Winter Fest and More Winter Fest

Our town, like most towns around here, have a little winter celebration, and in the past we'd never really checked it out. This year, however, we decided to go, and we ended up having a great time. I'm not completely sure what inspired us to go, because it's not really advertised other than on the town bulletin board, which we zip past every day and don't always take the time to read.

Anyway, we knew of it, but hadn't taken the time to go. This year was different, and for the life of me, I can't remember what exactly was different about it, but we went... I know, one of the kid's friends called and asked us to meet them there at the skating rink. That's what motivated us.

It was really well done, they did a nice job, and I heard later that it was smaller than previous years. There was a chili cook-off, sled dog rides (really cool), a silent auction, and ice skating. There was supposed to be a snowman contest but I think they ditched it due to lack of participation, which is kind of sad. The sled dogs, however, were really cool. Those dogs are amazing, they live to work, and like sheep-herding dogs, if they don't have a job to do, they go a little nuts. I could see it in their eyes. Beautiful animals, though.

We tried the chili, at hot dogs, and skated like crazy. The kids had a blast, though one of their friends thought it was too crowded and wanted to leave. We actually met up with them later at the local pond and skated some more, but for the most part, we enjoyed our time at the carnival. We even got a couple of things at the auction, so we were looking good.

I think part of the reason the turnout was so low was due to the fact that we haven't gotten any snow except a few inches, and that was months ago. What's going on?

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to jet steverink for the pic.

Lights, Camera, Action!

So we've just discovered that our little digital camera makes movies. Actually, we had some sense of this because it seems like all digital cameras do this sort of thing, but we've never really dabbled in all the things it can do. Too many bells and whistles for me, I like the point and shoot kind of thing. Either way, when we hang out at GK&T's, they have the same camera and the kids make little movies. Extrapolating that knowledge to our camera, the kids actually sat down and started making short home movies, and they are a scream. So funny, so cute, and believe it or not, so well thought out.

A tends to take the helm and N gets to the be the star, but you can tell that a lot of thought went into the scripting and staging. There are even props. The end result are little movies that the kids can be proud of, and mom and dad get a huge kick out of it all.

Needless to say, we are ready to send the kids to movie-making school, tomorrow. Just kidding, but we've been toying all along with the idea of getting a movie camera, at least something they could make some stop action animated movies with, which could be a lot of fun and a great creative outlet. I'm thinking it's in the stars, even getting R's seal of approval, so stay tuned. For now, we'll make shorts with our point and shoot.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Alek von Felkerzam for the pic.



Making movies, they're hilarious, lots of thought put into it. Could be a creative avenue to pursue. I'm from LA, so it's in our genes

Dumpling Fever

We had family dumpling night the other night, and not only did we make one of our favorite meals, but it's really fun as a family affair. Also, we tried using round skins vs. the standard squares, and the results were great. We liked the end result, and they were easy to make. We made this go around but we are still searching for the elusive killer vegetarian dumpling. You know, the life-altering kind. It's out there, so we're bound to find it. And once we do, there may be no stopping us.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

Family Baking and Healthy Snacks

We had quite the family bakeoff the other day, and not only did everyone have fun, but the kids displayed amazing prowess in the kitchen, helping me out a great deal, but we also had fun, knocked off most of the day, and made healthy baked goods. A win-win-win situation if there ever was one.

Normally when the kids want to help out in the kitchen, I have to take the word "help" with a grain of salt, because the reality of the matter is, sometimes more helping hands results in more work for yours truly, not to mention more time. The thing is, I don't want to discourage them from becoming comfortable in the kitchen, especially when they are so eager and enthusiastic to help. Plus, it's good for kids to not be intimidated by cooking, it's really not that difficult, and oh so rewarding. And finally, from a guy's POV, knowing how to cook really impresses the chicks.

So, with that in mind, we set out to bake like crazy. On the agenda were mom's raisin bread, which we make every week, some oatmeal-raisin cookies, and some raspberry bars. Throw in some bread crumbs for good measure, and we have a guaranteed stressful time for dad. What more could you ask for.

Usually we make a batch of chocolate chip cookies, which I can literally inhale like peanuts, but I'd resolved to consume my sugar and fat with more complex carbs (it's healthier), so naturally oats and whole grains were in order. I was going to make oatmeal cookies, but A said she could do it, and sure enough, she did them all by her lonesome. Making cookies is not always easy, but she did a stellar job, and I didn't have to help. We went with cookie bars since it's easier, and used pecans instead of walnuts because we like them better. Also, because the eating experience is so involved, it is easy to sequester some flax seeds in there.

N helped me to make the raspberry bars, which requires something akin to a pie crust. On thing I've learned is that a great way to make pie crusts is to use a food processor. Simply amazing. It grinds it up in no time, and no pastry whatever-you-call-them involved. N took charge and made the crust, then spread the raspberry preserves, and then added the top crust. I cut back on the butter and I think it suffered a bit in terms of composition, but was healthier.

And then we were done. Won't mommy be impressed when she sees how much we've done? I also learned yet another great lesson in lightening up and letting the kids do their thing, because they are way more competent than we give them credit for, and sometimes we just need to be reminded of this.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

Drama In Our Lives

We had a little drama (or rather, an opportunity for me to make drama) with the car the other day... on our way to drama, no less. Just as we were about to leave for class, the front tire was flat. What a bummer. The front driver side and back passenger side tires have leaking problems, and I continually fill them with air. It's easy enough, but requires stopping at the local gas station, one of the few that has free air, and filling up. I attributed it to leaky valve stems. It's never deflated completely to the point where I can't drive it, until now. I was planning on having the tires plugged up but of course put it off until who knows when.

Worst of all, we had to leave. Well, in a stroke of good fortune, I actually have, if you can believe this one, an air compressor. It's part of the jump box we have, and though it's slow as molasses, it works. I was able to fill the tire enough to get over to the gas station and fill up. Then, we made it to drama class, dropped A off, then headed over to Tip Top Tire, where they took us in on the spot and fixed the problem. It turns out that it was the valve stems. Replaced.

Relieved, N and I had time to hit the bowling alley, bowl two games, do the arcade, then pick up A at drama class.

We also met another home school family that is in the class, and we exchanged contact information because the girl is about A's age. And she's a skier.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

Pottery Playdate, Slacking on This Blog and Aspiring Novelist

We had a surprise playdate with our pottery crew because the K&J had plans for the next two weeks for A&D, so I got an email the day before informing me that they would be there. No problem, our mornings are flexible, it's our afternoons that are crazy. So we we went and hung out, and had a blast, as usual. It's funny because the kids seem almost ambivalent about the pottery. Don't get me wrong, they love working with the clay, it's just at some point they start to lose focus and become silly. It's fun for them, and with snacks and beverages, their day is complete.

It's the dads who get into their clay projects and enjoy the chat time. Have we become suburban housewives, or what? K is an artist and a craftsman, and you can really see it in his work, he doesn't mess around. Whereas I sit there and make little knick-knacky things, he makes real, functional pieces of work. Pretty cool, makes me feel a little inadequate... sort of.

I've also been busy earning peanuts with my paid gigs, so have been neglecting this blog. Sorry to the millions of readers who wait with bated breath each day for a new entry. I'll get my act together. In my defense, I've had to assume my place in the queue to use my own computer. Our daughter has become a budding novelist and now monopolizes my laptop. Between her composition and N's educational learning games, where do I fit in? Oh well, the life of a parent.

It's cute, though, listening and watching A. She really gets into it, and puts a lot of thought into her writing. In fact, we were walking the other day and she said she hopes to one day write a novel, how cool is that? We may need to get another computer, but one thing at a time.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

Family Dumplings

The other day we spent the better part of the afternoon making dumplings, and not only did we get a family favorite meal out of it, but what a great family-time activity. The kid really enjoy making them, and we all get to sit around and hang out. Best of all, we chow down hard on the fruits of our labors.

I was at the store and got round wrappers vs. the usual square ones, and we ended up liking them better. Easier to make, though the round ones are hard to find. I wonder if we could make out own? Hmm....

We use different variations on our fillings, but when you really get down to it, the sky's the limit. Which got us to thinking, maybe we could make a vegetarian dumpling that would make even the hardiest of meat eaters forsake their love of flesh. You never know.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.