Pork On The Barbie

Greg and I tried a new recipe last night.  The baste was delicious.  I'm sure we will use it again on other foods, maybe some grilled fish.  Personally, pork is not my favorite meat, so I could take or leave the pork.  It would probably be really good with chicken substituted in for the pork.  Anyway, while it wasn't my most favorite recipe ever, it was relatively easy, and still worth sharing.  Enjoy!

Grilled Pork and Mango

12 12 inch flat bamboo skewers, soaked in water.

2 pork tenderloins cut into 3/4 inch cubes

3 firm ripe mangoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

2 red bell peppers, cut into 1 inch slices

Mango Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

1 1/2 cups mango puree (peel and cut one mango and puree in food processor)

1/4 cup chipotle hot pepper sauce

2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice (I used one whole lime)

 Assemble skewers like this, and heat your grill to a med-high temp (375)

 To make the barbecue sauce, combine mango puree, chipotle sauce and lime juice in a bowl.  Separate into two bowls.  

 Baste the skewers in the barbecue sauce.  Cook for about 2 minutes on each quarter turn, basting after each turn.  Pork is done when it is just slightly pink in the center.

We served it with quinoa on the side.  I poured the extra barbecue sauce into my quinoa and mixed it all together.  Greg used it as a dipping sauce.  The sauce is truly the cincher in this recipe.  Mmmm!  Mmmm! Mmmm! 

Fork You!

Yesterday, when I opened my door, I was greeted by this scene in my front yard:

There were probably two dozen plastic forks stuck in my garden (well, if you can call it a garden!).  I imagine this was the work of teenagers.  Silly, kids.  It did make me chuckle!

Changes

Yesterday was my first day back to work after 6 weeks off.  As often as I grump about my job, I must admit that the summer lay off is a true benefit.  As you all know, our family is so busy, and the time off in the summer allows us to cram as much of our blessings into each week as humanly possible.  We literally spent 6 weeks in simple celebration of life with family and friends under the warmth of the sun.  What more can a person want in life, really?

Vacation can't last forever, though, unless you are independently wealthy, which we are not...at least not financially wealthy!  And even though I love the work-free summer weeks, I am also a person who thrives on routine, so the return to work is also good news.  I'll admit, I could have used a few more weeks off, but I'm happy to have a job, and not just a job, but a job working with some women who I truly consider friends, so my return is only slightly bitter sweet!

This year will be a little different for me professionally.  Due to the state budget and a lot of other  internal changes, there has been a considerable amount of shifting in my agency.  Without boring you with the details of a place you probably know little about, I will simply tell you the biggest impact this has on me:  I am no longer a case manager.  I am now (at least for this fiscal year, while the budget permits), the Family Community Partnership Supervisor.   I'll basically be coaching the case managers and assisting my boss with any supports that she needs.

Head Start is an organization that is near and dear to my heart.  I truly believe in the program, its vision and its encompassing assistance for families.  It not only provides a quality pre-school curriculum, but is also a true reinforcer of overall family success.  We offer comprehensive support, giving our families a hand in overcoming some of the significant obstacles that they face.  I have been in this field for 11 years now, working for Child Advocates for 6, and I am amazed at the perseverance and resilience of some of the people I have met.  Seeing their struggles first hand has given me a more clear perspective of the issues facing our country today.  I read a lot of posts on facebook and see a lot of chain emails that discourage the continuity of the public welfare system.  I'm not discounting that there are abusers of the system, but there are also people who use it as its is intended, as assistance - help, guidance, a bridge to a better future.  If we allow ourselves to become jaded by those who take advantage, we turn our backs on those who need us most.  Head Start is a program that advocates for the little guys (literally), defends the under dog, offers friendship and counsel to the downtrodden, and assures the sustenance of our future.

This is an exciting (and also a little bit scary) opportunity for me.  I'm thrilled and honored to have been asked to take this position.  I pray for guidance through this next year - that I am open-minded, kind, and fair.  That I keep my eyes open and learn.  That I am not pulled down by the negativity of others. That I am a true support to both the case managers as well as to my supervisor.  And most of all, that I continue to serve the needy population with a compassionate heart.

Random Thoughts

Have you ever noticed that when nothing in particular is on your mind, strange things pop into your head?  Well, while I was on vacation, I had several of those "random thought" moments.  Lucky for you all, I decided to keep track of them for future sharing!  Well, folks, the future is now!  Here they are, in no particular order:

1.  It's strange for adults to play catch.  I mean, I get the skill building, bond creating, blah, blah, blah it does for kids.  Plus, it's entertainment for them.  But for two adults to throw a spongy ball back and forth in the pool together, well, it's weird.  It wasn't baseball practice.  These two people I watched didn't even talk to each other, smile or laugh or anything while they were playing.  They just threw and caught.  Threw and caught.  It was mildly disturbing, like watching hamsters in human form.  Same action, over and over, with no apparent motivation or appearance of pleasure.  Odd.

2.  The house we stayed in at the beach had wireless Internet access, but no land line phone.  I thought that was a true sign of the times.  I know a lot of people no longer have home phones and rely solely on their cell phones, but we personally don't do that.  I think it's hard to hear on a cell phone, and it gets so hot against my ear and face.  I hate talking on it.  If I am home and someone calls me on the cell phone, and I know I'm going to talk for a while, I call them back from my home phone.  I also worry about the possible radiation and brain cancer link to cell phones.  I know there's only moderate scientific evidence for that theory, but really, cell phone usage is very recent.   I think we are going to learn a lot more in the future.

3. I love our king sized bed.  Actually, a king sized bed and a private pool were the only two requests I had for a beach house, when my family was looking.  I got neither.  Even though our bedroom was huge and gorgeous, a queen sized bed is just too small for Greg and me.  My right arm still goes numb at times from sleeping funny that whole week.

4.  Runners share a special kind of craziness, a runner camaraderie.  No matter where you go, whether you know the people or not, most runners greet each other with a smile and a wave.  One runner who passed me, waved excitedly as she yelled "Good morning!"  It was a little bit much, and mildly alarming, but still nice to see someone else who was enthusiastic about something that is near and dear to my heart too.  I waved back, of course, but refrained from yelling.

5.  It's interesting how people settle into roles within their families, and how those roles are very apparent from early on in life.  I'm not just talking about myself, but the whole family really.  There are the entertainers, the serious ones, the ones who are more or less successful, the ones who no one takes seriously, the ones who make all the rules, the sweet and quiet ones, the loud and obnoxious ones, ones who never want to step on people's toes or hurt someone's feelings and those who can be outright rude.  Even with age, changes in life circumstances, etc, I don't see a whole lot of change within the family unit operation.  I think this is especially poignant, because I feel like I have made monumental changes personally, but when I'm back with my family, I assume the same status.  I wonder if others feel that way too, or if it's my own hang up.  And I wonder how that will play out as my own children grow up.

That's about it, or at least, that's all that I wrote down to share.  I guess one thought per week day isn't bad!

Anyone have random thoughts you would like to share with me?  Come on, you gotta have some!

Photo Addendum

A few photos that were on my phone:

 Greg and Erin at Philip's - all you can eat crabs & corn.  Kinda gross hearing "crrruuunnnccch....ttthhhwwwoook...." next to you as you eat dinner.  

 The boys were in good hands at the Candy Kitchen - one of 600 stores in Ocean City alone!

Greg taking the Kayak out for a crab hunt.  6 a.m.  One of the benefits to insomnia on the beach!

A Week At Fenwick Island

When I was small, we went to Ocean City, MD every summer.  We would gather the entire extended family, stop off for a visit with my cousins in Laurel MD, and then head to the beach for a week.  They were weeks of fun in the sand, surf and on the boardwalk.  When my grandmother died, the family decided that Ocean City just wouldn't be the same, and we stopped going there.  For the last 22 years, we have gone to the Outer Banks instead.  I was 12 when we started visiting the Outer Banks, and although I have some fond memories of Ocean City, when I think of beach vacations, my mind conjures thoughts of Duck and Corolla, highway 12, the Wright Brothers and wild horses.  I know that area almost as well as I know my home town, and through all the development, growth and changes, it has become my true beach love.

For some reason, this year my family decided to go to Fenwick Island, DE instead of the Outer Banks.  I guess they needed a change.   I'm not sure what the impetus behind the decision was.  Whatever the reason, Greg and I were game.  Family vacation is, after all, about family, not necessarily location.  So instead of an ocean front home with a private pool in an area with just a double laned road traversing through, we stayed in a bay side home, 2 miles from the beach, across a 5 laned highway, with a community pool.  Talk about change!

Let's start at the beginning.  On our way to the beach house, when we were about an hour outside of Ocean City, my mom called me.  Apparently, she misread the housing contract and instead of booking our home Saturday to Saturday, it was actually reserved Sunday to Sunday.  Most of the family was already in Fenwick.  Only my aunt Kathy and I were still driving.  None of us had a home for the night.  Great.

After some hunting, my mom, sister and aunts were able to reserve us 5 rooms at the Econo Lodge for Saturday night, so although we were out an additional $200, we at least had somewhere to sleep that night. I don't know if I ever stayed in an Econo Lodge.  I certainly never stayed in one in Ocean City, a block back from the beach.  I know this is going to sound snobby, but oh my word, the people!  There were people with drinks in the pool, holding their children while they drank, smoked and swam all at the same time!  There was  a woman who was so drunk, she could hardly stand, but was still able to wander the halls for several hours Saturday night!  The hotel staff were very kind and attentive.  Our room was clean, and hey, it was much better than staying in our car!  I just think that the Ocean City location is more geared toward a younger crowd with a party attitude, not exactly our mentality, and definitely not Outer Banks style!

Sunday afternoon we were able to get into our beach house.   I will say this - I think it was the most beautiful beach house we have ever stayed in.  All of the bedrooms were spacious, had their own bathrooms and decks.  The layout was great.  And although it wasn't ocean front, it was directly on the bay, with a private docking area.  The house was surrounded by water, making for some beautiful sunsets.  Depending on where we were sitting, it almost felt like the house was floating on the bay!

We decided that we would return to the beach area by the Econo Lodge, because they didn't charge or check for parking permits.  So every morning, we drove to the beach, stayed until noon and then came home for lunch.  It was a system that worked out pretty well.  I think we spent more time on the beach this year than any other beach vacation.  What wasn't great for Greg and I was that Andrew still naps.  So each afternoon while he was napping, one of us had to stay at the house.  In the past, we could just take the monitor outside and at least lounge at the pool.  This year, I took a nap with him most days instead.  That's nice.  I like naps, but I also like just sitting in the sun and reading too.

Greg went kayaking and crabbing on the bay almost every day.  Some afternoons we went to the community pool, which was small, but nice - not crowded at all and very clean.  We went to the boardwalk several times to shop, ride bikes and eat.  We flew kites on the beach one night and played Tonk, a family tradition, several times.  The boys got hermit crabs and had a blast playing with their cousins.  On Thursday, my mom's brother came down to Ocean City with his wife and kids, so we were able to spend our last few days of vacation with them as well.  All in all, it was a nice week.  Good weather, family and fun.  And really, what more can you ask for in a vacation?

A Week In Pictures

We just got back last night from our beach vacation.  We usually go to the Outer Banks, but this year we decided to change it up and go to Fenwick Island, DE.  It's right next to Ocean City.  We had a good time - great weather all week.  I'll write more about the vacation later.  Just wanted to post some pictures first.  

Andrew tries out his new floatation device and Jacob takes full advantage of an opportunity to make fun of his brother.

 Crabbing off of the back deck.

 Gathering the courage to touch the crab.

 "It's loose!  The monster is loose!"

 Yes, the ever safe "one finger to the back of the head" caress.

 Aw...doesn't look so menacing, does he?

 Jacob sees no point in wasting bread on ducks, when he can make a beautiful necklace instead.

 Andrew and Ella confer about the next move in the sand castle expansion project.

 "Ella, I'm having second thoughts about water front property."

"Don't be silly, Andrew.  It's a prime location."

 "We'll just put a big pool out front and no one will notice the tidal wave damage."

 All of that haggling with Andrew made Ella tired and hungry!

 "Pay no attention to that boy behind me.  My GQ prowess rendered him incapable of boogie boarding, and washed him onto the shore." 

 The newest members of the family - hermit crabs.

 Nice paint job.

 The first attempt at a Surrey ride.

 Don't let the expression fool you.  Jacob was thrilled about posing for a picture with this giant shark replica.

 Why yes, an anchor is a quite comfy spot for a nap.

 The actual Surrey we rode.  Quite the entourage!

 Let's go fly a kite!

 Me, Greg & Andrew.  

 Chasing the seagulls.

 Everyone was so excited about our recent Toyota Highlander purchase, that we all decided to reenact the 1980's commercial.  Toyota!

 Greg went canoeing for crabs in the bay almost every day.

 The Econo Lodge.  There was a little mix-up with the house reservations, and we had to spend the first day of our vacation at the Econo Lodge.  Andrew loved it.  I was impressed with the wide variety of individuals I was able to observe.

 "Hey, Dad.  I think I see a shark out there."

 Oh...yep...definitely a shark...

...or maybe a dolphin...you decide!

 Jacob was King Neptune for the week, commanding the waves to do his will! 

 Well, most of the time, anyway!

 My mom, Aunt Kathy, Aunt Betsy, and Aunt Annie.  Sisters at the beach.

 Shielding himself from the dangerous backfire of a cap gun!

 Justin, Andrew, Larry, Dustin and Ella relax a little before dinner.

 Andrew and Ella watch a movie on Dustin's iPhone.

 Greg tried to get Kathy drunk, so he could beat her at Tonk.  He still lost.

 Kevin sprained his ankle in a basketball game before they came down.  What a bummer for a beach vacation, but he was such a good sport about it.

 Our bedroom was on the top floor with lots of windows and white, paper thin curtains.  We put our comforter over Andrew's crib so he would sleep past 5 a.m!  He loved it!  It was like his own little tent!

 A little guy contemplates the great big beyond.

 That's my kind of surf fishing.

 Wowed by his own work!

 Beach front pedicures are a must for the most pampered preschoolers.

 Most of us on our deck one evening.

 Sunset view from our front porch.

 Sunset view from our back porch.

 Andrew and Ella put on a light show with glow sticks for us.

 Jacob and Mimi

"Hey, brother.  Need a hand?"

And that is the bulk of the photos.  Whew!  What a week.  It was a great vacation, but I must admit: "there's no place like home."