January's Book

Today it has been snowing since we woke up. Or should I say since Theo woke us up to go outside. The snow and waking up early on a Saturday afforded me the time to finish Sense and Sensibility which I started months ago but haven't been able to finish until I added "reading one book per month" to my list of resolutions.

I'm not going to review the books I read. I'll tell you if I like them but I won't pretend to know what goes into an actual review. So, yes, I enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed all of Jane Austen's novels that I have read. Emma is next and it will be my final Austen novel. I started reading them last year around this time. With Michael gone in February to Salem for his Psychiatry rotation I am sure I will have plenty of time to read Emma.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

I forgot to mention that I got a hippopotamus for Christmas. You're probably thinking that this is a really large oversight. I can explain.

I heard "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" on the radio the week before Christmas. I called my mom who is never busy and I'm sure appreciates all nonsensical phone calls made while she is sitting around reading or napping. (Please note the sarcasm.) Anyway she said she knew where they were having a sale on hippos and that was the end of the phone call. I was then concerned that I might actually get a hippo in the form of an ornament or a stuffed animal or that word would get around and I would start receiving hippos until I'm 40. However, I was indeed safe from any presents in the form of a hippo.

Until Christmas evening when we popped open the Christmas Crackers that have been in the box of decorations for years. I randomly picked a cracker and out fell a plastic ring with a sticker on it. No, it couldn't be. It's probably a rhino. I put it up to the light. Indeed I tell you it was a hippo, grazing above the word "CHINA". Providence.

Hey Ya!

I had lunch at Eppie's today since I went to work early so I could check out the yarn sale at The Needle Lady. Their food is so fresh and yummy and economical. Anyway, every week there is a trivia question on the tip jar. The first five people to get the answer right get a free cookie. Usually you have to guess the name of a song from the lyrics listed.

So today there was one guess left. And I guessed correctly. "Lend me some sugar/ I am your neighbor" is from Hey ya! by Outkast. Funny thing is this song is so played out and never comes on the radio, but I heard this cover of it on the radio on the way home from the airport on Sunday. A momentous occasion. I'm pretty sure no one gets as excited as I did. But no one probably appreciates a chocolate chip cookie like I do. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera. I might go back and do a re-enactment. I never win anything- well except that lipstick for my wedding- but that's another story.

Hey Good Lookin'

Here's what's been cookin'...

Last Tuesday Michael had to work 'til 11 pm so I perused Real Simple's 78 pages of main dishes while I waited to pick him up. Here's some recipes I found and how we liked 'em.

Feta Chicken with Zucchini and boiled, salted new potatoes

It's important that you use a roasting pan that has a rack because the lemon juice ruins the zucchini without a rack. If we would make this again we would use less lemon and more feta. But we probably won't.

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Chicken and Cashews in Lettuce Cups with Sesame Green Beans

This was delicious and quick and easy to make. Next time we will make sure to dry the lettuce after washing it.

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Beef and Sweet Potato Turnovers with broccoli.

Instead of puff pasty we used reduced fat crescent rolls. The sweet potato added a hint of sweetness to the turnover. We used four crescent rolls per turnover.

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Roasted Salmon with Potatoes and Mushrooms

This was very good for those who like salmon. For some reason I keep trying salmon and I really don't like it that much when it's cooked. I did enjoy the sauce although it was a little too mustard-y for Michael.

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Chicken Cutlets with Smashed Potatoes and Peas

This was yummmy. We added cheddar to the potatoes which really kicked them up a notch.

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Bananas Foster Crepes (from Martha Stewart Living February 2009)

The crepe recipe was good except I overlooked the fact that the batter should chill for 2 hours - 1 day until I was ready to make them. I chilled it for an hour and the crepes turned out fine. I don't know what the difference would be. I think I have seen crepe recipes that add vanilla. This one didn't but I have a feeling it would add a little something to it.

Our rating: 5 out of 5

As for the Bananas Foster recipe, everything smelled right up until we added the rum. Either it's way too much rum or it didn't stay on fire long enough. Michael couldn't eat all of his because of the overwhelming taste of rum and I got most of the sauce off of mine because you know I don't spare any dessert. Since I had to buy a nice sized bottle of dark rum I have a feeling we'll be trying this again.

Our rating: 3 out of 5

I'm leaving tomorrow for wedding festivities (and king cake) in New Orleans. There you have it. That's what's goin' on.

Resolutions

Resolutions always seem to involve losing weight. I am typing this as the scent of baking homemade brownies wafts through our side of the duplex. I'm sharing my 2010 to-do list with you. It's going to be a good year.

Places I will visit:
1. jamestown
2. mount vernon
3. boston to see Andrew (hopefully by train)
4. NYC

Things I will do:
1. sew at least one article of clothing
2. take a tap dance class
3. get a new camera
4. acquire and learn to use Photoshop
5. eat less fast food
6. hike once a month (unless it's super cold)
7. canoe on the James River
8. take Theo to the beach (which will involve- but is not limited to- icees, a picnic, and music)
9. be a part of the Women's 4 Miler Training Program (and then complete the race)
10. read 1 book a month
11. attend the naturalization ceremony at Monticello on the 4th of July
12. volunteer
13. go to the Virginia Safari Park and the Natural Bridge for my birthday

No Pie

I've been meaning to take this picture for quite some time. It's by the Bank of America ATM on the Downtown Mall. Nuff said.
I've honestly never seen him this excited. I wish he would have made this face when I walked down the aisle. Maybe I should have carried a PlayStation 3 instead of a beautiful bouquet.

New Year, New Recipes

Emeril helped us take the traditional New Year's Day food up a notch. We made his Pork Tenderloin en Croute which was delicious. I boiled the cabbage which according to Fannie Farmer should retain its color. I like the taste but I did not like the poppy seed dressing I put on it. You live and you learn. Who cares as long as that cabbage brings me some money this year. tee hee hee... Black eyed peas for good luck. These apparently work because I went on to win three games of Bananagrams (thanks, Santa).

Please forgive the presentation - the pork slipped out of its puff pastry covering

New Year's Eve

Worn out from traveling, we decided to stay in last night. Thanks to Nanny Mary who gave us Southern Living's Christmas Cookbook (special edition from Dillard's), I quickly found a main dish for what would be a truly scrumptious dinner.

I subbed clementines for the satsumas in the salad. The salad was light and a little unimpressive but I didn't have time for it since I was also making dessert. Michael used baby portabellas in the ravioli dish and...wow.

Mr. B's Satsuma Spinach Salad

Beef Ravioli in Basil-Cream Sauce

Mr. B's White Chocolate Brownie with Chocolate Sauce and Frrrozen Hot Chocolate

These brownies are super easy to make and they. are. so. good. Thank you Mrs. Linda and Mr. Ernie for making the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate possible! The chocolate coma brought on by our dessert was fantastic.

We watched a movie and drank champagne and barely stayed awake to watch the ball drop.