Sunday, May 16, 2010

Sunshine on my shoulder, WOULD make me happy....

Talk about your Seattle like weather today. I thought it was supposed to be cruddy Saturday but it was beautiful. I hope you got to enjoy the weekend anyway.  Yesterday I worked till noon, forced the family to help me grocery shop, put 2 coats of polyurethane on some baseboard trim that we finally purchased (we've declared 2010, Year of The House).  I'll document the new pre-hung front door when that project happens. I laid in our new hammock for a bit in the sun, very nice and I was almost asleep when either a dog or The Boy ran past and whacked me! All in good fun of course. (Shakes fist in general direction)

Today the missus did her weekend cleaning she likes to do (stress relief). We walked to Coddington Market hardware store and purchased a load of veggies that she then planted in the mist/rain.  If just one of the tomato plants produces well this year, I'll be happy. Should be some garden activity in a few weeks/months.

Had some tasty eats this past week, smoked pork loin (leftovers for pork chili, hat tip to The Dish), low and slow barbecued chicken thighs (a repeat, and much better this time) and spicy grilled pork and mango kebabs.  The kebabs were the winner, dry rub of chili powder, cumin, oregano, granulated garlic.  Toss the cubed pork with olive oil, them sprinkle the rub on and toss well again.  Getting decent mango chunks proved tougher than expected as my mangoes were too ripe, dang good but too ripe.  The fruit wanted to fall apart on the grill but turned out really tasty.  Have to try that one again soon.  The final dish was served with a reduction of orange and lime juices, some honey and a bit of salt. 

Yes, I eat a lot of broccoli!

Have a great week everybody!


Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mothers Day!

To all the Mothers out there today, I hope you have a wonderful day.  To Mindy, Bonnie, Ginger and Cheryl, we love you here at the West A House! And the Boy and I will be thinking about you all day.  You are our Sun and we revolve around you. Thank you for all you do for us every day of the year not just today.

Now on to the food!

Roasting carrots and brussel sprouts in the rain, pork chops and roasted asparagus, Cinco de Mayo shredded chicken soft tacos, Angus steak with roasted new potatoes, baby button mushrooms and Vidalia onions, shrimp sate and sticky rice.

I hope you're all enjoying spring so far (except for that blasted wind).  The tulips are pretty much gone but the Iris are opening and the lillies are getting ready to pop.  All the cold crops are doing well in the garden, onions, mixed greens and peas.