Turkey Dinner, Family, Black Friday

Mom came to visit. Alli was thrilled to share her room with my mom. She absolutely loves waking up in the morning and staring/smiling at my mom. Dom loves having his Nuna around too. She reads and plays with the kids way more than I take the time to (basically, she spoils them with attention). Sean enjoys mom coming too because she and he argue over trivial scientific crap that doesn't really interest me.

And then there's me...I LOVE having my mom here visiting (and whooping me in cribbage-I will admit she did beat me into the ground this visit), especially over Thanksgiving. We are not big shoppers, but we thrive on Black Friday sales. This time we hit Walmart at 3:20 am (we tried to do the Old Navy thing at 3am, but even though the flyer said they would be open, they were NOT open until 5)! We didn't want a laptop or a big screen tv, thank goodness, because all the numbers were already given out when we arrived there. We did get all the electronics, toys, housewares, etc, that we wanted and only had to stand in short lines. We used the electronics counter checkout and sped up the process (and begged people to let us through to exit the store). After Walmart, we went to Old Navy (though we missed out on the free video game) and managed to get some good deals on kids clothing. Then to a couple of more stores for a dog pillow for Polly and a few other miscellaneous items.

After all the shopping was done and we were about ready to fall over (around 7:20am), we went out to breakfast at the Breakfast Club. My friend was able to join us and we had an enjoyable time girl chatting and being silly at an ungodly time of the day (actually it wasn't that crazy early by this point, but considering we had all been up since around 2 it was still kinda absurd)!


Oh, I forgot to mention the Turkey Dinner. It was fabulous! Cat, my sister in law, did a great job cooking. I helped a little, but she mostly cooked and decorated like Martha Stewart. We had dinner at their home and played a few games, but didn't stay too long because both my brother and his wife were slightly under the weather. We did have an enjoyable time with them though...and it was good to see them.

Special Lunch with a Special Little Boy

Yesterday was Dom's big 5 birthday. I decided that I would surprise him and take him to lunch at one of his favorite spots...Wingers! I picked him up from the sitter a little early and we, just the two of us, went out to lunch. He was very excited and kept referring to our lunch date as a 'special lunch with special people'. I let him order anything he wanted from the kid menu - he chose wings, something he had seen Sean eat but had never had before. He ate ALL four wings and nearly all the fries. We even got him a slice of asphalt pie to take home for free since it was his b-day. He was so pleased and it made him feel so special. For me, the two best parts were how happy it made him AND that he wanted to sit next to me in the booth instead of across from me because 'special people on a special lunch, just the two of them, sit next to eachother' according to Dom. It made my day too! :D

Mom, It's Your Birthday...

Thanks for all the care and love you give, not to mention the meals... (This is the song that Candice sings to her mom on Phineas and Ferb...I thought it would be sweet on my birthday, but was actually surprised at what I liked better):

Dominic sang me 'Happy Birthday' and it melted my heart. I sure do love him! (even though he was sicker than a dog, he still sung to me...) aww.

3 Weekend Happenings

1. I made venison and pork summer sausage from scratch (yep, I ground the meat, added the seasonings & cure, and even stuffed the darn casings all with my own two hands {and my stand mixer})! It took FOREVER. Twelve Hours in the oven! Sean says it tastes great and both kids ate it too. I am not the biggest fan, but maybe that is because I have this strange phobia since I know exactly where it came from.

2. Sean and I cleaned up the shop. For all who have seen our shop...this is a miracle! We needed to make space for our tent camper for the winter so that the snow load doesn't crack the roof anymore this year. But, the crazy thing that happened when we were cleaning is that I GOT STUNG BY A YELLOW JACKET IN NOVEMBER!!! Can you believe that?!? It sure hurt, but with quick ice on it, the swelling was minimal...thank goodness!

3. I made a quick Chicken Noodle Soup from scratch for dinner last night and it was fabulous if I might brag a little! I semi-thawed three chicken breasts in the microwave then cut them into about 1x1 square chunks. I added the chunks to a pot that already had cut up carrots, celery, and onion in it. I added one can of reduced sodium chicken broth and some water. I put the pot on high and brought to a boil, then reduced to medium. At the same time I cooked some egg noodles in a separate pot. I skimmed the chicken fat off the top of the chicken pot, then added the strained egg noodles (when they were semi-soft) and continued to simmer on low for about 5 more minutes. I served the dish with croissants and pepper (since I didn't add any to the soup for the kid's sake). Everyone raved and the best part is that from start to on the table it took less than 1 hour!

Chicken Fried Chicken

This was so simple and so yummy. My entire family (except the picky 2 year old) enjoyed this chicken!

3 Chicken Breasts
Some Flour
Three Eggs mixed up w/a fork
Some Panko Breading
2 Tbs butter

Dip Chicken in Flour, then Egg, then coat with Panko.
Fry in 1/2 the Butter in a 12x12 counter top skillet. Cook approx 8-10 min each side on 250 w/the pan covered. (Don't forget the rest of the butter when you flip the chicken...) Make sure the juices run clear before you try to eat it!

I served the super-juicy/tender chicken with canned country gravy w/sausage in it. We also had instant mashed potatoes (because I was lazy and didn't feel like doing my own potatoes - though I wish I had, they are sooo much better) and canned peaches.


Tonight we are having Lasagna from scrath w/garlic bread. Mmmm. I LOVE my mom's lasagna recipe! I will hook you all up with it as soon as I can!

Cheese

I like control. I like to cook because then I can control what goes into the dish. I get to choose the ingredients, spices, etc. I am in control. Some may call me a control freak. I tend to agree on most levels. I am trying though. I am trying to let loose just a tiny little bit. I have started letting the kids get dirty and not freaking out. They will wash and it isn't going to kill either me or them. I have started letting them help me pick up toys. I hate the toys to be in an unorganized fashion (all large blocks together, duplos together, dolls together), but I am trying to let go for the sake of my children and my sanity. I am trying. I complain because no one offers to help in the house, but I have realized it is because I don't let them help and I don't often hear/notice the little one's requests to assist. Sometimes it is more difficult to allow the kids to 'help' then it is to just do it myself. Control freak. That's me. But, to show I am getting better:

Dominic asked if he could grate the cheese for me for last night's nachos and quesadillas that we had for dinner (yeah, I am not a fancy cook all the time!). I let go and actually said yes. I am not sure who was more shocked; me for letting go or Dom for me actually letting him help. I had him wash his hands while I cut a child friendly portion of cheese to be grated. And then, deep sigh, I handed the cheese and grater over to the almost 5 year old. I also asked if he needed me to show him how and was met with, 'Mom, I watch you cook all the time. I haven't done it before, but I am pretty sure I can.' Such a big boy. So wise for his age. And, even wiser, he did know how and he did an AWESOME job. And I let him. I let go. Hopefully, I will have the strength to let go a little more often when he asks to help me...