Gag Reflex

My brother has the best gag reflex of anyone that I know. I can still distinctly remember a number of meals wherein my mom forced him to eat something which he then gagged on the whole time. Usually this behavior occurred when we were having something new or unusual (like when we had tofu) but was also brought out in the presence of anything with a disliked texture, i.e. eggs. My absolute favorite memory of this is when Mom had to FORCE him to try a strawberry milkshake which he choked on until she allowed him to spit it all out.

About ten minutes ago we tried to get G to eat some sweet potatoes which, I might add, were very tasty. They were blended with sugar and butter and covered with a brown sugar and pecan crust. In other words, they were more of a dessert than a side dish, but G wouldn't touch them. I told him they were a treat, I begged him to eat them. I even ate a few bites to show him that they were good. His response? "No, don't like that." So I convinced him to take one bite. He licked the end of the spoon, tasting for the sugar. When he sensed the sweetness, he opened his mouth a little wider for another lick and I shoved the spoon in. He started smacking his lips while I watched in triumph...and then the gagging began. He gagged and choked the whole thing down as though we were trying to poison him. Afterwards we asked if he wanted another bite. The answer was a clear NO.

Mmmm

If this is the actual Kneader's Bread Pudding recipe then it's amazing. I haven't tried it yet--Christmas?

http://www.food-lists.com/lists/archives/food-on-tv/2004/03/1078745519.php

Raspberry Bread Pudding
Presented on KTVX (Salt Lake City, Utah)
LAST UPDATE: 3/4/2004 10:39:47 AM

Kneaders' Bakery & Cafe Raspberry Bread Pudding

Cream Mix
1 1/2 loaves aged, white bread
1 quart heavy cream
3 cups sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

In large bowl combine cream, sugar, egg and vanilla. Cut bread into 1 1/2"
cubes and add to cream mixture, coating bread well. Let stand 30 minutes
stirring every 5 minutes to allow cream to absorb completely.

Fruit Filling

5 cups frozen raspberries
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup apple juice

Combine raspberries, sugar and apple juice, stirring until sugar is
dissolved.
Layer a 9x13 dark baking dish 3/4 full with bread mixture, pour fruit
filling over bread mixture, spreading evenly, top with remaining bread.
Bake 40 minutes at 375 degrees.
Serve warm. Top with vanilla sauce.

Vanilla Sauce

1 1/3 cup butter
5 tablespoons flour
3 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/3 cup sugar

Over medium heat melt butter, and add flour stir 10 minutes until it has a
nutty aroma, do not brown. Add salt, cream and sugar and boil till mixture
is thick, reamove from heat adding vanilla. Serve this wonderful sauce cold.

Negotiating with a 2 year old

Yesterday after hours of negotiations with G, I had to laugh to myself. I began to wonder what the world would be like if we had to negotiate every single task the way in which I have to negotiate with G. I mean, could you imagine two engineers trying to build a bridge having a conversation like this:

E1: "Here are the plans."
E2: (Grabbing the plans away) "No, I'm going to do it."
E1: "No it's my turn"
E2: (angrily crying now) "NO it's MY turn!"
E1: "What if I do it first, then you get to do it?"
E2: "NOOOOOO. I'm doing it!!"
E1: "What if you get a piece of candy instead?"
E2: (receiving the candy happily) "Nice"
(E1 begins to take the plans)
E2: "No, it's my turn!"
and on and on and on...

Wait, I'm starting to think that perhaps I'm not too far off with some people. Well, isn't it fun to know that in some ways you will never escape working with someone going through the terrible two's?

A little BAB appreciation

BAB does so much for everyone around him and often goes a little under appreciated. I just wanted to list a few things about BAB that make him the best.

1. He hardly ever gets mad or frustrated with me even though I often deserve it.

2. He never makes me feel guilty about money, and even makes me keep things when I want to return them.

3. Out of the last 20 loads of laundry we've done, he's probably done about 18 of them and hasn't complained once.

4. He collects paper towel and toilet paper rolls just so that he and G can tape together a little track that they can roll golf balls down.

5. Every time someone calls to ask us for a favor his first response is "yes," even if it is super inconvenient for him. (FYI, this is NOT an invitation to start asking him for more favors. I have no problem saying NO.)

6. He is always genuinely happy for others' successes.

7. He doesn't mind sharing, even if what he has is really cool or really good.

8. He can fix anything.

9. He never gets mad when he comes home to a mess.

10. Every time G cries at night, he gets up with him whether he has to work at 5 am the next morning or not.

11. He loves being surprised.

12. He got a perm because I always wanted to date a curly headed guy! (It was fun but I'm glad that my straight haired guy is back!)

13. After I read a book he always wants me to tell him all about it--even if he wants to read it himself.

14. He will watch chick flicks with me.

15. He thinks he is hilarious--funnier than me!! While it is a ridiculous idea, his sense of confidence is admirable. :-)

I love you honey! Thanks for being such a wonderful husband and father!

Holy Snowses

We decided this afternoon that we would make a run to the library. We took our showers, got ready, and walked out to find...a blizzard awaiting us. Needless to say, the library trip was postponed in favor of a fun family snow outing. Here are a few fun pictures and a video of G throwing snowballs at BAB.

Poor Pitiful December Birthdays and Other Tidbits

Some great news from our house, BAB just finished his last class for his bachelors yesterday! YEAH!! He now gets a break from school for (at the very least) 4 months. We are already trying to plan all of the fun things we will do, which roughly translates into working on the house. Regardless, though, we are very proud of his hard work. He is a wonderful husband and dad.

In other news, it is my birthday on Friday. G has been singing "Happy Birthday to you..." for the last two weeks so I think he's ready. Unfortunately he sings it to himself, but at least it's enthusiastic. Growing up I hated my birthday as I always felt like having a birthday in December was such a waste. Now I realize mine isn't really that horrible as BAB's is just a couple of days before Christmas which (as everyone knows) is way worse. Talk about a rip off! So from now on we have decided to celebrate our birthdays together. He asked me if this made me sad because now it wouldn't just be my day. I just laughed, because I love it. For being such a talker I hate being the center of attention, especially when it relates to praise or excitement. I just don't know how to handle everyone looking at me and gushing. I'm more of the sarcastic back row commenter who likes to make their snide comments and retreat back into the safety of the background. So this arrangement works out nicely. BAB gets to have a birthday where people actually care, he shares the spotlight with me, and I get to make snarky little comments and hide behind him. Just another great benefit of being married!