What am I, four?

I just got back from the doctor's office.  Diagnosis: double ear infections.  I don't think I blogged about it at the time, but I had this same problem back in February.  I take some medication that affects my immune system, so it appears that this is how my body "likes" to get sick.  I could barely even sleep last night because my ears hurt so bad--combined with the fact that my power was out AGAIN. 

I was talking to Mom about it earlier and how I used to get ear infections regularly in high school. I seemed to get them anytime I was tired and stressed (the end of Show Choir season, AP exams, etc.) or when the weather changed. I was even told by the doctor that one more ear infection would mean tubes for me--at 17.  Imagine how bad it would be now if I needed tubes at 25?!?  I can just see myself checking into Children's Hospital and sitting in the waiting room with the little kids--probably with parents my age!

New Recipe - Follow-Up

I just wanted to follow-up the post yesterday about the pan-roasted chicken thighs.  I have to say, they are better than any fried chicken I have ever had!  No breading required to make it leaps and bounds better than KFC.  I followed the directions carefully and the chicken turned out perfect in just the amount of time the recipe called for.

I think this chicken would be good with a variety of rubs rather than just the salt and pepper.  I'm definitely planning on experimenting in the future with this one.

I have to admit, this was my first experience with cooking chicken thighs and since I rarely cook with bone-in meat, I was a bit nervous about getting the chicken done, but not tough.  Not to worry, there was no rubber chicken at my house last night!

My only complaint was not due to the recipe, but chef's error.  I knew my old standard iron skillet was not level and I turned the pan frequently (as the recipe stated) to ensure even cooking while on the stove top.  However, I did not account for this when in the oven.  I found that some of my chicken thighs were still in the oil while others were directly on the skillet.  Next time, I'll rotate the skillet while in the oven as well.  The skin of the chicken was not burnt, but some pieces were a bit more crispy than others.

I think this will go into my rotation since it's simple and (relatively) quick.  Also, if you are trying to be more economical, my grocery store was selling chicken thighs for half of the price of chicken breasts.  I say buy the chicken thighs and enjoy the added flavor of dark meat.  Mom's always said I'm going to turn in to Suze Orman (without a few of her more well known characteristics), so maybe I will be the Suze Orman of grocery shopping?

New Recipe Blog

I may be totally behind the times, but I recently discovered a new cooking blog, Dinner: A Love Story, while blog hopping on Monday night.  Since then, I've tried a new potato recipe and I am planning on trying the Pan-Roasted Chicken Thighs linked from Bon Appetit.

Doesn't that look completely sinful?

I really want this cookbook...maybe someone will get it for my birthday...August 6...*hint, hint*.

If this new recipe turns out, I'll share my tips.  I'm also looking forward to this recipe.  Maybe for later this week? 

I've got a busy weekend planned with a Batchelorette party for one of my coworkers, but I still want to make time to bake some of "Aunt" Revonda's sinfully yummy caramel brownies for my new neighbors moving in on Saturday.  I bought all of the ingredients that I didn't have on hand last night, so all I have to do is whip them up and stick them in the oven! 

I don't know if I have posted about this or not, but I decided I have two cooking-related goals for this summer: making my Grandmother's famous yeast rolls and learning to make my own pie crust.  Maybe one day I'll finally break down and try yeast rolls again after three failures.  I would give just about anything for an entire pan of hot, buttered rolls to myself.  The pie crust is something I just don't know if I can tackle on my own.  Mother doesn't like to cook, so I can't learn from her, but I do have a dear friend who has promised to teach me.  If anyone out there has tips on the best pie crust or what to do when your yeast rolls won't rise, send me your tips. 

Almost Made It

Remember how I said I was going to try to get to work at 8:00 today? Well, I was on track to make it, but then I looked at the huge bruise on my arm from a blown vein (I promise I'm not an IV drug user!) as I got on the interstate this morning. What's the problem with that, you might ask, besides the unsightly bruise? The problem is that my office has a dress code that forbids sleeveless shirts and dresses, among other things and I forgot the most essential part of my summer wardrobe: my cardigan! I was already risking getting in trouble as my dress fell above the knee (gasp!?!), so I was forced to turn around at the next exit and hightail it back home do I wouldn't be sent home to change. Hopefully, I won't make that mistake again. Or maybe I should leave one of my many white cardigans at work? Anyway, that was not the best start to my Monday. I'm hoping for a better Tuesday free of any wardrobe malfunctions!

Happy Day!

I couldn't go to bed without saying something about two special men in my life: my Daddy and my Grandaddy.

I don't say it enough, but I am so lucky to have both of them in my life! They are both the example I use when looking for a future husband.

Daddy is hardworking and always made sure I had everything I needed and more. He was my Big Buddy when I was little and we had Daddy-Daughter dates whenever we had the time. He traveled a lot during my childhood, but never failed to call us ever night--even from halfway across the world or a third world country.

My Grandaddy is one of the bravest men I know. He survived four years in the Army during World War II, put himself through school for two degrees (along with Grams' help, of course!), and raised two daughters. He played with in the backyard, built me swings and slides, and made a mess with me eating watermelon whenever I wanted it.

On top of today being Father's Day, today is also Grandaddy's 93rd Birthday. I think this probably is the hardest this far, even surpassing birthdays in Africa and Europe as a soldier, because he misses my Grams and doesn't understand that she is no longer with us. I wish I could have given her back to him instead of a few polo shirts.

I love these two men, my "boys", so very much and I'm proud to be Daddy's Little Buddy and Grandaddy's Baby.

There's No Place Like Home

I'm so glad to be back at my house after more than a week away! This is the first time since I left home for college that I actually look forward to going back from a weekend at home. Don't get me wrong, I love Florence and the people there, but I often wish I could move my house there.

I'm coming up on a year in my house and there are things still on my to-do list that I thought would be done long before now. Oh, well! If I can manage to hang my antique family painting above my bed in the next two weeks, I might finally do a picture tour in honor of my first year of home ownership. Stay tuned for that!

I'm still pretty sore from Thursday. I felt a bit better until I overdid it on Saturday. I definitely paid for it today when I felt pretty bad at church. It wasn't easy trying to sing without taking a deep breath! After a nap this afternoon an some medicine, I feel better, but not tip top. They didn't warn me about this when I signed the consent!

I'm back to work tomorrow, so I need to unpack and head to bed. I'm definitely looking forward to my own bed after 6 nights in hotels and two nights (does 4 AM-8AM count as another night) in my bed in Florence. I'm trying to start the week off right by getting to work at 8:00 instead of my busy-season habit of 8:15 (or later) that has carried over into the summer. Thank goodness we can come in whenever ( within reason) as long as we work at least eight hours!

Released

I've been released from the clinic and am now somewhere in Iowa. The procedure went well, but I'm still pretty sore. I know that will get better with time, but these roads are making the drive difficult.

Thanks for all the prayers!