Last week, in an attempt to sway karma in a positive direction (which ultimately FAILED), I went all out in the kitchen, trying new recipes. They all came from the March 2009 issue of Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine. And though my karma still sucks, these recipes sure don't.
First up was the Moroccan Spiced Chicken Stew with Carrots. This was super easy to make, since it used one of my favorite appliances ever, the slow cooker. I used chicken breasts instead of thighs, which made the meat a little drier, but I think healthier. And, I omitted the cilantro leaves because we didn't have them on hand. However, this meal mostly uses common ingredients, which means no half-empty condiments that have no other use hogging my fridge space! Overall, the taste was okay... didn't knock my socks off. But it was pretty good and I would make it again.
Next up was Emeril's Turkey Bolognese. Holy amazingness, this was fantastic!! I could have eaten the entire batch. Hubby wasn't as blown away as I was... perhaps it's the italian in me that loved this so much. Super easy and pretty healthy, if you omit the turkey bacon, which is what I did. I will make this again and again and again, and give it five stars for ease, taste (including leftovers taste... because let's face it, not everything reheats well), and healthiness.
Last came the Linguine with Spring Vegetables. I subbed the green beans for chicken to ramp up the protein content (and it really didn't detract from the nutrition of the dish, since it also contained asparagus and zucchini). I also used half and half for the heavy cream, which decreased the fat and also used up the half and half from the turkey bolognese. Adding some parmesan cheese also adds flavor and thickens the sauce. Overall, this was the fastest of the three meals to prepare and it tasted really good- Hubby approved, so it's a keeper!
If you're looking for something new to make, I would recommend these, especially the turkey bolognese (so delicious and comforting on a freezing cold day).
What's been cooking in your kitchen??
1/18/12
So much for resolutions
1/17/12
Not exactly what I had in mind, 2012....
It's only January 17th and already this year is not going well.
First, a week of asbestos removal, which required no heat for three days (I'm pretty good at building a fire now, though!).
Then, my car battery died, and I popped the hood to find a mouse staring back at me and little chomp-chomp holes all over.
Now, our furnace just went kaput.
Seriously, 2012, I want a redo!
First, a week of asbestos removal, which required no heat for three days (I'm pretty good at building a fire now, though!).
Then, my car battery died, and I popped the hood to find a mouse staring back at me and little chomp-chomp holes all over.
Now, our furnace just went kaput.
Seriously, 2012, I want a redo!
1/13/12
Impressions
Recently, I've received some great and not-so-great impressions from a few companies, and I'd like to share my experiences with you all.
Melissa & Doug- I found a small defect with one of their toys and shot them a quick email. A person called me! They took the product information and told me they would be sending a replacement. Just amazing that they take a lot of pride in the quality of their products and are willing to do what needs to be done to uphold that standard.
AT&T- Yep, I'm still at odds with them. After my experience with Ann in November, the $150 charge has still not been taken off my account. Either she thinks I will pay it without thinking, or she just didn't follow through. I'm guessing it's a combination of both. And even after she assured that may payment put my account in good standing, it's still showing a $258 outstanding balance. Plus, they sent a $16 bill, saying that my previous account still had a small balance... if I'm the same person, and the residence is at the same address, and I'm with the same company, why did I have two accounts? The way their whole company is run is so inefficient and backwards... can't wait to cancel next month.
North Face- "Not Me", that pesky little elf who has been creating mischief around our house, put my fleece jacket in the dryer (honestly, it probably was me, but I really don't remember doing it). It damaged it slightly, so I wrote to the company asking for any advice. A person (I see a trend here...) emailed me back, affirming that the damage was probably permanent, but did offer some suggestions about future care of the jacket.
Groton Medical Clinic- It's January... I've been talking to LB's PCM about an OT referral for months now. By the time we get a referral, we will be moving! VERY unimpressed with the communication (really, lack of communication) and willingness to do the work.
Melissa & Doug- I found a small defect with one of their toys and shot them a quick email. A person called me! They took the product information and told me they would be sending a replacement. Just amazing that they take a lot of pride in the quality of their products and are willing to do what needs to be done to uphold that standard.
AT&T- Yep, I'm still at odds with them. After my experience with Ann in November, the $150 charge has still not been taken off my account. Either she thinks I will pay it without thinking, or she just didn't follow through. I'm guessing it's a combination of both. And even after she assured that may payment put my account in good standing, it's still showing a $258 outstanding balance. Plus, they sent a $16 bill, saying that my previous account still had a small balance... if I'm the same person, and the residence is at the same address, and I'm with the same company, why did I have two accounts? The way their whole company is run is so inefficient and backwards... can't wait to cancel next month.
North Face- "Not Me", that pesky little elf who has been creating mischief around our house, put my fleece jacket in the dryer (honestly, it probably was me, but I really don't remember doing it). It damaged it slightly, so I wrote to the company asking for any advice. A person (I see a trend here...) emailed me back, affirming that the damage was probably permanent, but did offer some suggestions about future care of the jacket.
Groton Medical Clinic- It's January... I've been talking to LB's PCM about an OT referral for months now. By the time we get a referral, we will be moving! VERY unimpressed with the communication (really, lack of communication) and willingness to do the work.
1/11/12
Milspouse Quiz
For all you readers who still are getting to know me, here's a little quizzie that's been making the rounds of the milspouse blogosphere.
How did you and your spouse meet?
Blind date. He was home on leave and I was home on Christmas break from college. My friend met his friend at a bar and wanted to double date. The girl that was supposed to be set up with Hubby got sick the day of the date, so my friend called me last minute. I very reluctantly went with zero expectations. Needless to say, it went well.
How old were you when you two met?
I was 18, he was 22.
How long have you been together?
We met in 1998, married since 2004.
Where are you and your spouse originally from?
We're both from NH, though he was stationed in Kings Bay at the time we met... we did the long distance thing until I graduated from college, which is why it took us so long to get married.
How did you feel about him joining the military?He was already in when we met, but that was cool with me. I always knew I'd marry some servicemember!
Where did your spouse go to Basic Training?
Like, boot camp? The Navy one in Great Lakes, Illinois.
Has your spouse ever been deployed?
Yes. A lot.
Ever been to his promotion ceremony?
Not when he was enlisted (I was in college in NH, and he was stationed in GA). I was there at the BOOST (now STA-21) graduation, commissioning ceremony to pin on his shoulder boards, and when he received his gold dolphins, though.
How long have you been a military wife?
Seven years.
Did you marry him before or after he joined?
After.
How did your husband propose?
He took me to a nice restaurant in Cincinnati. When dessert came, he got down on one knee. I think we were given free glasses of champagne. I was so not expecting it, so I was very surprised!
Where did you get married?
NH, where it all started. :)
How old were you two when you got married?
I was 24 and he was 27.
Did he wear his uniform on your wedding day?
No. We try to see the military as being his job, not his life.
Where are you and your spouse currently stationed?Groton, CT.
Do you live on base?
No.
How long were you married when you had to go through your first separation?
We were fortunate that he had one more year of college, then one year of prototype, and SOBC, so it was over 2.5 years after getting married that we were separated.
What is your favorite base so far?
I like Groton, but Pearl Harbor was so much more organized. I'd say that was definitely our best base experience!
Does your spouse look good in his uniform?
YES!! (Um, don't they all, heehee??)
Do you think military life is more advanced than civilian life?
Advanced??? What in the hell does that mean? Every lifestyle has its challenges- I hate comparing mine to anyone else's. The whole "you think being separated for a week is hard? try it military wife style!" thing irritates me.
Do you like the benefits you receive as a military dependent?In general, yes. I love having a second government ID. I like that the healthcare is for the most part free. And I love what the bases do to help families as much as they can (ITT, MWR, etc).
Do you have a lot of military wife friends?No. I wish I had more, but it gets tough when you have two little kids.
What is the hardest part of being a military wife?The lack of consistency. It's getting harder and harder for me to move, since we do it so much. And it's tough to go from having a partner in everything, to being all alone, to suddenly having a partner again.
Do you own any military wife stuff?
No. I have an old PT shirt that says "Navy" on it... I think it picked it up in a thrift store. I probably won't ever buy any of that, but it doesn't mean I'm not proud of what Hubby does (and, in consequence, what I do).
Do you support your spouse as a member of the military?
100%!!
1/10/12
Dear white Kia Optima, CT license plate# 517 TEZ,
I understand that your oh-so-urgent run to Dunks probably made you late for your nail appointment, but here's a tip: when you're turning left and crossing two lanes of traffic, you do not have the right of way.
My reaction to beep and you and ask "What the fuck are you doing?!" was totally warranted. You were turning into MY lane- that means, you need to yield to me. Slowly inching your car across three lanes of traffic is not the way to yield. By definition, "yield" means to concede, to allow, to grant, etc. Given that I was already traveling on the road that you were trying to turn into, I had the right of way. Perhaps if you spent less time on your fake blonde hair and more time in driver's ed, you'd understand the rules of the road and stop potentially causing collisions.
I know you were mad, as evident by your gratuitous use of the middle finger. I returned the gesture, mostly accompanied by laughter at your complete stupidity. But guess what, biatch- you've made my shit list, and your crappy Kia Optima better be equipped with security cameras because if I see it, I will key it.
I sincerely hope your Kia drives off a cliff and rids the world of yet-another clueless bimbo driver,
Me
My reaction to beep and you and ask "What the fuck are you doing?!" was totally warranted. You were turning into MY lane- that means, you need to yield to me. Slowly inching your car across three lanes of traffic is not the way to yield. By definition, "yield" means to concede, to allow, to grant, etc. Given that I was already traveling on the road that you were trying to turn into, I had the right of way. Perhaps if you spent less time on your fake blonde hair and more time in driver's ed, you'd understand the rules of the road and stop potentially causing collisions.
I know you were mad, as evident by your gratuitous use of the middle finger. I returned the gesture, mostly accompanied by laughter at your complete stupidity. But guess what, biatch- you've made my shit list, and your crappy Kia Optima better be equipped with security cameras because if I see it, I will key it.
I sincerely hope your Kia drives off a cliff and rids the world of yet-another clueless bimbo driver,
Me
Adios, naps
I thought that maybe JC would give up naps after the move, but apparently he's ready NOW. Not tomorrow, not in a few weeks, NOW.
He's still getting very cranky at the end of the day without them, but it's been an easier transition than I thought it would have been. He still will fall asleep in the car, if it's late afternoon, but LB sometimes does that, too. Sidenote: hopefully they will both doze off in the afternoons on our cross country drive!
It makes things a lot easier. I don't have to stop my day so he can get home to nap. And, he wouldn't be getting much sleep this week anyway, with all the work going on in our basement (asbestos removal... which really deserves its own post, but I'm preoccupied with other things, like the move and the bday party).
*sigh* He's growing up. No naps. Soon, no diapers. And next fall, preschool. Yikes... it's all going so fast.
He's still getting very cranky at the end of the day without them, but it's been an easier transition than I thought it would have been. He still will fall asleep in the car, if it's late afternoon, but LB sometimes does that, too. Sidenote: hopefully they will both doze off in the afternoons on our cross country drive!
It makes things a lot easier. I don't have to stop my day so he can get home to nap. And, he wouldn't be getting much sleep this week anyway, with all the work going on in our basement (asbestos removal... which really deserves its own post, but I'm preoccupied with other things, like the move and the bday party).
*sigh* He's growing up. No naps. Soon, no diapers. And next fall, preschool. Yikes... it's all going so fast.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
