Tuesday, November 23, 2010

turkey day

here comes the parade of food and family! obviously, if you have seen me lately, there is no doubt that i can find my way to a good meal. especially ever since my brother became a chef, and i have felt compelled to educate myself about food, wine and where what i eat is coming from.  but admittedly, i am a little bit of a black sheep in the family when it comes to food.

let me explain further. there are a few reasons that i don't quite fit in to my little family of four (pre-husband family). first of all, they all have gorgeously thick, wavy/curly hair and i didn't even HAVE hair until i was two, and even though it is thicker than mom gives me credit for, it is super baby fine and straight as a board. so while my mom spends hours a day taming her mane, my dad has no hint of a receding hairline, and my brother literally needs a haircut every two weeks, i am like the little hairless chihuahua in the corner- shivering from cold. and although i am permanently scarred for life by the memory of sitting on the bathroom counter EVERY morning while my mom curled my hair for school and secured it with some gigantic bow perfectly coordinated to my outfit, i now appreciate my genetic anomaly hair, which i can throw in a ponytail without looking in a mirror, or secure into a bun with a pencil, or just wash and then let dry on the the way to work! 

the other reason i am the "weird" one is all about food. my family and family gatherings, both immediate and extended REVOLVE around food and the preparation of it. i love to cook and try new things, but i have to admit, when mom starts prepping the dinner as we put away breakfast, it is sometimes a little too much for me. the smell of a roast being browned at 9:30 am just makes my stomach turn. as i said before, my little brother is a fabulous chef that graduated at the top of his class from culinary school and received several awards. he is amazing! i am far more tentative about food. i have always hated anything orange; carrots, sweet potatoes, anything orange flavored or glazed with orange, cheetos, orange soda... 
i also HATE nuts. they make me cringe. the best way i can explain it is that if i eat one it feels like the inside of my teeth start to itch. mom is famous for putting them in everything good- like brownies and cookies and dips and on vegetables so even if i try to pick around them, i inevitably get that terrible teeth itch feeling when one escapes my careful hunting. so i long ago gave up on eating any holiday goodies at all.  my food hatred also extends to anything that is all mixed up and cooked together with eggs- like, breakfast casseroles. i love bacon, and cheese and eggs, but if you blend them all up and cook them together it makes me want to vomit. i know that this doesn't make any sense, but i just cant handle it. so casseroles in general are usually out for me, although i have learned to like squash casserole over the years, and can probably stomach a few bites of spinach quiche without having a panic attack. i have gotten a LOT better over the years. i used to eat everything out of bowls because i hated when the juices touched each other and i was even a vegetarian for a while, which elicited disgusted responses from my family that were probably equivalent to if i decided not to shower for a year. i also love seafood now, which i spent most of my childhood avoiding- and quickly learned to smell everything that was put on my plate and described as "chicken". still, my family thinks that my food preferences are HORRIFYING. you might as well tell them you don't believe in America or Santa Claus.

mom has FINALLY (i'm 27) come to accept some of my food preferences and on Christmas morning she makes me a little corner of the monkey bread without nuts and eventually gave up on forcing me to eat sweet potatoes or carrots. (sitting at the table and gagging repeatedly when forced to try carrots glazed in orange juice, which is basically the worst combination of foods i can EVER imagine, worked pretty well since i can be overly dramatic when the situation calls for it) even though i still get the occasional eye roll from my family about my eating preferences, i have just learned to make things that i DO like for the holidays.

so while they get all giddy about eating disgusting things like lamb covered with rosemary (eww and eww) and sweet potatoes cooked for hours in cinnamon (eww) and brown sugar and of course topped with pecans (shiver), i look forward to contributing to the Thanksgiving meal in my own way. this year, i am making my customary favorite, green bean casserole- there's just something heavenly about something made with three simple ingredients- and even though my fancy schmancy chef brother scoffs at my delight over onions that come out of a can, he always still eats it, when he thinks i'm not looking. over the years, my sweet aunt sometimes sends me gently worded e-mails about possible "additions" to the green bean casserole, like chinese vegetables, or pearl onions, or mixing the toppings up, and even though i know that she has the best of intentions and has the amazing cook gene, like most of my family, i just cannot budge on that one. ya know, if it ain't broke...

this year i am also making Ryan's mom's recipe for squash casserole- which I LOVE and so does he. since he won't be with his family this year for the meal and there surely won't be any left by the time we get to the in-laws house for the weekend, i thought it would be nice to give him a taste of home. it's harder than people realize to be plucked from your family traditions and get used to new ones when you get married, so i always try to do something special for him- and not so selflessly- that squash casserole is amazing. even though it has vegetables and cheese and eggs all cooked together, there's something about the ratio of all the ingredients that doesn't set off my "mixed up together" food alarm. and i could eat squash every day of the year so it gets extra points for yummy-ness!

the last thing i am making this year is a new addition to the family's traditional menu. each person has a few dishes they are famous for and are pretty much required to bring every year, but i added this one to my list since the morning of thanksgiving starts when everyone arrives with  several breakfast casseroles strewn about and some kind of sketchy dead animal sausages that Landon procured from a local farm and then cured himself (props for buying local), i just can't ever trust that what they tell me about the ingredients will be true- therefore better to avoid all-together. for example, i would say something like, "dad, what kind of sausage is this?" and he would casually reply, "oh just regular pork sausage that landon made from a pig he bought and had butchered up in north GA from an organic farm" (thats a totally normal response in my family) and then AFTER i sniffed it and then took a bite, he would giggle and say "actually that was alligator/goat brain sausage that i had overnighted from louisiana from a 96 year old swamp farmer that raises his own goats to feed to the alligators and his wife harvests the seasonings and then marinates them for three years in mason jars in their backyard". im serious- responses like these would not surprise me. i am totally ok with trying new things- and all for supporting small farmers, but sometimes, i just want some plain old carolina pride sausage from publix- is that too much to ask?? every meal does not have to be an adventure for me in order to be satisfying. so i just decided to make some cinnamon rolls last year from a recipe i found from (don't tell my family!) sandra lee's semi-homemade show on food network. they absolutely LOVED them, and i secretly basked in their success even though i didn't mill my own flour to make them or import the sugar from a farm in puerto rico... so they are back on the menu again. even though mom mentioned how delicious they would be with a crushed pecan topping... ugh.

all food issues aside, the thing i look forward to most is the time spent with family. watching everyone gather in the kitchen and cook together all day and share recipes and critiques of foods and wines and restaurants and just talk about life. my family for the most part all have a funny sense of humor. you will get made fun of and prodded for information since we are all nosy, and your thoughts about how cumin can be used as a marinade for whatever will be thoroughly discussed. your dog training methods will be picked apart and i will get ribbed for not believing in "spanking" dogs while house training while meanwhile, my moms cavapoo is off peeing on a rug somewhere even though her method is "clearly" superior... we will talk about everyone's latest interior design choices, and whisper about some cousin's bad wardrobe choice etc. and there will be unceasing chatter and laughter and a beautiful prayer and lots to be thankful for. 

things i'm thankful for this year:
a family that's never dull and full of love
my four legged children and their health and affection
the little barn/farm that i love and hope to never have to live without
the chance to live in a place where i am safe and comfortable
living in a country where i get to be picky about food because there's plenty of it
a great job and the chance to go to school as well
a husband that i love and look forward to making squash casserole for every year
getting to be part of a family that supports and encourages you to do your best in whatever you do 
the generosity of others, both financial and otherwise
traditions both new and old
and lots more...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

the police women of dallas

"the police women of dallas" is one of those shows that if you asked on any given day, i may or may not admit to watching- sort of like "dog the bounty hunter"- which is just not really describable in words but totally addictive. so anyway, the other night husband and i were flipping channels and stopped upon this show and one of the police women of dallas was being called out to a code (insert numbers here) which meant that a large group of people were fighting- it turned out to be a large group of "ladies" fighting in the parkling lot of an apartment complex.

this lovely little officer arrived all on her own, before back-up and began to attempt to break up the fight. the women were shouting profanities and spitting at eachother and weave was flying every which a way and lots of words like "respeck" and questions about who "knows" who were being tossed around.... i was scared for this officer. i would much rather try to break up a fight between men than one between a group of enraged women this large!

so after her back-up arrived and she handed out citations to several of the fighters and told them they were getting on her nerves she said the funniest thing i have heard in ages... i literally started coughing from laughing so hard! i can't help but share it and it's probably not nearly as funny if you didnt see the show but here we go!

as she was getting back into her car she said simply, "good Lord Jesus I need a sno-cone!"

and.... scene.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

and so it begins!

it seems as soon as fall came, it went. we got about four gorgeous days of fall and then the gray sky and brisk chilly edged breeze of winter blew in. you know they say, "if you don't like the weather in Georgia, wait five minutes", which is partially true and especially confusing when trying to decide what to dress the horses in each morning/evening- or even how to dress yourself! this time of year the back of my car is covered up in boots of every shape and size, jackets, fleeces and t-shirts, because i just never know what i might need! there is my hidden pair of gloves in the console and a trusty flashlight for evening barn chores, since the time change has put us in the dark at 6pm. although i am a summer girl, fall is my second favorite, and i'm feeling a little shorted!

all negativity aside, fall/winter brings the beginning of something else which excites me down to my core and somehow allows me to propel myself from bed at 4am with energy and delight- FOXHUNTING!!!

now anyone who has known me for a Looooong time knows that I have somewhat of a storied history when it comes to the little creature called the fox. in general, i am NOT.A.FAN. of those sketchy little red or gray creatures that look at you like they are deciding whether or not to eat your brain with a side of fava beans. perhaps its because i was attacked by one of the little buggers that had rabies when i was 12- or maybe it's because another rabid one spent two nights torturing me by hanging out just outside of my townhouse in athens before animal control got tired of me calling them 86 times a minute and screaming in a supersonic pitch to come catch it, or maybe it's because while driving home to the river a few weeks ago one of them watched us from the side of the road and then proceeded to CHASE the car for a minute. it's like as a species, they are out to get me. i used to burst into tears every time i saw one, which totally prevented me from participating in a foxhunt, but now, i've decided that if they are going to spend their little lives chasing me for sport- then i will return the favor!

so I have owned Jazz since last December, so almost a year, and from day one I just felt like she really loved being outside of the arena. little did i know her first mommy spent lots of time taking her on trail rides when she had just come off the track and boy did it make a difference for her. she relishes being "out" so i have been thinking that she really might enjoy hunting. because i don't have a trailer at the moment, all of my plans to take her out hound walking and cubbing before the season "formally" begins, were dashed, so i just decided that she has been out enough with me and in the company of other horses that i trust her to at least not try to kill me in the hunt field. i was little worried about the hounds, but she has been around a few dogs and never tried to bowl them over, which was promising so I took a little risk and accepted the invite to attend opening hunt from a dear friend! my goal for the day was simple: "don't make a spectacle of yourself!"

after a long week of work, she was bathed and braided and the night before the hunt i hugged her neck and whispered to her that we were going to have tons of fun and she didn't have to do any dressage but she couldn't kick anyone or anything. she seemed to agree. bright and early my alarm sounded at 3:30am, which doesn't even count as morning- it's just really the middle of the night, but i leapt out of bed and into the shower and i was at the barn by 4:30 to feed the mares and get everything ready for the day. when we pulled into the lovely Bear Creek Farms, it was chilly chilly chilly, but dry and sunny. i tacked her up and as soon as she heard the hounds her ears perked in that direction as if she knew exactly what they were saying. after about 18 circles around the mounting block, i pretty much just jumped in a heap onto her back and she took off trotting towards the kennels. she was going to like this hunting business i think! i turned her back towards the trailer and the rest of our party and she showed me her distaste for that by throwing one of her crow hopping spinning fits RIGHT as who walked by in his bright red coat? of course, one of our masters. the goal of not making a spectacle of myself was on the brink of destruction, but after a very serious growl at her to "quit" from me- she obliged and decided to behave! she was just excited- as was i!

we paraded behind the masters and the hounds up to the breakfast area and the masters spoke and the hounds were blessed. i sat there taking in the scene- the horses that knew exactly what was going on, and those, like mine that could just feel the electricity in the air, the men on the ground dressed in barbour coats and wellies ready to drive the tally-ho wagons behind the hunt, the pony club kids passing out little shots of hounds blood (port/brandy mix), and the steam already rising from the braided necks of all the horses, and the backs of each of us that were mounted. the hounds pranced around expectantly, watching and listening for the master to cast them off to hunt.

we were introduced to the fieldmasters for each flight. a big crowd demanded at least three, and my orginal intention of just hilltopping to introduce her to hunting was quickly changed as she pranced in place and threw her nose in the air over and over to say "let's goooooo mom". i knew keeping her at a pace that could follow the big drafties and the ponies being led just wasn't fair to her. she was pumped- she was trying to tell me that she was ok, and if i would just let her go 2nd flight where the pace was up, but the jumps were optional- that she could be trusted. so i did. her BFF horse, Ember was going 2nd flight as well, and i can only imagine the cacophony of whinnies if we had tried to separate them! again, "don't make a spectacle" echoed in my head. i was nervous like i hadn't been in a long time. what idiotic human takes a first time hunter 2nd flight? on opening hunt? when EVERYONE was there? me. yep. me.

as first flight trotted off towards the woods and we followed behind she was like a coiled spring underneath me- i could feel her energy and i took just a second to close my eyes and breathe out my nerves. heels down, sit up and breathe....

second flight, otherwise known as first flight- part B, was off! we had lots of good trots and canters and several rather exhilarating full out gallops across the open pastures and hay fields. we never lost sight of 1st flight and we cantered past the tally-ho wagoners, then, as if to show off, she took the bit and dropped her back and we were galloping like i never have before- my half halts were futile and i may have been i daresay, muttering an expletive or two, but not because i don't trust her, but just because i didn't want to be the one with the horse that won't rate, apologetically shouting "no brakes!" as you pass your field- which is a no no! thank the Lord, as the field slowed, so did she. after getting over the initial shock of that gallop which is BIG and FAST and unlike any other horse I have ever ridden, i started to smile because really, it was awesome. one of those moments never forgotten; full of adrenaline and the feeling of a blessing that most people never get to experience, much less on a regular basis.

for the rest of the hunt, she was a star. she was bombproof and stood at checks- only her nose flicking to remind me not to forget the rein stops for a running martingale next time, and she was sound and surefooted and smart. she got the idea about going when everyone goes and stopping when everyone stops. she popped over the big log with glee and jumped ditches and crossed water without a second thought. she is one hell of a hunt horse in the making because the has that 'thing' they need- it's a safety and a fifth leg that kicks in when you need it. instead of me riding her, we were just there together and i knew the move she would make before she made it and she read my mind before i gave her the aids. our big flight was full of lots of green horses and inexperienced hunters- we were cut off and passed and bumped into and hounds were running underneath and along as we got the scent of a coyote and they worked the woods we were in. the footing was dodgy sometimes and deep other times and wet and muddy and dry and hard!! it was everything in one day- and nothing overwhelmed her.

as we galloped up a clay trail in the woods, the land changed and became steeply banked with wet Georgia clay on each side- the trail dictated the we be in single file and then out of nowhere, a little horse came up beside us and cut right in front. we were easily at a good hand gallop and there was a crowd behind us too that prevented us from slowing. my mind thought, "there's no where safe for me to put her, we are about to crush a quarter horse!  it was one of those moments when my human brain did NOT know best and many years of riding left me with no good answer. in a split second as all of this was racing through my brain, all i could imagine happening next was us getting pushed sideways into the slippery clay banks on each side of the trail, her slipping and then... i just gave her the reins and she saved my butt- as i was being stupid and panicky she just took one big stride and jumped UP to the top of the big clay bank and rounded the turn and found a spot to parallel park between a big grey and the little quarter horse. that bank was huge and i have no idea how, while at a gallop, she jumped up and moved laterally all at once, kept her footing and kept us safe. all of that happened in probably a total of 5 seconds, but in my mind, it was slow motion. as the field slowed to a trot i rubbed her neck and told her "thank you". i was useless to her and she saved my butt. she has that 'thing' that makes a great horse- a lifetime horse that you can always trust. even when she is crow-hopping and spinning to argue her point with me- i can always trust her.

we finished the day and although i thought after about 30 miles she might be tired, we galloped (she decided to) across the polo field back to the trailers and when i turned her out at home she trotted off while flipping her head and celebrated herself with tail flagged to take a tour of her pasture and find a suitable spot to roll.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

jazz has a boo boo

and not of the halloween sort of boo :(
poor little pony
i will be cleaning this and caring for it incessantly this week! it's in a tricky spot to keep clean and free of debris and i don't want her hoof to get infected!
she and ember are in today, out of the rain and because of her boo boo. she is not going to like being in for long! wish me luck!