tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74149554784543672632024-03-04T15:23:25.350-05:00Spare ThymeClairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-40425163237573408232011-10-30T21:32:00.003-04:002011-10-30T21:32:54.192-04:00Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes My name is Claire and I am a fool for Oreos. I'm also a fool for cheesecake and all things cute. If you are too, then you definitely need to make these. They are pretty easy, delicious and crowd pleasing. Most recently I made these for my birthday, which I thought was an excellent choice. I got them from <a href="http://www.handletheheat.com/2010/02/cookies-cream-cheesecake-cupcakes.html">this</a> blog, my only additional suggestions is that they tend to need around 28 minutes. I also would consider these more along the lines of mini cheesecakes rather than cupcakes, but that's just semantics :)<br />
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<b>Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RqBsa8k64JUshcClkilzmqmijFPCxPlmxKOdtingdvJvQzxnnQWTWcPAGS_VajCVD7VCmJnX4SDK_rQTtM_Q2lrXQxrH1qqNdZ_ZVvErVR8G9u5nbsPncl2s1plDQXXYeVjU4gFJiVY/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RqBsa8k64JUshcClkilzmqmijFPCxPlmxKOdtingdvJvQzxnnQWTWcPAGS_VajCVD7VCmJnX4SDK_rQTtM_Q2lrXQxrH1qqNdZ_ZVvErVR8G9u5nbsPncl2s1plDQXXYeVjU4gFJiVY/s320/IMG_0046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Ingredients: </i><br />
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Makes 30 cupcakes<br />
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1 pkg. oreos (42 cookies - 30 whole, 12 coarsely chopped)<br />
2 lbs. cream cheese, room temperature<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten<br />
1 cup sour cream<br />
A pinch of salt<br />
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<i>Method:</i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; line-height: 22px;">1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Place 1 whole cookie in the bottom of each lined cup.<br /><br />2. With an electric mixer on medium high speed, beat cream cheese until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Gradually add sugar, and beat until combined. Beat in vanilla.<br /><br />3. Drizzle in eggs, a bit at a time, beating to combine and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in sour cream and salt. Fold in chopped cookies by hand.<br /><br />4. Divide batter evenly among cookie-lined cups, filling each almost to the top. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until filling is set, about 28 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours (or up to overnight). Remove from tins just before serving.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; line-height: 22px;">Tips: If you aren't sure whether the cheesecakes have set, jiggle the muffin tins a bit to see whether the cheesecake mixture moves or is solid. These are highly addictive, make sure you're ready to feed a crowd!</span></i><br />
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-42956553831783371082011-10-26T21:36:00.000-04:002011-10-26T21:36:18.384-04:00Meatless Monday and the Importance of Planning This week was my second Meatless Monday and I am sorry to say that it wasn't entirely successful. Saturday was my birthday and I went to Colorado for a few days to celebrate with Leon, friends and family. It was wonderful and definitely difficult to leave. I got back to Florida on Sunday evening and definitely had some catching up to do, which meant no time to go to the grocery store. For breakfast I had coffee and a Kashi bar. Then I had one of my favorite meatless lunches: green beans with slivered almonds, a little fresh grated parmesan and an egg (over easy is my fave).<br />
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Sorry for the bad picture quality, but it is delish!</div>
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Unfortunately, by the evening I was stressed, headed over to the library for a long evening and finding my fridge lacking in anything very quick. For dinner I had a gyro (with lamb, of course). A little better planning on my part would have helped. How do you insure a well-stocked fridge? Do you write down all of your meals for the week before going to the store? </div>
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<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-20654929807181950052011-10-18T11:46:00.003-04:002011-10-18T11:47:00.442-04:00Meatless Monday!<br />
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A recent viewing of the documentary <a href="http://www.forksoverknives.com/">Forks Over Knives</a> inspired me to try and trim down the meat in my diet. The premise of Forks Over Knives is that many of America's health problems (heart disease, diabetes, cancer) are linked to the high levels of meat and processed foods in our diets. The film advocates a whole foods, plant based diet and follows several people who are combatting weight and health issues. There are some pretty intense stats in the film, including that there is a monumental disparity in cancer rates among the United States and many Asian countries where a plant based diet with less meat based protein is prevalent. </div>
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So, I am going to try and do a Meatless Monday every week.<span> </span>I certainly don’t mind eating vegetarian – I was meat-free for a year or so in high school (although I don't think I did it in the most healthful way). I am hoping that devoting one day a week to a meatless diet will help me come up with new recipes and healthier meatless alternatives that will result in permanent changes in my diet. </div>
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I’m also going to strive to share my meals on Meatless Monday on the blog, which I hope will have the dual effect of getting me to update more frequently and to stick to the meatlessness.</div>
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Forks Over Knives is on instant play on Netflix - I recommend that you check it out! </div>
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In the future I think I need to work on incorporating some more beans and other proteins to keep me feeling full, but I will say I felt pretty good about how I ate yesterday.</div>
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For today’s inaugural Meatless Monday I had:</div>
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Oatmeal with blueberries for breakfast (old fashioned oats microwaved with frozen blueberries). </div>
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For lunch: Salad with onions, campari tomatoes, cucumbers and fat free Italian dressing</div>
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and Green Giant frozen cauliflower in cheese sauce. Ok, there are some preservatives in the</div>
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cauliflower with cheese sauce but the whole box is 150 calories and it's a good substitute</div>
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for mac and cheese if you're in a comfort food mood. </div>
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I went to zumba after my classes were over for the day and I was pretty hungry when I got home,</div>
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and, admittedly I was a little bummed that my dinner wouldn't include any meat. </div>
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However, this whole wheat linguine with zucchini and onions was totally delish. I boiled the</div>
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pasta until it was al dente while I sauteed some zucchini, garlic and onions. I mixed the veggies</div>
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and pasta with tomato sauce, cubed up a bit of fresh mozzarella, grated some fresh parmesean over the top and baked the pasta in a 350 degree oven for about six minutes. </div>
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What are some of your favorite meatless meals? Do you think there is too much of a focus on incorporating meats into every meal?</div>
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</tbody></table>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-87136453734086557412011-08-12T04:45:00.004-04:002011-08-12T05:06:54.065-04:00My Weird Talent<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Two posts in one night - how impressive am I? I'm sitting here watching Gilmore Girls, one of my favorite shows of all time, and was excited to notice that a man Lorelai went on a date with was none other than THE Jon Hamm. He looked much different than the Don Draper we all know and love today. Of course he was still handsome and debonair, but his slimmer build and post-Y2K attire rendered his voice the only truly identifiable characteristic. What's that - you want proof?</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzqIw3pF-4TM0oXZowf32PMI1qG5erPOWSrqDlck4HuowavXMck7vGRintzGOLfIHwrMiIxqOu6_PhUf5eHUHFEJjWNaeApMMWgIiXI0qnXH_15bY4pG8HIIK3wP2ikJj4QKj2sZICfM/s400/not+so+don.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639888817871509954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I know you're impressed with the clarity rendered by the combination of the TV in my childhood bedroom and my cell phone camera. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNnyG5WgWyjG9AzBndWZ0QMkcx64paogG9ph0748zrUSOnIhZLJnkPFDt2xBnWWWhltzfAu442FYYtOT9JqXNjRjold25DCXsBRAmixdd6d3iWVTAXocPPBDXC86LL2XT-usowUp5xDI/s400/don+draper.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639889260078983554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 387px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think my screen shot somehow looks more like him than it did on the show, but I was still inexplicably excited when I spotted him. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This talent of identifying actors when they look fairly different or unrecognizable actually runs in the family. My mother also has this skill and we're highly impressive together - well, at least to each other. Last week we were watching one of the [awful] Jurassic Park sequels and I was proud when I recognized that one of the characters was none other than Becky of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113670/">A Little Princess.</a> I know this is an utterly useless talent (though I do impress Leon every now and then when I do something like recognize an extra as an extra from something else), but I still enjoy it. I'm good at recognizing the voices and feel especially satisfied when I identify the narrator on a commercial (See: David Duchovny on Pedigree commercials and Michael C. Hall on the Dodge commercials). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So this got me thinking: what are your absurdly useless talents? Remembering the names of obscure Vice Presidents? An encyclopedic memory of Harry Potter plotlines? Naming obscure Crayola crayon colors (Atomic Tangerine, Macaroni and Cheese, Robin's Egg Blue...anyone? anyone?) Do share and make me feel less weird about my weird and useless talent. </div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-66510964951376014632011-08-12T03:33:00.009-04:002011-08-12T04:17:56.559-04:00Colorado, caprese and elusive roaming donkeys<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I've been having a lovely break in Colorado that is coming to a close far more quickly than I would like to acknowledge. Every visit home makes me exponentially more thankful for all of my wonderful family and friends here. I really appreciate listening to my grandparents' recollections of my childhood, making dinner for my family, meeting a friend for dinner or just visiting face-to-face are so much more meaningful now that I live so far away.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Bg22Hr5Y20-FPP-MHbry66ay6nw8JguPvltwabxZP6UkMs_Xt6Q6phYg1dtOiDx0cnP91diSahn8u1x2y5rbrSg-DJahSVD0e0xLtHG3IXc6JwNw8IboAJd-774RAFxD-9yxsZgS4-I/s400/DSC_0282.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639871401458843314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Views like these are just an added bonus</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>One of my high schools besties invited me to Cripple Creek - our resident mining town turned gambling town - a little while back. I'm not big on gambling, but the Cripple Creek General Store's ice cream and company of one of my favorite person was enough to get me excited about a day of hanging out in casinos. Little did I know that I would catch the gamblin' fever. I was coaxed into sitting down at a blackjack table with my friends where I impressively turned $15 into $50 [and then turned $50 into $0]. Oops! I was still having fun, but a little disappointed about winning some money then losing it all. After some regenerative ice cream I took the last of my cash and played Roulette and some slot machines and eventually ended up [ever so slightly] ahead. The only disappointed part of the day was mine and my friend's failed attempt to find the famous wandering donkeys of Cripple Creek. They - allegedly - are the descendants of the original mining donkeys of yore. We found some donkey poo [not pictured] and some other proof that the donkeys were somewhere, but there was nary a donkey in sight - even when I left a trail of my ice cream down the town's main road. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5himB0zd9uMPzIjEnF94yQVg4p8oq40UNTxYMjW0fM3cvB0uoCSvglgew808OzwYpDQtXcDF6Kib3Ya3m0D1gNsumG1BrRcz1lwuEK1P6d8JKLmK163ov2-0n1Co4dCS4Fdmf1OCcuU/s400/DSCN0001_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639875444780092738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our Cripple Creek lunch spot. I loved the kitsch, though it wasn't as emporium-esque as I would have liked. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1gb_D1X6vyyJkN27gmMrfy5JQLN-NwBqoLKmj7mYDrqSTkQgLJy1PS0boPclLgAN1BXU3bq9cEL2uQQI5vxUY_LCKNnkO1wW1r8bY82o89-Po6EW2L3GHhtFoj9mdfUJVPbgbUOJ35U/s400/DSCN0001_7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639872140203808098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">This town loves its donkeys.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoQT0r2V-popOcfX_dESnjFjG3m4uKE8kRPJmjFQvvOQDEJLml0juULeusfkWmWhQasdGR9r6UUIImHJrljJE9dVmFg1OgMTF7yt5uo4o58riNNAW5msh8eTQVzZrvOPr7Bg2b-En-9M/s400/DSCN0001_6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639875231566854802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The "approved" treats. There must be too many asshole tourists leaving ice cream trails for the beloved donkeys. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RFEwEJlz7nOlM4MSjLPzm0WMd5OplrWz4UStwThTSxadctrKwuVtb_hi5iyJQH3ZW64x-IDj_oeY65QR4zGWJveRSlKJo-i4YCN4iE6AlIkFkoI6EDdLhEbAdC5gmxbIeLzTcP1IO6M/s400/DSCN0001_4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639872137226543106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The local theater, already advertising its showing of "The Christmas Donkey."</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZat6pkcgjPOx5EaNmgIobqpOazBZhLAou_9jL_yaGNPNuajFTLr1uVlK0WNAAEZ8AoWgkhFq9U_QqvJqhjf_CKwp_aquwtGYbMN1e4ERT3RxAs2glU9o96qLh-74811mu4z4vtsbNcWA/s400/DSCN0001_3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639872114317068722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The average age of Cripple Creek goers is probably around 65. At first I thought this was a condom machine, then I realized it was just stocked with tylenol, antacids and sinus decongestant. Though this well stocked "Li'l-Medic" couldn't prepare me for...</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAns9i7_DgkBzl4zilDMCwaVpS_KmfHoM1sBSucConI047y0i5uc1Ea9HS_vk7hTiJVaoHVilPHkhGFwI6DD_7OhkTsBa_ceY_OPySKy_pSDXrrUNOYSBGzLTYfViIfDhKtkC8S_UYnqQ/s400/DSCN0001_5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639872109162665554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The readily available sharps disposal. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to hate on people with diabetes or any other serious ailment, but never in my life have I ever been somewhere that needed a designated waste bin for needles. Needless to say, me and my other early 20s friends were carded frequently. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>My last topic for this rambling post is one of my favorite burger recipes. Well, it's not going to be so much in recipe form since it's just a simple burger, but I highly recommend it nonetheless. Everybody loves a good caprese salad during the hot summer days when tomatoes are at their most ripe and I love thinking of different ways to play with the classic tomato/basil/mozzarella combination. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>These are great because they are simple but are a little fancier than your average burger. I got some large <b>whole wheat buns</b>, which definitely elevated the taste of these burgers. Simply make your burger patties as you generally do (about a <b>pound of ground beef </b>for four patties) and grill thick slices of <b>onion</b> on the grill at the same time. Spread a bit of <b>pesto</b> on the top bun and grill for a few minutes until the top and bottom bun are toasty. Melt sliced <b>mozzarella</b> on the hamburger patties and serve with the grilled onion and sliced <b>tomato.</b> What's your favorite way to eat a burger?</div><div style="text-align: left;">
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyX8iB7YzuF5w1baRtgLH4QJtfd-wWzXKAAkCkVIU1dppqNB-Cps0r5wUxIsZuWAjvSHWAmV9hVWxlMYb7IxerW_cX_BbS2dQ0YYse50Y8xx6IAhsJzlnnFIIz5klL1ybjLkW4Iono-wc/s400/DSC_0038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639877989166088594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-61603715750232442182011-07-26T23:46:00.010-04:002011-07-27T20:48:32.147-04:00My current loves<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">OK, obviously I'm NOT loving how long it has been since I've updated, but it's been a pretty busy few months. Finals, Leon's gradation, summer school, driving to Colorado and enjoying a bit of free time. I love when I'm not in school and I can enjoy some non-academic pursuits. This summer these are a few of the things I have been absolutely loving:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. Non-academic reading: Law school ensures that I spend a lot of time reading, but as any student knows there's a huge difference between reading for class and reading for pleasure. I've been indulging in some fun, non-academic books this summer and I've been loving it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigECae9x_Z53rnAh8ECl3XbuTqgKkP6gZYIwKTYizzR5_THbtzpOAFflaSHyAZeT7NtJc4OUrhwUTpO-pHS4WxRpQvHCkvlpPtNPUvuv5GtfFcKMMgAcQHet8urMN3oAxc9257jZe-wwU/s400/bossypants.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634197285237327906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">First on the list was "Bossypants" by Tina Fey. I'm a huge fan of "30 Rock" and of TIna Feyin general. This book definitely did not disappoint. It's witty, hilarious, sentimental, insightful and everything else one would expect from the fabulous Ms .Fey. It was a quick read and I was truly disappointed when I finished.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6n8DzfRe8mlLpDAytgwjvzHvg6j7N4zSBedmJjUU4d8BbcOnwqHE1brxYVljV83jFiAs5zhI1ZkgLH_C5dFAT-VZgK5j2URRu9RY_orQpwdw0JsPwSSvS9A6mU9ZGnrTrUGvcTOq31Y/s400/vodka.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634197290114517426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I know Chelsea Handler is a bit polarizing - people seem to either love her or hate her. I fall into the former category and have been meaning to check out this book. I decided to read it after "Bossypants" because I was craving more female humor. It's written in the style of "Are You There God It's Me Margaret" - kind of a coming-of-age style but the subject matter includes men, drinking and family issues, among others. If you like Chelsea and aren't too easily offended (which you probably aren't if you like Chelsea), I highly recommend this.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlor-c2DtbK8qSOswMXY-jth76t-l1RIU4e_0aBkNsta6O2ilC-LGTp8nFRacxpBENmYL00DaFfU3OzV4sDKvRo003S77MHByXuPkhs9aHmPn2hy1hIWmM4SHPMxLxhxcKcfLqM7qEXc/s400/metalkpretty.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634197292741374962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have been meaning to read some David Sedaris for quite awhile and I definitely see myself reading more of his stuff in the future. "Me Talk Pretty One Day" is a collection of essays on varying subjects, from Sedaris' childhood speech impediment to his trials growing up gay in North Carolina to his difficulty learning French during long visits to France with his partner. The essays vary in tone and make for an interesting read.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYFQ0c38sVEb0Mhg-kkGrFm3W-ugkG2POjWEvIWNeoQT2JDAunv71_hPjaUFGSHTv08U-H4HkojAkxxtXAZRLxcQ5NG-MfFACnEXy72Y9zNJ8Ejc3h0eeOM2DUUK8ZZtg8CGZk4vAmag/s400/something+borrwed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634197280165955682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I just got done reading this yesterday and I could hardly put it down in the few days that it took me to read it. I guess it falls into the "chick-lit" category, but if this is chick-lit then I'm definitely a fan.The movie came out recently but I have been hearing about this book for a little while and decided to read it. The book follows Rachel, a young lawyer who has an affair with her longtime best friend Darcy's fiance. The books explores the complexities of female relationships and actually has you rooting for Rachel. I found the characters and situations extremely relatable and II'm sure many other women would too.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I'm really looking forward to the ongoing liquidation sale at Borders. If you have one near by you need to go! They are fully shutting down and liquidating all their merchandise (sad, I know - but cheap books are awesome!). </span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pinterest</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">: The BEST new thing on the web. I'm totally obsessed with this site. If you like fashion, art, interior design or cooking (though this is hardly an exhaustive list) check out the site and start pinning. Oh, and add me :)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3bF8A9DK-yZcWH7QTx3NqC5vyTTDFYfGAAbqFsvvdnF3OOnipWDwiIgetN5xE2uhoNNbiGGzfBbIUvZ_PpjjJs64lCkotpwKMq3qdAARheeEJW1mrF513OiRA67OEJUfS3lchkAGWVE/s400/Picture+15.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633891898539562034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 187px; " /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just a preview of the Pinterst awesomeness.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. Nutella. Ok, we all love nutella all of the time, so perhaps I should clarify and say "creative uses of Nutella." This one definitely fits the bill and is courtesy of Allie over at </span><a href="http://teaspoonoflife.com/recipes/nutella-cream-pockets/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"...and a teaspoon of life." </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Check the link for her awesome blog and the recipe. The only thing I really did differently was that I didn't cut off the excess wonton wrapper. These seriously are beyond delicious - try them!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsanZ1Z6_gamEbq3rV66qo-GjJTUqAbAwiqSgEUijpEMiqS7no1KraaiiZyiVi96p76fV932byPMA72wAnMpTTi9_0KPvVnkiKcy5aicLVIELJiHg-tNVONgOe0OrT0_gLv-_rg7Ri1o/s400/DSC_0056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633897936519257762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4. </span><a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This American Life</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">: This is a radio program that is available from the link I listed and as a podcast or download from iTunes. The basic premise is that each show has a theme and there are between one and four different stories, anecdotes etc. on that theme. Some are informative, some are funny, some are sad. Scroll through the options and find something that sounds interesting to you. They're great to listen to in the kitchen while you're making dinner or on a long car trip. A few of my personal favorites: "Switched at Birth';" "Very Tough Love;" "Father's Day;" and "#1 Party School." This stuff makes me understand why people loved radio so much many years ago and makes me wish that good radio programming were more</span> prominent. </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RNf8O61nbVfTxQf_VWcnbpsi7O1walhYGO8apQR6KYEySSmYjO1fWvasMu1yW0Fv_ON_oDzx471wM9EQns2DheFZZPFeWmMp_ptt3F-dmrygpRzRZ9qmrRkALo7RCufMLqRdkkC1idU/s400/this-american-life.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634198204639671218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-65730825252018922582011-04-20T21:38:00.003-04:002011-04-20T22:09:44.085-04:00Wee Bit Wednesday<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(53, 9, 9); font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; font-family:'Cherry Cream Soda';font-size:15px;"><center><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;"><center><a href="http://www.myleighashley.com/"><img src="http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt244/leighbenner/weebitsbutton-2.png" width="350" /></a></center></span></strong></center><center><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></strong></center><center><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;">{one}</span> how often do you do laundry?</strong></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>I do laundry on a pretty shamefully infrequent basis. We don't have our own</i></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>washer and dryer and the ones at the apartment are crappy and expensive, </i></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>so there aren't a lot of incentives, haha.</i></center><br /><br /><br /><center style="text-align: center; "><em></em></center><center style="text-align: center; "><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;">{two}</span> what is your favorite type of cookie?</strong></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>Chocolate chip</i></center><br /><br /><br /><center style="text-align: center; "><em></em></center><center style="text-align: center; "><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;">{three}</span> what would you do with an extra $2000 per month?</strong></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>Probably start saving up for when I have to start paying back</i></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>those pesky student loans, save up for my eventual wedding and a down payment</i></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>for out first house. </i></center><br /><br /><br /><center style="text-align: center; "><em></em></center><center style="text-align: center; "><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;">{four}</span> what was/is your favorite subject in school?</strong></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>In High School I loved Journalism, English, Social Studies and </i></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>Government classes. In undergrad I always loved my Political Science and</i></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>Philosophy classes. I've enjoyed my Constitutional Law and Criminal Law classes</i></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>during law school. </i></center><br /><br /><br /><center style="text-align: center; "><em></em></center><center style="text-align: center; "><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;">{five}</span> have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?</strong></center><center style="text-align: center; "><em>No, I don't know if I would have the guts to do it or not.</em></center><br /><br /><br /><center style="text-align: center; "><em></em></center><center style="text-align: center; "><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;">{six}</span> what was your high school mascot?</strong></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>The Badgers for my first year and the Panthers for the rest. </i></center><br /><br /><br /><center style="text-align: center; "><em></em></center><center style="text-align: center; "><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;">{seven}</span> if you had the chance to go into space, would you?</strong></center><center style="text-align: center; "><em>Probably not, but I may think about it if space travel became extremely safe.</em></center><br /><br /><br /><center style="text-align: center; "><em></em></center><center style="text-align: center; "><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;">{eight}</span> how often do you go dancing?</strong></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>I don't, unless Zumba counts :)</i></center><br /><br /><br /><center style="text-align: center; "><em></em></center><center style="text-align: center; "><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;">{nine}</span> would you rather drive or fly?</strong></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>Drive for a short trip, fly for a longer one. More than five hours</i></center><center style="text-align: center; "><i>in a car makes me antsy. </i></center><br /><br /><br /><center style="text-align: center; "><em></em></center><center style="text-align: center; "><strong><span style=" ;font-size:medium;">{ten}</span> have you ever been caught re-gifting?</strong></center><center><i>Thankfully not! I've probably only done it once</i></center><center><i>or twice, but only for secret santa. How often does anyone</i></center><center><i>actually like a secret santa gift anyway?</i></center><center><i><br /></i></center><center><i>Copy, paste and share a wee-big-o-yourself!</i></center></span>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-2708221750706216212011-03-30T21:18:00.003-04:002011-03-30T21:58:32.925-04:00Chicken and Leek Stew, the great de-stressor<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>There has not been a whole lot of cooking happening in this house lately. As the semester wears on that's pretty normal, but I had a 30 page rough draft due yesterday for a paper I've been working on throughout the semester and I needed to take it easy. We've had a super chilly, stormy couple of days and this sounded like the perfect comfort food. I've made this stew a couple of times and it is, without fail, delicious. It's thick and creamy, which makes it hard to believe that it's fairly healthy. This is also the first time I've used leeks, and I have definitely been missing out. They're a mild onion, kind of like a huge scallion. If you want that instant 'yum' smell in your kitchen, saute some leeks in olive oil - delicious. This recipe is courtesy of Jamie Oliver. I followed all of the directions, though I used fat free sour cream. Oh, and I added garlic. You could make it without, but why would you ever make anything without garlic?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXOcpaCtUXey-LeksgJ-WexA3cp1dD8yqWvP7CpDa6WtwhyiNKtn264MoNk064cPAAwAirnUtJheJ9W80Dm7AZ-imG7EK25_IxmnzZQxI_UU5PqOJsk37Y0ypId6R_DDxLMrQ8SaSL2Q/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590053434448447570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><b>Jamie Oliver's 'Simplest Chicken and Leek Stew'</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Ingredients:</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil</div><div>2 medium leeks, white and tender green parts (discard any discolored ends)</div><div>1 pkg. cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced</div><div>Salt and freshly ground pepper</div><div>1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 2-inch pieces</div><div>All-purpose flour, for dusting</div><div>1 and 1/2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth</div><div>1 tbsp. chopped thyme</div><div>2 tablespoons sour cream</div><div>2 teaspoons Dijon mustard</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9EveEEBTYJRC3JPUukxcMM3TxtoA8ZHFORCsNvteyH2y7GXAL6uzunIReHsSEgaLWwCOOBm11RwuStzR8dS5URQjCFqbFOCqE-WMfKiTl2ISH9D33QNeEUVBI6lCNlLvRmnQNzMA2Gg/s400/DSC_0059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590053441535082978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Aren't the leeks gorgeous!?</span></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Method: </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>1. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the leeks and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes. Scrape the leeks and mushrooms onto a plate.</div><div>2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and lightly dust with flour, shaking off any excess. heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the skillet. Add the chicken and cook over moderate to high heat until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Add the chicken stock and thyme and simmer over moderate heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about one minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to the plate with the vegetables. </div><div>3 Simmer the stock over moderately high heat until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Return the chicken, leeks and mushrooms to the skillet and simmer over low heat until warmed through, about 1 minute. </div><div>4. In a small bowl, blend the sour cream with the mustard and stir into the stew. Remove the skillet from the heat. Season the stew with salt and pepper and serve. </div><div><br /></div><div>Serve with: Steamed rice (I used brown). </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OZOMNWW3yU2QjNMrQVftm6rpFCjcUxmHzed8yE8-FFDCt7mYzY6ax1HpQ9kxtNDNPeprxGYn0QKjhlMSr3kFXeHgRyVqi-i3hW02VONJDAFxt7VVeP32olqV6u-RsHABg-u3k4Opq0Q/s400/DSC_0074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590053445896940258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-81332774824723199272011-03-30T20:58:00.005-04:002011-03-31T10:03:22.397-04:00Savannah-rama, Part 3<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ok, apparently blogger just cannot contain all the photos I want to post. This is nice though, I'm getting to reminisce about my vacation and forget about all the stressful things I'm currently working on. Savannah really was gorgeous though. The trees and flowers there are pretty much the same thing you see in Tallahassee, but we definitely lack the old-Timey charm. We probably bull dozed down all of the old houses to make way for our <a href="http://www.city-data.com/forum/attachments/city-vs-city/27930d1222536994-state-has-best-worst-capitol-building-florida_statecapitolbuilding.jpg">heinous, phallic capital building</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcU1sa1h-rWcTprerhnOEzd7vQJLd9xV3oqRxm7GXIDBwiGsqH1ZSiK2HYI35nye7igcoQwxBXvtroUzN1NUwpXLBpTknQDy9Ia-p4tEOhi23vjqIbZJioEQFdvUthmy01epmbYdUJAQU/s1600/DSC_0480.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcU1sa1h-rWcTprerhnOEzd7vQJLd9xV3oqRxm7GXIDBwiGsqH1ZSiK2HYI35nye7igcoQwxBXvtroUzN1NUwpXLBpTknQDy9Ia-p4tEOhi23vjqIbZJioEQFdvUthmy01epmbYdUJAQU/s400/DSC_0480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590045955537560242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This old synagogue is the student center for the </div><div style="text-align: center;">Savannah College of Art and Design. They own a </div><div style="text-align: center;">bunch of gorgeous buildings around town and I'm super</div><div style="text-align: center;">jealous that they get to hang out in gorgeous buildings like this.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh52eV1urddvLfEPchC7KWo7bpqevhNZkvbjFZEuCQGa4n8y3Iggff8MemEGKeb4yr6QdIM2pWL7irCkBi3fgu5m3YM3mlt_ISp6jt4IB9V-r5dcWy7_FqUQAoWLxLOmC0ev95hTQ2EhI/s1600/DSC_0479.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh52eV1urddvLfEPchC7KWo7bpqevhNZkvbjFZEuCQGa4n8y3Iggff8MemEGKeb4yr6QdIM2pWL7irCkBi3fgu5m3YM3mlt_ISp6jt4IB9V-r5dcWy7_FqUQAoWLxLOmC0ev95hTQ2EhI/s400/DSC_0479.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590045948039418194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0GuHp1fTNKK0qnwLEr2375kJ4NYYEb02TqEGVCNHiPl1jF3N-MkFsBUjAP_tlWzDx90_s7QLgE3TQPOhyVkk0m2CSVd0PxBJs7sqyaluDu_MAIBOq45bnRCVaQxWCnsz1XbmOKeUjDQ/s1600/DSC_0469.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0GuHp1fTNKK0qnwLEr2375kJ4NYYEb02TqEGVCNHiPl1jF3N-MkFsBUjAP_tlWzDx90_s7QLgE3TQPOhyVkk0m2CSVd0PxBJs7sqyaluDu_MAIBOq45bnRCVaQxWCnsz1XbmOKeUjDQ/s400/DSC_0469.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590045930868060802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Savannah has a really active port and we saw this</div><div style="text-align: center;">cargo freighter, it's huge! Suddenly I understand why</div><div style="text-align: center;">customs doesn't quite make it through everything shipped into this country.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kOYb8kqOpQpHkj0g4zEi8R58f0LWm7tlCySWocm4DVSoIpijXhaWGGdy4tic-0oWWpwg3Ikqu7Rhy45qYfMqax3QdBsyt1VKPfRqEAZpFqJcfwt-n-bO3IwFN4V-lZAK_S8lC8ECYs0/s400/DSC_0472.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590045934990254290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI5GrKIqA_JqZLxTWnX9V_e50G41L_yGB1zsyoNyiDbaMaCCSSvoOllBG37ikKvoT-2rh9Eb6LCb2RFWdlSf-Nxc_bTZ4vkoxI1XhQxoEmaKyh-l_ODrnpkKlIRIfYjxpKuntMedJ0Ak/s1600/DSC_0454.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI5GrKIqA_JqZLxTWnX9V_e50G41L_yGB1zsyoNyiDbaMaCCSSvoOllBG37ikKvoT-2rh9Eb6LCb2RFWdlSf-Nxc_bTZ4vkoxI1XhQxoEmaKyh-l_ODrnpkKlIRIfYjxpKuntMedJ0Ak/s400/DSC_0454.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590045279747477186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiyFercUIi6aHufupiNpd0rC602CNPHFlN1PAtx1R7UOS2Y5iZEI5Sf6B-WtkAPsE9BHMBbI7Levp47zAQjIIPeiMaeZZDCTfEPLQMvSl2rZ9A3-cRHDuCJlgAcgY5KwusMZx17moBIg/s1600/DSC_0423.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiyFercUIi6aHufupiNpd0rC602CNPHFlN1PAtx1R7UOS2Y5iZEI5Sf6B-WtkAPsE9BHMBbI7Levp47zAQjIIPeiMaeZZDCTfEPLQMvSl2rZ9A3-cRHDuCJlgAcgY5KwusMZx17moBIg/s400/DSC_0423.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590045274988152418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORb2wJj_iYDkHudz7lbR7AkuA__cGwCT9hmopxorUYrZ4I8Dp8KjVC5t24p-NqgiWqhgHWUHAjPv9uAW-fj31Mpi-CIX3Wsf8KjwotI_D871dCTcxEOOONs_HaGn3eOVBw2C9cGjqwv8/s1600/DSC_0409.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORb2wJj_iYDkHudz7lbR7AkuA__cGwCT9hmopxorUYrZ4I8Dp8KjVC5t24p-NqgiWqhgHWUHAjPv9uAW-fj31Mpi-CIX3Wsf8KjwotI_D871dCTcxEOOONs_HaGn3eOVBw2C9cGjqwv8/s400/DSC_0409.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590045271670381042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Skillz.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBo0c2rquxpVIIPCa-S18BkPuwE9HIQYjjqKyV35M9W_ZaURjwKvIhyphenhyphenN5k6JJG2-gBn_DtaIijOabasxuuN40ZsBPjRuO-5yR3swkveMgSE32LUnWcM9a8jqJwBoAjoXw7pw1Keg30Pm8/s1600/DSC_0403.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBo0c2rquxpVIIPCa-S18BkPuwE9HIQYjjqKyV35M9W_ZaURjwKvIhyphenhyphenN5k6JJG2-gBn_DtaIijOabasxuuN40ZsBPjRuO-5yR3swkveMgSE32LUnWcM9a8jqJwBoAjoXw7pw1Keg30Pm8/s400/DSC_0403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590045268137275010" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu2yqChIY7TkgcuIMhyNwCY0mdlUR127W1kgi4C3n09zQIbwGnRWxoUhq6bPwofDR2L9Ke3V6w92AUZ-vh16t2Z5cuEhy_8p3wP3a5UkjeRAeY-TmlfQHul2ths673weSOQNKqVYsMys/s1600/DSC_0397.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu2yqChIY7TkgcuIMhyNwCY0mdlUR127W1kgi4C3n09zQIbwGnRWxoUhq6bPwofDR2L9Ke3V6w92AUZ-vh16t2Z5cuEhy_8p3wP3a5UkjeRAeY-TmlfQHul2ths673weSOQNKqVYsMys/s400/DSC_0397.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590045262880733714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The buildings on River Street.</div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><div><br /></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-17005260671433732872011-03-30T20:04:00.008-04:002011-03-31T10:03:42.165-04:00Cool or creepy? Savannah-Rama, Part 2<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>There were so many gorgeous things to see in Savannah, there's no way I could limit my pictures to one post! One of the more offbeat things we did was walk around the Bonaventure Cemetery, which was featured in the book an film "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." I'll admit, I didn't check out the movie until after our trip to Savannah, but it definitely captures a lot of things about the city. The cemetery overlooks a gorgeous river and is full of amazing spanish moss laden trees and gorgeous tombstones. I know some people get weirded out by cemeteries, but I'm definitely not one of them. I actually lived behind a funeral home for quite a few years, so it takes a lot to creep me out. I'm not too partial to the idea of being buried myself, but cemeteries are kind of nice - they're full of tokens showing the great love people have for one another. Is that weird? </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So, readers - cemeteries: cool or creepy?</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Sde-q8iSyCTSxbqqX1hN6pq9B_JouWC01mbV0JMtosHStHvGr_MeoLjorEfeKbNZPwvEohUX0RT8ztdr79WeeGTC7nEWod-RXo4TUqe7hO23XhyphenhyphenP9vTx127_Fva1tOpzOomuxB1gwU4/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Sde-q8iSyCTSxbqqX1hN6pq9B_JouWC01mbV0JMtosHStHvGr_MeoLjorEfeKbNZPwvEohUX0RT8ztdr79WeeGTC7nEWod-RXo4TUqe7hO23XhyphenhyphenP9vTx127_Fva1tOpzOomuxB1gwU4/s400/DSC_0266.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590035803440693186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSi5DL_PJ8wzZxPBvDXAPE8ajxaLCpHyd16fzOOsscHta4etqpCBeZ9EfFDnMCsVaGmJ4RoGTpCIVbajGsaOAyU2MBQb6AzXjmentm2SexDQR960Tl8QXNf_qbCjnDQQ1DIuGB2Dyzoo/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSi5DL_PJ8wzZxPBvDXAPE8ajxaLCpHyd16fzOOsscHta4etqpCBeZ9EfFDnMCsVaGmJ4RoGTpCIVbajGsaOAyU2MBQb6AzXjmentm2SexDQR960Tl8QXNf_qbCjnDQQ1DIuGB2Dyzoo/s400/DSC_0253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590035801274936738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJqGezQTmlzJmEU9j_09rH4McisM68bQ0ZDtRUlcF1X1QyN-6xMKA-AMmu2S58iPYhMbgypzcmja-pwuBvlG0GkgIpBKL23Y6TsQch0mXprmywbYxRcYKiTJXofEgWN3na0Vfnu3-rmE/s1600/DSC_0252.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJqGezQTmlzJmEU9j_09rH4McisM68bQ0ZDtRUlcF1X1QyN-6xMKA-AMmu2S58iPYhMbgypzcmja-pwuBvlG0GkgIpBKL23Y6TsQch0mXprmywbYxRcYKiTJXofEgWN3na0Vfnu3-rmE/s400/DSC_0252.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590034591674578066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqn3qCAW3wU51t-Ya_tZISry83JhkbUdgFoCQuIgKlJ4jZVnDmbnaMRyWZ3GntYST8ZYjh28Ub7eS0hOVarCo8xv2pIjaODkd8y6M2MVEegDKgwhmgY_wvI3D2QdJ8z2p0iDUjzjTUZI/s1600/DSC_0241.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqn3qCAW3wU51t-Ya_tZISry83JhkbUdgFoCQuIgKlJ4jZVnDmbnaMRyWZ3GntYST8ZYjh28Ub7eS0hOVarCo8xv2pIjaODkd8y6M2MVEegDKgwhmgY_wvI3D2QdJ8z2p0iDUjzjTUZI/s400/DSC_0241.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590034588884528146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wv6ok4wasWd7zDA9pQuDN7Gd0ZGFAsWWEsSdXZIGuka-QRmNw6A9Ld8kGPfihp4HuHKG9JSft7IHUhaf1iJDH6BS514UfneSFKqYVzwTwoLV1utVY4D2KLA7NabQY1g8SOyzq9tFhCE/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wv6ok4wasWd7zDA9pQuDN7Gd0ZGFAsWWEsSdXZIGuka-QRmNw6A9Ld8kGPfihp4HuHKG9JSft7IHUhaf1iJDH6BS514UfneSFKqYVzwTwoLV1utVY4D2KLA7NabQY1g8SOyzq9tFhCE/s400/DSC_0238.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590034580090500018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRp6YL9jzW4RKLR-vy0GpybBLz4A5IlvbxolFUNzzF0kFq30rrBaCLpvZgJw5QbQVOvTTDMSrKkeoC-_0SQsLD7bL57IKq17HlBnn2ou6gniqUNH-MaGa1Toj0_eVcqHXd0P1oGFX7V4o/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRp6YL9jzW4RKLR-vy0GpybBLz4A5IlvbxolFUNzzF0kFq30rrBaCLpvZgJw5QbQVOvTTDMSrKkeoC-_0SQsLD7bL57IKq17HlBnn2ou6gniqUNH-MaGa1Toj0_eVcqHXd0P1oGFX7V4o/s400/DSC_0231.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590034578911384306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwkMYaf9j23mBUtaCfuvKtn13XoAvhq7ueEBKNoBckJUuo8reyw2W1iaP1t1exScm2jMUmbK5CjRYaXEr6J1DVAtsLfAZY_FkU97KRTOPBPSN2PznIHyrvmp0OccTh9-9bAv7AS4WDEQ/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwkMYaf9j23mBUtaCfuvKtn13XoAvhq7ueEBKNoBckJUuo8reyw2W1iaP1t1exScm2jMUmbK5CjRYaXEr6J1DVAtsLfAZY_FkU97KRTOPBPSN2PznIHyrvmp0OccTh9-9bAv7AS4WDEQ/s400/DSC_0226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590034577986388594" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO4UNAbaAr18w_SW4Xcr8sNbObm_69R6iVrDUtA94OmfK0pJ0EGI-RWYqJuwMq4EoXhoAc5MB98vEkjW3-2mQXPOxpJPOjaxhkxhcPmtfslPFzb_xJ2ITOOiq0NwiLASyqnRRnwOC0Gg/s1600/DSC_0209.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO4UNAbaAr18w_SW4Xcr8sNbObm_69R6iVrDUtA94OmfK0pJ0EGI-RWYqJuwMq4EoXhoAc5MB98vEkjW3-2mQXPOxpJPOjaxhkxhcPmtfslPFzb_xJ2ITOOiq0NwiLASyqnRRnwOC0Gg/s400/DSC_0209.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590033251653828210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTXfZpUGwhk9T2kg1mLAwXSVQEMedQ76B7OkHmSOhNvIBR0Z21kVR4HaUKgMY82du7FnjX85FIOv-YjAcUg4M_QLSzxoc7I5BXXJXVkk6GuiE03Hkq2gdwspal__8_KGba09RKKr4Juo/s1600/DSC_0206.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTXfZpUGwhk9T2kg1mLAwXSVQEMedQ76B7OkHmSOhNvIBR0Z21kVR4HaUKgMY82du7FnjX85FIOv-YjAcUg4M_QLSzxoc7I5BXXJXVkk6GuiE03Hkq2gdwspal__8_KGba09RKKr4Juo/s400/DSC_0206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590033247445481586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LXNwOi6mlY6wmk-lQ3zA6fF2A_FoeH_c0KgDJtZUt50HYpWBhyphenhyphenLch4SVUndwV1kZp5Ywv6Yj-zM2fn-gEbkmmsgolcfubKbX_FIr81Wgi5vvdbGxZ3AgMhUtYHbUy5xtqB1kkJzSYYA/s1600/DSC_0202.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LXNwOi6mlY6wmk-lQ3zA6fF2A_FoeH_c0KgDJtZUt50HYpWBhyphenhyphenLch4SVUndwV1kZp5Ywv6Yj-zM2fn-gEbkmmsgolcfubKbX_FIr81Wgi5vvdbGxZ3AgMhUtYHbUy5xtqB1kkJzSYYA/s400/DSC_0202.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590033243585355618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ3S3fWX8_YdmWfIhce7UBWPbACp_HhiOzaizWqy6A4UQ_-XsRfDOi4MrDamJootbNAZQntI-C914o_HeCNp7VFggyyAmFuGMtnyvhOhtjxZ22xEwy4VobAI_LzKzpsfLQ_Y8fbU0cXk/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ3S3fWX8_YdmWfIhce7UBWPbACp_HhiOzaizWqy6A4UQ_-XsRfDOi4MrDamJootbNAZQntI-C914o_HeCNp7VFggyyAmFuGMtnyvhOhtjxZ22xEwy4VobAI_LzKzpsfLQ_Y8fbU0cXk/s400/DSC_0196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590033240978503346" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCjdLZTAONYWypW4TVZEP5wgs7m7Eocoamgc2_AMr59pyICqoxepUCd2oOk8jmIIj00eCaLhnWeLIQ48cQjha2n65Cq5w06w51n-opg76NYlnC4ee4TBDPCYXFZhFOPp-tLEc7cNGYYI/s400/DSC_0289.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590035812421076370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The fountain at Forsyth Park in downtown Savannah</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_liYBzAnBKUK_J-TyNU5KdAP6EI72EL0VgBacNBAM0I4N9iiEDE2AleVMfEd_ofm-6o94ZRy0L5satP9R8hoAAFT_05u2lWitLaDGpdJp-cKRWS2Cxcbi4hf-nfQliShU-FOspaG6qqg/s400/DSC_0316.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590035819108465634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjDVWPHweDvg0hm1Ujyg1XOxQsfKdy6jk2hohW68u_I1u_xs3fD6YJ2ihU4z2YJt-j5bSYT9f3k9C61a0Ro6Evxwgif_ZXTDtpFAARW8c7xbX17OLuqKE5CaWpxoOWMhNchj7R2Ktp1Y/s400/DSC_0282.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590035810561110690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px; " /></span></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-36509776900967132452011-03-17T15:09:00.002-04:002011-03-18T21:40:49.304-04:00Hey Ya'll: Savannah-rama, Part 1<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Last week was our Spring Break. Ahhh, Spring Break - it's going to be sorely missed when I finally wrap up my seven year stint in college. It won't be missed as much as winter break or summer break, but it will be missed nonetheless. School has been pretty hectic this semester, hence the lack of blog posts. The break was much needed and is already sorely missed. We spent four days in Savannah, Georgia enjoying quality time, sleeping in, gorgeous scenery and good food. It's about a five hour drive from here, so it was the perfect getaway for a few days. I initially wanted to go to New Orleans, but when I got around to my last minute planning I realized that out break coincided with Mardi Gras. Don't get me wrong, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is definitely something that's on the bucket list; however, it's also something that requires more than three days planning ahead.</div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Savannah is such a beautiful old city. The homes are absolutely beautiful and you just get such a great sense of the history while you explore it. The charm is also nicely augmented by liberal drinking laws - you're allowed to have open containers of alcohol in the historic district as long as they're in a clear plastic cup. Bartenders will ask, "For here, or to go?" when you order a drink, which I must admit is pretty awesome. This, paired with the fact that Georgia gets New Belgium beer made exploring on foot that much more fun. It felt a little strange, but Leon and I both enjoyed walking in front of the gorgeous City Hall en route to River Street while sipping on beer in our to go cups.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>We got a good dose of southern hospitality from most everyone we met. Parts of Forrest Gump were filmed in Savannah, including Forrest's narration from the bench while waiting for the bus. The bench itself was put there for the film production and has been moved to a museum though, which makes it much less cool. I would definitely put in a stunt bench for the tourists if I has a say, but I don't. Savannah is also supposed to be super haunted and they have a lot of ghost and graveyard tours, but I just can't really buy into that stuff. I anticipate another post or two with pictures as this one is already a bit out of hand. What are some of your favorite vacation spots?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRlYEezsoUgU5RtqGlfchd833K7PIbziFIrKSy4VV06EcmcUpwTycM5YcLrh9tWtZVCoe25pSYsK1ejJ9gAlz0lC9hsfdOBKf4exKocIsZ6LqyT0LkXGUiZ2CAU-Ai7pfZLOAHAJudPw/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRlYEezsoUgU5RtqGlfchd833K7PIbziFIrKSy4VV06EcmcUpwTycM5YcLrh9tWtZVCoe25pSYsK1ejJ9gAlz0lC9hsfdOBKf4exKocIsZ6LqyT0LkXGUiZ2CAU-Ai7pfZLOAHAJudPw/s400/DSC_0187.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584865519864554258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>The Davenpot House, one of the first buildings in Savannah</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>to be preserved for its historic value. We actually got to go inside,</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>but I'm sad to say that it was a bit disappointing.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEhct0LRsLZdARl1r-YqsH5YF9Tzo2JT-pto1fZ5vjLQTUpy-XSXhHLerJEiVuFJkftjAPccvawhfDLVHHEDTvqSZn8O6iaE4BMyOV10NkCJLfTpbVu73sa_G2R3biaqMU0tiNT2l8Rc/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEhct0LRsLZdARl1r-YqsH5YF9Tzo2JT-pto1fZ5vjLQTUpy-XSXhHLerJEiVuFJkftjAPccvawhfDLVHHEDTvqSZn8O6iaE4BMyOV10NkCJLfTpbVu73sa_G2R3biaqMU0tiNT2l8Rc/s400/DSC_0182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584864729064607570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>It was a bit chilly during our stay, but Spring was clearly</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>nudging its way in.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmdoCN7aWSvPJzoiUbCGKWze0kr_BCvwXvPOnywJPmh00sOpkB0EomVbGbENp9wKzPPZhQim3jVktyPGF_VLEAd4NfVCNRhKg7iOUbNDjtAKiprOhoLYRzLFjdfytVgm363OdHn72B2s/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmdoCN7aWSvPJzoiUbCGKWze0kr_BCvwXvPOnywJPmh00sOpkB0EomVbGbENp9wKzPPZhQim3jVktyPGF_VLEAd4NfVCNRhKg7iOUbNDjtAKiprOhoLYRzLFjdfytVgm363OdHn72B2s/s400/DSC_0175.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584864726078880290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>One of the many gorgeous Bed and Breakfasts in the historic district.</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>I would love to return to Savannah when my budget is a little</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>higher and stay somewhere like this.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHCDme7xp1SWSkfuUmQ5Ay2_eSftipMlRg8fhtCt4uQbbrukVNuZ8o1kizJB9YmRlWovw9IkY-toD4oJmslVr0iCFAXEvUwPfp1vODi99-bw7fL3PGGCuYtk-zzeIguNlu5d3Y3w-pTY/s1600/DSC_0174.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHCDme7xp1SWSkfuUmQ5Ay2_eSftipMlRg8fhtCt4uQbbrukVNuZ8o1kizJB9YmRlWovw9IkY-toD4oJmslVr0iCFAXEvUwPfp1vODi99-bw7fL3PGGCuYtk-zzeIguNlu5d3Y3w-pTY/s400/DSC_0174.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584864718267285890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>I sure do love flowering trees.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7F3TVXCqJPkr4Dyg7Q4khni8A9TB8jPabch6zIomnWUXmxpWfnkO3DfCF9UqgWIHrd4CogBF6JgpYoDF2nM8Tmb8Y33FTVxhKIj4mWTUak6-zrKCWmFtFZjaKhy02ImcBSQLUmbHc-U/s1600/DSC_0165.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7F3TVXCqJPkr4Dyg7Q4khni8A9TB8jPabch6zIomnWUXmxpWfnkO3DfCF9UqgWIHrd4CogBF6JgpYoDF2nM8Tmb8Y33FTVxhKIj4mWTUak6-zrKCWmFtFZjaKhy02ImcBSQLUmbHc-U/s400/DSC_0165.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584864716347167762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>This city really does have a level of charm that I haven't</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>really seen before. Many of the historic</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>homes had cute gutters like this one.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhWm-rEtB51pOHfsWSdbwexRcMCdyS3DHYLYEgzwX3WA0B7h8Plj49I_R9E1TOZ-Yauzzf8Jv12tn8tqaCglWWjad_nOXTX9kUAvmdzqdmXXG64dFGSAgvgeFesSKC83gsi6ailXN2Zc/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhWm-rEtB51pOHfsWSdbwexRcMCdyS3DHYLYEgzwX3WA0B7h8Plj49I_R9E1TOZ-Yauzzf8Jv12tn8tqaCglWWjad_nOXTX9kUAvmdzqdmXXG64dFGSAgvgeFesSKC83gsi6ailXN2Zc/s400/DSC_0161.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584863874980626450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>How's that for a backyard?</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNXbZm4GvuNgYz_b516KsX0ixH6YSuVhJuwG-Z34KuweU9eD1DSp_p53AB8vBauIYqjs7nvjalTLVJrQ4k_yRFVeDzK6049NWJ-g4p2yTjH7GAkPtlawQZB5kR-BcBxs2PSwK36A0m0Y/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNXbZm4GvuNgYz_b516KsX0ixH6YSuVhJuwG-Z34KuweU9eD1DSp_p53AB8vBauIYqjs7nvjalTLVJrQ4k_yRFVeDzK6049NWJ-g4p2yTjH7GAkPtlawQZB5kR-BcBxs2PSwK36A0m0Y/s400/DSC_0160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584863867846197314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>One of the ghost tours runs in this hearse. Tour-goers stand up</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>in the back while learning about Savannah's spooky stories.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVm0j5uPpRIU03pF2LjQWH7kKtxJFA-b9I6iG8DYKStcy1IeY9IzcsKVFYcQON69rut8c2NSS3RbeO8fpOBs6caeCRempiY7jt9wnbhWvbXhsXo6CqJuvHpsPqUeM6y7caUAsfdCUfnQ/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVm0j5uPpRIU03pF2LjQWH7kKtxJFA-b9I6iG8DYKStcy1IeY9IzcsKVFYcQON69rut8c2NSS3RbeO8fpOBs6caeCRempiY7jt9wnbhWvbXhsXo6CqJuvHpsPqUeM6y7caUAsfdCUfnQ/s400/DSC_0151.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584863864297844850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>"The Waving Girl," a statue in Savannah on the river front.</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Supposedly a girl would stand there every day and</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>wave to greet the ships coming into port. There is some legend that</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>she was there every day for 40 years, waiting for her love who</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>has been lost at sea to return.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOfR9N9SL18JYCR8-3AkoJvukF3VY2KDg1xYrjjIN3e-TsteDhYYAtxtmSYGbwfZTgHFu_UJxdafPQ3IL50hFkqExWFom6669dMKTJ5GCRGmcAY_213oYuYh1jyVuvgRY9ckjZNk62EI/s1600/DSC_0136.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOfR9N9SL18JYCR8-3AkoJvukF3VY2KDg1xYrjjIN3e-TsteDhYYAtxtmSYGbwfZTgHFu_UJxdafPQ3IL50hFkqExWFom6669dMKTJ5GCRGmcAY_213oYuYh1jyVuvgRY9ckjZNk62EI/s400/DSC_0136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584863859341039410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>The old cobblestone streets by the port.</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Cute, but difficult to balance on.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiGIPXHJA79gYA9gYJiKct6GbOfHiddLFfdHDXi5gO5nAVbKDgogBWYVmdmtIyFUfvQ0YyDiQx2hh3y5W-jL6wgru3CFqdV3Y3WsZjSUeEyOLUerPrBJrzfnWyp334hQUU4EyBciDUYg/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiGIPXHJA79gYA9gYJiKct6GbOfHiddLFfdHDXi5gO5nAVbKDgogBWYVmdmtIyFUfvQ0YyDiQx2hh3y5W-jL6wgru3CFqdV3Y3WsZjSUeEyOLUerPrBJrzfnWyp334hQUU4EyBciDUYg/s400/DSC_0098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584862818872546178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Every home really did seem more beautiful than the last.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwvFH64D6Ttx1ZvqtLoCU7ub4iKJcGMYrmOuEUjq2tAWo9XVb87MggnhdqvmVl34zPE_NXhlDQdN50TQ3zcJkLXhZV9W7pnRUKlCj2iIs0SCxafVA-1W-c7EbJF7IQiUWvpvQ4RL2HUo/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwvFH64D6Ttx1ZvqtLoCU7ub4iKJcGMYrmOuEUjq2tAWo9XVb87MggnhdqvmVl34zPE_NXhlDQdN50TQ3zcJkLXhZV9W7pnRUKlCj2iIs0SCxafVA-1W-c7EbJF7IQiUWvpvQ4RL2HUo/s400/DSC_0095.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584862807378479650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4psX0iXJ0xEK3V7c8FP6GrmZCqtiS0Xb-y3RpcSmA66JsQwuSa1OMvVgY9LshpcRvDDgtwvhCkABJJpazltshkjnwq7uMuzXlqxm0c-4vaNeFfwB7pdyU4sqXTaT6FoDP2RuovnFBNVE/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4psX0iXJ0xEK3V7c8FP6GrmZCqtiS0Xb-y3RpcSmA66JsQwuSa1OMvVgY9LshpcRvDDgtwvhCkABJJpazltshkjnwq7uMuzXlqxm0c-4vaNeFfwB7pdyU4sqXTaT6FoDP2RuovnFBNVE/s400/DSC_0087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584862801622555490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNigz3lDQLlPFfY9icTaHzt3ojfLJPNm3ZE9rvanTPTzUmGqgAaTkyHj4LN_HIjCpb4qCSTIXrxC_kOJj_VTFxZYihtFXLeGOFRe5L_a5QDYQEsuyXyxmBa7M-J4Q7qUjeOPhgE0KuSY/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNigz3lDQLlPFfY9icTaHzt3ojfLJPNm3ZE9rvanTPTzUmGqgAaTkyHj4LN_HIjCpb4qCSTIXrxC_kOJj_VTFxZYihtFXLeGOFRe5L_a5QDYQEsuyXyxmBa7M-J4Q7qUjeOPhgE0KuSY/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNigz3lDQLlPFfY9icTaHzt3ojfLJPNm3ZE9rvanTPTzUmGqgAaTkyHj4LN_HIjCpb4qCSTIXrxC_kOJj_VTFxZYihtFXLeGOFRe5L_a5QDYQEsuyXyxmBa7M-J4Q7qUjeOPhgE0KuSY/s400/DSC_0066.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584861915729287314" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">The spot where Forrest waited on the bench and</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">told his life story.</span></i></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8bvRR2Urugu5jo0qRWkA41_71DInFbkNOE0Ued1IN2eaOGYMwCOhji3__sQ6-C7klppU1UyRJV5-H0_ltDGKU4k18-vMG9BcNsW7acjYWwi0vkIfgwtKlM9Y9OjQZfL04gL2yqN8BeQ/s400/gump2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585060083255937186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 265px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>The people of Savannah sure do love Forrest Gump. </i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>The guide on our trolly tour was even an extra, but his scene got cut.</i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsF3jZ2XOCUEOXp-ma5Zl722hNwYTWvDRgwwVCRb0K9ZOoypplHnkuosU-FHi82e1ZmTD1sH5j3P7f5ttgMzdo7VE8qalhmJl4xbNxzo83JY6vyEueYWIfjqlT7W9CY8oEEnIRD_zbys/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsF3jZ2XOCUEOXp-ma5Zl722hNwYTWvDRgwwVCRb0K9ZOoypplHnkuosU-FHi82e1ZmTD1sH5j3P7f5ttgMzdo7VE8qalhmJl4xbNxzo83JY6vyEueYWIfjqlT7W9CY8oEEnIRD_zbys/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584861912859367122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 229px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Gorgeous trees, as one would expect.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqIneNd0wXQegktWvJMIyklEoJIlEWXRsbrBu1PdN6ZsQcgE95rX0K2awhvPZgFvnLE8mHWqaqeMvO-SQoUepg_b5XZve3kQiRsH6v3o9lTfJbNFVfvpfJ9hnDggEQ4Al25Ze3Wbprwg/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqIneNd0wXQegktWvJMIyklEoJIlEWXRsbrBu1PdN6ZsQcgE95rX0K2awhvPZgFvnLE8mHWqaqeMvO-SQoUepg_b5XZve3kQiRsH6v3o9lTfJbNFVfvpfJ9hnDggEQ4Al25Ze3Wbprwg/s400/DSC_0046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584861897586715666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Forrest Gump isn't the only shrimp loving southerner who is</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>well known in Savannah. Paula Deen's restaurant The Lady and Sons</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>is also located there in the historic district, along with The Paula Deen Store,</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>specializing in all things Paula. I love to laugh at Paula's southern drawl and </i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>love of butter on Food Network. I don't generally cook the types of things</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>that she does, but we couldn't pass up some of Paula's home cookin'. </i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8tY77hOhAIivX5ebYEK6I0uVNbIVO1zzgZQ9iFaWY82zU4FltlLNqZKqc7WZEGN3WTFTk44xwy1Q6aBS71QAxtUYcnxjSOyS6KkJphqxbOYK0eqcckZrYICN0VAcDqyziy9cM8gdd3M/s400/DSC_0188.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584865521882407090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>"Hey ya'll" is the catch phrase on her sign. Hilarious.</i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo8EbtN30Eo99UkW1-Q2GGFAP37hU_jlbQhohAxU6Z06uF7AqCvHd16EcHtUpLO7f4su0TS2e1G88COSNWIwQjdkeB1gpgJtQz_FBI-oCveNHNhi99JVG7I0FsLUK8kwSrT5-Itx_DuY/s400/DSC_0193.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584865526178063922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>The restaurant is a pretty large, three story place in </i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>historic Savannah. You have to go make reservations</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>ahead of time and they were totally filled up every day we were in town. </i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Above is the garlic chive biscuit and "hoecake" that comes with</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>your meal. Paula Deen is such a naughty genius - they tell you</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>that the hoecake is great plain, but also prove maple syrup on the</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>table and urge you to have it that way. Pancakes with dinner -</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>perhaps not something for everyday, but Paula is a genius.</i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsXw82oXeqJRMMzAlf2KX-LrPrBsTHr3NOz37HrgCSUZtXJIqhUBOp8i_Hhs9loGIKWn55ROBV-FzrziyyxH_spPHN4HjzFNZ6YctOjVNqFoVJKJV-cd_-SteZ3GNRc_DYJClaa0ImDw/s400/DSC_0194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584865533009565202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center; "><i>We both opted for the buffet so that we could sample</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>all the good southern fare that The Lady and Sons offers. This was</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>definitely the best buffet food I've ever had - nothing dry or flavorless</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>the way that buffet food generally is. The collard greens were amazing and</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>I even loved the creamed corn - which I thought was grits. I never</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>would have tried it if I knew what it was, but I'll hand it to Paula - she turns out</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>great food and I'm still working on detoxing from the trip. </i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>Paula's restaurant has to make a crazy amount of money, but it still has that locally owned, down home feel. There are family pictures of the Deens by the elevators and I was particularly ticked when I spotted one of Paula kissing one of her sons on his mouth at his wedding. On the ride up to our table on the third floor Leon entertained the other diners by musing about whether they kept Paula in the basement. All in all, it was a delicious, very diet unfriendly gastronomic adventure. </div></div></div></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-11443947258187779942011-02-26T23:25:00.010-05:002011-02-27T01:01:12.457-05:00Award and Stylish Watermelon Cucumber Salad<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Life has been a little stressful here the last couple of weeks. I've been pretty busy with school stuff, especially doing research for a large paper I'm writing this semester. I feel badly that I haven't been updating more often and I'm going to try and work on it! I thought that this would be a great study break. My friend Cassie over at <a href="http://confessionsofanaverageamericanmommy.blogspot.com/">Confession of an Average American Momm</a>y gave me the Stylish Blogger Award (Thanks you!). The catch of getting the award is that I must write seven things about myself, so here goes nothin':</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga53ZR2sykybeTWMMZZCtzcDvXh9h5X2dOm5WfIO2b2roZIwOkxRY5ymgp8RCCA01QLLslApU-Uv3gawn8aTUPUwv7R9oMxMaqjVZFq13PQxfvjl3on94rHV1YirLn7ar2icx3PpxTXd4/s400/Blog+award.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578222479794735234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div><ul><li>I love Tina Fey. Like, a lot. She's definitely one of my 'strong, independent woman' role models and I have a lot of respect for her. On a less serious note, I also have a picture of Ms. Fey in my bathroom. I had an extra picture frame and nothing to fill it, so I started looking in some magazines for a nice picture to fill it until I found something better. I found plenty of artsy things, but then I saw an advertisement with Tina Fey on a camel. I mean, what could possibly top that? It initially started out as a joke, but now there's no way I can take her down. So, until further notice Tina Fey watches me pee. And there's something priceless about the moment when someone walks out of my bathroom and says, "Is that a picture of Tina Fey on a camel?"</li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc5h1DDmJo4Wy4_3hL6Lwec7xlBZ2YJKjQoCYxBERX3vkfxwI6M2-2G_-hAaD0YsXidOwikf0vFIL98tzzFRkZVSq5v6MEjl1F7ax1Kt3Sb1Pn5n0N2D80AhlkQSIEpmGVT8BKUzDO9Q/s400/tina+camel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578242675827855986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Isn't this stately?</i></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><ul><li>I love bubble baths. Nothing is quite as relaxing for me as lighting a candle, soaking in a warm tub with nice perfumed bubble bath, reading a magazine and sipping on a beer or glass of Riesling. I seriously suggest you try it. </li><li>I'm too hard on myself a lot of the time, and I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of you ladies are too. It's good to want to be the best, but try not to tear yourself down too much while you're working on it - whatever "it" is. When you're feeling a little too wrapped up in your faults, try to remember all of the awesome things about yourself. </li><li>I hate when my friends from back home assume that I spend my days hanging out beachside. Tallahassee is in the panhandle area and about two hours away from a decent beach. </li><li>I've never been outside of the United States. I have always had a really deep desire to travel abroad, but it hasn't quite worked out yet. One of my great fears is that I'll never get to see as many things around the world as I want to. </li><li>I'm not super neat. I love having a clean, perfect living space; however, the clutter always resurfaces pretty fast. I recently read that you should devote fifteen minutes a day to tidying up and I really want to strive to do that. I know for some of you that's probably instinctual, but I have a bad habit of letting things get a little too cluttered before I start trying to tidy up.</li><li>I like thinking about my smart vs. dumb characteristics for the humor value of how they cancel each other out. Example: I like to stay informed about current events and read the news most days. I also like to read National Geographic, New York Times magazine and The Economist. However, I can also tell you very detailed information about the most recent seasons of The Real Housewives and Beverly Hills and Teen Mom (...and Teen Mom 2). </li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4b1ektNgELhDdEQveSFVUbLi4XHcLkA0d0Ej2GAM8lFTyDvDwPwhWZzns0kRuJoSujWePaYhX1x6aod9t49T6c3Otgg9UEG8W5ahK37mNfsVtsnKR-nk9TRpCMaN5C0I2wnCi5vDcDI/s400/dr+drew+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578243577015056946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Speaking of stylish, check out this Watermelon Cucumber Salad! I know this isn't something that everyone will want to try, but if it piques your interest then you should definitely give it a shot! I got a pretty good watermelon the other day, but this is definitely something that will only be more delicious as the warmer months come on. It's already in the low 80s around here, so I'm already getting into a summer state of mind. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ppa_kA49MwmPTXfMID3rgOQgo_MLywMVr1R8n7yzcifxnXZuiHxUrqSZGpOWabfagwdmuBy7kRJ9DwsYZwSKQrnut1o9lQ1udjxtOB5eLtPTE0ZUMffhMvNiT6kIrIHmDebjURqUDpg/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578244080764614386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>Watermelon Cucumber Salad</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div>You can make as much or as little of this as you want. I made a good sized plate of it for myself for dinner a few days ago, but you could do a larger scale version. All you need is equal parts of diced <b>watermelon</b> (seedless preferred) and peeled, seeded, diced <b>cucumber</b>. Toss the two with very thinly sliced <b>red onion</b>. Whisk together some <b>lemon juice</b> and <b>olive oil </b>(about a 3:1 ratio with the size varying depending on how much you want to use. After combining those ingredients, top with <b>feta</b> or <b>goat cheese</b> and sprinkle with fine sea salt. It's delicious, healthy and refreshing. I promise. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-35975467158858093372011-02-26T16:33:00.004-05:002011-02-26T21:59:47.706-05:00Chicken Pita Sliders<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OciOxVVPaQtAE2VdsacvnPQpqjrfDeSkwRQMihItrAumzWDr5tMKJYMt_wPiRklV_IIXAhyphenhyphenk2vTinFU5-sUlbrUp5mWWE3PcVulD7AvsX018rYRnvc6rPoisaGewe1PLAzjHmDd2I1Q/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbCGPkOUuXw_9fPhabGM_pa04Qgk4uIDE_pdadDrL0yerczJqCQJN_W55iwRIgdT9JTxX_ACUNePf-UUy-b3UTqGsbGaM-B0qOHBWBL8kciBGym-hHkY3Lde6iDDfk-UVb7LwIEdMSB8/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I saw these in Food Network magazine and knew that I had to make them. I'm a big fan of any mediterranean type food and they're way too <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/turkey-hummus-sliders-recipe/index.html">cute</a> to pass up. But of course I started looking at the recipe and decided to do things a little differently, which ultimately ended up in me doing something almost entirely different. But they were awesome and I highly recommend that your try my recipe, or Food Networks, or you could put your own spin on it! I had previously seen the mini pitas at our grocery store and thought they were adorable, but wasn't sure what I could do with them. If you can't find the little pitas don't be discouraged, these would be equally delicious as full sized burgers stuffed inside half of a regular sized pita. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">C</span>hicken Pita Sliders</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbCGPkOUuXw_9fPhabGM_pa04Qgk4uIDE_pdadDrL0yerczJqCQJN_W55iwRIgdT9JTxX_ACUNePf-UUy-b3UTqGsbGaM-B0qOHBWBL8kciBGym-hHkY3Lde6iDDfk-UVb7LwIEdMSB8/s400/DSC_0056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578116233775655826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><i>Ingredients:</i></div><div><br /></div><div>For the chicken patties:</div><div><br /></div><div>1 pkg. (about 1.5 lbs) ground chicken breast</div><div>1 egg, beaten</div><div>2/3 cup Italian bread crumbs</div><div>3 cloves minced or pressed garlic</div><div>2 tbsps. olive oil</div><div>salt</div><div>pepper</div><div><br /></div><div>16-20 mini pitas</div><div><br /></div><div>For the Veggie Relish</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OciOxVVPaQtAE2VdsacvnPQpqjrfDeSkwRQMihItrAumzWDr5tMKJYMt_wPiRklV_IIXAhyphenhyphenk2vTinFU5-sUlbrUp5mWWE3PcVulD7AvsX018rYRnvc6rPoisaGewe1PLAzjHmDd2I1Q/s400/DSC_0042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578198407827232290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>1/2 of a large cucumber, diced and seeds removed</div><div>1 small tomato, diced and seeds removed</div><div>1/4 red onion, diced</div><div>1 tsp. vinegar (white or red)</div><div>1 tbsp. olive oil</div><div>Splash of white wine</div><div>1 tbsp. mint, julienned </div><div>Salt, to taste</div><div>Pepper, to taste</div><div><br /></div><div>For the Tzatziki: </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;font-size:14px;"><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6 oz. plain, fat free Greek yogurt</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1/4 cup grated, peeled, seeded cucumber</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">juice of 1/2 lemon</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 tbsp. olive oil</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2 cloves of garlic, pressed</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">splash of white wine</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">salt, to taste</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">fresh pepper, to taste</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Method</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">: </span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. You'll want to make the tzatziki and the vegetable relish a little bit ahead of time because they both get much more flavorful after sitting in the fridge for at least an hour. </span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. For the Tzatziki: after grating the cucumber put it in a towel and squeeze out any excess moisture. Whisk all ingredients together and taste to check flavor. Cover and refrigerate. </span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. For the relish: Make sure to get a fine chop on the tomato, cucumber and onion. Mix together to incorporate. Whisk the salt, pepper, oil and vinegar together separately then pour over the relish. Sprinkle the julienned mint, stir again then cover and refrigerate. </span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4. Mix the ground chicken and all of the other ingredients together by hand until everything is incorporated. How large you make the patties depends somewhat on how large your pitas are. You may want to do a trial run and make sure that you've got a good size figured out. Cook the chicken patties in a moderately hot pan drizzled in olive oil. They'll cook pretty quickly, so keep an eye on them. My patties were probably about the size of half-dollars. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5. Stuff chicken patties into the pitas and serve with the relish and tzatziki on the side. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Note: I made these for a party and did a double recipe. I did end up having some of the chicken mixture left over, but I made two big chicken burgers with it and Leon and I enjoyed those a couple of days later for dinner. </span></span></span></span></span></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-624105904660357852011-02-08T18:17:00.003-05:002011-02-08T19:45:27.519-05:00Red Velvet Cake Balls<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I've been working on cultivating an interest in football. For awhile. My family isn't huge on sports, so it's just not something that I grew up with. Leon, most of our friends and the entire city of Tallahassee are football crazy. Generally <a href="http://volcanicensemble.blogspot.com/2010/02/questions-that-will-not-ingratiate-you.html">this</a> is about what watching football with me. But I actually did enjoy the Super Bowl this year - what's better than an evening with good friends, a good game and good food? I made the most sinfully delicious sweet treat for the game: Red Velvet Cake Balls. I warn you - these are only okay to make if you have an exit strategy (such as a Super Bowl party) or an iron will.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><a href="http://www.bakerella.com/red-velvet-cake-balls/">Bakerella</a> is apparently to blame for bringing these into the world. They're like truffles, but instead of chocolate inside it's cake...and frosting. The good news is that they're very rich and one (or a couple) are totally satisfying. These would be super cute for Valentine's Day. Just be prepared if you bring them around too many young gentlemen as they conjure an image of a certain iconic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_Salty_Balls">South Park episode</a>. The sad part is that these would probably be pretty delicious with a little sprinkle of sea salt on top. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>They're a little time consuming, but not overly challenging. These were a huge crowd pleaser and, honestly, probably one of the most delicious things I've ever made. Check out Bakerella's site and start figuring out when you bring your own batch of these into the world. You can bake the cake and roll the balls ahead of time. The chocolate also needs some time to harden, you'll probably want to give it at least an hour. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutsIZUgot73-mgkZmziHp0HkYmmg19JVsbZc5HdbCJZz5FVlwfAeWFrGJHOR8EF1OTlRlBLLDe552UTTpj2IBeH06KOpXlLGa_icU4ztM2iIQD7WCdD69vx2SfDHTpgETIzkc53vjnL4/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571477981083465602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><i>Ingredients:</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>1 box Red Velvet cake mix, prepared according to package directions in 13x9 inch pan</div><div>1 16 oz. can of whipped cream cheese frosting</div><div>16 oz. semi-sweet baker's chocolate</div><div>Wax Paper</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzV7cjUzQm8vY9FemQTh0T6GCfgEEoEA7ZweFMud7OYFt7yKpTCWn1DV0tJz1XyN9TJJQ3YlyfyDg8DuX-mQJtW3-77tMPgLakk-rHiPLvm7-AQUt06SMUoMBUrfwD-GNXvGtoVek8Ews/s400/DSC_0053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571477990195105730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Method:</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>1. Bake cake per package directions. When it has fully cooled, crumble the entire thin in a large bowl. </div><div>2. Slowly mix in the frosting. Hands are probably the best way to go. </div><div>3. When cake and frosting mixture is homogenous begin rolling it into balls. I scooped out heaping tablespoons for uniformity - there will be around 45-50. Refrigerate the balls for at least a few hours or overnight. </div><div>4. Lay wax paper on flat surface. Melt the baker's chocolate four or five squares at a time in a microwave safe bowl for 30 second intervals. Stir until chocolate is all melted. </div><div>5. Drop the balls in one at a time and spoon chocolate over them instead of rolling. Lift the cake balls out of the chocolate with a fork so that the excess drops off. </div><div>6. Lay the cake balls on wax paper to harden. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5pf5DApchTfq7DQwrhka1_Shka5842cPNl7OXzx3PcFcE-pFuLDRcXuKKuPlOeBpkY1SLPAXiLPkdrTRK5SJiXzbA_XCrLOgEO9Kx5gsXhmwPXakUbHnjFKfrPgsxGj8azS1wCGPLXQ/s400/DSC_0060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571477984352735010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-62565114286797296392011-02-04T20:19:00.005-05:002011-02-04T21:44:53.105-05:00On becoming a Valentine's Day convert<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>It's crazy to think that I've been in the dating world for a decade, but I suppose measuring things in decades is all part of getting older. In those years I've had Valentine's Days of all shapes and sizes, though I seem to have had more bad ones than good. The one that sticks out most in my memory is the first year that I had a boyfriend on Valentine's Day. I carefully selected various cutsie gifts along with a couple of CDs by his favorite punk bands. I spent the better part of the afternoon primping getting more and more excited for my first Valentine's Day as part of a couple. I was fifteen and neither of us had driver's licenses yet, so my father drove me over to his place where I was supposed to meet him after he got off work.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>My dad waited as I walked to the door and rang the bell, box-o-gifts in hand. The house was awfully dark and and my disposition became exponentially less sunny as I started to realize that no one was home. Walking back to the car and getting in was the probably the worst part of the whole evening. Fathers aren't supposed to like their teenage daughters' boyfriends anyway; but they're especially not supposed to like the ones who ditch their little girl on her inaugural V-Day. After sitting at home and wallowing for awhile I got a call from the guy, who had been held up late at the office - and by 'the office' I mean his bus boy job at a local pizza place. He was extremely apologetic and thusly forgiven, but this was the first of many experiences that kind of ruined Cupid, candy hearts and chocolate that comes in heart shaped boxes for me. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>These days, I'm a recovering V-Day smack talker. I recognize the weirdness of my boyfriend having to buy me flowers every February 14th or face Cupid's and my wrath. I've decided to let Valentine's Day back in, albeit on my terms. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rule one: Be honest. If you want flowers, dinner, chocolate or any of the other staples - tell your boyfriend. If you tell your significant other that you don't want want to do anything then you're not allowed to get angry when that's what you get. If you have a naturally romantic man in your life then this rule may not apply to you, but the other 90 percent of you need to keep this in mind. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rule two: Valentine's Day is supposed to be about love and couples. Yes, it's obviously something that ladies get more excited about, but I think a lot of ladies end up disappointed because they put too much pressure on their guys, give little direction and, ultimately, end up disappointed. And in all honesty, I've been there myself. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Rule three: Do not compare your V-Day swag to everyone else's. Remember that episode of The Office where Pam told Roy that she wanted a laid back V-Day, then she got nothing and watched Phyllis get flowers, candy and stuffed animals non-stop? This ties in with rule one, but try to remind yourself how nice it is to be together on Valentine's Day and focus on the good things, not three bouquets, mass of balloons and giant box of chocolates that your roommate got. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ok, those are pretty much the rules, but I'm becoming much more of a Valentine's Day optimist than I used to be. I've come full circle - I think I may have even written an Anti-Valentine's Day column during my college newspaper days. This year I even made crafts!</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What are some of your best, worst and funniest Valentine's Day memories? Are there any rules you would like to add?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrAVwllyd6TpQEcSyc-vtyl3AzXDRbsNSs9C5xW3HWRHMyfUTjWdBliceC1RPdrdYZV09JfbYS5YJM7o383ouZ-9arkHbSmGFYi_nAeSFx-QgkONzwuV_T0txAbzOQNYMs-UDmVRqREw/s400/DSC_0165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570026255924542306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>I can't help but find these anything but sinfully cute. I'm definitely not crafty; </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>however, I think these came out pretty cute. </i></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRUO_1oxotNlvrs2ajqYiUFf6ELbPIKQV9jhlRj1HQAh5V1OQnq8wuP3H4hPbORnVBmD5XW6AlVRGzpEe1qNH1SziHULkVVHUXIwDu52GZ5TeIZyrt07FwTvvE7lo7WPs-ej-xPGLE64/s400/DSC_0166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570026261656591362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The little mailboxes were a whopping $1 at Target, as were the packs of stickers. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJzRGCYfSRmkk8KQJ2zNyxP0p3-0AMybEZG5bqpg1urmfrl64uH8oYohG-FmK042t1TqJ9ArEVmQf4dfKrNEHVhnKmqSr_tKRtkwgIBbKR8-kVJmBaFpU1DPTr2T3sTtNHwaFwt2o5aE/s400/DSC_0174.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570026254130113954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>We can leave each other little notes in our respective boxes and pop up</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>the little flag as an indicator. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeuWDsVxaVvYVCUT72-woc3T9Kq1IN1YrQQJ7cqKaVm44_tyxO_O_iDQytY4IMmoA1SwlgDnP76XfJnSxlW_28tPCFXN7CQTEIBOg-JzLCbPMjPDMeyYMAZIxtbXzsFMLOpSKl-Tgp9w/s400/DSC_0170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570026279443634834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Is it just me, or are these super cute and mushy? I sense I'll be pulling these </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>out every year. I love starting traditions. </i></span></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-81158076685229141732011-01-27T18:12:00.004-05:002011-01-30T18:29:34.628-05:00The Miraculous Microplane<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo7Od8iw10vITHYG28hpI3doWc8xvK6WKt5cwOWfW_XgKRqgKmjqPKhRXVjNiZChvFr22zuKNFiDeGeBVX0mwRU0MDELGsk0hVOVUdX2wV2OpFngbA5ZmsvZMkaIzUTJmGm5UEtRwIFI/s1600/microplane.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;">Do you have a Microplane Zester? No? Grab your keys, go to the store and buy one right now!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo7Od8iw10vITHYG28hpI3doWc8xvK6WKt5cwOWfW_XgKRqgKmjqPKhRXVjNiZChvFr22zuKNFiDeGeBVX0mwRU0MDELGsk0hVOVUdX2wV2OpFngbA5ZmsvZMkaIzUTJmGm5UEtRwIFI/s400/microplane.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568124830367310690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div>....Alright, you're back and you didn't forget about me. Awesome! You've made a great investment. You'll be able to zest citrus to level that is probably unprecedented with your old measly grater. But in all seriousness, you really should get one - especially if you are a fan of parmesan or other hard cheeses. It may sound crazy, but parmesan tastes totally different when you grate it yourself versus when you buy it pre-grated. You only have to do it yourself once, and you'll be hooked. They're a little pricy (I think around $17), but totally worth it. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>But those of you who are already Microplane converts may be interested to know that this favored kitchen tool was initially made for something a bit different: woodworking. Yep, initially the Microplane was meant to be mounted on a hacksaw. Suddenly the demand changed and people were using the Microplane to zest citrus into marinades for pork tenderloin instead of purchasing it for, well, whatever it is that people do with wood. Moral of the story: we foodies are innovative people - think outside of the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/dining/12united.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1295971209-C17kbBbShdVX2tw5BdWMkg">box</a>, folks! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jodrR30_BcJ7iTnzKAY5d79SvFF3hdlwWFGA2q7XIX-LSuviy0rkeJjoJYRYd5QG3KfVBjhOanuD6b3xjSLPTanv-PClu2qotnBZQSmyy8EZ9bDOWqcsijV6ltobHHGabmQc7c5NEJI/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567012666596992226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fluffy, nutty, perfect parmesan </div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-3229935181004791622011-01-27T17:03:00.003-05:002011-01-27T17:49:06.554-05:00Brown Sugar Acorn Squash<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I've read quite a few interesting food related things this week that I would like to share. First was a tip I read on Huffington Post about being too calorie concerned. The dietician/writer wasn't at all suggesting that calories are not important, rather, she was discussing the problem with choosing something low calorie for that purpose without thinking about better options. The example the author used was between two 100 calorie options: 11 gummy bears or 18 strawberries. I've read several things damming 100 Calorie packs for various reasons, and I've never agreed; however, something about this comparison made me really think about how much more you can get out of your food by making good choices. And really, is there anything more enticing than a big bowl of strawberries?</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I also read that Jamie Oliver is doing another season of Food Revolution - this time in Los Angeles. If you didn't see the first season, you missed out. Jamie Oliver is a chef from England who helped improve the British school lunch system and he has started trying to do the same in the United States. The first season is on <a href="http://www.hulu.com/search?query=Jamie+Oliver%27s+Food+Revolution&st=1&fs=">hulu</a> right now - check it out! </div><div><br /></div><div>Rosted Acorn Squash</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJdvjlHM9qc88P4AOPztnp21aLEYhOLUyb-s79TANhi3t602ba7hwgPPE5A6G4xBZ8EmK0LLZsB4Y402nW-VL3IukhkIkNpusQXTynwF8324IWE0gaSxY919z0GKzR4cVAuaQdfgtiXQ/s400/DSCN1097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567000175866198210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">1 acorn squash should serve <b>two</b> people as a generous side. Cut squash in half and scoop out seeds.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">Rub each half with 1/2 tablespoon of <b>butter substitute</b> and 1/2 tablespoon of <b>brown sugar.</b> Bake at</span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><b>350 </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><b>degrees </b>for about <b>45 minutes</b> until squash is fork tender. </span></div><div><div><br /></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-54933449248629772072011-01-21T13:05:00.004-05:002011-01-21T13:26:36.510-05:00Food & Thought<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXm550I9atH2lyQSA2PhJXaMz9RXT7LhCjb12sQXVOvAWsYK8y5bQlTOv0A-qss0Vmzum65nkwhTR71QM8U97APW2FkK6rwEFFSKa-qtmYeXojWK3oqtnektzHiMJX7h_KbwGzXGqCrg/s1600/trenta.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>It’s January, which of course means that I’m on a quest to be healthier, fitter, blah, blah, blah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But it’s going really well, I’ve lost like eleven pounds. Some of that was winter break weight, but I’m still counting it as a win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I saw this online today and thought it was great, and it reminded me of some wisdom that I got in a college nutrition class awhile back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think our [unrealistic] professor told us that when you go grocery shopping, you should only shop the perimeter of the grocery store and not purchase shelf items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While I think this is perhaps a bit on the unrealistic and extreme side, there is a lot of wisdom here. Think about what most grocery stores have around the perimeter: fresh produce, dairy, fresh poultry, meat and fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That just about covers the food pyramid! I'm really refocusing and the majority of what I'm eating is fruit, veggies and dairy. I don't think I realized how far off I was on getting the right amount of fruits and vegetables in, but it's exciting to reassess!</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZRlBe_mJITkVNa0lNZ6F0FSTkC4y1a2fgDGBzC2gXgPDFImNZgQ9jPvXO0Ox-mF9XLU8WUh97BtXD4L5Si-SAzHChQqjRDL3jIeFU8r0oy3ITLhJZ-ERHLtjU1dUo3-pryFQ12XISCs/s400/isitfood.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564703879995426866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal">My cooking is a little limited at the moment, but I hope to share some of the healthy things that I'm implementing for myself here. Also, on the topic of portion control, I also came across this lovely image. It's definitely something to think about: how big is the actual capacity of your stomach versus the things that we put in it? Yeah, it's good that the 30 ounce trenta that Starbucks is rolling out is coffee and not a hamburger, but if you get a beverage that has whipped cream, whole milk or sugary syrup, that's A LOT! Comedians have poked fun at Starbucks' naming scheme (tall, grande, venti - and now trenta) because "tall" is the smallest, but it means big, "grande"" also means big and "venti" is somewhat made up - it means 20 in Italian, which fits because the venti size beverages are 20 ounes. And, of course, "trenta" means thirty. But keeping with the theme of portions, all of these coffees are actually pretty big - the "tall" is 12 ounces - which is actually kind of a lot of coffee if you think about it in terms of your coffee cup at home. No judgment here though, I usually don't head out to my first class with less than three cups of coffee, but I have switched from fat free creamer to fat free milk :)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXm550I9atH2lyQSA2PhJXaMz9RXT7LhCjb12sQXVOvAWsYK8y5bQlTOv0A-qss0Vmzum65nkwhTR71QM8U97APW2FkK6rwEFFSKa-qtmYeXojWK3oqtnektzHiMJX7h_KbwGzXGqCrg/s400/trenta.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564707104738278082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 400px; " /></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-62579570122071577672011-01-15T23:28:00.006-05:002011-04-17T16:20:24.985-04:00Birthday Baked Alaska<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQkdAiKRuv9k8hlSJXkg0-gg65hxN_caJ8INHxY5urMbKWT-v2IpkRafbkFaWmbOnWEz76MEtYn5MsVmqs2e45j8af9EXqnB9CRIcnXGAw6kY8U7rTB_zHxkTQxyKq8b_OWC89Tn4HCs/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>When I was little I remember my father always citing Baked Alaska as his most favorite dessert. He brought it up semi-frequently, but I cannot remember us ever actually having it. It has been quite a few years since he has mentioned it, but for some reason that memory popped into my head this last year and I filed it away for my dad's birthday. In case you're unsure of what Baked Alaska is, it's a dessert with a cake base, topped with an ice cream dome, then covered in meringue and baked for a few minutes so that the ice cream is still frozen and the meringue is golden. It's unusual, delicious and not overly complicated - though a little time consuming. It's actually a perfect dessert to make ahead of time and then throw in the oven for a few minutes when you're ready to serve it.</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> </span>I knew it would be a really nice surprise, though I had a bit of anxiety about the execution and lack of kitchen at my parents' house. My dad's birthday is two days after Christmas, so this was perfect because it's so different and non-repetitive from usual holiday fare. Plus, let's face it - it sucks to have a birthday within a couple days of Christmas and we always try hard to make my dad's birthday special. While making a complex dessert like this that requires a couple days' worth of time for preparation is difficult to secretively do while you're in the same house as the person you're surprising, my mother and I pulled it off.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>A couple of days before I even asked what his favorite ice cream flavor is (maybe this is something I should have already known, but I didn't). His very definitive answer: Spumoni. For those of you who do not know, it's kind of like Neapolitan, but the flavors are chocolate, pistachio and cherry (typically). This made things <i>slightly </i>more complicated, because sponge cake is usually used for the cake layer and that just didn't seem like it would be the perfect pairing with the spumoni. But then a genius thought came to me: how about a brownie base - it would go well with the spumoni and the marshmallowy deliciousness of the meringue. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>Putting ice cream into a 500 degree oven is most definitely a little nerve wracking - but my dad was so surprised and touched at the personal nature of his surprise birthday desert that I only regret not thinking of this sooner. I was talking to my grandmother and apparently she used to make Baked Alaska when my dad was a kid, so I'm especially excited that I've brought back something of a family tradition. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qdc6HOPPlVvta10Qys7oWquxJmh49gBbws_bks9X95FgZhXDdIByV_Xu5ovHVa_8gvZbcHgdG7NXTrxL-GbMJeT3COcBN5GYwqSBSjb0-qDdbB-5oKXz8uYZqC_dD_vEkfUBxXMs418/s400/DSC_0056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562642137817275618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Baked Alaska</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Ingredients: </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">2 Cartons of Dreyer's Spumoni (or any other flavor)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 standard size pkg. brownie mix - made according to package directions in 8 inch or 9 in round cake pan</div><div style="text-align: left;">Non-stick spray</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>For the Meringue: </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">8 egg whites at room temperature</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/4 tsp. cream of tartar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup superfine sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1.5 tsps. vanilla extract</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Method: </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Before you begin, find a large bowl (around 3 quarts) that will work with your cake pan (the diameter needs to be about the same since the ice cream dome will be sitting on top of the brownie base. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3SbhycGKYXXzwyphhmeO3K8yOz_Kx5Ouhz6GjFoInxPSHiAtbzB9az92jVGvdw5JAd-9yehLOlf6OtHWXZEzYnE2Bq17fAhavR55quGHlZH5Ir2qdV1K5LJCc7geanApyfDWC6vRXHk/s400/DSC_0044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562651965641969570" style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Line said large bowl with plastic wrap and spritz very lightly with non-stick spray. After ice cream has sat out for ten minutes or more (it should be slightly melted) begin scooping it into the bowl. Alternate the different colors for a marbled effect. Pack the ice cream fairly densely and put back in the freezer. Freeze for at least four hours and up to 24 hours. </div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Bake the brownies according to package directions, then allow to cool. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGMUU4YRXscrFqdnY-9UOsgn8SO6ehyphenhyphenrWsYkRY3NpMIBmmbH9OPX6wijjRNv6fzYdoDaJc_JgRto68QEOJi3TJougOD7mkY7RAdLYwc4x35amzt8BR602cpBfFMEL79ejr99eLp206vU/s400/DSC_0037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562651959038704914" style="text-align: left;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">4. When brownies are cool, remove them from their pan and put them onto a large plate that can go into the oven. It will need to be fairly large - remember that you still need to put on the meringue on!</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Carefully remove the ice cream dome and place it on top of the brownie base. Put back into the freezer. </div><div style="text-align: left;">5. When eggs are at room temperature, crack them into a large bowl and add the cream of tartar. Use an electric mixer with a whisk attachment to beat the egg whites for two minutes on medium-high speed. Increase speed to high and then slowly pour in the sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Peaks are stiff when they stick straight up and don't bend, like so: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki2P_IkN8Va979kNNyCh_Kr8NXdgCg2ByKo4_mtP1V8yV9MyMoLY0Yhxbhhz6vFE0GDiypstAQ5_U6zZSBmNrbwLF5uO5OlOBqCdB3DDpASw8cEKzg-f-0Qh0Ddl1j7s9PggAFT41fR4/s400/DSC_0041.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562648649723178338" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">6. Remove the brownie and ice cream from the freezer. Cover the ice cream with meringue, starting from the top down. Try to keep the meringue even and thick - it's important for insulating the ice cream from hot oven! Use the back of a spoon to make peaks with the meringue. Freeze for at least four hours and up to two days. </div><div style="text-align: center;">7. When you're ready to serve the cake, heat the oven to 500 degrees. Put the cake into the oven for a few minutes and watch it closely! Meringue should be golden, it shouldn't take more than five minutes. Let the cake sit for a few minutes so that it will be easy to cut. Enjoy!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKq_-18LXrXlGcIg6IpsmEAd7sGSDh6hSdefTkGxY6_Cei3OchaaMmhTxn6Bc-_-yhFgaAhmlg9YWkqd6l_gEeMIaRm0x_3mNIIO31TgJlKVnMxReqT4ZT-TlUDB_7S_oXGTi_G24j4p4/s400/DSC_0054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562651974556756066" style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQkdAiKRuv9k8hlSJXkg0-gg65hxN_caJ8INHxY5urMbKWT-v2IpkRafbkFaWmbOnWEz76MEtYn5MsVmqs2e45j8af9EXqnB9CRIcnXGAw6kY8U7rTB_zHxkTQxyKq8b_OWC89Tn4HCs/s400/DSC_0059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562651982189970738" style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The Baked Alaska, Pre-Oven</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Post-annihilation :)</div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-17544653470776090022011-01-15T19:25:00.005-05:002011-01-15T19:47:23.473-05:00Monkey Bread<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Although the holidays have come and gone, the bone-chilling cold is still with us - yes, even us here in the sunshine state. Ok, our bones may be chilled a little more easily than all of you to our north, but still. I even spotted icicles hanging by the entrance to the law school the other day. I'm still new to this whole being-a-Floridian thing - but that seemed pretty significant. So, where ever you may be I hope the future holds a party with friends or a lazy day cuddled under the blankets munching away on one of these. I made two this holiday season - one for Christmas and one for a friend's party - and it's always a crowd pleaser.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This is super easy - I made it in my mother's "kitchen" (as pictured below).<br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjT1SWuIyFiCSZVEfCXD0LtDTpWgaDIkIhUpMDYyLuv0Ab6FKcw3_wzp8P_c3-FzGBBK3lOji6npdATbLN9Ra14UB6PlI-l6srjF7UE0CksizpLiKipBCQdHwRxbiU2Z-rOOO4xpZ4wM/s400/DSC_0200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562575590804880594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Monkey Bread</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Ingredients: </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3 10 oz. cans of refrigerator biscuits (go for the buttermilk - the flakey ones or the butter flavored ones don't quite work right)</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 tbsps. cinnamon</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 stick of butter</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup white sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup packed brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 cup pecans</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bundt Pan</div><div style="text-align: left;">Plastic bag</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2XOHwChhehYTOZV6iNLVx6MXI8uKmS08Bij7I-T5_PpQyBnsNESk7Wq6z-wPwZs6KUurAVoUCIP_PTNwqA2GwNJQuJbjTfXgqTgOjgo5RjV5K4UBbFVJydcv_QMRZ2UpMQAjkm50qE8/s400/DSC_0175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562575581956933010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Method: </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. In a gallon sized ziploc bag mix the sugar and cinnamon - shake to homogenize. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. Cut biscuits into quarters then put dough into the cinnamon sugar mixture and shake until coated. Do a couple biscuits at a time to keep from overcrowding. Layer the biscuit pieces in a greased bundt pan and intermittently sprinkle the nuts throughout. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4. When all of the biscuits are in the pan melt the butter and brown sugar in a saucepan. When melted, evenly pour the butter and brown sugar over the biscuits. Bake for about 45 minutes, until biscuits are golden and cooked through. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Note: It's kind of tricky to tell when the monkey bread is done, but the good news is that it's easy to pull a piece out and check! Let the monkey bread cool for at least 20 minutes, then turn over onto a plate to serve. It's best to just pull it apart instead of cutting pieces. Enjoy!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span> <div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-7760237073081564162010-12-30T21:48:00.005-05:002011-01-03T03:01:27.956-05:00Updates, updates, updates!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Well, hey there blog! Sorry that I have been so neglectful of you, I truly do feel like a terrible failure. Early December was filled with non-stop studying and finals, which was followed by several days of cleaning, doing laundry, packing and being giddy with the anticipation of getting back to Colorado for a few weeks. Naturally, when I'm home I love to cook lots of meals for my family - I guess it's my favorite way of saying, "I love you." And of course Christmas means lots of baking with my mother and sister. Unfortunately, that wasn't in the cards this year, as this is what my mother's kitchen looks like:<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh2DrIzhUJBZbirsnTFooSOi_ejECuL1YC9YZUtZMQbGkpkx1XKdcP6GCBjTt-sR8_JPRGnPh_Kvyp3z20BhPR-BVETub0zxo5WkU90HQ66dWDE6a2jhlt11VkiPdklZi_CyUAXpk-Y0/s400/DSC_0182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556675739996199138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-ctZ0G4OARXcQclyygKB0eDJ-OrAvkaYMA4f9Yl9CzlDtmvsbYWx_qIpbqeQUdopUoTtv7_dIzRkjYt_TpeWZgkdHLsAwtlcV7gI-CZid6Rbwz-8ZGTqCdWmcfsO5xU6bnkliMRw7_8/s400/DSC_0184.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556675747020258322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span> My parents had an addition put on their house and the rest of the construction is still going on, so currently my mother has only a a sink and a stove. The dishwasher has been unhooked for quite awhile and the refrigerator is sitting in the living room - it has kind of been like camping without the marshmallows or cheap beer. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I guess all of this is kind of my weak explanation for why I haven't really updated in awhile. Although the last few weeks have mostly entailed frozen pizza, grocery store sushi and eating out I have managed to do a fairly minute amount of baking, which means that I do have a few exciting recipes to share with you.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-35882489088305036982010-11-09T22:26:00.009-05:002010-11-14T16:11:22.347-05:00Super Belated Birthday Post<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So, I had a really awesome birthday, which I meant to blog about. Leon and and I somewhat spontaneously went to Atlanta for the weekend and it was a very welcome change of scenery. I'll let the pictures do the talking. Our main activities were the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Georgia Aquarium, both of which were amazing. I took a ridiculous amount of photos, so trimming it down to the favorites is difficult. I took 500 pictures at the botanical garden alone, which filled up my memory card and meant going back and selectively deleting quite a few pictures to take more. Being away from my family on holidays and my birthday is especially difficult, but getting out of town and having some alone time with Leon made for a very special day.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1K56Hq26YpnZfMLCzhN3pIEFny67xAhbiJ-fRbHbb7GpgoTUkzuxG1rFdRNlMzxLuGbbKcLiZCYMbn-WOLkid10dNvqvoVs55sMFQnXyy6i7DDnZp7J-yW-jQP60b3Nj62pJcDQTjBlw/s1600/DSC_0373.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdg7tVJSyQ-rSHVUo9o-6VIltIgTG9fQq0ehxfLcieFQcHqJQJPFs403CUWYTTl436-bydvMl1p3InPRtHbYAghibRKwOXxiWU8Mq7aF0t_bJ0FolHXNRvxMZELFFp19nyXkSe86kxTRY/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdg7tVJSyQ-rSHVUo9o-6VIltIgTG9fQq0ehxfLcieFQcHqJQJPFs403CUWYTTl436-bydvMl1p3InPRtHbYAghibRKwOXxiWU8Mq7aF0t_bJ0FolHXNRvxMZELFFp19nyXkSe86kxTRY/s400/DSC_0195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537788796848516610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I have, in the past, claimed that Tallahassee is basically </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>southern Georgia. Fairly quickly into our expedition,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I realized that this isn't true. There was a very southern feel, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and tons of cotton, which was really cool!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG7vQjh5iePO6EXKQOsVDL_Q-tuP-tRB9BBKCOR3sL-HAIfBa5C0OmOWFw3_UJ_HYV-oMrG1iOQ2iZQ-LSVEPNPQfJ7QPFcFh5Go0zPH5R6WR-fsHI4r4I5J7SmajgbODbTzj8iE5-pE/s1600/DSC_0335.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG7vQjh5iePO6EXKQOsVDL_Q-tuP-tRB9BBKCOR3sL-HAIfBa5C0OmOWFw3_UJ_HYV-oMrG1iOQ2iZQ-LSVEPNPQfJ7QPFcFh5Go0zPH5R6WR-fsHI4r4I5J7SmajgbODbTzj8iE5-pE/s400/DSC_0335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537788789489395474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKC2dTDoMNReHI40PtrN_mgomhOh5smKqi2xu4twtRclJmZf6RIevMDN9LqSXQTlx7S_ZEvr1hgSftuj79kNpEofi4q2ietF6vIIEPuo6V1fkKhfi9817FCZFKeRVTaoArTAapJVhilc/s1600/DSC_0227.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKC2dTDoMNReHI40PtrN_mgomhOh5smKqi2xu4twtRclJmZf6RIevMDN9LqSXQTlx7S_ZEvr1hgSftuj79kNpEofi4q2ietF6vIIEPuo6V1fkKhfi9817FCZFKeRVTaoArTAapJVhilc/s400/DSC_0227.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537788785936049570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>These vibrant jellyfish were almost too amazing for words.</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_ncHBAQboJn6Aaq8m877M6fBOfliv7QtMC6XmwN-zAC_AwKkmnU_j_KCNgDnzFl6NatDu9jLQ_CttmrAHs5ZHj5nKMiNaW18OAJPvjYSaEAeyC24eIm9Di8eSiKASHs57842aNkvWhg/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_ncHBAQboJn6Aaq8m877M6fBOfliv7QtMC6XmwN-zAC_AwKkmnU_j_KCNgDnzFl6NatDu9jLQ_CttmrAHs5ZHj5nKMiNaW18OAJPvjYSaEAeyC24eIm9Di8eSiKASHs57842aNkvWhg/s400/DSC_0085.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537788780685338434" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The whale shark at the Georgia Aquarium - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>these things are absolutely huge. So cool.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgYi-sTNOhG9SedNXn7lzOPQuLCtKAE4F9Ey-VyXsfaPcRKMRUgCRzv3ZRT7jmhLtbNW9zV74yUTyTin1yhTkC7US3RlvPBWjfMTsXdAPNIZu-hMdJzAh28XwxgTRz3sotFe1svBXBqg/s1600/DSC_0171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgYi-sTNOhG9SedNXn7lzOPQuLCtKAE4F9Ey-VyXsfaPcRKMRUgCRzv3ZRT7jmhLtbNW9zV74yUTyTin1yhTkC7US3RlvPBWjfMTsXdAPNIZu-hMdJzAh28XwxgTRz3sotFe1svBXBqg/s400/DSC_0171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537787029804631426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Sea dragons - a relative of the sea horse. Leon and I are still</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>trying to decide whether these were real or not.</i></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05il4wiPH5AhQLYwhK8S6Z6j4vExikTt3MoM1yKn3BXIZYMuPbCw29rC7uN-NGQrIbwB_KRc_oKjWyORWEx8dLZfpszx3e9M3pIVGL7Xkyhbanmz4B4e-YoTNwuaTNHNCNbv5BbOrAGE/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05il4wiPH5AhQLYwhK8S6Z6j4vExikTt3MoM1yKn3BXIZYMuPbCw29rC7uN-NGQrIbwB_KRc_oKjWyORWEx8dLZfpszx3e9M3pIVGL7Xkyhbanmz4B4e-YoTNwuaTNHNCNbv5BbOrAGE/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05il4wiPH5AhQLYwhK8S6Z6j4vExikTt3MoM1yKn3BXIZYMuPbCw29rC7uN-NGQrIbwB_KRc_oKjWyORWEx8dLZfpszx3e9M3pIVGL7Xkyhbanmz4B4e-YoTNwuaTNHNCNbv5BbOrAGE/s400/DSC_0065.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537786841043388354" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><i>Another shot of the whale shark</i></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1K56Hq26YpnZfMLCzhN3pIEFny67xAhbiJ-fRbHbb7GpgoTUkzuxG1rFdRNlMzxLuGbbKcLiZCYMbn-WOLkid10dNvqvoVs55sMFQnXyy6i7DDnZp7J-yW-jQP60b3Nj62pJcDQTjBlw/s400/DSC_0373.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537788797041671778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The longest escalator EVER. Probably only</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>interesting to me.</i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSHEbjvyYM21UIHMX0SLOrdZVMOzV7uM82zksgrs8WGjRrsbdAxZGbt6FKGmRxjobITVKE1SGj2ZHWzu6WzF4kbvK_BoSCb0i0D17eotyg0OC4VAoYdXy0xqdGZn9NJ-Jr7VFjOmW56o/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSHEbjvyYM21UIHMX0SLOrdZVMOzV7uM82zksgrs8WGjRrsbdAxZGbt6FKGmRxjobITVKE1SGj2ZHWzu6WzF4kbvK_BoSCb0i0D17eotyg0OC4VAoYdXy0xqdGZn9NJ-Jr7VFjOmW56o/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537786835192847010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hilarious sign at the Atlanta lightrail. We really appreciated that</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>vandalizing and assaulting the employees had to be</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>specifically forbidden.</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik62XQdx_klml9YjXlyp9gG7l2WiJtCV5hI-Tg1CM9c77eLfHMv9F9JoFMtCiLUVbL4flzxgWO5__plP6aFXRH8UdCL4eDUxrQ687fl79oMpkk2ensFV_HK51IpLQW2_ODWYz2e23BZ2E/s1600/DSC_1918.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik62XQdx_klml9YjXlyp9gG7l2WiJtCV5hI-Tg1CM9c77eLfHMv9F9JoFMtCiLUVbL4flzxgWO5__plP6aFXRH8UdCL4eDUxrQ687fl79oMpkk2ensFV_HK51IpLQW2_ODWYz2e23BZ2E/s400/DSC_1918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537786830835667522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The amazing water plants at the botanical garden.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I can't wait to go again when more things are in bloom. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8nXnZ001ZZPDJIpngLL9vN-2T6ZophHZy86ihrhWLzCUAJfOgV3gY9cKek_6fw1FsfqfT3_2KxBBfY-fxKAsNADSk5s4_KK9UgujLFbC7D3euix8rXQdRQ9ls_eqej9WQ213aS8cSCk/s1600/DSC_1767.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8nXnZ001ZZPDJIpngLL9vN-2T6ZophHZy86ihrhWLzCUAJfOgV3gY9cKek_6fw1FsfqfT3_2KxBBfY-fxKAsNADSk5s4_KK9UgujLFbC7D3euix8rXQdRQ9ls_eqej9WQ213aS8cSCk/s400/DSC_1767.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537786823633036914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I believe this qualifies as an orchid.</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrah_LMr4k3yYJ57iBkx2Jl8-ZIxyVWebxVNpIlGFr-l65tt0PT_8_960X72RmfMP_86H2KuzhrAf4CAVWeWrXNDHoYuX-LVsn9Ibk2SOogMwnv_RDcAn3xKMoNCSvuR7Zlx4W-Slsxs/s1600/DSC_1760.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrah_LMr4k3yYJ57iBkx2Jl8-ZIxyVWebxVNpIlGFr-l65tt0PT_8_960X72RmfMP_86H2KuzhrAf4CAVWeWrXNDHoYuX-LVsn9Ibk2SOogMwnv_RDcAn3xKMoNCSvuR7Zlx4W-Slsxs/s400/DSC_1760.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537786818830303346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I was especially obsessed with the pitcher plants - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>seriously, these things look like something out of Alice in Wonderland</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>or any other host of psychedelic children's programming.</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINvNg7wgeV_11dJjnLxUk6lW9qVVP0eMYaklE0Cik90WgJZTu6_jmCC00Am4pzFY2ZMUnL8915F6Vil_7y-kThnCLE0N277wYRVRel6uy-gdOxd4zQVUOCkD3MKv0gllrNeJvK7o2ZRk/s1600/DSC_1728.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINvNg7wgeV_11dJjnLxUk6lW9qVVP0eMYaklE0Cik90WgJZTu6_jmCC00Am4pzFY2ZMUnL8915F6Vil_7y-kThnCLE0N277wYRVRel6uy-gdOxd4zQVUOCkD3MKv0gllrNeJvK7o2ZRk/s400/DSC_1728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537785654812772834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>More amazing orchids.</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi2DIWNr2r20Z_TRJfiJnIYSB_ZJKnWvwXhRMvQXx_FYcssfzLLLIANeYuleDAXOXJF60AY2bPPGqsbrtDzWjSdJYOxnfgvqyn7ERFewjn9WkSDSgYEH3IeZwADrrLMtLgPSDtLxtrGY/s1600/DSC_1602.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi2DIWNr2r20Z_TRJfiJnIYSB_ZJKnWvwXhRMvQXx_FYcssfzLLLIANeYuleDAXOXJF60AY2bPPGqsbrtDzWjSdJYOxnfgvqyn7ERFewjn9WkSDSgYEH3IeZwADrrLMtLgPSDtLxtrGY/s400/DSC_1602.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537785656378560322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The bees were crazy - I don't think I've seen bumble bees before, they're huge!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>They were so fat that sometimes the plants there were resting on would start tipping!</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteTQ7Q4mHZZyxryKc-Ui78Mbk07FzUci-xmTBCh2GG5f7Vl9E7VaCOcswHI89aiplWahOHavsw2PmIdVLD4URpZeRap07v7EjDeTlXT6iz1VvEwV3LyT_Zml-ya8dq06Bn2YzxM-RvNU/s1600/DSC_1484.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteTQ7Q4mHZZyxryKc-Ui78Mbk07FzUci-xmTBCh2GG5f7Vl9E7VaCOcswHI89aiplWahOHavsw2PmIdVLD4URpZeRap07v7EjDeTlXT6iz1VvEwV3LyT_Zml-ya8dq06Bn2YzxM-RvNU/s400/DSC_1484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537785644656407570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Me, in front of the fountain with a Dale Chihuly sculpture on top. We match!</i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP32yIFOF6_76WLCFgmO0bfLQyOIPUqEnM6ybYN8v9Vj7soMs0PkycKwzo_JBJcAFyszJLPzqx0gtEZ6IZ3CXBy1vqDbat8rqHhrETs4TykmxqHStEE4Sj_BFQS-DPQ6-_RH83IQS0298/s1600/DSC_1411.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP32yIFOF6_76WLCFgmO0bfLQyOIPUqEnM6ybYN8v9Vj7soMs0PkycKwzo_JBJcAFyszJLPzqx0gtEZ6IZ3CXBy1vqDbat8rqHhrETs4TykmxqHStEE4Sj_BFQS-DPQ6-_RH83IQS0298/s400/DSC_1411.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537785632644986370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Like nothing I've ever seen.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmRme5QXS1NJiooIIhmEoDQ2KMp5myUjwL9PO3-v8Uk2rzLdLVNm-9kdQr_SO8Q-ZPPslxYdFwhTQ3XbEeCFROoBgvmbKc5uB57YVLNe9r3aYhytMP9B2S5_CiI0DstNlcYhLMnADx5c/s1600/DSC_1379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmRme5QXS1NJiooIIhmEoDQ2KMp5myUjwL9PO3-v8Uk2rzLdLVNm-9kdQr_SO8Q-ZPPslxYdFwhTQ3XbEeCFROoBgvmbKc5uB57YVLNe9r3aYhytMP9B2S5_CiI0DstNlcYhLMnADx5c/s400/DSC_1379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537785623715165778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The lone ladybug.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Ok, my intention was to pick like five of my favorite photos, but the fifteen or so here are still the </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">product </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; ">of major self restraint.</span></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-87310328990796479372010-11-09T21:32:00.005-05:002010-11-09T22:26:33.034-05:00Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops with Roasted Apples and Onions<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I'm very much in love with this recipe - mostly for the apples and onions. The combined flavors of the pork, apples and onions are amazing. Best of all, this is really quick and easy! I've also made this with pork tenderloin, which I prefer, but that's a rare delicacy around here. I adapted this from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/pork-tenderloin-with-roasted-apples-and-onions">Marta Stewart</a>.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The original recipe calls for maple syrup in the balsamic glaze, which is delicious, but I prefer honey. I have this great whipped cinnamon honey, which is perfect for this. But regular honey and a few sprinkles of cinnamon also works nicely.<br /><div><div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LPQF7SJJ1N4LkMRqWpqG5mY19QHt6e39ZoDJEPpKwp_63ppcBVxWInbmUkaj0TAGDkYZWutbl3hIWbiV8Aaj-cfbnt5r0Bdg-vsRYFGzW5Cjn0F-yo88ISfCJeE3dQJlQ7LwXd9eJDk/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537744476405969426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>That's a salad plate, folks - NOT the world's biggest pork chop.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><b>Pork Chops with Roasted Apples and Onions</b></div></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><i>Ingredients: </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>For the glaze:</i></div><div>1/2 cup balsamic vinegar</div><div>2 tbsps honey (or maple syrup)</div><div>1/2 tsp. cinnamon</div><div><br /></div><div>4 pork chops (or one pork tenderloin)</div><div>3 red apples (cored and sliced, wish skin)</div><div>1 medium red onion (cut in large slices)</div></div><div>Olive oil</div><div>Sea salt</div><div>Fresh cracked black pepper</div><div>Cinnamon</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oemdpWZ-E2Tm1csyzsTzBiKbUjuhajRtgRaxkSnh9AZwRsJnEr8doE9RCFHHCyI77spaTv-c4e54BdW0-CeB3-imDLxILa7YFLUjpayOC0YJvQQEwasUg7iSe8BdzW9ssWrCeLMA4Ms/s400/DSC_1351.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537756911402387986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Bubbly balsam</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Method:</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle pork chops or pork tenderloin with some salt and pepper. </div><div>2. On a large baking sheet toss the apples and onions with enough olive oil to coat. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper and add a sprinkle of cinnamon. When oven is preheated, put the apples and onions in. </div><div>3. Meanwhile, put the honey and balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan on medium-high heat, stirring frequently until reduced and syrupy. Be careful to not let the reduction get too syrupy and sticky or it won't spread evenly - it shouldn't need to reduce for more than five minutes.</div><div>4. Reserve a couple tablespoons of the balsamic syrup for drizzling. Brush pork chops with balsamic syrup and put in the oven, about ten minutes after you put in the apples and onions. Re-toss apples and onions to keep them from getting crispy.</div><div>5. The apples and onions should need a total of 15-20 minutes, until onions are tender and apples are at a lovely level of mushiness. The pork chops should need no more than 10 minutes. Monitor the apples and onions closely, it's easy for them to get overly crispy in the high temperature oven.</div><div>6. Let the pork chops rest for a few minutes, drizzle with the reserved balsamic syrup and serve.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkQznxKxksxUcZgTGjHuRZhMA3kjKRedZnqYIm5lCqkz7G4Fo43INRjs3MHh5irqYL7YBEoTydk4n1S6AcpjUth9769oYqObajl03_3c2h5KMzXkzPOersVPijbcFvaDvqVtrp_SCMOY/s400/DSC_1360.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537756917766532034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Seriously, make this.</i></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-70017362920961561152010-11-06T00:32:00.003-04:002010-11-06T01:12:31.740-04:00[Squashed] Roasted Butternut Squash<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Tallahassee has finally been overcome by some bone-chilling, fall appropriate temperatures. And by that I mean that it has finally gotten down to 60 degrees. I've definitely acclimated, because the other day it was around 60 degrees and raining and I was whining and proclaiming that I was going to freeze to death. The Coloradan in me is disgusted - when it's 60 degrees in Colorado people sometimes get excited that it's finally/still appropriate to wear flip flops and mini skirts. But I am excited to feel less fraudulent about making fall food. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Some of the best cold weather food is of the high calorie, comfort variety. But this is a great dish for fall that packs only 40 calories per half cup and packed with vitamins A and C. Tonight I made butternut squash for the first time, and it was super easy and delicious. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>[Squashed] Roasted Butternut Squash</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok, maybe I could have called this "mashed" butternut squash, but that just didn't seem as fun. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Ingredients:</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">1 butternut squash</div><div style="text-align: left;">2 tbsps butter or substitute (I used low fat Fleischmans)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1.5 tbsps brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: left;">Salt, to taste</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pepper, to taste</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cinnamon, to taste</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFbX1okg3L715SbWlcIFUWbpQS9bd_zn9G4Dj100-UgAbt9tHZUoaG2sLc8yr9bGhzKbAeKfInCKsUpypSIwOSINc5F2Tv2xJ9R4jNFsA0l7KL0jHbK7PiipCHgx34Eh86CgCKJagwBA/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The squash, post butter and brown sugar rub down.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Method: </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Preheat oven to 400 degrees.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>1. Wash the squash and cut it in half. I had to use my santoku knife, but a cleaver or something similar would be good. </div><div>2. Scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff - I used a fork, but I bet a grapefruit knife would really do it.</div><div>3. If the squash won't sit evenly, cut a piece off of the bottom and it will be stable. </div><div>4. Spread softened butter or substitute on each half. Liberally add salt and pepper, then rub 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar. </div><div>5. Roast for 25-30 minutes, until slightly browned and fork tender. </div><div>6. Scoop out the flesh into a medium sized bowl. Use a potato masher to get rid of any chunks and flavor with salt, pepper and cinnamon to taste. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0syc8RTgI-yQQGcIcHhVn-VDWPGQnIm2aqJl9PufvGU-ukeSdoX2XFRzAPd8-_7uMUnmKPeEkyTS_o7DKzja9Qt_xEGiza5A-FSYTufHGs1RHWQOb26z4gPjmRNSihfRzgeA37H-Us8/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Post-roasing, slightly browned a tender. Yum, yum.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJlmpxiCCTFnFxLD8pjWjSC_1Op_2yATXaj0xazGiuT7iWaFqD4Qnlv9v1kWZrAKY99z5xqBuvqaEEZmf5H5ifjsU3iopxU6QGzK1iYMVU4RWYZ4jwUXymcKzVtdyfOdrBOFnVVx-NB4/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The final product. Verdict: healthy and delicious</i></div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414955478454367263.post-57472321242717824712010-11-06T00:04:00.004-04:002010-11-08T23:23:48.223-05:00Time flies by<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Time goes by so fast that I can hardly reconcile it. I remember summer vacations that lasted an eternity, but now the days seem to pass more quickly than I can keep track of. I don't know if it's the nature of law school or my old age, but I never think "It's only Wednesday?" anymore. Anyhow, I wish I could update more, but I thought a quick capsule of the last week with highlights could be interesting - though maybe just to me. </div><br />Last Friday: Went to a Halloween Party. I had the idea of going as Don and Betty Draper of "Mad Men," but it was very last minute and Leon wasn't feeling it. I didn't put up a fight, but then I was curling my hair and saw the pearls I was planning to wear and got kind of bummed out. Leon reluctantly agreed, and I fashioned him a "Don after work" look that only required slacks, an white dress shirt with the top couple buttons undone and an undershirt with lipstick marks that certainly didn't match my shade - very scandalous, very Don Draper. I even brought cupcakes and my apron - a very '60s homemaker move.<br /><br /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmbbLqnHQ9KPu4oCm9FKPmDJIRkQWWXYneEVD8kMZTi6XMwxmIfcNeIWC7rUSBdKotdEJOllhiL9-KPNgo4waJJtdhZjqW3TpBLIZMdjBq7CKRl74ctReC_pXqJXXu-9nyS0i7SLTW3U/s400/Don-and-Betty-Draper.jpg" /></div><div><br />We went to a fun Halloween party thrown by one of Leon's old roomies then came home with hopes of catching "The Soup." But the long day caught up with me and I quickly passed out on the couch. I woke up hours later and found that Leon had taken up residence in the living room as well. Apparently he couldn't wake me up and didn't want to ditch me on the couch in case I was disoriented when I woke up. Very sweet, Don definitely wouldn't do that for Betty. I was super disappointed the next day when I realized that we never got a picture of our costumes, but I may go for it again next year and put more effort into the look.<br /><br />Saturday: Caught up on the Halloween episode of "The Office." Pam comes dressed as Popeye's Olive Oil, but Jim didn't dress up and no one knows who she is supposed to be. I express excitement and understanding, because I had the same conversation with Leon about why I couldn't go as Betty alone.<br /><br />Sunday: I realize that it's actually Halloween, but I feel Halloween-d out and spend the afternoon doing homework in the library.<br /><br />Tuesday: I experience a little bit of expected depression after spending a great deal of the day keeping up with the Midterm elections.<br /><br />Wednesday: I decide to be an upstanding law student and spend the late afternoon and early evening in the library with the promise of America's Next Top Model and a glass of wine for my efforts. I felt energized as a left the library, felt a little of that rare Fall spirit as the brisk outside air hit my face, and then felt really annoyed when I realized that the really loud music I was hearing was coming from a concert at the bar behind my apartment. Sigh. Thankfully a little bit of rain got them to wrap up early and I didn't feel overly accosted.<br /><br />Today: Leon is taking the MPRE tomorrow (the ethics exam you have to complete along with the bar exam to become an attorney) so I have been doing my part by watching "Say Yes to the Dress" and lots of HGTV to keep him from getting distracted :). I also made butternut squash for the first time - recipe to follow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Days and other items not accounted for were comprised of lots of school stuff so boring that it would make the rest of this look downright interesting. </div>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592468945340519684noreply@blogger.com0