Foodmomiac

A fun day with the kids and food

Yesterday we had no specific plans, other than the usual Sunday food shopping. I decided that I couldn't deal with both kids at once, so Dylan hung with Michael, and I set out for Trader Joe's with Mr. Max. He wouldn't get in my car for some reason (carbon footprint concerns?), so I pulled out the giant Radio Flyer wagon, piled him in it along with a bunch of totes, and pulled him to TJ's, which is just over a mile away. It was a gorgeous early fall day (actually felt more like summer), and we actually had a blast.

Once we got to the store, Max got his own cart, because TJ's has those mini-carts for little kids. It was adorable, though a little treacherous. I'm surprised he didn't wreak more havoc than he did, and I'm lucky that he didn't plow into anyone, though we had a few close calls. He LOVED picking out his own food, and while I drew the line at certain items (organic shaving cream), I did let him have some leeway. He insisted on getting red wine salami and non-alcoholic mojitos for Michael ("need get this for daddy"), making me wonder what the heck goes on in his head. "Oh, that dad of mine. He sure does love cured meat products and fake cocktails."

The way home was definitely harder than the way there. We had too many bags to fit Max in the wagon as well, so he "helped me push." It was adorable.

When we got home, I decided to make last night's dinner (marinated lamb chops) and tonight's dinner at the same time. Dylan pulled up a chair to help, so I got my bonding in with her as well. Tonight we are having Italian Sausage Lasagne, but she claims to HATE lasagne, so I called it, "Mamarita Layed Pasta Dish." She bought it, and claims to be very excited to eat it. I think she might be playing along with me. The pasta box clearly said "Lasagne," but she loved the flavors of the sausage, sauce and cheese, so I think she wants to like the dish again. We'll see what happens tonight!

Max the Movie Star

On Monday, I told Max's teacher that we were getting an au pair. I was nervous about telling her, because they have become super close. He was the first kid at her daycare, and he has really wrapped her around his little finger. She calls him her assistant manager. She was actually wonderful, when I shared our news. She told me that he could come for play dates any time, and that he could still come twice a week for the little Spanish classes that they are starting up next month.

Anyway, she sent me a link to this video last night, and I just couldn't stop smiling as I watched it. It is quite possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Grilled Lamb Chop, Greek Salad

  Grilled Lamb Chop, Greek Salad 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac.

Finally, a nice home-cooked meal. It was almost like a dream sequence to be cooking in my kitchen. It has just been so long.

BUT, since Max was home sick, I took him to Costco after his nap (b/c chasing around a sick, rambunctious toddler through my cluttered apartment is just a nightmare) for some supplies. Top of my list was Ketel One Vodka. As we were getting ready to go, I said, "Let's go Max! Mommy needs to get some vodka."

Now, let me say that Max is not a talker. Well, he talks, but honestly, we have no clue what the hell he is saying most of the time. Everything sounds like "hota!" But, now you can add "vodka" to his vocabulary. I guess he liked the sound of it. A we walked through Costco, other shoppers were treated to my toddler yelling, "vah ka!, vah ka!" Good mothering, I tell ya.

Anyway, we bought lamb chops. I always buy lamb at Costco, because it always looks tasty. And, Amy Fanning (who just had her second baby - congrats!) sent me a fabulous lamb marinade a while back that is foolproof. Even when you TOTALLY mess around with the recipe like I did. Here you go (with my alterations in bold):

FANNING LAMB

4 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup dry vermouth
1 tbsp. rosemary (I used dill, b/c I like making it Greek style)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce (I used soy sauce, b/c I am allergic to anchovies, one of the main ingredients of Worcestershire)
2/3 cup dijon mustard

1 4-6 lb. leg of lamb (we like the boneless one at Costco, fat removed) (ha! I used chops, but I've also done this with the leg, and it was terrific)

Combine ingredients for marinade and mix well.  Place lamb in the marinade for 24 hours in the fridge, turning every couple hours (except when you are asleep!). (OK, I marinated the chops for 1/2 hour, and they were still incredibly flavorful, so if you don't plan ahead, don't worry.)

Place butterflied leg of lamb on grill over medium heat.  Sprinkle rosemary on coals for extra flavor.  Cook lamb for 20 minutes on each side, brushing with marinade as you go.   (With the chops, I think we cooked for 10 minutes total.) Remove from grill and let rest – cut into thin slices.  Serves 6-8.

Come Visit Me in California!

Well, yes, I am leaving for California tomorrow for a much-needed vacation, but that's not what I mean.

I have a post up on the Silicon Valley Moms Blog today! We are preparing to launch The Chicago Moms Blog shortly, and the lovely ladies at the SV Moms Blog have been kind enough to let us get our feet wet on their turf. (Check out Sara's post too!)

SUCCESS!

  Fudgcicles are AWESOME!!! 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac.

Max loved his new "school."

phew!

The bad news? He hated the little turkey sandwich I packed him. I think I'll try mac & cheese in a thermos tomorrow. That was Dylan's lunchtime favorite when she was his age.

Reality Bites

I'm having some issues with my daily meals. Maybe some of you have some solutions for me. Here's the deal:

I don't get home until 6pm. The kids are hungry before that, and my nanny has been feeding them dinner. I didn't ask her to do this, but I have a hard time arguing with it. I can see making Dylan wait until 6:30 to eat, but it's probably hard to do this with Max. What do they eat? Sometimes they get leftovers, but usually it's convenience food. Tonight it was vegetarian corn dog and meatballs, both from Trader Joe's. This is really not anything close to what I would serve.

I was planning on making a pancetta, lentil and greens dish (recipe from Trader Joe's - I swear I'm not on their payroll). But, with both kids fed, I ended up just fending for myself. Michael had oysters at a bar with a friend from his old job.

I feel pathetic. In an ideal world, I'd have all of my meals planned out. I think I'd make them the night before or in the morning. Maybe my nanny could just heat them up for me, and then even if the kids were hungry before we got home, they'd get something homemade and delicious. Does anyone really do this? Is there a way for me to share my frustrations with my nanny without attacking her? I know that she's just trying to help, and I don't think she'd get my frustrations with the dinners she's been serving.

We tried the crockpot thing, and it was mildly successful. But... nothing was AMAZING. And the stuff I cook in the crockpot (with the exception of the carnitas), is kind of soggy and blah.

sigh...

Meshuganah

  Acting: mad 
  Originally uploaded by Foodmomiac.

So, I totally need to post about my latkes (BEST EVER!!!!) and brisket (KICK ASS!!), but, ugh, I just don't feel like it tonight. I'm in some weird state of holiday-induced lethargy.

BUT! Dylan is so funny lately. First of all, she got a manicure set for Hanukkah, and is suddenly the nail salon queen of Chicago. We all have fancy nails, including Michael (his toenails are purple - very cute).

Also, she has made a ton of funny comments lately. Last Friday, she bounded out of bed. "It's Hanukkah! Let's open presents!" I informed her that it didn't start until the evening. "What? Why?"

"I don't know. Those are the rules of Hanukkah."

"Well who made those rules?"

"I don't know. God?"

"Well... SANTA made the rules for Christmas."

And then she marched into her room and slammed the door.

But, wait, there's more. Today, we got into my car after school, and she said, in a very angry tone, "MOM! It's Hanukkah. Why don't we dance the hora??"  (When we got home, she put on her High School Musical CD and made me teach her the hora. Little weirdo.)

Finally, I had to go to her school tonight for a meeting. Before I left, I ran upstairs to grab my wrap and check my email. When I came downstairs, she said, "Mom, what were you doing upstairs? Blogging?"

Get rid of gently used toys

Edmay Mayers is collecting and distributing toys to Iraqi children, and just in time for the holidays, Asha at Parent Hacks has reposted all of the information.

We just received our thank you note from Edmay, complete with great photos of some of the kids (for the box we sent in early fall), and are in the process of compiling a second box to send over to Iraq.

Miscellany News*

Too tired to write much (and I've already deleted three REALLY boring posts).

- We are heading to Toledo tomorrow and are staying at my father-in-law's house. He has no Internet access. Well, he has a phone line, but, I think that would probably kill me. I'll either be blogging via cell phone or from Panera.
- I NEED to get Dylan's kindergarten applications sent in! We are committed to doing public school, and the system here is frickin' nuts. So nuts that I had to make an excel spreadsheet. We're talking yellow forms, white forms, self-addressed postcards, registered mail, testing dates, and so on.
- I have not completed a knitting project in ages. I am almost done with the back of Dylan's sweater. Yes, the one I started in July. It should be done in time for her first day of kindergarten. Or maybe first grade.
- Do you guys like the automated links I've been posting this week?

* Bonus points to the reader who gets this reference.

And I escape!

Wow, it's been a long week. I am leaving in half an hour to go see Borat and then go out to a casual dinner with friends. Our regular babysitter is sick (thanks to Typhoid Maxy), so I had to find an alternate sitter. Thank God for CraigsList. And for great references. Phew. The thought of being stuck in the house tonight was almost too much to bear. I have such cabin fever. The only time I got out all day was for a walk around the block.