Merci, Grazie, Danke, Obrigado, 謝謝, Спасибо, Thanks...

My mom stressed good manners on me. One of her lessons that carried over is the thank you note. I’m admittedly a little behind on my notes for Christmas gifts. So I took a little time during the Jets-Pats game to catch up. (Sidebar: Tom Brady, if you or Giselle ever read this blog, keep the long hair. It gives you personality. Also, you are not Capt. America.)

 

My thank you notes have a winter theme this year. Maybe, because I have snow on my mind. I used snowflake printed papers and kept the color theme to cool blues, silvers and whites. And no card is complete without a little sparkle. I added my special pixie dust (prisma ultra-fine glitter) with a little spray adhesive.

While I got some great things for Christmas, lots more to be thankful for that presents in New Year. I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people in my life… and a couple crazy schnauzers.  

Classics… Football and Cupcakes

Big game is coming up on Sunday. Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears to decide who plays for the NFC Championship. This is match-up is a tough one for me. Love the home team, love the underdog, but my team has always been “Da Bears.” I think it started out with a fascination with Jim McMahon’s headbands, led a laugh about Ditka’s tirades and finally a total respect for Payton’s runs. And c’mon the Superbowl Shuffle – a classic. I lived with a 1985 Super Bowl Champions sign on my wall for most of my younger years.

I decide to honor the “big game” with a few cupcakes. Since I didn’t want to get run out of the city of Seattle for treats devoted to the Monsters of the Midway, I opt’d for a more neutral design. (Don't worry, I am sure I will get plenty of boos for my sweatshirt this weekend.) Football is made out of piped chocolate. Goal post are candy sticks used to make lollipops and the like.  

Now, cupcakes have officially made it on People magazine’s “not hot” list. Shine.com is calling them a fad equivalent to truffle salt. I have never had truffle salt (or bubble tea for that matter), but I do remember eating cupcakes as a little girl at about every grade school birthday party I attended. I remember making them on mommy-daughter Saturday afternoons. I separated the liners and was in charge of the sprinkles. Yep, that’s right. I was the sprinkles manager. Granted the number of “boutique” cupcake shops is a little out of control, but cupcakes are not a fad. They are a classic, same as diamond studs and cashmere…. and of course the Superbowl Shuffle.    

Resolutions and a Recipe

Happy 2011 everyone! Hope everyone rang in the New Year with fun and a little gusto.

Last year I set some resolutions for myself for the very first time in my life. Overall, 2010 was a tough year for me and it got a little easier seeing the resolution list get checked off. I accomplished everything from moving (twice… ugh) to an Irish adventure to starting up my own blog. For the fun of it, I worked today on my 2011 goals…

1.     Blog more. I know there are some concerned fans out there (Jason!). December was not my best month as a far as blog posts. I had great intentions, but too many Christmas parties, fun with friends, a trip to San Diego and then another killler New Year's Eve bash got in the way. I promise 2011 won’t disappoint. Stay tuned.

2.     Finish house projects. Let’s see I got a TV room to furnish, a spare bedroom to paint, a closet door to install, a backyard to revamp. The list goes on…

3.     Ski lots. After for the most part taking last year off, I want to hit it hard this year. I realized how much I love to ski. It forces you to test your limits. It forces you to figure out challenging situations (how am I getting down off this cliff?). It makes you feel free. The more runs I can get in this year, the better. Whistler, anyone?

4.     Run a marathon. Alright so this is the only 2010 resolution that had to be rolled over. I didn’t make it. No excuses this year.

OK, now since the last two goals involve a lot of early mornings and exercise, I thought I would work on this little recipe for a sweet early morning kick-in-the-pants energy treat to get me going. These may replace Diet Pepsi… wait who am I kidding?

Corn Flake Peanut Butter Balls

* Ingredients *

1 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter (I used reduced fat… December weight gain plan is now officially over.)

6 cups corn flakes

* Instructions *

1. Bring corn syrup and sugar to boil on stove. Remove from heat.

2. Whisk in peanut butter.

3. Pour over corn flakes and gently stir.

4. Pour a bowl of cold water and wet your fingers. Make ball with corn flake mixture and place on parchment paper. Repeat until all of the corn flake mixture is used.

5. Allow balls to cool completely. Drizzle with chocolate if desired.  

Tuesday Dinner: Beer and Meat

Randomly, I have had 3 conversations in the past week about Ireland, cooking with alcohol and beef stew. I think the universe is sending me a sign about what to have for dinner… a little Guinness Beef Stew. Plus, it’s time to cook at home. I’ve been eating out too much lately. ‘Tis the season, I guess.

Guinness is an awesome ingredient to add to your cooking and also a pretty good beer. I had my first pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar in Dublin. While there is a certain cache to that, it’s also entirely pitiful it’s taking me that long in life to veer away from Bud Light. Don’t worry. I am slowly learning to venture out more with my drink selections, and after all who knows if I would have enjoyed it as much if I had a pint stateside. Guinness always tastes better in Ireland. 

* Ingredients*

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 lbs beef stew meat, well trimmed and cut into 2 inch cubes
1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper
2 large bay leaves

1 large onion, roughly sliced

1 lb mushrooms, quartered
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1-2 Yukon Gold Potatoes, roughly chopped

4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 16 oz Guinness Stout

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons thyme
1 teaspoon rosemary
3 tablespoons tomato paste

2 cups beef broth

*Instructions*
1. Heat olive oil in Dutch Oven. Evenly coat the meat with flour, salt and pepper. Add meat and bay leaves to Dutch Oven. Brown meat about 2-3 minutes per side.

2. Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees.

3. Pour Guinness over Worcestershire sauce into pot. Add onion, mushrooms, garlic, potatoes and carrot to Dutch Oven, followed by rosemary and thyme.

4. Dissolve tomato paste in beef broth. Add to beef and veggie mixture. 

5. Place Dutch Oven in oven and cook for 5-6 hours.
6. Serve with bread. 

Warm and Festive: Two Ways

Today is December 1st. This means two things…

Number One.  It’s getting a little bit chilly outside. This is exciting for me. It means ski season is right around the corner. (For me, corner = Friday. Pretty exciting! )

Number Two. Christmas is right around the corner. Twenty-five more days of festive fun.

Since obviously today I am into enjoying the cold and being merry and I guess the number 2, I am going to share two ideas that will both keep you cozy and celebrate the best Christmas color: green. (Sorry red… you are just way too played out, too close to Coug crimson in Apple Cup week, and green is my second favorite color anytime of the year.)

Project One: A Green Scarf
A super easy project with just a few basic stitches! Plus scarves make the perfect gifts – something fashionable and something homemade.

For those of you new to knitting, try “Learn to Knit” on About.com. Lots of good pictures. I have used it as a reference many times when getting started.

* Pattern*
With size 15 needles, CO 12.
Even Rows: K1, K2 tog, YO,  K2 tog, YO, K2 tog, YO,  K2 tog, YO,  K2 tog, YO,  K1. 
Odd Rows: K1, P10, K1.
Repeat pattern for approximately 24-36 inches.
BO 12.

* Abbreviations *
CO: Cast On
K: Knit
P: Purl
YO: Yarn Over
K2 tog: Knit 2 together
BO: Bind off

Project Two: Spicy Green Chili with White Beans and Turkey 

* Ingredients *
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound spicy turkey sausage, casings removed
3 cups chopped onions
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 pounds turkey cutlets, cubed
2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 cup drained canned diced tomatoes
1 14.5 oz can, white beans, rinsed and drained, mashed
2 14.5 oz can, white beans, rinsed and drained
1 can green enchilada sauce 
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons chili flakes 

* Instructions *
1.  Heat oil in large stock pot. Brown sausage, breaking with wooden spoon. Add onions and garlic. Cook for 5 min.
2. Season turkey cutlets with salt and pepper. Add to pot. Sauté for 5-10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. 
3. Simmer on medium-low for 45 minutes.
4. Serve with shredded Monterrey Jack cheese and chopped cilantro. If it’s a little spicy for ya, add a dollop of sour cream. If this is too much food for you, do what I did  - freeze it. Frozen soups can easily be de-thawed  for a yummy homemade lunch.