Sunday, May 24, 2009

Good times & rock 'n roll

I laughed to myself last night as I realized I was happy as a clam to be wandering the aisles of my neighborhood Lowes at 9:30 pm on a Saturday night all by myself. No baby. No hubby. Just me & the flowers, grills, & ceiling fans. I'm sure there was a time in my life that I would have found such Saturday night entertainment totally lame, but I don't seem to recall that time right now. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, whatever form of entertainment may come your way.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Fusilli w/ Sausage & Greens

Much to daddy's chagrin, when I find or make up a new recipe that I really like, I tend to make it over & over again for a while. My newest favorite is a concoction of sausage, wilted greens, garlic, red pepper flakes, white wine, butter & a touch of cream over noodles (fusilli is my new favorite shape). Delish! The first time I tried this, I made it with many of the leftovers from the fabulous Mother's Day brunch daddy made for me: sausage, spinach, mushrooms, & champagne (there are only so many mimosas two people can drink at 10am and still care for a kid!). Anyway, I thought I'd try to use it up instead of just throwing it away. Turned out great!

Fusilli w/ Sausage & Greens

Saute 1/2 lb. of bulk sausage in a little olive oil & butter.
Add 1 clove of garlic and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes, salt & pepper.
Add 2-3 cups of fresh greens - spinach, kale, etc. - whatever you like best.
Add 1 c. of white wine & a splash of cream, reduce heat to medium low & let simmer to reduce for 5-10 minutes.

Toss with hot pasta & a little extra pasta water if needed to help the sauce coat the noodles. Top w/ parmesan cheese & a little extra fresh ground black pepper.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Lovely Blog Award

Neysa Ruhl, of Neysa Ruhl Photography (http://www.neysaruhlblog.blogspot.com/) awarded me the "Lovely Blog Award"! Thanks Neysa!

The rules of accepting the award are as follows:

1. accept the award

2. post it on your blog together with the name and link of the person who granted the award

3. pass the award onto 5 other blogs you enjoy following

Don't forget to let the recipients know they have been chosen so they can continue the links & awards!

My faves include:

1. Thistle Downs Wool Design (http://www.thisledownswooldesign.blogspot.com/) - I can't remember how I actually found this site...I think I was doing some online research looking for a particular type of yarn and I must have stumbled across it. At any rate, I love reading it and am thrilled to say I'm the proud owner of two fabulous bags handmade by Sarah. She put up a post that she was offering some great discounts to clear out some inventory, so I snapped them up! One was supposed to be for a friend for Christmas, but I wound up keeping them both (and getting my friend something nearly as fabulous, I'm sure!).

2. A Friend to Knit With (http://a-friend-to-knit-with.blogspot.com/) - I must have found Leslie's site from Sarah or the other way around. Another of my favorite reads...lovely photography, knitting projects, recipes. And she always seems so put together, but in a really good way. Not stuffy put together; cool put together.

3. Choosing Voluntary Simplicity (http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/) - I think I found Shirley's blog through an online organizing page maybe? Again, I'm really not sure! But I'm so glad I did. Great tips on living a simpler life; one that's based on what's important to you. It's something we can all get better at. I think what I like most about the blog is that it's never preachy...just really good insight into one family's choices on living more simply. So nice!

4. Working Moms Against Guilt (http://www.workingmomsagainstguilt.com/) - I discovered WMAG through an article in Cincy Chic (http://www.cincychic.com/) a few months back. As a new working mom myself, it's comforting to know I'm not the only one dealing diaper surprises (or worse!) just as we're ready to walk out the door. I don't always agree with every post, but who ever said we have to have 100% agreement on something in order to enjoy it? I can always count on a gem or two in Friday Finds.

5. Triple BROWNie Delight (http://www.triple3browniedelight.blogspot.com/) - "...full of gooey and nutty news from Jeff, Amber & Noah." What else is there to know? Always a fun read to catch up on what's new in the lives of friends & family. Oh, and Amber is a budding professional organizer in the making...just you wait & see!
And a quick side note...I was having a devil of a time getting my links to link properly, hence the typed links in parenthesis. Happy reading!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Really Neat Featured in Cincy Chic!

A while back I posted about my friend, Neysa, including me in an article spotlighting our work together in her home office. Hot off the presses (or cyberlinks, or whatever it is we say now...)
you can click here to read all about it!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Thanks Mom

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his. ~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895
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Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. ~Charles R. Swindoll, The Strong Family
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There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. ~Chinese Proverb
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Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children, and no theories. ~John Wilmot
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To all the beautiful & inspiring mothers I know: Happy, Happy, Mother's Day

Sunday, May 3, 2009

The Run for the Roses

Yesterday we had the pleasure of attending our very first Kentucky Derby. What a day! So much excitement, pageantry & tradition. We didn't come up big winners at the track - our 50-1 horse came in dead last, unlike the other 50-1 horse who was the eventual winner! Just our luck. Grandpa had Pioneer of the Nile across the board though, so he pocketed a cool $14.80 for the day. It was so much fun to spend the day decked out in our finest track attire - such great people watching! Wayne & Amber, Scott & Shawn - thanks for a fantastic weekend & Derby experience.


Friday, May 1, 2009

Easy Crustless Quiche

This is a super easy quiche from The Joy of Cooking that I often throw together on Sunday mornings. I made it for the first time about 5 years ago when I had a house full of guests and only 5 eggs in the fridge! And I like the fact that I don't have to mess with a fussy crust. It's great right out of the oven, but the leftovers might be my favorite part. They make a wonderfully quick, protein-packed breakfast I can eat by hand as I'm dashing around trying to get myself & an 8-month old out the door. Maybe that's just me though....Daddy can't stand the idea of cold quiche. If you're like him, the leftovers heat nicely in the microwave too!

Crustless Quiche

Pre-heat oven to 400. Butter 10" glass or ceramic pie plate.

Custard
Beat together until well combined:
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups light cream (I often use 1/2 milk & 1/2 Half n' Half)
1 T chopped fresh herbs, or 1 t. dried (optional)
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. freshly grated or ground nutmeg
Ground black pepper to taste

Filling
Totally up to you! I often saute spinach & onions or fry up some bacon or ham for the filling. Leftover salad greens are great too. If adding cheese, toss with a tablespoon or so of flour first. This will keep the cheese suspended in the custard during baking instead of it sinking to the bottom of the pie plate.

Stir filling ingredients into custard mixture & poor into prepared pie plate. Bake until set, puffed & golden - about 30 minutes. A knife inserted in the middle should come out clean when done. Let rest for 10 minutes, slice & serve.