Football Season

Football season is winding down and although my beloved Longhorns are having a tough year, and my home team Texans could stand a new quarterback and a new kicker, the boys' teams are doing great.  Well, Grant's is anyway.  This is Grant's first experience with flag football and he is loving it.  He is the smallest kid on the team but he is so determined and so fast!  He made several touchdowns this season and has pulled a few flags as well.  His highlight this season has been in his scrimmage game against a friend's 5th grade team.  He scored a TD in that game simply because the 5th graders couldn't reach low enough to get his flags!

Jackson is in his 3rd season of flag football and although his team has had it's ups and downs, he's been playing great!  He's made 3 TDs in the last two games.  All because suddenly he's learned how to run fast.  Or he's suddenly had the desire to anyway.  He looks like a gazelle running down the field, long legs just flying.  This coming weekend I'm sad to say is the last weekend.  And I'm going to miss it. 

I'm going to California with my girlfriends to celebrate our 40th birthdays and nearly 20 years of friendship.  We've had a tough year, this group.  One of us lost a battle with cancer and another one of us suffered the loss of a child.  I don't know why these things happen, but I pray that God in his infinite wisdom has a plan.  I do know that He holds our hands and helps us through if only we let him.  I know this because of the friendships that I have because of the people He has sent into my life and the bonds that we've made.  I hope going into this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas that my family and I remember to be thankful for all that we have.  Not just the things that we have, but the people we have to share our lives with.

Half Way There

We are half-way through the summer and we're in a pretty good groove.  First, to give you the finale to the ring caper, the plumbing company give me a check for the full appraised value of all my jewelry within 2 weeks of the date I reported it stolen.  I could not believe what stand-up people they were.  We were truly grateful and although it's sad to know that things like that can happen, it restored my faith a bit to know that they went out of there way to make it right.

Anyway, the first week of summer was filled with both CCE and scout camp.  Our church here allows the kids to finish an entire year (30 hours) worth of CCE in 10 days (3 hours a day).  It was intense, and I won't say that the boys loved it, or even really liked it, but the good news is that they were with their friends and it's now done for the year.  After CCE was cub scout day camp. This was Grant's first year as a new tiger cub, but veteran Jackson's 2nd year.  They were exhausted as the camp ran from 2:30-8:00 and they had CCE from 9-12 in the am, but we got through it.  One funny incident, on the last day of camp at the parent's performance, the four year old of one of our friends got sick and threw up red gatorade in front of everyone.  Which made Jack get sick.  Jackson announced "I couldn't help it, wierd colored puke makes me puke!"  Overall, camp was a success, both boys shot bb guns and bow and arrows, climbed a rock wall (Jack made it to the top 2 times!) and had various other fun activities.


Then came our trip to Concan where we stayed at Neals Lodges and spent the evenings dancing at Garner State Park.  It was wonderful.  The weather was terrific, the water was cool and the boys had an outstanding time with all of their buddies.  We stayed in a cabin with our good friends, the Bargainers and our other good friends the Cheves stayed right down the road.  All told we had 9 kiddos, a four year old, 5-six year olds, an 8 year old and two nine-year olds.  It was a crazy good time.  Mostly we relaxed in the water on floats while the kids swam, jumped off the rocks, fished with nets, swung out over the river on the rope swing, or whatever other adventure came their way.  In the evenings we went to Garner State Park to the nightly dance.  The dance at Garner is a very longstanding tradition since 1941.  Heath's dad danced at the Garner State Park.  Most of Jackson's teachers did too.  From the Lindy Hop to the Bunny Hop, and the waltz to the Whip, every dance imaginable has been done on that floor.  The best tradition of all though, is that EVERYONE that can walk dances.  All the little girls, and some are LITTLE, line up along the sides while the boys ask them to dance.  Jackson wasn't so sure at first, but by the end of vacation he had 16 dances to his credit.  Grant stuck to dancing with mommy and daddy, but it didn't keep him from going out "scouting" with Jackson for girls.  He did tell me he found "the one" but he wasn't going to ask her until next year.  Sure hope her parents decide to go the last week of June!

Last week Jackson took his now 2nd annual trip to Nana and Poppop's house.  He's a veteran now of flying by himself, and with his know-it-all attitude, I'm surprised he didn't tell the pilot how to fly the plane!  He had a blast in Florida, he went to Universal Studios Orlando and could not get enough of it, particularly the Harry Potter exhibit and ride.  He also spent lots of beach time with Poppop and even went fishing and caught an alligator gar in a lake nearby.  He was ready to see Heath and I, but not really ready to leave Florida.  I can't say I blame him!  Meanwhile, Grant and I held down the fort here while Heath worked.  We had a nice visit with good friends from Colorado and a spectacular fireworks show viewed from a high-rise apartment overlooking downtown.  We spent quite a bit of time at the Bargainer's pool and generally took it easy.


Well, that's it for now.  Next week both boys have science camp during the day, and then the week after that they go to zoo camp for the week.  I'll be able to get at least two weeks of work in this summer!  Heath I'm sure just misses me at the office SO MUCH.  Then they are off for a few weeks and hopefully we are off to Ruidoso, NM on the 15th of August.  School is starting a full week later this year and I want nothing more than to escape this oppressive heat.  I'll post with updates!

Shrimp with Candied Walnuts (ala PF Changs)

I have an obsession, it's the Shrimp with Candied Walnuts at PF Changs.  My obsession has a problem in that I refuse to take my children to PF Changs AND there's only so many times I have a babysitter in any given year.  Since we're talking like in the very low double digits, and considering that we live in one of the restaurant capitals of the free world PF Changs only makes it into the rotation a couple of times a year.  Anyway, previously I was obsessed with the Orange Peel Beef.  I tried, unsuccessfully, to recreate this dish at home.  I never could get that crispy texture to the thinly shaved beef.  Those little crisp, (think bacon fat) citrus-y bits just didn't quite make it in the home skillet.  (side note, home skillet just made me laugh...I think my high school boyfriend called his friends that.) ANYWAY, I digress. 

The Shrimp with Candied Walnuts (yes it deserves constant capitalization) was discovered accidentally by a dining companion.  I HATE honeydew melon so I would've avoided this dish as it has melon balls in the recipe.  However, my friend, who is melon-ambivalent, tried one and pronounced it heavenly.  I tentatively tried it and HEAVEN.  How a dish can take something I despise and turn it into a wonderful taste sensation I do not know.  Anyway, I've been searching for a recipe, since now I have TWO favorite dishes at a restaurant I only go to two times per year.  Once every 365 days is not an option. 

So, after careful searching, I think I've got it.  I won't profess that it's EXACTLY as good as PF Changs, but it's a very close second.

Shrimp with Candied Walnuts (serves 2)

Candied Walnuts
1/2 c water
1/2 c brown sugar
1 T butter
pinch of salt
1 c walnuts (halves not pieces)

MAKE AHEAD.  Bring all ingredients except walnuts to a boil over med high heat.  Add walnuts, stir constantly 5-10 minutes until thickened and coating the nuts.  Pour out over parchment paper and let cool completely.  Can be made 1 day ahead.

Sauce
1/2 c coconut milk
1/4 c sweetened condensed milk
2 T rice wine vinegar
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp celery salt

Whisk together all ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. 

Shrimp
1 lb medium shrimp (I used 15 count and I think they could've been smaller)
1/2 c flour
2 T cornstarch
1 T seasoning salt
1 tsp pepper
canola oil for frying in

Pour about 1 c oil in cast iron skillet (about 1 inch) and bring to very high heat.  Meanwhile, put flour and next three ingredients in ziplock bag.  Add the shrimp a few at a time, shake to coat then shake off excess flour and place on paper towel.  When oil is hot, fry shrimp a few at a time, do not overcrowd.  Remove and place on paper towel.

To serve:
In a serving bowl add approx 1/4 honeydew melon, balled (about 10-15 melon balls), shrimp and walnuts.  Pour sauce over the top and serve over cooked rice. 

Disquietude

The title for this post was the word of the day, and when trying to think of a title as I sit here musing over the last few weeks, it's the first word that popped into my head.  I've been unsettled, my roots were shaken, luckily not to the core.  After having a faucet in my master bath break, my engagement ring, wedding band and a diamond cross necklace Heath gave me for our 5th anniversary "turned up missing." 

After the faucet incident, plumbers were called, repairs were begun, and I discovered the theft.  It still feels weird to say "theft."  After the initial shock and dismay over my wedding rings! I think the most upsetting part was that a) someone actually stole from me and b) I had to accuse someone of stealing from me.  Weird, that I was more concerned about the accusation than nearly anything else.  I cried for two days more because I just couldn't believe I had to accuse someone of this.  Someone that I might add, who had been in my house, and had been KIND TO ME.  When the repairs were under way, they seemed to be going out of their way to get it fixed in a way that my somewhat less than stellar home warranty coverage would actually cover. 

Anyway, hopefully this will be over soon.  I told the risk manager at the plumbing company, who has been very nice, that I want this resolved so I don't have to feel this pit in my stomach every time I catch a glimpse of my hand.  I still have an indentation in my left ring finger.  It's there from the years of wearing it too tight.  I was so afraid that it would fall off someday and it's like my ring is still there, just invisible.  Weird after almost one full week. 

Then there's Jackson.  We're on day three of a very weird virus that causes a headache, stomach ache and very high fever.  Weird because all three symptoms only occur between the hours of 7 pm and midnight.  All day he's fine...then seven pm comes along and boom...sick.  And from the moment he wakes until that point, moments when he should be in school, he's whining.  Not about being sick, about being bored.  Mommy can we bake cookies (um, yeah cause you're not going to stick your germy little hand in the cookie dough at all), mommy can I play on the computer, mommy can you take me to the mall to pick out a present (because that's what I did when his brother broke his arm last year and had to miss the end of school party) mommy can we go to Chuck E Cheese (because why have one virus when you can have 2 concurrently?)  I'm blessed he's not actually sick or in any pain, it would just be a bit easier to tolerate being grounded to my house if he acted a bit less peppy, that's all.

And finally, the third wheel, AKA Buddy.  Buddy is Melissa's dog and I love Melissa.  Buddy is Lucy's best friend and I adore Lucy.  Buddy is also one more mouth to feed, one more mess to clean up, and one more living breathing thing to take care of.  Buddy is lucky that Dixie and Daisy also think he's pretty cool.  If Buddy is a general representation of male dogs, I think I'll stick with females.  I don't think my animals are in any way special or anything, and they definitely have their moments (Dixie occasionally shows displeasure with Heath and I by rolling in poop and Daisy at least once weekly poops on Jacksons rug in his room).  But Buddy smells like a dog, more like a little boy that's been playing outside all day smells.  He just stinks.  And he slops his water.  No daintily lapping up water for him, after his turn at the "trough" there's water everywhere.  And have I mentioned his complete and utter TERROR of thunderstorms?  He barks through the ENTIRE performance.  Melissa has mentioned this, but mere words cannot impress upon a person the shear exhaustion and absolute stress one feels after listening to a dog bark.  NON STOP ALL DAY.  And finally, Buddy chases and CATCHES enormous comically disgusting bullfrogs.  Like soccer ball sized bull frogs.  And then shakes them.  Dead.

But, hopefully the worst is behind me.  By the end of the week my jewelry ordeal should be over, according to my contact at the plumbing company.  Melissa should be back to get her dog and Jackson should be back to school.  And then I'm sure Grant or I will come down with whatever Jackson had.

MTV Spring Break...Nobles Style

Today we decided to have a little dance party.  It was pretty impromptu.  I got a new iPod for my birthday since my old one was stolen out of the truck last year.  I love it.  Nice and small and square.  It's perfect.  Anyway, I loaded it up with tunes and the boys and I started dancing around the living room.  Jackson loves to dance, but Grant can ACTUALLY dance, and it's pretty funny to watch.  I was cracking up the whole time.  And the song in the background? That would be "I Like to Move It" by will.I.am.  From the movie "Madagascar 2"  Grant's played that song about 149 times over the last couple of years.  There was one of those singing Hallmark cards at one time that sang the song.  Everytime we walked into the Hallmark store he went straight for that card.  CoCo bought him one once.  After about a thousand listenings it stopped.  Daddy bought him another the next time they were in there.  It got to be where the lady at the Hallmark store knew him well.  This was about 2 years ago.  We were in there 2 weeks ago getting a card for a friend of mine, Hallmark lady STILL remembered him and found him another of those cards.  He is a charmer.  And Jack?  Sweet Jack asked me tonight how to teach him to dance with a girl.  We did NOT dance to Moto Moto, more like Fun.'s "We are Young" and Heath had to cut in a few times.

Anyway, day one of spring break was a success.

Mini Me

Here's Jackson, carb loading after a full day at the rodeo...where he basically ate his way from Reliant Center thru the carnival to Reliant Arena.  We are in the beginnings of the legendary boy appetite stage of life, particularly as it relates to pasta, bread and cheese.  I won't bore you with a blow by blow description of all he ate at the carnival, let's just say it was impressive.  And expensive.  And his brother couldn't handle it and vomited, luckily in an appropriate place, even more luckily at the point in the day when I was more than ready to call it quits.  Jackson was a trooper and not only felt pretty good, but decided just 3 short hours later that he was hungry, and ravioli with creamy tomato basil sauce was the cure.  I've always maintained that had it not been for whatever brave soul decided to eat old curdled milk from another species of animal (aka CHEESE!) I'd be significantly thinner.  Cheese and pasta are the best foods on the earth, and at least one of my kiddos agree!

Best Buddies

Friday night was the annual cub scout Blue and Gold Banquet.  Blue and Gold banquet, for those of you not "in the know" is a celebration of the anniversary of boy scouting.  Additionally, all the scouts earn their rank badges.  It's a lot of fun for the kiddos.  This year we had a photographer, Jenna Whidby, on hand to take pictures.  Our family did not partake in the pictures because I had been up at the middle school since 4:00 preparing for the banquet itself, and was in no condition to have my disheveled state documented.

Grant however, had no problems smiling for the camera.  Which is a bit odd, since normally he shies from a camera like an aboriginal believing his soul will be taken.  I'm sure it had something to do with the fact that his best friend in the whole world, Landon was in the picture too.  Landon is on Grant's baseball team, his "seat buddy" in Mrs. Golden's kindergarten class, and his future "Tiger" den mate.  No, Landon is NOT the little boy on the right.  Landon is the little boy in the middle...the little boy on the right is Landon's four year old brother.  Yes, my children may be a bit vertically challenged, but to be fair, Landon and Reid are giants!  As a bonus, this awesome little duo comes with a big brother, Hayden...considered to be, by Jackson, the coolest boy ever.  Hayden is in third grade, and of course, that very fact alone is cool.  Luckily, Hayden is also a super sweet kiddo, so we count ourselves pretty lucky!  I don't yet have the picture documenting this, but I've been told Grant is in Landon's family picture.  What's one more boy when you already have 3?