Greek Tacos

I may not be from Greece, but I can say the Greek alphabet. Does that count? For something other than geeky bragging rights?

No. No it doesn't, really.

Regardless, I can also throw together one mighty fine bona fide au-then-tic Greek meal. "Greek meal" code for "a pound of ground meat sprinkled with some past-due spices."

I kick it up another notch though. I put all that tasty Greek-like meat INTO. A. TACO.

A taco!

Take that, Greek goddess of hearth and home!

I suppose you'd call that brilliant fusion of food, "Grexican." Ha! I crack myself up.

All right, all right. Enough doofin' around. I should probably get to that recipe, huh?

As usual, I'll give you the original, fancified version first. It's the one that looks nice and would serve well to company. But after that you'll get the Lazy Cheapskate Mom version, which gets fixed far more often than the first. Just keepin' it real, people.

Greek Tacos

1 pound ground turkey or beef

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram

1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 cups fresh baby spinach, cut up a bit

1 can (2.25 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained

1 package (12 ct) taco shells

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup chopped red onion

In a large skillet, cook meat over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, seasonings, garlic and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 8-10 minutes or until thickened. Add spinach and olives; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until spinach is wilted. [Optional: Place taco shells on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 3-5 minutes or until heated through.] Spoon about 1/4 cup meat mixture into each shell. Top with feta cheese and onion. 4 servings.

Lazy version: I brown the meat and add the tomatoes, spinach, and seasonings as stated above (well, minus the fresh garlic). I skip the whole taco shell thing and simply spoon some meat onto everyone's plate. Then I top with whatever cheese I have on hand (cheddar for the kids, pepperjack for me) because I'm too cheap to buy feta. If I remember, I'll throw olives and onion on top for those who like 'em. Then I toss a bag of tortilla chips on the table and say, "getcher buns to the table it's time to eat!" "bon appetit!" And in case you're wondering, we use the chips in place of the taco shells. It works.

Other notes: The seasoned meat and toppings are also good when served over brown rice. And if you aren't crazy about raw onion, it can be sauteed with the meat instead.

For more recipes, head over to Ann's Food on Fridays and the Grocery Cart Challenge's Recipe Swap.

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Adoption Update, Where I Reveal My Cold Prickly Side

It's been nine months since I posted an adoption update. You wanna know why that is?

CUZ NOTHIN' AIN'T BEEN-A HAPPENIN'.

Well, nothing blog worthy, anyway.

Unless of course you enjoy snippets of conversations between me and the hubs.  

What's that you say? You do? Okay, if you insist.

Hubs: The three kids we already have are not only driving us crazy they're driving us to the poor house too. We are not adopting another child. You're insane.

Me: Exactly. Which is why we're adopting a fourth child. Speaking of, what'd you think of that cute little boy who's available? And did I mention he's cute?

Hubs: No boys. We have enough Mama's boys in this house. A third one couldn't compete.

Me: Okay, so your daughter needs a sister.

Hubs: Your daughter has enough personalities to equal eight sisters.

Me: See? So what's one more.

That conversation has played itself out nearly every day for the past nine months. Honestly, we've both waffled back and forth between stopping with three kids or going ahead with the fourth.

If you're new here, now's a good time to mention that we've already done the paperwork, paid the fees, and are fully qualified ("qualified") to adopt. Each Friday, we receive pictures of kids who are available for adoption--all from the great state of Oregon. Whenever we see a kid we like, we click "add to cart" sign up real quick-like to be considered as the adoptive parents.

We've done this with three little girls so far--all have been around 9-12 months old. We're still waiting to hear back about two of the girls.

Many people, specifically those with feelings ("feelings"), imagine this as a rather heart-wrenching process. I'm sure it is for some. But I'm just enough of a cold prickly that I don't let it get to me. Meaning, once we've applied for a certain child, I don't post the girl's picture on my fridge and gaze at it for hours on end, wondering about how she'd look in her sister's old clothes and whether or not her first name sounds good with our last. I think about her, pray about it, and move on. I admit that's easier to do when you're a freak-o-tasking homeschooling part-time working mama of three who wouldn't recognize a feeling if it jumped out and hugged her. *cringe*

So for now--we're waiting. And looking and waiting and having that same blasted conversation and looking and waiting some more. If we make it to the Top Three Pool of Prospective Adoptive Parents for either of these girls, no doubt our level of attachment to the child will go up. And the process at that point gets rather involved and speeds up tremendously. I'll be here to give you all the 411 you need--you can be sure about that.



If you're new around here and would like more of the back story, check out these posts (listed in reverse chronological order):


Adoption Update: The Binder


The PS To That Humiliating Update


Adoption Update: Alternately Titled, Just Humiliate Me And Get It Over With


An Adoption Update: Subtitled, The Most Unflattering Picture You'll See Today


The Vote Is In: Did You Choose X Or Y?


It's Like That Baby Shower Game, Only Different


An Adoption Update. Because You Asked.

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My Life In Pictures

Under assignment to take 50 pictures on Friday, January 15, 2010, I came up with a little glimpse into my ultra-glamorous life. I also came up 15 pictures short. But, once you see the pile of laundry and the 837 kids that created it, you'll understand why.

(If the photos aren't showing up on this page, or you want to see the slideshow with captions, go here.)

(You can also check out the May 2009 edition. Which is also filled with drama and intrigue.)

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Books I'm Hogging From The Library: The January 9, 2010 Edition

It's been a while since I've cracked the spine of a book--at least one worth reporting on. But these--these, my friend--are gems.

A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages :: If you're looking for the newest and biggest fan of the musical Wicked--look no more. I had no idea Kristin Chenoweth was the original (and best, and cutest, and most perfect) lead, but now I do. And now I find myself snarfing down all things "Kristin," this book included. That's normal behavior, right?

The Tangible Kingdom :: I believe the church of America is turning a corner (a GOOD one, by golly) and this book is helping to spearhead the way. I recommended it for anyone who dreams that church can be more than a once-a-week service.

The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be :: I consider Andy Stanley to be my speaking / teaching / vision-casting mentor, and look forward to his books. So...it's totally normal to be mentored by someone you've never met, right?

Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year :: It is shocking to me that I've never read Anne Lamott's work on the first year of motherhood. Shocking! But her book rolls along with such poetry and frankness that I can't help but like it. In this same genre are two other favorites: The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood and Babies and Other Hazards of Sex: How to Make a Tiny Person in Only 9 Months, with Tools You Probably Have around the Home.

Pushing Daisies (First Season) :: It's the Kristin Chenoweth theme again. Who knew there was such a unique, happy little show on the telly? I've watched two episodes already and thought they were so sweet and fun.

Reading (or watching) anything good these days?

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In the interest of full disclosure, no one asked me to promote these resources. But if you do click those links and buy something on the amazon site, I get a minuscule percentage of the purchase. The earnings I receive by being an affiliate help feed my family addiction of throwing pennies in a fountain twice a year. 

Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu

I'm not sure what the phrase "chicken cordon bleu" is supposed to mean, but it sure sounds lovelier than "flattened slab of meat wrapped around another kind of meat and some cheese."

See? It's all in the marketing.

It's also in the laziness. I've left the instructions for the original recipe--but over the past few years I've startied skipping the pounding and wrapping and coating and cooling and frying. Now I just layer all the ingredients in a crock pot and click "on." It's not nearly as pretty and the cheese melts all over, but ya know what? It gets me in and out of the kitchen in five minutes or less.

TAKE THAT, RACHEL RAY!!!

FIVE MINUTES!!!

Ahem. Where was I. Oh, but if you do want the cordon bleu to look pretty, then this crock pot recipe is good-looking enough to serve to company. Surprising, but true.

Crock Pot Chicken Cordon Bleu

6 large boneless skinless chicken breast halves

6 slices fully cooked ham

6 slices Swiss cheese

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup chicken broth

Flatten chicken to 1/8" thickness. Place ham and cheese on each breast. Roll up and secure with a toothpick. Combine flour, Parmesan cheese, sage, paprika, and pepper; coat chicken on all sides. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil over medium high heat. Transfer to a 5 quart slow cooker. Combine soup and broth; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Remove toothpicks. Garnish with parsley if desired. 6 servings.

More recipes over at Ann's Food on Fridays.

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10 Ways To Reuse Cereal Boxes

It's not every blog that will tackle the most scandalous of topics. But I'm willing to take that risk and discuss what no one else will discuss:

Boxes.

Empty ones. That used to be filled with cereal.

You'll notice the word "cereal" sounds like "serial" which reminds me of all the empty boxes sitting around going to waste.

It's criminal! Completely senseless!

But I'm here to shine a light on the outrage. To save some of those poor boxes from going to the landfill.

I've put together ten ways those cereal boxes can have new life again:

1. Flatten and use to protect photos or important documents being sent through the mail. Or create a custom-made photo mailer if you want something that's cutesy in a frugal sort of way.
   
   
2. Open and use as a placemat under craft projects.
   
   
3. Take the bottom two-to-four inches off and create a desk or drawer organizer.
   
   
4. Make a magazine holder with a couple of quick cuts. If you're crafty you can cover it with something or another but I'm generally a big fan of the quick-and-easy, no-frills approach. Like that surprises you.
   
   
5. Use as a canvas for art projects that require thicker paper (homemade thick paint or collages).
   
   
6. Cut into 4x6 size for postcards to have on hand for quick encouragement or thank you notes. Be sure to check the latest postal size requirements.
   
   
7. Stick an empty box in the pantry and use it to store extra plastic grocery bags.
   
   
8. Create little purse-sized notebooks. Bonus points if you use paper that's already printed on one side.
   
   
9. Stiffen the bottom of your reusable shopping bags once the original supports are no longer functional.
   
   
10. Hollow out one side of the box and tuck a napkin and some cookies into the "dish" to deliver to a friend.

I didn't even begin to list the 873 thousand crafts you can make with a cereal box. I'll let you search the intertubes yourself for those. I tend towards the more practical versus the artsy fartsy uses of things.

While we're on the topic, be sure to check out my classic post from days gone by: 10 Ways To Reuse Cereal Bags.

What are some ideas you'd add to the list?

More tips over at Works For Me Wednesday!

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Soft Ginger Cookies

My mom would make gingerbread cake every now and again when I was a kid. Back then, my response was always a loud and resounding "EWWWW!" If I'd had the verbal snark I'm gifted with now, I would have said, "Whoa, could you make a real cake, please? Like with chocolate and frosting from a tub, HELLOOOO!?!?"

The whole ginger-in-a-dessert thing seemed off to me--until I grew up and lost a couple million taste buds. It's amazing what I think is tasty nowadays. Molasses! Ginger! Cardboard All Flaked Up!

But I've discovered that if you mix butter and sugar with anything, it will turn out superb. It's true!

These cookies have been *the* cookies for our holiday season. Usually I like to bake a few of the ol' usual-schmoozuals, but not this year. I'm all about ginger and spice and everything nice. That's what good cookies are made of.

Soft Ginger Cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 whole egg

1 tablespoon orange juice (or water)

1/4 cup molasses

4 tablespoons granulated sugar

Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the orange juice (or water) and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Let the dough sit in the fridge or freezer until it is firm. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 4 tbsp sugar. Place the cookies 2" apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly. Bake for 6-8 minutes in a 350 F oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for a couple of minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container. 24 servings.

I modified the original recipe a bit to include my deep, deep love for butter. I rarely make cookies with margarine or shortening. I also substituted orange juice for the water (as several of the 2100+ [!!] reviewers suggested), and also found that I needed twice as much sugar to roll the dough in before putting the cookies in the oven.

For more recipes, hop on over to Ann's Food on Fridays or to Friday Feast.

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In Which I Got All Crafty By Tying Some Knots

If you ask me what I remember most from the sewing class I took as a child, I'll tell you two things:

1) the seam ripper...aaaaand

2) tears

Not "tears" as in tares (v): ripping the fabric to shreds with my very own teeth, but "tears" as in teers (n): the wet stuff that pours out of my eyes that is often accompanied by high-pitched noises and randomly flying objects. (see "seam ripper")

So as you can see, I'm not a crafty gal. However! I like a project that can be done quickly that is not only cute but serves a real purpose. A purpose other than "sitting on the shelf."

Now before y'all go hitting the unsubscribe button with a vengeance--let me interject with this: I am in awe of the crafty sorts. And I've been known to visit Etsy every now and again with sheer delight--so much so that I recently purchased one of these.

I know! Cute on top of cute! With a side helping of cute!

Now. Where was I?

Oh, getting ready to tell you about an easy project that even relatively-behaved, grade-school aged (and older) kids can help with. It involves fleece, which is not only cute but is soft and squishy and can be made into the. cutest. NO-SEW blankets.

Now. I realize that I've used the word "cute" five times so far in this post, along with other sweet words that will ruin my snappy and snarky reputation forever. Just keep that between us, m'kay?

But did you happen to see the words I put IN CAPS?

NO? SEW?

Oh, sign. me. up!

Or should I say, "tie me up?!"

The no-sew tie fleece blankets are "blankets" made of "fleece" that you "don't sew" which means "no seams" which means "no seam ripper" but means "tying a whole bunch of knots."

F-to-the-u-hoo-hoo-n!

I made a blanket recently, and had my students at church help tie the knots. When the blanket was done, we donated it to our local children's hospital. (I made sure to wash it after lots of germy kiddie hands had touched the blanket. At the hospital's request.)

I couldn't begin to give you instructions on how to make the thing. But I can show you a video. Lights! Camera! Slow-moving and well-documented action!

The fabric plus the background music in that video have reached levels of awesomesauce incongruity I know nothing about. Just sayin'.

In addition, here are some step-by-step instructions as well as info on making blankets of different sizes.

Of course, I've got my own tips to share:

• Cut with sharp sewing shears lest you end up throwing your dull pair across the room. (see: "seam ripper") Borrow a pair if you have to; they're quite (*cough*) pricey.
  
  
• Double-knot the ties when including kids on the project. The knot shown in the video looks nicer--but it's too difficult for young kids to do.
  
  
• Pin the layers together if you're going to be moving the blanket before it's done; it helps keep the ties from going helter-skelter.
  
  
• Tie a few knots (on each end / maybe one in the middle of each side) before working your way around the perimeter of the blanket. Again, this comes from my experience with kids who aren't always the most careful in making sure the top tie gets tied to its match on the bottom. And if you want to know who got to untie a hundred and thirty-seven knots--JUST ASK MISS SEAM RIPPER HERSELF.
  
  
• Buy the fabric on sale. Craft stores rotate their sales every week and repeat them year-round. Or you can receive coupons by signing up for a mailing list--either way you'll likely save 40-50%.

During the winter season, fleece blankets make great gifts--not just for those on your holiday list but for those in need (women's shelters, homeless shelters, children in tough situations). Make sure to call  these agencies first to be sure the blankets can be used.

Please share your own blanket-making or blanket-giving stories or tips in the comments. Or simply tell me which sewing tool you'd like to (hypothetically speaking) toss across the room.

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Cappuccino Flats

If you give yourself a cappuccino cookie, you're gonna want a cup'a coffee. And if you have a cup'a coffee, you're gonna want another cookie. It's as simple as that.

But these cookies don't just taste good. They pack well when giving them away, and stand out from the crowd of the usual schmoozual fare. They look like they came from a bakery yet still taste homemade. And I use the term "homemade" as a good thing. Your experience may not be the same.

So allow me to present to you the best coffee-flavored cookie I've tasted in my entire acting-like-an-a-dult life. Enjoy.

Cappuccino Flats

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon instant coffee granules

1 teaspoon warm water

1 whole egg

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate squares, melted and cooled

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

3 tablespoons shortening or butter

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars.  Dissolve coffee in water; add to creamed mixture with egg and melted chocolate. Mix well. Combine flour, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture (dough will be sticky). Shape into two 6 1/2" rolls; wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm.  Unwrap and cut into 1/4" slices. Place 2" apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until firm. Remove to wire racks to cool. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips and shortening. (Keep melted chocolate on low heat during next step so that it stays melted.) Dip each cookie halfway; shake off excess. Place on waxed paper to harden.Yield: 4 dozen.

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Silo--No Mo, It's Off To Work We Go

I'm no stranger to the farm. I spent most of my life on a big ol' honkin' plot of land, running and screaming and climbing and hiding and exploring and did I mention there was probably some screaming? One of the best places to do this was around the silos--there must have been a gazillion of them. Or like four. But who's counting?

My overly-analytical mind spent hours figuring out which silo was tallest / widest / biggest / fullest / oldest. What was mysterious to me was how the grain moved from one place to another--or if it even did. They always looked so self-contained and sealed up to me.

Which is kind of the point of the things.

But what's great for grain isn't so great for everything.

Much has been written in the business world about the silo effect; i.e., not sharing information or resources across departments. I've seen the same thing happen to organizations within a community. So many of them are trying to accomplish the same goal--building a great place to live--yet they find themselves scrambling for money, for volunteers. They're all racing to create the biggest, fullest silo and from my eternally optimistic outlook--not getting very far.

But the times are changing when it comes to community collaboration. I've been a part of it, and I'm here to say--it can and does work to share space, to share money, to share volunteers.

Most recently I was in charge of a community Halloween event that was a joint effort between the neighborhood association, twenty or so businesses, the library, and our church. And not once did I feel a sense of competition between those groups, and you know why? We were all after the same goal--to provide a family-friendly, community-building event for the neighborhood.

I have included the entire writeup of the event that was included in the local paper, mainly so that my mom can print it and stick it to her fridge. But beyond that, I wanted to give you--a leader in your community--proof and encouragement that unthinkable partnerships can happen for the greater good.

Boulevard-long Halloween romp scares up fun in Woodstock

Dressed in costumes ranging from spooky to silly, hundreds of kids and their parents had a fun and safe Halloween along SE Woodstock Boulevard on Saturday evening, October 31st.




It started with Story Time at the Woodstock Branch Library. Then, trick-or-treating down “Candy Corn Lane” – 20 participating merchants offering candy and treats along the way – the revelers arrived at the Woodstock Community Center.

“We’re working with the Woodstock Neighborhood Association (WNA) and the Woodstock Community Business Association (WCBA) to coordinate this event,” said Lisa Smith, with Lifehouse Church, who organized the activities at the community center.

This is our third annual party,” said Smith. “There’s crafts for kids, games, popcorn, cider, and a huge goodie bag for each kid. They can craft a Halloween picture for our ‘wall of art’, and we’re asking them to mark their home’s location on a map.”

Smith assured us that all of the arrangements were worth the effort. “It’s important for the community to have a place to be together that is safe and fun. We get to enjoy one another’s company.”

In addition to the many Woodstock merchants who participated, Smith said that five restaurants participated by giving away gift certificates. “All in all, it’s a great community-builder.” It’s planned to repeat again next Halloween.

Reprinted with permission from The Bee. Photo and content by David Ashton.

What are some ways you've seen collaboration work in your community?

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Church Service, Part Deux

Sometimes the idea of "church" really amuses me. I mean--will someone reference the part of history where God said:

"You know what I'd like to see? A meeting. Like with 20 minutes of singing followed by a half-hour lecture."

*nodding to himself* 

"Yes...that's it. Now get to it."

Oh, I know, I know--the weekly meeting has it's place. But for too many decades it's been just that--a holy huddle. Followed by any size and number of holy huddles held during the week.

My hope for this generation is that we stop thinking of church as a weekly service and more as consistent service to those in our 'hood.

(I said that already, didn't I!)

But enough flapping of the gums from me. Take a look at this video which highlights the work of the church in Portland, Oregon--one of the most liberal cities in the country:

That's *my* city right there--and I couldn't be more proud. (More info: Season of Service; article from USA Today)

Are you seeing the same kind of shift in your area, where churches are getting more involved in their communities? If so, in what way?

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Crispy Baked Chicken

My days of making multi-step, fancy ingredient meals are gone. Three kids, a part-time job, and homeschooling have sucked every Julia Child cell out of my body. Now I'm more like Rachel Ray. On crack.

This recipe can be prepped and in the oven in less than five minutes. The hardest part of this recipe is remembering to thaw the chicken.

Crispy Baked Chicken

6 whole boneless skinless chicken breast halves 

1 cup Italian style bread crumbs

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons melted margarine or butter

Place chicken breasts in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle (to coat one side) with the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dot with butter. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until juices run clear. 6 servings.

I like to serve this with a 50/50 mixture of mayonnaise and BBQ sauce.

More recipes over at Ann's Food on Fridays and the Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap. 

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Beethoven's Wig

I grew up with music in the home. Beach Boys via record, Lawrence Welk on TV, and Roger Miller in the tape deck.

So obviously, my musical taste is EXQUISITE.

Hubs made a short attempt in college to refine me. It was futile. He would mumble something about "classical" not being a generic term for all "elevator music," but that it represents a time period zzzzzzz in music history, listen to the sound of me not caring, excuse me while I fall asleep in your Braharms.

Music majors.

During our early years of marriage, I took the opportunity to clean house, and by "clean house," I mean, "got rid of HIS junk."

Including most of those "classical" CDs.

Awesome.

Especially now that it's time to pass on a musical heritage to my kids.

Fortunately, the library has saved my ever-widening butt. I've even found a set of CDs that mix Hubs' classy taste with my love for, well, nonsense.

Introducing: Beethoven's Wig (♫)

Oh, people. I'm a sucker for cleverly-written (often humorous) lyrics. All the songs on the Beethoven's Wig CDs are set to the tune of symphonies, and get this--actually teach something about the piece of music.

I KNOW.

BRILLIANT.

Best of all, I can listen along with the kids without desiring to stab my eardrums.

MMM-HMM.

Here are the CDs currently available:

• Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies

• Beethoven's Wig, Vol. 2: More Sing-Along Symphonies

• Beethoven's Wig 3: Many More Sing-Along Symphonies

• Beethoven's Wig 4: Dance Along Symphonies

In the interest of full disclosure, no one asked me to promote these CDs. But if you do click those links and buy something on the amazon site, I get a minuscule percentage of the purchase. The earnings I receive by being an affiliate help feed my family addiction of throwing pennies in a fountain twice a year.

You can check out the full list of Beethoven's Wig CDs and then send that link to your wealthy relatives. Wealthy relatives who happen to have a penchant for classical music with some zany lyrics thrown on top.

Okay. Tell me a little tidbit about your experience with classical ("classical") music.


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In Pursuit Of Greek Geekdom

I drag my family all over town in an attempt to knock some items off my bucket list. For now all I can afford are the cheap things. Like breathing. Which, ironically enough, is keeping me alive until I can jet set off to Greece once a year.

Not that that's a goal, mind you. If there's any "Greece" on my bucket list it's likely involving the pursuit of a bacon burger and some fries.

Never said I was high-class, people.

But about that bucket load of free stuff. Let's go.

On our recent "Ramona tour" of the city, Hubs remarked to me at the end: "How come every item on your bucket list makes me want to kick the bucket?"

What a kidder.

But once he forgot about the ninety-minute walking tour that happened to occur during the dinner hour after a long work day in his dress shoes and (and!) with three small children--I got to planning our next outing: a local Greek Festival.

When we got there the place was packed. Crazy packed. Tents and food and booze (see: "packed") and everything else you'd expect at a cultural event.

We decided to take the road less traveled and head inside the Greek Orthodox Cathedral that was hosting the event.

We entered the narthex, where we saw "BE QUIET" and "BE RESPECTFUL" signs posted all around. Of course, my three-year-old can't read, nor can she be quiet or respectful...so when she saw a row of lit candles she immediately hollered out, "BURF-DAY CAKE!!!"

 I apologized. In Greek.

"I'm sorry-o, we're idiots-o, pi are squared, amen."

So we took our entertaining little selves out of the holy place for a bit, and focused on some of this:

Hubs was quick to train the kids on a few Greek dance moves. Which of course were mostly GEEK dance moves. Of that we are pros.

But then I herded the sheep back to the church for the Saturday night vesper service. The greeter lady had kindly (and quietly!) mentioned to me earlier that "my son will be singing in the choir...and I'd love to have you come."

Of course when I heard the word "choir," I immediately envisioned a concert by a group of people, singing four-part harmony in an acoustically wonderful room.

I was wrong.

(See: "Id-i-ot-o.")

Singing in the "choir" meant where he was going to be singing. Not who he was going to be singing with. (Which, when I added it all up, was basically no one.)

It didn't take too long into the service to realize that the young man who was sing-talking in Greek was the greeter lady's son.

The Alpha and the Omegabet indeed!

Surprisingly, the kids were well-behaved during the 20 minutes of service we sat through. Our family's religious tradition tends far more on the casual side of things, so the kids had never experienced anything even closely resembling an "orthodox" style of service. Everything was new: the icons, the chants, the "foot rests" at their feet.

But it was the deacon carrying the censer that caught their attention the most. Mine too, for that matter. I'd never seen anything like it--the censer he carried had twelve jingling bells, burning coals, smoke and a strong smell of incense. And he walked down the aisle! And shook the thing right at us!

That shut us up.

I plan to talk through the experience with my kids once I understand it a bit more myself. (*sheepish grin*) But what always amazes me is how much faster it is to learn something by experiencing it. My seven-year-old has heard the word "orthodox" several times before, but it's meant nothing to him. Not anymore. That word now has several memories connected to it--personal ones.

And all that learning was for free. Ten minutes from home. Supersauce.

Now when I planned our trip to the Greek Festival, I hadn't even known that the service was a part of it. I was mostly going for the food--and ended up bringing home a container of this:

Yep. Greek pastries. "Cavity creators." (Baklava, diples, kataifi, kourabiedes, melomakarona, pasta flora, and rolla.) We divvied each of them up into small bits for us to try, and ate ourselves into a bona fide sugar buzz. Followed shortly by a sugar bust.

Which the kids will no doubt remember, and associate closely with nut-filled and honey-soaked goodies.

Regardless. We enjoyed our outing to the festival. Even if it was all Greek to me.

Anyone have a Greek cuisine or cultural story to share?

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Taking A Walk Through Beverly Cleary's Neighborhood

If there was one character I could relate to as a child--it was Ramona Quimby. Oh, I liked Nancy Drew well enough--but she was too smart. And those Ingalls girls? They were a little too well-behaved if you ask me. But Ramona? She was a disaster. A hilarious mess on two feet. Just the kind of girl I would have loved to stand next to in the lunch line.

Little did I know that when I moved to Portland, I'd be living in "Ramona's" hometown. Beverly Cleary, creator of Ramona, was raised in Oregon and set her fictional stories in the real-life town of Portland.

Huh! Awesomesauce.

I've been reliving my childhood by reading a handful of the books to my kids, so "Ramona," "Henry," and "Ribsy" are familiar names to us all. Recently, our local library has been hosting a walking tour of the neighborhood--which is designed to connect the stories from Beverly Cleary's books to the sites around town.

I naturally assumed that you'd want to go on the happy little tour with me--or at least vicariously through the pictures I post on this blog. So let's get walking.

1. The Library. Though it is no longer a library, this retro-looking building is still being used as a bakery. But back in the day, it was the place where Beverly Cleary would walk to pick up some books.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Beverly Cleary's childhood home. The structure of this house is quintessential Portland, which makes it all the more delightful. It's roughly a five-minute walk down the street from the old library.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   "Hancock" is the name of the street, but Cleary chose "Klickitat" (which is nearby) as a more kid-friendly name of a street for Ramona to live on.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Our guide was Laura Foster, who has written a few books that describe walking tours in and around the Portland area. Laura was just what you'd want from a tour guide--informative, well-spoken, and passionate about the topic at hand.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   (Do you see me there in the top-right corner of that photo? Hey everybody!)
   
   
   
   
   
3. Neighborhood schools. Both of the following two schools were ones that Beverly Cleary attended, and therefore are weaved into the stories of Ramona and her friends.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   (Obviously, the schools weren't named "Beverly Cleary" until much later.)
   
   
   
   
4. Grant Park. One of my favorite stories of Beverly Cleary's is when Henry Huggins has to work to dig up a thousand or so night crawlers to be able to buy his friend a new football. Grant Park was the setting for that story.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Inside the park, statues of Henry, Ribsy, and Ramona have been erected to honor the writings of Beverly Cleary:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Come to find out, the "football thrown through an open window in a passing car" is based on a true story--something that happened right outside Beverly Cleary's other childhood home. Speaking of, we did see that second house--but by that time in the tour my photographer was walking on fumes.
   
   
   

Hope y'all enjoyed the walking tour around the Beverly Cleary neighborhood. Make sure to give out a shout if you are a Ramona fan too! Or you can simply tell me I'm a Mary Ingalls Hater and leave it at that.

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