Say Hello to My Little Friend

An anonymous co-worker left this on another co-worker's desk and it was gifted to me since my loving husband has some sort of an obsession with little tux wearing, arctic beings.

Meet my new friend! He watches over me while I work!

Two For the Day!

I forgot to talk about my book reading!

I'm desperately close to the end of one book and I'm not sure if I'll continue on with the author - not because she is bad, in fact I really enjoy her books. I just have a few books gathering dust while they are waiting for my undivided attention.

So, right now I'm reading The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes. I have also read Last Chance Saloon, Angels and Sushi For Beginners - all by Ms. Keyes. So far, I haven't really been disappointed.
Next, I'm going to dive into the third book of the Robert Langdon series. Husband Bear gave me The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown for my birthday. I read a few reviews on GoodReads.com and became a little concerned. Then I remembered that I'm a book garbage can and I'll pretty much read ANYTHING. Even if I'm not so sure I'm into it, I'll finish it and by the end I like it.
For January I will be reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert for my book club... that hardly ever meets. We're trying! I have noticed that everyone has seemed to have read it, so I'm anxious to get to it!

Back in the Saddle

Yesterday I gushed about my future plans to cook again, and man, I was NOT kidding!

I may or may not have gone online for a good chunk of the day yesterday to read recipes. I printed some out and put a plan of action into place. No, I haven't exactly created a menu per day yet, but I have been logging a few recipes to try here and there.

So, last night's meal consisted of chicken breast lovingly smeared with olive oil, poultry seasoning (and not just your standard - I'll get to that), sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. I over cooked it a bit - okay, a lot because I wasn't paying attention. I was multi-tasking. Not a good idea. However, the side dishes were delicious and pretty standard. It was a good meal to get me up and running again.

Of course, I will tell you what I made for sides! First being asparagus, which a co-worker told me to turn the oven to 475 degrees, place the asparagus on a baking sheet, slather with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake until delicious!

My second side was rosemary potatoes cooked in the skillet. I usually bake them as well, but this tends to take some time and since I was multi-tasking while cooking I did not have time to spare. So, using some wonderfully sharp knives given to us as a gift at Christmas (don't worry, we also received another AMAZING set for our wedding) I sliced those potatoes just thin enough and threw them in with my standard olive oil, sea salt, freshly ground pepper and fresh rosemary (are we beginning to notice a theme in ingredients??).

I almost took a picture, but I ended up not doing it. Darn. I would have loved to show you because we have the Everyday White square plates from Bed Bath & Beyond and the presentation of the meal was BEAUTIFUL! Add a dinner roll and I almost cried at the sight of it!

Tomorrow, I will regale you with the tale of tonight's meal, which called for me getting up a little early to throw into the old crock pot! Yes, I changed the recipe as I said I would yesterday. I'll let you know how it goes.

Also, I have not gone yet, but I was made aware of a store that only carries spices - in bulk. I was given a sample of the poultry spice and I must say that I can taste the difference. I will have a field trip to this store and let you know. My source - okay, my mom - says it's wonderful!

It's OVER!! I'm a married woman!

Dear reader(s),

Well, I'm contemplating starting a new blog without having a hidden identity. This could be a fun adventure that will keep me on the straight and narrow sans whining. But, until then, this is my baby. My little pet project that allows me to vent. I may update my two to three readers and allow the hubby to join in on the fun. Perhaps it will be invite only - the options are endless and I have all the time in the world to explore!! I'll try and keep you posted.

So, what am I going to do now that I've had my big day, opened all of my shiny new kitchen appliances and dishes and have started the long journey down Thank You Lane??? I'm going to cook and read again, that's what!! And I'm very excited! I've had not a wink of time this past year to liven my spirits with a good, new recipe and truly enjoy it without a nagging sensation that I should be working on, oh, guest lists and seating charts, so now is the time!

It's freaking freezing and unseasonably so right now. We even had a winter-wonderland preview yesterday and it got me thinking that now is the time to delve into Comfort Food Land!! First on my list is dusting off the slow-cooker and filling it with a beautiful roast! Mmmmmm. No, I won't be using my new appliances for this baby, but I'm sure going to enjoy coming home to the smell of spicy meat and sweet carrots!

I did a little exploring on Food Networks website and decided on a Paula Dean slow cooker version that sounded delicious. Paula Dean knows comfort food after all. Here's the link if you're curious - I'm too lazy to write the recipe out for you, but I'll be sure to let you know of any modifications. I've already been scheming what to add and subtract.

Next on my list? My cousin - the Domestic Diva Trainee- has been chatting up pumpkin, well, EVERYTHING and all of a sudden I NEED it all!! She attempted some pumpkin cupcakes with great success and I am in dire need of these delicious little delicacies! I'll let you know about those too, however, seeing as I think she is my only reader - well... ;)

So, what else could I do to fill up my time (besides getting a very adorable puppy - please, Please, PLEASE hubby!!! Just one! And I promise I will take ever so wonderful care of her!!!). Well, I am creating my winter reading list and any and all recommendations are welcome. I love pretty much all books with exception of those trashy, romance books. Tasteful and fun, suspense, mystery, non-fiction - I'm ready!

Of course, some day I'm going to finish knitting that darn scarf I started about four years ago. I can wrap it around my neck, but just barely enough to tie it. It's my practice piece and it sports some scars and flaws. Now that my bestie from awkward teenage years has moved back with her wonderful husband and beautiful daughter, she can keep me motivated to finish.

It's not that I didn't love planning the wedding and I'm not saying that I'm not sad it's all over. I'm ready for the future! I'm ready for some relaxation! I'm ready to be a wifey!! Hooray!

So, until next time (and since it's the off-season that may be coming quite soon) send some positive thoughts my way and I'll send some cooking/reading/knitting feedback your way!!

Love and all that good stuff,
Gidge