Freezer meal club

I came across this posting on The Kitchn and I love it.  A freezer meal club.  Such a great idea.

I love cooking.  I miss cooking. I used to pour over magazines and cookbooks each week coming up with great new recipes to try out. But now I am lucky if I am able to make one new recipe a week.  Ugh.  But a freezer meal club could be my light at the end of the tunnel.  I could throw all my efforts into one really great meal a week, but then also enjoy the efforts of others on the remaining 6 days of the week.

Okay, those in the Austin area... Who's in?

Oh wonderful weekend

 

Yeah, this weekend is going to rock.  The whole gang is coming into town to hang out like old times.  Game night, wine, baby shower, and delicious food.  I am so excited.  I hope all of yall have a great weekend too!

Photo credit: Rodney Smith

Dog owner etiquette

We have some new neighbors that moved in this past weekend.  They seem nice enough, but their dog barks all the time.  And by all the time, I mean ALL the time.  Day, night... it does not matter.  It is quite the controversy in the neighborhood.  We have witnessed another neighbor that lives next door go out and yell at this dog in frustration.  The whole situation has drives me crazy.   These owners do nothing about it and do not seem to care that others are affected.

So what is the protocol in this situation?  Dog etiquette would state that this is not acceptable.  But what can be done?  Should we approach these new neighbors and vent our frustrations?

Ballerinas

I am more in the tom-boy category than I am in the girly-girly one.  But even tom-boys sometimes daydream that they are ballerinas.  Don't these photos just inspire you to practice your plie moves?  Or at least strive to have better posture?

Photo credits: via la douleur exquisite, National Geographic, Jason Christopher

A smile a day

Here's your smile for the day.

 

Photo credit: CharlotteSpeaks

Snow in Austin!

It snowed in Austin today.  Woohoo!  This rarely happens here.  So when it does, the little kid in everyone comes out and declares a Snow Day Holiday! 

Happy 5 months Little B!

My little girl is 5 months old today!  I can't believe it.  I guess time flies when you are having fun with a cute cherub baby.

Her latest tricks include:

• Splashing in the bathtub
• Playing peak-a-boo
• Eating cereal
• Grabbing anything she can reach and putting it in her mouth (my hair, chin, shirt, anything)
• Standing (with a little help from mom and dad, of course)

The Happiness Project

 

This book is going on my To-Read list.  It is one of those things that I heard about last week and now I am seeing and hearing about it everywhere. I am intrigued by this book.  Who couldn't use a little more happiness these days.

The look

First date night

Tonight, David and I are going on our first date night since Little B was born.  And it could not be a minute too soon!  Finally I can sit and have a non-hurried conversation with my husband while enjoying each and every bite of food at the temperature that it is meant to be served at. I am so excited.  I might even put on some makeup and wear heels.  This is a big deal, people!

So today, in anticipation, I am daydreaming about all my delicious restaurant options... parmesan truffle risotto OR salmon stuffed with brie cheese and crab OR tikka masala and naan.  I could play this game forever.

Favorite Quotes

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go."

 

~ Dr. Seuss

 

Photo credit: makingitlovely

I heart Mad Men

I love Mad Men.  I know for everyone else Mad Men is old news.  But we don't have cable; so it is new to me!  My friend, Whitney, suggested it to me and I am hooked. We are on the second season and this show is pure genius.  And having worked in the ad industry, it is interesting how much has changed and how much hasn't!  Check out this awesome Vanity Fair photoshoot featuring two of the Mad Men actors.

The cookie that bites back

I so want to try out this recipe for habenero cookies!

Habeñero Cookies  

(from allrecipes.com)
10 habañero peppers, seeded and minced
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Remove and discard the stems, seeds, and pulp from the peppers. Mince peppers, and place in a bowl with enough milk to cover. Place bowl in a microwave, and heat until milk is lukewarm. Let sit about 10 minutes. Discard milk, and rinse peppers thoroughly in warm water. Repeat as desired.

In a large bowl, mix the peppers, sugar, butter, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir into the pepper mixture just until combined. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Balancing act

 

This is what I feel like these days... except take away the styled hair and flat tummy and replace them with a ponytail that has a little spit up in it and a few more martinis.  Kudos to all the mommas that are out doing this everyday for a lot longer than I have.  You are my inspiration.  Repeat after me, "I can do this! I can do this!"

Figgy pizza

Doesn't this look delicious?  As soon as I can get my hands on some figs, I am so trying out this recipe from Healthy Delicious.  I'll let you know how it turns out.

Photo credit: Healthy Delicious

Baby news

Yeah!  Just found out that my brother and sister-in-law are expecting a baby girl this summer.  L:ittle B will have a new partner in crime against all my rambunctious nephews.  So excited!

Photo credit: Baby Threadmarks

Perfect Father's Day present

I just found the perfect Father's Day present for David!  Sure, Little B can not even sit up on her own just yet.  But someday she will be able to stand and dance and we will be ready!

 

Photo credit: handmadecharlotte

What is the best way to wash dishes?

When I saw this post over on The Kitchn, I immediately chuckled.  How to wash dishes (or how to load them in the dishwasher) is the biggest ongoing argument that David and I have.  I think this passionate discussion has been going on for the past 5 years.  I am a bit OCD about how there is a science to the placement of dishes in the dishwasher (knifes go in pointing down, smaller dishes in the middle with bigger dishes on the outside, etc).  But David does not follow my philosophy.  He just haphazardly puts them in there a different way each time.  Drives me crazy!

So tell me, what is your method for the whole washing dishes process?

Why not...

• Play hooky today
  
• Sing into your hairbrush this morning
• Drive with the windows down
• Eat pie for breakfast
• Put on fire-engine red lipstick

Photo credit: unknown

Favorite Quotes

“ Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again." 

~ C.S. Lewis

 

Photo credit: Kelli Jo

 

First Day

 

Tomorrow is my first day at my new job at Yoga Yoga and I am soooo nervous.  It feels like my first day of school all over again. "What am I going to wear? I hope everyone is nice.  Who is gonna be my lunch buddy?" I have had so many "first days" in my life, it seems silly to be nervous.  But I am.   Wish me luck!

Photo credit: Lois Lowry

Favorite Quotes

 
“Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you’ve never been hurt and live like it’s heaven on Earth."

~ Mark Twain

Photo via la douleur exquisite 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Photo credit:  .la douleur exquise.

Decadent Chocolate Mousse

I am trying to figure out what to make David for Valentine's Day.  We are pretty low-key in this house when it comes to Valentine's Day and I would not have it any other way.  We focus on food gifts... my all time favorite category of gifts.

Right now, this recipe is the front-runner - Decadent Chocolate Mousse

Deep Dark Decadent Chocolate Mousse
Adapted from Everyday Food

3 oz bittersweet dark chocolate, 60% or higher, finely chopped
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
3/4 cup heavy cream
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup granulated sugar
pinch of salt

1. Over LOW heat, whisk 4 large egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, anda pinch of salt until sugar is dissolved, and mixture is warm to the touch (2 to 3 minutes). Remove from heat, and whisk in 3 oz chopped bittersweet dark chocolate. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted, then mix in 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth.

2. In a stand mixer (or a medium bowl, if you are a sucker for punishment), whip 3/4 cup heavy cream cream until light and fluffy, and soft peaks form (don't over mix, or you will get butter!). With mixer on low, gently mix in 1/2 of the chocolate. Gently fold in remaining chocolate by hand with a rubber spatula. Divide among serving dishes and chill for at least 1 hour, and up to 2 days. Top with whatever pleases your fancy.

Lovey-dovey weekend

Here's wishing you a lovely weekend of sunshine, smiles, daydreaming and holding hands.  This valentine's day, look around you and know that every person no matter who they are, where they live or how good looking they are, is someone's somebody. 

This weekend we are:

• watching the Olympic opening ceremonies
• baking
• enjoying a quiet Valentine's Day at home with my two favorite people
• and getting ready for my 1st day at my new job on Monday!

Photo credit: Nectar & Light

Candy Buffet

As I mentioned before, "the gang" and I are planning and hosting a baby shower for my friend, Stacy.  In the midst of our brainstorming, the idea of a candy buffet was thrown out into the mix.  I love this idea!  It is colorful, fun, festive, and there is something for everyone.  Check out these great candy tables.

Photo credits: Amy Atlas Events

The CSA dilemna

Two summers ago, David and I participated in a CSA (community supported agriculture) program with Johnson's Backyard Garden, an organic farm in Austin.  We loved it!  Every other week, we would get a huge amount of colorful, organic produce.  It was delicious.  So this year I am thinking about doing it again.

So you wonder, "What's the problem if you love it so much?".  Well, the problem is time.  I love getting all these great vegetables.  But then you have to do something with them... cleaning, chopping, cooking, canning.  And it takes a lot of mental energy to brainstorm a menu that incorporates in that many vegetables.  It is exhausting trying to figure out what to do with that many eggplants that is different from the six other eggplant dishes that you have already tried.

And with this new job and Little B around, I am unsure if I am up for the challenge.  But on the other hand, Little B will be starting solid foods soon and I would love for her to eat local, organic vegetables.

So is anyone else participating in a CSA program and if so how do you make it work for your family?

Got the job blues?

Everyone knows that the economy sucks.  Many have lost their jobs and are discouraged in their job hunt.  Others have a job, but hate it, but are grateful that they at least have one.  It is a rough time for all.  So in these times, I find these cards from TweeCards to be especially fitting.  What do you think?

Next time I am in Seattle

Next time I am in Seattle, I want to go here...

Garam Masala Roasted Chickpeas

I made this dish last night in an attempt to do something creative with that lone can of chickpeas hanging out in the pantry.  I think I have a winner with this recipe, for sure.

Garam Masala Roasted Chickpeas

2 15-oz cans chickpeas
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. Garam Masala
1 tsp. fine-grain sea salt

Preheat the oven to 375°. Drain the chickpeas in a colander and rinse very well. Let them dry for 5 minutes or so, then place them in a big bowl. Add the olive oil, Garam Masala and sea salt. Using your hands or a spoon, toss until the chickpeas are evenly coated. Spread them out on a rimmed cookie sheet so that they’re not overlapping, then bake for 40 – 45 minutes, tossing the pan occasionally. They’re done when they’re crisp and crunchy. Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Travel Envy

 

Collage credit:  flickr

Sick baby

Ugh.  The hardest thing in the world is to watch a sick baby that does not know yet how to breathe out of her mouth or blow her nose.  Poor thing.  Being sick sucks!

The crazy part is that even though Little B is snotty, running a temperature, and coughing everywhere, she is smiling so long as she is being held.  And I am most happy to indulge her with all the holding and cuddling that she wants.

So while Central Texas is excited expecting snow, sleet, and freezing temperatures, we will be surrounded by children's Tylenol, the humidifier, the nasal bulb, and piles of burp clothes.  Good times.

Favorite Quotes

"It makes you wonder. All the brilliant things we might have done with our lives if only we suspected we knew how." 

~ Ann Patchett, from her novel, Bel Canto

Photo credit: Gibson Claire McGuire

Favorite Quotes

Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow."

~ Mary Anne Radmacher
 

Photo credit: ffffounder1

Cute baby block cake

Check out this really cute baby block cake from Martha Stewart.  I may just have to steal this idea for my friend's shower.

Say one sweet thing...

Photo credit: julia

Take me here

 

Photo credit: little silver boxes

Words to live by

I saw this earlier this week and it made me laugh.

Right this second...

I am enjoying toasted banana bread with a hot cup of coffee while Little B is sleeping.  Both David and I are sleep deprived at the moment as Little B has a cold that kept her up most of the night.  But the sun has come out through the rain, and for that I am happy.

Photo credit: mav

From my bookshelf: The Lost Symbol

 

I just finished reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.  And let me start by saying, this is no Angels and Demons or The Davinci Code.   

The Lost Symbol is the third adventure featuring Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (in movie terms that’s Tom Hanks), and takes place over the course of an evening in the US capital of Washington DC.  The story involves a mysterious figure, lots of problems to solve involving codes and symbols, a fascinating blend of fact and fiction, and of course, a race against time.  Oh, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.  

So you think "great book, right?  Wrong.  This book needed a good editor.  I felt like it went on forever, was ridiculously unrealistic rather than the usual slightly unrealistic, and by the end I was just so ready for it to be done.  And because I feel that my time is at a premium even more now that Little B was around, I was angry that I would never get back the time that I spent reading this book.

Bottom line, if you are looking for a way to kill some time and are fascinated by Washington D.C., then you might like this book.  But if you are looking for a suspenseful book that captures your attention and you are not fascinated by reading every little inscription in museum exhibits, this is not the book for you.

Pie on a stick

OMG!  I must have these.  What is better than just plain pie?  Pie on a stick!  Why did I not think of this?

 

  

Via Cup of Joe