Expectations, Interpretations,and Assumptions

As we prepared for Christmas, I asked my youngest, 15 year old Cameron, to help me wrap presents.  I asked him to get the tape.  He came back with duct tape.  He then proceeded to "wrap" presents with the duct tape.  He even put a bow on one.  He thoughtfully marked who the presents were for with a permanent marker.  Very efficient and expedient.

Living with all males in the house, I forget that their interpretations of words might be different than mine.  Through my experience, whenever tape was mentioned, I didn't hesitate to get the scotch tape, so why would my son's be any different?  I assumed he would know.  However, his experience with tape has been duct tape, because duct tape fixes EVERYTHING.  His dad has taught him well.

Although my expectation was not met with what I assumed Cameron would get, I was happy.  He interpreted my words and did as I asked.  His version of wrapping resulted in a much different look than my version.  That's ok.  He helped, and we had fun wrapping in our own style.

As we gave family members their presents, they got a good laugh.  It all added to the celebration of Christmas.

Water Rafting in Alaska

While we were in Alaska, we actually did activities together.  One was water rafting.  Water was a balmy 37 degrees (F).  As the ice glaciers melt, the water gets COLDER during the summer.  No, Mike did not consult me on the water temperature.  I've always liked water rafting during the summer, so why should this be different?  Ahh, maybe the water would be cold??  It was!!  However, it was worth it.  The scenery was breathtaking.  Beautiful sunshine.  (Some) snow on the mountains.  Crystal clear rivers.

We also got a professional portrait of ourselves done on board the ship.  Mike said we should do things that we don't normally do.  So, here is our official 25th anniversary photo together!

25th Anniversary Get Away

For the first time since the boys were diagnosed with autism, Mike and I took an extended vacation. Fourteen days of just us!

Mike did all the planning.  He attended to all the details, even flowers, chocolates, and champagne.  We cruised the Alaskan shores and partook in many inland excursions.

Scenery, adventure, and wild life abounded around us. We even got to trap crab. Yum! We ate a ton of crab for lunch. 

Mike even participated in one of the cruise shows- a cooking contest.  He took second place!  I just had to show up.  The cruise truly celebrated 25 wonderful years of marriage!

Writing With "Punch"

Mom's humble cell phone

The past summer has been full of happening.  Many required constant attention, and time to write has diminished.  I will try to highlight what has happened with shorter entries.  Here's a short one:

In keeping my boys' writing skills up during the summer, I asked them to write a paragraph about my cell phone.  I told them to use vocabulary with punch.  Although they wrote independently, they both concluded their paragraphs, "Mom's flip phone sucks."  I don't like that last word, but it does have "punch".

I love my simple cell phone.  One charge lasts ten days.  It works on demand: I can make phone calls.  Tis a truly amazing device!  It does take photos, and I can play games and music on it.

Sometimes, "old school" is just fine!

Recipe For Success: Easy As Pie

Here's the basic recipe for mint chocolate chip pie!

Ryan enjoying a bite

1 package (8 oz) softened cream cheese
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/8 teaspoon mint extract
1 container (8 oz) nondairy whipped topping
1 bag of chocolate chips
1 package ready to use 8 inch pie crust


1.  Beat the cream cheese in a mixing bowl until fluffy, usually a couple minutes.  Gradually add sweetened condensed milk.  Continue to beat in mint extract.  Be careful to use a small of amount of mint extract as the mint extract can be strong.  Add more to preferred taste.

2.  Fold in whipped topping with rubber spatula.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Keep a few chips out if embellishment the top is desired.  Carefully spoon in pie crust.  Put in freezer until hardened, at least 8 hours.  Overnight is better.

3.  Remove from freezer about 5 minutes before serving.  Garnish with chocolate chips and mint leaves.

That's it.  Very simple.  No baking required.  I can decorate the pie to fit any occasion.  I sometimes use colored sprinkles, ie green for St. Patrick's Day or red for Valentines Day.  My only caution is that the pie can melt quickly depending on the weather.  Serve quickly after the initial few minutes out of the freezer. Any remaining pie can save in the freezer until the next time.  I have also put in the pie mix into individual cups, as seen in Ryan's picture.  The cups freeze, and my boys have a gluten free dessert!  My sons have been making this pie for years.  They still fight over the beaters and mixing bowl.  Good to the last drop!

Some variations:

To make 2 pies, I get a 16 oz container of whipped topping and 2 pie crusts.  Make as instructed, but substitute the 16 oz whipped topping for the 8 oz whipped topping.  Divide the mixture into the 2 pie crusts.  I do NOT double the entire recipe.  The mix is rich enough that the added whipped topping is fine.

I can substitute mint candies for the mint extract.  Simply put candies in a sealed plastic sandwich bag and crush.  (Parents might need to supervise youngsters.)  I use about 3-4 candies.  

Any flavored crust can be used.  Chocolate pie crusts add an extra dose of chocolate.

To make the caramel chocolate chip pie, substitute the caramel flavored sweetened condensed milk for the regular sweetened condensed milk. Omit the mint extract.

Gluten free pie crust option:

2 cups gluten free cereal
3 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons sugar

Crush cereal in a plastic bag.  Add butter and sugar.  Shake.  Pat the mixture into a 8 or 9 inch pie pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 6 minutes.  Let cool.  Then add pie mixture.

Great Mistakes=YUM

Chocolate Chip Caramel Pie with some left over

Chocolate. Cream. Mint. Yum!

I was about 24 when I glanced saw a magazine cover touting easy to make pies.  So I purchased the magazine and sought the article.  I found a few promising recipes, and I knew I would try the mint chocolate chip pie first.  WIN!

This pie is so versatile.  I could decorate with fresh mint or chocolate chips, candy canes, sprinkles, or whatever the occasion demanded.  No one ever was disappointed.  This dessert always put a happy face on the most skeptical of picky eaters.  

Then came the gluten free diet.  I learned to make gluten free crusts or the boys by combining gluten free cereal and butter and mashing into a pie pan.  However, it became much easier to just put the filling in custard dishes.  My boys never complained except for when their dish became empty.

Thirty some years later, I know the recipe by memory.  I can pick the ingredients out blindly.  Or so I thought.  This time I made the mistake of purchasing caramel flavored sweetened condensed milk.  Who knew I had to watch out for that?  I knew about the fat free and low fat versions, but flavoring?

Chocolate.  Cream.  Caramel.  Hmm!!

I didn't notice my mistake until I got home.  I didn't want to go to the store to get a replacement.  So adventurous crowd that we are, we tried it.  And WIN.  My husband and I fought over the bowl.  Rich but not overly sweet.  

A couple years ago I arrived at my mom's house for Christmas without my mint chocolate chip pie.  Everyone was stunned.  My mom said that if I ever show up again without my pie, well, don't bother coming!!  She exclaimed, "You always make it.  It's understood. I didn't know we had to request it."  Well, I hope the same thing happening with this pie.  YUM!!

Now to teach my boys how to make it!

  

Courage To Try

My sons are my heroes.  Case study: Nick.

Nick has been invited to go ice skating tonight.  He accepted the invitation. Then he turned to me and asked, "What do I do?"

Nick has never been skating.  No ice skating, roller skating, or roller blading.  For most of his youth, we have focused on his general coordination and balance as well as sensory and tactile issues.  Nick was in first grade before he could tolerate shoes.  He was in fifth or sixth grade before he could wear long sleeve shirts or long pants without prior conditioning.  Nick had adaptive PE for most of grade school.  Physical and occupational therapies were weekly occurrences until high school.  Activities like skating were beyond what we ever thought Nick could do!

Today, Nick's big brother, Mike, has lent Nick roller blades.  I have spent the time finding how-to ice skate videos online and then implementing the concepts with roller blades.  No, they are not the same, but the idea of balance is similar.  For a kid who has not done any skating, this type of motion is unfathomable.  However, Nick will not be deterred.

We started on carpet.  Then we moved out to the patio.  I led him.  He tried alone.  He fell.  A few times.  Two hours later, he's moving on his own.  Not graceful, but independent.  He has taken one break, only because his little brother wanted to try.

Nick has put the skates back on and has been alone for about 30 minutes, just skating back and forth on the patio.  Well, more of pushing and pulling himself, but he's moving a bit better.  All within a few hours.

I can't believe he is so determined to learn so quickly, and go with peers to do something new.  He truly is courageous.  So many people fear failure and embarrassment.  Nick's desire to go out with friends and potentially have fun outweighs his concern of any negative outcome. That's courage!