Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Adventures in Babysitting (Round 2)

So it has been forever since my last post. Things have been a little busy. Wedding planning was in full swing for the past couple days and I started babysitting last week too. Plus life in general just needed some attention. Anyway...I have lots of updates, but I am going to start with my adventures in babysitting...the rest will follow some time soon. I was going to write about the first hectic week last Friday, but didn't get to it. So here it is....

Miss E, Miss K, Miss C, and Miss G
I am not typically responsible for Miss K. 
MONDAY: The first day of summer...65 and rained all day, naturally. Three swim practices (not canceled in the rain). Introduction to the worst swim practice schedule ever.

TUESDAY:  Dog runs away. The mom can home mid dog chase through the neighborhood and had to get him back.

WEDNESDAY: Previously mentioned dog peed the most amount I have ever seen a dog pee on the carpet right in front of me. It was like nothing I have ever seen.

THURSDAY: Six kids, one babysitter. That's enough on that.

FRIDAY: Had to go to BES with the kids and interview counselor replacements. Took my charges for the ice cream seen below. Little did I know they had already snuck popsicles from the BES stock from end of the year parties. Bratsies.

It's already been an eventful summer.




Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Recipe of the Week!

Apple and Brie Paninis

I made this recipe awhile ago. And originally made them for my sister's bridal shower a few years ago. They are so delicious. I think I will definitely be sure to pick up some granny smith apples on my next trip to the grocery store. I took the picture before sticking them in the oven, so everything gets even more delicious than this picture. 

Ingredients:
Ciabatta Bread
Granny Smith apples
Brie
Arugula 
Honey
Olive Oil

Directions:
Cut ciabatta loaf in half length wise, and then into quarters (or however big you want the sandwiches). Brush the ciabatta with olive oil. Layer each sandwich with brie, granny smith apples, and arugula. Drizzle the sandwiches with honey. Place sandwiches in the oven until warm and melty. SO YUM!


Thursday, June 14, 2012

Four Years

Tomorrow marks the end of my fourth year as the counselor at BES. It's been an exciting one. Well I think elementary school always has something exciting going on. It's like no other job I've heard about. There's almost always a tale to tell at the day's end. Hopefully I will have the legendary Bennett Wave to share with you tomorrow.

Truth be told, I have been seriously sedating my wedding excitement in order for me to manage life at work. If I let myself get wedding excited...pretty much nothing would have been accomplished in the months of November, December, or any of the months since like April. I'm very excited to allow myself to get wedding excited this weekend. I'm not the most excited I signed up to babysit starting Monday, but wedding excited costs money.

Something I am not excited about...today was my last legendary day with my Honey Boo Boo. It has been such a fun year with my two co-counselors. I was worried at first, but everything has gone so well. I am sad to say goodbye to both of my fabulous teammates. So this post is a little random, but I guess I'm just a little excited about SUMMER!!!

Monday, June 11, 2012

City Garden


My city garden (season 2) has grown into a jungle. You may remember it's humble beginnings from this post. Since then it's gone wild. Look at the lemon tree for example...it's actually happy looking and not throwing fits at me! That's rare. And I swear last summer it look me forever to get tomatoes. This year, there's already about 10 that are growing. My cilantro, however, is once again not doing well. Every year my cilantro decides to die and/or grow weird appendages. I guess Northern Virginia is no Mexico. Any tips for cilantro growing?



Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Recipe of the Week!

Spanish Chicken Pot Roast
I LOVED this recipe. The chicken in it was so amazing. Typically I would eat all the vegetables and starches in a recipe like this and a few pieces of the chicken, but I loved all of this, especially the chicken. Obviously, I highly suggest this recipe. I would make it every week, for real. Make it...you'll understand.

And just FYI...I altered the original recipe from my Food Network magazine. They wanted chicken thighs instead of breasts, but I don't eat those. I also threw in some broccoli cause I had some that needed to be eaten.


Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds large Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, smashed and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Salt and Pepper
4 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh parsley
2 lemons (1 juiced, 1 cut into wedges)
2 large or 3 medium red onions, halved and thinly sliced

Directions:
Position a rack in the upper third of the oven. Place a large cast-iron baking dish or a rimmed baking sheet on the rack and preheat to 500 degrees F. Put the potatoes, garlic, olive oil, 1 tablespoon water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large microwave-safe baking dish and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap, pierce the plastic in a few places with a knife and microwave 8 minutes to partially cook.

Meanwhile, cut chicken into chunks and place into a bowl. Sprinkle with the paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add 2 tablespoons parsley and the lemon juice; toss to coat. Set aside.

Remove the hot baking dish from the oven; carefully add the potatoes and spread in an even layer. Scatter the onions on top. Lay the chicken pieces on top, adding any accumulated juices from the bowl; return to the oven and roast until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 12 more minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley. Serve with the lemon wedges.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

GOTR Wrap Up

Spring 2012 GOTR Team

I feel like I'm very behind on blogging. I have so many updates on things, including Girls on the Run. We wrapped up the season last week and ran our 5K two weekends ago at George Mason. Yes, even I ran. Let me tell you...George Mason is like running on a roller coaster. So hilly, but I made it. So did all of my little friends. As always we had our ups and downs this season. Thirty six girls is a lot of girl, but we made it. I think we are even coming back in the fall for round four!