Here's the yellow bag in full effect. I remember telling y'all that I'm not a big jeans person...but when I look back at all these photos, it seems I'm wearing jeans in all of them. It was rainy & overcast the day I wore this. The perfect weather to bust out my new coat. It's from Old Navy - you can go get it now because it's still in stores. This coat is probably the best buy I'll make this year. It was half off! Half off and the winter season hasn't even hit, yet. Holla!
Reviewing our schedule of events for Thanksgiving, I came to the conclusion that it was near impossible for me to bake and cook everything same day. And I changed the menu. Again. I added more items to the mix and changed up a few things because per usual, I read food blogs. And I did so after making my trip to the grocery store. Yep, I braved the masses. The grocery store during the holidays is enough for anyone to just throw in the towel and announce that you are having a delivered pizza for the holiday dinner. And why is that people are just so darn rude during this time at the stores? We are all there for the same purpose. Yes, I get that we would all rather not be in Albertson's, shopping and then waiting in longer checkout lines. I get that but just like you, I'm right there with you so there is no need to be rude.
Let's get to the recipes and pictures:
First up, cinnamon rolls. I've always wanted to make cinnamon rolls from scratch but was a bit intimidated by the process. Turns out I was pretty good at rolling the dough into the log. These were by far, the best cinnamon rolls ever. Take that, CinnaBun!
From this:
To this (recipe via Tartelette, note, I didn't frost them to try and keep it somewhat low on the fattening side)
Rolls:
1 pkg. active dry yeast (1/4 oz. size or 2 1/4 tsp.) 1 c. warm milk (105º to 110º F.) 1/2 c. granulated sugar 1/3 c. margarine, melted (used butter) 1 tsp. salt 2 eggs 4 c. all-purpose flour
Filling:
1 c. packed brown sugar 2 1/2 TBS. cinnamon 1/3 c. margarine, softened (used butter)
For the rolls, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a large bowl Mix together the sugar, butter, salt & eggs. Add flour and mix well Knead the dough into a large ball, using your hands lightly dusted with flour. Put in a bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place about an hour or until the dough has doubled in size. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough flat until it is approximately 21 inches long and 16 inches wide. It should be about ¼ inch thick. Preheat oven to 400º F. For the filling, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough, and then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar evenly over the surface. Working carefully from the top (a 21 inch side), roll the dough down to the bottom edge. Cut the rolled dough into 1 ¾ inch slices and place 6 at a time, evenly spaced, in a lightly greased baking pan. Let the rolls rise again until doubled in size (about 30 min.). Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden on top.
While the rolls bake, make the icing by mixing the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed. Add the powdered sugar and mix on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, then add the milk and flavorings. Mix on high speed again until the icing is smooth and fluffy. When the rolls come out of the oven, let them cool for about 10 minutes, then coat generously with the icing.
To these:
And then I made our Thanksgiving dessert, pumpkin cheesecake. I went from this:
The recipe came from Real Simple, but I added ground ginger to the crust and it was unbelievably fantastic!
It ended up like this:
Since I was in the mood, I went ahead and made Whipped Chipotle Sweet Potatoes for our Thanksgiving dinner, which I found via We are Not Martha and boy am I glad I did. It's the perfect amount of spicy paired with the sweetness of the potatoes.
I don't even know if that's good or not but everyone else thought it was awesome - so we'll go with that. I ran the trot in one hour and seventeen minutes. I cannot even believe that I survived. Honestly, I felt like I was going to pass out around mile four and then somewhere before we hit the mile five marker, my legs, heart and will got new life. And I was running!
(please note: I took the picture before running the trot, as afterwards I looked like a big puddle of sweat that could barely move. Since I was that tired, I stayed in these clothes cooking all day until our first guest arrived)
It wasn't that exciting and yet, I still took a picture. I ran errands like this and then we went to go see Quantum of Solace a.k.a the longest movie ever. To think I thouhgt this outfit was cute when I left the house and then I entered NorthPark Mall. I should have known better. There were about 1,000 cute outfits strolling about. Grr. Don't you hate that?
Update: I'm in the middle of amending my menu for Thursday. I don't know why I still feel pressured to do something amazing when it will only be me, Cowboy and his old roomies. But this is how I roll.
One day long ago, I was being all question-y. I asked him, "Who do you think is the perfect couple?" This is an odd question for me to ask as I do not think there is a perfect couple out there but I really wanted to know what his ideal was when it came to relationships. He took his time in responding and said, "us". Really?!? He said if he was not us, he would want to be us.
Wow, I was floored. And this conversation keeps creeping back up into my mind lately.
We don't ever fight. Crazy but true. We disagree and talk it out. We talk and I think that's the biggest argument saver out there. Communication. Not just communicating but talking, orally, face to face. None of this text message bull crap. Yes - we've sent each other text messages but those are usually silly, miss you texts. I'm talking conversationally, we talk.
For that, we always know what the other wants and expects. We don't hide anything from each other. If I get irritated with him, I do tend to hold it in longer than needed and it tends to fume up until I cannot take it anymore. I usually get really annoyed and beat about whatever it is and then I will a) tell him about it and/or b) tell someone else about it. I'm working on deleting (b) out of my life. Its just not fair to him. I'm also working on letting (a) out of the bag a lot sooner. It's not fair to either of us.
We talk, we connect. There are no arguments over who washes dishes or cleans bathroom. Our bill situation is we pay it if it's in our name. I pay the electric, he pays the cable. We share a money market account that we both talked about and agreed upon a number to contribute equally. Either one of us will do laundry when we're in the mood. Our only rule is not two weekends in a row. He had to go buy more underwear for that ruling. We have sex everyday. We kiss each other hello and goodbye. I cook. He cooks. We have two televisions, an Xbox and a super duper computer. We're on the same page about kids and marriage. We don't disrespect each other. We will not name call. We vowed not to start a fight in public or in front of friends/family. If one of us is in a drunken stupor and the other is not, we leave it alone. Our cell phones call each other if we think we are going to be late, missed or stuck.
I list these things out because this is what I hear other couples arguing about. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't. Half the couple fights my friends tell me about, I think could have been prevented if one of them knew what the other wanted or expected.
It's not like we made a list of things and agreed upon them all in one sitting. And this did not come to be overnight.
What happened was we talked each and every time the other one of us brought it up. We talked it out when one of us needed to let the other know what we needed and wanted. We came to understandings. We came to be a perfect us.
And with all my heart I think we'll be talking until we cannot talk anymore.
I have to update you on the situation. Cowboy's mom and brother cancelled on us. She chose to spend the day with family near Waco. She did invite us but Cowboy told her that I was excited to host it at our place and we have committed to another guest and possible soldiers, too, so we had to turn her down. She was not too happy about that, but what can you do?
I'm letting that one go because it’s the holiday season and that just means all sorts of family drama. Since this is minor in my eyes, I'm letting it go.
With the two of them cancelled, I really don't see a point in preparing our own turkey. I'm buying one fully cooked and sliced. I know, I know. But I'm running an eight mile race that day and when I thought about it, it just would not work in our T-day timeline.
With the store bought turkey, I am going to make from scratch: mashed sweet potatoes with carmelized onions; green bean casserole; stuffing; cornbread; maple glazed carrots; orange-cranberry sauce and pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap crust.
Ta-da! Menu finalized.
Now, I just need to create our timeline, such as this and get it on.
I'm found it very hard to concentrate on the other story lines on Grey's last night. How could anyone? When in the first ten minutes we have Denny, Izzie having sex with a ghost and Melissa George cutting herself open for an illegal appendectomy?
And Denny's hands were in his pockets, AGAIN, even after ghost sex!
Do the writers actually think this is interesting?
And just when I thought George was non-existant, he pops back in.
I'm telling you there is something going on with this show that I have yet to uncover.
*but I am so loving hot Army doc; he's getting hotter by the episode. And I've never, ever, ever thought a red head was hot before.
Being out of town a week doesn't lean in the favor of my favorite television shows especially when things are heating up across the channels.
True Blood. I agree with JQ - I just started noticing how every sentence starts with "Sookie". Can I add that Sookie is a little bit easy for a girl who just lost her virginity. And she is not a good friend to Tara all up on Sam like that. Not that Tara is acting that great either. We are so excited for this weekend's finale. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, but I'll just say: Rene? Really?!? That's way too easy.
Ugly Betty. Oh, Ugly Betty you are a snow day. When Jesse said that to her, I just melted. And the hotness that is Connor - ooh whee. I wish I worked in those offices. About that love triangle, I'm kinda hoping that Wilhelmina wins this one. She deserves some hot loving to cool off her icy character. I love it when they show that Marc and Amanda have a deeper side to them and not just the funny shallow side that makes them them.
And now my take on Grey's Anatomy...I'm 100% convinced that the actor that plays Denny Duquette is sleeping with one of the writers. That or he is sleeping with Shonda, herself. Yep, I said it. Seriously. WHY? I ask you, why? The only way I see this ending now, is with Izzie joining Denny in Heaven so he can stop haunting the hospital. But that would just break Alex's heart and turn him cold again, just when I was falling back in love with him - as this warm, sensitive, caring boyfriend Alex. And can we talk about why Denny's hands are always in his pockets? Why?
Not my usual run but I did tune into Oprah yesterday. Brad Pitt was on. So that in itself was yummy. I felt bad for Cate Blanchett - obviously they are there to promote their movie, which looks really good, but we all know everyone was there to see Brad. Naturally, talk went to the babies and goodness how do they handle it all? If there was one more question about how he and Angelina balance their family life, I would have screamed. Do people not know that they can afford the help? And when did six children become such a shocker? Last time I checked Jon & Kate, still have eight. And does Oprah own Skype? It seems to me that every show I tune into nowadays has a Skype broadcast. What's the point of being in the audience? All questions for the guests come from people sitting at home or in their offices Skyping it up.
How do you announce it's your birthday without sounding a little too much “all about you”? I always feel uncomfortable when I have to announce or remind people it's my birthday. It’s a very awkward feeling.
I know my good friends know when it is and so does my family. But it’s the new people in my life and the friends of mine that just aren't that close. Oh, and wait, it's also the fact that it’s in December.
Don't ask me but for some reason the month will always be an excuse for people to forget because of all the holiday activity. My birthday is not close to Christmas, it usually ends up in the middle of Hanukkah, so unless you are Jewish...holy moley, I just had a funny thought - my name is Hebrew, I wonder if that had anything to do with how my mom came to my name?!? Moving on.
Let's talk about how you announce your day to the new people in your life that your birthday is coming up without sounding like some advertisement for your own celebration. I have no clue.
This year, it seems tougher than usual. My birthday falls on a Saturday, which is great, if I was planning a party of some sort. Or if I didn’t receive about eight invitations to other happenings that very day. And I am a wee bit embarrassed to tell people the reason I'm turning down your invite is because it's my birthday. It sounds a bit shallow, no? Or like some kind of announcement or reminder.
Or when I was forced to tell a good friend of mine that it was my birthday so I wouldn't be joining her charity beer/bar golf. (How many bar golfs can I handle in one year?) But she is a good friend and she was present at my birthday party last year. I'm not conceited to think that she should remember the date. I just felt bad telling her, that it’s my birthday. I didn’t want her to think that I was reminding her of the date. How else do you say it and it doesn’t sound like that?
I missed a friend's birthday because I had the date wrong. This friend never mentioned it to me that I had "forgot" her day until a week later when I was wishing her happy (then belated) birthday. I asked her why she never said one peep that her birthday was coming up, that I missed it or what she did for it. Her answer was pretty much what I'm feeling now: what am I to do, announce my own birthday?
Yeah. I know it's crazy, but I'm right there with her.
Announce my own birthday?!? When I was a kid, I think I announced it everyday from Thanksgiving to my birthday that my day was coming up. You didn't experience guilt back then. Why now? It is my day. People say you have to celebrate it because it’s the one day of the year that’s completely yours. True.
I love colored tights. I wish I could wear them more often. I always question wearing them even though I see them everywhere, I wonder if I look odd with colored legs.
I'm wearing two dresses. It's that cold where I work. I could probably wear three and still feel the chill. It's colder in the office than it is outside and that is not good. It's November and while the weather outside does want to play like its Spring, the weather in office is acting like there is a heat wave. Yes, two dresses. The grey one, underneath is the same one from my Fall look. The black one on top is from Forever 21. The tights can be found at Macy*s, they are DKNY.
I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is a week away! I'm so excited. Also, I've cut down on running a little bit because of the eight miles we'll be running that morning. I don't want my body to be sore during the run. This week I've only been running a mile in the mornings and then doing yoga or strengthening exercises in the evening.
I was a little hesitant to share all about my brother's girlfriend. But sometimes you just got to blog it out.
The thing is I am very protective of my brother. I am also very opinionated. Combine the two and this particular girl didn't have a shot in hell. Oh, well.
The first time we met, she didn't say a word to me. This was Friday night, she was the one that opened the door to my mom's hotel room. I said, "Hi, my name is Golightly" and she just stared at me. I am not kidding. I walked past her and greeted my mom and brother. My brother and the girl got ready to leave to their own hotel. Bye-bye.
My mom asked me what I thought of her and I said, what is there to think? She's said all of five words and all to my brother. This is where I will tell you: the girl is Bossy. She bossed my brother out of the room so they could get their party on.
The next time we ran into the couple, was the next morning at their hotel, we swung by (after a trip to the hospital for my mom, that story coming later) and again Bossy opened the door. My brother was still asleep. While we started in on a plan for the day, I sat down on a chair and looked around, what caught my eye was a biggie. A prescription bottle for let's just say something seriously contagious, in her name. I couldn't believe it.
Bossy had now become Ms. Talkative and won't shut the F up. I'm not kidding. She talked and talked and talked. I could be exaggerating because I was starving and ready to get it on at Mon Ami Gabi. But she talked a lot. Thinking she wanted to keep on talking and I wanted to get to eating, I invited her to lunch with us. She said, "no." Just like that. No excuses, nothing, just plain 'no'. I invited her because she would be stuck in the hotel room waiting for my brother to wake up and my brother can sleep until 2pm like no one's business. With that, I gave my mom the hint and we left.
Of course! I told my mom of the prescription bottle I found. My mom was not shocked, she then added that Bossy & Talkative also has a different kind of health issue along the same lines and that my brother is fully aware of them both. WTH. (I know I'm being very vague but it's a personal issue and I draw the line somewhere)
The next time we see the couple is when my mom and I are finished with lunch and a wee bit of gambling. You should know a wee bit of gambling to me is probably way too much for the average person - hee hee. We meet the two of them on the strip; so we can walk it and show Bossy & Talkative (she's never been before, don't you think that would have prompted her to take up my lunch date offer?).
One thing I cannot stand are slow walkers. There are two places in this country that I know of where slow walkers just cannot do. New York City and Las Vegas. The Strip is not to be leisurely walked upon in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday in November. It is crazy packed. The cross light time is short. People are in full party mood. You have to move your ass. Bossy & Talkative didn't only walk slow but she stopped to take a picture of everything. Everything. Who can blame my mom and I for giving up and just walking ahead of the two of them? My brother has done this before plenty of times, so it was not like we were abandoning them. Apparently my brother thought otherwise.
We stopped in a casino last and Bossy & Talkative wouldn't stop bossing my brother around nor shut the fuck up. Do you have any idea how annoying it is for someone to constantly talk while you are trying to concentrate and align your self with telekinetic skills so that the roulette ball lands on #6? Let's just say, at this point I am kind of done with her.
The next day, my mom wanted all of us to eat together, as this would be the last time they would see me before my birthday. She gave me a choice of restaurant but like I said before by the time Saturday rolled around, I was Vegas'd out. She chose The Cheesecake Factory.
While at lunch, I asked Bossy & Talkative some get to know you questions. She answered them and that was that. One of my pet peeves is people who don't involve themselves in conversation. She didn’t ask me anything or elaborate on any of her answers. I can be intimidating so I will leave that alone.
But then, oh let me tell you how Bossy & Talkative totally put my brother down in front of me and my mom. Again, no details here but let's just say that she put him in his place in only a way that a Bossy & Talkative person could do. She wanted the whole section of the restaurant to know who wore the pants in their relationship. I am sad to report, it seems to be Bossy & Talkative wearing the pants. That put me over the edge. This disease hoochie mama was putting my brother down in public? Oh hell to the no.
After lunch, I pulled my brother aside and told him what was up and what I thought of that. Since he got very defensive about it, I decided to throw in all the things I didn't like about her. Just to ice the cake, I added the prescription pill scenario. That did him in.
OK- I'll admit, maybe Caesar Forum Shops is not the best place to try and have a heart to heart with your brother especially when he is carrying your luggage out to the cab line. I'll admit that. So right there, we had a throw down. My mom and Bossy & Talkative were about five stores away from us, so they didn't know what was happening, they just saw us and me storming out of there, luggage in hand.
It was way more dramatic than it needed to be. The timing sucked for me to do that to him. But that hoochie needed to go down and if I didn’t talk it out with him, it would have been her. And let me tell you that would not have been pretty. All in all: she just needs to go.
So we were getting ready to go to dinner. He was fumbling in the closet while I was bent over putting on shoes. I looked up and saw him. I had to say, "hot damn". I love sweater season. I love a close fit sweater on a guy. I love some scruff on a guy, too.
Oy, Vegas. You know what? I had to come to the conclusion that money cannot be just money in Vegas. I had to stop equating it with a numerical value and replace it with an entertainment value. Once, that happened, I started to enjoy losing at roulette tables. I started enjoying all the fun people I'd meet and cheered on their winnings at the tables. And boy, were there some fun peeps out.
First things first, the real reason I was in Vegas was for a marketing conference. I've been to many conferences in my day but this by far, was the most fun and most educational one I've been to, ever. Let me give you a picture: there was an Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile and a mobile tattoo parlour in the conference/meeting room! Hot dogs and tats? Yeah, I think we're going to have some serious fun here.
Other than that, the sessions were very informative and I think I took so much away from it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat tomorrow, if it took place somewhere other than Las Vegas. Oh, how I love Las Vegas but the thing is you have to know when to turn in your chips. A six day stay was way too much.
Of course, I just had to eat my way through that city. There are too many great places not to. Diablos - which if you are ever going, make that a stop on your list. Great Mexican food and a fun atmosphere. If you get there early enough you can sit on the patio facing the Strip. Todai - a great sushi/Japanese buffet located in the Millenium Mile Shops next to Planet Hollywood. Mon Ami Gabi - each and every time I've been to Vegas, I've wanted to try this French bistro in the Paris Hotel & Casino. I have to tell you: BEST EGGS BENEDICT ever. I like a buttery hollandaise sauce and this was it. I also like a crisp muffin under my eggs and this was it. So, check and check. Best benedict found. I was in heaven, chowing that down. The Cheesecake Factory. I know, I know. Don't blame me. I have a mother who likes to know what she's getting into and when it comes to chain restaurants, she gets that. Plus, she loves the Zeus show in front of the Cheesecake Cake Factory, in the Caesar Forum Shops. By this time, while I was eating there, I was so done with Las Vegas, I really didn't care.
The rest of the time, we ate what the conference gave us. I so think that they were trying to make everyone gain weight - two breakfasts that including pastry galore and afternoon breaks of desserts and humungous soft pretzels. The lunches they gave us were alright.
With all that eating, somehow I left Vegas, two pounds lighter. I will tell you, I did walk the entire Strip end to end one night - in a semi drunken stupor (warning: Diablos margaritas are nothing but tequila and a some lime) and I worked out every morning before the conference. I didn’t work out Saturday or Sunday. Saturday, I only ate once, which was at Mon Ami Gabi. The benedict was that large and we ate around noon. It was sufficient for me to go the rest of the day and night on only drinks. Free drinks - you can't pass that up while you are in Sin City.
And the people! Cowboy would be ashamed, but I met all guys and one girl while there. Not on purpose, there were no women at the roulette tables. Seriously. The first night of play - I met two guys from Ohio. We celebrated hard on Obama's win. I know politics is the last thing you should discuss when meeting new people but these guys were so proud of their Ohio and Obama's win. What could I do?
The next night, we ventured to downtown's Golden Nugget where I met a woman who started out with $40 and during the course of play, had to hand over $875 in chips to her buddy so she wasn't forced to lose it. AND the woman had over $200 in stacked chips on the table! I was in pure envy. That shit never happens to me. From that moment on, I only hit tables with $40 in hand. Which was kind of dumb of me because instead of being smart and pulsing out one big lump sum of cash - I ended up taking $40 out each time I hit a table. If you know Vegas, that means I spent way too much on just ATM fees alone. Must be smarter about that in the future.
Our last night in Vegas, we played at Planet Hollywood and this is my favorite casino and just by that, we met my new favorite people. Two brothers fresh from Mexico. Hot and hotter. I'm allowed to say that, right? One brother was married and just had a baby six months ago, so he was playing his new son's birthday for his lucky numbers. And I have to say, being a new dad is kinda hot on men. He was so proud of his new bundle and made sure everyone got a piece of the lucky number. If it weren't for him, I would have been out of the game a long time ago. He had won $1000 on one play, which included the lucky number and since everyone at the table was cheering that number on - he gave us each a cut of it. Now, that's Vegas! We played this one table for three hours, drinking and playing for the bebe. And that was pretty much it for Vegas.
Oh yes, I met my brother's girlfriend. I do not like, at all.
My brother has a new girlfriend. What else is new? He always seems to have a new one right before the holidays. Either that or an ex comes back into the picture. His new girlfriend is coming up to Vegas with him and my mom. The girlfriend is super excited to meet me. What else is new? They all are. I think that they think once they meet everyone in the family, they are good to golden. Ha ha ha. This one, I'm interested to meet because she is so opposite of everything my brother. Let's just say this, she has her shit straight. Whereas my brother, not so much. I always wonder how he attracts such confident, strong women when his income is my mom's purse. Seriously. I love my brother but he needs to get his life in gear. Each time, I think some girl will be the one to get him off his butt. But they never last that long or they give up hope. So, this weekend, I'll be meeting the new future ex-girlfriend. I think its so unfair that we have to meet so many of his girlfriends when we all know where they end up. Luckily, they are staying at a hotel far far from my mom and I. So while they are doing whatever it is, I'll be at a roulette table - wearing this.
While I think it will be cool outside and cold while at the convention (meeting rooms are always freezing!), casino floors are always hot. Or I always get hot on the floor. Maybe it's the winnings? Stress? or the fast mathematics I'm trying to do in my head to figure out how much more I can really pulse out the ATM or what bill I can delay paying for a couple weeks? Because gosh darn the wheel's got me!
The dress is To the Max. I found it at Macy*s but I've seen the brand carried in other department stores. What I love about it is that the dress is wool and it's heavy - so its a perfect night out dress in fall/winter months, even while looking bare.
I know I went completely backwards and told you about my evening wear first and now, I'm posting about what I'm going to wear during the day. The weather report has cold mornings and evenings in Vegas this week. The highs during the day are around 75 degrees average. That is not hot in my opinion. I get cold so easily. This sweater is very light weight but the pants are velvet. And lets talk about the pants!
I bought them at Target last year. They were one of the GO International Designer pieces. I loved the fit more than I loved the color. But the color grew on me and since I love to have standout pieces, it was good. Good for a night out paired with a white or black top. But that was still too boring for me.
When I saw this sweater in the store, I automatically saw it, in my mind, with these pants. This is so me. I like to pair unlikely colors together and go with it. I've worn this once before on a plane ride with my boss. It's that comfy. If I need to warm it up, I can pair a shirt underneath the sweater. But as it is now, its perfect for walking around in 75 degree weather which I am sure will feel like 60 degrees to me - when you factor in the A/C that I'm sure will be blowing hard while we are attending the convention.
The sweater is from Banana Republic. The pants are Target.
I only have one very important evening plan while I'm in Vegas - before my mother gets there. And that is Bette Midler. Yeah, uh-huh. My mom has seen her once with me and has made it a point to tell me every time I mention Vegas, that once was enough. So, I'm going alone but that's way alright.
I'll be wearing this dress that I found by complete accident while shopping for a birthday present for a friend. Don't you love when that happens? I must say, right now, its my favorite item of clothing. I just love the multi colors and the simple shape of the dress. The dress is a designer called Miuse and I bought it at Francesca's Collections.
I may wear this on the plane, going or leaving Vegas.. The layers are easy to take off and give me the added warmth I need. I hate being cold. I'd rather be hot than cold. I'm the one that would rather sit outside on a patio when it's 80 degrees out. To me, that is not too hot to be outside. I'd rather sit in the sun than in the shade. And I like car heat. You know, the hotness your car has when you first get into it after its been sitting in the sun's rays for hours. I love that heat.
Most of my casual outfits are layered pieces. The only thing truly missing from this outfit is a scarf, but I think the faux fur vest makes up for that. The jeans are Blue Cult (which I am so thinking they don't make them anymore! Anyone know?). The faux fur vest is from Target. The hoodie, which looks like it's 3/4 sleeves is actually a boys hoodie, yeah from the little boy's department in Target. The turtleneck is actually a dress that I pulled up to my waist from Forever 21.
Not that much of a differnce that you can see. I am still wanting to add a lot more to it. My goal is to have it be black and pink allover. I'm not much of a pink girl but when I first saw these pink desk accessories at Ikea, I was smitten. It's not the neatest photo - I had to take it quickly, all sorts of people were milling about our department area and my phone's camera makes a noise. How do you get rid of that shutter noise for down low picture taking?
I added the pink stuff, a teeny tiny pooh and piglet photo frame, which says: "Pooh", whispered Piglet. "Yes, Piglet?" said Pooh. "Oh, nothing", said Piglet, "I just wanted to be sure of you." (too cute if you ask me), and I cleaned the desk area a bit. The magazines in the folder keeper are two issues of Domino and the December 2006 issue of Harpers Bazaar. They are purely there for inspiration.
Friday night, one of Cowboy’s old roomies came over with her boyfriend and their baby. Since my boyfriend is so picky of an eater but I also wanted to cook something out of the ordinary for us and with guests over, I saw the perfect opportunity to try out this Coconut Curry Chicken recipe via My Kitchen Cafe.
And wow, everyone was glad I did, including picky Cowboy. He loved it! It wasn't too much curry and the potatoes are the sure winner of this dish. I served it with jasmine rice, topped with a basil leaf - just for that added ooomph!
The night went well and we’ve come to the conclusion that we love having guests over – even if it’s a pop in/unannounced guest. So, come on over! And then, Cowboy got a little jealous of their baby girl. This baby is apple pie compared to That Baby. For the rest of the weekend Cowboy was on a pro-baby mission. It hasn’t worked. My job is still contractual – no matter what my desk looks like. Therefore no baby making, any time soon.
This weekend was also our last chance to eat badly before going healthy until Thanksgiving. We’re both planning to run the entire Turkey Trot which is eight miles long and Cowboy is looking to lose some weight. So healthy it is, from here on out. I'm not making any huge changes, since I'm the one that runs everyday, but for this week, I'm going to try limiting my carbs to none at all.
For our last (bad) meal, I made Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas. OMG. Whatever you are having for dinner tonight, scratch it and make these.
They are unbelievable good. I used whole wheat tortillas instead of flour, I added more honey to the marinade and the sauce (I love the savory and sweet combo) and for the cheese, I mixed pepper jack and cheddar. I thought it could have yielded more sauce, but other than that, the taste is unbelievable. Here’s the recipe that I found on My Kitchen Café. Seriously, you should have this for dinner tonight.
Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
6 tablespoons honey 5 tablespoons lime juice (1 large lime) 1 tablespoons chili powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pound chicken, cooked and shredded (I used 3 small chicken breasts) 8-10 flour tortillas 1 pound monterey jack cheese, shredded 16 ounces green enchilada sauce 1 cup heavy cream
Mix the first four ingredients and toss with shredded chicken. Let it marinate for at least 1/2 hour (I tossed mine together in a ziploc bag in the morning and let it sit in the refrigerator all day). Pour about 1/2 cup enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9X13 baking pan. Fill flour tortillas with chicken and shredded cheese, saving about 1 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top of enchiladas. Mix the remaining enchilada sauce with the cream and leftover marinade. Pour sauce on top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until brown and crispy on top.
Friday, I went through my entire desk, office cabinets and files and cleaned them out. I thought it was about time that I made it looked like I work there permanetely versus having my desk look like a contractor works there.
You're supposed to dress for the job that you want rather than the one you have, right? Why can't my desk apply to the same rule?
Enter, project desk.
Today, I'm finalizing the look with accessories and will post the After once its complete.
**For the rest of the week, I'll be in Vegas, but I've taken pictures of what I plan to wear or what I wore over the weekend and will post date the posts - so some of you stuck in an office can have something to look at.
To answer an email that came in this week, "What do you plan to serve/cook for Thanksgiving?"
This will definitely be a work in progress. My goal is to have the menu approved and confirmed by November 16. Only because I refuse to be in a grocery store fighting over turkey. I want to have all items purchased by the nineteenth.
Approved menu? Cowboy is a hella picky eater, I usually run everything I try by him first. It sucks to get excited about something you cooked and you are the only one eating and enjoying it. He is getting better and more open about foods he would normally not try. Since its Thanksgiving, I want him to enjoy it all and he will know what his family likes.
So, for the menu, so far this is what it looks like: Turkey, Sweet Potato Au Gratin, Honey Glazed Carrots, Cornbread, Green Bean Casserole - a holiday meal tradition I never do without, Orange Cranberry Sauce and for dessert a Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Ginger Crust.
I need to find recipes for all except the Pumpkin Cheesecake. Its in this month's Real Simple. The only change I'm making to it, is creating a ginger crust for the cheesecake.
I think the rest of it should do, no? It is a plan in progress because as I keep reading food blogs, I'm sure there will be some changes and edits.
When I first saw rolled up jean cuffs making a comeback, I was immediately drawn to it. It made so much sense, too. Most of my jeans are taller than me and there are days when heels just don't do. So there I am stuck with dragging hems. I purposely buy longer length jeans from The Gap and Express because no matter what they tell me, I swear they shrink over time. This comeback trend is also my style too. I rarely wear jeans and I think when I do its usually a kick back sorta way. Here's my version...
Dolman grey sweater is from Forever 21. Jeans are X2 from Express. My shoes are from Wanted.
This is absolutely my favorite time of the year. Hands down. Weather cool enough for sweaters and tights. Warm wool coats and scarves. Cold and sunny days. And the upcoming holiday season. Mmm…Good.
This year we are hosting Thanksgiving at our apartment. Cowboy’s mom, his brother and CR2 (the good ex roomie) will be joining us. We’re also on the list to host a soldier or two. We won’t find out until a week before. It’s basically a program to welcome a soldier away from family to your home for Thanksgiving. Cowboy and I thought it would be the right thing to do since we are both so thankful that he made it back from Iraq in good graces.
As for the actual dinner and our already finalized guests, I must tell you I am one selfish cook. I like my kitchen. I don’t like anyone else cooking in it. I don’t even like Cowboy getting in there. It has to do with the mess that one may create, their lack of knowing where anything is located and their wrongful uses of tools. Beverly – I know this may sound so hypocritical of me since I was in your kitchen using anything and everything in sight!
When it comes to my kitchen, it’s my kitchen. I know, I’m such a hooch.
On top of all that, I just want to do it all, as hostess.
I do not like cooking in the same kitchen with my mother. She is chaotic in the kitchen. She is also the type that likes to cook everything the day before, refrigerate it and warm it back up on Thanksgiving day. All our food usually tastes like leftovers. I don’t like. I like the joy and chaos of cooking day of and spending the majority of the day in the kitchen. I love that.
That’s all I want to do on Turkey day – cook and bake. It kicks off a season of cooking and baking for me.
In fall and winter I cook and bake a hella lot more than any other time of the year. But Cowboy’s mom loves to "cook", too. And I so overheard Cowboy telling her that we can split cooking duties on that day. Whoa, whoa, whoa!
I have never tasted his mother’s cooking. It could rock. It could. What I do know is what she did last year for Thanksgiving. She and the younger brother came up to visit and cooked for all three of the room mates. Lasagna. That was it. Done.
It so sounds like something my mother would do. Last year, my mom burnt our turkey. And to the day I die, I will swear she did it on purpose. Who puts a turkey in the oven and then suggests that we all go for the longest drive on the face of the planet?! Who does that?
My mom is also the type where she never sees the point of cooking anything from scratch on such a big occasion. I just cannot get down with that at all. Let’s just say, I’m very thankful not to have to deal with that this year. But, Cowboy’s mom doesn’t seem to making herself out to be any better. I prodded him for what Thanksgiving used to be like before her lasagna (and mind you it wasn’t even turkey lasagna). He told me that years past, they would cook a turkey and order the sides from the grocery store. Really?!
Is it just me or is this happening everywhere? Am I too high in my heels to think that I can get away with cooking Thanksgiving dinner for five (or seven people) from scratch in my own kitchen?
I’m speechlessly happy. I cannot wait for January to get here. And that’s all I’m going to say about the election. That and our election dinner.
I scratched the wine, cheese and jalapeno dinner that we planned. I had a lot of down time yesterday at work. I only worked half a day. Our upper management let us choose to either come in later or leave earlier to vote. Being the early bird I am, I chose to leave earlier.
Since most people here aren’t like me, the office was dead quiet all morning giving me ample time to catch up on some much needed blog reading. Which really meant reading all the food blogs I love.
I found For the Love of Cooking. I am so glad I did. I found her through TasteSpotting (have you been, yet? Go check it out. LOVES it) while searching for a lasagna recipe.
I fell for her Baked Penne with Meatballs. Fell hard. With that our dinner menu changed. I am so happy it did. I cook a lot and most things that I cook I think I do a good job at but this recipe, holy cow, I fell in love with each bite. So did Cowboy. Is it possible to fall in love with a bowl of comfort food? I think so.
2 tsp olive oil 1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced 6 oz of button or cremini mushrooms, sliced thinly 3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped finely 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce 1 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed 1 tsp white sugar 1 pinch of red pepper flakes Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and mushrooms and saute until tender; add the garlic and cook for 60 seconds, stirring frequently. Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer for at least 2 hours.
Meatballs:
1 lb lean ground beef (I used 93/7) 7 button mushrooms, diced finely 1/4 sweet yellow onion, diced finely 1/4 Italian style breadcrumbs 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 egg 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped 1/2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 1/2 tsp fennel seed, crushed Sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper 1 tsp olive oil (for cooking)
Combine all ingredients (except for olive oil) together gently. Form into small meatballs and set aside. Once the meatballs are prepared. Heat a skillet over medium heat with 1 tsp olive oil. Cook the meatballs until golden brown on all sides. Remove from skillet and place in the mushroom sauce.
Penne pasta, prepared per instructions 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, shredded 1 tbsp fresh basil
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook the pasta per instructions and drain. Pour the pasta into the sauce with the meatballs. Add the cheese - reserving a bit for the top and basil, then mix VERY gently. Top with remaining cheese and bake for 30 minutes.
and below are the lyrics, even though the lyrics aren't order, you can get most of what they are singing. I think this is too too cute and perfect for today.
I'm so nervous and excited. I don't know how I will sit through the work day. Let the voting begin!
Lyrics: Obama on the left McCain on the right We can talk politics all night And you can vote however you like You can vote however you like, yeah
Democratic left Republican right November 4th we decide And you can vote however you like You can vote however you like, yeah
(McCain supporters) McCain’s the best candidate With Palin as his running mate They’ll fight for gun rights, pro life, The conservative right Our future is bright Better economy in site And all the world will feel our military might
(Obama supporters) But McCain and Bush are real close right They vote alike and keep it tight Obama’s new, he’s younger too The Middle Class he will help you He’ll bring a change, he’s got the brains McCain and Bush are just the same You are to blame, Iraq’s a shame Four more years would be insane
Lower your Taxes - you know Obama Won’t PROTECT THE LOWER CLASS - You know McCain won’t! Have enough experience - you know that they don’t STOP GLOBAL WARMING - you know that you won’t
I want Obama FORGET OBAMA Stick with McCain and you’re going to have some drama We need it HE’LL BRING IT He’ll be it YOU’LL SEE IT We’ll do it GET TO IT Let’s move it DO IT!
Obama on the left McCain on the right We can talk politics all night And you can vote however you like You can vote however you like, yeah
Democratic left Republican right November 4th we decide And you can vote however you like, I said You can vote however you like, yeah
I’m talking big pipe lines, and low gas prices Below $2.00 that would be nice
But to do it right we gotta start today Finding renewable ways that are here to stay
I want Obama FORGET OBAMA, Stick wit McCain you gone have some drama MORE WAR IN IRAQ Iran he will attack CAN’T BRING OUR TROOPS BACK We gotta vote Barack!
Obama on the left McCain on the right We can talk politics all night And you can vote however you like, I said You can vote however you like, yeah
Democratic left Republican right November 4th we decide And you can vote however you like, I said You can vote however you like, yeah
About a month ago, we went to a party which was fancifully catered by a well to do Dallas caterer. The party was in someone’s house. I love catered house parties. Way to step it up a level.
Cowboy fell in love with the stuffed jalapeños. I unfortunately couldn’t try them because there were nuts involved and I’m allergic. But Cowboy would not shut up about the things.
I totally understood. When you find some good food, you want everyone to experience that taste and feel it too. If you like food as much as we.
I was talking it up with the caterer, who was also a guest and he told me that he would email me the recipe. Like I mentioned that was over a month ago. Finally, two days ago in my inbox. Voila.
Cowboy is about to have a happy happy Election day. We already planned to have a cocktail party just the two of us watching the election coverage. It was going to include cheese, meats and wine. Now I’m adding the stuffed jalapeños to the mix.
However many medium size jalepenos you like Feta cheese Cream cheese Minced garlic Bacon Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine the cheeses and garlic (this is also where he had chopped walnuts). Seed your peppers. If you want a real kick, add a few of the seeds to the cheese mixture. Zap bacon in microwave for a minute to get rid of some of the grease. Fill each pepper with your cheese mixture, then wrap bacon around the pepper. Place on lightly oiled cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
I hope this turns out great – the peppers and the election.
Halloween comes and goes and then we get to turn the clock back. Hallelujah. I needed to fall back this weekend badly. Let’s just say it was a rough Halloween weekend.
I chickened out of looking for a new costume and pulled out Flashdance again. But this time it was Flashdance 2008 and I added leg warmers and used a different sweatshirt from my costume in 2005. Flashdance just fits me. I dance all the time and I have crazy hair.
The night started at the Birthday Girl’s house for food and drinks. I was having some serious reservations about this. One, she had planned for everyone to take cabs to our destinations. It never fails, I always end up paying my share and someone elses whenever there is a cab involved. More times than not, I end up sober, so said cab becomes moot. Not this time. Cab was very much needed, I’d like my $50 back though.
But her birthday was a blast. At least the parts I remember. It would have been better if I didn’t have to spend half the night explaining who I was. Hello!? My guess is they were all youngsters born after the Flashdance craze.
Then I had a bachelor party obsessed with my costume. OK – yes, wearing only a sweatshirt, heels and leg warmers is going to call attention, but come on. It’s Halloween and there were about a million other sluttier outfits out there. And for the record, I don’t think Flashdance is slutty. If you don’t don the sweatshirt, then you are just a dancer. That’s no fun. No worries, I had gym shorts on underneath.
Thank goodness for that idea because the night did end with me dancing on a table, on a patio, with Scarface and Man vs. Wild. Oh yeah. And that’s all I remember.
November 1st, I started my campaign to convince Cowboy that we should do this next year.
I could say our schedules suck and take this like a couple but my schedule does not suck. I'm very lucky to have the job that I do and the boss that manages me. It's schedule bliss where I work. I get in around 7:30 and leave anywhere between 3:00 to 4:30. It all depends on the workload and whatever idiot scheduled a 4:30 meeting. I'm the type of person that on a day off is wondering why the grocery store is packed with people in the middle of the day. Don't they work? Oh, wait.
Cowboy's schedule sucks. He works nights. Six at night to six in the morning. If I leave at 4:30 from my job, it roughly gives us over an hour to spend time together - while he gets ready for work. He's lucky he doesn't have to do this every day. At the beginning of each month he also goes down to Houston for his drill weekends. His job has him off only two weekends a month, so one goes to drill and the other is up in the air for us.
This means three out of the four weekends in a month, I have to go at it alone. By it, I mean life, not itit. Running errands, meeting people for fun activities, movies, blockbuster, dinners, etc. Its sometimes a bummer, unless there is a The Hills marathon on - then its just dandy. There is nothing like watching trash television without the lingering thought of how silly this looks. A 30 year old tuned into MTV for the entire day?!
It's a bummer for him as well. He would love to attend my weekend events and errands with me. He would love to have a weekend. Period. He would love to spend more time together. Our time is measured by the clock and we try to get in as much us time as we can on a daily basis, when he has to into work. It's tough. It could be worse. Well, I guess it kinda has been when he was in Iraq, but that was then. And it was different. Now, he's just across the highway working and I'm over here.
Making the bed is pointless. When I get out of it, he's getting in.
