Thursday, July 19, 2012

What a month...

            Don’t worry I haven’t forgotten about you, my loyal readers you have been so anxiously awaiting my return.  Let me start with my “dishes from another country” challenge. I’ll start with Finland, a country that loves smoked salmon and heavy breads such as rye.  So, I made a smoked salmon sandwich with cucumber and cream cheese on rye bread with a side of fresh strawberries and blueberries because the Finish people are big on picking wild berries. Next we travel to Romania were we had lamb steaks and vegetables.  We were suppose to have a side dish called polenta which is basically like our grits or cornbread depending on how you prepare it, but our electric went out so I couldn’t make it. Instead I made veggies on the grill with the lamb steaks. We hit Denmark next, and again, my favorite in the challenge.  Denmark eats more pork per capita then any other country, I would have thought they were more into fish being surrounded by water but no pork it is.  Their traditional meals are a meat based meal usually pretty hearty with gravy and potatoes. I made pork chops with mushroom gravy and provolone cheese and a side of mashed potatoes.  It was delicious.  Off to England and Scotland which I did together because they are very similar in dishes. From the motherland I made bangers and mash or for Americans sausage and mashed potatoes.  Basically I read there isn’t anyone certain kind of sausage to use so I picked up some regular smoked sausage and plain mashed potatoes and had yet another hearty meal that was pretty cheap and extremely easy to make. The dishes weren’t that much different then our diet aside from a few spices or the way some things are prepared, so I had no trouble finding any of the ingredients I needed, however, the fish and lamb was a little on the expensive side.
            The past month has been exciting, scary, painful, and just plain awesome.  Let’s start back in June, the 29th to be exact.  Dad and I went to the Air Force Museum for a little father and son bonding time and to see some bad ass planes. While we were in there a massive wind storm came through Ohio knocking out power all over the state including mine.  That was a Friday and I didn’t get power back until the next Tuesday.  The day we got our power back we went with my cousin (Jason) and his wife (Sarah) to watch Red, White, and Boom which is Columbus’ fire work show. Although it was hot the fire works and company made for a great time.  The fourth was another sweltering day as much of July has been, so we spent it inside relaxing in the air conditioning.  The following Friday we packed up a couple of suitcases and headed up to Chicago.  Chicago is one of my favorite places to visit.  Friday night we actually stayed in Crystal Lake Illinois at Nick’s house.  Saturday morning I, Amber, Nick, and Nick’s wife (Danielle) headed to downtown Chicago where we met the rest of the group of friends that was in town.  All ten of us headed to the Field Museum (two museums in a month) looked at some old stuff including mummies and dinosaurs. Later that night we went out to dinner and sample the night life. Sunday off to watch the Cubbies win a game for my 30th birthday, yep I’m 30. After the game we went to Navy Pier and rode the Ferris wheel.  Monday we went home.  And finally last night Amber and I went and got our “wedding tattoos” which read, “Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thine arm.” And that my friends, has been one of the busiest and most exciting months I have had in a long time. And there is almost two weeks left to go.  With three parties planned out, a small one with the in-laws to celebrate me being old, a ‘80s style pool party, and a family reunion party that is at the end of the month at my cousin Jason’s house there no telling what will happen in between them.
            Oh by the way my soccer tournament that I was so into, my teams lost.  Italy was one of my teams and they made it all the way to finals. This wasn’t supposed to happen per everyone that watched that tourney. But with the faith of their fans on their side they made it. Even though they lost they earned tons of respect from everyone. So Italy I salute you.          
            As for my challenge I still have to do Iceland which I never got too and I like the challenge quite a bit so I'm going to maybe add a few countries to my list after Iceland but I m going to try some beers or drinks from other countries. Actually that’s a better sounding challenge any way. I think ill do that instead. So that’s it for now, until next time, America, F**K YEA.

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."   -Ben Franklin