"spatchcocked turkey" written by Ladycroft on estrip.org

01/08/10 01:25 - 26ºF - ID#50769

spatchcocked turkey

For Christmas this year I tried a new way of cooking the turkey. I enlisted Rory's help because it was grossing me out, but hey, got a 13 pound turkey cooked in an hour and ten minutes! Got the idea from our favorite cooking criminal, Martha Stewart.

They made it look so easy in the magazine I thought it would take about 15 minutes to mutilate, but ended up taking an hour! Maybe the turkey wasn't 1oo% thawed, maybe my kitchen sheers need sharpening, or maybe it's just plain harder than it looks in a picture.

STEP 1- remove all the innards, rinse, and pat the bird dry with paper towel. This is important because the bird WILL slide all over the place if it's damp. Our poor Blinky got her head covered in pink turkey juice as it spilled over the counter. I scrubbed her fur and got the pink out but she smelled like turkey all day.

STEP 2 - Flip the bird over on it's belly and stick your sheers up it's butt hole. Cut the spine out by cutting along both sides. I think our bird had scoliosis....

STEP 3 - Flip the bird over so it's breast side up, and break the breast bones. Essentially, set yourself up like you're going to give CPR, except you WANT to hear the bones break.

STEP 4 - Pin the wings under, baste with a mixture of olive oil and pepper, and roast for approximately 70 minutes, basting in between.

STEP 5 - Carve and enjoy.

Permalink: spatchcocked_turkey.html
Words: 267
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: health

01/06/10 03:50 - 20ºF - ID#50754

neti pot?

Doha has wreaked havoc on my sinuses since I got here. Between the constant sandy air, air conditioners and mold I don't stand a chance. I've already had two URTI's as a result. I've been looking at the neti pot as a form of preventative medicine to see if it helps. I think I remember reading something on here at some point in the last 3 years about people using them?

Does anyone have any input on using one?

dimartiste writes at 09:37:45 02/24/10 - Comment #55031: I am wondering how the neti pot went?

My uncle swears by it. I have a hard time with feeling like I am drownding, since I tried that once when I was a kid. I did not care for that too much. SO I keep waiting to hear someone tell me what it feels like.

I usually add water to the air by boiling on the stove. I have even added eucalyptus oil to cleanse my palete and help me breath better. Lately I have added taking an extra dose of sudafed. I am finding I am getting dehydrate though.

ladycroft writes at 01:28:29 01/08/10 - Comment #54294: Thanks for the input, I think I'll def give it a try. Thanks libertad for suggesting ceramic. I've been reading lots of reviews and they were all mixed regarding differences between plastic and ceramic pots.

libertad writes at 09:18:23 01/06/10 - Comment #54263: I highly recommend the neti. I should be using it right now but it is one of those things you do put off. If you do get one make sure it is ceramic and not plastic. I tried both and the ceramic makes all the difference in the world.

theecarey writes at 01:05:37 01/06/10 - Comment #54252: My story has nothing to do with me, but with a family member. My my niece and her husband were up for a visit this summer; my nephew-in-law was experiencing terrible allergies that were not eased with any sort of medication. He was so out of sorts that it was hard for him to function. He ended up buying a neti pot as a last resort (in that my mom highly recommended it). Much to his surprise, it made such a positive difference in the way he felt and functioned that everyone could see it in his demeanor. Poor thing could finally visit with everyone without looking like he was dying.

Anyone else I know usually uses it when they feel their sinuses beginning to get bad, but they don't do it everyday.

tinypliny writes at 08:41:46 01/06/10 - Comment #54239: Have you tried steam inhalers such as this one: :::link:::

They work very well in keeping your upper airway healthy with regular use.

zobar writes at 08:41:36 01/06/10 - Comment #54238: I occasionally use aerosol saline ... it's not going to stop you from getting sick, but it does work well for minor sinus congestion and sore throat due to dry air.

- Z

janelle writes at 07:00:01 01/06/10 - Comment #54236: I use something similar to a neti pot. I find it really helpful. When I get the first hint of congestion problems, I start using it every day in the shower and it clears up the congestion faster than just using medications to treat the symptoms. I would probably be best off if I did it EVERY DAY, but I find it too time consuming for that.

If you get post nasal drip, I also highly recommend just plain hold salt water gargling. I also use a home made remedy of a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in honey. It dries it all up.

Permalink: neti_pot_.html
Words: 78
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: new year

12/31/09 09:58 - 33ºF - ID#50699

happy new year!

If my cat was a boy I'd have to name it Hammy after that crazy squirrel on Over the Hedge. Seriously. For a cat with no eyes she's pretty spastic.

I just opened a bag of Cheetos and I swear it was just like this clip from the Over the Hedge trailer. 35 seconds in, watch Hammy's reaction to a bag of cheese chips being opened.

Now replace the squirrel with a frantic no eyed kitten. MeOW!

Happy New Year 2010! We'll be ringing it in 8 hours ahead of you, so at 4pm give a shout out to Doha! I'm afraid I'll not be awake at 8am to return the favor, so Happy New Year B-lo!

OH - and happy blue moon! Though you won't get to witness it in North America, there will be a partial eclipse tonight to make it all the more special (viewable from Europe, Africa and Asia only I'm afraid).

Photos to share of my new do, feeling like my old crofty self again....ahhhh purple ;)

Permalink: happy_new_year_.html
Words: 177
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: new year

12/29/09 03:44 - 14ºF - ID#50680

As 2010 rings in

On the eve of each New Year we often reflect on our lives. As I do this dear e-strippers, I wish you joy that never ends and happiness with all your family and friends.

Where were you when 2009 began?
At PMT's

Who were you with?
everyone

Where will you be when 2009 ends?
At a house party here in Doha

Whom will you be with when 2009 ends?
My husband, a work colleague, and lots of new people

Was 2009 a good year for you?
Amazing! Married the love of my life and am eternally happy for it!

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Tie: when (e:Rory) proposed to me and when (e:Drew) announced we were official

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Maybe 3 days before the wedding. My family were at each others' throats and stressing me out.

Did you reach your New Year 2009 goals?

Meet Rory's family and friends - did it
Finish my sailing course with minimal bruising - sort of did it
Travel to Jordan, Singapore, Antarctica - wedding superseded these plans
Present at the NASPA conference - attended NASPA, worked on presentation, but had to leave early for Rory's grandfather's funeral
Increase my fitness level considerably - negative ghost rider
Be the best supervisor I can be - I think so!
Marry the love of my life - did it!

Did you fall in love in 2009?
Absolutely! Madly and deeply.

What was your favorite month of 2009?
October - I GOT MARRIED!

Did you travel outside of the US in 2009?
Qatar, England, Italy, Maldives - skim on the travel but for good reason.

How many different states did you travel to in 2009?
D.C., Massachusetts, New York

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2009?
Rory's grandfather Trevor

What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2009?
Coraline!

What was your favorite song in 2009?
Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night by Black Eyed Peas

What was your favorite album in 2009?
This is War by 30 Seconds to Mars

What was your most exciting moment of 2009?
Convincing Rory to try SCUBA diving with me and him doing really well and enjoying it!

What was your proudest moment of 2009?
Marrying Rory. We did it as a team, together all the way.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2009?
Having a very temporary haircut after donating my hair and a woman run up to me and say "Oh my God did you just get your haircut, you have a piece hanging in the back!"

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
I would have started the turkey with Rory much earlier in the day - it took us way longer to dismember it than I thought it would.

What are your goals for 2010?

Master the art of packing light
Travel to New Zealand, Oman, Abu Dabi, India, Egypt, Jordan, Australia, and Antarctica
Lose 40 pounds by our 1 year anniversary
Pay off my car in November
Pay off 1/3 of one of my student loans
Knit tons of goodies to donate to charity
Participate in more community service opportunities
Be the best teammate (wifey) I can be
Drop the dead weight in my life and look for more positive forces to surround myself with
Create a solid sustainability campaign in our residence halls

Permalink: As_2010_rings_in.html
Words: 555
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Last Modified: 05/31/13 07:33

Category: birthday

12/23/09 03:34 - 18ºF - ID#50640

happy birthday Metalpeter!

Hope your Birthday Rocks!

Permalink: happy_birthday_Metalpeter_.html
Words: 4
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Last Modified: 05/31/13 07:33

Category: pets

12/21/09 02:31 - 29ºF - ID#50617

meet blinky

Originally we got adopted two kitties from the local shelter but it turned out to be a bit of a nightmare with two. Always fighting, body parts getting caught in the middle of those fights = many ouchies.

Luckily my colleague loved Inky so she adopted him from us. At least we still get to visit and play with him :)

Blinky is a special needs cat in that she has no eyeballs. We can't sew up her eye sockets until she's old enough to handle anesthesia so we just have to try to keep them clean. In her first solo picture she still has a bit of an infection. Second one, taken just moments ago, she's doing much better.

Special needs is a bit of a lie too, because this kitty is balls out the most adventurous little bugger I've ever known! She often overshoots her target by leaping an extra foot into the air, has an adorable weasel like side pounce attack, and runs through the house with ease. On occasion she bonks her head into a wall but it hardly phases her. Ironically, she has great skill in poking us in the eye while we're in bed.....

We're so happy to finally have the "Christmas Kitty" we've been wanting for several months now!

Inky and Blinky in a moment of calm

Blinky likes to curl up in the trash basket

Blinky being as Hallmark cliche as possible playing with a giant ball of yarn.

Permalink: meet_blinky.html
Words: 251
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: christmas

12/17/09 03:21 - 18ºF - ID#50584

get in the mood!

The Webbers wish you a Happy Christmas!

Permalink: get_in_the_mood_.html
Words: 7
Location: Niagara Falls, NY
Last Modified: 05/31/13 07:35

Category: photos

11/15/09 02:32 - 56ºF - ID#50309

URTI - feeling so miserable

So I have a pretty hefty upper respiratory tract infection. Joy, joy, joy. To brighten things up a bit I thought I'd share just a few shots from the US leg of our tour.

the traditional British group photo after the ceremony

the husband and I with the man who took our pics, the one and only (e:Libertad)

one of the coolest shots we got in the cemetery

my favorite kissing shot

Permalink: URTI_feeling_so_miserable.html
Words: 81
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: potpourri

11/10/09 09:10 - 46ºF - ID#50263

back in doha

Mr & Mrs Webber have arrived home - amazingly. We had a lovely party in the UK, though a little chaotic to get set up apparently. We also ran out of time to do our slideshow which means we carted around our projector around the world for no reason...oy. Everyone around us was sick, and between that and the traveling I didn't really stand a chance. SO now I'm sick too. Rory was, but seems to have thwarted any major affects. Getting on another plane with a head cold made the pain so much worse. I had to actually take a sick day today, which is almost unheard of for me.

We barely made our plane out of London because we got stuck in so much road works and traffic on the way out. I'm so proud I managed to drive in and out of Heathrow airport - that place is nuts....and I still sometimes try to get into the 'wrong' side of the car when I'm over there. Or bash my fingers into the window reaching for the gears, when they are on the left as well. Nonetheless, I think I've qualified as a world driver now.

So, back in Doha we just picked up keys for our 2 bedroom apartment - YAY! I'm supposed to have one anyway as part of my contract, but there are lots of promises made that get broken here, and that was one of em. So, now that I'm a married woman, they HAD to give me a 2 bedroom (which is like 3 times the size of my one bedroom).

In other words, we now have a BED for people to sleep in - so if you have ANY desire in seeing the world outside your backyard, particularly experiencing the middle east, this would be the time to do it. Hotels are very expensive around here and there are no motel 6 type dos. Even if you use it as a 2 day layover on the way to someplace else.....and I think we might try to plan a group stay at Rory's aunt's place in Indonesia next year. That would be tre fun!

Anyway, sooner that later because before you know it, 2 more years will pass and we'll be on our way to somewhere. Nothing sounds worse that opportunity as it whizzes past your head.

When we're back in our time zone and the 3rd party is over, we'll get a few shots posted from the big affair :)

Ciao, Mrs. Webber

jenks writes at 07:11:07 11/10/09 - Comment #52760: awesome, welcome home! I would love to come visit... but am pretty broke this year... How long are you guys there, anyway? And, do you know what/where is next??

metalpeter writes at 01:56:14 11/10/09 - Comment #52755: 1. Sorry you two got sick
2. Glad you made all the connections
3. Glad you both made it back safely
4. Looking forward to seeing pictures
5. When you have time a few of my posts have pictures (didn't finish up with the reception yet though)
6. I don't have a passport so I won't be traveling but, the point you make about a stay over for a couple days is a great one.
6A. I was watching (American)football [not soccer] and the Fox Crew went to Afghanistan and they went over how they got there and they had some night footage of the Doha, Airport. I was surprised they got that much into detail. The only reason I knew what airport it was, is that they said.
7. Congrats to you both

joshua writes at 12:13:45 11/10/09 - Comment #52752: :)

Hopefully your crazy globetrotting schedule will slow down a little bit now that you are back!

Man I would LOVE! to come and visit you guys sometime.

leetee writes at 10:09:39 11/10/09 - Comment #52745: First of all, congrats once again. I could not be happier for you (and yeah, Rory, too). :o)

Sorry to hear about all the sickness. It's really going around here, too. Two co-workers are out with official H1N1, and others are just calling in sick and not wanting to get the state required flu test to have the full 7 days off work. Feel better soon!

And, thank you for answering a question i had, but kept forgetting to get around to asking. I was wondering if you were going to change your last name. i don't know how you felt about it, but it felt like the right thing to do for me... and made the marriage somehow more real and tangable, not just a really fun cool dream. Silly, i know, but i loved the first couple of years being a Mrs. Hope you do too! ;o)

Congrats too on the 2 bedroom. Coming to visit is tempting... and i would love to, thanks for the invite. When's winter there?

Permalink: back_in_doha.html
Words: 417
Location: Niagara Falls, NY

Category: party

10/30/09 09:38 - 62ºF - ID#50164

we can't come :(

Just wanted to send our wishes for a great Halloween Party! Rory and I REALLY REALLY wanted to be there - had costumes and everything! But..the day has been hectic and still many things to take care of that we just can't make it all happen. Very sorry (even had snacks to bring!!!) and are so bummed we can't make it. Please share photos!!!! See ya'll tomorrow :)