Plastic Phones and Coo Coo Birds

Well, we found the Westin. It took a little effort but we did eventually get there. At this point we realize that Caroline has not opened her gifts from us so we take them up to them room. And the following picture is how she reacted when she opened up the plastic Incredibles phone I wrapped up.

He was the one who explained that it meant we would get her a phone of her own. Later she told me that when she unwrapped the phone because it was a Disney phone she thought her present was going back to Disney. Right then. We were next to the airport. That would have been a cool gift. But for the cost of another Disney trip (which is totally in my future, by the way) she can send a whole lot of text messages so we stuck with the phone thing.

Then we set off to the rooftop pool. The kiddos thought this would be a wonderful adventure. I thought surely the rooftop pool at the airport Westin at 9:00 P.M. would be abandoned. Which is a good thing, by the way. I was wrong. Ever happen to you?

Of course, it was like 105 out so it's really no wonder everyone was at the pool. It was also pretty dark up there. But we figured what the heck. Sometimes we ought to just be slapped.

Casey gets in with the kids. I sit on a chaise lounger nearby and observe. I guess my mother's intuition told me there would need to be some observing. Well, we've been there all of about 3 minutes when I realize Caroline is swimming with her glasses on. So I call out to her-

"Caroline. Yoo-hoo! Caroline, are you sure you want to swim in your glasses?"

Drunk-half-naked lady stops and turns to me and says "thank you" while handing me her specks. I am confused. I shake my head and point to my child, who is not more than 10 feet away, in her glasses. None of this registers with drunk-half-naked lady. I lay her glasses down at the end of the chaise lounger. A couple sitting on the edge of the pool laugh out loud at her. She doesn't notice.

I am puzzled. I sit there thinking to myself exactly how long we actually have to stay at the pool. Not long, as a matter of fact. Drunk-half-naked lady took a liking to my son. She tried to remove him from my husband's arms. She was unsuccessful. The couple from the side of the pool now say out loud that they think she's drunk. My husband replies that he agrees. All of this takes place directly in front of her face and she doesn't take notice. At all. She continues speaking to Duncan. He is annoyed. She tried to hug him and Casey pulls him away from her. She gives my 8 year old son her e-mail address.

Casey decides it's time to go. He and Duncan say "Coo-coo, coo-coo" over and over again as we exit the pool and return to our room. I'm gonna guess she didn't notice. I wonder if she ever found her glasses.

American Girl Remix

So, for some reason that I really don't know Caroline and her homegirls have this tradition of taking each other back home after sleepovers. Really no clue how this came to be, but I guess all that matters is that it did. So, Saturday morning we set out to return the little chicks back to their mamas. Except for the one that lives in Dublin. Tradition was only pulling so much weight around here on Saturday after I had cleaned up chocolate face mask all night and then attempted to sleep with Duncan for approx. 4 hours. Driving all the way to Dublin only to not have a Dr. Pepper (cause I gave up all soft drinks several weeks ago and yes, that is a post all to itself and by the way, it was a bad idea.....) well, that crap just wasn't happening. We did not drive to Dublin. But we took the others on home and we did a little visitin' while we were at it and I am not even making this part up- I took back the poison that one of the Dads had lent us the night before. It was worm poison, don't worry. That's another post all on it's own. So, we get back and warm up some lunch and try to decide what to do the rest of the day. On a whim, we call the American Girl store because we still haven't eaten there and they actually have an opening at 7:30. So we go to Dallas. Right then. Well, first I got a room on Priceline and quickly packed a bag. And then we went to Dallas. Right then.

We shopped around a little. Her majesty thought I should buy her another doll. I declined. I had already bought her clothes, perfume, cell phone, cake decorating stuff (Ace of Cakes, remember?) and a CD. I've also promised a new duvet and artwork for her walls. And then of course, there's the trip to the spa that's been requested.

That's Amanda the doll after being seated at the restaurant. Everything was shiny and pink. In other words, just like Heaven. They didn't bring Amanda any food. I thought that was rude.

The boys were making the best of being in Estrogen land for dinner.

For dessert she ordered chocolate fondue and the waitresses sang Happy Birthday. It was at this point that I realized our waitress actually could speak. Hmmm. Wow.

Dunk has completely lost it and has hung the napkin rings/cookie cutters off of his ears sort-of like Princess Lea buns. He was ready to be done. Amanda got two new outfits. The birthday princess was thrilled. And then we set off to find the Westin.......

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby

Well, I can't even believe how behind I am on the blog....... lots and lots of things to post. For now, let's focus on the major event in our life that took place on Saturday. I am no longer the parent of a ten year old- she turned eleven this weekend. We celebrated in true "pre-teen" style. We started with a sleepover on Friday night. Here are some of the girls starting on a craft project- decoupage picture frames.


This post isn't supposed to be about me at all but did you see my pretty new chandelier in the above picture? Pretty, huh? I like it. Alot. This next picture is one of the tiny, personalized mini cakes I made for her majesty's guests. It was her idea. She is obsessed with Ace of Cakes. What can I say? I am a sucker for birthdays. Thank God she didn't ask for a castle or something.

Here's their snack buffet for the evening. I thought Duncan was getting more enjoyment out of it than anyone else then I went to bed.......... I awoke to remnants of the buffet spread throughout the family room.

Now on to the beautification process. That's chocolate face mask she's spreading on. Here's what I will tell you about chocolate face mask........do.....not.......do.....it. That's all. I spent more than an hour walking back and forth between the bathroom and the table scrubbing, wiping, cleaning and picking up that cotton-pickin' face mask. Do NOT do it. Ever.

After face mask we did nails. This made Daddy pretty nervous on the new floors. I was so damn tired from cleaning the face mask that I really didn't care if they painted the walls with the nail polish as long as they didn't touch that darn face mask anymore.

This is Caroline and her best friend Morgan. Morgan is a nail painter extraordinaire. Everyone wanted Morgan to paint their nails.

Now we're at breakfast the next morn. It was Caroline's actual birthday and on birthday's we have birthday pancakes. The girls got up around 9:15 after getting to sleep sometime around 4:00 A.M. Saturday morning I felt a whole lot older than I actually am.

She wanted us to sing again and she decided to direct.

And now she's showing off while we are making tote bags before taking the girlies home. I think she had a blast. I think I remember why I never have liked sleepovers very much. I think I need to remember she'll only be eleven this year. I think the person who made up chocolate face mask ought to be shot.

There was more celebrating to be done- I'll continue in the next day or two

Paula for President

My thought for today- Paula Deen for president!!! Seriously, she was a single mom who raised two boys and she successfully started and ran her own restaurant- she could run this country, I'm sure of it. Furthermore, she is a culinary genius.

Yeah, I know some of you would debate that part and I would have too until last night. Last night, Paula won me over forever.

For several years now, I have made this Paula recipe- we often refer to it as Bread Pudding for Breakfast. And in this house,we happen to like our bread pudding but this recipe is really a little bit better than bread pudding for breakfast. I do not make it often, generally I do make it on Christmas Eve so it is ready to put in the oven for Christmas morning and we eat while we unwrap. Then, I usually end up making it once or twice during the rest of the year. A friend gave me the recipe and I knew it was Paula Deen I guess I never thought much about it.

Baked French Toast Casserole

Ingredients:
1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
Butter, for pan
8 large eggs
2 cup half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Raspberry Syrup, recipe follows

Directions:
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 45 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with Raspberry Syrup.
Prep Time: 20 minutes Inactive Cook Time: 8 hours Cook Time: 45 minutes Difficulty: Medium Yield: 6-8 servings

Praline Topping: 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2-teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Spread over bread as directed above.

Raspberry Syrup: 1 cup raspberry preserves 3 tablespoons water 2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur (recommended: Framboise)
Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir until warm and thinned out like syrup.

And as a note to the above recipe, I have never made the Raspberry Syrup because it was not included in the copy of the recipe I have. I now feel very angry at all those people who have been eating my french toast with their raspberry syrup because it sounds really yummy.

So, although I had watched a Paula Deen show here or there on Food Network I wasn't what I would call a fan. She was funny and she liked butter. I can appreciate that. She told Martha Stewart when asked if she was really cooking with all that butter," Honey, I'm just a little, fat southern girl and we like butter." Yes, we do Paula. We like butter. Amen.

Then, Easter of this year we dined at my Grandparents house where Mommy B made ham & grits. Not much of a grits girl, myself. But being all about setting a good example and all, and you all can stop the snickering because deep in your heart you know it's true. Okay, maybe I am the one snickering. Anyway, I served myself a small helping of grits when I also served them to Duncan. He looked at me a little funny. I looked at him back with that Mother look of shut-your-mouth-now-or-I-will-lecture-you-all-the-way-home-and-everyone-in-the-car-will-be-mad-at-you-and-you-will-wish-you-had-just-eaten-the-damn-grits kind of look. You're familiar with it, I'm sure.

So, we taste the grits. And we sort-of silently agree immediately that they are like the best thing ever. I think that Duncan and I only had grits for lunch. We probably ate five or six servings. It was obnoxious. They are good, though. So, it was okay.

Then for dessert, Mommy B brought out a delicious looking dish that was covered on top with shortbread cookies. In case you are not aware, shortbread cookies are the best cookies on the whole planet. Can I get another Amen? This was fabulous. I inquired as to what she was carrying. Well, it was none other than banana puddin' . If you live in Texas, you must leave the G off pudding when it is preceded by banana. It's the law.

First of all, I do not like Banana Puddin'. I have never liked Banana Puddin'. But this idea was genius, it almost made me eat the Banana Puddin' which just once more for effect I will remind you, I do not like. This idea, I asked. Did she come up with it herself? No. Paula did. Genius girl, just genius. Take those soggy Nilla wafers out and add the most delicious cookies ever. Yummy.


Baked Garlic Cheese Grits

Ingredients:
6 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cup regular grits
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
16 ounce cheddar cheese, cubed
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs, beaten
1 stick butter
8 ounce grated sharp white cheddar cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 4 quart casserole dish. Bring the broth, garlic powder, salt and pepper to a boil in a 2 quart saucepan. Stir in the grits and whisk until completely combined. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the grits are thick, about 8 minutes. Add the cubed cheddar cheese and milk and stir. Gradually stir in the eggs and butter, stirring until all are combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with the white cheddar cheese and bake for 35-40 minutes or until set.
Yield: 12 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 45-50 minutes Ease of preparation: easy
PD & Friends, pg. 153
Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

So, at this point I am a Paula fan. I researched some recipes of hers to try and I discovered I had been making her fried chicken for years- I just didn't realize it. It's yummy. And on to last night, I made her recipe for Chicken Georgia. It's easy. It's fast. And my vegetarian daughter ate two helpings of Chicken. I love you Paula Deen.


Chicken Georgia

Ingredients:
4 tablespoon (1/2 stick) butter
4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 tablespoon minced shallots
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 ounce grated mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Melt butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and shallots and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 10 minutes. Add chicken and cook 10 minutes on each side, or until tender. Transfer chicken to platter and sprinkle with grated cheese. Top with mushroom mixture. Cook and let stand 5 minutes or until cheese melts.
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Ease of Preparation: Easy Yield: 4-6 servings
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Stayin' Home and Huggin' Trees

Well, let's see. I want to write today but it seems to me I pretty much have nothing to report.

Last night, over some seriously bad pizza at Cici's - where by the way, I officailly declared at the table that they could all consider this their last meal at said establishment- my almost eleven year old daughter explained to me how the current gas prices are all the fault of our government. There was a long bit about supply and demand and drilling in Alaska. Surprisingly, she had alot of the facts straight.

Even though as I get older I tend to want to blame alot of things on the government I did explain to her that in my opinion there was plenty of blame to go around on this one. She understood, I think. Actually, I'm sure she did. I probably should have savored that moment a bit a longer as she will be the one explaining such topics to me before to long. She's a smart cookie, that one.

Speaking of the gas prices, I read something the other day reporting that the number of automobile deaths are down because fewer people are on the roads which makes sense. They were trying to point out the positives of the higher prices. Which isn't a bad idea seeing as how I don't think this is going away anytime soon so when live gives you lemons...... hope you have enough money for vodka, right? That's not right, is it? Oops.

Seriously, though. We are trying to do our part to conserve our gas which means we are home, alot. Which is cool, really. I mean home ain't bad these days. But not as exciting as in the years past and it is taking some getting used to. Lots of craft projects and movie nights and lots of "I'm Bored!" too.

I am still baffled by the fact that I had this discussion with my daughter- I am baffled by the fact that I am old enough to have a daughter but that's for another day or therapy session or something- but she and I talked about how Americans were going to have to change our lifestyles. And some of the positives of those changes. Our children are now old enough that we when talk the talk about such things we have to actually do it which I can say here stinks just a little bit. So, like I said we're trying to our part. And that has not been entirely fun. But we have seen lots of positives from it, really we have.

This same child asked permission last week to write a letter to the city council asking for a citywide recycling program. I said yes, but sign your father's name. Just kidding. I told her to sign someone else's name, her father is my sole source of income, I am not that stupid ya'll.

So those of you that have known me for year's can offically laugh out loud as I have given birth to a real, live tree hugger. How bout that for irony?

Torch the Schedule

We completed yet another family tradition this weekend by attending the Concerts in the Garden. This started a few years ago and Caroline had decreed it tradition before we got to the parking lot. I must say, it's a fantastic family event. I guess, most especially for us because it involves music.

This year we were a little disappointed with the choices that were available on the dates we were able to go- but in the end it worked out very well. We saw The Music of the Eagles and I thought it was very good. We took another family with us, I guess I should say they took us with them because they drove. We had a picnic before the concert and Caroline made us all Creme Brulee for dessert. Ahem, she made us Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee and it was fantastic. I did a little assist with the blow torch.

I don't think Casey was wild about either one of us having a blow torch anyway. I liked it. Maybe a little too much. I am starting to think of other things I could torch. Old boots, cruddy t-shirts, the couches I hate but my darling husband says I can't replace......

Anywho, it was a lovely evening complete with some adventures aboard the handicapped bus. It's always something. I am focusing on being more relaxed and open minded. I did pretty well, I think.

I think more than anything it made me realize how much I enjoy summer. I often joke about the heat, and make no mistake it is hot out here. But there is so much to be said for the relaxing, fun times as a family we have in the summer. Throwing out the schedule and not worrying about hurrying to get here or there is really wonderful.

Big Traditions

I often marvel at the unique personalities of my two children. In many, many ways they are very much alike- I attribute this to growing up in essentially the exact same environment and the fact that their mother and father are also, very much alike. But don't be mistaken- we all have our differences.

And to that end, one of my children is simply obsessed with family traditions. There are many things I must do for this child throughout the year simply because, at some point in the past I did it before. Now, it's our tradition. Unfortunately, I am not always aware that it has become a tradition until it's time for it to happen. We make do.

The part about this that humors me, I suppose, is that I would not have expected this from this particular child. I bet you are thinking I am talking about the opposite child, right now in fact. Because my child that is traditional in thinking, conservative in beliefs, mature beyond their years and family oriented above all things- is Duncan. My tradition obsessed child is Caroline.

Caroline insists upon family traditions at all points of the year and holidays are really only the jumping off point. I personally love family traditions. The very fact that our little family is not only still intact after all these years but thriving is my greatest source of pride. Doing things with them fills my heart.

However, I prefer to keep things simple. I just feel the more elaborate traditions become the harder they are to carry out and the more stress they induce and the less fun they are all around. On this particular point, my daughter and I can sometimes agree. She tends to enjoy the elaborate ones too but then again she ain't the one doing the work or footing the bill so who can really blame her?

So, our Family Fourth of July celebration is tradition. And, man it's hard work. But I thought I would share with you in case you don't yet have a Family Fourth of July celebration of your own, you might want to try ours, if you're up to it.

First of all, you should stay inside until at least 5:00 P.M.- umm, this would be my addition to the tradition, what can I say? It's July in Texas, do not attempt to be outdoors people, that's just stupid. Okay, then if you are lucky like us your town, city or Ville will have a fireworks celebration. I must add a personal aside here because I often poke fun at Hill Billy Ville and I don't mention the benefits of living here nearly enough- we have an absolutely top-notch fireworks celebration every year. For real, not kidding. It's fantastic. So, if you are lucky enough to have one in your town too, then you should pack a picnic and head out there to see the fireworks.

But before you go, you need the recipe. Be forewarned, it's alot of work. This is a time consuming difficult process which I reserve for our Family Fourth of July celebration. But if you think you're up for it- here you go.

You will need one of these. It's a counter top ice cream maker. You could use one of those old-fashioned cranking kind with the salt and all that but the recipe is so much work, I wouldn't add to it if I were you. All you have to do for this one is freeze the canister the night before (I keep mine in the freezer so it's ready whenever we are) and then plug it in. Life is good.

Okay, so now for the ingredients. Don't say I didn't warn you- this is complex folks.

Yes, those are the ingredients. Big Red soda and Eagle Brand milk. To be fair I should have put two of the HEB brand Big Red sodas in the picture but I didn't. I have issues with symmetry, okay?

Here's what you do- you turn on the ice cream maker, you pour in the Big Red and Eagle brand at the same time- otherwise, you can end up with frozen Eagle Brand Milk at the bottom which isn't all bad but not exactly what you're looking for. Then I always drape a kitchen towel over the top and walk away. That's all. It took mine about an hour today to be frozen. And *frozen* would be a relative term because it's still a little slushy when it's done. I put mine into a plastic container and into the freezer this morning so it will survive our trip to see the fireworks tonight. Because that is actually the tradition, per my daughter. Eating Big Red Ice Cream while watching fireworks on Fourth of July.

Doesn't it look yummy? It so totally is. So, there you have it. The top secret recipe for the Hill Billy delicacy Big Red Ice Cream- enjoy!

Apron Strings

So, I have become a ridiculously bad blogger. Sorry. I have so much to do- make crafts, clean house, water grass, cook meals, water grass, sweep floors, water grass, mediate fights, water grass, spend hours searching Etsy, water grass........

Catch that? What's Etsy you say? It's addicting is what it is. It's a completely cool marketplace for people to sell their handcrafted items. And it is an utterly addicting, time sucking, Internet destination for me.

Someone commented to me last week that technology had only served to complicate their lives and I thought to myself how ridiculous that very statement was. I can't even fathom living out her in Hill Billy Ville without the technology that so improves my quality of life. That is, until I spent the better part of this morning searching Etsy for an apron.

Maybe I should step away from the computer. To be fair, I need an apron. Due to my sincere love of domesticity (or the high gas prices, just pick one whichever one you want....) I have been cooking at least two meals a day and sometimes three. And sometimes when I search Etsy for long periods of time I let the children eat cake...... for breakfast. See, I'm a history teacher too! Wait! I have gotten off-track. I do hate it when that happens. Or not. Whatever.

Okay, I need an apron. Because generally after preparing our evening meal I have to change clothes before we eat. I may love domesticity but I did not say I was good at it. Seriously. I look as though I poured the ingredients on myself rather than putting them in the food. I have no further explanation. I can't even imagine how it happens, truthfully. But it does, I assure you.

So, I decide I need some aprons. And I have been looking at or some might say stalking a couple at Anthropology but then I thought it would be fun to check out what I might find at Etsy. It was fun. I could have easily spent about $8964.30 on aprons this morning. I didn't though. I would have liked to. But just to be clear for when my husband reads this, I Didn't.

I spent $29 and I bought this darling little thing-

Here is this gal's Etsy shop- go check it out if you have several hours to kill-

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5657968

I may need an intervention. I want more aprons. Alot more.