Copy Cat

Last week I saw this picture of a Nicoise salad over on Canelle et Vanille.  It looked so pretty and doable.  We had some good friends over on Saturday night and I played copycat.  It went over big.  My friend said, "It is almost pretty enough to take a picture of!"  I had to admit that I already did.  :)

Roasted Chicken Love

Check out my pretty roasted chicken!  It made me sooooo very happy to see that lovely crisped up skin.  I varied the recipe a little (as is my usual) but mostly followed this.

So I hate picking a chicken carcass, but I did my best.  Knowing I had left plenty behind, I threw the whole picked over birdie into a pot of boiling water.  Once it was chickeny, I added brown rice, carrots, tomatoes and the chicken I had picked off back in.  Mmmmm....chicken soup for dinner tonight!

Circling Back?

I find myself at a point of circling back.  I think I got off track this past year.  I started buying a lot of STUFF again and I don't think I am necessarily any better for it.  I feel the need to purge and read a lot about the simple life.  I find that reading is one of the best ways to keep myself grounded.  My biggest start...I am trying to eat and give my family as much real food as possible.  I am reading lots of labels and making myself make things from scratch, even if it would be easier just to buy a mix.  And I like it.  And I feel better about myself.  I think I want to blog here more again and get back to finishing my list.  I may change some things...We'll see.

Make Pickles

I realized I kind of already make pickles. I like to slice cucumbers and marinate them in a sauce of soy sauce, seasoned rice vinegar, garlic powder and sriracha sauce. So this time I bought pickling cucumbers and sliced them spear style and packed them into a sippy cut that has gone stoopid and frustrates my kids. I put them in the fridge on Saturday afternoon and I plan to try one tonight.

Fascinating Fascinator

I forgot that I already made a fascinator hat. I recently threw my bestie a baby shower and our activity was to craft hair flair or fascinators. Super fun project by the way. I suggest you try if you are looking for some kind of lady date craft for you and your gal pals. I purchased a crap ton of craft felt, ribbon, bling and barrettes up to the craft store. Paired with scissors, thread and glue guns, we all went to town. If you need some inspiration, I suggest you look up fascinators on Etsy.

Here are pics of me wearing my lovely fascinator hat. I went with basic black (very unlike me to go basic) but I really like it.

FUNNEL CAKE IS GOOD!

So I bought a funnel cake kit from a school fundraiser my daughter was participating in. It has been sitting on my counter for quite some time.

I guess I was waiting for that perfect funnel cake moment to come along. I finally realized that there is no time like the present for funnel cake. It was really easy to make. I just poured the batter into the funnel pitcher and made swirlies in hot oil. I used a metal spatula to flip the cakes so they would be golden brown on both sides and I dusted them with cinnamon sugar.

To say that this is delicious is TRULY an understatement. The good news is, I have the pitcher. Armed with a batter recipe and some hot oil, I can do this ANYTIME. Friends, wear your stretchy pants. Momma's got a new dessert on the menu!

Autobiography

I went to visit my sister and on the way there and back, I read Me by Katherine Hepburn. So lovely and quirky. Not only has Ms. Hepburn led a remarkable life, but her storytelling style is very interesting. The book is like a conversation. It goes back and forth in time. Certain people are introduced as if you already know them. It is kind of a whirlwind, but worth the read for sure.


*I have been meaning to post this since I got back. Today on my other blog, I picked Katherine Hepburn as the theme for tomorrow. Figured it was a sign to get off my keester. :)

Merry Christmas!

*upon looking over my list, I find I have already done this one. Oh well, DOUBLE DONE!