Guess what?
I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is…..THE OLYMPICS! (Cowbell, any other time.)
The countdown to the 23rd Olympiad has begun. In celebration of what’s to come, we have watched Miracle a few times already. I have seen this movie at least 100 times, two scenes totally gut me. When Herb Brooks cuts Ralph Cox. “Thank you for giving me your very best.” ??? And, I start getting teary-eyed as soon as Al Michaels yells, “Do you believe in miracles?” I am no good thru the end. Yes, Al, yes, thirty seven years later, I believe in miracles.
1. I LOVE THE UNDERDOG! Who doesn’t? When you watch Miracle or Cool Runnings, or frankly any movie about sports, you automatically cheer for the underdog. How many underdogs do you think are traveling to South Korea this year?
2. Nine days away from Bob Costas being on the tv morning, noon and night! He’s one of my all time favorite sports casters. In medal standings – Al Michaels, gold, Bob Costas, silver and tie for bronze going to Bryant Gumbel and James Brown. Oh man, I miss Bud Greenspan.
3. That soundtrack. Thank you, John Williams. Please tell me your humming the music. Dun, dun, da, dun, dun, dun, dun, Bum, bum, ba, bum, bum, bum, bum, dun, dun, da-dun, dun, dun, dun, du-da, dun dun. Okay, that was a lot, but if you need a reminder, click here.
4. The commercials. The Super Bowl and the NFL ain’t got nothing on these. Proctor and Gamble have got the commercial game locked up. If you haven’t had a chance to see this year’s – check it out here.
5. Since I brought up the Super Bowl, there is no Patriots and Eagles. It’s TEAM USA all the way. No house, no neighbor, no family divided because we are all cheering for the same team, waving the same flag, and wearing the same red, white and blue. ??
6. The Cheering. Listen, this is no Lake Placid. The games have admittedly changed. We can live stream on every device under the sun, we can see results long before NBC airs them at primetime. The previous two Olympics I have proudly cheered and yelled at my tv long after I knew the results, but it’s the same when I watch the Jamaican bobsled team. I know the outcome, but I am still cheering. That leads me to say, when I am cheering, yes, I am cheering for the long jump world record, the snowboarding 1040, the triple salchow, the speed skater in last place, as much as I am the speed skater in first place. There is just a few more people that I am cheering for. Let’s be honest, olympians can move all of us – their talent, skill, determination, work ethic, and strength. I am cheering for you, and your parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, coaches, godparents, teachers, tutors, and more.
7. Admittedly, I am TEAM USA all the way, but I love, love, seeing all these different cultures, countries, and athletes coming together. I am not kidding, with less than ten days to the games I always think I need a geography class. It just blows my mind the uniqueness of it all.
With number seven, it lands us here….
I’ve spent the last few days reading The Boys of Winter by Wayne Coffey . What can I say, I can’t get enough of this team. Tuesday, I had to serve on jury duty, and while I was awaiting my jury selection process, I was dreaming of coming home, and reading with a good cup of tea.
Country #1 – India.
Who doesn’t like chai? In our house, it’s a bit of a staple, and we all love it, but I don’t like the sweet, sweet chai, and recently Chef and I had a Monday lunch date to a fave, Royal Taj. The chai there is delicious, and not sweet. I have been trying to replicate it at home, I think I have gotten pretty close.
Bring the tea kettle to boil. While awaiting for the kettle, in a sauce pot, bring milk, with green cardamom, black peppercorns, and cinnamon to a simmer. Just as the milk is simmering, if you whisk the milk continually, you can create foam.
Steep the tea for a few minutes, adding in the milk. If you prefer a little sweetness, add in honey, vanilla, or agave. Enjoy.
We are just a week away from gathering around the TV, cheering for TEAM USA and the underdogs, and I can’t wait for a bowl of popcorn and this tea.
GO TEAM USA!??
And for my long, long lost ancestors, GO TEAM SOUTH KOREA! ??
Chai, makes two servings
2 cups brewed black tea
2 cups of milk, steamed
1/2 cinnamon stick
4-5 green cardamom pods, cracked open, seeds removed
5 black peppercorns
Vanilla, agave, or honey to sweeten to taste
Divide the tea between two mugs. Combine the milk and spices into a sauce pot. Bring to a simmer. Divide the milk between the mugs.
Enjoy by the fire, on the slopes, or cheering TEAM USA!