Riddle Me This

It’s a game of sorts, a dash to the end.
Trinkets and loot you must apprehend.
A task to complete, a clue to ponder.
With a camera in tow, around town we will wander.

A sleuth on the prowl to uncover the meaning.
An unbiased ref will conduct the screening.
No cheaters, no gripers, no fussy-butt cowards.
No giving up! The streets must be scoured!

My friends, folks, and neighbors, get ready, get moving!
Don’t worry, don’t fret, they’ll be plenty of boozing!
Fun times to be had, it won’t be a chore.
Now can you guess my Goal 34?

What a Ham!

I hammed it up the other day and designed my own fancy sandwich. I actually bought a freakin’ Panini maker for the occasion. I generally am not a kitchen gadget gal, because I loathe clutter and lose patience with the dishes I already have to wash. But I do love a good melt(down), and there’s something about those griddle marks … they just seal the deal. If you don’t have a Panini maker, go get one! Mine is the Cuisinart Griddler and Panini Press: You can order one here. But really, you can make this sandwich on the stove top griddle or in a regular ol’ frying pan.

This recipe was designed in honor of my family’s tastebuds. Next time I’m going to add minced jalapeno to the artichokes and will probably use a sliced cheese rather than a spreadable (like Brie). I used Trader Joe’s Artichoke Spread; you could also chop artichoke hearts and mix with a little garlic and olive oil. I’m a little ham-fisted when it comes to winging my own recipes, but this one’s a keeper. So says my finicky fam.

Steamy Dreamy Ham & Cheese Panini

Ingredients:

Ciabatta loaf, cut in half length-wise

Olive oil

4-6 Tablespoons of Artichoke Spread

Handful or two of baby spinach leaves

Sliced ham to your heart’s content

4 pineapple rings or equivalent in bits or crushed

Brie or other cheese

Directions:

Lightly brush oil on the crust-side of the bread. Douse the bottom slice with the Artichoke Spread. Add the spinach leaves, the ham slices, the pineapple rings (or bits or layer of crushed), and lastly the cheese of your choice (if using Brie or other spreadable cheese, spread it on the top piece of bread). Place the sandwich in the Panini maker. Push it. Hold it. Hear it sizzle. Eat it. It’s good.

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

It was my first time at East Village Asian Diner in Encinitas on Friday night, as I checked off this month’s eating out goal. The place intrigued me, a small space donned with robot décor, subtly situated among local shops on the 101. My boys were ready to go as soon as I got home (very late) from a grueling day at work, and we scurried over to Coast Highway to find a line out the door. Relax, it’s fine, it must be good if there’s a line … I muttered, feebly attempting to coax my hunger down from a growl to a grumble. I jotted my name down on the list and was informed we’d have to wait a half hour. I’m okay, I’m okay … No big deal …

The boys ran up and down the block a few (hundred) times, and over an hour later … that’s right, folks, a one-hour wait with two young ever-so-hungry and hyper boys … and we finally nabbed a cushy red vinyl booth. Was it worth the wait? Well … everyone sat quietly as we devoured our food, so yes, yes it was. Domo Arigato, East Village!

I highly recommend the Kimchi–Chive Street Cart Pancakes (house ground mung bean pancakes) as a crispy flavorful starter. My husband slurped up the Hot and Spicy Korean Noodle Soup, his head bedazzled with sweat beads, while the boys and I inhaled some savory noodle dishes, which satiated my Asian craving. And for the grand finale, we shared the Apple Wontons (warm apply goodness toasted in a wonton), and they shared the Red Bean Mochi. Next time I’m opting for the Monk’s Stone Pot, East Village’s feature dish, which is a fiery-hot stone pot (hence the name) filled with rice, vegetables, other various toppings such as meat or tofu, and an over-easy egg. Sooo yum. You’re fooling yourself if you think you can do without this joint in your repertoire. Eat here!

Round and Round

I’ve tried it before. It doesn’t work for me. After some study on the subject, I find it’s likely because my motion is all wrong. Instead of churning my hips in a circle, a gentle pulsing motion at the waist – back and forth – works best. A little hip action goes a long way. But it shouldn’t be a series of forceful gyrations. Rather, an easy approach with more subtle bursts has the same, if not better, effect. With a little finesse, and practice, I’ll be able to spin that baby right ‘round. And once I have the standard version down, I’ll venture to a more advanced style … perhaps a turn-around, the waist pulse with a swirl, a two hoop waist thrust, or the booty bump.

Goal 33: Hoop. Hula Style. A little research revealed there are hula hoop classes! And workouts that revolve around hooping! And hula hoop societies! And people have hooping parties! All I wanted was to make it around the world a few times. But who knows …

Half Way There!

Happy New Year! I know, I know, I’m over a week late in the salutation, but that’s just how much I enjoyed the holidays this year. We had the most wonderful two-week visit ever with my parents who were here from Illinois (now known as the tundra); we jaunted to Santa Catalina Island for a long weekend; I ate too many sweets, hit up a few holiday parties, and, of course, partook in a few shenanigans in between. I tried my darnedest to make strides with my half marathon training (looking forward to completing Goal 12 in less than two weeks!). I kept up my weekly recipe experiments, but sadly I grappled with a few utter failures, not worthy of recipe re-posts. I swallowed a lot (spit very little). Other goals took the wayside while I shopped for presents and wrapped the presents and … well, I did spa a little too (hey, a girl’s gotta chill the eff out now and then). Oh, and did I mention I WON in my fantasy football league, taking down Goal 18 (and the Vagiants) with a vengeance?!

By midnight on New Year’s Eve, I was sound asleep while visions of sugar detox danced in my head. I awoke with the obligatory “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!” (good luck on New Year’s Day) and decidedly skipped the New Year’s resolutions. I figure my 40 freakin’ goals have me covered this year.

And speaking of my goals … amidst the holidays, on December 30^th to be exact, I celebrated my ½ birthday … I turned 39 and one-half years old! That means I am less than halfway to my birthday. A little panic strikes when I think of all the goals I need to complete, with still a few more to announce. (Newsflash: 40 is a shit-ton of goals.)

In the last 6 months I’ve completed only SEVEN of my 40 goals. That’s 17 ½ % complete. At least another 7 of the goals are progressive, and won’t be complete unless and until I keep up with them until my birthday on June 30th (e.g., my monthly eating out goal, my weekly write a letter goal). That’s another 17 ½ %. But that only puts me at 35%, meaning I have a whopping 65% worth of goals to complete during the next 6 months.

Stay tuned: This month I’m planning to brew some beer, pose for a boudoir shoot, organize my rock climbing adventure, and play some poker. And as for you … whether you’re turning 30 or 55 this year, whether you’ve scratched out pages of resolutions or a mere note to try something new this year, whether it’s your energy, your health, or your wealth you’re focused on this year, join us! Let’s DO it! Share your stories! So many goals … only six months to go … !!!

The Vibe Raiders Take First

‘53: The year Dwight D. Eisenhower was inaugurated as the 34th President of the United States.

53: The age I will be when my youngest son is licensed to drive.

53: Add the digits together and you get my lucky number 8.

53: The code for international direct dial phone calls to Cuba.

53: The number of players on a final NFL roster.

And speaking of the NFL … 53: the number worn by Linebacker NaVorro Bowman of the San Francisco 49ers. Remember him? Yeah, he was the guy who picked off a pass from Atlanta Quaterback Matt Ryan, ran it 90 yards for a touchdown to secure the victory against the Falcons and made it a magnificently memorable last regular season game ever to be played at Candlestick Park.

But more importantly … down a few points on Monday night with 2 minutes left in the game, that interception for a touchdown gave the Vibe Raiders – with the San Francisco defense – a magnificent come-from-behind victory over the Vagiants in my first ever Fantasy Football season and Super Bowl. That’s right folks. It truly was a fantasy. After sixteen weeks of grueling ups and downs, ins and outs, I ended up on top of the twelve. Nice views from up here.

But the Vagiants / Vibe Raider battle was not to be overshadowed by the race for 3rd. Teo’s Girl, who weaseled her way into the playoffs, ultimately kicked Team JoJo’s booty and ended up in the money.

The playoffs played out like this:

Vibe Raiders (Me!): NUMBER ONE. That is … FIRST PLACE. Meaning … I BEAT EVERYONE.

The Vagiants: Second place. Not her favorite position.

Teo’s Girl: Third place (way to represent, Chicago!)

Team JoJo: Fourth place. But hey, like she said, at least the Chargers won last week.

Goal 18 complete! Girl power galore made this fantasy football league spectacular. We learned a lot about football, practiced some shit talkin’, and channeled our competitiveness. My husband’s itch to participate in four simultaneous leagues a season? Yeah, I get it.

All In

I often sit among the other degenerates and attempt to mingle, but conversation is always scant … the silent treatment. Intensity seethes through the lightest of ineffectual conversation. Eye contact is forced … or retracted. Everyone wants action, but is afraid to share their secrets. I’m a regular railbird, and I watch … intrigued.

Round and round they go. Flat turning pairs of one-eyed jacks. Back-dooring a couple of ladies. The big lick. (Think six and nine.) A bottom-ended straight. A few folks throw in for a raise, a couple bow out with dignity still in tow. But then … someone shoves it all in. Gasp! No one saw it coming! Flush!

Now I’m itching to get in on the action. The sharks will try to prey on me, but I’m confident. I limp in and secretly hope for a free ride. But no, the pressure is on, and I’m feeling it. When it’s my turn, I sweeten the pot … this game ain’t no cheap thrill. It might get down to the felt, but I’ll grind it out, work my poker face, and showdown a winner!

With my fantasy football season almost over, I need a new game to learn, something to believe in. What shall it be? Poker! (Ouch!) Texas Holdem? Seven Card Stud? Frankly, I have no idea. But if you want in, ante up. Be a part of this Goal 32: Know When to Hold ‘Em.

Greek Treats for the Holidays

My son has been celebrating “Christmas Around the World” at his preschool. Each day throughout the few weeks before Christmas, they talk about a different country and how that country celebrates the holiday. To help set the tone, a child (i.e., his mother) may elect to bring in a holiday treat indigenous to one of the featured countries. I usually elect to participate (in everything). (And often later curse myself for trying to tackle yet another task.) Both last year and this, I hoped for Italy; my mother in-law stashes a battalion of Italian goody recipes. (Secretly I knew that she would offer to make the batch and ship them from Illinois to California … and I would have let her.)  But no. Italy was not available.

I opted for fellow-Mediterranean Greece. (My affinity with Greece, Summer 1998: stories reserved for another time.) I tried to cheat and asked my local Greek friends where I could find a Greek bakery. No luck. (Note to Greek friends: open a Greek bakery in North County!) I’d have to make the treats from scratch, after all. So I asked my dear friend Vicky for an easy Greek treat recipe. “There are no easy Greek recipes,” she replied. Touche.

But she suggested Koulourakia, bite-sized butter cookies, with a hint of vanilla flavor, finished with a little glaze. She sent me a scribbled recipe (or “guideline”), handed down from her mom, with the disclaimer that (my honorary Theia) Maria doesn’t really do recipes. Great! This was turning out to be even more treacherous than I had anticipated. Some of the ingredients were rather daunting, and could not be located at my grocery stores. (Note to Greek friends: open a Greek specialty store in North County … perhaps next to the bakery!) I found a recipe from the Food Network that was (dare I say) similar to my friend’s; I hope I get the “close-enough-to-authentic” stamp of approval! My boys certainly approved, but what do they know … it’s all Greek to them (… but so yum)!

Irene’s Sweet Koulourakia    

Ingredients

3 sticks butter

1 ¼ cups sugar

2 eggs, plus 2 eggs for glaze

2 Tablespoons orange juice, no pulp

2 Tablespoons pure vanilla extract

¾ teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

5 ¼ cups flour

Directions

Begin with all ingredients at room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter for five minutes. Add sugar and beat another 5 to 7 minutes. Add eggs, and beat until blended. Add the orange juice and the vanilla extract.

In another large bowl, combine the baking powder and baking soda with only about 1 cup of the flour. Stir in the egg mixture slowly. Add the remaining cups of flour gradually. The dough is ready when it pulls away from the sides of the bowl completely, and is soft and pliable.

Scoop out balls of dough (about the size of a Swedish meatball) and roll into long rope-like portions. Fold over in half and twist. Place the cookies on a greased cookie sheet.

Beat two eggs in a small bowl to make the glaze. Brush the cookies on the pan with the glaze and bake in the oven for 25 minutes until golden brown.

Six In the Mix

It was getting a little crowded with 12 girls in the mix. Now that the regular season has whittled the original league down from 12 to 6, we can take a deep breath, re-focus, and recharge for the Girl-on-Girl Fantasy Play-Offs! It’s time for war!

The Vibe Raiders (my team) was knocked out of first place by an unrelenting shit-talking Vagiants. The Bears’ Alshon Jeffrey punched the Vagiant’s ticket to the promised land, scoring 42.3 freakin’ points. Although I had to give the first spot away to Team JoJo, who is on top (she seems most comfortable there) by a mere 8 points, I am happy to brag that with my overall 11 wins (only 2 losses), I nevertheless secured a first-round bye in the play-offs. Suck it Vagiants.

Itty Bitty Titty Committee locked up her play-off position a few games back, finishing at 8-5, but KAMS Siler Sisters needed to beat Itty Bitty in the final week to end the season at 8-5 and to prevent a tie breaker for a final play-off spot.

And it was quite a hold up for the other gal’s teams vying for the remaining wild cards. Coming into week 13 with 2 spots up in the air, KAMS, Itty Bitty, Teo’s Girl, Love Them Tight Ends, & Tittsburgh Feelers scratched each others’ eyes out for a coveted play-off position. By the end of the Sunday games, KAMS was a shoe in for the 5^th spot with her win over Itty Bitty, but with 3 teams treading water, it all came down to Monday Night with New Orleans at Seattle. A win by Teo’s Girl meant she’d be in, but a loss would have kicked her out AND would have positioned a tie break between Tight Ends and Tittsburgh.

Tight Ends needed to win and score 101 points, while Tittsburgh needed Tight Ends to score less than 101.  With 5 minutes left in the game it came down to Tittsburgh needing 1.9 more points out of Tight Ends’ Golden Tate to send Teo’s Girl crying home and position herself for a tie-breaker. But it was not to be: Seattle was so far ahead they ran out the clock rather than pass to Tate, so Teo’s Girl pulled out the victory and the Tittsburgh/Tight Ends tie break never came into play. Instead, both Tittsburgh and Tight Ends fell short in a valiant last minute effort to make the play-offs. And as for Teo’s Girl … way to hang on.

In sum, the play-off positions go to:

1) Team JoJo (11-2);

2) Vibe Raiders (11-2);

3) Itty Bitty Titty Committee (8-5);

4) KAMS Siler Sisters (8-5);

5) the Vagiants (7-6);

6) Teo’s Girl (7-6).

Nice job girls! We fought our battles and scrambled to the top. Good luck (and I mean, seriously … good luck) these next few weeks! Remember, top three teams are in the money!

Here are some regular season highlights:

Top Scores throughout the Year:

• ·         Team Back That Pass Up (151.2 points Week 1);
• ·         Vibe Raiders (149.2 points Week 2); and
• ·         Super Bowl Tacos (146.8 points Week 9)

Lowest Scores throughout the Year:

• ·         Reverse Cowgirls (39 points Week 3);
• ·         KAMS Siler Sisters (53.6 points Week 12); and
• ·         Itty Bitty Titty Committee (53.6 points Week 7)

Total Points Fielded: Team JoJo hit ’em high with 1466.4 points (average 122.2 points per game), quite impressive for a 12-team league (so says my husband). She certainly earned number 1.  

Total Points Allowed:  Tittsburgh Feelers 1,371.3 (114.3 per game). Ouch. No wonder she struggled to make the playoffs – she even scored more points than THREE of the playoff teams! How sick is she?! (So sick.) 

Regardless of where we’ve been and where we’ll go from here (I will win), it’s been super fun so far … a little needling, lots of laugh, plenty of booze to keep it loose. Stay tuned for the low-down on who pulls out the All-Girl Fantasy victory! (Me.)

Giving Thanks: It’s a Snap

There’s a resurgence of Goal 1 today, as Americans join me to express gratitude to family, friends, and community, often singling out a particular individual whom we’ve come to know intimately for that one specific role they play in our lives, like the hair stylist (her scalp massages are transcendental!) or the smiley Trader Joe’s cashier for whom I’ll wait in line six shoppers deep (he is the most efficient packer on the plant!).

Think about your thanks today, express them with might, and give reasons. What are you thankful for … and why?

I’m thankful for my boys’ giggles, belly laughs, and silly faces, because in an instant they bring me back to the precious fleeting moment where I yearn to live. I’m thankful for their craziness, their jumping, tumbling, and bouncing off walls; they allow me to appreciate and revel in my peace and quiet time, what little of it I have. I am thankful that with these little ones I experience the purest love I could ever know.

I’m thankful for my husband’s tenderness and his strength, his simultaneous love and protection. I’m thankful for his patience with me. I’m thankful for his impatience with me, too, because when this even- keeled laid-back guy grows impatient, I know I must really be out of line. So I shape up. It’s good for me. And for him.

My family lives 2000 miles away. I’m thankful for telephones and texts and email to keep us connected.  And I’m thankful for airplanes that reunite us.

I am thankful for forgiveness, mostly other people’s forgiveness of me. Without it, I would be lonely and sad.

I am thankful for the bridge between the rain and the sun that manifests in a rainbow, because I feel my Grandma’s presence and I’m reminded that she is always with me.

For my happiness and my joy and the love that surrounds me I am grateful, but I cannot forget to thank disappointment, fear, and pain. The latter are opportunities for growth, and without suffering through them I would not be so driven to achieve the former.

I’m thankful that I don’t always get what I want, because if I did I’d be a spoiled brat (instead of just a regular old brat). I don’t need most things I think I want anyway.

I am thankful for sleep (and hoping to get more of it tonight than last night). Something happens during this eight hour process that calms my nerves, sorts through my thoughts, rests my soul. During sleep, I solve problems, without even knowing it; I wake up and the answer to a question or the decision about a path is sitting right there in my brain, as clear as crystal.

I am thankful for time. I am thankful I can make time with careful planning.

I’m thankful for my freedom and liberties. I am thankful for justice; it happens more often than people realize.

And thanks to you, dear reader, for laughing with me, agreeing or disagreeing with me, rolling your eyes at me, feeling happy or embarrassed for me. You’re keeping it real, and I appreciate it.

 I could go on all afternoon with this cathartic process of professing and sharing my gratitude and accolades. But I have to go now and prepare my salad dressing, chill the champagne, bribe the boys (all three of them) to change out of their play clothes and into something more acceptable, and plea with them one last time to be on their best behavior before we head over to our dear friends’ house for a totally epic Thanksgiving afternoon.

As I tug on that wishbone after the turkey’s been devoured, my only wish is that I find the time and the heart to continue to give thanks, not just today in between football quarters and champagne toasts, but each and every day. Happy Thanksgiving. Mwah.