The Cookbook Junkies

So my adorable, sweet, smart son and I were reading books tonight (note: he is soooo sick…he hasn’t eaten more than a 1/2 a pancake in three days – tomorrow is the doctor if no improvement). One of the books was Clifford’s First Autumn.

I asked him, “Andrew, what is another word for Autumn?” Andrew answers, “Fall”.

Then we are reading about the birds flying south for the winter. “Andrew – why do the birds fly south for the winter?” Andrew answers, “because they can’t walk.” He has his mother’s quick wit.

I’ve been stuck at home with a sick 3 1/2 year old. I’ve wiped his nose more times in the last three days than I have my own nose in 45 years…yes, that is right – I’m freaking 45 years old now. SMOG….(Sweet Mother of God).

I had a meeting with the school district on Wednesday to get Andrew more help. I was approved for additional help and they are going to send out packets to get Andrew into an integrated classroom for a year before kindergarten. I’ve been on the phone non-stop since then…and I’d rather have a kidney removed than be on the phone. They upped his SEIT time to 90 minutes per day. He was just getting a total of 3 hours per week. His OT stays the same at 45 minutes twice a week, his play therapy 60 minutes once a week and my parent therapy once a week (60 minutes of “you have to take care of yourself….stop doing nice things for other people….etc.) does she not realize that I’m old and very likely will be being judged soon for all my good deeds and I have a lot of catching up to do???

I’m in the midst of making cheesecakes for birthdays and trying to keep my head above the dust that takes over my home and feeling very sad. My husband spends a great deal of time worrying about Andrew’s future. I know Andrew will have a bright future – it’s his now that I worry about….

Meanwhile, I spoke to my friend whose brother is a corrections officer at a NJ jail. They have a hospital security guard in there who was caught going at it on an 80 year old female corpse. SMOG. The prisoner keeps asking for a paper….and the CO says “Why, want to check the obits? Want to see if there is a picture of your girlfriend?” Well, at least it was a corpse and not a child or woman who would have to endure the attack and remember it. The world makes me sad. My therapist would be upset to know that I’m taking on the world’s problem and have now assigned myself the task of wiping out pedophiles….I am of the firm belief that if you are convicted of molestation involving a minor you should be put to sleep; if you are caught with pornographic material involving children – bug zapper again. Why risk it? Stop this fucking insanity.

I’m Catholic and these priests that are convicted of molesting children – are the absolute worst – they took vows and have our (the lemmings) trust … and what is being done – they are given counseling and my collection basket funds are paying the victims for their suffering. This all must stop. I’m not making sense now because my mind is hurting and my hand is numb from all the nose wiping. Off to wipe.

Peace out.

I really suck at trying to keep this blog up. I’m going to try to do better.

Busy weekend. Baked all day yesterday for hospitality at church today. Made apple blondies with brown sugar frosting, brown sugar brownies, carrot coconut bread, chocolate chip bread and that’s it. Today for dinner made roasted leg of lamb, roasted carrots, parsnips and potatoes along with rice and lamb gravy for Jim. Also made garlic toast. Absolutely have no desire whatsoever to eat any of it. Going to make a hollowed out pumpernickel bagel. Yummy.

Took the tree down this morning myself. Almost gave myself a hernia yanking it out the door. Jim wakes up at 9:30 – oh I would have helped….well, I wanted it done today and we have church then Giants football….when would we have time to do that?

Ordered two new cookbooks a curry cookbook featuring Indian and Asian curries and a Kylie Kwong – Simple Chinese Cooking. I already do a lot of Chinese dishes – but I love her show and thought this might get me more inspired. Making her sweet & sour pork tomorrow. Kylie reminds me of my friend, Susan who I miss! Hi Susan Flanagan!

I’m going to start posting more of the recipes that I make – in case anyone is interested.

Here is the apple blondie recipe:

Apple Blondies with Brown Sugar FrostingBlondies:

2/3 cup butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped peeled apples
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Brown Sugar Frosting:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk or cream
2 cups confectioner’s sugar

Blondies:In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until thick and smooth, about 3 minutes. Combine flour, baking pwder and salt. Add to butter mixture on low speed, mixing until blended. Stir in apples, cinnamon and nuts, mixing well. Spread evenly in greased 9×13 pan. Bake in Preheated oven at 350 degrees until set and golden, 25-30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on rack.

Brown Sugar Frosting: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring mixture just to a boil then remove from heat and let cool to lukewarm. Stir in the confectioner’s sugar, mixing until smooth. Spread evenly over bar. Let stand until frosting is firm enough to cut. Cut into bars or squares.