Leap Year

February in Review

1. We love the Oatmeal Togo bars.  Tried to make some here at home.  Still need to perfect the recipe.
2. I've spent much of the month knitting trying to finish the mystery sock KAL from January.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...
3. I finally finished my short loop scarf.  The yarn was from a gc my sister gave me for Christmas 2010.  I love the scarf, but it got too hot outside to wear it :(
4. Peanut came down with an ear infection requiring a Saturday visit to the pediatrician.  The antibiotics stopped it in its tracks.
5. The Big Guy re-caulked Peanut's bathtub.  It looks lovely.
6. Sixteen high school swimmers team qualified for State.  We had a great time in Nashville.  Pumpkin took 17th in the 100 Breast!!
7. I got my hair done.  Thank goodness for color.  I love when the greys disappear.
8. Peanut and The Big Guy completed the winter cross country series earning first and fifth places, respectively.
9. Pumpkin started assisting a stroke victim who is paralyzed on one side.  He works with her in the water once a week.
10. Had, yet another, repair on the ancient Volvo.  We are crossing our fingers that it is good to go.
11. Gave the boys boxers for Valentine's Day.
12. Watched way too much college basketball (a great excuse to knit even more!)
13. We spent four days in Knoxville for the Southeastern Swim Championships.  Pumpkin swam all personal bests in seven events.  My sister and bil came down from Cincinnati to see him swim - and to see their daughter.  Loved hanging out with family.
14. Peanut's basketball team won their division.
15. Enjoyed the date night at Viking Culinary school.
16. Re-decorated the mantle and the wall above it.  I was able to pull most of the stuff from around the house.
17. Entertained a group of folks as a farewell to our swim team manager who is moving.  It was so nice to use the dining room.  We need to do this more often.
18. Pumpkin participated in solo & ensemble competition.  He received a 1+ for his solo!
19. For the first time in a looong time, I worked on President's Day.  The boys did fine at home alone.
20. I made it almost two months w/o buying anything new for me.  When I was in Knoxville, I succumbed to the pressure and bought a pair of shoes and a vest.
21. The daffodils bloomed!  The winter was very mild.
22. I think I got foot rubs on about every night in the month of February.  My Sweetie is the best!
23. Pumpkin got to tour Collierville on the double decker bus.  I think the recycle center was one of the highlights.
24. We bought a set of new flannel sheets.  Our other sets are 10+ years old.  Wow!  The new sheets are very cozy - just wish it was cold outside.
25. I gave up on the mix-n-match beverage glasses and bought new everyday glasses.  I smile when I use them.
26. Soccer started up with a bang.  Between practice and games, Peanut has one everyday this week.
27. Replaced the flourescent light fixture in the alcove in the kitchen.  It was very easy and we were so happy we were able to do it ourselves.
28. We continue to use our cloth napkins and try to minimize our impact.
29. We got to enjoy an extra day in February!  Here's to four great years until we enjoy another one!!

Grizzlies Game - Last Tuesday

The Big Guy got some tickets to the Grizzlies' game last week. I am not a big NBA fan (college ball is a different story.) Considering the fact that the tickets were given to us, I could not refuse the chance to go. My boys enjoy the basketball and were absolutely thrilled to get the chance to go.

The music was so loud during the warm-up. It felt like our seats were vibrating. I know. I am getting old!

Our seats were great! 

Even though the picture does not reflect it, I was wearing makeup:)

The seats did fill up a bit once the game started.  The boys were enthralled.  Memphis had quite a lead.  The 76er's pulled up and made it a bit exciting.

In the end, the Grizzlies pulled it off.  It was a fun night, but I still marvel at why the players make so much darn money.

Belated Fancy Valentine's Dinner

Historically, on Valentine's we pull out the china and have a "fancy" dinner. This year, Valentine's fell on Tuesday and we just could not pull it off. Pumpkin doesn't get home until 8ish on Tuesday nights. Anyway, I decided to celebrate on Sunday. I thawed the turkey that Peanut and the Big Guy won in the free throw contest. I don't roast turkeys very often. Each time I do it, I just marvel at how simple it is. I brushed it with olive oil and sprinkled on some seasoning.

We had turkey, stuffing, steamed asparagus, bread and fruit with a dob of yogurt. It just makes me smile to use our dining room. We've really enjoyed it and the comfy chairs.

Buddy, on the other hand, prefers the table without chairs. That was his place. He'd stake out under the table. Now, with the chairs, he has to settle for a spot next to the table.

Before we finished dinner, Buddy worked his way under the table and sprawled out. Yes. We left the table with out pushing the chairs under it. The clean up was so easy. I finally tried the china/crystal mode on the dishwasher. It was simple! I just may pull the good stuff out more often. I thought about buying a few additional sterling pieces. Who knew sterling was so expensive!?!? --Can't justfy it.

Viking Culinary School

The Big Guy got us tickets to the Viking Cooking School. It was part of my Christmas present. You gotta keep in mind that he hates to cook. I, on the other hand, love it. I was flattered. We went to the Surf & Turf class on Friday night. This was even more special as we don't go out on dates very often.
I dug my phone out and snapped a few shots. They aren't the best but capture the moment. In this first one, he was cooking some bacon for the twice baked potato soup.

We have never made lobster at home.  We have a hard time rationalizing anything like that as we live in the middle of the country.  This lobster was huge!  I was surprised at how easy it is to cook.  We just might try it.  The boys would like the experience.

Moments later the Big Guy dropped the lobster in the pot.  There wasn't any "singing" or "hopping."  I was glad the lid did not pop off!!

I have to say he did a fabulous job grilling the steaks.  They were a special treat.  There were twelve folks in the class and we were grouped in three groups of four.  I was feeling some pressure that the Big Guy was cooking someone's steak!

The meal was very heavy!  I think they loaded it up.  I don't think anyone would serve all we had in one meal.  You can't see the lobster bisque sauce.  I put it in a separate dish to dip it.  I am just like that. I was looking forward to the roasted broccoli.  It ended up being too salty for my taste.

I did not take a picture of the desert.  The Big Guy is still raving about how good it was.  It was an apple cake with caramel sauce and cinnamom ice cream.  Yum!  You just can't think about all the butter.  It was loaded!  The cake was extremely moist.  We will have to give a try at home.

After the class, I got the opportunity to shop in the Viking store.  I would love a Viking stove, but ended up buying a flexible steamer.  We used it tonight to steam some asparagus.  How easy that was.  For years, I've been dragging out my bulky rice/steamer appliance - won't have to do that.  Bring on the veggies!  I also bought a bench scrape.  I think once I get in the habit of using it, I won't know how to prep w/o it.

The class was informative and very entertaining.  The food was good albeit way too much for one person.  Unfortunately, you can't take any home.

If you have the chance to attend a class, jump at it.  There are a few other classes on the list that we just might have to try.

State Swim Championships

Nashville Bound...TN State High School Swim Championships...I am excited for Pumpkin!

Semester Awards

It was that time of the year - semester awards for Peanut

He was one of three in his "group" that got the top awards.

He finally looked over at me

My camera is not the best, but I zoomed in on him while the program finished up.

Mardi Gras Party and a Cold

Peanut went to a 13th birthday party a few weeks ago. The theme was Mardi Gras and he got to a wear a mask we brought home from New Orleans years ago.

Pumpkin has a cold. He was miserable yesterday. We went to the doctor just to make sure it wasn't strep. He is just about too big for the pediatriacian's exam table.

He is feeling much better today. Yahoo! There are some important swim meets coming up and we all need to be healthy.

Not sure if my sister is reading this, but check out the sweatshirt. Xavier is on his list of schools he'd like to see.