There's not much more pitiful than a pet or kid who's got a boo-boo

       Took the Cooper boy to the vet today because he's been limping for the last two days and it's really messing with our walking schedule.  He wasn't putting any weight on his back foot at all and I noticed he had a red sore between his pads.  Seemed like the pain was disproportionate to the injury.  Always heard dogs were pretty tough especially with their feet.  It could just be the my Coopy is a sissy dog, but I thought I better have it checked out just make sure I wasn't missing anything obvious.  Like the time I let Zack cough for weeks when he was 3, until John guilted me into taking him to the doctor, and he had double pneumonia.  Or the time my brother was complaining, after a 4 wheeler accident, that his knee hurt and my mother told him he better toughen up because his school had stairs - and we found out after a trip to the doctor that his knee was broken!  It runs in the family... so better safe than sorry and off we tramped to the vet.
          It appears the Coopster has some sort of chemical burn on his foot between his pads and it was eating away at the pad.  Ahhh... YUCK!  The vet (who was wonderful) had to clean it and wrap it with honey!  And poor Cooper cried like a little girl dog the whole time.  :o(  So, now he's all limpy and pitiful and is raking in the treats at an alarming rate.  No walking and extra treats... hope he doesn't blow out his ACL next carrying around the extra weight.
          Yeah...about the honey...... apparently honey is great for burns, but I must say it makes keeping him from chewing on his bandage a little challenging since I'm sure it smells just yummy.  For the next 4 days I'm changing his Honey Wrap and feeding him pain pills and antibiotics.  And remembering to lock him in his crate every time I walk Zoey because he cries and howls until I'm sure the neighbors either want to shoot him or call the animal equivalent of child protective services on me. Plus, the bonehead will do whatever he can to escape the fence injured foot or no injured foot!  It's fun at the Hyzyhouse!

Hey, you got another kid here...

      Sometimes I feel bad because it seems like Zack can get lost in the shuffle.  All Brenna's "firsts," New recipe nights etc... He just goes along all good-natured and even keeled and doesn't provide me with a lot of good blogging fodder.  Not that that's a bad thing...It's sort of like our photo albums, 95% of the time I am the one taking the pictures, so if someone didn't know us and was looking through the albums they might think John is a single parent! :o)  Not necessarily a bad thing, it just is what it is.  Zack, for the most part, is a sweet, good natured, easy going kid.  The only thing he's doing a lot of right now is growing and playing Xbox!  Like I said, not a lot of blogging fodder.
     Lately, we've been getting ready for high school (still makes me slightly nauseous to think about) planning his courses, sports choices and that sort of thing.  He's applying to a number of specialty programs...Project Lead the Way (engineering) and AP Scholars (honors program).  He had to write an essay to get into each program.  That always makes me laugh, because does any kid really want to get into these programs especially when it involves writing an essay.  Most of the time they probably just want to write "because my mother said I had to."  But he was very amenable and sat down and wrote his essay and I thought it was pretty darn good.

I want to be put into the AP Scholars Program because of all the benefits AP classes provide.  I also want to qualify for an advanced degree diploma.  I would like to have the opportunity to take normal classes and AP classes, instead of only being able to take classes that are easy.  I feel that AP classes will challenge me more than normal classes, and teach me more.  I also think that I would rather “hang out” with kids in AP classes than “average Joes.”  AP classes will help me prepare for college by teaching me good study skills, time management and make me pay attention to details.  These skills will also help me get farther in my life after college.  I don’t feel like middle school has presented me with many serious challenges and I am looking forward to seeing just what I can do when I really have to make an effort.   This will also teach me to strive to be the best that I can.  I don’t know which college I want to attend after high school, but the AP Scholars program will help me to be more competitive wherever I decide to apply.  Lastly, I’ve heard girls like smart guys!

The last line gets me every time, because it is so Zack with his funny sense of humor.  I've always told him when he's writing anything that a bunch of people are going to read, it's good to have something to make you stand out.  What he wanted to write was  "I heard chicks dig smart guys."

Geez, I love that kid.

New Recipe Night - Drunken Gummy Bears!

My friend DeLee turned me on to Pinterest the other day.  I had heard about it sort of, but I lumped it into the "I really don't have the time or interest to learn how to do something else webby.  I can barely keep up with all the changes on Facebook" category, but for some reason that day I decided I'd take a quick peek... All sorts of foul curses on my friend, somehow that morning I lost an entire 45 minutes of my time.  Blink...it was gone...  Pinterest is a fascinating hodgepodge of inane, amazing, helpful, weird, beautiful, brilliant stuff that people have found on the web.  It is a complete website done by people who have too much time on their hands for people who have too much time on their hands and I was trapped!
One of the first things I saw was a recipe for Drunken Gummy Bears!  Tell me, who could resist that!
I knew I had a Girls Night Out coming up and I thought what better to bring to a Girls Night Out Game Night than... drunken gummy bears!

Right now they are in the refrigerator soaking and we'll see what happens. I plan to report back at the end of GNO with what I'm hoping is many humorous pictures of the girls enjoying the drunken gummies!
There's not really a "recipe" mainly directions, here's what I did...

Drunken Gummies

2 1/2 bags (8oz) gummy bears

1 1/2 cup Smirnoff Vodka

1 can frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate (flavor your choice)

Place gummies in a bowl and just cover with vodka.  Place in refrigerator for 3-4 days or until the vodka is absorbed.  Place fruit concentrate in a container and add 1/2 the recommended amount of water.  Add one cup of the fruit juice to gummy bears and allow to soak 3 more days.  Stirring occasionally.

Voila!

Not all the recipes called for the addition of the fruit juice, but the one that did said it helped to cover the strong taste of Vodka.  Since neither I nor any of my friends are big drinkers I thought this sounded like a good idea.  Apparently you must keep the gummies in the refrigerator or the Vodka dissolves them into goo.  Can't wait to see how they turn out.  Check back for a report!

New Recipe Night - Shrimp with Lemon-Saffron Rice

I've lost count of my successes and I think that's a great place to be.  We had a real rough patch last year... a real dry spell... nothing terrible, I didn't kill anyone, but there weren't a lot of recipes added to the ole cookbook.  But it looks like 2012 and shaping up to be a red-letter year!  Last night Zack and I had Shrimp with Lemon-Saffron Rice.  Actually technically is was Shrimp and Kielbasa with Lemon Saffron Rice, because we love us some kielbasa in the Hyzy House.  And if you want to get even more technical, Zack actually had shrimp and kielbasa with a clementine or 18 on the side, but that's a whole other story.  He didn't want anything to do with the rice.  He prefers his carbs in the form of cereal or Eggo waffles.
It was very tasty.  I actually used Saffron Threads, so it better have been good, because those thing cost $19 for an amount that would fit on the head of a pin (maybe two pins).  I mean is the stuff made out of pure gold?  Why the hell does it cost so much, but even more importantly why did I pay for it when I could probably find a box of Uncle Ben's saffron rice for 99 cents???  I guess I was feeling wild and crazy and I had another recipe that also called for saffron threads so I figured "Why Not?"  Let's live life on the edge.  Little did I know that I probably won't have enough of my $19 saffron threads for both recipes.
So, here it is in all it's $19 saffron thread glory....

Shrimp with Lemon-Saffron Rice

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1 tsp minced garlic

1lb peeled and deveined large shrimp

2 cups uncooked instant rice

1/2 cup water

1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh oregano

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp saffron threads, crushed

1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

1 (14oz) can low sodium chicken broth

1 cup frozen peas

2 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium high heat.  Add oil, onion and bell pepper; sauté 3 min or until tender.  Add garlic; cook 30 secs.  Add shrimp to pan' cook 30 secs stirring frequently.  Add rice and next 7 ingredients - through broth.  Bring to a boil, cover pan.  Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until rice is done.  Remove from heat; stir in peas and lemon juice.

Like I said I made a few changes, I added kielbasa because it's one of the few proteins the Zackman will actually eat.  That boy likes the pork - hot dogs, bacon, kielbasa, pulled pork.  He likes the pig that's for sure.  I also left out the peas because frankly they make me gag.  I hate the way the "pop" in your mouth when your eating.  It's an unexpected "what the hell did I just bite into" moment for me.  I prefer my peas to stand alone so I know what I'm getting.  I also forgot to take a picture, so you'll only get the "publicity" shot.  But it was good, another addition to the pork section or fish section of the cookbook!

New Recipe Night - Chicken Caprese

I know, I know new recipe this, new recipe that... it's all I have to write about.  I could talk about Brenna taking her remedial driving class, I could talk about watching football all weekend or my trials and tribulations turning the cheese on at the high school, or working as cafeteria lady or the lengths I have to go to get Zack to write yet another essay about why he wants to be in the AP Scholars program in high school (I don't think it will reflect favorably if he says "because my mother is making me")...but really do we think those things would be more entertaining than New Recipe Night?  I'm not sure....

Homemade Hyzy version

Plus, we've been on a roll at the Hyzy house and we need to make the most of it.  Cooking is sort of feast or famine for me... I'll go for a spurt where I'll cook almost every night and then the dry spell will hit and it will be corn dogs, cereal and take out for quite some time... so let's make the most of it.
Tonight's feast....
Chicken Caprese
2 Tbsp Mrs Dash Tomato Basil Garlic Blend
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 cherry tomatoes, cut in quarters
4 tiny mozzarella balls, cut in half
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp red wine vinegar

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray baking dish with cooking spray.
Toss tomatoes and mozzarella balls with 1 Tbsp Mrs Dash seasoning.
Lightly flatten each breast.  Place tomatoes and mozzarella ball mixture on each chicken breast.  Roll up and secure with a toothpick.
Place breasts on baking tray.  Combine olive oil, vinegar and remaining 1 Tbsp Mrs Dash seasoning and brush on each chicken breast.
Bake for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven, cover lightly with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.

Official version

This was tasty, tasty, tasty and easy, easy, easy.  Of course Zack wouldn't touch it - he had the supremely tasty and fortifying, dinner of champions Ramen noodles for dinner.  The kid lives on ramen, cereal and waffles - it's like he's already in college!

New Recipe Night - John Hyzy style - otherwise known as Heaven on a Plate!

It's a Manly Grill

Last night, John took over New Recipe Night.  Background,  this is the 2nd year in a row that John has won his Fantasy Football Superbowl.  This is the 2nd year, I have NOT participated in Fantasy Football... I'm just saying...  Anyway, when he wins I make him use the money for something he wants that he would never buy normally.  Last year he bought himself an iPad and this year it was a new grill.  He researched and shopped around and found his dream grill.  It's a charcoal grill, but lights with propane and it's got all sorts of flimmity flams, whicker wockets and extra cool dippity dots.  He even got a wireless thermometer with alarms and bells and whistles.  He's been a grilling maniac.  We've had ribs and pork butt and burgers etc... But last night he OUTDID himself!  We had Grilled Salmon, but not just any grilled salmon.  This was sweet and salty and moist and luscious and honestly to die for!  He made it with potatoes, peppers and onions grilled in foil.  I didn't have to do a damn thing, except dishes!  Totally worth it and if he keeps cooking like this - I am turning in my pots and pans!
The recipe was called Grilled Salmon - but I am renaming it

Heaven on a Plate

1 1/2 lbs salmon fillets

lemon pepper to taste

Heaven on a Plate

garlic powder to taste

salt to taste

1 tsp crushed red pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

3 Tbsp honey

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp sesame oil

4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Season salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder and salt.
In a bowl, stir together all the remaining ingredients until mixture is dissolved.  Place fish in a large resealable plastic bag with the marinade mixture, seal and turn to coat.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Preheat grill to medium heat.  Cook salmon for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a  fork.
This was soooo good, "we" might just make it again this weekend!

New Recipe Night - Crock Pot Carne Asada

Crock Pot Carne Asada

 3 lbs beef stew meat

2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies

salt and pepper to taste

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup chopped onion

1 diced bell pepper

3 Tbsp flour

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp chili powder

1/4 cup water

Place stew meat, 1/4 cup water, salt and pepper in crock pot.  Cook on high an let simmer for 1 1/2 hours.  Drain juice from tomatoes into measuring cup.  Add tomatoes, garlic, green pepper and onions to crock pot; stir and let simmer on high for 30 minutes.  Add cumin, oregano and chili powder to crock pot and stir.  Blend juice an enough water to equal 1 1/2 cups liquid and flour.  Stir into meat/veggie mixture.  Let cook on low for 3-4 hours until sauce is nice and thick.  (If you like runnier gravy, 3 hours is good)  Serve with rice and warm tortillas.

It was pretty good, I don't think I let it cook long enough.  It will probably be great tomorrow after the flavors meld a little more.  I also think I need to let it cook a little longer, because the meat was a little tough.  Lots of potential just a little tweaking needed.