October 27, 2013

They're like little cabbages.

When I was a kid I hated Brussels sprouts - and my mom was a real butter and lots of salt kind of cook - so I'm pretty sure they were prepared well, and I still wouldn't eat them. But, you know, as we get older our tastes sometimes change. Yesterday, I was in the grocery store looking for veggies to roast in the oven, and there the Brussels sprouts were all washed, trimmed, and looking delicious on the shelf. So I grabbed a bag and took them home.

I put them in the pan with yellow potatoes, baby carrots, onion, and garlic, then drizzled them with olive oil, Lawry's salt and pepper, put them in the oven and waited for the magic to happen. Thirty minutes later I had this beautiful pan of color:




















You see how the Brussels sprouts are all moved gently to one side of the pan? Yeah, that's to keep them from touching the good food. Life lesson. Sometimes your taste buds are right the first time. Listen to them.

October 26, 2013

Well, you don't want to mix up the treat bowls.


Earlier tonight the doorbell rang and we were greeted by a group of adults in costume, doing a scavenger hunt. They asked for a q-tip, and while we were getting that for them I said, "So, what else is on your list?"

"A penny from the 1990's," then lowering her voice a little awkwardly she added, "and a tampon."

"No problem," I replied. "You picked a house full of girls. We have that!"

As they were heading down the driveway, I hollered, "...and if the prize is booze, you better come back!"

Why don't I get invited to parties like that?

October 20, 2013

We'll just be in here

Just when I am missing my kids, they come home for the weekend and take over the family room with forts, movies, and junk food. Ahhh.


October 19, 2013

Parenting secrets revealed

My sister is planning a party for her teen and 20 friends. My youngest overheard me telling her to put out just a few of each snack so that she has an excuse to pop into the party and check on things.

The youngest said, "Oh that's what you were doing."

Busted.

October 17, 2013

Welcome back...

..to me! It has been a long time. Grab a cup of coffee and I'll fill you in (the short version).

This year, I finished a term as an elected official. I am grateful to have had the experience, but it was not where I wanted to be in life. From my view even at the local level, politics was every bit as muddled as people believe. When the kids were younger I told them “you are who you hang with” and in that role, I saw myself surrounded by attitudes and beliefs that did not reflect who I wanted to be. When my term ended, I was done with politics, public demands, and public issues. I needed a serious break to decompress.

So I took one!

And now I am back because I love how writing up the everyday stories about my kids, family, and friends helps me to notice and appreciate the things that make life special to me. It’s very therapeutic. Like coffee.

There’s lots more to tell, so get yourself a refill and come on back.