Taco Night

Tonight was Logan's birthday and I made one of his favorites...tacos. I gathered all my ingredients: beef, tortillas, cheese, shredded lettuce, and seasoning...wait, I ran out of taco seasoning packets. What was I to do? Taco meat needed more than cooked beef. No more trips to the store, but I had to try something. As usual, Food Network came to the rescue with a simple taco recipe. Onions, cumin, garlic, salt, chili powder, and tomato paste plus beef equals really awesome tacos. The big lesson was how absolutely awesome cumin is (it's that extra seasoning that makes the kitchen smell like tacos!). Logan finished his taco in record time. I like to think it was because it tasted so awesome and had nothing to do with his new Lego sets in waiting. Regardless, I realized I CAN make tacos without a seasoning packet, have them taste good, and reduce our sodium intake dramatically. I love when recipes work.

A New Year's Eve Treat-Awesome Pork BBQ

I always make it a point to have some of my favorite foods on New Year's Eve. This year I had something I didn't plan on but kept me happy all day long-hand pulled pork bbq from Pik N Pig. No knife was needed, it melted in your mouth. The dry rub produced an awesome bark that added another layer of flavor to the perfectly seasoned meat. Oh, so good. Lean and juicy, the pork was accompanied with fresh hush puppies (I think I ate 7 or 8 through out the day), baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw (creamy and tangy), cornbread muffins, and dinner rolls. Everything was top notch. While this meal was catered from Pik n Pig, I can hardly wait to take a road trip to Carthage, North Carolina and experience it first hand. In a state known for the whole hog style of bbq, Pik n Pig sticks to roasting Boston butts alone to ensure a consistent product. Generous portions and reasonable prices make this a destination spot. However you pull it, this is truly some of the best pulled pork I have ever had.

Welcome!

A new year is almost here and that naturally leads people to look at the past year and their future. When I look back at 2009, it was a year of change. When I look ahead to 2010, I want it to be a year of health, fun, and good food. I have always been passionate about food, but it wasn't until the past few months that I have accepted what I am, a Foodie. Now I want to share my passion with Foodies and friends alike. Enjoy the new blog this New Year!

Enjoying the Trees

We have been in North Carolina for 2 weeks now. The landscape looms large against the backdrop of new construction and established communities. You go 5 miles in most directions and you start heading to the country. Go 20 miles and you are in the country. The days before I return to work are peaceful and simple. My favorite thing is picking up Logan from school and hearing about his day and how he finally learned the name of the friend who tells jokes like him. The independence is in full swing and soon our daily routine will return to chaotic. I treasure this time, but not the potty training with Connor. That's just a mess...daily.

8 Days Left

Crunch time. All of the last minute details that need to get done seem to pile up quickly. It's different when things must be done versus self imposed deadlines. I won't miss the traffic and road construction or my long drive to work. 4 days left at the store but I'm not great with good byes. I feel a bit useless.

12 Days and Counting

Tomorrow is our going away bash/Connor's 3rd birthday party and I am excited. I look forward to seeing friends and family and sharing one last event at our house. Tonight Connor hit baseballs off the tee (and did really well) while Logan spontaneously started prepping for the party by putting the kids juice boxes in a bowl. My little party planner! As I look around the house, there's very little left to go through. Jeremy has gotten rid of all of the random crap in the basement and we are left with things we want. I went upstairs to go through a closet only to realize everything in it was coming with us. Our last few days in Michigan will be spent doing home improvements and hanging out with our neighbors. Adam, Meagan-I don't talk about it much to keep it light, but I will miss you all very much. I stare out at my lilac bush, my one must in landscaping, and see how much it's grown in the past four years. I wonder how much things will change over the next four.

14 Days Before We Pack

The countdown is on. We have 2 weeks left in Michigan before the movers come. It's so hard to believe it's almost here! There are so many last minute details that I get a headache thinking about all of them. We still have stray furniture left to get rid of so if you come over for a party, expect to leave with more than what you came with. Who needs a chair? What about olive oil? Fish sauce? We can't take liquids so we have a lot up for grabs. We will finish the alcohol at either the birthday/going away party or the block party the following week. It's odd to get rid of so much yet very freeing.