Eat More CHIKIN'

It was 1989 in rural Shawnee, OK and I was not quite a teenager.  My older brother had become enamored with the idea of having several chickens to raise - a task which proved far more difficult than we could have imagined as many wild things like to devour chicken as a midnight snack while the rest of us are sleeping. We eventually learned how to protect our babies and their eggs, avoiding danger from the big, bad wolf. There is no place where the circle of life is more poignantly displayed than on a farm. Animals give birth, animals die, we eat the animals. Knowing this, I’m not quite sure why I was surprised when it came time to butcher a few of the chickens - naturally, we had named each of them. I was a little slow on the uptake back then as I still am now. I’ve never had an exceptionally strong stomach and one would think farm-life would have sent me straight to devout vegetarianism. One afternoon, with little warning as to what would ensue, I found my outdoor activity abruptly disturbed as chickens were taken out to the butcher block. No classroom-taught, nervous system science lesson can compare to the automatic response of a freshly slain chicken. As it hopped to its feet and raced about in a headless frenzy of chaos, I mirrored its activity in equal frantic behavior. In that moment, I believed in all things angel and demon, life after death, and the need for exorcism - much to the humor of all those around me. Several chickens were de-feathered, cleaned, and preserved that day while I stood by - mostly watching and hardly helping. As time marched on I learned many different ways to prepare chicken and this lean and versatile bird has a place on our family’s table at least twice every week. As a light, cold salad on a crostini or a hearty, comforting main course, chicken is sure to leave tummies full and hearts happy. 

Spatchcock Chicken

1 whole organic chicken

2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped

1 stick of salted butter cut into 8 Tbs.

6 slice bacon

4 cloves garlic

1 Tbs. olive oil

Kosher salt

Pepper

Dried Oregano

Rinse chicken thoroughly and pat dry. Place chicken breast side down and beginning at thigh end of chicken cut along ones side of the backbone with a pair of very sharp kitchen shears; repeat on the other side of the backbone and discard. Flip chicken over and open it like a book; press firmly on breastbone to flatten. 

Take 4 cloves of peeled garlic and smash with flat side of a knife. Put the garlic in a cluster on your roasting pan and place chicken over the garlic. The smashed  garlic will steam during roasting and flavor the chicken from the inside out. Using a finger gently separate the chicken skin from the meat and stuff 3 tablespoons of butter between the skin and flesh of each breast and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter between the skin and flesh of each thigh. Gently rub the outside of the bird with 1 tablespoon olive oil and generously sprinkle with kosher salt, pepper and dried oregano. Sprinkle on the rosemary. Lay strips of bacon vertically across the body of the bird and continue on the thighs. Roast in a 400 degree oven, basting often, for approximately 1 hour or until meat thermometer reaches 190 degrees. 

Chicken Cucumber Salad

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4 breasts)

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

3/4 cup fresh corn

1/3 cup finely diced red onion

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1/2 cup cucumber vinaigrette 

Fresh chives for garnish

Poach chicken breasts, cool, and dice. Combine chicken, corn, onion, avocado, cucumber, and cucumber vinaigrette in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve on a toasted crostini. Garnish with chopped, fresh chives.

Cucumber Vinaigrette

1/2 cucumber, peeled and seeded

2 TBS white wine vinegar

2 TBS dijon mustard

2 TBS fresh chives

1/2 cup olive oil

Place cucumber, vinegar, mustard, and chives in a food processor and process until smooth. With the machine running, drizzle in olive oil and process until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

A New Day Is Dawning

I seriously considered waiting until exactly two years since my last post to revive this blog, but the slightly cooler weather has my enthusiasm for fluffing and refreshing at an all-time high. There is  something about fall that makes my heart so very happy. I know this is true for many of you. Cooler temperatures bring to mind thoughts of warm fireplaces, cinnamon candles, turkey and dressing, and all of the wonderful aesthetic condolences that come with family and the holiday season. I am more excited than ever to enter into winter 2016. Joy fills my heart. I wish I could say this was always so, but as with so much of life.....the burdens have been many. The past year in particular has been one of the hardest of my life. I'll explain more in coming months. For now, let's take a peek at these two boys who have taught me more than I could ever imagine.

They are both now in school. I am officially alone during my days and have never been on my own before. Never Ever. So Bittersweet. Oh the good times we've had! Amazing, memorable times. That littlest guy wasn't even born when I began my business and was  still in diapers when I opened my first big-girl, brick and mortar shop -- he went to work with me every single day. Oh the eggs he's seen cracked, the fondant rolled, the sugar he's drooled over and the countless times he climbed up beside me and whispered..."I love you mom". 

I'm saddened to know these days are leaving me. They both still kiss me square on the lips with no shame. Time marches on and while the baby would still be nursing if I'd let him, the fact is...He is five. Breastfeeding is not an option. I briefly imagined adopting a baby or even trying IVF (did you know that at my age carrying a baby would be considered a "geriatric pregnancy"?! So serious!).  Something about the baby of the family -- the bond is inconceivably real and oh-so-strong. Suddenly my youngest  brother living  just a few doors down from my mother makes perfect sense. 

As I sent my two youngest sons off to school right alongside the two oldest,  I realized that I had been driving life with my foot on the brake. So many ambitions, projects, and ideas that stay warming on the back burner as I make sure the offspring have just what they need. They are my highest calling after all. I truly believe that we are who we are by the choices we've made or have allowed others to make for us. Despite the numerous trials that sometimes seem unending, I like who God is shaping me to be and wouldn't change anything even if I could. I treasure the days I've had with my babies. That said.....having all four children in school allows me an amazing amount of flexibility to:

 GET. STUFF. DONE.

Every season of life brings with it just exactly what God has in store for us in order that we may continue to learn and grow. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven". In truth, a huge part of my heart is mourning. They are gone...my little men. This season is over and we are moving into the next season filled with football schedules, after school activities, and birthday parties organized around how many friends are in each class. I am full and empty at the same time. The night before his first day of school I asked my little one if he was excited...he replied, "I'm scared and happy all mixed up".  

Me too, baby. Me too. 

Old Man Winter {Red Bean & Bacon Soup}

Baby, it's cold outside. Maybe not so much for my northern friends and Ohio family, but for Oklahoma and for this thin-blooded girl in particular, I'm a freezin'. I can't seem to get enough soup. This version of red bean and bacon soup is particularly yummy as it's gently pureed - making all the ingredients that my sometimes picky offspring might turn their nose up to (celery, etc) unidentifiable. With bacon sprinkled on top, who can resist? Sneak the good stuff in under the bacon, ha. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! 

Red Bean & Bacon Soup

1 lb. dried red beans, soaked according to package directions

1/2 lb bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces

1 1/2 cup chopped onions (about 2 onions)

4 garlic cloves, chopped

2 bay leaves

1 1/2 tsp. cumin

1 Tbs. chili powder

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 1/2 cups chopped celery (about three stalks)

1 1/2 cups chopped carrots

6 cups chicken broth 

1 28 oz can whole tomatoes

Cook chopped bacon in the bottom of a heavy post over medium heat until crisp. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Add to your pot the onions, garlic, bay leaves, chili powder, cumin and cayenne. Cook and stir about five minutes until onions are soft.  Add the celery, carrots, beans, and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about an hour or until beans are tender. Add the canned tomatoes and their juice, roughly breaking up the tomatoes - if you choose not to puree the soup, go ahead and chop the tomatoes. Since I pulse it in the food processor, it is unnecessary to chop the tomatoes. Stir to combine the tomatoes and their juice into the soup. Discard the bay leaves. In small batches, pulse the soup in a food processor until coarsely pureed. Just a few pulses to keep it with some rough texture, not completely pureed. Return to pot and heat through. Serve topped with sour cream and chopped bacon. Sprinkle a little parsley fro good measure.  Enjoy!

xox, 

A

Photo Friday #50 - Wanderess

Gimme Goulash

We recently had the opportunity to travel to Austria for a week-long adventure in performing arts and while there partaking of authentic cuisine topped my to-do list. We managed to find  dining experiences off of the beaten path and especially enjoyed restaurants where no one spoke a word of English. Since our German linguistic skills were limited to mostly enunciation ability with little knowledge of actual meaning, we  were able to clearly state what we wanted from the menu without actually knowing what we were going to get. Thank you, UCO, for German diction class. A few times the "surprise" meal was a little questionable, but after assuring myself the restaurant would not be in business if people were dying, I ate what arrived at my table with only slight hesitation. I'm still not sure what all I consumed in Austria, but I didn't die. So there's that. 

One thing we particularly enjoyed was authentic goulash. Typically made with an egg noodle accompaniment, my american-ized version sports potatoes - you could easily substitute 8-10 oz of  radiatore pasta or if you're feeling really adventurous, whip up some egg noodles from scratch. 

As most good things begin, cook half a pound of diced bacon in the bottom of a heavy pot. Nice and crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Keep the meat coming, and add 2.5 pounds of cubed chuck roast to the piping hot bacon grease and brown. You do not need to cook the meat through at this point, just brown it and remove, again with a slotted spoon. Add it to your bowl of bacon and set aside.

Next, add 4 onions (chopped) and four cloves of minced garlic. Every since reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, I hesitate to mince garlic in a garlic press as this is a big no-no in the Bourdain world.  Nonetheless, I press, mince, and ask forgiveness from the fowl-mouthed celebrity chef. Cook and stir onion/garlic mixture in meat drippings until nearly translucent. 

Stir into the onion mixture 1/3 cup flour and 3 Tbs paprika. Cook and stir for about 2 minutes. The longer you cook flour, the more starchiness cooks out.

Add to the pot a 6 oz can of tomato past that has been mixed with 1/4 cup red wine vinegar...

Cook and stir together for about 2 minutes. This mixture will be very thick an goo-like. Stick with me, it gets better. 

Now add two red bell peppers (chopped) along with 5 cups of beef broth and 4 cups of water. You could use straight beef broth for the entire liquid portion, but as beef broth is a bit stronger than other broth (and since there are so many other strong flavors in this dish) mix the beef broth with water to tame it a bit.

Also add about 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed. At this point, you could substitute 8-10 oz. uncooked small pasta in place of the potatoes. 

Return the bacon and beef to the pot. Stir together well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for about 45 minutes.

Serve it up with your favorite vino on a cold winters night.

Hearty Goulash

1/2 pound bacon, chopped
2.5 lbs boneless beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
4 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 TBS paprika
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
6 oz. can tomato paste
5 cups beef broth
4 cups water
2 red bell peppers, chopped
2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed

Cook bacon in the bottom of a heavy pot until crispy; remove with slotted spoon and set aside. Add meat to pot and cook until browned. Remove with slotted spoon and add bacon. Set aside. Add onions and garlic to pot and cook until tender. Stir in flour and paprika; cook for about 2 minutes. Add tomato mixed with the red wine vinegar and stir/cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Whisk in broth and water; add red pepper and potatoes, return meat to the pot as well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for about 45 minutes. Enjoy!

xox,
A

A Day in the Life of....

• 5:30a - is that really the alarm? did I set the coffee maker to brew last night? oh, I smell it - yes.
• 7:30a - out the door to ENT for a pre-tonsillectomy consult with 3 & 4 year old in tow. Schedule tonsillectomy - sure to be a joy at 37 years old. 
• 9:30a - stop to reward good child (and mommy) behavior with donuts. 
• 10:00a - return home to find oldest teenager having skipped school, stating illness, in order to complete forgotten assignment. 
• 10:30a - load said teenager up and take his sorry *@#$ to school.
• 11:00a - drive thru car wash to remove salt sludge from weekend snow fall.
• 11:30a - arrive at work.
• 11:45a - husband arrives with lunch - yay! 
• 12:00p - husband leaves-this is his long day teaching, he won't be home till 10pm; I start cranking out batter - ovens get filled with cake.
• 12:45p - two boys down for nap at bakery.
• 1:00p - cake consult with bride. *she books - yay*
• 2:00p - boys might actually fall asleep; keep ovens going with more cake.
• 2:50p - teenagers text they are home from school; chore lists are handed out via text.
• 3:30p - newest employee arrives.
• 4:00p - one last oven full of cake goes in.
• 4:30p - employee hand paints on cake like a freaking boss; cooled cakes are getting filled and crumb coated.
• 5:00p - 13 year old texts her head and throat hurt, she wants to skip ballet....*score* I don't have leave early to get her there on time. Text back with fever instructions. 
• 5:10p - boys wake up from long nap.
• 6:00p - clean up - let's go home.
• 6:30p - out the door.
• 6:40p - pick up prescription.
• 6:50p - pick up dry cleaning.
• 7:00p - pick up wine.
• 7:15p - pick up gallon of milk.
• 7:30p - throw together dinner for three hungry boys.
• 7:40p - girl offspring appears with flaming fever.
• 7:45p - girl into the car heading to dr.; leave 14yo with two pre-schoolers eating dinner.
• 8:15p - strep diagnosis; head to pharmacy.
• 8:45p - arrive back home, load girl child full of antibiotics, send her to bed; find three boys well-fed and messy kitchen.
• 9:00p - everyone into the bath/clean the kitchen.
• 9:30p - everyone into the bed.
• 9:45p - grab wine and head to hot bath; reflux be damned.
• 10:00p - start latest episode of "The Good Wife"; sink into tub
• 10:15p - husband arrives home to bubble bath/wine scene and states "looks like you've had a good day".

You will never find his body.

Rock on, motherhood, ROCK ON.

Carrie Be Mine

As busy moms, I think so many of us are grasping for anything we can do to make our lives more streamlined and harmonious.  I completely went paperless a couple years ago, taking full advantage of Macbook, iPhone, and iPad products and their ability to seamlessly sync - allowing calendar access no matter which device I have on hand. This has been so very useful when needing to check appointments at-a-glance. I absolutely love that my calendar and my husbands calendar are synced and color coded so that we each know when the other is out-of-pocket or when to book mutually necessary appointments. However, for detailed day-to-day to-do lists, I've found I was still searching for the perfect fix. I caught myself making hand written, hour-by-hour, daily strategies on post-it notes....cause no one has ever lost a post-it note, right?!? Of course not. *insert sarcasm here*  I tried sticking it to my iPhone case - I have no idea why that didn't work. Ha. I downloaded a variety of to-do list apps, but there is something therapeutic about scratching off accomplished items at the end of the day on actual paper. If your business is a potentially messy one, as mine has proven time and again to be,  there is the added benefit of a list just lying there, open and easily visible, without turning on a device with possibly sticky fingers to see what is up next. 

A fellow Oklahoman and Mompreneur, Whitney English, developed the Day Designer specifically with busy, working, creative mom's in mind. For years I was a faithful Franklin Covey day planner devotee and have been hesitant to return to paper after my streamlining brigade...but I mentioned the post-it notes, yes? Besides, I have saved every single planner that I have owned and the notes therein serve as a sort-of journal - I enjoy thumbing through them and walking down memory lane. Obstetric appointments, buying our first house, life goals - they are all fun to look back over and remember the life and times of our younger selves.

After a couple of months of perusing various day planner options, I settled on the Day Designer though I will admit it was a close call between Day Designer and Simplified Planner. They both have great qualities, a slight variance in size, and several differences in content, but ultimately...I'm a huge believer in supporting our Oklahoma home-front first and foremost and while I probably would have been happy with either planner, the Day Designer won. I'm all about an Oklahoma girl and her biz. Not to mention Day Designer has colors more fitting to my personal aesthetic. I know...deep, intelligent, profoundly wise decision maker here...the Day Designer choices are darn purdy. 

Carrie Floral 2015 Day Designer

Roughly the same size as an iPad, there is a single page per day format (with Saturday/Sunday sharing a page). I'm super excited to scratch the post-it to-do lists and keep everything where I can find it.  

In the front of the Day Designer are a series of worksheets. I think these will be fantastic tools for a young entrepreneur, or someone not-young but new to business ownership, or someone just seeking to clear the extra fluff in their life and streamline focus to the important things. I am neither young, nor new to entrepreneurship, so while I personally don't feel that I will utilize the sheets, I do think  they will be very helpful to someone working their way through their purpose and goals. I created and sold my first product nearly 28 years ago - and I was hooked. I knew at a young age that I loved to create and I loved business - my two Jewish genes got together with my one Native American gene and the idea of art and business collided into something that simply ran away with my heart. The point is, I cleared the fluff a long time ago using a similar method of worksheets.  I know many accomplished business women who have found this hugely beneficial and I totally recommend working through skill sheets such as these.

While I won't be parting with my digital appointment calendar, I am happy to have found a tool to combine to-do list with meal plans and notes. If you found this review helpful, please do give a shout out and let me know. Happy Planning!

xox,
A


Note: my review was in no way prompted by the folks at Day Designer, nor am I receiving any compensation for my comments or photos.

Can't Take My Eyes Off of You

Every now and then a cake is simply so gorgeous I must take tons of photo's and share them. I fell in love with this little black and gold number somewhere during the 8 hours I invested in the ruffles alone. We shared a bond that day. Ha. While the ever-popular pink and gold combo has certainly held steady over the past couple of wedding seasons, black and gold is emerging strong and is sure to bring sexy back to the cake table. IT'S JUST SO GLAMOROUS. I cannot get enough. Obviously. I delivered this cake with time to spare and couldn't help moving it around a bit, gathering shots along the way. I love twinkly lights and the amaze-balls bokeh they provide. Here are a few of my favourites!