Foodie Fodder

I have never had a lot of hobbies or obsessions.  I don’t collect things.  I’m not crafty or athletic.  I don’t get excited about gardening or running a marathon.  I live a fairly quiet existence.  (As in activities, not noise.)  However, I love food.  I love everything about it.  So much so, I’ve recently proclaimed myself a "foodie".  Big-time.  Almost to nerd-ish proportions. 

For those of you who have never heard the term foodie, it's a fairly new term meaning (according to our friend, Mr. Webster):  

• a person having an avid interest in the latest food fads, or
• a person keenly interested in food, especially in eating or cooking

So, what distinguishes me as a foodie as opposed to just a person with a normal interest in food?  It could be my 24/7 obsession with the Food Network and all those ridiculous food competition shows:  Next Food Network Star, Worst Cooks in America, Cupcake Wars, and my very fave, Chopped.  Then there are the shows that highlight cool restaurants or amazing dishes, like Diners Drive-ins and Dives or The Best Thing I Ever Ate.  And I'd be lying if I didn't admit to crushing on some of the Food Network stars:  Guy Fieri, Ted Allen, Scott Conant . . .

In addition to my obsession with Food Network’s shows and stars, I’m obsessed with the food verbiage.  The chefs throw around words like gastrique, coulis, ceviche, remoulade and chutney.  They discuss molecular gastronomy, purple potatoes and romanesco.    The extent of their food knowledge is staggering.   It makes me want to learn something!  I have a fantasy of attending a culinary institute to study obscure vegetables, classical cooking techniques, food history and Ninja knife skills!  To know that much about anything is absolutely fascinating to me!

I believe my food obsession stems from a basic love of eating, and all it entails.  I love sitting down to a good meal with my family, or even the anticipation of a good meal – whether it’s a planned date to a favorite restaurant, the excitement of trying a new recipe, or just smelling a hearty soup stewing in the crock pot all day.   I also love the emotions and memories that can be wrapped up in a particular dish.  Warm donuts remind me of coming home to my mom's homemade donuts and hot chocolate after a day of sledding.  Beef roast or fried chicken remind me of Sunday family dinners.  Corn-on-the-cob and fresh tomatoes from the garden bring to mind those summer nights when it was just too hot to cook, so we’d eat corn and tomatoes and cucumbers pickled in vinegar and water. 
I know I shouldn’t be so obsessed with food.  I know that I’m too heavy and I need to lose weight.  Chocolate cake is not a necessity; and a good, juicy burger is bad for my cholesterol.  But, I’ve recently adopted a new philosophy, thanks to an entry entitled “When Food Attacks!” in my new favorite blog. (Be sure to check it out.)  According to the blogger (or, as she calls herself, “blarger”), food is not “bad” or “good” or “sinful” or “naughty”.  It’s just food.  Period.  So, I can obsess all I want about chutney, ceviche and Ted Allen.  I can wake up in the morning and start day-dreaming about dinner that night.  I can watch four chefs go head to head in a battle of skill, using the basket of mystery ingredients.  I know there are limits and guidelines.  I know I must deal with food in an intelligent, responsible manner.  But, thank you, dear blarger, for reminding me that food is not my enemy.  It’s actually my friend.  A friend that satisfies my hunger, stimulates my curiosity, and stirs my emotions.  I am a proud foodie!

Vacate Reality

Vacation is over.  Tomorrow I go back to work after being off since last Saturday.  I had a great week of fun in the sun with my sisters, my niece, my daughter, sweet friends – but, alas, all good things must come to an end!  I must admit, I’m not ready to go back.  You’d think, after ten days of relaxing on the beach, floating in the pool, and shopping, I’d be energized and ready to get back at it – but this past week has only spoiled me!  I’ve decided I want to be one of those pampered, non-working, lay-by-the-pool kind of gals, taking full advantage of how lucky I am to live in this gorgeous place!  Is that too much to ask?

Lord, help the mister who comes between me and my sister . . .

Me, with my awesome sisters, Pam and Debby

My sister, Pam, and her daughter, Kayla, are here for a few days.  We're having a great time - spending lots of time in the sun!  I know I've mentioned that I'm the 6th of 7 kids - the youngest of 6 girls, with a little brother that came along later.  And I'm sure I mentioned that I love being from a large family.  But, I'm not sure I adequately communicated that I love, love, LOVE having sisters!  There's nothing like it. 

Happy Birthday to Me!!

One of the benefits (at times, disadvantages) of this high-tech age is the ability to find and stay in touch with old friends, distant family, and casual acquaintances.  With cell phones, e-mail, texting and facebook, hundreds of connections are just a finger stroke away!   I've been technologically "connected" for some time now -- but have never realized just how connected I actually was until yesterday. 

I celebrated a birthday yesterday.  It wasn't a "biggie", as in "30", "40", "45" -- just a run-of-the-mill, no special number, 46th.  In years past, this type of birthday would come and go without much notice.  Maybe a family dinner, a card or two in the mail, a birthday cake and candles.  Which is exactly what happened this year -- church in the morning, dinner with the kids at Texas Roadhouse with an embarrassing "happy birthday" song from a bunch of waiters and waitresses that I don't know and wouldn't recognize on the street, and an afternoon of family time.  Quiet and low-key.  The only difference this year, is that I had no less than 75 "Happy Birthdays" texted, e-mailed and face-booked to me (yes, that is a word)!  I got "Happy Birthdays" from an old Prom date; a kindergarten friend; a spouse of one of my husband's friends; aunts; uncles; cousins; sisters; a brother; nieces; nephews; friends from highschool; co-workers; new friends; old friends; friends from Michigan, Indiana, Florida, Texas, Alabama; kids that claim me as a second mom; moms of kids that claim me as a second mom; and many more! 

So, for someone who claims to be shy, reserved, and "cold-as-ice", I felt very popular yesterday!  Happy birthday to me!!

A Dog's Life

Whoever said, "they've gone to the dogs" like it's a BAD thing, has clearly never lived as a dog in our house!  Our dogs are definitely well-loved -- some would say spoiled.  Here's the question:  If someone or something is not spoiled rotten, but just spoiled and still sweet, is that necessarily a bad thing? 

A typical day in the life of our dogs, Ziggy and Hopper:

6:30 a.m. --- Wake up Mom to take us outside. 

Of course, after a long night, we need to give them time to do their business and explore a little.  However, our yard is not fenced, so I have to go outside with them.  I don't have to go to work until 2:00 p.m., mind you.  I should have plenty of time to sleep in a bit.  But, no.  You can find me outside every morning between 6 and 6:30 - rain or shine - following the dogs around the backyard in my pajamas and Crocs.

6:45 a.m. --- After her coaxing, scolding and bribing with treats, follow Mom into the house.

We have four acres - one mowed and three more wooded.  When I take the dogs out, they smell here, mark their territory there and spend a few minutes exploring.  However, sometimes they catch a scent of something they want to find!  Before I know it, I'm chasing them through the woods, or trying to corral them home from terrorizing the neighbor's chickens.  I'd like to say I can call them and they drop everything and run right back to me.  Unfortunately, they can be a bit obsessive and single-minded - especially Hopper.  When he's on the hunt, I'm not sure he can even hear me!  Then, when I finally do get them inside, what do I do?  I reward them with carrot coins (their favorite treat).  What am I teaching them here?

7:45 a.m. --- Invade Mom's personal space while she tries to read in the recliner.

Every morning, I make a fruit smoothie for Todd and send him on his way to work by 7:45.  Then, I settle into my recliner to read my Bible.  This seems to be Ziggy and Hopper's cue to jump up and cuddle.  Hopper backs his way into the space between me and the chair on my right side, Ziggy curls up on my lap, and they settle in.  Makes it very difficult to read, they're right up there in the middle of everything.  Such nuisances!

8:30 a.m. --- Begin the watch for squirrels, cats, or any small animals that may need to be chased.

Hopper is ridiculously obsessed with chasing small animals.  He believes it is his job to rid the world - or at least our backyard - of all crawling things.  Though we've scolded and spanked, we still find him daily keeping watch ON the dining room table!  But, on a positive note - our backyard is becoming more and more squirrel-free!

9:30 a.m --- Lie in the sun, sprawled out as ridiculously as possible!

This picture says it all - sprawled in the sun, belly-up.

10:30 a.m. --- Bug Mom enough that she takes us outside for awhile.

For some reason for which I'm very thankful, when I take the dogs out later in the morning, they don't seem to feel the need to explore quite so much.  We walk around the yard, I'll throw the ball for them, or they just lie down under the tree and watch the birds fly around for awhile.  Then we go back in where I give them a couple more carrot treats and continue with my day.

10:45 a.m. --- Toss the ball, wrestle each other, or chase each other around the house.

One thing is certain:  our dogs can entertain themselves!  Whether they're tossing and pouncing on their ball, wrestling together, or wildly playing "tag", it's hilarious to watch!  Their energy level is phenomenal.  I think if I tore around the house like they did, I'd probably end up on the living room floor sprawled in the sun, belly-up, too!

12:00 noon --- Start following Mom's every move, pouting and looking as pitiful as possible.

When I start getting ready for work, they seem to know it.  They give me their best "Are-you-really-going-to-leave-me?  Look-how-cute-I-am!" faces, and try their hardest to convince me not to go.  I must admit, there have been times I've looked at those adorable dogs and wished I could just stay home with them all day.  However, I'm not sure that's really the dogs, or just my desire not to have to go to work!

1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. --- Assume afternoon positions and wait all day for family to come home.

Every day when I walk out the door for work, Hopper is curled up on the yellow chair, and Ziggy is curled up on the back of the chair.  They seem to be sulking and saying, "Since you have the audacity to leave us, we'll be lying right here waiting for you to come home, not having any fun!"  Of  course, I have my suspicions that, as soon as my car is out of sight, they're wrestling around, tearing around the house, inviting their friends and throwing wild parties.  There have been times I've come home to papers and toys all over the house, things knocked off the dining room table, and - if someone happened to forget to close the pantry door - the garbage can knocked over and rooted through.  Someday I might invest in a doggy-cam to see what really goes on while I'm gone.

6:30 p.m. --- Jump all over Mom and anyone else that comes home.  Scream and yip hysterically.  Run around the house as if to say, "They're home!  They're home!"

Is there a welcome better than the one you get from a dog?  Who else jumps up and down and screams and goes crazy when you walk in a door?  THAT's what makes all the other nonsense worthwhile!  They love me.  They really love me!!

Achey-Breaky Heart

Is there anything more heart wrenching than having a hurting loved one, and being helpless to do anything about it?  I may be "cold as ice" on the outside, but when it comes to my family and friends, I can be a big baby!  I know time heals all wounds, but it's a total bummer going through that time -- just makes my heart ache for them!  That's when you realize there's nothing you can do but pray and trust the Lord to comfort and heal.  Praying for some special people in my life right now.  Thank you, Lord, for the hope we have in you!

Grangers +1

Few times in your lifetime do you meet someone that changes things forever.  It happens the day you find your soul mate, the first time you look into the eyes of your newborn child and, for us, the day we met Nicole. 

Nicole first arrived on the scene when she was about 14 years old.  She was the oldest daughter of a struggling, single mom that lived down the street.  She came complete with a toddler on her hip, a 6 year old in tow, and a bubbly personality.  She was pretty, smart, funny and surprisingly positive, despite the responsibility of caring for her two young sisters. 

She began as our babysitter, but before long, she and her sisters were there all day: staying for supper, spending the evenings watching tv, and falling asleep on the couch.  Bedtime rolled around and we'd load them up in the car and drive them home.  They became a permanent fixture at our house, but we loved it. 

We quickly developed a relationship with each one of the girls -- but there was a special connection with Nicole.  We were so drawn in by her positive, bubbly attitude and amazing sense of humor.  She kept us laughing and was a joy to have around!  And Nicole loved us back and seemed to crave the family dynamic that we had.  She enjoyed being part of a family that went on walks, played together, and had family dinners.  I remember one instance when we were all walking to the neighborhood park, Nicole was bouncing along beside us and exclaimed, "Isn't this fun?  It's like we're a family!"

Over the next few years, she'd often announce that she was going to move in with us when she turned 18.  We didn't discourage it, but actually didn't expect that it would ever really happen.  But it did -- a year sooner than she'd planned.  When she was 17, her mom decided to move in with a friend.  There wasn't a lot of room, so she asked us if we would allow Nicole to move in with us.  Of course, we were happy to have her - she spent most of her time at our house anyway, what's a few more hours a day?  It didn't take her long to settle right in to her own little niche.  Soon, our names changed from "Todd and Mary" to "Dad and Mom", and Nick and Cassie became like her little brother and sister. 

That was 11 years ago.  She's now 28 years old, a college graduate, working full-time and living on her own.  We're proud of the successful, independent woman she has become and so happy she joined our family.  We love you, Nicole!

Vacation is Calling

Just found out recently that my sister, Pam, and her daughter, Kayla, will be here in a couple weeks for Spring Break!  So, I've decided to take that week off work to spend it with them at the beach, shopping -- being silly with the girls.  I'm uber-excited!  Problem is, now that I know I'm getting some time off soon, I have "short-timers" disease.  I daydream about the beach and getting a sunburn and freckles.  I do NOT want to be at work!  16 days and counting . . . . .