Well it is just 17days till Christmas. Wonderful time of the year – really it is. But OH how it has changed – or have we changed. I am clearly at the end of the Baby Boomer Cycle, before generations X, Y and Painful (all 14-20yr olds) — so my perspective on Christmas has to be somewhat based on my age and “status” in life. Oh and Christmas is interchangeable with “Holidays”. Nothing Political here – each to his own.

Family, faith and/or beliefs certainly also play a role in this time of year – but I am convinced that our life experiences and upbringing have the most impact. NOTE I am an only child, Lisa is an Only Child – so we by definition have less family to spend time with.

I have experienced 3 phases to my feelings about “the season” – my,  we have a lot of possible terms to use to describe Thanksgiving t0 New Years. The Season, The Holidays, Christmas Time etc… enough of that.

The Phases – The Kid phase – remember when as a child this time of year held much more wonder and excitement – everything from events at school, to family events – seeing  ole Uncle Ralph with a cigarette hanging from his lip and a can of PBR in his hand to Grandma’s cookies. My mom’s tree was all Red Lights, I loved it, but can you imagine. Not the little lights we use today, no no the big, nightlight size ones. OMG don’t get me started on Christmas Lights, NOW IT IS LED Lights – $150 it cost me to put those damn things on our tree this year.

OK back to the phases – The child phase for me lasted fairly long- till about 16 I guess, then I entered phase 2 – where I was moving from my family to friends, girlfriends family, college etc…. and this phase of going from place to place to place to place continued on through the birth of my kids, up to about 2 years ago. I call this the YEARS OF EXCESS – going and going, buying and buying – fighting with her mother, my mother, my wife etc… what is it about “Who has family time when” – OMG My mother felt like it was a competition with my mother in law as to who had Christmas Dinner when. Finally ENOUGH! Bring on Phase 3.

Wow what happen to go, go, go, buy, buy, buy, more lights, more gifts, more more more – It just went away. Thank you! Is it because my kids are entering Phase 2 and thus not as present, I don’t think that is all of it – they seem less likely to get caught up in the same Phase 2 as we experienced. I believe a couple of things have happened, one good, one less so.

First I see that core families have become more fractured and that is not good. The definition of “Core Family” is and has changed, people live further apart, divorces etc…  The second thing I see, is it is less about all the go, go, go and buy, buy, buy and more about a simpler “Family and Friends” time — that ain’t all bad. I have that melancholy feeling about the past at times – but look forward to future Holiday Times.

Whatever your experiences have been and are today – Step back and enjoy your family and friends and the FOOD!  I work each year to make the Holiday Meal  wonderful, BUT Easier. It takes some planning and even some practice, but it can be done in a manner that you are not in the kitchen for 2 days, the dinner table for 20 minutes and the sink for 4 hours after. I also fight the Turkey and Ham syndrome.  Don’t get me wrong, I am likely to smoke a turkey and buy a nice ham, but that ain’t dinner — that  is Sandwich makings. This year it is Magret Duck, with a Cherry, Balsamic Reduction, Roasted Root Vegetables and my Butternut Squash Soup. Simple, Elegant and DIFFERENT!

OH and by the way if you have read my “STUFF” blog – the “STUFF” is winning! Alas 2011 is another year! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, etc….. On behalf of Lisa, Myself, our Family and the Satchmo’s Team!!!!

Stuff

Ok here’s the deal – I/We have way, way too much stuff!

My stuff, her stuff, kids stuff, little kid stuff from 10 years ago, ex-wives and husband stuff, Christmas stuff, stuff we don’t know who owns it, my dead parents stuff, stuff from our move 8 years ago that we haven’t touched, rusty stuff, 13 shovels, 3 circular saws, 2 drills, 3 cat carriers, a lawn jart set, a pink softball bat, my boy scout stuff, 26 half full paint cans, etc…. etc….. etc…..

The mission is to “De-Stuff” us! I have a business associate, long time friend who is a vegetarian and does yoga and oh – doesn’t drink – (Thus very suspect to us, beer drink’n, Tequila Shoot’n, Harley Ride’n Fat Guys). We recently were traveling together and got on the topic of “Stuff” – he is constantly amazed by how much stuff he has that he doesn’t use and by the “Stuff” people throw away. Just roll it out to the curb – let the trash guy take it! He said, look I am working hard to not keep adding to the Stuff and to give away or throw away as much as possible.

How many items, actual count in your closet do you think you will never use again – HUNDREDS! When was the last time my waist was a 36! I have 3 pairs of Allen Edmond dress shoes with holes in the soles and dust all over them! For love of G.. – Get rid of all this Crap!

How – Chris’ “One Touch Rule” – I have started in the Garage, aka Hell! One section at a time – toss it or give it away. If I have not touched in a year – it goes.

You must be disciplined – One Touch/One Year that is the rule!

Today’s victims

Old metal batting helmet face mask

1 Lawn Jart Set

1 Croquette Set

6 half full (I am a half full kind’a guy) water bottles

9 pairs of shoes

4 shovels (keeping some to give to my sons – probable rule violation)

Crap, trash, empty boxes

beer can covers, skate boards, dodge balls, bats, paint ball junk, 7 paint cans, old paint brushes, the cat (Damn they won’t let  me) etc…. etc…. etc…

Oh – to calm everyone – I Recycle and dispose of paint etc… in an environmentally correct way! THE CURB! Just kidding!

March 19, 2010

Thinking of Spring and Going Green! Do Your Part!!!

Ok – ENOUGH of this tease – BRING ON SRPING. Now to be honest – spring is season number 3 for me – with fall first, summer second, then fall and F…. Winter (F for “Forget”)

I must admit Spring does bring out my desire to plant and spruce up the outside. Flowers, herbs, tomatos, mulch — the whole process is rewarding. To me it is like painting a room – tangible progress. So why do I put spring in 3^rd place – well it is disorderly – for a big part of spring half of the earth is still sleeping while the other half is going wild. I like my seasons to be more groomed. I have heard all the – “oh but the earth is coming alive BS – If it ain’t orderly I don’t like it – so keep your early spring and give me the late spring, early summer.

Now – to my point – spring is for planting – I challenge each of you to plant something.  I don’t care if you don’t have time, don’t have a big yard or live in an apartment – plant something outside. The only exception is Bre, our Bartender – who kills every living thing that is planted.

Cherry Tomato’s can be planted in a pot on your patio. Herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano – grow great in pots and frankly grow like weeds with a bit of water everyday and some sun. Chile Peppers grow wonderfully in pots as well and are great fun to pick and use in salsa, salads, marinades etc… Plant an “Impatient” if you have low sun – Just plant something and care for it. When you have your coffee in the morning you get to watch your plants grow, it will bring you a smile.

A few keys – your pot must have a hole in the bottom are the plants will drown. If you don’t water in the morning, it is like going to the beach all day and putting on the sun screen when you go home.

Now go forth and Plant, Plant, Plant – AND WATER.

PS – Miracle Grow once a week is a Miracle.

Roasted Salsa Verde

        1 Cup Whole Cherry Tomatoes

        2 Green Jalapenos

        1 Red Jalapeno

        1 Cup Red Onions from Salad Line

        2 tomatillos w. Husk On

Toss all in olive oil and put in Grill Basket Pan and Grill – Turn Frequently to “Char”

Cool in Bowl

Peel Tomatillos and Jalapenos – Don’t worry if some of peel stays on.

De-Stem and De-Seed Jalapenos.

Fine Chop Jalapeno’s

Rough Chop Onions, Cherry Tomatoes and Tomatillos’

Combine w. Following

          ¼ Cup Chopped Cilantro

         1 Tbs Sugar

          Salt and Pepper to taste

Trivia Question of Day – Which Ice Skater won her first gold medal in 1968?

Spending a lot of time in Texas this month – say what you will about Texas – these folks know how to eat – BBQ, Dive Bars, High-end Steaks – BEEF, Tex- Mex, Mexican, etc….

Headed out last night in search of a high-end Seafood place – WildFish Grille – Damn GPS couldn’t find place – so like all guys I deadheaded – not a  good plan – 30 minutes later, clearly heading out of San Antonio into West Texas, I decided it best to pullover and regroup.

Better to be lucky then smart – as I pulled of highway and turned onto outer road and into a parking lot – I was overwhelmed by the smells – BBQ, Burger Smoke – you know the smell! The neon was bright and parking lot full – A local Place. The Grill at Leon Springs Texas.

                                     www.leonspringsgrill.com

Blacken Red Fish with grilled red potato’s and fresh guacamole – Awesome. Plus a smoke’n bartender – Samantha! Yum!

Tonite – local favorite  “The Cove” – as featured on Guy Fieri’s,  ‘More Diner’s Drive-Ins, & Dives! Rated best burgers in Texas – we shall see.

                      www.thecove.us

Topics and purpose of this blog – mostly it is about FOOD and Cooking, but  I will also address other topics of interest to me – Travel, Harleys, Daily Life and my odd look at the world. It is not my intention to discuss politics, religion or other topics that tend to be overly passionate.

Blog #1

Today’s random thought — Spring – YO HO HO Where the hell is Spring?

I am a born and raised St. Louisan – but why must we spend 3 – 4 months a year in 40 degrees (or less) in the wet rain?

I been asked for my Chopped Salad recipe a bunch of times here it is – As you can see – it is a project –but a yummy one – Enjoy.

Chris’s Chopped Salad

Serves 8 – 10

• 1/2 Head Romaine – Chopped “Quarter” size pieces
• 1 Head Boston Leaf – Chopped “Quarter” Size pieces
• Ranch Dressing -  About 1 Cup – See Below
• Parmesan Italian Dressing – 1 Cup

1 & 1/2 Cup Chopped of Each

• Bean Sprouts
• Celery
• Snow Peas
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Grape Tomatoes – Cut in fourths

Chopped

• 1 – Red Bell
• 1 – Green Bell
• 1 – Yellow Bell
• 1 – Mild Yellow Banana Pepper

Other

• ½ Cup Chopped Flat Italian Parsley
• ½ Large Red Onion Chopped
• 1 Bunch Green Onions Chopped
• ½ Cup Pickled Pepper Rings Chopped (Optional) I also add about ¼ cup of the Juice – not hot – but tangy. Really worth the $2 for Jar.
• ½ Cup crumbled Feta – whatever type you like
• ½ Cup Crumbled Blue Cheese
• ½ Cup fresh Grated Ramano Cheese

Mix all together in Large Bowl – Season with Italian Seasoning, Montreal Steak Seasoning, Garlic Powder (All to your taste).

Add 1 Cup of Parmesan Italian Dressing – then add Ranch Dressing to get final consistency. Probably about a cup of Ranch. Taste and add additional Seasoning as desired.