Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Maybe summer isn't so awful, afterall?
Summer is probably my least favorite season- I don't handle the heat very well. But if we could do this 4 times a week, I think I could be a very happy girl...
Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches
Eggplant
Red onions
Good bread (we use 'Country French Bread' from the Harmon's bakery)
Tomatoes (real ones from your garden- they have to be good!)
Arugula or other bitter greens
Aioli (recipe follows)
Fresh herbs, minced (basil, rosemary, parsley, oregano or anything you happen to have)
good olive oil, for drizzling
fresh mozzarella (optional)
Slice eggplant into 1/2" rounds. Salt them and set them on paper towels for an hour or so to draw out some of the liquid.
Grill red onions until soft-ish. Grill eggplant until tender. Grill bread slices.
Assemble sandwiches- generously slather bread with aioli, layer eggplant, onions, tomatoes, herbs, mozzarella (if using), and arugula. Drizzle with olive oil and add top piece of bread. Enjoy thoroughly!
Aioli
2/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup peanut or canola oil
4 large garlic cloves, minced
2 egg yolks
4 tsp. lemon juice
kosher salt
Mix both oils together in a bowl with a spout.
Put garlic, egg yolks, and lemon juice in a food processor and pulse until it's fairly smooth
With the machine running, add the oil in a very slow, thin, steady stream. The mixture should be the consistency of mayonnaise (as that's exactly what we're making). Season with salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors meld.
Spicy Sweet Potato Fries
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 lbs sweet potatoes
Olive oil
Grind all spices together with a mortar and pestle or an electric spice grinder.
Scrub sweet potatoes and slice into fry size pieces.
Toss potatoes with olive oil and spice mixture.
Roast at 425 for 20 minutes then turn them over and keep cooking until they are as crisp as you'd like, (but be warned that they will never be totally crisp- they have a lot more moisture than regular fries).
If you don't want spicy fries, just toss potatoes with olive oil and salt and roast.
These are awesome dipped in the aioli!
This meal is best enjoyed on a warm summer evening with the people you love the most.
Finished
Stephy and I walked out of the store with our books at 12:30 last night. I read for 5 hours, begrudgingly slept for a few hours, then woke up and read for another 1 1/2 hours. Good times. Good book...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
THE Party
A few weeks ago, on a lovely afternoon spent with the in-laws, two very important things were decided. 1) The new village in Daybreak is not nearly as charming as the first two, but that everybody needs to move here (the house across the street from me is for sale- come be my neighbor!). And, 2) There ought to be some sort of large celebration when Tyler's siblings come to town.
Hrmmm. Let me think on that one.. Celebration=party. Party=Andrea's favorite thing
ever. Andrea's favorite thing to do+5 birthdays within a month+a mother-in-law kind enough to turn over control and let me go crazy= Bliss! I think I needed something like this to get me out of my funk and back into my groove. (Beware the groove!)
So, once I got done with my niece Chloe's 5th birthday paper doll party (see Becca's blog, since I forgot my camera), it was full steam ahead on THE Party planning-as opposed to 'the party'. A much needed distinction when you are planning more than one party at a time.
I had a pretty good idea of what I was going for with THE Party, so I was able to start making things early-ish. I made pinwheels and sprouted wheatgrass for centerpieces and decor. I made my first cake balls (inspired by Bakerella's cupcake pops), made paper umbrellas (which I totally forgot to take and can't seem to find anywhere?!?!) with Becca and Steve's help, and did all sorts of other crazy things..
I think my in-laws thought I was totally crazy when we started bringing things inside, but I hope that they still like me enough to not have me committed...
I had to borrow my mom's car to transport everything to the party. Hazel, Chloe and Calvin were pretty impressed...
The party favors, all lined up in a row. The containers were filled with chocolate raisins to anchor the cake balls.
The dining room set up, with favors and wheatgrass and pinwheels, oh my!
One of the birthday cakes- I don't know if this was the lemon or the chocolate, but it doesn't really matter... They both looked pretty cute, I thought. Tyler was a saint and baked and rolled fondant like a champ.
Pinwheels!
The lemonade bar. Lavender, mango, plain, mint and blueberry.
Mango lemonade. Very tasty stuff.
Mint lemonade. Also very tasty stuff.
Uncle David playing the clothespin drop game. By the end of the night Megan, Tyler and I were all tied for the high score- 7 out of 10 clothespins.
Ian attacking the pinata.
Randy wearing the pinata.
I love Bingo. I love it WAY more than I ought to.
And so, THE Party was a success. I had so much fun putting everything together and it seemed like people were enjoying themselves. Thanks, Barbara, for letting me do this one! Happy birthday to all of us!
I'll leave you with just one last picture. This is Scotty, rockin' it mandolin style...
Hrmmm. Let me think on that one.. Celebration=party. Party=Andrea's favorite thing
ever. Andrea's favorite thing to do+5 birthdays within a month+a mother-in-law kind enough to turn over control and let me go crazy= Bliss! I think I needed something like this to get me out of my funk and back into my groove. (Beware the groove!)
So, once I got done with my niece Chloe's 5th birthday paper doll party (see Becca's blog, since I forgot my camera), it was full steam ahead on THE Party planning-as opposed to 'the party'. A much needed distinction when you are planning more than one party at a time.
I had a pretty good idea of what I was going for with THE Party, so I was able to start making things early-ish. I made pinwheels and sprouted wheatgrass for centerpieces and decor. I made my first cake balls (inspired by Bakerella's cupcake pops), made paper umbrellas (which I totally forgot to take and can't seem to find anywhere?!?!) with Becca and Steve's help, and did all sorts of other crazy things..
I think my in-laws thought I was totally crazy when we started bringing things inside, but I hope that they still like me enough to not have me committed...
I had to borrow my mom's car to transport everything to the party. Hazel, Chloe and Calvin were pretty impressed...
The party favors, all lined up in a row. The containers were filled with chocolate raisins to anchor the cake balls.
The dining room set up, with favors and wheatgrass and pinwheels, oh my!
One of the birthday cakes- I don't know if this was the lemon or the chocolate, but it doesn't really matter... They both looked pretty cute, I thought. Tyler was a saint and baked and rolled fondant like a champ.
Pinwheels!
The lemonade bar. Lavender, mango, plain, mint and blueberry.
Mango lemonade. Very tasty stuff.
Mint lemonade. Also very tasty stuff.
Uncle David playing the clothespin drop game. By the end of the night Megan, Tyler and I were all tied for the high score- 7 out of 10 clothespins.
Ian attacking the pinata.
Randy wearing the pinata.
I love Bingo. I love it WAY more than I ought to.
And so, THE Party was a success. I had so much fun putting everything together and it seemed like people were enjoying themselves. Thanks, Barbara, for letting me do this one! Happy birthday to all of us!
I'll leave you with just one last picture. This is Scotty, rockin' it mandolin style...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
I love the Muppets!!!!!
Beaker does Beethoven
Sousa never sounded better!
The Swedish Chef, Animal and Beaker sing.
Sousa never sounded better!
The Swedish Chef, Animal and Beaker sing.
The written word...
Tyler and I lived downtown when we first got married and one of my favorite things about that was being so close to the big library. And the farmers market, but this post is about books, not produce... We used to make frequent trips to the library and I was a reading fiend. When we moved to our apartment in South Jordan we were no where near a library and I kind of forgot that I like to read. I still read, but not with the vigor that I had before, and I seemed to only read things from my personal collection. Over and over and over. And the Harry Potter books as they came out. I read those.
An exciting thing happened last week. I went to the library with my sisters and nieces and nephews and got a new card, since mine had long ago disappeared. And I checked out books. And then I read them. (You may think that last part is a given, but I can't be the only person has had the problem of bringing home a book or a movie and then not getting around to it, right?) And I liked it.
I'd like to keep track of what I've read each month, just so that I can look back and remember. So here is the list from the past month or so...
Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. Again. It's pathetic how many times I've read these, but they are my current favorite feel good and bath tub books. I first picked them up less than a year ago, but I have read them each at least 9 times.
Book of a Thousand Days and Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. Mom checked these out and sent them up my way. They are just sweet, heart warming little books. They're the kind of books that make you happy and optimistic.
My Life in France by Julia Child. A cute neighbor said she thought of me when she read it, so she brought it over for me to read. It was a fun read, talking about learning to cook, throwing dinner parties, writing her cookbooks, her husband and her love of all things French. I hadn't realized before just how tall she was- she was 6'2". I may have an inch on her, but she must have had it pretty rough back then..
The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan. A nice read, very much like her other books. I enjoyed it but probably wouldn't read it again.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I loved this one! It's her story of growing up dirt poor, moving all over the country with her brilliant and drunk father, highly eccentric mother, and her siblings. I highly recommend this one.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I realize that I am about 5 years late on reading this, but oh well.. There is a reason it is such a popular book- it's thoroughly delightful. I enjoyed it.
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman. Becca checked this out from the library. Before she was halfway through she had ordered multiple copies of it on Amazon- it's that good. It's pretty much the most delightful thing I've ever read. It's a series of essays about books, words and language. She writes about compulsive proof reading, sesquipedalians, reading aloud and marrying libraries together (5 years and one child after getting married, they decide they are ready for this level of intimacy). I cannot recommend this highly enough.
An exciting thing happened last week. I went to the library with my sisters and nieces and nephews and got a new card, since mine had long ago disappeared. And I checked out books. And then I read them. (You may think that last part is a given, but I can't be the only person has had the problem of bringing home a book or a movie and then not getting around to it, right?) And I liked it.
I'd like to keep track of what I've read each month, just so that I can look back and remember. So here is the list from the past month or so...
Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. Again. It's pathetic how many times I've read these, but they are my current favorite feel good and bath tub books. I first picked them up less than a year ago, but I have read them each at least 9 times.
Book of a Thousand Days and Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. Mom checked these out and sent them up my way. They are just sweet, heart warming little books. They're the kind of books that make you happy and optimistic.
My Life in France by Julia Child. A cute neighbor said she thought of me when she read it, so she brought it over for me to read. It was a fun read, talking about learning to cook, throwing dinner parties, writing her cookbooks, her husband and her love of all things French. I hadn't realized before just how tall she was- she was 6'2". I may have an inch on her, but she must have had it pretty rough back then..
The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan. A nice read, very much like her other books. I enjoyed it but probably wouldn't read it again.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I loved this one! It's her story of growing up dirt poor, moving all over the country with her brilliant and drunk father, highly eccentric mother, and her siblings. I highly recommend this one.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I realize that I am about 5 years late on reading this, but oh well.. There is a reason it is such a popular book- it's thoroughly delightful. I enjoyed it.
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman. Becca checked this out from the library. Before she was halfway through she had ordered multiple copies of it on Amazon- it's that good. It's pretty much the most delightful thing I've ever read. It's a series of essays about books, words and language. She writes about compulsive proof reading, sesquipedalians, reading aloud and marrying libraries together (5 years and one child after getting married, they decide they are ready for this level of intimacy). I cannot recommend this highly enough.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Sell out
I really need to post some of our Bermuda pictures, but they are all on Tyler's computer and he, unlike me, has to leave the house to go to work and he takes his computer with him. The nerve! So, instead of pictures of pink sand beaches and tales of snorkeling and collecting sea glass in island bliss, you get random anecdotes about my 14 sister. Who just happens to be completely darling (when she chooses to) and totally OCD (she can't help that part, I guess).
Mom and I were out running many errands yesterday, one of which was picking Tasha up from school. She got in the car and promptly told Mom that she had to drive very fast because her bladder was going to explode. Apparently she has a fear of public bathrooms and refuses to use them and instead suffers for hours at school. Why? I don't get it. (Maybe it was the time that the two of us walked into the men's room at Wingers. I was in the one stall and she was waiting her turn when a man walked in. She was pretty dang embarrassed. I hid in the stall, waiting until he was gone to make my escape, but another man walked in and I was still stuck in there and I eventually made it out, but not without a very awkward conversation at the sink. Maybe I understand her issue a little bit, although I got right back on the proverbial horse and use the bathroom at Harmon's that very same night!) Anyway, Tasha was yelling at the red lights and was pretty miserable. Unfortunately for her, Mom and I still had to stop at the craft store before we could consider our errands complete. I told her that they had a bathroom that she could use and that there was a 90% chance that she would live to tell about it. As we entered the store, I pointed her in the right direction and wished her the best of luck.
Many minutes later I ran into her near the yarn department, where she was playing with a purple bouncy ball with fringe all over it. I inquired after the condition of her bladder and she told me that she walked into the bathroom and right back out. She just couldn't do it. And that her bladder was really not too pleased with her. I laughed. Eventually we found Mom and were about ready to check out. Tasha really, really, really wanted us to buy the ball- now named Martha- for her and it was then that we spotted an opportunity for growth. (see: bribery) We told her that she could have the ball if she used the bathroom, and that there was no other way that she could get that ball. One fleeting look of terror crossed her face, then she looked at Martha and gave her (it?) a squeeze, and she marched off, determined. Mom had to go with her to guard the door to make sure that she would have total and complete privacy, but she did it. I am so proud!
So, for the bargain price of $7.99 (minus 40% because we had a coupon) Tasha has conquered a corner of her OCD-ness. Forget years of counseling and expensive medications- Tasha can use a public restroom because of a bouncy ball.
Mom and I were out running many errands yesterday, one of which was picking Tasha up from school. She got in the car and promptly told Mom that she had to drive very fast because her bladder was going to explode. Apparently she has a fear of public bathrooms and refuses to use them and instead suffers for hours at school. Why? I don't get it. (Maybe it was the time that the two of us walked into the men's room at Wingers. I was in the one stall and she was waiting her turn when a man walked in. She was pretty dang embarrassed. I hid in the stall, waiting until he was gone to make my escape, but another man walked in and I was still stuck in there and I eventually made it out, but not without a very awkward conversation at the sink. Maybe I understand her issue a little bit, although I got right back on the proverbial horse and use the bathroom at Harmon's that very same night!) Anyway, Tasha was yelling at the red lights and was pretty miserable. Unfortunately for her, Mom and I still had to stop at the craft store before we could consider our errands complete. I told her that they had a bathroom that she could use and that there was a 90% chance that she would live to tell about it. As we entered the store, I pointed her in the right direction and wished her the best of luck.
Many minutes later I ran into her near the yarn department, where she was playing with a purple bouncy ball with fringe all over it. I inquired after the condition of her bladder and she told me that she walked into the bathroom and right back out. She just couldn't do it. And that her bladder was really not too pleased with her. I laughed. Eventually we found Mom and were about ready to check out. Tasha really, really, really wanted us to buy the ball- now named Martha- for her and it was then that we spotted an opportunity for growth. (see: bribery) We told her that she could have the ball if she used the bathroom, and that there was no other way that she could get that ball. One fleeting look of terror crossed her face, then she looked at Martha and gave her (it?) a squeeze, and she marched off, determined. Mom had to go with her to guard the door to make sure that she would have total and complete privacy, but she did it. I am so proud!
So, for the bargain price of $7.99 (minus 40% because we had a coupon) Tasha has conquered a corner of her OCD-ness. Forget years of counseling and expensive medications- Tasha can use a public restroom because of a bouncy ball.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)