The Power Of Smell

Don't you love when you catch a whiff of something that sets you back in time?!?  There is something about the faint baby powder smell that takes me back to playing with my dolls as a child.  As an adult, I still long for those moments that take me back to a stressless time; I guess that is why I LOVE smelly markers and pens.  There is no denying that as a teacher we love school supplies, but there is something about smelly markers and pens that makes me feel like I am 6 years old again.
We all know about the traditional Mr. Sketch markers, but have you seen the new limited edition scents?  They are awesome and I have to laugh that there is always one stinky scent.

My favorite scent is still grape.  What about you?

Life of a New Mama: Schedule, What?!?!

If there is something that I have learned as a new mom it is schedules are damn near impossible to follow.  I used to be that person that was five minutes early to everything and I hated, yes hated, when people were late.  Well, the universe came back to smack me on the back of the head, because now I am always late.  It is so difficult to get my sleep-deprived-self out the door, let alone my son, too.
Last week, while trying to get out the door to drop the dog off at the vet, my son decided to have a huge blow out (sorry, TMI).  It was just another one of those moments that I had to stop slowdown and remember whether I am 5 minutes early or ten minutes late it is fine.  Right?  I guess I just need to convince the rest of the world that this is the case.

I hope you are having a great week!

Do you have any advice for how to get out the door, on time, once I go back in the classroom?

Monday Meals: A Whole Chicken in a Crockpot; Oh My!

If you haven't figured it out yet, I love my crockpot.  Seriously, I have no idea what I ever did without it.  Now, with a four month old it is a saving grace for actually having a home cooked meal.  This past week, I decided to get the biggest bang for my buck.  I cooked a whole chicken and then turned around and made bone broth/chicken stock.  My crockpot ran for a day and a half, but it was so worth it.

1 medium to large onion

4-5 pound hen; rinsed and giblets removed

salt

pepper

smoked or sweet paprika

Roughly slice the onion and place it in the bottom of the crockpot.  Place the chicken on top of the onion.   Make sure you have removed the "stuff" from the inside and rinsed the entire bird.  Generously coat with salt, pepper, and paprika.  Cook on LOW for 5 hours.  Be sure to use a meat thermometer to determine if the bird it cooked since different sizes could require another half hour to hour.

There is no liquid necessary because plenty will be produced while the chicken is cooking.

What are you making this week?

Let me know if you are interested in how to use the bones and juices to make bone broth.  Have a great week!