Turning "Old"

  Today I turn forty. I am starting to slow done a bit, I don't move as well as I used too. But the one thing that keeps me young is surrounding myself with young people. At Red's ,were I work, there are only 2 people older then me, but I am the eldest in the cooking department. I try to bring a little old timers to this bunch of rambunctious kiddos. They can run circles around this hobbled old man, but I know they all love me for the calm I bring.
   The next thing I am learning at Red's is to challenge myself, and to never quit learning.  I haven't had any formal training on cooking some of the things I have tried, but I still try to make them. Chef Shane has instilled in me a passion for food that I haven't had in awhile.
   The next bunch of youngster are my kiddos, Olivia is 5, and Isaiah is 2. You always stay young when you have to play cars, barbies or watch Elmo and Sponge bob. Chasing kids is a great way to feel young. My beautiful wife, Rachel, also keeps me young, her smile every day reminds me why we got married. Without her I would be a man with out a purpose, and probably a drunk. 

  So today, I will put on my knee brace, and head out to do the things that have to be done on your days off, but in doing so I will be the youngest 40 year old I know.
  

Stuffed Peppers, with a seafood twist

I love stuffed peppers, so tonight I decided I was going to make some. I usually go with the standard ground beef and rice style, but today I made them with seafood.I got myself two orange peppers, some crab meat(imitation of course), some shrimp, boil in the bag rice, cauliflower and some fresh asparagus(Thanks Grandpa Jerry).  Now this on its own would be great, but I threw in a banana at the very end to give it a very sweet flavor.

First, shave a little off the bottom of the peppers so they will stand up straight.

Next, take the top off the peppers and clean out the seeds and membranes.

Dice the cauliflower(about 3 crowns worth or a quarter of a head0, dice the asparagus, and the pepper left overs.

Add 1/2 tsp of crushed red pepper, 1/4 tsp of salt and black pepper

Place all the diced vegetables in a saute pan and cook in olive oil until they are soft.

Boil the rice according to the package and set aside.

Add shrimp, and imitation crab to the veggies with 2 cups of water. Cook until shrimps are fully cooked.

Add rice and mix in the banana.

Fill the peppers all the way up, don't pack.

Bake the stuffed peppers at 400 for 35 mins, then top with mozzarella cheese and bake for another 10 mins.

The peppers will be very soft, and the cheese a golden brown

Working for inspiration

First I must tell everyone that my life is really good. I love being a daddy, husband, son, grandson, uncle and friend. I awake every day thankful to be able to smile at the world. I choose to live the simple life with as little drama as possible. My job at the restaurant is the only part of my life that gives me any kind of problems. So when I have a day or week that don't work out like I hope it puts me in a cranky, yet creative mood. Sometimes it is creative with food, or sometimes it is creative with paints.

This past week was one of those weeks for me. Ever day it was something, either a cook in the jail house or equipment not working, or people who just don't want to work. When I was a little younger I worked alot, too much. So I understand not wanting to spend my life at work, but to not want to work a 40 hr work week to me is just weird. Well the equipment got fixed, the cook was released from the jailhouse, and I fixed the schedule issues for those who want to work a certain schedule. With my work week finished, I got creative.

Today I started and finished a painting on a piece of glass that I was just going to throw out. It took me a little over 2 hrs to paint, but more hrs to plan. I enjoy this form of painting. Acrylic paints give off great color, and I have found that enjoy the brightness on a flat back ground. I am not the best at this, but it is a good release. So here is today's piece

As our anniversary approaches

This Saturday my lovely wife and I will be celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary. I have tried to think of something really fun to do, but of course I have to close that day. So now I am trying to think of fun things to do around our anniversary. I may take my lovely bride out to supper, or maybe out for dessert. I haven't really got her anything just yet, but today we (the kiddos and I) are going to do some shopping. It may sound funny, but I really enjoy spending these days with the kids. I rarely have free time, but wouldn't change it for the world. Next year my daughter will be in kindergarten, I will be lost with out her on these days off. My wife has given me the reason to get up, not act out like I use to. Happy anniversary!