Something Odd is Happening

I've had the worst cold for the past week, just enough energy to carry on through the day. It's still lingering, terrible headache today, temperature issues (toohot/toocold) and bad sinuses. But I did manage to get the baking done for the week, and I have pizza for lunch for tomorrow and Tuesday. Grocery bill this week; $38 and some change, but I have a lot of stuff leftover from last week. I will survive.

Today was kiddo's first round with a private coach. He did great, did a true two foot spin and some crossovers, I was impressed! I should have warned Coach that he will cheat in any way possible, but she learned that when he tried to pull some wonky hops and just refused to do a hockey stop. Other than that, he got a lot out of it so we'll continue every other week. (as promised.)

It's strange, something is happening here. Something that's not the skating but is a direct result of it. For the past two years I've been waiting for THE BOY to arrive. You know, the mouthy, argumentative, pushy, daredevil, testy boy. He didn't show up, and I was enjoying a cuddly protraction of toddlerhood. But over the past weeks I've seen a distinct change in my little boy, and he doesn't seem so little anymore. I think THE BOY is here. I see him on the rink, skating around and refusing to do anything for me, MOM, but he'll try a "shoot the duck" for Coach. He skates very well, and the confidence is starting to carry over and out of the rink. He did a lap backwards and two laps without lifting his skates off the ice, challenging himself. He's never done anything like that before, and I'm proud more of the fact he's testing himself rather than he skated backwards.

I'm glad, but I'll miss my cuddles. I was starting to wonder when and what would start to grow him up. If it's skating, then I will start pinching my pennies.

Private Coach mentioned that perhaps I should move him out of the PA2 class and into her Alpha 1 class. This might interfere with our "get the patches" mission, and there's certainly no harm in letting him stay in PA2. I told PCoach "We'll see," which as anyone knows is Mom Code for "No." I like Group Coach a lot, and I like the other parents in that class, too. For me to move him would be making a statement I don't want to make. And it's not like it's going to retard him to stay in PA2.

I skated a bit with one of the other moms, and we finally vented about Old Group Coach. We are both glad to get our kids away from her. She obviously didn't like the little kids. Her every move and expression belied the fact that she was wanting to be elsewhere. She was overly physically aggressive at times, at one point jerking up Kiddo's arms, and at another point pushing one of the girls downwards to correct bad posture. (Makes a lot of sense, I know.) I figure if Kiddo can get through her, then perhaps he stands a chance against other future bad coaches. And now I have a good idea of what bad coaching looks like.

What I didn't know was the incident after the "midterms" last session, where Poor Coach yelled at this other mom for her kids not being able to skate. "There's nothing to see, quack quack quack." According to Other Mom, this is a direct quote. I think at that point I would have gone to another coach for guidance, but as it was Kiddo was skating fine so Poor Coach let him be.

During Friday Skate, I noticed one of the "cooler" coaches taking a peek in at the rink and speaking with one of the guards. (the nice one who first showed Kiddo a crossover.) Later, Guard skated over and told me that Cool Coach had his eye on Kiddo. That felt nice, and a good affirmation that what I see is talent and not Mom Goggles. I didn't tell Kiddo, as Cool Coach does pairs, and Kiddo does not want to do Pairs.

Ah well. One day at a time.

Things I have baked:

Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Pita Bread, Pizza crust, White bread and now pepperoni Pretzels. I will never have to buy store-bought baked good again. As soon as the pretzels get done, a 30 min batch of Snickerdoodles for my sweet tooth.

It just felt so good to walk PAST all the bread and stuff. Next weekend I may try bagels! Seeing as how baking is now more intense, I may have to make grocery day earlier and start baking sooner, always doing the bread while we're out skating.

Haven't done the maths yet on this week's menus... will get to that tomorrow as it's a holiday.

Private Lessons are a yes...

I told one of the guards at the rink that Kiddo wanted private lessons, and I'd filled out the form. The kindly guard then showed Kiddo crossovers and two foot spins. Bless him, I owe him baked goods. (He did a crossover!!)

Skates are working out fine, I think my feet were a bit swollen yesterday.

White bread in the breadmaker, cinnamon loaf tomorrow. Yeast and I don't have to have such a tumultuous relationship, Breadmaster can be our go-to guy.

Oh god...

Two things: I got the breadmaker I wanted (which is baking as we speak!)

New skates are very tight. Not sure if this is just because I need to break them in to my feet or if they are indeed a scant too small. My feet hurt, but not like the hurt I had with my old skates.

Kiddo reports pain on the bony parts of his ankles, so I will investigate pads for that part of his feet.

I filled out the form for privates.

BREAD NAO PLS!!!

Snoopy Skate Bag!

One Snoopy on Ice! Kiddo loves it. Hope it dries in time for tomorrow!!

Yes, it's Spinach and leek soup night!



View recipe here.

Here's my math:

Spinach, non organic, $1.49
Leeks, Organic $3.00
Can o beans: $.65
Garlic and Spices: Estimate $.25
Chicken broth: $1.49
Bag of small pasta: $.40

Eight servings? $.91 cents each.

Freezes great and is perfect with a dollop of siricha hot sauce.

The trouble with leeks is that the dirt tends to hide in the tick leaves, and I often don't catch it until I'm about to toss it in the pot. I cook mine in my 4qt dutch oven.

And it's midweek cleaning night: Bleach all kitchen and bathroom surfaces, tidy the bedrooms, sweep all floors and dust.

After Kiddo goes to bed I will start to paint the Snoopy. I sketched him out last night and it's not half bad!

Goulash

This is Kiddo's favorite food. I'm pleased that one of my home recipes is a favorite, but this is incredibly easy and quick.

You need:
1 lb. ground meat. Beef, turkey, chicken whatever. I haven't tried a meat sub but I'm sure it would be fine.
1 big oni0n. Vidalias are great if they're in season.
3 Ribs celery.
2 big Carrots.
1 14oz. can diced tomatoes. Italian style if possible.
1 small can tomato paste.
2 cups pasta. I use whatever is left; tonight was a rotini and egg noodle mix. Tasted great.
Cheese. Again, whatever you've got. Cheddar is good, american is fine, I've even used string cheese in a pinch.
Garlic Salt and Pepper to taste. (If you use American Cheese, taste before adding salt. American cheese has a high sodium content and you might not need it.)

Okay, toss the meat into a dutch oven or stew pot. Turn heat on med/low. Dice up onion, celery and carrots, and add that to the pot. Turn up the heat a bit and let everyone cook. While that's happening, cook the pasta. When the onion and celery begin to turn and the meat is brown, kill the heat and drain off some of the fat. (I would think that with a meat sub, some oil would be in order.) Add the tomatoes, juice and all, and the tomato paste. add one tomato paste can's worth of water. Turn the heat back on, stir thoroughly. By now the pasta should be done, so drain. Toss it in the meat mix and kill the heat. Add the cheese, stir to melt.

Voila. Shouldn't have taken more than 20 minutes. A big pot like this gives me 5 or 6 servings of leftovers, and is great cold for breakfast. Leftovers hold for about ten days. Very cheap, depending on which brands you use, the math works out to about 1.20 to .75 per serving (beef or turkey base) of 1 cup. More pasta can stretch this even further. I've found this doesn't lose it's popularity despite the heat of summer, so I may have to try a camp version.

Next up; Spinach and Leek Soup.