Thanks to the growth of our family over the years, and the adding and blending of traditions. And to all you out there near and far - thanks for your food.
A sampling of the recipes making an appearance this weekend:
Swedish meatballs (my Grandpa Jackson - note that this recipe came with lessons compliments of my dad)
Apple bread (my mom)
Nutty Yam bake (Brian's mom, Sue)
Strawberry Pretzel Salad (Aunt Karen)
Pecan pie (Grandma Jackson - maybe not her original recipe, but thanks to the last one she ever made - she will be forever linked to pecan pie)
Pumpkin pie (Sue)
Corn pudding (I don't know - Jeanne?, Karen?)
Better than Sex Cake (Brian's Grandma Lois)
Breakfast pizza (Sue)
Plus all the wonderful new recipes that might be credited to us (well, let's face it - to Brian) by Allison and Jacob in the future.
And then there are the jello magic carpets - compliments of Allison and Jacob - which exploded marshmallow and jello all over the microwave and kitchen counters / floors - and may never be made again!!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Misty Foggy Rainy
I agreed to ride my bike today. Actually - the plan was to ride Allison to school, come home and shower, and then walk to Fox. For some reason I've been craving a long walk. But then Jacob threw a fit because HE wanted a bike ride to school. I convinced him that a ride home was just as good as a ride there - so Brian dropped him off and I was relegated to the bike for the day. Fine - except that it was foggy all day, and thus wet and icky when it was time to actually ride home.
Also - a note that the kids are now too big to ride in the trailer together, especially with winter coats on.
Also - a note that the kids are now too big to ride in the trailer together, especially with winter coats on.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Food, Inc.
Friday night we got a last minute babysitter and went to see Food, Inc. at the Menasha Public Library. It was interesting - focused a lot on the meat side of food production. There was also a panel discussion - which Brian found to be the most interesting part. Although - anyone who willingly gives up a Friday night to watch a free movie on the evils of the food industry at the library.... well, let's just call it preaching to the choir.
Love and Logic
A long, long time ago - the psychologist and the councilor that we took Allison to recommended some books. Of course, being caught up in the moments and stresses of that year, I promptly nodded my head and set the list aside with a promise to get to them soon. So, I guess in the spirit of the three year cabinet project - I have started checking these books out from the library. (To be fair - we did read two of the books on the list then - but I did not find them particularly helpful and set the rest of the list aside).
I've gotten through one - Parenting with Love and Logic. The book is slightly dated (1980's), which presents a few problems. I think the general philosophy is interesting - it promotes letting children learn from their mistakes when they are young and the stakes are relatively low - rather than always rescuing them and eventually when you can no longer step in - the stakes are much higher. For example - if your child does not practice their words and fails a spelling test - the logical consequence is that they have failed the test. They contend that said child already feels badly about the F, and you stepping in with additional consequences, you simply insert yourself into a situation and then said child gets mad at you for the additional consequences. So, rather than being mad, you are supposed to be sympathetic.
I have tried this a few times. I have a difficult time showing sympathy while not sounding sarcastic. Example - Jacob is supposed to brush his teeth before bed. Lots of times he "forgets" and then wants to get up after lights out. Last night I said that I was sorry that he forgot to brush his teeth, that I would not like to go to bed without brushing my teeth, but that he could do it in the morning. See - how do you do that without sounding a little less than truly sympathetic. I think it's the "I wouldn't like to go to bed with fuzzy teeth either" line.
I'm typing this now because Jacob also just missed his shot at a vitamin this morning and he's being rather persistent. Actually - he was offered a vitamin and refused to take it because he didn't get to pick it out of the container himself. That was 20 minutes ago.
Why the book is dated - I think one suggestion to bickering in the car was to make the kids get out and walk. Didn't someone get arrested a few years ago for that? What does that say about society that written (and still recommended) parenting advice from 20 years ago could land you in jail today. Good thing no one checks on fuzzy teeth.
I've gotten through one - Parenting with Love and Logic. The book is slightly dated (1980's), which presents a few problems. I think the general philosophy is interesting - it promotes letting children learn from their mistakes when they are young and the stakes are relatively low - rather than always rescuing them and eventually when you can no longer step in - the stakes are much higher. For example - if your child does not practice their words and fails a spelling test - the logical consequence is that they have failed the test. They contend that said child already feels badly about the F, and you stepping in with additional consequences, you simply insert yourself into a situation and then said child gets mad at you for the additional consequences. So, rather than being mad, you are supposed to be sympathetic.
I have tried this a few times. I have a difficult time showing sympathy while not sounding sarcastic. Example - Jacob is supposed to brush his teeth before bed. Lots of times he "forgets" and then wants to get up after lights out. Last night I said that I was sorry that he forgot to brush his teeth, that I would not like to go to bed without brushing my teeth, but that he could do it in the morning. See - how do you do that without sounding a little less than truly sympathetic. I think it's the "I wouldn't like to go to bed with fuzzy teeth either" line.
I'm typing this now because Jacob also just missed his shot at a vitamin this morning and he's being rather persistent. Actually - he was offered a vitamin and refused to take it because he didn't get to pick it out of the container himself. That was 20 minutes ago.
Why the book is dated - I think one suggestion to bickering in the car was to make the kids get out and walk. Didn't someone get arrested a few years ago for that? What does that say about society that written (and still recommended) parenting advice from 20 years ago could land you in jail today. Good thing no one checks on fuzzy teeth.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Cabinet
It's been three years - but we're getting closer. When we moved in, we had to take out two cabinets to make room for a normal-sized refrigerator. Well, we put a bookcase in the "hole," bought an unfinished cabinet to replace it and then three years went by.
The unfinished cabinet is now (almost) finished and the bulk of it is in place. This only required removing several sections of kitchen flooring, the trim and door jam between the kitchen and dining room, removing an outlet plug, and many hours of frustration.
But hey - progress is progress. The new pantry is deep! We will have to figure out shelving that will work so that things don't get lost in the back and/or piled 4 layers high. Also, it doesn't have doors yet. They are waiting on a final coat of polyurethane. Then there is the big gap and the over-fridge cabinet that needs to be stained that is inexplicably missing a door. We still have a lot to do.
The unfinished cabinet is now (almost) finished and the bulk of it is in place. This only required removing several sections of kitchen flooring, the trim and door jam between the kitchen and dining room, removing an outlet plug, and many hours of frustration.
But hey - progress is progress. The new pantry is deep! We will have to figure out shelving that will work so that things don't get lost in the back and/or piled 4 layers high. Also, it doesn't have doors yet. They are waiting on a final coat of polyurethane. Then there is the big gap and the over-fridge cabinet that needs to be stained that is inexplicably missing a door. We still have a lot to do.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Happy Halloween
Well, I figure since we still have tons of candy, I can still post about Halloween night.
Spiderman and Pink Batgirl:
Before heading out for the evening, we had a little pumpkin carving. Yes, I know, carving pumpkins about 45 minutes before trick-or-treating started was a bit late. They are still on the porch, so we're late with that too.
Spiderman and Pink Batgirl:
Before heading out for the evening, we had a little pumpkin carving. Yes, I know, carving pumpkins about 45 minutes before trick-or-treating started was a bit late. They are still on the porch, so we're late with that too.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Chef Brian
Not this past weekend, but the one before, was the annual e.a.t.s. fundraiser at UW Fox for student scholarships. Basically, you buy a ticket and get a night of free food and drink sponsored by local chefs and bars. This is the third year now that we (read: Brian) has cooked something as one of the guest chefs. Here is our table. Brian made smoked pork on a tortilla with homemade guacamole. (did I spell that right?).
It was well received - several people came by and said "so-and-so told me this was really good and I needed to come try it." However, no one said "this is the best thing here" like they did last year. So Brian might have been a little disappointed. It's difficult to top "this is the best thing here." It was still very, very good. I decorated the table.
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