Starting to Feel like Springtime!

Michael and I have been enjoying the spring-like weather here in North Carolina. I can't believe spring is almost here already! I'm excited for the grass to be green again and for the trees to get their leaves back. :)

Since the weather was so nice, Michael grilled chicken for dinner the other night! It was delicous.

Getting the temperature for the grill was a little bit of a challege the first couple times we used it, but Michael has pretty much mastered it now. He's the best.

And I love it when I'm only in charge of preparing a couple side dishes!

Talking about spring approaching... look what randomly popped up in the backyard:

One little daffodil; makes me think of home!

We also enjoyed some beach time this week. It is our favorite place to get some walking in, and there is hardly anyone else on the beach this time of year. :)

Hope everyone has been having a great week!

Let's Roast a Chicken!

So we bought a whole chicken from the Whispering Dove Goat Ranch and Apiary stand at the farmer's market last Saturday. I've been wanting to roast a chicken for a while, but it was new to me. And slightly intimidating. So, I studied up on how to do this here and here.

We let it thaw in the fridge for about a day, seeing that it was frozen. Before the chicken came out the fridge I cleaned out the sink and got all the other parts of the meal ready. I served this meal with homemade mashed potatoes and corn. So I got those ready. Actually I made Michael peel the potatoes, while I did every thing else. Which included getting the rub ready for the chicken and slicing up a lemon and onion to stick inside the chicken.

So after all that was done, we set it aside and pulled the chicken out of the fridge. We plopped it into the sink and gave it a good cold rinsing. Then you have to pull out the giblets (heart, neck, liver) that are inside. From my experience with grocery store chickens and turkeys these are inside a bag, inside the bird, which makes this step fairly simple. Ours were not. So we had to fish them out, no big deal. Kinda gross. This is also a good opportunity to feel around for ice crystals, which would indicate that it was not thawed enough. Then we placed it on a cutting board, and at this point you dry it off with a clean cloth and stuff it with the lemon/onion slices. I only used 1/2 an onion and 1/2 a lemon.

Then I recruited Michael's help to rub the chicken with a oil and herb mixture. Ours consisted of fresh parsley, thyme, dried rosemary, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. I washed my hands, so I could take pictures. I just spooned it on and he made sure it got all over the chicken.

He did a really good job.

Make sure you rub the bottom of the bird, too, before placing it in the pan. Then wash your hands really good, as Michael is demonstrating in this picture:

It is now ready to go into the oven, which was preheated to 450. The legs of our chicken weren't sticking out too far, so we didn't worry about getting out the twine or cutting slits in the skin to stick them through.

Then we put it in the oven for 65 minutes and scrubbed down everything the chicken may have came in contact with. While it was cooking I made the mashed potatoes and corn, there was plenty of time for this, I didn't feel rushed at all. Once the timer went off we pulled it out of the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes. I utilized this time to use the dripping to make gravy, which turned out tasting awesome. I just spooned the drippings into a pan, added enough flour to make a paste and cooked it on med-low heat until bubbly. Then I slowly added water until it was the right consistency and seasoned with salt and pepper.

It was such a great meal. We both ate a leg and thigh for dinner. I carved off the breast meat and saved it for later in the week.

While cleaning up the kitchen I used the chicken carcass to make soup, which I'm also going to use for a future dinner. :)

Yum!

List-Oh-Mania.

I've got lots of things on my mind right now and therefore a list the easiest way to post:


1. I'm sad that it is Monday and the weekend is over because it brings me yet another week closer to getting on an airplane for the fall.


2. I let Michael take a five hour nap (gasp) on the living room floor (second gasp) on Friday after he got home from work. This is not surprising on Michael's part. I'm pretty sure he would do this on a regular basis if it weren't for moi. (I wake him up because I NEED attention. What's a girl to do?)


3. We had a good time at the farmer's market on Saturday. We got another assortment of veggies and bread this week along with some meats. We skipped breakfast and bought strawberry cream cheese croissants at the market instead. Best idea EVER.


4. Our meat this week is from Whispering Dove Goat Ranch and Apiary. We ended up buying a whole chicken and pork sausage.

5. I used the pork sausage to make this awesome pasta dish for company Saturday night. I also made apple dumpling for dessert. They were gooey and buttery and sweet and amazing.


6. I plan on using the rest of the sausage to make meatballs later.


7. I also plan on roasting that chicken tonight. I hope to get three meals out of it. I think that deserves a post of its own and you should check back later for it.


8. I just finished vacuuming.


9. Michael is the stand-in squad leader this week. I'm praying that it goes smoothly for him.

10. He also got one of those cool phones that do lots of different things, along with a new plan on Sunday. So, if you have Verizon Wireless, you can call him for free now. :)

11. We're trying to learn how to play tennis. Its fun and makes me wake up sore the next day.

12. An ant bit me for the first time in my life this weekend. It hurt.

13. I really want to go to the beach.

14. Michael is the most amazing husband in the world. He is so loving, understanding, patient, outgoing, brave, honest, entertaining... I could go on, but I think you get the picture.


15. Now, go give someone you love a compliment. Anyone! Your mom or brother or friend or aunt or spouse. Where would we be without the people we love?

That's all for now. :)