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Friday, October 05, 2007

It's no secret that I read *ahem* a few blogs. If you saw my Bloglines, you would wonder "WTH - does this gal bookmark everything??" Nope. However there are a number of blogs I read on the daily or during the weekend catch-up, and many more that I discover through the blogrolls of other blogs I read frequently. I figure if the person who's blog I enjoy likes so and so blog, let me go investigate. And since I'm a nosy wench, I mean curious individual, I figure why the heck not.

When I started reading blogs a few moons ago, three of my faves (outside of the gossip blogs) were Pink Shoe Diaries, Grown Up Girlie and Overdressed (Now she blogs at: I Am Not My Hair). Through them I've discovered countless other blogs which you might see on my blog roll, and, through THOSE blogs, other jems have been unearthed.

Just today, I discovered through a link on Perfectly Plump Preppy's blog to a very witty/snarky blog called Jennsylvania. Hmmm.. of course I wonder - "Is it a Philly gal?" cuz I'm associating Pennsylvania (and Philly) with that and clicked. Listen, I'm blonde mmmmkay - can you see the inner workings of my warped mind. Thought so. I about shrieked when I discovered it was Jen Lancaster's blog, one of my favorite authors. I adored her book, Bitter is the New Black, and also have her new book Bright Lights, Big Ass which I'm currently reading and she's just hilarious. Like Carrie Bradshaw hilarious. Witty, snarky and she is one of those that states what people want to say, but don't.

SO, I noticed a post on her blog which made me go "EXACTLY" and it's: Grab a Pen, I'm Giving Advice Couldn't have said it better myself.

So that made me think, "what about a weekly highlight of various posts that I find thought provoking, giggle worthy and/or makes you go hmmmm...". So with that, I'd like to point out some interesting ones.

• Take a minute to stop by Chic and Charming who doles out instructions that every woman should have received: "How to Own The Sidewalk". You ever have one of those days where you know you look good, and the world better know it too... thought so.
• For a Different Kinda Gal had me howlin' at her love of all things Oreo Cakester in her post "who's your snacky? come on. say it. tell me..." I'm ashamed to admit that yes I did try them once and they can be addictive. My butt, immediately sensing fear of expansion, has now put me on restriction...
• While we are on the cooking front, if you are for a little pumpkin goodness (and who's not), you might feel like makin' whoopie - Pumpkin Whoopies that is. Drop by Erin Cooks for some "Edible Bribes" - Pumpkin Whoopie Pies...
• You can call me biased or whatever, but this post, "JD goes on a little TSA Power Trip at Orlando Int'l Airport" by Peter at PR. Differently had me going "You captured the sentiment on OIA [Orlando International Airport or, as I prefer to call it, the Third Rung To Hell/Dante's Inferno]. BTW, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Shankman this morning and he's truly at the top of his game. Much kudos and thanks for the coffee!
• And finally, a series of posts over at Blogdorf Goodman had me going "Oh. My. God." The woman got to go to Coco Chanel's apartment, courtesy of an expense paid trip by Chanel for a few fabulous bloggers. COCO CHANEL people - outside of Audrey Hepburn, I can't think of anyone else, for me, style wise that really made me go "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH". Coco Chanel is brilliant and her apartment is fabulous... I apologize for the September Archive view (but for beauty junkies - blogroll this site please... ). Scroll down towards the bottom of the list and you will start to see beautiful images of Coco's abode...
• And, for a bit of a style break re: the soon to be "IT" nail color de Chanel: SHHHHHH... you didn't hear it from me...Check Out This

So, that hopefully will give you a bit of weekend reading while hopefully you might be enjoying a hot toddy (or two)...

Labels: Beauty, Blog, Cooking, PR, Random Mess, Recipe, Shopping

Posted by Lys :: 6:49 PM :: 2 comments

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Wednesday, September 26, 2007

The Reappearance of the Cooking Mojo...

Friday afternoon, I left the 9to5 early and was able to drop by my fave farm stand: Maters & Taters. I departed with my normal veggies, but added a few extras into the mix (fresh ginger, some asparagus, butternut squash, etc.) See, I have a problem where I will do the food shopping, but when I get home from work, I'm dead drained tired and the last thing I feel like doing lately is whipping up a culinary masterpiece. Either lately I've been doing takeout, grabbing a Lean Cuisine or making something simple, like a sandwich. I know I know. I have a gorgeous kitchen, have my pots and pans and knives which I had to have (and I could have bought those CL shoes with the cost of everything) and hell, let's not even go into the appliances I *had* to buy when I moved into this lovely abode.

I have shamed the cooking gods. Seriously, the Food Network should just ban me from watching because no matter how much I want to cook, I just can't find the get up and gumption to do it. There has been no pep in my step.

Well, that was until tonight. See, Michelle talked about a lovely sauce she made the other day and that inspired me to pick up a batch of mini plum tomatoes from Maters & Taters. I'm not a fan of the jarred sauce. I will use it in a pinch, but most of the time, I prefer to make my own (and my vodka sauce is delish! Trust me on that one!). Not bad for an Irish wench, huh? I joke that I must have been Italian in a former life as I'm a huge fan of anything Italian: shoes, pasta, spices, handbags, art, men, etc. I actually want to go to Italy on a future vacation. Who knows what can happen. But I digress.

Tonight, on the drive home (I got out around 6ish), I figured "eehhh.. let me just pick up something on the way home". Then I thought "eeehhhh... I don't want to cook - I'm tired"... then I remembered that the tomatoes might go bad if I don't get my crap together. See I'll buy something and then don't use it at times. It's a waste, I know but I have this emotional thing where I have to have a full pantry and fridge. Flashback to the whole divorce debacle, I guess. But back to the problem at hand.

Well, I did go pick up something - my Dunkin' Donuts hazelnut iced coffee - 2 of 'em (1 for the morning and 1 for tonight), a muffin for the a.m. drive (pumpkin muffins - yum!) and figured "ENOUGH LAZINESS LYS! TIME TO COOK". So with that, I prepared to enter the kitchen. I washed the dishes, cleared off the cooking area, put a pot of water on the stove to boil, and then got to work.

I was too lazy to go look up Michelle's recipe but remembered enough for a little variation. I preheated the oven to 425, covered a baking sheet with tinfoil and sprayed it with olive oil, washed the pint of plum tomatoes (which turned out to be perfectly ripe), tossed the tomatoes with a bit of EVOO, salt & pepper and popped them into the oven for about 12 min. until they began to burst. Then, I took the tomatoes out, let them rest for about 5 minutes while I took two garlic cloves, the cooled tomatoes, a bit of dried oregano and basil, salt, pepper and a bit of hot pepper flakes for a dash of heat into my NEVER USED food processor (had to have, never broke it in), pulse the above for a little bit, stream in some more olive oil, pulse again and viola! Fresh Roasted Tomato Sauce...

While I was whirring the sauce, my water was boiling some 5 cheese ravioli that I had the in freezer (gotta love Costco) and then it was time for plate assembly.

Ladle a bit of sauce on the bottom ala Emeril style, gently spoon the pillows of pasta-y goodness onto the plate, ladle a bit more sauce and BAM!

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present, 5 Cheese Ravioli with Roasted Tomato Diablo Sauce... Thanks Michelle!

Labels: Cooking, Recipe

Posted by Lys :: 9:22 PM :: 3 comments

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Monday, September 03, 2007

Someone Remind Me To Pack Airborne...

This entire Labor Day weekend has me hackin' like I was a smoker. I had no voice yesterday, my throat is sore as all **** and I'm coughin' like crazy. I know it had to be some germy person that was on that daggone plane who spread a virus around. No matter how many times I travel, I always get sick when I get home. However, my dad is saying it's just the fact I'm not used to the northern climates lately. I still say it some germy individual that was flying on AirTran. Nyquil isn't helping...

But today, I mustered up a bit of strength, determined to do what I said I was going to do - make Giada de Laurentiis' Balsamic BBQ Chicken. So, this evening, I embarked on my task -- and boy did the kitchen get hot. However, making my own BBQ sauce was a first - I don't think I will go bottled ever again. I highly recommend this recipe, but cut the vinegar in 1/2 if you try to make it and up the ketchup portion a bit. I baked the chicken and, while I would have taken pictures, I forgot as the smell made me beyond ravenous to consider getting the camera. The meat was literally falling off the drumstick. Add that with a bit of steamed corn and enjoy! The leftovers will make a splendid lunch this week or dinner if I'm too tired when I get home.

Now all I have to do is clean up the messy kitchen & shine my sink. All while hacking up a lung, of course.

Labels: Cooking, Random Mess, Recipe, Travel

Posted by Lys :: 7:43 PM :: 2 comments

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Sunday, June 10, 2007

No Crust Please...

I feel like I'm on withdrawal from my lovely cooking bliss lately. Everything I seem to cook goes over the recommended count or something (however, did you know raspberries are 1 calorie apiece??)

Today, I was craving apple pie in the WORST way ... so, I improvised. I whipped out my lovely knives, got to chopping up a small apple into a gratin dish, sprinkled it with a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg & demara sugar and popped it in the micro for 2 1/2 minutes. *Viola* apple pie without the crust. And, at about 80 calories.YUMMY!

They say its all about life changes - I just need to toss out any Barefoot Contessa or Paula Deen (not that I cook her stuff) recipes. And I'm going to have to start adapting my recipes to my new goals.

Labels: Diet-Fitness, Recipe

Posted by Lys :: 2:58 PM :: 1 comments

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Sunday, June 03, 2007

Next Food Network Star...

Is anyone else watching this show? Personally, I'm rooting for JAG - not because he kinda looks like a shorter version of my Nicky, not because he's a former marine, not because his food is Latino/Italian Fusion - honestly, I don't know why I'm rooting for him - but, as he says he's a "bad ass in the kitchen". Let's see if it's true.

Also - I've got to say, this Nikki chick - she's like Vogue meets Bon Appetit. What is up this season???

On an unrelated food note: I've NEVER met a creme brulee I didn't like - until now. I went to Fresh Market to pick one up (along with a couple other things) and can I say, blah - blah - BLAH!

Labels: Random Mess, Recipe

Posted by Lys :: 11:14 PM :: 0 comments

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Friday, May 25, 2007

Applebees...I'm Wise To Your Kung Fu...

Applebees has been advertising their new Bruschetta Burger pretty heavily. So much so that this gal has been wanting to stop by Applebees for a bit of take out. However, in light of the re-emergence of my inner chef and my financial commitment to less dining/take out, I'm thinking, "Seriously, Lys- how HARD can that burger be?".

Well, the commercial says it's italian bread, a bit of pesto, fresh mozzarella, a sirloin burger, with bruschetta and fresh basil. This isn't rocket science people. So, after a quick trip to Costco, I got the ingredients necessary- pesto, the bread, the sirloin & the fresh mozz. (And the new Clooney DVD, but that's not vital to the success of this burger.. I think). The basil was provided courtesy of Ms. Aerogarden. Bruschetta mix was left over from last night's dinner soiree. One smoke filled apartment, use of the panini press and new Le Creuset pan and you have this little lovely. The results.. utter bliss.

I apologize for the pic quality, but I will be looking for all the parts to my digital camera this weekend, pinky swear! However, don't let the pic dissuade you from trying this burger which should be in your repertoire. And, add an ice coffee and you have something that is so refreshing yet satisfying. The freshness of the ingredients was just amazing and the complexities of flavors... Tyler Florence knows his stuff, people. I'm sold!

Now, remember I originally said that I was renewing my commitment to saving, I should know that going to Costco is truly temptation. The Applebees burger I would guess is around $10.00. By my Costco route, let's just say this burger was about $30 bux for the supplies that were not on hand (add another $20 for the Clooney temptation). However the fact I was able to make it myself was well worth that investment. Food always tastes better when it's homemade, don't you think.

Now, let's just hope the grill pan has soaked enough...

Labels: Recipe

Posted by Lys :: 10:21 PM :: 1 comments

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Sunday, May 06, 2007

Adventure Awaits...

See, this is why I cannot read a Williams-Sonoma catalog. Because they have pics like this and recipes that seem very "blond-friendly". Next thing you know, this gal is thinking "Pan, check; ingredients, check - #*#*$ I don't have cherries" and then I'm off and shopping.


$77.00 later and many ingredients that have NOTHING to do with the recipe at hand, and I'm heading home. I even stopped to get a pan should I care to make Croque Monsieur (I put back the Le Creuset stoneware bean pot - so gorgeous but not in the cards this week) and Borders had a book of Julia Child's notes (a gal needs to learn how to make a decent Bechamel sauce, right?). My reasoning is that after slicing my finger last week, I need all the help I can get. Plus, Albertsons had a buy one get one free sale (including petite filets) so my freezer is packed (I'm sure former roomie is laughing because to me the sign of security is a packed fridge/freezer).



So, I'm going the domestic diva route today - I'm making Cherry Clafoutis, cleaning the apartment, doing laundry and possibly organizing the closet. And, for an extra bit of adventure, I might just clean off the TIVO..



But who is to blame for this burst of Florence Hendersonesque diva-ism - who else, WILLIAMS SONOMA! They started it - that recipe better be really daggone good.



Pictures forthcoming. For the recipe, see here. My finger is grateful that there isn't much, if any, chopping involved.

Labels: Random Mess, Recipe, Shopping

Posted by Lys :: 1:05 PM :: 1 comments

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Thursday, April 19, 2007

Cocktail Party: Impossible?

Well, I have scheduled the Housewarming Soiree for next Friday, sent the evites, taken that day off to relax and cook my little heart out and, currently in the midst of making the shopping list. While there are so many good choices out there for appetizers & cocktails, I'm curious to see what you would suggest. I do know that I will have Sangria on hand, but outside of Roasted Asparagus with Wasabi Mayo, I'm stumped.

If you were throwing a cocktail party for about ohhh.. let's say 20 people - what are some tried and true suggestions that y'all might want to serve? I'm a big fan of the Barefoot Contessa/Everyday Italian mentality - prep ahead and that way the party thrower can enjoy the party as well. Or should I Sandra Lee it and buy a bunch of frozen appetizers at Costco.

Is this Cocktail Party: Impossible? (Sorry - too much Robert Irvine watching last night) I'm looking forward to your thoughts, suggestions, and of course - cocktail recipes :) THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Labels: Cooking, Random Mess, Recipe

Posted by Lys :: 12:07 PM :: 2 comments

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Sunday, April 15, 2007

Recipe Success: Petite Filet with Gorgonzola

Well, to kick my inner kitchen diva into gear, I'm going to start ensuring that my cooking at home is in line. I'm going to start highlighting a few good recipes that work well and, if you like 'em, try them and let me know what you think. Most of the time I get my recipes from FoodNetwork and I'm a big fan of Everyday Italian. Though I'm Irish, I really think I must have been italian in another lifetime...

Tonight's Success: Petite Filet with Gorgonzola and Porchini Mushroom Sauce. While I did not have porchinis on hand, I did have baby portabellas which were on special this weekend. Served with some corn, it was a nice meal topped off with some Ice Coffee that *gasp* I made myself. Shocked yet?

Now if only I can convince the fuzzball she should do dishes.

Labels: Recipe

Posted by Lys :: 8:29 PM :: 1 comments

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