Monday, August 30, 2010

Getting to know you....



Today was the first day of classes with students. It was a modified schedule with assemblies for all students and time, at the beginning of the day, for freshman to walk through their schedule. Funniest moment was when a student asked me 15 minutes into class, after having gone through the course info guide, "Is this Spanish?" The rest of the week is a bit modified in terms of lunch block, but we have full classes. Hopefully everything goes just as well as today! Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and thanks to my husband for the beautiful flowers.

Back at the new house, my husband and I (really, he did most of the work), have almost finished unpacking all the boxes from the move. You can walk around in the basement now! And we finally have cable! After waiting weeks for my husband to figure out which company was best I can now watch my shows on tv instead of the computer.

Kitchen Sink Cookies Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal
Oven 350
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 cup unsalted roasted peanuts, chopped

Beat with electric mixer butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir or beat into butter mixture until well incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips, oats, and peanuts. Drop dough in rounded 2-tablespoon portions, 3 inches apart, onto buttered or cooking parchment-lined 12- by 15-inch baking sheets. With a lightly floured fork, flatten slightly into 2 1/2-inch rounds about 1/2 inch thick.Bake in oven until cookies are golden and tops feel set when lightly pressed, 12 to 14 minutes (they will feel underdone but will firm up as they cool); if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking. Let stand 5 minutes on sheets, then, with a wide spatula, transfer cookies to racks to cool. If hot cookies start to break, slide a thin spatula under them to release; let stand on pan to firm up, 2 to 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Do I have to play games?



I used to watch this show all the time and I think the theme song is very appropriate for my life right now...

Yes, today was my first day at new school. It is the start of five long days of orientation, two for new teachers and three more for everyone. And, yes, they made me play games. In all fairness it was just a game of Getting to Know you Bingo. I told my husband I was going to be super social and involved at this new school, for those of you that know me this is not the norm. So, I played the game the way my husband would (Mr. Social) and I won! My prize......I got to introduce myself to the whole group first!?!? Um, is that a prize? Some would say the prize is meeting so many new people and having the new connections....I was looking for something a little more like a Bingo Champion Trophy...or a button at least :). Overall the day went pretty smoothly and I did learn a lot about the new school district. So Day 2 is tomorrow.

I do have to say that throughout today I kept thinking of my first day as a teacher in old school. That first day I met my friends Dave and Kate. We immediately hit off and I know it won't be the same here without them. I can't believe that was 6 "first day of schools" ago. I miss them already.....

The "I'm Trading With that Kid" Sandwich
1 flour tortilla ( about 7.5 inches)
2 teaspoons mayonnaise or substitute
1/2 avocado
1 splash lemon juice
2 ounces thinly sliced turkey
alfalfa sprouts
3 slices tomatoes

Spread the mayonnaise on the tortilla, making sure to leave at least 1/2 inch around the outside. Scoop the flesh from the avocado and mash, mixing with a splash of lemon juice. You should end up with about 1 1/2-2 tablespoons mashed avocado. Spread avocado over mayonnaise. Add the turkey and a thin layer of sprouts. Place the 3 tomato slices in a line down the center of the tortilla. Make sure you don't fill the tortilla too full or get too close to the edge. Carefully roll the tortilla into a wrap. Cut into two pieces, if desired.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Celebrating the end....

Tomorrow my husband and I will be off on our annual Summer vacation/Anniversary trip. This year, we are headed back to Disney World. We have all sorts of things planned including a massage at the Beach Club for me, a trip to ESPN Wide World of Sports for him, many walks around World showcase in Epcot for both of us, and just enjoying my last week of vacation. I can't believe I'll be starting my new job in a little over a week! I'm ready...I hope!

Disney French Toast

French Toast:
1 Loaf Texas toast thick bread
2 eggs
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups milk
1 cup flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Coating:
4 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar

Mix all french toast ingredients, except bread, in a bowl. Mix the coating ingredients in a smaller bowl. Heat frying pan with vegetable oil on medium heat. When ready to fry, dip bread in egg mixture and fry in pan until golden brown on both sides. Remove, pat with paper towel, and sprinkle with coating mixture. These can be easily frozen if you have extra.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

What's that NOISE?!?!?

So, I'm in my new house enjoying coffee and checking emails at 9 am this morning. Little did I know that I would soon have no power, be in a tornado warning zone, and be practically deaf from the siren telling me that I'm in a tornado zone! It was thundering, lightening, and raining buckets outside. I look out my window (I know, I know, stay away from the windows!) and I see my elderly neighbor outside with his hands over his ears walking around his yard. All I could think was that this man has lived here for over 40 years so he must know what he's doing...I hope he knows what he's doing....oh, please don't let him get hit or carried away by the tornado....I was waving to him to go inside but he probably thought I was just some crazy woman.

By 11 am we had power back and the sun was shining. And yes, my neighbor is okay. So that was my little adventure.

I Should Have Worn My Red Heels For This Red Velvet Cake

Oven:350

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 ounces red food coloring
2 tablespoons cocoa (heaping)
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar


Spray 3-4 8 inch cake pans with nonstick spray. Using electric mixer, cream together shortening, sugar, and eggs. In small bowl mix together food coloring and cocoa to make a paste. Add to creamed mixture. Alternate adding buttermilk, flour, and salt. Add vanilla. In a small bow add baking soda to vinegar and blend into batter. Pour into prepared cake pans.Bake 24-30 minutes.