Saturday, September 20, 2008

Saturdays

Saturdays around our house usually mean a little work being done on the house, an errand here or there and a movie at night--just a laid back day.

Saturdays in the fall are a totally different story. Mike and I began dating in the spring so I had no idea what September would bring until after the engagement ring was on my finger. To my surprise, it's not about going to the park for the day, or shopping....it's about SEC football, BBQ and the remote control.

I am originally from Ohio so growing up I knew about teams in the "Big Ten," teams like Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. When I married Mike, the SEC came into my life. There is a whole institution that comes along with marrying a southern boy. "War Eagle" was now something that was shouted out to someone across the parking lot if they had an Auburn sticker on their car. "Do you think Kodi Burns got a fair shake at being quarterback?" and "What do you think about Tony Franklin's new offense?" are now questions that are asked..even to me, someone who knows very little about football. I have to admit though, it's growing on me. I don't break out my Auburn hat like Mike does though.

Notice the sweat stains on the hat. Nice. He has another Auburn hat, but when I asked him why he doesn't wear it he says, "I don't want to dirty it up." Ahh, the feminine side comes out. He also has a game he plays with his good friend Jon; they whistle the fight songs of the teams and try to guess which team it is.

I think one of the reasons it's growing on me is that I get to make a "game day meal" or should I say "game day snacks." Mike always mans the smoker. To pull off game day ribs, you have to start the smoker at 9:00am and they aren't ready until dinner.




And I make the dips. Today I am making "The Very Best Onion Dip". Christy, posted the recipe last month. YUM! I am also making Hot Reuben Dip. This is one of our family's favorites, especially my niece Jessica.

Hot Reuben Dip

1 package softened cream cheese

1.5 cups shredded Swiss cheese

1/2 cup Thousand Island Dressing

4 oz. corned beef

1/2 cup sauerkraut, drained

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix cream cheese, 1 cup Swiss, dressing and beef. Spread in pie plate. Top with sauerkraut and 1/2 cup Swiss. Bake 15 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with cocktail rye bread, rye crackers or pretzel crackers.

Out of allegiance to my childhood, I'm obligated to say, "Go Buckeyes!" But now that I'm married to an Alabama boy and I live in the south, I'm proud to say, "War Eagle!"

Have a good game day!





10 comments:

Christy said...

We wish we could be there on game day with you guys! Mike, you owe us a dinner:) Have fun eating all the yummy snacks.

Ben will be wearing his hat today and thinking of you:)

Carry Grace said...

I married a southern boy too! I'm from the south, but my parents aren't, so I didn't know what it was all about either.

I gotta say Roll Tide though!

The food looks great.

Joy Junktion said...

For me it was learning about:
NASCAR, NHRA and PBR.
Have a fun football weekend.

Kristen said...

Sarah!
I have to admit... I LOVE football and of course being from Indiana am a Hoosier fan! Go Big 10!

My SEC team - well is Tennessee - you know, Peyton Manning our Colts QB went there!

Those ribs look awesome! I wish I could spend a game day w/ ya'll!

B. said...

I, sadly, understand. If my hubs is not at the LSU games, he is glued to the TV. It is, however, not growing on me....Very wise of him to get that ring on your finger before Fall!!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I just read the reuben dip recipe to my husband and he got all excited. Guess I know what I'll be making soon! I grew up in Ohio too, so I knew the Browns and Ohio State, the usual. When I married my husband it was all about the ACC. He grew up in North Carolina and is a huge Wake Forest fan. I had NO idea what basketball season would bring...especially if the Deacons were in the NCAA tournament. It's fun though...fun to be a part of something he loves and to know that our kids will grow up knowing all about things I never knew. And so will yours! :)
Carrie

Shell in your Pocket said...

What a fun Saturday...love the rib pictures...9:00am wow...that is early to get ribs going!

Love the pictue of the hat!

Have a great weekend!
-Sandy toes

Shannon said...

Around here we say Go Hogs but it was not a pretty day for us on Saturday. I hope your game was better! :)

Carolina Mama said...

Now you're speaking my language! :) LSU! For education it was Tulane (my Daddy's alumni ;) and for the sports and fun it's still LSU! And UNC and USC. '

We're glad you're married to an 'Alabama boy!' He's lucky he got you - you've got all the snacks! :) Paula Deen has nothing on you.

Becky said...

Oh what a brilliant post. I'm married to a Mississippi State alumni, so I've become well-versed in the ways of the glorious SEC. I'm almost in horrors over the amount of football played on the TV in my house this weekend, but my hubby is in absolute bliss and I can't deny him what makes him happy. Although neither of us is very happy right now, as my Colts are losing their second game in the new stadium. Hopefully they'll turn the game around before I finish this comment!
Anyway, great post -- way to encourage us Southern wives to embrace the football madness and make it fun for our hubbies. We owe it to them, I think, because they work so hard and need to relax in this special way!
Hugs to you Sarah!