Snapshot Sunday – When Life Hands You Lemons, Eat Ice Cream

This was one of those weekends where a lot of my plans fell through. Twice my plans to do some celebrity stalking at the Sundance Film Festival got canceled, and then my plans to go skiing in the afternoon were thwarted by weather and a cop without a sense of humor. Something about chains and him not allowing me to drive up the canyon without them. Stupid formality. So my friend Sharlee and I did the next logical thing – we went for frozen yogurt at Red Mango. Funny thing is, the same thing happened to us last year. Though that time we got all the way to the ski resort before they turned us away because the resort was closing early due to weather. And that day we also went Red Mango. So now it has become tradition – if we plan a ski day and aren’t allowed to do so, we are going for fro yo and treat ourselves.

Snapshot Sunday – I’m Making Waffles

One of my favorite things about the weekend is having the time to make a real breakfast. I love waffles and now that church is at 11am for the next year I can make them on Saturday AND Sunday.

Super Gleek

So in case you haven’t heard, FOX has a new comedy all about life in the lower rungs of the Glee Club. And in case you missed last night’s premiere you may not know that it is my new favorite show on television. I was born to be on this show. They sing, they dance, they are overly dramatic. Hello! Imitate my life much?

Since they cast it without my knowledge I am going to have to settle on watching it like the rest of you. But that won’t stop me from exhibiting my inner gleek and performing my favorite songs for Mr. S. around the house. One of which is the cover they did of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin.” I couldn’t find a video version so this will have to do.

And if you find yourself singing along, I am in need of backup singers. Contact me for audition information.

I heart Williams-Sonoma

There is something about Williams-Sonoma that makes we want to be a better cook. No matter that I have no idea what three-quarters of the gadgets in that store actually do. And it’s not just the fancy tools. Even measuring cups and bowls are superior to any I have found and must find a place in my kitchen. Sure I can go to a “regular” store and find similar products, but they won’t be as durable as the silicone spatulas I got as a wedding present or come in so many different sizes and colors. I am partial to anything in red.

It is more than a store, it’s an event. Many times you can see cooking demonstrations and sample recipes from those that know the value of spending $1000 on a set of knives. But my favorite things created by the geniuses at Williams-Sonoma are the totally useless but I have to have it novelty items I can purchase. And have. Mr. S has a bit of a fetish with animal cookies. So what did he get for Christmas? Animal cracker cookie cutters and cookie mix. Can I make mashed potatoes with a hand mixer? Sure, but that takes all the fun out of using my potatoe ricer.

My latest love and must have; the cake pans that make this cookie cake. For the love, it’s a giant Oreo!

And my dad is going to be pleasantly surprised when he opens his Father’s Day gift and finds his very own monogrammed steak brand. It should make up for that time I side-swiped a parked car as a teenager. I am the best daugher ever!

Culinary Inspirations

I often tell my mom that I need a wife. She usually laughs, especially now that I am one. I try to explain to her that with working full-time, teaching dance, and every other thing Matt and I seem to be busy with that there is no time to cook a decent meal on a regular basis. There are so many nights that one or both of us gets home way past dinner time and so we just scrape up whatever is quick and easy. I tell myself I will do much better on the weekend, but lack of planning ahead usually results in a less than perfect meal. This is one of the main reasons I hate grocery shopping. I write a list for a few regular purchases, but usually end up wondering, “What am I going to make?” as I wander up and down the aisles. I have great aspirations of being one of those wives and moms that plans my menu out for 1 or 2 weeks at a time and then shopping for the needed supplies. Baby steps are imperative though. I came across a great website and hopefully it will help out some. I know planning is key, but there will still be nights where that may not be possible. Enter Supercook. I still need to try it out, but the idea is to make a list of ingredients you already have in your kitchen and Supercook does the rest. It compiles recipes, from various websites, that can be made with your ingredient list. Why didn’t I think of this? It’s genius. And I’m sharing it with all of you. And if you check my sidebar you will also see a couple of other links for cooking websites/blogs that have inspired me or been recommended by others. Any others I should know about?

My parents are both wonderful cooks and I would like to think that someday my future children will say the same about me. As it stands right now, all they have to go on is chocolate chip cookies, a great recipe I found for homemade macaroni and cheese, and great tastes in restaurants. It’s a start.

How About An Oreo To Go With That Shake?

If I could live on oreos and milk without all the calories I probably would. I guess it wouldn’t be so bad. The oreo is technically a “sandwich” and all that milk would do my body good. And the variety of choices, oh the variety! Every winter I look forward to seeing the box of white chocolate covered oreos smiling back at me as I walk down the cookie aisle. I can’t help but buy a box, or ten. This year, Santa Claus (yes, he does exist) even put a box in my stocking. And the Double Delight Mint. Refreshing and oh so satisfying.

Well, Nabisco has done it again. This time in the form of a classic, diner dessert. Oreos with Strawberry Milkshake Creme. I was a little skeptical they may not have captured the taste of a real milkshake. I know my ice cream. But they nailed it! They are only around for a limited time and you can’t have mine.  So get your own. But if you need a gift idea my birthday is only 53 short days away.

Sunshine and Roses

I love wearing bright colors this time of year. I love wearing pretty frocks that remind me of spring and make me want to skip through a field of wildflowers while singing show tunes. I equally love that I just used ‘frocks’ in a sentence.

So imagine my joy when I found the perfect dress to wear to Mr. S’ graduation. When I first laid eyes on the dress, in all its sunshine yellow glory, I knew we were meant to be. Pretty things and I just mesh well together. It was a little out of my price range. I mean, it’s not like I was the one graduating. But I was going to be in pictures too and wanted to make sure the man of the hour looked his best. And if that included some arm candy proudly standing next to him, then I would do my duty as a wife and look my best too. And I was right about the dress. We were made for each other.

And as a gesture of his appreciation, Mr. S had roses delivered to my office. He graduates and I get flowers. I feel pretty, oh so pretty…