Thursday, April 29, 2010

Week in Review - 4.25 thru 4.29

Here is my outfits for this week minus one day (since I didn't work on Sunday as I was in the mountains).  Enjoy!!

Monday
Jeans: Diesel
Shirt:  Gap
Shoes: Target


Tuesday
Jeans: Express
Shirts:  Target
Shoes:  Dillards


Wednesday
Jeans:  Diesel
Stripped Shirt:  Express
Black Cardagin:  Anthony's in Florida
Belt:  Armani Exchange
Shoes:  Biviel

Thursday
Dress:  J Crew
Cardagin:  Forever 21
Scarf:  Nordstroms
Shoes:  Kate Spade

That's it! Hope you like!!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Worship LIke Jesus Weekend

 Teesha, Me, and Odessa


I had a great time with my small group ladies this weekend.  We drove up to Blue Ridge, Georgia and spent a weekend with some really fun people (including Odessa's fiance Eric). 

Friday night we met everyone around a beautiful bonfire.  We got to eat s'mores and listen to Patrick play guitar and sing.  We found out that we had 3 separate, huge cabins that we got to be in.  Odessa and I were placed in one room and Teesha got a room all to herself.  Luckily O and I were upstairs cause it was so warm and cozy!!

Odessa, Todd Fields, Me, & Teesha

Saturday it rained all day, which you would think would be a downer, however, it made it very easy to stay inside our amazing cabin to sit by a fire, read, take naps, and hang out in the hot tub.  In the morning we sang and listened to great talks about what it's like to worship like Jesus.  Then all the relaxing. After relaxing we ate dinner, listened to Todd Fields play some amazing music and enjoyed hanging out.  Afterwards, Teesha, Odessa and I went back to our to hang in together and watch '27 Dresses.'

Sunday morning we ate breakfast with everyone before having Sunday worship.  Our speaker, Loise, rocked it.  He gave me a lot to think about. 

All in all it was an amazing weekend.  As you know with me, I am not the best at remembering to pull out my camera to take pictures.  I did take a few which I have uploaded here.  As I get pictures from others I'll also add them to the link so feel free to stop back again later!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Chicken Chard Coconut Marsala

Umm yumm.  As a cook I rock!! On Thursday I made an amazing dinner for Jennie and Jeff.  They said so too, I'm not just tooting my own horn.  Haha!! 

I was going to be out of town for the weekend so I needed to use up the fresh veggies that I had in the fridge and I've been eying this recipe for a while.  Since I didn't really have what the recipe called for and since I needed to use up ingredients I took what I considered the essence of the original and made the following.  Which we all loved.  Jennie made me blog it right away so we wouldn't forget it. 

Chicken Chard Coconut Marsala

1 cup brown rice
3 cups vegetable broth
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 lb. sweet potato potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (4 cups)
2 chicken breasts, diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
1 large carrot, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
1/4 red pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. minced fresh ginger
6 oz red chard, stalk removed, chopped
1 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. turmeric
11/2 tsp. garam masala
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 can light coconut milk
1 tbsp. fresh taragon 

  1. Put the rice and veggie stock in a rice cooker and start. In the steamer insert put the potatoes and cook until just tender.
  2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink. 
  3. Add onion and carrot, and sauté 8 minutes, or until soft. 
  4. Add zucchini and red pepper and cook until just soft. 
  5. Add garlic and ginger and sauté 1 minute, or until fragrant. 
  6. Stir in coriander, cumin, garam masala, red pepper flakes and turmeric. Add chard and stir.
  7. Add coconut milk and water, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. 
  8. Add steamed potatoes, and sauté 1 to 2 minutes, to coat with spices.  Bring to a simmer.
  9. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 5 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken.
  10. Stir in taragon.  Cook 2 to 3 minutes more. 
Why didn't I take a picture of it.  We ate it all too quickly!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Week In Review - 4.18 thru 4.22

Here you go...

Sunday
Dress: Esprit
Cardigan: J Crew
Shoes:  Target


Monday
Shirt: Banana Republic
Jeans: Diesel
Belt:  Armani Exchange
Shoes:  Biviel
Scarf:  Express


Tuesday
Green Shirt:  Gap
Flower Shirt:  Anthropologie
Cords: Ann Taylor
Shoes: Nine West


Wednesday
Shirt:  Banana Republic
Jeans:  Express
Shoes:  Kate Spade


Thursday
T-Shirt:  Gift From A Friend
Cardigan: Forever 21
Jeans:  Ann Taylor
Shoes:  Nine West

That was my week.  Hope you enjoyed!!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

I heart the crock!!

Another crock pot recipe!!  I'm contemplating  removing my coffee maker and making the crock a permanent fixture on my counter top.  Really, I use the coffee maker like once every few months because work has a Keurig and I generally use my moka pot when I make a latte at home.  And, I have been using the crock pot more like weekly and I love it!!  Quick, easy, and boy does my house smell good.

Tuesday night I made the following for Erinleigh, George, and Richard.  Want to see something cool??!!?!?  Check out this blog...  Standing.  That's all I'm going to say.  Well, that and WOOOOO HOOO!!!!

Ok, back to food.  The original is here.  And here is what I did...

Chicken Madras With Curry

3 onions, diced
2 apples, peeled, cored and diced
1 medium butternut squashed, seeds removed and diced
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp Indian curry powder (yellow)
1 4lb frying chicken
1/2 tsp chicken seasoning
1/2 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste

In crockpot, combine onion, apples and squash; sprinkle with cinnamon and curry powder. Mix well.  Remove the skin from the chicken, arrange breast side up over onion mixture. sprinkle with paprika, chicken seasoning, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, until chicken is tender.

I made this with some brown rice.  Yummo!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Cooking School

Monday night Jennie, Jeff, and Bennett came over for dinner and boy did we eat!! It was all amazing.  I can't pick a favorite!

I made the following:

Beer Can Chicken
Click on the link for the recipe.  It's an oldie but a goodie!


Watermelon Basil Salad

6 cups cubed seedless watermelon
1 thinly sliced shallot
10 basil leaves, thinly sliced
5 mint leaves, thinly sliced
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Mix all together.  Refrigerate, covered at least 20 minutes.


Jennie made an amazing cucumber tomato salad.  I think this is approximately what she put together:

Cucumber Tomato Salad

4 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and diced
4 tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 bunch dill, chopped
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all together.  Refrigerate, covered at least 20 minutes.   She had mozzarella on the side for those who can have cheese.  Feel free to get mozzarella balls and add them to this.


Finally Bennett made a wonderful Jicama slaw salad which I loved!  I think this is about what he did:

Jicama Slaw Salad

2 jicama, peeled and thinly sliced with a mandolin
1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced with a mandolin
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced with a mandolin
2 oranged, sectioned and juiced
champagne vinegar
olive oil
salt and pepper



Mix all together.  Refrigerate, covered at least 20 minutes.


I love these kind of dinner parties!! The food was all so fresh and amazing! And the company rocked.  After dinner we all took a quick stroll around the duck pond.  Then the boys went home and Jennie and I watched Beauty & A Briefcase on ABC Family.  Boy was it perfect for the pre-teen... probably why we loved it so much!! Haha!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Do.Justice

On Saturday thousands of singles in Atlanta gathered together to serve for an annual event called Do.Justice.  How cool is that?? 


I was lucky enough to be one of the masses and cleaned up trash in Adamsville.  Here are some of the ladies that I served with.  I enjoyed meeting some new people and doing it again next year.  I can't tell you all the stats of all the work that was done however I'm sure that Buckhead Church will soon have the info up on their blog.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Week In Review - 4.11 to 4.15

So, fashion time!! Here is what I wore all last week...

Sunday
Dress:  BCBG
Shoes:  Frye


Monday
Shirt:  Gap
Scarf: Express
Pants: Express


Tuesday
T-Shirt:  NYC
Sweater:  Nordstroms
Jeans: The Loft
Shoes: Nine West


Wednesday:
Tank: Anthony's in Florida
Shirt: Forever 21
Jeans: Express
Shoes: Target


Thursday
Dress: Macy's
Tank:  (actually sports bra) Target
Jacket:  Sisley

Hope you enjoyed!!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Mixed Up Millet

I have been eying this recipe for weeks (and weeks) without making it. I finally made it for Erinleigh, George, and Richard on Tuesday, however I made it with waaaaaay more veggies and with what I have on hand at home. So, it doesn't actually look much anything like the original recipe however I loved it.


Kristie's Mixed Up Millet

Olive oil spray
1 sweet potato, diced
1 leek, cleaned and chopped
1 cup uncooked millet
10 small mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 jalapeno, seeds removed and diced
3 cups homemade vegetable broth
2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
turkey breast, cooked and diced1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen spinach
1/2 cup frozen collard greens
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pinch of cayenne pepper
1 pinch of chili powder
black pepper
5 leaves fresh basil, finely chopped
1 can Rotel tomatoes, not drained

  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.  Spray with olive oil spray and add sweet potato.  Cook, stirring frequently.  
  • Add leeks and millet to the skillet and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. 
  • Add garlic, mushrooms, and jalapeno and cook 1 minute more. 
  • Stir in broth, chicken, turkey, corn, spinach, collards, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and pepper; bring to a boil. 
  • Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until millet is cooked, about 30 minutes. 
  • Uncover skillet and gently stir inbasil and Rotel.  Cover and cook about 5 more minutes.

It looks like a lot in the ingredients list, however it was really easy to make and it had great flavor! Yummy!!  If you want something with less ingredients check out the original.  It looks very good too!!!!!!! Enjoy!!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Sunday in the City

After work on Sunday I decided that I want to learn how to grill.  Believe me when I say that I think this each spring, try it once, and decide its not worth the hassle of getting everything together, going down to the courtyard with bags and dog in tow, forgetting matches, going back up to get them, then waiting for the grill to heat up, grilling and then toting everything back upstairs.

None the less, I tried it again this year.  So, after work I went home and got kabobs made.  And after chilling on the roof with Jennie and then us taking Preston for a walk I went down to the grill. And sitting outside with Preston waiting for food to cook made me think I could do this more often.  It was a beautiful Sunday.  Did I do a great job... no.  Was the food good in the end... yes.  Moral of the story...
  • Turn the heat down on the grill.  
  • Turn potatoes more often. 
  • Bring a watch.
Sorry guys, no pictures. What was I thinking??!?

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Few Things You Must Know

I had a wonderful weekend!!  Very busy but very fun...

On Friday some girlfriends and I did 'Brunch & a Market' by going to Ria's Bluebird Cafe and then the Dekalb Farmers Market.  Ria's has crazy ridiculously yummy food!! I had the brisket breakfast.  The other ladies got different breakfasts and we each tried bites of each other's food and I have to say each one was amazing!!

Friday night my Aunt Sue and cousins Alex and Wes came thru Atlanta on their way from Florida to Indiana.  They thought they were going to make it into the city in time for dinner however traffic dictated otherwise and they made it at about 10pm instead.  So, Aunt Sue and I had a glass of wine and we all hung out on the roof for a little bit.

In the morning Aunt Sue, Wes and I let Alex sleep in (like all teenage young ladies like to do) and we took Preston out to the dog run and then up to the roof so they could see the ATL skyline in the daylight.  Of course we went back up again after Alex was up and moving too.  Since it was almost lunch time and when asked Wes said he wanted steak for breakfast, so we decided to nix breakfast all together and head to Fat Matt's for rib.  Yummo!!  I don't know of better ribs.  I figure they liked it too cause between the 4 of us we at a rack and a half of ribs PLUS a half chicken.  Lots of meat!



At night I went to 1010 in Midtown to meet up with VJ and some other friends to hang out at the pool.  Amazing pool it was. But after a bit we were hungry so we headed to Piola and had an amazing time hanging out at the bar, meeting the staff, and eating waaaaaay to much.  If you are ever in Midtown you need to stop here.  It is the best!! 


 And, they have my favorite (which I have now learned how to make) Aperol Spritz!!  Woo hoo!!



Finally, one more thing you just must know, especially if you own an iPhone.  Ok, so only if you own an iPhone.  Did you know there is an App called Scout Mob??  If not, you must download immediately!! It finds your location and then gives you a coupon on your phone for a percentage off at local restaurants, shops, boutiques, etc.  When you get to the location you show them the Scout Mob coupon to receive the discount.  Thank you Tom for showing me this app!!  

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Ham in the Crock Pot

I have been thinking a lot about my dad's famous ham.  And I really wanted to make it for Erinleigh, George, and Richard last Tuesday.  The problem:  I didn't have time to watch it cook in the stove.  The solution:  make it in the crock pot.  It is so delicious people will think you slaved for hours to make it.

Kristie's Dad's Ham Recipe


2 to 3 lbs semi-bone ham
2 cups Vernors Ginger Ale (or whatever you have on hand, however my dad swears by this only)
1 cup brown sugar
5 to 10 full cloves

Place the ham, cut side down in a crock pot.  Score the ham and place the cloves in the score.  Add the ginger ale over top.  Pack the brown sugar on top of the ham.  Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours.


On the side I got corn left over from an event at work.  It was from Boston Market and I love that they put garlic with it.  And then I also made Sweet Potato Casserole. 

Sweet Potato Casserole

2 medium sweet potato, cut into thin slices
1 medium zucchini, cut into thin slices
2 medium yellow squash, cut into thin slices
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
2/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup water
couple pinches salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
splash of extra virgin olive oil
splash of maple syrup

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.  In an 8 x 8 pan layer the casserole as follows:
1/3 sweet potato slices
1/2 of the raisins
1/2 of the nuts
1/2 of the zucchini slices
1/2 of the yellow squash slices
1/3 of the sweet potato slices
Rest of the nuts and raisins
Rest of the zucchini slices
Rest of the yellow squash slices
Remainder of the sweet potato slices

Whisk the rest of the ingredients together and pour over the casserole.  Cover the pan with foil and bake for about an hour.


I really enjoy the time I get to spend with the Jui's!!  Erinleigh and I have been taking the dogs for a walk each Tuesday and its fun to hear all about the going ons of their life.  :)

Friday, April 09, 2010

Turkey-Pineapple Stir-Fry for a Vaccuum

The best ever!! So Carlos brought me a vacuum yesterday and to say thank you I made dinner.  I thought about grilling but it was nasty weather all day, well until we got home.  But, I already had the ingredients for a good stir fry so stir fry it was.  And it was gooooood!  I found the original recipe here.  And here is what I did...

Turkey-Pineapple Stir-Fry 

3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoon cornstarch
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
3 medium carrots, thinly sliced
2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into chunks
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
1 medium sweet onion, cut into strips
12 ounces frozen pea pods, thawed
12 ounces cooked turkey breasts, cut into pieces
3 cups hot cooked brown rice

For sauce: In a small bowl, stir together chicken broth, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and garlic; set aside.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and pineapple; cook for 3 minutes. Add onion and peppers. Cook and stir about 2 minute more or until vegetables are crisp-tender.  Push vegetables from center of skillet. Stir sauce; add to center of skillet. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add turkey and pea pods; heat through. Serve with hot cooked brown rice.


Mmmmm.... you will thank me later!

After dinner we took Preston for a little walk around the duck pond.  It was great to be able to enjoy the evening since the rain had gone and the sun was shining.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Week In Review - 4.4 - 4.8

So, this past week I have been super busy.  I want to blog about it but need to find the time.  Mainly, it has been so nice outside I haven't been sitting inside to blog.  But, I will hopefully have a few good posts coming up.

On this one... here is my clothing week in review.  Monday has been skipped as we had it off from work :)

Happy Easter Sunday!!
Dress: Forever 21
Jacket: Sisley


Tuesday
Jeans:  Express
Tank top and flower shirt:  Forever 21
Jacket:  Anthony's in Florida
Shoes:  Target


Wednesday
Turquoise Shirt: Express
White Cardigan:  Forever 21
Jeans:  The Loft


Thursday:
Stripped Shirt:  Gap
Jacket:  Forever 21
Jeans:  Express
Shoes:  Dillards


I have started to notice that I have a pattern each week.  Not on purpose but I must just get into specific moods.  Generally its a color.  But looking at it this week it was a store... Forever 21.  It seems that I wore something from there almost every day.  Weird!!

Also, people have asked how I pick what I wear.  Generally whatever I feel comfortable in that day.  What makes me feel pretty when I look in the mirror.  And what I feel confident in when I walk around.  I think feeling confident makes the outfit.  Given this is how I pick what I wear I generally try on a few different outfits before I walk out the door.  And, when I am looking thru my closet if I see some combo of clothing that I would like to wear together but on a different day I'll put them together so I don't forget to try it out. 

Finally, the icing on the cake is jewelry.  Don't do too much.  Don't do too little.  Its gotta be just right... for me that means earrings, a ring (generally something chunky) and maybe a necklace or two, or a bracelet or two.  And they all need to reflect the same mood.

Confused??  Welcome to  my world!!

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Week in Review - 3.28 to 4.1

A little bit late is better than never...

Sunday 
Dress:  Macy's
Jacket: Sisley
Boots:  Dan Post


Monday:
Polka Dot Shirt: Sweet Pea
Sweater:  Nordstrom
Jeans:  Diesel
Shoes: Biviel
Belt:  Armani Exchange


Tuesday
Undershirt:  Wet Seal
Brown Floral Shirt:  Old Navy
Sweater:  Victoria Secret
Pants: The Loft
Shoes:  Nine West


Wednesday
Dress:  J Crew
Shirt & Shoes:  ???

Thursday
Shirt: Abercrombie & Fitch
Undershirt:  Forever 21
Pants: Anthropologie
Shoes:  Target

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Roast... yummy!!

I heart slow cooker recipes.  I love it when I am walking down the hallway of my apartment and can smell it cooking.  Sometimes I even forget that I started the slow cooker and as I'm walking home I think, 'oh that smells so good I wish I had someone cooking for me' and then I walk in my place and boom it hits me that it is my food!  Haha!! Love it!!

Anyway, my friend Sue once made a roast for me and a few other people that I loved and that was super easy.  I thought why not give it a go for Erinleigh, George and Richard.  So I brought the roast, potatoes, and carrots.  I also made gravy out of the juice and got some whole wheat hamburger buns that I toasted in the oven with garlic salt.
 
Beef Roast

1 can of dark beer
1 can of French onion soup (or a packet of French onion soup mix)
3 lbs beef (whatever kind of roasting meat you would like)

Put the beef in the slow cooker.  Mix the beer and soup together and put over top.  Add some water if you would like.  Put it on slow and let it cook for 8 to 10 hours. 

In the last few hours I added the carrots, just to cook the carrots.

Friday, April 02, 2010

Tacos!!!

I found a recipe in the Self magazine for Zucchini and Corn Tacos.  Here is what I made out of it...

Zucchini and Corn Tacos

3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 cups frozen white or yellow corn kernels
1 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 
1 medium zucchini, diced
2 medium yellow squash, diced
1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup frozen edamame, thawed
1 teaspoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon cilantro
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cans original Rotel tomatoes
1 breast cooked chicken, cubed
Salsa (whatever kind you like)
8 warm corn tortillas
 
In a 200 degree oven cook the corn tortillas until the are hard.
 
Heat half of oil in a large skillet over high heat. Toast corn 5 minutes, stirring; season with salt. Remove corn; set aside. 
 
Heat remaining 1 tbsp plus 1 1/2 tsp oil in skillet. Cook onion, stirring, until it caramelizes, 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 to 2 minutes. Add zucchini and yellow squash; cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes; season with salt. Add corn, beans, edamame, oregano, pepper, Rotel and chicken. Cook 3 minutes. Split filling among tortillas; top each with 1 1/2 tsp salsa.


It was very good and super easy!!  I made it for Teesha last Sunday when she came over for our accountability group and had it as left overs for multiple lunches... yummy!!