Stand, Sit, Kneel

This weekend I attended my very first Catholic wedding. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but I knew it would involve some sitting, standing and kneeling.

As my friends and I settled in our pew, a celebrity was in our midst. Anybody recognize her?

Now do you recognize her:




Basically she sat three people down from me and I lost my focus like Dory in Finding Nemo!

However, the woman singing Ava Maria helped me refocus on the front of the church. That's because she started off singing quietly and when she got to the chorus I thought she was screaming in pain. I wanted to order her some Morphine STAT! Seriously, it was beautiful but the chorus was a lot of crescendo! (pulled that out of the ol' high school band crevice in my brain)

No disrespect to the Catholic people of the world, but the Baptist girl will never take the 25 minute wedding ceremony for granted ever again. If I am not mistaken, almost 13 years later, I think my wedding was 8 minutes. Oh, and lets not forget how thankful I am for the cushions on the pews at my church.

The beautiful ceremony was followed by a reception at one of the local country clubs. I've got three words for you from the reception: MASHED POTATO BAR.

'Nuff said. Just see for yourself:





This will totally be a recurring dish at all festivities I plan. Best. Idea. Ever. (Clearly, I don't get out much, so humor me here).

The bride's cake was also slap-yo-mama good. However, this little bowl of goodness was the highlight of my Saturday! That and seeing "Edna" and her HUGE sunglasses on my way out the door.

Bribery might just get you somewhere, eventually.

 

I’m not ashamed to admit that on random occasions I have been known to bribe strongly encourage Lego-Man to try a couple of bites of a new or previously refused food.

For those of you new here, my 9 year old son does not eat red meat, of any kind, for reasons unbeknownst to me. However, he will eat his weight in sushi-- RAW fish.  Go figure.  He’s health conscious, I suppose.

On several occasions, I have asked him to try just two bites of a red meat product (SPAM not included), in return for a trip to the store for the video game of choice. 

He usually makes a few gagging sounds and then waves his hand over his plate accompanied by a “no thanks”.  He’s NEVER taken me up on the offer.  NEV-ER!!

That is, until last night. 

While enjoying some delicious beef and broccoli, I threw out my usual request with a smirk knowing what he would do.  I even said he could get the Wii game he asked Santa Claus to bring.

Imagine my utter shock and disbelief when he took the piece of meat and promptly put it in his mouth….no gagging, no face, no spitting….and swallowed.

That wasn’t fun. 

So I anted up and told him  he had to eat two bites for his prize (I know, I know….totally cheating).

He fiddled around a minute, made a request for more rice and milk….and then *poof* the meat was gone!

He looked at me and said, “did you say we can go get that game tonight".

I said, “I sure did”

 

Let’s here it for bribery, progress and hoping one day he’ll realize the goodness of Mugshots hamburger!

Giving thanks, family style

Greetings blogging friends and family!

I am back from taking a much needed week long break. I can’t say I am well rested, but just getting away from the regular ol’ grind and work was so nice.

There were five kids in the house; their ages: 9, 8, 7, 5 and almost 2. My Princess is the ONLY girl, and she prefers to serve cheese with her whine, unlike the boys.

As you can imagine, it was non-stop playing with occasional arguing. Over important things like what movie was going to be watched or who was going to be player 1 on the Wii. Sheesh, if that was my only worry in the world.

We began our week of giving thanks by joining my two oldest nephews at their school for lunch:

We also enjoyed my middle nephew’s class Thanksgiving feast on Tuesday. I took this sweet little face to the “buffet” THREE times:

My sister and brother-in-law are both on staff at the school and stopped by for a photo opportunity.

The Princess was thankful to spend excessive amounts of time on the trampoline, as evidenced by the LARGE amounts of static electricity in her hair:

Me being a lifetime scientist, had to verify the presence of such electrical currents (only after emptying my bladder, of course):

Funny how a 40 year old on a trampoline brings out the masses to join in the fun:

Thursday, we were joined by a surprise guest for our Thanksgiving feast. Mr. GRITS drove down to surprise the kids and spent Thursday and part of Friday with us before having to return for work on Saturday:

Raise your hand if you remember years of sitting at the official “kids table”:

The hubby and I had a little bonding time with our youngest nephew, Jackson. We had to convince him that we are as cool as his brothers think we are. Mission accomplished, I think:

*WARNING* Auburn fans, look away now.

As some of you may not know, it was college football rivalry week here in Alabama. Saturday we enjoyed, for the first time in the last 7 years, watching Alabama beat the Auburn Tigers 36-0.

ROLL TIDE!!!!

12 - 0, bay-bee!

We’re #1!!

Despite the fact we were slap dab in the middle of Florida State country, we all donned our ‘Bama garb. We even took the kids out for breakfast despite the fact the city was packed with people for the Florida/FSU game.

Here’s the next generation of Alabama football fans:

I even had my special ‘Bama ‘fro going on, thanks to the FL rain and humidity:

So, now we all have to get back to our regular routines and I’ll be back to my regularly scheduled blogging. I hope you all had as much fun at your Thanksgiving get together as we had at ours.

(btw, I created my sister a new blog header….go here to check it out and maybe we can encourage her to do a little more posting! I’d like us to be as famous as another family blogging duo—Queen B and Beachy Mimi)

Food Critic Numero Uno

I’d like to think my skills as a food critic began way back in my college days. Perhaps, Teresa would be willing to share and verify this memory.

I don’t like to brag, but I am almost positive I was solely responsible for Rick, the dining hall manager, removing all comment cards from the premises.

I didn’t want to shut down the only place to eat on campus, I just wanted change. I wanted my newly found “voice” to be heard.

You must agree there is something inherently wrong with ham that is served in a tray whilst submerged under a watery liquid. And wouldn’t you say that pimento’s sprinkled in every vegetable for “presentation” is a bit much.

My ability to critique food has only improved as time has gone by.

Which brings me to my most recent restaurant critique.

Imagine the excitement and palpitations I experienced as I saw the Greek flag flying outside a newly renovated restaurant that is less than 2 miles from my house.

I watched and waited….and this weekend the sign went up. NOW OPEN!

And tonight was the night…..the night I realized I am a Greek food snob.

If there is such a thing. I feel certain there is and I am.

The food was just all right with me. The portions were VERY small for the price they charged. I had to send my lamb back because when I cut into it the meat it actually baa’d. Really.

The menu selections were quite limited.

The kids menu, nonexistent. Although, they did charge kids entrees half price. But when the entree is almost $20 that a kids meal for $10!! Which is too much $$$$.

I’m not sure a mason jars over wall sconces are an official Greek accent. Might I suggest a few more white Corinthian columns spattered throughout. Or perhaps a few white statues in togas and definitely some Greek music playing just to help out with the ambiance.

Now for a few tips, you know, in case the owners happen to read my blog because they searched google for authentic Greek restaurant tips.

(Dad, you may want to look away now, because you may find all this shocking).

Contrary to popular opinion, Greek folks do not eat buttered Texas Toast spattered with oregano all over it as an appetizer.

Also, we do not traditionally eat Tsatsiki – the yogurt cucumber dip- on EVERY thing that comes to the table, especially spanikopita. It’s just wrong.

As best I know, HUMMUS is not a Greek dish, although I do love it. And when you serve it as a side dish, you need something for it to be spread on. And not the afore mentioned Greek style Texas Toast.

Last but not least, a “Greek pastry variety plate” for $3.99 should have more than 4 thumb sized pastries on your ginourmous green melamine plate. It should include baklava stacked in the shape of a the acropolis! Just my opinion.

MUCH to my dismay, I got a two for one trip tonight to our new “Greek” restaurant….my first trip and my last trip.

Mr. GRITS is willing to give it one more try. I’m out. With this Greek girl, you only get one shot to wow me.

I give the place 6 months.

And I’d be willing to bet this restaurant is not owned by anybody with a name ending in –opoulos or any other vowel filled name.

This Greek food critic is over and out. OPA!

Dinner Drama

Raise you hand if you have a child that is a picky eater?!

 

*INSERT LONG PAUSE HERE, WHILE I RAISE MY HANDS*

 

Long story short here:

Meet the 9 year old boy who will eat his weight in sushi in a single sitting. 

 

 

For those not on the sushi train……RAW fish, and in some cases cooked fish, sitting atop a bed of delicious rice.  Oh yes, and I can’t leave out that some of the sushi variety are wrapped in SEAWEED.

Yummy to some, not to others.

 

Now, meet the 9 year old boy who does not eat red meat of any kind….that’s right NO hamburgers, NO steak, NO NOTHING!  But lives for Teriyaki sauce on any given white meat.

 

 

GO FIGURE:

Loves ribs, won’t touch pulled BBQ.

Loves raw broccoli, cheese, and white rice, but you couldn’t pay him to eat ONE bite of broccoli casserole.

Loves potato chips and French fries, but won’t touch a potato in ANY other form.

 

I could go on and on.  Which brings me here tonight.  I made this delicious Corn Chowder soup for supper. 

Here we go again with a mixture of all things he will eat separately, but not in a group form. 

And what do you think happened at our supper table.  Well of course he didn’t want to eat it.  I had to pull out the big guns and request he eat 10 bites of the soup, or the Webkinz this week would be *poof*.  And every Webkinz owner knows you MUST tend that garden or it will die.

I call it motivation, you may call it something else.  He proceeded to choke down all 10 bites of the soup with much ado and drama.

I’ll tell you what my mom called it when I didn’t want to eat those DISGUSTING slimey canned beets….she called it, “I’m gonna spank you if you don’t eat those beets”.  Message received.  Beets eaten. 

Not any more.

I don’t want him to sound too bad, but he does drink his milk and eats plenty of raw vegetables.  He also loves fruits, cheese and nuts.  So, I know he is getting some nutrition.

No, I don’t want to force the kid to eat foods, but I want him to try new things.  But the obvious problem with meal planning is driving me crazy!

HELP!!!

Does anybody out there have any comments, tips, suggestions, something….anything?!

It’s Fall Y’all

In honor of the slightly cooler temperature and the feeling of Fall in the air, here’s a yummy recipe perfect for a Fall get together:

Pumpkin Dip

1 (8oz) cream cheese, softened

1 (16oz) box powdered sugar, sifted

1 (15oz) solid pack pumpkin

1 T. ground cinnamon

1 T. pumpkin pie spice (or can substitute 1/2 to 1 tsp. ground nutmeg)

Beat cream cheese until creamy

Gradually add powdered sugar, and beat well

Stir in cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice until well blended.

Chill.

Serve with Ginger Snaps, Nilla wafers or Graham crackers.

Serving idea: place dip in hollowed out small sugar pumpkin.

For more Fall recipes, including a delicious recipe for Corn Chowder, click here.

YUMMY!