Midweek

I am so tired. Jim is away for the week, and restful night sleeps do not come easy while he is gone. I am used to the gentle whooshing of his c-pap and just well...his presence. Tofu is unsettled as well, she barks at every little noise throughout the night, something she never does when Jim is home. WE MISS YOU, Jim Kyte!!

Kate, Jim, and I ventured out to the Clinton outlets last Saturday. Once again I was so close to the ocean and did not see a single wave. We did however eat from the ocean. We stopped at Lenny & Joe's in Westbrook for lunch. Famous in CT for it's seafood, large portions, and casual dining. Yummy! Not much luck at the outlets. Kate bought a sundress at Gap, and I got Zach a shirt and some socks for John.

Today is Thursday, one more day until the weekend. Thats how I live now, counting the days until Saturday. Anyway, we have Kelley and Andrew's wedding on Saturday and I cannot wait for that. I can't believe that we will finally attend a "local" wedding. They are getting married in Naugatuck. Very cool to get married in the town that you grew up in.

The Weekend Begins

After a few trips to the Danbury Mall, a few meals out, and some on-line shopping, last night Kate and I completed her quest for an outfit for Nicki's wedding. We started at Lord and Taylor last weekend and boy oh boy did she have a blast trying on every dress. We only looked at the pricetags if the dress was up for contention...once we did, we hightailed it out of there pretty fast. Those designer names are pretty pricey. She finally settled on a lovely dress from White House-Black Market.
We had some viscious thunderstorms last night, and I have woken up to dense fog that looks like it may burn off. Jim and I had planned on traveling up to Misquamacut today...but his back/knee incident from last weekend made us think better of it. I have the need to do something summery. Float on a tube on a lake, pack a picnic lunch of barbecued chicken and potato salad and head into the woods, park a chair on the oceans edge and read a beachy novel, walk the cheesy boardwalk in Old Orchard beach, Maine... and get a henna tattoo, play a round of mini-golf with my kids...you get the idea.
Zach is counting down the days til "move in" at UNH. I am too, but not for the same reason. We both made a plan that each Tuesday until he leaves, we will do something fun...just the two of us. I love to have alone time with my kids. It is precious and rare and I know I will treasure these last few days before Zach "flys the coop".
Tofu is perched at the end of my chair, looking at me like..."enough with the computer...feed me". Have a great weekend everyone...do something summery and think of me!

I Would Love a Vacation...

and I want to go here... Cape Elizabeth, Maine!

Today is a great day for several reasons. First, I spent the better part of the day with Zachary. We spent the morning shopping for college supplies and then had a wonderful lunch at John's Cafe in Woodbury.
Second, I went for a physical today and although I still have to have bloodwork...I got a clean bill of health.
Third, David Cassidy returns to TV tonight in a new series on ABC Family. I know it's lame...but it makes me happy.

Nicole's Bridal Shower

This past weekend Kate and I attended my niece & godchild Nicole's Bridal shower in Brewster, Ma., hosted by her Mom and sisters. What a nice day and it was so great to be with my family. The only downside is that once again I was on the Cape and didn't get to see the ocean...so close...weird. Added bonus, Kate and I always have so much fun and great "talk" time when we get to spend that much time in the car. It was a great weekend.

Sisters...Amy,Megan,Kelly,and Nicole

+ 1, their Mom, my sister, Debbie.

+1, my Mom, Audrey

Kate and her Nana

Nicki got hot opening so many gifts...and got up to cool off

Whew...all done opening. Happy girl.

The future bride cuts the cake

Can't wait for the wedding!

Stuff

Jim's in the kitchen right now making pizza. I love his pizza. He is meticulous about making it so not only does it look wonderful, it is so delicious. Warm squishy dough, topped with homestyle sauce, fresh shredded mozzarella, and healthy veggie toppings. He cleans up all of the mess too. I LOVE pizza night!
This week has not been exactly great. Just a bunch of yucky stuff that makes my stomach ache and leads me to believe that I probably have an ulcer. On the other hand, the sun is shining, the sky is deep blue, there is a cool breeze ruffling the curtains and my husband is in the kitchen cooking. I am grateful for these things.
Kate and I are going up to Cape Cod for my niece Nicole's bridal shower tomorrow. It will be so great to smell the ocean air and see my family.
Sweet Cassie is still in the hospital and having a rough time. Jim and Zach will take the train down to see her tomorrow. She is probably not up for any company so they will probably just stick their heads in her room and maybe take John out for lunch and hug him.
The work ladies are so much nicer to me now. The work part is still insane. I have not cried at night about it for a few weeks, a true sign that things are looking up. Plus, my Tuesday's off have started. I actually got a manicure/pedicure last Tues. and it's silly, but it made me feel like my old self.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Pancakes

The holiday weekend begins today. We have absolutely no plans...by choice. The last few weeks have been busy and so it is really nice to have nothing to do. I am doing all of the laundry this morning so that Jim and I can spend the afternoon doing some errands and just getting out together. Kate and Zachary are both working today and Nick is visiting his fiancee Bre this weekend. The house is quiet and I am enjoying it.

I had some microwave pancakes this morning and tea out on the porch with my book. I think I enjoyed the last of the sun for the day. *I have a good recipe for pancakes that I make quite often. I always make an extra batch at the same time so that I can freeze some for a quick yummy breakfast. I put them in little stacks into ziploc bags and then the kids can have them later in the week. Here's the recipe...so easy

1 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

2 Tbls sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1 egg

1 1/4 cup milk

3 Tbls melted butter

Preheat griddle. Sift dry ingredients together. In seperate bowl, whisk egg and milk together. Add liquid ingr. to dry by whisking. Do not over mix. Whisk in melted butter. Allow batter to just sit for 5 minutes. Drop by 1/4 cupfuls onto hot griddle. You know the rest.

Some variations that I have tried:
*Add in about 1 cup peeled grated apple and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Cook and top with butter and confectioners sugar.
*Before turning pancakes sprinkle with fresh or frozen blueberries.
*Before pouring batter, place 4 or so thinly sliced bananas on the griddle. Pour batter over and cook as usual.

To freeze:
Pancakes should be completely cool, place 3 or so in individual ziploc bags. Freeze.

To reheat:
Microwave frozen stack for 1 minute. Seperate and place pat of butter between each. Microwave again for approx 2 min or until hot.
Here is where I got my recipe. Jim's Mom gave me this cookbook when she moved from Stratford to NY. It is inscribed on the front cover...To Arlene Love Mother 1963. I use it all of the time. It has the basic things that I can't seem to commit to memory...like how many minutes per pound to cook a roast, or how to boil a live lobster.


My frozen stack of pancakes. Not to appetizing frozen...

but they were so good!