Merry Christmas

Christmas is here!

Inspite of its lack of fanfare for me this year the past two days have been great. It started last night at church. I haven’t gotten to go to church in a while. We’ve been working round the clock. But I missed it. I missed corporate singing. I missed the teaching. I missed just the time set aside to be with God. I’m also convinced that the sermon last night was just for me.

He talked about how the baby Jesus came to turn everything upside down, inside out and right side up. Upside down because the Kingdom of God makes the last first, the weak strong and the blind see. Then he turns everything inside out. He reveals motives and shakes things free. Finally once everything is upside down and inside out he turns them right side up, because now its the way its supposed to be, His way.

Whether the sermon was just for me or not it gave me hope. There was also such an amazing sense of God’s presence in the service. You could almost touch it. It was so peaceful, welcoming and restful. I actually didn’t want to leave. I slept better last night than I have in a while.

Today we had a leisurely morning, then I made orange zest pancakes and sausages. My brother and family came over around noon. We had our family Christmas with lots of squeals of delight from the boys over their presents, which is a good thing. Top presents of the day were an i-dog soft speaker for Jordy and new Bakugan for Mikey.

This year instead of ham or turkey we had a Mexican soup for lunch – posole with all of the fixings. It has pork, hominy, onion, garlic and chile guajillo. On top of it you put oregano, lime, radishes, shredded cabbage and salt to taste. Mmmmm so good. I haven’t had it since the last time I was in Mexico, over seven years ago. My sister-in-law did a great job on it. It was amazing.

Tonight we had friends over and we did about three hours of karaoke. Favorites were – YMCA, Sweet Caroline, Mickey, Build Me Up Buttercup and Hang On Sloopy. We laughed, danced and sang our hearts out. So much fun.

It was a fantastic day full of lots of great people and food. While it wasn’t a white Christmas it was still an awesome one.

Filed under: Cooking and Food, Friendshipping, Mi Familia , karaoke, posole, singing

German Chocolate Cake

Apparently I only bake this cake every 17 years and when I’m sick. Nevermind that I have now only made it twice. That is besides the point.

The first time was when I was 16. I had an undiagnosed gallbladder condition that only let me eat top ramen noodles for a year. Not a fun thing, but I loved to bake and decided to make my dad his favorite cake for his birthday. In Mexico they don’t sell grated coconut so I had to grate the coconut by hand out of the shell. Oh yea, this cake was from scccrraatch.

I was going to make it for him again this year, but I was too busy. But I did promise to make it for a guy that works with us for his birthday this week. Only I got bronchitis. But a promise is a promise, so I made it.

I wasn’t a complete martyr, I was really looking forward to doing it. There is something therapeutic about baking for me – it’s precise while allowing room for creativity and inspiration. It’s relaxing because no one was asking me questions, demanding anything from me and I didn’t have to make any decisions. All I had to do was follow the recipe. It was easy, I could turn my brain off for an hour.

I also forgot how much fun it is. I got into baking a bit this summer, but this was my first foray back into hardcore sift-the-flour, melt-chocolate, use-special-ingredients-baking. I must say the cake was delicious.

Who knows what I’ll make next.

Filed under: Cooking and Food , baking, German Chocolate Cake, relaxing

New Favorite Coffee Creamer

I’ve made it clear that I love coffee as a vehicle for the flavored creamer.

My usual favorite is southern butter pecan. It is smooth, nutty amd creamy, so good. I almost have a mouth-gasm just thinking about it. But I’ve discovered a new flavor to add to my arsenal of flavorliciousness.

It is Mocha Almond Fudge. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one but its almond (my favorite nut) and fudge (my favorite chocolate candy). It is subtle, chocolately goodness.

If you love coffee and more importantly creamer, you must try it.

Filed under: Cooking and Food, Things I love , coffee, creamer

Back in the Baking Saddle

For my brother’s birthday party, my sister-in-law asked us to bring something that reminded us of him. I brought chocolate chip cookies. As kids he would beg me to make them so he could use them in trades at school for homework, favors and treats for girls. I relished the chance to tell his friends about the Mike they don’t know, yet.

What I didn’t know was that my mom has a kitchen-aid stand mixer. Oh yea. That’s girl heaven right there. It was so fun to use. I forgot how much I enjoy baking. When I was in high school I did it all the time. I would bake cakes, from scratch, for church functions, fund-raisers, anniversaries and birthdays. I was so into it.

When I went to college I didn’t have a kitchen, then I didn’t have all the kitchen accoutrement, room or time. So I switched to boxed cakes or just buying it.

After the cookies I’ve gone in a small baking frienzy. I have many baking projects in mind. I’m going have to be careful not too sample too many. Perhaps I shall tackle sugar-free baking.

My next project are red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for Easter dessert tomorrow. Erika and I did a cupcake tour of LA and the red velvet was the baseline to judge all bakeries. I had never had one before. They are quite unique and delicious. I love anything red so I was happy with them

So now I get the chance to make my own. I used Paula Deen’s recipe, figuring if I could trust anyone to be my guide into these southern tradition it would be her.

So far so good. I just took the cupcakes out of the oven. Of course I had to taste one, they’re little red pillows of moist deliciousness. I forgot how relaxing this is for me. It’s akin to taking pictures. It brings me such joy and I love watching other people enjoy it. Who knows what else I’ll tackle. For now I’m off to make cream cheese frosting.

This is also a great way to pass cold Ohio days. We’re supposed to get more snow next week. i kid you not.

Filed under: About Me, Cooking and Food, Living in Ohio , baking, Kitchen Aid mixer, Paula Deen, red velvet cupcake

Happy Unplanned Birthday to Me

Having a birthday the day after Christmas usually makes celebrating it difficult. Everyone is tired, out of town, or somehow unavailable. This year I feel completely celebrated. I had two parties, two lunches and I spent today with two good friends. And the great thing is, the celebration isn’t over. On Jan 6 Janine, Lisa, Tina and I, all of whom celebrate a birthday in Dec/Jan, are going to have a princess birthday in Ariel’s Grotto at California Adventure. I can’t wait!

Today also marked another milestone for me, besides turning 33, it was the first time I left things unplanned. Yes, that’s right, I had no plan for how I was going to spend my birthday. I just couldn’t think of anything that seemed birthday worthy. I mean there are a million things I want to do but they were far, too much trouble, not special enough or just expensive. So I was actually stressed last night thinking how I was going to spend the day. Birthday’s can be anti-climatic if you let them, and I just wanted to have a fun, relaxing time with friends.

But it turns out that all my worry was all for naught. I woke up at 7 a.m. thanks to my brother who called to wish me a happy birthday. But I didn’t get up for real until almost 10 a.m. thanks to another well wisher. Then I came downstairs and Lisa, who spent the night, was making breakfast. We had leftover pot roast and eggs. It was delicious.

Then Debbie came over around 1 p.m. and all I knew was that I wanted to head south. So we hopped on PCH and turned left. We drove through the lovely Laguna Beach. I thought about stopping for gelato but it was too crowded. So we kept meandering along and went through San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and then I remembered a cool place in San Clemente called Casa Romantica. It is a gorgeous house overlooking the ocean.

With no plan, there is no pressure, we just stopped when we thought of something fun. On the way back we decided to go through San Juan and go to the cute little shops near the Train Station and Mission. We never made it to the shops instead we went to have tea at the Los Rios Tea House . We got to wear hats, eat delicious scones and talk. It was glorious. I love tea.

Then around 6 p.m. we headed home and continued gabbing until now. They just went home and I’m exhausted. It was a great day without a plan. Normally, I have every detail mapped out. I like knowing what’s going to happen. But today was all about serendipity, living in the moment and going with the flow. It was fantastic.

We got to soak in the ocean as we travelled down PCH with the sunroof open. We saw a beautiful, historic Spanish home in San Clemente and dined on great tea and little sandwiches whilst wearing a hat. How can you beat that? You just can’t. It was a great day!!

This year I am in a much different place emotionally than I was last year. I finally quit a wrong-fitting job. I am moving in faith closer to my family to cultivate relationships with them. I am stepping in faith to embrace the immeasurably more that God has for us, instead of being restless in what is. So I think going without a plan is a theme for me in 2008. We’ll see how that goes. My 33rd year will be an interesting one if nothing else.

Filed under: About Me, Cooking and Food, Living in LA LA Land , birthday, casa romantica, san clemente, san juan capistrano, southern california, tea house, thirtie

Boneless Buffalo Wings by any other name

I made a startling realization today as I accompanied a friend driving through KFC for their new teriyaki boneless buffalo wings.

Boneless buffalo wings are really just chicken nuggets. Let that sink in for a second. We’re being charged for bone out wings. It’s a chicken nugget with the sauce on them instead of on the side.

I don’t know why that struck me as incredible insight, but it did, so now out of my benevolence and desire to share, I pass it onto you.

Filed under: Cooking and Food, Learning

Restaurant Tag

Alright Doug has tagged me to promote my favorite local eateries. I can do that. So here’s the deal:

1. List your top five local eating places.
Chains:
Pick Up Stix – love the potstickers
Fuddruckers – great burgers
Chipotle – tastiest burrito I ever had
Wing Stop – who doesn’t love a good buffalo wing
El Pollo Loco – how can you say no to the crazy chicken?

Independents/Local chains:
Versailles (LA) – this one is in LA, but worth the drive if you love great Cuban food.
Avila’s El Ranchito (Lake Forest) – Killer carnitas
Cinnamon Productions (RSM) – tasty sandwiches and it reminds me of my dear friend Erika
Lucille’s BBQ (Lake Forest) – the best banana pudding EVER!
Peppinos -(Foothill Ranch) good italian food and the bread is the best

2. Tag five people and let them know they’ve been tagged: I pick Tina, Erika, Laura, David , and Jeannine

Filed under: Cooking and Food, Friendshipping, Living in LA LA Land , chain restaurants, chipotle, cuba, el pollo loco, fuddruckers, pick up stix, Versailles

Murray’s Sugar Free, Fudge-Dipped Mint Cookies

I have courageously managed to walk past all the cute little Girl Scouts outside of the grocery store selling cookies.

I desperately want a box of Thin Mints, but I resist. Knowing full well that they will be gone sooner than I’d like to admit.

Then I find these little sugar free cookies that call themselves, fudge dipped mint cookies – that seems like a Thin Mint to me.

While they are not as minty as the real thing they are very tasty and will take the edge off a serious craving.

Filed under: Cooking and Food, Health

Making Mexican Food

Another right-brained activity that I have decided to embrace is cooking.

I used to bake all the time in high-school but since college I rely on eating out and when I do cook I stick to the three or four things I know how to make. I went out and actually bought stuff to make my but decided to start with a Mexican entree for dinner with Brian last night.

One of my favorite is a chicken dish called Tinga. When I go home my mom will usually try and make it for me. I’ve never made this by myself. Luckily my mom called just as I was starting so she walked me through most of it.

It was fun to talk to her while I cooked. I wished she could have been in the dining room, but I’ll take what I can get. It came out pretty good. I liked it anyway

It’s always more fun to cook for someone else and a little more nerve-wracking. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cooked something less than delicious and ate it anyway, just because it was done. But luckily this came out well.

Here’s the recipe if you want to be adventurous:

Filed under: Cooking and Food, Mi Familia, Relationshipping , chicken, chipotle, mexican food

Shabu Shabu

Occassionally Brian and I get out of our rut and try something new. At the recommendation of his friend Angelo we tried a Japanese restaurant in Mission Viejo called Shabu.

Shabu means "swish-swish" and it’s also how you cook your meat. It’s a small restaurant that seats only 17 people around a bar. At each place there is a pot of boiling water and a three bowls for dipping sauce.

Brian ordered beef and I ordered chicken. It arrives rolled in very thin slices. Another plate comes loaded with cabbage, spinach, mushrooms and noodles. To cook the beef you drop it in the water say one shabu for rare, two shabus for medium well and three shabus for well done. The chicken takes a little longer so you just drop it in and wait. The vegetables are done really fast. So once you take it out of the water you have a citrus, ginger or sesame dipping sauce.

The waitresses are super helpful and strain the fat out of the water, refill the bowls, answer questions and make sure you don’t burn yourself. The owner of the restaurant is also around to teach you how to Shabu. She’s a petite, older woman quick with a smile, an Arigato and a joke. When you leave the restaurant she walks you out, takes a deep bow and offers you a piece of candy.

It was a fun experience. If you’re ever in Mission Viejo, please stop by and visit Shabu. But we highly recommend reservations. We want to go back and take a group and take over the place.

Filed under: Cooking and Food, Living in LA LA Land, Relationshipping , Japanese, Mission Viejo, Shabu