A Perfect Gift

For Christmas,  my Mom and Dad purchased a small oil painting for our apartment. It seems like an odd gift but it was one if those things that was meant to be.  We were out shopping this weekend and stumbled across a wonderful gallery in St Charles.  There were so many pieces I loved but didn't see any I just couldn't live without.  As we were walking out the front steps this piece caught my eye. It was smaller and tucked in the corner of the front display window.  I loved it immediately and had to go inquire about it.  The painting reminded me of Moe and I's three week trip to Europe this past summer.  The place we stayed the first week in France had the same look and feel as this little cottage.  Moe and I both love oil paintings and have been in the market for awhile as we are trying to slowly but surely replace our cheap frames and prints with some more substantial art.  When my mom said it could be our Christmas present I could hardly contain my excitement.   Now that it is in the apartment and by my front door,  I couldn't be happier with the gift!  Each time I look at it, I get swept away in the memories of our trip :)  It truly is a gift that keeps giving every time I look at it.   

- Miss J

Mom and Dad visit St Louis!!!

Book Review (Witches of the East End)

Witches of the East End by Melissa de la Cruz

In the spirit of Halloween, this book was selected for our October book club.  I would never in a million years pick a book about witches so it was a nice change of pace from my normal read.  Again, the first half of the book was much more enjoyable than the second half, but with that said, I still recommend reading it.  It was a bit racy at times, but made it hard to put down especially in the beginning while the characters were unfolding. 

Book Review by the Washington Post
Source of picture - Washington Post website (see above link)

- Miss J

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

One of my favorite foods is mashed potatoes.  I think I could eat them for every meal if I had a choice.  I have spent many years perfecting my mashed potatoes approach and finally can say that I think I have it down.  I don't have an "official" recipe but I tried to make mental note as I prepared them this last time.  Although I would love to say that they are low-fat, there is no real way to make them creamy and fluffy without the addition of butter :)

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Source:  Miss J Original
Serves:  8-10 people

3-4 lb bag of russet potatoes
2 stick of butter, melted (minimum 1 stick, maximum 2 sticks)
1- 2 cup of milk, low fat, warmed
1 package of cream cheese
3 garlic cloves
1 1/2 cups of chopped onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons of parsley, freshly chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Set cream cheese on the counter to soften and bring to room temperature.  Rinse and peel russet potatoes.

Chop potatoes into about two inch by two inch cubes and place in stock pot filled with cold water.  Salt the water and place on stove top.  Bring water to a boil.  Boil stirring occasionally until potatoes are tender and break apart easily with a fork.  

While potatoes are cooking, chop onions and garlic and set aside.  In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat.  Add onions and garlic and saute until onions are translucent. 

Once potatoes are done cooking, strain them and place them in a kitchen aid mixing bowl.  You will have to mix them in two batches depending on how much you are cooking.  In the first batch, add half of butter, garlic mixture, 1/2 of the cream cheese package, and 1 tablespoon of parsley.  Add half a cup of milk (more or less) to get the desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.  

Remove from the mixing bowl and place in a glass serving dish.  Place in microwave to keep warm while you make the second batch of potatoes.  If you are not serving immediately, heat in the microwave with a bit more butter to keep moisture. 

Ratings:

Miss J, 10 out 10

Moe, 9 out 10 

- Miss J

Book Review (Room: A Novel)

Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue

One of the first things I did when I moved to Saint Louis was join WUMCHA, a women's organization for spouse's/significant other's of employees of BJC.  It is such a wonderful group of women that are so supportize and UNDERSTANDING of life as a resident's wife.  Although alot of the women have kids, there are numerous events that I make an effort to attend each month including "Taste of the Town", "Girls Night Out", and "Book Club".  I hosted book club this last month and Room: A Novel was the book that was selected.  Although this wasn't my pick, it was a quick read.  I would defintely say the first half of the book is significantly better than the second half, but still worth reading in your spare time. It was an interesting perspective as it is told through the eyes of a five year old little boy who spent all his years locked in a single room.

Editorial Review on Amazon.com

In many ways, Jack is a typical 5-year-old. He likes to read books, watch TV, and play games with his Ma. But Jack is different in a big way--he has lived his entire life in a single room, sharing the tiny space with only his mother and an unnerving nighttime visitor known as Old Nick. For Jack, Room is the only world he knows, but for Ma, it is a prison in which she has tried to craft a normal life for her son. When their insular world suddenly expands beyond the confines of their four walls, the consequences are piercing and extraordinary. Despite its profoundly disturbing premise, Emma Donoghue's Room is rife with moments of hope and beauty, and the dogged determination to live, even in the most desolate circumstances. A stunning and original novel of survival in captivity, readers who enter Room will leave staggered, as though, like Jack, they are seeing the world for the very first time. --Lynette Mong

Turnips and Yams Casserole

This year for Thanksgiving, we decided to mix up our traditional spread and make a turnip and yams casserole.  My mom had brought in a recipe from work so we used that as our "guide".  As always, I mixed up the recipe a bit, but the end result was still awesome.  I have never cooked with turnips so I wasn't sure what I'd think of them. However, I found it to be a great substitute if you are looking for a starchy side. 

Turnips and Yams Casserole
Source:  Unknown
Serves:  8 servings

5 turnips
1 large yam
4 tablespoons of butter
1 cup of freshly shaved Parmesan cheese
1 tsp of thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Peel turnips and yams.  Once the skins have been remove, slice thinly.  This is best done using a mandoline slicer.  However, we didn't have one so a sharp knife worked fine as well. 

Shredded Parmesan cheese.

Heat up butter in a skillet and add thyme.  Remove from heat and set aside.  Spray a glass baking dish with cooking spray.  Arrange a layer of yam and turnip slices on the bottom of the dish alternating type.  Sprinkle a layer of cheese and top with another layer of turnips/yams.  Continue for two more layers.  Top with remaining cheese.  Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Pour butter mixture over casserole.  Cook uncovered for 30-45 minutes.  Serve immediately.

Ratings:
Miss J, 9 out 10
Moe, 8 out 10

- Miss J

Spinach and Apple Salad with a Poppy seed Dressing

This has by far been one of the most popular salads that I have ever made. I have been asked daily for the recipe from all my family members. The dressing was so easy to make and would be a great addition to any type of salad. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Spinach and Apple Salad with a Poppy seed Dressing
Source:  Adapted from allrecipes.com
Serves:  8 (with extra salad dressing)

1 lb of spinach
1 granny smith apple, sliced and cubed
1 cup of cranberries
1 cup of sliced almonds (toasted - no salt) 
1/2 cup of freshly shaved Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon of sesame seeds (toasted)
1 tablespoon of poppy seeds
1 shallot, finely chopped
1/4 tsp paprika
1/2 cup of olive oil
1/4 cup of cider vinegar
1/4 cup of white wine vinegar
1/2 cup of sugar (white) - 1/4 cup if you prefer your dressing less sweet
pepper to taste

In a glass jar, combine all ingredients starting with the almonds through the pepper to taste.  Shake well and set aside for 20 minutes to let the flavors meld. 

While salad dressing is mixing, combine spinach, cranberries, and almonds in a large salad bowl.  Right before you are ready to serve, add shaved Parmesan.  Shake salad dressing and drizzle over top of spinach mixture and mix well.  You only want to use a small portion of the salad dressing as it goes a long way.  Refrigerate the left over salad dressing and use throughout the next week. 

Ratings:
Miss J, 10 out 10
Moe, 10 out 10

- Miss J