Family visit and Chicken #2

Becca and me definitely had a fun filled day today! It was just her and me this morning running some errands. When we were done, I took her to McDonald's where we got something to drink and she played on the indoor playground. We had it to ourselves, and she really enjoyed it. After that we walked around Nye Beach and checked out all of the blooming flowers while waiting to meet my Aunt and cousins who were coming to visit.

She wanted to pose with the hydrant

We had a great time with them. Lunch was nice, and the girls had so much fun digging in the sand and splashing in the ocean. It has been so long since I have seen my Aunt, and the time today went too quickly. I really enjoyed our visit, and hope we can see each other again soon.

Cousins

We were beat by the time the day was done. All the fun and sun drained us, but in a wonderful way. Becca fought all the way to bed, not wanting the day to end. As soon as her head hit that pillow, she was dreaming away. This tired mommy couldn't relax just yet.....I had a bird to fry, er, roast.

So tonight was a test to see if I have indeed won my battle with the whole chicken, or if I am just a one hit wonder. Drum roll please.....Another success! I got this down! And I even carved this baby up with finesse. I made a Beer Can Chicken with roast potatoes, and it was spectacular! I got the recipe from a friend's cooking blog at http://fromjulianeskitchen.blogspot.com/2012/02/beer-can-chicken.html. Check out her other recipes, too. This gal can make some yummy stuff!

Now, her recipe calls for lots of wonderful veggies, but we chose to be simple tonight and just made potatoes. Also, she makes hers on the grill, and I cooked this bird in the oven. Now, the "ta-ta's" are all her, and I hope they do not offend, but what a brilliant idea to flavor and moisten the breasts (and good for a chuckle, too).

If you cook this in the oven, put it in there at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, then turn it down to 350 degrees. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours more, depending on size. Just check with a meat thermometer, 165 degrees being the goal. I basted every 30 minutes.

I filled a baking dish with potatoes, seasoned with sea salt and pepper, and added enough chicken stock to almost cover the potatoes. I used stock that I made (another first!) from chicken #1.

Here is the beer they had at the store at the top of the hill. Worked great. I dumped the liquid in this (through a strainer) into the potatoes after the chicken was done. So much flavor!

The chicken was juicy and came right off the bone. The potatoes were to die for. A very awesome meal. With more veggies added, it would have been the perfect one dish dinner! A home run in my book. What a great end to an amazing weekend.

I hope the warm weather blessed your weekend, and you were able to enjoy some time out in the sunshine while surrounded by loved ones.