A Year in Perspective

2010 was a year of many trials, tribulations and yes, even happiness.

It was the year I was not working, which was heartbreaking for me but in the end a good rest of sorts.

A year that I got the most amazing job that has the potential for me to have my dream job and get me where I would like to be in life.

The year that I let go and really let my children be who they want to be and not care what everyone thinks - they are children and let them have their style.  It's only clothes, bracelets and hair for pete's sake.

The year I really explored my creativity and was not afraid to use it.

The year I made some life decisions and hopefully I can follow through with them.

Taught and gave examples to my children on how to help others less fortunate than we are.

Went through a week's vacation without fighting with my mom!  (That's a biggie)

Made some really awesome friends, ones I really would like to keep and build great friendships with.

Connected more with my temple and the community surrounding it.

The year hubby got a really great job and is finally happy with himself and looking forward to being with this new company.

Watched my daughter, completely on her own, donate her hair for "sick children" who don't have hair (her words).

Got a new camera

Hosted a joint family event that went really well (I do love having everyone around)

There are others I am sure but I do know that these here did come to mind first.  I feel like I did different sorts of growing this year and for that I am grateful.

I see from some of my blogging friends that it is okay to get away for a while with your girlfriends and I intend on doing that.  So, in the new year I plan to get away with my friends a little bit.  Starting next month.  This year is my big 4-0 and my philosophy is birthday week, month, etc.  Lots of friends are turning 40 so it should be a great year!  I am very excited.

I also made a bucket list.  It only has one thing on it but it is a start.  I want to live abroad for some time in my life.  I need to figure that one out.

I want everyone to have a wonderful, happy, safe and festive New Year!

Blizz of 2010

Hey, haven't been feeling to great lately and actually coming out of my fog (been sick).

We have been hit with the Blizzard of 2010!

Quite crazy actually.

Snowed all day and night.

Looks like a winter wonderland now.

Took the kids sledding today.  They lasted quite a lot longer than I expected.  Now we are inside, nice and warm.

 Get them kids to do a little work

 Then some snow angel from the original angel

 Ready, set, go!

Momma it's cold out there

Now I am off get warm in front of the fireplace.

Zizette

Long Time

I keep telling myself how to get on the stick and I don't follow through.  So, the week I am off from school I will set myself straight.

It's been crazy busy times here as of late.

Last week I had the massive party here and it went great.  We made the St. Peter's Fish and Israeli Cous Cous, actually my hubby and my dad made it and EVERYONE loved it.  They truly are wonderful cooks.

One thing about entertaining, I over prepare stuff.  Not over cook but over buy, over feed and ultimately have tons of left overs.

We didn't cook the 5 flatbreads I purchased, the spinach/artichoke dip and lord knows what else.  Hey it made for easy meal planning this week.

The kids had a blast and that is what counts.  I won a Fire Pit for our backyard in the gift exchange, yay me!

The recipes for the food were as follows (dad gave me a cheater method to speed things along).

St Peter's Fish
1 lb of fish (I use Salmon - you can use swordfish, halibut any hearty fish)
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
small jar of capers
onion
garlic
cilantro
olive oil

In a 5 1/2 quart pot,  saute the onions and garlic until translucent (season with salt and pepper).  Add sauce to onions and garlic, simmer on low for 10 minutes then add about half a jar of capers. Add the fish to pot.  (if you do lots of fish you can transfer to a roasting pan and cook in the oven - it can bee cooked stovetop or in the oven).  My dad cooks it for 10-15 minutes but he likes his fish not fully cooked so I would say it took about 30 minutes to fully cook.  Plate up and serve with chopped cilantro on top. Serves 4 people.

Israeli Cous Cous with Mushrooms

1 cup Israeli Cous Cous (also called pearled cous cous)
I use the box variety, it is plain so I follow the directions on preparation on the box)
1 pint (small container) shitake mushrooms (you can use any type)
1/2 shallot
olive oil

Chop the mushrooms and saute in pot with chopped shallots, season with salt and pepper.  Add in Cous Cous to flavor it up.  Add the water and cook as per box instructions.  Serve with fish or any dish you desire.

I am sorry some of my recipes are not super technical and "perfect"  they are recipes we do at home and sometimes off the cuff so to speak.  They are tasty.

Enjoy!

Rainy Days and Sundays...

I know it's not the song but close enough, however I am not down just busy.

Today we will have both of our families over today for the holidays.  We couldn't do it last week since Maya was in the Nutcracker all weekend.  With Hubby's family we are 15 and I asked my parents and brother to come and then my other brother in law asked if his brother could come since he lives not too far from us.  Sure, the more the merrier!

I was out all day shopping with Maya.  It was nice to have a little time with just one, not schlepping two kids and no fighting in the car.  We also had a nice dinner out as a family.

Today I will be making St Peters Fish.  It is a Moroccan dish that my dad's family has made forever and my aunt actually makes it the best!  I have to convince my dad to make israeli cous cous with mushrooms.

We have some fabulous appetizers and desserts!  So it's a busy day.

Also in my shopping yesterday I got a new chandelier for my dining room, which today is actually our sitting room.  I am so happy to finally get that in (my brother in law is coming early to put that in).

I can't wait for everyone to come over but I have to get busy.

Have a great Sunday!

8 Festive Nights

I am so happy this year with Hanukkah.

With my son going to Hebrew school and learning the traditions of our religion his motto or saying for this year's holiday was, "it's not about the presents."  I am so happy that he was able to realize this this year.

We even used a whole box of the candles, actually 2 boxes!  We did our candles every night, said our prayers and yes, gave gifts.

It was very nice for all of us to gather around our menorahs, say the prayers, light the candles and even sing songs.

This is what religion is all about to me.  The Traditions.  Like Tevye says in Fiddler on the Roof, "Tradition!"

When we were getting married the cantor, the one who sings along with the rabbi during services asked my beloved and I if we were religious the two of us basically scoffed at the idea.  She had asked us seriously what we felt about religion.  The two of us being on the same page said we didn't like how religion, all of them basically told you what you needed to believe in and practice in such a such way.  We wanted to (and still do) want to teach our children about the traditions, the history behind our religion and let them decide how much or how little they choose to practice.

We by no means are very strict with our religion but our beliefs are in the right place.  We want our children to know where we come from and how to be good people.  I think that is what we all strive for, to be good people.

So, this holiday, this year my child showed a true interest in the holiday and what it truly meant and that is the greatest gift of all.

I wish each and ever y one of you a very happy holiday season - Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Something Spontaneous

Life is so busy sometimes and we really tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of it all. As you can see that's where I have been lately and not posting. I feel like my work is sucking the life out of me and my blogging. I want to do so much more but in the end I don't do it. So I have been thinking about where I want to take my blog.

I love my cooking, I want to do more decorating and I want to do my crafting. So I am going to take time each day to do a little something. Like this year was the first year that I actually made the potato latkes for my kids (one kid and the rest of the family said they loved them, then the other kid tells me that they were terrible because he could taste the very tiny bit of onion in it).

I am SWAMPED this weekend with The Nutcracker. My little girl is an angel in the show this year so it is a Nutcracker weekend.

So, hopefully in the next few weeks I will be sharing more with you what I am doing around this place and my crafts!

I need to get back to making the things I love.

So here's to a busy weekend and trying to do something spontaneous. Oh, I did do something spontaneous this weekend, on Friday a friend called me after 10 pm and asked me to come over for wine and cheese with some other ladies, I told her I was in bed. She said, come in your pjs and another friend has already poured your wine. So, I did and you know what? I had a great time and stayed until 1 am just hanging out with the ladies. AND I tried this awesome cheese I think it was pecorino and truffles (two of my favorites!). You know that will be served at our Hanukkah party next week.

Ta-Ta

Zizette

Missing you

Right about now 9 years ago I got a phone call no on would ever want to get, my brother had died.
I was a new mom with a baby only 9 days old. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion this day, my son was to have his Bris, instead it was a very sad day. In our religion the Bris still goes on and then you change gears preparing to bury my brother.

My brother Michael.
The most wonderful human being out there, really. I don't just say iy because he is my brother but because he had a heart like no other. He loved and cared about everyone. He loved spending an afternoon with the old, retired people in old aged homes to hear about their lives, he stood up for the people who no one would stand up for, he loved history, his religion and his new nephew.

He was a typical teenager. You know at some point teenagers arevery self centered, it's just part of human nature, life is about them and their world. I had just had a baby and he called me out of the blue in the hospital on a Saturday night to chat. I was blown away. It meant so much to me. You see, my brother and I had a 13 year difference so there is little place for having something in common when you are younger. He was the annoying little brother and I am sure I was the bossy big sister but something changed the summer before he died. He was growing up.
It makes me so sad that my kids do not know him. He would have been a great uncle and they have a great uncle in my other brother but it would be nice if he was here too.

So, today, I am thankful that I have my baby brother watching over me and my children. I love him and miss him and I always will.

I love you little brother and miss you everyday.

Tired

Plain and simple, I am beat.

Stick a fork in me.

Get the picture?

Last night I did the awesome mother sacrifice and I allowed Sam to have a birthday sleepover. Not just his bestest friend, but his 4 bestest friends. (I know there is no such word but the kids, I borrowed it from them)

They were not bad, really.

I invitd them over at a time that I thought I would be off the hook for dinner. Um, no they are 9 year old boys who are ALWAYS hungry.

They played video games the whole time, in the playroom with the door shut. Not bad. At 11:30 I said off with the Wii and they set up camp in the living room. I even got them all to brush their teeth.

I went back down at 12:30, they were playing Itouch, netbook and the DS. At 1:30 I said, enough was enough and it was bedtime. They went to bed and I sort of did.

I woke up at 5-ish. That stinks. My body gets up everyday at 5:15 am so I am sort of in my routine, UGH.

I made them pumpkin spice chocolate chip muffins, recipe to follow. They ate cereal and were all gone by 9:15 am.

I am ready to crash and it is not even Noon!

In the end, my Sam had a fabulous night and he is very happy.

9 years ago

** I just realized this never posted**

Everything seemed so different.

We were a couple, with a cat.

Then one fine Friday morning I woke up to go to the hospital to have a baby.

Just me and my man, driving on the highway. NERVOUS. I was set to have a c-section. I had resolved myself to having it so I was not upset but had no idea what it would be like.

We get to the hospital, check in, prepare.

We were convinced by EVERYONE that we were having a girl. We would have named her Isabella. We were so excited and freaked out at the same time. But I was ready. I wanted to be a mom so bad.

I get the spinal, hubby comes in, we're all set.

The doctor is taking out my baby and he says. "It's a BOY!" I look at hubby and say, "we have a son?!?" We asked the doctor what he thought was a good name between Sam and Ben (remember we were thinking Isabella) and he said Sam. Hubby liked it and said, "that's it Sam." (he wasn't really partial to Ben and we threw that name out there in several of our talks)

So, Sam it was/is. Our parents were waiting downstairs and then came up. So happy. I had this beautiful baby boy.

I am so grateful for the wonderful son I have who is imaginative, creative, loving and his own person. People like him and he is funny. I hope he grows up to be a good man and that he is happy.

I love him so and wish him the best of birthdays today. Happy 9th birthday my Sam. Mommy loves you and thinks you are the greatest.

Weigh In

I have been bad about weighing in lately but this week I did and I had a 3 pound loss! Yippee! I am determined more than ever to lose 10 lbs in the next 4 weeks. I know I must be crazy but I did my BMI and it did not make me happy but I have an ulterior motive. Aside from being healthy I want the weight off but I want something more. I want a breast reduction. I know TMI but for years it has bothered me. This is so ironic because back in the day when all my friends were getting boobs I had none - in fact I really had no body (ahh to think I wanted boobs and curves back then).

So, I have an appointment with a surgeon. I have suffered back pain, headaches and the fact that anytime I find clothes I have to go up a size because of my breasts. So I think the weight loss will help and it's a consultation. So that is my motivation for now.

Sunday Dinners

I have really wanted to get into the mode of making nice family dinners. Last week was Halloween so we just had pizza but this week I had a plan.

I had a nice London Broil and decided it was time to make it.

Pepper Crusted Steak with Horseradish cream on Garlic Crostini

Marinade

3 cloves of garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

1 Tablespoon peppercorns, cracked

1/3 cup of olive oil

2 lbs of London Broil

2 teaspoons kosher salt

Combine all ingredients in a Large ziploc bag completely covering meat. Let all air out of bag and let sit at least 6 hours, or overnight.

Preheat grill or broiler for 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle meat with salt, grill or broil until med rare (or however you prefer your meat to be cooked). Cooking time will depend on thickness of the meat.

Let the meat stand for at least an hour, then slice thin. Serve on Crostini. Top with Horseradish sauce.

For my Crostini I had some roasted garlic from my butternut squash soup that I mixed with olive oil, salt and pepper.

I cut the bread on an angle and then with my silicone brush put the garlic/olive oil mixture on them. I then put in the broiler (Our grill did not have any propane).

The Horseradish sauce I made was

1/3 cup of horseradish

1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

1/2 pepper

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

1/2 cup of sour cream

I also made a Butternut Squash Soup. The recipe is from my husband (who attended Culinary school - The Culinary Institute of America)**

1 Butternut Squash

1 1/2 head of garlic

1 onion

1 leek

salt

pepper

1/2 ginger

2 sprigs of thyme

1/2 lemon

Olive oil

32 oz Chicken Stock

Preheat oven to 350. Oil, salt and pepper squash. Place on a baking sheet and bake, rotating squash every 15 minutes until tender. Sweat the onion and leeks in olive oil, season with salt and pepper. When squash is tender, immediately remove squash from skins - very hot but it comes out easier this way. Add squash to onion and leeks. Puree squash, onion and leeks. Simmer 15 minutes. Add warm chicken stock, slowly, pureeing as you go. I tend to like it think but make it a little thinner because you will let it simmer for 20-30 minutes and it thickens up then. You don't need to use all the stock but I usually do. While it simmers I put the ginger (chopped) into a sachet and the same for the thyme (2 separate sachets).

I do another puree in the middle of simmering. Serve warm with Cream Fraiche on top. It is great to keep in the house during the winter. It is one of my favorites. Enjoy.

Enjoy.

Proudest Day

Today my baby did something so selfless and giving I am brimming with utter happiness and joy.

She donated her hair, 11 1/2 inches of it, to Locks of Love.

It was her decision. She has heard of other girls doing it, her aunt and cousins participate in a HUGE Relay 4 Life at their school ad a salon comes and does the cuts for people and my sister in law told me of another salon that does cuts for free and takes care of everything for you.

So when Maya came to me and I said I want to do it, we set up an appointment. She looks so amazing!

Here is her before:

Here is her after the braiding:

No turning back now

The full treatment was given by Everson from the Adam Broderick Salon and Spa

I am so proud of her and when my sister in law asked her for a video why she was doing this she said so she could help people, kids who are sick and don't have hair.

This was prompted from 3 years ago my sister in law getting Medulary Thyroid cancer and then after having all her lymph nodes removed and getting the all clear my mother in law being diagnosed with Leukemia.

So that was our day. I am truly so proud of my little girl.

School Projects

At the kid's school every year the librarian runs a little activity called "PumpKans." Basically you, umm I mean the kids, make a character from a book they read out of a can.

Maya wanted the Three Little Pigs. We made them out of small water bottles, felt, styrofoam circles, markers, paint and googly eyes. Oh yeah and a very hot glue gun (I still feel the pain on my nail - OUCH!).

We had fun making it together. It was fun. I just had to take a picture of the pigs with our haunted house.

Sam on the other hand wanted to do Dan from Bakugan. We had fun making his hair with pipe cleaners. This is also who he is for Halloween.

At the end of it all Sam said, "Mom, you always help us with our projects. Thanks."

That's what it's all about and I am happy.

Zizette

Cake Pops part 2

So I let my cake pops chill overnight as the recipe stated.

I melted the orange chocolate since Maya wanted to have "pumpkin" cake pops. I dipped the sticks in the chocolate and then put into the cake ball.

After that I started to dip them in the orange chocolate. It was not coming out well. The chocolate started to harden so I melted it some more BUT one of the balls broke in the chocolate and needless to say, there was a mess. Dump orange chocolate. No more orange.

Day 3: White chocolate. Modified the recipe a little. Good coverage. All covered. Then I drizzled chocolate to make them look like Mummies. Drew some eyes on them, very good.

I let them dry in a floral foam block. They came out pretty cool for a first time, I think.

Cake Pops Part 1

Okay, my baby had decided that she wanted a Halloween party for her birthday, so me being the mom I am obliged.

So, now I am doing everything I can to put togethe

r something that will be really awesome.

I am making her Cake pops. I started this evening.

Step one was to bake a cake as per directions. Cool cake and then crumble. Recipes have suggested to put it into a Cuisinart. I only have a small one, the blender was not really an option so I used my Cuisinart Blender stick (LOVE). It worked out great.

Step two was to mix with frosting and then roll into balls.

Step three was to let it sit on the tray overnight in the refrigerator (tomorrow I will be dipping them in chocolate and decorating them).

I am so excited to see what happens. I chose for these pops to make a confetti cake mixture and cream cheese frosting.

If I am able I am going to attempt to make a bunting with some fabric I have had for a few years.

Some eyeball cupcakes, bones chocolates and maybe, just maybe homemade candy corn. Hmm maybe I need a day off. Oh and Maya just asked for petit fours like the ones I made for her party last year! Thank goodness I have those ingredients in the pantry. I also was thinking of doing caramel apples with the kids.

That reminds me, I need to call one of my sitters to come and "assist" the party. Toodles for now.

Zizette

Sunday Dinners

As a teenager I recall having Sunday dinners made by my dad. My dad would be making shrimp on skewers with my bestie Jen and I putting it together and enjoying a great meal with my family. Everyone loved coming to my house on Sundays for dinner. I really enjoy having Sunday dinner for my family. It gives me a chance to cook and make fabulous meals (or not so fabulous meals) and at the same time have my children eat outside of their little boxes.

So, on some Sundays I am able to make fantastic meals that the children will try and we both enjoy. Tonight was one of those nights.

Tonight I made a Roast, with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Green beans with dill.

We actually had an added guest this evening (son's best friend) and we had a great time (I even made them chicken nuggets in case they wouldn't eat the roast).

Roast Beef with Dijon Caper Sauce

Roast Beef:

• 1 3-pound eye of round beef roast, trimmed of excess fat and sinew
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
• 2 cups low-salt beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons drained capers

For roast beef:
Sprinkle beef with 1/2 teaspoon salt; let stand 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix thyme, basil, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in small bowl. Heat oil in large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook until browned on all sides, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with herb mixture. Transfer skillet to oven. Roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meat registers 130°F, about 40 minutes. Transfer to cutting board; let rest.

For sauce:
Place skillet with juices over medium-high heat. Add butter; stir until melted. Add flour; whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in broth; bring to boil. Boil until sauce is reduced to 1 1/4 cups, whisking often, about 6 minutes. Whisk in mustard and capers. Season sauce with pepper.

Cut beef crosswise into very thin slices. Transfer beef to platter. Serve with sauce.

Roasted Garlic Mashed potatoes

2 lbs of potatoes

1 head of Garlic

Salt

Pepper

Olive oil

Butter

cream

Truffle oil

Cut off the top of the head of garlic, drizzle with oil, salt and pepper. Place in foil and wrap with top exposed. Put into an oven at 350. Peel and cut potatoes in quarters. Put into boiling water. When tender, remove from water, melt butter and cream.

Add warm butter/cream mixture to potatoes as you mash them, add the roasted garlic (just squeeze the garlic out of the skins and add truffle oil (Fairway has a nice olive oil with truffles that is fabulous). Add salt and pepper to taste.

Green Beans with Dill

Melt 1 TBS of butter in pan. Add Green beans. Little salt and Dill, toss. Serve. Very tasty.

It was a fabulous meal by all. I look forward to making some more in the future.

Zizette

New Recipe!

I think I have made meatballs a few times, just winging the recipe and other times adapting others. Well, tonight I tried a recipe of someone whose cooking I absolutely love, Lidia Bastianich. I really love her food. I have been to several of her restaurants (one's she has with her son and Mario Batali - they really are a great team). In any case, I decided to try her meatball recipe this evening and I am in LOVE.

These meatballs were so moist on the inside and just absolutely delish. The kids liked them too and you know my picky kids (I have one who does not like sauce so I have to rinse the sauce off with hot water - please). My son's only request is that the meatballs have cheese in them and he can actually tell when I have not had it in them.

Here's her recipe:

Spaghetti con Polpette di Carne

Meatballs

1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground beef
1 cup fine, dry bread crumbs
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped fine
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
All-purpose flour
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Meanwhile, crumble the pork and beef into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the bread crumbs, 1/3 cup grated cheese, the parsley, and garlic over the meat. Beat the egg with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl until blended. Pour over the meat mixture. Mix the ingredients with clean hands just until evenly blended. Don't overmix. Shape the meat mixture into 1-1/2 inch balls.

Dredge the meatballs in the flour until lightly but evenly coated. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil and the vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Slip as many meatballs into the skillet as will fit without crowding. Fry, turning as necessary, until golden brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Adjust the heat as the meatballs cook to prevent them from overbrowning. Remove the meatballs, and repeat if necessary with the remaining meatballs.

Add the browned meatballs to tomato sauce and cook, stirring gently with a wooden spoon, until no trace of pink remains at the center of the meatballs, about 30 minutes. Serve over pasta. Enjoy!

Then I was being a bit ambitious this evening and even baked my family my chocolate chip cookies. They were very happy. I am sure they will be gone by Saturday. I will make more or try something new this weekend. I am thinking about trying Bakerella's cake pops for Maya's Halloween party next week.

Happy Friday!

Amazing Art Show

I think I have told you in the past about my wonderful artist friend Emily.

She can be found here.

Last night I went to her art show in NYC.

I met up with a few of the camp ladies and we went out for the night.

The show was called ParTY.

My FAVORITE, I so love this picture

These are pretty cool too.

I love this piece

Truth is I love all her art. She even had some from what we did this summer which was pretty cool; not only seeing it but seeing people wanting to buy it. She really is talented and she gives me lots of inspiration. There was so much more art there and it was/is all fabulous. It was held at the Prince George Ballroom. One side it has this gorgeous art gallery and the other side it has this beautiful ballroom. The nice Emily told me was that the rental fees for the Gallery portion of the space go to support the Homeless.

It was a fabulous night and after the artist's reception we went for some BBQ at a pretty good place where you go up with tickets, get your food and then come back to your seat. The end of the night the waiter collects your tickets that shows a price for what you ate and done. They had a band, which my friend kept remarking about the "short" Cowboy - ironic since my friend is a petite gal herself.

It was a great night, Bravo Emily!

Zizette

Birds Nest Breakfast

We were invited to have breakfast this morning at a friend's house. Gorgeous day for a lovely breakfast outside on the patio.

I decided to make a breakfast that I have not tried before. I could have gone with my standard Creme Brulee French Toast (but I forgot to buy the necessary bread for the recipe last night).

I made Birds Nests but I think I prefer the name Eggs in a Basket. You decide.

Eggs in a Basket

1 dozen eggs

4 Tablespoons of butter

Cheese (I chose a dill harvarti)

Fresh Dill (again I chose this to pair with my cheese)

Loaf of Whole Grain Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter, grease muffin pan. Take slices of bread and put into the muffin pan as you would a cupcake liner. They will stick out a little. Butter the bread with a silicone brush (easier to clean), crack an egg into each bread basket (it may overflow a little but the bread does absorb a little of the egg). Grate your cheese if you buy a block (I used about 3/4 of the block) and then sprinkle on each egg basket. Bake for about 10 minutes. You can do less, depends on how runny you would like your eggs. Mine were soft not runny.

Remove from oven and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm out of the oven.

ENJOY!

Everyone loved them. I may need to serve that at my Moms and Mimosas brunch next month Thanks Kasey ;) for the idea. Oh, and I forgot to take the after picture all pretty on the platter since I was rushing out to get it to my friend's house while they were warm.

Zizette

Happy Dance

Well, this week I did myself one better, actually two better.

I lost 3 pounds this week!

I have been trying so very hard to do well. I was actually lower before the summer but evidently, I had a good time. :) Consistently I have bee losing 1 pound and this week I did so much better.

So I have been religiously eating my salads every day for lunch and having my 100 calorie snacks, even cut back on my wine during the week (even though some days I really do need it).

I even went to the dr today, regular check up and he even said I was doing well and his scale said the same as my home scale (morning weight) in the evening. Very happy, so I can do my happy dance today. Thanks for the inspiring words from my friends.

Another Good Week

I am so proud again this week.

Even though I am overwhelmed with a new position and in a place where you would think I would splurge I have been able to stick to it and lose the week.

I am down 1.1 lbs this week.

I know it seems slow but as the saying goes, "slow and steady wins the race."

Here's to next week.

Zizette

Thanks Kim

About a week ago my dear friend Kim made a delicious meal that I really enjoy making, Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic.

I think she first introduced it to me last year and when I tried it I knew I loved it. I never felt that it was a difficult recipe and even today I did not feel this way.

I have sort of been MIA a bit lately. The new school year has kicked my booty. Just adjusting to a new situation and staffing has been quite a challenge for me.

So, I am starting to get myself back in the groove. The cooking and baking, the things I want to do and I am not.

I took on the big task of a carnival but I should not have taken it on. It really is too much but I can never say no. The only benefit is that it will be over this weekend and then I can go back to working on myself and my family.

So, this evening I made this fabulous dish. AND I finally took pictures of me cooking along the way (the picture taking is something I want to do better).

Sauteed chicken

The garlic smelled so good (not sure if there are exactly 40 cloves in there)

The final product with all the yummy sauce

I chose to put it over egg noodles to save the time with what the children will eat and I really was not in the mood to make roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Actually that is hubby's signature dish and he was busy using the wet vac on our flooded basement. It was a very good dinner and I am so glad Kim brought it back into my memory.

Enjoy!

Zizette

Bad Mommy Award or Just Evil Mommy?

I think that is what I am in the running for today.

You see I have told my children a little white lie.

Actually I didn't lie, it was an omission, or rather an assumption by them (see I am putting it off on the little lads - bad mommy, huh?)

I decided that my little children needed some variety in their diet.

They love the same foods all the time. I try to have some diversity but they are who they are and I guess it is mostly my fault so now I have to work hard at getting them to eat new foods. The thing is there was a time when my pickiest eater son, did eat any and all foods his nanny, Julie gave him and then one day something changed.

So, tonight I did a trick from the past.

I have done it before but one day got caught so I have not dared to do it again,

until

TODAY

I was shopping and bought Boneless Pork Loin Chops.

You know, the thin ones that you can totally pass off as chicken, specifically Chicken Cutlets?

I did it.

I made the pork cutlets and the kiddies thought they were chicken cutlets. I never said chicken, I just said cutlets. Sam even asked to have his with cheese on top - like his chicken - "No problem" says his evil, I mean Wonderful mommy.

Can you believe they ate EVERY.SINGLE.MORSEL?

They had a fabulous dinner, Pork with Cous Cous and Green beans (fresh from the Farmers Market - more on that later).

Oh yeah, my other time. In the past I have passed off fresh fish fried as a cutlet and the kids have loved it as well, until one day I bought frozen flounder from a favorite place. It was not good, too salty or something off but I did not know until Sam tells me after one bite, "this is the WORST chicken you have ever made MOM!" I said, "No it's not, it's the worst fish I have ever made!" He could not believe I tricked them. For a while he wouldn't eat my chicken and he loves my chicken. So, I had to wait until the memory was out of his head. Today it was. My husband asked if he should tell the kids about the pork, I told him "NO WAY."

So, am I really that bad since I did something good? I am happy they liked it and it gives me more to give them.

Zizette

Good Day

Another good week. I lost 1.2 lbs!!!

I know it seems small but every little pound or even ounce is a triumph.

I stuck to it and it paid off.

Thank you for all of the kind words from my wonderful friends and supporters.

Zizette

Fasting = Feast

I am fasting today as part of my religion. While this may be my least favorite holiday obligation it is sort of my favorite holiday.

I love the "Break Fast" food.

All my faves bagels, cream cheese, lox, whitefish oh the list goes on and we traditionally break it first by having an nice Bloody Mary. That's the way we roll in my house.

Years ago I made an egg salad. No biggie but it has now become a MUST HAVE at our table. I know I am making it but a few nights ago, late by my standards (9:30) my step mother calls and says, "you are making egg salad, right? Hugh and Jeannette are coming over and you know how they love your egg salad." To which I replied, "absolutely, how could I not?"

So, this am while I am fasting I will make the egg salad.

Zee's Fab.U.Lous Egg Salad (at least to my peeps it is)

1 dozen Large Eggs

2 1/2 Tablespoons Mayo (more or less to your liking)

2 Tablespoons finely chopped Capers

1 Tablespoons finely chopped Shallot

1 Squirt of Dijon Mustard (again more or less to your liking)

2 Teaspoons finely chopped Tarragon

Place eggs in pot with 1 inch of water covering, once water is boiling cover for 1 minute then turn off water and let covered pot sit for 15 minutes. Prep other ingredients. Remove eggs from water and put into ice water bowl to cool. Peel and cut eggs, separating whites and yolks. Chop whites. Mash egg yolks and mayo. Combine all ingredients. Serve on top of a salad or your favorite bread.

Bon Appetit!