Grocery List

Four of the five of us that live here have a Drivers License, but, I'm the only one from our family that is allowed in grocery stores.

My kids tell me, when I return from the grocery store, the things that I should buy when I go.  I then have to explain that I just went and won't be returning for a week and that they will survive with what I bought this week.  

Nick finally posted a list on the cork board in the kitchen with all of the things he wants we need.  Let me remind you that his girl friend works at the grocery store and he picks her up and drops her off at work.  He is more than capable of getting out of the car and buying some groceries on one of those trips.  

The list has caught on.  In fact, if I don't purchase it immediately (when they write it down) someone will write it again and say, "we really need this."

"Someone" wrote down:  granola bars (good ones).  I brought "someone" with me when I went shopping because I was afraid I wouldn't buy "the good ones."

The list gets talked about, too.

Nick will ask about it.  Ask when I'm going to the store again.  He'll even ask how often I go to the store.

I did finally go to the store and purchased all of the items on the list.  I saw Nick in the kitchen, complaining about there not being any food in the house.  I told him I just went to the store and bought the items he wrote down.  His mood changed once he found all the items.

A new list has been added to the board.  So far, there are no requests.  

Dolmades - Krinos' Grape Leaves

This isn't a sponsored post.  If they want, they can pay me, though.

I've been making Dolmades for years and have used grape leaves from a jar.  It's always a pain making them.  The leaves are difficult to separate, they tear and sometimes they are just too small to try to use as a wrap.  You also have to cut the stems off, which sometimes helps them tear.

I just purchased a jar of Krinos Grape leaves and thought I would give them a try.  I started out with the leftover leaves from the previous brand and was getting frustrated.  I was ready to just scrap it all and not use the leaves.  But, I remembered that I had that Krinos jar and thought I would try them.  I mean, when you've been making Dolmades, and it's been an hour or so, you're already crazy, why not continue the craziness, right?

I pulled the grape leaves out of the jar and they were large and did not tear.  And, the stems were cut off already!  All I had to do was separate them and start wrapping!  I was able to wrap the rest of the dolmades and was even willing to wrap more!  (a first)  Add in the delicious aroma of cooking dolmades, and memories of Yiayias house and I realized that this was a much more pleasant experience.

Thanks, Krinos!  I think I will be making Dolmades a lot more now that I know I can use these grape leaves.  I know my kids will be excited!

Vegan Diaries - Cuban Style Black Beans

I have been trying to duplicate these out of this world black beans that we had at a restaurant and I think I've found a recipe that comes pretty close.  I would ask the restaurant, but, they changed the recipe.  They served the delicious black beans when they first opened the restaurant.  Now they serve black beans, but, not as good as the dish on that first visit.

I found this recipe here .  I made a few changes as I went along.  I didn't have dry beans, so, I used a can of beans (that eliminates the soaking of the beans).  I also skipped the tapioca starch.

Here's the recipe:

Cuban Style Black Beans

ingredients:
1 cup black beans
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 bay leaves
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp oregano
6 cups water
1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
salt to taste
coconut oil
**1 TBSP tapioca starch mixed with 2 TBSP warm water (for thickness)

directions:
Rinse beans and let soak overnight.
The next day, drain off dark colored water and replenish with the 6 cups of water.
Add bay leaves and TBSP of coconut oil to pot.
Bring water to boil then reduce to simmer for an hour.
The beans should be soft to touch
Sautee garlic, onions and peppers in a separate skillet with coconut oil.
Season with black pepper, oregano, cumin and salt.
Once onions are translucent, transfer to pot with beans and stir.
Use the ladle to extract some of the beans to mash them before returning them back to the pot.  This will help thicken the bean sauce.  (can add tapioca starch mix, if needed)
Stir in the apple cider vinegar and reduce to a low heat.
Put lid on pot to allow to simmer for another 20 minutes.
Serve.

My Weird Dog

I know I've mentioned how excited Pippen is when I come home.  He greets me, all excited and his tail is wagging.  I always say it's nice that someone is happy to see me.

Apparently, I'm the only one that gets the red carpet "Welcome Home," treatment.

When RT comes home, Bella and I greet him.  He commented that Pippen doesn't bother to get up and greet him.  You see, our last dog, Newton, was always at the door, wagging his tail when RT came home.

When Alex comes home, Pippen barks.  A lot.  He does this even if he comes home by himself.

When Nick comes home, Pippen stays where he is and growls.  He might let a small bark escape with the growls if Nick's girl friend comes in at the same time.

When I work, Bella comes home before I get home from work.  I tell her that Pippen will be here to greet and protect her.  Bella tells me that she comes home and there's no sign of Pippen.  She walks in and he is always laying in the same spot in the living room.  He doesn't even lift his head when she walks by.  She says, "Hi" to him and keeps walking.  Pippen just stays where he is, in the living room, upset that she disturbed his nap.

Since Pippen has no reaction when Bella comes home, she has decided to pretend that she is a burglar when entering our house.  The first day, she came in and pounded her feet on the stairs.  She happened to come home later than normal, and with the loud noise, Pippen actually got up to check out the excitement.  He realized it was her and went back to his regularly scheduled nap.

RT said he wants the next dog we get to be happy to see him.  "A normal dog."  Of course, Pippen's weirdness has been so entertaining, I think a "normal" dog would be rather boring.

High School Sprints

So, this is the last year at the High School.  Well, we will have a two year break while Bella finishes Junior High.

It seems Alex is making sure that I remember how to get to the school.  For the last month, he has missed the bus and/or missed his ride to school.  Guess who is his chauffeur?  I'm not sure if he wants me to remember all of the good, quick routes to take to get there or if he is grooming me for a job as an Uber to the school?

Alex graduates High School 4 weeks from today, which means I have 4 more weeks of driving  to learn the best route.

So, went for a walk this morning and of course my weird dog had to come along with me.  While cleaning up after him I accidentally got some remnants on my hand.  So, I did what any normal person would do in this situation and cut off my hand.  Typing my posts might take me awhile, but, given the circumstances,  I'm sure you understand

Damsel in Distress

I'm pretty good at playing the role of the Damsel in Distress.  I've worked out the kinks in the role and am able to play the part and get some wonderful results.

By results, I mean, I get people to do things for me.  It's great if it's the first time doing something and I want someone to show me how it's done.  It's also great when I really don't feel like doing something.  I mean, why not have someone else do it for you?  The person is right there and willing to do it for you.  I say take advantage of the situation!  Sit back and enjoy.

A few situations come to mind.  For example, waxing the car.  If you ever need your car waxed, just ask my brother, Steve (He's never going to "help me" wax my car again after this post).  Steve "helped me" wax my first car.  I was a very good student and watched how Steve applied (then removed) the wax to all parts of the car.  It's been a long time and I might need a refresher course in car waxing.  By the way, the Jetta needs a coat of wax.  Let me know if you're free.

One night, I was trying to figure out what to make for dinner.  I had an eggplant from the garden that I wanted to use.  Nick suggested that I make Ratatouille.  I told him that I didn't know how to make it.  He started explaining a quick, "How to."  I asked if he could show me.  Nick then proceeded to make dinner.  I have to say that it was the best Ratatouille ever!  I never did write down the recipe.  I'll have to ask him to "show me how" again.

I'm not saying that I'm lazy.  I would say manipulative  creative.  Curious.  How about, I'm willing to learn new things.