peridot_rain

In 2010, Jennifer does her version of Julie and Julia

2010-01-05T03:59:55Z

I had a week and a half off during the winter holidays and had the opportunity to cook again for Martin. It's something I really enjoy doing, but can't seem to find the time for when I am traveling 5-6 days a week.

Over the winter holiday, I watched the movie Julie and Julia. For those who have not seen it, a woman (Julie)cooks her way though Julia Child's first cookbook, The Art of French Cooking, and makes every recipe in one year (somewhere over 450 dishes). Julie then blogs about her experiences.

While I do not have aspirations to cook my way through "The Art" in a year, this year I have resolved not to make the same dish for Martin twice. I have also resolved to cook for Martin at least once a week (baring the honeymoon week).

Rule 1: I can make him dished I have previously made, but I can only serve each dish one time in 2010.

Rule 2: Martin will do the shopping. For weeks I will be traveling, I will leave Martin a small shopping list and he will have the ingredients in the house when I get home.

Rule 3: Successful dishes go in my "cookbook". I keep a loose leaf binder of dishes we like to facilitate finding them, the next time I want to make the dish. (It is also a great reference for "What do you want to eat tonight?, nights). Currently is contains such favorites as Artichoke Chicken and Buffalo Salmon.

During the winter holidays, I made three new dishes for Martin (Spicy Asian Noodles, Curried Pork and Cauliflower, and Red Wine Candied Apples-very good and Martin got to see me doing Chemistry-). He loved them all. And... I made them in 2009, so they are fair game for a repeat in 2010.

For New Years day I made Salmon with dill sauce, cucumber salad, and cantaloupe melon with prosciutto.

Next week: Hamburger Stroganoff

More menus to follow...

Alley!!!!

2009-11-20T16:13:02Z

Carowyn misses you... Her computer and back-up are broken. And she has saved you and the boys a puppy! Come get it!

Puppies are available to anyone else who wants one also. They're adorable.

Jenn

Bad News/Good News

2009-09-29T14:24:26Z

The bad news it that my car died Friday. It actually didn't die, it's just very sick. The good news, I found out I am getting a bonus this week. Yeah! Money to pay for car hospitals!

Martin has been great! he is arranging the Doctors, Ambulance, etc.....(Mechanics, towing).... He knows I hate (I really hate) car stuff.

Cashew Curry Chicken

2009-09-27T02:08:02Z

It's been a while since I made a nice meal for Martin. Tonight we tried a new recipe: Cashew Curry Chicken...

Stir Fried Chicken, Onion, Garlic, Ginger, red pepper, and Madris Curry Powder... Simmered in an asian inspired broth (chicken broth, fish sauce, rice vinegar) and served over steamed rice. Topped with cashews and cilantro!

Yum.

Baking for my sweetie

2009-09-18T03:01:12Z

For my birthday, one of the gifts Martin's parents got me was an icecream cone cake pan. It makes giant icecreeam cone shaped cupcakes. The cake pan has forms for 4 cone shaped bottoms and 4 swirl shaped tops.

Tonight we try it out!!! Per Martin's request, lemon cake, vanilla icing, and sprinkles.

The Joy of Travel

2009-09-12T01:54:09Z

For those of us who travel often, it not if the plane is late, its if the plane ever shows up. I experienced my first late plane of concern last night.

I was coming back from Milwaukee (a relatively short flight), but needed to be home at a reasonable hour to drive to Houston today for my CCRA certification exam. The exam is given twice a year (and cost almost $500 to register-regardless of whether you actually show up).

So, when my plane landed, and it wasn't in Dallas, I became concerned.

After a slight detour and landing in Witchata Falls for gas (and storm avoidance) we continued to Dallas (and arrived only an hour and a half late).

Great for the stress levels. But still enough time for a decent nights sleep. I was in bed by midnight! Yeah!!

Happy Birthday Czarina!

2009-08-06T21:36:18Z

Chiweenie

2009-07-27T01:16:43Z

What happens when dog breeders go too far? Ever hear of a Chiweenie? A Mexican Hot Dog?

Let me introduce you to the Chihuahua-Dachshund Hybrid. What will they think of next?

SUCKER

2009-07-27T01:10:49Z

Every once in a while, I think I have the word "SUCKER" tattooed on my forehead.

Anyone who knows me knows I have a soft spot for babies and puppies. Each elicits the "OOOOH" response. So naturally, a sign that says "Free Puppy" should mean "DANGER - GO BACK!!!" Unfortunately, Martin has the same tattoo as I do.

Well....We are now the proud parents of a chocolate lab mix. His name is Buster and he is 7 weeks old. He is mostly brown with a brindle spotted belly (brown on white) and feet and a white paint brush tail (last inch or two). He has brownish green eyes.

Pictures to follow soon.

The date is confirmed

2009-05-27T12:15:37Z

Martin and I met with the wedding coordinator at Suncreek last night. We have confirmed the 24 April 2010 date (5:00 pm). The church seems very liberal about what and how you have the service. They expressed preferences, but will work with you (ie the alter set).

Things are coming together: We have a church, reception site, musician (harpist),... I just need to confirm a photographer, DJ, and Florist.

As my neighbor's house floats away...

2009-04-07T14:49:32Z

... Or so I thought.

Just before I went to bed last night at midnight, Salsa wanted out. I opened the door, he steped two steps on the patio and came running back in! As the cold front had not yet hit and I was on the patio also, I wondered what was up.

After a moment contemplating, I heard the sound of running water (odd?). A quick survey of the house showed copious water flowing from what looked like my neighbor's garage.

Now these are new neighbors across the alley. They (he?) moved in about 6 months ago. I've seen him a few times, but we haven't met. The house was dark and closed for the night. Should I ring the bell? Not alone at midnight at a house that I don't know anyone.

Will the flood affect me? Its still flowing?

I decided that if my house were flooding, I would like someone to help, but who to call.? After a minute of indecisiveness, I called 411 to get the non-emergency number for the police. Guess what? McKinney does not answer the non-emergency number after hours.

After thoughts of vandalism or worse, I called 911...

The police came out and not knowing I was in the driveway stated "Man that is a lot of water". After their examination, it was determined that the problem was a broken sprinkler head immediately next to the garage. It was squirting up, hitting the garage, and rolling down the door (thus looking like it was coming under the garage).

Great! I called 911 because the neighbors have a broken sprinkler! Oh well, it could have been worse, I could have not called and it really have been an emergency.

The police did attempt to notify my neighbors, but they either were not home, or did not answer the door. So I get to notify them when I see them.

Yeah!

How do you send a frequent flier into a full-blown panic attack?

2009-02-18T19:03:30Z

Move her ID/Credit Card case.

In one of my more "Blonde" moments last night, I put my ID/CC case in a pocket I don't use in my purse. I didn't realize it until I got to the airport and didn't have ID and Credit Cards.

Try traveling for business for any lenth of time without the above. (Can't check into airport, Can't check into Hotel, Can't eat beyond what my $10 in cash will buy me...)

After a panic attack (I'm sure my blood pressure went to 180/100) and a ride half-way back to the Park & Fly, a final search (read dumping out of) my purse revealed my case in a generally unused pocket.

Fortunately for me, I arrived early to the airport and had time for a Margarita to calm my nerves.

peridot_rain @ 2009-02-15T18:41:00

2009-02-16T00:41:41Z

Happy Birthday Allie!

Cooking for my Valentine

2009-02-14T19:36:16Z

It's Valentine's Day and I have been traveling all week. I haven't had time to go shopping, but I always have time to cook.

Tonight's Dinner (I hope he likes it).

Twice Baked Goat-Cheese Soufles with Herb Salad
Roasted Crab Legs with Orange-Thyme Glaze
Steamed Asparagus
Rich, Buttermilk, Chocolate Cake with Marshmallow Frosting
And a bottle of Hess Chardonnay

Hopefully, he will let me take him to the mall this weekend to get the shoes I keep hounding him to get. Not a very personal gift, but something he needs.

My Cross-Eyed Squirrel

2009-02-08T04:51:42Z

About 8:30 this evening, Martin and I decided we were too young to fall asleep on the couch and we should go out. We got dressed and decided to explore down-town McKinney. After a walk around the square we deceded to stop at Lone Star Cellars for a glass of wine and to listen to the music.

Inside, a musician was playing all the oldies and sing alongs...Margaritaville, House of the Rising Sun, Garden Party, It's Not Unusual, etc...

Martin, knowing my favorite song is Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" requested it for me... I should have known something was up when the request required a 5 minute conversation.....

Now, since "Brown Eyed Girl" is one of my favorite songs, I was suprised to learn that I did not know the lyrics. You see, the musician introduced the song , decided that Martin and I were not regulars as Martin asked if he took requests, and anounced the dedication from Martin to Jenn (his fiancee). The musician then seranaded his "Cross-Eyed Squirrel".

To my suprise, the second verse, which I always thought went "My how you have grown..." is actually "My how 'those' have grown" (refering to my breasts and hopefully not my butt).

I was in for an education and Martin a beating (which was encouraged with a 'hit him again' by the musician).

We had fun, and I think 'Lone Star Cellars' will be one of our regular hangouts.

Rainbow Brite's Castle

2009-02-04T14:29:33Z

Yesterday I made a Rainbow cake in a Castle Pan for Martin. Thanks to an idea that la_azteca</lj> gave me.

I frosted it in garish grocery store colors (White clouds, Blue Doors, Purple moat and Barbie Pink turets. When you cut it open, it was a rainbow (mostly - pink, orange, yellow, green, blue...). I ran out of batter before I got to the last two colors.

Anyway it was definately a cake-wreck and definately cheezy. Exactly what a 5 year old would love. And so did Martin.

P.S. La Azteca: I used a white cake mix with gel food die. The outside was lightly browned, like you would expect, but you could still see the rainbow. The inside was pretty and muted. (Did I tell you I used easter pastels...what I had on hand).

Pictures to follow shortly....

*** Addendum****
Cudjo has posted the photos below in comment below. As you can tell I will never make a living deorating cakes. It's a good thing I have other talents and Martin has a sense of humor.

My Creepy Fiancé

2009-01-24T02:09:16Z

Martin found me a new user pic..... Based on Paris Hilton's dog (accessory), Tinkerbell.

It's a Chihuahua, It's a Hadbag, It's dead.

Cake Wrecks

2009-01-23T17:25:14Z

Of course at my budget, I'm more likely to end up like this....

Inspiration:

And get something like this....

Oh, well.... The important thing is I love Martin and he loves me...

Another Wedding Cake.... Still out of my price range....

2009-01-23T17:20:52Z

This one is a bargan.... about a third the price of the last... only $2520.... Still too rich for my blood.

I've found my wedding cake

2009-01-23T17:17:04Z

I've found my wedding cake.... It was listed as one of the 50 most beautiful cakes this year in Brides Magazine.

This cake was by somethingsweetbymichelle.com

Too bad spending $6,000 on a cake is out of our budget....

I will so owe him big

2009-01-22T15:40:42Z

Martin has agreed (suggested even) that we "poke around" at the "Dallas Bridal Show" this weekend at Dallas Market Hall.

The Thugs have reached my neighborhood

2009-01-19T14:55:47Z

Sunday while driving to the store, Martin and I saw a band of Thugs in my neighborhood. This was a first for me as my neighborhood seems to be a very family friendly place where the children play in the yards (front). The Thugs were a young group of 7 or so boys (ages 14-18 would be my guess). They were wearing dark, baggy clothes, and hoodies pulled tight over their heads (it was 70 degrees outside). The were walking in mass down the sidewalks....

I guess I would have taken the situation a little more seriously, had they not been walking 3 Chihuahuas! I guess life in the suburbs is not that bad.

Cooking for my sweetie (again)

2009-01-14T16:09:30Z

I'm not traveling this week (yeah!!!), so i have extra time on my hands.... I made a wonderfully fragrant dish inspired by North African tagines..."Moroccan Chicken Thighs" and served it over couscous and with petite green peas.

It was wonderfully well received (I believe Martin ate 3-4 servings last night) and incredibly easy to make. And the best part it is low in calories/fat.

P.S. The recipe is available for those who ask.

Why I love my sweetie

2009-01-09T17:00:13Z

Martin came by last night just to hang out and watch "Grey's Anatomy" with me... He showed up with flowers... for no reason at all...He just loves me.

New Years Day

2009-01-06T02:08:12Z

After sleeping half the day away (recovering from Chris' and Olga's New Year's Eve party); I drug myself out of bed and with the help of a pot of coffee recovered enough to cook lunner (lunch-dinner) for Martin.

Since I have an aversion to beans (including black-eyed peas) and I'm an northerner and don't suscribe to the good-luck theory, I decided to make something completely un-traditional: Curry! This year we had chicken and sweet potato curry served with steamed asparagus, Basmati rice, and flat bread.

I guess this does not quite qualify as healthy; but better than eating out (Anyone else resolve to loose weight?).

After a lazy afternoon we headed to Martin's house for more laziness. After a few episodes of "Venture Brothers", Martin dragged me off to the Christmas Village by Richardson Public Library. He promised me a Cherry Limeade from Braums as a reward.

For many years that I've lived in the Dallas area, I've seen the village but never stopped. Last year, Martin and I went and l loved it!!! I decided it should be a yearly ritual. This year, because of my travel scheule, we didn't make it prior to Christmas. Anyway on Thursday, with a little encouragement (it started to get cold when the sun went down) and a promise of a limeade I went with Martin.

Once I got there, and started moving around, I was glad I went. There were only about 20 people in the area and we could walk up to any of the houses. This year they added several new ones and my favorites were there again (the dalmation fire house) and the polar bear bank. The city had piped in music and I made Martin foxtrot with me to "Santa Baby" as I sung for
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring...so hurry down the chimney tonight.

As the song ended, and I began to walk to the next house, Martin stopped behind me, and turned me around. He was on his knees (both) with the most beautiful ring....

I'm not sure what exactly he said... I joined him on my knees and hugged and kissed him... He placed the ring on my finger.

We left shortly to get the limeade and glow....