Swedish rye bread

Today I learned an important Bodin skill. I almost consider it a rite of passage. Let me start at the beginning....

Two days ago Eric came home and informed me that on Wednesday the guys at work were going to deep fat fry a turkey for lunch....and then he sheepishly told me he was supposed to bring a side dish. (He said it sheepishly because he told me Monday night, knowing Tuesday's are my busy day and hoping I wouldn't be frustrated.) In the Bodin family, Swedish rye bread is a staple at holiday meals. Jim (my father-in-law) is the master baker. Eric loves the bread. So being the good Bodin wife that I am, I asked him if he wanted me to make it. I think his mouth started watering before I got the words out of my mouth. Eric went to a specialty grocery store for me on Monday night and got all of the seeds with weird names that go in the bread and the rye flour. This afternoon, I took the rye bread challenge...and it turned out pretty good! It wasn't quite to Jim's caliper(mine was a little denser), but hey, it was my first time! Eric even did the "punching down" and baking while I was gone teaching tonight. And now, having done the work of making it, I will appreciate it oh so much more when Jim makes it!

And I have to admit, I hope the guys at work don't like it too much. I'd love for Eric to have a couple of pieces left over for me!

Eric and I in New York, "kissing" the Statue of Liberty.

Date Night

Are you married? If you are, you should have a date night. We don't have a regular, specific date night, but last night we got to go out, just the two of us, for the whole evening. Many times when we do this, I still end up cooking supper for the kids/babysitter, but last night our wonderful friends (Dan and Lynn) not only watched the kids all evening, but cooked them supper, too! So the two of us went out to Hickory Park (BY OURSELVES!!!) and then to a movie. Going out with Eric helps me feel like a normal person. It makes me want to shout to the world, "Look, I'm carrying an actual purse, not a diaper bag!" or "Hey, did you notice there aren't any stains on my shirt?" and "Yeah, I'm a stay at home mom, but I own more than sweatpants and I know how to look stylish when I want to!" Okay, maybe that last part isn't true, but I FEEL stylish. :) And it's amazing how one date can make you feel normal enough to last you until...well...the next date! Thanks, Eric, for taking me out for the evening and reminding me that I'm a beautiful, intelligent wife and not just a frumpy, all-I-do-is-wipe-stuff-all-day mom. And for all you husbands out there-do the same for your wives!

FYI: Those of you who know me will laugh that I want to post this. I am sometimes cheap to a fault, so I have to tell you that our entire date, thanks to gift cards/coupons, cost $8 and I also picked up a free tube of mascara when we were buying dessert at Walgreens. And do I feel less valuable because Eric spent less money on me? NO! I feel more valuable because not only did we have a great night out, we spent almost nothing!