Did you have a Summer job when you were in high school? Perhaps you had a regular job during school? I did the Summer job thing when I turned sixteen and then found a job that would work with my school schedule and my cheer-leading schedule. That job followed me all the way through college and thankfully it did. I had great bosses during my school job, they were hard on me but that taught me a lot about working for someone and dealing with people. I want my kids to learn those same lessons, they cannot learn these things from the hubbs and I tough.
Sprat, has tried to find a conventional Summer job with no luck. Thankfully he has offered himself up to be a handyman for anyone that needs him. He has been doing yard work, mowing grass and spreading mulch, for a couple of ladies in the area and has cleaned out a garage for one lady. Yesterday he came home and said he had used a jackhammer to take down some bathroom tile. The last few weeks he has been helping a gentleman gut a house and he has learned to take down dry wall and now to use a jackhammer. I think that is really cool. I am thankful for people that will take a chance on a young person and let them help out and do things and maybe even teach them a skill. Sprat is learning a lot this Summer.
Stay tuned as we gear up to start another school year, one a sophomore in college 13+ hours away and one a junior in high school.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Monday, July 22, 2019
Cape Cod, Lobster Rolls, and Iron Maiden. . . .
Sprat made it home from the Cape safe and sound. He sent me pictures of his plate after he had finished a lobster roll. In case you do not know what a lobster roll is, it is a yummy po boy type sandwich with lobster type salad on the bun. I have never seen one in person only pictures and have read about them. I want to try one so bad. I love seafood and I was going to try one while we were at the Red Sox game last year but they were so expensive I did not try it. We did our first trip to Boston for the college visit with Sprat in true Dave Ramsey style, we stuck to our budget and sadly the lobster roll was not on our food budget. I wanted to get one this last visit but we did not get to go into Boston. Sprat spent the last part of the week with his girlfriend and they played on the beach at Cape Cod and ate fish and chips and the fabulous lobster roll. Yes, I was terribly jealous that my dear son got to have that lobster roll and all I got was a picture of his empty plate with a side dish full of slaw because, the boy does not eat slaw. We have another trip scheduled to take him back to school and I WILL have my lobster roll, one way or another.
I love my family and I love my hubby with all of my heart but I absolutely detest having to rush everywhere we go when we get to go to neat little places like Massachusetts. There are so many things that I would like to see there and yes I guess I am being selfish. We would not have gone to the Red Sox game if I had not insisted we try and get tickets. They were all thankful for that because they all had a really good time and it will be a wonderful memory for my boys to have with their dad. I am all about making memories and taking pictures of everything. As I am writing this post my three favorite fellas are out making memories now. The hubbs has taken the boys to an Iron Maiden concert. Yes, all of my fellas are metal heads. I begged for pictures so hopefully I will get a few.
Stay tuned for a few pictures from all of this fun. . .
I love my family and I love my hubby with all of my heart but I absolutely detest having to rush everywhere we go when we get to go to neat little places like Massachusetts. There are so many things that I would like to see there and yes I guess I am being selfish. We would not have gone to the Red Sox game if I had not insisted we try and get tickets. They were all thankful for that because they all had a really good time and it will be a wonderful memory for my boys to have with their dad. I am all about making memories and taking pictures of everything. As I am writing this post my three favorite fellas are out making memories now. The hubbs has taken the boys to an Iron Maiden concert. Yes, all of my fellas are metal heads. I begged for pictures so hopefully I will get a few.
Stay tuned for a few pictures from all of this fun. . .
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Orientation, Learning, Loving, and a Little Sightseeing . . .
We drove up to Massachusetts for orientation on Sunday. Sprat had seen the campus but the hubbs and I had not, in fact, Sprat spent a great deal of time on this campus last year with their lacrosse coach. Monday was an all day affair for all of us, the parents went to their sessions and the students went to their own. We saw Sprat only a few times on Monday, he had fallen right in with some of the kids from his other school and a couple of lacrosse kids. We did get to hear a wonderful motivational speaker and the one thing he said that I am sure those kids will not get until they are older was; "If you do not choose your own greatness, someone else will choose your mediocrity." I am not sure if these are his own words but that little sentence spoke volumes to me. This guy was great and the kids seemed to be very receptive to him. We found out later that this same gentleman had spoken at their orientation for the last three years and every year the current students that are helping with orientation stay to hear him because he is that good.
We saw Sprat briefly just to give him his bag to get settled in his dorm and then we were off again. They had plans for the students all night and all the next day. I thought I would be able to handle all of this but turns out that was not the case. It is very hard to let go of your first born and apparently I am a control freak and do not hide it well. LOL!!!
While Sprat was having his day of orientation and the hubbs and I had a day to ourselves we decided we would check out the surrounding areas. I found a quaint little antique store and yes I did pick up a little item. The gentlemen that run the shop were very nice and I think I will go back when we take Sprat in the Fall. So many nice things and so little room in the car this trip.
We met up with Sprat and his girlfriend and said our good byes, he is spending a few days with her and her family before heading home. On our way home we stopped by the Lindt chocolate factory outlet to pick up some much needed chocolates.
The hubbs got his new company car right before we left so we were able to take it on our trip. This a top of the line car with all the bells and whistles, some of those bells I could have done without. At one point we were going through a construction zone that required us to move back and forth over the white line in order to stay within the zone. The car started making weird noises and flashed a cup of coffee on the dash board with words saying driver alert or something to that nature. I busted out laughing because apparently us moving back and forth over that white line through the car into a frenzy. We got use to that one, then we were almost home and it started raining, there was a car in front of us that was turning. We were not even close to that car and our car started flashing red lets on the dash board that flashed across the windshield and a loud noise sounded and we abruptly slowed down. That scared me to death!
A note to car manufacturers all of that is enough to cause a wreck! We do not need lights flashing across the windshield and loud noised going off when we are trying to focus on the road. I told my husband he needed to figure out how to disable that crap quick!
A few pictures to finish up this post:
We saw Sprat briefly just to give him his bag to get settled in his dorm and then we were off again. They had plans for the students all night and all the next day. I thought I would be able to handle all of this but turns out that was not the case. It is very hard to let go of your first born and apparently I am a control freak and do not hide it well. LOL!!!
While Sprat was having his day of orientation and the hubbs and I had a day to ourselves we decided we would check out the surrounding areas. I found a quaint little antique store and yes I did pick up a little item. The gentlemen that run the shop were very nice and I think I will go back when we take Sprat in the Fall. So many nice things and so little room in the car this trip.
We met up with Sprat and his girlfriend and said our good byes, he is spending a few days with her and her family before heading home. On our way home we stopped by the Lindt chocolate factory outlet to pick up some much needed chocolates.
The hubbs got his new company car right before we left so we were able to take it on our trip. This a top of the line car with all the bells and whistles, some of those bells I could have done without. At one point we were going through a construction zone that required us to move back and forth over the white line in order to stay within the zone. The car started making weird noises and flashed a cup of coffee on the dash board with words saying driver alert or something to that nature. I busted out laughing because apparently us moving back and forth over that white line through the car into a frenzy. We got use to that one, then we were almost home and it started raining, there was a car in front of us that was turning. We were not even close to that car and our car started flashing red lets on the dash board that flashed across the windshield and a loud noise sounded and we abruptly slowed down. That scared me to death!
A note to car manufacturers all of that is enough to cause a wreck! We do not need lights flashing across the windshield and loud noised going off when we are trying to focus on the road. I told my husband he needed to figure out how to disable that crap quick!
A few pictures to finish up this post:
The quaint little antique store
One of the neat items we found, a note said it was not for sale.
The college had trolleys to take the parents around
This is the library
Stay tuned, I am waiting on pictures from the Cape from Sprat. He was going to visit there.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Traditional Salsa Day. . . .
The salsa verde was so good, the hubbs decided to try his traditional salsa by roasting the tomatoes rather than boiling them. I think it will give a good roasted flavor to the salsa. The hubbs is roasting his tomatoes now along with his jalapenos, garlic, and onion. This is going to give his salsa a different flavor from previous batches. This is in process so I will have to share how this one turns out later.
We are prepping to go to orientation later this month so, I am having to get paperwork all ready for physicals, immunization proof, and insurance proof. This is an exhausting process!!!
Sprat is going to get to meet his new coach and see some of his teammates that he has not seen since May. He had been hanging out with them before he came home for the Summer.
The first day of orientation is a FULL day of meetings and information, I hope he is ready for this transition. Stay tuned for this later in the month. . .
We are prepping to go to orientation later this month so, I am having to get paperwork all ready for physicals, immunization proof, and insurance proof. This is an exhausting process!!!
Sprat is going to get to meet his new coach and see some of his teammates that he has not seen since May. He had been hanging out with them before he came home for the Summer.
The first day of orientation is a FULL day of meetings and information, I hope he is ready for this transition. Stay tuned for this later in the month. . .
Finished Salsa Verde
Roasting tomatoes, jalapenos, and garlic
First batch of tomatoes roasted and cooling.
We have some cantaloupe and honey dew melon growing, no fruit just yet but the plants are big and beautiful.
Stay tuned for more garden fun and a round up on what we learned from our garden this year. We have decided we will definitely have a Fall garden.
Friday, July 12, 2019
Salsa Verde and Back to School. . .
The tomatillos are really coming in, these did better than we expected. The hubbs is very excited, one of his favorite places to eat has a very good salsa verde and he has been wanting to make some himself for a long time. Last night we made salsa verde. My job in the salsa business is operating the pesky blender and making sure everything blends smoothly. I have never eaten a tomatillo before, they have a consistency of an apple and are tart like a granny smith apple. I think that is what makes the salsa verde so different and delicious. It did not take that long to make either. I will share my hubbs recipe with you later. We almost have enough tomatoes to make traditional salsa too, I believe I am going to have a busy week. Sprat is getting ready for orientation at the new school later this month. He has his class schedule and had to get a new book bag. His old book bag, "Lil' Bean" that he carried all through middle school and high school. He named it "Lil' Bean" because it was an LL Bean bag. That was the best bag ever and lasted through middle school to complete his freshman year of college. That is a testament to the quality of their products, and no I am not being paid for these words. Honest mom opinion because, this kid could break and tear up everything. The reason we had to get a new one was the zippers broke. His Lil' Bean was not their top of line bag either, you know I am too frugal for that, especially with Sprat the Distructo kid. He went with a Swiss Gear bag this time, it has room for his laptop and seems really sturdy, it is also good for traveling by air with said lap top. I will let you know how it fares with Distructo the kid.
Big T is getting his supplies ready for school, he starts back the first of August. Big T's school gives their kids a back pack with their lap tops they are given at the first of every year. He already has his schedule and will be on the Community College campus this year for a couple of classes. Up to now he had been taking his college classes online. He will be taking classes in his career pathway this year and that is going to be a little more challenging.
I am afraid both boys are going to have challenging years this year, Sprat adjusting to a new school and new lacrosse teammates and coach and Big T adjusting to be on a college type campus and doing more work and harder classes.
Stay tuned as our house is tuned upside down. . .
Salsa Verde:
1 1/2 lbs tomatillos
1 med onion
4 cloves garlic
3 jalapeno peppers ( 2 cored and seeded)
1 bunch of cilantro
1 lime zest and juice
Broil your tomatillos in the oven with the peppers and garlic, Broil for about 6-8 minutes, tomatillos should be brown on top.
Set your tomatillos aside to cool, slice your one pepper with seeds in, core and seed the other two and slice, peel your garlic and chop your cilantro.
After everything is fairly cool, scoop some tomatillos in your blender alone with some of each of your peppers, cilantro, garlic, and onion, zest your lime and add some juice and then blend till smooth. I do this in batches so that it is all blended smoothly. Once everything is blended add a pinch of salt to taste and chill,
Enjoy!!
Big T is getting his supplies ready for school, he starts back the first of August. Big T's school gives their kids a back pack with their lap tops they are given at the first of every year. He already has his schedule and will be on the Community College campus this year for a couple of classes. Up to now he had been taking his college classes online. He will be taking classes in his career pathway this year and that is going to be a little more challenging.
I am afraid both boys are going to have challenging years this year, Sprat adjusting to a new school and new lacrosse teammates and coach and Big T adjusting to be on a college type campus and doing more work and harder classes.
Stay tuned as our house is tuned upside down. . .
Salsa Verde:
1 1/2 lbs tomatillos
1 med onion
4 cloves garlic
3 jalapeno peppers ( 2 cored and seeded)
1 bunch of cilantro
1 lime zest and juice
Broil your tomatillos in the oven with the peppers and garlic, Broil for about 6-8 minutes, tomatillos should be brown on top.
Set your tomatillos aside to cool, slice your one pepper with seeds in, core and seed the other two and slice, peel your garlic and chop your cilantro.
After everything is fairly cool, scoop some tomatillos in your blender alone with some of each of your peppers, cilantro, garlic, and onion, zest your lime and add some juice and then blend till smooth. I do this in batches so that it is all blended smoothly. Once everything is blended add a pinch of salt to taste and chill,
Enjoy!!
Monday, July 8, 2019
Homemade Ice Cream, Pickles, and Ticks. . .
Our office is open 365 days a year 24/7, we do not close for anything, not even bad weather. When you work in the medical field you learn that this is just how it is. Your family must also adjust. I do not mind it because I know I am making a difference in someones life, I usually do not get to see the end result but sometimes we get to hear wonderful stories of our recipients connecting with our donor families and that is amazing. That is what gets me through adjusting Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations with my family.
We do not do things traditionally in my household. This year I wanted to do the 4th more traditional. I had to work the night of the 3rd so, I slept most of the morning of the 4th but I had bought an ice cream churn that week and we were going to have homemade ice cream for the 4th. I told the hubbs about my idea and he grumbled, naturally, he does not like homemade ice cream. He says it is always runny and gross and he only liked chocolate. It was my mission to make the best homemade chocolate ice cream ever. I searched the internet all over to find what I thought was a good recipe. Turns out, I am the bomb when it comes to making ice cream, I even wowed the hubby. Best ever chocolate ice cream, it tasted and had the consistency of a Wendy's frosty. Yummm!! I bought a Hamilton Beach traditional ice cream churn and it worked wonders. I will do this again, it was easy and not messy at all, there was a little bit of a learning curve since I had never actually done this before. I will share my recipe later in this post.
We are getting cucumbers by the baskets full and I have made four jars of fridge pickles, I will share that recipe too. It is easy and no cook but you have to keep them in the fridge. We have eaten two jars and I gave one jar away and I made another jar yesterday. I also eat cucumbers just by themselves and I add them to my water with a little lemon. I have used a couple that got to big to eat on my eyes. LOL!! We do not waste in this house.
In between lacrosse and doing yard work for the ladies in the area Sprat has been fishing with his friends. They have evidently been fishing near a tick Hilton, Sprat has come home with several ticks on him each evening. On the 4th he came home with one attached to his shin, yuck!! He came to me and said, "Mama is this one attached?" I put my glasses on so I could see the little bugger and sure enough it was attached. I got the Vaseline and coated the tick, hoping it would let go, he did not. I worked on this bugger for a good bit before I got him off of my Sprat. The last time Big T had a tick I was not sure what kind it was so I took him and the tick to the doctor and they said it is there standard procedure to give anyone that has had a tick attached antibiotics. I scheduled Sprat an appointment to see the doctor. Sure enough they wanted to give him antibiotics. Sprat is allergic to almost all antibiotics and I have not been real keen on him taking any type of antibiotic. They wrote a prescription for one they did not have record of him being allergic. The hubbs and I worried and fretted over whether to give it to him or not. His reactions were not breathing trouble but that could be the next one. Long story short we are on day 3 of antibiotic with no reaction so far. Sprat is taking benadryl with the antibiotic to try and reduce any reaction he might have. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he will make it through this regimen.
On to the recipes:
Chocolate ice cream
3 cups heavy cream
2 cups half and half
2 cups whole milk
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
2 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
Mix dry ingredients first then add water, whole milk, half and half, and heavy cream
Get your churn set up and add your ice cream mixture. The churn said it would run for 20-40 minutes and cut off on it's own. Mine did not cut off so I checked it after about an hour and it was so fluffy and wonderful. I think it was fluffy and creamy because of the heavy cream and half and half.
We do not do things traditionally in my household. This year I wanted to do the 4th more traditional. I had to work the night of the 3rd so, I slept most of the morning of the 4th but I had bought an ice cream churn that week and we were going to have homemade ice cream for the 4th. I told the hubbs about my idea and he grumbled, naturally, he does not like homemade ice cream. He says it is always runny and gross and he only liked chocolate. It was my mission to make the best homemade chocolate ice cream ever. I searched the internet all over to find what I thought was a good recipe. Turns out, I am the bomb when it comes to making ice cream, I even wowed the hubby. Best ever chocolate ice cream, it tasted and had the consistency of a Wendy's frosty. Yummm!! I bought a Hamilton Beach traditional ice cream churn and it worked wonders. I will do this again, it was easy and not messy at all, there was a little bit of a learning curve since I had never actually done this before. I will share my recipe later in this post.
We are getting cucumbers by the baskets full and I have made four jars of fridge pickles, I will share that recipe too. It is easy and no cook but you have to keep them in the fridge. We have eaten two jars and I gave one jar away and I made another jar yesterday. I also eat cucumbers just by themselves and I add them to my water with a little lemon. I have used a couple that got to big to eat on my eyes. LOL!! We do not waste in this house.
In between lacrosse and doing yard work for the ladies in the area Sprat has been fishing with his friends. They have evidently been fishing near a tick Hilton, Sprat has come home with several ticks on him each evening. On the 4th he came home with one attached to his shin, yuck!! He came to me and said, "Mama is this one attached?" I put my glasses on so I could see the little bugger and sure enough it was attached. I got the Vaseline and coated the tick, hoping it would let go, he did not. I worked on this bugger for a good bit before I got him off of my Sprat. The last time Big T had a tick I was not sure what kind it was so I took him and the tick to the doctor and they said it is there standard procedure to give anyone that has had a tick attached antibiotics. I scheduled Sprat an appointment to see the doctor. Sure enough they wanted to give him antibiotics. Sprat is allergic to almost all antibiotics and I have not been real keen on him taking any type of antibiotic. They wrote a prescription for one they did not have record of him being allergic. The hubbs and I worried and fretted over whether to give it to him or not. His reactions were not breathing trouble but that could be the next one. Long story short we are on day 3 of antibiotic with no reaction so far. Sprat is taking benadryl with the antibiotic to try and reduce any reaction he might have. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he will make it through this regimen.
On to the recipes:
Chocolate ice cream
3 cups heavy cream
2 cups half and half
2 cups whole milk
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
2 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
Mix dry ingredients first then add water, whole milk, half and half, and heavy cream
Get your churn set up and add your ice cream mixture. The churn said it would run for 20-40 minutes and cut off on it's own. Mine did not cut off so I checked it after about an hour and it was so fluffy and wonderful. I think it was fluffy and creamy because of the heavy cream and half and half.
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