Kids Cook Dinner

Good Wednesday morning!

The Gallery Pics are from an odd tree in our backyard. The first summer we lived here, we were surprised when our tree started "shedding." We thought it was dying, or had been struck by lightning in the middle of the night. Now we know it was just trying to survive an Alabama summer by stripping down to the bare essentials. While it may be a messy tree, I totally understand the need to get more comfortable. I do this by sitting on air conditioning vents throughout the day.

RANDOMNESS #1 - I have been informed the credit for yesterday's recipe really belongs to Joan and Jane's Aunt Jack. In my quest to only print the truth (yeah, right), I want to set things straight. Thank you, Aunt Jack, for an easy, yet delicious recipe!

RANDOMNESS #2 - In only a few days, Mikie will be 50... and I will officially be married to an OLD MAN!

He's handling the transition into a new decade well, I think. Gracefully. Confident. Looking good!

Except for a little gray at the temples (which I LOVE), Mikie looks the same. His eyes are still as blue, and he still laughs loud and often. He's still my very best friend, and the only person I have met in my lifetime who could put up with me for 23 years and counting. In fact, he has been my best bud for OVER half of my life now since our friendship began soon after we met at the tender age of 23.

As of today, he hasn't bothered going through a mid-life crises... which is good since I seem to have a different crises every other day or so. I don't see our family being able to handle two at the same time, so I'm very glad he decided to skip his. (He's a giver!)

His actual birthday is next Monday, but the birthday celebrations will commence this weekend. That means I'll actually have some new pics for Mindless Monday!

RANDOMNESS #3 - I just returned from an early morning run to the grocery store... Well, if you call 9:00 a.m. early.

Were some of you as upset as I was to see I didn't make the Hottest Summer Bodies issue of US... again? This is getting old. I'm probably only going to submit photos for five or so more years, and then I'm going to let this goal go!

Wednesday Wisdom - I mentioned last week I love Steven Wright's deadpan comedy. While these might not be actual "quotes," they will put a smile on your face this hot Wednesday morning!

"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand." (It took me a minute, but I finally got it!)

"Okay. So what's the speed of dark?"

"Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have." (Ain't that the truth!)

"When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane."

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy."

"Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film."

"I intend to live forever. So far, so good."

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."

"Boycott shampoo! Demand the REAL poo!"

I get him. I mean I REALLY, REALLY get him!

Kids Cook Dinner

Okay. It's summertime. The kids are home. Supposedly, there is a little free time you didn't have during the school months. Take this opportunity to let the kids cook dinner once a week! That's right! ONCE A WEEK! (It looks good in writing, but in real life you may not be able to pull this off. I did try one Summer, and the kids each cooked one or two dinners before school started back. However, once a week was not "doable" for our particular family. Remember. Be flexible!)

Pick out a dinner menu that is age-appropriate for your guys to prepare. Buy ALL the ingredients. Set them out at the appropriate time, and let the kids get busy.

This means preparing ALL the food, setting the table, fixing the ice for the drinks and CLEANING UP after the feast. (Don't be surprised if the kids ask for paper products.)

Get a magazine and sit somewhere nearby in case of an emergency, but enjoy this time off from "kitchen duty" knowing your kids are probably having fun AND learning something at the same time.

Simple Meal Ideas

4 to 6 years-old - There is nothing wrong with a "cold" meal. Using sandwich rolls and several different meats and cheeses, have the kids prepare a Sub-Sandwich Meal, complete with individual sodas and juice from the refrigerator and a variety of chip choices. They can wash apples and slice bananas (with a butter knife) to serve on the side. For dessert, nothing beats vanilla ice cream with a couple of topping choices.

7 to 9 years-old - These guys are old enough to work the crock pot! Use frozen meatballs, your favorite pasta sauce (Prego, etc.) and have the kids put them in the slow cooker for an hour or so, stirring occasionally. Again, using sandwich rolls, have a delicious HOT meal of meatball subs sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. These guys are more than capable so let them put a salad together, too.

10 to 14 years-old - Let's have Sunday dinner some time during the week. Buy a roast, carrots, mushrooms and pre-made gravy. Let the kids wash the meat and the vegetables and put them in the slow cooker. Add the gravy. Let it cook ALL DAY LONG filling the house with really good smells. Right before dinner, these kids can make and bake crescent rolls and prepare a salad. They can also make brownies or a cake from a mix for dessert. Talk about a feast!

Put your feet up and enjoy a home-cooked meal. You deserve it!

Have a lovely Wednesday. Do something "Summery" today! I'll be back tomorrow with Blog Linkage AND a summer date.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Thursday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda