Capricorn 1's corner of craziness!

This is a repost......I feel I must do this every year at this time to give a reminder of what we REALLY should be celebrating!  Enjoy your Holiday!!!!

To the BRAVE men and women who stand on that wall ....and for allowing me to sleep under the blanket of freedom you so selflessly give and gave.....from a GRATEFUL Citizen!  GOD BLESS YOU ...GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh..............Memorial Day weekend... a Holiday weekend for Cookouts, Parades, a 3-day weekend from work.  Time to break out the swimwear....open the pool... try on last year's summer clothes....wash up the patio furniture.....dust off the chaise cushions...and relax!!!

Memorial Day is also a Patriotic Holiday....To pay tribute to those fallen heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice...their lives for our Freedom.

I'd like to ask each and every one of you to take the time this weekend in between the picnics and fun of the Holiday and remember those heroes and offer a prayer.....Pray for those who have fought and paid the price dearly. Pray for those who are serving their Country and in Harm's way at this moment..... Pray for their families..The Gold Star Mothers ....Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Girlfriends, Boyfriends, Wives, Husbands.. offer them comfort, remembrance, and gratitude. 

Lastly, no matter your personal views on this and any other War, remember to Thank these selfless heroes for allowing us the Freedom to express those opinions without retribution, retaliation, and recourse.

And especially to the hero in my life......as always my love, thank you for standing on that wall everyday and for providing the blanket of Freedom I sleep under every night!

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!!!

 GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Enjoy Your Day....Enjoy your Holiday!!  Cheryl

Last week, the Sunday before Lent, I went to Mass.......... No, the church was not swallowed  up because I stepped into the vestibule, Thank you! But I am covinced that's why the Northeast got the snow last night...hahahahahaha!!!  but I digress..................

During the Homily, Father Stan made reference to what Christians should give up for Lent.  What he said actually hit me like a ton of bricks and I've taken what he said to heart.

Here's a short list of what we should give  up for Lent and the list of what we need to do more of:

Give up:

Negativity, Gossip, Judgment, Self righteousness, and Pride

What we need to do more of:

Caring for our fellow man, Speaking the truth, Humility, and Forgiveness

After Mass, I sat in the pew for quite some  time really absorbing what he shared with the congregation.  Father Tom walked back into the Sanctuary and asked me if I was alright.

We then got into a conversation about Father Stan's Homily and how it had affected me.  I went on to say that forgiveness, like love must start from within in order for it to really mean anything.

"How do you figure that?", asked Father Tom

I went on to explain that in order for me to love someone, I'd first have to love myself so that I could freely give my affections, because giving love without really loving yourself isn't true love.

Same goes for forgiveness.  In order to TRULY, HONESTLY, and FULLY forgive someone, we must first forgive ourselves...for falling short of God's love (yes, ...just as any parent loves their child unconditionally, so God loves me), for having many (and in my case, I do mean many) flaws, and for expecting way too much of someone.  I could go on and on, but you catch my drift.

"So, do you forgive yourself for everything you just said?" Father Tom asked.

"Yes, Father, I do." I replied.

"Besides, God already knows I'm like Mary Poppins....practically perfect in everyway!!! ...............that's EXACTLY how He made me!!!!!"

So for Lent,  I gave up trying to be better than I already am and for following what's in my heart......and give better than I receive.

I've forgiven myself for not being Perfect...

................then again, what is the definition of perfect?  

You find the answer looking in the mirror!

Enjoy your day!

Cheryl

Today, at exactly the time I post this, I will turn 50 years YOUNG.

I look better than I ever have.  I look younger than my age;  I am in great shape,

I ooze sexuality and sensuality

I am in excellent health

I have wonderful children and family who surround me

I have friends I'd go to the wall for and whom I adore!

I have a great career with a great company who pays me almost what I'm worth!  LOL

And I have a man in my life who thinks I'm the next best thing to sliced peaches in a can...who's gonna argue with him?

Now before you think I've fallen into a vat of whiskey and forgot to come up for air, follow my train of thought.....

Today,  as I do everyday, I celebrate LIFE! 

Look at what I've done and learned over the past 50 years:

I am the apple of my Daddy's eye (He taught me to be humble, work hard, and be honest)

I grew up in a huge house of family and lived to tell about it!!! (that taught me to be patient)

I graduated from High School (I learned to work hard, get good grades and study)

Worked my way through LPN school; then RN school (I learned perseverence and that an education had to be earned)

Became a volunteer Firefighter/Paramedic and later the Chief(I learned that helping my fellow man and serving my Community was fulfilling and I could manage and direct a group of high spirited adults)

Held both life and death in my hands (I learned the true meaning of life)

Learned to sky dive; scuba dive, and  bungee jumped ( I learned to overcome fears and obstacles)

Worked in a Prison (I learned that working in the ED of a Teaching Trauma Center, I was still naive)

Fell in love a couple of times and had my heart broken just as many (I learned that it's OK to give your heart away and risk it being broken and when it was, to learn to trust ...and love again)

Gave Birth and adopted children (now if anything in this World is THE best...it's becoming a parent and knowing you have a legacy...that's unconditional love!!!)

Got married........and divorced

Had my material possessions taken from me and started over from scratch (I learned that "things" don't make me what I am...I make me what I am) 

I've lived from paycheck to paycheck (I learned to appreciate what I have)

Earned 2 Master's Degrees while working two Full-time jobs.....(my day job and rearing children)

Moved away from my family and started my life over...............1500 miles away

Bought a house....... and sold it to buy another one

I live by the mottos:

Life is not a spectator sport..if you sit on the sidelines, you'll miss out on some really GREAT adventures!

Opportunity knocks but once, you can't waste life on woulda, shoulda, coulda!

Everyday is a chance to start all over again and do it right!

and of course, the Golden Rule

I pray to God each day for Patience, Strength, Guidance and His Everlasting Love. 

Overall, I've done quite well......I've had one helluva FANTASTIC learning experience......I wonder what the next 50 years will bring??????......

Wanna join me in the journey?????

Let's Roll!!!!

I originally posted this blog in March 2008.  I've been reading recently that this behavior has escalated significantly not only here in Dallas, but across the Country.  I took everyone's advice and enrolled Monica into a Martial Arts class.  In addition, I had the boys that were bullying her provide "community service" by conducting anti-bullying assemblies at their school.  This has proven quite effective as the boys no longer toss people for their lunch money, but have "patrolled" the school campuses to prevent any such incident from occurring while they are there. 

These boys have really matured since this happened this Spring and I applaud their efforts .

School Districts around the Country have "No Tolerance" guidelines and Police have been called to enforce it.  Often times for the Senior High School Student, this will become a criminal report and can deter them from entering into colleges and universities.

I keep the students that are bullied and their parents in my prayers.

Here's what happened to my Angel, Monica just 8 months ago.........

Yesterday was very hectic for us.  We arose earlier than usual to get everyone ready to go back to school; drop my brother off at the airport, and get back to wait for the plumber to come and fix the water leak that occurred in the sprinkler system and has the front yard mosquito infested.

My youngest daughter, Monica has severe ADHD and as a result, some learning challenges. She is enrolled in the Learning Support Program and has been doing extremely well with the exception of social skills and money. I have her on a program to teach her about the importance of money......respect it, earn it, save it, purchase things that we need then want.  When I give her money to pay for her meals at school, she is to take it right away to Ms. Jackson, the head of the cafeteria.  Ms Jackson puts it in Monica's account so she can buy breakfast, if she wishes, and then lunch.  And every Friday, because she has worked very hard, she is able to buy her favorite dessert...ice cream.  I felt she was doing well....I was wrong.

During the Easter break, Monica has asked for mechanical pencils.  I inadvertently forgot to give her the ones I bought during the summer, so she went to school without a pencil. 

I picked her up from her after-school prgram and announced that she had to buy pencils at the school store.  I asked where she got the money to do so and she replied she used her cafeteria money. I became angry and asked why she did that and apologized because I forgot to put the pencils in her book-bag, but reminded her what that money is to be used for.  I then asked where the change was from her buying the pencils.  It was my hope to have her deposit the remainder of her shopping trip to the school store, into her meal account this morning.

All of a sudden she began to cry uncontrollably.  I felt it a little overboard and asked why the tears and outburst.  She was inconsolable.  I asked her brother, Brandon to find out why she crying so.  Brandon and Monica have such a bond that, at times, Monica tells Brandon more than she tells me; so I used that to get the information I needed.

What she told Brandon made me so enraged, I had to walk away and cool down before I could rationally make my next steps..................................................................................

**********************************************************************

There is a boy at school that has been forcing Monica to give him her lunch money for two purposes:  1. To keep him from beating her up and buy his friendship  and 2. to buy protection from his friends so they don't assault her either.  So far, this 10 year old kid has tossed my little girl for about $100.00.  I must interject here that every two weeks like clock-work,  give Monica enough to keep her account fluid. 

Because Monica has difficulty perceiving time and numbers, it is hard to ascertain exactly when this bully started extorting her.

Now I also must tell you, this highly recognized school has earned numerous awards from the State of Texas for its curriculum and programs to prevent bullying from taking place.  And what made me go ballistic is the fact that this kid's parents are active members of the PTA and highly respected in the community.  This family is affluent and quite comfortable.  Mom drives a Lexus and is a stay at home Mom. Dad drops Aaron off each morning in his Jaguar before going off to his very successful law firm.  They live in a mini mansion with in-ground pool, tennis courts, etc., and vacationed in the Bahamas for Easter break.  Aaron and his family returned tanned and refreshed.... Aaron returned to his extorting immediately upon school re-opening yesterday.

I understand bullying has no socio-economic barriers...I wanted to stress this kid really has no reason to steal money from others. I can safely conclude this child's needs are not being met somewhere and has acted out in this fashion, BUT....right now, I am so angry that he picked out my child to stage his reign of terror on/with that I cannot be objective enough to reason right now.

For two hours last night, my daughter BEGGED, PLEADED, SCREAMED at me not to say anything because she was afraid of what might happen to her if this got out. My heart broke and ached so hard, I really thought it would explode ( I know it can't but it felt just like that). I held back my tears as much as I could and  waited till she finally fell asleep to scream and cry into my pillow.

I sent an e-mail to Monica's and Aaron's teachers and the Prinicpal strongly requesting a meeting and advising them Aaron's behavior was unacceptable and I wanted restitution and punishment. I recommended Aaron pay all of the money back and he himself MUST do a program on bullying from personal experience. I don't mince words....especially when it comes to my kids.

At this moment, I am facing one of the worst fears a parent can face....The School Yard Bully. While we talk to our children about what to do should this scenario arise, we really don't know what do to until it slaps us dead in the face and gives us a reality check.

I have not yet heard back from any of them.  My anger is in check so I can objectively state my concerns. AND I will get a satisfactory resolution.

Give your kids an extra hug tonight.  You can't chase away the bullies, or the "bad people"; BUT you CAN tell them you Love them and let them know you're there to fight for them.

Enjoy your day.

Cheryl

THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

HAVE WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!!

28 YEARS IN THE MAKING!!!

126 YEARS OF PERFECTION!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BEST BASEBALL

TEAM FROM ONE OF YOUR LOYAL AND

 LIFELONG FANS!!!

"You're on top of the World, looking down on creation and the only explanation I can find is the Love that I've found ever since you've been around You're Love's put me at the Top of the World!"

Remember that old Carpenter's song(for those of us who KNOW who they Carpenters are)???

I literally woke up this morning singing that song.  And I can safely say to you the reason I was signing that song was NOT because I'm head over heals in love.  In other words I wasn't singing about a man.

Well, actually I was singing about a man but it wasn't a human man....it was ...... THE MAN.

I'm a Spiritual person....I'm NOT a Religious person.   

Let me explain what I feel the difference is:   

I'm not about to spark an all out heated debate on Religion...that's not my intent.  I respect ALL faiths and denominations.  I may not understand your faith and will ask you to explain it to me.  I support your right to choose to Worship or not to Worship.  I'm just writing what I've been inspired to.

A Religious person is devout in their faith.  They go to Church all day on Sundays.  The Religious attend Church everday; prays; goes to Bible Study; reads the Bible for hours; and more than likely tithes.  My MeMaw and Aunt Inez were Religious  people.

Spiritual people believe and are also devout in their faith.  Where the difference I see is that they don't feel they have to attend Church and do all of the outwardly "showy" things to prove that they are strong in their beliefs.  My Dad was a Spiritual person....He was a C & E man...(Christmas and Easter services only).... but he taught me more about God than my Minister ever did.  I am a Spiritual person.

I believe you can be both AND you can be one without the other.

Being reared by a Southern Baptist Father and an Episcopalian Mother, we attended a Presbyterian Church.  We lived in a Catholic neighborhood.  

When I was in my twenties, I had a Crisis of Faith and went on a Spiritual trek.  After studying various faiths, I finally felt at home in the Catholic Church and I converted. But during my trek, I found a common thread among all of the denominations and religions I studied.....  they ALL believed in a Supreme Being and that when we prayed for one another and ourselves, we came closer to HIM.

During the past few weeks, I've been focusing on myself and what I needed to do to shake the cobwebs loose and really get in touch with my Spirituality.  I've asked the ones I feel connected to to pray for me as I pray for them. The result was a re-awakening and it just happended to be today. You see, you don't have to go it alone. Just as those Footprints are in the Sand, so are your Friends walking this Path in Life with you...and for me, I've got some really GREAT friends walking beside me on my journey.

So...I'm on top of the World, looking down on creation and the only explanation I can find........is the Love that I've found ever since YOU'VE been around.  YOUR Love's put me at the Top of the World!!!!!!

Enjoy your day!!!!  Cheryl

Well, do you? 

Let me ask this another way........  Is your glass half full or half empty?

What do the two have in common?  Alot more than you may think. 

We humans have this nasty habit of fighting everything that comes our way be it good or not so good.  Who told you you'd have to fight every inch of your way along life's path?

how you look at your glass also determines if you do block the blessings God has been sending you.  If you are an optimist where in every situation there is a postive, then you do not block the blessings and you continue to receive.

Conversely, if you see every situation as bleak, then you are blocking the blessings God has been trying to send you and you either don't receive them or you've fought tooth and nail to get them.

So before you get the instinct to wait till the other shoe drops, or for the bomb to go off...STOP.......

Take a deep breath, and ask God to help you fight those urges to block your blessings and allow them to freely come.

Once you do, you WILL see the dawn of a new day and the flow of blessings come. 

Enjoy your day!  Cheryl

CAN YOU STAND IT??????????????????????????  I AM SO EXCITED!!!! The Philadelphia Phillies have clinched the National League Championship!!!  The Bank needs a World Series plaque next to the League plaque now that the Vet is gone!

I am the proud owner of the 1980 World Series Philadelphia Philles Pennant AND an autographed picture of the winning pitch by Tug McGraw.  Both hang in honor in my office....with my Phillies trashcan and mousepad......alongside my Philadelphia Eagles pictures, poster, et al. The best part is that my office is 1500 miles Southwest of Philadelphia in Dallas, Texas...not that I'm one to gloat or anything....(yeah, RIGHT!!!!) My Phillies and Eagles flags are flying proudly in my front lawn.

I do miss the partying and the jazzed energy that the city is experiencing last night, today, and all through the Series.

Oh well, .....

WAY TO GO PHILLY!!!!!!!!!!!

...It's been 28 years since our last Series win and 15 years since our last Series at bat..........

TIME TO DANCE!!!!!!!

Y'all have to try these!  This serves 1-2 people, so if y'all want to make a bunch, you have to add a potato for each  person you'll be serving!  Enjoy!!!  Cheryl

• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into wedges
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

• Preheat oven to 450°.
• Toss sweet potato wedges with oil, salt and pepper.
• Spread the wedges out on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake until browned and tender, turning once, about 20 minutes total.

I love a good stir fry!  It's low fat and healthy.  there's never any left overs in my house when I serve this.  You can either serve it with steamed rice or all by itself...tastes great either way!   Enjoy!!  Cheryl

• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
• 1 tablespoon oyster-flavored sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 1/2-2 teaspoons chile-garlic sauce
• 4 teaspoons canola oil divided
• 12 ounces beef top sirloin, trimmed of fat and cut into 1/4-inch strips
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 large onion, slivered (1 1/2-2 cups)
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
• 1 pound broccoli florets (about 4 cups)

• Combine 1/4 cup broth, cornstarch, soy sauce, marmalade, oyster sauce, vinegar and chile-garlic sauce in a small bowl; mix well.
• Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat.
• Add half the beef; stir-fry until browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Stir-fry the remaining beef in 1 teaspoon oil; transfer to the plate.
• Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the wok.
• Add ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, 10 to 20 seconds.
• Add onion; stir-fry for 30 seconds.
• Add bell pepper and broccoli; stir-fry for 30 seconds.
• Pour in the remaining 1/4 cup broth, cover and cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Push the vegetables to the sides.
• Stir the sauce mixture and add it to the wok. Cook, stirring, until the sauce becomes thick and translucent.
• Stir the vegetables into the sauce and return the beef to the wok; toss to coat.
• Serve immediately either over steamed rice or let it stand alone.

Let's get those Mammies Grammied and the boobs tubed, ladies! 

This month, please call your local hospital or Womens' Health Center and schedule your mammography....if you have no health insurance and/or cannot pay, contact the hospital to find out about FREE mammograms.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation celebrates 25 years of spreading the word on finding a cure for Breast Cancer!

The Race for the Cure and the Pink Ribbons we proudly wear; the pink products we purchase from Pampered Chef,  Tupperware, and Proctor and Gamble, to name just a few,  are only a small portion of what we can do to help keep the fight against this killer going until the day comes when Breast Cancer is beaten!

From the Susan G. Komen Foundation website:

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is fighting every minute of every day to finally, once and for all, finish what we started and achieve our vision of a world without breast cancer.

Fulfilling the Promise

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested more than $1.2 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

Breast Cancer Then and Now

Since 1982, Komen for the Cure has played a critical role in every major advance in the fight against breast cancer – transforming how the world talks about and treats this disease and helping to turn millions of breast cancer patients into breast cancer survivors. We are proud of our contribution to some real victories:

• More early detection – nearly 75 percent of women over 40 years old now receive regular mammograms, the single most effective tool for detecting breast cancer early (in 1982, less than 30 percent received a clinical exam).
• More hope – the five-year survival rate for breast cancer, when caught early before it spreads beyond the breast, is now 98 percent (compared to 74 percent in 1982).
• More research – the federal government now devotes more than $900 million each year to breast cancer research, treatment and prevention (compared to $30 million in 1982).
• More survivors – America’s 2.5 million breast cancers survivors, the largest group of cancer survivors in the U.S., are a living testament to the power of society and science to save lives.

Let's do it to it!   Cheryl

National Fire Prevention Week will be celebrated October 5-11 in 2008. This year’s theme “Prevent Home Fires,” focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires - cooking, heating, electrical and smoking materials.  Nearly 75% of building fires and two-thirds of fire deaths occur in the home - the place we feel safest.   "This year's theme 'Prevent Home Fires' reminds us to find and fix fire hazards in the home."  "The place where we spend the most of our time should be a sanctuary of safety and not a cause of concern."

With high energy  prices and the cost of home heating oil and gas out of control, Protective Service Personnel are concerned that  house fires will increase significantly. 

You can help  with these simple to do's:

• Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. 
• Get smoke dectectors in your home.  Fire Departments nationwide have hundreds of smoke and fire detectors to give away FOR FREE. 
• Take advantage of this and install one above every bedroom door , near the kitchen (I understand that's how some time when supper's done but seriously), in the hallways and at the top of your stairs if you live in a rancher or multi-level dwelling.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides training and Public Service Announcement materials for Protective Service Personnel and the Public alike.  When your elementary school-aged children bring this information home or you visit your local Fire Department this week, or they BEG and PLEAD for you to visit the local firehouse, please LISTEN AND LEARN.

As a retired volunteer Firefighter/paramedic, the worst scenes I've been on were the ones where I could not save life, limb, and property due to smoking or faulty equipment in the home.

If I've gotten through to at least one, I've done a job well done!

Be Safe! 

Cheryl

With any recipe that calls for cheese, such as Italian food, it's best to leave it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving so that the serving doesn't fall apart and give the hot cheese time to conjeal.  Enjoy!! Cheryl

• 3 1/2 cups ricotta
• 1 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano
• 2 eggs slightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 12 manicotti pasta crepes, homemade or store bought
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 quart marinara sauce or tomato meat sauce,

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a medium bowl combine the ricotta, 1 cup of the grated cheese, eggs, and pepper.
• Fill each crepe with approximately 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture centering it in a straight line down the middle.
• Top with the shredded mozzarella.
• Take one end of the crepe and fold over the cheese filling. Then take the other end and pulling slightly, fold over in a wrapping motion overlapping the stuffed portion of the crepe.
• Repeat until all 12 crepes are filled.
• Spread one cup of the sauce in the bottom of a large baking pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray.
• Place the filled manicotti in the pan, seam down, side-by-side. Do not overlap, and do not layer them.
• Spoon the remaining sauce over the manicotti. Be sure to cover all the pasta.
• Sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese.
• Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until the sauce is hot and bubbling.

did you see it??  The Campbell's Soup commercial with my recipe???   I submitted it sometime ago, and they chose it for a commercial showing this exact recipe!!!   I'm so exicted!!!

This is soooooooooooo good!  It's also quick and easy...which works for all of us!   If you wish to substitiute shrimp for chicken, add 2 lbs of medium shrimp.  Enjoy!   Cheryl

1 pound linguine

2 cups broccoli

1/2 stick butter

2 lbs boneless chicken breasts cut into large cubes

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 cup milk

1 cup parmesan cheese 1/2 cup for sauce; 1/2 cup for garnish

Coarse ground pepper and kosher salt to taste

Prepare linguine according to package.  Add broccoli 4 minutes before pasta is done cooking.  Drain both in collander and pour onto a platter.

In 10" skillet, melt butter and add cubed chicken; cooking until browned stirring frequently.

Stir in remaining ingredients and cook until bubbly. Pour over pasta and broccoli and serve. 

Nothing's better than a good fish fry for fall!  If you want to save oil, fry the hushpuppies in the same oil BEFORE the catfish.  Then you don't have them tasting fishy.  You can use either a chicken fryer or a deep fryer ...your choice.  If catfish is'nt your cup of tea, you can use flounder, talapia, or whatever fish you prefer. Enjoy!  Cheryl

• 1 1/2 pounds catfish fillets, cut on the diagonal into 1-inch strips
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons Creole mustard
• 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons red hot sauce
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup flour
• 2/3 cup cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon salt

Place the catfish in a glass bowl. In a second glass bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, mustard, Old Bay, garlic and hot sauce and pour over the fish. Stir to thoroughly coat, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Prepare the Hushpuppies. 

Preheat 3/4-inch of oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy cast iron skillet to a temperature of 350 degrees. If you used the deep fryer, decrease the temperature to 350 degrees.

Remove the fish from the refrigerator. Combine the flour, cornmeal, and salt in a re-sealable plastic food storage bag and shake to blend. Using a fork, remove the fish fingers, a few pieces at a time, from the marinade, allowing excess marinade to fall from the fish. Transfer the fish to the flour-cornmeal mixture and toss to coat. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining fish.

Fry the fish, in batches if necessary, turning to promote even browning, until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-lined plate to rest briefly before serving hot.

Hushpuppies:

•  Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 large onion, grated
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and minced

Preheat a deep-fryer/chicken fryer; fill with oil to about 3/4 of the way full to a temperature of 375 degrees. While the oil is heating, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda and black pepper in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. In a second mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, grated onion, green onions and jalapenos. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until a batter comes together. Be careful not to overmix.

When the oil is hot, drop 1 1/2 tablespoons of the batter into the hot oil and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove using a slotted spoon and let rest on a paper lined plate briefly before serving hot. Repeat with remaining batter.