Thursday, June 12, 2008

Grillin'

The sun finally came out this afternoon. Alleluia.

Time to do some grillin'. Here is what's for dinner on a busy weeknight after riding lessons:

Spicy Chicken Italian Sausages 
Grilled onions and bell peppers (I use one of those special pans used for doing veggies on the grill)
Serve on a grilled hoagie bun

Foil potato packet: I slice up some potatoes. Pop them in the microwave with a little bit of water and some onion for about 5-7 minutes to par-cook them. Drain the excess water. Spray some foil with cooking spray and add the potatoes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder and some parmesan cheese. Add another layer of oiled foil on top and wrap it up.

Grill it all up until done. I like the sausages and potatoes to have some crusty stuff on them. MMM! Serve with some fresh fruit on the table. Don't forget some white wine. You're good to go.

2 comments:

Bernadet Rodakowski said...

Hello Dukes Family! This is a voice from your Cornerstone past, Bernadet Rodakowski (last leased Sexton). I wasn't sure where to e-mail or post so I guess I'll do it here on your blog spot Paris. Jim, I've always been a fan of your galleries on smugmug - so I decided to have a look and see what had been posted lately. Well of course from there I went to this site, Natalie's blog spot, and even Dukesequestrian.com! Wow, you all are one busy family!

My heart jumped (a 3' oxer) for joy when I saw a)Natalie at a horse trial, and b)Natalie with her OWN bundle of horsey joy, Memo! I know your search had been on for some time for just the right horse and I'm so glad you found it - and an Arab to boot!

I've ALWAYS wanted to get into eventing. Going cross-country seems like the most exhilarating, athletic, and natural kind of ride. Combine that with the equitation talents of dressage, and precision of showjumping, and you have the most talented athletes of the equine world... oh yeah, and those riders aren't too shabby either! Fave riders include Karen & David O'Connor, Kim Severson, Pippa Funnell, and William Fox-Pitt. Natalie, I am so glad to see you becoming such an accomplished all-arounder! Congrats to you and your tail-swishing partner!

Last spring ('07) I moved to Washougal to a home I purchased with my fiance. With my work schedule and the onslaught of traffic trying to get out to the west side (formerly not an issue) riding at Cornerstone became harder and harder to do. I decided to take a sabbatical... and learn golf! (That's my fiance Jim's passion.) I also reasoned that it would allow me time to spend with him and his 3 boys and really develop the relationships that would sustain us the rest of our lifetimes. Once before I took a riding sabbatical, and I know its something I can always come back to.

I've recently begun exercising some horses (saddlebreds, quarter horses ect.) for a backyard barn operation up here in Washougal. Sadly there is a BEAUTIFUL equestrian property (formerly a dressage barn) near this barn that's in foreclosure. The 100x200' arena is first class with good footing, the stalls are huge and excellent, the barn has all amenities for horse and rider, there are outdoor exercise areas, and acres of fenced turn-out...all becoming overgrown for lack of use. It breaks my heart and makes me yearn to get back into a "real" training barn again soon.

I'm off to Hood River to see some live Hunter/Jumper action... and possibly shop for barns up in my neck of the woods. Our house here has a wonderful view of the gorge, Crown Point, and Mt. Hood. I couldn't let a day like this go by knowing there's an A-rated show going on in such a scenic area!

I've enjoyed the "virtual" catch-up with you and your family. I'm glad to see all are doing well, and Jim, keep posting your photos - I love them! Feel free message me back, I'd love to know more about Natalie's transition to other equestrian disciplines and all the fun she's having there and with the Arab breed. (Is that already posted somewhere? Did I miss that?)

Best wishes, Bernadet
bernadet.rodakowski@comcast.net
P.S. I do not know HTML, so this may come out as one humongous jumbled paragraph... so sorry!

Team Immel said...

yummo! summer grillin' is da best!
xoxox
shauna