Happy almost- New Year!

Mr. Foodie and I had a wonderful Christmas. It was more low key than in years past, but we enjoyed it. It is finally starting to feel like winter here in Florida. It was hot and humid on Christmas, but today it is in the 30s outside. It will be in the 50s/60s around noon. I have to say that I love living in Florida because we don't have to deal with snow and sleet, etc.

Mr. Foodie and I didn't have any money to buy gifts this year, not even for each other. Our families were still very generous and gave us many things. My Mom picked out shirts and sweaters for me that I love. She also gave me a cute PJ set that I am wearing right now. My Mother-In- Law got us the cutest Christmas ornaments ever. She always gives us at least one ornament each year. It is a very special tradition that I love. She gave us two black cat ornaments with our Cat Names on them "Southpaw" & "Katalina." She ordered them from Bronners.com.

Another favorite gift is from Mr. Foodies grandparents: Julia Child's Mastering The Art of French Cooking: Volume Two. I am so excited to read this cookbook and try a few challenging recipes. My new kitchen item came from my Sister who got me mini Cocottes from Le Creuset. They even came with a little cookbook with great recipes. I am also excited to try those as soon as I can.

I had better get back to studying. I take the Series 7 next Tuesday.... I feel I am prepared but I must keep studying to make sure. Happy Tuesday! I am very thankful for such a wonderful family and all of the great things I have in life.

Christmas Dream List

This year we don't have any extra cash to buy gifts. In order to satisfy my shopping cravings I thought I would create a dream Christmas list.

1. Dean & Deluca Parmigiano Reggiano Whole Wheel Cheese

2. Classic Di Porchetta

3. Milano Diamond Leaf Band Ring

4. Micropave' Diamond Earrings

5. Princess Cut Diamond Bracelet

6. Burberry Check and Leather Headband

7. Hermes Scarf

8. Lady Dior Leather Top Handle Bag

9. Pair of Tiffany candlesticks

10. Tiffany Diamond Bow Brooch

11. 2 Round Trip Upper Class Virgin Atlantic flights to London

12. 3 month Sail Boat Charter in the Virgin Islands

The Cranberry

Fresh Cranberries are my favorite thing about fall/winter. They are nutritious and taste great at the same time. Here are some of my favorite ways to use Cranberries this year.

Spicy Cranberry Sauce with Pinot Noir - I made this for Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit!

Cranberry Nut Bread - We are obsessed with this recipe. We have made it 6 times (not kidding).

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake - This was pretty good, but not spectacular. Whipped cream is a must to cut the sweetness of this cake,

This morning I made oatmeal with cranberries and pecans. I stirred in a handful of fresh cranberries in the boiling water before adding the oats. They made it taste really unique and also made the oatmeal turn pink! This would be a fun idea if you had kids.

Happy Holidays! Our Christmas Tree is in the house but hasn't been decorated because we have to get new lights. Once we get the lights and ornaments on the tree I will share some photographs.

Thanksgiving

I am so busy studying for my new job that I don't have time to post. Here is a picture of my Thanksgiving table.

Last Day

Today is my last day at my current job. A very exciting day indeed. I start the new job on Monday, so not much of a break for me!

I had a great time last night b/c my Friend "L" is in town. She cam over after work and Mr. Foodie and I made dinner for her. We make Chicken Tikka Masala, which I have posted about on this blog before. Such a great dish! Cooks Illustrated is always the best.

I went to World Market today with my 10% coupon and got chestnuts for my Thanksgiving stuffing and spices. They had a special buy 3 get one free on their organic spices which is pretty awesome!

I am so ready for this day to be over with...

A less-stress Thanksgiving

Here are my tips for a Less-Stress Thanksgiving:

1. Prepare all decorations the weekend before.

2. Polish all silverware and glassware a week before the big day. I have stainless steel flatware and I use a little vinegar and water (50/50 mixture) to keep it looking sparkling clean.

3. I purchase my turkey the Saturday before Thanksgiving to make sure I get the perfect size, and also to ensure adequate defrosting.

4. I do my Thanksgiving food shopping at several stores. I try to buy all of the dry goods on Monday before the big day. I do all of my last minute shopping on Wednesday or Tuesday evening. This is when I buy all of my fresh herbs and produce.

5. I scan all of my recipes to see if there are any specialty food items that are not carried at my local stores. For example, the turkey brine calls for Crystallized Ginger which cannot be found at Publix.

6. On Wednesday I purchase fresh flowers and make any arrangements. This year I am going to hollow out a pumpkin to use as a vase for my flower arrangement.

7. The weekend before I do the major house cleaning projects. Make sure to look at your base boards, blinds, look for fingerprints on doors, etc. I also clean out my refrigerate about a week before to remove any out of date items to make room for Thanksgiving food.

8. Iron all tablecloths and napkins in advance. This year I am making my own napkins and napkin rings. Once complete I will post photographs.

9. Plan your seating arrangements. Create place cards if using. I created place cards with fall themed scrapbooking decorations.

10. Decide on all recipes at least a week in advance. Confirm with guests if they will be bringing any specific items. Set the time for guests to arrive.

11. Determine your wine and alcohol needs. I am making a special cranberry and orange sherbert punch to be served before and after the meal. Make sure you have enough wine for all guests.

12. If serving coffee with dessert, ensure you have adequate mugs, 1/2 and 1/2, sugar, coffee, etc. We do espresso/cappuccino and also plain coffee.

13. On Tuesday I choose cooking vessels for each dish I will be preparing to ensure I have everything I need and don't need to purchase anything else prior to the big day. I know this may sound like a bit too much, but I detest scrambling in my cabinets to find a dish.

14. I use my laundry room to store items that are crowding the kitchen. The washing machine/dryer provides a large surface for temporary storage. For Example, my Kitchenaid stand mixer has a permanent home on my counter top (as well as my toaster oven). After I finish using these appliances on the day of I move them to the laundry room for storage.

15. Entertainment: We create a slide show and have it running on the television. We also create a playlist for pre-dinner, dinner, and post-dinner enjoyment.

16. How to gather with multiple families: Mr. Foodie and I host his family for Thanksgiving dinner. Afterwards my family joins us (my Mom cooks for my family) and they all come over for dessert. This way everyone gets to see each other on Thanksgiving. We also get the added bonus of having multiple desserts!

17. Use cute paper Thanksgiving-themed plates and napkins for dessert to reduce the number of dishes.

18. Make - Ahead: I am doing several things ahead of time this year.
- I am making my cranberry sauce on Wednesday. It tastes better the next day...
- I am making my creamed spinach on Wednesday up until the point of baking it in the oven on Thursday.
- Make ahead gravy is easy.

19. Try to use all of your resources. I have one oven and 4 burners. I am trying to use other kitchen appliances to lighten the load. This year I am making the mashed potatoes in the crock pot. This is great for three reasons: 1. No stove top boiling/kitchenaid mixer. 2. Less dirty dishes. 3. Keep them perfectly warm until ready to serve.

20. Create an oven-schedule. Dtermine everything that must go into the oven on the day of, and schedule accordingly. Remember that resting the turkey once you take it out of the oven is essential. Don't be afraid to let is set, covered with foil for at least 30-45 minutes before carving. It allows the juices to re-distribute themselves, and lets you bake the last minute items and make gravy.


I hope you can use at least one of my ideas above to make your Thanksgiving dinner a sucess.

Absolute Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

We made this turkey recipe last year with exceptional results. All of our guests raved about the moist and tender turkey and excellent flavor. It was heralded as the best turkey ever! I would like to share the recipe with you in order to inspire your own Turkey masterpiece.

Good Eats Roast Turkey

Ingredients
1 (14 to 16 pound) frozen young turkey [we use a much large turkey b/c we have many guests, and enjoy leftovers]

For the brine:
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 gallon vegetable stock
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice berries
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped candied ginger
1 gallon heavily iced water

For the aromatics:
1 red apple, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup water
4 sprigs rosemary
6 leaves sage
Canola oil

Directions
2 to 3 days before roasting:
Begin thawing the turkey in the refrigerator or in a cooler kept at 38 degrees F.

Combine the vegetable stock, salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, allspice berries, and candied ginger in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally to dissolve solids and bring to a boil. Then remove the brine from the heat, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate.

Early on the day or the night before you'd like to eat:
Combine the brine, water and ice in the 5-gallon bucket. Place the thawed turkey (with innards removed) breast side down in brine. If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure it is fully immersed, cover, and refrigerate or set in cool area for 8 to 16 hours, turning the bird once half way through brining.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Remove the bird from brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Discard the brine.

Place the bird on roasting rack inside a half sheet pan and pat dry with paper towels.
Combine the apple, onion, cinnamon stick, and 1 cup of water in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Add steeped aromatics to the turkey's cavity along with the rosemary and sage. Tuck the wings underneath the bird and coat the skin liberally with canola oil.

Roast the turkey on lowest level of the oven at 500 degrees F for 30 minutes. Insert a probe thermometer into thickest part of the breast and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Set the thermometer alarm (if available) to 161 degrees F. A 14 to 16 pound bird should require a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting. Let the turkey rest, loosely covered with foil or a large mixing bowl for 15 minutes before carving.

Cross Stitch

This is the bread cloth I created for my Thanksgiving table this year. The letters are in dark purple to match my dining room, and napkins I am sewing.

Jobs

I have great news to report. After months of searching I have landed a new job. I start on 11/23 as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. I am looking forward to the challenge. This is a great opportunity to take my career to the next level. I am also excited about helping people achieve their financial goals.

I start off by spending two months studying for the Series 6 & 7. I am confident I can successfully pass the tests. I will then spend time training here at home and out of town. Mr. Foodie has been very supportive through the process. I don't know what I would do without him.

Good luck to anyone out there looking for a job. I know it is hard, but just keep trying. Good things come to those who work hard.

Handmade Holidays

About a month ago I purchased a sewing machine from costco.com and have since fallen in love with sewing. I have made a Jaguar print apron with black accents, and a Fall-themed table runner shown in an earlier post.

I am the type of person who must have a goal/purpose/task to keep me occupied. The sewing machine has been my saving grace through the past few stressful months.

For my Thanksgiving table I am making Dark Purple napkins, and napkin rings made out of the same cloth as my table runner. I hope to start cutting the fabric this evening. I have already washed/ironed the fabric so all I need to do now is start cutting and sewing. I am going to make 8 napkins. My dining table seats 8 people so I am making an entire set.

I also stitched a bread cloth for my table. It has a cornucopia on it and says Happy Thanksgiving along the sides in dark purple thread. I would be posting more pictures but unfortunately my Nikon lens is in need of repair and I haven't sent it away yet. I need to get on that so I will have it for the holidays!

Dinner...

Tonight Mr. Foodie and I tag-teamed dinner and the result was spectacular! We baked on dish, and put the other in the refrigerator for another night. We will definitely be making this on again.

This recipe is another great one from Simplyrecipes.com

Sausage, Spinach, Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells

Ingredients

• 1 12-ounce package jumbo pasta shells
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 large egg
• 16-ounces ricotta cheese
• 10-ounces chopped frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed dry, chopped further (or 10 ounces chopped fresh spinach)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 cup unseasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 28-ounce can tomatoes with herbs, including the liquid, tomatoes broken up (or your favorite tomato or pasta sauce)

• 2 9x13 shallow baking dishes

Method

1 Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (1 teaspoon salt per quart of water). Cook the pasta shells according to the instructions on the package. Drain, rinse in cold water, and set aside.

2 Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the sausage to the pan, breaking up the sausage into smaller bits. Cook sausage until cooked through, and no pink remains, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to a minute more. Remove pan from heat.

3 Beat the egg lightly in a large bowl. Mix in the ricotta, chopped spinach, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, basil, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and sausage mixture. Fill each cooked pasta shell with some of the ricotta, spinach, sausage mixture.

4 Spread 1/2 cup chopped canned tomatoes over the bottom of each of the baking dishes. Arrange the stuffed pasta shells in the dishes. Spread the remaining tomatoes over the top of the pasta shells.

At this point you can make ahead, to freeze (up to four months) or refrigerate before cooking. (If freezing, cover with foil, then wrap with plastic wrap.)

5 Heat oven to 375°F. Cover the pans with foil and bake for 30 minutes, until hot and bubbling. Remove foil and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese, bake uncovered for 10 more minutes.

Serves 8.

Cranberry Walnut Bread

I love cranberries. This fruit is my favorite thing about fall & winter. I am always searching for inspired recipes to incorporate fresh cranberries. My favorite food blog, SimplyRecipes.com has been a great resource for amazing recipes. Below is the recipe for Cranberry Walnut Bread, adapted from the Simply Recipes original recipe.

Cranberry Nut Bread

Ingredients
2 cups flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped cranberries
1 Tbsp Vanilla
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp grated orange peel

Method
1 Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
2 Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped cranberries and walnuts to coat with the flour mixture.
3 Mix together orange juice, butter, egg, and orange peel. Add to flour, cranberry, nut mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until just blended.
4 Pour into a greased 9x5 or 8x4 loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 55 to 60 minutes or until done (a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
5 Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.
Serves 8.

Table Runner

My latest sewing project: a fall-colours table runner for my Sideboard. This project cost me about $8.00. I absolutely love this fabric.

Butternut Squash Bisque

Last night I made one of my favorite fall soups: Butternut Squash Bisque.

The recipe is adapted from "The Whole Food Cookbook" that I purchased a few years ago. This is one of my favorite cookbooks b/c it contains accesible recipes that can be made on a weeknight. It also emphasizes healthy choices and the use of unique/healthy ingredients.

Recipe:
2 to 3 lb butternut squash, peeled, and cut into 1 inch cubes.
1 Onion - Chopped
4 Carrots - Peeled and Chopped
1 inch piece of Fresh Ginger Minced

Saute in a large stockpot with EVOO for about 5 minutes.

Add 2 quarts of stock or water. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 40 minutes. Add a bunch of chopped parsley and puree' with a stick blender. Add fresh ground nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.

I also added a little hickory smoked salt for more depth of flavor.

Wish List

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Work has been crazy lately, but today I have some free time so why not do something fun. In an effort to ease boredom I have decided to create a Christmas wish list for myself. Here goes...


Handled Cheese Wire from Fantes

Krups Fast-Touch Coffee Mill, Model 203 Recently reviewed by
CooksILlustrated for excellent spice grindining abilities. I have been using whole spices recently, and I need an efficient way to grind them.

New Cooling Racks. I have two that are starting to rust and look bad/are too small. CIA Bakeware 12-Inch x 17-Inch Cooling Rack

All-Clad Stainless 4 quart Saucepan

Jacksonville

A fellow blogger out there, Jacksonville Reviews, posted her new review of a restaurant called Taverna in San Marco.

I can't wait to visit with friends. We are going out of town this weekend (our Chicago trip) but when we get back we HAVE TO VISIT!

Once I finalize the Chicago trip plans I will be posting them here on the blog. I will also be posting a full trip report once we get back.

I recently discovered an awesome website chow.com. I am sure EVERYONE else out there already knows about it, but I didn't. They have tons of Chicago message boards to take advantage of. They also have boards for many other places. Check it out if you plan on traveling anytime soon and are an obsessive foodie like I am.

Inspiration

Happy Monday to the world. Not much to report today but I wanted to share an inspirational statement from my co-workers desk calendar....

"Don't waste your life in a job that doesn't express your heart. Remember the greatest things in life are not things. Meaning is far more important than money. Figure out what you love to do - what you have a heart to do - and then do it."

This is what I am working towards every day.

Coat Rack

Anyone out there have a coat rack? I think I have found my small space entry-way decorating solution. This coat rack is a lovely bright orange color and would look great in my house. It's only $79.95 from CB2(Crate and Barrel spin-off store).

Plans

The next time Mr. Foodie and I have some free time we are going to make this:

Candied Bacon Ice Cream Photo and Recipe courtesy of http://www.davidlebovitz.com

Oklahoma

Going to see Oklahoma this Friday night with Mom and her parents. Mr. Foodie bailed on us b/c of the bachelor party so we will have to enjoy it without him. I have the house to myself this weekend. I am looking forward to it. Clean and peaceful. Just me and the cats! I have plans on Friday evening, and then the Jaguar game on Sunday. Sunday is our first home game of the year. I really hope we win this time. I am also hoping to be 2-0 in Fantasy after the weekend.

This weekend I am going to take my cross-stitch to get framed. I am thinking a silver-antique looking frame would be nice. I also hope I get my sewing machine delivered before the weekend so I can practice using it. I did some sewing when I was a kid, but it has been a long time. I am planning on using it to make napkins, place mats, and maybe a runner for our table. I could also make pillow cases. I don't know about making clothes. Maybe pajamas for me and Mr. Foodie. Who knows? I am going to sign up for a class through Joann fabrics. I will report back on my progress.

Weekend in Review

We had a nice relaxing weekend. We made the carnitas recipe I posted earlier and they turned out great. We still have pork leftover so I think I will serve it over rice tonight with black beans. The White Sangria was also great as usual. Our football team had a disappointing loss this weekend. On a positive note, our college teams won AND my fantasy team had a great win. I love it win the girls beat the guys in fantasy football!

Saturday evening we met our friends at Walker's Wine Bar in Riverside. A cute little place with good atmosphere. I liked that fact that it was extremely crowded and we all had a place to sit. We shared two bottles of bubbly.

We have a very busy weekend coming up. Mr. Foodie is headed to Key West for a bachelor party. He is flying back on Sunday just in time to make the home opener - Jaguars game. I will have the house to myself Friday and Saturday night. Friday we have plans to see Oklahoma with my grandparents, and now I have to find someone to go with me. Hopefully my Mom will step up to the plate.

Carnitas

Salsa Verde Carnitas Recipe - adapted from SimplyRecipes.com


Ingredients
5 pound pork shoulder, bone-in, (sometimes called "picnic"
1 jar of Salsa Verde
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cups chicken stock
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons coriander
2 teaspoons or oregano
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Salt
12 to 16 corn tortillas, heated and softened
1/4 head of cabbage, very thinly sliced
1 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon seasoned rice vinegar (if you only have unseasoned, add 1/4 teaspoon of sugar to it)
Salt and pepper
1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/2 cup crumbled Cotija Mexican farmer's cheese, or some grated Monterey Jack cheese
Sour Cream

Directions
1 Trim the excess fat from the roast. Put the meat in a large casserole or Dutch oven with salsa verde, onion, stock, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and oregano. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until meat is very tender when pierced, about 3 hours. Turn 3 times during the 3 hours to ensure even cooking.

2 Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove meat from liquid in pot and put the meat into a roasting pan. With 2 forks, tear meat into large shreds. Roast meat for 15 to 20 minutes until parts are brown and crispy. The browning may take up to 30 minutes depending on your oven. Just keep an eye on it.

3. While the meat is roasting, skim and discard fat from liquid in the casserole pan. Boil juices, stirring, until reduced to 2 1/2 cups, 8 to 10 minutes.

4 Return the meat to the Dutch oven. Stir in chopped cilantro. Season with salt.

Serve with heated and softened corn tortillas (20 seconds each in the microwave spread out over a paper towel will heat and softened packaged tortillas sufficiently), diced avocado, crumbed Cotija or grated Monterey jack cheese, sour cream (or crema fresca), and seasoned cabbage slaw.

Seasoned Cabbage Slaw
Place thinly sliced cabbage in a medium sized bowl. Sprinkle on olive oil, seasoned rice vinegar, salt and pepper. You can substitute white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for the rice vinegar, if you do, sprinkle on some sugar to help balance the acidity of the vinegar. Toss. Adjust seasonings. Let sit for 10 minutes for the cabbage to absorb some of the dressing.

The Best Sangria

I have been making this sangria recipe for about 4 years now with excellent results. It is very refreshing and a crowd-pleaser. Excellent for the start of football season when it is still warm outside (here in Florida it is warm until after Halloween...).

Ingredients:
6 peaches, plums or nectarines, or your favorite combination of stone fruits, halved, pitted and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 1/2 cups peach nectar
1/4 cup orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
1 bottle dry Spanish white wine (white Rioja) or Sauvignon Blanc
2 cups club soda, or more, to taste
Ice cubes for serving

Directions:
In a large pitcher, combine the fruit, peach nectar, orange liqueur and wine. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours. Stir in the club soda and ladle the sangria into ice-filled glasses. Serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8.

Inspired Design

SCAD: Savannah College of Art and Design

I just found out that they have an online shop where you can purchase items from the artists affiliated with the school. They have jewelry, decor, fine art, stationery, etc. I personally enjoyed this peice:

I want to buy this shirt for Mr. Foodie, but it is meant for women and his 6"4' self wouldn't be able to fit in it. For those who don't know, his groom's cake was a large stick of butter. Yes, I didn't make a mistake. A LARGE STICK OF BUTTER!!!

13 Gypsies - Jacksonville, FL

Last night we had a lovely dinner with out great Friends A&J. They just started their first jobs (real post-college jobs) as first year associates with their respective law firms. I wish them all the best. I know they will be successful at whatever they do. I am trying to get one of them to do a guest post on here but they are super busy.

They asked me to review the restaurant we went to last night so here goes.

13 Gypsies - Restaurant in Jacksonville, FL

The restaurant has a pretty good atmosphere however they could make some changes. There is too much open space. I know it sounds crazy for me to request this, but I feel like they should put more tables in. That would make it a little more cozy and give it a European bistro feel. The staff was friendly, but not exceptional. No complaints. Our server was willing to answer my list of questions about the menu without an attitude.

The Food
The restaurant markets itself as a Peasant Kitchen. Here is a quote from the website/menu:
"STAYING TRUE TO HIS ROOTS, CHEF HOWARD HAS FOLLOWED AND CAPTURED THE DOCUMENTED GYPSY MIGRATORY TRAIL... OUT OF INDIA AND WEST ACROSS CENTRAL EUROPE, ITALY, FRANCE, SPAIN, AND NORTHERN AFRICA. KEEPING THE RECIPES OF EACH LOCATION AS CLOSE TO TRADITIONAL AS POSSIBLE."

We ordered 6 tapas and 2 desserts with a side of Flat Bread and Peasant Bread. I will start with the 6 tapas dishes:

STREET STYLE PORK KABOBS - OLD WORLD MOORISH SPICED KABOBS, WITH FLATBREAD - The pork was extremely overcooked. The cut of meat was indistinguishable, but the spices were good.

SPANISH 'GAMBAS AL AJILLO' - SHRIMP SAUTÉED IN OLIVE OIL, GARLIC, AND RED PEPPER. - This was our least favorite dish. In a coastal fishing town like Jacksonville, Fl previously frozen imported shrimp from China just won't cut it. If it's a price thing, increase it and buy the best ingredients. We found ourselves very disappointed with this item.

ROMAN GNOCCHI SEMOLINA AND PARMESAN FLATS, TOPPED WITH A MUSHROOM TAREEFI SAUCE. - This was the star of the show however I have several comments to make. The dish should have been a little warmer to start out with. The plate should have been warmed before plating the food. The flavors were good, especially the Parmesan which was a high quality cheese. The mushrooms were cooked perfectly however there should have been more of them on the plate. After careful consideration of the meal, it is possible that we liked this dish the most because it was the only carb dish we tried, everything else was meat and seafood. It was also the last dish to be delivered and the flavors in it were nothing like the others we tried.

FRESH CHORIZO AND PEARS - CHEF'S HANDMADE CHORIZO SAUSAGE, SAUTÉED WITH PEARS AND SPICED DATES - The Chorizo was a little dry in my opinion however the flavors were good. A thought the dish lacked texture. We determined that the dates should have been caramelized to give them more of a crunch to contrast with the sausage and pears. Overall the flavors were pleasant.

ANGRY BULLPAN SEARED BEEF FILET, SERVED WITH PACHECO SAUCE AND CROWNED WITH CRUSHED RAW GARLIC AND PEPPERCORNS - We enjoyed this dish very much. The peppercorns added a great crunch to the beef. The sauce was very unique, like nothing I had ever tried before.

BLACKENED OCTOPUS - SECTIONS OF TENDERIZED OCTOPUS, BLACKENED WITH CHEFS OWN SPICE BLEND. The table enjoyed this dish however it need to be crispier in order to call it blackened. The spices were great and the butter sauce was incredible. It just needed a little more sear on it to make it perfect.

Bread: The Peasant Bread was blase' while the flatbread was satisfying.

Dessert: Both of the desserts we ordered were okay, but not exceptional: Bread Pudding and their famous Tres Leches cake. We were not impressed.

In sum, I think we would go back to this place. The wine and sangria was inexpensive which was a refreshing change to most restauarants. The bill for two couples was 117.00. This included a bottle of house white, and 2 carafes of Sangria. Not bad for a pleasant evening with friends.

Design: Entryway

I have been looking for something new to dress up my entryway. The space is very barren, but very small. I have to find something small but trendy/modern. Crate and Barrel has recently offered many more furniture options, and I found this: Ully Tall Pedestal Table

What do you think? My only concern is that it would not contrast enough with the wood sideboard I have. I also like this pedestal table as well: Clairemont 27" Pedestal Table

10 ways to waste time

Many of my work days are filled with nothing to do. Especially late in the afternoons, when I run out of half-way legitimate things... I thought I would share 10 ways for you to waste your time.

1. Join a Fantasy Football League. This provides you with tons of time-wasting material to sift through. If there is money involved (which there is in my league) you can even justify it. Sort of.

2. Cake Wrecks - My favorite website/blog in cyberspace. Whenever I am REALLY bored (like right now at 4:41 PM, I check out the latest post and browser older ones).

3. Read about my fave NFL Football team: The Jacksonville Jaguars.

4. Facebook Stalking - An oldie but goodie.

5. Read TheOnion.com - Hilarious, Seriously Laugh Out Loud stuff here.

6. Check the sale section on Williams Sonoma.com & Pottery Barn.com.

7. Crossword puzzles. I am obsessed. I have this ludicrous notion that doing them will prevent me from getting Alzheimer's one day.

8. Play Solitaire on my iPhone. Mr. Foodie claims I am obsessed with this activity.

9. Look up recipes in the Internet. Plan dinner parties that will never happen. Look up Thanksgiving recipes.

10. Sleep. Yes.... I have an office. I close the door, and sleep sitting in my chair. The good news is that my back is to the door so no one can see me. I reason that I can wake up if someone opens/knocks on the door. So far so good.

Oklahoma

I just got back from the dentist office where I FINALLY got my permanent crown put on. This whole root canal/crown business has cost me about $600 out of pocket (I have dental insurance) and at least a full day's work. Not to mention the discomfort and annoyance that has gone on for about a month.

Enough complaining....

I do have some good news. Mr. Foodie and I are going to go see our city's symphony perform Oklahoma with my grandparents. We call them "Grandma and Grandpa." My Grandmother loves musicals and brought me up singing and dancing all of the time. We are going to a nice dinner ahead of time, and then taking a shuttle to the symphony center.

Mr. Foodie and I are very lucky because we both have awesome families that get along very well. We enjoy spending time with the grandparents on both sides which is refreshing. Also... I know some of you out there might think I am crazy, but, I love my Mother-in-law like my own Mom. She is one of my best friends, and I don't know what i would do without her. I guess that is what happens when you meet your future mother-in-law at 15...

So here's a toast to all the mothers out there - Thanks for all you do.

Green Street Hooligans

Last night was Dinner and a Movie at our house. Mr. Foodie made his famous mashed potatoes (he whips them up in our Kitchenaid stand mixer) and one of our all time favorite dishes Pork Au Poivre. We first made this dish about 2 years ago after watching Elie Krieger's show On Demand. Mr. Foodie likes to make recipes while watching them being made on a television cooking show. I can't stand doing this. I HAVE to have a printed recipe for me to read. This really illuminates our two contrasting learning styles! We tried the recipe and loved it so much that we continue to make it regularly. We have also served it to friends on several occasions with good results.

Click on the link above for the recipe. It will take you directly to the food network site.

We watched Green Street Hooligans. Mr. Foodie swears that I put this movie in our Netflix Queue, however I totally disagree with him. A movie about soccer, street fighting and gangs? I DON'T THINK SO! The movie was ok, made me really miss London.

I also completed about 50 stitches on a new cross-stitch piece I am working on. It is a Lighthouse Christmas Ornament for our tree. Mr. Foodie picked it out. I am done with the "sky" above the light house.

Blut

What is Blut?

It is a noun?
A verb?
A body part?

Blut = Blogging + Rut, or a Blogging Rut

Webster's Dictionary defines it as the lack of witty things in blog posting. Uninspired topics. A state of blandness and mediocrity. A disease affecting millions of newly formed blogs in cyberspace.

I am close to hitting 100 posts and I find myself running out of things to say. This brings up several more fundamental questions: 1. Is my life THAT boring that I can't find things to type about to complete strangers? 2. Is this some type of blogging litmus test? 3. Will I pass?

After a thorough scan of the literature, the prognosis for my Blut diagnosis looks good. I am instructed to follow a strict regimen containing the following:
1. Positivity - Live it, Breathe it, Be it
2. Don't give up on the things I like to do and replace them with moping, TV, and sleeping/picking fights with husband.
3. Get this whole job mess sorted out. Do you know how it feels for a control freak like myself to not know what's coming next? Really.... *I just had a physical reaction to typing the previous sentence: Teeth grinding, jaw clenching, tense muscles. I <3 anxiety.

Sunday!

Good morning everyone. Mr. Foodie is in the kitchen cooking up a nice breakfast for us. His new specialty is Creamy Dreamy Grits - a recipe from the Flying Biscuit cookbook. The cookbook is published by a restaurant name the Flying Biscuit in Atlanta, Georgia. The restaurant is one of mother in law's favorite places to go when she visits her best friend in Atlanta. The Creamy Dream Grist will CHANGE YOUR MIND about grits. I am from the south, so grits already have a special place in my heart. I know there are many grit haters out there but you need to try these grits before judging.

Also - I bought a pair of boots online this morning in preparation for fall. Mr. Foodie helped me pick them out. I haven't had boots in a while, so I think it will be a nice change.

We have a couple of activities planned for today. We are going to go on a guided ranger tour of Kingsley Plantation at 2:00 PM. This is a really cool place here in Jacksonville, right down the road from where we got married. We are going to take our camera and take some photographs at Kingsley and at the Ribault Club (our wedding location). In my opinion, this is one of the top 5 wedding venues in North Florida. I will post some photographs here on the blog once we get back.

Employment Mayhem

I have some great news on the job search front. I currently have two really great prospects that I am excited about. I will share the details about the two options and give you a status update.

Job 1: This job would be a sales position with a major health insurance agency. Salary would be base + commission. Advantages to this include the following: Major Company (less likely to go away any time soon), Steady income (some ups and downs based on my performance), possibility of promotion (never a certain thing with a big company), and the big plus: Benefits. The only reason the benefits thing matters is because I have several health conditions that may make it hard for me to qualify for an individual health policy.

Job 2: This would be a sales position with a small local employee benefits agency. Here I would have a lot of opportunity. Salary would be base + commission, but the commission would be highly variable based on my performance. This job would require more work, but also much more satisfaction. I would have flexible hours and the ability to work as much as I would like. I could easily be making some serious cash about 1 year or so from now. The only negatives to this job are the lack of benefits, the fact that it is a very small company, and it would require a certain amount of risk.

I am 90% sure I will be able to choose one of them. I am heavily leaning towards job #2 but it will require me to step outside of my comfort zone. I thrive in a challenging environment. In my current job I spend most of time doing NOTHING (like blogging) because I literally don't have anything else to do... I will keep you guys updated. Thanks for your continued support.

Life Update

A couple things I wanted to share with you all this morning:

1. I went to the dentist yesterday to get my permanent crown and the dentist chipped a minute piece of porcelain off so they have to send it back to the lab and I have to go back to the dentist. I am a little annoyed at this. I am so tired of going to that dentist office and missing time from work.

2. I have my interview tomorrow at 11AM with an awesome job prospect. I am nervous about it and excited at the same time. If this works out I will be so happy, I can barely control myself.

3. Mr. Foodie loved the Pottery Barn glasses. He was so excited and surprised that I found them.

4. College Football starts this weekend. We are spending Saturday with my parents eating ribs and watching the games.

I have had horrible nightmares all of this week. I am attributing it to a new allergy medicine the Doctor has me taking. I normally have nightmares occasionally, but nothing like this. Usually side effects like this are short-lived so I am confident it will end soon. I will just have to stick it out until then!

Crafting

I have mentioned several times about my forays into the crafting world. I have some great news. I finally finished a Cross Stitch I have been working on for quite some time. I am going to post a photo as soon as I take a good one. The only step now is to get it professionally framed to hang on the wall.

The pattern is called a "wedding record." I choose to customize the colors with Hot Pink and Black, the colors from my wedding. The pattern includes our names and our wedding date. My Mom always did cross stitch when I was a little girl, and so did my Mother In Law. I picked it up about a year ago and I have really enjoyed it. I am a high strung person with a lot of anxiety at times, so cross stitching helps me because I can calm down while intensely focusing on something other than what is causing me anxiety.

My next project is to make another Christmas Ornament. I bought a pattern last year that has 16 different ornaments in it. I completed one last fall, and I just started a new one. I let Mr. Foodie pick it out. It has a Light House and Sailboat on it. I have only done about 30 stitches on it, but I thought I should go ahead and get started. I can't wait to show you all my handy work.

TOOOsday

I visited Pottery Barn today on a whim before returning back to the office after my dentist appointment and I found an amazing deal of glassware. Mr. Foodie and I have an obsession with glassware. We have red wine glasses, white wine glasses, port glasses, margarita glasses, brandy snifters, champagne flutes, Pina Colada glasses, Pint Glasses, Pilsner Glasses, Irish Coffee Glasses, Martini Glasses, stemless martini glasses, and shot glasses. I think that is everything. You may have noticed that I didn't mention highballs and lowballs. We have 7 glasses left over from college, 2 from Pier 1 I purchased Sophomore year, several from a set we bought at Target, and 2 GlenLivett branded glasses we got free when buying scotch. However, do not fear. I have finally remedied the situation. While browsing in Pottery Barn I found the glasses we had been wanting to purchase for $4 a glass. Also I got $3 off for purchasing a set of 6. I was able to buy 8 highballs and 2 low balls. The rest of the set is on hold at another store in town. I will be going there tonight after work to finish off the set. I am super excited! I can't wait to tell Mr. Foodie. I would love to share a picture of the glasses but I can't find them on the website.

I also purchased a Basket for holding magazines which is not on the website either. Oh well, sorry for the severe lack of visuals.

2 things I Love

Ziggy Black and White Pillow from Crate and Barrel.

Fish tank end table.... love it. Available at Costco.com

Fun things

I am starting my Thanksgiving Dinner planning earlier this year so I can make everything perfect. I went to Hobby Lobby (it is 1 mile away from work) and got place cards and decorations to customize them. I have very cute place card holders I bought myself for Christmas last year. I would put up a picture but they don't sell them anymore at Crate and Barrel. I got plain white cards that I will write names on with silver/gold metallic markers and little fall colored leaves to customize. I am going to do this at least a month in advance. Last year I create a tablescape so i will be using that again this year. I might consider making my own placemats and table runner if I get in the mood. I am thinking about buying a used sewing machine. I am sure I could find one on Craigslist or something. I used to sew when I was a kid so I am sure I could pick it right up again.

I have several projects I would like to do: Placemats, runner, Tablecloth, napkins

Sunday Dinner

Honey Baked Ham
Recipe Courtesy of The Neelys on FoodNetwork.com

We are also having baked potatoes and a veggie. Mr. Foodie has been begging for baked potatoes for a long time. We have leftover buttery apple torte I made for a dinner party Saturday night so we are ready to go! Buenos Noches.

Sunday Funday

I went shopping with my Mom yesterday and successfully purchased a new suit for my interview this week. I just need to get it dry cleaned before then, and possibly purchase some new shoes. We always need new shoes... I also got a new pair of jeans which I wore last night. We had a great time shopping and chatting. We hadn't spent any quality time together in a while because things have been so hectic.

Mr. Foodie didn't have to work today which was a nice surprise. We stayed in bed until 10:30 AM with the cats. We are having a lazy day so far. We watched Project Runway from this week on the DVR. I am annoyed that they kicked off Malvin instead of Mitchell. We also watched the latest Top Chef and another show about animals who are living in the Chernobyl zone who are thriving, despite the radiation. Mr. Foodie recorded the show because it focused on a Momma Cat and her Kittens. They were so cute! I tried to talk him into getting another cat, but he says 2 is the max.

we are trying to find a recipe to make for dinner tonight, I will let you know what we decide on.

Jobs

I currently have a job that is making me miserable because of the in-fighting and corporate politics. I decided I was not going to be a victim and have actively been searching for a new job for a couple of months. This week I have several good leads, with 3 phone interviews.

I basically have three options:
1. Safe corporate job with benefits, and limited financial potential
2. Middle of the road, small company, more risk than job #1 and good financial potential
3. Independent Contractor affiliated with an agency, high risk, high reward.

At this point in my life I am leaning between 2 and 3. I have done the corporate thing for 3 years and I am over it. I need a challenge. I want to work in an environment that lets me reach my full potential. I am going to call back job #2 today to set up an in-person interview.

This also means I need to buy a new suit this weekend, so hopefully I can get my Mom to go shopping with me. My Mom is what I refer to as a Power Shopper. Give her a mission, and she will find what you are looking for. All at a great price! I love my Mom, she is such an inspiration when it comes to accomplishing things.

I will keep you updated. I like these two suit jackets...

Photos from medieval times weekend...

If you would like to see the entire photo album I put it on Facebook: Album

This is my favorite picture of the weekend: Mr. Foodie in a cutout cardboard face.

Bridesmaid Dresses

I love this color scheme and wish my Sister liked this color green....

Early morning posting

The weather outside is gray and dingy. It's going to rain off and on all day. At least it won't be 100 degrees constantly. It's Thursday, almost Friday, and I can barely control my enthusiasm. This hasn't been the best week, several things have gone wrong that I don't really have control over. I am determined to make things better by Friday night. We may be having dinner with friends Friday which will definitely make things better. In order to cheer myself up, I am going to make a list of 10 things I have to look forward to.

1. Football Season: Jaguars, College Football, and Fantasy.
2. Our trip to Chicago at the end of September.
3. Mr. Foodie's surprise birthday trip at the end of October.
4. Achieving my goal of losing 10 pounds by the end of September. I am giving myself a month to make up for mistakes.
5. Thanksgiving - I love to have an excuse to cook a huge meal. I also love turkey and dressing like a mad woman. Typing this reminds me that I need to try out a couple new dressing and gravy recipes before Thanksgiving. We have our turkey cooking method perfected, but other areas could use improvement.
6. My Sister possibly getting engaged
7. Having children..... eventually +/- 5 years
8. Finishing the cross stitch I have been working on for a year. I will be able to finish it in about 3 additional working hours.
9. Finishing/ordering my wedding album AND creating an album to present to the parents/grandparents.
10. Blogging on in to the fall.

Men

"It doesn't suck being a man" from Nealz Nuze.

Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park
Car mechanics tell you the truth
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks..
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars..
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

Random Thoughts

Hello everyone out there - Hello to anyone who is reading...

Today's post is going to be about random things. First, my husband has never read my blog and this bothers me. Every time I ask him about it he says "I live the blog, why should I have to read it." Second, I am trying to get my sister to start a blog. She keeps talking about it but hasn't taken the plunge.

The chicken I made last night turned out pretty bad. Mr. Foodie refused to eat it. It really disappoints me when a recipe doesn't turn out well. Thanks alot Giada! Luckily we had leftovers from Monday evening... When a recipe doesn't turn out I take it as a personal offense to my cooking skills and it really bothers me. I need to get over it.

I am seriously thinking about getting a personal trainer. There is a new gym right next to my house that I drive by every day on my way home from work. I just need to take the plunge and get in shape. Relying on my husband for any help is just not working. I need to take matters into my own hands.

Also - I can't stand my job any more. I am so tired of doing the same stupid stuff over and over again. I need a challenge and I am not getting that. Plus I am underpaid and disrespected by my boss constantly. I applied for two jobs today so hopefully someone will call me back. I am so tired of working here I can hardly stand it.

Budget Report

Good news - I went to the grocery store yesterday and spent $80 bucks on food to last us for at least a week. I saved $50 by using my own coupons, and taking advantage of store BOGO offers. I am very excited about the outcome.

Last night for dinner I created a recipe using ingredients on hand. It was a pasta with ground turkey, onions, and peppers with a little chili powder, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, and siracha for flair. I also poured a dash of rose' wine in at the end with a little lemon zest and juice to finish. I wasn't very confident with the dish, I am always weary when not using a recipe, but Mr. Foodie loved it.

I also made a desert - a Buttery Apple Tort. I used thinly sliced golden delicious apples and it turned out great. It had a custard feel to it which Mr. Foodie loves. I had a small little slice in an effort to keep the calories down. I will be making this simple and easy desert again.

*Recipe and Photo Courtesy of Simple Recipes

Foodie on a budget

Lately I have been trying to spend less money. One of the biggest parts of our budget is the food, drink, and "going out" category. I am attempting to retain my flair for great food while managing our money better. I have decided to deploy several strategies:

Strategy 1: Use what I already have in my refrigerator and pantry.

I currently have a few frozen meat items in my freezer: Italian Pork Sausage, Flank Steak, and Chicken thighs. I am pledging to use these items before buying any other meat items, except for a special occasion (party). I also have a pantry full of sauces, vegetables, rice, pastas, etc. I definitely need to use these items before buying others (except for BOGOs and other great coupons).

What to do with the Italian Pork Sausage? Simply grilled

What to do with the Flank Steak? I am going to marinate the flank steak using multiple pantry ingredients and broil or grill. I will likely serve with rice and a veggie.

What to do with the Chicken thighs? Giada's Balsamic Roasted Chicken

All three of these dinners require me to purchase approximately 3-5 items. I will report back on my progress.

Project Runway Allstars and Season 6

Project Runway All-Stars


Nothing on TV besides sports can get me shouting at the screen except Project Runway. Throw in a 2 hour All-Star designer challenge and a glass of champagne and somebody is violating the noise ordinance. First of all, I want to point out that Santino is a twisted weirdo with serious mental issues. I never want to see him again. Secondly, Sweetp's clothes are hideous and I can't believe they even allowed her on a show called "All-Stars."

I am so unbelievably pissed off that Daniel V won the 100K. The Red Carpet Dress was made out of tarp material. Yes, you read that correctly, TARP. Tarp, as in a plastic woven covering my Dad uses to keep his firewood out of the elements. Tarp, as in a makeshift homeless person's abode. Tarp, as in the Federal Bailout Plan, okay not going there with politics on the blog.

Back on topic, I loved both Korto and Uli's designs. Why do they hate on the women of Project Runway? It seemed pretty clear that Daniel and the rest of the crew: Heidi, Michael, and Nina all have some type of secret love affair with Daniel V. I have perused several Project Runway blogs out there and everyone is clamoring for Korto's vengeance. That sounds like a dreaded disease or a book written by Joseph Conrad.

Project Runway Season 6: Episode 1
I was so worked up from watching All-Stars that I eagerly dove into Season 6 while Mr. Foodie hung our most recent home decor purchase on the wall (more on that later). This season contains the craziest people yet. My favorite quote of the show from Malvin "I don't differentiate between different colored carpets." I loved it so much I had to put it on Facebook... with reactions from long lost friends. While I disliked the crazy Ari, it was unacceptable that they let Mitchell stay on the show with that disgusting sheer fabric mess. That was a "Hot Mess" is you ask me.

As far as the winner, I can see why Christopher won the challange, but I LOVED the navy blue gown from Ra'Mon. It is difficult for my to type "Ra'Mon" with a straight face...

My last thought on the subject... STOP THE CRYING! I am so tired of all of the crying, happy crying, sad crying, crystal meth addiction crying, whambulance crying, drama crying etc. Get over it!

One more thing -> Why have Lindsey Lohan on the show? She is such a loser and didn't belong there with her trashy looking self.

Pickled Cucumer Soup: Food Stories

This morning I discovered a new Foodie blog out there from a UK writer, Food Stories.

I found the blog by searching for a soup my Boss just tried in New York yesterday at a Polish Restaurant. The mysterious dish is known as Pickled Cucumber Soup. I know it sounds quite disgusting at first glance, but he assures me that it is good. The Food Stories post provides historical and anecdotal information about the soup, as well as a recipe with variations. I am not sure if I will be trying this one any time soon but I thought it would be interesting.

On another note, while perusing the blog I found that the author and I share an obsession with anchovies. If you also love the salty creatures then head over to Food Stories for recipes that celebrate their goodness.

Bon Appetit

In the spirit of Julia & Julia, and great friends... I hosted a dinner last Saturday night. Here are a few photos to cheer you up!

What I am listening to...

BBC Radio 1 - Chart Singles
My Faves:
Calvin Harris - Ready for the Weekend
Cascada - Evacuate the Dance Floor
Lady Gage - ANYTHING!
My guilty pleasure - Remixes of Beyonce's Halo

My Can't Stand hearing it:
Pitbull - I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) - This may be the most ridiculous song ever written and released to the public. I am unable to verbally express my dislike for this song on my blog. It requires hand motions and facial expressions that words can't describe.

One King's Lane

I joined a new site recently called One King's Lane. They have different sales every day from home designers. Products range from candles to pillows, and even wine glasses! At first I was highly skeptical, but today I made my first purchase. I bought 12 Barbara Barry Wedgewood Crystal wine glasses for $132.95 including shipping (no sales tax)! If I purchases them from Macy's or Bed, Bath, and Beyond I would have spent $39 plus tax, for a minimum total of $468.00. I am super excited about my new glasses which should arrive in about 2 weeks. I was very tempted to purchase a few pillows, but I had to hold myself back.

Back from the Dead

I have officially re-entered the human race again. I have been sick for over 5 days with various ailments:
1. Severe and sudden back ache that occurred with no warning on Saturday
2. Sore Throat and Couch
3. Root Canal that took 4 hours to complete because my tooth had 4 roots instead of the normal 2 roots.
4. TMJ Inflammation and Headache associated with the dental work.

I have been sleeping and in pain for days now, but I am finally feeling better. Tonight I was able to do some housework and even cooked dinner. I made one of my favorite comfort dishes: Split Pea Soup. This soup is very good, actually I am eating some right now. The best thing is that there is little fat, and it is high in protein and vegetables. If anyone would like the recipe just let me know.

Julia & Julia

I saw Julia & Julia last night with my friend "J." Our husbands were supposed to join us, but at the last minute they decided to see G.I. Joe instead. Us girls really enjoyed the film. We laughed the ENTIRE time! J and her husband love Paris more than any other city in the world. The movie is a blast to watch.

I have designed a menu for tomorrow night inspired by the movie.
Specialty Drink: Loire Lemonade
First Course: Escargot with garlic butter and a splash of cognac
Main: Coq au Vin
Dessert: Apple Torte

I might toss in a simple salad and make a caramel sauce for the apple torte depending on how ambitious I feel tomorrow.

First the bad news...

I went to the dentist this morning to find out I have to get a root canal. I am absolutely terrified. I have to take anti-biotics until then which always make me feel weird. I am trying to push this out of my head completely.

On a positive note...

I am making dinner for friends tomorrow night. I just have to decide on recipes, etc. I know we will be serving our new favorite Loire Lemonade. I have narrowed it down to three selections:

1. Indian Menu: Samosas (if I have time), Chicken Tikka Masala (I made this once before and it was INCREDIBLE), and Indian Spice Rice Pilaf with dates and parsley.

2. Hungarian Beef Stew Dinner with Egg Noodles & Sautéed Spinach with Leeks and Hazelnuts.

3. Coq Au Vin with french accompaniments.

I will update you later with my decision. I am trying to get input from Mr. Foodie but he is watching TV and won't respond to questions right now. :)

Fundamental Questions about life

If you could live the rest of your life as a movie, which movie would you choose?

I heard this on BBC Radio One on my drive to work today. I posed this question on Facebook this morning with the following responses thus far:

• Labyrinth or Fifth Element


• Love, Actually


• White Chicks (this is from my brother in law)

I have been thinking long and hard about this and it is too difficult to make a decision... Here are my top 3 choices:

1. The Secret Garden (the old version) - I read this book over 12 times as a kid. Yes, I had OCD from a very young age.

2. Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette with Kirsten Dunst - I know she dies, but I love the clothes and glamour.

3. Star Wars - I spent much of my childhood fantasizing about being a Star Wars character. To this day I am still enthralled by space exploration and the sci-fi genre.

About Me

I love puns and stupid jokes. It drives my husband crazy. I love my two cats more than anything. I want to name my 2 future children after British Monarchs. I like to cook and bake. I love using my camera to take photos. I like to decorate cakes. I am addicted to the Young and the Restless. I like martinis and champagne. I love cheese. I love driving my car. I would agree to give up 2 years of my life for a year of non-stop traveling with my husband. I like purses and shoes. I hate body hair. I don't understand the movie Tron from the 80's and my husband doesn't understand why. I was recently converted to Star Trek obsession status in the past few years. I love my parents and my in-laws. I can't stand people who do things slowly, especially those who talk slowly and don't understand things quickly. Especially at work. I hate Bill O'Reilly because he yells all the time. I REALLY dislike hearing other people chew while they are eating. I have to turn the music/TV up loud to overcome the chewing noises.

Wednesday Night

Good evening my friends. I made the stuffed zucchini recipe I mentioned a few days ago. I was lucky because zucchini was on sale at my local grocery store. The recipe is great, very easy, and has little to no fat. Mr. Foodie really enjoyed it.

We took an evening bike ride tonight. We are lucky because Mr. Foodie's grandparents live very close so we rode over to their house and made a surprise visit. His grandparents are 86 and 85 years old! I hope we both live that long.

My Sister is thinking about starting a blog after reading mine. I offered to let her be a guest blogger to give it a spin before taking the plunge. I really hope she takes me up on my offer. I am also working on Mr. Foodie to be a guest blogger. After all, the title of the blog is Mr. and Mrs. Foodie. He assures me he is going to work on something to post on the blog. He is watching Star Trek Deep Space Nine right now and eating 2 slaw dogs. I am not kidding....

Only 2 days left until the weekend. We are going to see Julia & Julia tomorrow evening with friends. I will post a review of the movie here for all to read.

Inspirational Quote:
"People create their own questions because they are afraid to look straight. All you have to do is look straight and see the road, and when you see it, don't sit looking at it - walk." - Ayn Rand

2 Pictures Game

2 Pictures Game - Inspired by Oh, Mishka

My boy kitty Southpaw always sits on the back of the computer chair cleaning himself, and licking my hair while I use the computer.

Mr. Foodie's 1st Solo Flight frame. I haven't mentioned this before, but Mr. Foodie is taking private pilot lessons and I am super proud of him.

Fish Stew Tuesday

My Ingredients are ready to go in the pot. Yes.... I do have a hot pink cutting board.

Another view

The finished product is ready to be served. Mr. Foodie insisted on serving it over rice, so he whipped up a batch of Basmati to serve the fish stew over. I love the way Basmati smells while you cook it.