Thoughts Barely Worth a Penny

1. Tonight is the muscial episode of Grey's. I think they've been promoting this episode since well before George died, therefore I expect it to be about as entertaining as Bob Ross, and I won't even have a naturescape to show off at the end of the hour.

2. The Grizz has a yeast infection. Yes, you read that right. Before your mind goes to some bad places, let me clarify, its in his nose wrinkle. What? Your dog doesn't have a nose wrinkle? I feel bad for you.

I've been cleaning it with some medicated ointment. My google research suggested Monistat. I love this dog, but he'll have to stick to the aforementioned treatment plan for his embarrasing and uncomfortable feminine itch.

3. Thinking about chopping my hair circa de summer 2008. Opinions? Suggestions? Warnings? Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Not sure what I was doing in 2008 to get me this shade of brown, but I wish my past self would have written it down.

It has Protein and Calcium

Who needs a protein shake after a run when you can refuel with cheese, sausage and buttermilk?

Saturday I made these sausage cheese puffs for Mrs. Smith's baby shower. I think they are definitely worth having a baby for. I was hoping to bring a couple home for MS to taste, but

no such luck.

I didn't feel too bad for him as he was busy eating here.

I borrowed this photo and now am curious to know who in their right mind drinks Corona with ribs? Surely not this guy...

False alarm. Just MS in a little costume he put together in the hotel gift shop. This is what happens when men are left to their own vices, I assume.

Back at the homestead, I was mixing up previous ingredients. It looked something like this.

Scoop onto an ungreased cookie sheet. I first scooped them out with a cookie scoop, but those made nice dainty little balls, and there is nothing dainty about sausage and cheese, so I washed my hands for a full 30 seconds under hot water and then rolled them myself. With love.

Ta-da.

I think I'm going to make these for MS this weekend, because that's just the kind of wife I am.

In case your into exact measurements:

1/2 pound sausage

1 1/2 cups biscuit/baking mix

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

6-7 Tbps buttermilk

In a skillet, cook and crumble sausage until no longer pink; drain. In a bowl, combine biscuit mix and cheese; stir in sausage. Add buttermilk and toss with a fork until just moistened. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

For reference, I doubled the recipe and baked for 12 minutes and they were just right.

Iron Chef

For my birthday, one of my gifts from the in-laws was a cast iron skillet. Mostly I’ve used it as an upper body workout moving it in and out of the oven - because where do you keep a 30 lb skillet – but decided when making this week’s menu to put it in the lineup. And the crowd went wild.

Naturally, I started with something as close to fried as possible – baked chicken parmesan. I let Matt handle the gross part of the chicken while I took this picture of the Grizz. See, I did listen in the 'sharing household responsibilities' portion of pre-marital counseling.

I thought he looked svelte and would appreciate being shown off. He’s rocking his new exercise routine – one full block 3x a week – ever since a neighbor called him a fatty.

After dipping the chicken in egg and coating with Italian bread crumbs, do a quick swirl in the skillet of EVOO. Add chicken. Sear chicken on each side for about 3 minutes.

Pour a glass of wine. Yes, I buy most wines because of the labels.

Admire new spring kitchen towel while ignoring the fact its 48 degrees out.

Spoon some pasta sauce onto the chicken. The beauty of the cast iron – move directly to the oven for 25 minutes. With a few minutes left, sprinkle on cheese. We were out of parmesan, so I used cheddar. Livin’ on the edge. At some point in your prep, boil some pasta, toss with some basil and oregano.

Tip: If you wait to eat dinner until 9 p.m., even a sub-par meal gets a happy plate. Next time I would probably take fewer pictures of the dog and pound out the chicken breasts so they are a little flatter, cook more evenly and seem like more food.

Took this picture as an afterthought, so my apologies the presentation isn't cookbook worthy.

Case of the Mondays

Well, this weekend flew by at breakneck speed. Coupled with last night’s thunderstorms that nearly made me need to change the sheets, I think I spent the majority of my morning shower under the water wondering where I was.

Fortunately, the grey cube walls have jolted me back to reality just in time for me to recap the weekend. Go ahead and breathe a sigh of relief.

I met my favorite Birmingham twins for some patio drinking after work on Friday. They dragged me kicking and screaming into the world of Twitter. Let’s be honest, after last week and two drinks, there was no kicking and very little screaming. But you can go ahead and congratulate me for bravely stepping into 2009.

After being assured a 90% chance of rain Saturday I had resigned myself to 6 miles on the dreadmill. Lest I forget accuracy isn’t a critical component of weather prediction, it had dropped to 10% on Saturday morning, so I headed out for an easy 10 miler. Easy long runs are kind of new to me. I’m not fast by anyone’s standards, but the concept that not every run has to be done at near race pace has made running a lot more enjoyable – if you don’t count last Saturday. (ETA – runs over 5 miles are never “easy”, I believe this is terminology used by running magazines to make you feel bad when you’re thinking about bumming a ride home at mile 8).

not my hand

I’m not used to running alone, so it didn’t hit me until I was deep into north Birmingham that maybe I should have at least tucked my license in my shorts. You know, to make it easier to identify my body. No need to have to pull out my dental records. Though they are stellar.

not my teeth

Afterwards, I headed to a baby shower for Mrs. Smith. I have no pictures, as I was busy ,eating sausage cheese puffs hosting, but momma to be got some cute stuff. She’ll be set even if she has surprise twins. Wouldn’t that be fun, Christina?!

Saturday night, in order to one up my brother-in-law for favorite, I went solo with the in-laws to a family friends 60th birthday. I usually hang back and let the Mayor do his shaking hands and kissing babies thing - so it was nice to get a little out of my comfort zone. Whenever I got nervous, I just hit the buffet. I recommend this plan. I had some ham and cheese sandwiches that changed my life. I mean for real – I don’t even like ham. Since I made it out of the north Birmingham alive - I just might share that recipe later this week.

Friday Funday

It's been a long week. Like, I'm not sure how it's not July. To celebrate the fact that it is indeed Friday, I weaved a few treats into my day.

$3.50 is perfectly reasonable for something I could probably make for approximately 9 cents. But, $2.41 worth of festivity seemed like a good investment this a.m.

Sidenote -isn't interesting how you can pair the most hideous shade of the rainbow - orange - with pink and it just glosses over all the ugliness?

My love affair with Publix continues. Not only did the man point me to the aisle where the bisquick was located, he actually walked me over to make sure I found it ok. Take notes, Wal-Mart. I rewarded their good customer service with some more business in the way of brown rice sushi.

While I was on a roll, I ran by Walgreens. Did you know they carry Essie nail polish now? I've been soley an OPI girl, but I'm willing to stick my toe in the waters. Especially when those waters have a pale pink spring hue.

I'm flying solo this weekend. Which means a solo 10 miler. The forecast looks something like this.

Is Teen Mom a good substitute for a long run? Sometimes it's just as painful.

Lacquered and Lotioned

I squeezed in a quick run to CVS this weekend. I was glad I took the time, it was a great trip.

Used:
B1G1 coupon for hairspray
$1 off Dial Nutri Skin
5 ECBs from last week

Paid:
$2 out of pocket

Received:
5 ECBs


And yes, I took this picture at the hotel before the wedding.

The key for me has been to keep spending ECBs on things that get you more ECBs. Coupled with coupons you're getting name brand health and beauty products for a fraction of the price. ECBs don't expire for a few weeks, and within that time there is always something me or MS can use.

Now if i could just find a discount for Royal Canin Bulldog 24, we'd be set.

Epic

This weekend, after the worst long run of my life, we headed to Huntsville for a wedding 10 years in the making. Impressive stats for a couple of 20-somethings.

After the mornings disastrous run, I decided to brush up on my running literature. Did you know there was such a thing? Unfortunately, I never could find the rule justifying four Krystal Chiks after a bad run. Good thing I make my own rules. I digress.

It was much hotter unseasonably warm Saturday, so I was rocking some nice singlet tan lines with my cocktail dress. Thank God the iPod tan line dissapearred.

Me and the bride - before her costume change.

I didn't get the memo about the pearl necklace. Maybe next time.

Did you know Saturday was the largest moon in 18 years? My camera is making a liar out of me, but it was pretty big.

Don't think I joined a gang over the weekend, so not sure what this hand sign is all about.

Now back to the longest Monday of my working life,

Fantastic Friday

After writing this post, I've buckled down a little on the diet front. A few new favorite staples.

The breakfast smoothie. Fortunately, I have a husband who can pull himself away from the latest Charlie Sheen news to mix these up. I thanked him by cutting his face out of the picture in the background. I'm nice like that.

This was lunch yesterday, and true to the post title, it was fantastic. I pretty much felt like Giada that I pushed some spinach around in a pan with some garlic and olive oil. Go ahead and laugh.

High protein, complex carbs. Unfortunately this left me with about 14 calories for dinner and snack. I'm not entirely convinced sparkpeople's calorie counts aren't controlled by Giuliana Rancic.

In case you live under a rock, March Madness has begun. I don't like basketball. I know nothing about basketball. But who doesn't love the opportunity to act like you know something. ("I totally called that upset.") To make it more exciting (or exciting at all for me), loser plans a date night. I love to plan. I hate to lose. This is quite the conundrum for me.

Spring is here, and we've broken out the flip flops. I'm glad to wear them. The Grizz is glad to snuggle with a new pair of shoes. Happy campers all around.

Hope this weekend brings some tan lines for some of you!

Feeling Lucky

In honor of my second favorite holiday.

Namath was none too pleased. Read: he nearly broke the coffee table attempting to free himself from the horrors of a t-shirt.

The stretched-to-capacity-t-shirt was less than thrilled as well.

Speaking of lucky, I have the best in-laws ever.

Happy St. Patricks!