Week 2: Culinary Concoctions

I succeeded in making two meals again this week and it is only Tuesday!  I am a little shocked to be honest, but I will take it!  My brother came over for dinner last night and Sarah and I made The Pioneer Woman’s Caramelized Onion & Prosciutto Pizza.  I apologize for my crummy pictures.  I do not profess to be a food photographer and this is not meant to be a food blog, but I am adding pictures as proof.  Look what I made!!!  It was extremely good!  I highly recommend anything and everything from the Pioneer Woman’s blog.  Not that I have tried everything, but what I have tried has been delicious. 

Tonight  I made squash soup with an acorn squash. I used a recipe from Eat, Live, Run and modified it to replace the curry with cumin and cayenne.  But before you go praising my cooking savvy, know that I stole the idea from my roommate. 

Next week’s post will definitely include a spaghetti squash recipe.  Get excited!

Week 1: Coulinary Concoctions

So this week I managed to make TWO things!!!  Way to kick of my cooking challenge with a bang!  I am calling my cooking challenge copycat creations because I am certainly not talented enough to make up my own recipes.  Not yet at least.  Baby steps grasshopper, baby steps.

For my first meal, I decided to go with a soup.  It is getting a little colder outside and soup just sounded good.  So I made an Italian Sausage Soup. I used this recipe.  Mainly because I had a lot of baby spinach and I wanted to put it to good use.  I think I may start adding pictures of my finished product for proof, but I have not taken any pictures yet...  So for now, I give you the picture from the site.  I promise I made it!  Ask Sarah.

My thoughts on the recipe are: good relatively healthy soup, but definitely use spicy sausage!  I used sweet turkey sausage and that was a mistake.  The recipe was bland without the spicy sausage.  I added crushed red pepper and it helped.  On the whole, it was simple to make and pretty tasty once I added the pepper.  I would make it again.  Woohoo for recipe one!

For my second recipe, I went with my absolute favorite tuna noodle casserole.  I cannot find a picture of a casserole online that does not have peas.  And my tuna noodle casserole certainly does not have peas (yuck)! So no fake picture for this one. And no recipe either.  Not because it is super secretive, but because it is not already online and I don't want to take the time to write it out.  Lame, I know.  But I am sure you can find some TNC recipe online if you are dying to make it... actually, if anyone is dying to make tuna noodle casserole, let me know and I will write out and send you my recipe.  I think I may be the only person on earth that loves TNC, so I would gladly take the time to jot down my recipe if I found out I had company.

I heard my college roommate Tess's voice in my head the entire time I was cooking.  She HATES tuna with a passion and every time she would come home after I made tuna of any kind, she would always say "Ewww, Jen made tuna!" or something to voice her concern that our house smelled fishy.  The thought made me laugh and miss her so much (she lives in Baltimore)!  But just as I did in college, I enjoyed my tuna noodle casserole this week despite others thoughts or protests.  I love it ever so!

On to next week!  I am thinking squash of some sort... Spaghetti squash or squash soup....  Who knows!  Any good squash soup ideas?

Thursday Thoughts

I survived my first trial.  The first week of October, I was second chair in a four day trial and I managed to escape with my sanity.  We won a pretty big verdict, which is exciting, but have to survive the judgment phase and the appeal before we can actually celebrate.  My thoughts: Trials are crazy and I find them extremely stressful.  However, I felt more like an attorney during those four days than I ever have before.

I just renewed my health insurance and bought life insurance.  Both good things, I guess... but they make me feel old.

I have decided I need to cook more.  I honestly cannot remember the last time I made food.  I am making a goal for myself to cook one meal a week throughout the end of the year.  Hopefully I can manage.  Does anyone have a quick and easy recipe for a beginner?

I recently bought a nook from Barnes & Noble.  I am in love.  Though I still think there is something to be said for paper books.  Is it okay to love both?

Turns out my spiffy new workout clothes were not as much of an incentive to workout as I had hoped.  I have worked out once since my last post.

Since Starbucks discontinued the treat receipt for the fall, I have managed to exude self-control and I have not had my sweet pumpkin chi latte since.  I am proud of myself and yet feel strangely un-festive without my pumpkin pick me up.

Is it weird that I am already counting down the days until I can play Christmas music without being judged?  It is not even cold outside and I already have the itch.  "Santa's Lost His Mojo" wants to be played people! 

I am no longer a "wilderness woman" as my roommate is the proud owner of a Bosch dishwasher.  I will have to go visit Laura in Alaska after all to claim the title.

Alright,  I better get back to work. Have a good one!

Ft. Worth Zoo with the Family

The State Fair of Texas

I went to the fair with Erin and Jason this year.  It was their first outing sans William and it was a blast.  We tried fried Frito pie, fried cheese curds, a corn dog and a jalapeño and cheddar corn dog, and a fried Twinkie.  I washed it all down with lemonade and root beer.  We also saw the dog show, the bird show and went to the petting zoo.  I can’t wait to go next year!  Though Jason told me they were going without me next year, so maybe I am not so cool after all.  I think I lost the cool points because I ate the corn dogs funny… But in my defense I don’t like mustard and I was avoiding it!  I will do better next time.  I promise.  Give me another chance!  Please.

Thursday Thoughts

One of the attorneys at my law firm has been giving me her treat receipt from Starbucks for a little over a week now.  I am a little embarrassed to say that I have gotten Starbucks every day this week.  I have no willpower to resist skinny iced pumpkin chai lattes or pumpkin chai frappuccinos. 

Today I noticed the price before the discount, and it was $5.25.  $5.25! That is completely ridiculous!  

We have two trials coming up in the first week of October.  I shouldn't have to speak at either of them, but I am nervous.  

I get to go to a Greek festival this weekend with Sarah.  I absolutely adore Greek food!  Bring on the hummus.

I got to see William (Erin & Jason's son), Jessica, Jacob, and Joseph (my cousin's children) last weekend.  I love children, and toddlers, and babies (oh my!).

I finished Ender's Game and had my book club on Monday.  I love the girls in my book club.  However, I fear we may need to re-name our group.  We talked for over 2 hours but the book only encompassed about 5 minutes of the conversation.  Is it bad that I don't mind that at all?!

We went to dinner for book club this week and ate for free.  I mean free.  We just payed for the tip, which was $4 a person.  As in less than my full priced Starbucks would be.  How have I never heard about this?

I bought some new workout cloths recently and I want an excuse to wear them.  Is it sad that clothes are a substantial reason for my motivation to workout?

Apparently our house is dishwasherless at the moment (transitioning from old to new).  I told my roommate this makes us wilderness women.  I think my definition of wilderness is off, but I like the term.  I am adding "be actual wilderness woman" to my life list.  However, I need to determine the proper definition first...

That's all I got.  Have a good one!

San Fran in Pictures

Thoughts on a Wet Wednesday

I survived my first week of Equipped Disciple 3. Ten more weeks of waking up at 5:30am and I will graduate.

I am almost finished with Ender's Game. I am loving the book but am a little sad for Ender's life and a little glad I am not a military genius.

I had my first pumpkin spice chi latte this morning. I am more than a little excited that fall is coming.

I am also excited that the next step in the Starbucks seasonal progression is the RED CUP! Does that mean I need to start Christmas shopping? Or at least thinking about Christmas shopping?

I leave for a trip to San Fransisco with one of my dear friends Alex tomorrow morning. I can't wait.

I am finding it hard to be productive at work this morning. I hope I get over it soon because I have a rather exhaustive to do list to get through by 6:30pm.

I got to see my brother twice while he was in Dallas during his week off.  We made Mexican meatloaf for our parents.  It turned out pretty well and I enjoyed cooking with my brother. I am sure my mother is overjoyed that we finally get a long well.  Just twenty-plus years in the making.

I survived the singles retreat and actually managed to have a good time.  I got some rest, recharged, was challenged in God's Word and chilled in the lake.  I am glad I went.  But yes, it did have its awkward moments.

That's all I got.  Have a great Wednesday and stay dry!

William

My best friend Erin has a baby!!!  William was born on Saturday, August 28, 2010 shortly after 10pm.  He weighed in at 9 pounds 8 ounces and is 22 inches long.  He has long fingers and toes and is going to be TALL.

William, you are so very loved!  You could not have better parents.  I acknowledge that I am extremely bias, but I think you will like them too.  Your daddy is hysterical and can talk to anyone.  It will take you time to understand his jokes, but I imagine you will catch on quickly and be just as hysterical soon enough.  Your mother is loyal and loves fiercely.  She will always speak the truth to you.  She will always see the best in you.  I cannot wait to watch you grow into a man.  I pray that you accept Christ at an early age and have a radical impact on your generation. I already love you little man!  Happy second day of life Will!

Erin, William, Jason

E, I am sorry for posting pictures of you at the hospital.  I could not help it.  You guys are so adorable!  Hopefully you will forgive me one day.  I promise I did not put any on facebook!  (Well, I did... but only the first one of William.)

Update

Blogging clearly has not been high on my list of things to do lately. I was just on one of my friend's blogs and noticed that it has been over a month since I last posted. Mine was the sad blog at the bottom of the blogroll that everyone feels sorry for. So I decided to change that and provide you all with a few quick updates:

1.  My brother moved to Canada a few weeks ago.  He works 7 days a week for 3 weeks straight and then gets to come home for a week.  I cannot imagine working 21 days straight.  It does not sound fun to me.  He will be home next weekend, and I am more than a little excited to see him. 

2.   My small group girls started 8th grade last week.  They are getting so big!  And I am left wondering how time is going by so quickly. 

3.   Next week will mark 1 year of full time employment with my firm (1 1/2 years of employment). 

4.   I am going on a singles retreat over labor day weekend.  I am terrified and yet sort of excited.

5.   My book club is reading Ender's Game this month.  It is a great book!  How have I never read it before?!

6.   Erin is going to be induced on Monday.  My best friend will have a baby next week.  So crazy! But I cannot wait to meet William! 

7.   I am going to San Fransisco for four days in a few weeks.  I am in the process of making a list of what I want to do while I am there. Any ideas?

Well, that is all I can think of off the top of my head.  Hope all is well!