Ramblings of a Hotel Junkie

Well I am on the road again. This time I am in Cookeville for the SCALES Project. Just in case you care (and even if you don't), SCALES stands for Supreme Court Advancing Legal Education for Students. SCALES is a TN Supreme Court initiative designed to education students about the judicial branch of government. This time around we are at Boys State. Boys State is different from my other SCALES. The other projects I am in total control from beginning to end. I plan every little detail. With Boys State a lot of the planning is done by the hosting judge as well as the American Legion. Boys State is unique.

Over 600 High School juniors are selected from around the state to attend the program at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville as part of a week long program. These kids have a very busy week and really must be dedicated because it is a strict schedule. They have classes/events that include CPR, conventions and caucuses, a talent show, an inaugural ball, a speaker from NASA, a parade and more. Thankfully my only part involves 2 cases being heard in front of the Supreme Court. Even then a lot of the work is done for me by the hosting judge and the American Legion. This is an easier conference, compared to the others.

Anyway, I am sitting in my hotel room trying to find something good on tv. So far, nothing. I could do some work, I have lots of that. But it seems kind of wrong to be sitting here doing work. The hotel is nice. I have a king size bed and the room is pretty big. There is a desk and a nice recliner chair, which I am sitting in. It comes with a hair dryer, a coffee maker and free internet access. I think I appreciate the internet more than the hair dryer or coffee maker. But, one of the most important things to me before the internet is the shower and shower head. I love hotels that have those shower heads that have multiple settings and include a massage setting. Water pressure is important to me too. I won't find out about that until tomorrow morning though. But I have to say I am impressed that the shower has it's own separate light. There is a light in the actual bathroom, but also a light in the shower. I love when I am in a hotel room for work and it seems like I am being pampered. :-) Even though technically I'm not.

My boss and I went out to dinner after we helped set up all of the equipment, bench, etc... at the university. We went to Puleo's Grill and I was concerned that I would not have enough money, but I got the buffalo chicken sandwich and it worked out ok. It was very yummy and really hit the spot. No dessert, but wow they sounded delicious. Especially the Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cake. After dinner we went our separate ways once we reached the hotel. Which is fine by me.

The downside so far is that there are not very many good channels on the tv, but I do have internet so I really can't complain. Well I guess it's time to log off and get some sleep before tomorrow. It is going to be a very long and tedious day herding really smart teenage boys. Thankfully I brought advil.

Sign of the Times 10

It's a bit early. But I am traveling again today - so I thought I would get a head start. I really like this sign. Speeding cars have always been a concern for me when it came to kids playing outside. People just don't think that children might run into the street at anytime in residential areas or in school zones. They are just thinking about where they need to go and what they need to do.

http://www.wsmv.com/news/16396646/detail.html?treets=nash&tid=2656696678813&tml=nash_8pm&tmi=nash_8pm_1_08000305262008&ts=H

Sign of the Times 9

What exactly are you trying to say?

My Backyard

Another Yummy

Chicken, Broccoli & Ziti Skillet

3 Chicken Breasts - Boneless
2 Tbs Garlic Oil or Olive Oil
1 cup Spaghetti Sauce
2 Tbs Olive Oil
2 Cloves of Garlic - minced
2 cups Water
2 cups Frozen broccoli cuts or small broccoli florets
1 Chicken bouillon cube
8 oz Ziti
2 Tbs Grated Parmesan Cheese

Assemble all ingredients and utensils.

To Cook:

Cut chicken breasts into bite size pieces. Brown the meat in the garlic or olive oil. When meat is browned and cooked through - add spaghetti sauce - mix and then let simmer on low.
Heat olive oil and minced garlic over medium-high heat until garlic begins to brown. Add water, broccoli and bouillon; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Stir in ziti. Return to boil; reduce heat and simmer just until ziti is tender, about 8-10 minutes.

Add chicken and sauce to ziti mixture and mix. Heat through, sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and serve.

Yield: 4 servings

Sign of the Times 8

This one is for my friend George. He turns 40 today.
Welcome to the club!

Remembering Mom

Many memories that I have of my mom include food references. Snickerdoodles at Christmas, homemade chocolate figures at Easter, spaghetti and eggs, Chicken Caccitoiri. These are things that my mom used to make, so of course I think of her when I eat them.

But, I have to say that the main food item that I relate to her is Chinese food. I remember one Easter, I think I was about 8 or 9, we went into New York City to go to the Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus. We took the subway into the city and went to Madison Square Garden. After the circus we went into China town and went upstairs to a very nice Chinese restaurant. For the very first time I had Shrimp with Lobster Sauce.

After that whenever we visited my brother in Florida or we would visit my godfather, Roberto, we always went to get Chinese takeout. My mom and I always got Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. Even after we moved to Florida, whenever we had Chinese food, we would have Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. It was my mom's favorite thing and the only thing she ordered. And to be honest I don't think I even realized that there was anything else on the menu.

As I got older and after she died I started branching out into other parts of the menu. I found out that I love Honey Garlic Chicken, General Tso Chicken, Lo Mein, Sesame Chicken, etc... On my part, I think Patrick will have good memories about Honey Garlic Chicken.

It's been awhile since I've had Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. But when I do, I think back on the good times my mom and I had, the conversations, the closeness we shared, all over Chinese food. It's not necessarily the food that strikes the cord in me, it's the memories. With such good memories, the food is actually secondary. Truly one of my comfort foods is Shrimp with Lobster Sauce.

Some memories can be quite delicious. Especially when I remember my mom.

No, Really It's Good

My mom was not good with teaching me how to cook. I don't think she had the patience. I learned a lot of things just by watching her. One of my favorite recipes that she used to make was spaghetti and eggs. I loved it so much that I make it for Patrick and he likes it a lot too. I am sure that he will make it for his children. Just one of those things that you pass on without thinking about it.

Anyway, I know what you must be thinking because I have heard it before from people that I have told about the recipe. But really it is quite yummy. There is no sauce, you just use leftover spaghetti (without sauce) and toss a few eggs on top. How much spaghetti and eggs you use to make it is up to you. Here is the recipe, this is for 2 servings. Please try it and let me know what you think.

Assemble all ingredients and utensils in advance.

4 cups of cooked spaghetti (I use thin spaghetti)

2 eggs per person

Milk

salt and pepper to taste

1. Toss cold spaghetti into frying pan - heat on medium.

2. While the spaghetti is warming up, crack eggs in bowl and whisk in some milk. Just like you were making scrambled eggs.

3. When spaghetti starts to crackle add egg mixture.

4. Use a spatula and move the ingredients around until the eggs are cooked through (I like dry scrambled) and the spaghetti no longer looks wet.

5. Add Salt and Pepper to taste.

Then Enjoy!