AT LONG LAST! My Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe!

SO!

After several requests to post my recipe, here it is!  I apologize for how long it took me to post this.  I had made a batch and taken step by step photos, and then my phone crashed.  The crash claimed the lives of all my photos, contacts and all rough drafts.  Dumb smart phone.  So if you don't mind it being photo-free, read on my friends.  Make, enjoy and let me know how it turned out!

Hugs til later,
Domesticated1022

Shopping List:

• 1 stick sweet unsalted butter *you'll have leftover butter
• medium sweet onion
• 16oz carton half & half
• 16oz chicken STOCK *broth is higher in fat and sodium and I think it gives a weird flavor to the soup
• 1/2 a pound diced, frozen broccoli  *the frozen is easier and I don't drain it either but do allow it to defrost
• 1 cup matchstick carrots
• nutmeg
• 8oz sharp cheddar

1. Sautee onions in 1 tablespoon of sweet unsalted butter in a separate pan.
2. Melt 1/4 of a cup of butter on medium heat and then add 1/4 of a cup of flour.  Using a whisk, stir constantly until it becomes a golden brown.
3. Slowly add 16oz of half & half, while continuing to stir.  Allow to warm (let it start to steam, but not boil).
4. Add 16 oz of chicken stock.  Mix well, add sauteed onions and allow to simmer for 20 minutes on medium low heat.
5. Add defrosted broccoli, nutmeg, carrots, salt and pepper, stir and cover for 10-15 minutes.
6. Add cheese while stirring, cover and cook on low for 15 minutes.

Serve with a crusty bread and enjoy!

I should mention that first, if you were to let it set for a day, it will be EXCELLENT.  I promise.  The nutmeg has a chance to soak and leave its flavor all over the place.  Now, some recipes call for the nutmeg to be added earlier on in the recipe but I have found that the nutmeg will be WAY overbearing or will leave a slightly burnt taste.  I think when added towards the end with minimal exposure to heat, you get the spot on taste of nutmeg.  Second, this soup freezes so well Walt Disney would be impressed!  Hubster heated up a bag that was frozen almost 5 months ago and he said it was as good as the day I made it.  The only trick is having enough left over to actually save!

Again, I'm so sorry I don't have photos to attach but those are the woes of relying on a phone.  Since the last batch of freezer soup is gone, I'll be making more very soon and I pinky promise to do an update and add pictures.  If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram or twitter I'll post alerts there.  Be sure to comment and let me know how it turned out and feel free to add pictures of your own!

Hugs til later!

Domesticated1022

Oops!

Hi, my name's Domesticated1022 and I beat myself up for my shortcomings as a mother.

I lay awake at night and meticulously go over every point of the day where I could have done better or done more.  It eats me up to see moments where I could have shown more patience, or snuggled longer.  I can't let go of this dirty, self destructive habit.  I have no shame in saying that I strive to be Super Mom.  Realistically, I know that will never happen.  I am an imperfect creature.  I know it but that doesn't stop me from trying to be otherwise.  So when I made the same mistake not once or twice but THREE times, I really let myself have it.

My youngest daughter Son Bun recently lost a top tooth.  There was a big hoopla about it because she pulled it our herself.  We found the special "Tooth Box" that I made using an old earring jewelry box that's shaped like a heart, dropped the tooth in and tucked it under her pillow.  Night Night Son Bun.

Well, fast forward to the next morning when she burst into my room..in tears.  The tooth Fairy had forgotten her.  OH. MY. GOD.  How the hell did I forget!?  So while Bun cried in daddy's arm, I sent Jade to comfort her too and slid into the room and dropped a dollar behind her bed.  I went back into the room and told her after breakfast to go look again since maybe she was too excited and might have missed it.  She went back and found the dollar.  I left the tooth in the box and told her that the tooth fairy must have forgotten the tooth in all the rush.  She bought it.

Less, than two weeks later...same damned problem.  Forget, tears, dollar hidden somewhere not too obvious.  I couldn't wrap my head around how I could let it happen twice, and Ben had to talk me off the ledge.  He told me I had just spent the last few weeks helping the girls make dioramas and a Betsy Ross costume, and how Nixon had just gotten another round of shots.  That Nixon's restlessness meant I too was restless.  Bless my husband because I had two crying girls to calm down that day.  It goes without saying that I am sure I was a bigger mess.

Last night, another tooth.  Another night I forgot.  By the tie Nixon falls asleep, it's around 4 a.m. and I get up and stay up at 7:30 in the morning.  I'm told lack of sleep can cause forgetfulness (oh, and I googled it to be sure lol).  When Bun woke up this morning, she walked in with a fed up look on her face and I told her that it was still dark out.  It was around 5 a.m. and I convinced her to give the tooth fairy more time.  She climbed back into bed and I waited, fighting sleep with every ounce in me, for her to fall asleep.  I crept in performed the switch and crash-landed onto my own bed.  Ben covered my shift this morning so I could sleep in a bit and after a while came in to make sure I wasn't on the verge of another episode.  I lied and said no.

All day, I have been letting myself have it for slacking.  I can't even find comfort in using lack of sleep as an excuse.  I don't want to blame the baby.  I keep having this internal freak out that when she's older, and knows the boring truth about the good ol' tooth wrangler, that she will be hurt by my forgetfulness.  I can only hope that's not the case.

We, as mothers all have our short comings, our moments of failure or defeat.  It's another reason why I'm so adamant that we support each other and provide and ear or shoulder to our fellow warriors.  Luckily, I have an amazing husband who understands my sick need for perfection and a great group of friends, some with and without kids, who listen and help me laugh.

Have any of you had an Oops moment?  How have you lived it down or does it still haunt you?  Do you have and awesome support system?

More hugs til later,
Domesticated1022

REVIEW: Raw Baltic Amber Teething Necklace

ANOTHER REVIEW!?

Yup!  Another review :)

I really rely on finding alternative ways to deal with pain or discomfort and healing.  I hate having to give the kids medicine.  Both girls have asthma and need inhalers and every once in a while, need steroids.  They both have eczema and after a doctor told us that cortisone cream progressively damages the skin and leaves it very thin, I sought out ways to treat it more naturally.  Any way, when the girls where babies, they started teething just at 4 months and I would give them acetaminophen or Hyland's Teething tablets.  Nixon started teething at around 3 months and when I mentioned this to my midwife, she told me to look into amber teething necklaces.  I did some research and thought "OH HELLS YEAH!".  Ben on the other hand was very skeptical, but he doesn't like pumping the kids full of medicines so he was cool with giving it a shot.  So we bought a necklace and I wanted to share with you our experience :)

Nixon is a genuinely happy baby.  I really feel so blessed because this kid rarely has a bad day, even while teething.  The only notable difference in his behavior was that he wasn't sleeping well.  He normally sleeps too well!  Every nap is between an hour and a half to 3 hours, but when teething was in full swing he was napping for about 20 to 40 minutes.  He also drools so much more!  Our girls were pains while teething, lots of crying , chewing and crying!  Nixon is a breath of fresh air in this category.

I found the necklace we bought on Etsy.com.  I originally was going to buy from a page that I'm a fan of on Facebook, but she was sold out of the amber color we were looking for.  We wanted the cherry colored amber (which looks almost black), but while I was hunting on Etsy we came across a store that offered a multi-colored necklace that had all shades on it.  We both really liked it and decided to go with it.  The site has a good selection and prices are reasonable.

Ain't it cute!?!

We were nervous that it wasn't going to be long enough.  It was 12.5 inches in length and we thought "Damn, that seems long" until we had it in our hands.  It ended up looking surprisingly tiny!  

Then, we got another shock when it turned out to be long enough to rest comfortably on his chest, just past his chin.

Several people asked us about concerns with him choking.  He hasn't ever noticed it.  He is 7 months old (GAH!) and he has never once even pulled on it.

We take it off at night for bed time and for his baths, put we make sure to put it back on asap.

After about a full day of having it on, we noticed a big change in his sleeping.  He went right back to sleeping for long stretches and waking up good and smiley!  So, if you're thinking that it was a fluke, a few weeks ago we lost it.  We lost it for 3 days.  It had fallen behind my nightstand overnight and let's face it, that's the abyss.  He was just terrible.  He wanted to cuddle but occasionally fight us off, he would sleep for no more than 20 minutes at a time and wake up so pouty.  Well, when we put it back on, he was right back to good naps and happiness.  IT WORKS!

This is the shop we bought our necklace from.  I'm proud to say that it's quality, REAL amber.  Plus, the store has a lot of other amber options, because the benefits of amber aren't just limited to kids.  There are a few ways to test the amber to make sure it is real.

• Put a few drops of alcohol on the amber's surface.  After it has evaporated, check to see if there is a tacky surface.  If it is tacky, its fake.  Alcohol evaporates of real amber without leaving residue.
• Take a needle and scratch the surface (try doing it on a part that won't be seen later).  If it leaves scratch marks, its genuine.  Amber is a soft stone.  If it doesn't, well..you know :(

Caring for your amber teething necklace is easy too.  Be sure to take it off before showers or baths and definitely before any swims.  Use warm water and a soft cloth to clean it and you can even wipe it down with some olive oil to restore shine (again, take a soft cloth to it afterwards so that excess oil is removed).  Be sure never to use soaps on the necklace.  Keep amber away fro heat and direct sunlight.  Bam.  That simple.

All in all, we are really, really satisfied with Nixon's necklace and I can tell he's pretty happy too.

Have you purchased an amber teething necklace, or are you considering it?  I'd love to hear feedback from you!

Hope you find this helpful :)  If not, listed below are a few more sites to feed your need for info.  

http://thethriftywife.com/amber-teething-necklaces-work/

http://organic-mama.ca/2012/05/24/win-an-amber-regina-amberregina-baltic-amber-teething-necklace-teething-natural-parenting/

Hugs til later,

Domesticated1022

REVIEW: Dr.Scholl's for her Cozy Cushions

Just wanted to share with you all a product I am really enjoying!
I received Dr. Scholl's for her Cozy Cushions from Influenster to sample and review (I got it for free of course!!).  I am already a HUGE lover of the good Doc.  During my first pregnancy, my heel were always realy sore so I started using the Dr. Scholl's Tri-comfort orthotics.  That was the first time I had ever used any if their products and I've been using them ever since. 

I'm always open to new things, but if given a choice I always fall back onto the same thing.  I always order the same thing at a restaurant, buy the same lotions, things like that.  So when I got a pair of the Cozy Cushions to sample I was all for it.  What can I say, I like the safe and known haha.

The package says they go up to a size 9 but my size 10 saw no problem with them.  The smallest size they fit is a 6 and your supposed to cut them to fit accordingly. 

 Just follow the nifty lines :)

They were nice and easy to open (no scissors required).  My sneakers parted ways with my other inserts and I slipped the new ones in.  I used them for the first time on Halloween.  Hey, if I'm going to test shoe inserts, I'm putting some miles on those bad boys!  It was a nice night, not too cool, but we did a good deal of walking as the minions trick or treated.  I was so glad that there was zero discomfort!  I normally always have Popsicle like toes.  Even when the house is warm.  Most of the time, if the weather is chilly, my toes are so cold they hurt.  I'm excited to try the out when it actually gets cold, but being that I live in Florida, that may not happen soon enough.  I can say that my toesies were very comfy :)

IT'S SO FLUFFY!

I will say that you shouldn't pair these with a thick pair of socks.  They are good and fluffy and a thick pair of socks will make for a too tight fit.  Other than that, Dr. Scholl's has done it again!

Give them a shot and tell me what you think :)

Hugs til later,
Domesticated1022

Domestic Do's

Being that this blog is entitled Domesticated Glitter, I thought maybe, just maybe I should post something related to the home!  About time right??

So if you're anything like me, then you're probably mildly addicted to Pinterest.  I have my "closet" filled with clothes, shoes, purses and jewelry I will never own because I can't help but wonder if breast milk will stain it or if fudgesicle fingerprints can be hidden by the pattern.  Now that I've veered off course already, let's get back on track!  The my second favorite pinboard I use (first being my recipe one) is my "Good Ideas".  It's kind of a mixed nuts board.  All kinds of shit, but the point is I can actually do the things on that board and not just envision the Martha me doing it (I'm looking at you DIY pinboard...ya bitch). 

Pinterest is filled with ideas that are either completely (and realistically) doable or complete batshit crazy impossible.  I have yet to find the middle ground or finances to prove otherwise.  So in keeping, or rather, trying to keep with my domesticated theme and image, I've compiled a list of Do's: Chore Edition.  Do's work like rent is due!  I'll be sure to include a link to my Pinterest account below because I need you to love me in all my facets.  Oh, and links to the original sites (or pins because this post has been a ROYAL pain in my ass!) are included because I don't step on toes.  Shall we begin??

The List:

**Visit this pin for a great run down on using alternative cleaning products that are probably lying around in your pantry.

1.  The Best stain remover ever:  is in fact pretty damn accurate!  I know the blog says it's for pit stains but I gave it a crack at other stains too.  It pulled a cherry kool-aid stain right up.  I'd like to say that one one the girls made that stain, but I'd be lying.  Its ALWAYS me.  I'm a notorious spilled of drinks.  Sonnie has inherited this trait, bless her heart.
THE best stain remover ever. Even for old stains.

2.  If your kids are anything like mine they LOVE permanent markers.  They know full well they shouldn't be using them, but it adds to the allure I'm sure.  So it goes without saying that I've had to remove Sharpie off of many a surface and I found a pin that helps out a ton with that never ending chore.  I have tried every single one and each has been given the gold star of removal!  The pins link has been flagged for spam so I'm just putting the pic down below :)

3. Here is another link to a pin that has an awesome picture of several great cleaners for everything from oven racks to carpet stains and even a handy recipe for your very own wrinkle release spray!  Again, its the link to a pin, because I was having trouble with a direct link.  I ain't computer savvy, ya dig?

4. This link is the whole reason I even started this blog post!  It works like a charm every G.D. time!  My shower always gets those disgusting mildew patches (I can feel them growing right now *gag*) and I had never had luck effectively removing them...until now!  I'm super glad I pinned this because we have used it maybe 3 ties and you don't have to do it every month.  The mildew stays gone for a while.  My husband I both shower twice a day, and the girls get their shower so its about 6 showers a day and we maybe have to do this every three months.  Try it, love it.  Promise :)

Yes, this post is entirely too brief, but its packed with lots of info and because this post has been written so many times and then NOT SAVED, I am too mentally spent to continue on.  There will be a sequel in which there will be less re-typing and more saving, but for now...take what you can get.

Here's a link to my Pinterest account and please let me know if any links don't work so that I can TRY (operative word here) to fix them.  

Hugs til later,

Domesticated 1022

So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye?

I haven't spoken to my older brother since our grandmother's passing well over a year ago.  Even then it was brief; I gave him my condolences (he was much close to her than I ever was).  But even before that we went about a year and only spoke with each other for a few hours while we picked up our mom from the airport. 
I wish that I could give you the low down on why we don't speak, but I myself am still in the dark.  I've called, texted and instant messaged, all with no avail.  He was my best friend while we were teenagers and he was the best man at my wedding. I'm told that he's mad with my choice to stay with my husband after an indiscretion of his at the beginning of our (now 9 years strong) marriage. If that's the case, I'm enraged and deeply saddened.  Leaving, or staying for that matter, is a deeply personal and difficult choice, and I have always felt that you should support the people you love in their choice regardless of what you think (unless they're in a dangerous position).  Ben has more than made up for his mistake and is a far better father, husband and man because of it.

My brother taught me to flare my nostrils and to whistle.  When I moved back to the Virgin Islands I was maybe 8.  He pushed me around our grandmother's property in a broken down power wheels to show me around.  When I started school a few months later I told people Alan was my "mano" as he introduced me to his friends.  It wasn't until the end of the day that he told me "mano" meant hand and that "hermano" was brother (the word I thought I was using).  He only told me at the end of the day to spare me the embarrassment of correcting me in front of the others.  I got my first job working along side him.  I can remember waiting at the window for his school bus to roll up so that he could be home and we could play and steal our younger brothers teething cookies.  It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but there are certainly more good memories than bad.
 
I'm close with my younger brothers (as close as I can be with them being in their early 20's and child free haha),  but I miss Alan. 

How do you mend a bridge when you don't know how it broke?  How many calls can go unanswered?  When, if ever, is it ok to just wash your hands? How much is enough?  I'm stubborn enough to keep trying, but each attempt does nothing but open the same wound and acts as a reminder that I've done something so bad that it warrants being severed from.

It's a strange sensation, being distant from someone you love, and even more strange when it's family.  To not know how things are going for them.  I even manage to get quick conversations in with my brother who lives in Hawaii.  Sure its like every 3 months, but we speak and I know how things are and what he is up to.  My youngest brother and I speak the most regularly.  We see each other often and our girls simply adore their Uncle Tony and his girlfriend.  I also see my younger sister often too.  One's always missing.

So should this post find its way to my long lost brother, I guess i just want to tell you that I love and miss you.  That I hope that life has been kind and that you're, at the very least, happy.  You will always be my big brother and I will always tell the kids stories of slip and slide fights, our shoving matches, of playing Power Rangers and V.R. Troopers.  They'll know of Mermaid Taxi cabs and falling out of mango trees and for sure they will know that they have another uncle who is awesome.  And when we renew our vows in 2014, there will be a place for you, whether you show up or not.  Most of all, know that whatever I did, I am sorry for.

Are any of you estranged from someone?  Are you angry or confused?  Have you given up yet or are you just as stubborn as I am?  If you're no longer estranged, how did you go about it?  Leave me comments down below.

As always, hugs til later.

Domesticated1022

REVIEW: Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mouse Foundation

I'm pretty excited about this review!  I normally don't wear foundation.  My skin is oily and I have yet to find more than one foundation that doesn't exacerbate this.  I don't like heavy either, be it fragrance or formula.  That weighted down feeling is enough to ruin a day and when you couple that with Florida humidity, its the perfect storm for irritation.  Also, I have freckles along my cheekbones that I'm pretty fond of, so I don't like foundations that hid them.  Long story short, I'm a tough customer.

I received a complimentary sample of Rimmel London Stay Matte liquid mousse foundation from Influenster for testing and review purposes.  Like I said, I'm pretty excited about it and its because I have oily skin and a big forehead.  I'm not shy about it.  The problem is I have oily skin and a large forehead.  It's terrible.  Another reason I don't like wearing most foundations is because most have a shine and I usually have to couple the foundation with a powder and then I get that heavy feeling and start to think it looks cakey, no matter how light handed I am with both.  So when I got the chance to test this product before it hit shelves, I was all over it!

The packaging is cute, the bottle has no shine (in keeping with the matte theme I'm sure).  I had to choose the shade closest to my own over the internet and I was nervous I wouldn't pick a shade close enough to actually wear.  I selected their shade "True Beige" and even when I saw the shade on the outside of the bottle I was sure it would be too dark.  I tested it along my jaw and it seemed like a good fit *sigh*.
My initial testing happened while I was filming a quick unboxing via YouTube.  What I though was a small enough dab for a swatch was actually a lot more than I anticipated.  It smells amazing, like powder.  The texture is in fact light and airy and it definitely has an excellent shine control.  I'm not too concerned about minimizing pores, mines are decent for the most part.  Foundation needs to pass a few things before I give the recommendation.

My second testing was a complete look.  I was headed out with my husband for his doctors appointment and I wanted to see how the foundation would hold up A) against Florida humidity and B) against the day in general.  I've included some before and after photos below.  I wanted to do a half and half shot (of my one side of my face sans the shine control foundation and the other with) but I didn't want either side being out of balance.  I also included a pic of myself at the end of the day just to show how it held.  I a not using any setting spray to hold the look.

So clearly here's the before & after :)

And here's the end of the day!

Clearly I couldn't use the same lighting, but the foundation fared well!!

The foundation held up against a sticky 80 degrees :)  I felt fresh faced all day and not once did I feel like I was shiny! 

Rimmel London Stay Matte liquid mousse gets a huge thumbs up from this weary mommy!!  It met all my requirements and I am very pleased :)

1. It must REDUCE my shiny forehead's shine!
2. It CANNOT feel heavy
3. It in no way can add to my oiliness 
4. I don't want to have to do touch ups!  3 kids allow for zero wiggle room on this rule.
5. I must look awesome!

Checks all around!  Here are links to Influenster, the Rimmel London Stay Matte Foundation product page and my influenster profile.  If you've tried this product PLEASE leave me a comment on your experience :)  

Hugs til later,

Domesticated 1022