A Real Few Days

Jen over at Denton Sanitorium invited her readers
to share the "Real Deal" of our lives--
I think I do this most of the time here at
Momza's House,
but loved her invitation so much,
I'm joining the party today.

Daisie went to her Homecoming Dance.

She found the dress THAT day.

It was 22.00 at Macy's.

It was also immodest, with a one-shouldered strap.

So Nana and I raced all over town looking for an appropriate

cover-up and found this one, one hour before the dance.

Nana fixed Daisie's hair. "Fixed" meaning wadding up into a knot. 

Where I spend most of my day-- 

grateful

but no fun.

truth.

 *****

Nana's Bday yesterday--

she and I spent the day together,

lunch

shopping

catching up.

Then in the afternoon,

 Pics were taken, and the birthday dinner commenced to being made:
Diana chose one of her favorite casseroles that I make,
and everyone got involved.
That's Joseph sitting on the counter, peeling shrimp.

 The Ingredients

 The birthday girl and helper with the finished dish:

   Rich Seafood Casserole

1 ½ lbs. unpeeled, large shrimp*

1 ½ c. dry white wine

¼ c. chopped onion

¼ c. fresh parsley sprigs or celery leaves

1 TB. Butter or margarine

1 tsp. salt

1 lb. bay scallops

3 T. butter or margarine

3 T. all-purpose flour

1 c. half-n-half

½ c. (2 oz.) shredded Swiss cheese

1 TB. Lemon juice

¼ tsp. lemon pepper

1 (7oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained

1 c. soft whole wheat breadcrumbs

¼ c. grated Parmesan cheese

¼ c. almonds**

2 TB butter or margarine, melted

Hot Cooked Rice

Peel shrimp & devein, if desired. Set aside. * Easier: use ready-to-eat shrimp.

Combine wine & next 4 ingredients in a Dutch oven; bring to boil.

Add shrimp & scallops; cook 3 to 5 mins. or until shrimp turn pink.

Drain shrimp mixture, reserving 2/3 cup broth.

MELT 3 Tb. Butter in Dutch oven over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth.

Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute.  Gradually add half-and-half; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly.

Add Swiss cheese to sauce, stirring until cheese melts.  Gradually stir in reserved 2/3 cup broth, lemon juice, and lemon pepper.

STIR in shrimp mixture and mushrooms.

Spoon mixture into lightly greased 11X7- inch baking dish. (If desired, cover and chill overnight. Let stand at room temperature 30 mins before baking.)

COVER and BAKE at 350o for 40 minutes. 

Combine breadcrumbs and next 3 ingredients; sprinkle over casserole.

BAKE, uncovered, 10 mins.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving. 

Serve over hot cooked rice.  YIELD: 8 servings.

** optional

 King Sooper's made her dessert of choice:

Now, while I was busy posting this blog--

here's the reality check:

ARI: "Mom, I need a magazine for science today."

"We don't have any magazines. Wait, what about the American Girl one you got yesterday?"

ARI: "NO! I'm not taking that--we're gonna cut it up!"

The she brings me "The Friend"--

"What about this?"

"No."

**

"Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom."

"Yes?"

nothing.

"Yes? I'm listening--?"

nothing.

"Mr. Hinkle saw what you wrote in my planner, 'bout the scouts thing,

and he wrote back, 'cool'."

***

::::dog whining in the background::::

"Will someone, has someone...fed the dog this morning?"

::dog continues to whine from her crate:::

(she's been let out already, but gets into things still,

so unless we're all paying attention, 

which we are not in the mornings,

she stays in her crate)

"Has anyone fed the dog yet?
Anyone?"
Joseph: "Uh I think, yeah, I did."

****

"Did you brush your teeth yet?"

Ari: "I just had orange juice, it's gonna be gross."

"You still have to brush your teeth."

Ari: "ugh."

"You have to."

Ari: :::Whining:::