Life of a Hockey Widow

Free Agency...

And so it begins.  The pit in the stomach of what this year will bring.  We've talked, speculated and talked some more.  It seems as if every time we decide on a plan, life gets in the way.  If I've learned anything in this journey in the NHL with Sopes, it's to expect the unexpected.  July 1st is fast approaching.  No matter what, I will remain here in Chicago - that's guaranteed.

Since he's been home we've been working like crazy!  It seems as if we rarely get to come up for air.  Having our family unit all back together has been perfect.  We're all figuring out how to "click" again.  My favorite part is our family wrestling matches.  Yup, Sopes usually gets his ass kicked by all of the kids.  He truly is gettin' old!

This weekend our son Jake turns 13.  I'm now feeling old!  In my mind he's still the small child who needs me for everything.  I do get a glimpse of that feeling when he crawls into my bed to be held or wants his head rubbed before going to bed.  He's a bit of a scammer - he'll call in Dad for a back rub, and then Paul for his feet rubbed.  No matter how old he is, he'll still be my baby.

Sopes is now back working out and feeling great.  I will never know how someone can rise at 4:30am for the day and work out, let alone function.  Insanity!  I heard that hours like that should be reserved for crack heads and paperboys, I agree!  I'm not a morning person; or a night person for that matter.  Nothing wrong with some regular shut-eye.  It's hard enough just to get Sopes to sit for a meal.  Maybe he's still making up for lost time at home, who knows.

I will be keeping everyone updated on the journey through free-agency.  Feel free to ask any questions (within reason).

 

My Intern with Benefits...

HOLY CRAZINESS!!!  The honeymoon is over - reality has now set in - he's home.  I love him, just from afar!  No, seriously, it's just a big adjustment.  I've had control over every aspect of the house and kids for the past 8 months and now it feels as if it's all unravelling before my eyes.

He's trying to find him place in the family too.  We've adapted without him, and his question is, "Do you guys still need me?"  The answer is, YES, just in a different capacity.  He's changed bed times, wake up times, eating routines - it's all gone to hell.

Last night was hilarious.  I worked late and kept getting the phone calls and texts wondering when I was coming home.  By the time I walked into the house, the kids were all sitting at the table, music on and Sopes was telling me, "Eat before it gets cold".  Big role reversal.  Having a glass of wine and my book on the nightstand was heaven; along with the new box of chocolates.

I've been eating, sleeping and breathing my store lately.  Having Sopes home now to help with the kids has been great.  Knowing that they're with another parent takes so much stress off of me.  During the day he's been working with my assistant, Linda, and I at the store.  Crash course in design for Sopes!  I call him my intern, with benefits of course!

We're opening on Monday, May 9th and they're still so much to do.  There's no going back now.

My Nutella Ice Cream Recipe

Many of you have asked for the Nutella ice cream recipe.  Here's my version - it's so yummy, but super calorie laden!  NOT one of Sopey's diet foods.

2 cups of 2% milk

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup sugar

4 egg yolks

1/2 tsp. vanilla - (I use Madagascar)

3/4 cup Nutella

 

Combine the milk, cream and 1/2 cup sugar in saucepan on medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.

 In a separate bowl, whip the egg yolks and the 1/3 cups sugar until a very pale yellow color.

Pour a bit of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture to warm it up.  You don't want scrambled eggs when you incorporate it!  

Put it all back on the stove for about 5 - 7 minutes until it gets thick.  Turn off the heat and add the Nutella and vanilla.

I pour it into a pitcher and place in the refrigerator until it's completely cooled.  

Pour the cooled mixture into your ice cream maker!  Enjoy.

CAUTION - The warm mixture is soooo yummy, but the tummy ache, not so much!