I recently had people over for brunch and it reminded me how much I like to bake. I made some Chile Rellenos casserole (Win), some baked French Toast that had orange marmalade (Win), and some Popovers (Fail). I need to work on my popovers, not sure I had a very good recipe so I'll have to try that again. Good thing is the recipe itself is easy and basic, so making various attempts won't be difficult.
I enjoy baking but I wish I had a better kitchen to do it in. My husband recently changed positions within his company and the change includes a pay increase, so I'm hopeful that we can redo our kitchen to make for more space. Our neighbors redid theirs a few years ago, and they had the same set-up as we do, so we have an idea of what it should look like. It's a definite thought!
First priority however, is the bamboo flooring we've been sitting on for about 5+ years now. We will be ripping up the carpeting and getting the flooring installed before Spring. We have relatives coming for a visit and we'd like to have it finished before they arrive.
Back to baking. I do love to bake. I'm not much into cooking but baking makes me feel good; The measuring, the mixing - there's something soothing about it. It's something I can do and totally focus on, without any worries intruding. And here come the holidays. It's the perfect time for baking! My mom, sister and I even make a day of it near Christmas. We get together and do an all-day Christmas Cookie baking event. I'm looking forward to it. Before Christmas though is Thanksgiving. I can't believe it's Thanksgiving time already.
For Thanksgiving my parents are going out of town, as they always do, and rather than impose on my sister to have us over and cook a big dinner, my husband and I are going to a friend's house. There are approximately 16 guests expected and we're bringing Brussels Sprouts and a Chocolate Cream Pie (family recipe). Hubby makes the veggie, I make the pie. He cooks, I bake. It's a fair exchange. Ok, it's not really fair since he cooks far more often than I bake, but if that weren't the case we'd both be enormously fat because let's face it, baking isn't a fat-free kind of hobby. The chocolate cream pie I'll be making is basically eggs, butter, sugar and chocolate. It's so delicious and amazing and I'm excited to share this long-time family tradition with my friends. Though part of me would rather just eat the whole pie myself. Now there's a dangerous thought! I'm still recovering from all the leftover Halloween candy and now it's Thanksgiving? It's so not fair.
On the bright side, I no longer work in an office where new treats are arriving daily as gifts from business partners. Now that I work from home I can avoid the lure of those temptations often found during the holidays in a business office.
Speaking of work, one more day of work before the holiday and tomorrow we're all being let out early. Hooray! Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
-Amy
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Gray. Hair.
I found my 1st gray hair last night. !!!
My hairdresser, Kelly (owner of the fabulous Motorhead salon) once teased me about a gray hair. He said something about finding one and I said; "Oh! My first gray hair!" and he said; "I didn't say it was your first..."
Oh yes, he's hilarious. ;)
It was funny, and yet I didn't actually see it, nor have I ever seen any, but last night while bending over the sink, brushing my teeth before bed, there it was. Shiny like none of my other hair was, reflecting the light in an almost sparkly way. It took me a few minutes to separate it out from the rest of the hair surrounding it, but I finally managed it and plucked the little bastard right out.
I actually didn't pluck it out of vanity, but out of curiosity. I wanted to see it up close, get a good look at it, maybe save it. Whether it's my first actual gray hair doesn't matter, it's the first one I've ever found or seen on my head, therefore it's being dubbed The First Gray Hair. I put it in a little Tupperware cup because it was very late at night and I didn't know what else to do with it at the time. I guess I'll have to tape it in my diary or something, or put it away in a little box, save it for a rainy day when I might want to pull it out and admire my first ever gray hair.
It's strange, this milestone. My first gray hair. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm still processing. In the meantime, I need to make a long overdue appointment with Kelly to get my hair colored. Not because of the gray, but because I prefer to be a Redhead. ;)
-Amy
My hairdresser, Kelly (owner of the fabulous Motorhead salon) once teased me about a gray hair. He said something about finding one and I said; "Oh! My first gray hair!" and he said; "I didn't say it was your first..."
Oh yes, he's hilarious. ;)
It was funny, and yet I didn't actually see it, nor have I ever seen any, but last night while bending over the sink, brushing my teeth before bed, there it was. Shiny like none of my other hair was, reflecting the light in an almost sparkly way. It took me a few minutes to separate it out from the rest of the hair surrounding it, but I finally managed it and plucked the little bastard right out.
I actually didn't pluck it out of vanity, but out of curiosity. I wanted to see it up close, get a good look at it, maybe save it. Whether it's my first actual gray hair doesn't matter, it's the first one I've ever found or seen on my head, therefore it's being dubbed The First Gray Hair. I put it in a little Tupperware cup because it was very late at night and I didn't know what else to do with it at the time. I guess I'll have to tape it in my diary or something, or put it away in a little box, save it for a rainy day when I might want to pull it out and admire my first ever gray hair.
It's strange, this milestone. My first gray hair. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm still processing. In the meantime, I need to make a long overdue appointment with Kelly to get my hair colored. Not because of the gray, but because I prefer to be a Redhead. ;)
-Amy
Friday, November 19, 2010
Brunch tomorrow
I have re-scheduled this Brunch at my house 3 times now, so tomorrow is IT. I only have a handful of people coming over and that's a good thing, less stress that way. I still need to clean-up downstairs, as there are clothes everywhere and just a lot of stuff. I was hoping to get rid of a lot of stuff in the big Team in Training yard sale that was going on last weekend, one of the reasons I post-poned the brunch (again), but that didn't work out like I envisioned it.
John went and took a whole bunch of stuff that my sister and parents donated, and there were going to be lots of other people there but I didn't want to go (setting up at 5:30 was just too early for me) so there was a lot of stuff I didn't want to send as I didn't think he'd be able to really price it the way I wanted. A lot of the stuff we thought would sell didn't, like some great kid's toys my sister gave us, so I think it was good I didn't send "my" stuff along. I figure we'll do a yard sale here, in the neighborhood. Put up some signs, sit out front, it'll be great.
But first, Brunch!
The Menu;
Mimosas (of course!)
Coffee
Chile Rellenos Casserole
Baked French Toast with orange marmalade and walnuts
Popovers
Homemade Peach Jam
That's it, I hope it's enough food. I think there will be... not including John and I... 7-10 people total. There are some folks I'm not certain about. I changed the date so many times I confused people, and the stupid invitations were also totally lame and confusing.
It's supposed to be a Houseparty party - www.houseparty.com - for the Hamilton Beach Brewmaster. I was chosen to host a party and demonstrate the new Brewmaster Coffeemaker. If people like it, I have coupons if they want to buy one. But of course they don't have to. The cool thing is I got the coffeemaker for free, just for showing it off to my friends. I'm not selling it so there's no pressure or anything. The not so cool thing is the houseparty website invites are totally lame and even though I changed my party date, it kept looking like my brunch was still on 11/8. And some people thought it was just an invite to check out Houseparty, and didn't see it was an invite to come over for brunch, so they saved it to look at later.
What have I learned? That I'm not a big fan of Houseparty and if I were to host another party in the future, I would not rely on their invitation system, but would instead use eVite or some other service.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Amy
John went and took a whole bunch of stuff that my sister and parents donated, and there were going to be lots of other people there but I didn't want to go (setting up at 5:30 was just too early for me) so there was a lot of stuff I didn't want to send as I didn't think he'd be able to really price it the way I wanted. A lot of the stuff we thought would sell didn't, like some great kid's toys my sister gave us, so I think it was good I didn't send "my" stuff along. I figure we'll do a yard sale here, in the neighborhood. Put up some signs, sit out front, it'll be great.
But first, Brunch!
The Menu;
Mimosas (of course!)
Coffee
Chile Rellenos Casserole
Baked French Toast with orange marmalade and walnuts
Popovers
Homemade Peach Jam
That's it, I hope it's enough food. I think there will be... not including John and I... 7-10 people total. There are some folks I'm not certain about. I changed the date so many times I confused people, and the stupid invitations were also totally lame and confusing.
It's supposed to be a Houseparty party - www.houseparty.com - for the Hamilton Beach Brewmaster. I was chosen to host a party and demonstrate the new Brewmaster Coffeemaker. If people like it, I have coupons if they want to buy one. But of course they don't have to. The cool thing is I got the coffeemaker for free, just for showing it off to my friends. I'm not selling it so there's no pressure or anything. The not so cool thing is the houseparty website invites are totally lame and even though I changed my party date, it kept looking like my brunch was still on 11/8. And some people thought it was just an invite to check out Houseparty, and didn't see it was an invite to come over for brunch, so they saved it to look at later.
What have I learned? That I'm not a big fan of Houseparty and if I were to host another party in the future, I would not rely on their invitation system, but would instead use eVite or some other service.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Amy
Friday, November 5, 2010
Strange dream
This week I learned that my favorite ex-boyfriend is dating a lovely woman, and while I'm very happy for him I can't help but be a bit jealous. What's wrong with me? Why should I be jealous? We broke up... 15+ years ago? I've been married for 8 years myself, happily married. Feelings are weird.
Dreams are weirder. I dreamt he showed up for a visit and had an empty engagement ring box, which he showed me, because he wanted me to help him pick out a ring. I guess my subconscious is trying to help me get used to the idea that he may actually get married. (He once told me he was never getting married. He's 41 this year and I think I was starting to believe him. But not so much anymore.) We'll see what happens.
The dream was bittersweet. My friend, who I shared this with, asked if I thought it could actually happen; Could he actually show up here wanting my help to pick out a ring, were he to decide to marry this girl? I said probably not. I think he could do just fine on his own, plus we're still friends but I'm sure he has much closer friends than me. The idea was nice, but it was a bit My Best Friend's Wedding, in a way. Can you see me at the rehearsal dinner (brunch?) with my gay fake fiance singing Dionne Warwick? I could make that happen!
I say a little prayer for you....
-A
Dreams are weirder. I dreamt he showed up for a visit and had an empty engagement ring box, which he showed me, because he wanted me to help him pick out a ring. I guess my subconscious is trying to help me get used to the idea that he may actually get married. (He once told me he was never getting married. He's 41 this year and I think I was starting to believe him. But not so much anymore.) We'll see what happens.
The dream was bittersweet. My friend, who I shared this with, asked if I thought it could actually happen; Could he actually show up here wanting my help to pick out a ring, were he to decide to marry this girl? I said probably not. I think he could do just fine on his own, plus we're still friends but I'm sure he has much closer friends than me. The idea was nice, but it was a bit My Best Friend's Wedding, in a way. Can you see me at the rehearsal dinner (brunch?) with my gay fake fiance singing Dionne Warwick? I could make that happen!
I say a little prayer for you....
-A
Sam & Dean
Supernatural on The WB has some kick@ss writers. Tonight;
"What, you think there's some clinic for people who just pop out of Hell wrong?"
Ah Dean, you always know the right thing to say.
-A
"What, you think there's some clinic for people who just pop out of Hell wrong?"
Ah Dean, you always know the right thing to say.
-A
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)