Gavin Tail Twister #26: I Like Pie

Gavin Tail Twister #25: Not Thank You!

So every year at the end of school, our kids bring home all their papers and classwork. I usually look through all of the piles of papers and keep what I think they may enjoy looking at when they get to be say maybe in high school or college or even to flash up on the big screen during some great event of their lives. This year I found a cute little note my son Gavin(7) wrote to my husband and me for this years open house which by the way for what ever reason we did not attend.

The letter goes like this...

Dear Mom and Dad

Thank you for going to open house.

I love you for going.

You are the best parents ever!

If you don't get this, then

NOT THANK YOU!

Since we did not attend, I guess the Not Thank You applies!

Thanks for your honesty Gavin!

American Idol Pool: Scotty Wins!

Here are the results for the 2011 American Idol Pool. Girl Called Gregg is the winner with 120 points. Sorry YoYo!

	Week 1: Pick 1 To Leave (11 left) 25 points	Week 2: Pick 1 To Leave (9 left) 25 points	Week 3: Pick To Leave (8 left) 20 points	Week 4: Pick To Leave (7 left) 20 points	Week 5: Pick To Leave (6 left) 15 points	Week 6: Pick To Leave (5 left) 15 points	Week 7: Pick To Leave (4 left) 10 points	Week 8: Pick To Leave (3 left) 10 points	Finale Week 9: Pick The Winner (2left) 10 points	SECRET GUESS (Pick The 2010 American Idol) 50 points
Voted OFF	Naima & Thia	Pia	Paul	Stefano	Casey	Jacob	James	Haily	SCOTTY	SCOTTY
Random Knowledge	Naima +25	Stefano	Haily	Jacob	Jacob	Jacob 40	Haily	Haily 50	Lauren	Pia
Magic 8 Ball	Says No no to Stephano	Stefano	Haily	Stefano Total=20	Jacob	Jacob 35	Lauren	Lauren	Scotty 45	Casey
Smedium I Wish	Naima +25	Lauren	Stefano	Haily	Jacob	Jacob 40	Scotty	Haily 50	Lauren	Pia
Swim Mama	Naima +25	Stefano	Haily	Jacob	Jacob	Jacob 40	Lauren	Lauren	Scotty 50	James
Lady Called Greg	Thia +25	Stefano	Haily	Stefano Total=45	Jacob	Jacob 60	Lauren	Lauren	Scotty 70	Scotty 120
Big Country	Naima +25	Cassey	Haily	Stefano Total=45	Jacob	Jacob 60	Haily	Lauren	Lauren	James
Yo-Yo	Naima +25	Paul	Paul Total=45	Stefano Total=65	Jacob	Jacob 80	Haily	Haily 90	Lauren	Pia
G. G.	Haily +0	Haily	Haily	Jacob	Jacob	Jacob 15	Haily	Lauren	Scotty 25	James

Recipes: 2 Minute Microwave Corn on the Cob

Years ago my friend at work would bring everyone fresh corn on the cob, a stick of butter and a roll of wax paper. We would all gather in the break room shuck our corn rub some butter on it and roll it up in wax paper and twist the ends. We'd stick them in the microwave one by one and the result was unbelievable! Thanks Gwen for all the years of corn and shucking memories. I can't wait for this years crop to come in. This method of corn cooking was one I adopted at home because it was quick and easy and my kids loved it. The loved the aroma, they love the taste and they love those corn holders you stick in the ends of the cob so you can hold your corn easily.

Now that everyone is more health conscious, we don't use butter in our house for corn, we use butter spray and it is just as good especially if you get really sweet corn. Here is how to do it...

4 large corn on the cobs (shucked and rinsed)

butter spray

wax paper

Spray each cob with a generous amount of butter spray and roll the corn up in a piece of wax paper twisting the ends to secure the corn inside. Microwave each piece for 2 minutes on hi. (Only 90 sec for small pieces). Remove wax paper and put on corn holders and you are ready to eat. E Z !!!

Baseball Problem Solved #3: 12 Kinds of Pitches Moms So Learn Them For Your Young Ball Player

Here are what the various pitches look like. When your kid is arguing about what kind of pitch they got you can know what your talking about and show them. This was found on TheCompletePitcher.com. Here are 12 different types of baseball pitches and how they move when thrown correctly. Notice the side view below each grid picture to see how they come in and over the home plate.

Recipes: Sambar Powder (Spice Combination)

Mix these seeds and grind them together to make a spicy combination that will turn any vegetable or soup fiery hot. Sautee your fresh vegies with olive oil and a teaspoon of this powder to make a spicy side for dinner. Mix 1 tsp sambar powder in with chunky tomato and onion soup.

2 1/2 tbsps coriander seeds

4-5 dried red chillies

2 tbs channa dhal

2 tbs urid dhal

1/2 tsp pepper corns

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp fenugreek seeds

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp asafoetida powder

5-7 fresh curry leaves (optional)

Dry roast each ingredient except turmeric and asafoetida for 5 minutes each and set aside. Blend each ingredient in a small blender, a pepper mill or a coffee grinder. Then, blend all together pulsing to combine the ingredients. Store in an air tight container for up to 3 months.

Recipes: Garam Masala (Spice Combination)

Garam Masala-Deep Smoky Aroma Version:

A combination of spices that gives a sweet smoky aroma and flavor to your food. It is not spicy to taste. It is used in many north Indian dishes.This spice combination can be used in any soup, over potatoes, stir fried with olive oil and vegetables. When made can be kept for up to 3 months in an air tight container.

1 tablespoons cumin seeds            
1 tablespoons coriander seeds
3/4 tablespoons cardamom seeds
3/4 tablespoons black peppercorns
1 (1-inch) stick cinnamon, broken up
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Dry roast in a pan all seeds and cinnamon until they turn a couple of shades darker or abouot 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn them. Grind the seeds in a small blender, a spice mill, or a coffee grinder. Add the grated nutmeg and pulse to blend all the ingredient. Store in airtight container.

Baseball Problem Solved #2: Eyes Down On The Ball! Here Is The Drill To Make That Happen.

One problem both my children have is keeping their eyes on the ball when it is their turn in the batters box. The result ... well a lot of strike outs. If you want to help your child become a better hitter earlier rather than later, follow these simple tips.

Tip 1: Explain what keeping your eyes on the ball means. What does this mean and how do you get your little hitter to actually do this. If you have ever examined a still photo of a baseball player actually hitting a home run ball, you will notice the ball is already mid air heading for the upper deck and the batters eyes are still focused on the point of contact where the ball met with the bat. Keeping you eye on the ball as it makes contact is imperative!

Tip 2: Holding your eyes focused on the contact point where the ball hits the bat is just as important. That is "Head Down" and eyes fixed "On The Ball" at contact and keep it there until you are through your swing! Why you ask? If you do not do this your lagging shoulder will drop (while you are trying to see where you hit your ball) resulting in the body shifting instead of rotating which will result in pushing the ball instead of hitting with the greatest potential velocity. What you get is usually a pop fly. If you want to see your ball sail KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL AT CONTACT AND STAY FOCUSED ON THAT CONTACT POINT UNTIL YOU GET THROUGH YOUR SWING!

Tip 3: A good friend told us to do this with our first son, but it is a lot harder to get your young hitter to cement in this idea of watching the ball all the way into the catcher's mitt. Whenever your child has trouble making contact with the ball, do this simple drill with your child to re-train their eyes to stay on the ball. Here is the exercise our friend told us to do. For older children you can simply have them stand in the batters box ready to hit the ball. Have the pitcher pitch to the catcher without the hitter hitting the ball. The hitter must follow the balls path from the point of release from the pitchers hand until it is in the catcher's mitt. (Thanks Randy!)

Tip 4: To ensure that your child is not simply standing there pretending like mine do, have he/she tell you what kind of ball was thrown ( curve, two seam fast, four seam fast, knuckle, slider, change up etc..) and whether it it would have been a strike or a ball. It is important for the hitter to watch the ball until it is in the catcher's mitt. If your working with a younger child say 7 or 8, put some colored markings on the ball with a colored marker before you do this exercise. Ask your young hitter to tell you what color polka-dots were on the ball and if it would have been a ball or a strike. They will think this is a fun game and with out even knowing, they will build muscle memory with their eyes to watch the ball. Graduate to balls to which you have colored the seems with thick permanent marker of various colors. This will help them start to recognize the ball and rotation of the ball.Once they have mastered doing this exercise without actually trying to hit the ball, add them swinging to try and hit the balls. Once they are making consistent contact with the ball stress the importance of holding their eye at the point of contact through their swing. This method of ball striking gives your hitter a much better chance at a home run.

It is frustrating and sad to watch your child struggle with hitting. I have been in that seat long enough until now. I will admit, I knew nothing about baseball until my children started playing. I want them to succeed at what ever they do so I do my part by reading a ton about what ever it is they are struggling with so I can have constructive conversations with them. There is unlimited information about baseball hitting on the Internet available to anyone willing to take the time to search for it. Hopefully this will start you off in the correct direction. Don't wait for someone (a coach or the right coach) to come along and teach your kids these basics. I wish I had known these few tips when my first son was starting to play. Oh well, as Canadian Man (my husband) would say...Better Late Than Later!