annie blog

My Movie Date
On Friday night, I took my oldest son, J, to see Nightmare Before Christmas in 3-D. This is one of his favorite, FAVORITE movies. He was so thrilled to be going on the night that it opened. Going to a movie with him is so much fun. He loves theaters and everything about them — the popcorn, getting his ticket, buying a coke, and, this time, getting cool 3-D glasses.

So, on Friday, I was anxious about getting to the theater and getting into our seats on time. He likes to see *all* of the movie. And, to him, the movie means all of the previews, and, especially, Clip the mascot of AMC. He just loves that strip of film. We had to park really far from the theater. So he and I held hands and ran through row after row of cars in the parking lot until we got to the entrance. He was so animated and just so happy to be there.

I got him settled in his seat and then went back for the necessary popcorn and Coke. And, as I stood there in line, it struck me how many children J’s age were there with their friends. You know, out, socially at the theater. Wow. The contrast between those children and J was stark. Some of them looked nervous or insecure. I could tell that some were really outgoing and plugged in to the whole scene there. It just hit me that he will probably never care about belonging to a social scene. So, he won’t ever try to impress a girl by being rude to the concession guy. He won’t try to be someone he isn’t just to fit in or be liked — he just isn’t capable of that. I do kind of hate to think of how he will take it when he figures out how different he is. I take that back, I don’t kind of hate it — I really hate it and I dread it, too. Part of me just wishes that he could be oblivious to it all for the rest of his life.

Next time we go to the theater, I will probably try not to hold his hand in the parking lot. I did realize at the time how odd it was for my 11 year old son to be holding my hand. But, part of me loved it, too. Looking at his smiling face as he watched the movie and listening to his voice as he sang along with parts of the songs were the highlights of my week.

Later, as I drove home and we listened to Frog and Toad, I caught occasional glimpses of him in the rearview mirror — 3-D glasses still on his face.

He’s all right. And, when I look around this world and when I look into my own heart, I think that he’s more all right than most.

My Movie Date
On Friday night, I took my oldest son, J, to see Nightmare Before Christmas in 3-D. This is one of his favorite, FAVORITE movies. He was so thrilled to be going on the night that it opened. Going to a movie with him is so much fun. He loves theaters and everything about them — the popcorn, getting his ticket, buying a coke, and, this time, getting cool 3-D glasses.

So, on Friday, I was anxious about getting to the theater and getting into our seats on time. He likes to see *all* of the movie. And, to him, the movie means all of the previews, and, especially, Clip the mascot of AMC. He just loves that strip of film. We had to park really far from the theater. So he and I held hands and ran through row after row of cars in the parking lot until we got to the entrance. He was so animated and just so happy to be there.

I got him settled in his seat and then went back for the necessary popcorn and Coke. And, as I stood there in line, it struck me how many children J’s age were there with their friends. You know, out, socially at the theater. Wow. The contrast between those children and J was stark. Some of them looked nervous or insecure. I could tell that some were really outgoing and plugged in to the whole scene there. It just hit me that he will probably never care about belonging to a social scene. So, he won’t ever try to impress a girl by being rude to the concession guy. He won’t try to be someone he isn’t just to fit in or be liked — he just isn’t capable of that. I do kind of hate to think of how he will take it when he figures out how different he is. I take that back, I don’t kind of hate it — I really hate it and I dread it, too. Part of me just wishes that he could be oblivious to it all for the rest of his life.

Next time we go to the theater, I will probably try not to hold his hand in the parking lot. I did realize at the time how odd it was for my 11 year old son to be holding my hand. But, part of me loved it, too. Looking at his smiling face as he watched the movie and listening to his voice as he sang along with parts of the songs were the highlights of my week.

Later, as I drove home and we listened to Frog and Toad, I caught occasional glimpses of him in the rearview mirror — 3-D glasses still on his face.

He’s all right. And, when I look around this world and when I look into my own heart, I think that he’s more all right than most.

My Movie Date
On Friday night, I took my oldest son, J, to see Nightmare Before Christmas in 3-D. This is one of his favorite, FAVORITE movies. He was so thrilled to be going on the night that it opened. Going to a movie with him is so much fun. He loves theaters and everything about them — the popcorn, getting his ticket, buying a coke, and, this time, getting cool 3-D glasses.

So, on Friday, I was anxious about getting to the theater and getting into our seats on time. He likes to see *all* of the movie. And, to him, the movie means all of the previews, and, especially, Clip the mascot of AMC. He just loves that strip of film. We had to park really far from the theater. So he and I held hands and ran through row after row of cars in the parking lot until we got to the entrance. He was so animated and just so happy to be there.

I got him settled in his seat and then went back for the necessary popcorn and Coke. And, as I stood there in line, it struck me how many children J’s age were there with their friends. You know, out, socially at the theater. Wow. The contrast between those children and J was stark. Some of them looked nervous or insecure. I could tell that some were really outgoing and plugged in to the whole scene there. It just hit me that he will probably never care about belonging to a social scene. So, he won’t ever try to impress a girl by being rude to the concession guy. He won’t try to be someone he isn’t just to fit in or be liked — he just isn’t capable of that. I do kind of hate to think of how he will take it when he figures out how different he is. I take that back, I don’t kind of hate it — I really hate it and I dread it, too. Part of me just wishes that he could be oblivious to it all for the rest of his life.

Next time we go to the theater, I will probably try not to hold his hand in the parking lot. I did realize at the time how odd it was for my 11 year old son to be holding my hand. But, part of me loved it, too. Looking at his smiling face as he watched the movie and listening to his voice as he sang along with parts of the songs were the highlights of my week.

Later, as I drove home and we listened to Frog and Toad, I caught occasional glimpses of him in the rearview mirror — 3-D glasses still on his face.

He’s all right. And, when I look around this world and when I look into my own heart, I think that he’s more all right than most.

Sweet and Sour Green Beans
I made some of these beans to go with the Apple Cider Pork Loin that I made this weekend — by the way, I think that we’re going to be eating pork all week, so I’ll be sure to post some morph-meals later. (I’m thinking Cubano sandwiches and Kung Pao Pork). Anyway, this is an easy way to fix green beans. And, I should be honest and say that I don’t actually cook green vegetables very much. Only 3 out of 6 will eat them, and that isn’t a good enough ratio for me, so we usually just eat a lot of fruit, instead. But, I had a bag of petite frozen green beans and decided at the last minute to make them to go with the pork. They would have been even better had I taken the time to saute some onion to go with them.

1 bag frozen green beans (Make them according to package directions but not for the full time given. You’re going to finish them in the skillet, so you don’t want them to be overdone after all that cooking.)
Onion, sliced thin
olive oil (or bacon fat, if you’ve fried some for later)
1/3 cup catsup
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
Bacon sprinkles for the top

While the beans are cooking, saute the onion in a seperate large skillet in either the olive oil or bacon fat. After you’ve drained the green beans, put them in the skillet with the onion. Mix the catsup, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl and then pour over the beans. Stir to coat the beans with the catsup mixture. Lower the heat to low and cook for a few more minutes.

Sprinkle bacon on the top and serve.

3 out of 6 Barlows really liked these.

Sweet and Sour Green Beans
I made some of these beans to go with the Apple Cider Pork Loin that I made this weekend — by the way, I think that we’re going to be eating pork all week, so I’ll be sure to post some morph-meals later. (I’m thinking Cubano sandwiches and Kung Pao Pork). Anyway, this is an easy way to fix green beans. And, I should be honest and say that I don’t actually cook green vegetables very much. Only 3 out of 6 will eat them, and that isn’t a good enough ratio for me, so we usually just eat a lot of fruit, instead. But, I had a bag of petite frozen green beans and decided at the last minute to make them to go with the pork. They would have been even better had I taken the time to saute some onion to go with them.

1 bag frozen green beans (Make them according to package directions but not for the full time given. You’re going to finish them in the skillet, so you don’t want them to be overdone after all that cooking.)
Onion, sliced thin
olive oil (or bacon fat, if you’ve fried some for later)
1/3 cup catsup
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
Bacon sprinkles for the top

While the beans are cooking, saute the onion in a seperate large skillet in either the olive oil or bacon fat. After you’ve drained the green beans, put them in the skillet with the onion. Mix the catsup, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl and then pour over the beans. Stir to coat the beans with the catsup mixture. Lower the heat to low and cook for a few more minutes.

Sprinkle bacon on the top and serve.

3 out of 6 Barlows really liked these.

Sweet and Sour Green Beans
I made some of these beans to go with the Apple Cider Pork Loin that I made this weekend — by the way, I think that we’re going to be eating pork all week, so I’ll be sure to post some morph-meals later. (I’m thinking Cubano sandwiches and Kung Pao Pork). Anyway, this is an easy way to fix green beans. And, I should be honest and say that I don’t actually cook green vegetables very much. Only 3 out of 6 will eat them, and that isn’t a good enough ratio for me, so we usually just eat a lot of fruit, instead. But, I had a bag of petite frozen green beans and decided at the last minute to make them to go with the pork. They would have been even better had I taken the time to saute some onion to go with them.

1 bag frozen green beans (Make them according to package directions but not for the full time given. You’re going to finish them in the skillet, so you don’t want them to be overdone after all that cooking.)
Onion, sliced thin
olive oil (or bacon fat, if you’ve fried some for later)
1/3 cup catsup
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
Bacon sprinkles for the top

While the beans are cooking, saute the onion in a seperate large skillet in either the olive oil or bacon fat. After you’ve drained the green beans, put them in the skillet with the onion. Mix the catsup, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl and then pour over the beans. Stir to coat the beans with the catsup mixture. Lower the heat to low and cook for a few more minutes.

Sprinkle bacon on the top and serve.

3 out of 6 Barlows really liked these.

Apple Cider Pork
This is a great recipe that I got from Kristen of This Classical Life last year. I think that it was last year, but you know how fast years go by, could have been longer than that. Anyway, this is the time of year to buy cider. And over the next week I’ll be trying, and posting, recipes that I think that y’all would enjoy. For now, I’m off to buy material for a Robin Hood costume. Next week I’ll also be posting my efforts to try and alter a pair of jeans. If I’m successful in that endeavor, then wearing and buying pants will be forever after a piece of cake. Happy Weekend, y’all.

Apple Cider Pork Loin
3 cups water
3 cups apple cider
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 bay leaf
1 (2-pound) boneless pork loin, trimmed
2 cups apple cider
Cooking spray
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a saucepan, combine the first six ingredients and boil, stirring until all the salt dissolves. Remove from heat; cool. Pour brine into a large marinating container or 2-gallon zip-top plastic bag. Add pork; seal. Refrigerate overnight, turning bag occasionally.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Make a cider reduction by bringing 3 cups of cider to a boil and continuing to boil while stirring occasionally until about 2/3 of a cup.
Discard brine. Place pork on rack of a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Lightly coat pork with cooking spray. Combine rosemary, sage, and black pepper; sprinkle evenly over pork. (Dried herbs work fine.) Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until meat thermometer registers 155°, basting twice with cider reduction during final 20 minutes of cooking. Remove from oven; baste with remaining cider reduction. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

I’m serving this with brown rice, roasted sweet potatoes and green beans with browned butter.

Apple Cider Pork
This is a great recipe that I got from Kristen of This Classical Life last year. I think that it was last year, but you know how fast years go by, could have been longer than that. Anyway, this is the time of year to buy cider. And over the next week I’ll be trying, and posting, recipes that I think that y’all would enjoy. For now, I’m off to buy material for a Robin Hood costume. Next week I’ll also be posting my efforts to try and alter a pair of jeans. If I’m successful in that endeavor, then wearing and buying pants will be forever after a piece of cake. Happy Weekend, y’all.

Apple Cider Pork Loin
3 cups water
3 cups apple cider
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 bay leaf
1 (2-pound) boneless pork loin, trimmed
2 cups apple cider
Cooking spray
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a saucepan, combine the first six ingredients and boil, stirring until all the salt dissolves. Remove from heat; cool. Pour brine into a large marinating container or 2-gallon zip-top plastic bag. Add pork; seal. Refrigerate overnight, turning bag occasionally.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Make a cider reduction by bringing 3 cups of cider to a boil and continuing to boil while stirring occasionally until about 2/3 of a cup.
Discard brine. Place pork on rack of a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Lightly coat pork with cooking spray. Combine rosemary, sage, and black pepper; sprinkle evenly over pork. (Dried herbs work fine.) Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until meat thermometer registers 155°, basting twice with cider reduction during final 20 minutes of cooking. Remove from oven; baste with remaining cider reduction. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

I’m serving this with brown rice, roasted sweet potatoes and green beans with browned butter.

Apple Cider Pork
This is a great recipe that I got from Kristen of This Classical Life last year. I think that it was last year, but you know how fast years go by, could have been longer than that. Anyway, this is the time of year to buy cider. And over the next week I’ll be trying, and posting, recipes that I think that y’all would enjoy. For now, I’m off to buy material for a Robin Hood costume. Next week I’ll also be posting my efforts to try and alter a pair of jeans. If I’m successful in that endeavor, then wearing and buying pants will be forever after a piece of cake. Happy Weekend, y’all.

Apple Cider Pork Loin
3 cups water
3 cups apple cider
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 bay leaf
1 (2-pound) boneless pork loin, trimmed
2 cups apple cider
Cooking spray
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a saucepan, combine the first six ingredients and boil, stirring until all the salt dissolves. Remove from heat; cool. Pour brine into a large marinating container or 2-gallon zip-top plastic bag. Add pork; seal. Refrigerate overnight, turning bag occasionally.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Make a cider reduction by bringing 3 cups of cider to a boil and continuing to boil while stirring occasionally until about 2/3 of a cup.
Discard brine. Place pork on rack of a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Lightly coat pork with cooking spray. Combine rosemary, sage, and black pepper; sprinkle evenly over pork. (Dried herbs work fine.) Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until meat thermometer registers 155°, basting twice with cider reduction during final 20 minutes of cooking. Remove from oven; baste with remaining cider reduction. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

I’m serving this with brown rice, roasted sweet potatoes and green beans with browned butter.

The Meeting Went Well
Not that I didn’t think that it would. The folks at my son’s school are all so nice. But, not only do they think that he *already* meets the requirements for the school that we want to send him to next year — they also think that the school , itself, is an excellent choice for him. Hooray, Hooray, HOORAY!!