Day 57 ~ Dinner and Champagne

Last night, my neighbor did something very special for us. She made us dinner, and brought us champagne.

My wonderful neighbor wanted to do something special for my family, in honor of the fact my husband has gotten a new great job. It has been a rough couple of years, and she has been there for me through it all. The plan was to go to her house, but then one of her children got sick, so she brought everything to our house and it was delicious. She is an amazing cook. She also surprised us with a bottle of champagne. I admit, I am not a champagne girl, I tend to prefer a cold beer, but I thought I would give it a try especially after all she did. Can I just say YUMMMMMMM... it was so good. I had tried champagne a long time ago at my brothers wedding but didn't like it. This though, this was so tasty it reminded me of apple cider, but better. I kept asking, "This is champagne, really, it is?" I couldn't believe how good it was. This must be what all the fuss is about. This must be why some people talk about it like it is candy. We have a very special bottle of champange we have been saving for our annivsary, I am now looking forward to it. I realize not all bottles are the same, but I also know tastes buds change over the years. What ever it is, me likey! We had a great night, with an unexpected surprise, from an absolutely wonderful friend.

In case you were wondering the champagne is called:
Martini & Rossi
Asti
Sparkling Wine
Imported from Italy

Day 56 ~ OMSI

Today I went on a field trip with my daughter's 2nd grade class to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. It was awesome.

I have never been to OMSI in Portland before. It is an amazing place with so many different things to check out. It was so much fun just spending time with my oldest and looking at all the exhibits. My daughter's favorite exhibit was the ball room and the T-Rex skeleton named Samson, mine was the IMAX movie. Part of the field trip included watching an IMAX movie on their dome screen..I have to say, it freaked me out a little. This is probably how my mother's generation felt when the TV came around. The IMAX was incredible. It was so real I felt myself wanting to smack things out of my face and even at times felt like I was submerged in the ocean water. It was a totally new experience.

I would say the best part of the whole day was just hanging out with my daughter. She is such a happy, jolly little girl who is growing so fast. She makes me smile and I love her with all I have.

Day 55 ~ Ziti and a Dance off

My husband and I started the second season of The Sopranos. Tomorrow we get the last disc of the season, so tonight I tried making Ziti for the The Sopranos' marathon.

On Sopranos, Mrs. Soprano is always making Ziti, warming it up, or taking it out of the freezer. I had no idea what it was, so in honor of our marathon tomorrow, I made it tonight and stuck it in the fridge for tomorrow. It looks good, tastes good, and I can't believe I have never had it before. I even made a low fat version and still loved it. It think it will be something that I continue to make and keep in my freezer too! I have another 5 or more Sopranos seasons to go, so I am sure I will make it a staple of our diet. If you have a good Ziti recipe please send it my way!

Another new thing I did today was a dance off. I call it that because I was on a mission to dance off my bad mood. Holy smokes I was in such a yucky mood this evening I couldn't even stand myself. I would have liked to punch myself in the eye if I could have. I kept thinking, what can I do to shake this crap off, so that is what I did, I shook it! I went into my computer room, shut the blinds, turn up the radio and danced. I danced with my eyes closed and danced, danced, danced until I couldn't stop smiling. Maybe I was smiling because I was laughing at myself, but the truth is I felt great. I like to turn the music on and dance with the girls because they love it, but tonight was just for me. Most of the time I dance because I am happy, not mad, but this time it was different. All the kids were in bed and it was just me in the room, shaking my thang! Within 20 minutes I felt amazing. Next time you are in a bad mood try it. It may work for you too!

Day 54 ~ Swing Lessons

I have been trying to talk my husband into taking swing lessons with me for 9 years. Today I signed us up!

Starting in April my husband and I will be taking swing lessons once a week for a month. I am beyond excited. He was so against it for a very long time, but today I decided to sign us up any way. When I told him, he wasn't thrilled to say the least. He frowned, then half smiled, and then gave me the "Whatever fine" look which means I have won!!! I think once we take a few lessons he will change his mind. I may have to make him a drink before the class begins though, it may be the only way to get him out the door.

Day 53 ~ One of the Talks

My new thing for the day was "the talk" with my two girls. No, it wasn't "THE TALK", but it was the talk about becoming a woman.

It actually started kinda funny. One of my daughters asked me, "Mom what is a period?" My other daughter answered, "It is the little dot that goes on the end of a sentence." So myself and my two girls sat and talked about what it was, and what it meant, and I left it open for questions. They asked a couple and then it was done. The funny part was when my husband entered the room. He realized what we were talking about and made a 180 back to the safety of the BBQ outside without a word, but with a look of terror. It actually went well though, and while one daughter decided she was never going to grow up, the other couldn't believe that in 3 or 4 years she would begin the first steps into becoming a woman. To be honest, I can't believe it either. I think I would like them to stay young a little while longer. How about a whole lot longer.

Day 52 ~ It is all about the Yum Yums

I am starting to see a pattern. I like food, I like to cook, I like trying new dishes, tastes, meals, especially treats. Tonight I once again made a new dish and it was delicious.

Tonight I cooked another recipe from the Clean Eating magazine called Moroccan Buffalo and Chickpea Chili. Sounds strange, but oh man, it was so good.
The recipe is as follows:

1lb top-rounded buffalo steak or lean beef stew meat cut into 1-inch cubes. (I used beef stew)
2 tbsp garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups yellow onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
2 cups carrots, cut into matchsticks
1 tbsp cumin, ground
2 tsp dried coriander
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp saffron (optional)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
3 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas
1 cup frozen corn (no need to thaw)
2 cups tomatoes, chopped
1 bay leaf
1 6-oz jar tomato paste
2 lemons (optional) used them and added a great taste to chili!

Step One: In a large nonstick pot, cook steak for 2 min. over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onion, celery, carrots and all spices. Cook for 5 minutes. Then add chickpeas, cooking for 2 more minutes.

Step Two: Turn up heat to high and pour in 4 cups water, corn tomatoes and bay leaf,. Bring to a boil and stir in tomato paste. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid reduces and chili thickens. Squeeze juice of both lemons into chili, if desired, and stir.. Remove bay leaf before serving.

After my yumo meal, and once the girls were in bed I sat and watched a new movie. It was one of those movies I saw and thought, hey why not? It was called Garden State and it was actually pretty good. I loved to be surprise by a movie, when you don't expect much, but you end up enjoying it. I guess that is where they came up with the term pleasantly surprised.

I tried something new today and was pleasantly surprised by a good meal and some laughter.

Day 51 ~ A Nap

As a mother of three I can honestly say I don't get much sleep. Today I took the time for a little me time, that included a nap.

You say, "A nap, what is the big deal, how is that something new?" Well, anyone who has kids will understand that as a mom, you don't get naps anymore. In fact it seems that once you have kids, you really never sleep well again.

I can remember as a kid when my mom would have me go lay down for a nap, and I would fight it, cry, and lay there struggling to keep my eyes open, just so I didn't have to nap. Now as an adult I dream of napping, relaxing, and having quiet time to close my eyes during the day. Today was my lucky day, and it was spectacular. The sun was shining so I pulled my wonderful hammock out of the garage and placed it in the back yard in the sun. The two older girls had play dates and the youngest was sleeping in her crib with Dad on the computer inside. I decided to take full advantage of the situation, and crashed on my hammock. The air smelled so clean, and the slight breeze helped the hammock to gently sway back and forth until I felt myself falling into dreamland. I awoke to my daughter crawling in beside me and sharing all her amazing stories of the day, and we laid there and snuggled a little more.

It is almost unbelievable what a little sleep can do for a tired Mommy. I think I need to start making this a weekend thing!