Shhhhh...It's a Foo King Secret!

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. However, I did complete another task on the 'ol 30 by 30! I learned the Foo King Hot Wing Secret!

There are probably a handful of you out there who don't know what that means. Here's the gist:

In Muskogee, Oklahoma there is an Annual Chili & BBQ Cook-off. While most people participate with their jobs, churches, or community groups, my dad and his crazy friends decided to break off from the norm. Teaming up with the "Eat My Chili" team, the "Foo King Hot Wing Co begam. Together they created a secret concoction incorporating a combination of ingredients and spices. This liquid and dry recipe is put on, well, chicken wings, in addition to ribs, regular chicken, pork butt, brisket and pretty much anything sold at Muskogee's Central Meat Market.

The best part of all, the food is AMAZING and they WIN! Sure, a nasty, little participating group has been known to beat them a few times in the Crowd Pleasing BBQ category...after, of course, going to the printer and making hundreds of copies of the tickets used to vote (CHEATERS, we're on it you!). But the Muskogee Phoenix headline has read, "FOO KING CHAMPIONS!" (or something of that nature). Correct me if I'm wrong, Foo King dudes, but we've been Grand Champions three times! People often ask, "where is your restaurant?" The answer, "our backyards!"

So my goal, was to learn this secret recipe, which has been passed down from the elders (Ched, Drew, Jerry, Jimmie, Mark, John Turner) to their successors (Colin, Evan, Zach, Alex, Phillip, Matthew, Andrew, and Matt Turner). Anyone see anything missing here? Emily, Kristin, the wives (Maggie, Jennifer, etc), aka Foo King Babes, and I sure do! What the heck happened to the girls? The boys were recruited to be "cooks" while we were asked to bring our sorority sisters and "hock tickets". While we did an EXCELLENT job (Thanks, Sarah), it's time we learned the secret too!

Now don't get any ideas. I'm not giving up the goods on the blog, but, I did learn the FOO KING SECRET! I made FOO KING HOT WINGS. And they were gooooooooooooooooood...

First the prep:



A quick taste test (duh):

So then the part that is most difficult for me...WAITING! The next day, we went over to Jimmie and Kathryn's for our annual SWIMBLEDON tournament and over-eating frenzy. Up first, me:


Time to GRILL:

Yummmm! My mouth is watering just THINKING about these. Now I know what you are thinking, "Where's the pic of the finished project." Well friends, my Foo King Wings were so good, they didn't last long enough for me to run to get my camera. There must have been a monster there devouring them or something:
AHHH! WATCH OUT! Whew, that was close!


Thanks to the Foo King Dudes for letting me join the secret club. And thanks to my super, spicy, sous chef, Jordan.

BON APPETIT!

Age of Aquarius - My Broadway Debut

Yes, I know I haven't posted my full 30 by 30 list yet (coming soon I promise). However, that doesn't mean I can't tell you about one item completed. This is probably the one thing I didn't think I'd be able to accomplish. This was sort of a pie-in-the-sky idea, more of a bucket list dream that a 30 by 30 dream.

Those of you who know me, know about my absolute love of Broadway musicals, theatre, and the arts in general. It is more than a love, it is a passion. I performed in plays in Muskogee throughout high school, but sadly lacked the talent to take it to the next level (except in my dreams where I'm a STAR!!). If there is anyone who is more passionate about the arts that me, it is my mother. I tell my husband all the time to blame her when I spend money on tickets to shows.

I am lucky enough to work for a company that sends me on incredible trips sometimes. The weekend of my mom's birthday, I traveled to New York City for the announcement of a HUGE project we're doing this year. My wonderful family got together and we all payed for my mom to join me in NYC for the weekend to celebrate her birthday the most joyous way possible...going to the theatre!

My mom met me on Thursday night (along with another friend who always likes to celebrate!). I worked on Friday, and Friday night the fun began, and my dream came true.


After much deliberation, we decided to see HAIR. It received great reviews and front row tickets were available. Now, I typically do not prefer to sit too close to the stage, but her heard the actors mess with the front row and we were all about that.

We didn't have high expectations, but the show was INCREDIBLE. The performers were magnificent. I am in awe of their talent. The message of the show was also something I've decided to adopt into my life. The message...simply to LOVE!



The show goes on. My mom told me mere moments before curtain that there was a nude scene (I'm talking everyone on stage, completely naked). This was only slightly awkward sitting next to my mother, but you know, I wouldn't have it any other way. Could be worse, could have been there with my DAD! ;)

At the end of the show, everyone is singing along to "LET THE SUN SHINE!!!" and waving our arms. I notice out of the corner of my eye, the usher placing a rail on the stairs to the stage. I then look at the lead male, Claude, and he's motioning for people to come one stage. I grab my mom's arm (probably nearly yanking it from its socket) and pull her on stage. We were probably the 3rd and 4th people up there. My mom pushes me to center stage (where we belong) and we sing and dance to "LET THE SUN SHINE...LET THE SUN SHINE IN!!!"

We were high, not on what the characters were "smoking" in the show, but on our LIFE on Broadway. My mom then points to man standing about 6 feet from us and says, "hey, who is that guy? He looks familiar." I look and it doesn't quite register. Then the lady next to us says, "Oh my gosh, it's JOSH GROBAN!" OMG...Mr. Oh Holy Night himself, right there!!! That was the cherry on top of the best sundae ever created!

Only regret...we have no photos. Cameras are not allowed in the theatres. Why, OH WHY...didn't I grab my cell phone?!?! All I have is this:


I haven't stopped listening to the soundtrack for HAIR since. It is moving, inspiring and SO much fun!

So there you have it. My mother and my Broadway debut, and one item off my list. We picked up the paper the next morning and no worries, we received RAVE reviews! ;)

If you are in NYC want to experience the life-altering wonderment of HAIR, click here!

Climb Every Mountain

Hi Friends and Family!

Yes, I've done it, I've started a blog. To be honest, I never thought this day would come. So, let's take a moment to tell you a little about myself, then another moment, to tell you a little about this blog.

I was born, Casey Morgan Wetz on March 22, 1982 to Coni and Ched Wetz and brother, Colin Wetz. I grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma (yes, a true Okie from Muskogee) and had a wonderful childhood, full of imagination, encouragement, triumphs, defeats, love and tragedy. I was always active in musicals in the community theatre and in school. I held leadership positions, made good grades, and even better friends (don't worry friends, you'll get shout outs throughout this journey).

I left Muskogee, stars in my eyes, and headed south to conquer "Big D", first stop, Southern Methodist University. I didn't want to go at first. I told my parents they were "ruining my life." I'd say I had just a tad bit of growing up to do. Grow up I did. I met incredible friends, from classes (shout out CCPA and English), dorms (Virginia-Snider & Cockerell-McIntosh), Tri Delta, Wesley Foundation, Mustang Corral, London Study Abroad, etc. It was an incredible time of my life that I wouldn't trade for anything. Muskogee may have made me who I am, but my experiences while at SMU molded me to who I am today.

Inarguably the most the most profound moment at SMU was when I met Jordan Thompson. He was the "hot" RA in Cockerell-McIntosh where my friend and I lived. We flirted...a lot. I reported multiple complaints about neighbors and locked myself out of my room just to see him. I had no interest at the time in "settling down." I was going full-steam ahead and anyone trying to slow me down was quickly cast aside. What was it about him that made me pull the emergency brake? But pull it I did. We were married in my DREAM wedding at Grayton Beach, Florida on October 25, 2008. I wake up every day next to the man of my dreams and I feel so lucky to be called his wife.

Ok, enough sappy writing. After graduating SMU, I ventured into the unknown world of...dun, dun, DUUUN...working. After a brief stint at a small agency (terrible experience, ask if you want details), I interviewed at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas. After an "interesting" (to say the least) interview, I called my mother and said, "well that was either the best or the worst interview I've ever had, we'll just have to see." A few weeks later I started my job there as the Public Relations Coordinator. I made wonderful friends and relationships at the Foundation and after a little over three years, it was time for a new adventure. I started working for Red Bull in February 2009. It has been the fastest year of my life. With a new adventure every day, it keeps me on my toes and I feel like I'm learning A LOT. It is the perfect time in my life to be a part of a brand like this. I feel truly blessed to have had two incredible opportunities in my career, it's been quite a ride.

Now, about the blog. While at the Make-A-Wish Foundation, I met someone who became very dear to me, Charisse Brown-Stein. She was who I directly reported to at the Foundation and we ended up becoming great friends (like I had a choice). Right before her 29th birthday she announced she planned to do 30 things by the time she was 30. Here were the rules: it had to be something she'd never done before and she had to do each task with a friend. I liked this.

Now, a few weeks before my 28th birthday, I'm thinking about all the accomplishments in my life. What I've done, what I haven't done. I've decided to follow Charisse's lead and start my own 30 by 30 list. So off we go. To Climb Every Mountain until I find my dream! :)

(Full list coming soon)