slice of life

For the first time in many months, we had our very first full week of school.  March Break, Easter, PA days and storm days have given us many short weeks.

Admittedly, I was starting to enjoy these short weeks.  They were like little vacations...one less school lunch/homework/commute to prepare for.  And I love the days when my kids participate in the school's "hot lunch" program.  I almost feel like I'm on vacation the night before "hot lunch" day...not having to prepare a packed lunch gives me the feeling of freedom, like I've won the lottery!  (ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but it's a chore that's almost as mundane as laundry).

I guess doing mundane things is a good thing.  As much as it pains me to actually do it, it is a part of life that is predictable, regular and a normal part of every day routine.  And it is this predictability that makes me feel safe.  This past week, if there is any feeling that I (and many of us) wanted to feel, is safe.  Safe in knowing that we still live in a world of good people.  Knowing that we can still enjoy going to the  movies, going to school, cheering for friends in a marathon because this is part of our everyday life that we know.  The freedom to be able to do these things because we worked so hard for that freedom, working and doing all those "mundane" chores of life, so we can experience a slice of enjoyment.

So when I prepared my kids for their full week back at school, it felt like it was my first day back from a vacation.  Rested, grateful and ready to go back to the normal routine.  And I know that after a week of doing all those mundane chores, everything will feel normal again...and at the end of the week, my kids will kick off their shoes and enjoy the (hopefully) warm spring weather, and I will once again, feel a little slice of freedom on the weekend.  

Hasselback Potatoes
(serves 4-5 people)

The trick to slicing these potatoes almost right through, while still keeping them intact is using a pair of chopsticks.  It's an easy and quick way to slice the potatoes.

Ingredients

• 5 large baking potatoes
• 3 tbsp. Olive oil
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. minced garlic
• 2 tbsp. parmesan
• Salt, pepper to taste 
• Chopped herbs to taste (dried is fine)
• Shredded cheddar (optional)
• Sour Cream with or without chives (optional)

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 425F.
• Place a potato between two chopsticks.

• Thinly slice the potatoes (about 1 cm each slice), cutting almost all the way though, but leaving the whole potato intact.
• Dizzle with olive oil and melted butter
• Sprinkle with minced garlic, parmesan, seasonings and chopped herbs.
• Place the sliced potatoes on a cast iron skillet.
• Bake for approximately 1 hour to 90 minutes until the potato skin is brown and crisp, and the inside of the potato is tender.

Top with shredded cheddar or sour cream. Serve with any BBQ meal.

helpers

As more details emerge from the Boston Marathon attack on Monday, I am constantly reminded that in all this darkness and evil, there is still light.  Stories of first responders, police officers, medical staff and the kindness of everyday citizens, who ran towards the smoke, not away from it to help those who were injured.

When my son heard (limited) details about what had happened on Monday, he looked visibly worried.  He couldn't understand that "if it won't happen to us" (this is what I keep telling my kids), then why does it even happen at all?  Why do these horrible things keep happening again and again?  He asked, "Didn't something horrific just happen to 20 kids...what is going on lately?"

And although I keep telling my kids that it won't happen to us, it's getting harder and harder to convince my precocious boy (and believe this myself) that we are completely safe.  Then I remembered this quote that circulated on twitter and the internet.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 

‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." 

Fred Rogers {source} 

So I told this quote to my son, who immediately took comfort in the knowledge that there are good people in this world, and in almost any emergency or tragedy, there will always be someone there to help. And although we can't prevent, hide from, prepare for or even imagine such a tragic event, he felt assured that you can always find light in the dark.

Thank you Mr. Rogers.  I think this helped me too.

winging it

Life works in mysterious ways.

This past week, we had an opportunity to get a puppy for the family, but unfortunately it was sold before I was able to visit.  It was a visit that I had to really prepare myself for, both mentally and logistically. If this puppy was the "right one", then I had to be ready to take it home right there and then.

I have to admit. Leading up to this visit, I complained a lot.  Mostly about the outrageous prices (and products) geared towards pet owners.  All the variations of size, style and quality of things like dog beds, crates and leashes.  Maybe I'm over-thinking about all the things we need for the dog.  And like having a baby, I started to look beyond just the function of the products, but also wanted all these "things" to be stylish as well.

So when I received the call that the puppy I was going to visit was sold to someone who got there faster, my heart sank.  It wasn't because I had already bought the stuff in anticipation for our puppy, but because I'd have to explain to my disappointed kids that I wasn't going to bring one home just yet.

I must have looked like I was about to burst into tears while I was looking at leashes at the pet store.  The sales associate assured me that another one will come.  And this time I will be ready.

Well, she was right.  After a few emails, another puppy has appeared.  I'll still get the basics ready for our new arrival, but this time I won't get our hopes up and worry too much about getting every little detail "just right".  We'll just go with our hearts to find the right puppy that suits our home...and then, just wing it.

Hot & Sweet Chicken Wings (2 ways)

Adapted from Allrecipes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound chicken wings, tips discarded
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper-optional (or 1/3 chili powder and 3/4 paprika mix)
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup of honey 
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted 
• 1 clove minced. garlic
• 1/4 cup homemade "hot sauce" (1 tablespoons cayenne/chilli-paprika mix, 2.5 tbsp vinegar, 1.5 tablespoons water, 1/8 teaspoon salt)
• Note: 1 tsp chilli and 2 tsp. paprika can replace 1 tbsp of cayenne

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil grate or  preheat at 400* if baking.
2. Wash the wings well and pat dry with paper towel. Season the meat with cayenne (if wish), salt, and pepper.

If on the BBQ:

• Cook the chicken wings on preheated grill until cooked through and juices run clear, 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the wings. 
• Brush the wings liberally using 2 tbsp. honey while they are cooking. (
• Melt the butter, pour into a large bowl and mix in the remaining 2 tbsp. of honey, minced garlic and hot sauce. 
• Remove the wings from the grill and immediately toss them in the hot honey butter sauce to coat. 
• Serve the wings 'wet' or return them to the grill for 1 minute per side to set the sauce.

If baking:

• Preheat oven to 400*
• Sprinkle wings with salt, pepper and baste with honey for the first 20 minutes.
• Then remove and toss with 1/2 of the "hot sauce" (mixed with butter, honey and minced garlic)
• Baste with the hot sauce for last 20 minutes.
• Broil to make crispy for 1 minute.

Enjoy.

april showers

We promised our daughter that we'd get a family dog.  Now that our March Break travels and Easter family gatherings are now behind us, and warm weather and budding flowers are ahead of us, we've re-ignited the search to find the right dog to join our family.

I'd often hear dog owners warn me about how puppies are just like babies.  Waking up in the middle of the night.  Potty training.  How travel and extra curricular activities are limited because of the dog's schedule.  To be honest, this has been our biggest deterrent.  But with our daughter's big brown eyes and perfectly curled pout, we have succumbed to her wishes and are edging much closer to getting a new four-pawed member of the family.

As I start browsing for dog necessities (dog beds, crates etc), I start to recollect the time when I was preparing for our two beautiful children.  Researching for all the "gear" to add to our baby shower gift registry.  However, when our babies were born, I soon realized that all the baby "stuff" doesn't really prepare you for journey that follows.

During my pregnancy, we'd also often wonder what our children would be like.  Would they have the eyes of Mom or the nose of Dad? Would they be athletic or academic?  Would they be happy and kind or obnoxious little bullies?  It is one of the many curiosities of being a parent....we'd look for little clues sometimes as signs of reassurance that our kids inherited our positive traits. That they'd be a reflection of the good in us, not the bad.

Now that we're in anticipation for a new dog, I finding myself now wondering the same thing again.  If a dog barks and runs like a maniac at the park, is that a reflection of the owner or is it a reflection of the individual personality (and breed) of the dog?  Would the dog adopt some of our personalities, or would it's carefree nature force us to be more playful? Will we then, become a reflection of our dog?

I guess time will tell, much like raising children.  When someone says they see "a lot of me" in my kids, although some of it may ring true, deep down I think it's the other way around.  With their determination, enthusiasm and charisma, I think my children have made me become more outgoing, more accepting, more loving (although maybe not as patient?)...and I have become a reflection of them.

We'll continue to research and plan as much as we can to prepare for our new furry arrival.  Then we'll  let nature take it's course and welcome our dog with open arms, and I'm positive our children will shower their "baby" dog with everlasting joy and love.

And with his/her loyal, unconditional love and happy-go-lucky-tail-wagging nature, I hope that our puppy too, will be a reflection of our family.

Baby Shower Cupcakes

I like making these simple cupcakes for baby showers.  It's not overwhelmingly sweet, and you don't need to be an expert to decorate them.  It fits most themes and is non-gender specific.


INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup milk

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees 
• Line a muffin pan with paper liners.
• Cream the sugar and butter together.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. 
• Add the baking powder, then add the flour until the well mixed.
• Slowly stir in the milk until the batter is smooth. 
• Soon approximately 1/3 of a cup of batter into each of the muffin liners. 
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. (done when it springs back).
• Completely cool before frosting.

For the Buttercream Frosting & "Baby" icing design


INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup butter 
• 1/2 cup shortening (I use Crisco)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 5 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• Cocoa powder (for the eyes and mouth)
• Mint Lifesavers

DIRECTIONS:

• Cream the butter and shortening until light and fluffy. 
• Add salt, vanilla, confectioners' sugar and milk. 
• Beat well.
• Reserve 1 cup of frosting, and add cocoa powder until the frosting is chocolate in colour.
• Lightly frost the cupcakes

• Using a piping bag (or a zip lock bag with cutting a small corner of the bag), place the chocolate frosting and add the semi circles for sleeping eyes and a smile.

• Add the lifesaver as the baby soother.

Enjoy!

hope

Easter is about new beginnings, new life and new hope.

I've been thinking a lot about the word, hope.  As a parent, it's one of the biggest drivers to be "successful".  It's our motivation.  Our raison d'être.  It is the one common denominator that ALL parents have, no matter what background, financial situation or country we live in...we all have hope for our children's future.  When my kids were born, not only were we in awe of the miracle of their birth, our new found hope and dreams for their future was immeasurable.

With the word hope, I've also been thinking a lot lately, about two little girls with a lot in common.  Both are sweet and bright, who brings light and a smile to anyone that meets them.  This light in their eyes also brings hope to their parents, who have worked tirelessly to help their daughters live through very difficult medical situations.

Just before our son was born, good friends of ours had a little girl named Makaylah, who was born with spina bifida, and has had more surgeries than any human being should ever endure.  Recently she had 12 hours of surgery and her Mom posted on Facebook about her difficult recovery.   A true testament to her parent's strength is the overwhelming obstacles they've had to overcome in order for Makaylah to get the proper treatment, therapy and surgeries so she can have the best possible life.  We've watched their journey throughout Makaylah's life, and we hope and pray for her speedy recovery so she can come home to be with her family this Easter weekend.

A few weeks ago a dear friend of mine told me about little girl in her neighbourhood who was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a serious form of leukemia.

Sarah is a bright little five year old girl who is desperately looking for a bone marrow/blood cell match. You can read about her journey on Facebook (Sarah's Drive for  Hope).  Sarah's family is working with onematch.ca, an organization that helps find blood cell/bone marrow matches.  An amazing organization that we learned about when a friend of ours also had to use their services a few years ago. (I wrote about him, here).

I can not begin to imagine what these parents must be feeling right now.  How many prayers they've had, especially during these past few weeks.  How Makaylah's parents spend weekends driving through snow to get to the hospital, instead of playing in the snow with their kids.  How Sarah's parents have to do media interviews to raise awareness so she can once again, lie on the gymnastic mat instead of in a hospital bed. How they all must yearn to one day spend the holidays again with family instead of nurses and doctors.

Hope is a very strong and powerful word.  It gives you the courage to fight.  It gives you the motivation to accomplish anything, and I smiled when I read "Sarah will pull through this, I know it", because it shows that her family will never give up hope.

During Easter this weekend, we will be thinking of and praying for these two little girls.  Whether it is donating blood, donating your time to see if you're a bone marrow match, or even words of prayer, support or encouragement, we need to help Sarah, Makaylah and many other families who deal with life threatening medical issues like these.

With all our hopes and prayers, these girls WILL pull through this.  We know it too.

Please Give Hope

Sarah's Drive for Hope Facebook page (click here): Sarah's Drive for Hope

To learn more about spina bifida, visit:
www.sbhac.ca (in Canada)
www.spinabifidaassociation.org (in the US).

Donate

In Canada:

To donate bone marrow (and check if you're a match):

onematch.ca

To donate blood:

blood.ca

Donations in the USA:

giftoflife.org

go fish

When I was in elementary school, we would often write a short story or essay on what we did during March Break upon our return.  Depending on where we went, it felt like I had to remember every little detail in order to fill the page.

After our family travel getaway, I often wonder what my kids would find most memorable enough to write about.

On the eve before the kids headed back to school from March Break, I asked them what they enjoyed most about our time off.  I will admit...this conversation was partially self serving.  I guess I wanted to know...Was there anything we should have done differently?  Were there things on our list that we didn't get to check off?  Are there things they'd love to do again?

A pelican visited the beach one day and it was amazing to watch it circle above
the water, then dive right in to catch the fish.

Both kids said they loved snorkelling with sting rays.  They enjoyed the beach and splashing around without a care in the "private pool" (our suite surrounded a small but quiet pool where for the most part, we were the only family swimming there).  But oddly enough, my son said one of his favourite things about our holiday was the food.  "It's not every day we get to eat all the bacon you want for breakfast, BBQ pineapples on chicken burgers at lunch and try different variations of blue marlin, swordfish and fish fritters for dinner!"

While in Antigua, I was reading the book "The End of Overeating", and my son's comment about the food reminded me of this particularly striking quote from the book.

"Given the sensory power of sugar, fat and salt, we might expect everyone to be drawn to much 

the same foods.  But we're not, in part because our preferences are strongly influenced by 

what has happened to us in the past.  A history of personal experience gives particular 

foods an emotional charge, and those emotions become lodged in our memory"

 {quoted from  "The End of Overeating", by David A. Kessler}

It made me think of our food choices, not just the ones we make every day, but how much we associate food with special occasions...particularly the ones that would be associated with positive memories, like a beach vacation.  Although the kids enjoyed indulging in the hamburgers, pizza and nachos at lunch, I'm glad they were keen on trying the different flavours of the Caribbean.  Grilled fish.  Guava.  Pineapple juice.

Just as our previous beach vacations (I wrote about our trip to Prince Edward Island, here), some of the greatest memories have always been water related.  And we were either catching, watching or eating something from the sea.

I'm hoping that when the kids get older they will always have fond memories of all of our ocean explorations, but will also associate those great childhood memories with healthy culinary explorations as well.

Given our history of seaside vacations and their love for seafood...I think we'll be smooth sailing.  

Pan Seared Swordfish

(serves 4)

Since today is the first day of spring, this dish is a perfectly light dish for the season. This recipe is also amazing when grilled on the BBQ.  Unfortunately it was still too snowy on the day I made this, so I pan seared then cooked it in the oven.  It still tasted great.

Ingredients

• 4  swordfish filets
• olive oil for searing/grilling
• garlic cloves, minced (I used 1 tsp. or 2 garlic cloves)
• 1/2  cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4  cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• black pepper to taste

Directions

• Lightly coat a cast iron skillet with olive oil and heat on high.
• Preheat the oven to 400F.
• Lightly rub the fish with oil, then add garlic, salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat the skillet on a stovetop.  Once the skillet is very hot, add the fish and sear on both sides. (do not flip the fish for the first few minutes so it can sear nicely).
• Place the skillet with the fish in the oven for about 10 minutes (usually fish cook for approximately 10 minutes per 1 inch of thickness...cook according to size).
• In the meantime, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano and black pepper.
• Once fish is cooked, remove from oven and pour the olive oil mix on top of the fish.  Let rest.
• Serve.

paradise

After record breaking snowstorms this past winter, we took refuge and reconnected as a family during our winter vacation in Antigua.  It's an island that my husband and I visited before having children, and have always wanted to return to this beautiful, quaint island that boasts 365 beaches (yes, you can visit a new one every day of the year).  With our child-centric vacation last year to Disney, we wanted to go to a more sophisticated (but still kid-friendly) destination, where we could really take in the natural beauty of sand and water. No slides, no rides, no digital distractions.

At first, I think it was an obstacle for everyone to adjust to a slower pace.  WiFi was limited, so our digital devices also had to take a break.  I have to admit it, but I think we were all a little agitated at first.  It felt like our connections to the outside world was broken.  And as much as we were very grateful that we were able to fly to a beautiful resort in the Caribbean while it was cold and wintery back at home, it took a few days to remove ourselves from the hustle and bustle of on-line "life", and go...off-line.

Once we lured everyone away from the digital devices, down at the beach my daughter spent quality time with her Dad wading in the water and building sand volcanos, while I coerced our son to take a private sailing trip with me around the cove at our resort. After he reluctantly agreed, we were taken to the deeper parts of the ocean on our sailboat, as we quietly chit-chatted with our sailor about life in Antigua.

I asked about the weather and if they were lucky enough to enjoy 30+ degree weather all year.  He smiled yes and said the previous guests he sailed with actually complained about the heat, but he told them it was nothing compared to the heat in June and July, when it can reach to upwards of 40 degrees!

He couldn't understand why those visitors complained so much.  They complained about the heat.  They complained about how quiet it was.  They complained about the lack of internet access.  "We're in PARADISE...how can anyone complain?" he exclaimed.  No gadget, game or "all that internet stuff" (his words) can compete with the real-world interaction with such beauty and nature that surrounds us.  I felt a little guilty.  Although I didn't voice those complaints (out loud), I realized that we too, were not seeing the bigger picture of our "first world problems", and we weren't seizing the opportunity and appreciate what many people in this world would never have the opportunity to do as we were doing...travelling to paradise.

My son was quiet for most of the trip, and part way through our excursion, I could see that he was starting to go "off-line", as he started to really take in his surroundings.   It was so peaceful and quiet.  The water was glistening in the sun, and I watched my son close his eyes as he enjoyed feeling the cool breeze on his face, as we heard the gentle waves underneath us.  As we went further into the depths of the ocean, we saw grouper fish, angel fish and even manta rays swimming in the clear turquoise sea.

After our sailboat ride, my son and I headed back to the beach.  His iPod was on the beach lounger, and as he reached for it, I thought he would go back to all those digital distractions that I so painfully wanted all of us to stop, even for just one day, and I momentarily felt disappointed that he wasn't going to take advantage of the beach lying in front him.  Instead though, he reached for his iPod and packed it away, and headed towards his sister who was playing in the water.  I overheard him tell her about the fish and sea creatures that he saw while quietly floating with her.  She asked him if he liked the sailboat, and he said it was amazing.

When I went back into the water to rinse off the sand, my son came up to me and asked me to join them as he held my hand briefly.  My daughter then asked me what I thought of the sailboat ride.  I smiled at her as I watched them both peacefully enjoy the sand and water.

I told her it was paradise.

Pina Colada

(serves 4)

I had my fill of Pina Coladas during our stay in Antigua...it was my own little paradise in a glass!  I asked the bartender what he used to make the drink...the "virgin" ones for the kids just omitted the alcohol (they called it Pineapple Coconut "crush" for after the crushed ice).

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh or canned pineapple juice
• 3/4 cup cream of coconut, such as Coco Lopez (or add coconut extract to canned sweetened condensed milk if you don't have cream of coconut on hand)
• 1 cup light rum
• 3 cups crushed ice

Directions

• Combine all ingredients except garnish in a blender. 
• Pour into tumblers, garnish with pineapple spears, and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

it's all about perspective

One of our goals as a family, is to visit as many places in the world as possible.  Before having kids, my husband and I travelled around Europe, the Caribbean as well as locally in North America.  Our love for travel has definitely rubbed off on our kids.

As much as I am a strong believer that solid academics are important for children to learn at school, it's what they learn outside of school that also makes a great impact.  I am a huge advocate of the whole child approach...building the mind, body and soul.  And the "soul" part is learned through experience...seeing first hand how other people around the world live and prosper.  

There is so much to learn about the world that just can't be learned by watching documentaries or reading books. (although that helps!)  It's the experience, the senses that you get when you visit a foreign land...the smell, the taste, the feel.  This is why I believe travelling provides children with a different perspective of cultures...sometimes it's that understanding, the empathy of witnessing how others live that can help you empathize with new people that you meet here at home.  

I often like taking the kids "sightseeing" in our own city.  Trying to experience our city again as if it's for the first time.  Often, we'd meet real visitors who are vacationing in our city, and it often provides an eye-opening experience...like looking at yourself through their eyes!

Another great way to view things for the first time is to re-imagine what is in front of you as part of "perspective photography"...creating a visual perception of the way objects appear based on how close it is to the camera relative to the object of your photographs.  It makes you stop and really look at a place, time or just a statue in a different, creative way.  And photographing the kids in different scenarios is a great way to spend fun, creative time with each other....you'd be surprised how quickly the time passes when they are looking for ways to ham it up for the camera!

And that is what travelling, whether it is abroad or in your own city means to me.  Looking at things with a different perspective and understanding, being creative with what you see, and having really being present in the moment.

When my kids explore, whether it's here or abroad, being in front or behind the camera, it's as if the world is in their hands.

Hope you enjoy your March Break!

a sweet deal

As parents, sometimes I'm not quite sure whether the every day things we do for our kids are appreciated or taken for granted.  The little things that sometimes even adults don't notice. Clean, folded clothes.  Warm healthy meals.  A long ride in the snow to a friends house.  Helping with homework.  And sometimes in the midst of folding five baskets of laundry, I often ask...what kind of deal did I make?

Well, this past weekend, after a long (and somewhat frustrating) afternoon helping my daughter assemble her animal project for her class presentation, she disappeared into the kitchen.  When she came back she said:

"Thanks Mom.  You worked hard. I want you to have this".  It was a butterscotch lollipop.

For most people, this would be thought of as a sweet, fair exchange coming from a little girl.  But I thought it was even sweeter given the circumstances surrounding that lollipop.  You see, earlier that morning, her brother wanted to borrow her game console to bring to a friends house to play, and negotiated a deal to go to the store with her and BUY her any candy she wanted with his allowance that week.  Because we don't allow candy except for special occasions (and we just had Valentine's Day a few weeks ago!), she jumped at the opportunity, and he bought her a special variety pack of Laura Secord lollipops.

When we brought those lollipops home, I briefly mentioned to her that I used to love that particular kind of candy when I was a little girl, and I had to work hard and save my allowance to go to the candy store to get one.  And just like my daughter, butterscotch was one of my favourites.  We put the lollipops on the kitchen counter, and she was instructed that she was only allowed to have one on the condition that she complete the assembly of her animal project.  Five hours of typing, cutting, pasting, printing, gluing...we were both getting tired and frustrated.  With the lollipops sitting on the counter, her tempted and anxious glances towards those coveted treats were often times a distraction with the task at hand ("just ONE lollipop now, Mom?).  Much to my dismay.

When her brother came home, he thanked her again for letting him use her game console.  He told her that he wanted to make his "deal" even sweeter for her, and earned extra points on one of her games on her behalf (sorry, I'm not up to game lingo...something about diamonds?),  and she smiled with glee.  Both kids were happy and it was a very sweet moment between them.

So after she finally completed her presentation, she ran into the kitchen and I could hear her tearing the wrapper apart to get at the sweet prize.  Finally!  But before getting a lollipop for herself, she came up to me and gave me the one and only butterscotch flavour from the pack.  And I could see the sweetest look in her eyes...she was grateful for my help.  It made the five hours of cutting, pasting and glue in my hair all worthwhile.

If you were to ask me...are those fleeting, brief moments of pure joy from our kids...that smile, a hug or just "that look" worth the daily parenting struggles, frustrations and cumbersome tasks of managing a household?

Yes.  Yes it is.  I think parents have the sweetest deal ever.

Chocolate Caramel Trifle with Almond Whipped Cream

(serves 8-12)

I usually like to bake brownies in mini muffin tins so they look like those two-bite brownies that you buy at the market, and is easier to pack in lunches (instead of trying to cut them into squares...which can be a little messy!).  Unfortunately I baked the brownies too long, and they became hard as rock.  Instead of throwing them out, I used them in this trifle recipe instead.  What started as a sweet treat became an even sweeter treat!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1- 8x8 pan of brownies (or about 20 two-bite brownies)

Pudding layer:

• 2 cups of chocolate pudding (I used the Belsoy Organic pudding, but any pudding would do).
• 1/4 cup of milk or sweetened condensed milk.

Whipping cream layer

• 1 (8 ounce) container of heavy cream (for whipping)
• 2 tbsp. powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. of almond extract

Caramel sauce layer

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup of sugar (you can use icing or brown...I had icing on hand)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (I used homogenized milk...which works too!).

DIRECTIONS:

• Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and cool completely. 
• While the brownies are cooling, make the other layers.

For the Caramel sauce:

• Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat.
• Stir in sugar until it is melted and turns to a caramel colour.  Slowly stir in the cream or milk (it will bubble up!) and continuing stirring until it's has a sauce-like consistency.
• Remove from heat.

For the pudding:

• Mix the chocolate pudding in a bowl with 1/4 cup of milk or sweetened condensed milk until slightly runny in texture.

For the almond whipping cream:

• In a mixing bowl, mix the cream, sugar and the almond extract, on high until fluffy.

Now for the layers:

• Cut the brownies into 1 inch chunks, and layer half of the amount at the bottom of a trifle or glass serving bowl.
• Pour half of the caramel sauce on top of the brownies.
• Pour half of the pudding mixture on top of the caramel covered brownies.
• Top with half of the almond whipping cream.
• Repeat layers.

If desired, shave chocolate onto top layer for garnish. Refrigerate 8 hours before serving.  Enjoy this decadent and oh so sweet treat!