Camp Pics

This week is Holiday Hoopla at Camp Otter.  Each day is themed according to different holidays.  Today was Halloween.  Our Marketing Director took some pictures for the paper.  These are 2 of them.

Recipe Review-BBQ & Beer Pork Chops

This recipe actually has another name...but it's stupid, so I gave it a new one.  It's good, we like it a lot and easy, which makes me like it even more.  Here goes.

Ingredients


6 pork chops

2 tablespoons steak seasoning

1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer

1 (18 ounce) bottle barbeque sauce

2 onions, sliced

Directions

1.Sprinkle pork chops with steak seasoning. Brown both sides in skillet. After the pork chops have been browned, remove them from the pan.

2.Pour into skillet one can of beer. Stir around the beer until all the particles on the sides have been incorporated. Pour in barbecue sauce and place the pork chops back into the pan. Add onions and cover. Simmer on low for until sauce is thickened.
 
I used Baby Rays Sweet & Spicy BBQ sauce and it had a great kick to it.  Might be a little much for someone who does not enjoy spicy food the way we do.

Camp Otter Week 1

It has only been 3 full days at Camp Otter for the kids (and Allen) but they've experienced a lot in that short time.  Here are a few.

1.  It's fun to play Shake Your Booty
2.  Alex may never advance past Guppy 2, we're keeping out fingers crossed but it's not looking too promising.
3.  Rachel will pass Guppy 2 by next week.
4.  Rachel falls down ALOT.  But she jumps right back up and keeps going.  Take a look at her legs next time you see her.
5.  The Mohawk Walk and the Poison Peanut Butter are a blast.
6.  Children will clean their cabin without being asked just to earn a Red bead.  They will not, however, clean their rooms regardless of what you bribe them with.
7.  Alex likes playing Bombs Away for free choice but he really wants to go fishing instead.
8.  Alex will NOT tip the canoe over even if that means he will never be in a canoe without a councilor.
9.  Children need to shower daily after camp and it makes them really hungry.
10.  Camp wipes them out and they go to bed early, and without complaint.

Weekly Menu 6/20/10-6/26/10

Not bad last week.  Made most of the meals, I think Friday was the only exception.  This week gets back to a normal routine for us.  Allen and the kids are at Camp Otter all day but we should be able to have most meals together.

Sunday-Fathers Day Cookout with everyone
Monday-Leftover Hamburgers
Tuesday-Zatarans Jambalaya
Wednesday-Pork Chops (new recipe)
Thursday-Grilled Chicken Legs
Friday-Something....plenty in the freezer we'll figure it out
Saturday-Probably out to eat

Fathers Day Cook Out

We had about 20 people over for a Fathers Day cookout this past Sunday.  It was a great day, the weather cooperated and everyone had a great time.

Dillon enjoying the swings

The kids (and Renee!)

Bob and Gail

Ron & Randy

Allen & Mike

Alex sporting his new mohawk

Veronica, Rob with the ladies

Dillon cooling off with a juice box

Veronica & McKenna

Gail & Patty

Rachel

Darren & McKenna

Rachel's Graduation

Rachel had her Kindergarden graduation in mid-June.  It was great, the kids sang a bunch of songs, did a little play which Rachel was the baby bear in.  Here are some pics.

Most of the ladies of Kindergarden

Getting ready!

Aisling walking to the stage

Rachel!

Performing one of the songs

Alex enjoying the show

The entire class

Weekly Menu 6/13/10-6/19/10

Last week went okay, Sunday-Wednesday for the most part worked, I moved a couple but they were made.  Thursday and Friday that's another story.

Sunday-Steak ka bobs, corn on the cob
Monday-Sloppy Joes (Allen's request-I make really good sloppy joes)
Tuesday-Soup & Sandwiches
Wednesday-Pulled pork sandwiches
Thursday-Chicken of some sort, maybe tequila lime I have a new recipe I've been wanting to try
Friday-some sort of casserole w/ground beef.

Really great menu huh?  Allen has a crazy week, working at the SES each day and then at Camp training 4-8 each night.  The kids are all over the place between people sitting for us, half days, etc.  I have a ton to do at work, plus we have the Semana Hispana weekend, which the Y will have a booth at so I have to spend some time at that.  All of which results in lame dinners, easy to reheat.

Grilled Shrimp Scampi

Recently tried this recipe for dinner and it was good and my favorite easy.  It will go into the make again file.

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tbls. chopped parsley
1 tbls. chopped garlic
ground black pepper to tast
crushed red pepper flakes
shrimp (I used 12 large)

Mix all ingredients except shrimp together in a non reactive bowl.  Add shrimp, toss to coat.  Marinate in fridge for at least 30 minutes.  Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill 2 to 3 minutes per side or until opaque.

Camping Memorial Day Weekend

We headed off to our first camping trip of the season over Memorial Day Weekend.  3 Nights/4 Days at Ames Brook Campground in Ashland, NH.  Nice little place, clean, large level sites.  It's close to everything so if you're like me and just can't sit around the campground too much there is stuff close by to do.  Here are some pictures of the weekend.

Alex playing in the playarea near the swings & slide.

Rachel taking a break from running around

Saturday night we headed down to the Weirs to the Drive in, Rachel fell asleep about 5 minutes outside the campground.

Alex on the other hand, couldn't wait to watch a movie from the back of the car.

We woke Rachel up (doesn't she looked thrilled) to watch the 1st movie, Price of Persia.

Next night, toasting marshmallows and making smores

Aww aren't they cute?

Sampling the finished product

It was a great weekend.

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes

I made this as part of our dinner for Sunday night.  Served it with steak tips & corn on the cob.  It was excellent, light, refreshing, cool on a hot night.  I'll make it again soon.

Ingredients

4 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1 tspn. each dried parsley, basil & oregano
1/2 tspn. salt
1 & 1/2 tspn white sugar
1/4 cup veg. oil
3 tbl. spns. cider vinegar

Mix everything except the tomatoes together, then pout that mixture over the halved tomatoes.  Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, I made it around lunch time and we had it with dinner and it was perfect.

Weekly Menu 6/6/10-6/12/10

So I have found that I am much more organized with a weekly menu, rather than just grabbing something out of the freezer each day and trying to figure out something to make with it.  it also helps with grocery shopping.  I am going back to posting it on my blog, not that you care, but this will also remind me to post new recipes I try.

Sunday-Grilled Steak Tips, Marinated Tomatoes (new recipe) and Baked Potatoes
Monday-Grilled Shrimp (2 new recipes not sure which one I will try)
Tuesday-Something Chicken-I'm thinking quesadillas for me and grilled chicken for Allen
Wednesday-Teen Achiever Banquet, so it's a punt/left over night
Thursday-Italian Sausages & Peppers
Friday-Moroccan Chicken (another new recipe)

I may move Tuesday & Friday so that we have a quick meal for Friday night after swim lessons, we'll see.  I will post the new receipes and reviews later this week.  With the 3 new recipes this could either be a great week or a total disaster.