Oh-Hi-Oh!

We are driving to Ohio tonight to visit Mike's Uncle, Aunt and Nanny. Dianne is coming too, she's kind enough to have offered the use of her living room on wheels, aka- van. This thing has a TV with DVD player and is game system compatible. She's also been kind enough to volunteer to ride in the back with Gryffin because I get car sick so easily. Man, I got the best mother-in-law ever!
It's about an 8 hour drive, so with stopping for dinner and all the bathroom breaks Gryffin requires, it should be about 10-12 hours.
I still have loads of laundry, cleaning and packing to get done. I also have to get some music downloaded to the MP3 and find a book to take.
Time to shut up and put up.

I would really love to share pictures of our new and improved back yard, but it seems I have lost my phone and need to tear the house apart.

Warning!

If you live around or near me, take your kid to the same Day Out program, hang out at the same coffee joint or know me in any way, shape or form- be warned. I am out of makeup. Completely.
I don't wear much, but what I do wear makes a huge difference. It covers the purple bags under my eyes and my teenage-like acne.
So, if you see a purple eyed, pimpled, disheveled and panicked woman driving like a bat out of hell today, it's just me rushing to the one and only store within 20 miles that sells the only makeup I can wear.

Well that was a nice weekend. The weather was nice enough to open the house up and air it out, for the boys to play outside and clean up the yard and for me to crank up the music and clean. Yesterday the time change hit us like bricks, but we still got a couple things done.

Kiss My Grits!

Finally, a food experiment that turned out edible. More than edible, I'm even having this for breakfast today.
I went to college in the south where grits are served breakfast, lunch, dinner and sometimes desert. I learned that their flavor changes depending on what they are paired with, everything from savory to sweet.
Currently living in the Midwest, I missed them. Most people here have never even heard of grits, let alone tried them. I'm thinking of starting an Eat Your Grits Campaign to enlighten this part of the country.
Enough of my babble:

Bacon, Shrimp and Cheddar Grits

1 pkg pre-cooked Trader Joe's grits (or whatever grits you can find, just follow the package directions)
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1.5 cups frozen salad shrimp, thawed and dried well with paper towels
1.5 cups shredded low-fat cheddar cheese, reserve 1/2 cup
1/2 cup fat free 1/2 & 1/2
Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350.
In a skillet, brown the bacon and onion and drain on paper towells.
In a sauce pan, heat the grits and 1/2 & 1/2. Add in a cup of the cheese in small handfuls, stirring until melted. Turn off the heat and add in the bacon, onion and shrimp. Add salt & pepper. Stir to combine.
Spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray and dump the whole pot of lovely goodness in. Sprinkle the top with the reserved cheese and place in a 350 degree oven until the cheese is bubbly, about 20 minutes.

I served this last night with grilled pork chops, steamed broccoli and corn. I could have skipped the chops since the grits had plenty of protein and are REALLY filling, but I wasn't sure if my boys would like them, but they did. Who couldn't love bacon, shrimp and cheese anything?

Next time I may just add in some veggies and make it into a complete meal casserole.

Anti-Sneaking Spotlight

Last night Mike installed a covert tactic to dealing with a sneaky child... a motion activated light switch. He put it in the hallway outside Gryffin's room and it works like a charm. I know when Gryffin gets up in the morning, even without having my hearing aides in. My husband is so smart.
There were two of these handy dandy little gadgets in the package. The second will go in our closet, sometimes its just too much to flip a switch in the morning.

Crappy Cakes

I cannot make crab cakes to save my life. Tonight I had a wonderful dinner planned of crab cakes, sweet potato fries and cole slaw. The cole slaw and fries were good. The crab cakes were more like crab slag. Luckily, the corner market was still open and I picked up a couple of pork steaks from their hot deli. This of course, was after Nick the Butcher gave me a hard time. He knows whenever I hit the deli around dinner time it's because I've botched something.
My guess is that the crab cakes were too wet, or I shouldn't use canned crab or they hate me. No matter which it is, most likely the last, I am not going to attempt them again. I know when I've been beaten.

Can you Lent me some seafood recipes?

Seafood Chowdah'
(this recipe has been adapted by me from Ina Gartner's Lobster Corn Chowder)
(and can be Lent suitable with the omission of the bacon)
(complete ingredient list at the end of this post)
(just couldn't stop with the addendum's)

1. Brown off the bacon bits, remove with a slotted spoon to drain.
Heat the seafood stock along with the sherry, milk, herbs and spices.

2. Add in the corn, onion and potatoes. Cook over medium high heat until potatoes are barely tender.
Keep warming that stock!

3. Combine stock with 1/2 & 1/2, corn and potatoes. Simmer on low for about 5 minutes.

4. Add in the crab, shrimp, bacon bits, and peas. Simmer another 5 minutes or until the shrimp and peas are done.

We love this soup. It's hearty with the perfect balance of sweet from the crab and salty from the bacon. It also holds up to reheating really well; although, I don't know how well it would freeze.

Seafood Chowdah'

Stock:
32 oz seafood stock
1/4 cup cream sherry(optional, but makes a huge difference)
2 cups milk
1 T Old Bay
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp thyme

Add to large saucepan and cook on a low simmer.

Soup:
4 sliced bacon, chopped (If not using, substitute 1 T olive oil)
1 lb cooked crab meat, chopped
1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and cooked
3-4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped (I leave the skins on)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb frozen corn
1/2 lb frozen peas
1 cup Fat Free 1/2 & 1/2
Salt & Pepper to taste.

Ok, but I'm not wearing overalls.

Yesterday I received a much anticipated package in the mail. Seeds! I'm planting my (first ever) vegetable garden. Not now, of course. It is still too early despite averaging one or two 70 degree days a week. I do plan on starting the seeds inside in paper egg cartons. Why? Because I refuse to spend money on stupid little plastic trays that only end up in the landfill. Woo Hoo, I feel my tree hugging, hippie traits rising to the surface again! Break out the tie-dye and crank up the Dead! Just kidding, although I do own both.
I have this dream of walking out to the back 0.40 and cutting some lettuce, spinach, tomato and pepper for a salad every evening, picking and snapping green beans and cutting into a fresh, ripe cantaloupe. Now I know this dream may not happen. I may just end up crying over dead, wilted vegetation, but at least I know I'm going to give it my all.

Food for thought

Hmmm, the government is looking to take a larger stake in the banks. It's not that I distrust our current administration, consider the alternative, but I'm thinking a shoe box or mattress might be best for my money.
It would still earn the same interest rate.

Again? Crap.

I'm sick, AGAIN! My head feels like it's going to explode. Mike thinks he may have found the problem to my prolonged illness last night. There was mold in our humidifier. I am really allergic to mold. It's amazing I survived living in my egg-donors house. He put a little bleach in the water to kill it off so hopefully, I can recover quickly and finally.
I can't let a little thing like lack of oxygen keep me from putting the house in order though. Mike was sweet enough to get the laundry started last night and scrub the kitchen. He's a keeper! Today I have, have, have to clean the bathrooms and change some sheets. I can handle that. I think.

I haven't fallen off the planet. Our beloved 14 year old Husky, Mojo, passed away this week. I hope to be back to regular posting soon, but not today.

Up on the rooftop...

The other day I was in the sewing room making a Pink Panther scarf for a little girl's birthday present when I noticed a spot on the ceiling. Crap, there's a leak in the roof. This morning we promptly called our roofer who true to his form said he would be here in a few hours and arrived not an hour later. Hail damage, grrrr. He gave is two options: the cheap quick fix or the $200 not going to have this problem again fix. We, having learned our lesson on quick fixes a long time ago, opted for #2. Unfortunately, he also let us know that there are about 10 other hail damaged spots that pose future problems. That does not make for a happy Monday, but it could be a lot worse. I will take this hit and count my blessings.

Premature Posting

My last post now seems like wishful thinking. I'm still battling what Gryffin calls "the little green things" in my chest and head. Last night as Mike went to the drug store for cough medicine, Gryffin covered me with blankets and brought me one of his favorite toys to snuggle with so I would feel better. I don't know how my kid got to be so sweet but I'm damn thankful for it.

Cured

I've been sick, again. But thankfully, I'm pretty much over it now, which is good because for some reason the house looks like I've been sick for a while. Toys, clutter, laundry, dishes and an empty pantry are the sure signs of my neglect. At least they are all easily remedied.

Surprise!

With no Day Out Tuesday and no karate class yesterday, Gryffin was getting a little restless. (Understatement of the year) I give my kid credit, when he's hit with boredom he's also hit with creativity. He came up with the idea of throwing Mike a surprise party, with cake and streamers and sign. Damn, my kid is brilliant. I knew Mike could really use a good cheering up after having a few rough days at work, so it was party time!
Gryffin helped me bake the cake, crumble it up into the icing and stir into a stiff mess where we scooped it with a melon baller and froze it. Then we melted some chocolate and dipped the cake balls in. We made a lovely, delicious mess. Mmmm, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, covered in white chocolate. Gryffin also picked up all of his toys to make the house 'nice for Daddy' and he helped me hang the streamers and drew a volcano on a piece of paper emblazoned with the words, 'We Love You'. When Mike pulled in the drive, which he had gotten up at 4am to shovel, Gryffin and I hid behind a chair waiting. When he opened the door, we jumped up and yelled (of all the original things) Surprise! I really don't know who had the biggest smile, Gryffin for pulling it off, Mike for feeling so much love it melted some snow, or me being a witness to the wonder of my son and husband, and being the luckiest woman on the planet.

Winter Wondermeal

We have enough snow on the ground that I can no longer see the neighbors grass sticking up. That's a lot of snow, folks. Oh, and have I mentioned they just NOW got rid of their Halloween pumpkin and put up a bunch of bird feeders? I hate birds.
Last night as soon as Mike got home I sent him right back out in it with Gryffin. They played in the snow for about a half hour before it got too cold so I could work on picking up the house. Nothing destroys a house like a cabin fevered little boy and a lazy mom. I at least had a nice hot Shepherd's Pie waiting for them though. It was the perfect dish for a cold, snowy day.

Shepherd's Pie

1 lb ground lamb
1 lb frozen mixed veggies
8 oz can of tomato sauce
1 small onion, diced
2.5 lbs yukon gold potatoes, chopped with skins on
1/2 cup or so of Fat Free 1/2 and 1/2
Thyme
Sage
Garlic powder
Salt & Pepper

Put the taters on to boil. Cook the lamb and onion together until the meat is no longer pink and drain, return to pan. Slightly steam the frozen veggies but do not cook all the way. This will get them to release some of their liquid. (I forgot to do this last night so mine was slightly watery, but still good) Add the veggies and spices to the meat, stir in the tomato sauce and place all this in a big casserole dish sprayed with non-stick spray. When the potatoes are tender, drain and combine with the 1/2 & 1/2. Using a mixer, whip them into a frenzy. Hey, you're making mashed potatoes! Spread the potatoes evenly over the top and stick in a 350 oven for about 30-45 mintues or until the potatoes are nice and golden. Let this rest for a few minutes before serving. (I also forgot this step last night, which was another reason it was a little watery)

This recipe can be used with ground beef or a combination.

I doubt there is even two inches of snow on the ground and everyone is panicked. The weatherman, aka Guessman, has predicted anywhere between 0-967 more, way to CYA dude. Needless to say, all the schools have closed.
Time for an agenda redo.

My man is good!

Mike passed his test! He not only passed, but passed with a 90%. The national average is 73%. I am so proud of him.
Yesterday he came home with a big bouquet of flowers. I got gussied up while the boys waited for Grandma to show up. We shipped Gryffin off with her and Mike took me out for sushi. Mmmm, sushi. Saki on the other hand, I'll leave that up to Mike. We got some new movies, settled in on the couch with some drinks and called it a lovely evening.

I slept so hard I think my brain fell out. That's pretty rare for me, I'm usually a light sleeper. On the rare nights when I do sleep like last night, I have the hardest time waking up. Couple cups of coffee, a shower and Gryffin waking up in a good mood helps.
Yesterday I watched the Inauguration. What a moment in history! One step closer to equality for all and hopefully better times ahead for the nation (and world).
Last night I did something I haven't done in forever. I made pizza. It was so good that I forgot to take pictures before we devoured it. Gryffin ate three pieces! I know that I've posted the recipe before, but knowing me I forgot to label it so here it is:

Freezer Pizza
3/4 cup warm water
2 T olive oil
2 c flour
1 t sugar
1/2 t salt
2 t yeast

Place the above in order in a bread machine and turn to the dough setting. Let that baby do the work. When its done, pour the dough out onto a floured surface and roll out until the size of your pizza stone. Prick the center with a fork to keep it from bubbling up and bake for 10 minutes on a pizza stone at 400. Carefully remove the crust and top with your faves or freeze for use in the future. If not freezing, return to oven all topped with goodies and bake addition 10-15 minutes.
To cook from frozen: no need to thaw, just top with what you like and place on a pizza stone in a 400 degree oven until cheese is bubbly and crust is GBD (golden, brown, delicious), about 15 minutes.

We just had a simple pepperoni one last night. While making it I read the label on the cheese and got really ticked at Sam's Club. They have stopped selling the 2% low-fat Kraft shredded cheese in favor of their own which is definitely not low in fat. 9 flipping percent! I cook as healthy as possible and this will not work. I'll just have to go back to looking for the low-fat stuff on sale and stocking up. Luckily, it freezes really well.