New Recipes

I am no chef. Nor do I want to be. But I do love finding new recipes and playing with them to make them better. This week, I decided to try 2 new recipes. And so the search began. I have been an avid Food Network user to find something new, but I've never fallen in love with any. I've watched a few episodes of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and decided to look up some of his recipes for something new. The man is amazing. Finding dishes that both my husband and I would like (we dislike what the other likes, generally) is simple, and the cooking directions are easy to follow. There is always a description of the origin of the dish, which is interesting.

The first dish I made was Beautiful Courgette Carbonara, and it was a hit.

The pasta sauce is a great change from the usual Alfredo, Vodka or tomato sauce. The raw eggs kind of weirded me out, but you couldn't taste the egg. I used half and half instead of whole cream, and half the bacon it called for. I would recommend you allow the pasta and veggies to cool down to about about a luke warm temperature, otherwise the eggs scramble. I thought it had cooled enough, but they still scrambled a little. Overall, the dish was a success!

The second dish I made was Hunter's Chicken Stew (pollo alla cacciatora).


It's not much of a stew, but rather a sauce for the chicken. It takes a little while to prep, but if you space it out, it's really not that bad. I only marinated the chicken for about 5.5 hours, and only used chicken breasts. This is my new favorite dish. I was concerned about the anchovies, but you couldn't taste them. I would also suggest skinless chicken, because the marinade didn't reach the meat underneath.
Overall, it was amazing.

I would recommend using Jamie's recipes, and I am actually considering buying several of his cook books.

I've recently fallen in love with Crate and Barrel, and coincidentally, I'm redecorating our bedroom. After doing some research, I've come to the conclusion that I want a bright patterned duvet cover with some coordinating accents. Our new bedroom set is espresso colored, so anything against it would really pop out and look great. The reason I mention my new found love for Crate and Barrel is because I found a duvet cover that matches my requirements:

Crate and Barrel - King Duvet - $119
(Pillows and additional bedding extra)

I'm hoping the yellow will be as bright as it is in the picture, though comments on the website imply otherwise. Also, I wont get all the pillow covers in this pattern, some will be plain white, along with the bed skirt. Or a complimentary color. What is across from yellow on the color wheel?
Peter and I have decided to buy a house once I get a job (it would be dumb to buy a house and then have to move to a new location for work), and when that happens, I want to paint the bedroom walls a light gray. Thanks to jetsetmeg for pointing out this great idea! Since seeing it on her blog, I've noticed gray all over the place.

And I've fallen in love with gray.
I like this sample, but would probably go with a shade lighter.

Completely unrelated to gray or duvet covers, here are some random accessories that I have also fallen in love with...

World Market - Metro Clock - $49
(Ive wanted a big clock for the bedroom since we got our new furniture set)


Crate and Barrel - Savana Candle Holder - $18.95


Crate and Barrel - Canteria Mirror Set of Three - $189
(I know I can find a mirror set for a little less elsewhere)
But a set of mirrors like these are a great idea.

Anyway, these are my ideas, which are most likely subject to change :)

Oh the Places You'll Go!

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.”

I GrAdUaTeD!!!!

May 1, 2010

Some Inspiration

After reading the blog of a high school acquaintance, and becoming admittingly hooked, I have decided to switch it up as far as blogging goes. I am so tired of writing a blog about what were up to - especially since we don't have kids - so I am going to follow the trend and blog about whatever I want. Hopefully this will get me more into blogging since I won't feel as if I am bragging (unless it is necessary for monumental events), and it will be more about what I really am thinking/feeling. For my first "new" blog, I am listing some of my favorite blogs that I follow, using Megan's blog as my template.

The Inspiration: JetSetMeg
http://jetsetmeg.blogspot.com/ She has fun ideas and really tells it like it is.

The Laugh: FMYLIFE
http://www.fmylife.com/ For those of us who are lifted up by others' misfortunes. Okay, so it's kind of mean, but the fact that none of mine have ever been published make me feel good too, lol.

The Dream: Chris Around the World
http://caroundtheworld.com/ Because you really would have to be paid to travel to be able to afford the amount of traveling she does. Plus, it helps me get out of the middle-of-nowhere funk.

So these are only really a couple of the blogs that I follow. The almost religious following of the NYTimes and the Economist don't really count as "blogs," exactly. Oh well, that's generally where you can find me anyway :)

Valentine's Day and So Forth

Well, I'm not going to do a massive catch up of everything that has gone on in the past month or two, because it's been interesting, but there's no need to relive it. You can connect the dots :)

Anyway, Peter left for the airport around midnight after Valentine's Day. He did the greatest job with Valentine's Day this year! We got a new puppy! She was supposed to be part of my gift this year, but I got her a week early. Her name is Kona, and she's an all black German Shepherd (Samantha was a red and black sable, for comparison). Miss Kona is really cute and a lot of fun! On Valentine's Day, Peter gave me a "Love's Embrace" heart necklace from Kay's! I LOVE it! We spent the day together at home since he had to leave that night.

On another note, Peter got his cast off! And no need for physical therapy! It came off just in time, because this week he is in Columbia for work. Imagine going through customs after being in Columbia with a cast on...haha.

Playing Catch-Up

Well, it's been forever since I've updated - woops! I haven't been in the mood to write about anything, not to mention the lack of time...

Anyway, This semester has been pretty intense. One more week until classes are done, and then all I have to worry about is finals. And after the semester Ive had, finals are very welcome! Though I NEVER thought I would say that! lol. Between all of the papers, projects, and presentations I've had this past month, I'm pretty worn out. And brain fried! :)

I turned in and presented my senior paper today! I am so glad it's OVER! I enjoyed the process, but the deadlines were pretty horrible. And it figures, it rains the day I have to dress nice and wear heals...haha. That's my luck on display for you :) Oh, and I had to print off a total of 97 pages today in the library, and 27 yesterday for various copies and handouts.

Peter and I got a gym membership at Gold's in Staunton. It's so nice to be able to go and work out! Not that I've had time to use my membership lately, but I definitely love it. They have a ladies only section that has a variety of machines and free weights to use. It's nice when the gym is packed and you need some personal space. the hydromassage machine is my favorite, though! I get a nice workout and spend a few mins on the hydro bed and I'm not sore the next day!

Peter went to Mexico on business for 4ish days a few weeks ago! I enjoyed having the house to myself, though I did miss him. I only got to talk to him for a few mins a day when he was there, so it was really weird. Hopefully he'll get a promotion out of it :)

Thanksgiving was nice and quiet. We went to Peter's parents house, and it was just his parents and little brother. Not too crazy. Sunday we went to the Cheesecake Factory with his parents, which was amazing! I love that place...not to mention that I love Short Pump.

Peter's parents gave us a Christmas themed night light, and Samantha is trying to eat it.

That's our recently updated life. Tonight is my first night without having to work on a paper, presentation, or project. I don't know what to do with myself!

The Crazy Life We Lead...

Or does it lead us????

I know it has been forever since the last time I blogged...woops! There has been a lot going on lately...

I drove to Austin, TX with my sister in law, Katrina and spent a couple of days hanging around there. It was a blast! I really got to know Katrina during the 20 some hour packed in a car. It was a much needed break from the craziness that has consumed us. Being hubbyless was a first, and it was weird. Austin, as I discovered, is a really cool place! We had so much fun exploring and eating, two of my favorite things. :)

My lovely cousin, Robyn, came to DC to visit one of her friends and I got to meet up with her for a few short hours. I hadn't seen her since my wedding over a year ago, so it was nice to finally catch up in person.


Other than that, I've just been working and keeping busy. I'm not excited for school to start...at all. I have certainly enjoyed my summer.