As I reflect on the moments 12 years ago I remember one good moment in that tragic time ... The country united! Political differences disappeared for a short time. I hope we don't have to wait for another tragedy to see our country working together again.

Not winning it in the kitchen lately

So finally our big event is over.  We have other big events coming up but nothing like our event last week.  Basically that combined with chronic back pain equals me being a total loser in the kitchen.  No energy to grocery shop or even be slightly creative....and yet I have no problem buying new clothes and shoes. 

I have a problem.  I need to curb the apparel shopping and step it up in the kitchen once again.

Well...lets hope I'm turning a corner.  Went to the back surgeon and the back does seem to be responding to anti inflammatory medication.  That's a plus...downside is that eventually I will likely need back surgery.  I started yoga again last night and again today.  Hopefully strengthening my muscles will help.

Going gluten free has really thrown me for a loop.  I can get by but it makes meal planning even more challenging than before.  I think I have to start eating meat again which is ok I think.  I've been eating a lot of kale salads that really aren't too exciting to post on this blog.  I think it may be time to give this one up.

Looking forward to more European travel this summer.  Oxford, UK and Germany and of course the old homestead of the Pacific Northwest.  It's a cold and damp place but there is where my family is so that is where my heart is.

A long week ends well

Owen's birthday is today. It has ended well after some drama this week. One of the dudes cleaned out Owen's wallet while he was visiting last week. It was full of iPad savings. Owen was devastated. We figured out who it was and the kid was sorry after coming clean. He returned every penny.

Today Owen was able to combine that savings with money he received for his birthday and we ventured to the apple store. Then all he wanted to do was go home and play on his new iPad mini. Makes life easy.

We got him the full collection of 007, 22 DVDs in all. He is a happy camper.

It just reminds me not to sweat the small stuff.

Dudes

On Wednesday night Owen asks to have a couple of friends spend the night.  There was no school on Friday so we are talking Valentines night.  He will be 13 in a week and a half and I make him swear that they won't be up all night.

I get home from work on Thursday afternoon and suddenly there are like 6 dudes in my basement.  I don't even recognize my own sons voice...

I always wondered when his voice would change and it happened yesterday.  I pretty much shut them up in the basement and then Sean spent a few hours cleaning down there today. 

Little dudes are cool but messy.  Other than that and a broken fan blade, I think it went rather well.

Easy stir fry

This comes together quickly and it's Anne's favorite.

 

Cook 2 cups basmati rice in 3 cups of water on high, boil for one minute, turn down and cover until water is absorbed...about 20 minutes

Add oil (sesame or olive oil) to hot wok

Add broccoli Fleurettes, shredded carrots, snow peas, bell peppers, mushrooms, cabbage (...and whatever you like in your stir fry) stir until slightly coated with oil, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and cover to steam a little, once steamed but still firm and crispy add soy sauce or tamari and coat...remove from wok.

Add more oil to wok, add eggs and scramble up.  Now add your cooked rice, stir to distribute the light coating of oil, add soy sauce or tamari and sprinkle with ground ginger and stir around until it looks ready...add the veggies back in and stir again.  

Clearly I was out of many of the veggies today, much to Anne's dismay.  All I had were the carrots and broccoli but it is still yummy and heats up nicely the next day for lunch.