.....Out Like a Giraffe.
What????
Ben brought home a preschool project yesterday that is a paper plate transformed into a lion. Brown cotton balls for the mane, construction paper whiskers, etc. A preschool treasure. I really should take a photo of it to share, but I'm feeling lazy this morning.
At the bottom of the project is the note "In Like a Lion...." So we asked the kids to finish the sentence, assuming they had heard the expression before.
They hadn't.
Ben: "In like a lion, out like a.... Giraffe?"
Caroline: "In like a lion, out like a ...... Dragon?"
Abby: "In like a lion, out like a .... Fool?" (She was thinking of April Fool's Day. At least there was some reasoning there, right?)
We briefly discussed the actual expression with the kids last night, and then asked again at breakfast this morning to see if there was any retention of that discussion.
There wasn't.
Ben: "In like a lion, out like a.....Giraffe." (At least he's consistent.)
Caroline: "In like a lion, out like a.....Sheep." (Closer!)
Abby: "In like a lion, out like a.....Yak."
A yak? A YAK??? I really feel like I'm talking to the wall sometimes.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Happy....Birthday.....Dear!
Yesterday we celebrated Scott's birthday -- in 15 minute increments.
Tuesdays are the craziest day of the week here, and I accepted a lacrosse game back in February without even realizing it was his birthday (serious wife demerits for me, right?) which just added to the chaos. Ben enjoyed a trip to the Please Touch Museum with Grandad in the afternoon, I had to get a sitter in the afternoon for about 2 hours since Scott had an afternoon meeting scheduled, and Abby had Religious Ed scheduled for the evening.
After I got home from the game and made a delicious birthday dinner (no whole fish requests this year, thankfully), I told Abby that last night was the one night of the year I was going to let her skip Religious Ed so we could celebrate Dad's birthday. The tears started immediately. And, they weren't tears of joy. What??!! I thought she would be practically turning cartwheels, based on the level of resistance I get some weeks about attendance. Then, she ran to her bag, pulled something out of the bottom of it (since it wasn't in her folder where I look for notes). It was a hand-made invitation for a special class where parents were invited to make and break bread. So....after scarfing down a 15-minute super fancy family dinner, Abby and I were off to class and poor Scott had to wait an extra few hours for homemade German chocolate cake. At least this year I did not serve rancid fish.
Interesting note, did you know that German chocolate cake is not the legacy of German immigrants or German culture? Rather, it is the creation of a man with the last name of German who invented sweet German cooking chocolate. I learned this little nugget from Joy of Cooking yesterday afternoon.
Tuesdays are the craziest day of the week here, and I accepted a lacrosse game back in February without even realizing it was his birthday (serious wife demerits for me, right?) which just added to the chaos. Ben enjoyed a trip to the Please Touch Museum with Grandad in the afternoon, I had to get a sitter in the afternoon for about 2 hours since Scott had an afternoon meeting scheduled, and Abby had Religious Ed scheduled for the evening.
After I got home from the game and made a delicious birthday dinner (no whole fish requests this year, thankfully), I told Abby that last night was the one night of the year I was going to let her skip Religious Ed so we could celebrate Dad's birthday. The tears started immediately. And, they weren't tears of joy. What??!! I thought she would be practically turning cartwheels, based on the level of resistance I get some weeks about attendance. Then, she ran to her bag, pulled something out of the bottom of it (since it wasn't in her folder where I look for notes). It was a hand-made invitation for a special class where parents were invited to make and break bread. So....after scarfing down a 15-minute super fancy family dinner, Abby and I were off to class and poor Scott had to wait an extra few hours for homemade German chocolate cake. At least this year I did not serve rancid fish.
Interesting note, did you know that German chocolate cake is not the legacy of German immigrants or German culture? Rather, it is the creation of a man with the last name of German who invented sweet German cooking chocolate. I learned this little nugget from Joy of Cooking yesterday afternoon.
Birthdays here are all about the cake.
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Secret Life of an NCAA Official
I typed that title like I really know what I'm talking about, didn't I?
I officiated my first ever college game on Saturday. And it was great! Truth be told, the lacrosse was definitely not better skill-wise than the better high school teams around the Delaware Valley. But, actual lacrosse quality-of-play aside, all the trappings of officiating college sports were delightful.
1) There is an actual locker room just for officials. That means that I did not have to try to change any articles of clothing or shoes while either sitting in my car or standing at my trunk. There is a private area to take a break at halftime, with an actual bench and an actual bathroom. There are no fans, players, or coaches in said bathroom who want to ask "just one quick question" and then lambaste you while you're washing your hands. Private locker room = Privacy!
2) And, guess what we talked about in the locker room? Lacrosse! I couldn't believe it. I thought there would be casual chit-chat. But, we talked about fouls and plays and certain players' tendencies, and how we could make our game even safer and what we could do to make better calls during the second half. Good stuff.
3) Mercifully, the AD did not play the National Anthem sung by Mariah Carey. I have absolutely nothing against Mariah Carey or her music in general. However, I have heard that particular rendition of the National Anthem at least 100 times since it is the version of choice for all the local high schools. It's quite long. And quite twittery. And, it was really refreshing to hear something else. I was secretly wishing I had a recording of my daughters' elementary school's 2nd and 3rd graders singing the Star-Spangled Banner that they just performed during their spring concernt. THAT was a great version. Of course, just because this University did not play Mariah Carey does not mean that Colleges B-F will not, but it was nice break nevertheless.
4) All college games are officiated with 3 umpires rather than 2 umpires. Even though there are some differences in positioning and responsibilities at the various positions, I really enjoy umpring '3-Man' style. I can't speak for myself, of course, but my partners were really experienced and respected officials and it was such a treat and a personal thrill to work with them. I have one game this year with one of the umpires who called the final game in the NCAA Division I tournament. The Championship game! My umpiring idol!!
I officiated my first ever college game on Saturday. And it was great! Truth be told, the lacrosse was definitely not better skill-wise than the better high school teams around the Delaware Valley. But, actual lacrosse quality-of-play aside, all the trappings of officiating college sports were delightful.
1) There is an actual locker room just for officials. That means that I did not have to try to change any articles of clothing or shoes while either sitting in my car or standing at my trunk. There is a private area to take a break at halftime, with an actual bench and an actual bathroom. There are no fans, players, or coaches in said bathroom who want to ask "just one quick question" and then lambaste you while you're washing your hands. Private locker room = Privacy!
2) And, guess what we talked about in the locker room? Lacrosse! I couldn't believe it. I thought there would be casual chit-chat. But, we talked about fouls and plays and certain players' tendencies, and how we could make our game even safer and what we could do to make better calls during the second half. Good stuff.
3) Mercifully, the AD did not play the National Anthem sung by Mariah Carey. I have absolutely nothing against Mariah Carey or her music in general. However, I have heard that particular rendition of the National Anthem at least 100 times since it is the version of choice for all the local high schools. It's quite long. And quite twittery. And, it was really refreshing to hear something else. I was secretly wishing I had a recording of my daughters' elementary school's 2nd and 3rd graders singing the Star-Spangled Banner that they just performed during their spring concernt. THAT was a great version. Of course, just because this University did not play Mariah Carey does not mean that Colleges B-F will not, but it was nice break nevertheless.
4) All college games are officiated with 3 umpires rather than 2 umpires. Even though there are some differences in positioning and responsibilities at the various positions, I really enjoy umpring '3-Man' style. I can't speak for myself, of course, but my partners were really experienced and respected officials and it was such a treat and a personal thrill to work with them. I have one game this year with one of the umpires who called the final game in the NCAA Division I tournament. The Championship game! My umpiring idol!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Lacrosse Opening Day
Finally! It is opening day for my lacrosse officiating season. It has felt like a million years since I got my new rating in July. I have two high school games today to warm up for the college officiating season which starts for me on Saturday. The more experienced college officials (read "really good officials") that work Division 1 games started a few weeks ago, but I'm quite happily taking my whistle to a Division III game this weekend. I'm thankful that I have several high school games to knock the cobwebs out of my head between now and then. It's pretty much a given that I will do something really stupid this afternoon, and I'll probably get yelled at. But, then I will pretend to be deaf. My children have helped me practice this skill all winter. Selective hearing. It is really a tremendous skill --- for all professions.
So, in just a few short hours, I will be running around in the sunshine, and having everyone STOP when I blow the whistle. It's really magical those first few whistle blows. STOP. STOP. STOP. If only that worked at home!
So, in just a few short hours, I will be running around in the sunshine, and having everyone STOP when I blow the whistle. It's really magical those first few whistle blows. STOP. STOP. STOP. If only that worked at home!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Verticillium Wilt Sucks
Today, very sadly, is the last day that our enormous Norway maple tree will stand as a sentry in front of our house. As many maples in our area do, this tree contracted a fungal infection called Verticillium wilt and has been slowly dying for the last decade. The previous owner of our home was so attached to this magnificent tree that he had the four largest branches cabled together to extend the life of this beauty a little longer.
But, based on the opinions of three different tree experts, the structural integrity of the tree is now severely compromised, and she must come down before the wind takes her down. So, today, our tree is getting cut down. We will be saving branches to burn next winter. And, we're also saving a giant slice of her 154" diameter trunk to count the tree rings and maybe even create a little table from so she can stay with us a little longer.
As my parents can attest, I grow quite attached to trees. I always have. So, I today feel like I am losing a friend by my own hand. Perhaps this sounds a little melodramatic, and maybe it even is, but I've enjoyed having the majestic spread of this trees canopy welcome me home every day. I enjoyed watching woodpeckers climb up her branches. I loved hearing the birds sing from her branches. And, I enjoyed listening to the wind whistle through her leaves.
Goodbye old friend. The chainsaws have started, and so have my tears.
But, based on the opinions of three different tree experts, the structural integrity of the tree is now severely compromised, and she must come down before the wind takes her down. So, today, our tree is getting cut down. We will be saving branches to burn next winter. And, we're also saving a giant slice of her 154" diameter trunk to count the tree rings and maybe even create a little table from so she can stay with us a little longer.
As my parents can attest, I grow quite attached to trees. I always have. So, I today feel like I am losing a friend by my own hand. Perhaps this sounds a little melodramatic, and maybe it even is, but I've enjoyed having the majestic spread of this trees canopy welcome me home every day. I enjoyed watching woodpeckers climb up her branches. I loved hearing the birds sing from her branches. And, I enjoyed listening to the wind whistle through her leaves.
Goodbye old friend. The chainsaws have started, and so have my tears.
Rotted Main Trunk
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold,
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
-Robert Frost
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Recipe: Luscious Lemon Chicken Piccata
Subtitled: Crazy for Capers
I've been feeling a little bored with my own cooking lately. More accurately, I've been completely sick of my own cooking lately. So, I decided to shake things up a bit. To get out of my cooking funk, I've tried a whole bunch of new recipes over the past few weeks, several of which have been company worthy. Scott and Abby have loved it. Caroline and Ben have been begging for chicken nuggets and hot dogs.
I can't take any credit for the following recipe, but I can vouch that it is easy, quick and FABULOUS. (For original version go to Cooking Light's Meyer Lemon Chicken Piccata).
Ingredients:
1 to 1.5 pounds chicken breasts or cutlets
1 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/3 cup crisp white wine
1/2 cup lower-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup fresh Meyer lemon juice (about 3 lemons) (regular lemons also OK)
2-4 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (I skipped the parsley, but I'm sure it would look even nicer with it)
Preparation:
1. Place each cutlet between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound each cutlet to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet. Sprinkle cutlets with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow dish; dredge cutlets in flour.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add one half of the cutlets to pan, and sauté 2 minutes. Turn cutlets over; sauté for 1 minute. Remove the cutlets from pan. Repeat the procedure with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 2 cutlets.
3. Add wine to pan, and bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook for 1 minute or until liquid almost evaporates. Stir in chicken broth; bring to a boil. Cook until broth mixture is reduced to 2 tablespoons (about 4 minutes). Stir in juice and capers. Serve over chicken. Sprinkle with parsley.
4. Enjoy!!
Most of the new recipes I have tried recently came from Cooking Light (March 2011), but I also bought a new soup cookbook that I absolutely love, the New England Soup Factory Cookbook. This cookbook has some unusual soups and terrific versions of the classics.
Some of the last few week's gastronomic highlights:
I've been feeling a little bored with my own cooking lately. More accurately, I've been completely sick of my own cooking lately. So, I decided to shake things up a bit. To get out of my cooking funk, I've tried a whole bunch of new recipes over the past few weeks, several of which have been company worthy. Scott and Abby have loved it. Caroline and Ben have been begging for chicken nuggets and hot dogs.
I can't take any credit for the following recipe, but I can vouch that it is easy, quick and FABULOUS. (For original version go to Cooking Light's Meyer Lemon Chicken Piccata).
Lemon Chicken Piccata
(photo of my dinner on Monday -- sooooo good)
Ingredients:
1 to 1.5 pounds chicken breasts or cutlets
1 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/3 cup crisp white wine
1/2 cup lower-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup fresh Meyer lemon juice (about 3 lemons) (regular lemons also OK)
2-4 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (I skipped the parsley, but I'm sure it would look even nicer with it)
Preparation:
1. Place each cutlet between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound each cutlet to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet. Sprinkle cutlets with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow dish; dredge cutlets in flour.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add one half of the cutlets to pan, and sauté 2 minutes. Turn cutlets over; sauté for 1 minute. Remove the cutlets from pan. Repeat the procedure with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 2 cutlets.
3. Add wine to pan, and bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook for 1 minute or until liquid almost evaporates. Stir in chicken broth; bring to a boil. Cook until broth mixture is reduced to 2 tablespoons (about 4 minutes). Stir in juice and capers. Serve over chicken. Sprinkle with parsley.
4. Enjoy!!
Most of the new recipes I have tried recently came from Cooking Light (March 2011), but I also bought a new soup cookbook that I absolutely love, the New England Soup Factory Cookbook. This cookbook has some unusual soups and terrific versions of the classics.
Some of the last few week's gastronomic highlights:
- Artichoke and Goat Cheese Strata (also company worthy from Cooking Light, Mar 11)
- Mini Farfalle with Roasted Peppers, Onions, & Feta -- I omitted mint from the original Cooking Light recipe. Scott gave this dish a rare 9 out of 10 (with 10 out of 10 only possible from Alba Restaurant).
- Spicy Tortilla Soup with Shrimp and Avocado (Cooking Light, Mar 11)
- Country Split Pea Soup with Bacon and Potatoes (comfort food from the NE soup cookbook above)
- Spinach, Feta, and Toasted Pine Nut Soup (creamy and satisfying from NE Soup Cookbook)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Philadelphia Flower Show 2011
I had the privilege of attending the Philadelphia Flower Show this year with my mom. We've made a little tradition of attending together every year for the past 5 years or so. We usually walk around the flowers and shopping area for 4 or 5 hours. My mom is kind enough to indulge my love of cactus and succulents, which means she lets me drool over the specimen exhibits for a good chunk of time. I remembered at the show yesterday that we gave out little potted echevaria plants (hens and chicks) for our wedding favor. I am surprised I had forgotten that bit of my past, although I'm sure a few bridesmaids out there don't forget painting 100+ mini-terra cotta pots silver.
Some favorite shots from the Show:
Spring Cheer
Clutch created from painted plants and seeds. Wow, right?
Part of a French flower market --
Check out the striped tulips on bottom right
Terrarium filled with all different kinds of....
Echevaria!
Some favorite shots from the Show:
Echevaria, of course!!
Don't you just love the symmetry and silvery color??
Spring Cheer
Clutch created from painted plants and seeds. Wow, right?
Part of a French flower market --
Check out the striped tulips on bottom right
Terrarium filled with all different kinds of....
Echevaria!
Carousel Horse (part of stunning entrance garden)
Always a delightful trip! Thanks, Mom!!
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