Wednesday, October 27, 2010

I wish I were there

Today was my first day back at work since being out sick...still don't feel great but much better than the last few days. Just wanted to share this picture I found in the LA Times of the Sierras...how beautiful! I wish I were there in a warm cabin snuggled up in front of the fireplace with my honey:)

Sunday, October 24, 2010

chicken soup for my soul


James and I came down with something, we both are out of commission. Just laying on the couch snuggled up under blankets watching TV. (too bad for me it's football sunday) I'm making caldo de pollo con arroz, mom says that's the cure. I hope so because I feel terrible and I dont want it to linger.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Happy Birthday mama!

Today is my mom's 56th birthday! We will be celebrating her tonight over a nice family dinner and few glasses of wine...Cheers!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

These boots are made for walkin'

I just got a brand new pair of flat saddle boots and I absolutely adore them…wore them for the first time today! I stepped out of my box a bit and wore black dress, black tights and my saddle boots! Personally I think I look pretty sharp! I caught a little slack over it, but as you all can see, I’m not the only one…

Here’s an article I found: http://alittlelace.com/?cat=17

And Kate Moss…
Would you say Kate Moss doesn’t know how to put clothes together? Hmmm...



Or Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere? She doesnt have the boots but the colors, all black with saddle shoes...so cute, right?


Ready boots, start walkin’ …

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

soup du jour


Rainy weather calls for warm savory soup at least to me it does, it’s just so warm and comforting. Monday night I made a roasted butternut squash soup recipe I found in my Bride & Groom First and Forever Cook book, which I received from my then boyfriend, now husband before we were even engaged, he picked it up while in Napa on a business trip, I should’ve known then that the proposal was coming soon, but that’s a whole other story. I followed the recipe exactly except for the nutmeg, since I didn’t have any on hand, instead I used cayenne pepper, which added a more peppery spiciness to it. It turned out quite yummy! Warms you right up, just perfect for a cold rainy night!
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Crème Heart Swirls·

1 2 ½ – pound butternut squash (3 cups, cooked)·
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for brushing·
1 tablespoon unsalted butter·
1 medium yellow onion, chopped·
½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste·
Freshly ground pepper·
3 tablespoons calvados or brandy·
3 ½ cups homemade chicken stock, vegetable stock, or two 14-ounce cans chicken or vegetable broth, plus more as needed·
¾ cup evaporated milk·
Fresh grated nutmeg, or pinch of ground nutmeg·
2 tablespoons sour cream

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut the squash in half, lengthwise. Brush the squash flesh with olive oil, and place face-down on a roasting pan. Check the squash after 34 to 45 minutes, though it could take over an hour. When the squash is very soft and yields to the touch, remove from the oven and let cool enough to handle, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, add the olive oil and butter to a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Be careful that the onion does not color at all. Sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Add the Calvados and cook until the liquid evaporates. Remove from heat.

Once the squash has cooled, remove the seeds, and scoop out the squash flesh, discarding the skin. Place in a small bowl. You will need 3 cups of butternut squash for this recipe. Reserve an extra for later use.

Combine half of the cooked squash, half of the onion, half of the chicken stock, and half of the evaporated milk in a blender, and blend until smooth. Pour back into a medium heavy-bottomed pot. Repeat, blending the second half of the squash, onion, chicken broth, and evaporated milk. Once blended, pour into the pot with the first batch. Season with kosher salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. (Adjust consistency, if necessary, with more chicken stock or water.)

Place the sour cream in a small bowl and stir using a spoon, until silky smooth. Thin slightly by stirring in 2 teaspoons of warm water. Divide the soup among the number of bowls to be served. With a small spoon, drop 5 small, pea-size dots, in a circle, on top of the soup. Take a sharp knife, and run the knife straight through the dot, creating a heart shape. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Sigh No More


“Love that will not betray you, dismay or enslave you / It will set you free.”--- Sigh No More, Mumford & Sons

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/10/live-review-mumford-sons-at-the-palladium.html

So after reading this review today, I am super bummed I didn’t make it to this show even though me and Natalie talked about going repeatedly! Never again will I let an opportunity like this pass me by. Yes, I’m very dramatic, but music does this to me

Elvis me, please...


Heard this song this morning and I just had to post the lyrics...Who does'nt love Elvis, right?

Suspicious Minds---Elvis Presley

We're caught in a trap
I can't walk out
Because I love you too much baby
Why can't you see
What you're doin' to me
When you don't believe a word I say?
We can't go on together
With suspicious minds
And we can't build our dreams
On suspicious minds,
if an old friend I know
Drops by to say hello
Would I still see suspicion in your eyes?
Here we go again
Askin' where I've been
You can't see these tears are real
I'm cryin' (Yes, I'm cryin')
We can't go on together
With suspicious minds
And we can't build our dreams
On suspicious minds
Oh let our love survive
Ah dry the tears from your eyes
Let's don't let a good thing die
When honey, you know
I've never lied to you
Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm
Yeah, yeah
We're caught in a trap
I can't walk out
Because I love you too much baby
Why can't you see
What you're doin' to me
When you don't believe a word I say?
Now don't you know I'm
Caught in a trap
I can't walk out
Because I love you too much baby

Monday, October 18, 2010

classic movie night


Last Friday night while James was visiting with his dad, I stayed in and finally had the chance to watch Splendor in the Grass (which I had on my DVR since August) with Natalie Wood and Warren Beaty. I had seen it once before, however it was like seeing it for the first time again. If you havent had the chance to see it, you should. It’s a heartbreaking love story…the title was taken from this poem, which says it all.

“What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind”.

--- William Wordsworth

Friday, October 15, 2010

Halloween season



Happy Friday!

Let the Halloween festivities begin! Halloween is by far my favoritest holiday! (Fact: James proposed to me on Halloween morning) This weekend is the first costume party of many this Halloween season! It’s my friend Maya’s 30th Birthday party! And I’m super excited to see everyone’s costumes!!! I’m putting the finishing touches on mine and James costumes tonight and I have very high hopes for them to turn out fab! I will post pictures soon:) Here's a little clue...


Since I love getting spooked, here are a few things I plan to do this Halloween season:

Griffith Park Haunted Hayride
http://www.losangeleshauntedhayride.com/

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Tour
http://www.cemeterytour.com/

Cinespia cemetery screenings
www.cinespia.org/

Old Town Pasadena Haunt
http://www.oldtownhaunt.com/

Happy Hauntings!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

10.10.10

October 10, 2010

We Never Change Do We---Coldplay

I wanna live life and never be cruel.
I wanna live life and be good to you.
And I wanna fly and never come down.
And live my life and have friends around.
We never change, do we? no, no
We never learn, do we?
So I wanna live in a wooden house.
I wanna live life and always be true.
I wanna live life and be good to you.
And I wanna fly and never come down.
And live my life and have friends around.
We never change, do we? No, no
We never learn, do we?
So I wanna live in a wooden house,
where making more friends would be easy.
Oh, and I don´t have a soul to save.
Yes, and I sin every single day.
We never change, do we?
We never learn, do we?
So I wanna live in a wooden house,
Where making more friends would be easy.
I wanna live where the sun comes out ...

Hmmm...just seemed appropriate, I guess. A melancholy song for a melancholy day.

Here's a song for Cyndi...because she loved it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqSKVv6YO8g

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Autumn=warm soups


With the cold weather and rain here in southern California, I've been making soups this week, Monday I made my mother inlaws (Momma Rina) chicken & dumplings (secret recipe), and it was fab,my hubby was real excited when he tasted it, said that it was as good as his momma's:) Last night I busted out the crock pot and made some chili, James picked up these fresh veggies from my local Farmer market Dogwood's, love that place. Here's what I used, but I'm still making adjustments, I think it needs more spice, but it's a start.

Chili Recipe:
1.25 lbs ground turkey
1 yellow onion chopped
1 red onion diced
5 cloves of garlic minced
Chicken broth 12 oz or so
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 large can of pinto beans drained
1 medium size can of red kidney beans drained
2 green bell peppers diced
1 red bell pepper diced
2 jalapenos diced
2 serranos diced
2 large beefsteak tomatoes chopped
6 tomatillos chopped
Pinch of cumin (ground)1 tsp.
New Mexico chili powder
Salt & pepper to taste

In a skillet brown turkey, yellow onion, 2 cloves of garlic in oliveoil, season with salt & pepper.
Meanwhile, prepare the rest of the veggies.In a crock pot, add onion, bell peppers, garlic, broth, tomato paste,beans, then drained turkey once its browned, stir, turn to low heat andcover.
In same skillet used for turkey, add tomatoes, tomatillos, let sweat then add jalapenos and serrano chilies, let cook until it becomes a sauce.
Add tomato mixture to crock pot, cumin, chili powder, kosher salt &pepper to taste (at least tsp. each) stir.
Let cook covered 6-8 hours on low. Check for flavor once it gets hot.
Garnish with your favorite toppings. I added shredded cheddar cheese and cilantro to my bowl! Yum!
Next time I'll add some more jalapenos and serranos, a bit more cumin, some oregano, and a little birdy told me cocoa gives good flavor, so I'll add some too:)

Happy eatings!

Friday, October 1, 2010

out with the ladies

Tonight we’re celebrating a few of my bestest birthdays…we’re going out to dinner at Green Street Tavern http://greenstreettavern.net/ in Pasadena, really excited to check this place out! Looking forward to catching up with the girls, it’s been a while since we’ve all been together! We were all inseparable at one time. This is much needed…have a great weekend!