We traveled through lunch and had early dinner reservations so we decided just to nosh. Little Miss had a piece of cake. The adults ordered truffle fries and mozzarella sticks. So, Little Miss decided to try fried cheese and marinara sauce. So, duh, of course she loved it. However, neither one of the kids is a big french fry fan so there's no obvious likes or dislikes here.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
New Food - Mozzarella Sticks
Honestly, I don't care what the new food is as long as she keeps trying new foods. We went to NYC last weekend where we had a blast. Little Miss saw her first Broadway play. Plus, she did a little shopping at Madison Square Garden. No lie she has worn this knit cap every day (even the 70 degree days) since the trip. She's only really taken it off to eat and shower and sleep.
We traveled through lunch and had early dinner reservations so we decided just to nosh. Little Miss had a piece of cake. The adults ordered truffle fries and mozzarella sticks. So, Little Miss decided to try fried cheese and marinara sauce. So, duh, of course she loved it. However, neither one of the kids is a big french fry fan so there's no obvious likes or dislikes here.
We traveled through lunch and had early dinner reservations so we decided just to nosh. Little Miss had a piece of cake. The adults ordered truffle fries and mozzarella sticks. So, Little Miss decided to try fried cheese and marinara sauce. So, duh, of course she loved it. However, neither one of the kids is a big french fry fan so there's no obvious likes or dislikes here.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Books & Movies Watched in February 2017
February wasn't a very productive month.
Books Read in February 2017
Books Read in February 2017
- A Man Called Ove by Frednik Backman
- Echoes in Death by J.D. Robb (NOTE: This is part of the In Death series. The order can be found here.)
- The Fixer by HelenKay Dimon (Note: This is the beginning of The Games People Play series. The next book is due out in the Spring. More can be found here.)
Movies Watched in February 2017
I adored A Man Called Ove - so much that I'm watching the Swedish movie. We also watched The Lego Movie and Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief which I've already watched. Trolls was super cute and already a family favorite.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Movies & Books in January 2017
I've been lazy at keeping up with the blog.
Movies Watched in January 2017
Books Read in January 2017
I decided to start listing our Sunday Family Movies. Every Sunday, we make pancakes and watch a movie as a family. Most of the time, Little Miss chooses, but we sometimes take turns. I saw Hidden Figures in the theater with Mom and Sister which was fun.
The books were all pretty solid, fast reads. Three romance and one memoir - all enjoyable.
Movies Watched in January 2017
Books Read in January 2017
- Who Do You Love by Christie Ridgway (This is part of the Rock Royalty series. The order of which can be found here.)
- Rules of Contact by Jaci Burton (This is part of the Play by Play series. The order of which can be found here
- Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis (This is part of the Heartbreaker Bay series. The order of which can be found here.)
- Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick
The books were all pretty solid, fast reads. Three romance and one memoir - all enjoyable.
New Food - Chicken Piccata
Husband makes chicken piccata and roasted broccoli often. There was no reason Little Miss wouldn't like it so, this past weekend, she gave it a shot and ate a whole piece and asked for more. She picked off the capers, but so did I so no complaints there. She's been doing really well trying new things or at least giving them a shot. Sometimes, just explaining what's in the food or why she would like it helps. Throwing in some desserts help, too, even if she doesn't always like them. None of always likes new things, but, as I tell her, it's the trying that helps.
Friday, February 17, 2017
New Food - Kit Kat Fudge
Sometimes, you throw the kid a soft ball. So, today, we made fudge. It was 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet morsels, 14oz sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract microwaved until spreadable in 30 second increments. Then, you place Kit Kats on top and chill. Pretty simple. Obviously, Little Miss enjoyed. You can find the recipe here.
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Nee food - Lemon Bars
The lemon bars were deemed to "lemony". Next time, the pastry should bake longer, but they came out ok. I snagged the recipe from here.
Lemon bars
Ingredients
For the pastry base
For the pastry base
- 1 cup cold butter cut in small pieces
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 4 eggs
- zest of two lemons very finely chopped
- cup juice of 2 lemons about 2/3 to 3/4 juice
Instructions
To make the pastry base
To make the pastry base
Using a pastry cutter or in a food processor blend together the butter sugar and flour.
Press evenly into the bottom of a greased and parchment paper lined 9×13 inch baking pan.
Bake for 20 to minutes at 350 degrees F ( 325 degrees F if you are using glass bake-ware) The bottom should just be beginning to brown slightly at the top edges.
For the lemon topping
Simply whisk together the sugar flour, eggs, zest and lemon juice until the sugar is dissolved.
Allow the topping to sit for about 10 minutes before whisking together well again and pouring over the baked shortbread base.
Bake at 350 degrees F for about another 20- 25 minutes or until the top is slightly browned and the custard appears to be set. Cool completely. Sprinkle with icing sugar when cool or try adding a meringue topping.
Simply whisk together the sugar flour, eggs, zest and lemon juice until the sugar is dissolved.
Allow the topping to sit for about 10 minutes before whisking together well again and pouring over the baked shortbread base.
Bake at 350 degrees F for about another 20- 25 minutes or until the top is slightly browned and the custard appears to be set. Cool completely. Sprinkle with icing sugar when cool or try adding a meringue topping.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
New Food - Pork
Little Miss decided on pork loin, but I couldn't find one in the store. With more planning, I think she would have enjoyed a roast pork loin with maybe a sweet sauce/glaze. However, we ended up quickly baking up some pork chops. She said they tasted fine, but she didn't like all the chewing. They were the most moist pork chops I'd ever baked, too. So, it's on the maybe list. We'll try it again. So far, we're keeping up with it though.
We are cheating. Little Miss has had pork, even pork chops, before, but it's not plain chicken or pasta so we're going with it. She chose uncooked carrots as her side which is fine by me. I don't care how she eats her veggies as long as she does.
We are cheating. Little Miss has had pork, even pork chops, before, but it's not plain chicken or pasta so we're going with it. She chose uncooked carrots as her side which is fine by me. I don't care how she eats her veggies as long as she does.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
March on Washington
A very small part of me wanted to March, but I can hardly stand the Metro during rush hour, and chaos and crowds give me anxiety. So, I stayed home, went to Cheesetique and had some wine and mac and cheese, bought more wine and cheese to bring home and then baked. In addition to fudge, I made pink cupcakes in honor of those who marched. They weren't fancy, just funfetti with dyed frosting (6 drops of red and one drop of blue). I added a little glitter because glitter makes everything better.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
New Food - Chicken Teriyaki
- This week, I made chicken teriyaki, jasmine rice, and green beans sauteed in toasted sesame oil and shallots (I added a little water and covered to steam them because they weren't cooking very fast). I've made these before (see blog recipe though last time I used snow peas instead of green beans), but Little Miss never tried it.
This received thumbs up! Plus, she said she'd eat it again. Captain was not into it. He picked out the rice and didn't eat anything else.
2017 is off to a good start!
Chicken Teriyaki
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons peeled and finely grated fresh ginger
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds total)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. In a large bowl, mix honey, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat. Transfer chicken and sauce to baking sheet.
2. Bake chicken, skin side up, basting occasionally with pan juices, until well browned and cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve chicken drizzled with pan juices.
Monday, January 9, 2017
No New Food
No new food this week. Little Miss has a touch of the stomach bug. Captain took good care of her. While she was in the bathroom, he was told not to go in there, but he sat right at the door and offered her everything he could think of. He later brought her tissues at her request. He kept bringing her books. He was very concerned and asked, "Laura, all right?" Then, when she didn't answer, he looked at me and said, "Mama, help." It was so precious. He's missed his playmate quite a bit and has been extra snuggly with us to make up for it. He had Husband read him many books and snuggled hard this morning with me. His sister will be back to normal soon and everything will right itself.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
New Food - Fried Eggs and Bacon
The first dish is an easy one - fried eggs and bacon. I let the eggs fry a bit longer to avoid the gooey yolk. I also scrambled a couple of eggs as a back up in case she did not like them. She did not. She ate the egg whites and the the scrambled egg on reserve. Obviously, the bacon was a hit as that wasn't a true new food. Originally, the thought was to go through the book chronologically, but there's a whole chapter on sauces and such so we decided to randomly pick recipes. We'll see what she chooses for next week! As when we first started this venture, it still helps that she chooses the food and also helps that she makes it with me. She pretty much made the entire egg portion this week.
P.S. The serving size was 2 pieces of bacon which I thought was ridiculous. I gave each kid 3 pieces to look like a hero. I did not dole out the bonus bacon until after the fried egg was tried though.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Lobster Rolls
The boy and I are not fond of mayonnaise, but I wanted a lobster roll really bad. So, I found this recipe. It is delicious.
This is where I found the recipe and also where I snagged the photo.
Serves 6 (I think it made 6 so depending on your sides or appetite, it may not serve 6)
Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 50 min
Source: Gourmet magazine; July 2009
Ingredients:
4 (1 1/4- to 1 1/2-lb) live lobsters
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled celery
1/4 cup celery leaves
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 stick unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, smashed
6 hot dog buns, preferably top-split
Accompaniment: lemon wedges
Directions: Prepare a gas grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-high heat. (I simply put the buns under the broiler in the oven....instead of using a grill.) Plunge 2 lobsters headfirst into a large pot of salted boiling water and cook, partially covered, over medium-high heat 8 minutes (for 1 1/4-lb lobsters) to 9 minutes (for 1 1/2-lb lobsters) from time they enter water. Transfer with tongs to an ice bath and let stand until completely cooled. Return water to a boil and cook and cool remaining 2 lobsters. Remove meat from claws, joints, and tails. Save carcasses, shells, and any roe for another use (see "To Make Lobster Stock" and "To Make Lobster Oil"). Coarsely chop meat. Whisk together lemon juice, oil, and 1/2 tsp salt in a large bowl. Whisk in scallions, celery, celery leaves, and parsley, then add lobster and gently toss. Season with salt. Melt butter with garlic in a small saucepan over low heat, mashing garlic with a spoon. Brush inside of buns with garlic butter. Grill, buttered side down, until golden, about 1 minute. Fill buns with lobster.
Cooks’ notes: Lobsters can be cooked 1 day ahead. Remove meat from shells and chill. Buns can be grilled in a lightly oiled hot 2-burner grill pan over medium heat or toasted in a 350ºF oven 5 to 7 minutes.
It is so easy. You really need it all together to make it work. The salad by itself is a little plain. The garlic butter rolls are what puts it all together.
*******
Lobster Rolls with Lemon Vinaigrette and Garlic Butter
Serves 6 (I think it made 6 so depending on your sides or appetite, it may not serve 6)
Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 50 min
Source: Gourmet magazine; July 2009
Ingredients:
4 (1 1/4- to 1 1/2-lb) live lobsters
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled celery
1/4 cup celery leaves
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 stick unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, smashed
6 hot dog buns, preferably top-split
Accompaniment: lemon wedges
Directions: Prepare a gas grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-high heat. (I simply put the buns under the broiler in the oven....instead of using a grill.) Plunge 2 lobsters headfirst into a large pot of salted boiling water and cook, partially covered, over medium-high heat 8 minutes (for 1 1/4-lb lobsters) to 9 minutes (for 1 1/2-lb lobsters) from time they enter water. Transfer with tongs to an ice bath and let stand until completely cooled. Return water to a boil and cook and cool remaining 2 lobsters. Remove meat from claws, joints, and tails. Save carcasses, shells, and any roe for another use (see "To Make Lobster Stock" and "To Make Lobster Oil"). Coarsely chop meat. Whisk together lemon juice, oil, and 1/2 tsp salt in a large bowl. Whisk in scallions, celery, celery leaves, and parsley, then add lobster and gently toss. Season with salt. Melt butter with garlic in a small saucepan over low heat, mashing garlic with a spoon. Brush inside of buns with garlic butter. Grill, buttered side down, until golden, about 1 minute. Fill buns with lobster.
Cooks’ notes: Lobsters can be cooked 1 day ahead. Remove meat from shells and chill. Buns can be grilled in a lightly oiled hot 2-burner grill pan over medium heat or toasted in a 350ºF oven 5 to 7 minutes.
******
Full disclosure, I bought the lobster meat already cooked. It is probably better if you cook it yourself, but it was still good enough. I did not grill but broiled my buns.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Movies Watched in July 2016
Very good month! Little Miss and I saw The BFG. She enjoyed it quite a bit. I thought it was ok. After a year of deciding if I was a big enough girl to watch Deadpool, I sucked it up and did it. It wasn't as violent as I thought. Plus, it was super funny. We won't talk about how much I cried in The Good Dinosaur. I thought it was underrated and super cute though even if it calls back many other Disney movies. Husband and I went to see Bad Moms, and we loved it. It is hilarious.
Friday, September 9, 2016
August 2016 Weekend Update
August was really busy! The first weekend, Husband and I traveled to New Jersey for a wedding while the kids stayed home with the in-laws - and their cousins. We hit the track on Friday night to lose a few bucks. We had a nice dinner. Then, the next day, we had a wedding to attend. It was a beautiful wedding. Between, we grabbed some drinks before going to the country club for a lot of eating and drinking. We visited with some of the Husband's family before heading back on Sunday.
The next weekend, we took off for vacation with the in-laws. The older nephew and Little Miss went up a day before. We met them the next day. It was a beautiful week of sun and sand. We did a lot of eating. The kids loved the water - both the ocean and the pool. I still feel like I'm recovering.
The kids really loved spending time with their cousins. They little ones are really getting much better at playing together and interacting. They still need to be watched because Captain can be kind of mean sometimes. He's used to being the darling baby of the group, but he turns into such bully, not wanting to share any attention. Then, sometimes, when you're not looking, the two of them play so nicely.
The last weekend, Husband and I went to La Tasca and had sangria and paella. The sangria was delicious. We definitely need to do that more often. Then, we saw John Oliver! It was amazing. He's one of my favorite personalities/comedians. After we saw a friend from college and her wife, and then we grabbed drinks with a former co-worker. It was a lot of fun and full of adult, grown up things.
The next day was another wedding! It was the last of the season. The wedding was lovely. We grabbed a drink after with another couple before we went to the reception where we had a blast. After, we were like entirely different people and went to the after party until we shut the bar down. I haven't done that in I don't know how long.
That said, we are definitely ready for the routine of school to start up again. I think our busy summer was great - and fast - but there's sometime comforting in the routine of the Fall. We have some plans we'd like to carry out in the Fall so it'll be something to look forward to.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Third Grade, Here We Come!
I don't know how, but Little Miss is entering the third grade!
This morning, she got up early, got ready on time, did her own hair for goodness' sake. She was a little nervous, but I know she'll do great. I can't wait to hear all about it. It's still gratifying to see brand new school supplies - backpack, lunch bag, and water bottle all clean and shiny!
Captain was not excited. He sobbed as she left for school. He's so adored her being with him all summer. They love each other so much.
Captain was not excited. He sobbed as she left for school. He's so adored her being with him all summer. They love each other so much.
July 2016 Weekend Update
July went by in a blur. We went to the pool again during the Fourth of July weekend. We did a day at my sister's pool and a day at my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's pool. The next weekend, we celebrated my nephew's birthday at the pool. The third weekend, we spent it at a friend's pool. We only got a good dip in before it started storming, but it was still fun.
The next weekend, my sister had a party. It turns out there was an issue with her marriage paperwork so they got married again (or for the first time). At the party, one of her bridesmaid and I wore our bridemaid dresses again as a little nod. The last weekend, the kids got their haircut and we met my parents for ice cream. Little Miss also went ice skating because that's what we do when it's a billion degrees. Throughout the month, Little Miss continued with her swimming lessons.
Monday, September 5, 2016
June 2016 Weekend Update
June wasn't as busy. Except that first weekend. You know, that weekend my sister got married. It was such a great weekend. The kids were great. The rehearsal dinner ran late. It was fun except the kids stayed up to about midnight so it was rough for them. The day of the wedding, they were with my family so they got to take it easy. It was a really relaxing day. The weather was overcast, but it turned beautiful for the wedding itself. The mint green photographed so nice. The kids had a great time. Little Miss danced her tail off. Captain loved eating everything. The in-laws picked up Captain from the reception so he could get to sleep. Little Miss opted to stay the entire evening and spend the night with my family and her cousin. Captain was co-flower girl. He loved throwing the flower petals - and then he tried to pick them all up afterwards.
The second weekend in June, it was my birthday. On Friday, I had drinks with friends after work and then we went to see Me Before You. It wasn't the happiest birthday movie, but we enjoyed it. The next night, we did a big dinner with the in-laws as a belated Mother's Day/Father's Day celebration. On Sunday, we went to the pool where the kids were starting to enjoy the water. The swimming lessons Little Miss has been taking have started to pay off and Captain wasn't as afraid of the water.
The third weekend was a nice, relaxing one. We did nothing of note. I'm not even sure we did swimming lessons.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Swimming!
Little Miss has started taking swimming lessons earlier this year. A co-worker and friend taught swimming in a previous professional life, and she gets along really well with Little Miss. There has been such progress in the last few months, it's been unbelievable. Little Miss puts her face in the water and floats and does rudimentary swimming.
Captain, in his way of copying his sister, also has been trying to swim. He loves the water. I missed it, but allegedly, an older girl (of around 4 years of age) was inflating his ego before swimming away. Big Captain decided to dive off the pool stairs and follow her, forgetting he did not know how to swim. Husband had to pluck him out of the water and got side eye for the rest of the night for holding Captain back. We'll look into getting him some lessons before next summer or at least visit our inside pool more in the off-season.
Captain, in his way of copying his sister, also has been trying to swim. He loves the water. I missed it, but allegedly, an older girl (of around 4 years of age) was inflating his ego before swimming away. Big Captain decided to dive off the pool stairs and follow her, forgetting he did not know how to swim. Husband had to pluck him out of the water and got side eye for the rest of the night for holding Captain back. We'll look into getting him some lessons before next summer or at least visit our inside pool more in the off-season.
Friday, September 2, 2016
May 2016 Weekend Update
May seems like months ago - because it was. May and June were ridiculously busy for us (as was the rest of the summer honestly). The first weekend, we had our annual Kentucky Derby party. It was on the small side this year, but we still cooked about the same amount of food. We watched the race and then played Cards Against Humanity which was a lot of fun - good group. On Sunday, we had the in-laws over for a cook out. Our apartment added a few grills and gave us a proper patio so we tried that out for the first time.
The second weekend was our nephew's birthday. It was a lot of fun. Captain enjoyed the food, and Little Miss enjoyed ruling all the kids around her as the oldest. It was a day of fun and chaos as all children's birthday parties are. The next day was the Taste of Arlington. Captain tried a soba salad which I thought was a little too strong for me, but he loved it. The lotus root always creeps me out, but he ate it up. The wind took his plate which made him sob, but I bought him another. Little Miss mostly liked rock climbing and gathering as much free stuff as she could. She had swimming, and then we actually went back to the Taste of Arlington where we scored free food from some vendors.
The third weekend we did the Fun Fair at the elementary school. Little Miss loves being around her friends. She got her face painted, tried her hand at the cake walk (many times), and loved seeing her teachers outside of school hours. The next day, we did Truck & Bus Day. It rained, but that didn't stop Captain from freaking out all over the bus and trucks and other vehicles. Little Miss also really enjoys this event. After, I took the kids to book club and then we all went to get frozen yogurt and then ended up at my parents' for a jam packed weekend!
The last weekend of May, Memorial Day, we just ran errands, had more frozen yogurt, and went to the pool. It was a little chilly for the pool, but that didn't stop the kids from staying in until it started raining. All in all, it was a good month.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Movies Watched in May 2016
I treated myself to Captain America (but my co-worker came along to make it more enjoyable). I caught Jurassic World and Paper Towns on cable.
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Sometimes, you throw the kid a soft ball. So, today, we made fudge. It was 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet morsels, 14oz sweetened condensed milk, ... -
A very small part of me wanted to March, but I can hardly stand the Metro during rush hour, and chaos and crowds give me anxiety. So, I st... -
This begins our crazy busy February. On Friday night, I left work and went to my parents' house. My sister was borrowing their house f...