tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263274722024-03-05T01:11:17.339-08:00the life & times of a wannabe cookthis blog is my attempt to document successes and fiascoes in my home kitchen, garden, craft room, etc.jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-52655676424875830462011-06-28T10:05:00.000-07:002011-06-28T11:33:33.432-07:00NBD - 15 months laterIt's only been 15 months ... ok, almost 16 months. But I have decided to work a little harder (not TOO hard) to keep up with my blog. I have been up to quite a lot ... but I don't seem to have many pictures at the ready. And everyone knows a blog with pictures is 100 times better than a blog without. For now, I will just tell you a few things I'm excited about. <br /><div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>1. I bought the new martha stewart living (b/c i let my subscription lapse for the first time in about 10 years) ... the horror!! And I am SO excited to read it. For some reason the summer issues are always my favorite. I just love the 4th of july ideas!</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-RnJyql-dzIJYMfyvuyD_zewCUtU3IHOE6GDrHV1snQaiKPl1IBuIp6iggmrhe51nbDtG90oWAjmdhxO76DExMzOfkXPr7pRHOL2V024I3LGoIwGle8UEyxxq5koy7sYS4Tl/s1600/msl+jul11.bmp"><img style="WIDTH: 157px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623318585278257170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-RnJyql-dzIJYMfyvuyD_zewCUtU3IHOE6GDrHV1snQaiKPl1IBuIp6iggmrhe51nbDtG90oWAjmdhxO76DExMzOfkXPr7pRHOL2V024I3LGoIwGle8UEyxxq5koy7sYS4Tl/s200/msl+jul11.bmp" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>2. I'm a new subscriber to Entertainment Weekly. Apparently I should have started this subscription YEARS ago!! I guess I always thought if it was a weekly magazine it must cost gobs and gobs of money. But I found it on Amazon.com for $15!! that's 52 magazines for $15! And I had an amazon.com gift card. HELLO!! no-brainer :) Thanks, Santa Claus! And thanks JonMark for telling me to subscribe for umpteen years. I finally did it! I received the first issue of my subscription while I was away at Summer Camp and I spent my lunch break yesterday reading most of the magazine. Now I am already looking forward to all the books & movies and tv shows I read about! And I might just have to start watching True Blood. The magazine does these things to people! It makes you want to jump on every bandwagon out there! :) </div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ57xdDPcBKhNY5C6_5KBNpS_2hg1EcvJHfBDRQAcfVxK-M2YcrgVScKs41gM_kF2H3va5wm62no415d3DEwqqbbE5tZhyphenhyphenILf7nzRBvdlMnmEZkObTpQREsQlcKFX9NlT-ty_m/s1600/ew+cover+jul11.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623320946957660898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ57xdDPcBKhNY5C6_5KBNpS_2hg1EcvJHfBDRQAcfVxK-M2YcrgVScKs41gM_kF2H3va5wm62no415d3DEwqqbbE5tZhyphenhyphenILf7nzRBvdlMnmEZkObTpQREsQlcKFX9NlT-ty_m/s200/ew+cover+jul11.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div>3. Harry Potter 7 - part 2. I don't think I have ever been this excited about a movie before. Folks, I'm 32 years old and I can't wait for the final installment of HP to come out. I actually RSVP'd "yes" for a facebook "event" that invited all of creation to see HP at midnight on opening night. I think I might actually do it! (Full Disclosure: I have been to 3 or 4 HP midnight showings as it is. But I have never been the one with the idea to do so :) Now my HP-midnight-showing friend has a baby and I'm guessing she is not going to be the one with the plan this time ;). It is, however, a bittersweet feeling. I can't believe it's the end of the HP books/movies. It's really very sad. But at least we have Hunger Games to look forward to! Read the books, people. You won't regret it! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r7SuY108GHLqGTypBv8zyjClqyddw6Ogq0ePcFxrq7kE8cm_8AgWGM-NzB60XTGoZ5gnOJ4E9wlxXSGJlHAFLPLwTCGfULB8Z1AG4rs1YkqEUuTqf6-YAqY0yHqP7YOJ3yBw/s1600/HP7-2.bmp"><img style="WIDTH: 147px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623322153350643346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r7SuY108GHLqGTypBv8zyjClqyddw6Ogq0ePcFxrq7kE8cm_8AgWGM-NzB60XTGoZ5gnOJ4E9wlxXSGJlHAFLPLwTCGfULB8Z1AG4rs1YkqEUuTqf6-YAqY0yHqP7YOJ3yBw/s200/HP7-2.bmp" /></a><br /><br />Other things I've been up to ... </div><br /><br /><div>I've catered quite a few parties since we were last in touch. I did a baby shower in May and another baby shower in June. They both turned out really well. But, I never got around to getting business cards printed. So, sadly it may be the end of the line for all those people i WOW'd with my awesomeness of party planning ;). Me = dumb.</div><br /><br /><div>I hope to get my hands on some pictures from the May shower because I forgot my camera for that one. I have gobs of pictures from the June Shower b/c it started at 4pm and I actually had time to think about grabbing my camera before running out the door. Maybe I'll make that my next post. I just have to download the photos! (sure, that won't take long at all) ;)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I was also a camp counselor at my church's youth camp last week. It was a really great week where we were challenged to take risks for God in our every day life. We focused on friends, family, online, church and school. It was a really inspiring week and my group was the best (Greek Fire!!). We have made a pact to continue our get-togethers throughout the summer. My co-leader, Aaron will be headed to Buffalo for grad school in the fall. So I see a Greek Fire themed farewell shindig in order. Any suggestions are welcome :)</div><br /><br /><div>Here's a picture of the best team ever ... Greek Fire: </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy4pcny1EVejHcePlpGh6ctAm7oaqt8w2XC56YMZoV3lQTXB-8YoJlwqANDNHCBzHijKYRwCrJ7z9zkWvMtIacIdHpYTJ0QvfyYma6h_4mvGQT2ISSXwka8ctRf4JH5LyniOR/s1600/greekfire+2011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623338385860078402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVy4pcny1EVejHcePlpGh6ctAm7oaqt8w2XC56YMZoV3lQTXB-8YoJlwqANDNHCBzHijKYRwCrJ7z9zkWvMtIacIdHpYTJ0QvfyYma6h_4mvGQT2ISSXwka8ctRf4JH5LyniOR/s200/greekfire+2011.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br />Talk soon! At least, that's the goal :)jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-18989525238626927632010-03-11T23:14:00.000-08:002010-03-11T23:36:02.916-08:00NBDit's No Big Deal ... just 9 months later :-/<br />Well, don't I feel sheepish ...<br />I start this blog thing - and then I never keep up with it.<br />But now I have something to blog about ...<br />not only am I watching an episode of Criminal Minds, featuring Gabrielle Carteris (Andrea from 90210 for those of you that didn't have a TV in high school or lived in a cave) ... but I also recently planned and executed a baby shower! My good friend, Megan is going to have a baby in April! Baby's name is Emma Grace and Megan's mother in law, Debbie and I were so excited to plan the shower! So ... here are some pictures!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N0NKQRonfaiICiRx664gJZgV8bYSs9G_6L0zwM1Xjsp_S4NQw4gH04n1jWLaEjBAV6_T7d0oVZJ9qGjcEZ9UlRkZMQy3ZIyvUAscLc0I9I2Yz959Ms6852Jw11dXDAXeVJsj/s1600-h/CIMG2033.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_N0NKQRonfaiICiRx664gJZgV8bYSs9G_6L0zwM1Xjsp_S4NQw4gH04n1jWLaEjBAV6_T7d0oVZJ9qGjcEZ9UlRkZMQy3ZIyvUAscLc0I9I2Yz959Ms6852Jw11dXDAXeVJsj/s200/CIMG2033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447643048404050130" border="0" /></a> Here is the food table. i love to use these paper lanterns!T hey are such an easy way to decorate!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0euJw03oWwvW_Z_1a8NCXdi4SobjtaCcJ7IGAlILRnnxEZkZSwUonhe6JYJv9wktaJTZ8SIm9dNhXwn4DoPDtmRGpReqZlzZu_6-SDxP2_9qr1VPIl7o_ZvCKpKmn2vlQBYln/s1600-h/CIMG2034.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0euJw03oWwvW_Z_1a8NCXdi4SobjtaCcJ7IGAlILRnnxEZkZSwUonhe6JYJv9wktaJTZ8SIm9dNhXwn4DoPDtmRGpReqZlzZu_6-SDxP2_9qr1VPIl7o_ZvCKpKmn2vlQBYln/s200/CIMG2034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447643461365489058" border="0" /></a> Another shot of the food table. We had chicken salad sandwiches on mini croissants and sirloin sandwiches with arugula and roasted garlic aioli. Good stuff.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oGJb1afVpqScysNrW6McAb8m9kQxquGqNypEVHcJSEKz8_HC_yXJzpwk-KbFZjeTJ-hBEazEZj5qRKt-zoj7b28oIsvRlR6tKaBLXVICWu5_lr_O7XZw0xdmtVYRE0noZB6V/s1600-h/IMG_4710.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oGJb1afVpqScysNrW6McAb8m9kQxquGqNypEVHcJSEKz8_HC_yXJzpwk-KbFZjeTJ-hBEazEZj5qRKt-zoj7b28oIsvRlR6tKaBLXVICWu5_lr_O7XZw0xdmtVYRE0noZB6V/s200/IMG_4710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447643994428386706" border="0" /></a> A shot of the clothesline - just a cute and fun decoration. The best part is that it doubles as a gift for mom!! she got to take these cute clothes home for little Emma!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw12PcMu_iD-NLWI-ApYgRgRLdLJxDIocnhfUyy3_kcg0fEyv8A2iWMPRbyORvsu9OYoZV9l14NSXTXvMGbv7bZgyNSpKCOCy5mODiHNP8ykslPysCLZGpIXIRN_3CObMULw4/s1600-h/IMG_4716.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw12PcMu_iD-NLWI-ApYgRgRLdLJxDIocnhfUyy3_kcg0fEyv8A2iWMPRbyORvsu9OYoZV9l14NSXTXvMGbv7bZgyNSpKCOCy5mODiHNP8ykslPysCLZGpIXIRN_3CObMULw4/s200/IMG_4716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447644732632656050" border="0" /></a> I think my favorite part of this shower was the Cookie Buffet. Candy and sweets buffets are becoming so popular these days. So I wanted to change it up a bit and do something a little different. And who doesn't love cookies? So we offered several delicious cookies in a cute arrangement, and here we are - a cookie buffet! We also had oreo truffles ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWHhRu7NyUdn7MdNyrFpwVu6mkkiSWk_pWQSHD7ALPk1WR7IFplpc7LDRh1PzOMxlbNLazs8N-vaGZrgFu_LDrKTseZpy2qR5DFgR4OeCPkLwciTzfwlMSplRDGEfn4ZOu-g0/s1600-h/IMG_4748.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWHhRu7NyUdn7MdNyrFpwVu6mkkiSWk_pWQSHD7ALPk1WR7IFplpc7LDRh1PzOMxlbNLazs8N-vaGZrgFu_LDrKTseZpy2qR5DFgR4OeCPkLwciTzfwlMSplRDGEfn4ZOu-g0/s200/IMG_4748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447645590879619570" border="0" /></a> Another shot of the oreo truffles - and the bird cookies. Thanks to Janet (Debbie's friend) we had the most gorgeous bird cookies to fit the theme of the shower!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOwbAiDFTS7j_nMpcZEbKyaC8_ZRVs5j8onneqkuCaR5qyDNTqGT-c5O4baH-I9Z214qYp0w8DeYf88O19OVm487uRGy1SLI37WCHEmVpN4kMq_6_ZkkNRTuj3oZeWdaODj4N/s1600-h/IMG_4843.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOwbAiDFTS7j_nMpcZEbKyaC8_ZRVs5j8onneqkuCaR5qyDNTqGT-c5O4baH-I9Z214qYp0w8DeYf88O19OVm487uRGy1SLI37WCHEmVpN4kMq_6_ZkkNRTuj3oZeWdaODj4N/s200/IMG_4843.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447646362474746018" border="0" /></a> Megan and Debbie - such a nice sunny day. Thank goodness the weatherman was wrong. It was supposed to rain!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2TSPCo9zXMabvMVXfJ_B5TUC621fQd-LuhqIiLhj_fcC59Zo0x0Bfu0AYXRuhWIHeU22uXuWfTQk3YgYV1Vt8L6LpwtjMYOA7LN4hRDNxxMujfBLbSgXYx5uCGisj_XSSA3o/s1600-h/IMG_4849.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2TSPCo9zXMabvMVXfJ_B5TUC621fQd-LuhqIiLhj_fcC59Zo0x0Bfu0AYXRuhWIHeU22uXuWfTQk3YgYV1Vt8L6LpwtjMYOA7LN4hRDNxxMujfBLbSgXYx5uCGisj_XSSA3o/s200/IMG_4849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447646771905078658" border="0" /></a> Megan with her awesome personalized gifts from her cousin, Cheryl. They were so beautiful! She sent several personalized burp cloths and a super-soft blanket embroidered with Emma's name. Such special gifts!<br /><br />The shower was so fun - I'm sad it's over.<br />But i can't WAIT to meet little baby Emma!! :)jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-27827912832173595132009-06-25T23:02:00.001-07:002009-06-25T23:15:20.699-07:00Inspiration!!hello lovely friends!!<br /><br />so ... i love it when i find inspiration in random places.<br />today it was TUESDAY MORNING!<br /><br />so ... i'm looking forward to when my sister gets engaged someday.<br />so much so that i've already been dreaming about the special touches i will implement into the parties! yes ... i said partieS! <br /><br />today i was inspired by a cute book at tuesday morning!<br /><br />The Best Bake Sale <span style="font-style: italic;">ever </span>Cookbook!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosO9QQhFs1kJa8xq9u3T0RNu3DAIYZwphhZ-mCWhtvF5kLNmqjTQdNQLTc4WeYnU3a4wXGfnsnrrkRg0rCyx5c6jKR-m92Hwx6V5lmQikgwTHwWKBNT1GecTOBdpN2w3Dtxn6/s1600-h/bestbakesale.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosO9QQhFs1kJa8xq9u3T0RNu3DAIYZwphhZ-mCWhtvF5kLNmqjTQdNQLTc4WeYnU3a4wXGfnsnrrkRg0rCyx5c6jKR-m92Hwx6V5lmQikgwTHwWKBNT1GecTOBdpN2w3Dtxn6/s200/bestbakesale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351513884994259698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />so it's something simple ... and it's probably not the most original idea.<br />but i've never heard of this idea! so it's new to me!!<br /><br />i want to have a shower or party of some sort with a table set up like a BAKE SALE!!<br />i just thought it would be cute to have a handpainted sign that says "bake sale"<br />and the separate items will be either piled on trays, or individually wrapped with "price tags" or something cute like that. of course i won't really CHARGE the guests for the treats. it will just be for effect ;) a special little touch, if you will.<br /><br />anywho ... i like the idea!<br />so i wanted to share it with the blog world!!<br /><br />let me know if you have any more ideas for making the bake sale table at the future party! :)<br /><br />good night, fair maidens :)jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-12288741246692067732009-06-14T20:05:00.001-07:002009-06-14T20:14:47.199-07:00my new friendso ... matt is away at camp this week.<br />and i'm so jealous that i wasn't able to go :(<br />and i'll be at home all week (well, when i'm not at work, that is!) ... booooooring!!<br />so i hope that i am able to make the most of this week and get some much-needed stuff done at home.<br /><br />my aspirations are high - but i'm afraid to put it my week's goals in writing in case i get NOTHING done this week. that would be depressing!<br /><br />but ... that's just a little background info to tell you about what this post is REALLY about!<br />so, my friend aleen bought a new little puppy recently.<br />his name is luigi and he's a bolognese.<br />matt is going to kill aleen for asking me to dog-sit this week.<br />because i don't want luigi to go home!<br />he is the cutest, most mild mannered little dog and we've been hanging out all day.<br />i don't think woody is too keen about him being around.<br /><br />but ... he'll have to deal with it this week.<br />sorry matt! we're going to have to have a luigi around here someday!!<br />this isn't really luigi - because i'm too lazy to take a picture and download it right now.<br />and he's currently sprawled out in his little bed so it wouldn't be the best picture anyway.<br />but the funny thing is - not only does it look JUST like him - but he also has a little pink heart tag like this too!! too cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9nC0MqDcDXaDojn-ISZZwwTYaOZc3MLFTVVp3RxsIQc4tdoJNenghGaIrOJTIyKguaG2AbfMzbgIunNJptYqTY9gb-W8tJTnya4Re1sAdbwQ0WxJvH9YiUfjp5zwgAP-c6Al/s1600-h/bolognese.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9nC0MqDcDXaDojn-ISZZwwTYaOZc3MLFTVVp3RxsIQc4tdoJNenghGaIrOJTIyKguaG2AbfMzbgIunNJptYqTY9gb-W8tJTnya4Re1sAdbwQ0WxJvH9YiUfjp5zwgAP-c6Al/s200/bolognese.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347386799061951106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />luigi says hi!!jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-72390195338872449732009-06-09T21:51:00.000-07:002009-06-09T21:54:54.442-07:00its june ...once again it's been far too long ...<br />this time i really DO have an excuse though!<br /><br />my new work schedule has been crazy!<br />mondays alone are 12 hour days!<br /><br />but ... and don't think i'm criminally insane ... i LOVE it!!<br />i get to talk to people all day every day and i get to HELP them at the same time!<br /><br />the tradeoff?<br />i check my email about once a day - at 10pm or later usually.<br />and i NEVER blog anymore!!<br />even worse? i don't really even have time to cook/bake ...<br />thus, nothing to blog about :(<br /><br />sad.<br /><br />but, we took a trip to the cabin in flagstaff for memorial day weekend.<br />so i do have some pictures to share in the near future.<br />and we even had a supper club meeting while we were there!<br />so even MORE to blog about!<br /><br />stay tuned ... for real!!jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-48003748129257340572009-04-24T02:34:00.001-07:002009-04-24T02:39:05.779-07:00coffee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG7WDhRaJH-rTArxPGDDdm6rj9HJAGjygSXybCPcjjXtXgcrga51AiM4k1u-VbZ0fLQ009bSS23q_XNTnMu9BUEBcuPgIAgtcK7r7lkv7x0JF7PHaZOIyu-34DVBadHHXF66j/s1600-h/coffee.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG7WDhRaJH-rTArxPGDDdm6rj9HJAGjygSXybCPcjjXtXgcrga51AiM4k1u-VbZ0fLQ009bSS23q_XNTnMu9BUEBcuPgIAgtcK7r7lkv7x0JF7PHaZOIyu-34DVBadHHXF66j/s200/coffee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328190062157391906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />it's 2:38 am<br />i really shouldn't have had that coffee at 9:30pm ...<br />but it was SOO good.jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-28776291824495620002009-04-20T21:59:00.000-07:002009-04-24T01:47:14.938-07:00yahoo grandma johnson! :)so - i REALLLY should be studying right now.<br />tomorrow - bright and WAY-TOO-EARLY i have my 3rd and final (provided i pass) test!!<br /><br />however, here i am.<br />blogging.<br />hmmmm ...<br />wonder if i have a procrastination problem.<br /><br />so - i made the worlds best mac & cheese tonight.<br />matt's grandma johnson has THE easiest and THE most delicious mac & cheese recipe of all time!<br /><br />and when i am feeling lazy or bogged down with studying, work, life, etc - i just add chicken for a little protein and it's the perfect quick dinner!!<br /><br />here's a picture of said mac & cheese.<br />man, it's good.<br /><br />here's the recipe.<br />i probably should have asked matt before i posted it for the world to see.<br />but i've always been a big believer in sharing recipes - why not share delicious food with the world?? yeah - i'm sure matt doesn't mind ;)<br /><br /><br />1 lb elbow macaroni (or any other smallish pasta), cooked al dente<br />1 lb shredded cheddar cheese (sharp, medium, whatever you like!)<br />2 cans evaporated milk (you will only use about 1 1/2 cans) - use the rest for tomorrow's coffee!<br />salt & pepa<br /><br />boil water and cook macaroni until al dente<br />in a 9x13 glass casserole dish, place 1 layer of cooked macaroni (about 1/2 of the mac) in dish<br />sprinkle 1/2 of the cheddar cheese on top, sprinkle salt & pepper on 1st layer<br />pour about 3/4 of one of the cans of evap. milk over the first layer<br />layer the rest of of the mac as the 2nd layer<br />layer the rest of the cheese on the 2nd layer<br />salt & pepper the 2nd layer<br />pour the rest of the 1st can of evap milk, then pour about 1/2 of 2nd can of evap milk.<br />(you should have about 1/2 of the 2nd can of evap milk left.<br /><br />bake in 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly browned.<br /><br />and if you want to put chicken in it - mix the shredded cooked chicken with the cooked macaroni and follow the directions the same as above.<br /><br />check out the finished product!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidL2CMrBf0EfXXFtcqeV1MXRILK5wwUMrkQYBn4Lx2FoNERhRJyVSGOUoY4HfyQ82_FJ5brqrKQMhsHjfVtMAt4j1nMVql9-EpHgRddWBX_XYvEr5qfhC9M3WsFLbQW_oDDX32/s1600-h/Pictures+2009+556.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidL2CMrBf0EfXXFtcqeV1MXRILK5wwUMrkQYBn4Lx2FoNERhRJyVSGOUoY4HfyQ82_FJ5brqrKQMhsHjfVtMAt4j1nMVql9-EpHgRddWBX_XYvEr5qfhC9M3WsFLbQW_oDDX32/s320/Pictures+2009+556.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328176396850275874" border="0" /></a> I mean, come on! are you so hungry now!?!?<br />trust me - it's great! :)jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-54132693480338590882009-04-14T10:42:00.000-07:002009-04-14T11:56:46.294-07:00well at least it's not MAY yet!in my last blog i said "i hope to be posting soon, hopefully before may" (in so many words - i paraphrase b/c i'm too lazy to go back and get the actual words) ;)<br />well ... it's not may - but it's certainly not SOON after the last blog ...<br /><br />but, the good news is - i have pictures!<br />those last two blogs were BOOOOORING without something fun, pretty or delicious to look at.<br /><br />let's see, what has happened lately?<br />well - the most exciting (and time consuming) event is that i got a new job!<br />i decided that there was definitely a reason the man upstairs didn't want me working on the education "plan" i have had for the last year or so ... too bad it took me so long to figure THAT out! i guess i need to be told "no" more times than smarter people :)<br /><br />anyway - the job seems to be coming along nicely - except for the fact that i'm currently studying for my THIRD test in 2 months. i'll be licensed in just about everything possible before long! but i've decided to have patience with it ... and so far it's working out just fine! i have two "passes" under my belt. and hopefully by tuesday i'll be moving on up in the world with a third "pass" on that scary computer monitor in the testing center.<br /><br />i'll be an "investment professional" as soon as i officially start my job. it's sounds so generic. but, i'm really looking forward to helping people plan for their future, whether it's retirement, college funds for their kids, or their first home! i feel like it's going to be very rewarding!<br /><br />well, let's get to those pictures! the most "available" right now, are the pictures from puerto vallarta! first, i'll start with a picture from the balcony of our hotel room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeJRfKoZWIevt67xoKmzpHyIWREPh9eQnjTB0roJEPeiRjEc90Phh72fI5C5P1WejAjIsWrlJOV3Dver_l0bhyo_dHrg3aZb4xBA_lrVYSqHdRcrOfmacUTcfDT_Ogq2JpBZg/s1600-h/room+with+a+view.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeJRfKoZWIevt67xoKmzpHyIWREPh9eQnjTB0roJEPeiRjEc90Phh72fI5C5P1WejAjIsWrlJOV3Dver_l0bhyo_dHrg3aZb4xBA_lrVYSqHdRcrOfmacUTcfDT_Ogq2JpBZg/s320/room+with+a+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324608031322589954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />we are officially in love with puerto vallarta, which we affectionately refer to as "PV" ...<br />and we can't wait to go back. we traveled with Danielle and our friend Traci was supposed to be with us ... but she couldn't go at the last minute. well, now traci has a ticket to PV and we really want to go back with her!! :)<br /><br />before gabi & max's wedding all the girls/women got together in gabi's hotel room to pray with her. it was a really cool time. even though i didn't really know anyone other than gabi, danielle and their family - it was great to see women who cared so much about gabi & max and their life together. here's a picture during that time, with the comon girls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkm_VHlhDbwVeqFhzlclF69oRK4EkKSl7E0i8MS8cML8RJD0xdrEbEG3Ucmw58fezp89xRwkX9BUyVK11NI5tNnw-M1I1N7nfiAgjwZn8hT8sUHbga9qPJSCu-AtZlzsecJcLT/s1600-h/the+comon+girls.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkm_VHlhDbwVeqFhzlclF69oRK4EkKSl7E0i8MS8cML8RJD0xdrEbEG3Ucmw58fezp89xRwkX9BUyVK11NI5tNnw-M1I1N7nfiAgjwZn8hT8sUHbga9qPJSCu-AtZlzsecJcLT/s320/the+comon+girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324609361828857618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />here is a picture of gabi & max at their wedding.<br />the wedding was picture perfect ... the weather was beautiful - and it was RIGHT on the beach. i've never been to a beach wedding. and now i don't understand why everyone doesn't have one!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqAIpHQm0CR6TBfi7P5YnchN12aO0Ub3lcG21bMQtKIFven7v4gzb9NiJ12DXonp2lYf4qRhqXFBxnOtlgdFH3hThqVSte5uVC0j9gOCPSTh4e9FO7eVZcgFldLZI-XC-YRCa/s1600-h/gabi&max_2.6.09.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqAIpHQm0CR6TBfi7P5YnchN12aO0Ub3lcG21bMQtKIFven7v4gzb9NiJ12DXonp2lYf4qRhqXFBxnOtlgdFH3hThqVSte5uVC0j9gOCPSTh4e9FO7eVZcgFldLZI-XC-YRCa/s320/gabi&max_2.6.09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324608618410755986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and here's a picture of us with the happy couple at the reception (also right on the beach!!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pKcL7KsMXxvBu_TctKdVjj1PZON6zd09bGQhxRicRtPGqlJQ0SJuf9FfhZr1n21Pzz3MwmnFWiTR7yXz1Vqw6w23ZlH6jD3FeLY9rzTq7ROPOkXauqD5_2mQ5kQkfXfjqdas/s1600-h/us+with+gabi%26max.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pKcL7KsMXxvBu_TctKdVjj1PZON6zd09bGQhxRicRtPGqlJQ0SJuf9FfhZr1n21Pzz3MwmnFWiTR7yXz1Vqw6w23ZlH6jD3FeLY9rzTq7ROPOkXauqD5_2mQ5kQkfXfjqdas/s320/us+with+gabi%26max.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324608891358665058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />we stumbled across a cuban bar while we were out exploring downtown PV one day - the funny thing is ... danielle's friend, or boss, can't remember which had actually recommended this place! we weren't even looking for it - but we found it! and we were SO glad we did. we stopped in that afternoon for a couple of appetizers and mojitos. and, of course, matt had to have a cuban cigar! so, here's a picture of us during our FIRST stop to la bodeguita del medio<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Qwj7JVOhKsTQ-YVOK8GkLMTrALv5V74fTYKk92nyw0NCg7Aqq8TbpyX2Z9qwQ62lrOQi1Qadj_HQfOl-UpkbLQxoS6kdiufYvouyDstWKwy5LGqvqdunMEKNjzPKjv1AgyBh/s1600-h/j9&matt_bdelM.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Qwj7JVOhKsTQ-YVOK8GkLMTrALv5V74fTYKk92nyw0NCg7Aqq8TbpyX2Z9qwQ62lrOQi1Qadj_HQfOl-UpkbLQxoS6kdiufYvouyDstWKwy5LGqvqdunMEKNjzPKjv1AgyBh/s320/j9&matt_bdelM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324610113701628818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i don't know if you caught it, but i said "our first stop to la B del M" ... well, we liked it so much we wanted gabi & max to come back with us!! so, we went back to our hotel, freshened up for a night out, and went back! it was so fun! everyone was writing their names on the walls, and this is what gabi did - i think it's going to be there for a while ;) maybe even by the time we go back with Traci!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu0xp_Xzx5WEvsruN4rwbbsRjFqpKwwgW8WpFaU0L-atB09D9jHtZvxZ5zOJr9lBIuFTD6LgTO_JhyxUAxQPPMx1Z6P9LBywxkp_HeGttTOjSlubpi-EZFx1tf3zqZRtJyQUX/s1600-h/max+y+gabi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu0xp_Xzx5WEvsruN4rwbbsRjFqpKwwgW8WpFaU0L-atB09D9jHtZvxZ5zOJr9lBIuFTD6LgTO_JhyxUAxQPPMx1Z6P9LBywxkp_HeGttTOjSlubpi-EZFx1tf3zqZRtJyQUX/s320/max+y+gabi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324610851293964722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and some more pictures from our SECOND trip to la B del M in the same day :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2VdG-QScuSD3ebhnA0ANIFP2P-4A2mC7TnmHo-w38sJ6kzodFiQtuFPHXJIeQxu5QjJG_nF67_VaKYoOE4ZNrLgr-0Q2G0LmkWsKuhrQPAPuoHbcdHMBTXibMTSt8bJfRxCS/s1600-h/scary.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2VdG-QScuSD3ebhnA0ANIFP2P-4A2mC7TnmHo-w38sJ6kzodFiQtuFPHXJIeQxu5QjJG_nF67_VaKYoOE4ZNrLgr-0Q2G0LmkWsKuhrQPAPuoHbcdHMBTXibMTSt8bJfRxCS/s200/scary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324612011922634258" border="0" /></a> the lengths people will go to get their name in print! :)<br /><br />danielle definitely caught the eye of our waiter. every time the band played a dance song, he was teaching her the moves!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mMUFyHvppdAOmb7ihKfVJpyEkmNoTW_ZRLOVih31b8PvS0EEgJYfKKMlK4dNvImPqJaTnRYH0LPoTIqxdC3Pp-gnhKZnZ93EV7NDmiMqEMng60j4Ku8OJe_hlG2eag4zpIu_/s1600-h/danielle_dancelesson.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mMUFyHvppdAOmb7ihKfVJpyEkmNoTW_ZRLOVih31b8PvS0EEgJYfKKMlK4dNvImPqJaTnRYH0LPoTIqxdC3Pp-gnhKZnZ93EV7NDmiMqEMng60j4Ku8OJe_hlG2eag4zpIu_/s200/danielle_dancelesson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324611904272272322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />boys & their cigars ... yes, that's matt's SECOND cuban cigar in a day. it must be vacation!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX98HvI7HR3kqh2OuO_PUcX29qwm-dajkfuD8UV9Ay63RatfnYPpaxwrm6_-iDG29ikc800oNbpTf2brubiFpBVZozEZ67wBKW1ALxw39KboymzLYXbXHZh899CXqE4zubSjRG/s1600-h/matt+%26+max+cubans.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX98HvI7HR3kqh2OuO_PUcX29qwm-dajkfuD8UV9Ay63RatfnYPpaxwrm6_-iDG29ikc800oNbpTf2brubiFpBVZozEZ67wBKW1ALxw39KboymzLYXbXHZh899CXqE4zubSjRG/s200/matt+%26+max+cubans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324611109362596114" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3CmJe4bG8_LmFkgafi-DehHTDoJfXH21Xk3oUVQiXjhXuKzpxttPWhuaGbit7OzgIEQbuxEiJjvCVXTd56Wj0wFvvZrlB1CI49xPt9220-X08yRrZXJV9HaLWunhKWMPYUh4/s1600-h/danielle_cigar.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3CmJe4bG8_LmFkgafi-DehHTDoJfXH21Xk3oUVQiXjhXuKzpxttPWhuaGbit7OzgIEQbuxEiJjvCVXTd56Wj0wFvvZrlB1CI49xPt9220-X08yRrZXJV9HaLWunhKWMPYUh4/s200/danielle_cigar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324611950472123122" border="0" /></a> danielle tried it too!<br /><br />another cute gabi & max photo from La B del M<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXxja-Oe8RdcALTgav2YFt4kq3K_XmAITm5V8f_OfTtNTEIpM_9bcUtaRb-rv8FPKuIe90e4dWClES_DqZTUc0vA7bWKZQcOetXu6ZUEXqdmhE0hJF1UeuxfCUj_Gwe1XnTO9/s1600-h/gabi&max_laBdelM.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXxja-Oe8RdcALTgav2YFt4kq3K_XmAITm5V8f_OfTtNTEIpM_9bcUtaRb-rv8FPKuIe90e4dWClES_DqZTUc0vA7bWKZQcOetXu6ZUEXqdmhE0hJF1UeuxfCUj_Gwe1XnTO9/s320/gabi&max_laBdelM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324611029295897506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />on our last night in PV, we went to a "party on the beach" (imagine that phrase stated in the voice and accent of Pedro from napoleon dynamite and you'll be golden) ... they had LOTS of delicious food, and entertainment. oh - and there was also this REALLY random cupid. from a distance matt & max thought it was a teenage boy in a diaper dressed as cupid. so it's not nearly as exciting when she gets closer and we realize it's just a really small girl. but it still made a funny picure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIPLcwVNBwar8falnNWb33z7E9xotnfkSp4Bzt-riM9aRfT6uUNBMdANgLbatc9V83W5xlv0-qO7Er7ZMnV5hAX83sRNfV5ipXY7ye_tr9WYnvv99xgmv9F79MFzE6bBsXpAj/s1600-h/random+cupid.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIPLcwVNBwar8falnNWb33z7E9xotnfkSp4Bzt-riM9aRfT6uUNBMdANgLbatc9V83W5xlv0-qO7Er7ZMnV5hAX83sRNfV5ipXY7ye_tr9WYnvv99xgmv9F79MFzE6bBsXpAj/s200/random+cupid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324612862813575810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />so that's our trip to PV in a nutshell.<br />i currently cannot find the little piece of equipment that helps me easily download my pictures, so until i find it - there will either be NO blogs or blogs without pictures = boring! :)<br /><br />thanks for reading!<br />now i'm wishing for that mahi mahi ceviche from La B del M!!<br />and the yellow rice!!<br />and a mojito!!<br /><br />:) Jjeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-44801684718101591342009-03-15T18:05:00.000-07:002009-04-24T02:32:40.724-07:00Erin's Baby Showerok - i'm FINALLY getting around to blogging about erin's baby shower.<br />lacy (our trusty photographer) was SO on top of things when she gave me a CD of all the lovely photos about 3 months ago!! too bad i just got around to uploading said pictures :)<br /><br />so - let's get started ...<br />although, its been a while since the shower (in mid november) so i hope i can remember everything!<br /><br />the shower was held at debbie's house. she has such a great space for a baby shower, birthday party, whatever! we've even held events such like an olympics party ... it's just a really great house with a beautiful backyard. i wish my backyard was 1/2 as nice as theirs - and i'm rather fond of our yard! but i digress ...<br /><br />the party was a saturday afternoon at debbie's house ... mostly held in the beautiful backyard. but, we kept the food and candy buffet inside. but, more on that later.<br /><br />here are a couple of photos of the backyard space.<br />we had 5-6 tables set for 4, complete with rented tablecloths in the shower colors of blue, green & brown; a drink station with personalized wine glasses (i personalized them with wine charms i made with each guests name, as well as the origin and meaning of their name - this was one of my favorite "touches"); we also had a little area with a comfy chair for the mother to be and a present table in close proximity to her. we also set up a table for the activity of the day. since i'm not fond of "shower games" and thankfully neither is erin (mom to be) ... we did an activity instead and it was a real hit.<br /><br />ok - enough chatter - here are the photos of the outside space and other various "touches"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCId7aU15NXGlPWtOO1ZD6xmsPPUZZzTWl0r1t5KEIHviRHZTTXVkv_jvpRVqqj9ruY1lpAZajBijmfuIWGLhu6LIzLozmkE3BpbZHtKDJecb9Sl28Oj-EK43PS5dh61dANAr/s1600-h/IMG_4927.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCId7aU15NXGlPWtOO1ZD6xmsPPUZZzTWl0r1t5KEIHviRHZTTXVkv_jvpRVqqj9ruY1lpAZajBijmfuIWGLhu6LIzLozmkE3BpbZHtKDJecb9Sl28Oj-EK43PS5dh61dANAr/s320/IMG_4927.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313588960870163586" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3BWF0aunH1SafMwMsh29lyLg3HNzeBu5lVTM3PIQhAHJ2LgOCyoxxfAD7L_2dOnshx7b__gkNGwqnNOuKVExdDD6cIHJs02oLfwBKXCjNwgmJvGsHwR_i_1nfXT0O4nG43BE/s1600-h/IMG_4928.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3BWF0aunH1SafMwMsh29lyLg3HNzeBu5lVTM3PIQhAHJ2LgOCyoxxfAD7L_2dOnshx7b__gkNGwqnNOuKVExdDD6cIHJs02oLfwBKXCjNwgmJvGsHwR_i_1nfXT0O4nG43BE/s320/IMG_4928.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313589994442910610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNHWb3wX7zDpJ5-1Cj2D5V-kXP7mFpJDYAmnh3mab1OeCGPIyy4nYrYGezPSubZGtCCB0yD7AtlPr_Iw2U8UTjD0s0NrHSt5Qxwuw-8W6eQu_N3cg-7n6KcSPLpqt2qxTWjXo/s1600-h/IMG_4994.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNHWb3wX7zDpJ5-1Cj2D5V-kXP7mFpJDYAmnh3mab1OeCGPIyy4nYrYGezPSubZGtCCB0yD7AtlPr_Iw2U8UTjD0s0NrHSt5Qxwuw-8W6eQu_N3cg-7n6KcSPLpqt2qxTWjXo/s320/IMG_4994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313591656278715154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bzCGl4bzPSfq4bgMlqXJp175r0kE-Mhc5lD1NgYmu1hfDpx0f8thVSdXZJB8NEQajcGqeSsO8lnANsRJXF4G0GG6fmrfn0FS0wgFW_RAyOBD_cgknmvO5qlSOnPmZtRHIVLO/s1600-h/IMG_4932.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bzCGl4bzPSfq4bgMlqXJp175r0kE-Mhc5lD1NgYmu1hfDpx0f8thVSdXZJB8NEQajcGqeSsO8lnANsRJXF4G0GG6fmrfn0FS0wgFW_RAyOBD_cgknmvO5qlSOnPmZtRHIVLO/s320/IMG_4932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313593057514286226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />and now about our "activity ... as i mentioned, erin is not a fan of shower games.<br />thank goodness for that - i really can't stand 99% of all shower games i've ever played.<br />and that's terrible of me - b/c EVERYONE plays them! i'm just a brat, i guess :)<br />anyway - so i had to get pretty creative when it came to filling our time with something fun to do. so i scoured TJ Maxx for WEEKS to get inexpensive onesies ... and i purchased fabric markers in various colors (from Michael's - with coupons of course) :) ... and we had a little "craft time"! i think everyone had a good time with it ... and they really turned out great!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0jyWYGc-gE6QIlj6rZErn6S1OLpIZ5MAzxffKQ1ejtXh-SYBWDaQZTimcOvA6UmEZi2mCITg73rw6MvT4ND7UifKMiSl9sEq9inhTshQxkF8PIaV3gOU36HTAa6C4pjlIrBm/s1600-h/IMG_4944.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0jyWYGc-gE6QIlj6rZErn6S1OLpIZ5MAzxffKQ1ejtXh-SYBWDaQZTimcOvA6UmEZi2mCITg73rw6MvT4ND7UifKMiSl9sEq9inhTshQxkF8PIaV3gOU36HTAa6C4pjlIrBm/s320/IMG_4944.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313595321797003986" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp52JlSBvtP62EyeqJqG7Urp498QmRoZTvCDCDSB51AWHcSkhXQn291WuLWyx_pZks6rC9ya97fEhHna5y88FZcBbOWLkX9nuWALVlI6ZP5x4mGyocKr93yhbzeBYZ4zSWf3ks/s1600-h/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+022.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp52JlSBvtP62EyeqJqG7Urp498QmRoZTvCDCDSB51AWHcSkhXQn291WuLWyx_pZks6rC9ya97fEhHna5y88FZcBbOWLkX9nuWALVlI6ZP5x4mGyocKr93yhbzeBYZ4zSWf3ks/s200/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328179471870294802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iRSDyDQTvXqLX2kE3Bu-pT7Rq9RabCHU1jaRz8MMi_p1feL0KPQdSqwW8z6SMmsVVG0TzD_LSQgRrYUc5Psh8C7jTR8YC074N7GBe2_Hb-wiJVyYTtP13Z5LHEYeGuZuaK4y/s1600-h/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+086.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iRSDyDQTvXqLX2kE3Bu-pT7Rq9RabCHU1jaRz8MMi_p1feL0KPQdSqwW8z6SMmsVVG0TzD_LSQgRrYUc5Psh8C7jTR8YC074N7GBe2_Hb-wiJVyYTtP13Z5LHEYeGuZuaK4y/s200/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328179997242283682" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5OsXGn-kiFnt3ovzrx322RXfOoPAbqP8dw3nzW__OU7IJ6j0BrjHQ5Y09wa_UYEUoCKEnLg3nUic44vycElcV5c6xI8XPUHeaAB3Ao4wtEO4FnZBZzw4Ncgzx2I-mVXvplos/s1600-h/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+087.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5OsXGn-kiFnt3ovzrx322RXfOoPAbqP8dw3nzW__OU7IJ6j0BrjHQ5Y09wa_UYEUoCKEnLg3nUic44vycElcV5c6xI8XPUHeaAB3Ao4wtEO4FnZBZzw4Ncgzx2I-mVXvplos/s200/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328180244446644962" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSJMm4_rVaQl7iA0pD4n8HoefIg0m__Zw96rRbq1W_n9t7h1k7rGGN4A-M4KkMK-bZTk3rhCx-NJr5rlFm4M2W16OfI_ql0PGW8Z2UMJl_-_ueX0tJmH1wDo23Gjw10kLN-Sy/s1600-h/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+097.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSJMm4_rVaQl7iA0pD4n8HoefIg0m__Zw96rRbq1W_n9t7h1k7rGGN4A-M4KkMK-bZTk3rhCx-NJr5rlFm4M2W16OfI_ql0PGW8Z2UMJl_-_ueX0tJmH1wDo23Gjw10kLN-Sy/s200/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328180562460202370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />the last picture shows the "winners" that erin chose! very cute.<br /><br />and here are some pictures of the food table ...<br />the menu consisted of:<br />grilled chicken breasts with chimichurri sauce<br />orzo with asparagus & pistachios (one of erin's favorite "jeanine's kitchen" dishes) :)<br />prosciutto wrapped melon<br />fruit salad cups<br />green salad with cranberries, almonds & citrus vinaigrette<br /><br />for dessert we had:<br />yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting (and blue sprinkles) :)<br />mini cherry cheesecakes<br />onesie sugar cookies (i WISH i would have gotten a picture of those!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk4JEP6Xov-44zGTWPQmQ_n3r7mUrXvoEAIjr_pTbCDCVWVRMfEXF7DATuKnfZrSVcw6VuE-qKJMeEpbZbbtZyi7T2lVXqdH7Pd2N5CXHvKE246w0x2XxFkVI01GAId8qx57V/s1600-h/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+006.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimk4JEP6Xov-44zGTWPQmQ_n3r7mUrXvoEAIjr_pTbCDCVWVRMfEXF7DATuKnfZrSVcw6VuE-qKJMeEpbZbbtZyi7T2lVXqdH7Pd2N5CXHvKE246w0x2XxFkVI01GAId8qx57V/s200/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328181301867091122" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRtWZ9arrZxnynKkuAvzU0_TqAdywsWvfiLWEIs-nPjkqgpxpKmD5bQmyQ15fs-0WGBDm7OQyqmQgeMZGmKhQ8BbzdNeRsaxvMPddJs38N6PjJAE9n04fODZ-NdpdSPoRbb4r/s1600-h/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+014.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRtWZ9arrZxnynKkuAvzU0_TqAdywsWvfiLWEIs-nPjkqgpxpKmD5bQmyQ15fs-0WGBDm7OQyqmQgeMZGmKhQ8BbzdNeRsaxvMPddJs38N6PjJAE9n04fODZ-NdpdSPoRbb4r/s200/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328187261137929298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and here's the candy buffet table.<br />instead of a party favor that would probably be thrown in the trash, or collect dust in a closet, i set up a candy buffet and the guests filled up little paper bags with color coordinated candy! here's a picture of that ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEwxLXrzNgZyC9ZZSaMCl7Y69VwWD4xodKXVSsb1hziEqHS3OzlsmvIWLemPMtcmbAYi1xUVS7jd6hASkAQb5Zxy6iDfmWH07I_9SU7FVggU4T5vFG2J9Oehx6KEwLR2ogrnH/s1600-h/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+007.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEwxLXrzNgZyC9ZZSaMCl7Y69VwWD4xodKXVSsb1hziEqHS3OzlsmvIWLemPMtcmbAYi1xUVS7jd6hASkAQb5Zxy6iDfmWH07I_9SU7FVggU4T5vFG2J9Oehx6KEwLR2ogrnH/s200/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328183185365741186" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqj-kNJNyurmen6jAfbIe5DUVXWFpH3W9CcEBf8FlY-sPt5rpHtTok_t4J60kuMzLg6pzKb3joxVQ2N2-Phurur9cK-T5k9gH76PAx7w4PLjTbtPuBK9XcVtlmJw7RsigCyrh/s1600-h/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+013.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqj-kNJNyurmen6jAfbIe5DUVXWFpH3W9CcEBf8FlY-sPt5rpHtTok_t4J60kuMzLg6pzKb3joxVQ2N2-Phurur9cK-T5k9gH76PAx7w4PLjTbtPuBK9XcVtlmJw7RsigCyrh/s200/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328186709215291746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i also made a banner that read "How Sweet" to hang over the candy buffet. it didn't make it into this photo - but you can see most of it in this one!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yGERLKqD6-nebmGokFWmeHUj7iIEJumLWRTbFtyo7xjwCj8dHDKV6ynUzJWIs3hLnNQ-7glnnk5iQsGQOkmGPB3ieCmnY49ldJg9f6bwhdaHP3_ESjZpYy4T5LGFv2UVD2tY/s1600-h/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+017.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yGERLKqD6-nebmGokFWmeHUj7iIEJumLWRTbFtyo7xjwCj8dHDKV6ynUzJWIs3hLnNQ-7glnnk5iQsGQOkmGPB3ieCmnY49ldJg9f6bwhdaHP3_ESjZpYy4T5LGFv2UVD2tY/s200/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328183633039638834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and here is my favorite part!<br />the dum dum centerpiece! you can't really tell, but this dum dum ball is on top of a vase filled with color coordinated M&Ms ... a layer of brown, a layer of green & a layer of blue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHE4vwfekYTFC8YyPpU8YFEgMc3xHvOxxLl_e2fpRutaic698KwvFagKF1eSsyBIX4wJi7W-ZWlzfiWgj5C_LTF270wtpLUjoLosI57JH4sKMykuwnWAXyd4Tmxn2ryHG1j2OC/s1600-h/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+082.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHE4vwfekYTFC8YyPpU8YFEgMc3xHvOxxLl_e2fpRutaic698KwvFagKF1eSsyBIX4wJi7W-ZWlzfiWgj5C_LTF270wtpLUjoLosI57JH4sKMykuwnWAXyd4Tmxn2ryHG1j2OC/s200/Erin+-+Baby+Shower+Nov08+082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328185199794608178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />and that's about it!<br />it was a great time - and a beautiful fall day!<br />can't ask for much more than that!<br /><br />so i'll leave you with one last picture ...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdQbwtYEGZN1NkxfG9BMAA0Uy2in0K_sWnO-Frv47pwq-C6vAmnfk5gIENggmxrY5KUVuOUbj1p9Um2yrTFPmitK2YrJamspZtogTMRYkINL9cz9ns0kLWqzadAyv5c0j8AgI/s1600-h/IMG_4958.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdQbwtYEGZN1NkxfG9BMAA0Uy2in0K_sWnO-Frv47pwq-C6vAmnfk5gIENggmxrY5KUVuOUbj1p9Um2yrTFPmitK2YrJamspZtogTMRYkINL9cz9ns0kLWqzadAyv5c0j8AgI/s320/IMG_4958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313606312837422514" border="0" /></a> aren't these girls so cute? :)jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-40387034728901906552009-03-03T19:03:00.001-08:002009-03-03T19:08:01.047-08:00aaaaah!!! it's marchthat's a "scary" ahhhh ... not an angry one.<br />i just can't believe 2009 is flying by so fast!<br />i just read my last blog from january. man, am i a slacker or what??<br /><br />i have so much to document!<br /><br />since supper club january 2009, we have had a supper-club-slash-super-bowl get together, we have traveled to puerto vallarta for gabi's wedding and i have spent a week with my siblings - acting as mom/sister, chauffeur, teacher, etc. (very exciting) ;)<br /><br />however - i STILL haven't downloaded pictures from the first supper club.<br />what a slacker!!<br /><br />so - i'll use this post as an "in-between" post.<br />and the next post (hopefully not in MAY!) will consist of details from the above-mentioned activities, as well as photos!! <br /><br />oh ... and i gave up sweets for lent.<br />so i'm anticipating being super cranky for the next 2 supper club meetings.<br />please forgive any not-so-pleasant posts about the desserts from the next 2 get-togethers!<br /><br />hope to be posting again soon!!jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-20371551040629092992009-01-19T15:08:00.000-08:002009-01-19T15:59:11.960-08:00Gourmet Club 2009 (January Edition)we finally did it!<br />we started a gourmet club ... i started calling it a "supper club" but danielle dubbed it "gourmet club" and i liked it better ... so "gourmet club" it shall be!<br /><br />so last night was our first meeting and it was a fabulous time!<br />the goals of this "club" are the following:<br /><br />1. for good friends to make some great food, preferably something you haven't made before<br />2. don't stress about your dish ... if it doesn't work out, stop at safeway on your way over! (just make sure it's something good!) :)<br />3. relax and forget about any stresses or troubles we may have<br /><br />and our first night accomplished all of our goals!<br /><br />here's the rundown.<br /><br />we decided to do the gourmet club while at the cabin over new year's weekend, so we didn't have a set plan for our "january meeting". so this month was thrown together rather quickly and dubbed "cocktail party" night. danielle hosted the soiree at her place and we were all quite glad - because she is THE.BEST.HOST.EVER! we all love parties at her place. and she also made a dessert (more on that later). adam was the "barkeep" (nicknamed by heather - hilar!). heather made a savory dish, traci and i also made savory dishes and lyndsay made a dessert. while eating all the superb food, we shared our successes and horror stories about our dishes, why we chose them and whether we have made them in the past. after eating we played a game of apples to apples. traci and heather caught on VERY quickly - a little too quickly because traci cleaned up! we had to extend the game b/c she won so fast. but she ended up kicking all our butts anyway. and then we moved on to a NEW(ish) game at danielle's casa ... and i just realized i really should have taken a picture of this ... but she has a set of 8 chalkboards (i think - maybe it's just 6) and they're all lined up together to make one big chalkboard. so we played PICTIONARY! and danielle had the great idea to use the apples to apples cards. it worked perfectly and we had a blast! all in all a GREAT first get-together for us foodies.<br /><br />now here are the details on the food!<br /><br /><strong>heather</strong> - a delicious terrine made with goat cheese, pesto (homemade pesto!), sundried tomatoes and toasted pine nuts. this was served with pita chips and displayed with kumquats on the plate. it was so beautiful! it looked like a mountain or volcano! and it tasted SO good!<br /><br /><strong>traci</strong> - rolls with barbecued beef. VERY good! traci had the first "horror story" of the gourmet club. she tried to make bbq beef but said that it didn't look quite right :). those of you who know traci know how funny she is ... so of course it cracked all of us up that this was her explanation for why her dish didn't work out :). but she made a fabulous recovery by bringing store-bought bbq beef. i told her she could have gotten away with telling us she made it ;) ... but i guess that's the fun of the club! we'll all have successes and horror stories at some point!<br /><br /><strong>jeanine</strong> - i made roasted shrimp cocktail (a barefoot contessa recipe). i followed the recipe but i also added 3 cloves of chopped garlic and i think it made SUCH a difference. it would have been too boring without the garlic. the recipe comes from ina's latest book - back to basics!! i was really happy to get to use my new cookbook. the recipe also calls for a homemade cocktail sauce but it was still VERY easy and delicious.<br /><br /><strong>danielle</strong> - not much of a "horror" story, but her original idea didn't work out as she planned. she wanted to make mini napoleons. if you don't know what a napoleon is - here's a <a href="http://biggerthanyourhead.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/napoleon1_01.jpg">picture </a>of the delicious pastry. napoleon's - how i LOVE napoleons! (or anything with pastry cream for that matter!) anyway, danielle thought she cut the puff pastry too small so she baked tiny little mini puff pastries and baked them and we had deconstructed napoleons. i still couldn't stop eating them! even if they weren't what she originally planned to make.<br /><br /><strong>lyndsay</strong> - molten chocolate cakes. i need to find out where she got this recipe b/c she made them in a muffin tin! and the reason i rarely make molten chocolate cakes is that i don't want to deal with all the individual ramekins! so i will certainly welcome a muffin tin recipe for these delicious concoctions! they were VERY good and very rich (although i managed to eat the whole thing) and lyndsay had the bright idea to serve them with a scoop of coffee ice cream on top.<br />d'lish! ;)<br /><br /><strong>adam</strong> - aka barkeep (per heather) ... adam made a fantastic cocktail! first a short story ... adam got an iphone for christmas. it was ALL he wanted so basically EVERYONE (including yours truly) who bought adam a christmas present most likely contributed to adam's iphone and/or his many interesting applications on the iphone. one of the coolest applications is "bartender" (at least i think that's what its called). so adam chose something with bourbon (yum) and decided to make a <em>bourbon smash</em>. however he re-named it "EVERYBODY IN THE POOL!" and i will admit that if it had not been january, that's how we all may have ended up if we had one more of those babies! it was SO GOOD! and it has been "favorite-d" on the iphone for future use.<br /><br />the drink consisted of blackberries (the original recipe calls for raspberries, but blackberries were on sale - and i prefer them ... so i'm thankful for safeway's sale of blackberries) :), lime juice, & mint leaves muddled in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. then adam added a little simple syrup, bourbon and cranberry juice. it is all shaken with ice and poured (not strained) into a glass. SO good!<br /><br />i think that covers the evening!<br />i took a few pictures - but as usual, i left thinking i should have taken more!<br />i don't have pictures of apples to apples, pictionary OR the group! :-/<br />bummer summer.<br />i will post the pictures a little later and maybe by then i will think of something i left out of the above description!<br /><br />danielle also offered to host for february ... hooray for danielle and her fabulous hosting abilities - and DESIRE to host us crazy folks! we are having a RECORD PARTY!! i am so excited i can hardly wait for february! danielle's dad got a record player for christmas so we are going to have a 70's party ala swingtown (minus the swinging) ;)<br /><br />we will make fondue and dress in costume and arrive with dippers and records in hand.<br />i am pumped! can you tell? ;)<br /><br />thanks for reading this NOVEL ... but i am so excited we have kicked off the gourmet club so well! i decided to document every detail!<br />let's see if we can keep the momentum going for the next few months of 09! ;)<br /><br />happy inauguration day tomorrow everyone!jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-84770993414161531692008-10-29T11:39:00.000-07:002008-10-29T12:29:54.725-07:00look who's back!well ... for now.<br />i'm not making any promises. but i finally got a picture of something i made recently so i decided that it calls for a celebration ... or a blog ;)<br /><br />monday night we got together with our friends "the brewers" for dinner (hence the crazy messy kitchen) and pumpkin carving!<br /><br />here is my dessert creation: <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/no-bake-spiderweb-cheesecake?autonomy_kw=spiderweb%20cheesecake&rsc=header_1">spiderweb no-</a><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/no-bake-spiderweb-cheesecake?autonomy_kw=spiderweb%20cheesecake&rsc=header_1">bake cheesecake</a> from Martha Stewart!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKYYitAUBDy-svY-u5f5p3vVdYu3YgSxaPA11RKkWH9vyRyHnFae_JETlUL5AoazdL0vQjs-wJmwked0YzPpsAOpzGZ_MZeG4WN-PBXyF4s8FtccgQ88u1Ks36H6Pe-WZvgdh/s1600-h/Megan_J9_PumpkinCarving_10.27.08.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKYYitAUBDy-svY-u5f5p3vVdYu3YgSxaPA11RKkWH9vyRyHnFae_JETlUL5AoazdL0vQjs-wJmwked0YzPpsAOpzGZ_MZeG4WN-PBXyF4s8FtccgQ88u1Ks36H6Pe-WZvgdh/s200/Megan_J9_PumpkinCarving_10.27.08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262648941183473842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />here is the carving process ... and everyone in their various places throughout the house, yard, etc. Megan was drawing at the table, matt was cutting out his template in the craft closet, andy was missing and the rest of the brewer clan were hard at work on the back patio ...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw62ll6AoaQ8Mln5_pby2cjZbHdomM4OJOa0002pT6ddE_KrsIduLiL197NagNczrkD08Fu5JXzpMDdex9M2IECMaRcMDKE01IHohh91NsKam_dCrjeRhPcWkZ5sTLK7iAPTi/s1600-h/Megan_PumpkinCarving_10.27.08.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw62ll6AoaQ8Mln5_pby2cjZbHdomM4OJOa0002pT6ddE_KrsIduLiL197NagNczrkD08Fu5JXzpMDdex9M2IECMaRcMDKE01IHohh91NsKam_dCrjeRhPcWkZ5sTLK7iAPTi/s200/Megan_PumpkinCarving_10.27.08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262652035401657602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGjs0kqdHu7vaxHe5twlzW9JxOGbEYwlPpz_CGBsjDXmNm3pUmHRJ9YJwpK_g9Fw8lOXdF0jf2Pw47yTeePSGeaRtV4TLEcMTKt5Tjkotj5l24zKZxsmU6a0ZNX1beFQ8MpMW/s1600-h/Matt_PumpkinCarving_10.27.08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGjs0kqdHu7vaxHe5twlzW9JxOGbEYwlPpz_CGBsjDXmNm3pUmHRJ9YJwpK_g9Fw8lOXdF0jf2Pw47yTeePSGeaRtV4TLEcMTKt5Tjkotj5l24zKZxsmU6a0ZNX1beFQ8MpMW/s200/Matt_PumpkinCarving_10.27.08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262652656801295906" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHi9nZABzmCHjLHepZqYeuVtc7AoMnR5AtznVw9vBrX2KcKtv69dZG1kf6uTHsrFOL0n3Rl6LN66bNCCey44fPtOehdUmBgZ9M-vNkSNfS0PiJwXMLnAGir6UAjqnq1Gr923B/s1600-h/Pumpkin+Carving2+10.27.08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHi9nZABzmCHjLHepZqYeuVtc7AoMnR5AtznVw9vBrX2KcKtv69dZG1kf6uTHsrFOL0n3Rl6LN66bNCCey44fPtOehdUmBgZ9M-vNkSNfS0PiJwXMLnAGir6UAjqnq1Gr923B/s200/Pumpkin+Carving2+10.27.08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262652968225306994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />this is what i was doing while everyone was hard at work on their pumpkins ...<br />once again my timing was off and i was way behind on dinner. here i am, hiding behind the flowers and processing up some chimichurri sauce. don't worry - i was able to make a pumpkin eventually ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiZbZCJLrAZxgVsqgphfC1aSXxXB4zfWMczMwZgN-rGGFAfm58YDEFKePqe0_pb-_MV3sbfkPs70az7jkxoVV1z3zXLY4rz08Hn7U7FPGOpcZTyIcTwgxT1Frkl3NNR2EV4MS/s1600-h/Jeanine_PumpkinCarving_10.27.08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiZbZCJLrAZxgVsqgphfC1aSXxXB4zfWMczMwZgN-rGGFAfm58YDEFKePqe0_pb-_MV3sbfkPs70az7jkxoVV1z3zXLY4rz08Hn7U7FPGOpcZTyIcTwgxT1Frkl3NNR2EV4MS/s200/Jeanine_PumpkinCarving_10.27.08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262654454806711074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />here are the completed pumpkins ... from the left -<br /><br />my sorry attempt at a Notre Dame pumpkin<br />andy and trisha's pumpkin - they were too lame to do individual pumpkins ... dorks<br />matt's alien pumpkin<br />tom's cute face pumpkin<br />debbie's cat pumpkin - i saw it lit up at her house last night. it looks so cute!<br />megan's scary big mouth pumpkin<br />chris's spider pumpkin - see how it's 2 pumpkins together? :) he brought black pipe cleaners for the legs! :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QDvvkrMiCeqwib6mgxua949OXaoURYN3Ko8cY2yvF6Kp491I-7lmAvjVVJh5y367hkQSGviM-9NRrHbtW38_xhGdv7cfMdf5DppkotZbQ0Y5AE8Uxu_ruVPqqIHWhNvNZnyV/s1600-h/Pumpkin+Carving+10.27.08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QDvvkrMiCeqwib6mgxua949OXaoURYN3Ko8cY2yvF6Kp491I-7lmAvjVVJh5y367hkQSGviM-9NRrHbtW38_xhGdv7cfMdf5DppkotZbQ0Y5AE8Uxu_ruVPqqIHWhNvNZnyV/s200/Pumpkin+Carving+10.27.08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262654785421355314" border="0" /></a> <br /><br />to top the night off, andy and trisha decided to have a jalepeno eating contest.<br />we had glasses of milk and honey to help with the burn ;) and matt is holding a bag of jalapenos that we picked from our garden. this whole bag was from just a few branches! there are SO many more left on the plant!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSq6GO1tHnTlQnEqzMxu6Xi_yFGhHTUptATTFccek-r1jX0l64dwWMgzhLaNZTvxPzV0ay7ZfeGa2Kf2ZQHv_AhUIYvb-M0P3nc2PLV4ONcUWDUV0n0V8IwKsvXADYWnWpQ2q/s1600-h/Jalapeno+Eating+10.27.08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSq6GO1tHnTlQnEqzMxu6Xi_yFGhHTUptATTFccek-r1jX0l64dwWMgzhLaNZTvxPzV0ay7ZfeGa2Kf2ZQHv_AhUIYvb-M0P3nc2PLV4ONcUWDUV0n0V8IwKsvXADYWnWpQ2q/s200/Jalapeno+Eating+10.27.08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262656207453089010" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGphZlgSJDQfpV_mqlisLnaqtaUo64AavLz3VCX_o_1GeSuRnKxibEYd_V4fChzJuiizXZBn2hGv72vKRSYIptg87_9LrhURmmPTpZfK34yZPsTSAeDTNTaE9B-TPYDg8CaQji/s1600-h/Matt_Jalapenos_10.27.08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGphZlgSJDQfpV_mqlisLnaqtaUo64AavLz3VCX_o_1GeSuRnKxibEYd_V4fChzJuiizXZBn2hGv72vKRSYIptg87_9LrhURmmPTpZfK34yZPsTSAeDTNTaE9B-TPYDg8CaQji/s200/Matt_Jalapenos_10.27.08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262657290501049538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />we had a great time!<br />i'm glad i finally posted a blog - MONTHS later!!<br /><br />hope to check in again soon!jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-19096046325925330382008-04-14T11:05:00.001-07:002008-04-14T12:10:37.264-07:00Gabi's Visityay!!<br /><br />my friend Gabi came to visit last weekend.<br />it's been WAY WAY WAY too long since we have been able to spend time together.<br />and i'm so glad last weekend worked out so we could hang out a little bit.<br /><br />enjoy some pictures of my friend! i miss her already ... :-/<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6FVNJJLCKKsYyTFjSSZzlm_aHu4k5dVShUZJqJUPpCg11bIPRZl5yGC6nQYX_Q-uEM6z9KJLc3JM9PmderY8EI8UX5JOuSWb6ywmxS-dGykBFl32vbP73UfcxF8ST4GJpE0x/s1600-h/P4050003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189164394561215346" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6FVNJJLCKKsYyTFjSSZzlm_aHu4k5dVShUZJqJUPpCg11bIPRZl5yGC6nQYX_Q-uEM6z9KJLc3JM9PmderY8EI8UX5JOuSWb6ywmxS-dGykBFl32vbP73UfcxF8ST4GJpE0x/s200/P4050003.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC7N6-KDdCHSGCh7DeZeGGPAN3zfjNcDUbd67g-utLF8P37xu87zyCYyU-e7bX8xciyjUD5xYRuXpOXe5S2WGujfcQVgRaMkVZN6x9zOPgXYpU9FBf7LWuPqso6vy8qlhOHTM/s1600-h/P4050012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189164879892519810" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC7N6-KDdCHSGCh7DeZeGGPAN3zfjNcDUbd67g-utLF8P37xu87zyCYyU-e7bX8xciyjUD5xYRuXpOXe5S2WGujfcQVgRaMkVZN6x9zOPgXYpU9FBf7LWuPqso6vy8qlhOHTM/s200/P4050012.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSyCB6_GUe2i_t8FC77JI_ylI89DFyiEN63SxGqCTtJb2b3Wme3yK6GI8ZUz2Gs00mHLsvYdW1U8EFc6x4SYVQGsTIRJF_j-RH6nUetwTlVvRq0DcBJJKKQDWBHSUVRpBisIJ/s1600-h/P4050004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189170218536868754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSyCB6_GUe2i_t8FC77JI_ylI89DFyiEN63SxGqCTtJb2b3Wme3yK6GI8ZUz2Gs00mHLsvYdW1U8EFc6x4SYVQGsTIRJF_j-RH6nUetwTlVvRq0DcBJJKKQDWBHSUVRpBisIJ/s200/P4050004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />we went to salty senorita. it was a fun place with a great patio.<br />we left JUST in time for the Grapevine for some karaoke.<br /><br />i say "just in time" b/c a party bus of "cougars" were dropped off just as we were paying our bill. whew! dodged that bullet.<br /><br />i vaguely remember one of them asking Max for something -<br />a condom or his phone # ... i don't know.<br /><br /><br />either way - classy, cougars. classy.<br /><br /><br /><br />we made a friend at the Grapevine.<br />his name is Shane. Shane was a fun guy.<br />i call him "smiley shane".<br /><br />you can see why below ... he sang a mean "tim mcgraw" :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UENdzcu6tb2Ryk8u30KN5q6ky84h0KZd-hAaH74zkak3RfseVEdeqbdU3ZHTqsFYHRF6LNFO3uz2nl_qaAMEkP5Ig6D__HaueibyBmegov9cA8ceV-FpXAbawUM_Po5ckChz/s1600-h/P4060034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189176566498532258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UENdzcu6tb2Ryk8u30KN5q6ky84h0KZd-hAaH74zkak3RfseVEdeqbdU3ZHTqsFYHRF6LNFO3uz2nl_qaAMEkP5Ig6D__HaueibyBmegov9cA8ceV-FpXAbawUM_Po5ckChz/s200/P4060034.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNitbmwEg1-uo3UJQiMOG6rODL79Vev7QWc61xVTFaW7XjZFuiyUCq4boqJUTWkz0NQskurzhyphenhyphenmDxc6OzSrbCg4TRt6R4Mmxh2BcLwzeNH4guMBo5P15shdMxhPHfFWeku-gQy/s1600-h/P4060036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189178288780417970" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNitbmwEg1-uo3UJQiMOG6rODL79Vev7QWc61xVTFaW7XjZFuiyUCq4boqJUTWkz0NQskurzhyphenhyphenmDxc6OzSrbCg4TRt6R4Mmxh2BcLwzeNH4guMBo5P15shdMxhPHfFWeku-gQy/s200/P4060036.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />good times.jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-46229914385434248902008-03-31T12:15:00.001-07:002008-03-31T12:43:24.176-07:00easter, oreo balls and a sister... ok, so when i took these pictures i was thinking i was being clever & funny.<br />(road trips can do that to the best of us)<br /><br /><div>and now it just seems silly ... but i'm going to do it anyway.</div><div>pioneer woman and tartelette (a couple of REAL food bloggers & food photographers) are rolling over in their kitchenaids right now ... i couldn't say "graves" for obvious reasons.</div><div></div><br /><div><strong>here's the back story:</strong></div><div></div><div>over easter weekend we (me, husband & sister) drove to LA to visit our family ... so i packed up a little bag of treats for the road. i threw in some leftovers from st. patty's day including some grasshopper bars and what was left of the oreo truffle balls. </div><div></div><br /><div>when my sister started snacking on the oreo balls, which she affectionately refers to as simply "balls" (i.e. " j, do you have any balls left?") i realized i promised the blog-world that i would photograph the leftover "balls" and post them on my blog. </div><div></div><div>being a particularly quick-thinking individual, i snapped the following photos ... </div><div></div><br /><div>so please consider the following ridiculous photos a "kept promise"</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoJX6luwPqJHf2rAzJkj3ADqkSm5zEWfTKnLZKO6BPEUkwmkwysuc-e3IS63F9KriNYcdJdKZJnos7D4SQBQPi4nxYenASg3UCFo9By22xhTk2Iuo9FgYdbetHHSxTGz5m9KP/s1600-h/P3230018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183990585617017522" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoJX6luwPqJHf2rAzJkj3ADqkSm5zEWfTKnLZKO6BPEUkwmkwysuc-e3IS63F9KriNYcdJdKZJnos7D4SQBQPi4nxYenASg3UCFo9By22xhTk2Iuo9FgYdbetHHSxTGz5m9KP/s200/P3230018.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifiOWBtvbht9bxE6YzScyUPDPWTZ8UWUwX3nU2e_FK_7w6FhIpcqx_QiwlcydZn0lQISqJ9J7U2b77Ft5oqE-csb2UpqNLxnam05vPsTKdoVtgZHcxQez3lRBiL2uYaQzBOWO/s1600-h/P3230019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183991092423158466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifiOWBtvbht9bxE6YzScyUPDPWTZ8UWUwX3nU2e_FK_7w6FhIpcqx_QiwlcydZn0lQISqJ9J7U2b77Ft5oqE-csb2UpqNLxnam05vPsTKdoVtgZHcxQez3lRBiL2uYaQzBOWO/s200/P3230019.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>i know, it's pathetic :)</div>jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-77843183076956180832008-03-31T09:24:00.000-07:002008-03-31T12:01:42.396-07:00Not-So-Secret-Garden<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>hello blog-world! it's been a good long while since i've bothered to check in.</div><div> </div><div>we have been working on our backyard for what seems like 134 years now and it's finally coming together in such a way that i look forward to going home, checking on our plants and maybe even eating dinner outside! </div><div><br />i love it! </div><div> </div><div>and the weather is still fabulous for outdoor dining (in the morning & evening at least)</div><div><br />i'll have to post pictures later of the yard as a whole, but for now i'll just let you in on the latest additions. </div><div><br />this is my <strong>MEYER LEMON TREE</strong>!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfWmdv9OVksUOoUpI2oIwNVYqOQnHm9Yw-NrNTHXrJab5vqEz4ToV2l2JPJ1-iN5-VCtFxDS0zKf-PMCGUPRn-jHs1d8uykyl0tDAG_68TjHy_3Q16LsNCiwA2nv9XSIgWOgo/s1600-h/P3170006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183944560747473426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfWmdv9OVksUOoUpI2oIwNVYqOQnHm9Yw-NrNTHXrJab5vqEz4ToV2l2JPJ1-iN5-VCtFxDS0zKf-PMCGUPRn-jHs1d8uykyl0tDAG_68TjHy_3Q16LsNCiwA2nv9XSIgWOgo/s200/P3170006.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br />i'm so excited about it. the genius that is my husband surprised me with this tree a couple of weeks ago and i'm so proud that he picked out EXACTLY what i would have picked myself!! of ALL the varieties of fruit trees in the world, he picked the one i wanted - and i don't ever recall discussing it with him! which is even MORE impressive! :)</div><div><br />this is a baby tree, but someday, it's going to have some beautiful meyer lemons ... and i'll make you all something delicious! </div><div><br />this is what a meyer lemon looks like ... sort of like an orange!! and that would be because it is thought to be a hybrid fruit - of a lemon and a tangerine!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMdJO-VhFGsIfTse4Frm0oqTn-Hj_28AZPepSUsa4oZqS76LmYnhyphenhyphenJRTLGPluWf_mj7FvVsTzcad_MSGwiX4orMI-amdgEIFGH4RUK-GpJ633YgptTFlcAnPcv6RwmK3djnNz/s1600-h/meyerlemon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183959520118565410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMdJO-VhFGsIfTse4Frm0oqTn-Hj_28AZPepSUsa4oZqS76LmYnhyphenhyphenJRTLGPluWf_mj7FvVsTzcad_MSGwiX4orMI-amdgEIFGH4RUK-GpJ633YgptTFlcAnPcv6RwmK3djnNz/s200/meyerlemon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />and next up are the herbs. please bear with me, but when i planted all the herbs i decided to take a picture of each one individually so i can keep track of their growth :) i don't know why it matters to me, but i wanted to see how long it took for them to grow from their baby sizes (when i bought them at lowes/home depot) to the size where i could cut from them and still have some left to grow for the next meal ;) </div><div> </div><div>so let's start with the classic simon & garfunkel album "parsley, sage, rosemary & thyme"</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Lcq10HUofm3ypWqKxwDYhAdjLzLAS6r3zYYEAHStSgl0exYdzDc2DmW_raYEE_0mK8rGXdbcue0Z3-e0HgwmOOO2BZtJiKGh8Y_tmA2azc56jEWyzOa8x8oUHO1PABe7Yv62/s1600-h/P3200008.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZaHBAOW7auPLeuCm1U8SZHydyZlN6wMPEd8gVmCf8YhsF_-jmIIX3P48RcufnI-nmCU3zKlxj6GCptCx6GYgvi-mkc2WogEXHst_-KKzbPIwxBt68Fqc6CAaj2E3s6T9WzRZ/s1600-h/P3200007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183961826516003378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZaHBAOW7auPLeuCm1U8SZHydyZlN6wMPEd8gVmCf8YhsF_-jmIIX3P48RcufnI-nmCU3zKlxj6GCptCx6GYgvi-mkc2WogEXHst_-KKzbPIwxBt68Fqc6CAaj2E3s6T9WzRZ/s200/P3200007.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfFikf8smtmJB7dAqPx1G8EeLQKdKRGLqQzkYatbHGqd9PZ58FNOv1MqBToistPBEhdzXrcOy4yeTzZTzC2GtoOD934OaW0y5CGX8ZRdnwfRAkXKj7Bg3ElqXNBYpjYDZ9mg5/s1600-h/P3200005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183964051309062722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZfFikf8smtmJB7dAqPx1G8EeLQKdKRGLqQzkYatbHGqd9PZ58FNOv1MqBToistPBEhdzXrcOy4yeTzZTzC2GtoOD934OaW0y5CGX8ZRdnwfRAkXKj7Bg3ElqXNBYpjYDZ9mg5/s200/P3200005.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLIgh0XwMDI4fSD7zD7EgIyvmP81PFxK10Szc5Dox10vheDppX-fkNUXEHEjXHX2mgQ0IZqA3_zpdQTbBGkF1XNAoagd8K9S7jTI4eTYLUX_bGeanPeaVT2z4RN7ees1rDK3g/s1600-h/P3200009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183965077806246482" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLIgh0XwMDI4fSD7zD7EgIyvmP81PFxK10Szc5Dox10vheDppX-fkNUXEHEjXHX2mgQ0IZqA3_zpdQTbBGkF1XNAoagd8K9S7jTI4eTYLUX_bGeanPeaVT2z4RN7ees1rDK3g/s200/P3200009.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Lcq10HUofm3ypWqKxwDYhAdjLzLAS6r3zYYEAHStSgl0exYdzDc2DmW_raYEE_0mK8rGXdbcue0Z3-e0HgwmOOO2BZtJiKGh8Y_tmA2azc56jEWyzOa8x8oUHO1PABe7Yv62/s1600-h/P3200008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183965743526177378" style="WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px" height="150" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Lcq10HUofm3ypWqKxwDYhAdjLzLAS6r3zYYEAHStSgl0exYdzDc2DmW_raYEE_0mK8rGXdbcue0Z3-e0HgwmOOO2BZtJiKGh8Y_tmA2azc56jEWyzOa8x8oUHO1PABe7Yv62/s200/P3200008.JPG" width="173" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />i also have a little oregano plant ... and i'm going to plant basil and cilantro as well.</div><div>that stuff grows like a weed, though ... so i'm not really in a huge hurry to get it planted.</div><div>i'm afraid it will take over! :)</div><div>here are the other plants ... the oregano and a gardenia bush!</div><div>i can't wait until the lovely smelling gardenias start to grow!<br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrOmkVgL1JSPg3gTLSqg6WPQizhWq-fmmbez4bz1Z4whCWl_v4QWNVGvbjuPBztr2J_ry2q5Gt-ZAVWr73HeL-yAoJLizkRyN3zsY23dAwvrM3WQwymOdluokkKFG1YC_mNaq/s1600-h/P3200006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183969535982299762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrOmkVgL1JSPg3gTLSqg6WPQizhWq-fmmbez4bz1Z4whCWl_v4QWNVGvbjuPBztr2J_ry2q5Gt-ZAVWr73HeL-yAoJLizkRyN3zsY23dAwvrM3WQwymOdluokkKFG1YC_mNaq/s200/P3200006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRZMyPNZc2LcI1PfUznml5Cj2fG-Dn_qbHarGgs3-RFpcnFkfoPXFyLigA7GRSyq_49sSLK7DyhWZyDq6Z9BOAvCPILgPOkdWuc_5NWvkBatU0deipvJfnvfw0RYx5twetzpd/s1600-h/P3200010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183971653401176706" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRZMyPNZc2LcI1PfUznml5Cj2fG-Dn_qbHarGgs3-RFpcnFkfoPXFyLigA7GRSyq_49sSLK7DyhWZyDq6Z9BOAvCPILgPOkdWuc_5NWvkBatU0deipvJfnvfw0RYx5twetzpd/s200/P3200010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br />one more thing ... i bought this fun shepherd's hook and hung a hummingbird feeder and a potted geranium plant from it! i love looking out my kitchen window and seeing this colorful sight!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZLrl6wWf4Cmk9z5X82wWNLUMj0jbkUpuaCFB21lXnIgJ5JzsF2RA2GgMl33jv_a63TofP5f95B14m-FBBGkGgwWwPUB8PlkTPjHEdN2TyJOqIo8OKGUcFZL4h-OGzIRlu-Yc/s1600-h/P3200003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183975664900631186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZLrl6wWf4Cmk9z5X82wWNLUMj0jbkUpuaCFB21lXnIgJ5JzsF2RA2GgMl33jv_a63TofP5f95B14m-FBBGkGgwWwPUB8PlkTPjHEdN2TyJOqIo8OKGUcFZL4h-OGzIRlu-Yc/s200/P3200003.JPG" border="0" /></a> and for good measure, a shot of the herb garden, complete with a cute "herb" sign i bought at homegoods MONTHS ago. it's just been waiting patiently in my garage until i decided to grace the garden with some actual herbs. :)</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vRUDh6QQiGv0Jt9MYhHq_jl2FyithyphenhyphenOriD_dyX0slXJqdQDrZcLZZpZHfxOwPLFjF93zrYvuHg_ctmCm2vC7OcBfS3653Iso6KjZYo6JbIUzYTZqCwV6YojkxryDcA1QuUQA/s1600-h/P3200004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183976717167618722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vRUDh6QQiGv0Jt9MYhHq_jl2FyithyphenhyphenOriD_dyX0slXJqdQDrZcLZZpZHfxOwPLFjF93zrYvuHg_ctmCm2vC7OcBfS3653Iso6KjZYo6JbIUzYTZqCwV6YojkxryDcA1QuUQA/s200/P3200004.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>ok, i think that's all for now.</div><div>sorry for the long hiatus before this super-blog about my garden.</div><div>and sorry if it's boring for you.</div><div>but i'm pretty pumped about it!! :)</div><div> </div><div>over & out at 12:01pm!</div><div>have a super fabulous afternoon!</div><div> </div><div>~ Garden-J</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-39760877851924758502008-03-18T09:49:00.001-07:002008-03-18T11:43:09.203-07:00happy st. patty's day continued ...<div><div><div>as promised ... here are the photos of the fruits of my labor on sunday night!</div><div> </div><div>they were all a hit with our friends!!</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmJrTH75O4dXzmJj7cdUFCh7EylnhxmFr1XROSVkOsofCnxPGkW9Xd3MYBm_E879zM5h7OJ1R4aHieEOiQDwFxo7D4Ah8rOnOBgYv7lhvhZQunYmBWJMeQmmrr7KDq_MElXme/s1600-h/P3170016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179126070951718690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmJrTH75O4dXzmJj7cdUFCh7EylnhxmFr1XROSVkOsofCnxPGkW9Xd3MYBm_E879zM5h7OJ1R4aHieEOiQDwFxo7D4Ah8rOnOBgYv7lhvhZQunYmBWJMeQmmrr7KDq_MElXme/s200/P3170016.JPG" border="0" /></a>this is the irish soda bread.</div><div>the first one, on the left, was "plain" (no raisins)</div><div>the one on the right (and below) is "with raisins" (with raisins) :)</div><div>they were both a hit, but especially the "without" kind.</div><div>i like it quite a bit myself ;)</div><div>i should have brought some to work to have with my coffee, like danielle did! (smart girl)</div><div> </div><div>its a bit like a pound cake, but lighter and less sweet (which makes it easier to eat more) ha!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMrR62_Pq3V7QoYjn_PSTtXn_MD5jZ4IY6ojZGwueyprW7oEk12DRYEGE4YtcceV4HO9Wzb3lrSCMYejR0uyBnkPLzsQnDoJqyoMTtCqhCfaUIWjwNuAFaZlJlH6bFnFNh5uW/s1600-h/P3170017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179132388848611138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 174px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" height="200" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMrR62_Pq3V7QoYjn_PSTtXn_MD5jZ4IY6ojZGwueyprW7oEk12DRYEGE4YtcceV4HO9Wzb3lrSCMYejR0uyBnkPLzsQnDoJqyoMTtCqhCfaUIWjwNuAFaZlJlH6bFnFNh5uW/s200/P3170017.JPG" width="181" border="0" /></a></div><div>Matt liked the one with raisins quite a bit ... must have been the rum soaked raisins that sold him ;)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyQLtta06SvzyINRnP3UPTRIAycDl0jB8GRcFFgPyOX1cAWarFZ7wFcoksOJz4rN9yo-3SEqlpoeuTq2vDWNfvK-DbR0nWzZJJQbLGMjw4i6lUoekIAMzn7gxuojw6IIeHKS5/s1600-h/P3170003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179134205619777362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyQLtta06SvzyINRnP3UPTRIAycDl0jB8GRcFFgPyOX1cAWarFZ7wFcoksOJz4rN9yo-3SEqlpoeuTq2vDWNfvK-DbR0nWzZJJQbLGMjw4i6lUoekIAMzn7gxuojw6IIeHKS5/s200/P3170003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>and like a dummy, i forgot to take a picture of the oreo truffle balls, which were also a hit, by the way! but here is a picture of the food table and you can see that they're on the table ;) </div><div><br /></div><div>(well you can sort of see them ... they're in the bottom left hand corner, the white balls ... they also have a little shamrock "sprinkle" on them. i think they're deserving of several shamrock sprinkles next time)</div><div> </div><div>i'll take a picture of the leftover oreo truffle balls and post it later.</div><div>they won't be stacked on the cute cake stand but you'll get the idea.</div><div>and last but certainly not least was my personal favorite ... the grasshopper squares.</div><div>thanks to the lovely valerie for slicing & stacking them so nicely :)</div><div>these were SO good!!! very rich ... but yum yum yum!! i think i'll go home and have one for lunch. so healthy.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/233300">here's the recipe</a></div><div><br /></div><div>and here's a picture! (you can kind of see the oreo truffle balls in the background too)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw2tmI_xTb1g0mxGZ8LKfoQvnuX_qkj2MUL5o5zgRIEScergLw1CTIemfFaRSXKUex-hgvwRgjomqTuaHGG4w2Be0XtZflX5Y8CiDwbpDKP0jeYHspNBPu8P1a6rzj1Ye42mz/s1600-h/P3170018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179146197168467810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw2tmI_xTb1g0mxGZ8LKfoQvnuX_qkj2MUL5o5zgRIEScergLw1CTIemfFaRSXKUex-hgvwRgjomqTuaHGG4w2Be0XtZflX5Y8CiDwbpDKP0jeYHspNBPu8P1a6rzj1Ye42mz/s200/P3170018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div>If you're still reading, i appreciate it!! i'm having a good time with this blog thing. </div><div> </div><div>and now it's confession time.</div><div>Matt, the great husband that he is surprised me with a BRAND NEW CAMERA YESTERDAY!!!! i thought he was going to think i was a flighty girl who can't hold onto anything when i told him i lost our camera ... but instead he surprised me and bought me a new one b/c he knew how frustrated i was that it was gone!! now i'm thinking of getting lojack for it!! i LOVE my new camera!! it takes fabulous pictures. i just have to learn to use it. which is why the pictures posted above are less-than-perfect ;)</div><div> </div><div>happy-day-after-st.-patricks-day folks!!!</div><div>it's been fun sharing these treats with you ...</div><div>now i'm hungry.</div><div> </div><div>~ j mcJ<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div>jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-77749079931659546702008-03-17T11:57:00.001-07:002008-03-17T12:37:30.605-07:00st pat's!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDDblJOEFDkn26rzzHIYdqa4VK_CqdHZjDgsrIpbpau4CaG4UWcXxWiJ9W4P3rThAuYMPHgJ1DM0fCcZhDJss-XdBQNiQ0sjB2mKDU46f5fQTaxKjZbRYTnF2x6IrDYAdI_gO/s1600-h/StPattysDay2_Mar06.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178793623303139026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDDblJOEFDkn26rzzHIYdqa4VK_CqdHZjDgsrIpbpau4CaG4UWcXxWiJ9W4P3rThAuYMPHgJ1DM0fCcZhDJss-XdBQNiQ0sjB2mKDU46f5fQTaxKjZbRYTnF2x6IrDYAdI_gO/s320/StPattysDay2_Mar06.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">this picture was from St. Patty's Day 2006 - i can't find the 2007 ones right now. </span><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">i know, i'm really organized. :)</span> </span></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178795379944763154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 118px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="243" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bKKsePOez4yi_Dj0yXcFNAOfwsQJw1EQXKDFSVk1hAEgcDi0lYcFtt10319dyF0LHUED4qNhztzVtgZ5VcsFFqInP-mM7VAyXP8ndKaBmbAfOZ1SU3F5zayvCKDfBbKbEZjk/s320/Shamrock_07.bmp" width="225" border="0" /></div><div>happy st. patrick's day to all!!<br />i love st. patrick's day ...<br /><br />sadly i was out of town this weekend and unable to have a "real party" (complete with staying up too late and sleeping in the next day just to wake up to a trashed house).<br /><br />instead mr. matt & i have decided to have a couple of our friends over for take-out tonight!<br />and those who are brave enough can tint their beer with green food coloring.<br />i believe i'll be opting out of that club! ;)<br /><br />i made a couple of desserts, which i promise to post pictures of.<br />i've begun to come to terms with my missing nice-camera. so as long as i can find the cord (or the memory card fits into my computer) of my OLD not-nice camera, i will post pictures of my desserts ... tomorrow ;)<br /><br />here's a teaser of what's to come ...<br /><br />2 kinds of irish soda bread (one with raisins, one without! which i will serve with <a href="http://www.kerrygold.com/index.jsp?1nID=93&2nID=98&pID=104&nID=117">irish butter</a>!)<br /><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/233300?recipename=GRASSHOPPER%20SQUARES&saved_to_box=y">grasshopper squares</a> (brownies covered in chocolate ganache, with a creamy-mint center)<br />oreo truffle balls (recipe compliments of <a href="http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2008/01/grocery-item-turns-gourmet.html">bakerella</a>! this chick has some creative juices flowing!)<br /><br />that sounds like a lot of chocolate.<br />hopefully everyone is up for it ;)<br /><br />photos to come!! </div><br /><div>until then, a couple more from st. patty's 2006 (at seamus mccaffrey's)</div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircwbJ6-CKbH6kuwjHLUvgkV8_rk81UKR03LB5lI3u07nE7kBLwZvWF0Yg_ZGiYgdwEiINTQbY4BzkVrFGNApCuOwYQxzz0bX_skJt45mnJ5wqEZ9vBAPmDgMlP0qVyk4Zcn-3/s1600-h/StPattysDay_Matchies.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178794666980192002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircwbJ6-CKbH6kuwjHLUvgkV8_rk81UKR03LB5lI3u07nE7kBLwZvWF0Yg_ZGiYgdwEiINTQbY4BzkVrFGNApCuOwYQxzz0bX_skJt45mnJ5wqEZ9vBAPmDgMlP0qVyk4Zcn-3/s320/StPattysDay_Matchies.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178794246073396962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: left" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGn2-zXrP5y2Xd4lDjK3VNvKzpJBtvoZsYyJHufB2BCb6uoS_vibet37SbsS82LfqeazXjL4fEVcL7x6p3vOd22UGUcDx7Dha_l4i6fWV70qUReDcQT5YWYxvLqxMjsdpI4gS/s320/StPattysDay_Mar06.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">the 1st picture is three awesome girls ... not sure what we were up to ...</span> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">the 2nd picture is of a random guy who came into seamus wearing matt's shirt! </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">the picture was my idea. they kind of look like a gay couple :) </span><br /></div><div><div></div><div><br />over & out!<br /><br />slainte!<br />~ molly mcbutter</div></div></div>jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-25491898128529146992008-03-13T16:16:00.000-07:002008-03-13T16:23:26.906-07:00depression<div>i know ... such a dramatic subject line ... </div><br /><div>but that's the way i sum up my feelings about this.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>i lost my camera!!!!</div><br /><div>i'm not kidding.</div><br /><div>it's very sad & very depressing (hence the title) ... </div><br /><div>and i don't know what to do about it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>i haven't told matt. i know he's going to just roll his eyes and think "again??"</div><br /><div>yes, i tend to lose things.</div><br /><div>it's true.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>but my beautiful camera is gone!!</div><br /><div>i am 99.9% sure i left it at the native new yorker.</div><br /><div>so who KNOWS who could have picked it up and claimed it as their own.</div><br /><div>it makes my stomach turn thinking about that!</div><br /><div>someone most likely just went up to our table (patron, waiter, busboy, whoever!) and just TOOK it and kept it! complete with my personal photos on it!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>can you tell i'm upset about this??</div><br /><div>i really am, if you can't tell.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>well, that's all.</div><br /><div>i haven't had the heart to post anything this week b/c i can't post any pictures!!</div><br /><div>ugh.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>so, in keeping with a previous promise, i'll post a photo of the fabulous glen hansard & marketa irglova :)</div><br /><div>hey, it's amost st. patrick's day! </div><div>and glen is irish!</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177370631918497474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="182" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhQsB90O86ZFbTp90mrl-dBRSTaXklWhBeyRri-U3sES3w26E8UyV5Lv7Rf6wumFl5QXqwieWwn20UTONbn3auOWpKWRhjZTfAaOTRESIfjjDsShZehFij0zuW7yCnur5hv62/s320/once.jpg" width="221" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-69962644584989774492008-03-06T08:14:00.000-08:002008-03-17T11:57:08.250-07:00sticky chewy messy gooey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN8Y45HnWEECUZQae162kt6GrOyCKJERN8ajjlhDFW-m72isSl1ybqS_j6DUX7e3MnOZ4rYDo0py-BS4ILmBXMoWbva3kawdM2geGIZykC8TRyylx8fH1bvwF2X3DSumMhDQz/s1600-h/stickychewy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174668293977786770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="221" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN8Y45HnWEECUZQae162kt6GrOyCKJERN8ajjlhDFW-m72isSl1ybqS_j6DUX7e3MnOZ4rYDo0py-BS4ILmBXMoWbva3kawdM2geGIZykC8TRyylx8fH1bvwF2X3DSumMhDQz/s320/stickychewy.jpg" width="207" border="0" /></a><br /><div>that's the name of the cookbook we worked from last night!<br />my friend, erin invited a couple of us over (megan & trisha) to bake cupcakes last night ...<br /><br />wow, is that a weird book.<br />the recipes are fantastic looking ... but the methods they use are really odd!!<br />maybe i'm the oddball, but take this method for example.<br />we made butterscotch caramel buttercream frosting. (yum)<br />the recipe said we should fill a large saute pan with water, simmer and put the mixing bowl (with sugar & eggs) INTO the water and whisk for <strong>3-4</strong> minutes until the mixture was thick & fluffy.<br />i'm thinking it's their warped sense of a double boiler ... but i've never done it this way in my life!<br /><br />well, <strong>10</strong> minutes later it was NOT fluffy (the way I know fluffy to be) ... oh well.<br />they turned out OK. i'm just glad i didn't pipe the frosting. it was definitely too runny.<br />and NOT the consistency of real buttercream.<br /><br />but that brings me to another odd idea ... the buttercream called for SIX (yes you read that right) SIX sticks of butter!!! cold butter. well my first thought was "if it's cold, how are we going to mix it into the frosting without it being chunky?".<br />well, here's the method they described.<br />unwrap all six sticks of butter and REWRAP them loosely in plastic wrap. then take out your agressions (my words not theirs) on the butter with a ROLLING PIN until malleable, but still cold.<br />what!?!?? once again, i've NEVER heard of this method. seems i'm getting set in my ways in my OLD age. well, even after all these strange methods were put into practice, the frosting was not quite right. oh well. at least the taste was good! :)<br /><br />so either i did something wrong (which is VERY possible) or the recipe was too difficult to understand, or it was wrong (i like to think its the latter) ;)<br />but that's my nature ...<br /><br />and did i mention they were MAYONNAISE chocoloate cupcakes!!<br />i've heard of this idea, but i've never been brave enough to try them.<br />my sister-in-law's friend Gail would gag at that concept.<br />but they really were such yummy moist chocolate cupcakes!<br />the frosting was the only issue (see above).<br /><br />of course i FORGOT to take a picture.<br />dummy me ... but there are some left. so there's still time!! :)<br />i'll take some pictures later.<br /><br />thanks for reading! i didn't realize this was going to turn into a rant.<br />i guess you can expect that if i attempt a recipe and it doesn't turn out the way i want it to :)<br /><br />its that time again ...<br />time to say goodbye!!<br />over & out<br /><br />~ Mayo-J</div>jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-48973912801094246212008-03-04T22:46:00.000-08:002008-03-05T08:31:52.818-08:00ok ... i promise!!!<span style="font-family:arial;">last blog of the evening.<br />swear!<br /><br />do you ever think about the world of blogging?<br />i mean REALLY think about it ...<br />it's a strange world! i'm intrigued by it.<br />i mean, i have LOTS of blogs i read on a regular basis ... but i'm such a stalker.<br />i don't know if that's the right word b/c i'm not really "in the know" with the lingo of blog-world.<br />but i NEVER leave comments. so no one really knows i'm reading.<br />i enjoy the blogs i read, that's why they're bookmarked and that's why i continue to return & read!<br />but, i also feel a little bit dumb commenting on strangers' blogs!<br />i mean ... who am i??<br /><br />anyway ... i'm positive this isn't a new thought.<br />but it's a new thought to me! so i'm "voicing" it on my very own space.<br />weirdness.<br /><br />a few thoughts running through my head before i sign off:<br /><br />* of all the cooking endeavors i've experienced, i've NEVER made beans from their dried state.<br />i must be too lazy to do the whole "soak overnight" part ...<br /><br />* i love barefoot contessa. its hard to imagine she's a real person. she's like a nice martha stewart. who has the time and creativity to accomplish all these things and still be the happiest person on earth? i just love her.<br /><br />* where the heck do these people buy this fantastic "lump crab meat" and "cooked/shelled lobster"?? apparently every good cook/chef has to live on the ocean. crazy.<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">* i'm going to include a photo (applicable or random) in all my blogs. i don't care if it has nothing to do with what i'm talking about (b/c let's face it, my thoughts aren't all that focused to begin with), but i want to mix it up a little with photos here & there. i love it when people include photos in their blogs, emails, etc. i guess i'm a visual being. :)<br />here's a random photo of my friend and me. i know i didn't even mention my friend in this blog, or any of my friends for that matter but i didn't have a photo of lump crabmeat handy.</span> </span></span><div><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="202" alt="" src="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/ndbean/erin_jeanine_Jun05.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:arial;">* do i want all-clad cookware or le creuset cookware? if i had barefoot contessa's house, i'd get both! b/c i'd have the cash-flow AND the space to store it all!<br /><br />* i really want a new dining set. i'm totally over our dining set. it's been really great for us thus far.<br />but i'm looking to change colors. so if i trip over a bag of money on my way to work tomorrow i'm going to go get this one! yesiree! that's a beautiful table with a bench! but i'd want 2 benches b/c i like to use all sides of my table. it just makes sense. </span></div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/ndbean/WorldMarket_LuganoTable_DFL.jpg"></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 173px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/ndbean/WorldMarket_LuganoTable_DFL.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="200" alt="" src="http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/ndbean/WorldMarket_luganobench_DFL.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">ok, that's all.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">cheers, bloggers and blog-stalkers (takes one to know one)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">~ j-dawg</span></div></div>jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-49678025380905027512008-03-04T22:40:00.000-08:002008-03-06T07:59:33.746-08:00note to self ...<div>... don't write a blog about trying to succeed in the kitchen while watching professionals on the food network. it certainly makes you feel a little silly ;)<br /><br />just for giggles ... here's some cannoli i made last year for my sister's friend's bridal shower.<br />it was an italian food theme. good times.<br /><br />farewell for real now ... tata!! </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174658840754768242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="218" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQhWC1g8WgUs3WlvuXC8E__qOWojSp03RUa2_qFrCmb0xrNDjbmMHIs7aZRIxuZwlfv-W5-r7yWoApa0pyI40egMPpSheJK8OVCqULjIyOg7fvsm6Cx6vocrrr6Z2f-sqx1xX/s320/cannoli.jpg" width="273" border="0" /></div><div><br /><br /> </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos8266/2/52/93/21/33/0/33219352213_0_ALB.jpg"></a>jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26327472.post-12324810392221446642008-03-04T21:48:00.000-08:002008-03-06T08:14:22.110-08:00din din!<div><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">hi folks!</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">it seems everyone and their mom has a blog these days.<br />so i guess its my turn to try my hand at this ... i have NO idea how to do this.<br />and i don't even know if i have anything interesting to say, but we'll see.<br /><br />we had a little dinner party tonight. we were celebrating debbie's birthday! FINALLY!<br />i should have taken pictures.<br />then i could have something to post other than black & white words :)<br />but, i'll just TELL you what i made!!<br /><br />it was a night of giada delaurentiis recipes!<br />we had lemon spaghetti with chicken parmesan (not breaded!)<br />i'm not a fan of breaded chicken parmesan, so i don't do it!<br />it's amazing how simple things like that are ... you don' like it? just don't do it! ;)<br />i also made rosemary focaccia bread. it didn't turn out as well as the last one did.<br />last week i made a focaccia bread with my own dough (active dry yeast and everything!) and it was MUCH better. but i have to admit that buying the premade pizza dough from sunflower market was way easier ;) we just had to sacrifice a little quality for the ease of it all.<br /><br />after dinner was dessert. i made an orange angel food cake with berries & orange scented whipped cream. good stuff. there is not much that beats homemade desserts. i just love them. there's such comfort in homemade dessert! that may explain why i made a banana cream cheesecake yesterday, an orange angel food cake today and i'm planning on making devils food cupcakes tomorrow! wow, it sounds like an addiction, doesn't it?<br /><br />ok ... i went into the kitchen and took SAD pictures of the leftovers.<br />hey! it's better than nothing!<br />here's what's left of the angel food cake (you can't really see the specks of orange zest in the cake in these pictures, but it's there! i swear!) <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174662654685727106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="212" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnRnERI17gZcxm2tFijE_Betzfkn63dF1jajscJBj-ATiXU4Tncv5PkjebH1jq0AQ1BiTy2yrX8dB4izSxFSINhlSoqoLp21EXMvjJILHO0aO0bPXc2BKxI1EtJ5HTdxAV2J2/s320/angelfood.jpg" width="302" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">it worked! isn't that sad? crumbs and all that ... oh well.<br />i promise the next pictures will be better.<br />i took pictures of the chicken parmesan too but, if you think this cake pic is bad - you haven't seen anything yet! so i'm not posting it :) it's pretty bad.<br /><br />but it tasted pretty darn good.<br /><br />i'll take pictures of my cupcakes tomorrow too.<br />i know you're looking forward to that.<br /><br />well, i suppose that's enough nonsense from me.<br />thanks for reading, oh readers!<br />i'm sure i'll get used to this and be at least a LITTLE more interesting in the future.<br />maybe ;)<br /><br />have a pleasant evening.<br />stay classy, fair bloggers!<br /><br />~ J-Fly<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div>jeaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395810173004069398noreply@blogger.com0