Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday Mantra - 6/25/12
When life gives you lemons, make grape juice and watch the world wonder how you did it!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Family Field Trip - Udvar Hazy Center
I love living in the DC area mainly because of the historical and cultural activities that are right in my backyard. Since Ryan works weekends, we don't get to partake in these activities quite as often as I would like. Ryan had Father's Day off so we decided to do something fun as a family that he and Aidan could really bond over so we settled on the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport. The Udvar-Hazy Center is an extension to the National Air and Space Museum which houses exhibits that are too large for the downtown DC main location.
The centerpiece of the museum is the McDonnell space hangar which houses Discovery, the most traveled of the former space shuttle fleet. Prior to this spring, the space hangar housed Enterprise which was the test vehicle for the space shuttle program. Ryan and I visited the museum a few years ago when Enterprise was featured and noticed the tremendous size difference between that vehicle and Discovery, which is so much larger. When you walk into the center, no matter which way you approach the main hall, your eye is automatically drawn to Discovery. This is especially amazing considering that in front of the entrance to the McDonnell space hangar sits the SR-71 Blackbird. This plane was featured in the second film in the "Transformers" series and parts of the film were filmed at Udvar Hazy. Other featured exhibits include the Enola Gay and a Concorde Jet.
Aidan loves airplanes and Ryan is a space travel aficionado. I had a great time watching my two men enjoy everything from a collection of space themed toys to a production model from the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". From experimental helicopters to missiles of all shapes and sizes. We spent two hours walking the center and could have spent more if Aidan didn't need a nap before our family Father's Day dinner. In addition to the exhibits there is an Imax theatre, flight simulators and an air traffic control simulator for kids.
After the museum we took Aidan to Sweet Frog for some frozen yogurt. He looks so adorable in the picture that I just had to mention it.
The centerpiece of the museum is the McDonnell space hangar which houses Discovery, the most traveled of the former space shuttle fleet. Prior to this spring, the space hangar housed Enterprise which was the test vehicle for the space shuttle program. Ryan and I visited the museum a few years ago when Enterprise was featured and noticed the tremendous size difference between that vehicle and Discovery, which is so much larger. When you walk into the center, no matter which way you approach the main hall, your eye is automatically drawn to Discovery. This is especially amazing considering that in front of the entrance to the McDonnell space hangar sits the SR-71 Blackbird. This plane was featured in the second film in the "Transformers" series and parts of the film were filmed at Udvar Hazy. Other featured exhibits include the Enola Gay and a Concorde Jet.
Aidan loves airplanes and Ryan is a space travel aficionado. I had a great time watching my two men enjoy everything from a collection of space themed toys to a production model from the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". From experimental helicopters to missiles of all shapes and sizes. We spent two hours walking the center and could have spent more if Aidan didn't need a nap before our family Father's Day dinner. In addition to the exhibits there is an Imax theatre, flight simulators and an air traffic control simulator for kids.
After the museum we took Aidan to Sweet Frog for some frozen yogurt. He looks so adorable in the picture that I just had to mention it.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Blueberry Scones
A blueberry scone is one of my favorite things on the planet. A good coffeehouse style scone is that perfect hybrid of a muffin and a biscuit. They aren't too sweet and have a delightfully crumbly texture that (while messy) is delicious. I've always wanted to make them but thought that they had to be a complicated endeavor because you don't hear of many home cooks making or sharing recipes for them. After quite a bit of research in various cookbooks, magazines and online recipe boards, I came to tinker with this recipe and the secret to that perfect scone texture.... melted butter.
What you need:
2 Cups of flour
1/4 Cup of Powdered Sugar
1/8 Teaspoon of Salt
1/2 Cup of Melted Butter
1/2 Cup of Egg Substitute
2 1/2 Tablespoons of Baking Powder
2/3 Cup of Frozen Blueberries
1/4 Cup of Milk
1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
*****
1. Mix dry ingredients (flour, powdered sugar, salt and baking powder) together using a wire whisk.
2. Whisk liquid ingredients (egg substitute, melted butter, milk and vanilla) together in a separate bowl.
3. Slowly add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture in 3 separate additions. Stirring gently after each addition.
4. Gently fold in the blueberries.
5. Knead the dough into a slight ball at the bottom of the bowl. Gently score the dough into 8 even sections.
6. Bake each section on an ungreased cookie sheet in a preheated 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until tops are set and slightly golden.
While they were still warm, I glazed them with a little honey and allowed them to cool. Once they were cooled, I put each one into a plastic sandwich bag so that they were individually packaged and ready to go on busy weekday mornings.
What you need:
2 Cups of flour
1/4 Cup of Powdered Sugar
1/8 Teaspoon of Salt
1/2 Cup of Melted Butter
1/2 Cup of Egg Substitute
2 1/2 Tablespoons of Baking Powder
2/3 Cup of Frozen Blueberries
1/4 Cup of Milk
1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
*****
1. Mix dry ingredients (flour, powdered sugar, salt and baking powder) together using a wire whisk.
2. Whisk liquid ingredients (egg substitute, melted butter, milk and vanilla) together in a separate bowl.
3. Slowly add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture in 3 separate additions. Stirring gently after each addition.
4. Gently fold in the blueberries.
5. Knead the dough into a slight ball at the bottom of the bowl. Gently score the dough into 8 even sections.
6. Bake each section on an ungreased cookie sheet in a preheated 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until tops are set and slightly golden.
While they were still warm, I glazed them with a little honey and allowed them to cool. Once they were cooled, I put each one into a plastic sandwich bag so that they were individually packaged and ready to go on busy weekday mornings.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Fabulous Fajita Pasta
I love fajitas but Ryan isn't a fan, especially in restaurants. He doesn't like any food that he has to assemble in order to eat it. This leaves me trying to find ways to get that fajita flavor into other recipes when I get a serious craving but its not in the budget to go out to eat. This recipe was conceived as one of those where I try to create something from the remainder of various food items in the fridge, freezer and pantry. It makes a delicious weeknight pasta meal that is reminiscent of chicken fajitas.
What you need:
2 Cups of pasta
1/2 Package of frozen stir fry veggies (must have onions and peppers)
3 Tablespoons of taco seasoning
6 Tablespoons of cream cheese
2 Chicken breasts, cut into cubes
2 Tablespoons of butter
*****
1. Cook pasta according to package directions
2. Melt butter in a saute pan and add chicken. Cook chicken until no longer pink.
3. Add frozen veggies, taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of cooking water from the pasta to pan. Cook until the veggies are heated through and most of the water is evaporated.
4. Drain the pasta but not completely, you still want a little moisture in the pasta to help the sauce come together.
5. Add the chicken and veggie mixture to the pasta and stir.
6. Add the cream cheese and stir until the cream cheese is melted and the pasta is creamy.
What you need:
2 Cups of pasta
1/2 Package of frozen stir fry veggies (must have onions and peppers)
3 Tablespoons of taco seasoning
6 Tablespoons of cream cheese
2 Chicken breasts, cut into cubes
2 Tablespoons of butter
*****
1. Cook pasta according to package directions
2. Melt butter in a saute pan and add chicken. Cook chicken until no longer pink.
3. Add frozen veggies, taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of cooking water from the pasta to pan. Cook until the veggies are heated through and most of the water is evaporated.
4. Drain the pasta but not completely, you still want a little moisture in the pasta to help the sauce come together.
5. Add the chicken and veggie mixture to the pasta and stir.
6. Add the cream cheese and stir until the cream cheese is melted and the pasta is creamy.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Meditations on Father's Day
Father's Day is such a mixed bag for me. On one hand, I have a husband who was absolutely born to be a dad. He's an incredible father and his dad is an amazing grandfather to Aidan. The problem for me is my relationship (or lack thereof) with my dad.
I was an accidental pregnancy. My parents were young (Mom was 20 and Dad was 25) and were serious drug addicts. My problems with my Dad started pretty early. Mom was in labor with me for 18 1/2 hours so there was plenty of time for my Dad to be there, but he wasn't. My uncle Billy was the man standing by my mother's side when I came into the world, not my dad. I lived in an apartment with Mom, Dad, my Aunt Cathy and my grandmother until my parents split up when I was five. Even when we lived together as a family, my dad was never really around and when he was, he wasn't into being a hands on dad. In fact, I don't have a single memory of playing with my dad during those years.
In the years that followed, I only really saw my Dad on holidays and for a few minutes on some Sundays. My dad came to one dance recital when I was eight and he came to my high school graduation. No violin recitals, no other dance recitals, no school plays and no awards assemblies. He took me on one weekend vacation to Ocean City, MD and even that was during a tropical storm so we didn't get to do much. It was always apparent that my Dad didn't really know me and didn't care to know me. I always could almost see the countdown in his head to when I turned 18 and he didn't have to legally give a damn anymore. In my entire life, I only have one memory that represents a true moment of father-daughter connection. When I was 18, my grandfather died and my dad and I were both devastated. We were at the funeral and "Amazing Grace" began to play on the church organ. My Dad just hugged me close and we sobbed together. I had hoped that this would be the beginning of a new start for us, but I was wrong. My grandfather died in October and by June I had moved to Virginia to move in with Ryan. On father's day 2004, I called my dad to wish him a happy father's day. When he answered the phone, he was so high on some substance that he didn't even know who I was or why I was calling. I hung up on him and haven't spoken to him since. I realized in that moment, that I would never be able to have the relationship with my dad that I should have and that I have always wanted.
I pushed my feelings about my Dad aside for years until I had my son. I distinctly remember holding Aidan when he was a few hours old and thinking of my Dad. I look just like him and Aidan looks just like me. I saw my dad's face in Aidan's eyes and it broke my heart that Aidan would never have a relationship with one of his granddads and it hurt to see just how quickly Ryan jumped into the role of "Super Dad", which I always wanted for myself.
I try not to think about my family because it hurts and makes me really melancholy but in the week leading up to Father's Day it is unavoidable. I allow myself a little time to think about my Dad but then I have to push it aside and celebrate my husband for being the spectacular dad he is.
Any male can help create a child, but it takes a man to be a dad.
I was an accidental pregnancy. My parents were young (Mom was 20 and Dad was 25) and were serious drug addicts. My problems with my Dad started pretty early. Mom was in labor with me for 18 1/2 hours so there was plenty of time for my Dad to be there, but he wasn't. My uncle Billy was the man standing by my mother's side when I came into the world, not my dad. I lived in an apartment with Mom, Dad, my Aunt Cathy and my grandmother until my parents split up when I was five. Even when we lived together as a family, my dad was never really around and when he was, he wasn't into being a hands on dad. In fact, I don't have a single memory of playing with my dad during those years.
In the years that followed, I only really saw my Dad on holidays and for a few minutes on some Sundays. My dad came to one dance recital when I was eight and he came to my high school graduation. No violin recitals, no other dance recitals, no school plays and no awards assemblies. He took me on one weekend vacation to Ocean City, MD and even that was during a tropical storm so we didn't get to do much. It was always apparent that my Dad didn't really know me and didn't care to know me. I always could almost see the countdown in his head to when I turned 18 and he didn't have to legally give a damn anymore. In my entire life, I only have one memory that represents a true moment of father-daughter connection. When I was 18, my grandfather died and my dad and I were both devastated. We were at the funeral and "Amazing Grace" began to play on the church organ. My Dad just hugged me close and we sobbed together. I had hoped that this would be the beginning of a new start for us, but I was wrong. My grandfather died in October and by June I had moved to Virginia to move in with Ryan. On father's day 2004, I called my dad to wish him a happy father's day. When he answered the phone, he was so high on some substance that he didn't even know who I was or why I was calling. I hung up on him and haven't spoken to him since. I realized in that moment, that I would never be able to have the relationship with my dad that I should have and that I have always wanted.
I pushed my feelings about my Dad aside for years until I had my son. I distinctly remember holding Aidan when he was a few hours old and thinking of my Dad. I look just like him and Aidan looks just like me. I saw my dad's face in Aidan's eyes and it broke my heart that Aidan would never have a relationship with one of his granddads and it hurt to see just how quickly Ryan jumped into the role of "Super Dad", which I always wanted for myself.
I try not to think about my family because it hurts and makes me really melancholy but in the week leading up to Father's Day it is unavoidable. I allow myself a little time to think about my Dad but then I have to push it aside and celebrate my husband for being the spectacular dad he is.
Any male can help create a child, but it takes a man to be a dad.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Blueberry Breakfast Muffins
I understand that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but I've always had trouble eating it. The mushy oatmeal or soggy cold cereal that Aunt Mimi tried to make me stomach before school would make me gag. Right after high school, I joined the work force working fast food, waiting tables and slinging lattes at Starbucks. The hours varied and breakfast would be at 4am one day and 2pm the next so I was never able to get into a good breakfast rhythm. Fast forward to my 6am weekday mornings that include getting a toddler and a slow moving husband out the door on time and with everything they need. These hectic mornings leave no time for breakfast other than toaster pastries or a granola bar. I wanted to make a grab and go breakfast that I could enjoy in the car or at my desk with no extra effort, so I tinkered with a blueberry muffin recipe that would include some extra fiber to keep me full and prevent me from gnawing my arm off at 10:20.
1 1/2 Cups of flour
2 Packets of Cinnamon or Maple instant oatmeal
2 Teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 Teaspoon of salt
1 Beaten egg
3/4 Cup of milk
3/4 Cup of powdered sugar
1/4 Cup of oil (Vegetable or Canola)
1/2 Teaspoon of vanilla
3/4 Cup of frozen blueberries
*****
1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, oatmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt and powdered sugar
2. In a small bowl combine egg, milk, oil and vanilla
3. Slowly add the liquid mixture into the dry until combined
4. Gently fold in the blueberries
5. Prepare a muffin tin with nonstick spray or with muffin liners and fill each muffin cup 2/3 full
6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
I made these muffins and really enjoyed them. They weren't too sweet and they had a nice firm texture that didn't fall apart and make a mess in the car or at my desk. If you want to add another layer of decadence, try spreading a little butter or cream cheese on top.
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