Welcome to Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.
This week the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers invade Delaware to race at Dover International Speedway.
I must admit, I was unsure of what my research would turn up as I wasn’t overly familiar with Delaware’s delicacies.
But I was thrilled that my search led me to scrumptious selections that were easy to recreate and packed a punch of flavor and satisfaction.
In my house we love seafood so this first recipe caught my eye for its clean and simple ingredients and high yield of taste.
Scott Ure's Clams And Garlic
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/scott-ures-clams-and-garlic/detail.aspx
Provided by: Scott Ure
"So simple, but so good - steamed clams served in their own liqueur. Serve with crusty Italian bread, or over pasta."
Ingredients:
50 small clams in shell, scrubbed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup white wine
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
1. Wash clams to remove any dirt or sand.
2. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté for 1 minute, or until tender. Pour in the white wine. Boil until wine has reduced to half its original volume.
3. Add clams, cover, and steam till clams start to open. Add butter, cover, and cook till most or all of the clams open. Discard any that do not open. Transfer clams and juice to 2 large bowls. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve.
There is something luscious about steamed clams. As the creator states, served with a crusty baguette or over pasta, this meal is fantastic. Add a tossed salad and the meal is refined!
Next, Delaware, known for several kinds of seafood, has a plethora of blue crabs.
Delaware Blue Crab Boil
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/delaware-blue-crab-boil/detail.aspx
Provided By: IMANKAY
"Dig into these Delaware blue crabs boiled in exotic spices. Add your favorite veggies, and treat yourself to a wonderfully delicious crab feast!"
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons dill seed
2 tablespoons mustard seed
2 tablespoons cumin seed
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
2 sprigs rosemary
10 sprigs thyme
3 sprigs dill
2 sprigs sage
1/2 bunch parsley
30 live, hard-shell blue crabs
Directions:
1. Crush the dill seed, mustard, and cumin in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Pour the spices into a 5 gallon stockpot along with the chili powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, rosemary, thyme, dill, sage, and parsley. Fill the pot 3/4 full with water, and bring to a rolling boil over an intense flame.
2. Add the blue crabs, cover the pot, and boil until all of the shells turn red, and the meat is no longer translucent, about 20 minutes. Stir the crabs occasionally as they boil to ensure even cooking.
This recipe can be used with any kind of crabs.
After all of that seafood, dessert is in order! With berries coming into peak season (and a short one at that), this recipe should fit the bill for utilizing the abundant crops.
Scrumptious Strawberry Shortcake
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/scrumptious-strawberry-shortcake/detail.aspx
Provided By: sal
"Serve with whipped cream on top."
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup butter
2/3 cup heavy cream
1 egg, beaten
3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
3 tablespoons white sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder and cream of tartar. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives. Stir in cream and egg. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 2 minutes. Press into a half-inch thick sheet. Cut into squares. Place on baking sheets.
Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes, or until golden. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons sugar over sliced berries.
Let shortcakes cool before splitting and filling with sugared berries.
A wonderful way to end any meal during June or any time you can find fresh strawberries.
Delaware offers treasures from the sea that are simple to prepare and outrageously delicious. Using fresh ingredients from the region you live in will often yield the best possible dishes.
Fresh, local, and in season is the best way to cook no matter where you are.
Thank you for reading this sampling of great recipes from Delaware.
Please join me tomorrow for the week ending and extremely popular Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.
A mom with a lot on her mind looking for an outlet for her writing and an expanded friend base. I am the Crew Chief of my family.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Chief 187™Chatter Poll
I love finding out about my readership and the best way for me to do that since I cannot logistically have a sit down discussion with you all is to post a poll!
One of the most resounding types of these came back in April when I inquired what your favorite beverage/libation is.
Now I’m switching gears and posing a new question.
Let me begin with a preface. My children have never had the lucky opportunity to have the Good Humor Man drive onto our street and offer his wares. We live in an isolated part of our community so it never (not even rarely) happens.
I feel terribly as I recall throughout my childhood the magical tinkling sound of the bells when the Good Humor man came driving down the neighborhood roads. I begged my mother for money – certainly far less than a dollar – and had the Herculean task of deciding what to order when he finally arrived on my road.
My children, poor lads that they are, have only read about this and, on occasion when we are passing through the main arteries of town, have spotted one going the opposite direction. Their little faces are crestfallen because they are not able to indulge in this childhood rite of passage.
Nowadays I’m not even sure what the Good Humor Man (or Woman) carries on their truck.
So, today’s question to y’all is, what was/is your favorite Good Humor treat from childhood and/or today?
I look forward to everyone’s response.
And, maybe this summer I can make it my goal to track down the Good Humor Driver and treat my children!
Please join me tomorrow for delicious recipes on Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.
One of the most resounding types of these came back in April when I inquired what your favorite beverage/libation is.
Now I’m switching gears and posing a new question.
Let me begin with a preface. My children have never had the lucky opportunity to have the Good Humor Man drive onto our street and offer his wares. We live in an isolated part of our community so it never (not even rarely) happens.
I feel terribly as I recall throughout my childhood the magical tinkling sound of the bells when the Good Humor man came driving down the neighborhood roads. I begged my mother for money – certainly far less than a dollar – and had the Herculean task of deciding what to order when he finally arrived on my road.
My children, poor lads that they are, have only read about this and, on occasion when we are passing through the main arteries of town, have spotted one going the opposite direction. Their little faces are crestfallen because they are not able to indulge in this childhood rite of passage.
Nowadays I’m not even sure what the Good Humor Man (or Woman) carries on their truck.
So, today’s question to y’all is, what was/is your favorite Good Humor treat from childhood and/or today?
I look forward to everyone’s response.
And, maybe this summer I can make it my goal to track down the Good Humor Driver and treat my children!
Please join me tomorrow for delicious recipes on Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Simple Joys
Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.
What Simple Joys offers me is sanity during the times I cannot find mine. Peace in unsettled times. Perspective when I’m feeling like all is out of whack.
Mostly, plain and simple, Simple Joys are the reason life is worth living, pain is worth getting through, and I don’t ever give up.
Now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.
Baseball Tickets. Back in February my husband threw a ticket into a bag at the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Award Ceremony and Tricky Tray. We usually don’t win anything at those types of events, but that night we won 4 tickets at the local Minor League Baseball game.
It was very exciting to hear our number called and a sweet Simple Joy knowing that after the winter we’d have opportunity to spectate at a baseball game again.
Baseball Game. If you have yet to go to a Minor League Baseball Game, get thee to one immediately. This past weekend we attended the game we won tickets to in February.
Every inning there is some kind of competition with the audience members, the mascots jump, dance, and play, and contests are held.
The baseball is exciting and fun to watch and you are so close to the action. The food is delicious, much more reasonable than Major League stadiums, and your drive home is usually a breeze.
We experienced a fantastic night of baseball and fun that was a Simple Joy to start our long Memorial Day weekend.
Seatmates. A couple of fellas sat in our section and were instantly talkative with us. Turns out they were once freshmen in college roommates who had retained their friendship for over forty years.
We talked baseball mostly, but other topics as well, and we passed the time both watching the game and chatting.
At the conclusion of the game, the home team won, one of the players threw a ball into our section, and one of the gents caught it and immediately gave it to my eldest son.
Not only was the great company during the game a Simple Joy, but so was the act of kindness perpetrated on my son who received the ball.
Fireworks.
I really do love fireworks but get to see them less often in recent years. When raising my babies I find staying out ‘til dark and then having loud noises startle their sensitive nervous systems when they are overtired is just plain wrong so I keep them home on nights like the 4th of July.
Now that my babies are technically no longer babies I’m able to stay out on special occasions like the night baseball game we attended that ended with a fireworks display at the baseball park.
The display was breathtaking and so long! I always find it fascinating what ones the designer chooses to create the show. Old favorites mingle with new showy ones to forge a time of wonderment for all watching.
Getting the opportunity to see the fireworks display was a rare and fabulous Simple Joy.
Memorial Day Parade. For the only time ever my two sons marched in the town Memorial Day Parade both as Cub Scouts. This is my eldest son’s last year and my middle boy’s first year.
They proudly donned their uniforms, walked the long route, waved at the friends and neighbors who lined the street, and stayed for the special program that followed at Veteran’s Field.
Instilling a sense of civic duty, teaching the boys respect for those who serve, and spending the morning together as a family (four of us in uniform) are Simple Joys I am most thankful to experience.
Hectic times, stressful days, worries about the future both short and long term, and the fear of the unknown could easily swallow a person up whole.
Simple Joys are the panacea that alleviate and elevate me to a plane where I know I’ll smile, laugh, and love strongly and blissfully at any given moment.
Try to identify your Simple Joys throughout the week and notice how much happier, positive, and engaged you are in your best life!
Please join me tomorrow as I wax poetic on yet another topic on Chief 187™Chatter.
What Simple Joys offers me is sanity during the times I cannot find mine. Peace in unsettled times. Perspective when I’m feeling like all is out of whack.
Mostly, plain and simple, Simple Joys are the reason life is worth living, pain is worth getting through, and I don’t ever give up.
Now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.
Baseball Tickets. Back in February my husband threw a ticket into a bag at the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Award Ceremony and Tricky Tray. We usually don’t win anything at those types of events, but that night we won 4 tickets at the local Minor League Baseball game.
It was very exciting to hear our number called and a sweet Simple Joy knowing that after the winter we’d have opportunity to spectate at a baseball game again.
Baseball Game. If you have yet to go to a Minor League Baseball Game, get thee to one immediately. This past weekend we attended the game we won tickets to in February.
Every inning there is some kind of competition with the audience members, the mascots jump, dance, and play, and contests are held.
The baseball is exciting and fun to watch and you are so close to the action. The food is delicious, much more reasonable than Major League stadiums, and your drive home is usually a breeze.
We experienced a fantastic night of baseball and fun that was a Simple Joy to start our long Memorial Day weekend.
Seatmates. A couple of fellas sat in our section and were instantly talkative with us. Turns out they were once freshmen in college roommates who had retained their friendship for over forty years.
We talked baseball mostly, but other topics as well, and we passed the time both watching the game and chatting.
At the conclusion of the game, the home team won, one of the players threw a ball into our section, and one of the gents caught it and immediately gave it to my eldest son.
Not only was the great company during the game a Simple Joy, but so was the act of kindness perpetrated on my son who received the ball.
Fireworks.
I really do love fireworks but get to see them less often in recent years. When raising my babies I find staying out ‘til dark and then having loud noises startle their sensitive nervous systems when they are overtired is just plain wrong so I keep them home on nights like the 4th of July.
Now that my babies are technically no longer babies I’m able to stay out on special occasions like the night baseball game we attended that ended with a fireworks display at the baseball park.
The display was breathtaking and so long! I always find it fascinating what ones the designer chooses to create the show. Old favorites mingle with new showy ones to forge a time of wonderment for all watching.
Getting the opportunity to see the fireworks display was a rare and fabulous Simple Joy.
Memorial Day Parade. For the only time ever my two sons marched in the town Memorial Day Parade both as Cub Scouts. This is my eldest son’s last year and my middle boy’s first year.
They proudly donned their uniforms, walked the long route, waved at the friends and neighbors who lined the street, and stayed for the special program that followed at Veteran’s Field.
Instilling a sense of civic duty, teaching the boys respect for those who serve, and spending the morning together as a family (four of us in uniform) are Simple Joys I am most thankful to experience.
Hectic times, stressful days, worries about the future both short and long term, and the fear of the unknown could easily swallow a person up whole.
Simple Joys are the panacea that alleviate and elevate me to a plane where I know I’ll smile, laugh, and love strongly and blissfully at any given moment.
Try to identify your Simple Joys throughout the week and notice how much happier, positive, and engaged you are in your best life!
Please join me tomorrow as I wax poetic on yet another topic on Chief 187™Chatter.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Monday Media Blog-Memorial Day Edition 2012
Welcome to the Monday Media Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.
Today is Memorial Day. For many this is just a day off of school and/or work. They may go to the movies, the beach or a BBQ at a neighbor’s house.
But it is vastly important to me to recognize the men and women who have loyally, valiantly, and selflessly served our country with their military service.
Whether veterans, currently serving, or the many who paid the ultimate sacrifice, I give my heartfelt thanks and debt of gratitude for providing the freedom my family and I have.
My family and I took part in our town’s Memorial Day Parade and special program that followed on Saturday. It was the very least we could do.
This week’s focus for the Monday Media Blog is your favorite episode(s) of M*A*S*H and/or any
television program that had the backdrop of war like Hogan’s Heroes,
Black Sheep Squadron (Baa Baa Black Sheep),
and China Beach.
Thank you to any and all veterans and current service men and women who read this page. And to those who have paid the supreme and ultimate sacrifice, thank you to you and your families. God Bless you all and God Bless America.
Please join me tomorrow for the popular, uplifting, and positive Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.
Today is Memorial Day. For many this is just a day off of school and/or work. They may go to the movies, the beach or a BBQ at a neighbor’s house.
But it is vastly important to me to recognize the men and women who have loyally, valiantly, and selflessly served our country with their military service.
Whether veterans, currently serving, or the many who paid the ultimate sacrifice, I give my heartfelt thanks and debt of gratitude for providing the freedom my family and I have.
My family and I took part in our town’s Memorial Day Parade and special program that followed on Saturday. It was the very least we could do.
This week’s focus for the Monday Media Blog is your favorite episode(s) of M*A*S*H and/or any
television program that had the backdrop of war like Hogan’s Heroes,
Black Sheep Squadron (Baa Baa Black Sheep),
and China Beach.
Thank you to any and all veterans and current service men and women who read this page. And to those who have paid the supreme and ultimate sacrifice, thank you to you and your families. God Bless you all and God Bless America.
Please join me tomorrow for the popular, uplifting, and positive Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Friday Music Blog-Memorial Day Edition
Welcome to the Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.
It is Memorial Day Weekend and the stage is set for an incredible day of racing come Sunday.
The early part of the day begins with the Grand Prix from Monaco run by those technological beasts in the Formula 1 series.
Late morning into the early afternoon will be the Indianapolis 500, one of the most famous sporting events in the entire world.
And, finally, as afternoon wanes and evening appears the NASCAR drivers strap on their race cars for the longest race on the circuit, the Coca Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway.
My job on the Friday Music Blog is to offer a prompt connecting music with the NASCAR venue of the week.
This week’s focus will be divided once again.
First, list any and all of your favorite Queen songs as Charlotte is the Queen City.
Next, list any and all songs that have the word “World” in the title or lyric as the Coca Cola 600 used to be called the World 600.
Finally, feel free to add any songs that you feel are appropriately patriotic in honor of this being Memorial Day Weekend.
I’m off to donate money to buy a bouquet of poppies from a veteran and thank every service person for their duty to our great country. I will remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who choose to defend and protect the United States of America now.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Have fun and be safe.
Please join me again on Monday for another week of all new, fresh, and original posts on Chief 187™Chatter.
It is Memorial Day Weekend and the stage is set for an incredible day of racing come Sunday.
The early part of the day begins with the Grand Prix from Monaco run by those technological beasts in the Formula 1 series.
Late morning into the early afternoon will be the Indianapolis 500, one of the most famous sporting events in the entire world.
And, finally, as afternoon wanes and evening appears the NASCAR drivers strap on their race cars for the longest race on the circuit, the Coca Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway.
My job on the Friday Music Blog is to offer a prompt connecting music with the NASCAR venue of the week.
This week’s focus will be divided once again.
First, list any and all of your favorite Queen songs as Charlotte is the Queen City.
Next, list any and all songs that have the word “World” in the title or lyric as the Coca Cola 600 used to be called the World 600.
Finally, feel free to add any songs that you feel are appropriately patriotic in honor of this being Memorial Day Weekend.
I’m off to donate money to buy a bouquet of poppies from a veteran and thank every service person for their duty to our great country. I will remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who choose to defend and protect the United States of America now.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Have fun and be safe.
Please join me again on Monday for another week of all new, fresh, and original posts on Chief 187™Chatter.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Tantalizing Thursday-Coca Cola 600 Edition
Welcome to Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.
The NASCAR gang has stayed in Charlotte for the Memorial Day Sunday marathon race the Coca Cola 600 run at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
This event, the longest on the NASCAR circuit, is capping off a full day of racing that begins with the Monaco Grand Prix (F1), moves into the Inianapolis 500 (IndyCar), and concludes with the Coca Cola 600.
With all of that racing to watch, food is needed to sustain peak spectatorship!
This week’s focus is recipes prepared with Coca Cola in honor of the NASCAR race with Coke in the title.
Crock Pot Cola Ham by Jamie Renee
Recipe found on http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-cola-ham-49786
Ingredients:
3 -4 lbs fully cooked boneless ham
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon mustard
2 (12 ounce) cans Coca-Cola
Directions:
Remove ham from packaging.
Lightly score ham in diagonal lines first one way, then crosswise, to form a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut any deeper than about an eighth of an inch. (You can score both sides if you like).
Make a paste of brown sugar and mustard (I used Boar's Head Honey Mustard).
Rub paste into ham on sides that have been lightly scored.
Transfer to crock pot.
Pour in two cans of coca cola into bottom of pot, not pouring directly over ham to wash away brown sugar paste.
Cook on low 7-8 hours.
This recipe will produce a succulent, sweet, and juicy ham that is high on flavor and low on effort. Using the Crock Pot in summer is also convenient as it does not heat the kitchen like a traditional oven. Start this before your fun-filled summer day and return to have a scrumptious ham dinner waiting for you.
Ham goes beautifully with a cheesy potato or sweet potatoes and a green vegetable. Serve up some biscuits to go with and you have yourself a brilliant dinner that reinvents itself for breakfast the next morning!
What’s a fabulous dinner without an equally fabulous dessert? Who wants to know? I sure don’t so here is a terrific ending for the ham dinner or any spectacular (or less than spectacular) meal.
Coca Cola Cake
Recipe found on http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/coca-cola-cake-10000000332011/
From Southern Living Magazine (2002)
Ingredients:
1 cup Coca-Cola
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
Coca-Cola Frosting
Garnish: 3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Preparation:
1. Combine Coca-Cola and buttermilk; set aside.
2. Beat butter at low speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar; beat until blended. Add egg and vanilla; beat at low speed until blended.
3. Combine flour, cocoa, and soda. Add to butter mixture alternately with cola mixture; begin and end with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended.
4. Stir in marshmallows. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13- x 9-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes. Pour Coca-Cola Frosting over warm cake; garnish, if desired.
5. Note: Don't make the frosting ahead--you need to pour it over the cake shortly after baking.
Coca Cola Frosting
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup Coca-Cola
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Preparation:
Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring until butter melts. Remove from heat; whisk in sugar and vanilla.
I can’t think of a better way to pass a full day of racing that ends with fanfare with the Coca Cola 600. With a tasty ham dinner and a truly tantalizing Coca Cola cake, NASCAR and Coca have never been better together!
I want to wish everyone a safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend and implore you to donate money for a poppy being sold by a veteran and thank every service person for their duty.
Please join me tomorrow as I close the week with the ever-popular and interactive Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.
The NASCAR gang has stayed in Charlotte for the Memorial Day Sunday marathon race the Coca Cola 600 run at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
This event, the longest on the NASCAR circuit, is capping off a full day of racing that begins with the Monaco Grand Prix (F1), moves into the Inianapolis 500 (IndyCar), and concludes with the Coca Cola 600.
With all of that racing to watch, food is needed to sustain peak spectatorship!
This week’s focus is recipes prepared with Coca Cola in honor of the NASCAR race with Coke in the title.
Crock Pot Cola Ham by Jamie Renee
Recipe found on http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-cola-ham-49786
Ingredients:
3 -4 lbs fully cooked boneless ham
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon mustard
2 (12 ounce) cans Coca-Cola
Directions:
Remove ham from packaging.
Lightly score ham in diagonal lines first one way, then crosswise, to form a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut any deeper than about an eighth of an inch. (You can score both sides if you like).
Make a paste of brown sugar and mustard (I used Boar's Head Honey Mustard).
Rub paste into ham on sides that have been lightly scored.
Transfer to crock pot.
Pour in two cans of coca cola into bottom of pot, not pouring directly over ham to wash away brown sugar paste.
Cook on low 7-8 hours.
This recipe will produce a succulent, sweet, and juicy ham that is high on flavor and low on effort. Using the Crock Pot in summer is also convenient as it does not heat the kitchen like a traditional oven. Start this before your fun-filled summer day and return to have a scrumptious ham dinner waiting for you.
Ham goes beautifully with a cheesy potato or sweet potatoes and a green vegetable. Serve up some biscuits to go with and you have yourself a brilliant dinner that reinvents itself for breakfast the next morning!
What’s a fabulous dinner without an equally fabulous dessert? Who wants to know? I sure don’t so here is a terrific ending for the ham dinner or any spectacular (or less than spectacular) meal.
Coca Cola Cake
Recipe found on http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/coca-cola-cake-10000000332011/
From Southern Living Magazine (2002)
Ingredients:
1 cup Coca-Cola
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
Coca-Cola Frosting
Garnish: 3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Preparation:
1. Combine Coca-Cola and buttermilk; set aside.
2. Beat butter at low speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar; beat until blended. Add egg and vanilla; beat at low speed until blended.
3. Combine flour, cocoa, and soda. Add to butter mixture alternately with cola mixture; begin and end with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended.
4. Stir in marshmallows. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13- x 9-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes. Pour Coca-Cola Frosting over warm cake; garnish, if desired.
5. Note: Don't make the frosting ahead--you need to pour it over the cake shortly after baking.
Coca Cola Frosting
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup Coca-Cola
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Preparation:
Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring until butter melts. Remove from heat; whisk in sugar and vanilla.
I can’t think of a better way to pass a full day of racing that ends with fanfare with the Coca Cola 600. With a tasty ham dinner and a truly tantalizing Coca Cola cake, NASCAR and Coca have never been better together!
I want to wish everyone a safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend and implore you to donate money for a poppy being sold by a veteran and thank every service person for their duty.
Please join me tomorrow as I close the week with the ever-popular and interactive Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Love Part V
Welcome to the fifth edition of Love on Chief 187™Chatter.
When I started this topic I thought it would be a one off. But I am inspired by songs, movies, and books constantly about my passion for Love.
These are, of course, what moves me. If you agree, great! If not, plot your own content that inspires feelings of love!
And, although I enjoy romantic love, not all of the media I put into these posts is about traditional, classic love. Sometimes it’s familial love, sometimes it’s heartbreak, and sometimes ifs just stuff I love.
I hope you enjoy May’s edition of Love Part V.
Music
“Hey Soul Sister” – Train
I can’t help but love this piece. Infectious, hilarious, and straight from the heart, Train captures emotions spot on perfectly!
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” – Looking Glass
Barry Manilow’s song was supposed to be “Brandy” but he had to settle for “Mandy” because of this great song from the 1970s. I love a rich story song and this one delivers hugely. And, hey, Brandy can easily be sung with Candi in the lyrics!
“She’s Gone” – Hall and Oates
Heart-wrenching, identifiable, plaintive, realistic, and fabulous is what this definitive group of any decade brought forth. Haven’t listened to this in a while? Pull it out, it’s timeless.
Movies
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
I discovered this movie as a young woman and was captivated by the relationship between Kate Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, the angst and passion between Sidney Poitier and Katharine Houghton, and the overall message of the film. If you never have seen it, I highly recommend. If you haven’t in a while, treat yourself again.
The Lady and the Tramp (Disney)
This was a film from my youth that I only saw once in the theater. I remember two things; I really liked dogs and the spaghetti scene set the bar for romance in my life in my pre-adolescent days. Recently I saw an ad for the release on DVD/BluRay for the movie and instantly yearned to own it. Apparently I still associate romance with a plate of spaghetti and meatballs and an unexpected kiss at the end of a shared noodle!
Moonstruck
I never saw this in the theater, am not a huge fan of Cher or Nicolas Cage, and am not Italian-American, but this film just works for me. A great flick to watch when you just want to believe that true love is out there and exists for you… at any age.
Books
DW: A Lifetime Going Around in Circles by Darrell Waltrip
My career as a NASCAR writer has certainly determined the books at my bedside of late so that will most definitely be reflected here. What is evident in this book is how much DW (Darrell Waltrip) always has, still does, and always will love his wife Stevie. Great read!
He Crashed Me So I Crashed Him Back: The True Story of the Year the King, Jaws, Earnhardt, and the Rest of NASCAR's Feudin', Fightin' Good Ol' Boys Put Stock Car Racing on the Map by Mark Bechtel
Another NASCAR book that was a fantastic read for the racing involved but also for the sections that showed how much couples like Bobby and June Allison and Kyle and Pattie Petty love each other as well.
Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry by Elizabeth Taylor
Among my many loves is jewelry. My fascination with fine gemstones, gorgeous designs, and the stories behind the artful pieces knows no bounds. This book by the iconic and tragic Elizabeth Taylor is light, fanciful, sweet, romantic, poignant, a little naughty, and funny! And Ms. Taylor writes about the great loves of her life. Terrific pictures.
My love of love runs the gamut from classically romantic love to familial love and all loves (and loss of love) in between.
These are my favorites showcased for May. What are some of yours this month?
Please join me tomorrow for delectable recipes on Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.
When I started this topic I thought it would be a one off. But I am inspired by songs, movies, and books constantly about my passion for Love.
These are, of course, what moves me. If you agree, great! If not, plot your own content that inspires feelings of love!
And, although I enjoy romantic love, not all of the media I put into these posts is about traditional, classic love. Sometimes it’s familial love, sometimes it’s heartbreak, and sometimes ifs just stuff I love.
I hope you enjoy May’s edition of Love Part V.
Music
“Hey Soul Sister” – Train
I can’t help but love this piece. Infectious, hilarious, and straight from the heart, Train captures emotions spot on perfectly!
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” – Looking Glass
Barry Manilow’s song was supposed to be “Brandy” but he had to settle for “Mandy” because of this great song from the 1970s. I love a rich story song and this one delivers hugely. And, hey, Brandy can easily be sung with Candi in the lyrics!
“She’s Gone” – Hall and Oates
Heart-wrenching, identifiable, plaintive, realistic, and fabulous is what this definitive group of any decade brought forth. Haven’t listened to this in a while? Pull it out, it’s timeless.
Movies
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
I discovered this movie as a young woman and was captivated by the relationship between Kate Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, the angst and passion between Sidney Poitier and Katharine Houghton, and the overall message of the film. If you never have seen it, I highly recommend. If you haven’t in a while, treat yourself again.
The Lady and the Tramp (Disney)
This was a film from my youth that I only saw once in the theater. I remember two things; I really liked dogs and the spaghetti scene set the bar for romance in my life in my pre-adolescent days. Recently I saw an ad for the release on DVD/BluRay for the movie and instantly yearned to own it. Apparently I still associate romance with a plate of spaghetti and meatballs and an unexpected kiss at the end of a shared noodle!
Moonstruck
I never saw this in the theater, am not a huge fan of Cher or Nicolas Cage, and am not Italian-American, but this film just works for me. A great flick to watch when you just want to believe that true love is out there and exists for you… at any age.
Books
DW: A Lifetime Going Around in Circles by Darrell Waltrip
My career as a NASCAR writer has certainly determined the books at my bedside of late so that will most definitely be reflected here. What is evident in this book is how much DW (Darrell Waltrip) always has, still does, and always will love his wife Stevie. Great read!
He Crashed Me So I Crashed Him Back: The True Story of the Year the King, Jaws, Earnhardt, and the Rest of NASCAR's Feudin', Fightin' Good Ol' Boys Put Stock Car Racing on the Map by Mark Bechtel
Another NASCAR book that was a fantastic read for the racing involved but also for the sections that showed how much couples like Bobby and June Allison and Kyle and Pattie Petty love each other as well.
Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry by Elizabeth Taylor
Among my many loves is jewelry. My fascination with fine gemstones, gorgeous designs, and the stories behind the artful pieces knows no bounds. This book by the iconic and tragic Elizabeth Taylor is light, fanciful, sweet, romantic, poignant, a little naughty, and funny! And Ms. Taylor writes about the great loves of her life. Terrific pictures.
My love of love runs the gamut from classically romantic love to familial love and all loves (and loss of love) in between.
These are my favorites showcased for May. What are some of yours this month?
Please join me tomorrow for delectable recipes on Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Simple Joys
Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.
Simple Joys have been a part of my being for so long that I take it for granted that people know what they are. On the chance that new readers are stopping by or some of us have conveniently forgotten, I’ll explain again.
Simple Joys are the different times throughout the day that lighten your heart, mind, and soul. They are as impactful as long awaited good news, a milestone reached, or a strong connection with a loved one. On the other hand, Simple Joys can be as fleeting as a quick giggle, a momentary glance at a gorgeous scene in nature, or locking eyes with a stranger.
Simple Joys come in different shapes and packages. They are the positive parts of your day that add up to create a truly good life.
For many it seems nearly impossible to find Simple Joys… at first. Life throws curveballs, seemingly devastating news, and challenges us daily.
Simple Joys counteract those feelings and situations. What is most important is opening one’s mind and heart to the notion that Simple Joys can and do exist and we have the power to find and embrace them.
Finding your Simple Joys is about exercising the belief, the faith that you will succeed. That Simple Joys will start to appear to you and you will find joy in your life. And like any exercise it can be difficult at first, but memory muscle does build and eventually Simple Joys will be easy to experience, attain, and create!
Now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.
Tricky Tray. On a rare night out together my husband and I attended the Little League Tricky Tray in town. We are novices and were a bit overwhelmed by all of the hardcore Tricky “Trayors” we encountered.
Fortunately some kind ladies took us under their wing, gave us some pointers, and shared their supplies (did you know you should bring Scotch tape and noisemakers?).
At the end of the night I was nearly $100 poorer with no bounty to bring home, but it was for the town Little League program and my husband and I enjoyed a night out which in and of itself is a Simple Joy, especially learning this “craft” and having the bonus aspect of "people watching".
Winning Run. If I haven’t made it abundantly clear, my eldest son is a complete novice when it comes to baseball. He is trying hard, attends practices, and plays his heart out, but he is yet to have the valuable experience that is all too necessary to succeed. He’s working on it.
On Saturday my family and I sat in the sun to root for my eldest boy and his team. It was hot, the game was not going in their favor, and my husband and I needed to get home as we had a rare date planned and needed to ready ourselves.
We arranged for another dad to bring our son home after the game that was one inning from being over when we departed.
When my son arrived home about twenty minutes after us he burst into the house with a wide smile, eyes blazing, and enthusiasm uncontainable yelling, “I scored the winning run, I SCORED THE WINNING RUN!”
It was the grandest of Simple Joys to hear that from my boy and I was only tinged with guilt a little bit that his father and I had missed it. My loving boy, with his heart so big, totally understood and did not let it dampen his festive mood.
The second Simple Joy related to this was when the Coach texted my husband the news! Coach was as excited as we were!
Once again our family’s involvement with Little League has provided another Simple Joy for me!
Date Night. The Tricky Tray was the night before but since it was an organized event in town and we had no control over the night, I don’t count it as a full-fledged Date Night!
Saturday night my husband and I had the sitter back to care for the children so he and I could attend a fabulous concert.
We started the evening with the awesome baseball news about our son scoring the winning run. From that bit of news we carried our evening to dinner – quickly – to our favorite Sushi restaurant for a quick bite at the sushi bar.
Dinner was superb, not only because the food was sublimely perfect, but because we had nary a child to feed, wrestle, take to the restroom, entertain, or interrupt our conversation.
We made it to our destination with time to spare. We saw a taping of The Discovery Orchestra’s Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. It was taped for airing some time in December. The music was familiar, wonderful, rich, sumptuous, and so well played. The maestro is supremely talented, informative, entertaining, and funny, and makes classical musical accessible to the masses. We had a top notch evening!
Spending time alone with my husband (in a pretty new dress and some of my favorite jewels) is always a Simple Joy I look forward to often!
Car Wash. Sunday dawned spectacularly. Sunny, warm, and conducive to outdoor activity; my family and I took advantage.
We practiced baseball in the morning, had a great lunch at home, and then decided to be productive and wash all of the cars. We have two daily drivers, my husband’s race car, and my father’s Studebaker Lark that he stores at our home.
The three kids, my husband and I got out the sponges and used our elbow grease to scrub the cars clean. We squirted the kids with the hose, did some minor detailing, and felt good about treating our cars so nicely.
All of us spending the day together, pitching in to accomplish a goal, and laughing while doing so created a treasured Simple Joy.
The Chatterbox. Once the cars were cleaned, dried, and put away we found it was dinnertime. Although I had a plan for dinner, we decided it would be much more fun to drive in the Studebaker to the nostalgic-looking “Drive-in” restaurant The Chatterbox for dinner.
Shaped like a Drive-in of yesteryear, it is necessary to go inside for service, but the décor is straight from the 1950s, movie posters, music, and all. We treated the children to burgers, fries, and ice cream and had a fun-filled meal.
Relaxing, driving in the “fun car”, and having someone else make dinner was a Sunday Simple Joy.
Each week I make a point to write down the previous weeks’ collection of Simple Joys in my life.
Doing so has given me a completely different and vastly positive perspective.
Of course I still experience stressful moments, bad days, and frustrations, but I now see the bigger picture. That each day does contain a litany of Simple Joys that I can reach out to, immerse myself in, and collect to reminisce and look forward when things start to get out of whack.
Whether you write your Simple Joys down like I do or merely take a moment each day/week to think about, I hope you do so.
Recognizing the Simple Joys in your life can radically improve your quality of living. Who couldn’t use that?
I wish you all an abundance of Simple Joys!
Please join me tomorrow when I wax poetic about an entirely new subject on Chief 187™Chatter.
Simple Joys have been a part of my being for so long that I take it for granted that people know what they are. On the chance that new readers are stopping by or some of us have conveniently forgotten, I’ll explain again.
Simple Joys are the different times throughout the day that lighten your heart, mind, and soul. They are as impactful as long awaited good news, a milestone reached, or a strong connection with a loved one. On the other hand, Simple Joys can be as fleeting as a quick giggle, a momentary glance at a gorgeous scene in nature, or locking eyes with a stranger.
Simple Joys come in different shapes and packages. They are the positive parts of your day that add up to create a truly good life.
For many it seems nearly impossible to find Simple Joys… at first. Life throws curveballs, seemingly devastating news, and challenges us daily.
Simple Joys counteract those feelings and situations. What is most important is opening one’s mind and heart to the notion that Simple Joys can and do exist and we have the power to find and embrace them.
Finding your Simple Joys is about exercising the belief, the faith that you will succeed. That Simple Joys will start to appear to you and you will find joy in your life. And like any exercise it can be difficult at first, but memory muscle does build and eventually Simple Joys will be easy to experience, attain, and create!
Now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.
Tricky Tray. On a rare night out together my husband and I attended the Little League Tricky Tray in town. We are novices and were a bit overwhelmed by all of the hardcore Tricky “Trayors” we encountered.
Fortunately some kind ladies took us under their wing, gave us some pointers, and shared their supplies (did you know you should bring Scotch tape and noisemakers?).
At the end of the night I was nearly $100 poorer with no bounty to bring home, but it was for the town Little League program and my husband and I enjoyed a night out which in and of itself is a Simple Joy, especially learning this “craft” and having the bonus aspect of "people watching".
Winning Run. If I haven’t made it abundantly clear, my eldest son is a complete novice when it comes to baseball. He is trying hard, attends practices, and plays his heart out, but he is yet to have the valuable experience that is all too necessary to succeed. He’s working on it.
On Saturday my family and I sat in the sun to root for my eldest boy and his team. It was hot, the game was not going in their favor, and my husband and I needed to get home as we had a rare date planned and needed to ready ourselves.
We arranged for another dad to bring our son home after the game that was one inning from being over when we departed.
When my son arrived home about twenty minutes after us he burst into the house with a wide smile, eyes blazing, and enthusiasm uncontainable yelling, “I scored the winning run, I SCORED THE WINNING RUN!”
It was the grandest of Simple Joys to hear that from my boy and I was only tinged with guilt a little bit that his father and I had missed it. My loving boy, with his heart so big, totally understood and did not let it dampen his festive mood.
The second Simple Joy related to this was when the Coach texted my husband the news! Coach was as excited as we were!
Once again our family’s involvement with Little League has provided another Simple Joy for me!
Date Night. The Tricky Tray was the night before but since it was an organized event in town and we had no control over the night, I don’t count it as a full-fledged Date Night!
Saturday night my husband and I had the sitter back to care for the children so he and I could attend a fabulous concert.
We started the evening with the awesome baseball news about our son scoring the winning run. From that bit of news we carried our evening to dinner – quickly – to our favorite Sushi restaurant for a quick bite at the sushi bar.
Dinner was superb, not only because the food was sublimely perfect, but because we had nary a child to feed, wrestle, take to the restroom, entertain, or interrupt our conversation.
We made it to our destination with time to spare. We saw a taping of The Discovery Orchestra’s Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. It was taped for airing some time in December. The music was familiar, wonderful, rich, sumptuous, and so well played. The maestro is supremely talented, informative, entertaining, and funny, and makes classical musical accessible to the masses. We had a top notch evening!
Spending time alone with my husband (in a pretty new dress and some of my favorite jewels) is always a Simple Joy I look forward to often!
Car Wash. Sunday dawned spectacularly. Sunny, warm, and conducive to outdoor activity; my family and I took advantage.
We practiced baseball in the morning, had a great lunch at home, and then decided to be productive and wash all of the cars. We have two daily drivers, my husband’s race car, and my father’s Studebaker Lark that he stores at our home.
The three kids, my husband and I got out the sponges and used our elbow grease to scrub the cars clean. We squirted the kids with the hose, did some minor detailing, and felt good about treating our cars so nicely.
All of us spending the day together, pitching in to accomplish a goal, and laughing while doing so created a treasured Simple Joy.
The Chatterbox. Once the cars were cleaned, dried, and put away we found it was dinnertime. Although I had a plan for dinner, we decided it would be much more fun to drive in the Studebaker to the nostalgic-looking “Drive-in” restaurant The Chatterbox for dinner.
Shaped like a Drive-in of yesteryear, it is necessary to go inside for service, but the décor is straight from the 1950s, movie posters, music, and all. We treated the children to burgers, fries, and ice cream and had a fun-filled meal.
Relaxing, driving in the “fun car”, and having someone else make dinner was a Sunday Simple Joy.
Each week I make a point to write down the previous weeks’ collection of Simple Joys in my life.
Doing so has given me a completely different and vastly positive perspective.
Of course I still experience stressful moments, bad days, and frustrations, but I now see the bigger picture. That each day does contain a litany of Simple Joys that I can reach out to, immerse myself in, and collect to reminisce and look forward when things start to get out of whack.
Whether you write your Simple Joys down like I do or merely take a moment each day/week to think about, I hope you do so.
Recognizing the Simple Joys in your life can radically improve your quality of living. Who couldn’t use that?
I wish you all an abundance of Simple Joys!
Please join me tomorrow when I wax poetic about an entirely new subject on Chief 187™Chatter.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Monday Media Blog-Nighttime Talk Shows
Welcome to the Monday Media Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.
Talk shows were discussed as a topic here a few weeks ago in their daytime form. But a different crowd comes out when night falls to watch their favorite hosts wax poetic about the topics of the day.
Whether you were a staunch fan of Johnny Carson,
love the kooky antics of David Letterman,
or prefer the sarcastic zing of Jimmy Kimmel, there are personalities to connect across the dial.
Steve Allen to Jimmy Fallon, which nighttime talk shows have been and/or are your favorite?
Please join me tomorrow for the uplifting and ever-popular Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.
Talk shows were discussed as a topic here a few weeks ago in their daytime form. But a different crowd comes out when night falls to watch their favorite hosts wax poetic about the topics of the day.
Whether you were a staunch fan of Johnny Carson,
love the kooky antics of David Letterman,
or prefer the sarcastic zing of Jimmy Kimmel, there are personalities to connect across the dial.
Steve Allen to Jimmy Fallon, which nighttime talk shows have been and/or are your favorite?
Please join me tomorrow for the uplifting and ever-popular Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.
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