SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR

I had the distinct pleasure of accompanying one of my BFF's, Teesha, to the Fox Theater to see the Soweto Gospel Choir last night.  It was AMAZING!!! I had the best time.  Want to see what they sound like??  Check this out...



I told Teesha, I felt like we were a part of the Cosby show last night.  Cosby did such a good job at showing culture of a large city.  Being there last night was one of the primary reasons I chose to move to a large city to begin with.  It was fun to see so many different cultures come together last night, dressed to the nines, and enjoying the praise and worship of Jesus!! 

Thank you Teesha!!

Week in Review - 2/21 thru 2/26/10

I felt well all week!! Woo hoo!!  So, here is my outfit line up for this past week...

 

Sunday - it was actually 60-degrees outside this day!!

 

Monday

Tuesday

 

Wednesday - Chili Cook-off Day at work! And it snowed in the morning...

Thursday - Apparently Preston likes this outfit!  LOL!

Chicken and Dumplings

I have been dreaming about the chicken and dumplings from my Dad's old restaurant.  On Tuesday I was able to make dinner for Erinleigh, George and Richard from this recipe that I got from Cooking.com.  Of course I changed it up, but just a tiny bit to use up what I already had at home.  It was a bit healthier than what the restaurant was (I'm just guessing) but it was all I remembered them to be and more.

Chicken and Dumplings

1 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 large carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2/3 cup smelt flour
32-ounce reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 3/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pre-cooked & diced
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
Corn Starch & Water (if necessary to thicken)

For Dumplings:
1 cup smelt flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup lowfat soymilk
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in carrots, celery, onion, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables; stir to coat. Stir in peas and the chicken. Slowly add chicken broth in a little at a time.  Bring to a simmer, stirring often.  If necessary, add corn starch to thicken.

To prepare dumplings:

Stir the milk and lemon juice together, let sit for a few minutes.  Stir smelt flour, all-purpose flour, poultry seasoning, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in milk mixture.

Drop the dough, 1 tablespoon at a time, over the simmering chicken stew. Adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook undisturbed until the dumplings are puffed, the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Spicy Southwestern Soup

I went to Bahama Breeze on Monday with my friend Elizabeth from work.  I wasn't feeling well and wanted soup and had their Mexican soup.  I loved it and thought I could recreate it and make it my own.  Here is what I have come up with.  My taste-tester Jennie loved it.  I think its my favorite soup so far.  And I eat a lot of soup!

Remember:  when I make soup I'm a lot like Rachael Ray in that I don't measure.  So these are all very rough measurements.

1/2 cup frozen corn
1/3 cup frozen tri-color sweet peppers
1 onion, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp chili power

32 oz chicken stock
32 oz homemade vegetable stock
1 potato, diced
3 stalks celery, sliced
2 carrots, diced
1/2 tsp chili power
couple pinches crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp cumin power
3/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 chicken breast, pre-cooked and sliced
1/2 cup lima beans
1 can diced tomatoes

Turn the broiler on high.  On a sheet tray:  the first 1/3: mix the corn, jalapeno, garlic and chili power together.  The second 1/3:  sweet peppers.  Last 1/3:  mix the onion and olive oil.  Broil mixing every 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are roasted.  You may need to take some of the vegetables out at different times, which is why you want to roast them seperately.

While veggies are roasting, in a large soup pot over medium-high heat add chicken stock and vegetable stock. Add the potato and let cook 5 minutes.  Add carrots and cook 5 more minutes.  Add celery and seasonings.  Bring the soup to a boil and turn down to medium heat. Add chicken and lima beans; cover.  Cook 5 more minutes.  Add tomatoes.  Simmer 10 more minutes.

I didn't have it here, however avocado would be a great topper!

 

Enjoy!!

Breakfast Drinks

I'm usually a huge, and I mean HUGE fan of coffee for breakfast.  I generally call it my sweet nectar of life!!  LOL!!

 

And I mean it.  However, when I don't feel well the deep flavor of good coffee just seems to much for me.  So, I have been drinking some home made chai tea.  I found a recipe from a Real Simple magazine that I tweaked slightly.  It's a spiced Indian drink and with the cinnamon and ginger it's good for the stomach and for being as sick/dizzy as I have been.  Also, its great to use the huge container of Lipton black tea that my mom bough for me forever ago to make sweet tea for my dad when he comes down. Here is the recipe...

For one coffee cup (double it for 2 people)

1/2 tsp ground cardamom (or 4 cardamom seeds)
4 cloves
2 black pepperconrs
1 cinnamon stick
1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
1 cup low-fat vanilla soy milk
2 bags black tea (I use Lipton but any kind will do)
1 tsp sugar (or more to taste)

Place the cardamom, cloves, and peppercorn in a tea bag.  Crush slightly.

Place the bag, cinnamon sticks, ginger, milk and 1/2 cup of water into a small sauce pan (I use the small container shown above); bring to a boil.  Remove from heat; add tea bags and cover.  Let seep for 10 minutes.

Put sugar in each cup.  Strain the tea into the cup and stir.

Enjoy!!

Week in Review - 2/14 thru 2/18

This past week has been crazy... in that I have slept all day just about every day.  I can't believe it has been a week.  I got sick and couldn't keep my eyes open.  I went to the doctor on Thursday and got a prescription because I have been feeling so dizzy.  Because of this, I only have 3 pictures for my outfits (I worked Sunday, most of the day Monday, and 1/2 day on Thursday).  I did have a request to know more about my closet & shopping habits.  I'll have to do that once the closet has been cleaned up!!

 

Sunday 2/14 - Happy Valentines Day!!

Monday - 2/15

Thursday - 2/18

But, before all that Angie and Kevin came down to visit.

Angie and Kevin at Highland Bakery

We went to Dublin, GA on Friday so they could check it out.  They may be moving there for Kevin's job which would be cool. Its a good 2 hour drive from Atlanta but a totally do-able drive.

 

Snow on Friday!! Boo!!

The rest of the weekend we explored food in the ATL... went to bruch at Highland Bakery on Friday (currently my favorite breakfast place in the A) and dinner at Fat Matt's for ribs (once again a favorite of mine). Saturday I make breakfast (pretty good if I say so myself) then Trader Joes to grocery shop, Sweetwater Brewery to tour, Krispy Kreme, and then Little 5 for dinner at the Vortex.  Sunday after church we went to Flying Biscuit for brunch.  Fun weekend with friends and food.

How to Make Your Own Beach Hair Spray

I have been missing Florida like crazy (especially with this crazy cold weather we have been having).  I also completely miss the feeling/smell of my hair after we spent the day at the beach.  I was finding some beach hair sprays that I could purchase but then I found one that I could make.  I haven't made it yet however I want to give it a shot.  Check it out!

What you need:
plastic spray bottle
sea salt
coconut oil, olive oil or light conditioner
essential oil
lemon juice (for lighting, optional)

1. Buy a plastic spray bottle from your local drugstore and pour water into it until it is mostly filled.
   
2. Add a few tsps. of sea salt (make sure it's sea salt and not just table salt). The more salt you add, the more "crunchy," textured, and beach-like your hair will be.
3. You need to add something moisturizing to combat the drying factor of the salt. You can use a little coconut oil, olive oil or even some light conditioner. Just don't add more than a dash so it doesn't weigh down your hair.
4. Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance and additional benefits. For example, rose essential oil is hydrating and smells great. Choose your favorite oil based on scent and healing properties.
5. Shake all the ingredients really, really well to get the ingredients to mix, or the oil will remain on the surface and the salt on the bottom. Spray all over your hair until very damp.
6. If your hair has a little natural wave, just scrunch your damp locks with your fingers a little and let air dry. If your hair is more naturally straight, you may need to twist your locks. Twist them into buns and pin on your head with bobby pins. When your hair is almost dry, unwrap your locks and shake them out gently.
7. If you plan on being out in the sun and want to add some lightening power, squeeze some lemon juice into your mixture. Then store the mixture in the fridge.
8. Enjoy your wavy, beach hair and tell everyone you just got back from a day by the sea!
   

Week in Review - 2/6 thru 2/11/10

Here is this week in review for my outfits.  Preston has been wanting to make an appearance in some of the photos so check him out too!! Hehe!!

 

Sunday

 

Monday

 

Tuesday

 

Wednesday

 

Thursday

Being that Thursday's outfit is all black it doesn't photograph well with my little iPhone now does it!!  And, do you like to fashionable rain boots on Tuesday??  I totally forgot I had them.

Dan @ X Games

Who's brother is cooler than mine?  No ones, that is the correct answer!  When I tell them about my brother guys are always jealous and say they want his life.  Most of the year he guides hunting/fishing/horseback riding expeditions of all kinds.  Right now he is working at Aspen Highlands on the ski lifts until the snow clears and he can go back to his regular job.  On top of this, he is an AMAZING photographer.

A few weeks ago he was able to attend the X Games and took some incredible shots... check them out!

Dinner Party

I had a dinner party tonight!! Woo hoo!! I haven't done one in so long because... well I don't quite remember why because it was great!  I was originally going to have Kasii, a new colleague, and her husband over for dinner as Kasii just moved her from Minnesota but then I thought they should meet some new people.  So I invited Teesha.  And then Jennie.  And then Jennie's friend Jeff and his (chef) roommate Bennett.

Bennett made the most amazing potato leek truffle!! Yummy!! He cut the potatoes super thin with a mandolin.  Man, do I want one of those!!  I love the leeks and I found out its called truffle because that is the oil that he used to cook it.

Jennie wanted me to make what she calls "Thanksgiving in your Mouth" since I couldn't blog it until I made it because I never quite remember what is all in it until I start throwing things together.  On the side I made a spinach salad with poached pears as well as butternut and acorn squash.  So, here it is... all that I made...


Thanksgiving Millet - aka Thanksgiving In Your Mouth

3/4 cup millet
4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 or 3 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup turkey, pulled apart
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1 tbsp parsley
1/4 tsp ground cloves
black pepper, to taste
chili powder, a pinch
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 apple, diced
1/4 cup dry Sun Dried Tomatoes, diced

I cook it all in my rice cooker but you could always cook it on the stove too.  I start by adding the millet, 2 cups broth, and cinnamon stick to the cooker and turning it on.  Then I chop and drop the celery and onion.  Pull the turkey apart and add it.  Add the seasoning and put the top on the rice cooker. You will need to stir occasionally and if it starts to go dry add more broth enough at a time to keep it a little runny. After about 20 minutes add the raisins, apples and sun dried tomatoes.  Continue to stir and add water as necessary.  The rice cooker will click off when it is done. 


Poached Orange Pears

 2 cups orange juice
1 cup Madeira wine
1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
 2 cinnamon sticks
8 bosc pears

Cut the stems and part of the base of the pear off so you can stand each pear up.  Cut the pair in half and core it.

In a large saucepan, bring the orange juice, Madeira, brown sugar and cinnamon stick to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add pears, standing up on base; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender but firm.


I changed up this recipe from August...

Maple Walnut Squash

1 acorn squash
1 butternut squash
2 cup walnuts
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried unsweetened coconut
1/2 apple, diced
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff (save the seeds for roasting if you want). Put the acorn squash in an 8 x 8 pan and then butternut squash in a 9 x 13 inch pan with the cut sides facing up.

In a food processor, combine the rest of the ingredients and pulse until the nuts and raisins are coarsely chopped. Scoop the walnut mixture into the scooped out sections of the squash.

Fill the bottom of the pans with water 1/2 inch high. Cover pan with foil and bake until squash flesh is tender (about 1 hour 15 minutes is how long it took for me).


Great food, great friends, and great wine... does it get any better than this!

Outfit Week in Review

I get a lot of compliments on my outfits and how I put them together, which I must say that I LOVE to hear!! [Blush] So, I have been thinking I want to keep track of the outfits I put together so I can remember things I have liked hoping that it would make the morning routine quicker.  In that effort I have been using my trusty phone to take pics and I figured why not upload them here.

To review my week, here were my outfits...

 

Sunday - January 31

Monday - February 1 

Tuesday - February 2

Wednesday - February 3

Thursday - February 4

I have pretty much kept to flats all week as my fibro has been acting up... crazy weather! But, I did buy a heating (electric) blanket on Sunday with a gift card I got for Christmas (clearanced out at Target - I got a king for my bed and a twin for my couch) and it has been doing wonders!! 

Please feel free to comment on the style choices...

Kai Lin Art

This weekend I was invited to go to an exhibition opening by my good friend and building-mate Jennie.  Even though I wasn't feeling the greatest this past weekend I really wanted to go... it sounded super fun. So I got myself off my couch, dolled up a bit, and headed out.  And I am so glad I did!!  Even Victor came out with a good friend of his to check it out.  Jennie gave me a few of her pictures so I thought I would share them with you...

 

  

 

Do you see the art behind us?? The name of the show was 'Popstars and Cokeheads'and the artist took coke cans and painted them in pop art! How fun is that??