Frankenstein, Labour Day and back to school

Did you know that today is FRANKENSTEIN DAY? Yep, it’s even recognized internationally.

So you know what that means? I’m going to have a movie marathon this weekend. It’s my last few days before I head back to class and I can’t think of a more perfect way to spend it than with my favourite movie monster. Sure, Dracula and The Mummy are cool, but Frankenstein is one of the originals, you know? He’s the coolest!

Mom says I need to get my “late night movie” habit out of the way, because starting Tuesday, it’s early to bed, early to rise – that’s what makes students happy and wise. Ha Ha.

Monday is Labour Day, a holiday for my parents. But it’s actually one of the busiest times for Grandpa on the farm. We’re all heading over there on Monday to help with chores, and enjoy one of Grandma’s great feasts. My salad was a real hit last week – maybe I’ll find something from TASTING MY STORY (my new mystery cookbook) to make for dinner.

Gotta jet! Time to make some popcorn and settle in for my first Frankenstein movie…

- Chase Superman Duffy

Rounding off the summer with a BBQ

As long as the weather holds up, it will be a few weeks before my Dad packs up the BBQ. If we lived in a milder weather province – like BC – Dad would have it running all year long. I’m serious.

But this weekend, we’re having a big family BBQ- kind of like a last hurrah before summer ends and my sister, Amelia, and I go back to school. Mom put ME in charge of the salad – AGAIN. Last year, I made a typical tossed salad, but this year I’m kicking it up a notch.

I’ve developed an interest in cooking and so I’m going to try and make this delicious peach and tomato salad. It sounds complicated, I know – but with Dad’s help, it should turn out just…peachy!

Here’s the recipe in case you and your Dad want to give it a try:

SMOKY TOMATO AND PEACH SALAD

What you need:

1 pound whole wheat pasta, like bowties 454 g
2 peaches, sliced in half and pits removed
1 Tbsp canola oil 15 mL
4 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges or chunks
1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
1/2  tsppepper 2 mL
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled 125 g
4 green onions, sliced
4 slices thick-cut bacon

Vinaigrette
1/2       cup fresh basil leaves 125 mL
2          Tbsp red wine vinegar 30 mL
1/3       cup canola oil 85 mL
1/4       tsp salt 1 mL
1/4       tsp ground pepper 1 mL

What you do:

Bring water to a boil and prepare pasta according to directions, omitting the salt (not good for grandpa’s diabetes).

While pasta is cooking, cook the bacon till crisp. Drain. Cool. Break into pieces.

Brush peach halves with the canola oil, and place them on the BBQ. (Be sure to ask for an adult’s help!)  Grill the peaches for 1 to 2 minutes, until grill marks appear.

Remove the peaches and sprinkle them and the tomatoes with pepper.

Make the vinaigrette by adding the basil and vinegar to a food processor and blending until the basil is in tiny pieces and the mixture is combined. Stream in the canola oil and puree until combined. Season with salt and pepper and blend to mix.

Add the pasta to a large bowl and pour the vinaigrette on top. Mix thoroughly until the pasta is coated, then stir in the tomatoes and peaches. Add in the feta, onions and bacon, mixing until combined. Add a few basil leaves on top for garnish. Serve.

Sounds delicious, right? Hope you and your family are doing something fun to kick off the last few days of summer.

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

PS – If you like cooking, too, my new mystery book, TASTING MY STORY includes some delicious, youth-friendly recipes. Email me for your copy today: chase.superman.duffy@gmail.com. 

More career musings

Remember when I wrote that blog post a few months about considering my “career” options? That was after the career fair at the school, where I met some police officers and firemen as part of Emergency Workers Week.

As much as I think those careers are vital, I’m not sure I’m cut out for that kind of work. That doesn’t mean I haven’t spent some time this summer thinking about what comes after high school – if I don’t make it as a track and field star, that is.

I know, I know. The odds of that are slim. My Dad compares it to being in the NHL – tons of kids play hockey. Only the elite are chosen for the big leagues. But that doesn’t mean all of those kids (like me) shouldn’t strive for the dream.

No matter what my career choice, it all comes down to working hard. The important thing is to just be your best, right?

So what am I going to be the best at? Good question!

I’m still thinking about a career in sports. If not a track and field star, I could be a trainer. Maybe a coach. Or what about a sports therapist?

Mom says she always knew she wanted to be a chemist, but even Dad says it took some time for him to figure things out. I guess I’m more like my Dad that way. My parents say I don’t have to stress about it right now, I’m still young, but with school fast approaching, my mind sometimes wanders that way.

One of my school goals this year is going to involve researching potential career options – beyond the track. I think the best place to start is by remembering the things I love to do – like reading, writing, and most recently, cooking! Huh, I wonder if there’s such thing as a professional reader?

How about you? Have you given much thought to “after school” planning?

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

P.S. – If you like cooking, too, my new mystery TASTING MY STORY includes some delicious, youth-friendly recipes. Email me for your FREE copy today: chase.superman.duffy@gmail.com. 

My first babysitting gig – gulp

I’m babysitting the neighbour boy this week – it will be my first time watching anyone other than my little sister, Amelia. He’s four, and up until now, he’s been going to daycare while his Mom is at work.

Then my Mom told his parents that I’d taken my babysitting course. Suddenly, I have a job for the rest of the summer.

It’s only for a few hours three days a week, and I could use the money since I spent quite a bit on wakeboarding lessons at the lake last week. I’m just a bit concerned about what we’re going to do all day. His Mom doesn’t want him watching TV all morning, and video games are out of the question.

Of course we’ll go to the park, and play in the backyard – but what about if it’s raining outside? We can only do so much reading. Well, Grandma gave me this fun recipe for Electoslime. She says it’s guaranteed to keep us both entertained for several hours.

You can find the recipe in my new mystery cookbook, TASTING MY STORY. Get your copy FREE by sending me an email at chase.superman.duffy@fieldsofhome.com. Have fun!

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

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A month of fun for the family

We’re going on vacation!

That’s right, my family is heading to the mountains for a week of camping, watersports and fun to kick off Family Fun Month. The trip was kind of a shock for me and my sister. With Dad working so much, we didn’t think he’d be able to take holidays. Surprise!

Now I’m counting down the hours until we leave.

Mom showed me some pictures of the campsite. There are lots of paths for me to take my training to the trails. And the lake looks clean and beautiful! Dad says my sister Amelia and I might get to try a new watersport, like wakeboarding, waterskiing, or even canoeing. There’s so much equipment to rent. She says she wants to find out what kind of bugs she can find near a lake - who knew?

It’s been a few years since we’ve had a family vacation so I’m going to cram as much in as I can. Reading, writing, photography – I think this is going to be the perfect time to catch up on my summer goals.  

Gotta jet – I’ve got to get packed!

Have a great week.

- Chase Superman Duffy