Addicted

Oh Diary I have discovered JetMax cubes. Oh happy day! They are these cute mix and match cubes that you can put together to make craft desks. I have been on a coupon clipping once a day trip to Michaels mission!I need to get two more cubes to complete my desk- my cute desk that fits perfectly into the spare room's closet. So cute!

LONG TIME NO POST

As I sit somewhat jaded watching the premiere of the new season of the Next Food Network Star ( so far the finalists are on their SECOND individual challenge, wish I had had the opportunity- don't be a hater Jen ) I have got the urge to break into Dear Dairy. It's pretty pathetic how I have let this little blog just collect some dust! I'll do better Diary- so sorry! Last time I was here was in NOVEMBER?! Wow 7 months? Are you serious? Anyway ok what do I have that is profound and witty... Profound... Gabe and I are having a BABY! I'd say that's leaning on the profound side when it comes to updates. Baby Isham is due this December... so in less time than I have been away from this blog. That puts things into perspective... I have a lot to do! lately, I have been asked A LOT if I have any pregnancy cravings without hesitation I answer every time with the same answer- Chicken Piccata. Of course being the foodie I am it's not simple like chocolate or the quintessential pickle... it's Chicken Piccata. So the fridge is stocked with a whole bunch of capers and garlic and lemons... mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
MISS YOU DEAREST DIARY!
Oh and witty... I should have not been kicked off first last year- maybe that wasn't so much witty HELLO BITTER

The Unexpected

Dear Diary-
My day is all frazzled up now because i have had a monkey wrench thrown into my little life leaving me scratching my head over some new possibilities... ughhh could be good though we will see...
I wish I had my camera with me to take pictures of my adventures but it got sand in it in St Thomas and the lens no longer works.. so picture a crispy looking super delicious chicken that i baked last night here.... and here is the recipe OH YUMMMMMM
Spanish Olive Baked Bird
1 whole chicken, rinsed and patted dry ( take the bag of gizzards out of the cavity COLLEEN! )
1 cup of small green spanish olives
1 large red onion cut into big chunks
olive oil
butter
Adobo Seasoning

Preheat oven to 425
place onions and olives in bottom of baking dish
season the chicken liberally with the adobo seasonings on all sides and in the cavity
cook in the oven uncovered for 1 hour and 45 min or until temperature in the chicken is 180, baste the chicken several times with the pan dripping to make a super crispy bird
remove the chicken from the pan and let rest
sprinkle some flour into the pan and whisk together with the juices to make a perfect pan gravy

Slacker

Dear Diary-

I have been such a slacker with my postings... but it was for good reason.... I just got back from St Thomas! :) oh so so much fun Diary! I saw such pretty beaches and had a blast with friends for My Colleen's birthday... recipes... well the food prices were OUT OF CONTROL there. I think chicken was like 27.99 a pound! But i did get one good recipe... sip sip!

THE PAIN KILLER

2 oz Dark Rum

1 oz Cream of Coconut

4 oz Pineapple Juice

1 oz Orange Juice

Splash of Grenadine

Garnish with fresh ground Nutmeg

Cold Weather and Crazy Purchases

Dear Diary-

I do not even know where to begin.... my love came home Friday night from a work trip and I was so happy to see him. So Saturday I left him for a little bit- he was on his own for maybe an hour. I get a call from Gabe when I was out with my mom and he told me that he made a purchase that I wasn't going to be to happy about...i had a hundred thing running thru my mind NEVER could i have imagine what he was going to tell me. He said he bought a bear- i was like why would you buy a teddy bear? He let me know that it was not a teddy bear... it was a bear that used to be alive that was now skinned and adhered to felt. I could have died- Gabe was so proud. Ugh Diary who goes out and buys a bear after seeing something furry at a garage sale? So now Gabe has a bear on the wall next to his 8 foot long fish tank that he refers to as his "show piece". Seeing that his office now resembles some sort of tropical camping lodge and it was "cold" out. Being in Florida if it drops below 75 it's considered cold. Anyway I was inspired to make some chili. The boys came over and watched football outside in the back patio and made fun of Gabe and his bear....

Chili
2 teaspoons oil
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb lean ground beef
3/4 lb beef sirloin, cubed
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 can dark beer
1 cup strong coffee
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 can beef broth
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 1/2 tablespoons chili sauce
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon cocoa
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon salt
2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans
1 jalepeno pepper, chopped

Heat oil, cook onions, garlic and meat until brown.
Add tomatoes, beer, coffee, tomato paste and beef broth.
Add spices Stir in 2 cans of kidney beans and peppers.
Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Jerkie's Dinner

Dear Diary-

Now that I think about it, Dear Diary started in culinary school. A select few of us all had our little books that we jotted down recipes and food tips- but we would also trade and then write Dear Diary entries in each other's books. Chef Heather made fun of our Diaries but it brought Ben, Natalie, Ashley and I great joy.... ahh MEMORIES!

So this is my favorite Dear Diary friend's dinner from last night. Ben aka Jerkie made an amazing poached Halibut. It almost looked like a vegetable terrine of sorts. But no... when I asked Jerkie about it he told me it was fish. Looks DELICIOUS! So here is Jerkie's recipe....

Take a piece of fish, throw some salt and pepper on it, add tomato confit on the top, basil leaves on bottom, douse in olive oil, wrap in plastic wrap and put the whole packet in simmering water for a few mins

My Art minus Spell Check

Dear Diary-

ohhhh wow only 11 days til i fly away to paradise for Colleen's birthday party! I can't wait- it's all i can think about and therefore i made some art....but i forgot the use spell check and so it's not a real masterpiece....