Blazers vs. Nets (And -- Happy Thanksgiving! Blazers Win!)

This year we decided to participate in the library's summer reading program Blazers ticket program. The kids get in free and the adults have to pay. But, we ended up upgrading our tickets (which was probably a 5 row lower upgrade) to get some better seats. We ended up at the top, but, it was a great view! We got to see everything!! Great? Right? It's a good thing that we're not afraid of heights.



We took the Max to the Rose Garden and had a great night! Alex enjoyed the mascot doing the flips off the trampoline and Brianna was impressed with some of the moves the players made. I found my argument fortified that professional sports has turned purely towards money spent on advertising.

But, all in all, it was a great way to spend the night together as a family. We all had fun.

Caramel Brownies

These are our favorite caramel brownies. I remember eating these as a kid and I was thrilled to find a similar recipe. This one calls for nuts, but no one in my family but me likes nuts in brownies, so I omit them. Enjoy!

Caramel Brownies

1 package (48) caramels
1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk, divided
1 package German chocolate cake mix with pudding
1/2 (1 stick) cup butter
1 1/2 cups walnuts, divided (optional)
1 cup chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt caramels with 1/3 cup of the milk in heave saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Set aside.

Mix remaining milk, cake mix and butter in large bowl. Press 1/2 of the cake mixture onto the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking pan. Bake 8 minutes.

Sprinkle 1 cup of the walnuts and 1/2 cup of the chips over crust; top with caramel mixture, spreading to edges of pan. Top with teaspoonfuls of remaining cake mixture; press gently into caramel mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup walnuts and 1/2 cup chips. Bake 18 minutes. Cool, cut into bars.

The weeks ahead

This week and next week may be a bit of a blogging lull. We have a short school week (only 3 days!), but, I feel like it's a busy week. I work 4 shifts this week, so that adds to some of the busyness. Plus, there's stuff to get done to prepare for Thanksgiving. Not too much, but some running around involved. Plus, I'd like to get some exercising in. Oh, and we're going to a Blazers game Wednesday night!

Since it is Thanksgiving week, I find myself reflecting upon how thankful I am. I have two wonderful kids and a fabulous husband. We both have jobs. I am able to be home with my kids and homeschool them. I have great family and friends to go to when needed. There's so much more I could add.

Next week we'll be back in our regular school routine plus I'm working 4 shifts. The extra hours make things a little crazier, but, I'll take them right before the holidays! Every little bit helps.

I'm working my fingers like crazy to get knitting projects done for Christmas and an upcoming birthday. I think I need to start in August or September next year! We have one other crafty little project to do for Christmas too. And, then there's finding the right picture for our Christmas card. As of this point, all books have been put aside that are not school related. I will start reading again after Christmas.

All-in-all, things are well. I'm probably not as busy as I feel. After all, I had time to write this out!

Alex the high-orange belt

Alex tested for his high-orange belt tonight. He was so nervous that he made me nervous sitting there watching him! In the end he did a great job and passed! His board breaking technique was the axe kick.

Chameleon

This week's preview

This week we are studying Ancient China. I would love to do some hands-on work, but we have so many good books to read. I doubt we'll get to hands-on work.

This week's meal schedule:

Mon - Corn Keilbasa Chowder (yum!)
Tue - Nachos
Wed - Masala Chicken w/ rice and naan bread
Thur - Piccata chicken
Fri - Pizza

*The Masala and Piccata sauces are simmering sauces from Trader Joes. When the creative juices run thin, it's nice to know there's a back up. By the way, I like to share recipes. If you have any great crock pot or easy to reheat recipes I'd like to see. I need ideas for the nights that I work.

Alex has his high-orange belt test this week. I was thinking that I would need to get him a private lesson, but he seems to know everything. His Taekwondo place is also collecting food to make Thanksgiving boxes. We'll be there on Friday to help pack and deliver.

It's colder outside and raining more. I'm ditching the 5k training. I'll try again in the spring. I'm just a wimp when it comes to the cold.

My second scarf is knitting much faster than the first scarf did. It's a bit inspiring.

I think that's about it. I'm sure something else will come up this week.

A friend brought over some of her old clothes for Brianna. She'll have a coat and some sweatshirts. Now I don't have to feel like a negligent mother who's just waiting for Christmas to come because I know my kids will get clothes then.

My friend also brought me her old pink Razor phone. I hope it will work with my sim card so I don't have to carry around my clunker phone. Too bad there wasn't a cash for clunkers phone exchange!

Friday night with the boy

Last night we did separate "date nights" with the kids. Brian had planned on taking Brianna to the art museum, but they were only open to members. They ended up walking around downtown Portland and then having Chinese for dinner.

Alex and I went to Baja Fresh for dinner and then we headed to downtown Portland to take the aerial tram up to OHSU. We were the only two on the way up. It was a little freaky to me. I'm not that afraid of heights, but there was one point where the tram swings a little. Alex thought it was pretty cool and the view of the city lights was amazing. We walked around OHSU for a little bit. The hospital has changed since I last worked there. Alex thought the sky bridges to the VA Hospital and Doernbecher were pretty cool.

On our way home we stopped at a pet store to get something for Owen and we passed Brian and Brianna. They came home with sundae fixins'. We ended the night with ice cream and a movie. This is a first of intentional date nights. I'm sure we'll be doing more.

Week 2 of crazy

This is my second week of my walk/run to train for a 5k and I still wonder what I'm doing. This week's schedule is a 5 minute warm up, 3 cycles of walk 5 minutes and run 2 minutes, and a cool down walk.

To sum it up so far....I have 6 minutes of agony each time I go out the door.

Seriously, my thighs are killing me. The last 2 minutes of the run are the worst as far as my lung capacity goes.

I just keep telling myself that it will get better the more I exercise. 'Cause I'm that crazy.