I'm Moving!

That's right folks!

I Wish I Was in Dixie (blogger) is packing up and moving to wordpress. It's been a harrowing transition and not all of the kinks have been worked, but we are close!

Stop by my new digs, take a look, click around, comment on a few posts, and be sure you are following me on Google Friend Connect located on the bottom of my homepage.

As always, VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME!!

Change your links to
(drumroll please...)

www.iwishiwasindixie.com

Recipe Box: Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

 
I like pumpkin. The flavor by itself is not great, but it can be added to so many things that make it delicious. Try this recipe instead of your old faithful. Don't tell a soul and see what they say. I think you will have a winner on your hands! The combination of flavors also makes this classic recipe more grown-up. Confidently serve this to your in-laws this holiday season. You can thank me later. ;)


Pumpkin Mac ‘n Cheese
Adapted from this recipe
Makes approximately 5-6 servings
 
2 cups pumpkin puree
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup, plus 2 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tsp. butter, melted
1 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 c. grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. crushed red pepper (Optional: adds a hint of kick)
salt and pepper, to taste
10 oz. your favorite small pasta (approximately 4 c. uncooked pasta-make this really healthy by using whole wheat pasta)
1/3 c. bread crumbs (you can use panko instead)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente.
3. Heat pumpkin puree in medium saucepan over medium to high heat. Add milk and thoroughly combine.

4. Reduce heat to low. Add 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, and the mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted into pumpkin mixture.

5. Add mustard, nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.

6. Mix pumpkin sauce with drained pasta until thoroughly combined. Mix in rest of cheddar cheese.

7. Place pasta mixture in 9×9-inch casserole dish, or separate into ramekins for individual servings.

8. Mix breadcrumbs with 2 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese. Add melted butter and mix well. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture on top of pasta and place in oven.

9. Bake for 10 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.

**Order one of these and you will look like a pro at your next dinner party or family function. Heck, bake your Pumpkin Mac & Cheese in it. How festive!

Making General Conference Fun For Preschoolers

I love watching General Conference. The spirit fills my home and I find myself wanting to be a better, wife, mother, friend, daughter and sister. It helps me keep things in proper perspective rather than flying off the handle to easily. Adding kids into the mix changed everything. When Mattie was younger, I could more easily keep her entertained. Conveniently, conference also landed during nap time. Those days are over. This will be my first General Conference with two 4 year olds. Because I need the guidance that comes from church leaders, I am creating a series of things for my girls to do while watching General Conference. Of course, I have a packet full of coloring pages, letters and words to trace and helpful activities. I found a darling pumpkin coloring page with topics for the kids to color. I also plan on making a special snack for the family to enjoy.

What are you favorite General Conference foods and snacks? 

Do you have any special traditions you would like to share?

Below are the links to some of my favorite activities for kids. I am looking forward to a successful and memorable General Conference weekend.

Activity Book by Scriptures for Kids (Junior Primary Packet)

Pumpkin/Gospel Topic coloring page

Temple Tracing Card and President Monson coloring page

General Conference notebook, coloring page, and Conference Squares (game)

Making General Conference Memorable (this is a blog post I have referred to for a couple of years)

As far as food goes, I plan on giving each girl a little treat basket. They can eat what they want, when they want, but there is no refills for the day. They will have to ration (or not ration) on their own. I have done this with Mattie in past years and it worked great. Zoe has never seen General Conference before, or even seen the prophet before, so this will be a great learning weekend!

**Stay tuned for a delicious Mac and Cheese recipe. You could make it for General Conference weekend and be the star of the show. The leftovers are as awesome as eating it the first time around!

MMB

Enjoy my yummy and healthy muffin recipe over at Mormon Mommy Blogs!

Recipe Box: Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin Puree
Use this recipe to create many delicious dishes.

1 Sugar Pumpkin



1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut the pumpkin in half and scrape out all seeds and stringy fibers with a metal spoon.
3. Place the two halves in a roasting pan with 1 cup of water.
4. Bake the pumpkin until meltingly tender, about 90 minutes (depending on pumpkin size).
5. Scoop the flesh out of each pumpkin half.
6. Puree in a food processor.
7. Use in various recipes as needed. Be creative! Freezes well.

Tip: Pour the puree in a plastic wrap lined ice cube tray. Once frozen, place the cubes in a freezer safe, airtight bag or container. You can add this puree to so many of your favorite recipes, one cube at a time.



**You will want one of these. Trust me on this.

Discipline, Boundaries and Consistency

There have been other incidences since "I'm a dude". One day the girls were chewing on the small rubber princess dresses. Not only is that gross, but nobody is teething around here. Another day they colored with black dry erase markers all over themselves, their clothes and my mom's nice little table (used to be my grandpa's) that has been in the girls room (It was given back after "I'm a dude". Now it's gone for a long time.) A couple days ago they smeared something unidentifiable on my parents huge screen TV. Each time, I had nicely asked the girls to change their behavior and explained the appropriate behavior, in kid friendly terms, of course. By the 3rd, 4th or 5th warning, no more chances. Some days I respond well to the disobedience. Some days I feel like a crazy woman out of control.

Two weeks ago, the St. George temple president's wife spoke in stake conference about how The Book of Mormon can teach you how to be a parent. She also talked about how reading the scriptures can strengthen a family. I took her counsel to heart. The next day we had a family home evening lesson about the Bible and The Book of Mormon. We talked about the origins of each and then bore our testimonies of both books. It was a spiritual experience. For our activity/treat we made Scripture Cookies. With scripture cookies you have to look-up and read certain scriptures to find the ingredients for the cookies. It was so fun and the girls had a great time reading with us from the scriptures and hunting for the ingredients. By the way, the cookies were awesome! (recipe will be posted soon)

The following week our family home evening was about having a stronger family. First, I showed a rope and we noticed that it's made of  interwoven strands. If any of the strands were cut, broken or frayed the rope would unravel and not be strong. We likened that to our family. That we are each a strand to our family rope. I told the story of when Nephi's bow broke and talked about Lehi's family. Afterward, we talked about all the things we need to do to make our family strong every day. Things like reading the scriptures, saying family prayer, being nice and sharing were mentioned. The girls also talked about something involving play-doh, but I didn't understand. They thought it was hilarious and laughed about it all night.

Yesterday morning, after taking the girls to preschool, I headed to the temple. I needed help beyond the every day. All that I am comfortable with and accustomed to has changed and I was looking for Divine inspiration. It came. I left feeling lighter then I have since August 11th, the day Zoe arrived. I drove to Target and bought two "Responsibility Charts", thank you Circo and Target. I then bought some cute little dollar prizes and one $5 prize (for each girl). I am not above bribery.

When I got home we talked about behavior and boundaries, then set-up their charts. I explained how the prizes would work and they were thrilled. I think we are on a good path. I know that God wants us to succeed. I also know He has heard my desperate pleading for help with these two sweet, curious, energetic, tireless, independent, helpful, creative girls. My desire is to accentuate their strengths and individuality, not to make them feel small or not good enough.

The next step is to work on my consistency and method. Like it says in the scriptures, "Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;" (D&C 1221:43) Discipline, love, discipline, love, discipline, love, etc. This is how the Lord works with us, His children. It is the pattern I should follow with children on loan to me. Now to find the patience to accompany it...

What's A Mom To Do?

I quietly opened the bedroom door of my "napping" girls.

Me: What are you doing?! Why are you standing on the table?

Zoe: I don't know.

Me: You don't know? You just magically flew up there?

Zoe: silence.

Me: Climb down. Zoe get on your bed please. Mattie go lay on Uncle Sam's bed.

Zoe: still silent

(I promptly removed said table and its chairs from the room)

Me: Mattie, why was Zoe standing on the table? What were you guys doing?

Mattie: We were playing a "I'm a dude".

Me: "I'm a dude"? What exactly is that?

Mattie: It's when you climb on the table and JUMP to your bed and say "I'm a dude!"

Me: Where did you get this idea?

Mattie: Me. From in my head.

Me: So, you jumped on your bed?

Mattie: silent nod yes.

(I promptly remove brand new bedspreads. Previously promised punishment for jumping on the bed one more time.)

Where do kids come up with this stuff? What are appropriate consequences for 4 year old children? My well is dry.

(top photo courtesy of stock.xchng)

Check me out!

You can also find me at Today's Mama.
I'm talking about banishing the negative thoughts
and our ability, as women, to do hard things.

Head on over and check it out!

P.S. I think you need this necklace by the r house couture to remind you that you can do hard things.