On The Go

Today's post is in novel form, meaning, that I don't have any pictures to go with it. 

Yesterday started out as a fairly planned out day.  I had a "to do" list all typed out in my phone.  The plans included wrapping my nephews birthday present, cleaning the counters in the kitchen, show my son how to really clean a mirror (he thinks that he knows how, but the mirror always tells another story).  I was going to cut the kids' hair, pay a bill or two, and make some meals to freeze.  The only thing that I did get done was to cut the kids' hair.  So at least their hair is no longer blocking their vision.  I wound up needing to run a couple of errands.  So that changed my plans as well.

Then, in mid-afternoon, I received a text from Kevin, suggesting that we attend a city council meeting in a small town about 45 minutes away.  We, along with some of our friends, started a political watchdog group about a year ago, with the goal of keeping the public aware of discrepancies and such in our local government.  Kevin and the other guys have written articles for their blog about them as well (I wrote one about homeschooling).  Mostly, I contribute with ideas, and for when meetings were at our house, I made a lot of muffins.  So, part of what was going on at this small town was that a significant amount of money was missing and there were some in the town who were petitioning to have the mayor, and the city council recalled.  So, we went out to this small town, listened to what the people had to say, and at the same time, it provided another Civics lesson for my kids (who were bored, but they'll remember it when they're adults).

So for this impromptu trip, it meant dinner-on-the-go, meaning burgers.  To keep the ketchup and mustard on those burgers from dripping into the laps of those of us who want to be taken seriously at a meeting, I put those burgers in coffee filters.  They're handy for now and make nice "catch-alls" until I can go to a Cash & Carry and get the wax paper burger wraps for future last minute, meals to go.

EP 

Morning Exercise

My morning usually starts this way

I hear a cat meowing at the door at around 6:15.  So I get up and get ready to make coffee.  However, at least one of these is waiting to greet me.

Paws & Aslan
So we head downstairs and this is what comes next in our routine.

I hear a cranky meowing at the front door.  So I let Fonzie in and she promptly runs to the door leading to the garage (and the food).  So I let her go out there, and just as I think I have a moment to start grinding coffee beans, I hear Oscar meowing, betting to be let out of the front door.

So, out he goes, to wonder off to our porch furniture and snooze on it, leaving hair on the cushions.

So now we're back to Aslan.  By the time this picture was taken, he had been out in the garage for food, then back into the house, then outside through the back door, then back into the house and now he wants to go back to the garage, as if something about it may have changed since he was there last.

I kept track as to how often I was opening and closing doors in the morning.  The number on this day was 11 times within a one hour period (before I saw any of my human family members).  There was a short time frame in which I did get coffee made.

No one can tell me that I do not exercise! :)

EP 



 

Yummy!!

I have had a very strong desire to try out The Pioneer Woman's cinnamon roll recipe.   Today, since I was going to be home all day, I thought I'd give them a try.  Now, one thing that I've noticed about her recipes, is that there tends to be enough to feed a family twice our size.   Some of the recipes, I have made using the measurements of ingredients that she recommends.  I serve one half and then freeze the other half for a future meal.  In the case of the cinnamon rolls, I just "halved" the recipe.  So instead of making nearly 50 rolls, I had about 23.  Still a bit much for a family of 4, however, tonight, my husband is having some of his friends over, and I'm counting on them to have a few.

Who could say "no" to these?
Ec

Thirteen

I'll give an update about my last post.  My son seems to be handling the passing of of his favorite children's pastor well.  We weren't able to go to the celebration of life service because we had been sick, and were still recovering. 

So, on to new business. 

My youngest is now a teenager.  However, he is still young at heart.

He started the day with presents (even before breakfast).

The theme of his party was "Spongebob Squarepants" and this pillow/throw came from his sister (that third eye on Spongebob is actually the tag........so it's not a mutant version).

The day was off to a sugary start: Donuts for breakfast!

Later in the day, the birthday boy wanted to play at the nearby park.  His sister, also young at heart sometimes, joined him on the swings (everyone else who were there age and height, were playing basketball nearby and swearing loudly).

From the park, we took the kids to our local mall, where the birthday boy wanted to buy a case for his new iPhone with the money he had received that morning.  We also stopped at the bookstore, which was selling everything for half off and my daughter found a "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" hat for a great deal!  Then my husband treated everyone to an Orange Julius (I had forgotten how tasty those were!).  Another full dose of sugar...........

Then we went home and had these after dinner........

Then, the sugary weekend continued, two days later, when we had his birthday party and this treat........

And then this happened............

Ouch!  I gave Spongebob a splitting headache!
He was a good sport!

Ec

Well...............

I was planning to write about my son's birthday.  He turned 13 last week.  However, I'm in more of a sober frame of mind today.  One of my kids' favorite children's pastors, "Pastor Ron" passed away yesterday, and it just either doesn't seem appropriate to post about a birthday party just yet.

My daughter, has been grieving as any normal person would, there have been several tearful bouts around here.  For my son, this is probably the first time someone that he's felt close to has passed and the idea of what that means, is going to be a slow realization for him (Autism serves as a bubble that keeps him from really understanding these things right away, at least in his case).  Right now, he isn't feeling like he needs to cry, but as he puts it, "I'm just sad in general". 

So, probably in a few days, I'll get back to how we ushered another child into the teen years. 


Ec

Basic Rice & Veggie Stir Fry

A few years ago, my husband and I went to one of those Japanese restaurants, where everyone sits around a griddle and watches the waiter cook up a delicious stir fry.  I watched how and what they cooked and after eating the delicious food, decided that I wanted to try this at home, because I wanted this dish more often!  Kevin was more than willing to let me try to copy it and be the quality tester!

I realize this picture is sideways, however, we could just say that it's meant to keep the reader on their toes.   Are you willing to agree to that theory?
Anyway, the two ingredients missing from this photo is the onion and the soy sauce, but they will make an appearance later.

Before I start any chopping, I start cooking the rice.  We bought this rice cooker a few years ago, and I think that it's the most used appliance (other than my stove) in the kitchen.   I use Jasmine rice, as it cooks really clean (in that there is absolutely no residue on the lid of the cooker when all is said and done).  Once the rice is cooked, put it in an airtight container and let it chill in the refridgerator. 

While the rice cooks, I move to the cutting board and start chopping the onion (I chop it first to get the crying over with).  I generally use a medium white or yellow onion, and dice the whole thing.

Next on the chopping block is the zucchini!  A medium one seems to be enough for this recipe.  I cut it in to quarters and then slice away!

First, I sauté the fresh mushrooms, and then set them aside.....

Then, add a little more oil to the pan and sauté the onions and zucchini!

At this point, you can fry your diced chicken, or beef or pork or tofu.  For this recipe, I usually use the Morningstar Farms "chick'n" strips.

 In a larger pan (because you will need one, trust me), pour in about 2 or 3 tablespoons of oil

Add your chilled rice.....

Break it up, stir it around.............

Add your sautéed meat & veggies...........  Keep stirring so nothing sticks to the pan (or at least so that most of it won't stick)

Now if anything starts sticking to the pan, this stuff here, this soy sauce, will loosen things up a bit and will make your stir fry more manageable (and it's very tasty too).  The amount of sauce depends on your taste, so as the cook, you get to taste test alot.  If you have a "quality assurance" tester, such as a spouse........even better!

Ta-dah!  Now it's time to tell your kids to put the cat down, go wash their hands, and tell the one designated to get drinks that he's on in 5!  Dinner is served!

Elizabeth

Civics Lesson for the Homeschooler

Before I start, I will be courteous enough, to warn you ahead of time, that there is a shameless plug coming up in this post.  If you don't want to see it, I won't be offended if you scroll past it.  If you do want to see it, it's there for your enlightenment, so to speak.

About a year ago, I had posted an entry about how our state, city and transportation commission had decided to rename a stretch of highway, using our tax dollars, against the wishes of the majority of our town's citizens.  I also mentioned that my husband and a few other gentlemen came together and organized protests against this move, as well as spoke before our city council and our transportation commission, trying to remind them that the majority of constituents were against this idea.   Signatures were gathered in an attempt to get something on the ballot so that things like this can be voted on by the voters, and not have the powers that be, make that decision for us.   Unfortunately, we didn't get enough signatures.  However, that led to my husband running for office (he garnered about 5 % of the vote).  That experience also led him, and 3 other gentlemen (from the original group) to form a local political "watchdog" group, with the intent to bring things to the attention of the public, in order to keep our local government accountable to the public they were elected to serve. 

Get ready...........here comes the shameless plug........

So that brings me to what prompted the civics lesson.  Personally, I think that any opportunity, to take your children to city, county, or state government meetings, that are open to the public, can count as civics lessons.  You can teach your children how  government is supposed to work, and then take them to the meetings so that they can see how it really works (how good or bad it works, depends on where you live).

Our local transit district is planning to place a rapid transit bus in an area of town that would be adversely affected by it's installation.  The street that it's intended for is lined with businesses that will experience a huge disruption in their income or will be forced to lose or have to move their businesses altogether.

There have been  city council meetings that were open to the public, hearings involving the transit district, and as of this past Tuesday, a hearing before the Metropolitan Policy Committee.  My husband, his friends in the watchdog group, and several other business owners spoke, hoping to convince the committee to postpone the plans for this rapid transit line.  

So, I brought my kids to see their dad, and others, let their voice be heard.

This was my attempt to get them to smile.  My girl did a very good job.  My boy, looks like he's trying to figure out how to pick on her or something.

When one goes to speak before a committee such as this one, one needs to get in line, and sign up for their time (which is about 3 minutes long, so speak fast)

The transit district also sent a couple of security guards.

My guess is that since there were only two, that it was either assumed that there wouldn't be a full room, or we wouldn't cause much trouble.  In either case, they were right.

Anyway, two hours and over 40 speakers later, the committee decided that it was time for a break.  Since my husband had already spoken, we decided to go on home.   


Now for as much as my daughter was not looking forward to going to this meeting as it would be boring, she did remember what was said, and could discuss it with us a bit.  I also saw her page on FB where she was explaining to a friend what the meeting was about.  So I guess that counts somewhat toward an essay, written/verbal combo.........perhaps. 

My son probably won't remember much about what was said at the meeting, but he does know what it was about, and he did do a very good job at sitting still and not complaining about how long the meeting was taking.  Very good, considering that he didn't bring any drawing paper to keep him occupied.

Lp