Cooking: Easy Peasy and Some Bragging

These are some pictures from a hike that was recently taken. Yes, the dog climbs ladders. If you have met our dog, you know he is a freak. The fall here in Chattanooga is absolutely glorious this year. These were taken two weeks ago and now the colors are amazing!

Well...it's been awhile

I'm sort of back. At least for a minute.  The months have rolled by and with them a lot of wishing I was blogging.
Birthday girl did not get her post. 15 is grand and involves driving.

We went to two music festivals, with lots of great laughs and brought home lots of great long, long lasting memories.

Summer working is a new experience for me. The last summer I worked full time, I was not a mother. I sped home after work and went to the pool just as the moms were packing up. Suckers. Now, I go home and pick up my kids for their social or sports activities. Much different.

I started working out at Pure Barre and so far, I hate it in a good way. So out of shape, but feeling more energetic and inspired to do more.

My garden is coming along and is gorgeous. My backyard project is 80% done. I scraped the railing to paint and we installed reclaimed tin around our deck. Summer is what it is, busy and full.


I have missed blogging, mostly because it me time. My head time.  But, my head has been tired.

Whatever: The end of a long week

The weeks are flying by and school will be out for the summer soon. I can't believe that my oldest will be finishing her first year of high school.

This week was a sad one as we lost a beloved ex-headmaster and great leader in our community. Ellie and I went to his funeral and while it was indeed sad, it was more a celebration of a great life lived in service to others.

We are finishing our week off with celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary. Crazy that we have been married that long. I can't imagine a life without Steve, even when we argue and cannot seem to find resolution. The last 19 years together have been really wonderful.

This weekend winds down the girl's activities for the school year. Ellie has one last lacrosse game. Delaney's debuted the spring musical last night. We have tickets for Sunday. I can't wait to see her perform. She is ensemble, but has one small solo part. Little Shop of Horrors is one of my very favorite musicals.

I hope you have an amazing weekend.

Cooking: Birthday parties are the best!

We had the "best birthday party ever!!!" according to the birthday girl. Kickball is an amazing equalizer. A few box mix birthday cupcakes, a little store bought pizza, 1,000 drinks and a major connection hook up and you have yourself a very fun birthday party.

Dirt: Childhood is fleeting

Cooking: Salmon Rushdie

Remember when Salman Rushdie was in hiding in the 1990's for writing The Satanic Verses?

I read the book and actually loved it. Funny how people got so worked up about a book they probably did not even read. 

On that note, I made the most delicious dinner tonight. I raved. Steve raved. Delaney inhaled it (Delaney inhales everything these days with two sports being played right now..). Ellie balked. 

It was a huge hit. 

I should have taken photos, but I was too busy shoveling it into my mouth.

Here's the recipe I altered and made my own...enjoy!

Salmon Florentine (A la Tanya )

• 2 cups spinach, chopped 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small minced onion
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 can stewed tomatoes, drained
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta
• 4 skinless salmon fillets (6 oz each), rinsed and patted dry (salted and peppered)

Heat oven to 350°. de. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions; cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute more. Add spinach, tomatoes, salt, pepper flakes and pepper; cook, stirring, 2 minutes more. Remove from heat; let cool about 15 minutes. Add ricotta; stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Pack  spinach mixture on top of each fillet, matching the shape of the fillet. Place fillets on a rimmed baking sheet or in a glass baking dish; bake until cooked through about 15 minutes. 

 

Cupcakes I am making for my daughter's Halloween party on Saturday

Maybe...?

 

Menu: Computers are people too

After yesterday's post, I am sure I seem like a holier than thou parent.

Far from it. I am just learning and sharing the trip. Bumps and all.

We are entering a brave new world and I for one have mixed feelings about it. 

I love my technology, am addicted to the stuff. My kids are as well. Which is hard. Brains are getting wired and it makes me concerned that computers are doing the wiring instead of the other way around.

One thing I love about my computer use is documentation of mine and my family stories. 

We are losing generations. My grandmother is the last of that generation in my family and I have not seen her in two years. Hard. The last two times I spent time with her, I wrote her stories down. She has some amazing ones, which she thinks are silly or not important.

Blogging for me, is a way to keep track of some of my stories, during my 4th decade alive. My kids will remember most of the stuff I blog about so I wish I had done it earlier.

Computers. Love 'em or leave 'em.

Casa Swann Menu Last Week of Summer

• Homemade sauce and meatballs/ sour dough bread/ 
• Crockpot Balsamic chicken/sauteed kale/ grilled zucchini
• Italian sausage/ kale and quinoa salad/ grilled peppers and onions
• Frittata

*I bought $10 of kale at the farmer's market  Sunday...which translates in about $40 at the store

Dirt: We Are Almost There

My life the last few weeks has been a little bit weird with me getting used to working and the girls getting back in a routine.  We are almost there. I am getting my feet under me and with the exception of dogs marking rugs and me having to mop and disinfect my entire room and bed, I am getting things done in the evenings when I get home.

 

The girls are staying busy with school, homework and extra circular activities.One is playing two sports AND singing in a choir AND holds a student government office AND has a social life. My head spins. The other one is almost as busy, but middle school holds you back just a little. So at least she does not have to be driven hither and yon.

Steve and I had a conversation the other night that we have gotten to that spot where we are alone as much as we are with our kids. Weird. But a good weird. 

This weekend is our last outdoor concert weekend. The summer was a great one for music. 

 We have tickets to see the Lumineers in October. I feel September will be a little drought like musically. Although I am hoping to get tickets to see Dwight October 3rd, which is almost September. That would be awesome. I love him, mostly because he's great, but also because my Memaw, who died when she was just 13 years older than I am now, thought he was hot.
That is all it takes for me.

Cooking: A menu means routine or vice versa

My love/hate relationship with kids going back to school continues.

Hate the hassle of getting everyone out the door. Love that food I buy lasts more than 15 seconds.

Hate that my kids social lives trump mine. Love that my kids have social lives and are not bugging me to create fun for them. Hate the nagging "do your home work" "bring home all the pieces of your uniform" and the ever popular "check the lost and found for your uniform". 

Love a schedule. 

 

Uniforms change colors as they move up

Along with a schedule comes meal planning. Cooking and eating never take a vacation at my house (we actually cook on vacation), but sometimes we are a little more "fly by the seat of our pants". 

Sometimes I run out of food (*Ahem ALL SUMMER).

Back to school means back to a menu. 

Here's this week's:

 Casa Swann Momma's Gotta Job/ 

Girls Gotta Get Some Learnin' Menu

• Pulled chicken sandwiches/ oven fried okra/ baked sweet potato fries
• Tomato pie with bacon/ sauteed kale
• Red Beans and Rice/ Sausage
• Grilled chicken and veggie flat bread sandwiches

Dirt: Friday, Summer and Gratitude

How did another week go by? 

Is it really less than 30 days (25) until the girls go back to school?

I had lunch today with three of my best girls and we talked about how with swimming, summer begins the day after City Meet. Meaning, for us, summer started July 15th.

Crazy. 

 

 

This sight is the signal for "Summer's here"!

But, I fully intend to maximize the rest of my summer.

I plan on taking my girls to the pool, going to a drive-in movie, eating tomatoes (hopefully they are in) and living a little less harried.

I have slipped on my blogging and especially my Gratituesday posts. The thoughts are always going through my mind, just not making it onto paper (so to speak).

I am eternally grateful for several things that are really  not things.

God's love, which He reminds me in interesting ways is always there (Hello, Aunt Margaret), Summer and the health and physical ability of my children and husband. 

We run because we can. We swim because we can.

Summer is the time to revel in being strong and healthy.

 

As I start the weekend full of fun and catching up (chores) on the home front, I can't help but lift up a prayer of thanksgiving for these things.

 

 

Dirt: When your kids are cool(er)

Since Steve and I are so into all kinds of music, we always have something playing. 

Whether it is the car, outside or even the earworm going on in our brains, there is always something playing or being sung at Casa Swann.

So, it is no wonder both of our kids are into music. 

Ellie is less of a concert goer, but she is more into music. Delaney lives to see live music. She has been begging me to take her to Bonnaroo for the past two years.

 

 

Next year might be our year (once I figure out a leash system for her). But in the meantime...

Being underage and into cool music that most of their friends have never heard of is really kind of hard. The all ages shows usually do not appeal to them. And while they get that when they are 18 there will be even better bands that they love, it still is hard. 

Next week, one of their favorite bands is coming to Chattanooga. But of course, it is 18 and older. 

So, I got online to see what I could find. 

BOOM!

Free music fest in Atlanta (two hours away). All ages, all good music and of course, outside.

Fun! Fun! Fun!

So, today, we are packing up the truck and heading down to hear music and eat street food.

Perfect Saturday with the family unit if you ask me.

InstaFriday: Cool as we wanna be

 Instagram makes my life look so much cooler than it is! 

Have been hanging out with my mom doing what she loves to do, scour estate sales.

I scored these fancy glasses. Passed up the 8 track tapes, but dang it was tempting.

My newest obsession

 Summer means two things, swim team and good eating.

Salads get a lot more exciting at Casa Swann in the summer.

Swim meets twice a week go so much faster if you have a job to do. 

I like to be a judge. Love getting front row of all the swimmers, from hilarious 8 and unders "diving" off the blocks to the seriously fast seniors flying across the pool. 

My girls are middle of the pack summer swimmers, but love it.

salmon cakes and kitchen sink salad

 Did a crazy thing this week and convinced my reluctant hair dresser to darken my hair.

Right now, it is temporarily darker than it will end up. Which is kind of fun. It's shocking when people see me and I love seeing them try to figure it out.

 My husband is an 80's old wave guy and we went to hear the Psychedelic Furs at our local music festival. They were great, but about 102 years old which was really weird. Pretty in Pink? You bet.

 My girls are finally easing into summer. We have been up every morning and out the door by 7:45, but they come back and relax and goof off. Friends are over watching movies, I have been the chauffeur to the pool and library, and today we are heading off to hear music in Atlanta. 

Perfect, fly by the seat of your pants summer. 

Maybe we are cool.

Check out the really cool Jeannette.

Instafriday: Mother's Day

Happy Mother's day to all the mothers in my life.

And to my children,

 

 who call me "Momma" and "Mommy" still, even though they are teen and almost teen girls... I love you more than there are words to express. You make my heart hurt, my hair gray and my life fuller then I could ever imagine.

I love you.

Check out all the other "cool moms" via Life Rearranged

Cooking: Menu and a movie suggestion

Weekend was so, well, weekendish.

Kids went to a play, we had a date, attended a right brain festival kick off, and two lacrosse games. Following all that, we went to lunch with friends, including one visiting from Washington, D.C., all the while sporting our new farmer tans courtesy of the lacrosse field. 

Via

 We had big hopes, but ended up watching a movie (IQ, more on that in a moment.) til midnight. 

Sunday, we lazed about, worked on homework and a project which included a trip to Goodwill and the grocery store. We got a little yard work done, I cooked a pork tenderloin and then the day was over.  And so was the weekend. 

weird things at Goodwill...one came home with us.

We pack so much in, including a little down time, which makes it just fly by. 

When I was getting ready for bed last night, I told Steve that I love Sundays because we are all home as a family and relaxing. We may not all be together, but we are all "around" and it makes me so happy.  The kids will be gone before we know it, so I relish these lazy days.

While the kids were working on math problems and studying for tests, I was planning dinners with their input. Very sweet girls told me things they liked and so, the menu was easy this week.

We have a track meet and a lacrosse game this week, so two nights will be "later" nights and I picked the make ahead meals for those nights. 

Have a great week and read below why you should watch Walter Matthau being a great Albert Einstein in I.Q.

Casa Swann Picked by the Girls Menu

• Salmon Burgers (homemade)/Zucchini Fries/ Box Mac n Cheese (the girls love it)
• Sloppy Joe/ Sweet Potato and Smiley Fries/ Salad
• Pesto Chicken thighs (last bit of last year's pesto)/ Kale salad (from my neighor's garden)/ roasted carrots
• Squash, Tomato, and chickpea stew/corn muffins
• BBQ chicken sandwiches/grilled salmon burger/ slaw

**Movie Review** We have been watching old movies with the girls. Some are hits and some are misses. This weekend, I wanted to watch a fun, romantic comedy as I was tired and just wanted to relax. Steve had already gone to bed, so the girls and I watched I.Q. with Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins and the ever wonderful Walter Matthau.
 First, it is funny. Smart funny, which the girls and I always give extra points to a movie which we find it to fit this criteria. Of course, it is about one of the greatest minds in the history of the world, so it better be smart. However humor is as valuable as brains, with the scientists who are so hilarious, especially when they are helping the Tim Robbins character, Ed, take a test. 

Speaking of which, it has Tim Robbins, who is very nice on the eyes. Extremely nice.  However, the best thing about this movie is that it is about embracing what you are, not changing to fit a certain image. From the scientists, who dress in a very eccentric manner to Ed who is a mechanic who reads popular science, the focus is on being who you truly are. 


The character Catherine, played by Meg Ryan back when she was still Meg Ryan, is coming to terms with that idea. She is a brilliant mathematician who underestimates her own worth. Set in the 1950's at Princeton University, the scenery and cars are worth watching alone.  However, I recommend it for the dialogue and the message as well. 
Oh...and Walter Matthau is absolutely fabulous as Albert Einstein. 
As always.
 

Instagra-Friday: Catch up

We had a busy week last week and have gotten back in the swing of things this week.

Last week, the girls were on spring break. We love spring break. 

There is no holiday rush, no company to entertain and sometimes the weather is nice.

This year, the weather was terrible. But we didn't really care. The girls had sleepover guests, we say Oz the Great and Powerful, slept in, cleaned out closets and just relaxed. 

Tuesday, our Crisp Girlfriends invited us to either go skating or bowling. The girls chose skating and they  had a blast. Our kids are the most gorgeous girls in town. Hands down.

Dirt: The time, it flies

I have a love hate relationship with old photos.