First Day of School 2011

This summer flew.  Alex started 4th grade today, and Rachel 2nd.  Fortunately I am on vacation this week so I was able to bring them to school get them settled outside with their teachers rather than my normal drop them at the curb morning.  Alex was eager to see the friends he had been missing, but a little worried about the responsibility that comes with being a 4th grader.  Rachel had butterflies in her stomach most of the morning and wasn't thrilled when I left her with her teacher but I knew the day would turn out fine.  Sure enough when I picked up at 3 pm they were full of enegry and great stories of how the day went.

Weekly Menu

Not a bad week last week.  Overall we did get take out on Friday but that was it so I will consider it a success.

Sunday-Shrimp Scampi
Monday-Canobie Lake with Dad & Lyn
Tuesday-Slow Cooker Shredded Honey Chicken Sandwiches
Wednesday-Skillet Pork Chops
Thursday-Dinner on the road, most likely Tiltn Diner
Friday-Steak tips, potatoes
Saturday-Out to eat up North
Sunday-we'll see

Can't wait for vacation on Wednesday, then a 4 day weekend up north.  Need some relaxation.

Disaster Movies

In honor of Hurricane Irene (and the fact that I watched Towering Inferno last night) I have compiled my list of top Disaster Movies.  Now I know some of you out there think they are ridiculous, I however love them.  I mean really love them.  I can watch them over and over again, just ask Allen. 

7.

The movie that brought the genre back.  Jeff Goldblum (whom I happen to love), Judd Hirsch (underused actor in my opinion), and Will Smith fighting aliens who have come to take over Earth.  Fanstic special effects and a bit of humor as well.

6.

The Day After Tomorrow.  Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhall.  Love the scene where the tornados wipe out LA.  This gets a slight nod above Independence Day mostly because of the tornado scene and Jake Gyllenhall.

5

Armageddon.  Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Michael Clark Duncan and probably one of my all time favorite actors, Steve Buscemi.  I can't tell you how many times I have watched this movie, the majority during my maternity leave with Alex.  It was on heavy rotation on TNT that summer.  The special effects rock, Michael Bay is the master at blowing stuff up in movies. 

4.

2012.  John Cusack, another big favorite of mine, and pretty much that's it.  There are more people in it but they don't count.  Oh no wait Woody Harrelson is awesome in this.  So the end of the world is coming, yet again, well not according to the Mayans they had it right all along.  Again phenomenal special effects, pretty good acting, and it's currently on heavy rotation on TV so I can enjoy it frequently.
3.

Posedion Adventure, don't talk to me about the sequel or the remake they can't even come close to this classic.  Gene Hackman, Shelly Winters, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Roddy McDowell I could go on and on.  Back in the 70's Disaster movies attracted serious A name actors, and were frequently nominated for awards.  Shelly Winters won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar.  Gene Hackman is phenomenal in this and it features thesong "The Morning After" , a little Carpentersish but I like it.

2.

Airport 77.  The movie that started it all for me.  I can remember watching this with my Mom on the tv in the basement.  I was hooked right away, it also scared the crap out of me as far as flying goes.  Jack Lemmon, Jimmy Stewart, Christopher Lee, and lets not forget George Kennedy.  This is actually the 3rd of the Airport movies but to me the best.  Many will disagree that the original was the best and they may be right but I am sticking to 77.  I love the scene where they raise the plane from the ocean floor.  It also instilled in me the life long lesson.....if you get on a plane and see George Kennedy on it, get the hell off.

1.

Towering Inferno.  Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, William Holden, Robert Wagner, Fred Astaire, Faye Dunaway, the list goes on and on.  Seriously big stars in this movie.  Fred Astaire and Susan Flannery won Golden Globes and Fred nabbed an Oscar to boot.  It was nominated for Best Picture, features some pretty good special effects considering it was made in 1974, and again a kicking 70's soundtrack.  It also inspired me to recreate the movie countless times using my Barbie townhouse.  Stop by bedroom in the late 70's and you could find someone trapped in the glass elevator that was tilting precariously from the side of the building.  Classic.

Now there are others you can add to the list, Dante's Peak, Volcano, Avalance, Earthquake and even I am Legend but it's my list so they aren't on it.  I suggest you Netflix any of them (or ask to borrow them from me since I own most of them) and make some popcorn and enjoy your Saturday night.

Crockpot London Broil

Talk about an easy recipe, and good.  Even the kids loved it!

1 package each dry onion soup mix, italian dressing mix & ranch dressing mix
1 & 1/2 cups water (next time I'll use beef broth for a bit more flavor)
London Broil (I think the one I used was around 1.25 lbs)

Mix the dry mixes & water, put London Broil in crock pot cover with mixture, turn on low and cook for at least 8 hours.  This was fork tender, we served it with mashed potatoes which was perfect.

Props!

Haven't done one of these in a lonnnnnngggg time.  But I am making up for it and have 3 to hand out tonight.

The first is Burton's Grill in North Andover.  We've been there twice in the past six months, most recently for our 13th Anniversary.  I can't say enough about the food.  While it is pricey to eat here it is well worth it.  Our last dinner we had oysters on the 1/2 shell, seared ahi tuna both as appetizers.  Followed up with Bronzed shrimp over rockshrimp risotto for me and lemon pepper salmon for Allen.  Finished off the meal with creme brulee.  I'm getting hungry.

Next prop is Jaime's in North Andover.  We've been there a handful of times this year and always great.  From Pan seared scallops served in lobster bisque to Mahi tacos, or their pehnomenal steak tips, everything is great.  And don't forget to try the nachos, really good.

Lastly Peachtree Farms in Pelham, NH.  Great little ice cream stand overlooking Scottish Highland's golf course.  All homemade ice cream, fairly reasonable prices and nice little setting. 

Enjoy, tell them all I sent you.

Weekly Menu

Not doing too bad sticking to a plan, this week has some nights out of the house for each of us but should still be doable.

Saturday-Kung Pao Chicken
Sunday-Grilled split chicken breasts, other stuff & corn on the cob from Pete's
Monday-London Broil inthe crock pot-new recipe will post after we have it with a review
Tuesday-Ginger Pepper Stir Fry
Wednesday-Cheese Ravioli & Garlic Bread
Thursday-BLT's
Friday-Pork Chops

I also have a few others things around in case something doesn't sound good that night or most likely when I forget to defrost the meat.....because that nevers happens.

Grilled Salmon

This is awesome.  Flavors are great and I have to give props to Allen because he cooked it perfectly.

Ingredients

1 & 1/2 lbs. salmon fillets
S & P to taste
garlic powder to taste
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1/4 vegetable oil

Season fillets with salt, pepper & garlic powder

Mix all other ingredients except salmon in small dish.  Place salmon in large resealable bag and cover with marinade.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours turning occasionally. 

Preheat grill on medium.  Lightly oil grate, place salmon on grill, discard marinade.  Cook salmon 6 to 8 minutes per side or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Weekly Menu

Sunday-Nothing really, we didn't feel like cooking
Monday-Brown Sugar & Soy Grilled Salmon, mashed potatoes & peas
Tuesday-Hamburger Helper
Wednesday-Cheese Ravioli & Garlic Bread
Thursday-Steak Tips, noodles & some sort of vegetable
Friday-Bacon & Eggs

Depending on the weather we may move a few days around.  The Salmon recipe is new I'll post the recipe & a review later.

Camp Otter 2011

Pictures from the Hall of Fame Night at Camp Otter

Pirate Day!

Today's Pirate Day at Camp Otter.  Here's how the kids headed off to Camp.  Now the big question is which items will return home?

OOB!

I alwats wondered what those bumper stickers were that said OOB.  I think Kristine has one, that's how it finally dawned on me that it was Old Orchard Beach.  Sometimes I'm a little slow with things.  Anywho, we went up to OOB mid July and hung out at Dad & Lyn's cottage.  It was awesome, the weather perfect, we had a great time hanging out with them, Renee & Dillon.  Darren & Veronica joined us for dinner one evening.  It was great.  Here are some pics.

Riding the Matterhorn.  Very similar to the Himalaya at Salisbury when we were kids.  OOB reminds me alot of Salisbury back when it was decent.  OOB is cleaner though, even when Salisbury was at it's best that I can remember.

This was one of the kids favorite rides.  It's a big slide.  Rachel did go on the Galaxy roller coaster, that was her favorite.  Me, not so much.

Hanging at the beach!

The water was decent, not overly freezing.  I mean considering we're off the coast of Maine, in mid July it was probably what people would consider warm.  Me not so much.  I much perfer Key West ocean water.

Alex has wanted a boogie board forever.  We've never gotten him one, because well, he doesn't like the water.  But he's gotten better over the last year or so and Grampa & Auntie Lyn came through and got all the kids Boogie boards of their choosing.  These were Alex's first attempts at riding it.  I kept having to remind him it's a boogie board not a surf board. 

He figured it out and had a blast.  Rachel needs another year or so to grow and develop some upper body strength and she'll do fine.

The kids had fun playing in the water and on the sand.  We later walked down to a nearby restaurant to listen to some live music and have a bite to eat.  That night we munched our way around the Center and did more rides and games.  Sadly I forgot to take a picture of my flaming red sunburn.  Pity it was quite the site. 

OOB was awesome, I would go back there in a heart beat.  Perfect summer vacation spot!