Not Another Monday

Mondays are the worst. Monday mornings usually find me dragging and depressed and whining to W, who--ever the sweetest man on earth--whispers soothing words to me via texts. Ah, technology.

In an effort to lift my spirits, I usually try to focus on my favorite day of the week--the weekend--which always does just feel like one, gloriously long and refreshing day. We took this past weekend slow. We weren't fully up and functioning until about 11 each morning. I couldn't help but get a little annoyed at myself for wasting the precious hours between 9 and 11 with such nonsense as delicious lattes on the couch and weekend PBS programming (my favorite) and cuddly and soft kittens and brushing my teeth, and exclaimed both mornings, HOW IS IT ALREADY 11. EVERYTHING IS OVER. THE WEEKEND IS OVER. IT JUST MIGHT AS WELL BE MONDAY. UGH. UGH. UGH. THIS IS JUST AWFUL.

To which W replied, okaaaaay, do I take a right or a left here?

Oh, W, my steady and emotionally-stable rock. I would probably be institutionalized if it weren't for him--or partial to cocaine.

Despite my mid-morning freak-outs, we had a pretty fantastic weekend. In fact, we've had quite a few pretty good weekends. Here are snippets from the last couple of months that I am relishing in right now.

These clam shell cocktail plates make me so happy. I can't wait to use them at Thanksgiving, which I am hosting this year. Eeee!

Flea market haul. I've already gifted the blue and white pitchers to Cap. They didn't end up working in my living room and look awesome in her guest room. I was pretty shocked to find a piece of tobacco leaf pattern china for $5. It matches a set that I bought back in September when Margaret was visiting. I know, you've missed so much, but it is entirely my fault. The verdict is still out on the mid century modern (MCM) sugar and creamer set. W abhors them. I do think they are little shiny, but I kind of love them. The MCM ash tray was actually found by W and looks awesome on the bar cart--not sure of what it could be used for though. The pink glasses are just heavenly and make me yearn for Christmas. I have always hated the color red (until recently) and preferred hot pink for Christmas.

Margaret and I on our way to Lewisburg when she visited all the way from NYC on Labor Day Weekend. We stopped at Hawks Nest State Park for the views.

My new china (I sold my wedding china--grandmothers everywhere are shocked) that I scored at one of my favorite antique stores in Lewisburg. I got four 5 piece place settings plus two coffee mugs (not pictured) for less than $70. The china is Horchow tobacco leaf pattern. W and I are still pretty obsessed with it. (Yep, he loved it, too!) The two coffee mugs that came with it were also in a tobacco leaf pattern, but not Horchow. I'm unsure of the maker, but the platter that I found this weekend matches those perfectly. Unfortunately, there was a sticker on the bottom that said "for decorative use only," so it now lives on the mantel. I adore it.

That planter was a flea market find and what encouraged the blue and white theme of which the pitchers were a bust.

 

W and I went to a costume party at the local crossfit gym Saturday night after a delicious dinner of pizza and sangria with Cap, J and J's dad, Mr. Mike, who was visiting from Louisiana. W was a very handsome gladiator. I was a not-quite-black-haired Wednesday Addams. I (of course!) couldn't find black hair paint anywhere. I used eye shadow that I brushed in. W was not a fan of the brown locks.

Also, a Halloween party at a crossfit gym is so un-fun, considering the 20, 30 and 40 (!!!!!) + year old women in barely there costumes. And, who can blame them? Not me! They looked fantastic. I was definitely the most covered up. People thought I was a nun. I can't help but laugh about how juxtaposed my costume was from every other female at that party. I also will never eat again. Period.

The weekend ended as so many have before--family dinner with Cap and J and this beauty of a chicken. This is the most delicious chicken you will ever eat in your life. Promise.

Recipe:
Butterfly your chicken (remove the backbone and break the breastbone).
Rinse and pat dry.
Smother in Tony Cacheres Cajun Seasoning.
Grill on the cold side of a charcoal grill (no lighter fluid!), covered for 30 minutes, skin side up.
Don't touch it.
After 30 mins., rotate it 90 degrees.
Cover and don't touch it for another 30 mins.
Make sure the internal temp is 160 degrees.
Remove and rest for 15 mins.
EAT.

-b

hello spring!

This winter seemed as though it would never end.  After some unexpected snowfall last week, I was seconds away from a breakdown.  That would have marked a first in breakdowns from precipitation... and it would have been well deserved.

This is what my front yard looked like on April 4th.  I laughed at first, and then nearly cried when reality set in...

A SOUTHERN GIRL NEEDS HER SUNSHINE.

Mother Nature was apparently only playing a delayed April Fool's joke on all of Southern WV, because the dreaded snow melted by sunrise the following morning.

AND THE ANGELS SING.

I get that snow can be beautiful and magical and all that jazz, but trust me dear friends... those qualities fade!

Today, I opened my front door and felt the warmth of morning light on my bare legs and arms.  It was MARVELOUS.

Hello Spring! You seem brighter and warmer this year.  Would you care to stay for a while?

It is quite fascinating to see what 70 degree weather can do to someone's soul.  In my case, it makes me eat less, run more, and smile often.  There is one downfall, and that is the sudden urge I get to eat Key Lime Pie.  Which is quite detrimental for whipping into bikini season.

But sometimes in life, you just have to say...

("Eff" picture inspired by Bri Jackson.  I think she has a "Chive On" phenomenon waiting to happen)

To celebrate Spring, here's my favorite Key Lime Pie Recipe:

Courtesy of Nicole Green

Key Lime Pie  

3 cups condensed milk

1/2 cup sour cream

3/4 cup lime juice

1T lime zest

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 for 5 mins.

Graham Cracker Crust

I did not make my own crust this time, but just in case you're feeling very Martha Stewart-esque....I have used this recipe before. 

Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

3 T confectioners' sugar

Whip heavy cream until it starts to thicken.  Add in vanilla extract and sugar until soft peaks form.  Spread over pies using a spatula or piping.

Serve with love and ENJOY!

Happy Spring Friends!

-Cap

Chicken & Dumplings

In honor of Frankenstorm and this cold weather, I thought I would share my favorite (and easiest) way to stay warm...

Frankenstorm Chicken & Dumplings

Ingredients

- one store bought rotisserie chicken
- 1 can cream of chicken
- 1 can cream of celery
- 1 finely diced onion
- 2-3 stalks of finely chopped celery
- 1 cup of sliced fresh carrots
- 1 cup of frozen peas
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
-1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1-2 cans of Pillsbury biscuits (Depending on how many dumplings you like in this dish.  I tend to use 1 large can and 1 small can.)

Directions

Fill a large stock pot about 3/4 of the way full with water and boil.  While your water is starting to boil, de-bone the rotisserie chicken and set all of the yummy chicken meat aside.  Place remains from de-boning is the stock pot and add salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning.  Let the water and chicken remains continue to boil on med-high to high for an hour.  Once the hour has past, remove the chicken remains from the stock pot.  Add cream of celery, cream of chicken, finely diced onion, finely chopped celery, and carrots to the stock pot.  Cook for another hour on med-low heat, stirring occasionally.

During the hour, roll biscuits with rolling pin on a floured surface until they are approximately 1/4 of an inch thick.  Cut into small squares (about an inch) and set aside.  (biscuits are an easy alternative from homemade dumplings, and they taste WONDERFUL.  You can also use frozen dumplings (which are still very yummy) if you really want a quick version of this dish.  My mother always used biscuits... so that is how I prefer them!) :)

After the hour has passed, add in the chicken and cut biscuits.  Let these simmer for about another 45 minutes, and then add in the frozen peas.  Cook for 15-30 more minutes, add salt and pepper if needed, and serve with love.

* If you find the C&D need to be thicker, just add a little bit of sifted flour.

This dish is perfect for weathering snowing days or Frankenstorm.  :)

Hope you enjoy!

-Cap

P.S.

*These received the Med Student's seal of approval, and that's a tall order! :)