Petals this morning

Dropping petals....the wisteria won't last much longer.

Numbers for Sunday

The feast

1: husband
1: wife

A few to test if they're ready

1: beautiful afternoon

Getting started

2: dogs

A couple of beggars

36: pounds of crawfish (1 sack)
3: pounds lemons
3: pounds onions

Cutting up, half way into the case of beer

2: tubs spice
1: carton salt
12: beers

Suck the heads

12: ears of corn
3: pounds of potatoes

Pinch the tails

Ooooo eeeeeee, dem spicy!

40: crawfish pies (in the freezer for party in 1 month)

New Look In Progress

With some of my days off I have been working on the guest room. I didn't get a photo of the room before I started disassembling it, but here's the before....


A fine yellow, perfect for my favorite French bistro, but not really for a bedroom. Although, I hear yellow is a good color for a guest room because it makes people anxious, and guests won't want to stay long! Not at all what we want. And the room is just pretty much a mix of hand me downs and boring items...old chair, sewing table night stand, plain white bedspread, nothing hanging on the wall.

It's a good room to redo. I picked "wool skein" which was on strip of paint chips with colors named "relaxed khaki" and "universal khaki" so I thought this would just look like a really pale khaki.


Grey is a more accurate description, but better than the yellow. I'm getting rid of the chair that was in there and I've got a duvet that I bought on rock bottom clearance many months ago that will outfit the bed. I need a few pillows and a bed skirt, but will try to wait to see those on sale before heading out to purchase. I hate having things unfinished, but in the interest of being thrifty, I'll wait.

Curtains that came with the house weren't able to be salvaged, so we're measuring for wooden blinds. I've got a coupon for 15% off, so we'll order those tomorrow.

Now if I need to figure out how to tile or plaster those mantles. That was last year's project that never did happen. Maybe this is the summer for it to happen.

One of Thirteen

They seem to grow before my eyes. Not surprising as my milkweed has been widdled down to just stalks...hardly a leaf left.

Darling

He loves to be outside with me when I'm in the garden. He's good company.

Iris bloom

And just like that, the irises are blooming. Somehow I missed the buds creeping open. I really want to find some purple and white Louisiana irises to add to the garden.

Squash!

I do my best to serve fresh fruits and vegetables with each and every meal. We eat a lot of steamed broccoli and broiled asparagus, but this is the #1 veggie here. It came from a recipe that Janet tried last summer at the lake...zucchini with breadcrumbs and some other things. I don't really remember the recipe but from that I decided to try this...


Ingredients:

• Yellow squash and zucchini squash
• Olive oil
• Shredded Parmesan
• Salt

Directions:

1. Slice squash into "chips"
2. Toss in bit of olive oil (or drizzle with oil after step 3)
   
3. Lay on a cookie sheet
4. Sprinkle with kosher salt
5. Sprinkle with cheese.
6. Bake or broil until cheese is browned.

I usually have use large yellow and one large zucchini for the two of us.

Guilt

The beginnings of this "let's make a baby" mess were, believe it or not, more stressful on our marriage than the most recent past. Procreating became clinical rather than intimate. It was now us and doctors and nurses and ultrasound technicians and pharmacists and appointments and calenders and shots and pills. The stress, anxiety, and hormones mean edginess. I'm snappy. And he'd return the favor. But with time, we got better about that. Better about talking about how we're feeling. Saying "I'm sorry" or "I'm having a hard time" or "I need help."

The past 3 years, particularly the last 6 months, have put tremendous stress and strain on my body and my emotions. But thankfully, our partnership has only strengthened as a result, and as hurt as we are, we at least know how to comfort each other and recognize pain.

Regardless, I have a huge amount of guilt. I feel guilty for not being able to provide my husband with a child, a family. While I know he didn't marry me solely because of my child bearing hips, I know he has to be experiencing a certain amount of disappointment and sadness. Matter of fact, I know he is. As much time as we spend together, just the two of us, we haven't spent much time talking about how we feel lately. There are a lot of knowing looks passed between us, followed by hugs, kisses, sighs. He told me he too is grieving. He is angry. He too finds pain in the smiling baby at the park and those announcements of pregnancy in the first trimester without knowing pain of loss. And while this isn't surprising to everyone else but me, he doesn't love me any less.

And he wishes he could make it better. Fix things. Take away my sadness. And I feel guilty for that. Guilty for being sad. For crying in the middle of mowing the lawn or for the tears on my cheeks at breakfast. For not wanting to be with people.

It is ok. We are ok and you will be better one day. Give yourself time. We've been through a lot. You shouldn't expect to feel any differently than you do today, because I certainly I don't.

The man's love is unconditional. I know. No one's surprised by that one either, but you know, as much as I believed that myself before we married, it is still amazing to really feel that today.

Lovin'

• Wisteria and sweet olive scents in the garden
• Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides
  
• Fresh paint
  
• Leftovers
• Cold beers together before dinner
• Commercial free TV (We got a generic TiVo!)
  
• Countdown till summer
• Frozen fat free Cool Whip
• Being "cute as a bug's ear"
• Using two hands to count the monarch caterpillars on the milkweed
• Sparrows on the feeder
• Blue jays and cardinals in the bird bath
• Lunches on the porch
  

Bailey's Cake

Photo taken before cake had cooled.
Charlie HAD to cut a piece right a way.

Got this one from Kelly. I needed something to do with all that Irish booze I got on sale last week.


For cake:
1 (18.5 oz.) package yellow cake mix
1 (3.4 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan. In large bowl, combine cake and pudding mix. Mix in eggs, water, oil, and Bailey's. Beat for 5 minutes at high speed. Pour batter in pan and bake for 60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool and then invert on serving dish. Prick top and sides of cake.

for Glaze:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup Bailey's

In saucepan combine butter, water and sugar. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in Bailey's. Immediately begin glazing cake. Spoon glaze over top and on sides. Allow to absorb glaze, repeat until all used up. Sprinkle with nuts if you wish.

Kelly's got some suggestions to tweak the recipe a bit on her blog. I think next time my glaze will be just sugar and Bailey's and I'll up the oil and Bailey's to 1 cup each in the cake mix.

Charlie likes it. He likes it a lot. And you know, everything is for him.

And then there was light

I've been pestering my Daddy to install a can light above the kitchen sink, since he's the only person I know, short of hiring an electrician, who knew enough to wire me a light.

Well, Daddy, you're off the hook. Charlie now knows enough to fulfill all of my lighting desires.

After splitting the day under the house and on a ladder...


He was finally able to give me some lighting!

In the kitchen...


And outside the back door...

He's quite pleased with himself. Wiring the man space has jump started lots of other home improvement projects around here.


I hope the momentum holds strong. Love home improvement!

Crescent City Classic, 2008

Last year left us feeling like marathon runners. This year: fat asses.


We hadn't trained at all. Charlie's double wammy of the flu and other bed ridden ailments, coupled with too much fun and an early race date meant we only ran the first two miles. We did it in about 22 minutes. But the last four were a different story.

And after that we got to experience a different race.


Brass bands and beer!


We passed on the foamy beer but Charlie grabbed a hot dog to bring us through the last two mile stretch.

It was one of those cheep, red, dirty water weenies, just like I love!


It's perfect Spring weather, and we were content to watch the sites along the route as well as admire the grand homes we passed along Esplanade Ave.

Not bad...

92 minutes. You've got to remember I'm injured...drunken gravy bicycle wipe out on Prytania...


After the race, in keeping with the fat ass theme, we passed on the fruit and water and headed for the Abita and Zapp's!


That belly roll of mine really isn't as bad as it looks here!


There's always next year. And it won't be so hard to beat out time from this year, right?

Season change

Changed the flag!


It is spring, and we are waiting for Jazzfest! We've got our tickets from the box office to avoid $50 tickets at at the gate. Can't wait!

Chicken and Sun Dried Tomato Orzo

This is our "St Joseph's Day" meal, a day late because teach a seminar on Wednesday nights. While I'd much prefer my Italian meal to be a pan of cheesy lasagna or plump meatballs, I'm trying to keep it healthy around here.

This one is from Eating Well magazine which were receive courtesy of Aunt Mary.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz orzo (trying to find it the whole wheat or spinach variety)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), divided
• 1 plum tomato, diced
• 2 teaspoons, plus one tablespoon olive oil
  
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 3 teaspoons chopped fresh marjoram, divided
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• 4 boneless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 9 oz package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
• 1/2 cup finely shredded Romano cheese

Directions:

1. Cook orzo. Drain, and rinse.
2. Place water, 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, plum tomato, garlic, 2 teaspoons marjoram, vinegar and 2 teaspoons oil in a blender.
   
3. Blend until only a few chunks remain.
4. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and add to heated 1 tablespoon olive oil.
5. Cook chicken until no longer pink, 3-5 minutes per side, then set aside.
6. Pour tomato sauce into the pan and bring to a boil.
7. Add remaining sun dried tomatoes, orzo, artichoke hearts, and 6 tablespoons cheese.
8. Cook, stirring, until heated through, 1-2 minutes.
9. Slice chicken and add.
10. Sprinkle with remaining marjoram and cheese.

Makes 4 servings with 457 calories, 12 grams fat, 68 mg cholosterol, 54 grams carbohydrate, 10 grams fiber, 372 mg sodium.

Yellow flowers this morning

Don't know the name of these. May have to go to Banting's to figure it out. They've been filling in a large corner of the garden.

Busy bees this morning

The garden has begun to stir again. The bees and butterflies have been visiting what flowers are blooming. Birds and lizards are creeping around. I am thankful for spring.

Hornets' Fans

We had a great time at the game tonight. The Hornets trailed all game, and turned it on right at the end. Exciting.


The halftime show was some underwater escape artist. I think I'd rather have Super Hugo's job...flying though the air to the slam dunk.


But for some reason shouting "cold beer here," and uncapping Budweisers appeals to me too.

*His* rose this morning

He loves it. He gets so excited with each bud opening.

Orange you glad the citrus are in?

We've been eating lots of Louisiana citrus around here, particularly the navel oranges and grapefruit.


They are sweet and juicy. We chomped through five pounds in one day.


Hoping I can get to the Farmers' Market this week and restock!


And they make for such interesting faces during conversation in the kitchen.

Turning throws into a feast: Cabbage Casserole

I had designs on catching a cabbage at the parade, but believe it or not, we didn't make it to the Irish Channel for the St. Paddy's Day parade. Charlie says he's still got his fill of parades from Carnival.

And now we're having the traditional corned beef and cabbage the night before the 17th because we'll be downing hot dogs and beer (green?) at the Hornets' game tomorrow.

I'm not a big fan of cabbage, and neither is Charlie, but anything with sausage is good, right? This is a variation of one from the newspaper. It called for ground pork OR sausage OR half and half. Going with all sausage was a no brainer over here.


Cabbage Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 large cabbage, coarsely chopped
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes
• 1 pound sausage
• 1 large yellow onion
• Garlic
  
• Parmesan cheese
• bread crumbs
• Salt and pepper
  

Directions:

1. Brown onion, garlic, and sausage.
2. Add can of Rotel and cook mixture for about 10 minutes.
3. Salt and pepper to taste.
   
4. Core and chop cabbage.
5. Add to sausage mixture and cover.
6. Cooke until cabbage wilts.
7. Place in a 9x13 baking dish and cover with cheese and breadcrumbs.
8. Bake.
   

Next time I may try a variation that called for 1/4 cup water, 1 cup rice, and a cheese sauce made with cheddar, milk and butter poured over the top before baking.

Pretty yummy. We'll have leftovers tomorrow, after the game, along with corned beef turned into Ruebens!

Sunday

It's Sunday, and it is a beautiful day. One of those few, perfect, spring weather days we get before it's scorching summertime.


I was able to pull him away from the shed for a few hours, and we hopped on our bikes and headed down to the bayou.



We met Lee at Parkway Bakery and Tavern for poboys and beers.


Shrimp, oyster, and French fry poboys made for the perfect lunch.


Afterwards we wandered out to the bayou with beers and banana pudding to enjoy the sunshine and breeze before peddling home.


I'm not so good at capturing the self portrait...



I love these days, even though I took a spill on the ride home.


I think I was drunk with gravy from my poboy, because I only had one beer!

We plan on taking advantage of weekends like this more often. It doesn't get much better than this.