Sick Kids

Okay, I have taken some time off from my blog and in the time away a few things have gotten me a little upset. One of which has gotten me back up on my "soap box" to let it all hang out.

Recently Dawg-ette and I have enrolled Puppy in a gym class where she can run around and play with other kids and learn something while doing this, and for the most part it has been a joy watching Puppy grow her personality, confidence along with learning new things. But like just about anything that we do now a days everything comes with a slight risk, and that risk is careless parents who bring their sick kids to class. Now, the parents are not 100% to blame because the gym should not allow them in if they are sick, so they too play a part in this.

What the hell are these people thinking bringing their sick kids out to infect other people. I understand that keeping your kid stuck in house while they are sick is not easy on the kids, but it is harder on the parents because we need to now entertain all day long, and that can be very stressful on the parents. Keep your kids at home so they can get better.

As for the Gym. If they see that someone is sick they should have the guts to tell the parent that they can not have their child in class until they are over whatever it is they have. The Gym we use is very good about disinfecting everything the kids touch, but they can't disinfect the kids themselves. The kids will run into each other, wipe their runny nose with their hands and then pick something up and now another kid picks it up and the germs on now on them. "Come on Mom & Dad's, wake up!" If your kid is sick keep them at home until they are over their illness. I am tired of your kid infecting my daughter with your colds and flu's.

The funny thing about this is that everyone in one way or another feels the way I do about this, but if their kid is sick they will still take them out to infect others without even thinking twice about it. I am guilty of this too. No one is perfect, and all we do is try to live our crazy lives. Maybe we should take a step back slow down for one second and think "Hey, my child is sick, maybe I should not be taking them out today."

That's all for now. I'll now be getting off my "soap box." Until next time ...........

Boneyard Blast

This past weekend my softball team played in the Third Annual Boneyard Blast up in Reno. We went up there to have a good time and play some softball against teams from all over the Western US. The basis of the Tournament is for everyone to have a good time and play for 48 hours. So the first games began at 12:00am Saturday morning and didn't finish until sometime on Sunday early evening.

Anyway, our first game was set for a very early 2:00am against a team from. What for it, San Carlos. We drove all the way to Reno, Nevada to play against a team from our own backyard, and the funny thing is we played against them in a league about 4 years ago. Go figure. Well anyway, we played an alright game but came up a little short. We lost 12-10. So we got stuck in the losers bracket and our next game was against the looser of another 2:00am game, and that game was set to start at 10:00am. So when we get to the field for that game we find out that we are scheduled to play another team from California. Cool, maybe a team from SoCal or Sacramento. No. We get another team from home. This one from Daly City. We started out putting up 5 runs in the first, then we had a really bad inning and gave up 11 runs. I lost track of the score after in was 13 - 6, but we cut down to about 5 runs in the end. So then we have one more game before we are done and out of the tournament, and this game is set for 2:00pm out in Sparks at a very nice 8 turf field complex. Now playing on turf is very different than playing on grass because everything is faster and the heat is magnified. So with that on to the game. This time we get another California team, this one a little farther away from home, but not by much. We played a team all the way from San Jose. Anyway, we played to have fun and not get embarrassed. Again we came up short and were eliminated from the tournament. But not empty handed. By being the first team eliminated in our bracket we were given a new gas BBQ, and our team MVP walked away with a new $165.00 Worth Softball glove.

Even though we didn't win a single game we all had a great time in Reno, and the best part of all is that after everything was all done all the guys wanted to know if we were going to do it again next year. My answer to that is: HELL YA! For those of you who play softball this is a great tournament all the way around, and even if you are not that good there is something for everyone to do at the tournament.

Talk to you all soon

So Long King

I have been watching the news on the passing of Michael Jackson over the past two weeks, and it has given me some thoughts on the "King of Pop." First, I am going to remember him for his music and for all of his talent's as an entertainer. He was amazing to watch on MTV or to hear his songs on the radio. The first song I remember hearing from him was "Rock with You" and thought it was a cool song. But when he came out with Thriller and I bought for my sister as a Christmas present I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It seemed at the time that every song on the album was a hit song. even after 25 years the songs still song fresh and new every time I hear them.

Over the years his music has grown on me just like a ton of stuff from the 80's that I originally didn't listen too. His music will be around forever, for all of us to enjoy whether you like it or not.

So, from this life time Rock Fan. Michael, Thank you for all of your music and your videos. You will be missed by billions of people all over the globe.

Happy 2nd Anniversary

First off we are still here and we are all doing well. Okay, some of us better than others. Let me just say that it is hell getting older, but that is for a different blog.

Today is Dawg-ette my 2nd Anniversary. So "Baby" I love you so much and thank you for putting up with all my crap for the past 2 years. You have given me so much in the time we have spent together and I am forever grateful to you. You always give of yourself and make me feel like I am the luckiest person on the planet. You are the best wife any guy could have, and you do an awesome job with Puppy who is growing like a weed right in front of us. So from the bottom of my heart, I love you so much and don't change anything.

Special shot out to my cousin and her husband, "Silver Back." Happy Anniversary to you as well.
Our Love , Dawg, Dawg-ette, and Puppy.......

We'll be back soon with some updates. Until then, Peace out. Have a great summer......

Puppy Turns 1

This past Saturday Dawgette and I watched as our little Puppy turned 1. It is just amazing that it has been a year since Puppy was born and over that time she has grown up so fast. Before she was just a little baby that needed to be carried all over the place and her day consisted of sleeping, eating and pooping. Now, she is walking all by her little self, eating real food, not drinking formula, trying to talk, and still making our lives better everyday that we get to spend with her.

I never thought that being a father was going to be so rewarding. Being a Dad is the best thing I have ever done and Puppy makes Dawgette and I the happiest parents in the world.

So in closing, Happy 1st Birthday Puppy! Mom and Dad love you so much.......

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Wings

I know that I put a recipe for chicken wings a few weeks ago, but this new one is "Awesome." It is the new favorite snack of the kitchen crew at work. It's pretty simple, not to mention very tasty.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Wings

Chicken wings separated
5 parts Parmesan Cheese
2 parts Cracked Black Pepper
1/2 part Cayenne Pepper


In a mixing bowl mix together cheese, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring a pot of oil to 375 degrees and fry chicken wings for 4 minutes, long enough to bring a nice crust to the skin. Remove from oil and immediately toss with the cheese mixture, now place in a 425 degree oven for 10 – 15 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove and serve.

Happy Birthday Sprout #4

Today is my youngest niece's 2nd Birthday! Sprout #4 is a mirror image of her mom. Just like her mom who was the mirror image of our mom. Anyway, Sprout #4 Happy 2nd Birthday! You are growing up so fast just like your brother's and sister. Auntie J, Baby K, and I are looking forward to celebrating your Birthday with you on Sunday. See you then. Until then, Happy Birthday!

All our love,
Uncle Buddy, Auntie J, and Baby K

Happy Birthday Sprout #3

Happy Birthday to my nephew Sprout #3 who is turning 4 today. Sprout #3 is turning into quite the little man, and it doesn't seem possible that he is now a 4 year old kid. Seems like just yesterday he was brought home from the hospital and I sat with him on my sisters couch and he slept all afternoon in my arms.

Happy 4th Birthday "Big Guy!"

Much love,
Uncle Buddy, Auntie J, & Baby K

Stuffed Cheeseburger

Here is the newest recipe, Stuffed Cheeseburger. This one is really good, and you can change what you want to put in it.

Stuffed Cheeseburger

1 pound of 80/20 ground beef
1 pound of 93/7 or better ground beef
Pinch of salt
Pinch of black pepper
Pinch of garlic powder
Cheese of your choice (Cheddar and Swiss work well)
Any other type of items you may like (Just make sure they are cut small enough to fit)

In a large mixing bowl combine all of the ground beef. Once you have combined all of the meat together roll out an even amount of meat balls, about the size of a baseball. You are going to need two balls per bun. Then flatten out all the meat balls and place your cheese and other toppings on the top of half of the patties leaving enough room to seal the patties up. After topping the patties cover with the other remaining patties and seal. Making sure there are no openings in the stuffed burger. Now preheat a grill pan or your BBQ and season the patties with your salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Cook your patties 4 minutes per side, and let rest for 5 minutes once you remove them from the heat. Place on a toasted bun and enjoy.

Spicy Fried Chicken

Okay, it has been brought to my attention that I have missed a few weeks of recipes. So here is one that I have made recently and it is very taste. If you don't want the sauce to spicy add some extra butter to tone down the heat.

Spicy Fried Chicken
4 oz Clarified Butter
2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
4 oz Buffalo Wing Sauce or Hot Sauce
Cut up chicken pieces (As if you were making Fried Chicken)

In a saucepan reduce butter and skim to make clarified butter. Once butter is clarified add garlic powder and wing sauce. Bring to a simmer then remove from heat and set aside.

In a pan, dredge your chicken in seasoned flour and let sit for 5 – 10 minutes to let the season flour stick to the chicken. At this time preheat your oven to 375. Fry the chicken pieces until you have a golden crispy crust on the outside. Remove chicken from oil and finish cooking all your pieces. Once you have completed frying the chicken toss with the sauce and place on a cookie sheet and place in your preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove and enjoy.......

Dawg in the news

A few weeks ago I was getting ready to play a pick up hockey game over in Half Moon Bay when I was approached by a reporter from the local newspaper who asked if I didn't mind answering a few questions for a story he was doing on the new local rink we were getting ready to play on. "Sure, no problem" I told him. So he asked his questions and we spoke for a few minutes before I jump over the boards and started my Saturday morning skate. So today I checked to see if the story had been released yet, and what do I see. The story had come out. It is a nice little piece about the rink and how it got started, and yes I am in the story too. Below is a link to the story, so if you get a chance click the link and have a nice little read.

http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2009/02/13/sports/doc4993453b0eb5a763230063.txt

Recipe #2

OK, the Big Game is in less than a week, and a Super Bowl party is not complete without a platter full of crispy Chicken Wings. Everyone has their own recipe when it comes to Wings, but I made this one on Sunday and they were AWESOME! So I thought I would share it with everyone.

Beer Battered Chicken Wings

Pack of chicken wing cut in half (Make sure they are thawed completely)

1 1/2 cups of All Purpose Flour

1 Dark Beer

2 Tablespoons Salt

2 Tablespoons Black Pepper

1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

In a mixing bowl bring together the flour, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Then slowly poor in your dark beer while whisking and make a thin paste. Your going to use about 1/2 to 3/4 of the beer, so drink the rest. Bring a pot of oil to 380 degrees for deep frying. Place the chicken in the batter and cover completely. Then carefully place the wings into the hot oil a few at time for 3 to 4 minutes until they form a nice crust. Then remove from the oil and place on a sheet pan and place into a 375 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes to finish the cooking process. This will also give you enough time to make a sauce for your wings.

Sauce

Equal parts butter and your favorite hot sauce.

1 1/2 tablespoon of Garlic Powder

In a small pot melt your butter. Once the butter has completely melted add your garlic powder and mix together. Then add your hot sauce and whisk that together. By this time your wings should be done in the oven. Remove and place the wings in a bowl and toss with the sauce. Serve with Blue Cheese or Ranch Dressing and enjoy. If you want your sauce hotter add more hot sauce to the butter and garlic, or if you don't want them as hot don't add as much.

Recipe of the week

Here is the first installment of the "Recipe of the Week." Well, with the Super Bowl now set and everyone getting ready for their Super Bowl Party's here is one that will please everyone, and you won't believe how easy it is. Now, before I give you all the recipe I need to give credit to where credit is due. I actually got this one from my Father in Law. So Dad, thanks for telling me about it, and letting us try it.

First if you are making mashed potatoes or another dish that requires you to peel potatoes this is a great appetizer.

Potato Skin Strips:

Peel your potato skins in long strips and soak in cold water to remove the starch. While your skins are soaking heat a pot of oil (Canola, Vegetable, Corn, or Peanut) to 375 degrees, and warm your oven to 350 degrees. Make sure you only fill your pot half full! Drain your potato skins and dry the skins completely. Remember water and oil don't mix! Once you have your skins completely dry and your oil has reached 375 degrees place a handful of the skins in the oil and fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until crispy. Once you have fried all your skins sprinkle them with some Parmesan Cheese and place in a warm oven for 90 seconds or until the cheese has melted.

Other toppings that have gone well with this have been: Truffle Salt, Fresh Cracked Black Pepper, and Cheddar Cheese.

We will try and get a few more recipes for you before the Super Bowl and since the 49ers aren't in the game this year. We are going to be cheering for our second favorite football team. Lets go Steelers! Enjoy the appetizer.......

New for 2009

Happy New Year everyone. I have taken some time away from blogging, but I have not forgotten about it. I have been thinking of some new ideas for this blog and I have been working them out and hopefully I will have them up and running by this weekend. One of the new ideas I have been kicking around to adding to this blog is a recipe of the month or of the week. We'll see how it works out. Some will be pretty simple and fun to try and others will be pretty extensive, but they will be very good eats.

I will also keep you updated on Dawg-ette and puppy, and everything else that is going on in Dawgs House. So here is to a great 2009, and check back to see whats happening at Dawgs House........