Monday, November 30, 2009

Snippets

Snippets from our Thanksgiving...

What to serve in what?
Decisions, decisions.


The Boy's favorite.

Our house is a turkey farm
thanks to The Girl.


Chop, stir, cook.

We all had jobs to do.

He loves checking things
off his honey-do list.
Can't you tell?


Taking a break from
kitchen detail.


Thankful for a rare quiet moment.
I had to act quick to capture
it before it was gone.


A cup of hot tea...

...shared with a good friend.

Not sure about the whole
Brussels sprouts thing.


Playing footsie.

Kickin' it.

I hope your break was as nice as mine. I'm counting down the days until the next one.

14...

Sunday, November 29, 2009

What's For Dinner?

I can't believe it's time to post another menu. Haven't I been in the kitchen all week?

I'm tapping into my frugal side and reworking Thanksgiving leftovers as creatively and tastily as possible.

This is what I came up with:

Sunday: turkey noodle soup, Shiner bread (made with left-over turkey)

Monday: chicken and wild rice casserole, green beans (made with left-over wild rice stuffing)

Tuesday: sausage, spinach, and white bean ragout, Shiner bread (rescheduled from last week)

Wednesday: fish tacos, black beans, guacamole, tomatoes

Thursday: left-overs

Friday: hamburgers, oven fries

Saturday: out

We still have apple-cranberry crisp left from Thanksgiving. That should get us through the week.

I want to experiment with some pumpkin muffins or pumpkin bread. If you have a good recipe let me know.

Here's to left-overs and tight pants!


Friday, November 27, 2009

Gluttony

Oh, did we ever feast...











My pants are still unbuttoned.

Here's to a delicious Thanksgiving feast.

And even better Thanksgiving left-overs.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanks

I love today.

It's my favorite day of the year.

It's just us. All day. At our home. Eating our food. Watching our games.

The pace is slow. The stress is minimal.

This family is blessed beyond words.

This family is very thankful.

I love today.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Older, But Not Lame

The Mr. is another year older. Yesterday was his birthday.

Since he acknowledges that he is impossible to buy for, he's more than happy with a simple homemade card.

That I can do. Don't let the front fool you. My cards are never mushy. You might blush if you read the inside of this one. *wink*

Gramma watched The Offspring so that we could celebrate properly. And that we did.

We grabbed a bite here. This is one of the first places The Mr. took me when dating. It is very quaint. Especially at night when the
boxwoods that surround the building are lit up with tiny white lights. They also know how to make their Thai really spicy. I mean, nose running-mouth burning-starting to sweat-spicy. I could eat it every day. For reals.

With bellies full, we made our way downtown for The Mr.'s real present.

Neko Case must have known what a special day it was. She scheduled a birthday performance right here in Houston. Or at least that's the spin I put on it.

To say it was an amazing show would be an understatement.

Deer Tick was the opening band. Horrible name. But not a horrible band. I usually find the opening act to be somewhat lame, but these guys really warmed up the crowd.

Then again, the Lone Stars that I had for dessert might have caused my judgement to be a little cloudy.

Finally she took to the stage. Words can't describe. I wish I had a picture of the siren as she performed. But no cameras were allowed. Not even on cell phones.

I am rebellious by nature, but there was no way I was going to risk getting kicked out.
Neko will have to live in my happily buzzed memory.

What a perfect night. I couldn't tell if it was The Mr.'s birthday or mine.

I hope it was as good for you as it was for me....

You might be older, but never lame.

Happy birthday baby.


Saturday, November 21, 2009

Sneak Peek

A project is in the works...

What's For Dinner?

Here is my culinary plan leading up to the big day:

Sunday: fish tacos, black beans, guacamole, tomatoes (rescheduled from last week)

Monday: sausage, spinach, & white bean ragout, whole wheat bread

Tuesday: breakfast pizza, tomatoes, fresh fruit

Wednesday: hamburgers, oven fries

Thursday: Thanksgiving

Friday: Thanksgiving left-overs

Saturday: out

Enjoy your days leading up to the feast!


Friday, November 20, 2009

The Ubiquitous Thanksgiving Menu


Thanksgiving 2009 will consist of:

turkey
gravy
brown rice stuffing
green bean casserole
roasted sweet potatoes
roasted Brussels sprouts
cranberry sauce
whole wheat rolls
pumpkin pie
apple-cranberry crisp

Our menu doesn't change much year to year. We know what we like and we stick with it. You won't find gourmet fare on the table, but it's all made from scratch. As it should be on Thanksgiving.

This isn't the last you've seen of this menu. I will be milking it for posts until the left-overs are gone.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

It's Like A Soft Crocheted Snuggie...But Cooler. I Hope.

The UT project is finished.

It is so soft. It is very cozy.

The color is perfect.

And I really really like it.

I checked the gauge this time. Well, not really. I just used a P hook instead of the suggested N. It looks just like the picture on the pattern.

Martha would be pleased with my attention to detail.

I've decided: I'm bringing the poncho back.

If for no other reason than I can eat a huge meal and never have to suck it in.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I Can So Relate...

This says it all.

Monday, November 16, 2009

My Children Play In the Middle of the Street

After a particularly rough day at school, I came home and crashed.

When I awoke, the house was quiet.

It was quiet because it was empty.

Hmmmm. Time to investigate.

This is what I found:

I never thought I would be happy to find my children playing in the middle of the street.

But I was.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

What's For Dinner?

Old favorites are on the
menu for this week.

Sunday: sloppy joes, oven fries, squash

Monday: beef stir fry, brown rice, spicy cabbage

Tuesday: pizza, salad

Wednesday: fish tacos, black beans, guacamole, tomatoes

Thursday: left-overs

Friday: hamburgers, oven fries

Saturday: out

I want to bake something sweet this week, but I am not sure what that will be. Maybe brownies.

I'm gearing up for Thanksgiving. I'll post that menu later this week. We are pretty traditional around these parts and it doesn't change much year to year.

Have a good one!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

10 Things

I was recently tagged to share 10 honest things about myself. So here's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

1. I tweeze my eyebrows daily and I have to have my toes painted.

I inherited my dad's eyebrows. If I went au naturel they would take over my forehead. Daily tweezing is not optional.

The toe thing comes from my mom. Her toes are
always painted. Neatly painted. I have the same habit. There are no chips or half-worn pedicures allowed on my feet. Apparently, it's in my DNA.

These are two major reasons why I could never be a contestant on Survivor. I can't give up my tweezers or polish.


2. I am deathly afraid of scorpions. I don't even like touching a picture of a scorpion in a book.

When I was four I was stung by a scorpion. The next morning my whole leg was numb from the waist down. By lunch I was fine, but it was painful and the side effects freaked me out.

Another reason I would not last on Survivor.


3. I haven't had a donut since I was twelve years old. It's not that I don't like them. From what I remember, they are a very tasty treat. But it was around the age of twelve that I began my love-hate relationship with food. I knew the calories and fat grams in just about everything. I still remember how many calories and fat grams are in a donut.

It's really not worth it.

Lia insists that when I turn 40 she is going to shove one down my throat. I have five more years to keep my streak going.


4. I worked to put myself through college. I spent one summer making Rollerblades. I have also delivered pizza, was a hostess at Chili's, worked in the kitchen at a truck stop, and manned the graveyard shift at a gas station.

I credit the crappiness of those jobs with helping me graduate. With honors. I never wanted to return home from work smelling like cheap, greasy food again.


5. I can't stand whistling.

It. Drives. Me. Mad.


6. One of the first words I learned to spell was "ventriloquist".

I was four. And it's not because I'm some kind of brainiac. At the time there was a commercial on t.v. that had some girl in a spelling bee spelling the word "ventriloquist". I saw it often enough to memorize it.

But nobody else knew that. Until now.


7. I have mentioned that I love ketchup. But what you must realize is that I
love ketchup. It really is my favorite food.

I have three 64 oz bottles in my pantry right now. Plus one in the fridge. And one in my fridge at school. I have a fear of running out. Because then I couldn't eat. Because I put ketchup on
almost everything.

I could do an entire post on ketchup.


8. I played the clarinet for 8 years. I was even in the marching band in high school. Lest you think I was a complete and total geek, I must say that our marching band was really good as far as marching bands go. You weren't ostracized by others for being a member.

I lost interest in the clarinet by my sophomore year. That was about the same time that I discovered boys. I stayed in marching band for another two years...simply to catch the attention of the drummers and trombone players. (You know who you are.)

Hmmm. Things haven't changed all that much. The Mr. is a drummer after all.


9. Speaking of musicians, I have had a few brushes with rock and roll fame.

*Paul Westerberg, Replacements icon, invited me on his tour bus. I spent my tween and teen years growing up in Minneapolis, so The Replacements were GODS in my crowd. I actually sat across from him...he offered me a bottle of water...we talked about Minneapolis and First Ave! It was surreal.

*I shared a cigarette with Joey Ramone (RIP) outside his hotel room. I had seen him play earlier that night. Me and my crew stalked Joey and the other Ramones back to their hotel. It was very cool to pollute my lungs with a legend.

*Greg Dulli, lead singer of Afghan Whigs, kissed me after a show. And I'm not talking about a little peck on the cheek. I mean, he
really kissed me. I had a major infatuation with him at the time, so I offered my lips willingly. My boyfriend was there too. He was such a fan he didn't seem to mind. Plus, I scored the playlist.


10. This actually happened today. I did not wear jeans to school. This rarely happens. Instead, I wore leggings.

Well, you pretty much have to wear a thong when you wear such things. And since I rarely wear such things, I rarely don a thong.

So, today I was feeling most uncomfortable. More uncomfortable than I remembered a thong being. And then, while using the facilities, I learned why that undergarment was so flippin' intolerable.

I had it on wrong. The crotch part was sitting on my hip. The hip part was, well, where the crotch part
should have been.

And this is where I feel like a dumb-ass.

10 things. All about me, me, me.

Now it's Lia's turn.

Tag. You're it.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Family Rock

Sunday, The Mr.'s band, Bright Men of Learning, played an early show at Big Star Bar here in Houston. If you are in the area, it is a very cool indie-type watering hole. I found it extremely cool and quaint.

These rare early shows are fun because The Offspring can attend. We don't lead such a rock and roll lifestyle that I drag the kids out to bars to see Daddy play loud music. Although, I'll admit to not having a complete problem with that scenario.

The Boy was very into the fire pit out back. As Marshall, the lead singer, said, "All boys are pyros at heart."

I tend to agree.

The Girl preferred to sit inside and watch a game of pool.

When it was time for the show to begin, The Offspring secured a prime spot.

Daddy and the boys took to the stage.

The Boy and The Girl watched.

Bright Men played...

...for adoring fans young and old.

Eventually we made our way back outside.

And we rocked out by the fire.

Oh, our exciting rock and roll life. Such fun.