Wookie as in hookie, like skipping school. But since I love Chewbacca I didn't have the heart to correct Liam when he yelled "yeah, I'm playing Wookie!" Sometimes I think kiddos just need a down day (don't we all?), and today Liam had his. It wasn't all fun and games though, he had to practice piano, do his reading homework and walk fast with me and Ry. It was sunny and we headed to the park for PB&J sandwiches and oranges, we were the only ones for the afternoon and it was wonderful. The time slipped away and we actually had to power walk home to meet Noah at the bus stop. Unfortunately Liam is not capable of walking without his Star Wars action figure playing in branches and making endless light sabre sounds so we were a little tardy.
When you play Wookie it's important to jump rocks in tunnels...and it seems take off your socks. Some stinky little socks are sure to surface oan the couch later, shoving them deep into the cushions is his specialty.
When you get to the park it's important to start running and cheering.
Whistler is so beautiful, we've been so blessed to have lived here.
As for dinner last night it went quite well. The menu was:
Creamy Pumpkin soup with Curry and homemade croutons
Braised Fennel Pork Loin
Orzo with Feta, Pine nuts and Spinach
Browned Cauliflower
Apple Crisp and Vanilla bean ice cream
Choosing to try three new recipes, clean the whole house and deal with a cranky babe wasn't the best idea. Here are some other important lessons I wanted to pass along...
Croutons and pine nuts burn fast!
-DO NOT try and sneak in a load of laundry while they bake...you will soon find your house is as smoky as a cheesy night club
Balsamic vinegar is a good substitute for tear gas
- If you ever make balsamic croutons do not look in the oven right away after opening the door, you might as well pour vinegar in your eyes - not pleasant.
A Food Processor is a divine luxury when you are making creamed soups
-I baked the whole pumpkin and was quite pleased at how well it went. Just throw the whole thing in on a baking sheet for about an hour and a half on a rimmed cookie sheet, then peel and scoop out the flesh
-I do not have a Food Processor so then I mashed by hand , strained and did six batches through the blender...very time consuming and messy!
Gloating over your perfect desert will send bad Karma your way
I made two apple crisps with fresh Mutsu apples, raisins and a scrumptious oatmealy top and was very pleased, I left them in the oven with the door open to cool . Feeling very Martha-ish until later in the day when I set the oven to broil getting ready to sear the roast. I soon smelled a funky burning sugar smell...you know the rest. I salvaged them but it was a sad lesson.
Read the whole recipe through before plowing through
After brining the pork roast for two days in fennel and onions (yummy), I realized that I bought the wrong cut of meat and should have bought the roast with the fat on it still
I boiled the orzo and then read that I could have just simmered it in the broth...then did the rest of the recipe backwards! Kinda complicated by that point as our friends had arrived and I was trying to chat and revise the recipe.
Cauliflower is an easy, and popular veggie side
Chop it in big hunks, heat some oil in a large covered skillet, brown it, add a dab of water, cover and steam a bit ...then just toss with some butter and bread crumbs and season with salt and peppa. Everyone gobbled it up.
Chopping in front of a chef makes your feel like a DORK!
Just before dinner I had to dice the feta and chiffonade the spinach in front of my friend the Chef...next time I'll just pass the knife. Awkward, c'est moi!
Rosemount Traminer Reisling is amazing with pork!
I love this new wine find. Fruity, spicy and crisp...perfect. It's up there with Orofino for me now. I will be doing another wine feature soon too under Corky Girl...she needs to send us some cosy choices for November nights.
Gotta go it's So You Think You Can Dance and Grey's Night! My TV weaknesses.
