Super Easy Porksteaks

The porksteak seems to be a pretty popular cut of meat here in South City.  Most of the time they are grilled, but I tried an easy stovetop recipe tonight, and it was yummy.  This recipe comes from the St. Lucas cookbook, and was submitted by Karen Kovac (my friend Sherry's aunt...so now you have Sherry's aunt Tina's oatmeal, and Sherry's aunt Karen's porksteaks).

Ingredients:

• 1-2 lbs of porksteaks (however many will fit in your largest skillet pan)
• salt and pepper
• 1 cup each of the following:  ketchup, bbq sauce, and coca-cola(do not substitute another cola)

Directions:

1. Season porksteaks with salt and pepper.
2. Heat oil in skillet and add porksteaks.
3. Cook on each side just until the pink color is gone (no major browning will occur...just "greying").
4. Combine ketchup, bbq sauce and coke, mixing well.
5. Pour sauce mix over porksteaks.  Simmer on low heat for 1 hour.  (not sure if you should leave the lid on the pan...I didn't, but next time I'm going to try it with the lid on)

Fit n' Fun

Wade started fit n' fun class at the Y.  He's at the young end of the class (the oldest kids are 4 and 5).  While he doesn't participate in everything, he loves going.  He also is obsessed with his teacher, Nikki.  He wakes up in the morning saying "Mickey?  gim?"  He brings her up during the day at random times.  I think she's made a good impression with all the fun stuff they do in class.  The kids get to run around the gym in bare feet and do all sorts of active games, songs and relays.  Most parents of the 2 and 3 year olds stay and help their kids through class.  The Hokey Pokey looks pretty funny with all the parents moving their kids floppy limbs through the appropriate movements.  The other half of the time, the parents are shaking their sillies out while the kids are running everywhere but where they're suppossed to be.  Today was extra fun for Wade because my friend brought her two girls to class, and Wade loves them.  He probably participated more, too, since they were helping him through all the activities.  

Here's some pictures from a recent family trip to Grant's Farm.  Anheuser Busch runs it, and it's like a free mini-zoo.  Kevin had taken a day off (a sweltering, hot day), and we all went.  Now that AB was bought by IMBEV, everyone in St. Louis is worried that the community home town pride of AB will be lost.  This includes the great free Grant's Farm, among many other charitable things AB sponsors.  One of the free things at Grant's Farm is beer.  All patrons of legal drinking age can get two complimentary beers at each visit.  Kevin wanted to cash in on this before a potential closing of/charging for this service.  So at the end of our Grant's farm day, Kevin went to get one of his two drinks.  I asked him if he wanted me to go get his second one (so he wouldn't have to wait in line, and because I was hot and ready to go home.)  Then I asked if he got carded, since I didn't have my wallet with me.  He didn't, so I went and stood in line.  Of course, the bartender gave me a look and asked for some ID.  I felt so lame when I told him I didn't have my wallet, turned around and walked away with my tail between my legs.  I saw another lady getting a beer.  She didn't look any older or younger than me, but she had a toddler on her hip.  She wasn't carded.  I bet I would have gotten a beer if Wade was with me.  Stupid bartender...doing his job...like a jerk.

Note the pic of Wade with the tortoise.  He loves it, and talks about it all the time at home.  

Birthday City

We have so many birthdays this time of year!  Wade's was two weeks ago on July 6th, and yesterday we celebrated Kevin's and Kevin's grandpa's.  Wade turned two, and Kevin turned 30.  I didn't give him a surprise party or anything.  His mom had a big dinner/day yesterday for grandpa and Kevin, and that was really nice.  Megan and Eddie came into town for the weekend for the birthdays and to participate in Casey's "clean out the basement" party.  Lots of stuff was cleared out, and Kevin found a few old books that he was happy to have.  Today (Kevin's actual birthday) Kevin is out golfing.  All day.  It's really hot out there.  I know he has sunscreen, but I hope he remembers to put it on.  Last week, he golfed without any spf, and he was Mr. Pinky for a few days afterwards.  Hope he drinks lots of water, too.  He had a lot of beer last night with Brian and Eddie, so he's probably a little dehydrated.  We'll see how he's doing tonight.

Wade's party was also fun.  We threw an Elmo/Sesame Street party for family and a few friends.  Wade had a blast with all the kids over, and we kept the food nice and simple.  Here's some pictures from Wade's party.  I'll post any from Kevin/Grandpa's as I get them.  Enjoy!

Summer Updates

I've been lazy about getting pictures onto the computer for the past month!  But they are up now, so I'll give some much needed updates and videos for you (anyone who still bothers to check this out!)

In June, right before my birthday, Elsa came down to visit us in St. Louis, and then we visited grandma and grandpa up in Deerfield.  Wade had a nice time and was spoiled by grandma's icecream and bunny crackers.  He had lots of fun at the pools and parks during his stay.

We also had some good visits out in Eureka  seeing grandma, grandpa and great grandpa.  Of course, Wade is also spoiled over there with grandma's animal crackers and the occasional ham.  Needless to say, he loves seeing either of his grandparents, where mommy and daddy turn a blind eye to candy and the like.  

Ingrid Michaelson Concert!

Kevin took me to the Pageant to see Ingrid Michaelson last night.  I got the concert as a birthday present, and it was really really really awesome.  Here's some of the songs she performed for us, ganked from youtube and not from the st. louis show.  But you'll get the idea.  For her "hit" The Way I Am, she had drums looping (no live drummer), and she rapped ice ice baby, the theme to "fresh prince of bel aire,"  and spice girl's "if you wanna be my lover."