Chicken Wing Delight

It's not often I get the urge to cook more than something quick, but when I do I go all out.  Today it was chicken wings.

My biggest complaint with Mom's wings is that they're slightly soggy, and they are worse when they're left over.  When I found a recipe for crispy wings on bonappetit.com, here, it was like a lightbulb went off.  Duh!  Don't cook them in their juices.

Then it was time to find recipes for the sauces I was craving.  First, garlic parmesan - like Arooga's.  I found a Buffalo Wild Wings copycat recipe instead on a Charbroil forum, here.  In an effort to be *slightly* healthier, I subbed plain yogurt for the mayo.  It was a little runny (rather than creamy), but I think that's because of the substitution.

Then, Mom's Sweet and Sour sauce.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Wing Sauce

1 cup water

1/3 cup vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1/4 tsp soy sauce

1 tbsp ketchup

Bring all ingredients to a boil.  Mix 2 tbsp corn starch with 2 tbsp water, then add to sauce for thickening.  Whisk to remove lumps.

Here's the result:

It was definitely tasty and worth the effort.  I'll let you know if making enough for leftovers is as well.

And in case you're wondering, the green beans are a la my good friend Sarah at Recipe Savant.  You can find the recipe here!

30. Relax

Looking for Dad?  If he's not at work, he's probably relaxing in his chair with his computer.

29. Goodnight

Baby girl went to sleep while we played games.

28. In the Mirror

View in the rearview on the drive to Mom and Dad's.  Don't tell the sister I caught her in the mirror too!

27. Pair

I had to dig my camera camera out for this!  A daily part of my life.

26. Something I Did

Went to the eye doctor and bought new glasses today - the first new pair since I switched to contacts back in high school!

25. In My Drawer

A few of my favorite necklaces.

24. Up

Looking up at church.

23. What I Do For Fun

I'll admit it.  I play an MMO.  And I'm okay with that!

22. About Me

I am most comfortable in a hoodie, jeans, and flats!

21. Working

Teaching a mallet lesson, running a choir rehearsal, and paperwork.  Story of my life!

20. Clean

I am totally anal-retentive about making sure my flute is fingerprint-free before I put it away!

19. Sign

Celebrating finally being hungry again with dinner at one of my favorite places.

18. Shoes

I should be wearing boots.  I want to wear flats.  But I wore sneakers.  One of these days the snow will go away.

17. Green

Baby girl's eyes.

16. 9 O'Clock

Getting ready for work on a Saturday.  *sigh*

15. Explore

Sometimes the best way to explore is through your dreams (especially when you're sick).

14. Tasty

Sick.  :(  Although this smoothie was tasty, it wasn't what I'd hoped to photograph today.

13. Sound

Guess what it is??  I hear it every day 8th period, and 4th period on A days!

12. In the Distance

The quarry at the top of the mountain always points the way home.

11. Important

My to-do list.  If it's not here, it doesn't get done...

10. I Want...

... happy ever after.

9. Faceless Self-Portrait

Okay, I'll admit that I didn't take this.  But I spent the day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, so I couldn't resist getting me and a Monet in the same shot!

8. Favorite

My favorite tangible memories of Grandma.  Some of the things I've inherited.

7. Fear

I will admit that I was a good foot away from the railing and was terrified I'd drop my phone over the edge.


Song Challenge Day 23: A favorite song from a movie soundtrack.

I have been obsessed with "Supermassive Black Hole" since I first heard it on the Twilight soundtrack. But I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention "Safe and Sound," off The Hunger Games soundtrack.

6. Chair

Baby girl's favorite napping chair.


Song Challenge Day 22: A song I wish I could play on an instrument.

I while I could play the melodies on the flute, of course, I wish I could play piano and sing at the same time.  With my non-existant piano skills, this is one of the only songs I feel like I might actually be able to handle!

5. Under

Song Challenge Day 21: A song I know all the words to.

I love Jason Mraz, and I always feel like a rockstar when I know all the words!

4. Lucky

Some of Em's elephant collection.  If what they say about elephants with trunks up and facing the door is true, we are a very lucky house.

3. Key

A timely and thoughtful gift from my kiddos following the completion of this year's musical.  :)

2. I Made This!

See those skirts!  I made (all but 5 of) those!  My ladies did an excellent job as prairie women tonight in our production of Oklahoma!

1. L is for...

Lunch

28. Upside Down

Mugs.


Song Challenge Day 20: A song that reminds me of a sad moment in my life.

There are so many to choose from, as I turn to music when life gets tough.  I tend to find that one song that speaks to exactly what I'm feeling and helps me process.  So there's the song from 1996 when I lost my grandfather, or the song from 2009 when I broke up with an ex, or the song from this year that's helping me cope with the loss of my grandmother.  What the heck, let's post all three.  In the order listed above.

Mariah Carey featuring Boyz 2 Men, "One Sweet Day"

Daughtry, "No Surprise"

Laura Story, "Blessings"

26. Quiet

Enjoying quiet time with my girl after a long, long day at work.


Song Challenge Day 18: A song that reminds you of a physical place on Earth.

This one was more difficult than I thought.  I didn't realize I don't actually have a song associated with a place.  "Sunny Days" by Jars of Clay is the closest I could come - I listened to it almost non-stop on the way to the University of Guelph to visit my HS BFF at college.  :)

25. On My Bedside Table

Lamp, phone dock, water bottle, coaster courtesy of Megs and Tim, a Willow Tree figure, a stack of magazines, and an old school clock radio alarm.


Song Challenge Day 17: A song that reminds me of someone.

My BFF from HS, Sarah, and I used to love this song.  I think of her every time it pops up on shuffle.

24. Cloud

Finally!  Some sun peeking out from behind the clouds.

23. Word

I love to create!

22. Makes Me Smile

Beautiful sunrise on a Friday morning.

21. Full

The DVD shelves are almost full... stop buying DVDs or buy another shelf??


Song Challenge Day 16: A song you hope will be played at your funeral.

"In the Garden" was sung at both my grandfather and grandmother's funerals.  It's a beautiful reminder of the One who walks with us always and will someday call us home.  It's helped me cope with their deaths, and I hope someday it will comfort those who mourn for me.

20. Where I Stood

The 70's green carpet at church for choir practice.


Song Challenge Day 15: A song you hope is played at your wedding.

When a man can sing this to me and mean it, I'll know I've found a keeper.

19. I Am...

Pulling my hair out hoping the musical comes together!


Song Challenge Day 14: Your favorite song from this time last year.

Unfortunately for this prompt, my favorite song hasn't changed in the last year.  Actually, I think it's been the same for the last 2 or 3 years.  So what I'll do instead is post a video of one I "rediscovered" a year ago: Whitney Houston's "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)"

18. Something I Don't Like

I will admit I didn't take this picture, but I did Photoshop it.  A little hard to take a photo of something you don't keep in the house!

17. In My Hand

My spoiled kiddos are getting cookies tomorrow.

16. Perfect

Coming home after a long day.

15. Inside My Fridge

Lots of leftovers.

14. Love is...

... only a story away.  A cute book tree at our local library!


Song Challenge Day 13 - A song I play when chilling or hanging out with friends.

This was a tough one too, because when I'm chilling out it's just my entire iTunes on shuffle.  But if I'm trying to relax, I usually like something more on the mellow side.  So I chose Jars of Clay's "Scenic Route."  The lyrics say, "I know we could get there much faster if we wanted to - that isn't what you and I came here to do."

13. Walking

Song Challenge Day 12: A song I play when I'm angry.

Usually this song helps me to realize I'm over-reacting.

12. Where I Ate Lunch

This is where I eat lunch every day.  Although it's at work and not very beautiful, it's an escape from the teenagers with people I respect and admire!


Song Challenge Day 11 - A song I play when I'm sad.

Sugarland's "Little Miss" always makes me feel better.  "It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, and it'll be alright again."

11. Entrance

... a world of musical opportunities awaits!


Song Challenge Day 10 - A song I play when I'm happy.

This one was tough, because I can listen to just about any happy song when I'm happy, it doesn't have to be the same one.  I settled on "Haven't Met You Yet" because I love Michael Buble, the video, and the song's message.

10. 3 O'Clock

Emily's practicing trumpet and Allie's not sure she likes it.  Lilly's sleeping on the towels again, and I'm cutting out the last of the skirts for our musical costumes.

9. Guilty Pleasure

Wegmans chocolate chip cookies.  I really wish I knew what in the recipe made them so much better than mine!