The Boys Of Summer: Corn On The Cob

Cocaine Princess here.

One afternoon I took the 3 year old for a walk in my neighborhood. Usually I strap him down in the canopy wagon but that day he felt like walking. I love it when he points at things and says: WOW! Look at that! I find it so adorably cute each time he does. I took him to one end of the street. According to the harvest calendar it's officially corn season up here as you probably can tell by the photos below.

Close up Shot

An even closer shot!

Walking a little further my little buddy became overly excited when he saw the red barn. Later I was told about the Lego-Land Farm Play Set back home he loves playing with.

The other day I was showing the boys my extraordinary photography skills and mentioned how every time I see a cornfield that eerie theme music from “Children Of The Corn” {COTC} begins to play.   

The brothers from Houston were not familiar with that particular Hollywood gem. I am. I’m very familiar with it. Sister who didn’t operate by the book back in the day decided to show it to me one weekend when I was little and insisted “I would like it alot!” COTC was my introduction to horror master Stephen King. Since the boys of summer had not seen it I figured why not show it to them? First I thought it would be best to ask my sister if it was ok. So why did I need to ask her?: Last Friday Piranha 3D was released. I had made special plans to take the twins to see it and the best part-- are you ready because here it comes: the movie~cineplex where the movie was playing sells not only Coca~Cola, Pepsi, 7up and Nestea but Diet Dr. Pepper too!! There are so many places that don't and I do believe those establishments that don’t sell the fab tasting drink discriminate against it. Anyways, by the book sister  squashed Friday night movie plans by objecting. I suppose I should mention the flick is Rated~R. So what if the movie is laced with gore, violence and nudity? I ask you this question my lovelies: what healthy red blooded male teenager isn’t interested in seeing those things on the big screen? I found “A” objecting to the whole thing quite funny since she herself had no problem showing me horror films starting at a young age.

Surprisingly she gave the green light. After the 3 year old and the baby were put to bed we all gathered in the family room each with a bowl of popcorn on our laps and began watching the cult classic.

For those of you who haven’t seen it:

PLOT: “A young couple named Burt and Vicky {Peter Horton & Linda Hamilton} wander into a mid-western town where all the adults are apparently dead and the children participate in a cult that worships a malevolent force in the corn fields. Based on Stephen King’s Night Shift novella.” 

When I saw this movie for the first time there was one scene that had me screaming at the top of my tiny lungs. Vicky played by Linda Hamilton gets out of the car and proceeds to walk..... hey you can view the scene for yourselves.  

As that scene was approaching I looked at the boys.......The scene came and went. Hmm, there was no reaction. They didn’t flinch, they didn’t jump out of their seats, nothing! Not even a verbal reaction! I grabbed the remote and hit the pause button and questioned why they didn't find the scene frightening? Their replies? Oh boy.

FT: Come on chick, how could you not know something like that was gonna happen?

{Well I certainly didn’t know back then!!}

NFT: Yeah it was totally predictable.

12 YR OLD: Very predictable. It was either that or I was thinking someone was gonna gut her from behind.

The flick came to an end and what did the boys of summer think of the movie? Again, oh boy and good grief. Let me put it to you this way: I lost count how many times they laughed during the film. My God if you only could have heard them one would honestly believe we were watching a comedy and not a horror movie.

12 YR OLD: Corn on the cob sacrifices? Ooh real scary. How will I ever sleep at night? I need mommy.

Not only did the cheeky monkey roll his eyes but he said the above with such extreme sarcasm too. Sheesh!

NFT: It was pitiful. What a cockamamie story. {followed by more laughter}

FT: The movie started off bad and from there it went worse.

What?! Within the first 5 minutes there’s a gruesome slaughter and after wards I was not only afraid at the sight of corn but each time I closed my eyes all I could see was evil looking Malachi holding a bloody knife.

The only thing they found scary about the movie is that 8 more Children Of The Corn movies have been made including a 2009 made-for-TV remake and if there are any fans of the series, good news. Another one is in the works for 2011. You can read all about it here.

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My loyal and dear readers it’s finally Friday and the last weekend of August.

Whatever your plans are have a darling weekend.~x

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

The Boys Of Summer: The Only Place To Eat Authentic Texas Cuisine Is....

Cocaine Princess here.
.
Last week I took the 3 older boys out for lunch. I said to them in a really giddy way:

ME: I’m taking you guys out to a really lovely restaurant for lunch!

The very moment I uttered those words problems began or to be more specific the groaning and eye rolling began. The Non Freckled Twin {NFT} stated:

NFT: If “really lovely restaurant” equals one of those stuffy places you like, I pass.

His twin and the 12 year old were in agreement and protested against the idea.

I then let out a groan. I ask you my lovelies, what's so wrong with eating at a lovely restaurant? I questioned where they wanted to go and what they were in the mood to eat. The 12 year old was very quick in giving his answer:

12 YR OLD: I really don’t care where we go or what we eat as long as I’m able to keep my shoes on.

The NFT patted him on the back and said:

NFT: Good one man.

Okay even I will admit what he said was funny. Very funny. They presented me a list of several restaurant names including Carl Jr. Unfortunately I had to shoot each one of them down since none of those franchises have made their way up here. The freckled twin {FT} suggested another place. I paused for a moment from shock.

ME: That’s a strip joint.

He then shocked me even further with the following statement:

FT: It's classier to call it a Gentleman's Club.

And he said it with a devilish grin too! I made it clear to them we would not be having lunch at a “Gentleman’s Club.” It was definitely out of the question. I was curious to know how he was even aware of that place.

FT: We saw the huge billboard coming out of the airport......Wait, how do you know about it?

I gave him the same reply as he did. Trust me it’s one of those billboards that really stand out.

NFT: According to the billboard they serve the best steaks in town. We wanna see if that’s true or not.

Sister who was hobbling around in the kitchen spoke: 

A: If it's steak you want there are plenty of other steak houses.

FT: But we wanna go there. What’s wrong with having a little shaking and jiggling action as we carve into our steaks?

I couldn't help but giggle quite hard. I said it before and I’ll say it again: The boys of summer are very cheeky. I reminded them of their ages: 14 and 12.

ME: You’re all underage.

FT: Yeah but you’re not. You can go.

ME: Good grief! What am I going to do there?!

NFT: Besides giving us an honest review on their steak? You can take pictures of the entertainment for us.

Again, cheeky.

The 12 year old mentioned another restaurant he had seen coincidentally located in the vicinity of the airport. A restaurant that claims to be “Canada’s Only Authentic Texas Restaurant.” I had only seen the outside of the restaurant but had never actually gone inside to eat but “A” had and gave a glowing review.

ME: When did you eat in there?

A: We had a dinner meeting there in the spring.

A dinner meeting? Seriously? I hardly doubt they were discussing "school~related" items. I’m truly beginning to question these meetings of hers. I do believe they're nothing but an excuse for her and her colleagues to kick back and have a couple of drinkies after work. I absolutely love Tex~Mex food. Hey the spicier the better! I questioned my sister why she never suggested the restaurant to me.

A: Because of its’ atmosphere: It’s modeled after a saloon. It's a lot like Montana's where you eat on wooden tables and sit on wooden benches. The servers are dressed like cowgirls and cowboys and they permit their customers to wear jeans. Darling, does that sound like someplace you would eat in?

The answer is of course no but when you have house~guests staying with you, you do whatever you can to make your guests happy, and to make their stay as pleasurable and memorable as possible. So for the boys of summer I was willing without any hesitation {okay in the beginning there may have been a brief hesitation on my part} to have lunch on wooden benches.... and besides they all put up a united front and insisted I lunch with them there. How could I have possibly said no to my dear guests?

As we piled into the car they all agreed on one thing: The only place to eat authentic Texas cuisine is in the state of Texas.
 
Here are some pictures from the restaurant:

The patio section was full so we ate indoors. Sister was not kidding about it resembling the wild, wild west. The only things missing: a bale of hay and cattle. It was quite busy with the lunch time crowd. After a 20 minute wait we were taken to our table.....


.......Our oh so elegant decorated table. Somebody call up Decor Magazine!! {The salt and pepper shakers were cute I thought}

We received complimentary nachos:

Here is what we ordered:

Appetizers: 

 2 orders of Texas Taquitos {One pic was taken}

 

“Southern-style spring rolls stuffed with Jack cheese, grilled corn, onions, black beans and cilantro in crispy wrappers served with a zesty chipotle plum dipping sauce.”

Main Course:

 Chicken Enchiladas {NFT}

“Three fresh-baked flour tortillas stuffed with Mesquite-grilled chicken, topped with our own Ranchero sauce and Jack & Cheddar cheese.”

 Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich {I ate this}

“Mesquite-grilled chicken breast served on Cheddar jalapeño flatbread with Jack cheese and brushed with garlic and fire-roasted pepper mayo. It came with a side of Chicken Tortilla soup.” 

Famous Chicken Fajitas  {FT & 12 YR OLD)

“Loaded with all the good stuff including grilled peppers & onions, Mexican rice, saddle beans and of course, plenty of fresh-baked tortillas. Fajitas also come with sour cream, Cheddar cheese, our own home-style guacamole and Pico de Gallo.”
     

Mango Margarita

 

The margaritas came in 3 flavors: Original, Strawberry and Mango. Since I wasn't driving I ordered the Mango. Talk about super-licious.


By accident I deleted the picture of what we had for dessert. We all shared: 

Texas-fried Ice Cream--

“A traditional Texas favorite! Vanilla ice cream dusted with cinnamon sugar, rolled in toasted corn flakes and deep fried. Served in a pool of chocolate sauce and topped with whipped cream, crumbled pecans and a cherry.” 

All I can say is, mmm and yum.


Music was also served with lunch. Over and over again songs by those famous guys with the long beards who happen to hail from where else but Texas played at high volume much to the delight of the Houston brothers. I was told ZZ Top is not considered  “old people’s” music either.

Truly I had an awesome time lunching with the Houston brothers. The food was without a doubt what I like to call a triple threat: delicious, hot and spicy. But my opinion didn't matter. The boys of summer are Texans at heart and I was very interested in what they thought of the food. 

So, did the restaurant live up to doing their job by serving authentic Texas food?

The verdict: Close, very close but no cigar.

To quote the Boys of Summer: The only place to eat authentic Texas cuisine is in the state of Texas.

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My loyal and dear readers it's finally Friday! Let's all do our Happy Dance!

Whatever your plans are have a superb weekend.-x

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

The Boys Of Summer: The Art Of Conversation

Cocaine Princess here. 

I would like to share 2 interesting conversations that occurred this week:

CONVERSATION #1

Early one morning it was raining and that meant I couldn’t go for my daily morning jog and on days such as that I use the treadmill. The Freckled twin {FT} was already up and playing with the X-box we purchased especially for the boys. Maybe it’s a male thing but I really don’t get the fascination with X-box. I played one game with the twins and was done. Anyways, he was on the couch in the rec~room and on the table in front of him: an open bag of Doritos Cheeseburger flavored chips {which by the way are the grossest tasting chips ever} and a 2 liter bottle of Coke. The time: 6:30am. I was selecting a couple of CDs to listen to while working out. I informed him HK was awake and would be making breakie shortly and added:

ME: What you’re eating is not a very healthy breakfast.

FT: Said the chic who lives on nothing but Slim~Fast and Corn Pops.

Didn’t I tell you the boys of summer were cheeky? 


ME: I’ll have you know some mornings I eat Fruit Loops.

Not taking his eyes off the TV he questioned what CD’s I had in my hands. I replied I had Madonna’s Confessions and Duran Duran’s Greatest Hits. FT then presented me with a question, a question that nobody has ever asked me before:

FT: Why do you listen to old people’s music?

Old people’s music?! Old people’s music?! Seriously can you believe he said that?! Are you frigging kidding me?! Old people’s music?!

ME: It’s not old people’s music.

FT: Ah yeah it is. Don’t you have any young people’s music?

I pointed to my CD shelves which are filled mostly with Euro~dance and Freestyle music CDs.  My house~guest with the freckle was not impressed with my taste in music and I was okay with that after all to each his/her own until he criticized David Guetta, who is considered one of the world’s top DJs. 


FT: Pfft, that dude is way too over~rated and not very good.

I had a very nice comeback until I remembered something. The Houston brothers are hardcore Van Halen fans. Speaking of Van Halen have you heard the latest: They said it would never happen but the guys have put aside their differences and the band is recording a new album with original flamboyant front man David Lee Roth. Personally I’m not too thrilled about the news. I’ve never been a fan of Roth and don’t even get me started on Gary Cherone. {He was better off staying with Extreme} I’m all for Team Hagar baby! I stated:


ME: You call Madonna and Duran Duran old people’s music what about Van Halen? They’ve been around for a long time too.

FT: Are you comparing Van Halen with that stuff you like? Those guys are legends....Classic Rock.....Rock Gods and what I consider and call music. That stuff you like I wouldn’t exactly call music.

I beg to differ.

CONVERSATION #2 

The following conversation took place one day after my sister broke her toe. I was in the den and sister was in the family room. Squirt went zooming past me and said to “A”

3 YR OLD: Big Sister?

A: Yes little darling, what can I do for you?


3 YR OLD: Brother said you have a big owie on your toe.

ME: No, it's only a small owie. 

Because Squirt was so concerned about her health and welfare he asked:

3 YR OLD: May I have ice cream, please?

I looked at the time: It was nearing 5pm. Oh boy I already knew what sister's answer was going to be. ‘No little darling, it's almost dinner time. You can have ice cream after dinner for dessert.’ My sister refuses to cut this poor kid any slack......or at least so I thought.

A: Yes, you may have some ice cream. Tell HK that big sister said it was okay.
  
I nearly fell sideways off my chair from shock. Who knew all it took was for “A” to break one of her toes to melt that icy-by-the-book-heart-of hers. If only I was in the same room to see the look of excitement on his face. Sister referred to Squirt as a mini ice cream eating monster to which he replied:

3 YR OLD: I like frigging ice-cream!

Oh my God I couldn't believe it. First the boy went commando and now he dropped the PG-13 version of the F-word. If you’ve been following my blog then you know I use the word “frigging” a great deal because I verbally say it a lot. My only guess is Squirt must have heard me saying it without me even knowing. “A” explained to the little one in a very lovingly and teacher~like way, the word “frigging” was not a very nice word to say and made him promise to never say it again. After he did he went zooming into the kitchen with sister reminding him:

A: Little darling remember, no running please.

My lovelies at that point you can imagine the amount of fear I was in because I knew I was going to receive the mother~load of all lectures from sister since she knew exactly where the 3 year old picked up the word. Unfortunately there was no way for me to exit the room without her seeing me....unless I went out the window which I seriously was considering until another thought entered my mind: According to wildlife experts if you ever encounter a bear you should lay down and stay still therefore the bear will leave you alone. So I decided to follow that advice, the staying still part that is. I thought, ‘hmm, maybe if I remain silent she would leave me alone. Yeah, not so much the case. The bear, err I mean sister spoke.

A: You can't stay in there forever.

There was silence on my end.

A: .........One way or another you’re going to have to face me.

That dreaded music you so often hear in movies when a person is about to face their executioner started playing very loudly in my head. I got up from my chair and stuck my head out of the door. I said:

ME: Yes, mi amor?

A: Come here please.

I flat out refused for the fear she was going to beat me with her cane and I even told her so.

A: Don’t be ridiculous! I’m not going to do anything of the sort. I just would like to talk to you.

Talk? Puh-leese! I think you meant to say: ‘I just would like to LECTURE you’ and then I will give you a beating.

She summoned me again and like a brave soldier going into battle I faced her. Sister was on the couch and had one leg up on the ottoman. She folded her arms and stared at me. I then looked at her cane and before she had a chance to grab it I moved it away from her reach. Yes, of course I knew she wasn’t going to beat me with it but you know what they say: better safe than sorry. She opened her mouth. Oh God please let this be a brief lecture and not one of her long ones that puts me into a mind-numbing coma.

A: Darling, you need to be careful what you say and do. Children are like sponges, they soak up everything they observe and hear from their surroundings and the people around them including sometimes developing their same habits.

She’s definitely right about ‘developing the same habits.’ I’ve got the Squirt eating tangerines like me and walking barefoot!  She continued.

A: This maybe a lot to ask but for the rest of the summer can you please refrain from saying that one word you love to say so much?

I nodded yes. Feeling a little cheeky I asked:

ME: Big sister, can I have ice-cream too?

And then I giggled.......

Hey I thought it was funny!!

****

My loyal and dear readers it's finally Friday....THE 13!! {Insert sinister-like laugh} Did you know:

Any month's 13th day will fall on a Friday if the month starts on a Sunday.

Alfred Hitchcock's 100th birthday was on Friday the 13th (1999).

Whatever your plans are have a tremendous weekend.-x

XOXOXOXO,

Cocaine Princess

The Boys Of Summer: We're Don't Live In Bedrock

Cocaine Princess here.

I have 2 little rules in my house.

RULE #1: NO SHOES ALLOWED

I don’t allow anyone inside my home with their shoes on. It doesn’t matter who you are, you must remove your shoes at the door if you wish to come inside. The only time I will make an exception is if you have some type of medical condition that requires you to keep your shoes on. Although a medical note would be appreciated ahead of time otherwise I might be a little skeptical. I don’t want my carpets or my tiles getting all mucky from the bottom of people’s shoes. Even though I know there will be someone there to clean up for me that doesn’t mean I purposely keep a messy/dirty home. I’m a very tidy and neat person. The no shoe wearing policy has always been in effect for as long as I can remember and in my opinion I think it’s a pretty good one to have.

RULE #2: NO SMOKING ALLOWED

Over 90% of my friends smoke. When they visit and feel the need for nicotine they know they must light up outside. I use to tell them if they had to light up they were to do so at the end of the driveway by the sidewalk. Some felt that was a little too extreme especially during the cold months so now I permit them to smoke in the garage which I’m not too thrilled about but hey, what kind of friend would I be if my guests left with frost bite?

Earlier this week The Boys of Summer {the 3 older ones} got a taste of how serious I take rule #1.

One afternoon the boys were shooting hoops in the driveway. In case you’re wondering we specifically bought the hoop for them. You really didn’t think I shoot hoops did you? That afternoon I was catching up on a few things when I started to feel the floor beneath me shake. The cause of it: No it wasn’t an earthquake. It was 3 sweaty teens who came trampling into the house and headed straight into the kitchen. All I could focus on was their shoes and at the same time was on the verge of having a severe panic attack but managed to hold off from having one. I said, “Out! Out! Out! Out! Out!” Like cattle I herded them out of the kitchen and onto the patio through the sliding doors. They all looked at one another while shrugging their shoulders and gave each other looks that  meant, “huh?” Through the patio screen door the Freckled Twin {FT} asked:

FT: Why did you kick us out like that?

ME: You broke rule # 1.

FT: What-- no drinks allowed in the afternoon? We're thirsty.

I nodded my head no. If you can believe it {because I still can’t} the 12 year old rolled his eyes when he figured out what rule I was referring to.

12: We wore our shoes in the house.

Had it not been for the eye rolling I might have given the boy a prize for guessing correctly. The twins looked down at their feet. The Non-Freckled Twin {NFT} spoke.

NFT: Aw, come on. Give us a break! We were outside playing in the driveway. It’s not like we were in the mud.

ME: It doesn’t matter. As you know this house is a shoeless-free zone. No one is allowed to wear their shoes in here.

FT: Yeah about your no shoe wearing rule, we were talking about it the other day and we need to tell you something about it.

ME: Alright, go ahead.

FT: We don't like it so can you get rid of it?

They complained they were slipping and sliding on the floor in the kitchen and foyer when they wore their socks so I suggested an awesome alternative: GO BAREFOOT! In the house I always am with my pedicured feet and polished toes. Even the 3 year old refuses to wear his socks now. He loves the idea of being sock-less. When I suggested to the boys they walk around barefoot, they shot down the idea. When I asked why I was given the following response:

FT: Because we don't live in Bedrock.

Being the wonderful person that I am I came up with a compromise. I offered to take them shopping and buy them slippers. This time before I even had a chance to blink they said no. According to the boys of summer slippers are for old people, like grandpa.

ME: I will find you something stylish, modern and fashionable. I promise.

NFT: Forget it. Squirt will just end up hiding them. Whenever grandpa visits he always steals one of his slippers. His toy~box is filled with mis-matched ones.

I looked over at the 3 year old. He was on couch having a snack and watching the animated movie Planet 51. I made a mental note to myself to ask him later about the slipper stealing thing. Getting back to the boys of summer, long time readers of my blog are well aware I have been called stubborn by my sister on numerous occasions. On that day I was called stubborn not only by 1 of the boys of summer but by all 3 of them, all because I wouldn’t ease up on rule #1. I told them I was sorry but it’s just something I wasn't going to ease up on or even get rid of.  After they removed their sweaty shoes I permitted them back inside the house where they returned into the kitchen to cure their dehydration.


Update: One of the twins has adapted to walking around the house sock-less while the other 2 continue to slip and slide. All 3 however continue to complain that I need to abolish rule #1 and allow guests to keep their shoes on, especially if that's what they prefer.

One morning while out for my run I thought about what the boys had said to me. I started thinking, “hmm, maybe rule #1 is a little too strict and perhaps I should ease up a bit and let guests chose whether or not they want to remove their shoes.”........Nah!! My house, my rules. Rule #1 shall live on.

So now I ask you this my lovelies: don’t you think removing shoes not only promotes a more relaxed atmosphere in the home but from a comfort perspective, doesn’t it seem so much nicer walking around on the carpet without wearing shoes? Those of you who wear shoes in the home: try going shoeless for a week or even better go barefoot. All day your feet are in your shoes so why not set them free my lovelies? Here is something else to consider: did you know that walking around barefoot {around the house} is the easiest way to keep your feet muscles strong?
 
Sometimes I see those posters from the 50's with hubbies sitting around smoking and reading as their wives are cooking or vacuuming in their heels. That’s definitely something you’ll never catch me doing: cooking and cleaning that is. As for wearing heels in the house: I absolutely love wearing high heels but never inside.......unless of course I'm in the bedroom. 

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The other day I was sitting with my little buddy and eating a couple of tangerines with him. Not only have I convinced him to go barefoot like me but I've also got him eating tangerines like me too! I decided to question him about the slippers.

ME: A little birdie told me you like taking your grandpa's slippers and hiding them. How come?

3 YR OLD: Because it's fun watching grandpa look for them.

Coming from a 3 year old I think that's a pretty darn good answer!

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And now to my plants.........

If someone had told me when I first started this blog I would be writing about my plants I would have said they were nuts but here I am doing it.

Last Friday I wrote about the unfortunate demise of my tomato plant so I will instead be writing and posting updates about my Topsy Turvy Chili planter. 

I didn't post a picture of the chili planter only because not much has improved this week. It looks exactly as it did last week. {see post below} HK has been taking very good care of the planter by watering it everyday and even feeding it Miracle Grow and yet it still will not produce any chilies. I don't know what we're doing wrong.
 

Here is something interesting: The same day we put up the Topsy Turvy Tomato planter HK also put a tomato plant in a pot. {Which by the way like the chili planter Mother Nature did not murder}

For some reason the tomatoes in the pot are growing much better and faster than the ones that were in the Turvy.

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My loyal and dear readers it’s finally Friday.

Whatever your plans are have a fantastic weekend.~x

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess