Sorry Y’all!

I sincerely apologize for the complete lack of posts for over a month…I got caught up in moving and a whole bunch of work-related crises.  So, here shortly I shall resume a more timely posting schedule.

4th of July Prep: Foods Perfect for a Picnic

With all sorts of picnics going on this weekend, here are a few quick recipes to make for your own picnic or take to one.

Honeysuckle Pineapple

Ingredients:

• 4 slices fresh pineapple
• 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Mexican Vanilla Extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

To Marinate: Combine honey, brandy and lemon juice in a nonporous glass dish or bowl. Mix together and add pineapple; coat well with marinade mixture. Cover dish and marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour.  Preheat grill to medium heat and lightly oil grate. Remove pineapple from dish or bowl, discarding any leftover marinade. Place pineapple wedges directly on rack or in a basket and grill for about 10 minutes, turning, until pineapple is hot and caramelized. Serves 4.

Rosemary-Watermelon Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 sprig rosemary, leaves stripped and chopped
• 2 cups lemon juice
• 12 cups cubed seeded watermelon
• 8 cups ice cubes

Directions:Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Stir in the rosemary, and set aside to steep for 1 hour. Place half of the lemon juice, and half of the watermelon into a blender. Strain the rosemary syrup through a mesh strainer into the blender. Cover, and puree until smooth. Strain into a pitcher, then puree the remaining lemon juice and watermelon. Stir the lemonade before serving over ice.  Serves 8.

Red Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds unpeeled red potatoes
• 2-3/4 eggs
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon milk
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 1/3 cup sliced green onions
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2/3 cup sliced celery

Directions:Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add red potatoes, and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool and chop into 1 inch cubes. Place in a medium bowl. Place eggs in a medium saucepan, and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil, and immediately remove from heat. Cover, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and dice. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, distilled white vinegar, green onions, salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the potatoes, and mix together with the eggs and celery. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator approximately 2 hours before serving. Serves 8.

Guacamole Cilantro Lime Cheeseburgers

Ingredients:

Guacamole

• 2 avocados – halved, peeled, and pitted
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste

Burger

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 6 slices Monterey Jack cheese
• 6 hamburger buns

Directions:Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat. To make the guacamole, mash the avocado in a medium bowl with the juice of half a lime, chili powder, jalapeno, cilantro, 1/4 cup onion, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of minced garlic; season to taste with salt, and set aside.In a large bowl, mix together beef, the juice of half a lime, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1/2 cup diced onion, and tomatoes. Form the meat into 6 patties. Cook the burgers to desired doneness on the preheated grill. Add a slice of cheese to each burger during the last minute of cooking. Serve on toasted buns with a dollop of guacamole.  Serves 6.

4th of July Prep: The Outfit

Like a good majority of folks in our area, you’re probably headed to some sort of picnic, parade, or some sort of event in honor of our great country’s birthday.  Here’s a great outfit from Macy’s that can help you show your American pride:

The dress:

Dress, $79

Sandals:

Nine West Flat Sandal, $40.99

It took me probably 30 minutes to find something tat was actually blue, and not turquoise, despite that royal blue was one of the hottest colors of the spring.  And honestly, these look more turquoise than blue, but it was the closest I could find to a true blue.

And a wristlet:

Betseyville Sweetheart Wristlet, $48.00

Trend Alert: Scout Bags

Mini Deano Scout Bag $25.00

Scout Bags are quickly becoming popular amongst my friends.  They’re a variety of tote bags that are made of a very durable polywoven material (it reminds me of a tightly woven plastic burlap) and they come in a variety of colors and prints.

Beyond tote bags, they also make matching storage bins, most of which collapse:

Junque Trunk, $40

I love this toile!

Let’s not forget matching rugs:

Coir Rug, $40

Check out Bunaglow’s absolutely adorable website for a full selection of prints and colors.  The Pink Pineapple in Ashland, KY, also carries a selection, be sure to call ahead for print availability.

Great Local Store: The Pink Pineapple in Ashland, KY

A few weeks ago I finally managed to get to The Pink Pineapple, a boutique that’s been open for a while in Ashland, KY.  I’ve heard good things about it from my friends, so I was excited to visit.

The store is split up into two sections, babies/kids and ladies.  The baby/kid section is huge, and filled with all sorts of beautiful and unique clothes and accessories.   Accessories included baby bags, bedding, adorable little booties, and all sorts of other things.  If you know someone who is expecting, make The Pink Pineapple your first and only stop.

The ladies section looked rather bare compared to the babies section, but there was still lots of lovely clothes.  However, a lot of stores seem bare because the fall lines are starting to move in. The store carries Paige Premium Denim, Betsey Johnson’s Betseyville line, and Free People.  They also carry the Cucina kitchen soaps and cleaning supplies line, a favorite of mine.  I’m glad I can now but it locally, usually I had to get it when I was passing an Anthroplogie store, the nearest I think is in Columbus, OH.

There was also a very nice selection of photo frames, Lolita painted drinking glasses, and some other gift items.  Lots of jewelry (I bought a necklace I just adore and have yet to take off), and pajamas.  My little sister was in love with several formal dresses that I think may have been part of a prom selection.

Please do take the time to visit The Pink Pineapple, or any of our local boutiques and stores.  They truly are unique treasures in our communities, and offer items that you can’t find at Wal-Mart or the mall.  If we don’t shop at them…we lose them.

The Pink Pineapple’s MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/pinkpineappleashky

Some local reviews on The Pink Pineapple: http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3715017429

335 15th St Ashland, KY 41101-7625 (606) 324-2311

I Don’t Get It: Garbage Bowls

In my rather recent decision to become a better cook, I’ve been reading lots of Martha Stewart, Paula Deen, Rachael Ray, etc., cookbooks and magazines (I’d use the term “becoming more domestic” but my mom gets mad when I say that).

One of the things I have come aross in Rachael Ray’s cookbooks is a Garbage Bowl, or a “GeeBee” as she likes to call it.  Apparently, it’s a bowl dedicated to putting your peelings/egg shells/other scraps and trash into so you cut down on your trips to the trash can.

Huh?  You can’t just, you know, bring the trash can over to where you’re peeling potatoes?  Or use an old bowl you have lying around?  Apparently not, because Miss Ray is selling you one for a mere $18 buckeros (plus shipping!):

Like the title of this post says…I just don’t get it.

Lemon Recipes

I love, love, love, lemon flavored foods.  Desserts, lemon pepper fried fish, lemon garlic chicken…I could go on all day.  Here are a few recipes for a lemon-inspired meal.

Garlic Roast Chicken with Lemon and Rosemary
From Rachael Ray

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves stripped from stems
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 tablespoon grill seasoning blend (recommended: Montreal Seasoning) or, coarse salt and black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth

Directions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Arrange chicken in a baking dish, 9 by 13-inch. Add garlic, rosemary, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon zest and grill seasoning or salt and pepper to the dish. Toss and coat the chicken with all ingredients, then place in oven. Roast 20 minutes. Add wine and lemon juice to the dish and combine with pan juices. Return to oven and turn oven off. Let stand 5 minutes longer then remove chicken from the oven. Place baking dish on trivet and serve, spooning pan juices over the chicken pieces.

Now, for a side dish:

Lemon and Caper Mashed Potatoes
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 2 lbs yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered coarse salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, plus
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons capers, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (fresh only!)
• fresh ground black pepper

Directions

Place potatoes in a large saucepan, and fill with enough water to cover potatoes by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat.  Add a generous amount of salt; reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a paring knife, about 15 minutes.  Drain; place the potatoes back in the pot and using a potato masher or potato ricer, mash potatoes.  Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 5 tablespoons butter, milk, lemon juice, zest, and capers.  Heat until butter is melted and the mixture is warm to the touch.  Fold the milk mixture and parsley into the mashed potatoes, and season with salt and pepper.  Dot with remaining butter just before serving.

Capers, for those who don’t know, resemble olives but add a sweet, slightly sour, slightly sweet taste to a dish.  they’re used quite a bit in Mediterranean cooking, and some Asian cooking as well.

And dessert:

Lemon Blossoms
from Paula Deen

Ingredients:

4   large eggs
3 1/2 ounce package instant lemon pudding mix
18 1/2 ounce package yellow cake mix
3/4 cup vegetable oil

Glaze:
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
grated zest of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spray miniature muffin tins with vegetable oil cooking spray.  Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs and oil and blend well with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes.  Pour a small amount of batter, filling each muffin tin half way. Bake for 12 minutes. Turn out onto a tea towel.

To make the glaze, sift the sugar into a mixing bowl.  Add the lemon juice, zest, oil, and 3 tablespoons water.  Mix with a spoon until smooth.

With fingers, dip the cupcakes into the glaze while they’re still warm, covering as much of the cake as possible, or spoon the glaze over the warm cupcakes, turning them to completely coat.  Place on wire racks with waxed paper underneath to catch any drips.  Let the glaze set thoroughly, about one hour, before storing in containers with tight-fitting lids.

I adore Lemon Blossoms, quite possibly they’re my favorite dessert ever.  They’re also a really good treat to take to events (like potlucks), or package them up nicely and they can make great gifts.

For The College-Bound Belles: The Truth About Sororities

While out shopping the other day, I noticed that the stores are starting to fill up with all the colorful bedspreads and decorative whatnots for college dorm rooms.  While trying to figure out where one might actually have room in their dorm room for most of this stuff (Fact: your dorm room will be the size of a matchbox), I overheard a girl talking with her mom about joining a sorority.  Mom was worried about parties, but the girl kept talking about “how sororities also did lots of good things, like community service also!  I don’t have to just party.”

So, for all college-bound Belles (and their mamas) here is my advice about sororities:

• I partied a lot as a sorority girl.  However, I knew lots of non-Greeks who partied more often than I did.  If you’re going to party, you’re going to party, Greek affiliationion or no. The only difference is that Greek parties tended to be a fraternity house, as opposed to someone’s apartment.
• Date rape is more common in dorms and off-campus apartments then in Greek housing.
• Most fraternities have several sober brothers who can help people who’ve had one too many back to their place.  Many sororities also have Sober Sister programs where members take turns being DDs.
• Sorority Recruitment (Rush) differs from school to school.  In some schools, it is as superficial as it is in the movies.  In other schools, it is more heartfelt and truly based on who they think will be a good fit.
• Being in a sorority is a HUGE time commitment.  Most people actually don’t realize that.
• Sororities are a business.  If you can’t pay dues, you’re made an alumnae, which basically means you’re no longer an active sister but are still part of the fold.  Most chapters have payment plans, and in emergency cases, can cover parts of dues.  There are also scholarships you can get to cover dues.
• Not all chapters have houses.  If they do, they probably have a housing clause which states you have to live in the house for a certain period of time to remain a member.
• If you refuse to follow the rules, most sororities have no problem kicking you out.  Harsh, but true, just like most other organizations.
• Having a sorority leadership position on your resume looks fabulous.  It really can help you gets jobs after college, beyond networking.
• There is a lot about sorority life that is all sunshine and lollipops.  Despite being out of college 2 years, I’m still very close with many of chapter sisters.

• The best advice about sororities (or anything in life): The more you put into it, the more you get out.

If you have any questions, check with your college’s Greek Life office.

Recovering from Vera Bradley

For the longest time, I was not a Vera Bradley fan.  I thought the patterns were dull and the overall quilted designs were too matronly for me, a hip young thang (ha!).

Then, one day in 2006, my sorority adviser came to a meeting with a Petal Pink VB bag.  It was a delicious mix of delightful pinks and greens, love at first sight.  I soon after bought my first Vera, a Petal Pink Lucy.  I then became rather addicted, and started collecting all sorts of patterns and styles.  It was very easy to get addicted, as I had found several online forums where I could buy handbags that usually cost around $50 for under $20.  My collection, at its height, held around 200 items and the retail value was in the thousands.

Eventually, though, in the past 6 months or so, Vera Bradley has really lost its shine to me.  I really can’t put my finger on why.  At the time I was buying it in bulk, it wasn’t a very good part of my life, I had a lot going on, wasn’t responding to it well, and buying Vera made me happy.  Now, I look at it, and it’s like a badge representing that time.

I’ve sold a bunch since then, or have given it away when I realized that I had overlaps in my collections.  Even though I associate it with a bad period in my life, it still hurts to sell  give it away, probably due to all the time and money I put into buying it all.

However, I am a purse fiend.  I have well over 200 hundred purses (including my Veras), and knowing myself, there will come a time in the future when I will want to use them again.  I shall pull them out, and hopefully they’ll still put a smile on my face. I also think at some point I’ll post the contents of my purse collection…once I can catalog it all.

In the meantime, my black patent Anya Hindmarch serves me well.

My Newest Obession: Picking Fiesta Colors!

I’ve recently decided that I want to start collecting Fiestaware.  It comes in a variety colors, durable beyond belief, and is made here in W.Va.  What’s not to love?

A good majority of my home stuff is leftover from college, and well, it’s time to move on.  Most of my dishes are stolen from my parent’s house, or were a yard sale special.  Most of my cups are from sorority functions and souvenirs of road trips.  I couldn’t even tell you where my flatware is from, which may be a good thing.  My motto was–and that of most college kids–if it’s clean, I’ll use it. I’m about to turn 25, and I figure that’s as good of an age as any to start “adulting*” my life and lose the mismatch.

Now, my condundrum: which colors do I want?  A quick survey amongst family and friends: My mom has Yellow (retired) and some sort of light blue (also retired), Lucy has cobalt blue and white, another friend of mine has an entire rainbow.  I’m in between apartments (well, will be here in a month), and I’ve noticed that some colors work better in one place than they do in another.  I’m afraid of getting one color and having it look just awful when in a dining room setting.  An example: the peacock blue plates in a harvest gold kitchen.  And yes, there are still apartments that have harvest gold appliances; I know this because out of my last 5 apartment walk-thru’s, at least 3 have had them.  I won’t even go on about the teal walls or heavily wooden panelling.

My only, very small, complaint is that there is a lack of a pink color.  There used to be a “rose” color, but it was that mauve-ish pink that was popular in the ’80s, along with hunter green.  Yiiick.  I’d like a nice, bright pink, like the pink in a box of Crayola crayons.  I’d totally kill to get dishes in my sorority colors (yes, many sorority women still adore everything in their group’s colors/mascot well after college).

After much staring and debating (mostly me talking to myself) in Macy’s, here is what I have come up with:

The plates with the stars on them are the colors I like.

From left to right, Colbalt, Peacock, Scarlet, Tangerine, Sunflower, and Shamrock.  I love the idea of the rainbow collection.  I just hope I don’t get stuck in the harvest gold apartment.

*Adulting–the process or illusion of acting like a “grown-up.”