Monthly Archives: March 2009

Family matters

"Now I’m gone and no one cares."

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I realized yesterday that I’d forgotten to share any letters over the last few weeks. So this week, we get two of them. They’re both from Cornell, who was obviously having some drama in his life.

July 4 1942
Camp Pickitt Va

Dear dad,

I am still O.K. but I am worried to death. I am going to have to buy some clothes so I can get some rations. We don’t have enough clothes to keep clean. That is the reason I wrote for the money. I am in hard luck now. And if you knew what I do you wouldn’t think about selling out. You would be glad to know you have a home. I have taken out $5,000 of insurance and the government has the same. So that makes $10,000 dollars insurance. It will be mailed to you so I want it put in a safe place. So send me some money if you can. Tell Polly to send me some hangers.

CM

If hangers and insurance weren’t enough, there’s something going on with Cornell’s love life, too. And whatever it is, it’s turned him into a Fezzik-style poet.

Sept. 4, 1942

Hello everyone,

I haven’t time to say much. But I’m hoping you all are well. Here’s all I have to say. My heart is great for the ones who care. But that ones that don’t theres nothing there.

In time I’ve had a lot to say, and you all tell me to go away, and now I’m gone and no one cares. But someday your eyes will fill with tears.

I always loved only one and she is now the greatest one. I’ll spend my life with that very one that made my life a pleasant one.

Just Cornell

menu plan Monday

Putting the PB in dinner.

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Menu Plan Monday logo

Monday: Peanut butter chicken with coconut rice
As part of my ongoing effort to get Poppy to eat what we’re eating, we’ll be having peanut butter for dinner. I hope it’s delicious.

Tuesday: Fish sticks & macaroni and cheese
Of course, then it’s back to eating off the kids’ menu.

Wednesday: Veggie noodle bowls
I’m not sure how this one’s going to come out yet, so I don’t really know what to call it. I’m planning to use ramen noodles and stir-fry veggies with a Pad Thai-ish sauce. We’ll see.

Thursday: Breakfast for dinner!
I’m still not sure why the kids get such a kick out of having pancakes for dinner.

Friday: Pizza
I haven’t been making my own pizza dough lately, because I’ve been too busy I’ve been lazy. I’m going to try to do it again this week.

Update!
Friends, you need to try the peanut butter chicken. Poppy did, and she said, “Ooo, this is scrumptious!” Really. And she’s right. It’s yummy. I modified the original recipe quite a bit. Here’s my version:

Scrumptious Peanut Butter Chicken
Enough olive oil to coat the bottom of your skillet
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – cut into 1 inch cubes
1 medium onion, diced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1 tablespoon fish sauce
2 teaspoons red curry paste (or to taste)
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, and cook until chicken starts to turn white. Add the onion and season with salt and pepper. Cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour the tomatoes into the skillet and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Combine peanut butter, fish sauce, curry paste and chicken broth in a small bowl. Add peanut butter mixture to chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens. (It doesn’t take long.)

We had this with coconut rice, which is really easy to make. Just sub in a can of coconut milk for part of the water and cook as usual.