Camper Spring Cleaning

This past weekend we began to officially get our camper ready for the upcoming camping season.  Well, I should say that my husband is doing most of the work.  Before we had our son we were able to do all outside activities together, but now my unofficial role is to watch our son while my husband does the "outside" work.  It's still pretty chilly outside so my son and I are cooped-up inside A LOT!  We definitely have Cabin Fever and cannot wait for warmer weather. 

Anyway, we bought our camper in 2003 when we moved to Nebraska.  Before we bought this camper, we had a "pop-up" style camper that required a lot of setting-up and taking-down.  When I was growing up we only camped in tents and it was perfectly fine.  I should also say that when I was growing up we only camped in Colorado.  Now, this is notable to mention because if you know much about the climate differences between Colorado and any Midwestern state, you are familiar with this equation : Midwest + Humidity = LOTS OF BUGS!!! Needless to say, since we moved here, we ditched the old-style camping of tents and pop-ups and had to get an actual hard-sided camper.  

The only way that I was ever going to be able to enjoy camping again for the rest of my life was to cough-up the money and get one of these campers.  I told my husband that there was no flippin way that I was going to be violated by those bugs and humidity and even pretend to have a good time in those stupid tents in this climate!  Of course, people do camp in this climate in tents and other temporary shelters, but not me.  I love my queen-sized bed, my bathroom, sink, shower, dining room table, air conditioning, DVD player and kitchen in my camper.  Our camper it pretty modest, but it does the trick.  Trust me, those three years of monthly camper payments were so worth it.  

Tornado Alley

Yesterday I was reminded again that I live in Tornado Alley.  I seriously cannot believe that those two words are in my vocabulary.  I tornado literally touched down about a mile from my house yesterday.  I wasn't home, but that doesn't really make it any easier to take.  We didn't suffer any damage this time, but it's way too close for comfort. 

Ever since I was little I have been afraid of severe weather.  Thank you to my grandmother who jump-started my unnaturally healthy fear of thunder and lightening.  She was terrified of thunderstorms and they literally paralyzed her with fear.  If we were at her house during a storm we would have to hide in the closet, in the dark with that tiny, little radio.  And so, a neurotic child I became whenever a chance for storms was on the horizon. 

When my husband and I would visit his family in Nebraska during the Spring and Summer there were always severe storms.  I would be a total nervous wreck and no one else would even flinch.  However, one time we were at my in-laws and the storms must have been bad enough for even them to be concerned.  My mother-in-law told me to go down to the basement, crawl under a desk and put a pillow oever my head.  I was totally freaking out.  Needless to say, we were fine and the storm passed, but I'm sure that I aged at least a year from the stress.  I used to be so relieved when I was able to leave Nebraska and go back to Colorado where my hypervigilance could take a break. 

Now, I live in Nebraska and tornado season is upon us.  I live on an acreage, in a really old farm house.  We literally have a storm cellar outside our front door.  This totally freaks me out... I told my husband that a storm would have to be pretty bad for me to go in that cellar because I'm sure there are lots of creatures with 8 legs living in there.  I also told him that the cellar door is so heavy that if he was not home to help me, I wouldn't be able to lift it myself.  He then tells me that if I'm home alone and a tornado is coming, that my adrenaline alone will lift that door.  Here's another thing....I seriously cannot believe that we have to have this conversation. 

Yes, I know that "hate" is a strong word and that your're not supposed to use it and...yadda, yadda, yadda, but...I hate living in Tornado Alley.

I Love Fish Frys

We are officially in the midst of the season of Lent.  Now, I should preface something right now, I don't exactly celebrate Lent itself, but I still look forward to it every year.  I know, I know, you're all thinking that you should stop reading right now after this proclamation....but, please read-on. 

As many of you know, I was raised in the Lutheran school system in Denver until the tenth grade.  Because of this I am very aware of the Christian calendar and that we should "keep Christ in Christmas" and all those things that we were taught from a very early age.  But there's another element to this upbringing that can shed some light on my indifference and the not celebrating Lent issue...we weren't really a religious family at home and we we're OK with that.  We initially attended Lutheran schools for the education and we stayed because we made great friends and there was such a close sense of community.  We payed our tuition money every year and attended all the required activities until we were "excommunicated" from the Lutheran church (yes, that's my reference to Martin Luther if you're familiar with the history of the Lutheran religion).  Talk about leaving a "nasty" taste in my mouth.


Ever since we were "thrown out" of the church I've had this "bittersweet" feeling about those memories.  Yes, these were some amazing times, with great friends and fellowship.  However, I still have this sick feeling in my stomach as I think back to how committed we were and how quickly and harshly it all changed.  Enough said.  


So, back to the Fish Frys...
When I moved to small town Nebraska I started hearing about these Lenten Fish Frys.  My husband and I first attended one in Valley, Nebraska and it was AWESOME! We didn't know a single soul, but that was fine because we came for the food and only the food.  From what I hear these things are hugh fundraisers for these churches, bringing in thousands over the Lenten season. 

Here's how it goes...you go to a Catholic church on  any Friday night during Lent.  You typically go in the doors, pay the lady with the cash box and then you enter a large cafeteria-style room.  You stand in a very long line and wait your turn.  When you finally make it to the serving window there are a few ladies dishing-up the food who will ask you what you want.  The typical choices are; catfish, shrimp or pollock.  You tell them the type of seafood you desire and they plate it for you with scalloped potatoes and cole slaw.  You'll notice that behind them are lots more volunteers who are actually frying the fish and keeping to large operation afloat. Next, you take your tray of food and go to a long table with various salads and side dishes.  These items are typically made by the other women in the church.  They make these dishes in their homes and bring them to share with everyone at the Fish Fry.  Then you choose your seat.  There are typically many large tables to choose from. 

The best part comes last as you can go to another table where the desserts are.  You pick a dessert from a HUGE variety of choices.  The deserts usually cost extra, but it's a nominal fee for what you get.  Now, here's the crazy part, at least to me it's crazy...they sell beer for you to drink while you wait in line and while you're eating.  In fact, the beer "station" is typically one of the first things you see when you enter that large, cafeteria-style room.  When I first saw this, I was shocked.  The Lutheran churches I grew up in do not promote drinking alcohol at all, let alone in the actual church itself?!  Yes, these are Catholic churches we're talking about here, but still so shocking for me! Doesn't seem right to me, this drinking in the church business, so I don't partake. 

Anyway, the food is really good and fresh and it's just plain fun.  We went to the Tekamah Fish Fry last week and had the shrimp, catfish, potatoes, dinner rolls with butter, side salads and BETTER THAN SEX CAKE! How funny is that? Yes, they were serving a dessert called Better Than Sex Cake. By the way, this  Better Than Sex Cake  is really good and simple to make.

BETTER THAN SEX CAKE

Thank goodness for the season of Lent, the Catholic Church and their need to fund raise. By the way, in case you're wondering, I do know that there's a "bigger" reason behind all this eating of fish on Friday nights in the Heartland. 

Green Chili Heartache

When I met my husband 12 years ago he had never eaten the type of Mexican food that I grew up with.  He grew up just one state away from me and had never heard of "Green Chili."  I figured that this was just him and that it was because he hadn't had much, shall we say.."dietary variety" when he was growing up in his small town in Nebraska.  Once I started visiting Nebraska and other Midwest states, I realized that this was true everywhere I went.  I would go to a Mexican restaurant and scour the menu for "Green Chili" and wound come up empty handed every time.  One time in Missouri my mom asked the waiter if they had "Green Chili."  He looked puzzled and she began to explain it as a sauce with green chilies, pork, onions and tomatoes.  He went to the kitchen and returned with a little bowl of chopped, green chilies and nothing else.  So sadly disappointing...

When I was growing up in Denver I was introduced to Mexican food at a very early age because it was everywhere and it was really good.  I mean really, really, really good.  We would also go to Santa Fe, New Mexico every year and it was the same scenario there...really, really good Mexican food and the Green Chili sauce was flowing like wine. 

So, this Green Chili is one of my comfort foods to this day.  Oh My God, when I eat it, it takes me back.  I can smell the flour tortillas, I think of Tomasita's restaurant in Santa Fe, I smell the burning Sage as we would talk through the Plaza in Santa Fe, buying turquoise jewelry from the Navajo Indians, and the smell of New Mexico Hatch chilies roasting over an open flame. I also think of my childhood in Denver.  I think of Mexican hamburgers (a flour tortilla instead of a hamburger bun) smothered in green chili.  I think of Torres Mexican Restaurant on Federal, also La Loma, Moose Hill Cantina, Hart's Corner Bar, even Taco House.  This Green Chili is available almost anywhere.  Good Lord, did I take that for granted??

Now, I don't have that instant access to my Green Chili or other comfort foods from my childhood.  When you don't have these things anymore, you realize how important these memories are.  You may be thinking, "Green Chili, gimme a break lady!"  But, I will tell you this stuff speaks to my soul, it's about so much more than the actual Green Chili itself.  It's about the memories,  the sounds, the smells and the comfort of my previous life.  I think the comfort is what I miss the most.  This is not to say that I don't feel comfort and contentment in my life now, but it's just in a different way. 

So, once a year when I make it back to Denver, we go to those amazing Mexican restaurants and buy this stuff in bulk.  My mom and I divvy it up and freeze it is various-sized containers.  We try to make it last as long as possible, rationing it and making sure to
not.
waste.
one.
drop.

I do make green chili at home once in a while now.  It's pretty labor-intensive if you fire-roast your own peppers, but worth it.  I have this tiny, little refrigerator magnet that my mom bought in Santa Fe, NM over 20 years ago.  It has a simple recipe on it for

New Mexico Green Chili:

1 Tbsp Shortening

1/2 Cup Chopped Onion

2 Tbsp Flour

1 Cup Chopped Green Chile

1 Cup Chicken Broth

1 tsp Garlic Powder

3/4 tsp Salt

Saute onion in shortening, add flour, cook one minute.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer 20 minutes.

I refer to this each time, even though I have the basic recipe memorized.  I add sauteed pork, and fire-roasted Anaheim peppers.  I made green chili a few days ago and ate it straight out of a bowl with a few flour tortillas...heaven.   

My Green Chili with Fire-Roasted Anaheim Peppers

My Little Magnet



Oh, and one last thing...my husband now loves this stuff....:)

Stovetop Prunes For Baby

Here's something I think you should know: I'm obsessed with food...a self-proclaimed foodie, if you will.

I'm not sure if it's coincidence or not, but this started when I moved to Nebraska.  It could have been that after I left Colorado, I missed the foods and restaurants that I had grown up with (more on that in later posts).  Nebraska is a beef state and you'll find that anywhere you go here.  What I was looking for were alternatives.  I started to spend a lot of time on the Internet looking at recipes and trying new foods.  I had a lot of time on my hands back then...

To this day, if someone gave me $100 and I could use it on whatever I wanted (assuming all bills were paid), I'd head straight to a specialty food market.  I'd bypass a facial, mani/pedi combo or a splurge at Victoria's Secret.  I'd probably end up in Omaha at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, all the while my head spinning with recipes in-mind.

When my son was about three months old and I realized that he would start eating "solids" in a few months, I became very excited.  I knew that I wanted to make his baby food, so I signed-up for a class and bought a few staple items. 

~Food Processor

~Steamer Basket

~Fresh Baby Freezer Trays (www.amazon.com)

~Freezer Storage Bags

Next, I bought fruit and veggies at the grocery store.  I used http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/ as a guide and then I went to work.  I made apples, peaches, pears, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, green beans, peas, carrots, apricots, bananas and prunes.  This took about two days and then I bagged it all up, labeled it and stored it in the deep freeze.  I just take out what I need a day or so in advance and we're all set.  My son, so far, loves the fruit (not surprised).  Not only does this save us lots of money (way cheaper per ounce than buying premade baby food), but I can control the ingredients.

Yesterday I made another batch of prunes, which he loves. If you do this, be sure you buy prunes with NO SULFATES added.  This can be a but tricky to find because most commercial brands add sulfates.  I go to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods to buy them, but you can also go to http://www.amazon.com/.  This is also true for apricots.

RECIPE

1. Empty the entire bag of prunes into a sauce pot on the stove.  Add just enough water to cover the fruit.  Cover with a lid and cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes

2. Let cool

3. Puree the prunes in a food processor or blender.  You may need to add a little water as the prunes will be very thick

3.  Spoon into freezer trays and freeze overnight

4. Once frozen, pop prunes out of freezer trays and place into a freezer storage bag

5. Label and store in a freezer

Prunes Reconstituted

 Prunes in Freezer Trays & Ready to EAT!