A conversation about aging

McKlayne, who had some leftover strawberry on her forehead, was eating her snack.

Asher: What's that on your forehead? Are you bleeding?

McKlayne: Nope, it's probably just a pimple.

Asher: A pimple? Oh dear!

M: Yep, I've got them all over me....even some on my cheeks.

A: It's okay, I've got some under my chin. Just happens as you get older, I guess.

M: Sure does. Must mean I'm getting married soon.

Strawberry Summer Salad

My dear mother came up with this salad when I was "vacationing" at her house-- a "vacation" from cooking and cleaning my own. I never would have thought a strawberry-avocado combo could taste so good, but I think it's the blue cheese that brings it together just right. This is refreshingly light and tasty dinner salad...perfect for when the Texas heat reaches 108 unbearable degrees. Or even when it doesn't.

Strawberry Summer Salad
Chicken (I like this recipe.)
Romaine
Raw Blue Cheese (There's nothing quite like raw blue cheese.)
Avocado
Strawberries
Red Onion

With a bit of
Maple Dressing:
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon italian seasonings
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup
3/4 cup olive oil

Brown Eyed Girl

After the pool one day this week. 

"Take a picture of me, Mommy."

"You got it, Beautiful."

Just like twins

McKlayne: L and I are going to be twins today. I have just the perfect plan.

Me: Umm,okay...I can't wait to see this perfect plan.

A little while later she comes out in full costume...

McKlayne: Look, Mom, now we both have our Minnie ears. We look just like twins.

The nerve...

I hear all kinds of comments when I have both babies in tow but nothing like the conversation that occurred "around" me earlier this week...

A mother (maybe in her 70's) and daughter (in her 50's) pair were behind me in the checkout line at Hobby Lobby. 

"Wow! Look at her, she's got twins! She is busy." 

"I mean...look at how skinny she is."

"We'd look like that, too, if we had two little ones..."

I looked behind me...wondering who they're talking about but wanting to see this skinny-momma-of-twins for myself.

The daughter says to me, " You are so skinny and you BIRTHED TWINS!! It must be because you're so busy chasing them everywhere..."

I look back down at my double stroller terribly confused. The ladies clearly can't see my two babies inside....they only see the back of it. They may be being raised like twins, but it's quite obvious that I didn't birth one of these babies.

I'm puzzled about how to respond. I smile as I'm beginning to get a bit nervous about how I'm going to put an end to all of the undeserved compliments. 

Still trying to figure out quite what to say, I open my mouth to give a response when the mother cuts me off.  "Yes, she may be skinny but look at the dark circles under her eyes..."

(I think my mouth was still open at this point.) That's it. I'm completely speechless.  Is there even a response for this? I turn to my cashier.  Her mouth is now open, too, as she gives me an apologetic look. I grabbed my receipt and walked out as fast as I could.

I'm not sure why I am the one, in those moments, that starts getting sweaty and wants to disappear as soon as I can.

This definitely rivals all of those wonderful comments that people make when you're pregnant.

Spaghetti Squash & Meatsauce

"Spaghetti":

Boil a large (or two small) spaghetti squash until fork tender.  Slice open. De-seed and scrape out the "spaghetti" with a fork so it's nice and stringy.

Meatsauce:

1 lb ground meat

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp whole oregano

1 tsp basil

1 tsp garlic powder

1 T salt (my tomato sauce usually doesn't have salt added)

1 T dried parsley

1/2  onion 

2 cans Tomato sauce ( 15-oz cans)

Brown meat. Drain well. Stir in flavorings. Add tomato sauce. Simmer at least ½ hour. Stir in spaghetti squash until well-combined.

I like making this meal ahead of time (or at least the meatsauce) b/c Charlie and I agree that it always tastes better when it's had a bit of time to "marry" in the fridge. (Sometimes I'll even make and store it in the fridge for a few days before we eat it. Then, it's an already a prepared, quick dinner option.)  I've also prepared and frozen the meatsauce.  Just let it sit in the kitchen sink for a few house to thaw the day you want to eat it and prepare the spaghetti squash separately.

Crazy Caprese Salad

Thanks, Aunt Rachel, for sharing this recipe a few years ago!

Caprese Salad, or "crazy salad", as McKlayne calls it, is the perfect summer side.  I'm sorry that I don't give you the exact measurements. I used to hate cooks like me...but this is all from memory, and depending on the size of the group I'm making it for, it often varies, so here goes:

Tomatoes, diced

Feta or Fresh Mozzarella cheese (both are really great, but I hardly ever have fresh mozzarella...and it's more work to cut up...so on a special occasion I use the real thing.)

Red Onion, diced

Basil, chopped

Dressing: (A little goes a long way, so start small and add more.)

1:2 of olive oil to balsamic vinegar 

Salt & Pepper