Don't Forget

Don't forget

Last Sunday morning, I was glowing.....drinking my coffee after another great win by South Dakota State the night before. It feels great knowing we are now 4-0 in our conference. 

Even though I am happy, I don't forget what it's like to have a season with 2 or 3 wins. It's really tough when Saturday after Saturday you are disappointed for the team having little to show for all their hard work......especially knowing the hours my husband and other coaches put in that whole week. I remember early in my marriage taking those seasons personally.

Don't forget that even the best of coaches lose games. Every week....half of the teams in the country lose. Some of the toughest games for me to handle have always been the ones you lose by just a few points....let's face it.....there is no moral victory for keeping it close......You either win or you lose. 

So as the season is more than halfway over in college football.......don't forget there are some football families out there worried they might get let go at the end of the season.......Thinking they may have to move again.......Worried about the possibility of having to sell a house.......Wondering where they would be moving to and they how they are going to pay for it......Concerned for their children possibly having to change schools and meet a whole new set of friends. That very football family may know they will be out of a job over the holidays.....and money will be tight. 

I won't forget because I've been there.....feeling all those things. It's easy for someone having a good season to say everything happens for a reason......because sometimes when there are uncertainties it can be really hard to believe that. I've moved 9 times in 14 years of marriage.....and not all by choice. So I am here to tell you.....everything does happen for a reason. We have had our salary fluctuate up and down, we've bought homes and then been forced to rent, had moves that cost us more money than I'd like to admit, and bounced around in different divisions just to stay in the profession. I don't forget that we have also been blessed with four beautiful boys in four different states we've lived in. I don't forget that after being let go after a head coaching change we went on to places where we had great success......one time even going to a national championship game.

So this post is to all the wives out there who are having one of those tough seasons. I am not going to forget all those wives that messaged me, called, or found some way to let me know they were thinking of me when I was going through those times. I will not forget, and do the same as they did for me. Coaches wives go through a lot and even though we may be having a great seasons.....it's sometimes bittersweet.....because another coaching family we know might very well be looking for a job at the end of this season.

Prayers to all the football families having tough seasons. Don't forget.....

🏈It's Tailgating Time🌭

It's Tailgating Time.....

Who doesn't love the idea of getting to the game early for some fun, with tasty food and refreshing drinks! As a Wisconsin native....I was raised on the tradition of tailgating.......believe me, this girl knows how to tailgate. My husband has coached for 10 college football programs....and I have found that at some schools tailgating has been a bigger part of the Gameday experience than at others. I love where he coaches now, at South Dakota State, because there is an amazing tailgating scene. Here are some great recipes and new ideas to help you win big at your tailgate this season:

THE DRINKS:

As much as everyone loves to have beer when they tailgate,  I hate the idea of feeling bloated and full. Why not Sangria? I have been making it for years and I still get asked for this simple easy recipe. 

Sangria:

1 bottle of a sweeter red wine

1 cup of sugar

4 sliced oranges

2 sliced lemons

Sprite or 7 up (I prefer using diet to cut down a little on calories😉🍷.)

Put fruit, sugar, and wine in pitcher. Let sit overnight. Add your Sprite when ready to drink.

Another one of my faves is a Bloody Mary bar......I mean we all need to get our vegetables in for the day right?!?!😉. Garnishes like olives hand-stuffed with blue cheese or garlic, pepper jack cheese cubes, pepperoni, and pickles are the perfect touch. I like to use Absolut Peppar Vodka with a Zing Zang Bloody Mary mix--it has just the right amount of spice.

Mimosas anyone?? I like to freeze champagne in ice cube trays and have them in a Tupperware in my cooler at the tailgate. Bring orange juice and you have an easy Mimosa🍊💃🏼🍾.

Don't forget juice boxes, bottled waters, and sodas. I know it's sad.....but champagne is not for everyone.....plus we can't forget about the babes (kiddos)👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼.

THE FOOD:

I think it's always best to go with a proven winner on Gameday. And don't forget---it must be able to handle being out in the warm sun--especially during the early fall games. One of my favorite tailgating delights are cream cheese and salami roll ups. I got the recipe from a dear friend who is also a coach's wife (Oh how I miss tailgating with you Lindsay😉🏈🍻.)!

Salami Roll Ups:

Salami 

Cream cheese

Pickles or olives 

Spread cream cheese on salami. Place a pickle spear on top of the layer of cream cheese. Roll up and leave as is or cut into cute little slices. When using an olive roll the salami and use a toothpick to hold the olive on top.

Another great idea. Place Veggie dip at the bottom of clear plastic drink cups adding different vegetables in cup. Quick, easy, and a great on the go food to bring to your tailgate.

Also never leave out the kiddos. I make sugar cookies cutout in the shape of football jerseys every year. Frosted with our team colors of course---with the jersey numbers of some of our best players (Shoutout to 19 and 86.....and of course the O-Line!! 😉)

Another kid favorite (who am I kidding---adults love it too) is to melt Hershey's Hugs on top of a hard mini-pretzels in the oven, then adding team colored m&m's on top (you can order them on www.nutsinbulk.com, amazon, or other websites.) I've even found football shaped pretzels at Walmart....it's all about the details💛🏈💙.

THE DETAILS:

Since I mentioned it.....bring out your football crockpots, dishes, and I am all about this plastic wine tumbler that I so am ordering ASAP (who says you can't show some class--when they don't allow glass😉)

Also don't forget plates and napkins in team colors.....or mix and match football plates with napkins in team colors. Bring bean bags (cornhole) or a football for the kiddos to throw around. Plus it's always fun to make friends with those tailgating around you......I've heard Jackrabbits are some of the best 😉💙🏈🐰.

For other great recipes and ideas feel free to follow my Pinterest board "Tailgating Time" under Kimberly Eck. Best of luck to you all this week. Hope you win the game this week and at your tailgate💛🐰💙🏈🍷🍽