You Don't See That Every Day

Every few months I get tired of cooking supper. My inspiration is gone, my zeal and any interest in  meals is zapped. If I can swing it in the budget, we usually end up getting pizza or takeout on those nights. This month I did it a little differently. I told the kids to get in the car, and bring a sweatshirt, because we were going out for dinner. The Mr had to work late in the field, so he didn't come along. We headed west while the kids kept guessing. Eventually they figured out that we were heading to the beach.  We stopped at a favorite park in Lincoln City, to stretch our legs.  Then it was off to Mos for some clam chowder. Yum. We even head enough time to walk on the beach and, as usual happens, throw, er, skip rocks in the water. It was a lovely night. The next night I still hadn't recovered from my lack of cooking syndrome. So we grabbed some takeout and went out to the farm. It was so quiet and peaceful there.  We ate our food, sitting in th...

Today with social media, staying in touch with friends is easier than ever. Without the Book of Face, I probably would not be connected to a number of people. But still, nothing can beat actual face to face time with friends (or family). Last night we had friends over for the evening - some good dinner, some delicious dessert, made by my daughter, and some great conversation. I enjoyed just sitting and talking about different experiences and ideas, and sharing our perspectives on life, kids, culture, Africa, etc. So why don't we do this more often? Why is it months in between gatherings? Football games, basketball games, church events, date nights - they all have a place in our lives, but finding the balance is what I am after. I enjoy people, and visiting with them, not just watching from the outside. There was an article going around online about introverts and how to understand them. I still don't know if I am an introvert or extrovert. I think I am both. An introverted ...

Banging pots and pans around in the kitchen can lead to all kinds of inspiration. The other night I was a *little* miffed with certain family members and I took it out on the dishes while I was making supper. And that is when inspiration struck. Instead of me doing all the cooking this week ... I 'm having the minions make dinner each night (well except for Wednesday, that's my night because of the activity level of that day!) We're done with sports practices for now; school gets out early enough for them to prep; and hey, they all need to cook for themselves eventually. (My niece had dinner made for her on Valentine's Day by her boyfriend and I thought, yes! someday my boy needs to be able to do that!) So Monday night Stripes made spaghetti, beans and homemade rolls, followed up with ice cream. Lovely! Tuesday saw Dots in the kitchen for hours, making homemade pizza, green salad with carrots, almonds and craisins (yum!) and even a chocolate picnic cake made from sc...

In one of my favorite books (Cheaper by the Dozen - the original , by the Galbraiths) there is a story about the conversations the family has around the dinner table. The father got to decide whether the talk was of general interest or not - basically, whether it was something he wanted to discuss or not. I highly recommend that book; our large family was nothing like the one in the book, but it is still fun to read about a real life family. And please don't go and watch the movie made a couple of years ago. Please, please, don't ruin the story by doing that. I digress. Our family actually had supper tonight. As. A. Family. There was no child away at practice. There were no meetings for us to be at. There was no game to get to, or come home from. All 7 of us ate together and talked. I have missed this! The Boy's football has taken a lot of time away from family time; and then the girls' swimming adds to it. So a night all together is one I cherish. Our conversation t...