I Put My New Shoes On and Everything's Gonna Be Alright

It's beautiful outside and here I am with self imposed imprisonment inside this tiny hotel room in downtown Chicago.  I'd promised Kbear that I'd search heaven and earth endlessly for the perfect package of blue pretend food that you'd have to tear the edge off to release a powder substance that would have to be mixed with water in order to feed her hungry needy babies.  They really need it.  It's only 6:30 and I haven't even spied one NATO protestor in two days of walking back and forth from my conference to my hotel.  There is this feeling of having my tail between my legs today that keeps me from being more adventurous this evening.  It started this morning when I missed the 7am alarm and didn't have enough time to wash my hair.  It's partly from my over expanded breasts badly in need of a good pump.  Pumping helps relieve pressure and avoid embarrassing glances from men who have no concept of nursing mothers.  Perhaps there is a tiny bit to do with today's questionable wardrobe choices.  I've also been really dissappointed with the quality of the local food and am afraid of further disappointment if I decide to go on a culinary hunt for good pastry tonight.  Mostly, there is this feeling of not fitting in.  Having lived in Sheboygan for now going 7 years, I've become Sheboyganized.  There is this inner desire for things that are small, more local, affordable, within reach.  And yet, I reject that same sentiment from my core constantly.  Even now.  I'm so confused.  Perhaps it's better just to make a decision at this point and stick with it.  It's 6:38 p.m.  Gonna put on my walking shoes.               

There are two fortune cookie quotes messily stuck to my lap top base. One says, "Faith is knowing there is an ocean when you can only see the stream," the other says, "In dreams and in life, nothing is impossible." They are daily reminders to me that the bet was worth taking. I'm still breathing so the bet's still on the table. I should be researching right now, or reading training material, or prepping advertisements. Maybe even some light mindless prototyping work. But overnight, the weather has gone from 62 to 74 and it's not yet noon on Friday. I want to find and outdoor pool to swim in, jog a couple of miles with my dogs, find a shade under a friendly beer garden. I want to play hookie for the day and have beer o'clock with my husband. At least one of these things I hope to do so that the beautiful weather would not be wasted. At the moment, time feels like it is on a rare moment of good balance. So I perch myself on top of hill's edge, drink in the fresh air, feel the vibration of life sink in because there is not much to think about. My heart is filled with love for the day, love for my daughters, love for my husband and love for good feng shui at my new office.

The Young Woman and the Sea

Today I took a cab with the kids to pick our car up from the dealership. Our cab driver was a woman in her forties. The deep lines on her face told a story of a long time smoker who's delt with a lot in life. But she was very easy going in nature. I think her mind must have been heavy with thought about something for a while Midway through the drive, she jumped into conversation as though we were long time friends, as though resuming a past conversation that had been accidentally cut off. "So I spoke to my mom the other day. She's planning on moving to West Virginia. She's got family out there and wants to stay for a few months. I think I might go with her..."

It was strange to meet a local person from Sheboygan who felt trapped by this town. Life had been moving in circles for a while for her. She was the first I'd met who felt this way. Anyone else would take offense or feign blasphemy to criticism about this little eutopia. I was impressed by her gutts to take charge of life and seek new opportunity elsewhere. I think she wanted to hear herself speak so that the concept would feel more real. It didn't matter much what my comments were. You could see the hazey look in her eyes and her distant tone that her spirit was already leaving Sheboygan. She was a person in transition embarking on a journey on a hunch that she would find herself at her arrival destination. I wished her the best of luck profusely as we arrived at our destination. God only knows we are kindred spirits on this regard.

It's been a tough couple of years for our family with loved ones passing on and new ones born. We're still riding the highs and lows. Although my husband's career has been on the up, it also means that the work load has increased. The puritanical work ethic at this company is like something on steroids. There are times when I feel like a single parent. My friend jokingly dubbs us Kohler widows. Too bad I'm not on the company payroll for all the personal hours I've had to log in over the past six years. Please excuse my tone at this point. I've had a rough few days.

I am also a woman in transition right now with a plan to execute. I try not to cry over challenges and argue of its unfairness because then I'd be giving into defeat. I would feel deeper in a hole and be confined by self pitty. It takes the skill and fortitude I've developed over the course of my whole life to navigate solo around rocky shores. Wouldn't it be so easy to be sailing on someone else's ship? A bigger and better ship that would withstand all the little knocks and scrapes and turbulence? All I can do is pump my fist in the air and yell, "Screw you fate! You can't get the last of me." What else can I say?

It's been a rough week. We arrived home from a 23 hour car ride visiting family in Philadelphia. Hubby had to get up at 5am next morning to catch an overnight flight to Texas for business. In the last 24 hours, I've had to deal with 2 flat tires, the lower car plate falling off while driving on the highway, not having a ride to pick up my daughter from school, locking myself out of the house, not having my phone, the ever increasing expense of car repair, towing, and delayed pick up of our dogs. I'm on the verge of crying my heart out and probably should before my husband gets home. At the moment I am homeless and wasting time at the office. As the baby falls asleep on my chest, I look out the window at the overcast day. I'm going to really miss my tall window overlooking the tall wooded field outside. I wish I had spent more time here at my office by the woods. It will be sad to leave the quiet peacefulness.

A quiet moment in the back seat squished between two baby seats. A Stephany Plum book on CD is plugged in the radio. We're entering the Appalachian mountain range in west Virginia. It's a beautiful sight and you do feel like you're in another part of America. We debate getting off at a local exit. I've been exposed to many cultures but
Appalachia hill billy is new to me and an unknown element. We're late on the road to Phili. The kids have been amazingly great on this trip. The long drive from the back seat has given me a lot of time to think about things.

Spring is here now. Dad says that my business karma for spring should be good. Casey is now a little over six months with one budding tooth on the way. It's time to put this liTle one in regular daycare. Next week, I'll be moving to a new office location. A very interesting place sort of like a business incubator. I hope that it will work out.

The past year has been interesting in terms of people met and mystery solved. It seems I've lived here long enough now to be scratching the surface of the core of Sheboygan society. Since moving here over six years ago, I have seen a mysterious woman in town who would walk downtown with a baby stroller in plump boots and a melon sized knitted beanie over her rastfarian like head and dressed in early 2000 club clothes reminoscent of the first Jamariquia album. I would see her walking nearly every spring with a stroller in this crazy get out outfit. She is soooo not from Sheboygan but is she an au pair? I saw her once fussing over groceries with a man at a house from their SUV. He was so corporate in his slacks and plaid collar shirt. Countless times I've been tempted to stop my car on the side of the road to ask her who she was and what she's about. When I walked through Goodside groceries last month and saw her behind the clerk's counter, it was hard to contain the giddy excitement. I was about to solve my six year mystery. A customer commented about her hat. It was a hot day and no reason for a hat. "Do you have more than one layer of hats?". "Yes, I'm wearing six of them.". Hmmm. Silence. I don't get it myself. Casey was an icebreaker. The girl cooed over her and told me she has several kids herself. I pounced at the opportunity to confront her at this point. "Are you from here? I've seen you around and it seems your kids are very young. Do you baby sit?". No, the youngest is about two and oldest about five. She's from Minnesota but they have a house in chicago. They just fell in love with Sheboygan and the affordable homes. They don't work in Sheboygan either and she's not married to the guy. There was a look in her eyes when she said this much and I decided not to press further. Perhaps she is someone's mistress and this was her hide away. Maybe she's got a big poppa. Very interesting but mystery not fully solved. I don't think I want to know any more to preserve the intrigue.

Wednesday Roast Chicken Night

Well, once a week now, I can't help but seriously crave roast cornish hen. Not only is it more delicious than it's larger cousin, the regular hen, it's the perfect portion and always comes out more concentrated in flavor and juiciness. You can vary the seasoning for this versatile meat, but the cooking technique is standard. Pair it with anything. Vegetables, potatoes, rice, pasta, etc. Great paired with favorite glass of red wine, such as a merlot.

Here's my favorite recipe for the chicken:

Serves 2:

1 Cornish hen, rinsed and pat dry.
2 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp onion powder
1-2 tbsp kosher salt (less if you prefer less salty)
1/2 tbsp celery seed
1/2 tbsp dried dill
1/2 tbsp dried thyme
(1/2 tbsp dried sage and/or paprika also if you like)
1/8 cup olive oil (about 4 tbsp)
crushed black pepper
2 stalks of celery cut into 1/4 or 1/2.

Preheat oven at 385 F

Mix all the dried herbs together with olive oil into a paste. Rub the paste all over the outside and inside cavity of the chicken.

In a baking dish, place celery in center of dish and place the hen breast down over the celery stalks. Place into oven and cook uninterrupted for 60-65 minutes. Most of the oil will cook out of the chicken onto the dish beneath the celery stalks.

About 20-15 min before chicken is done, begin prepping sides. I like to make it easy and serve with a side of sauteed asparagus and rice pilaf (rice cooked in chicken stock and a little onion salt).

Take out of oven and cut down middle into 2 portions. Serve with favorite healthy side.

Enjoy this wonderul Wednesday night meal. 8)

Bon Appetit & Namaste!

Broccoli Rabe Love

Today we traveled through Milwaukee and stopped by Trader Joe's for some fresh food inspired goodness. I wasn't sure what we would make for dinner tonight. Given the time and how tired we were from a day of bridesmaid dress shopping, it had to be fresh, easy, and satisfying. I usually like to start with the vegetable section. If you find your vegetable of choice, your imagination can start to run about potential pairings. Trader Joe's always has a great vegetable selection for cheap. $2.50 for a plate of broccoli rabe for two. $2.50 for a container of fresh cheese tortellini. $2.50 for a jar of alfredo sauce. $2.50 for a container of diced pancetta. 30 min. dinner solved.

Pancetta Alfredo Tortellini & Sauteed Brocolli Rabe:

Serves 3

1 tray of broccolli rabe
1 tray of Tortellini (about 2 cups) from Trader Joe's
1/3 cup to 1/2 cup diced salt pork (bacon, pancetta, salt pork, or ground italian sausage meat).
dried thyme
dried basil
olive oil
1/2 cup water or chicken stock

Get 6 cups of water to a boil and add tortellini. Cook for about 12-15 min (depending on your preference of doneness).

On a large frying/sautee pan or wok, brown the meat in about 2 tbsp of olive oil together with dried thyme. When meat is brown (about 5-8 minutes), take out and set aside.

Now throw the broccoli rabe into the frying pan to brown a little. Add water to steam for about 10 minutes. Add more water if it dries up in the pan. When broccoli rabe is done, take out.

Now, pour alfredo into the frying pan and mix well with the bits in the pan. Add a sprinkle of dried basil into the sauce and let it come to a light bubbly boil. Turn off the heat.

Drain the pasta and pour into the pan with sauce. Now add the meat last and mix all together.

Serve pasta with side of fresh broccoli rabe and a side of chilled chardonnay. A delicious and surprisingly light meal in less than 30 minutes.

Bon appetit and Namaste!

Pork Chops and Gravy!

Since moving to Wisconsin, I have seriously learned to cook just about anything because nearly nothing is accessible here as far as food beyond beef and potato is concerned. No, that's an exaggeration. Many ingredients are available, just unfortunately not cooked accordingly. Also, given how my life has changed with our busy professional lives and babies and dogs, it's even trickier trying to make gourmet inspired meals on the cheap quickly. So I think that I may dedicate the next chapter of my blog from this point forward to professional mom-inspired healthy quick meals on a budget. It is my hope to one day have these made into youtube videos or into a book for fun. They recipes are too delicious and awesome not to share. To begin, I will start with tonight's meal.

Pork Chop in Mushroom Gravy, Baked Scalloped Potato and Jullienne Fried Veggies.

10 min prep. 60 min cook time.

Serves 4

4 pieces of boneless pork chops (1/2 - 3/4 inch thick)
kosher salt
crushed black pepper
worchester sauce (3 tablespoon)
extra virgin olive oil
1 cup sliced mushroom of choice
2-3 tbsp flour
1/4 can chicken stock
yellow squash julianne
asparagus
1 small tangerine
5 small yukon gold potato - sliced 1 mm thick.
dried thyme

Slice potatoes and place in small baking dish. Fill with water and soak for 3 min. Dispose of water and season with salt, pepper, dried thyme and olive oil to preference. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 385 F for 60 min.

Julianne veggies. Place on a nonstick frying pan. Sprinkle kosher salt, black pepper, olive oil and juice of half a tangerine (or any kind of sweet citrus). Hold off cooking until the potato is 30 min into cooking.

Marinate pork chops for 30 min with salt, pepper ,dried thyme, and worchester sauce.

When the potato is about 30 min from finishing, beging heating a nonstick frying pan with olive oil. Add pork chops and cook 5 min each side. A little longer if the meat is 1 inch or thicker. After a total of about 10-12 min, take the meat off the pan and set aside. Now throw in the mushroom in the pan used for the meat and saute with little more olive oil. Add the juice of the other tangerine if you like to deglaze the pan.

Meanwhile, start frying the veggies in the other nonstick pan and allow the veggies to char a little per side.

As the mushroom starts to cook all around and brown, sprinkle about 2-3 tbsp flour evenly and mix into the mushroom. Quickly add 1/2 can of chicken stock and mix the floured mushroom into the stock to avoid clumping. Let the sauce cook at a low bubbling boil for about 5 min. Add more stock if necessary to prevent sauce from being too thick.

Meanwhile, stir the veggies to keep from burning too much on any side.

Once the mushroom sauce is done, add the porkchops back into the pan with the sauce and keep warm until the potato is done.

This is a most midwestern inspired dish that has become of my downhome favorite healthy quick gourmet inspired meals. The total cost of this dish for 4 people turns out to be less than $8.00.

Bonapetite and Namaste!