Saturday Night Dinner

Well, I tried, that's what counts, right? I love to cook and try new things, I don't always get those new things right. Point in case....



This is a gorgeous stuffed artichoke before we cooked it. I found this recipe on a food blog and her stuff always looks so delicous, but she could really use a lesson or two on how to write a recipe. There were tons of holes in the recipe she wrote that left me guessing on what needed to be done next. The basics to this recipe were to stuffed the artichoke, put in a pan with 1/4" thickness of water in the bottom, cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Easy! I hesitated before I started debating if I should add more water right off the bat because 1/4" didn't seam like it would last through 40 minutes of simmering without evaporating.

Long story short, I was right. The wonderful smell of stuffing quickly turned to a burning smell and I quickly added more water. What gets me, is even though the artichokes were not actually burned and I let them go the full 40 minutes, covered, they didn't seem to be fully cooked! Grr! I have never cooked an artichoke before, only bought artichoke hearts in a jar that just need to be heated up and are ready to go, so I guess I don't really know what a full home cooked one is suppose to turn out like. I guess I always thought the leaves were edible after being cooked, mine definitely were not. We picked the leaves off and sucked the stuffing and what little "meat" we could get off of them. So confused, where did I go wrong on this one?

If anyone has ever cooked a full artichoke and is laughing at me right now for some silly step or concept that I missed I'd love to know what I got wrong!

P.S. Steph I know you read this and be thankful you couldn't make it. Although the Pinot Noir-Horseradish Salmon and Mango Wheat Berries were delicious, you would have hated the artichoke, the texture was all wrong for you!

5K Update

So here's what I know...Chris and I were going gang busters at the gym working on building up our endurance for the family 5k April 16th....then he was out of town a whole bunch for work and motivation went out the window. I'm happy to say we are both back on track. Chris sneaks in some workouts at the hotel gyms and is looking like hot stuff....mmm i need just a moment....okay I'm back, I love that man!

I just hopped back on the gym train yesterday. Everything went well and it felt great to get back in there. I did a 3.1 mile in 42 minutes, that's about a 14 minute pace. I did a considerable amount of walking though as to not over do it. My goal is anything under a 10 minute mile the day of the race, under 30 minutes. I really cannot wait for the weather to get a little bit better so I can get outside and run. It is such a difference running inside with no wind, no elevation change and a nice springy and even tread to run on...not so much the same once you get outside, and I prefer running outside. So come on warm weather!

Eight weeks and counting until race day, plenty of time to be ready. I'm actually also running a 5k with some girls from work on April 1st. A client of ours is putting it on so we all decided to participate, it's a fun family involved one so every one's kids will be there and such. Chris decided to just be my cheerleader that day which is fine, this is my trial run anyway for April 16th.

From what I've heard, Tony had been sick for nearly two weeks and needed to take a break but should be back to the grind soon and Mom and Dad have been doing really well. Those lucky ducks are going on a Hawaiian Cruise the 2 weeks prior to the race...so they'll have the great weather to run outside on the deck....the question is...will they!?! ;) Ahhh...Hawaii....that would be the life!

Super Bowl XLV Champions!

So I've been meaning to write this for some time now. Green Bay Packers are SUPER BOWL Champions of Super Bowl XLV!! Green Bay - 31, Steelers - 25.

Coming off the third year of Farve drama Aaron Rodgers was a deserving MVP of the game. It has been a "will he, won't he" live up to replacing the great and almighty Brett Favre for three years now and before our eyes this season he silenced everyone and the GB-Pack not only made it to the super bowl but won!




I remember watching the last Green Bay super bowl win in 1997. I was home alone while all the rest of the family wen to parties. I laid in Mom and Dad's bed and ate taco dip....sounds pretty pathetic now but it was fun then! This year we went to our neighbors here in Appleton. They have this massive 80" TV in the basement...and in case you can't see the game on that one there is what I can only guess is a 52" on the side. Not to mention, there is always great grub at their house thanks to Tim's cooking and Jenny's baking skills...baklava...that's all I can say!

So all in all, AMAZING end to a great Green Bay season... let's do it all over again next year!

3rd Annual Girls Weekend

The boys fish and hunt and golf and (get the picture)do other boy things all the time; and us ladies we've got Girls Weekend! Chris and some of his friends take a trip to Canada every other year and it's not cheap... so it got me to thinking... why is there not a girl's trip like this?

After some thought a few reasons popped into my head....girl's are cheap....girl's are too emotional....girl's have commitment issues and girl's can change their minds at the drop of a hat. So, you try planning a week away...let alone a weekend away with girls.

I decided to start small...I only asked for a weekend and I got some takers! That was three years ago at the First Annual Girls Weekend...see below...

The Original Crew(Minus Emily and I)


Em and I




My plan has always been to build up to a bigger trip every other year, just like the boys, and although we are not quite there I think we are well on our way.

So with all that explanation out of the way this year was the 3rd annual trip. We stayed at two condos in Door County, WI. Not much going on up there in the winter...but we make it happen...burnt pizza and hot apple pie anyone!?! We set a record this year, 12 girls attended, I repeat, 12!! I have to thank my good friend Steph for helping with the planning efforts, there is way more planning than thought that goes into 12 girls spending a weekend together. There was a great mix of friends from all walks of our lives and it was awesome to introduce everyone to all the girls I love the mostest and even meet someone new for the first time. It was a blast!


Mir and I



Wine and Chocolate Tasting at a local winery



The Whole Crew



Side One



Side Two



Sisters!



Jax and I "Making it a Great Day!" just for Tony!