The guys at our church decided for a guys event they would go to a hockey game. A two hour drive away. And it was guys only. And Hubby and Junior went.
So Daisy and I decided to do our own thing and we had so much fun! First we went and got her a haircut and then we hit Old Navy's 50% off sale and found some great deals for her. Then we went into the mall, walked the whole mall, and didn't really feel tempted to buy anything.
We dined at our favorite Italian restaurant, Joe's. Daisy got the adult portion of manicotti which comes with a salad. She didn't want the salad but I told her it was coming out anyway and ordered the house dressing for her. I have to tell you, their house dressing is like nothing else I have tried before - I think it is marinara with a large amount of vinegar - but it is delicious. That dressing turned my daughter into a salad lover. She ate every bit of it and then needed a to-go box for almost half of the manicotti.
After we ate, it was still somewhat early so we decided to go rent a couple of movies - chick flicks and watch them. We got New in Town and Monsters Vs Aliens and watched both of them. We were disappointed with New in Town, it was funny but there was way too much bad language for a pg movie. I would have classed it as pg-13 because of all the swearing - but I guess because they were the lesser offensive words they didn't count. I dunno.
Monsters Vs Aliens was funny. We both loved it and laughed and didn't have to cringe when a** or s**t was used - even though it also had a pg rating. I guess because of the "violence".
Anyway, Daisy and I had a wonderful girls night out and girls night in. It was well worth not getting to go to the hockey game.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
A new friend and a swap
On Tuesday, I got a fun package in the mail from my swap sister Nikowa. She sent a Food Network magazine, a wonderful notebook in my favorite color, a Celestial Seasonings fruit tea sampler (I am trying the apple cranberry zinger right now - yum), 2 delicious smelling candles, a pack of Lifesavers, a pack of Doublemint, and a container of Orbit.
The biggest blessing has been getting to know Nikowa. She and I have quite a bit in common, we have kids the same age, same favorite color, and quite a few other things. She homeschools her oldest but it about to start the adventure of co-schooling her younger son. She blogs over at Knowledge House Academy so please go get to know her too.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
When I am sick, I make soup
Soup is one of those comfort foods for me, I love tomato soup in all sorts of ways, cream of soups, hearty stews, I just love soup. When I am sick chicken soup is what particularly appeals to me.
I have given you my strict recipe for chicken noodle soup. In the spirit of that soup, I was making a chicken soup yesterday, decided to put in rice because we had a bunch of left over rice from something else. I forgot the onion but did put in the celery and carrot.
Then I tried something new, I put in 1/2 of a butternut squash that I just cubed into about 1 inch cubes.
OH MY WORD!!!!
It took the chicken and rice soup to a whole new level of good. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the squash but it did its usual partial melting thing where some was firm like a carrot but other just flavored the broth.
Hubby and Daisy loved it, (Junior wasn't very hungry and "doesn't like soup").
All in all, it was a definite do again.
I have given you my strict recipe for chicken noodle soup. In the spirit of that soup, I was making a chicken soup yesterday, decided to put in rice because we had a bunch of left over rice from something else. I forgot the onion but did put in the celery and carrot.
Then I tried something new, I put in 1/2 of a butternut squash that I just cubed into about 1 inch cubes.
OH MY WORD!!!!
It took the chicken and rice soup to a whole new level of good. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the squash but it did its usual partial melting thing where some was firm like a carrot but other just flavored the broth.
Hubby and Daisy loved it, (Junior wasn't very hungry and "doesn't like soup").
All in all, it was a definite do again.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
I wanna fly like an Eagle
One of our favorite places to eat is the county airport. I know that sounds sort of weird but it is where Junior wanted to go eat on Saturday after soccer.
We have a smallish county airport. I guess it is smallish, I wouldn't really know. I don't think anything commercial is flying there now, or at least not on a regular basis. It seems to be mostly prop planes but Hubby says there was a small jet there the other day. I dunno.
Anyway, we have a smallish county airport that has a little cafe, the kind with stools up at a bar and mismatched tables. They have a limited menu - mostly burgers, sandwiches, and chicken strips. No soda fountain so if you order coke, you get a cup with ice and a can. The food is good but not the absolute best.
But this is the view out the window where we sat:
That is with no zoom, I-could-hit-the-plane-with-a-french-fry close. If the glass wasn't in the way. And I could throw worth a cuss.
And just beyond those two rows of planes that you see is a runway that you can't really see in the picture. But somebody with a good throwing arm could throw a ball at a plane landing.
So while the food is good I think the whole reason the kids love eating there is the planes. On a Saturday there are plenty of landings and take-offs, quite a bit of goings on to watch. Junior found it fascinating that the propeller disappears when it starts spinning. We have had discussions on how the wind direction could be important during takeoff and landing.
So a meal and some learning. That's a good combo meal.
Since I find it hard to believe we have the only county airport like this, there may be another one near you.
We have a smallish county airport. I guess it is smallish, I wouldn't really know. I don't think anything commercial is flying there now, or at least not on a regular basis. It seems to be mostly prop planes but Hubby says there was a small jet there the other day. I dunno.
Anyway, we have a smallish county airport that has a little cafe, the kind with stools up at a bar and mismatched tables. They have a limited menu - mostly burgers, sandwiches, and chicken strips. No soda fountain so if you order coke, you get a cup with ice and a can. The food is good but not the absolute best.
But this is the view out the window where we sat:
That is with no zoom, I-could-hit-the-plane-with-a-french-fry close. If the glass wasn't in the way. And I could throw worth a cuss.
And just beyond those two rows of planes that you see is a runway that you can't really see in the picture. But somebody with a good throwing arm could throw a ball at a plane landing.
So while the food is good I think the whole reason the kids love eating there is the planes. On a Saturday there are plenty of landings and take-offs, quite a bit of goings on to watch. Junior found it fascinating that the propeller disappears when it starts spinning. We have had discussions on how the wind direction could be important during takeoff and landing.
So a meal and some learning. That's a good combo meal.
Since I find it hard to believe we have the only county airport like this, there may be another one near you.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
I have a confession - I was wrong
It almost never happens doesn't happen often - ok, happens more often than I would want to admit. But I was completely wrong.
Have you ever read about the Roman baths? There was a series of pools and rooms - hot, cold, etc - the way a person would get cleaned is to rub oil on and then later scrape it off with a strigil.
Did you get that? Cover with oil and then scrape it off to get clean.
EWWWW is what I thought.
Well, maybe not completely. I have been washing my face with oil for the past week and I am loving it. My face feels clean, not oily but also not dried out.
While I am not doing it precisely as the Romans - no strigil here - I am seeing more value in what they did. Soap is so drying and it seems so silly to strip all the protectant off my skin and then put on lotion.
So before bed I massage in some oil (right now I am doing a mix of olive and castor) into my face. I give it a minute and then use a washcloth as warm as I can stand it and hold it on my face until it cools. I then wipe off the extra oil.
That's it.
The olive oil dissolves all the gunky oil on my face, the castor is supposed to help draw out blockages from the oil glands/ducts/whatever. The heat opens up the pores.
Whatever. My skin is no longer hurting and flaking. It also seems to have cleared up my complexion.
So the Romans actually had a very good cleaning method! Well, I am unconvinced on the strigil, it sounds too much like something in the gynecologist office - but otherwise very effective.
I suggest you try it. I was doubtful at first but I really love how it feels.
By the way, I bought the oil with my own money and am receiving no compensation from olive growers, oil producers or anyone else.
Have you ever read about the Roman baths? There was a series of pools and rooms - hot, cold, etc - the way a person would get cleaned is to rub oil on and then later scrape it off with a strigil.
Did you get that? Cover with oil and then scrape it off to get clean.
EWWWW is what I thought.
Well, maybe not completely. I have been washing my face with oil for the past week and I am loving it. My face feels clean, not oily but also not dried out.
While I am not doing it precisely as the Romans - no strigil here - I am seeing more value in what they did. Soap is so drying and it seems so silly to strip all the protectant off my skin and then put on lotion.
So before bed I massage in some oil (right now I am doing a mix of olive and castor) into my face. I give it a minute and then use a washcloth as warm as I can stand it and hold it on my face until it cools. I then wipe off the extra oil.
That's it.
The olive oil dissolves all the gunky oil on my face, the castor is supposed to help draw out blockages from the oil glands/ducts/whatever. The heat opens up the pores.
Whatever. My skin is no longer hurting and flaking. It also seems to have cleared up my complexion.
So the Romans actually had a very good cleaning method! Well, I am unconvinced on the strigil, it sounds too much like something in the gynecologist office - but otherwise very effective.
I suggest you try it. I was doubtful at first but I really love how it feels.
By the way, I bought the oil with my own money and am receiving no compensation from olive growers, oil producers or anyone else.
Friday, October 23, 2009
7 quick takes
Don't forget to check out Conversion Diary for more quick takes!
1. It drives my husband crazy but I honestly don't do it on purpose. I have a tendency to forget where I put my keys last. They could be in my purse, on the counter, in my pocket of the jeans I was wearing, the pocket of the jacket I was wearing, or some other totally random place.
If it hasn't been but a day or two since I used them last, I can usually find them fairly quickly. But if it has been more than a couple days . . . .
Wednesday I lost them. Completely. As in we spent all day cleaning and decluttering hoping to find where I had left them. We missed piano, didn't get to go to the library, didn't get to the grocery store.
That evening I found them. In my jacket pocket. I shook the jacket much harder than I had the previous 3 times I checked it and heard a jingle.
2. Thursday it was wet rainy and gross outside, plus my stomach hurt so I planned a nice quiet day at home. It didn't happen.
THOSE WITH A WEAK STOMACH NEED TO JUST SKIP ON TO THE NEXT ONE.
As a 4-H project, Daisy has been raising rabbits - and not the cute little fluffy pets but the meaner meat rabbits. We have found homes for most that she has raised so it hasn't been too bad.
Yesterday though one of them was sick, belly swollen like a balloon. I was pretty sure what it was and that it would probably be fatal soon. The one person who might have known what to do was unavailable. Hubby wasn't home and the poor thing was miserable so I had to dispatch it. That was the first time I had ever had to do anything like that. And hopefully the last.
We did get a homeschool lesson out of it though, we went ahead and dissected it and so identified the heart, lungs, stomach, intestine, liver, kidneys, bile duct, etc.
3. Charlie Hall band came to perform on Saturday night and Sunday. Saturday night was cold (for us anyway) so it wasn't as well attended as it might have been but it was so much fun! I love the music - nice and loud and the kids had a blast. For those of you that don't know him, he sings a lot of praise music although I suppose it could also be called christian rock.
We loved their music. You should check them out.
4. I still haven't heard from the evil dentist office if they are going to continue trying to make us pay. They were supposed to call back the next day (almost 2 weeks ago). I have been trying to call the past 2 days but no answer.
5. Daisy bought her first brand-new good camera with her birthday money. She loves taking pictures but pushing her into artistic pictures is not as easy I would have thought.
I do have her taking as many pictures as possible and have told her 30 shots of one thing is not too much because in that you may have 1 that you love.
6. The men of our church are going together to see a hockey game as a guy's get-together. Junior is so excited that his Daddy is taking him even though he has no clue what a hockey game is. Hubby has never been to one either. Daisy is glad she is a girl and so she can't go.
I wish I could go.
7. Our wal-mart remodeled. That means it takes twice as long to find everything. I hate wal-mart.
The Search for God and Guinness - Stephen Mansfield
Ok, I admit it appealed to my contrary streak to get a book from a christian publisher about beer - and not one denouncing beer but telling how faith was as important in the heritage of Guinness as brewing beer. I was amazed at how well I enjoyed the book though.
The book description reads:
It was a fascinating look on the history of Guinness beer and the Guinness family. I was impressed that one company, one family could do that much good and it shines an even harsher light on the modern companies whose main focus is following the almighty dollar.
I didn't know that Arthur Guinness - founder of the company - brought the first Sunday Schools to Ireland, and they were controversial. Rather than a short class after church, they were an all day class and an out reach to the children of the poor slums.
I didn't know that one of the Guinness descendants was a revivalist compared to Moody and Spurgeon and then founded a school to teach missionaries how to mission in China.
I admit to being a bit bored by the descriptions of how many barrels per year were sold and some of the other business-ey business. But it is a business type book so that is expected. And some of they business-ey stuff was interesting - like the talk of Guinness going into advertising (which it avoided for a long time).
All in all, it was a very interesting book. I would recommend it with one caveat - it is not an easy or quick read (though I suppose that depends on your background). I am a history buff and so found the history fascinating but someone who didn't and also is not interested in business would get bogged down.
I was given the book to review by Thomas Nelson Book Bloggers (click the button on my sidebar if you want to sign up). I received no other form of compensation or reward - just a free book. These thoughts are all my own (except for the quoted portion - duh).
The book description reads:
It began in Ireland in the late 1700’s. The water in Ireland, indeed throughout Europe, was famously undrinkable, and the gin and whiskey that took its place was devastating civil society. It was a disease ridden, starvation plagued, alcoholic age, and Christians like Arthur Guinness—as well as monks and even evangelical churches—brewed beer to offer a healthier alternative to the poisonous waters and liquors of the times. This is where the Guinness tale began. Now, 246 years and 150 countries later, Guinness is a global brand, one of the most consumed beverages in the world. The tale that unfolds during those two and a half centuries has power to thrill audiences today: the generational drama, business adventure, industrial and social reforms, deep-felt faith, and the beer itself.
It was a fascinating look on the history of Guinness beer and the Guinness family. I was impressed that one company, one family could do that much good and it shines an even harsher light on the modern companies whose main focus is following the almighty dollar.
I didn't know that Arthur Guinness - founder of the company - brought the first Sunday Schools to Ireland, and they were controversial. Rather than a short class after church, they were an all day class and an out reach to the children of the poor slums.
I didn't know that one of the Guinness descendants was a revivalist compared to Moody and Spurgeon and then founded a school to teach missionaries how to mission in China.
I admit to being a bit bored by the descriptions of how many barrels per year were sold and some of the other business-ey business. But it is a business type book so that is expected. And some of they business-ey stuff was interesting - like the talk of Guinness going into advertising (which it avoided for a long time).
All in all, it was a very interesting book. I would recommend it with one caveat - it is not an easy or quick read (though I suppose that depends on your background). I am a history buff and so found the history fascinating but someone who didn't and also is not interested in business would get bogged down.
I was given the book to review by Thomas Nelson Book Bloggers (click the button on my sidebar if you want to sign up). I received no other form of compensation or reward - just a free book. These thoughts are all my own (except for the quoted portion - duh).
Joshua Bell - At Home with Friends
In fact, here is the track list
I Loves You Porgy featuring Chris Botti, trumpet
Come Again featuring Sting, vocals
Oblivion featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Cinema Paradiso featuring Josh Groban, vocals
Para Tí featuring Tiempo Libre, various
My Funny Valentine featuring Kristin Chenoweth, vocals
Maybe So featuring Edgar Meyer Sam Bush and Mike Marshall, strings
Grieg: Sonata No. 3 featuring Sergei Rachmaninoff (Zenph re-performance)
Eleanor Rigby featuring Frankie Moreno, piano & vocals
O, Cease Thy Maiden Fair featuring Nathan Gunn, baritone
Il Postino featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Left Hand Song featuring Regina Spektor, piano & vocals
Chovendo Na Roseira featuring Dave Grusin, piano
Look Away featuring Edgar Meyer, bass and Chris Thile, mandolin
Variant Moods: Duet for Sitar & Violin featuring Anoushka Shankar, sitar
I'll Take Manhattan featuring Marvin Hamlisch, piano
Left Hand featuring Regina Spektor, vocals
Sounds great, right? That is what I thought too.
Now, honestly I found myself getting annoyed at the album. Sometimes the way it was mixed was too heavy on the violin - like during the song with Sting, the violin drowned out Sting's voice. Same with the Josh Groban song.
I was also disappointed with the Rachmaninoff "duet" - an old copy of a Rachmaninoff performance in 1928 Germany restored and re-recorded. Again the violin was a bit heavy.
In fairness, it is a album based on Joshua Bell playing the violin and he does play very well. He also has a wide range of styles he can play with. He is a very talented musician.
I just didn't particularly like this album.
But that is just me.
By the way - I did get this CD free to review sent to me by One2One network. I received no other compensation and these are all my own personal opinions about the album.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Mommy Creativity
I keep seeing moms who say and think they aren't creative.
I disagree completely because HELLO, kids make you be creative. Even if you aren't teaching your kids knitting or painting or whatever, you are still being creative.
Sometimes kids ask very creative questions that need creative answers.
Sometimes it takes being creative to make the punishment fit the crime.
Sometimes getting a kid to eat their vegetables calls for creativity.
Sometimes getting a child out of the house appropriately dressed takes creativity.
Every day I find I am having to be creative somehow with my kids and not just on art days. It may be convincing my kids to do something that they would rather not or trying to figure out how to explain something so that they "get it."
So don't tell me that you as a mom are not creative. I won't believe you.
I disagree completely because HELLO, kids make you be creative. Even if you aren't teaching your kids knitting or painting or whatever, you are still being creative.
Sometimes kids ask very creative questions that need creative answers.
Sometimes it takes being creative to make the punishment fit the crime.
Sometimes getting a kid to eat their vegetables calls for creativity.
Sometimes getting a child out of the house appropriately dressed takes creativity.
Every day I find I am having to be creative somehow with my kids and not just on art days. It may be convincing my kids to do something that they would rather not or trying to figure out how to explain something so that they "get it."
So don't tell me that you as a mom are not creative. I won't believe you.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Something my kids are REALLY bad at
and I am grateful . . . they stink at lying. The are awful and so transparent - and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Honestly they don't try it very often and it never lasts very long. They know the punishment for whatever infraction will be worse if they lied about it.
They also don't see any purpose in lying to others - like telling friends some kind of exaggerated tale. It is a particular pet peeve of mine and I have been open with them in explaining why I hate it.
Actually, most kids are bad liars. Most kids also don't know how to censor what comes out of their mouth. Most parents know this and so won't say anything in front of a child that they don't want repeated. Little Nancy will tell the church that you think the choir director's wife is a stupid cow, or that mommy and daddy "grown-up wrestle" or any number of things that you DON'T want told.
Of course most parents also don't try to convince their children to lie to authority figures and tv news crews. Most parents don't try to create a media firestorm that an adult would struggle with keeping the story straight.
What kind of parent would want to teach their child to lie?
Honestly they don't try it very often and it never lasts very long. They know the punishment for whatever infraction will be worse if they lied about it.
They also don't see any purpose in lying to others - like telling friends some kind of exaggerated tale. It is a particular pet peeve of mine and I have been open with them in explaining why I hate it.
Actually, most kids are bad liars. Most kids also don't know how to censor what comes out of their mouth. Most parents know this and so won't say anything in front of a child that they don't want repeated. Little Nancy will tell the church that you think the choir director's wife is a stupid cow, or that mommy and daddy "grown-up wrestle" or any number of things that you DON'T want told.
Of course most parents also don't try to convince their children to lie to authority figures and tv news crews. Most parents don't try to create a media firestorm that an adult would struggle with keeping the story straight.
What kind of parent would want to teach their child to lie?
Harry Connick Jr - Your Songs
So what I was expecting from Harry Connick Jr was more of his lovely Frank Sinatra-esque music - and there was some of that. But there was also some that seemed Barry Manilow-ish. Maybe it is because of the time period that those specific songs are from, none of them are Barry Manilow songs, but I kept thinking the next song would be Copacabana.
Don't get me wrong, there are some songs I love on the cd - All the Way, Besame Mucho, The Way You Look Tonight, Some Enchanted Evening, Mona Lisa - but it isn't my new favorite cd. It might have been if the song selection had been different.
The most critical family members tolerated it although there were comments that it sounded like Dave from Alvin and the Chipmunks - in fairness I think it had more to do with the style of music than Harry Connick Jr's voice.
So if you like Frank Sinatra and Barry Manilow you will probably love this album - either that or you will think I am crazy for the comparison to Manilow.
I was given the album for free but received no other payment of any kind for this review. These are my unbiased and unedited opinions.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
What about community service?
The last two Saturdays have found our family involved in some form of community service. It has been great for the kids to get involved and to see Dad and Mom get involved. It has also been good for us as a family.
Last Saturday our church and 2 other churches got together to put a new roof on a widow's house. I didn't really think that sort of thing was done anymore, communities used to do that sort of thing but it seems that people are more interest in what they can get out of something.
Anyway, one of the 90-something year old widows in our church needed a new roof and asked for help. The men and women were going to get together on Friday and finish it up on Saturday - but it rained on Friday. So Saturday morning the work started at 8:30 with the people of our church providing lunch. Hubby was there when the work started, the kids and I got there about 10:30 with some food - 1 gallon of corn and a chocolate cherry cake.
The kids and I got to work picking up the pieces of shingles that were on the ground and then Junior used a rolling magnet to pick up nails. While the kids didn't really do very much actual roofing, we were there until about 4 when the roof was finished. Daisy worked almost the entire time, Junior found another little boy about his age and played while he worked. At one point there were 50 people there working in some way so the roofing job went very quickly.
We had already signed up to help with the roof when we found out about Texas 4-H One Day. On October the 10th, 4-H had a one day volunteer effort where club members were supposed to do some kind of volunteer work, whether it was mowing someone's lawn or making someone a meal. So for our One Day effort, we helped in a roofing job.
Today our county did a community cleaning project. Volunteer teams were assigned areas to work - parks, road sides, etc - and asked to pick up trash. Our 4-H club did this last year and enjoyed it so we did it again this year. Since we have small-ish children working with us, we were asked to clean up around the softball parks - less of a risk with cars. The litter was appalling. In about 2 1/2 hours we filled 33 large trash bags with mostly beer bottles but also a large amount of plastic bottles.
The kids work hard at this but have a great time. Not to mention, I am sure they will think hard before they chunk a bit of trash into the woods.
Later tonight we have a concert that doesn't have anything to do with volunteering but is just fun. Charlie Hall is going to be performing locally so it should be a fun night.
Last Saturday our church and 2 other churches got together to put a new roof on a widow's house. I didn't really think that sort of thing was done anymore, communities used to do that sort of thing but it seems that people are more interest in what they can get out of something.
Anyway, one of the 90-something year old widows in our church needed a new roof and asked for help. The men and women were going to get together on Friday and finish it up on Saturday - but it rained on Friday. So Saturday morning the work started at 8:30 with the people of our church providing lunch. Hubby was there when the work started, the kids and I got there about 10:30 with some food - 1 gallon of corn and a chocolate cherry cake.
The kids and I got to work picking up the pieces of shingles that were on the ground and then Junior used a rolling magnet to pick up nails. While the kids didn't really do very much actual roofing, we were there until about 4 when the roof was finished. Daisy worked almost the entire time, Junior found another little boy about his age and played while he worked. At one point there were 50 people there working in some way so the roofing job went very quickly.
We had already signed up to help with the roof when we found out about Texas 4-H One Day. On October the 10th, 4-H had a one day volunteer effort where club members were supposed to do some kind of volunteer work, whether it was mowing someone's lawn or making someone a meal. So for our One Day effort, we helped in a roofing job.
Today our county did a community cleaning project. Volunteer teams were assigned areas to work - parks, road sides, etc - and asked to pick up trash. Our 4-H club did this last year and enjoyed it so we did it again this year. Since we have small-ish children working with us, we were asked to clean up around the softball parks - less of a risk with cars. The litter was appalling. In about 2 1/2 hours we filled 33 large trash bags with mostly beer bottles but also a large amount of plastic bottles.
The kids work hard at this but have a great time. Not to mention, I am sure they will think hard before they chunk a bit of trash into the woods.
Later tonight we have a concert that doesn't have anything to do with volunteering but is just fun. Charlie Hall is going to be performing locally so it should be a fun night.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
WFMW- Quick bread recipe
Ok, I like to try new things and experiment which sometimes mean I bring home a new beer to try. Some of these are absolutely wonderful and others . . . leave a bad taste in the mouth.
Those that we don't like then just sit in the refrigerator taking up space. For weeks.
So now I cook with them. I know wine people say "only use a wine you would drink" but usually when I don't like a wine or beer it is because it is too strong in something. Cooking dilutes those flavors, especially since I usually can't use enough to get a wine or beer flavor (the kids whine about it).
One of my favorites is Southern Living's Sweet Beer Bread.
Sweet Beer Bread
- 3 cups self-rising flour - I have also made it with half self-rising and half whole wheat BUT then you need to add some more leavening - like baking soda or baking powder but I don't remember how much
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 12-ounce light or dark beer (which is a bottle or can - really convienent for measuring)
Dump the ingredients in a bowl and stir. Pour into a lightly greased 8 1/2- x 4 1/2-inch loafpan.
Bake at 375° for 55 to 60 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool on wire rack.
With the different beers, you get different flavors. I have made a couple that were slightly bitter because the beer was a bitter beer but most were very good. I am thinking that an Apple Jack beer would be really good with this, add some cinnamon and you have apple cinnamon bread.
Using beer this way works for me. Check out more Works for Me at We Are That Family.
Check out more Works
Monday, October 12, 2009
I just love it when someone tells me I am a bad mother
Today I had to go argue with the dentist office; you know, the one that made my child terrified of the dentist. Two years later and I am still upset about it.
A year after what they did to Junior, they sent a bill for over $250 for work they had done on my husband before Junior'storture treatment. I called about it, holding back the rage I felt and was told that they hadn't sent the bill to the insurance company and that bill was automatically generated when they billed the insurance company.
Seriously?
Well someone else was doing the billing during that time. Don't worry, insurance will cover it.
So a month ago (a year after the previous bill and 2 years after treatment), we get another bill. I see red again and call only to find out that they want me to speak with the insurance company to beg them to pay.
Yes, the dental office that I get enraged about wants me to do a favor for them. So I mention it to Hubby so that he can tell the human resources person (or whoever it is that deals with insurance problems).
We got another bill.
So I went up there to calmly explain why I couldn't plead with the insurance company. And why we no longer go there.
They feel completely justified in the way my son was treated and actually blame me! If I had chosen to explain that it might hurt, it would better have prepared him. So I am a bad mother for not scaring the crap out of my child before taking him to the dentist.
I don't know how the missed cavity is my fault but I am sure it is. Some how.
Oh, and the billing problem is not their fault either. Now they are saying it is the insurance's fault. They did bill insurance immediately, insurance said to submit the claim again in a year (does this make any sense? because it doesn't to me). Then after the year they resubmitted the claim and insurance is denying it (DUH! Any idiot could have told them that would happen). So it is all the evil insurance companies fault.
I would love to live in a world where nothing is my fault - except I guess I can't since I am a mother.
Thing is, I took the high road. I just wanted to never think about that dentist and his office again. I haven't complained about them by name except for to a few friends. I didn't file a complaint with the ADA only because the dentist I grew up using is my cousin and I called him. He explained that some dentists do feel that the anesthetic is worse than the drilling.
I didn't complain to large groups of people, like the local homeschool email group I am on with well over 150 members. I haven't complained about him by name anywhere. I haven't filed a complaint with the BBB (although I am seriously thinking about that one).
I keep hoping it will work out somehow. My son has gotten better with his terror of dentists. I keep thinking that we can put that dentist office behind us and never deal with it again. At this point, that is all I really want from them.
Maybe not only am I a bad mother, but also a stupid one to think that I will get what I want from someone who has already made (overpriced) large amounts of money off my family.
A year after what they did to Junior, they sent a bill for over $250 for work they had done on my husband before Junior's
Seriously?
Well someone else was doing the billing during that time. Don't worry, insurance will cover it.
So a month ago (a year after the previous bill and 2 years after treatment), we get another bill. I see red again and call only to find out that they want me to speak with the insurance company to beg them to pay.
Yes, the dental office that I get enraged about wants me to do a favor for them. So I mention it to Hubby so that he can tell the human resources person (or whoever it is that deals with insurance problems).
We got another bill.
So I went up there to calmly explain why I couldn't plead with the insurance company. And why we no longer go there.
They feel completely justified in the way my son was treated and actually blame me! If I had chosen to explain that it might hurt, it would better have prepared him. So I am a bad mother for not scaring the crap out of my child before taking him to the dentist.
I don't know how the missed cavity is my fault but I am sure it is. Some how.
Oh, and the billing problem is not their fault either. Now they are saying it is the insurance's fault. They did bill insurance immediately, insurance said to submit the claim again in a year (does this make any sense? because it doesn't to me). Then after the year they resubmitted the claim and insurance is denying it (DUH! Any idiot could have told them that would happen). So it is all the evil insurance companies fault.
I would love to live in a world where nothing is my fault - except I guess I can't since I am a mother.
Thing is, I took the high road. I just wanted to never think about that dentist and his office again. I haven't complained about them by name except for to a few friends. I didn't file a complaint with the ADA only because the dentist I grew up using is my cousin and I called him. He explained that some dentists do feel that the anesthetic is worse than the drilling.
I didn't complain to large groups of people, like the local homeschool email group I am on with well over 150 members. I haven't complained about him by name anywhere. I haven't filed a complaint with the BBB (although I am seriously thinking about that one).
I keep hoping it will work out somehow. My son has gotten better with his terror of dentists. I keep thinking that we can put that dentist office behind us and never deal with it again. At this point, that is all I really want from them.
Maybe not only am I a bad mother, but also a stupid one to think that I will get what I want from someone who has already made (overpriced) large amounts of money off my family.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
On Sunday
I sat in the floor. He sat in my lap. He sat and leaned into me because he loves me and I was there.
He is getting big enough that it is uncomfortable. His weight strains my back muscles because there is nothing for me to lean against. His not so little body overflowed my lap.
The leader asks the group a question and he doesn't respond. I whisper it in his ear and he whispers back he doesn't know. I know that means he is too shy to answer. I lean forward and kiss the back of his head, glad that he still allows this.
He is six so it won't last much longer. He won't want my lap forever so I ignore the sore back and discomfort from the floor.
The last time he shows such affection won't come with warning or fanfare so I treasure each time in my heart.
My baby is growing up.
He is getting big enough that it is uncomfortable. His weight strains my back muscles because there is nothing for me to lean against. His not so little body overflowed my lap.
The leader asks the group a question and he doesn't respond. I whisper it in his ear and he whispers back he doesn't know. I know that means he is too shy to answer. I lean forward and kiss the back of his head, glad that he still allows this.
He is six so it won't last much longer. He won't want my lap forever so I ignore the sore back and discomfort from the floor.
The last time he shows such affection won't come with warning or fanfare so I treasure each time in my heart.
My baby is growing up.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
You know you wanna
Elizabeth Esther is doing a Saturday Evening Post. People submit their own best post of the month, whether it is funny, sad, thought provoking, artistic or a recipe.
I have done it. I chose Pick your side now.
It is your turn to do it now.
You know you wanna.
I have done it. I chose Pick your side now.
It is your turn to do it now.
You know you wanna.
Friday, October 2, 2009
7 quick takes
Don't forget to check out Conversion Diary for more quick takes
1. I really, really hate it when there are a bazillion ideas for posts floating around in my head (kind of link watching dust motes in the sunshine) but when I get to the computer they all disappear. Unfortunately it happens too often. I have thought that it would be convenient to have my thoughts transferred to the computer - kind of like a portable thought Dictaphone without the talking out loud. The problem is that it is scary enough for me to follow my thought process - I don't know that anyone else would want to see the true "stream of conscious"ness.
2. Our homeschool group does soccer this time of year, we just meet on Saturdays and the kids are divided into three groups. With the younger groups, it is very relaxed and low key. No score keeping, the kids are divided into teams each Saturday and the coaches try to get the talent evenly spread out so there isn't one team obviously better than the other.
The kids love it, this is Junior's first year and he was a bit nervous at first but he had a good time. Not that he will admit it. No, he was only smiling so he could stretch out his mouth.
3. Boys wisdom: "If everyone in the world all pooted at the same time, all the free air would smell really, really bad." (pooted would be passing gas, flatulence, whatever you want to call it).
4. We had co-op today and I have had some mild virus all week. By the time we finished and I picked Daisy up from her extra class, it was 4:30 and I had a headache and was tired. So I thought I would lay down for a bit and ended up sleeping 3 1/2 hours.
Hubby knows how much a I hate to take naps, I may doze off on the couch but I seldom lay down in bed for a nap. So he knew I needed the sleep and took care of everything for the evening - even reading the stories which he really isn't fond of doing.
5. We are currently taking large doses of vitamin D because I have heard from various sources that a vitamin d deficiency is linked to flu and colds. Researchers in Canada or studying to see if this is also true of the h1n1 virus.
In the meantime, I prefer to go ahead and take it and ward off (or reduce the symptoms). So we all recently started taking vitamin D in addition to the regular vitamins. Perhaps I wouldn't have gotten sick if I had gone ahead and started taking it earlier. (There is an interesting article here explaining more about it and the science behind it. The first part of the article is talking more about why this guy started researching it, but it does get into the science and research).
6. Have you seen this video?
I wish I knew more about the history of it but I think it is still amazing. Both Junior and Daisy watched it, he liked the music at the beginning and thought it was impressive to watch but didn't really understand the story. Daisy understood the story better but wasn't sure why the live veiwers seemed so upset. After all it was such a long time ago that the war happened (1945). It didn't seem quite so far away when she learned that her great-grandfather would have fought in that war had he lived in the Ukraine.
7. Shameless plug: I also have the two other blogs, homeschool and recipes. I have even been a little better at updating them so I would love it if you would check them out. They are featured in the buttons up top that say "Our Little Homeschool in the Pineywoods" and "Kitchen Chaos."
Ok, I am really tired despite the long nap so I am done. That's all. No more. Fini.
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