Favorite Memories and Party Prep!

It is currently 10:30 A.M and I am onto my second cup of coffee for the day! I am beat! Timed seemed to fly by last night....and before I knew it, it was already Midnight! After work, I arrived home and cooked up a quick chicken stir fry. When I need to whip up a quick dinner, there is nothing better than chicken stir fry. I don't have to sacrifice a healthy meal in the essence of time either! Seasoned chicken, lots of vegges and Jasmine white rice are all the ingredients you need! The chicken (seasoned with a variety of spices), rice and sauteed vegetables (veggies can be whatever you like...I used corn, peppers, onions and spinach!) only took 25 minutes to come together!

After dinner, Brad and I bolted out to IKEA to make some returns and purchases. I think my favorite part about going to IKEA, besides the 1.99 deals...is the $1 Fro-yo ice cream! Brad was so kind..."as to spring" the 2 dollars for 2 cones...what a gentleman :)

When we arrived home...the work began!...We managed to finish painting our bench, hang the cellar curtains and 3 pictures!...I took out my appetizer plates and gave everything a quick wash!...we are on a roll...with no stopping tonight!...Having people over this early into our move, was the best thing for us. It really gave us a kick to finish everything in the house...a process that would have taken a lot longer if we didn't! Its really cool to look back on where we first were with the house back in May, compared to right now!

Brad putting together the kitchen furniture!

Me, Vacuuming for the first time in the house!

Oh the memories!...I will post pictures of what the rooms look like now next week......the rooms are almost ready! I am so looking forward to having over the family tomorrow night! It is the first get together of the Holiday season!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Veterans Day and Caramel Apple Goodness!

Happy Veterans Day! God Bless those who are serving and who have served for our Country. Thank you for your service and for keeping us safe. A quote from President George W. Bush really hit home with me this week. In his new book, "Decision Points," he writes...

"Then I looked at the little kids. The innocence of the children in the classroom in contrast to the evil of those who would attack America was vivid. It became very clear to me that my job was to protect the people."

Our service men and women are out risking their lives everyday, in order to protect ours. "War" is never the answer....but on 9/11....everything changed for our great country, and our President at the time, made it clear, that protecting American lives came first. Children, brothers, husbands, wives, grandparents, parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins.....we all came first that day, and our troops are still fighting for us. So for that, we salute you.

Last night I made sausage sandwiches for dinner. I would have a picture, but Brad was so hungry that the food disappeared before I could get a good shot. I made 3 kinds of sandwiches....and some might say they even sound gourmet. I made a Greek Isles sandwhich, one traditional ballpark and the other "chicken parm." I started by thinly slicing peppers and onions. I then sauteed them with a little OO and seasoning. In another pot, I heated up my tomato sauce with oregano and a pinch of Parmesan cheese. I then began to cook my chicken sausage on another griddle. While everything was cooking up, I grated cheddar cheese into a small mixing bowl. Once the sausages were cooked, I took out a baking sheet and lined it with tin foil. I put my sausages on it, and turned on the broil in the stove. I topped one sausage with the tomato sauce and grated cheese. I topped another sausage with feta cheese and spinach, and for the last one, I topped it with the sauteed peppers and onions. I put them under the broil for about 4 minutes. Meanwhile, I began toasting flatbread "fold ems" (there new at the grocery store) on the griddle...to get them warm and slightly crispy. After time was up, I removed my sausages from the oven and placed each inside a nice warm fold em roll.

This was such a yummy meal...and good for us too. Got that nice serving of veggies and whole grains in...plus organic chicken sausage!....... Sometimes Brad and I feel like randomly celebrating.....and because we have been so busy lately, he took me out and got me my favorite thing in the whole entire world....a milk chocolate and orange sprinkled covered caramel apple! When I was in High School, nothing would make me more happy than sitting down, eating my apple and watching my favorite TV shows at night. 5 1/2 years later...and that is still one of my favorite things to do. We came home....indulged in our apple and put on our DVR. It was the perfect night! Tonight, will most likely not be so relaxing....a trip to Ikea is in the works along with curtain and picture hanging!...Good thing tomorrow is Friday!

A Stress Free Holiday!

Last night I attended a Holiday workshop at the Wrentham Public Library. It was truly eye opening! The theme of the workshop was holiday stress. The holidays for me personally have never been a stressful time period, although I imagine that will change the minute kids are in the picture and I am out shopping more, wrapping last minute gifts, Christmas cards, etc. Actually, now that I am thinking about it...this year already feels more stressful than last.......considering Brad and I are planning on hosting a mini Holiday gathering, more presents will need to be wrapped and bought and possible holiday cards!

But don't get me wrong...I love the Holidays. My favorite holiday(s) is Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve (Yes I know Christmas eve is not really a holiday). Thanksgiving really kicks off the season. Family get togethers, great food, pumpkin pie and the start of holiday music. Nothing screams the start of the season more than when my Dad blasts Amy Grant's classic, "Christmas to Remember," throughout my parents home. And although I am no longer living at home...I will still request it be played the morning after Thanksgiving....when I head over there to begin preparations for the annual Black Friday Shopping trip. I love to buy and I love to give...which is why I love the holidays. There is so much excitement, love and joy when Christmas Eve rolls around. I was fortunate to grow up in a home, where we got to share in so many traditions together...many of those traditions will be passed onto my own family one day.

But I digress. Back to the event last night. I learned so much from the speaker, Donna Morin Miller, owner of betteroffwell.com. She decided to really "get healthy" when her first child was born, a time in which she made the decision to raise her child as a vegetarian. Now I am not a vegetarian myself, however, I do believe that everyone should try to be one. I sound confusing right?...What I mean is...you should incorporate vegetarian principles into your everyday diet. For example, Brad and I always try to have our veggies and greens everyday. It is so important to get your full dose of vegetables on an everyday basis. We both enjoy fish, chicken, lamb, steak, etc....but for every dinner, we accompany those meats with corn, spinach, peppers, healthy spices, etc. It is so important!

A couple other tips that I learned last night include:

1. If you are prone to sinus infections (like me) try incorporating parsley into your dishes.
2. Candles bought from stores such as Yankee candle may have been made with toxic chemicals. Instead purchase your candles from stores such as Whole Foods, where the wax comes from all natural ingredients, such as beeswax.
3. Tea Tree Oil and lavender mixed in water make for a great DIY scent for your home.
4. Recipes for delicious muffins, pastries, and bars that use Coconut Milk!

The night ended with a meditation from a Zen Minister! It was so cool! The mediation only took 5 minutes, and I have to admit...I felt so relaxed after!...Making sure to breathe all the way into your stomach is so important! For a quick try...breathe all the way into your belly and squeeze the muscles in your face and neck...then release your breathe while releasing the muscles....trust me...it works!

Eggs In a Basket?

What a storm it was last night! We woke up to our grill blown over on it's side!!

Any-who.....Happy Tuesday Afternoon!...It's only Tuesday and this week has been so hectic already!..After our grill was restored to an upright position....I decided it was time to dig into our carton of 20 plus eggs and create a yummy breakfast. I made Eggs in a Basket....a classic childhood favorite!...however I quickly discovered...after numerous shifty eye glances from Brad...that he has never had eggs in a basket! I was stunned!...Brad proceeded to ask if it was a Greek thing. Gotta love his sarcasm. Essentially eggs in a basket is inside out french toast. To start take 2 slices of bread and cut out a whole in the middle...about the size of a quarter! Make sure to save the extra piece of circular bread. Next butter up your bread and place on a medium heated griddle. Toast the bread slightly on both sides. Next crack an egg into the middle of hole in your bread. Let it cook, flipping the bread once..to make sure it cooks on both sides....and your done!!...While the egg is cooking...you can take that tini piece of extra bread..and place it on the griddle for a minute or 2. Some like to eat their eggs in a basket with maple syrup...and others like it plain. Needless to say, I will be making this meal again for Brad...he was very happy!

Brad and I are hosting a mini get together with our family this Saturday Night! It is the first real get together at our home...and we are scrambling to get everything unpacked, cleaned and looking it's best! Last night Brad finished putting up the curtains in the bedroom and hung a couple pictures in the Kitchen. I painted an old white accent table Black for the living room, and started on "antiquing" our kitchen furniture. It was hectic starting that whole process. We mixed our black paint with water and lightly brushed it on our practice bench. It appeared thick at first, so Brad suggested wiping it lightly with a paper towel. Surprisingly... it seemed as though it was in fact working. The color green crackled through the black to give it an old, battered, antique appearance. Of course, lighting in our home has been an issue latley...so I could barley see where I was painting (not recommended)!! That was until Brad grabbed his mega flashlight for me!

I ended my evening by watching Decision Points on NBC by myself (B was asleep next to me)...not really the type of show that Brad enjoys...but he was a trooper for letting me watch it!

Tonight seems like it is going to be an even busier night...no time to cook dinner either...darn...(although a night off from dishes isn't so bad! ;) )

Entertaining is hard work!

It's FRIDAY...and a rainy friday at that, but friday nonetheless! It has been quite the week!...I can't tell if it's the rain, work or life in general...but I am so tired today!...Tonight I am heading into Beantown to relax....a big glass of cold Pino is calling my name!

Last night was a busy night in the Jansson Household. 4 loads of laundry, cleaning, unpacking, organizing, painting and 2 DVR shows later...my head hit the pillow hard!...Night after Night, I have noticed a continuous pattern in my life. I spend more time cleaning dishes and pans than I do doing anything else...probably why I was so far behind on my laundry! Martha Stewart states on her pans when you purchase them that in order for the shine to last, you must hand wash them. I took this challenge head on, but now its just flat out annoying. I highly doubt Martha is hand washing all of her pots and pans, actually I am quite sure that she has assistants to do that for her. But I am stubborn and refuse to give in...so for now I will continue to spend my nights hunched over the kitchen sink....washing away!

When we first moved into our home, we purchased 2 wooden stools from the unfinished furniture store. We have had the intention for the last 2 months to paint them black, and we finally did so last night!

Before!

After!

They look great with only one coat! We can't decide if we want to paint on another coat or not. Part of the reason being, we are going to "brush" paint black over our green kitchen furniture. We are hoping to achieve an "antique look." If we can pull off what I have pictured in my head, it is going to look great....but for now..."To be Continued..."

Our party is next weekend....so in other words....no relaxing for us this weekend! Happy Friday everyone!

Put Your Blues Away Puttanesca!

It's ELECTION DAY! I hope everyone gets the chance to Vote! Its almost surreal to think that in 1918, women were holding signs on election day that read.."We want the right to vote!" and today women are holding signs that read the name of their favorite candidate whom they are voting for!

To help Brad and I get over our Monday blues...I decided to attempt a dish for dinner last night that I have never tried to cook before! I called it..."Put Your Blues Away Puttanesca!"

To start, fill a pot up with water, salted and heat on medium to begin the boiling process. In another pan, drizzle in OO and place in 4 or 5 chicken tenders seasoned with a little salt and pepper only. Begin to cook the chicken so that the outside begins to brown. In a Wok pan (featured in the picture...the big silver one)...drizzle down some OO and place chopped onions, green bell peppers, frozen corn bits, garlic, red pepper flakes, pepper, salt, and oregano. Keep the heat on medium and begin to saute all your veggies. Once your chicken is 95% cooked, place tenders in the Wok pan with your veggies (the chicken will fully finish cooking in the wok). Now add your penne pasta to your boiling salted water for about 10 minutes or until al dente.

Meanwhile, in a mini chop, take a piece of multigrain bread, a little Parmesan cheese and oregano.....and chop together until fine formed bread crumbs are made. Remove crumbs from mini chop and place in a pan with some OO, heat on medium..constantly stirring the crumbs until they look crispy...then remove from heat.

Continue stirring the chicken around with the veggies in the wok pan. Then add in sun dried tomatoes to the wok pan. Ive found that sun dried tomatoes cook up fast, which is why I add them now. Put the heat on low. Once your pasta is done, drain and add to the wok pan as well. Stir the chicken, penne and all your veggies together....adding a hint of OO to the mixture. Lastly, add in a few spinach leafs...stir again, and your done!

Place chicken, pasta and veggie mixture on a plate. Top with breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. The picture, shows the finished product, which looks so yummy, and it was!! Now traditionally Puttanesca dishes are really spicy, or contain plump tomatoes. I decided to use sun dried tomatoes and an Olive Oil, Parmesan flavoring. Brad really loved this dish, and so did I. And if your wondering...it did take away our monday night blues!!!

This dinner was so good, that it gave us a little extra energy to finally put the second coat of paint on our spare bedroom....something that we have been putting off for weeks now!! Well......Election night for me...is like the Oscars!! I will be glued all night! Happy Tuesday!

Halloween Recap and Curtain Solutions!

Wow what a great Halloween weekend! I hope everyone had fun, I know I did!..Speaking of what went down this Halloween....I spent my weekend in the greatest city of all....BOSTON!...Now Halloween candy is no doubt...very delicious...but what is even more yummy...is all the amazing food being cooked up in several Boston Restaurants. On Saturday night, Brad, myself and my brother went to the restaurant, Paramount, before our big Halloween party at the Liberty Hotel. We all got burgers (mine was the veggie Black Bean Burger!)...and split a bottle of pino grigo wine. The burgers were amazing! One of the best I've had in Boston! And because my passion does not solely rely on food....the decor of the restaurant was spot on. It was quaint and cozy. Miniature tea lights accompanied the small restaurant's cafe mood and the staff was friendly and attentive. Paramount is the ideal date spot!...Needless to say we had an fantastic night out full of friends, laughs, Halloween punch and various celebrity sightings such as...lady gaga, tiger woods, little red riding hood, dancing with the stars (That was Brad and I's costume) and a Facebook status!

The next morning my Brother and I ventured to Clink, a seek, chic restaurant at the Liberty Hotel. We were starving...........endless cups of Halloween punch will do that to you! My Brother got French Toast served with warm maple syrup, a raisin/date compote and crispy Bacon (in the picture!) and I ordered creamy scrambled eggs served in a mini cast iron pot with a side of multi-grain toast and a gigantic bowl of fresh berries! It was a great, well-deserved breakfast that I highly recommend you try if you are in the city!

.....In 2 weeks, Brad and I will be hosting our first party in our new home. It is scary but exciting at the same time. We are keeping the guest number on the small side. I love to entertain, so I consider this party to be somewhat of a "soft opening" (restaurant lingo) for us. Many of my close relatives have not seen our new home yet, so this party is really for them to finally take a peek inside. The theme of our party is of course, "Wine." Brad and I are going to set up various bottles of White Wine on our kitchen island, and do a blind tasting for my guests. Only Brad and I will know the true identity of the brands of wine. At the end of the night, if one of our guests enjoys a certain glass of wine over another, they will receive pre-printed information cards from us on the wine they enjoyed the best as they exit. I do not have our food menu down on paper yet, but I am thinking it will consist of small finger foods and sandwiches.....But food is the least of my worries!...Brad and I only have 2 weeks left to get the house in order. We are still in the process of unpacking, painting and decorating. My goal is to finish all of our painting and decorating before our party...which means we have so much work to accomplish this week and next.

One small, but expensive decorating task that I have been putting off our "Curtains"...(insert loud, scary music)...dun, dun, dun! I dislike curtain shopping, but it is something, that when completed...makes a room look that much better. Last night, Brad and I put up our bedroom curtains which look amazing. I have the before and after pictures below!

Before!

After!

These curtains were a great price and fairly easy to put up! It truly gives our bedroom that much more of an elegant touch! I will be posting more before and after pictures of our progress this week in getting the house ready for our first get together!