I'm back. For the seventeenth time, I'm back.
2011 has brought life in the Mickels-Hargrove house (or hotel) to a halt. It has been fast food, microwavable, take-out horrificness. (It's a word. Google it)
January 8, 2011 our lives changed forever. We awoke at 5:00am to our wonderful dog, Rylie, whining. Thinking it was his typical "I need to go outside" whine, we both arose only to realize our house smelled horrible of burning wires. There was black smoke pooling through the house, sneaking under doors and into the bedrooms. The thick smoke seeped into your lungs and burned your eyes, causing soot to cover you from head to toe. Once we realized the fire was real, the family escaped, brother and dogs included. Me being my stubborn self, I did grab my purse and move my car out of the garage. Happily so, I was able to stow my beloved babies while the Gresham Fire Department took charge of the fire. We stood outside as we watched firefighters with axes and hoses waltz into our house like it was what they did everyday... Funny... Once the fire was contained and extinguished, we were able to enter our sooty, smelly, wet house, only to see the extent of the damage. Fire damage on all the upper walls, roof, ceilings, garage... It was too much. We all went into shock and from that day forward, our lives revolved around the Holiday Inn and Fidelity National Insurance.
I am happy to report, as of February 3, 2011 we are back home... only because I totaled my car. Long story short, check your blind spot quickly, and keep your distance with cars in front of you.
In the time we spent at the Holiday Inn, I ate more popcorn and microwavable meals than I care to disclose. I was excited the day I was able to make a real sandwich, with fresh roast beef, red lettuce, havarti cheese, mayonnaise and brown mustard. It was so fresh, the lettuce so crisp that I couldn't realistically only have one! ... So I had one for lunch, then dinner, and lunch again. Beats Steamfresh Pasta any day.
Now we are home and between concussions, unpacking, parties and family I am trying to regain my footing in the kitchen.
Sunday night we celebrated my new Honda CR-V with the artery clogging gigantic NY Strip Steaks, garlic red potatoes, a little over-mashed, but delicious... and my all time favorite: roasted asparagus with olive oil, sea salt & pepper.Tasty.
Last night we had homemade French Dip Sandwiches on Artisan bread, with Boars Head roast beef and provolone cheese. Seconds for all.
It's a pleasure to be home, and blogging, and getting back to normal once again. Cooking will resume. Tonight we will have grilled chicken Caesar salad with avocado and fresh tomatoes... Maybe at that time my camera will be ready to challenge my food with some good photos.
Thanks for reading... more soon.
Last night we had homemade French Dip Sandwiches on Artisan bread, with Boars Head roast beef and provolone cheese. Seconds for all.
It's a pleasure to be home, and blogging, and getting back to normal once again. Cooking will resume. Tonight we will have grilled chicken Caesar salad with avocado and fresh tomatoes... Maybe at that time my camera will be ready to challenge my food with some good photos.
Thanks for reading... more soon.
