Hard When You Are Your Own Worst Enemy!

I tried something totally different tonight- Pasta With a Greek Yogurt Based Sauce, found on Pinterest and linked to the blog above.  I wasn't sure how the kids would like it, and had mac and cheese on hand too...but surprisingly it was a hit with all but veggie boy!  I am up around 7-8 lbs. from the 20 I had lost a year ago, and now that work is slower for a few weeks I am refocusing and thought this would be good to try.  I always read about the joys of nonfat Greek yogurt but this was my first time using it (notice I didn't say buying it, as I usually buy it and there it sits until it goes bad...).  Definitely has piqued my interest, next up is a ranch dressing I saw that uses it for the base.  I hope it too is a hit, as we don't buy ranch anymore because of the high calories, much to the chagrin of the teenagers in the house (who agree with me but miss it nonetheless).  Now if only it negated the calories in the oatmeal raisin cookies I made...lucky for me the chocolate chip pretzel cookies I made earlier in the week are finally gone (but I am dying to try several different cupcakes I pinned this week!)!  My own worst enemy because I love to cook and can cook!

Sunday Suppers

Usually Sunday suppers are associated with family, fellowship, and good food,  Our Sunday supper tonight is no different, but it isn't the spend all day in the kitchen kind of meal.  It is the "2 kids are at the pool, one is at a lacrosse party, one has been at work, and mom and dad have been driving all over" kind of Sunday supper!  I lucked out and despite all of the activity got to waste away part of the afternoon rearranging, checking Pinterest and food blogs and hitting the farmer's market.  Ended up making these cute muffin taco thingys, and I don't really do cute, but they are good with beer :); bread from the farmer's market with dipping sauce (thanks Pinterest), tapenade (thanks TJ's), and brie; mac and cheese for veggie boy, and some fresh pineapple.  When I told the kids dinner would be this and that there was actually a "yay" from one!  It isn't the fabulous menu...I think it is knowing they will all arrive home and dinner will be ready and they can grab and go and hang out and talk, which is our blended family kind of food and fellowship on nights like this (we do those big dinners where mom cooks all day too!)!  Oh- to make these? Simple (hint, next time you make tacos, double the meat and freeze it for when you want to make these, takes out a step)- cut some flour tortillas into 4"circles- pizza cutter works- put in muffin tin, put in some cheese, meat, more cheese- bake 20 mins and add some toppings.  Meals like this make me think of football Sundays where we kick it buffet snack style while we watch the games!

A little post script...our gathering room...over the past year we have turned it into a bit of an unusual space; three ottomans fill the room.  The chair is straight on to the t.v., and there are two sofas.  Everyone has a seat, with an ottoman, and blankets (storage ottomans from overstock.com); we moved the coffee table to hold the t.v. and I can still serve from it when needed...that plus the ottomans with trays (have lots of those, and the pile by the t.v. on the floor is an Ikea find so people can eat on a sofa without making a mess and they are easy clean- remember, 6 kids at our peak!) makes for that food, fun and fellowship in our own little gathering room (after a trip to Williamsburg last winter we realized that was the perfect name for what the space is)!  Stay tuned for the upgrades, will be painting by the end of the week and hanging self created photographic artwork.

The Music Never Stopped

What would you do for  your child?  Just watched this movie and it was a good one...makes you think about what role we as the adult have in making those connections with our teenagers before it is too late...meeting them where they are at.  It is something I believe in, and something I have witnessed the past year or so as *he* struggled with the high school senior son who was perpetually busy with work, girls, friends, school...namely teenage life. *He* was also dealing with some things personally and as a couple with me.   All a challenge as the non-custodial parent.  It took some coaching to help him see that he needed to meet his son halfway, instead of getting upset that he couldn'teasily  have him all day on a Sunday anymore.  What resulted has been the growth of a man to man friendship this year...a father and son but also two men getting to know each other on a new level.  Now they both plan for a dinner date 2-3 times per month,sometimes alone, sometimes with me, sometimes with friends, and while we still have family time this new thing that is theirs has solidified their relationship as he prepares to leave for college in two months, and has helped dad realize he is still dad, and perhaps his son has had the chance to see just what he will continue to do in order to be there for him through every stage of his life. 

All of us parents need to stop and ask ourselves every now and then if we are reaching our kids and just being there for them, where they are...not necessarily where we wish they were.  One day they won't be egocentric teens anymore and they will look back and remember all that wewere for them.

Farmers Market Season!

We are fortunate to have a very small (ten stands or less) farmers market up the street on Sunday afternoons in the summer.  But really, how many stands do you need?  I LOVE the markets in Montreal, Philadelphia, and other such cities, but end up circling it looking at pretty much the same thing at multiple stands.  Each of our stands is unique, with very few duplicates.  Today I scored some homemade cinnamon raisin bread (one of veggie boy's favorites!), a "rustic baguette" (dinner tonight!) and a loaf of Portugese Cornbread; this is one I got last summer and the entire family loved it with some honey butter (literally some Smart Balance and honey whipped together with the mixer)...can't wait to serve it tomorrow when they are all here!

 I also braved some rhubarb- I had some strawberries (unfortunately not locally grown but that is ok...), came home and perused the Food Network site, and settled on the simple but highly rated Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp.  It is in the oven now, and I am hopeful it will be well received here!  My house smells like it took more effort than it did!

Now onto figure out what to do with the garlic scapes I purchased- often described as looking like a cross between an octopus and a green plant, these are basically the chutes from the top of the garlic bulb.  The seller said they last a long time, can be used like garlic, are great in pesto, as well as in marinades...I think I am going to go with a spin of a recipe I saw online and take the fresh baguette, spread some brie on it, then top with some garlic scapes, salt, and pepper...bake for a few minutes...sounds divine!

Update...several hours later...incredible dinner and dessert...and yes it is Sunday and you guessed it, we were chillin in our pajamas early!  And as always, doing my part to keep my curves curvy thanks to some good cooking!