Pushing Through....Fried Chicken & Boating

One may have noticed that I have not written much on my blog lately...the truth is I have writers block.  I am not out of ideas, I have a whole list of recipes, wine reviews and summertime fun to capture on this blog, but my creative juices need to be squeezed.

I thought if I wrote about my writers block perhaps it would go away.....
Waiting....waiting....waiting...(imagine me tapping my fingers...pinky, ring, middle, index, pinky, ring, middle, index)...waiting... I am not sure it worked, but I am going with one of my ideas...I hope it turns out witty and fun the way it plays out in my life and I have it in my head...

We have been spending as much time as possible lately boating.  Molly Mae is our second boat and this is our sixth summer boating (3rd on Molly Mae).  I love boating...I can lay in the sun with a glass of wine or martini in my hand and be lazy cause the kitchen doesn't need to be cleaned, the floors don't need to be vacuumed and the live-ins aren't asking me what is for dinner cause they are too busy swimming and having the times of their lives.

Next to my lazy ways and libations, my next favorite part about boating is the fried chicken!  What you say, fried chicken??  Yes!  To me it goes hand in hand with boating...some things are just this way - peas & carrots , peanut butter & jelly, pie & coffee, oreos & milk, fried chicken & boating...see what I mean, it flows!

Lover does not share my opinion about the necessity of fried chicken when boating.  Don't get me wrong he enjoys himself some fried chicken, he just grumbles that we have to stop on our way to the lake to get it hot and freshly fried.  He also doesn't like the crumbs that he finds all over the boat, but since there are no floors that need to be vacuumed while I am boating this doesn't bother me at all!

A couple of weekends ago we headed to the lake early.  Lucky for me there are two stores between me and my favorite lake that usually have their fried chicken ready on our way through town...however on this day we stopped at store number one and they did not have any fried chicken ready.  When I returned to my Lover to announce we had to stop at the next town to get the fried chicken he was not pleased, but he knows better than to mess with a woman and her fried chicken, specifically his woman and her fried chicken...so he obliged (such a smart man)!

Luckily, the next town had their fried chicken ready for me.  It was like they knew I was coming...however that could have been because I had store number one call ahead to store number two to make sure they had their fried chicken ready...yeah, I am that serious about my fried chicken.  Oh, did that chicken ever taste good...just ask Lover!

Looking for the best places to buy fried chicken?  I know all the best spots in Oregon...well maybe not ALL of Oregon, but give me time!

Anniversary Letter

Dear Lover:

How do I put into words how I feel for you?  How do I describe how lucky I feel that at the age of 21 I made the best decision of my life by marrying you.  At 21 I wasn't thinking about the really big things in life...I knew I loved you and I knew you loved me and that was enough.

Now, 16 years later I look back over the years and the life we have created and feel so blessed.  You are my best friend, confidant, lover...the person I most enjoy spending my time with.  I love you more than my life.

I don't look forward to growing old, but I do look forward to doing it with you.

Happy Anniversary Lover!

Love,
Your Wife

Who's the Blonde Now?

Lover has taken to calling my beautiful brunette daughter 'a blonde' because from time to time she seems a little on the airy side.  This doesn't bother or impress her, she goes right along on her merry way I assure you.

So the other morning my family went to breakfast, at one point during our breakfast conversation Live-In #2 announces that if you spell his name backwards it spells an actual word.  I was impressed, I hadn't thought of it before...then I asked him what his sister's name spelled backwards was - which he quickly informed me was the same as it is spelled forwards...smart boy that one...

Then Lover got in on the conversation and announced her name is spelled E-X-C-U-S-E-S.

Live-In #1 said quickly quipped... 'That doesn't even make sense...'Who's the Blonde Now?' - rendering my Lover speachless....while the rest of us enjoyed a good laugh!

Father's Day

I do realize it's Tuesday after Father's Day, but in the words of a friend... 'Everyday Should Be Father's Day.'  Yes, the friend is a man, but I'm going with it today because it suits my purpose.

For Father's Day this year I BBQ'd six whole chickens (yes I did it, I can be savvy that way...this is also the reason the dark meat wasn't all the way cooked on a few of them) - ok, I'll be honest...actually I did five and Lover did one.

I had to share my handiwork!

We have a 'off again/on again' tradition for Father's Day...a BBQ.  I thought it was a pretty regular thing, but when I went looking for pictures I found there was one year we went to my parents house instead of hosting and last year we flew the coop (pun intended) and were enjoying Shasta Lake and the warm California sunshine instead.

This year I don't think Shasta Lake is warm enough to thaw me out from winter or dry me up from spring so we stayed home and invited our regulars and a few newbies!

Father's Day 2011

A fine looking crew of people...we are missing seven others who had already left by this point...bellies full of smoked chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs, watermelon, & corn on the cob.  Mmm, Mmm, Mmm...

Every year we do this BBQ we take a picture.  It has been fun to look back at Father's Days past to see how the kids grow...

Father's Day 2008

Father's Day 2007

Father's Day 2006

Happy Father's Day to My Lover & My Dad...I hope you both enjoyed your day!!

My Garden

Last weekend I bought 1 1/2 yards of dirt - well premium bedding mix to be precise - not only did I buy it, but I unloaded it, dumped it, spread it, etc, etc, etc....  This involved a shovel and wheel barrel - yes that is correct I actually wielded these items in my hands.  Oh, did I mention the wheel barrel was broken so I had to wield it with caution?  Yes, it's true.

So what is the big deal?  The big deal is that 'Mama Don't Do Yard Work'.  Since I was a girl I have been squirming my way out of the yard work department.  When my Dad would announce everyone was going to be in the yard working...I would bat my eyes at my Mom and she would get me off the hook...much to the dismay of my siblings - but I felt no remorse.

So what has changed?  Food is involved.  I want a vegetable garden.  I want all the cilantro, tomatoes and jalapeños I can get for my Salsa.  I want to go to my back yard for cucumbers and green beans instead of the grocery store.  I want to shuck corn from my backyard rather then pick through it and fight for the best ears at the grocery store.  I want to look outside and see all this beautiful food growing just for me...and my family.

After spending a small fortune on vegetable and herb starts (I'm not sure I spend that much over the coarse of the summer on regular veggies!), I came home and planted my treasures in the new raised beds Lover made for me.

These are my tomatoes and jalapeños!!!!!

Lover also wanted some hot banana peppers...not sure about those.

I think there is a green pepper in there too.

This is my lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower & strawberries.

(note to self: work on camera skills)

As I knew we would, we bought too much so we had to start planting in the ground.  This is our corn, green onion, more cauliflower & broccoli and a red bell pepper.

This is my green beans and cucumbers!

My herbs are in another planter - I have cilantro, german thyme, basil, chives & flat leaf parsley...mmmmmm!

So this is my new summer project...which may or may not require a green thumb...I hope it is forgiving as I am going to need it!!

Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon

I've been told today is 'National Wine Day'...I like it!  In honor of this momentous occasion, I have a new wine to share.  Well, it's not new to me, but may be new to you...

2008 Souverain Cabernet Sauvignon

From the Bottle:

North Coast crafted Cabernet Sauvignon which shows flavors of blackberry and chocolate along with smooth tannins.

Carol's Thoughts:

This was a tasty wine.  The body was nice, it wasn't fruity.  I thought I detected a coffee flavor and slightly peppery finish which was smooth.  

I bought this wine because Lover had declared it may just be his favorite.  However, when I was at the store I was confused because I had thought the wine was from the Alexander Valley (I am partial to wines from California's Alexander Valley), but the label did not indicate it was from that region.  Then, when I went to the website I noticed most of their labels show Alexander Valley.  So...I am not sure this is the same wine I thought it was...I will have to get back to you on that.

I bought this bottle at my local grocery store for $14.99, however I have purchased it from Costco for $11.99. 

Look for it, Drink it, Enjoy it!

Claustrophobic

I have been working on a list of things that are said around my household that are random and make me laugh, chuckle or just smile.  However, Live-In #1 said something to me recently that can't just be listed but showcased...

Before you read any farther, for those of you who may not know this about me, I feel I must confess...I can be crass.  I like the shock factor of it.  When I was younger it was fun to shock my mom with it...it's the rebel in me (sorry mom)...

Now, sometimes I will shock my lover with it when I want to get the upper hand...he never knows what will come flying out of my mouth - keeps him on his toes!  I think it is the red pepper flake in our marriage...gives it a little spicy kick!

But, I digress...back to my story...

So the other day Live-In #1 and I were discussing her birth story.  I was reminding her of how she made me wait a week past her due date, how she refused to be born on our first induction attempt, how miserable I was, how my one and only desire was to hold my sweet baby girl in my arms...

Her favorite comeback to each of my woes is:  'Mom, I Couldn't Find the Light'.

But on this day we were going back and forth...she was giving it to me as good as I was giving it to her.  So the next time she said she couldn't find the light I decided to be crass and said: 'So You Decided to Crap in My Belly?'

She didn't miss a beat and quickly responded... 'See, I Told You I Was Claustrophobic!!!'

This was promptly followed by horror on her part...'Ewww, did I really do that?', but I was too busy laughing to answer her.

Anatomy of a 13th Birthday Party

Live-In #1 turned 13 this week.  For her 13th birthday she wanted to have a big birthday party with friends from different areas of her life in attendance.  She invited 24 girls and 18 came - for a total of 19 girls, two brothers and a toddling niece!!

I had been planning this party in the back of my head for months.  I wanted to have games to keep the girls busy, but they couldn't be the games we played when she was younger.  I needed to up the ante...so here's what I did...

VENUE
Since her invite list was large and some of my game ideas were messy, I decided to have her party at a local school gym with a nearby outdoor covered area.  - Check!

CAKE
I usually make and decorate a cake for my live-ins birthdays, however when I suggested a chocolate fountain to Live-In #1 she became hysterical...  Chocolate Fountain it is! - Check!!
Goodies for the chocolate fountain included: pretzels, strawberries, potato chips, large marshmallows, chocolate chips cookies and rice krispy treats.  Let me tell you, this was a HIT!

FOOD
I went back and forth on whether or not to have food.  Finally I decided to have pizzas delivered during the party.  Pizza Hut has $5 mediums - not bad.  Live-In #1 wanted sodas so we had Orange, Dr Pepper & Root Beer. - Check!

GAMES
This is where I had a lot of fun in the planning.  We played six games, but I had seven ready to go - we just ran out of time.

Balloon Popping - the first game I used as kind of an ice breaker.  When each girl arrived I gave them two balloons.  I instructed them to blow up the balloons and tie them around each ankle.  The object of the game is to try to step on other peoples balloons to pop them...the last girl with at least one inflated balloon wins.  We did this to music...Ozzy Osbourn (Lovers choice) and Nickelback!

Shower Cap, Shaving Cream & Cheese Puffs - yes you read that correctly.  I purchased cheap shower caps, shaving cream and cheese puffs at the $ store.  I had each girl put on a shower cap, then each girl got a liberal dose of shaving cream added to their shower cap.  Finally they were paired up in groups of two with a bowl of cheese puffs.  They stood about six feet apart and threw cheese puffs at each other, trying to catch the cheese puff in the shaving cream.  There was a lot of laughter and silliness with this game.

Shower Caps Ready

Shaving Cream Ready

Cheese Puffs Flying!

Frozen T-Shirts - The night before the party I washed several t-shirts, folded them up while they were wet and put them in my freezer to freeze.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on the circumstances) my washer spins so fast it gets most of the water out of the t-shirts so they did not freeze as well as I would have liked.  BUT I did not let this stop me from enjoying the 'oh it's so cold' comments I got from many of the girls.  The object of this game is to see who can get the t-shirt to thaw out enough to get it on... (no pictures...Lover was cleaning up the cheese puffs!)

Water Balloon Toss - straight up classic game...lots of laughter and fun here too

Ready....Set....

Get Wet!

Prop/Skit - I split the girls into three groups and gave them a prop (mop, hair spray & joint pill bottle).  I gave them five minutes to come up with a skit they would preform using the prop, then gave each group 2 minutes to perform their skit.  At the end everyone voted on which group was best...and everyone got a prize.

Auction - I had purchased several items for an auction.  Most items were from the $ store so most everything was $1, however I had a few $2-$4 items.  Each girl was given $20 in play money and we started the auction.  I think just about everyone walked away with a prize or two.  We had some items that were 'gags'  and we had some 'mystery' items.  The girls seemed to have a lot of fun with this.

These girls were fierce auctioneers!

I normally plan 1 1/2 hours for a party, however for this party I planned 2 hours and ended up needing 2 1/2 hours. The girls were kept busy and seemed to have a great time.  Live-In #1 could not pick a favorite game, she said she loved them all.  The Chocolate Fountain was a HUGE hit and I SURVIVED to tell the story.  So all in all, it would rate it a success!

Waiting on Me

My Lover has a phrase he likes to use often 'I've been waiting on you...'.  He will occasionally mix it up with 'I'm waiting on you...' or 'Waiting on you...', but the 'waiting on you' portion of the phrase never changes.

However, today my ears heard a new voice and a new phrase... 'We've been waiting on you...' compliments of Live-In #3.

So I have decided it is time to enlighten men and boys alike...GET USED TO IT!  For the rest of your life you will be waiting on your wife, your mother, your sister, your daughter, your grandmother, your granddaughter, your aunt, your cousin (female of course), your mother-in-law, your sister-in-law, your second cousin twice removed....you get the picture???

Now that we've made this clear...sorry you had to wait on me today...

Fine Print

If Lover and I had wanted a prenup I am sure the fine print of the part I was supposed to have signed would have said - must be able to do laundry...keeping whites white, clothes stain free and in their original size.

His prenup fine print, however, would have read - must accept the laundry you get as 'you get what you get and you don't throw a fit'.

Fortunately for me there was no prenup.  Unfortunately for Lover...he has had to deal with - bleached clothing (even though I don't use bleach, don't ask me how I do this...I have no idea), forever stained clothing, ink stained shirts and shrunken shirts (some of them would probably now fit our live-ins).

I do try to get it right.  I don't mind laundry (except the folding and putting away...that is a drag).  But the washer/dryer and I don't really have a loving relationship to date.

Fast forward to present...I have light colored baseball pants for the first time in my live-ins baseball careers.  Don't ask me how they do it, but they seem to find a way to get grass stains on their pants even if they aren't playing in the grass.  They manage to get dirt embedded into every fiber of their pants...then they hand them to me to 'clean up' as only I can.

Help!  I need a laundry school...

Happy Easter

I had wanted to post pictures from Easters past today, but I have spent the last 45 minutes rummaging through my photos only to realize that I need some organization!  (don't tell Lover, he will get that 'i told you so' look about this confession...)

Organization is not my only problem, I have been a scrapbooker in my years...and while I haven 't scrapped a page in almost five long years (whaaaa...one day I hope to scrap again) some of my favorite Easter pics from years past are already in my scrapbooks and I can't find the pics on my computer...

But, I did find this pic that I LOVE...it makes me smile...and since he was born on Easter weekend 8 years ago and since this is his birthday week and since I am unorganized and since he is so dang cute...this is the one you get...

Happy Easter Everyone!

Baseball - Pros & Cons

The Cons of Baseball

Con #1 - Injuries:  My poor baby got hit in the chin by some rookie pitcher!  Oh, that's right - they are all rookie pitchers...ok, I will forgive other boy.  But, look at my poor baby - he took it like a little trooper - wouldn't let mama coddle him...

Con #2 - No Coddling: Whaaa!!!

Con #3 - Late Dinners:  8pm is too late to eat dinner in my opinion, but you gotta do what you gotta do...

Con #4 - Dirt:  My Live-Ins & Lover seem to track in all kinds of dirt.  I had to sit them ALL down and give them a stern lecture about taking their shoes off in the garage...the laundry room is not a mud room - neither is my hallway, front entry, kitchen, family room, etc!

Con #5 - Laundry Hell:  I have my work cut out of me this year. This is the 1st year my Live-Ins have had light colored pants!  AHHHHH!!!

The Pros of Baseball

Pro #1 - The Uniform: - I can't stand it...a boy in uniform is about as cute as they get! It rivals little girls with twirley dresses and bowes in their hair!

Pro #2 - The Dugout:  Enough Said...

Pro #3 - The Side Lines: The best fans...willing to sit out in the rain, cold, sleet and hail...well maybe not all of those, but the fans are great!!

Pro #4 - The Coach:  He is kinda 'HOT' if you ask me!  Hey Coach...will you come home with me??

Pro #5 - The Stance:  Batter Up!

Pro #6 - The Outfield:  That's My Baby

Pro #7 - A Runner on 2nd Base:  That's My Baby!

Pro #8 - Home Plate:  Score!!

Pro #9 - Sportsmanship: - Way to go Team!!

Pro #10 - THE WIN!!!: 12-9, Way to Go Braves!!

I Lied...Petite Sirah Part II

A while back I confessed to you all that I was cheating on Cab and endulging in Petite Sirah.  I am not ashamed of this admission.  I stand behind my confession...I continue to hold my head high and stay the course...

This past weekend I was in the big city and on the way back I stopped at Trader Joes to pick up some much needed items...Oh, ok...Wine - if you must know the details...

So the past couple nights Lover and I have been enjoying Trader Joes Petite Sirah.  This is when I realized I am a liar...not on purpose mind you...but a liar nonetheless...  You see I told you that Trader Joes does not give a flowery description of their wine, but they do.  So here you go -

From the Bottle
Our PET, as it's affectionally called by  Winemakers, promotes the cooler Northern climate of the famed Russion River Valley by exhibiting  bright blackberry fruit with rich clover and cola overtones.  Soft but full tannins conclude the performance.

Carol's Thoughts
This is a light Petite Sirah compared to some, but it is satisfying and  easy on the palate.  Glides over your tongue and down your throat with ease.  Smooth from start to finish.  The 'girl next door' of wines...the 'one you bring home to mama' if you will...  And at $9.99 - it is easy on the pocketbook and in my opinion it's one of the best tasting wines in the $10 catagory!!  Enjoy!

Caribbean Breeze Martini

I came up with the name of this on my own...well, not exactly on my own...Live-In #1 was my inspiration - my brainchild if you will. 

I love the blue color of this drink...it makes me feel like I am on a tropical beach, moving my toes around in white sandy beaches, the hot sun kissing my skin, a drink in my hand and My Lover by my side...then I wake up and realize I am in my kitchen with a sink full of dishes, a mountain of laundry to fold and floors to be mopped...   It was a fun dream while it lasted...one that I hope to one day cash in on!  Until then...I concoct martinis that make me daydream... 

I was 'brain dead' last night so I challenged Live-In #1 to come up with a name.  She wanted the name to include 'blue' in the title, but I told her I wanted it to be tropical.  After several 'blue' ideas she finally blessed me with Tropical Breeze and Caribbean Sea - much better than the 'Dawn Dish Soap' my useless brain was toying with...  I liked them both so we put it to a vote...Live-In #2 wanted Caribbean Sea while Live-In #3 wanted Tropical Breeze - It Figures...

So I decided on a mix of the two...Caribbean Breeze...  Now I just need to get a plane ticket, a new bikini (preferalby one that will miraculously make me look like a supermodel) and sun screen for my albino pale skin...

Bring to the party...

Blue Curacao, Vodka & Sweet & Sour

(yes, that is Grey Goose Vodka...I am feeling a little swanky right now -

Not really, Lover bought it...I would have bought the cheaper stuff - but, he thinks I am worth it!)

   

Add 2 shots Vodka, 3/4 shot Blue Curacao & 3/4 Shot Sweet & Sour to a shaker filled with ice (ice ice baby... No?  Ok then)

Shake it Baby!

(imagine that in my Austin Powers voice)

Pour Paradise into a Martini Glass

and....Viola!!! 



Caribbean Breeze Martini

2 shots Vodka

1/2-1 shot Blue Curacao

1/2 -1 shot Sweet & Sour

You could use citrus vodka, that would be devine!  Blue Curacao is an Orange Liquor - I think the orange flavor is very light.  You will notice I have a 1/2 to 1 shot range for the Blue Curacao and Sweet & Sour  - either would be fine it just depends on what you like. 

Enjoy!

Chicken Marsala

In the beginning...I was known to make Chicken Marsala for My Lover - dutifully following my recipe book as if it were the Bible.   Fast forward to present day, I make Chicken Marsala for My Lover only on occassion and I NEVER follow the restrictions of my recipe book. 

This is his favorite version...one day I will do my favorite 'made up' version (which includes pasta, cream and cheese...Oh MY!)


Chicken Marsala



To Start - Pound Your Chicken

I just folded it into plastic wrap, but you can also put it into a storage bag and pound it so the chicken doesn't spray accross your kitchen if you get a little excited about your task...

Clean and Slice Your Mushrooms

I use a damp paper towel.  'They' say not to submerge your mushrooms in water because they will soak it up.  Soggy Mushrooms=Icky Mushroom...but then again so is a dirty mushroom - just get them clean!

Finely Chop an Onion or Shallot (I used a Shallot - this way I get a little onion flavor but Live-In #1 doesn't detect them and start picking them out one by one!) 

Mince several Cloves of Garlic (I am of the opinion if you don't smell like garlic tomorrow, you did not eat enough today)

To a hot pan, add EVOO & Butter

Saute Mushrooms, Shallots & Garlic

Drown mixture in Marsala Wine & let reduce (about 1/2 cup)

Place Flour in a dish and season liberally with Salt and Pepper

Liberally season your Chicken w/ Salt & Pepper

Add EVOO to a Screaming Hot Pan

Dredge Chicken in Flour mixture and place in Screaming Hot Pan

Brown on each side for aproximately 4-5 minutes

Pour about a cup of Marsala Wine over the Top - please be careful not to start a fire with the wine...if you don't feel confident in your abilities - turn the flame off before pouring the wine...just don't forget to turn it back on when the wine is in the pan. (While it wasn't with this dish, I do have experience with fire in the kitchen...it can be a scary thing!)

Cook a few minutes longer - until wine has reduced and chicken feels slightly firm

Add Mushroom, Shallot and Garlic Mixture

Add more wine if pan is getting too dry

At this point you could serve your chicken - BUT - Lover wanted a little pan sauce so....

After removing the chicken & mushrooms - Add more Marsala wine (only if pan is dry) and then add a Pat of Butter (I like the way that sounds...'pat of butter')

Scrape up the bits from the bottom of the pan

Let reduce just a bit

Pour over Chicken

And if you are taking a picture for a blog...you might want to take a better one that I did...BUT - then again, I never said I knew anything about photography!

Chicken Marsala

4 boneless skinless Chicken Breasts

1 lb button Mushrooms

1 Shallott

3-4 cloves of Garlic (depending on size and how much you like)

1 cup Flour

Salt & Pepper (to taste)

1-2 cups Dry Marsala Wine*

1 Tbsp Butter (pat of butter)

*Marsala comes in Dry and Sweet.  You want the Dry for this recipe...trust me on this one...I have made this mistake for you, don't repeat my folly!  Also, don't buy Marsala Wine in the cooking section of your store - YUCK!  Instead, go to the wine department, you will find it by the Sherry or Port.