FMNT (Frazzled Mother No Time) Seeking Helpful Friend

I was completely frazzled, freaked out and stressed. I had too much going on. It was late in the day on Thursday and I hadn’t yet found the time to make the darn carrot muffins I had promised to bring for the teacher appreciation lunch the next day. It was one of those days when I was trying to do absolutely everything — a jog, dress fitting, some work, stop at the pharmacy, shop for a mother’s day gift for my mom — in the few hours I had while my 4-year old was in his half day of school. I bet many of you can relate!

I had a visit scheduled with my friend Debbie at the end of the day, but truthfully, I was totally drained. So, when I walked into her house just past 5:00 pm and found her on the computer answering e-mails, I snapped at her, huffing that I had to get home to make carrot muffins and maybe this wasn’t a good time to hang out. She looked at me, astonished, and gave me a hug. “Why didn’t you bring your ingredients over so we can make them together?” she asked.

OMG!

What’s wrong with this picture? I was a text book frazzled mom and I’m supposed to have it all under control, right? I’m the girl who cooks with her friends all the time for every reason. But somehow, I was too busy to even think about with whom I’d be able to make my carrot muffins. The be all-end all solution to my life’s craziness (Cooking With Friends) had actually slipped my mind. I had a brain freeze.

As soon as she pointed out this oversight, I was out the door, on my way to my house (a few short blocks away) to gather ingredients. While I was packing things up, I grabbed some chicken breasts and shredded cabbage — dinner for our kids — since I knew I’d be there a while. As I was driving back to Debbie’s house, car loaded with muffin tins, flour and carrots, I took in some slow, deep breaths as the stress began to ease.

When I got back to Debbie’s, I started measuring for a double batch so that she could have some as well. Debbie couldn’t have been more helpful, chopping pineapple, washing dishes and cleaning countertops, as we made my carrot muffins together. And then, while the muffins baked, we sautéed some garlic rosemary chicken, along with shredded cabbage. Our kids ate together as they often do, with a muffin along side.

Oh man, did I feel good walking out of Debbie’s house with trays of carrot muffins. All I had left to do was squeeze some cream cheese frosting on the next morning. Mission accomplished!

My brain freeze turned out not to be such a bad thing after all. I was reminded what other moms feel 24-7 and why I adopted the Cooking with Friends lifestyle ten years ago. It just works.

The recipe for the Carrot Muffins is our featured recipe this month: http://www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com/index.php?/recipes/featured/