IT’S NOT SMOOTHIE WEATHER ANYMORE. We’re heading straight into hot chocolate season here but I’d rather not spend the rest of fall with three kids crying, wrestling, climbing kitchen counters and “mommmmmmy-ing”, all thanks to the inevitable sugar crash from cocoa. No can do. Enter, the warmest little mug of goodness to hit our kitchen so far.
And I’m not kidding when I say things are getting good around here. The leaves are changing and everything is gorgeous. Even my little outdoor office in the making. Just add wi-fi and we’re all set.
Even my gardening assistant thinks so. Estelle helped me plant bulbs last weekend, over 100, and to each and every one of them, she patted the dirt on top and said, “Good night, sleep tight.” No wonder she kept asking if it was time to take a nap yet.
But this, this kills me. There are corn mazes here. Not at my house, but nearby. And it’s a maze, made out of corn! I know, all of you Americans are saying, “Um, yes?” But to those of us who’ve been raising kids in other countries so far, this is a slam dunk in the “I’m Officially A Parent Now–And It’s Awesome!” department. THIS is why my British friends used to visit us in New York years ago, going on and on about things like Macy’s, and hot dogs from vendor’s carts. And you didn’t even want to get them started on the cars. Oh the cars. Big. Roomy. Affordable. Gas by the gallon, instead of liter? Yes, please!
It’s the day after Veteran’s Day and after reading so many amazing posts (like this one from Momastery), articles and even simple FB photos of beloved soldiers, I’m still choked up by the sheer abundance of our lives in the US. And what it takes to get here. A corn maze.
The blessings overflow every day and I’m trying desperately to remember this more often. It’s essential. Feeding the kids healthy food is all fine and good but I’m finally starting to realize something you’ve probably known all along. The most important life lessons I can pass on to these rascals are about attitude. Even when you’re tired, and believe me, I’m tired. Even when I make hot toddies for the kids and only two out of the three drink it. My holdout wouldn’t even try a sip and to that I say, carry on. There will be more warm drinks to come. It’s that kind of season.
Peanut Butter Hot Toddies
makes 4 medium kids’ portions
ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/2 cup of 100 percent peanut butter (with no added oils or sugar), and you can just put a couple of big scoops in with a spatula. The measurements aren’t exact.
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
instructions
Blend. Pour into a sauce pan and heat on the stove until warm OR pour into a glass measuring cup with a spout. Heat in microwave for about 30 seconds. Serve.
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