Thursday, April 16, 2009

Moroccan chicken recipe

We had this for dinner tonight (grilled not baked though). Though it sounds somewhat spicy, it was not, which is good because our two boys are sissies when it comes to spicy food - something we're trying to work on since they are half Malaysian afterall!

Ingredients

Serves 4

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 whole chicken (4 pounds), quartered, skin on
  • 1 lemon, quartered

Directions

  1. Place a rimmed baking sheet on the center rack of oven, and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix spices, 2 teaspoons salt, 3/4 teaspoon pepper, and the oil in a small bowl. Rub spice paste all over chicken.
  2. Carefully arrange chicken in a single layer on hot sheet, and arrange lemon wedges around chicken. Bake until chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer and juices run clear, 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and serve with pan juices and roasted lemon wedges on the side.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Gone with the Wind

Our book club decided to read it this month, and though I knew it was a classic, I was unsure how much I'd actually like it, thinking it might be dull and antiquated. Oh... my... word.... it is a beautiful book. If you have not read, go to the library RIGHT NOW and start reading. I have not enjoyed a book this much in ages.

I started it last Monday and finished all 1,000+ pages by Saturday night. I tend to be a fast reader but that might set a personal record for me. I was up past midnight every night - ending at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday (well, technically Sunday). It was that good!

All well and good, but here is the problem. The author, Margaret Mitchell, did not write a sequel. The ending begs a sequel, so why didn't she write one? She died in 1949 after she was struck by a speeding automobile. But according to extensive internet research (haha), her untimely death was not the reason for no sequel. She refused to write one (though her estate authorized Alexandra Ripley to write the sequel "Scarlett" in 1991). I keep on pondering what Mrs. Mitchell wanted for the characters. Would Scarlett and Rhett eventually get back together? Will Rhett ever recover from the death of their dear daughter? Would Belle play a larger role in their futures? (She would pop into the story here and there but never became as large of a character as I thought she would eventually become.) Will Scarlett ever become a better mother to her children? Is Ashley out of Scarlett's life forever?

I cannot get the story out of my thoughts ...

I do plan on reading the sequel "Scarlett" (my name is on the list for that book at the library in fact), but what I really want is Margaret Mitchell's sequel. I guess this would be called unrequited love because I know my wish will never be fulfilled.

What's a girl to do

I am going to the Walton Arts Center with my dear hubby tonight and spent the morning rummaging through my closet to see what still fits, what looks good, etc. I found several nicer dresses that both fit and look good (yipee)... but the problem is that I am ALWAYS cold - especially inside where people seem to love to blast the A/C (even if it's 100 degrees outside in August). So often I just opt for dressy slacks instead of dresses and skirts, since it's not fun to eat fancy food or see Broadway plays if you're shivering so bad you can't sit straight.

So that's where you all come in (if there is anybody reading this poor neglected blog, that is). Any advice in looking good but staying warm at the same time?

(Or maybe I should just wear the sexy clothes but bring a portable heater with me??? Hmmm, this is not a bad idea!)

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter

A few pictures from our family egg hunt in our yard. We decided to do it a day early because of the weather forecast. It was beautiful yesterday for the hunt ... and today is rainy and cold, so I am glad we listened to the weatherman!

Zac: "See my amazing stretching ability... I'll do anything for chocolate!"

Benji: "I'm so glad Daddy told Mommy that they should buy M&M's this year instead of all that healthy stuff. Daddy is smart!"

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Check Out My Woman - The Half Marathon Runner

So all the training over the last 3/4 months came to this - Laurel's inaugural half marathon, together with good friends Kristin and Britni. They finished the race!!!! Yay!!!!

Here's me and the boys cheering them on.


Look at them go. Hardly breaking a sweat.

Tackling one of 'em killer hills. No problemo.

(Rocky soundtrack as the background) The triumph of finishing the run!

Laurel did it, and I'm so proud of her! Congrats, sweetie!

Friday, April 03, 2009

Recent pictures

The boys climbing a tree that fell from the ice storm

Benji

Here are my serious boys

Here are my normal boisterous boys :)