Crockpot Challenge

Early in the summer I decided to challenge myself to use my Crock Pot this summer--twice. I could make a recipe I know to be good, but one of them had to be something new.

I had heard a Food Network Star talk about the Crock Pot being an underused tool in the summer, and thought hmmm, that makes sense to me. Generally associated with roasts and comfort food, and relegated to fall and winter (guilty), it cooks without heating up the kitchen--a bonus in summer. And just as coming home to a roast dinner after school/work in the winter delights the senses, coming home to a meal after a day at the beach or the pool rocks. Right? Only thing between you and dinner is a shower. Maybe a fresh roll. No sweating over a stove or grill. Works for me.

Well, I got right on my self-imposed challenge and tried a new recipe. I made buffalo chicken and was happy with the results. So were Liz, Jim, Deanna, and Chris who all got a sample. (Unfortunately it didn't really photograph well.)

And then the summer got away from me. Fortunately, I am my mother's daughter and had a 3 pound shoulder roast in the freezer. (Get this: it was on sale for 1.99/pound, and had a $2 off sticker on it because it was the end of the sale week, so I only paid $4.63 for it!) Aware that I had not met my Crock Pot challenge and had only this weekend left to do so, I took the roast out to thaw earlier this week.

As I write, I'm less than eight hours away from a bbq pulled pork sandwich. So I'm off to the store for some fresh rolls and cole slaw and then headed to the pool with my hilarious book.

Challenge complete.

last time it looked like this

Big Yawn

I had every intention of heading out to the pool after school today, but when I got in (after hearing other people's children (OPC) at the pool) and was faced with the choice of my super soft and cool tank jammie dress (read: modern house dress) and my spandex bathing suit that would be a challenge to put on  yank up my sweaty body, I went with the tank dress.

I took a few deep breaths and made myself a snack and considered again going out to the pool. Then I remembered the sounds of OPC and the fact that's I have 3 days to enjoy the pool this weekend and I decided to stay in.

I read. I had another round of snacks and called it dinner. I napped on the couch. For an hour. With a blanket! And because already I'm yawning and ready for bed and it's not even 10, I know I made the right choice.

Good night. Happy weekend.

I Get It... Again

As some of you may know, summer was difficult—especially my last week of vacation. My aunt passed away after a sudden illness. (Rest in peace, Ciocia.) Her wake was Friday; her funeral was Saturday. On Sunday I felt like I got hit by a Mack truck. I could have used another week to recuperate, but alas another week was not to be had.

I started school on Monday. I spent the day in professional development sessions while trying to adjust to the idea of being back at school. I went home and hibernated/hid/avoided everything but Zynga. (See previous post about Zynga being the devil.)

On Tuesday I sweat like I was having hot flashes in hell. And by hell I mean fire and brimstone hell. (This time anyway.) I put up my bulletin boards and got textbooks out of bookshelves and got ready for the first day of kids. Early in the day it rained something fierce; when I left at 3 it was sunny and bright.

Tempted as I was to hide in my air-conditioned house when I got home, I decided instead to get in my bathing suit, grab my book and my beach chair (and maybe a cocktail) and go swimming and sunning instead.

I’m so glad I did. I went right underwater and my body temperature went back to normal. I read some of my book and laughed. Out loud. I enjoyed the surprising strength of the sun in the late afternoon hours, and went in for the day, for dinner, in a good mood.

I set out to make myself a salad, only to find my romaine lettuce had rotted.  But I stayed in a good mood. I doctored (barely) a frozen pizza from Trader Joe’s (for whom my love continues to grow).

I went to bed in a good mood. I woke up in a good mood too.

I get it. I keep having to re-learn it, but I get it. It’s simple enough. I don’t know what clicked to get me there, but it did.

There are things that are not in our control, try as we may. People in our lives will get sick. Some may die before it seems fair.  And there are times in our lives we are given moments we can control, time to spend as we choose. Our task is to choose wisely.

Photo Journal: Sacred Heart

in Boston's North End

A Different Summer

It used to be when the school year ended that I'd settle into a nice summer routine. I'd get up fairly early and check email, maybe pay a bill or two, over my first cup of coffee and move on to writing over my second.  After blogging here and elsewhere, on a sunny day I'd make my way down to the pool. On a rainy day I might stay in and read, maybe tackle a project, or decide to go out for a grown-up lunch.

Not this summer.

I have been sleeping late most mornings,  my snow day project list remains untouched, and I haven't written much here or elsewhere. It's August 9; my last post was July 24! And it was a photo post! (It's been so long I didn't know that Blogger has finally made it easier to post from my iPad.) I probably spend more time playing Words, Hanging and Scramble With Friends than reading and writing combined. (Zynga is the devil.) 

I don't feel particularly refreshed or creative. Instead I'm feeling emotionally exhausted and nowhere near ready to talk about the s word yet, never mind think about going back there.

And that I suppose is is the only thing that remains the same from summer to summer, no matter how I spend my vacation: not being ready to go back.

Photo Journal: Pity Party

Would rather be landing in Los Angeles, but life happens.

Water Games

I try very hard not to harbor any hatred in my heart. Really. I know life is short--sometimes painfully, unfairly so. Therefore, I try to let go and let god, the whole nine...but it would be disingenuous to simply write a little "I [love] it, I [love] it not" note about today's topic.

Because really, I hate the person who thought Marco Polo would be a fun pool game, and would love to have a few words, and maybe a few minutes alone, with him or her.

Marco!!

Polo!!

Really?

Marco!!

Polo!!

In a crowded pool?

Where not everyone is playing? But still needs to endure the shrill, repetitive shouts of Marco, Polo while worrying about colliding with less-than-proficient underwater swimmers who are unable to see (even plus-sized) standing pool waders because--unlike the person who is IT and SHOULD keep their eyes closed but invariably cheats--they swim underwater with their eyes closed.

Nothing says relaxing afternoon at the pool like the repetitive screams of Marco, Polo by ill-behaved, strangers' children coupled with a ten year old swimming right into your spandex clad crotch.

Good times.

Not.

Down with Marco Polo. And whoever thought of that game: I hate you. With every cell in my body that is trying to relax.