Vacations are tiring!

I've been on vacation the past week. We didn't go on a huge exotic foray, but we did get to do a few fun things. By the end of the week I was starting to think I was more tired than if I had worked all week.

You see, this past Tuesday was my 39th birthday( I think I'm mentioned it before :P). My hubby and I decided we needed some time off to spend together. So we both had a few days off.

On Sunday, we went to see my Dad and stepmom. They live right outside of Dallas. They took us out for dinner and to the drive-in movie (yes, they do still exist). That was very interesting and fun (except for the 30 degree weather /brrr).

On Monday, we went to see a 3d Imax of Monsters &Ailens, and then we just relaxed.

On Tuesday, we met an old friend for lunch at Ghengis Grill (one of my faves) and then headed back to Huntsville in time for a great birthday dinner my Mom had made for me (mmm fried chicken).

Wednesday was day of relaxing and errands. It was really nice to just hang loose.

Thursday, I headed to Houston. I had some business to attend too, and I caught up with another old friend for dinner that night. I spent the night and headed back the next morning.

On Friday, my friends Sherry & Jean insisted we go out for lunch. It turned into a VERY extended lunch. We ended up bar hopping (in my words) for the afternoon. Actually we went to two bars and had a total of two drinks (i'm a faux bad girl wannabe ;) ). By the end of the day I was starting to feel all this commotion.

Last night I crashed hard and slept for 8+ hours (unusual for me). I am sooo rested now. Maybe that was what I need all along.. A week of friends, family, fun, and rest!

Vacations are tiring, but they are great!

Alas, they don't last. Monday it's back to the daily grind of running to keep up with a very busy schedule .

An Almost 39 year old GIRL!

Well it's official in less than 10 days, I will be 39. I've thought off and on that perhaps I am having a mid-life crisis, but nah, I'm pretty much the same old Julie. Not much has changed. I'm a flat plane of bubbly happiness just like i've been most of my life. Oh, don't get me wrong I have the occasional bump in the road resulting in moodiness or crankiness (typically arriving like clockwork once a month (wink,wink))

As I sit here typing on this cool spring Sunday morning... you would not think me your 'typical' 39 year old.. I am sitting on the couch ear buds firmly in place jamming to Pink... I am wearing Superman pj pants and have my hair pulled up in a high ponytail on top of my head with NO makeup (GASP!). Definitely not looking like most 39 year old women I know.

I know I don't feel 39, I feel the exact same physically as I did when I was 20's .. well perhaps there is a telltale sign or two that i'm not a young thing anymore... Occasionally my body will rebel when attempting certain tasks, my ankles are horrible condition from multiple fractures, my left knee can get achy. I have a few medical ailments that are easily remedied with medication. I have the very start of some teeny tiny fine lines under my eyes, but otherwise not many wrinkles (Thank you Jesus for making a sunscreen FREAK and giving me the sense to stay away from the sun when possible!). Gray hair seems to be my only aging vice. I started getting it in my mid 20's and have not readily wanted to admit to or live with it. So every 6 weeks my hair is in a state of color flux. I've had black, dark brown (most of the time), auburn, blond highlighted hair over the past 15 years.

I don't feel 39, I am told by all my friends (whom I am sure are just being kind) that I definitely don't look 39. However, friends have to say these kind of things so I don't let it go to my ego :P

I feel age is more of a state of mind than a state of body. So therefore; unlike 29 ... I have a feeling I'm going to sail into the ending of my 30's with celebration and a feeling of accomplishment rather than a sense of trepidation. 39 is where it's at baby! 39 is HOT! I will continue to tell myself this ,even if I am deluding myself. If you see me around please continue to feed my delusions for as long as possible , this will make me a happy camper :P

Dealing with imperfections

I'm feeling nostalgic and a tad melancholy tonight. Perhaps it's the rain. I just wanted to post some of those random esoteric thoughts I warned of in the beginning of my blog. I've been thinking of all my imperfections this evening, and how they fit in to make me who I am.

First of all I'm very impatient. It is a flaw I have. I get anxious and excited, it causes me great pain in my life because I just can't wait for what should happen on it's own normal course

Another bad thing about me is I'm relatively moody (ha... now the whole world knows). My moods can go from happy one minute to angry or broody the next. I blame it on midlife hormones, but the hubby knows better. That is just me. I am working very hard to control this.

Which leads me to another imperfection... my temper. I have a VERY bad temper. Not many people experience it because I work VERY hard these days to keep it in check. But my family, my hubby, and my close friends know... Julie is not herself when she gets ticked off. It's like I'm the Incredible Hulk or something. :P

Also i'm impulsive. I can do things without thinking about the consequences sometimes just because it seems like a good idea at the time.

I post these flaws and admit it freely to the world. Yes, I'm the typical impatient, fiery tempered , moody Aries of my astrological sign. However, there are a few good things about me that HOPEFULLY allows my family and friends to see past all this and see a different Julie.

This different Julie is a sweet person. She is compassionate and empathetic. You can often see her acting like a sap and bawling over some real or imagined hardship in the world. Yes, seeing people hurting is the fastest way to get to me. I can't stand it, I will do anything I can to prevent it (even total strangers, not just people I love).

This Julie is a bit of a wuss about many things in life, but when it comes to standing up for what I believe is right ,or for people whom I believe have been wronged.. I'm all over it. Bring it on, I'm not scared!

This other Julie cares what the people she loves thinks about her. I've never been one to say "screw it, I don't care what they think". My friends and families opinion of me is VERY important to me. If I appear flawed in their eyes it brings me great pain.

Finally the last 'reverse imperfection ' as it is, my generosity. I have been know to stretch myself thin to give to my family and friends. Whether it be my time, my physical efforts, or what little money I have, I try to give it freely and happily to those I love. It is something that makes me happy in this life, to share.

I hope those who know and (hopefully) love me can see all of these things. All of these imperfections and good characteristics all roll into one to make me who I am. I am not a bad person, but I am a flawed person as we all are.

Rustic Italian Bread

First of all, sorry for the lack of posts the past week. Between the craptastic weather this past week, a sick hubby, and a super rough week at work my creativity for blogging was at an all time low. I am going to try to be better in the future. No promises though :P

Today I want to tell you about the wonderful creation that filled my morning with joy. This wonderful creation was actually about 24 hours in the making.. It is a wonderful Rustic Italian bread I made from scratch.

I had been wanting to make some homemade bread for months now. I have a beautiful heavy duty Kitchen Aid mixer (courtesy of my hubby) and I strive to put that baby to good use. I wouldn't want him to feel he wasted his hard earned money :). So it was inevitable that bread was to be eventually tried.

Oh I've made bread before. It was usually hard, and just all around not really great. Even with a bread machine (a device that was such a pain it was quickly relegated to the bottom of the cabinet).

About two weeks ago I checked out an Italian cookbook from the library (the Montgomery county library has an AMAZING section of cookbooks and i'm working my way through them). It had a recipe for a rustic Italian bread using a preferment (a starter) or biga as it's called in Italian. I made a starter at that time with very good intentions of making the bread. Well I got busy and time got away from me, and well the starter was really bad by that time... Definitely not fit to put into anything I would eat. So I decided to wait until another time.

Well that time came this past Friday evening. I had a phone conversation with my friend, Chad. We were discussing the menu that we are preparing for an upcoming birthday party for another friend. Chad was telling me how he was going to make some of his homemade Italian bread for the party. Then I got the lightbulb idea to ask him about how he does his (I knew I wanted mine somewhat similar to his because it's super tasty). Sure enough he uses a starter too. So I knew that was the way to go. He gave me a few tips too (buy the yeast in the jar for example, dust the bread with cornmeal, and make sure the oven has plenty of humidity for a really crisp crust, and work the dough by hand (something I did take to heart except for the very first mixing in the mixer the dough was hand kneaded)).

Saturday morning, I was off to HEB. I picked up some yeast in the jar ,and some really good King Aurthur bread flour. I came home and started my biga. First of all I made it too liquidy ,and it threatened to overtake the bowl I put it in. I then researched online and discovered it needed to be much firmer. So I added some more bread flour and that helped. I let the biga ferment overnight.

Sunday morning(this morning) bright and early I got up and mixed up the actual bread. Before noon my bread had went through 2 risings and was ready for the oven. I put a dish of water in the bottom of a hot oven to create humidity and I also spritzed the bread with a spray bottle every 15 minutes of the 35 minute baking time. The results was a crunchy on the outside soft on the inside loaf of bread.It was exactly perfect. This recipe is a wheat recipe. Actually it's 2/3 regular bread flour to 1/3 wheat flour. The recipe is from Cooking Up an Italian Life Cookbook. It is Rustic Italian Bread. Email me if you want the recipe (as I really don't want this to be a recipe blog :P).

I have posted pictures of this bread. It is sooo tasty and will definitely become a staple in our house. Next time I'm trying it without the wheat flour to see what difference it makes. My recipe made 2 loaves. I immediately served some hot to my Mom, my hubby, and myself. My Mom had hers with a bit of butter, I had mine the traditional Italian way with extra virgin olive Oil and some fresh ground black pepper, and Alfred had his dry.. But we all agreed it was a success

I'm so thankful to have good resources for making such tasty treats. Good cookbooks and good friends :)

Enjoy your Sunday,

Julie

What defines a lazy Saturday?

I ask this question because occasionally (not as often as I would like) I have a free Saturday. A Saturday free of social obligations. Most Saturdays are spent taking road trips (so many interesting things to do in Texas.. and it's almost all within driving distance) or visiting friends. Usually on the non road trip days we will throw in a few errands too (the library for example.. why can't the library be open on Sunday?) . All this usually makes for a full day.

However, this Saturday I was so excited. I have a FREE day. It's going to be my only FREE Saturday this month.. Oh my, what to do? Well needless to say by the time I did all the things I've been wanting to do.. my FREE Saturday no longer seems free. SIGH!!! I'm such an over achiever at time.

Here is what my FREE Saturday consists of (after I get off the computer and quit sitting on my tush):

The obvious shower and makeup/dress ritual

Drive to Conroe(about 20 minutes away)

Go to the Outlet Mall with my Mom(she wants to shop for a few summer clothing items, since it's suddenly semi-swelting here)

Go to the Library (we do this MOST Saturdays, no big deal here)

Go grocery shopping at HEB (usually reserved for Sundays, but tomorrow is my Grandpa's birthday party)

Go to Wal-Mart

Drive Home to Huntsville

Put up all groceries/purchases

Plant the herbs I purchased last Saturday

Clean house (vaccum, organize some crap in my bedroom, clean bathrooms)

Make dinner (mmm I'm craving Philly chessesteaks)

Make a cake for my Grandpa's birthday party tomorrow. (I'm making a gorgeous dense vanilla cake that is similar to pound cake , it is sooo good you can eat without frosting , which I did the first time I was served this cake (at my mother in laws) but here's the big kicker, I'm going to get creative with my frosting....I'm topping it with a Limoncello buttercream and trimming it with spring green decor that has a touch of fresh mint in it.. mmmm

After all this, I hope to have some free time for myself to watch some Netflix movies or goof off on the computer...

So much for the FREE day :)

Have a great weekend,

Julie

Does Ft Worth Ever Cross your Mind?

So it's a chessy George Strait song from the 80's , but it fits my mood today.

Of all the places I travel on business regularly. I love Ft Worth the most.. I dont get to Austin hardly ever or that would be the best. Ft Worth is a great substitute though.

Again, I know this blog would be greatly enhanced by pictures, but I'm photographically challenged lately (ie... lazy).

I love Ft Worth for a few reasons:

1. It's a big city that feels like a small town. Despite my professed love for big cities, I have been a small town girl my whole life. I like a community I can feel at home in. Ft Worth seems to offer a lot of that. I've made a few friends in the Parole division here who go out of their way to play mother/big sister and make me feel right at home if I need anything.

2. Ft Worth has some of my favorite restaurants in this area. Despite my passion for food and innovative cuisine... My tastes in restaurants are pretty simple. None of those fancy fro fro places for this chick. Two of my favorites (that can't be beat by any other place i've sampled in the Metroplex) are a pizza restaurant and sushi restaurant.

Big Joe's Pizza and Pasta- OMG! This place is pizza heaven. And i'm one PICKY pizza person. I turn my nose up at the national pizza chains.. That stuff is not authentic pizza. ICK! This place is run by a team of Sicilian brothers who originally started business in NYC. It is safe to say it the best pizza I've eaten in my life. While I haven't been to Italy and ate pizza in it's place of origin, I bet this could rival even that pizza. What' even sadder is I'm so in love with their pizza and have rhapsodized so many times when i've dined there .. they know me on site and one of the brothers always flirts shamelessly with me. I guess he likes the fact that worship him as the god of pizza :P If you are ever in the Ft Worth suburbs they have 3 shops. The original is in Haltom City on Hwy 183 (an in my opinion the best ) and there is one on N Beach @Loop 820. The other is in Euless , but I haven't been to that one. If you like Pizza you must go there. It's so good i've never even been tempted by their pastas.

My other favorite restaurant that I wish I could pick up and transplant to Huntsville is Edohana's Sushi. This little sushi restaurant was introduced to me by a friend in Parole. I thank her every time I see her for introducing it me. It's that good. They have huge innovative sushi rolls, some of the best service around (the manager even personally called me a wrecker one night when I locked my keys in my van). If you ever go, you must try the Incredible Hulk Roll. It's creamy and soooo good. Easily the best sushi I've ever eaten. It's located on Hulen in Ft Worth about 2 miles from the I-30 side.

I am hoping that sometimes this spring I can bring my sweetie up here and we can investigate the more touristy side of Ft Worth. They supposedly have an amazing zoo and botanical garden. We shall see. In the meantime, everytime I get to travel to the Metroplex on business I'll be enjoying myself here in Ft Worth.

Long Days and a warm bubble bath

Ok I know i'm going to get flack for this post (especially from my hubby). But I am a bath lover galore. Here lately I have had many 10-12 hour work days. After work days like this, (especially during cool weather), the only thing in this world that will make me right again is a warm bubble bath, a glass of red wine (which I have juduciously given up for Lent), and a good book.


However, not just any bath accessories, red wine, and book will do.

Let's start with the bath. The water must be the right temperture. Not too hot, but warm enough to warm you through and through. After letting the taps run for a minute or so, just the right amount of bath salts and shower gel/bubble shall be added. My favorite gels/bubble baths are from Bath and Body Works, Dial (believe it or not... LOVE their Cranberry shower gel), or Avon. I have to have a THICK cuddly towel upon completion of the bath... ahhh that is heaven

Usually while lounging I will have small glass of red wine (not during Lent obviously). I prefer a nice Austrilian Shiraz, an Italian Chianti, or even a good California Zinfandel (not WHITE). However, I discovered a most wonderful Shiraz from the Texas winery Llano Estacado(Lubbock) that is soooo perfect and flavorful.

At this point I am totally relaxed and ready for the book.. This habit of reading in the bath has been a habit i've had since my teens. Of course, occasionally it results in ruined books.. but it's sooo worth it. I am very random in what I read... On any given day, I might be reading mysteries... my favorite are culinary mysteries (like Dianne Mott Davidson) crime/legal books (John Grisham) ,Amish Christian Romances (Beverly Lewis), fantasy (love some of the high elf and vampire stuff (like Laurel Hamilton), an autobiography of someone who facinates me (I have quite a collection of biographies about the British Royal Family), or a travelouge from Italy or England. See totally random.... Random but relaxing!!!!

So I'm sharing my wind down secret with the world, think me weird if you prefer.. However, know that after my wind down ritual ,I am probably one of the most relaxed happy people on the planet :)


Ciao,

Julie

My Love/Hate Relationship with Texas Springtime

This past week, I've been feeling conflicted in more ways than one. Mainly, I have been overjoyed at the aspect of Texas springtime. I LOVE this time of year. I love the wildflowers, the weather that is picture perfect (for the most part), the increase of fresh seasonal produce in the market again, and being able to start my herb garden anew for the year.

The conflict comes in because this time of year, my head starts to feel fuzzy, my nose gets runny, I constantly have a cough. It's the dreaded allergy season! It makes me feel like i'm walking around with my head under water.

I am pretty lucky with allergies compared to most people around this part of Texas. I have several friends and relatives who are allergic to everthing under the sun (literally) .. Pine Pollen is my trigger. It starts it peak around late February/early March depending on the tempatures. We have had a relatively mild and dry February so it's going to be a killer pine pollen season, I can tell already.


It has been gorgeous warm weather the past week. Yesterday, we traveled to Independence,Tx(near Brenham) to get herbs from the Rose Emporium(they have beautiful selection, much better than local retailers). All day long the wind blew up to 40mph while we were out and about. By nightfall it had reached the nearly freezing mark... Oh my poor tender vegetation. We are expecting another freeze tonight. Perhaps I missed the mark on thinking spring has arrived. If anything Texas spring is unpredictable. I love that, I hate that (thus my title post :P).


So keep me in mind, while I'm out enjoying the beautiful wildflowers and working in my patio herb garden. I'll be drugged up on Allegra D and Nasonex clutching a tissue in one hand, but enjoying the crazy ups and downs of Texas Springtime.

PS: I know these posts would be MUCH more effective with photos, but i've been lazy on that front. I will try more in the future :)


Hugs!

In defense of being a 'non-traditional' woman

My whole life I've never wanted the 'traditional' things most girls want. When I was growing up...even well into high school, I never wanted to marry or have children. I wanted a career, to live in the big city, to have adventure.


I've been in a sudden existential crisis the last few days with the thought of turning 39 in a month or so. I look back on my life and wonder 'what if'. It has made me sad a few times. However, this morning I woke up and for some reason I was pissed off (excuse the crudeness).

So what if my life doesn't look what other people think it should? It's mine. I've worked hard to get where I am today. I have worked hard to keep a happy marriage. During the hard times I could have easily walked away and no one would have thought less of me. However, I have stuck with it and I am incredibly happy as a result.

I sometimes think I am a disappointment to those around me. I don't have children, I am not wealthy, I dont own my own home, at times my honey and I yell at each other. I still have a VERY bad temper that I struggle daily with controlling.

However, what ticked me off , was the thought of society judging me for not having or wanting a 'traditional' lifestyle. So what if my life doesn't look like most peoples. I don't have 2.5 kids, or a house in the suburbs. What I do have is life that is so incrediably full that it brings me joy on a daily basis. I have a job I love, a man who is the best husband and friend for me and my quirkiness, and I have friends and family who bring even more love and happiness to my life. Who could ask for more?

Will I regret one day not having children and embracing a more 'traditional' lifestyle? Possibly. However, when that happens I know I will have my friends to fall back and help me see that we can't all possibly be alike or the world would be a boring place, not the crazy adventure it is.

High Maintanence women vs. Low Maintanence Women

This post stems from a running joke my hubby and I have had almost since we have been together. It is based on a scene in the movie "When Harry Met Sally" with Billy Crytal and Meg Ryan (think late 80's early 90's). This movie has so many great one liners for a romantic comedy. One has really stuck with us.

There is scene where both actors are watching the old movie Casablanca with Ingrid Bergman. Billy Crytal comments on how Ingrid Bergman is definitely a low maintance woman. When Meg Ryan asks if she's high or low maintanence, he replies. "You are the worst kind, you are high maintanence but you think you are low maintanence. " After the first time my hubby and I watched this movie together, (we were dating at the time) he said... "Oh my, that is you to a tee!".. I was kind of offended at the time... But over the time I've forgiven him and even married him despite it ;). However, I came to realize today, it might really be true (God help me!).

I just came to realize that it depends on what your definition of high and low maintanence is. To me I never considered myself high maintanence. In my mind high maintanence women are the fru fru bottled blonde nouvex rich bimos who get botox and plastic surgery and spend all their time going to the gym, or having their hair highlighted and fancy spa treatments at astronomically expensive salons. These same women DEMAND their husbands full attention and full wallet for whatever tickles their fancies.

I never considered myself high maintanence because of the following:

Botox or plastic surgery will never grace this body. I believe in growing old gracefully. Fortunately, I have inherited good aging genes from my Mom.

I do my own hair color, only getting a hair cut a few times a year.

I rarely get manicures , usually only on 'girl days' with my niece. I polish my nails myself every few days

I don't go to the gym (one of my downfalls). I just try to walk alot every day.

Other than a touch up of my grays , my hair is more or less it's natural color

I don't have expensive taste in clothing, preferring classic clothing over trendy expensive stuff.

When it comes to making demands on my husband and his time, I tread carefully rarely demanding he change his plans in favor of something I want to do. We both have a large need for 'me' time and I respect that about him.

I am an independent type. I don't NEED my husband constantly around. I want him around.

However, not to sound perfect (none of us are)... I have my downfalls which makes my hubby see me as being high maintanence. Here are just a few of them:

Very rarely will I leave the house without makeup on. This goes back to high school when my complexion was not as good and I used makeup to hide it. Plus I just don't feel 'put together' without it.

Unless I'm going to work out or going for a walk, you will rarely see me in sweats in public.

Unless I'm working out, going camping, or doing manual labor I rarely wear traditional tennis shoes. I have been on kick of wearing Sketchers the past year or so. They look like Mary Jane flats but have a tennis shoe bottom.. Kind of a girly tennis shoe.

While i'm not big on spending money on traditional 'female items' like beauty, home decor, expensive clothing/accesories etc. I am insistent on having the best I can get in my kitchen. I have spent hundreds of dollars outfitting my kitchen over the past few years.


So you can see I have my faults too, does this make me high maintanence? hmmm something to ponder.


Well,thanks for reading... if you have any comments on the status of my high maintanence please keep them to yourself .. haha! just kidding... I would love to hear from you :)


Julie

The Pros and Cons of Business Travel

As some of you may already know, my job takes me out of town several times a month (usually to the Dallas/Ft Worth area, but occasionally East Texas). Over the last 8 years of doing the business travel thing, I have become quiet proficient at it. Here are a few observations about the good and the bad of business travel.

Good:

I can have dinner at whatever restaurant strikes my fancy. This is a big one for me, I love sushi and usually only get it when I travel because my hubby can't stand it.

I get plenty of time for reading, surfing the net, and video games.

I don't have the distraction of the phone. If you don't have my cell number you can't call me . Which leads to a much more peaceful evening since only my closer friends and family have my cell number.

I get to go to Central Market (and other retail establishments I don't have access to on a daily basis) when I'm in Dallas or Ft Worth. I love Central Market. It's like a foodies paradise. I could spend all day there just wandering around.

Finally, I like just having unadulterated 'me' time to do whatever I want and I get to decide my itinerary. I don't have to worry about anything except making sure I get my work done during working hours.

Bad:

I miss my hubby horribly, even for one night

I don't sleep as well when I sleep alone

Packing , unpacking, and toting around everything you need is a major pain

I miss my weekly tv line up because most hotels (even the good ones) don't have a huge expanded cable line up . Thank God for DVD-R.

I am responsible for me (see above under the pros). I like the free time, but after a few days you get tired of being alone and having no one to share every single decision with.


Well that is pretty much my view on business travel. I type this to you as I sit in a nice little suite at the Courtyard by Marriott on a business trip to Dallas. I enjoyed some delicious sushi last night, surfed the Web to my hearts content , all while missing my honey horribly.

Also, I thought ahead and took some beautiful pictures of my sushi dinner with my cell phone camera to post here. However, I am still trying to figure out the bluetooth transfer thing so they remain on my phone.

Have a good weekend my friends,

Julie

Kitchen OCD

I never realized how many neuroses I had regarding my cooking and my kitchen until my Mom moved in with us. I can't believe I'm going to admit to such bizarre behavior. Please don't send me for psychiatic help ! :P Here it goes:

I absolutely panic if I don't have a categorized shopping list and menu every week when I go shopping. To leave what i'm cooking every day up to fate makes me slightly uneasy.

I LOVE going grocery shopping... This is going to sound geeky, but it's one of my favorite things I do in my weekly routine. I love to take my time and examine all the products to make sure I'm getting the best for my money.

I am VERY picky about certain items I MUST have in my kitchen. If I happen to run out of one of these items I just can't cook. I have must have the following (this is just the basics): Sea Salt (course and fine), pepper grinder with fresh peppercorns (preferably the mixed colored peppercorns), and extra virgin olive oil (preferably all Italian). Again, this is just the basics...
I also prefer to have fresh herbs on hand at all times, but it's very hard in the winter. From March to about December I keep an herb garden going, it gets hard to keep it going during the winter though.

I am also becoming a kitchen equipment snob. I HATE cheap pots and pans. I have invested in a mid quality set of stainless steel cookware. I also have a love for Le Cruset (shhh don't tell my hubby how expensive it is). It's cast iron with porcelin over the top. It's heavy and it's very versitile. My one dutch oven should last me forever.

The final thing (which is where the OCD comes in) is I absolutely freak when the majority of people watch me cook. I have a few people I will ALLOW in my kitchen when i'm in there. Those people are very few and far between...

Again, please don't judge! Cooking is my favorite thing on earth, it makes me happy. So I feel I'm entitled to a bit of fun :)

Have a good Wednesday evening!

Julie

My Weekly Menu and a few recipes

First off, sorry for the double post today. I didn't start this blog to be a culinary blog. However, I decided to give it elements of the culinary. I am going to post my weekly menu (which i'm kind of obsessive about planning) and occasionally I'll throw out a recipe or photo or two if I get inspired. The photo to the bottom is a picture of my gnocchi (sorry for the eaten state). The photo on the top is my apple cake. I am not a good food photographer so please forgive me!

This week I want to share with you 3 recipes that I love dearly. Two of these recipes are ones I have used for a while and consider oldies but goodies. The 3rd is a new recipe shared with me by my mother in law this weekend.

Recipe #1 for the week:

Alton Brown's Coq Au Vin (from Food Network)

I have used this for a few years now. It's the easiest and tasiest version of coq au vin I've tried.

I serve it over garlic mashed potatoes. Yum,yum!

Ingredients
24 to 30 pearl onions
4 chicken thighs and legs, or 1 (5 to 7-pound) stewing chicken, cut into serving pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water
6 ounces salt pork, slab bacon, or lardon, cubed
8 ounces button mushrooms, quartered
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 (750-ml) bottles red wine, preferably pinot noir
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 medium onion, quartered
2 stalks celery, quartered
2 medium carrots, quartered
3 cloves garlic, crushed
6 to 8 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
2 cups chicken stock or broth
Directions
Cut off the root end of each pearl onion and make an "x" with your knife in its place. Bring 2 to 3 cups of water to a boil and drop in the onions for 1 minute. Remove the onions from the pot, allow them to cool, and then peel. You should be able to slide the onions right out of their skin. Set aside.
Sprinkle the chicken on all sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the chicken pieces, a few at a time, into a large (1 or 2-gallon) sealable plastic bag along with the flour. Shake to coat all of the pieces of the chicken. Remove the chicken from the bag to a metal rack.
Add the 2 tablespoons of water to a large, 12-inch saute pan over medium heat along with the salt pork. Cover and cook until the water is gone, and then continue to cook until the salt pork cubes are golden brown and crispy, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the salt pork from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, using the remaining fat, add the pearl onions, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and saute until lightly brown, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the onions from the pan and set aside. Next, brown the chicken pieces on each side until golden brown, working in batches if necessary to not overcrowd the pan. Transfer the chicken into a 7 to 8-quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven.
Add the mushrooms to the same 12-inch saute pan, adding the 1 tablespoon of butter if needed, and saute until they give up their liquid, approximately 5 minutes. Store the onions, mushrooms and pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Pour off any remaining fat and deglaze the pan with approximately 1 cup of the wine. Pour this into the Dutch oven along with the chicken stock, tomato paste, quartered onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Add all of the remaining wine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Place the chicken in the oven and cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the chicken is tender. Maintain a very gentle simmer and stir occasionally.
Once the chicken is done, remove it to a heatproof container, cover, and place it in the oven to keep warm. Strain the sauce in a colander and remove the carrots, onion, celery, thyme, garlic, and bay leaf. Return the sauce to the pot, place over medium heat, and reduce by 1/3. Depending on how much liquid you actually began with, this should take 20 to 45 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened, add the pearl onions, mushrooms, and pork and cook for another 15 minutes or until the heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, remove from the heat, add the chicken and serve. Serve over egg noodles, if desired.
Cook’s Note: If the sauce is not thick enough at the end of reducing, you may add a mixture of equal parts butter and flour kneaded together. Start with 1 tablespoon of each. Whisk this into the sauce for 4 to 5 minutes and repeat if necessary.

Recipe #2 Gnocchi Alla Sorrentino

This is my adapted version from my friend Chad's recipe. I have never been able to make mine quiet as tasty as his. This used to be a staple in our house but we have gotten away from eating it so much because it is so rich and carby. I usually prepare it 3 or 4 times a year now.

1 package of vacum sealed gnocchi (usually found with the Italian food or pasta)

1 28oz can of crushed Italian tomatoes

1 small yellow onion, diced

6 cloves of garlic, finely minced

10-15 fresh basil leaves cut chiffonade style

a splash of dry red wine ( I usually add this to all my red Italian sauces)

sea salt (adjusted to your taste)

fresh ground black pepper (adjusted to your taste)

a touch of red pepper (to your preference of heat)

fresh mozzerella to top the gnocchi

Extra Virgin Olive Oil for sauteing onion and garlic

Prepare the gnocchi according to package directions. I get my salted water boiling in a large pasta pot. Add the gnocchi carefully as they can splash easily. Let them cook until they begin to float to the top. Using a slotted spoon take the gnocchi out as they float to the top. Layer the prepared gnocchi in a glass casserole dish.

Now prepare the sauce.

Saute the onion in olive oil until transluscent, add the garlic and saute until very lightly browned. Add the can of tomatoes, a splash of wine. Let the sauce come to a simmer. At this point add the chiffonaded basil, salt, and pepper. Let simmer 10 more minutes. Pour prepared sauce on gnocchi. Top with grated mozzerella. Bake at 350 until bubbly and mozzerella is melted throughly.

Recipe # 3 Fresh Apple Cake with Cream Cheese icing

from the Imperial Sugar Bag (given to me by my mother in law)

I made this Sunday and it is extremely tasty. I 'm not a big cake person but this is yummy. If you leave off the cream cheese icing you can even make this healthy with some adapting.

FRESH APPLE CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTINGFOR THE CAKE:1 1/3 cups Imperial Granulated Sugar1 cup (2 sticks) margarine2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla1/2 cup cold coffee2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon cinnamon1 teaspoon nutmeg1/2 teaspoon salt2 cups grated raw apple1 cup raisins1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (plus additional for garnish)FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened1/4 cup butter or margarine3 cups Imperial Powdered Sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractTO MAKE THE CAKE:Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine Imperial Granulated Sugar, margarine, eggs and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Beat until smooth and well blended. Add coffee alternately with dry ingredients. Stir in apple, raisins and nuts. Spread batter in a greased and floured 9x13-inch pan. Bake until a pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 30-35 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.TO MAKE THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:Beat-cream cheese and butter or margarine together. Add Imperial Powdered Sugar and vanilla, beating until smooth and creamy. If necessary add a few drops of milk or cream for proper spreading consistency.Frost cooled cake and garnish with additional chopped nuts.Makes 1 (13x9-inch) cakeFrom: Recipelink.comSource: Imperial Sugar Bag

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The Courtney Weekly Menu

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Prepared by Julie

Coq Au Vin (Alton Brown recipe)

Garlic Mashed potatoes

Garden Salad

Homemade Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Monday, February 16, 2009

Prepared by Julie:

Gnocchi Alla Sorrentino (see above recipe)

Sweet Italian Sausage and peppers

Baked Caprace (tomatoes, mozzerella, and basil)

Italian bread

Tuesday, February 17,2009

Prepared by my Mom,Debra
Oven BBQ beef ribs and brisket

homemade potatoe salad

pinto beans

Wednesday, February, 18, 2009

Prepared by Julie

Lean Beef Burritos

Black Bean Salad (black beans, red onion, corn, tomatoes)

Green Mexican Rice ( seasoned rice, cilantro, green chiles, a touch of cumin)

Homemade Guacomole

Thursday, February 19,2009

Prepared by Debra

Lean Hamburger steaks with brown gravy

brown rice

baby peas and carrots

Friday, February 20,2009

Jointly prepared by Julie and Debra

Southern fried shrimp

Baked waffle fries

Dilled Cucumber Tomatoe Salad

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Prepared by Julie

Cajun gumbo (chicken,sausage,shrimp mix)

Rice

Southern cornbread

Special surprise chocolate cupcakes

Why I call myself a geek

Sorry if today's post is a novel. I wanted to give you a bit of background on why I named my blog what I did.
First off, I have not always been a geek. I'm a girly girl to some degree which most geeks are not . I do enjoy some traditional womenly pursuits such as chick flicks and shopping. Which makes me a unique breed of geek .

Let me start at the beginning ! In high school, I was not particularly athletic (most people who know me now will laugh at this statement, because I'm lucky to get through the day without injuring myself). I made pretty good grades for the most part, and was in the top portion of my class (somewhere right around the top ten percent if I recall correctly). I never considered myself a geek though. I did hang around with a few friends who had some geeky habits (role playing games, playing in the SCA etc.) but none of those habits of my friends made me a geek. Nope, not this chick. I was cool! :P

Then college hit, Oh my! What a culture shock for this girl from little old Tarkington. I had a very insulated little life.
I met my future husband and some of his friends. They were definite geeks. I'm not sure how I even fit in with them to even form the friendships I did. Here I am, this spoiled,sheltered little country girl who doesn't have a clue about role playing, science fiction (with the exception of Star Trek:Next Generation (secret crush on Riker :P), the SCA,computers, video games or anything of the other things they held dear.

Long story short (opps! way too late for that) my husband (Alfred) is the master manipulator (I say that in a loving way) and somehow over the years my little spoiled pretentions fell by the wayside and I actually started wanting to see what all this was about.. Could it be some of these geeky habits held by him and his friends could be interesting, thrilling even?

However, what sealed my fate as a geek forever was my fortunate turn of employment. I had graduated from college with a degree in Accounting in 1994. However, after working for a year or so I discovered that accounting is one of the most boring professions on earth. I wanted no part of it. Dejected and feeling like a failure for not finding success in my trained profession, I turned to the local prison system for a job. This job was a low paying clerical job. Just something to pay the bills until I could decide what I wanted to do with my life. I continued looking while working this job. One of my friends who had worked with me got a job with the IT department for TDCJ. She had been there a few months when a job opened at the Help Desk doing tech support. She encouraged me to apply for it, and despite my misgivings (I really hated computers) I applied and got the job. The rest is history. I worked for nearly 5 years in a tech support capacity. Learning more and more about computers . Eventually a job opened up in the network installation group. I applied and became the first female installation specialist at TDCJ. Over the time I have a become a computer geek . I took on more and more desktop support responsibilties. Now I am responsible for the hands on desktop support for more than 13 parole offices in the Dallas/Ft Worth area , in addition to assisting with network installation for multiple prison units in the East Texas area.

During this time, my personal life took on geeky overtones as well. It started with me occasionally over the years playing with my honey and his friends when they played D&D(I was just happy they didn't laugh me out of the room) n It turned into me being a computer gamer when World of Warcraft was introduced in 2004. I took to the game like a duck to water meeting tons of people and making a few close friends I still have to this day . I still play in 2009 (although not near as hard core, I mostly dabble these days).

Alot of tranformations over the years from age 18 to 38 have turned me into the person I am today. That person is definitely a bit on the geeky side compared to most of the population. This is something I will proudly declare. Thanks to my geeky husband and all my geeky friends who got me where I am. I stand proud as a geek girl !

Sunday Dinner

Sunday Dinner is an important tradition in my household. I have worked hard to make it that way. Whether it be a late lunch around 3 pm or at a traditional dinner time, I always try to make sure that Sunday dinner is just a little bit more special than the rest of the week. Maybe we will eat on our patio, or maybe we will just eat at tv trays while watching a dvd, occasionally we will even eat at the dining table (GASP!)

Growing up in Southeast Texas, Sunday dinner was always important. Most of the time it involved my Mom, my grandparents, my siblings (one sister, one brother) and whatever extended family happened to be on hand (tons and tons of cousins and aunts and uncles). It usually involved fried meats (like chicken), mashed potatoes,and various garden veggies served fresh raw or fried. Often it was accompanied by a mouth watering peach cobbler or other homemade dessert made by my Granny or one of my aunts.

Circa 2009, the life of Julie, Sunday dinner is a bit different but still just as important to me. Usually it's just me and my hubby. Now that I have the addition of my mom and her boyfriend it's more of a family affair. We don't have children, but my niece has spent many a Sunday at our table. I have always tried to emphasize to her how important Sunday dinner is to me. Hoping that maybe one day when she has children she will see it too.

We don't always eat at the dinning table, but it's still a big production anyway. The cuisine is not always traditional southern food (although occasionally it is). Most likely you will find something Italian or a new recipe from another cultural background I am trying out. However, it always is prepared by me and served with lots of love to whomever pertakes of it.


To me the Sunday dinner concept is about one day to relax and prepare a meal for those I love without being rushed. It's also about family (whether it be just the two of us or more) and it's about thinking back to those days of good Southern cooking that gave me my roots and made me who I am today.

I ask you friends, to think about the last time you enjoyed a good Sunday dinner. Next time you do think about the things I have said. I bet it will bring a bit more enjoyment to your evening.


Hugs and Kisses,

Julie

Valentine's Day 2009- Taking off the pressure

First let me preface this post by saying, Valentine's is the one holiday I am thrilled not to be a man. Think about this, men get off so easy on most holidays. Women generally do all prep for most of them. However, Valentine's Day is the one holiday where the heat is on if you are a man. Especially if you are a man in a commited relationship.

While I am not anti-Valentine's Day by any means (I love all the colors especially). I do feel Valentine's has become too commercialized and too much pressure for us all. Men have to come up with the PERFECT gift and treat their wives in a sicophantic romantic way. In addition, Society gives us more and more crap to buy every year which doesn't help.

Here is my thoughts on Valentine's Day. And like every post on this blog will be , it's just my opinion. Take it as that, please. I think Valentine's Day for a couple should be a low key holiday, not break the bank romantic. If you know me at all , you know I am a closet romantic. I love ROMANCE.. especially old school wine me/dine me romance. However, I feel one day a year to emphasize it with all the bells and whistles just because the calendar tells us to is a bit overrated. I like to show my honey I love him 365 days a year. That is what romance is about, the little things. Not the grand gesture.

My favorite way to spend Valentine's Day is exactly like we did today. First off, we have to visit my mother in law. She has the unfortunate luck of having her birthday on Valentine's Day. My honey has to see his Mama on her birthday, like any good son should. Second, we have started a tradition of the BIG Valentine's meal prepared by me.

Most of you know, I love to cook. Cooking is my way to destress, be creative, and show my family how much I love them. Feeding people is one of the things that gives me pure joy in life (sorry to get off on a tangent). I feel that on Valentine's Day staying home and preparing a special meal for my honey is much better than being in a crowded restaurant fighting for a table.

This year my Valentine's Menu is as follows:

Cornish Game hens stuffed with a mixture of long grain and wild rice with apples and onion

Fresh Green Beans sauteed with roasted almonds and bacon

Herb Roasted New potatoes

Individual baked fudge cakes topped with homemade amaretto spiked whipped cream

a bottle of Tosti Asti Spumante


Try going out for a meal in Huntsville,Texas that will beat that. Plus, I enjoyed preparing it.

Thank you for listening to my anti-Valentine's rant. I hope whatever you do with your special person (whether it be a sweetheart or just a friend) it is fun and lacking in pressure. Just enjoy yourself! After all isn't that what life is about?

Love ya,

Julie

An Introduction To Me! Geek Girl Extranodinare

I finally broke down and decided to do a blog. I really don't have much to blog about. However, I have been reading some of my friends blogs and realized blogs can be an esoteric thing, not just about reality. I will attempt to keep you updated with thought provoking posts about whatever is on my mind from day to day. However, be warned it can vary and be VERY random. I hope you enjoy learning about me and hearing my ramblings.

Hugs and Kisses,

Ciao Buoni Amici