Valentine

Note: I hate calling it V-day because it sounds like a disease.

So yesterday was Valentine's Day and I thought to myself, "Here I sit just perusing Facebook and bopping around on the web, why not post something on the long forgotten blog?" So here I am.... Posting, that is.

Valentine's day for our family is mostly understated. There's never a BIG romantic dinner out, sometimes roses but not always, usually a card from that guy I sleep with every night and Chicken Rolls.

Chicken Rolls? Yes, Chicken Rolls, the most time consuming, dirty dish inducing, recipe in my repertoire, which of course makes it the family favorite. So, I show my undying affection for those I love each and every Valentine's Day by slaving away in the kitchen. I should add it's also the one day out of the entire year in which I set the table with crystal, china and linens. 'Cause it's nice to be classy at least one day out of the year.

Now I wouldn't say my family has come to expect their favorite meal and all it's fanciness and you know why? Because every single year I manage to convince them it's just not happening because I have any number of other things on my plate (on my plate! see how I did that?) And every year they look at me with a mild expression which scarcely manages to hide their disappointment and say, "That's okay Mom, I (we) understand." It's always a joy to witness the fist pumps when they realize I've come through, despite the scheduling conflicts.

But you know something... This whole fancy dinner thing is getting SO much harder to pull off now that we're each running in a different direction. With a soon to be 18 and 21 yr. old in the house and me with an ever changing schedule at the shop, it's a wonder I can manage a 'Family Dinner' at least one day out of the week, which has always been a huge priority until recently.

I have to say that last night lacked the luster our Valentine's Dinners normally hold as 'Computer Boy' had to work until 9:00. So there were only the three of us and a wrapped up plate in the fridge, which tends to lose a little bit of it's flavor when it's reheated in the microwave and the only one at the table at 9:30pm is your mom watching you eat. Kudos to the boy for not complaining.

Maybe next year when he's away at college we'll go out for one of those fancy restaurant meals and I can forgo the Chicken Roll kitchen massacre. Oh wait, that's right, we won't have any money for things like that when he's in college... Hellloooooo, Chicken Rolls.

This you won't want to miss...

Okay, maybe I'm just really tired (Got my beach on yesterday with a group of friends and didn't get home until 2:30 am, then the girl child had an ortho appointment with Dr. Fabulous first thing this morning)... and maybe I'm just punch drunk now, but after viewing the site Cake Wrecks, I not only have duplicate streams of mascara tracks trailing down my cheeks, I also have a runny nose and aching abs... Yes, I laughed that hard.

I'd like to dedicate this post to both Whiskeymarie, 'cause you know, she bakes and stuff... And to Jon, because I appreciate his sense of humor and I think this is right up his alley, especially THIS post.

If you've got the time, check out the entire site. If not, be sure not to miss THIS gem.

The Name is Al... Al Dente

Meet my buddy Al, Al Dente... I got him for Christmas and like any true sicilian he knows when the pasta is cooked to perfection. Seems Al crossed the wrong don and as a result, the family cemented his legs in a barrel. Plunge him into boiling water along with the pasta and when it's ready Al starts playing italian opera tunes, with which I can hum along... 3 different tunes, 3 different variations of cooked noodle... Hey, it beats throwing the pasta against the wall to see if it'll stick!

Al makes me feel like a cross between Tony Soprano and Giada De Laurentiis


Though in a look-alike contest, folks would most likely refer to me as "Hey Tony!"

Grapes Anyone?

There hasn't been much time for blogging lately as I spent the last week planning and executing a family event... The 4th Annual Jerry Blystone Memorial Golf Tournament. It's a party which honors my father-in-law who in life, absolutely loved Golf, Family & Food. Since food is also rather near and dear to my heart, I like to spend the weeks leading up to the event researching new and unique ideas for meeting my guests gastric needs, which because it's an all day event must include Breakfast Fare, Snacks & Nibblers for the non-golfing crowd, Main course BBQ food and to round it all out, an array of Desserts.

There's the 'Classics' which are always on the menu... Namely, Spinach Dip in a bread bowl with bread and veggies for dipping (with this crowd a double batch is always a necessity.) The first year I believe we went with the 'classic' burger and dog BBQ but we've since broadened our pallets and now serve Marinated London Broil (in my own secret sauce) along with Grilled Sausages served with onions and peppers on rolls. Hungry yet? I'm not... She who spends the time preparing all the food tends to be rather underwhelmed when it comes time to eat it... Plus, spending the afternoon eating a gallon of Spinach Dip and bread leaves one completely stuffed come 'the real food'.

Anyway, I had time to take one picture before the party started, it's of the edible centerpiece I made for breakfast. I found it in 'Taste of Home' magazine and thought it would make a nice addition to the party.

Behold the cascading tower of fruit (mostly grapes)

Pretty, dontcha think? It was great fun to assemble, though I had to rise from my bed at o' dark thirty to make sure it was ready in time. However, there's one problem with this thing of beauty... I've got so many grapes left over I could start my own winery! Yes, folks picked at it but I had to purchase 10 lbs. of grapes to cover the damn styrofoam... 10 LBS!!! I mean, I like grapes and all but eat too many and well, you know? So anyone out there have any suggestions for all these extra grapes? If so, let me know.

Smitten by a 'Foodie'

While on vacation I happened to catch TLC's (new?) show 'Take home chef' featuring this hunky little number...
And ever since, I've been smitten... Oh c'mon, I'm WAY more mature than that... Smitten with the need to try something new in the kitchen... Once I got home I perused my latest issue of 'Cooking Light' magazine and found several new recipes to try. I'm just getting SO incredibly bored with the same old, same old and this little cutie Curtis Stone reminded me that being adventurous in the kitchen can be so much fun!

Last night I made 'Beer Chili'... I don't drink beer but my brother-in-law will be happy to know that there's a six-pack (minus one) of 12 oz. long neck Budweiser's currently residing in my fridge. Along side the chili I made a dish called 'Easy Corn Casserole'... I was hoping it might resemble something close to Spoonbread but sadly no.

Tonight I have a Roasted Chicken with Onion, Potatoes & Gravy in the works... A recipe by Chuck Williams, founder of Williams-Sonoma... When it's complete I'll charge each of my family members an outrageous fee just for the privilege of getting to eat it... Seems appropriate for anything regarding Williams-Sonoma. It's currently cooking in the electric roaster I got for Christmas last year (only the second time I've used it, even though I convinced my husband it was a must-have item... Shhhhh!) and it smells delicious!

For dessert I found a Bread Pudding recipe online that I'm giving a try. While on vacation I ordered Bread Pudding for dessert, following dinner at one of our favorite restaurants 'Mangos' at Bethany Beach. My son decided to give it a try... A HUGE surprise as I've never known him to look even remotely interested in something made with wet bread. However, after one spoonful my lovely dessert became somewhat diminished by my ravenous, Bread Puddin' lovin' boy. I guess I should be pleased that he saved me from all of those extra calories, but MAN, that was good stuff!

Tomorrow night it's back to simple and easy as I have to work 'til 6:00 at the studio... However, now that the days are growing milder, being in the kitchen isn't really too bad. Especially in a house that's all relaxed and quiet during the day.