New Baby and Updates

This is my best friend's third baby. His name is Caiden Maurice and was born on Nov. 12th. Her twins are only one and so she's going to have her hands full! If I lived closer I'd help her a bit, but she lives in Florida. I know I haven't written a blog lately, but I do have updates on shows I've been watching.

Bones: Seriously, Booth needs to fess up about being in love with Brennan because they are really cute together. They also need to do more storyline on Jack and Angela. Also, is Dr. Sweets still dating that weird chick?

Glee: So sick of Quinn's bitchy attitude. Someone needs to tell Finn it's not his baby and I think that Puck is going to get pissed off and spill the beans, even though Finn is his best friend. And I'm really glad they haven't been showing Teri, Ken or Emma much. They're characters are okay and it's an okay side plot, but honestly we just want to know what the Glee kids are doing. So, let Will find out that Teri is lying to him and maybe he'll get a divorce. Or this plot line can totally wait until next season!

House: Isn't it funny that he got his old team back? Also, what is up with House and Cuddy? Should they get together or not?

Well, enough talk for today.

I should really blog more...

So, again I am posting a blog a month. I honestly meant to post more, but I forget and I get busy. I know no one reads my blog, so it really doesn't matter if I post or not. I will still post regardless though. Fall television has started and so I will probably start blogging about those. i.e. House, Glee, Bones...

Also, been on a diet for a week now and it's going okay. I blew it today, but I'll start again tomorrow. Anyway, I am going to go watch "House" before I have to get to bed to get up early for work.

Store Bought Sushi

(L to R: Shrimp nigiri, Talapia nigiri, Salmon nigiri, Tuna nigiri, and then the bottom are California rolls)

So, here is the sushi I ate for dinner. I know that some people don't like to eat sushi unless it's freshly made, but buying store bought sushi is not bad. You really do have to take a look at it and if it looks good and has a date on it then it should be okay. I bought some nigiri sushi and california rolls today at Meijer. Meijer is a large store like Walmart. Although, I am making homemade sushi on Saturday with my home slice, R.F. and the girls, I really wanted to eat some sushi today. Saturday's sushi will be awesome because it'll be fresh! Gochisou-sama.

Kimbap and Bean Cake

This was my lunch today. It came from the Asian grocery market, Green Onion. It is kimbap, which is the Korean version of sushi. It is usually taken on picnics because it is easy to make and pack up. I also had a Yogu Time Lychee drink and a bean cake as my dessert. It was yummy.

Also, of all the Asian grocery stores in town, Green Onion is by far the cleanest of them all. It's very bright and well organized. I really like that they have a larger (not large) selection of sakes and sojus than most other Asian stores. I will still venture to other stores for items I know they only have, but I enjoy the environment of Green Onion.

Auction Fin

Also, today was the estate auction at grandma C's house. There was so much stuff, but we took most of the good stuff. A lot of the hand built furniture that grandpa C made didn't sell for much and to see someone's whole life get sold off like that is sad. The good news is that most of the stuff sold. We're just glad that it's nearly over with, as my mother-in-law, S.S. has been really stressed with dealing with the sell of the house and getting the auction set up. It's not her house, but she had to deal with all of it because of reasons I will not name. That's all for tonight.

Interests as of Late

I have been into watching Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese movies and television shows lately. I love to watch foreign shows and movies. These also include British, French and some Italian movies as well.
Watching these shows in turn make me want to eat the foods and engross myself a little in the different cultures. It's nice when you can go somewhere and get the foods, but it is even better when you can cook the foods yourself. I love making homemade sushi with my friend, R.F. I learned how to make Yaki Udon from my "Bento Boxes: Japanese Meals on the Go" cookbook by Naomi Kijima and Laura Driussi. I have yet to make true a Italian dish or any British foods.
I especially love noodle dishes, meat dishes, and rice dishes. As you can see, I really like to engross myself in the foods. A little of the music and arts.
Also, on a side note, I'm going to build myself a pottery wheel. I'm planning to teach myself how to make hand thrown pottery.

Blogging...

Although, I had planned to blog more than I have been, I have not been successful. I meant to post some pictures from St. Louis when I went and I didn't do that. I did have a pretty good time while I was down there. I entered a contest on the art website I post on, but they haven't announced the winners yet. If you'd like to see some of my photography and other misc. art check it out at http://hoodiegirl84.deviantart.com. I've been up since 5am and so I'm pretty tired right now. I really will try to post more blogs.

Been a month...

So, it's been a month since I've posted a blog. I have been busy planning parties, going to concerts, and working, too. I just want to leave you all with these Greek potatoes that I had at the Deluxe Restaurant. They are fantastic. They are served with a bit of parmesan on top and a lemon wedge to squeeze on when you're ready to eat. The only thing I was disappointed with was that they ran out of mousaka. It's like an eggplant lasagna with a cream sauce. Yum! But they ran out! Another time and I'll post that, too.

Vacation 2009

Although, I will not be going anywhere exciting on vacation. I will be at home most of my vacation. My husband and I will be going to St. Louis for two days and doing a little sightseeing. St. Louis Zoo, Grant's Farm, The Butterfly Garden, and Anheuser Busch Brewery. Perhaps a couple other things too, if time permits.

Yesterday R.F. and I threw a party and it was a lot of fun.


"Lots of food and people."



"Volleyball with a beach ball"


"Hayrack rides...lol...without the hay"


"Lemon Meringue Pie I made for R.F.'s Birthday"

Here is the recipe for my pie! It's fabulous and everytime people have it, they say it's one of the best tasting lemon meringue pies they've ever had. This recipe was made on trial and error by me and therefore is MY recipe, but I am sharing it with you.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Preliminaries:
9 inch pie shell, baked

Pie filling ingredients:
1 1/8 cup sugar
8 tbsp cornstarch
2 cups water
¼ cup lemon juice
3 eggs, separated
3 tbsp butter
1 ½ tsp lemon extract
2 tsp vinegar

Meringue ingredients:
3 egg whites
6 tbsp sugar
½ tsp lemon extract
1 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Make meringue first!!!

Filling process:

Mix sugar and cornstarch together in a pot that is not heated yet. Add the water and stir to combine and turn on burner to medium heat. In a separate bowl, separate eggs whites from the yolks. Save egg whites for the meringue. Combine egg yolks with the lemon juice and beat until smooth. Add to mixture in pot. Add butter, lemon extract, and vinegar to mixture and stir thoroughly. Cook and stir constantly until it begins to thicken. Pour into the baked pie shell.

Meringue:

Beat egg whites at high speed with electric beater or mixer until foamy. Add sugar a couple tablespoons at time while still beating until stiff and forming peaks. Turn mixer to low speed and add lemon extract, vanilla, and salt. Spread meringue over the hot pie filling and make sure you bring meringue all the way to the edges to avoid it separating from the crust. Bake until the meringue is a golden brown (10-12 minutes).

I hope if you make this, that you enjoy it!

Wedding Bliss

Well, went to the wedding of one of my husband's best friends yesterday. It was a great day, although, it did not start that way. It did look like it was going to rain. The car ride up was fun because we had our friends, B.S. and M.S., in the car too. We get a little crazy when we're all together. Here is my favorite photo that I took at the wedding yesterday of T.D. and S.F.

Allerton Park Day Trip

I took some great photos today at Allerton Park and Retreat Center. I am only posting a couple here, but they are some of my best ones that I took today. It was a great day for walking around the park and taking photos. There was even a couple having their engagement photos done in the many gardens that Allerton has. I'll be going out again sometime soon. Be looking out for it. For now, I'll go and chill out.

Girl's Night Reflections

So, for dinner at girl's night there was red tip lettuce salad with red onion, olive oil and vinegar, kalamata olives, green olives, and artichoke hearts. Also, we put the roasted goat cheese on top of the salad. It was so delicious. Then, there was broccoli and mushroom quiche, which S.A. made for the first time, as she does not cook. R.F. made scallops with a burgundy lemon fennel sauce. Both those dishes were phenomenal!

Fruit Tart Heaven

The delicious white chocolate fruit tart I made for girl's night tonight! Looks yummy! Recipe is from my mom's 1999 Taste of Home cookbook. I did the tart with fruits that I wanted and no glaze. It was awesome! Anyway, I will post more photos later. Just leaving you with a mouth-watering moment. :)

T.G.I.F

I have got 3 more hours of work, but I'm so glad it's Friday. It's quiet in the cafe at the moment, so I am writing a quick blog. This weekend will be fun! We're having our monthly girl's night tomorrow and on Sunday I'd like to make it out to Allerton Park in Monticello to do some photography. I think the weather is supposed to cooperate. Tonight's task is to clean up the kitchen, so I can make my delicious fruit tart for our French food theme for girl's night. I will post a photo or two of girl's night and Allerton (if I go out on Sunday). I had better get back to work. Have a great weekend and don't do anything I wouldn't. ;)

Used to...

I used to have a blog on here and it had a very similar name. I forgot about it and now I have no idea where it is or how to get into it. I'm starting this new blog and we'll see how it goes. It's late and I am going to bed. Goodnight!