Steamed Artichokes

The kids got up early again and blasted some hardcore rap music for their morning dance party and I thought I was going to lose it.

Flew out of the house and then work, work, work, work, work.

Got home around 5:00 and washed off my son's name written in marker in the downstairs bathroom.  Yelled a little.

Then sat to enjoy one of my favorite special meals - steamed artichokes.

Once every few months I will put this on the menu and we all love it - except my middle one today decided he didn't like it.  They all change their mind depending on their mood, so I don't let it dictate dinner.  If I served it next week there is a good chance he's be back on board.

All you have to do is cut off the top of the artichoke and peel the stem.  Put it in a inch or two of water with lemon and some peeled garlic.  Then steam until tender (knife in middle is easily inserted and leaves pull off easily).

When you get to the "heart" of the artichoke you use a spoon to take off the fuzz before dunking - it's the best part!

Melt butter with some garlic, lemon juice and dash of dried mustard.  Serve with a salad and it's a delicious, different meal from the usual chicken something.  Plus the kids find it amusing (except for mr. grouchy #2) to pull off the leaves and dunk them.  

Tomorrow we're looking forward to going in the morning to take our annual Halloween picture at the pumpkin patch with the kids and then going to an amusement park around noon with some other friends.

Normally I would space out two big events, but I want enough time to make a card with the picture and order them, so want to get it going.  Also if we do it all in one day then I have Sunday off to relax. :)

Get It Done Tip: Birds of a feather flock together.  The college friends we'll see tomorrow and their kids we try to get together with at least once a season.  Because of this we already have mapped out our holiday gathering for December. It's way in advance, but if you know it's going to happen put a place marker down. This ensures things happen.  Usually about a month out we'll all take a look to make sure the date still works so we have enough time to reschedule if needed.