recent dinners

Brad got his first quail a few weeks (!) so we cooked some up for dinner last weekend.  I marinated them in some olive oil, garlic and other herbs.  We then lightly breaded them and wrapped in bacon before sauteeing in oil.  It was great but I think next time we will harvest some nuggets of meat and cook that way.  I served this with my corn casserole, whole wheat yeast rolls and a frozen veggie mix.  Bad, I know, but it was Saturday and I wasn't going to the store. 

For New Year's, we had the traditional pork, greens and peas.  This pork wasn't as good as the last tenderloin recipe I posted.  But, cooking it in foil made it super-tender. 



sweet banj

Anytime I pick up my new camera, I can't help but snap some photos of my favorite dog.  I'm not sure she enjoys this though.  Ha.



Love my Banjo!!

italian chicken

Last week, I made this chicken dish that I have had on my 'to make' list for a long time.  A friend periodically asks her facebook audience for their favorite ______ recipe.  I copy and paste the answers into an email to myself and save for a later date.  This was on the chicken list, obvs!

Italian Chicken

Place thawed chicken breasts in a baking dish.  Sprinkle with oregano, 2 bay leaves and onion soup mix.  Cover with Italian dressing.  Bake at 350 until done through.

Jami's notes: Veggie lovers can add mushrooms and tomatoes prior to the seasonings.  I used my handy-dandy meat tenderizer ahead of time and let this marinate for about an hour before cooking.  I only cooked three breasts and 1/2 of a packet of soup mix would have been fine.  I covered this with foil to help keep in juices. 

I have to say, the foil was not needed.  This was the most tender, flavorful chicken next to Ritz Chicken (recipe to come later) I have ever had.  It could not have been easier either.  Busy moms, do this now!

I roasted some asparagus quickly with olive oil, salt, pepper and a little parm.  Whole wheat yeast rolls from Fresh Market rounded out the meal.  Oh, and strawberries with fat-free whipped cream for dessert!

birthday celebrations

Since we were supposed to be in Charleston for my birthday weekend, my night out was the next week.  We went to Roosters Beak for dinner with the Scotts and Scoggins'.  Such a great place in downtown Augusta. 

With Martha and Natalie

Preston, Brad and Win

Martha and I both got the shrimp cakes with grits and a poblano corn cream sauce.  Good!

Brad's trio of tacos - pork, rooster and catfish

We finally went to Charleston this last weekend.  It was great, as always!  We went over Saturday morning and started with lunch at Jim 'n Nick's BBQ.  It was started in Birmingham and their pig in a potato patch and cheese biscuits are the bomb. 

Then we walked around downtown and tried not to spend any money.  We had to stop by an old favorite for an afternoon margarita. 

Brad got the jumbo.  I'll say!! 

Now he is growing a beard for our upcoming ski trip.  He was inspired by Levi and Win - scary!

We went to 82 Queen for dinner.  This place has the coolest atmosphere.  I was actually not too pleased with my meal.  Their 'world-famous' she crab soup was horribly thick, although flavorful. 

Brad really enjoyed his jambalaya though.

See how cool this is??  An outdoor, lit courtyard for dining among the trees.

And Brad tried a new beer - Sugar Hill from Harlem.  It was quite good!



After dinner, we went next door to the Bar at Husk.  We have had brunch here in the past and just saw the (newly-opened) bar rated in the top 50 by Garden & Gun.  It was pretty cool, I must say.  Try it out next time you're in Charleston. 

We ran into a guy selling Boykins downtown.  Aren't they the cutest?!?  We used to raise them when Levi and I were little.  Brad has been bitten by the bird hunting bug (thanks to Daddy and Levi) so we have been talking serioulsy about getting more dogs soon. 

On Sunday, we hit the outlets.  I spent all that money I was trying to save on Saturday.  :)

We also celebrated Mom's birthday on Friday.  She was really sick too but we enjoyed some shrimp and grits and 4-layer chocolate delight.  (Have I shared that recipe?  If not, I will soon - it's delish.)  Dad's birthday is tomorrow so he is coming over Wednesday because Mom is out of town. 

Happy birthdays to us!

2012

For New Year's, we spent the weekend at Champions Retreat.  I got an SLR camera from Brad for Christmas so I took some time while the guys were golfing to take some photos.  I love this camera!  I still need to take a class and do some more reading but hope I can master this thing soon. 

With Melanie and Natalie

Brad with Preston and Eric

We took it easy for New Year's.  I made some dips and chili, we watched football and watched the fireworks.  The Dunstans, Rigsbys and Trotters were there too for the Club party so we got to see them as well.  Welcome 2012!

Just messing around with my camera. I caught Banjo mid-sneeze.  That sucker is fast!

Love this magazine.  I have been getting it since the first issue.  The camera takes such sharp pictures. 

Trying to figure out depth, etc on my camera.  Hopefully, this gift will upgrade the blog!!

Last weekend, we went to go see Steve and Michelle's new addition - Ann Ferguson.  She is adorable!!

Saturday was my birthday!  We were supposed to go to Charleston but I got a gnarly cold on Friday.  So, we cancelled our trip and Brad helped me heal up.  Maybe we can go next weekend. 

I hope to get back into a groove with cooking and updating soon.  Happy 2012!!



holiday festivities

We were burning up the road Christmas weekend!  Lots of good times, good company and good food!

On Friday, Uncle Jeff and Mema came to Thomson to visit.  It was great to have them there!  The boys were about to go hunting.  Neither Brad nor Levi had any luck all weekend.  :(

Dad has been doing conservation easement appraisal work since retiring and he decided that this would make his job so much easier.  Plus, he can use it on the land in Thomson for hunting, hauling firewood, etc.  Brad was drooling for sure!  This is on our list once we get our land.  (Fingers still crossed!)

We had some drinks and got to visit with the Heaths Friday night.  They are new parents to precious Henry!

On Saturday, I hosted brunch for the Shinglers.  This is Cooking Light's ciabatta french toast stuffed with gruyere and topped with a warm apple maple syrup. Every bit as good as it sounds!

The ever-popular ham and swiss sandwiches with a poppy seed and mustard dressing.  Mmmmm.  I do mine a little bit differently than most.  I do not use any mayo or miracle whip - ick.  So, I just layer ham and swiss on King's Hawaiian rolls.  Then I mix only the butter, poppy seeds, mustard and worchestershire together (no onions).  I slather this on the inside of the rolls, not on top.  These are Brad's favorite!

My favorite baked grits recipe.  A ton of flavor.  Fat too but, hey, it's Christmas!  Thank you, Paula Deen!

To lighten things up a little, I put together some fruit parfaits.  I mixed some plain yogurt with vanilla extract (you could use vanilla yogurt but I didn't have any on-hand).  I layered the yogurt with fresh, cut strawberries and kiwi for a festive look.  I also added granola and drizzled it with honey.  Yummy!

I don't have a picture but, to start, I made portobello pizzas.  I just cleaned out the caps, drizzled the insides with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with oregano and thyme.  I baked these, covered with foil, until tender.  I added a sliced tomato and mozzeralla cheese to each and returned to the oven to melt.  They were a hit too!

As per tradition, we decorated sugar cookies together.  Brad got gruesome and painted red on the neck of a gingerbread lady that 'lost' her head.  Don't you love his football player?

We headed back to Thomson on Friday for more fun.  We exchanged gag gifts on Christmas Eve.  Brad got a mini UTV like Dad's.  Mom bought this before they even thought about Dad getting one.  Levi got Brad a UF koozie.  That thing is going in the fire soon!

Warning: whole animal being cooked ahead...

Instead of doing the traditional Christmas dinner (Brad and I were going to have two in one day), we smoked a whole hog!  Levi borrowed Walker's smoker and they got started at 4:30 am on the coals.  They did a great job!

We only ate a portion of his shoulder.  This guy was only 65 lbs but he produced a lot of meat. 

Levi pulling the meat off.  It was so tender and juicy.  They brined it in salt and brown sugar the night before. 

Ok, this is gnarly but reminds me of one of my favorite movies - the Princess Bride.  Remember the ROUS - rodents of unusual size?  Those teeth!

At the Shingler house for our second Christmas celebration.  Debbie did a great job getting dinner ready despite the ovens going on the fritz!

After our Shingler dinner, we went to the Revell house to hang out with Hunt and John and Lauren. 

I was going to take a nice photo of John and Lauren by the fire and then Hunt and Adi jumped in the picture with random objects.  Good times!

Brad and I had a great time visiting with friends and family during this most-special season.  So much to be thankful for in 2011!

80s christmas

The Trotters, Dunstans and Rigsbys hosted an 80s Christmas party a few weeks ago.  It was rad!  :)  Some folks came over beforehand to preparty.

Brad went for the GNR look and I went for the Footloose look.  His mullet cracked me up all night!  My dress was $15 at Goodwill - a steal.

Eric was a British rocker and Mel a groupie.

Gail and Allen

Liza and William

The girls.  Don't you love my Keds? 

Allen drinking out of the moose cups made famous by Christmas Vacation.  They were a huge hit!  Jennifer bought the whole set - love it!

With Blake.  Isn't her jumpsuit classic?

Mike and Blake.  His uncle actually wore this to a prom in the 80s!

Brock, doing his best Cousin Eddie.

The 6-pack of Busch is pretty awesome too.  I am loving those shoes though.

Eric and Brad rocking out.  They had a great soundtrack for the party.

The guys.

With Jennifer and Michele.  This was actually Jennifer's middle school formal dress. 

Jennifer and Michelle with Eric.

Jennifer tried on Brad's wig and sunglasses.  This is awesome!

Brad with John.  Although they don't look too much alike dressed like that!

With Kathi.

Michele found a wig and some glasses too.  Ha.

Eric jamming.

We had a great time!!  Still enjoy dressing up.  :)