Modern Home Tour Atlanta 2010

It's that time again!

Modern Home Tour Atlanta 2010 is June 5th and 6th.
Link for Tickets.

Diet & Health musings

Matthew and I had a lovely private vacation for our 4-year wedding anniversary. However, seeing myself in a bikini for the first time in a year, was fairly disturbing. I have definitely put on some weight. And I want to LOSE some before my cruise at the end of the May!
but how?
Yes the lo-carb method does seem to work for me.
Going Gluten free is great for my digestion, but I still get too many carbs from the rice-noodles etc.
And going lo-carb, gluten-free, and dairy free (helps alleviate congestion), is REALLY too strict for me. I'm not living in a bubble people!!! I am social, and I do need to eat once in a while. sheesh!
so
my thoughts are turning to other methods/lifestyle choices.
I already work-out 3-5 times week. I eat healthy foods (most of the time), and so Matt and I decided to reduce our alcohol intake (whenever possible). So, unless it's wine club night, or a weekend out with friends, we are sticking to water and herbal teas (of course I get my one cup of coffee each AM).
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Also in regards to how wonderfully the lemon water helped stave off the cold I was getting last month, I did some more research on alkaline/acidic foods. These links are very helpful (although not entirely in context, they are written to help people who have had a colonic treatment, and how to elongate the healthy effects, etc). Considering I get major issues down-there after having too much gluten, I felt this was appropriate. NOTE - it's not telling you that you cannot ever eat meat or cheese, but just advising that it is better to eat more of the Alkalizing foods than the Acidic foods. Most of us (unless we are strict vegans) will not be able to stick to an only alkaline diet. Anyway, I was happy to see this online as I had often wondered about the differences in certain foods and how they affected me - this is a good list to have around.
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Links
What to do/eat after a colonic
Alkalizing versus Acidic food lists
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The Dogwood Festival was just wonderful. We walked around quite a bit (my workout for the day), and then lay out in the grass in the sunshine listening to the live music. (exhaling happily). It was just a beautiful weekend.
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Chinese Grand Prix was entertaining also.
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In other news... MAY MAYHEM of activities on the radar...
**Zane Lamprey is coming to Atlanta on May 22nd - show is at Center Stage.
**ISAW Foundation Drink Well Do Good Tour ATLANTA is also that night.
lucky me I'm going to both - why oh why do they put these things on the same weekend? lol.
**Alive Expo is coming to Atlanta May 15-16th weekend. Natural Products and Green Living Event. although I'll be most likely visiting my Grandfather that weekend, so I will miss it. Enjoy and let me know how it is, if you go?
**33rd Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is May 29th & 30th
and I'm spent!

My new obsession - Bragiole

Last night, I tried "Bragiole" - pronounced like Bra-Joel (ha ha!). To me, it was like Italian version of Beef Brisket. The meat was just absolutely tender and melted in my mouth. The handmade gnocchi on the side was just as delicious (yeah I cheated on my gluten-free diet). One more reason to love my favorite Philadelphia Restaurant - Penns View Hotel's Ristorante Panorama, not only do they have the Il Bar wine selection, but the food... Mama Mia!

So, as usual, after I find a good dish, I want to know how to make it. Here are some recipes I found online. PLEASE let me know if you hear of any other ones worth using.

Bragiole from Nassin Family Cookbook
Bragiole Al Sugo from Blogger

In other news, I am starting to realize that there are other similar recipes from other countries:
France - Boeuf Bourguignon (which we made for dinner Friday night)
Malaysia/Thailand - Beef Rendang (which I just sampled at Aqua for lunch today)

The common theme is beef flank or stew meat, then whatever sauce you want on it, boiled/simmered/etc until the meat is as tender as butter. mmm...

April's Manicotti Recipe

I sort of "borrowed" this from my College Buddy April. She used to make it for us and it is now one of my "go-to" meals to impress the company.

April's Manicotti Recipe
(not gluten free unless you can find gluten-free manicotti noodles)
Ingredients:
2 16oz containers of Ricotta Cheese
8 oz Shredded Mozzerella Cheese (I use closer to 16 oz though)
2 tsp sugar
1 egg
1 pound browned hamburger (ground sirloin if you want it fancy).
2 pkgs of manicotti (tubes are easiest, but you can use shells if you like)
2 regular sized jars of Spaghetti Sauce (I prefer Ragu - any variety or mix them)
Dry spices added per your taste preference:
salt & pepper
basil
oregano
Supplies:
1 Mixing Bowl
1 Saucepan or kettle for boiling water
1 baking pan 9x13 (can be glass or metal, but if using metal please treat with non-stick spray before adding any food).

Directions:
1-In large mixing bowl, add the Ricotta Cheese, sugar, 1/2 of the Mozzerella cheese, egg, and spices. Mix well.
2 -In large saucepan/kettle Partially boil the manicotti noodles for 2 minutes. Do not let the noodles cook fully, you just want to soften them a little bit, remove them from the water quickly before they finish cooking.
3 - Hand-stuff the Ricotta Cheese mixture into the shells. Be careful not to crack/split/or break open the shells, but fill them up as much as you can with the Cheese mixture. Some people like to use a baggie with a hole cut out of the corner to squeese it into the shells, or use a spoon, but I find it is more effective (and fun) to just use your hands. For neatness and easy storage, place the stuffed manicotti back into the plastic trays (most manicotti noodles are prepacked in plastic trays when you pull them out of the pasta box - it is easy to keep the noodles off the messy counter if you put them back into the trays temporarily. You may have some leftover to freeze for another meal and this is an excellent carrying/storage tray for them also).
4 - Preheat oven to 375 degrees
5 - Brown the hamburger, drain off and discard the grease.
6 - Mix 1 jar of sauce in the hamburger.
7 - Pour some of the sauce/hamburger into the pan (perhaps 1/4 thick), then place several stuffed manicotti noodles into the pan side by side - as many as you can fit into the pan, make sure they are not touching and if needed pour some sauce in between the manicotti to keep them separted a little bit - then cover with sauce until tops of the manicotti are hidden. Sprinkle the remainder of the mozzerella cheese on top the sauce. (if you have leftover manicotti noodles or sauce, you can make another pan's worth or freeze them for a later time).
8 - Bake in the oven (until cheese is lightly browned and sauce is bubbly) - approximately 45-60 mins (depending on your oven).
9 - Remove from oven, let cool for 10 mins before serving.
Serving suggestions: pair with salad of greens, slice olives, parmesean cheese, in oil/vinegar dressing. Recommend any Italian red wine for pairing (Chianti, Montepulciano, Nero D'avola, Sangiovese, etc) or a Cabernet Sauvignon.

My Grandpa

Haven't been writing as much as usual, sorry folks.
My grandfather has been ailing (he has a terminal condition - Pulmonary Fibrosis). Basically, over time, his lungs are filled with scarring, and eventually he won't be able to breathe. Currently, he is on oxygen 24/7, and is at the point where walking a mere 5 feet from living room chair to dining room chair puts him out of breath and puffing for more air.
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Time is running out.
We have known this was coming eventually, but it doesn't make it any easier.
I've been driving to see him about once a month or so, and this month is no exception.
On the upside, I have been able to see family that I hadn't seen in years, as many people are coming to visit him. Also, we make every visit a good one (good food, wine, movies, talking, art, etc).
Each visit is as good as it can be, because you never know when it will be the last one.
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May all of you be so lucky to have time with your families to celebrate one another. This is what I wish for you in March.
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Happy early St. Patrick's Day!

Drink Well, DO GOOD!

Where else can you get some AWESOME wine
and
do some good for charity?

Check it out!

Valentines Day Pork Chops

In a baking pan(w lid) put 4 defrosted pork chops
Chop up 4 Macintosh Apples in slices and surround the porkchops.
Cut up a stock of butter in 4 chunks and put in the 4 corners of the pan.
Pour "Bone Sucking Barbeque Sauce" over the chops liberally.
Bake covered at 400 degrees for 30 mins. Voilà! Yummmmmmmmmy!

-- Post From My iPhone

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know I've been a terrible slacker.
But
I have a good excuse (or set of excuses).
I was in Philly all last week - yes in that 20 inches of snow-blizzard-mayhem of the sky situation. AND I still made a trip to my fave wine bar. Even when those pansy-*ss cab drivers refused to come get me to take me back to my hotel. I gave them the proverbial finger and walked myself the 12 blocks (in snowdrifts) back to my room. Independant woman snubs nose at pansy Cab drivers in blizzard. yes!
The Tennessee/Grandpa trip was just Bootcamp for the real thing, let me tell you. Thank God I didn't have to Drive though.
--
Good book I read on the plane:
"Are you there vodka? It's me Chelsea" by Chelsea Handler
I literally cackled and chuckled my way through the 3 hour flight delay, and the 2 hr flight to ATL from PHL. Yes it's THAT good. READ IT!
--
ok so I know ya'll miss my recipes and junk
but
I haven't been cooking much in the last 2 weeks (too busy)
so
in lieu of a recipe.
CHECK OUT THIS HILARIOUS BLOG!
My Effing Cookbook
Enjoy!
--

Grandpa's Chocolate Zebra Cluster Recipe

Well I'm at Grandpa's house again. Sport and I thought we'd meet up with Aunt Julie and hang out at Grandpas. Little did we know, we were going to be driving through a blizzard. We did slide off the road into a ditch, for a short detour, but some very helpful gentlemens (get this, an Amish guy, 2 African Americans, and 1 Camo-wearing Redneck) helped tow us out. They were so friendly!

anyway, as you know, Grandpa is all about Food. he LOVES to eat. And so, here is one of the recipes from this trip;

Chocolate Zebra Clusters (from tasteofhome.com/healthycooking)
Ingredients:
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
12 oz white candy coating divided(or white chocolate)
1 1/4 cups salted peanuts
1 1/4 cups crisp rice cereal
2 1/4 cups mini-marshmellows
1 tsp shortening

Directions:
1) Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper; set aside. In a microwave, melt chips and 7oz of the white candy coating (or white chocolate) at 70% power; stir until smooth.
2) Stir in peanuts and cereal. Cool slightly; fold in marshmellows. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets.
3) In microwave, melt shortening and remaining candy coating (or white chocolate); stir until smooth. Transfer to a pastry or plastic bag; cut small hole in corner of bag. Drizzle over clusters (aka the Zebra stripes). Refrigerate for 5 mins or until set. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 166 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), trace cholesterol, 40 mg sodium, 20g carbs, 1g fiber, 2g protein

Abbie's notes: yeah I might not say this was "healthy cooking" but it sure as hell tastes pretty damn good.

Did you write a book?

Do you blog alot?
Do people read it and enjoy it?
Well, now you can print your blog as a book.
go figure.

http://blogspot.sharedbook.com/blog2print/googleblogger/index.html

Cold Asian Salad

Abbie's Cold Asian Salad
(measurements approximate, as I typically just season everything to taste. I tried to be as accurate as possible though). THIS CAN BE a GLUTEN FREE recipe.

Ingredients:
1/2 bag of Kroger's premade Asian Slaw (basically it's julienned carrots, red cabbage, and broccoli in a bag fresh)
1 box of gluten-free elbow noodles
2 chicken breasts
1/2 bottle of Asian Peanut Sauce (you can buy this premade, or make it yourself)
** I made my own with this recipe: **
2 large scoops of crunchy organic Peanut Butter
2 tbsp Tabasco Sauce or hot sauce (to taste, more if you like it spicier)
1/3 bottle of Trader Joe's Soyaki sauce (or see substitutions)
1 tbsp Ginger (spice powder)

Directions:
1) cook the noodles, drain, run them under cold water, drain (repeat if necessary, you want the noodles to be cool). Put noodles in big salad bowl.
2) boil the chicken, then chop, add chicken to the salad bowl.
3) Add the slaw mix to the salad bowl.
4) IF making your own sauce: In small saucepan, heat the Asian Peanut Sauce Ingredients until mixed and PB is not clumpy. the peanuts in the crunchy PB will float on top, that is okay. Put the Sauce mixture into a bottle or bowl and refridgerate to get it cold. Shake well before putting on the salad.
IF NOT making your own sauce, just be sure the sauce is refridgerated first.
5) Finally, pour Asian Peanut Sauce over the salad, mix well to coat all the ingredients.
Chill (if needed) and Serve. Serves 6 (or big portions for 4).

Substitutions:
1) Alternative to Trader Joe's Soyaki Sauce: You can substitute gluten-free soy sauce, water, garlic powder, and some sugar or sweetener to make your own gluten-free soyaki sauce)
2) Can use 2 cans of Canned Chicken (drain the excess water) instead of having to cook/chop the chicken breasts. It's faster.
3) Can use any noodle you want. I happened to have the elbow noodles in my cupboard at the time.
4) For the Asian Peanut Sauce - Can use grated ginger root instead of the spice powder, if you prefer.
5) Can add more peanuts if you prefer.
6) I think chopped water chestnut would also be tasty in this salad.
7) You can use canned Tuna instead of Chicken if you desire.
8) If you're trying to low-carb, then you can use spaghetti squash as the noodles instead of pasta.

Frugal Girlie

Check out my friend Cathy's blog:
Http://frugalgirlie.blogspot.com


-- Post From My iPhone

It's the Little Things...

Recently, I've become starkly aware of how much I take for granted. I'm re-learning that it's the little things that really count.

Therefore, here are some of the little things I really love:
1) My husband - his ability to put up with me, listen to me, sit with me on the sofa watching Dexter as I grip his hand or leg in suspense, cuddle me in bed when I'm cold (even though I apparently have an icy-cold arse), eat whatever I cook for him, and still give me his honest advice and opinions.

2) My dog - he is so quiet and obedient. I often forget he is there, or ignore him more than I should. Since the seizure episode, I've been really listening, watching, and learning his queues. He DOES communicate with me. And mostly, it's all love. My dog truly loves us, and he shows it every day. We hang out a lot more now than we used to. We play more, and when he wants some companionship, I listen more. I want to continue this in 2010 and not take it for granted. Not all dog-owners are as lucky as we are.

3) Avocado/Spinach salad with Toasted Sesame Oil dressing. Try it. It's so simple, and oh so good.

4) Hot Water. Yes, I'm weird. I'm remembering my love of hot water and hot tea. This is also good, as it is warm, and keeps me off the vino. Not saying Vino's bad, but I really spent a lot on alcohol last year. Was it really worth all that? Let's get healthy in 2010.

4)Sweaters, t-shirts, and tops - oh my! I have tons of clothes, but in the past year (and hopefully this year) I'm gradually going through my things, and giving away the items I don't need, or have too much of. Giving to friends, family, or Goodwill. Reduce the clutter. The love it, saves us all money (me for storage, them from having to buy new clothes), and we all benefit.

5) The Wii. I had all but forgotten how much fun it can be. Fun because it lets you be active, laugh with your loved ones, and boy can it spark up a party. Try if it you don't believe me.

6) Reading a good book. I haven't done this in nearly a year. Been so busy. Only read magazines, blogs, and TV stuff last year. This year will be different. I hope.

7) to be continued...

Christmas Recap

This Christmas was my favorite one so far, I think. It was more about spending time with people and visiting than gifts this year. But that is what counts! I am so thankful for all the people in my life! ;-D
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Santa gave Sport a Canadian Goose-toy that honks. He loves it! He takes it everywhere with him, even in the car when we go for a drive. LOL.
Matt got a nice winter coat from me, and we bought ourselves a new printer/fax/scanner, this one is an HP and it really works (unlike that crappy one we had before). It also prints color so we can do fliers and photos. ;-D
Matt got me a beautiful fancy candle called Low Country New Orleans, and it smells DIVINE! Also the Hangover Movie, and Elf Movie.
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We got to visit with all of our friends and local family over the week and weekend.
Chris and Mina came over for dinner one night to try some of the Mollydooker Wine we fell in love with (from NYC) - we had greek steaks and yogurt sauce.
and then the next night Ben & Erika came over for dinner (Scallops in basil pesto linguini). and we did our gift exchanges.
Christmas Eve we went to a Bulgarian party at Chris & Mina's with their family and did gifts there. The meal was all vegan, they don't do any animal related food until Christmas Day, some tradition? healthy! Anyway it was super tasty stuff.
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Christmas Day, we went to Matt's Mom's house and did the ham/meal there, gift exchange, etc. Then we drove to Vanya's house (Mina's aunt) to celebrate Hristo's & Chris's "name day" which is always the same day as Christmas - tradition, and we had gumbo, and lots of other food and wine.
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I got to play with Ian (Chris & Mina's son who is 2 now), a lot. He is talking up a storm and says my name now! He likes to play cars, and dance. He's bilingual, so sometimes I have to figure out if he's talking to me in English or Bulgarian. Too funny.
Matt and I came home and watched ELF together. I love that movie, I was getting all sentimental so I cried. lol.
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Saturday we had leftovers (ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies, salad, etc) and Matt decided he wanted Wii Resort and Mario Kart, so we used our Target gift card,and bought those, and I watched the movie I had been asking for "Kiss Me Kate" - and then we found out our friend James (the White Russian) was in town visiting from Vegas, so we went to pick him up and he slept over, and it was an impromptu party at our house. Mostly we played Wii with everyone and snacked on the ham. Everybody had a blast!
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Sunday we had a nice big breakfast (turkey bacon, eggs over easy on pumpernickel toast, and garnished with green chiles) and then out of the blue…
Sport had 2 seizure-like episodes yesterday afternoon (he was sleeping in the sun, then woke up suddenly, freaked out, and was trembling, stiff, and eyes dilated). At first we thought he had a bad dream, but I noticed he was drooling. He does not drool. So I stayed next to him and petted him and talked softly, and he seemed to be calming down, and then it happened again, so we rushed him to the vet, but he seemed okay by the time we got to a doctor. My arm was wet from Sport drooling while I held him, but I didn't care, I was so worried about him. They did a full neurology exam on him, and he seems fine. They said to watch him closely so that is why I am working from home. It may just have been a food reaction, not sure, lots of holiday food around the house, he may have gotten into something. But just in case, I want to keep a watch on him and make sure he is okay.
I had already made Chile in the crock pot before Sport's emergency, so we snacked on that, and the ham again, during the day, and friends came over, and we watched The Hangover - Unrated Edition. Just before the movie, Ian came over with Mina & Chris (they were visiting James), and I had my nephew's toys here for him to play with. He had ball and didn't want to leave. too funny!
Sport has been super tired since his emergency yesterday, he sleeps and sleeps. He is very sweet though. He even licked Ian's face. LOL. Ian mostly ignores him, which is good because then Sport will like him more. My nephew used to pull on Sport's tail and fur, and Sport got frustrated with him. However Ian is better with animals, probably since he has 2 cats at his house.
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Today I'm just working at home and watching Sport to see that he doesn't have any more issues. We have been super careful with making sure no food falls on the floor. He is only stuck eating his dogfood (no fun for him, he is begging us for some ham, but I am not giving in).
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My co-worker told me that a long time ago his dog had a seizure from eating some chocolate. So maybe somehow Sport got some chocolate? I am not sure. there is no evidence that he did, but I do not know.
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That ham is still here, I'm getting sick of ham. Matt loves it though. I just cut up the rest of it and we are having butternut-squash ham soup and then THAT's the end of the ham. LOL. no more (thank God!).

Kick-*ss F*ckin Chile

2 cans Trader Joes organic vegetarian chile
1 can Trader Joes organic diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 big can plum tomatoes
1 small can green chiles
1/2 andouille sausage diced
4 strips turkey bacon crumbled
1/2 cup water

Pour ingredients into crockpot, stir and heat.
Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped ripe avocado, and crackers.

-- Post From My iPhone

Christmas Traditions

I'm feeling particularly "Christmasy" today, so I wanted to document my Christmas Traditions. Everyone had different traditions, here are some of mine:

1) Hanging the mistletoe around the house. We have 3 sprigs of it now, so I like to surprise my hubby with kisses in various doorways and hallways.

2) Jingle Dog - we have a red velvet collar with white fur and jingle bells on it, for Sport. At first he hates it, but since we leave it on him all month, he gets used to it. I call him my Jingle Dog!

3) Decorating the tree on Black Friday. Maybe it's weird, but I like to be respectful of Thanksgiving and not decorate until after. But the moment it's over, I start putting up my tree and decorations. Christmas is my fave holiday! I've got it down to a science, and usually all the decorations are done within 2 hours or so.

4) The Christmas Music Collection - I have been gradually collecting Christmas music for years now. I keep them in a case, that I pull out once a year. Then we rotate through all the CDs. New to the collection this year (compliments of Aunt Julie) are "Christmas with the Rat Pack" and "Diana Krall Christmas Songs." So far the Rat Pack is my fave, but I love them both.

5)Starbucks Christmas Blend Coffee - I treat myself a few mornings before Christmas, and sometimes even buy a bag of the coffee beans to grind & brew at home, although somehow the store's brew always seems to taste better. If you haven't tried it, you MUST drink some at least once. Delicious!

6) The Ham. Matt insists that either Thanksgiving or Christmas (one of the 2) HAS to have a Honeybaked Ham. He goes CRAZY for it (almost as crazy as the dog). I like Turkey on Thanksgiving, so usually Christmas is the HAM. No exception this year either. I picked it up yesterday.

7) Wearin' O the Red & Green - Over the years people give me funky socks (Santa Socks, Grinch Socks, etc). So I try to use them in the month of December. I even have a pair of Red Shoes I don, with my Christmasy outfits. No, I do NOT do the ugly sweater thing, unless it's for an Ugly Sweater party. I'm more about solid colors, some patterns, and I have a Nutcracker pin I like to put on my jacket. Winter Scarves are definitely in - so long a they are real scarves, not the fru-fru old-lady-kind. Still gotta be the Sexy Mrs. Lane ya know!

8) Santa Hats - once in a while we'll put on the Santa Hats. Not for long though. Most of the time the are hanging around my house on various lamps, curtain rods, or on my stuffed Grinch (he who guards my Poang Chair in the den...). good party accessory!

9) The Annual Christmas Card - I start planning mine in October. no seriously. Being married to a photographer has its perks, but we like to choreograph the perfect card. We start brainstorming early. Also, considering the time it takes to order the cards, have them printed, delivered to us, address them all, stamp them, mail them, etc, it takes a few weeks. I usually have them in the mail the day after Thanksgiving, if I can. Not that it's a competition, but I like being the FIRST card people see (I know that is super silly) but it's my "planning-ahead-ness" and I can't help it. Then I spend the rest of November/December, enjoying getting cards in the mail all month long. We hang them on a snowflake/shaped iron thingie that I hang in the dining room so I can see them all the time.

10) Eggnog - Matt loves Eggnog. I like it too, but I like it to have a kick. I used to get Silk Soynog (which is still tasty), but it is not so good for mixing with other things. Now-a-days I like the "Evan Williams Eggnog" - it comes pre-spiked with whiskey/bourbon, vanilla, caramel, flavors. oooh yes! No mixing required, and since it's alcoholic, we tend to drink it in smaller portions, and I only end up buying the one bottle. Previously, we'd have 2 bottles of eggnog (non-alcoholic) in the fridge, and that's like twice the calories, ug. Let's just do it Evan Williams way!

11) Year-round Christmas Shopping - now this may sound silly to you, but I love it. Throughout the year, I buy or collect gifts that I may use for Christmas Presents. I like this for several reasons: my gifts tend to be more unique or special to the recipient, the cost is spread across 12 months, not just all in 1 month, I beat the holiday rush of INSANE-SHOPPERS, and I can have my gifts wrapped as soon as I want to instead of all at the end of the year. Also, once the tree is up, I can just put these gifts under the tree right away!

12) Calendars, Day Planners, and Schedules - oh my! Being a plan-ahead-kind-of-gal, I really love Christmas time, because I get to give myself a NEW calendar/day planner/etc. It helps keep me organized for the coming year. It's also a great time to have everyone send you their latest current address/phone so you can update your contact list. This year I am getting more digital and less dependant on paper planners/calendars. My contacts and calendar are both on my gmail account, which is backed up and synched with my iPhone. I also have backup copies of the contacts in my Outlook at work, and my Yahoo account. So check it out, never will I worry about losing the info! It's also a great time to look ahead at the next year and figure out when I tentatively may want to book vacations or parties. Gmail even has a feature in the calendar, where you can add an appointment or event, AND invite more people! Kind of like a mini-Evite. It's great for "Save the date" type actions. and the best part is, it's FREE!

13) Reuse & Recycle - Call me Thrifty, but if you gift me a gift bag and tissue paper... I typically will save it and reuse it next year. Yes indeed. Why not use that Gift Bag more than once? Straighten and refold that pretty tissue paper, let's reuse it! Heck it's GREEN friendly too! Of course I don't reuse the ripped or torn things, but that is rare these days. And yes, I'll admit it. I also re-gift sometimes. Not a lot, but once in a while. Sometimes a well-meaning person will give me a fabulous gift, but it just isn't my thing. So, I will find it a better home. Of course usually the giver will have no idea at all that this ever happened. I don't want to hurt their feelings. I used to feel a teeny bit guilty about re-gifting until I caught my Mom doing it. It must be genetic. Anyway, it's totally another way to recycle things!

14) Gift Cards - Every year, I ask for Gift Cards for Christmas. I don't necessarily need a gift, I just want the gift cards. Why? Because I like to shop. AND as you know, EVERYTHING goes on sale After Christmas and through the beginning of the New Year! So, Gift cards let me SHOP and SAVE, what's not to like? It's the gift that keeps on giving!

Supplement-IT Launch Party at Solstice Cafe

Our friends from SMAZEN Enterprises LLC and the E.K. Morrell Group are hosting a Holiday Happy Hour to celebrate the launching of Supplement-IT, and giveaway prizes and coupons for Erika's Massage Services.
Did I mention there will be drink specials, prize drawings, and a special appearance by "The Supplement-IT Girls" ? no? well check it out ya'll! THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18th at 7pm, SOLSTICE CAFE in Grant Park.

Supplement-IT is the FIRST dietary vitamin supplement, made for IT Professionals by IT Professionals. Check out their website for more information. http://www.supplement-it.com

E.K. Morrell Group's Site. http://www.erikamorrell.net

Promo Video for the Party from Bob Dylan.

FaceBook Invite for the Party.

New Year's Eve at Solstice Cafe

So far we have 19 people. I went ahead and put in a reservation for us. It's in my name and on my credit card, so if you need to back out, please let me know in advance. 38 hr cancellation notice is required or I have to pay (don't make me come find you, lol).

The Prix-Fixe Menu (scroll to bottom of this post) includes the Champagne Toast at midnight, and is $45 + 18% gratuity (due to the large party. aka $54.

So bring cash for your meal ($54/person). Other drinks are extra (recommend running a separate tab for that at the bar, keeps it more organized for the server.
Again you can bring your own bottle of something, but there's a $10 corking fee per bottle. Let's bring a few Magnum sized bottles of wine to share, right? ha!

New Years Eve 4-Course Dinner $45 at Solstice Cafe
Vegetarian option available (V)
Includes Champagne Toast
Please add 18% gratuity for large parties.
1st Course – Choice Of:
Carrot Soup
Braised Short Rib & Horseradish Cream
Chipolini Onion Brodo
With Mitake Mushrooms (V)

2nd Course – Choice Of:
Chopped House SaladGrilled Red Onion, Chic Peas, Kalamata Olives, Feta Cheese, Tomato, Cucumber, Age Sherry Vinaigrette (V)
Solstice SaladStrawberries, Apples, Walnuts, Gorgonzola and Balsamic Vinaigrette (V)

3rd Course – Choice Of:
Pastrami Smoked Salmon
Horseradish Bilinis, Capers and Red Onion Marmalade
Potato Gnocchi
Chestnuts, House Made Fennel Sausage and Parmesan-Olive oil Emulsion (V)
Beef CarpaccioWhole Grain Mustard Aioli, Fried Capers, Parmesan, Smoked Sea Salt

4th Course – Choice Of:
Lamb Shanks
Confit Yukon Gold Potatoes and San Marzano Tomato Ragu
Tuna “Wellington”
Porcini Mushrooms, Spinach, Foie Gras and Red Wine Sauce
Filet Mignon
Rosemary Fries, Haricot Verts and Black Truffle Hollandaise
Butternut Squash Raviolis
Toasted Hazelnuts, Sage Whipped Mascarpone and Brown Butter (V)

Solstice Cafe | 562 Boulevard SE | Atlanta, GA 30312 | 404-622-1976 |

New York New York Pictures & Movie Links

NYC Movies: http://s283.photobucket.com/albums/kk303/vslane/NewYork2009/
Abbie has multiple NYC Photo Albums on her FaceBook Site. Look under her albums for the following:
1. New York Dining, Dogs, and Death by Culinary Ecstasy
2. Last Day in NY
3. Winters Eve 2009 Highlights
4. MoMA - Museum of Modern Art
5. Bar Boulud
6. NY Celebrity Sighting
7. Macys Thanksgiving Parade
8. Balloon Inflation
Matt's Photos: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/10588422_tmaeF#735859682_KSikL
Abbie was a guest blogger for MyUpperWest, check it out: http://myupperwest.com/upper-west-side/winters-eve-recap/
Winters Eve Movies: : http://s283.photobucket.com/albums/kk303/vslane/Winters Eve 2009 Lincoln Square/

New York New York Last Day

Tuesday, December 1st -
Central Park morning
Lansky's Deli for another PLT
Flight Cancelled, but not
Last walk with Frank
Cab Ride home