What a week...

That was a stressful week!!!  I don't know about you, but I'm overjoyed that it is over!

YUP, this is what it came down too!  This was Tuesday, election day.  

It seems that I really like rocking chairs, as the week gave no respite to me from worrying.  

After finishing two books, I turned to a lengthy one.  Anything to keep my mind occupied.

And then I started this.  😛

But have no fear, I ate enough to do multiple Kitty Crocker entries!!  Starting with eating all of the leftover halloween candy!  

Levi

This week was fun, I got to witness the election for next president of America and I got to do military activities with my group in CCF. This week after school finished, and CCF began, students got into formation as usual and got our uniforms inspected, mine was fine and I passed the test. After that, we got to go to the field and paint our faces green, black, and brown to try to blend in with the environment like trees and sticks. After we were done with that, we split into teams and hid in the trees and bushes and had the other half of our group look for us.  We did that 2 times per each side and I wasn't found in the first round or the second. (this mama was so proud of his accomplishments!)  We had been learning about SSSSS and M, which is an acronym for all the things you need to remember when hiding on the battlefield. Some were Surface, Silhouette, Shadow, and Movement. You cannot have shiny surfaces showing, like metals because the enemy would see the glint. You want to lay on grass or straw, not rocks. You should also manage your composure so your breathing is steady and won't give away your position. It was really fun, except for when I got home it took a while to wash off the paint on my face. This week has been very fun and I look forward to my 4 day weekend coming up on the 27th!

kitty crocker's cooking korner🧑🏼‍🍳

The oven and I are still not on speaking terms.  It continues to try and burn everything that I bake.  It is a temperamental beast!  Now what it doesn't understand is that burning is the old Kitty, NOT the new and improved Kitty Crocker, so we are gonna have to rectify this, mark my words, your days are numbered. Thankfully I have two willing children that are used to burned meals, and they eat everything up all the same.  🤪 

While I take this as a challenge, I almost cried with relief when Bookclub Gail soothed, "baking is really hard and exacting."  I've never been so thankful for the sympathy of my efforts & disastrous creations.  I can always depend on these friends to make me happy and feel like less of a failure!  Thx Gail!!

So the week was filled with firsts.  I made some lamb chops, and other than the moaning of working around the bone, they were a hit (mostly with Jackson though to be honest).  I have never gone through as much butter as we have 'whilst' living here!

I also tried blueberry muffins with yogurt, a new recipe, and those were a hit with the boys.  My secret is to freeze the blueberries first.  This not only helps them to 'not sink' to the bottom (at least that is what I've been told), but also prevents them from getting eaten in the fridge before I'm ready to 'stand up to the oven' and bake.  

I also managed a seabass, couscous, and sweet potato meal.  This was so easy and by far my favorite of the week.  (& more melted butter!)

Tonight I am attempting an eggplant curry.  Pray for me!  (okay, spoiler alert - it was just so-so).  Jackson and I liked it enough, but Levi disliked the eggplant.  I still like the vindaloo better, and Levi wants chicken!  I didn't have the cardamom it called for, so I've got to go and search that out now.

  

Three Month Check up

Did you know that we have been here 3 months already?!?!  Crazy how time flies.  We are really getting to know the city on foot and have found some awesome mom & pop grocery stores.  Walking to TK Maxx is awesome and dangerous for me, but the best part is watching the bond grow between the boys.  Being 5 years apart in age, they haven't had much in common in the past, but the tide is shifting.  Jackson and Levi often head out together at night to go to the local Sainsbury for sweets.  And this past Friday night, Jackson helped Levi with homework for a couple of hours.  Then the rough housing that seems more prevalent now as they grow more into the same size.  Maybe covid has helped, since we can't have friends over?  Whatever the reason, it is a new phenomenon and it has really warmed my heart to see this bond grow between them.  I'm ever grateful!    

Thanks for getting out and voting y'all.  I don't even care who you voted for, because I love you no matter what.  Life is good and I'm ready to have a great week and to finish that really lengthy book.   And of course, to challenge the oven to another duel, and maybe try NOT burning the next banana bread.   🤷‍♀️

ciao rigazza,

Kitty

 

PS.  Kamala, girl, you rock!   💪