You Roasted Your Turkey in What???!!!

What a lovely Thanksgiving we had here in Virginia. Our little nuclear family played host to no one this year and really enjoyed out time together. Waking slowly and unrushed. The boys and I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for a while, then because they are my sons, they went out to ride bikes in our back woods. Of course that ended when the younger somehow flattened his tire. I knew there was a reason that people usually ride bikes on dirt paths or roads. Ah, to be a kid again.

Because it was a special day for me personally (birthday), I was allowed to lounge about guilt-free whilst husband prepared an absolutely delicious traditional Thankgiving Dinner. The menu included - Waldorf Salad (my only homemade contribution - I used Craisins instead of grapes), green bean french fried onion casserole, fresh mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, collard greens, cornbread-french baguette-sausage stuffing, jellied cranberry sauce, parkerhouse rolls (I put the Sister Schubert's pan in the oven), giblet gravy and a perfectly seasonally seasoned Turkey cooked in a Schlemmertopf Classic Glazed Clay Cooker. It was INSANELY DELICIOUS! And, for dessert we had old-fashioned apple pie and a Mrs. Smith's Peach Cobbler. For beverages, we mixed Diet Ginger Ale with Diet Blueberry-Pomegranate Juice for one choice. Other choices included Water, Ocean Spray White-Cran & Peach Juice, Sprite, 1% Milk and TruMoo. I have to say again that it was soooooo good.

Now about the Schlemmertopf Classic Glazed Clay Cooker, we'd never used it before but instinctively knew that it would work for our family. Our bird was about 9 lbs and fit comfortably in the cooker. Husband had prepared it with fresh herbs, chopped onions, carrot and celery, and fresh lemon wedges all drizzled with olive oil. It was beautiful and tender and delicious - everything a turkey should be on Thanksgiving Day. 

So, if you ever come across one of these old fashioned clay cookers - which are not very expensive but are not so very common here in the good old U.S.A. - I recommend that you buy it and try it. We picked up ours second hand. It had never been used. Still I washed it, poured boiling water over it, baked it, and washed it again before using it.The food was so flavorful and pretty healthful. It is absolutely going to give my little honey of a Crock-pot a run for it's proverbial money.

I can't wait to do more experimenting with it in the coming weeks as we fully embrace the winter season. I wonder what Martha has to say about them.

Image of a Schlemmertopf Clay Baker courtesy of Wayfair.com.

If you love simple, flavorful, tender food that doesn't take tons of time to prepare, you still have time to acquire one for your family in time for the upcoming holiday season.

Today I'll pull out the Christmas decorations - Yay!

~ Sylvie

Note - As usual, I was not compensated in any way for this post.

Law School Concept Get Out of My Head!

Image courtesy of thebestcolleges.org.

I'm getting that urge again. That crazy urge to apply, attend and complete law school. It really is ridiculously impossible at present. Here's what kicked it off.

I received an email message from Concord Law School of Kaplan University. Granted, I gave them my email address because I was strongly considering the school as an option about 5 years ago. But after I made my decision to NOT persue, I never expected to hear from them again. The email contained a survey about my thoughts when i was considering the school. Something in my gut, makes me think that it is a marketing ploy to dredge up that very feeling. How dare they try to manipulate me!

Anywho, I filled it out (like the sheep that I am) and now expect to hear from them again..and again...and again.

Oh, law school predeliction, I wish I knew how to quit you?!

~ Sylvie

Wheeeeeee!!!




ELATION - LEONID AFREMOV

This lovely image reflects my feelings regarding the result of President Obama's last campaign.

Enjoy!

~Sylvie

 

VOTE - It will make you feel big and strong!

VOTEVOTEVOTE

"Go vote. It makes you feel big and strong."
~ Bob Schieffer's Mother

For goodness sake people - VOTE!

So, no one has heard the old cliche - "Living well is the best revenge?"

I think President Obama was trying to be clever and make kind of a play on words when he said "Don't boo. Voting is the best revenge." He forgets sometimes that being "one of the smartest guys" in the room sometimes means one must keep it plain and simple or the addlebrained gets all confused and makes inaccurate (read: crazy) assumptions. However, it seems Mr. Romney rightly assumed the vast majority of his followers aren't particularly well read nor particularly intelligent enough to make the connection or they are quick to assume the worst possible intent and he bet the farm on the idea that they wouldn't "get" the pun. Sheesh!

Oh well, I "got" it and thought it was kind of funny. Only later did I hear that the Romney/Ryan crew got it twisted. Wow.

Meanwhile, I refer back to this image that was posted by chipsticks over at theobamadiary.com some months ago -


I can not wait to get out there and vote tomorrow!

~ Sylvie

Summer 2012 - Part I

The school year ended in a delightful and excellent way - lots of fun activities, uniforms optional, lots of pomp and circumstance ceremonies. My children have learned and matured so much this year (dabbing away tears of pride) and are officially rising to their next grades.

I cannot believe what a lovely summer we are having. Since my last post, I have been spent most of my time with the following pursuits:
1. Managing the family.
2. Keeping the home.
3.Trying new recipes - many with success!
4. Making progress on that Rooster Needlepoint project that haunts me.
5. Reading books & blogs re: homekeeping, child development, summer fun, couponing, looking cute and appropriate, playing American contract bridge.
6. The most time consuming has been working part-time in the education and care of children as well as continuing research and activity (IE, altering resume as needed and applying for jobs) in an effort to gain employment/earn regular income. I am still so amazed and fully disillusioned by the reality of my having slipped into the status of what they call a "displaced homemaker." But, that's a stressful story for a different day.

Of course, this is not a complete list but it represents about 85% of my time since February.

Since mid-June, my boys have been out of school and it's been great! They seemed to have tired of extra TV and screen time within the first week. Yay! They actually prefer real life pursuits. I love that they will say, "There's nothing good on" and turn off the tv. Sometimes they come to me for something to eat immediately or to get an idea of something else to do. Usually they go for a ball - soccer ball, baseball, tennis ball. Sometimes "messing around outside" which might mean climbing a tree and acting like wild animals or digging holes in the ground for lost treasures. Sometimes just having a Luigi's Ice out on the deck is all they need before maybe taking a nap, calling/skyping Grammie or helping me prepare lunch or dinner.

We have met friends for rollerskating. They have been swimming countless times at a local indoor pool and at our neighborhood pool. We have visited our local library and selected books for the whole summer. They have done lots of nothing (IE, poking around in the backyard, lego-building and lego stop motion movie-making) and a bit of something (IE, yardwork, folding towels and clothes, general neatening).

On the 4th of July, we attended our first every Major League Baseball game. Well, first for the sons and me. We took the train in to DC and saw the Washington Nationals take on the San Francisco Giants. The Nationals won! Hurrah!!!

The next phase of summer took us to a family reunion weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Marriot- South Park was quite nice and the reunion activities were just right.

Now we are summering at our place in South Carolina at last. It NEVER disappoints. I am typing at the dining table as ceiling fans spins, the children pick up pine cones from under the palms outside my window and I await random family visitors to appear on our porch. (My husband is from this area with many relatives withing a 25 mile radius. Last evening we dropped in on his octogenarian aunt and uncle. This aunt ALWAYS has some kind of home-baked deliciousness at the ready. Isn't that just southern hospitality up and down? Well, last night, she asked if we would like something called Heavenly Pie that was made of fruit cocktail and whipped cream on a graham cracker crust. It was soooooo delicious and refreshing. Loved it. The boys went out to their "garden" which most people call a farm. They picked fresh (sweet delicious!) tomatoes and a variety of squashes. It was super fun. We've already decided to go back and get more tomatoes. Soooooo sweet. This is living.

We've been here for a few days. This year we decided to get library cards at the local library. What a fun experience that was. It's interesting to see a completely different selection of books. The fact that there are may older families here is reflected in the libraries offerings. Seriously, every popular British series since 1970 seems to be available there. And the cookbook selection is simply beyond. I checked out way too much.

The boys found some good DVDs most based on books.While the husband, found some terrific genealogy resources (his hobby).

After the library, we went to a little place the locals call "The Drive In" which is actually a little restaurant that has no drive through or walk up window at all. The fried chicken, french fries and onion rings we ordered were AMAZING. And the sweet tea that washed it all down - just right.

In a little while, if those silly rainstorms hold out, we will go to the driving range at one of the local clubs - it's just wonderful that we have access to two award winning tournament golf courses and a brand new tennis facility that will no doubt become an award-winning tournament tennis club in the very near future.

The guys are out taking a walk right now and expect me to be ready to go to the club for lunch upon their return so I'd better get my things together. I plan to post some pictures from this year's summer very soon.

I trust you are enjoying your summer as well.

~ Sylvie

Ready for Take Off

Aaaaaah. What a wonderfully clear and chilly day it is today. I think that this has been the mildest winter I have ever experienced since moving to Northern Virginia. It has been a wee bit disappointing as we just bought a Snow Joe and everyone in my family currently has puffy vests, coats, and snow boats that fit. Also, my current job allows me to bring my kids with if needed on Snow Days. Oh well, still good to know that I am prepared for next year.

I am now taking steps to a new and improved self:

1. Today I met with a trainer and have a fitness program on paper at the gym.

2. I have purchased some decent workout clothes that look like they were purchased in this century so that I don't look like this:
 I mean Olivia Newton-John is cute and all. It's just that the look wouldn't work for me. I would like to look more like the models in the Athleta catalogue.

3. I have a hair appointment for Friday to see what we can do to update and get this hair healthy again.

The only three outstanding action items are - annual visit to my doctor, a visit to set up a new dentist, and finding a church home. These are actually really important- if not the most important. That last item is the absolute hardest thing I've ever had to do - in the top 5 anyway. But, that's a post for a different day. I digress.

Now if only I could find someway to pay for Law School, oops. Again, I digress.

So back to me and my lifestyle improvement program. I have been making some really terrific (if I do say so myself) winter comfort meals from whole foods (not the store mind you). I am now taking notes whilst watching Emeril Green.  If you  haven't seen Emeril Lagasse's new show on Planet Green and you are trying to eat real food, you need to give it a watch. Honestly, I was not even a huge fan of his on any of his other shows. I mean he seems like a nice enough guy but the big "BAM!" and the habit of "kicking things up a notch" just didn't draw me in. OH, but this new one is Uh-mazing! I don't know if it's because he clearly is a certifiable CHEF by the way he wields a knife and throws off the fancy cooking terms; or, if it's because it seems to be filmed locally (somewhere within 100 miles of my house); or, if the sun always seems to be shining on the days he films. In any case, the show totally rocks. The information he shares on being green in the kitchen and on how to feed our bodies (and our families' bodies) better is just sooooo good.


I wonder if there are other chef's making little/no pre-processed meals accessible to the masses. Do you know of any?