Word Of Caution

If you are looking for a stock image of a little old sweet grandma for display purposes, do not type 'granny' into Google images. Trust me.

No, trust me.

Down Days

I don't know why I dread days in the house.

There's something terrifying about entertaining two children of different ages within the four walls of your own home.

But often, they end up being wonderful days, and I think, 'I should do this more often.'

Today, I do have somewhere to be in the afternoon, but this morning was free. Nothing houseworky has really gotten done, but at least I've had time to clean up our little messes as we go. And we haven't done any organised games or crafts, but the girls had a leisurely bath, and I painted Fifi's nails. It's just been nice and quiet. Okay, quiet isn't the right word AT ALL. Perhaps just relaxed is what I mean.

However, now that it's getting closet to time to go, I'm feeling stressed out, because the morning has been so laid back, I'm not at all prepared to leave!

Anyway, must plan more days in. They aren't as bad as I imagine them to be. (Ask me to repeat that the next day we are rained in, and I might have a different resposne.)

Cheeky Children

It's a cold, wet day. Fifi spotted her sandals and started putting them on. I told her she couldn't wear her sandals today. She said (and I quote):

"I too big for listening to you."

I don't mean to brag but...

My family ate the same meal THREE NIGHTS IN A ROW.

First was the chicken corn soup, mentioned below. Next night it was Tom Kha Gai soup (!) and the next night it was chicken breasts with rice and fried okra (!!).

It truly warms my heart that my daughters are eating Thai food and okra.

Chicken Corn Soup - Mamaw Arnold's Recipe

Last night, we pulled out the flaps to our butterfly dinner table and had a nice family meal. For once, each member of my family ate the same thing. All four of us. I made chicken corn soup, which my grandma Arnold used to make. Scott didn't realise what soup I was talking about and was grumpy at the thought of 'just soup' for dinner until he saw me making it. Then he was happy. Fifi never eats ANY of my soups or any pasta, so I was pleased when she first ate all the chicken out, then amazed when she ate all the bow pasta and then utterly shocked when she started in on the corn. I made a little saucepan off to the side for Lolly of the same soup minus the stock cube (too salty) and she ate a major portion of it, chicken pieces and adult-sized pasta and all.

It was heart warming to think I'd actually fed my whole family something they all enjoyed. Thanks, Mamaw.

How To Make (My Way):
(Dead Simple, Really)
2 cans of corn, water and all
2-3 cups of chicken broth (water and 2 or 3 stock cubes)
5 chicken drumsticks or 1 can of chicken if available
half a bag of bow pasta (however, at least half of my bags)

Put it all in a pot, and bring to a boil. Chicken and pasta will both be ready at the same time. Season with lots of black pepper!

Fifteen...

...weeks until Christmas.

I can't wait to see my daddy.