Siestas and Cupcakes

Coca Cola Cupcakes

2012-01-23T21:58:00.000-05:00

Writing the title of this post just now made me wonder - do people still say "Coca Cola" ? I always call it Coke...but I thought if I called these Coke Cupcakes you maaaaaay get the wrong idea. So~ Coca Cola Cupcakes they will be!

I finished my 21 day fast! And what better way to celebrate than with cupcakes. I didn't have ingredients handy for many of the cupcakes on my to-bake list, so I had to improvise with what I had. The result- yummo! I enjoyed this cupcake, it's very very light, which is important in a January cupcake isn't it though?

Please do follow the link to the recipe I adapted from - Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper cupcakes. It looks absolutely wonderful!

Coca Cola Cupcakes

adapted from this recipe

1 box chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 stick melted butter
2 eggs
1 cup Coca Cola
1 tsp cherry extract

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together well. Pour into prepared, lined, muffin pan and bake for 15 minutes. Tops will spring back when lightly touched. Place on cooling rack until completely cool and frost with your favorite frosting. I used a fat free meringue, recipe to follow soon!

Resolution 2012

2012-01-17T11:24:00.000-05:00

2012 - No more excuses.

Guacamole

2012-01-16T11:45:00.001-05:00

As mentioned in my previous post, I am fasting. I'm doing the Daniel fast, the same one I did last year, and it went so well that I know not another year will ever pass without me starting every January the same way. I am in my final week now, the fast is 21 days, and let me say- it can be extremely tough! On the 23rd, my first day off the fast, I will be drinking coffee, which I had to give up, and eating PIZZA!

But that's all I can write about that now or else I'll just be torturing myself. For now, I'm doing my best to have variety and keep it interesting with the fruit, veggies, and whole grains that I am allowed to eat. This guacamole really hits the spot, especially on days where I struggle the most.

Guacamole

recipe from allrecipes.com

3 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed

1 lime, juiced

1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup diced onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Blend everything together either in a food processor or stir together if you prefer it chunkier. I made this batch too smooth, so the next day I took the leftovers and added in a cut up avocado and tomato. This is the best guacamole recipe!

Game Day Pizza Dip

2012-01-15T10:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was quite content with spending the day in my PJ's. In the morning I found myself lounging on the couch, checking facebook on my phone, when I saw a post from the Pioneer Woman that her show on the Food Network was about to start. I was watching Modern Family on my dvr so I missed the first half of her show. Then I went and let my pup out and missed the ending too! When I came back Ms. Paula Deen was on, making this pizza dip. I decided at once we needed it for game day, and by we I mean hubs because I'm fasting. So I threw on some clothes, ran to the Publix, and got all the ingredients.

This smelled soooo good when I was making it, I don't know why I tested my willpower like that. But rest assured, I WILL be making this for the Superbowl! I just watched Paula make it and did what I remembered, changed it to hubs tastes too. Here is the original recipe.

I started out sauteeing turkey sausage crumbles, turkey pepperoni, red and green peppers, and onions. You can use your favorite pizza toppings, Paula had mushroom and bacon as well to hers.

Then add in 2 blocks of cream cheese. You should probably soften first so you don't end up with this like me:

Add in a generous sprinkling of Italian seasoning with the cream cheese.

Then throw it in a pam sprayed casserole dish and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. That's it! So easy.

Paula also made breadsticks from pizza dough which I'm sure would set this over the top, I just toasted some garlic bread and cut it into strips.

Halloweenie

2011-10-28T12:36:00.000-04:00

I swear, I've posted nearly every day in my head. Imagine my alarm when I sign on and there are hardly any posts! Where'd they all go? Oh yeah, never left my head. I have been cooking and taking pictures so one of these days I'm going to get around to putting up some more fabulous recipes!

In the meantime, some Fall/Halloween favorites I found on Pinterest:

Candy Corn Jello Shots

Creative idea- 2 bundt cakes=1 pumpkin!

Happy Halloween!!!

57 days until Christmas!! :o)

Chicken and Herb White Pizza

2011-10-05T19:47:00.000-04:00

Anyone else addicted to Pinterest? Eh? Eh? I am completely addicted. I even have the iPhone app and everything, any spare moment I have I'm looking at other people's pins and repinning as my own. I haven't tried anything out yet, with all the fun recipes and crafts on it I can't wait!

I'm kinda stuck in a dinner rut - get home from work all tired and not feeling like cooking, I often find myself making the same things over and over. I'm tired of the same things! Today after work I went straight to the grocery store, picked up a Cooking Light, found a section called "Dinner Tonight" and said SOLD! And I'm so happy dinner tonight was pizza! I walked around, grabbed the ingredients for tonight and tomorrow's slow cooker dinner and came home to throw this marvelous creation together....it was fabulous! I didn't follow the recipe 100% - I only found pizza dough in the bread aisle, not the refrigerated kind the recipe calls for. And fresh pecorino Romano cheese? While I'm certain tastes amazing, was not in this girl's budget. I got store brand packaged shredded mozzarella.

I just looked over the recipe and see that they say it serves 6---teehee...hubs and I ate the whole darn thing. Who eats just one pizza slice I ask you!?

Chicken and Herb White Pizza

Recipe Adapted from Cooking Light

1 premade pizza dough

Cooking Spray

1 Tbsp Butter

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

2 Tbsp all purpose Flour

1/2 tsp black pepper

3/4 cup reduced fat milk

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breast

1/4 cup diced red onion

1 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano

1Tbsp chopped fresh chives

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 450. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add flour and pepper; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Cook 3 minutes or until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add cheese, and stir until cheese melts.

Spray pizza dough with cooking spray and place on baking sheet. Spread white sauce over dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border.

Top with chicken and onion. Bake at 450 on bottom oven rack for 12 minutes or until crust is golden. Sprinkle with herbs.

YUM!!!!

Cornbread

2011-09-08T19:35:00.001-04:00

Thank you for the bake sale ideas! I ended up making pumpkin cream cheese muffins, chocolate covered cherry cookies, and apple pie bars. Yeah ~ I tend to go overboard when baking, especially if it's for other people!

A while back I mentioned that I wanted to create my own versions of recipes that I have at restaurants. Today I did something easy to start out.. One place I always used to go to while living up north was Boston Market. I loooove Boston Market! I could go in and just eat the mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, and cornbread..but I wouldn't feel right eating nothin but carbs like that so I throw in some chicken and make the ultimate decision - mashed potatoes or mac n cheese!?!? Excruciating, that decision is.

But oh! The cornbread is so delicious too..I love a slightly sweet cornbread and that's hard to come by. This time I totally fess up to cheating. Know what I did? Yes, I googled. "Boston Market Cornbread recipe" And this is what came up. The reviews were good so I gave it a go. Result? It's really really good. Boston Market? Pretty close but not there yet...I thought it could use the slightest more milk I think. The recipe calls for 2/3 cup...heck I may throw a whole cup in next time and see how that goes. And one more thing ~ it calls for softened butter. My butter was soft but I mixed with a spoon so it didn't get dispersed as it should have, could be another reason that the moisture wasn't 100%. (I know you are saying - Uh..yeah! Duh!) Would I make this again? Hellllllls yeah! Enjoy!

Boston Market Cornbread

recipe from Food.com

Ingredients

2 (8.5 oz) boxes jiffy corn muffin mix
1 (18 oz) box butter recipe cake mix
5 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 1/3 cup water
1/2 butter (softened)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into greased cupcake pans or mini loaf pans. Bake at 30 minutes or until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly in the pan, until they pull away from the side a bit) Remove from pan and serve warm.

Note: I made 6 jumbo muffins, 12 regular size, and 2 muffin tops with this recipe!

You gonna eat the rest of your cornbread.

Tell him to get his own damn cornbread. He can't have my cornbread. There'll be consequences and repercussions!

A Question for the Masses!

2011-08-18T10:30:00.000-04:00

We are having a fundraiser bake sale for the American Heart Association at work. Lots of people have offered to bring in cookies, cupcakes, and brownies. Which leaves me to wonder what to bring in myself - turtle topped rice krispie treats? Banana bread?

What is your favorite thing to bring or eat at a bake sale?

Progression

2011-07-23T13:02:00.000-04:00

This is what I like to call....................Progression.

I've really been having a hard time with blogger lately, anyone else? I can't format and it's hard just to type a post and have it lined up right. Then to highlight some words is a beast in and of itself.

I'm going to get this sorted out, and when I do I have a wonderful oatmeal raisin chew recipe for you. Even non Oatmeal raisin cookie lovers enjoy this cookie!

Charleston

2011-07-09T19:24:00.000-04:00

Last week I was in the mood to go out and take some pictures with the nikon. I have never taken any classes or lessons or even read a manual on taking photos. I don't change the settings on the camera and all I know how to do is zoom in/zoom out!! AND forget photoshop. And so now I share a few untouched unsophisticated shots from around my city!

Pasta Aglio E Olio

2011-07-09T18:22:00.000-04:00

Pasta Aglio E Olio

recipe from food.com

1 lb spaghetti, pasta (uncooked)
3 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
4 tablespoons fresh minced garlic, divided
1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt and black pepper

Directions:

Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins

Bring about 5 quarts of water to a boil with 3 teaspoons salt; add in the spaghetti and cook only until firm-tender; drain but RESERVE 1/2 cup pasta water.
Start this when you are boiling the pasta; Heat about 4 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat in a skillet.
Add in 3 tablespoons garlic and about 1/2 teaspoon salt with black pepper to taste; saute stirring often until the garlic is light brown (about 6-8 minutes) remove from heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, lemon juice and about 2 tablespoons of pasta cooking water; mix to combine.
Transfer the drained pasta to a large serving bowl; toss with remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and the remaining reserved cooking water.
Add in the garlic mixture; toss well to combine.
Season with more black pepper and salt to taste if desired.
Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/pasta-with-garlic-and-oil-aglio-e-olio-159894#ixzz1ReIdfoTk

I'm having one heck of a time with blogger, I think it's rebelling against me because of too much time off!

Pasta Aglio E Olio - with garlic and oil. So simple yet I searched high and low for the perfect recipe. This one from food.com maybe the winner! I enjoy the addition of the lemon juice and red pepper flakes - gives it a really nice kick.

Independence Day

2011-07-04T15:22:00.001-04:00

I hope everyone has a fun, safe 4th of July!

Beach Tablescape

2011-07-01T06:47:00.000-04:00

I was just "gently reminded" that I forgot to post pictures of my tablescape that I blogged about a short while ago. Sorry! The heat, and blah blah excuses excuses!

I was going with a beach theme, and buying the deocrations from afar, here in Charleston, and the party was in Indiana. Clearly, I didn't think that one through well enough, because I had to bring all those breakables and bulk on the plane with me. I've never been much of a bag checker when traveling, but I was forced to because I had to bring 2 bags to carry everything. I didn't want the bottles to break, so my decorations were carry on and my clothes went to the depths of the plane somewhere...and luckily arrived safely with me in Chicago.

One thing about buying decorations from afar, I didn't realize how big the table was. It ended up being much much muchier than I imagined, so everything got spread out on the table and it didn't turn out like I thought it would in my head...but it still turned out pretty good I'd say.

I bought a fishing net, sand colored tablecloth, along with some marshall's finds - the blue bottles, near the sea sign and sand dollar. A little Target representing in the flowers, and then got the sea glass and shells from a craft store. (I'll have to do an update later on where I got the fishing net and little anchor decorations, because I'm blanking right now!)

The tales of a terrible blogger

2011-06-25T09:36:00.000-04:00

I did it again. Almost said - Oops, I did it again. But that's a little overused and a little too Britney eh? Yes is the answer to that question.

I took a month long hiatus from blogger and the reason is threefold.

1- New job -- HOLLA!! I also started a steady workout plan, finally! I wake up at 5:30am every morning, head to the gym to swim, and then into my new job. I used to work just 3 days a week, so to jump to 5 and throw in morning workouts..I've been exhausted! But happy. When I swim, and first start out, I think so much about what I'm doing and how I'm hurting. Then when I reach the break through moment, it's like I just go - I don't think about it and my mind wanders. I wanted to get to that point in both swimming and the new job before trying to figure out things to write about.

2- Took a trip to Chicago/Indiana. I went to see the fam in between jobs. I did not much of anything for a week and it was fabulous!

This picture was taken with my iphone, toy camera app, at the parents house.

3- Is not as fun as 1 and 2. It's actually quite sad. We have no air conditioning at home! It is HOT right now, high 90s, same on the inside of my house. We put a wall unit in the bedroom to make it bearable to sleep, so I don't much leave that room when I'm home. The computer is in the hot part of the house, which I haven't braved for blogging sake.

These are the facts, just the facts.

I had a blogging project I thought about taking on. It will depend on if I can make it work, but I've been thinking - I'd really like to start going out to a restaurant, maybe once a week, then I'll do a post featuring the restaurant and what I ate. The next post I will try to recreate the recipe at home, maybe making it healthier. Or just recreating it to the best I can. I am kind of excited about trying this out, although with the lack of a/c it may have to wait until fall. But I am excited enough to maybe try it out now. Stay tuned!

Thanks for sticking with me during that little hiatus...I am going to do my best to be a better blogger from henceforward!

Now! I'm going to go catch up on all of YOUR blogs!

Stripe happy

2011-05-14T18:37:00.000-04:00

I've always been a solids kinda gal, but this summer I am really digging the stripes and prints! I mean I was solids for a good 30 years...this is all very new to me. Now that I'm losing weight, I've been doing some window shopping and found some motivational dresses. Not that I can afford them, but I will dream about them!

All of these are from Nordstrom.

All of these I want!

Maybe I should save my nickels. By the time I have enough to buy one of these I will have the body to wear it!

Sometimes I can't get over my brilliance.

Party Planning

2011-05-10T19:35:00.000-04:00

I think it's safe to say that most of us in the blogging world would throw a pretty kick ass party right? You have to be pretty creative to have a blog, then there's some fabulous blogger chefs and wonderful blogger decorators. How fun it would be to have a group of all star bloggers throw a party!!!

I was beyond thrilled when I was recently asked to help throw a party. Actually I can't quite remember if I was asked or begged or pleaded or whimpered to be let in? Either way, I'm in! And begged/groveled/whined to be given decorating duties. Weird right? Usually I'da done that for dessert making priveleges, but all of a sudden I was jonesing to decorate!

I.can't.wait to tablescape!!!

So, I turned to some other blogs for inspiration. Wow! There are so many wonderful ideas out there, and I totally wish I was getting married again because I also found some great websites for decorating on the cheap! Here are some of my favorites:

Beach theme From Between Naps on the Porch

I love the colors on this one! From Tiffany Angeles

Check out the deals Lynda found over at Focal Point! .89 cents for those beautiful blue glasses!? Yes please.

Ummm...this is a party I want to go to! amiright?

Found here.

Black and white makes for an elegant table! From the Bloom Girls.

The great thing about tablescapes is that you can find some terrific deals out there. For my upcoming table..ooh I can't wait to do it!...I bought from Save on Crafts. I also got some great deals at Marshalls. Tomorrow I'm going to check out Pier One and then I've got to stop before I spend next week's paycheck too.

A little note on online shopping..I always always always fill up my online cart, then open another window and google the store I'm buying from and coupon. There are not only great deals online but almost always I can find a coupon for a further discount. Don't ever buy without checking first!

The tough part of the deals and tablescaping is that you end up with a lot of knick knack paddywhack type of stuff, so try to get cute things that you can use more than once. I want to throw parties all summer just so I can keep tablescaping!

Happy Mom's Day!

2011-05-08T14:19:00.000-04:00

photo

I was supposed to be with my mommala today but she wasn't able to make it cross country this time...but if she was here at the moment I was planning on making her lobster pie.

Next time Mommala!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day!

GTKY Sunday!

2011-05-01T09:55:00.001-04:00

It's a ROYAL edition of Get to Know You Sunday!!

1. did you watch the royal wedding

I watched the procession and the beginning, then all the hymns lulled me back asleep..after of course giggling at how no one's mouths really seemed to be moving with the words I was hearing! Ok, let's be honest, I've been watching anything I happen to catch on the wedding since Friday.

2. tea and crumpets or coffee and a scone?

Ooh, how about coffee and crumpet? I think crumpet is just an english muffin, I much prefer that to a scone. Gotta love them nooks and crannies right!?

3. who's cuter..prince william or prince harry?

They look so different for brothers don't they? I'm going with:

4. can you speak in a english accent?

Oh I do wish I could bet-tah but it's not really all that good. (As a matter of fact, as I answer all these questions, in my mind, I am using an english accent.)

5. do you own a fancy hat?

Oh you mean a fascinator? I don't. But perhaps I shall get one in time for Harry's wedding.

6. would you rather live in a castle or an english cottage?

Castles don't seem as homey..more like museums. Who can relax in a museum? I choose a cottage, I'm picturing the one in the movie The Holiday.

7. how old were you when prince charles and princess diana got married? were you even born?

I was 3..and crazy enough totally remember watching it on tv. No DVR's back then, we had to watch that live!

8. have you found your prince?

Yes.

That was a fun one! Head over to Mannland5 to answer the questions and link up..oh please do because these answers will be fun to read. In other news, my computer is annoyingly slow today, I don't know what on earth is going on with it...maybe it doesn't recognize my fingers typing with an english accent?

Happy Sunday!!

My Day as an Extra

2011-04-30T14:29:00.000-04:00

(Read post below for the pre-story!)

My call time was 6am and I was told to be prepared for a 12-14 hour day, and to arrive with hair and makeup done for a formal event. When I arrived, we were not on set but down the street a little. There were tents and tables set up. We were told to fill out a time form and then have breakfast before heading to the set. Arriving at the set, there was a table with everyone's pictures laid out. We had to find our picture to know what dress to change into, then head to the dressing room before heading to hair and make up. (Apparently, I didn't need to wake up extra early to get ready as I did) They had chosen my own dress for me to wear, which shocked me because I was so sure I'd be wearing the first one I had tried on in casting. It seemed a little less formal than the rest of the group but it was comfy so I went with it.

Next I went to makeup, quite humbly, with my chinzits. I apologized..but also was grateful because I expected them to turn me away for being a chunky monkey with an acnified chin. They spent quite a bit of time trying to cover those suckers up too. Then it was sit and wait for a hair chair to open up, and while waiting another make up person grabbed me..I told her I already had been to make up to which she said "You did?! Have you looked in a mirror?"

Oh my, I thought, jumping up and into her chair, purposely avoiding the mirror. I didn't even want to know what she was talking about. Look, she tells me again. Cautiously I peer into the mirror and see 2 big white splotches on my face. Oh phew, I thought it was going to be something like a big clown nose..or maybe she had magnified the acnified chin instead of covered it up. White splotches...no big thing. It was just some moisturizer and powder that didn't blend in. The second girl spent another half hour on the chin area though, and again I found myself amply apologizing for such a tragedy.

Next up was hair, and I thought they may fluff it up a little and send me on my way, but nope, they gave me a full on up-do. Seriously in 15 minutes she put my hair back and up with a million bobby pins in a style it would have taken an hour to do at the salon.

We were then greeted by the maestro of the extras and given instructions on pantomiming. (Pretending to talk without a sound coming out. Even so much as a whisper could be heard by the sound guys and they'd have to retake the scene.) I mean, not just the extras in the scene, but anywhere in the building or on the outside could not make a peep. At one point someone was talking at a whisper and the director grumbled out "Haven't these people ever been on a set before!?"

Ooh, I couldn't wait to get in there and pantomime!!

It came time to start picking people for the scene. Hands went up all over the place - pick me! pick me! And I wondered, seriously is this what it's like? We have to beg to be put in? And as I marveled on that thought, they picked everyone for the first scene before I could put my hand up. But then the maestro said - aw heck, this whole side of the room (my side) come to the front.

Since we were going to a ball, we'd need dates. So, just like a jr. high school dance, the women were lined up on one side of the room and started to get paired up...until maestro got tired and said to the men...just pick a date and get out there. I was towards the back since the people who raised their hands were up front. I did not get picked. Instead, youngen's not far out of high school in all their petiteness wearing their prom dresses from last year were the first picked. And there I was left standing at the end, dateless and out of the scene.

For 8 hours I sat and waited. My fancy up-do threatening to frizz, my chin threatening to shine. Lunch came and went and then! Finally, all who have not been in a scene yet - head in.

I get to pantomime!!

As I headed into the ballroom, dateless, I was placed on a chair off to the side of the dance floor. Then a couple was instructed to walk in and stand directly in front of me when they heard "action!"...so pretty sure I won't be seen in that scene. Another time I was standing drinking champagne and laughing with a group..only that time there were also people standing in front of me.

What amazed me, a single scene of a couple leaving a dance floor, took at least a half hour to film. And in between every scene, the hair and makeup people were scurrying about, fixing everybody up. And, as quiet as everyone had to be, we still couldn't hear the dialog between the main characters.

Finally, 12 hours later I was sitting off to the side with 3 other women. The scene was about to begin when one of the stage guys came up to us and said - You're walking! to us. I felt a little thrill of excitement at getting to walk right through the scene.

The scene starts and he says - Ready? Walk and talk..go! Just you two! To the ladies on my left.
After 30 seconds he says it again..get ready to walk! The other girl I was standing with asks him, Both of us?

The man quickly glances at me, over my dress, and quickly says..Just you..to the other girl. Leaving me the last one, and scene is over. Did.I.ever.feel.the.chunky.monkey! I mean..I really did. Shortly after the day was over, and I left completely emotionally drained. I felt bad in a way you shouldn't let a look cut you down but you are self conscious enough that it does.

But ~ I am on the weight loss track and it was a fun experience nonetheless...but it would have been so much more fun had I been skinny. When that happens, I will jump on the chance to be an extra again. All in all, it was over 10 hours of sitting there doing nothing at all, but it was a lot of fun too. And, I got to cross something off my list of things to do before I die!

Crossing another thing off the ol' bucket list

2011-04-30T09:49:00.000-04:00

Sometimes in life I get extremely down about having not accomplished much. Several years ago, probably brought about by the Bucket List movie, I created a list of 100 things to do before I die. I never made it to 100 but I figure I can add on later. I've already done a couple things, like competing in a triathlon, getting married, buying a house...and this past week I scratched one more thing off the list. Something I thought would be difficult to accomplish: being an extra, either in a film or tv show. Here's the (pre)story!

Several months ago I saw on the news that a tv show filmed locally was looking for extras, and they gave a website to sign up. I signed up and promptly forgot about it. Then about a month ago I got an email, they were filming a ball scene and needed extras, would I be interested and available? Well, yes I would, thankyouverymuch! I responded immediately and the next step was to go to casting with any ball gowns I may already have. I had none. But also, a little self conscious about my size, went to Marshall's and picked one up just so I wouldn't have to tell them my size. (Ok, a lot self conscious)

When the day came, I brought my dress in and noticed racks of other dresses. They asked my name, dress size, and shoe size and wrote them on a dry erase board..I told them I was a size down from what I am. Like I said, I was reeeaaally hoping not to have to say it. Then my fib came tumbling down when she said "Great, pick a dressing room and I'm going to pull some more dresses for you to try on." Crapola.

Luckily, formal dresses run small, so she grabbed a few that were my actual size. But still, I probably could have even used a size up from that. But...embarrassing. The first dress I tried on fit me, thankfully, and I came out of the dressing room to their critical eyes looking ever so thoughtfully at the dress. I was self conscious as hell! Then they styled me up with matching shoes and jewelry, then took the dreaded dry erase board announcing my name and size and had me hold it up so they could take a picture of me in the dress.

The next dress I tried on didn't fit at all, and ultimately ended up trying on my own dress for them..it was the only other one that fit. Same sequence, ending with me holding up the blasted board and having my picture taken. They really seemed to like the first one better, but told me I wouldn't know which I'd be wearing and to bring everything the day of shooting. Then I collected my dignity from the dressing room floor and went on my merry way.

The day before shooting I got an email telling me what time it would be and where to go. In the week leading up to the big day...I was stressed. Not just about this, but lots of life stresses. And when life stresses...I break out. Here I am the day before, praying my teenage pimples would magically disappear and doing everything I can to help the process along. I mean, I even put on the toothpaste to try that old trick. I really gave a serious thought to not going..how can I go possibly show my face on tv feeling chunky and with teenage skin??? But, then I remembered my list and I may never get this chance again, so I told myself....just do it. I also ran out to the mall and picked up some spanx.

Finally, the big day arrived. Pimples? Loud and proud right there on my chin for all to see. Anxiety level? Surprisingly low. I had more anxiety about doing the triathlon. I mean, I knew being an extra was no big thang, "it's not about me" and all about the actors themselves.. Here goes nothing!

More about the big day in my next post!!

I want....

2011-04-23T16:10:00.000-04:00

Now that I'm serious about diet and exercise...

Including a workout by the all inspiring Tracy Anderson:

I am ready for the body of her famous clients:

Like Gwyneth. (Love the yellow dress too!)

And while I'm putting in my order with the universe, can I also please have J Lo's legs?

Kim K's booty..maybe slightly smaller..

And Katie's skin:

That's not too much to ask is it?

Ooh and if I got abs like any of these women I would be putting on a bikini for the first time in....??? years. For some reason I am loving the stripes this year:

As I mentioned I am currently dieting. I am following a plan from a hospital weight management center - it was time I got help. I've been trying for too long and have not lost a single pound. Or, I lose a few and then promptly gain it right back. Now I'm looking for the big forever loss. For the next several weeks my diet will consist of 2 shakes, 3 bars, and 1 meal consisting of 6oz protein and 1 cup cooked veggies per day. Today is day 3 and already I have lost 3 pounds! I have been tempted by lots of cakes and cookies and of course Easter tomorrow but so far...so good.

I'm still debating on a healthier Easter menu. I'm thinking of slow cooker turkey..and maybe throwing a few potatoes in with the turkey so hubs can have some carbs. Then 2 veggie dishes..grean beans and maybe broccoli. Then I won't be cheating terribly bad. The only cheat may come in portion size but I will try to keep that under control. And woot! I will survive a holiday dinner!

I hope you are enjoying your Easter weekend!

Where on Earth?

2011-04-22T18:27:00.000-04:00

Happy Earth Day!

Randoms:

I always wondered why people apologized for not blogging in a while. My thoughts: it's your blog, do what you want. We don't sign a contract to blog saying we will blog every day or 3 times a week or however much. But, that said, now I am the one feeling guilty and the need to apologize for not blogging as often lately. I have been terribly uninspired. And, I am quite grateful for you and don't want to let you down. So, if you are still with me..Thank you! And I am sorry!

I started an official diet. It's through a hospital, not a name brand like weight watchers or anything. I am excited about it...but, I won't be posting too many recipes for the next 15 weeks. (The length of the program) It will all be worth it in the end, when I get nice n skinny I will not regret not posting recipes for a while. Then I'll have to find new healthy recipes to post so I can maintain. In the meantime, I will have to find other tidbits to blog about. So my second apology: if you are a fan of recipes, I apologize for the lack of in the coming months!

It's Earth Day! I'm sorry to say that doesn't mean much to me, I haven't done anything special for the earth. I did plant some flowers a couple days ago, that was earthly, no? What else does one do on earth day? I don't know. I work 12 hours so I can even go outside and appreciate it. Nevertheless, Happy Earth Day!!

I do hope for better inspiration soon.

Tomorrow I will tell you everything you never knew you wanted to know about my exciting new diet!

Honey Cashew Green Beans

2011-04-18T19:59:00.001-04:00

Here is a very simple side I found on allrecipes.com that I am at this very moment ready to eat the whole thing! Just as dinner was about to be ready, hubs had to run to finish his taxes..talk about last minute. So here I sit, waiting on him and dinner, although, now that recipe is up on blog, I do think it's time to just eat it! Sorry hubs. Some of us got our taxes in on time! I did have a bite as it was finished and it is definitely blog worthy, unlike some of the other mishaps I've had lately.

Honey Cashew Green Beans

Recipe from allrecipes.com

1/2 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
2 Tbsp coarsely chopped cashews (or any nut you have on hand)
4 1/2 tsp butter
1 Tbsp honey

Place beans in a steamer basket and steam for 8-10 minutes or until crisp tender. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt butter and saute cashews for about 2 minutes or until golden brown. Stir in honey; heat through. Transfer beans to the skillet and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

GTKY Sunday

2011-04-10T09:05:00.000-04:00

Gosh is it Sunday already? Time is just flying by these days. I'm feeling short on words today, here is my Getting to Know You..head over to www.mannland5.com to link up!

1. do you watch/read the news?
Very sporadically. I get breaking news from cnn sent to my email, that is usually my only source of news! And I do enjoy the Sunday paper. But let's be honest, news comes secondary to ads and coupons.

2. how would you describe your "look"?
Usually it's simple, classic, comfortable. (I'm a Charlotte) But right now my look is very yoga pants chic.

3. did you play sports in high school or college?
Yep, I was a swimmer.

4. would you rather give up lipstick/gloss or high heels?
Right now...the heels for sure! When I get down to my goal weight, I'll lose the lipstick. Just a little chapstick is all I wear anyway.

5. what's your favorite show to watch on tv?
It's a toss up between Wednesday and Friday nights. I'll go with the Wednesday line up: Survivor, American Idol, Modern Family, and Top Chef. Oh, happy night of tv for me! And love to my dvr!

6. would you rather bake or cook?
I enjoy baking more, but let's face it, can't get to my goal weight with baking. Cooking it is!

7. shorts or skirts?
Skirts! Not a big fan of shorts.

8. what's your favorite scary movie?
Favorite and scary movies are 2 terms that just don't go together in my vocabulary.

Zucchini Bread

2011-04-05T20:24:00.001-04:00

This past weekend I was doing a little spring cleaning and found stacks upon stacks of old food magazines. That promptly ended said cleaning as I sat down with them piled around me. I went through them all, ripping out the recipes I wanted to save so I could get rid of the magazines. Today I did a little refrigerator cleaning and found so much wasted food, I realized I have to do better using up what I have instead of finding a recipe and ignoring what I have to go buy something else.

2 of the things to use up were zucchinis and buttermilk. I remembered seeing this recipe for zucchini bread in a Food & Wine magazine, the original called for yogurt instead of buttermilk. I almost started to run out for some yogurt before reminding myself to substitute. I'm sure this bread is fantastic with yogurt, but I was quite pleased with how it turned out with the buttermilk.

I think this might be the best bread I've ever made. The crust has a nice crunch to it, not too hard, just perfect. And the inside is not too dense, just light and moist.

Zucchini Bread

Recipe adapted from Food & Wine Magazine (Sept. 2009)

1 cup walnut halves
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp buttermilk
1 cup coarsely grated zucchini

Preheat oven to 325. Spray a loaf pan with Pam baking spray, or butter and flour. Spread walnut halves on a skillet and toast for about 8 minutes, until they are fragrant. Transfer the walnuts to a cutting board and coursely chop them.

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda and powder, and salt. In a medium bowl, mix together the eggs, sugars, vegetable oil, and buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients along with the grated zucchini and toasted walnuts and stir until the batter is evenly moistened. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes, until the loaf is risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the loaf cool on a rack for 30 minutes before unmolding and serving.

Link Love: Breads

2011-04-05T18:06:00.000-04:00

Lately the baking bug has been biting me repeatedly. As much as I want to say no, then I think..well it won't hurt. I'll just make it and give it, just get it out of my house and I'll be fine. In theory that works quite well, unless you are lingering with those you give to, then eat a bit or twelve.

I blame the baking bug on other people's blogs. There have been some wonderful posts lately on breads. Here's a few:

Quick Banana Bread by Yadi at Shop.Cook.Make: ~ I just love her blog by the way, gorgeous photos and tempting recipes!

Ice Cream Bread by Leslie at The Hungry Housewife: ~Seriously, you need to see this recipe!

Peanut Butter Bread with Struesel Topping by Mary at One Perfect Bite: Um, hello! Peanut Butter AND struesel topping!? Perfection indeed!

Garlic Rosemary Bread by Julia at Fat girl trapped in a skinny body: I can't wait to try this one!

Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Quick Bread by Jenny at Picky Palate: I'm dying right now, dying ya hear? I need this in my belly right now!

Noooooooooooooooooow you see why I currently have a loaf of zucchini bread in my oven? If it turns out half as pretty as the photos above I will post it later tonight!

GTKY Sunday!

2011-04-03T08:42:00.000-04:00

Woohoo, Getting to Know You time!! I'm not so sure about the questions this week. I wanna go back to last week's since I missed them, but you know, maybe against the rules or something so here goes:

(First, a pretty picture)

1. do you weigh yourself?

Not so much. When I lose my first 20 pounds I'll start to weigh regularly but at this weight it only ruins my day to see what I weigh.

2. what's the nastiest thing you've ever eaten?

I don't get too adventurous when it comes to food ~ Anthony Bourdain I am not. One time I was in Puerto Rico and went out for Chinese food. I ordered chicken, and I know the stereotype about that I try not to play into it. But seriously, this was NOT chicken. It grosses me out to think about what it really could have been. **shudder**

3. snail mail or email?

Snail mail is nice but who remembers to buy stamps anymore? Email.

4. do you have any irrational fears...what are they?

Plenty of irrational fears. My hubs would probably have a laugh at that understatement. I can't read scary or heart thumping books or watch such movies because I will turn chicken little at night. The latest was the movie The Fourth Kind. I swear I will be woken by alien owls at 3:33am. **shudder**

5. do you play an instrument?

I keep thinking I'd really like to learn the guitar but there are a million other things I'd like to do first. No is the answer to this question!

6. would you rather be bitten by a snake or attacked by a bear?

Oh my. Seriously? **shudder** again. Aw, man! Aw...do I really have to pick one of those? I guess the snake.

7. do you ever go braless in public?

Only if I have on a shelf bra tank and something else over that.

8. today i am thankful for........................?

Oreo truffles, family and friends, a fun night out last night with hubs, Sunday morning motivation, and dunkin donuts coffee.

Thanks, Keely, for the Sunday morning **shudders**!!!

Head over to MannLand5 to link up!

Oreo Truffles

2011-04-02T13:38:00.001-04:00

I think this recipe has been around for a while now, and to be honest I don't know where it originated. But lemme just say, it's uber easy to make, ridiculously easy! And I'm sure hoping they are still around for me to bring to the lovely ladies at work tomorrow.

All you do is take a package of oreos, remove about 8. Eat 3, and put 5 in the food processor. Set the crumbs aside. Then process the rest of the package and put those in a separate bowl.

Add 1 block of softened cream cheese to the oreo crumbs and mix well. Form them into balls, dip them into melted chocolate, and then take the saved crumbs and sprinkle it over the chocolate. Refrigerate them and Enjoy!

I used Godiva vanilla bean white chocolate...

And Lindt extra creamy milk chocolate.

The only question is...

Will they last for me to bring to work tomorrow?

Only time will tell.

Only time will (munch munch) tell.

The Celebrity Apprentice

2011-03-28T13:08:00.000-04:00

Are you watching this season of The Celebrity Apprentice?

I've always been intrigued at how people's minds work in a business environment, especially successful people, so I have been a fan of this show since the first season.

They've had several Celebrity seasons now, and it really seems like the producers make sure to have at least one *ahem* "creative" person, one who's mind doesn't have direct focus like the rest, instead they are brilliant in their own willy nilly unfocused way. It really makes you wonder what these people are like to work with when their every move isn't being filmed. First Cyndi Lauper:

Then Bret Michaels:

And now this season the cray cray that is Gary Busey:

It's good entertaining television to watch other celebrities reign in the haphazard craziness of these people! And I think that's why they don't get fired until well into the season: ratings.

Last night's show, I'm sorry to say I'm happy that ACN was the task to bring down Dionne Warwick. I did not care for her at all, she seemed so condescending and bossy to the other contestants. And while I'm not a huge fan of Star Jones, she was right, they are there for charity and should stop throwing in the towel.

And now, if I may, a little self promotion.

I am in business with ACN, the company featured on last night's show. If you are interested in the Iris 5000 Video Phone, and why wouldn't you be?!?

Check out my website to order or get more information on the video phone, or to learn more on this incredible company. And please email me if you have any questions! Siestacupcakes@aol.com

Turtle Covered Rice Krispie Treats

2011-03-22T02:14:00.000-04:00

I gave up sweets for Lent and it's crazy the things I've been craving! Things that I don't even eat when I can, I only want them when I can't have them. Like those wafer cookies that come in chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla..wafer cookies with the cream in them? I haven't had them since I can't even remember when, but today..I wanted them. Bad.

I am having another sweet craving right now so instead of eating one, I'll post one that I made before Lent, and these, my friends, are magical. Soo simple to make but are so decadant that you'd think it took all day to prepare. I will be making these for Easter, and I will be eating them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Ok..maybe that's extreme, maybe just lunch and dinner. Hope you enjoy!

Turtle Rice Krispie Treats

Recipe from Glorious Treats

Prepare rice krispie treats from the recipe on the box. (I googled making them, because I never had and wanted to know the secret to making them soft. I've had some that have been rock hard before. The secret is to not melt the marshmallows 100%. Stop when they are around 85-90% melted. Then when you put them in the pan, don't press down. It doesn't matter if it's not completely even, because you are topping them!)

For the topping:

3/4 pound individual caramels

2 Tbsp water

1/2 tsp vanilla

6 oz semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup chopped pecans

Melt the caramels, water, and vanilla together. Stir as needed. When it is all melted, spread over rice krispie treats and place in refrigerator until it has cooled. Save some caramel to drizzle over the top.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. When they are melted, stir well and spread over cooled caramel mixture. Top with the chopped pecans, and drizzle with remaining caramel. Again, store in refrigerator to set, then cut into squares! And try not to eat the whole pan.

It'll be difficult. Just be warned.

Getting to Know you is back!

2011-03-20T08:59:00.002-04:00

Yay! I'm so excited Keely at MannLand5 is bringing back Getting To Know You Sundays!! Head over there for the questions and to link up!

the ?'s
1. if you won the title of miss america, what would your platform be?
2. outdoorsy or indoorsy?
3. pajama's out in public..classy or tres tacky?
4. what's your favorite room in your house?
5. nook, kindle, or book?
6. would you rather wear the same outfit for a week or not brush your teeth for a week?
7. what's your favorite blog at the moment?
8. lately i've been daydreaming about.........?

If you won the title of Miss America, what would your platform be?
Banning white speedos.
Haa...truth be told I had to google Miss America platforms to find out what that meant. That was in one of the responses..banning white speedos, and know what, sounds good to me!

Outdoorsy or Indoorsy?
Both for me! I love when it's 70, the air is fresh, I love to go for a walk or hike and especially like going out on boats. But if it's too hot or too cold, I prefer a temperature controlled environment thankyouverymuch!

Pajamas out in public, Classy or Tres Tacky?
Please don't tell me anyone thinks this is classy! Even though I do it..and my pjs are usually yoga pants and a tshirt so you can't tell..I still know as I'm out that I'm tacky, and loving it! Sometimes I go to Walmart when I go out like this, just to fit in.

My pj's, but with a longer shirt!

What's your favorite room in your house?
I am a pretty recent homeowner, so I was very excited to decorate every room! I love the bedroom, but sometimes I will walk into the guest room because it makes me happy. Other times I just love the FROG (finished room over garage for you non South Carolinians) Really I love the whole stinkin house..with exception to the bathrooms which need a makeover desperately!

Nook, Kindle, or Book?
Love me some Nook!

Would you rather wear the same outfit for a week or not brush your teeth for a week?
Simple..I'll take the outfit! (I hope it's yoga pants and a tshirt) Not brushing your teeth? Ew!

What's your favorite blog of the moment?
Right now I can't get enough of Tom and Lorenzo..it's a fashion blog and these guys are hil-arious!

Lately I've been daydreaming about.....?
Lots of stuff, man, lots of stuff. World travel, world peace, starting a business, starting a website, renovating my bathrooms, what life will be like when I'm a millionare...all kinds of stuff!

Have a fabulous Sunday! Thanks for stopping by!

No More Rack

2011-03-18T11:39:00.003-04:00

I have a new obsession. It's called No More Rack, and has amazing deals..they have daily deals that get posted at noon every day, Monday through Friday. In the week since I've signed up I've bought some elizabeth arden makeup, a bag that was originally $80 on sale for $20, and a pair of shoes that were $40 on sale for $8. These deals are sick people. Check them out!!!

http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=396222

Today they have these ramekins, normally $25, on sale for $7. Oh, I want!

And this jumpsuit, normally $109, on sale for $20. $20~!!

Sales start at noon and sell out fast so check them out!!

Assorted Ramblings

2011-03-17T19:57:00.000-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I gave up sweets and alcohol for Lent this year, so no green beer for this girl. Lent has been here for just over a week and already in that time, I've felt the sacrifice. I never knew how much sweets I ate until I gave it up! After I eat lunch I get an intense sweet craving. It's ridiculous! And definitely necessary to give up. And dang it all if I don't love a chocolate marshmallow bunny to pieces either. Then the alcohol..first was a weekend in Daytona..it sure woulda been nice to have been sipping a brewsky during the Daytona 200! And now of course, St. Patty's Day. I feel like now that I have gotten these 2 things out of the way, I should have no trouble making it to Easter.

I survived Daytona! And quite surprisingly had a lot of fun too. I didn't lose my husband to the bikes, another bonus. Wow though..I have never seen such a thing as bike week! Normally I see bikes on the road here and there and try to stay away from them, just to be safe. But bike week? We were one of the few cars driving around, the bikes were everywhere. And the noise! It was more a feeling of excitement and comraderie than anything else..just a lot of good fun.

I know I am all over the place here, but I have been having the craziest dreams lately. One night I had a whole dream about making an apple pie. I don't know how long the dream lasted in reality but it was surely a couple hours. I was having trouble with the crust, tried to make it a couple times and then gave up and gave it a crumb topping. Now what can a dream like that mean?

The next night, I had a dream about snakes. They were everywhere, and doing that thing where they open their mouth so you see their fangs and then they'd try to bite me. This one I did look up and it could mean many different things, some I don't even want to think about..but it seems this one seems quite relevant:
"Such a snake-ordeal is an important signal that you are going through a kind of initiation; a psychological and spiritual trial that has the potential to change your life for the better if you deal with it bravely and with a clear heart. You may have to give up something you thought you couldn't, or take a stand for your principles or faith."

Yes indeed. That basically sums up my life right now, trying to change my life for the better, taking a stand for principles and faith. Sing it sister.

I hope everyone has a Happy St. Patrick's day (now night!) I made Hungry Housewife's Guinness Sheperd's Pie and it was glorious! Guinness gravy is a revelation. If you haven't tried it yet...you must! Right now, stop reading, click the link, go to the store and get the ingredients, cook, enjoy...then go back to blogging!

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

2011-03-08T13:50:00.000-05:00

Every Sunday when I get the paper, I always scour the coupon and ad section. I don't know why because I never go buy that cute shirt at JC Penney or barstool at Target, I just like knowing it's on sale. And coupons? Forget it. I clip them, put them in my purse, and inevitably forget them like my reusable bags when I go to the store. I have even, sad to say, had coupons in my hand at the register and forget to pass them to the cashier until it's too late.

Last Sunday this recipe caught my eye on a Campbell's Soup coupon. I made it for lunch and am eating it as I type if I must be honest. It is good, next time I may add a little something extra for flavor, a bit more salt and maybe a dash of cayenne. All in all, it's a great weeknight recipe, very easy and fast to make!

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

Recipe from Campbell's Kitchen.com

1/2 of a 16 oz package linguine

1 cup fresh or frozen broccoli florets

2 Tbsp butter

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound) cut into 1-1/2 in. pieces

1 can (10 oz) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp black pepper

1. Prepare the linguine according to package directions in a 3 quart saucepan. Add the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of the cooking time. Drain the linguine mixture in a colander.

2. Heat the butter in a 10 in skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook until well browned and cooked through, stirring often.

3. Stir the soup, milk, cheese, black pepper and linguine mixture in the skillet and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese.

What have I gotten myself into?

2011-03-06T17:14:00.000-05:00

For Christmas I found the best gift to give the hubs: tickets to the Daytona 200. He only recently got into bikes but mannnnn if he didn't get addicted fast. I was very excited to come up with such a brilliant gift and I couldn't wait to give it to him, and titled the gift: "Operation make hubs piss himself with glee." Just before Christmas someone mentioned Daytona bike week and goodness gracious, I had not the slightest idea the Daytona 200 was during Daytona bike week! Duh!

I am terrified to get on a bike...won't do it! One time I told hubs I would, then my insides started shaking and I wanted to vomit and ended up backing out. He doesn't have a Harley or the like, he has a sport bike, a crotch rocket. You have to lean all the way over to turn. Oh no. Pretty much it looks like your knee is scraping pavement when you turn. I was ready to watch the race but not at all ready to hop on the back of a bike!

Now of course, since the week is dedicated to bikes, hub of course needs to ride his bike while we're there. Which means...we have to drive separate. I really don't see myself sucking it up and jumping on.

And next point of contention. Girls strutting around in bikinis, short shorts, bikini contests, and they certainly aren't afraid of getting on a bike. My body is FAR from bikini ready, no shorts yet either. I will be as self conscious as a ...(FAIL. couldn't come up with an adequate phrase to describe just how self conscious I will be. A whore in church was what I was gonna write, but that phrase is sweat like a whore in church!) OMG I may lose my husband to bike week! What have I done?!?!

Tomorrow, although it's too little too late, I am looking at the big picture though..I will finally be starting the Tracy Anderson Method, a 30 day bootcamp. If I had started when I planned on it, I would be in my last week right now. Buuut I was sick forever, the Charleston Crud is what I had, for just about the whole month of February. Now I'm back in health and ready to kick some butt. What will happen in a week? Not much but that's ok..gotta start somewhere right? I am really excited and motivated, and for SURE I will be motivated after this weekend too.

I mentioned a couple posts ago about finding a diet to go with the boot camp. Then I realized how much it all costs, and why spend money I don't have when along with loosening the pants I also want to tighten the purse strings. The Tracy Anderson Method (TAM) comes with a cleanse, one that you do your shopping and cooking. Why mess with the method? I am excited about it and will blog my progress!

Booksneeze

2011-03-04T13:35:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite books ever is the Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews, so I was super excited to learn the follow up to that book, Final Summit, is coming out soon. Check out this link for his blog and a little about the book. It was on that link that I discovered I could get an advance copy, as a blogger, on http://www.booksneeze.com/. Buuuut when I went there they no longer had his book available. My disappointment only lasted a minute though, because I looked around and discovered that bloggers could get FREE books if you promise to review it on your blog.

I mean FREE? My favorite 4 letter F word!

I immediately signed up and after looking through what was available chose the book "Reggie - You Can't Change Your Past but You Can Change Your Future" I am all about reading people's stories, especially those who are self made and successful.

I haven't gotten it yet but review coming soon! And check out BookSneeze to get your free books too.

I was about to end post there but then got to wonderin, what in the world, why "sneeze" Booksneeze..your free book full of boogars..eew. My favorite trick, started all the way back in high school, and yes I do know it's juvenile and I should have outgrown it, but goodness do I think it's funny! Sprinkle a little water in your hands, and then fake a sneeze when someone has their back to you, and fling the water in your fingers on the back of that person's neck while you AHHHH CHooooooooo! Gosh are people's reactions funny. One time I was crammed into a van full of strangers on the way to a hotel, I had a bottle of water in my hands and everyone was stiffly quiet. Perfect, I thought. I did it to the man in front of me...he didn't even flinch! I mean..wow. That's a polite man right there. I, at the very least, would have cringed and shuddered. Then I waited a minute and told him what I did and everyone started cracking up..see there, it's an ice breaker too, bringing strangers together.

Try it..booksneeze and fake sneezes. Barrels of fun.

Renovations

2011-02-24T09:11:00.000-05:00

Goodness gracious, I haven't blogged since Valentine's Day? My sincerest apologies. I'm going through a phase right now. I knew at the start of the year with my list of resolutions that this was going to be a big year of changes for me. Sometimes I wish I could glimpse in the future to see what life will be like, I think I'd have a whole lot less anxiety. Just as today I can look at a situation that I had anxiety about years ago and wonder why on earth did I feel that way, everything worked out for the best. I wish I could go back and tell that self to chill and enjoy life more instead of stressing things unnecessarily.

Right now, I am in that up and down mode of stress that comes with life changes. One day I'm so excited about the future I can't sleep at night. The next full of doubt and anxiety, because nothing has happened yet. But..I guess in the grand scheme of life, it's only been 2 months, I should chill right?

There are 2 areas that I'm making changes to. The first is my body..I've been talking about and trying to lose weight for the past 4 years, and literally keep gaining and losing the same 5 pounds. In reality, I need to lose at least 50 pounds, but being a woman, you know, 65 would be ideal. It's time to stop pussyfooting around (excuse the expression but that's what it is!) and do something major..100% commitment. And I know I can do it..I just did a 21 fast and it went really well! I'm turning to Tracy Anderson for the exercise portion, I bought her book/boot camp dvd, which I attempted to start a few weeks ago and then got the sick that's going around. The diet..I'm still working on but hope to have it figured out by tonight. I know a couple people doing really well on the hCG diet. It is really intense but also really structured which is what I need. I will update later on which diet I choose!

The second area of changes coming is in my career. Not much to say about this, other than it's a rough time in the business world right now and I am trudging onward.

With a new bod and a new job on the horizon, 2011 could be the best year ever...as long as I remember to chill and enjoy life and stop with the anxiety!

The Proposal

2011-02-14T16:56:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I've written my Memoirs of a Flight Attendant, but I thought, being it Valentine's Day, and that I had a nice heartwarming memory, it's time to reopen this book for a quick story.

The flight attendant crew on this particular day was all female. We believed in having fun on the job, because if we had fun, so did the passengers. Happy passengers = happy flight crew, it goes full circle.

"If we could have your attention for just a few minutes we'd like to go over the safety features of this aircraft. Please pretend to be interested..." Such were our announcements, little cracks here and there to keep people on their toes, and it was a good crowd this flight.

"Should this flight become a cruise we have provided you with fashionable swimwear. Life vests are under each seat. Take them and kick paddle kick paddle your way to shore, where we'll be waiting for you with mai tais in little coconut cups." Cue the flight attendants in the cabin, pulling out little coconut cups. The passengers all clapped when we finished with our safety demo. We could see them loosening up a bit from the hubbub and chaos that is the airport.

Service went well, when we joked with people from the start, people made a point to joke back at sometime during the flight. Full circle, see? After collecting trash I was in the galley cleaning up with the other flight attendants. A man came up to us then, tall, well dressed, nice smelling..

"Hey! I loved your announcements. I wonder if you could help me out with something. I am flying up with my girlfriend, I am going to meet her family. I was going to wait until later in the trip but this flight is so much fun I want to ask her to marry me right now. Can you help?"

Oh my...I don't know..I mean, that does sound like fun..sure, we can come up with something.

After staring at each other blankly for a few minutes, racking our brains for a great idea, I picked up the PA. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are going to have a contest! I dare say we have the best prize ever for the winner too. All you need to do is guess how many miles per hour we are currently traveling, whoever comes closest to the actual number wins. Write down your answer and the flight attendants will walk through to find our winner."

Of course, it didn't matter what anyone wrote down, because it was already fated who would win, no matter how outlandish her guess was. But still, we had to keep up the farce, so we went up and down the rows, to every passenger, pretending to write down their answers.

By now the boyfriend had gone back to his seat and was playing along, acting oblivious to our ploy.

"We have a winner! Congratulations Lisa in 27C!!! We have an amazing prize for you!" Now I'm getting a little choked up. I've never proposed to anyone before, and even though it wasn't me, well, it kinda was. I was nervous, eyes starting to get a little watery.

"The man sitting to your right wants to know...Will you marry him?" The entire plane, which was sold out, erupted into loud applause. I got chill bumps and at that moment, had to stay hidden in the galley because then for sure my eyes were watery, and I felt silly, because I didn't know why. I felt better only because one of the other flight attendants was right up there with me with tears in her eyes. Peeking out in the cabin, we saw Lisa raising her left hand to show the plane she said Yes!

The third flight attendant walked up to the galley, "Oh you two saps!" she grumbled at us, grabbing 2 bottles of wine and bringing it to the happy couple.

After we landed, I said good bye and congratulations to them, both beaming as they got off the plane. I hadn't actually talked to them since she had said yes. Lisa was happy as can be, and I was so happy for her that my eyes got teary. Again. When did I turn into such a sap?

It was quite an honor to be a part of someone's proposal. Now I take their story and tell it as one of my own, which maybe isn't right, but man if I can't help it. That was one of my favorite flights ever. ♥

Sunday Happiness

2011-02-13T12:11:00.000-05:00

Mr. and Mrs. Cootieface Sickly

2011-02-09T17:32:00.001-05:00

A week ago I was at work and sent the hubs a text to see how he was doing. "Sore throat" was his response. That was the day hubs let the cooties into our house. A short 24 hours later, I found myself also feeling the cooties. For the past week we've been useless, laying around all day whining, watching movies, and taking endless naps.

One whole week later and who ever would know these cooties would stick around? Today I used a sick day from work. Sick days, in my humble opinion, are best spent not sick. Are you with me? They should be spent going to the beach or something. Today I napped, stayed in bed and pondered how to remove a face that is nothing but a big ball of hurt.

Hubs just started a new job so he can't call in sick. Or do you say call out sick? I don't know. Either way, he went to work to share the cooties with even more people. The difference between he and I, he likes to "Let his body heal itself." ie - take nothing, suffer in pain to let his body try to fight the germs.

Me? Give me drugs!! Lots of drugs, as much as it takes to stop the ick!

I never got Jersey Shore and why anyone would watch such a show. Stay with me, I'm going somewhere, promise. I never actually saw it myself, but once in a while would catch one of them on a talk show here and there. They seemed like knuckleheads and I wonder what on earth people saw in the show. Well. Yesterday after hubs dragged himself galliantly to work, I turned to On Demand to keep me company. After watching all episodes of I love selling NY, which I highly enjoyed, I saw Jersey Shore listed. What the heck, I thought. Check it out and see what the hubbub is.

I found myself strangely drawn in. I watched all 4 episodes that were listed! And...I still don't get it. Surely there is some sort of hypnotic force at play here. I mean, watching a bunch of overly tan 20 somethings, all with crazy hair, drink, party, and sleep around. How come? And how come I couldn't stop watching either?

One of life's great mysteries. I'm just glad there were only 4 episodes!

Watch out for the cooties, friends. They grab hold and don't let go and make you watch silly tv shows.

With Love from the Sick House,

Take me Away

2011-02-07T12:34:00.000-05:00

One of my new year's resolutions was to stop buying People and US Weekly magazines. I found myself spending way too much money on them, and celeb gossip? Really? Do I need to know why the stars are just like us? No. I'm sure they are and just knowing that helps me sleep better at night. I don't need a magazine to tell me that I drink the same nonfat grande chai latte as Sandra Bullock. We all drink coffee. We all carry our purses more than one time. Don't we?

Dang it all if I didn't buy a People yesterday. And then I looked at US online to boot. That resolution lasted one month and one week. But it's not the absolute worst resolution to break right? Diet and exercise plan still going strong, as is the book writing. Did I tell you I'm writing a book? I am. After starting my memoirs I realized there is way too much juicy stuff, why not create a fictional character so as to not disclose anything too sensitive. Anyway, major resolutions still in check!

And what is with celebs jaunting off to Hawaii anyway? The weather isn't horrible in Charleston but still..I am having intense desires to go to Hawaii. It's a yearning really. An ache that I don't think I can fix until I have the Hawaiian sand between my toes and pineapple drink with a little umbrella in hand. And lei around my neck of course!

Oh, to be there.

Staying focused on those resolutions: diet and exercise will give me a fabulous bikini body to frolic on the beach. Publishing a book will give me a little spending cash. Hawaii will be a fabulous reward for reaching my goals.

I.Can't.Wait.

Turkey Apple Salad

2011-02-05T13:34:00.000-05:00

Happy Superbowl weekend! As I thought would happen, I have revised my superbowl menu, because I'm indecisive like that. It's just going to be hub and I so I realized I was going to be making much too much food for just 2. Simplified, I will be making taco dip. I have some avocados that I need to use up so I'll make some guacamole with it. That should do us, but heaven help me if I can't stop thinking about these Mexican Chocolate Brownies featured by Mary at One Perfect Bite. On Monday I will be starting the 30 day Tracy Anderson method, so those just may be my last hurrah.

Here is one of my favorite recipes lately, Turkey Apple Salad from the Sonoma Diet Cookbook. I can't get enough of it quite honestly. It is amazing when just made but out of this world the next day. We like to eat it on crackers or just as is, grab a spoon and dive in. It would also be great in a wrap or on lettuce. It is ridiculously easy to make too. Hope you enjoy!

Turkey Apple Salad

Recipe from the Sonoma Diet Cookbook

12 ounces cooked turkey breast, shredded

1 cup chopped green apple

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

1/2 cup chopped green onion

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup dried tart cherries (I didn't have any, but it would be great with or without!)

1/2 cup light dairy sour cream

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1/2 to 1 tsp bottled hot pepper sauce

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

In a large bowl, combine the turkey, apple, celery, walnuts, green onions, parsley, and cherries.

In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream, lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper. Add the sour cream mixture to the turkey mixture, stir until blended.

Finally.

2011-02-02T13:05:00.000-05:00

Dear Winter,

2011-01-31T12:22:00.000-05:00

I'm ready to come back. Please take a hike.

Yours Truly,

Summer

Onyx

2011-01-31T10:27:00.001-05:00

Hello there, human! I am the one they call Onyx.

I do everything I can to interrupt my human when she is on this blog,

yet she will continue to write away. She is not home so I am taking over!

I am canine but sometimes I like to act like I'm human, aside from taking over the computer, I like to imitate them in the car.

I haven't learned to sit like the rest of the other dogs yet, instead developed a nifty way to sit with my back legs off to the side. Because I chill.

And when it's time for dinner, the loyal minions serve me.

As for you humans, I just give my well practiced nose down eyes up pose and you are twisted around my little paw!

Now that you are under my spell, please send treats.

With Love,

Onyx

Superbowl Menu

2011-01-30T12:17:00.000-05:00

After perusing the blog world and other parts of the net, I've come up with my superbowl food menu. Since there's only going to be the two of us, I'm keeping it a little short, but I'm sure we will still have plenty of leftovers!

**All pictures are from the blogs where I got the recipes**

Pioneer Woman BBQ Chicken Pizza

I hope mine turns out just as pretty!

Skinny Baked Jalapeno Poppers from Gina's Skinny Recipes

Skinny recipes - a must when eating lots of food!

Corn Salsa from Katie Brown's blog

A little something fresh, on the lighter side, so as to save room for dessert!

For Dessert, I'm still on the fence:

Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes

Num.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes from Grin and Bake it

Double num!

Brownie recipe from Allrecipes.com

Sigh. Fabulousness.

It's still a week away and I change my mind several times daily.

If the Superbowl was today, this is what I'd make!

Tangled

2011-01-30T11:27:00.000-05:00

I finished my fast last week and already have had some pretty incredible things happen. 2 prayers - 1 answered, 1 seemingly close to being answered in one week. Incredible! This past week, eating has been a challenge. All of a sudden there were no restrictions and I felt lost. I made a few bad choices and realized I missed being on the fast. The structure was really good for me. I decided to continue fasting, Monday through Saturday and take Sundays off, for an indefinite amount of time. You may see a different sort of recipes in the coming months, focusing on natural healthy ingredients. And maybe a few Sunday funday recipes too.

My husband and I have lived in our house for a little over 2 years now. We never heard of random city inspections or yard ordinances, until it happened to us. We have a giant carport in the backyard, and who knew (?) we weren't allowed to have a "needs a little work" car under the CARport?

When we first moved in, the insurance company told us we had to remove all the branches on half of a tree that was too close to the house. My daring fearless hub just climbed up that tree like a monkey and chopped the branches down himself, threw them to the ground...and left them there. I stayed far away because it looked like a snake pit to me..weeds and these long thorny vines grew up and around and entangled in the mess.

Along comes Mr. City Inspector..he couldn't see into the backyard from the front of the house so they went through the forest behind our house to peer into our yard and send us a nastygram - fix it or face a large fine. And when I say nastygram, sheesh, these people made me feel like the biggest dirtiest slob on the planet, and I assure you, I clean the house often, we are not dirty people!

Yesterday while hubs cleaned out the carport and garage, I was busy with the forgotten branch pile of thorns. Please observe:

The pile:

And the pricklies:

It's HARD to get rid of those things! Their roots are as long as a stinkin TREE for crying out loud - which I did because those thorns would attach themselves to my wrist and grab hold at an angle, so I would have to drop the rest that were in my hands, gently remove the hook from my wrist and try not to cry. Today my wrists look as though I am a cutter..they are tore up.

6 hours of hard labor -- thank goodness the weather was perfect for weed pulling -- I finally had the pile cleaned. We ended the day, exhausted and completely sore, by taking a much needed dinner and a movie date. Mozzarella sticks, caesar salad, pasta primavera, and Jason Statham for dessert. Yummm.

Have a great Sunday! 1 week until the Superbowl, I don't care for either team (Packers knocked out my Bears, Steelers knocked out hubs Jets) so I'll be watching for the commercials and half time show this year...and of course enjoying lots of superbowl food! I'll be perusing the blog world for some fabulous football food today. I'll post later on what I find.

Gosh do I love my..

2011-01-20T11:57:00.001-05:00

NOOK!

Quite some time ago now, I used to read like there was no tomorrow, 2, 3 books at a time. All my days off were spent at Borders and I hardly ever left without buying another book. Now I have bookcases and bookcases and stacks and piles of books that I can't seem to get rid of, we've grown attached. My husband thinks books just sit around gathering dust, he doesn't get it. Well, the good man got me a Nook for Christmas! I looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove it!

All of a sudden I've been reading again. I don't know why? Because I have a fancy new toy? None of those pesky pages to turn anymore? Who knows but I've been a readin! Here's what I read so far:

- The first book I got, because it was only a dollar and change was Where Angels Go by Debbie Macomber. I read this really fast. It was a light hearted feel good read, I enjoyed it.

- The second was Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry by Kathleen Flinn. If you loved Eat, Pray, Love, as I did, you will love this book too. It's a memoir style book about a woman who is layed off her job and decides to move to Paris and go to Le Cordon Bleu, and all her cooking adventures in school. I hated for this one to end. Bonus--there are recipes at the end of every chapter!

-Next was How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal. Kind of funny to go from the previous one to this one, because it is also food oriented and also includes recipes at the end of every chapter. I really enjoyed this book very much.

- Currently reading: House Rules by Jodi Picoult. I'm only on page 52 but already sucked in.

- Waiting to be read: Water for Elephants, One Second After, and The Omnivore's Dilemma. And must not buy anymore books until these are finished. The thing is, it's so handy to buy a book! And usually if anyone at all recommends a book, I instantly either write it down to buy or make a mental note and pick it up the next time I'm at the store. Now with the nook, I just have to hit the shop button, buy, voila! Less than 2 minutes and the book is downloaded right to my very hands.

Enough about that, here's what I really want to talk about. I've been rather forgetful the past couple weeks. I started this post with intent on writing about something else entirely and now I've gotten to the point where I was going to do that and now of course can't remember what in the world that was. Sigh.

Fabulous post coming soon. As soon as I remember what it was.

Chocolate for a Cause

2011-01-19T09:15:00.001-05:00

A Paws Cause that is! Valentine's Day is quickly approaching (and by then THIS girl will be able to eat chocolate) (and believe me I plan on it!)

I am 32, and I have only spent very few of those years without a dog, everyone of them a rescue. I hate to think about how many sweet pups don't find a home. Those SPCA commercials tear me up, throw in Sarah Mclachlan and I'm dead. Then the pictures of these dogs, looking all sad. Ok, here's what I have to say about that. Marketing, very clever marketing. Everytime I go to the SPCA, the dogs are barking and excited and saying pick me! No pick me!

Deb @ On Cupcake Moon posted this on facebook and I am all over it. http://www.rescuechocolate.com/ is a site dedicated to saving lives of animals in rescue organizations around the country. 100% of their net profits are going to help these animals, that is incredible!

Their chocolate is Vegan too! I would love to give it a try..check out these flavors:

Peanut Butter Pit Bull (crispy peanut butter and chocolate, countering the negative public image of the pit bull-type dogs)

Pick Me! Pepper (sweet ’n spicy dark chocolate with peppers, highlighting the advantages of choosing pets from animal shelters instead of breeders or pet stores)

Foster-iffic Peppermint (dark chocolate with peppermint, highlighting the need for people to provide foster care for shelter animals as they await their forever homes)

The Fix (plain 72%, highlighting the importance of spay and neuter)

Mission Feral Fig (fig, cranberry, almond, and spices, highlighting the humane solution for feral cats, TNR)

FUTURE “Forever Mocha” (mocha coffee flavor, highlighting ways to help people make and honor a lifetime commitment to their pets)

I love this idea, love this company!

Eat chocolate, Save an rescue animal.

PS - If you'd like to send me chocolate for Valentine's Day, send me an email and I will be more than happy to help you help save an animal. It would be my pleasure!

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

2011-01-17T13:01:00.000-05:00

First off, a bit of Chicago pride - GO BEARS!! Woohoo..I totally don't watch the regular season, I have to be honest. Usually I am working on Sundays so I just don't think of it. But come playoff time, I'm all about football. My hubs is from New York so I'm hoping for a Bears/Jets Superbowl! And another reason I'm still super excited for superbowl - the FOOD! I get to eat whatever I want and really looking forward to it.

Today is my 16th day on the Daniel fast and I thought it would get easier, but I think it's getting a little more challenging, food wise. I'm trying to remain focused and attempt new recipes that will make it easier. Last night I made these stuffed baked potatoes. They turned out good, and my non-fasting hubs enjoyed them too. These are also from the Moosewood Restaurant Low Fat Favorites cookbook.

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

recipe from Moosewood Restaurant Low Fat Favorites

4 baking potatoes - I used sweet in this recipe but either would be delicious
2 cups corn kernels
1 cup cooked pinto beans
2 cups prepared salsa - for Daniel fast make sure there is no added sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400. Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise and bake, cut side down, for about 45 minutes, until soft. Remove from oven.

Combine the corn, beans, and salsa and mix well. When the potatoes are cool, scoop out the centers leaving 1/4 inch of pulp on the skin. Mash the scooped out potato pulp and stir it into the corn mixture. Add salt and pepper. Refill the potato skins and bake for 30 minutes.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito

2011-01-13T11:21:00.001-05:00

Here is a Daniel fast friendly recipe that I found in the cookbook Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites. It is very easy to make but it took me a little longer because I have a small food processor and took about 4 batches to process all the ingredients. It was well worth it though, these were really good! And PS - many apologies for the picture, I snapped a few really quick and got to the business of eating. Must remember to cook before I get very hungry and save time for a photo shoot!

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito

recipe slightly adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites

5 cups peeled cubed sweet potatoes
1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp canola oil

3 1/2 cups diced onions
4 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 Tbsp minced green chile

3 tsp ground coriander

3 tsp ground cumin
3 15oz cans black beans, drained

2/3 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp salt

8 - 8in whole wheat tortillas

Preheat oven to 350.

Place the sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with salt and cover with water. Cover and bring to a boil, then simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

While the sweet potatoes are cooking, warm the oil in a medium skillet or saucepan and add the onions, garlic, and chile. Cover and cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender, about 7 minutes. Add the coriander and cumin and cook for 2-3 minutes longer, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a food processor, combine the black beans, cilantro, lemon juice, salt, and cooked sweet potatoes and puree until smooth. I have a small processor so it took me about 4 batches to get it all. Transfer the sweet potato mixture to a large mixing bowl, and mix in the cooked onions and spices.

Lightly oil a large baking dish. Spoon about 2/3-3/4 cup of the filling in the center of each tortilla, roll it up, and place it, seam side down, in the baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until piping hot. Serve with salsa.

I.am.iron.man

2011-01-12T16:07:00.001-05:00

This is what I tell myself when I go out to where I know temptation will be..I get the song going in my head, a lil Black Sabbath guitar, then I.am.iron.man! And then visually in my head will put on my armor, total RDJ style, and declare myself immune to the temptation. Yesterday it came in the form of a trip to walmart. McDonald's assaults your nose the second you walk in, and who can resist those french fries? Not me, but me as Iron Man..

Today is day 11 of my Daniel fast. This morning when I woke up, I had a great sense of peace that I haven't had in a long time. My mind was just calm. I felt happy even though it was 4:45am and I was awake. (Can you imagine such a thing?!)

Now it's afternoon and I'm struggling ever so slightly, it's that time..you know the time when a girl needs chocolate in the worst way? Luckily I have been doing a lot of reading and researching, learning as I go, about this fast. I know this is bigger than me so I'm putting on my iron man armor to it. "The flesh" refers to our souls, the part of us that experiences feelings like cravings. After 11 days I feel that I've reigned in the ol bag o flesh and my spirit has taken over. 11 days is too far to go back to square 1, I am in it for the duration, and my spirit feels happy.

I found this at http://daniel-fast.com/about.html:

During the Daniel Fast, we want to put our spirit in charge of the other two parts of us. When our flesh is acting out with a craving, we take control of it with our spirit (just as a parent takes control of a rebellious child).

Darn you, rebellious child and your chocolate cravings! Ugh! You're grounded!

I'll have to admit, when I started this, I was a little unsure of how the food would go, what with no sugar, processed food, meat or dairy.. I thought it would require a lot of planning and preparing food in advance. It really hasn't been that bad though. My favorite has been getting a bag of stir fry veggies, steaming them in the microwave, and then there's little one cup portions of brown rice that you can heat in the microwave too. I nuke it up, then stir fry them up. I add zucchini and onion to it, and a little soy sauce. So good! Yesterday I made some sweet potato black bean burritos. There were a little time consuming to make but very good - I'll post the recipe soon.

I picked these pictures for no other reason than because I found them peaceful. I would love to sit on this pier and do nothing at all but think and meditate. It's beautiful! I found all pictures at weheartit.com.

The First Week

2011-01-09T10:24:00.000-05:00

It's not that I've forgotten to blog, not even that I haven't had time...

But when I open up blogger and see my dashboard and all the food blogs I follow with temptuous looking desserts and non Daniel fast food..

It's rough.

I was off work the first 3 days of the fast and good thing too, because I had the worst headache and was fatigued to all get out. I am somewhat embarassed to admit I spent the days lounging around the house, I wanted to meditate and be in the mindset of fasting but my brain wouldn't go there.

On day 4 I had a little bit less of a headache, although it came on later in the day. I must be more toxic than I thought! And I don't smoke and rarely drink. Pure caffeine and sugar baby. All in all day 4 was an ok day. This is my first fast and I wasn't sure about how it would work. But I'm going forward in faith, and I can say that I feel great today.

On day 5, I was brave enough to cook 2 different dinners, one Daniel fast dinner for me, and another with meat for my carnivorous husband. Sheila at Strawberry Cake posted a recipe for spaghetti sauce. I made mine without meat, added mushrooms, took out the sugar, and used whole wheat pasta. His was made according to the recipe, but with ground turkey instead of beef. And regular pasta. And I just have to say, his pasta, after simmering for 3 hours on the stove, looked and smelled to be the best pasta I ever did make. And I couldn't even lick the spoon. I stood there and watched as he drained his pasta, added a dab of butter to it, stirred it up and then added the sauce. Ohhh it looked goooood. I can't WAIT until February and I will be making this again. On this day I also woke up and knew without doubt that I will be doing this for 30 days instead of 21. This means I will be done on February 1st. And since the Superbowl is February 6th, I plan on having a big cheesy pizza!

On days 6 and 7 I had to work and didn't feel all too bad anymore. The headaches were mostly gone. I planned my food for the day very well, and I'm feeling better and better every day. I no longer miss caffeine and sugar. I'm stronger willed..heading into the breakroom I ran into some other people walking in carrying a stack of pizzas. I'm a real sucker for pizza. But I went in there, had my leftover spaghetti, didn't feel a thing when they took a bite, closing their eyes to savor, and exclaiming how good it was. I may have winced a little at that, but I didn't want any pizza. I know I will have mine in February and until then, I'm in the zone.

Today is day 8, and like I said, I feel great! I can't imagine going backwards now, I think it will only get better from here. Tomorrow I'm going to start Jillian's 30 day shred. I know I've been writing mainly about the diet portion of the fast and not the spiritual, but the spiritual is the reason I am doing this. As for that, all I can say is, I'm learning and growing, and have a long way to go. I definitely am not in a place to do this alone so I've been doing a lot of reading and research. The main 2 resources are the book Fasting by Jentezen Franklin and the Ultimate Daniel Fast blogger.

Sorry about waiting a week to update..really that first week is tough but I'm happy I made it through!

11 things for '11

2011-01-01T12:14:00.000-05:00

2010 is officially that year that was. It's amazing that overnight I can wake up and feel transformed, like this is a new beginning, a book of blank pages. I have my list of resolutions, which are more like goals for the year. I'll have to share them later in the year because a few of them are surprises! Oh! Surprises.. There's a few good ones. Anyoohoo, I decided right now, I should come up with another list of 11 things I want to do in 2011. That'll be 2 lists of goals and to-do's but I do enjoy a list, in particular, crossing things off a list. The resolutions are goals to better myself, this list is more gifts, rewards and a reminder to have fun. List list list. Have I said list too much? List.

Here goes, a bucket list if you will, 11 things I'd like to do in 2011:

1. Daniel Fast (Starting tomorrow! Also on the resolution list)
2. Jet Ski (I've never been and hello! I live on the ocean!)
3. Host a dinner party (a simple thing for some but would you believe I've never done this either?) (really!)

4. Go hiking, find a waterfall

5. Run a 5K. (PS I hate running. No really, I hate it. But I think it may be a necessary evil. sigh)
6. Volunteer
7. Bring my dog to a dog park

Who? Me? Dog Park?

8. Travel to a city that I have never been to. Preferably out west. (goodness! It's harder than I thought to come up with 11!)
9. Learn to use my camera and photoshop. (so mishaps like the background unfinished floor behind my dog don't happen anymore!)
10. Give random acts of kindness at least twice a month
11. Take a class to learn something new (I don't know what that something will be yet..)

Ooh I just can't wait. This is going to be a fabulous year of TCB -- Takin care of business!

Day 365

2010-12-31T13:56:00.001-05:00

Woohoo! We made it through another year, eh!? A year ago I listed the good and bad of '09. I contemplated doing it again this year but then decided against it. 2010 was much the same as 2009, a little bit of good sprinkled in an otherwise rough year. My life direction took a turn this year, and I'm ok with that, this little journey I'm on that seems to be much slower than others.

Whatcha gonna do about it huh? Here's the thing..I feel like if you aren't doing anything to fix something, then you have no right to complain about it. I will not end the year on a complaint but instead excited and optimistic at this new beginning. Since last year left my state of affairs in such a state of disarray, I will be starting the new year with a 21 day Daniel fast. Fasting is not a diet, although if you do it long enough it can certainly do great things for your body. The Daniel fast in particular is a partial fast. In the Bible, Daniel says:

I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled." Daniel 10:3 KJV

Basically for 21 days I will be eating only fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Restricted are meat and all animal products, wine/alcohol, sugar, levening products (like baking powder..so no bread). The only drink I can have will be plain water. It is actually much like the cleanse I did this past year, only that was a diet, on a fast you deny food for a spiritual purpose...and my purpose is to get myself back on the road of life that I was meant to be on.

My fast will begin on Sunday..in the meantime.. probably what I shouldn't be doing but am anyway..cleaning out the fridge by consumption rather than feeding the garbage can. There was the slightest bit of heavy cream hanging out in there so I just made a quick bowl of fresh whipped cream, lightly sweetened with a little powdered sugar, and made some dark chocolate hot cocoa, with a tiny splash of orange extract in there as well. Topped off with my fresh cream and dare I say, I am in heaven. There are also a few leftover cookies chilling on the counter..Orange Chocolate Chunk cookies.. which go perfectly with my orange dark chocolate cocoa. Ah, the simple pleasures.

I have one of my favorite holiday movies ready in the other room, The Holiday. And by ready, I mean while I've been typing I've been listening to the menu music repeatedly and it's starting to get a little bit tiresome. I am going to bring my cocoa, cookies, and stinky pup over to the other room to relax and watch a movie!

And my final word of the year..I am so very grateful for everyone reading this. I noticed I jumped over 100 followers, yippee!! And it happened at a time that I didn't blog as often, I will do better next year! Thank you for stopping by. Please be safe tonight, whatever you end up doing! And may 2011 be the greatest year for everyone.

Merriment

2010-12-24T17:07:00.000-05:00

Only one week left of this blasted year, and I couldn't be happier! Especially because it's the most indulgent week of the year. Hubs and I just got back from a wonderful Christmas Eve church service. Bacon spaghetti is simmering on the stove, tiramisu chilling out in the fridge, and we are hitting the nog.

I am quite fairly certain that 2011 is going to be the greatest year in a long time. I'll be starting the year with a 21 day Daniel fast, more about that later. For now, Christmas, joy, and merriment.

From all of us at Siestas and Cupcakes,

and by all of us I mean me,

May your Christmas be full of surprises..

... peace and love.

Relish in the warmth of being surrounded by great family and friends.

For just one day, leave all your troubles behind and enjoy.

Eat plenty of great food, drink in life's simple pleasures , and be merry to all those you meet.

Merry Christmas!!

Tiramisu

2010-12-24T13:27:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas Eve! Tonight's menu for us...Bacon Spaghetti and tiramisu! I've made this tiramisu before and it is definitely faint worthy. A true delight. An amazing treat. Just plain gooooooood. A friend made this for a work party and I begged and pestered until she gave up the recipe!

I downloaded the toy camera app on my iphone, and took all the pictures with it..some good, some eh. I'm having lots of fun with this app though..totally recommend it!

Now on to the good stuff..

Tiramisu

2 packs of lady fingers
2 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 carton of whipping cream
2 packs of mascarpone
Strong brewed coffee

Dip the lady fingers in the coffee very quickly and arrange them in the pan where you want to have the tiramisu. Mix the mascarpone cheese with the powder sugar, make sure it is mixed very well. Slowly add the whipped cream, and add the vanilla. Put the mixture over the lady fingers dipped in the coffee and then add another layer of lady fingers dipped in the coffee, ending with the mascarpone layer. With a strainer, spread cocoa powder over the top. Keep the tiramisu in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours just to make sure you can cut it.

(This one isn't my photo -- we haven't cut into yet!)

For the love of all that's good and holy, please make your own fresh whipped cream. You won't be sorry.

Yummmm!

Dreams

2010-12-14T12:55:00.000-05:00

I'm back!! I spent a glorious week (2 weeks?) away from the computer. Funkalicious indeed but you know, the weather and end of the year reflections. I had such high hopes for twenty ten, and sadly it let me down. But it's all good! I believe it was just setting me up so I can appreciate 2011 even better. And I am ready to appreciate. Now I have all afternoon to go catch up on my blog reading!

Let me take you down the path to my dreams..

A cozy bed in the woods, just because.

And visions of my future home:

The dream kitchen

A bedroom with ceilings high as can be! And white!

A fabulous closet full of shoes..naturally.

And the most beautiful pool in the world in my backyard.

Fun, playful, carefree days..

Body Rocking..

And world travel.

Most of all..

YES!!!

All photos from we heart it.

Dreaming feels good! You should try it!

When Charleston feels like Chicago

2010-12-04T09:06:00.001-05:00

I don't know how it is where you live, but here in Charleston, it's gotten COLD!!

Actually though December in Charleston feels like Chicago in October. But still. I had to break out my Chicago jacket this morning, it was 30 degrees. And it was windy, walking into work my hair was swirling around like a tornado above my head. It was not pretty I assure you.

I know I haven't blogged since Thanksgiving. Truth be told, I've been quite bored. And what does one write about when bored? I'm stuck in a bit of a rut and need a project. Anyone have any ideas?

Anyone?

Something -D-o-o economics.

It has to be an exciting project though, I'm bored to the point that I need something stimulating and not mundane. Like..no cleaning/organizing. Nothing involving money. Even cooking lately has lost it's charm.

Fester fester fester fester.

Rot rot rot.

(It all goes back to movie quotes.)

Should I write that book I've always wanted to write?

Success Magazine says 81% of people have a book in them. Didja know that?

I could learn photography and photoshop, being that I own a great camera and the computer program already.

Take up sewing?

Learn Italian?

All things I want to do, but nothing is igniting that spark in me.

Completely stuck in a rut, I am.

Just because, another movie quote.

Frank: It 's the same old story. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girl dies in a tragic blimp accident over the New Year's Day Orange Bowl.

Jane: Goodyear?

Frank: No, the worst.

The world surely lost a funny actor last week.

There will never be another as funny as me. And don't call me Shirley.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T07:36:00.004-05:00

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

http://www.jackiearthur.com/

Christmas is coming!

2010-11-24T13:40:00.000-05:00

Right about this time every year I get super excited about Christmas. Super dang excited! I can't wait to decorate the house. The only problem is I'll be on a budget ~ I've been looking for ways to decorate on the cheap. Sometimes I hit up the dollar store looking for bargains. I try to stick to a color scheme when shopping at the dollar store so it doesn't end up looking...well, dollar store-ish. I know this is sorta putting the carriage before the house ~ talking about decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving... I had Thanksgiving yesterday since I have to work tomorrow. (It was goooooood!)

Here's a few ideas I've found that I may work into my decorating this year:

Candy canes in a glass jar..economical and jolly!

I'll be using red instead of blue..but the blue really does look nice.

Just cute. Festive.

Pretty. Makes me want to run out and get some disco balls.

I would love this on my mantel!

I hope you have a happy, safe, Thanksgiving full of yummy deliciousness!

Lemon Pound Cake

2010-11-19T17:17:00.000-05:00

Every now and then I come across a recipe and post it just for me. If you are anything like me, I get lost in the blog world. Sometimes I just look at other people's blogrolls and jump from blog to blog to blog, sometimes I see something great, forget to follow the blog, and forever try to remember where I saw that one thing, and it remains in oblivion forever.

Or sometimes! Sometimes that just happens at home with my millions of cookbooks. I also print recipes daily, then go to find it and find scraps and bits of paper and recipes and grocery lists on backs of recipes all over the place. Organize much? Clearly lacking at the moment.

When I found this recipe I knew I was going to make it relatively soon, and just so happened had to bake for a bake sale. And gosh. I so didn't want to give this pound cake up..it was delightfully lemony, perfectly moist, altogether just delicious. I knew I had to post it so I don't lose this one!

Lemon Buttermilk Pound Cake

Recipe from Baking Bites

3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
2 tbsp lemon zest
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in lemon zest, then beat in the eggs one at a time until well-combined.

In a measuring cup or small bowl, combine vanilla, buttermilk and vegetable oil. Working in two or three additions, alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture to the butter mixture, ending with a final addition of dry ingredients. Stir only until no streaks of flour remain. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 50-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack before topping with lemon glaze (recipe below)

Lemon Glaze
2 tbsp butter, melted and cooled
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake.

Friday Fives

2010-11-19T08:05:00.000-05:00

Today I'm linking up with Beth at Just Me and My Life for her Friday Fives!

Big ups for link ups! Woot wooooot!

1. Describe your IDEAL Saturday.

I have lots of ideals actually, but I'll give a realistic ideal. Tomorrow I have a Saturday off and I couldn't be more excited! I've only had about 4 or 5 Saturdays off this whole year so this is something special. I am looking forward to a business meeting in the morning..my own business that will ultimately lead me to the life I've always dreamed of. Then either lunch with hubs or friends, a movie at the theater, and church. Then a quiet night with the hubs. A little Barnes time squeezed in somewhere too.

2. What is your favorite Thanksgiving dessert?

Hahahaaaa well. I never met a dessert I didn't like. But Thanksgiving wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a pumpkin pie. Although on Throwdown the other night Bobby Flay made a pumpkin bread pudding..I've been searching for the recipe, I must have that! But I haven't found a recipe that looks like the one he made. Anyone?

3. What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

I was a flight attendant starting in 2001, then in 2007 I moved from the flying world to the hospital world..both industries that don't get holidays. I am usually working, sad to say! This is why I look forward to waking up early on a Saturday morning for business meetings, because one day, holidays will be all mine! And new traditions will be made. Really though, I just miss my family, who are in Chicago. I just want to go hoooooome for my mom's turkey.

4. Who does the cooking?

Depends on where I am. Anywhere but Chicago, I do the cooking. In Chicago I make a dish or two and dessert.

5. Do you shop black Friday?

Helllllllllls no! You won't find me waking up at 3am on a day off..and I hate crowds, in particular vicious crowds.

Oh nooo. No no no.

Just no.

Happy Friday!!

The Great Thanksgiving Menu

2010-11-18T09:06:00.000-05:00

I have to work on Thanksgiving, can you believe that bunk!? Someone break out the violin, hand me some cheese to go with my w(h)ine, and give me the pathetic sad face!

This leaves me to cook our Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday, which means today, I shop. I just finished the grocery list and hope for a week's worth of leftovers out of this meal, because this wipes out my grocery budget for the next 2 weeks.

Here are the recipes I'll be using:

From Pioneer Woman: Turkey brine, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and pumpkin cream pie. Wow, I didn't realize how much of her recipes I was using until I wrote all that out. I almost considered not doing mashed potatoes this year, for health's sake, but after seeing PW on Throwdown with Bobby Flay last night, I made a command decision: mashed potatoes were back on the menu!

And from Southern Living Magazine, a necessary slow cooker dish. You gotta have one right, saves so much time!

Balsamic Root Vegetables

And stuffing, no recipe attached. I'm sorry to say I can't make it from scratch, and by can't I mean I am too much in love with making the ol box of Stovetop, I saute up carrots, onion, and celery with crumbled spicy breakfast sausage, then add in the Stovetop. And there is no other for me.

I can't wait I can't wait I can't wait!!!

It's just going to be hubs and I so if you are free on Tuesday, come on by!

Memoirs - Part 3 - The First Trip

2010-11-17T17:10:00.001-05:00

Diane's flight was earlier in the day than mine was..we were both flying into New York and laying over, a simple 45 minute flight. I drove to the airport, a mess of jitters and excitement. And then even more excitement on top of excitement at being excited about going to work. Can you imagine such a thing?

Being only 3 days after 9/11, even though passengers were stranded around the country, they found other means of getting to where they needed to go. My first flight had less than 10 passengers on it. The flight was quiet and completely calmed my jitters - I can do this! Our flight plan took us right over downtown Manhattan, and I don't think anyone expected that. All eyes were frozen at the gaping hole that was the World Trade Center, not a soul moved, some cried as they saw their city's new skyline for the first time.

Walking through the airport, the other crew members marveled at how empty LaGuardia airport was. Normally a jam-packed, hustle and bustle, mass of humanity, and now eerily quiet. The only people in sight were military men, in uniform, carrying massive weapons. I didn't know the difference - yet. Obviously it was not normal but I didn't understand the chaos that was normally LaGuardia. Feeling ever the new girl, I followed everyone outside and waited for the hotel van.

Still not knowing what to expect, I was given the key to my hotel room in New York, and did a little happy dance when I realized we all got our own hotel rooms! Yee-haa! I went in the room and jumped on the bed for a good 5 minutes before gathering myself, throwing on some real clothes (as opposed to uniform clothes) and running to find Diane.....who had already gotten started at the hotel bar with a couple of pilots and another flight attendant. Altogether, there were 4 of us from the same graduating class on our first layover there. We were excited and ready for whatever flight attendants do on layovers.

Everyone but me decided it would be a great idea to jump on a subway and head to Manhattan. But not wanting to miss out on my first adventure, I went along with the group. When we arrived, it was late, and immediately the pungent smell attacked my senses. A rescue worker passed us at that moment - If you're here to sightsee you can turn around and leave right now, he told us. I immediately turned to get back on the train, the whole feeling of being so close weighed me down, it was overwhelming. As I was about to get back on the train I realized I was alone - the others were walking on. Now I'm in a strange city, I have no choice but to stay with the group, so I ran to catch up with them.

Long story short, that night changed me forever, I will never forget the sights, the smell, the sadness, finally ditching the group because I couldn't take it anymore, walking forever to find a subway, taking hours to get back and not caring as long as I got away from there.

The next day a classmate, Jay, and I continued on the same crew. As we all piled out of the hotel van to gather our luggage at the airport, Jay and I looked at each other dumbfounded as the crew all held out their dollar bills to the van driver. We have to tip? Oops! Note to self: bring lots of singles on long trips. We had to check in at the airport, security opened our bags to look through them. I laughed at Jay when I looked over and his bag was filled with hotel soaps, shampoo, and towels. He just shrugged - whatcha gonna do - Busted!

The second day of our trip ultimately took us to Los Angeles, for a 24 hour glorious layover. We stayed at the Hilton, a beautiful hotel I'd never be able to afford on my own. After my ritualistic jumping of the bed, I met the crew at the bar. After spending several hours there - now it's about 2am our time, we headed to the hot tub. Now why didn't I think to bring a swimsuit? Note to self: always pack swimsuit! I ended up borrowing someone's shorts and jumped in with everyone else.

Is this what you always do on layovers? I asked another flight attendant. Probably a dumb, novice question, he looked at me like are you for real, shrugged, I guess, he said. I watched as a pilot and flight attendant grew increasingly closer, and eventually excused themselves. The rest of us stayed out late, or should I say early, and drank the night away. A 24 hour layover gives plenty of time to drink. We planned to wake up early and head to Venice Beach. The next morning, hungover and bleary eyed, we set forth on another adventure, a world apart from the first.

This is the life!!! I came back from that trip completely exhausted, happy, and excited at my new career.

Roasted Butternut Squash

2010-11-17T08:41:00.000-05:00

Here is a very simple Thanksgiving side recipe, and so tasty too. While in Barnes yesterday I was flipping through Ina Garten's new cookbook, How Easy is That? I really was tempted to buy, but truth be told I had to make a choice. I've been wanting to join the group French Fridays with Dorie and I can only afford 1 cookbook. Do I need yet another cookbook, definitely not, if you ask the hubs, but I say YES. There's always room for more! So I just perused the How Easy is That book for now..maybe I will get it after the holidays. For now, I bought Around my French Table by Dorie Greenspan and I look forward to joining her cooking group!

I couldn't just leave the book at Barnes without snagging a recipe or two though. I had a butternut squash waiting at home for me, so I copied this simple (I mean, how easy is that!?) recipe. It tastes so good. Did I say that already? It's GOOD. The only thing I'd say, for Thanksgiving, is make this last..it did turn cold rather quickly.

Roasted Butternut Squash

Recipe from Ina Garten, How Easy is That?

1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and 1 inch diced
3 Tbsp good olive oil
1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place the squash on a sheet pan, add the olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper, and toss with your hands. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes, until tender, tossing once during cooking so the cubes brown evenly. Serve hot.

Memoirs - Part Two

2010-11-14T09:05:00.000-05:00

**It's been a minute since I picked up the memoirs of the flying days, I have the links at right if you want the pre-story!**

Flight attendant training lasted one month in total. Would you believe that 95% of that training was to prepare us for an emergency? The day to day flying, the job we would be doing regularly, was not covered. The last 2 hours of training they broke out the beverage cart.

We had 3 instructors during training. The head instructor was almost stereotypical gay flight attendant. Immaculately groomed, flamboyant, hilarious, he made training fun. Then we had 2 other women who were in training to become instructors themselves. One of them was very Marisa Tomei, My Cousin Vinny. She was from New York, had the accent, the kind of brassness and sassiness that some New Yorkers have. She was the one to break out the beverage cart and teach us service.

"You walk up to the row and ask them what they'd like to drink. Tell them we have Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and juice. Now. If they want tomato juice. We also have this bloody mary mix, which is spiceeeey. Ask them which one they want but let them know the bloody mary mix is spiceeeeeeey. They can have just the mix without the cocktail but just be sure to tell them it was sp-iy-ceeeeeeeeey."

Diane and I looked at each other and at the same time said spiceeeeeey and broke into a fit of laughter. Ahem. Wait, this is serious business.

Spiceeeeeeey.

For goodness sakes, she went on and on that bloody mary mix was spicy!

Then we filled out a survey on the class as a whole. What was good, what was bad, what could be improved... I remember distinctly saying that the training on hostage situations could have been better. I don't think I can say what the training consisted of, but I will say it only lasted an hour, two at most.

Little did I know, 4 days later, how forboding that comment was. Every one of our lives would be changed forever.

After flying back home after training, I realized I was going to have to haul booty to Detroit. There was no planning involved, I didn't know where I was going to live, I didn't know what the job was going to be like, where do I park at the airport? Where do I go when I get there? What do I do? How do I pack? I need a cell phone!!

Is that sad? I remember the first day I ever got a cell phone, only because it fell between graduation day and my first day on the job. September 9, 2001. Saying goodbye to my family and friends in Chicago, I packed just a few belongings in my car and headed to Detroit. I ended up at the friend's house who I had met in Tampa. Calling scheduling I learned that my first flight was to be a Tampa turn, Tuesday September 11, 2001 at 3pm. Oh my gosh! I'm a flight attendant! I giggled and jumped up and down.

The night before the big day I got the jitters, first day on the new job. I hoped people wouldn't be able to tell I was new. I hope the other crew didn't roll their eyes at the new girl. I hate being the new girl, I like being 100% confident in what I'm doing, and there was really no way to prepare for this, being on a plane. I had to relax. My mind racing, I dozed off late that night.

The next morning I awoke with my new cell phone ringing.

Are you ok?? It was a friend calling.
Well, you know, I was pretty nervous last night but I think I'll be fine today. I'm ready!
No, I mean....turn on the tv.

I think we all remember that day, watching it live, unfolding in front of us. The shock of planes hitting the twin towers, the disbelief when they crumbled to the ground. The fear as news reported there was one plane in the air unaccounted for. They talked about that plane for some time, and then just stopped. They never did say what happened to it. Was it a mistake, was there not a plane unaccounted for? Did something happen to it? So many conspiracy theories..

I called Diane. We lamented over the situation, and then talked of the craziness of the whole experience. Going through training with a fear of flying, all the plane crashes during training, and now this?? Is it a sign, should we turn our backs on this new career and run? I called scheduling, unaware at that time how they were busy trying to help all the stranded crews around the country, not having time to think about us first day on the jobbers. What do I do? Go to the airport? No one knew what was going on at that point. How long would flights be grounded, what is going to happen to the industry? Suffice it to say you won't be flying today, the scheduler told me.

I knew the day was so much bigger than me, there was so much uncertainty and fear, and yet I couldn't help but also not want to get in trouble being new on the job.

Diane and I met for drinks later that day. It probably wasn't later that day, maybe we started around 1. The bar was somber, no one talking, everyone's eyes glued to the tv screens. They started a scroll with the names of those on the flights. I felt chills when they listed the crew members. That could have been anyone. This is happening in our country.

Diane invited me to live with her, a huge relief because I knew I couldn't stay where I was at. The friend who's house I was currently crashing in was a player, staying with him would have ruined his game. And new flight attendants don't make much money at all, I knew renting a place of my own was out of the question. I moved in with Diane immediately.

A few days later we both received the call, our first flights would be on the same day, different flights both headed to New York on Friday September 14th. New York?! We have to go there?

The Stylish Blogger Award!

2010-11-10T14:28:00.001-05:00

Aw, shucks. I got an award: The Stylish Blogger Award! Woohoo!!!

Thank you to Melissa at From my somewhat serious mind for choosing me!

There are rules to winning this award, I have to share 7 things about myself and then choose 15 other stylish bloggers to receive recognition.

7 Things you wish you never knew about me!

1) I wish I didn't love to sleep so much, but really, it's one of my favorite things.
2) I also love clever (Modern Family) and literal (Airplane!) humor immensely.
3) I enjoy traveling, and when I win the lotto I will become a full time jet setter.
4) When I hear a song on the radio, or wherever, I can remember what I was doing in that moment the song was out. I don't even realize it but it happens.
5) I need to live near water. Even if I go a year without going to the beach, I know it's there and that makes me happy.
6) I love being a homeowner and wish I had a good stash of money somewhere with which to decorate.
7) My favorite food is my Pop's bacon spaghetti. I can make it, but it's never as good.

Phew, that was tough. People Magazine (or is it US?) has this section in every issue, 25 things to know about me for famous people. I think I'd have a hard time coming up with 25...no wonder some of them are silly!

Now the fun part, passing the award to 15 other blogs! Please check them out and show them some love!

Life of Pond
He calls me Gwen
Kelly Kovets Kouture
A Sundial in the Shade
Chi-Town Cooking Creations
Pickles and Cheese
Rice and Beans, and Other Fine Things
Southern Comfort in a Northern Life
A Nut in a Nutshell
Some Days you gotta Dance
Spacie Stacie
Fashion Meets Food
In Love with Handmade
Lyd!a's Viz!ons
On Cupcake Moon

Apple Pie Cake

2010-11-09T17:41:00.000-05:00

I love baking with apples in the fall just as much as I do pumpkin. I was not going to bake anymore between now and Thanksgiving, but after trying a Halloween brownie, hubs asked if I'd make an apple pie. Well OF COURSE I would!! Me, turn down a chance to bake, never!

One thing, I never made an apple pie before. I started pouring over the internet and books to find the best recipe. And by best I mean easiest. I found this recipe in ol faithful, Baking: From my Home to Yours, by Dorie Greenspan. And since it's part CAKE I thought this would be a good first apple pie recipe.

As with all of Dorie's recipes, this one didn't disappoint. The crust, if you happen to change your mind about making pie cake halfway through making it, could be instead made into cookies! How cool is that? You know it's gotta be a good crust if it could be made into cookies. Hubs, who rarely ever eats sweets, dug into 2 slices and immediately scarfed both down. That's the sign of a good pie!

Apple Pie Cake

Recipe from Baking by Dorie Greenspan

Dough:
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temp
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Juice of 1 lemon
3 1/4 cups of sugar

Beat the butter and sugar together until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, 3 minutes more. Reduce mixer speed to low, and add the baking powder and salt, mix just to combine. Add the lemon juice - the dough may curdle but that's ok. Still working on low speed, slowly add the flour. When properly combined, the dough should almost clean the sides of the bowl.

Turn the dough onto a work surface, gather it in a ball and split it in half. Shape each half into a rectangle. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 3 days.

For the apples:
8 medium apples (I used 4 grannies and 4 fujis)
Squirt of fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
(Dorie uses 3/4 cup raisins, I omitted those, not a fan)

Peel and core apples and cut into slices about 1/4 inch thick. Toss the slices in a bowl with a little lemon juice. Mix sugar and cinnamon together, sprinkle over the apples and stir to coat.

To Prepare:

Preheat an oven to 375. Generously butter a deep dish 9 inch pie pan. (I used a cake pan) Remove dough from fridge. Press or roll out pieces of dough and patch them together in the pan. You don't want the dough too thin, so you can taste it! If the dough comes up the sides of the pan, that's fine; if it doesn't, that's fine too.

Turn the apples into the pan and spread them evenly along the bottom.

Roll out the top of the dough and position it over the apples. (I did the patchwork again here) Tuck the excess into the sides of the pan. Brush the top of the dough lightly with water and sprinkle sugar over the dough. Using a small sharp knife, cut 6-8 evenly spaced slits in the dough.

Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the dough turns golden brown and juices from the apples are bubbling through the slits. Cool until just warm or room temp.

50 days until Christmas!

2010-11-05T11:16:00.000-04:00

Have you started Christmas shopping yet? I have started, sort of, only by way of putting money aside. And looking for ideas. I just haven't put the 2 together yet!

I love unique gifts, today scrolling through etsy, I found this cute little dish from Say Your Piece. Perfect to get someone you want to buy a little something sweet for!

Visit her shop here.

Coastal Carolina Fair

2010-11-04T09:20:00.003-04:00

Did you know there's a fair in town? Hubs asked me last weekend.

Ummm,YEAH, it's only on billboards every 10 feet around here!

I don't look at billboards when I'm driving. (him)

A likely excuse indeed! (me)

On Monday we decided to forgo the gym, which we've been going to nightly, instead to head out for some greasy fried fair food! MMMM can't ya just smell the peppers and onions?

Walking out the door, we both walk over to the passenger side of the car. Dang it dang it dang it, I Hate driving, especially when I don't know where I'm going, but he has been working all day so I have no choice.

Do you know where it is? I ask as I begrudgingly saunter to the driver's side.

No! he jovially replies.

Grumble. (me) I hate driving.

Off we go, as I'm heading down some side streets, he tells me I need to get over to the highway. This when there is a line to get on the highway a half mile behind us. Meaning? Gotta cut some people off. (Did I mention I hate driving?) I'm one of those people who get into the proper lane a mile in advance. Ooh I don't like this one bit, I think to myself.. (Meanwhile, he, from New York, would have been cutting people off the whole ride there. Yes, I'm from Chicago, but I don't have that driving mentality. Do you?)

On the highway, sticking to the right lane since I didn't know where I was going, there were signs for which exit to take for the fair. I was planning on getting off at the first one, but a mile before that one, I saw some cars on the side of the road, thinking they must have gotten into an accident, I flew by. Suddenly realizing it wasn't a few cars, it was a massive line of cars, all headed to the FAIR. Oooh I really hate driving. The second exit had a line that was deceptively shorter, deceptive because the stoplight made it so only 2-3 cars got through at a time. We were about 20.

Long ride short, we were in the car over an hour getting to the fair,which was about 10 miles away.

On a brighter note, the sky looked amazing as we drove:

I am slightly obsessed with the sky, so the picture on the left was actually taken in the parking lot of Lowe's the day before. The colors were gorgeous! BUT the one on the right was really the sky as we drove to the fair, it looked like a child fingerpainted it, beautiful.

Finally!

After the hour long car ride, we were H.U.N.G.R.Y.

First stop? And this was quite immediate, FOOOD!

We went to the very first place we saw, which was a Greek place.

Chicken gyro for him, Lamb for me

At this point, may I interrupt myself to bring you this very important message.

I have such trouble inserting and moving around pictures, it's ridiculous.

I may scream. The gyro picture? Went to the top of the blog, then the very bottom, then back to the top. Never quite landing where I wanted it to. Gah! Took me a good 10 minutes to place it properly!

That's all. Now back to your regularly scheduled blog.

...When all of a sudden a guy in a blue shirt walked by gnawing on a giant turkey leg.

TURKEY LEG! I exclaim, knowing my husband would need one immediately.

Let's go! He says, trying to follow the guy, who was walking fast and weaving in and out of the mass of humanity that lay in front of us. We lost him as soon as we saw him.

Finally, found the turkey legs! Barbaric aren't they? Not to mention, $10! For a turkey leg!

I mean, I guess if I had to lose a leg for fair folk to gnaw on barbaricly, they better be paying dearly for it. These things are massive, the poor turkeys..

And since hubs was indulging, and we only go to the fair like once every 7 years, I thought ME TOO!

I bypassed the marginally healthy (hello, apple?!) candied apples..

And headed straight for the elephant ears!

Hubs: Real turkey leg

Me: Fake elephant ear

Bring on the fried dough! I had the cinnamon sugar, and I ate about a quarter of this massive ear.

And oh, it was worth it.

Then we walked and walked and walked. Past all the gaming wizards, all shouting to us.

Hey! Hey you! Play this game! Win this Rasta Nana! Hey! Come here!

To which we pretended to be in intense conversation, not paying much mind to the heckling gamers.

We did play one game, the squirt gun game,. Even THAT..there were 4 of us and he wouldn't start without filling up the table, so we had to wait while he heckled the passersby to come here! Only 2 more people! Win any prize you see!

A dad started walking over and his teenage son pushed him away. Noooooo. I don't want to play! Don't play! And the dad kept walking, like he was walking against a strong gale forced wind, the wind being his son pushing him back, noooo. Don't play!

I mean, this kid REALLY didn't want his dad to play!

The dad, as dad's do, won the argument, played against us, and kicked our butt.

And so, we took our full bellies, carried them to the car, and went on our merry way.

What are you looking at, Pig?

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-30T21:44:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!!

I was just wondering if anyone ever went as a hollow-weenie for Halloween? As in, like a hot dog casing or something of the like. But that would take some creativity to pull off. I bet someone could or has done it already, I rarely have an original thought so for sure someone's done it right?

As for me, I don't have Halloween plans. The house is not decorated, but I did by some candy for those rascal neighborhood kiddos. Good stuff too, snickers with almonds and twizzler nibs. Love dem nibs!

Being as though I don't have many original thoughts, I found this creative idea from Lisa at Pickles and Cheese. Candy Corn Brownie Bites! Super cute and creative. I made a new brownie recipe from my Baking by Dorie Greenspan book, tribute to Katherine Hepburn brownies, and they may be my new favorite brownie, a-maz-ing. And I just so happened to have some fancy pants chocolate on hand:

Given these fabulous brownies a go and have a happy safe Halloweenie!

Tribute to Katherine Hepburn Brownies

Recipe from Dorie Greenspan, Baking

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1 stick (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp ground instant coffee

2 large eggs, room temp

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans

4 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Preheat oven to 325 and grease and flour 8in baking pan.

Whisk the flour, cinnamon, and salt together. Put the butter in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan and place over low heat. When butter starts to melt, sift in cocoa powder and add instant coffee. Continue to cook, stirring, until the butter is melted and the cocoa and coffee are blended into it. Remove from heat and cool 3 minutes.

Using a whisk or rubber spatula, beat the eggs into the saucepan one at a time. Next, stir in the sugar and vanilla, followed by the dry ingredients, nuts, and chopped chocolate. Scrape the batter into the pan. Bake for 30 minutes and cool completely before cutting into squares.

Glaze:

Mix together 1/2 cup remaining bittersweet chocolate with 2 Tbsp butter, 1 Tbsp light corn syrup, and 1 tsp vanilla in a saucepan over low heat.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

2010-10-26T15:46:00.000-04:00

I've had these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins bookmarked for some time now, just waiting for a good day to bake. I've been pretty good lately with working out so I've refrained from baking. But seriously, a girl needs pumpkin in the fall right? YES is the answer.

I have varying degrees of enjoyment, you know like when I made P-Dub's Chicken Spaghetti last week and that elicits eyes closed and a yummmmmm. Some things are "Good!" said in a high pitch. Then the low pitch "Goooood" which is slightly better. Then there is something so rarely outrageously delightful I simply swear like a sailor. It's very true, and has only happened a couple times. The first time it happened I remember vividly..being from the north I never had ChicFilA, which is only right now being introduced up there. One day I was in Myrtle Beach, waiting for my husband's flight to come in, so I went to the Chic, and for breakfast they were serving Chicken Minis. That was the most bizarre thing I ever did hear, Chicken for breakfast!? I never! Then I tried one, and oooh did I let the swear words fly, which surprised even myself that such a thing would come out of my mouth. But really, they are da booooomb!

Long story short, the point I'm trying desperately to reach..This here recipe has made me swear it's so freaking good. Please do try them and if you are around small children, just tell them to put on their ear muffs so they don't hear you.

I'm really trying not to swear just looking at the pictures, much less tasting them.

Now head over to Annie's Eats for the recipe!

I made it as is, the only change I'd make is putting more than a tablespoon as she says, on the bottom, because see how low the cream cheese is? I'd fill the cup halfway with the pumpkin batter, then spoon in the cream cheese, then top it off. Just a wee little detail, still the best muffin I ever made.

What's been cooking

2010-10-20T17:23:00.000-04:00

Lately I can't help it, I seem to have a girl crush on Pioneer Woman. Her food is amazing, I'm sure it has absolutely nothing to do with all the butter, wine, and other slimming ingredients she throws into them. I have my favorite magazine, Taste of Home Prize Winning Recipes, that I've never found a bad recipe in..and now P-Dub's site has become the same. Everything I make is unbelievably delicious! Have you made any of her recipes?

Last night for example, I made one of her latest, Chicken Cacciatore. I don't think I've ever heard of cacciatore before this, and I have to say, I was missing out. Her photos are way better than mine, but I plan to work on that one day. Here's how mine turned out, and here is the link to her recipe.

I didn't make it 100% like hers, it turned out I had no wine in the fridge?? Right?? What in the world..?

I also didn't have tomatoes, which is another profound mystery..I ended up finding a can of rotel tomatoes in the back of the cabinet. Made it more spicy but still, it tasted pretty amazing.

Right this moment, as I type, this is getting all warm and bubbly like in my oven:

And I have to say, it's become a regular in my house. My hubs LOVES this casserole. And LOVES is saying it mildly. Here is the link.

Recently I baked for a bake sale. I have a tendancy to go overboard when I get an opportunity to bake, so in the spirit of moooooooore! I looked at what I had in the house and found a recipe to match.

Here's what I made:

Momma's Wine Cake

(Duh! That's where the wine went!)

I made it with an orange cake mix..I wasn't 100% on the level of moistness so I added a glaze, not pictured. All in all though, I was pretty happy with it.

I also made some Blondies a la Dorie Greenspan.

And decided to wrap them autumnal like:

Whenever I'm at Michael's, which is next to Barnes and Noble, which means I'm there often, I pick up a spool or two of ribbon. Such an inexpensive way to dress up a little plastic bag, don'tcha think?

All the fabulous Dorie recipes can be found here.

And that's what's been cooking! How about you -- Made anything fabulous lately?