How I entertained a 15 month old by myself for 48 hours.....

It is getting colder outside and snowing at least once a week for the past two weeks in Fairfield, MT. There are not many places to take my son Preston for long periods of time that he can run around in, except the church where Jason's office is. So most mornings, Jason takes Preston with him to coffee time at the local restaurant called Cozy Corner Cafe and then takes Preston to the office with him. Preston runs around the open fellowship hall and then either takes a nap or doesn't before the guys come home for lunch. This does not happen every morning, but most mornings.

It gives me time to get things done around the house, like cleaning or some laundry, or work out and read a bit of the book for book club for a while. Sometimes I work out and then work on one of my many crocheting projects that I'm trying to finish. So what I'm saying is that most days, I get some form of time to myself.

Last night, today and part of tomorrow, it is just Preston and I, while Jason finishes up his last stint at 1st Call Theological Education, which is required for 1st call Pastors in the ELCA. So I am trying to come up with ideas and then implement them to keep Preston occupied this morning and this evening. Luckily this afternoon there is a break for Jason so Preston and I are going to meet up with him and some of our friends for a little bit, so I don't have to worry too much about entertaining him then. I have to run some errands too before and after we hang out with friends this afternoon, so that will burn some time too.

That is the background for the next couple of days...

This morning, in order to take a shower in peace, I put on one of Preston's favorite tv shows, "Super Why". I was able to take a shower and get dressed without him banging on the bathroom and bedroom doors. 30 minutes of quiet so I could get ready for the day. It was amazing. I am now updating this post as he watches a little more tv. Many people would chastise me for using the tv as entertainment so I can get things done around the house and for myself. I say to those people, "Hey, I just got to take 30 minutes for myself with no distractions. I win!"

Okay, free time over. Now time to find something else to entertain the munchkin. I'll report back later today on how things turn out.

Later on yesterday....

I distracted Preston with some more of his favorite shows and then got him ready to head to Great Falls after feeding him lunch. Lunch consisted of a peanut butter sandwich, beets and some pineapple with milk to drink. Then we headed to Great Falls where I proceeded to drag him around all over town. First to Barnes & Noble, then to hang out with friends for a bit at Starbucks. We went to Michaels, ate a Subway for dinner, went to Target and then to Sam's Club. We left the house around 1pm yesterday afternoon. We got home around 8pm last night. Needless to say, we both had a pretty busy day, so Preston basically passed out from exhaustion when we got home and I had the rest of the night to myself to do whatever I wanted.

That is how I entertain my 15 month old on rare occasions. Today is another story. Today he has been entertained with reading books, playing with toys and watching his television programming simultaneously. He is also a bit more needy today, so no putting on his favorite show and having 30 minutes to myself to get ready for the day. Today, I'll probably have to wait for Jason to get home before I'll be able to take a shower, or I can have a screaming, temper tantrum throwing kid bang on the door of the bathroom while I take a shower. No thanks. I'll wait for Jason to get home. Preston and I might go for a quick walk outside today to get out of the house for a few minutes, but it is going to be a more low-key day today.

Entertaining a 15 month old changes everyday. Some days are easy, some days are hard. But everyday is worth it.

RECIPE SHARING TIME: Blueberry Pudding Cake

I mentioned in my last post that I have a surplus of wild blueberries. In an effort to find new ways to use them I posted a petition on facebook (you should do the same when you are looking for new recipes) for blueberry recipe ideas. How's this for the most roundabout provenance of a recipe...my college friend Sarah, who now lives in Italy, found this recipe in the Boston Globe, submitted by a gal living in Florida, who has had this recipe for years. It's THAT good! It came to me looking like this: a cell phone photo of the newspaper article. Below you will find a typed up version of it. You can substitute Partridge Berries (aka Lingonberries) or other similar small, soft, tart shrub berries if cooking for people like Nan that HATE blueberries (they are "fast" on her stomach).


Speaking of my husband's Nan, I brought her some of this dessert one week and she loved it so much she wanted a batch made for the Senior Center gathering. Felt good to have achieved a simple accomplishment and to have purpose in enriching other people's lives; this sensation is hard to come by right now. It was a hit and her friends begged her for my recipe!

I will give you the same tip that Sarah gave me, it's a lot like a science experiment; don't let the boiling water scare you, it works! The result is a delicate crispy top, moist cakey middle and syrupy fruit filled bottom. YUMMY! I made it for a potluck at my mom's church today! (and clearly I love it as can be noted by the excessive use of exclamation points...!)

















Blueberry Pudding-Cake (or Partridge Berry)
Makes one 8 inch square

CAKE
Butter (for the pan)
1 pint (2 cups) fresh blueberries (or Partridge berries)
2 tablespoons lemon juice (or orange juice)
2 tablespoons water
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (or more to taste)
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
½ cup whole milk

1. Set the oven at 375 degrees F (about 190 C). Butter a deep 8-inch round or square baking dish (or another dish with a 2-quart capacity).
2. In the baking dish, combine the blueberries (or Partridge berries), lemon juice (or orange juice), water, and cinnamon. Shake the dish until the berries are well coated.
3. In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt until blended; set aside.
4. With an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with flour.
5. Drop the batter evenly by spoonfuls over the berry mixture. With an off-set spatula or back of a spoon, spread the batter evenly over the berries.

TOPPING
¾ cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Pinch of Salt
¾ cup boiling water

1. Set the water on stove to boil. In a bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Sprinkle this evenly over the batter.
2. Pour the boiling water over the entire surface. Do not stir.
3. Bake the pudding for 50 to 60 minutes or until the top is golden and crackly.
Serve with a big spoon in shallow bowls. Tastiest warm!