Author Archives: patty

Television Perfect Storm Night

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Dearest Boo,  for me this coming Tuesday, April 13th, will be such an exciting television night.  Just warning you now, I will be on “Do Not Disturb” from 7 P.M. until 10 P.M.

Tuesday nights have been my favorite television night since September 2003 when “NCIS” first aired and I was able to spend one hour with my “television husband”  Mark Harmon.  I have so loved this man since he first played in the television series “St Elsewhere” and “Chicago Hope”.   That scamp just stole my heart!  Then he moved on to play a role in “The West Wing”.  Yeah!!  Even though he was the quarterback for UCLA and helped to engineer the stunning upset of our Cornhuskers in 1972, I don’t want you to hold that against him.  He is a fine and gracious man.  Most importantly, he appears to be a wonderful husband and father.  Two qualities that I feel are super important things to look for in a man.  And it sure does not hurt that he is a real cutie patootie.

Next for my viewing pleasure is “Glee”.  It is wonderful seeing a program that is supporting the arts in our schools, as right now the cuts are continuing for the arts in our school system.  When you were in high school you were on the golf team and, of course, all your horse riding competitions.  Even though, as you are fond of telling me, that I cannot sing when you expressed interest in trying out for the choir at your high school I was thrilled.  I remember what fun I had when I was in the Girls Glee Club at my high school a hundred years ago.  However, neither one of us were in a glee club, such as “New Directions” at William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio.  My glee club never had costumes or robes and I am guessing that you wished your choir was the same.  I will always remember that horrid teal taffeta dress with the puffy sleeves and the hemline about six inches above your ankle.  Oh, the 1990’s were awful for so many reasons and the clothes were at the top of the list.  I found this picture online that is pretty close to the color and the bodice and sleeves.  The skirt portion was much fuller and just about this length, but this will be enough to bring back the horror.

How you and the rest of the choir girls hated this dress.  It was hot under the lights and just plain ugly.  I will never understand the choir director’s mind when he picked out this dress.  Your best friend, Jessica, was in the choir and felt the same way.  I remember the night, at the end of the school year, when you came to me dress in hand.  The girls from the choir were getting together for a bonfire and you were leaving to go get Jessica.  Oh, how tender!  You were all going to dress up one last time in your choir dress and sing around the bonfire.  It was later that night when you came home and shared “the rest of the story”.  Jessica’s parents knew what was going on and refused to let her participate, so when you pulled into her area you turned off your headlights and idled your car.  Out her bedroom room came floating to the ground a teal taffeta fluff ball and right after that Jessica scrambled out the window out onto the first story roof and down to the ground.  What I did not know and, apparently Jessica’s parents did, was that you rascals were going to toss your dresses into the bonfire.  Not that I would have protested; those were some ugg-a-lee dresses!  I might have even given you some matches to start the fire.  The dresses all melted into black, molten globs never to be seen by human eyes ever again.

Back to the television series, “Glee”.  I so enjoy this show because it appeals to the outsider in me.  During high school I was always on the fringe, just skating through totally under the radar.  I like it’s sense of humor, how it appeals to both young and old, and how they are able to mix show tunes with current tunes.  The young people all have such amazing voices.  I truly hope that they never “graduate” from McKinley and the show will go on forever.

And for the final “storm” of the night – “Deadliest Catch”.  Tuesday night starts it’s sixth season and we have been watching it since the beginning.  It’s a reality show about the crab fishing fleet in the Bering Sea and follows them through their two fishing seasons.  The fall season is for the king crab and the winter season is for the opilio crab.  Each episode takes the viewers onto the boats to experience what it is like to have one of the deadliest jobs.  Not only do you see the treacherous weather conditions, but it shows (as best it can) what’s it’s like to live in close quarters with little sleep and crew conflicts.  There are maybe eight to ten crew on each boat that are out on the Bering for three or four months at a time.  Not only are they are family on each boat, but since the fleet is fairly small, they are a family to every other boat.  Just like in a family there are fights between brothers on the boats and between the captains.  It must be very difficult for these men who are married to return home and switch gears.  I wonder how long it takes for them to be able to relax and enjoy being on land?  Maybe they never truly relax.

I have pictured my two favorite captain, Jonathan and Andy Hillstrand, of the Time Bandit.  Jonathan is the captain during the king crab season and he is just a real scamp.  He reminds me so much of my old boss, Sully, both in looks and actions.  The both know how to work hard and how to play hard.  And the pranks that they play on their team are just naughty and fun – as long as it is not directed at you.  Andy is the captain during the opilio crab season.  He is gentle and fair.  During the off season he is at home with his wife and two daughters on their horse ranch in Indiana.  Like my television husband, Mark, Andy appears to be a loving husband and father.  It would break my heart to know that this is not true.

Anyway, for your convenience I have the countdown clock on this post so that you will know when the “Do Not Disturb” time goes into effect.  I am so excited!

Since we had such a great, non-healthy dinner last night to celebrate your birthday I thought that tonight we would be a bit healthier with a salad.  I’ve been watching the Jamie Oliver series, “Food Revolution”, and made the chicken strips from the website.  After they were fried I cut them into smaller cubes and placed them onto a nice bed of lettuce for our Chicken Salad.  It was delicious and filling.  Joy Rising!

Chicken  Strips

Prep  Time: 15-20 minutes

Cook  Time: 3-5 minutes per side

Source: Jamie  Oliver

Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 T dijon mustard (I like to use the “grainy” style for an extra flavor)
  • 1 egg white, beaten
  • 1/3 c panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 c grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 T olive oil (you may need to use a bit more if you do a second batch)
  • mixed greens
  • your favorite dressing
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Cut chicken into strips, about 3/4″ to 1″ wide.
  2. Make breading station.  Use one bowl for egg white and a second one for the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Mix the cheese and bread crumbs together and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Pour oil into skillet and turn on medium high.
  5. Spread mustard over the chicken strips to lightly coat.
  6. Dip chicken into the egg white to coat.
  7. Next dip chicken into bread crumb/Parmesan cheese mixture to coat.
  8. When oil is hot enough (you will see slight “tufts” of heat rising out of skillet) carefully add in breaded chicken strips.
  9. Fry for about 3 minutes until nicely browned.  Then flip over and brown the other side.
  10. Take chicken out of pan and let rest on a plate.
  11. After  slightly cooled, cut into cubes.
  12. Place mixed greens onto a plate and add some chicken.  Dress with your favorite dressing.

I have also mixed things up a bit by not cutting into strips.  Pound the chicken breasts until they are 1/2″ thick.  Do the same mustard, egg white, bread crumb/Parmesan cheese coating and fry until brown on both sides.  Then I would top cooked spaghetti with the chicken breast, cover with favorite marinara sauce (spaghetti sauce) and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Place in microwave for 30-45 seconds, just long enough to slightly melt the mozzarella cheese.

For God So Loved the World

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Holy Week.  Without a doubt my most favorite time of the Christian year.  I am always humbled and in awe that Someone would love me that much that He would give His life, so that I could live.   This year I discovered several documentaries on the TBN Channel for Holy Week.  They have all been presented from a different point of view.  Last night was the crucifixion from the viewpoint of Barabbas.

Back in our “other life” I would so look forward to the Fridays of Lent.  On those days our church would sponsor a Lenten Lunch.  The “church ladies” would offer a free will lunch and some one from the community would share an inspiring story.  I so enjoyed the stories, the “church ladies” food, and especially the fellowship.  It was during that time that I met the most kindest, gentlest, gentle man named Maynard.

During those ten years that we shared our lunch I was honored by his presence.  The first year we usually were standing in line close, so we shared small visits.  Just small chit chat, but he was the kind of person that you just noticed.  There was just something very special about this dear man.  He was always dressed in a suit, always spoke with kindness, was very humble and polite.  The second year I was dismayed to discover that he was not in line.  I was worried, as I feared that he was either too sick to attend the lunches or worse.  What joy to discover, as I was making my way through the tables, Maynard standing before me, waving me over to his table.  He had saved a spot for me at his table!  As a working person, who was short on time and usually found myself without a table, this was such a blessing.  And to be a part of this dear man’s circle for that brief hour was more of a blessing.  I would see Maynard out and about in the town throughout the week and he always treated me with respect.  When he died a big, bright part of my life died with him.  I always think of him during Holy Week.  However, I know that he is up with our God, hopping around the clouds, spending eternity with his beloved wife.  Just picturing him with a suit coat over his wings brings me joy.  And my joy was doubly blessed when I started back to college and one of my all time favorite professors was Maynard’s son.

In looking through the internet I “re-found” this recipe.  When you were a wee one we made this a couple of times, but then the recipe was lost, the memory forgotten.  Until today!  Yeah!  I also found the newspaper clipping from our local newspaper dated almost twenty-five years ago.  You and I would always decorate on of the Russian Olive trees that lined our driveway.  Each year we used the same tree, that you named “The Climbing Tree”.  We poked a hole into the top of one of the plastic eggs that you can purchase for almost any store during the Easter holiday.  We then inserted a loop of ribbon through the hole and glued the egg closed.  The ribbon hook was then used to hang our “jellybean” onto the tree.  You would take such delight in how many of your classmates would come by to see our tree.  Aw, memories!  Joy Rising!

Resurrection  Rolls

Prep  Time: 15 minutes

Baking  Time: 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes

Serves: 6-8 people

Source: thegirlwhoateeverything.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

  • 1 8oz package refrigerated crescent rolls
  • 1/4 c sugar
  • 1 T ground cinnamon
  • 8 large marshmallows
  • 1/4 c butter, melted

Directions:

  1. Separate rolls into eight triangles.
  2. Combine sugar and cinnamon into a bowl.
  3. Dip each marshmallow into butter, roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place onto one triangle.
  4. Pinch dough around marshmallow, sealing all edges (make sure to seal well or all the marshmallow will escape).
  5. Dip tops of dough into remaining butter and cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  6. Place with sugar side up in greased muffin cups.
  7. Bake 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes.
  8. Serve warm.

Enjoy!

You in our Jelly Bean Tree

Your Easter Basket this year


Happy 20-10 Boo!!!!

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Happy Birthday, Boo!!  It’s so hard for me to believe that thirty years have flown by so fast.  Why it seems like just yesterday I was rushing home from my morning bowling league to change clothes to head off to my afternoon Bridge Club.  Seriously.  It sounds like a sad, dumb drama from the 1980’s, but that was my life.  And I did not realize how unfulfilled it was until you came into my life.

Once I hung up the phone from the doctor asking if we were still interested in adopting I was bouncing off the walls, the ceiling, it was as if I could bounce from one cloud to another.  And the poor doctor?  I am sure he was rushing off to my Audiologist to get his hearing tested.  Pretty sure my screams of joy broke both of his ear drums.  The next twenty-eight hours flew past me in a huge, beautiful, pink blur.  I remember a friend taking me out to shop for supplies to get us through the first night.  But what I really remember was pushing two carts through Wal-Mart both loaded to the brim with bottles, brushes, bottle nipples, onesies, blankets, diapers, sheets, formula, nightgowns, wash cloths, towels, bibs, bath soap, baby lotion, baby oil, baby socks, petroleum jelly, nasal aspirator, baby shampoo, burp cloths, bibs, thermometer, diaper bag, diaper cream, wipes, changing pad, diaper pail, and that did not even start to include the car seat, crib, high chair, and the toys that I just knew you would want.

And then it was 4 p.m. that Thursday, about twenty-seven hours after your birth, and you were taking your very first plane flight.  Your birth parents placed you in the hands of the attorney and he flew you to us and placed you in my hands.  What a joy it was to drive you home, showing you places where you will go and things you will do as you grew up in our town.  Pretty sure I spent that first night (okay, I will admit it probably many more nights) just sitting in your room watching you breathe.  At birth you were only 6# 9.75 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.  Just totally precious.  From the time I was about twelve I just knew what my daughter’s name would be, however as I grew older I realized that when I first looked upon my baby girl it would be then that her name would come to me.  Imagine my joy when gazing upon your sweet face for the first time you opened your eyes, smiled at me, reached your arms up to hug me, and said “yes, my name shall be Megan Kathleen”.  Okay, maybe it did not happen entirely that way, but I do know that you just “looked” like a Megan Kathleen.  So be it – my dream came true in you.

I cannot thank your birth parents enough for all the joy and love they have given me by allowing me the honor of being your mother.  It was truly very courageous for them to admit that they were too young to raise a child and that they wanted something better for you.  They wanted to give you the opportunity of a future that they could not provide for you at that point in their young lives.  Adoption means love and I do love you.  From the time you were a wee one I always said the word “adoption” to you, so that you could understand that the word “adoption” meant love.  You were conceived in love and shared in love.  As you grew older I tried my best to be sure you understood what a great honor your birth parents gave to you and what difficult decisions they made along the way.  Perhaps some day I will be able to thank them for giving me this most precious gift of being your mother.  They gave me a treasure more precious than silver or gold.  I know that they must have a hole in their hearts that cannot be filled.  I know that God entrusted you into my caring arms that day, 20-10 years ago, and this is a gift I will never be able to repay.  I pray that they know that I am totally grateful for the sacrifice they made and how grateful I am that they did not take the easy way out.  This is a debt that I can never repay, but every day I pray that they are comforted in the knowledge that their sacrifice was not in vein.  You did grow up up in a family that loves you, that cares about your, and has supported you in all your endeavors.  My life would not be the same without you, Boo.

Now, I need to get myself busy making your Birthday Dinner.  We will have grilled ribeyes (from Leon’s Market), roasted asparagus and red peppers, your favorite potato salad and, of course, your Better Than Sex Cake for dessert.  When you were a wee one I made this cake for desert one night when we had some friends over for dinner.  You took such joy and naughty pleasure in telling your friends the next day at school that you had “sex” last night.  Your kindergarten teacher was a friend of mine, who dearly loved her students and their stories they shared with the class.  That day I was not sure who was crying more……….Mrs. F from laughter or me from embarrassment.  Since that time this has always been your requested birthday cake and since it is super easy to make and decorate I was always thrilled to oblige.  Today is no different!

Joy Rising!

Better  Than  Sex  Cake

Prep  Time: 20 minutes (excluding baking time)

Bake  Time: 30-35 minutes  at  temperature recommended on box

Source: Mary Scott

Ingredients:

  • 1 box german chocolate cake mix
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 1 small bottle caramel sauce
  • 1 large tub of cool whip, unfrozen
  • 6 skor candy bars

Directions:

  1. Prepare cake as per back of cake mix box.
  2. Once cake completely baked, remove from oven.
  3. Let stand about ten minutes, then using fork poke holes in cake (this will allow the caramel sauce and evaporated milk to seep into and throughout the cake).
  4. Pour over the cake the contents of the bottle of caramel sauce (I usually pour on half, let it soak in, and the pour the remaining half).
  5. Once the caramel sauce has basically soaked into the cake pour on the evaporated milk.
  6. Keeping the candy bars in their wrappers, crush into little bits (I use the bottom of a heavy sauce pan).
  7. Once the evaporated milk has basically soaked into the cake, spread on the Cool Whip.
  8. Sprinkle the crushed Skor candy bars over the cake.
  9. Cut into small pieces to serve (this cake is very rich).

Honey  Dijon  Potato  Salad

Prep  Time: 20 minutes

Cook  Time: 90 minutes

Source: Rachael  Ray

Ingredients:

  • 2  1/2# small potatoes, quartered   (I like to use Yukon Gold and I do not peel)
  • 1/4 c honey
  • 1/4 c dijon mustard
  • 2 T cider vinegar
  • 1/3 c extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 medium red onion, chopped
  • 3  ribs celery, chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Cover potatoes with cold water.
  2. Bring to a boil and salt the water.
  3. Boil potatoes until just tender  15-20 minutes;  drain.
  4. While potatoes are still hot, combine the honey, mustard and vinegar in a bowl.
  5. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.
  6. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. To the bowl of dressing add the potatoes, onion and celery.
  8. Gently stir to coat the potato salad.
  9. Taste the salad to see if you need to add more salt and pepper if needed.

Enjoy!

Successful dinner……………..thanks to Leon’s and my Big Green Egg!!!  Love that Egg.