Thursday, September 25, 2014

Men can't help it. They're born that way.

Today was a long day.  A fun day, but a long day.  Our daughter has been feeling under the weather, so to give her a break, GrandDad Fabuloso and I decided to take her little boy out for a day of fun so Momma could have a day of peace and rest.



First we went to a local park to play in their "children's discovery garden."  What a lot of fun that was, with water features, sand play areas, a topiary maze and an outdoor "music garden" with features that make cool sounds when children play there.  We had a difficult time getting him to leave, but...











Next we went to a nearby children's "hands on" science museum, where he saw live animals, rode simulated amusement rides on other planets, and learned how to pierce an ordinary balloon with a bamboo skewer without popping it.  (It freaked him out a little, but we're going to kill with that trick at the next family birthday party!)



Then on the way home, we found ourselves pulling into a food truck rally for a special treat.  They had so many tempting offerings:  authentic fish tacos, slabs of barbecued ribs, fancy gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, and tantalizing vegan dishes made from organic greens and squashes...  He had a hot dog.  He liked it.

Great day!  But Granny sure was tired!  Later at our house (sleepover!) Grandson asked if he could play with my Kindle for a while.  I keep all kinds of fun puzzles and educational games (and Angry Birds.  OKAY!  Also Angry Birds!) on my Kindle, and I encourage the kiddos to have at it.  This time the conversation went something like this:

Grandson:   Granny, can I play with your Kindle?
Me:              Okay, but Granny is tired, so you have to go get it yourself.  It's in my bedroom, on the
                     nightstand next to the bed.

After about five minutes of rustling around:

Grandson:    Granny, I can't find it.  Come help me?
Me:               Did you look in my bedroom....?
                     On the nightstand next to the bed....?
Grandson:    Yes, and it's not there.  Come help me?

So off I went, heaving my old, tired, garden-chasing, museum-going bones up those stairs, and I found my Kindle.  It was in my bedroom.  On the nightstand next to the bed.  EXACTLY WHERE I SAID IT WOULD BE!  I handed Grandson the Kindle, he said, "Thank you, Granny," and off he skipped, happy as a little bird.  And then suddenly it dawned on me:


Okay, I'm joking.  The thing I have learned from observing this and other baby boys throughout the years is that men are men from the day they are born.  I knew he was a man the first time I pulled a pair of his dirty socks from between my couch cushions.  And again the first time he passed gas in my face and chuckled like it was proof of his bodacious wit.  And all the times he walks around my house with his little box of toy tools looking for something to "fix."

So, what was I thinking, asking him to find something for himself?  He's a man; he couldn't find his own elbow if I drew him a map and had a neon sign pointing to it.  These guys are lucky they're adorable, because if they weren't, who in the world would put up with them?

As for this little man, God willing, I hope to live long enough to see him grow up.  I want to dance at his wedding.  And then I want to commiserate with his poor wife because he is going to drive her bat-plop crazy!



This post can be seen at some great parties.  Check them out:
Wow Me Wednesday
Showcase Your Talent Thursday
Mommy Needs a Time Out
Happiness is Homemade
What'd You Do This Weekend?
No Rules Weekend Blog Party
Kitchen Fun and Craft Friday Link Party
Freedom Fridays
Tutorial Thursdays Month-long Linky Party
Friday Favorites
Fridays Unfolded
Fabulous Friday
Eat. Create. Party
Saturday Soiree
SITS Sharefest
Link It Or Lump It Party
Inspiration Monday
Plucky's Second Thought
Sweet and Savoury Sunday


Saturday, September 6, 2014

Zoodles

I'll bet you can guess what's been in my CSA box lately.  'Tis the season for zucchini.  Lots and lots and lots of zucchini!  Don't get me wrong; it's one of my favorite vegetables.  I love...

  • slicing it horizontally into thin strips and marinating it in a little olive oil, garlic and lemon juice, and then grilling it ever so lightly.  Delicious!
  • grilling skewers of round zucchinii chunks, cherry tomatoes and onion wedges.
  • zucchini breads and muffins...

But what I really love is making zoodles,  Zucchini noodles.  Healthy, low-calorie, gluten-free... and really, really fun to make if you have one of these...


This is my spiral slicer.  There are many like it, but this one is mine.  My sprial slicer is my best friend.  It is my... oops.  Got carried away there for a second!

My slicer is a Paderno World Cuisine Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer that I bought off of Amazon for about 35 bucks, as a matter of fact.  And I like it.  

You most definitely can make zoodles without one.  (But what fun is that, I ask you?)




I'm not going to belabor this.  You pop a zucchini into the slicer, turn the crank, and watch the magic happen.  Children love to help with this, and what better way to get them interested in eating a vegetable?  (Just keep little fingers at the handle end and away from the blades.)


In no time at all, you've got a huge pile of perfectly-sliced -- and may I just point out, really pretty -- zoodles.


So, how do you cook these things?  Well, actually you don't.  I've tried lightly boiling them like noodles, and they just go all limp and soggy.  I recommend "warming them" in a pan with a bit of salt and a little butter.  Maybe some sauteed garlic.  Some fresh basil is really good.  A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or whatever.









And voila!  This just might be the healthiest, tastiest and prettiest veggie side dish ever.  No, really.  You have to try this.  Granny says eat your zucchini.







This post can also be seen at some great parties.  Check them out:
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Try a New Recipe Tuesday
The Gathering Spot
Twirl and Take a Bow
Wow Me Wednesday
The Wednesday Roundup
Work It Wednesday
Wednesday Whatsits
Full Plate Thursday
Showcase Your Talent
Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday
Fabulous Friday
No Rules Weekend Blog Party
Freedom Fridays