Heritage Day

Posted on May 23, 2013 by

Our school has a really fun tradition – every year we celebrate ‘Heritage Day.’  It’s cool, each child brings in a food dish or traditional costume that’s part of their personal heritage.  Classrooms are loaded with amazing food – some people really digging into their pasts to find just the right heritage to match the food their mom or dad can cook.  Our family is pretty simple – only 4 ‘heritages’ to choose from – - German, English, Irish & Czech.

Usually, I’m pretty smart.  But I must say, this year, I appear to have taken leave of my senses.  In the past, I’ve asked all 3 kids take the same thing (mass production = easier).  This year, I told them, ‘Sure pick whichever heritage you like and we’ll think of something.’  Of course, they all pick not only different heritages, but different foods (I know what you’re thinking…. I’m smacking my forehead right now!)

What in the h…e…double hockey sticks was I thinking!?!?  Somehow, I should have known this would happen…. Oh well, I am a woman of my word, so three separate baking projects happened today.

Little Man picked our German heritage & requested Apple Strudel (I have cheats for making strudel that make it not so bad).  I used puff pastry for the dough and used this recipe from Foodnetwork.com.  Flower Girl picked our English heritage & requested scones (easy enough, recipe here).  The Teenager picked Czechoslokia – kolaches (the most time consuming, but the closest to my heart, my Grandma Vlasta used to make these regularly).

After a baking frenzy, here’s what we ended up with:

Germany

England

Czechoslovakia

All in all a delicious way to celebrate the fact that many of us have roots that extend beyond our shores!

Hope you investigate your ‘roots’ and try something from your heritage. xoxo K

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Delicious Spring-y dinner

Posted on May 21, 2013 by

Zippity – do – dah — I think we may avoid our dreaded May Gray this year!  I know I have very few weather woes here, and really, San Diego has only 2 months of the year that are truly unpleasant.  They’re unpleasant only because of the lack of sunshine – so, if all of you tourists out there are listening:  San Diego stinks in May and June.  Don’t forget this, you will generally be disappointed by the lack of sun and heat (it’s not called May Gray and June Gloom for nothin’ friends!).

Anyway, we seem to be avoiding the dreaded May Gray for the time being – so it only feels right to make a yummy Spring supper.  For me, that means salmon and asparagus.

I can’t remember where I acquired this recipe – I would bet Cooking Light.  Since I can’t locate it — here’s what I have:

Barbecue Roasted Salmon

Ingredients

  • 1/4 c. pineapple juice
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • Salmon (it says to use fillets, I used a big hunk o’ fish)
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 4 tsp. chili powder
  • 2 tsp. grated lemon rind
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  • Combine first 3 ingredients in a large zip top bag and marinate at least 1 hour in fridge, turning over once.

  • Combine brown sugar through salt in a small bowl or ramekin.  Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 400.
  • Remove fish from marinade and place in 11×7 baking dish coated with cooking spray. Rub brown sugar mixture into fish.

  • Bake at 400 for 20 minutes, or until done.

I served this beauty with Pineapple Green Onion Rice and Asparagus.

I forgot to add the pineapple & green onions to the rice in the picture, sorry – that’s what happens when you rush….

So, what are the meals that signal the end of winter for you?  xoxo K

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The Fest

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

This weekend an event occurred in our neighborhood that my kids think is the best thing since sliced bread — in our house we call it ‘The Fest” (it’s actually called ‘SpringFest,’ but our love of nicknames requires we alter the real name — if you think about it, it’s a miracle my kids know their actual names, but that’s a story for another day).

So Friday & Saturday was the Fest.

Complete with a scaled down version of fair food and carnival rides, it’s so sweet and so fun.  I crossed a teenage milestone — letting the Teenager go on Friday night with her friends (without me tagging along – gulp).  It was a big step, & I’m very proud of myself for not going and spying on them from my car!  They were fine and gave me a good report when they headed home of their own free will — woo hoo!

Saturday is family time at the Fest – we let the kids go armed with some $$ and when it’s gone, it’s gone.  It really is a fun community event — local stores and restaurants sell food and do product demos.  Ultimately, it’s all about the rides for my kids.  Unfortunately, something didn’t sit right with the Little Man…

He only made it through one of the rides this year, and had to sit the rest out (but isn’t he just delicious!  Oooooh, I love that kid!).

After running the gauntlet of home remodeling offers, used books and handmade jewelry, we hit one of the highlights…

Yes, yes it is!  The Wienermobile!!!!!!!  No wienie whistles to be had (I asked) – but it was a total blast from my childhood.

So we’ve done it for another year – another Fest under our belts.  I hope you have a community fair of some kind to attend.  This is one time of the year when we get to see all of our neighbors and feel like a small town (inside a big one).

My recommendation to you is to find a Fest of your own and give it a whirl — it just may end up being a highlight of your spring too.  xoxo K

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Home again, home again, jiggety, jig…

Posted on May 17, 2013 by

Or maybe not.  I find that my time has been stretched thinner and thinner as my kids do more and more activities and sports.  The endless driving is taking a toll on my vehicle, our gas bills (it ain’t cheap driving in SoCal), and on my nerves.

In an effort to be less of a short tempered, rushed kind of parent, I’ve decided to become a parent that chills out a little bit (no really, I mean it!)  I know some of you find that hard to believe — I know I’m pretty intense.  But I really did get tired of the school, home, back to school, back home, skid in to the house just in time to throw dinner together days.

So when we started having something at school just about every day of the week, (Tuesday: basketball practice, Wednesday: Academic Decathalon, Thursday: more basketball, Friday: Jr. Engineering and Decathalon) I decided to set up camp.  Mainly, I loaded up the old quilt

remembered to pack a passle (Is it a word?  It is now!) of snacks, and load up the car with pens, pencils & erasers.

What does all of this equal, you ask?  S.A.N.I.T.Y.  Our campsite is simple

The benefits far outweigh anything I could accomplish inside my house.  Keep in mind these practices, classes, etc. are only about 1 1/2 hours (at the most).  If I added in drive time, I’d be at home for about a grand total of 45 minutes.  I can’t think of many justifiable reasons to go home for that amount of time.

So, the big benefits (other than Mom Sanity? which is really important BTW). Here’s the short list… hold on to your hats:

  1. Homework is done lickety split by kids – cuz they really don’t want to do it at home and they want to play right now.
  2. Instead of getting a quick blow-by-blow of their day in a moving vehicle (with 1/2 of my attention), we get to sit together and actually talk to each other.
  3. Occasionally this is the best one-on-one time we get.
  4. When the number of kids goes down by one, the bickering is at a minimum.
  5. We live in SoCal – we do pay our sunshine taxes, we should enjoy them.
  6. Sometimes friends leaving school join us for a couple minutes (my friends too!)

I’m sure I could come up with tons more, but most importantly, this is deliberate time.  Focused time.  Enjoying the moment time.  I hope we’re building memories.

What are you waiting for?  Go build some memories.  xoxo K

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Reality v. Dreams…

Posted on May 15, 2013 by

… of the bathroom remodel variety, that is.  Don’t even tell me what you were thinking, I don’t want to know (really, sheesh).  I do have vast bathroom remodel dreams — but I also live in reality.  My bath (read here, the bathroom everyone who visits our house and my 3 children use ALL the time) is the main one on the first floor of our house — it’s really small.  I don’t mean studio in New York City small, but suburban small.

I really like our floor tiles

We painted the vanity base and put in a better framed mirror and my very talented hubby put in a new faucet and tap (lurve that guy!). Then… we stopped.  We’ve got beautiful natural light via a sola tube in the ceiling, but no face front lighting (makeup is a challenge).

When we remodeled this house — the entire house — we had to stop somewhere.  Things had to be called to a stop, or we would still be doing that same remodel (6 years later!).  The baths in the house are reaching critical mass.  I would love to do amazing things, but space is definitely an issue — as is the amount of time and coin it takes to do a huge bathroom remodel.

So, here are some ideas I really love for an easier fix (no walls coming down).  Also, for extra storage and some character.

I really like subway tile — but I’m not so sure about keeping more grout clean (a complete pain in the hiney).

Now this would be a cool idea for the icky wall above my commode (toilet, lav, throne, etc.)  The Big Man could build these (yep, he’s handy that way, too — multi talented).

I would love to do some splashes of color – this yellow is super cheery, but I have a feeling the Big Man might object to it — maybe something in the blues or greens?

I’ll keep you posted.  The Big Man & I have been talking about taking on a remodel of something soon – maybe I’ll get lucky and it will be my ooky (yes…ooky!) bathroom (cross your fingers for me!)

Anything you want done?  Doing any remodel dreaming of your own?  xoxo K

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Sweet Moms

Posted on May 14, 2013 by

I realize this is the day after Mother’s Day.  However, I have a valid reason for posting with a ‘tape delay.’  I was fully enjoying being pampered by my three wonderful children and doting husband.  So, I will pay tribute, albeit the day after.

So, here’s to all the Mom’s in my life.  Thank you to the women I grew up with in ‘Mommyhood’ (you know who you are).  Thank you for breathing life into my weariness, for never missing a playgroup Tuesday, no matter the location; for giving sound advice in a wide array of subjects; for listening to my complaining, whining and moaning; but most of all for being my lovely, supportive network of support and graciousness.

To my own Mom — thank you for being you.  For being funny, a little kooky and always loving and supportive.

Thank you to my ‘Other Moms’ – my stepmother who gave me a sense of being a lady – mymother-in-law, my never-ending cheerleader.

Thank you to all of the sisters of my heart, I love you all and thank you.

xoxo K

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Pucker up

Posted on May 10, 2013 by

Lemons are lovely. But Meyer lemons, friends, are simply divine!  They’re in season right now. For anyone who doesn’t know, Meyers are a cross between a tangerine and a lemon.  They’re sweeter, less acidic and smell like they’re still flowering — aaaaaaaahh.

I picked up about a dozen the other day – unfortunately, life here is seriously inhibiting  my ability to use them in creative ways. I had grand plans – life, it seems was not going to cooperate.  A short week of school, lots of paperwork, you name it, I did it this week.

So, I went on a search for something I could do in one or two large batches, and relatively quickly.  On my quest I found out something great about Meyer lemons – evidently you don’t need pectin to make marmalade out of them.  Basically, you need to juice about 6 lemons, get rid of the pith, slice the skins extremely small (skinny, skinny).  Boil juice, 4 C. water, & peels – reduce heat to reduce liquid to 5 cups (about 30 mins.).  Add sugar, bring to a boil.  Cook until you reach gelling point (about 200 degrees F.).  Or you can check on a frozen plate – if it doesn’t run, it’s ready, if it runs, you need more time (use 5 minute blocks of time).

It was wonderful, glorious and too, too delicious.  However, mine did not set up correctly (I’m pretty positive it was operator error).  I’m still using it, but, it’s very runny.  I only made 1 batch.  So I think for the next, I’ll get some pectin…..

For these, I’m putting it on everything — not just toast, but scones, fish, chicken…  lemony goodness all the time!  One of my favorites is mixing it with plain Greek yogurt and some walnuts or oats.  A breakfast fit for a sunny day (or if you need to remember one)…

Go ahead, give it a whirl.  You’ll love the lemony, puckery, sweetishness of this!  xoxo K

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A personal soundtrack

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

As I was going to workout the other day, I realized I have a pretty eclectic taste in music.  So, ‘cuz I know you wanna know, I thought I’d share what’s playing in the soundtrack of my life.  I also think music’s such a huge part of our lives, I can’t do much throughout my day with something playing, at least in the background.

5:00a.m. (yep, that’s a.m.):  Driving to the gym.  It’s still dark, people.  But, since I  have no one else in the car with me I can listen to whatever I want — yeeeeehaaaaw!  It’s always current alternative stuff.  Two of my favorites right now are ‘Chocolate’ by the 1975 and ‘Get Lucky’ by Daft Punk.

I listen to this at a deafening volume – I know, I know, it’s not good for your hearing.  But I’m channeling my inner 16 year old at this point.

At the gym, I switch to EDM (that’s electronic dance music) – it’s the Progressive Electro House channel on Pandora.  Fast enough beats to keep me moving on the circuit or on cardio.

Again, probably too loud – but I must block out the general gym music playing in the building – it’s almost always too slow.  I drive home listening to the same alternative.

At 7:30, it’s time to drive kids to school.  Huge alteration in the musical score — we make a move to classical.  No joke, I think it keeps them calm & no songs stuck in their little noggins — more room for knowledge (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it).

After kids are out of the car, it’s a musical crapshoot.  Depends on how the morning went.  Sometimes I switch to Top 40, or maybe more alternative.  Occasionally I even keep it on the classical stuff.

Once I get home, Pandora goes on (not saying you gotta use Pandora, just that it’s what I like).  The muscial selection depends on what I’m doing that day.  But I will admit to listening to Traditional Celtic on cleaning day (does that make me strange…?)

Pick up with the kids is always Top 40 — they’re all pretty musical and like to sing and dance along in the car (it’s a party, yep, really….)

During homework time it’s more classical and if I’m feeling it, I love me some Tyrone Wells.

So that’s it — the soundtrack of my day.  I really do love music – all kinds – add some Sinatra, swing, & occasionally a Christmas carol (even in May) to this list and that’s about right.

What do you like?  Do you have a personal soundtrack – I’d love some fun suggestions.  xoxo  K

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It’s raining, it’s pouring…

Posted on May 7, 2013 by

When it’s raining and pouring here (rare, I know). I like to bake.  Anyone who really knows me knows I really do like to cook, bake, not so much.  I’m not a cake or cookie baker, but I really love quick breads — banana being my favorite.

A note about bananas — they are, in my opinion, the spawn of the evil one.  I dislike them greatly in their natural state.  I cannot, will not eat them (Sam I Am!).  However, I do like banana bread.  I especially like making different versions – different versions, you say?  What?!?!

So, the basic recipe I use is from Simply Recipes here.  It’s easy, and quick (thus, ‘quick’ breads).  The basic ends up just right.  I do have to plug my nose and not look directly at the banana mush while baking these, but oh well – it’s the price I will pay to have delicious bread.

So, to modify for 4 different breads, here’s what went down:

  1. Basic: Make it the way the recipe states it.
  2. Marbled Cocoa: Mix together 1/4 cup cocoa and 1/4 cup boiling water. Pour 1/2 of batter into bread pan.  Add cocoa mixture to remaining 1/2.  Pour cocoa batter on top of regular in pan, stir through 2 times.
  3. Tropical:  To banana mixture add zest & juice of 1 lime.  When adding flour, also add 1/2 cup flaked coconut.
  4. Walnut & Cinnamon: With flour also add 2 teaspoons cinnamon and handful of walnuts.

So delicious!  I will gift some of this to the neighbors (‘cuz they’re awesome & ‘cuz I can’t keep all of this bread in my house).  This is probably the end of the rain for us here (wish we would get a little more… rain=no water restrictions=no fire season at the end of summer) – so that means the end of serious baking for me.  What a way to go out!

Get yourself some yummy baked goods and enjoy!  xoxo K

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Fave summer looks

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

As summer fast approacheth (a la Bill…Shakespeare), I’m thinking about how I’d love to dress.  Quite frankly, that’s in dresses.  I love dresses.  They’re sooooo easy.  Pull the thing over your head, put on some flats or sandals, and voila!  you’re done!

That being said, I don’t have a ton of dresses.  But my mission is to get more for this season – here are some of my faves culled from one of my newest favorite clothing sites, ModCloth (without regard for price).  I wanted to do a bit of dreaming, some of these will be out of my price range, but they’re super great for inspiration….

1: Day After Day ; 2: Bloom by Moonlight; 3: Bisto Brunch; 4: Bake Shop Browsing; 5: Oops same as 8 ;o) I must have really liked it! ; 6: Chevron Cloud Nine; 7: Budding Author; 8: Handy Dandelion;  9: Sunny Feather; 10: Every Which Wave

Oh, and sandals — easy to wear wedges.

Row 1: A Tropical Kick; Row 2: Vivacious Vintner; Row 3: Step Into the Sunlight

So this is how I want to look — I’m off to shop.   Do you want to try out some new looks for warmer weather?  xoxo K

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