Today, I was gently reminded of how fortunate (yes, I said fortunate) I am to not live in Northern VA:
GeeGee and I went to get our wedding bands finalized. We decided to take the scenic route back through Georgetown. First of all, there is NO such thing as a stroll threw Georgetown. . .including a walk. . . (unless you want to dodge people and cars).
Once we got through Georgetown, we thought we were okay. Now we were triumphantly going to enjoy a scenic view of DC. . .the monuments, Capitol, ect. .. EXCEPT, there was a "National Kite Party" happening. . .
A 3 hour drive from Rockville, MD to Woodbridge, VA (maybe a total of 40 miles) only led to tension and anxiety. First of all, GeeGee drives a Ford Edge. NOT (by any stretch of the means) a easily maneuverable vehicle in Northern VA. After a plethora of cuss words, air brakes (from the passenger seat), and middle fingers, we made it back to Woodbridge in one piece. The highlight of the day? A man drove in the lane ending lane only to cut us off at the very last minute. His license plate read: BLQISME
No comment (at least on this blog).
Hey, at least it has inspired me to make a post!?!
But again, Virginia has been dumped on. AND there seems to be more in the forecast :(
First of all, I will say, I got the best advice for wedding dress shopping. Some of it I have to contribute to the mags and some the girls. I went to David's Bridal (yes, I know. . .so not original). I went with the girls. No, not the entourage, but Jules and El-Bel:
(El-Bel with her not twin, checking herself out in the mirror when she saw the not so cute dresses!)
It was like going to Walmart when everyone gets their food stamps! Brides came with entourages of 5 to 7 girls. . . ALL crammed up in one dressing area. . .Advice: Don't bring 50 people to see you try on dresses - Seriously, do you need 50 pieces of advice for each dress??Jules gave some fab feedback and El-Bel just smiled and occasionally giggled! Next step - Headin' to the ALT this weekend with Red and GeeGee to see Aklet. Trunk show for Impressional Bridal at New Natalie's. Should be a blast with two other of my other gals!
We will also get to visit with GeeGee's sister and family(translation - soon to become in-laws!). Hard-core wedding planning, here I come!!
Every year, the girls have a holiday get together. This year, my dearest, bestest friend ever, Aklet, was able to join in the festivities:
Anywho, our get together was a great success! Everyone came out (well, at least everyone that counts!) to the new abode to eat, drink and be merry! Kirky volunteered to make a dinner for us all - Cornish game hens with mushroom-artichoke stuffing - DeLiCiOuS!!
We had some great fun doing our Chinese gift exchange this year. Some of our highlighted/stolen gifts exchanged included: a Barbie doll, a cute purse with some not so cute hemorrhoidal cream (for us aging folks), a robe
There was more exchanging (a.k.a. gift stealing) that in the past! Is it us getting feisty in our old age??
Needless to say, it was a great time, to be with great friends!
Love ya crazy b****es!!
Like all snow storms, it was pretty when it fell. . . but cleaning it up. .. What a MESS!!
Luckly, I saw a man with a snow plow when I was shoveling the driveway. Too bad he took out all the landscape lighting and flower boxes that were buried in the snow too! OOPS!So, I have been doing a bit of cooking recently with some variations from the actual recipes and have been asked to share a couple. Enjoy your holidays!!
Melt the butter in a pan and gently fry the chopped artichoke heart, onion and garlic for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the rice and cook for about 1 minute.
Keeping the heat high, gradually add the stock, stirring occasionally until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is cooked - this should take about 20 minutes. Season well, then stir in the Parmesan cheese. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Leave to cool, then cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Then add the breadcrumbs and eggs to the cold mixture.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the palm of one hand, flatten slightly, and place a few pieces of diced cheese in the centre. Shape the rice around the cheese to make a small ball. Flatten slightly, then roll in the corn meal, shaking off any excess. Repeat with the remaining mixture to make about 12 cakes.
Shallow fry the rice cakes in hot olive oil for 4-5 minutes until they are crisp and golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper and serve hot, garnished with flat leaf parsley.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes or until softened. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Using a fork, mash the tuna with the onion, garlic, goat cheese, pimento-stuffed olives, pine nuts, capers, paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
On a floured surface, roll out the pastry to 1/8 inch thickness. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter, cut out as many dough circles as the dough will allow, rerolling the dough sheets if necessary. Cupping each dough round in your hand, spoon about 1 teaspoon of the filing into the center of each dough round, then brush the edges with a little water. fold the dough over the mixture to form a crescent. Pinch the edges of crescent to seal the dough closed. Use the back of a fork to further press the edges of the dough together.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, garlic, red pepper flakes and shrimp. Season with grill seasoning or salt and pepper and cook shrimp 3 minutes or until just pink. Toss with lemon zest, juice and chopped parsley. Remove shrimp to a serving platter leaving the garlic cloves in the pan.
*No variations here! Thanks Rach!
Seriously, this next one is probably my favorite!!
Spinach with Chickpeas or with my variations:
Combine lamb, turkey, breadcrumbs, egg white, 1/2 cup onion, half the garlic, 2 tablespoons mint, coriander, cumin and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Gently mix to combine. Shape into 48 little meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs for 10 minutes. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining 1/2 cup onion and cook, stirring, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining garlic, wine, cayenne and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Simmer over medium-low heat until the wine has reduced significantly, 3 to 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, return to a simmer, reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes.
Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons mint
I have been having serious trouble sleeping. Nightmares and everything!! GeeGee has been gone, and will be gone until the 19th :( He blames my irritability and nightmares on the fact that he is gone . . .
So, I got home today feeling a little tired and irritable. .to say the least. My phone rang, and I looked at the caller ID. It was this dang survey company calling for the 1k time (last night they called at 9pm after I had finally shut my eyes after several sleepless nights. .). I answered the phone and agreed to take their survey so they would stop calling me. They told me it would only take a couple of minutes. I told them they had TWO. On the third question, I failed the survey and was no longer a candidate. . .HAH! I "was not in my current job for more than 6 months". Take that (1)! I told them to take me off their list (mf's. . .!).
I carried on with my evening by starting to make some potato leek soup (very yummy might I add. . .), when I noticed my stove was no longer lit. It seemed as though my gas was out (2). . and I am not referring to my energy. After a little troubleshooting, I realized my fireplace was out, the burners were not lighting with my handy dandy lighter, and the oven was not preheating for the quiche I was about to prep for. My first thought was, GeeGee "didn't take care of the gas bill!!". . .. I called him up, and he couldn't remember the gas company we have an account with (3)!!! SOOOO - I went outside to read the propane tank in the sleet .. . .YES SLEET(4). . .and fell on my a** when I slipped down the stairs (5)!! I collected myself, and got the name of the company. Of course I have to call them in the morning to get this taken care of, OR they will charge their emergency fee(6). I called my girl, Aklet, to vent so that GeeGee didn't get to have all the fun. She suggested that I take the soup that I started to make, put it in a Tupperware as is, and save it until he gets home and serve it to him for dinner (7). . GREAT idea!! Instead, I cooled off, and decided to bring out the ole fryin' pan. . .It was in this frying pan that I continued to cook my soup (????). I put it in the blender to puree it up. . . Evidently, the soup was too hot and the blender was too full, so it spilled out ALL over the place in the kitchen AND burned my hand(8). . .yup, all over the computer. . .the Christmas cards on the counter, the floor, and ME... . (I know. . LOL. . and LOLA!!).
Anyway, this is what and how I had dinner tonight (9):
One of my friend's emailed me today. I thought I would post it:
I have friends that blog. I think they are very clever and I enjoy catching up with them via their blog. I think about writing my own, but what would I say. I can't even get my Facebook account straight.
However, today was one of those days that a blog would have been the perfect thing to post this cute story:
It was getting close to nap time. Gracyn had gone upstairs to find Otto. I followed to find Gracyn on our bed burring her head into Otto's fur. I thought, "what a good time to go down and quickly look up something on my computer." After rushing through a couple of web sites, I listened closely to hear if Otto had scratched her face off or if she was into some other type of mischief. I heard nothing. So I rushed upstairs; while passing Gracyn's room, I made a quick glance to find that everything was in place. Then I went into our room to find Otto alone and happy in our bed. "Where's Gracyn!" I went back to her room. She had crawled up into her new big girl bed, covered herself, and was asleep cuddling with Lovey Bear.
A priceless moment that I had to share with you.
Love, Scarlett
GeeGee and I are out of town for a conference (well, my conference). Seeing that it is Sunday, GeeGee usually watches football. . .HOWEVER - Today I got him to go shopping with me. . .Well, registering for our wedding actually. .
Needless to say, he is in a horrible mood now. . .
Football Sunday?? I say. . .!!
Today marked a first time for a few things:
1. I had a colleague tell me that she "doesn't know how to type". . .
2. My cat scratched me.
3. GeeGee used a napkin while eating
I have found that boys are just messy. GeeGee's mother is coming this weekend, and I have made a list of things that he needs to clean or help clean before their arrival. He seems to think the place is not messy at all. . .WRONG he is! My cat's hair is ALL over the place, dust bunnies can be found behind my nightstand, and the bathrooms need a once over (after this weekend with guests, last week with guests, and general use in the last 2 weeks. . they need it!).
I figure if I make him clean, eventually he will get us a housekeeper. Cross your fingers!!
I thought this was something that you usually only do when you have kids, then I remembered - and YOU should too! As yourself, . . . "self, when you were a kid what did you REALLY get to do when it was time to carve pumpkins?. . . "
I remember having to take out all the gross stuff. . I never got to use the knives, or light the candles, or any of the fun stuff. How about you? What do you remember about carving pumpkins?
Well, we decided to have the full experience, without kids :)
Chef Pumpkin then made dinner that night too! We contiplated Pumpkin Chili, and then voted against it!!
Alley LOVES her new home. GeeGee has decided to spoil her, and feed her wet food. This is something I have NEVER done. Check out what she did to her food:
Now, Alley has ALWAYS had a tenancy to push her food out of her bowl if the pieces are too small. She will MEOW to no ends, if she has JUST crumbs in her bowl (even if it is FULL of crumbs) - note the pieces around her bowl. The most interesting part of this for me, is the fact she did this to her wet food too. . .She ate ALL the wet part of the food, and left most of the chunks, and even pushed some off the plate! I can't even begin to imagine where she learned this habit! Weird cat. . . .
Old Master Bathroom ------New Master Bathroom 
Old Master Bedroom ---- New Master Bedroom
Old "GeeGee/Game/Gold" Room --- New. .. . 
Old Bar --- New Bar (did I mention "wet"?)
Old Dining Room ---- New!
Old living room. . .New living room
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