emmy recap

The Emmys are over. I feel a bit like a kid on the day after Christmas.  The excitement is over but boy, was it fun while it lasted.  

My red carpet favorites:

Lauren Graham was bagged by the critics but I think the look is fashion forward and gorgeous. I loved her gladiator sandals too!

Not in love with the hairstyle, but I think Rose Byrne looks stunning in this Gucci dress.

Gorgeous. Navy was definitely the color of the evening. I think Julie Bowen looks great for a woman of any age!

Amy Pohler gave birth THREE WEEKS AGO.  Seriously? Amazing.

Jennifer Carpenter looks stunning. I'd die for that body.

I loved the simplicity of Kyra Sedgwick's gown.

I loved Jenna Fischer's dress and hair.  I thought the whole look was spot on. 

My favorite moments of the show:

Everything about Jimmy Fallon hosting, Jim Parsons winning Best Actor in a Comedy Series {!!!}, Eric Stonestreet winning Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series {and Jesse Tyler Ferguson's tears}, Jane Lynch bringing home the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and Modern Family winning for Best Comedy. And Clooney. Of course, Clooney! 

I wish Dexter would have taken the award for Best Drama and I would have loved to see Amy Pohler recognized for her hilarious work on Parks & Recreation last year.  And I could have done without the extension of Kate Gosselin's 15 minutes of fame.  Loved the opening number but did we really have to include her?  Ick. 

Overall, I thought it was a great show honoring a great year of TV.  I'm more excited than ever for all my favorite shows to return this fall.  What were your favorite Emmy moments?

menu planning: take 2

Despite my lack of success in previous attempts at menu planning, I'm taking another swing at it. I got a lot of great tips and feedback on my last post that I think will help me achieve menu planning success this time around. A few changes I'm making this time around: I've planned five meals but I'm not going to schedule them for a particular day. That way I can cook what we're in the mood for each day or the meal that will work best with our schedule.  I've also chosen a couple recipes that can be made easily and quickly on days that I might get home from work late. 

This week I'm making four new recipes.  I tried to select meals that incorporated fresh ingredients and were relatively healthy.  Here's what we'll be eating this week:

Korean Beef Rice Bowls, adapted from Steamy Kitchen, and Edamame - I'm going to modify the veggies in this recipe, spice it up with some sriracha and serve it with brown rice. I'm also going to make edamame which I've never done before but always love at sushi restaurants.

Summer Orzo and Chicken, adapted from Noble Pig - I'm going to sub a whole wheat, high fiber pasta for the orzo.

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas, from Gina's Weight Watchers Recipes, with Black Beans and Rice- I have a completely irrational fear of the slow cooker {I'm worried it will burn the house down} but I'm going to set aside my neuroses and attempt this dish because it sounds amazing.
  

Barbecue Chicken Pizza, from The Pioneer Woman, or Margherita Pizza - I'll make whichever we're in the mood for on pizza night. I have ingredients on hand for both. have a pizza crust in the freezer {made from The Pioneer Woman's recipe}so this will be a quick dinner for a busy night. 

Turkey Zucchini Burgers, from Gina's Weight Watchers Recipes, Corn on the Cob & Oven Fries - Turkey burgers can be dry so I think the addition of shredded zucchini should keep these moist, in addition to getting in some extra veggies. I'm skeptical but optimistic. I'll let you know how they turn out.

So, that's our menu for the week. It's a little light on fish and vegetarian items but I think there will be some tasty dishes.  Fingers crossed I can stick to it.

*In case you were wondering, Blogger's spell checker doesn't recognize edamame, sriracha, carnitas or margherita. I think they need to add some more culinary terms to their dictionary.

emmy picks & predictions

It's no secret that I'm a TV junkie.  Despite efforts to cut back on my time in front of the tube, my DVR worked some serious overtime this year.  Far too often I found myself pressing record on the remote only to have my DVR report that I was already recording two shows at that time. Thank goodness channels like Bravo, HBO and Showtime replay their shows at later times or I don't know how I'd manage to waste so much time watch so many shows.

Given my love for the boob tube, it should come as no surprise that I am a wee bit excited for the Emmy Awards on Sunday.  Many of my favorite shows and actors are nominated, so this year I'll be tuning in to see more than just the red carpet dresses.

Because I'm unusually stoked for this year's show, I thought it might be fun to share my picks & predictions for a few of the big Emmy categories.  I may not get an official Emmy vote, but I'd like to think my exhaustive "research" on the topic qualifies me to throw in my $.02. 

Sadly or not, I watch most of the shows listed below or have seen a number of episodes. To be fair, I'll put an asterisk next to any shows below I have not seen.  Try not to judge me on how few asterisks you're about to see.

Here are my picks & predictions for the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards:

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper
Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO • Larry David as Himself
Glee • FOX • Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester
Monk • USA • Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk
The Office • NBC • Steve Carell as Michael Scott
30 Rock • NBC •Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy

My pick - Jim Parsons, hands down. He is absolutely genius as Sheldon Cooper.  Alec Baldwin is a strong second choice.

My prediction - I'm going out on a limb here and predicting Jim Parsons is going to bring home the Emmy. Perhaps it's wishful thinking.  And, on a side note,  if they give it to Tony Shalhoub I'll throw something at the TV. Hubs, consider yourself warned and be prepared to goal tend the flat screen in case the unspeakable happens.

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Breaking Bad* • AMC • Bryan Cranston as Walter White
Dexter • Showtime • Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan
Friday Night Lights • DirecTV • Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor
House • FOX • Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House
Lost • ABC • Matthew Fox as Jack Shephard
Mad Men • AMC • Jon Hamm as Don Draper

My pick - Michael C. Hall.  Who else could make you root for a serial killer?  Love him, love the character, love the show. I'm loving it all.

My prediction - John Hamm.  It seems the whole world is crazy about Mad Men. I suspect Emmy voters have caught the fever as well.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Glee • FOX • Lea Michele as Rachel Berry
The New Adventures Of Old Christine • CBS • Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell
Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton
Parks And Recreation • NBC • Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope
30 Rock • NBC • Tina Fey as Liz Lemon
United States Of Tara • Showtime • Toni Collette as Tara Gregson

My pick - This one is tough for me. Tina Fey is my #1 girl crush and was once again brilliant this season on 30 Rock.  But Amy Poehler was absolutely hilarious on Parks and Recreation. Seriously, Leslie Knope cracked my ass up. And I'm crushed they cancelled New Adventures of Old Christine. As hard as this is for me, I have to spread the love around {That's what she said} and give my vote to Amy Poehler this year.  But next year, I'm switching back to ol' Liz Lemon. First loves die hard.

My prediction - Edie Falco.  Emmy voters have loved her since her Sopranos days.  And they love shows that aren't on the Big 4 networks.  Cable/premium channel shows and actors always seem to fare well come Emmy time.  Toni Collette fits this bill too, but she won last year.  I think they'll share the love.

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

The Closer* • TNT • Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson
Damages • FX Networks • Glenn Close as Patty Hewes
Friday Night Lights • DirecTV • Connie Britton as Tami Taylor
The Good Wife • CBS • Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC • Mariska Hargitay as Det. Olivia Benson
Mad Men • AMC • January Jones as Betty Draper

My pick - Glenn Close.  My love for Damages and Glenn Close is well documented. Close's portrayal of Patty Hewes is flawless.  I know Julianna Margulies is a favorite in this category but when you compare her portrayal of lady lawyer Alicia Florrick with Glenn Close's Patty Hewes - well, there's just no comparison  Patty Hewes would eat Alicia Florrick for breakfast. {On a side note, I'm happy to see Connie Britton nominated. I love her as Tami Taylor. And how gorgeous is she?!?}

My prediction - I think Julianna Margulies has this one in the bag.  The Good Wife is a great show and Julianna deserves some recognition for carrying the show. I'll be happy to see her win.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Glee • FOX • Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel
How I Met Your Mother • CBS • Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson
Modern Family • ABC • Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell
Modern Family • ABC • Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker
Modern Family • ABC • Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy
Two And A Half Men • CBS • Jon Cryer as Alan Harper

My pick - Anyone but Jon Cryer.  Seriously.  The rest of the nominees are all talented and hilarious.  With a gun to my head, I choose Eric Stonestreet.  He's an absolute riot as Cameron and has me in stitches every Wednesday with his antics.  Love him.

My prediction - Jon Cryer. Emmy voters are obsessed with this douche canoe.

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Breaking Bad* • AMC • Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman
Damages • FX Networks • Martin Short as Leonard Winstone
Lost • ABC • Terry O'Quinn as John Locke
Lost • ABC • Michael Emerson as Ben Linus
Mad Men • AMC • John Slattery as Roger Sterling
Men Of A Certain Age* • TNT • Andre Braugher as Owen

My pick - Martin Short. Not to take away from Short's great performance on Damages this season, but this pick was by default. Damages is the only show of the five I watched regularly. I've seen numerous episodes of Lost and Mad Men but was not a regular viewer. I've never seen the other two shows.

My prediction - John Slattery.  See above re: Emmy voters have drunk the Mad Men Kool Aid.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Glee • FOX • Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Modern Family • ABC • Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy
Modern Family • ABC • Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
Saturday Night Live • NBC • Kristen Wiig as Various Characters
30 Rock • NBC • Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney
Two And A Half Men • CBS • Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper

My pick - Jane Lynch.  Holy hilariousness, Sue Sylvester!  She's perfection as Mr. Shu's foil and no one delivers a zinger like Sue Sylvester. And who doesn't love those track suits?

Honorable mention goes to the fabulous Sofia Vergara. Loves.

My prediction - Jane Lynch.  This seems to be a forgone conclusion. If I were one of the other nominees, I probably wouldn't bother with writing an acceptance speech.

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Burn Notice* • USA • Sharon Gless as Madeline Westen
Damages • FX Networks • Rose Byrne as Ellen Parsons
The Good Wife • CBS • Archie Panjabi as Kalinda Sharma
The Good Wife • CBS • Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart
Mad Men • AMC • Christina Hendricks as Joan Harris
Mad Men • AMC • Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson

My pick - Tough pick for me: I like both nominees from The Good Wife, particularly Christine Baranski, but my vote goes to Rose Byrne.  {She gets extra credit for a disguising her accent so well. I didn't know she was Australian until the second season.}

But, if you ask me, two great supporting actresses were overlooked in this category: Katey Sagal for Sons of Anarchy and Jennifer Carpenter for Dexter.  Both gave excellent performances portraying a couple of bad ass women. Each was worthy of a nod in my eyes.

My prediction - Elisabeth Moss or Christina Hendricks.  We've been over this.

Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series

The Colbert Report • Comedy Central •
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart • Comedy Central •
Real Time With Bill Maher • HBO •
Saturday Night Live • NBC
The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien • NBC •

My pick - The Daily Show.  Oh how I love me some Jon Stewart.  Smart, sarcastic, sexy - I swoon.  The show is a favorite of mine.

My prediction - The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. Emmy voters won't miss this opportunity to mock NBC for ousting Conan in favor of Leno.  The message was delivered loud and clear when Leno failed to grab a nomination.  A win for Conan will just hammer the point home.

Outstanding Comedy Series

Curb Your Enthusiasm • HBO •
Glee • FOX •
Modern Family • ABC •
Nurse Jackie • Showtime •
The Office • NBC •
30 Rock • NBC •

My pick - Too hard. I can't do it.  You can't make me.  Oh how do I choose between Glee, Modern Family and 30 Rock?  In the end, I have to go with Liz Lemon and the TGS gang from 30 Rock.  But this is a tough category. I don't envy Emmy voters on this one. {And if you ask me, which I realize no one did, Parks & Recreation deserved a nomination in this category. It was far and away better than The Office this season. If you aren't watching, give it a chance. Rob Lowe will be joining the cast this season. Eye candy!}

My prediction - Modern Family.  I think they'll see this as the savior of the family comedy, certainly a dying breed on television today - even if this is non-traditional take on the classic.

Outstanding Drama Series

Breaking Bad • AMC •
Dexter • Showtime •
The Good Wife • CBS •
Lost • ABC •
Mad Men • AMC •
True Blood • HBO •

My pick - Dexter.  I loves it, what can I say? The Trinity story line from last season was the show's best yet and I'm anxiously awaiting the return of this series in September. It's a great show with an excellent ensemble cast coming off it's best season yet. A sure winner in my book.

My prediction - Mad Men.  blah, blah, blah.

There you have them - my picks and predictions for the 2010 Emmy Awards.  Come Sunday evening you'll find me on my couch, cheering for my favorites and scoping out the red carpet fashion. Needless to say, this TV junkie will be in seventh heaven.

Will you watch the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmys? Who are you rooting for?

randomosity

I'll be honest - this post is pretty much about the fact that I haven't posted in a while. But, I'm feeling bad about being such an inconsistent blogger, so I'll try to come up with a few things.

Commence recap of uneventful weekend...

This weekend was both relaxing and productive, but on the whole, pretty unremarkable. The Mister and I went to dinner on Friday night at one of our favorite places, Stonewood Grill, and then stopped at the outlet mall on the way home to do a little shopping. As is typically the case when The Mister and I shop together {which is rarely}, he found quite a few things and I came home empty handed.  But that's okay, I'm just happy I could convince him to get a few new things. He's always telling me he doesn't need any new clothes.  As if you have to need new clothes to buy them. Silly husband!

On Saturday, I woke up early and went out in the back yard for a bit to enjoy my hammock and a stack of magazines that has been accumulating on the coffee table.

It was great for a little while but by 9:45am the humidity was brutal. I retreated to the house and the glory of air conditioning. B was still sleeping so I made ebelskivers for breakfast in an attempt to rouse him from his slumber. Nothing wakes my husband up faster than the smell of breakfast cooking!

If you're not familiar, ebelskivers are round, fluffy pancakes that are usually filled with fruit, jam, or chocolate. They are soo tasty! I made some plain and a few with chocolate chips.   :)  I spent the rest of the day cleaning the house while The Mister golfed. {Don't worry, he's going to make that one up to me. And don't tell him I said so, but I actually had a pretty good time dancing around the house and singing along with Taylor Swift and old school Janet Jackson whilst cleaning. I sing a mean "Rhythm Nation" with a toilet brush in my hand, if i do say so myself.}   On Saturday night we went out with friends for a few drinks and to hear our friends' band play. It was a fun night.

Sunday morning I met my girlfriend Michelle for brunch at Hue while the hubs went golfing again. {Golf two days in a row. Apparently the man thinks he's Tiger Woods or something. Tiger Woods pre-skanks that is.}  I had Eggs Benedict with crab cakes at brunch - soooo good! 

After lunch I made a trip to Target and then came home to relax a bit. I made beer can chicken for dinner with my new Crate & Barrel "flavor roaster."  MASSIVE FAIL.

See the cup in the picture? I could not for the life of me get it between the bars. You're supposed to be able to fit a can of beer in the contraption too.  After 20 minutes of effort the can still wasn't between the bars and I gave up. The chicken was still tasty but not as moist as beer can chicken typically is. After dinner, I finally had to get to the work I had been putting off all weekend.  I finished at about 1am and crashed. 

Today was a pretty good day for a Monday.  Work went well and I was able to get out early enough to catch a movie and frozen yogurt with my sister tonight. We saw The Switch.  I wasn't a fan of the movie but the cappuccino frozen yogurt was delicious! 

As I've been writing this post, The Mister and I have been catching up on the dvr {True Blood - getting a bit weird for me, and Rizzoli & Isles - love Angie Harmon.} Now it's time to head to bed and finally get started on The Girl Who Played With Fire.

Night lovelies!

help an old lady out

I'm not getting any younger.

And I have no interest in looking like this one day:

My current moisturizer {Cetaphil} just isn't cutting the mustard anymore. Problem number one - it's only SPF 15.  I live in Florida. I'm guessing something like SPF 612 is better suited to making sure my skin doesn't melt off.  Problem number two - lately, my skin has been burning after I put it on.  Surely, that's a bad sign.  {And in retrospect, should probably be problem numero uno.} 

Can someone recommend a good moisturizer with sunblock?  Preferably something with "anti-aging," "fights wrinkles" or "skin like a toddler" in the title?  And if it costs less than my mortgage, that's a plus too. 

Thanks loves!

good juju

Today is Friday the 13th.

For the superstitious among you, this fact will keep you on edge for the rest of the day, worried and waiting for bad luck to fall upon you. You'll look both ways before crossing the street - maybe even twice. Black cats and sidewalk cracks will be avoided. You'll drive extra cautiously and perhaps check the sky for falling objects.  When the clock strikes midnight, you'll probably breathe a sigh of relief. 

If you're a bit concerned about today's date, you're not alone. Historically, both the number 13 and Fridays have been viewed as unlucky.  For Christians, Friday has long been a day of misfortune. It is believed that Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden on a Friday. Jesus Christ was crucified on a Friday. There were also 13 people present at the Last Supper.  There are 13 witches in a coven and 13 knots in a hangman's noose.  So the bad juju about Fridays and the number 13 go way back. 

Today, the superstition about the number 13 is alive and well.  Most hotels and hospitals do not have a room number 13. Airplanes do not have a row 13 and most airports do not have a gate 13. Many high rise buildings do not have a 13th floor. Some cities avoid designating a "13th Street" or "13th Avenue."  Italians omit the number 13 from their lottery and the address of a house between numbers 12 and 14 in Florence is 12 and a half. If you have 13 letters in your name, like Charles Manson, you're said to have the "devil's luck."*

Me?  I think the whole thing is bunch of hooey. 

I got married on Friday the 13th. 

And it was perfect.

See, not a cloud in the sky nor a drop of rain.

The groom showed up. No one tripped and fell. The cake didn't crash and the florist didn't cancel.  {The DJ did play the wrong first dance song but it was hilarious and a fun memory for us now.} I wouldn't change a single thing about my wedding day.  I've never been happier than I was on that Friday the 13th. 

We'll always have our March 13 anniversary, but The Mister and I like to think of each Friday the 13th as a special day for us.  It reminds of the best day we've shared together - so far. 

Happy Friday the 13th everyone! I hope the day brings you as much good luck as it's brought me!

 *Source: August 13, 2010, Huffington Post article by Craig Kanalley.

what floats your boat?

Do you ever watch a tv show, read a book, eat a meal or see something in popular culture and think "What's all the fuss about? I just don't get it." 

I'm sure we've all had that thought at one point or another.  Different strokes for different folks. 

After seeing this post on another blog, I thought it would be fun to put together my own list of things many people like that I'm not a big fan of.*  Please don't be offended if something you love is on my list - that's the point! These are just a few things most people really like that just don't float my boat. 

And just to be fair, I've also included a list of things that I love that most of you probably aren't so crazy about.

things some people love that i just don't get

1. Sweet tea
2. The Real Housewives of Anywhere
3. Pets
4. Chelsea Handler
5. Facials
6. Mad Men
7. Cruises
8. Cosmopolitans
9. Baths {or as my sister and I refer to it: "stewing in your own filth"}
10. Massages
11. Yoga {That goes double for Bikram yoga. eww}
12. Acrylic nails
13. Dave Matthews' Band
14. Miracle Whip {Amen friend}
15. Stick family stickers on cars
16. Johnny Depp
17. "Hearting" things. 
18. Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sales {I'd rather cut off my right arm and wear granny panties till kingdom come than be forced to dig through bargain bins of underpants with every other female aged 18 to 49 in a 25 mile radius}.
19. Tuna salad
20. Running
21. Smoothies {If I'm going to suck down a 400 calorie beverage, there darn tootin' better be booze in it.}
22. Snuggies
23. Lifetime movies

Things I love that other people might not get:

1. Huey Lewis and The News
2. Tom Selleck {Circa 1980's TS is my favorite, followed by 90's TS (or as I like to call him, Richard from Friends), but I'll even take the current NRA-crazy Tom Selleck}
3. The Sound of Music
4. James Taylor, Phil Collins, Paul Simon and other stuff your dad listens to
5. Ranch dressing on pizza {I apologize to every Italian I've just offended}
6. Organizing my closet by color and by item (Tanks, Shirts, Sweaters, Skirts, Pants & Jackets, each by color.)
7. Grocery shopping
8. Ice in milk
9. Jeopardy
10. Throwing things away. I'm the anti-hoarder.
11. Taylor Swift
12. Boxed Kraft macaroni & cheese
13. Political biographies
14. Listening to Christmas music all year long

What do you love that other people turn their noses up at?  What do other people love that you just don't get?

*Thanks Life of A Doctor's Wife for allowing me to debo your blog post. {Dear readers, If you had to google "debo", we are no longer friends.  I'm kidding, of course.  But seriously, you need to see Friday.  Classic American cinema.}

**I'm sure it's bugging the crap out of you OCD types that my lists don't have equal numbers of items and they aren't nice rounded numbers like 15 or 20.  Sorry for partying.

donut muffins

Um...YUM.

I knew the second I saw these muffins on The Pioneer Woman's food blog Tasty Kitchen that I had to make them.  Looks like a muffin. Tastes like a donut.  SOLD. 

I made them tonight and they ah-maz-ing.  As in, eat-them-at-home-so-no-one-sees-you-lick-the-cinnamon-sugar-off-your-fingers good.  Try them.  You won't be sorry. 

DISCLAIMER:  These are dipped in butter, then rolled in sugar.  I know, I know.  I realize it's still bathing suit season.  I suggest eating one and then getting these out of the house as soon as possible.  Hope my husband's co-workers enjoy them tomorrow morning! 

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

Adapted from Tasty Kitchen

Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
3/4 cup milk

For the topping:
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated ugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Preparation Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. 

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon in a bowl; set aside.  Combine oil, sugar, egg and milk in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir to combine. Distribute batter evenly into muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a bowl. Combine the granulated sugar with cinnamon in another bowl.  When the muffins are done, remove them from the tin.  Dip muffins first in melted butter, then into the sugar & cinnamon mixture. 

These are AMAZING while warm. I'm sure they're great once cool too, but I only allowed myself one and it was warm.

Enjoy!

shut it down

Here's the truth: I sort of judge people who watch The Bachelor/ette.*  It's so damn ridiculous.  90% of these people are on TV in a pathetic attempt to boost their nonexistent acting careers.  The other 10% are nut jobs who truly think they might find love on reality TV.  Uh, news flash - Trista & Ryan already did it.  That was the one in a million chance that this crap TV show could actually produce a lasting marriage. Lightning doesn't strike twice. If you're looking for love, join Match.com. 

Where was I?  I'm sure I had a point...

Oh, right.  Me being a judgmental jackass.

Here's the thing.  I realized today that I have absolutely no right to judge anyone for watching The Bachelor/ette.  Or any other show for that matter.**

Because I am over the moon, edge of my seat, super duper ecstatic for the premiere of the 3rd season of The Rachel Zoe Project. 

Judge away.

I die.

Have you seen the previews?  Tay gets fired! WHAT?!?  Shut it down. That is bananas!  Boy will I miss her sassy little face. 

Half of the show has been Tay bitching about her job and fighting with Brad - wonder what they're to do with all the extra screen time this season?

And speaking of Brad - how much do you love him? 

He's so damn cute. I want to put him in my pocket.

And of course, I love Rachel.  How do you not?  The woman's got killer fashion sense, a wardrobe any woman would die for, an adorable gay boyfriend and an uncanny knack for coining phrases. She's got it all.  (Except about 15 much needed pounds.)

I cannot wait for tonight's premiere.  Will anyone else be tuning in?

*I promise, I really don't judge {that much}.  I just don't get the show.  If you watch The Bachelor/ette, we're still friends - pinkie swear.  Save the hate mail.

**Except The Hills.  Because that show was just ridic.  {Again, I'm kidding.  Let's all hug it out.}

cooking school: wine & ruffled aprons optional

I recently attended my very first cooking class.  My friend Beth and I signed up for a class on Mexican & Southwestern cuisine at a local cooking school/gourmet shop.  As this was my first cooking class, I didn't know what to expect.  It was quite the interesting experience. 

We knew ahead of time that the cooking school allowed you to bring in drinks to the class.  Score 1 point for Anonymous Cooking School!  We each arrived with a bottle of wine in hand. We had no idea how valuable those bottles of wine would be...

Upon arrival, one of the assistant cooks {note I did not say chef} gave us a few tips.  Or perhaps warnings is more accurate.  We were instructed on how to perform various elementary kitchen tasks in such a way so as to not anger the head cooking instructor (again, not chef} whom we were told, somewhat ominously, would be arriving soon.  After the warnings were issued, our class of approximately 20 people was split into groups of four.  Each group was assigned a station and a few recipes to prepare. 

Here's Beth & I with our cooking partners {in crime}:

Our cooking partners brought a giant jug of sangria. We liked them right away. 

Here's our station:

Our group was assigned two recipes: Steak Chimichangas and a Corn & Black Bean Salad. 

No sooner than we had arrived at our station, we were approached by the cooking instructor.  She started talking to us about our recipes and mentioned that she had just written the chimichanga recipe. We'll call this Warning Sign Numero Uno.  She gave us some suggestions on where to start and then went on to talk to some other groups. 

Everything on our station was premeasured and all the tools/pans were preselected, so all we really needed to do was chop & stir according to the recipes we were provided. We proceeded with the chopping & stirring, along with plenty of sipping and gabbing. 

Aside from a minor incident when the instructor chastised one of our cooking partners for improper onion cutting technique, all was well.  {Apparently, an onion is an octopus with tentacles and the root is the head.  Or something like that.  Obviously, the culinary instruction was at the most expert level.}  Oh wait - scratch that. There was also the small issue of two dead cockroaches on the floor by our station.  We'll call that Warning Sign Numero Dos.  I wanted to take a picture, but Beth said no.  You're welcome. 

Here's our Black Bean & Corn Salad.  It was delish!

After we finished the salad, we moved on to the Chimichangas.  They didn't go nearly as well as the salad.  I think because the recipe was new, all the kinks weren't exactly worked out.  The cooking instructor was rather strict, so we started modifying the recipe when she wasn't looking.  Shh...

While our trusty cooking partner was manning the meat, this is what Beth and I were up to:

With our modifications, the chimichangas came out really well.  I mean, how bad can a deep fried burrito filled with steak & cheese taste?

Here's our group's contribution to the class:

Beth approves!

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the full spread of dishes prepared by the class, but I did get a picture of one of my favorites - the corn fritters.  These were heavenly!

Here's my very full plate with all the dishes from our class:

I didn't get a good picture of the desserts - Churros and a Mexican Bundt Cake with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream - but they were delish!  We ate every last bite!

Overall, I had a GREAT time at my first cooking class.  It was fun to cook with my friend Beth and the wine didn't hurt either.  However, I don't think I'll take another class at this location.  For the price, I was expecting a different experience.  I didn't learn any new techniques or tricks. Basically, we just followed recipes. I can do that at home. Also, the instructor didn't seem to have the level of expertise I was hoping for.  One of our recipes flat out failed and had to be adjusted on the fly. And her knife skills - let's just say they left a lot to be desired.  Because I didn't feel that she knew all that much more about cooking than I did, I kind of resented the instruction.  Maybe I just like to be the boss of my own kitchen.  :) 

ETA: I can't believe I forgot the absolute WORST part.  Some of you know how seriously I take guacamole.  It might be one of my most favorite foods - definitely top 3.  I make a mean guacamole.  It is hands down the dish my friends request most often.  Imagine my absolute horror when I discovered the "secret ingredient" in the guacamole recipe: Miracle Whip.  Also known as Satan's Special Sauce.  I just threw up in mouth at the thought of it.  Miracle Whip in guacamole - there should be a law against that.