"Far Away"- Day 8

Last night I had the pleasure of hearing Dana Fuchs sing- I am in awe. It was a Christmas  gift I had to wait for & it was worth it! Sultry - sexy- funny- timely- relevant - classic- complex, yet simple- go if you get the chance- her lyrics may hit very close to home, sometimes in a dark way, but her voice will take you far away from life for a while. This was at Rams Head in Annapolis.

Time and New Habits

I will catch up here on days three and four together, first up, "time."  Here is where I will mention "him."  Time with him is my serenity; he makes me laugh, he irritates me, he talks with me, but most of all the time spent with him I find myself full of contentment.  He spends hours with me in "the green chair," watching tv/movies, reading, laughing.  I used to think content sounded like settling, like good enough.  I know now that true contentment is something so deep down and that few are probably lucky enough to find, it is the gift of being in the moment in the very place that I am.  Satisfied.  Not needing more.  Planning for the future, but not at the expense of that day.  Having the privilege of falling asleep with him every single night, a precious time of day I look forward to every night. Time is what you make of it, and that can be a powerful tool when you exercise it.  Time is where you can find your serenity (note picture below, you too can budget and plan so you have time to lay here and watch the sun set with your serenity).

It does lead into day four's "new habits" theme.  My daughter working through the application to colleges process is forcing me to establish new habits, of saving, of learning the ins and outs of colleges, of looking ahead at my financial future.  I've been successful the past years at moving money into an account for college, but I recently realized that, "I've been teaching twenty years!" also means "I've been teaching twenty years and can retire in ten, at which point all kids will be out of high school, and we can look at options to move and try something new!" Looking at colleges has opened my mind to new geographical areas.  I've been grounded here, no lie- I live 25 mins. from my sister and parents, 45 from my brother, lived at home in college and haven't ever made a bold move like moving to a new city hundreds of miles away.  But we are talking about it...a new habit that these realizations has brought us to- talking about a future beyond being parents, making lunches, getting to sports games...starting that map that is going to keep us in our serenity, together...and discussing what we habits we have to include to get us there (Note: Online shopping, because I despise stores, is greatly impeding this habit, so another new habit is going to be limit that, maybe every purchase I DON"T make but want the money goes into a savings sub-account for that move!).

Weight Watching What??!!???

Yesterday proved to be a big 'ol challenge because I made those banana muffins so of course I ate one at 5 WW+ pts apiece!  I really am trying to stay in the points range for the day, and I also was making my first Semolina Bread (pictured on right, was more of a cornbread style, not bad, but not what I was going for, but I have 15 more lbs. of Semolina Flour to practice with, thanks to amazon!)...it of course has points too.  I found a recipe for a Tuscan style sauce which was perfect.  In one pot I put a can of diced tomatoes and- get this- a can of Ro-Tel (I only had one can of regular, so I pulled out a bunch of the jalapenos and went with it), and 8 oz of tomato sauce.  Some salt and pepper (1/2 t. each give or take) and some Italian Seasoning (2-3 t.) and let it simmer.  Meanwhile, in another pan, I sautéed half of an onion, some chopped garlic, sliced mushrooms and zucchini.  Once both were finished I mixed them together and was finished- too easy!  Served with spaghetti so that was the only real points, I used minimal olive oil in sautéing.  I added sausage for the meat (I put the sauce right on the bread).  I had to forego red wine with it, the price for eating the muffin, which is unfortunate, because I have several bottles from Nassau Valley Winery sitting here waiting (a must visit if you are in the Rehoboth area- & fabulous for a photo shoot too)!   I posted a few of our pictures I took there below.   There is always the weekend though!

Apple Harvest Cake Heaven!

Went overboard with my apple purchase this week- I'm talking 5 types! I always mix up the apples in recipes, never using just one variety. I gave ~him~ the choice of apple cake or crisp to cook first- cake won. Decided to kick it old school & find a recipe in a cookbook- one of those community types. Oddly the ingredients don't specify apples, but it says to add them. I went with 3 medium sized apples of different varieties (Braeburn, Golden Delicious & Granny Smith), chopped tiny. Needless to say the result was Apple Harvest Cake heaven & I see the need for a crisp in the near future!

Leftovers= Steak and Brie Cheese Ciabatta Sandwiches!

 

OMG!!!  So it is date night, and I wanted something yummy but fast, admittedly enjoying a lazy Saturday afternoon of tv, yoga pants, and him!  I decided to pull out some steak from my "meat basket"- that would be the basket of random frozen cooked meat I keep in my freezer.  It is full of those pieces that are always leftover- a chicken breast here and there, half of a steak, etc.  I knew I had a steak surplus and wanted to use some it...I also freeze the extra grilled onions with the steak.  Let me tell you- key here is the steak was phenomenal the first time, and it was cooked around medium well so that re-used it didn't dry out.  Tostadas and quesadillas are a breeze with my basket.  This time I went with open faced ciabatta steak and cheeses...I get the Costco pack of ciabatta rolls, they freeze so well! I toasted them for a few minutes (literally threw them on the bottom rack of the oven while cupcakes were cooking).  I generously spread each with dijon mustard, which we both agreed made the difference.  Next, brie!  YUM!  Several slices semi spread on each piece, then some of the grilled onions, followed by steak slices and chopped tomatoes.  I cooked them at 350 for 15-20 minutes, then topped with chopped lettuce (literally the last of the lettuce I needed to use up).  I have to say I am not one to brag but these were the bomb!!!!  On the side some simple sliced apples and grapes; definitely a fresh, simple and awesome meal (with the Bota box wine on the side!)!  Leftovers do not have to be boring!

 

 

Date Night and Ravioli Rapture!

Ok, first, I have to admit, this is not an actual photo of what I made...but there wasn't a bite left of what I made and this was the closest thing I could find, and I just wasn't thinking before we ate- I live in perpetual rapture over what ravioli I am going to eat next (photo credit and another recipe that looks good here: http://easyvegetariancuisine.blogspot.com/2011/05/asparagus-gruyere-ravioli.html)!  Now, on to the story...I had about 16 of these asparagus gruyere raviolis left, didn't look like quite enough for a meal (~He~ can eat!) so there they had been sitting in the freezer.  We were having the Philips Crabcakes from Costco for dinner (yes, even I take the easy route on date night once in a while, but these are actually pretty good) and I wanted to make a side dish, and thus the idea for a ravioli pasta salad.  I searched and found a few recipes, read through them, then went off to invent mine.  IT WAS INCREDIBLE.  I pretty much went with whatever I had on hand that you would find in an antipasto or pasta salad.  To recreate this moment of rapture you need: Some cooked and cooled ravioli, about 1-1,5 cups; about 1/4 c. chopped Vidalia onion; I chopped two purple bell peppers I had gotten at the farmer's market- size wise about the equivalent to 2/3 of a large green one; about 1/4 c. chopped olives; about a cup or a little more of grape tomatoes; chopped mozzerella cubes (the "good" kind you get at Costco :)); I added some black pepper and garlic salt from the grinders, then mixed about 2-3 T of EVOO and 1 T of Balsamic Vinegar, poured it over then blended it.  It wasn't an exact science. I let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours and thus a heavenly dish was born...suffice to say it blew away the crabcakes, but I am ok with that since I made it!

Public Service Announcement

Consider this a public service announcement:  If you buy the pretzel rolls at Costco you WILL eat too many at 200 calories apiece, and you WILL become addicted, and you WILL decide they are worth the contribution to your curvy, doughy body!  My favorite way to eat them is with grilled roast beast or brisket, a horseradish spread (probably along the lines of this), & some onions.  Did I mention that you probably WILL have an orgasm at the dinner table?  Try to keep it to yourself :).  Today's public service announcement is brought to  you by BBQ Beef Brisket in the Crock Pot...this time of year I would normally grill it but too much going on today...this also acts as a natural air freshener because my house smells divine!  And, since it is just the two of us tonight, I could feasibly be having a pajama Sunday dinner before the day is done!  Oh, and I have saved enough calories this week to enjoy the perfect accompaniment, Goose Island Summertime beer!

Farmers Market Season!

We are fortunate to have a very small (ten stands or less) farmers market up the street on Sunday afternoons in the summer.  But really, how many stands do you need?  I LOVE the markets in Montreal, Philadelphia, and other such cities, but end up circling it looking at pretty much the same thing at multiple stands.  Each of our stands is unique, with very few duplicates.  Today I scored some homemade cinnamon raisin bread (one of veggie boy's favorites!), a "rustic baguette" (dinner tonight!) and a loaf of Portugese Cornbread; this is one I got last summer and the entire family loved it with some honey butter (literally some Smart Balance and honey whipped together with the mixer)...can't wait to serve it tomorrow when they are all here!

 I also braved some rhubarb- I had some strawberries (unfortunately not locally grown but that is ok...), came home and perused the Food Network site, and settled on the simple but highly rated Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp.  It is in the oven now, and I am hopeful it will be well received here!  My house smells like it took more effort than it did!

Now onto figure out what to do with the garlic scapes I purchased- often described as looking like a cross between an octopus and a green plant, these are basically the chutes from the top of the garlic bulb.  The seller said they last a long time, can be used like garlic, are great in pesto, as well as in marinades...I think I am going to go with a spin of a recipe I saw online and take the fresh baguette, spread some brie on it, then top with some garlic scapes, salt, and pepper...bake for a few minutes...sounds divine!

Update...several hours later...incredible dinner and dessert...and yes it is Sunday and you guessed it, we were chillin in our pajamas early!  And as always, doing my part to keep my curves curvy thanks to some good cooking!

Another Serendipitous Saturday...

We were headed to Kent Island for the night, and had planned to spend time at one of the more well known places for a night of food and fun...but not long before we left it occurred to me that we would be arriving at prime time and there could be waits to eat dinner, and I am not one that likes to wait...fast forward to Trip Advisor, and I found Bridges Restaurant, which takes reservations online.  What a fortunate discovery!  Three hour meal that was more romantic than what I thought it would be; the only negative was they were sold out of pizzas (?!?!?!?)...apparently with prom they had an overwhelming influx of high school students earlier in the evening. I guess that just gives me a reason to go back! The Flat Iron Steak was divine, the Cream of Crab Soup yummy, and the tapenade they serve with their bread was unique in a good way!  I also like that they have the wine lists but also have an "Under $30" wine list.  We were able to sit outside on the upper deck and it was perfect, it did seem as if it could get loud inside.  I hope next time you are headed to "that place everyone goes" that you think twice and check out what is next door...you might be serendipitously suprised!



Tired Friday Nights

Ever have the kind of Friday that just won't end, that is the end of a week you thought would never end?  That was yesterday...sometimes work is just too much!  Very grateful to have a good job, but some weeks one can only do so much before mentally being done!  That is when the allrecipes app on the Iphone comes in handy!  Found a <20 minute meal to make for dinner- Shrimp Fettucine- I read some of the reviews and took the basic recipe and went with white wine vs. chicken broth (had just enough left in a bottle), and sauteed four garlic cloves, slightly smashed, in the Smart Balance (vs butter) to start....also threw in mushrooms, and used dried parsley....and a whole lemon's worth of juice.  I know, some people say why post comments on something you have changed so much, but for me that is how I have learned just how easy it is to swap things out and make it yours and use what I have, vs. buying ingredients just for a recipe.  With my staple of the bag of frozen shrimp from Costco, and some thin spaghetti, this was perfect.  Added a salad (lettuce, tomato, croutons and fresh mozzarella- the yummy kind from the big ball!) and we had a fast, light Friday dinner.  Part of a perfect quiet date night of dinner on the deck, sangria (admittedly pre-made with some extra fruit- it was that kind of week!), and a movie.  Now after a great night's sleep am ready for some 5 de mayo fun, Maryland style! Le deseamos la paz, el amor, y se ríe de este fin de semana! (go go google translator!)

The Calm Before the Storm...

I'm really lucky to have the opportunity to go on regular dates with my significant other even though we live together, and to say this has been a blissful weekend is an understatement; much of what I write here will be geared toward the blended family and fun (and usually off the beaten path and away from the large crowds) things to do with your love when you have the time...hopefully it will spark an idea for you (and maybe you will share one with me!).  It started Friday with the amazing brick oven pizza from  Pizzeria Moto at Doukenie Winery's "Bistro Night" (my new favorite default place to spend a Friday night...paired with their Sauvignon Blanc!)...  Saturday brought Olney Ale House for dinner and "The 39 Steps" at the The Olney Theatre- good show, clever how four people did it all!  Ending the weekend with checking out the new STARZ series "Magic City" (not bad- saw female and male butts within the first minute lol) and a great dinner; I promise we did do some housework in between, but took most of today to clear our minds (ok, I should have been clearing the boys' closet but last time I checked that mess will sti ll be there tomorrow.  The calm before the storm...tomorrow starts another full week, not to mention continued much welcomed rain (hoping it will lift the campfire ban by Friday so we can do our camping trip for the night!)...but until then will enjoy each other and some Orange Ricotta Pound Cake!