I love this sketch. Nuff said.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Dog Days of Summer Break
Last week of summer break here! We're trying to get out and do a lot this week, waking somewhat early, and just enjoying the last few days of no-school.
Yesterday we were planning to go to the beach, but it was rather cool and supposed to be foggy in Santa Cruz, so we kept it closer to home, going to a park. This one is really not far from home--just a short drive--but I never seem to go there. We should go more often, since it is really fun. I had thought it was $5 to park everyday, but that's only on weekends.
There's a neat plane for the kids to crawl all over, which was originally a mock T-Bird fighter plane used to train pilots during the Korean War. So Carter had a wonderful time imagining piloting the plane all over. :)
Bunny is not much for pretending she's a pilot, but she had a good time climbing all over the plane, running around it.
And jumping off it from alarming heights. Typical Bunny behavior.
Then it was time to ride the carousel. Bunny wanted to be near Katie and Sarah, while Carter cared more about the color and size of his horse.
This is his classic doing something new face. He may be having the time of his life, but it's all internal. Externally, you just have to know he's happy by the serenity he exudes. He's not going to whoop in delight the first time he rides a roller coaster, I assure you.
There are a lot of cool details to the old horses on this merry go round. I really like the craftsmanship.
As the ride came to an end, Carter tapped the pole and said, "Up again, up again." See, I knew he was enjoying himself! ;)
Katie was really trying to be a big kid like Carter, and followed him around a lot. I think Carter, for his part was happy to have someone follow him, since he's always trying to keep up with the real big kids.
Like here. The older three come tearing around...
Then a few seconds later Carter brings up the rear. He's having a super time, and even is saying, "I gon get-choo!"
Then we rode the train. More of Carter enjoying the heck outta it (internally). He did liven up when we all started to honk at the geese. :)
Cole was on my back in various states of awake and sleepy much of the time (which is the norm), but I woke him and put him on my lap for the train. He was groggy and largely nonplussed. :)
One last one. Self photo. :)
Yesterday we were planning to go to the beach, but it was rather cool and supposed to be foggy in Santa Cruz, so we kept it closer to home, going to a park. This one is really not far from home--just a short drive--but I never seem to go there. We should go more often, since it is really fun. I had thought it was $5 to park everyday, but that's only on weekends.
There's a neat plane for the kids to crawl all over, which was originally a mock T-Bird fighter plane used to train pilots during the Korean War. So Carter had a wonderful time imagining piloting the plane all over. :)
Bunny is not much for pretending she's a pilot, but she had a good time climbing all over the plane, running around it.
And jumping off it from alarming heights. Typical Bunny behavior.
Then it was time to ride the carousel. Bunny wanted to be near Katie and Sarah, while Carter cared more about the color and size of his horse.
This is his classic doing something new face. He may be having the time of his life, but it's all internal. Externally, you just have to know he's happy by the serenity he exudes. He's not going to whoop in delight the first time he rides a roller coaster, I assure you.
There are a lot of cool details to the old horses on this merry go round. I really like the craftsmanship.
As the ride came to an end, Carter tapped the pole and said, "Up again, up again." See, I knew he was enjoying himself! ;)
Katie was really trying to be a big kid like Carter, and followed him around a lot. I think Carter, for his part was happy to have someone follow him, since he's always trying to keep up with the real big kids.
Like here. The older three come tearing around...
Then a few seconds later Carter brings up the rear. He's having a super time, and even is saying, "I gon get-choo!"
Then we rode the train. More of Carter enjoying the heck outta it (internally). He did liven up when we all started to honk at the geese. :)
Cole was on my back in various states of awake and sleepy much of the time (which is the norm), but I woke him and put him on my lap for the train. He was groggy and largely nonplussed. :)
One last one. Self photo. :)
Monday, August 18, 2008
hosted by www.orgjunkie.com
Sunday: Undone cabbage roll skillet over rice for those who eat rice
Monday: Sausages with Peppers & Onions and simple sauce
Tuesday: BLE (Bacon, Lettuce, Egg) Salad
Wednesday: BBQ Chicken, salad, green beans
Thursday: Cacciatore Meatball soup
Friday: Crustless Pizza Quiche
Saturday: Taco Salad
Nothing fancy this week. I'm too pooped to be creative. :)
Sunday: Undone cabbage roll skillet over rice for those who eat rice
Monday: Sausages with Peppers & Onions and simple sauce
Tuesday: BLE (Bacon, Lettuce, Egg) Salad
Wednesday: BBQ Chicken, salad, green beans
Thursday: Cacciatore Meatball soup
Friday: Crustless Pizza Quiche
Saturday: Taco Salad
Nothing fancy this week. I'm too pooped to be creative. :)
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Ramble On...
From about age 18 thru 20 I was in the somewhat obligatory Led Zeppelin phase of music listening that every white bread American seems to have to go through. I still enjoy a little Zeppelin now and then, but have not actively 'listened' to an album in a good 12 or more years. It helps that I had all my "Zep" on tape and have not owned a cassette player for a long time. I still think John Bonham was one hell of a drummer.
Today I was running an errand with the kids and Ramble On came on the radio. All of a sudden I noticed the lyrics, or comprehended them. I admit, a lot of the time I could not make out much of the lyrics to so many of their songs, haha! I suck at picking out words when they're sung/spoken too fast if I can't see the face making the words to go with it. However, today I caught some.
I googled and apparently quite a few of their songs have references to LOTR. Go figure. And, Robert Plant expresses embarrassment over it. Ha.
It's funny the things you learn when you comprehend song lyrics.
Today I was running an errand with the kids and Ramble On came on the radio. All of a sudden I noticed the lyrics, or comprehended them. I admit, a lot of the time I could not make out much of the lyrics to so many of their songs, haha! I suck at picking out words when they're sung/spoken too fast if I can't see the face making the words to go with it. However, today I caught some.
Mines a tale that cant be told,Mordor? Gollum? Yeesh. Had I known when I was 18 there were LOTR references in it I'd have never listened to this band. My mom was into Tolkein in the dorky hippy way, and hence I was very NOT into it in the I do not like things my parents like way. Lemme tell you, she tried and tried to read LOTR to me when I was far too young to understand a damn thing, and to this day, while I have read (and enjoyed!) the books, I still skip all that made-up language crap. You'll never find me learning Elvish, sorry.
My freedom I hold dear;
How years ago in days of old
When magic filled the air,
Twas in the darkest depths of Mordor
I met a girl so fair,
But Gollum, and the evil one crept up
And slipped away with her.
I googled and apparently quite a few of their songs have references to LOTR. Go figure. And, Robert Plant expresses embarrassment over it. Ha.
It's funny the things you learn when you comprehend song lyrics.
Too tired for history...
I am so bummed... well, not *so* bummed, but I had *wanted* to stay up to see if Phelps could pull off #7 yesterday (today? whenever...). But I fell asleep trying to care about track and field heats (still don't care). I suspect Paul would have awakened me, but we all fell asleep! I woke at about 12:30, noticed the clock, looked around and saw that Paul was out on the floor and Bunny and Carter were asleep on the other sofa. Then, I realized I'd missed the swimming final, got on the computer to see if Phelps won, muttered about missing what appeared to be a super race and put the kids in their beds. Paul's too heavy to carry, so I left him where he was--if I wake him, he wakes too much and then loses sleep, so I have to let him wake to go potty or something, then he wanders to the right place, haha.
Hopefully tonight I will make it late enough to see if Phelps has his perfect Olympics!
Hopefully tonight I will make it late enough to see if Phelps has his perfect Olympics!
Verdict: Pork & Bell Pepper Stir Fry
Sorry about the weird post below of a huge, cut off magazine scan. ;) I scanned and uploaded to Google Docs, then instead of publish, I hit the publish to blog button. Bah.
Anyway, the entire recipe is HERE. I am sure in a few days the Rachael Ray site will have the recipe, but as of yesterday there was nada. They send their magazine out WAY early the month before and then update the site a few weeks later.
Aside from the scorching heat in the kitchen, and a need to drink a quart of water while cooking, the recipe was very easy. The one thing I would change is to cut the eggplant smaller than they recommend. The 1" dice left it too uncooked when done for the specified time, so it was pretty chewy. Also, since I don't buy premade stir fry sauce, I mixed my own up with a basic recipe (soy sauce, cornstarch, Splenda (sugar), ginger). It ended up thickening more than I liked, and I kept adding additional chicken broth to thin it. If I make this again, I'd use less cornstarch in my homemade sauce.
However, it was a pretty good stir fry, over all. Bun was not the biggest fan, and Carter, well he's Carter and had just some plain pork and some baby carrots. We grown ups liked it. :)
Anyway, the entire recipe is HERE. I am sure in a few days the Rachael Ray site will have the recipe, but as of yesterday there was nada. They send their magazine out WAY early the month before and then update the site a few weeks later.
Aside from the scorching heat in the kitchen, and a need to drink a quart of water while cooking, the recipe was very easy. The one thing I would change is to cut the eggplant smaller than they recommend. The 1" dice left it too uncooked when done for the specified time, so it was pretty chewy. Also, since I don't buy premade stir fry sauce, I mixed my own up with a basic recipe (soy sauce, cornstarch, Splenda (sugar), ginger). It ended up thickening more than I liked, and I kept adding additional chicken broth to thin it. If I make this again, I'd use less cornstarch in my homemade sauce.
However, it was a pretty good stir fry, over all. Bun was not the biggest fan, and Carter, well he's Carter and had just some plain pork and some baby carrots. We grown ups liked it. :)
Friday, August 15, 2008
Giving
Yesterday was busy! I made arrangements to go to the park near us to play with another family whose eldest and youngest are the same ages as Bunny and Carter, then about 3 minutes after I hung up with that mom, another woman I know as a classmate's mom called to accept my offer of bringing her a meal, as her family has just welcomed twins. Then I was glancing in the direction of the calendar when I realized (crap!) I also had class that night. Not a huge deal, but it did make it necessary for me to have a good plan of attack and not, as they say, dilly dally. :)
We went to the park, had a lot of fun (see photo), came home, had lunch, then I decided on what is kind of a cop-out meal to bring to a family--spaghetti. The mom is vegetarian, and I decided to make my simple 5 ingredient sauce, then build upon that to make a meaty Bolognese for the rest of her family (they eat meat), which I would double for my family to also eat. Normally I avoid pasta, since it's the kind of thing most people make when they're not wanting to cook, but hey, it is a really good slow cooked sauce, so... ;) I chopped lettuce for salad, cut half a watermelon into slices for them, made some chick pea salad so the mom would have protein, threw a package of uncooked angel hair into the bag, added a couple of oranges and apples for good measure and headed out to drop it off on my way to class.
When there, the mom was really appreciative and said I was the last person she'd expect to offer up something like a meal since I also have a baby and am pretty darn busy. I thought for a second and said, "Well, I suppose it's because I know exactly how busy and hectic it is with a larger family that I wanted to make at least one evening easier for you." I oohed and aahed over the babies (tiny!) and then skeedaddled to class.
As I was driving, I mulled over that exchange. In theory, she's right. I am not exactly overwhelmed with free time (for example, now you might think I am sitting taking a break--and I kind of am, but the only reason I am getting to sit still is I am *also* nursing). If I didn't bring her a meal, no one would think anything of it, since I am generally happy to keep my 3 fed and somewhat clean on a daily basis. But I meant what I said -- I recall how blessed I felt the 8 or 10 times someone brought a meal for me in the weeks after both Carter and Cole were born. Sure, there were some meals that worked out better than others, but I was always appreciative.
Then my mind began to wander as I cruised through rush hour traffic. I have heard that the statistics of those who're more pressed (be it financially, due to time, or perhaps with health problems, etc) tend to outperform as charitable donors and volunteers. I decided to check
that and after some quality time with Google, it's true. Perhaps those who can relate are more likely to try to alleviate the hardships of others. Ms. Komen (or her sister) did not randomly choose to champion breast cancer research -- a life was lost to the fight, then the fund was created.
Anyway, that was about as far as my brain went with that. I got about 5 hours of sleep last night, thanks to Olympics and Cole deciding he wanted to be AWAKE and HAPPY at 4:45. So you need to draw your own insightful conclusions here. Hey, I write and you read. That's our
agreement here. ;) Sometimes you get 40% of a thought, same as sometimes I get 80% of a night's sleep. Haha!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Carter has a new obsession...
The Iron Giant is a recent discovery in our house, though the movie is 10 years old. Carter has watched it daily for the past few days, and could happily have it on a constant loop. As a film viewer with (only slightly) more discerning tastes, I have to say this is a GREAT movie. The end brings a tear to my eye every time.
Anyway, if things continue as they often do with Carter's loves, this will last a couple of months. So, I need to plan IG bday party/cake, and also probably a hween costume! I'm already figuring I can use dryer duct stuff for robot arms and legs... my Carter-bot would be more boxy than this one. :) I have no clue about the head. think think think...
The sun is back to its evil heat-producing ways. ;)
Day 2 of a heatwave here! Whoooodeehoooo! Took the kids to a final trip to the aquatics center this summer yesterday and had a nice time with Christi and her kids. Then came home to our house resembling the inside of an oven. If I'd planned in advance I would have had the portable a/c unit on so it would have been a nice meat locker temperature in the living room. Instead I turned it on at about 5 when it was already 95+. Still, sitting *smack* in front of it, I deemed it better than the alternative. ;) Cole found the chilly air to be humorous.
Today is supposed to be warmer than yesterday. So I'm turning on the air conditioner again, but this time it'll be on... well soon. I want it cool in here before the heat starts to compete.
Then we have a playdate at the park, but since the friends live near the park, we may go swimming at their house instead. We shall see.
(Psst. 10 days until school starts. Not that I'm counting! [I am SO counting.])
Today is supposed to be warmer than yesterday. So I'm turning on the air conditioner again, but this time it'll be on... well soon. I want it cool in here before the heat starts to compete.
Then we have a playdate at the park, but since the friends live near the park, we may go swimming at their house instead. We shall see.
(Psst. 10 days until school starts. Not that I'm counting! [I am SO counting.])
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A fun visit!
We all really enjoyed Aunt Eleanor's visit, which was too short, especially given the no-car situation for 2 days. The kids all really enjoyed having her here, and I think the feeling was mutual most of the time, heehee. Carter really got to know his aunt, since he was so little last summer when we saw her, and also it was her wedding, so she was awfully busy with other things. ;)
Hopefully next summer we'll get us 5 out that way to VA Beach or the Outer Banks for an East Coast vacation. I can already feel the warm ocean water... ;)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Behold the cuteness
I mean, come on! You gotta bow down to the cute here. ;)
This was from a nice little trip to the park with Aunt Eleanor on Friday. Cole tried to eat grass, as you can see.
Menu Monday, Aug 11
Sunday: Roasted Chicken parts, snap peas, salad
Monday: Slider Caesar Salads (basically caesar salad w itty burgers)
Tuesday: Pork & Pepper Stir Fry w/eggplant & rice
Wednesday: Chili
Thursday: Paul make BBQ chicken while I am at class
Friday: Sausages w/onions & peppers
Saturday: Ribs, corn on cob, salad
hosted by www.orgjunkie.com
Sorry so brief -- but wanted to post before I forgot! :)
We're already a day behind on this menu, from staying too late at the beach yesterday. But that's okay -- we had nummy Mexican instead. :)
Monday: Slider Caesar Salads (basically caesar salad w itty burgers)
Tuesday: Pork & Pepper Stir Fry w/eggplant & rice
Wednesday: Chili
Thursday: Paul make BBQ chicken while I am at class
Friday: Sausages w/onions & peppers
Saturday: Ribs, corn on cob, salad
hosted by www.orgjunkie.com
Sorry so brief -- but wanted to post before I forgot! :)
We're already a day behind on this menu, from staying too late at the beach yesterday. But that's okay -- we had nummy Mexican instead. :)
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Today's the day!
Yay! Aunt Eleanor flies out today! Well, she's my sister and the kids' aunt. ;) Bunny has been so looking forward to this visit, and I hope Carter and Eleanor get to know and adore each other. I'm sure she'll be a goner for the baby, of course. :)
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Sometimes you catch a bit of luck...
Last one for today. :)
Paul called me a little bit ago right after an important meeting. Good news: meeting went very well! Bad news: car no starty. I told him to see if they could jump it (he was saying the starter was out, but that seemed unlikely). They did jump it and he's on his way home. He says he was listening to his radio with the car off for a while since he met up near the office where the meeting and rode with a colleague. So maybe the battery is just needing to recharge.
If not, well, no biggie. We'll get a new one, but this one may be under warranty, since I am fairly sure we got him a new one last summer when it had a major service, including a new oil pan (thanks for gluing the plug in, JiffyScrewLube!: that was a nice $350 to spend that you refuse to acknowledge).
Phew. I *so* didn't want to wake Carter to haul the kids to the CalTrain station to pick him up *then* figure out what to do about the car, which would have been 40 miles up the peninsula as a side project tomorrow. ;)
Menu Monday... a day late.
Sunday: Undone Cabbage Roll Skillet
Monday: Sausages with Onions & Peppers and THE sauce ;)
Tuesday: BBQ Chicken w/cucumber salad and, um, regular salad
Wednesday: Shrimp Gumbo
Thursday: Roast Chicken with Onions & Garlic, Rice, Zucchini
Friday: Open Faced Greek Burgers with Portobello Mushrooms (Paul requested it, since he loved it last week)
Saturday: Grill Out burgers, dogs, etc.
Didn't matter my keyboard was broken...
...because ALL--and I almost mean ALL--I did this weekend was read Twilight. We went to a birthday party, ended up staying the night because the grownups had grownup drinks and Paul apparently really had some (then fell asleep, LOL)... but other than that, I read that book.
500 pages devoured in less than 72 hours. I can' believe I am reading a vampire series. I am so not goth, y'all. ;) I am planning to get the next 3 books, but taking a break until Accounting is over. Naptimes in September will be vampire-time. If I can restrain myself to just naptime. Which I doubt!
Q: How many days does it take a keyboard to recover from a coffee spill?
A: Five. If you're lucky. ;)
Eventually it did dry out, and now I can make wordiness again!
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