My wife suggested a few years ago to begin a Christmas-season tradition. Since she loves to cook, she thought it would be great to visit the different Christmas traditional meals around the world.
A couple of nights ago, we had a Mediterranean Christmas. She prepared leg of lamb, fried tomatoes, dolmas, spanakopita, and pine nut couscous.
Needlesstosay, the meal came out fantastic.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Making Tamales
My wife is an extremely talented cook. While she is not traveling on business, she finds her enjoyment in the kitchen preparing meals from cookbook recipes.
This weekend she successfully made from what I thought would be the impossible--pork, chicken, bean, and cream cheese tamales. Don't get me wrong, I knew she could do it, but I've seen what it takes to make them.
When I was younger, my grandma, Nana, attempted to make tamales. She spent the whole day preparing them, but she forgot to include an important ingredient--chili powder. The tamales came out white and lacked flavor. Of course, we all still ate the tamales and congratulated her.
Pam spent Saturday night preparing the first batch of tamales. The second batch were made last night. I helped her last night and saw first-hand the tedious work it takes to make them.
The tamales came out great. I just finished eating three for lunch while I typed this blog.
This weekend she successfully made from what I thought would be the impossible--pork, chicken, bean, and cream cheese tamales. Don't get me wrong, I knew she could do it, but I've seen what it takes to make them.
When I was younger, my grandma, Nana, attempted to make tamales. She spent the whole day preparing them, but she forgot to include an important ingredient--chili powder. The tamales came out white and lacked flavor. Of course, we all still ate the tamales and congratulated her.
Pam spent Saturday night preparing the first batch of tamales. The second batch were made last night. I helped her last night and saw first-hand the tedious work it takes to make them.
The tamales came out great. I just finished eating three for lunch while I typed this blog.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Ned the Betta Fish
About ten months ago, my son arrived home with a pet betta fish his grandpa and grandma bought him as a way to encourage responsibility. Of course, some how I've carried that responsibility.
Ned has been a great fish. Bettas aren't high maintenance fish. As long as you keep them fed, they are pretty happy. At times, Ned would get excited when he saw me walk to the table as if he recognized me. Sometimes at night, I would look over to Ned and it seemed as we were actually communicating.
I shouldn't use the past-tense when writing about Ned. He hasn't passed on, yet. His health, however, is not good.
A few weeks ago, we got a cold front. With the cold front, the temperature in Ned's water dropped to 60 degrees fahrenheit, which is too cold for a tropical fish. Ned went into shock.
The following day I bought a heater for his aquarium. I removed the lethargic fish out of his aquarium, changed the water, and installed the heating pad.
After reintroducing Ned to his now-warm aquarium, he became recluse hiding inside his house. A few days ago, I decided to remove his house so that I can monitor his health--he rarely swims, barely eats, and spends his time at the bottom of the bowl.
On Tuesday, my five-year old look inside the aquarium and noticed Ned. I told him Ned was sick. He asked if he was going to die. I replied, "Yes." Of course, he responded by cry, "I don't want him to die."
This was all taking place Tuesday morning before school--the same day he won his new BMX bike. As it is, we were running late to school. This added more time to his tardiness.
I have to admit, I made the mistake of discussing the meaning of death as it applies to a "family pet" to my son before school. It was a terrible idea and I regret it.
Oh well...
Ned has been a great fish. Bettas aren't high maintenance fish. As long as you keep them fed, they are pretty happy. At times, Ned would get excited when he saw me walk to the table as if he recognized me. Sometimes at night, I would look over to Ned and it seemed as we were actually communicating.
I shouldn't use the past-tense when writing about Ned. He hasn't passed on, yet. His health, however, is not good.
A few weeks ago, we got a cold front. With the cold front, the temperature in Ned's water dropped to 60 degrees fahrenheit, which is too cold for a tropical fish. Ned went into shock.
The following day I bought a heater for his aquarium. I removed the lethargic fish out of his aquarium, changed the water, and installed the heating pad.
After reintroducing Ned to his now-warm aquarium, he became recluse hiding inside his house. A few days ago, I decided to remove his house so that I can monitor his health--he rarely swims, barely eats, and spends his time at the bottom of the bowl.
On Tuesday, my five-year old look inside the aquarium and noticed Ned. I told him Ned was sick. He asked if he was going to die. I replied, "Yes." Of course, he responded by cry, "I don't want him to die."
This was all taking place Tuesday morning before school--the same day he won his new BMX bike. As it is, we were running late to school. This added more time to his tardiness.
I have to admit, I made the mistake of discussing the meaning of death as it applies to a "family pet" to my son before school. It was a terrible idea and I regret it.
Oh well...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
A New Bike
My 5 1/2-year old boy won a raffle at his elementary school. The cafeteria entered all elementary school children who paid for their lunch in a drawing, and my son's name was drawn.
Yesterday, I received a call from the school to inform me that Jonathan had won the bike. At first, I was skeptical and expecting them to say they had the wrong kid. After we had hung up, I did get a call again from the school. I thought to myself that they indeed made a mistake. Nope. The follow up call was to tell me that Jonathan didn't know and thought it would be great to keep it a surprise.
This morning, we were running late to school--I'll elaborate on why in a future blog. After dropping him to his class, I walked over to the assistant principals and told them that I received a call regarding my son winning a bike. They were excited.
As we watched the morning annoucements on the closed-circuit TV, my son's name was called out as being the winner of the raffle.
I joined the cafeteria lady to his classroom soon after to deliver the bike. Needlesstosay, he was excited when he saw his new Kent International BMX bike.
Yesterday, I received a call from the school to inform me that Jonathan had won the bike. At first, I was skeptical and expecting them to say they had the wrong kid. After we had hung up, I did get a call again from the school. I thought to myself that they indeed made a mistake. Nope. The follow up call was to tell me that Jonathan didn't know and thought it would be great to keep it a surprise.
This morning, we were running late to school--I'll elaborate on why in a future blog. After dropping him to his class, I walked over to the assistant principals and told them that I received a call regarding my son winning a bike. They were excited.
As we watched the morning annoucements on the closed-circuit TV, my son's name was called out as being the winner of the raffle.
I joined the cafeteria lady to his classroom soon after to deliver the bike. Needlesstosay, he was excited when he saw his new Kent International BMX bike.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The Christmas Season is Finally Here
As I was walking back from lunch, my friends and I were greeted by flurries rushing past us. Of course, the flurries didn't last long and soon melted when they landed on the warm ground.
Nonetheless, the sight of flurries in Central Texas was very welcoming.
As we returned to our office, everyone was excited and talked about the snow as if it was proof the Christmas season had finally arrived.
To be honest, with so much Christmas spirit excitement I returned to my desk and made reservations for my wife and I at a resort outside of Rochester, New York for New Years Eve. Across the building, my closest friend listened to Christmas music. And the ladies from the call center were busy adding decorations to the office Christmas tree.
Although the snow was gone soon after, the sight of flurries rushing between buildings gave a joyous moment that is Christmas.
Nonetheless, the sight of flurries in Central Texas was very welcoming.
As we returned to our office, everyone was excited and talked about the snow as if it was proof the Christmas season had finally arrived.
To be honest, with so much Christmas spirit excitement I returned to my desk and made reservations for my wife and I at a resort outside of Rochester, New York for New Years Eve. Across the building, my closest friend listened to Christmas music. And the ladies from the call center were busy adding decorations to the office Christmas tree.
Although the snow was gone soon after, the sight of flurries rushing between buildings gave a joyous moment that is Christmas.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Little Match Girl Story
A few nights ago, I read a story to my son out of TREASURY OF CHRISTMAS TALES book that was given to him last Christmas. The story was called The Little Match Girl.
The Little Match Girl is about a homeless girl with a box of matches on Christmas eve. She attempts to sell the matches for change but is unsuccessful. As she wanders through the cold, she narrowly escapes a carriage and looses her shoes.
Cold and hungry, the girl peers inside windows and sees happy children and families enjoying Christmas.
Alone and cold, she ignites her matches to keep warm. As she ignites each match, she is reminded with visions of happy children and families. When she ignites all her matches, she is approached by the vision of an angel.
The angel tells her that she will take her somewhere where she will never be hungry or cold ever again. And the story ends.
The tale is based on a story written in the 1800s by Hans Christian Andersen.
I've heard of the story, but was unaware that the story I was reading to my 5 year-old was that story. It wasn't until the appearance of the angel that this story was not going to end happy.
My son asked, "Where did the angel take her?"
My answer, "To a place where she will never be hungry or cold. Good night."
For some reason, I don't think my son bought my answer.
The Little Match Girl is about a homeless girl with a box of matches on Christmas eve. She attempts to sell the matches for change but is unsuccessful. As she wanders through the cold, she narrowly escapes a carriage and looses her shoes.
Cold and hungry, the girl peers inside windows and sees happy children and families enjoying Christmas.
Alone and cold, she ignites her matches to keep warm. As she ignites each match, she is reminded with visions of happy children and families. When she ignites all her matches, she is approached by the vision of an angel.
The angel tells her that she will take her somewhere where she will never be hungry or cold ever again. And the story ends.
The tale is based on a story written in the 1800s by Hans Christian Andersen.
I've heard of the story, but was unaware that the story I was reading to my 5 year-old was that story. It wasn't until the appearance of the angel that this story was not going to end happy.
My son asked, "Where did the angel take her?"
My answer, "To a place where she will never be hungry or cold. Good night."
For some reason, I don't think my son bought my answer.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thanksgiving Day 2009
First of all, my wife is a fantastic cook. Ever since I met her, she would experiment with recipes she would find in old cookbooks. Soon after, it became an art. Yes, cooking is an art.
I can't cook worth a noodle. Well, actually, I do make a good spaghetti and meat sauce. Of course, when my wife makes spaghetti she also makes the meatballs.
This Thanksgiving we hosted my in-laws. They are from Western New York. My wife put together a menu a week in advance of their visit.
On the menu: Roasted Turkey with black truffle butter, bread dressing, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato rounds, brussel sprouts with garlic butter, and green bean casserole. And for dessert: homemade pumpkin pie--from the inside of a real pumpkin--and apple and blackberry pie.
As you would expect, the dinner was fabulous. Absolutely fantastic!
I can't cook worth a noodle. Well, actually, I do make a good spaghetti and meat sauce. Of course, when my wife makes spaghetti she also makes the meatballs.
This Thanksgiving we hosted my in-laws. They are from Western New York. My wife put together a menu a week in advance of their visit.
On the menu: Roasted Turkey with black truffle butter, bread dressing, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato rounds, brussel sprouts with garlic butter, and green bean casserole. And for dessert: homemade pumpkin pie--from the inside of a real pumpkin--and apple and blackberry pie.
As you would expect, the dinner was fabulous. Absolutely fantastic!
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