Sep 11, 2013 |
Have you ever heard of House Party? It’s a social network website where companies choose applicants to showcase their product. Typically, if chosen to participate, you agree to invite at least 12 people to your shindig and promote the whazoo out of it before, during and after. Tweet, post, link, like, comment and share. Post videos. Tweet photos. Pin party ideas. Whichever product you’re chosen for, you also agree to host your party on a specific day. That’s right. It’s like a national block party with 1,000 gatherings taking place at the same time. How fun is that, right?
At least it sounds like fun. I’ve yet to be chosen to host a House Party. But I have been chosen to participate with their smaller program, Chatterbox: the selected participants need only enjoy the product then do some social sharing. No party participation required. As you can guess by this post title, I was recently chosen to be a Chatterbox for McCormick’s Grill Mates. Six products, a sampling of recipes, and some helpful hints on how to share.
Last week, this assortment was delivered to my doorstep:
My #GrillMatesPack from McCormick
Which means this week, I spent a couple evenings in the kitchen coming up with some delicious ways to spice up dinner at Bedford Manor.
As you may know, Dot started work last week. Coupled with her college schedule, and our meal schedule is more hit-or-miss than it used to be. The #GrillMatesPack couldn’t have come at a better time. I made it my goal to cook food that would nourish us while we spent our Quality Family Time at the table. I also wanted leftovers that would give us a hearty lunch the next day.
The first recipe was simple and delicious.
Caribbean Jerk Chicken
I sprinkled the Perfect Pinch Caribbean Jerk seasonings over chicken strips before cooking.
Caribbean Jerk Chicken Strips
Just look at those abundant seasonings! Served atop a green salad with a side of Thousand Island dressing, and this meal needed nothing more.
The next day I enjoyed a light chicken salad for lunch. The only problem? No more leftovers. It was that good.
The second recipe was just as flavorful.
Worcestershire Pub Burger and Smoky Montreal Steak Sauce
I added McCormick’s Worcestershire Pub Burger seasonings to the ground beef before shaping into burgers. I then dashed each side with more of the same then cooked the four patties on my indoor grill.
Worcestershire Pub Burgers
You know how spices tend to dissipate a bit after the jar is opened? Yeah. That didn’t happen here. As soon as the burgers met the grill, my kitchen filled with the salivating aroma of Worcestershire sauce and grilling meat. I would have been happy to smell it all night long. But ~ bonus! ~ when the cooking was done, we actually got to eat these amazing treats!
I’ve never been one to enjoy a steak sauce. I often find the tangy or bitter flavors overwhelm the taste of the burger. No so with the Smoky Montreal Steak Sauce. It was a delightful compliment to the burger adding, as its name suggests, a smokiness that completed the experience. But did these burgers need it? Heck, no.
Both dinners were so hearty, so delicious. In just a few minutes each night I was able to have dinner on the table when Dot walked in the door. Even Berry joined us for some Quality Family Time… although the food was too good to give her a nibble.
Sorry, Berry Sunshine. Maybe next time. But then, again…
Looking for Licks
This weekend, I’m planning to mix up a meatloaf with the Backyard Brick Oven spices. The aroma from this jar definitely leans toward a hearty Italian pizzeria flavor. I’ll toss in a bit of onion and red peppers, a few diced tomatoes, then top with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and we’ll have a meaty pizza in a pan instead of on a crust.
I’ll try to get a photo for you. Unless Berry beats me to it.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
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Jul 3, 2013 |
Recently I was given the opportunity to review one of McDonald’s new Quarter Pounder Burgers. I chose the spicy Bacon Habanero Ranch, not sure what to expect. I don’t generally go all-in over something that might clear my sinuses after one bite, but I was looking for something with a little more kick than the norm. And since it was free, I figured why not?
I also had this great coupon to include a free medium fries and beverage with any new Quarter Pounder purchase.
McDonald’s Coupon
Not a bad offer, eh? So after a day at work followed by two hours of errand-running, Dot and I drove through our favorite local McDonald’s and made use of the coupon along with a $5 gift card provided by McDonald’s through Klout.
The aroma from the warm bag was more than enticing for the short route home. We burst through the door, grabbed paper plates and chowed down!
McDonald’s Bacon Habanero Ranch
It smelled so delicious, I almost forgot to get some decent photos. Luckily for you, I remembered.
Hababero Ranch Sauce
But after I took the first bite, I decided if you want any more photos, you’ll have to take your own.
Just one bite.
It’s hard to impress me with fast food burgers. What’s all the rave around town just doesn’t seem to grab my taste buds. But this one did. After the first bite, the Habanero sauce kicked in, but mildly so. Each juicy bite was full of burger, bacon, tomato, lettuce and sauce. The quality sesame seed bun was firm and flavorful.
McDonald’s is trying to boost their menu to make it more competitive with other burger joints that offer “premium” or “quality” burgers. I’d have to say, with the Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder, they’re definitely off to a good start.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Influencer Disclosure:
I was given a free product or sample because I’m a Klout Influencer. I am under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.
All opinions in this review are my own and not influenced by any product, company or promotion offered to me.
Feb 16, 2013 |
What’s This Girl to do when
- It’s too cold to do yardwork
- The kitchen’s too clean to bake
- Friends have their own family plans
- The movies are too expensive
- It’s a Lazy Saturday Afternoon
Any or all of the above is enough to make ya’ want to crawl into a good book with a cozy blanket. But sometimes reading is a little too much effort.
And in my desperation for cheap entertainment, I finally took the advice of many friends (and Dot’s repeated pleading) and subscribed to Netflix.
So as Dot’s cat competes for her attention against college-level government studies, I’m happily engrossed (finally) in the greatness that is Jack Bauer. Yes, it’s true. I’m late to this party, but now I get “24”. I mean, I get it. And, I get it. I’m able to watch it, and I see why it was so attractive.
Of course, when it first aired, Dot was all of 7 years old and so we watched shows like “Lizzie McGuire” and “Unwrapped”. After she went to sleep I was invariably too tired to focus on much more than the insides of my own eyelids.
But now I have the freedom to watch more adult-themed content. Dot loves watching crime dramas with me. We still have our cooking and Disney Channel shows. We love our baseball and football games. But with Netflix, our viewing world has opened up in ways I never thought possible.
I can pick my shows and movies and watch what I want, when I want. No more do we have to wait to buy the next season on DVD, or a rerun to show on television.
There are a few drawbacks: some of my favorite 80s shows aren’t on the list. I could pay another $7.99/month for the DVD service, but that’s like renting a movie through the mail. I don’t want that. I have plenty to keep my attentions with the streaming selection.
Right now we’re using an ethernet cable plugged between the modem and the blu ray player. At some point in the near future, I’ll afford the $100 to buy a wireless adapter. But at least for this weekend, the blue cord across the floor is far less repelling than the endless supply of Bradley Cooper, Keifer Sutherland, and many other wonderful programming.
For less than the price of one adult movie ticket, Dot and I can now get caught up on shows we’ve been missing. In the next few weeks, I expect we’ll have more than our fill of any of the following:
- Frasier
- Cheers
- Friends
- Grey’s Anatomy
- Sherlock Holmes
- 24
- Liam Neeson
- Sandra Bullock
- Cats
- Nature Stories
- All this and more…
I am, however disappointed at the lack of Kurt Russell flicks. I was rather hoping for BACKDRAFT. I have a digital copy that I’ve been watching on Babycakes (my laptop) each night as I drift off to sleep. It took me four viewings to pick up on the fact that Kurt Russell wasn’t really drunk. He was just playing a character. He’s that good. So why wouldn’t I want more? Alas, Netflix, you do me wrong.
I would love a better supply of Poseidon movies, Bruce Willis (Moonlighting!), and perhaps some Riptide.
Even so, for less than $8 a month, I can’t really complain. Especially because, and let’s get down to the nitty gritty here, what really matters is four full seasons of FLASHPOINT. That alone makes This Girl, well, jitterbug happy.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 26, 2012
I could give you a litany of writer’s excuses… too distracted, too busy, too lazy, writer’s block, no inspiration…
But the real reason I didn’t have a post for Friday is this:
I managed to aggravate my early-onset arthritis with the yard work I did on Wednesday, and as you can see, typing has been a bit difficult for me.
Tomorrow I’ll be back in business, complete with a Trekaroo review of the local Pumpkin Patch. That’s where this photo was taken years ago. It reminded me so much of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, that I had to get it!
The Pumpkin Grinch
And now, before I aggravate my finger with more typing, and aggravate you with more typos, I’m off like a dirty shirt!
Have yourself a wonderful Friday evening, and watch out for ghoulies and goblins!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Oct 2, 2012
Remember a few months ago I started posting reviews on Trekaroo?
You don’t?! Well, that’s okay.
Because I’m here to remind you.
Trekaroo is an online guide written by parents for parents. The perks and problems of traveling with children of all ages. They have great contests every week. [Read how I won a trip to Myrtle Beach.]
Think travel has to mean pack ’em up and head ’em out? Not true! Even if you’re just looking for a two-hour play date in the next town, you can find reviews on Trekaroo… and if you can’t, add your own!
It’s all about parents helping parents give their families a great time!
So come on over. It’s a great place to make friends!
Click here to visit my Trekaroo Page:
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
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