A day off

Thursday oldest headed out with boyfriend to hang out. I don't think they really do much. Son went hiking with girlfriend. So, I took youngest out. No sense sitting home and to heck with cleaning. The black fur tumbleweeds will be there (and larger) when I return.

We had gone to a large mall to walk around a few months back. Youngest asked to go back and look in the t-shirt shops. The kind of shops that play music really, really loud and with rather bad language. So, I suggested we try a different mall. We entered through the book store so we could end our adventure there.

She wandered in and out of shops - looking at t-shirts, video games and comic books. We ate lunch in the food court. She had her grande nachos. And they had a huge carousel (my favorite ride). It not only had horses of various sizes but lions, tigers, lions and bears (oh my). She wanted to ride a tiger. So, off we went. The attendant was on break so the line was rather long when we got on. Youngest didn't get a tiger and picked the lion. It didn't go up and down. She was rather disappointed. I offered to get her another token to ride the tiger. She was thrilled. She even got the white tiger that she wanted. I love that she is still young enough to be thrilled by the carousel and I got to go too. That was a real moment of connection. Note to self - need to have more child like fun in my life.

So, we ended at the book store. The first book she picked out was $45.00. A complete illustration of the looney tunes. Great book but not today. So, we both wandered and read and looked. I found a new book (go figure) and a couple for son for Christmas - one about a marine and one about the zombie war. Youngest settled on a Japanese style comic book. She devoured it and made a point the next day to get up early and ask if I could go back and buy the second one in the series. Uh, no. First, I'm working and second, you can put it on your wish list.

Then headed home for dinner. I made some big juicy burgers and youngest picked broccoli as a side.

What a great day.

Buffalo Chicken Wontons

These were a huge hit last night. They're easy to make - just take a little time. I took the recipe I found and changed it up a little to make it easier.

1 12oz. can chicken
2 cloves garlic chopped
1/3 cup hot sauce (Frank's Red Hot)
handful of shredded cheddar
two handfuls shredded mozzarella
salt & pepper
60 wonton wrappers
Oil for frying

Flake chicken with a fork. Add garlic, hot sauce, cheese, salt and pepper. Mix well. Put a teaspoon of filling in the center of a wonton wrapper. Dip your finger in water and wet the four borders of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper over to make a triangle shape. Squeeze out the air as you press the edges together. Heat oil in a large dutch oven to 365 degrees. Slip wontons in a few at a time. Do not crowd the pan. As soon as they turn brown flip them over and brown the other side. It takes about a minute on each side. I served this with ranch dressing (for hubby) and homemade blue cheese dipping sauce.

Hubby liked them and he's not a fan of buffalo wings. Because you can't put too much filling in or they will burst they just had a hint of heat. I'd probably add more hot sauce to mine next time.

According to the recipe once they are cooked you can freeze them and reheat on cookie sheets in the oven at 350 degrees until they are heated through and crisp. I made my earlier in the day and reheated them in the oven and it worked out great.

Disconnected

I gathered with friends last night. It was good. Really good, fantastic actually. The laughter that bubbles up from this group is good for the soul. We also share our sorrows and encourage one another. Someone mentioned that they needed to remember how to have fun. That is something I can relate to.

I get so caught up in the day to day, the schedules, the housework (hubby does way more than his fair share thank all that is holy), the kids and dinner and...... I'm in my head way too much. I get that from my Daddy. When it comes to letting go and being in the moment I often feel disconnected. To busy holding back the tears.

Last week we went hiking. Hiking is good. I've missed that. And hubby seems to have caught the bug. If weather permits we will be hiking again tomorrow. Yeah! It's hard to feel disconnected in the midst of mother nature's embrace.

This afternoon I will be in my zone cooking for guests. So, a morning at the spa, an afternoon of cooking, an evening with friends and hiking with my honey tomorrow. Just what the doctor ordered.

Dona nobis pacem

Peace to you!

Last year I took part in my first blogblast for peace. This year I continue to blog for peace. I try though I am not always successful to provide a peaceful environment for friends, family, pets and nature. I strive for peace within myself so that I may spread the seeds of peace around me.

The TV is Off

The kids had no school yesterday and are off again today for teacher in-service. I came home from work yesterday and youngest was plunked in front of the box of mind numbing crap or MNC as I commonly refer to the TV. She's not even watching anything in particular as the remote gets a workout in her hands. She looked like a blob - eyes droopy and all. After supper I sent her to work out with hubby and she spent some time on the treadmill.

Today I'm home and she is NOT spending 8 hours watching MNC. The other kids seem to be able to occupy themselves. Youngest and I spent over an hour playing on the wii. I suck at skateboarding and juggling in case you were wondering.

Tonight we get to sell Girl Scout cookies. Other than cookie order time which starts in January Girl Scouts can sell cookies on election day. Their rules are rather bizarre (they even limit the dollar amount of donations a troop can receive). I'll vote at the same time - no sense making two trips.

Friday night EC is coming for dinner with his girlfriend. I've been trying to decide what to make. I think I've settled on baked shrimp scampi, twice baked potatoes and a pumpkin cheesecake. EC's bringing a salad. And as an appetizer I think I'm trying a new recipe - buffalo chicken won tons. I'll let you know how they turn out. Tonight son is making dinner - a free form pork pie.

Birthday

Yesterday was hubby's birthday. We are now the same age (again). Those 27 days makes a real difference.
It was a very early morning in our house. Hubby had a agreed to let boyfriend and girlfriend spend the night. Youngest had a friend over as well. The boys were to sleep downstairs and the girls upstairs. Girlfriend's Dad called and asked us about it. Her parents went up many points in my book for being concerned parents. I made hubby sleep with the door open and the sound machine off. You said they could stay now we can monitor them. Hubby told boyfriend that he could move when I was awake and that no one would be going upstairs before 7. They could use the bathroom downstairs. The dog woke me up at 5:30. I fed her in the dark and let her out. Now the boys were already awake. Next thing I know they have both gone upstairs and crawled in bed with their girlfriends. This woke up the two younger kids and my dragging them back downstairs made sure the rest of the house was awake. But, your husband said.... I highly doubt my husband said for you to crawl in bed with his daughter under our roof.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not naive. If they are going to have sex they already are. But, I'm not going to encourage it or sit by and watch.
So, instead of a relaxing cup of decaf in the quiet of the early hours I was starting breakfast. I made sausage gravy with cheddar cheese biscuits, baked oatmeal with cranberries and eggs. Once everyone cycled through the showers we headed to the hiking trails. It was a beautiful fall day and a lovely hike. No one got hurt in spite of trying to show off by jumping and sliding on wet leaves. And plans were made to hike some more (at least for hubby and me).

Naps were had by most in the afternoon while I cooked supper and baked a cake. The birthday person gets to choose the meal and dessert in our house. Youngest's friend said she wants to come here for her birthday and have tacos.
So, the meal of choice was spaghetti with meat sauce. I prefer tomato sauce with meatballs so meat sauce is a rare occurrence in our house. I made garlic bread with a loaf of french bread and a garlic compound butter. And the dessert was a white layer cake with white frosting. Even the chocolate lover's enjoyed it.

Week End Away

This past week end hubby and I went to the Cape with no kids. We left Friday morning after the kids left for school and came home Sunday. The kids and the dog stayed with MIL.

We went to the Kennedy museum, visited all the cute shops, walked along the wharf, saw a few light houses, ate really good and sipped a few cocktails.

What we didn't do was discuss the kids. It was our week end. It was wonderful!!!!