Best Evah Marinade

Now I ain't no Taste and Tell or Pioneer Woman, and I'm definitely not a Noble Pig and I'd never compare to Smitten Kitchen (to name just a few of my favorite food blogs), but I've got a seriously good marinade that's worth sharing.

I use this with sliced flank steak (when I can get it. I couldn't. so I used a sirloin and it was just as good.) on skewers and it's a guaranteed hit at our Thursday BBQ's.

Cast of Characters:

(and of course, the meat...which I forgot to put in the picture. I told you I'm not a pro here!!)

Coat the meat with the cumin and coriander and salt and pepper - Either in a large zip-lock bag or baking dish. Normally I would slice my steak first, but this time I tried it in one piece. Rub the spices in to the meat and set aside.

Now put the remaining ingredients into a food processor

and pulse until combined.
Pour mixture over meat and let marinate for at least an hour. Grill to perfection (you'll have to ask Daddy-O for details there, I'm notorious for over cooking on the grill.)

This is a simple crowd pleaser and even my kids will eat it! (BONUS!!)

I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 lb. Flank steak
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 medium onion
1 clove garlic (or more if you're like me)
2 Tbsp. tamarind paste
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. brown sugar

Chivalry?

Am I old fashioned? Am I a sexist? Or am I just too idealistic?

Scene:

• Busy, crowded call center. Agents in seats or standing; generally blocking the aisles.
• Me, trying to maneuver my way around them with a too large/too heavy box in my hands.
• 5, count them FIVE, young male managers standing around with their thumbs up their asses.

Not ONE of these guys could be bothered to help me let alone offer to open a door for me. Not with the first nor the sixth box I needed to load in my car. Now mind you, I'm very capable of lifting heavy objects and it is a necessary part of my job, but really. Show me some love.

Bargain

I never thought I'd feel like $3.70 was a bargain for a gallon of gas.

I really think that Americans are making a difference in bringing the price of gas down. We're thinking smarter. We're being frugal. We're questioning our consumption. We have made small changes in our household and I hope we're making a difference. I just hope we can keep it up and push the prices back to a more reasonable level.

My Funny Boy

Bii is so funny. Man, that kid says some hysterical things. But he hates it when I laugh at him. After the "triplets" incident the other day, I was laughing so hard I almost started crying. But when he crossed his arms and growled at me it brought me to an abrupt stop. He didn't realize he was being funny.

I tried to tell him what a wonderful thing it is to make someone laugh. I told him how good it made me feel to laugh. But he doesn't get it. Somehow, even though the kid loves to be the center of attention, he was embarrassed. He doesn't see the difference yet between laughing with and laughing at someone.

Looking inward, I tend to be an attention getter and to try to make people laugh. But I think it's a defense mechanism for me. I'm shy. I'm awkward. I'm not a good conversationalist. I don't think I'm all that interesting. But I hate awkward silence. So when I'm in a social situation I'm usually trying to be (and to a certain degree I think successfully being) funny. But I'm usually so nervous in these situations that I can feel my face flush.

I need to teach Bii to be confident. I need to teach him that it's okay to be funny. That laughter can be so very, very good.

Triplets

At our daycare, if the children have had a good day at school, they are allowed to choose a piece of candy from a bucket. Generally, it's a piece of gum or a little Dum-Dum Lollipop.

Recently, when Bii and O have chosen the same candy on a couple of occaisions, Bii squeals We're twins!!

One day last week I decided I'd been a good girl and deserved a lollipop too. Both boys also chose lollipops and Bii yelled We're twins!!

I told him we were actually triplets. Twins are two, Triplets are three I don't think he really got it, but he nodded his head and went about his way.

Yesterday all three of us chose a Hershey's Kiss and Bii, testing his newly learned concept, excitedly asked, Mama! Are we the Jonas Brothers?

Potato Chip Economics

I saw a news piece this morning on how the cost of groceries are skyrocketing.

Especially potato chips, of all things.

It seems the wacky summer weather combined with the cost of fuel has created a supply and demand issue which has forced manufacturers to raise their prices and even cut back production. The story interviewed shoppers who were somewhat distraught that they couldn't find their favorite brands of chips.

I found this somewhat disturbing. I mean, POTATO CHIPS? Come on. Now I love a good chip every now and then, but it wouldn't be devistating if I had to change brands or give them up all together. I'm not that loyal. (And I'm only Irish by marriage) When it comes right down to it though, it's these small things, especially in this troubled economy, that keep us comforted. That remind us we'll get through the tough times. That everything will be okay. Or maybe it's just at my house.

It'll be a sad, sad, really sad day when Daddy-O has to give up his hallowed Cumberland Farms potato chips.

It's Just a Number, Right?

For the first time in my life I am beginning to feel older. Not old, just older.

I'll be 45 next month. Wow. I said it. I don't know why it sounds so frightening to me. I certainly don't look or feel "old". And 45 isn't old! The rational side of my brain reminds me that age is relative to how you feel and act. I don't act "old" - aside from the fact that I can't stay awake past 10 pm any longer.

I remember freaking out about turning 30. I didn't really have anything of significance to show for three decades on this earth and I truly thought I needed to be somewhere "better" by that age. My boss at the time told me that upon turning 30 I would feel like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders - that I would finally become my own person and not have to prove anything to anyone.

Surprisingly he was right. I'm sure it was because he had put the notion in my head, but I let out a very heavy breathe on the morning of my 30th birthday; one I had been holding in a long, long time. And I felt amazingly renewed. I loved my 30's.

These last 15 years have flown by. Much has happened: Jobs have changed. People have come and gone. (some thankfully, others still painfully missed) Most importantly, I met the love of my life and have found my purpose in my two beautiful boys. I am happy where I am in my life, but I just don't like the fact that I don't feel like I'm 19 anymore.

Why is 45 any different than 44? I've got a month to come to terms with this. I better get busy.

Chili Weather

I love cold weather comfort foods. They usually becomes a staple in our household somewhere around mid October. It's been so cold and wet here lately that I've been making a lot of our fall and winter favorites. Please Summer! Come Back!! I'm not done with you yet!!

I made a big batch of chili on Sunday and we've been eating it every night since. I think I'm going to explode!

Last night Daddy-O says Wow Hon. I think this is the best batch of chili you've made yet. And there's no gas-factor at all!

Lucky for him he's a mouth breather when he sleeps. Too bad for me I'm not!
I wet my pants laughing.

'Cause It's Wednesday

If you don't know Flight of the Conchords you should really check them out. I needed a good laugh today and this is the one I always go back to.

Dude! Sweet!

I didn't want to go. I couldn't imagine being trapped for THREE hours on a party boat in the middle of the bay with a bunch of drunken cow-orkers. I'm not big on small talk and really? I don't have much in common with these people except we work for the same company. With my luck I'd find myself stuck listening to the slurry rant of the resident drunk, counting the minutes while longingly looking towards home from the bow of the boat.

But when I really thought about it; My company is very good to me. It's a great place to work. They truly make me feel appreciated and they go out of their way to thank us and show us a nice time. What's three hours? Suck it up girl. Go. And have fun.

So I did. Daddy-O stayed home with the boys while Mama went to "work". (I know, but it's the only way to get out of the house without a major melt-down) It was a gorgeous night; the temperature was perfect and the rain held out until the very end. Casco Bay is the place to be if you're in Maine in the summertime. Add to that, good food, great music and nasty warm boxed wine,(nothing can be perfect, right?) and you've got the makings of a great night out. The only thing missing was Daddy-O.

My drunk magnet worked like a charm on not one, but two occaisions. But my luck turned and won me the top door prize: Two Club tickets and a parking pass to see the New England Patriots' last pre-season game!! Sweet.

I am one of only a handful of people I know who actually likes my job and the people I work for. Sometimes I have to remind myself how lucky I am.

This Is The End

10 minutes in to nap time, a cute little button nose poked around the corner at the top of the stairs.

Mama? Does "Ayudeme" mean help me in Spinach?

Yes, Goose, "Ayudeme" does mean help me in Spanish.

Oh good....

A few minutes later he called out again.

Mama? I have something else to ask you.

Yes Goose?

How long exactly until nap is over?

We've been incredibly blessed with good nappers. Friends marvel how, even at 4 1/2, Bii loves his snuggly naps.

But I guess the time has come and he's ready to give it up. I guess I'm ready too. We'll be able to do more things together and not be bound by the dreaded schedule. O on the other hand will still be napping for a long time to come. Right? Please?