In A Mini Skirt

Barbeque Sauce…not just ketchup any more

jayann — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:57:55 +0000

Hi all!

I’m on the hunt for barbecue sauce recipes. I experimented with one on Sunday that was almost a total hit. I say almost because I think the recipe called for a bit too much vinegar. So much vinegar in fact, that the husband asked why the house smelled like dirty feet. Which I find interesting that he things vinegar smells like dirty feet. I’ve never really had that thought, but I’m not about to question his ‘smeller’. I used a basic mustard based barbecue sauce recipe and jazzed it up.

We are having a wedding reception in August, and the theme is…Well I honestly don’t know what to call it yet. It’ll be outside. With smoked, pulled pork and potato salad. And lots of cool, icy, drinks, many of which will be adult rated. And I’m creating signature drinks that represent the two halves making the whole and all that other lovey-dovey jazz. But the highlight of the party will be signature barbeque sauces. I think I have the mustard based sauce almost perfected. I’m currently working on a spicy sort of Jamaican version. I need two more styles of sauce to really round out the experience. Something mild and slightly sweet for the faint of heart and kiddo’s and something a little bit left field. Maybe something curry based?

So dear readers; suggestions? What works for you? How do you create a sauce? What are the key ingredients in a barbecue sauce? What’s a turnoff in a good barbeque sauce? What about whiskey in a sauce?

Any suggestions for ridding a house of the dreaded ‘dirty feet’ smell?

*snicker*

Enjoy your week!

I miss…

jayann — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:51:28 +0000

As I said in the previous post, life has been nothing short a lot of big changes in just a few short weeks. I’m still trying to learn how to drive in a large city, as well as learning to plan for driving in a large city. Everything takes so much more time, and frankly, I’m not in love with this aspect of my new life. I really miss driving 30 minutes and being at my grandparents house. I dislike even more that driving 30 minutes here doesn’t even get me home and it’s fewer miles. So because I feel a little depressed by a few of the changes in my life, I just want to take a minute to list them, cry over them for a minute and then shake them off , so I can move forward.

I miss my grandparents. I feel as if I’ve left them at a time in my life when I really need them most and I want to spend as much time with them as I can. I don’t know how to balance this feeling of ‘loss’ and ‘helplessness’ and ‘despair’. It eats at me more than I wish, and frankly, I don’t know how to get rid of this “I miss…”.

I miss my sister, sister-in-law, my niece and nephews.

I missed the birth of my new nephew. This is especially hard since they named him after our dad. Somehow it seems surreal that I haven’t yet met him, after having spent the first 6+ months with my niece.

I miss Montana. Colorado is nice, but it’s not Montana. Maybe this will change once I’ve gotten to travel around the state a bit more. I’m most excited to get to go farther West, but frankly, I’d rather not go farther East. I’m “East-ed Out”.

I miss my Mom.

I miss visiting my dad’s grave site. Maybe this sounds macabre, but frankly, I enjoyed the quiet of the cemetery and the peace that bringing flowers and visiting him brings to me.

I miss cooking with my brother. I’ll miss him even more when he’s in Australia, but at least I’ll know he’s having a blast! I can hardly wait to hear of his travels when he returns.

I miss my brother David.

I miss Sara’s Porkies! I haven’t had a pork chop sandwich in almost two years. Maybe I can order some and they can ship them to me, frozen. I’ll have to look. I hadn’t thought of that.

I miss The Parrot! I miss their chocolates and nuts and malt sodas so much I could cry. I haven’t had a really good chocolate covered carmel in ages.

I miss driving 30 minutes and being in the center of the mountains.

I miss church on Sunday and spending the afternoon with my grandparents.

I miss impromptu dinners with my family.

I miss visiting Montana’s ghost towns. I haven’t finished seeing them all, and I wonder if I’ll complete this goal.

I miss feeling like I’m starting a career. I enjoy my job and the company, but I don’t feel like I’m getting anywhere or creating a career. I feel like I’m stuck in an Administrative Assistant job, and I’m not certain how to move forward.

*sigh*

Body of Change…

jayann — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:21:12 +0000

Yes – I’ve been away for quite some time. Well, not exactly away. Just busy. Insanely busy. So busy, in fact, that I haven’t created a new recipe in a year, sewn anything, painted anything, decorated anything, printed anything…and so on. My time has been spent working a full time job, living in a 1 room “cabin” in Tioga North Dakota, meeting my husband, getting married and moving to Calhan Colorado.

Yes – Calhan Coloardo. Yes – Married. Yes – Babies are possible within the next year.

Crazy; I know!

I’m ecstatic with the changes in my life and I cannot wait to get started building a life with my husband that will last FOREVER and be a nurturing, loving, happy home for future children.

Oh wait – You want to see some photos? I’m certain I can manager one.

This is one of our engagement photos. This was actually taken mere hours before the ceremony.

Photo taken by Wild Mountain Photography of Helena Montana

Meet Michael.

I’m a lucky gal!

(And yes, I do know I am. I’m pretty certain he’d say he was a lucky guy, too!)

And a photo from our wedding.

Photo taken by Wild Mountain Photography of Helena Montana

So in a nutshell, my life has bloomed into something more than I ever imagined or dreamed of. Along with my marriage and moving to Calhan, I’ve gotten my creativity back and I’m working on setting up a studio in our home. I’ll post some pictures of the ‘before’, as soon as I find my camera!

I hope you’ll all join me!

Prayers for those affected by the March 11th, 2011 Disasters

jayann — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:09:18 +0000

My heart goes out to all of the people affected by the earthquake off the coast of Japan and the resulting tsunami that is now making it’s way towards Hawaii and the Western United States coast.

If you have family or friends in Japan, and are having difficulties contacting them, Google launched a new tool in order to connect people. You can find it here

Also, The American Red Cross has several pages of information about finding loved ones, general information about the earthquake and resulting tsunami, and ways you can help.

The American Red Cross – News Room

Donate to The American Red Cross and help those affected by the 2011 Japanese Earthquake

Family Linking for Japan

Give what you can!!! Every little bit helps and prayer is is more than just the glue holding the world together.

Pray!

Rueben Sandwich – My Way!

jayann — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:49:45 +0000

Ruben Sandwich – The “In A Mini Skirt Way”

Today’s post is a quickie. Mostly because I’m not feeling well, and because I haven’t posted in ages and I’ve been meaning to post this for some time. But anyway, back to my insane love of Russian Sauce. Which seems odd when paired with a Rueben sandwich, but it’s so perfect. So creamy. So “hit-the-spot”, that I just don’t seem to have any other words to describe how I love this sauce.

The cast of characters.

I some how forgot to photograph the sauerkraut and the garlic. Mostly because the ‘kraut was on the stove in a pan of melted butter, warming up. Must use warm ‘kraut! Oh, and by the way, that is wild horseradish in the jar. YUM! And I forgot the garlic until I looked at the bowl and said to myself, “Something’s missing?”.

I’m only including the recipe for my version of Russian sauce, and the proper layering of my version of a Rueben sandwich.

Russian Sauce

Mayo
Hot Sauce
Dill pickles, or dill pickle relish
Worstecshire sauce
Horseradish sauce
Sour cream
Lemon juice
Red Onion
Garlic

No clue on actual measurements. I think it’s about 3/4 of mayo and 1/4 or the sour cream. Couple tablespoons of horseradish sauce and lemon juice. Couple teaspoons of red onion, garlic, hot sauce, dill pickles and Worcestershire sauce.

Mix it all in a bowl and set aside. Sometimes I add a little ketchup because I like that little bit of sweetness, and sometimes I don’t. Depends on your individual taste.

Now, the key to a good Ruben is all in the layering.

Warm the corned beef in a pan just so it’s warmed through. You start out with Rye bread. I like seeded rye bread but that’s just me. Take a 2 slices of bread, slather them with Russian sauce. Put a piece of Swiss cheese on the bread, and then slather the cheese with Russian Sauce. Place a piece of corned beef on top of the bread, and then slather the corned beef with Russian Sauce. I usually add a couple red onions and then the ‘kraut and then a layer of Russian Sauce. Add another piece of corned beef, and then you guessed it…slather it with Russian Sauce. (See the pattern?) Add a piece of swiss cheese. Add the 2nd piece of rye bread and place on top of the cheese to form a sandwich. Now, butter one side of your sandwich, and place in a prewarmed pan. While that side is cooking, butter the other side. By the time I get it buttered, it’s time to flip the sandwich. Do that. And then I have a sandwich weight, but you can use a plate and a smaller sized lid to lightly press down on your sandwich. You want it all to melt together and get gooey!

Remove from pan, cut, and serve with extra Russian Sauce for dipping.

How do you make your Rueben Sandwich? What sauce do you use? I wanna hear from you!

I’m dying to hear from you!

Well okay, so I dunno about the dying part. Being sick sometimes makes me melodramatic.

And needy!

Have a fantastic week!

Dating Whoa’s: The Saga. Whoa #2

jayann — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:28:25 +0000

This Dating Whoa was all me.

Back in 2005 I got married, and by January of 2007 I was divorced. I’m giving this little bit of background information because it’s probably important in understanding why I was “nervous” on my first date after spending nearly 6 years with the same guy. First dates, after being with the same person for numerous years, are scary, mind altering episodes. Of course, that might have just been me. Lets face it. I was the girl in high school that hugged the wall, walked quickly to class with my head down, never made eye contact, never played sports, and never kissed a boy until I was 18, let alone went on a date. Yeah. I was that girl. *head desk* Which reminds me of one of the few times I went to a football game and wore a cowboy hat. Only cowboy hat in the crowd.

October of 2006 I decided I was done spending life as a wall flower and that I was going to take the world on for a change. I signed up for a dance class to learn how to two step and jitterbug. I’d never been taught, and only rarely ever danced, even though it was the one thing in life I desperately wanted to learn. I was too shy to go after it. Back then, I certainly wasn’t living my new mantra of “Pioneer On!” like I plan on doing now.

First night at the class was great fun. The guy to girl ratio was about right and the instructor was good. Even with the wafting B.O. cloud that followed him. I was hooked and proud of myself for stepping outside of my safety zone. Second class was even better because a group of hunky guys showed up. Same age group as I, and fun. One guy in particular, James, was hunkier than the others and me being drunk on my new found “take charge” attitude decided getting a date with him would be my next goal.

Several classes and a couple emails/phone calls later first date happens. Now in my defense I was nervous. Real nervous. Changed clothes about 30 times and probably restyled my hair at last 15. I was determined to make a good impression. Probably a little to determined because I ended up picking him up, and planning the evening’s activities. Which was supposed to include a drive to Sir Scots Oasis in Manhattan Montana. They’ve got the best steak fingers of all time, and it’s an insanely friendly place to go.

Ended up being that I didn’t plan very well because Sir Scot’s was full and we ended up in Bozeman and Johnny Carionos. No biggie. Still good food, just a slightly farther drive and plenty of time to get to know each other, right?

Cue the strawberries and blueberries.

My car just happened to be in the shop at this time, so I was zipping around in a sporty Pontiac G6. A car that had me literally speeding everywhere because I wasn’t used to having a vehicle that accelerated quickly.

Add in my nervousness about being in a small car with hunky James and it was a recipe for disaster.

Ended up with a speeding ticket for doing 97 on the highway, which has a speed limit of 75. And I tried flirting with the officer in an effort to get out of the ticket, which didn’t help.

I’m pretty sure that was the beginning of the end of that relationship, which lasted 3 weeks and ended with him saying “He just wasn’t falling in love”.

Go figure.

*head desk*

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture

jayann — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:31:20 +0000

I realize the “holidays” are over, but I couldn’t resist posting this photo from Rachel Ashwells Shabby Chic Couture.

Because usually, I dislike red to the point of closing my eyes, sticking my fingers in my ears and yelling “La La La La La” with gusto. However, this may just change my teenage ways!

In. Love!

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture Christmas

I’m also certain the red would work for say…Valentines Day. Which, to me, is a pointless, meaningless holiday, but I might just get excited about it if someone dropped that red swag in my lap.

Just sayin’!

(Okay, so I’d leave it up all year round! You caught me!)