Kitchen Counter Chronicles

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The truth about parades & crock pots

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So, sometimes I think that maybe you (the reader) think that life in our house is all sunshine and roses. I try and pepper my posts with the "challenges" we go through with our kids. The reality is, which you already know from life in your own home, it takes a lot of behind the scenes preparation to get things running even remotely smoothly around here. Case and point - the Santa Claus Parade.
I love going to the Santa Claus Parade. There is something about sitting on the grass, waiting for the parade to start, watching my 8 year old daughter yell and point when she sees the Muppet float approaching. I love looking at the young people, they look younger every year, in the high school marching bands and listening to the music they play. We always share our experiences with others, this year my bro-in-law, sis-in-law, nephew and one of our dearest family friends. Magic. 
Around 9 am is when the behind the scenes stuff all happens. The magic hasn't started yet...just chaos. The Christmas cookies still need to be decorated, the kids need to eat a reasonable breakfast, the crock pot needs to be filled with dinner food...and did I mention the kids are going CRAZY with anticipation. The house is loud. I am the broken record "Eat that!" "Yes, you have to wear your tights under those pants!" "Eat your breakfast!" "Yes, you have to wear your winter coat, we'll be outside for hours!" 
The frustration level kicks into high gear as we approach the front door and the reality of wearing mittens, winter coats and hats sets in. My youngest daughter and I are in the middle of an ongoing power struggle around her winter coat. The one she wants to wear is WAY too small...the one I want her to wear (that fits nicely) according to my 5 year old, is WAY too big! She'll wear it with snow pants - ONLY! Getting out the door is a nightmare. Deep breathing and count to 10 - always works.

In our usual fashion, we are trying to cram too many things into one day. I know this, as we drive toward the Eaton's Centre to look for a snowsuit for my eldest daughter. Fortunately, we find a suit quickly and that task is done. Now, we're off face the hoards of people that are along the parade route. Searching for a coveted spot on the grass.
We find our second row seat (I won't get into how much I cannot stand people who bring chairs to the parade!)
We settle in behind a family with the obligatory screaming 3 year old...sweet. The good thing is that it is only 11:45 and the parade should reach our site at around 1:30...yikes. Oh, ya did I mention I forgot the colouring books and the chalk. Thankfully, my girls can entertain themselves running around in the field. 

Holding a spot for 11 people is challenging. I envy the parents that show up at 12:30 and squeeze their family of 5 into a 2ft x 2ft space. Saving a space at the parade is worse than saving seats in a movie theatre. You know the feeling, you try and avoid eye contact...I have laid out 3 blankets...isn't that communication enough? 
The rest of our group arrives and all is well. The parade begins, kids are happy, we eat cookies and my bro-in-law & sis-in-law make the trek over to Starbucks for our mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Awesome. The sun is shining. Another successful trip to the parade. Let the magic begin. 
When we get home (no need to tell you about the crowds of people exiting and the garbage they leave behind...seriously, take your garbage with you!) the house smells like dinner...pot roast, potatoes and carrots. Unlike the last time we used the crock pot to make tacos. That day we walked into the house after a busy day and I said "Why doesn't it smell like tacos?" The crock pot hadn't been plugged in!  See, not always sunshine and roses...but somehow we still manage to get fed, get the snowsuit, make the cookies, put on the coats and enjoy our day...must be magic!

Parade Day Pot Roast
(adapted from All Recipes.com)

3 lb beef roast
5 potatoes
1-½ cup baby carrots
1 yellow onion
2 celery stalks
¾ cup beef stock
½ teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for gravy)

1. Cut potatoes, onions and celery into similar sized pieces...place in bottom of crock pot with carrots
2. Sprinkle with herbs, pour in stock and place roast on top of veggies

3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
4. At the end of the allotted time, remove the roast and set aside to rest.
5. Transfer veggies to a baking dish
6. Pour liquid in the crock pot into a small pot and place over medium-high heat
7. Combine the cornstarch and about 2 tablespoon water in a small bowl, whisk together until cornstarch is dissolved.
8. Pour the cornstarch liquid into the pot, with the liquid from the crock pot, whisking as you add it to avoid getting any lumps.
9. Bring to a boil, add more cornstarch if you want thicker gravy.
10. Slice the roast and enjoy.

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About Jen

Jen Farr is a mother living in Toronto, Canada. She has been sharing her DIY crafts, recipes, activities and parenting advice for over 15 years on her blog Kitchen Counter Chronicle. Jen is the mom of 2 lovely daughters. She believes in the power of taking small steps that can make big impacts on the world.

Comments

  1. Wendy says

    I love you. But this Santa Claus Parade business sounds like everything I hate about life all rolled into one ugly package that my son would never appreciate. More power to you and your dear, sweet family!

  2. Kate @ Puddles and Gumboots says

    There aren't any of those sorts of parades where I live but I have always wanted to go to one. Maybe I'm not missing out on that much 😉

  3. maggy, red ted art says

    Oooh I love pot roast!!! Thank you for sharing your fabulous day and lovely recipe!

    Thank you for joining Kids Get Crafty!

    Maggy

  4. Mama Pea Pod says

    LOL - sounds like our house too! And that dinner looks delicious - maybe I need to get a crockpot too. We never cook that kind of thing ... seems very 'grown up'! (Which somehow we still feel we aren't, haha!!)

  5. Kierna C says

    This sounds like a great day out with plenty of memories created. I spent a summer many, many years ago working in 'Licks' on Yonge Street as a student! I am going to try your crock pot recipe too. Thanks for linking up this week.

  6. Janice @ learning4kids.net says

    The parade sounds fabulous, something the kids look forward to every year! 🙂 Mmmm and that pot roast looks delish!

  7. abbie says

    Parades are such great fun! And I can totally picture what you are talking about with holding the spots, nightmare! Glad it worked out.
    Thanks for linking up to the outdoor play party this week.

  8. Kate @ Puddles and Gumboots says

    Thank you so much for linking up