Like Mother, Like Son...

Just a few days ago I blogged about pruning and my pruning venture when we lived in Jacksonville. Well, in my personal pruning process, the apple (aka Fisher) did not fall far from the ole tree. Little did I know just a couple days later I would be rereading the pruning blog with a new perspective.

Fisher had asked to go outside to play and assured me he would stay in the front yard as he was planning on "building a fort." No big deal. I'm hosting a baby shower at my house this weekend and figured whatever he constructed, I could easily deconstruct or at least relocate to the side and less visible area of our house. Not ten minutes later did he come in excited to show me his "fort." He took me by the hand and led me outside to the front yard and proudly showed me what he had built. Only he had not built anything. He had taken his hand saw and proceeded to hack away the branches to one of the philodendron plants we have strategically placed in out front yard. He had neatly piled the branches at the base of the plant and was using them as a "sofa". The plant looked hideous. It had been planted to disguise the ugly, green, electric box that sat on the property line of our yard and now the green monster was peering, through what branches were left, right at us!

I, trying not to overreact, explained to Fisher that he had not made a good choice and should not be cutting anything without adult supervision and permission. I also told him the plant had been placed there to hide the box and that he had now made the plant look ugly for the shower I was hosting this weekend(I know, I know). He apologized then asked if he was going to be arrested. I told him he had not broken the law and that it was "okay" since he had not done the hacking on purpose. He said, "Yes I did" to which I replied, "Well, not on purpose to be naughty." Together we picked up the amputated branches and carried them to the trash. As I stood there staring at the plant thinking, "Great. This is great. So much for curb appeal..." I was reminded that my pride was rearing it's ugly head again. I was more worried about the appearance of a plant than my son's creative attempt to be adventurous.

Later that afternoon Fisher asked if the reason I was hosting the baby shower this weekend was because we had a pretty house (bless his heart). I told him no, is was just that we lived in a convenient area for the ladies to attend. He said with a big grin, "Nah, I think it's because we now have the prettiest bush in our front yard." Thankfully, he is like his father too.

Both father and son enjoy chicken and rice for dinner and though I'm not making it tonight (going out to eat) it's what's on the menu for tomorrow.

Chicken and Yellow Rice
1 1/2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 (10 oz) pkg yellow rice
salt and pepper
olive oil
1 qt chicken stock (in a box)

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper then brown in hot oil on both sides. Add chicken stock, cover, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes. Add rice (and water if necessary) to chicken and cook until rice has absorbed all liquid and is cooked. Serve with sweet peas and candied carrots (baby carrots cooked in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until tender).