Home Alone

Yes - I might be watching American Idol. That is just because my sweetie is working the night shift and I am left on my own. Sometimes when he is gone I watch questionable TV (but what about that Jacob Lusk!). Also, on a side note, flash mobs make me cry. Like, really cry. Like Oprah being reunited with a lost Sister cry. Before I start replaying all my favorite DVR'd Glee scenes and really lose it I want to talk about food. Just because I am home alone doesn't mean I go hungry - and cooking for one is always a challenge. One that I never have conquered. Tonight, after a lusty trip to Trader Joe's, I made a herb salad topped with a soft boiled egg. I added some of my homemade croutons and a side of thinly sliced marinated pork loin. I must leave you now...I think there is a new Miami Housewives...

Back to what I love

What do you do when you buy a beautiful fresh loaf of sourdough only to come home and realize you will be spending the evening alone? No...you don't eat the whole loaf by yourself. That would be bad. You can freeze it but it will never be as good. I cut off a slice to enjoy with my Sweet potato Gnocchi and then saw the wording on the side of the bread bag "please enjoy the day of purchase". Damn. It was too late to have an impromptu dinner party and all my friends were probably going to some amazing Oscar party I wasn't invited to and it would most likely make for awkward conversations.

So - back to my original question. What do you do with a beautiful fresh loaf of sourdough? Make croutons you can enjoy all week, of course.

I set out on a quest for my Husband who really wanted Fleur sel and also found some herbs de Provence for myself. Hopefully I will be blogging soon about all the amazing things Steve O. wants to use the freaking expensive salt for...but back to the bread.

I cut it into a little bigger than bite size pieces figuring it would get a little smaller as it cooks. Tossed in some olive oil, my new herbs and a small amount of sea salt and they are now roasting in my oven at 285 degrees. I guess you can also do this on 295 or 300. Just make sure it is not on too high a heat. You want to dry the bread and not burn it.

And on a completely different note - if you can please come see The Last Days of Judas Iscariot now playing at the Richmond Triangle Players - a Co Production with Henley Street Theatre. It is a mix of Veteran and Rookie actors and I must say I am having a blast with this lovely group of hard working theatre folk.

Birthday Fun and Sun and Friends and Family and pictures out of Order!

This is my beautiful Niece, Marisol. We were a block away from the beach all weekend but the rain was threatening to ruin our time. We walked over on Saturday and I couldn't stop taking pictures. Maybe because I grew up around water (almost everywhere I lived) and there is nothing as pure as the ocean and children. These are just a few of my favorites.

Steve O, says the caption for this one should be "Jesus loves you this much!"

My Nephew, Jake, is wowed by the water. Or maybe he is trying to part the sea?

Who can create a caption for this one?

Thing 1 (harry) and Marisol.

Shooting hoops.

A back yard Birthday bouquet from Sophia!

My Sister Emily has a Birthday a week after mine. This year we had a joint family party at her beautiful beach house. This was her side of the birthday cake. The cake was made by Burgess - you might remember the killer keyboard grooms cake he made for our wedding - what a talent!

This was my side of the cake.

The day before my Birthday I had a few special guests stop by to wish me well. My little friend Sophia dropped in and insisted on taking some pictures. I really like the composition.

Another picture by Sophia.

This one was taken by me.

Earlier that week (I warned you these pictures are in no particular order) Steve P. came by and brought dinner he cooked himself! This salad was a scrumptious mix of field greens and brussel sprout leaves, toasted nuts and shredded Italian cheese (can't remember what kind.)

The main dish was a mouth watering sweet lasagna recipe he stole from that pretty Giada lady - not to be confused with Lady Gaga. Thanks Steve P.

The Post of many pictures

My Beautiful Niece - just have to show how these shoes match the dress.

My adorable little nephew playing with the train from Grandma Bobby - plus Uncle Steve looking kinda scary.

Kitty Mom and Harry toasting

Seder Plate

A little magic with your matzo?

I think this must have been the fourth glass

"yes, I agree - Jill Bari is the best child."

Thing One and thing three!

Finding the afikomen!

Another amazing Burgess creation.

picture from the feast.

Passover was, what? About a month ago I think. I've been busy OK? Mom came down and the three of us went to my Sister Em's place in Va Beach. This is one of my favorite holidays - every year I am so excited for the Seder. The food and the company is always amazing. This year I had to go back to work the next day so I didn't drink the required 4 glasses of wine during the Seder. I took 4 small sips as to not risk my luck. This made Em ask: do you have an announcement to make? To which I said: yes - I just ate a lot and I am bloated. I had so much fun with everyone and we will be coming back soon. And next year I will be taking the next day off so I can drink all the wine I want - really, why should this night be different from all other nights?

Some good advice.

I marinated a chicken and baked it with almonds instead of coating it with breadcrumbs. I promise there is a chicken under all those nuts.

My first risotto!

Go see The Full Plate Collection running at the Theatre Gym Space at the Empire Theatre for the next few weeks. It assembles a fun cast of seasoned professionals and student interns. They mix in beautifully together and come off looking like a Strong all pro cast. This is a witty, smart, hilarious, touching script. It was great to see such a fun celebration of women. Bravo to everyone involved. I expect rave reviews to be coming in shortly so do yourself a favor and get your tickets now! More info at http://www.fullplatecollection.blogspot.com/

In other news my Little friend Steve P. had a big birthday in the middle of last week so our beach group got together Sunday and celebrated at Robert's house. Per Steve's request there were no presents bought for him. So we got creative. I made him coasters out of felt and cork boards (how I wish I had taken a picture of them). Robin gave him a gift she bought him a couple years ago and never gave him - you get the point - we found a way around his rules. I also brought an appetizer that I had never made before.

Saturday night after I was totally blown away by The Full Plate Collection, Steve O. and I went to a lovely cast party for the play he is working on at the Firehouse Theatre called Crumble. At this party there was amazing food including these coconut risotto balls. I wanted to make my own version to bring to the birthday get together. I decided to omit the coconut altogether since Erin is very allergic to it. I found a recipe that included putting Mozz in the middle. That sounded good to me but I made sure to make some without cheese since Robin doesn't eat cheese. Anyway - I highly suggest before making a recipe out of risotto you actually learn HOW to make risotto. To that I just have to say Risotto is hard, y'all! Somehow I pulled it off. I had a beautiful bowl of risotto and I was so proud of myself. I put it in the fridge for a little while and cubed some mozzarella. I eventually rolled the rice into balls placing a cube of cheese in the middle of most of them (harder than it sounds) and placed them in medium hot peanut oil. What came out was pretty darn bad. Bad and ugly. Notice I do not have a picture of them. They were so tough on the outside I could barely chew them - even with my brand new teeth! I put them aside, had a glass of wine and decided I would bring them to the get together anyway and we could all have a good laugh about how bad they are.

So I did that and made sure to make a huge deal about how terrible they were. My brave friends tried them out and loved them. Steve and I looked at each other in total shock - each took a ball of our own and much to my surprise they were good! Something happened to them when they cooled. The recipe did say to serve at room temperature but neglected to say they would really suck until then. What happened is they softened up and the outside remained slightly crispy and the inside was soft and tasty. Now I wish I had taken pics of them too.

Pictured above is chicken I made with almonds instead of breadcrumbs in order to cut down on fat and calories. I was talking about this to Robin A. at Steve's Birthday and she said what about making dust out of the nuts and they would have a more breadcrumb-e consistency. We decided to package it under the name of a fictional character I made up at the beach. So you tell me - who would buy "Shit House Betty's Nut Dust"? I think it has a nice ring to it.

I will leave you with a little food at work advice. If you sit at a desk surrounded by people all day you have to get crafty about snacking without utensils and you can't put anything in your mouth that will cause you to chew for longer than a second. I found these great little yogurt packages that are tubular in shape and you just cut the top off and squeeze the stuff right in your mouth. I won't say the brand name but they are packaged for children with really stupid jokes printed on the long tube things. OK - here's the thing. I thought these would be perfect for work until I actually tried it. Lets just say when surrounded by archivists and homeless people (our major clientele) you don't want to stick the end of a long tube in your mouth and suck on it. It just didn't look right.

I'm baaaack.............

A pic of me and Mr. Mayor presenting a couple awards together at The Critics Circle Awards earlier this year.

Hi folks. Guess who? To say this year has been off to a rough start for me would be an understatement of great proportions. After returning from a wonderful few weeks that took me from the mountains to an oceanfront retreat with a few of my besties - the good news is I managed to get 4 teeth implants so I don't look so back-woodsy anymore. that process took about 10 months - but shortly after returning from my New years trip I got sick - then I got some kind a awful virus a week later - that lasted about 10 days. A few days after I got over that I had some kind of sinus infection - a few days after finishing the antibiotics I got a rash all over (except my face, thank g-d!) that lasted about a week and then about a week ago I got vertigo - I went to the Dr wondering if this was related to any meds I am on or any of the various sicknesses I had - and no - just another unrelated pain in the ass - the good news is I am much better - still a Little dizzy but less dizzy than last week! So I see that as progress. This is also why I have been at home for the entire winter so far. I am sorry to have missed so many great plays and I hope my talented friends forgive my absence. Hopefully I will be getting out more often this Spring. Also wanted to share some great medical advice my mother gave me when she found out I had vertigo. It doesn't matter what age you are - your mother will always tell you what is best. She said "You shouldn't shower alone!" at which point I yelled out to my husband "Mom says I can't shower alone!" also - if Steve has to go out of town for any reason and I still have vertigo I guess it's OK with my Mom if anyone wants to shower with me.

The Oscars were so much fun - I didn't feel so badly about being overlooked this year since I didn't do anything anyway!!! I wish they gave out awards for people who can sit on the sofa watching TV for long periods of time. I know I would get a nomination for that. Steve O. and I enjoyed the awards and I had him jot down some fashion comments since he is such a fashion plate himself. He had two categories - they are "In a word" and "More than a word";

I will keep you in suspense no longer. Here is Steve's "In a Word"

Sandra Bullock - Nice

Diane Kruger - Stupid

Barbara Walters - Appropriate

Penelope Cruz - Ehh....

Anna Kendrick - OK

Mo'Nique - Nice

Maggie Gyllenhall - Aquarium

Helen Mirren - Lovely

Cameron Diaz - Great

Rachel McAdams - Pretty

Queen Latifah - Awesome

Kristen Stewart - Nice

Kathy Bates - Classy

Oprah - Lovely

Katherine Bigelow - Cute

Amanda Seyfried - Swiffer

Barbra Streisand - Aweful

and in "More than a Word"

Vera farmiga - I just want to lie her down so I can run my hot wheels all over her body - here comes the loop da loop

J-Lo - Static cling is no laughing matter. Oh wait, I guess it is....

Sarah Jessica Parker - WARNING: Do not fall asleep in the tanning booth. It may impair your fashion judgement.

Miley Cyrus - Don't want to embarrass you, sweetie, but you forgot your blouse.

Molly Ringwald - Looks like a giant dinner napkin with fancy napkin ring.

Zoey (Avatar) - This dress made me want to Bjork.

Cary Mulligan - Go jump in a lake- and catch some trout with your dress....

Sigourney Weaver - Ladies and gentleman, the kung-fu queen of the toga party.

Charlize Theron- Okay yes, I am looking at your tits.

Elizabeth Banks- OMG, its the pillar of smoke from LOST!

Demi Moore - (From top to bottom) Nice dress, nice dress, Oh I just puked.

Julianne Moore- I guess she was in a hurry. She's wearing her shower curtain.

His best dressed for the night went to Queen Latifah and worst went to Vera Farmigo. I know your life now feels a bit more complete.

Ok there is a few more but they are all mean so I will stop there - you get the point.

Tonight I have been given a ticket to go to see a special night of The Full Plate Collection in he Theatre Gym space at Theatre IV's Empire theatre. I am so excited and so proud of all my talented beautiful friends. I know I will have a great time but I will give a full report here shortly. For more information go to

http://www.fullplatecollection.blogspot.com/

I am finally feeling like I have enough energy to write again. So be afraid.

Pre - Thanksgiving food pics...

Pecan Pie Steve made with a chocolate crust.

The batter showed so much promise. Steve made a cookie batter and added chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, toffee chips and pecans. But when he cooked the batter it ended up looking like this:

He followed the recipe to the T. Not sure what happened! They tasted like toffee, chewy candy. Really not bad!

I just loved grilled bread. I think I mentioned the grill pan we got as a wedding gift.

A small rib-eye roast for two. This was my first attempt at a roast. I saw these on sale and called my Mom to see how hard this would be. Surprisingly, it did not turn into a story about someone she knew who had cooked a roast and died. It didn't seem too bad so I brought it home and it was really, really good. I put it in a marinade for about half an hour. Most recipes said to put it in the oven but I started it off by searing it in a hot pan to crisp up the outside.

Steve made an amazing lemon chess pie.

Turkey is a cheap way to eat all week long. A few Sunday's ago I bought a Turkey and it worked out so well I did this two weeks in a row. Here are a few things I made with Turkey during the week.

Turkey pot pie with a cheddar cheese crust.

Turkey melt.

There was also a turkey tetrazzini and turkey burritos - they tasted good but they don't look so pretty.

More food pics to come.

Everyone have a happy and tasty Thanksgiving.

I am thankful I was not a Native American during the time of the Pilgrims - but that is a conversation for another time.