Life - A Flurry of Feelings

I am so happy it's Friday.

I am going to finish the laundry, make black tea, and vacuum.

I need a haircut.

My printer is out of both color and black ink.

Catering is hard.

Next weekend is the Family Dinner - yikes!

I'm thirsty.

Today was SUCH nice weather in Dallas. It's shocking.

I need to check my voicemail.

I love my cattie-poos.

I have an empanada.

I'm so excited I get to RELAX! Yay for the weekend!

TNFNS: Final Two

Jeffrey & Melissa. I couldn't be happier.

Next week, it better be THIS person standing:

I will watch every show! FN is BACK!

The Next Food Network Star Thoughts

I've been following the Next Food Network Star since it came on this season, and I have to say, I am thoroughly disappointed. First of all, I don't feel like it's a legitimate compeition because it seems like the producers are editing the show in a way to show certain contestants in a certain light, and others in another. Also, the judges hone in on certain faults, and glaze over others. If you watch the series, you'll know what I'm talking about. It makes me think it was all pre-determined, and they are already filming the "winning" contestant's new show. Anyway, I hope Melissa or Jeffrey win, but I'm not sure I'll be watching TNFNS after this season. Food Network has been disappointing me lately, and I think I'll explore other food-oriented or culinary programming.

KERA, here I come.

Hammer Time has been replaced

This is absolutely hilarious. I just saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince yesterday, so the subject is still on my mind.



http://www.wauwatosanow.com/news/50743847.html

By the way, has everyone already seen the movie? I can give my brief review without spoilers - I was so disappointed that the director/scriptwriters left a significant portion of the backstory out, while adding in several completely unneeded scenes that weren't even in the original text. I'll give a review soon so others have a chance to watch it before they read about my thoughts. :)

Also, I hear the last movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is to be spilt into two films. I'm very happy with that because that leads me to believe they will spend the appropriate time on catching everything that happens in the book.

Tentative Dinner Menu

I know you all have been waiting in suspense for my family dinner menu. Take a look and let me know what you think:

Appetizers: Mini Pizzas (caramelized onion & fontina; tomato & basil) and Parmesan/Gruyere cheese straws
Main Dish: Tuscan Lemon Chicken
Sides: Roasted Asparagus & Green Beans, Green Salad with Vinaigrette, Creamy Parmesan French Bread
Dessert: Mocha Semifreddo, Make-Your-Own Italian Ice Cream Sandwich

Thoughts?

Peach Cobbler

Today, I am attempting to make a peach cobbler (homemade, of course), for our after-dinner dessert. It's a recipe done by a Maine native that I found on the Food Network Web site. She's from the Northeast, so it must be good, right? (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-specials/peach-cobbler-recipe/index.html)

I'll try and post pictures when I'm done. Our camera broke, so I'm taking photos with my Blackberry. (If people haven't noticed the poor quality of my pictures lately!) By the way, do any of you have Blackberries?

Update: Here it is - the most fantastic peach cobbler ever! The Exit 51 farmstand peaches really made the difference.

Ugh! Apparently

I don't know how to spell and/or type. And it makes me look like an idiot. I apologize for all my typos in my blogs!

On the happier side of things, I made a fabulous zucchini and mozzarella pie for dinner last night. Take a look:

Family Dinner at the Oates Apartment!

The hostess in me has emerged again. I'm hosting a family dinner at my apartment in early August. I'm excited! With the chairs finally finished, and summer still in full swing, I think it will be a good time. I invited everyone on my side of the family (Michael's side will come later - I've got to cool down between families!). I'm enviting our Austinites too, so it will be a complete family affair!

Any suggestions for food choices? I'm looking at serving two appetizers, two sides, a main dish, and a dessert. I'm thinking chicken for the main dish, and something really rich for dessert. I'd love suggestions!

Photos of Chairs - and Chicken Pot Pie!

So, after much waiting, and prodding my my readers & friends, I am posting! I have a two-part news to share. One piece I will share tonight, even though the visual results are not top-notch, and the other half I will share soon.

First:

The chairs are finally back! The two antique chairs my grandparents gave us have been reupholstered, and I think they look phenomenal. It's a heartfelt and special thing to get to revitalize these pieces, and give them a new home. Take a look:

The first is a button/barrel back chair we chose to cover in a light blue and damask fabric. It's a bold choice for what is, in my opinion, a bold chair. The second is the smaller and more dramatically shaped chair that we chose to cover in a springish green and golden dragonfly patterned fabric. I think they both look tons better than before. Thoughts?

After reading an enticing post from one of the best artists on the planet, I chose to make individual chicken pot pies for Michael and my dinner this evening. Yum! I finally got to use my special chefy crocks that I bought a year ago.

On a personal note: Thank you all for being so in-tune with my life and wanting to know my news. It feels great to know I have several people that care about what's happening with me. Thank you!

P.S. - No, I'm not having a baby.