Thursday, August 4, 2011

White Nectarine Oatmeal Crumble

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One of my current favourite foody blogs is Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.  Kristan always has a great view about life (of which most of the time I can relate) and then throws in a fun and usually very tasty treat to go along with her musings.  I just love that about her blog.  If you haven’t stopped in, you really should.  Most of the time I’ve got tears running down my face from laughing so hard.  She says what most people are thinking and for that I thank her.

But unlike her hilarity about life, today I’m just going to rant chat about the trials and tribulations of raising two little girls, ages 3 and 6.  As some of you know we’ve been travelling a lot this summer.  We spent 2 weeks in California and then a long weekend in Washington DC.  So it’s not like the girls have been stuck inside all summer.  They’ve also gone to camp and we joined a pool which we attend almost every day.  And yet it doesn’t seem to be enough.  I know they are tired from all the travelling and the time changes.  Also with every visit or visitor comes presents, so now it’s expected.  We also celebrated Abby’s 6th birthday and of course both grandmothers got Rowan gifts too. 

So my question is, am I alone in thinking that this parenting gig is hard?  I mean really really hard.  I use to be a full time employee and a full time mum but seemed to get it all done.  Now I’m a stay at home mum who bakes a little and is finding it harder than before.  Did something change? Other than me being around more or is that just it.  I’m here so they expect more?

We spent all the time away and they were great.  A few melt downs but on the whole pretty good.  Considering they flew across the country, didn’t sleep in the own beds and had none of their toys but the few they brought and were given.  Then they came home and boom…tantrums and back talk.  More so with the older than the younger. I mean I’m tired too.  I too travelled across the country and back and didn’t get to sleep in my own bed either.  So what’s a girl to do??? anyone anyone?  I’m begging, down on my knees here.

Or is this just summer?  Where there really is no structure and they run amuck and I should let them (within reason). Can you tell it’s my first summer at home with them?

I sound awful I know.  I love my girls, more than I ever thought possible but there are days when the immortal line from the Honeymooners is so apropos “to the moon, (insert name here) to the moon!”

Parenting is tough, I mean walk through the deepest mudd, climb the tallest mountain without oxygen and run faster than a cheetah tough.  But it’s also the best job in the world and if I hadn’t signed up I wouldn’t get to see these faces everyday:

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So to all you mothers out there, whether you stay at home or go out to work, I lift a glass of wine (or something stronger if you prefer) to you!  And then I eat a scoop of this white nectarine oatmeal crumble drizzled in white chocolate!

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Recipe:

  • 4 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup white corn syrup
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 6 white nectarines
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • dash of nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 lemon
  • 4 oz bar of white chocolate melted

Directions:

  1. Slice nectarines into medium slices.
  2. Mix in white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and juice of one lemon.  Set aside.
  3. Combine oats, brown sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, salt and flour.
  4. Press oat mixture into a prepared pan (I use Pam) and cover with nectarines.
  5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
  6. Cool and drizzle with white chocolate, cut into squares and serve!
  7. Enjoy!

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Thanks for listening reading.  On the plus side only 3 weeks left until school starts again!!!

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Thanks for looking!



Linking with:
Chic & Crafty
Sweet Tooth Friday
I'm Loving It Fridays
TGIF
Foodie Friday
Joy Of Desserts
Mingle Monday

4 comments:

  1. Your girls are adorable!

    Cheers! I'm all for the wine and dessert! :)

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  2. yum this sounds awesome!!...and yes some days are definitely better than others....i have a 6 y/o and 4 y/o twins....I work fulltime and need to otherwise i would not be a very nice mom or wife! i need a break, from home, but i also have a flexible job that i can work from home and like today, go to my sons family day at his sports camp. Hang in there, we're all kinda in the same boat!!

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  3. I know what you mean. Parenting is hard. I've always stayed home, so I can't speak for working moms (although I give serious props because I can't imagine it) but because I'm always around there is the constant need FOR me to be around. My daughter never wants to be alone, ever. Even when watching TV. So, this is right up my alley because wine + dessert = happy momma. :)

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  4. Ohhh, I'm sorry that things are a little tough with the girls right now. I'd love to be able to sit with you while we share this beautiful crumble and some wine and let you vent. While my days coping with the ups and downs of the kids moods are long gone, I know my daughter and son are dealing with it with their kids. I think when kids are out of their own environment, as yours were while on vacation, they tend to behave differently than when at home. Once home, they know that they are in their safe place where they can let loose with all their angry, frustrations, temper tantrums, etc. Like when they are at school, they behave differently than at home. Home is where we can all let our guards down. The vacation was a big change of pace for the girls and now that you are back home and more change is coming with school starting up soon etc., they are probably sensing all of that and while they may not understand it, the are reacting to it none the less. Hang in there, the hugs and the good times as you know, far outweigh any of the *mood swings* they may have.

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