So all was fine.

 Shortly there after we moved into the I'm thinking I'm really cool area.

I won't even go into this one.

More cool area. Leaving that one go again

 

Not long after that it was the guitar time. He had to have it. Had to play it. He was starting a band and they were gonna be called the FBI. I didn't ask I just took pictures.

And we were all fine. Minus my ears. And my nerves.

Then the sweetest of times. The time when he really loved his mom for all of her brillant idea and wonderful suggestions. Not sure why but I had no problem knowing what to do during his time, I just soaked it all up.

 

Then he started to love books. I mean really love them. I knew what to do. I bought as many as he wanted. We were fine. Fine we were. Really fine! Hooray, he loves books like his mother!

So that brought us all the way to here. The skating phase. I don't really know what to do about the injuries. Or the constant purchasing of skate gear that he needs every month. But I know that we will be fine.

 

Not sure as we enter into this new territory of teenage-dom if the not knowing what to do will take me over or if I will be just fine like the many times before. But I have a hunch it will be well... fine.

With this guy around how can it not be?

He makes everything more than fine.

So grateful for that.

So grateful for him.

Happy Birthday Kiddo!

The teenage years. Here we go.

Over and out

The (I'll keep you posted cause its gonna be interesting) Sideline Mom.

The countdown to Christmas.

The advent calender. Awaiting the coming of Christmas Day with little gifts and fun stuff. It is one of our favorite things to do during this season.

About four years ago I spied a beautiful advent calendar in a kids catalog.  It had really large pockets to hold the gifts. I thought this was an answer to my problem. My problem being that I like to include gifts on a larger scale in the calender each year. If I cannot fit them in the teeny tiny pockets of say a more traditional calendar it just won't work in my ballgame.

Why even have the calender if the items dont fit right?  So I made one like the catalog with really big pockets. Even now I still at times have items that do not fit and have to be placed on the mantle. I have issues. But that's another story for another time. I regress. As always.

The boys love our Advent calender. Really, really love this. Here they are watching me fill it on November 30. They couldn't wait to start the new month. I also plan to do this until the boys are off and married one day.

Wait. Off and married one day?? I mean umm.. I dont now what I mean cause they are never actually getting married right. No never.

I can only imagine what I will find to put in the calender when they are ages sixteen, eighteen or even twenty. Things for their cars perhaps. A gas giftcard. Movie tickets for them and their friends. Or maybe stuff for them to give to their girlfriends.

But for now they love the little boy things I give. Boy do I love that too.

They truly enjoy a new surprise each morning. With out fail the first words out of Morgan's mouth each day are "Can we do the advent calender"?

He likes the toys and candy best but as the years have passed I have learned to include educational items as well as special outings that they enjoy.

One item this year is a grow your own Spruce Tree kit. These tiny seeds may well be our Christmas tree next year. You just never know. Think big people. Think real big!

 

The boys also recieved this.

We already own the game and we are usually in hysterics halfway through a round of You Gotta Be Kidding!

The books contains oodles of "Would you Rather" questions that once asked are sometimes nearly impossible to decide.

One of the things the boys do regularily is remove the cards from the original boardgame just so we can sit around and read the questions to each other. The cards are always laying all over the house in disarray so when I spotted this book I thought it a perfect advent gift. All the crazy questions conveniently bound together in one compact mini book. Genius!

Now we can sit around all day and ask each other nutty questions like this.

Thought provoking right?

Or there is this one.

Tough decision I think.

Or how about this.

Like grody to the max! Who sits around and thinks these things up?

You would be amazed at what your family members choose. Really you would. And their reasons for choosing the way they do. We all get really freaked out and stuff.

I always think I know what everyone else would choose but I am always surprised. Really you have no idea what someone will choose. Seriously.

After an explanation is given we are usually shouting to one another  "YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING"!   Go figure.

Then Austin called me out and asked this one.

And I laughed.

I laughed, and laughed and laughed.

I laughed like a hyena on crack. Because quite honestly if I seriously would have had a choice in this matter I would have made it a loooooong time ago.   

Then I laughed one more time.

Everyone needs a good laugh. And one of these books is just the thing to do it. They would make a great stocking stuffer.

Christmas is almost here folks. Go have some giggles with your loved ones.

Love you all.

The Sideline ( I would have chosen the dishes) mom

Troubles and woes.

I lost a folder of pics from day 8.

My printer is giving me major problems.

And my tooth is still hurting.

How's that for a merry little post for this holiday season? I know, I know not much in the way of Christmas spirit in that first sentence, but be it the holidays or not there are still troubles to be had.

But here is what I've got so far.

Days 8 and 9.

Hello there little day eight pictures that are missing. I will seach my recycle bin and find you soon.

Day nine. I love it in every way.

Mostly because of the content. It's all about the felt ormanents  by www.aliciapaulson.com I decided to make this year.

I am loving the stitching so much that I decided to stitch the number for this days page.

 I had really forgotten how much I love to sew before these cuties arrived in the mail. 

Here are two I've completed (of the three) in the kit. Check out more here at ww.rosylittlethings.typepad.com

More of day nine's page.

Used a transparency from Hambly.

Revealing a trio of images from the sewing process.

And day 10 awaits a little work.

As well as pages 11-13 due to a printer problem I'm having.

Ahh the joys of scrapbooking. Not without it bumps and bends in the road.

More to come. But as of right now I have two boys who want to go and hop on a board somewhere.

If only there were two of me.

Over and out

The (wanting to throw my printer out the window but realize that would be a very festive attitude to have this season) Sideline Mom.

He thinks I'm a good cooker.

This child. The one who is a stong will and a free spirit all rolled into one. The one who can bring me a truck load full of joy and a nevous breakdown in one solitary afternoon. Yep that one. Well he thinks I can cook.  Pretty funny huh?

While sitting in my dentist office yesterday for the second time this week I grabbed a local periodical and browsed through as I awaited another lounge in the chair. I came across this lady at ezrapoundcake.com and upon arriving home I quickly looked her up. 

That's when I found these.

I decided immediately that I would whip up a batch for our Christmas tree decorating adventure later that evening. 

Super simple recipe.

 

The dough was simple and once they are baked you are instructed to simply dip them.

Dip them into this ridiculously yummy chocolate.

You are then you are instructed to roll them in finely chopped walnuts. Which is just fine with me.

What you end up with is complete and utter beauty. Really the prettiest little Walnut Acorn cookies ever.

Then this guy finally (after asking when they would be done only 214 dozen times) gets to sink his teeth into one.

 

His response: "Mom how in the world are you such a cooker?!"

Then he said " Can I have two more, they are little ya know"!

Could you say no to that? I could not. So. Who knows how many he ate.

As long as he thinks I'm a good cooker he can eat the whole batch as far as I'm concerned. 

Try this recipe. It really is an easy one.

Change up hint: I would use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet if you have a sweeter sweet tooth.

Over and out.

The Side Line Cookie Momster

December Daily Days 4-6

I had to have a few very, very, very old (yes thats three verys)   fillings replaced on Monday and I have not been the same since. Blood, sweat and tears I tell ya. Okay, so honestly it really wasn't all that bad but the whole process has made it somewhat difficult to keep up my daily tasks for the past couple of days including creating this album. Went back to the dentist this morning for more adjusting and I am feeling better. I hope to have a smoother go of it over the rest of the week.

Onward people.

Day 4

A Christmas parade. Everyone loves a parade right?!!

Opposite page - Day 4

 

Day 5.    Had a some big fluffy flakes.

Day 6

I did not really photograph much so I decided to write a Christmas letter to the boys. I did this last year and they loved it. 

Instead of using this Creative Imaginations Library envelope as is I personalized it.

First I used my Cutter bug scissors to carefully take apart the envelope. That way it can easily be adhered back together again to use for something else.

Now I have a template to trace out different paper. Lovely!

Then traced out of different paper.

Cut out and then score along the same lines as the original envelope.

I then chose to stamp the envelopes. Making two. One for each child.

Then using a  index size card for the letter.

Then I attached both envelopes to the page for day 6.

 

And now that my teeth are not aching I should be back in the swing of things for days 7-9.

I am also planning some thirteen year olds birthday party also. Hmmmm wonder who that could be.

Over and out.

 

Daily December 2010 (pages 1-3)

I have to say I am enjoying the process of making up my pages as I go instead of trying to make my pictures fit a foundation I have already created. Gives me a lot of room to change my mind. Which I like. 

Since I have been making the DD albums I have always started with a "letter C" page and a letter about what I am excited about what I am looking forward to this particular season.

The letter C starts many wonderful words, if I do say so myself.

 

The letter and Day 1

Bad photos this morning. Sorry. (very gloomy and dark outside)

First page is all about our love of getting out the Christmas CD's

It's is such a large part of our Christmas season so much so that I have decided to try and incorporate  a line from a favorite carol on each page. Either as the title or as part of the journaling. 

Day 2

Glitter Christmas tree found at (can you believe) Walgreens. A stack of 10 for $2. Great find.

 

Day 3

I think I need to tie a bit of ribon around the bottom of that number three. I'll get right to that as soon as I can. It's all about the details ya know.

 I am ready for more pages.

Along with documenting our holiday season I also raked and bagged ten 40 gallon bags of leaves yesterday.

I am sore and tired and feel like I want to crawl into a incredibly cozy spot and hibernate until mid April but we have a Christmas parade to participate in today so I must get on my walking shoes and jingle bells.

Christmas waits for no one.

More December Daily pages to come.

Grateful for this beautiful season and all it brings

Over and out

The Sidelinemom

A book a day for Christmas.

I always love to get the Christmas books out each year. Along with the pulling out all of the the Christmas music it is one of my favorite parts of the season. I seriously am one of Border's biggest customers. You think I'm kidding.

Each year as the boys get older I find it a bit harder to get them to grab a book and settle in for a quick read in the evernings. With the exception of Mo. I believe he will snuggle with his mother until he's twenty. But don't tell his skateboard buddies.

This year I decided to make it a little more interesting by wrapping each book. Most of the books are the old favorite's we have read for many years but with this little twist and the idea of not knowing what book you'll be reading until you unwrap it is so much fun. Even for me.

I did purchase a few new books for an added surprise but the majority are old and worn. Even so, the boys are really loving this idea.

Morgan pulled the first one today. Excitement all around for who knew what book it would be.

 

Today's selection a short but a fun favorite.

The last book to be read on Christmas Eve will be The Night Before Christmas. That particular book is wrapped in different paper to indicate not to choose it until that night.

Looking forward to snuggling in our favorite chair all season. Reading all our favorites. (and yes as of this year all three of us can fit in it together-no joking)

There is still time to do this little holiday project. All you need is some wrapping paper a basket and of course your favorite books.

Super fun!

Merry Christmas!

The Sidelinemom