My husband is a fabulous cook. Ask anyone who has had his cooking, and they will tell you just that. I can only think of one thing that he has ever cooked that we just could not eat. We won't talk about that, because I know that he is still wants to redeem himself on it. He is one of those guys that you can say, here is some pork, make something with it. He did, he created a pork tarragon with it, and it was fabulous!
So now with him gone for the year, I am left holding the bag (or package of meat). I know how to cook, but my cooking is more utilitarian. I follow recipes, and get a meal on the table. Scott is the one that has the flare for cooking. I try and make some of his dishes, and they come out okay, but I concede that his always taste better. I am okay with that, it just means he has to cook!
We had Ahi Tuna in the freezer, and I decided that it was time to get it out of there. Scott does an awesome seared Ahi Tuna with twin sauces; one a wasabi mayonnaise and the other a ginger honey sauce. I got something close to a recipe from him (the other part is that he never measures ANYTHING). And off I went.
I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out okay. The kids all ate it, and had seconds. Even Brigid, who turns her nose up at many things, had 2 servings. Of course, I think she was floating the tuna in the ginger honey sauce, but she still ate it. I served it with rice (which I told Aidan he could add some of the wasabi mayo to it - more appealing to him) and a cauliflower, broccoli, carrot mix. Again, we discussed cost, and I realized that since we only needed 3 pieces from the bag to feed us, it really was a pretty cheap and quick meal. And probably more healthy. I still am not going to be overly creative in the kitchen, but at least my kids won't starve or be stuck eating chicken nuggets (they won't eat hot dogs!) and macaroni and cheese.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Family Dinners
I grew up having family dinners. It was something we always did. All of my friends did it as well. There were evening activities, but it did not seem to interfere with the family dinner. We have raised the kids this way as well. There are times when this is not possible, like soccer season when the kids have practice from 5:30-7:00 between the different teams, or on Tuesdays when the girls have Honor Choir from 5:30-6:30 and Aidan has Boy Scouts from 7:00-8:30. Throw in the once a month Genealogy meetings in Schertz from 6:30-8:00 and you have a full evening away from home.
But as often as we can, we still sit down to a family meal. Not take out, we cannot afford to do that on a regular basis. We (me right now, and Scott when he is home) cook the meal, sometimes it is something frozen or quick, sometimes it is from scratch, sometimes it is half way between. This means no phones, no mp3 players, no DS, or any type of electronics at the table. The television is usually either off, on music, or the news. Mostly we try and turn it off. Aidan tells me that none of his friends have family meals. He says its dumb (usually when I am interrupting his gaming time), but I think he likes it. We talk about what is going on at school, in their activities, music, and just teen interests in general. It is amazing to me how much dinner conversation has grown. I have always banned talk of video games and tv, as I think there are more important topics to converse about.
As I said before, we cook our meals. The kids love going out to eat, but when you are a family of 6, that becomes a small fortune. So, as we cook meals, we explain to the kids the savings involved between cooking at home and eating out. Christmas Eve, we cooked prime rib with baked potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise sauce. We discussed with them how if you went out it would be $25 per person (at least), but by cooking the same meal at home it was less than $8 per person. They are amazed at how much it costs to go out to eat. We explain to them that we are paying for the food, the cook, the waitress, and the bus person as well as the owner. Plus, they are learning that Dad is a way better cook than any restaurant.
Sunday has traditionally been Steak Night. Steak, hash browns and spinach. Yep, my kids eat spinach (frozen, not canned). It was a tradition they my family had as far back as I can remember. My dad had said that he might have to eat crap all week, but on Sunday he wanted a steak. Of course the quality of steaks we had got better as Dad moved up the ladder. Scott was only too willing to continue this tradition. So for the past 16 and 1/2 years we almost always have steak on Sundays. Of course with him gone and Aidan having confirmation class from 4:30-6:00, it means grilling in the dark during the winter, but it is worth it. Luckily Scott had started using a timer, so I can just throw the steaks on and start the timer. When it beeps turn them over and when it beeps again, take them off. Don't need to see them, just well enough to know where they are on the grill. 4 minutes per side and a 2 inch thick steak is yummy.
I miss Scott, but he left enough steak seasoning premade for use to make it through the year, and to enjoy our family dinners!
But as often as we can, we still sit down to a family meal. Not take out, we cannot afford to do that on a regular basis. We (me right now, and Scott when he is home) cook the meal, sometimes it is something frozen or quick, sometimes it is from scratch, sometimes it is half way between. This means no phones, no mp3 players, no DS, or any type of electronics at the table. The television is usually either off, on music, or the news. Mostly we try and turn it off. Aidan tells me that none of his friends have family meals. He says its dumb (usually when I am interrupting his gaming time), but I think he likes it. We talk about what is going on at school, in their activities, music, and just teen interests in general. It is amazing to me how much dinner conversation has grown. I have always banned talk of video games and tv, as I think there are more important topics to converse about.
As I said before, we cook our meals. The kids love going out to eat, but when you are a family of 6, that becomes a small fortune. So, as we cook meals, we explain to the kids the savings involved between cooking at home and eating out. Christmas Eve, we cooked prime rib with baked potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise sauce. We discussed with them how if you went out it would be $25 per person (at least), but by cooking the same meal at home it was less than $8 per person. They are amazed at how much it costs to go out to eat. We explain to them that we are paying for the food, the cook, the waitress, and the bus person as well as the owner. Plus, they are learning that Dad is a way better cook than any restaurant.
Sunday has traditionally been Steak Night. Steak, hash browns and spinach. Yep, my kids eat spinach (frozen, not canned). It was a tradition they my family had as far back as I can remember. My dad had said that he might have to eat crap all week, but on Sunday he wanted a steak. Of course the quality of steaks we had got better as Dad moved up the ladder. Scott was only too willing to continue this tradition. So for the past 16 and 1/2 years we almost always have steak on Sundays. Of course with him gone and Aidan having confirmation class from 4:30-6:00, it means grilling in the dark during the winter, but it is worth it. Luckily Scott had started using a timer, so I can just throw the steaks on and start the timer. When it beeps turn them over and when it beeps again, take them off. Don't need to see them, just well enough to know where they are on the grill. 4 minutes per side and a 2 inch thick steak is yummy.
I miss Scott, but he left enough steak seasoning premade for use to make it through the year, and to enjoy our family dinners!
Popcorn
Tonight was movie night. Saturday nights have traditionally been movie night here. It started back when we were in Germany and Scott was deployed to Iraq. It was my way of getting the kids in the house and showered early on Saturdays so we could leave on time for Church in the morning. At the time I had a 7, 4 and 2 year old (how did I do that???), and we would have an early dinner, get showered and make a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie. Of course that meant purchasing movies, or sometimes renting them if we remembered to.
It was easy back then because all three of the kids were at the age where you could watch Disney movies. Now it is more difficult with the kids 14,11, and 9, they all have different tastes. Sometimes we can watch movies together, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find ones that appeal to all. It is also more difficult when they have already seen many of the movies from going to other activities (long band trips on charter buses mean lots of movies being played).
So tonight we watched Despicable Me. Cute movie. Mackenzie and I had seen it last spring for a Mom and Me outing. I thought Aidan had watched it on the bus going to state, but he said he didn't watch it. About half way through the movie, Brigid asks the usual question..."Can we have popcorn, I'll make it?" This is usually followed by a "where is it?" as she is standing in front of the pantry door.
I wound up making it, and while looking at the calorie content realized something interesting. Unpopped popcorn is 170 calories per serving, but popped it is only 35 calories per serving! And that is for the Movie Theater Butter popcorn.
The kids and I were discussing it, and one statement that was made was "that maybe when it pops the calories pop out of it". I laughed, that reminded me of the statement that calories fall out of cookies when you break them! I think it is because when the kernel pops the sugar inside of it cooks out. Sounds good to me.
It was easy back then because all three of the kids were at the age where you could watch Disney movies. Now it is more difficult with the kids 14,11, and 9, they all have different tastes. Sometimes we can watch movies together, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find ones that appeal to all. It is also more difficult when they have already seen many of the movies from going to other activities (long band trips on charter buses mean lots of movies being played).
So tonight we watched Despicable Me. Cute movie. Mackenzie and I had seen it last spring for a Mom and Me outing. I thought Aidan had watched it on the bus going to state, but he said he didn't watch it. About half way through the movie, Brigid asks the usual question..."Can we have popcorn, I'll make it?" This is usually followed by a "where is it?" as she is standing in front of the pantry door.
I wound up making it, and while looking at the calorie content realized something interesting. Unpopped popcorn is 170 calories per serving, but popped it is only 35 calories per serving! And that is for the Movie Theater Butter popcorn.
The kids and I were discussing it, and one statement that was made was "that maybe when it pops the calories pop out of it". I laughed, that reminded me of the statement that calories fall out of cookies when you break them! I think it is because when the kernel pops the sugar inside of it cooks out. Sounds good to me.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Working for a Living, working...
I really like my job.
Life in the military, especially being a military spouse means that you never know how long you are going to be in one place. When we were stationed in San Francisco, I was actually told not to mention that I was a military spouse when I was looking for a job. Granted, that was San Francisco, but the career counselor that was helping me told me that some employers were hesitant to hire military spouses because they never know how long they are going to be around. I never lied, but I did at one point give the response "he works in public relations" when asked what my husband does. Okay, so it was a stretch of the truth, but it was not a lie, being a bandsman, he does do a lot of public relations gigs. I have had the full gamut of jobs - fast food, restaurant, department store, specialty shop, receptionist, teacher, customer service rep....ugh, the list goes on and on.
For 11 years my main focus has been running the household and raising our 3 wonderful kids. When we moved to Texas, we figured it would be the right time for me to go back to work. Hmmm...okay, so I had 4 years of spanish in school, but I cannot speak it fluently, so forget anything that requires me to be bilingual. That takes out at least 50% of the jobs.
I had applied at a couple of places and finally decided to put my college to work and put my sub packet in for the district. I had my orientation meeting for subbing and was called by a prospective employer the same week. Subbing was nice for a while, could work when I wanted to, not work when I didn't feel like it, but I didn't like not knowing ahead of time when I would be working.
The other prospect was Hogan Homes, working as a part time hostess. I would be filling in when the regular hostess could not make it. Initially, it gave me some hours, but was sporadic. I didn't think that I would stay with them for long...it was very boring at first. I would bring in Girl Scout stuff to do if there were no customers (sorry Michelle, if you are reading this!). Eventually, my boss started having me do extra tasks, and by attrition, I moved up the hostess ladder. Then my boss gave me to another boss who taught me more skills, and started giving me more projects.
This past year, the company has allowed me to start doing some work from home. My boss has been very good about working around my schedule (especially since Scott has been gone) and was very understanding about me needing to leave early on Fridays for football this fall. And being home when the kids come home to make sure homework was getting done (something that was slacking at times before). I have worked with the sales counselors developing flyers that they can use to give to customers. It gives me a chance to be a little more creative, and I love that I am learning to do new things everyday that I can incorporate into my work.
Today, I was copied on an email from our VP of Sales saying that she likes the flyers that I have been doing in one of the other communities, and wants the sales counselors from the rest of the communities to get with me about making flyers for their listings. Job security, and a feeling of accomplishment.
I really like my job. :o)
Life in the military, especially being a military spouse means that you never know how long you are going to be in one place. When we were stationed in San Francisco, I was actually told not to mention that I was a military spouse when I was looking for a job. Granted, that was San Francisco, but the career counselor that was helping me told me that some employers were hesitant to hire military spouses because they never know how long they are going to be around. I never lied, but I did at one point give the response "he works in public relations" when asked what my husband does. Okay, so it was a stretch of the truth, but it was not a lie, being a bandsman, he does do a lot of public relations gigs. I have had the full gamut of jobs - fast food, restaurant, department store, specialty shop, receptionist, teacher, customer service rep....ugh, the list goes on and on.
For 11 years my main focus has been running the household and raising our 3 wonderful kids. When we moved to Texas, we figured it would be the right time for me to go back to work. Hmmm...okay, so I had 4 years of spanish in school, but I cannot speak it fluently, so forget anything that requires me to be bilingual. That takes out at least 50% of the jobs.
I had applied at a couple of places and finally decided to put my college to work and put my sub packet in for the district. I had my orientation meeting for subbing and was called by a prospective employer the same week. Subbing was nice for a while, could work when I wanted to, not work when I didn't feel like it, but I didn't like not knowing ahead of time when I would be working.
The other prospect was Hogan Homes, working as a part time hostess. I would be filling in when the regular hostess could not make it. Initially, it gave me some hours, but was sporadic. I didn't think that I would stay with them for long...it was very boring at first. I would bring in Girl Scout stuff to do if there were no customers (sorry Michelle, if you are reading this!). Eventually, my boss started having me do extra tasks, and by attrition, I moved up the hostess ladder. Then my boss gave me to another boss who taught me more skills, and started giving me more projects.
This past year, the company has allowed me to start doing some work from home. My boss has been very good about working around my schedule (especially since Scott has been gone) and was very understanding about me needing to leave early on Fridays for football this fall. And being home when the kids come home to make sure homework was getting done (something that was slacking at times before). I have worked with the sales counselors developing flyers that they can use to give to customers. It gives me a chance to be a little more creative, and I love that I am learning to do new things everyday that I can incorporate into my work.
Today, I was copied on an email from our VP of Sales saying that she likes the flyers that I have been doing in one of the other communities, and wants the sales counselors from the rest of the communities to get with me about making flyers for their listings. Job security, and a feeling of accomplishment.
I really like my job. :o)
Friday, January 7, 2011
Mileage
So today, as I was running some errands and making sure that I have everything I need for a couple of days (which I realize that I don't at 9:30 tonight), I stopped to get gas since I was just under half a tank. As I was pulling away from the gas station, I looked at my odometer, and realized that 110,800. When did that happen? I didn't take any trips, but apparently between this summer (when I picked up Aidan from one of his camps and my car flipped over to 100,000) and now I have put 10,800 miles on my car. Makes me wonder if I should get my OTR license. :)
Of course, I guess I should not be that surprised, since my car is a 2004, so in the six years I had it, I had put 100,000 on it, so that would translate to just short of 20,000 per year. So I guess 10,000 in 6 months is pretty accurate.
I guess I will just Keep On Truckin'...
Of course, I guess I should not be that surprised, since my car is a 2004, so in the six years I had it, I had put 100,000 on it, so that would translate to just short of 20,000 per year. So I guess 10,000 in 6 months is pretty accurate.
I guess I will just Keep On Truckin'...
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Resolutions
Well, as the new year has come, we all make resolutions. I have made several resolutions. Some that I will keep to myself for now (so if I fail, I only have to explain them to myself) and some that I can share. One of them is to be better about blogging. I am going to try and start blogging everyday. I make no guarantees, but I figure if I blog in the evening about the day, it will be easier.
Today was a Seguin day. That means driving to the great community of Seguin to the LDS genealogy library. Mom does genealogy, so this gives her a chance to and order films and to look at other records for more of her ancestral research. I tend to take my laptop with to try and get some work done, or to prepare for the girl scout meeting. While there I will also run whatever errands that need to be done.
Mackenzie did not have honor band today, so both of the girls were home right after school. It is a good thing when they come home right after school. It gives them a little extra time to get homework done. Mackenzie had math to work on, and Brigid worked on the words for her upcoming spelling bee. She made it past the first round, so now he has 450 words for her to practice to help her prepare for the next round. It should be interesting, I don't even know how to spell some of those words! Aidan didn't have German Club today, his teacher cancelled it. He is treasurer of the club, but it does not seem to entail anything. But he can add it to his college application.
Mackenzie had her first vocal private lesson today. She is going to be studying with the High School vocal teacher. This teacher is the director for the District Honor Choir, and she feels that Mackenzie is on the cusp of making a leap in her vocal abilities. It will be neat to she how she develops with some formal instruction. Today, most of her lesson was spent on warm up exercises, but the teacher seems to be doing a lot with diction, vowels and breathing, so that is a good thing.
As I sit her typing, I am at the gym for Brigid's gymnastics. She is developing slowly, some things she is very strong on, and others not as much. She is currently working on beam, and while she can do some of the stuff, like cartwheels and handstands on the beam, she has a hard time with levers and some of the basic jumps. It is very frustrating, because she thinks she is doing it correctly, and won't listen to me if I tell her that she is dropping her arms or something....
Aidan has added jazz band to his schedule, like he needed another after school activity. I think he figures that since marching band is finally over (after the football team won state), except for the celebration parade next week. Of course, on Monday he came home upset because he is in the second band. I told him that means one of three things - either he didn't do as well as he thought he did, or he is getting cocky at school, and one of the directors needed to smack him down, or the third possibility is that they put him in the second band so he could be on lead part. After talking with him, and with who is in each of the bands, it seems like the director might have tried to split the talent up between both bands so they both sound good. On top of that, he informs me that he is going to be in a trombone quartet??? Gee, I wonder when that will be...
I was able to get most of dinner preped before I took Mackenzie to her lesson, and Mom fixed the noodles while I was gone, so it was just final prep work when I got home, and we had dinner on the table by 6:30. It is always good when it gets done like it is supposed to. Now I am just waiting patiently for Brigid's class to be over, and then her private lesson. After that, I am done, maybe have a baby Guinness, and then off to bed. Dishes are already done, and coffee is made for tomorrow. That was one of my other resolutions, to keep my kitchen clean. So far so good. I also want to this year work on de-cluttering my house. I have done the pantry (sort of) and the coat closet. I guess another resolution should be for me to stay on task better when writing. Oh well, it will be something for me to improve upon during this year.
Today was a Seguin day. That means driving to the great community of Seguin to the LDS genealogy library. Mom does genealogy, so this gives her a chance to and order films and to look at other records for more of her ancestral research. I tend to take my laptop with to try and get some work done, or to prepare for the girl scout meeting. While there I will also run whatever errands that need to be done.
Mackenzie did not have honor band today, so both of the girls were home right after school. It is a good thing when they come home right after school. It gives them a little extra time to get homework done. Mackenzie had math to work on, and Brigid worked on the words for her upcoming spelling bee. She made it past the first round, so now he has 450 words for her to practice to help her prepare for the next round. It should be interesting, I don't even know how to spell some of those words! Aidan didn't have German Club today, his teacher cancelled it. He is treasurer of the club, but it does not seem to entail anything. But he can add it to his college application.
Mackenzie had her first vocal private lesson today. She is going to be studying with the High School vocal teacher. This teacher is the director for the District Honor Choir, and she feels that Mackenzie is on the cusp of making a leap in her vocal abilities. It will be neat to she how she develops with some formal instruction. Today, most of her lesson was spent on warm up exercises, but the teacher seems to be doing a lot with diction, vowels and breathing, so that is a good thing.
As I sit her typing, I am at the gym for Brigid's gymnastics. She is developing slowly, some things she is very strong on, and others not as much. She is currently working on beam, and while she can do some of the stuff, like cartwheels and handstands on the beam, she has a hard time with levers and some of the basic jumps. It is very frustrating, because she thinks she is doing it correctly, and won't listen to me if I tell her that she is dropping her arms or something....
Aidan has added jazz band to his schedule, like he needed another after school activity. I think he figures that since marching band is finally over (after the football team won state), except for the celebration parade next week. Of course, on Monday he came home upset because he is in the second band. I told him that means one of three things - either he didn't do as well as he thought he did, or he is getting cocky at school, and one of the directors needed to smack him down, or the third possibility is that they put him in the second band so he could be on lead part. After talking with him, and with who is in each of the bands, it seems like the director might have tried to split the talent up between both bands so they both sound good. On top of that, he informs me that he is going to be in a trombone quartet??? Gee, I wonder when that will be...
I was able to get most of dinner preped before I took Mackenzie to her lesson, and Mom fixed the noodles while I was gone, so it was just final prep work when I got home, and we had dinner on the table by 6:30. It is always good when it gets done like it is supposed to. Now I am just waiting patiently for Brigid's class to be over, and then her private lesson. After that, I am done, maybe have a baby Guinness, and then off to bed. Dishes are already done, and coffee is made for tomorrow. That was one of my other resolutions, to keep my kitchen clean. So far so good. I also want to this year work on de-cluttering my house. I have done the pantry (sort of) and the coat closet. I guess another resolution should be for me to stay on task better when writing. Oh well, it will be something for me to improve upon during this year.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Starting a new year
So I have decided to start blogging again. We have started a new year. The kids went back to school this week, and as of 2 days into it, it seems to be okay. Aidan had a minor freak out Sunday night thinking he had done the wrong Biology homework, so we were up until midnight trying to get all 8 pages done. Then it turned out it was not due on Monday. Oh well, he is ahead of the game. The girls are back in the swing of things. Mackenzie is going to start taking vocal lessons today, and Brigid starts back with gymnastics tonight. She has finally tested up to a level 3. Yea! for her. Aidan has added jazz band to his schedule (after school schedule) and came home yesterday letting me know that he is going to be in a trombone quartet. Plus, next month soccer starts for all 3!!!
Oh the life....
Oh the life....
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