My week: band camp, meals, light fixture

Those things aren't really related...except in my world.

 8 a.m. is early for teenagers in the summer, ya'll. 

And Bubbie is a grump in the mornings.

But things worth having are worth working hard for.

 

He asked me this morning: "So, how long does this band camp go?"  It was painful to tell him, that basically, it lasts the rest of his summer.  I feel for him - it's darn hot out on that pavement.  The humidity is high.  It's a lot of hard work.  The horn is heavy and you will grow some muscles.

I made freezer meals this morning, in preparation for adding 8 more hours to my work week, making me a 40 hour employee.  If I can fix those regularly, we can have nice dinners with little to no effort on the days I'm there 7:30-4.  Because aforementioned band practice will be a zero hour class M-F, and 6-8 p.m. on Monday nights.  Not to mention, a football game once a week until mid October.  Pictured above is Curry Chicken, Honey Garlic Chicken, and Mediterranean Pork Chops. 

Last night I faced down a fear of heights to change out the bulb in this fixture in the kitchen.  It's socket had come loose so I had to put a step stool on the counter, climb up there, and re-clamp it before I could change the bulb.  I was alone in the house, so thank goodness I didn't fall, shaking and sweaty as I was.

Ha!  What's your week been like?

Gina

Mealplan Monday #69 and band kids

Today marks the start of Bubbie's marching  band experience.  Band camp begins!

It's when all the years of middle school band start to make sense in preparation for the more serious world of high school band.

It's something he's enjoyed, so I hope that will continue to be the case, even though it will be challenging and require a lot more focus and practice.  It's a positive peer group, and he will learn how to manage his time better, with all the demands of a zero hour class and practice 6 times a week.

But look how far you've come already, Bubbie.

 

Monday - Mexican pork for tacos, pico, cheese
Tuesday - Spaghetti and roasted garlic meat sauce, salad
Wednesday - Scalloped potatoes and ham in the crock pot with carrots
Thursday - Cheesey Bacon Bean Quesadillas*, melon or pinapple chinks
Friday - Chicken Scaloppine with orzo, green beans
Saturday - Dad grills
Sunday - Freezer meal - Chicken  shells with creamy bechamel, salad
*recipe coming soon!

Band practice means a lot more time out in the heat of central Texas.  

(And siblings to cheer you on.)

 It brings back a flood of memories for me when Scout was in band.

 It was a lot of hard work, and while I think it was a good experience for him, I wish it had been more enjoyable and successful for him.  He eventually dropped band in favor of the guitar - more his speed.

 But those Friday night games sure were a blast. 

And we all look forward to seeing Bubbie march!

Because, as always, I am my kids' most enthusiastic fan!

Gina

Childhood memories to save

The time for The Girl to move on to her own space is drawing near...it's been a long process as you can see here and here and here, and in numerous other places on this blog as it's been a twice yearly thing since high school graduation.  All this time, I've been the caretaker of her toys and mementos.  Here's just the stuff that was stored under Scout's bed in her old room:

 But now since Firstborn has moved on, there will be extra closet space in here.  And hopefully, I have learned not to hang on too tight to childhood toys, etc.  But someone forgot to send that memo to The Girl...and she found the pile of boxes.

 Yes, she had to assemble all of the Barbie stuff.  I never realized how much she really played with it all.  She said she mostly did on the weekends while I was at work and the boys were occupied doing boy things.  There are many happy Christmases, Easters, birthdays, and end-of-the-school year sussies in there.

 I think she had a bit of fun, reminiscing and digging through it all.  She'd had a stressful day moving the rest of her stuff from her apartment in Waco - call this "play therapy".

She carefully picked out what to save, and the rest went into a giveaway pile, which I will take to work.  Not shown are the dozen or so Beanie Babies, some Polly Pockets, a couple of Sky Dancers, some Harry Potter Legos, and a baby doll in a 60's Tourister makeup case complete with handmade clothes by Grandma.

 It makes me smile that she has happy memories, and I'm glad she's saving so much of it.  I don't remember being so fortunate - my mother unceremoniously gave all of my Barbie's and Dawn Dolls all to my nieces.  

But this treasure is is  a way for her to re-connect to her happy childhood memories.  And she can keep it as long as she likes.

Gina

Mealplan Monday #68 and a beach trip

What makes sharing a meal with your family on vacation so enjoyable?

 Is it eating it outside?

  

Because I'm thinking...it wasn't the cuisine

Monday - Creamy Chipotle Chicken over rice, green beans
Tuesday - Grilled cheese and soup
Wednesday - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, salad
Thursday - Ground turkey and pasta skillet, zucchini
Friday - Chicken with apples, onions, and butternut squash, ciabatta rolls
Saturday - Dad grills
Sunday - Pizza, salad

Clearly, it's more about the company that you share!

And for the most part, mine were forgiving about the food, since it meant more time on the sand.  We had a fabulous seafood feast our second night in Port Aransas,  so it all balanced out.  

Because the trade off was ocean breezes and time together. 

Gina 

Rainy Port Aransas

It rained there. And we made the best of it for two days,

and actually had a lot of fun together!

Whether the weather be fine,
Whether the weather be not,
Whether the weather be cold,
Whether the weather be hot,
We'll weather the weather,
Whatever the whether,
Whether we like it or not

Gina

Mealplan Monday #67 and beachy dreams

We need to go to the beach! 

 

I planned a pretty much spur-of-the-moment trip to Port Aransas next week.  Just two days.  We are taking food, but it's really simple stuff:  freezer dinners, stuff for sammies, fruit, milk, OJ, snacks, sodas.  We will eat out a bit, too.  Even so, I still put together a plan.

  

Monday - Crock pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans
Tuesday - Big salad with chicken strips 
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Beanie Wienie, corn
Friday - Leftover pulled pork on baked potatoes with green onions and cheese
Saturday - Dad grills
Sunday - Enchiladas, guacamole salad

 

 We will stay here - a block from the beach.  Nothing fancy, but it has clean, cool beds, a small pool to play in, TV and cable, hot showers with fluffy towels, and a kitchen with a fridge.

 We will eat breakfast on our patio and head down early in the morning to hunt for shells.  Play on the beach all day.  Then visit the tacky gift shops and candy store.  Eat some seafood out, then relax in the hot tub. 

The driving isn't my favorite part, but spending some time with my kiddoes away from home is!  

Gina

Tourist in our town - the Texas Capitol, Upper Crust

Scout and I had three hours of free time to ourselves on Tuesday after dropping Bubbie off at band sectionals.

 We chose to head downtown and hang out at the capitol, admiring the beautiful, antique inside and the lush, green outside.  It's such a gorgeous building.  Made entirely of pink granite.  With so many giant trees - I just love it - and we can go there whenever we want. It wasn't crowded at all, and peaceful.  Just very hot outside!

Scout gets really jazzed about photographing nature.   

We stopped at another unique Austin spot, Upper Crust Bakery, for some fabulous cinnamon rolls and iced coffee.  Scout has been a coffee lover since forever.

A simple outing that was relaxing and fun.

Gina

Mealplan Monday #66 after too much take-out...

I'm actually glad to be back cooking for my peeps - eating out can get old fast.  Never thought I would say that.  I think it's mainly the expense and the driving to somewhere.  We sure did a lot of that the last two weeks.  And sometimes we had a bit o' fun:

Monday - Turkey Pesto Meatballs with pasta, broccoli
Tuesday - Butter Shrimp and Lemon, rolls, coleslaw
Wednesday - Chicken and Biscuits, carrots
Thursday - Bacon Avocado Grilled Cheesers, tomato soup
Friday - Taco Salads with Jalapeno Ranch dressing, Fritos
Saturday - Dad grills - We sure missed that!
Sunday - Pizza and Salad

 

Gina

Go 4th and relax - 2013

We did a whole lot of nothing on July 4th.  Missing hubby who is usually the ringleader for fireworks watchin' and hot dog grillin'. We simply spent the day relaxing.  And eating.  And refusing to smile for the camera.  Sleepin' in, then having scrambled eggs.

 The Girl spent a well-deserved day kicking back and reading.  I love that she still reads for leisure.  I have to photograph her through a window or else she'll see me.

Dinner was a total cheat - HEB pre-cooked ribs, some skillet potatoes with onion, some avocado and tomato with Ranch.

I'm glad we didn't brave driving out to see the fireworks.  It would have been a late night and I worked today. And it seems strange with just three of us, you know?

We got a Redbox movie, tore up some ribs, and got to bed around 10 p.m. after our exhausting food and relaxation-filled day.  And this weekend the Philmonters return!

Gina

WTH Summer Wednesday

I couldn't think of a more original title for this post.  

It's super hot.  We've only been to the pool once.  My fig tree is trying to die and we have only one day we can run our sprinklers here.  

I miss my Philmont campers.  I hope Hubby's heart and knee hold out.

We have no hot water since the pilot light on the water heater goes out every time it hits 100 outside. And it was over 100 degrees. every. single. day.  I'm not climbing up into my attic to re-light it.  Cold showers for all!

We've been eating out every meal except breakfast. It gets expensive and is not as fun as I thought.  Though lunch at Asia Cafe was good, as was dinner last week at BJ's Brewhouse.

 

Bubbie and I are so bored.  Tonight we are going to eat pizza at Alamo Drafthouse and watch the Lone Ranger. The Girl has a massive sinus infection that is not improving after a couple of weeks on various meds, including antibiotics.  I cannot get out of work to go with her to the ENT on Friday, so I hope the nurse will call me and update me.

This sweet old lady did that thing again where she plays one of her daughters against the other.  And I would love to discuss it with my other sister, except she will not answer her phone. 

I finally got my Chaco sandals with my $20 off coupon from The Girl.  They are just right for my "old lady" feet. These aren't meant for pretty - they're so I can wear something other than flip flops. I'm staying on top of chores, not much else.  And we have zero plans for tomorrow, other than to cut up a watermelon.  Hopefully we can get some fun in and watch some fireworks.

How's your week going?

Gina