She's a beauty

We hope you had a merry Christmas.  We sure did.  

 Andrew was very dedicated to our Christmas tree.  So dedicated that it kept growing in our basement.  We noticed some lighter green on the tips of the branches and realized it was new growth.  Maybe if we keep watering it we can use it again next year.  

Here we are in our Christmas Sunday attire.  Notice my new coat and tights?  Andrew picks out the best clothes for me.  If I was on What Not to Wear and had to spend $5,000 on a new wardrobe, I'd send Andrew to get it.  (He's that good.)

Now for the beauty....

I sent Andrew on a scavenger hunt to find his new Gibson Les Paul.  He was in shock--he had to remind himself to keep breathing.  Best reaction to a gift I've given.  I've seen him multiples times just staring at it. 

 He loves it.  You should hear him rock out on it.  

Here's to 2012!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

YUMMMMM

This was delicious.

PS. This isn't a picture from the website.  This is an actual photograph taken by me. 

Cooks Illustrated is the REAL DEAL.  Check it out:

INGREDIENTS

• 1large lemon
• 1/4cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 ounces each), patted dry with paper towels
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 2tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2small shallot , minced (about 1 tablespoon) or 1 small garlic clove, minced (about 1/2 teaspoon)
• 1/2cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1tablespoon small capers , drained (we did not use these and it was still great)
• 1 1/2tablespoons unsalted butter , softened
• 1tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position, set large heatproof plate on rack, and heat oven to 200 degrees.
2. 2. Halve lemon pole to pole. Trim ends from one half and cut crosswise into slices 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick; set aside. Juice remaining half lemon to obtain 2 tablespoons juice; reserve.
3. 3. Sprinkle both sides of cutlets generously with salt and pepper. Measure flour into pie tin or shallow baking dish. Working one cutlet at a time, coat with flour, and shake to remove excess.
4. 4. Heat oil in heavy-bottomed 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook chicken until lightly browned on first side, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Using tongs, turn cutlets and cook until second side is lightly browned, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes longer. Transfer cutlets to heated plate and return plate to oven.
5. 5. Add shallot or garlic to now-empty skillet and return skillet to medium heat. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds for shallot or 10 seconds for garlic. Add stock and lemon slices, increase heat to high, and scrape skillet bottom with wooden spoon or spatula to loosen browned bits. Simmer until liquid reduces to about 3 tablespoons, about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice and capers and simmer until sauce reduces again to 3 tablespoons, about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and swirl in butter until butter melts and thickens sauce; swirl in parsley. Spoon sauce over chicken and serve immediately.
   
   
   Cooks Illustrated has a 14 day trial.  You may want to check it out.  They have the BEST recipes on there. Happy holiday cooking!

kiss me, I'm dead

I passed a casual conversation while roaming my room during science. We were doing an activity about dominant and recessive traits. It went something like this:

girl (talking to two boys):  so, which one of you will get a date first?
boy 1 (point to the other):  you have no chance.
boy 2: well some day I'm going to be rich and famous.
me: how are you going to get rich and famous?
boy 2: I always have new ideas in my head.  I'm an inventor.
boy 1: you are not an inventor.  I am an inventor.
girl: so do you think you will marry a dominant wife, or a recessive wife?

Yesterday we were at Andrew's parent's house and our nephew, Henry, was playing dead.  He was on my lap and I was so surprised at how long he was able to keep his eyes shut and not make a sound.  After a few more seconds he whispered, "kiss me, I'm dead." We laughed.  I kissed him on the cheek and his eyes popped open and he was up and going again.  HAHA.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

CHRISTMAS!!!!!