I just finished the small gifts I made for my coworkers, neighbor and close friends. Aren't they cute?!
Then, here's the side view of one of the jars. Can you guess what the recipe is for? :)
Happy Holidays!
12.16.2009
12.14.2009
Dessert Ideas!
Only 10 more days until the festivities begin!
I've been signed up (or signed myself up) for making several things during the holidays. Yes, I am going to list them again, much like I did for Thanksgiving. I'm slated for: spinach and artichoke dip, sausage balls (times two), caramelized onion loaf (times two), spiced sweet potatoes, and a dessert (not sure yet). I'm undecided on the dessert, and I need ideas. Pumpkin pie, pie of any sort, and cake are all out. Suggest away!
I've been signed up (or signed myself up) for making several things during the holidays. Yes, I am going to list them again, much like I did for Thanksgiving. I'm slated for: spinach and artichoke dip, sausage balls (times two), caramelized onion loaf (times two), spiced sweet potatoes, and a dessert (not sure yet). I'm undecided on the dessert, and I need ideas. Pumpkin pie, pie of any sort, and cake are all out. Suggest away!
12.07.2009
Roasted Eggplant Spread
Before I leave, I wanted to share a recipe. I just made Roasted Eggplant Spread, and it's amazing! Ina did it again!Ingredients:
1 medium eggplant, peeled
2 red bell peppers, seeded
1 red onion, peeled
2 garlic cloves
3 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp tomato paste
Preheat to 400 degrees. Cut the eggplant, bell pepper, and onion into 1-inch pieces. Toss them in a large bowl with the garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread them on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast for 35-40 minutes, turning once. Cool slightly. Place vegetables in a food processor and add tomato paste. Pulse 5-8 times. Taste for salt & pepper. Serve with pita chips, or as I did, with toasted Challah.
Yum!
Party, Drink, Karaoke, AIM
Las
t night (Yes, a Sunday night) was the HPB company holiday/christmas party at Ozona Bar and Grill on Greenville (http://www.ozonagrill.com/), and it was a blast. There was your selection of free food, drinks and karaoke. I sampled some of Michael's dinner plate, and their grilled steak and chicken kabobs were moist and tasty. The queso was very pepper-intense and flavorful. A great queso in my book!
I must say, I also had a lovely new drink (new to me) of sweet tea vodka (http://www.fireflyvodka.com/) and lemonade. I never thought that combination would be so light and refreshing. (I'm NOT a vodka fan.)
Also, I got to hang out with friends from work without having to talk about work! Yay! We ended the night by performing Journey's Don't Stop Believin' for the crowd. It was awesome!
One last thing - I decided to get AIM again. For those of you that don't know what that is (or are trying to forget), it's the instant messenger created by America Online. One of my friends asked if I would use it to message them instead of texting (Sigh. oh alright...), so I reinstalled it. (Side note: WHO DOESN'T TEXT?!) Long story short, if any of you use AIM, I'd love to add you to my pitiful three-person list. :)
t night (Yes, a Sunday night) was the HPB company holiday/christmas party at Ozona Bar and Grill on Greenville (http://www.ozonagrill.com/), and it was a blast. There was your selection of free food, drinks and karaoke. I sampled some of Michael's dinner plate, and their grilled steak and chicken kabobs were moist and tasty. The queso was very pepper-intense and flavorful. A great queso in my book!I must say, I also had a lovely new drink (new to me) of sweet tea vodka (http://www.fireflyvodka.com/) and lemonade. I never thought that combination would be so light and refreshing. (I'm NOT a vodka fan.)
Also, I got to hang out with friends from work without having to talk about work! Yay! We ended the night by performing Journey's Don't Stop Believin' for the crowd. It was awesome!
One last thing - I decided to get AIM again. For those of you that don't know what that is (or are trying to forget), it's the instant messenger created by America Online. One of my friends asked if I would use it to message them instead of texting (Sigh. oh alright...), so I reinstalled it. (Side note: WHO DOESN'T TEXT?!) Long story short, if any of you use AIM, I'd love to add you to my pitiful three-person list. :)
12.03.2009
Decided to make Challah
This afternon I decided to make challah, because we ran out of bread. Who needs grocery store bread?!
Fresh Herbs
Does anyone have a good recipe that uses rosemary or sage?My mother-in-law has a huge amount of the aforementioned herbs growing in her backyard, and cut handfuls for me to take home. Obviously something savory would be best. I'd appreciate the help!
I also got a poinsettia from Martie along with the herbs. I'm pretty sure they're poisonous to cats. Or children. Or both? I'll have to check into this.
On a side note, it's 63 degrees in Boston. It's 38 degrees here. Odd.
11.28.2009
Furnace Brook Winery
I've been delinquent in my posting of wonderous Berkshire/Massachusetts Finds lately, and decided it was high-time to feature one of my favorites.
While on our honeymoon, Michael and I stopped by a winery for fun, and it happened to be the Furnace Brook Winery. 
(http://www.furnacebrookwinery.com/) It featured many award winning wines, and one hard cider that's won a few titles. We tried the Johnny Mash Hard Cider, and I have to say, it's the best cider I've had. Yes, it indeed beats the Woodchuck we have here in Dallas. (By Far!) The winery also has orchards where you can pick to your heart's content and enjoy the fruits of your labor (PUN) outside in the awesome summer/fall weather on shaded picnic tables. It's a great way to spend a picturesque afternoon with a lovie.
(http://www.furnacebrookwinery.com/) It featured many award winning wines, and one hard cider that's won a few titles. We tried the Johnny Mash Hard Cider, and I have to say, it's the best cider I've had. Yes, it indeed beats the Woodchuck we have here in Dallas. (By Far!) The winery also has orchards where you can pick to your heart's content and enjoy the fruits of your labor (PUN) outside in the awesome summer/fall weather on shaded picnic tables. It's a great way to spend a picturesque afternoon with a lovie. Make a visit next time you're in Richmond, Massachusetts!
11.21.2009
TDM - Turkey Day Mood
I'm sorry about the super inside-post I wrote the other day. Things have been really weird with the family lately. Hopefully everything will be sorted out soon. I want everyone to be HAPPY!
Thanksgiving is less than a week away! It's exciting! I've been getting in the Turkey Day mood lately, and have made a few dinners because of that. Last night I made an Asian-inspired honey cornish game hen with roasted parsnips. 
It was a success! If only I had an army of people to roast a turkey for! I'd love to try it, but I think it will be awhile before I do. This year my mom has asked me to make several things on the menu, so I am planning that this week. I am in charge of a vegetable plate (with two dips), three kinds of dinner rolls, and a blueberry cobbler. I'll take pictures of all of it. I hope nothing turns out terrible. Wish me luck!
It was a success! If only I had an army of people to roast a turkey for! I'd love to try it, but I think it will be awhile before I do. This year my mom has asked me to make several things on the menu, so I am planning that this week. I am in charge of a vegetable plate (with two dips), three kinds of dinner rolls, and a blueberry cobbler. I'll take pictures of all of it. I hope nothing turns out terrible. Wish me luck!Look at my creepy cat!
11.19.2009
Trying News from Unexpected Land
Sometimes it's more important to accept and show you love someone than to show them you think they're unwise and irresponsible. Choose which is more important.
It's more important to keep someone close than to push them away.
It's best to show someone they matter to you instead of the moral disagreement you have with their lifestyle.
Sometimes it's best to keep your mouth shut and your heart open.
Especially when it's the ones you love the most.
Some say you hurt the people you love the most more often than anyone else in your life. This shouldn't be our nature.
We have to reach beyond our many differences and secure the bonds between us. It's the only way we can keep sane. It's hard to see the similarities when so much has changed over the years. Faded. Some similarities maybe have been eliminated.
We have to find common ground.
Then the complexities of life won't seem so oppressive, and our days will be brighter.
It's more important to keep someone close than to push them away.
It's best to show someone they matter to you instead of the moral disagreement you have with their lifestyle.
Sometimes it's best to keep your mouth shut and your heart open.
Especially when it's the ones you love the most.
Some say you hurt the people you love the most more often than anyone else in your life. This shouldn't be our nature.
We have to reach beyond our many differences and secure the bonds between us. It's the only way we can keep sane. It's hard to see the similarities when so much has changed over the years. Faded. Some similarities maybe have been eliminated.
We have to find common ground.
Then the complexities of life won't seem so oppressive, and our days will be brighter.
11.18.2009
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