"To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Tall Ships and a Little Sandwich


On Saturday, I took Jake and Connor downtown to the Tall Ships Challenge. I originally thought that this was something that happened every year, so I had just about decided not to go because Jason was working. Downtown Savannah, although beautiful, is becoming flooded with tourists this time of year. Parking isn't easy, and traveling with 2 children that can't really help out in any kind of way is a daunting task. However, I learned that this is the first time that Savannah has hosted a Tall Ships Challenge in either 12 or 15 years (I can't remember which). So then I really felt the need to see this since everyone kept telling me how cool it was. The ships dock on River Street for the weekend, and if you buy a ticket to the festival you can get on and off the boats to tour. The ships leave on Monday and race to NY and NJ, then head to Nova Scotia.

I have said before that our day goes much smoother if I get up around 6, feed Connor, shower and dress myself, THEN get Jake out of the bed. By doing this, I can feed Connor once again after Jake has breakfast and is dressed and we can all head out the door for whatever activity we want. We left the house shortly before 9, and I managed to get a prime parking spot. For those who don't know, River Street in Savannah is accessible by car (which I have no desire to do), by elevator (on one end), several ramps made of cobblestone, and very steep flights of death stairs. So with the Cadillac of a double stroller (this thing is HEAVY as hell) the only options are the ramps and elevator. I parked far from the elevator, so we bounced down the cobblestone ramp. The gates had not opened to the festival so we people watched on River Street. Once the gates opened, we entered to look at the ships. I think Jake said "bo" for boat and "fwag" (flag) about 1,000 times. He loved looking at all the ships. We couldn't get on any of them due to the massive stroller, but it was fun all the same. There were food vendors and art vendors. We enjoyed some cherry Italian ice :) Here are a ton of pics from the day:






I am so glad the we went because it was really cool. There was even a parade. Well, there was this band that walked down the road and played. My sweet Jake clapped the whole time.

With all the cool factor aside, let me say that it was 90 degrees by 10 am that morning. Do you see this?
Yeah, well it's not light all by itself. Add to that the children, diaper bag, camera bag, and the coconut pirate head I bought for Jake's new pirate room. Okay, okay, so you see this. Well, how about this?
This ,my friends, is at the end of River Street leading back up to Bay St where my car was parked. The car and the elevator were on opposite ends. Usually I think things out a little better, but I was afraid I wouldn't find parking the farther I got down Bay St., so I snatched up a handy dandy street space right near a fire hydrant so no one could park in front of me. Well, since we were down on this end of River Street anyway, and the car was just right near the top of the hill along the street, I decided to brave it. I was already sweating like I had run a mile. For those of you who are unaware, I do not do the pretty sweating thing. No siree, if I get hot, I sweat like a man, my face gets about 10 shades of red, and even my hair gets damp. At this point, there was a shower in my future so I braved the hill. Holy Mother...By the time I got to the top, I think I might have a had a small heart attack. There was a lady that said, "Goodness, that sure looks like a workout." I might have bitten her if I could have. As it were, I couldn't even manage a sentence to comment, but I think my eye roll my have conveyed my feelings toward her at that moment. I should probably hit the gym soon...

I haven't included any recipes lately. I have been cooking like crazy, but I haven't come across anything that I wanted to post. I made these little sandwiches the other night. On the blog where I got them, the lady said that they were in her top 10 meals ever. Okay, maybe she doesn't cook that much. I definitely won't say that, but they were pretty good and easy. Here is a pic - excuse the lousy pic, I am sooo not a food stylist.

Chicken Swiss Sandwiches

1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup fresh mushrooms, chopped
1 1/2 tsp butter
1 garlic clove, minced
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1/2 cup sweet roasted red peppers (from jar), chopped
1 TBSP honey mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
12 Rhodes frozen dinner rolls, thawed (you can get these at Wal-Mart or other grocery stores)
2 TBSP melted butter

Thaw dinner rolls. The package says a few hours, but it only takes about 30 minutes or so. Press the rolls into about 5 inch circles onto a greased cookie sheet. I tried a rolling pin first, but it worked better to just use my hands. I didn't measure, I just tried to get them about the same size.

In a skillet, combine the 1 1/2 tsp butter, mushrooms, onion and cook until tender. Add garlic and saute for another 30 seconds or so. Add the cooked chicken, peppers, seasoning, salt, honey mustard and stir to heat through. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Place a small amount of mixture in the center of one of your circles of dough, leaving a rim of dough exposed around the outer circle. Place another piece of dough on top and press the edges to seal. Brush the tops with a little melted butter and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

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