Juggling Life

Wordy Wednesday And Things You Asked For . . .

It wouldn't be summer with a boy from Brazil.  You're welcome, SB. 

Minnesota Matron, Hen, and Green Girl from Wisconsin have all posted the contents of their fridge. Since I adore an Open House post, I'll play along.

See those 2 gallons of milk? There's 4 more behind them. The 1/2 gallon of O.J.? 3 more behind that. What does my fridge say about me? Perhaps it's saying "Girl, maybe you should get a cow and a couple of laying hens!"

Or perhaps it says, "You mean there's actually a family who runs through the Costco size on a weekly basis? I mean besides Kalynne's."

It definitely says that while I learned a lot from "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle," I haven't actually put it into play yet.

When I posted the picture I was very annoyed by the out of alignment photo buttons on the front of the freezer. As part of my personal, 12-step borderline OCD treatment I posted the picture anyway. Then I went and fixed them.

What does my freezer say? Most everything is in the outside freezer. This is basically a repository for  ice cream, bagels, and smoothie fixings.

Also, you may notice we have no ice maker. It's not that we couldn't afford the refrigerator/freezer that has one . . . it's that we searched high and low for one that didn't have one. You see, we had a very bad experience with a malfunctioning ice maker about 18 years ago. You've probably heard a similar story--vacation, loose fitting, floor replaced . . . Our insurance agent told us the ice maker is the most common cause of household flooding. You don't have to tell us twice!

Since more than one person has expressed interest, I give you . . .

Jenn's Multiple Orgasm Chocolate Chip Cake

1 package (18.25 oz.) yellow cake mix

1 package (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla pudding mix

1 cup milk

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

5 tablespoons grated German sweet chocolate, divided

2 tablespoons confectioner's sugar

In mixing bowl, combine cake and pudding mixes, milk, oil, and eggs. Beat on low speed until moistened. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons grated chocolate. Pour into greased and floured 10 inch fluted tube (Bundt) pan.

Bake at 350 for 55-65 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Combine confectioner's sugar and remaining grated chocolate; sprinkle over cake.

Enjoy!

Things That Make Me Go "Huh?

So I was at this lovely party Sunday night. We were under a pop-up tent at a concert in the park; our neighbors had set out a beautiful spread of hor'dourves with plenty of wine and beer (well, maybe not quite enough beer--they didn't know I was going to drink as much as I did!). The following conversation took place when I was on my first beer. Upon sober reflection, it may be the reason I drank the next few.

Very Well-Off Woman and I are surveying the spread--mixed, grilled vegetables on a pie crust spread with cream cheese and Boursin. Melon wrapped in Prosciutto, luscious red and green grapes and Brie, peppers stuffed with cream cheese and topped with pine nuts. Buffalo mozarella topped with slices of tomato and basil and drizzled with olive oil. All delicious, all beautifully presented.

I comment on how fantastic it all tastes, but admit to a bit of guilt since I've just finished reading Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Very Well-Off Woman isn't familiar with the book, so I give a brief synopsis. Transporting our food from far-off places = not efficient, big carbon footprint. Eating locally grown produce in season = better for the environment. I mention that I found it ironic that I purchased the book at Costco at the same time I bought a Chilean pineapple, Ecuadoran bananas, and Mexican avocados.

She looked at me incredulously. "You don't really feel guilty about buying pineapple because of it's 'carbon footprint'?"

"Yes, I do. I think I should do a better job eating locally. I'm going to join Bee-Wise ranch cooperative again. I quit because I didn't always like the vegetables, but I should just cook what's in season, not simply what I have a taste for."

"That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. This world's been around a long time and there's nothing we're doing that's going to change that. I say eat whatever you want regardless of where it comes from. Life's too short to worry about stuff like this."

Huh? I'm guessing she thinks the Kyoto Protocol is a bunch of hogwash. I'm also assuming she won't be giving up her Lincoln Navigator anytime soon.

You can see why I had to have another drink, right?

Party Prep

 

If you ever decide to make a Mortarboard cake, order the licorice laces (for the tassel) online well in advance of your baking date. I did not and discovered at 10:30 p.m. the night before that licorice laces are not readily available anymore. Mr. Fix-it's genius idea? Spaghetti cooked in colored water. It worked.

Scenes from an Italian Dinner

 

Last Monday I wrote this post about the cookbook whose journey around the world was to begin in my kitchen (well, technically Hen's kitchen, but you know what I mean). I promised to cook on Saturday night and report back on Monday. I perused the cookbook and chose a menu. I invited a guest. I generated a shopping list. I failed to consult a weather report. It was close to 100 degrees here on Saturday.

We've established that deviating from the plan is not in my nature. So concessions were made. I would prep at my house (which has no air conditioning), but cook at my bff, Other Mother of my Kids or OMomK's house (which blessedly does have a.c.).

So here you have it . . . a recap of the most documented meal I've ever cooked!

First, from page 87, I prepared the Torta di cioccolato.

     Makeshift double boiler courtesy of one of my children breaking the middle section and never confessing.

  

Next, to make the Arancini de riso e ricotta (rice and cheese balls), page 358. 'Cause nothing says cooking in a heat wave like breading and frying something!

Giving the breadcrumbs a whirl  . . . the flour, egg, breadcrumb assembly line

The shaping, the frying, the finished product . . .

Prepping the main dish, Agnello con Olive (lamb with olive), page 387, which came especially recommended by Hen was next. I won't torture you with pictures of me (sweat dripping from my brow) chopping the lamb into bite size pieces. I did, however, chop up this beauty. Mr. Fix-it and MVP were stunned to discover that our local Vons has a gourmet olive bar when I sent them out for last minute supplies. "Who knew," they said? "We did," said Jenn and OMomK.

Then it was time for me to shower and take my cooking show on the road . . .

 

For the second time in a week, I am wishing for smell-o-vision--garlic, onions, red chile, lamb, olives, white wine . . . heavenly!

It just wouldn't be dinner (or hors'douevres or Friday or . . .) at OMomK's without a bottle (okay, usually 2) of this . . .

'

The finished product . . .

 

The verdict . .  . delicious! The lamb dish was a resounding success. The chocolate was to die for. We had some vanilla ice cream with it--next time we'll add raspberry sauce, too. The rice and cheese balls got mixed reviews. They were quite good, but not great. I might try them again with Gorgonzola instead of Mozzarella--they needed a stronger cheese taste to me. The dessert will henceforth be a standby of mine--how can something so easy taste so good? Butter, sugar and good quality dark chocolate I guess!

Mr. Fix-it, OMomK and I ate together, then MVP came by after work to scarf down every morsel we left behind. I think all the kids got to sample the dessert after returning from various and sundry activities that are more fun than eating dinner with your parents.

Now, as to where the book is going next. I could a) use a random number generator b) pick a name out of a hat c) write everyone's name on a big piece of paper and throw a dart at it or d) be completely arbitrary and pick BipolarLawyerCook.

I choose . . . D! As soon as I got the book from Hen, I thought of BLC. I love to read her descriptions of food and cooking. She's on the other side of the country, which furthers the book's journey nicely, she might come visit me and cook me something this summer, and really it's my party and I can cry if I want to blog and I can be arbitrary and capricious if I want to. Except, I'm usually not, so please don't think I'm a beyotch and a hater . . . it's just that my heart is telling me to send the book to BLC, so that's what I'm gonna do. Still, I love you all the same just in different ways!

This doesn't have anything to do with cooking or dinner or my capriciousness, but it is very pretty. In addition to being my best friend, and an amazing mom, surrogate mom, person, etc. OMomK can make these rebloom--I just toss mine and buy new ones.

Oh yeah, she beat me 3 games to 1. And I didn't even care . . . it must have been the Champagne!

Spreading the Love (and the Food) . . .

The other day I received this in the mail.

 

Inside was a lovely card

 

and a beautifully wrapped package

containing this book.

This package made was sent from the U.K. by Hen at Diary of Domestic Hiss. I was the lucky winner of her contest to send this book around the world. So this coming weekend I shall be cooking a meal from this book, sharing it with friends, and sending it on its whirlwind tour. Of course, this means I have to find the next person to send it to. If you're interested, leave me a comment on this post. I make no promises as to how I'll pick a winner; I'll make the decision after a wonderful meal, a delicious dessert, and 2 or 3 glasses of wine!

P.S. Thanks Hen--It was delish!

Fresh Trout, Summer 2001

Caught at Lake Mary. Sauteed in butter and olive oil. Served with grilled rosemary red potatoes, salad and cold beer (okay, not everybody got the beer). Delicious. Followed by a night of swimming, dancing, and cards.

 

In Which My Cup Runneth Over . . .

Warning: This post contains no snarkiness or negativity whatsoever. In fact, it is going to be so full of sunshine and happiness you may throw up a little in your mouth. Sorry. It's going to sound a lot like one of those Christmas letters from an obnoxious person who acts as if their life is perfect. Again, sorry.

 

Clockwise from top: Thematically Fickle, San Diego Momma, Choose My Own, Yours truly, Blog This Mom!, katydidnot.

In anticipation of a very Bossy visit (6 days and counting!), a few San Diego bloggers got together at katydidnot's house. You know how when you meet people you've only ever talked to over the internet you're just a lot little worried that someone might be a serial killer stalker wack job? Well, nobody is! In fact, this was a group of the smartest, funniest, most beautiful women I've ever had the privilege to break bread (and vegetarian lasagna, and salad with mixed greens and cranberries, and cheesecake, and  . . .) and drink wine with. We had a blast.

And the kids? I would post a picture, except there isn't one. They were too busy having a blast (notice a pattern here?) to stand still for a picture. Plus, the combined cuteness  would have made the cameras explode. Since there was a solid $3,000 + worth of cameras present, we wouldn't have wanted that. Disclaimer: My kids were not there so I have no reason to exaggerate the cuteness quotient. And can I just say, sweet? check. Well-behaved? check. Generous with one another? check. I'm telling you it was a veritable lovefest.

Now with the pictures. Photographic credit on all group shots goes to Adolescent Boy, adorable and accommodating offspring of katydidnot (plus he plays a mean guitar and solitaire).

L-R: Thematically Fickle, San Diego Momma, katydidnot, Choosing My Own, Blog This Mom!, Yours Truly.

I'm using both, because you'll notice Thematically Fickle does not look good in one, and I look terrible in the other.

Must publish immediately, low battery warning, new cord has not yet arrived. No time to spell or grammar check, please forgive any mistakes.

Food, or Lack Thereof . . .

Last week I came to the realization that just thinking "I really need to lose some weight," while continuing to eat whatever I want, is not a very effective weight loss strategy. Surprise! I've decided to try Weight Watchers--it's my first time. I do think the whole points thing might appeal to my competitive nature in a good way.

I'm trying to convince a friend (you know who you are) to do WW with me. I talked to her about how it was going for me (day 4) today. "But are you hungry?" she wanted to know. Umm, yeah! Since I don't eat every time I have a hunger pang, I experience hunger. Not something I'm used to, which would probably be why I need to lose weight.

I'm (hopefully) not going to turn into a boring person who only talks about the points I ate, or how many I earned by exercising. Please slap me if I do. I am going to share one thing I've already learned though. The Baja Fresh Grilled Veggie Burrito that is my out and about standby lunch, which I virtuously get without chips, is 40 points. 40 points, people! To put it in perspective, that is roughly double the points I'm supposed to eat in one day. Hmmm, maybe that's why I've been gaining weight.

It boils down to what we all know: eat lots of leafy greens, cook at home, up the exercise, yadayadayada.

I am hopeful (but still a little hungry).

Expanding Peeple

You all may already do this, in which case I'm lame. However, if you don't know this I couldn't bear for you not to have the high level of fun we have around here at Easter.

1. Take a peep and set it in the microwave.

 

2. Turn the microwave on and watch through the glass as the peep expands and expands to several times its normal size.

3. Open the microwave door just before the peep explodes and watch it shrink down to its original size.

 

Note: Because the peep starts shrinking as soon as you open the microwave door this is the best shot I could get--it gets much bigger than this.

4. Laugh and repeat as necessary.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL MY PEEPS!