Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Almost a full Tennessee resident and a recipe

Jimmy took today off of work so we could get our licenses changed over. We'd planned on having the tags changed over for my car also. However, we were unprepared for how much it would cost for our licenses. My goodness! It was higher than we thought! We were in and out since I was so prepared I had more documents than required. So when Jimmy gets paid again on the 7th, we'll plan on having the tags changed over. Then I can have the insurance changed over. I've been quite anxious about that.

After we had our licenses done, we took cupcakes to Korinne's class. Tomorrow is her birthday, but they only have half a day. Friday she has a field trip so her teacher suggested today for the cupcakes. She happened to be at lunch when we showed up. She was so excited to see her Daddy was with me. We sat with her during lunch and even got to see Justin during his lunch. He was proud to show off his Daddy and Jackson. But what was funny was hearing how Korinne's classmates pronounced her name. It was Kuh-rii-inn. Emphasis on the rii. LOL It was just so cute! Try saying it with the biggest southern accent you can think of. LOL We pronounce it Kor-rin with the emphasis on rin.

So we left the school and went back home. I got Jackson down for his nap, refused my own because...hello!!! I had my husband home! I wanted to be with him, even though he worked on his car. LOL After the kids came home he and I cooked together. He got to see how effortless and how quick his favorite meal was. It was a wonderful day!

Here's the meal we had tonight... Garlic Buttered Sliced Steak with Onions

  • 3 Tblsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 large yellow skinned onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 roasted red peppers, drained well and thinkly sliced
  • salt and pepper
  • generous handful flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 4 (1 inch thick) slices from a round loaf of good quality semolina bread, from center of loaf (I either use sourdough bread or bread I made my own)
  • 4 Tblsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 4 (12 oz) NY strip steaks (I use whatever thich steak is on sale and I usually only cook two nice size steaks since Jimmy and I are the only ones that eat this.)

Heat extra virgin olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low to medium heat, then add onions and roasted red peppers. (I add sliced mushrooms as well.) Season with salt and pepper and cook until gently soft, but not caramelized, 12-15 minutes, stir in parsley.

Heat a large skillet or cast iron griddle to high.

Toast bread under broiler and reserve.

MMelt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, add garlic. Remove pan from the heat and set aside until steaks are cooked.

Season 1 side of steaks with salt and pepper and place seasoned side down in the hot skillet or griddle. Cook 3 minutes until the meat can be moved easily. Season the reverse side of meat. Flip steaks, reduce heat to medium and cook 6-7 minutes for medium rare, 8-10 for just pink. Remove meat and let rest a few minutes. Slice steaks 1/4 inch thick against the grain. Pile onions over toast, top with slices steak and spoon garlic butter down over each portion.

I usually slice steak and put it on bread first, then pile onion mixture to suit on top. It's so delish!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Report Card Time

That's right. It's already been 9 weeks. WOW!

The kids were out of school today for parent-teacher conferences. We started with Korinne's teacher. She went on and on about what a wonderful child Korinne is. How she's pleased with how much Korinne wants to learn. She said Korinne was a very happy-go-lucky child and was always excited whenever the class was starting something new. She had all Ss, kindergarten's equivalent to As. I'm very proud of her!

Next was Justin's teacher. She went on and on about how smart Justin is. He's a very well mannered child. She even said he's a testament to my mothering. He made ALL As!!! ALL! I'm so proud of him. The envelope for his report card is also a coupon of some sorts for Wendy's. If the kids get all As, they take their report card and the envelope to Wendy's and they get a free burger, fries and drinks.

Lastly, was Jay. He made 1 A and 4 Bs. Still good grades, but his teachers were disappointed because they feel he can do so much better. He has the potential to make all As. His biggest problem was he isn't turning in his work on time or at all. They all enjoy having him in their classes though. So we're going to work on him turning in his homework.

I'm so proud of them all.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

My Goodness it's COLD!!!!!!!

It is fricken COLD here! My weatherbug says it's 44 degrees here. WTH??!! In Charleston, we're still in shorts on Halloween! I'm so not looking forward to Halloween if it's gonna be this cold! We haven't had the gas turned on yet, so we have no heat. My kids are all curled up in their beds with ALL of their many blankets over them. Jimmy and I have our quilt and comforter on our bed. MOM, send me some long johns!!!!!!!!! I doubt I will leave the house much if/when it snows. I do NOT do cold weather very well. I could barely tolerate the "cold" in Charleston. How the hell am I going to deal with cold here? How funny are my kids gonna look with layers under their costumes here in Tennessee? LOL