If you know me IRL (In Real Life), you know that we watch a fair amount of football around here. And I'm right in the mix. My dad played high school and college football and I've been watching football my whole life. I am proud to say that I taught my first-generation American and Quaker-schooled husband nearly every thing he knows. (This isn't entirely fair. Neel's a very quick study and has gained an especial interest in the history of the game, both college and pro.) I'm not scary into it (really!), although I have prompted some friends to say, "But Lauren, you're a girl..." and others, when August pre-season games roll around, to say, "Here is where I lose you." I have to admit that I'm proud of my football knowledge, and I like it that this is a fun part of autumn for me. I like it that my dad and I saw Peyton Manning play in his last home game at the University of Tennessee (and lead the Pride of the Southland Marching Band in Rocky Top). I like looking forward to certain games (like Penn State vs. Michigan next week because I feel sure there isn't a Tennessee game that I'll look forward to ever. again. But we tend to be glass half empty this morning). I like having an opinion about the punishment Roger Goodell handed down to Bill Belichick (not harsh enough, plus I think he should have been forced to give up those cut-off sweat shirts) and the Patriots. I like hearing the marching bands from the high school games down the street (As my Grandma Charlotte used to lament, "Why don't they ever show the bands?"). At some point this fall someone in my neighborhood (probably Tyler) will have a football party and it will involve chili and a tv that is set up outside, and let me tell you, that will be a great day.

Callum, like me, is growing up in a football house. Since he was a little, little kid, he's been watching what he called, "uh-oh man ball." He's very loyal to his California roots and is an avid Chargers fan. He'll pull for the Eagles for his Dad, the Colts for me (as long as they're not playing the Chargers), and Tennessee on College Game Days. I'm constantly being dragged into useless exercises like, "If the Chargers are playing the Vols who would you be for? Who would win?" Or, worse, after last night, "Can the Chargers still win the Superbowl?" (I'm not gonna tell him what I really think on that one.) He's definitive and seasonal in his love of football. As soon as the Superbowl was over last winter, away went the football and back out came the bike and the skate board. Once the preseason games started late this summer, away went Tony Hawk on the XBox and out came Madden 08.

I am, however, surrounded by smart and sophisticated women, and I have to admit that I worry a little about being too heavily slanted toward "football momma." I've been sewing skirts like mad these past weeks, just to help prove that I still am a girl. Neel and I hit on a great idea this weekend. What better way to show that I really am multi-faceted than to create a dinner that only a lover of Monday Night Football and Top Chef can?

Sunday night, in honor of the Chargers/Patriots Game we had Fish Tacos. The recipe is from the NRP site in their "Kitchen Window" Segment. Those change a lot, so if you've missed it, drop a note in the comments, and I'll e-mail you.

These are all the goodies that go in the tacos. An avocado sauce. Mayonesa sauce. Cabbage. Beer battered fish, of course. Some salsa. Neel took one for the team and did the frying. He says he'd thin the batter a bit more next time.

Here they are, ready for their close up. They were pretty freaking awesome, if you ask me. Not so the game unfortunately. Patriots 38, Chargers 14. Those of you who know Callum, again IRL, understand that sometimes a loss is the best thing that can happen to that kid even if it's the hardest thing to face on a Monday morning.

So tonight the food is easy. We have Eagles and Redskins (can you say cheesesteak panini?), but I'm going to have to do some thinking for next week. Sunday is Dallas at Chicago and Monday is the Titans (Nashville) at New Orleans. Suggestions?