So, we share a gate with some neighbors. And by share a gate, I mean it’s never shut.
They have two littles who I’ve mentioned on here from time to time, Ryder (8) and Meadow (6). Brother and sister share the same birthday (I don’t understand how that could ever happen), which is weeks apart from L’s. Needless to say, L and Ryder and often Meadow and B are inseparable. Like approaching 8:00PM in the dead of winter on a school night hey maybe you should go home? ‘Nah, it’s ok’ inseparable.
Like I actually didn’t see L for 24 hours straight the other weekend inseparable. Hey, do you maybe want to come… home? ‘Nah, I’m good.’
Of course, like any friends, they have their moments. Melt downs have occurred and one or both have gone stomping home only to have asked 5 minutes later, ‘hey, can I go play with R?’ I will never understand boys. Um, sure? And off into the woods they go. All 4’10”, 79 pounds of them. Because best friends share the exact same stats, apparently.
I have to say. Months before while we were contemplating our addition, we did do a bit of research about just moving. It would be easier. We could get the space we wanted. We didn’t have to live through construction. We could get everything we wanted.
Or could we?
The first thing that hit me, and actually brought tears to my eyes, was taking L away from Ryder. I couldn’t do it. His little heart would break worse than any girl ever could cause. At least, I hope. I could be being naive about that one. I probably am.
But there is something to be said about living seconds away from your best friend. I grew up that way. I ran out the door. I maybe came home for dinner. And that was that. What we have going on here is priceless, better than anything on the market. M coaches Ryder in baseball. Vice versa for L with football. Julie can throw a football. I can pitch a baseball (kind of. Ok hey, I’m trying). Meadow gives me a bit of girl world in the sea of boys, and they scoop up L for an overnight at their lake house and I have an endless supply of Trader Joe fruit leathers which are always in demand by the crew. Bo Jangles, their cat, even knows to come this way if their home is shut down. Many of our weekends begin with ‘ok, what is your schedule like?’ I’ll take Ryder to football registration, you cover basketball pictures, and so on and so forth.
When I was growing up, the phrase ‘it takes a village‘ was made popular by Hillary Clinton. And while I don’t exactly agree with that, I do agree that it takes our little combination of Shady + Drury Lane. And I’m forever grateful that our kids have what they have, meaning I’m never ever moving grateful. Want to make a pact, Caranis?
I’ll make you these burgers for life. These chicken mixed up with black forest bacon, sharp cheddar, granny smith apples, red onion, and a dollop of dijon burgers. Delicious doesn’t even begin to describe them and I so love how even Ryder and Meadow gobble them up.
If you ever want more, you know where to find them. Just across the always open gate.
- 1.5 lbs ground chicken
- 1 small granny smith apple, small dice
- 5 ounces sharp cheddar, grated
- 2 strips bacon, diced, partially cooked (black forest bacon from Whole Foods rocks our world)
- 1/2 red onion, small dice
- big dollop of dijon
- salt & pepper
- (Please note these amounts are very flexible. I kind of threw things together in a bowl. Add more or less, depending on your preference).
- Mix all ingredients together with your hands and form into 6 burgers. Grill over medium heat for 5-8 minutes per side, until cooked through.
- We served on whole wheat buns with lettuce and tomato.
- Enjoy, and share any extras with a friend.