Weekend

This weekend was very nice. Yesterday the boys and I did a couple errands and hung out while Eric worked. We had some friends over Saturday night, so I made a roast that I cooked to perfection, even had a lil pink right in the middle for me. Gravy was a pain though, I put all my stuff into the blender, blend it, go to take it out of the bottom, and the whole bottom of the container stuck, I had 450 degree gravy EVERYWHERE, on my FRESHLY cleaned floor ( I swear I am never cleaning it again, ever) all over the counter, the dishwasher, ugh such a mess. But we fixed it, and it was great. We played some bump it, and totally killed the new kid. We also tried a new drink i saw on the food network. Vodka Mojitos. AWESOME!! And cheap, except for the Mint, you probably have all the stuff you need all the time……the simple syrup is sweet enough that it covers the vodka (which is why it's awesome) I used bottled lime juice, and it was still very tasty.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/vodka-mojito-recipe/index.html

So after playing bump-it last night, we decided to take a lil trip to the wizard’s chest and get some new ones ;-) not to get rid of what we have, but to add to them, give people more choices. I was kinda disappointed with the selection, but I bought what they had. Of course now, I have to get bags to put them in.

Then we went to country buffet because Aragorn LOVES that place, and we all enjoyed a nice lunch together. It was pretty cool, when we walked in, there was nothing but a sea of green BTU’s. Eric said he talked to one of the guys and he said they go there about once a month. I wish I could have gotten a picture, but by the time we got settled they had left. I was very amazed though at how people treated them. They moved aside, or gave up their place in line. There was one guy that was thanking all of them, individually. It was pretty cool. Otherwise not to much here. Hung around. Eric watched star wars with the boys tonight, I got pictures!!! So awesome……….

Road Trip.....

This is how Rohan rocks the road trip

You're My Best Friend - Don Williams

This is one of the songs played at Avis's service.......I have always loved this song.......

RIP Avis......

Eric's grandmother Avis left us 09-14-10. We attended her memorial service this past weekend held in Ellsworth, KS. I have waited until today to blog about her death, because i honestly didn't know Avis very well. I had only met her 3 or 4 times myself, and it's really hard to get to know someone in only a few visits. But this weekend, i saw what kind of women she was, simply by the people that attended her service. Based on what people said about her, she was a wonderful women who like so many of us struggled. She suffered from depression, I learned this weekend, that took a toll on her family. But, even through this sickness, she did the best she could, as we all try to do. She was a great cook, having the best fried chicken ever. She loved to read. She cleaned incessantly. She will be missed greatly.

I am sad that i didn't get to know her better, that i didn't take that step to get to know her better. I would have loved to talk to her about her life, where she grew up, how she lived, how she met Irvin.....everything. I love to hear old stories from people that were there, it makes it extra special when they are family. I guess the lesson in this is, talk to your family, learn all you can, soak it in, write it down.

RIP Avis.....you will be missed

And although this was a very sad occasion, i did get a great picture of four generations of Spillman men. And one of Father, Son and Grandson.

Wednesday Dinner

I like to watch the Foodnetwork, so much so that i have no idea what else is even on TV. We watch Disney and Foodnetwork that's it. Which for me, is great. I like to get new ideas and see how my favorite chefs make my favorite meals. Last Wednesday Brianna came over for dinner and i shared 2 new recipes i had seen on Giada and Ina Garten. I was not impressed with either recipe and i probably won't make them again. But it was fun giving new things a try. I will post pictures and the recipe in case you want to give it a shot. I think the salad would have been better with a diffrent citrus fruit (MAYBE and orange) and i wasn't crazy about the sandwich, it was to big to eat as a sandwich, and very messy to eat with fork and knife. Giada diffentily made it look better on her show.

Avocado and Grapefruit Salad

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup good olive oil
4 ripe Hass avocados
2 large red grapefruits
Directions
Place the mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified.

Before serving, cut the avocados in 1/2, remove the seeds, and carefully peel off the skin. Cut each half into 4 thick slices. Toss the avocado slices in the vinaigrette to prevent them from turning brown. Use a large, sharp knife to slice the peel off the grapefruits (be sure to remove all the white pith), then cut between the membranes to release the grapefruit segments.

Arrange the avocado slices around the edge of a large platter. Arrange the grapefruit segments in the center. Spoon the vinaigrette on top, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve.



Grilled Chicken and Avocado Napoleons

Ingredients
2 (9 by 10-inch) sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed and cut into 12 (3 by 5-inch) rectangles
4 (4-ounce) boneless and skinless chicken breast halves
Kosher salt
Olive oil, for drizzling
3 tablespoons reduced fat mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 large avocado, thinly sliced into 8 pieces
2 cups baby spinach leaves
Directions
Place an oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.


Place the pastry on the prepared baking sheets. Using the tines of a fork, prick the top of the pastry all over. Cover the pastry with parchment paper and place another baking sheet on top. Bake for 25 minutes until golden. Remove the top baking sheets and parchment paper. Set aside to cool.


Preheat a grill pan or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Season the chicken with salt and drizzle with olive oil. Grill until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Set aside to cool.


In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and cayenne pepper.


To assemble the Napoleons: Place 4 pieces pastry on a work surface. Slice each chicken breast diagonally into 6 (1/4-inch thick) slices. Place 3 chicken breast slices on each piece of pastry. Place 1/4 cup of spinach and 1 avocado slice on top. Spread 1 teaspoon of the mayonnaise mixture on the underside of another 4 pieces of pastry to create the middle layer of each Napoleon. Place on top. Repeat the layering. Each Napoleon should be completed with a piece of pastry as its top.

You've taught him well Aunt Becky.....

You've taught him well........

Happy National Talk like a Pirate Day

From the Spillman Family