Louis Zamperini and the 49'ers

Had the privilege of seeing Louis Zamperini, the World War II hero and former Olympian speak today at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church with my good friend Karen.  I am so very glad we went down, even on a stormy Sunday morning.  At book club last weekend, we had a great discussion about the book, and about his life.  It was really inspiring to see him, and his some of his stories, in person.  If you haven't read the book Unbroken, I highly recommend it.  Really made me realize how incredibly blessed we are.

It is now football time.  After getting Garrett's new furniture in place, and rearranging his room, with new bedding, I am exhausted.  It will be nice to sit and enjoy the 49'ers game.  While I continue to be a soccer fanatic, I do enjoy football when we get to the playoffs.  Go Niner's!  Will be nice to see if Jim Harbaugh can make it to the Super Bowl in his first year as a pro coach.  I just hope the Niner fans behave.  Seems they were not on their best behavior and acted like Raider fans.  I was called to task by a friend who is a huge Raider fan, and she pointed out that there have been no violence at Raider games, but, she is always wearing Raider gear.  Not sure how it is for the opposition.

Go Niners!!!

When it rains...

The skies have finally opened up and given us some much needed rain.  The wind is crazy but welcome all the same.  I love the sound of rain.

Hard to imagine a weekend without anything scheduled - how sweet is that.  Coming off the last few over-scheduled weekends, it is a welcome break.  The kids are always busy but at least I will get a break.

There isn't much politically that South Carolina gets right, but I have to say that tomorrows primary vote on a Saturday is the right thing to do.  I have been saying for years that Tuesday voting is a travesty because some people really can't get off work.  Tuesday is a terrible day for an election but it is unlikely to get changes.  Allowing people to vote on a Saturday or a Sunday would make polls available to more people.  But we know that the Republican party isn't interested in more people voting.  It is just the opposite.  The last year has seen a slew of laws passed by Republican state assemblies and governors.  From voter id cards to redistricting, it is all about keeping voters away from the polls.

Gingrich seems to have made a bigger ripple than thought possible.  I am hoping for a long drawn out slog through the Spring.  Plus, the Iowa Republican party has just announced that Romney didn't actually win Iowa.  It was Rick Santorum.  To make matters more interesting, the evangelicals in SC are now embracing Gingrich's infidelity as unimportant.  Damn hypocrites.

The political season is taking off and it promises to be an interesting one.  I can't wait!!!

Spiraling and the dreaded X-box

I am still amazed at how little I really know about my sweet son and how learning about ADHD, and seeing him through that filter has helped me learn a bit more.

Over the Christmas holidays, Garrett was grounded for terribly bad grades (really, really bad), and he lost his X-box privileges.  The rule was that in order to have time with his console, he had to bring all his classes up to a C or greater.  I made an exception for Christmas day, but otherwise, Garrett hasn't had any time to game since the holidays.

This weekend he had a friend come over, and after he completed all his assignments, I gave Garrett 3 hours with his friend to play X-box.  Of course, 3 hours came and went, and when I returned home from shopping, I found Garrett still playing.

I had him stop playing, but it was the aftermath that I find troubling.  After playing X-box, Garrett is incredibly irritable.  He is annoyed that we made him quit, annoyed that he can't watch what he wished, and generally mad at everyone.  I truly have to say that the previous three weeks, we didn't see this behavior.  

Is it the X-box?  Is it 4+ hours on the X-box?  Is the the war games Garrett plays on the X-box?  Is it because it is Monday?  Low blood sugar?  Full moon?  I have no idea.  But I do think there is a very strong correlation between Garrett gaming and his mood. 

We are back to no gaming and Lacrosse season has started.  Garrett will get more exercise.  But he continues to want to play X-box more than anything.

I wish I understood the connection, if there actually is one.  What I do know is that with X-box use limited, our home is a bit more pleasant.

Favorite Things, Part 1

I am still trying to figure out what exactly this blog will be - part journal, part sharing of recipes, wines, knitting patterns, yarns, books and other ideas, part politics (especially as we enter the 2012 election season).  I think it will mostly represent me - an opinionated, multifaceted Southern gal with many interests.  As such, this is my first installment of favorite things:

Wine:

I bought this a few weeks ago at Costo - the first thing that caught my eye was that it was an unoaked Chardonnay.  I have finally figured out that the butter flavor so preferred by Americans is something I don't love.  I still drink the oak-y Chardonnay's but much prefer the French style Chardonnay's.  Second thing that caught my eye was the unique bottle and the it was from the Santa Lucia Highlands, one of my current favorite wine regions in California.  Finally, how cool is that bottle? The Mer Soleil Vinyard Silver unoaked Chardonnay 2010 was absolutely delicious and was a perfect pairing with my Mahi Mahi I had with my dinner.  Not sweet, nor fruity, it was crisp, with a nice acidity that worked well with my food, especially considering I used Meyer lemon with my fish.  It also has a nice amount of minerality, which I found over the summer was a wine trait I couldn't get enough of.

Condiments:

Opening my refrigerator, one immediately notices a huge array of jars, from jellies, olives, spreads, butters, pickles to sauces for cooking.  I can't resist and hardly leave a story without trying something new.  On a recent lunch to Lulu in San Francisco, I picked up a little jar of Preserved Meyer Lemon in olive oil .  My intent was to use in on a roasted chicken or with some fish.


 
Greg pulled some Mahi Mahi out of the freezer from his Mexico fishing trip. I spread the meyer lemon on the fish, and then topped it with fresh vegetables.  After baking the fish (see below for the last installment), the lemon flavor really complemented the fish, yet wasn't overpowering or tart.  Next time I will saute some of my vegetables as they didn't cook enough, and in order to get them cooked, the fish would have been overdone.  Next week I plan to try a roast chicken.  Stay tuned.


Cooking Tool:

Finally, my last favorite thing today is none other than cooking wrap.  No, it isn't tin foil, as we call it in the South, nor is it parchment.  It is Martha Wrap, a wonderful combination of parchment with aluminum foil on the back.  It folds like parchment, allowing you to cook food en papillote, without added oils.  The foil on the outside really insulates while the parchment prevents sticking of the food.  I line my pans with it when cooking to make them easier to clean, and wrap my vegetables for roasting right in a little packet.  I really can't say enough about this product.  Hard to find though.  First found this at our local Fresh and Easy market.  Only bought one roll and had to get my second from Amazon.  On the hunt again as I am at the end of roll two.


This weekend, I will get to enjoy another of my favorite things - soccer.  McKenzie's team, the Stingrays, are playing in the CYSA Association Cup.  It is now single elimination, so if we win, we will stay over tonight in Elk Grove.  Otherwise, we will return home.  As I always mention, these girls are such a pleasure to watch.  I just have to keep my cheering in control.  It is always positive, and I never coach from the sidelines, but I am loud.  Go Stingrays!!!

All in the name of family meals

Yes, I admit it.  I used Hamburger Helper last night.  I rushed home after a very, very busy day of work and errands.  Greg had picked up 2 lbs of ground chuck, and I had less than 30 minutes to get something on the table before I headed off to my soccer game.  So I browned the meat, added onions and cooked it, straight out of the box.  Am I embarrassed?  Yes!  Did I enjoy it?  Even worse, yes.  Because I steamed broccoli on the side, and was able to sit down with my kids to a meal. 

Yes, I would prefer to serve homemade meals from all organic ingredients every night, BUT I am learning it is more important to actually sit with them, and eat.  We chat, laugh and share from our day.  Wish the food was more nutritious and less packaged, but the organic broccoli had to count for something, right?  It is all about balance.

Walk like an Egyptian, Cook like my Mom

That was what we were doing this morning, and nothing sets the tone for your morning better than an incomplete project due this morning.

Had to wake McKenzie up super early to finish her project on Egypt.  She made a great pyramid from foam board but the summaries were incomplete.  She did power through, and I helped her with edits.  Pretty good but I really hate the last minute work.  I do have to admit though (thanks Janel for the not-so gentle reminder) that this is the way I work.  I was always last minute Charlie on all my projects for my Masters.

Anyway, I got a request for my fried chicken recipe this morning.  It is really my mom's recipe.  Truly yummy, and because the lid is on for much of the cooking, it isn't too terrible to clean up after making it.

Joyce's Fried Chicken

Chicken pieces of your choice (I use thighs) with skin on

Beat 3-4 eggs in a bowl

In a wide plate or bowl, mix flour with salt, pepper and paprika

Heat ~1/2 inch vegetable oil in deep skillet over medium heat

Dip chicken in egg and coat in flour.  Put skin side down into skillet.  Don't over fill skillet as it really cools the oil down.  I usually do 4-5 pieces at a time and have to do 2 batches. 

Place lid on skillet and cook for approximately 10 minutes.  Check chicken and turn when it releases from the skillet.  You don't want to force it up as it pulls off the yummy goodness.

Turn the chicken and replace the lid for 5-7 minutes.  remove lid and turn one more time to crisp up the chicken.  Cook for 2-3 minutes or until nice and golden brown on all sides.  

Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.  Enjoy.

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The other recipe my girlfriend asked me for is my Pasta Carbonara recipe.  This is one of those super, super easy recipes that I pull out on those nights when you can barely get in the door before the kids are ready to sit at the table.  I add green peas (yeah, I know, they are more starch than vegetable, but at least we get points for them being green) and I don't use heavy cream.  This makes it a bit more healthy.  In the time I cook the pasta, the sauce is ready to be poured over the hot pasta.


Sallye's Pasta Carbonara
1 lb. spaghetti

3 ounces pancetta (or bacon), diced
Olive Oil

4 whole eggs plus 2 egg yolks
1 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
1 1/2 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)

Cook spaghetti in 4 quarts of bowling water until al dente.  Add peas to boiling water last 3 minutes.  Drain and place in large bowl.

While spaghetti is cooking, brown pancetta in a small frying pan with a small amount of olive oil. 

In a separate bowl, beat eggs and yolks well.  Add cheese and parsley. Pour over hot pasta and mix very quickly throughout pasta to coat.  Be careful to thoroughly mix as you don't want scrambled eggs.  Blend in pancetta.  Top with extra parmesan cheese.  Enjoy immediately.

Not a picture of my recipe but one from the internet.


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The search for schools for Garrett continues.  I have narrowed my focus to two schools.  Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham Virgina and Riverside Military Academy in Gainseville, Georgia.  I need to get my head around the fact that he may be away for almost a year, but he seems enthusiastic and I am really coming to think it is the best.  Now to bring Greg along.

Our Cup Runneth Over (almost)

It was the first weekend of the CYSA Association Cup in Lemoore.  Our sweet Stingrays played for the first time in their snazzy new uniforms and they advanced - barely.  Their record was 1-1-1 but they got through on goal differential.  It was cold but clear and gorgeous.  These sweet girls played great, and left it all out on the field.  I am really looking forward to next week in Elk Grove.

My friend Mary and I drove up together.  We had a car full of kids - two of Mary's, plus Garrett and McKenzie.  We left Friday and managed to avoid all traffic.  The drive went really well, and we made such good time that we had dinner at Harris Ranch.  Mary and I both had a burger, and it was really tasty.  Not the best I have ever had, but tasty, once the kitchen got my order right.  You would think cooking a burger Medium Rare wouldn't be that difficult.  They did make it right.

Three games of fabulous soccer followed.  The first game ended in a tie though the Stingrays totally dominated the game.  The girls took the second game and then lost the last game.  We had a few injuries, and Mary and I ran a mobile PT clinic in our room to rub and stretch the girls out. 

It is really wonderful to watch these gals as they grow and develop into such fine young ladies and athletes.  They are really delightful.  Here's hoping they continue to love this game.

Back at home tonight, I tried a new recipe - Spaghetti Meatball Pie.  Everyone absolutely loved it, and I even made enough to have some leftovers.

Spaghetti Meatball Pie

Ingredients:12 oz. uncooked spaghetti
2/3 C. Parmesan Cheese
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 balls fresh Ricotta cheese
25-30 small meatballs, thawed
1 Jar Marinara Sauce
½ c. shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Directions:Preheat the oven to 350 F. Cook the spaghetti and drain. Return to pot and add eggs, parmesan cheese, and salt & pepper (to taste). Mix well. Place pasta mixture in greased pie pan, pressing down slightly to form a “crust”. Spread with meatball halves on top of crust. Pour marinara sauce over meatballs and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Top with chunks of ricotta.  Loosely cover with foil (spray foil with cooking spray to avoid sticking) and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from the oven, let sit for 5- 10 minutes, and then cut into slices and serve.  Enjoy!!!

Finally, four years ago yesterday, I lost my sweet daddy!!!  It seems unbelievable that it has been that long.  I am most saddened to think that he hasn't been able to see my kids grow into the kids they are today, and the adults they will be.  I also hate to think he never met his youngest granddaughter Ella.  He so loved being a grandfather.  I miss him so!!

Here's to Dad!!!

Soccer and other passions

While cooking, knitting, reading and walking are things I really love, my greatest love right now is playing soccer.  About two years ago I put together a soccer team made up of mom's I hang out with.  We had all been watching out kids play soccer and it looked like so much fun.  We started out playing indoor futsol, which is played indoors on a gym floor.  When I put out a call for gals to play, we ended up with so many people that we created two teams - the Earthquakes and the Tsunami's.  After our first futsol season, we found an indoor league in South San Francisco, so we combined the teams into one - The Natural Disasters.

We have now been playing two years and we have so much fun.  We have slowly improved and are now really competitive with most of the teams.  The competition is great, and I often find my redneck self coming out (I blame my Southern roots).  I give the ND's credit for keeping me more fit than I have been in years.  While there is work to go in that arena, knowing I have a Wednesday game keeps me a bit on task and I want to be in shape so I am not out of gas during the game.

Last nights game was great.  We played a team that have often beat us handily.  Last evening we went into the half tied 1-1.  While we lost 3-6, we really played well.  What fun.

The homework machine

Shel Silverstein has always been one of my favorite authors, and his poetry was a favorite read for my kids.  Aside from the very short Gumball Machine, Garrett's all time favorite poem was The Homework Machine.  I think I should have known then that we needed to find one.

School is back in session after the Christmas break and we are cranking the Machine back up.  Both the kids have gotten into pretty bad habits regarding homework.  Garrett doesn't like to do it, at all.  And McKenzie does it, but with her phone buzzing texts and the radio blasting.  All that lead to mid-semester grades that were dismal, for both the kids.

As of last night I re-engineered the Homework Machine in hopes of getting a better end product.  Some back story:  Garrett is a very engaged student, who is excels at looking busy, and getting very little done.  With an ADHD diagnosis, I have come to see that he finds it incredibly difficult to stay on task for more than 3-4 minutes.  He isn't that kind of kid that spins like a top, a whirling dervish so to speak.  He just moves constantly.  As a parent, I was always amazed when our play mates would sit quietly for an hour or so coloring a book.  Neither Garrett or McKenzie would have ever spent more than 5 -10 minutes coloring.

That brings us to 8th grade, when grades are starting to mean something.  It is under that pretext that we work on a better machine.  I am the fuel that runs the machine, with the kids cranking out the homework.  A bigger challenge I am sure exists, but not after working 8-9 hours.  Let's hope this works better.  Between a designated hour or two for homework, and an additional stimulant given to Garrett at 4 pm to help him focus, I am hopeful we will see an improvement in his grades.

McKenzie remains motivated to make good grades.  She just needs to put in concerted effort.  She tends to skim by but is capable of straight A work.  However, she is a very social girl, and puts a bit more effort in socializing than studying.  Here's hoping to course correct quickly.

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Homework Machine

By Shel Silverstein

The Homework Machine , oh the Homework Machine,

Most perfect contraption that’s ever been seen.

Just put in your homework, then drop in a dime,

Snap on the switch, and in ten seconds time,

You homework comes out, quick and clean as can be.

Here it is – “nine plus four?” and the answer is “three”.

Three?

Oh me…

I guess it’s not as perfect

As I thought it would be.

Arawan Fresh Dates and Cooking with Ninie

So tonight I ventured into the kitchen as promised. This year for my birthday, Mom gave me this box filled with recipes that were hand copied by my Grandmother, Nina McKenzie.

A little background:  I hail from a family of wonderful, creative cooks.  Growing up, my father owned two restaurants and was a caterer.  We were always in the kitchen creating something.  My mother, while not a professional cook, very well could have been.  Both my grandmothers were also amazing cooks.  I am named after my maternal grandmother, Sallye Skinner Taylor.  While she often cooked simple Southern meals, they were truly delicious.  We are still trying to reproduce her fried corn recipe (the secret was apparently cooking it after the chicken).  On my father's side, my grandmother, Nina Eversole McKenzie was also a wonderful cook.  The recipes I am going to be cooking this year are from this box.

I started on the first of the recipes I have from my grandmother.  The recipes are in no special order.  I am just cooking as I found them in the box.  

Recipe #1 is Ninie's Orange Chiffon Cake.  There are many things to love about this recipe.  I just love that this is written on "Heart of Wilson" Motor Inn stationary.  Who knows if she actually stayed there but I suspect my grandfather, Joseph McKenzie, who was a print setter, brought it home from either work or a trip.  I also love how specific she is in her instructions for order of ingredients and whipping the egg whites.

I started this cake after borrowing a tube pan from my dear friends Mauricio and Dahlia.  I will be sure to share some of the cake.  The cake was easy enough to make, though Garrett and I ran into a near snag after we got the orange zest.  I cut the orange only to find it was a blood orange, with deep pink flesh.  I was afraid it was a grapefruit, though Garrett and I were able to verify it was an orange (taste).

I had McKenzie help me with whipping the egg whites.  She was so surprised when the cup of whites turned into stiff peaks.  Clearly I am not cooking with her enough.

After it had cooled, we iced it.  I think it looks nice (wish I would have put it on an orange plate, but oh, well).  The kids and I had a slice.  It is quite tasty, with a lot of orange flavor. The cake itself is light and airy, just as you would expect from both the name and the amount of egg whites put in the recipe. The icing was a nice touch, though I think I would like more orange flavor in it.  I may have shorted the amount of zest I put in the icing.  Note well taken.

I enjoyed the cake and I liked trying a new recipe.  I would make this one again. Seems perfect for a shower or book club. Not too sweet, but nice and light.

The other part of the evening involved dinner.  Always a challenge to find something that appeals to everyone.  For Christmas, Greg got a basket of Southern food and fixins.  I pulled a bag of chicken fry out to try tonight. 

Now, regardless that I am from the South, the only time that chicken gets fried in my home is when Mom comes for a visit. I have fried chicken twice in my house, and once was for my book club. 

When Garrett learned what I was cooking, he hovered around the kitchen most of the evening.  Originally, I only put five pieces of chicken in to cook, but added the remainder (I only cook with thighs) and was glad I did.  They flew off the platter.  I have to say that seldom have I put something on the table that was greeted with such joy from all members of the family.  Don't tell my mom, but Greg thinks mine was better than hers.  I remain doubtful but it was yummy!

It's a new year

I keep thinking that I will actually take the time to write down my thoughts but it seems all my time is all filled.  As the New Year starts, instead of resolutions, I am setting goals for this year. 

• Laughter
• Marriage
• Activity
• Cooking
• Travel
• Learning

In order of importance, I want to laugh more, especially with my family.  If we are laughing, we are having a good time, and that is so important as my kids continue growing and evolving.  I want them to laugh!

Greg and I celebrated 18 years of marriage this year.  The fun times still outweigh the bad, but I need to devote more time and attention to Greg and my marriage.  Kids are always a distraction but I am guilty of not giving Greg enough of my focus.

More activity is also on the agenda for the year.  I am still thoroughly enjoying my weekly soccer games with my beloved Natural Disasters.  I am also planning on participating in a breast cancer walk sometime this year.  Details to follow.

Cooking for friends and family has always been something I have really enjoyed.  Between kids, work and outside activities, I have not been spending time in the kitchen.  What I figured out this holiday when I was feeling out of sorts, was when I started cooking Christmas Eve, my mood soared.  I have to figure out a way to try one or two dishes each week.  I often overwhelm myself by trying to do an entire meal of new dishes. 

I also want to start on a project that will marry some of my goals for the year.  Mom sent me a very old box that contained some of my grandmothers handwritten recipes.  Ninie loved to copy recipes and share them.  The one's mom sent me are just a few of the many recipes Ninie wrote out, so this year, I am going to start working my way through her recipes.  I am hoping that this will be something I can do with one or more of my kids.  Stay tuned.

Travel always makes the list of things I want to do more of.  On the calendar are plans for Kauai, Hawaii and New Zealand.  I am hoping to explore some new areas of California as well.  I think it will depend on what our summer brings.

Learning can come in many forms.  I am done with higher education, and think I get enough school with Garrett's homework ;-(.  However, I have signed up for a photography class to learn how to take better pictures.  I am also looking for a class to learn about wine - making, tasting, exploring. 

This year is starting off with the promise that every year does - the ability to make better decisions than in the past.  Here's hoping I do.