Wethington Family Blog

Most Amazing Mac & Cheese EVER!

Posted on 24 November 2011 | No responses

Yes, I know this has Velveta in it; deal. This really is amazing. Great cheese, crust and a bit of spice. It’s a lot of work, but so worth it.

 Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

½  pound sharp cheddar

½ pound diced (small) Velveeta cheese

1 pound soft mozzarella

3 cups milk

7 Tablespoons butter

½ cup flour

½ fresh grated parmesan cheese

¼  cup grated romano cheese

2 teaspoons red tobasco sauce

½ teaspoon white pepper

1 pound box of rigatoni, medium shells, or other pasta (I use medium shells)

¾ teaspoon chili powder or hot paprika

¾ cup milk-reserved for the end

In a saucepan:

Heat 3 cups milk until near boil/ turn off heat

In a separate pan

Cook pasta and drain

In a large, heavy frying pan:

Melt butter- When foam disappears, remove from heat, add flour and mix well. Return to medium/low heat and stir occasionally for 2-3 minutes (Don’t brown the flour). Gradually stir in hot milk. Add Velveeta cheese. Raise heat to medium/high and stir constantly until smooth and thick. Remove from heat. Add parmesan and romano cheese and whisk until smooth, stir in tobasco and white pepper. Fold in cooked pasta into cheese sauce mixture.

In a large pan (at least a 13×9) Layer in the following order:

 ½ the pasta/cheese sauce mixture

½ the grated cheddar and moz cheese

Rest of pasta cheese sauce mixture

Rest of grated ched/moz

Sprinkle top with chili powder or paprika

Pour remaining ¾ cup milk over the top

Bake 1 hour, uncovered, at 375 degrees, until edges are bubbling

If it browns before the hour is up, cover it with foil in the oven.  If possible, when done, let it sit for 15+ min

LEVEL Softball – Game 6 (6-13)

Posted on 26 April 2011 | No responses

LEVEL TAKES IT ON THE CHIN

(For Immediate Release)

SANTA ROSA PARK, CA – In a hotly contested battle with Mind Body Elite-ier, the LDDC gave up their bodies in pursuit of a W, but ended up with only bruises to show for it.

The LEVEL bats came out firing, as the LDDC mercy-ruled their opponents by scoring the maximum 6 runs in the inning, and only recording a single out. Mind Body Elite-ier managed to swing the momentum back their way, scoring 5 in the bottom of the second. That’s when things went horribly wrong.

Ted “Blue Dog” attempted to chase down liner to shallow center, but the ball just cleared the tip of his glove on a dead run and caught him squarely in the cheekbone. Like a stud, “Blue Dog” tracked down the ball and got it in to the infield before tending to his injury.

The injury didn’t take the wind out of LEVEL’s sails though, Andrea “McManiac” & Rebecca “Hairbling” teamed up for a ‘web gem’ as Andrea made a lunging stab at a grounder up the middle and flipped to Rebecca covering second to get the runner and end the inning. Mind Body pushed across a few runs in the later innings to put the game out of reach.

Ted “Blue Dog” said of his shiner, “I wear this bruise as a badge of pride in my team. The swelling will go down, but my loyalty to this team never will.”

LEVEL looks to overcome their injuries next week against McGlovin.

(AP)

Chuck in the Office

Posted on 26 April 2011 | No responses

As a long time fan of Chuck Liddell, I couldn’t just let this video sit. So enjoy!

And yeah, no one likes you Tito.

LEVEL Basketball – Game 7 (68-42)

Posted on 20 April 2011 | No responses

LEVEL LEVELS ANOTHER OPPONENT

Ball Hogs Have Problems Hogging the Ball

(For Immediate Release)

Pismo Beach, CA -  There was another sold out crowd gathered at Judkins Arena tonight to watch LEVEL continue their quest for basketball glory.  However, it was apparent that some members of the crowd were confused when entering the arena.  There was a rumor afloat that the gym was hosting a modeling shoot.  The confusion was quickly cleared up when they realized that they were here to see a shooting model.

Kasey “Do They Call This a Zone” came out of the gates with a hot hand, knocking down long range jump shots early and often to give LEVEL a comfortable lead.  It was quickly apparent that the zone defense featured by the Ball Hogs was not up to the task of stopping the high octane LEVEL offense.  Getting into the zone-busting action in the first half were Tom “Chief Executive Offender” and Troy “I Miss My Beard.”  When LEVEL did miss its outside shots, Aaron “The Rebound Baron” was there to clean up the mess.

In the second half, LEVEL showed why some are calling them the best defensive team the league has seen since the late 80s.  The defensive effort was spearheaded by the pestering 30-something backcourt defense of Paul “I Just Took Your Wallet” and Miguel “I Just Took Your Pride.”  A number of steals by the two guards led to easy points on the other end, proving once again that good defense leads to a better offense.  The tough LEVEL defense led to some frustration on the part of the Ball Hogs, causing the Ball Hogs to set a handful of illegal screens late in the game then went uncalled by the referees.  Hank “The Pulsating Forehead Vein” Wethington let it be known that LEVEL did not appreciate the illegality, leading to a quick apology from the Ball Hogs.

Miguel capped off his MVP night by feeding a fastbreak alley-oop pass to Phil “I Believe I Can Fly” that brought the crowd to its feet and the Ball Hogs to their knees.

“When Miguel threw the ball up to me, I didn’t have much time to decide between my 360 and my windmill dunk,” explained Phil.  “I decided to go with my windmill.  Judging by the crowd’s reaction, I made the right choice.”  To see more high-flying antics, you can catch LEVEL play the Stuntmen next week.
(AP)

LEVEL Softball – Game 5 (1-16)

Posted on 15 April 2011 | No responses

CHEATERS FAIL TO PROSPER

(For Immediate Release)

EL CHORRO REGIONAL PARK, CA – Playing shorthanded, the Low Down Dirty Cheaters were unable to overcome their burly counterparts, Williams Concrete, or as this impartial writer prefers to call them, “Way Too Good for Coed Lower Division Slow-Pitch Softball.”

The LDDC took the field in the first with only 8 in the field rather than the typical 10, forcing Dustin “Dusteezy” to simultaneously play shortstop and third base. “Angry Rob”, who got the start in Jason “Sneezy Slugger’s” absence, was able to hold them to a single run in the first inning. The LDDC got an equalizer in the top of the second, thanks to great baserunning by “Angry Rob”. That proved to be as close to the lead as the LDDC would come, as the WTGFCLDSPS pounded home run after home run.

The game was not without its highlights, however. Danielle “D Dawg” made the play of the day by fielding a throw in to the infield and slapping the tag on the advancing runner, garnering cheers by all in attendance.

When asked of his team’s chances in the playoffs, “Angry Rob” retorted, “PLAYOFFS?! You’re talking about playoffs?! You kidding me?”.

LEVEL looks to rebound against Mind Body Elite-ier next week.

(AP)

LEVEL Basketball – Game 6 (48-36)

Posted on 15 April 2011 | No responses

LEVEL MOPS UP WITH ANOTHER WIN
Splash Down No Match In Second Half Opener

(For Immediate Release)

Oceano, CA -  The stands were abuzz at the Oceano Arena as LEVEL took to the floor to open the second half of the season. After losing Justin to post high school enlightenment, there were concerns that mid-season acquisition Paul’s skills didn’t quite fit the current team dynamic, and like the Miami Heat, it may be a few years before LEVEL could find it’s way back to the championship game. However, it took all of 5 minutes for LEVEL to get a return on their investment as Paul led a fast break off of a defensive steal that started the “REPEAT” rally cry.

While Paul and Miguel shared the point guard duties, Kasey was free to slash and burn his way to the basket where he mopped up whatever Splash Down could dish out. Kasey’s offensive dominance clearly made the case tonight why he’s considered the favorite for this years MVP. Not to be forgotten, Miguel quietly ended up with the play of the night; a no-look pass to an open Paul for 3. Replays were still playing on the arena jumbo-tron as the crowds left the building.

Defensively, LEVEL has to be happy. The starting five should be called “Fort Knox” as Splash Down didn’t get their first field goal until almost 5 minutes into the game. Aaron continues to frustrate the leagues big men as he vacuums up rebounds while dealing out blocked shots, while Tom smothers opposing players causing turn overs and bad shots.

With so many highlights from the starting five, it would be easy to dismiss LEVELs bench. 6th Man of the Year candidate, Phil killed it tonight with fast break after fast break point.  Meanwhile, “Wolf pack of One” Troy scares and pesters the opposing team into mistakes while grabbing any rebounds that Aaron leaves behind.

“Sure, this first win is important, but we need all of them to get back to the championship game,” noted Tom. “It was a good game, right now we need to focus on next weeks game, nothing more.” For next weeks game, LEVEL faces the Ball Hogs.

(AP)

LEVEL Softball Game 4 (8-16)

Posted on 7 April 2011 | No responses

LEVEL LOADS PLATES, NOT BASES

(For Immediate Release)

After indulging in a few burgers, hot dogs, and perhaps too many beers, the Low Down Dirty Cheaters couldn’t overcome Hamstrung.

Despite a rowdy & raucous crowd in attendance, the Hamstrung bats were unfazed. They exploded for half a dozen runs in both the first and third innings, despite a masterful pitching performance from Jason “Sneezy Slugger.” “Angry Rob” also made the relief appearance of a lifetime (on his birthday, no less), striking out a batter and inducing ground balls from several others.

The Cheaters also improved their fielding, most notably when Scott “Snoman” gave up his body and took a scalding one-hopper to the gut, leaving a welt that you can actually see the softball stitching on (no joke, he’ll show you a picture if you ask nice). LEVEL plated four runs in the final inning thanks to clutch hitting from Rebecca “Hairbling”, Nicole “Canada”, Ryan “RyGuy”, & Jessica “Ciabatta”.

Still Running…

Posted on 31 March 2011 | No responses

I’ve been asked a few times if I’m still running or training as I’m not posting much running info. The answer is YES! For those of you on Facebook who follow me, you’ve often seen my “view from the run” pictures. For those who have come to hankandheather.com and don’t get to see all the fun training I’m still doing, let me break it down a little.

In the last 13 months of running:

• 242.2 Miles
• 42663 KCal
• 49 Hours 3 min

I’ve recently added biking to the mix over the last 2 months:

• 108 Miles
• 7100 KCal
• 7 Hours 35 min

These numbers don’t include basketball (2-3x/week) or swimming, tennis and even soccer (or a month off for an injury). The frustrating part, is while I’ve lost some weight, I’m not seeing the results I would expect with this kind of activity. I do look better and feel better, so that is always a great thing.

As to what I’m training for? The number 1 thing is to live. However, there are a few things on the schedule this year:

• Chains of Love 5k (completed)
• SLO Health and Fitness Expo 5k (completed)
• Miracle Miles for Kids 10k (May 7th)
• Strawberry Stampede 5k (May 29th)
• SLO Triathlon (July 24th)
• City to Sea 1/2 Marathon (Oct 9th)
• Warrior Dash 5k (Oct 29th)

So it’s looking to be a busy year. If you’re in town for one of the events let me know and we’ll have fun together!

I’m always open to questions, so feel free to ask.

LEVEL Softball Game 3 (3-15)

Posted on 31 March 2011 | No responses

LEVEL COMES UP SHORT IN ROUT

(For Immediate Release)

EL CHORRO REGIONAL PARK, CA – Just two weeks after toppling Mind Body Elite-ier, the Low Down Dirty Cheaters didn’t bring their A game against the more talented and grammatically sound Mind Body Elite.

Despite great enthusiasm, the LDDC bats were silent through the first few innings, and the MBE bats were anything but. LEVEL did manage to push some runs across in the late innings thanks to the bats of “Angry Rob”, Ted “Blue Dog”, & Kathleen “2 Young 2 Settle“, but it proved to be too little too late.

After the game, the LDDC announced they had finalized a trade sending Kathleen, their star slugger and face of the franchise, to the San Francisco Giants. In exchange, the LDDC will receive Barry Zito and cash considerations. Zito is expected to make an easy transition to softball, given that his fastball already qualifies as “slow-pitch”.

Kathleen said of the trade, “As excited as I am to be joining the defending champions, I know I will never be able to replace the raw talent and gusto of the Low Down Dirty Cheaters.”

Here’s wishing Kathleen the best in the friendly confines of AT&T Park.

LEVEL Basketball – Game 5 (61-52)

Posted on 29 March 2011 | No responses

LEVEL LEAVES PINE RIDERS WITH SPLINTERS
Finishes First Half 4-1 in Hunt for Repeat

(For Immediate Release)

Arroyo Grande, CA -  There was no full moon tonight, but the wolf pack was hungry for a win against the Pine Riders.   Steven came out blazing,  making 6 straight points to quickly put Level in the lead.  Kasey, Miguel, and Tom continued to add points to keep the Pine Riders at bay.   Aaron “AirWolf”  crashed the boards to keep Pine Riders from getting any second shot opportunities.  Ryan and Hank both put in solid minutes on offense and defensive to continue the Level lead.

With 10 minutes left of the first half, Level put in their secret defensive weapon Troy “Wolfman” to shut down the Pine Riders offensive weapons. The second half continued like the first half and the Pine Riders was never able to make a comeback.   The game was put out of reach when Phil “Get my money right”  completed a fast break lay-up sending the sell-out crowd to their feet.

Level 61  Pine Riders 52

Level’s record goes to 4-1.

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