Jesus and this drink make me happy

So, here's what happened.

I took both boys to the Dr. this morning. Both have had the crud for 2 weeks now and all of sudden Isaiah can't hear us.

Never good.

Now, I knew going in it would be bad. Isaiah has an intense dislike for any instrument that looks "medical" in any way. He freaks out when I try to take his temp under his arm.

Does he not remember the other way?

We get there and the epic drama begins. He will NOT stand on the scale. We are standing in the middle of the office and he is kicking, screaming, crying. I had to pick him up to put him on it, and, if not for the fact that he's smart and went spread eagle on me, I would have succeeded. It was almost funny that the nurse kept pointing out the Thomas sticker on the scale.

Do you see him??? Really??? But bless her, she was trying.

(Oh yeah, Manny's just sitting in a chair staring at us.)

Then the Dr comes in and it continues at every single step. Temp check, lungs check, ear check...all with full arms, legs and head restraint by none other than yours truly.

She gave up after that, but we're pretty sure he doesn't have a sinus infection.

Sure.

At one point she was saying to him, "No it doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt! Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do. You're sick and we're trying to find out what's wrong with you! If you don't stop, you're going to time out!"


Now, I understand that that seems to cross a line into parenting that Drs shouldn't cross....and normally, I would agree with you. But ya'll, I was just thankful for any additional help. We needed the full A-team in there at that point, and I was ready to pay her to come home and play Mommy for the rest of the day.

(I wonder what Mr. T is doing today....)


But grace abounds. I woke up this morning with my alarm, spent time in the Word and begged God for grace and love for my kids today. Yesterday morning didn't start well either and I was much uglier. MUCH.

I've had joy and love for those boys that doesn't come from me, and that sweet grace from the Lord is the only reason I didn't have a breakdown in the Dr's office too. (Not because I had a quiet time, but because He's really good like that. You understand.)

And I judge none of you who have. :)

God knew Isaiah doesn't need to have "crazy Momma" written in his chart after all that.


THEN, I came home and saw PW's recipe for Dulce de Leche coffee. Oh how it beckoned me! You should really take a moment to drool over it so you know where I'm coming from.

Coffee. Creamy dulce de leche. Kahlua. Whipped cream. Chocolate.


Let's all take a moment to thank Jesus.


I'm not kidding.


Now, I'm not trying to be the Pioneer Woman. I know you must be a little confused right now because her and I are so similar in our many various talents.

Oh, and our love of cattle ranching.

And previous careers as ballerinas.


But I thought I would show you how I made mine in case you want to make this but do not currently possess a block of dulce de leche in your pantry... if you do, I'm thoroughly intrigued and would like to come over, please.


You can find plenty of recipes to make your own, but most of them involve vanilla beans or a can of sweetened condensed milk. Neither of which I had, but if you do, the SCM (don't feel like typing it out...not sure I just saved any time) version is probably the way to go.

This idea came from a recipe review online.

Now, I'm about to impress you with my ability to explain this recipe in words and pictures. Just like her. Oh, Ree. I love you.



In your LARGEST pot, combine 4 cups milk, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp vanilla.

I emphasize large because my milk stuff overflowed, charred
and then started a small kitchen fire.

Put on medium high heat and simmer/boil for awhile.


It doesn't hurt to listen to Michael Buble either. "Georgia On My Mind" is a very soothing selection after pouring a Brita pitcher of water over flames shooting up from your burner.

The milk will eventually reduce down to a very thick, light brown mixture of goodness. It took mine (after the fire) about 25 mins. You'll need to stir it a lot...especially in the last few minutes.

In the mean time, Isaiah had a little fun with the camera, I guess.

Here's what it will look like. Mmmm.


Please excuse the blur that follows. My camera and I are no longer on speaking terms.

Then you're ready to follow Ree's recipe. Or stay here and check out mine because her and I, we're pretty much the same.

Plop a couple spoonfuls of that wonderful substance into a pot of very hot coffee. Ree says it needs to be really hot so the dulce de leche dissolves.

And I believe her.

Now what you do next is up to you and whether you're a good Southern Baptist or not. :)

For the record, I am not. That's right. Hope you're not disappointed in me.

I just followed the recipe, ok?

And The Recipe says to pour some Kahlua into each cup. I guess how much is up to your convictions, and I'm not telling you mine. Read the beginning of this post for a hint.


Follow with the sweetened coffee and top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

I used Reddi Whip and a shaved Hershey kiss....no shame.

It. Was. Good.

Amen and Amen.


Tilted for a little artistic variety. And yes, that's a beer stein. We don't have those fancy Irish coffee thingys.

I had to pull a Tim Gunn and just make it work.

Let me know if you try it!