we returned home this afternoon in time for acting and ballet classes. chanda and i had a snack before she ran off . . and i had a cup of decaf earl grey, which i don't think i'm actually supposed to have. but it was very good.
here are some pics from the past two days.
it was very cold, so we didn't go for any long beach walks.
we managed a peek from the overlook.
for dinner the first night we stopped at the fish store for flounder and (a special treat) sea scallops. we also roasted a kabocha squash and zucchini.
we've been craving sweets. morgana and i can't have sugar because of the diet, and chanda gave sugar up for lent. we tried baking a pecan pie made with a honey coating and coconut flour crust. it was very good, though we'll shorten the baking time for the next try.
we played a game of cards with nana.
we played only a few hands each night . . and i think chanda won with the lowest score.
we were fooling around with nana's magnifying glass as we couldn't find the cards with the large print numbers.
it was a busy two days as we cleaned and straightened, visited the recycling center/dump, and i helped my mom with some paperwork.
the girls were a big help with sorting glass and plastics, vacuuming, cooking and folding laundry.
it was nice to visit the library and celebrate st. patrick's day with a book about ireland, along with corned beef and cabbage for dinner. much information about this meal was gleaned from the st. patrick's day parade commentators on nonno's tv. corned beef and cabbage is supposedly an american dish concocted in hell's kitchen, nyc. however, cabbage was used by the farmers in ireland to cover up the cooking meat aroma from the lords of the land . . or so the story goes.
driving home today was pleasant with a blue sky and little traffic. there was so little traffic that it felt strange. thinking back on it, i can't believe we didn't hit one traffic jam.
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back at home i heard from greg about his two days: that jack was very good and stuck to his old routine, which means that greg didn't have to walk or feed the old boy before 6 am, and was able to get some sleep; and that he and korrina had dinner monday night at a nice noodle shop in the east village. it sounds like she's very happy with her new job and is enjoying learning how to cook the restaurant's signature dishes. she had her last day at the old place yesterday, and is looking forward to a day off on thursday. she worked every day these past two weeks: two days for the old job, and five for the new.
I don't think that the tea will hurt! I think it is the danger that their could be gluten in the flavoring. No sugar for Chanda! That must be a challenge for her. I have given up chocolate, but I don't miss it so much. Interesting about the cabbage and the corned beef.
ReplyDeleteYour mother is so lucky to have you all help. It is also such a good example for your daughters to see that you help care of your parents. That is the best way to teach them so that they will one day take care of you.
The pie does look good. A friend brought us some peanut butter brittle today. It was all homemade with coconut oil, peanut butter, peanuts, and maple syrup. Maybe there was some cream in it too. I have to check. She has seven children, but her oldest is just half a year older than Jonathan. When we moved here she was expecting her third child and our children would play together quite a bit. Now everybody is so busy that I rarely get to see her.
I guess those are my evening thoughts for today.
Take care.
It's an organic decaf without flavoring. I think it's just the little bit of caffeine I'm not supposed to have. But maybe as a once a week treat it's fine :) I miss having chocolate very much! Chanda made apple muffins for herself the other day, without sugar! They were quite "savory," according to her. She did put in a little bit of honey.
DeleteYes, it is good for the girls to help with their grandparents. It's a real transition for all of us. My parents have always been very self sufficient, and . . . well . . . things are changing now. I remember very well my aunt taking care of my grandmother. When I look back on those memories, I realize what a nice situation it was for them, as my grandmother had a small kitchen and bedroom off of my aunt's house. It was a "mother-daughter" set up. She had her own space, but my aunt was right there if needed.
Peanut brittle sounds delicious!! Could you get us the recipe? Do you think you'll try to make it? I find myself craving sweets often on this diet, as I used to eat a little dark chocolate everyday! It's so nice you finally got together. I saw a good friend in the coop last week, when shopping with Morgana and Chanda. It's been two years since we got together. Time goes too fast.
Good night!
Hm, if I remember correctly, caffeine is not the problem! My GAPS book says that black tea and coffee are fine, but that the decaf versions might contain gluten. Chocolate is different because it has sugar.
DeletePeter just told me he has thrown away the recipe, but might find it in the garbage again. I hope so. Otherwise I have to ask my friend.
Thanks Eva! That's very interesting about decaf having gluten . .
DeleteTwo very busy days! What is that diet? I'm sure the tea did you good.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can manage life in the City and taking care of your parents. It's kind of a double life. But it sure looks like your mother is enjoying the company of Chanda and Morgana and you!
She always enjoys when we come out. It will be a bit difficult, but my sister and I are going to try and get out to see them more often. The diet is the Gaps diet. It wasn't easy to start, but it's getting better now as we add to what we can eat.
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