Gisèle is 4!

More birthday goodness to come, but for now, turn up your speakers and enjoy this video of Gisèle receiving her present from Jamie and me:

Zucchini and Corn with Basil

(This is something I can't eat on my current 28-day detox, but I'll be enjoying it again after!)

This is a quick side dish I adapted from a recipe found on Tasty Kitchen.  I took out the cream and lemon, preferring to let the basil shine as the strongest flavor.  The leek and basil really dress up the zucchini and corn, and it makes a perfect summer side for grilled meats.

Zucchini and Corn with Basil

1 zucchini
1 can corn
1 leek
1 large handful fresh basil
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp butter
salt and pepper

-Prepare the leek by chopping off the end and the stalks - you'll just use the white and light green part.  Cut it in half lengthwise, and hold it/fan it under running water to rinse it.  Then slice it thinly, cross-wise, into thin slices.
-Slice the zucchini into thin rounds, and then quarter the rounds.  Chiffonade the basil.
-Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pan.  Add the leeks, and saute until translucent.  Add the zucchini and corn, and saute 3-5 minutes.  Add the basil, salt, and pepper, and serve.

logger's lock (Blogger's Block)

I have't felt at all like loggig lately, ad the mai reaso is ecause of the two o-workig keyoard keys we have at home.  Ca you guess which two they are ased o what I've typed so far?  I'll type a paragraph out here, ad I'll type the traslatio elow so you ca actually read what I've writte.  It's ee so frustratig to try to type aythig at all out, ad it's drivig me uts.  Makig lists of thigs to do is geerally doe o the computer at our house, ad it's hard to get aythig doe whe hyou look up ad see that the place you're supposed to go is "Hoy Loy."   (sigh)


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Translation, typed on a keyboard that has "B" and "N" keys that work:


I haven't felt at all like blogging lately, and the main reason is because of the two non-working keyboard keys we have at home.  Can you guess which two they are based on what I've typed so far?  I'll type a paragraph out here, and I'll type the translation below so you can actually read what I've written.  It's been so frustrating to try to type anything at all out, and it's driving me nuts.  Making lists of things to do is generally done on the computer at our house, and it's hard to get anything done when you look up and see that the place you're supposed to go is "Hoy Loy." {Hobby Lobby}   (sigh)

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We've also been really busy planning Gisèle's birthday party, so I haven't had a chance to upload pictures lately.  I'll work on doing that after this weekend is over, so hopefully I'll get some photo updates online next week. We haven't done a whole lot lately, but I do have some Astros game pics to share, and some updated photos of the kids.  Of course, after this weekend I hope to have some photos of Gisèle at her Cinderella birthday party to share!

Fashion Show

Gisèle and Miles had a fashion show at school today!  They even practiced for it yesterday (in Gisèle's class, at least).  There was a runway, a cool backdrop, and an audience of parents and teachers.  Gisèle picked out her outfit last night, being very careful with her selections.  (We chose Miles's outfit for him this morning.)  Jamie snapped a couple of pictures on his phone - pardon the blurriness! 

Day Two (Take 2)

Well, today was day 2 of the second time trying the 28 Day Detox. The “shake” still sucks. It’s disgusting. But I’ve successfully kept it down now for 2 days in a row! Woohoo! Mixing it with (unsweetened) apple juice instead of water has helped some, I think. I still have to concentrate on not gagging as I drink it, and I’m still queasy for a few hours after I have it each morning, but at least it’s staying down.

Gisèle's Prayer for a Friend

Gisèle:  "Dear God, Please help Shaney Waney Ganey's*  brew**  go gone so she can go to school some day."

*Shaney Waney Ganey = one of her stuffed animals
**brew = singular of bruise, apparently

So I've Been Meaning to Blog...

... but my computer is getting in the way!  Out laptop at home is having some issues again - namely, that the "B' and "N" keys have stopped working.  And do you know how many commonly used words contain the letter "N"?  The last time we had to get the keyboard fixed, it required sending the laptop away for 4 weeks, and I'm hesitant to do that again.  The solution would be to try to write the posts from work on my lunch break, and then add the pictures from home before publishing, but my lunch breaks have been a bit busy lately.  I'll see what I can do, though!

Another Health Update

I got a call from my doctor's office yesterday.  He had just looked at my bloodwork from last Wednesday, and on the basis of my high potassium level, does not want me to take spironolactone at all.  I'm back on my insulin medication (glumetza), and will still start the diet on the 15th, but no second medication.  So it's possible that the spironolactone is what caused all of the problems last week after all.

In happier news, a sweet friend gave us tickets to the Astros game tonight (Crawford Box seats!) and Jamie, the kids, and I will be spending the evening at the ballpark! 

Poblano-Avocado Salsa

We had this on some simple grilled shrimp tacos, but it would also be fantastic just with chips, or topping spice-rubbed steak or chicken.  It's cool and refreshing, with a nice lime flavor to it.  There's not really any heat at all, but you could change that by leaving in the poblano seeds or adding in some diced jalapenos.

Poblano-Avocado Salsa
adapted from Weber's Real Grilling

1 ear corn, husked
6 scallions, white and light green parts only, roots removed
1 poblano chile
2 roma tomatoes, diced
2 small or 1 large avocado, diced
1-2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1-2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil

-Lightly brush the corn, scallions, and poblano with olive oil.
-Grill the corn, scallions, and poblano over direct medium heat, turning occasionally. The corn should be browned in spots and tender (10-12 minutes); the scallions should be lightly marked (3-4 minutes); and the poblano should be blackened and blistered in spots (10-12 minutes).
-When the poblano is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and scrape out seeds.  Dice it finely and put it into a medium bowl.
-Cut the corn kernels off the cob and add them to the bowl.  Finely dice the scallion and add it to the bowl.
-Add the remaining ingredients and mix gently.

Feeling Better

Just a quick update to say that I'm feeling better.  My energy reserves are still a bit depleted, but I haven't had any trouble with my heart rate the last 2 days, and the muscle fatigue is gone.  We don't know if everything was related to the medication or not, but I guess we'll find out if it starts back up again.  I start my insulin medication again tomorrow, the strict diet/detox drink on the 15th, and the second medication on the 22nd.  So here goes nothing!

"Attention - This Train Is..."

The day we traveled to Georgia for my brother Chris's wedding was a long day.  There is one part about it, though, that I'll always remember fondly:


The train in the Atlanta airport has a recorded female voice that says "Attention - This train is departing."  whenever the doors close and the train is about to start moving.

Gisèle misheard the voice EVERY time, and every time she heard it, she repeated what she heard - loudly - and got the giggles - "This train is The Party!?!"