The Boy had a friend spend the night this week. Sleepovers on a school night are, of course, a rarity, but his parents were out of town and he needed to stay with us so he could get to school the next morning. This kid is a joy. He’s always smiling. Always talking. He fits right in with our family. Except for Brees. For some reason, Brees just doesn’t like him. It’s not this boy’s fault. Brees is a little bit psychotic.
When The Boy asked over the weekend if his friend could stay overnight on Thursday, we said yes. On Monday, a storm blew through our area and knocked our electricity out. The ensuing power surge killed our water heater. The Boy warned his friend and he said he didn’t mind cold showers and a sink full of dirty dishes. Tuesday morning, my mother texted to let me know that my uncle had passed away. Tuesday afternoon, one of my best friends texted to tell me that her daddy had passed away. Living almost two hours away from my hometown was really hard just then. Work and kid obligations kept me away from my friend’s daddy’s services, but I was able to get a substitute for Friday so I could attend my uncle’s funeral.
During all of this, we still had no hot water. The pile of dishes was growing. The Boy’s friend was still coming. I had to get things ready for my sub. I’m usually a very laid-back person, but my stress level was climbing. Yada yada yada.
When I started planning the meals for his friend’s stay, The Boy shut me down pretty quickly, asking for spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and Gatorade, sandwiches, and chips in their lunchboxes. I could read between the lines: Mama, I might eat your zucchini and mushroom frittata. I might even like your zucchini and mushroom frittata. But I am thirteen years old and I don’t know if my friend will like your zucchini and mushroom frittata. He may mock your zucchini and mushroom frittata, so please just make spaghetti and meatballs. Being different is not what I’m about at this particular time.
Middle school. Nuff said.
So spaghetti and meatballs it was. They ate. And ate. And ate. They were fresh off the football practice field, so they were pretty hungry. I had made a couple of snacks for an after-school meeting and had brought home the leftovers. Toffee dip and apples and corn dip with corn chips. They went through that, too. Two 2-liter bottles of soft drink. Some PopTarts. More spaghetti. I think I heard popcorn popping in the microwave at some point. It was as if locusts had swarmed the kitchen. During this time, I washed two loads of dishes. Thank God for hot water!
When I awoke the next morning, I got dressed and went about my usual morning routine – making breakfast, packing lunches, letting Brees out, putting on another load of dishes. Thank God for hot water! Michael and the kids got up and he and the boys showered. Thank God for hot water! Having an extra person in the house did not prove to be stressful or difficult. This boy just goes with the flow. Other teens could take notes. And should.
I made something for breakfast that my kids love for pretty much any meal. They are a twist on Pigs in a Blanket, but are made by wrapping refrigerated breadsticks around hot dog weenies. I used to make them around Halloween and use mustard to draw little faces on them, calling them Mummy Dogs. The kids like them so much that I have served them for every meal, for snacks, for parties – you name it. The Redhead suggested a name change since we don’t just eat them at Halloween. I took her suggestion years ago and they became Undercover Dogs. They are so ridiculously easy – and so really, truly yummy – that you will probably end up making them all the time just like we do!
The Boy, his friend, and The Redhead loved them. You will, too!
Undercover Dogs
- Hot dog weenies
- Refrigerated breadsticks
- Cooking spray
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Wrap a breadstick around each weenie and place each one on the cooking sheet, leaving an inch or two between them. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Done!
Well Duh #1: I like to use the weenies that have cheese inside them. You can experiment with your favorite. They make so many cool hot dog franks now! Jalapeno, bacon, garlic. Take your pick!
Well Duh #2: These breadsticks can be found in the canned biscuit section at the grocery store. If you can’t find them, you can just as easily use crescent rolls. I do it all the time! Just wrap each weenie in a triangle of dough.
Well Duh #3: When they’re not for breakfast, I like to set out lots of dippers: ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, cheese dip. Whatever floats your boat.
Well Duh #4: These are great in the lunchbox! Just make sure to cool them completely before wrapping them or putting them in a bag. Otherwise, the condensation will make them soggy.
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