Me in Place

We’ve found a Mexican restaurant we love and have had several summer evening dates there. Eating burritos and chips. Then we wander down the street to the Caribou Coffee and treat ourselves to an after dinner drink while we sit outside and enjoy the weather.
We have an unusual situation in that my husband works from home. For us, the pros of this outweigh the cons, but it’s not always easy. We still need to make sure to get out and sit by ourselves and talk about things other than the business checking account or what people haven’t paid their invoices yet.

So we’ve made it a habit. To sit and talk. And laugh (sometimes). And fight…I mean, discuss. And just be our dating selves again.

He’s 8 now. I’m thinking we should probably stop referring to him as SuperBoy. So from now on, he’s CJ on here.

I told each child they could pick a date with mom. He chose Olive Garden. “Just you and me. Just us by ourselves.” I’m not a fan of Olive Garden, but when your son says that’s where he wants to go just you and me by ourselves, I’m there in a heartbeat. A melancholy heartbeat that wants to hold on forever to my little man.

He settled in for the drive with the Penguins of Madagascar DVD.

I know it’s fuzzy, but I love this picture of him because he’s talking so excitedly and he’s SUPER excited about the AMAZING BREADSTICKS! “How many can I have, mom? Can we ask for more? She’ll bring us more?? Awesome.”

And then Awesome Mom let him order the chocolate cake. Seriously, I rock.

Eight year olds love to talk and have little self-consciousness, which makes our conversations wonderfully sporadic and random. Underwater animals always comes up, and favorite colors and the country of Italy and cake and why those people aren’t talking at the next table and Batman.

In a new feature I’d like to refer to as Lame Mom Makes Good or LMMG, I celebrate the fact that I carried through on a Mom Task. A Mom Requirement. A Mom Thang. A Thing every other mom seems capable of whipping out at last minute’s notice and smoothly accomplishing.

This Mom Thang I was incapable of pulling off?  Making s’mores. It seems simple: marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate. How hard can it be?

But it took me until August for the stars to align and for me to remember to buy three items at the same time. Some little monster in my house would eat all the marshmallows, or I’d have the marshmallows and realize the Daddy Monster ate the chocolate or… you get the idea. Finally, all three items in the house.

Then they’d beg for s’mores, but it would be after SuperBoy had his bath and really, I’m just not good and patient with sticky burnt marshmallows. No matter how hard I try, I’m the one that ends up with it all over my hands. Well, me and SuperBoy. He manages to spread it all over the doorknobs too.

But finally, the magical evening came. The fire was made. The ingredients gotten out (we even added a new ingredient suggested by my cousin – a layer of peanut butter!). And They Were Happy. The End.

This summer hasn’t gone according to plan, but then, what ever does?? That’s what cracks me up about my plannerific self – I plan out, I plan ahead, I plan plan plan. And yet…it never goes the way you thought.

Since the summer began, we’ve bought season passes to a local waterpark – The Largest In Illinois! – something I never really imagined us doing. Mostly because my germaphobic self doesn’t totally care for the thought of all those icky summer sweaty bodies dipping into the water with me and my adorable kids.

We also started SuperBoy in drum lessons. DRUM lessons. He’s always had a sense of rhythm, listening to music almost every single night of his life. Everything from The Beatles to The BeeGees. He’s doing great and it’s loads of fun to take him in to his teacher and hand him over to learn.

I have my garden plot from last year, but for some reason, didn’t feel inspired to do much with it this year. A couple tomato plants, a couple pepper plants and some herbs…then the rains didn’t come at all and it’s just pathetic looking. I can’t say I’m one for marching out into the high heat and weeding, so my poor garden is a poor example of a Kelli hobby fallen by the wayside. We’ll see about next year!

I would love to keep this blog up and have been saddened lately to realize how far I drifted off from it. I love looking back at fun stories about my family and my experiences. I hope to do better.

Part of it is because I started a sports blog with my brother. You can check that out here. It’s called I Ruin Sports, because neither Jeff or I are great at sports, but we always have enjoyed watching them and being fans and also have participated in our fair share of losing games.

It’s the first day of summer around our house. Workbooks and reading books are piled around me on our dining room table where we do our school. It’s so messy, it makes me happy. Because I love to tackle a mess and I love to organize. I love to plan. And guess what the first day of summer brings? Planning. List of Things For Me to Do, List of Places to Take the Kids, List of Rooms and Closets to Organize, List of Recipes to Try… you get the point.

Ideas are racing around my head, waiting to be formulated into a nice 1, 2, 3 list of bullet points. Books are stacked at my bedside (Still Life with Woodpecker, The Art of Fielding), magazines on the floor (Dwell, Fitness, People), and music blaring on my computer (Tears for Fears, Ben Folds).

I’m excited about this summer. I’m excited to think of the possibilities. I’m excited to have time to further obsess over my weight loss goals and my “get-into-shape-before-you-grow-old-plan” for myself. It’s okay to obsess in summer. As long as you soak up a little sun and blow a few bubbles while doing so.

I shouldn’t be writing this because I make no promises I’ll keep it up over here on the blog. Gone are the days of a funny two year old who feeds angel food cake to our puppy. Here are the days of an 8, 9 and 12 year old who suddenly are reasoning humans. Humans with opinions and personalities and wow, it’s not changing diapers anymore, it’s discussing what “responsibility” means or why this person does things we don’t do (without pushing them to become judgmental or legalistic).

Here are the days of me trying to balance keeping a house together, schooling my children, driving here and there to karate and violin lessons and science classes, working out daily and cooking healthy meals (which takes planning and shopping and the making of.) and practicing/playing the piano for various things.

I’m not stressed and I’m not worn out – I’m actually really really truly enjoying my life. I’m not oblivious to the bad, the ugly, the pure sad around me, but I’m also joyful and thankful for a life that keeps me jumping.

I’m also pretty sure the fact that I own this cat helps.

Today’s post comes flying across the waters from my favorite guest blogger, Carey. Carey and her family currently live in Cork, Ireland. 

Hi, All! I’ve really had quite the adventure while living in Ireland over the past few years. The latest discovery is more about myself and how Ireland has affected me. Here is my discovery/confession- I am a butter snob! Yes I said it;  Butter Snob! It is official. Butter Snob Butter Snob Butter Snob!

I didn’t grow up eating butter, it was a rare treat. It was, after all, the age of margarine. I’ve been able to travel home to the States a few times and have tasted butter now that I am grown. Wow! There is no comparison! I was first taken aback by the color of American butter- it’s almost white, while Irish butter is a lovely warm yellow. Then there is the texture- American is a bit… well, I couldn’t eat it. So let me tell you about the Irish butter, its texture is smooth and creamy. It’s not heavy but nice like Big Bird’s feathers would be if you hugged him.  The taste… oh really, just gloriously buttery. It’s what butter should taste like.

I think part of the reason is they are grass fed cows and the grass is always -and I mean always- a shade of green. In some areas the cows outnumber the people 4 to 1.

Here is another confession- my 1st year of living here on the Emerald Isle, I ate my weight in butter! The fantastic bread here was just a tool and an excuse to eat butter. The way the Dad on A Christmas Story felt about his leg lamp? That’s how I feel about Irish butter, oh glorious butter!

Now don’t think I am slagging all things American. I love America! I am American and proud of it but this tiny green island has us beat in the butter catagory.

Just a side note: one pound of store brand butter is about 3.25 but I was so excited I got the butter pictured for 1euro! that is about $1.50. Best deal in Ireland I have found so far.

I don’t see myself as a literary critic, but I am someone who reads an average of 70 books or so a year, so I definitely have my opinion of what I like and what good writing is!

- I’ll give a short review and opinion of each, but you’ll just have to trust me that they’re good and read them yourself without too much pontificating on my part (Remember, I’m a short attention span girl.)
- I let myself down completely when I finished up my list and realized I’ve only read about 50 books this year. Whaddup?

5. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua. I found this book hilarious and totally interesting; others found it disturbing and battles erupted over it all over the internet. In it, Chua describes her parenting of her two daughters. Forcing both to practice for hours and hours  -even on vacation – so that they could be perfect at playing the piano. Well-written and interesting and, dare I say it, funny.

4. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Rubin decided to tackle the task of “being happier” by turning non-concrete goals into tangible lists to follow and charts to mark. She pursued goals such as being a better mother, being a better wife, being a better friend. Loved the idea and loved that she turned it into something she could track. I totally get that.

3. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein. Okay, so it was probably my fifth time through the book, but this time? This time my kids were finally old enough to listen. I read it out loud and loved it when they referenced Gollum or the ring or Gandolf in the months to come. I read and re-read the first few sentences to them many times, and asked, “Do you get it? Do you see the beauty in those words?”  In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. ”

2. EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey. Ramsey gives excellent advice on running your own business. Do I need to say it again? Excellent advice. Read it.

1. And my top favorite book of all year, and possibly of the last ten years, was actually a volume containing two books, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image by Dr Paul Brand and Philip Yancey. Amazing, amazing books. They combine the miracle of the human body and relate it to the spiritual Body of Christ. How do the parts all work together? Why is pain a good thing? I wish I could give a proper review of this book in eloquent words…but I would fall short, no matter how much I tried. Please just give this book a chance!

Two Honorable Mentions go to:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (interesting medical and human interest story)

Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Claire Davies. This was probably the most practical book I read and also goes to prove I read any book whose title is mentioned in front of me. Must Get Help.

For a complete list of books read this year you can look HERE (although it is still a work in progress…)

What was your favorite book of this year? 

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Sarah McLachlan and Barenaked Ladies

2. It Snowed by Meaghan Smith

3. Soul Cake by Sting

4. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! by Chris Botti

5. A Baby Changes Everything by Faith Hill (Sooo glad we’re doing this in church this year – for the last five years it’s killed me when the service ends and this hasn’t been sung – it’s the whole message!)

Bonus: Yazala Abambuti – Actually, this is “Come, Thou Fount”…but it’s on a Windham Hill Christmas CD. I’m trying to find more info about it – like, who sings it…Absolutely beautiful.

Here is my list from last year:

Being a Music Ambassador throughout all the Land, I feel it my duty to offer you delicious selections for you to search for on your cute, compliant computer.And if you have suggestions, let me know!

Time to Make Cookies Playlist:

Accordion Bells – Leo Kottke
Another Christmas Song – Stephen Colbert
Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Lady Antebellum
Carol of the Bells – William Joseph
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen – Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan (Hey, I didn’t name their band!)
The Carols Those Kids Used to Sing – Statler Brothers (What my mom listened to while we made Christmas candy)
Go Tell It On The Mountain – Lorie Line (Oh, the memories I have of us playing this arrangement at church! Fun!)
Soul Cake – Sting (SuperBoy’s Christmas favorite currently)
The Complete Nutcracker Suite – Philip Aaberg
Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies – Harry Connick Jr
Deck the Halls – Larry Coryell
Auld Lang Syne – James Taylor

Sigh at the End of the Day:

Angels From the Realms of Glory – Barbara Higbie
Christmas is Coming – Vince Guaraldi
Christmas Time is Here – Sean Harkness (or the Vince Guaraldi one)
December Morning – Jim Brickman
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow – Chris Botti
Little Drummer Boy – Steve Erquiaga (love this one)
New England Morning – William Ackerman
Oh, Christmas Tree – Michael Ruff & Snuffy Walden
Sussex Carol – Sorry I don’t have artist’s name, but it’s Windham Hill produced
Walking In The Air – Windham Hill Christmas
Winter Wonderland – Phillippe Saisse
Yesterday’s Rain – Snuffy Walden

Singing Loud for All to Hear (In My Car):

Winter Song – Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Willie Nelson
It Snowed – Meaghan Smith (My personal Winter Season Theme Song)
Sleigh Ride – Wilson Phillips (Overproduced harmony fun!)
The First Noel – David Archuleta
Do You Hear What I Hear – Kristin Chenoweth
The Christmas Song – The Carpenters
I Need a Silent Night – Amy Grant
Dream a Dream – Charlotte Church (Pull out that Opera voice!)
O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Sugarland
Baby Changes Everything – Faith Hill
Silent Night – Sarah McLachlan

You’re Too Lazy to Download Individual Songs:

Search for anything produced by Windham Hill
Artists with great albums:
Harry Connick Jr
The Carpenters
Faith Hill
Chris Botti

I’ve lost weight this year. It wasn’t without struggle, as anyone who has lost weight would understand. I put aside the cereal, the breads, and the mindless eating of M&Ms and ate my weight in protein. I guess it worked and I’m resolved to keep going! Here are my Top 5 Favorite Foods eaten on my diet.

1. Quinoa – a complete protein (unusual for a plant food), quinoa has replaced rice in my diet. Quinoa is now sold in pretty much any grocery store, including Target, but I buy the large bag at Costco. Make it with reduced sodium chicken broth and it gains flavor. My favorite variety of quinoa is Seeds of Change Uhuni Quinoa & Whole Grain Brown Rice. It comes in ready to heat pouches – stick in the microwave for 90 seconds and you’ve got your side dish. (Trust me, when you’re battling to make the right choice in what to eat – quick cooking is a GREAT asset!) I buy these at Costco.(When you eat a rice/quinoa mix, you are getting carbs from the rice…just so you know if you’re tracking protein/carbs!)

2. Pork Tenderloin – my favorite dinner is this spiced up pork tenderloin. It’s actually a meal the whole family loves it! Serve with brown rice or quinoa and veggies and you’ve got a healthy meal. *Recipe below!

3. Planter’s Wholesome Nut Mix (just changed its name from South Beach Diet Mix) – my evening snack. Replacing mindless cereal eating with a snack of macadamias, almonds, cashews and peanuts has saved me hundreds of calories. (I have to buy this version, where the mix is in pouches, because if I buy the can of them…I eat them!)

4. Zone Chocolate Mint Bars – My morning meal and the only protein bar I like. Every morning. Zone bar and coffee. If you tell your brain enough times that “this is what I eat for breakfast”, that’s what I eat for breakfast. Or is that just my brain?

5. String Cheese – ‘Nuff said.Best varieties are found at Woodman’s. A store I hate, but will make a special visit to, just to get the smoked string cheese varieties from Wisconsin.

*Spiced Up Pork Tenderloin

2 16 oz oz pork tenderloins
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp chile powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp cinnamon
Olive Oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp fresh garlic, finely chopped
Tabasco sauce (optional)

Serves 8ish

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix  salt, pepper, cumin, chile powder, and cinnamon. Coat pork with spice rub.
3. Heat tablespoon of olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat and brown pork, turning, about 4 minutes.
4. Stir together brown sugar, garlic and a little Tabasco and pat on top of tenderloin. Place pork in roasting pan and cook. Because I double the recipe, it usually takes almost an hour.