Dinner Conversation

Tonight at dinner, Shane mentioned that the first man in space was a Russian.
Shayla: "Oh, in history we were talking about the Russians getting into space first and that it caused the Americans to go into a frenzy to step up science and math in the schools. They really wanted to catch up."

Me: (Missing the "to" and completely baffled as to why ketchup would be so important in the Space Race) "Ketchup? Wasn't ketchup already invented by then?"

Shayla: "Why no, as a matter of fact they were all 'We must have a condiment, made of tomatoes--and before the Russians!'"

Shane: "Our students must get on this right away!"

Sam: "It will contain vinegar and sugar and the secret ingredient: X!"

Cue the hysterical laughter--we really crack ourselves up.

Pretty in Pink

Today was Fast Sunday--no we don't speed through the meetings so it goes "fast" as several of my children had hoped when they were little...but we fast two meals and contribute an offering for those in need that is equivalent to the cost of the two meals (but in a generous estimation). That means that everyone is spiritually filled but very hungry by the time dinner rolls around. In fact they usually start talking about dinner on the ride home from church. Today, they all agreed that fettuccine Alfredo sounded delicious. Then Sam requested Seth's famous Chicken Parmigiana to go with it. Seth so generously agreed to make some for us.
I think he looks dashing in my pink apron.

He also made the Alfredo sauce--from scratch.

Sam agreed to be his assistant.

He donned the famous "Landa" apron.

He mentioned that I should get a Sunshine Yellow Apron to match my Kitchen-aid mixer, so he would have a colorful apron to wear like Seth did.

Seth put him to work scrubbing the pot.

Sam: "Is this clean enough for you?"

Seth: "You're going to be eating whatever comes out of it,

so you tell me!"

Seth's so good at this he can do it with his eyes closed!

Mmmm, golden brown deliciousness.

Dinner's ready...

Come and eat!

Dinner Conversation

Last night at dinner I mentioned that I saw eggplant at the grocery store and thought of getting it to make lasagna...

Shayla: Eggplant? In lasagna?
Mom: Yes, you cut it into thin strips and use it in place of the lasagna noodles.
Sam: EWWWW! Yuck! Not at the table!
Shane: Please! We're eating here!

Dinner Conversation

While we were in Utah to greet our new granddaughter, we had the chance to get together with our kids who live there. Shanna was kind enough to host dinner at her home Sunday night and she and Siara put on a lovely spread. It was so nice to sit down with our older four and Shanna's hubby and enjoy dinner and conversation.

Austin works at a sporting goods store and was telling us how guns are selling like hotcakes because people are worried about gun restrictions after the presidential election.

Austin: Yeah, business is booming--we are selling guns like crazy. People are worried they won't be able to get guns after the election.

Siara (who works at Nordstrom in the handbag dept.): I wish they felt the same way about handbags.

Dinner Conversation

I made turkey stew today with the leftovers from our Conference turkey. Because it includes VEGETABLES the children were complaining. Since they insulted the stew, I felt the need to point out that they were scarfing down the biscuits...
Mom: These biscuits are delicious--if I do say so myself.
Shayla: Well, aren't you a little full of yourself?
Dad: (Sucking up as a good husband should) They are perfect--golden brown, flaky and delicious.
Shane: Just like an orange kitten.
Everyone: Huh?

Dinner Conversation

We were having stir-fry which I make with the frozen vegetables from Costco.

"Where does baby corn come from?"

"Well...when the Daddy corn and the Mommy corn love each other very much..."

"NO! STOP! Nevermind."

Dinner Conversation

We were discussing homework at dinner last night and Shayla was complaining about math.
Shayla: I hate fractions. I just refuse to do them. I will not do fractions.
Mom: So...you refuse to do fractions on what grounds? It's against your religious principles?
Seth: Yeah, fractions are unholy numbers!
Shayla: That's right! Because God doesn't do anything HALF-WAY!

Dinner Conversation

Last night we were having a "School Has Started Family Dinner"-- wherein we gather 'round the table at a reasonable hour and share a hearty repast seasoned with plenty of witty banter (and in the interest of full disclosure: plenty of brother/sister mockery and even some rude behavior--which I promise I try to keep to a minimum!)
Shayla: In Jessica's science class they have to memorize the WHOLE Periodic Table!
All: {Exclamations of shock}
Mom: Oh, I had to memorize the Periodic Table when I was in school. I can't believe how many elements have been discovered since then! Of course back in my day we only had the three: water, earth and fire.
All: {Lots of laughing}
Shane: What about the wind?
Mom: We didn't believe in wind because we couldn't see it. And of course FIRE was a recent discovery at the time.