Best of the Weekend # 112 and Visiting Day at Camp!

Hi everyone! It's the BEST time OF THE WEEKEND!
I'm so sorry I couldn't show any features last week.
We had just gotten back from vacation, and while we were away,
it seems that lightning hit our telephone line,
and knocked out our internet, phones, and TV.
Thankfully, Verizon came the next day to get us up and running. 

I'm posting this early, because we are driving up to camp for Visiting Day! 
(Please come back to link up your posts at 8pm when the party goes live).
Junior Goo Shoes has been gone for three weeks,
and I can't wait to see him! 
This year, because he is a counselor-in-training,
we are allowed to take him out of camp tonight.
 I can assure you that the first question he'll ask when he sees us, will be,
"Did you bring my phone?" 

We have to get him back to camp by 9:45pm,
but then we get to spend the day with together tomorrow at camp for Visiting Day.
Mr. Goo Shoes and I are kind of melancholy;
it's JGS' last summer at camp, and therefore,
this is our last Visiting Day. 
Sob.

Enough about me.
Let's get on with the party! 

************
Say hello to our fantastic and talented co-hosts...

Cindy: Little Miss Celebration|FB|Twitter|Google+|Pinterest

Deb: Cooking On The Front Burner|FB|Twitter|Google+|Pinterest|Instagram

Ginnie: Hello Little Home |FB|Twitter|Google+|Pinterest|Instagram

Sheryl: Lady Behind The Curtain |FB|Twitter|Google+|Pinterest|Instagram

Amy (me!): Ms.Toody Goo Shoes|FB|Twitter|Google+|Pinterest|Instagram
 
Remember that each co-host selects her own favorite posts, 

giving you a better chance of being featured each week,

so be sure to check out Ginnie, Cindy, Sheryl, and Deb 
to see if you were featured on their blogs.

And...we'll each be pinning our features to a 
Pinterest "Best of the Weekend" Features board!

Follow Cindy Eikenberg (Little Miss Celebration)'s board Best of the Weekend Features! on Pinterest.

This week's most clicked link was:

Handheld S'mores Mini Pies from The Rebel Chick
I would love to sink my teeth into three one of these.

My features for this week are...

Banana Macadamia Pancakes with Coconut Syrup from The Food Nanny
Reminds me of what Junior Goo Shoes ate for breakfast in Hawaii.  
Oh, that coconut syrup makes me swoon!

Low Country Boil from Chasing Quaintness
Reminds me of our great meals in South Carolina last summer.
It looks easy enough for this northern gal to try, y'all. 

Skillet Stone Fruit Galette from The Crafting Foodie
 Reminds me that I have a skillet pan, just sitting in the cabinet.
I'm digging it out to make this.

Relaxing Porch Oasis from The Coconut Head's Survival Guide
Reminds me of the fact that I don't know how to relax.
I think I'd like to practice on this porch!


Picture Perfect Italy Pt.1 from Simple Nature Decor
  Reminds me of trips to Italy...TAKE ME BACK! 

And that reminds me - it's time to link up!

An InLinkz Link-up

SImple Macaroni Salad and Welcome Home!

How do you prefer your macaroni salad --

Mayonnaisey or Vinegary?

 

I am on the mayonnaise side of the fence;

in fact, I do not like macaroni salad at all 
if it has vinegar in it. 

Maybe it's because I like the way my mother made it. 

In fact, this is her recipe.

Well, I doubt that it is her recipe.
She probably got it from the back 
of a mayonnaise jar, or box of macaroni.

It's nothing fancy...

just plain, old-fashioned, simple macaroni salad.

Junior Goo Shoes likes Mayonnaisey Macaroni salad, too.

It must be hereditary.

In fact, he can eat massive amounts of it.

Not me.

 No, I can restrain myself and eat dainty, lady-like portions. 

Contrary to what you may think,

I do not use a shovel to dish it onto my plate.

Of course not.

When Junior Goo Shoes came home from camp on Sunday, 

I made one of his favorite meals...

Filet mignon, corn on the cob, and macaroni salad.

We were so excited to hear all about his summer, 

because four of his seven weeks at camp
were spent on a cross-country tour,
visiting lots of national parks.

We didn't even get to go to Visiting Day this summer,

because the kids were traveling then,

so we were chomping at the bit to hear all about the trip.  

"It was great." 

WHAT? That's it? 

Four weeks in five different states, 
seeing some of the most awesome places in this country, 
and all he could summon up were three little words?
I swear, I was ready to say,
"No macaroni salad for you!"

Not really.

The poor kid was so tired

he practically fell asleep in that big ol' plate of mac salad.

After a good night's sleep, and some macaroni leftovers,
Junior GS was ready to tell us all about 
"The Trip..."
 which he says, was "the best summer of my life."  

Who could ask for more than that :) :)

Now, you know I'd rather do anything but cook,

but this mac salad is so easy, 

 it's barely considered cooking. 

A pound of macaroni will make a ton...

a half-pound will make about 8-10 side-dish servings,

or four servings, if you're us. 

You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand...

I usually use grated carrots, diced celery,

and finely chopped red onion,

but I've used peppers, cucumbers and scallions, too.
Don't feel like you have to measure the vegetables...

adjust the amounts to your personal preference.  
I think it tastes best when it's made the day before serving.

MACARONI SALAD

1/2 pound Elbow Macaroni
1/2 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup mayonnaise + 1/4 to 1/2 cup additional
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook macaroni according to package directions.
Rinse with cold water, and let macaroni cool.
Mix in vegetables; then mix in mayonnaise.
Season to taste.
Refrigerate until chilled.
Before serving, add more mayonnaise, since the mayonnaise will have soaked into the macaroni.

Enjoy!

 Linking with:
What's It Wednesday
Whimsy Wednesday 
Home and Garden Thursday
Time To Sparkle 
Simple and Sweet Friday 
Foodie Friday
Weekend Social 
Let's Get Real  
Fabulously Creative Friday
Feathered Nest Friday  
Home Sweet Home
Weekend Bloggy Reading  
Best of the Weekend
It's Overflowing 
Bouquet of Talent 
Tweak It Tuesday  
Treasure Box Tuesday
Sunday Showcase

 

Packing Up The Camp Trunks

Yes,  I have finally lost my mind. 

Too much camp packing can do that to a person.

This song just kind of wrote itself while I was gathering all the stuff Junior Goo Shoes needs for camp.

Now...everyone sing along with me...

"I've Been Packing Up The Camp Trunks"

by Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

To be sung to the tune of "I've Been Working On The Railroad"

I've been packing up the camp trunks

Pick-up day is near...

I've been packing up the camp trunks, 

So my kid has all his gear...

Don't you hear the campers shouting,

"Mom, you forgot my comb..."

Can't you hear the campers shouting,

"Mom, why'd you leave that home?"

"Don't forget the sheets...

Don't forget my cleats...

Don't forget my underwe-ee-ear!

Don't forget my bat...

Don't forget my hat...

Don't forget my folding chair!"

Someone's gotta find the hiking boots,

Flashlight, deck of cards and five bathing su-uits...

Bugspray, backpack, and two foam egg crates...

And something for the camp bunk mates...

AND AL-SO...

Shirts,

Soaps,

Stamps and envelopes...

Remembered the toothpaste, too, I ho-ope.

Shorts,

Sweats,

Rain pancho and also-o-o...

Six shirts with the camp logo!

*****  
I've been packing up the camp trunks,

Oy vey! I've had enough!

I've been packing up the camp trunks,

So my kid has all his stuff.

Don't you hear the campers shouting,

"You forgot my baseball cap!"

Can't you hear the campers shouting...

"I have no jock strap!"

"Mom, that doesn't fit,

I swear it doesn't fit...

Mom, that doesn't fit no mo-o-ore!

Mom, I really grew,

I need something new...

C'mon, just take me to the store!"

I forgot to buy those cardboard drawers.

Where's the face paint for color wa-ar?

Gotta label thirty pairs of socks!

And damn this under-bed box!

Oh... %*&#   it!

Mad

Libs

Extra batteries...

Five more towels I gotta squee-eeze,

Shin

guards,

and a sleeping bag...

Yeah, packing for camp's a breeze!

Can someone else do it, please?

You may also like: 

 

Letters From Camp: What I Need For Visiting Day

LINKING WITH:

Turn It Up Tuesday

Treasurebox Tuesday 

Sunday Showcase 

Ladies Only Blog Share 

Let's Get Real 

Welcome Home "Brookies"

He's home!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After being away for seven weeks, Junior Goo Shoes is finally home from camp. 

The parents were cheering and clapping as the buses pulled into the parking lot, unaware that on board the buses, the campers were chanting…

"TURN A-ROUND! TURN A-ROUND!"

Thankfully the bus driver didn't listen, and the kids got off the buses with great big smiles. 

There were lots of hugs all around, and then we were on our way home with Junior Goo Shoes in tow.

Sadie was ecstatic when Junior GS walked in the door. When we left this morning, she seemed all excited, kind of like she knew he was coming home.

Junior GS dropped his stuff all over the front hall.  Yup, he's home.

It took…

1 minute to say, "Where's my phone?'

2 minutes to start texting…

5 minutes to jump on the couch, fire up the laptop and log in to Facebook…

6 minutes to turn on the TV...

30 whole minutes to go downstairs and play X-box...

1 hour to ask "What's to eat"

2 hours to say "I'm bored."

He's home. 

After seven weeks of beefy mac and cheese and bug juice, it is my annual ritual to prepare Junior Goo Shoe's favorite meal for dinner on his first day home. I made steak, home-made macaroni salad and corn-on-the-cob.

And for dessert, I made Brookies:

Half Brownie, Half Cookie.

I'd seen recipes for Brookies floating around Facebook over the summer, and knew it would be something Junior GS would like.  

I found this one from Just A Pinch Recipes. Normally, I stay away from mixes, preferring to bake from scratch, but I didn't have the time. 

I bought a roll of Nestle's refrigerated Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie dough, and a box of No-Pudge Brownie Mix. I like that No-Pudge has no fat and no cholesterol.

At least the "br" part is less fattening than the "ookie" part.

It took three tries for me to get these right (no fault of the recipe…my own errors). 

The first time I put too much brownie batter in the muffin tin, and too big a slice of cookie dough. They came out looking a lot like muffins…tasty, but not pretty. Those were the ones I served when Junior GS came home, and he did not complain that they weren't photogenic.

The second time, I got the proportions right, but I forgot to set the timer for the brownie part, so they got a little over-done.  

Third time's a charm, as they say. Now I know what I'm doing. But they still don't look as pretty as the ones on Just A Pinch. 

Aunt Goo Shoes came over for dinner, and we ate outside, while listening to all of Junior GS' camp stories...  

…like how he climbed Mount Marcy, the highest mountain in NY state (8 miles up 
and 8 miles back):

"The best part was having pizza and soda 
in the lodge when we were done."

Photo by Junior Goo Shoes: At the top of Mount Marcy

...and how he ruined his sunglasses:

"I had this gum -- Big League Chew -- and I blew a giant bubble, 

and Jonathan popped it, and it exploded all over my sunglasses."

We listened, we laughed, we ate.

The Brookies were a hit with Junior Goo Shoes.

After six summers at camp, we were worried that camp might start to lose its magic...

...but Junior Goo Shoes said it was the best summer of his life. 

"I am SO going back next year."

Who could ask for more than that?

Well, maybe another Brookie and a glass of milk would be nice.

And with that, he headed downstairs to iChat with his camp friends, that he had left only hours ago.

The house feels so good with Junior Goo Shoes back…

Even if his stuff is all over the place.

BROOKIES 
(Recipe adapted from Just A Pinch Recipes)

1 Box Brownie Mix (I used No-Pudge)
1 Roll Nestle's Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Make brownie mix according to package directions.

Fill muffin tin about 1/3 full with brownie mix.  There should be enough mix to yield 16 (I actually got 17 out of it).

Bake at 350 for 5 minutes.

Slice cookie dough into 16 slices.  Re-shape so that each slice is about 1 1/2 - 1 3/4" in diameter.  

Place the cookie dough slice on top of the brownie. 

Bake for 12 minutes. 

Cool in pan for 5 minutes.  Loosen with knife and remove from pan. Let cool. 

Enjoy!

Linking to:

Brag About It Tuesday
Time To Sparkle
Share Your Creativity 
Creative Linky Party 
Wow Us Wednesday  
Home and Garden Thursday 
Weekend Bloggy Reading 
Best of The Weekend
Ladies Only Blog Share
Metamorphosis Monday
Throwback Thursday

Ms. Toody