Kitchen Creations...and other random things

So. I made the asparagus wrapped in prosciutto stuffed with goat cheese and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. It needs a shorter name. Then again, who cares because it's SO DELICIOUS. A tad salty but ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh ma lantus it's good. 

We are feeling a little of the wrath of Hurricane Isaac here in South Carolina. Torrential downpours. Flood warnings.

It's an experience.

This picture was taken by my friend who was in Charleston yesterday. People were kayaking, canoeing, and get this, even wakeboarding through downtown Charleston. Whaaaat??? 

This I took on my way home from work today. 

My windshield wipers were wiping as fast as they could and I was still scared. 

My friend Anna and I were going to head to a sports bar to watch the Pats-Giants game but she called me in hysterics because all of the roads were flooded and she almost lost her car. The water was up to her tires. Geez.

And when I got home I had a package waiting for me.

When I was home in June I was introduced to Boden. My darling niece Anna (ok I still giggle with excitement when I say that) pointed out a dress she thought I would love and she was right. This girl has style, let me tell you. It was a little out of my price range. BUT. A few weeks ago I logged onto their site and what did I find? It was ON SALE (one of my favorite phrases). So naturally I pounced on that.

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Iloveit. Holy catscans I love it. Empire waists and A-line skirts are my favorite!

So. The staff at work has been complaining because I haven't brought in treats in a few weeks and since my evening plans were cancelled I decided to make peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. And I decided to try out the PB2 in place of the peanut butter. And I substituted some of the butter with Greek yogurt. And I didn't have Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips so I had to use Hershey's milk chocolate *hangs head in shame*

To be honest. I am not terribly impressed. The peanut butter taste is lacking. They are bland. Drats. So I added some the real stuff--smooth peanut butter--to the last couple of batches of cookies in hopes that this helps. We'll see. 

Some times healthier cookies just are not worth it to me. 

I shouldn't have messed with this recipe. 

I failed the staff.

Lesson learned. It's the thought that counts right?

(Let's hope the staff think the same...)

P.S. I'm watching "Royal Pains" and Hank just said, "Done and done." That's my phrase!! Cool!

Warm Rain

I love warm rain. Love it. Sometimes I really enjoy rainy days and today is one of those days. It's warm, a little humid, and rainy with thunder and lightning. I just love it. I'm sitting at my table with a cup of peppermint tea (more on this later), with my windows and my balcony door open to take in all the glory this storm has to offer. Plus it's cooling down outside and I'm happy. I'm not ready for 80s and sunny and humidity just yet. Perfect.

I slept in today, which was divine. I was going to force myself and go to yoga or to the gym but as I was chatting with the yoga studio owner yesterday she said I should always listen to my body and this morning when my alarm went off my body sternly said, "Let me sleep, please." So I did and I'm so glad. I brought my car in for an oil change, which was a bit of an ordeal. I don't like dealerships and the only reason I went there is because my car is under warranty. The people there are a little snooty and a tad rude. Not a fan. Plus the girl at the service desk gave me attitude when they checked my filter and it was dirty. She made a point of even showing me, like I did it on purpose!!!! Ok, I admit she probably just wanted to show me to prove that I really did need a new one, which I agreed, but, do not speak to me like I'm an idiot or a child. Replace it and get me out of here. Geez. 

After that I decided I was going to browse Home Goods for fun. I love this store. It is such a good store for kitchen stuff and home decor, and for incredible deals. Then I went to World Market for the first time ever. I wasn't impressed until I got to the food section, of course, and then I was overwhelmed (in the best possible way) and delighted and excited and my mind took off with fun things to cook and I was beaming with happiness. They even carry Ghirardelli chips in 30oz. bags!!!! SCORE!!!! I almost bought some but then I realized I had just replenished my jar and my freezer stock so I'm good to go for a bit. Here are the treasures I found today:

Brown Jasmine Rice

Red Curry (which I will eat over my jasmine rice with shrimp)

Butternut Squash sauce (I'm thinking I might pour this over gnocchi tomorrow)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a steal of a price!!!

Dried red chili peppers (I'm building my supply of herbs and spices)

Dried rosemary

AN ORANGE TEA KETTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A yellow cup (which I have designated as my tea cup because everyone must have one. I don't drink coffee so I don't have a coffee cup and I feel left out. Until now!)

Cucumber and Olive Oil soap (the fragrance is incredible and I had to have it)

I'm not going to lie, this is my favorite purchase of the day. I think it goes nicely with my persimmons KitchenAid, don't you agree?

And despite the fact that it might be a tad warm for tea, I had to test out my cheery new kettle and teacup. Please note the steam-cool huh??

I love days like today!

Retail Therapy, Warm Rain, and Wishes

I cannot do it.

Photo from here

No really, I cannot indulge in retail therapy. I tried today. Really. I did. I went to the tempting stores: Barnes and Noble, Anthropologie, Bi-juju (jewelry) thinking maybe I could find a little treasure to adorn my nook or wardrobe or life with. People, I TRIED. I think the problem stems from the fact that I don't really need any sort of therapy right now (yay!). My current nemesis is boredom and well, buying clothes when I don't have a need for them or a reason or event to wear them to just doesn't appeal. Even the cute bowls from Anthropologie didn't do it and they are cheap so I wouldn't have felt back buying them! But no, nothing. Even books didn't appeal. I honestly picked out a book, put it back. Picked out another. Wandered around...and put it back. It was so annoying. I'm sure the security people watching the film got a kick out of me doing this about 5 times. Then I just sat down in a plush chair and pulled out the book I had in my purse from the library ("Mortal Syntax" by June Casagrande. Yes, it's a book about correct grammar. It's sassy, it's enlightening, and I am learning that I am guilty of a few incorrect uses. Now I can prevent any further embarrassing grammatical mistakes (aka my mom correcting me in the middle of a story, which totally throws up my story-telling groove) and catch others on their mistakes...muahahahahahah!Gabe the Grammar Cop is on patrol!) Even internet shopping doesn't appeal. I say that because I found a few books I would have purchased but I have strong feelings that Barnes and Noble tends to overcharge and I can definitely get a better deal on Amazon.com. 


It's been a bit of a weird 4-day weekend because the weather has been bi-polar. Today it was humid and warm but rainy so that severely limited my outdoor activities (aka all the plans I had for the day). But the rain lightened up this evening and as I was wandering around Market Commons in and out of shops I wished with all my heart I could have been wandering around a city (BOSTON) because the weather was perfect and it was the perfect day to do so: a week day! Most people are at work so you avoid those, at times, annoying weekend crowds and can roam and stroll at your leisure. Myrtle Beach severely lacks areas to just walk around. I guess I could try the boardwalk but that's just a glorified Hampton Beach. No thanks. Bust. My aching for Boston was heightened by a book I found at Barnes and Noble: "Make Way for Ducklings." It's a children's book (shocker for me, I know) that is set in Boston and the city actually has a statue dedicated to this book.  

Photo from here

You see, I have a list of about 100 books that I am determined to read and/or own that are either set in New England, written by a New England author, or are somehow tightly connected to New England. This book is on the list and it was one of the books I picked up, carried around, and then put back. Anyway, I ached for Boston a little today. I miss Boston. Gosh I love that place. You don't even know. 

Then I got home and made dinner plans with some new friends on Friday. I cannot wait for Friday. And I made homemade popcorn, kettle corn this time. Pretty tasty but not kettle-corny enough. Also I spoke to one of my best guy friends yesterday--Britton--and I love this guy. Love him. And I talked to Clary today. THANK GOODNESS FOR FREAKIN' AWESOME FRIENDS!!!!! I love my friends. All of them. Big hugs to you all. I love ya. 

And the music choice of my weekend has been the soundtrack from Something's Gotta Give with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. The movie is eh, ok, but the scenery is FANTASTIC and the music is INCREDIBLE. French, jazz, deliciousness for my ears and soul. Oooooooooh gosh on top of yearning for Boston, I was half-tempted to throw caution to the wind and buy a ticket to France. I even browsed the French language section at Barnes and Noble to brush up on my French. Go listen to the soundtrack, especially when you are driving or baking. It's great! 

Rain! Rain! Don't go away!

After a blisteringly hot day yesterday (temps in the 100s, no wind, just hot icky heat) where you may have just shoved me in an oven, a relief came this morning!

RAIN

I've been waiting and waiting and waiting. And waiting. And it's cool outside. It smells heavenly and I feel like a kid again ready to pounce into some puddles (which don't exist...yet.). More rain is forecasted and hopefully some *BOOMING* THUNDER and crackin' lightning too.

I love it. I hope I get to experience some monsoons in Arizona.