What To Do With Time Off? Blog and Shop.....

So, I am in between jobs, again! Hopefully I will be able to dedicate more time to my blog. I have two weeks off and other than going to New Orleans I have no idea what I am going to do. The thing about being in-between jobs is that you finally have time to shop, but you aren't earning a paycheck so you feel a little funny about spending your time that way. Okay, not really. The only question is: WHERE to shop? Outlets, Tyson's? So many choices! I need a dress for a wedding on Friday night so Tyson's might be best for that. But I love outlets, too. Even though they really aren't that good of a deal. It's the idea of the deal that draws me there. So, we'll see. Today I am just going to wring my hands thinking about my daughter at her new school and try not to think about her crying as we left her there......

Three Months.....

Yes, I know it's been almost three months since I've posted . Lame, lame, lame. I will try and be better, trusted reader (you know who you are). It's just, well, been a LONG winter. And we didn't entertain much (except ourselves, which is why after JazzFest, Weight Watchers here I come!). I planted my garden over the weekend. Last year, you will recall, my garden was a bust. So, this year I will be diligent. I am moving the tomatoes to containers and the herbs to their own spot on the back of the house. I planted beans, lettuce, sugar snap peas, green onions and squash. And with my new found healthy eating plan (after JazzFest - did I mention that?), I plan to showcase my veggies and the delicious recipes I plan to make with them here.

So, yes, it is almost time for JazzFest - our rite of Spring. I can't wait. Especially because we have reason to celebrate. Last week, I had to fly to New Orleans to see Paw Paw because he was very sick. I have written about Paw Paw on this blog here. Well, we all flew in to see him and he recovered! So, he will get to see Josie, and she, him. Yes, reason to celebrate, indeed (did I mention I was going to do Weight Watchers after JazzFest?).

Even more on-topic. Beautiful.

Completely on-topic. Love her style.

Completely off-topic, but need I say more?

My Personal Gourmet Issue

If any of you were wondering (and I know you were), how to define my taste in cuisine, the current issue of Gourmet would be a good place to start. For one, just look at the cover! I come from a wonderful food heritage, the crown jewel of which is my grandmother's spaghetti sauce (affectionately called "Granny's sauce" by my friends as previously mentioned in this blog). This issue of Gourmet has it all - not just Italian recipes, but a whole article on New Orleans' cuisine, specifically the Italian Cuisine of New Orleans which is the story of me. I knew this issue was special, when (before I got to the article on New Orleans), on page 38, under the title "good living obsessions" there was a picture of my ultimate good living obsession - the doberge cake from Gambino's bakery. Oh yum. Also, check out the recipes for pea and bacon risotto (for one!) on page 51 and for chewy amaretti sandwich cookies on page 4.

Christmas 2008 and the Year of My Blog

So, as you can tell, I haven't been keeping up with my blog as I had hoped. However, over the year I have been blogging, I have touched on some key events/thoughts in my life so even though I only blog infrequently, I think I will continue to do so (also, my husband just renewed my domain for a year, so here we go!).

So, how was Christmas? First, let me start with my cards. I am totally going back to Shutterfly next year. I decided to go all out this year and order letter press cards which were beautiful (see sample photo), but way too expensive. Plus the company I was dealing with, Red Stamp, made it into a huge hassle. I had to call them several times because they weren't delivered on time and the envelopes they sent with the cards were sub-par. Oh well. Live and learn!

I made the Christmas cookies again this year and I was SOOOO close to the molasses cookies this year but I think they were just off because I used cake flour as the recipe called for and my sister in law told us that her grandmother never used cake flour. So, mystery solved! (I hope.) I didn't make the brown butter shortbread but really should have. I ran out of steam. But I did make the pumpkin squares (recipe still posted), and heath bar blondies and some pretty yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cranberry cookies from Cooking Light.

The desserts were a hit (including the cheesecake I made [I would post the recipe but you'd have a heart attack if you knew what was in it] and my husband's apple pie) as was the beef bourgignon. But I'll tell you, I think in 2 years when it is my time to do Christmas again, I might just do a filet of beef. Much easier! I always forget how time consuming and labor intensive that beef bourgignon is. But it is tasty.

I had my whole family up to visit (sans one brother and his wife) and they all left yesterday except for my sister who is here. We had a great time especially because Josie is at such a good age.

Now on to our New Year's Eve party!!! We're going to have about 15 adults and 5 children for a low key evening. My sister and I are going to make artichoke balls, a/k/a "cajun breathmints." I'll post the recipe ad the results here.