Dinner Confession

Sadly my dinner consisted of a super sized bag of chex mix, a bag of raw almonds, a water, and a pack of gum. That's what I get for choosing to dine at the Hudson News Shop in the LGA Airport in NY :) And yes, the chex mix bag had 8 servings and i ate thrm all. Although I am exhausted and ready to sleep in my own bed tonight, I am NOT looking forward to boarding a plane to fly into a snow storm and then off to an empty house. Moe is staying another night in NY with his brother and Sky is with her grandma (yes mom.... That's you)! On a positive note, I AM EXCITED to fly to St. Louis tomorrow night to hangout with my college housemate!!!! After a long week of work, I'm excited to catch up and have some good fun this weekend!!!! - Miss J

Shrimp Scampi with Linguine

The other night, Moe and I had another couple over for dinner.   I love dinner parties as they are so much cheaper than a night out on the town, AND often times is a much more relaxed atmosphere where you can let the dogs play and enjoy a nice glass of wine.  Most people think it is tons of work; however, I rarely get stressed about it. I think its because I feel blessed that Moe plays a very active role when we entertain.  Not only does he help get everything ready including setting the table, but we tackle clean up together.  This makes a world of a difference as you can throw the dishes in the sink while the guests are there and know that you won't be spending four hours cleaning up the kitchen once everyone leaves.  Last night as we were putting the dishes away, I looked at Matt and thought how happy I was to be married to him.  I feel like I take for granted the time we spend together so last night was one of the moments that I reminded myself how lucky I am to have him as part of my life. 

Shrimp Scampi with Linguine
Serves: 4-5
Source:  The Food Network - Tyler Florence
(http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/shrimp-scampi-with-linguini-recipe2/index.html)

1 pound linguine (or angel hair pasta)

4 tablespoons butter  (unsalted)

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1 large shallot, finely diced

5 cloves garlic, sliced

Pinch red pepper flakes, optional

20 large shrimp, about 1 pound, peeled and deveined, tail on

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 lemon, juiced

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves

Brine shrimp for 20-30 minutes.  Set aside in a strainer and place ice cubes on top to keep chilled until ready to cook shrimp. 

For the pasta, put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it has come to the boil, add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the linguine. Stir to make sure the pasta separates; cover. When the water returns to a boil, cook for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the pasta is not quite done. Drain the pasta reserving 1 cup of water.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; add them to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan; set aside and keep warm. Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over a bit more olive oil and serve immediately.

 Notes:  It is important to brine the shrimp to create the "pop" feeling when you bit into it.  I had never done this before, but decided to give it a try with the shrimp scampi.  It made a world of a difference!  I was worried that soaking the shrimp in salt water would leave the shrimp with a salty flavor.  However, this was not the case at all.  I strongly recommend it!

Directions for brining shrimp:  Dissolve 3 tablespoons of salt in about 1 gallon of cold water.  Soak for 20-30 minutes if peeled shrimp and 40-50 minutes for unpeeled shrimp.  Remove shrimp and rinse with cold water.  Pack with ice until ready to use.

- Miss J

NY Trip

Last weekend, Moe and I went to NY to visit his twin brother and sister-in-law.  It was a short weekend visit, but we were able to pack in tons of fun in the two and half days!

1.  Dinner at Recipe (http://www.recipenyc.com/)

2.  Drinking and games (Connect Four) at Dive 75 on Upper West Side (http://nymag.com/listings/bar/dive_75/)

3.  American Museum of Natural History  (http://www.amnh.org/)

4.  Burger and frozen custard at the Shake Shack (http://shakeshack.com/)

5.  Two hours of Mario Brothers on Wii (I haven't played in years and it definitely was reflected in my performance)

6.  Dinner at Land Thai Kitchen (http://www.landthaikitchen.com/)

7.  Lunch at Lombardi's Pizza in Soho  (http://www.firstpizza.com/)

8.  Shopping at Lulu Lemon and Patagonia

9.  Yogurt at Pink Berry (I think they lace this with some sort of drug because I think I am addicted!)

I am actually going to be going back to New York for two days this week for work and then off to St. Louis to visit one my college housemates for the weekend!   I can't wait!

- Miss J

Dinosaur skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History

Restaurant Week

Today is the start of restaurant week in Columbus, Ohio.  It is my favorite week as I love food and I love eating out!   It is a great opportunity to try restaurants that normally you might not be able to afford.  There are approximately 40-50 restaurants that participate.  Each restaurant comes out with a Prix Fixe Menu which costs either $15-$35 per person.  Generally, it is a three course meal with a choice of 2-5 choices per course.  Moe and I have reservations at Hyde Park with my parents tonight.  I have been wanting to try their steak forever but have always been worried about money.  For $30 per person, I get lobster bisque, Bacon-Wrapped Twin Filet Mignon, and raspberry cheesecake.  Sounds like a deal if you ask me!

- Miss J

http://restaurantweekcolumbus.com/

The Eighth Step Closer to Wise

I forgot one the other day.... 8) It is not what you say, but what you do that matters.

A Fresh Start

The first two week's have been a complete failure for my 2011 focus areas. If I were keeping score, I would be zero for ten.  This is going to be my first weekend home in three weeks so I plan to wipe the slate clean and start next week off on the right foot.  First thing is first..... I am joining a gym!
- Miss J

Seven Lessons Closer to Wise

The past month has been a roller coaster ride for me.  I have been going at turbo speed for a week straight and haven't had much time to sit back and reflect on my life. After a night of relaxation and red wine, I have made the following conclusions about life......

1)  Life planning never works.  No matter how much you prepare, things never turn out as planned.
2)  Things are not always as they seem
3)  Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself (even if you know it will piss people off)
4)  People always remember the last thing you say so choose your words wisely
5)  Less is more
6)  Communication is a two way street 
7)  Happiness is a choice 

- Miss J

13 Vintage Ads That Would Be Banned Today

Moe showed me this the other day.  I almost threw up in my mouth.  I think I would have been banned from society if I had to play the obedient dependent housewife role.

- Miss J

13 Vintage Ads That Would Be Banned Today

2011 Focus Areas

I generally don't do "New Year's Resolutions" because when I don't follow through then I feel like a failure. This year, I decided to make my list, but to treat them more as "focus areas" for 2011.  That way if I have a bad week, I don't feel like it is a lost cause and give up for the rest of the year :)

1.  Eat breakfast at home in the mornings before work
2.  Establish a sustainable workout routine
3.  Lose 10 pounds
4.  Pack my lunches
5.  Slow down
6.  Don't work weekends / week nights if unnecessary
7.  Take Skyler on walks
8.  Stop yelling at Moe about what he eats.  He is a grown up and should know by now that eating fries and burgers for dinner is not healthy for you. 
9.  Stop telling Moe what to do.... create a list of what I need his help with and let him figure out how to get it done
10. No diet coke / caffeine (this is my vice that I have been trying to kick to the curb for years)

Happy New Year to all!!!!!!!!

-  Miss J

Rise and Shine!

This morning was my first day back to work in a week.  I spent my Sunday evening making my list of 2011 resolutions which included getting up earlier and eating breakfast on weekdays.  I was super excited to start my week off on the right foot so I set two alarms on my iPhone just to make sure that I got up in time to fulfill my resolutions.  I had remembered that I had set my alarm on Sunday morning for 9:30 am and found myself sleeping in until 11:30 am so I made sure to double check the alarm TWICE before I went to bed.  At 8:10 am, I was woken up by Moe asking "Are you going to work today?"  I FLEW out of bed and hopped in the shower.  I was showered, lunch packed, and out the door in 22 minutes.  I was in the office within 50 minutes.  I was pissed off the rest of the day.  I couldn't figure out how I slept through my alarm, especially on the first day back to work in a week.  Not a good start to the New Year.  It wasn't until about 2:30 pm that my friend mentioned that there were several articles on the Internet about a clock glitch in the iPhone.  I immediately looked it up, sent the link to my boss, and included a note saying..."Proof I am not going crazy.   Tomorrow I will not be relying on my iPhone to wake me up for work".  My boss responded, "guess the "smart" phone isn't so smart!"

US News Source - iPhone Glitch

- Miss J