Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Card Table Dinners: Corn, Zucchini, and Green Chili Burritos

I made these last night, and they were delicious. Not to mention inexpensive, super easy, and super fast. The recipe is from the June issue of Vegetarian Times. No, I am not a vegetarian, but I do try to cook at least one meatless meal a week. I subscribed hoping to find recipes and I did. As with any other recipe I did make some adjustments based on what I had in the pantry.

Ingredients:
Canola Oil
1 small onion (sliced or diced)
1 small zucchini (diced)
2 gloves of garlic, minced (I buy the jars of minced garlic. I put garlic in everything and its a huge time saver)
1 cup fresh or frozen corn (thawed if frozen)
1/3 cup black beans
1 Tbs. diced green chiles (Mine are from the can. I'll use the rest to make pork tacos next week)
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro (I used dry and eyeballed it)
2/3 cup shredded Monterey-Jack Cheese (Used Colby-Jack because it was in the fridge)
4 Tortillas (We used fajita sized)
Queso Fresco (optional, I just happened to have some)
Lime wedges (did not use)
  1. Heat the oil over medium heat. Add your onions and your zucchini and cook about 12 minutes or until tender and onions start to brown.
  2. Stir in garlic, corn, beans, and green chiles. Cook about 5 minutes or until everything is heated through.
  3. Stir in your cilantro and cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Divide mixture amongst your heated tortillas. (I heat my tortillas directly on the burners. After heating up the mixture, I turned off the burner. Then one by one I heat each side of the tortilla on the burner.) Top with the Queso fresco or other cheese. We also added reduced-fat sour cream. I used a little salsa on my first one, but found that it didn't need it. There was enough flavor in the mixture on its own.
This was such a good dish. Both Jon and I enjoyed it. Plus, you get the burrito effect without all of the calories.


Saturday, May 21, 2011

Say Yes to the Dress

Oh, and I did. UPS delivered my dress yesterday afternoon. They sent me an email notice of its delivery, and I immediately called my mom to make sure she got it. God forbid, they deliver to my neighbor or some crazy cross dresser down the street. But it arrived safely in one piece.

After a family dinner celebrating my parent's big 6-0, (Happy birthday Mom and Dad), my mom and I swung by the house so I could try it on. I can't even explain how beautiful this dress is. The material is luxurious. All made in the good old US of A. The satin liner is so soft to the touch. And the Alencon lace is gorgeous. Really, I can't describe it. If you're at the wedding, I will not get offended if you ask to touch the dress. Just, keep it PG, I will be a married woman. ;) 

As a bonus, they sent a swag bag! What! A swag bag. That's right. A little tote filled with all sorts of fun goodies. I received 2 wedding magazines which cost like $6 each. Trust me, I buy them from to time. I also got an OPI polish, MSRP of $8ish. A couture dress stain remover kit. This little guy is nifty. It has 3 different systems for all sorts of stains. Any type of stain from blood to liquor to vomit to bacon. Everything! Love it. I just hope I don't have to use it, especially to remove vomit. Gross.


My favorite part about my dress, is that I can say its from NYC. So glam!


Colby Man - My little Ring Barer

Colby and Grandpa


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wedding Miracle!

The past 24 hours have been a roller coaster of emotions. Yesterday, I was devastated. Unhappy with my wedding dress. Upset that the one I love had been sold. Bummed that I couldn't even find a pre-owned one on the internet. All hope was lost.

This morning I woke up determined. After a grueling workout and a delicious breakfast I sat down in front of my laptop. I started on Modern Trousseau's website. I called the NY flagship store. No answer, so I left a message. Basically explaining that I love the Lauren dress, but my local store had sold their sample. And I really wanted to wear that dress on my wedding day. What could I do to get my hands on one? I then called their other flagship store in Charlotte. Good news, but not great. I could get the Lauren dress and still time to have it for our wedding. Bad news, I was way off on the price. I must have mixed up prices back in September when I tried on the dress. I mean really mixed up prices. Huge difference. My heart sank a little.

European Bridal is still having a sample sale, so I decided that I would head down that way to see what other dresses were available. Since they don't open until noon, I decided to hit up a couple of thrift stores to find more vases for the reception.

As I was walking into St. Vincent de Paul, I got the most amazing phone call. It was April from NY. She said, "It must be fate." First thought that popped into my head was that she was going to explain how I can still order the dress in time for my wedding. But, NO!!! They are having their sample sale this weekend, and the Lauren dress is included and in stock!!!!! Big smile. I was so pumped. I proceeded to tell her how I was in tears last night and my local store had sold their sample. She said she had goosebumps. April loved my voice mail message and was so excited to call me back and give me the great news. The price is 50% off retail and no sales tax since its shipping from NY. After I hung up, I sat in my car and screamed at the top of my lungs. I called Jon and told him the great news. I did a happy dance in the parking lot of the thrift store. I proceeded to tell the clerk and another customer about my wedding miracle. I called my sister-in-law, Becky and told her the great news. And, I haven't stopped smiling since!

Tip: Not sure if all designers do this, but the Charlotte flagship store told me that their retail outlets can only mark down a dress by 10% and only on trunk shows (with the exception of samples). However, she was able to mark down the dress by 15%. After finding a dress you like, I would suggest calling the designer to see if you can get a better deal.

Card Table Dinners: Quick Skillet Hash

Yesterday I came across a recipe on EatingWell.com for a Florentine Hash Skillet. It was a quick and easy recipe for work mornings. I decided to change it up using the ingredients from by breakfast casserole I posted this past weekend. I loved that casserole so much, and I need to change up my usual. Plus, this incorporates some serious veggies and its filling.

Ingredients:
Artichokes (canned or frozen but thawed)
Spinach, Kale, or Swiss chard (any good green)
White Cheese (Mozzarella Veggie shreds)
Roasted Red Pepper (I dice a bunch then store them in the fridge so I don't have to get out the board and knife each time)
Goat Cheese
1 egg (I scrambled mine and added my all purpose seasoning. Also can cook over easy)

Heat some oil (I use canola) in a small skillet on Med-High heat. Then layer your ingredients. First the artichokes, then the Kale, the White cheese (to help hold it together), Roasted Red Peppers, and finally the goat cheese. Next dump your scrambled or over easy egg on top. Reduce the heat to Med-Low and cover. Cook until the egg sets. It should only take 4-7 minutes. While it cooks I put away my ingredients, pour my juice, and get out my vitamins. By the time I finish, its time to eat. Bon Apetit!

Eating Well's Hash Skillet Recipe

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Breakdown

Today I get an email from European Bridal announcing a sample sale. When I first looked at wedding dresses I fell in love with the Modern Trousseau Lauren dress. It was perfect. It was lace with straps, barely a train, light, and elegant. However, there was one small glitch: it was $1,400.


I ended up finding my dress at Bridal and Formal during one of their off the rack sales. I got it for only $94.71 with tax. I was pretty excited about it. We even picked out the bridesmaid's dresses that day. The most amazing part was we did it all before noon. However, I never loved the dress. I saw it as a work in progress. There are so many changes I want to make to it to make it look more like the one above.

I called European Bridal today after work to see if the Lauren dress was included in the sample sale. No dice. It had been sold a week or so ago. My heart was broken. I have been crying off and on all night and can't seem to stop. I look at pictures of me in my dress, and I just don't like it. Its strapless and goes up to far on my chest. The train is too long and there is too much tulle. I just look frumpy. I have realized its not the dress of my dreams. I fear I'm going to look terrible on my wedding day. I could have wonderful hair, nails, make-up, and shoes, but it all comes down to the dress. I bought based on price and not on a gut feeling. I am regretting not just buying the Lauren dress.

My mom and I went to the seamstress a couple of weeks ago to discuss some changes to my dress. It went pretty smoothly. I emailed her last week to see if other changes could be made, but I have yet to hear from her. I just don't know if my dress will ever be what I want it to be.

Tomorrow I am going to call my seamstress. I have to know. I'm also going to be all over the phone trying to possibly locate another Lauren sample dress. My chances are very slim. I may also pop over to the Bridal district and do some browsing. The problem is, I don't know if I would be able to get another dress.

People say its just one day, but its a day I'll remember for all my life. I want to remember looking and feeling like the best damn bride ever.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Card Table Dinners: Aritchoke, Red Pepper,and Goat Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Wow, that's a long title.

Anyways, I made this amazing casserole this morning and just had to share.

Ingredients:
  • Artichokes (I used frozen and simply popped them in the microwave for a few minutes)
  • Diced Roasted Red Peppers (From a jar. A staple in our house)
  • Shredded white cheese (I used Mozzarella Veggie Shreds)
  • Crumbled Goat Cheese
  • 4 Eggs/Milk
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. I sprayed a 6.5 by 7" casserole dish with cooking oil. It was only me and Jon, so it was plenty big. Use more eggs if using a bigger a dish. While the artichokes were thawing in the microwave, I scrambled my four eggs with a little bit of milk. I also added some Organic All Purpose seasoning to bump up the flavor.



Once the artichokes are thawed, layer them on the bottom forming a 'crust'.

Then sprinkle a thin layer of your 'white cheese'. Follow with your diced roasted red peppers and then the goat cheese. Finally, evenly pour your egg mixture on top. I completely forgot to take pics after laying down the artichokes. My apologies. It totally just slipped my mind, so no photo until after we had already eaten most of it.


Bake it in the oven for about 50 minutes. Its done when the eggs have completely set and you can pull the fork out cleanly. Below is a picture of the leftovers that I am looking forward to reheating in the oven tomorrow morning. Other additions that would taste amazing in this dish: green onion, sweet onion, garlic, asparagus, spinach, and/or bacon.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Treasure Hunt

To avoid the chore of painting our bathroom, I decided to go flea marketing to find vases for our wedding center pieces and bouquet vases. My first stop was Rink's Flea market in Mt. Healthy. Total waste of time. The place was a dump, most of the vendors were closed, and I am pretty sure I was the only customer there. On my back towards Cross County highway I literally passed the Covered Bridge Antique Mall. I made a quick right turn and parked around the block. This place is amazing. I must have spent over an hour perusing the rows of goodies. I found nothing for the wedding, but found some amazing items.

We are remodeling our living room and the colors are Sea Sprite (a blueish-green) and Toasted almond. Jon is going to cover our one wall in all shelving and cabinets for our TV and storage. I found some great tropical chotskies for the shelves. (I apologize for the sideways pics. For some reason, Blogger would not upload them right side up. Ugh, technology). 



A fun Hawaiian tin made in Durham County, England by George W. Horner and Co. Only $6.50.

 


Brass Peacocks. Pretty heavy duty and only $6.50 for the pair. Macy's would charge way more than that.

Tobacco Leaf plate made in Hong Kong. I love the little Mongoose's in the trees. Only $4.
Ceramic Calypso Dancer. She was half off so the total was $8.50.

Butterfly necklace. My first find as soon as I walked in the door. The clasp needs replaced but it was only $4.50.

Vintage Coke bottle case. My most expensive buy at $16. Perfect for displaying shot glasses. Special thanks to my Mom and Dad for the idea.
Overall I spent $49 and had a wonderful time. Things that I really wanted, but couldn't buy included a mounted carousel piece for $300, a dry bar for $165, and a beautiful Bone China tea set from England, but the set of 8 would have put me back $96. The owner had mentioned they sold many sets for Royal Wedding tea parties. Perhaps another time. I'll be sure to share photos of my treasures on display as soon as we get the living room finished. The address for the antique shop is: 7508 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45231-4308