Cookbook Club

A couple of months ago I joined a cookbook club. Here is a description—the first meeting was fun. There were about 12 people and we spent almost TWO FULL HOURS eating.
We each chose a recipe from The Art of Simple Cooking, I went with clam chowder. So off I went to Sprouts to score some of these babies.

The fresh clams were about $4.99 a pound, I needed two pounds—and had to read up on how to store them so they wouldn't die until I needed them. (Keep them cold in the fridge and cover with a wet towel. If they come open, they're no longer alive. I had to throw a few out from the get-go because the guy at the counter packaged some for me and I didn't know.) Oh well. Can't blame someone else for my lack of knowledge. Plus I did this to learn something right? Right.

Fresh clam chowder is incredibly easy. I really like it so I don't know why I've never tried before but will certainly be making it again. I'm looking forward to another meeting—and perhaps there will be more photos to share!

She Made Aprons

For Christmas all the girls received aprons from Mom. She found a new tool that cuts zig zags from fabric...so she went all crazy up in that sewing room of hers.

And the aprons of course, were put to good use making Christmas cookies.

Game Time

Mom is retired! So this year instead of enduring her absence in the evenings, we enjoyed her company and contribution of games!

Each evening she had at least one kid friendly activity planned for the family to enjoy before the girls went to bed. Now, don't tell me you wouldn't enjoy this one—or haven't already. Adam and I have used it while babysitting as well. It's a wonderful babysitting tool, it keeps the kids busy for at least an hour.

I think though, Hayden had the most fun painting Michael's face.

Other games included a balloon popping game, quizzes, a game with dice, a tiny item hide and seek, and this one where the players fill up their bowl with cotton balls while blindfolded.

Grab Your Dauber

Tonight you brought a little extra cash, purchased a dauber, and got ready to win, because it's girls night and you're playing BINGO! This is the dauber you need—it says "The Winners Ink" and you're a winner for sure.

Buy one sheet—because daubing two sheets is a mega stressful for a newbie like you—and try not to talk, or laugh too loud or the BINGO lifers on both sides of you will politely shush you as you try to stifle your stressed out giggles that come out as snorts instead. The announcer is going so fast you feel the rush of adrenaline. What if someone takes your win because you're not fast enough!? What sheet are we on? What number did he just call?!?

You daub, daub, daub away. BINGO isn't like it used to be. All ones are wild? You have to get two rows to win plus a full corner? What? You accidentally got daub happy and marked the wrong space! NOOOOOOOO!!!

Alas, your dauber lied to you. It was not the winner's ink. All that craziness amounted to nothing on paper.

But that's perfectly fine with you…time spent talking and laughing with the girls is all a winner needs from time to time and you totally scored on that count!