Week 11: Patty Melts!!

Our week started off as busy as can be.  I interviewed for a leadership training opportunity my school district sends four people to on Monday after school.  I really felt good after the interview and thought I had nailed it.  Tuesday, I got the phone call after dinner that I wasn't selected for the training program.  I was completely crushed.  Their reasoning, "It's not the right time for you".  My translation, "You have two little kids and we don't think you can handle the work load."

They don't know me at all.  Two kids and a full time job doesn't prove my ability to multi-task?  Sheesh...

With a battered ego, I went to work on Wednesday and "just kept swimming".  Thursday, I had parent-teacher conferences in the evening and a foreign language committee planning day at work during the day.  I appreciated the time to work with my colleagues on an exit exam and some catered in lunch from Beruit Bakery, but being out of the classroom for a day left with me with a huge stack of papers to grade.

Thursday night, Evan woke up an hour after I got home and cried for an hour straight.  Even though he doesn't sleep though the night yet, this behavior was completely out of character for him.  Teeth?  Ear infection?  Those were usually the culprits with Sean for sleepless nights.  I was able to schedule him an appointment for Friday after school and they confirmed what I thought:  double ear infection.  Poor little guy...

The rest of the weekend was spent just trying to keep him comfortable and happy.  We were up several times Friday night, Saturday night, and last night.  I think I got less sleep on the weekend then I do on a typical work week.  Yuck...

But, our weekend was somewhat enjoyable.  Friday night we went to my sister-in-law's house down the street for pizza and for the kids to play.  Saturday, Sean had gymnastics in the morning and Scott stayed home with Evan while our new AT&T U-Verse was being installed.  Yay for movie channels!!  Sunday, Scott did a 5k in Plymouth for St. Patrick's Day with his whole family and we went out for breakfast afterwards and then in the afternoon my parents came over to see the kids while I cooked a delicious feast (to be featured in next week's cooking challenge!).  So, despite Evan's ear infections, we had a good weekend.

Andplusalso, I finally finished the forever long process of taking Evan's 6 month pictures.  Who needs a photographer, right?  Sigh...it was so much work and I'm not convinced they are amazing, but hey, they'll do.

Oh, so considering this is supposed to be my cooking challenge post, I guess I should describe the most amazing patty melts I cooked earlier last week.  I'm a patty melt junkie.  I order them anywhere we go that has them on their menu, so for these to be restaurant quality, I was shocked!  I saw them on a recent episode of Pioneer Woman and I knew I had to try these.  I know she uses a whole stick of butter in this recipe, but come on, it wouldn't be the same without the butter.

1 stick butter
1 whole large onion, halved and sliced
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
5 dashes Worcestershire sauce
8 slices rye bread
8 slices Swiss cheese

In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat. Throw in the sliced onions and cook slowly until the onions are golden brown and soft, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, Worcestershire and some salt and pepper. Form into 4 patties.

Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties on both sides until totally done in the middle.

Assemble the patty melts this way: Slice of bread, slice of cheese, hamburger patty, a quarter of the cooked onions, another slice of cheese and another slice of bread.

On a clean griddle or in a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and grill the sandwiches until golden brown. Remove the sandwiches and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Return the sandwiches to the skillet, flipping them to the other side. Cook until golden brown and crisp, and until the cheese is melted. Slice in half and serve immediately!

They were amazing!  Amazing.  There's no other way to describe them.  I'm definitely making these again in the future. 

Well, I'm feeling better about being turned down from my leadership opportunity, but after our union meeting today and hearing about our potential four year contract, I think I need a Blue Moon.  It's another busy, long week with a little guy who still isn't feeling right...