In Training

A list of things my husband loves about America...

that you might not think would make a list like this:

1.  Milkshakes. That's milk, ice cream and chocolate (or vanilla, or mint...) - not what the UK calls milkshakes: flavored milk.  Still lovely, but not quite the treat. 

2.  Sprinklers.  Yes, sprinklers.  Every Spring through Summer, without fail, we will drive through town and he will ooooh and ahhhh and gaze adoringly at the magical water shooting up gracefully from the ground.  I believe they have something called "rain" in the UK which renders the sprinkler useless...

3.  Waffles, pancakes and the IHOP (International House of Pancakes - open 24 hours!).  It's like the guy found the promised land, I swear.  He'd eat 'em for breakfast, lunch and dinner if he could!  Royal never had waffles in Britain (said something about potato waffles, but apparently it's not even remotely the same) and the pancakes differ in that ours are more fluffy instead of the crêpe-like 'cakes you sometimes find in the UK.

4.  The Outdoor Channel.  Also known as: Shooting and hunting television.  We had to purchase the more expensive satellite package so Royal could watch this one very special channel.

5.  The drive thru ATM, pharmacy and the pay-at-the-pump petrol station. After living in the UK myself, all I have to say is AMEN TO THAT!  Convenience at its best.

As the saying goes, it's the little things that mean the most.

Irish Car Bomb: The Drink

As some might know, the Irish Car Bomb is an alcoholic drink made with an Irish stout (as in Guinness), Bailey's and Irish whiskey.  I'm not a drinker and don't frequent bars/pubs so I hadn't heard of it until a couple years ago.  As you can see by my blog roll I like a lot of food blogs - one of which posted a recipe for Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes.  This was my introduction. 

I was instantly turned off by it, as were several of the author's commenters (click the link to read through).  The author eventually changed the name to Chocolate Whiskey and Beer Cupcakes, but wasn't happy with the debate in her comment section. 

I've read a little bit about The Troubles in Ireland and don't think it's something that should be taken lightly.  Even if I wasn't familiar with The Troubles, I wouldn't use the drink name (or any subsequent desserts) because car bombs - any sort of bomb - are a very real, very frightening threat our Armed Forces and their allies face every day overseas.  My husband spent an extremely tense tour in Iraq patrolling - and not a day went by that he wasn't aware of the danger. 

But it's not just that.  Royal and I lost a good friend and excellent Royal Marine to an explosion in Afghanistan in 2008.  He was just 26 years old.  I can't put into words how devastating Elmsy's death was for his family, friends and fellow Bootnecks. 

A couple days ago, another of the blogs I read posted a few recipes:
Irish Brownie Bombs (um, they have a tan top...)
Irish Car Bomb Cheesecakes.
She also does a cake bomb, imagine that.

Look, I know it's "just a drink" and I should "get over it" (clever, right!).  I'm not calling for a universal beverage name change. I'm just putting out there - in time for St. Patrick's Day - that it's a crass, thoughtless and cruel way to order what sounds like a perfectly delicious drink.  

My husband completely agrees, but I put it to my Twitter followers to see what they thought:

@nicorussell - "pretty distasteful name for a drink really"
@Letters2Afghan - "over here [UK] we would never call our drinks and desserts that"
@LacyinTX - "Nope, not just you. I don't like the sound of that either"
@collca - "I totally agree with you"
@jenlars8 - "Not just you, but I've never been to a bar that served anything named like that. Must be regional??"

Happily, no one responded in favor of the drink (proving once again, that I follow lots of awesome people on Twitter!)! 

The S'more: A rite of passage

Prepare yourself. 

My husband has never made a s'more or, for that matter, tasted a s'more!  In all his life camping, serving in the Armed Forces and knowing me... he's never gone through the rite of passage that should only ever be described as Ham describes it to Smalls in The Sandlot:

"Okay, pay attention.  First, you take the graham.  You stick the chocolate on the graham.  Then, you roast the mallow.  When the mallow's flaming then you stick it on the chocolate.  Then you cover it with the other end.  Then you stuff it."

Sigh.  Memories. 

I think I might officially be old.

But back to the point:  I've excitedly scarfed down more s'mores than I'd like to admit and he's not had a one!  This had to be remedied!  And oh baby was it:



We got way too many supplies and ate waaay too many s'mores but it was worth it.  They're actually the first food that we cooked over a flame in our new backyard - which makes it that much better. 

It may be a little thing, but I'm glad I got to share this moment with him. 

-------------------------------------------------

Also of note, this sign is awesome:



Who's with me!?

Commando Cupcakes!

I know.  Just reading that is the coolest thing ever. 

Wait until you see them!  Royal Marine Commando cupcakes!

Thank you Angelina Cupcake, thank you. 

Tea.

Upon first meeting my husband and hearing his English accent, one of his clients asked - in all seriousness - if he would be bringing tea every morning. 

Which is especially funny because my husband hates tea in any form.  He's a half English (his Dad), half Scottish (his Mum) guy that hates tea.  Doesn't even like the scent of most of them.  I'm sure there are many like him in Britain, but by golly you tell a Texan that an Englishman doesn't care for tea and watch their reaction!  Gold.

I adore tea - hot, cold, latte - whatever.  I always have.  It was a staple in my home growing up.  If I'm drinking cold I usually mix Constant Comment with Tazo Awake black tea.  Though sometimes I'll go with Lipton and Raspberry Royale. If I'm drinking hot it's usually PG Tips, Twinings Earl Grey or Constant Comment again.  If it's a tea latte, it's always chai.  Weird, because I don't care for chai in regular tea...  I will base a decision on where to go out to eat on who has great iced tea.  It's true.

Kinda random, but it's what I was thinking about!  What kind of tea do you drink?

Related: How the British do Iced Tea
            Kath's Guide to Making Iced Tea

Kath's Guide to Making Iced Tea

In my last post I said I might do a step by step tutorial on how to make iced tea... then the lovely David said that I should, SO, here goes!

Kath's Guide to Making Iced Tea
with photos by Royal

Time: About 5 - 10 Minutes

You will need:

1 - 3 regular tea bags, it's 1 -3 depending on how strong you'd like your tea. 
1 measuring cup - or anything that will hold hot liquid
Spoon
Kettle or microwave
Ice
Sugar/lemon/honey/mint, etc. (optional)
clingfilm  (optional)

What we are going to do is make a concentrate that you will pour in a glass and then add ice & water to get your iced tea.  We are not making an individual glass of tea (in case you were freaking out about 3 tea bags!).  You will be able to save any extra - but we'll get to that later!

Out of Pocket Because...

It's been a while since I've posted because...

I've been in Britain with hubby!  It'd been about 19 months since Royal had seen his family - almost two full years since I've been back - so we took off for England & Wales for two lovely weeks.  I've got a couple of posts lined out in my mind, but we'll start with one of my favorite pastimes: food photography!

Some people like to whine about British food, but not me!  I love it!  Cream teas, roast potatoes, double cream, lovely meat pies, full English breakfasts as far as the eye could see... sigh!  I could go on. 

 
This was the first and best meal I had while in Britain.  Sweet chili chicken with sour cream and British cheddar on a bed of white rice and zucchini.  It was luscious.  It was perfect.  It was an off the cuff meal at the first place we stayed! 

Seriously cute chocolate

I mean really!

But...

it is chocolate so I ate the little guy anyway. 

Just for fun: Photos from last weekend

Went with my Mom to Central Market (ooohh! ahhhh!) this weekend.  While she was bustling around picking up items I took some photographs*.  They make me hungry.  Enjoy!

We'll start with tomatoes:

Just look at those heirlooms.  I can still smell them.... yum!  We passed on these, but I was tempted!

Tiny grape tomatoes. So adorable.