Family Picnic Part 2

Every year we have a large group shot in front of our stone gazebo. We center the over 65 year olds in chairs and we collect around them. It awesome comparing pictures from over the years seeing how our family grew, who made the trek up and who has passed. It’s a great wordless definition of family, accept you for who you are, tolerate you, warm your heart but drive you nuts at the same time. Yes, we are an interesting bunch, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! 

Here are a few from years past.

2001

2008

2009

This year’s shot

 

The Montecalvo Elders........

.........from here our family grew with love, tears, prayers and everything in between! This picture holds so much, its from a few years back, half have passed but we carry them in our hearts everyday and it shows us we better strive to be our best. 

Nonnie's children, John, mom, Peter, Francesca

Nonnie's sister, Aunt Ann's children: Angela, Paul, Fran & Skip

Let's call this group the third generation  

Claudia's, Frank's, Fran's, Peter's, Paul's and John's offspring!

Family Picnic: Part 1

Wow! two posts in one day, go me!

We will do this in parts since I have a lot of pics and lots to say! 

We had family from California, Connecticut, Colorado, Brooklyn, Maine, Washington DC, North Carolina, Australia, Florida, and Pennsylvania.  With an age range of 7 weeks to ninety three

 

Life sometimes gets in the way and not everyone can attend every year but every year my parents make a big effort to remind us all the importance of family, wherever they live.

 

It means so much too many people including my grandmother.  My Nonnie’s, (mom’s mom) only ninetieth birthday wish was to have all her children and grandchildren up for the family picnic!  She even sent us all money to ensure we were there!

 

There are a few staples each year.  One is beer, brought by Skip, usually in styrofoam coolers!  We have quite the collection in my parent’s basement!  BUT this year Skip used two plastic tubs filled to the brim with ice and beer!  Skip always brings an array of beer, including Saranac!  Saranac is local to the Adirondacks and the brewery is in downtown Utica.  I’m not sure where it is and is not sold but it’s a big deal in our area.

 

Games! Yes, we are one of those families that play games at picnics.  We have had more in the past but two staples are the face game & water balloon towel toss.  It’s where we launch water balloons with beach towels down a row.  The concept is to catch it and release but we just try to bomb each other!  For the face game, every year Greg makes four poster boards of faces of popular people in the news, sports, cartoon characters, celebrities and one hit wonders.  It’s pretty fun to see who knows whom.  The team captain gets a hideous trophy that is kind of like the fruitcake no one wants!

 

Another is our house jammed packed with people!  Traveling is expensive, we always have cousins stay at our house, limiting the necessity for hotel expenses.  In past years, we have had four families stay with us, which included almost twenty people.  Even for a four-bedroom house, that many people make it tight.  This year was only us four and Fran & Bitsy with 3 out of 4 of their kids.

One year we had my parents in their room with me on an air mattress, Fran, Bitsy & little Franny in my room, John & Terri in the green room, five in my brother’s room, one on an air mattress in our downstairs study and three boys in a tent outside!  We have gotten creative housing all our family by borrowing a friend’s house, sending family members to other (local) family’s houses, and even used hotels.

 

Each year we do a group shot and some family pictures.  

Which will be for another post! 

This is why I LOVE this challenge!

I have not gone grocery shopping since I got back from New York. I went to make a shake & my milk had the consistency of syrup. FAIL. Then I grabbed my cranberry juice my cranberry juice was frozen in my fridge. BOOO. I like using cold liquid in my shakes, so water was out too. I found apple juice in my fridge, it just wasn’t the low calorie kind. I was getting a bit discouraged and wanted to just eat a donut for breakfast.

But after being in New York, I needed to have a shake, NOT a donut. I pushed myself to find a few things to make a shake. I figured 8oz of 100% apple juice wouldn’t kill me, but I didn’t have anything to add to my shake. It felt like I was hitting dead end after dead end. I decided to search the tundra, empty my freezer to find a healthy, non-ice cream novelty to add to my shake. I found a bag of bananas I froze a few weeks ago! I was thinking it might taste a bit bland so I added (for the first time) the Shape-Up Health Flavor Mix-In: Banana Energy Charge.

There is just so much variety in this challenge that I never feel deprived. It takes less work than preparing meals, plus its healthier and cheaper! I started this morning, discouraged that I really didn’t have my shake basics, but after a little digging and thought I might have even found a new favorite.

I love the flavor of bananas but sometimes its flavor is masked by other things I add to a shake. I love that I found another shake recipe that allows the banana to be the main flavor of the shake.

I have found my favorite shake recipes on days I am just frustrated, want to give up but find a little strength, use some creativity and search my freezer/kitchen for healthier ingredients I can add to my shakes! (trust me I have tons of things I could add to my shakes but it would kill the entire challenge, getting fit concept, not to mention more calories than two donuts, that’s another challenge all in itself)

 

2 scoops of Body by Vi Protein Shake Mix

8oz of Minute Maid 100% apple juice

1 banana

1 Shape-Up Health Flavor Mix-In Banana Energy Charge

4 ice cubes 

Wanna join??? misserandom.myvi.net

Email me for a free sample kit: missierandom@gmail.com 

 

*** I have noticed if you individually wrap bananas in saran wrap, then put them in a zip lock freezer bag, they will last in your freezer , maintain their flavor, and not get brown or slimy.

Cayuga Lake Wineries

It is a staple that the Saturday after the fourth is our family picnic/reunion.  It’s my mom’s side of the family and my dad has deemed it “the Moran family invasion.”  (which explains my blogging break)

To prep for the invasion, my cousins and brother visiting from California left early Thursday morning to hit up Cayuga Lake and did some wine tasting! We started with a car swap, parents in one car, and cousins in the other.  After getting lost following the parents, we pulled over at an abandoned factory that looked like it belonged in Silence of the Lambs, looked at the map, typed it into our car’s gps & went on our way!

There is no rhyme or reason to my wine likes.  I love semi dry sparkling wines, dry Rieslings and dry, dry reds.

 

Knapp Winery

We got a list to select from with cool monogrammed Knapp Winery golf pencils & then started tasting!

When we walked out, there was a little pond known as Knapp Lake.  There was a caution sign for the depth of the lake but there should have been a caution sign about the webbed feet, feathered covered waterfowls.

My brother, decided to walk up to the lake for further inspection, the waterfowls did not move, even when he got closer.  So, we decided to check out the lake too and grab some group pics. 

Then in all his wisdom decided to throw rocks, sticks, or something at the feathered group.  Well, all of a sudden, they started quacking and squawking; they lined up and started charging us!  Those suckers were fast!  We all ran down the hill and my mom screamed, “Kevin if I get bit I will kill you.”  It was hysterical, but all of us ran fast down that hill.  Luckily, they stopped at the top of the hill.  You don’t mess with the webbed feet, feather covered creatures that reside at Knapp Lake!

Cobblestone Farm Winery was our next stop.  In my opinion, the best type of winery for wine tasting!  They had all these samples of dips, salsa and spreads with tons of snacks to dip into them!  I didn’t taste wine at this one, but definitely filled my stomach!  YUM. 

Goose Watch Winery, well as we pulled up in the middle of the grape vines was this huge goose!  I guess it’s the same idea of a scarecrow. Cute winery, no favorites though.  I shared my tasting, I had one, my dad(?) had the rest!

 

Lunch, we were going to eat on the Thirsty Owl’s deck overlooking the lake but it was 30 minutes for a table and we were hungry!  We went to this little mom and pop creamery, Cayuga Lake Creamery.  It was old fashioned and cute with framed old maps and pictures with chalkboard menus!  

 

We went back to the Thirsty Owl for some tasting!  My cousins are twins and the wine girl couldn’t believe it because their hair was different!  We think she might have been tasting the wine herself!  This winery seemed a bit more refined.  The vineyard is right on the lake, surrounded by tons of grape vines with the winery having huge windows looking out on the lake.  They even had “fancy croutons” they were these squared, puffed crackers to cleanse your pallet.  I split this one with mom. They really possessed an air of elegance.  (minus our wine girl, hehe)

Hosmer Winery had the best initial impression.  A windy drive way surrounded by acres of grape vines, with the lake in the background.  There were even people out tending to the vines as we pulled up. Many of their wines were metal winners & I found a favorite Riesling.  Plus a great photo-op location.

 

We stopped at Lucas Winery.  They are known for their sweeter wines, totally up my aunt’s ally but not mine.  Though I got a free poster there that I may frame and put up in my kitchen!  I decided to skip out, walk the grounds, and take pictures.

It was great that all the winery’s let us share/split our tastings.  Sometimes I had no desire to try more than two or three wines, plus 5-6 tastings at each winery can add up! It was surprising to know that quite a few wineries actually use the grapes they grow to make the wines they sell.  Other wineries in the Finger Lakes outsource their grapes. 

 

We were exhausted by the end of the day, my dad was done but I think my aunt and uncle would have done seven more!  California wineries a bit pricier!  It was an awesome preparation for the upcoming family invasion. I’m kidding we love our family and this weekend we all look forward to.

Happy Fourth!!!

Happy Fourth of July!

I guess it’s a bit of tradition that July 4^th involves firework displays. It unifies us as a country taking the time to say Happy Birthday America! The weekend after the fourth is always our yearly family picnic. Normally our family arrival or invasion is on or around the fourth! Like many, we celebrate our nation’s birthday on the fourth, with family and fireworks. (3 F’s, totally not planned)

We’ll start with the fireworks.

I was never a major fan of fireworks, the loud noises, the bugs, the sitting on the ground…etc. They just were never high on my list for things to do for excitement.

My uncle used to do this mini firework display for me on my birthday. It was neat but more of a firecracker display since it was in broad day light and the fact that setting off fireworks in New York was/is illegal.  Those fireworks I enjoyed. A bit like the kick off to summer.

Sparklers were always fun, especially one year where we got these 3 foot long ones. It was fun when our out of state cousins smuggled some over the boarder! It was fun to light the smoke bombs, the Chinese lanterns and other bright light exploding items.

Though the big firework shows? Not really my cup of tea.

I don’t think I was never the child that freaked with the loud noises of fireworks, but I know I was never a major fan of huge firework displays. My dad made them fun by tickling us when those curly, spiral ones went off. He thought they sounded like bugs and he would be the buzzing bug “biting” us. Though my firework memory or legacy is being reminded at every firework display of a particular fourth of July firework display I attended when I was little.

I’m a very stubborn person. I can dig my heels in deep. Well, when I was 7 or 8 I was dragged to fireworks and needless to say, I was not happy and did not want to be there. How did I show my family my displeasure? After every firework, I said garbage. I sat there with my hands holding my head up, a sourpuss expression and muttered garbage after every.single.firework. When someone say ooo or ahhh, I replied garbage. “Erin what do you think of that one?”… garbage. “wow that was a big one; don’t you think it lit up the sky Erin?”…. Garbage. “It’s the finale! Look Erin”.... garbage. Yes, I was real pleasure to be with that night!

The best part? I get reminded of that stupid story every time I am with my family at a fireworks show. So, in accordance with disliking my birthday, I am not the biggest fan of our nation’s birthday because of that story. (silly, I know) In years past it really bugged me when everyone thought it was funny to mimic me or remind me of my lovely performance of a past fireworks show. I got really annoyed. Now I think it’s funny, and a great example of my personality! Though I am able to laugh at this story, I am still not a huge fan of fireworks and unlike my birthday occur more than once a year. But I’m growing; I am no longer 100% against my birthday or 100% against firework displays. That’s Progress People!

Though it is nice to say Happy Birthday America, see how America has progressed over the past year, and see how America has and has not learned from previous years! I guess everyone has beef with some aspect of their birthday, even our nation!

Happy Fourth of July!

Mom’s here visiting!!!

I thought I would give you a few shake recipes that may help keep you on track this upcoming holiday week! ps. I am not much of a snack shake eater, I make shakes for meals. In No particular order: I add ice to all of my shakes, though I might not have written ice cubes in each recipie.

*** I don’t feel like typing all the shake recipes into myfitness pal, I did some others not. Sorry!

My favorite breakfast one

506 calories perfect for a day full of activity

2 scoops

1C skim milk

1C frozen/fresh strawberries

½C Quaker Oats (uncooked)

Ice cubes

My “Starbucks” Chai Latte

278 calories (with added caramel topping)

2 scoops

½ C skim milk

½ C tazo chai black tea concentrate

Ice cubes

(optional) 1TBLS Smuckers Caramel Topping—I add this after I blend it up

Greek Yogurt Berry

230 calories

8oz of la croix cranberry raspberry sparkling water

1 chiobani champions honey-nana

½ C frozen triple berry mix (blueberries, raspberries & blackberries)

2 scoops

Get those veggies in there!!!

2 scoops
1C spinach
1C frozen raspberries
1can diet ginger ale

Usually a lunch shake for me

215 calories
8oz Trop 50 farmstand apple
3/4C frozen peaches
1/2C frozen strawberries
2 scoops

Ice cubes

No dairy Option

1/2 fresh frozen banana
1.3 c frozen strawberries
8oz trop 50 farm stand apple
2 scoops

Ice cubes

Chunkie Monkey minus the chunk but not the ie  

(my favorite on the go dinner 478 calories)
10oz Skim Milk
2 Scoops
1 medium banana frozen
2 TBLS skippy reduced fat creamy peanut butter

  

A HUGE TREAT

1c skim milk

1 medium frozen banana

2 TBLS skippy reduced fat creamy peanut butter

2 scoops

1 TBLS Ghirardelli ground chocolate

I add extra ice cubes to make it super thick & last extra long

Please, Please share your favs. 

ps. I cannot stomach soy milk, almond milk or rice milk but you can switch out skim for one of those if you prefer!

pps. I cannot figure out blogger's spacing sorry! 

"Erin" cooking

I come from a great line of cooks, but cooking surely is not hereditary or at least it stopped at my generation.  Though I got extra eating genes.  Can I cook?  Yes, I can.  Maybe it’s the process or the time it takes from start to finish, but cooking tends to get on my nerves.  My form of cooking is add whatever I like together and pray its tastes good.  No, I am not mixing milk with lime juice; I have some sense when it comes to cooking.  I guess I am just too neurotic or impatient for cooking.  I tend to panic if the recipe says browns in twenty minutes but after twenty minutes, there is no browning visible.  Instead of just thinking, it needs more time I get all flustered.  Plus I am busy and cooking seems to be a bit time consuming, yes even 20-minute meals.  I am just not comfortable in the kitchen and not hugely inspired to get more comfortable.  I have tons of recipes, some I have tried some I haven’t I just have to get in the mood or be craving it to make it.

I’m working on it and I can follow recipes well, just I’m not creative or cook as I go type person.  Nor do I know how to “save” a meal by adding said ingredient; I even screwed up chili by adding cornstarch to thicken it.  How was I supposed to know it would thicken as it cooked, (I was scared it would burn).  Currently, I cook maybe 3 meals all on Sunday and eat them progressively throughout the week.  I will cut up whatever produce I purchase to snack on or use in my “cooking” throughout the week.  I’m a grazer, I love snacking!!!  I don’t really get bored with foods I like.  I always have cooked chicken in my freezer & normally have a bag of par-cooked pasta in my fridge.  For the pasta, I take out what I want, put it in a sealed zip lock bag with 1/4c. of water and microwave.  It’s great, perfectly cooked pasta without all the extra dishes.  (Yeah I’m not saving the world with my plastic usage)  I know I’m a complete insult to my heritage but I used store bought sauce.  It’s easier & keeps longer, though I can and have made my own sauce before.  I even made pesto before (shocking right?)

My “creativity” in the kitchen comes in the form of dumping.  Dump, mix, combine things I like together and instant meal.  For example my most recent concoction (well inspired by my cousin):

Bag of arugula, (it was on sale, any type of leafy green works)

Bag of shredded carrots (I can’t get my carrots to get like this, plus I don’t own a dishwasher)

Can of garbanzo beans

Pint of grape tomatoes

5oz container of reduced fat blue cheese

Some freshly ground pepper

Open all containers, drain or rinse if necessary & stir

 Another favorite, (from weight watchers, I think?):

Can of black beans

Can of cooked corn

Jar of salsa

Put on top of a wrap, bread, crackers… etc

Some days I get a bit crazy & make chicken tacos

Frozen Pre-Cooked Chicken

Shredded Cheese

Black Beans or Garbanzo beans

McCormick Perfect Pinch (I like the garlic & basil one)

Peppers

Hummus

I like, no love to eat.  My form of cooking is the greatest especially in the summer during yucky humidity filled days, who wants to turn an oven on when it already feels like an oven in the kitchen.  The occurrences of my cooking are limited.  In my defense I work full time, am a full time grad student and I live alone with no dishwasher.  I like my form of cooking or dumping.  Although I can be a picky eater, I did eat chicken fingers for 3.5 weeks straight during a family road trip cross country (oddly, enough, I rarely, rarely eat them now).

I love the flavor of onions but won’t eat onions or cook with them for that matter.  Mayo… YUCK! Cooked mushrooms taste like slimy worms to me, but I can tolerate raw ones. Coconut is a no go for me. Artichokes & artichoke hearts are always picked out of any dish. Ground beef is another no go.

Though the “foods I eat” have grown yearly in leaps and bounds.  I like good food, plus every year I try new things and what I eat now would gag 10-year-old Erin.  I am in love with cheese, pretty much any cheese other than Swiss or provolone.  In my opinion, cottage cheese does not deserve cheese in its name nor does cheese cake for that matter.  Though I make an awesome cheesecake, but won’t eat it!  Prefer dark chocolate over milk.  Not a fan of pie.  Lobster, scallops, shrimp and occasionally tilapia are my seafood favs.  Will take raw vegetables over cooked any day.  Love milk but hate soy, almond or rice milk.  Have a weakness for juice-cocktails.  Will always pick salty over sweet.

How do you cook?  What won’t you eat?  What is your weakness?