Keeping Things in Check
Our weekend has been packed tighter than Lulu’s closet full of hand-me-downs, baby toys and discarded breastfeeding pillows. I have no explanation for why I am hanging onto these things, at least no conscious reason. But if you know what’s good for you, don’t open that closet.
Between all of our rehearsals, Christmas programs and errands, there hasn’t been a minute to spare. And it’s in these moments that Someone says, “Oh yeah?! Let’s see how you handle “this.”
“This” is oversleeping my alarm by an hour this morning when we had to be at church early for the pageant.
“This” is Gigi refusing to have her hair washed despite having it up in a shellacked ballerina bun for 24 hours.
“This” is Pea Daddy buying Mad Men on Blue-Ray instead of DVD. We don’t have a Blue-Ray.
“This” is Lulu having a fit because she wanted orange juice instead of apple juice, and then spilling the replacement glass of orange juice all over the table, placemats and kitchen floor moments before we needed to be out of the door.
“This” blows.
Pea Daddy raced the girls off to church so I could workout and get ready. My workout was frantic, half-assed mopping. My shower was brief (water was involved and I faintly smell of soap). My money for the offering plate was funneled into the Swear Jar. And as I raced into the Sanctuary, I was reminded that just like that, “this” can all disappear.
A set of wings and a halo help.
My floor is still sticky. My legs are not shaved. I forgot my telephoto lens. I still haven’t seen a single episode of Mad Men. But some things are just far more important.
Thank you, Someone, for keeping me in check.
And for keeping me in Chex.
Ain’t No Butter Chex Mix
Makes 12 cups
- 9 c. Chex (varieties of your choice) or Crispix cereal
- 1 c. peanuts (or mixed nuts of your choice)
- 1 c. pretzel twists or sticks
- 1/4 c. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
- 2 T. vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 t. salt
- 1 t. garlic powder
Choose your ingredients wisely. The chief goal is to prevent from people picking out “the good stuff.” Corn Chex and Rice Chex are gluten-free, if that is a concern. Regular Worcestershire sauce has anchovies, if that is a concern. A jar of mixed nuts has big strange looking Brazil nuts. That is a definitely a concern. At least if you are under 6.
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Place cereal, pretzels and nuts in a large baking dish.
In a liquid measuring cup, melt margarine and add Worcestershire sauce, salt and garlic powder.
Stir until combined and pour over cereal mix.
Stir to coat.
Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
Spread cereal mix on paper towels to cool and store in an air-tight container.
If it lasts that long.
Forget about the floor, which now has a nice coating of crunched up cereal dusting the sticky spots. Watch some football in a princess dress.
And don’t sweat if someone still tries to pick the good stuff out.
Because in the grand scheme of things, it’s all good stuff.
I’m sure of this.
Great reminder of the important things in life, even if (however unfortunately) shaved legs don’t fall on the list.
I love this message. Christmas pageants are always so cute to watch. The kids at my church sing songs a lot at church, and they’re always adorable!
And the lyrics are always questionable…
I lovee that picture of Lulu picking through the mix.. she’s concentrating so hard!
Aw sorry it was a roughish day!
I love that picture of Lulu from the back! Hah!
I never would have thought to put Worcestershire on Chex Mix!
That’s what gives it the tang!
I love how focused she is at picking out what she wants from the bowl
And you’re right, the important stuff is what makes you slow down and focus. Thank goodness for that!
Mmmm, that sure does take it back. My family never made Chex mix, but my best friend’s family did, and I would eat the ever living crap out of it when I was at their house.
We used to make such huge batches we’d mix them in giant trash bags!
LOVE the photo of Pea D and Lulu picking at her faux Chex mix. It’s winter…no need for shaved legs
She found a peanut. She was none too happy.
The pageant pictures are too cute!
I love love love Mad Men. Can’t wait for finals to be done so I can keep watching.
We returned the Blue Rays this afternoon…Season 1 starts NOW
Just curious…do you guys go to Salem Alliance?
I love children’s Christmas programs…they are always so sweet and funny
Nope
Oh, never mind, then. It looks kind of like it
I never thought of using Crispix!
You’re so right…when it comes to Christmas and church and family…it’s all good stuff!
I didn’t want to buy four boxes of cereal
Great post!
Chex just came out with Muddy Buddies in a pacakge. Muddy Buddies (“puppy chow”) is probably my favorite sweety salt treat, but I just can’t imagine eating it not homemade.
I went on a rant, but basically I’m saying, homemade Chex is the shiz and yours looks delicious!
Seriously?! Pre-made Muddy Buddies? I agree with you–that’s just wrong.
With kids you are BOUND to have mornings like this, but somehow they just make it worth it! Your chex mix looks delish, but is margarine really healthy for you? I’m new to your blog and am enjoying it!
I would say Earth Balance is “healthy” for you, but now animals were harmed in its creation. Plus with 1/4 c. for the whole batch, there really isn’t a ton per serving. It’s all a matter of perspective and I’d rather my family have dairy-free margarine than butter.
Love Chex Mix during the holidays – it is just not Christmas without it at our house. And as a side bar, I made your holiday cookie dough balls for a dinner I hosted and everyone just raved! You got lots of props in Dallas this weekend!
Awesome! I’ll take any props I can get!
Indeed it is. It’s all a matter of perspective right??? It looks like it all seemed to pull together in someway, shape, or form:)
Yes, but I was very frazzled, Ang.
“This” looks delicious
I never thought about making my own chex mix! What a brilliant idea!
And thank you for providing so much humor into my life. This blog is slowly making me feel ok if I marry at the age of 40 and don’t have kids.
You’ve never made Chex mix?! Oh you must!!! Before you are 40.
love.love.love. I can literally taste this!! I never ate a ton of chex mix but the flavor is distinct. Definitely hate brazil nuts…they are just way too big [that's what she said]. The girls look cute as ever! Lulu’s closet + gigi’s bandaid collection are just waiting to be airred on “hoarders.”
I like Brazil nuts now…they just creeped me out when I was little!
my bf bought The Dark Knight and Inception in Blu Ray and we don’t have a blu ray player either…think he’s hoping for one for Christmas haha
That was Pea D too. I told him we need a new vacuum more.
Haha I’m loving P Daddy’s hulu girl shirt
The little angel wings on her are too cute. And FYI, that chex mix would last 20 seconds in this house!
I’m quite shocked there is any left here.
Such a beautiful message! You always make the hardships of motherhood seem so worth it. I can’t wait to be a mom!
They are worth it. But I have a lot of grey hair. And not a lot of Chex Mix left…
Chex mix honestly makes me so happy – I’m a digger for the good stuff too. Lulu looks so intent on eating her snack!
It’s serious business around here.
Your posts never cease to amaze me.
That picture of Lulu digging in the bowl is priceless. Her face is great!
Looks like a successful day amidst all the chaos…I think it’s always a success when there’s homemade chex mix
Truer words may have never been spoken.
Oh man, I’m addicted to Chex Mix. Must make some!!
Chex mix really is the best holiday treat!
I bet that stuff is sooo addictive, and so good!
I make puppy chow, which is chex mix of the sweet variety, i.e. powdered sugar, chocolate, butter and PB all melted and coated on the chex. I’m sure you’ve had it before. Again, so addictive!
Gosh, ok, now I need to have chex mix
Have a great week!
my mom used to make chex mix for us right before every road trip growing up…i love the stuff! i always picked out the ones with extra seasoning
Me too! I may have been doing that at 11 pm last night….
Oh I love chex mix and I LOVED picking only the good stuff out too!!! Yum!
I don’t even buy trail mix around here. Especially the M&M kind. I end up with a bag full of peanuts.
oh chex mix. Brings back memories.
I always picked out the black chips.. what are those called?!
Oh, the pita chips? Yeah, I left those out too.
today has not been good so far, thank you for putting a smile on my face
I’m sorry! I hope your day gets much better!
This post was exactly what I needed to read on a frantic, frazzled morning that kicks of two more days of frantic frazzling. Hope your week starts off great
Thanks, you too Gabriela!
Chex mix is too addicting me for. I can’t have a whole batch around the house because I’ll finish it off in 1-2 days. haha. Apparently I have no self control!
It’s even more addicting when you don’t put in the stuff that you don’t care for.
Motherhood is full of good stuff! And so is your blog!
I like nuts (almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts especially, yum!), can’t live without almond butter, but one I don’t like as much are Brazil nuts (along with macadamias, which I detest), and the irony in that is: I am Brazilian! They are both my husband and my sister favorite nuts, but just not for me.
Ana
I actually don’t mind them as much as I did when I was little. All the Chex mix would be gone and we’d have a Tupperware full of Brazil nuts
Too cute! I’ve never ever made chex mix before… can’t believe it.
We were just discussing how healthy or unhealthy bar snacks are.. Love this chex mix! Much better than questionable bar junk!
Sweet sweet girls, love them in their little halos! And I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten boxes of Crispix in “Chex Mix” form since Thanksgiving. Salty goodness…mmm….cereal’s good for breakfast right? Especially if it has butter and worcestershire sauce in it?
I think you are entitled, Kel.
Just what I needed to hear (well, read) today, thank you! Hope you at least enjoyed your extra hour of sleep!
Gigi was up at 4 am. There was no extra sleeping.
Lulu’s doing some serious digging there. Brazil nuts were always an interesting little species. I won’t repeat what I have heard them called before…let’s just say that I have never eaten one because of it’s nickname
What is the Brazil nut’s nickname?!
Your blog will combust 10 minutes after I post it. LOL
Now I am curious about the nickname too. I am from Brazil and pnly knew them as Brazil nuts here. In Brasil they are called “castanha do Para” (Para is one of the states in Brazil, where there are lots of those nuts)
Ana
oooh, how I miss Christmas pageants!
I so enjoyed living vicariously through the pics
So cool that there are gluten-free versions. I have never made my own Chex mix before!
You should! It’s super easy and so delicious!
Fun idea! As always, your girls are SO cute!
You and I are on the same page lately with the goodies we’re making. I just asked my mother-in-law for her Chex mix recipe so I can make a huge batch for our early Christmas celebration this Sunday. If she doesn’t want to give it up, I’ll use your recipe. Either way, I’ll be picking out the good stuff too! And, I too, was reminded in my weekend craziness of what is really important at this time of year. Glad to know I’m not the only one with unshaved legs!
I shaved them this morning…after eating 2 cups of Chex mix. I win.
awe, what a sweet post
Christmas pageants/practices are the best and really help everyone remember the reason for the season! Loving the chex mix 
Love this post (the way I love every post). You always remind me to count blessings and to laugh, MP
The fact that I made you laugh just made my day
Loving this post! Our weekends were uncannily similar. My boys participated in the Christmas Pageant at church this weekend during 5 services and I was teary-eyed at every single one. It was a crazy rollercoaster weekend, but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. I have had “What Child Is This” stuck in my head all morning…
Beautiful. And that is one of my favorite Christmas songs.
That may be the most perfect bun on a little girl ever. How do you get their up-dos to stay in tact like that!? And shoot, now I’m craving Chex mix!
Two words: hair. spray.
Oy, that is one stressful weekend!
I think you highlight the beauty of Christmas perfectly in this post. Most folks are busy running around getting things ready for the big holiday, and then we gather together to acknowledge the importance of the holiday and we are reminded of all that we are celebrating.
PS, I really need to pick up a princess dress – I think it just might make life all the more enjoyable. Or….I can start wearing my wedding dress around the house. I think I like this idea more.
I dare you. Your husband won’t think it’s weird at all.
Oh Mama Pea you have done it once again! I love your outlook on things, you make me laugh every day!! A good friend of mine at church passed away in her sleep last week leaving behind 4 little children. Every day in the past week, that’s all I need to think of to keep my priorities in check. You are so right when you say “this” can all disappear way too fast!!
Jen
Oh my gosh, Jen. My prayer is with you and your friend’s family.
Amazing tag with “Why so serious?” Love it
Ah, I really love your girls. My weekend was a mess too. We attended my BFF’s wedding last Saturday and my original plan was to help her with the flower arrangements. But then my son had fever all day so I skipped the task and missed bonding with my pals which I haven’t seen for half a year now. When you’re a mom you really have to wear that halo and wings for them even if you already need help to fix yourself.
Aww, you said it, girl!
ahh we always made chex mix in my family for our holiday party! I remember ALWAYS being the kid who picked the “goodies” out of it. Lulu, I hear you sista!!!
xoxo
Sara
Wonderful post and outlook, so important this time of year to focus on the happy things amidst all the chaos. This post reminded me of what my sister is going through with her two daughters this month, hang in there and thanks for the laughs.
Thanks, my pleasure.
Do you think you could post pictures of the girls in The Nutcracker? That would be precious.
That first picture of Lulu with her angel wings absolutely melted my heart!! Thanks for the beautiful post. As the mom of a little 15 month old girl (who loves peas!
, your posts are always my favorite and always inspiring.
I’m hungry for salt now. They make gluten-free pretzels too. I wish they’d stop charging $6 a bag though.
I’ve had those. Tasty!!!
I love this post – you just put a huge smile on my face! I can so easily get caught up in “THIS” – it’s nice to remember that it’s all the good stuff.
Haha, Lulu knows how it’s done–I’m always the one picking out the pretzels:)
Ahhh that looks and sounds so good!
Sorry about your hectic start to yesterday…but I’m glad it turned out so well
Love it….
Pea Daddy is looking quite scrappy! I say that in a good way..
you clever little thing. i like what you did there. check.. chex.. it doesn’t take much to impress me. <3
And that’s why we are friends…
mmm chex mix! I’ve got to try this recipe! yum!
I just realized you have a reci-peas section on your blog too! omg how funny! our blogs should be friends, we have peas in common! hehe =)
Oh, your blog is very cute!!!
I’ve had a weird urge to make a Chex Mix lately. Perhaps for New Year’s?