Blue Man Group

Finally took the kids to see BLUE MAN GROUP.  Adam and I have been waiting patiently.  Back when it first came to Boston, we were dating, and we went to see it.  We loved it.  There is one part of the show that the Blue Men come into the audience to pick a female to be part of a skit.  Lucky me.  They picked me.  As I was being escorted to the stage by THREE TALL BLUE MEN, the woman next to Adam said to him "I hope she is okay up there."  Adam turned to her and said "I hope I am okay when she comes back down.  She hates the stage."  The skit was about Twinkies. . .   and involved Twinkie goo.  It was a good experience.

Fast forward a few years, we are married, and we go back to the show with friends.  We purposely pick seats in a different area. . . . . and yes, this time Adam gets picked to be the male volunteer of the show.  And yes, he lived to tell.

This time, all four of us managed to sit in our seats for the whole show.  We were sitting in the section that involved ponchos.  The kids had a great time, and really enjoyed it.  Mark enjoyed the part of the show when people are late.  Naomi BELLY laughed her way through the marshmallow skit.  I thought she was going to have a stomachache from all that laughing.  The GiPad skit was cute too.  And of course the music and the pipes.

A good time was had by all.

Cookbooks

I love cookbooks.  I have quite a collection.  Some of my favorites are:

The Temple Emanuel Sisterhood Cookbook - as you might recall, Esther Muhlfelder and I co-chaired this book.  There are many tasty recipes in the book.  All tested.  My favorites are the Chocolate Mousse Cake and the Hamentashen recipe.

The Flour Cookbook - by Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery.  I love her cookbook and look forward to her savory one in 2013.  My favorite recipes from Flour are the Oreo Cookies, The Sticky Buns, The Banana Bread and the Brownies.

The Pie and Pastry Bible - This book changed my life.  I love pies, and had been having a hard time making pie crusts.  Rose Levy Beranbaum explained how to do it in the book, complete with the scientific reasons.  Now I don't skip the resting of the dough, because I know it is important to the finished product.

The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook - this cookbook is new this year, and I have only made a few of the recipes.  I have used her blog and I love it.  She is an amazing photographer and home cook.  Her blog recipes include a salted chocolate brownie recipe that I love.

My Binder - I have a three ring binder full of tested recipes that I love.  It is not published and one of a kind.  My favorite recipes are the lemon scones, Carol's BBQ chicken, vegetarian chili 9000, my mother in law's chicken soup and chocolate chip Mandelbrot.  This binder gets additions every year.  I would be lost without this cookbook.

The Call

The call that every mom dreads. . . . "HI, this is the school nurse. . . . your child X is in my office."

Yup, I was the recipient of that call yesterday.  Yup, the ten year old was not feeling well.  And there were THREE other kids from his class OUT sick.  Yup, time to get the kid.  Luckily my husband was able to get him and work from home from the rest of the day.

And then . . . . . this morning I thought I had it all set.  Bring the ten year old to my parent's house, and the other one can go to school.  I am half way to my parent's house (which is an hour away), when my husband calls me on my cell. . . . ."Um, the six year old just threw up."

WONDERFUL!

Just what I needed.

So the poor guy worked from home, again.  Luckily the six year old is feeling MUCH better and can't wait to get back to school.  The ten year old - well the jury is still out on what tomorrow will bring.  He has a cough (not a bad one, but one that an adult would power through).  He has the sniffles.  Again, nothing too bad.

But tonight was the synagogue's Hanukkah party. . . . and the six year old is part of the children's choir.  I was so proud of myself for not only remembering to put her choir shirt in my work bag today, but I also managed to remember to bring the camera!  I was ready for the performance.  So, Little Miss Prepared was overly prepared.  But what I did not have for tonight was dinner!  We were supposed to be eating potato latkes and applesauce with friends.  Instead, the little one and I had pancakes.  Daddy had soup, and the ten year old feasted on latkes at Grandma and Papa's.

So, hopefully tomorrow goes better.

Potato Rosti

Dinner was an old favorite - Potato Rosti

1 egg
1/4 cup flour
2 medium baking potatos, peeled and grated
1/2 c grated Gruyere cheese
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 t caraway seeds
1/2 t salt
pepper
1 1/2 T butter

In a large bowl, whisk the egg and flour.  Then add the grated potato, the grated cheese and the chopped onion.  Stir to combine.  Add caraway seeds, salt and pepper.

In a 9 inch non stick fry pan, heat over medium heat 1/2 of the butter til it melts.  Add the rosti, and pat it to form one large pancake.  Cook for 10-12 minutes.  When the bottom is dark golden brown, invert the cake onto a plate.  Put the other 1/2 of the butter in the pan.  Once it melts slide the rosti into the skillet and cook the other side for 9 minutes.

When done, put the rosti onto a cutting board and slice into six wedges.

Enjoy.

Spaghetti with garlic and lemon sauce - three out of four Weitzman's give it a thumbs up!

It is not every night that we can get EVERYONE to agree on the success of dinner.  However, it is rare when THREE out of FOUR of us give it a THUMBS UP.

Here is the recipe:

1 pound of spaghetti
1/2 c olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 lemons, - zest of
3 T fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 t salt
Pepper

Cook pasta until done.  Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water.  Drain pasta.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook for 3 minutes - stir.  Add lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Stir.  Add 1/2 cup of the pasta water.  Bring to a quick boil.  Toss pasta into skillet.

Serve

The Star of the Day in our Family

Singing at Senior Hebrew Life in Roslindale

Picky Eaters

I can't figure out what my kids like and don't like for dinner some nights.  And often one likes a meal, and the other hates the same meal.  I would really like to create some dinners that all four of us like (maybe three of us).

I had each kid write out the top five dinners.  Mr. M likes blintzes, hamburgers, omelettes and pancakes.  Ms. N likes Kraft mac and cheese, pancakes, hot dogs, broccoli and soba noodles and tacos.  They both also like potato rosti and Carol's BBQ chicken (which can be easily made into Carol's BBQ Tofu for Adam).

I don't serve meat and milk at the same meal.  Ms. N doesn't like eggs.  I won't serve hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers on a weekly basis.

Imagine my surprise, when BOTH kids declared their love over tonight's dinner:

Broccoli, Black Bean and Onion topping over a noodle cake.  Doesn't sound like something a kid would like, but I thought I would try.

Noodle Cake:  Cook a package of Chinese vermicelli noodles, or use very thin angel hair pasta.  Once cooked and drained, heat a non stick skillet with 1 T of canola oil.  Press the noodles into the pan to form a pancake.  Fry until golden brown - about four minutes.  Flip with a plate, and cook the other side for another 4 minutes.  Transfer the cake to a cutting board, and cut into six wedges.

Black Bean, Broccoli and Onion Topping:
1 pound broccoli - cut into small pieces
2 t canola oil
1 T minced fresh ginger
1 large onion, cut in half and sliced
1/2 c veggie broth
1 T black bean sauce
1 t sesame oil
1/2 cup chopped scallions

In a large pot of salted boiling water cook the broccoli for 3 minutes.  Drain and rinse with cold water.  Set aside.

In a large work, heat oil over medium heat.  Add ginger and cook for 30 seconds.

Add onion and cook for 4 minutes.

Add broccoli and stir for one minute.  Stir in broth and bean sauce.  Cover and simmer for 4 minutes.  Sprinkle with sesame oil and scallions.

Serve on top of noodle cake wedges.

This serves 4-5 people.

Turkey

I did it.  I made the turkey.  It was awesome.  For my first time....I did it.  I used an Ina recipe.....and I did it.  The meat was moist.  They only thing I would do differently was not buy the gravy.  I want to make my own.

The carving was easier than expected.  I would do a breast again next year.

Planning

I am a planner.  I am a list maker.  Yesterday I brought my ten year old to the supermarket with me to do the Thanksgiving shopping.  This was a huge list. . . . . and I needed his help.  How did I develop the list?

I wrote down the menu, in the order it was being served.  I then sat with each cookbook and reviewed each recipe.  I wrote down all the items on the shopping list.  The shopping list is divided into categories:  produce, dairy, grocery, frozen and other.

With the list and my son, and the shopping bags, we were off to the market.  Checking things off as we went up and down each aisle.  We talked about prices, values and the coupon pile.  We checked out, and we drove home (after making a trip to Whole Foods to pick up an item that the regular market did not have).  My son and husband dragged in the bags and bags, while I put away the items.

Next up, I sat down with my menu, and took another piece of paper and wrote down the days:  Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Under each day I wrote what I needed to complete that day, such as Sunday - set the table (china and silver) and make the cranberry sauce.  One night is crust night for the pies.  One important thing on my TO DO list is TAKE OUT THE TURKEY from the freezer.  This list will be an important list this week.

So, after reading all about my planning and my shopping, would you like to know the menu?

Olives/Pickles
Hummus and Pita
Cohen's Appetizers

Knishes
Bulgar salad (Okun's)
Turkey
Gravy
Canned Cranberry Sauce
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Bread - homemade
Sweet potatoes with marshmallows
Stuffing (mom's)
Stuffing (TJ's)
Cinn glazed carrots
Pomegranate carrots
Bean Chilli
Peas

Fruit
Chocolate Mousse cake
Candied Cranberry chocolate tart
Apple Pie
Maple Walnut Pie
Pumpkin Pie (TJs)

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving.  It is al about the food.  No gifts....no synagogue....just the food, family and friends.  This year I am hosting....for the second year.  This is my first year cooking the bird.  I am nervous about the bird.  But even if I screw up I still have a lot of sides and desserts.

I am cheating this year.  I bought a pumpkin pie.  Naomi really wanted one....but last year she wanted one....I made one....she didn't like it....and only Adam likes it....and only likes one slice.  This year the desserts will be chocolate mousse cake, candied cranberry chocolate tart, apple pie and maple walnut pie.

I will keep you in suspense with the rest of dinner.

Success

This past summer, we went to Vermont, and we had a blast.  On the way home, I declared that it was mandatory to stop at King Arthur Flour on the way home.  And it was worth it!  I didn't know that the building was BRAND new, and we could see into the cooking classrooms.  The cafe was amazing.  The store was great, but of course, I expected over the top.  My husband and my kids had a good time trying to convince me to buy one of every thing!

I did buy lots of interesting things and now I need to replinish my supply (after two months).  I did buy some mixes, but what I really liked was the baking chocolate and the different kinds of chips.

Here is on the recipes that I made:

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/chewy-chocolate-chip-cookie-bars-recipe

The kids loved them and so did my coworkers!

POLITICAL GRIPE - UMASS and Tuition Free.

While I try to stay away from politics, I just can't stay quiet on this one.  I am so angry at Governor Romney.  He keeps REPEATING that HE made it possible for the BEST of the MA SENIORS to attend a Massachusetts Public College Tuition Free.

Back in the stone ages, when I was a UMASS Student, I remembered the "Curriculum Fee."  This fee was HIGHER than my tuiton, and while tuition rate hikes were capped at a certain level, the Curriculum Fee kept going higher and higher each year (and since my brother then went to UMASS my parents saw this fee over an EIGHT year period rise and rise).

Dear Governor Romney, I am sure that you can throw away $857 per semester.  That is how much "Tuition" is at UMASS per semester.  For you and your family, that kind of money isn't alot.  This semester's curriculum fee is $4,700.  So, while you offer a FREE ride to MA Seniors who are the best of the best, they still have to cough up $4,700 PER SEMESTER.  What is the curriculum fee. . . . it is a fee that is really tuition.  That Governor Romney, is REAL MONEY, and for the year it is almost $10K!  And over 4 years that is $40,000.  That is real money.  Meanwhile the FREE TUITION saves the family $6,800 over four years.  Not really that much compared to the $40K for the FEE.

http://www.umass.edu/bursar/Full-Time%20Undergraduate%20Fees.pdf

Of course, there is a "service fee" of $675 per semester.

And if you are in the HONORS part of UMASS that will cost you an additional $300 per semester!  NICE!  That used to be part of my TUITION and FEES.

AND if you want an engineering degree???  Tack on an additional $160 per semester!

Then there is the room fee, the meal fee, the telecommunications fee (mandatory for all on campus students).

So, Governor Romney, you were able to provide college for your kids . . . but not all of us can do that.  Some families rely on UMASS, and you and the others responsible for UMASS tuition and fees, have raised the fees, while keeping "tuition" low.  However, one can not attend UMASS without paying these fees.

Maple

I love maple...maple syrup and maple candy.  I have made maple ice cream and it is delicious.  When we were in Vermont I picked up a Vermont maple cookbook.  I had high hopes.  I had visions....and now I have made three disasters.  Each one worse than the previous.  Cakes not coming out of pans....brownies that are raw....and then burn in the center but yet the middle is batter.

For me the magic number is three.  If after three recipes in a row I have yet to make a successful and tasty dish I toss the book.  But I am convinced that the vegetable section must have a good recipe.

I am sure that my coworkers will gobble up the maple nut coffee cake pieces....and I stress pieces.  But I would like to make one good recipe from this book.

Gone girl and calzones

Another great book.  I love a great mystery and I love when it is written and I am surprised in a good way.  I highly recommend the book.

On a side note the other day my kids said that they have never had a calzone.  Last night I fixed that!  I made homemade calzones and the girl declared it was the best thing she had ever eaten.  Another new thing that all four of us can eat.  I had made a simple filling but next time I will try something more exotic.  However unlike pizza, you can't see the toppings.

No Recipe Posts - Just a book review

Last week I had gum surgery.  I won't get into the details, other than, I had no idea that the recovery from this would STINK.  Eating is hard work.  It is hard to control the food to make sure it doesn't go on the right side of my mouth.  I am done with yogurt, soup, ENSURE, BOOST and other soft foods.  In fact, even water sometimes hurts.

This post involves NO recipes.

Instead, I am going to let you all know that I finished the book Rav Hisda's Daughter by Maggie Anton.  I have read many of her books, and have enjoyed each one.  This one I enjoyed just as much, even though I bought it on my KINDLE.

The female lead, Dada, is a great female lead.  She is living life in post Temple destruction.  It is a male dominated world.  Females have little say about their future.  This book captured my attention!

Next on the TO READ list is GONE GIRL.  I just joined a book group, and am really excited to host my first group in November.  I gotta start reading the book.

Cooking!

Yes, I love my new kitchen.  Even though it is almost FIVE months old, and clearly broken in, I still love my kitchen.  LOVE IT.  I can't remember cooking in the old one.

Right now I am making Chewy Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Chip Cookie Bars, and some whole wheat maple bread.

Next up - a kugel - nice cold day, deserves a good kugel.

Stephanie

Saffron Chicken

This cookbook has become a favorite.  I heard her speak last year, during Jewish Book Month at Temple Emanuel in Newton, MA.  She spoke my language - she is a busy mom.  (She has five sons, so she is BUSY.)  I have made a few recipes from the book, but this one is EASY and YUMMY:

Chicken in Tomato Sauce and Saffron

2 packages of kosher chicken (the 8 piece package)

1 6 oz can tomato paste
1/4 t saffron powder
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c olive oil
1 t salt
pepper
1 lime - just the juice.

Preheat oven to 350F

In a bowl, combine everything but the chicken.

Put the chicken in a large roasting pan (I line mine with Reynolds Non Stick Foil), and then rub the chicken pieces with the marinade.

Bake for 45 min to 60 min, until chicken is done.  Often I put tinfoil on top of the chicken to prevent burning.

This goes very well with Basmati Rice.  If you really want to WOW the crowd, try this recipe:

Steamed basmati rice with a crusty potato crust

Adapted from Sherene Michlin

3 cups basmati rice

1 tablespoon salt

Water

½ cup oil plus another ¼ cup

1 potatoe, ¼ inch slices

Clean and wash 3 cups of rice 5 times in warm water.  This is done by placing the rice in a large bowl.  Fill the bowl with water to cover the rice by an inch or two, and then slowly pour out the water from the bowl.  Repeat this until the starch has cleaned off the rice grains.

Bring 8 cups of water to a boil, add 2 tablespoons of salt and add drained rice.  Stir the pot 5 times to break up any clumps and then watch the heat so that the rice does not boil over.  Lower to a soft boil if necessary.  Cook for six minutes.  The rice should be al dente, soft with a firm center.  If still firm, boil for another minute or two, then drain the rice in a colander and discard water.

Coat a heavy bottom pot or Dutch oven with nonstick spray.  Pour ½ cup oil and 2 tablespoons water into pan.  Line bottom of pot with potatoes slices.  Sprinkle them with some salt.

Gently taking one spatula of rice out at a time place in pot.  Form rice into shape of a cone.  This shape leaves room for the rice to grow and expand while being steamed.

Cover pot and cook 8-10 minutes over medium heat to form potato crust.

In measuring cup combine ¼ cup oil and ½ cup hot water.  Pour/sprinkle over rice pyramid.  Do your best to distribute the oil/water mixture over the surface of the rice.  Place clean dish towel or 2 layers of paper towels over the pot and cover firmly to prevent steam from escaping.  Cook for 40-50 minutes over low heat.

Remove pot from heat and let sit for 5 minutes without uncovering it, this helps free the bottom crust.  Serve rice.

Kids and money

I am thinking about how to educate the kids about money.  We talk to them about money and how we earn money, and how each thing costs money (even the water we use in our house costs money).  But, I want to give them the education about the future and money.

We bought these banks for them:


BANK

I really like them.  There is section for SAVE, SPEND and SHARE (charity).  I think it is important for them to be able to decide what they are going to spend their money on and when.  Of course, some of it is non-negotiable.  Birthday checks and the like go into the college savings account, and they have no access to that.  Once they have a big chunk in the SAVE section, we deposit that in the bank account.  Of course, they only earn a penny a month in interest.  It is hard to teach the concept of compounding interest, if you only earn twelve cents a year!  The reward for saving is. . . . twelve cents.

Of course if they want to buy an IPAD, put the money in the bank, until you have saved enough, and then you can spend it.

The SPEND section is for them to buy whatever they want.  If they see a toy that they want, and they want to shell out their money, then go ahead.  When the money runs out, so does the spending.

The last section is SHARE.  Every year each kid says "Can I have money for UNICEF?"  or "Can I have money for the Red Cross."  This is their money, and they can support whatever fund they want to with it, which I love.  I want them to care for the world, but they also know that money doesn't grow on trees in the backyard. . . . (too bad).

What is your method for teaching kids about money, and do you have any ideas that you can share with me?

Support our local business!

Shout out to The Green Planet in Newton Highlands, MA.  This is a great locally owned toy store.  Annabell, the owner is wonderful, happy, helpful and cheery.  The place is stocked with great toys in a variety of different price ranges.  She has set up a huge kids art section on the second floor.  Every so often, she has a GREAT sale, and this is where I stock up. 

My favorite part is going into the store and asking her for suggestions . . . . I need a gift for a 10 year old boy who is not into sports – have you tried a PERPLEXUS?  I need a gift for a four year old boy who loves pirates – how about this pirate thing?  I need a gift for a 6 year old girl who loves art. . . .

Please go and visit the GREEN PLANET.  Since BAKERS BEST closed businesses in the whole area have suffered.  I love that Annabel can suggest great gifts, has great toys that you can’t buy at Target or Toys R us.  She offers arts and crafts projects during the year.  I would hate for this store to go out of business.  She is a wonderful store owner, and we need to make sure we support local businesses.

Boston Globe - I might know why people aren't subscribers

Adam and I are loyal Boston Globe readers.  Maybe too loyal.  Why are we so loyal?  Well, Adam found at least one job through the help wanted section.  I found at least one job through the help wanted section.  We found each other through the personals, before there was JDATE or eharmony.com.  And we found our home through an open house listing in the Boston Globe.  I think we have done okay by reading the Globe.  Our ten year old son now reads the Boston Globe sports section, and he has been doing that for a few years.  We have had many conversations about current events with our children because we read the Globe during breakfast.

Every morning, our son goes outside and gets the Globe for us.  It is delivered right outside our door every morning.  Most mornings.  In the past few years we have noticed our service has been sliding downhill.  Some mornings our Globe doesn’t arrive due to delivery issues such as the truck broke down, or printing issues or some other issue.  These issues are happening more often.  The customer service person promises me a “redelivery” in two hours.  Two hours isn’t going to help me.  Adam and I are going to be at work busy doing work related items.  And once we get home this morning’s newspaper belongs in the recycle can.  Just give me the refund.  And of course it never comes off the bill, so you have to call again – if you remember.

This past Tuesday, I send our son out and he comes back with no paper, but says everyone else has a paper on our street.  I call the number.  The customer service representative tells me that the credit card was denied because of an expired credit card.  The Globe has my phone number, my address and my husband’s email account.  The customer service representative says that it is not their policy to call me when the credit card has been denied.  It is not their policy to mail me a bill.  It is NOT their policy to email me.  She says that a “note” was put in our July 16 newspaper.  IF there was a note, it was not seen by any of us. 

I am tempted to cancel it right away.  If the Boston Globe doesn’t want to reach out to me, I don’t feel the need to pay them, and continue being a customer.  Adam wants to keep it.  He likes reading a newspaper, and he likes the conversations it starts with our kids.  I ask for a deal.  They give me a deal.  I then ask them to repeat the amount that they are going to charge me.  It is the original price – not the deal price.  Adam still wants the Boston Globe.  We are going to keep the Globe for now, but this loyal reader may have reached her breaking point with the Globe.

Tune in tomorrow – or next week, to find out what happens next.

Kindle

So, a few months ago, I caved and bought a Kindle.  I didn't think I would like it, but in fact, I love it.  I love how it fits into my purse, and I can read it anywhere. . . . sitting in the blue zone while waiting for carpool, sitting in a waiting room or on my very own sofa.  I love downloading books onto it, and having all the books in one place, and NOT all over my coffee table and bedroom.  I thought I would miss turning pages.  I don't.  I love how I can download books from the library.  I don't love how their is a long line for the books.    Sometimes, I can't read the book in three or six weeks, and then I never know how it ends!

There is one thing that I don't like.  When I buy an actual book, the one with pages. . . . I used to share with my mom and friends.  I cut my budget down by doing that.  If we all shared books, we didn't have to shell out bucks for books all the time.  But, even though I heard that you can share with the Kindle, I haven't found a book that will let me do that.

What have I read?

Well, of course Fifty Shades of Gray . . . and the others.

Right now I am reading YES CHEF by Marcus Samuelsson, which  I love. 

Unorthodox, which was a good read.

Chopping Spree - a mystery book by Diane Mott Davidson.

Seasons: A Real Story of an Amish Girl.

I love my Kindle.  Just wish I could share my digital library.  Any suggestions besides PRIME? 

Overnight Camp

I dropped off Mark 8 days ago, and I miss him. . . . ALOT!  I wonder what he will look like when we pick him up on July 22. . .  .

We FINALLY got some mail from him today.

Letter #1 - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY."  (At least he remembered!)
Letter #2 - Please send me band aids and Great Pop's address (still one sentence, but at least he wants his great grandfather's address.  Wonder what he is going to write.
Letter #3 to Naomi - My first Saturday.  We had muffins and cinamon rolls for breakfast.  The kitchen chefs make great food!  How are things going for you from Mark.

Now, why does Naomi get more detail than me???? 

Why does he need Bandaids??????

Better than three letters, a friend was touring the camp, and saw him . . . . and emailed me about it.  She said that he looks very happy and smiled continuously while at the water front.  Of course, I smiled once I read the email.  Because I never went to overnight camp, I have NO idea about anything.  But all I know is that the happy letters keep coming, and if he is wearing a smile, then I am beaming.

I still miss him . . . . but I know he is having a great time.

First Time - Overnight Camp

Sooo, I admit it.  I am a first time mom when sending my child to overnight camp.  I never went to overnight camp, so I don’t have first-hand knowledge of what it is like to be a first time camper.  However, yesterday was a great first experience.  I had NOT slept the night before at ALL.  I was worried.  All of the what happens if. . . . stories were playing over and over in my head.  I was up early, because I could not sleep.

Mr. M and I loaded up the minivan – in total we had two large duffle bags, one large banana bag (comforter, pillow and egg crate), shower caddy and three small plastic shoe boxes and a backpack.  And we were OFF.  Mr. M read the directions to me and we found CYJ with no problems!  (I have already written lots of letters, including one that complements him with his ability to be a great navigator).  We parked and got into line.  We got his bunk assignment, and then waited in the lice line (and passed).  We then went and drove the car to the bunk.  His counselors helped unload the car (really helpful); and then helped him while I moved the car back to the lot, and walked back. 

After a few minutes of unpacking, making the bed, I had to say goodbye.  I thought I was doing just fine.  I gave Mr. M a hug, and started walking out. . . . turned back to see him and his bunkmate with HUGE smiles on their faces.

I walked quickly to the car, hoping not to burst into tears.  Wayne, from Temple Emanuel, was kind enough to give me a few kind words. . . .  but really, I just wanted to hop into the minivan.  My baby was GROWN UP.  He was doing this WITHOUT me.  And from all appearances, he was going to be FINE!  I collected my thoughts, and started to drive. . . .

And then listened to a voicemail from a friend. . . . who left me such a wonderful voicemail, that I started to cry again!

Can’t wait for the first letter!

The Goldenrod - York, ME

Yesterday, was a sunny day . . . . until we got on 95N to head to Maine.  The temperature never really warmed up, and there were LOTS of clouds.  More clouds than what we had expected.  While eager to go to York's Wild Animal Kingdom, I was more excited to go to the Goldenrod.

Back when I was young, once a year, my parents would drive us to York, ME.  Usually on a Wednesday, which was my dad's day off.  We would leave early and get to the animal park as it opened.  We walked around. . . . did some rides.  Had a good time.  We would bring our own picnic lunch.  First in an old soft sided cooler, and later in a Playmate Cooler.  The story told was that if we ate our picnic lunch then we could have ice cream at the The Goldenrod.  A restaurant that has survived.  It opened in 1896!  Of course, the bathroom, located on the second floor, must have been the first bathroom EVER in York, Maine.  I remember climbing the stairs as a child, and sitting in a cold, cold room, with cold, cold water.  Yesterday's visit did NOT include a visit to the bathroom.

Yesterday's visit included Naomi getting a smoothie (strawberry banana), Adam getting a strawberry smoothie, Mark getting a malted frappe with mocha ice cream, and me getting a penuche sundae (yum).  No visit is complete without candy.  Our house is a taffy free home, but we did pick up two pounds for my parents.  We did score some molasses sponge candy and other tasty treats.

Over Night Camp Prep

So, my oldest is going to overnight camp for three weeks this summer.  I never went to overnight camp.  I don't feel like I missed anything; however I know lots of people who LOVED LOVED LOVED their overnight camp experience, and I hope M loves his.

So, now that I am the mom, I am in charge of gathering the items needed.  I just assumed I would throw in some shorts, t-shirts, bathing suits and flip flops in a "bag" and be done.  Needless to say, I was clueless. 

Luckily this camp has a short required list. .  . three camp shirts and two pairs of camp shorts.  Reasonably priced.  Not bad.  Then the list of stuff, and the quantities. . . . . shorts, shirts, flip flops.  And then the flash light (oh - he needs one), and a shower caddy (oh yeah that too).  And shampoo, and toothbrushes, and tooth paste, and PJ's. . . . and a stadium seat without metal arms (huh?).  And three small plastic containers to store "small items." 

And stationary, and pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelopes.

And some baseball caps

and some swim goggles

and a laundry bag;

and a pillow, sheets and camp comforter.

None of these things are impossible.  But, now I am busy gathering them (and a bag or two), and then I will start labeling, in both sharpie marker and regular label.  With the hope that lost items will find their way back to Mr. M BEFORE we leave camp on pick up day.

Wish me luck folks.

The End is Near!

So for months you have heard about our plans to add onto the house and renovate the kitchen, the first floor bathroom and Naomi's room.  You have read about our plans, and our meals and our adventures.  Well, I am happy to report that we are nearly complete with our project.  I can almost taste it in my mouth.

We now have a working sink in the new kitchen.  The cabinets are up. . . knobs are being placed.  The ovens are in, but not yet functional.  The lights are not in yet.  But they are on site.

So, we went from . . . .

An ugly crowded 1980 kitchen.  That the cabinets no longer closed, and the drawer next to the oven never fully opened, due to the stove's pull bar.  And ugly brown tile as backsplash.  And an ugly blue counter.  (I would say I am sorry to the person who is reading this blog who designed said kitchen, but I am pretty sure they aren't reading this blog.)

To:

I will post other photos when the whole thing is complete.  But this is best view yet.

Help Support Project Manna!!!!!!

The 23^rd Annual Project Manna Concert will be held on May 16,^, 2012 at Temple Emanuel of Newton, Massachusetts.  This concert is a collaborative effort of Temple Emanuel and the Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church of Cambridge.  All proceeds go to Project Manna, the Church’s hot meals program and food pantry, serving approximately 150 meals a week, providing nutritional assistance to over 200 families.

The concert was founded in 1989 to unite two communities of faith in a celebration of Gospel and Jewish music. This year’s event promises to deliver exciting performances from many local choirs including the Boston Community Choir (a.k.a. the Boston Pops Gospel Choir), led by Brother Dennis Slaughter, the Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church Choir, the Temple Emanuel Adult Choir, the New England Conservatory Gospel Choir, the ShenaniGanns of Gann Academy, the Nashir Choir of Needham’s Temple Aliyah and the Love Tones, an a cappella Gospel ensemble from the Myrtle Baptist Church.

The concert will be held at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton, Massachusetts on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 7:30 PM.  Tickets for the concert will be $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.  For more information, please visit  http://www.templeemanuel.com/projectmannaconcert. 

This is a wonderful concert, but even more so, Project Manna helps people in need, whether they are single adults or families.  Even if you can't attend the concert, please send a donation.  Every dollar matters, especially when so many people need help.  Providing a warm meal is very important.  If you can give $5, please give $5, and if you can give $100, please give $100.  Every dollar collected is vital to this program.

Email me with any questions.

 

Birthdays and Vacations and Passover

April is a busy, busy, busy month.  So of course, first comes Passover.  Eight days of a special diet (no bread, no yeast, no corn, no corn syrup).  Eight days is a long time.

Then we traveled to Chicago over April vacation.  We had a great time, but it is always nice to return home.  We returned home on Sunday and then it was Naomi's birthday on Wednesday.  Her party is tomorrow, Saturday.  Then on Sunday, we celebrate Mark's birthday (party to be had at a later date).

And of course, the home construction project.  They guys did a great job while we were away, and so much has been accomplished.  The hard wood floors have been finished.  The granite counter tops have been installed.  The back steps are nearly complete.  Rumor is that they will be done by Memorial Day, but I might have a usable kitchen by Mother's Day.  I won't be able to stock my kitchen, but if I have an oven, WATCH OUT WORLD.

Oh the things I would make:

Roast Chicken
BBQ Chicken/Tofu
Challah
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Muffins
Lemon Scones
Brownies
(Just to name a few).

OUCH

Mark is my careful kid.  My kid who looks before trying anything dangerous.  Knowing him now, and looking back on his toddler years. . . . he didn't fall that much.  He walked late, but once he started, he was slow and steady.  Again, he didn't fall that much . . .but when he did. . . . he did it really well.  Right before he turned two, he was running outside, and fell on the pavement and scraped up his chin. . . . . right before my in laws were coming from Chicago.  I was hoping that the visit went well.  Because boy, did Mark's bruise look awful.

There was the time that he fell at camp, and chipped a tooth. . . .

And then there was the time that he ran into a light pole in front of my husband and my father in law, while flying a kite.  That injury was awful.  Blood was everywhere.  And my husband and father in law had no kleenex.  Just a cell phone.  So they called me.

This latest injury happened on Thursday . . . . I was in the infamous blue zone waiting for the kids to get out of Religious School.  Waiting.  Waiting.  And then Mark's teacher appeared.  Could I drive around, and come into the office.  Mark fell (five minutes ago) and needed some ice.  He fell on his face.  Face????  Mark??????  I was surprised.  Naomi is forever showing me little scrapes and crying for band aids and boo boo ice.  Mark isn't the kind of kid that needs ice. 

I drove out of the blue zone, while the teacher gathered up the carpool kids and met me in the office.  I got to the office, and there was Mark . . . red eyed from crying, holding an ice pack on his lips.  He said that his jaw hurt (both sides), both ears hurt and both cheeks.  And he his lip was rather large. . . . The administrative person gave Mark another ice pack and off we went to the car.  The poor kid was trying to hold it together, since his classmate was in the car.  This ride lasted FOREVER.  He was complaining about his jaws, and cheeks.  It couldn't be broken . . . . right?????

Once home, he calmed down and had some dinner.  On Friday morning there was a slight mark on his chin.  By Friday evening he had a full fledged bruise, and it was UGLY!  Another friend asked him if that had happened when he fell (a witness to Mark's graceful trip including the ungraceful landing on his face).  I took a photo this morning, because he could not really see his chin in the mirror. 

Mark flinched when he saw the photo. 

Kugel!

So, last night was the Temple Emanuel Mystery Dinner and it was GREAT.  The whole thing is a great event.  The family shows up at 4:30 PM.  The kids are whisked away, and the adults have fun dining on some appetizers.  And then the BIG reveal.  Some of us are hosts, and some of us are guests.  We have ranked dinners. . . (breakfast for dinner, Next Year in Jerusalem, Make Your Own Pizzas) and then we open our envelope.  We find out the address of the house, we drive there, and then we find out who is hosting and who else will be dining with us.

This year, I cooked at someone else's house. . . and our theme was breakfast for dinner.  There was OJ, white wine, kugel, homemade waffles, bagels, cream cheese, lox, veggies, fruit, maple syrup and whipped cream.

We had a great time.  I am already thinking of themes for next year (Chili 9000 or PASTA NIGHT).  Any ideas?

Here is the family kugel recipe.

Noodle Kugel

1 pound broad noodles

8 eggs (I use egg beaters)

1 c. sugar

1 carton sour cream (8 oz) (I use fat free)

1 stick butter, melted

1 8 oz carton cottage cheese (I use low fat)

1 TB Vanilla

Cheeses need to be at room temp.  Cook and drain noodles.

Beat eggs with sugar, sour cream, cottage cheese, melted butter and vanilla.  Pour drained noodles into mixture.  Pour whole thing into 9 x 13 Pyrex dish (sprayed with Pam).

Top with topping and bake 350 for one hour. 

Topping

¼ c corn flake crumbs

½ c graham cracker crumbs

¼ c sugar

Mix into bowl.

The Little Things That I Miss

I miss having my silverware in neat stacks . . . all the little spoons in one slot, all of the knives in another slot.  Right now all of the silverware is thrown into a plastic box.

I miss having an oven . . . my kids miss eating roasted chicken.  Nice to know that I make a few things besides cookies that they miss.

I miss having the kitchen in the same room where I cook.

I miss having a disposal.

I miss having the ugly kitchen, since I have no kitchen right now.  Instead I cook on what was my kitchen table.  If I thought that my ugly kitchen was small, who knew what it was like to cook in the dining room.

I miss my gas stove.  I don't like cooking from a microwave and skillet.

I miss having the ability to cook a vegetarian meal for Adam while cooking chicken for me and the kids.

I miss having Naomi's room and the kitchen.  There are WAY too many boxes around the house. 

I miss having my order.

I miss having a food pantry. . . right now my food is on my bookshelf.  The cookbooks that used to be on the shelf are packed away.

I miss having a bathroom on the first floor.  I have to run upstairs or downstairs. 

I miss the no dust zone.

I miss the cleaners.  (It is too hard to schedule them to come while the workers are here.)

I miss entertaining.  Can't have people over, unless they want to eat take out pizza.

I miss having playdates for the kids.  I think they miss it too!

Living Under Construction

We are in the middle of living through a home renovation.  Please have wondered why we didn't rent another place during this time period.  Well, it is because of the lack of cash.  This is a HUGE project for us.  We have never done something like this, but it was either this, or move.  After we looked around at what was in our price range, and not wanting to leave our great neighborhood, we decided to demo the kitchen and add on.  Not bad.  But we also wanted to add a dormer in Naomi's room.  AND, we wanted to move the bathroom door from our first floor bathroom from the kitchen to somewhere else.

Soooooo, in early February we packed up THE ENTIRE KITCHEN and pantry, Naomi's entire room and the downstairs bathroom.  We put the STUFF in the porch and the basement.  We put Naomi's bed in Mark's room.  And we put some kitchen stuff in the dining room, including the fridge.  We put the kitchen sink in the living room (expensive but worth it).

And now, we are still living in half our house. By the time we get to use our entire house, it will be SPACIOUS.  This past week we had to pack up our family room in the basement, so we were down to our bedroom, Mark's bedroom, our upstairs bathroom, the living room (quite full of stuff) and the dining room (also quite full of stuff).

And the kids have been great about sharing a room.  Most days it is easy, unless it is a Saturday morning and someone in that room wakes up the other person.  But, really, it has been better in that respect, than I had anticipated.

The kitchen. . . I miss it.  The kids miss it.  Adam misses it.  Even though I am preparing fresh waffles, taco dinners and others.  We all miss the oven.  Adam misses being able to eat a vegetarian meal while we eat chicken.  I miss eating chicken when we have a vegetarian meal. 

Things are moving along.  Rough plumbing and rough electrical both passed inspection.  The outside of the new addition on the first floor looks great.  Naomi's dormer still needs siding.  But next up is framing of the new closet spaces (and I have to empty the small linen closet) and insulation.  Then in mid April we go away for a week, and then I think we are in the home stretch.  I am hoping to be able to host a nice open house in June for all of our friends and family that have fed us and supported us during construction.

Gotta go pack up the linen closet!

Don't you love the styling kitchen?????  Where do I start?????  The blue counter tops???  The lovely white cabinets?  By the time they were demolished, none of the cabinets closed and frankly some of them came unhinged too often.  In the second photo down, the back pantry. . . turns out that the whole back pantry area subfloor was rotten away from old termite damage.

Good bye OLD kitchen

Bread Machine Challah

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup water
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons margarine
• 3 cups bread flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Put in bread machine.  Follow directions for white loaf, medium crust.

In about three hours, you have a nice challah (loaf shaped)

Old Kitchen

Thought I would post some photos of the old kitchen.

This is back when Mark was in preschool.  The kitchen table was smack in the middle.

When the project is over the eat in part will not be in the middle of my cooking area!

Passover Planning

Growing up, I was used to using up the flour on the hamentashen, before Pesach.  After all, you don't want flour in the house for Pesach.

This year, Pesach is going to be a little bit different.  Without a real kitchen, I will be hobbling it together.   Like breakfast. . . . . breakfast is bad enough during Passover.  During the rest of the year we have 12 different types of cereal, and the kids pick the cereal.  Glass of water.  Done.  Breakfast gets you out of the house, with a full stomach and an easy clean up for two working parents.

Passover with a kitchen means, some of us have fried matzah, others have scrambled eggs, and others have cream cheese on matzah.  On some mornings I make kosher for Passover pancakes.  And then there is the massive kosher for Passover breakfast clean up (thank you Adam). 

This year we have a toaster (which can create melted Swiss cheese on matzah), Crispio-s for the kids, and one skillet for either kosher for Passover pancakes or scrambled eggs.  And we will still have a massive clean up (thank you Adam).

I haven't even thought about dinners.  Okay, I thought about the kosher for Passover blintzes that are in the frozen aisle at the store for one night.  We will have the seders out of the house.  Three nights done.  Five to go.  I attended a class on how to make kosher for Passover lasagna (meat or parve).  Again, I will oven crash for that.  And that will get us TWO dinners.  Three more dinners to go. 

Ideas?  Please let me know.

Hamentashen

Without an oven this year, I thought homemade Hamentashen would NOT happen.  Luckily I have LOTS of good friends.  My friend, Jenny, didn't know how to make them, and offered her oven, if I taught her how to make them.

I have wonderful memories of making them as a child, and then as a young married woman and then as a woman.  Of course, I would love to teach someone.  When I student taught in New Salem, MA, I taught an entire class of fourth graders.    They had just read "The Night Journey."  A little nervous too, because I am a slob when I bake.  And I was going to have to let that cover be blown at Jenny's house. 

Yesterday I made the dough in the food processor, in my make shift kitchen in the dining room, and then let the dough rest overnight.  I then carted over some of the supplies we would need (filling, such as chocolate chips, peanut butter, raspberry, poppy seed and apricot), extra flour and some other items.  And of course the recipe.

Jenny was ready for me!  One trick that I taught her was that I make smaller round circles, instead of larger ones.  Because you have to have more than ONE when complete, and I would rather offer three small ones to my kids, and look generous, instead of one large one.  Also taught her that you can flip over a glass and use the rim as the cookie cutter!

We made a few ourselves, and then invited three girls and a boy to help us out.  I was very impressed at how well the kids did with the actual filling and shaping and rolling.  Even more impressed that no one was whining, and was impressed by the unique flavor palate (like putting chocolate chips into the raspberry).  And hearing how one family puts in lemon filling (must try that next year), and how one wanted butterscotch chips for next time or chocolate mint chips (girl scout thin mint meets hamentashen sounds delicious).

Because I made a double recipe, there were tons to take home.  And as Naomi reminded me, we can't eat them all before Purim.

And I can't wait to do another Hamentashen making festival next year!

Hamentashen

-Makes a ton!  Make the dough the night before, and let it rest in the fridge.

3 eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup orange juice

5 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 cup fruit preserves, any flavor

Preheat oven to 350˚. Grease cookie sheets.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the oil, vanilla and orange juice. Combine the flour and baking powder, stir into the batter to form a stiff dough. If the dough is not stiff enough to roll out, stir in more flour. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into circles using a cookie cutter or the rim of a drinking glass. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of filling into the center of each one. Pinch the edges to make 3 corners.

Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven (watch out, and make sure you know your oven well), or until lightly browned. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheet before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

 Photos taken by Cheryl Stober!

This House Has No Kitchen - But I Still Cook Nightly

So, as you know our house is missing half of it.  We have finally started the BIG construction project that we have been talking about for 13 years.  So right now we have no kitchen, no half bath on the first floor and no third bedroom (Naomi's).  We also have a blue tarp flapping in the New England wind!

And as you know, I love to cook, and my family loves to eat.  So we have a kitchen sink in the living room, with a shelving unit of food (cereal, soups, spices, etc) and our dining room has our fridge, electric skillet, microwave, coffee machine, toaster, food processor, waffle maker and bread machine.  We do have a hot plate, but I haven't used it.

So, how are we managing???  Well, thank goodness for the Morningstar Crumbles.  I have used it as taco meat and Sloppy Joe filling in the electric skillet.  I have made a broccoli tofu dish.  I have made waffles (one of my favorites).  Tonight, I made Plum Good Chicken Thighs.  They were so good that Naomi had THREE helpings of chicken.  I have been using the frozen steamers for vegetables (not our favorites, but we must have veggies), and tonight I made microwave rice from a bag (again, not our favorite, but it was easy).

Here is the recipe for Plum Good Chicken Thighs

2 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs
Chinese five spice powder
salt
pepper
3 scallions
1 T. olive oil
1/2 c. veggie broth
1/2 c. plum jam
2 T balsamic vinegar

On a plate, season the thighs with salt, pepper and the Chinese powder.  Take the green part of the scallion, and chop 2 T, and put in a separate bowl for later.

Cut the remaining scallions into 1 inch pieces, and save for later.

In skillet, heat oil on medium high, until hot.  Add thighs.  Cook approximately five minutes on each side, and make sure that there is no pink.  Put on plate, and cover with foil.

In skillet, on medium, with drippings, cook the 1 inch pieces of scallions for 5 minutes.  Stir in broth, jam and vinegar.  Heat until boiling.  Reduce to medium and cook for 4 minutes, and then place thighs into skillet and turn to coat with sauce.

When serving, sprinkle with the small scallions.

My Roles

Who am I?

What do I do?

What do I want to do?

Well, I tried to answer this recently, and came up with lots of questions.

Mom
Wife
Daughter
Daughter in law
Granddaughter
Granddaughter in law
Sister
Aunt
Friend
Neighbor
Client Service Associate
Teacher
Care giver
CFO of the Weitzman House
Cleaner upper
Chef at the Weitzman House
Picker Outer of Clothes
Grocery shopper
Social Director for those under 18
Social Director for those OVER 18
Errand organizer
Sweet Heart
Lover
Community Member (neighborhood, Village, PTO, synagogue, state, US)
American
Jewish
Woman
Chief Homework overseer


What do I want to be?

Wife and Mother
Traveler
World Learner
Lifelong learner
Baker
Friend

What do I want to do when I grow up?

Day Five of Construction

So, the week is over.  The back mudroom is gone.  Good thing, since there was old termite damage!  We knew it was old and needed to be rebuilt.  The foundation piers are set.  There is now a dumpster and a porta potty in the backyard (home prices around us are plummeting).  The framing will start on Monday.  There will be a large load of lumber coming our way on Monday.  For the next THREE weeks there will be alot of hammering during the days.  Once that has started, we will be able to see progress.

Here is a photo from this morning.

Seems so strange to see that as the back of the house!

The Old Kitchen

So the first day of construction (prep) was yesterday.  It was NOT smooth.  But I don't want to talk about that  . . . . today.  I want to talk about the ol' blue kitchen.  I hated it.  When we bought the house, in 1998, it was okay.  Nothing terrific.  The flow was bad.  But the kitchen treated us well.  Adam and I enjoyed many homemade meals from the kitchen.  I remember when Mark was born . . . . and how he was in the basket, and then the bouncy seat, watching us eat at the kitchen table.  I remember feeding him rice cereal for the first time in the kitchen. 

I also remember when Naomi was born . . . and was in the same basket and bouncy seat. . . . and high chair.  When we had the high chair, things were REALLY crowded in the kitchen.  With the four of us, it is still crowded, since it is small.

When I came home from work last night, the kitchen was boarded up.  No more entry for any of us.  A wall separates us . . . . and it is very strange coming home, and not walking into the kitchen.  It was my central control area - food prep, phone messages, homework, meal time, calendar and many other things.  And now we are spread out.  The living room and dining room all have more "stuff."

I look forward to 15 weeks and 4 days when I can step inside my brand new kitchen.

The Skinny Beet

So, back in October, I saw a GROUPON, that I thought would be fun.  A cooking demo for the family.  Snatched it up, booked a date in January and waited, and waited and waited.  Last year at this time we had MOUNTAINS of snow, and I was desperate for activities to do with the kids. 

My kids love food.  Both kids have eclectic tastes.  We remind Mark often that when he was 18 months old, we took him to LUCA in Denver, where Aunt Rebecca was working.  Mark demolished the white bean pate with truffles.  I mean DEMOLISHED IT.  I don't think the rest of us had more than a taste.  Last year he tried Aunt Rebecca's octopus, and loved it.  The kid likes food.  The kid DOESN'T like chicken nuggets or Kraft mac and cheese.

Tonight he was a bit skeptical at first of the menu.  But was willing to give it a try.


Chef Richard made this AMAZING white bean hummus with homemade pita.

Then Chef Richard started on amazing ratatouille.

Then Chef Katie made homemade pasta.  She put a well of flour on the kitchen table, broke three eggs into the middle, and put some salt and olive oil.  And then the kids watched, as this pile of a mess turned into PASTA!

Then she kneaded it, and kneaded it.

Then the kids had to do some work of separating the pasta.

And then the final course - dessert.  She made a free form pear tart.

I don't think the kids will forget this meal!  And I was amazed that we all fit IN the kitchen while this was happening.

Thanks Chef Katie and Chef Richard!