Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my 48 year old husband!  I remember spending his 25th birthday together.  How did we get to be so old?  Tonight we went out to dinner with friends and had a great time.  Twenty-four years together and we're still having fun.  Happy birthday sweetheart.

Just Saying

Random things I need to put into the cybersphere:

• Have you ever learned more about someone than you ever wanted to know?  And not in a good way?  
• I spent the entire evening avoiding my son's teachers at Open House because I didn't want to hear what they might say.  (I have really good kids)
• I have so much to do in the next few weeks I just want to go to bed and lay there until June 24th.
• The show Extreme Couponing really bugs me.  They are just organized hoarders.

Thank you for indulging me.

Dan's Birthday

Six years ago today I was holding my new baby in my arms.  The overwhelming love I felt for him then is even stronger today.  Such a sweet boy.  So much has happened in those 6 years!  I am just grateful to be alive.  I am grateful to be his mom.  Happy Birthday my sweet boy.

Matzoh Candy....Yum

So last week I made my matzoh candy...my most requested treat.  It turned out great.  I thought I would share with you how to make it...I realize I don't have any followers, but once I do, this will be a pretty popular post!

First you place the matzoh crackers on the cookie sheet.  They key is to cover with entire sheet without leaving any open spaces.  The cookie sheet was covered in foil, then I put a silicone liner on top.

Put two sticks of butter and one cup of brown sugar in a pan.

Pour the mixture over the crackers and spread to the edges.  Be careful because it's REALLY hot!  Place in oven and bake, watching carefully to make sure it doesn't burn.  It will bubble up.

Remove from the oven and put the chocolate chips on right away.  Let them sit a minute to melt and then spread all the way to the edges.

Place the candy in the freezer until it sets up (15 minutes or so).

Break the candy into bite-sized pieces.  I make sure it's at room temperature before I bag it up.  Word of advice, if you are going to make this for Passover, make bags for the guest to take home.  Last year I caught someone filling up their napkin with candy and shoving it their purse.

Here's the recipe:

Cracker Toffee

4-6 unsalted matzoh boards or sheets (Or enough

       saltines to line a cookie sheet)

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed firm

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees .

Line a cookie sheet completely with foil. Cover bottom of pan with baking parchment - on top of foil. This is very important as mixture becomes sticky during baking. Line bottom of pan evenly with matzoh boards or crackers, cutting extra pieces of matzoh or crackers, as required, to fit any spaces on the cookie sheet as evenly as possible.

Combine butter and brown sugar in a 3 quart, heavy-bottomed, saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking 3 more minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour over crackers.

Place in oven and immediately reduce heat to 350 F. Bake 15 minutes, checking every few minutes to make sure mixture is not burning (if it seems to be browning too quickly, remove from oven, lower heat to 325 F, and replace) Remove from oven and sprinkle crackers immediately with chopped chocolate or chips. Let stand 5 minutes then spread melted chocolate. Chill in refrigerator until set.

Cruise News

Well we are back!  We spent 7 days floating around the Pacific Ocean in search of rest and relaxation.  I think we found it.  The boys had a great time exploring the ship and exercising their independence.  I can't tell you how many times they would tell me their plans for the day and then take off.  They played shuffleboard and Wii.  They swam and dined alone.  I was really proud of them.  Daniel had the best vacation ever!  Bob and I realized it was the first diaper-free, stroller-free vacation in 12 years.  That's a milestone in the Held Family!

Saturday

Just another quiet Saturday around our house.  There are so many projects, yet so little enthusiasm to get them started.  The truth is I'm anxiously awaiting my new Vera purse to arrive in the mail.  Maybe then I get can get some work done.  What I can't wait for is to see my new grand-niece Logan.  I hear she is adorable.  My niece did not disappoint me with her first born, Quinn, who is the cutest thing I've ever seen.  Enjoy your Saturday.  I will post pics of my baking creation this afternoon.

Ooohs and Ahhhhs

I read in the paper last week about a creative family.  During dinner they play the Oooh and Ahhh game.  Each person goes around the table and gives an Ooooh for the day.  For instance, "Today I went to Starbucks and got a coffee."  "Ooooh," replies  my family.  "But," I say, "they forgot the cream."  "Ahhhh" they say.  It's a really fun game to play and could get my family to reflect about their day. 

I have married, and have birthed four children who aren't great communicators.  Asking about their day is like pulling teeth.  My son was the star in the first grade play and I found out the morning of the play (another parent texted me).  My husband swears he tells me things, then tries to blame my failing memory when I don't remember.  The only time they want to talk to me is when I'm perched in front of my show and trying to have a quiet moment.  Only then, it seems, they never shut up.

I'll go first.  "Tonight at dinner we played the Oooh and Ahhhh Game."  "But nobody would play with me."

Great Fun

 

Last week we had dinner and drinks at the Side Door in Newport Beach, CA.  It was a great night.  The Side Door is literally the side door of the restaurant Five Crowns.  Five Crowns is owned by Lawry's Prime Rib.  At the end of the evening a threesome sat down at the end of our table.  We started talking and it turned out that our table mate was the owner.  Not only the owner, but the CEO of Lawry's.  Imagine how I felt recommending items on the menu to him!

57 Days Remaining

With only 57 days left of school I am starting to panic.  Parent Conferences begin tomorrow and I am looking forward to seeing all of my parents and sharing their child's growth.  What scares me is facing those parents whose children aren't doing as well.  What am I doing for them?  How can I do more?  What can I do with only 57 days remaining? 

Summer Break?

Like most of you, I am enjoying summer and relaxing. However, with the California Budget Crisis looming over our heads, I am always on the lookout for great classroom deals. Right now there are some great deals out there for school supplies. Target has composition books and Crayola crayons (24) for $.25. I personally am stocking up as I hear next year is going to be worse. (Is that possible?) Any other great deals out there?