School, food, Life

A week and half of school is done!  PHEW how many more do we have to go?  Dont get me wrong my kids love school.  I feel like i have been behind the eight ball lately…trying to play catch up from the summer, then feeling unmotivated to get anything done, like upload pictures from my camera and such!  OMG  since the middle of July there were well over 300 pictures that needed attention!!  It looks like through the pictures it was a great summer! Oh my!

Well it was back to school night, and we all know how much i like those things….okay I really do not like them.  I know i know it is all in my head.  I know i am insecure about the fact i am flying solo on this parenting thing, but i feel like there is a huge spot light on my back as i sit in the front of the gym.  SHE’S THE SINGLE PARENT OF THE CRAZY EXHUSBAND.

Well i do not know any of these parents other to say hello.  Not like any are my friends.  Close to the end of the talk from teh principal i started counting my fingers as i got nervous sitting there.  I looked around and even the gay guys sitting in front of me had each other.  AGGHHHH!!  Deep breath it is over…and really it is about Jordan and no one else.  He is a smart kid he just needs to apply himself!

On to other things, today while eating lunch with a great friend, I reconized someone from my married days.  She was the mother of my exhusbands best man.  She was an amazing woman.  She was always so kind to me.  Even after the divorce she called.  She asked what happened, and i must have felt comfortable enough to tell her.  She even lives in the same town i do.  but as time has gone on, and chester made me feel crazy and isolated, i lost touch.  Well today, I saw her, and all i could think of was my dad, my dad telling me that if you see someone you know, you must go up and say hello.  UGH, i struggled with it, but i did, i went up and said hello.  She did not recognize me at first, but i had my name tag on from work.  and once she realized who i was, (with great fear i was going to be rejected) she hugged me!  It was awesome, but i was still oh so nervous.  I did the right thing.  We chatted for a bit, I was so happy to see her.  She was very warm and welcoming.  Verying good to see her, and i hope to be in touch with her again.  I am so glad i said hello.  I worried so much in those few minutes.  I mean it has been over 1 1/5 years since i have seen chester, what if he had been filling her with lies.  But he had not, she asked about him and if we saw him.  She was sad to hear he was no longer allowed to talk with us or see us, but she also understood it was for the best for the boys.  I have to always remind myself that i did nothing wrong and the divorce was not my fault.  Thank heavens for my dad, his voice reminded me to do the right thing.

So i have been making green smoothies for breakfast.  Well Carrie wanted to try the blueberry bliss one, so i made her the blueberry bliss, i made a peach and basil for myself and a sampler for Amanda!!  YUMMY!! I like this eating more fresh fruits and veggies!! Still only have lost 24 lbs!  UGHHHH

Lastly, we had a sushi night at my house with the STS gang.  It was great fun. It is nice to make and eat food together! Even the kids got into it a little.  Jordan eating salmon!! YUMMY!!

Food Friday: Apple avocado Salad with Tangerine dressing

So I have to tell you I have been concentrating on eating better and exercising.  I see a wonderful health counselor.  I feel as though she understands me and is helping me to make life changes.  Not necessarily a “diet” but a healthier lifestyle.  She is awesome!

As i said i see a personal trainer! I LOVE him.  I think I would have given up going to the gym with out him.  Funny story, when i first went, i said to him, “Look, I know I am a princess, I tell people what to do, I am the boss at work and as much as I do not like to admit it, I like it. So I am not sure how this is ever going to work”  Well the first couple of sessions, I was very unsure of what we were doing.  And he finally said to me, ” I do not take no for an answer” UGH.  But you know what?  He is awesome!  He keeps me in line, encourages me to continue, shows me that I am stronger than i think, he believes in me as well.  When we first met, he told me he thinks i should be working out “cardio” 6 days a week! Holy shit, i believed he was on crack.  I was going from NO EXERCISE to 6 days a week? Are you kidding me?  Well I am up to four days a week minimum now.  I hate to admit it, but I kinda like going.  It is time for me, and only me.  I feel as though i have more energy! I love that!  Plus I have lost 15lbs! PHEW! who knew!??

Well I figured I would share an awesome recipe that i found and changed to be more what i like! Try it and let me know what you think! This is awesome!!

Apple Avocado Salad with Tangerine Dressing

• 1 (10 ounce) package baby greens
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 apple – peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 avocado – peeled, pitted and diced
• 4 mandarin oranges, juiced
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, toss together the baby greens, red onion, walnuts, blue cheese, and lemon zest. Mix in the apple and avocado just before serving.
2. In a container with a lid, mix the mandarin orange juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, and salt. Drizzle over the salad as desired.

Well enjoy the 4th!  Big plans! Parties to go to!  Good times!  I promise to post pictures of my brother on the billboard!

Do you still remember me? it has been a while….

Oh my goodness, it has been almost a month since i last posted.  Boy it has been one hell of a month.  Mom always said, if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. I have had NOTHING nice to say.  But today i am dipping me toes back into the water.  It was a bumpy start to the weekend, more like it has been one hell of a ride hang on tight, then i let go. phew, it hurt when i hit the wall.

Today was a wonderful warm summer like day! Hard to believe summer is upon us!  I helped my brother get the boat ready for the water.  Then i got distracted by all the wonderful flowers at my moms.  We had dinner together and now home….here are a few of the pictures!

Past two days! if only all of them could be like this!!

Phew what a cool couple of days.  Okay so life has been rocky.  But the past two days have been pretty cool….

Friday i went to work.  Got work done! interviewed someone for the summer job…hoped on the bus to go to a match wtih the sailing team!!

Off to the middle of Rhode Island to sail two matches one day!  The first match, the kids had to sail boat they were not used to, and did not do as well. The score was 2-1 and they lost.    But then they switched boats, into 420s, and they were happy little clams! They raced their little hearts out and beat the other team, 3-0!!  Oh i am so proud of them and here is a pic of WINNING!!

So home i came on the bus,ugh, but it was not so bad, sat in the front and had a few good conversations with the kids. I was text messaging with a friend, saying KID FREE WEEKEND!! Out to dinner we went!  OMG it was great! Great food, I had the best martini, oatmeal cookie! YUMMMY i think i could have thrown back a few more but had to drive home!

Saturday Morning, i was dragging my butt out of bed as I just could not sleep!  UGH! but off to the seaport for a frostbite regatta!  I have wonderful staff that take care of itall.  all i had to do was show up!  I did! and what a wonderful day!  The weather man said rain, but there was NO RAIN and it was a gorgeous day, nice breeze and I got to ride around in the crash boat!  Carrie came down with the cutest dogs ever!!  here is a few perfect pictures of the day!

Then off to an awards party.  (I so HATE THOSE just way to close to people. )  Got a plaque for the sponsoring the regatta!  and a cocktail glass! YEAH!  Then rush home to change out of my salty clothes and out to dinner!  YEAH for such a great friend!  Good drink, good food, good friend!

I am tired and sunburn, i think i am going to bed! I have a house to clean tomorrow! then back to work!  But how can i complain when i get to be on the water???

Food Friday: Pork Tenderloin with Honey butter

Okay so it is Saturday!    I am going to try and upload pictures from the, as i have kept my camera in my pocket all week.  Interesting to say the least….

This goes along with Sara’s five things….it has only five ingredients and let me tell you it is sooo good!!  Thanks to Martha Stewart here is the recipe:

Pork Tenderloin with Honey Butter

Ingredients

Serves 4.

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin, trimmed, thin end folded up and tied
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a Dutch oven or ovenproof skillet, heat the butter and honey over medium-low heat, stirring to melt butter. Season the pork with salt and pepper and place in pan. Cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat if honey begins to burn.
2. Transfer to oven, and roast until pork is cooked to 145 degrees, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer pork to a plate.
3. Add water to pan, and place on stove over medium heat, cook stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits. Add any accumulated pork juices from the plate, and simmer until sauce is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Slice pork on the diagonal, and serve drizzled with the sauce.

FOOD FRIDAY: Pecan crusted chicken

So i have not forgotten it is food friday.  Life has been a bit chaotic, i have so many things i would love to chat about, perhaps tomorrow.  But i found this recipe and made it this past weekend! It was SOOO good! we had it with carrots and risotto! Sooo yummy!  My only note to this would be to make sure you finely chop the pecans!  Otherwise awesome dish!!  Enjoy!

Pecan crusted chicken breasts

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons real maple syrup

1 cup chopped pecans

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

1. On waxed paper, combine pecans, flour, and salt.
2. Brush chicken breasts all over with maple syrup. Coat chicken breasts completely with nut mixture.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and stir in the vegetable oil. Add chicken, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until chicken is browned on all sides and tender.

“I have 15 brothers and sisters?”

What has it been a week?  GEEZ…what am i doing? totally falling behind.  I feel lately like i am the person who just missed the bus and i am running to catch up.  I have not really caught my breath.  I feel a bit unfocused, unsure, nervous…just the way it goes i guess.

Jordan has been asking questions about being adopted.  WOW. I really thought i would be ready for this.  The twins are biological so i do not have as much explaining to do.  At dinner i like to ask the kids how the days were and so on.  Then i like to open it up to any questions. they can ask anything and i will answer to the best of my ability. PHEW, I know this is opening a huge bag of worms but i really want my kids to feel comfortable talking to me and asking questions and so on.  I remember as a kid feeling lost and not sure what i could ask and so on. i always felt my parents did not understand me, oh wait they still do not.  something for anther day…

Question night, opened like any other night….

Me…So who has a question for me…anything…

Jordan…why was I adopted?

Me….Well sometimes parents have children and cannot care for them the way they want to.  Sometimes parents have a hard time taking care of themselves and out of love they ask for help with their children.  Those babies and children are so special, loved by so many people.

Jordan…okay. did my mom have any other children.

ME (inside thought was HOLY SHIT, now WHAT?) well yes she did….

Jordan….one? Me…nope.  Jordan..two? Me …Nope and so it went….

Jordan with a look of horror, 17?

Me….nope, 16!  I told him he had 15 bothers and sisters.

Jordan…a bit stunned by this information, you could see his brain just turning…. he finally asked do any of my brothers and sisters live with my mom?

Me…no all of your brothers and sisters have been adopted by family, friends, and loving parents.  I told him his oldest sister was about 24 years old and that he was number 10 in the family order.  So quite a few of his siblings were adults now.

By now, the shock of this was a bit overwhelming. I am not sure he understood. I am not ready to tell him his mom was addicted to drugs.  Raymond and Nathaniel trying to understand this.

We talked about if he wanted to know more about his mom and dad when.  If we could find his brothers and sisters.  I assured him, when he turns 18 I have all the information to find everyone.  It was his choice.

So I know letting the kids ask questions opens up doors that I may not be comfortable opening but I want them to feel comfortable to ask.  I know there is going to be a lot of explaining to do.  I want to answer their questions and give them enough of an answer to satisfy their curiosity.  Not to much.  I am sure there will be more questions. I will never be ready but I will do my best.

When i thought Jordan did not understand….in the car today he said to me….so if i have a sister that is 24 and brothers in their 20’s does this mean i could be an uncle?

I just did not have the heart to tell him in fact he was an uncle at least once.  I am sure there are more.

Food Friday: Slow cookers!

Alright, so back on this food friday thing!  I have to tell you sometimes i just want someone else to cook dinner.  But you know with a little prep i can have the illustion that someone else cooked if i use my crock pot!  Today I am posting one of my favorites!  It is cool because i know it serves something like 10 people but it freezes well!  I just package it up in little plastic bags with mini dinners for left over night!

Enjoy! It is easy and good to eat!  I got this recipe from the McCormick’s website! They have some great packets!!  I know i have also taken a bottle of BBQ sauce and dumped it in a crock pot and cooked for hours.  This recipe has just the right spice for me!

Makes 10 servings.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH

3 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast, well trimmed

1 package MCormick® Slow Cookers BBQ Pulled Pork Seasoning

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/3 cup cider vinegar

1. Place pork in slow cooker. Mix Seasoning, ketchup, brown sugar and vinegar until blended. Pour over pork. Cover.

2. Cook 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH. Remove pork from slow cooker.

3. Shred pork, using 2 forks. Return pork to slow cooker. Mix and heat with sauce before serving. Serve on sandwich rolls, if desired.

IMPORTANT: For best results, do not remove cover during cooking.

Substitute: Use 3 pounds boneless pork loin roast in place of the pork shoulder roast.

What’s for dinner?

Now I am not sure if you all struggle with this too…what is for dinner…well i used to fly by the seat of my pants. But when I did that I seemed to have the same thing over and over again or order out….since school has started I decieded to write a menu. I have to say it has worked well but now that i have done this for three weeks or so, I am out of ideas.

It helps that i write the menu on a dry erase board that goes on the fridge. Then the kids can look on the board to see what is for dinner. I have been asking them what they want for dinner, even got a kid cook book so they could help make the meals….

on the menu this week we have “lazy day lasagna”, one skillet chicken, turkey burgers, creamy baked chicken, fish (what ever looks good at the fish market tomorrow), shepards pie….and then we have veggies, brocc., beans, squash and salad.

so what do other people have for dinner?