So Thanksgiving is upon us and the time to gorge yourself has finally arrived. Of course I don't intend to gorge, I'm sure no one really does, but it happens and can't be helped. So deal with it. Since we got invited to a friend's house this year, I have no need to prepare the normal meal...but I got a turkey anyways. Since the turkey has been thawing, I keep going back and forth on an important issue. No, not the brine, the brine is a given. How to cook the bird. Normally we stick it in our showtime rotisserie, and it turns out awesome. But because the bird is always in motion and self basting itself, we don't get as much drippings as normal. Because of this I feel the gravy suffers, as does the potatoes and stuffing.
So the question is applied, to Rotisserie, or not. We'll be cooking the bird on Friday or Saturday, so stay tuned for the final results...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Holidays...
So is anyone else looking forward to the holidays? I'm not sure if I am, or if I'm not. Don't get me wrong. There are a lot of aspects about the season that I love, but then there are some I think I could do with out. I hope to openly convey my feelings about both.
Thinking of this in time-line pattern, first on the list is Thanksgiving. Typically, we would make some kind of trek to see family, but this year we're staying put. Which isn't a bad thing, we've done it before. This year feels different, and I can't explain why. We got invited to go to a friends house, which I'm totally up for. (This guy can cook! Ask me about his balsamic reduction) Since I love to cook, I'm hoping to do a thanksgiving style dinner at home as well, or at least cook the food and eat it as left overs. I'd like to make a sandwich with some thinly sliced turkey (brined and cooked rotisserie style), some mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy...all wrapped up in a nice warm roll....on a snowy day. Doesn't get better than that, does it? I think once I get one of those, I'll be happy happy.
Don't get me wrong, my life doesn't revolve around food, however I do like having meals to look forward to. Lately I've been experimenting and cooking new things. They've all been good, but nothing with that 'wow' factor. Sheperd's Pie, Chili Verde are two dishes that stand out. Both were good, but could have been better with little tweaks. So moving on, there's my mom's birthday, Isaac's birthday, and then Christmas. Now that is something I'm looking forward to. Mix in company holidays and it will almost be a two week trip!
First we head down to Concord, CA where we'll be staying a small moderate temporary living establishment. Centrally located, and relatively close to my favorite Mexican Restaurant, El Faro! I give this place a 6 on a scale of 1-5. We'll be hanging with the family for about 5 days, then it's up the coast to the in-laws in Oregon.
(Because I know my mom is thinking it, our house will be occupied by a heavily armed friend and our man-eating dogs)
We'll be up in Oregon for almost another 5 days...of course I don't know what we'll be doing, but last time we were there, there was talk of going to the coast. So I guess it's all weather permitting, but it's still gonna be fun. The down side is the driving...this is going to be a looooong trip. Hopefully the weather is good and the roads are clear.
Peace!
(interesting, that in a holiday post, the only picture I put up is a burrito....)
Thinking of this in time-line pattern, first on the list is Thanksgiving. Typically, we would make some kind of trek to see family, but this year we're staying put. Which isn't a bad thing, we've done it before. This year feels different, and I can't explain why. We got invited to go to a friends house, which I'm totally up for. (This guy can cook! Ask me about his balsamic reduction) Since I love to cook, I'm hoping to do a thanksgiving style dinner at home as well, or at least cook the food and eat it as left overs. I'd like to make a sandwich with some thinly sliced turkey (brined and cooked rotisserie style), some mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy...all wrapped up in a nice warm roll....on a snowy day. Doesn't get better than that, does it? I think once I get one of those, I'll be happy happy.
Don't get me wrong, my life doesn't revolve around food, however I do like having meals to look forward to. Lately I've been experimenting and cooking new things. They've all been good, but nothing with that 'wow' factor. Sheperd's Pie, Chili Verde are two dishes that stand out. Both were good, but could have been better with little tweaks. So moving on, there's my mom's birthday, Isaac's birthday, and then Christmas. Now that is something I'm looking forward to. Mix in company holidays and it will almost be a two week trip!
First we head down to Concord, CA where we'll be staying a small moderate temporary living establishment. Centrally located, and relatively close to my favorite Mexican Restaurant, El Faro! I give this place a 6 on a scale of 1-5. We'll be hanging with the family for about 5 days, then it's up the coast to the in-laws in Oregon. (Because I know my mom is thinking it, our house will be occupied by a heavily armed friend and our man-eating dogs)
We'll be up in Oregon for almost another 5 days...of course I don't know what we'll be doing, but last time we were there, there was talk of going to the coast. So I guess it's all weather permitting, but it's still gonna be fun. The down side is the driving...this is going to be a looooong trip. Hopefully the weather is good and the roads are clear.
Peace!
(interesting, that in a holiday post, the only picture I put up is a burrito....)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Aspiring for the most promising results
So at work today, a few of us would use the term....do (action) and hope for the best. Apparently that is frowned up, so in jest we now say 'Aspiring for the most promising results', because in some situations that's all you can do. Faith is required and every aspect of life requires a little faith. (not a George Michael song).
2 or 3 weeks ago, I'm having a conversation with my pastor, just your basic chit chat, nothing too deep. And we talked about travel and kept talking about Mexico, well one thing led to another and he stated that we (our church) needed someone like me to grab the ropes on something like that and run with it. Before I knew it, I'm maping out travel plans, I'm contacting Missionary camps that house American groups, and organizing meetings. Am I in over my head, or am I being drawn by a little bit of faith.
All through high school and beyond, I've had a calling to the mission field, but never had enough courage to take that plunge of full time missions. I did a 3 month stint at a place called Rancho Agua Viva during the summer of 96. And that was one of the hardest summers of my life, not just physically, but emotionally. During that time, I did make some good friends whom I'm still in touch with today. As a matter of fact, two of them are running the camp that I'm hoping to stay at next July. Las Tres Palmas is part of Real Life Ministries and run by Dennis and Debbi Hollenbeck. Dennis and Debbi were staff at Agua Viva during my 3 month stint and a cool set of people.
The heart is willing, but sadly we live in a society where that just isn't enough. I would like to ask for prayer for several things over the next 8 months....
2 or 3 weeks ago, I'm having a conversation with my pastor, just your basic chit chat, nothing too deep. And we talked about travel and kept talking about Mexico, well one thing led to another and he stated that we (our church) needed someone like me to grab the ropes on something like that and run with it. Before I knew it, I'm maping out travel plans, I'm contacting Missionary camps that house American groups, and organizing meetings. Am I in over my head, or am I being drawn by a little bit of faith.
All through high school and beyond, I've had a calling to the mission field, but never had enough courage to take that plunge of full time missions. I did a 3 month stint at a place called Rancho Agua Viva during the summer of 96. And that was one of the hardest summers of my life, not just physically, but emotionally. During that time, I did make some good friends whom I'm still in touch with today. As a matter of fact, two of them are running the camp that I'm hoping to stay at next July. Las Tres Palmas is part of Real Life Ministries and run by Dennis and Debbi Hollenbeck. Dennis and Debbi were staff at Agua Viva during my 3 month stint and a cool set of people.
The heart is willing, but sadly we live in a society where that just isn't enough. I would like to ask for prayer for several things over the next 8 months....
- Prayer for those who are called to this ministry
- Prayer that the resources needed are provided
- Prayer that this is God's will
Monday, November 8, 2010
I am
I blog, therefore I am....seriously though, since I woke up this morning, I've been thinking about taking some lamaze classes. I'm not pregnant or anything, I'm just having trouble breathing...
chili verde tonight....WOOT!
chili verde tonight....WOOT!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Another day, not like yesterday...
It was Nov 22, 2009 and I was driving home from work like any other day. As I pulled into the garage, I got a phone call...not thinking that only 6 days prior Becky and I had gotten our Foster Parents license, I answered the phone. It was a case worker from Health & Wellfare saying she may have two boys (half brothers) that need placement later that evening. I ran inside and threw the phone at Becky....long story short, a few hours later, Becky came home with a 22 month toddler old and a 2 day old, yes, 2 day old new born.
Over the next 7 months we've had our ups and downs, side to side, back and forth....getting dizzy... it has been nothing but a learning experience for all of us. Today my journey with one of them has come to a close. He'll be staying with his dad from now on, and that's a good thing. Watching a human life triple in size, discover the world, get a kick out of dogs, finally start to laugh and giggle....I'll never get to see him finally learn how to crawl, walk, and talk. Wow, this is really getting sappy....
OK, I'm sad to see him go, but I knew that was going to happen one way or the other. I'm glad he's going to be with his Dad who loves him alot. But being the first foster child to leave our care, it's a little weird. Time to re-adjust the routine. Hey, at least we have the office back now, which means I'll be able to get more work done and more blogging and more stupid facebook games.
On to happier things - coming up this month, a visit from M.E. as she moves on to her next chapter, a fun vacation with the family, another haircut, oh, and I plan to win Power Ball so I can retire at 36 in Maui....
God Bless...
Over the next 7 months we've had our ups and downs, side to side, back and forth....getting dizzy... it has been nothing but a learning experience for all of us. Today my journey with one of them has come to a close. He'll be staying with his dad from now on, and that's a good thing. Watching a human life triple in size, discover the world, get a kick out of dogs, finally start to laugh and giggle....I'll never get to see him finally learn how to crawl, walk, and talk. Wow, this is really getting sappy....
OK, I'm sad to see him go, but I knew that was going to happen one way or the other. I'm glad he's going to be with his Dad who loves him alot. But being the first foster child to leave our care, it's a little weird. Time to re-adjust the routine. Hey, at least we have the office back now, which means I'll be able to get more work done and more blogging and more stupid facebook games.
On to happier things - coming up this month, a visit from M.E. as she moves on to her next chapter, a fun vacation with the family, another haircut, oh, and I plan to win Power Ball so I can retire at 36 in Maui....
God Bless...
Monday, June 21, 2010
the thumb
So I'm sitting here with an injured thumb. nothing drastic, just something I like to call 'a blister gone bad' (hmmm, I should get that trademarked). Anyways if anyone is actually reading this, I'll let them know that the blister was actually the result of doing some manual labor in the yard. I know, pretty creepy, huh?
It all started off a few months ago when our dog Kiko saw a squirrel and decided he needed to chase it, through our fence which had become less than secure. A mound of rock and dirt which was once a nice flowerbed had decided to make like the coastal hills of so-cal and slide down. It wasn't too bad till it started to push the bottom of the fence into the neighbors yard. So over the course of the last few months, I got several calls from the wife letting me know that she's retrieved Kiko from our neighbors yard...again.
So when time finally allowed and we had the finances to purchase some new fence boards, the time had come. So the digging began, which was actually pretty hard considering the dirt was mixed with 1" river rock. So Becky and I spent a few hours digging it out, by which time, we were done for the day.
Sunday I stayed home with Isaac as he was sick and Becky went to church. I stalled till about 11 when I went and stared at the dismal fence for a little while. I had taken 4 boards down when the neighbor came out with his dog. I informed him that two sections of fence would be down for a little while, and he said that's fine as their dog (actually his daughters, he was dog sitting) was kind of a wimp. I suggested letting our dogs and theirs play, which they did, and did alot of.
So as I tore down boards and the dogs ran around (btw, the previously mentioned blister had already gone bad), I got all the old boards down and the old support beams down as well. by this time Becky had gotten home and started bringing the new board out of the shop as I was getting the new beams up in place....once we agreed on a height, I started in on it. about half way through, I noticed the sun was gone and there was some mean looking clouds coming in. It turned out we were about 2.75 boards short, so Becky and Isaac ran to Lowes to get the wood, I started moving the old boards out of the way so the boys wouldn't hurt themselves, and it started to rain, and rain, and RAIN.
The rain lasted about 1-2 hours. By the time it stopped we had enough boards to finish, so I ran our and nailed up the last few boards on what I would like to call Sector 1 & 2 of our back fence. I think we have about 4 or 5 more to go. Hopefully my thumb will feel better.
It all started off a few months ago when our dog Kiko saw a squirrel and decided he needed to chase it, through our fence which had become less than secure. A mound of rock and dirt which was once a nice flowerbed had decided to make like the coastal hills of so-cal and slide down. It wasn't too bad till it started to push the bottom of the fence into the neighbors yard. So over the course of the last few months, I got several calls from the wife letting me know that she's retrieved Kiko from our neighbors yard...again.
So when time finally allowed and we had the finances to purchase some new fence boards, the time had come. So the digging began, which was actually pretty hard considering the dirt was mixed with 1" river rock. So Becky and I spent a few hours digging it out, by which time, we were done for the day.
Sunday I stayed home with Isaac as he was sick and Becky went to church. I stalled till about 11 when I went and stared at the dismal fence for a little while. I had taken 4 boards down when the neighbor came out with his dog. I informed him that two sections of fence would be down for a little while, and he said that's fine as their dog (actually his daughters, he was dog sitting) was kind of a wimp. I suggested letting our dogs and theirs play, which they did, and did alot of.
So as I tore down boards and the dogs ran around (btw, the previously mentioned blister had already gone bad), I got all the old boards down and the old support beams down as well. by this time Becky had gotten home and started bringing the new board out of the shop as I was getting the new beams up in place....once we agreed on a height, I started in on it. about half way through, I noticed the sun was gone and there was some mean looking clouds coming in. It turned out we were about 2.75 boards short, so Becky and Isaac ran to Lowes to get the wood, I started moving the old boards out of the way so the boys wouldn't hurt themselves, and it started to rain, and rain, and RAIN.
The rain lasted about 1-2 hours. By the time it stopped we had enough boards to finish, so I ran our and nailed up the last few boards on what I would like to call Sector 1 & 2 of our back fence. I think we have about 4 or 5 more to go. Hopefully my thumb will feel better.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Just another Tuesday night...
So it's Tuesday which means a number of things happen today. Here are a few tidbits of March 9th 2010...
Wake up and go to work, that's pretty standard...yes I'm thankful I have a job and I appreciate the paycheck that I get which enables my family and I to have the things we do...but today was a little bit extra special because I got to pick up Isaac from Pre-School today. It's always a blast to see him in class waiting patiently to be picked up. On the down side I had to go back to work afterwards...
When the whole work thing was done, I came home to a relaxing wife, a sleeping baby, and two boys who were relatively quiet (that didn't last long). Dinner consisted of left over taco meat with scrambled eggs in a burrito. Nothing fancy, but it was tasty!
So Tuesday nights several things happen...Becky has her Choir practice which leaves me with all three kids for the night. Isaac is easy, the other older one is already in bed as I write this...and the baby is ready to start crying for food, but he's also started smiling and making noises so it's really cute. And then later....
...LOST...
but right now our DVR is going to take over so I'll play some Wii with Isaac till the baby wants to eat, then after he's fed, Isaac goes to bed and I kill time till the wife get's home...then we watch lost.
It's a juggling dance, but it's
yes, American Idol is on tonight, but that is a different blog all together...
Wake up and go to work, that's pretty standard...yes I'm thankful I have a job and I appreciate the paycheck that I get which enables my family and I to have the things we do...but today was a little bit extra special because I got to pick up Isaac from Pre-School today. It's always a blast to see him in class waiting patiently to be picked up. On the down side I had to go back to work afterwards...
When the whole work thing was done, I came home to a relaxing wife, a sleeping baby, and two boys who were relatively quiet (that didn't last long). Dinner consisted of left over taco meat with scrambled eggs in a burrito. Nothing fancy, but it was tasty!
So Tuesday nights several things happen...Becky has her Choir practice which leaves me with all three kids for the night. Isaac is easy, the other older one is already in bed as I write this...and the baby is ready to start crying for food, but he's also started smiling and making noises so it's really cute. And then later....
...LOST...
but right now our DVR is going to take over so I'll play some Wii with Isaac till the baby wants to eat, then after he's fed, Isaac goes to bed and I kill time till the wife get's home...then we watch lost.
It's a juggling dance, but it's
yes, American Idol is on tonight, but that is a different blog all together...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Shrimps The Kitchen
I like spending time in the kitchen...is that wrong for a guy to love to cook? I don't think so. Most of the time I only cook basic stuff, but it's pretty good. Lately I'm trying to expand my horizons and get a little more advanced...
************************
...take last night for instance, I made Fettuccine Alfredo w/ garlic seared shrimp. (ok, the pasta was from a box and the sauce was from a jar - but the shrimp was uncooked!) Anyways, here's how it went...
The shrimp came deveined already but they still had their shells...so Becky and I took the shells off of about 1 lb of shrimp...after that I got a pan nice and hot...added some Olive Oil and sauteed some minced garlic for about a minute...added a handfull of shrimp (to not over crowd the pan) sprinkled some sea salt and fresh cracked pepper and cook till just slightly under done. (cooked a few till doneness for sampling purposes)
Boiled pasta...hurray!
After the pasta was cooked, I put the empty pot back on med heat....put the shrimp back into the big put with a little more garlic and started adding the alfredo sauce (not the whole jar, you don't want too much). After about a minute the shrimp are fully cooked...I added the pasta and tossed it all together until the sauce was heated.
Served in a bowl with some parsley on top....
************************
The left overs were great reheated, but the seafood aroma may have upset some of my cubicle neighbors. Hmmmm, if I keep doing this I might have to start adding some photos.
My next great quest will be a Ahi tar tar recipe that is straight from a little place in Walnut Creek, CA call "Va De Vi"
************************
...take last night for instance, I made Fettuccine Alfredo w/ garlic seared shrimp. (ok, the pasta was from a box and the sauce was from a jar - but the shrimp was uncooked!) Anyways, here's how it went...
The shrimp came deveined already but they still had their shells...so Becky and I took the shells off of about 1 lb of shrimp...after that I got a pan nice and hot...added some Olive Oil and sauteed some minced garlic for about a minute...added a handfull of shrimp (to not over crowd the pan) sprinkled some sea salt and fresh cracked pepper and cook till just slightly under done. (cooked a few till doneness for sampling purposes)
Boiled pasta...hurray!
After the pasta was cooked, I put the empty pot back on med heat....put the shrimp back into the big put with a little more garlic and started adding the alfredo sauce (not the whole jar, you don't want too much). After about a minute the shrimp are fully cooked...I added the pasta and tossed it all together until the sauce was heated.
Served in a bowl with some parsley on top....
************************
The left overs were great reheated, but the seafood aroma may have upset some of my cubicle neighbors. Hmmmm, if I keep doing this I might have to start adding some photos.
My next great quest will be a Ahi tar tar recipe that is straight from a little place in Walnut Creek, CA call "Va De Vi"
Monday, March 1, 2010
This too shall pass
so I'm sitting here at work with my music playing and the song "This to Shall Pass" (by Mark Lowry) comes on, and I think about all the things in my life that will pass...as long as we take things one day at a time it's all alot easier to swallow. It's when I start to dwell on everything all at once that it gets too big and the walls start to crumble....
Woke up this morning with the years i've spent
Hanging heavy on my mind.
At times i see
So much in me
I wish i'd left behind.
But the one thing i've learned
As the years have turned
And they sure have traveled fast.
I don't have to stay where i am today because
This too shall past.
Chorus
This too shall pass.
This too shall pass.
And the tears that fall like raindrops now
Will finally dry at last.
This too shall past.
Sometimes i'm laughing with a crowd of friends
And still i feel alone.
There's a place inside
Full of tears i hide
That i've only cried alone.
But i know that he's near
And i know he hears
And i know these tears won't last.
This pain today
Will be swept away because
This too shall pass.
Woke up this morning with the years i've spent
Hanging heavy on my mind.
At times i see
So much in me
I wish i'd left behind.
But the one thing i've learned
As the years have turned
And they sure have traveled fast.
I don't have to stay where i am today because
This too shall past.
This too shall pass.
This too shall pass.
And the tears that fall like raindrops now
Will finally dry at last.
This too shall past.
Sometimes i'm laughing with a crowd of friends
And still i feel alone.
There's a place inside
Full of tears i hide
That i've only cried alone.
But i know that he's near
And i know he hears
And i know these tears won't last.
This pain today
Will be swept away because
This too shall pass.
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