Things are moving along. We are in our second week of school and there have been some bumps and groans but so far things are going okay. Now comes the real work. The first week back is always this lovely dance of getting to know you and now the real personalities on both sides will start to come out. We will be in the full swing of lessons, school, classes and meetings this week.

My daughter just joined a choir. She came out of rehearsal on Saturday just beaming. She loved it! I was so glad to see her excited about it. Choir was something she loved in school but was always a bit of a sore point with her. The kids she was in choir with at school didn’t always want to be there but had to take it for credit. They talked and made the class miserable for her. Once she started virtual school we talked about joining this choir but it just didn’t seem to work into her schedule. This year we made it a priority and I am so glad we did. But, it adds one more thing into our crowded schedule.

Everyone has a different opinion on activities for their kids. I know parents who allow their kids one activity at a time and that is all. Our belief for our family is that this is the time to experiment. They will never have the freedom and the time to try out all the things they might like or could be good at. So, as long as schoolwork gets done and grades stay good then they can choose to try whatever groups, classes or lessons they wish. Right now we have voice lessons, cello lessons, youth orchestra, Science Olympiad, choir, Irish dance and volunteering. We are a busy family.

When I suggested this dinner the other night my partner had been mentioning craving chicken wings from back home. I didn’t have any chicken wings on hand but I had a package of chicken drumsticks and 2 jars of Country Sweet Sauce. Country Sweet is a sauce from Western New York. You put it over chicken wings , chicken or use it for dipping. It has a slight tang to it. It comes in hot and mild. This is my daughter’s favorite chicken wing sauce. It can be ordered on-line or purchased in most grocery stores in Western New York.

Verdict:

Loved this oven baked chicken! It had a nice crispy skin and with the sauce had great flavor. Though it is dipped in butter I figure it has to be slightly better than frying in oil. Even my partner, who does not care for chicken on the bone, said this was really good. With 10 drumsticks we had enough leftover for each kid to have some for lunch the next day.

I served this with baked potatoes, green beans and a green side salad.

Ingredients:

• 10 large drumsticks, skin on
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 cup flour
• 2 TBSP Mortons Nature’s Seasoning Blend
• Country Sweet Sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with non-stick spray.
2. Put flour and season blend in a Ziploc bag. Shake to mix well.
3. Dip each drumstick in the melted butter letting the excess drip off.
4. Place the drumstick in the flour and shake to coat.
5. Place the drumstick on the baking sheet. Repeat with each drumstick.
6. Bake for 25 minutes. Flip the chicken over and then bake for another 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
7. Remove chicken from oven and allow to rest for a few minutes. Coat with sauce and serve.