Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Salute to the End of Summer


Today is the last day of summer...not officially, but for all the reasons that really count. My kids are going back to school tomorrow. Hallelujah! We have had a lot of fun but the last two days have put me over the top...Can you say "Friend Overload!"

When I was in high school, the night before school started, my parents actually let me and my friends climb onto our roof, sit on lawn chairs and watch summer die. ( I have a picture I will scan tomorrow) Now that I think about it, chances are good my parents had no idea we were up on the roof. Bygones.


Circa 1994

With today being the last day of summer, what better time than now to learn to use my grill? To hell with waiting for Sam to put things on the BBQ! I am woman, hear me roar. I have always been afraid that the thing would blow up in my face. But I put on my big girl panties and went out and got er' done....all with a baby on my hip!



I also made a peach pie just for kicks...I know...I don't even recognize myself anymore. I plan to eat the whole thing myself, with no plate, just a fork that stays in the dish. Thanks to my sis-in-law Sarah for the delicious recipe.



Here is my favorite recipe for Chicken Teriyaki Kabobs (a Warner family favorite): (sorry Ash, I loved your Asian style ones but they were too spicy for my kids.)

2 Pkgs chicken breasts--cleaned and cubed

Marinate in:

4 TBSP soy sauce
4 TBSP oil
4 TBSP orange or lemon juice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground ginger

Thread chicken on skewers with green peppers, cherry tomatoes and small white mushrooms. I forgoe all of the veggies because my kids don't eat them but they do give the chicken flavor.

In another final salute to summer, we took a picnic of KFC up to Snowbird the other night. Say what you will about KFC, the Colonel knows chicken. I love me a piece of fried chicken now and then. And the mashed potatoes are second to none.



This little boy has a thing for my mother. He won't let the woman out of his sight. If she is around, he wants nothing to do with me. He only has eyes for her:



Who is excited for fall? I'm ready to start unpacking the Halloween decorations...who's with me?

17 comments:

Linda said...

I don't love it at all that Buster is ALL MINE!! I love it when he uses his little hand to push everyone else away when he's with me. I hope it lasts. . .

Linda said...

Forgot to say - your pie and kabobs look fantastic - so do you!

Greg said...

Where do you find the time to fit all of that into one single day (grill, bake, cart the baby around, take cute pix of the fam)?

The Mostess said...

ME! So long, summer. You have been a good friend, but it's time for you to go.

I have never gone near the grill. I have no idea how that thing works. I imagine it's like Lance with my Cuisinart.

Mostly I'm just excited to whip out my pocket aces and beat Ashley in the race for best outside fall display involving crates.

Suck it, Carter!

Christie said...

I would think we are twins, separated at birth, were it not for the fact that I am fat and you are not. Seriously. The pie. That is my dream. No plate, just fork. Mmmmm....

Jill said...

Have I mentioned that I adore you? You always make me laugh (no pressure).

Way to go with the grilling! I tend to let Randy take care of that, but really that makes no sense because I do everything else around here, why not that too?!

Jill T said...

Mmm, looks like your next gourmet night is half way planned. That pie looks delicious!

Alex McMurray said...

That pie looks so good! When my oldest was born, someone brought me a peach pie with dinner and I swear I ate that whole thing by myself. Had a piece at every meal 'til it was gone. Delicious!

Denise said...

I'm a little sad that summer is ending. We have had a ton of fun, but also WAY too much fighting. Therefore, it's not like I'm going to break down and cry or anything when school starts. (We still have two weeks left.) Good for you on the grill! Most importantly, though, where did you get those rockin' sandals? I had to blow up the picture just to look at them!

brooke said...

Thanks Denise...I got them at DSW. They are Report brand. I love them...super comfortable but nicer than flip flops.

Liz said...

I'm absolutely positive that I will blow up the grill. Good for you, I hear you roar!

How very, very nice of you to do and end of summer meal and outing. I walked upstairs yesterday (from teaching) and was informed by Parker that I had done nothing to make the end of summer fun. Yeah, whatever.....go to bed!
Hope you survived the first day!

Elizabeth said...

I agree with everyone else you look fab Babe!

We don't have a bbq at the moment which is sad as all my favourite dinners involve the bbq and someone else cooking. We also don't have a kitchen at the mo (minor details) but when we do get a new barbi I am going to go Brooke Style and learn how to use it.

Excellent work on getting Buster to love on your Mum hard Win Win for all I'd say.

Lastly KFC is vile in Oz.

Ashley said...

My life changed when I realized how easy the bbq is. You turn it on, it doesn't blow up, you grill, and no dishes. I still love mom's terriayki marinade--it serves a different purpose in my life than that other recipe. And yeah, why would mom and dad ever let us put those rickety old lawn chairs out on the roof? Those were good times though. I am done with summer but too tired for fall.

Ashley said...

Did you make the peach pie for Rex?

alexandra said...

That baby looks so precious with your mom! He looks like he is in heaven! I feel like we are living parallel lives this week since I finally forced myself to confront our grill alone (only took one phone call to my husband for technical assistance) and I, too, made a peach cobbler two days ago, just because I love it. You really should try to Cooking Light recipe for Oatmeal Cookie Peach Cobbler. Then make it non-light by increasing the cookie dough part by 50%. I can't go back to regular peach pie anymore. I am preaching the good news about this dessert to everyone. It will make your life better.

Summer dies when the kids go back to school for sure, no matter the calendar. You should feel awesome for giving them such a great summer. You are a wonderful mom.

Em said...

Hilarious. I laughed and laughed about the grill.

That pie is gorgeous. I was all proud of myself for making peach cobbler the other day but your pie puts it to shame. :)

Stephanie Eldredge said...

That pie looks amazing--nice job! Do you have that spicier asian recipe posted--I'm sure my kids would like that. :)