A Little Fall Afternoon

While Eileigh was napping during her Quiet Time (love it when that happens), Selah and I decided to go out and enjoy the surprisingly warm weather. This morning for our walk we were fairly bundled up since it was actually quite foggy- a wet, low-hanging fog that Eileigh told me she did not want touching her face. Being as there wasn't the slightest thing I could do about that, she decided to contentedly settle in with her dried strawberries and raisins after a small discussion. By the time we got back home it had already started to warm up and continued into the afternoon, at least mid to upper 70's. So nice! Normally I am a staunch supporter of the low 70's range for weather but today's special also includes a refreshing breeze for the ultimate in Fall perfection. I plopped Selah down on a blanket in the shade and went to browse through the remains of our garden. Harvested what may just be the last of the zucchini and summer squash and five little sugar pie pumpkins. I've had plans for those little pumpkins but they're so cute I'm tempted to use them as decor instead! I'm sure utility will triumph over design as there is a recipe I've been planning to try since I bought said little pumpkin seeds. Savory Pumpkin Ravioli... pasta, pumpkin, creamy sauce... Fall comfort food at its finest (I hope!). I also spied this Lady "Fider" enjoying a meal in the sun betwixt the tomato plants. Eileigh's pronunciation of all words beginning with "sp" is replaced with an "f". So I will have you know that the Itsy Bitsy Fider climbed up the water Fout. :)

Sometimes I wonder if she could be any cuter. I think not. :)

At the Car Wash

Selah and I went on a nice long walk by ourselves today since Eileigh insisted on staying home to help Daddy wash the trucks. When we returned, Eileigh had to show me just exactly how she washed the car... proudly using her own brush, courtesy of Daddy's stash.

"Like this, Mama"

Sweet Selah

Yep, she looks so much like her Daddy

Mike pulled the girls around in the wagon after all their hard work; they loved it.

Eileigh says...

Riding her scooter around: "Oh shoot. I lost my mind."

Snuggling against me: "I like each others."

A frequent conversation we have: (E): "My say, 'Oh my gosh' ?" (J): "No, Eileigh, you cannot say that." (E): "My say, 'Oh my word' ?" (J): "Yes, you may say that." (E): "Oh my word." -thoughtful pause- "My say, 'Oh my stars' ?" (J): "Yes, you can say that too." (E): "Oh my stars." -again, pause- "My say 'Oh my goodness' ?" (J): "Yes, Eileigh! You can say that." (E): "Oh my goodness!... My say..." (J): "Eileigh, enough! Oh my word, child!!.... Oops..."

When I'm exiting the ladies room: "Good job, Mama, good job!! I proud of you!"

In appreciation for Mike and I: "Really good job, guys."

Conversation to delay Quiet Time: Eileigh pointed to her nose and informed me that she needed to pick her boogies. I told her "No" and to leave her boogies and her nose alone. She replied, "My pick my nose for quiet time when you close the door." (More like a statement with a slight question at the end). I choked back a laugh and firmly insisted, "No, leave it in there. That's yucky." Then she said, "My put it on the floor? On my bed? On Mommy's bed?!" Again, kind-of between a question and a statement. Problem is, it almost seemed like more of a statement... and since I've never seen her do it and yet found her to be so nonchalant and casual about the whole affair I think that what I don't know just might be my undoing. Oh my...

Mojito Shrimp and Grilled Pineapple

Every time I think about dusting off the ol' blog and catching up on the vast amount of things I've been wanting to write about I feel a little squeeze in my chest along with some shortness of breath... and deliberately force myself to think of other things. Therefore, in the interest of just pressing on I shall be skipping over the last four months as though nothing interesting occurred... and perhaps (depending on your personal opinion) maybe it really didn't anyways. :)
I thought I'd take the easy route in getting back into blogging and share what has become one of our top favorite meals. We enjoyed Mojito Shrimp, Grilled Pineapple and a balsamic vinegar-splashed tomato/cucumber/cauliflower salad several times over the summer. The worst part about this meal is not having any leftovers for the next day... it somehow manages to get eaten every time.

Mojito Shrimp

1 to 1-1/2 lbs. peeled, deveined shrimp (21-30 per lb. or I've used 31-40... whatever was on sale and made its way into my freezer)
*Mojito Marinade (recipe follows)
2 Tblsp. fresh lime juice
Mint sprigs

1. Prepare grill for high heat (you can hold your hand 1-2 inches above cooking grate only 1-2 seconds). Meanwhile, put shrimp in a 1-gal. resealable plastic bag and pour in marinade. Seal and marinate at room temp 15-20 minutes. Don't marinate for longer than recommended time or the rum and lime juice will "cook" the shrimp and ruin their texture.

2. Remove shrimp, reserving marinade. Thread shrimp onto metal or bamboo skewers.

3. Arrange shrimp on grill and baste with marinade (dab some mint and shallot on shrimp); close lid. Cook until shrimp are just beginning to brown, 1-2 minutes. Turn shrimp over, baste again, and close lid. Cook 1-2 minutes until browned but still moist in center (cut to check). Transfer shrimp to a platter, drizzle with lime juice and garnish with mint sprigs. Serves 4-6.

**Mojito Marinade**

20 chopped fresh mint leaves
1/3 c. sugar
1 thinly sliced shallot
1/3 c. light rum
3 Tblsp. fresh lime juice
1 Tblsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. freshly grated lime zest
1 tsp. coarse kosher or sea salt

1. In a medium bowl, combine mint leaves, sugar and shallot. Pound with a wooden spoon to crush coarsely.
2. Whisk in rum, lime juice, oil, lime zest and salt. Whisk until salt dissolves.

Grilled Pineapple

1 fresh pineapple or 1 can pineapple chunks
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Peel, core and cut pineapple into six spears or place pineapple chunks on metal or bamboo skewers. In a small saucepan, melt butter with sugar and nutmeg. Brush over pineapple. Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 7-10 minutes or until lightly browned, turning occasionally.