I Dislike Dishes

Washing them, that is. Maybe it is because at times, when I am being a big baby and acting really ridiculous, I like to whine to myself about how I sometimes feel as though I spend all my days wiping bottoms, noses, and washing dishes. Funny thing is, I use to have a dish washer, but I got rid of it. It came with this house, but it was old, it was a stand-alone, and so it took up way too much room in my kitchen, for something that didn't work very well. So, on a typical day, I think I wash dishes 3-4 times. The reason for my whining this morning is twofold. First, as you know, my parents were recently here for a visit. Besides being The Most Fabulous Grandparents, they are also The Most Fabulous House Guests. I'm mildly embarrassed to admit it, but in the fourteen days that they were here, I think I washed dishes one time. Once! That would be because my parents are saints and they did it for me. I didn't ask them to - - they just did, because they are good like that. So, as you can imagine, I am experiencing some major (Major!) withdrawal from this. The rest of my whining comes from the state of my kitchen this morning:The counter space on the other side of my sink is also covered with dirty dishes. Ick. This is the result of my preparing dinner for 9 yesterday afternoon, while also attempting to keep a small boy with an ear infection entertained and happy. I won't name names (Griffin), but this small boy always naps in the afternoon, at precisely the same time that his older brother is at preschool, in this case giving me the perfect opportunity to cook in peace and quiet. Not yesterday, though. Yesterday, he fell asleep in the morning, therefore cancelling out his afternoon nap. Alas, I still managed to prepare a pork roast, yeast rolls, tossed salad, oven roasted potatoes, peas with pearl onions, and an Apple Crisp Pie, between the hours of 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. AND kept Griffie from causing any major disasters. So, although my kitchen is a complete mess and I am not looking forward to washing dishes all day long today, I'm feeling just a tad bit smug that I managed to pull it all off.

The reason for the big dinner? Steve turned 40 yesterday (yes, he's an April Fool). I can't believe I am married to a 40-year-old man! Oh, wait a minute...I guess I am pushing 40 myself so I'd best keep my comments under control.

As for the cooking and baking, I wanted to let all of my lovely cousins know that I attempted Grammy's yeast rolls in my bread machine, and they came out great. Not anywhere near as good as Grammy's of course, but good just the same. All I did was add just a little more water than her original recipe called for. When I asked Steve what he wanted for dessert, he'd said either an apple pie, or some apple crisp. So, I jumped right on the Internet and found a great recipe for Apple Crisp Pie. In the past, I've always bought pre-made pie crust (gasp!), but I won't be doing that any longer, because making crust is a cinch. Of course I relied on Martha and she didn't disappoint. I just followed her instructions for Making Pie Crust, and it turned out lovely.

The Birthday Boy, getting some help unwrapping gifts, from a gaggle of midgets.

Must run. Time to wash more dishes.