‘Tis baseball season and there is a certainty to it.
A guarantee that every night the poor washer and dryer will be hustling, giving it their all.
Doing their best to wipe out stains, getting kid-sized uniforms ready for another night to play ball.
Looks like I Made It
I’m beginning to feel that this is as close as I will get to making the bed, this morning.
Creature Comforts
Guest Post – “Spent Grain” Edition
“Do you smell it? Today at the Belmont, a potential Triple Crown in the air. Well personally, I’m feeling a bit tuckered out. So it’s naptime for this blogster and for you it’s time for a Guest Post. My talented sister has offered up some exotic goodies for today’s post, so sit back, root for Justify, and enjoy!” – Dave
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SPENT GRAIN
Today’s Triple Crown Guest Post from my super duper talented sister, Kathy Carlin.
“When you think of the Kentucky Derby, you think of beautifully graceful yet powerful animals, large hats with lots of flair, and a frosty glass of mint julep with a generous pour of bourbon. Here in the Carlin household, however, “My Old Kentucky Home” was far from my husband’s mind on Derby weekend. No he couldn’t be bothered with watching the televised festivities of the event – celebrities entering Churchill Downs, track reports, constantly changing betting odds, and gripping rags to riches stories. Rather, he was busy toiling away with the rest of his brew club buddies creating a Scottish ale.
The particular recipe they had chosen called for an incredible 6 different types of grain. For those unfamiliar with the beer-making process, it’s helpful to know that once the grain has been boiled, it is strained, and the liquid is further refined into what eventually becomes beer. The boiled grain that was strained out (“spent grain” in brewers’ parlance) is generally tossed out. This seemed exceptionally wasteful to my husband, who asked me if I could use any of it. A quick Google search turned up not only a tasty French bread recipe, but also an interesting Kahlua cookie using spent grain. So I agreed to take some off their hands.
‘How much do you need,’ he asked. I estimated about 6 cups would make several loaves and a double batch of cookies. ‘Oh,’ was his response, ‘They have a whole trailer load here.’ Now as much as I love cookies, I wasn’t about to spend the rest of the weekend making them, but I couldn’t stand the thought of good ‘food’ going to waste either. Then, just as I watched the Kentucky thoroughbreds loading into their gates, I thought of George.
George is my friend’s 27-year-old horse who patiently carted my rather portly physique over hill and dale on a recent trail ride. At one point during the ride, thinking that he had expended more than his fair share of horsey calories, I took pity on poor George and let him grab a mouthful of tasty long grass. We were both promptly reprimanded. No snacks on that trail ride!
Yes, George and his three stablemates would love the extra grain. So we loaded up the car with some freshly baked cookies, bread, and the rest of the spent grain and headed to the farm. George was suspicious of the yummy smelling grain at first, sniffing and smacking his lips, but after a quick nibble he nodded his head in approval. One taste of these cookies and I think you would too.”
Snack time for our friend George.
SPENT GRAIN COOKIES
1/2 cup Melted Butter
1/2 cup Kahlua
3/4 cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 cup Spent Grain
2 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Mix together the melted butter, Kahlua, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Mix in the spent grain.
Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Mix in the chocolate chips.
Drop Tablespoon sized balls of dough onto parchment paper lined baking sheets.
Bake for 8 minutes.
Makes about 36 cookies.
Revised Source: craftbeering.com
SPENT GRAIN BREAD
1 cup, plus 2 Tablespoons, Water
2 1/4 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
1 teaspoon Sugar
2 Tablespoons Honey
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
3 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 cups Spent Grain
Combine water, yeast, and sugar.
Let sit for 5 minutes or until foamy.
Stir yeast mixture into remaining ingredients and knead for 10 minutes.
Cover with a towel and let dough double in size, about one hour.
On a floured surface, knead dough to remove air bubbles.
Shape dough into loaves.
Oil loaf pans and insert dough.
Cover with a towel and allow to rise again for one hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brush dough with olive oil and bake for about one hour or until lightly browned and an inserted knife comes out clean.
Serves about 12.
Revised Source: “Spent Grain Honey French Bread” recipe at spoonuniversity.com.
Seemed Like a Good Idea
Tired from a week of work. Tired from a 5PM spin class. I sat in the gym locker room exhausted and stared down at my shoes. That’s when I saw it, inspiration for this evening’s blog post.
My shoes say, “Portmore.” I had survived the week, taken the ship into port and had no more. Brilliant.
Well, until I look at it now. Uh, weak at best, weak at worst, just a plain weak ol’ idea. Not good.
Just goes to show, extreme exhaustion may sometimes seem to generate brilliance in the moment, but most likely it’s just delirium.
Kids drink your water, take lots of naps, and don’t be like me. Don’t look at your shoes for inspiration.
New Tricks
I’ve been a Little League coach so long that I’m eligible for a pension and there are a few things that no one associates with my style.
- Aggressive coaching
- Knowledge of the rules
Nope, I’m usually the happy go lucky coach. Rules? What rules? La, la, la. Let’s just have fun.
Well, going into tonight, my team of 9-year-olds were winless. Nothing. Nadda.
Tonight however we were playing strong and for whatever reason the moment was contagious for me. Steal that base. Stretch the hit for a double. Swap out pitchers as needed. Result: early 11-3 lead. Aggressive coaching. Early success.
Then slowly the wheels started to come off. Too many runners. Too many walks. Suddenly, we were clinging to a 2 run lead. That’s when my brain clicked. Give them a chance to win. Dig deep. Use the rules. Do whatever it takes.
Embracing a Little League loop hole, I brought back in the starter as a closer.
First batter, almost botched grounder, but first base managed to hold on. Out one.
Second batter, sky high popup and a snow cone catch by short. Out two.
Third batter, grounder and a throw that beat the runner by a hair. Out three.
Game over! Game won!
I breathed a sigh of relief. The baseball gods smiled. The old dog manager had learned some new tricks.
Don’t Worry, I’ve Got This
After being asked for the third (or thirty-fourth) time, I reassured the family that I knew the schedule.
5:30 – Drop off Sam at baseball
6:15 – Take Jacob to baseball
Immediately after Jacob’s baseball was complete, head to Sam’s baseball.
After Sam’s baseball was complete, take everyone home.
Make sure to count the number of children collected, before bed.
No worries. I’ve got this.
Reassured about the evening plans, but looking for confirmation about tomorrow morning, my wife asked for that schedule.
Somewhat annoyed, because I felt strongly that I had just proven myself, I responded.
“After I take Jacob to school, I pick up Sam for his doctor’s appointment…”
My dear wife stopped me and expressed a note of concern, “Jacob doesn’t have school. It’s Summer break.”
Damn! I was so close. Old habits die hard, so cut me a break. I really think I deserve a passing grade.
Baseball Innovation Peeled
My team was in a bit of a funk. One loss, two rain outs, we needed a distraction. A reminder that baseball is first and foremost fun.
Now, we all know that Abner Doubleday didn’t really invent baseball, but we can say for certain that Dave Paulsen introduced the “Banana Throw Competition” into baseball practice.
Sit back and watch baseball history (“You’re welcome, in advance”).
Behold, the first ever Banana Throw Competition
…in slow mo…
Wondering if I made a difference, wondering if I reminded the kids to just have fun, I turned to a player leaving practice, and said in passing, “Banana.” A smile flashed across his face.
That baseball fans was a home run.
Here Dream Kitty
In passing, my 9-year-old son Ben mentioned that he would like a cat. I reminded him of my mild cat allergy. I thought that was the end of it, until last night…
NIGHTMARE ON PURR STREET
Drifting off to sleep, my mind wandered deep. Deep to a place that I had shut off. Deep to a corner of my brain, where only fears remain. Purr Street.
In the dream, a friend announced that they had purchased young Ben a cat. Ben was of course excited. I was shaking with anger and fear.
I tried to stop the madness. “We can’t take the cat. I’m allergic,” I shouted.
The response from the chorus was robust, “You can get a prescription for that.”
I whined, “I should not have to take a pill for a cat.”
The chorus glared at me in disappointment over my selfish behavior.
“We have a perfectly good dog. Play with him,” I begged.
“Isn’t this cat cute?,” the chorus redirected, as it help aloft an adorable tabby kitten.
I jolted myself awake. My heart racing. Body covered in nervous sweat. The dog had a look of concern.
Lost in Laundry Translation
What I said… “I have some clean clothes for you to put in your room.”
What I meant… “Dad worked really hard to wash, dry, and fold your clothes. The least you can do is carry them to your room and place them in your dresser.”
What my teen heard… “Take these clothes to your room. After that, it’s your call as to their fate.”
What my teen decided… “Pile on the floor, it is.”
I like the cereal bowl inserted into the mound of clean (and formerly folded) clothes. Nice touch.
Recipe for a Father’s Success
My oldest son Jacob (age 14) was reflecting on his little brother Ben (age 9).
“You know, if what some of Ben says was not so funny, it would be kind of stupid.” (Not sure if that qualifies as a compliment, but that’s beside the point.)
Yes, son, that skill will serve Ben well in life. Just look how far it has taken me. (Oh and yes, we’ll take it as a compliment. I have learned that is the happiest path.)