Mouth of the South ~ Snippet and Ink
Friday, May 22, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Weekend in Pictures: I'm Such A Foodie!
I'm such a foodie! Or, at least, that's what Kristine wrote on my facebook wall as I posted about my culinary adventures.
This weekend was full of fun times and lots of food. Cooking has been my new thing as of late and I have to admit that I'm rather proud of myself and my lack of eating out.
Friday night was my big Twilight Party! Some of my girlfriends and I have really been into the books. I've read the first two and have taken a break to read another book that I'll elaborate more on in just a minute. So, to celebrate my first viewing of the movie, I decided to invite my Twilight friends over. Here's my lovely table scape with some ideas stolen from Hostess with the Mostess. Sandra Lee would be so proud!
We had vampire cupcakes - super easy to make PS, fresh strawberries from the road stand in Willow Springs, twizzlers and a couple of pies (thanks Angela!). The quotes in the picture frames are from the book/movie. The whole spread was easy and cheap. I think I spent about $20 in all. Imagine what kind of party I could throw if I was a rich girl and had an unlimited budget! Which, if I was a rich girl with an unlimited budget, I would so have a theatre room in my house.
As for the movie, it was okay. There were a lot of moments where those of us who had read the books would pick up on things that the ones who had not read the books wouldn't be able to pick up on. And, the special effects were pretty cheesy. Thank goodness Edward is a good lookin' vampire or we might not of made it! New Moon is the sequel and is due out in November. I'm hoping the budget is a little bigger on this one.
Saturday morning found me at the Farmer's Market in a downpour. While I was there, I picked up some more strawberries and made myself a yummy strawberry, goat cheese and grilled chicken salad with raspberry vinaigrette for lunch.
I mentioned above that I'm taking a break from the Twilight books and am reading something different. Well, the book I'm reading is called Julie and Julia. It's a true story about a girl who in 2002 decided to cook every recipe in Julia Child's Master the Art of French Cooking in one year. Julie had a blog going during her project and eventually turned it into a book and now, it's a movie (watch the trailer here) that is due out late summer. But, I'm really enjoying the book and have been inspired a bit to cook.
Being inspired and all, on Sunday afternoon I decided to give a recipe in The Biggest Loser Cookbook that I had been wanting to try a go. Szechuan Beef and Broccoli and it was quite good! I learned a couple of things for next time, like don't get the pan too hot because the garlic cooks super fast and use a little more broccoli since I love it, but for sure this one is going into my recipe book that I'm getting ready to compile.
Now, don't start getting jealous thinking my cooking adventures are all great and dandy because last night, they were not. Softball was cancelled so after a three mile jaunt around Lake Johnson with Kara, I headed home to make Gorgonzola Burgers with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce. You know, I've come to a realization that I don't care for any blue cheese much. They seem cool and sophisticated and really foodie to say, but all in all, I don't like them. Yea, I order a Gorgonzola walnut salad, but I really don't like it. And, the cucumbers were to be shredded and I don't have a shredder so we wound up with yogurt and dill with big clumps of cumber in it. The dish itself wasn't too much of a bust, but alas, this one will not make it into the aforementioned recipe book.
PS - Anybody want some leftover burgers?
This weekend was full of fun times and lots of food. Cooking has been my new thing as of late and I have to admit that I'm rather proud of myself and my lack of eating out.
Friday night was my big Twilight Party! Some of my girlfriends and I have really been into the books. I've read the first two and have taken a break to read another book that I'll elaborate more on in just a minute. So, to celebrate my first viewing of the movie, I decided to invite my Twilight friends over. Here's my lovely table scape with some ideas stolen from Hostess with the Mostess. Sandra Lee would be so proud!
We had vampire cupcakes - super easy to make PS, fresh strawberries from the road stand in Willow Springs, twizzlers and a couple of pies (thanks Angela!). The quotes in the picture frames are from the book/movie. The whole spread was easy and cheap. I think I spent about $20 in all. Imagine what kind of party I could throw if I was a rich girl and had an unlimited budget! Which, if I was a rich girl with an unlimited budget, I would so have a theatre room in my house.
As for the movie, it was okay. There were a lot of moments where those of us who had read the books would pick up on things that the ones who had not read the books wouldn't be able to pick up on. And, the special effects were pretty cheesy. Thank goodness Edward is a good lookin' vampire or we might not of made it! New Moon is the sequel and is due out in November. I'm hoping the budget is a little bigger on this one.
Saturday morning found me at the Farmer's Market in a downpour. While I was there, I picked up some more strawberries and made myself a yummy strawberry, goat cheese and grilled chicken salad with raspberry vinaigrette for lunch.
I mentioned above that I'm taking a break from the Twilight books and am reading something different. Well, the book I'm reading is called Julie and Julia. It's a true story about a girl who in 2002 decided to cook every recipe in Julia Child's Master the Art of French Cooking in one year. Julie had a blog going during her project and eventually turned it into a book and now, it's a movie (watch the trailer here) that is due out late summer. But, I'm really enjoying the book and have been inspired a bit to cook.
Being inspired and all, on Sunday afternoon I decided to give a recipe in The Biggest Loser Cookbook that I had been wanting to try a go. Szechuan Beef and Broccoli and it was quite good! I learned a couple of things for next time, like don't get the pan too hot because the garlic cooks super fast and use a little more broccoli since I love it, but for sure this one is going into my recipe book that I'm getting ready to compile.
Now, don't start getting jealous thinking my cooking adventures are all great and dandy because last night, they were not. Softball was cancelled so after a three mile jaunt around Lake Johnson with Kara, I headed home to make Gorgonzola Burgers with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce. You know, I've come to a realization that I don't care for any blue cheese much. They seem cool and sophisticated and really foodie to say, but all in all, I don't like them. Yea, I order a Gorgonzola walnut salad, but I really don't like it. And, the cucumbers were to be shredded and I don't have a shredder so we wound up with yogurt and dill with big clumps of cumber in it. The dish itself wasn't too much of a bust, but alas, this one will not make it into the aforementioned recipe book.
PS - Anybody want some leftover burgers?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Dance Moves That Rock
I hope you had a weekend as good as this kid. Mine was full of good times, but I left my camera cord at home so you'll have to hold out one more day. Please enjoy this video while you wait.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Go Tar-ah!
My mom, sisters and I have an obsession with The Biggest Loser and tonight is the not one, not two, but three hour finale!
If you're not up to speed, here's the deal. There are four contestants left: Ron and Mike (brown team), Helen (pink team) and Tara (green team). Ron and Mike have played dirty all season long with alliances and stabbed poor Kristin in the back something horrible. Tar-ah (as Jillian says it) has been my girl from the start. Last week, when the final four weighed in, Ron and Mike were both below the yellow line and America is voting for who makes it to the final three. Hopefully, the rest of America is ticked off with these two and voted to put Ron in the final three as Mike is Tara's biggest threat. Man, I hope so!
Anywho, I was planning on cooking something yummy out of The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook to celebrate, however, I wound up with a working lunch today that was pretty big so maybe I'll just have a ham sandwich. Yea, and if I do that, I would have time to go for a quick run before the show comes on and try to be my own big loser! Yea, there I go! That's what I'll do!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Chow Time: Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avacado Salsa
My favorite food is Mexican (probably because it contains all things cheesy and gooey and yummy) and I was excited to find this recipe for Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avacado Salsa in Cooking Light, which btw, has become my new vice.
So, I head over to Kara's after a Sunday afternoon of Ultimate to grill the chicken and try this recipe. Hands down, one of the best things I've ever eaten! The salsa with the chicken was so delicious and the saffron rice was a perfect side dish.
This one's going to become a staple! You gotta try it!
So, I head over to Kara's after a Sunday afternoon of Ultimate to grill the chicken and try this recipe. Hands down, one of the best things I've ever eaten! The salsa with the chicken was so delicious and the saffron rice was a perfect side dish.
This one's going to become a staple! You gotta try it!
Lessons in Grocery Shopping
You've all been reading about my get healthy intiative. Currently, we're sitting in week seven and I am stuck in a plateau. I've lost five pounds and can't get over the hump. And, one of my weight lost buddies has lost 11 pounds which while I'm excited for her, it makes me a little grumpy with myself.
So, Saturday, I sat down and planned out my meals for the week. And, surprise, surprise, it only took 45 minutes, not 4-EVA like I was expecting. And, then, I was off to the grocer where lessons were learned.
Lesson #1 - You will walk past the small cans of diced black olives five hundred times before breaking down and asking an associate who will look at you and say, "um, they're behind you."
Lesson #2 - Going to the farmer's market is not only an adventure and more exciting than the grocery produce section, but it's also a lot more CHEAPER.
Lesson #3 - When going shopping for bulk items, the Teeter is probably not the best option as it's expensive compared to the Lion.
But, never-the-less, there she sits in all her glory! My cart full of a week's worth of healthy, yummy, get skinny food items!
So, Saturday, I sat down and planned out my meals for the week. And, surprise, surprise, it only took 45 minutes, not 4-EVA like I was expecting. And, then, I was off to the grocer where lessons were learned.
Lesson #1 - You will walk past the small cans of diced black olives five hundred times before breaking down and asking an associate who will look at you and say, "um, they're behind you."
Lesson #2 - Going to the farmer's market is not only an adventure and more exciting than the grocery produce section, but it's also a lot more CHEAPER.
Lesson #3 - When going shopping for bulk items, the Teeter is probably not the best option as it's expensive compared to the Lion.
But, never-the-less, there she sits in all her glory! My cart full of a week's worth of healthy, yummy, get skinny food items!
Now, that I have all these groceries, it's time to cook something! For those who might remember from a few post back, I'm not really all that versed when it comes to cooking. But, I'm gonna learn dagum it!
*I apologize for the grainy crap-ola pictures. Camera phone. You understand.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)