I can't not think of things that I want!

Modern Family is a hilarious new show on ABC that causes my sides to hurt after every episode. It's a fresh, funny outtake on the, of course, modern family. Anyhoo...a couple of weeks ago the episode consisted of celebrating the anniversary of Phil and Claire. Phil got Claire a gorgeous diamond bracelet, had flowers sent, etc. Claire on the other hand, pulled the 'You are so hard to shop for, I don't know what to get you' card. She ended up getting him 5 coupons for free hugs. Phil's response? Oh great, geez honey, thanks, as if hugs weren't already free, now it's official. His monologue then went on to state how he can't not think of things he wants consisting from a yogurt machine to speakers shaped like rocks, night vision goggles, etc. High-larious.

Point of the blog already! My birthday is 12 days after Christmas and I get dealt that same card ALL THE TIME! So I'm starting a list of things I want. They will be tagged: things I want. I shouldn't be dealt that card again, right?

The most gorgeous of shoes.
It's fun, it's flirty, it's pink, it's something my purdy little size 7 feet would look yummy in.

So I don't have many places suitable for such awesomeness. So they cost more than my monthly bills. They are adorable and definitely deserve to be on the list of things I want.


Who's having the party? Wherever it is, I will be dawning this eye catching party frock! In the 'do-able' price range, this dress makes me want to twirl around singing about how pretty I am. A delicious color that reminds me of cotton candy or bubble gum, this dress seems to hit all the right points. After a winter of hiding the skin, it's time to show off the tone arms, shoulders, and legs! The bow emphasizes the waistline while the ruffles add a little assistance where we all can usually use some.  Perfect for a cocktail gathering or a company party. Make a splash! You only live once.

Assistance from the Roomba

This family of 'Cleavers' is on our third generation of Roomba. Those of you whom are not familiar, I encourage you to start saving your money because it changes floor cleaning. The Captain acquired his first one when he was living the bachelor lifestyle. Anything to help a fella clean, eh?

After we got married, I scoffed at it. I can clean! I love to sweep! I want to be an awesome wife!

But Roomba changed it all......every housewife should appreciate any assistance possible. And boy, what wonderful assistance this little robot contributes! 

Since then I have used my little friend numerous times a week in various rooms. Of course, it doesn't clean as well as a mop. Or gather as much dirt or pet hair as the Dyson. But it gets the top level up during the middle of the week, and when unexpected guests arrive, it assists with the picture of the perfect house you desire to keep. 

So the horror or my day and reason for the post  is to alert you that I can't seem to clean the brushes correctly. We ordered a new battery a couple of weeks ago, as I had run the old one dry. When it arrived and I put it in, I thoroughly cleaned the machine. Took out all sorts of screws, the brushes, cleaning bin, and used cotton balls and q-tips to get all those corners. I charge that baby up, wait a few days, and set it to clean my bedroom! It's going to get all that hair out from under the bed and really make me feel good about myself. 

Then it stops, 3 minutes later. Red light alert as I am informed that I need to clean the brushes. Didn't I already do that? Apparently not enough. So again. All of the above. Press clean again, and red light?? Yep. Internet research here I come. I got some insider tips, read reviews from other Roomba owners, cleaned again, put back together again, and yes, red light again. 

Now it's the Captain's turn. I'm sure he won't have any problem but that's because I already cleaned it. 12 million times. 

Milk and Cookies

I think today was a grand day to bake cookies.

Yesterday consisted of a monthly Costco run which included peanut butter. As much as The Captain says he loves PB & J, I know how many sandwiches 2 extra large jars could make and I think that would be over his limit. So Peanut Butter Cookies it is.

The Cast of Characters:

1/2 Cup Butter (1 stick)

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup White Sugar

1 Egg

1 Cup Peanut Butter

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 Cups Flour

1/2 tsp Vanilla

First: Preheat your oven to 375.

After the butter has reached room temperature, cream it together with the sugars.

At this point, be sure to test this deliciousness. Butter and sugar---YUM!

Add the egg, continue to beat together. Gradually add the peanut butter, then dry ingredients. Make sure everything is beaten together very well.

Once that is done, on a greased cookie sheet, make small balls of the dough.

Now comes the fun part. Smash each ball of dough with a fork both diagonal and vertical. This gives each cookie the delightful cris-cross pattern.

Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, depending on your oven and desired crispness preference.

Comfort for the Tummy

The highs around here have only been in the mid 20's this week but it feels like the teens. I can't seem to put enough clothes or turn the thermostat up high enough to empty the chill. The next step is to turn on the oven and pop in a dish guaranteed to warm you to the bone. My conclusion was homemade chicken pot pie.

I found in the Taste of Home Comfort Food magazine submitted by a Ms. Terry but slightly altered by yours truly.

Since I was only cooking for 2, my goal was to fill up a pie pan instead of the 2 qt round baking dish they recommended.

2 large potatoes

1 handful baby carrots

1/2 can of peas

1 can of pre-cooked chicken

1/4 cup of butter

2 cups of chicken broth

1 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

pinch of garlic powder

1 pastry for single crust pie (9 inches)

Step 1: slice carrots, peel potatoes. Make sure the potatoes are cut in small, bite size pieces. Boil for about 15 minutes until tender.

Step 2: In a sauce pan, melt butter. After melted stir in flour until smooth, then stir in the chicken broth slowly. Gradually add salt, pepper, garlic, thyme and any other seasoning or flavor that makes your tummy growl. Bring to a boil stirring gently, you don't want the broth to stick to the bottom of the pan.

By this time your kitchen should start to smell pretty gosh darn good!

Step 3: Drain potatoes and carrots, add to sauce pan, stir. Add chicken, stir. Add peas, stir.

Step 4: Pour into baking dish or pie pan. Place the pastry over the top, bend, trim, seal the edges around the pan to keep all the yummy goodness inside. Brush a little bit of butter over the top and be sure to cut/poke some holes in the pie crust to allow the steam to escape.

Step 5: Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the filling bubbly.

Side note: Please adjust the veggies include to flip-your-bic! Include turnips with the carrots and potatoes. Add onions or mushrooms to the sauce. Corn anyone? Such a flexible recipe this is and the butter/flour/broth sauce will cradle any veggie to pure heaven!

Check that creamy, flaky goodness out! 

Stay warm!

Aloha! I’m a modern day Mrs Cleaver, striving to hold and create my own in a world very far from Mayfield!

I hope you enjoy my website, moderndaymrscleaver.blogspot.com. Here, I write about the creation of my dreamy, romanticized, ideal, happy life-whatever that definition may be. I post pictures of my kids-all 4-legged and my cute-as-a-button niece and nephew who are always ready with a smile for my camera. I post pictures of what I see which ends up getting framed and adorning my walls as well as those things I can’t bear but to thank God for sharing they are so breathtaking. I’ll chronicle my adventures in the kitchen, albeit not wearing pearls or high-heels like June unless it’s an uber special occasion but most always an apron. I’ll share my attempts at baking, grilling, stewing, simmering, boiling, and keeping my Mr. Cleaver from starving. While my children don’t wear any clothes per say, what’s a Mrs. Cleaver with a sewing machine and basket, both of which are receiving more attention as time passes in my home. I discuss the perils of keeping a home and that which helps me do so. 

Thank you for allowing me to share it with you and thanks for joining in on the ride!  

Welcome to my All-American World!