Baby, It's Cold Outside

Before School Backgammon With Granny

Mitch In The Morning

I was up at 6:10 and to my surprise, Evie was already up. worried that Mitch might get off early, that his Cuban sandwich lunch might be cold, so she put it in the oven to warm it up.  She sure spoils that boy.  Anyways, it's now 6:50, both Beth and Rami are also up and Marisa just awoke as well. Despite the 3º outside, the kids have school and Mitch just went out to start the car, to warm it up.

As I mentioned yesterday, everyone had things to do, so Evie and I had the house to ourselves till noon when Beth returned.  It was strange for once to be in an empty house, empty that is of family. Evie, of course, spent much of the morning 'tidying' up the house while I read about 'tidying and decluttering' on my Kindle.  Guess which seemed to be more effective, reading about it or doing it.

Despite the cold, I took Cody for our morning walk, and he does not seem to mind the cold, perhaps a mixture of Chow and Shepherd are somewhat immune to the cold.  He can sit outside the door for an hour without wanting to come in at times.  I can see why people who have dogs, especially larger ones that need to be walked, are healthier than people who don't have dogs.  And walking a dog becomes not only a habit but a necessity for both dog and owner.

Late morning, we made another shopping despite the fact that we had a mega shopping day at Costco on Sunday.  I guess cooking for six means a lot more shopping than cooking for two, especially with two hungry grandchildren.  So off we went to Trader Joe's, then Stop N Shop, to get the makings for Cuban sandwiches and black bean soup, our menu for the evening meal.  It was bone chilling cold out, like most of this part of the East Coast and we were glad to get home.

Beth was home by noon, and we had bean dip, tostitos, and a sandwich for lunch.  We sat in the sun room and watched the rest of the Oscars from the previous night, the highlight being Lady Gaga's singing of a medley of songs from The Sound of Music.  She has an amazing voice, hidden from most by her bizarre antics and looks.  She appeared normal last night, perhaps suggesting a change in her career from pop idol to crooner.

Marisa at The Dentist

At 4:00, Marisa had a dentist appointment, so Beth took her, and Evie and I then put together a delicious black bean soup, with sun dried tomatoes, a soup I have always liked from the Moosewood Cookbook.  Lots of beans and tomatoes, some cumin and bit of heat and that's it.  We finished just as the sun was setting so I took Cody for a preprandial walk.

Late Afternoon Walk With Cody

Steeple In Fading Light

When we got back, Beth had returned and we started to put together the makings for a Cuban sandwich.  Mitch was going to an open gym to play volleyball since his season would be starting soon, so Evie made him a sandwich.  He liked it so much that he asked if she could make him another one and he would take it to school for lunch.  Of course, she complied.  Rami got home from the city around 7:30 and we had the black bean soup hot, four Cubans ready for dinner.  By the way, to make a Cuban, get a hoagie bun, spread the insides with butter and mustard, then, in this order, layer swiss cheese, then dill pickles, ham, sliced pork, then another slice of swiss cheese.  Then grill it on both sides till brown, or put it in a panini maker. Ours broke by the way, after one sandwich so we had to use a grill pan.  And you are supposed to press on the sandwich as it cooks, so it really gets smashed together.  It was worth it as we all enjoyed our Cubans, with soup, and watched Chopped with Marisa and when she went to bed, another episode of the first season of House of Cards, then went to bed around 10:30.

Rami just took Mitch to school, Marisa has to be taken to the bus in five minutes, Rami to the train in a half hour, then the morning will slow down some, as the rest of us can relax.  Beth has an appointment at 11:00 and Evie and I have no where we have to go today, except for walking Cody.