I Can Has Cheezburger

This is another post dedicated to a website that I love to check out from time to time. Since I love cats, I find it hysterical. If you're not into cats, the site owners also have a dog version called I has a hot dog, and I put a few of those at the bottom.

There's My DNA

One day last month Charlotte and I settled in to look at one of my scrap albums. It happened to be Volume I in a collection of "My Life" albums. I was looking for some photos of the blizzard of 1979 to show her because she didn't believe me that the snow was so high we could walk right up on top of our shed and jump off into the snow drifts on the other side (it was great fun, by the way.)

Charlotte wanted to start at the beginning of the album and go all the way through to the end. Along the way were baby photos, vacations in Kentucky and Washington DC, plus the obligatory school pictures. When we got to my Kindergarten photo, Charlotte pointed and said, "There's Eric!" For years I've always looked at Eric as being a "Mini Me" of Mike. From the moment he was placed into my arms at the hospital I saw the strong resemblance between the two of them. Let's just say besides my blue eyes and poker straight hair, Eric didn't inherit much else from me.

When Charlotte made that comment, though, I instinctively looked at that photo of me when I was 5 years old to see what she saw. Perhaps it was the short hairstyle my Mom preferred on me, but I'd like to think that Charlotte saw the same resemblances that for the first time I happened to notice. It was kind of exciting to see a little more evidence of my DNA. In fact, I think he looks more like me now than he ever has before.

Homestyle Macaroni & Cheese

I don't know how many years ago I cut this recipe out of the Chicago Tribune; my copy of it is yellowing so I know it was a while ago. I've made this countless times, have shared the recipe with many, and Monday I got a hankering for it since I haven't made it in at least a year. I guess I was craving some good old-fashioned comfort food. My kids about gagged on it, 'cause it's not that nasty stuff from a box that they apparently prefer. This is one of my failures as a mother.

Unlike most of my recipes, this one will require a little bit of work. It's easy work, but it's still going to require you to dirty up some dishes and stand at the stove or counter for 20 minutes. The recipe "as is" will be more than sufficient as a side dish for a family of 4-5. It easily doubles for a 9x13 pan.

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1/2 stick butter
5 tbl all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/4 tsp dry mustard (or to taste)
8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
12 ounces (3 cups) grated mild cheddar cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tbl melted butter
salt and pepper to taste

Cook macaroni to al dente; drain (don't over cook, since it will continue cooking in the oven.)

While macaroni is cooking, melt 1/2 stick of butter on medium heat. Whisk in flour and stir for a minute. Slowly add milk, whisking to combine. Bring to a simmer. Add salt, pepper and dry mustard. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce slowly till very thick, stirring frequently (10-20 minutes). Remove sauce from heat. Add 8 oz (2 cups) cheese and stir until it melts. Pour sauce over macaroni and stir (NOTE: This recipe makes more sauce than you need, so add about half and go from there till it's the desired consistency.)

Pour macaroni and cheese into a dish that's been doused with cooking spray. Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese. Mix 1 tbl melted butter to 1/4 cup bread crumbs. Sprinkle across the top. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes until lightly browned on top and bubbling. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. I'm guessing it's like a gazillion artery-hardening calories, so don't think about it and just enjoy.....with some buttermilk biscuits slathered in butter. Hey, what's it matter at this point ;-) ?

Pardon Me

.....while I fiddle around with new backgrounds for my blog. I'm trying to find one I like and can live with for a while. Don't be surprised to find new backgrounds here over the next week or two before I settle on the one.

The Bionic Battery

I think every parent out there can relate to this. You know those annoyingly obnoxious toys that Just Won't Die? And it's nothing you've ever bought for your child. No. It comes disguised as a birthday present or a Christmas gift from some non-well-meaning relative or friend who thinks it's funny to get these things for your child. The louder and more annoying it is, the more your child loves it too. Can anyone relate?

About 4 years ago when Eric was at the height of his Thomas the Tank craze he received a musical Christmas tree ornament that was a train. You press the little red heart-shaped button and various ear-splitting-loud Christmas tunes play. It's amazing how loud this little thing plays. It's about 4" big, ya know?

Every year we pull this thing out of storage in our attic (which is freezing cold in the winter and boiling hot in the summer), and every freakin' year this train ornament still plays! And it doesn't play faintly......it's as loud as the first time Eric pressed that button. It's no wonder after the kids went to bed that I relocated the ornament to a very high branch. What kind of battery is in this thing, anyway? I had to laugh Sunday as I packed it away for another year, knowing full well that it probably won't die till my kids are teenagers.

A Few Words From Charlotte

I don't think there's a day that goes by when Charlotte doesn't crack me up with something she says. Here are a few Charlotisms. I hope you get a chuckle out of them too.

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"I'm only five years old, and I know stuff that I don't know."


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C: "I have something to say."

Me: "What's that honey?"

C: "Chickens lay eggs, cows lay milk, and farmer's grow corn."


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"It's getting early out. The sky is up."

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Scene: Tuck in time for Charlotte. She kept getting out of bed to tuck in her dolls, arrange her animals, a drink of water, etc. Finally I'd had enough, and said sternly, "Come on, let's go!" Charlotte responded matter-of-factly, "Sometimes I'm like that. I'm only a child ya know."


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As she's doing her homework:

"I think I"m getting along with my A's today."