Mother of the Year

Many mothers of children with Down Sydrome have warned/told me stories about how our little ones have a tendancy to escape and disappear at the drop of a hat. I doubt that is true across the board with kids who have DS, but it is problem we now own. AVH is walking like a pro and loves to be outside which has now brought us into the "watch-him-like-a-hawk" phase of life. This especially becomes a problem when his two older brothers can't seem to remember to close doors. We will quickly be moving to "out of reach door chain" phase of life as well.

Today while I was so serenely reading in my bed (husband off at meetings, kids playing in the basement or so I thought) I heard the voice of a strange man in my house. I walked out to see what was going on and I found my 19 year old heighbor in my hallway holding AVH. Apparently, my little one escaped out the front door (left wide open by two older brothers who were setting up their Feather-Selling-Stand on the Sabbath in the front yard. A Feather Stand is similar to their Rock stand and Water stand that have all been money makers for my boys. Go figure.) crossed the street, walked down the block to the neighbor's house who has two terrifying dogs and gigantic trucks, walked into his open garage, into the house, and interrupted a room full of guys playing poker! Holy Cow. My next-door-neighbor who knows AVH well clued into the situation and brought him home. Uh, can you scary?!!! And embarrassing?!! That was the last straw before my emotional breakdown - which we all are entitled to once-in-a-while. Let me just say it's been a rather awful weekend no thanks to my husband's job, his church calling, and his three children. No Mother of the Year prize today.



Kind of makes you want to escape yourself huh? How about Hawaii? I made these Hawaiian pork chops the other night - a rare Saturday night that I actually cooked a decent meal. I have often been disappointed by pork chop recipes that just don't turn out that flavorful. I have to say, it is the sauce on these chops that makes you want to lick your plate. It's simple but tasty. What more can you ask for? I know . . . an actual beach, sand under your feet, and a cool tropical breeze might beat it. Oh well, we can't have it all.

Hawaiian Pork Chops

6 pork chops
1 Tbsp. olive oil
20 oz. can pineapple rings, juice reserved
apple juice
1 tsp. Worcesterchire sauce
1 tsp. salt
dash pepper
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. water

Drain the pineapple juice. Add apple juice to the pineapple juice to make 2 cups total. Add the Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper to the juices. Brown the pork chops in the olive oil. Place a pineapple ring on each chop - throw the extras in the pan too. Pour the juice mixture over the chops and simmer until the pork chops are cooked through (160-170 degrees). Mix the cornstarch and water together and add to the pan. Cook until thickened. Serve the chops with mashed potatoes and the gravy from the pan.

Notes: I know mashed potatoes sounds a little odd with pineapple rings but it is pretty good. I have been a big fan lately of mashing potatoes with a hand mixer. It makes them so creamy and smooth. YUM. Don't forget to add enough butter and salt to those spuds. I am also a sucker for Worcestershire sauce - I almost always add more than a recipe calls for 'cause I love it. And I did that with these chops.