Yesterday it was quite warm here. I think it got into the 70s. When I picked Campbell up from school he had on his jacket. He started complaining about how hot he was. “Man, I’m hot. I am burning up. I am hot like God’s bush.”
Tonight on the ride home from swim lessons the song Suit and Tie by Justin Timberlake came on the radio. The lyrics go
“I be on my suit and tie sh*t, tie sh*t, tie
I be on my suit and tie sh*t, tie sh*t
Can I show you a few things?”
First let me say I had no idea until just now when I check the lyrics that they said shit. Maybe it’s not in the radio version here? Anyway on the part where he says “Can I show you a few things?” Campbell asked if it said, “Can I show you a fruit maze?” I love the way he thinks!
Last night the snow started coming down fast and steady around 7p.m. at our house. The kids were so excited to wake up to a winter wonderland. This is a picture of our trash/recycle cans to give you an idea of how much we got.
After a few minutes in the white stuff with the sun shining we thought it would be best to go sledding first instead of building a snowman incase it melts quickly. The hill in our neighborhood was filled with families that had the same thought I guess.
I have a couple of videos to post of them going down the hill on their sleds too.
Nothing like something chocolatey to warm ya up!
We made it back safe and sound although very tired and worn out just a week and a half ago. We arrived at the airport in Raleigh (that’s where Iceland Air flies in to) at almost midnight on the Monday the 22nd and arrived home after the drive about 2a.m. on the 23rd!
I think one of the most exciting things for the kids this year is that we’d celebrate Halloween in the States. It’s not as big of an event in Sweden. No trick or treating and such. Also it tends to be a bit more gory in terms of costumes.
I’m not sure how I’ve pulled this off but each year since Campbell has been born, but I’ve talked the kids into doing a theme together. The first year was easy of course because Campbell was 6 months old. He went as Boots, the monkey, Dora’s (Mara’s) side kick. The next year since Mara was obsessed with zebras, she was a zebra and Campbell a penguin. The animals from Madagascar. Year 3 was a couple of super heros, a small spiderman with muscles and super girl. Last year was a knight and a damsel while we were in Sweden. This year I just knew the themes were over as they both have lots of ideas and opinion. Auntie Jen to the rescue, my sister, came up with such a great idea that Campbell bought it! Mara knew from the first mention of Halloween she wanted to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She loves the books in that series. I mentioned the tin man to Campbell and he seemed a little interested. I told my sister and she said he should go as the tornado and boom that was all he needed to hear! It’s perfect if you know him. He is quite the rambunctious little boy.
Thanks for such a great Dorothy side-kick idea sis. The theme lives on another year!
Yes, today October 4th, was a special day in Sweden. I know I told myself I’d abstain from the sweets with all my indulgences of pasteis de Belem and gelato in Lisbon but I just couldn’t resist when there is a day devoted to a sweet treat.
Neither could the kids!
Campbell had a play date. This is one of his friends, Yuta, enjoying one as well.
This is a shot of one of my kids dinner plates. Just for an idea of the finished look of the boneless smoked paprika chicken thigh.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin on, chicken thighs
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or Ancho chili pepper powder spice also works well (picture below)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp red palm oil (or sub with coconut or avocado oil which I do)
- salt and pepper to taste
*
Pre-heat oven to bake at 425 degrees
- Rise chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towel. Place into a large ziplock bag
- In a small mixing bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and red palm oil. (You could also add directly to the bag)
- Pour seasonings over chicken, seal bag, and toss until the chicken is fully covered.
- Place chicken thighs on a broiling pan, and sprinkle with salt & pepper.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, if boneless or using convection reduce the cooking time. Usually takes my boneless in convection ~20 mins. to cook.
A friend shared this on FB with me. Thanks Claire. I think she mentioned it was one of the Everyday Paleo recipes. It’s my easy go to for a quick dinner that everyone loves. I’ve even subbed ancho chili powder spice for the smoked paprika when I couldn’t find it here in Sweden and it was also fabulous so play around with it!!
