And we have a winner!

At the end of the LOUDEST and most obnoxious pep rally I've ever been too, Tierney did win princess for her squad. I have to say I am proud.. She did a fantastic job leading the cheers and the dance that night. Congratulations Sweet Girl!!

Being a Mom should not be like high school

I'm writing this post, because one of my favorite bloggers made a good point about snooty Moms excluding other Moms they don't want to help with a Festival. I thought we left cliques behind in High school. I have found that a lot of Mothers base who they are, or where they stand in the hierarchy of school help, by how much they can take on. Thus making themselves look like supermoms. They are like Fem bots.....Stepford Mothers, if you will. They must think that those of us, who choose to help with things for the sake of our CHILDREN, not our status, are just lame mothers. I'm sorry, but I see it as the reverse. I will admit that I am PTO secretary at my daughters school. The only reason I took that on, is that I don't think the school does enough activities to instill school pride, or activities that help families spend time together. In this fast paced, get it done ASAP age, I think those things are lost. Kids are over scheduled and don't have time for fun. And that's just during the school day! Not to mention, if they like to play a sport, that's additional time. And I say LIKE to play a sport, not be forced to play, because it makes their Mother looks good. " Oh, So and so has piano on Monday, and soccer on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and swimming on Wednesday, and blah, blah, blah." Do you know what I would LOVE to say someday to one of those Mothers? "Honey, you're not complaining, you're bragging. Do you really think you're creating this well rounded child, or someone who resents you for not allowing them any free time? Come talk to me when they hit the teenage years, and let me know what rehab center they're in, so I can send you an I told-you-so card. Once they can't handle the pressure anymore and resort to some drug that will keep them going constantly, let me hear you brag about the rehab bills, money they stole from you and how you basically have no idea who your child really is." WOULDN'T THAT FEEL FANTASTIC???? They look on their plastic faces would be so priceless, I would be sure to snap a pic with my phone.
Now on the other end, My daughter is a cheerleader. (I wasn't thrilled, trust me.....I was the volleyball, diving, field hockey type.) Tonight is the Pep Rally/ Homecoming. And at the age of 8, they choose a Princess, to follow the homecoming queen. Don't get wrong, I think my daughter deserves to win it. She goes to practices and games, tries her hardest, and doesn't complain. But truthfully, I am praying that she doesn't get it. First off, their coach asked them to vote. At the age of 8, a name should have been pulled from a hat. They don't know who they're voting for!! They're just picking any name they know. I don't want her to win, because I think it promotes that "Popularity" contest. Also, her very best friend is on the squad and I do not want some silly princess title to come between their friendship. And you know damn well it will. Vice Verse if her friend wins. I have told her she should be happy and proud of her friend, but I know, she'll be crushed. No matter how many times she tells me she won't give her friend an attitude, I know she will. Unfortunately, another Mother overheard a coach last night and she seems to think my daughter has won it. I am dreading this evening.....
That's my vent for the day....I'll post what happens tomorrow.
P.s. It's cranberry season! Time to bake! Think cranberries and pears, port, Stilton cheese.....mmmm. I may have to post a recipe.......

One of those days

I'm just having "one of those days". My 2 year old won't stop whining, (and by whining, I mean screeching at the top of his lungs.) My soon to 8, (going 16 ) year old is pissed off becuase I made her come home from her friends house early. Why did I make her come home??? Because for the second week in a row, my husbands piece-of-crap-car has died, and we need to go get him. While he sits at my parents and drinks beer, I throw together a dinner or pork fried rice and veggie egg rolls and potstickers. Yum! My daughter has my tastes, she loves a wide variety of ethnic foods. Asian being her favorite. My son on the other hand is screaming for M&M's. I am sorry, this restaurant does not serve them for DINNER!!!! I offer a world of his favorites: Hummus, Homemade veggie chips, cheese of assorted flavors, on lovely sesame rice crackers. PB and J for pete's sake!!! Nothing. Don't eat then.

How on earth, does a chef/mom end up with 2 completely different tastes? I guess it's like the battle of the sexes, male vs. female. Bad eater vs. Good eater. Me vs. Them. Tonight me and a glass of red, bold legged wine win. After I drive 40 minutes and put everyone to bed. I don't think this counts as winning.

Winning to me would be peace and quiet. I would even consider using the erotic sense of eating in the dark. (and I mean pitch Black) Simple starter: pumpkin soup with coriander and creme frache. Imagine picking up you spoon, (yes you'd know exactly where it was in the dark!!) and sipping from it, a warm, smooth yet creamy, fall-feeling inducing soup. Imagine not knowing at first, what you where having. Would you be able to tell what it was? Pumpkin is distinct. Coriander.....maybe not. The feeling of Fall, cold weather and Halloween? YES!!! Next course: Crispy fried Duck, wrapped in a warm tortilla with plum sauce, scallions and a hint or orange zest. All sense tingling from the crispy, tart, warm, pungent taste. Eat it, savor it, feel it with your tongue.....in the dark, it would be beyond unique. Remember, you have 1 or your 5 senses has been removed, so your other 4 are heightened almost to orgasmic pleasure. Next would be baked brie. Wrapped in flaky, crispy puff pastry, with Raspberry Coulis drizzled over the brie and and served with simple plain wheat crackers, so that all you taste is the creamy brie and the fruity, tart Raspberry sauce. Finally I would choose and entree that would be simple, yet distinct. Chicken crepes. A smooth Veloute sauce with chopped roasted chicken and medley of veggies. Baked till bubbly and , yet the crepes still crisp. Dessert would be the big finale. Caramel apple pizza with homemade cinnamon ice cream. Hot gooey sweet dough with sliced apples and caramel. Grilled would add to the flavor even more. Would you be able to tell the difference between grilled and baked? Top with creamy ice cream and it would be heaven!!
Okay, now that I have had a fantastic dinner in my head, I'm off to battle with the warriors......Onward!!!!