Going to the Beach with the Family

What does it take to go to the beach with 18 people from 3 different states?

Lots of planning, 

and baking

And caffeine to drink

(Without this last one, I couldn't even think ;)

Packing

 And stacking

Loading the car.

Don't forget lunch, before we get very far!

Driving

Diving

A much needed break

Than another day driving, for goodness sake.

Unpack

Re-stack

Get organized

Head to the pool with the girls and guys.

Happy Vacation Everyone!

Homemade Peanut and Almond Butter

I am trying to eat, cook, be healthier.  So on recommendations by my cookbook researcher extroidinaire sister and a gift from my mom, I found a couple of cookbooks that help you make convenience foods at home.  Think breakfast bars, peanut butter, granola, etc.

Several of these recipes called for the use of a food processor.  Since I "loaned" my now 14 year old food processor to my sister several years ago, I figured it was a good enough reason to go shopping for a new and improved model.

Fabulous! Step one complete.  I decided to dive head first into the wonderful looking nut butter recipe.  Once ingredients were gathered, I set my team to work.

We needed to shell the peanuts so we would have about 3 cups.

It was a lot of work but we persevered.  We ended up using two full bags.  Then the peanuts and almonds (that I added) had to roast in the oven for a little bit and then put into the processor.

Then the fun began. Grinding and pulsing the nuts broke down and became butter.

It was really neat to watch the nuts become powder and then become a paste.

We added a splash of oil,  and honey. Then, voila!

Peanut/almond nut butter!

The verdict was a little mixed.  The almonds left a drying taste and I didn't puree enough so end result was a little gritty.  We have decided it is great for baking!  I will attempt this recipe again with a few modifications.  Worth it!

People Watching

Have you ever sat alone by yourself and just watched people walk by?  You really ought to try it at least once. There are several locations that work well for this hobby:  a busy park on a sunny day; a mall around any major holiday (including back-to-school shopping); and a convention hall.

Find a place that is close to the stream of foot-traffic, but not in the way.  You want to attract as little attention as possible. Now don't start reading or texting.  Just sit and watch.

You will see people of all ages: from babies in strollers to elderly couples walking hand in hand, and all ages in between.  The teen set usually has some electronic gadget in use while barely avoiding bumping into things and people around them.

The young moms are pushing full strollers.  The stroller is not fill with a child but the things that have been shoved at mom for her to carry.  I silently cheer if she has some sort of beverage attached in some manner to the stroller for herself.  The one who should be in the stroller is usually being carried by the equally tired mom.

I have seen more experienced moms.  She is walking way behind the kids, who range in ages from 8 to 15, on her phone while subtly supervising her flock in front of her.  Every once in awhile, the mom is in the midst of the pack of kids, enjoying the chatter and camaraderie.

The empty nesters are usually single walkers.  They have a goal and they are not strolling, they are on a mission.  Get the errands done so they can get back home and prepare the house for which ever child will be visiting next.  A list is visible, either in hand being checked or tucked into the top of a purse or pocket for easy access.

The grandparents are easy to spot.  They are doing their best to keep up with the toddler running from candy store to toy store to the rides in the middle of the mall.  The grandparent (who has lost all ability to say "No") is toting 59 packages, boxes, fast food meals, and drinks.  She is tired, but loving every minute.  After all in a few more minutes or hours, she can send the little one home and sleep in a peacefully quiet house for the next two days.

While watching these people and making up background stories for them in your head, where do you fall?  What are the people who are watching you thinking?

Girls get Black Belts Too

While I was watching this little guy...

become this young man,

I learned a thing or two myself!

There are now 3 Black Belts in the house.  The fourth will be added next August.

Octopus for Lunch

"Hey Mom! What's for lunch?"

Sometimes when this question comes flying at me I make up really weird answers that the guys know is a joke.

"Deep Fried Worms with a side of Boogers"
"Mom"  Please picture the eye roll.

"Crisco and Toe-Jam Sandwiches"
Giggles "No Really"

"Grilled Skunk"
"Gross! MOM!!"

So the day I calmly and seriously answered, "Octopus" they really didn't believe me.  When another answer did not follow they went about their business until I called them to come eat.  This is what they found waiting for them on their plates.

I broke pieces of spaghetti in half and cut hotdogs into bite sized pieces.  I then took four pieces of the uncooked spaghetti and poked it through the hotdog pieces.  This gives each hot dog bite eight "arms".

Now boil them as you would normal hot dogs until the spaghetti is al dente.

The guys actually loved it!  It was fun to watch them figure out the fact that they were eating hot dogs with spaghetti stuck through it!  I called it Octopus from the get go and they almost made their own PB&J sandwiches!  It was a lot of fun to eat "octopus" for lunch.

When my man's away...

Every once in a while, my wonderful husband has to go out of town for work.  He was recently gone for almost a week, so I took advantage of his travels to hit the road too.

The little M's and I headed south to visit my parents and my grandma who lives with them.

15 minutes after arriving the boys were in the pool and I was set up as relaxed life guard.

We had a great time during our 3-day get-away.  We visited and relaxed: inside and out.

We watched the olympics and cheered on the USA. The boys played their grandparents in ladder golf. I got time to knit and even played computer word games with my mom until midnight.

Before we arrived, mom had asked if we could have pizza for supper one night.  Sure, no problem.  Homemade?  Sure, with the guys that's entertainment! We all gathered in the kitchen to watch the boys toss the dough in the air to make their own pies.  No cheese for the big M, sauce only.  No sauce for the little M, cheese with four pieces of pepperoni.

During the afternoon, while the pizza dough was being prepped, Mom needed some sewing done.  She wanted a cushion made for an old pew that sits on the back porch.  Mission accomplished.

The cushion is reversible.  The bottom is gold for fall, while the top is green for spring and summer.

Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful and relaxing retreat.

On The Go Again...

Since the oldest little M received his black belt, so much has happened around our house. 

My wonderful knight in shining armor and I celebrated our 14 wedding anniversary.

We went to one of my favorite places to eat, P.F. Chang’s.  If you ever get the chance to go, get their lettuce wrap appetizer.  It is fabulous!

We also celebrated Father's Day with good friends at a backyard BBQ.

A few days later, all the M’s went to Dad & Lad camp for four days, leaving the quiet house for me to wander around in all by myself.  They had a great time riding horses, shooting bows and BB guns, climbing rock walls and making new friends.  I had a great time watching my chick flicks, eating my favorite foods, and sleeping in.

While they were away, my oldest reached a milestone.  He turned 10! Double digits! Where did the time go?  It seemed like just yesterday we were bringing him from the hospital on that sweltering hot day, all bundled in a blanket and little cap.  No wonder he sweats so much now! 

The littlest M even tried the camp zip-line.  This being his first trip to Dad & Lad camp, I was a little nervous for him to try this ride.  He was really out of his comfort zone, but with older boys watching and cheering him on, he succeeded!  He also experienced shooting bows and arrows and BB guns.  Is is actually a pretty good shot.

Upon their return from camp, the boys jumped right back into baseball and playoffs, but that post will come next week.

After playoffs finally (!) ended, we fled to the lake for vacation (more on this after the baseball post).  We had a wonderful time fishing, boating, water tubing (is that a word?) and knee-boarding.  It was wonderful to get away from it all in a beautiful setting for a relaxing week.

Then with vacation over, we came home, back to our normal routine.

Next post will have better pictures, promise!