Playground Time

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Roasted Lemon Chicken, Spaetzle, & Dijon Brussel Sprouts

I don't really have recipes for this stuff.  The Spaetzle went over terribly.  It really wasn't good, but it's a heavy carb and was tossed in butter, so who am I to say no.  The dijon brussel sprouts were heavenly.  Usually I just saute them with onions and some salt, but the mustard + some butter was great.  The chicken was done stovetop in the cast iron and finished with lemon slices on top in the oven.

http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/11/dijon-braised-brussels-sprouts/

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Zucchine Ripiene (Stuffed Zucchini)

These came out delicious.  Saw them in Saveur magazine and had to try them.  They were easy and just as good on day 2 as the day I made them.  I did tweak a few things from the original recipe.  I used just chopped pancetta as I didn't have any prosciutto.  I used wheat instead of white bread.  Finally, I didn't have any fresh basil or parsley so I used dried parsley only.  I have a problem buying herbs.  I grow them in the summer so they are free.  In the Fall, the ones I want to use - rosemary, thyme, sage - are still growing so I'm all set.  By Winter, I'm pissed I have to buy them, in principal, yet not pissed enough to grow them inside where I actually would have to water them. 

Next time, I'd do this by cutting the zucchini length-wise and making "boats", I think.  This is the "before" shot.  The after had tomatoes over the top and between them, but that pic came out blurry.  Again, shitty iPhone 3 camera. 

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Happy St Pats Day!!

No creativity from me this year...the usual green pancakes, green milk, flipped chairs and pics, and green toilet water. No candy in a boot (why haven't I heard of that??? Unprepared for that 411 last night). Oh well...they don't need more candy anyway!



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Train Adventure

I had to pick something up in Boston on Tuesday and Rory had the day off from school. So, Kelly, Rory, and I took the T from our town to Boston on a drizzly day. All we did was ride in, do my quick errand, and ride out. They loved it!!


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Rory & Mom Special Day

Monday morning started with "Mom, I really like school. But, my big, big brain could use a break." Good thing he had a day off on Monday and we had a Mom & Rory day planned!
Starting the day dropping Dad at work in Boston.
At the Boston Aquarium touch tank...
Observing an eel in the big tank..
At Faneuil Hall for picnic lunch on a 60+ degree day!  We had a lot of walking to do around the city and really lucked out with a beautiful day.
We had a relaxing and fun day!!

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Science Fair #2

Rory's Science Fair was yesterday.  Both kids fairs were optional, but I signed them both up figuring they could approach it similarly and they would inspire each other.  Shelagh jumped right in and was eager to work on it for several weeks.  Rory, on the other hand, was not into it at all.  He seemed to like the idea of it but he always would rather do Lego's than actually start the work.  After several weeks of complaining and an overall shitty attitude about it, I decided to let him withdraw.  I usually wouldn't let him quit something but where he has such a great attitude about school and school work in general, I just didn't want to spoil it where the fair was optional anyway and he is only in Kindergarten. 

Well, then Shelagh finished her project and he had this strange reaction to it.  So, being the mean mother I can be, I asked him how he felt, now, about quitting and giving up.  Gasp.  I know.  It was mean, but it worked.  He was LIVID and screamed that he wasn't a quitter and wouldn't give up.  We powered through it this weekend and he was BEYOND proud of himself for seeing it through.  I was really happy that he decided on his own (triggered by my harsh comment) to change his mind and not only do it, but do it well.








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Science Fair #1

Shelagh participated in her first Science Fair at her school this past week and ended up winning 2nd place!!  She worked very hard on her experiment about Dish Soap and water and how much is enough - she called it Squeaky Clean Dishes!  She spent a lot of time writing everything out and tracing it with marker, making charts, and wording everthing.  She did a great job talking to the judges.  I honestly think she won b/c of that hard work...there were a lot of great projects, but often you couldn't really tell what part the kid did vs what part the parents helped with.  Shelagh's was handwritten and clearly her work and I think it paid off.  She was so proud as are we.







Rory's science fair at his school is today so I'll post his pics tomorrow.

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