Tonight...I lived a country song

My heart is still beating a bit out of my chest. I had to fire up the computer before the details of tonight's dinner fizzled out of my memory.

I left work a bit early in order to drop off dinner at Taylor's work. I knew he'd be home late, like usual during these last couple of weeks of Tax Season, so it was a nice treat saying hello while it was still light out.

I was planning to welcome an old friend for dinner, but he fell sick with the flu, so I switched my mindset and sort of looked forward to my evening alone. I rarely come home before 6 on a work night, so you can imagine my delight as I schemed my solo dinner, with a bit of college women's hoops in the background, and a stack of new magazines to flip through. Tonight was going to be a true treat.

Our new kitchen has a few bells and whistles, some of which I'm scared to use. I decided I was going to make burgers (I cannot remember the last time I made a beef burger) and attempt to use the gas grill on our range. I thought I better fire it up to make sure it worked before I formed the patties and committed to this dinner.

Click, click, click...BOOM!

I can't really tell you what happened, but first I checked to make sure I had my eyebrows and lashes, and then I tried to turn on the burners again. None of the burners clicked or lit. Awesome. So, I tried turning on the oven, which is gas, too. And...nothing. Great.

I should pause for a minute to share that I had the back sliding door open to let the cat out in the backyard for a bit before it got dark. He's been pretty good at staying in the backyard, partially because Taylor's trained him and also because typically the garbage and recycling bins line the gaps in the fence leading to the front yard.

Back to the kitchen.

I didn't want to bother Taylor at work, so I did what any girl would do...I called my parents. My mom said the expected..."Let me put your dad on the phone." Good ol' Dad walked me through a series of tests for my issue, but none of them seemed to do the trick, so he offered up the, "Well, you can light a match and turn on the gas--that should work," I said I'd try it, but only if he stayed on the line should I really incinerate my lashes and brows this time.

The first match broke in half, and I couldn't find the unlit flame side anywhere on the floor or counter. It's a real comforting thought knowing an unlit match is floating around a kitchen. I burned my fingers on the second and third matches because I was such a wimp attempting to catch the flame on the gas.

I finally lit the burners, and let me tell you, I lit them all and told my dad thanks before quickly hanging up the phone to get my burgers formed. Mind you, I planned to make green beans and sweet potato fries with the burgers (again, such a special treat for tonight!), so I threw the frozen beans on one burner and, after much contemplation, decided to try baking the fries in a skillet.

I finally got the burgers made, and I threw them on a grill pan (not the grill on the stove because I had (and have) no idea where the ignitor is on that bad boy. I thought I'd set the microwave timer to help remind me when to flip the burgers, but then I realized the microwave had no power. And, the coffee maker didn't have power, either. So, while the burgers started cooking, I decided to give my dad a call back to see if he could help troubleshoot the issue again.

I tried flipping the switches on the fuse box (is that what it's called?), but the micro wouldn't turn on. Just as I was reading all the different fuse labels to my dad over the phone, the smoke detector started blazing. Correction: The smoke detectorS started blazing. I immediately heard my husband's voice ringing in my head, "If you make burgers tonight, don't forget to turn on the hood fan." I mean, this hood fan is industrial strength, but I'm just not used to having this feature, so I haven't remembered NOT to forget to turn it on. So, I ran over to the hood just as the cat--who, by this time was back in the house--BOLTED out the door and scampered around the corner of the house. The same corner of the house where the garbage and recycling bins are typically covering the holes in the fence to the front yard.

I told my dad I really had to go, and I quickly fired up the fan hood and ran over to turn on the ceiling fan (another feature I forget we have now). I tried the ol' "fan it with a towel" technique, too, in order to stop the smoke detectors from beeping. (Can you tell this is not the first time my cooking has caused these annoying beeping machines to play a tune?)

The beans were burning. The fries were charred. The burgers were actually cooking quite nicely...but the cat! What about the cat?I couldn't let this cat go missing on my watch. Although Bronx and I have our differences, I know how much he means to Taylor, and I couldn't let the cat run away from fear of the loud beeping detectors. I grabbed the bag of cat treats and ran outside, spatula in hand. I whistled and called his name, and I finally found him behind our back house.

After bribing him with the treat, I finally got him in my arms, only to walk into our house and witness what looked like a snow storm. The ceiling fan somehow picked up ash from the fireplace and was distributing it all around our living room and kitchen. At this point, I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. But I did know I had to call my mom because I had to share this scene with someone, and I just didn't want to bother sweet Taylor at work.

I told her I felt like I was living out some sappy lyrics to a country song.

I still wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry, but I did know I needed to eat, so I slapped that burger onto a cold bun, flipped the half-frozen, half-charred fries onto my plate, and scooped up a few of the beans cooked pretty similarly to the fries. I cracked open a beer, and let me tell you...I poured over every page of one of the magazines in peace and quiet.

I have no idea what's wrong with the stove or electrical, and I'm not sure how Taylor's going to heat up his leftovers when he gets home, but I survived this kitchen misadventure, and for that I'm pretty proud.

Betty and Martha back at it

When I was in college, my friend Allison would come visit me every MLK Jr., Weekend. She'd come visit me in the summertime, too. Since we met during high school and bonded over fights with our moms and our love of Starbucks, we felt oh so grown up and independent being on our own in COLLEGE.

We would always plan our cooking adventures, too, trying our hand at cooking, although neither of us really knew what we were doing. We called ourselves Betty and Martha in the kitchen. 

Now, we're really all grown up, ten years removed from high school, and still planning meals together. Though we don't get to cook in the same kitchen all that often, we love discussing meal plans and sharing tips and tricks. 

What a long introduction to the story I'm really trying to tell...

Allison knows how much I love to cook. Allison knows how much I love surprises. During a time when I should be cooking and surprising Allison (she is pregnant--due with my friend niece in June!), she planned a birthday cooking surprise for me! 

We took a "Cozy Weekend Brunch" themed class the day before my birthday a couple weeks ago, and can I just tell you, it almost made me cry. What an absolutely perfect plan. She encompassed all the things I love: spending time with her, cooking, BRUNCH, and hanging out in the Pearl downtown (of course we had to have some therapy time over lattes before our course).

Thank you, Allison. You're such a gem. You've been the best friend to me for thirteen years now. You know me very well, and your thoughtfulness is a such a blessing.

Our teacher--she was just great! I learned a lot of tips and tricks.

Focused determination on the mixing.

Here I stand...preparing to just a MEAT GRINDER for the first time.

Ah...so this is how you make pork sausage. Good workout, ladies.

More focus. Get it, Al! Show that crepe who's boss.

Our first nibble...a cheesy scone.

How cute is she? So cute. Such a good mommy-to-be.

Do you want to know what we're talking about? I'm telling her how her knife skills demonstration and also the "adding alcohol to a hot pan" portion of the class really applied to me. I don't need to remind y'all about the infamous trip to ER or the flaming Thanksgiving whiskey carrots, do I?

Inspecting the greatness.

I found out the chef is a bride-to-be, too. I asked her opinion on some cook- and bake-ware. We bonded. Can you tell?

My mouth is watering all over again. This is a brioche French toast. Very low-cal. Um. Right. 

And then we ate! The complete menu included these apple-stuffed crepes, a sweet potato hash, the pork sausage, and the French toast. The pear mimosa was a nice treat. Sorry yours had to be non-alcoholic, Al. ;)

Everybody’s workin’ for the weekend

I literally counted the minutes until 5 p.m. Friday night. We compiled a rather huge itinerary for the weekend, and I just couldn’t wait to get the party started.

Here’s a quick rundown:

• Friday: Quick bite at our neighborhood pizza joint and off to SE Portland to see one of our favorite musicians, Tyrone Wells, at the Aladdin

• Saturday a.m.: My favorite studio workout class with Schady and Stina followed by pedis and lunch at Baker & Spice—sooo relaxing and much-needed (thanks, girlies!)

• Saturday early afternoon: Packed in a quick run through my favorite shops in my old ‘hood, Multnomah Village…followed by two renditions of Supermarket Sweep at my go-to grocers...and then a beat-the-clock unpacking of said goods, quick clean of the condo, and about five loads of laundry

• Saturday p.m.: The wedding of Michelle and Matt (photos and recap below!)

• Sunday a.m.: Long run on the Wildwood Trail with good friends and a big ol’ breakfast at one of our standbys, Industrial Café

• Sunday early afternoon: The best surprise ever! Cooking class with one of my nearest and dearest friends (***not to worry, this will get a post of its own!)

• Sunday p.m.: Long, *long* overdue movie date night with friends—Taylor had been wanting to see Zero Dark Thirty since it came out, and we’ve tried and failed so many times…since this guy works so many hours during the week and weekend, I am so glad we were able to fit this in.

No matter how hard I tried to fit it all in, though, I failed on two accounts. Taylor’s mom swept through town while I was away from the house Sunday, and none of the church times at either church we attend matched up with the breaks in our plans. I know, I know. That shouldn’t be an excuse.

I am thankful for the jam-packed weekend, which provided a delightful preface to an above average Monday.

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I'm writing this recap (finally!) on March 17. Matt and Michelle have been married for two weeks, and we already received a thank you note from them...yet I'm just now blogging.

Taylor met Matt at Linfield. Matt played basketball, while Taylor tossed around the pigskin. After graduation, the fellas backpacked around Europe together, and they even lived together a bit post-grad.

I believe the story goes that Matt met Michelle through church friends. They had a somewhat on-again-off-again relationship before getting engaged just three months prior to their wedding. You may recall me mentioning how a wedding back in October was our last hurrah before our Big Day. But, Matt and Michelle surprised us with their short engagement.

They got married in a barn at a golf course here not far from where we live. Michelle spends time at her family's ranch, and Matt's a big golfer, so they liked the perfect combination factor (country meets country club) the wedding venue provided.

You could really feel the love at this coral and gray/rustic elegance wedding. I especially liked how overwhelmingly Christ-centered this couple's ceremony was--the perfect start to a lifelong union.

Congratulations to the happy couple, assuredly refreshed and rejuvenated after a honeymoon in Hawaii!

I'm still trying to figure out settings on my new camera. Surprise, surprise, huh? This could take a while...

Many of T's buddies were groomsmen...a good-looking crew.

Michelle looked absolutely gorgeous. I'd only met her once before the wedding, and she told me she picked a dress hse never would have imaged herself in. It was super sparkly with a fluttery (not the right word) bottom-half. Wow. I can't describe gowns very well. 

Cupcakes instead of cake...and you can bet I sampled almost all of them!

Site for the ceremony and reception.

Cute guest book idea--pick a post card and write a message to the new Mr. and Mrs. I chose a Central Oregon card from Taylor and me as Sunriver holds many memories for the newlyweds as it does for us!

A focused freshman 15

I love my job and the work environment in general. I am so lucky to be where I am...at a company that appreciates food as much as I do. Ha. OK. In all seriousness, my company has excellent core values as well as an approach to the work-life balance that I admire and appreciate. But. Also. The company sure likes food. Some people even warned me of the AHA! 15 when I got hired. 

Every Monday we have Community Lunch. A sign-up sheet circulates the Friday before, and everyone signs up to bring an item based on the theme (oh how I love me a good themed function to boot!). Last week, we had a tapas/appetizer lunch. My coworkers really showcased their creativity, and I tried to drum up something in a hurry, following our fun-filled weekend in Sunriver. 

My mom and I scoured our mental recipe books as well as scoped out some cookbooks and websites. In the end, we both decided I should try a simple appetizer from a magazine ad for puff pastry. I think they're called spinach and cheese wheels or something, but I decided to use a peppery cheese blend and add bacon to really make 'em pop. What's better than bacon? Well...bacon + puff pastry. A perfect marriage. 

Super simple method. Just thaw the puff pastry, roll it out, brush with an egg wash, top with spinach (I used frozen chopped spinach--thawed and thoroughly squeezed free of excess water), sprinkle with your favorite cheese or cheeses, and then toss on some crumbled bacon. Roll it all up and cut into little wheels! Just brush on a little more egg wash for that glisteny look. I think I baked them for 15 minutes or so on 350 degrees.

The next day at work, we had a garage sale as well as a cookie baking contest. I was a little over ambitious and thought I could get two different kinds of cookies baked, including my absolute go-to for oohs and ahhs, Salties, as well as a new cookie Taylor's sister introduced me to. She came up for a bake night a couple weeks ago and brought this incredible Heath-white chocolate-coconut cookie recipe. I think she found it on Pinterest. I gave my portion to Taylor to share at work, and he said they were a hit. I've since decided to call them the "AHA!s" as I won second place in the cookie contest with these treats.

My winnings from the contest--mini bundts! Can't wait to put this to use! 

I don't have a photo of the cookies (sad!), but I'll be sure to snap one next time. What I love about this recipe is how you can just throw everything into the KitchenAid and crank on the power. Piece of cake. Here's the recipe, from a blog called That Skinny Chick Can Bake: 

1 ¾ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 large egg
1 cup quick-cooking oats
4 1.4 ounce Heath bars, cut into chunks

1/2 cup coconut, shredded
8 ounces white chocolate, cut into chunks

Preheat oven to 375º. Line baking sheets with parchment. Set aside.

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.Add vanilla and egg. Beat well.

Add flour, baking soda and salt to creamed mixture. Mix well

Add oats, toffee pieces, coconut and white chips. Mix well.

Place heaping tablespoons of dough on baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes.

Allow cookies to cool a few minutes, then remove to cooling rack.

Try them for yourself! Thanks for the recipe, Whitney! XOXO 

Recipes that test my patience: Chapter 1

Risotto.

Mmm. The word just makes my mouth water. I love risotto. I really do. I love ordering it out, and I love eating it at home.

It's just SUCH. A. Labor. Of. Love.

One of my favorite risotto recipes is a kale and butternut squash version. It's up my alley, though. Total shortcutter. You end up popping the pot into the oven and it bakes to a finish. Piece of cake.

The asparagus risotto recipe I tried the other night was of the traditional stir-wait-stir-wait-wait-wait-stir variety.

It was worth the effort, but I am not sure I'll make it again. I love being in the kitchen, but I love it and leave it, and when making risotto, you just can't leave it till it's done.

 

Pie in the sky

It's not too much work to make pizza at home, and two of my favorites are Sweet Potato with Mascarpone & Rosemary Ham and Barbecue Chicken with Pineapple. Sometimes I use pre-made whole wheat crusts like Boboli, but most of the time I use a dough like Trader Joe's or something similar. 

For the sweet potato pizza, I used the garlic and herb crust, spread almost a whole container of mascarpone for the "sauce," and drizzled some olive oil on top of that. I sprinkled dried rosemary and thyme across the crust, topped with rosemary sliced ham (also a TJ's favorite) and thinly sliced sweet potatoes. 

And, for the barbecue chicken pizza, I used the whole wheat dough and spread a whole bottle of barebcue sauce on top. Then, I took a shortcut and used a can of chicken instead of taking the time to prepare chicken. I also chopped and sprinkled one red onion along with some cilantro across the whole pizza. Taylor loves pineapple, but I do not, so that's why it's on just half of the pie.:)

Two pizzas for two people is more than enough for dinner and lunch at work the next day. Mmm.

Note: A food photographer I am not! 

Pizza 1.

Pizza 2.

Split personality no more

Not sure if I've mentioned, but I have a writing mentor at work, which is just plain awesome. Awe-some. I meet with her once a month, and we discuss whatever I'm working on outside of work. On work time. I'm super serious. It's just one of the many perks of my job.

You know what I've been working on for...hmmm...well I guess it's been about a year-and-a-half now?! My book. It's back. Yes, it's back with a vengeance, thanks to this monthly meeting. I'm all about the deadline, people.

As part of this resurgence of working on The Busy Girls Cook, I'm trying to merge blogs so I'll have one singular outlet for writing about my life, learning, inspiration, inspirational friends, and of course, cooking and baking. Right now, those aspects of my life sit here. Maybe I should say sat here since I haven't done much to add to this since November. No-vem-ber. Talk about embarrassing.

I've been cooking up a storm, especially this tax season, so I'd love to get back in the habit of documenting. My girlfriend Allison and I, and also my sis and I, have done some satellite cooking, too, where we'll choose the same recipe for the same night, cook with our own spins, and then chat about the outcome.

In related news, I've also become the self-proclaimed queen of meal planning...and now even outfit planning. With a long commute and marathon training thrown into the work week mix, I have gotten to the point where I don't want to worry about what I'm cooking for dinner or what I'm wearing to work. It pans out quite nicely because I only end up going to the store once (let's get real here, I go to several stores one day a week, just to make sure I have all the necessities, and as much as I adore TJ's, we all know they don't have some of the weekly must-haves...and we also know about my love of grocery stores, especially of the health foodie variety).

I'm really rambling. And it's my lunch break. And I think it's time to get back to work.

The whole point of this post was to see if anybody out there (so, I guess this goes out to the five people who read my blog) knows how to merge blogs. One is WordPress and this, obviously, is Blogger. Holler if you can help!

Demo days

My sister Lizey's friend Jess stopped by TJ's with her mom and dad the other day, and she took a pic of me in action behind the demo desk.

Here I am, performing some serious "info-tainment," as they like to call it. I'm so stoked I have this picture as proof of my time at Teej's...such a great part-time job!

I WON A TURKEY!!!

The week before Thanksgiving, Trader Joe's held a cooking and baking contest among employees. Whoever made the best stuffing and/or pumpkin pie could take home some serious prizes. First place in each category earned a turkey and second place got a $10 TJ's gift card.

Well, now, the title of this blog post kind of spoiled the suspense, but that's OK because I really couldn't contain my excitement when I won the turkey for best pumpkin pie. Instead of a typical pie, however, I made my mom's pumpkin pie gingerbread trifle. The employees voted, and--not to brag or anything because it's my mom's recipe--I won by a landslide!

Mariel really wanted to get a pic of me and my bird, but the only time she did was when I was fresh out of the shower wearing my bathrobe. Pretty typical, though.