FIVE PEOPLE TO KNOW

1. Mo   2. Rick Hall  3. American Sandlot Baseball 4. Ree Drummond 5. Libbie Summers

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LEGS

I was by far the worst one on the golf range that day...for sure the palest golfer and no question the least educated golfer. However, by the end of my lesson, I could knock that ball right off its legs, as well as any of the men out there. (At least that's how I saw it).

My father-in-law was quick to point out that I hooked the ball in this video...but whatever!!! :)

I knew we'd get along well. We're both brunettes and we both hale from S.A. (South Africa and South Alabama). What more do you need?! Still, I was very nervous about this lesson! Everyone thinks highly of this guy, Mark Immelman. They talk about how he's from South Africa (with an accent to prove it) and that he has a good-looking family (it's true...he has three beautiful leading ladies) and how his brother, Trevor, won the green jacket a few years back.

My golfing adventure began in the club house at Bull Creek golf course, where a man tossed me a key then answered his phone. That was it. I wasn't sure what the key was for...Did I look like I needed to use the restroom? Was there some secret door to unlock? He caught wind I was confused and, holding the phone away from his mouth, directed me to "take the first cart and follow the path."

First I couldn't get the cart to start. Then I went down the wrong path...this is not how I saw this going. Eventually I made it to where I was supposed to be. I waved as if to say Hi, it's me...I made it. 

From across the lawn, Mark yelled, "Where are your clubs?" 

That moment you realize you left the (bleep) golf clubs in the back of your truck...

"Yeah! Be right back!" This was turning into a sitcom.

It crossed my mind, back at the truck, that this was my chance to escape to Starbucks and drown my humiliation in a very large iced latte.

I got my stuff together and made it back (ten of my thirty minutes were now up) and we got started. Mark asked me why I was there. I told him I had a blog called project-housewife and thought this would make for a good story (plus Mac would be thrilled if I knew the difference between a 9 iron and a non-iron). He announced to the rest of the students standing around that project-housewife was on the green. thanks. for that.

I was a little embarrassed, but I didn't actually whack him over the head like it looks in these pictures. Here we are doing wrist and forearm-strengthening exercises. Ladies, if you're going to use your man's clubs like I did (maybe you shouldn't, but if you do), holding the club out with a straight arm and making a rainbow with the club will help a lot. Forewarning...it ain't easy and you'll look awkward.)

Mark asked So why golf? That was a good question, but there was also a simple answer...If a girl wants a solid relationship with a guy, she should know at least one thing about this sport. He laughed and asked if I knew much about 'this sport.' Sure I do! There's a driver and every now and then you yell FOUR!! (No wait...my kids yell f-o-u-r when fighting over their ages. Golfers yell f-o-r-e. Got it.) 

We got down to business. I was expecting "shift your weight, keep your head down, follow through, etc..." Instead, he gave me one simple piece of advice: It's all about the legs. 

Instead of focusing on hitting the ball, he told me to try and knock two little invisible legs out from under the ball. The idea was that if I could clip the legs, the ball would follow. I thought that was pretty simple and a little less fancy than maybe I would've expected; But I did as he said and shockingly, after a few whiffs, I knocked that sucker off its legs, becoming the latest and greatest female golfer (in my immediate family). 

The rest of the lesson was spent practicing this concept. It worked every time. Amazing.

What in the world, Mark? You just stand there all relaxed and tell people to hit invisible legs...and they do...and then they make 'bank' winning tournaments all over the world. That's genius. I'm so glad we did this.  

In all seriousness, I honestly enjoyed the short amount of time I got to spend with Mark. It was not nearly as terrifying as I expected. I came into this thinking it was going to be a disaster; But by the time I left, I got why everyone's so enamored with taking lessons from him. He can turn a right-brained, skinny-legged, putt-putt golfer into someone who can fake it till she makes it (at least for 9-holes on date night).

If you're a blue-jean, bare-foot golfer like me (or if you, like, actually know stuff about golf), you can be sure that Mark will teach you how to up your game. His lessons are tough to snag, but if you plan ahead, I promise this would be a gift that your significant other (or you!) would not soon forget.

"Mark Immelman is a golfer. He can teach you to be one too." -http://markimmelman.com

Hot Diggity, it's L.C. Stevens (you know him?)

To lots of people in Columbus, he qualifies as extended family. He’s visited babies in the hospital, provided food for brides on their big day, and has been a listening ear for thousands of hungry and talkative mouths (including mine). I’ll bet he knows a lot about a lot of folks…but he’s a good man and a smart man. We talked about the South and how everyone’s related and how you should never say anything bad about anyone. He put his pointer finger over closed lips, suggesting that he’s not one to gossip. I like that. He’s served presidents, supermodels, editors, and more…but he’s not phased by them (at least not at 83). He’s as interested in the sweaty kid with mismatched socks as he is the olympian who once stopped by for a hotdog and a handshake. 

He’s Lieutenant Charles Stevens. He’s never been in the military, but he’s patriotic…or at least his aunt was. She gave him the name Lieutenant the day after Veteran’s Day, when he was born in Bullock County, Alabama. I asked why she gave him that name and he said, “I think she got carried away with the celebration.” At first, I called his bluff. Then he pulled out his driver’s license. Sure enough…Lieutenant C. Stevens. That made me like him even more.

He was a year old when he moved to Columbus. Thirteen years after that, he found himself helping the cook behind the counter at Dinglewood Pharmacy. It was June of 1946. World War II was still fresh on everyone’s mind and meat was being rationed. Fourteen year old Lieutenant would cut up “half a weenie,” mix it with beans and sauce, generously pour it over a flattened bun, add a few onions and pickles and then serve the steaming hot concoction to Lieutenants with other names, and everyone else. This was the start of the scramble-dog. At least that’s what some folks say. Down Old Cusetta Road, at Firm Roberts Cafe, another guy was chopping franks and serving them up by the same name. The scramble-dog war continues today…although my cooking partner didn’t seem too concerned about who started what. 

Lieutenant told me there was a lot going on in Columbus in those days- the war was over and Auburn-Georgia games were played in town (until a bigger stadium was suggested and the games moved to Auburn). He figured he’d work at Dinglewood until he graduated high-school, but his boss didn’t want him to leave. After the boss passed away, Lieutenant took over (he told me he'd been doing it all anyway, so it made sense). 70 years later, he still opens and closes the place…but usually just on Saturdays. 

Everyone I know loves a messy scramble-dog. Little girls love them because they are hot pink. Guys love them because they’re…I actually don’t know why guys love them. I guess even with its pinkness, the scramble-dog is classic man-food. Other people love them because of tradition. Sometimes, it’s not as much about the food as it is the experience. For me, eating at Dinglewood is like getting a tiny taste of a different time. The friendly service, the classic music, the swivel stools and fountain cokes have the ability to convince you, for at least a few minutes, that Elvis might be outside taking a smoke-break.

I feel very lucky that I got to spend some time with Lieutenant. I think it’s pretty cool that I got to learn how to construct a scramble-dog by the man who (might have) invented it. I never thought, as a girl from the other side of the river, that I’d ever eat oyster crackers on my chili-dog, but I’m sure glad I figured it out sooner than later.

If you haven't experienced the delicious mess that is the scramble-dog, add the River City to your next trip and stop by the Pharmacy. (Convenient, isn't it? Chow down, grab some tums, and get a real cherry coke for the road all in one stop!) Fun Fact: AFLAC is headquartered just across the street.

Thank you Lieutenant for all of your great stories, scramble-dog making, and fun memories! 

I loved every minute and every bite...

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

If you need some "mealspiration" for the weekend, I've got you covered. Remember that cooking class I took in New York a few months back? It may have been just one day, but it changed my entire perspective on cooking. I came home inspired! Maybe it was because in cooking school they force you to read recipes start to finish (which I rarely did before). Or maybe it was because for the first time ever, I was taught HOW to read a recipe. I didn't even know what I didn't know! 

My sweet, witty, and very accomplished friend, Marge, taught my class at the Institute of Culinary Education. She kindly (with a butcher knife in hand) told me that I was slowly killing my entire family and needed to change my food-prep ways. Amongst other things, she told me to never put frozen chicken in a crock-pot. PPSSHH...Who does that? Not me. Never! Well, maybe once...before I knew better. The internet told me to! Now that I know how quickly bacteria multiplies, I plan to save the world one crock-pottin' housewife at a time...Trust me. It's for your own good. I'm telling you this because I love you. 

Good news! Marge and Craftsy recently worked together to bring us an on-line class all about preparing chicken! If you're intimidated by poultry, or if you're bored with your same old go-to chicken dish, you may want to take the class. Click here to get the 'housewife discount.' (She's generous too...Thanks, Marge!)

One of Craftsy's crew members...I think we would be friends for sure.

You'll learn a lot of what I learned in my class at a fraction of the cost (plus no plane ticket, hotel, or 

taxi fares). Let me know if you take the course and send me a pic of your next chicken dinner!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great weekend! 

Disclaimer: I'm not being paid to share this info. I just happen to have super cool friends & want you to know them too! 

Sneak (Snack) Attack

Today was rainy and cold, so the kids and I decided to drown our sorrows in these biscuit-donuts (bisnuts...docuits...) with a delish chocolate glaze. This is not an official recipe and I do not claim that they are worthy of a 'hot, now' neon flashing sign. However, Cannon and Ford liked making them and they loved eating as many as they could before I noticed!  

STEP 1: TAKE A WATER BOTTLE CAP (OR A TINY COOKIE CUTTER) AND PUNCH OUT THE CENTER OF MINI CANNED BISCUITS. Disclaimer: homemade biscuits or actual donuts would be addictive. To curve my appetite and because I felt lazy, I went with canned goods.

STEP 2: Melt 1 stick of butter, adding in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (not shown) in a sauce pan.
STEP 3: Dip the biscuits (rings and balls) into the melted butter-nilla until completely coated.

STEP 4: BAKE ACCORDING TO PACKAGE (or until LIGHT brown)
STEP 5:  Melt chocolate chips with the remaining butter-nilla (this is so unprofessional...)

STEP 6: MAKE SURE THE CHOCOLATE ISN'T POISONOUS

STEP 7: Spoon the hot, rainy day, take my blues away, chocolate over the biscuits and EAT!

Or you could try this version and be forever changed. Dip the dough in plain melted butter, then a cinnamon-sugar mix, and bake as usual. THESE are really good!

Brunch with the Bunny

Happy Monday, y'all!! Hope your weekend was full of adventure (the good kind, not the stitches/ER kind). As my grandfather would say, we had a passel of birthday parties between Friday and Monday. I also got to help the girls from Ruffles and Rompers (a local kids boutique) throw a special "brunch with the bunny," which was so much fun. Here are a few pics from our morning. Thanks to Neely for the great pictures!

We decided to 'fancify' a few classic breakfast items. I served grits with thin cheese straws as a garnish in tiny champagne glasses (I painted the bottoms of the plastic glasses with quick imperfect strokes for a little punch). We made french toast and bacon skewers and put together quick little chicken n' waffles - they were a big hit! I wanted to keep things very natural and pretty. I wanted the table to look great, but the store was the focus of this party, so the decorations didn't need to be over the top. I wanted to avoid plastic folding tables and lots of fabric this time, so I borrowed saw-horses and a particle board topper from a friend's workshop. I used oversized tacks to hang the simple tassel swag, upside-down wooden crates to add height and display flowers, and 2x4's became my platters. Sometimes simple (and free) are best! I'll let you in on a secret...chocolate milk and cute straws are all you need to keep toddlers happy for an hour or two!!

One of my favorite details was this sweet arrangement in cracked eggs. (remove the top, empty the yoke/whites, rinse, and add soil and tiny flowers/filler). The egg carton is your vase. Easy and pretty! 

Happy Easter!

(But first, Happy Passover!)

Breakfast of Champions (probably not, but who cares)

I got to enjoy a massive 'bitter brick' of chocolate yesterday. It was a rich, dark, delicious just-sweet-enough-brick...that came from Bitter Brick. I don't know what your love language is, but mine is definitely CHOCOLATE! I love all kinds of chocolate from all kinds of countries. Today, it happened to be Belgian. The process was simple and the result was good.

This next picture cracks me up, because at first I told them not to smile or laugh just be really serious...they didn't bat an eye-just scowled and looked very serious! Bless their hearts. Wasn't that so mean of me? It did break the 'awkward-picture' ice though, and we all had a good laugh. Then they all smiled and ta-da! Even after my little joke, they gave me a delicious hot coffee and let me sample the chicken soup...I could easily eat an entire pot of that stuff!  

Rocky Hutchins (owner), Jared Bullington, and Ellie Grace Hughes 

Ellie Grace is the pastry chef. I have to say I was impressed with her. She is 20 and self-taught and is like those people who can play a crazy good tune on the piano by ear. She was gracious and kind and a great teacher...she also makes a mean macaroon! Make sure to grab some for Mother's Day... a pretty treat and a tasty one too!

Had I not been in a rush to get to the dentist, I would have stayed for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desert, and probably would have walked out with a bottle of wine to boot. I thought make your own yogurt bars were genius...how about a biscuit bar! Does that blow your mind or what?! Picking just one of their awesome breakfast items is hard enough- but choosing from approximately five million butter/jam (or is it preserve?) options...southern HEAVEN.

Looking for a local wine club? Details here!

Stop by and tell them I sent you. 

Also, make sure you ask which pieces of bark I made and buy the one next to it. :/

ENJOY! 

Sharks and minnows

Spring break is OVER!!! I mean spring break is over. Bummer. I am so thankful for best friends who include us in their beach trips. It's always fun to travel with other families; but last week may have ended our five-year tradition. Tell me I'm not the only one on planet mom who suffers from what-if syndrome. (What if the current drags him under? What if she runs off and I can't find her? What if somebody falls off the top bunk? What if they figure out how to unlock the front door?) There's a thin line between good parenting and being super paranoid. Every now and then, both of my feet get stuck on that line. My paranoia comes across loud and clear in the times we are away from home, when Mac's not with us or when my kids' listening ears aren't working. I just love 'em a whole lot. Even though there were many '1...2...THREE's,' there were plenty of precious smiles, belly laughs, and really good food to balance the tattling, not-fairs, and melt-downs. Yay for friends, fun times, and YAY for pre-school!

 

I am madly in love with these kids! My blessings are to many to count, but they are two of the biggest and best and most obvious.