The Buried Life

Almond-Stuffed Chicken (Recipe #65)

2011-02-16T21:37:00.000-06:00

This recipe was an epic FAIL. My chicken was really thick and it browned on the outside faster than it cooked on the inside, so it went directly into the trash. it will probably be awhile before I try making stuffed chicken again but, when I do get up the courage, it will be done in the oven where there is less room for error.

Almond-Stuffed Chicken

(Source: Cooking Light, March 2009)

1/3 cup light garlic-and-herbs apreadable cheese

1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted, coarsely chopped, and divided

3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsely, divided

4 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 tsp butter

1. Combine spreadable cheese, 3 Tbsp almonds, and 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley in a small bowl. Set aside.

2. Cut a horizontal slit through thickest portion of each breast half to form a pocket. Stuff 1 1/2 Tbsp almond mixture into each pocket; secure with a toothpick. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.

3. Heat butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken to pan; cook six minutes on each side pr until done. Remove from pan; cover and let stand for 2 minutes. Top chicken with remaining almonds and parsley.

Pasta with Chickpeas and Garlic Sauce (Recipe #64)

2011-02-15T20:32:00.000-06:00

A whirl in the food processor transforms the humble chickpea into a creamy sauce for pasta—a sauce that is a hallmark of rustic Italian cooking. Bolstered with garlic, tomatoes, and parmesan cheese, this easy dish makes the most of flavorful kitchen staples.

Pasta with Chickpeas and Garlic Sauce
(Source: MyRecipes)

2 tsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1 (15.5-ounce)can chickpeas(garbanzo beans), drained
1 (14-ounce)can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups uncooked medium seashell pasta (about 6 ounces)
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 Tbsp shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add crushed garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add salt, pepper, chickpeas, and broth; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.

2. While garlic mixture simmers, cook pasta in boiling water 9 minutes, omitting salt and fat; drain well.

3. Place chickpea mixture in a food pro-cessor, and process until smooth. Combine chickpea mixture, pasta, tomatoes, minced garlic, fresh parsley, and lemon juice; toss well. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately.

Spellbound

2011-02-11T22:00:00.000-06:00

This Oscar-nominated entry documents the intense experience of the National Spelling Bee as seen through the eyes of eight young spellers, with viewers glimpsing the kids' private lives as they train for and compete in the ultimate cerebral showdown. While they try to keep their eyes on the $10,000 prize, their personal stories illuminate their quirks, their obsessive study habits and their alternately heartbreaking and inspiring family dynamics.

Baked Gnocchi with Two Cheses and Walnuts (Recipe #63)

2011-02-07T20:27:00.000-06:00

I made a couple modifications to this recipe:
1) I used regular alfredo sauce, since I'm not a mushroom fan and have no idea where to find "pouches" of sauce
2) I omitted the walnuts, because we didn't have any

Overall, a decent recipe.

Baked Gnocchi with Two Cheses and Walnuts

(Source: MyRecipes)

1 pouch Bertolli Premium Champignon & Portobello Mushroom Pasta Sauce
1/2 cup water
8 ounces fresh or thawed frozen gnocchi
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 4 oz.)
4 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
2 Tbsp chopped walnuts
1 Tbsp Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

In 1 1/2-quart casserole, combine Sauce with water. Add gnocchi, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan and 1 tablespoon basil. Top with remaining cheeses, walnuts and bread crumbs. Bake uncovered 12 minutes or until bubbling. Sprinkle with remaining basil.

The X-Files: Season 2

2011-02-06T11:25:00.001-06:00

Favorite Episodes:
The Host
Irresistable
Die Hand Der Verletz
Død Kalm
Humbug

Favorite Quote:
Scully: Good morning.
Mulder: Whatever tape you found in that VCR isn't mine.
Scully: Good, because I put it back in that drawer with all those other videos that aren't yours.
Mulder: [Looking at screen] Well, this definitely isn't mine.

OR

Krycek: I paid off your cab. I don't appreciate being ditched like somebody's bad date.

Favorite Bad Guy:
Donald Edward Pfaster, a recluse and a "death fetishist" serial killer from Minneapolis. (Irresistable)

Favorite Creature:
Flukeman, a tapeworm-like humanoid, who lives in the sewers. (The Host)

"Oh Hey!" Guest Star:
Terry O'Quinn, star of LOST, plays Lieutenant Brian Tillman in the episode "Aubrey." He also plays a minor role in the first movie.

Favorite Recurring Character:
"X" (played by Steven B. Williams), a high-ranking member of the Men In Black (MIB), a group of operatives used by The Syndicate to carry out their dirty work. X is a subordinate of the Cigarette Smoking Man and a total badass.

Favorite Shipper Moment:
Mulder holding Scully after saving her from Donnie Pfaster in the episode "Irresistable." Just look:

Wild Rice Soup (Recipe #62)

2011-02-02T19:21:00.001-06:00

Remember my mini rant from last week? I may have spoken too soon, as this soup recipe came from Betty Crocker and it wasn't bad. The soup was a tad on the bland side, but otherwise good. Super easy, too. So Betty Crocker, for the time being, you are back on my good side.

Wild Rice Soup

(Source: Betty Crocker)

2 Tbsp butter or margarine
2 medium stalks celery, sliced (1 cup)
1 medium carrot, coarsely shredded (1 cup)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 small green bell pepper, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup Original Bisquick® or Bisquick Heart Smart® mix
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp dried thyme leaves, if desired
1 cup water
1 can (10 1/2 oz) condensed chicken broth
1 1/2 cups canned or frozen cooked wild rice
1 cup half-and-half
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1. In 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add celery, carrot, onion and bell pepper; cook about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.

2. Stir in Bisquick mix, salt, pepper and thyme. Stir in water, broth and wild rice. Heat to boiling, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in half-and-half, almonds and parsley. Heat just until hot (do not boil).

January 2011 Update

2011-01-31T11:09:00.000-06:00

Recipes I Tried:
Linguine with Tomato-Mint Sauce
Sesame Chicken
Chicken With Parmesan, Garlic, and Herb Crust
Buffalo-Style Catfish Strips
Warm Fig, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Sandwiches
Cajun Jambalaya
Mac 'n Cheese Shells with Sausage

Books I Read:
One False Move by Harlan Coben
T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton
A Passage to India by E.M. Forster

Items I Worked On:
#2. Call/visit my grandma once a month
#6. Do something with my mom (dinner, etc) twice a month while my dad is gone
#38. Get together with friends at least once a month
#66. Play all (23) Nancy Drew PC games
#74. Re-watch every episode of the X-Files
#82. Read all the books in the Alphabet Series
#85. Read 25 of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
#91. Finish a 365 challenge.

Items I Completed:
#21. Get new blinds/curtains for the master bedroom

Mac 'n Cheese Shells with Sausage (Recipe #61)

2011-01-28T22:14:00.001-06:00

I'm not sure why I keep trying Betty Crocker recipes, because each one is always a huge letdown. I guess I always have high hopes that the next one will be better.

This recipe was okay, but it left a distgusting, sticky, cheesy mess in the bottom of my pan. It was so gross I was tempted to throw the pot away, but we have nice pots and I just couldn't do that. So instead I ruined my scrubber.

Mac 'n Cheese Shells with Sausage
(Source: Betty Crocker)

3 cups chicken broth
2 cups uncooked small pasta shells
1 1/2 cups frozen peas
1/2 lb smoked sausage, cut into half inch pieces
2 cups American-Cheddar cheese blend
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan Cheese

1. In 3-quart saucepan, heat broth to boiling over medium-high heat. Add pasta shells; heat to boiling. Boil 6 minutes; do not drain. Reduce heat. Stir in peas and sausage. Cover; simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until shells are tender. Remove from heat.

2. Add shredded cheese; toss gently until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Cajun Jambalaya (Recipe #60)

2011-01-23T20:25:00.000-06:00

I'm not entirely sure what prompted this recipe, but it was very good. The seasoning was perfect and it was really easy to make.

Cajun Jambalaya

(Source: Food Network)

12 medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped
4 ounces chicken, diced
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning, recipe follows
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3/4 cup rice
3 cups chicken stock
5 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced
Salt and pepper

1. In a bowl combine shrimp, chicken and Creole seasoning, and work in seasoning well.

2. In a large saucepan heat oil over high heat with onion, pepper and celery, 3 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves, Worcestershire and hot sauces. Stir in rice and slowly add broth. Reduce heat to medium and cook until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.

3. When rice is just tender add shrimp and chicken mixture and sausage. Cook until meat is done, about 10 minutes more. Season to taste with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning.

Emeril's Creole Seasoning:

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Warm Fig, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Sandwiches (Recipe #59)

2011-01-20T20:15:00.004-06:00

The bread gets crispy in the oven, and the ingredient combo is simple and beautiful : sweet figs, soft mozzarella, fragrant basil and tasty pesto.

Warm Fig, Mozzarella, and Prosciutto Sandwiches

(Source: Serious Eats)

1 loaf ciabatta (or other white sandwich bread), sliced crosswise, and into four equal sections
4 teaspoons pesto
1 (8-ounce) ball buffalo mozzarella, thinly sliced
3 ripe figs, sliced
12 basil leaves
4 slices prosciutto
salt and pepper

Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Meanwhile, construct the sandwiches. Remove the top of each section of bread. Smear each with a teaspoon of pesto on the cut side. On the bottom half of each, divide the the mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper. Top with figs, prosciutto, and basil. Close sandwiches and place on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the bread is warm and the cheese slightly melts, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately

Buffalo-Style Catfish Strips (Recipe #58)

2011-01-19T19:10:00.002-06:00

I think this is our new favorite fish recipe. The blend of spices was perfect, and the cornflakes made the fish so perfectly crunchy. We definitely be making this recipe time and time again.

Buffalo-Style Catfish Strips

(Source: MyRecipes)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups coarsely crushed cornflakes
1 pound catfish fillets, cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips
Cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Combine first 6 ingredients in a shallow dish, stirring with a whisk. Place egg whites in a shallow dish. Place cornflakes in a shallow dish. Working with 1 fish strip at a time, dredge in flour mixture. Dip in egg whites; dredge in cornflakes. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Repeat procedure with remaining fish strips, flour mixture, egg whites, and cornflakes.

3. Lightly coat fish strips with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until done, turning once. (We actually just fried the fish fillets in a pan.)

Chicken With Parmesan, Garlic, and Herb Crust (Recipe #57)

2011-01-16T19:04:00.003-06:00

When they say 1 clove of garlic, they mean it. I like garlic, so I used 2-3 cloves and the chicken was really garlicky. Other than that, the chicken was very good. I served it with a Cheese & Wine risotto and vegetables and it was the perfect meal.

Chicken With Parmesan, Garlic, and Herb Crust

(Source: Real Simple)

1 garlic clove, peeled
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 slices whole-wheat bread
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
4 skinless, boneless chicken-breast halves, 2 pork tenderloins, halved (1 1/2 to 2 pounds total), or 1 1/2 pounds skinless salmon fillet (4 pieces)
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1. Heat oven to 400ºF. Lightly coat a medium baking dish with vegetable cooking spray.

2. Mince the garlic in a food processor, then add the parsley and pulse until combined, about 15 seconds. Add the bread, Parmesan, oil, salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Pulse until well combined.

3. Arrange the meat or fish in the baking dish. Spread with the mustard, then pat the crumbs on top.

4. Bake until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes for the chicken, 30 minutes for the pork, or 20 minutes for the salmon. Divide among 4 plates and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Sesame Chicken (Recipe #56)

2011-01-14T21:55:00.001-06:00

I did not think this recipe even remotely resembled what you'd find at an Asian resaturant. The ketchup was too overpowering, and it had a weird aftertaste. Using less vinegar and ketchup would yield something I would clasify as "Honey Chicken" and might actually be good. I guess the hunt is still on for the perfect Copy-Cat sesame chicken...

Sesame Chicken

(Source: Unknown)

1 1/2 to 2 pounds frozen popcorn chicken (I used chicken breasts coated in panko)

6 Tbsp Honey

4 Tbsp Sugar

Salt (to taste)

4 Tbsp Ketchup

1-2 Tbsp distilled vinegar

a sprinkle of black pepper

diced green onions, optional

sesame seeds, optional

1. Deep Fry your popcorn chicken and drain on a plate line with a paper towel. (I fried my panko chicken in a pot on the stove)

2. In a wok or saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients and warm over medium hear. Bring to a boil while stirring and simmer until sauce slightly thickens.

3. In the wok or in a serving dish, coat the chicken with the sauce. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with green onions amd sesame seeds.

Linguine with Tomato Mint Sauce (Recipe #55)

2011-01-07T20:51:00.002-06:00

A touch of lemon juice and fresh mint livens up jarred marinara sauce in this quick and healthy pasta dish.

Linguine with Tomato-Mint Sauce

(Source: Eating Well)

1 pound whole-wheat linguine
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 vine-ripened tomatoes, cored and chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 cups marinara sauce
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

1. Cook linguine in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and lemon juice and cook for 1 minute more. Add marinara sauce, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Remove from heat; stir in parsley and mint. Season with salt and pepper. Drain the pasta and serve topped with sauce.

December 2010 Update

2010-12-31T20:41:00.001-06:00

Recipes I Tried:
Spicy Asian Noodles with Chicken
Chicken & Stuffing

Books I Read:
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The Rainmaker by John Grisham
P is for Peril by Sue Grafton

Items I Worked On:
16. Reorganize kitchen cabinets
32. Go to 10 different breakfast places
39. Get together with “the girls” from Olaf at least 2 times per year
74. Re-watch every episode of the X-Files
79. Learn to drive a car with a manual transmission
82. Read all the books in the Alphabet Series
85. Read 25 of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

Items I Completed:
24. Organize the laundry room.
29. Travel out of state 3 times
31. Host a holiday cookie swap
37. Organize all of my recipes
42. Send birthday cards to friends/immediate family in 2010
56. Pick a charity and donate regularly
73. Make a list of 101 favorite quotes

Happy Birthday Bess!

2010-12-26T11:47:00.000-06:00

And you'll only need one finger.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Jess!

2010-12-24T08:44:00.000-06:00

Go ahead and make some noize -- you Birthday's here!

Spicy Asian Noodles with Chicken (Recipe #53)

2010-12-18T20:49:00.001-06:00

This meal was good, but I wish I would have decreased the amount of hoisin sauce and rice vinegar. I had decreased the amount of chicken, and the hoisin and rice vinegar flavors were a little too strong for my tastes.

Spicy Asian Noodles with Chicken

(Source: MyRecipes)

1 tablespoon dark sesame oil, divided
1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons sambal oelek (ground fresh chile paste)
1 (6.75-ounce) package thin rice sticks (rice-flour noodles)
2 tablespoons chopped dry-roasted peanuts

1. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add ginger and garlic to pan; cook 45 seconds, stirring constantly. Place in a large bowl. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon oil, chicken, and next 6 ingredients (through sambal).

2. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water; drain. Cut noodles into smaller pieces. Add noodles to bowl; toss well to coat. Sprinkle with peanuts.

Favorite Quotes (Part 4)

2010-12-17T15:57:00.000-06:00

76. “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

77. “Let your dreams run wild and free and always follow where they lead.” – N.E. Fraser

78. “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” –William Shakespeare

79. “Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” – Louisa May Alcott

80. “Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.” – Albert Camus

81. “Dreams do come true, if we only wish hard enough.” – James M. Barrie

82. “May you live all the days of your life.” – Jonathan Swift

83. “The darkest hour is just before the dawn.” - Proverb

84. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates

85. “The past is but a beginning of a beginning.” – H.G. Wells

86. “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

87. “Look not mournfully into the Past. It comes back again. Wisely improve the Present. It is thine.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

88. “From small beginnings come great things.” - Proverb

89. “I didn't ask for it to be over, but then again, I never asked for it to begin. For that's the way it is with life, as some of the most beautiful days come completely by chance. But even the most beautiful days eventually have their sunsets.” - Unknown

#90. “No other road, no other way, no day but today.” - Broadway musical "Rent"

#91. “I love this crazy tragic, sometimes almost magic, awful beautiful life...” - Unknown

92. “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.” - Semisonic

93. "There is only one way to happiness, and that is cease worrying about the things which are beyond the power of our will." - Epictetus

94. “Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it. ” - Swedish Proverb

95. “In my beginning is my end. In my end is my beginning.” - T.S. Elliot

96. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost

97. "Always do what you want, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Suess

98. “The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.” - Ben Stein

99. “Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life.” - Leo Buscaglia

100. "Love absolutely everything that ever happens in your life." -Paul Cantalupo, MD

101."Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." - Unknown

Favorite Quotes (Part 3)

2010-12-12T17:55:00.001-06:00

50. “Don’t ask ‘What if it doesn’t work?’ Instead, ask, ‘How will I feel if I don’t even try?’” – Suzanne Zoglio

51. “Worry pulls tomorrow’s clouds over today’s sunshine.” – Ethel Wilhelm

52. “Remember these things – you are valued, you are precious, you are needed, you are loved.” – C.A. Hermann

53. “Life is just a series of moments. Some you spend the rest of your life trying to forget, and some that you want to remember forever.” – Unknown

54. “Live well, laugh often, and love much.” – Dove Chocolate Promises Message

55. “The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” – Carl Jung

56. “In each loss there is a gain. As in every gain there is a loss. And with each ending comes a new beginning.” – Shao Lin

57. “People can either be better or worse for having met you in life, and they might as well be better.” - Unknown

58. “A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.” – The Wizard of Oz

59. “Don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he always wanted…He lived happily ever after.” – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

60. “Get busy living, or get busy dying. That’s goddamned right.” – The Shawshank Redemption

61. “Believe that your life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.” – William James

62. “If a man hasn’t discovered something he would die for, he isn’t fit to live.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

63. “Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.” – Samuel Jackson

64. “A man always has two reasons for what he does – a good one, and the real one.” – J.P. Morgan

65. “Sometimes the only sense you can make out of life is a sense of humor.” – Constance Schlea

66. "Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” – Mark Twain

67. “Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.” – Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

68. “The most wasted day of all is that on which we have not laughed.” – Nicolas Chamfort

69. “Imagination is far more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein

70. “Never be content with anyone else’s definition of you.” – J.M. Byrd

71. “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” – Frank Lloyd Wright

72. “This above all: to thine own self be true.” – William Shakespeare

73. “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” – William Shakespeare

74. “NOW is the time. NOW is what life is about. NOW is the place of magic. NOW is the field of all possibilities. NOW us the starting point. NOW is the point of no return.” – L.L. Phillips

75. “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

Favorite Quotes (Part 2)

2010-12-08T20:50:00.000-06:00

25. "Do not anxiously hope for what is not yet to come; do not vainly regret what is already past." - Chinese proverb

26. “And it's been a long December/And there's reason to believe/Maybe this year will be better than the last/I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself/To hold on to these moments as they pass.” – Counting Crows, “A Long December”

27. "Love is a form of mental illness not yet recognized in any of the standard diagnostic manuals." - Stuart Sutherland

28. “I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.” - William Allen White

29. "There are millions of people out there. But in the end it all comes down to one. I still panic sometimes, forget to breathe. But I know there's something beautiful in all my imperfections...a beauty which he held out for me to see. A strength that can never be taken away." - Crazy/Beautiful

30. “Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.” - SATC

31. "Sometimes I wish I'd went through those good times stone cold sober so I could remember everything. But then again, if I had been sober the times probably wouldn't have been worth remembering." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

32. "We are molded and remolded by those who have loved us." ~ François Mauriac

33. I know it hurts. But it's life, and it's real. And sometimes it fucking hurts, but it's life, and it's pretty much all we got." -Garden State

34. “Think without limits.” – Dove Chocolate Promises Message

35 . “If you love something very very much, let it go free. If it does not return, it was never meant to be yours. If it does, love it forever.” - Unknown

36. “You must be strong now. You must never give up. And when People make you cry and you are afraid of the dark, don’t forget the light is always there.” - Unknown

37 “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart, I’ll always be with you.” - Winnie the Pooh

38. Until you are happy with who you are, you will never be happy with what you have. - Zig Ziglar

39. “Smile when you want to, cry when you need to, laugh whenever possible.” – Dove Chocolate Promises Message

40. "We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." - Fredrick Koeing

41. You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take. - Wayne Gretzky

42. “Most things you worry about never happen.” - Dove Chocolate Promises Message

43. "Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever..." - Isak Dinesen

44. “You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul.” – Ratatouille

45. "Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget." - Unknown

46. "Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions." - Edgar Cayce

47. “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Dove Chocolate Promises Message

48. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once-in-a-while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

49. “Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s the middle that counts the most.” – Unknown

50. “Don’t ask ‘What if it doesn’t work?’ Instead, ask, ‘How will I feel if I don’t even try?’” – Suzanne Zoglio

Favorite Quotes (Part 1)

2010-12-04T15:43:00.000-06:00

1. “The past is our definition. We may strive, with good reason, to escape it, or to escape what is bad in it, but we will escape it only by adding something better to it.” - Wendell Berry

2. “Lucky is the man who is the first love of a woman, but luckier is the woman who is the last love of a man." – Unknown

3. "As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do." - Zachary Scott

4. “Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep.” - Carl Sandburg

5. “Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” - Dale Carnegie

6. “The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.” - Abraham Lincoln

7. “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” - William Arthur Ward

8. “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life - it goes on.” - Robert Frost

9. “You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.” - Henry Drummond

10. “May we never let the things we can't have, or don't have, or shouldn't have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have. As we value our happiness let us not forget it, for one of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot or should not have.” - Richard L. Evans

11. “Happiness is not something you experience, it's something you remember.” - Oscar Levant

12. “My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I'm happy. I can't figure it out. What am I doing right?” - Charles M. Schulz

13. “The sunrise has never failed us yet.” - Celia Baxter

14. “Look well to this day. Yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision. But today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day.” - Francis Gray

15. "There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy." ~ Mark Twain

16. “I love you, not for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.” - Roy Croft

17. “Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” - Franklin P. Jones

18. “I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, or end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment, and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.” - Gilda Radner

19. “Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow.” - Mahatma Gandhi

20 "Photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place." - Elliot Erwitt

21. "You can be anywhere when your life begins. You meet the right person and anything is possible." ~ Crazy/Beautiful

22. "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." - The Shawshank Redemption

23. "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

24. "We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere." - Tim McGraw

25. “If you focus on what you left behind, you will never be able to see what lies ahead.” - Ratatouille

The Candy Train has come to an end.

2010-12-02T14:18:00.002-06:00

I made an executive decision today. I will no longer be filling the candy dish at work. Over the past 9 months, we've lost half of our already small group. Next week we are losing another one, which brings the grand total of people eating from the candy dish to 5. To keep filling the dish is going to be pointless, since it will pretty much just be my buying candy for myself. So, I ceremoniously filled up the candy dish today with some holiday chocolates and said goodbye to the monthly tradition.

November 2010 Update

2010-11-30T21:10:00.000-06:00

Recipes I Tried:
Sloppy Joes with Corn
Baked Shells with Pesto, Mozzarella, & Meat Sauce
Sesame Tilapia
Slow Cooked Mexican Chicken
Lemon Garlic Tilapia

Books I Read:
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Franny & Zooey by J.D. Salinger

Items I Worked On:
#40. Get together with “the girls” from M.A. at least 3 times per year
#56. Watch 10 documentaries
#85. Read 25 of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

Items I Completed:
#48. Follow the Budget and track all purchases in the spreadsheet
#61. Participate in Operation Christmas Child
#83. Re-read the Harry Potter Series (again!)

Lemon Garlic Tilapia (Recipe #52)

2010-11-30T18:31:00.004-06:00

Our quest for new fish recipes has continued with this delicious little number. It's simple, flavorful, and was a nice change of pace from our usual Panko Crusted Fish with Lemon.

Lemon Garlic Tilapia
(Source: All Recipes)

4 tilapia fillets
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Rinse tilapia fillets under cool water, and pat dry with paper towels.

3. Place fillets in baking dish. Pour lemon juice over fillets, then drizzle butter on top. Sprinkle with garlic, parsley, and pepper.

4. Bake in preheated oven until the fish is white and flakes when pulled apart with a fork, about 30 minutes. (I only baked the fish for 11 minutes, which is what was called for on the package)

Slow Cooked Mexican Chicken (Recipe #51)

2010-11-28T20:28:00.005-06:00

I don't think either of us was particularly floored by this recipe. It was okay, but I honestly don't really envision us making it ever again.

Slow-Cooked Mexican Chicken
(Source: Heather Drive)

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small chunks
1 jar (16 oz.) salsa (We use medium because we like a little spice, but you can use whatever you like.)
1 can corn
1/2 large onion, sliced or chopped
1 red pepper, sliced (I slice them really thin because it's how I like them.)
2 tbsp. taco seasoning
Cheddar cheese, shredded
Green onions, sliced
Brown rice

1. In your crockpot, combine all ingredients through the taco seasoning. Cook for approximately 5-6 hours on low heat (or 2-3 hours on high).

2. Prepare your rice accordingly.

3. Turn off slow cooker and uncover. If the sauce is thin, add flour (a tablespoon at a time) to thicken it up.

4. Serve chicken mixture over rice, and top with the shredded cheese and green onions.

Inception

2010-11-27T22:25:00.001-06:00

Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible—inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming.

This movie is a definite must see! We both absolutely loved it.

Cats of Rome

2010-11-27T11:33:00.001-06:00

Narrated by Keith Burberry, this heartrending documentary chronicles the story of Rome, Italy's enormous population of stray cats -- which number more than 200,000 -- and their endless struggle to survive. Filmmaker Michael W. Hunt spent six months at an Italian cat sanctuary where workers toil tirelessly to care for the city's homeless felines, whose Egyptian ancestors were brought to Italy thousands of years ago.

Sesame Tilapia (Recipe #49)

2010-11-23T10:56:00.004-06:00

After Andrew announced that he is sick of our usual Panko Crusted Fish with Lemon and wanted to try something different, I immediately began scouring the internet for new recipes to try. This one jumped out at me right away - it was different and sounded delicious. It did not disappoint.

Sesame Tilapia
(Source: AllRecipes)

2 (4 ounce) fillets tilapia
1/4 cup sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
kosher salt to taste
fresh ground black pepper to taste

1. Place the tilapia in a bowl, and drizzle with the sesame oil. Season with the garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and pepper. Cover, and marinate at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. (I marinited overnight, and I defintely think that makes a world of difference.)

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Transfer the tilapia and marinade to a baking dish, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

Baked Shells with Pesto, Mozzarella, and Meat Sauce (Recipe #48)

2010-11-21T20:53:00.004-06:00

Here's a true crowd pleaser: pasta shells in a simple sauce of ground beef, tomatoes, and pesto, layered with mozzarella and Parmesan and baked until bubbly. I used mini penne, but fusilli or orecchiette would work well here, too.

Baked Shells with Pesto, Mozzarella, and Meat Sauce
(Source: MyRecipes)

1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 onion, chopped
1 pound ground beef
2 cups canned chopped tomatoes, drained (from one 28-ounce can)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup store-bought or homemade pesto
3/4 pound medium pasta shells
6 ounces mozzarella, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1. Heat the oven to 400°. Oil a large baking dish (about 9 by 13 inches).

2. In a large stainless-steel frying pan, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until the meat is no longer pink, about 2 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.

3. Add the tomatoes and salt to the pan and bring to a simmer. Cook until most of the liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the pesto.

4. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the shells until just done, about 10 minutes. Drain and toss with the sauce. Put half of the pasta into the prepared baking dish and top with half the mozzarella and 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining pasta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Bake until bubbling, about 15 minutes.

Variation: Almost any relatively soft, mild cheese will taste good here. You might try fontina in place of the mozzarella, or even Gouda or Havarti.

Shutterfly's 50 FREE Holiday Card Promotion

2010-11-20T09:59:00.005-06:00

Andrew and I have sent out photo Christmas cards every year since we got married, and I absolutely love the tradition. Here is our card from 2008:

I have always used Shutterfly for our holiday cards, for a number of reasons:
1) They have a ton of designs (over 800!) and layouts to choose from.
2) It is so easy to use - I can get an elegant holiday card in no time at all.
3) It's affordable.

And Shuttefly just made it even more affordable. Shutterfly is currently hosting a holiday card promotion for bloggers! And this is one promotion you will not want to miss! Bloggers can get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly if they blog about their experience with the company and the new holiday card collection! Check out all of the details here!

I'm not sure what picture(s)we will use yet, but here are a couple of my favorite cards:

Oh Deer

They have so many great options, it's going to be impossible to choose!

Sloppy Joes with Corn (Recipe #47)

2010-11-19T20:52:00.004-06:00

Serve a meal that reheats beautifully and is guaranteed to have kids crowding around the dinner table. Corn kernels add a dash of color and texture for a playful spin on this classic.

Sloppy Joes with Corn

(Source: MyRecipes)

1 teaspoon canola oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 (6-ounce) can no salt-added tomato paste
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can no salt-added corn, rinsed and drained
6 (1 1/2-ounce) whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Add meat to pan; cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Stir in tomato paste; cook 2 minutes. Add chili powder, cumin, salt, and broth. Reduce heat, and simmer 12 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in corn; cook for 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

2. Spoon about 1 cup meat mixture on bottom half of each hamburger bun; cover with top half of each bun.

I ♥ Harry Potter.

2010-11-10T20:49:00.006-06:00

Well, I did it.

I reread the Harry Potter series. Again. Which brings my read count up to 3 for books 1-6 and 2 for book 7.

I am now officially ready for the 7th movie, the first part of which comes out next Friday. I am going to the midnight showing with a group of my friends from highschool and am beyond excited. I have a really funny Harry Potter story, but I will save it for my post about going to the movie since it is much more relevant.

Until then, let's all ponder where in the heck they divided the book for the movies, shall we?

October 2010 Update

2010-10-31T08:22:00.004-05:00

Recipes I Tried:
Crunchy Onion Chicken
Potato Parmesan Gnocchi in a Butter-Sage Sauce

Books I Read:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan
Sail by James Patterson

Items I Worked On:
#29. Travel out of state 3 times
#38. Get together with friends at least once a month
#40. Get together with “the girls” from M.A. at least 3 times per year
#42. Send birthday cards to friends/immediate family in 2010
#83. Re-read the Harry Potter Series (again!)

Items I Completed:
#27. Travel to at least 2 countries in Europe
#43. Pay off my Wells Fargo student loan
#53. Learn basic French
#72. Be in someones wedding
#95. Get photos printed and framed for the house

Happy Birthday Usman!

2010-10-30T10:17:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Uncle Stu!

2010-10-26T22:18:00.002-05:00

To celebrate my uncle's 70th birthday, my aunt and uncle, my other aunt and uncle, mom, grandma, Andrew and I went out for dinner at Red Lobster. Having just gotten back from our trip to Europe, we had plenty of stories to tell the family and thoroughly enjoyed out time together.

Potato Parmesan Gnocchi in a Sage-Butter Sauce (Recipe #46)

2010-10-24T15:48:00.001-05:00

After spending 2 weeks in Europe, eating some of the best pasta dishes imaginable, we knew it would be impossible to come home and eat our usual pasta with marinara sauce. Pasta night will forever have to be a little more special, and this recipe fit the bill. It was still quick and easy, but packed full of flavor. I think my kitchen is going to smell like garlic for at least the next couple of days. :)

Potato Parmesan Gnocchi in a Sage-Butter Sauce
(Source: Allrecipes)

1 (12 ounce) package potato gnocchi
1/4 cup butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the gnocchi pasta, and cook until they float to the surface, 2 to 3 minutes; drain.

2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook until the garlic has softened and is beginning to turn golden brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the sage and salt for a few seconds, then add the cooked gnocchi. Toss gently with 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and the pepper. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese to serve.

Crunchy Onion Chicken (Recipe #47)

2010-10-23T20:10:00.004-05:00

This recipe was simple and delicious. The only thing I would change is to fry the chicken for a few minutes before baking it in the oven. From prior experience with Chicken Parmesan, frying it first ensures a crispy coating instead of a slightly soggy one. I served the chicken with Parmesan Pecan Whole Grain Rice.

2 cups (4 oz.) FRENCH'S Original French Fried Onions
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
4 (5 oz.) boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 egg, beaten

1. Place French Fried Onions and flour into plastic bag. Lightly crush with hands or with rolling pin. Transfer to pie plate or waxed paper.

2. Dip chicken into egg; then coat with onion crumbs, pressing firmly to adhere. Place chicken on baking sheet.

3. Bake at 400°F for 20 min. or until no longer pink in center.

Sarah & Brad's Wedding

2010-10-02T10:23:00.001-05:00

September 2010 Update

2010-09-30T16:38:00.003-05:00

Recipes I Tried:
Oven-Fried Chicken Parmesan
Chicken and Basil Dumplings
Lasagna

Books I Read:
Four Blind Mice by James Patterson
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Items I Worked On:
#6. Do something with my mom (dinner, etc) twice a month while my dad is gone
#19. Clean out the file cabinet every spring
#38. Get together with friends at least once a month
#40. Get together with “the girls” from M.A. at least 3 times per year
#53. Learn basic French
#58. Volunteer
#83. Re-read the Harry Potter Series (again!)
#87. Read all books in the “Alex Cross” series by James Patterson

Items I Completed:
#45. Buy chair(s) for the living room

Apples

2010-09-26T19:15:00.003-05:00

We went to the apple orchard this weekend with Andrew's family. I was a little peeved that we didn't actually pick any apples because, if I'm not mistaken, isn't that the whole point of going?But whatever.

Chicken and Basil Dumplings (#44)

2010-09-18T20:51:00.002-05:00

Andrew came home sick yesterday with a cold. He really hates being sick, but probably not as much as I hate him being sick. Ha. I had planned on making this recipe before I found out he was sick but, honestly, what is better than soup when you're sick?

It's healthy, hearty, and you probably have all of the ingredients to make this already. The broth is thick and has a rich chicken flavor. The dumplings were the best part, though. With the garlic, basil, and butter, they weren't at all bland. I'll definitely be making this again come wintertime.

Photo Courtesy of Delicious Meliscious

Chicken and Basil Dumplings
(Source: Heather Drive)

Soup Ingredients:
1 chopped onion
1 cup carrots, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup frozen peas
2 cloves of garlic, minced
8-10 cups of chicken broth
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (you can put them in frozen to start)
1 tsp dried basil
salt and pepper to taste

Soup Directions:
Put all ingredients above into slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 hours.

Dumpling Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups of flour
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp butter, softened
1/2 cup low fat buttermilk
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Dumpling Directions:
Combine the flour with basil, garlic powder, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. But in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Combine buttermilk and egg, stirring with a whisk. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, stirring until just combined.

Remaining Ingredients:
1/4 cup of cornstarch
1/4 cup of chicken broth (you can dip some out of the crockpot to mix)
1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

To Finish Soup:
Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with 2 forks. Add the chicken back into the slow cooker. Combine the cornstarch with the chicken broth and mix thoroughly to make a slurry. Add slurry to the soup.

Dumpling Directions:
Drop dumpling dough, 1-2 tsp. per dumpling, into the chicken soup. Cover and continue to cook on low for another hour and a half to two hours. Add the chopped parsley to the soup and serve.

Oven Fried Chicken Parmesan (#43)

2010-09-11T20:50:00.003-05:00

Okay, truth-be-told, I've made chicken parmesan before. But not this recipe, so it still counts right? I don't think you can ever go wrong with Chicken Parmesan. This recipe was no exception. It was easy and delicious, and really dressed up what could have been just an ordinary spaghetti dinner.

Oven-Fried Chicken Parmesan

(Source: MyRecipes)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
3/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
Cooking spray
1/2 cup jarred tomato-basil pasta sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 450°.

2. Combine first 3 ingredients in a shallow dish; place egg whites in a bowl. Place panko in a shallow dish. Dredge 1 breast half in flour mixture. Dip in egg whites; dredge in panko. Repeat procedure with remaining chicken, flour mixture, egg whites, and panko.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; cook 2 minutes. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Turn chicken over; cook 2 minutes. Coat chicken with cooking spray; place pan in oven. Bake at 450° for 5 minutes. Turn chicken over; top each breast half with 2 tablespoons sauce, 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano, and 3 tablespoons mozzarella. Bake 6 minutes or until chicken is done.

Lunch with my girls

2010-09-02T19:35:00.002-05:00

I managed to get away from work for a while to have lunch at Highland Grill (One of my absolute favorite places too eat. I never realized just how close this place is to my work. That could be dangerous.) with my girls. Liz missed out on seeing Joan last weekend, so we planned a lunch as one last opportunity to see Joan and her new hubby before they went back to Germany for who knows how long.

In addition to the happy couple, Liz, Lindsay, and Tracy were all able to make it, and we had a great time. We usually get pretty silly when we're together - further proof that age and maturity level do not always go hand-in-hand. And, quite honestly, I'm surprised Yitz didn't go running and screaming in the opposite direction. We seem to have that kind of effect on people.

August 2010 Update

2010-08-31T16:30:00.002-05:00

Recipes I Tried:
Chicken and Basil Stir-Fry
Spicy Chicken & Orzo Skillet
Pecan Crusted Tilapia

Books I Read:
Mortal Prey by John Sandford
Violets Are Blue by James Patterson
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb
Back Spin by Harlan Coben

Items I Worked On:
#38. Get together with friends at least once a month
#40. Get together with “the girls” from M.A. at least 3 times per year
#42. Send birthday cards to friends/immediate family in 2010
#86. Read all books in the “Prey” series by John Sandford
#87. Read all books in the “Alex Cross” series by James Patterson

Items I Completed:
#35. Eat a well-balanced breakfast every morning for a week

It's been a sloooooow month in terms of the list.

Wicked

2010-08-29T20:13:00.002-05:00

Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her relationship with Galinda, later Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Their friendship struggles through their opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, their reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace. The plot is set before and during Dorothy's arrival from Kansas, and includes several references to well-known scenes and dialogue in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz as a backstory.

For our date this month, we went and saw Wicked with a couple of Andrew's coworkers. Musicals aren't really Andrew's thing, but we both had a good time. We grabbed a quick dinner afterwards at Palomino Restaurant.

Friend Filled Few Days

2010-08-28T17:17:00.005-05:00

I swear I've seen my friends more in the past 4 days than I have all summer. There were 6 event planned since Wednesday. I managed to hit 4 of them, only missing the yearly trip to Canterbury and S'mores with some high school friends.

Surprise Party
Wednesday there was a surprise graduation party for my friend Maggie. She and her fiance Aaron moved out to Connecticut last August so she could attend PA school at Yale. She was here in Mel's bachelorette party in June and wedding in July.

Birthday Party
Friday there was a birthday party for Mike & Maggie, which also doubled as an opportunity to see Mike & Jessica's new apartment. We ate pizza, drank adult beverages, had cake and ice cream, and somehow ended up watching a bunch of Old Spice response videos on YouTube.

Wedding Reception Open House
My friend Joan got married in Germany last month. Since it was pretty much only immediate family that was there, they decided to have parties in San Francisco and Minnesota. It was really great to see them - I probably haven't seen Joan since she moved to Germany last summer. Well, that's probably not entirely true, as I probably saw her when she was home for Christmas. But still, it's been a while - and now she's a married lady!

Art Show
After the wedding reception open house, Lindsay and I headed across the river to check out Liz's art show. Liz is a very talented artist. We were probably over there for a couple of hours - mostly goofing off because, well, that's what we do best. :)

Happy Birthday Maggie!

2010-08-28T12:12:00.000-05:00

Pecan Crusted Tilapia (Recipe #42)

2010-08-19T19:11:00.000-05:00

We've been trying to eat fish at least once a week and this recipe was a nice change of pace. As always, we served it with cous cous and it was the perfect meal.

Pecan Crusted Tilapia

(Source: MyRecipes)

1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
2 Tbsp finely chopped pecans
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tap garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/2 tsp hot sauce
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
4 (6-ounce) tilapia or snapper fillets
1 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided
4 lemon wedges

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a shallow dish. Combine buttermilk and hot sauce in a medium bowl; place flour in a shallow dish. Dredge 1 fillet in flour. Dip in buttermilk mixture; dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Repeat procedure with remaining fillets, flour, buttermilk mixture, and breadcrumb mixture.

2. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 fillets; cook 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and fillets. Serve with lemon wedges.

Spicy Chicken & Orzo Skillet (Recipe #41)

2010-08-17T21:45:00.000-05:00

I had high hopes for this dish (sounded and looked good), and it completely fell flat. We both agreed this dish was a tad on the bland side.

Spicy Chicken & Orzo Skillet

(Source: Betty Crocker)

1 Tbsp olive or vegetable oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin bite-size strips
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 cup ready-to-eat baby-cut carrots, quartered lengthwise
1 small onion, cut into thin wedges
3/4 cup uncooked rosamarina or orzo pasta (5 1/2 oz)
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup water
1 can (15 oz) chick peas or garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (14 oz) chicken broth
2 cups fresh spinach leaves, cut into thin strips

1. In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken and garlic; cook and stir 3 minutes. Add carrots and onion; cover and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring once.

2. Stir in all remaining ingredients except spinach. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is absorbed and orzo is tender.
3. Stir in spinach; cover and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer or until spinach is wilted.

One Year Update

2010-08-15T13:21:00.002-05:00

In 365 days...

I have read 57 books.

I have tried 42 recipes.

I have started 34 tasks.

I have completed 22 tasks.

636 days and 79 tasks to go!

Happy Birthday Andrew!

2010-08-10T07:29:00.001-05:00

...all i can think

about is you.

happy birthday

love you

A Week of Well-Balanced Breakfasts

2010-08-08T09:18:00.008-05:00

You've heard it many times before. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Without the fuel it provides, your brain and metabolism can’t get going and you’ll feel sluggish all day. I would have to say I couldn't agree more.

My typical breakfast consists of a huge bowl of cereal and milk, occasionally switching it up with peanut butter toast or waffles. A good breakfast should tide you over until lunch, and I will admit that I usually found myself hungry around 10:30. So, for this little "experiment", I made several adjustments to my morning meal, in an attempt to keep me from feeling hungry a mere 2 hours after eating breakfast:

1) Pretty much cut out cereal completely, with the exception of a couple days where I nibbled on some high-fiber Quaker cereal.
2) Made sure the meal had a considerable amount of protein and fiber, both of which keep you feeling fuller for longer
3) Had a very generous serving (or two) of fruit.

The following is a breakdown of what I ate, as well as a breakdown of when I started feeling hungry in comparison to when I ate breakfast.

Sunday:
Honey Wheat English Muffin with Peanut Butter
Strawberries
Large glass of 2% milk

Time I ate: 8:30am
Time I started feeling hungry again: not until after 2pm (but I did try some of my husband's homemade chicken tenders around 11)

Monday:
Yoplait Strawberry Mango Pineapple Smoothie with extra Strawberries & 1/2 scoop of Whey Protein
1 cup dry Quaker Oatmeal Squares (Cinnamon flavor)

Time I ate: 7:00am
Time I started feeling hungry again: 12:15pm

Tuesday:
Slice of banana bread
Small glass of milk
Blackberries
Apple with 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

Time I ate: 8am
Time I started feeling hungry again: 12:30pm

Wednesday:
Honey Wheat English Muffin with Peanut Butter
Strawberries
Blackberries
Banana
Large glass of 2% milk

Time I ate: 7am
Time I started feeling hungry again: 12:30pm

Thursday:
Yoplait Strawberry Mango Pineapple Smoothie with extra Strawberries & 1/2 scoop of Whey Protein
2 Breakfast "Blobs"

Time I ate: 7am
Time I started feeling hungry again: 12pm

Friday:
1 cup Quaker Oatmeal Squares (Cinnamon flavor) with 2% milk
Apple with 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

Time I ate: 7am
Time I started feeling hungry again: 12pm

Saturday:
1 Breakfast Burrito (Jimmy Dean Reduced Fat Sausage, 1 scrambled egg, and 1/4 cup cheddar cheese on a Small Whole Wheat Carb Balance Tortilla)
Strawberries
Blackberries

Time I ate: 10am
Time I started feeling hungry again: 3pm

So, as you can see, this week saw me needing a mid morning snack, well, never. If you eat a well-balanced breakfast, you can easily go 5 hours without feeling hungry and needing a snack. And you know what's even better? It doesn't take a lot of time or energy to do it - there are a lot of quick and easy options even the busiest of people can utilize.

Needless to say, I will be giving my normal breakfast routine a complete overhaul.

Chicken and Basil Stir-Fry (Recipe #39)

2010-08-01T20:24:00.001-05:00

I don't like trying out new recipes on people other than my husband and myself because, well, you have no way of knowing if it will be any good. We invited my in-laws over for dinner at the last minute, and this recipe was on the menu so, needless to say, I was a little nervous. However, we were all pleasantly surprised by this meal - it was both light and flavorful.

Chicken and Basil Stir-Fry
(Source: MyRecipes)

1 pound boned, skinned chicken breast halves
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
1/4 tsp hot chili flakes
2/3 cup fat-skimmed chicken broth
1 Tbsp Asian fish sauce (nuoc mam or nam pla) or soy sauce
2 tsp cornstarch
3 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves (see notes), rinsed
Salt

1. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Cut crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick strips 2 to 3 inches long.

2. Place a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan over high heat; when hot, add oil, garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and the chicken. Stir often until chicken is no longer pink in the center (cut to test), 3 to 4 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, mix broth, fish sauce, and cornstarch until smooth. Add to pan and stir until sauce is boiling, about 1 minute. Add basil leaves and stir just until barely wilted, about 30 seconds. Add salt to taste and pour into a serving bowl.

Notes: Thai basil adds an anise nuance, and cinnamon basil contributes notes of spice to this quick stir-fry; however, other basil varieties work well too. Serve with hot cooked rice. Asian fish sauce is available in most supermarkets and in Asian grocery stores.

July 2010 Update

2010-07-31T21:24:00.001-05:00

Recipes I Tried:
Fontina Mac & Cheese
Classic Italian Panini with Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella

Books I Read:
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
Home Another Way by Christa Parrish
Alice's Adventure's In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Items I Worked On:
#28. Travel to at least 4 different cities for weekend getaways
#29. Travel out of state 3 times
#39. Get together with “the girls” from Olaf at least 2 times per year
#42. Send birthday cards to friends/immediate family in 2010
#67. Play all (22) Nancy Drew PC games
#80. Learn to drive a car with a manual transmission
#85. Read 25 of the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

Items I Completed:
None. :(

Happy Birthday Bryan!

2010-07-28T09:05:00.000-05:00

Look, I got you a card with a pair of "Boo bees" on it!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 85th Birthday Grandma!

2010-07-27T20:23:00.002-05:00

...not just

on your birthday

but all year long, too.

Her birthday was technically on Saturday but since everyone was out of town, we had to wait to celebrate until tonight. We all (grandma, mom, dad, aunts and uncles) went out to dinner at PF Chang's and it was delicious. Below is a photo of the family from her 84th birthday party last year (Andrew's family is on the left and mine is on the right).

Classic Italian Panini with Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella (Recipe #38)

2010-07-26T21:27:00.001-05:00

Nothing like waiting until the last minute for my two recipes this month, huh? This quick & easy recipe was very good and we defintely are interested in trying more sandwich combinations.

Classic Italian Panini with Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella

(Source: MyRecipes)

1 (12-ounce) loaf French bread, cut in half horizontally (I used a garlic artisan bread)
1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded fresh mozzarella cheese, divided
2 ounces very thin slices prosciutto
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
Cooking spray

1. Hollow out top and bottom halves of bread, leaving a 1/2-inch-thick shell; reserve torn bread for another use. Spread 2 tablespoons mayonnaise over cut side of each bread half. Sprinkle basil and 1/2 cup cheese on bottom half of loaf. Top evenly with prosciutto, tomato slices, and remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Cover with top half of loaf. Cut filled loaf crosswise into 4 equal pieces.

2. Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add sandwiches to pan. Place a cast-iron or other heavy skillet on top of sandwiches; press gently to flatten sandwiches. Cook 3 minutes on each side or until bread is toasted (leave cast-iron skillet on sandwiches while they cook).

Fontina Mac & Cheese (Recipe #37)

2010-07-26T18:27:00.000-05:00

As mac and cheeses go, this one is low maintenance, mainly because you don't have to make a white sauce on your stove top. Instead, the cooked pasta is added to a mixing bowl with warm cream, butter and the cheese which immediately begin to transform into a luscious sauce coating the pasta. A combination of panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese top the pasta mixture and twenty minutes later, I pulled the most beautiful dish of macaroni and cheese from the oven. The crust was perfect - crispy and browned - and just as importantly, plentiful. I hate when I make mac and cheese but the topping is so skimpy that there's not even enough for each dish to have some of the crispy goodness. The sauce was creamy with a hint of nutty flavor from the Fontina. A big hit with both of us, and definitely the perfect end to our hectic weekend!

Photo courtesy of Ezra Poundcake

Fontina Mac and Cheese
(Source: The Complete Italian Vegetarian Cookbook by Jack Bishop)

1 pound medium pasta shells
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 cup heavy cream
8 oz Fontina cheese, shredded
salt
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta according to the package directions until it just about al dente.

2. Meanwhile, add 4 tablespoons of the butter (cut into 4 pieces) to a large bowl. Warm the cream in a small saucepan (or in your microwave) and cover to keep warm.

3. Once it is cooked, drain the pasta then add it to the bowl with the butter. Stir to melt the butter and coat the pasta. Add the cream and the cheese and mix until the cheese starts to melt. Add the nutmeg and finally, the salt to taste.

4. Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish (I used a 2 1/2 qt dish) that's been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in a small bowl in your microwave then add the panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese to the bowl. Stir to coat with the melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture over the pasta.

5. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the topping turns golden brown.

The Final Scene

2010-07-26T16:31:00.003-05:00

Plot
Nancy Drew and her friend Maya Nguyen are visiting the historic Royal Palladium Theatre for the exciting premiere of Brady Armstrong's new film, Vanishing Destiny. Thetheatre is to be demolished in three days, so when Maya is kidnapped inside it, Nancy must fight against the clock to rescue her friend and expose a desperate kidnapper.

The plot of FIN is scary, original and beautifully played-out. There are many twists and turns, and the fact that Nancy has just 3 days to find Maya adds to the suspense and tension. I would have liked it if there had been a little more focus on the kidnapping itself rather than the theatre, but nevertheless a decent plot.

Characters
Frankly, the suspects in FIN are dull and lukewarm. I never felt that there was much interaction or empathy going on, and never felt I could make an informed guess as to who the culprit was, which was irritating.

Setting/Graphics
Considering that the game is the fifth in the series, the graphics are pretty nice and even better than some of the later games! Most of the characters’ mouths move along with the dialogue, although they sometimes stop talking with their faces in a goofy facial expression if you click a response before they finish.The theater is realistic enough, but it’s not very detailed.

Difficulty/Length
The game wasn’t overly difficult or long. There were a good amount of puzzles in the game, but none that were head-scratchingly hard. For the most part, they fit in with the plot and the game well.

“Scare Factor”
This wasn't a spine chilling game, but it certainly had it creepy level. Being in an old theatre, it was creepy and a few things that can make you excited. Good balance.

Final Verdict
My biggest problem with the game was being stuck in one location for the duration of the game. For me, half the fun is exploring different places. Otherwise, the tension-filled plot and “final scene” made for a game full of suspense and mystery

Dan & Christine's Wedding

2010-07-25T16:33:00.005-05:00

We were out of town this weekend in beautiful middle-of-nowhere Wisconsin for Dan & Christine's wedding. It was a lot of driving for one night, but the wedding was beautiful and it was a lot of fun.

It'll still be you next to me

It'll still be me keeping you company

late at night, in the morning too

all my life it'll still be you

Toy Story 3

2010-07-20T19:51:00.002-05:00

The toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren't abandoned and to return home.

Yes, we went and saw this for our date night and yes, it was very good.

Mel & Adam's Wedding

2010-07-18T16:33:00.001-05:00

Where do I even begin?

My college roommate and Andrew's college roommate got married yesterday.

They are the ones that indroduced my husband and I.

They have pretty much been together as long as we have (though they denied their relationship for months).

I love them both to death and could not be happier for them.

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from their wedding:

Pre-wedding Margarita :)

Best. Picture. Ever.

They are moving to Italy in a few weeks to teach at an International School. They are very excited, and so are we because we will get the opportunity to meet up with them while we are there this fall.

Night on the Town

2010-07-11T13:26:00.003-05:00

We went out last night for Christine's Bachelorette party. After some yummy appetizers and drinks, we headed out to a couple of bars. You know you're getting old when you're heading home at 12:30, but that doesn't mean fun wasn't had by all. I didn't take any pictures of the evening, but I thought I would share some of my favorite pictures of the bride-to-be.

The India/Global gang

Christine's 22nd birthday

Senior Week at the Beach

Halloween 2006

My Wedding - July 2007

Last month at Mel's Bachelorette Party

Happy Birthday Tracy!

2010-07-11T08:25:00.003-05:00

We bitches live forever.

Happy Birthday!

Amazing Race, here I come!

2010-07-08T13:52:00.004-05:00

I took the plunge this weekend. Andrew started teaching me how to drive his manual transmission car. Andrew has an old red Honda Civic del Sol. Within the next year, we plan on getting him a new car and it will be a manual transmission. We decided it would be best to learn on the old car and there was no better time than the present.

It was a little nerve wrecking at first, but I caught on pretty quickly. We started by going back and forth on a street until I got used to shifting, then we spent almost 2 hours cruising around the neighborhood. I've even driven on the freeway now. I still kill the car and am a little jerky when shifting gears, but I'm getting better. Andrew is enjoying making me drive everywhere in his car.

June 2010 Update

2010-06-30T20:41:00.001-05:00

Recipes I Tried:
Southwestern Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese
Mexican Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas

Books I Read:
Easy Prey by John Sanford
Strangers by Dean Koontz
Fade Away by Harlan Coben
Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

Items I Worked On:
#28. Travel to at least 4 different cities for weekend getaways
#38. Get together with friends at least once a month
#39. Get together with “the girls” from Olaf at least 2 times per year
#40. Get together with “the girls” from M.A. at least 3 times per year
#42. Send birthday cards to friends/immediate family in 2010
#56. Watch 10 documentaries
#67. Play all (22) Nancy Drew PC games.
#86. Read all books in the “Prey” series by John Sandford

Items I Completed:
#94. Get photos printed and framed for work

I didn't knock many items off my list this month, but I worked my butt off on several of them. Only 681 days left...

Silver Butter Knife Steak

2010-06-23T20:30:00.001-05:00

We went to Murray's last night. I got a huge promotion at work last week and we decided a celebration was in order. I'm not a big meat person, but I go weak at the knees at the mere thought of their famous Silver Butter Knife Steak (28 oz. strip sirloin carved tableside? Yes please!). One of my other favorite things is the snacks they give you to munch on: mini garlic toasts and pretzels. I snapped a quick photo of one of the pretzels because I found it highly entertaining:

I guess someone needs to fine tune their pretzel making skills...

Born into Brothels

2010-06-13T20:55:00.003-05:00

Born into Brothels is an inspiring look at the transformative journey of a group of extraordinary children in Calcutta’s red light district. Voted Best Documentary by the National Board of Review and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. Born into Brothels, which was produced and directed by New York based filmmakers Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman, also garnered over 20 major film festival awards including the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival and the Best Documentary Award at the Seattle International Film Festival.

A tribute to the resiliency of childhood and the restorative power of art, Born into Brothels is a portrait of several unforgettable children who live in the red light district of Calcutta where their mothers work as prostitutes. Zana Briski, a New York based photographer, gives each of these youngsters a camera and teaches them how to take pictures, simultaneously causing them to look at their world with new eyes. Together with Ross Kauffman, Briski captures the magical way in which beauty can be found in the most unlikely of places and how a bright and promising future becomes a possibility for children who previously had no future at all.

Touching and heartfelt, yet devoid of sentimentality, Born into Brothels defies the tear-stained tourist snapshot of the global underbelly. Briski spent years with these children and became a part of their lives. Their photographs are prisms into their souls, rather than anthropological curiosities, and a true testimony to the power of the indelible creative spirit.

Southwestern Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese (Recipe #35)

2010-06-13T18:56:00.004-05:00

In case you couldn't tell, I love Mac & Cheese. Not quite as good as one of the other Mac & Cheese recipes I tried, but a solid recipe with an interesting kick.

Photo Courtesy of Cake, Batter, & Bowl

Southwestern Pepper Jack Mac & Cheese
(Source: Cake, Batter, & Bowl)

2 poblano chiles (I omitted)
1 pound whole wheat macaroni
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 package chicken sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 red onion, chopped (I omitted)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped (I omitted)
2 cups cooked corn

Heat broiler. Place poblano chiles on a cookie sheet and char chiles under the broiler for 10 minutes, turning several times with tongs, until blackened on all sides. Enclose in a paper bag and steam 10 minutes; seed, peel, and chop chiles.

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Briefly, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender and drain.

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pan. Add chicken sausage and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until browned; remove from skillet and keep warm. Add onion and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender; add garlic and sauté one additional minute.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth and cook one minute or until mixture starts to brown. Whisk in milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and mix in pepper jack cheese, cheddar cheese, and salt. Heat 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.

Mix pasta, cheese sauce, roasted poblano peppers, browned chicken sausage, onion mixture, roasted red peppers, and corn until well combined. Makes 8 servings.

The White Wolf of Icicle Creek

2010-06-11T20:54:00.002-05:00

Plot
The Icicle Creek Lodge has recently experienced a string of unexplainable accidents. Food Poisoning, A broken ankle, slashed tires, a shattered window, and even an explosion. As if that wasn't creepy enough, a lone wolf is heard howling after each incident. Who could be behind this? Or could the wolf be some type of omen, with the worst still to come? You, as Nancy Drew, can go undercover and find out!

Yes, we’ve seen similar plots before. This case works because the plot continues to develop as the game moves forward; more accidents occur, certain characters become more suspicious, and other characters become unlikely suspects. It’s pretty complex, too, because there are kind of two different plots going on – the wolf and the accidents.

Characters
The character development in this game is fantastic, considering that there are five suspects! The suspects are particularly well-executed, in my opinion, possessing distinctive and colorful personalities as well as possible motives for what is taking place. There are layers of depth to each one, and their storylines intertwine and overlap surprisingly well.

The voice actors have done a masterful job conveying the different personalities, characteristics and styles of speech of each, and they are fun and enjoyable to interact with.

Setting/Graphics
The graphics are very nice. Once again, though, the characters seem to come from a different world; they’re more cartoony than their surroundings. The character movements are great. I love that Lou and Bill play Fox and Geese together- it is interesting to see two suspects constantly interacting with each other, even in conversation. I’m particularly impressed with the movements and facial expressions of the culprit near the end.

And if you thought the indoor graphics were amazing, the outdoors will take your breath away with a variety of places to go, each more detailed then the next. The stillness of the snowy surroundings adds an element of suspense to the game.

Difficulty/Length
The puzzle-solving in "ICE" is intelligently thought out and well-designed, fitting in quite nicely with the history, environment and theme of the lodge. And their solutions further the plot of the story along at a consistent pace. They are quite challenging, and require you to make detailed observations of the lodge and its surrounding area in order to solve them. To my delight (and that of, I'm sure, many of its fans), it really seems that HI has taken to heart a lot of its fans' feedback and concerns that have been expressed here on the website, in that they have increased the level of difficulty dramatically over that found in the last few entries in the series. In fact, the challenge here seems to be on par with and equal to what you find in "The Curse of Blackmoor Manor," which I personally could not be more excited and thrilled about. I feel that it is ultimately because of this that you, as the player, gain a rather meaningful and satisfying sense of accomplishment upon completing the quest and carrying the mystery through to its exciting conclusion.

"Scare Factor"
The wolf may scare you, but that’s pretty much the only scary element in the game. There’s an optional threat that Nancy may receive that gave me chills.

History
There really isn't a lot of historical emphasis in this game. The history of the lodge is still mysterious and fits in well with the story and the mystery. You do vaguely come across some real historical figures, but none of them play a huge part in the game.

Final Verdict
I’m very fond of this game. I thought it was an interesting mystery to solve and the background behind the white wolf. The confrontation is definitely going to keep you on your toes! You may mess up a few times but be patient and you'll get it eventually.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2010-06-10T08:21:00.003-05:00

yes you are.

good luck with that.

happy birthday.

Melanie Weekend of Madness

2010-06-06T14:48:00.010-05:00

I spent the weekend at a cabin near Sibley State Park with a bunch of girlfriends for a bachelorette party for Melanie, one of my roommates in college. We had a great time, even though the weather didn't really cooperate. We had plenty to eat and drink, we watched a couple movies, and we caught up with each other's very busy lives. Instead of boring you with all the details of the weekend, I will instead highlight the weekend with photos:

The blushing bride herself, enjoying drinking a margarita with a penis straw.

Mel is rather short so, as you can see, it was no problem keeping her from seeing her special treat.

Surprise! It's a penis cake.

Mel, always a good sport, dives right in.

I must be a little tipsy because I don't usually smile like a crazed lunatic...

At least I look a little more normal in this one...

Everyone bought a pair of underwear for Mel and she had to guess who bought which pair.

Playing a drinking game.

Playing another drinking game, which appears to be a lot funnier than the last one.

"Kiss the Man" game

All the lovely ladies.

All-in-all, it was a great weekend. It was really nice to get away and spend some quality time with the girls.

Happy Birthday Beth!

2010-06-05T08:20:00.004-05:00

...because you deserve the best kind of birthday.

Wishing You Happiness

Happy Birthday Liz!

2010-06-02T08:19:00.000-05:00

If one of us suffers memory loss,

I'll be sure to remind you

we're best friends

and it's your birthday.

May 2010 Update

2010-05-31T21:12:00.002-05:00

Recipes I Tried:
Last-Minute Lasagna
Grilled Chicken with Mint and Pine Nut Gremolata

Books I Read:
Sophie's Choice by William Styron
Roses Are Red by James Patterson

Items I Worked On:
#6. Do something with my mom (dinner, etc) twice a month while my dad is gone
#28. Travel to at least 4 different cities for weekend getaways
#38. Get together with friends at least once a month
#42. Send birthday cards to friends/immediate family in 2010
#67. Play all (22) Nancy Drew PC games (Currently playing White Wolf of Icicle Creek)
#87. Read all books in the “Alex Cross” series by James Patterson

Items I Completed:
#8. Bike the Grand Rounds
#17. Finish the yard
#98. Get a bike helmet

Ode to Tylenol PM

2010-05-31T10:21:00.006-05:00

Millions of Americans struggle with addiction.
Most need help to stop.
This is Laura and Andrew's story.

Those are the words that flash across the screen at the beginning of every episode of A&E's Intervention. For the past five years, I've been living with my own horrible addiction.

I don't really even know how it got started but, after I met Andrew, I started popping Tylenol PM every night before bed. He did it, so I did it. And then it became routine; an hour before bed, we'd make the mad dash to the medicine cabinet to get our sleeping pills. It became something we needed, something we depended on, to fall asleep at night. We wanted to stop, but we had ourselves so convinced we were unable to sleep without it that quitting seemed impossible

And then, back in November, we decided it was time. And we haven't looked back since.

The first couple weeks were really hard. We spent many nights tossing and turning. We started sleeping in separate beds so we wouldn't hinder the others (in)ability to fall asleep. But eventually sleep came, and with it the encouragement that things would get better. So we kept trying.

And now, six months later, it's hard to believe there was ever a time when we need to take drugs to fall asleep. Sure, we still have nights here and there where we have a hard time falling asleep, but we've discovered that it won't be the end of the world if we miss an hour or two of sleep. I can fall asleep within about 15 minutes of going to bed and I wake up more refreshed than I did while sleeping under the influence.

A month or two ago, when I was cleaning out the linen closet, I came across the bottle of Tylenol PM. I held the bottle in my hand for a moment, remembering. And then I threw it in the trash. We don't have any need for it in our house anymore.

Grilled Chicken with Mint and Pine Nut Gremolata (Recipe #34)

2010-05-26T08:18:00.004-05:00

Cover your basic grilled chicken with the zesty herb topping for an anything-but-average meal. It also works well over steak or fish.

The gremolata had wonderful flavor and really complemented the chicken. I served it with a Lipton Pasta side.

Grilled Chicken with Mint and Pine Nut Gremolata
(Source: MyRecipes)

Gremolata:
1 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Chicken:
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. To prepare gremolata, place mint, pine nuts, rind, and garlic in a mini chopper; process just until combined. Add 4 teaspoons olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt; process to combine. Set aside.

2. To prepare chicken, heat a large grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush 2 teaspoons olive oil evenly over chicken; sprinkle chicken evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan; cook 5 minutes on each side or until done. Remove chicken from pan; let stand 5 minutes. Serve gremolata with chicken.

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

2010-05-22T11:32:00.002-05:00

After outfitting ourselves with helmets, biking gloves, and shirts, we were set to accomplish #8 on the list: Bike the Grand Rounds.

The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway is a linked series of park areas in Minneapolis, Minnesota that takes a roughly circular path through the city. The corridors include roads for automobile traffic plus paths for pedestrians and bicycles, and extend slightly into neighboring cities. About 50 miles (80 km) of roadway is in the system, and much of it was built in the 1930s as part of Civilian Conservation Corps projects. There are seven districts along the byway and we biked five of them:

Minnehaha
Mississippi River
Downtown River Front
Theodore Wirth
Chain of Lakes

The ride was approximately 30 miles and took us just under 2 1/2 hours. We would have completed it in 2 hours if we didn't get stopped at every light going through downtown and then gotten confused about where to go after we left downtown. We made it home about 30 minutes before the thunderstorms rolled through.

We even brought the little camera along and managed to snap a few pictures along the way:

First stop: Minnehaha Falls

Minnehaha Falls

Me at the Falls

Andrew at the Falls

Trying to get a shot of the Ordway behind us.

Praying those sprinklers don't turn on closer to me.

All-in-all, it was a really great experience and I can't wait to do it again in the very near future.

Protecting our Noggins

2010-05-21T21:37:00.000-05:00

When I had mentioned helmets to Andrew before, he kind of scoffed at the idea. It didn't suprise me, coming from the guy who doesn't where his seat belt in the car (don't even get me started on that).

So, when he suggested getting helmets before our big ride tomorrow, I was a little flabbergasted. Excited, but flabergasted. When I asked him what changed his mind, he said he realized it would probably be a good idea when we go on longer rides or when we're biking on lots of busy city streets.

So, after spending almost an hour at the bike store, we walked out with brand new helmets. I really wanted this blue/silver/white helmet, but it wasn't in my size. I ended up with the one pictured below. It's cute, but totally not me.

My Backyard Oasis

2010-05-15T16:53:00.006-05:00

Okay, that's a little over the top but our yard is really starting to look nice. Here's a little run through of the yard and what we've done this spring:

Andrew rebuilt this planter last summer and planted these Hyrangea bushes. This year we dug up all the old woodchips and laid fresh ones. The bushes are finally starting to look good. We were a little worried about how they would do after having 6 feet of snow piled up on them all winter, but they seem to be bouncing back. We should have flowers on them in no time.

After our success last year, we decided to plant more vegetables this year. We planted green beans and green onions again this year, as well as serano & jalepeno peppers, spinach & arugula, and basil & cilantro (in the window boxes).

The spinach and arugula are doing great this year. Last year the bunnies ate our spinach before it even started really growing, but this year we broke down and put up the ugly fence. So far, so good.

The beans are sprouting like crazy. Last year we had beans coming out of our ears all summer long, so we planted fewer plants this year.

The green onions are sprouting (they look like grass right now) and should do just fine.

Looks like third time might be the charm with the peppers. After unsuccessfully starting them in the house early this spring., I replanted seeds when they could safetly be outside. Well, we got a cold snap the weekend we were heading out of town, so I brought them in the house before we left. When we came home, well...I'll let the picture speak for itself:

Thanks, Lucky! That was really fun to come home to!

So, I planted them a third time and we have some sprouts. I need to remember to water them more frequently or they will wilt and die.

The basil and cilantro are officially dead. They get too much sun and not enough water and I haven't been able to get thtem past teeny tiny sprouts.

We purchased a topsy-turvey this year and, as you can see, our tomato plant is going nuts! We already have three tomatos growing with the promise of many more!

(Hastas)

This area used to be rocks, with lots of weeds! Andrew dug up all the rocks, planted these nice hastas, and finished with woodchips.

The ground around the lilac bushes used to be just dirt ,weeds, and grass. After laying woodchips and planting lilies, it looks infinately nicer.

Quite possibly my favorite part of the yard. These were planted prior to our purchasing the house (lucky me!), so other than adding woodchips and buying a few more plant wire supports (those plants get droopy when they flower!) we haven't had to do much.

And that's our backyard.

Last-Minute Lasagna (Recipe #33)

2010-05-10T14:44:00.001-05:00

I made this meal last night for dinner and Andrew and I both agreed it was really good. The best part is that the layered ravioli have all the cheesy deliciousness of real lasagna, minus the lengthy prep work. I'll admit I didn't use any exact measurements while making this dish. I also used normal sized ravioli layered in a 8x8 baking dish (32 raviolis total). Oh, and the leftovers today were just as good. :)

Last-Minute Lasagna

(Source: Real Simple)

1 26-ounce jar pasta sauce

2 30-ounce bags frozen large cheese ravioli, unthawed

1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed of excess water

1 8-ounce bag shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Coat a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray and spoon in a third of the sauce.

2. Arrange 12 ravioli on top and scatter the spinach over them. Top with half of each cheese. Cover with another layer of ravioli and the remaining sauce and cheese.

3. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 to 10 minutes more or until bubbly.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T16:48:00.001-05:00

Since we had a pretty busy weekend, Andrew and I decided it would be easiest to just visit our respective mothers today instead of trying to make a big production out of things. I spent the afternoon watching the Twins Game, eating DQ, and just enjoying the company of my mom. As soon as the weather gets nicer (it seems to have taken a cold and rainy turn), my mom and I will head out to the Arboretum to walk around and view the pretty flowers.

Wine Night, Take 2

2010-05-09T11:17:00.004-05:00

Since we hosted last time, it was Mel and Adam's turn. I enjoyed hosting last time, even though it was a lot of work, mostly because I got to get quite tipsy since we didn't have to drive home. I was quite a bit more reserved this time around since I am always the DD (what can I say, I'm a nice wife).

The night started off with bread, cheese, and grapes. We had a wonderful dinner (stuffed chicken breasts, risotto, and green beans) with equally wonderful conversation. The evening ended on a musical note by listening to the boys butcher songs us girls didn't know.

Mystic Lake Casino

2010-05-08T17:15:00.008-05:00

I heart Joel McHale.

He is a comedian and the star/writer/producer of E!’s The Soup, which satirizes pop culture and current events, and also stars in the hit comedy Community on NBC.

We saw his show last year (story about that at the end of this post) and had a fantastic time. So, when we heard he was coming back, we made sure we got tickets right away. Since the show was down at Mystic Lake Casino, we decided to make a night of it.

We took off work early on Friday so we could try to beat some of the rush hour traffic. After checking in and getting settled in the room, we went down to the casino for some gambling fun. Andrew prefers to play blackjack while I enjoy playing video poker, so we split up and reconvened a little later for dinner at the buffet.

After dinner, we went back up to the room to relax a little while before the show. I got hooked on Wife Swap, so Andrew went down to the casino again for a bit.

The show was...fantastic. We remembered some of the material from the previous show, but there was definitely new material thrown in there too.

After the show we spent a little more time in the casino, then went back to the room and went to bed. All-in-all, it was a fun little getaway.

Oh, except that we came home to this:

(insert photo here)

Okay, so onto the story from the first show we went to...

We decided to go to the show at the last minute, so we didn’t have great seats and we had to go to the 10 o’clock show (there was also a show at 8). Since the first show started late, we had to wait in the lobbyuntil they got out and I made friends with the security guard.

After the show, Joel was down signing autographs. I bought a shirt and, after fighting off annoying drunk girls, got an autograph and my photo taken with him. I was incomplete heaven that night.

Unfortunately I somehow lost my shirt on the way back to the car and I didn’t realize it until we’d already left the parking ramp. I frantically searched the car and could. not. find. it. Shit. I convinced Andrew to go back and let me look for it. I searched around where the car was parked and inside in the hallway but didn’t see it. I retraced my steps back into the skyway...and found it! I must have dropped it after peering out at the new Twins stadium when I was putting on my mittens. I was so relieved to have found it and I must have clutched it to my chest for the entire car ride home.

Happy Birthday Lindsay!

2010-05-08T10:20:00.000-05:00

"Have a buttload of fun on your birthday!"

Secret of the Scarlet Hand

2010-05-03T15:16:00.005-05:00

Plot
Nancy lands an internship in Washington D.C. as a deputy curator for a small museum. Despite her intentions to get their newly placed exhibit off the ground for its grand opening, things go downhill fast. If the museum's most prized acquisition being stolen isn't bad enough, Nancy must find the thief and help the exhibit reach its opening. To do this, she must explore a centuries' old secret centered around a monolith and delve into the life of Maya culture.

I think this is an excellent plot. I like how there was no mystery before Nancy came, but then she dives into adventure to find out what happened. It kept me interested and it didn't seem like it was too far out.

Characters
The characters were interesting and beliveable. They each had well-defined, yet realistic personalities and traits. They were dynamic and had depth to them. They were real--yet not plain at all.

Setting/Graphics
The graphics in this game have improved; They're still stiff, but more realistic than ever.

The museum and its garden were beautiful! The graphics were so great, the artifacts looked very real! Although the scenery in Beech Hill was excellent, the few other places that you could go were pretty drab. That's okay though, you really don't spend a great deal of time in the other places.

Difficulty/Length
Since you're technically interning, there will be a list of tasks for you to do to keep busy. The difficulty isn't too bad so that won't be a problem. As the case gets more complicated however, you'll have to do a bit more problem solving on your own by reading notes, asking questions, and exploring the museum. The exhibits are the main key to the majority of the puzzles so I would suggest reading everything and anything, then keeping notes on it since it will prove useful as you advance in the game.

"Scare Factor"
It is a bit... spooky. Not scary at all.

History
No game I've ever played (that goes beyond this series) have I gotten more out of than Secret of the Scarlet hand. I could actually give a whole lecture on the Mayan king Pacal right now! It's worth buying for this alone.

Final Verdict
It is one of the more educational of the Nancy Drew series since its theme is heavily influenced by Maya culture. I certainly enjoyed learning a lot of facts I had never known about the Maya before. The confrontation requires quick thinking, which I also liked.

April 2010 Update

2010-04-30T22:23:00.009-05:00

Recipes I Tried:
Caribbean Jerk Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
Creamy Taco Mac
Panko Crusted Fish with Lemon
Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

Books I Read:
It by Stephen King
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos
Where The Heart Is by Billie Letts

(43 books down, only 157 to go!)

Items I Worked On:
#16. Reorganize kitchen cabinets
#17. Finish the yard (put up a fence and expand the vegetable garden)
#23. Clean and organize the garage.
#24. Organize the laundry room.
#32. Go to 10 different breakfast places.
#56. Watch 10 documentaries.
#67. Play all (22) Nancy Drew PC games (Currently playing Secret of the Scarlet Hand).

Items I Completed:
#25. Hang a clothesline in the backyard.

Mediterranean Turkey Burgers (Recipe #32)

2010-04-28T19:31:00.002-05:00

My husband and I both agreed these burgers were amazing! Which is a good thing, considering we still have four burgers left to eat. The pesto and feta added great flavor to boring ground turkey breast, though we both agreed next time we would add more pesto since the flavor didn't exactly stand out.

Mediterranean Turkey Burgers
(Source: My Recipes)

1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon minced red onion
2 tablespoons pesto (see recipe below)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ground turkey breast
1 garlic clove, minced
Cooking spray
2 cups arugula
2 (6-inch) whole-wheat pitas, toasted and halved

1. Combine first 8 ingredients in a bowl; mix until combined. Divide panko mixture into 4 portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick oval patty.

2. Heat a nonstick grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add patties to pan; cook 6 minutes on each side or until done. Place 1 patty and 1/2 cup arugula in each pita half.

Tzatziki sauce: Combine 1/2 cup plain low-fat, Greek-style yogurt; 1/4 cup finely chopped seeded cucumber; 1/4 teaspoon salt; and 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper. Serve with sliced bell pepper and celery sticks.

Fresh Basil Pesto
(Source: Simply Recipes)

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano or Romano cheese
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pine nuts
3 medium sized garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.

2. Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Makes 1 cup.

Panko Crusted Fish with Lemon (Recipe #31)

2010-04-27T20:53:00.001-05:00

Fish, especially saltwater fish, is high in omega 3 fatty acids, which are heart-friendly, and a regular diet of fish is highly recommended by nutritionists. Nutritionists recommend that fish be eaten at least 2-3 times a week.

With the exception of Tuna (which my parents told me was water chicken), I didn't grow up eating fish. But fish is so good for you, and I've come to discover it is actually quite good. We've been experimenting with fish a lot lately and have finally come up with the perfect recipe.

Panko Crusted Fish with Lemon

1 Fish Fillet
1 Egg
Panko Bread Crumbs
Cornmeal
1 Lemon, cut into slices

1. Scramble an egg in a bowl and brush onto the fish with a basting brush.

2. Mix equal amounts of panko bread crumbs and cornmeal together and gently coat the fish with the mixture.

3. Fry in a pan on the stove for a few minutes on each side.

4. Before serving, squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the fish.

Deep Sea: Imax

2010-04-25T09:33:00.001-05:00

Narrated by Academy Award nominees Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet and produced by the makers of the IMAX movie Into the Deep, this stunning film is an exploration of the world beneath the sea and its bizarre and exotic inhabitants. From translucent jellyfish to giant octopuses to scorpion fish, viewers will be introduced to a host of unique creatures, all completely dependent on one another for their survival.

"Deep Sea" starts off strongly with a mysterious shot of ethereal jellyfish swimming in darkness. Then the next shot is of a huge grouper floating almost motionlessly, and Depp brightly tells us that "he's always hungry!" The film continues in that vein, with endless shots that were obviously staged for 3-D but appear oddly static and contrived on a television screen. And the narration, while performed by the two outstanding actors Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, is completely one dimensional. The narration is limited in effect if not outright silly in places, and seems to be aimed at small children.

Final verdict: Very beautifully done, but not enough in-depth information for my tastes. Also, I'm sure it would have been much more stunning on the big screen in 3D instead of on my crappy 15 year old TV.

Stuck

2010-04-21T15:19:00.002-05:00

It appears as if I've turned into a bad blogger, but I assure you I have not. I happen to be stuck in that awkward phase of having lots of things in progress, but not crossing off any new items on my list. I think I may start doing updates on my progress at the end of each month to highlight some of the "in process" items that I am working on.

Original Pancake House

2010-04-18T10:48:00.003-05:00

This is probably my favorite breakfast place in the entire world. Andrew took me here this morning for my birthday which is Tuesday. I don't remember what he had, but I had the granola pancakes and they were fabulous! They also have the best hashbrowns.

Creamy Taco Mac (Recipe #30)

2010-04-14T21:16:00.003-05:00

Reminiscent of hamburger helper but without all the preservatives and ingredients you can’t pronounce. I used ground beef and only used half a packet of seasoning because that's what we had on hand. The result was good, but not as flavorful as I'd hoped, most likely due to my decreased seasoning.

Photo courtesy of Delish

Creamy Taco Mac
(Source: Delish)

1.25 lbs ground turkey (I used 1/2 lb ground beef)
8 oz dry pasta + 1 cup reserved pasta water
1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes (I used 1/3 can)
1 packet mild taco seasoning (I used half a packet)
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
salt & pepper
cheddar cheese (optional)

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta per directions. Reserve one cup of pasta water.

2. Over medium heat, brown ground turkey until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning and diced tomatoes. Allow to simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.

3. Add cooked pasta, reserved water, cream cheese and sour cream. Give it a good stir until cheeses are melty and incorporated. Simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes.

4. Season with salt & pepper, as desired. Top off with cheddar cheese for extra cheesy goodness.

Caribbean Jerk Shredded Chicken Sandwiches (Recipe #29)

2010-04-03T20:26:00.002-05:00

After making up the chicken used in Garlic Chicken Farfalle, I was interested in trying some different marinades. I love how easy (and delicious) it is make chicken in the crockpot. I picked up a bottle of Caribbean Jerk marinade at the store and whipped up these shredded chicken sandwiches. And yes, they were good.

Caribbean Jerk Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
Source: Me!

Chicken Breasts
Bottle of Lawry's Caribbean Jerk Marinade

1. Put thawed chicken breasts in crockpot and add enough marinade to cover the chicken.
2. Cook on low for 5 - 6 hours or on high for 2 - 3 hours.
3. Remove chicken from crock pot and shred.

Target Field

2010-04-02T22:49:00.003-05:00

My husband and I ditched work early today and headed down for the first (exhibition) game at the new Target Field. This was my first visit (Andrew got to see the stadium last weekend) and it is AMAZING! I am looking forward to spending a fair amount of time here this summer. I didn't bring my Nikon to the game since there was a chance of rain, so I only snapped a few pictures.

Andrew gives the stadium two enthusiastic thumbs up.

So do I.

Look how cute we are all decked out in our Twins gear!

Minnie and Paul actually shake hands when a Twins player hits a homerun.

The view from our seats...

The Twins take the field for the very first time!

Taco Calzones (Recipe #28)

2010-03-30T20:10:00.003-05:00

They’re the perfect blend of pizza and tacos. The best part is they can be made ahead of time, frozen, and then eaten anytime. That how we ate them and they were just fine. The outer edge (that gets pressed to seal) maybe got a little on the chewy side, but that could probably be avoided by eating them right away.

Photo courtesy of Land O Lakes.

Taco Calzones
(Source: Land O Lakes)

1/2 lb lean ground beef
2 Tbsp taco seasoning mix
3/4 cup hot water (not boiling)
1 package dry pizza crust mix
5 oz (1 1/4 cups) shredded cheese
4 tsp chopped fresh cilantro
Shredded lettuce
Chopped tomatoes
Sour cream

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Cook ground beef in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned (5 to 7 minutes). Drain off fat. Stir in 1 tablespoon taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Continue cooking until heated through (2 to 4 minutes). Remove from heat; keep warm.

2. Combine crust mix, 1/4 cup cheese and remaining 1 tablespoon taco seasoning in small bowl; stir to mix well. Add remaining 1/2 cup hot water. Stir until well mixed. Cover; let stand 5 minutes.

3. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough on lightly floured surface into a 6-inch circle. Place about 1/3 cup beef mixture onto bottom half of each circle of dough to within 1/4 inch of edge. Top each with 1 teaspoon cilantro and 1/4 cup cheese. Fold other half of dough over filling; press edges to seal.

4. Place calzones onto greased baking sheet. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until crust is light golden brown. Serve topped with lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream.

No More Procrastinating: An Explanation

2010-03-18T08:54:00.000-05:00

97. Get life insurance policies.
For a full explanation, please check out this post.

98. Get a bike helmet.
I haven't worn a helmet since I was little, but I know it is probably a good idea to be safe while we're zipping around the twin cities on our nice road bikes.

99. Finally make that honeymoon scrapbook!
Another one of those things I have dragged my feet on. I have all of the supplies I need, cute papers and little decals and even the actual book everything will go in, I just need to pick out the photos and put it all together.

100. Change my voicemail at work.
See this post for details.

101. Read the book that came with my camera.
Sure, I know how to use my camera, but I don't know how to really use it. I know my camera can do all kinds of different things, but I haven't taken the time to learn what those things are.

Garlic Chicken Farfalle (Recipe #27)

2010-03-17T21:36:00.002-05:00

I think I've found me new favorite pasta recipe. Seriously. Not only was this recipe super simple, it was extremely flavorful. I'm simply stunned at how well all the flavors went together. I think the sauce would work well with any kind of marinade you want to cook the chicken in, so the possibilities of this dish are endless.

Photo courtesy of Kevin&Amanda

I’m posting the recipe exactly like she has it on her webpage, but read afterward for my slight adjustments.

Garlic Chicken Farfalle
(Source: Becky Higgins)

16 oz Farfalle pasta (I used Penne)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3-4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
2 to 3 cloves garlic, crushed OR garlic salt
1 Tbsp pepper*
1/2 cup butter
1 lb bacon, crumpled**
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 (12 oz) Lawry’s mesquite marinade with lime juice

*Seems like a lot of pepper, but it has a wonderful flavor when everything mixes together. If you're apprehensive, do less pepper. You can always add more.

**We like to cook our bacon in the oven (400 degrees, convection). Way less messy. And it's crispy every time. Time varies, so you just have to watch it. I think it's usually around 30 minutes. Allow to cool and then crumple (I totally wear disposable gloves for this part - surprise, surprise).

[ directions ]

Crock pot chicken and bottle of marinade on low for 6 hours. Pull marinated chicken out of the juices, allow to cool a little bit, and shred (I pull it apart). Set this aside. About a half-hour before serving, boil the pasta. In a small saucepan, melt butter, add garlic, whipping cream, pepper, parmesan cheese, and crumpled bacon. Whisk together on low heat for 3-4 minutes. In a large bowl, pour over cooked, drained pasta, add chicken and stir through. Sprinkle a little bit more shredded parmesan cheese on top.

Okay, now for my *minor* adjustments...

I used 1 giant chicken breast, which means I only used half the bottle of marinade. You really only need to use enough to cover the chicken.
16 ounces of pasta makes a lot of pasta! I used half that (8oz), and it was enough for four generous servings for the two of us. Definitely adjust accordingly.
Despite the fact that I cut the pasta amount in half, I left everything else as is and the pasta was definitely not overly saucy.
I only used 1/2 Tbsp of pepper and that was plenty for us. The pepper stood out, but was not overwhelming.
I omitted the bacon. The dish tasted wonderful without, so I image it tastes just as great with the bacon. Personal preference.
I couldn't find shredded Parmesan cheese at the grocery store, so I used an Italian cheese blend and it was wonderful.

Capture the Memories: An Explanation

2010-03-17T16:51:00.002-05:00

91. Finish a 365 challenge.
A 365 challenge is a photography project that involves taking a picture a day for an entire year. I started a 365 project with my iPhone last year, but quit after 99 days due to iPhone camera limitations and lack of inspiration. I am hoping it will be much easier using an actual camera.

92. Make a wedding photo book.
I figured two years after the wedding was as good a time as any to start contemplating doing something with all the photos from our wedding.

93. Participate in 26 Things.
26 Things is another photography project that involves taking a picture of 26 things in a month. The list of things is provided on the website and some items, such as "sometimes" are open to interpretation. I would definitely like to give this a try before I commit to the 365 project, as it will probably provide me with inspiration and creativity, as well as a little practice.

94. Get photos printed and framed for work.
I have two photos at work: an outdated head shot of my husband and a photo from our wedding in a cheap plastic frame. I would like to get a couple nice frames to personalize my desk a little more.

95. Get photos printed and framed for the house.
We've been in our house almost two years and we have yet to hang up any personal photos. Sure, we have plenty of nice artwork and some photos we purchased out in California and our diplomas, but we have absolutely no photos from our wedding, or otherwise, hanging up around the house. Yeah, that has to change.

96. Write a letter to me to be opened after the 1001 days is over.
Just a short and sweet note that I can read after I've completed the project.