Sports 101

OK, so I'm no expert yet....BUT I'm learning. Since I've married Andy I have been privileged to have private lessons (daily) on sports terminology, game rules, team names and logos, player statistics, and the class includes a (nightly) practicum which involves watching games intensely. So far I have to say I've been doing very well. I can name every player on the 2008 Phillies team and what positions they play. I own an Eagles jersey (thanks Zoom), and have been watching the Flyers have an exciting season. I'm not that into basketball....thank goodness neither is Andy.....anyway, I've been living in Canada for eight months now so the lessons are starting to revolve around hockey.

I've always enjoyed the sport of hockey, and have even gone to the occasional game. I want to be a true fan....the problem seems to be that I'm just not fast enough to watch the game. I try as hard as I can to really follow what is happening. Andy is great at sound effects and he is animating each play....but I can't seem to find the puck. Everyone seems to skating fast towards the net and just when I'm focused on the goalie everyone turns and skates away. I see something fly through the air and someone grabs it with their hand throws it down on the ice (that's allowed? who knew?) and it disappears again. I keep my head moving left and right with the crowd...but honestly I'm missing it. Good thing baseball season is only 1 1/2 weeks away.

Dinner Rotation

So it has been way to long since I posted a blog. I am now officially on Spring Break (for two whole weeks!!!!) So hopefully I will daily be filling you all in on our lives the past few weeks. Today I decided to sleep in. There are weeks at a time when each day there is a reason to wake up bright and early. For those of you with children I guess we could say there are years at a time :) Well, I'm not there yet and still enjoy the random day that I can stay in bed until noon. I didn't stay in bed quite that long today, but I'm still in my pj's so what does that say? Anyway, I'm hoping to accomplish a few goals during this time off. One of which I think should be fun...and I wanted to invite you to help me with. I am trying to put together a list of recipes to rotate through each ..week...month...however it works out. So, if you have a favorite recipe please send it my way. Many people gave me recipes when I first got married. Some I have been able to try...others may get their debut this week. Of course there are a few things in particular that I am looking for. I guess I'm just trying to live on a budget and so be responsible with what i am buying and be a good steward of my time. So here are some of the qualifications for making the list:

1) the recipe takes less than an hour to prepare and have on the table (marinating doesn't count if I can throw it together quickly before work and have it sit all day....same with crock pot recipes...something that can be prepared quick and can cook when I am at work)

2) the recipe doesn't involve too many ingredients. I hate trying to quickly put together dinner and needing twenty different things at my fingertips. Something with 5-10 ingredients is ok.

3) the recipe can only require one or two at most 'unique ingredients.' This means that I'm not buying a huge bottle of fish sauce to use just once a month. First of all I end up throwing out any unused product that has an expiration date...and I don't have a pantry to store too many extra products. One day when I have a pantry that can hold enough for me to store different ingredients or a freezer big enough to freeze dinners...I'll consider being more lenient on this qualification

4) the recipe has to be something that can be reheated and still taste good...Andy and I love leftovers for lunch...not big on the sandwich.

Well if you have any suggestions....send them my way!!

Conspiracy Theory

So Andy tells me I need to get over it....and I am trying, but I am convinced that they are out to get me...Andy calls it my white whale...well its not a whale but they live in the ocean. I can't seem to cook fish correctly. Give me some flour and water and I can whip up a great bread dough, homemade pies... no problem, amazing lazangna ...easy but give me a simple white fish and I'm without a clue. I've been told it is so easy anyone can do it...well I"m proving that theory wrong. I have tried to broil, bake, saute...and even boil....a disaster almost every time. One night I served what looked like perfectly broiled Basa only to find the insides still quite raw. Tonight the fish was in the oven for over an hour (first on 350 while wrapped in aluminum foil....but when that didn't work I switched to broil and moved the pan up)....still not cooked after 60 minutes. The outside was crispy while the insides were still pinkish and soft...no flake...i saw no flaky fish tonight. I don't get it...my oven works perfectly for every other demand I give it....I think they are out to get me...and I tell you what...I'm so sick of getting it wrong that they might just win.....But if Andy asks I'm over it!