Believe in the Magic Traci Diary

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  • When Foodie Pen Pals Meet

    During the winter, we decided to go to our favorite beach – Folly Beach, South Carolina. Ideas about where we should go on the way there and the way home were thrown around. We knew we did not want to go to Gatlinburg because we had done that twice before, so it was time for something new. I mentioned Charlottesville, VA, and Hershey, PA, as possible destinations. Hershey was quickly vetoed because it would take too long to get there and then too long to travel down. So we decided Charlottesville would be our destination.

    When I was a teenager, my mom, sister, and I would travel down to Charlottesville via bus. We would first go to Washington, D.C., and visit different historical sights during our layover. I’m getting sidetracked from my story.

    There were 3 things on my agenda for our visit to Charlottesville – Monticello, the University of Virginia rotunda, and the pedestrian mall. About a week before our trip, I emailed Jo. Jo was my November Foodie Pen Pal. We had exchanged emails about her motorcycle trip to Ohio and how much she loved Cincinnati-style chili. So I sent her a box with ingredients to make chili.

    I emailed her because she lives in Charlottesville, and as a foodie, I needed the 4-1-1 on good places to eat there. She offered to meet us at the pedestrian mall if we had time so she could give us a local’s perspective on great foods to eat. I warned her about the Wee One and the Imaginative One because I didn’t know if she wanted to spend a Friday evening with two elementary-age children stuck in a car for 7 hours and then walk around Monticello for 3 hours (almost actual times). They could get a little squirrely. She was okay with that, so we met up.

    She helped us find parking and even find Hawaii license plates. The Wee One loves looking at license plates and yelling out the different states. His goal was to find Hawaii and Alaska. There were 2 cars with Hawaii license plates in the parking lot we parked in. Supposedly I owe him Legos because he found one of the rare license plates.

    It was so much fun talking to her about foodies and other random topics such as running, walking to Monticello from her house, and where Dave Matthews had his first gig. My Hubby even enjoyed talking to her and loved her accent because she is originally from Quebec. She even showed us the Coke machine (which doesn’t work) at Chap’s ice cream. The boys loved the place. They could draw and write their name in chalk. They were not so happy about walking around, but when you are 8 and 10, parents can make you do boring things.

    Here are some pictures:

    The pedestrian mall
    Cool statue
    The place where Dave Matthews played his first gig.
    The pie, guys – I got a Sydney with chicken and mushrooms. I loved the crust, which was puff pastry-like.
    You could draw on these statues.
    My chocolate cherry chip ice cream from Chaps. Delicious!
    Carpe Donut – Apple Cider – Yum! The Wee One loved this donut.
    My meat pie
    Blackberry Italian soda
    Jo suggested this bagel place. , It was located next to my hotel so I stopped there before we left Charlottesville.
    Jo, me, the Wee One, and the Imaginative One

  • Foodie pen pals – July edition

    I sent my box to Lindsay at Say No To Bacon. She lives in Oklahoma, so it was my third time sending her there. Maybe it’s a sign that I need to visit that great state.

    Debbie at Accidentally Delish sent my box all of the ways from Arizona. Since I was on vacation, I asked for food that would be great for traveling. She sent me some granola which is one of my favorite foods. I also got black bean chips. I did not bring those on the trip. I have to be in the mood for any type of chip item, and then I eat them until I’m no longer craving chips. I know I’m random. I’m saving them for when I am really craving chips. She also sent me bars. Those are great not only for the trip down but also for walking around town. I stick them in my backpack, and away we go. I also got some great fruit leather. The Wee One loves them, so I can give him one if he’s complaining about being hungry while we are walking around town.

    I will add pictures and links when I have actual wifi. I took the pictures and put them on my computer. However, packing for 3 people for a week-and-a-half trip was my priority.

  • My travel bag

    Today we are leaving for our big vacation. We are traveling to Charlottesville, Va, for the night. Then we are traveling to Charleston, SC, for the week. Then we are on to Atlanta, GA, for 2 days and Huntsville, AL, for a day before heading home.

    I’m notorious for packing way too much food when we travel. I attempted not to have too much. We have the family snacks and then mine.

    I’m going to talk about what I packed in my travel bag.

    20130726-080651.jpg

    Snacks for Hubby and me (kids won’t touch them):
    Trail mix (2 types)
    Pistachio, cashew, and almond snack mix

    Snacks for only me:
    Wheat thins (small bags of spicy buffalo and sundried tomato and basil)
    Snack mix (walking taco flavored)
    Homemade granola (breakfasts for the trip)
    2 containers of individual creamers (for beach house – the only thing I put in coffee)
    Dentyne Ice gum (lots – love it)
    2 go picnic – salami with cheese (lunches for this week)
    2 go picnics – hummus (lunches for this week)
    Freeze-dried pineapple
    Freeze-dried mango
    2 containers of random bars and peanut butter/almond butter packets – even though I don’t particularly like peanut butter)
    Instant coffee
    Fruit punch (1)

    Other stuff:
    Books (6)
    Notebook
    Folders with puzzles and coloring pages for boys
    Folder with puzzles for me
    Mechanical pencils
    My purse
    My camera

  • White chocolate granola

    I’ve mentioned how much I like a local Farmer’s Market called Second Street Market. One of the vendors has a delicious granola called Triple Treat Granola. It contains walnuts, cranberries, and melted white chocolate. I sent a container to my May and one to my June foodie pen pals. Both of them loved the granola:).

    I’ve decided to recreate the granola and add another flavor element – coconut. It turned out delicious.

    White Chocolate Granola
    20130724-091922.jpg

    Adapted from Finding Joy in my Kitchen

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
    • 1/4 . Water
    • 3/4 c. Brown sugar
    • 5 . Old-fashioned oatmeal
    • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon (add more or less depending on your likes or leave it out)
    • 1/4 . Chopped walnuts
    • 1 and 1/2 c. White chocolate chips
    • 1/4 . Dried cranberries
    • 1/4 . Dried sweetened coconut

    Steps:

    1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    2. In a big saucepan, combine water, olive oil, and brown sugar. Let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
    3. In a separate bowl, combine the oatmeal and cinnamon.
    4. Slowly add the oatmeal mixture to the saucepan. Stir each time you add some of the oatmeal. Make sure the water, olive oil, and brown sugar are evenly coated on the oatmeal. Take it off the heat.
    5. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet.
    6. Place in preheated oven. Bake for 5 minutes.
    7. Take out of oven and stir.
    8. Add walnuts to the granola. Place back in the oven.
    9. Bake for 5 more minutes.
    10. Take out the oven and sprinkle with a cup of white chocolate chips.
    11. Put it back in the oven for a minute.
    12. Take out of the oven and stir the granola, so the melted white chocolate gets all over the granola.
    13. Allow to cool, and then add the remaining white chocolate chips, cranberries, and coconut.
    14. Store in an air-tight container.
    15. Enjoy over yogurt, froyo, or by itself.

    Printable Recipe

  • Dinner Conversations

    We eat dinner together most days. It is important to both Hubby and me. We were both brought up eating dinner as a family. So we want to continue this tradition with the boys. Our conversations can be fun because you never know what the boys might say.

    Here are some of our conversations:

    Key:

    • WO = Wee One
    • IO = Imaginative One

    Hubby told the boys he used to have a mustache because he wanted to look older. He shaved it off when he turned 30.
    IO:  Did you get a senior discount at the movie theater?

    Me:  Why are you so loud?
    WO:  I was born in the year of the rooster.
    IO:  When was I born?
    WO:  In the year of the ram, you are so ramy.

    IO:  These fries are so spicy.
    Me:  Then quit eating them.
    IO:  (Dips the fries in the ketchup.)  These fries are so spicy.
    Me:  Then quit eating them.
    (This pattern continued several times. He ended up eating 2 servings of the fries.)

    IO:  Why can’t you tell eggs jokes?
    Me:  I don’t know.
    IO:  They might crack up.

    IO:  I go to the University of Monkey Face. I take classes about making glasses for seals, and another is an armpit-smelling class.   Kids 62 is the University of Monkey Face newspaper, and Kids 68 is the normal newspaper.

    IO:   This spinach tastes different.
    Me: I just opened the container.
    IO: Maybe I like aged spinach or something.

    WO taking the onions out of his sauce.
    WO: I’m a ghost hunter. I think this is ghost slime.

    These are a few of the dinner conversations we have had at our house lately. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

  • Easy Watermelon Fruit Removal

    I absolutely hate cutting watermelon and then removing the fruit.  Okay, not hate it, but I don’t particularly love doing it.  So when I read about using an ice cream scoop to remove the fruit, I had to try it out.  It was so much easier.  (I don’t remember where I read it.)

    Easy Watermelon Fruit Removal

    Stars of the recipe:

    • Whole watermelon
    • Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Bowl to put the fruit in
    • Ice Cream Scoop

    Steps:

    1. Cut the watermelon in half.
    2. Using the scoop, remove the fruit.  Place in bowl.
    3. Enjoy!
    Removing the fruit
    After removing the fruit
    The fruit pieces

  • Menu Planning Monday – July 1st

    Monday – (The Imaginative One’s delicious food day.)

    Tuesday – 

    • B – Smoothie (Imaginative One’s favorite breakfast), sausage links
    • L – corn dogs, raw veggies, Cheez-Its
    • D – Easy Pepper steak in the slow cooker, pasta, salad

    Wednesday –

    • B – French Toast Mini Muffins, fruit
    • L – sandwiches, raw veggies, Cheez-Its
    • D – Chicken and broccoli stir fry in the slow cooker, rice

    Thursday – Happy Fourth of July!!!

    • B – Smoothie, sausage links
    • L – Corn dogs, raw veggies, Cheez-Its
    • D – Hamburgers, French fries, veggie

    Friday – 

    • B – Cereal
    • L – Waffle House (Going out with my mom to celebrate birthdays)
    • D – Barbecue Chicken sandwiches, chips, salad

    Saturday –

    • B- French toast (or French toast sticks), fruit
    • L – Pizza or sandwich
    • D – Left-over night

  • A Birthday Packed Full of Memories

    A couple of weeks ago, the Wee One wanted to go on a date with his mom so we decided to go to King’s Island for his birthday.  The trip would take the place of a birthday party.  His only concern was “Am I still going to get presents?”  The concerns of an 8 year old.

    Since it was his first visit and my first visit in 11 years, we were super excited!  :)  We left early on Saturday morning  so we could get there before the park opened for the day.  As we stood waiting for the rope to come down, the Wee One was so anxious.  He kept asking me when we could go into the park.  “How many more minutes mom?”  Finally after the National Anthem was sung, we were on our way.  

    First ride of the day was the Viking Fury.  The Wee One let the attendant know that it was his birthday so they told us to go to another ride because they had  something for him.  At first he loved the ride, then it went higher and higher.  He was afraid he was going to call out so he grabbed onto me and held on tight.  Afterwards he told me that he would ride it again when he got bigger and braver.  

    We headed over to Adventure Express to pick up the birthday surprise.  It ended up an invitation to come back later for a celebration of his birthday.  He was too short to ride Adventure Express.  I wanted to ride it though so he sat to the side while I rode it.  (Only time we did that all day.)

    We were right next to all of the games.  The Wee One wanted to do all of them especially the ones that had a giant Pikachu.  He doesn’t understand that it costs money and he’s lucky if he wins one of those prizes.  So we didn’t try those games.  Okay later in the day, I allowed him to try one that cost $1.  He didn’t win :(  but I didn’t allow him to try more than once. While we were in that area we rode the Scrambler.  He really enjoyed that ride.

    Next stop was White Water Canyon.  There was absolutely no line so we got on right away.  The smile on his face every time we got wet was priceless.  He loved that ride.  Since there were people in line, we could not stay on the ride but they told him about a shortcut.  So we did that.  He had a blast and told the other people on the ride where all of the water would hit them.  Afterwards we went back to the shortcut and once again got on the ride.  This time there were 3 kids on the ride and they had a blast – laughing and talking about the water.  :)  It was wonderful to see.  One of the boys and his father decided to ride on the ride again so they did the shortcut also.  The father and I had a hard time keeping up with them because of their excitement.  Unfortunately we were not on the same boat but the little boy waved at the Wee One before we left the launching dock.  We didn’t ride it for a fifth time because it was starting to get busy.

    Right next to the White Water Canyon is the train to Soak City.  We rode on it so we could go over there to get some relief from the heat.  The Wee One loved the wading pool (Coconut Grove) and the water slide that was just his size.  He’s wanted to ride on a water slide for at least 2 years so this was a plus 

    After playing in the water for an hour, we went over to Planet Snoopy.  The Wee One was hungry so we decided to get some food once we got there.  I was surprised and happy when he saw the strawberries and whipped cream and asked for those.  We ended up having the strawberries and the soft pretzel.  He bought himself a bag of cotton candy.  While we were eating, we saw a show was going to be starting soon so we went to that show.  Since we were one of the first visitors waiting for the show, they asked him if he wanted to go on stage during the show.  How cool!

    He ended up on stage in a toy jeep being pushed around by a person in a Charlie Brown costume.  What a way to remember his birthday!  After the show, we went over to a gift shop and bought him a small Charlie Brown stuffed animal to remind him of his special birthday.

    Pics:

    Waiting to go through parking booth
    Dinosaur
    Viking Fury
    Scrambler
    White Water Canyon
    Water Slide – Thumbs Up
    Strawberries and Cream
    On Stage
    Asking him if he had a driver’s license
    Being pushed by Charlie Brow

  • Foodie Pen Pal – June edition

    It’s that time of the month, foodie pen pal reveal day. I’m usually on top by writing my post early and then scheduling it. This month I was not as good. Actually, I’m sitting down and writing it on our reveal day. Oh, well! It’s been a busy week, and I’ve rarely been home long enough to write anything.

    This month I sent it to Ilon, who lives in New Jersey. This is the second time I’ve been sent to New Jersey. To see what Ohio goodies I sent her, visit her blog Ilona’s Kitchen.

    Charmaine sent me my box all of the way from California. Here are the goodies she sent to me:

    The card and tea
    Seaweed snack – I’ve wanted to try it but never was brave. I still haven’t tried it, but I will shortly.
    Yum, tea!
    We are going on vacation shortly, so these will be good to take with us.
    I need to get some pretzels to dip in this.
    The Imaginative One’s favorite drink.
    I love lo mein, so this will be good for a night I make Chinese food.
    This will be great for breakfast.
    We had this the night I received the box. The whole family enjoyed the rice dish.
    I have these in the freezer but haven’t eaten any yet. Maybe soon.
    Teas
    Teas
    Teas
    Teas

    -On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
    -You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
    -The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
    -You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
    -Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.
    -Foodie Penplas is open to US, Canadian & European residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. Same with Europeans. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa.

    If you’re from the US or Canada and are in participating for July, please CLICK HERE (www.theleangreenbean.com/foodie-penpals/) to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions.

    You must submit your information by July 4th as pairings will be emailed on July 5th!

    *If you’re from Europe, please CLICK HERE (www.thisisrocksalt.com/foodie-penpals/) to signup.

  • Sausage and Sauerkraut (GF, DF)

    Sausage and Sauerkraut

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 package of smoked sausage
    • 1 jar or bag of sauerkraut, drained and rinsed off
    • 3 Tbsp. of brown sugar
    • 3 Tbsp. of Dijon mustard

    Steps:

    1. Cut the sausage into rings.
    2. Mix the sauerkraut, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard in a bowl
    3. Place sausage and sauerkraut into the crockpot.
    4. Cook on low for 4 hours.
    5. Enjoy with mashed potatoes or roasted red potatoes.  (I also had corn and baked apples with it.)

    Printable Recipe