Rankin's Thoughts #17

RANKIN: Look mom, I've got your favorite toy.

RANKIN: I'm due for a nap so there's no way I'll win this staring contest.

RANKIN: Thanks for bringing me to this museum that I'll have no memory of going to.

Rankin's Thoughts #16

RANKIN: I knew my parents weren't cool.

RANKIN: I would smile but I have spinach in my gums.

RANKIN: I pay my own car insurance, too.

Rankin's Thoughts #15

RANKIN: This guy is begging for a shirt change.

RANKIN: The baby in this mirror is freakishly handsome.

RANKIN: Will someone please get this lady a shopping cart?

Rankin's Thoughts #14

RANKIN: That flight attendant totally wants to hold me.

RANKIN: Taxi!

RANKIN: Eww, this broccoli tastes like broccoli.

Rankin's Thoughts #13

RANKIN: This sunflower smells terrible. What was Elizabeth Arden thinking?

RANKIN: Dad, can we run to Home Depot? I've got an idea.

RANKIN: If someone will put a nipple on this thing I'll give it a try.

Salad: 1950s Style

"Welcome home, honey, we're having salad for dinner."

I'm fairly certain that in their 50+ years of marriage my grandmom never once said that to my grandad. Salads were side dishes only. But back then grandmom also kept a tin can full of bacon grease on her stove.

There's a restaurant in midtown NYC called Penelope that serves a warm meatball salad. Oxi-moron? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely. Manly? You betcha. Filling? Absolutely.

These are turkey meatballs loosely based on this Giada recipe.

But I like to add rosemary because it's yummy and in my front yard.

Every salad I make turns out like a Greek salad

but you can put them over any kind you like.

PS. This dish also passes my "I have a 5-month old and can't spend more than 30 minutes making dinner" test.

PPS. Making a lot of meatballs and freezing them seems smart to me. Then I could make spaghetti, subs, and more meatball salads!!

Rankin's Thoughts #12

RANKIN: I got one foot out. Now I'll work on the rest.

RANKIN: Say "uncle" old man.

RANKIN: I have no earthly idea what that is but I know without a doubt that I want to put it in my mouth.

Rankin's Thoughts #11

RANKIN: If I #2 in the capitol will they still let me be governor one day?

RANKIN: What do you say we try this again in 20 years?

RANKIN: If I can just...get...my toes...around...that....taquito.

Rankin's Thoughts #10

RANKIN: Not bad, but I prefer realist fiction. I just don't believe a bunny would search for a rainbow.

RANKIN: Ewww, lawyer kisses.

RANKIN: I need to switch to skim.

Rankin's Thoughts #9

RANKIN: boob...ceiling fan...dad's beard...plush frog...other boob...

RANKIN: I'm spitting up in 5...4...3...2...

RANKIN: I bet if I press that thing's nose it will play a song.

Girls Weekend in Horseshoe Bay

Erin organized a fun weekend for the ladies on her trip down from NYC. Rankin was the only boy given a pass to the estrogen party. There was reality TV, gossip magazines, boxed wine, enchiladas, queso, and loooooots of girl talk.

Thanks to Lauren and her gracious in-laws we had a beautiful house to stay in.

Rankin and I set up camp in the Casita.

My boy got lots of attention from the ladies. It was so wonderful having six willing babysitters around at all times.

It's not a girls weekend without 7-layer dip.

...and queso.

The pool was tip top. We spent as much time there as possible.

My baby's first swim!

Pool time with his betrothed, Madison.

Lots of naps on me.

The cabanas were a life saver for those of us who are scared of the sun.

Maddy was so impressive. If she can find her fingers she can sleep anywhere!

Thankfully these enormous margaritas weren't very strong.

The whole group! (Poor Rankin's mean mom made him wear a hat that was too big for him and kept blinding him.)

We had lots of fun and there are already rumors of going back next year!

Rankin's Thoughts #8

RANKIN: The L train isn't running so I'm going to take my ironic onesie to McCarren Park.

RANKIN: Clearly the essence of quantum electrodynamics lies in the renormalization of gravity particles.

RANKIN: Maybe if I flirt with the waitress she'll bring us a free carafe of pinot noir.

Rankin's Thoughts #7

RANKIN: Where's the drink holder on this thing?

RANKIN: Do you smell dog?

CASEY: Do you smell baby?

RANKIN: Give me one of those tortillas to put around these fingers.