Catching Summer

It seems like summer vacation just started, but of course, it's already about half way over. In about six weeks, it's back to school. Yikes. We've been steadily working on our yard. Mainly weeding and watering lately, but Kevin just planted two shrubs that we bought a few weeks ago. I really hope one of them doesn't die, it looked pretty sad going into the ground. My mom has some black eyed susans that she divided, so she's sending those down with Elsa next weekend. I have a good spot for them, and they are extra attractive because they're free.

We had a really nice week. Kevin made it to the driving range a few times and worked in a bike ride, and I got to have dinner with some friends on Thursday. We closed down the Bread Company, but they were nice and didn't kick us out the door. We had intentions of renting a movie on Friday night, but by the time Wade was all tucked in, we decided that it was just too late to start one. It was about 9:15. We are so old!

I finally had a barbecue for some of my friends from school. Everyone was able to come, so I was happy. I made pulled pork, and I think everyone had enough to drink. (I always worry there won't be enough of something) I was reminded of how different it is to "party" with children. If we had dinner with other friends who were parents, we would start early, and then at 8:30, we'd see the time and say "oh, how'd it get so late?! We have to get home and get the kids to bed." Of course, we would go to bed as soon as the kiddies were tucked in. All the friends I had over don't have kids yet. Most of them are just in committed relationships. I didn't think much of starting at 6:30, or even 8, when a few people showed up. But everyone was hanging out until MIDNIGHT! I'm sure it was no big deal for my friends, but I can't remember the last time I voluntarily saw midnight. Mostly, it's when I'm in bed trying to sleep, but my poor pregnant bladder won't let me. Anyhow, it was so good to see them all, even though I was reminded of what an old fogey I am.

Today, some church friends had their baby baptized, and we got to celebrate with them afterwards. It was good to catch up with some friends there, too. All in all, a wonderful weekend.

Happy Birthday to Me

It was my birthday last Monday, and it was a good one.  Kevin took the day off work and we took Wade to the zoo.  We also ate at Penn Station for lunch and Noodles for dinner (no cooking for me!).  I  got lots of well wishes and cards from people, but I think the funniest card has to be this one from Megan and Eddie.  Enjoy.

Don't send a lame Birthday eCard. 
Try JibJab Sendables!

Turkey Feta Burgers

This recipe is based on one in a BHG magazine from a few months ago.  It's pretty healthy, and it tastes good.  If you have picky eaters, the curry powder can be eliminated, and plain feta cheese can be used instead of flavored.

Ingredients

• 1 lb package ground turkey breast (not ground turkey)
  
• 3/4 cup light mayo
• 1-2 t. curry powder (to taste)
• 1 t. salt
• 2 oz. crumbled garlic & herb feta cheese
• 1/2 red onion, sliced thin
• baby spinach leaves
• pita bread
• tomatoes

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix mayo and curry powder.
   
2. In a large bowl, mix turkey breast, 1/2 of the mayo mixture, salt and cheese.
3. Form 4 burger patties from the mixture.
4. Pan fry, grill, or broil until done, about 5 minutes per side.
5. Serve hot with warm pita, onions, spinach and tomatoes.

Gum Chair

I had mentioned that I was making a gum chair for my sculpture final.  I figured I'd post some pictures of it for your viewing enjoyment.  I had a big idea:  Provide free gum to the art students, the only stipulation being that they chew it, and deposit the chewed gum and empty wrapper in the provided recepticles.  I conducted this whole collection, and actually got a lot of gum.  I spent hours and hours folding gum wrapper chains for the seat of the chair.  Everything took me so long, I didn't have much time to assemble the final product.  The result was dissappointing.  For all the work and ideas and everything, the end product was just not impressive.  Maybe if I had just wrapped the whole chair in gum.  Or maybe this was not the project for me.  My other work has tended to have a more graphic, big, spontaneous, looser feel to it.  This wasn't big enough for the time input.  I guess I'm happy with the gum wrapped part.

Lagging

To anyone who is anxious for more pictures/recipes:  Sorry.  I'm lagging behind in everything these days.  For those of you who don't know, I'm pregnant again (about 9 1/2 weeks along), and am feeling sick and tired most of the time.  In a few months I will look like the fat lady in the picture, and we will have another one similar to the one shown.  More new stuff to come...soon.

Call me Lloyd

A few weeks ago, I brought home all my artwork from this past semester. I was doing a lot of large self portraits, which you can see here: http://playinggrownups.blogspot.com/search/label/school

Anyway, when Wade saw all my art, he immediately pointed at it and said "Mommy!" I think that was the best compliment anyone ever gave me. I was so thrilled that he recognized my drawings as Me! I thought to myself: "I must have the smartest child on the face of the planet."

Last week: Kevin and I are browsing through the new releases at Hollywood video. Wade is running around doing whatever he finds amusing. All of a sudden, I hear "Mommy!" I turn around to see Wade pointing at a DVD on the rack. As I correct him (on autopilot) and say, "no, that's not mommy..." I realize that he really thought he saw a picture of me. He was pointing to the cover of "Dumb and Dumber." Specifically, he was pointing to Jim Carrey's character, Lloyd. I had a moment of truth. Perhaps my drawings were't that awesome. Just give someone heavy bangs and a retarded grin...and they become Mommy! *sad sigh*