May 15, 2009

There’s so much going on in TV-land this week!  American Idol is down to the top two finalists now (sorry, Danny, I didn’t vote), Dancing with the Stars is down to the top three couples, Gray’s Anatomy had their season finale episode last night, and The Biggest Loser wrapped up this week. Those are the big ones I know about and I’m sure there are lots of others.  But do I care about any of these shows?  Nope.  All I care about is one thing…Lost!  Wednesday night’s episode is the last one that I’ll see before the final season starts.  I think I’m mourning it already.  Lost is the one show I faithfully watch without fail.  I’ll watch Idol and enjoy it, but it’s no biggie if I miss it.  Do I miss a minute of Lost?  Oh, hell, no!

So what happened Wednesday night?  What didn’t happen!  These are the notes I scribbled down to talk about with my fellow “Losties”:

• So Jacob met young Kate stealing?  And young Sawyer at his parents’ funeral?  And Sayid when Nadia died?  And Alanna in bandages? And John Locke after he flew out the window?  And Sun and Jin at their wedding?  And Jack at the hospital?  And Hurley outside the prison?   And he was speaking all those languages?  And flying around in time?  What the heck does it MEAN??

• What’s in the guitar case Jacob left in the cab with Hurley?

• How long had Jacob been living at the giant statue?  Why is there only an ankle and a foot left?  How did Jacob get there?  Who was the other guy who wanted to kill him?

• Is Jacob really dead?  How could he let Ben kill him?  Surely he knew it was coming!

• What’s the deal with Jacob being so kind and caring?  Didn’t we think he’d be monster-ish?  He was downright nice!

• Why did the other plane survivors, led by Alanna, turn weird?  Or maybe they were always weird and we’re just now seeing it.  What does it mean that they think Lapidus is a candidate?

• We were all digging the new confident John Locke, right?  But now we have a question.  WHO IS THE NEW LOCKE??  Did the dude looking for a loophole just assume John’s identity?  What??

• Hasn’t Jack changed a TON since getting back to the island?  First, he’s Mr. Philosophical Man…it’s our destiny, the island wants this or that, blabbedy blah.  Second, he’s Mr. Gun-Toting Man.  Have we ever seen him shoot anyone?  I can’t recall it if we have, but he was shooting anything that moved this week, like he’d just channeled Dirty Harry.  And, thirdly, now he’s Mr. Fight Club?  He and Sawyer have definitely been building up to the Mother of All Fights for years, but this was a bloody doozie!  What would have happened if they’d been allowed to fight to the death?

• On a lighter note, what was the point of finding Bernard and Rose playing house in the jungle?  I was kind of hoping we’d seen the last of wimpy Bernard.  But it was nice to see that dear old Vincent was still a survivor.

• Once the nuke had been tossed into the hole, why were these people all standing around the drill site pickin’ their dirty noses??  Wouldn’t you run like heck?  I would.  But that’s just me.

• Ok, as much as I loved this last episode, there’s one thing I’m just not buying, and that’s the whole mind-changing thing going on with the girls.  Juliet is so convinced – by her nemesis Kate, no less – of the wrongness of Jack’s bomb plan that she gives up her last chance to get off the island, while she’s in the ding dang sub, for cryin’ out loud?  But 5 minutes later, she’s changed her mind?  Huh?  And increasingly-annoying Kate is on her self-righteous white horse to stop Jack from making this mortal error, but five minutes later, she’s changed her mind too??  What?  I get it…a woman’s prerogative is to change her mind, but I didn’t buy it this time.  Sorry, it seemed contrived to me.

• So we think we’ve seen the last of Juliet.  Finally!  Whew!  Isn’t it ironic that she’s been so periodically untrustworthy and generally irritating, and now she may actually turn out to be a martyr and secret hero for cussing out the bomb and bashing it with a rock?  That is, if the bomb plan worked…once it blew, did it work?

Those are my thoughts, although I should say those are my questions.  Isn’t that what we love about Lost though?  That as much as we learn, we always have more questions and we can never predict what will happen?  Oh, and there’s one more thing that I love about Lost.

Did you think I could leave Lost til next season without a little more deliciosity to get us through these long, cold, lonely months?  Oh, hell, no!

~BigSis

May 14, 2009

We had so much fun doing our Pink Potatotini for the April Potato Ho Down! It’s not every day that we make pink potatoes!

I prefer either red, yellow, or purple potatoes over the russet potatoes, as was called for in this original recipe. I usually buy the 2 lb. Potato Medley from Trader Joe’s that has just the right amount of each variety. Normally, I just cut them into quarters and roast with gobs of olive oil, garlic, and rosemary.  I decided to try something different this time.

And, yes, you guessed it! This recipe is my entry for the May Potato Ho Down, which is being hosted by the one and only, Noble Pig, who is one of the creators of this fun event.

To see the complete roundup of recipes from all the Potato Hos, be sure to visit Noble Pig on Wednesday, May 20th!

I should have changed the name of this recipe to Roasted Potato Slices with a Garlicky, Garlic-Rosemary Crust, because I think I tripled the amount of garlic that the original recipe called for. I found this recipe in a Williams-Sonoma Potato Cookbook. (This edition was published by Simon & Schuster.)

These potatoes were yummy! HayHay was thrilled to come home from school to a house smelling of roasted potatoes, garlic and rosemary.  They were planned as a side for dinner, but ended up being his after school snack instead! Yes, all of them! (okay…I had a couple.)

Roasted Potato Slices with a Rosemary-Garlic Crust
(adapted from Williams-Sonoma “Potato”)

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
2 lbs. of mixed red, yellow, and purple potatoes
2-3 T. Olive Oil
1 T. minced fresh rosemary, plus sprigs for garnish
3 large garlic cloves, minced (original recipe called for 1 T. minced)
1 T. Dijon mustard
1 1/2 c. fresh sourdough bread crumbs
1/2 c. firmly packed Parmesan cheese
1 large egg white, beaten until foamy

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the unpeeled whole potatoes until just tender when pierced with a small knife, about 20 minutes. Drain and let cool, then refrigerate until cold, at least 2-3 hours or up to 1 day. Peel the potatoes and cut them lengthwise into slices 1/2 inch thick. Use the center slices from each potato. (Reserve remaining slices for another use.)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spread a T. of olive oil on a baking sheet, or use nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray, if preferred.

In a heavy frying pan, heat 2 T. of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the minced rosemary and garlic, cover, and cook until the garlic is softened but not brown, about a minute or two. Stir in the mustard, 1/2 t. kosher salt, and 1/2 t. pepper and remove from the heat. Add the bread crumbs and toss until evenly coated. Stir in the cheese.

Arrange the potato slices on a work surface. Brush the tops generously with the egg white. Spread approximately 1 T. of the crumb mixture on each slice and press to adhere and cover evenly. Place the slices, coated side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the uncoated sides with the egg white. Spread the remaining crumb mixture on the slices, pressing to adhere.

Bake the potato slices until the coating on the bottom is crusty, about 8 – 10 minutes. Carefully slide a thin metal spatula under each slice and turn it over. Bake until brown on the second side, about 5 – 6 minutes longer. Transfer the potato slices to a platter, garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired, and serve.

Here’s a glance at a serving without the purple potatoes, just in case you’re not a fan of purple potatoes. But I LOVE purple potatoes. I’m not sure if it’s true that they are better for you, but at least I feel less guilty eating them.

Again, these potatoes were really good, but a little messy trying to get the crust to stick properly to each side of the potato slice.  The crust was absolutely excellent! Better than I expected. I never would have thought to add dijon mustard, but it added so much flavor, combined with the garlic, cheese, and rosemary. What’s not to love?

I’m already thinking of different ways to use this crust. I’m sure it would be great on top of some crispy potato skins! That way, you wouldn’t have to worry about flipping the taters! Enjoy!

~LilSis

May 13, 2009

When LilSis mentioned Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred video, I was immediately intrigued. I’ve seen The Biggest Loser a couple of times, so I knew that Jillian was a hard-core trainer. Who wants Jillian to get them shredded? Me! Who wants to see results in 30 days (or 30 workouts)? Me! Who wants to see a change in their body as summer approaches? Me me me!

I have an “all or nothing” personality, so when I decide I want to start a new eating plan, workout or whatever, I want to do it NOW! So I marched myself up to SuperTarget and got the video on sale for $13. If you’re more patient than me, Amazon has 30 Day Shred for $8.99. This video is the #2 biggest seller out of all their Movies and TV category! There are 3 workouts on the DVD, all at around 25 minutes each. Level 1 is the easiest so you start there, and then move up to Level 2 and then Level 3 as your fitness level improves.

I started the DVD right away, and I just finished my fifth workout at Level 1. When I did the workout the first time, I thought it was kind of short and wanted a little longer workout. The next day though, I realized the 25 minutes was plenty long enough. My entire body was sore…I mean: arms, back, pecs, legs, butt, abs…the whole kitten caboodle (however you spell that). I was surprised to be that sore since I do cardio and weights at the gym 5 times a week, and walk outdoors whenever the weather allows. Obviously, this workout hit my muscles in a new way which is a great thing!

This is not a fluffy little dancy DVD! Oh no no no! It’s push-ups, crunches, jumping jacks, tae bo punches, jumping rope, lunges, zercher squats …you get the idea. It’s stuff that a trainer would have you doing in a gym if you paid him or her $180 an hour. All you need is a mat and a set of hand weights. I love the way Jillian combines small muscle movements, like bicep curls, with large muscle movements, like lunges. Jillian is encouraging and motivational, and gives clear instructions about the correct form.

So the million dollar question is, do I see results? Heck, yeah! Woo hoo! After my third or fourth workout, I caught a view of my arm in the mirror and was surprised to see some new definition there! I’m not kidding. My lower “quadrant” feels tighter, thanks to the squats and lunges, and my core feel stronger. I’m going to stay with this workout, and see where it’ll take me. I can’t believe I’m seeing results of this magnitude already. It’s truly amazing. Because of this positive outcome, I’m already trying to persuade my friends to try a similar workout and they all seem up for it, especially my friend that said he’s willing to try it because it gives him an excuse to have a look for some of the best men’s workout shorts on the market. Well, if that persuades him to take part, then so be it. When it comes to myself though, I can’t wait to continue with this workout journey. If I can, I’d like to do 5 more workouts at Level 1, and then move up to Level 2 for 10 workouts, and end with 10 workout at Level 3. That’ll be the 30 workout barometer, and I’ll report back about my progress…if Jillian hasn’t killed me!

If I have one note of caution to add, it’s to be very careful if you’re like me and have bad knees (too many years of step aerobics!). Be sure to strictly use the proper form in every exercise. The side lunges were hurting my knees, so I’ve backed off that exercise a little and substituted a move with less knee stress.

Overall? On a sister scale of 1 to 10, I give this video an 8.5 so far! Oh, and LilSis, thanks for the suggestion of this video. And I apologize for this post…I hope you don’t feel like I’m rubbing your nose in the fact that you’re still in that darn boot and can’t exercise for a while! You’ll be back to your old working-out self soon, don’t worry!

Update: This video is now #1 on Amazon as of May 14th! And Jillian has two other videos in the top 10! I’m tempted to order these two but I’m going to wait until I finish this first 30-workout challenge.

~BigSis

May 12, 2009

we all scream for ice cream!

I have great childhood memories that include some favorite ice creams. Before I started working at Six Flags over Texas, we had season passes every year and would go to the park almost every day in the summer. We always went to the cute little ice cream parlor there and I always got the pink peppermint ice cream with the red and green peppermint candies in it. When we went to Baskin Robbins, I loved the Pralines and Cream! And, on a really special Sunday afternoon, SisMama and Daddy would take us four kiddos to a local spot for a gargantuan Banana Split.

Of course, at home, we always made homemade vanilla ice cream. We had one of those ‘old timey’ ice cream makers where you put the rock salt and ice inside the tub all around the stainless steel container. We would take turns turning that thing for what seemed like hours. But it sure made some excellent homemade ice cream.

After years of not eating sugar, I just don’t have a desire for ice cream anymore… Well, I should rephrase that and say, I haven’t had a desire for ice cream until now! I’ve recently come across some amazing ice cream recipes on some of my favorite blogs that have really peaked my interest in purchasing an ice cream maker.

Roasted Banana Ice Cream with Walnut Praline and Toasted Coconut by Evil Chef Mom

• This Roasted Banana Ice Cream with Walnut Praline and Toasted Coconut from Evil Chef Mom makes me drool!
• The Almond Butter Ice Cream from A Southern Grace looks so creamy and yummy! I especially like it because it doesn’t have chocolate!
• Strawberry-Sour Cream Brown Sugar Ice Cream is another that I found via Evil Chef Mom. (Yum! The strawberries soak in a little vodka!)
• I can’t wait to try this Pomegranate and Blood Orange Sorbet from Recipe Girl.

Maybe these recipes give you a little glimpse as to why I’m now in the market for an ice cream maker. I’ve asked a few people and done a little research and the Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure-Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker seems to be a favorite.

So, it’s standing by in my Amazon shopping cart at this very moment…If my guys are on their best behavior, this little puppy is only a click away from being shipped to us!

~LilSis

May 11, 2009

This week is National Women’s Health Week, and Monday May 11 is National Women’s Checkup Day. If you want to know more about this important day, check it out at women’shealth.gov.  We know how critical early detection can be when it comes to all kinds of health conditions: cancer, diabetes, heart disease and lots of other conditions.

We all need a reminder every once in a while right?  So consider this a reminder.  Or consider it a kick in the pants, if that’s what it takes to get you into action.  Call your doctor today and make that appointment you’ve been putting off.  Better yet, do it right now before you forget! And then get yourself a treat for being a big girl and doing what you need to for your health!

~BigSis

May 10, 2009

We’re taking the day off to spend time with our family.  Have a wonderful day!  See you tomorrow.

~BigSis

May 10, 2009

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Moms out there!

This video has been around for a long time, I know. I still think it’s funny and it seems fitting to watch it on Mother’s Day.

I hope everyone has a stress-free, peaceful, no cooking, no cleaning, no laundry, ‘no talkin’ back  from the kids kind of day. (Surely, that’s not asking too much for just one day out of the year!)

~LilSis

May 9, 2009

For Mother’s Day, brunch is normally on the agenda for a lot of us moms. It’s just nice to have one day out of the year when you don’t feel guilty saying: “I’m not cooking today.  And, as a matter of fact, I’m not doing any laundry either!”

Most Mother’s Day Brunches include mimosas, too. But no one says you have to drink Mimosas on Mother’s Day. How about some Margaritas?  Food Network has over 100 great recipes for different varieties of Margaritas.

I think this Whole Citrus Margarita sounds nice because it just calls for fresh juices instead of a store bought mix.

Whole Citrus Margarita

If you’re not really in the mood for a tequila-filled Margarita, how about one of these treats for after dinner?

We love these Margarita Cupcakes from Recipe Girl.

Margarita Cupcakes

This Frozen Margarita Pie from Cookie Madness looks scrumptious!

Frozen Margarita Pie

This Key Lime Bundt Cake with Margarita Icing is another from Cookie Madness.

Key Lime Bundt Cake with Margarita Icing

And the Margarita Cookies from Peanut Butter and Julie are adorable!

Margarita Cookies

How about Margarita Ice Cream from Barefoot Kitchen Witch!

Margarita Ice Cream

Whatever your plans are for Mother’s Day, we wish you a wonderful day!

~LilSis

May 8, 2009

Anyone addicted to Facebook? Have trouble focusing at work because you’re tempted to look at your Reader ten times a day? Or maybe a particular website you can’t stay away from?

Now, be honest!

I’ll go first.

I did recently sign up on Facebook after much persuasion from relatives, but I purposely do not look at it every day nor spend much time on it at all. I can see how it could be addicting and time consuming if you let it.

I haven’t joined the Twitter craze and probably won’t any time soon. Since we are in the cell phone business, I really have no desire to be on my cell phone twittering when I’m away from the office. (Oh, but I guess congrats are in order to Ashton Kutcher for being the first to have a million followers.)

I do, however, have one little confession. I’m a tad bit obsessed with my Google Reader.  I check it every morning in anticipation of finding great new posts from my favorite sites!  Also, during the day, after I complete a task or a big project, I’ll give myself a little treat and allow myself to look at my Reader again to see if there is anything new that came in since the morning. And maybe during lunch, after work, before bed and in the middle of the night (just kidding).

If you think you might need a little help disciplining yourself, then check this out. I recently discovered this little tool on this Daily Blog Tips post.

It’s really a pretty good idea. Go to keepmeout.com and enter the url of any website that you visit too often.  If you try to access the site more than once within a specific time interval,  the service will block you and remind that you should wait some time before you can go there again.

You know what they say…the first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem. So here goes.

My name is LilSis and I am an addict. I’m addicted to my Google Reader.

~LilSis

May 7, 2009

Our sweet SarahGirl

SarahGirl

October 15, 1996 – May 4, 2009

This is intentionally going to be short and sweet. I considered not even speaking about this, but SarahGirl was a family member and it wouldn’t be right to not mention her passing. We got SarahGirl when she was four months old. We had just said goodbye the previous year to our Chocolate lab, Brownie, who lost her battle with cancer at only four years old.  I was a little hesitant about getting another dog so soon, but I’m so thankful that we found SarahGirl. We could not have asked for a smarter, sweeter, more gentle, more loyal, or more loving pet.

HayHay was only three years old and BigT was only twelve years old when we got SarahGirl. She’s been a huge part of our lives and like I said, she was a member of our family. She never slept outside a day in her life. She was either in one of the boys’ rooms or in our room at night. We all miss her dearly! The only comfort for me is knowing that she is not in pain any more and she is at peace.

I know that she lived a great life and I know that she was so ready to go to sleep. I could see it in her eyes.  Even though no one really knows, I choose to believe that SarahGirl is in Heaven right now. Maybe she can even run and play like she used to. In my mind, I’d also like to believe that she finds Daddy in Heaven. He loved SarahGirl, too.

Sweet Sarah Jessica Barker

Note from BigSis:

Sweet Sarah Girl, Sarah Jessica Barker.  We miss you already.  You’re the sweetest dog I’ve ever known in my life, and I can’t believe it’s been more than 12 years since you came into the family. LilSis’ and SirHoney’s household won’t be the same without you.  I can’t imagine visiting them and not seeing you.  I’m glad I got to see you again and give you an extra hug when I saw you 2 weeks ago.

I have so many memories of you running laps like a racehorse around HayHay’s backyard fort when you lived in Texas.  And the Easter egg hunt when you stole an egg and hid it in your mouth for later munching, nonchalantly pretending that you didn’t have it stashed away.  And remember the only time you came close to biting someone?  That kid had teased you and teased you, and you could have easily taken a huge bite out of his leg.  Actually, you probably could have taken his whole leg off, but you let him go with a warning nip.  You’re definitely the epitome of a gentle giant.

Sarah, I know in my heart that you’re in Heaven right now with Brownie, Wolfie, Warren, and all of the rest of our four-legged friends that aren’t here with us any more.  Daddy loved you too, so I hope you two have found each other.  Other people will disagree with me, but I know how special and precious you are, and I don’t see how the God I know would create you for such a short stay on this fallen planet.  I believe we’ll see you again, and I can’t wait for that day.

We love you, Sarah, and we’re going to miss you so much, especially LilSis, SirHoney, BigT and HayHay.  You’re the best dog ever, and we were so blessed to know you and to have this many years with you.  We’ll see you later.

~LilSis