Friday

I love that the boys and I are sitting here at lunch and Evan and Avery are playing Eye Spy!

Evan got to light the candles this week at chapel at school. He said the teacher let him do it all by himself - but it was scary and he got some on his shoe. Then he claims his foot was on fire... somehow I don't quite think that is the case. Especially considering the fact that his teacher sends home a note if he bumps his head or falls down - somehow I think I would have at least gotten a note if had been on fire!

On the way to church Wednesday night Evan stated "I think it sounds like fun to die" - ok... scary! After talking to him some more we discovered that he thought Heaven sounded like a wonderful place and he wants to meet his Grandpa Roger. We then tried to explain that we all have more work to do here on Earth and that SOMEDAY Heaven will be a wonderful place to be - but in God's time - NOT ours. I also said that I look forward to seeing my dad and several others again, but that for right now I hope I can stay with our family for quite some time.

Tonight Evan and Avery have soccer practice. Tomorrow they have their third game - we are hoping they will WANT to play. Just as it was last year, it has been a struggle to get them on the filed and keep them there. Alex is line coach and I have made/prepared snacks to follow the game. After the game we will go up to G'ma & Bodaddy's mountain house. Alex is wanting to make apple cider so we are going to go to an orchard - hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will also get to go on a hayride.

I must go and continue working on laundry, packing, cleaning... So much to do before we can leave for a night in the mountains!

So sweet!

There are some moments when, as a parent, you feel like you are just doing something right. Yesterday when we picked up Evan from pre-school he said "I missed Avery" awww. Avery replied "I missed you too" again awwww. Then Evan asked him if he missed him all the way to the moon and back again and Avery replied that he had then Evan said he had missed Avery all the way to the moon and back again. I just loved that. I frequently tell my boys that I love them all the way to the moon and back again, always and forever. So to Evan I guess he has learned to equate all the way to the moon and back again with A LOT!

We have been a busy family lately. Two Saturdays ago we had Evan & Avery's first soccer game of the season. Then made it to the pool for the last September weekend - we hadn't done so well getting to the pool this summer. It seemed like it rained or at least was thundering most days at 4:00 when we wanted to head over after Alex got home from work. After a nap we then went to Adam's Fest - a small festival here in Ballantyne to support Pediatric Cancer Research. We bought the wristbands for the boys to go on unlimited rides. They had a BLAST! We got our moneys worth just on the big slide that you ride down on burlap sacks. Made me think about when Jannette Dugan and I did that when we were young and Jannette got stuck on one of the hills because she didn't weigh enough to make it all the way down. We ended the amazing day by going to dinner at Duckworths. Alex was hoping to catch the NC State football game, but it wasn't being televised so we had to just enjoy a yummy dinner and some great beers.

Last weekend we went to Evan & Avery's second soccer game and I must say that this season is going just about the same as last. They both really wanted to play - but then when it comes time for the games - they really don't want to play so much. Luckily there are only 5 more games and it is a short season this year. After coming home, eating lunch and taking a quick nap we headed to the invitation only opening party of the new Krispy Kreme in Cotswold. Yummy doughnuts for everyone! We then rushed home and Marissa came to watch the boys while Alex and I went out to celebrate our 6th anniversary. What a busy 6 years we have had - first my unknown virus prior to the wedding, bought a new house,Alex got a new job, Alex was diagnosed with MS, got the Prius, had Evan, the doctors caught a growth on my liver and I had to have 2 surgeries to have it removed, we had Avery, then we quickly had Owen, Owen couldn't swallow thin liquids - they would go straight to his lungs, so they had to be thickened, then he had to have a double hernia surgery, then came the mini-van and here we are today. Alex surprised me by taking me to dinner at Zebra - that is the restaurant we went to the night he proposed. He also thought we would go to Tutto Mundo & Morehead Street Tavern (both places we went to the night we first re-connected) and they have both closed - ha! So then we went to D'Vine Wine and enjoyed talking and some live jazz music. It was such a lovely evening. I am so very blessed!

Funny things you never thought you'd say... Evan, put on your close-toed shoes - would have thought that would only have been a statement to a girl - ha!

I just changed Owen's diaper and when he got up, he picked it up and took it right to the trash can and put it in - impressive!

Time to get Evan to pre-school and then go looking for pants to fit Owen - he must be shorter than the other two were at this age - he still seems to need 12 month pants vs the 18 months that he is. You would have thought clothing for Avery & Owen would have been simple - Evan's old ones - but they have each grown a bit differently - they like to keep it challenging. So off to the rat race of another day with three boys!

Dinner with Raj & Jenny

We had our friends Raj Bhandari & Jenny over for dinner last night and this is what we made. It was a perfect evening eating a yummy dinner out on the deck with the boys and friends! It was topped off with Gigi's cupcakes (brought by Raj & Jenny) and Alex's orange chocolate port.

My version adapted from

Sweet-and-Smoky Baby Back Ribs with Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

Bon Appétit  | July 2000

by Steve Raichlen

Ingredients

• 6 Country Style Ribs
• 1/2-3/4 cup bourbon

• 1.5 tablespoons coarse salt
• 1.5 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
• 1.5 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoons ground black pepper
• .5 tablespoon garlic powder
• .5 teaspoon ground cumin 
• Preparation Arrange ribs in large roasting pan. Pour bourbon over. Chill 30 minutes, turning ribs often. Pour off and discard bourbon.Whisk salt and next 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Sprinkle spice mixture on both sides of ribs. Baked at 250 degrees for 90 minutes then grilled at lowest temperature. Would recommend cooking longer in the oven, but due to time constraints. Could also let them sit with dry rub for an hour then bake then grill if time allowed.
• Bourbon Barbecue Sauce (a couple of my adjustments)
  Bon Appétit  | July 2000
  yield: Makes about 2 1/2 cups
  Ingredients
  • 1 cups ketchup
  • .25 cup mild-flavored molasses
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1.5 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
  • 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoons paprika
  • .5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • .5 teaspoon onion powder
  • .5 tablespoon dark brown sugar
  Preparation
  Combine all ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer uncovered until sauce thickens and flavors blend, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover; chill.)
  
  
  Amazing black beans adjusted from
  
  Kemp's Black Beans
  Gourmet  | April 2007
  
  
  yield: Makes 8 to 9 cups
  active time: 15 min
  total time: 2 1/4 hr
  Don't be fooled by the short ingredients list; these vegetarian black beans have a surprisingly complex flavor. Since I can't use a meaty bone or... more ›
  Ingredients
  • 1 lb dried black beans (about 2 1/3 cups), picked over and rinsed (but not soaked)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 c chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 cup tawny Port
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon cumin 
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  Preparation
  Bring black beans, onion, oil, chicken stockc, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a 6- to 8-quart heavy pot, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until beans are tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours (depending on age of beans). Thin to desired consistency with additional water. Stir in Sherry and remaining teaspoon salt, then soy sauce and vinegar to taste (start with 1 tablespoon each), and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. 
  
  
  Due to time I used two cans of black beans, rinsed them, added a cup or two of chicken stock and the rest of the ingredients minus the oil. Cooked it down. Served topped with Greek yogurt. 
  
  
  
  
  Kendall's Zucchini Cornbread Casserole
  
  2 cups shredded zucchini (squeezed to drain)
  2 cups shredded yellow squash (squeezed to drain)
  1 small onion, chopped
  1/2 of a large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  2 eggs, beaten
  1 (8.5 oz) packaged dry corn muffin mix - I prefer Trader Joe's (if use entire box double rest of the ingred)
  1/2 tsp. salt
  1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  3 heaping Tbsp. Trader Joe's shaved Parm, Romano & Asiago cheese (can also use grated parm)
  
  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 2 qt. casserole dish.
  
  In a large bowl, mix the muffin mix, eggs, salt and pepper.  Stir in all veggies, and half of the cheddar cheese and mix well.  Spread mixture into the greased casserole dish and top with the remaining cheddar cheese and the grated Parmesan.
  
  Bake for 1 hour