Is that an herb I see!?

I DID IT!

I'm straight up bragging now.  I. GREW. SOMETHING!  And from a seed no less!  We came home on Friday night and lo and behold, my little plants had sprung to life while we were at work.

I may or may not have done a happy dance.

They are a long way from harvest but I am so proud of my little green babies.  Hopefully my good luck streak won't run out before they are fully grown.  In the meantime, here is some photographic evidence that I can, in fact, grow something.  WOO!

Fresh Pea and Chive Ravioli

Mark says he hates peas.

His grievances with the tiny vegetable abound although their propensity to roll around the plate and their "lack of taste" are the top two.  Naturally that means I want to break him of the hate.  Not shockingly, I love peas.  In fact, I haven't really met a vegetable I don't like.  This has been the case my whole life.  My parents had to make me eat my meat/protein .. not my veggies. 

So the need to change Mark's mind was the inspiration for this dish.  I wanted to present it in a different way to him; in a no-need-to-chase-around-the-plate way.  Fresh peas are the best but frozen peas work here to.  This is also a great base recipe.  All you need to do is learn the technique and then the sky is the limit.  Here we go:

Ingredients:
1 package wonton wrappers (the size is your preference, mine were about 2.5")
1 cup ricotta
1 1/2 cup peas
2 tbsp chives, minced + 1 tsp for garnish
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder


Directions:
1.  In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add salt.  Blanche the peas in the water for 2-3 minutes.  (If they are fresh peas, this will slightly cook them.  If they are frozen peas, this will defrost them.)  Put 1/4 cup of peas aside for garnish.
2.  In a small food processor, add ricotta, 2 tbsp chives, 1 1/4 cup peas and spices.  Blend until well combined.
3.  Place one wonton wrapper on a clean, dry surface.  Place a small amount in the center of the wrapper.  I used about 1 1/2 tbsp.)

 4.  Brush a small amount of water around all four edges of the wrapper.  Place a second wrapper on top and seal.  Make sure to press around the edge of the filling to remove as much excess air as possible.  With a fork, crimp the edges to ensure they don't come apart.
5.  Working in small batches and using the same water you blanched the peas in, cook the ravioli for about 3 minutes.  Place them on a plate in single layers, with wax paper in between, while you cook the rest of them.
(Note:  If you are preparing this for company or simply want to make ahead, stop at this point, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready.)

The ravioli are technically ready to eat.  If you want to stop here, just drizzle them with some olive oil and sprinkle the remaining peas and chives on top for garnish.  If you want to go one step further to develop a little more flavor like I did, continue to the next step:

6.  In a large non-stick pan, add a little olive oil to the pan over medium-high heat and sear both sides of the ravioli.  This develops a light brown color and deepens the flavor.  You could also brown them in the oven.

Now you're ready to eat!  Just plate them and serve!  Mark and I both LOVED this variation on the simple pea.  I will most likely be making this for my next vegetarian-skeptic guests.  They are delicious and easy to make.  I will also absolutely make them in advance and keep them at the ready.  Then you will have dinner on the table in less than 15 minutes which leaves you more time to mingle!  Just serve with a side (preferably one that is not green! ;)) 

Needless to say, Mark no longer hates peas.

Cataloging Christmas Cards

I LOVE getting photo cards during the Christmas season.  I prop them around and they put a huge smile on my face.  What I don't love is having to deal with a ton of differently-sized loose photos after the season is over. 

I am not one for keeping cards.  I like them and all but I guess I am just not that sentimental.  For instance, if you send Mark or I birthday cards, they are displayed for the month of the birthday and then they are tossed.  Sorry.

Christmas cards are the exception.  More thought is behind them and it's great seeing families evolve over the years, especially the ones with kids.  It's a great way to share a little bit of your family with the ones you may not get to see all that often.

With that being said, my goal was to come up with a way that pleased by OCD side (i.e. I can't handle clutter and must throw everything away) while appeasing my ever-so-slight sentimental side (i.e. how fun would it be to look back and see how everyone has changed?) 

My solution?  I make a photo album.

If you like the idea, there are several ways you can go about doing it.  The old school (and just as nice) way is to buy a blank album, get colorful paper and creative scissors and glue the photos to the page.  Those albums are great but, personally, I don't have the attention span.  I also don't have all the materials so it would be a hassle for me to go out a purchase them.

What I do have is a computer and scanner.  I use Shutterfly and iPhoto but there are a ton of different programs out there.  Basically I take everyone's card, scan them into the computer and assemble a photo book online.  Each year, for about $15 and a little bit of my time, I can make a keepsake of everyone's card and have them neatly in one place.  I also like the photobook idea because they keep longer and they become seasonal coffeetable books.  They are a good time had by all.


Please note that, in my experience, I have had to use Photoshop in a few instances due to how certain cards scan.  This may vary on your scanner and cards but because the photos need to be very high quality, you need to double check each one before assembling your book to ensure they aren't grainy.


Do you keep your photo cards?  Do you have a way of storing them?  Do you make photo books for other occasions, like documenting vacations?

Review: My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto

My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto by Jen Lancaster

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



My Fair Lazy is Jennifer Lancaster a la Eliza Doolittle. The book takes us through Ms. Lancaster's own "Jenaissance" as she discovers what it means to get a little class and polish. The book follows her usual wit, sarcasam and pop culture references. If you have enjoyed Lancaster in the past, this adventure will be no exception.



View all my reviews

Beyonce's on the Move

As previously mentioned, I received a cat named Beyonce.  I knew that she was not mine permanently but I wasn't sure when or how I would give her back.

Then it dawned on me.

Rebecca went out of town the week after Christmas to visit her dad.  I knew that this was my chance to sneak Beyonce back into her apartment.  I called her roommate and he let me in.  Then the task became 'where am I going to put it!?'

If any of you have lived in an apartment then you know what I mean.  They are usually fairly efficient and hiding places are limited .. especially for five-foot cats.  Also, considering the fact that the apartment is shared, that pretty much left me with just her bedroom to work with.

The following suggestions were made:

~ Stick it in her bed.  Unfortunately this wouldn't work because her bedding lays flat and it would be obvious.  Besides, I would hate for to do dump her luggage or something on the bed and injure it.

~ Place it in the closet.  Because of the closet system there wasn't really the room.  Also, her closet doors weren't closed when she left so if she came home and all of a sudden they were, that would be suspicious.

~ The runner-up idea was to place it behind her bedroom door.  It was already open and so it would have been a great idea.  When she came home she would close her door and bam! there would be a cat there given her the stink eye.


Can you guess the theme?  The idea, OF COURSE, was to scare the crap out of her. haha .. I'm so loving. :)

Finally the winning location was decided and it was this:

scrub-a-dub-dub, mofo :)

The shower!  Her shower curtain was closed and it was peeeeerfect.  I took two of her towels to enhance the theme a little bit and to give Ms. Beyonce a little protection in case a certain bleary-eyed friend decided to turn on the water without looking first.  I then closed the curtain back and made sure everything looked untouched.  She may find the towels missing but that will only lead to a sooner discovery.

I will no doubt be receiving a text very soon .. and most likely an uphappy one at that.

GAME ON!

Let Us Keep to the Point

During dinner last night, Mark and I began discussing resolutions and the things we are looking forward to in 2012.  As it always does these days, starting a family entered into the conversation.  I mentioned in my New Years Resolutions 2012 post that we were waiting .. but it was unclear on what we were waiting for.  Well Mark announced that we would be ready once he got his new car ... which could happen any time although it probably won't be for another month or so.

Have you ever heard the saying "If you are unsure where you stand on an issue, just flip a coin.  You will then immediately know."?  I think there is a lot of truth in that.  The second that coin is in the air you will start wishing for either heads or tails.  Well with the declaration that the waiting would be over in a couple months, Mark flipped the proverbial coin.  I realized I was wishing for the opposite side.

He busted out laughing because, apparently, there may or may not have been a look of fear on my face.  It's true though.  The thought terrifies me.  I LOVE thinking about being pregnant and starting a family and I certainly have lots of theories that need testing .. but when it comes down to actually being in those shoes .. I'm all talk.  I just get this overwhelming fear of failing.  I've spent my whole life hedging my bets and "dipping my toe" into situations before diving in that blindly jumping is completely off my radar.  This goes to show there is a fundamental flaw in my walk with God.

I truly believe that we are never given more than we can handle.  I also believe that He has perfect timing.  But actions speak louder than words and my actions have proven I don't practice what I preach.  I've subconsciously known for a long time that pregnancy was going to be a make it or break it experience for me.  For a control freak like myself it is the ultimate in "giving it up".  I have to completely surrender.  I don't have a choice.  He will make me and it won't be pretty.  I would rather go of my own free will.  I have to get my head out of the sand.

Mark has a daily devotional book called My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.  When we got home from dinner he sat down to read it.  After he finished January 1st he came to find me and told me to read it.  It's crazy how blatant God can be when he meets us where we are. This is what the passage said:

"...my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death"  ~ Philippians 1:20

My Utmost for His Highest.  "...my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed..."  We will all feel very much ashamed if we do not yield to Jesus the areas of our lives He has asked us to yield to Him.  It's as if Paul were saying, "My determined purpose is to be my utmost for His highest--my best for His glory."  To reach that level of determination is a matter of the will, not of debate or of reasoning.  It is absolute and irrevocable surrender of will at that point.  An undue amount of thought and consideration for ourselves is what keeps us from making that decision, although we cover it up with the pretense that it is others we are considering.  When we think seriously about what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He doesn't know what our obedience will mean.  Keep to the point--He does know.  Shut out every other thought and keep yourself before God in this one thing only--my utmost for His highest.  I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for His and Him alone.


My  Unstoppable Determination for His Holiness.  "Whether it means life or death--it makes no difference!" (see1:21).  Paul was determined that nothing would stop him from doing exactly what God wanted.  But before we choose to follow God's will, a crisis must develop in our lives.  This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God's gentler nudges.  He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him and we begin to debate.  He then providentially produces a crisis where we have to decide--for or against.  That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives.  If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably.


Needless to say that left me a little speechless and gave me a LOT to think about.

New Years Resolutions 2012

There are those of us that make New Year's resolutions and there are those of us that don't.  Some take them very seriously and some don't.  I'm kind of in between.  I think that change can happen any day of the week and I don't believe that there is something overly special about January 1st that makes it 'life changing'.  On the other hand, there is a sense of getting a fresh start and that is the part that is intriguing.  It's that little push of motivation that can make all the difference.

So without further ado, here is my list of "things I will seriously consider" for 2012:

1.  Continue veggie living.  I became a vegetarian in 2011 and I love it.  It wasn't for any political or social reason.  I just wanted to be healthier and I never really cared for meat anyway.  In 2012, I hope to continue the lifestyle and possibly further adjust the parameters.  We will see how it goes.

2.  Get healthier.  I'm being vague about this for a reason. So many people make a resolution like "I'm going to lose 30 lbs" and although I certainly can stand to lose weight, I think "health" has to do with a lot more than just the number on the scale.  Although I do plan on losing some weight, I also plan on moving more, learning about organic/whole foods, sleeping more, laughing more, reducing stress, being outside/getting more fresh air and just becoming a better me.  Like I said.  It's more than just the number on the scale.

3.  Potentially .. maybe .. seriously consider starting a family.  Baby fever just isn't going away.  Mark and I are waiting .... but we don't quite know what we are waiting for any more.  This year will be the year where we really dig deep and find out what we want and if expanding our family is it.  We are young and there is no rush but we don't want to wait around forever.

4.  Seek balance.  See number two.  This is actually part of getting healthier.  I need to find balance and make sure I am spending my time wisely.  I need to be more relaxed and let go of some things.  On the flipside it wouldn't hurt to buckle down and be more diligent about others.

5.  Be a better wife.  I'm thankful to say that Mark and I have a great marriage.  That's not to say we are perfectly perfect all the time.  I want to strive in 2012 to always seek to be uplifting and supportive; to be respectful and listen.  This also applies to other family members and close friends.  The ones that love us unconditionally are usually the ones we badger the most.  Just because I have a stressful day doesn't mean I need to bombard Mark with it.  If Mark wants to talk then I need to quietly listen and not interrupt him a million times because I.have.something.to.say.and.I.have.to.say.it.right.this.second. 

What are your resolutions?  Do you believe in them whole-heartedly or do you just do it for fun? 

Jesus Calling: December 31st

Today's excerpt from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:

As this year draws to a close, receive My Peace.  This is still your deepest need, and I, your Prince of Peace, long to pour Myself into your neediness.  My abundance and your emptiness are a perfect match.  I designed you to have no sufficiency of your own.  I created you as a jar of clay, set apart for sacred use.  I want you to be filled with My very Being, permeated through and through with Peace.

Thank Me for My peaceful Presence, regardless of your feelings.  Whisper My Name in loving tenderness.  My Peace, which lives continually in your spirit, will gradually work its way through your entire being.




For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ~ Isaiah 9:6

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7


But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world fives.  So not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  ~ John 14:36-27

Beyonce ... the Cat?

During the first year that we lived in our house, Mark and I had a very bad experience with a door-to-door vacuum salesman.  It was a horrible situation that basically consisted of him insulting me to my face and refusing to leave.  An HOUR AND A HALF later we got him out (after threats of calling the police) and now the short of it is this:  I refuse to answer the front door.

If I know you are coming, or if we are having a party or something, then of course I will open the door. But if I don't? No way.  What typically happens is this: if Mark is home then I go find him and whisper "someone is at the front door" (as if they can hear me from across the house and through the wall) and he gets up and answers it.  If he is not home then I become the ultimate ninja and sneak around to spy on the intruder while Merlin looks at me like I have lost my mind (and wondering why I won't let the stranger inside to pet him). 

Psycho? Yes. Am I going to change? Nope.

OK so I need you to picture this:  A few weeks before Christmas, on a random weeknight, I am sitting in our office at the computer.  I am in pajamas, no makeup, and generally looking like a hot mess.  Mark is in the living room watching some sort of boy TV while Merlin, as always, does everything possible to insure he is being continuously doted upon.

All of a sudden the doorbell rings.

The TV is muted.

Mark walks to the front door (which is in direct line-sight of the office) and looks at me.  I shrug because we aren't expecting anyone.  He shrugs back and proceeds to answer the ring.

He unlocks the deadbolt.

He unlocks the door.

I watch him as he slowly opens the front door and peers out.  He is completely silent and stands there for about three seconds and then slowly closes the door again.  He pauses for a moment and then reaches up and deadbolts the door.  He turns and gives me the strangest look and then proceeds to TIPTOE (!?) into the guest room to look out the window because it has the best view of the front of the house.

I proceed to flip.the.heck.out ... silently.

My internal dialogue went something like this:  "WHAT THE ****!?  If Mark is acting suspicious this is NOT COOL.  Oh crap the blinds in the office are open! :: leans closer to the wall to hide behind the giant computer screen ::  Where is Mark!? Why isn't he back yet!?  I do not want to get up or yell his name to find out what's going on because I don't want whoever is out there to hear me! What if they-"

About this time Mark emerges (still sneaking) from the guest room and motions for me to get up from the desk.  I shake my head.  Um, no, kthanks. 

He's back at the front door and in a full volume voice he says "Jessie, I think there is something you need to see.  There is a, um, cat at the front door."

.

.

.

I am going to need to pause for a moment and have you go to the following blog post by The Bloggess entitled 'And That's Why You Should Learn to Pick Your Battles' (it should open in a new window). It is in my top 5 of the funniest things on the web.  I'll wait until you get back.

.

.

.

No .. seriously .. go to the link .. you have to read it for the rest of this to even begin to make sense.

.

.

.

So I slowly get up from the desk with images of mass murders dressed as Dr. Seuss in my head.  Mark has the strangest expression on his face and I am still being as quiet as possible.  When I get to the front door I stand on my tiptoes and peer out the peephole.  And this is what I see:

After a millisecond heart attack and a couple hard blinks, it registers.  I swing open the front door and proclaim "Beyonce!".  The offenders my best friend and her boyfriend immediately run around from the side of the house and Rebecca and I burst into laughter. 

Earlier in the evening, while perusing Pier 1 Imports, Rebecca and Jeff happened upon a giant hand carved wooden cat.  Seeing as we share the same humor, Rebecca's mind immediately went to Beyonce the giant metal chicken and that made it impossible not to buy said giant hand carved wooden cat. duh! ;)

So the purchase was made and the scheme was planned and NOW there is a giant cat at my door.  To get the full perspective of what I am talking about when I say giant wooden cat .. here are the mug shots:

note the height of the peep hole vs. the cat.

go to your front door if you need clarification of height.

This thing is so tall!  After the laughing died down and we got the deadweight inside, the issue became "where in the world am I going to put it!?"  It needed to go somewhere out of the way and, although our style could be considered slightly eclectic, it is definitely more Pottery Barn/West Elm vs. African Art/World Traveler/Tapestries.  I knew it wasn't a permanent resident but the location mattered.

At first I tried hiding it:

behind a curtain, perhaps?

And then I thought it would be funny if we stuck it somewhere that might make people jump:




Around the corner in the stairwell ..

 But neither of those locations really seemed "it".  Since it was Christmas, and the cat was gifted as part joke, part holiday fun, I decided on the perfect spot:




It's like "Where's Waldo" but with a giant cat instead.

And so there Beyonce remains; peeking out from behind the tree to observe and judge.  I'll admit it is an ugly, creepy statue but it is kind of growing on me.  When Rebecca and I initially joked about "totally needing a Beyonce", a small paperweight metal chicken is what I had in mind.  I should have known better.

So there you go.  From my wonderfully twisted sense of humor to yours.  Merry Christmas :)

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes

I'm obsessed with scarfs.  I wear them all the time (and maybe my green one more than most).  I typically alternate between 3 different ways of tying them.  I came across this video that showcases 25 different ways to wear a scarf in 4.5 minutes.  I think this is a GREAT tutorial if you, like me, are looking to switch it up a bit.  My favorite is probably the Magic Trick (at 2:36) but they are all great!  Check it out!!

Is that dirt on your hands?!

I have the exact opposite of a green thumb. It's called a brown thumb and it's for real. I can kill a plant just by looking at it sideways. The most impressive part of me having no gardening skills is that I come from a mother and a grandmother that can resurrect even the deadest of plants. Seriously! You think it's a goner? Nope. Just give them a couple weeks and they will have it back to new. Want more of what you have? They will slice and dice the root ball and make you as many clones as you want. And orchids? Supposedly the hardest flowers to grow? Piece of cake. Unfortunately, I simply did not inherit those skills. I have had to come to terms with this reality over the years.

Fun Fact #1: It is well-known that I kill plants and so people don't bother giving them to me. A coworker even gifted me a plastic flower because she knew better. By all means, you are welcome to give me cut flowers but don't give me anything that is supposed to last. And if you do, don't have hurt feelings if it doesn't.

With that being said, for our wedding, Mark's grandmother gifted us a potted plant that had been hers for YEARS. Mark's late grandfather had built a stand for it (which was part of the gift) and it was this really special thing.

 I promptly told her no thanks.

haha that may sound completely rude (and I certainly explained my reasoning to her) but the idea of taking in this special family heirloom totally freaked me out. It was too much pressure! Grandmother S simply shook her head, informed me I had no choice and assured me I wouldn't kill it. (I love that woman :)) Four years later I am proud to say it is still alive. I will also admit that it is to no credit of my own. Mark keeps it watered and even divided the root ball because it seemed to be getting bound. I'm not convinced it is all that healthy (I am assured otherwise but I still have my doubts) but it is alive and that's all that matters.

Fun fact #2: The first Christmas after we were married, Grandmother S gave me one of those "as seen on TV" glass-blown watering things. You know, the one where you fill it up and just stick it upside down in the plant and it self-waters. I was ever thankful of a) her sense of humor and b) that I really intended on using it!

So needless to say, when I popped up a couple days ago and announced to Mark that I wanted an herb garden, he was a little surprised. We have a rather deep windowsill over our kitchen sink and it is quite perfect for holding such an arrangement. This isn't the first time the idea has been talked about but I always miffed at it because it seemed like a waste. Over the past year, though, our usage of fresh herbs has increased so it's about time I started trying to cultivate my own. Mark is (as always) enthusiastic.

One Lowe's trip later and this is the result:



evidence


We chose parsley, basil and thyme because those are the ones we use most often in fresh form. My intention was to start with baby plants so I didn't have to root seeds but I could only find basil that looked healthy enough. The parsley and thyme plants will have to be started from scratch.

I am sure that if I really took the time to learn how to care for plants I would be fine. I either water too much or not enough and I simply lack the affection for it. I truly believe gardening has to be something you enjoy and not just a chore if you are to be good at it. I can't think of anything I would like to do less than come home after a long day at work and dig in dirt. That is just not my cup of tea.

I'm really excited to see if this works. I've never planted seeds and watched them grow before (haha at least not literally. (yes bad joke I know)). The packet said it will take 14-21 days before we see anything. With the plants being in the kitchen window, and with Mark and I watching them so closely, I think they will have a fighting chance. I will surely keep you updated on 'Sprout Watch 2012'.


Have you had any misadventures of the brown-thumbed? Do you grow your own herbs? Do you find it to be difficult or easy? Do you have any advice for the complete novice?

Merry Christmas!

Today was a wonderful day full of coffee, gifts and family.  I hope your day was as wonderful as mine!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Review: The Witching Hour

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Let me start by saying this was my first Anne Rice experience. It won't be my last.

I actually finished this book a couple weeks ago and I have been letting it soak in. You know how someone will describe a plot as 'unfolding'? I always figured I knew what they meant but I really didn't know the extent of it. This story true unfolded. Had you told me the author was going to spend almost 100 pages setting up the story I wouldn't have even picked up the book. I don't have that kind of patience. But, alas, Ms. Rice spent a very large portion of this story giving you the background. The thing is, it didn't feel like that. I didn't feel like I just wanted her to "hurry up and get to the good stuff" because the set-up was so interesting.

I wanted to give this book five stars. It was intricately woven and, although quite a tome, never felt overly verbose. The reason I had to knock off a star was simply because I didn't like the end. Everything was going swimmingly and then, within the last 15 pages or so, the main character did something that I thought was incongruent with her personality. It just didn't fit and it rubbed me the wrong way. I went ahead and read spoilers on the second book so I now see where it's headed.

This minute glitch is not enough to keep me from Rice's other works. Her writing is too captivating and her worlds too inviting not to revisit. I intend to read the second and third installment of this series but it might take a while before I am ready for more of this particular brand of crazy.



View all my reviews

The Art of Hospital Corners

Ever heard the saying "it's the little things in life"? Well that is very true for me. Getting all greens on the way to work, making the perfect cup of coffee, 70-degree blue skies, etc. I get a lot of joy out of the details. One of the things I love is a freshly made bed. I always sleep so much better when the sheets are perfect.

Although that previous paragraph is entirely true and sounds extra Martha Stewart-ish .. please don't get me wrong. I never get all greens. I tend to drink slightly-less-than-perfect coffee. I'm always stuck in my cubicle on those 70-degree days. And my bed?

I'm going to be really honest with you:  I have always been taught you should wash your sheets once a week. Yeah, this doesn't happen. I'm lucky I get all of our laundry done and put away once a week .. and there is only two of us! I just DO NOT like laundry. I will wash it all day long but I hate putting it away. So seeing as clothes are far more important than sheets, I always save the sheets for last.  If I have the energy and that time .. they get washed.  If I don't .. they don't.  With that being said .. I average 1-2 times per month.  I'm sorry if that grosses some of you out.  We shower regularly and work desk jobs.  I just don't feel like it's all that bad.

Seeing as how I just admitted to you how non-Martha-ish I am, I'm going to let you in on one of my little secrets.  Sometimes if you just take the extra time to do something really well and thoroughly .. the results last a lot longer and you have to do it less often.  I will gladly spend an extra 3-5 minutes on the following task if it gives me an extra week or two of laziness.  The task I am referring to is making the bed.

The trigger for "omg I need to change these sheets NOW" is when they just start to get all rumpled and out of sorts.  I "make the bed" every day but straightening the sheets is far different from remaking it from scratch (which you obviously only do when you replace the linens.)  I've learned that if I do really well the first time then the non-rumpled feeling lasts longer.  So if you are even slightly like me and want to know how to keep a bed fresh-feeling longer.  Here's is a how-to guide on the art of hospital corners:



1. Spread the flat sheet out on the mattress that already has the fitted sheet on the bottom and center it. Place the top end of the sheet about 1 inch from the edge of the mattress at the head of the bed.

2. At the foot of the bed, lift the mattress and pull the top sheet snugly under the mattress. Do this at both sides of the bed so that the top sheet is firmly tucked under the mattress.

3. "Eyeball" a line from the corner of the mattress to the side edge of the sheet that is hanging down. This imaginary line should be at about a 45 degree angle.

4. . Using this imaginary line pick up the edge of the sheet at the "sweet spot". This will be the only spot where you pick up the sheet from now on.

5. Fold the sheet back over the mattress. It helps if you put your free hand on the edge of the mattress and fold the sheet over it.

6. Tuck in the sheet on the side of the bed that is hanging below the mattress. It should look like a little triangle and that is what gets tucked under the mattress.

7. Pick up the edge of the sheet again, right on the "sweet spot". Put your free hand on the side of the mattress this time. Bring the sheet down over your hand.

8. And there you go!  A perfectly made bed that will hopefully buy you some extra laziness.  Just throw your duvet or comforter on top and you're done.  Once you do this a time or two it honestly doesn't take long at all; an extra 3-5 minutes max.

Do you make your bed this way?  Do you wash your sheets weekly? More? Less?  Am I totally gross because I only change them once or twice a month? (Don't answer that last one ;) )

Microwave .. Potato Chips?!

Yep.  You read that right.

Microwave.

Potato.

Chips.


While perusing pinterest (don't get me started on that obsession) I came across this nifty little pin claiming I could make potato chips -- at home -- in the microwave.  At first I had a "yeah right" reaction but once I went to the source it seemed legit.  Then I thought "well now I have to try this out"...

I am here to tell you .. it actually works!! 

If I have piqued your interest and now you want to try it out for yourself .. here's what you do:

Take a potato and slice it very thin.  I used a regular baking potato but I will be trying a sweet potato next.  You can slice it with a knife or a mandoline.  I would personally use a mandoline if you have one just for ease sake and uniformity.  The thinner the slice the quicker the process but, truly, you can do as thick as you want (at least while staying in the "chip" realm .. no hockey pucks).

Take the potato slices and toss them in olive oil and salt and pepper.

Get a microwave-safe plate and spray it with non-stick spray or rub it down with the same oil that's on the potato.

Lay the potatoes out in a thin layer on the plate.

Microwave on high for about 4 minutes.  Flip the slices and cook for 4 more minutes.

You should be able to tell they are done because the edges will start to get slightly wavy (like a potato chip) and they will lose their transparancy.  Lay them on a cooling rack and, after a minute or so, they should be crunchy.  Voila!

Side note:  The cooking time will vary depending upon how thick your cuts are.  Just start with 4 and then adjust.  You might have to flip a couple times but no big deal.  Also, don't worry about "over cooking".  The only thing that happens if they go too long is that they turn dark brown (like a burnt chip) and are extra crunchy.  This may or may not have happened to my last batch and, honestly, I kind of preferred those. 

This is one of those easy trial and error experiments and it was really cool.  Have fun with it and happy microwaving!!

Jessie's Chocolate-less Chip Cookies

So here's the deal:  Mark is a cookie fanatic.  Sometimes he gets a craving and, seeing as cookies are the simplest things to make, I don't mind whipping up a batch. 

Well, a year or two ago, Mark was having one of those I-need-a-cookie-now moments and I decided to make him my chocolate chip cookies (see recipe adjustments at the bottom).  I assumed I had all the ingredients and so I started mixing everything together.  When I got to the "add chocolate chips" step I realized ... there were none.  I decided to bake them anyways and this was the result.  It turned out to be a pretty good cookie and now (on purpose) I make these instead.  If you ever wondered what the cookie part of the chocolate chip cookie tasted like .. here ya go :)


Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2.  In a large bowl (or mixer) combine together melted butter, sugars, eggs and extract until well blended.
3.  In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda and salt.
4.  Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet mixture. Try not to over mix.
5.  Scoop the mixture onto baking sheets. I line mine with either aluminum foil or parchment paper.
6.  Bake for about 12 minutes. Pull them out when they start to look light brown.


For traditional chocolate chip cookies, substitute the almond extract for vanilla extract and add as many chocolate chips as you dare :)

midweek confessions

~  So I am sure you've read this in my previous post but I figured I would mention it again:  I'm an aunt!!  My niece is perfect and gorgeous and I can't wait to meet her.  Just thought I would remind you ;)

~ A few months ago I felt that Mark and I should start our own small group at church.  I LOVED the group we were in but I felt that season was over.  I found a book fairly quick that I thought would work (based on the synopsis) but now that I have gotten it .. well .. it's terrible.  I kind of feel in limbo right now.  I don't feel like we made the wrong decision by leaving the group but I also don't feel led in the direction of starting something right now.  Also, quite frankly, I'm a little embarrassed too.  People expected us to start a group and now I am unsure.

~ I was so exhausted earlier this week that I let a load of laundry sit in the washer overnight.  I've never done that.  I rewashed them the next day and they were ok.  oops :x

~ I went to a cookie swap party last night and the hostess' house was decorated perfectly for Christmas.  She is an AMAZING hostess (and decorator, chef, etc etc etc).  Well her house reminded me that I haven't really decorated that much for the holiday, nor do I even OWN that much stuff.  Now I realize decorations are one of those things that you accumulate over time but it still kind of makes me pouty that I can't just afford to go out and buy all the little things that I want.  I love my tree though and I do have a wreath on my door and a few other things.  I just need to be patient. (ah, patience.  I ALWAYS have to be patient .. one of these days I'm going to have to get better with that...)



What are your confessions this week?

I'M AN AUNT!!!

May I present to you, Miss Josephine Marie:

She was born yesterday and she's perfect!!  I am COMPLETELY smitten with this little girl.  It's so weird because I did not birth her .. and I have not met her in person .. yet I am already totally attached and commited to her.  I'm sure those of you who have experienced this can relate but, for me, this is new territory.  There is just this sense of protectiveness that I feel for this little one that came out of nowhere.  I have been falling in love with the idea of her since the summer but now that she's here .. well .. I'm just blown away. 

I can't even imagine what this experience must feel like for her parents.  They must feel like this times a BILLION.  I think I would explode. :)

Well needless to say, Miss Josephine is the greatest Christmas present EVER.  I can't wait to give her a cousin.  Hopefully one day.


In the meantime, here are some more pictures of perfection:

Christmas Cards Galore

I didn't grow up in a family that did annual newsletters or picture cards.  It just wasn't our thing.  I'm sure, at some point, my mom did this but not that I can remember.  I always loved getting them though so I knew when I was out on my own I would make a point to start the tradition.

The first year, 2008, ended up being a rush job.  I wasn't sure how to go about doing them and where the best places to get them.  I can't remember where we ended up buying them from but I learned a hard lesson that year:  photo quality matters!  The pictures ended up blurry but the point was made.  Lesson learned.

In 2009 we tried our hand at making them from scratch.  No template, no anything.  It actually turned out pretty well.  We didn't learn any hard lessons except when you design them yourself and then get them printed .. envelopes aren't included. Oops :)

The 2010 season brought us back to pre-made template designs.  No complaints from this girl.  I still like those cards.  We designed them online, submitted them and picked them up at the local store within 30 minutes.  It was efficient and great.

This year, once again, we tried something new.  We went with Shutterfly.  The price ended up double what we paid in years past so that gave me some pause.  (I'm sure there are more affordable options and I will be sure to check them out next year.)  I love this year's card.  The paper quality is fantastic and I love the printing on both sides.  One side (the side pictured) is matte finish and the other side is glossy. Love. It.

Who knows what next year's card will look like (and where it will originate from, for that matter) but, in the mean time,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

from our family to yours!

2011

.. from years past ..
(side note:  these cards have been stuffed in folders so I apologize for the poor quality.  They were scanned in .. wear and tear and all.)

2010

2009

2008

Broccoli Cornbread

When I find a recipe I typically "make it" in my head and see if I want to make it in real life.  I have a pretty good grasp on flavors so I can usually guess pretty accurately.  When I found this set of ingredients I just couldn't quite put my finger on it.  Well I am glad that I went ahead and made it anyway.  This was awesome.  Mark mentioned he wants it in the regular rotation.  That compliment is as good as gold :)


Ingredients:


1/2 cup butter, melted
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 bag frozen broccoli florets, thawed, drained and chopped
3/4 cup cottage cheese
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tbsp parsley
1 package cornbread mix (I use Jiffy)



Directions:


1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a 9x13 pan or muffin tin.
2.  In a large bowl, mix butter, onions, salt, chopped broccoli and eggs together.  Stir in muffin mix and seasonings until well combined.  Pour mix into baking dish.
3.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

I served with a side salad.  This would also work as a great side dish.