100 Days Smarter.

Today was the hundredth day of school. Avery's class had a party involving all things one hundred. 100 piece puzzles, 100 day crowns, guessing games involving 100 things and 100 item collections brought by the kids. Avery collected pennies and pine needles (we have enough pine needles for the millionth day of school!).

Let me just say I am thrilled with her kindergarten experience thus far. Especially since I had recieved a few suggestions that I might want to send her to a different school as it isn't one of the "better" ones in the area. After visiting the school and determining that diversity and poverty was probably a factor in those opinions and not danger (many of us survived and thrived in just such an environment right?) we sent her along and hoped for the best. Also, it is all-day kindergarten - which directly factors into how much I enjoy the experience and how much she learns. So what can you learn in 100 days? If you have the fabulous Ms. X as a teacher you can learn some great sayings that can be brought up in myriad situations (and Avery uses these often). Including but not limited to:

- "Don't let anyone steal your learning"
- "Do the right thing even when no one is looking"
and my favorite...
- "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit"

Miles particularly enjoys their daily chant which Avery taught him:
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Add Respons-i-bil-ity. Re-sults are what you get from me. Rea-dy to learn. (Clap Clap Clap Clap)

She has learned to read fairly well which is probably the most exciting thing for a parent to see. Only now she knows if I skip sentances or pages when I am reading books to them at night. She hasn't learned to tell time yet though which allows me to remain inconsistent on bedtimes - if it's pitch dark at 6:30 and I say it's super late and they need to get in bed she doesn't know any differently. And the more common reverse - if it's 9:30 and I haven't put them to bed yet they don't realize I'm inconsistent and a bad parent.

Besides the basic reading and math stuff she has learned things that dumbfound me. Just the other day she asked me if I knew who Degas was and proceeded to tell me about his life as an artist and how as he went blind in his later years he turned to sculpture as a means of expression. I asked her if she knew what he was famous for painting and she said that he painted ballerinas and that he "mixed the colors in such a way that their tutus looked like they were glowing". I'm pretty sure I didn't learn about stuff like that till Mr. Van's art history in high school. She has studied civil rights and can tell you about racial injustice per Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. She can discuss the anatomy of the worm (red or earth) including a part called the clitellum, which I had never heard of and wasn't sure if a kindergartener should be learning about. (Turns out it's fine. Thank you Google and Wikipedia for helping me keep up with my 6 year old). She can sing a song in Swahili and she can give a pretty accurate display of the earths rotation using her head as the sun and her fists for the moon and earth. Unfortunately I can't take credit for any of these learnings, and that's okay. What I can take credit for is making her lunch, getting her up and to the bus everyday and we haven't missed it yet (this seems like a huge accomplishment to me)!

I can't wait to see what she learns in the next 100 days. And I can be a little bit happier to pay our property taxes.

Photo above taken at approx. 30 days smarter.

Bikini Baristas

There are lots of things I don't get. How airplanes full of people and cargo stay in the sky, how cameras capture a moment in time, the appeal of Twitter and the list goes on. I also didn't get why one local drive-through coffee hut had a large banner that read "NO BIKINIS" on it.

How was I to know that at many of these drive through establishments girls are serving coffee in their...well not much. They are known here (as far as I know this is just a Washington thing) as bikini baristas but frankly I've never seen one wearing even that much. And it's not like you have to look hard for these places. There is Java Girls, Hot Chick-a-Latte, Brewlesque, Twin Perks, Natte Latte and more. Mostly I think the concept is humorous - except that I can see the girls when I am just driving by on the street which means my kids and husband (this gal says she's not after him though which makes me feel a ton better) can see them also. And they are wearing lingerie, not bikinis. Apparently from one article I read I should be grateful that the "Sexpresso" hut that I get to drive by on the way to church has girls wearing more than pasties and thongs, because apparently that's the minimum dress code they are to abide by.

I had a camera in my car one day when I was able to snap this quick photo of such an establishment. It was 39 F outside which I guess is why this gal is so covered up.

Part of me is frightened for these young ladies and many have admitted that they get creepo-s exposing themselves to them and probably imagining far worse. One gal threw boiling water on a man who flashed her multiple times at 5am, which is decent self-defense but wouldn't it better to have a job that didn't leave you quite so vulnerable?

Anyhow, people can do whatever they want, even if I don't get it. I'm just not sure why it's allowed on a public street. Lately, they have been busting gals for doing more than serving coffee (and sometimes extra whipped cream) in certain locations. So, good on the police who cracked down on those engaging in indecent exposure and prostitution (not sure why the investigation took two months but I'm sure whoever was assigned to this case took their job very seriously).

Hot Chocolates.

It's a little late to have these chocolate treats for Valentines Day but I thought I'd better get these recipes out there while there is still a little bit of chill in the air. Not that there is ever a bad time to indulge. So here are a couple recent finds that are easy and delicious.

First is Coconut Tres Leche Hot Chocolate. This came from Better Homes and Gardens. I'm pretty sure the original recipe I have calls for an entire can of sweetened condensed milk but I'm glad to see that they made it only 1/2 can because I was going to make the suggestion that it was too sweet. Perhaps I read the recipe wrong b/c I have also never put vanilla in it but the online version also makes that change. I doubt it adds much to it.

Ingredients

• 3 cups fat-free milk
• 1 14-oz. can unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/2 of a 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk (2/3-cup)
• 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• Sweetened whipped cream (optional)
• 1/4 cup chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions

1. In medium saucepan combine fat-free milk, coconut milk, and sweetened condensed milk. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Whisk in cocoa powder until well-combined.

2. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Serve in mugs topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Makes 5 (1-cup) servings.

This next one I made for Valentines Day. Apparently this has been waiting to be tried since I ripped it out of a Bon Appetit in 2003! I'm sure I add to my recipe folder faster than I work through it so I'd better get crackin in case there are more great finds like this in there (I've had more losers than keepers lately so it's actually really nice to find one worthy of sharing).

The only change I made to this and I would do it again was to add an extra egg - it is bread pudding after all! This is so easy so hopefully you have some extra french bread laying around! And of course some ice cream along side doesn't hurt either.

Chocolate Bread Pudding

• 1 3/4 cups whipping cream
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 large egg (consider adding another but let me know if one suffices)
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 4 ounces French bread with crust, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 4 cups)

Preheat oven to 325°F. Bring cream, 1/2 cup sugar, and milk to simmer in heavy medium saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup chocolate chips and whisk until melted and smooth. Whisk egg and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in hot chocolate mixture. Cool chocolate custard 10 minutes, stirring often.

Add bread cubes and remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips to custard and toss to coat. Transfer to 1 1/2-quart-capacity shallow oval baking dish. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar over mixture. Bake until custard thickens and center is just set, about 50 minutes. Serve warm.

Watercolor by Avery.

Rock n Roca

We like to rock out at our house so I was excited to take the kids to their first concert today. Technically, they had seen this band play before at the library but this was a real show, and one where the kids would be a part of the next album (there's not much that annoys me more than kids music where kids are actually singing the songs but kids have a very minor role in these songs so it's okay). Ben would have loved to have go but had to work so I was happy that Sarah A. was also husbandless for the weekend and wanted to go. The band is Recess Monkey (made up of three Seattle elementary school teachers) and I recommend their album Field Trip (you can listen to samples here on Amazon or watch a not so good recording taken by yours truly) if you are looking for fun kids music that doesn't suck.

We hit up Randy's Restaurant on the way home - the diner I had planned on visiting the week previous with my mom. It was about what was to be expected. Sassy service, kitschy aviation decor, okay food. Not a bad place to take kids though or if you want a cheap but good pancake (with fake syrup) served 24/7.

If we hadn't had enough fun already, Sarah led us to the Almond Roca Factory/Outlet, which is a local treasure I had heard of but never visited. I ended up scoring a large assortment of Roca's (macadamia, almond, cashew, candy cane, sugar free) some nuts and some other chocolate for $5.

More local eats.

My mom came for a quick visit last week and I got two categories of things done - exams (eyes, teeth, real estate) and eating. I have a long list of eating establishments to try and only a few years left to do it in so I definitely appreciate the help. Plus considering the portions at some locations it is nice to have someone to split things sometimes - especially when you have a baby sitting on your stomach.

Monday - Harmon's Brewery and Restaurant, Tacoma. This place is below where I get my hair cut and I've always wanted to try it but I'm not much for dining alone and parking in this part of town is limited so I've never had time to check it out. We went for a late lunch so parking wasn't too bad and we ended up sharing an Ortega Turkey Melt and Parmesan Fries. I don't usually love fries but these were exceptional. Miles had a burger, tater tots and Oreos. This would be a great place to go with a group especially during happy hour when some of their large appetizers (including a pizza, burger, a giant hummus platter) are $5. (Mon 3 to close and T-Fri 3-6)


Tuesday - The Bread Peddler, Olympia. We always drive by this place on the way to the farmer's market and it is always full. When Sunset magazine featured it it only made me want to try it that much more. The place had more patrons than seating and when you did get a seat the tables were teeny tiny. I might try it again when I am not third-trimester huge. We got a croque monsieur and clam chowder. The food was tasty. It just wasn't an altogether pleasant experience.

That evening Ben got in on the gluttony fest when he and I escaped for a quick date which took us back to downtown Tacoma and landed us at El Gaucho steakhouse. A place he had heard good things about. The atmosphere is very cool - dark and fancyish - with live piano music and meat and desserts being flambed all around. Luckily we arrived during happy hour which gave us the chance to order off of the "bar bites" menu which was half price. And when a sandwich is $28 you can definitely appreciate the discount. We ordered the steak sandwich and the scallops and prawn linguine. I would get the sandwich again but not the pasta - it was just okay - but I forgot all about it when we ordered the most delicious banana bread pudding.


Wednesday - As masculine and swarthy as El Gaucho was, the place we tried today was all sugar and spice and I don't think Ben would dare enter Steeped in Comfort - "a quaint tea room and gift shop", although he might want me to bring him home a scone - they were super light and delicious with devonshire cream, fresh lemoncurd and raspberry jam served along side it - not dry at all. My mom noticed that Miles became much more "male" when we went here. An involuntary reaction to the flowers and lace I guess. I had soup and a sandwich and a pot of tea complete with a cozy and although I wasn't blown away it was a very satisfying and comforting meal that I would enjoy experiencing again. It would be a fun place to take a group of girls (young or old) for a proper tea experience.


Thursday - On a recommendation from my dental hygienist we headed to Marcia's Silver Spoon cafe for breakfast - a diner known for it's ultra large portions. I'm pretty sure they used an entire bag of potatoes for our hashbrowns. Because I was feeling brave and wanted to try their special, I ordered the oyster omelet. It was good. If you like oysters. We also got a side of biscuits and gravy, one of my favorite things. They were decent. I would go here again once my appetite returns, if it ever returns. Service was great especially considering there was one waitress for the entire diner.

Thurday evening we took the kids to the Burke museum at UW. It was a toss up between the Museum of Flight and Burke as both are free on the first Thursday of the month. If we went to the Boeing museum I was hoping to try Randy's restaurant - and I still want to - but I just couldn't do two diners in one day after the giant breakfast at Marcia's. So instead we just took the kids to Beechers at Pike Place for some mac n cheese.


Friday - This is the day I had been waiting for all week. I woke up at 4:45am and couldn't get back to sleep in anticipation. The restlessness probably had more to do with needing to study for my real estate exam but I was very excited for the burger I was going to have at Lunchbox Laboratory in Ballard. I was so glad it wasn't a disappointment. I ended up ordering the Dork (duck, pork and I read somewhere a little pepperoni) 101 which had grilled onions, gruyere and I'm not sure really what else. It may have been the best burger I have ever had (and for $14 it had better be right?) but I'm not going to claim that until I have tried it again. I also had a smores shake which was pretty good but mostly I got it for Miles. Here's a fun photo collection someone has of each of their visits to the restaurant. Don't go there if you are hungry though. It is tortuous.

Photo by Drew McKenzie, The Stranger

Saturday - We finished off the week with a trip to Mama Stortini's and where we have had a couple of good meals before and unfortunately this time we just simply ordered wrong. We did the family feast for four intending to taste a variety of pastas and entrees. The salads that came with it were probably the best part but the rest was not up to par with what we had had before. Miles ate his weight in bread and butter though so it was worth it. Plus we had leftovers.

December/January Recap

Should I wait a few more days and just throw February in there too? Yeah, probably.

And the winner is...

One lipstick red Live, Love, Laugh will be making it's way to Idaho shortly (just need to know the size) ...



Sorry it took so long. I put it off because really I want everyone to win (maybe I can do another in the future). Shawn, Sarah and Erika's comments made me laugh and Tami would have won if it were pity based instead of randomly chosen by a 3 yr old in gigantic mittens (kidney stones and childbirth simultaneously - really?!). I'm pretty sure Ashley willed herself to win though so looks like no one else stood a chance.