The End of 2013

The holidays have been good, busy with lots of time in the car, and a great deal of Christmas music. We have hit three different states, and along the way I figured out how to move this blog around, e.g., get it assigned to my current email address.  As I get older the holidays change, as families spread out and grow.  Amy's family size is greatly increasing as her cousins families are growing. 

The end of the year is fast approaching, with a little more than 24 hours left.  Why are we so bound by time?  As if somehow a little more than 24 hours from now I, like Cinderella will manically change.  Almost a month into the 39th year of my life, and I have become very introspective.  Attempting to diagnosis myself, so I can make grand proclamations about how I will change next year. I will stand outside like a squire from the days of knights, tournaments, jousting, and men in tights.  

  

The Sock Connection

When did socks become some complex?  Mine and Mr. C's socks are simple, match the size and color, white, brown, tan, short, or long.  Ms. E's socks, are a completely different affair.  There are each individually paired, a pink set with hearts, a pink set with circles, a pink set, with sparkly trim, a purple set with pink hearts. I spent a good deal of time trying to reconcile the socks in the laundry with the socks in the "lonely clothing article" basket.  The place where single socks go to find a date, like the dance club down stairs.  Some days they hook up with thier perfect match.  Occasionally, they hook up with a partner that is not quite perfect, only to be parted in the washing machine.  The washing machine is like a disco for clothes, with the lights turned Devon they dance around.

Fancy Pants Dinner

Tonight we went out to dinner without the children.  Since we did not have the little one we tried a fancy steakhouse.  Growing up my version of fancy steakhouse would have been the local K-bobs or in college Texas Roadhouse.  The establishment we went to was a bit more upscale, I wore a tie and slacks (yes with a shirt) and did not stand out in the crowd.  I still feel a bit uncomfortable at these places, and tonight was no different.  I ordered a glass of wine, which they gave me half of, then the waitress showed up with an apology and the other half.  When I completed glass one, (keep in mind that was 1/2 of the entire "glass") I noticed some stuff in the glass. When I inquired about it, they said," it is unfiltered wine and that is residue. Most wines are filtered this one is not, they use a paper filter to catch the sediment."

"Oh, okay I understand the filtering process."

"The unfiltered wine is supposed to have more flavor..."  It was at that point when I had to fight back the urge to tell him that I was not some hick from the Texas panhandle (not entirely true) and that he should go about his business.  I did not therefore I listened to his disortation on the filtering of wine.  They made really good scalloped potatoes, even though they used the French name, as if using the French word for "turd" would make it a more pleasant substance.  The report on the steak, it was good, but I have cooked better out in the middle of now where while camping, with out potatoes au gratin.

The best part, was have a long chat with Amy, it was far superior to the food, and I made her laugh at some point in the conversation.

Writing at the Park

I want to write but the words escape me, like an elusive prey.  Describing my days in a succinct pattern of prose.  Catching the mundane acts of the day with literary extraordinaire.  

Pausing to look up as the children slide down the slick green tongue of the playground.  Landing like a sack of flour hitting the floor.  For a moment, a stoke of the second hand, they stop.  Popping up like a small explosion as they race for the stairs again.

Parents flying kites, trying to get their children interested on holding the line.  They have the choice, run around with friends, or stand here, tethered to the kite gracefully flying high above.  

The laughs, like a gaggle of ducks spreads across the play ground like a wildfire.  With infectious energy the waves of laughing and screaming.  Brothers, sisters, cousins, friends with no concerns.... Expect when it is time to go.

High School Reunion

TA few weeks ago (well more than an month ago) I attend my high school reunion.  When I showed up at the place, a group of us walked up to the front door (locked) then we tried the back door (locked).  So we wrapped on the window, and they let us in.  It was a precursor of how the remainder of the evening would go.  Everyone who attend had a great time, and many beverage was consumed.  

There were many people from out of town, and some that were staying in hotel because thier  family moved off, as for me, it was back to the bedroom I had in high school.  It may be my self-awareness, I think I would have won the contest for most gray hair.

Z-PAC

As drugs go, the Z-PAC is one of my favorites, for the following reasons: 

1. I can actually say it without getting tongue tided
2. Other than day one, it is a once a day pill (no getting up in the middle of the night
3. It is not penicillin (which I do not tolerate, if you know what I mean)
4. As a drug, it is easy to find
5. It has such a cool sounding name, like that of a rapper

While I am not exactly sure when I caught it, I go sick.  When I finally threw in the towel and went to the doctor at the urgent care clinic (my dr did not have a spot until early next week), I was diagnosed with the following:  Onset of double ear infection, respiratory infection, secondary sinus infection, and a sore throat.  The doctor prescribed me a Z-PAC.  These are the days when I occasionally miss Dr. Wally.  I could go in, tell the doctor my symptoms, and that I needed a Z-PAC, he would return a few minutes later, not with a prescription, but with a trail pack.

At any rate, most of last week I did not feel well, and today, I am feeling like a human being again, just in time to go bak to work.  The bug I picked up could have come from the office, or it could have come from that exotic Las Vegas, in a city that never sleeps, I imagine the sickness does not slow down either.  Which would explain why there is a Walgreens Pharmacy on the strip itself.

Las Vegas Wedding

This past weekend we went to Las Vegas for a wedding, not mine, but my sisters wedding.  It was a fun time.  The wedding was really nice, it was not done by a midget Elvis, or at the drive through wedding chapel.  It was on a balcony overlooking the Bellagio's water fountain, and when they kissed, the water show started.  

As far as fun family outings, we found several G rated activities, which included the indoor amusement park at Circus Circus, Riding the Deuce, dinner at the Rain Forrest Cafe, the Shark Reef at Mandalay  Bay, and finally, the taxis'.  I had a very memorable conversation with one driver about the economics of Energy, and oil.  

Las Vegas is like a melting pot of ideas, thoughts, desires, love, hate, and risk.  It is the only place I know, where you can get married, in the same manner you get a bacon cheese burger from Sonic.  Additionally, it is a place with some very beautiful buildings to walk in/through and admire, all while sucking in second hand smoke.  One of the best signs that I saw said, "The restroom facility is non-smoking," while you had to contend with second hand smoke at the Monte Carlo food court.  It is a city of irony, with thousands getting married their each year, but the city's motto is, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas..."  which is a little contradictory in my mind.  

One place I forgot to go by while I was there was the "In-and-Out Burger".  I saw it on the taxi ride back to the airport, and thought, shoot... I missed that one.  

Congratulations to Natty and Kale!!!

Cookbooks

When I first started looking around at cookbooks, I used The Joy of Cooking, probably not the best place to start my culinary adventure.  To be honest, I really only cooked a couple of recipes out of that cookbook, yet I still have it.  It has a substantial number of recipes in it, however, there is not story to connect some if not all of the recipes back to the cook.  Since the Joy of Cooking days, I have greatly expanded my viewing of cookbooks, along with my cooking ability.  I must point out that some of the first things I cooked, were family recipes, which you never quite find in a cookbook.  A few years ago my mother and sisters were raving about The Pioneer Woman Cookbook.  I wanted to check it out with out purchasing it, so I went to the library website to request a copy.  I was shocked to find out there was a 12 person waiting line to get their hands on this book.  (Which puts it in parallel to some of the New York Times Bestseller books I have requested.)  I got it, looked it  over, thought that it was nice, and a couple of Christmas' later, Amy or I got it as a Christmas present.  As I understand the evolution of the cookbook, it started out as a blog titled, The Pioneer Woman.

Yesterday, I went to the library and was looking at cookbooks, and found the Texas response, or possibly precursor to the Pioneer Woman.  The cookbook is The Homesick Texas Cookbook.  Now I am not sure if this started out as a blog, however, the author, Lisa Fain, does have a blog, which is titled, Homesick Texan.  I flipped through the book and decided to check it out, only to find that it has some great recipes, including my personal favorite mexican food dish, Stacked Enchiladas (although in this book they are name "West Texas Stacked Enchiladas.")  I think that my friends, and wife from New Mexico may disagree that the Stacked Enchiladas were devised in West Texas, instead of New Mexico.  They are best, with two fried eggs on top, cooked over easy.  While I have made then a couple of times, without a recipe I may try this one out to see how it works.  Additionally, it has recipes for corn and flour tortillas, and tamales.

Tonight, partly inspired by the cookbook bloggers, I took a couple of kitchen pictures, while I made a dish that was out of a completely different cook book.  During this process I learned that capturing the blue flame of natural gas, requires patiences, no flash, and either a tripod or kitchen counter.

Gas and Cast Iron Griddle

Tortilla and Yellow Fiesta with Pork Chili Inside

Fat Tuesday

This week host a couple of unique days within the secular and Christian calendars.  First off there is Mardi Gras, also know "Fat Tuesday".  The last day of feasting prior to Ash Wednesday, and the start of lent.  It is a unique coupling of celebrations, like a smoker going through a carton of smokes the night before he quits.  While I have never been to a Mardi gras feastivle, what I have seen on television, the news, and other media about the New Orleans celebration leads me to believe these reavelars are not preparing for a period of fasting.  Much like St Patricks Day, the secular society has used it as a reason to drink green beer in excess, and over look the fact that it is a day to honor a saint.

The season of lent itself is interesting.  It is supposed to be representative of Jesus' 40 days of fasting, yet tradition says that we can break the fast on Sundays.  In realitily it is much more a representation of the humans and their battle against temptation.

When I first started observing lent, I gave up things that I did not eat anyway, like watermelon.  I am ashamed of my lack of knowledge in the subject during my first years of observation.  It is more than just giving sometime up, one can sacrifice their time, and spent more time reading the bible, or praying.  I have some friends who fast, and know several Catholics who observe the no meat on fried, and eat fish (which is still meat).  For around 10 years I almost always gave up Dr. Pepper, the in 2010 I went to the dr during lent, and was informed I was getting fat.  (I did not need an individual with an advanced degree, and special training to tll me that.)  However, I did swear off Dr. Pepper, and have not had one since.

If you are struggling with what to give up, try something new, and pick up a bible study, the bible, volunteer work, or a commitment to pray and seek God out during the day.

Hook'd Bar & Grill

During the past few weeks, I have had a desire to return to a view like the one below.  It is a vey of the City Park Pier, in Panama City Flordia, from a seat at Hook'd Bar & Grill, which was a neat place to eat.  When we had dinner there, it was followed by a short walk to Kilwin's Chocolates for desert.  

 

Ground Hog Day

Today, being a Saturday, meant that my normal schedule of listening to NPR's Morning Edition, did not happen.  I did not realize that it was ground hog day until the middle of the afternoon.  At which point, I had been in the back yard picking up in my shorts and sandals.  It felt very spring like today, and I hope that there is not 6 more weeks of winter.  All of the beloved Christmas decorations are in the attic, with the exception of this hideous snowman/Santa Christmas ball which will become property of the city's sanitation department Monday.

I was in high school, when the movie Ground Hog Day came out with Bill Murray.  It was a fun show, and an interesting concept.  My life would not be going very fast if I had to go back and start each day over if I did not get everything correct in that day.  There are several days, however, that I would not have minded a do over.  The one thing those days almost always have in common, is the failure to engage the mind, prior to engaging the mouth.

So to all of the overgrow squirrels out there, Happy Groundhog Day!  ...does anyone know if he saw his shadow?

Pinewood Derby

It was Pinewood Derby race weekend for pack 349.  This year I made a car for Ella and myself.  So we had three cars racing, the results, of the speed were below par, however, the kids had fun designing their cars, picking stickers, and paint.  All three cars had some dodge bright green paint on the.  There were some amazing cars, next year I think I will start earlier in the year, to provide more time for design and building.  One of the scout masters made a bathtub car, complete eith bubbles and a rubber duck.  It has been many months since I had a project in the garage in the evening, and it was refreshing to have something else to work on.

This past week, I set a record for the number of days I left the office after 6:30 pm, not a stellar performance on my part.

Andy's Frozen Custard

This past weekend I experienced Andy's Frozen Custard for the first time my life, in Springfield.  On the way there I asked my sisters how it worked, and they informed me that you picked a base, either chocolate or vanilla, then pick the other things you want in it.  I was taken back because I wanted strawberry, which is one of the best fruits ever.  First off, it is red, vibrant red, with a splash of green at the top. Red and green are Christmas colors, so what is not to like about that combination.  Additionally, strawberrys are very flexible, they go in ice cream, smoothies, chocolate, salads, you can eat them whole, or cut them up.  While they don't go into pie, they do make Yummy jelly.  On top of that they ave a wonderful texture, with all of the little black dots on the outside.

Back to the frozen custard...  ...they went on to explain that they were like the Dairy Queen "Blizzard" only called "concrete".  So I was ready, until the girls started rattling off the long list of items you could add into your concrete....
Almonds
Bananas
Butterfinger
Butterscotch
Cheesecake
Cherries
Coconut
Carmel
Chocolate syrup
Crused nuts
Heath bar
Hot fudge
M&M
Marshmallow
Oreo
Peanut butter
Peanut butter cups
Peanuts
Pinnapplee
Pretzels
Raspberries
Reeds pieces
Strawberrys
Roasted pecans

With such a large selection criteria,  I froze in a moment of uncertainty.  "If I choose poorly my desert will be ruined", is what I thought.  So, I did the most uninspirable thing I could think of, I said, oh, I will take one of those too.  Not my finest ordering moment, but I must say, it was a wonderful desert, and I am glad went their instead of Orange Leaf, with the rest of the gaung.

Iron Chef

The first time I heard that there was a show on the cooking channel called "Iron Chef" I made the natural assumption that it was a cook off using cast iron cookware.  I should point out that all I knew was that it was a cooking show with a competitive flare, and had iron in the title.  I ran with this assumption until I got cable tv at the house, and watched the show.  The first one I saw was actually the original Japanese version, complete with the great voice overs. I thought that it was great, where else could I learn that you can make ice cream, using some fish as an ingredient, or that I. Japan they have peaches that cost $40.00 each (not per pound, per peach).  

In today's fast paced highly competitive America, I think it is facts sting that we will collectively watch a tv show that ends with ______ your fired.  All the while a sports team with a losing record can make it into the playoffs, and. We don't take score at the soccer games.  Even the Academy Awards changed from the winner is, to the award goes to....  We live in a competitive country where people see for focus on the wrong competitions.  I have seen parents go nuts when their child did not get enough playing time, or did not score in a game, all the while having little to no passion around their school work, grades, and the amount to television they watch.  

If you want a true iron chef, go to one of the chuck wagon cook offs, one more competition, to watch, but at least you can taste the product, visit with the cooks, and vote for your favorite wagon.

Dad It's Still Christmas Time

This morning Ella asked me if it was still Christmas time because there was snow on the roof.  My first thoug was, "how did I miss the snow when I looked out the window." I told Ella it was not still Christmas time, and put the conversation in the back of my mind since it was Sunday fun day, which included attending worship and Sunday school.  When we left I looked at our roof and it all made sense, the "snow" Ella had seen was frost on the roofs.  Kids are super observant, even when they act like they are not.  Ella has associated snow with Christmas time, I sould also point out that while the exterior illumination is in the garage, the tree is still fully decorated.

This past weekend we also attended Bright Nights - Boy Scout Edition - Friday night, and we got to spend the night at the Science Muesum.  It was fun, the kids had a blast, we slept on the floor on an air matters that had a slow leak, which was not very comfortable.  The kids built a few things, played at the tree house,  and we went to the plantierum, and I dozed off durning the presentation,  stars are fun and exciting, but I can only listen for about 5 minutes.