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.
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Courtney
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Okay, sans the onion, I am all over this burger! Love the story. We grew up in the same house until I graduated from high school so I get growing up with neighbors.
My first “boyfriend” was Danny across the street, and we were like peas and carrots from about six until junior high, when his family moved away. We caught up sporadically over the years, and with Facebook, we’ve reconnected. Turns out he lives in Lake Zurich and he shocked the shit out of my coming to Tony’s Memorial – I hadn’t seen him in person in over 25 years, but I would have recognized him anywhere.
Biz recently posted…Peppered Pork Udon Noodle Stiry Fry
Ah, this made me smile. How kind he was to go to the Memorial.
Twitter: charminglyuncmp
says:
This is so, so sweet! My mom likes to remind us (all the time) that kids don’t care about things like bigger houses and granite counters, they care about their family and friends being around them, and you just can’t find amazing friends like that anywhere – more than worth the hassle of construction! Plus, those burgers look incredible….
Thank you, Christine! And your mom is so right….I know what we’ve got going on is totally priceless. <3 let me know if you try the burgers!
That sounds so good! It’s not quite 9 a.m. – do you think that’s too early? 😉 Yum!
Ha – perhaps just a bit early 😉
Twitter: morselsoflife
says:
Apple and cheddar sounds like a wonderful combo! And you can’t go wrong with adding some bacon. 🙂 I hope you can stop on by and share this or any other recipe with us on Five Friday Finds!
CJ Huang recently posted…Five Friday Finds #184
How funny that I came across this recipe because earlier today I was telling my husband how much I wanted a really juicy and loaded burger. I have to give this a try! Thanks for linking up at the #HomeMattersParty. We hope to see you next week.
Brittanie @Simplistically Living recently posted…Upgrade Your Lunch with LongHorn Steakhouse!
Twitter: TurnersAtHome
says:
Love your blog theme because I have the same one:) The boys seem to enjoy the burgers..My burgers always seem like they are missing something! Thank you for sharing at the Home Matters Linky party. Hope you come again!
Zan recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #35
Twitter: juliecarani
says:
Awwww… How did I miss this post! I so remember the yummy burger delivery and how quickly they disappeared. Now we have the new and infinitely improved kitchen to enjoy. Our pact is signed and sealed… we will forever live in your back yard. When you have a chance, can you ask the kids to come home to change their undies? 😉 See you at baseball!
xoxo The Carani Clan