Up and Down

Some days you feel like you can take over the world.  Other days not so much.

Just remember that it will all be okay.

You're amazing, and can do anything.

I like

Dear Mia,
I like hanging out with you- you're very fun to be around.  Don't forget that.
Love,
Mom

Some useful stuff to remember

Dear Mia,
When you turned 16, I started writing down some words of wisdom in a book I planned on giving you when you graduated from High School.  You've since graduated, and I realized that I'd only written a few pages.

Maybe one day I'll finish it, but in the meantime, here are some of the ideas I wrote down that I think might come in handy.

• If you look for the joy in life, you will often find it.
• Balancing your checkbook often will help you avoid money trouble.
• Be kind, kinder than others around you.
• If you're chopping an onion, light a candle on the counter to keep from crying.
• Moderation is key.
• Always study with people smarter than you.
• Don't smoke pot in the practice rooms in the music building.
• For garlic cloves, if you lay your knife flat on top of the clove and give it a good smack, the peel comes right off.
• To gain the trust of children or animals, speak quietly, don't move too quickly or loudly, get on their level, and find our their interests.
• Lower quality (read: cheap) liquors will give you a hangover much fiercer than more expensive drinks.
• Recycle.
• Sunday afternoon naps on the couch during football season can't be beat.  
• It's okay to cheer and applaud, but don't ever boo.
• Read.

Dear Mia, someone burnt the pasta, and now the pan is ruined!

Oh, no!  Looks like someone went hungry last night because they burnt the pasta!  (Note, this is actual photographic evidence from the blog's namesake cooking skills).

Rather than just stick the smoldering pan in the sink full of burnt noodles and leaving it for later (which, I'm not pointing any fingers, is what SOMEONE actually did...), try this so that it's not impossible to clean and you have to buy a new pot.

1. First, get out as much of the gunk as possible.

2. Now fill the pot with water up to the burn line.

3. Next, add some white vinegar.  (I generally use Apple Cider for cooking, white for cleaning)

The amount of vinegar you use will be directly proportional to the severity of the cookware burn.

4. Bring the water/vinegar mixture to a boil.  You should start to see improvements already.

5. Add some baking soda.  This will bubble a bit- this is normal.

6.  Now give it a good scrub with the rough side of your sponge.

Dear Mia, why I'm writing this blog.

Dear Mia,

You were this old once.

And now you're not.

It has gone so fast!

Now you are making plans to move away.  I understand.  But I will miss you.

I started to write things down that I thought might come in handy with your new-grown up life, but thought that this might be better.

Maybe sometimes I might be useful.  Maybe not.  

Anyway, here are some things you should know.

Love,

Mom