June 30, 2006

Very Important Stuff Friday: drinks edition

In honor of the long weekend (god I hope you’re all getting a long weekend–you ARE getting a long weekend, aren’t you?) I though I would compile some of your favorite drink recipies. And look, I’m posting early so you can stop at the liquor store and the market on the way home! You’re welcome.

Let’s start with the non-alcoholic drinks, because sometimes you want something fantastic at, oh, 10:00 am (yes, I know you can drink alcohol at 10:00 am, but let’s pretend we don’t, okay? Okay). I knew that Kathryn would have some good NA options, as she’s both a party girl AND a practicing Mormon, and sure enough she came through with these two yummy recipes.

Pina Coladas (sort of)
Fill blender with:
4 cups of ice
1 cup of pineapple juice
1/2 cup of whipping cream
1/2 can of cream of coconut

Blend for 30 seconds. Pour into a glass filled 1/3 filled with 7-up and lots of crushed ice. Garnish with cherry and pineapple.

Banana Frape (from Kathryn’s Grandmama)
1 large can frozen orange juice
½ C. lemon juice
1 large can pineapple juice
4 C. sugar
6 C. water
6 crushed bananas

Blend all ingredients together.

Freeze.

To serve, scrape into glasses and pour 7 up or Sprite over each glassful.

(”As you can see,” she wrote in her e-mail, “we Mormons are liking the 7-Up.” Silly girl.)

I’m partial to a really delicious lemonade myself, and the Crystal Light I’ve been drinking isn’t cutting it. Fortunately, June Cleaver has a fantastic Watermelon Lemonade recipe: “Mix 2 cans of lemonade concentrate with 4 cups of water. Set aside. Cube 8 cups worth of seedless watermelon, then blend in a blender until liquified. Mix lemonade and watermelon liquid together. Serve over ice as is, or with a little vodka (OH MY!!) in each glass. Garnish with mint sprig if you’re feeling Very Martha, but understand that people might gag on this once they’re hammered.” Always good to think those details out ahead of time.

If you’re in the mood to cook a little, try out Candace’s Pineapple-Berry Fiz:

Combine in a small saucepan:
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
Heat, stirring constantly, until dissolved. Transfer to a pitcher and stir in 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (bottled is fine). Chill. When ready to serve, stir in 2 cups chilled seltzer water, 1/4 cup chilled pineapple juice, 1 heaping cup blackberries, and 8 strawberries, hulled and sliced. Serve over ice, if desired.

“I’m not sure what kind of alcohol would work with this,” Candace wrote, “but I’d LOVE to know.” Mmmm, me too.

At my house, it is totally not a holiday weekend unless there is some kind of ice cream related thing–milk shakes or sundaes or ice cream pie. Or all three! Thank god for Misfit Hausfrau, who wrote, “I used to bartend at the ol’ Olive Garden in St. Louis. I used to fart around in the bar when I wasn’t making old fashioneds and pouring Busch Lite Drafts. I never made a name for this one though.” I exhausted all my naming abilities with the children, but my god something this delicious needs a name!

3 scoops vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup espresso
1/2 & 1/2
15 Andes Mints
Throw the mess into the blender.

Top with whipped cream and garnish with another Andes.

Not surprisingly, Hausfrau won a contest with this drink. She also recommends a shot of Bailey’s or Khalua, which wins her my eteral love. Now name that drink! Go for it!

Molly, who used to live in Oklahoma but got out, lucky girl moved away, hooked me up with the recipie for Braum’s Cherry Limeade. Don’t tell me you don’t know what a cherry limeade is. Sheesh, people! What’s wrong with you?

Caroline and Kara both suggested the very refreshing club soda or Sprite (7-Up for Kathryn!) and cranberry standby, served with a twist of lime. And the very very pretty Mir sent me the link to Foodmomiac’s cucumber lemon water, which sounds so lovely and spa-ish, like something you would sip after a massage and during your pedicure. Mmmm, pedicure . . .

Okay, on to the booze.

You all know that my default margarita is either made in a restaurant or made with a mix (someone–Joel S? was it you?–also recommended the WS cosmo mix). Fortunately, Arwen–who is celebrating the start of her month-long leave of absence from her job this weekend!–sent this home made margarita recipie:

1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup sugar (add more but I like tart margaritas)
4 cups water

Mix that, siphon off some for the kids so they have limeade.

In a mixer/food processor for frozen (or in a pitcher for on the rocks):

3 parts mix
2 part tequila
1 part cointreau or triple sec
ice ice baby

“You know what to do now…. It’s the good stuff.” Thanks, Arwen, and congratulations!

We drink a lot of wine chez Friday Playdate, and while I’m very happy with a nice pinot at the end of the day, recently I’ve been wanting something a little more festive. The lovely Daysgoby must have been reading my mind this week, because she sent me a magnificent recipie for Citrus Sangria.

1 bottle chilled white wine (something dry-ish)
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 sliced Granny Smith apple
1 cinnamon stick
1 orange, peeled and sliced
1 pink grapefruit, messily sliced so it juices a lot
1 can chilled ginger ale
ice
Mix first six in pitcher, chill at least 2-3 hours. Add ice and ginger ale just before serving.

She also asked, “What happened to the tartinis?” Oh, don’t worry, I’m still in love with the tartini, but it’s a holiday! And a holiday calls for drinks that must be blended or served in pitchers. It’s a rule.

Finally, a few from the archives: Adria’s margarita sorbet (in the comments), Arwen’s lemon berry slushies, and Ms. Educat’s Margarita Slushies. Classics, all three.

Please drink responsibly, you all. Too much 7-Up can cause . . . um . . . something. Mormonism, maybe?

June 28, 2006

put together

Yesterday, I took Charlie to the dentist. And the night before, I laid awake dreading the visit and worrying about what might happen and plotting out all the possible ways something could go wrong, which wasn’t all that hard, really. It seems to happen all the time.

Two weeks ago, at the same dentist’s office, Henry screamed and cried because he didn’t want to have his teeth X-rayed; six months ago, he screamed and cried because he didn’t want to have his teeth brushed. Both times, the office staff were kind and considerate, and both times, I sobbed in the car on the way home.

I had no idea how Charlie’s visit would go. I had talked with him about having X-rays and about having his teeth brushed and about letting the dentist look in his mouth. He wanted to know if he would be able to pick a toy from the treasure chest, and if he could play the video games in the waiting room. I said yes, to both.

Yesterday morning, I got up early and showered and stood in front of my closet. It seemed important to me to wear something nice, to look like I knew what I was about, because there was a good chance that one–or both–of my children would end up in a heap on the dentist’s floor.

Two weeks ago, as Henry hysterically insisted that the X-ray film would “feel weird,” I watched the nurses exchange concerned glances and I knew that their concern wasn’t so much for my son but for me. I knew that they were wondering where exactly I had gone wrong in parenting this child, why I didn’t seem to have any ability to make him do what he was being asked to do. And frankly, I wondered, too.

I find myself, sometimes, thinking that perhaps there’s nothing wrong with Henry, that maybe his behavior is my fault. Maybe I’m just not a good parent; maybe I worry too much or expect too much. Maybe it’s all in my mind.

Often, when people can see that I’m struggling, they reassure me by saying, “There’s nothing wrong with him! He’ll be fine! You just need to relax!” And while I know that they are right–there isn’t anything “wrong” with Henry, and he WILL be fine, and yes, I do need to relax–I end up feeling that much worse in the moments when Henry is clearly struggling to do what other kids his age can do. Because I wonder if it’s all my fault.

So yesterday, because I was worried that Charlie, too, would scream and refuse to cooperate, I made a point of putting on a nice skirt and a necklace. I went out of my way to look like I wasn’t an exhausted mess, to look like I was a mother who knows what she’s doing. I suppose, at some level, I hoped that this would set the tone, if not with Charlie then with the dentist’s staff, who would see that I’m trying, I really am. And then, when the crying started, they wouldn’t wonder how I let this happen.

In the end, Charlie was wonderful. He did everything he was asked to do. He was peaceful during the X-rays and giggled when the nurse took one bit of film out and put another in. He sat still to have his teeth cleaned; he opened his mouth for the dentist. He said thank you when he was finished.

The nurse–the same nurse who tried, patiently and cheerfully and without any luck, to X-ray Henry’s teeth–made a note, in red ink, on Charlie’s chart about what a good patient he was. The doctor made a point of thanking me for being so helpful and attentive. I don’t think they were really talking about Charlie, though, or about my willingness to have him sit in my lap while his teeth were X-rayed. I think this was about their understanding that I’m not a bad mother.

I just wish it were as easy as putting on a pretty skirt every day.

June 27, 2006

tired mama

A photo essay by Henry.

Four hours of sleep, people! Look at the necklace! Don’t look anywhere else!

I can sleep sitting up. Can’t you?

Possibly an attempt to do some yoga stretching. Or to escape by crawling out of the room when Charlie isn’t looking. Hard to tell.

Charlie: Look, Mama, the pirates are on their ship! And they have their SWORDS! And some GUNS! But where are their hats? Can you help me find their hats?

Me: Uuuunnnnnhhhh . . . .

Mama? Mama? Wake up, Mama, and play with pirates! Mama?

Henry, I think we’re in trouble.

June 26, 2006

superheros redeemed

For the past, oh, probably two years, Henry has been fascinated by superheros. And by “fascinated” I mean “obsessed.” My house is strewn with superhero action figures, our playdates consist of pretending to be various members of the League of Justice, and dinner conversation revolves around which hero has what power and how he might use it. Charlie likes to mix it up by announcing that he prefers the bad guys, and frankly I’m starting to sympathize with him. Those superheros are driving me berserk.

Fortunately, Wade is always on the lookout for ways to redeem himself (he’s the one who started the whole damn superhero thing) and a week or so ago, he came across The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy, Book 1: The Hero Revealed, by William Boniface. It’s the story of Ordinary Boy, a ten-year-old resident of Superopolis, “Where everyone is exceptional! (And we mean that in a good way).” All the residents of Superopolis are superheros, except Ordinary Boy, who is, as his name implies, ordinary: “everyone here, except for me, has a superpower. The thing is, though, they only have one power. You won’t find some guy who can fly and has X-ray vision and is strong enough to lift a truck. It just doesn’t work that way. Sadly, just as with looks, talent, and brains, the powers that people end up with are hardly equal.” Like all boys his age, Ordinary Boy is searching for something to set him apart from all the other kids in his grade. Unfortunately, when your friends have super strength and the ability to change into bubbling ectoplasm, this is quite a challenge.

This is an incredibly smart and funny book. Boniface deploys all the conventions of the superhero narrative–the evil villain who consistently fails to exploit the hero’s weakness, for example–in a way that is accessible to young readers. He also mocks those conventions, but with great kindness. Ordinary Boy carries his L’il Heroes Handbook with him at all times; it not only tells him the names and powers of all of Superopolis’s residents, but provides the addresses of the secret hideouts of all the city’s super villains.

That information comes in handy when Ordinary Boy and his friends set out to solve a mystery: why is it so hard to get all 64 of the Amazing Indestructo collector cards? Of course, in their search for the missing card, Ordinary Boy and his friends uncover a great and sinister plot to . . . well, you’ll have to read the book. But I will say this: the story is predictable enough to be fun for young readers but clever enough to be engaging for their parents. A good deal all around.

Boniface does a good job of skewering the conventions of the superhero narrative, but he also mocks the conventions of marketing, particularly marketing directed at children. When Superopolis’s greatest superhero, the Amazing Indestructo, recommends McCavity’s Ultra-Paste, Ordinary Boy says, “I never used to like their toothpaste because it sticks to your teeth and sort of tastes like mushrooms, but if AI recommended it, I would have to give it another try.” I found this part of the story absolutely hysterical, because we have the ENTIRE line of tie-in Batman toys for a television series my children don’t even watch. And I hate those poorly made pieces of junk with a passion.

I can’t say enough good things about this novel; it is well written and funny and smart. Ordinary Boy, of course, turns out to have powers his friends don’t, like good critical thinking skills, and despite his lack of conventional superpowers, only he can outsmart the villain. Unlike the other superhero books my kids tend to pick up–all of which are movie or TV tie-ins–this one has a good message and enjoyable prose. Honestly, I will be sad when we’re done reading it.

I’m already waiting for the sequal.

June 23, 2006

Very Important Stuff Friday: shoe edition

Welcome to Very Important Stuff Friday, where you ask and I advise! (I’m still feeling a little meh about that title, by the way–sorry, Candace–aren’t some of you in advertising? Caroline, I’m looking in your direction . . . )

Quite a few of you had shoe-related questions this week, which is good because that’s something I know about. Keep in mind, though, that I’m just one woman shoe shopping for all of you–all opinions expressed here are, well, MINE and you should feel free to disagree. Or to provide other advice and links in the comments section! Let’s get to it, shall we?

Emily (hi, Emily!) asked, “What is the perfect shoe for the park? I just got home and my cute sandals are all full of sand. Ugh. But, it’s hot. I won’t give in to white tennis shoes, I won’t.” Stand your ground, Emily! You absolutely CAN wear cute shoes to the park, you just have to pick the RIGHT ones. You have two options: sporty shoes, or sandals. I recommend the sporty shoes for parks with mulch or kids who need to be chased, and sandals for sandy parks and kids who can entertain themselves while you lounge on a bench in the shade. Preferably with a magazine and one of Arwen’s lemon berry slushies.

Choosing sneakers doesn’t have to mean settling for white or boring. My favorite sporty shoe right now is this Merrell sneaker; it’s lightweight and comes in cool colors, and is really comfortable with or without socks. And not white! In Oklahoma City, you can find the Merrills at Shoe Gypsy, in Nichols Hills Plaza. They also carry a nice selection of Puma athletic shoes, which are another good alternative. My favorite park shoes are a pair of sneaker-inspired lime green Berne Mev leather slip ons from a couple of years back; I wear them all the time and every so often I scrub them up with saddle soap and try to get all the sand out. I love them.

Unfortunately, sporty shoes aren’t great with a skirt, if that’s your chosen park attire. So let’s talk about sandals! Keen makes some nice looking slip-ons with the curved bit at the front to protect your toes (useful if you will be running after a toddler or a dog or a good looking man–what? some of you are single). Then there is the basic flip flop, which is more suited to the aforementioned bench sitting. If you are a fan of the flip flop, check out the Havaianas; they come in fantastic colors and designs and really hold up well. I also like my J. Crew flip flops quite a lot, although the Havaianas can be washed, which is a bonus if you’re going anywhere with sand or dirt. I keep a pair of flip flops in my car–rubber ones from Old Navy that can be tossed in the trash at the end of the summer–for emergency sandy park stops.

Speaking of sandals, Meegs wrote that “my most perfect and comfortable sandals are about to bite the big one. I don’t think they make them anymore because they are from two whole seasons ago. How do I cope and not fall into a pit of despair?!” Chin up, Meegs! There are several things you can do. Start by looking around at eBay. You can search by the brand name (someone may be auctioning the EXACT sandals you are mourning!) or by style.

You can also go to Nordstrom or Zappos and browse until you see something that looks similar. Or, possibly, something that looks better! Zappos offers free shipping; Nordstrom charges $5.00 and has a good selection of narrow sizes. And if you’re lucky enough to live in the Seattle area, you can go to the Nordstrom to end all Nordstroms and actually TOUCH the shoes. Mmm, Nordstrom shoe department . . .

Moving on! Melynda (hi, Melynda!) bought this totally cute skirt and is looking for shoes. This skirt is just CRYING out for some fabulous sandals–either a strappy wedge espadrille, or a cool metallic flip flop. Melynda could also do a sandal with some beads or turquoise, although I would keep it simple, as the skirt already has some beads and that lovely crochet hem. You could also do something with some metal embellishment.

Anonymous (hi, Angie!) asked about my favorite pair of shoes ever; Mama Tulip got even more specific: “Okay. You can only wear one kind and brand of shoe for the rest of your life. THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WOMAN. What kind/style of shoe do you pick. And what colour? And why?”

Well, crap, people, why don’t you just ask me which of my CHILDREN I love more? Although that would be easy compared to this.

Favorite shoes ever: uuuuhhh . . . yeah. My favorite shoes right NOW are my J. Crew pink suede loafers. The very low heel and pointy toe makes them surprisingly versatile. If I could only wear ONE shoe for the rest of my life, it would be a ballet flat from J. Crew–practical AND pretty! The ballet flat goes with virtually everything and can be dressed up or down and is entirely comfortable. I’d go for something neutral, which for me could include pink or green or snakeskin or a nice silk print. And, although it probably violates the spirit of Mama Tulip’s question, J. Crew comes out with a new ballet flat nearly every season, which guarantees a nice range. The perfect shoe!

Just don’t wear them to the park.

Felicity wanted to know if she should have the bunion surgery. I have terrible bunions, and would have the surgery in a heartbeat (because pretty feet! that don’t hurt!) except that the six weeks of recovery is a deal breaker right now. BUT–a girlfriend of mine had it done, before she had her kids, and she really does have the loveliest feet I’ve ever seen. So, um, yes! Do it!

Finally, this, which is not about shoes at all but is Very Important: Mary asked, “What is the best brand of underwear for moms with muffin tops? And big butts. Cause I’ve got both and I hate the panty line and the flop over effect. Also, no thongs, please.” Spanx, baby! They’re the miracle panties. People swear by them. (And I don’t understand the thong either. My ass needs WAAAY more containment than a thong. Seriously.)

Phew. That was fun! And a lot of work! I’m going to lie down for a while, and then get myself together to take the kids swimming. Next week: Jane Austen! Get ready.

June 22, 2006

imagine your clever title here!

So yesterday? When I said, ask me some questions and I’ll answer them? See, I totally thought your questions would be about easy things like self tanner and lip gloss, and I would be all, dude, go to Sephora, and we would be done.

Instead, you asked really hard questions, about Jane Austen and mommy blogs and what constituted “normal” in the eighteenth century. And I got nervous because my brain! it has rotted!

Fortunately, you also asked about shoes, which I can do.

(As an aside, Bub and Pie asked what my Meyers Briggs personality type is. I had NO IDEA so I got online and took a quiz, which I’m CERTAIN is pretty much the same thing as having someone actually do the full workup, and it turns out that I’m an iNFj, so apparently I am TOTALLY qualified to give advice! Also, I am a good fit for a career as a minister or a preschool teacher. Um, yeah, whatever.)

Anyway, tomorrow I will answer all your shoe-related questions, so if you still have something you want to ask, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll make something up see what I can do for you! Next Friday: Jane Austen! And the Friday after that . . . who knows? That’s your problem, not mine.

I still need a clever title, too. Get on that. I have to go look at shoes.