Seasoned Potatoes

So one of my favorite children doesn't really like potatoes.  How she can even live is beyond me!   Warm starch with melted dairy is my food group of choice.....and the size of my butt is proof positive.

A couple of years ago out of desperation I created this recipe:  Seasoned Potatoes.  It's not hard, it's pretty cheap and everybody at my house will eat it. 

Here's what you need:  potatoes--scrubbed clean and diced, seasoned salt, and a stick of butter.  I use a 9 x 13 glass baking dish to cook them in.  I suppose you could use a cookie sheet, but I haven't ever done it that way. 

So I dice the potatoes into the dish, sprinkle copious amounts of seasoned salt onto the potatoes and mix.  Then, depending on how many potatoes I have used, I cut a half stick of butter or a whole stick of butter into little pats.  They're cute lil pats o' butter. 

I then place the pats of butter on the top of the potatoes and cover the dish with foil.   Bake at 350 for 30ish minutes and remove the foil.  Then bake another 30ish minutes until potatoes are done.  Or you can leave the foil on for the whole time.  That's what I did Saturday night while we were at Mass--I put them in before we left and when we returned home 80 minutes later, I removed the foil, while were grilling burgers.  I usually save the foil so when I take them out of the oven, I can recover them and let them sit for a bit.

I may have used a little too much butter on this one....as if there is such a thing as too much butter....

This is a crowd pleaser...just sayin'.

Firecracker Chicken

Two Sundays in a row we have had this chicken.  It's actually an adapted recipe.  It originally called for shrimp but since shrimp isn't a favorite of several members of The Hays Crew, I subbed in chicken.  It's really probably better with chicken and it's sure as heck easier. 

Here's what we do:  In a big baggie, place chicken pieces.  I use that frozen bag chicken of chicken breast tenderloins.  I only use about 10 pieces, maybe.  Like I only eat one and so does Frack.  So sometimes I only use 8 tenderloins.  They are good as leftovers on a little sandwich. 

Add 1/2 cup of peach jam, 1 tsp of canola oil, 1 tsp of soy sauce and 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes to the baggie of chicken.  Let set 15 minutes or longer.  If you are letting it set longer than 15 minutes, be sure to refrigerate.  I don't want anyone to get sick from bacteria. 

Meanwhile, kiss up to your favorite grill master.  And stir up another batch of the peach jam mixture to brush on while the chicken is grilling.  This is a quick grill--like maybe 15 minutes. 

And then it looks like this only better because this pictures stinks eggs because my dining room is red and the lighting is terrible and I can never remember to take a picture before I put stuff on the table:

This is a really nice way to fix chicken on the grill.  Quick and easy.....especially if you get your favorite grill master to grill it for you.  Just sayin'.

And So It Begins

Volleyball Seniors 2012.......

Last Orange and Black scrimmage tonight.
First game on Tuesday.

And so it begins.  Just sayin'. 

Things I Like

Remember last week I did a little Things I Dislike Greatly post?  This week, a lil' happiness.....

1.  Friends who are going to be first time Grandma's.  And second time, and third.......I love how my friends are so excited about the world when they are about to become Grandma's. 

2.  One time my grandma told us that the next time she got a man he would need to make coffee for her every morning.  Well, Grandma, I have that man.  I am so spoiled by him because he makes sure that coffee is ready each and every day when I rise and shine.

3.  The truth.  Is it really that difficult?  I don't care who you are, it is never wrong to do the right thing.

4.  The first day of school.  There is simply nothing like it....it is an undescribeable feeling.  

Just sayin'.

HP

Volume 40?

Wow! 40 is a lot!

Unless we're talking years and then its a little. ahem.

1. Using what's in your frig right now what sort of meal would you be able to make for guests who are knocking at the front door this very minute?

I have homemade refried beans in my freezer that I can make into a tasty bean dip by adding taco spice then topping with sour cream and shredded cheese.  Warm it  while I am throwing together cheese quesadillas and prestochango!  I have a meal. 

2. What is something about yourself that you hope will change but that probably never will?
I am ever so thankful that my people got in the big butt line and not the big boob line.  I will never have a not big butt.  

3. What's something about yourself that you hope will never change?
The ability to make others laugh. 

4. Do you usually send serious or funny greeting cards? Why?
Funny.  Laughter is great medicine. 

5. Bird watching, shell gathering, or star gazing- your choice for whiling away the hours?
Star gazing.

6. Do you double or triple check things? If so, what?
Yep.  My zipper. 

7. What's your favorite place for people watching?
Anyplace where there are people.  

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Everybody has baggage.  And it ain't all pretty.  Just sayin'.

My Current Read

I finished One Summer by David Baldacci.  Fairly good read.  A little predictable, very well written and a overall I good read.  I passed it on to a friend so we will find out what she thinks.  I have to say that it was a very fast read.  I finished in one day.  And I still managed to get my chores done.

I have moved on to this book:

I am the first to check it out at the library.  I like it when that happens!  Nothing like being the first to read a book.....

Anyway, the title pretty fits how the book is going.  It's a little too real.  And it's a little dark and scary.  African Muslim pirates hijack a private yacht owned by the main character, Hazel Bannock, whose teenage daughter was aboard the yacht at the time.  They kill off crew members, but of course, kidnap the daughter.  She enlists in the help of a man named Hector Cross (cool name--Hector) to help her when she gets nowhere with the American government. 

So far, I like it.  I was a little nervous because about 45ish pages in there was already 'steamy' scenes, but that seems to have subsided.  Thank goodness.  I get enough of those steamy scenes in real life, I don't need to read them. 

When a good friend was talking to me about One Summer, I was telling her about Those in Peril being my next read.  I told her how I thought this was going to be a little deeper read and she said I should stop reading because the title sounded like it was going to be way too deep and scary.  I should opt for something lighter and much more fun. 

I won't finish this book in a few days.  With 400 pages, school starting, 2 a day volleyball practices, volleyball breakfasts, house painting (yep, it's actually happening!), marching band and trying to figure out what to wear, not much reading is happening. 

Just sayin'. 

Jam 2011

This year we were able to make a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks.

It was a quick trip but it was a very relaxing 4 days.  It's amazing how much easier it is to roll when your kids get older and can manage their own stuff AND it's amazing how much harder it is when you realize your kids are big and can manage their own stuff.

Yikes!

Most years when we have traveled to the Lake, we have timed it just right for Missouri peaches.  They are the best peaches I have ever had in my life.  Hands down.  They are perfectly shaped and the flavor is incredible.  One time on our way home, we stopped at the store to pick some up to have at home an discovered that we could buy them in a lug.  Thus, became the tradition of purchasing peaches before we left.

Last year we didn't go to the lake.  Bummer--no peaches.

This year we purchased 2 lugs for a total of 76 pounds of peaches.  We stopped in KC and left some for my in-laws, my sister-in-law and 2 brother-in-laws.  When we got home we shared with some friends, ate quite a few, had one peach crisp and one peach pie.

The rest I made into this:

Peach jam.  Total sugar fest.  And worth it.  I made 28 pints of it.  It is most delicious on, oh about everything from toast to waffles to chicken.  This is our current favorite snack:

If you haven't ever tried this kind of bread:

Try it. 

And I have been working on this post since Saturday.  Just sayin'.

My Current Read

This is my current read......

He usually writes stuff that I can't follow.  I want to follow, but it's just too tangled up.  So when I found this at the library, I almost left it at the library.

I probably should have left it.  I only have a gajillion things to do and all I want to do is read.  I am about 1/4 of the way done and its a sad book.  I have only cried twice.  Maybe thrice.  But here's why.....the main character has an illness that the doctors gave him 6-8 months to live and his wife is killed on Christmas Eve going out to get his pain meds.  See?

I'll let you know how it turns out.  I am a sucker for happy endings.  Just sayin'. 

Things I Dislike Greatly

Or hate.  But I have been chastised by a little friend of mine who pointed out that 'hate is such a strong, harsh statement.  Surely you mean you dislike it greatly'.  Yep.  That's what I meant to say.

Anyway, I took this idea from here.  She rocks.  And someday I am going to meet her in person, hug her and tell her to her face that she makes my day everyday. 

1.  Drama.  Social media allows us to live our lives out loud.  But seriously.  I don't need to know everyone you dislike greatly.  Or that you are with your 50 year old besties for adult beverages.  Or on and on and on.  When I post on FB, I really think about it.....400ish people are about the see this....do they really want to? 

2.  Control Freaks.  Ironic coming from one, eh?  Stop.  Stop.  Stop.  Stop trying to control every situation at every turn.  My plans are not God's plans.  God's plans are. the. bomb.  Let Him be the control freak.

3.  Stale chips.  How does this even happen?  Chips are meant to be eaten in one setting.

4.  Soap slivers.  What can I say?  I just like a full bar of soap.  When the soap gets down to a sliver, I pitch it and get a new bar.  There. I confessed. 

5.  People who automatically assume that I am a mess because my youngest children are heading into their senior year and will graduate in May and head off to college next year at this time.  Yes, it's scary.  And yes, it's time.  I am excited for them.  They are meant to grow up.  They are NOT meant to live with me forever.  Really.  REALLY.  I mean really.  Coach and I are dying to have sex on the counters and we can't do that if our children are home.  Just sayin'.  


 

HP

1. If you could work for any one government agency which would you choose and why?
National Parks as in a park ranger.  Wouldn't that be a gorgeous job to wake up to every day?  Think of it......The Badlands, The Everglades, Yellowstone or Yosemite.  

2. How difficult is it for you to forgive someone who refuses to apologize?

I have no trouble with it.  Their problem.  Their deal.  Admittedly, I am a big talker.  It bites when I think that someone should apologize and it doesn't happen.  For me, it goes with forgiveness, which is my sin of choice.  I struggle so with forgiveness.  It is so hard for me to forgive.  And I offer it up and offer it up and for some reason I keep taking it back.  It so hard for me to release it and let it go.  Especially if it involves people close to me.  People who I feel I have been wronged by, no big deal.  People who have wronged those closest to me, extremely hard to forgive. 

 

3. What is your favorite meatless supper?

Grilled cheese sandwiches.  It is also my default meal.  When I don't know what else to have, I default to a grilled cheese sandwich.  Warm starch with melted dairy is my favorite food group.  

4. Wednesday August 10th is National Lazy Day...will you be celebrating? If so, tell us how so we can be lazy too. 

Probably not.  School starts in less than a week and I have just under a gajillion things that I think need to be done.  

5. As a child did you have any special back to school traditions and if so, what were they? If you're a parent did you carry on those traditions with your own children? 

 I did not.  I think my mom was just glad school started again and my very naughty brother would something to keep him out of trouble.  I was the kid who counted the days down to the first day of school as soon as school was out.  I LOVED school.  

For my children, I have taken a first day of school picture on the front porch.  And I laugh at my kids when they look through the pictures and laugh at smaller versions of themselves. 

6. Write a summer tongue twister. 

Can't.  Do.  It.  Have brain block.  

7. Would you be interested in observing a surgery or do you turn away when the nurse brings out the needle? 

Oh soooooooooooo not watching any kind of surgery.  I don't even pretend that I could do body fluids of any kind.  Hence, the reason I teach third grade.  

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

 Be who you are.  

 

Just sayin'  

Random Thoughts

Random thought......

.....Why do we keep watching reality trash tv when we know it's wrong?  And stupid?  And a giant waste of time?  I sat today and watched 15 minutes of this crazy MTV show called, "Silent Library".  My oldest child is currently addicted to watching "Hillbilly Handfishing".  And her sister discovered that Netflix had all the seasons of "Jersey Shore" and watched them ALL.  We won't even go with how much time my son spent watching "Shark Week" last week.

And no.  Friday Night Lights all 5 seasons on Netflix do not count as trash tv.  That's good stuff, right there.  Just sayin'.