Pirate Pool Party!

I can't think of a much better way to celebrate a late summer birthday than being IN the water.  This year we were able to take advantage of our wonderful neighborhood pool and hosted a pirate themed pool party for big G.  Here are some of the highlights.

Pirate buddies!

The details:

Shark Bait!

I tried to keep it easy and healthy!

Cupcake ships...that melted shortly after arriving!

Treasure ready to be plundered.

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Souper Sunday: Red Bean Chicken Curry Soup

We've had a lot of good luck lately finding some interesting soup mixes at Big Lots of all places. Usually they are really simple to make, basically add a meat, tomatoes or water. A few weeks ago we picked up a couple of bags of bean mixes made by Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods. I don't think i realized that it was just beans. If i had I likely wouldn't have bought them. One was totally forgettable, a black bean mix I think. I might have messed up the recipe, but since I have a couple of other really good black bean soup recipes there was no need to buy another bag to see whether it was the cook or the recipe.

The other bag we bought was much more interesting - Whole Grains & Beans Soup Mix. We used the recipe off the back of the package for Red Bean Chicken Curry Soup and it was delicious! Even after cooking for most of the day, the beans and grains retained a really nice texture. Jumbo and I love Asian favors. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian - we love them all! It wasn't spicy at all, just very flavorful. G and PJ like it as well!

RED BEAN CHICKEN CURRY SOUP

Contributed by: Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods

3 Tb Olive Oil
3 Chicken Breasts, cut into bite size pieces
1 medium Onion, chopped
4 cloves Garlic, minced
2 Tb Garam Masala
1 tsp Curry Powder
8 cups Chicken Stock
2 Bay Leaves
1/2 pkg Whole Grains & Beans Soup Mix (1 3/4 cup)
Directions

Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat; add half the chicken pieces and brown on all sides for about 6 minutes. Continue with the remaining chicken pieces. Add onions and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for one more minute. Add garam masala and curry powder; sauce for 30 seconds to a minute until they are aromatic but not burning. Carefully pour in stock and scrape the bottom of the pan to release any brown bits. Add bay leaves. Add soup mix and stir. Bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Sir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more stock or water if beans absorb too much liquid.

Vegetarian option: Omit the chicken breasts and chicken stock and use vegetable broth instead. Add an assortment of vegetables to your taste such as 2 cups sweet potatoes, 1 cup roasted corn, 1 cup winter squash or 1 cup cauliflower. Watch throughout cooking process and add water as needed.

Makes 10 servings.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

 Today my sweet, sweet momma turns 72.  Can you believe it?  I don't think anyone would ever guess.  She spent the day at her favorite places (McDonald's, shopping, Cloos' Coney Island) with some of her favorite people (her "babies" and her McDonald's buddies), eating her favorite foods (see below).  Dad got her a new iPhone so we had fun having a lesson on how to answer the phone and get text messages.  More lessons in the near future.  All in all it was a good day!

Happy Birthday Mom!

My order: 2 coney's no onions and cheese fries please!

Mom's new iPhone!

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Ever have one of those days?

You might think this is just a
 cup of coffee. which on many days 
would be a good pick me up, but....

I was having "one of those days" last week and needed a pick me up.  While looking up some recipes for a pregnant co-worker (and apparently the only one who reads this blog) whose unborn child apparently has an intense dislike for chicken, I came across the recipe below that she had sent me some time back.  I'm pretty sure the recipe came from this site because it has the same pictures as were in the email she sent me, but the recipe is all over the internet so I won't fee too bad if I don't credit the right source.  At least I tried!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.  Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. 
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Upon finding it, I immediately excused myself and ran to the kitchen.  The result was just heavenly.  It was a little dense and you could definitely taste the bitter-sweetness of the cocoa and semi-sweet chips that I used, but I liked both of those things.

I've been way off the wagon lately, but fully intend to get back on track soon.  I might have to try this version !

It's a mug full of warm, chocolate goodness....

Made even better by a heaping topping of Reddi-Wip!

What do you do to get you back on track when you're having  a not-so-stellar day?

$1.33

I know what you're saying..."who needs that much Frank's hot sauce but trust me, we'll use it!

Are you ready for some footballs?

We're off to a Super Bowl party in a bit.  Originally I was going to do a punch bowl cake but then I looked in the pantry, saw the Rice Krispies and remembered that the son of the host of the party has recently gone Gluten Free (aka I found an easier way out).  Then I remembered  that I had extra chocolate frosting and we were in business.  I'm not the best "piper" and I was in a hurry but I still think they came out pretty cute.  Even if they didn't they were all gone long before the game was over and that's what counts!

Shhh, don't tell mom!

We had a great time having the Guenther Gang over last night. In my usual unorganized style it was taking a little longer than everyone would have liked to get dinner in the table, especially the kids. Aunt Meg came to the rescue with what some parents might consider an inappropriate appetizer of Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe-Joe's (holy cow are they delicious!). She did this by saying "G, shh, don't tell your mom we're having cookies before dinner!"

Fast forward to today, just before lunch, when G spotted the cookies on the counter that Meg so kindly left here (thanks Meg, thanks!! Like my fat hiney need a box of cookies in the house). He, of course, wanted one and when I told him he could have one AFTER he ate a good lunch he proceeded to launch into meltdown mode. I took one out I the box and showed it to him and said "look, here is your cookie. Let's put it in the table for you to know that you get to eat it AFTER you eat a good lunch." Thankfully that calmed him down. Then I explained "last night was a special treat that Aunt Meg said you could have a cookie before dinner"" G's priceless response was "Aunt Meg says shhh". I couldn't help but smile. Nothing gets by that kid!

You want me to eat what?

Peas I can handle, sweet potatoes I love, green beans I will tolerate, but avocado? seriously?