We all love Mission Impossible here (the original TV series), so we made Wyatt’s birthday party a mix of “Halo” and Mission Impossible themes… Below is “should you choose to accept it” intro like that which was seen all the time on the series. Ryan did the Voice Over… and the kids all had a blast!

Wow, I never imagined I’d wax poetic about cookware.  But here it is.  I love cooking with these black behemoths of Kitchen-world!  Maybe it’s just me, but everything seems to cook better in them.  Sautéed baby spinach, stir-fried vegetables, eggs, any kind of meat, and even grilled cheese sandwiches on the cast-iron griddle are a favorite with the boys. 

A frying pan? Oh no - much more!

It all started last summer at the home of my in-laws, where Jan’s Mom recommended I use their cast-iron wok to cook up some chicken.  Now prior to that experience, I had only known a string of disappointments with some featherweight tin wok we had picked up at a yard sale for fifty cents.  I might as well have been cooking with ping pong paddle.  But this – this astounded me!  The chicken was done in what seemed like seconds.  Well, seeing that my In-laws are very generous people, a week or so after our  visit was a brand-new Lodge cast-iron wok on my porch via UPS.  I was sincerely touched by thought. 

I wasted no time with the gift that keeps on giving, and started to stir-fry everything I could think of.  It didn’t take long before I decided it was time to expand.  And fortunately for me, these are not items which break the bank.  For the price of an average designer pan, I was able to get a griddle, the 15” skillet seen here, an 8” skillet for smaller sautés or for eggs, and a grill press – oh and of course we went for the old-west cast iron Chuck wagon triangle dinner bell!  (…which is better than the sound of me yelling for the boys that dinner is ready!)

I just love the fact that these items are the real deal.  Just plain cast-iron.  They’ll get better with age (and proper care) and there’s no worries about what might be getting in the food.  When you use Teflon-coated pans, and after time see bits of it flaked away – you ever wonder where that’s gone?

And for one who hates cleaning, I am surprised at how easy these actually are to clean.  But to me it becomes even more than that – it becomes ritual.  I’m preparing the skillet, or griddle, or wok, for the next great tasting meal that’s going to spring forth and leave its own legacy on that great dark forge of culinary wonders.    Oops there I go again.

Dino Battle

this seting is in a jungle and the drawing is about the ALLOSAURUS (on the right) fighting a TRICERATOPS.

Theropod Invasion

The main idea of this drawing is the meat-eaters going into the jungle.

Terror Strikes

Do I really need to ask  why because the title tells you about the drawing.

Carnivore Leader

The SPINOSAURUS is the leader because he’s the largest and fiercest dinosaur on the world!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you.

The song playing, “Unchained Melody” is one of Jan’s favorite and was what played as she walked down the aisle. The funny thing though is that the song is about three minutes and 20 seconds. It took her about 20 seconds to walk down the aisle. That left three full agonizing minutes we had to wait before we could get on with it! But no matter, it only made the day more memorable, and I was drinking in sight of that beautiful princess before me! It took me 15 years to get to our wedding footage, and I am now so pleased to give this to Jan now and enjoy looking that far back. It really is amazing to see, despite how little we were familiar with one another, how much we’ve always really known each other!

Happy Anniversary, Jan.

The following picture is for reference for Facebook…

Dad and his sons enjoying a coffee moment…

Dad:

Anyone who knows me, knows I love coffee.  Not only for that nice pick-me-up, but also for the flavor of a fine, fresh coffee.  Even moreso, it offers a chance for a true luxury in life: the chance to slow down, if even for a moment.  In the spring and summer, I love to take a coffee out onto my back deck and enjoy it among the trees and all nature has to offer. 

I wanted by boys to understand this for themselves, so I have often included them in the process of making the coffee, which to me, is just as enjoyable as drinking it afterwards.  Wyatt has been my coffee partner since he was two – and I have video to prove it!  After a while the boys would want a sip.  At this point, I think they like the sweet hazlenut creamer more than the coffee itself, but that is okay with me.  Of course I limit it to a couple of thimblefuls on the weekend mornings only, but what a joy it is to share something I love so much with my boys!  Ryan has his own Lego cup, and I got Wyatt a cup with a picture of us sharing our special moments.

Ryan:

 I like coffee because it’s realaxing and the coffee is yummy.

Wyatt:

I love coffe just as much as my Dad.  ..And I love the nice sweet ralaxing feeling.

Enjoy!