Blog Challenge

Well, hopefully the fire I need to keep up here, will happen this month.  It's HV Nestie Favorite things challenge!

Yay for friends to get your creative drive going!

Rare to have this much of a winner.

It's very hard for me to keep up on this blog during the busy time at work. I got promoted and my responsibilites went up. Which is a good thing professionally. Bad for goofing on the internet and trying to keep up with home stuff and cooking.  I will admit, from about October to end of December, if I worked, and didn't plan something in the crockpot...I didn't cook dinner.  I couldn't deal with it.

But now it's January and I have time to cook again.  Well, I had a winner from Cooking Light last night.  From the most recent issue of Cooking Light I made their Lemony Chicken Saltimbocca  It was outstanding.  I do suggest you try this and add it to your arsenal of chicken recipe's.  I made it with thin spaghetti, not angel hair.  I crushed some garlic and added lemon juice to the pasta.  I had one of those moments when I took my first bite, it was like the heavens opened and the angels sang.

I don't know if its the sage, the proscuitto or the lemon, but it all blended well together.  I also think now that our town got a decent butcher, our choice of meat has changed.  I haven't bought meat from the grocery store in almost a month.  There is a definite difference in the meat products I serve at home now.  I do highly suggest that you all if you have the chance, buy your meat right from a butcher.  You'll be amazed at the difference in the meals you cook and serve.

Work so far

Well, the kitchen didn't go as planned.  That's fine.  Here is what we've done so far.

I'm disappointed with the pictures.  Only because you can't really see the color that well.  We chose a pale green. It's Behr color Valley Mist 460E-2.  I panicked when I first saw the color in the store.  I thought it was too gray. But then Bear put it up on the wall and OH MY.  It's really pretty.  For those that know me well enough to come to the house, I think you'd agree too when you see it.

Bear, his Brother and his Buddy did SO MUCH work getting this painting done.  I can't stop tanking them enough.  I appreciate all the work they have done.  I've told them all this and probably will continue to do so for a long time.

The wall featured in the photo is the wall that we want to cut the "window" in and have a counter.

This is another view.  You can see the color a little bit more.  This is the back door that leads to the deck, the other door leads into the dining room

This photo here is of the cabinets, stove and our new microwave.  I thought about it for a quick second about painting the cabinets white.  It's an idea, but I'm not really sure about it.  I'll take opinions from anyone offering.

Excuse the clutter. Some of the items there is because we were in the process of putting things back now that the room is painted.  The cabinets are good cabinets, good wood too.  The ugly brick you see at the top of the picture, well that is going.  I don't know when, but it's going.  I hate it.  I mean I REALLY REALLY HATE IT.  It actually caused a mini-argument between Bear and I the other day.  But back to the question at hand.  To paint or not to paint.

I had the thought that white cabinets may look nice.  I have this vision of new doors, with glass on them. I really like that open view and I think because all our appliances (except for afew smaller ones) are white that the cabinets being white may be too much.  I'm not really sure.  Whatever I decide however, can't be accomplished for some time.  *shrug*

Here is a photo of our newest bed.  Bear just cut this one so there is lots of work planting wise to be done, but it's beautiful don't you think?

This bed is on the western side of our house.  It's the side that you access our entrance and the deck.  Which is why we have the solar lights lining the brick light up the path that Bear is preparing from the back to the driveway.

It then curves like this to the backyard.  Excuse the mess.

We plan on planting ornamental grasses here (where the bike is).  We have a climbing rose and a new hydrangea planting on the side along with some tiger lillies. 

My Bear rocks.  We're having a BBQ this coming weekend.  If I make anything clever, I'll post a new recipe.

End of May

Life has been busy.  It happens.  The kitchen remodel isn't going as planned.  We are doing some work and for that I am very grateful.  It's hard to get everything because the person that was due to remodel the kitchen and fix our deck got hurt.  So he can't do anything for us right now.  It makes me sad, because I was really counting on it, but what can I do.  *sigh*
I probably shouldn't be writing at all today because I'm in a pouty mood.  I was good for most of the day and then came home to realize something I just found, was lost to me again.  It makes me sad.
Though what makes me happy is my Bear.  I look at him sometimes and I just can't believe how overwhelmed I feel when I see him.  How much I love him.  I know this isn't my usual type of post, but I'm not in my usual kind of mood.  I love my Bear so much.  He just takes my breath away sometimes. I tell him these mushy things and most times he rolls his eyes at me.  He gave me the sweetest card on Mother's Day. It was the nicest card I have ever gotten.  I really do just love that Bear so much.  I tell him every day.  It makes losing something so much easier. 

Trying something new: A Book Review

I read.  I read a lot.  It's not a surprise to people when I tell them I've just earned my BA degree in English.  Because I read.  I read a lot.  I have favorite authors and books.  One of my favorite authors is Alice Hoffman.  I've just finished reading her most recent book The Story Sisters and I reviewed it on Goodreads.  Here it is:

The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had bought this book a year ago.  I had a lot to read for other purposes (classes) so I kept it in the car and read it in pieces.  For me, it started off slow, but as I was drawn more and more into the World of the Story Sisters I couldn't put the book down.  The Story Sisters is heartbreakingly beautiful.  I recommend it to everyone, not just Alice Hoffman fans.  Ms. Hoffman never ceases to amaze me with her beautiful stories.  I enjoyed it very much and I think my friend will too.

View all my reviews >>

I must've done at least one thing right.

Well, we did our taxes last week.  We are getting a refund so the porch remodel is a go.  More importantly, THE KITCHEN REMODEL IS A GO!!!!  I've been downplaying it a lot here at home, because I'm afraid to get too excited about it. I'm afraid if I show too much emotion, it won't happen.  I'm very excited.  Not only are we cutting a hole in the one wall and making a "window" into the dining room. We are painting, adding new counters AND getting a hood for the stove!!!!!  What really made me happy is the painting.  We've decided to tear down the wainscotting and just start all over.  I'm even going to get to re-do the backsplash around the counters and the stove.  I could cry, I'm so happy about it.

I really thought this wouldn't happen because as I've said, it's not just us in this house.  It's Bear's mother who fears change.  Who has the TACKIEST taste in home accessories, furniture and overall style.  Not to say my style is all that great, but I like to think I know what looks good. I'm struggling. I  think I have to start all over agian with my living room, but that's another challenge.  But his mother would decorate with everything from the friggin dollar store if she could. I'm sure this statement will come back and bite me in the ass, but I don't care.  It's true.

Bear, to coddle Mommie dearest, drove over to a friend of his house to show his dear mother what his idea was like. He felt that if she saw it, she'd understand better what he was trying to say and be more agreeable.  We still have to get her to "let go" of somethings, but Bear is hopeful about that.  I'd like a new stove, but I'm not going to push it.  That'll be my present for next year.  More counter space and NEW countertops makes me very happy.  The workspace in the kitchen is horrible.  The counters are horrid and the only large surface area is the table.  Since I'm 5'9" the table is too low for me and when I'm rolling out dough my back always ends up hurting.  We're going to get an island that will fit for my height as well as Bear's.

We're going to get some paint.  I have an idea on how I would like it to look. I'm looking for a Tuscan style almost.  Earth tones, but bright, if that makes any sense.  We don't have stainless and that's fine, because I don't really like the look of stainless.  I know, blasphamey, but I don't like it.  I haven't even thought of counter tops yet, but I know I want granite and so does Bear, so it's all good.  Mommie dear thinks granite is pointless but her opinion on the counter tops doesn't count, since Bear and I do most of the cooking and we want to make the kitchen the way we like.  Also, granite countertops are ALWAYS a nice feature for selling your home.

I'm going to happy dance my way down to LOWES and Home Depot soon and start pricing out all these things.  I'm so excited, I can't wait for March to get here, because that is when we want my buddy to start doing the work on both the kitchen and the porch. I'll have a new kitchen by June!!!!  I can't wait!99

Pork Chops and Sweet potatoe fries

I love french fries.  There's just something about a good french fry well, it can bring tears to your eyes if done right.  When I was kid, my Mom worked a lot.  She had too. Single Mom raising bratty teenagers, she worked two jobs to keep a roof over our head and food on the table.  One of the first things I learned to make myself was to dump a bag of frozen fries on a sheet pan and shove it in the oven.  Viola!  French fries.  Ore Ida's are my favorite.  Bear is a big fan of the Ore Ida spicy curly fries.  They are good.  One thing I never tried to do, was make my own.  I can dice up a potato with some onions and make home fries, bake every which way, boil it and make it a salad.  I've never made my own fries.  But I made my own sweet potato fries.

Sweet potato is a new thing for me.  When I was kid, I would make a face, unless of course, it was covered in marshmallows.  Then I would eat it, but that was usually once a year and they always didn't have that sweet treat on top of them.  One thing you learn is that, yes potatoes are good, but the white ones, you shouldn't eat too much of. The starch and such.  The first time I ever ate a sweet potato french fry was at a local bar called O'Donoghue's.  (RIP Mr. O'D!  We'll miss you!).  They made them and I surprised myself when I realized I liked them.

This realization is what led me to try yet another Cooking Light magazine recipe.  Pork chops are usually on sale quite a bit and it's always nice to have something besides chicken at the dinner table.  Always a plus in my house, both Bear and The Boy liked it.  I love it when it all comes together like that.

SPICE-RUBBED PORK CHOPS WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES

**This is for 2 people, of course, adjust according to how many you're making dinner for that evening.**

2 - 4 oz bonless pork loin chops (about 1/4" thick) - I used bone in and it came out really nice.
1/4 tsp. garlic salt - I used garlic powder
1/4 tsp. paprika - the original calls for coriander but I took CL's substitute advice and used paprika instead
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil

Heat your non-stick skillet pan then add oil.  For WW folks, you may want to give the pan a spray too.  Doesn't add to the point value and if your non-stick is getting like mine, having the spray on the pan helps out. Add the spices to your mortar and pestle bowl and grind together.  If you don't have one, get one!  Nah, just kidding, if you don't have one, combine them in a bowl and combine together with a whisk.  Sprinkle just one side of the chop with the spice rub.  One the oil is heated up add the chops, spice side down.  Cook for 2 minutes then flip over and cook for another 4 minutes.  The brown sugar is going to caramelize a bit, but don't worry about that adds to the flavor I think.

Very quick and very easy to do.  However, I think this should be done AFTER you start the sweet potatoes.  To make the sweet potato fries is as follows:

1 very large sweet potato
brown sugar
paprika

black pepper

garlic powder

cinnamon (yes you read that right)

ginger

The highlighted spices are my own additions.  Came out tasty.

Peel and cut sweet potato into fries, either skinny fries or larger like steak fries. Whatever style you prefer.  Combine the spice mix in a bowl and then add the cut potatoes.  Mix them all up, get them covered.  OR you can do this, which I did, on a sheet pan, lay the potatoes out. Sprinkle the spice mix over them and then add olive oil and with CLEAN HANDS (to quote Ina Garten "Clean hands.  A cooks best tool") mix them all up.  Bake the fries at 500 degrees for about 20 minutes, turning once after 9 minutes.  I can't stress how important it is to flip the fries.  I didn't the first time and they weren't cooked even.  So make sure you do it.

This can also be served with Lemon green beans.  Just steam up some green beans.  I used the bagged kind, because they aren't really in season right now (Winter).  Steam them up and toss with some olive oil and lemon rind.  Very light and refreshing and goes well with the above dinner.

The whole meal, including the green beans for one serving, which is 1 chop, depending on the size of the potato wedges, 3-4 of them, and green beans, it's all 9 points!  That's pretty average for a dinner WW style, at least when I make them.