Brothers

Brothers, in books and movies, are portrayed in different ways, depending on where they come in the birth order and the gender of their siblings.

Like an older brother, with a little sister is seen as protective, where as a younger brother is a pest.

I think my brother has a split personality, as he is some of both. He's like a big brother, and not just because he's more than 6 inches taller than me, but because he's supportive, encouraging and caring.

But, he is my 'little' brother and can be a pest. He's reminded me that I call my blog Midweek Musing, and yet I'm not posting mid week. I seem to post when I have the time, an idea, or some divine inspiration.

Somehow, Wednesday just comes too fast, and I'm often not prepared. I guess I should be post dating my blogs, so they appear as advertised.

It's Friday, September 2, and I have just written this, but to keep my bro happy, I'll post it for Wednesday.

Some people are just too fussy, comes with aging I guess.

Are you happy now, he who shall remain nameless?

School Days, School Days

I was lying in bed this morning, thinking about how quiet and peaceful my morning was, and how it was not the same for the parents with kids going back to school today.

Some kids get up, eager to face the day, others have to be called, and called, and nudged along. Clothes need to be selected, back packs filled with pencils and papers, lunches packed with nourishing food to feed these young minds.

I do feel sympathy for that morning chaos, really I do, but also a bit of smugness, after all, been there, done that.

I was looking for a photo of a school bus to add to my blog, found instead some interesting checklists.

Here's another.

Also found too many sites on making breakfast and lunches ahead of time, making life easier.

My Dad always said it took 3 weeks to make any change in routine a habit, or to get familiar with something new, like a new car. I figure by Thanksgiving, the Canadian one, the kids and parents will find their rhythm, and long hot summer days with the late nights, idle days and sleep in mornings will be a distant memory.

Now that I think about it, that's my routine, day in and day out, the bliss of retirement.

Cookie Dough

I remember making chocolate chip cookies with the kids, and how much they liked to eat the dough.

But, it was considered a No-No to eat the dough, because of the raw eggs. That's another of those rules that change over time. My Dad used to make an energy drink of eggs, banana, and milk with a sprinkle of wheat germ, and though he didn't live a long life, it was an active one, and the raw eggs he'd eaten years before had no part in his demise.

I found a recipe for a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Square, and had to try it, for the kids, both of mine now grown, and their offspring. It was quite simple, and tastes just like the dough for my baked cookies.

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup mini M&M's

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Mix butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla.

Add flour and sweetened condensed milk alternately until combined.

Add the 1 cup of chips and mini M&Ms.

Press into a lined 8x8 pan. Refrigerate for 3 hours.

Topping

Combine peanut butter and milk chocolate chips. In microwave, heat for 30 seconds, stir, repeat at 10 second intervals until melted and smooth. Pour over dough and chill.

I changed the recipe a bit, omitted the M&Ms, and used only milk chocolate chips. If I made them again I would use mini chips, whether it was semi sweet, milk chocolate, M&Ms or the Reeses' mini chips, as it would be easier to bit into. 

They were tasty, and a good no bake recipe for hot summer days.

New Trend in Crochet

I've noticed a new trend in knit and crochet, a change from the usual, old fashioned afghan. Just as the baby blankets changed to being baby cocoons, someone decided an adult might like to be warm and cozy too.

I think the first one I saw was done like a mermaid's tail, but lately there are all sorts of patterns showing up, showing a lot of creativity and a sense of humor.

Here are just a few.

National Hurricane Center

I have the National Hurricane Center on my list of favorites, and check it daily. I find it kind of fascinating, watching the storms start off the coast of Africa and make their way west to the US and Canada.

For most of the week there were two tropical storms, one headed toward the eastern states, the other to the Gulf of Mexico. There was another storm, strong enough to be named...Gaston...when it reached hurricane strength.

The one TS, or tropical storm, that headed to the Gulf, was upgraded to hurricane strength and given a name, Hermine. It hit land on Thursday, and according to the map, is travelling across the land.

I'm watching the Blue Jays, yes, I know, I'm such a fan, and I haven't heard them talk of the weather, and they are playing in Florida. So the storm must have passed to the north.

There's another yellow 'X' on the map, indicating a storm, not with much strength as yet.

The list of names for hurricanes is set, and follows in alphabetical order. If you ever hear the weatherman talk of hurricanes, and a letter seems to be missing, it's because there was a storm, with enough strength to be named, but then it fizzed out to be of no concern.

If a storm is bad enough, the name is retired, as is what happened after Katrina.

Commentators at the ball game just mentioned the storm that blew through yesterday in Tampa, 22 inches of rain in 72 hours.

I've included the link in case you were curious.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/