
It's "me" time, and I cherish it. In the silence that envelopes me like a warm blanket, I can reply to emails and focus on what needs to be accomplished that day.
I walk up and down my long driveway, all the while enjoying the sleepy chirps of the occasional meadowlark, and the damp, earthy smells of the grasses from the nearby pastures as the sky lightens. My resolve is always strengthened, and I feel as if I can tackle anything. And a good thing too.
The ringing of the alarm clock for the rest of my family is comparable to the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby--doors fly open and chaos ensues. There's a mad dash for the bathroom, followed by a hundred choruses of "Mom, Where is...", and numerous rounds of hide-n-seek with shoes and backpacks. Once, in a frenzied state, I caught myself handing my child a bowl of kibble and tried to dress the dog for school. It's enough to make even the legendary Erma Bombeck run screaming from our house.
I try to ensure that my younger son Joseph eats something before he leaves. There's just a few ways to make toast or pb & jelly interesting, and my Joseph's solution of stuffing scrambled eggs into his pocket wasn't an option.
After some research and experimenting, we came up with the solution--Breakfast Bruschetta. Topped with fresh fruit, this is simple to prepare, and a hit with my family.
If you're looking for a slightly healthier alternative, eliminate the pudding, milk, peanut butter, and substitute everything with strawberry yogurt.
You can find these and other recipes in the award-winning Amelia Frump...is Cooking Up a Peanut Butter Storm.