Funny of the Day

This really cracked me up: Jennsylvania: New New Moon

'Tis Not Quite The Season

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm going to a gift wrapping class this weekend. We have to bring a shirt box to wrap, and so as not to be wasteful, I of course bought a gift to put in that shirt box so I could put it under the tree come Christmastime.

Problem is, I told myself I wasn't going to buy any Christmas gifts until after Thanksgiving (meaning, 12:01am Black Friday) - but now I've gone and bought one and I've put myself into the Christmas shopping spirit too early! It's all I can do not to go to the Container Store and grab up their precious stocking stuffers this weekend (though you can't wait to long on those, they sell out so quickly).

How early is too early? When do you start your shopping? While we're on the topic, I'd also love to hear how people's families do gifts - do you go all out? Do you set limits? Do you draw names? Do you skip gifts altogether?

I've been telling my families we should draw names, and do one big present for that person, and then get the other family members one small something. And that we shouldn't be so list-oriented, it's more fun to get surprises, to really figure out something good for someone. This has not gone over well, everyone likes to give (and secretly, or not so, everyone likes to get) and everyone likes to makes lists (as I have done now... on www.wishlistr.com, which I saw another blogger using). I'm thinking maybe I should not rock the boat, because I know as soon as grandkids come around, it's bye-bye presents for us. Also, who am I to take away the pleasure of shopping from the moms? (I was with Diana at The Limited during a 40% off everything sale. It was amazing.)

Pretty Packages

If you live in Houston, are available this Saturday, and like giving pretty presents, oh have I got a treat for you!

The owner of Package Pretty & Parties, Too! is teaching a gift wrapping/bow making class this Saturday at Anything But Plain, the faux finishing company Robert's mom works for. Here are the details:

Time: Saturday, November 14 9am - 12pm
Place: Anything But Plain, 12539 Duncan, Suite D Houston, Texas 77066
Cost: $50
Registration: Call 281-444-2070 (or you can call me)
Bring: Shirt box to wrap (better with a present inside!)

Robert's mom Diana, sister Kristen, my mom Pam, and I are all going, and we're excited!

House Hunters Revisited

Hooray! The first time homebuyer's credit has been extended until April 30, 2010! Robert and I took a gamble and decided to wait to buy a house until next year so we could save more money for closing - and it paid off! Well... it will pay off, on our 2010 tax refund.

The true search for Our First Home will probably not start until January but that doesn't mean I can't bookmark 100 houses on HAR until then! I might also throw in a little furniture browsing, maybe pick out new linens...

I am so excited to buy a house (be it in the loop or in the burbs, still a debate, though after visiting model homes in Katy I've been swayed just a tad to the Other Side) - to make a real home with Robert, it's what I've been wanting for 3 years and I can't believe it's almost time to make it happen.

(In my head, buying a house means I'll all the sudden know just how to decorate, and become an amazing cook, and throw fabulous parties, and be the best wife... is that how it works? Maybe not, but that won't stop me from trying.)

My November

Current Book(s): Handle With Care, Jodi Picoult

Current Playlist: I'm not doing a lot of music right now

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Halloween candy

Current Color: Black. Black jeans, black leggings, black vest, black taco

Current Drink: Sol!

Current Food: Bananas. I WILL make myself like them!

Current Favorite Show: 30 Rock! It's back! I love it!

Current Wishlist: A bicycle

Current Needs: Self-discipline

Current Triumphs: I've beat Bakers Game (Easy) on my iPhone 3 times in a row (it's hard!)

Current Bane(s) of my Existence: See Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure

Current Celebrity Crush: Robert Pattinson. I've got the fever. And this is the only line item getting a picture this month.

Current Indulgence: Again, see Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure

Current #1 Blessing: Health, all around

Current Outfit: Leggings and long sweaters, like last month, plus a scarf.

Current Excitement: Having no plane flights in my future. Austin 2 times this month. THANKSGIVING! Fall weather.

Current Mood: Comfortable

Current Link: It's going to be www.har.com again this month.

I cooked! And I liked it!

Sarah posted a recipe for Potato Leek Soup a few weeks ago, and I commented that I would make this at the Hanley's house - so last night Mr. H and I made this soup and we really liked it!

Our modifications are to use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream, to nix the creme fraiche altogether, and to use a boat motor to puree the soup in the dutch oven instead of transferring it all to a food processor (does the same job with less mess).

We also learned to watch the shallots very carefully in the oven, because they crisp quickly, and most of ours burnt.

From http://www.dailydooley.blogspot.com/

(From "Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics," by Ina Garten )
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
4 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts, cleaned of all sand (4 leeks)
1/4 cup good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cups baby arugula, lightly packed
1/2 cup dry white wine + extra for serving
6 to 7 cups chicken stock
3/4 cup heavy cream
8 ounces creme fraiche
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese + extra for garnish
Crispy Shallots, optional

Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°.Combine the potatoes and leeks on a pan in a single layer. Add the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss to coat the vegetables evenly. Roast for 40-45 minutes, turning them with a spatula a few times during cooking, until very tender. Add the arugula and toss to combine. Roast for 4-5 more minutes, until the arugula is wilted. Remove the pan from the oven and place over two burners. Stir in the wine and 1 cup of the chicken stock and cook over low heat, scraping up any crispy roasted bits sticking to the pan. In batches, transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor fitted with the steel blade, adding the pan liquid and about 5 cups of the chicken stock to make a puree. Pour the puree into a large pot or Dutch oven. Continue to puree the vegetables in batches until they're all done and combined in the large pot. Add enough of the remaining 1 to 2 cups of stock to make a thick soup. Add the cream, cream fraiche, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and check the seasonings.When ready to serve, reheat the soup gently and whisk in 2 tablespoons white wine and the Parmesan cheese. Serve hot with an extra grating of Parmesan cheese and Crispy Shallots, if using.

Thanks Sarah!!

Client Service Week

More like EAT UNTIL YOU DIE Week.

I am in Chicago this week for a client service celebration. This involves games, team building activities, puzzles, and most of all, tons and tons of junk food. So far this week I have eaten the following things at work:

Bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast croissant (I don't even normally eat bacon)
Approximately 25 pieces of candy
A twinkie
Apple turnover (which I didn't like, and scraped the icing off of)
Chocolate chip cookie
3 bites of cantelope and 2 bites of watermelon
Pretzels
Broccoli cheese soup with a baguette
Turkey sandwich, Doritos on the side
5 double-stuff Oreos
1 watermelon Blow-pop
Piece of bavarian creme cake
Piece of banana-walnut-cream bread

Not to mention what I've had outside of work (chicken tender salad, enchiladas verdes, 2 nights of chips & salsa, a turkey combo, and a full plate of panang curry).

I am stuffed. I am nauseous. I am going to bust my jeans. I feel disgusting.

And yet... I have a feeling the list is not over yet.