Wild Animals, Gems, and Recipe

[wild animals=my kids]

Over the three day weekend (awhile ago) we went and hung out in SD with my bro, sis-in-law, and adorable baby boy. We had a great time--thanks, guys! We stayed up really, really late on Sunday night. The kids would NOT go to sleep until 10 pm. And we stayed up after watching reruns of The Office. I figured the next day at the Wild Animal Park would be miserable... and I wasn't disappointed. So if you thought, somehow, we had a perfect life and perfect kids, read on...

We literally could not stop moving. If we did, Jake had a melt-down. Almost all day long. Alisa was close behind him. We were supposed to meet up with our good friends, too, but it just didn't happen. It was one long crisis. It was good to hang out with Jare and Manda, it just was HOT and with VERY tired kids, it wasn't a good combination. Plus, by some miracle I squeezed into some workout clothes of Amanda's, and she let me tag along to the step and tone class she was teaching at the gym earlier that morning. She is a great teacher, by the way, and had multiple women asking when and where she normally taught (which is 5:45 am, much to their chagrin!). So, I was already tired and sore as we trekked up and down the hilly park. 

To end the day, we lost one of Jake's crocs (yes, for the second time. I should've kept the surviving one from his first pair). So, long gone, which doesn't seem like a big deal, but now it's like pulling teeth (ha, ha...) trying to get his shoes on. Before, I just said, "Get your crocs on, Jake" and it was done. 

Anyway, we did have good company, and ended the night eating Bankok Curry at Noodles & Co. (I HIGHLY recommend this dish!) and topping it all off with yummy Golden Spoon. Can't beat that! The kids conked right out when we drove home around 7:30. So, that was our adventure. We didn't even get a picture all together... sniff, sniff.

This is a happy looking picture. Unfortunately, it was the only happy moment we had. The rest of the ride consisted of Alisa throwing a major tantrum and Jake taking pictures, mostly of himself.

We kept a few of the many he took...

Alisa running away before another tantrum! :) 

[gems]

About 20 minutes after the fact: Dad, are you sorry you made me upset?

Another time: Dad, you spilled it! Do you need a time-out?

Do I really say those things? Y.E.S. and our little parrot loves to parent...

[recipe]

In other news... If you are bored of cooking the same quesadillas or spaghetti or whatever, read on!

Here's a yummy recipe that Scott made up. He likes to get creative in the kitchen, and while trying to create a chicken korma recipe, he created this. I must share that he smelled each spice we had (we have a lot of random spices, too) and picked out the ones that smelled "right" so watch out--you'll love it!!!

Yummy, Creamy, Chicken Curry--Indian Style

2 chicken breasts in chunks

2 t. salt

1 T. olive oil

1/2 med. onion, chopped

2 heaping t. minced garlic

Chop chicken in bite sized chunks and give it a good salt. Heat oil on med.-high, add chicken, onion, and garlic and cook until done. 

1/2 -1 c. water or milk

1 t. ginger powder, or fresh ginger

1 t. cardamom

1/2 t. ground cloves

2 t. yellow curry powder

2 heaping t. brown sugar

Add water or milk to cooked chicken mixture and simmer with above ingredients. Add more water if it starts to dry out. Simmer a few minutes. Then add

1/2 can coconut milk (shake can first)

1 c. plain yogurt

1/4 c. whipping cream

 We add cooked vegetables at the end (steamed or stir-fried): red pepper, bamboo shoots, green beans, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts.

Heat until it's simmering, then turn off. Serve on top of brown rice (or whatever rice you prefer). Really yummy served with Naan (Indian Flatbread). We buy it at Trader Joe's. There's frozen, pre-made with garlic and cilantro on it (throw it on the grill for a couple of minutes or in a pan) or they have plain Indian Flatbread that we dress up olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped cilantro before we throw it on the grill. Detailed, I know. Ask if you want to know any more. It's SOOOO YUMMY!