As many of you know, cooking the same-old, same-old over and over gets quite boring, both for the cook and the diners. For a good three weeks (when Maggie had ballet workshop in the afternoon/evenings) it was a series of doctored-up rice-mix dishes -- variations on beans and rice, yellow rice, spanish rice, etc., all with some sort of meat and vegetable. While those are quite simple to prepare early in the day for re-heating, even with variations they become BORING!!!! Now that ballet workshop is over, it's been time to "try something new". Last week, I experimented with Shepherd's Pie. I'm not one to follow recipes as written, so I printed out one, looked at about 3 others on-line, and made up my own as I went, consulting the "recipe" for basic measurements and cooking instructions. Mine was ground beef, sauteed onion, green beans, in a tomato/beef sauce, topped with mashed potatoes. Maggie was around as I was making the potatoes and requested parsley and garlic added to them, so I obliged. I was CERTAIN that Abby would NOT like it at all -- she's my picky child, doesn't like meat, and isn't really fond of mashed potatoes. HOWEVER, this experiment was quite a hit! I'm the only one not particularly fond of it (not a big casserole person -- I prefer my meat and vegetables to be separated!). Tom even ate the leftovers the next night. AND they all requested it again, though perhaps not EVERY week.
This week's experiment was chicken and dumplings. This one smelled really good cooking. And poaching the chicken has left me with about 2 cups of broth for the freezer. Instead of the peas and carrots (NOT big hits here at any time), I substituted green beans. The chicken, soup, and beans were all good -- the dumplings a bit heavy. Abby hated it but was "so hungry" she ate the whole thing. She'd prefer it with noodles. So perhaps next time it will evolve into a chicken-noodle casserole.
No exciting other news to report since yesterday -- back to normal here. Gym and grocery in the morning, thunderstorm early afternoon, picking up girls, and relaxing for the afternoon. Tomorrow Abby has her triathlon at camp -- she's doing the swimming and trike heats, someone else will run (when Maggie was in that group she ran).
Oh, one more interesting tidbit. I noticed that Maggie is very long in the body and short in the legs. Abby, like me, is all legs. Yesterday as we were waiting for Tom by the car in Austin I had them measure where their hip-bones are. Despite the fact that Maggie is over a head taller than Abby, her hip-bone is only about 3 inches higher than her younger sister. I'm not allowed to comment on it any more to Maggie - 12 and hormonal, enough said!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
What a great weekend!
Wow! We were out of town for the 4th of July weekend. I was really looking forward to a break from the daily routine and got that and more. We had an incredibly early wake-up on Thursday (3:30am) to get a 5:30 flight to Houston followed by a run to the 7am flight to Austin. I'd been feeling poorly all week (achy, nauseous, etc.) and Thursday was no different, so it was a rather painful trip. BUT, thankfully we were able to check into our hotel room at about 9am and I (the girl who never naps) actually lay down for 2 hours. After that we headed to visit with a friend of mine. Amy and her husband lived in the Lakeview area of New Orleans until Katrina resulted in 12 feet of water in their house. After a short stint in Houston they decided to move to Austin and start over. Ironically, Jim is again working for Shell from his home (driving to Houston 2 days a week), this time as a contract employee. It was so nice to visit with them. Amy and I had a good connection here and you all know how rare it is to find people that "get" you. The girls and I spent the afternoon with them swimming/wading at a creek near their house and then swimming in the pool. Tom, meanwhile, lunched with two of his distant cousins that he's met through his genealogy research. He met us at the house for a bit more swimming and then we headed back to the hotel where he and Abby took a rest (Maggie, like me, isn't a big napper). We met up again with my friends for dinner and called it a fairly early night at about 9:30.
Friday we SLEPT IN. I woke up to find the time to be 10:04am. I had permission to wake Maggie at 11 which I did and then we headed to Fuddrucker's where my family had brunch. We then headed to Innerspace Caverns to explore. The girls had never been to a cavern before. I'd only been to one before. We all had a good time -- for me one of the most interesting parts was where the ceiling was fomed by coral rock from the time when there was an underground sea. WOW! Dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse and back to the hotel.
Saturday we got up relatively early, breakfasted at the hotel, and set out for Ingram, TX, the site of the main purpose for our trip. One of Tom's passions is genealogy and he organized a reunion in Ingram of many (about 50, I suppose) of his cousins and their families. He hadn't met most of the people we met. Now, those of you who know me know that I'm not particularly fond of crowds of people I don't know well, making small talk. But I had a good time. Tom's two brothers, their daughters, and his dad all came, so there WERE people I know in attnedance, but everyone was friendly and interesting. No boredom from me, that's for certain. People had pictures, documents, and stories to share and it was fun to hear their stories. Tom especially appreciated the day -- seeing the joy in his eyes at meeting all these people, feeling a common bond with them, made any minor discomfort I felt meaningless. When you love someone, seeing such joy in their eyes and being able to participate in it in some small way is certainly a blessing to not take for granted!
This morning we had (thankfully!) later flights. The only complication was a QUICK transfer in Houston (30 minutes to change concourses in a HUGE airport). Tom and Abby took the lead (he as the leader, she as the pace-setter with the shortest stride), Maggie followed, and I trailed at the end to make sure everyone got there. We got to the gate for the second flight in plenty of time, but were still the last ones on the plane (there was still about 15 minutes until departure). They greeted us by name (knowing we were the only people missing!). So we got on the plane and waited -- it took until we arrived in New Orleans for me to realize that we were waiting for our luggage to be transferred to the flight. Took off on time, arrived home on time, luggage took a while, drive home was painless. 3 loads of laundry and down for the count!
Tomorrow we go back to normal activity, but this break was definitely a blessing for me! Hope you all had wonderful 4th's, wherever you were!
Friday we SLEPT IN. I woke up to find the time to be 10:04am. I had permission to wake Maggie at 11 which I did and then we headed to Fuddrucker's where my family had brunch. We then headed to Innerspace Caverns to explore. The girls had never been to a cavern before. I'd only been to one before. We all had a good time -- for me one of the most interesting parts was where the ceiling was fomed by coral rock from the time when there was an underground sea. WOW! Dinner at Spaghetti Warehouse and back to the hotel.
Saturday we got up relatively early, breakfasted at the hotel, and set out for Ingram, TX, the site of the main purpose for our trip. One of Tom's passions is genealogy and he organized a reunion in Ingram of many (about 50, I suppose) of his cousins and their families. He hadn't met most of the people we met. Now, those of you who know me know that I'm not particularly fond of crowds of people I don't know well, making small talk. But I had a good time. Tom's two brothers, their daughters, and his dad all came, so there WERE people I know in attnedance, but everyone was friendly and interesting. No boredom from me, that's for certain. People had pictures, documents, and stories to share and it was fun to hear their stories. Tom especially appreciated the day -- seeing the joy in his eyes at meeting all these people, feeling a common bond with them, made any minor discomfort I felt meaningless. When you love someone, seeing such joy in their eyes and being able to participate in it in some small way is certainly a blessing to not take for granted!
This morning we had (thankfully!) later flights. The only complication was a QUICK transfer in Houston (30 minutes to change concourses in a HUGE airport). Tom and Abby took the lead (he as the leader, she as the pace-setter with the shortest stride), Maggie followed, and I trailed at the end to make sure everyone got there. We got to the gate for the second flight in plenty of time, but were still the last ones on the plane (there was still about 15 minutes until departure). They greeted us by name (knowing we were the only people missing!). So we got on the plane and waited -- it took until we arrived in New Orleans for me to realize that we were waiting for our luggage to be transferred to the flight. Took off on time, arrived home on time, luggage took a while, drive home was painless. 3 loads of laundry and down for the count!
Tomorrow we go back to normal activity, but this break was definitely a blessing for me! Hope you all had wonderful 4th's, wherever you were!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Thinking of grandmothers
Today I was sitting having lunch at a coffee shop (cleaning lady day -- vacating the house) and a young woman (perhaps 30 years old -- that's young to me these days!) was sitting with an older lady. It turned out it was her grandmother. They were right next to me so I couldn't help but overhear some of their conversation -- it made me miss my grandmothers. My dad's mom was less of a "play-with-the-grandchildren" grandmother, but she was quite a fun person to be with. During summers when we'd visit in New Hampshire we'd play cards at night and she would lick her dessert plate. But one of my most favorite memories was when I was in Tampa one summer for an event with my former in-laws. I was able to spend the afternoon with my grandmother -- we went out to lunch, shared a dessert, and just talked. I don't remember what we talked about, but I remember feeling quite close to her at that point. She died a few years later and I still look fondly back on that day when I had her all to myself. My mom's mom we saw more often -- mostly because we all lived in Cleveland at the same time. She was the one who'd bake with us, make chocolate candy, and make us breaded chicken. After my parents moved away from Ohio and I was still in college, I'd go spend weekends with her. She'd make the various comforting foods of my childhood and I'd help her do grocery shopping. When we moved to New Orleans I was happy to be closer to her again, as she was living with my aunt at that time. The last time I saw her was at my house, right before she left for my mom's where she fell and later died. She sat on my couch, next to me, and I gave her chocolate candy (always a favorite).
Anyways, the young lady sitting next to me just reminded me of being with my grandmothers. From their conversation, they had a fairly close relationship and had enjoyed a bit of shopping prior to coming for lunch. And it made me again appreciate my grandmothers and miss them all the more.
In other news, we're heading to Texas tomorrow to meet a bunch of Tom's extended family he's connected with via his genealogy research. I'm thrilled to be getting away from home for a while! Happy 4th of July to all!
Anyways, the young lady sitting next to me just reminded me of being with my grandmothers. From their conversation, they had a fairly close relationship and had enjoyed a bit of shopping prior to coming for lunch. And it made me again appreciate my grandmothers and miss them all the more.
In other news, we're heading to Texas tomorrow to meet a bunch of Tom's extended family he's connected with via his genealogy research. I'm thrilled to be getting away from home for a while! Happy 4th of July to all!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday again
This time the reason for the pain of Monday is achiness (please don't let me be getting ill!), HEAT, and the fact that after the power went off last night I mis-set my alarm for 6am, then just got back to sleep when it went off for the real time. So I skipped the gym, did the grocery run, and sat on the couch all morning. Takes a lot for me to take a day off from exercising (yep, it's one of my addictions), so you know something's up!
Another busy weekend. The girls have truly moved back into their re-done bathroom -- it has officially become a disaster area again. The kitchen table has been hit by a tornado, and there's a hurricane raging in Abby's room. Maggie's "learned" (from me!) how to make neat piles of her stuff along the walls in her room so it looks a bit better than cluttered in the middle of the bed or floor (as in her sister's room). And the pre-teen attitudes are going to make me crazy. Why won't my mom take the girls for the next 10 years and return them after that? Sigh.
Saturday we had our piano lesson as normal. The blessing was that there was NO BALLET classes, and we could sleep in (in my case, a bit after 8am). I take the weekends off from cooking (not that I'm a gourmet cook by any stretch!), so if you want anything that's not quick and easy, we order pizza. HAH. Sunday morning Abby joined me at church (they tend to rotate church attendance with the parents. Tom's still attending the Primitive Baptist Church whereas I'm a member of a local Bible Church). Our sermon was the last in the series on crises in the lives of the OT Saints. This particular one was on Ezekial. The specific crisis that was examined was that of his wife's death. Instead of mourning as per custom, God had instructed Ezekial to get on with his life, keep doing his preaching, and serve as an example to the people. I don't know about you, but even if God told me directly to NOT mourn Tom's eventual death, I'd be a serious questioner. I recognize that we are to put our love and obedience to God above everything else, but that's quite a high bar to live up to, at least for me. I look at my daughters and Tom and cannot imagine doing as Ezekial did -- any takers out there?
On a lighter note, in the afternoon we went to see the musical "Leader of the Pack" about Ellie Greenwich (she wrote "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Chapel of Love", "Leader of the Pack" and many others). Maggie's camp counselor was the dance captain for the show and was in it as well. It was a fun show and all four of us enjoyed it. And it's proved that this is the smallest part of the world I've ever lived in, though it took 4 1/2 years to prove that. I'll explain: I've gotten to the point where not only do I see people I know in places I wouldn't normally expect them, but I also learn that people I know are connected to other people I know through different groups. Two examples -- during Nutcracker last year I was talking with one of the other mother's and found out that she's friends with one of my Bible study friends as they are neighbors and go to the same church. She's friends with another of my Bible study friends as they home-school (I guess there's a network of home-schoolers or something). So, on Sunday, as we park the car we see a family whose daughters go to my daughters' school -- they are also at the show. We walk into the show and I see a different Bible study friend who is there to see a different person in the show. THEN I see the two different people I know talking -- they'd worked together years ago. THEN I read the program and the guy managing the musicians' instruments and audio is the guy that runs the music store where we used to go for piano lessons (and who re-strung Abby's violin last fall). FINALLY, Maggie recognizes several of the dancers (who previously participated in her summer ballet workshop), as well as several people in the audience (who are in her camp group). The only problem with going to the show was that Maggie and I were unable to help again at the vacation Bible school, at which we had fun last week. Sigh.
Anyway, going for sno-balls after camp today as we have NOTHING scheduled after camp all week (of course, we're leaving Thursday morning, so it's a really short week). Have a great one!
Another busy weekend. The girls have truly moved back into their re-done bathroom -- it has officially become a disaster area again. The kitchen table has been hit by a tornado, and there's a hurricane raging in Abby's room. Maggie's "learned" (from me!) how to make neat piles of her stuff along the walls in her room so it looks a bit better than cluttered in the middle of the bed or floor (as in her sister's room). And the pre-teen attitudes are going to make me crazy. Why won't my mom take the girls for the next 10 years and return them after that? Sigh.
Saturday we had our piano lesson as normal. The blessing was that there was NO BALLET classes, and we could sleep in (in my case, a bit after 8am). I take the weekends off from cooking (not that I'm a gourmet cook by any stretch!), so if you want anything that's not quick and easy, we order pizza. HAH. Sunday morning Abby joined me at church (they tend to rotate church attendance with the parents. Tom's still attending the Primitive Baptist Church whereas I'm a member of a local Bible Church). Our sermon was the last in the series on crises in the lives of the OT Saints. This particular one was on Ezekial. The specific crisis that was examined was that of his wife's death. Instead of mourning as per custom, God had instructed Ezekial to get on with his life, keep doing his preaching, and serve as an example to the people. I don't know about you, but even if God told me directly to NOT mourn Tom's eventual death, I'd be a serious questioner. I recognize that we are to put our love and obedience to God above everything else, but that's quite a high bar to live up to, at least for me. I look at my daughters and Tom and cannot imagine doing as Ezekial did -- any takers out there?
On a lighter note, in the afternoon we went to see the musical "Leader of the Pack" about Ellie Greenwich (she wrote "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Chapel of Love", "Leader of the Pack" and many others). Maggie's camp counselor was the dance captain for the show and was in it as well. It was a fun show and all four of us enjoyed it. And it's proved that this is the smallest part of the world I've ever lived in, though it took 4 1/2 years to prove that. I'll explain: I've gotten to the point where not only do I see people I know in places I wouldn't normally expect them, but I also learn that people I know are connected to other people I know through different groups. Two examples -- during Nutcracker last year I was talking with one of the other mother's and found out that she's friends with one of my Bible study friends as they are neighbors and go to the same church. She's friends with another of my Bible study friends as they home-school (I guess there's a network of home-schoolers or something). So, on Sunday, as we park the car we see a family whose daughters go to my daughters' school -- they are also at the show. We walk into the show and I see a different Bible study friend who is there to see a different person in the show. THEN I see the two different people I know talking -- they'd worked together years ago. THEN I read the program and the guy managing the musicians' instruments and audio is the guy that runs the music store where we used to go for piano lessons (and who re-strung Abby's violin last fall). FINALLY, Maggie recognizes several of the dancers (who previously participated in her summer ballet workshop), as well as several people in the audience (who are in her camp group). The only problem with going to the show was that Maggie and I were unable to help again at the vacation Bible school, at which we had fun last week. Sigh.
Anyway, going for sno-balls after camp today as we have NOTHING scheduled after camp all week (of course, we're leaving Thursday morning, so it's a really short week). Have a great one!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Saturday
Saturday, glorious Saturday. Not much on today's agenda, which was a blessing in itself. Slept until after 8, went for a walk (98 out that early in the morning!), laundry, ironing, drinking coffee, reading a book. Played cards with the girls and Tom joined in (he's not much of a game player -- this was a miraculous event!). Piano lesson, violin practicing, ordering pizza, relaxing. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday after an incredibly busy 3 weeks of camp AND ballet camp. This week we're down to only regular camp, and with the 4th of July holiday, no violin lesson this week. Whew! We are heading to Ingram, Texas for the 4th, spending Thursday and Friday in Austin. We're meeting up with a bunch of Tom's family he's gotten to know through his genealogy research. I've got a friend in Austin, so hopefully we can get together with them. They used to live here until they were katrina-ed -- 12 feet of water overtook their home and they chose to relocated permanently. Sigh.
In other news, life is very good. The bathroom remodel is done aside from a new shower curtain. Tom's braced the floor joists from below to limit any future floor bowing upstairs. Hope he takes some time off before the next project -- he gets really wrapped up in the work and I miss having time with him.
Can't think of much else to write for now, so I'll sign off until there's something interesting going on.....
In other news, life is very good. The bathroom remodel is done aside from a new shower curtain. Tom's braced the floor joists from below to limit any future floor bowing upstairs. Hope he takes some time off before the next project -- he gets really wrapped up in the work and I miss having time with him.
Can't think of much else to write for now, so I'll sign off until there's something interesting going on.....
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday lighter blues
Not so blue, still sleepy. Got a lot done this morning. Dropped the girls off at camp, including dropping off snack for Abby's group (lemonade, and cookies). Headed to the gym, jogged a mile, lifted weights, rode the bike for 30 minutes. Went to the grocery and spent a lot of money (what's with the price of groceries?????). Came home, cooked dinner (red beans and rice with pork and green beans). Took a bath, ate lunch and here I am again. Leaving to get the girls soon. Bring them home, feed them an early dinner, take Maggie to ballet for 5:30. Come home again for a little bit and go pick her up for 7. PHEW!
In other news, yesterday's sermon was on one of my favorite OT books -- Esther. I like that there is at least one strong woman represented in the Bible! Raised by parents who (thankfully) ingrained a fierce independence in me, I admire and respect women of like character. In any event, Esther was characterized (appropriately) as having a divine destiny (serving God where he placed her) and a driving determination (focus on her purpose, often surrendering herself -- she put her life on the line). As for Biblical curiosities, I learned that the book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not reference God by any name. However, His hand is evident in how the events of the book play out. Additionally, I was reminded that there are only 2 books in the Bible named for women -- Esther and Ruth. In any event, the key message for me to take away was that I am at this point in my life for a reason and while I do not know the reason, it exists. Like most people, sometimes I don't like my life and what I need to do, but overall I am content and most times filled with joy. Not perfect by a long shot, but pleased with the journey thus far.
Enjoy a great week!
In other news, yesterday's sermon was on one of my favorite OT books -- Esther. I like that there is at least one strong woman represented in the Bible! Raised by parents who (thankfully) ingrained a fierce independence in me, I admire and respect women of like character. In any event, Esther was characterized (appropriately) as having a divine destiny (serving God where he placed her) and a driving determination (focus on her purpose, often surrendering herself -- she put her life on the line). As for Biblical curiosities, I learned that the book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not reference God by any name. However, His hand is evident in how the events of the book play out. Additionally, I was reminded that there are only 2 books in the Bible named for women -- Esther and Ruth. In any event, the key message for me to take away was that I am at this point in my life for a reason and while I do not know the reason, it exists. Like most people, sometimes I don't like my life and what I need to do, but overall I am content and most times filled with joy. Not perfect by a long shot, but pleased with the journey thus far.
Enjoy a great week!
Monday Blues
Monday -- didn't sleep well, not feeling positive yet. Nothing a bit of exercise won't cure, but that will be in about an hour after getting the girls off to camp. Meanwhile, a bit of the blues. Sigh. Have to remember that there's a purpose for me being right where I am right now in God's eternal plan (yes, I do believe that!). Even though it's a rather blue place right now despite two relatively cheerful girls and sunshine outside. Sigh again. The weekend was good -- not great, but when ever are ALL our desires satisfied? A good mix of relaxing, some activity, good sermon, great fellowship, and an evening with new friends at church during VBS last night. I am so pleased with my new church. The people are so open and loving, the doctrine preached is what I believe the Bible tells us, and it fills up my joy-meter. I don't always see eye-to-eye with the rest of the congregation (and preacher) regarding the current politics of our nation, but let's just say I read more into the loving side of Christ and less into the rule-following side. Enough for that!
Speaking of politics, yesterday's paper had a head-line in the Living section supporting a Brad Pitt for Mayor group. I find this rather hilarious. Yes, he does own a home here and yes, he has given a lot of time and money to the region in the past few years. BUT this area is abounding with political and religious conservatives. And Brad is about as liberal as they come, don't you think? Is it just his celebrity status and financial generosity that are fueling this movement? In an area that is thoroughly pro-life, pro hetero-only marriage, pro-war (at least pro-defense with regards to our current operations in the Middle East), how on earth could there be a Brad-Pitt-for-Mayor movement? Maybe it's just the "liberal press" who are creating the hoopla. In any event, I just found it humorous, regardless of my personal views both politically and toward Mr. Pitt personally.
In any event, I do have a lot to be joyful for -- two healthy and happy children, shelter, enough food, the ability to not work right now, and yoga (ha ha!). On my way out the door -- more later!!!
Speaking of politics, yesterday's paper had a head-line in the Living section supporting a Brad Pitt for Mayor group. I find this rather hilarious. Yes, he does own a home here and yes, he has given a lot of time and money to the region in the past few years. BUT this area is abounding with political and religious conservatives. And Brad is about as liberal as they come, don't you think? Is it just his celebrity status and financial generosity that are fueling this movement? In an area that is thoroughly pro-life, pro hetero-only marriage, pro-war (at least pro-defense with regards to our current operations in the Middle East), how on earth could there be a Brad-Pitt-for-Mayor movement? Maybe it's just the "liberal press" who are creating the hoopla. In any event, I just found it humorous, regardless of my personal views both politically and toward Mr. Pitt personally.
In any event, I do have a lot to be joyful for -- two healthy and happy children, shelter, enough food, the ability to not work right now, and yoga (ha ha!). On my way out the door -- more later!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)