I’m a Hero in Her Eyes

On Wednesday night while trying to watch the season finale of American Idol, the weather man interrupted the show to let us know that we were under a tornado warning.  The storm hit us shortly after, bringing with it golf ball sized or bigger hail and heavy rain.  A tornado had been spotted just west of here and we were in the projected path.  Being the drama queen that she is, First Born ran into the other room announcing that a tornado was headed right for us.   She didn’t think about shielding The Rae Rae from the truth and ultimately scared my sweet baby.  I wonder about that child sometimes…

Mini Me scooped the kids up and along with First Born went to take cover in the bathroom.  Mini Me played games with Rae to keep her from being too scared.   By this time the sirens had been activated so Hillbilly and I began looking out the windows to see if we could see anything headed our way.  I realize this is NOT what you are supposed to do but we are Texans and we don’t take cover until the last possible second because we might miss something. 

During the storm Rae was really nervous.  She had already asked me if a tornado was going to get us and I told her that First Born had been mistaken that all we were going to get was a little hail and that’s why she had to stay in the bathroom.  She comes to me when she wants the truth.  She knows Nana is a no nonsense kind of gal.   I explained that she needed to be in there away from the windows.  This made her feel a little better but as she heard the hail hitting the house she told her Mom that Nana needed to come in the bathroom because she could make it stop.  Right after she had said that I had decided that it was time for me to hang out in the bathroom too, just in case.  Mini Me told me what she had said and just like that the hail stopped hitting the house and the rain stopped.  Nana had done it!  She made the hail and wind stop!!!  I’m a hero…at least in her eyes.

Guacamole and Rio Grande Limeaid

Have you been to San Antonio during Cinco de Mayo?  I have and it’s a beautiful thing to see with the colorfully dressed dancers and beautiful decorations.  I’m just doing a little reminiscing this morning.  Just thinking about it makes me want to bust out my sombrero and head down to the river walk to enjoy the fiesta.  I would wear this beautiful blouse while I sipped an ice an ice cold margarita and munched on warm chips and cold guacamole. 


If you can’t make it down to San Antonio today, do what I’m going to do and make guacamole and margaritas, then take a siesta. 
Guacamole

• 3 avocados
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• dash of Worcestershire sauce (secret ingredient)
• dash of Tabasco
• salt and pepper
• a few shakes of  fajita seasoning (optional)
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice

Mix together leaving avocado slightly chunky.  Please don’t pulverize the avocados.  What did they ever do to you?
Rio Grande Limeade

• 2 (12 oz) cans frozen limeade concentrate, thawed and undiluted
• 3 cups tequila
• 3 cups water
• 2 cups orange liqueur
• 1 cup fresh lime juice
• garnish with lime slices

Stir together first 5 ingredients. Chill 8 hours. Serve over ice and garnish if desired.
This recipe makes a perfect margarita, not too tart, not too sweet.

Macaroni Salad

A great macaroni salad recipe.  Try it with or without ham.  It can be a main dish or a side dish.  It’s up to you…
Ingredients:

• 12 oz bowtie or macaroni pasta  or whatever kind you happen to have in the pantry
• 1 small chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
• 1 cup chopped ham (for the carnivores)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese or a little more
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:
Cook pasta al dente according to package directions and cool.   Place in large mixing bowl.
Mix mayo, sour cream, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, dry mustard , salt and pepper in a separate bowl.  Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Add onion, celery, relish, ham and cheese to pasta and mix with dressing.  Serve immediately or refrigerate.