Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Friday Fill-ins
1. The last meal I had at a restaurant was __________.
The last meal I had at a restaurant was Bacon Cheese Wedges at Jack-n-the-Box (lunch yesterday, don't ask). The last meal I had at a real restaurant was a Grilled Steak Salad at the Pepperstone Restaurant. (I am not sure of the restaurant name, since I always call it the Pepper Mill Ranch. I know, I crack myself up.)
2. __________ is something I intensely dislike.
Cleaning the house is something I intensely dislike.
3. The full moon __________.
The full moon brings out some weirdness in everybody - including me!
4. __________ is one of my favorite local expressions.
"I am from Missouri, you will have to Show Me" is one of my favorite local expressions. I was born a skeptic and apparently in the correct state. My favorite St. Louis expression is , "Where did you go to high school?"
5. Sometimes it's best to __________.
Sometimes it's best to tell people what they want to hear. (No matter how much they say over and over again how they wish someone would tell them the truth. They are lying and they will not thank you. I just know.)
6. __________ is the best movie I've seen so far this year!
Mama Mia is the best movie I've seen so far this year!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!
And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching the Olympics, tomorrow my plans include soccer practice and Sunday, I want to sing at church, Mr. Geek has a Triathlon!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thirteen of The Geeks Favorite Foods
These foods are all gluten (wheat) and casein (dairy) free as well as egg, peanut and artificial color free. While this might seem restrictive, this diet changed my family's life (for the better) and I think we eat really good food.
Come
visit our kitchen and this is what you will find.Blueberry Juice - The Littlest Geek's favorite when I use Knox gelatin and make jello cups.
Blue Sky Soda- The Middle Geek loves soda. I do not like him to drink it. Our compromise is natural soda. It is high-fructose corn syrup free and I think it taste so much better. It is a bit pricey which makes it a treat, but isn't that what soda is supposed to be.
Sliced Jalapenos- Middle Geek's new obsession. The brand is not that important, but be sure to look for those jarred without Yellow 5 or 6.
La Tiara Taco Shells - These are the best crunchy tacos shells ever.
Frank's RedHot Sauce -Chicken Wings are the Middle Geeks favorite and this is how we buy our hot sauce.
Pamela's Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix - These are the very very best. I keep these in my pantry when I need a quick company dessert. Even people who don't eat gluten free loves these.
Ian Fish Sticks - The Middle Geek loves these, the Littlest Geek hates them. They are expensive so I don't try to talk him into them. They are good for a quick lunch.
EnerG Hot Dog Buns and breads are one of the few that are egg free. These are not like gluten filled bread at all, but my boys haven't had gluten in five years and they love them.
Enjoy Life Soft Baked Double Chocolate Brownie - The Middle Geek's favorite treat when I let them pick out "one thing".
Full Circle Sunflower Butter - If your child is allergic to peanuts there are lots of other options. My favorite is Macadamia Nut Butter. However if your child is allergic to tree nuts then you can have Sunflower Butter. (Sunflowers are seeds, not nuts) It tastes different than peanut butter, but once you get used to it it is very good.Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Take5 Tuesday
5 things you like about county fairs/festivals.
I haven't been to a county fair since I was a little girl, but this is what I remember.
Funnel Cakes
Live Music
Pickle on a Stick
Hog and Husband Calling Contests
Catch a Pig Contest
5 of your favorite days of the year.
Christmas
My Birthday
First day of Spring
The First Day of Indian Summer
Winter Solstice - this is the shortest day of the year which means the days get longer from this point.
5 genres of music you listen to.
Alternative
Christian Contemporary
Rock
Pop
Country
5 of your favorite places to shop.
Whole Foods
Trader Joes
Nutrition Stop
Borders
Dillards
TAKE5
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Menu Plan Monday
Monday - Cherry Tomato Tilapia.
Tuesday - Horseback riding
Wednesday - Oranged Tofu StirFry.
Thursday- BBQ Meatloaf , the Littlest Geek has Piano.
Friday - Healthy Bok Choy Noodles and Skillet Turkey with Browned Onions (I am using the Heart Heathy Menu this week from Saving Dinner (except for the meatloaf which is from a freezer menu) and sometimes I know these recipes are too light for the boys in this house. I am making two "dinners" using the recipe for inspiration and then improvising. I wonder what the results will be?
Weekend - Fiesta Artichoke Chicken
What Really Happened Last Week
Monday - Rescheduled Swim Party - I thought there would be hot dogs for the kids, but instead they had pizza. I had given the boys a snack before hand but ended up going back home to get hot dogs. We had Grilled Portobella Mushrooms with cheese on buns. Note: Use the large portobella mushrooms if you try this because the mushrooms will shrink a bit and not cover the entire bun. (They were deliscious)
Tuesday - Horseback Riding for the boys they ate McDonalds. I ate scrambled eggs with sun dried tomatoes.
Wednesday - We had to pick up Middle Geek's school schedule, it was not the nightmare that last year's was and we were finished in 45 minutes (this included finding the locker and practising the combination). Kickin' Dirty Rice - This was yummy, however I used Zatarain's Creole Seasoning, and while I like the flavor it is a bit salty for me. Does anyone have a recipe for Creole/ Cajun seasoning or another brand that you like?
Thursday - Middle geek had his first visit with his new reading tutor and the Littlest Geek started Piano again making it a good night for a crock pot meal. Chicken with Orange Couscous - Somehow when I went to make this I was short some ingredients (SavingDinner gives a shopping list that I must have misread) and I was out of Quinoa. I attempted to throw together something inspired by the name and it was just okay, so I will not be sharing that recipe.
Friday - Buffalo Chicken Wraps - Best meal of the week. Since I also created my own recipe inspired by the title, I think I can share this very simple recipe.
Two chicken breasts cut into strips.
Put the chicken in a ziplock bag with 1/4 cup rice flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt and shake to coat.
Pan fry in canola oil in small batches so tha the chicken gets crispy. (Be sure to shake excess flour from chicken before frying.)
Pour several tablespoon of hot sauce over the top of the chicken and lightly toss to coat.
Serve with tomatoes and lettuce on a wrap or on a plate. (For those not GFCF, I made a Blue Cheese/ Sour Cream sauce.)
I server this with potato salad and cole slaw.
Saturday - We went to Six Flags (story in itself). 
Saturday - Southern Stir Fry-- Another big hit this week. Look at the picture, doesn't that look summery and delisious. I made it with smoked chicken from our local grocery story.
Sunday - Mr. Geek's night to cook. We had Ribs and asparagus on the grill. Yum.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Have You?
If you haven't answered these questions, please do so and leave a comment so I can read your list. Please don't let me feel like I am the only ordinary person out here blogging. Just copy and paste this list in your blog, and bold the things that you have done. Here's my list:
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg (Iceberg lettuce?)
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten tipsy on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
28. Bet on a winning horse (Sigma Derby!)
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse of both the sun and moon (just the moon)
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had/Have amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country (Does Iowa count?)
44. Watched whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs (Actually it was my Albums)
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke (ouch!)
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business (Two of them)
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class (I am counting Tai Chi, oh yes I am)
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest (I should have anyway)
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted a river (canoed)
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Gotten flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in a Rocky Horror Picture Show
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Passed out cold
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country (Door County is kind of exotic right?)
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking (You are supposed to stop??)
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a TV game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept 30 hours in a 48 hour time frame (It was after a Dance-a-thon)
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read “The Iliad”
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life
Friday, August 8, 2008
Friday Fill-ins
1. You know you're old when __________.
You know you're old when ten minutes of Yoga on the Wii Fit sounds like work.
2. My heart is divided between __________ and __________.
My heart is divided between blogging and reading the newspaper and working out on my Wii Fitness.
3. __________ is what I need RIGHT NOW!
Two extra weeks of Summer vacation is what I need RIGHT NOW
4. I have felt the __________, I have known the depths of __________.
I have felt the pain of stepping on the Wii Fit and having the computer groan, I have known the depths of despair when the Wii Fit Trainer won't listen to my excuses.
5. Gah, won't these people __________.
Gah, won't these people pick up anything!!
6. __________ as soon as you can!
Give me some comments as soon as you can
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!
And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to kicking back with a cold beer (what a week!), tomorrow my plans include Six Flags (maybe, don't tell the boys until we are sure) and Sunday, I want to read Janet Evanovitch's new book Fearless Fourteen (my reserve at the library just came through)!
PS: I love love LOVE my Wii Fit, I am just having a cranky week!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
What is your Theme song?
List…
5 of your favorite things.
5 things you wanted to be when you grew up.
5 of the best compliments that you have ever received.
5 songs that you would pick as your theme songs.
5 people that inspire you.
I will pick the easiest first.
Botanist (I had read a biography of Luther Burbank and I wanted to graft new plants)
Writer
Engineer
Astronaut (This is still on my list. My dad made me promise not to go into space while my mom was alive -Hi Mom! )
5 songs that you would pick as your theme songs
Instead of my five songs, since there are five of us in the house I will give each of us a theme song.
Littlest Geek
Middle Geek
College Geek
Mr. Geek
AbFab Geek
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Menu Plan Monday
Monday - Portobella Burgers - Rescheduled Swim Party - There will be hot dogs for the kids.
Tuesday - Horseback riding
Wednesday - Kickin' Dirty Rice -We have to pick up Middle Geek's school schedule.
Thursday- Chicken with Orange Couscous (I will use Quinoa instead of couscous) , Middle geek has his first visit with his new reading tutor and the Littlest Geek is starting Piano again.
Friday - Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Weekend - Southern Stir Fry (I will make this with chicken instead of pork.)
What Really Happened Last Week
Monday - The last Swim meet of the Summer! I made Beef Burgundy in the crockpot. This was really really good but way too heavy of a meal for a hot night. I think this should be just on the winter menus.
Tuesday - Horseback Riding for the boys they ate McDonalds. I went out with my two AbFab friends to see Mama Mia. (WONDERFUL!!) and then we went out to eat. Review to follow.
Wednesday - Swim Team Party was canceled because of Rain, I had Band Practice - I just could not cook that night, I am not sure why but I had a complete brain freeze of ideas. So the family went out to eat, All the Geek family went except for College Geek who was out of town. We do not eat out much as a family so this was a real treat and lots of fun.
Thursday - I was going to make the Thai Chicken that was on the menu but I decided instead to remake the Red Curry Chicken
Friday - I had dinner alone. (What? It was very weird.) I had picked up some irregular sliced bacon (hopefully the slices were irregular and not the bacon) during my travels last week to the Swiss Meat and Sausage Company . I combined that with one huge home grown tomato, add mayo and plenty of salt on toast -- mmmmmm. (Wait I just need a minute----okay I am back.)
Saturday - Beef Skewers with Pineapple Jalapeno Sauce -- College Geek was home and asked if I would please make him a home cooked meal. Was this the same kid that when he was HighSchool Geek used to look at the dinner and and plead "Why can't we eat normal food like everyone else?" I even asked "what do you think is normal food?" He said, "Pizza, chicken nuggets." Apparently after a year of eating what everybody else eats for a year at college and he began to appreciate (his words) "food with taste".
Sunday - Dinner out with friends - OMG that make three dinners out this week, but part of the join of having the College Geek home, is that Mr. Geek and I can continue our tradition of Sunday night dinner dates.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Friday Fill In
1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go to __________.
If I could travel back in time, I'd go to the early eighties, that was a good time. I am really not a fan of going too far back in time. I like modern conveniences, air conditioning and votes for women too much.
2. Give me__________or give me__________.
Give me something good to eat or give me the keys to the car, I am outa here.
3. I am listening to __________.
I am listening to the soundtrack from Mama Mia on Youtube.
4. Somewhere, someone is thinking __________.
Somewhere, someone is thinking how can I do that faster and cheaper, and that someone is and engineer (Thank you very much).
5. I'll always be __________.
I'll always be reading and trying to learn something new. (I am not bragging, it really annoys people.)
6. My idea of a good time includes __________.
My idea of a good time includes lots of laughter or why bother.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!
And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to picking up the College Geek from the airport, tomorrow my plans include catching up on movies and books and Sunday, I want to go to a fun run with the Littlest Geek and sing at church!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Take5 Tuesday
1. I am an engineer (I think it obvious, but some people are still surpised.)
2. I am the youngest of my family (That is because I am so responsible and unspoiled)
3. Two of my children are adopted -- because through God's plan (or private joke) they look just like me.
4. I dye my hair (or have someone else do it).
5. I have a PhD (and I am so normal ---I AM TOO!)
Did anything surprise you?
5 of your earliest memories.
1. Running away from home on my tricycle.
2. Mudball wars with the neighborhood kids
3. Going with my sisters to the school's Summer Program. They were planning on lying about my age to get me in, but when the lady asked how old I was, I held up five fingers. (They had told me not to speak.)
4. Going to the highschool Funfair with my oldest sister where I learned how to talk high school boys out of the stuffed animals that they had won. (Hey it was easier than actually winning them.)
5. Christmas at my grandma's, when all of the cousins would go downstairs and play all night. The floor was tiled with all different colors of tile (probably whatever my Grandpa had found) and we would create games using these different colors (like tag where all red tiles are base.)
5 things you would never do.
1. A backflip
2. Walk a tightrope
3. Wear a bikini in public
4. Go deer hunting
5. Roll in poison ivy
What about you?
Take5 Tuesday