Thursday, December 11, 2008

Tasteful Thursday: Red Rice

Today my nephew (and new big brother to Caroline), Jackson, will be demonstrating a family favorite, Red Rice, being prepared in a rice cooker. This is a simple side dish that can be doing it's magic in the rice cooker, while you are preparing some other culinary goodness on the stove.


Our ingredient list is short and simple:

Rice/Water according to rice cooker directions: I use two to one - two cups of liquid to one cup of rice - as a rule of thumb. Mostly I rely on that measurement because I can't ever find the dadgum measuring cup that came with the rice cooker. It is lost in the Tupperware cabinet - where no woman would dare to go alone. I digress...
1/2 pkg bacon, chopped
medium onion, chopped
Goya Sazon seasoning pkt.
Salt and Pepper

Sautee bacon and onion in a pan until onions are tender - they start looking opaque -that's the fancy word for "see through" for my Mississippi kin folk.


Have your precious nephew, if you are so lucky, combine rice, water, and salt and pepper in the rice cooker. Also add the bacon and onions once they are done up right.


Now for the secret ingredient. You can find this in the ethnic food isle with Hispanic food stuffs. Put one little envelope in your rice pot.


Lookey there, Aunt Kim, it turned that water red! Jackson is so astute, takes after his Auntie in that regard! Turn on the rice cooker and let the steaming begin. Of course I got busy after these photos trying to keep Jack from tormenting Pedro Kitty and forgot to take a photo of the finished product. But it was um, um, good. Give it a try and tell me what you think.

How about you? Do you like having help in the kitchen or do you prefer to go it alone? I'd love to know!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Party Time

We went to Chief's office party this past weekend. It was really nice, a dinner cruise on "The Spirit of Norfolk". Now, why a bunch of Navy folk chose to celebrate on board a ship, I'm not so sure, but it was fun just the same. We had great food, some drinks, dancing and there were lots of great door prizes. We won $25 GC to Barnes and Nobles. Not too shabby.

I, of course, could not fit my camera into my teeny little evening bag. Little Chief snapped these photos of me and my Mr. before we embarked upon our cruise, thus explaining why the photos are "shot from below".

Monday, December 8, 2008

Spiderman and Battleships

Chief was stationed on the USS Wisconsin and I believe it has been one of the highlights of his Naval Career so far. To say he is proud is a huge understatement. The Wisconsin is docked in our new home, Virginia Beach, and has an adjoining museum, The Nauticus. If you are ever in the area, I recommend a visit - both to the Nauticus and to my house where there will surely be good food, good drink and good conversation.


There are numerous interactive displays at the museum as well as live sea animals like small nurse sharks and horseshoe crab that the children may actually pet. There is also an IMAX theater.



We recently took Little Chief and my nephew Skylar to the Nauticus where my friend, Kellie, met us with her son, Jordan. Although, we have been there before, this visit was different because SpiderMan was making an appearance. And as the mother of any little boy would know, this is a BIG DEAL!!


A fun time was had by all. A little too much fun was had by Chief, who can't ever seem to leave the ship in a timely manner. Honey, we were hungry!! But we finally were able to drag him away after a lot of huffing and puffing and "I'm hungry's" went flying around!!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Presenting Caroline Rose

Sweet Caroline arrived safely to our planet at 1:54 a.m., Dec. 4th, weighing in at 7 lbs, 4 ozs! Mommy, Daddy, Baby and Big Brother Jackson are doing fine. We are grateful for a beautiful, healthy baby girl. My sister-in-law is happy to have it over and she looked so tired last night, poor thing. Chief and I are thrilled to be able to love, snuggle, cuddle and then give her back, hehe!

Chief snuggling his niece:

Little Chief looks amazed at how small she is:

Little Chief is a proud cousin and couldn't stop kissing her:

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Snapshots: Thanksgiving 2008

A little Thanksgiving Day Art work to greet our guests:

Simple table decor:



Adorable kids:



More art work:

Sister-in-law making gravy:

Chief slaying the turkey:

Light the candles, and we are off:

My brother, sis-in-law and nephew: