Hey, Y'all!

Highlights and Lowlights

I'm super short on time, as I always seem to be lately, but I wanted to check in and update the interwebs on what's up.

HIGHLIGHTS:
*The first of my two shows goes into tech rehearsals next week, then opens on Sunday, Feb. 4. Then I'll have a bit of a brain break, as I'll get to concentrate on the shows one at a time for a while.

*Marcus was hired by the theatre where I work to do some fight choreography.

LOWLIGHTS:

*Dean was diagnosed with asthma over the weekend. My parents were with him, as Marcus and I were both working.

*My computer is busted. I think it's the place where the cord connects, but I haven't had a free second to go to the store and get it seen about.

 

Please keep our little guy in your prayers. We're heading to the doctor in a few minutes. He's fine, just a little wheezy, but definitely better than Friday.

Hope you're all well, friends!

Oh, HEY, y'all!

Yeah, so I haven't blog ged much lately. I'm back at work and I'm stage managing two new plays at once, which means I spend 9 hours a day dealing with words, words and more words. I'm spending so much time reading other people's words that I haven't had much free time to deal with my own. That makes me a bit sad because blogging is often my escape, my therapy of sorts, a chance for me to get everything in my  head out into the open. However, I'm lucky--I'm around other artists, even other stage managers, so there are lots  of people like me to talk to.  Each project presents its own special challenges, this pair is no different, but I do love my work and I am having fun.

Marcus and Dean are doing well. They surprised me and came down to spend the night on Thursday. We had a great visit and it was wonderful to fall asleep with  my two favorite guys, even though we weren't in our own house.  I'm looking forward to getting  home tomorrow. Dean and I have a big day of cooking and baking planned for Monday.

I'm reading all your blogs every day, but my commenting hasn't been  great. It'll calm down soon and I'll be back, wreaking havoc on the internet. Have a good week, friends.

Comfort Food Saturday: Chicken and Corn Chowder

I'm lactose intolerant, so I rarely eat anything deemed a chowder. My mom, however, swears by this recipe. My dad, not a big fan of soup-type things in general, loves it, too. A perfect recipe for a cold winter's night!

Chicken and Corn Chowder
 
1 slice thinly sliced ham
1/4 cup finely diced onion
celery salt
onion powder
2 small red skinned potatoes, peeled and diced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup water
2 small bone-in, skinless chicken breasts
1- 14.5 ounce can cream style corn
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste
 
1.  Place chicken in a baking dish lined with foil and seasoned on both sides with celery salt, onion powder, black pepper, and thyme.  Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until very tender.  Let chicken cool and cut into 1-inch pieces.
 
2.  Put onion, ham, chicken broth, water, and diced potatoes in a 3-quart saucepan and bring to a boil.  Simmer until potatoes are tender.  Using a fork, mash half of the potatoes to thicken broth.
 
3.  Add milk, corn and chicken to pot.  Adjust seasonings by adding more pepper, celery salt, thyme and salt to taste.  Bring to a boil and simmer about 10 minutes until slightly thickened. 
 
Serves 4. 

 



Photo  courtesy of myrecipes.com

This post was happily linked-up to Eat At Home's Ingredient Spotlight:  Chicken!  Stop by and check out all the other great recipes.

Almost Three

For the past few months, whenever someone has asked me how old you are, I answer, "Almost 3." Then I catch myself and think, "What are you doing!!?!??!? Shu' up!  Say he's 2 while  there's still time!"

Three.  THREE. It's such a big  kid age. My first memories are from when I was three and they're pretty vivid. It's both exciting and scary to know that the things that happen to you from now on could conceivably stay with you for your entire life.  I hope the memories that stick with you from this age are full of smiles, laughter, hugs, fun and comfort.

Three years ago  today, your dad and I went to the movies. We walked because that's what you do in New York. (Ok, I waddled.) We had no idea how drastically our  lives were about to change. We didn't even know you were a boy.   I'm sometimes amazed by the fact that I carried you in my body for 9 months and didn't know you were YOU. I had no idea  what your name would be, that  you'd look exactly like your dad but have my expressions,  no idea that you'd call me Sugar or that you'd carry around your  monkey named Stu like he's a part of your body. I had no idea that in just three short years, our house would be taken over by Toy Story characters or that I could ever be this hopelessly in love with you.

I sometimes wonder aloud what in the world we did without you. Your dad answers that we slept later, watched more adult tv and purchased far less milk and juice. Then we both laugh and agree that a few hours less sleep, a few extra cartoons and some extra liquids in our fridge are a small price to pay if it means we get to live with you.

Tonight we will eat pizza and you'll  finally get your Buzz and Woody cake. Sugar didn't do so well with her first attempt at using fondant, so it has chocolate frosting. Something tells me you won't mind.  We'll light your candles, sing Happy Birthday and watch you make a wish. My wish is that you always know how very much you are loved and how blessed I am to be your mom. And also that you start using the  potty consistently.

Enjoy your last couple of days as a two-year old, Deano.  You're gonna rock three.