Playing Catch Up

For starters, I'm still damn proud to be a Mountaineer! Last week, Da'Sean Butler threw out the opening pitch at a Little League baseball game in Bridgeport and then stuck around to sign autographs. How cool is that?

In addition to work, which has been crazy...and Reid's schedule, which has also been crazy...and Elizabeth, who is growing like a weed and today (while Daddy was at a work function) had a crazy meltdown...we've been good. Busy, but good. I'm also trying to pick up some more skills on PhotoShop -- just in time for Alex's 3rd birthday party invitations.

I held my annual Champions Dinner this year on the Saturday of the Masters. Seriously, one of the best meals that I have ever made for the Champions Dinner. And, unlike Phil's 1st dinner (sooooo excited he won, BTW!!!) of the lobster ravioli, I didn't have to spend the entire day in the kitchen making the meal, which meant I actually tasted it and liked it! We were happy to have Johnny Lynch, Eric & Leigh Bovaird as guests this year. Unfortunately the Martins had to cancel out, but we're looking forward to them joining us next year... Anyway, here is what I served from 2009 Champion Angel Cabrera's menu:

• Locro (Argentine Stew)
• Carne Asada a la Parrilla (grilled meats with Chimichurri Sauce) -- the pile of Fred Flintstone-like meats took up my entire Fiestaware pizza tray...
  
• Ensalada (heirloom tomato salad with onions, green bell peppers and Sweet Ginger Vinaigrette Dressing)
• Potato Salad
• Sweet Bread (very dense beignets)
• Grapes in Grappa with Mascarpone
  

Speaking of the Martins, it's so great that P.J., Jason, John Patrick, and Jackson have moved back to WV...and are practically our neighbors! John Patrick and Weezie get along famously; and we're looking forward to getting to introduce them all to the Koeglers -- long over-due for that! Tomorrow night P.J., Jason, Reid, & I will be going to the Wheeling Symphony for the "Music of Champions."

Great FREEBIE!

If you're like me, you get really excited to get something for free. If you're a "foodie" who loves to cook, this will get you even more excited!

While stuck on I-79N yesterday (and by stuck, I mean car in park, engine turned off) behind a wreck, I was listening to Martha Stewart Radio's "Cooking with Emeril." He's celebrating 20 years as a restaurant owner in New Orleans and was broadcasting from Emeril's, his flagship restaurant. I can attest (as can Jake), that whatever you get there is delicious! Same goes for Nola's which is in the French Quarter -- the first time I went there was St. Patty's weekend (with Jake) in 2001. My mouth is watering just thinking of the scrumptious meals I have had at Emeril's, NOLA (always an obligatory stop for me when I'm in New Orleans as it is my fav!), Emeril's Delmonico, and the Delmonico Steak House (Las Vegas). To say that I'm a fan of his cooking style or his restaurants might be an understatement.

Right now, you can download (for FREE!) "Emeril's Celebrates 20 Years: Favorite Recipes from Emeril Lagasse's New Orleans Restaurants" from Martha Stewart Radio's website. I highly recommend the NOLA's Shrimp & Smoked Cheddar Grits! (I must find someone who will appreciate grits enough for me to make this recipe...as the Yankee Boy isn't a fan...)

I don't know how long it will be available, so you should probably act fast! (Otherwise, you'll have to sweet talk me into sending you a copy!

More Elizabeth-isms

So I'll be the first to admit that tonight's dinner (that is currently in the oven) isn't my greatest culinary achievement, it is quite a tasty dish of comfort food.

Elizabeth tells me as I'm fixing dinner that, "I want Daddy to cook dinner."

I asked her why. She said, "Because he's a good cooker."

I asked her if I was a good cooker. She said - and I quote, "Nope."

I may seriously develop a complex! It's not as if I was fixing something that ends in "roni" or "Helper"...or involve Cheese Whiz and hot dogs (that's a recipe from my youth that won't be making the Morton Family Cookbook - or will it???). It's homemade Chicken Pot Pie...and I'm actually looking forward to eating it piping hot out of the oven, even if I'm not a good cooker!

Won't Easter Be Fun???

I just got Rose Marie Robinson's recipe for "Red Rooster" drinks from Marra...

"1 and 1/2 quarts of cranberry juice, one 6 once can of frozen orange juice concentrate (non-diluted and thawed), and 2 cups of vodka. Stir and pour in a 9x12 baking dish with cover. Refrigerate overnight and scoop out like italian ice... YUM.."

Guess what the Mortons will be having next weekend ??? But we'll likely need to at least double this...I can't imagine that this would be enough to satisfy our clan!