Nov 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
Thought that it would be fun to see what staples you keep in your fridge, freezer, pantry, spice cabinet, baking cabinet…
Today I’ll start with pantry and see what items you always keep in stock.
(Things you think are wonderful and can’t go without for long, etc.)
So….
Here is my PANTRY:
(I’m giving you a condensed list of course, but these are some things we love)
Nutella (Jac has to have his “chocolate sandwiches” for snacks daily)
Local Honey
Molasses for making yummy stuff
Muir Glen canned tomatoes and tomato sauce
(I like fresh but these are pretty durn good for canned)
Coconut Milk
(for arroz con guandules or curries)
Brown Rice
(I use DHC Japanese Germinated Brown Rice because I like the texture
but sometimes have Arkansas Brown Rice if I can find it local.)
White Rice
(I like a local brand, Par Excellence Premium Long Grain White Rice)
Herdez Salsa Verde
(This is awesome on anything, and for a quick taco/burrito/salad try it mixed with a broccoli slaw mix and lime juice and tomatoes!)
Black beans,
lentil beans of several varieties,
barley,
wheat germ
So what’s in yours?
Nov 5, 2009 | Louisiana, Travel, Uncategorized, United States
I experienced my first NFL game on Monday night.
I admit, I’m not a sports fan. By that I mean that I don’t like to watch sports on TV or follow in team in particular. I think of it sort of like a Roman gladiator fight.
My mind might have been changed though. The energy in the arena was amazing and the people were great. Live games are so much fun!
I really hope the Saints make it to Superbowl!
When the Saints Came Marching In
Who Dat Say They Gonna Be Dem Saints?
Some great people from Alabama sitting behind us
(The husband was from New Orleans and his mom in law was threatening to make him sit in the trunk on the way home!)
I hadn’t been to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina hit them. I guess it had been 6 yrs or so for me. I was expecting the worst from what I’ve heard.
I’ve got to tell you it was wonderful. The people of N.O. are fantastic, friendly, originals!
Now to talk about what I love- FOOD!
Scott had a meeting so I walked the quarter with his co-worker’s wife. We had beignets and coffee from Cafe Du Monde for breakfast. YUM!
We had lunch at Mother’s Restaurant. We LOVE that place. He had a Ferdie special and raved about it. I had a bowl of seafood gumbo. Next trip I’m trying the shrimp creole.
Now for the pièce de résistance:
Orleans Grapevine was phenomenal! Scott and I both are pretty particular and this was absolutely amazing. Can’t think of anything not nice to say about it. If you are in the area you HAVE to try it. Lovely!
Nov 5, 2009 | Uncategorized
This week’s prompts for Mama Kat’s Writing workshop were:
1.) Describe something you’re proud of.
2.) Tell me your most humorous wedding experience
3.) 10 reasons why you can’t sleep at night
4.) Describe an experience that you wish you could shake from your memory.
5.) Write a love letter to the object of your affection.
I am so blocked on this one.
I was going to do #2, but realized those involved in some of these stories might not appreciate me posting it to the WWW. (Oh, and I have some GOOOD ones.)
#4 involved some of said wedding stories, and other things I might not want on the WWW.
(They would be hilarious though…)
Anyway, I’ll tell you why I can’t sleep at night instead because that is so near and dear to my heart!
I’ve never been a good sleeper (except maybe when I was a teenager and running constantly, working 40 hrs a week and in school.)
- My bed is old and worn out. I really need a new one but have been so overwhelmed after mattress shopping I just give up! I want one that is environmentally friendly, but one that is good and not as expensive as my van! (It’s bad when you get back from a vacation and realize you slept better on the hotel mattress.)
- My stupid restless legs won’t stop moving.
- My husband falls asleep the minute his head hits the pillow- makes me mad that I can’t.
- My husband snores so loud I’ll probably need hearing aids soon.
- I wonder if the doors are locked and then go check them.
- I have to pee.
- I get get caught up in the book I’m reading and can’t stop.
- I have to pee (and so does the dog.)
- I worry that I forgot to pay a bill and have to go check.
- I wonder if I locked the cars and have to go check.
Well, sorry it’s not the juicy story that it could be if I was brave enough to choose another prompt. Maybe next week! 🙂
Nov 1, 2009 | Uncategorized
Happy Halloween!
My scary vampire, ghost, and Aladdin with our neighbors’ son getting ready to go Trick-or-Treating! (I don’t buy costumes for my kids- firm believer on that- but I did break down and buy M a scary ghosty mask for $2. I couldn’t find face paint anywhere!) They had a great time, and then we had fun at their house meeting some great AFS exchange students. They are hosting a sweet girl from Japan this year. Last year they had a student from Italy that was also a great girl.
I hope everyone had a safe, Happy Halloween!
Oct 30, 2009 | Recipes, Sweets, Uncategorized
Well, we made our annual Halloween Gingerbread Cookies.
This year I let the kids make them so they don’t look quite like last year’s,
but were much more fun to make!
Kids rolling out the dough
Getting ready to bake
We only had one minor squirmish (is that a word?) over how many cookies could have sprinkles and how many had to be plain. I used store bought Wilton cookie icing this year. I NEVER use store bought icing and now remember one reason why. It didn’t ooze right and the tip on the bottle was way too big. If you make these use the smallest (#1) tip to get the bones just right!
Finished products
Gingerbread just smells like fall! (Tastes pretty great too!)
Em’s skeleton bear
If you’d like to get in on the fun go visit Better in Bulk!
We had a month’s worth of rain YESTERDAY, so not sure how the Halloween plans will go. I am thinking about doing the Booseum Bash downtown this year. The Pharaoh exhibit at the AAC might be especially fun on Halloween! Still haven’t figured out the kids’ costumes. Know what I’ll be doing tonight!
Oct 29, 2009 | Appetizers & Snacks, Recipes, Uncategorized
My tomato crop has been SLOW going. Still growing but still green.
Made my mouth water thinking about FRIED GREEN TOMATOES!
Step 1-
Wash tomatoes and cut into THIN slices (this is a key factor!) Make sure to use a SHARP knife or you could cut yourself. Dull knives make the blade slip and you get cut much easier.
Step 2-
Put cut tomatoes in milk or buttermilk.
In another bowl mix cornmeal, a bit of flour, salt & pepper, and I like to put some True Lemon powder to give it a tangy taste. Roll milky tomatoes in the cornmeal mixture and then place in hot oil.
*Make sure your oil is hot in an iron skillet preferably. Fry on both sides til done and drain on paper towels.
Enjoy! Nothing better….
