I Am Switzerland

Is Baiting Wrong? Or Teenagers Can't Be Trusted.

2012-02-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

Lego Policeman - Guard Duty in the Teenagers Room

Today my husband gets serious points for good (sneaky) parenting. Last night when I went to bed I had Tylor log off and put away his electronics - he had the laptop, his phone and his iPad in bed with him...why? I have no clue. When Jim picked up Connor from the dance he came home and immediately had to post on Facebook about the dance. Jim started to go to bed at midnight. He told them to get off and then came to bed. At 12:30 Jim got up again and caught the boys on their electronics - Tylor was down to just two - and told them to go to sleep. Then at 1:30 Jim went in, flipped on the light caught them redhanded (again) - Tylor was down to one - and took everything away and brought it in our room (waking me up in the process).

This morning Jim very nearly jumped out of bed at 9 and went in and woke up the boys. He was a little too enthusiastic and they looked like they had had a bender and were a bit headachy. Aw, poor kids.

I just have to giggle as they are groggily stumbling around the house this morning. Jim really did let them hang themselves and now they are paying for it. Their combined excuse this morning to going back on is that they thought their dad had gone to bed. Makes me smile. Really? That's your best shot?

Patience / Positive

2012-02-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

I liked Suzanne's query into our one word for the year. I used two. I just don't think one is enough for me. I want more! Or maybe I'm just an over achiever and need something else in my life to work on. Yeah, that's it, more work.

I need more patience with things that I can't change, that stress me out and I just need to take a really big breath. AND... Let. It. Go. This may need a lot of practice on my part so please be patient with me. ;-)

Being positive has been hard this last year. There have been a lot of changes and many things (no, I didn't grow a mustache (not yet anyway) and my princess-hood is on hold) - and one big one - that drag me down. I know what I need to do and I have my sisters in my corner. Of that I can be positive!

Soap Box Rant

2012-01-27T18:03:00.000-08:00

Idiot Appraisers or Why HVCC is worthless

The last two weeks I have had to deal with an appraisal problem that has really brought the problem with real estate to new heights with me. In 2009 there was a new law put in effect that makes it illegal for me to contact an appraiser. It's more complicated than that but that is the basic result. I had an appraisal completed and it came in ridiculously low. I appealed and provided new comparables. It was rejected yesterday basically because the appraiser doesn't have make changes if he uses comparables within the law.

Now here is my problem. Because the appraiser has already been paid, is not contactable (it can be harassment if I do it to influence the value), and has no interest in the results he is done. We should all be concerned with this type of appraiser. Since he did a slipshod job he has contributed to the current economic conditions staying low. How so you ask? By keeping property values lower than comparables say it should be there are fewer home owners who have the ability to refinance to take advantage of these historically low rates. Keeping the homeowners in higher rate loans restricts their cash flow which in turn effects the economy by having those same consumers unable to spend money that they are still having to use for their higher interest mortgage payment. So, the conclusion here? Appraisers need to keep to the one of the real estate use mottoes, "Highest and Best Use Always".

Two Teens & a Tween

2012-01-08T12:20:00.000-08:00

It was Tylor's 13th birthday this week. Thirteen is an odd age; you can't go to dances or Primary activities, you can't date - or more likely you don't even like girls, you can't drive, you aren't top dog at school. Tylor has been trying on his "teen attitude" lately with, "Whatev's." and plenty of "Well, why not?" or "I do it all the time.". Uh-huh. If I hear it one more time I'm thinking it's going to be "Whatev's." for him.... Here's to hoping he makes it to 14.

Dining Room Art

2012-01-03T13:49:00.000-08:00

For Christmas I might have picked out my own gifts. Maybe. Okay, well, I did. I wanted art for the dining room and found some that I liked and were fun. They lightened up the possible formal feel.

I really wanted one more but the others had weird sayings on them.

Now I will have to make an FHE chart in the same style. Any suggestions?

Sometimes You Feel Like A Nut

2012-01-01T17:13:00.001-08:00

and sometimes you don't! A friend and I made Mounds a couple of weeks ago but they didn't turn out great. I brought mine home and Jim really liked them but the kids said, "Meh.". Well, I decided I would try to make them better. I read up on about 15 blogs, 30 recipes and picked out what I thought would work better and came up with these. They are a little less sweet and stick together really well.

Homemade Mounds or Almond Joys

1 package sweetened coconut flakes
3/4 of a bag of powdered sugar
3/4 cup mashed potatoes (make the instant as directed)
2 Tablespoons melted butter

1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 Tablespoons shortening (NOT oil!)

For Almond Joys: toast about 45 whole raw almonds in the oven at 400' for 10 minutes
1 package milk chocolate chips
3 Tablespoons shortening

Fill a double boiler as directed and place powdered sugar and butter over boiling water. Stir constantly until a thick liquid. Stir in mashed potatoes until smooth. Add the coconut flakes and stir for about 3 minutes. Take off stove and place in freezer for 30 minutes stirring half way through.

Spread out 1/4 of the coconut mixture on a wax paper sheet. Put the rest in the refriderator. Flatten mixture to about 1/2" high and cut with a very sharp knife so the pieces are about 3/4" wide by 1" long. I wanted something that was 2 bites. (If you are making Almond Joys press toasted nuts into the top now.) Place these on a baking sheet on wax paper. Repeat until done with coconut mixture. Place molded pieces back in the freezer for 30 minutes.

About 5 minutes before you take the molded pieces out of the freezer boil water in the double boiler and melt appropriate type of chocolate and shortening for dipping.

Working quickly dip each molded piece in the chocolate. (Note: I used two forks and would dip, tap off excess, drag back of fork over edge and replace on the wax paper.) Once completely done it will take about an hour for the chocolate to be set. These will last nicely for about 4 days and, if you are desperate, for about a week.

The recipes that call for sweetened condensed milk are too sweet and mushy. I like this one because they don't fall apart due to the starch in the potatoes and the potatoes cut the sweetness just enough to make me want to eat more than one at a time.

Paula Dean's Prime Rib Revisited

2011-12-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

I have read Paula Dean's Prime Rib recipe several times and just couldn't bring myself to do it until this year. I did decide to add my own herb crust but the cooking was all her doing.

Prime Rib

3 to 7 bone prime rib Frenched

1/2 cup coarse ground pepper

1/2 cup kosher salt

4 large cloves garlic

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary

2 tablespoons fresh thyme

1/2 cup olive oil

Garlic salt (Lawrys) optional

Preheat oven to 375'. Combine all herbs in a food processor and pulse until combined well. Add olive oil and pulse until combined.

Rinse prime rib and pat dry. Rub herb mixture all over prime rib. I added garlic salt at this point but I know how I like my crust to taste so you may want to play with this a bit.

Place rib in baking pan with rack rib side down. Place a meat thermometer where you can see if from the oven window.

Place in oven for 1 hour. (NOTE: This is for a 3 rib roast. For each additional rib add 5 to 7 minutes up to 1 1/2 hours for a full 7 bone prime rib.) Turn oven off. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR!! Leave the prime rib for at least 3 hours. 3 long hours. Approximately 1 hour before you want to serve the meal turn the oven back on to 375'. Now you need to watch the meat thermometer - DON'T OPEN THE OVEN DOOR. Remember the end pieces will be more done than the middle pieces so where you place the thermometer is important in a larger cut. Think about how you like your meat and if you want any rarer pieces and then place the thermometer closer to the middle the more well done you want the entire cut. If you want it rarer overall then place the thermometer closer to the ends (between rib 1 & 2) but remember the middle will be more rare than that area. Take the rib out of the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes. Serve with au ju and horseradish. Enjoy!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

My kids were pretty happy with Christmas. You will notice that I am not in any of the photos. Somehow holding on to the camera makes it appear as if you weren't part of the festivies. Not true.... :-)

A Pirate-y Winter Book Fair

2011-12-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

Water fall with treasure cave with cannon
Mermaid reading
Pirate ship with mast & sail

Sometimes I like being in charge so I can just run with ideas and not have a bunch of meetings that suck my life away. One of the people who help with the book fairs at school wanted to do a pirate theme. Every year at Christmas we do a "holiday" theme. Every. Single. Year. And every year we get grief from the administration about being "inclusive" and "sensitive". Seriously? So, avast ye hardies we were feeling the effects of scurvy I'm sure and abandoned all thoughts of a holiday theme. We turned the library into a pirate ship and a castaway island. Much fun was had by all and with the sales being the final result and they were up me laddies!

Master Bedroom

2011-11-15T10:57:00.000-08:00

I want a large piece of art with yellow in it and to add a yellow fringed pillow to my bed. The far wall to the left is where the atlas art will go.

I am finally getting to posting pics of my master bedroom. I still have quite a few things that I'd like to do but I am being thwarted by the lack of a good atlas and time. I am on the hunt so when I get that part done I'll post again. Here is the work so far...

I need a lot of help on the top of this dresser. I spray painted several giant oak leaves silver but they aren't doing it for me. I just bought another taller version of the silver vase - now what to put in them.

In A Twist

2011-11-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to make new bread recipes more often. My willing and able assistants were Lauren and her best friend Sydney. Our first batch was a little bulky (think fat pretzels) and needed to be slimmed down. We finally figured out that we needed to work in smaller batches, keeping about half the dough refrigerated until we had the first batch in the oven. We decided that we could lighten up on the salt it called for but over do it a little on the butter. They are much better serves fresh and hot but reheating in the microwave is okay.

Pretzels - modified from about six sources so really I'm calling this one new...

1 1/2 cup warm water

1 1/8 tsp active yeast ( 1 1/2 packages)

3 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp salt

1 1/4 cup bread flour

3 cups white flour (add or subtract a bit depending on how sticky the dough is)

4 cups hot water (almost scalding)

4 Tablespoons baking soda

Coarse salt

4 Tablespoons butter melted

Add yeast to warm water in a large mixing bowl; stir until dissolved. Add sugar and salt; stir until dissolved. Add bread flour then add white flour until dough is no longer sticky. Turn out onto floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. Return dough to greased bowl and cover with light cheese cloth. Place in warm area to rise until double about 1 hour.

Pinch off pieces of dough about 1/2 cup size and roll into long ropes about 15" long and less than 1/2" thick.

Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased non-reactive baking sheet (Metal sheets will leave a bit of a metallic taste to the pretzels. You can also use parchment that you brush lightly with butter.) Place pan in a warm place to rise again for about 30 minutes.

Bake pretzels in a 450' oven for about 10 minutes until lightly browned. Brush with melted butter immediately and serve warm. You can add other toppings after you brush with butter such as: coarse salt, cinnamon/sugar, Parmesan or finely shredded cheddar cheese.

Doing the Flamingo

2011-11-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

I love watching people who can dance well. I love watching their grace and skill at executing a dance beautifully. When a neighbor told me I was about to be flamingo'd I thought, "What fun! Where do I go?". Little did I know that this is what she meant...

Fun but not exactly what I expected. :-)

Halloween

2011-10-31T16:25:00.000-07:00

Lauren made her costume again this year. She decided on a sailor theme. I was thinking she wanted to do the pants - thank goodness she didn't! She made her skirt by making her own pattern from another skirt. I did make the neck tie - thank you Debbie for the numerous questions answered!

This pic is of Rebecca (new this year from England - love her accent), some kid in 1st grade, Lauren's little buddy Meridith Braitberg and my sailor girl Lauren.

More Important Things

2011-10-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

I want everyone to know that I have not been lazy during the last three weeks. I know I haven't blogged but blogging gets in the way of other more important things. Those more important things have been ... drum roll please .... spackling and painting. Have you ever just looked around your house and thought it looked shabby? That's what I had been thinking about mine for months. It was not horrible just shabby and dull.

Yes, MORE spackling and painting. I painted the family room walls, and moved on to the living room trim and may have had to paint that entire room because I touched up a wall and it didn't match. (I was so annoyed about that.) Jim mentioned he was tired of the green in the dining room so we could a very nice Behr color, Newport Blue, which I finished today. I am set on doing the trim tomorrow which should finish off the downstairs nicely.

So, that means since June I have painted: T & C's room, Lauren's room, my bathroom and vanity, the upstairs hall, the stairs, the downstairs hall, the entire family and living rooms, my office touch up and the window trim, the downstairs bathroom, the dining room including painting the windows twice, touched up the kitchen and laundry area.

Now our house has that freshened appearance of a house soon to be on the market. No we're not moving but I keep telling the kids we are to keep me motivated to finish.

Next on my agenda: ceiling touch ups (long PVC tube with a paintbrush duct taped on), strip and refinish the three hall doors and refinish the coffee table. I'm thinking I should be done by Connor's birthday??

MRSA - Warning! Don't look at this!

2011-09-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

Jim has been going through some challenging skin issues lately. He has had a terrible rash for about three weeks. On Thursday of last week something new 'popped' up. It looked awful and he said it was really painful. He went to see his doctor on Friday who said it was probably a skin infection and referred him to a dermatologist who could see him in a week. Saturday he was in so much pain he went in to Urgent Care. They lanced him - I said, "Got medieval on his ___." which I thought was funny but he did not laugh. Sunday it looked worse so he spent the day with a Russian nurse who didn't know the Cold War was over and tortured Jim until he blacked out which is not passing out according to her.

Fast forward to yesterday: our regular GP had a look and said it looks like MRSA. Huh? It is a strain of staph infection that doesn't respond to antibiotics. Really? Oh, yes, this is the type that if it goes unchecked you die. REALLY? Oh, yes. Our GP thinks they caught it in time and Jim is on horse pills and has had two really painful shots. He will probably live. BTW, don't look this one up - it is ugly.

I told him I was going to be VERY angry with him if he did die on me.

My hair is out but I'm still feeling weathered

2011-09-20T12:50:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been 3 long weeks since I last wrote. 3 very long weeks. Let's recap:

1. Preparation for mediation

2. Mediation that went no where but to more (4+) meetings scheduled but now I know what

I'm being sued for, I think.

3. School started

4. Painted Lauren's room - still trying to get her stuff out of my room - daunting!!

5. Painted hall, including the 14' ceiling. Paintbrush taped on end of an extending pole works

great for those hard to reach places.

6. Research and document review for mediation - argh.

7. Had to finish on-line course for license renewal (will it matter if things go bad?) 91% on test.

I blame my score on Roger scratching for attention just when I started until I was done!!

8. Cracked rib - hard to sleep, hard to run

9. Caught a cold/flu type bug that knocked me out for a couple of days. When was the last time

I had a fever?

10. More research and paperwork review for mediation. Annoying!

11. More painting, office windows, FR windows and trim, and bathroom ceiling (ugh)

I am feeling better, I'm caught up on work (oh, yeah, throw that in the mix above) and my laundry is done for the day.

Maybe I'll shower.

I'm feeling weathered and I think my hairs on fire.

2011-08-24T19:19:00.000-07:00

Yup. My hair is on fire.

I have had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week. Sunday afternoon things started to fall apart and it went downhill from there.

Sunday: Terrible dinner. I mean bad, tasteless and not enough of it. When I come away hungry and I ate everything on my plate it's bad. I also got lost and since I am directionally impaired and didn't get the help I needed quick enough I got mad.

Monday: I was home for 38 minutes between 8 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.. Enough said.

Tuesday: Tried to get to Lauren's room but was interrupted by kids, in-laws, work, in-laws, in-laws and I think I saw my husband in there somewhere around 9:30 p.m..

Wednesday: Lost my father-in-law. Well, I didn't lose him he lost himself. Thank goodness for a Good Samaritan that got him to pull over on Hwy 280 (he was going 15 mph) and lead him to where he needed to go. I called where he was supposed to be and had to go pick him up and then it was a driving circus running around with him on errands and getting him lunch. So, in the course of everything I lied (a necessary lie to keep FIL off road), stole (a key from his house - told MIL - so I could get to him if I need to), panicked twice and feel drained. And then I had to deal with the school district main office, a high school that my child doesn't attend and several people that told me, "...kids lie all the time about things like this...". WHAT?

Please spray me with seltzer water if you see me....

A flower by any name...

2011-08-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

I love the color and the way the bloom by bursting open

suddenly. They don't smell but they are interesting!
I planted this the year we moved in but have forgotten the

name. I should go to a nursery to find out but since they

only bloom for about 2 months I forget until it's too late.

All Tylor

2011-07-30T19:55:00.001-07:00

I would like to be able to say that Tylor was overtly excited about his baptism, but I can't. I would like to say we started on time, but I can't. I would like to say that everyone forgot about the announce last week in Sacrament meeting, but I can't.

What I can say is that it was a beautiful day. We started 4 minutes late - not too bad considering the pianist walked in at 3:03. Tylor said he was excited and if that's all the indication of his thrilled-ness I am going to get, I'll take it. And as expected I cried, not too much just one tissue worth.

Tylor was ready to go and when Brother Carruth finished the prayer Tylor almost dunked himself he was that eager. I thought, "Quick! Before Dad changes his mind!", was going through his head. I smiled at that one.

Almost as promised there were no talked scheduled but the bishop felt the need to inject a bit of spiritualness - and comment on the speed and efficiency of the program (maybe I'll be called as the "quick baptism coordinator"?), I had to smile at that one too.

Then we headed back to our house for pie - Sweet Cherry, Key Lime, Spiced Apple and a Cheesecake Tylor made by himself. It was lovely and perfect weather and perfect time of day for the event.

Heart is beaming full

Spiritual growth of child to more

Sum more than love, desire

Whot? Whot?

2011-07-26T11:31:00.001-07:00

I am wondering, after watching The Madness of King George a few nights ago, if the mad, demented, or depressed see it coming? I wonder if my father-in-law knows how disconnected his conversations are from what the rest of us? I wonder if it all seems perfectly natural?

I have been depressed just once. It lasted about a week. It came on like a ton of bricks. I did not see it coming but it was a dramatic event (only for me) that triggered it. Once there I felt like I was scrambling up a wet well wall trying to get out. I could see the light but I couldn't get to it. I called my sisters looking for support (which they were), I reached out to my home teacher for a blessing: and lots of tearful prayer. I was on the verge of actually calling our GP to get a referral when suddenly it was gone. Nothing monumental happened to make it go, it was just gone.

I injured my hip earlier this week and haven't been able to run for the last three days. I have felt my attitude and outlook slipping into dark places that should be left well enough alone. I'm not depressed I'm just not thrilled with things. I wonder if my endorphin craving comes from me needing to keep myself healthy? I wonder if there are any others in our family and extended family that have similar issues and what do they do to keep themselves healthy and happy.

Good Will

2011-07-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

Creating good will requires some effort. Good will can be accomplished with people who are willing to agree with me. Let's agree on the following:

1. The bear you got from your aunt - that you don't remember - isn't a "sentimental" item.

2. The sleeping bag you used when you were 5 isn't precious.

3. The clothes you have NEVER worn and have now grown out of are of no use to you.

4. The games that you no longer play because you are over the suggested age can be donated.

5. You will never use the PS-whatever it is again because you have a new PS-whatever.

6. Crunchy pillows, no matter who gave them to you, should leave the house.

Now if I can get my husband to realize that he will not be wearing those '90's suits or plaid slacks ever again we will be in great shape.

(Filled up the back of the Suburban and made a Goodwill run today!!!)

Moments of my life I will never get back

2011-07-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

Time spent:

1. Spackling - If done right no one knows or appreciates it.

2. Sanding - See above.

3. Trim work - See above above.

4. Cleaning for painting - Can't I just paint over the snot, blood, hand smears, etc.? No. SAAA.

5. Negotiating for things not to be put back in a fresh clean room. Well worth it but SAAAA.

I may never get this time back but as I pause at the boys bedroom door to admire the work I will think to myself only about 7 years and I will have to do it all again.... :-)

Why ...

2011-07-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

... do important conversation happen late at night? What makes it necessary for people to "open up" when I'm trying to sleep? Don't people know by now that I am a morning person? I'm happy to discuss anything first thing in the morning!

Last night Lauren felt compelled to unburden herself of a few items that needed to be discussed for over an hour. Exhausted, I sent her to bed - finally - and was going to try and do the same. Nope. Jim enters and asks why Lauren is up and then I have to give him the condensed version so I can slip into sleep... not happening.

11:30 p.m: "Sherri?", "Mmmm.", "Tylor talked to me about baptism a couple of times.", (groggy) "Uh, okay.", "I'm saying I think he understands.", "Okay. Are you saying he can get baptized?", "Yes.". (end)

Now I'm wide awake wondering what just happened but not willing to jinx it by talking about it more. Did that really just happen? I woke up at 5:30 and it seemed still true so I'm running with it.

For Keira

2011-07-10T18:13:00.001-07:00

Lego Star Wars

2011-07-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

New Display at Legoland. Star Wars is AWESOME!

(Even for those who are not 10!)
And to make it AWESOMER (Yes, it's a word now!)

they added a sound track to certain areas!

Wrong in so Many Ways

2011-07-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

This was Jim's shirt choice for the 4th of July.

I made him change before leaving the house.

Dork.

2011-07-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

When I was 14 my mom and dad told me I had to sew a dress before I could get my driving permit. I really wanted to drive because my stepsisters (Okay, they were my real sisters but at the time I thought they were very mean - not ugly unfortunately because then I really would have been Cinderella-esque.) because they wouldn't take me anywhere! Mom took me to a fabric store and I picked out a pattern and some tube-top type dress material to make a sundress. I only had to do two seams, make four straps and hem it, how hard could it be? It took me over a month to get it done and I HATED it by the time it was over. And I hated sewing. To make it worse I had to wear the stupid thing. UGH!

Time warp forward to last year. My nine year old tells me she wants to take a week long sewing class. I'm thinking, "WHY?". Then, "Don't project your fears or failures on your daughter!". I signed her up. Lauren loved every minute of it. She learned so much that she ended up taking another week long class plus 4 other single day classes last year. Since then she has taken on her Halloween costume - a difficult gypsy pattern - and helped me with the 4th grade play costumes. The kid is good and getting better all the time.

The above pic is from her class two weeks ago. She made the blouse and the block tote bag. I'm so proud and happy she can create things she loves to wear.

Vacation - Day 5

2011-07-03T16:01:00.000-07:00

Legoland is awesome. Awesome for 10 year olds. It was awesomely hard for me. After spending the previous 2 days in Disneyland that is completely flat having to walk hill and dale was hard. My dogs were barking and I was drooping to say the least.

Emma, Lauren and I teamed up on the fire engine race and had to be helped to the finish line. The kiddie log ride was cool but Tylor kept trying to tip us over - he really almost did it too - but the best part was the acres of shade. Disneyland is great but it really has limited shade whereas Legoland has all the shade you could ask for.

The line was so short for the self steering boat ride we decided to jump in. Somehow Danny got turned around - might have been Suzanne bumping him right after we zipped (at 3 miles an hour) past him - which cause some commotion from the teenage operators. When I said Danny may need to have a GPS installed they did not seem as amused as I was. ;-)

Vacation - Day 4

2011-07-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

LOST BOYS

We lost three boys today. Not for that long - about 35 minutes - but it was scary none the less.

Tia decided Tylor was too cute to leave behind when his mother wasn't in sight.

After looking for Tylor for 10 minutes but finding Keira - we had Spencer with us - I told Danny to walk him to her. I went to the car for literally less than a minute I walked down to Keira and asked where Danny was and she said not there. Uh, what? We spent 10 minutes looking around the hotel for them, then I called Tia who told me she had Tylor (1 down) but no sign of Danny or Spencer. Keira headed off to walk the 1/4 mile to Disneyland with Connor on the lookout for the others. I had the hotel staff do a top to bottom (It must happen often because they were fast!) and then Danny called me back (I had called him 3 times, then called Deb to confirm the number and called again.) Danny had taken Spencer to Disneyland. I told him to stay where he was and called Keira to locate him. By the time I got there 10 minutes later I wasn't fuming (thanks Deb). When I took Danny aside and asked him why he had taken Spencer to Disneyland and not to Keira who was 50 feet away he said, "I don't look up." I had to laugh. Really laugh. It was so very teenager-ish.

We ended up having a great day at California Adventure so all was well and good!

Vacation - Day 3

2011-07-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!

Lily and Cameron think I am the best aunt ever. I LOVE kiddie rides at Disneyland for the following reasons: 1) No adult looks stupid going on them with or without kids, 2) You can yell and scream and no one cares, 3) When you ask for the outside pony on the carousel kids will give it up for you 'cause you look old and pathetic, 4) 5/6 year olds think you rock when you want to do the rides as much as they do. So, Lily and Cameron and I did most of the rides together. (They both gave in to whining parents that were pouting about "not getting their turn" ... whatever!

Vacation - Day 2

2011-06-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

We dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig ...

Today the boys and I went to Coronado del Mar beach in Newport Beach. It was slightly windy and too cool for much boogie boarding but it was just right for digging out a huge castle with a winding moat. The boys were at it for about 3 hours then finally got a little bored. The sun finally peeked out and the boys grabbed some boogie boards we borrowed from Keira and went for it. Then the sun went back behind the clouds and the boys got cold very quickly. They changed quickly and we toured the 8 digit price tag homes on the bluff. We decided that each home came with your choice of a mercedes or a BMW. It was fun for all.

Vacation - Day 1

2011-06-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

When you are out numbered 4 to 1 you have to go on the offensive before they have time to attack. Most of the time it is a gang mentality - nothing organized. One stray word and all heck will break out if not tempered or quelled prior to a full riot. Yesterday I gathered an entire box of food - healthy and the type you can throw at an unruly crowd - and a cooler of drinks. The drive down was fine. I only had to throw food at the munchkins twice in 6 hours. It was a long but decent drive. The kids watched movies and pointed out cars going by too fast for me to see. I sang to the radio which was, uh, offensive as well. ;-)

Magic Stone

2011-06-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

I hate cleaning my toilets. We have hard water and we have had ring-around-the-toilet for years. I have tried cleaners recommended by friends, things touted on the TV and Internet fixes for everything from gout to grout. Nothing has worked but I've spent a good deal of money trying to find that magic fix.

I was wandering the aisles of Ace Hardware waiting for Connor to finish shopping and as I regularly do walked down the cleaning supply section. I was surprised to see a pumice stone on a stick sitting in the middle of the chemicals and solvents. I had to look, why not? Pumie is 100% natural and environmentally safe with a tag-line "Cleans when the strongest acid cleaners fail". I knew all of the acids had failed, I'd used all of them. So, I purchased it. I thought, "I'll use it on the kids toilet so if it scratches it I won't have to look at it daily.".

I got home and ran up to use it immediately. Could this possibly work? Would it scratch the toilet and then we'd have to spend $$ to fix that? I tore open the packaging and held it up looking at it's rough pitted surface. No way. Maybe? I wet the stone and went to work. I scrubbed a small area and small pieces of the stone started to crumble off. No worries, it's just sand. I scrubbed on: it was working! 7 minutes later I had a sparkling bowl with no hint of stains OR scratches! I ran to the next bowl and scrubbed away - stunning! And the last, don't fail me now. It worked!

I now have three gleaming bowls and I have to say I have lifted the lids more than once just to admire my handy work. (Please note: Husbands aren't nearly as impressed with toilet rings being gone as you may be.)

Glimmers of September

2011-06-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

I made myself a goal that I would not wait until the end of August to separate and organize the kids school supplies when I need to start shopping. When they dumped their backpacks on the floor of my office I took everything out and put papers in one pile and supplies in another. Out of all of the supplies I sent last September I think I saved about 1/4 - not too bad. I pulled the supply list for each kid off the school website and checked off each item I had and set it with the saved supplies. Then I did the really clever thing. I made a list on my phone of the items I need. I am a coupon cutter from long ago and a sale saver so I will watch for the items and pick them up as I find them on sale and not duplicate items since I will have my list with me.

I find it very hard to pay $85 for a single kid supply kit and look myself in the mirror. I paid a total of $109 last year for all three and hope to have it lower this year.

Hardscape - Like Escape only not.

2011-06-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

Front walk, steps and driveway path
Path to back patio, fire pit and jacuzzi platform
Deck (almost done!)
Bocci Ball court (not regulation)

After two weeks of construction it's almost done. We (that's the royal "we" meaning Jim) took out all of the cracked and tilted concrete and put in pavers. It turned out very nice and I can almost look at it and not be mad (don't blog in anger, don't blog in anger). I think we are going to be able to use it for many years to come.

Bocci ball anyone?

Rosettes

2011-06-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

I wanted to put something nice on the top of a gift I was giving to a friend but was out of any creative ideas. I found the link below on One Pretty Thing and love the simplicity but elegance of it. It was quick and easy too! The cost was part of a tree (a grocery bag), an old copy of The Merchant of Venice and an antique pearl button. The picture of the rosette on the top of the gift looked terrible but this turned out very nice!

http://littlegreenbums.blogspot.com/2011/05/tutorial-time-dictionary-sacrifice.html

Another Reason to Celebrate Mediocracy ...

2011-06-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

Connor is graduating 8th grade tomorrow. The ceremony is held at one of the church buildings near school. There were a few parents grousing about the venue but then we won them over with the fact that it is large enough, free, clean, free, has reception area, free and lovely landscaping, oh, and free.

Ten years at our school has set me to thinking a lot about our journey; how far we've come and how far we have to go. The picture is of Connor and his first teacher Mrs. Seimichy (Sim-itch) who taught him, "You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit." and "I know you don't want to but it's still your turn.". Words to live by. I have been excited, sad and not a little worried. Connor has become a wonderful young man that exhibits many of the traits I would like to see in him as a man. A man. I have to start thinking about that too. Now I'm more worried - not a bad worried just still.

Healthy Challenge Day 3

2011-06-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

I have one word for you, cholestrol. I have terrible cholestrol. My goal through the end of the year will be to eat things that will help naturally lower my cholestrol. I just had my blood work done seven weeks ago so I have a baseline. I will have it checked again in January. Now to figure out which food to eat... and not eat.

Day 2 Healthy Challenge

2011-06-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

This healthy challenge is difficult for me. I feel I am pretty healthy and try to make decent food choices too ... except for one. I have a sweet tooth. So, today I decided I would cut desserts down to twice a week for the whole summer. (Vacation withstanding!) Fruit doesn't count as dessert so we can have as much watermelon as we please. I told the kids and unfortunately Tylor won't be joining us in the challenge: as you can see he has had a tragic accident.

New Job

2011-06-06T11:46:00.000-07:00

Jim started his new job today with Form Factor in Livermore which is about 40 minutes North and East of us. I have never been as happy to get him out of the house! Now I'm wondering how we are going to do when the kids are gone and we retire. It felt like a 30 day test run and he didn't live up to my honey-do list at all - the deck is 90% done (he put on the decking since this pic but it's been raining) but still. I'm thinking of taking up something that takes a long time and I can't do at home for the most part. Any ideas? I will have to learn it before we retire so I already have the excuse to be gone... :-) What would you "take up" if time weren't an issue?

A Week of 5 Healthy Changes

2011-06-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

I started thinking about Rebekah's challenge on Saturday and decided on one for today. If an errand is withing 2 miles of my house I have to walk/run/ride my bike to do it. I was thinking about what I do all summer and about 80% is within that distance. So, today: I rode my bike to drop off dry cleaning (I'll walk over to pick it up later this week.), I ran down to the bank to make a deposit and as long as I was over that direction I picked up a veggie nosh pocket (think hot pocket only really good!) and I went to the store on my bike and picked up milk - I have a basket on my bike - and some fruit. During the summer the kids and I ride bikes quite often but this will make it healthier for us all.

3 Old Bags

2011-05-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

I did something today. Some people would say I was heartless but I did it. I tossed 3 old bags to the curb. No hesitation. No mercy. They had it coming I tell you! They had been haunting my every move in my own house for months. I couldn't walk in my own basement without them staring me down. I know you're wondering what the 3 old bags were doing in the basement: well, I put them there. I did. I couldn't help it. I didn't mean to leave them down there so long but you know how it goes. You get embarrassed at first that you did it at all. I mean what had they really ever done to me? Oh, sure, they got in the way, cluttered my life in a way that I was tripping over them constantly. I tried to be polite and gently push them out of the way but you know how old bags can be. They fall apart at the least nudge and then collapse in a pile. I was through with it. Done. They had to go and I'm not sorry in the least. Good-bye and good riddance!

5 of 5 Finally!

2011-05-22T21:32:00.000-07:00

Let's do this backwards ... End.
Dresser is done too...

The beginning ... ugh!

4 of 5 - Yes, I know it's late!

2011-05-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

It was too embarrassing to show the before picture. I pulled out all those clothes that are out of style, stained shrunk or I just hate. Same with the shoes.

And the end result.. ta-da! And NO $$!!

Paper Works

2011-05-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

This wasn't the real start but I forgot to

take pics of what it really started. This

is the recycling from 5 boxes of kid art.

Those 5 boxes turned into 3

labeled and lovely.

New Posts 5 of 5 Day 3

2011-05-22T21:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know it's 5 days late but it's finally being posted. This was
what Jim and I did on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
you get the picture. I only had about 10 Advil over 3 days... Not bad.

5 of 5 Day 2

2011-05-18T17:05:00.001-07:00

Poor pics, what was in my head didn't translate to the lens obviously. Jim is building a deck, taking out the walkway and possibly front walkway as well. I am his lackey. I am totally counting this - even though it will be spread out over days and not done in one - as one of my 5 of 5. I know the rules but when your husbands says let's build a deck since I have 3 more weeks off you pretty much are helpless to say no. BBQ at our house when it's done, or pretty close to done.... ;-)

5 of 5

2011-05-17T08:10:00.001-07:00

The corner of my office has been a collecting place for pet products, scrapbooking and miscellaneous stuff for a while. I decided not to reinvent the wheel but to add just a couple of cogs. I bought three small containers for the pet food and spent a good deal of time sorting, tossing and arranging the paper products (I don't nearly have the paper obsession Debbie has!).

This file is rolling so I can take it into the craft hall aka dining room and work on projects. I had to toss a lot of things that I had just been hanging on to just in case I need them. I don't, I won't, I will buy more if necessary when I need them.

Garlic Pepper Burgers

2011-05-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

We needed a new burger recipe so I made the following:

Garlic Pepper Burgers

2 garlic cloves minced fine

1 lb ground sirloin

2 tsp pepper - I used a pepper blend of red, black and green

2 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp basil

1/4 cup Italien bread crumbs

Mix all thoroughly. Form into 4 patties with the center thinner than the edges. Heat grill to medium high. Grill about 7 - 10 minutes per side depending on how well you like them done.

Serve on Pototo buns with Wasabi sauce (Safeway Deli), tomato, pickle and avocado slices. (We were out of lettuce) Ketchup and mustard were delicious too!

Offer on the Table

2011-05-14T15:23:00.000-07:00

In these slightly improving but still challenging economic times my husband managed to get a job offer after one week of unemployment. He says it's his sparkling personality and charm: I'm thinking possibly his skill set.

Jim managed to get walked out from the old job with a 5 month and one day (that one cracked me up) pay package plus 2 months of accrued vacation and enough vested stock to pay for a year of school. He negotiated a signing bonus (Is it too late in the season for Aruba?), a significant raise, and bonus package plus 3 weeks of vacation with a week added every year he is there up to 8 weeks (seriously?) and a very generous stock package.

I'm thinking the Lord is kind and loving in the tender mercies he doles out to me. He knows how stressed I have been with this and how much I can take until I break. Prayer works. He knows the path we need to take and if we let him guide us He will pour out blessing beyond what we can count. This is one more example of the Lord testing my impatience and making me wait (it wasn't' just a week for that part) and things happening on his timeline not when I wanted it.

Say it Like An Umpire...

2011-05-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

..."You're outta here!", "Vamoose!", "Take your leave.", "Be gone with you.", "Depart!", "Hit the pavement.", and my favorite, "Clear out.". Jim got his walking papers on Friday morning. As he so aptly put it, "I'm not fired. This is an agreed upon parting of ways.". Whatever. He is still unemployed. This position makes me nervous. He might get an offer from the Livermore company next week - sorry Suz, I was pushing for the CO one!. I have to say that it doesn't feel quite right. I get the feeling it's not where we're supposed to be. Don't get me wrong, a job - any job with insurance - is good with me.

Jim on the other hand is happy, a bit flip and prone to a bit of couch potato-ing right now. Not that he doesn't deserve it but as long as he isn't working for $$ I have a honey-do list half a mile long... He may think a job is a good thing by the time I'm done with him!

Yes-Man .. uh, Woe-man

2011-05-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

I am a Yes-Man. Many in my family are: we come by it honestly - genetically. I'm sure Mom was a Yes-Man. Dad, well, to a point and if he can include his point probably. I don't want to speak for him but I've seen him do his share of Yes-man work.

I've been saying yes too often for my families liking and my sanity. I don't begrudge most of it but there are things that I'd rather not do but I think to myself, "If I don't do it, or help, I will end up doing it anyway or fixing what has been done instead of doing it right the first time.". That's really the crux of it, doing it right the first time. If I heard it once I heard it a thousand times, "If you have time to do it then you have time to do it right!". It must have sunk very deep into our very cells because I have a need to have things done right. Not that there aren't many ways to do things mind you and many of them end up right but there are people who do it wrong, sometimes on purpose I'm sure (my brother David was one of those people).

So, I will go on feeling a bit like a bobble head and doing things that I get pulled into. I guess it gets me out and involved with people when I would rather be solo or in smaller groups.

But here is the the Bobble Head Yes-Man group. May your neck springs never give out!

We're Moving....

2011-04-15T18:12:00.000-07:00

....not really. Not yet.... Jim is looking for a new job. He has interviewed for jobs in Hong Kong, Denver, Livermore (CA), Carlsbad, East Coast (does it matter where exactly?), and several other places I can't remember. Each time he tells me about these I wonder about how it would be to say yes to the job and then move. Move. Say it with me, Move. We've lived here for almost 12 years. I have roots here. I have fairly deep roots here. I have lived in the area now for 25 years, more here than anywhere else. This whole job thing has made me wonder where would I go if I could go anywhere? I like Colorado but it does get very cold and I can't run outside when it is below about 20 degrees (figured that one out at Christmas). Don't know about a foreign posting (It's the ex-patriot name that bothers me... I'm very patriotic, really.), I'd have to think long and hard about that one. Carlsbad might be okay. Australia could be interesting but they have the top 10 deadliest spiders and snakes - neither thrill me much. So, where would you live if you knew it was only a short term assignment, say 3 years?

Why I hate Rollercoasters

2011-04-03T15:52:00.001-07:00

When we were kids Mom and Dad used to take us to the Lane County Fair. It was a whole week's worth of fun and frivolity. I can remember when I could finally go off to do what I wanted for hours on end. My best friend, Jenny, and I would go to the rides and go on all of them just so we could stand near the cute boys. I hated those rides. I think I have always had an inner ear imbalance. I would be dizzy, feel like barfing (and I did a few times) and have a headache. When I got to be about 16 I figured out I could be in line with Jenny and not actually go on the rides. What a relief not to have a headache as we went and got food and walked through the booths, the hawkers trying to pry our few dollars out of our pockets. This week we were on an awful roller coaster. The beginning of the week we were anticipating hearing whether or not Connor would get into the high school he wanted to attend. "If you're on the wait list you're in!", or "It's just a formality, they always have extra space." and my favorite "How can Connor not get in?". Well, he didn't get in. I know this sounds like a whine but it's not. I was in tears. Then I was thinking that maybe this would be okay. Then not. Then I called the charter school he is on the wait list for, he's moved up to 36th - not close enough. Then I was mad. Then I called Leighland High - probably he'll get in but not for 2 or 3 weeks after school starts. Then I was relieved. Then I prayed. Then I decided that I should talk to school again. I have two people writing letters from school, his Scout leader and a Mitty family. I am now in the get-these-in-and-get-on-yet-another-list mode. One more slight chance. I sound like a manic mom. I feel like a manic mom. I feel like I'm on that horrid roller coaster again. I didn't like the way my stomach moved from it's proper place then and I don't like it now.

Hippity Hop Easter's On it's Way

2011-03-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

I found this really cute idea for Easter eggs and thought I would share PRIOR to the actual holiday.

Melted Crayon Eggs

Boil eggs as usual. Take a fine grater and grate the crayons into individual piles. Place boiled eggs on bottle cap over newspaper, it will get messy. Sprinkle egg shavings on top of eggs and watch them drip down the sides. If you are so incline to do the bottom flip it over with tongs and sprinkle there as well - we found it didn't work very well. Let them dry for about an hour. Just so you know they turned out cuter with just two or three colors but the kids wanted make them crazy. It was easy and fun.

Lamb Meat Loaf

2011-03-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

This was an experiment that turned out great. (I modified a Fine Cooking recipe to death.)

1 lb ground lamb
1 lb ground
2 Tbs olive oil
1 carrot peeled and chopped into small pieces
1/4 red bell pepper cored and chopped into small pieces
2 1/2 cups white bread (I use Italian, French or sourdough that is a day old) cut in 2" cubes
1 cup milk
2 tsp fresh grated ginger
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (I used a little less but wanted more after tasting it.)
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
2 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 tsp Garam masala
2 Tbs honey

Heat olive oil in a skillet to medium low. Add carrot and red bell pepper stirring frequently until softened, about 6 minutes. Set aside in a medium large bowl. Put bread in a shallow dish that can hold a single layer of the bread cubes, add the milk, flip them once, until bread is soggy but not falling apart, about 5 minutes. Lightly squeeze a handful of bread at a time to remove some of the milk. Chop it into fine pieces and add to the bowl with the carrots and peppers. Add meat, eggs, ginger and cilantro to bowl and mix just until combined. Sprinkle in Worcestershire, salt, pepper and garam masala. It should be a loose mixture. Put it in a 9x13 baking pan. Brush the top and sides with the honey. If the honey is too thick heat it for 10 seconds in the microwave to make it runny. Place in 375' oven for about 55 minutes.

I served this with Jasmin rice and steamed glazed carrots. Jim and Lauren loved it. Not surprisingly the boys hated it.

Stripping for a Living

2011-03-13T17:13:00.000-07:00

I have decided NOT to be a stripper. Yup. There is just not going to be enough money in it for the work and effort needed to do the job. I have been toning up my arms for a whole week and I'm still sore after the first stripping job. I thought I had put enough effort in to make this easy and yet I was surprised at the effort it took to get the job done. And quite a job it is! I had no idea! The hours spent on your feet, the shoulder work alone would cause some people to faint. The attention to detail is important too. I can't leave out one single step or everything is messed up. I thought I could miss a bit here or there and be fine, but no, you have to fill in everything to make it work. I tried to rush it a bit and found that couldn't be done either. You need patience and hard work. You need to really understand the job and I obviously didn't. And don't get me started on having the right tools! I have committed to doing it another 3 times but then I'm done. A promise is a promise so I'll power through but just know I won't be stripping for you.....

Doris Kearns Goodwin

2011-02-24T16:40:00.001-08:00

I have a new favorite history author, Doris Kearns Goodwin. I recently read two of her books, Team of Rivals and No Ordinary Time. I enjoyed both immensely!

Team of Rivals is about how Lincoln came to the presidency, who he had to get by to get there and then how they ended up working for him. What I liked about it was it got personal. It told of some of the scandalous, or almost scandalous, things that happened in these men's lives and how they dealt with it. I like hearing about how people cope and how they end up.

No Ordinary Time is set during FDR's presidency, mostly focused on this last two terms. The author lays things out without judging but with feeling and purpose. She doesn't just tell you something happened, if she has evidence as to why it happened then that is laid before the reader as well. She is fair. Many years ago I read Eleanor Roosevelt's autobiography. She is frank and seemed a lot of the time to not know how to deal with people that she had relationships, mother, husband, children, etc.. She really slanted things in my eye at the time towards her doing so much to make up for things she didn't do well. In No Ordinary Time the author has evened things out a bit more and makes more sense of what happened without the emotions of the moment.

Doris Kearns Goodwin writes with ease about both time periods and has really done her research well. She made all the people depicted come to life with real life problems and real life escapes. She didn't make it 'matter of fact' but more facts that mattered and how they impacted those around the subjects.

New Jeans for My Birthday

2011-02-18T12:37:00.000-08:00

I love a good joke. Heck, I like bad ones too. Growing up with Dad that's what we had. There was one that ended, "... and kicks are for Trids!". I laughed and laughed at that and retold it (wrong I'm sure) a hundred times.

I was lamenting the results of some tests I had this week with my GP. He gives too much information most of the time with no relief in sight. I asked him how I could be doing ALL the right things and still have these results and that I was going to call my father to complain. He said very seriously, "You should ask for new genes for your birthday.". It took me a second but I thought I was going to collapse in my laughing fit. He smiled.

Oo, Oo, Call on Me!

2011-02-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

I was at a mid-year Room Parent meeting this morning. Why is it that I have something to say about just about everything? Why can't I just sit back and ignore what is going on. I have to throw out the obvious and the blatant ills of things? Is it genetic? Can I just stop and let others have their turn? Can I turn a blind eye and say, "Well, I'm past that issue so I don't have to comment on it."? No. I can't. I feel a need to point out that simpler is better and that group things aren't necessary a bad thing (don't mention the Egypt thing right now). I am tired of people trying to reinvent the wheel when the wheel works just fine that it's the driver who is the problem.

Spare Rib

2011-02-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

A week ago I fell, tripped over a stupid branch in the middle of the road, while running. I had friends teasing me that I should run with night vision goggles or, gasp, run when it's light out (what?!). I thought I had pulled a muscle in my chest when I fell: only my hands and knees hit the ground so I thought as I twisted to a sitting position I had overextended my arms and strained that muscle.

Yesterday I went to our GP, funny guy that is very thorough and makes me smile at his seriousness over the need for more vitamin D in my diet...uh-huh. I asked him how long this strained muscle should take to heal. "It's not a strained muscle", he says seriously, "You broke a rib.". How is this possible? I didn't hit the ground! Here's the part I love ... "Due to your age you may have a considerable loss of bone density which would contribute to a twisting break. We should do a test to check your bone density, add more vitamin D, C and Magnesium. And, you can't run for 8 to 10 days.". The man is a comic, I swear.

I run. I drink milk. I eat cheese. I eat bananas. I don't do weigh training but come on, I have twigs for arms (thanks Grandma Hanna!). I want to know why I got the sucky teeth gene, cholesterol gene and now possibly bone density gene. Where does it end?

I've never been a proponent for genetic engineering but I might be willing to listen ....

Amazing Meatloaf

2011-02-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

I grew up eating meatloaf. It is still a big comfort food for me ... not so much for my kids. I drag it out about every other month and try again. Statistically, you need to feed your child a food 18 times before they will like it, yeah, right. I've fed mine meatloaf - let's do the math 6 (every other month) x 12 (avg age of kids) = 72 times! BUT!, I have a new weapon ... bacon. My kids love bacon but I don't break it out often, maybe once a month. I found a recipe that incorporates it nicely. The recipe is forgiving so feel free to tweak as necessary:

Bacon Loaf (Even the name is better Connor says) modified from Fine Cooking Feb 2011 issue

1 small carrot chopped medium fine

1/4 small purple onion chopped medium fine

2 cloves garlic smashed with edge of knife then chopped fine

1 Tbl Olive oil

1 lb Lean Ground Sirloin

2 cups cubed day old crusty bread (I use sourdough or an Italian country loaf)

3/4 cup milk

1 egg

Sea salt

Pepper

4 slices of smoked bacon cooked until just crisp, chopped into bite sized pieces

6 - 8 slices of smoked bacon for wrapping

Set the bread in a flat baking dish and pour the milk over it. Turn it after about 3 minutes so the milk is thoroughly soaked through, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium frying pan heat olive oil to medium heat. Add carrots and cook for about 4 minutes until just slight softened. Add onions and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant. By the time the garlic is fragrant the carrots should be soft and onions starting to turn golden. Set aside. Get out a cutting board with a juice slot around the edge. Take the bread and gently squeeze out the excess milk, just so it isn't dripping but it is still moist. Chop it to medium fine crumbs on the cutting board. Place the sirloin in a large bowl. Add the egg and bread crumbs and mix thoroughly but not overly so. Add the bacon and carrot mixture until even throughout sirloin. Add Sea salt and pepper to taste.* Place mixture into non-stick baking pan or use Pam on a regular pan. Shape into a shallow football shape. Place bacon over loaf tucking the ends underneath. Bake at 375' for about 50 minutes until bacon looks crisp.

*I have always wondered about how to do this and Fine Cooking had a great way. Take about a tablespoon of the final meat mixture and cook it in a frying pan. Taste it and modify to fit your taste buds!

I served this over mashed potatoes with candied carrots. Connor and Lauren said I could leave out the cooked carrots and they would have liked it just fine. Tylor still isn't sold. Jim and I loved it. I'm filing this under a 'near' success!

A Book to Never Read

2011-01-31T08:59:00.000-08:00

I read No Country For Old Men last week. I had several friends tell me how good it was and how great the movie was. Since I was never going to see the movie - unless it comes to the washout small screen - I thought I'd give it a read (listen). UGH! Talk about a depressing, unredemptive book! There is not one happy thing in it, not one! A sad lead character steals drug money then is chased by some guy that keeps his word in killing the thief's wife even after he has the money back and the sheriff that narrates the book is jaded and thinks everyone - except his wife - is a lost cause, which is true. BLAH! It is not compelling, it is not the next great Western or Eastern or anything. It was just a book that kept moving forward with killing and mayhem.

Give it a miss!!

Yosemite

2011-01-30T15:52:00.000-08:00

Tylor left last Monday for a week in Yosemite. They stayed in the Boys Town Cabins. (This has always made me think of a camp for delinquents.) Tylor had Stefan Medan, his best friend pictured here, as a cabin mate as well as, Steven Duffin. Tylor and Stefan complained that Steven snored all night, every night. He was very tired when he got home. Tylor loved the food served for dinner but breakfast and lunch were lacking. They had plenty of snow on the ground so they were able to ski, snow shoe and hike to Yosemite Falls where they were misted thoroughly. He was so happy to get in a decent shower and sleep in his own bed. I was glad for him to be gone and glad when he came back. Isn't that the way of things as they get older?

Valentine's Day Craftiness

2011-01-27T12:36:00.000-08:00

I love Valentine's Day. I love the crafts, colors and cards. I found this really cute wreath at the Paper Source but at $19.95 I was not picking it up. So, I made my own for Lauren's 4th grade class. I spend $48 for 45 of them ... hmmm, let's do the math then the craft.

I used a 9" pie plate to make the outside circle on a piece of foam core. Then I took an 8" pie plate and use the bottom of it for the inside circle, it ends up to be about 2" wide. I used paring knife to cut it as an Exacto knife was too slow.

I cut 1 piece of wide red ribbon 24" long and 1 piece of white thin ribbon 6" long and attached them to the back of the foam core with staples.

Then I cut out 12 4" x 3 1/2" red heart and glued them onto the foam core on the front side using crafting glue. This covers the foam core entirely so now you are free to decorate it.

I picked out several sorts of Valentine-y paper and used medium glue dots to attach them. The glue dots give it a 3-D effect. I'm going to add tissue hearts to it so it flutters a little later.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Why I love my sisters

2011-01-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

So, yesterday I uploaded my new header pic that my SISTER Suzanne took. In doing so I made it too small and it looked goofy. I thought I would have my son fix it but didn't obviously another one of my SISTERs, Debbie, took it upon herself to fix my glaring and oddly posted header. And then I picked up this great message from my SISTER Tia going on and on about something positive and nice. In one day 3 of my myriad of SISTERs made me look good, made my life easier and made me feel good. I love my SISTERs!

Oh, yeah. The picture has almost nothing to do with sisters other than Suzanne took it. Jim was showing us a snake hole with a snake skin laying across it that was about 3' long. Suzanne took the shot from about 20' away ... smart SISTER!

Caption

2011-01-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

Suzanne, my amazing photographer with the magic camera, had us walking on this great bridge. I had just finished yelling at everyone - mostly Tylor - for not cooperating and/or smiling when Suzanne asked, "Who wants to fire mom?". Please notice that Tylor did NOT raise his hand. I'm going to get his hearing checked next week.

Say A Little Prayer

2011-01-21T20:03:00.000-08:00

Connor has his HSPT tomorrow. Can we all .. say a little prayer? (this is where my Southern roots want to jump in and say an enthusiastic, "AMEN!".) Forever, dear boy, forever and one day ... no matter what.

Ode to a Cat

2011-01-19T09:54:00.000-08:00

Window light on cat

Mumbling as soleil drags ray

Lazy, warm, contented Max

Empty / Full

2011-01-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

This is my clean and empty family room.

This is my new couch, the family room is full. And, already taken over by the teenager.

It's Not What it Looks Like ... Really ...

2011-01-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, yes, it's what it looks like. One big and very close snowball fight. What you can't see is Connor scooping up snow with a shovel to dump it on the other two in about five seconds. Tahoe was nice and relatively warm - 50'. Jim and the kids skied at Sierra-at-Tahoe (I really don't like this name it's like a cake store near us that is Katie's of Pauline's. What's up with that?) and at Kirkwood. We haven't been to Kirkwood before and it was nice for the kids. The kids all did a black diamond run - not on purpose. They had a great time and I was, as usual, the cook, maid and cocoa distributer.

A Moment in time

2011-01-13T20:16:00.000-08:00

When we moved into our house my father-in-law wanted to give us something. Specifically, he wanted to give the kids something. We found a place that sold these great play structures, very solid pieces that weren't going to tip over in an earthquake or from a kid swinging on it. It took two burly guys about 4 hours to set it up in our backyard. The kids loved it! So, they played on it, rain or shine. They climbed, pretended, made it a fort, made it a tea party house, made me laugh and only one broken arm to boot. (Not my kid)

Last summer they decided they were done with it. I tried to let go. I did. I tried. Every time I looked at it I saw Connor when he was four with his red, white and blue cape climbing up the wall acting like Spiderman. I heard Tylor making truck noises and steering it. I saw Lauren making up the little table with lemonade and cookies and having a tea party with her friends. I still see them as little but they aren't.

I finally posted it on Craig's list this week. Today two guys came and took it down in about an hour. I was very excited, a little giddy in fact. All the things I could do with an extra 20' x 12' !

But ... Now I'm sad. I just gave away a little bit of my kids childhood. I hope the new kids love it as much as mine did. Sniff....

3rd Christmas

2011-01-09T20:08:00.000-08:00

It's finally over! Whew! I thought it would never end this year! Whew!!! We had 3 Christmas' this year; 1 with my sister, 2 with Jim's brother and 3 with Jim's parents. I thought it would never end. I am sooo planning it better next year. But what I really wanted to post about was 3rd Christmas dinner. I did a Garlic and Cracked Peppercorn crusted Prime Rib. Here's the very easy recipe if you are so inclined:

Garlic and Cracked Peppercorn Crusted Prime Rib

1 5 to 7 bone Prime Rib
12 Garlic cloves crushed with the flat of your knife then minced
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tsp dried Thyme
2 Tbsp coarse Salt (I used a coarse Sea Salt)
4 Tbsp Cracked Peppercorns (I like the mixed variety but you can use just black.)
Garlic Salt

Set Prime Rib on counter for about an hour to get it to room temperature - very important! Turn on oven to 500'. Mix all the other ingredients in a bowl. Lightly sprinkle the entire roast with garlic salt. Place roast in large roast pan fatty side up - NOTE: if you have a roast pan that has a rack use it, it lets the fat drain. Spread herb mixture over fatty side of Prime Rib and ends: if it doesn't look like enough use more of just the cracked pepper to cover up blank spots . Place roast in oven for 20 minutes. Turn oven down to 325' and continue to roast for about 75 to 90 minutes for a medium done roast. The end pieces will be more well done with center cuts being on the rare but not too rare side. Take it out of the oven when it hits 145' on your meat thermometer. If you want it well done all the way through take it out at 155'. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before cutting it. I poured off the liquid and skimmed the fat to make the au jus - I just did it by taste so I don't have a specific recipe. It was heavenly with homemade mashed potatoes, green beans with pancetta and a sour dough loaf.

Proof!

2011-01-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

When Connor's first, or last, companion on his mission sends me a very polite but annoyed letter saying how much he likes Connor but he is concerned about his lack of culinary skills I am going to send this and several other photos to him.

Connor had a cooking class and had to plan, purchase (still my dime), and prepare an entire meal. We had ginger flank steak prepared on the grill, Caesar's salad, white corn on the cob, french bread and smoothies with brownies and homemade Dutch chocolate ice cream for dessert.

He got an A- on the project: didn't ever figure out why an A- but whatever. But better than that I have photographic evidence that he can cook when the need arises.

12

2011-01-07T10:12:00.000-08:00

This is what 12 looks like. Exactly 12 years after 12 was born. We timed the picture so we took it exactly at 5:48 pm. My mom made me an apple cake for my 12th birthday. Dad had the sacks from Sears and the mall behind his chair while we all sang very off key.

We sing the Hogwart's version of Happy Birthday - all the same words but our own tune - very festive. And I wrapped or sacked all gifts, now there's love. And for cake? Forget it. 12 wanted cheesecake with strawberries. I was going to make it but no strawberries to be found at 4 markets, but I did find cheesecake.

12 is testing limits, being questioning and questionable. 12 still wants hugs and snuggles but please don't embarrass 12 by talking to 12 in front of other people, any people. 12 can't hear well unless it is "Cheesecake." or "Hot homemade rolls.". 12 loves WOW, soccer and driving video games. 12 is, well, 12.

Colorado Skiing

2011-01-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

You know there is always someone in a picture that is making an inappropriate face or making rabbit ears. Most of the time it isn't my husband. Most of the time.

Baby Steps

2011-01-07T09:31:00.000-08:00

Several - by several I mean 12+ - months ago our master bathroom faucet started to drip. Since I hardly ever use that bathroom during the day and it's upstairs it didn't bother me until bed time ... drip, drip, drip. Used a wash cloth for months but then the dripping got worse so it would soak the cloth at about 1 a.m. .. drip, drip, drip, even worse than before because now it was a rain drop into a puddle splash. So, Jim and I found a set of new faucets, thank you HD for having them on sale for $67! Here is our "remodeled" bathroom with new matching pulls on the drawers. And no drips... ;-)

Soup Weather

2010-12-23T10:20:00.000-08:00

White Bean and Ham Soup

2 -3 lbs ham bone-in (we had ham earlier this week and saved the bone and cut up the meat)
1 bag Great Northern White Beans
1-2 15 oz cans White beans (depending on how thick and bean-y you like your soup) (optional)
1 carrot diced small
1 celery rib sliced thin (optional)

Follow directions for cleaning and soaking dry beans. I usually do this in the crockpot so I don't have to clean two things.

To start the soup put about 6 cups of water in the crockpot with the soaked beans. NOTE: You may have to add water to the beans during cooking depending on how quickly they soak up the water - keep it at about the 6 cup level. Put the ham bone in and put the lid on, stir occassionally. Cook on low for 4 -5 hours until the beans are soft and ham is very tender. Add carrot and celery about 1 hour before it is done. (Take out one bean and if it is al dente then it is time to add the carrot and celery.) Salt and pepper to taste. If you want a thicker soup continue to cook for 1 hour more adding the canned beans add the start of that hour.

Serve with a nice salad and crusty French or sourdough bread.

Tis the Season

2010-12-21T19:30:00.000-08:00

As my family well knows, I have a serious sweet tooth. My friend Stefani's mother-in-law is a master candy maker and shares her recipes, which always surprises me. She sends samples too which make it hard to resist an invitation. Today I went over and we made Caramel Marshmallows and Peanut Brittle, more than a little good! I had a sample of her licorice and can I tell you fresh made black licorice is NOTHING like the Red Vine stuff: it was soooo good!! We've made candy for the past 5 years and the recipes just keep getting better. We discovered one easy shake with sea salt makes the caramels so good you can't stop eating them - I mean it: I'm still eating them as I type. My keyboard is a mess! The recipe for the caramels is involved and it takes about an hour from start to finish with two people. If you want me to post it let me know.

Crockpot Ham

2010-12-20T17:35:00.000-08:00

Sunday we had my nephew, David, and his girlfriend, Xuehui (shoe-hoy), over for a pre-Christmas dinner. Since we had church and about 5 other things to do I opted for a ham. I thought throw it in the oven, glaze it and done. Then I was talking to Debbie and she gave me this great recipe (thanks much sis!). I don't know where it originated but it's easy and really good.

Crockpot Ham

1 6 to 9 lb ham
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 cups pineapple juice

Put the ham in the crockpot on low for 4 to 5 hours (mine was in for about 7 and it was great!). Add the other ingredients in order and forget it. You can baste it after 2 hours if you want. We did and it had a nice tang all over. Serve hot.

We served it with basmati rice, fresh cut pineapple and Hawaiin rolls (of course!). Ham and pineapple just go together!

Later this week we'll have ham and white bean soup!!! I love ham!!

I got the Whole World in My Hands -- Come on Sing with ME!

2010-12-20T09:45:00.000-08:00

I told everyone I would post a couple of pics from our Winter Book Fair. Well, the top one is of the 4 1/2 ft tall world I made from a paper mache' balloon. Many frustrations were had and much time was given to making the world what it isn't any way - round. The pic below is of my rendering of Victoria Falls and a Banyan Tree. The tree was actually a lot of fun to do because it was the last thing and I was just shoving it out and it turned out very cute. The next fair will be much easier as we are doing super heroes. I can sew capes with the best of them!!

It's only the First Day...., "Help!", she says to the Universe.

2010-12-17T20:53:00.000-08:00

Today was the first official day of Christmas break. Already I want to choke two of my kids. Listening skills have been thrown out the door and are in a wet soggy heap in the middle of my street being run over repeatedly by passing cars. I have had to ask for things to be done innumerable - and I mean that literally not that figurative, "I've had to ask them 3 or 4 times.". I am so close to the edge that I'm in fear of sneezing and going over the edge. I'm not a newbie parent, really, I'm not. I understand Christmas excitement. I understand the lint on your shirt is more interesting than I am and my voice isn't what it used to be. As one child stated to me, "In the infinite expanse of the universe really can anyone be heard?". I love they are so smart but wish they weren't quite so fresh.

I am SO bragging!

2010-12-15T17:00:00.000-08:00

I wrapped gifts like an elf today. I mailed 3 packages at a sub-station that took 15 minutes. Dropped a big bag of presents at UPS where the very nice young man (21?) said, "Oh, I'll pack it for you, no extra charge.". That took 7 minutes. I am waiting on 2 small packages to be delivered here which I will GLADLY pack in my suitcase. I AM DONE WITH PRESENTS! I do need to get Jim a few stocking stuffers but really if I don't it is no big tragedy. I am feeling a little smug and very satisfied with my accomplishments today. NOW? I sit and watch Christmas specials all week!!

Sort of like Speed Dating

2010-12-12T19:04:00.000-08:00

So, Jim got back from Manchester, NH, not NE, on Friday at 3:30 pm. Saturday, I went one way in the morning and he another. We met at the mall at 1:30 and did some speed Christmas shopping. I am not a great shopper and Jim is so he finds and put the budget on it. Jim had a ton of e-mail, texts and phone calls about work and decided to head back to Manchester Sunday night instead of Monday morning. I know that I/we would be asleep for 8 hours of that but, still, it's one less night. I feel like I'm on a speed marriage thing - we have to get in all the parenting/schooling/discipline/Christmas & birthday shopping/family finances/budgeting/romance in less than 48 hours. I'm not complaining mind you but it really made me think about what I want to fit in and what wasn't so important. DING! Time to move on. ;-)

Fast is my middle name

2010-12-08T19:55:00.000-08:00

For the past two weeks I have been rushing about with the Winter Book Fair at school. My poor kids have had to endure fast meals, most not so great. I did salmon tonight which was very good. We had a version of this from Costco and I have changed it a bit and made it my own.

Salmon with herb butter

2 large salmon fillets

1/2 lemon

Garlic Salt

Herb butter

6 Tbsp butter

1 tsp fresh lemon peel grated

1 tsp fresh Italian parsley chopped medium fine

1 tsp fresh garlic chopped fine (smash it with the side of your knife first then chop)

Run all ingredients through food processor until blended coarsely. Scoop out with melon baller or just make two portions.

Heat oven to 375'. Place fillets in glass pan that you have sprayed with Pam. Squeeze lemon juice over fillets. Cut lemon half into quarters and place in pan. Sprinkle fillets with garlic salt. Place herb butter balls on top of fillets. Place in oven for 20 - 30 minutes. I like my fish a little less done so I tend towards the 20 minute mark. Jim wants his dead. D.E.A.D. so he likes the extra 10 minutes. Serve with basmati rice and lemon wedges. Steamed green beans go nicely with this too.

EEK! A Mouse!

2010-12-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

I was taking out the recycling just now thinking about what I needed to do tomorrow and I almost stepped on a mouse. A dead mouse. In my driveway. Over the past two weeks I have found a dead finch on my front walk and a few more feathers in one spot than would be typical. I think one, or both, of my cats have escalated their pouncing skills to actual hunting and catching.

Growing up we had a cat, named Cat, that loved to bring 'presents' to my mom. Live presents. I remember a particular snake incident that Mom looked startled as the snake slithered over her feet during dinner and then shrieked. She sat with her feet on the chair the rest of the meal while Dad swept it outside animal advocate that he is. Very funny.

Now I'm starting to check the cats before I let them in. I do not like nature entering my house. My rule is: you stay out and I won't bother you. You come in and we will have issues.

Countdown of 48

2010-11-29T16:21:00.000-08:00

Thought I would recap 48 ...

1-24: I have all of my fingers and toes. This almost means I have all four limbs.

25: Most of my hair is not gray. That that is, isn't. 'nough said.

26, 27: In comparison to many of my '80's rocker friends my hearing is good.

28, 29: I have terrible teeth but I have insurance so I still have teeth unlike my grandmother who had dentures at 30. I am grateful not to have upper and lower dentures.

30, 31: I got glasses in my early 20's. When I got pregnant with Connor my eyes changed for the better - no glasses for 11 years! My eyes are going downhill slowly but I still got 'em!

32: I used to be a soprano. Now I tend to sing alto, not really well, but I try. I'm gratetful I can still sing.

33, 34: I need my endorphines. My hips still move well and carry me where I want to go.

35, 36: On the same vein as above my feet are in great shape for the abuse I give them.

37: I can still remember where I park at the mall ... most of the time.

38: I love a good, or bad (but clean), joke. I'm thankful I still get them.

39: My family says I look more like 39 than 48. I love that my family lies well.

40: I have had one friend for 40 years. 40 YEARS! Talk about longevity. I'm thankful for friends, even those who I haven't known for 40 years.

41-43: Breathing. I had my nasal flaps fixed about a year ago and I have loved breathing in and out and in and out. My mile time has improved and I wish I had done it earlier.

44, 45: Smells are a wonderous thing for me. A smell can send me back to being six or sixteen or twenty six. I can close my eyes and imagine everything about the association I have to it.

46: My genes. I appreciate my gene pool, shallow though it may be at times. I enjoy good health and good spirits.

47: "To lose one parent my be regarded as a misfortune. To lose both looks like carelessness." ~Oscar Wilde. I am glad not to be looked upon as careless. I appreciate my parents.

48: Life. I'm glad I'm here and hope to be so for another 48.

Rigatoni with Artichoke Hearts & Pancetta

2010-11-24T19:30:00.000-08:00

I love pancetta. It is Italian bacon that is very thin and really yummy. It's not really good on it's own because it is wayyyy too salty but in pasta dishes it shines. I found this recipe in an addition of America's Test Kitchen and have played with it enough to figure out what works. Please note the pasta dish is great without the pancetta.

Rigatoni with Artichoke Hearts & Pancetta - Serves 6

20 thin slices of pancetta (usually one package of Primo Taglio from Safeway is plenty)
1 Tbsp butter
2 shallots, minced NOTE: I use 6 green onions, white part only, if no shallots are available.
2 garlic cloves, smashed with the flat of knife and chopped fine
1 9 oz box frozen artichoke hearts thawed & sliced thin NOTE: Defrost in fridge if possible - it is less soggy - but you can nuke it.
1/2 cup white grape juice NOTE: Recipe calls for white wine so use it if you got it.
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tsp grated lemon zest
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 lb rigatoni

Note: Start pasta water so the pasta is done close to the same time as the sauce. The sauce takes about 15 minutes total if you have all of your ingredients ready to go at the start.

Cook pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5 -6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Wipe pan quickly with another paper towel but don't wash.

Add butter and shallots to now empty skillet and cook until soft about 3 -4 minutes. Add garlic and artichoke hearts and cook about 2 minutes until garlic is fragrant. Add grape juice (wine) and cook until it is reduced by half, about 3 - 4 minutes. add broth, cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice and cook until thickened about 4 - 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, add 1 Tbsp salt and rigatoni to boiling water and cook until al dente. (NOTE: The recipes says to reserve 1/2 cup cooking water and add it to the sauce. I have done it both ways and like it better without but some people like thinner sauce.) Drain the pasta. Place pasta in large serving bowl. (Here is where you would add the water to the sauce if you so desire.) Pour sauce over pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Crumble pancetta and sprinkle over rigatoni. Serve with aged Parmesan and a crusty hot loaf of bread.

Persistence Pays Off

2010-11-23T16:03:00.000-08:00

14 months ago I received a tax bill for a property we own in Santa Cruz County. The bill had gone up by $300 per year! In my annoyance I called the called the county assessors office and was told that I could submit a request for re-examination of value. I sent the 11 page form with a copy of a recent appraisal, a letter from another appraiser reiterating the lower value of our property, and a myriad of comparable that I pulled from a real estate web site. I spent about two days drafting a letter that explained how the value could not have gone up but should be adjusted down. Four months later I received a letter stating I had to appear before the assessors board with 5 copies of anything I wanted to submit for review, a copy of my original application, and the appointment was in late October. Really? October? So, I gathered my facts, made my copies and put it on my calendar.

On October 1st I received a phone call from the assessors office and they had a few questions for me. I answered them and sent the woman a scan of some documentation she requested. Mid October I received another call, same woman. She said she agreed with my assessment and that they were going to lower our property taxes and she cancelled my appointment with the board, bonus! I was so excited! Two weeks later I received a preliminary letter. Two weeks after that I received the actual reassessment notification. The bill went down by 1/3! Amazing! I was so thrilled at having 'won' my case with them.

At this point I thought I was done. I was happy with the outcome, happy with the process and happy not to have to go before the board. But today my neighbor comes by with a piece of mail. Connor took it because I was cooking dinner. I had him open it. "What is it Connor?", "A check.", "A check?", "Um, yeah.", "What for?", "Property tax refund.", "How much?", "$$$.", "WHAT?". This was a very nice surprise. The thought hadn't even crossed my mind that we would get a refund.

It just goes to show you patience and persistence can pay-off nicely. I'm thankful for parents who taught me the need to be both.

Pear Crisp Pie

2010-11-19T11:52:00.000-08:00

Connor has a cooking class at school this trimester. He made up this recipe by himself:

Pear Crisp Pie

Crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

6 Tbls butter, melted

In a small bowl combine all ingredients. Set aside.

Topping:

1 cup brown sugar

1 cube butter, melted

2 cups quick cooking oatmeal

1/2 cup flour

Combine brown sugar and butter, add oatmeal and combine well, then, flour and combine well.

Filling:

2 cans pear halves, drained

Pour fruit gently into crust and arrange so fruit is evenly spaced. Spoon topping onto fruit.

Place pie in 350' oven for 20 - 25 minutes until top is golden brown. Best served warm. With a cold glass of milk or vanilla ice cream!

Wishing on a Shooting Star

2010-11-18T09:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was running at 4:30 (a.m.) and I saw 6 shooting stars! I totally wished on all of them and was being amazed at the beauty and grace of our star system. Later, I was reading the paper that it was part of the Leonid Meteor Shower. I was so looking forward to it this morning that I got up at 4:15 to catch a longer look at what our Maker has made for us to be awe inspired by. I stepped outside and it was just a little overcast but I had hope. As I ran longer, 12 miles today, I realized it wasn't going to happen today. I was so disappointed. There is a slight chance for tomorrow but I think we are supposed to get rain. This is one of those times that Mother Nature has conspired to thwart my plans on being so inspired that I would sit down and write a poem so moving I would be called as San Jose's Poem Laureate (yes, we do have one). Guess today is not that day....

Transition Shoes

2010-11-11T11:15:00.000-08:00

I like fall. I like raking leaves - twice this week already. I like fall cooking; soups - white bean and ham, pumpkin, chicken noodle/dumpling, and split pea. I like that I need a sweater in the morning and usually by 11 I can take it off if I want.

What I don't like about fall is the need for transition shoes. I am no shoe fashionista. I like sandals - okay flip-flops - in the late spring and summer. I love boots in the winter. I can't seem to get the shoe thing right for fall. I try but I feel that Stacy and Clinton would give me a dressing down in the 360.

My fall shoes feel clunky and old. They don't speak to me at all. They sit there and are, well, at best, foot coverings. I have cute summer and winter shoes. Even spring on non-rainy days I can get by. Not so for fall. I don't know if I'm too picky - I do like a comfortable shoe - or so cheap I won't spend hundreds on the 'right' shoes.

Whatever the problem is right now I'm stuck with chunky ugly shoes.

Sweet Potato Casserole

2010-11-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

Nothing says Thanksgiving like a vegetable that could pass for a pie! I have amended this recipe a few times and just made it again over the weekend amending it again. Here is my latest pass:

Sweet Potato Casserole

2 can sweet potatoes, drained & mashed (don't use food processor if possible, slightly chunky is good)

4 Tbsp butter, softened (don't melt it and if you do let it cool until it is semi-solid again)

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1/3 cup evaporated milk

Topping:

6 Tbsp butter, melted

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/4 cup crushed cornflakes

1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts or mixed nuts) Note: I like salted nuts but you can

use unsalted

In a large bowl cream butter and sugars together; add potatoes, mix thoroughly. Add remaining ingredients* and mix until well incorporated. Pour in casserole dish; bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 375'. (Note: Due to the moisture content of the potatoes the baking time can vary a lot. You want the potatoes to be slightly firm before adding the topping mixture.)

Mix all topping ingredients in medium bowl. Spread on top of casserole after first bake. Return to oven for 7 to 10 minutes until browned. Serves 8.

*You can adjust the sugar, butter, and milk to taste. You don't want the mixture watery but the consistency of a thick pie filling. If it is watery cover the top with foil and bake longer until it is almost like a pumpkin pie then add the topping.

School, a thought

2010-11-05T10:01:00.001-07:00

We are the Millers the mighty, mighty Millers! (Who wouldn't be afraid of someone with an ax?)

Matriculating from the public school system I really never gave high school much thought - I would go. My dad taught at the HS I went to, my sisters and brothers attended the same, I knew most of the teachers from the district picnics, this was a simple question of signing up for classes and showing up in a fabulous '70's outfit the first day. High school was no great challenge for me, I was motivated by the $10 we got for getting all A's, and I wasn't popular so I didn't have the distraction of being well liked by hordes or having boys showing off for me. But now I shutter at the public school system.

I called the school district again this week - I was told I could make an appointment to pre-register Connor in November - and asked again about the possibility of getting on a waiting list for another (better) HS. The woman I spoke to was the director of this department, she told me, "Due to your socio-economic situation you will not be released from the school boundaries you are in.". To be told because I was a homeowner that my kid couldn't go to another school seemed ridiculous! So, I did some intense research and sure enough the district has a policy that says basically that only those in low socio-economic situations will be given consideration upon appeal of assigned HS. WHAT? I am outraged that because I am in a good economic position my child won't be considered for a transfer. I don't want precedence I just want equal rights.

California's school system is screwed up with politicos that believe by giving a good show that will be lauded by their peers. One of the political messages here in CA this election season was for the person elected to REALLY represent their constituents. What a world it would be if we had people who really believed that and did it to the best of their abilities.

Lemon Chicken with Rice

2010-11-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

I like tangy things, sour dough bread, key lime pie, lemon chicken, etc.. I made up this recipe years ago and have found that it is very forgiving and allows changes if you don't have something listed.

Lemon Chicken with Rice

1 whole chicken cut-up (or all thighs or breasts or legs - wings tend to fall apart too quickly.)

2 lemons, cut in 1/8ths

1/2 cup apple juice or white grape juice - white wine was in the original recipe

2 green onions, chopped (I've used green peppers, chives, and scallions too.)

1/2 cup lemon juice - fresh is best

Garlic salt

Preheat oven to 415'. Wash chicken pat dry. Using a 13 x 9 baking dish, spray with non-stick oil. Place chicken in dish, pour apple juice and lemon juice over chicken. Squeeze lemon slices through cheese cloth (to avoid picking out seeds later) so they are about half out of juice. Place squeezed lemons among chicken pieces. Sprinkle garlic salt over chicken to taste. Sprinkle onions over chicken. Bake for 45-55 minutes until done. Serve over rice drizzling drippings over chicken and rice for a nice lemony rice as well.

Hash Brown Eggs Benedict

2010-11-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

I saw a complex recipe for this in a William Sonoma magazine and thought I would amend it to a quicker recipe.

Hash Brown Eggs Benedict

3 cups frozen hash browns - thaw about half way
2 tsp cornstarch
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tbs oil per batch
2 egg yolks
1 Tbs lemon juice (fresh is best)
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 sticks butter, melted
3 Tbs minced chives or green onions
12 slices of Canadian bacon, cooked until lightly browned and kept warm
(NOTE: Cook only the amount of bacon that you want to serve. It is easy to adjust this
recipe for fewer servings.)
12 eggs cooked to order (My kids like scrambled and I like up, works well with either.)

Mix the hash browns with the cornstarch, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Working in a 10" frying pan heated to medium with the oil, form 1/4 cup patties with the hash brown mixture. Cook, turning once, until golden brown - about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel lined baking sheet, keep warm in 250' oven.

In bowl, whisk egg yolks, lemon juice and 2 tsp water. Transfer to a double boiler set over medium-low heat, until water is just simmering inside double boiler: whisk constantly until it begins to thicken. Remove from heat: whisk 1 minute more. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne. Whisking constantly, slowly pour in melted butter until smooth. Whisk in chives. Keep warm. (Note: Lawrys has a perfectly fine hollandaise sauce packet!!)

Place 2 hash brown patties on each plate. Top with Canadian bacon, 1 egg and sauce. Serve immediately.

The sauce isn't as hard as it sounds. If you don't have a double boiler you can do this with an oven proof bowl or a thin sided sauce pan over a larger pot with water. It's obviously harder to whisk and hold the pot but I've done it.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

2010-10-26T13:08:00.000-07:00

With Fall in full swing I thought I would post my amended Martha Stewart pumpkin cupcake recipe with cream cheese frosting. I love these just a little warm with a nice cold glass of milk. I will heat the plain cupcake up for 10 seconds in the microwave THEN frost it so I can have it my way ... life is sooo delicious!!

Pumpkin Cupcakes - amended from Martha Stewart recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tin with paper liners and set aside.

In medium bowl whisk together, then set aside:

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp coarse salt

2 tsps pumpkin pie spice

1/4 tsp ground allspice

In large bowl whisk together:

4 eggs, beat lightly before adding items below

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter, melted and cooled (don't skip this part)

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree

Add dry ingredients to wet slowly whisking until smooth.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top springs back or a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 oz cream cheese room temp.

4 tbls butter room temp.

1 tsp vanilla (Note: I had some left over vanilla beans from another recipe and added the inside

scrapings from one here. Delicious but cut vanilla to 1/2 tsp.)

2 cups confectioners sugar (I add about another 1/4 cup because I like my frosting stiffer.)

Blend together with a mixer until smooth. Frosts about 18 cupcakes.

It's okay! I make you lamb.

2010-10-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I am stuck on the fact that neither Debbie or Keira will cook with lamb. I cook with it constantly and my family LOVES it. You can get good inexpensive cuts at Costco and since it is a richer meat it goes farther. Jim begged me for Lamb Stew today so here is my very easy but yummy recipe:

3 lbs lamb shoulder cubed

Garlic salt

White pepper

4 garlic cloves - whole

1 long sprig of fresh Rosemary (1 tsp of dried)

12 small New Red or white Potatoes - halved or quartered (depends on how big you like them)

2 Carrots scrubbed and cut in 1/4" pieces

1 Celery rib cut in 1/8" pieces

Brown lamb in a skillet with a small amount of oil about 7 minutes. Season with garlic salt and white pepper to taste. Transfer lamb to stew pot or crock pot. Pour 2 1/2 quarts of water over meat. (NOTE: You may have to add water through the cooking process if you do this on the stove.) Add cloves of garlic and rosemary. Cover and cook for about 3 hours - 6 to 8 hours in the crock pot on low. Meat should be fall apart tender. 30 to 45 minutes prior to serving add vegetables depending on how tender you like them - with a crock pot add vegetables 1 hour before serving and turn the crock pot to high. Take out rosemary sprig. (NOTE: If I find the garlic I take it out and smash it up then stir it back in. If I don't find it then someone gets the whole one... :-) Season to taste with salt and white pepper before serving. Serve with a nice crusty loaf of sour dough or french bread.

Nothing like a nice lamb stew that requires minimal work and maximum taste.

People Overload

2010-10-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

I am an introvert. There. It's out. Whew. I'm sure no one has guessed that one. I had a people overload today. I had too much contact with too many people in too many situations. People suck the energy out of me. Not that I don't like people but I need small doses. Church each week is a challenge if I have to deal with adults, thus the reason I am still "volunteering" in Primary. Kids just want love, hugs and your undivided attention which I can do.

I had to deal with people at work - not the usual people - that were cranky and needed soothing. Not my forte but, hey, I got through it. Then I had to go to school to deal with forty-four 10 ten olds - easy peasy: it was the adults that were adding to my stress level. Then I taught a cooking class Connor is in, seventeen 11 - 14 yr olds, for an hour plus the myriad of adults that were asking what we were doing, can they get the recipes, can they make one, is it that easy? blah, blah, blah. We got home and I had to clean up, make dinner, make soup of an RS activity and go set up at church. Here's where the real overload started. If I go to an RS function I sneak in very near the start, not late but just on time, sit out of the way and have minimal contact with others. I couldn't do any of that. I tried to sneak off but got wrangled back in. Now my nerves are jangled and I'm an edge.

I got home at 9, we did scripture study and I'm already calmer but need a good masseuse for my knotted shoulders, oh, wait, that's another person, never mind. The funniest part was that the RS activity was about, get this, dealing with stress. I love a good ironic situation.

Anew

2010-10-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

I am starting a new - not "anew" - bit of posting. I love to cook. I like to experiment with recipes that I like and see if I can improve them, just a bit or sometimes remake the whole thing. I can't say as my family love all of my efforts: if I get 3 of 5 to eat it I consider it a decent showing, 4 of 5 a good showing and adding it to our list of meals to make again, 5 of 5 and I'll pull it out anytime I want to have opinions swayed my way. ;-) I say use whatcha' got!

Greek Skillet Lasagna (modified from an America's Test Kitchen recipe) - serves 4

1 lb ground lamb (or 85% lean ground beef but lamb is better)

1/2 white onion chopped fine

garlic salt and white pepper

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp cinnamon

10 curly-edged lasagna noodles broken into 2" lengths (or equivalent of wide egg noodles)

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes

1/4 cup heavy cream (Note: If you don't have this you can leave it out but add 1/8 c water)

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Cook lamb in large skillet until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain lamb, reserve 1 Tbsp fat, put lamb on paper towel lined plate. Add reserved fat, onion and 1/2 tsp garlic salt to skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, oregano and cinnamon and cook about 30 seconds. Return meat to skillet with 2 cups of water (plus 1/8th if you aren't using cream) and bring to simmer, scraping up browned bits.

Scatter pasta over meat but don't stir. Pour tomatoes over pasta, cover and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium and cooking stirring occasionally (after it simmers) until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes.

Stir in cream and simmer until slightly thickened (if you don't use the cream let it thicken by cooking slightly longer 3 to 5 minutes). Season with garlic salt and white pepper. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Serve with garlic bread and a nice salad w/balsamic vinaigrette.