Tilapia with Almond Butter on a bed of Snap Snow Peas

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Oh my goodness!  This was by far one of my favorite recipes this year.  So simple and so delicious.  I'm not even ashamed of tooting my own culinary horn!  Patrick is willing to trade Alien Weaponry for this dish, so it must be good.

Right now, I'm drinking some Barefoot Moscato and watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix (commercial tv, but I guess you can't have everything..).

I'd be perfectly happy to spend another couple of days like today.  Dani and I went to see Eclipse this afternoon...yup, it's just as good as the first time!

I don't really have much to say, but I did want to share the lovliness of Champagne Sunday!

Cheers!

Cleaning House

I've made all the arguments and they all seem logically sound.  These people are not a positive in my life right now.  I have to actually think about the last time the thought of them made me smile instead of grimace or sigh.  How is that good?  Should I allow them to take up negative space in my already crowded thoughts?

But, to just cut them loose... well, I'm not sure I can do that either.  They've been attached to me for so long, what if I bleed out?  What if they think that my attempt to put a little distance and perspective on our relationship means that I won't be there for them if they need me?  What if they do really need me and they don't think they can call?

I'm still conflicted about the whole thing.  I'm working on it.  I'm a pack-rat, what can I say?

Music and Me

As I lay here listening to 80's music, instead of sleeping like I should, I realize that my view on relationships may well have been shaped by the music of my youth.  Here are some examples:

1) Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

2) What's Love Got To Do With It - Tina Turner

3) Love Bites - Def Leopard

4) Shot Through The Heart (and you're to blame) - Bon Jovi

5) Karma Chameleon - Culture Club

6) Another One Bites the Dust - Queen

7) Don't You Want Me - Human League

8) Cold Hearted - Paula Abdul

9) She Bop - Cyndi Lauper

10) I Wanna Have Some Fun  - Samantha Fox

These are all songs I listened to during the end of elementary and through middle school...my formative years, if you will.  I think middle school is when you form your life theories, and high school is where you test them. All my theories on love and relationships were shaped by the music I listened to! It didn't help that all my girlfriends hit the competitive stage of boys and dating right around the time I was barely deciding that boys were good for more than just hanging out with.  So, while they were running around dating and making their "learning to have relationship" mistakes, I was watching them and listening to music and deciding that I was much better on my own.

And let's face it.  For every song of "love gone right" there are probably twice as many songs of "love gone wrong."  And for every song that bemoans being alone, there are so many more that encourage us to love ourselves enough to be on our own.  After all, isn' that "The Greatest Love of All?"

Also, I should point out that I probably shouldn't be allowed to blog at 5am.

Italian Rice and Sweet Onion Casserole

March 28, 2010

This was REALLY good.  Seriously, Dani and I ate half that casserole all by ourselves.  Dani made an excellent side salad that helped lighten up this cheesy delight.  Oh, and did I mention the mushrooms?? SO yummy...

So, yes.  Right out of the oven and into my tummy, this was fantastic.  I tried it the next day and it was not so great when re-heated in the microwave.  This made me kind of sad.  I'm thinking I might try re-heating it in the toaster oven...but then again, I might be too lazy for that.

Oh yeah! I have a blog!

Yup, I have a blog and I just noticed that it does not show the date of entry.  Which makes absolutely no sense, because it's set up to do so. All I had to do was check a box and pick a format from the drop down menu!  Even I can't mess that up!  At least, one would think I couldn't mess that up...

So, back to the point, today's entry (March 15, 2010) is long overdue.  It's been quite a few Champagne Sundays since I last regaled you with my culinary escapades.  Let's see what you missed:  Lasagna, Fettuccine Alfredo with Sun dried tomatoes, Chicken Parmesan, and Raspberry Chocolate Cake with a Mixed Berry & Chocolate Icing. Oh yes, all absolute successes. I wish you could have tried them, too.

Tonight, I made Beef Stroganoff.  Of course, I forgot to pick up the egg noodles, so I used what was handy: Elbow Macaroni.  Miss Dani did offer to run out and get some egg noodles, but it wasn't necessary (and she looked tired! lol).  The macaroni held up well to the sauce, which I think could have used a bit more garlic (typical Tina opinion, by the way), and I think everyone enjoyed it.  For dessert, just a simple cheese and fruit plate.  Brie and Cheddar for the cheeses and sliced apples and pears for the fruit.  It was delicious.  Of course, I enjoyed both courses with a fabulous Purple Moon Shiraz from Trader Joe's.  I definitely need to stock up on that yumminess.

Sadly, no pictures.  Too busy eating.

Champagne Sunday

 On occasion I have a brilliant idea.  Champagne Sunday definitely qualifies as brilliant.

I've decided that I don't need a "Special Occasion" to consume a beverage that is traditionally saved for "Special Occasions."  While it's true that the Sparkling Wine I choose to drink is not "champagne,"  it is just as festive.  There is still that magical pop and gorgeous mist that rolls over the bottle lip when you uncork it, and that is good enough for me. Besides, Sparkling Wine Sunday just doesn't have the same ring to it.

In addition to the sparkling wine, my Champagne Sunday also includes a culinary adventure.  Last week I delved into something new and exciting in my baked goods:  Chocolate Cake coated in Chocolate Genache and sprinkled with Powdered Sugar...it was delicious.  This week I played it a bit safer and went with an old family favorite of mine:  Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes,  and Sweet Corn.  Dani added a delicious Cranberry Salad.  Oh yes, dinner was lovely.

For dessert I tried my hand at Chocolate Coated Pears.  While the flavor of these little darlings was pretty good, I think they need a bit more work before they are presentable to anyone other than my most gracious testers, Mister Patrick and Miss Dani (Thanks, kids. Mucho hugs for putting up with my  new obsession).

All in all, this weeks culinary endeavors were judged a palatable success.

And most importantly, I had SO much fun!

Chocolate Cake with Ganache and Powedered Sugar

 My first attempt at chocolate cake was a delicious success.  The cake it self was moist and not too sweet.  The Ganache (also made from scratch) was a perfect topping of sweetness.  I am so absolutely proud of myself.  It's ridiculous how giddy I was all day waiting for the the cake to be done and then I had to wait for it to cool down.  By the time I was ready to pour the Ganache, I was practically bouncing off the walls!

This dessert just rounded out the day.  Fernando came by and we had Mimosas.  Instead of orange juice (which is despise) I bought some Ocean Spray Cran-Strawberry juice which was DIVINE!  We classed that up with some caramel corn, smoked gouda, and sharp cheddar cheese...oh yes, it was quite the appetizer.

For dinner, Dani made Chicken Tacos and Spanish Rice.  Let me tell you...for as simple as that recipe is, it is super tasty.  Must be Miss Dani's technique.

I had such a great weekend.  I would absolutely love to postpone work for at least one more day...but, reality calls.

What will I make next weekend?

New Year, New Blog.

My lovely roommate decided to set up a new blog.  A private blog.  In order for me to read this new blog of hers, I needed an account here.  So, here I am.

This year I've promised myself (this is not a resolution so get that out of your head, right now) to spend more time at home doing the stuff I want to do. Tomorrow, I begin with a vengeance...

Chocolate Cake.  From scratch.  I've never made one, but tomorrow that all changes (it's 2 in the morning...I guess I mean later today...).  I am making my first ever chocolate cake without a ready made mix.

Wish me luck.