February 8, 2012

I wanna go home!...

What makes you happy?   Make a list, keep it in a safe place, refer to it when nothing seems to make you happy...so you can remember.  So you can kick your senses back into gear and out of neutral...or even worse, reverse.  I've been in "reverse" the past few days.  Lots going on that had already put me into "neutral".  But add a teen-aged girl and the accompanying psyche into the mix and yowza..."REVERSE" in 0 - 60 mph!  You'd think at 52 and two previous drives thru the teen-aged years as a mom I'd have this down pat, wouldn't ya.  Soooooooo "NOT winning" at the present.

Sooooo, in need of a reminder of what makes me happy.  And my list right now consists of two REALLY simple things:

1.  My green enameled cast-iron pot.  I keep it out on my stove top year-round because the color just makes me happy.  An added benefit, lifting it tones my arms...




2.  And chicken soup...




More accurately, it is the AROMA of chicken soup wafting through my home that makes me happy...




I mentioned one time to friends that I always use my left-over chicken to make home-made chicken stock.  I think they thought I was a bit crazy to put in that work when you can easily go to the store and buy pretty darn good chicken stock off the shelf.  I'm no "Barefoot Contessa".  I'm not even Rachel Ray.  I just like the smell.  It transports me back to being a kid, to being home, to having few cares in the world beyond being able to beat the Knittweis twins at knee-sies in Chinese jump rope during recess, or getting home from school in time to catch Barnabas Jones and "Dark Shadows" on tv.  And if anything truly was wrong...my parents could fix it for me, or tell me how to do it myself.

Last night was not a good night.  I'm feeling a bit of a failure in the mom department at the moment.  So this morning, I wrote down two things on my "happy list" and then referred to it right away.  The green pot was already out, so I started making chicken stock for soup.  The house smells like "home".  Today I'm only going to worry about getting nothing done.  AND making sure I leave time from getting nothing done, to catch-up on "The Biggest Loser"...which I didn't get to watch last night because I was already feeling like the biggest loser myself, so why be redundant. I have  no idea what kind of soup I'm even going to make when the stock is done.  I'm vacillating between Avgolemono and a recipe for Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Squash Soup I just read in "Cooking Light".  On second thought, I'm already on shaky ground with my teen-ager...think I'll scratch the latter off my list and save it that one for a night when she is out with friends.

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say being a mom was easy, and for good reason.  But I'll just inhale, and be happy for now.  Oh yeah, and I can add a #3 to my list...


#3.  Chicken Soup Bokeh


I'm such a "Bokeh Bimbo"!

Have a Happy Day...make a list, and check it twice.

--Kathy


25 comments:

  1. oh i enjoyed this post. the soup looks so good, like comfort in a pot!!

    i like the way you photographed it!

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  2. That looks so comforting and I can smell it in my mind.

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  3. Oh yes! Chicken soup bokeh would definitely be one of the things on the list of things I love, to be sure! :)

    Beautiful post. Extremely thoughtful and full of wit - which is why I love to read anything you've written. And this being a mom thing is hard sometimes, yes, and I am only on teenager #1 one, but I hear you and sometimes feel very frustrated with the whole "teen" thing myself. Sometimes I just do not know the answer, or I get frustrated and go to bed feeling guilty for it. Ugh!

    Thank goodness there is CHICKEN soup BOKEH to make me feel happier when I need it most!

    Big hug!

    Angie :)

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  4. Being a mom is the hardest thing ever. I felt your (anguish) and it took me back, well, not even back because it never ends, even when they are in their 30's . . . (sorry). But I love your pot and you have inspired me to put my red cast iron pot on my stove because yours looks beautiful!

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  5. Love your pictures...makes me want to pull some chicken out of the freezer and make some soup especially on this snowy winter day!
    As a parent of one teenager and one preteen girl I hear ya on the feeling like a lousy parent at times! I just whisper my favorite verse every time I am feeling like a horrible mom..."I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." Prayers coming your way!

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  6. Kim most definitely planted a seed this week. I have been looking for my happy all week. My list is blank for the moment, but boy I loving reading about everybody elses happy. You have a great happy list and your post definitely putting a =) on my face.

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  7. PS...even tho your children grow up and grow older the Mom part never gets any easier. I feel your pain and would love to smell that great chicken broth simmering away in your "makes me happy" green pot. Big hugs from one Mom to another!!

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  8. Hi Kathy, sounds like you have your arms full. Love the green pot, reminds me of Granny Smith apples; ummm, I can almost smell them. I always tell people that as their kids grow it doesn't get any easier, just different. Here's a hug. Enjoy your soup!

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  9. I have your lovely green pot's sister, the red one! I'm sorry your having a hard time right now, that was me a few months ago. And I'm pretty sure that's why we were meant to have children young, because teenagers and menopause DO NOT go hand in hand!!

    I'm wishing I was at your house right now, that chicken soup/stock looks so wonderful. What an awesome photo AND you got STEAM!!
    My husband makes his own stock (I know, how lucky am I) and makes cabbage soup with it. Pretty much just add anything you want. My favorite is when there are carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and meatballs - but last time he put turkey sausage in it.

    Big hug, xo

    Kim

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  10. Feeling your pain. I'm having a hard time with my youngest who is a teenager - and VERY good at it. As soon as I'm finished commenting, I'm starting a "happy" list. Thanks for the inspiration. Chili is in my pot, tonight - needing some warm comfort. Fire is on, Ella CD is playing, and for once, wine is poured and I'm HOPING she stays in her room! haha! xoxo

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  11. I love how you captured it all - especially the steam.

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  12. I love the way you captured the steam rising off the pot. Great shot

    Mollyxxx

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  13. So in your house do they say, "Ut oh, mom's making soup..."?

    Looks delish!

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  14. bokeh bimbo? THAT makes me happy...it's better than what I call myself...A dutch oven is on my WANT list. It's gonna be red....I LOVE these shots Kathy and Chicken Soup is good for your soul....! And now you know why. I am sorry that Motherhood is so difficult for you. Just try to keep finding a common ground between you and your daughter. As mom...I know it kills us all the time, energy and sacrifices we make to just be spat on...for lack of a better term. Hang in there ok...Oh...hope you had some wine with soup...wine can make you happy!
    **HUGS**

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  15. I love these photos. Beautiful.

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  16. Very nice I can smell the soup lovely photos.

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  17. I love the pot and I can smell that lovely chicken soup...makes me feel better already.

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  18. That soup looks so yummy.. Even that great Bokeh shot.. And I do believe we are all broken in one way or another...

    Hugs, Linda

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  19. I do love the bokeh, but I think the shot with the steam is my favourite. Looks delicious!

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  20. Love these photos, The sounds looks very good. I love the steamy photo.

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  21. The soup looks so good! I love the third image with the rising steam.

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  22. Nice shots. I love the one with the steam rising from the pot!

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  23. I didn't have any girls -- and really, I think it was a good thing. I wouldn't want another "me" to contend with.

    Good luck, dear, with the teen. Scrumptious photos. :)

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  24. Bravo, love the steam coming off the food.

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