Bay and I made an Advent Calendar after we finished up with our Thanksgiving Dinner. My friend Lori makes them and so I thought we should make one as well. I think it turned out really cute! What do you think?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Vanessa Paradis
Vanessa's brand new clip "Il y A". Part of her newest album "Best Of", available 23th november.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Monday, November 02, 2009
Posole!
One New Mexico Christmas tradition is a steaming bowl of posole, a spicy corn stew that is known as the ceremonial dish for celebrating life's blessings.
I found a recipe and changed it just a bit. I used a whole pork tenderloin and cubed it very small, onions, garlic, oregano and green chilies. I cooked this mixture down in the water and instead of adding more water I added chicken broth to give it a better flavor.
It called for 2 red New Mexican dried chilies but I don't have any.....yet! I did add a chopped jalapeno pepper after I took this photo for a little heat. I would have liked to add more but....... Bay and Tanner wouldn't have liked me too much!
About 30 minutes before serving I added my hominy. I can't wait until I can actually use the traditional lime soaked dried posole I get from Santa Fe. I also want to get some dried chilies. I've been looking up the Scoville scale to educate myself on which varieties will give me some heat yet be mild enough for my kids.
We added cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips and everyone loved it! The pork tenderloin just melted in your mouth!
Since posole is traditionally served at Christmas time in N. Mexico, I think I will serve it on Christmas Day and have some Jalapeno bites as an appetizer with it. I think I will serve Mexican Wedding cookies or maybe Mexican Wedding Cake or this Mexican Chocolate Streusel Cake for dessert. Feliz Navidad!
Sunday, November 01, 2009
DREAMING OF SANTA FE!
Jimmy and I spent our December honeymoon in Santa Fe, New Mexico. That was 20 years ago! Well, Jimmy had an unexpected surprise for me not too long ago. He said he wanted to take me back for a second honeymoon!! We always planned to go on our 10th anniversary but we were busy raising our 3 kids and never got around to it. Now with Ty in college, Tan driving everywhere and Bay a big 9 year old, we have the time to go.
Well, our trip is coming up and I'm getting really excited about it! We just made reservations at the Las Palomas and it's not far off the Square. We are staying in a Pueblo Studio unit with a fireplace.
Our historic Pueblo compound of Las Palomas is built from traditional adobe bricks to maintain and preserve the authentic feel and flavor of Santa Fe. As you stroll to your private Casita along our meandering paths you will enjoy the beautiful gardens and distinct Pueblo Style architecture taken from theNative American life of long ago.
Studio – Our Studio, One Bedroom Casitas and Super Casitas are each decorated with custom leather and wood furnishings with their own style and flair of bold colors, local artwork and hand-woven rugs. All offer wood burning fireplaces, king beds, kitchenettes. Our one bedroom
Casitas and Super Casitas offer a separate living room with a queen size sleeper sofa in each.
I remember Santa Fe being very romantic in December, with all the big snowflakes, beautiful churches and the streets lined with farolitos or luminarias.
I am just counting the days.......
There's no place like Santa Fe during this sacred season. The city's unique blend of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo cultures showcases traditions, ceremonies and celebrations steeped in history and heritage. And yet Santa Fe's vibrant contemporary scene ensures that this month is filled with modern offerings, too. Holiday concerts and performances take place around town all month long. Hotels and shops, decked in holiday splendor, offer special events and unique gift ideas and acclaimed restaurants serve festive meals. You can also purchase some wonderful gifts reflecting the city's Spanish Colonial roots at the annual Winter Spanish Market in early December.
Many pueblos perform traditional dances during the holidays. On Christmas Eve, some pueblos hold sundown torchlight processions. In mid-December, Pojoaque Pueblo holds its annual Feast of Guadalupe, with traditional dances and a community feast. Las Posadas, a traditional Spanish outdoor play performed in the Plaza area, portrays the search by Mary and Joseph for a room on Christmas Eve. And the Palace of the Governor holds its annual holiday celebration that combines Native American, Hispanic and Anglo Christmas traditions with caroling, dances and food.
I've have been looking up all things Santa Fe to see what there is to do while we are there. I love to cook so I am really anxious to buy some authentic New Mexican staples for my pantry. I plan to stock up on some dried chiles, chili powders (both green and red) and some dried Posole (both white and blue). I'm also on the lookout for a good pepper jelly. I unhealthy love for the stuff. Try some top of a bagel and cream cheese. Yummmm! I have one other item that I HAVE to try while we are there....Chocolate made with chili peppers! I can't wait to see what that is like! I found a great website called Santa Fe School of Cooking They have all kind of wonderful New Mexican ingredients and supplies. I especially like this......
With all this dreaming of Santa Fe, I decided to have a taste of New Mexico tonight. I'm planning on making Posole! Posole is a spicy Mexican Stew made of pork, posole (or hominy), garlic, chilies and spices. You top it with cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips. I'm going to serve it with warm tortillas. Hopefully this will keep me satisfied until our trip rolls around......
Saturday, October 17, 2009
OSU HOMECOMING "WALKAROUND" 2009
Tyler sent me this picture via text message this week. It's the Fountain in front of Edmon Low Library. They dye it Cowboy orange every year at Homecoming!
Jim and I
Bay, Ty and me
Homecoming is one of the many proud traditions at Oklahoma State University, and perhaps one of the most widely known. Every year, thousands of OSU alumni and fans return to Stillwater, taking part in what is heralded as the biggest and best homecoming celebration in the country.
Traditional festivities include the Friday evening "walkaround" for visitors to view large, elaborate house decorations on the lawns of fraternity and sorority houses, with several vendors scattered throughout the tour route. There is also the "Sea of Orange Parade," a Saturday morning parade down Main Street in Stillwater with decorated floats, high school marching bands, horses, and politicians. Capping off the festivities is the traditional homecoming football game at Boone Pickens Stadium, typically played Saturday evening. Hester Street is typically painted with words of encouragement for the football team for when they take part in The Walk; a tradition started by former coach Les Miles where tens of thousands of Cowboy fans line Hester Street as the team walks from the Student Union to Boone Pickens Stadium. In recent years, the men's basketball team has hosted their annual Basketball Bash now Homecoming and Hoops in Gallagher-Iba Arena on Homecoming Saturday afternoon, allowing the throng of OSU fans in home for the football game to catch a glimpse of the basketball Pokes before basketball season begins.
Oklahoma State's homecoming has its roots in the annual Harvest Carnival (a tradition that's still a part of Homecoming today) that first began in 1913 as festival including agricultural exhibits, a Harvest Queen competition, a parade, and an evening carnival. By 1920, the Harvest Carnival had been replaced with homecoming. In 1921, the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association adopted homecoming as an official alumni association event. The Harvest Carnival parade was retained and became a part of the homecoming celebration, and continues to be a big part of the tradition. In the 1920s, sororities began decorating the doorways and exteriors of their houses, which later gave way to the elaborate house decorations on the lawns of fraternities, sororities, and dormitories that inspired the Friday evening walkaround. Theta Pond is also traditionally lined with orange lights and the water in the fountain in front of Edmon Low Library is dyed Cowboy orange during Homecoming week.
We went on the "walkaround" Friday night. These are some of the House decorations. Aren't they amazing?
This one turned from this.....
to this.......
to this......
Everyone love Pistol Pete...
even Bay!
Love this one! Pistol Pete is driving the big rig and ran over the Mizzou Tiger! LOL!
He looks pretty well squished!
This is cool! A replica of our Sports Illustrated cover last month!
At Theta pond looking back at the crowd.
OSU has one of the largest Homecomings in the nation!
We love Homecoming! Go Pokes!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Blast From the Past......
I was looking up recipes on Zaar the other day and came across this K-Mart sandwich from 1969. They evidentally made some up and sold them 3 for a $1 (4 for a $1 if they were having a green light special). It sounds like people really loved them and had to search high and low for the recipe. I wish I would have tried one back then.....but I really want to try it now with a few minor lighter changes to the recipe. If you want the recipe click here.
That got me thinking about foods that I used to have in the 1970's. One I remember the most was a sandwich that my Grandmother used to keep in her freezer for my Uncle Jim. I used to love those po'boy subs! Does anyone remember these crispy delights? I found a website that thinks they might be the same as the Deli Express "Chuck Wagon" sandwich. If I find one I will HAVE to try it out.....I'll let you know if it's anything like I remember.
Another food memory that I have was having some sort of Space Stick. They were chocolate and I loved them. Does anyone remember these or is it just me?
That got me talking to my friends at work about their favorite food memories. Kirby said that he had 3 that he missed. One was Sleepy Hollow Restaurant back when it was really good, also his Mom's potato salad and his Grandma's Chicken Pot Pie. Oh........Kirby added that he really misses O'Mealy's birthday cakes and he should know because he is a birthday cake coinsurer!
Lori said hers were Chocolate Chip cookies (they don't taste the same as they did back then) and making snow ice cream with her Dad. Isn't that a sweet memory?
Jimmy said that the one food from the past that he would like to have again is his Aunt Geraldine's homemade Chocolate Pie with meringue. He said he would always search for her pie at every family function and if he couldn't find it he wasn't be a happy camper!
Is there something that you wish you could have again.........something from your childhood? Leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! Maybe we all miss some of the same things.........
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Korean Steak and Eggs
Click here for the recipe.
First you have to chop up your kimchi
Even if you don't make this recipe you have to try the marinade on the steak. It is AMAZING!!
Look how juicy and caramelized the steaks are.......
Stir-fry the kimchi
I like to boil the marinade that the steak has been in to put over the top of the rice for extra flavor.
Mixing the rice into the kimchi
Let the steak rest a minute to redistribute the juices before cutting.
Here you go.......Korean Steak and eggs. YUM!
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Grilled Roasted Vegetable Pizzas with Pesto, Feta and Pine Nuts
Yum! Tanner said it was the best pizza he ever had! That really means a lot coming from him!
I love making pizzas! They are so fun to put together!
The dough does great on the grill.
We like to grill yellow squash, zucchini and red onions.
We bought our pizza dough from the Snack bar at Sam's Club. They will sell it to you.......but you have to buy a whole box. The good news is that they freeze wonderfully! We like to roll the dough out on cornmeal as it adds a extra crunch to the crust and also adds flavor.
Low fat Pesto
Tonight for dinner we are making grilled vegetable pizzas w/pesto. We love pesto but don't like all the calories the olive oil adds to it. I found this recipe and it works great and isn't so oily. I make it as stated but use about half as much chicken broth as it calls for.
If you would like the recipe for low fat pesto click here.
I really need to make more pesto and freeze it. My basil is starting to look sad.
I love toasted pine nuts! I'm adding some to the top of the pizzas also.
My little food processor is just the right size for one batch.
Ready to make the pizzas! Jim........fire up the grill!
Thursday, October 01, 2009
My Korean "Fusion" Dinner
Korean Gochujang (Red Pepper Paste)
This is the sauce for my Dak Bulgoki. It's very spicy and incredibly yummy!
I usually put Buffalo sauce on these chicken poppers. The Korean sauce really worked out well though. It was really, really good!
I mixed the chicken and sauce in a baggy for easy clean up.
Grapevine, Texas 9/24/09
Jim and I at the wine tasting bar at the Delaney Vineyard. We really enjoyed getting to taste some wines we wouldn't have normally picked for ourselves.
We found a new favorite too.....Sauvignon Blanc!
The Delaney Vineyard in Grapevine, Texas
The lighter barrels are French Oak while the darker ones are American Oak.
We ate dinner here Thursday night. We had some yummy buffalo burgers!
This is the inside of Uncle Bucks Brewery.
We stayed at the Wyndham. Nice......
I want this chair! So comfy and great to use a laptop on. It even comes with its own plug-ins for computers.
Every time we are in the Dallas area we stop at the corner of Royal Lane and Harry Hines blvd to shop at the Komart Korean Market and eat at the Korea House.
We ate here the day we picked Bay up from Love Field when she came home from Korea. We love it!
Kimbap
Seafood and tofu soup......yummy and spicy!
What's left of our chicken and beef barbecue.
Biking around Lake Hefner
Over Labor Day weekend Jim, Bay and I rode our bikes ALL the way around the lake. It was really fun but man.....by the time we were through I was tired! I must say that I was really exhilarated too!
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