kdr*S

Man Night

I know that I can speak for Keesha in saying that we both Love our Husbands and their is nothing more important than making sure that they are happy and full at the end of a long day.

Well a few Thursday ago we were cooking our normal Thursday Night "Family Dinners" and the men thought that we were taking to long. NO, they did not say "what the heck is taking you women so long" but they did keep coming in and looking around, and tasting the items that we done and looking sad... so Keesha had a SWELL idea... MAN NIGHT!!!

The men in our lives were responsible for making dinner. So in true manley form they decided to have pizza.

They were so cute texting each other getting their menu together. Planning who was buying what and who's house dinner was going to be at that evening.

When Courtney and I got to Keesha and DJ's, the Ladies simply went into the other room and chilled out. It was SO NICE. We got to catch up and watch Project Runway in peace (without having to hear my husband commenting the sexualities of the contestants). Now, of course we had to go into the kitchen and complain about them taking so long but it was all in good fun.

Other than a few technical questions here and there the guys did their thing and it was delicious.

I wish I could share their recipes with you all but they are top secret. I do know that we had:

Vegetarian Italian Sausage Pizza w/spicy pepper tomato sauce and Mozzarella cheese

Pesto and Tomato Pizza with Feta Cheese

BBQ Pizza loaded with cheese and tomato

{Courtney rolling out dough}

{DJ showing off his culinary confidence}

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Enter to Win!!!

I never win anything but I am always happy when others do. Thank you CB2 for being so fab.

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RAID!!! BooM!!!

I would not say that I am a naturalist but I am not into chemicals, especially in my house or in my body. I know that use of unnatural products is hard to run away from but I really do try to avoid them if possible.
One of the big problems this summer has been with ANTs.... they are so aggravating. Marching up the wall, cross the floor, along your base boards. I think they are cute and I have to say that the organization they have is something to be desired but I don't want them in my house.

I have tried various methods of making them go away without having to release a cloud of smelly chemicals into my house but most of the natural methods have to do with food that Blanket (my dog) really loves to lick up. Well, I found the perfect house hold RAID for ants. Cream of Wheat!!!
Thats right. I really hate to say what happens to the little guys when they eat it but to make a unpleasant story short they go to ant heaven.
You can use Cream of Wheat indoors and out. Pets normally will not bother it and your ant problem disappears.

kdr*S | 3 comments

Allergies

There are various types of allergies. Outdoor, indoor and food allergies. I am a year long sufferer of them all. (sniffle sniffle)

While walking through my favorite local Target my eye got fixated on $10 jar of Peanut Butter. The label was really cute and upon a closer look I saw that it was actually Maple Almond Butter. How wonderful for those who suffer from Peanut allergies, they could finally taste that gooie good that is "peanut" butter... it will cost you but there is an alternative.
Well next to the $10 jar was a $1.09 sample pack. Now your talking, I have a buck and change so my dearest friend Keesha and I grab a sample of this wonderfully packages Justin's Maple Almond Butter.
So I visited the website hoping that it would help me to like this Nut Butter better but it didn't work. I'm sorry this butter is over priced and its NASTY. I cant really say Nasty Nasty it doesn't taste like anything. You wanna taste Maple when it says that its the first ingredient but there isn't anything. It just taste like almond shells.
Perhaps and more than likely I just dont like these new Almond products. Soy Almond Milk... Nasty and Justin's is right behind that milk. ALSO, you can purchase this Almond Butter at Toy's R US??? That is some mighty Marketing.

WOW, I was really venting on this almond thing but my review on it is a No Star. Yek!

On another note. Its August. Time to start stocking on your Non Perishable Holiday favorites. Almond Extract is amazing. Makes the best Homemade whipped cream Ever.
Extracts, nuts, vegetable broths are $3 (give or take) right now... They will be $7 in a few weeks with no apology.

kdr*S | 1 comment

Baby its HOT outside...

So I think the heat has finally scrambled my brain. So much so that I decided to pretend it was winter. I cranked the air conditioning up to 68 degrees and set about creating my faux winter meal. Whats for dinner tonight?

Grilled Cheese with Stripples and Tomato Soup

Cheddar,Provolone and Stripples with Tomato Soup

So maybe it didnt change the temperature outside but this dinner made me forget about the 110 degree heat index for a moment.

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Gimme S'mores...

So today I decided to play hooky from work. (Note to self, make sure to plan your day off so that it wont end up just being a day to nap). I got nothing done whatsoever! Regardless I was well rested and ready when my husband and son came home from work and school respectively.

When I actually have the energy and patience, I like to spend time in the kitchen with my soon to be 6 year old Micah. Of course whenever we cook together he wants to make dessert which is fine with me since I can blame the extra sugar consumption on the person that doesnt gain weight from it :)
So we made the perfect rainy day treat: Smores!!!

Dont they look YUMMY!!!

Micah was so pleased with himself :)

Nothing like seeing that smile!

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Say Cheese...

So here it is, the last installment in our Indian Quest. We decided to attempt to make paneer which is an Indian cheese. Here it is!

Curds and Whey

Strain and Drain

Squeeze!!!!!

Dice and mix into whatever you decide to make!

Potato, Cauliflower, Eggplant Curry
Spinach and Chickpeas
Couscous
Pineapple Mango Fizzie

It was fun but im sure our husbands are happy that Indian meals are over ;)
What should we make next???

kdr*S | 2 comments

Summer Legs

I have totally bought into the idea of using a Venus Razors are the best. They have the curvy razors body with the grippy things and the refillable razors that are a billion bucks... but you know Bic's have been around for decades and they are cheap, 80% recyclable and have the sharpest blade ever.

So this makes me wonder... Which razor gives you the best summer legs?

Venus -$9 refillable Razors
Bic 6 in a pack for $3 Razors
The smelly and messy Nair

I want to know what you think.

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Why Wasabi WHY!!!

So, I heart Sushi. Its clean and fresh and light. Its the perfect meal after a really busy day. You have to use chop sticks (cause it only taste good if you do) and you cant bit it. You have to put it all in your mouth at one time and it means you cant talk. All you CAN do it enjoy the layers of flavor and texture that is sushi.

Well(st) obviously (ode to Antoine Dodson) Wasabi is HoOOoooTTT. Hot is actually an understatement. It abnormal. Its like nothing you have ever experienced in your whole life if eaten raw.

Since I love my food and my men extra spicy I always have a great mix of Soy Sauce and Wasabi that I always do. So since I am on a budget and could not afford the $15 Sexy Ban that I normally get from Monaco's Scene Restaurant but really needed some Sushi I picked up some from my favorite Target location.

I was so excited to get home and grab my neon pink chop sticks and enjoy. I have made this Soy and Wasabi mix 100s of times. But tonight was different. The ratio was clearly off and I think that I experience temporary blindness when the food hit my mouth. It was SO HOT. My Mandula Oblongata felt like it was on fire... some how I hurt it. It was burning. Something really went wrong. I have never been in such physical pain because of something that I eat. It was so wrong. I was so sad.

So the moral of this story is to never eat Sushi from Target... It doesn't sound right to eat Japanese food from Target anyway and trust me... it isn't.

kdr*S | 2 comments

did you ever know...

Dear Hero,

Thank you for not just being my lover, best friend and actual soul mate... thank you for also being my hero.

Thank you for putting up with the small things in life that I am scared of like hummingbirds and small dead animals that choose our back yard as their final resting place.

You always know the right things to say in bad situations.

You also listen to me even after you ask me not to talk that high pitched voice when Im whining.

You are so so so cool under pressure when I am loosing my mind.

And you dont sweat the small stuff when I want to talk about it until your ears bleed.

Thank you Hubby for being my Hero... Your truly everything I would like to be.

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A full DVR!

So last week was so busy but Sunday I had a blast catching up on all the shows that I missed last week.

Ummm, Where should I start.

Okay so lets start with Yesterday and work backwards.

My eye candy on Design Star is gone.
(HGTV)

I was so happy to hear that Courtland was married, there is such an unfortunate stereo type label that is placed on Interior and Clothing designers. He made some grave missteps while on the show and I really hated that he ALWAYS did that plaster looking wall finish BUT because he did it for 8 episodes I now know how to do it too. Thanks Courtland!

Food Network Star
(Food Network)

I HEART AARTI!!!

I was on the edge of my seat while watching the WHOLE Episode. I was so scared that she wasnt moving fast enough... that she wastn going to finish... I was screaming at the TV for her to hurry.
When the Iron Chef Cat Cora said"Damn Girl" those were my thoughts exactly. I was so excited to see how well she did. I dont eat shrimp... I dont actually eat meat and she really make that Shrimp look great. I dont like shrimp because its so Pink and slimy looking but she made is look so delicious.

I also found her food blog. I am so excited. We are in our last week on Indian food and we have to do a recipe from her blog.
Even though her blog doesnt say if she won yet but I KNOW that Food Network really needs her. She is a total Star to me and I really hope that once she wins that she keeps up her blog.

(Two of my favorite chefs)

Bad News for Project Runway...
(Lifetime)

So Keesha and I have a theory. We think that PR is on its last leg. Once it moved From Bravo to Lifetime I dont think that the talent followed them. I have this sad feeling that they are in their last seasons.
The episodes are trying to do to much... to many unsuccessful things. Maybe isnt because I dont throw clothing away once the button comes off now that I have learned to sew but Im just not as impressed anymore.
Now dont get me wrong, I will keep watching because I just have to but its not the same.
I have been wrong before and maybe I should not judge a show by 2 episodes but we will have to see how it goes.

WORK OF ART
(Bravo)

I am a Foodie and an Artie... I love them both

Work of Art, the search for the next great artist is a really cool show. I like being able to watch art from the beginning to showroom.... that is a rare experience and I guess that is why its so special to me.
I have finally found the Artist that I want to win.
He is young and ultra talented.

GO ABDI!!!

I can not wait for the next few episodes because most seasons are coming to an end. 3 of 4 of the shows that I review are in the finals. I can not wait to see the shows this week.

Stay Tuned!!!

kdr*S | 2 comments

First Day in the First Grade!

So tomorrow is the big day! First grade are you ready for Micah? I hope you are because this guy is ready for you!!!
My baby boy is so excited to go to school tomorrow and i'm glad that he loves school so much. The only problem i'm having is that MOMMY IS NOT READY!!!! I cant believe that the little man that I gave birth to is growing up so fast *tear* I know I'll survive but I dont have to like it :)
Anywho, below i've posted some pictures of Micah from his Adventure with The Grandpat (my father). Grandpat took Micah on a roadtrip to Chicago for 3 days of fun before school starts tomorrow. Here are a few shots from their trip:

" Hey Micah, say Peas!"

I think Micah was impressed. Thats alot of work lugging all those instruments!

A trip to Chicago isnt complete without a boat ride on Lake Michigan.

Waiting for the Metra Train

Myself and the best father a gal could ask for! I Love You Daddy :)

*sigh* So I suppose I have no choice. He must go to school or the truancy officer(if there is such a thing anymore) will come and take me for a ride in the paddy wagon! Hope I dont cry tomorrow....

kdr*S | 1 comment

Fiesta Fiesta!

So yesterday was Thursday so you know what that means..."Family Night"!! We decided to make Haystacks (taco salad) which is decidedly our favorite thing to eat collectively. Wanna see it?

Black and pinto beans simmered in their own juices with a little Griller for the meaty texture. Cheese, lettuce, fresh homemade salsa, sour cream, queso sauce and black olives. All pilled high atop a mountain of tortilla chips.
Yes it looks like mess on a plate but it was mighty fine eatin' if you ask me....or Miss Corrin

Miss Corrin enjoyed a side(two ears to be exact) of uncooked freshly shucked corn.

We finished the night with a little YOUTUBE browsing and crying until our sides ached. Fun was had by all including Nina H. Thanks for stopping by Miss. Nina. We love you and hope you'll join us again soon :)

kdr*S | 1 comment

Guest Who's Coming to Dinner?

This week has been a really busy week for Keesha and a personally horrible for me... so our normal Thursday cooking night was a total not happening so we ended up cooking on Friday and guess who joined us for dinner? Keesha's Parents. It was so wonderful for them to come. It was a true pleasure to have them in our home.

Well, since we had special guess in town we got totally side track with the taking pictures thing but I sure that Google Images will not mind me borrowing some from them.

Follow us on our Mediterranean Journey.

Fafafel with Cucumber yogurt and Parsley salad. Oh yeah... and Hummus.

kdr*S | 1 comment

So its Monday...

Its Monday and I am at home from work for the day...Its bittersweet because Im glad to be home but Im discouraged because I have an ENTIRE house to clean *sigh*

So what to do whilst getting up the energy (courage)to clean? Make a clean up snack!
And what better to snack on than something cool, salty, sweet, spicy and refreshing...Enter Cucumber Kimchi!

Now before you tell me that kimchi cannot be made in 30 minutes, let me explain. I dont have the 24-48 hours to wait for the cucumbers to ferment so I kinda made up this recipe based on this recipe http://www.drbenkim.com/how-to-make-cucumber-kim-chi.htm. So here goes nothing: