Sucker Punch

I wasn't planning on writing anything about the games that were on last night. Yes, I watched the defensive struggle (or really offenses struggling) through the snooze-fest that was NC State and South Carolina. And while I always love a Boise State home game with their crazy blue field, the game wasn't as competitive as a 14 (Oregon) vs 16 (Boise) should be. Plus, the Patriots/Giants game was your typical no-starters, no-name 4th preseason waste of time. But I was saving any thoughts on actual football for games I care more about (coming this weekend).

And then this happened: Oregon's running back threw a punch at a Boise player, and needed to be restrained by the police. They're reviewing the tape for disciplinary action. ugh.

This isn't the first fight in a game, and I'm sure it won't be the last. But it really deflates the first day of the season for me. Especially after hearing that the players in one of the games I am most looking forward to this week, Oklahoma State & Georgia, won't do a pre-game handshake for fear of violence. When I first read the headline, I thought it was going to be some over-cautious swine flu prevention gimmick. Then I got a little excited because it meant the players were so pumped about the game they were worried they couldn't control their emotions. In fact, when I tuned in to the Boise State games, the announcers said there had been some words between the two teams in warm-ups. And I was ready - here is the passion that the NFL lacks, that makes NCAA football so exciting.

That passion is one of the reasons I love college football, but when the players can't control it, especially when the game is winding down and they feel the need to throw a sucker punch, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I know the players are college kids and not professionals, but at 18, you know better. Angry you're losing? good. Throwing your helmet to the ground on the sideline? understandable. Knocking over some Gatorade because your National Championship dreams are crushed during week one? I get it. But throwing a punch off the field, when the game is over? That's unacceptable. Even Pop Warner kids know that.

And I haven't even started on the guy he hit, Boise State linebacker Byron Hout. Why taunt a team that you've just beaten? Have some class. The game wasn't close. You embarassed them enough on the field. Oregon didn't even get a single first down in the first half! Isn't that enough for you?

Ok, enough of that. To end on a better note - who goes for 2 of the first touchdown of the season? Boise State does! Should we expect anything less? Not from these guys.

College Colors Day

College Colors Day is tomorrow - so get out there in your favorite team's colors! Good thing I've got the burnt orange nails already. Now which shirt to wear...

Preseason Planning - Part Three

Three hours until football! Ok, so I don't really care about South Carolina vs. North Carolina State, but its the first game of the year and its on ESPN, so I'm psyched to watch. Which means its about time I wrap up these posts about preseason planning since I am running out of time. I saved the best for last though - my guide to what you need to have on hand to throw a football party at any time.

The results of my preseason shopping trip.

Here are the basics:

• Cheese & Crackers, the easiest and most classic of football snacks
• Tortilla Chips & Salsa, again easy & satisfying
• Hummus, for when you want to eat something that's not terrible for you
• Velveeta, the base of many delicious dips
• Cream Cheese, another staple for making dips or other snacks
• Olives, salty and easy to serve
• Pepperoni, in college I used to refer to pepperoni as "meat cookies". At least this time I choose the slightly less unhealthy turkey pepperoni.
• Burgers, for when you need something more substantial. Bubba Burgers are the greatest.
• Frozen chopped onions, frozen chopped broccoli, canned chili, cream of mushroom soup: the makings of 2 of my most favorite football dips. Recipes to come this weekend!

Having the above on hand at all times in the Fall, as I do, will allow you to make a number of snacks on short notice. I'll do my best to elaborate over the next couple months. I don't promise anything healthy, but I do promise it'll be delicious!

Preseason Planning - Part 2

College football season arrives tomorrow and temperatures here in New England have been adding to the feeling the Fall is here. I used to be a summer girl, but as I've gotten a little older (and had to work through summer as opposed to spending it poolside) autumn has become my favorite season. It's got it all - the change of the leaves making for beautiful scenery, the temps are cool enough to break out a sweater, but warm enough to still be outside, and of course, football!
I spent yesterday wrapping up my preseason preparations in anticipation of the first games this week. Most people have boxes of decorations for Christmas stashed in the basement or a spare closet. I have a box for football season. It was time to break out the contents and put them in their game-day homes.

Included in the box:

• 2 Terrible Towels (Go Steelers!)
• black and gold megaphone
• football themed plates and napkins
• football & goal post toothpicks
  
• football-shaped tray
• football cheese spreaders
  
• burnt orange & white Longhorns blanket
• stuffed Bevo
  
• Longhorns tray
• Longhorns napkins
• Longhorns wine corks
• and of course, Game Day Beauty nail polish in Texas Longhorns Orange
  

Also pictured - University of Texas garden gnome who guards my living room year round.

Now that I've gathered my supplies, I'm ready to start planning a menu for football snacks. Next post - what to have on hand to ensure you have the makings of a football feast any time there is a game on! But first, it's time for a Hook 'Em Horns mani/pedi :)

Preseason Pizza

What a great evening! Tonight started with a trip to the farmer's market yielding a bag full of goodies. I was finally able to bring my husband, and of course we were hungry when we went.

some of the farmer's market goodies

When we got home it was time to figure our what was for dinner: we wanted to use some of what we'd bought, I wanted to use some leftovers from the fridge, and it had to be fast. Not only were we hungry, but there is football on! Two games: Pats & Bengals, Colts & Eagles. Given, it's the preseason and Vick can't play (so I can't boo him), so they aren't the most exciting games ever, but hey, I'll take what I get. So on that note I present my first recipe:

Clean Out the Fridge Pizza

I made this out of my farmer's market purchases and what I had lying around, but man, it was tasty. Feel free to substitute for things you don't like or things that you have on hand.

Ingredients:

• 1/2-1 cup pasta sauce
• 1 package Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Dough

Toppings:

• 1 medium-large tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 medium button mushroom, sliced thin
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 hot banana pepper, seeded, membrane removed, thinly sliced
• 1/2 medium green bell peppers, seeded, chopped
• 15 slices pepperoni
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced, 1/4" thick
  
• 3-5 leaves fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven 400℉
2. Grease 10x15" or larger cookie sheet. Unroll Pizza Dough. Bake for 5 minutes.
3. Remove dough from oven and cover with pasta sauce. Use less than you think you should as mozzarella and tomato will make the sauce more watery as they bake
4. Spread toppings on pizza dough, saving the shredded mozzarella for the top (last ingredient)
5. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.
6. Let cool at least 5 minutes before cutting.

Makes: 4 servings for regular people, 2.5 for my husband & me

It was a little more watery than I would have liked, but when you use that much fresh produce (and the fresh mozzarella) that's what you have to deal with. I was able to sop a little bit up with a paper towel, and then it was delicious.

Who wants pizza? and yes, it's a Mets coaster.

Serve with a cold beer and enjoy the game!

Preseason Planning - Part One

The NFL is halfway through its preseason, which means its time for me to start mine. You see, I like sports more than your average person, almost all sports - baseball, basketball, hockey, golf, soccer, anything Olympic - but I love football. I am counting down the days until my Longhorns take the field (17 days, 4 hours, 50 minutes from right now). I've had the first NFL game (which happens to feature my world champion Steelers) blocked off on my calendar since it was announced. I am giddy just thinking about it.

To prepare for the upcoming football season there are 3 major things to do - check my pantry, stock the fridge, and update my calendar. I wasn't kidding about blocking off the game time on my calendar. While I'll always watch a game when I'm home, I do still try and be social during the fall. Its a little more difficult up here in the north where football isn't as much of a way of life as it was in Texas. But as much as I love my friends, there are some games I will not miss. Having a BBQ the day of the Red River Rivalry? Too bad, I can't come. I'll be at home, watching the game, by myself.

Now maybe if you don't have a team you live and die with this seems a little weird, and a lot antisocial. But I've learned the hard way. I am not good company when I really care about a game. I don't listen. I yell until I lose my voice. And if my team fumbles, gives up a big score, or (God forbid) loses, I am likely to throw things at the tv, snap at anyone who tries to speak (or refuses to change their unlucky shirt/seat/face), and maybe even cry a little. So, to protect my friends and family, I'll block the big games off on my calendar and just say I'm busy. We can hang out on another weekend - maybe during the Baylor Game - when I can relax, enjoy some laughs, and worry more about running out of chips and dip than the who will win the game.

In case you're curious, here are the dates I'm busy this fall. What games make your calendar?

September 10, 8:30 pm - Steelers vs. Titans
September 19, 8pm - UT vs. Texas Tech
October 17, Noon - UT vs. Oklahoma
November 26, 8 pm - UT at A&M
December 27, 1 pm - Steelers vs. Ravens

more on preseason prep coming soon!

Hello World.

I have two major passions in life: food and sports. I plan my fall weekends around Texas Longhorns football games. I think the Monday after the Superbowl should be a national holiday. I make a feast of ballpark foods for Opening Day each Spring. I have always wanted a forum to share my thoughts on last night's game, and what I ate while watching it. After some encouragement from a friend who recently started her own blog, I figured I'd give it a go. So look out for recipes, reviews, and a healthy dose of totally biased opinions on sports!