They Say It's Your Birthday

It's my birthday too!  So here's a song for me, and a photo for you.

What a difference 24 years can make.  Always born great though and I think my rubby ducky friend would agree.

Flat Stanley

My 3rd year of college, my roommate was an Elementary Education major.  She had lots of little projects to do that looked like more fun than my exegesis papers.  One of her projects was "Flat Stanley".  This is a project started in 1995 by a school teacher.  You color and cut out this man, Stanley, who is a two-dimensional character. You then make a journal keeping track of all the places you take your Stanley.  You can learn more about it here.

I have seen Flat Stanleys out and around before, but my favorite came just this last year.  My friend Erin and I were at a Wild vs. Flyers game at the X.  During the second intermission, I looked around taking in the great seats Dad has for season tickets.  I look down, and there is this probably 4th grade girl with a Flat Stanley!  She brought him to a Wild game.  Before she could take a picture of him, I snapped one, just because it's so cute.

I love that a kid thought enough to bring Stanley to a Wild game.  I hope my kids are that cute someday. 

Well as you all know, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup this year.  Mr. Kane, the young 21 year old, got his name written on there (along with Sid the Kid's.  Does anyone else feel they could be doing more with their life?)  So naturally, the Chicago news is still talking about the big win since their last Stanley Cup was in 1961.  But, they have started a great tradition in Chicago.  Instead of "Flat Stanley", they now make "Flat Stanley Cups"!  It's so cute.  And to see something hockey related become a project for the city makes me pretty happy, like I can live in a place for 3 years that values my favorite sport (unlike Mankato.)  To see the story and photos, click here.

Food related news, I'm making a wonderful girly meal for some senior high students coming over tonight.  I'm so excited.  It's three girls that are just so sweet and I love spending time with them.  I'm making the same girly meal I made for Erin the first time she came to visit.

Need Sleep!

I am currently in my last hour and a half of a lock in at church.  I'm tired, hungry, gassy, and want to sleep.  But, I did have fun.  Todd is off to Colorado in two and a half hours (after being here with me all night).  He is going on the Freshman Pilgrimage until Saturday, July 17, which takes him up into the mountains of Colorado to white water raft, hike, and camp.  He's going to have so much fun utilizing his Boy Scout skills.  Erin Ulrich is coming over tonight.  I'm making pizza.  I'm so exhausted.

Beef Kabobs

It's time for more food!  I was in New London, Wisconsin this last week with Teenserve.  It's a mission trip organization that sets you up with a team of people you don't know and sends you out to someones house everyday from 8-3 to do whatever work they need done.  I had a great group of 5 others and we painted a house for a single mom.  They were so sweet and we had a great time.  On Thursday, we had another group join us so we would have a better chance at finishing this huge project.  Sadly, we didn't.  But, we were close to finishing and they were very thankful.  I had a very fun week with my crew and with the 9 kids we brought from Mankato.  That said, I am quite happy I am back home.

My pretty sweet crew!

This recipe is one we made awhile ago, before I left.  We were on a Mediterranean kick, and a meat and veggies kick apparently, so we tried these.  I think you can figure out how to make kabobs yourself, but the marinade for the beef is something to focus on.  Again, it comes from the wonderful Alton Brown.  We really do love him at the Spieker house.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless beef sirloin
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Special equipment: 4 (12-inch) metal skewers

Directions

Cut the beef into 1 1/2 to 1 3/4-inch cubes and place into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor combine the garlic, paprika, turmeric, cumin, salt, pepper and red wine vinegar. With the processor running drizzle in the olive oil.

Pour the marinade over the meat and toss to coat. Place in the refrigerator in an airtight container or a sealable plastic bag and allow to marinate for 2 to 4 hours.

Once you have your marinaded beef, add your cut up onions and peppers, pop them on the skewers, and grill them up.  We did it on the griddle.  You may want to try wrapping them in tin foil and then putting them on a fire grill, or let them get those pretty grill marks on them.  Any way is good.

Well, enjoy your summer grilling.  I was hoping our apartment next year would have a little back staircase so we could have a little charcoal grill.  No such luck.  We'll have to wait until we have a house, or just a nicer apartment.  But don't let that keep you from visiting us next year.  We'll still make you good food!