Whipped Out the Ole Clarinet (191:365)

Dee found my hidden talent.

Image from Here

The Clarinet.

It was stashed under some stuff by my desk.

She was really curious so I broke it out for her and played until my lips went numb, which took about 60 seconds. Pretty lame.

I buried my talent and now I a lousy clarinet player!

I think I'll try to practice more. I know the girls will love it.

What talents are you going to work on?

A Me Date (139:365)

Tonight I got to pick up some friends from the airport, which meant driving their car (which I am NOT friends with...Me + Robot Cars = Much Anger and Some Tears...you'll need to ask me in person if you want the full story) and being alone.

Alone.

Alone.

I haven't been alone for longer than a quick car ride somewhere in, I don't know. Can't even remember.

It was nice.

I was early (really they were late, but I'm glad they were) so I went to a little coffee shop and got a yummy slice of quiche and a hot apple cider and just played on my iPod and enjoyed some me time.

This reminds me of a comedian, Adam Johnson, who did a hilarious skit about dating himself, how he learned a little bit more about himself, how he kept making himself laugh, and how he noticed the little things about himself and really had a good time.

I couldn't find a clip of that anywhere, but man, it is funny!

And that's what I did tonight.

A date with myself.

Much needed.

Maybe I'll take myself out again sometime soon.

I think we had fun.

Flowbee (116:365)

My mom and step dad recently sent us a Flowbee.

You remember those things, right?

It's basically a vacuum with blades that cuts your hair.

Works for boys, men and grandmas, according to the pictures in the manual.

Well, you need to be able to hook it to your own vacuum to get the suction for hair cutting, and our vacuum is currently out of commission. It is clogged and I haven't been brave enough yet, or remembered to tackle it while Goose is asleep, so that's why our carpet is gross, for those of you who have recently seen my house and felt repulsed.

Anyway, Scott didn't realize that we needed to use our own vacuum for the Flowbee until he'd spent 30 minutes trying to figure it out (why don't boys read instruction manuals? but I digress...) so that is why you will not be seeing a real Flowbee haircut on here tonight. You won't be seeing one until I get that dang vacuum unclogged. Anyone a wiz at that and want to come fix mine? I'll make you something delicious...

(P.S. I hope Scott looks as cool as that guy "Rick", as stated on the image info, when we are done with him!)

Buttons and Stew (115:365)

I have a problem with fabric stores.

They steal all my money.

I go in with an idea and come out with enough stuff for 10 ideas, and then only get 1/2 of an idea completed sometime the next month.

It's bad.

I am currently in Step 1 of the correction of this problem:

Admittance.

Now, on to the spoils!

Today I had some "Mommy Alone and Shopping Time" and while out I found some super cute fabric that will become fabric covered button bookmarks for my up and coming first craft bazaar (which I will keep promoting until it's over because it is helping me to remember to DO something to get ready).

So, I worked on those today and we tried a new recipe from the trusty BGH cookbook called Chicken Stew with Cornmeal Dumplings which was liked by Scott and sort of liked by Dee. I liked it too. It was creamy and the texture of the dumplings was nice (and they had cheese in them, so that was a bonus). 

Since it is Daylight Savings, do you think my kids are going to wake up an hour early tomorrow? I used to LOVE to Fall Back, but now I think I'm not going to like it anymore.

Sleep and me are buddies.

If I had any advice for teens that want babies it is this, YOU WILL NEVER GET A FULL NIGHTS SLEEP AGAIN UNTIL YOU ARE 50! 

Unless you are stern and make your kids sleep 12 hours a night like we do. 

They love it though...

Paletas (95:365)

Have you ever tried a Paleta?

I am a timid experimenter of foreign ice cream.

I didn't have much luck with the Brazilian type.

Didn't have much luck in the Czech Republic.

Apparently Mexico didn't get the "bad foreign ice cream maker" memo.

Thank goodness.

Today we tried some of these delicious and creamy concoctions of gastronomical delight.

Mango was my flavor. It was creamy and sweet with a hint of tartness.

I could have used a little more tartness, but overall, it was delicious.

Scott tried a flavor not listed on their website, perhaps a vintage flavor?

Piña colada was his muse. It was better than I thought it would be. Perhaps even better than the Mango. Goose sure liked it!

Have you ever tried the Mamey flavor? I am dying to know what it tastes like.

This is a mamey according to Mr. Wiki,

"The fruit's flavor is variously described as a combination of pumpkin, sweet potato, and maraschino cherries with the texture of an avocado. Some consider the fruit to be an aphrodisiac."

Sounds delightful.

Lucy's First Time Picking Blueberries (13:365)

Jane, Lucy, my mom and I went to pick blueberries. It was little Lucy's first time and she loved trying to grab all the little berries.
Jane kept asking all summer long to go picking with "just grandma and me", so she was pumped. Ten minutes into it she was done. See her running off? Silly kid.
Didn't help that most of the blueberries were still green.

At least we got some cute pictures, right?

Iron Chef Houston (8:365)

My brother and sister and I all enjoy cooking and "friendly competition" so we decided to battle our hearts out Iron Chef-style.


Appetizer Secret Ingredient: Tomato

Main Course Secret Ingredient: Potato

Dessert Secret Ingredient: Brown Sugar

Scoring was based on Taste, Presentation, Use of Secret Ingredient, Originality


Here are my brother James' entries:

Appetizer~Warm Tomato Bisque with Crispy Potato Slices and Pepper Jack Cheese
Main Dish~Parsley Boiled Potatoes with Pan Seared Chicken
Dessert~Pancake Wedges with Mango and Banana Brown Sugar Topping and Whipped Cream


Here are my sister Sarah's entries:

Appetizer~Tomato and Garlic Bruschetta
Main Course~Baked Potato Wedges, Oven Steamed Chicken and Potato, Potato Egg Frittata all with a Chimichurri Sauce
Dessert~Brown Sugar and Apple Individul Pie with Apple Compote and a Brown Sugar Drizzle


Here are my entries:

Appetizer~Tomato Guacamole, Mango Tomato Salsa, Warm Tomato and Lime Tortilla Chips
Main Course~White Potato Galette, Red Potato and Scallion Cheddar Gratin, Red Potato and Chicken Hash
Dessert~Brown Sugar Rice Pudding with Brown Sugar Caramel Drizzle and a Trio of Diced Fruit (Mango, Papaya, Strawberry)


My husband Scott and our mom were the judges and they did a great job!



Grandma was a guest judge.


And the winner is...

The Lady with the Knife!


We were all a bit exhausted after it was all over with but already talking about next years competition!