Friday, December 20, 2013

14th Fly on the Wall

Welcome to a Fly on the Wall group post. Today 15 bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you’d see if you were a fly on the wall in our homes. Come on in and buzz around my house.

Fly on the Wall | graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics



When you’re done, click on the links below for a peek into some other homes:






 This happens to everyone, right? I get into my car, open the storage compartment between the seats and find an entire day’s worth of mail in there. I’m frantically looking through it to see how long it’s been there and there’s a coupon that expired 2 months ago. And guess who left it in there? According to everyone in my family, “not me” did.

Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Me: I need you to stop after school and talk to the guidance counselor about your ACT scores.
Son: I just talked to her last week.
Me (incredulously): You did? You didn’t tell me that.
Son: Yes, I needed my transcripts sent to the two colleges I applied to.
Me (incredulously): You did? You didn’t tell me that.
Son: Yes, I was taking responsibility for myself.
Me (still with bug-eyes): That’s great, I’m proud of you. But part of your responsibility is to  . . . I don’t know . . . let me know what’s going on.

So, apparently my son has already applied to (and been accepted to and been awarded scholarships to) two schools. Who knew? {{hint: not me}}.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

It’s taken me a long time to see the pattern, but I finally figured it out. My son always asks what’s for dinner before telling me whether or not he has plans. Quite a coincidence but if it’s a dinner he doesn’t like he always seems to have plans. But if it’s a dinner he does like, whether or not he has plans depends on . . . well . . . whether or not he actually already has plans.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

The discussion at dinner one night was about a toy car my son and his friend had built in one of his classes. We were talking about how it was powered and my husband was saying that it probably wouldn’t be by sonar because it would be hard to make a car turned based on sound.
I completely disagree. After all, every time we’re in the car coming up on a street we need to go down and it’s clear my husband’s going to miss it, I yell “TURN, TURN” and the car turns.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

 

Hubs: What’s for dinner?
Me: I’m not sure, I’m trying something new, I hope it comes out.
Hubs: It’s in the crockpot so it’ll be fine.
Me: You mean you think you can put absolutely any bunch of ingredients together and as long as it’s in the crockpot it’ll be good?
Hubs: Yeah, that’s how crockpots work, right?



 
Crockpot Barbecue Pork Sandwich | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #sandwich

Crockpot Barbecue Pork Sandwiches

 
My son and I are on couches in the living room watching TV.
Me: I thought I’d try baking a new cookie, want to help me?
Son: Sure. You go ahead, I’ll stay here and hold down the fort.
Thanks, kid.

Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Son: What are you doing?
Me: I’ll just be a minute, I’m typing that last conversation we had into my Fly on the Wall post.
Son: You know that makes you a tattle-tale, right?


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


You all probably know by now that my oldest son is a freshman in college. And that he doesn’t exactly call daily as I’d like. In fact, weekly would be nice. Every now and then I send him a humorous text and he’ll answer and, of course, he’ll call when he needs something.

You probably also know that I got a new phone and I’m loving it. Twice the social media, twice the Candy Crush, what’s not to like, right?

The other day I was at home and my cell rang. Caller ID showed it was College Boy. Yay. So I pressed the green “answer” button. And I pressed it. And I held it down. And I tapped it. And I banged it. And College Boy hung up. It appears that I can do everything with this phone except answer a call.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | developed and run by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

My younger son ordered a TV and a wall bracket for his bedroom. I’ve never allowed my kids to have TVs in their rooms but it’s the end of his senior year in high school, he has over a 4.0 GPA, is the head of a club, has a job, does volunteer work and has already gotten scholarships to 2 colleges so I gave in (yes, I’m aware that all of that rationalization came off as bragging. I’m proud of him, sue me).

Everything arrived and I told him he could not put the bracket on his wall without his dad. When they were together, I told them both to measure and measure and measure again because they would not be drilling and re-drilling holes in the wall.

So they measure and they measure and they drilled and the TV is up.

And one side is a good 4 inches higher than the other.
Son: “It’s fine with me, Mom, it’s you that it’ll drive crazy.”
Shoot me now. 

Baking In A Tornado Graphic | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics




Crockpot Barbecue Pork Sandwiches
                                                                
©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
Italian Loaf
3 – 4# Pork Roast
1 cup frozen chopped onion (or ½ fresh onion, chopped)
2 apples (I use Braeburn), chopped
1 cup barbecue sauce
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup water
2 TBSP lemon juice
3 TBSP brown sugar
3 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
 
Directions:
NOTE: I have made this with a frozen Pork Roast, just allow to cook a few hours longer.
*Place the roast in the crockpot. Cover with the onion and apples.
*Mix the rest of the ingredients together, pour over the roast and cook on high for 1 hour.
*Turn meat over and cook another hour.
*Turn crockpot down to low and allow to continue cooking for 5 hours.
*Remove meat, slice, return to crockpot and cook for one more hour.
*Slice bread and serve pork and sauce on the bread.


40 comments:

  1. I'm grinning broadly here. Your son has it down pat already - just feed me, and I'll hold down the fort. What a guy ;-) Seriously, congrats on raising achievers. That says a lot about you AND them. And talk about timing...I just happen to have a pork roast in my fridge that I was going to bake. Maybe I'll try this instead! Thanks for the great recipe.

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    Replies
    1. Hope you love the recipe. I'm sure your husband will hold down the fort while you're making it!

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  2. That is awesome about your son. He is taking initiative and planning his own future... Shows that you have done a good job mama...

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    1. That kid is a trip and a half but he's a great kid. And although I know it's on him, I don't mind taking just a little bit of the credit.

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  3. Hide the darn Crock Pot when not in use. Just in case he gets the urge to test his toss it all in theory. ;)
    I'm all for independent but TWO schools and TWO scholarships without a heads up?!?! That is fantastic news! Crazy but truly a wonderful sign that you've raised a capable individual. After the T.V. install, you might want to hold off on that duo launching into any serious home improvement projects together. ;)
    Funny, my car is voice activated in the same way.
    The Prince will LOVE this delicious sandwich!
    I love your Fly posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try to discourage any home improvement projects by any of the men in this family. The most I could expect out of it would be another Fly on the Wall post. Not worth it, figured that one out long ago.

      And I love your Fly posts too!

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  4. What a kid! LOL! I can't believe he didn't tell you about the school stuff! You tattle tale...

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    Replies
    1. LOL, one of the many joys in the life of a mom of teens who happens to have a blog is being able to be a tattle tale!

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  5. I just had that cooking conversation with my son--told him I was going to start baking Christmas cookies and asked if he wanted to help. He said he would "watch" to make sure I did it right and of course test-taste them when they came out of the oven. Figures. The TV thing---I would go NUTS until they straightened it out! Ugh! Funny post, Karen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. See, this is the dilemma; let them try to straighten it and put who-knows how many more holes in the wall, which would make me nuts. Or leave it crooked, which makes me nuts. See what I deal with? I can NEVER win!

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    2. Holes can be filled. Crooked would leave me curled up in the fetal position, sobbing.

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  6. I'm visiting for the first time from The Rowdy Bake blog. Fun stuff. Tasty-looking recipe that I'm looking forward to trying. Pork sandwiches are so good as is, but I am always looking for ways to improve them anyway.

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    Replies
    1. So glad you visited, I love the Rowdy Baker, both for her baking and for her humor. Let me know if you try the recipe.

      Delete
  7. I'd be screaming-from-the-rooftops proud if those were my boys too Karen, you've done a fabulous job. I've never had to scream at anyone to turn whilst being a passenger, but I have had to slam my imaginary brake more than once.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Let me tell you about that imaginary brake when you live with 2 teenagers . . .

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  8. At least the TV is up there - had I installed the bracket I would be afraid it would tear right out of the wall! My kids actually nixed one of my fly on the wall entries - they said it was TMI and they didn't want the Internet knowing their business :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The older your kids get the more they'll nix, but every now and then I get to sneak a few past mine.

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  9. Haha, you told me to keep my eyes peeled for the TV story ;-)
    I was also kind of expecting to read about the outcome on the UPS delivery - if there has been an outcome at all?
    So now both guys are at home - enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to keep you hanging about the UPS thing, I thought I posted about that on FB. The TV and the wall mount were the UPS delivery. There was also another package that they had on the truck but couldn't find when they brought the TV and wall mount, but they must have found it because they brought it the next day!

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    2. Must have missed that. Glad it all worked out then. Sort of.

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  10. First off, congratulations to your son! Two scholarships is worth bragging about! The Tv will be perfect for watching when he's on his bed, lying down on his pillow…
    That BBQ looks amazing. I haven't had anything come out of a crockpot that I haven't loved yet. Of course, that's because my husband doesn't cook.
    I love that you still ask your son to make cookies. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm really proud of him, but it would be nice if he kept me in the loop now and then.

      And yes, I ask him to make cookies. You'd think after all these years I'd have learned my lesson.

      Delete
  11. Crockpots are magical aren't they? I thought the same as your hubs. Don't they all work that way? OMG - that sandwich looks amazing.

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  12. I am the only person in my house who's allowed to hang anything. We came up with that rule after my husband's THIRD attempt to hang a corner shelf.

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    Replies
    1. I've got a wall mounted TV here I'd love you to come look at, Jenn.

      Delete
  13. I love the comic/banner photo. It is so you, captured your good side I see!
    Yes, the 4 inches would drive me batty but sounds so typical 'boy' just make do.
    WOW congrats to your senior! But yes, it would have been nice if you had of known. Boys I swear

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the comic strip too. My friend Comic Strip Mama did it for me as a surprise and it's amazing.

      Actually, he's using the TV as a 3rd computer monitor so he has it tilted down at an angle and you can't tell that it's off. Or maybe that just age and my eyes. Either way, it's not driving me too crazy.

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  14. Absolutely LOVE this Post... every snippet was hilarious!!! The sandwich looks amazing.

    Favorite lines: 'Not me.' 'Shoot me now.'

    Have a Merry Christmas, Slu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love doing these Fly on the Wall posts. They're so much fun.

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  15. And I forgot... Absolute Congrats to your HS Senior: Very Nice as well as most Impressive!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I'm proud of him. Wish I had been kept in the loop, but still very proud.

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  16. omg, your kids are so funny! The 4" off would drive me bananas, too! Of course it wouldn't bother a boy....ugh. But wow to his grades and scholarships!! That's HUGE! I know you're one proud momma!

    the pork sandwich looks great. Well, not today cuz my tummy is still off. But I know it will look great in a few days. :)

    Good luck learning to answer calls on your new phone. haha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm trying not to think about the crooked TV. Or look into his room. Ever again.

      Delete
  17. Ha, ha ha, that's what happens when you leave two males in charge :). 4 inches is huge. My OCD would kick-in big time and I wouldn't be able to sleep. I guess you're going to end up having more holes than you wanted too, ha ha ha.

    And congrats to your son for getting those scholarships. He kept that quiet but well done and thumbs up to him.

    Seasonal Greetings to you and your family.

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    Replies
    1. Same to you. Hope you have a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year full of inspired writing and enjoyable reading.

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  18. I love that your son did all that without you knowing...I'm impressed! My son needs to start the process and it's like pulling teeth. Maybe I'll get lucky with the other 2. :)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I had my "pulling teeth" experience first. Although it would be nice to be "in the loop", this one was a better way to go.

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  19. I'd love my kid to surprise me with a couple of scholarships out of the blue.

    I had this fly-on-the-wall conversation with her yesterday, playing disc golf:
    Me: *sniff* That definitely smells like marijuana.
    Her: Yeah.
    Me: What do you mean, 'yeah'??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Sounds like you could write your own Fly on the Wall post!

      Delete

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