It’s been a busy summer. I’ve had no time to post. For that matter, I haven’t cooked all summer. However, the Boy’s mom, dad and sis came to visit Saturday and I was able to cook a big dinner. I was in my foodie heaven.

First up…

Lamb Roast. I purchased an already [...]]]>

It’s been a busy summer. I’ve had no time to post. For that matter, I haven’t cooked all summer. However, the Boy’s mom, dad and sis came to visit Saturday and I was able to cook a big dinner. I was in my foodie heaven.

First up…

Lamb Roast. I purchased an already marinated roast from Trader Joe’s. That made it easy. I just added a little water, sea salt and olive oil to the bottom of the roaster. I made a garlic lamb sauce to pour over it. – It’s thick and creamy and full of flavor. The recipe was given to me years ago. It is mainly used on lamb dishes at Cedar’s restaurant in New Castle. However, it can be used on all kinds of dishes. – Garlic makes anything taste better.

Garlic Sauce

• 1 1/2 cups of olive oil (or veg oil)
• 1/3 cups of lemon juice
• 6 garlic gloves
• Large sweet onion (diced)

Blend (in mixer) all ingredients above the day before – the longer it sits, the better. Mix in two heaping tablespoons of sour cream or cream cheese right before serving. I use sour cream because it’s not as thick as it would be with cream cheese.

Next…
Tomato, Mozzarella and Fresh Basil Salad

I went to a party Friday night and they served this. I thought this is more fun than a plan old salad. It was easy and delicious. Not to mention the WOW factor.

• Sliced (thick) homegrown tomato
• Sliced (thick) fresh mozzarella
• Add fresh basil to the top
• Drizzle with olive oil and Gia Russa’s balsamic glaze

Red Skin Baked Potato

I like to eat the skin, so I add a little flavor to it while baking. Simply…

• rub olive oil and sea salt on the potato
• wrap in aluminum foil
• Bake for about an hour (depending on how big are the potatoes).

Tip: I use small potatoes because they are filling, and if you are like me, you have lots of other side dishes to consume.

Of course, since it is summertime, Sis brought corn-on-the-cob. I bought fresh baguette for dipping in the juices. I also made Bloody Mary’s with Citron Vodka from my freezer. Just like Sangria with all its fruits, I like adding cherry tomatoes and chopped celery to the glass for some extra alcohol absorbed vegetables at the end.

Mom made us dessert. – Heath bar toffee cake. It was oh so good. Even though I’m not good at baking desserts, I’ll have to get that recipe.

Enjoy!

All photos were taken by Glen Green.

Photo by Glen Green

I thought, “This is going to be fun.” Not a half mile into [...]]]>

The Boy and I ventured out on Sunday to North Park.  Recalling our recent canoeing trip, he says, “Want to get a tandem bike and fight?” I gave him a look (that only women can do) and we rented two bikes.

I thought, “This is going to be fun.” Not a half mile into it, we approach a small hill. WHAT? I can’t get up this itty-bitty hill? I am so embarrassed, ashamed, and ready to cry. I couldn’t believe it. Here I am walking my bike up this ramp of a hill while cars drive by and joggers and walkers pass me up. <heavy, heavy sigh>

I reach the top where the Boy was waiting for me. I told him my grievance, but he encouraged me to go on. It was easy because the next slope was the backside of that hill. “Wahoo,” I echo down the hill and I’m happy again. Just after a bit of leveled stretch of road we find a gazebo and I’m ready to relax. That’s it! I was just enjoying the serene surroundings. It wasn’t that I didn’t have it in me to go on.

After a short break, we head on down the road. I was getting quite thirsty. We didn’t have water. Why should I bring water? It wasn’t going to be difficult. We stopped at the Boat House. There we found some Gatorade and a girl selling snow cones. After the half mile of sweat, heart palpitating, and lung expansion, I deserved a mango and melon snow cone. Oh my gosh, it was the best snow cone I had in a long time.

After a brain freeze or two we get back at it. Let me remind you, we have only gone 1.5, maybe 2 miles with three more miles to go. At this point, my ass is killing me. Crazy out of shape. I’m actually an active person – not a fitness guru, but I enjoy exercising regularly. I was in a size eight (10) a year ago. Just over the past eight months I’ve slacked off.

I tell you this because I’m hoping public humiliation will slap my ass into gear. Back in January, I said in 2010 I will run a 5K. I need to do that before 2010 runs out. I even have a running plan from my friend Laura. It’s just the matter of…I think I can.

You know in the movies [...]]]>

The Boy and I decided to travel to Lake Arthur for a day on the water. Me, “Can we rent a pontoon boat?” Him, “No, I was thinking we’d get some exercise.” I thought, “Okay – I’ve been slacking much in the way of exercise – canoe it is!”

You know in the movies how they paint the notion of how romantic it is to spend a summer afternoon in a canoe? The man is suppose to do all the rowing and strum on a guitar while singing, I thought…

Moraine rents the boats by the hour and you think, “That’s not enough time. This is going to be expensive.” Hold that thought the next time you go to rent a boat. If it doesn’t have a motor, you’ll be wondering why they don’t rent boats by the half hour.

As we paddle across the water, we admire the boats. I start talking about how I would like to have a sailboat and have my friend Roxy teach us. As we (he) rows, I point out, “Ooo, I like that one. No, I want this one. Wow, nix that! I want that one.” He crushes my dreaming with LOGIC, “Let’s take lessons first before purchasing anything.” I think, “That’s never going to happen – like, buying one will. ” <insert slight princess-like attitude here>

The Boy and I still have our kid-like imaginations and start to play pirate, and pretend the fireflies are dragons and the water plants are sea monsters. Having fun at play he says, “Do you want to steer?” Mistake, “Sure,” I say. We pull over to this desolate Island where the wild things roam. We switch seats, and I realize that my can-o-pop (he bought) has tipped over and spilled in the boat. My kid-like imagination soon turns evil because my life jacket (I’m not even wearing) is sticky. <insert slight princess-like attitude here>

As if I’m steering incorrectly, he says, “If you want to go right, then paddle on the right…” Before he could finish that statement, I immediately snap, “I know how to steer a boat.” He says, “Next time we are getting two kayaks and I’m going to watch you go in circles.” Playtime is over and we start to splash each other, I scream, “Stop it! I have a camera, but you don’t.”

Somehow we were on the other side of the lake when I realize that we have to paddle back. I say, “We should have gotten a pontoon boat.” <insert I told you so smart-ass tone here> He tries to use child psychology, “Let’s see how fast we can paddle to get to the other side…” So it works but only for a moment. I’m pooped saying, “How long have we been out here? WHAT! Only 40 minutes? Let’s go back. I’m done with boating on the lake.”

As we paddle back into port, I say to the Boy, “Stop paddling.” So of course he continues to paddle… We get closer to the ramp (filled with people watching us), I scream, “STOP PADDLING.” He says, “Why?” As we crash into another boat <long pause for drama…the moment seems to last longer than I want> trying to look cool in front of all those people, he turns to give me an evil look as though it’s my fault. In attempts to cool me down, he gets me an ice cream. Still a little pissy, I flash him one last evil look before biting into it.

Happily Ever After…

I absolutely adore bunny lips, and bunny bums. But the lips are my favorite – so pink and sweet. It’s even sweeter when they are munching on some greens. This is Madame Bunny. Though, she may seem like she’s having fun, she’s actually perturbed. I was able to snap a picture [...]]]>

I absolutely adore bunny lips, and bunny bums. But the lips are my favorite – so pink and sweet. It’s even sweeter when they are munching on some greens. This is Madame Bunny. Though, she may seem like she’s having fun, she’s actually perturbed. I was able to snap a picture just before she snapped at the camera. She’s such a scary bunny.

She's still here...

I spring-cleaned the buns condo and courtyard. Let’s just say, it’s not their fav thing. Mr. R is use to it, but that doesn’t mean he likes it, and Madame, well, I don’t want to talk about it. The cutest thing is when I’m done, they go [...]]]>

She's still here...

I spring-cleaned the buns condo and courtyard. Let’s just say, it’s not their fav thing. Mr. R is use to it, but that doesn’t mean he likes it, and Madame, well, I don’t want to talk about it. The cutest thing is when I’m done, they go in and investigate. <sniff, sniff>. Then, as if they discussed it, they start to toss everything around until they get it just the way they like it.

To text is an every-so-often thing for me. For the most part, my texts are to and from the Boy. The iPhone stores the most recent text, or received text at the top – making that number [...]]]>

If you have the iPhone, then you might have this problem, or it might just be me…

To text is an every-so-often thing for me. For the most part, my texts are to and from the Boy. The iPhone stores the most recent text, or received text at the top – making that number easily accessible – the Boy is my easy access . Once in awhile I get a text from friends and family. If I’m busy, I may forget to delete their message – leaving their number in the number one spot. Because of this, I’ve text…

a co-worker – “Goodnight puppy.”
a friend – “Goodnight lover.”
a friend – “I love you.”
my sister – “Whatcha wearing?”
a co-worker – “I miss you.”
a co-worker – “Kisses.”
a co-worker – “I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

The most embarrassing would be to the Nephew. He was in class when his phone went off. He looked at it thinking, “WTF.” He then showed his friend and said, “Do you think she meant to send this to me?” I then receive a text back saying, “haha wrong person.” I quickly respond, “OMG sorry =p.” Luckily it wasn’t the “Whatcha wearing?”, but still humiliating – I text, “Miss you sexy.”