Welcome Back, NASCAR!

Here's Matt, Allegra and Shiloh watching the Daytona 500. Note Shi's official fan outfit, courtesy of Aunt Stacy. =) Isn't he cute?

Okay, if you know me at all, you'll probably realize that I am not much of a sports fan. I know, how un-American of me! And yet, televised sports have never been anything more than an annoyance of mine. It seems to me that if a person is really interested in a sport, the time would be better spent *doing* it or something related to it or at least seeing it in person (obviously on a local level, not national) rather than follow it on TV. However, in recent years I have come to appreciate this TV sports fanatic phenomenon and to use this fact of American life to my own advantage.

For example, during Nascar season, I can totally count on my husband to sit and watch a race each Sunday. Also, I know that he likes to have the kids watch it with him if they are interested, which thanks to Aunt Stacy and Grandma SaSa, they are, and even have adopted their favorite drivers. So, this gives me 3 hours each week that I can generally count on knowing where Matt is - and during which he is fairly happy to mind the baby while I do a project in the house, run an errand, or if necessary, take a nap. And so as far as I'm concerned, "Gentlemen, start your engines!"

The second American sports event I've come to appreciate in these recent years is the superbowl. No, I'm not crossing over into some football fanaticism, and NO, do not count me as one of those who "only watch it for the commercials." Please. Here's what I've discovered: apparently many people have parties for this occasion and apparently it is the tradition of the football fan to make and eat guacamole on this sacred occasion. I'm a person who loves guacamole (great source of vitamin E, and monounsaturated fat you know) and make it anytime I can get suitably ripe avocadoes. As with any other "holiday" food, the stores really stock up at just the right time. I have been just thrilled with the bountiful, plentiful selection of beautiful avocadoes available for this event! I do wonder how the avocado growers of the world provide such a bumper crop for just one week... it must generate so much waste... Anyway, I leave you with my fantastic recipe:

Serenity's Guacamole
3 ripe avocadoes, halved, seeded and scooped out of skins
1 roma tomato, diced
1/2 sweet onion, diced
splash of lime juice (maybe a Tbsp - I use Nellie's Key Lime Juice)
pile of cumin (maybe 1 1/2 tsp.)
4-6 shakes of red (cayenne) pepper
dash of Mama Garlic (this is a garlic salt with herbs - another garlic salt would work too)

Put all ingredients into a nice mixing bowl, mash with a potato masher. stir, and serve. Sometimes I add some cilantro but only if I have it fresh in the garden, otherwise I don't bother. Obviously the seasoning amounts are approximate. I do not measure anything and it's always fantastic.
Speedy adjustment: Just use the avocadoes, juice and seasonings and use 1/3 c or so of any garden express salsa that catches your fancy instead of chopping the tomato and onion. It's almost as good with a little less work. =)