The Most Expensive Traffic Jam

On Friday night we met up with the Pirates for dinner.  It was a bit of a disaster on our part, since Thatbaby was not in the mood for going out to dinner.  We wanted to get into the holiday mood, so after we all decided to go check out the Del Mar Holiday of Lights.  None of us had ever been, but we'd heard that it's fantastic.  So after a quick stop to pick up tickets, hot chocolate, and a little adult addition for Mrs. Pirate and my drinks we were on our way.

And this is pretty much what we experienced the entire time.  Thatbaby fell asleep before we even made the hot chocolate run.  He got the better end of the deal.  The rest of us spent the evening in a line of cars that didn't even inch forward.  It moved a foot, then stopped for 10 minutes.  Moved a foot, then stopped for 10 minutes.

You know how much you hate sitting in traffic?  Like you would do anything to just move and get where you're going?  Well we willing paid to do exactly that. 

It was disappointing and frustrating.  The lights were lovely, but would have been so much lovelier if we didn't have to stare at each display for 10 minutes.

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The best part about going to look at lights, is cruising by them and watching one after the other, magically lighting up.

It loses the magic to watch the same display light up over and over.

Even the music was less than ideal.  They instruct you to turn your radio station to a channel playing Christmas music, but it wasn't fun Christmas music.  And it wasn't in sync to the lights or anything.  So we decided to switch it off and use our own Christmas soundtrack.

Needless to say, I don't anticipate us making a return visit next year.

On the plus side, Little Pirate loved the entire thing.  He stayed awake, oohing and ahhing at the lights.

Okay, so now for the non-disappointing part of the post.  First, Channukah presents!  Last night I got the new Train cd.  And I'm so excited because I've been singing 50 Ways to Say Goodbye for over a month now.  Thatbaby was excited too - you can see him trying to steal my present in this picture.

 But Thatbaby got his own present - new pajamas and a fleece sleep sack.  Which will come in handy when we head up to the inlaws for Christmas since their homes are ALWAYS freezing.

Also not disappointing?  This Buffalo Chicken Chowder inspired by the one on Prevention RD.  This is a grown up dish - too spicy for Thatbaby, but perfect for Thatboy and I.  Warm and filling, and I adore anything buffalo-chicken-ized.  I highly recommend it.  It can perk up any evening!

 Buffalo Chicken Chowder (adapted from Prevention RD)
5 red potatoes, roughly chopped
1 chicken breast, chopped
½ onion, roughly chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
salt and pepper
¼ teaspoon ground thyme
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups whole milk
2/3 cups chicken broth
¼ cup flour
1/3 cup Franks hot sauce

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat.  Add  chicken and cook for 5 minutes, until chicken is browned, but not cooked through.
2.  Add in the potatoes, chicken, onion, carrots and celery to the pot. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, chicken broth, and flour and whisk.
4. Whisk the hot sauce into the milk mixture and add to the chicken and vegetables.
5. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.