dog days of summer

Do you ever think about something over and over, obsess about it, can think of nothing else, like the weather and how hot it is? No??? Neither do I! With that [not] in mind, I know it is tres gauche to talk about the weather, but-dude-it-is-soooo-hot!!! Still, I probably would not mention whine about this, but our air conditioner has been on the fritz since Friday evening, it is now Sunday night and it is still 90*! I know, right!  And do you know what else? It is hotter in the house than it is outside!!!  pfffffff! So I find myself riveted watching the weather channel, can't say why really, I just feel utterly compelled to know exactly what the temperature is at all times.

 BUT, my real litmus test for how high the thermostat has climbed is my dogs...my little darlings who start panting as soon as the snow melts, are looking for cool places to lay while softly barking the f-word under their breath and demanding I bring them ice cubes. Do you see my suffering, it's a first world problem I know, but still. I'm determined not to let this stress me out...in reality I'm pretty low key, OH! you didn't pick up on that? Yeah. So alas, it is yet another thing on my To Do List. Get someone out here to fix the AC....really, who has time for all this drama?

 [Update: Monday evening...]
Phew! Glad that's done with! ... waited-all-morning-for-AC tech-to-show-up-5 1/2 hours-working-on-AC unit-[had to leave twice to get more parts, what? exactly!]-$1070-later-finally-finished! Well, okay then, there you have it, darlin'. Please forgive me for this annoying and self-indulgent post, getting all huffy about the weather, but you do understand why I have to vent, as if I even have a choice, please!

I did learn that you are never too old to run through the sprinkler on a hot July afternoon to cool off.

Your reward for indulging me in this rant is this incredible recipe I'm about to throw out. BBQ pulled chicken sliders. This recipe is a dynamite version of the very popular pulled pork, but much healthier . Marinating the chicken in the spices gives it a rich tapestry of flavors and makes it unbelievably tender [just make sure not to over cook it on the grill]. I have also made this with boneless, skinless chicken thighs and it is incredible. The BBQ sauce is easy-peasy, sweet, tangy and dee-lish-ious! After the chicken is cooked and shredded I toss it into a baking dish, slather it with the sauce, cover then warm gently just before serving. It doesn't get an easier or more delicious [you don't even have to turn on the oven]! This is one of our absolute favorites [yes even mine, chicken aversion aside].  

BBQ pulled chicken sliders
(go here for recipe)