Dinner and Dinosaurs

Let's start with dinner. I made the chicken tamale casserole last night. It was a new recipe and you never really know how it's going to turn out. Well, I am happy to report that it was quite tasty. Very southwestern comfort food. It was quick and easy as well...always a plus, especially on a week night.

I doubled it because I knew we had planned left-overs later in the week. I'm not sure if it is because I doubled it, but I had to increase the cooking time quite a bit. The recipe says to cook the cornbread mix for 15 minutes and then top with the enchilada sauce, chicken, and cheese. My cornbread was basically raw at 15 minutes. I didn't really time it but I think I left it in there for about half an hour...it was soft in the middle but not raw. Then I followed the rest of the recipe. I will make this one again. I don't know if it will be in the regular rotation, but it will see my table again.


Now for the dinosaurs. I teach kindergarten. We have been studying dinosaurs. A major hit, especially with my boys. We try to take our grade level on a field trip after each of our units so that they can apply what they have been learning in the classroom to the outside world. Today was the annual excursion to the Natural Science Museum. It was such fun to hear the kids running around talking about herbivores and carnivores, telling their friends to look at the triceratops' frill, and the oohs and ahhs over preserved dinosaur eggs.



Our classes also went to the butterfly habitat. I did not realize that a butterfly only lives for two weeks. How sad. I will be more appreciative of them in the future.


Kindergarten had a great time. But the kindergarten teachers are pooped. I spent my day counting to 22, ensuring that all of my little ones were in place. Sounds easy, but I assure you it is mentally taxing. More than one of our chaperones was looking forward to having an adult beverage this evening.

Which brings me back to dinner...thank goodness for left-overs.

Death to Skinny Jeans

I am really tired of the "skinny jean" trend. How much longer will it continue? I mean, these jeans are not comfortable...at all. You are reminded, all day no less, that you are wearing tight jeans. And it does not matter what size you are...they are all made to be pantyhose, constructed from denim. They are designed to be restricting. Which makes me wonder, how did these things catch on in the first place?

I have a couple pairs. I jumped on the fashion-bandwagon a few years ago thinking it would last a season, maybe two. But every year I look and they are yet to be on the "so out" list.
I still see the trend-setting fashionistas prancing about in their little pencil pants. They just won't go away.

This is the outfit I wore to school today. And I decided that I have had enough with this craze. When a piece of clothing can distract you all day, then it is time to do away with it. I declare death to the "skinny jean". Liberation. Freedom. Bring back the "boyfriend cut". I can't bear the burden any longer.

Too bad they look so good with boots...

My Mug

I don't drink coffee. I drink tea. Earl Grey. Sugar. Enough cream to turn it the color of a Brach's caramel candy.

This is my mug. It isn't all that pretty. It doesn't have a cute picture or caption. It isn't adorned with some cool design. But I fancy it. It is vintage. And it is the perfect color of green. I like its worn nature. This cup has seen many new mornings. It has been the first thing reached for...the antidote to early rising.

My Papa found this mug for me. You see, my grandparents don't quite understand my fondness for things old and worn. They raise eyebrows at my excitement over an old pink bowl found in the back of the cabinet or that aqua blue cup used to measure sugar.

One summer morning while visiting, Papa returned from his morning walk with this mug in tow. He stumbled upon it at the yard sale up the road, saw that it was old and used, and thought I might like it.

He was so right. So now, this mug is the first thing I reach for in the morning.

Blissful Weekend

I haven't had a weekend like this in a very long time. A weekend with no real agenda. A weekend just "to be". It was like chocolate cake...decadent...decadent in nothingness.


Friday was Sewingpalooza with Lia. Girl-time. I am not one that needs a lot of girl-time. Throughout my life my best friends have always been guys. I have a hard time finding girls that I "fit" with. I fit with Lia. She accepts me as is. She is low-maintenance...and I mean that as a huge compliment. I love her. She is tops.


I finished my projects: two iPod cases for a friend who just so happens to be The Boy's teacher at school. They were small achievements, but turned out nice. They were well received...and isn't that the point?

My children let me sleep in on Saturday...and after the wine from the night before I needed extra z's. It was the perfect day to stay inside. Cloudy and dark. It rained...a lot. I spent the day on the computer...yes, pretty much all day. I never do that! But I did. A person can really get lost in Facebook if they aren't careful.


The Offspring played in the rain. I told them to get their suits on and do it right...and boy did they! How many years can you splash outside in the rain while wearing your bathing suit and not get carted away? Enjoy it while you can kids.


I had to do a little work on Sunday...but it was done while listening to new music. Some old favorites...some recent discoveries. It was nice to strip the beds while listening to old Lenny Kravitz and Elliott Smith. And my newest obsession: The Avett Brothers. A friend suggested them. Simply put, get their their latest release, Emotionalism. I can't say enough about it.


I don't get many weekends like this one. I used to take them for granted, discouraged by the boredom. My, how things change.

What's For Dinner?

This should be a normal week, schedule-wise...
Here's the plan:

Sunday: basil chicken salad, salad greens, pita bread

Monday: shrimp w/ garlic, whole wheat pasta, peas, fresh tomatoes

Tuesday: tacos, black beans

Wednesday: chicken tamale casserole, black beans, fresh tomatoes

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: ham & cheese sandwiches, salad

Saturday: hamburgers, oven fries

The basil chicken salad is an idea from Lia. You mix cooked chicken with a mix of lite mayo, garlic, and fresh basil blended together. It is divine when served with a big salad.

The chicken tamale casserole is from the Cooking Light website.

Are you hungry?

***The Dr. Pepper shakers in the picture are vintage. They are among my most prized items.

Sewingpalooza

The sewing fest was a great success. Fun was had by all. We had some good wine. Tasty pizza. Even better conversation.



We eventually got around to the sewing. Lia worked on a baby quilt. I made a couple of iPod cases for a friend. We used the seam ripper more than we usually do. Could the wine have had something to do with that?




Next time we are thinking about a crochet party. Fewer sharp objects are involved. More wine can be consumed safely.



Isn't it great to have friends that are cut from the same cloth?

A Toga Party It's Not

Tonight my friend Lia is coming over for a sewing party.

I have a new needle on the machine.

New notions.

New fat quarters...gifts for a friend.

New fabric...dress for me.

The makings for homemade crust...

which will become a Margherita pizza.

And of course, you can't forget the wine.

Let this party begin.
Who knows...we might even don a toga.