Saturday, June 9, 2012

Birthday Take One

As much as I don't want to get older, I do LOVE my birthday! : )  I had a great day! Colin and I both took the day off and headed out for a fun day trip!
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We got lunch outside, we had some tree debris falling on our plates, but that didn't bother me!

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And a lady bug joined my birthday lunch!  She didn't place an order though, she must have already eaten.

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Who knew catus has such beautiful flowers!?!

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We strolled through town and popped in and out of some antique stores to see what they had to offer.
I really wanted those purple porch posts, but I didn't get them since I had no place to put them.  And those dogs lamps...wtf!  I also loved the metal tray (bottom left), that would be nice to put on a buffet during a party...but again, no place to put that right now!

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We hit up Crate and Barrel on the way home! Yay! Crate and Barrel!  The landscaping was so lovely! Catmint and Knock Out Roses blooming for my birthday!  (That is Colin covering his face with his shirt since I asked him to smile!)

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We replaced a glass the dishwasher broke and I got 2 more low bowls!!!! Now we have 4, so who wants to come over and dine out of low bowls????

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Colin also got me the rain coat I have wanted and needed for quite some time.

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 It was a great birthday!  And there is more, so stay tuned! : )

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Low Bowls!

So I was going to work on a "wish list" post, about a few things I wanted from Crate and Barrel. But Colin and I swung by Crate and Barrel on our way home from wine tasting, and I got the things I wanted. Yay!

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I have taller glasses, but I wanted the shorter ones to match.

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I have also wanted some appitizer plates.
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And I also really really wanted these low bowls (or high plates?) since I thought they would be perfect for pasta! I only got 2 of these since they are a little pricey $$$, but evenually I will get a few more for when people come over. Everyone loves low bowls!

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And of course I needed to try the low bowls right away! Pasta, Broccoli Rabe, and Chicken Meatballs. (I bought them, not made them) YUM!

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Monday, April 23, 2012

Un Offical Pear Date

Each year I like to go out to eat when the pear trees are blooming since they cover the main street in town. This year we never actually went on our pear date, but we did happen to walk to dinner one night and realized the pears were in bloom! So we stopped to take notice! Sadly by the time we got settled at a restaurant it was dark, and we could not see the pears, thus it not counting as a official pear date!
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Then it got cold and we got busy, so there wasn't a chance to head out to eat again and now the pears are done. Boo!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Wine Tasting for a Belated Valentines

Colin said we could do anything I wanted to for Valentines Day, and we discussed some options and I picked Wine Tasting! It was a good choice! : ) We had such a nice time! I want to go again when it is not the winter!


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We checked into a deluxe hotel with a King Bed and full beverage center in the fancy lobby!



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Then the van picked us up, and it also picked up one other couple and we hit the road! We toured and or tasted at 3 Vineyards. Each were very different, so you got a nice idea of the local wine makers.


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We went a little crazy with the buying of the wine! Opps! : )


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It was a great day! THANK YOU COLIN!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Early Spring Flowers

Hello Spring! You are a welcomed sight!


These pictures are from a few weeks ago, but it is still nice to savor the sights of spring!


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Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter Everyone! It looks like the bunny came to our house and left some sweet treats for Colin!!!


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Then it looks like the bunny got tired and snuggled in for a nap.

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Won't Colin be excited to wake up and see a bunny next to him and a bowl of Easter goodness waiting for him in the living room!

The Bunny may have done a number on the Robin's Egg's prior to this morning, but hopefully Colin doesn't notice! : )

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Happy Easter everyone! I hope you all have a great day with your families!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Rib Night

So this is an old post, or a new post with old info! : )

I started writing it New Years Eve and I just finished it!


I have been wanting to have my family over for dinner for a while now, and I finally had the time (and money) to host them over Christmas Break! We put ribs in the crock pot and they came out SO GOOD! You need to try this! (And this coming from someone who is trying to make a conscious effort to eat less meat! haha I feel like such a carnivore eating ribs!)

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I also made some mac and cheese, roasted veggies and a big salad. I am not going to post the mac and cheese recipe I used, cause it was pretty dry. My dad and I liked it, since we like things dry, but next time I'll try and different recipe. : )

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I also put Colin to work making some Guac, and that was also awesome! He is the guac master!


So sit back and enjoy some photos and a recipe! Yay!

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For the Ribs, I had to go to 2 food stores, since I got 7 small racks to feed 5 people, and that was plenty as we had leftovers. I had to use 2 crockpots, Jenny's big one, and my mini. Colin was actually the one who made the ribs, I need to give credit where credit is due! : )

The recipe is from the M is for Mommy Blog but I'll retype it into my blog.

Easy Barbecued Ribs
From M is for Mommy Blog


3 tbsp sweet paprika
2 tbsp light brownsugar, lightly packed
1/4 tsp cayennepepper
S&P to taste
6 lbs pork baby back ribs

- leave the membrane on the ribs to help hold them together
3 cup barbecue sauce
Vegetable oil spray

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In a small bowl, mix

together paprika, brown sugar, cayenne and S&P. Rub this mixture all over
both sides of your ribs well. Arrange ribs in the slow cooker by standing them
up against the wall of the stoneware pot, thicker side down and meaty side
against the pot. Pour barbecue sauce over the ribs, cover and cook for 6-8
hours on low (I did 7 hours and they were perfect).


I did them about 3 hours on high, then about 2 hours on low, since I was short on time, but that was almost too much, they were a bit overcooked. I am pretty new to using the crock pot! haha


Now comes the only stove/oven work involved, we need to reduce the sauce and
then brown the ribs under the broiler. These steps are what turn the ordinary
into the extraordinary, so don't you dare skip them even if your ribs already
look pretty good. Once the initial slow cooking is done, very carefully (as
they are tennnnderrrrr) remove the ribs to a baking pan which you have lined
with foil and put a rack on (like in my photo collage), bone side up. Set to
the side. Skim any fat that has risen to the top and strain all of the
remaining juices from the slow cooker through a mesh strainer into a small
saucepan. Bring to boil and allow to simmer and reduce by about a third,
approximately 15 minutes. Put your oven's broiler on to heat up and make sure
that there is an oven rack about 10 inches below the broiler element. When the
broiler is preheated, brush the ribs with sauce and broil for 3 or 4 minutes.
Take them out and very carefully flip them over, brush with sauce and broil
again, meat side up, for approximately 9 minutes, taking them out once or twice
(I did only once because I forgot) to baste with more sauce. Serve any
remaining sauce on the side with the ribs.


My mom helped me with the sauce and the broiling ( I have never boiled anything). We didn't broil as long as the recipe called for since everyone was hungry!


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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Entertaining as a Couple and a Chicken Club sandwich

A few weeks ago, Colin and I hosted our first dinner party as a live-in-bf/live-in-gf couple for my friends Katie and Kerri and their husbands. Although I was a little stressed that there were still a few piles left over from the move (which we hid in the bedroom) I was happy to be hosting and getting back to the normal swing of my life!
AND it was nice to see my friends since it has been a while!

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We started with guacamole that Colin made. He is now the Master Guac Maker! We use this recipe from http://www.simplyrecipes.com/ minus the chilis and cilantro. (But sneak in some cumin, Red Pepper Powder and Chili Powder from the spice cabinet.)

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For dinner we made a Caesar Club Sandwich from Ina Garten via www.foodnetwork.com. Nicole had made it before and it was so good, I have been wanting to try it for a while. I asked my friends to byo french fries, chips and dessert and we were all set! : )
I have also made this dressing separately for salad before for salads.

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Caesar Club Sandwich
from Ina Garten
Ingredients for Dressing and Sandwich

2 split (1 whole) chicken breasts, bone in, skin on
We used Pre-Cooked Rotiseri Chickens to save time, which worked out well
We used 2 since we made 2 sandwichs, and had leftover meat
Good olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta
I got it pre-packaged, but next time I'll get it from the deli so it is thinner
1 large garlic clove, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons anchovy paste
I would cut that in half!!!!
1 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup good mayonnaise
We used Light Mayo
1 large ciabatta bread
2 ounces baby arugula, washed and spun dry
12 sun-dried tomatoes, in oil
2 to 3 ounces Parmesan, shaved
I used grated and also mixed in Pecorino Romano


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Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the chicken breasts on a sheet pan skin side up. Rub the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until cooked through. Cool slightly, discard the skin and bones, and slice the meat thickly. Set aside.
By buying the pre cooked chicken you skip this top step
Meanwhile, place the pancetta on another sheet pan in a single layer. Roast for 10 to 15 minutes, until crisp. Set aside to drain on paper towels.
Place the garlic and parsley in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until minced. Add the anchovy paste, mustard, lemon juice, and mayonnaise and process again to make a smooth dressing. (Refrigerate the Caesar dressing if not using it immediately.)
Slice the ciabatta in half horizontally and separate the top from the bottom. Toast the bread in the oven, cut side up, for 5 to 7 minutes; cool slightly. Spread the cut sides of each piece with the Caesar dressing. Place half the arugula on the bottom piece of bread and then layer in order: the sun-dried tomatoes, shaved Parmesan, crispy pancetta, and sliced chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and finish with another layer of arugula. Place the top slice of ciabatta on top and cut in thirds crosswise. Serve at room temperature.


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This sandwich is very filling, I guess from the bread! But it was yummy!!!! Thanks for coming over guys! : )