stop Stop STOP!

My birthday was a couple of days ago, and my sweet and generous daughter took us (her, me, and her 2 kids) to Outback for dinner. Nice place, high prices (2 adults and 1 kids meal, a bit over $64!). Dark in there. Cloth napkins.

Anyway...

By the time we got there, almost 2-year-old Z was sound asleep. He gave up daytime naps about a month or so ago, and whenever we go anywhere in the car, it's a sure bet he'll soon be zzzzz-ing. Not why he's called Z, altho it could be. He's at the stage where he's chattering all day long, and saying lots of real words in with his chatter, but still lots of gibberish, too. He'll also surprise you, and pop out with a perfectly articulated short sentence or several words every now and then, appropriate to what's going on. He can generally make himself understood. He didn't stir until we ordered dessert.

I had the baby back ribs (waiter talked me into the full order, altho I really only wanted the half order), sweet potato with some butter and brown sugar, and that was IT. The ribs really were "fall off the bone" tender, and the sweet potato was perfect. No soup, no salad, altho of course, those could be added for more money. I didn't need soup or salad, I couldn't eat all I had as it was, it's just the thought. I also had a Diet Coke.

Krystal had the prime rib (I think she asked for 8 oz), and baked potato. Hers came with salad, I think. She had French and Ranch dressings. The French was their house dressing, and she liked it a lot. It was pretty good. The croutons were good, too, I had one of them. :) Her steak, tho, was a little underdone and not very tender.

Krystal also ordered a Bloomin' Onion. Outback gives them free to active duty soldiers when they come in to eat, but unfortunately not to spouses/families even if the soldier is deployed. Yep, we asked. :)

Alhena had some of Krystal's salad, and ordered grilled chicken and brocolli from the kids' menu. Good selections on that and plenty to feed both kids. It's on the back of a thin coloring book they give the kids, along with one of those small packs of colors (holds 2 or 3). Z slept on.

Dinner took a long time to come, but the service was good. I didn't have to ask for a drink refill except once. They also serve a little loaf of dark bread, which was very good, except it would be better if they served it with a sharper knife. It squashed a little in the cutting, which you have to do yourself. I didn't mind, I like cutting little loaves of bread. :)

Dinner was very pleasant and we all enjoyed it very much. Then, dessert. Mine was free, a scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. I gave Alhena my cherry, altho I like 'em, too. That's just what Grandmas do. Krystal ordered the brownie topped with ice cream, topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls. There were hints of nuts in the brownie. Hers was way better than mine, but mine was free.

Anyway, as I said, Z waited until dessert came to wake up, and then he was hungry! Krystal's sharing her dessert with the kids, and I'm sharing mine with Alhena. So, we're just eating away, and talking, and Krystal gives Z a bite. Then, Krystal takes a bite. Krystal takes another bite, and Z is watching intently. His brow furrows. Krystal takes another bite, and Z frowns. As Krystal goes to take another bite, Z suddenly bursts out with "stop Stop STOP!" We realize at the same time exactly what he means, and we both crack up laughing. Krystal gave Z the bite, and we laughed til we cried.

We cried inwardly when the bill came!

3 Minute Cake-in-a-Mug Reviewed

So, I found this recipe on the internet some time ago. It's a Cake-in-a-Mug, takes about 3 minutes to cook in the microwave. I was looking for something sweet, but not a whole cake, cause I know I would want to eat the whole thing! I'd heard of this before, but didn't do anything with it. I came across it again, and sent it to my male friend, who (he freely admits it) can't cook. But his raving favorite dessert is chocolate cake, like his Gramma used to make; you know, 2 layers, half an inch of chocolate icing all the way around each layer, including in the middle; he'd eat the whole thing, too. I made him a whole thing once, and I think I got one piece out of it. :) I never heard back if he made the mug cake or not, I'll have to ask him.

ANYWAY, so I'm sitting at home babysitting tonite, after a light dinner, watching a movie. Just me and Z (1 1/2 years old), and we needed something sweet and chocolately to finish the movie with. I remembered this cake, so I looked it up (I'd saved it in my recipe collection, of course!) and made it. It's cooling now, as I type this. When it's done cooling, I'll let you know how it tastes.

A couple of notes to note. 1. DO use a larger size dish bowl or dish to bake it in. I'm not even sure the revised 2cup Pyrex is deep enuff for how high this cake rises! I kept turning the microwave off and letting the cake sink back down below the mug's rim, and on until it finished it's time. I gave it 2 minutes. Toothpick came out clean at the end of that time. Krystal has a really good, strong microwave. 2. I mixed all the dry ingredients in a bowl instead of in the mug, then stirred them to blend, then added the wet ingredients and stirred them into the dry ingredients all at once. I think I avoided overmixing.

AND NOW for the tasting! I will return...

And I'm back. Z and I enjoyed the cake immensely! However, keep in mind that he is only 1 1/2 years old, and I love sweets and chocolates, and just ain't that picky.

I maybe should have given it a full 3 minutes, instead of only 2. Or maybe if I hadn't kept turning the microwave off and on...but then it's likely it would have overflowed the mug, even tho the mug I used was larger than average.

So, the first thing was the consistency. It was kind of rubbery. This might just be a hazard of microwaving cake, or maybe had to do with over cooking or under cooking. Not sure. Anyway, it wasn't light and fluffy.

I served it turned out of the mug, into a bowl, cut it up into bite size chunks, and sprinkled powdered sugar over it. As for taste, in my opinion, the recipe should call for a pinch or a sprinkle, at least, of salt. The other thing, again, was the strange consistency. Other than those 2 things, it was good. (Remember, if it's sweet and it's chocolate, I'll eat it.) Overall, it's an ok snack if you want something sweet and chocolate and quick. But it's no match for a real layers cake covered in half inch deep chocolate icing all over. May as well go ahead and bring on the ice cream, too, in that case.

Sorry no pictures. We're camera poor around here these days.

I MADE A HAT!

I crocheted a hat! I wasn't sure I could do it, but I did it! :D

Not today, tho, a little after Thanksgiving.

So very cool. It took too long, I did it in spurts. It probably should have taken a day.

I looked up some patterns, stitches, and stuff online. I love online, it's the single greatest invention ever! Then, I started with a "magic ring" and double crocheted in rounds. A little sloppy at the start, working more a spiral than rounds. Then, I got the rhythm. I have a few holes from improper decreasing of stitches, but they're hardly noticeable. Really.

I'd love to post a picture of it, but sadly, no camera. :( Nope, not even on my cell phone, it's old and didn't come with a camera, believe it or not. I'll get one later and post it.

(picture will go here when I get one :))

Next project: a bikini?!?!

Alhena IS Santa Claus!

Alhena is 3, just turned 3 at the beginning of October. Shortly before Christmas, she became Santa Claus.  

Of course, she'd been hearing murmurings about Santa since Halloween, just like the rest of us. Then, along came Thanksgiving, and Christmas was suddenly full blown and looming on the horizon, getting closer every day. Watching tv and cartoons, Santa was suddenly appearing in nearly every one. Alhena quickly picked up that Santa was coming (to HER HOUSE!) and bringing "presents", altho she may not have known what "presents" was yet. She knew it was good. 

She was so excited, HE was coming to HER HOUSE! And bringing HER presents!   

Alhena and Z have a classic rocking horse, with the rocker base that isn't open under the horse. It has leather-looking strips for the mane and tail.  

Alhena and Z also have a yellow Sit and Spin.  

Alhena puts "presents" under the horse (she's figured out "presents" are toys) on the rocker part. She places the the Sit and Spin behind the rocking horse, and sits on the part that sticks up, that you hold onto. She takes 2, and only 2, very specific strips from the horse's tail, and holds one in each hand. 

She is magically transformed into Santa, with sleigh, presents, and reindeer! "HO HO HO! Merry Christmas to ALL!" she says. 

She distributes the presents to whoever happens by: Mom, Grandma, friends.  What a smart and imaginative little girl!

You Never Forget Your "First"(s)

Well, when you're my age, you do!

Hi, this is my first "real" experience blogging. This will just be a some stuff from my life, I think; whatever I feel like expressing, a little bit of me. :)

Below are some previous blogs I wrote and posted at my MySpace account. They make a nice introduction, I think. I hope you enjoy them and come back again. :)

August 16, 2009 - Sunday

wo Current mood: blessed My grand daughter Alhena has changed so much in the last week or two. She's gone from a baby-like 2 year old to a 2 year old going on 30, in the blink of an eye. She'll be 3 in October. Alhena's speech has cleared up astoundingly. You can now understand most of what she says with "stranger's ears", when before, you could understand her easily, but only after you developed "momma ears". What was for so long called "wo", with a long "o", is "wo" no more, she now calls it "water" with ease. She's accepted now that many words have more than just one syllable. She does still have her Italian-ish way of speaking, what I call her accent, for now. There are many ways that Alhena has become a little girl and given up being a baby. She's potty training, amazingly well. Her idea. She strips off the diaper quickly after she gets up in the morning, and it's often still dry, in favor of panties. She makes it thru full days with the panties, whether we go to the store or to the park, or just stay home. Alhena truly misses her daddy, he's been called to serve his country in Iraq for the next year, at least. Alhena, of course, is too young to understand why Papa, as she calls him, doesn't come home anymore. We've told her he's working. She told Mama to go to work and get him and tell him it's time to come home now. Out of the mouths of babes! Her attitude about things is so much more adult than it was before. By the way, she can also pronounce "attitude" with ease, with all 3 syllables! This almost 3 year old has more than her fair share of beauty and grace and intelligence. I can't wait to experience age 3 with her and the rest of the family! I'm already missing her "wo"! 6:32 PM 0 Comments (Add Comment) | 0 Kudos Translate Edit Remove

June 5, 2009 - Friday

"Quote" The fox told the little prince this "secret": "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." From The Little Prince Now I want to read, or re-read, whichever the case may be, this story again.:) The Secret 9:45 PM 0 Comments (Add Comment) | 0 Kudos Translate Edit Remove

May 20, 2009 - Wednesday

The Price of Children Current mood: content Copied from an email, I don't know who wrote it originally. But it touched me. Hope it will touch you, too. The Price of Children This is just too good not to pass on to all. Here is something absolutely positive for a change. I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's nice. The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into: * $8,896.66 a year, * $741.38 a month, * $171.08 a week. * A mere $24.24 a day! * Just over a dollar an hour. Still, you might think the best financial advice is: don't have children if you want to be 'rich.' Actually, it is just the opposite. What do you get for your $160,140.00? * Naming rights. First, middle, and last! * Glimpses of God every day. * Giggles under the covers every night. * More love than your heart can hold. * Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs. * Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies. * A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate. * A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites. * Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day. For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to: * finger-paint, * carve pumpkins, * play hide-and-seek, * catch lightning bugs, * never stop believing in Santa Claus. You have an excuse to: * keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, * watch Saturday morning cartoons, * go to Disney movies, and * wish on stars. You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodlewreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day. For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for: * retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, * taking the training wheels off a bike, * removing a splinter, * filling a wading pool, * coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and * coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless. You get a front row seat in history to witness the: * First step, * First word, * First bra, * First date, * First time behind the wheel. You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match... In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!! Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren!!!!!!! It's the best investment you'll ever make!!!!!!!!! As Grandma enjoying my grandkids these days, I totally agree! 12:24 AM 0 Comments (Add Comment) | 0 Kudos Translate Edit Remove

April 30, 2009 - Thursday

What is a "PANDEMIC", anyway?? People are familiar with the word "epidemic", but what the heck is a "pandemic"?? This is what I found when I looked it up. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-an-epidemic-and-a-pandemic.htm To read the full article, use the link above. But, basically: My interpretation is that a pandemic is much worse than an epidemic, affecting more people in a larger area. To quote, "In the most extreme case, the global population is affected by a pandemic." Swine Flu: Level 5, pandemic is imminent. What can YOU do? Um, wash your hands a lot. Use the alcohol hand gels when you can't wash your hands. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, mouth. Stay home when you're sick (yeah, your boss is gonna like that), keep your kids home when they're sick (your boss will like that one, too). Stay informed (www.cdc.gov). So, try to stay healthy, ok? Love You. PS Paris, not eating pork won't help you not get this flu! 2:54 AM 1 Comments (Add Comment) | 0 Kudos Translate Edit Remove