Sarcasm?

In my real life interactions I am sometimes told that I'm so sarcastic.  And that it's hilarious.  And I can be.  I know.  I had a student one time tell me that I was the most sarcastic teacher he had ever met.  My response? 

"Ya think?"  Said with a smile and a little laugh.

For the record, I work with the big kids.  The ones who drive cars, vote and have jobs. . .the ones who know everything and are quick to point out their parents' faults.  They are the kids who are old enough to "get" sarcasm.  They can appreciate it and laugh along with it.  They are pretty good at figuring out when I'm serious and when I'm sarcastic.  Sarcasm does not work with the younger crowd.  Bless their little hearts, they need kindness and love without having to try to figure out "Does she really mean that?"

I would assume that any readers I have are old enough to "get" when I am being sarcastic as well.  However, I am intensely concerned how the written word might come across to readers who do not know me.  I have a quote from a book I read last year that I keep next to my computer "The written word is perilous, as you can't always guarantee your words will be read in the spirit in which they were written." (Jojo Moyes The Last Letter From Your Lover.)  Some of the most successful bloggers provide sharp-witted sarcastic retellings of events in their lives.  One side of me would love to think that people would be interested enough in what I have to say that they'd stop in daily to check on me and my life.  But another side of me is concerned that we don't need another brash sarcastic retelling of life.   

For that reason I'm willing to keep my sarcasm for real life and keep my writing here focused more on the positive things.  Memories of my "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father Knows Best" upbringing.  Recipes from my family.  And my own reminders of my favorite things.

How do you thank someone who doesn't realize her importance? (aka "To Sir~~Um, Ma'm, With Love" part 2)

Last week I saw my vocal music teacher from elementary school at the grocery store.  It's the only place I ever run into her.  It always starts off as an awkward conversation that goes like this:.

Me:  Excuse me. . .ahmmm, I think I know you. (Hmm, what am I supposed to call her?  I know her last nane changed but never can remember it. . .and I sure can't call her Sara even though I know her by that name too)

Her:  Oh?

Me:  Yes, You were my choir teacher in grade school. I'm (then stumble to say my maiden name instead of married name)  I was the younger sister.

Her:  Oh yes!  How are you?  How's your mom?

We chatted for a while.  I introduced my girls to her.  (She said they didn't look like me which was so funny to hear since some people refer to each of them as my mini-me's)  My girls have heard all about my choir teacher and they know what a great experience I had at my elementary school  I tried so hard to tell her how much I appreciate all the work she put in all those years working on music programs for Christmas and in the spring along with the play every year.  She just poo-pooed my gushing saying "It was so much fun.  I loved the kids.  We had a great team.  It was fun.  The kids were great and we loved every minute of it."

What on earth can you say to that?

Sitting here writing this I truly have a wave of emotions come over me.  Because of this woman and the team of great people she worked with, I learned to waltz in third grade as part of a skit we did for music night.  We were waltzing at Cinderella's Ball.  She gave me the chance to play piano during one of the scene changes at one of the annual music nights.  She let me sing a duet for the Christmas Wassail in eighth grade.  And I still got a duet for Music Night my eighth grade year.

The hours she spent before school and after school and during lunch to get us ready for shows. . .it just amazes me.  There was no extra money in it.  She did it out of love of music and love of us kids. 

It doesn't get much better than that.  It can't get much better than that. 

We parted ways that afternoon, me with a slight lump in my throat that I couldn't quite explain to my kids.  I was so blessed to have good teachers who loved us and loved their jobs.

Bless you Mrs. H and your former teammates for giving us so much.

Who knew? (I really want to make that "Cu Knew" but that wouldn't make sense until after you read this)

A while back the kids had school but we parents had the day off so we were able to enjoy a leisurely lunch at Biaggi's.  We don't often eat out but I convinced my husband that he would love it.  And he did.  He raved about how good the whole meal was but he was especially pleased with the "cucumber thing."  That meant I would have to find a way to duplilcate it.  I don't for one minute claim mine is as good as theirs.  But I can get kids to eat cucumbers when I make this.

Cucumber Salad

3-4 cucumbers, peeled, sliced, and seed removed

2-3 slices of onion (dice them)

1/4 c sugar

1/4 c vinegar

sprinkle salt and white pepper

I mix the sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper first so it can start blending while I slice and dice onions and cucumbers
. 

Mix it all together and refrigerate.  This is one of those things that is always better the next day.  One of my girls has it as an after school snack, an addition to breakfast and even as a bedtime snack.  Who knew fresh cucumbers and vinegar could be so good, even to kids?

One Pot Lasagna

Sometimes we get stuck in food ruts.  So I have to go searching for different meals for the family.  I came across one that was called something like one skillet lasagna.  I printed it off then went home and made something different.  Oh I started to follow the printed recipe but I couldn't use celery or mushrooms and I didn't have all the ingredients on hand so I substituted here and there.  What follows is our version of a One Pot Lasagna.  We make it using a copper bottom stock pot.  I'll warn you, the pan gets a little nasty everytime we make it but thanks to hubby and the amazing powers of both baking soda and a brillo pad, we get it clean again.

3-4 full size carrots, shredded

1 medium onion, diced

1-2 teaspoons of crushed garlic (from a jar and worth every penny I spend for it)

EVOO

Sautee the carrots, onions and garlic in evoo in the stock pot

When the onions are transparent add:

1 can petite diced tomatoes

1 large can "traditional" spaghetti sauce (Hunt's or Del Monte)

1 cup water

Spice it up. . .we put in about 1 tablespoon of sugar along with a teaspoon or so of crushed red peppers.  You might also add oregano.  I'l be honest here, for me, adding spices is about shaking some in until it looks and smells right.  I give conservative estimates for you so you won't end up with something too hot to eat.

Once the sauce is good and hot, add your pasta.  You can use regular or "no cook" lasagna.  Break the strips into 1-2" long pieces and add to the sauce.  It should be covered by sauce but do not mix it in thoroughly.  Let cook for 12-15 minutes so the pasta cooks through.

Finally, reduce heat, stir the lasagna all together then add 1-2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.  Cover so the cheese can melt.

We often eat this as a no meat alternative but if I happen to have some extra ground beef I will occasionally add it in when I put the sauce together.  It doesn't look as pretty as a slice of lasagna on a plate but for the time investment, it's worth the trade off.  This meal can be put together in about 30 minutes whereas "real lasagna" takes longer and means more dirty dishes.

Little secret--my mom hates cooked carrots.  But she loves this meal.  It's gotten to the point that I tell her at the beginning of the week what's on our menu so she and Dad can plan to join us.  They rarely pass on this meal :-)

Super Bowl Snacks!!!

I was stumped.  I'm really not a fan of football (shhhh, don't tell anyone that I said that!)  And I'm on the eternal quest to lose weight.  I've also put the entire family on a "healthier eating program" by making slight changes without telling them. 

So what is a girl to do when she has a football loving husband and a family that loves any excuse to eat? 

I turned to Google which led me to The Food Network.  I am settling for these:

Since cucumbers are a hit with some members of the family:  Cuke with a Kick Finger Sandwiches

And just for snacking on all evening:
Spiced Mixed Nuts

And likewise for snacking on:
Cheesecake Brownies

Yeah, that should do it.  Along with some pizza.  And nachos.  Right?

Ahhhhhhhh! Nothing like a fresh clean soul!

A few weeks ago my youngest had her First Confession.  It's a tough thing to do. . .go to an adult and admit your wrongs to receive absolution.  And yet she was so excited about it.  She couldn't wait for that "fresh clean soul" feeling.   In talking with adults, lapsed Catholics and no-longer-believers, I have heard learned that many adults either never had that feeling after confession.   How sad.

My daughter's teachers did a great job preparing her for her first confession.  They talked it up.  I talked it up.  Hey, how else can you convince someone that it's a good thing to sit down face to face with a priest and tell him what you have done wrong? 

But it is a good thing.  It's hard.  It's humbling.  Sometimes there are tears involved. 

And when you hear those words "You are absolved of your sins" it is like magic. 

That was evident in the wide smiles and light steps of those little second graders as they each returned to their seats that day. 

Those little ones understand how important it is to talk to God.  God does not hold grudges.  God wants them to recognize when they hurt themselves or others and make amends.  God loves them. 

Bless those little angels.  May they remember confession as a good experience and choose to go frequently.

I.Made.The.Cut. Yay me!

Facebook claims that it will not tell when you leave someone out--whether it's blocking from a status update or denying access to a photo album.

I call bull.

Once upon a time you could quietly hide your activity from others.  There was no marker for the world to see when you did that.  Just some people mysteriously got very little info on your life.  Convenient?  You betcha.  Sometimes it's awkward to deny that friend request but you have no plans to share that much of your life with some people, right?

Then came a round of "improvements" from the world of Facebook. 

Yes, "improvements."

Now for better or worse you can see just who all those status updates are meant for. . .not by a listing but you can see whether it was shared with "friends" or "friends of friends" or "public" or my personal favorite "custom."

I'll admit it, most of mine are "custom."  Just because I accepted you as a friend doesn't mean that you need to know everything about me.  Sorry.  That's just the way it goes.  Please don't be upset.  Chances are I haven't shared everything in real life either--and chances are you would actually be thankful to know that you've been left out of some of it.  It's not about keeping anything from you in particular.  It's just no point in boring you with all of it.

When I see "Custom" it always makes me feel a little bit like Charlie Sheen.  I may not have Tiger Blood or Adonis DNA but I can be Winning!  If one of my friends has chosen to limit who has access to his or her life and I have made the cut, well, it's a cause for celebration.  Break out the party music and sing along:  "Celebrate good times, come on!"

I don't even care who was actually left out of the update.  I don't feel superior to them.  I just get great joy that I have been included in that little tidbit of someone's life.  Maybe it was pictures of the family's new home.  Maybe it was pictures of the kids at a program (aren't they precious!)  Maybe it was pictures of your birthday cake~~and you let me see how old you really are. (Yay!!  Celebrate every birthday you get to have!!!!  Rejoice in another year with your friends and family!)

But I digress.  I.made.the.cut.  And that is a cause for celebration in my little world.