FRIDAYS

Ok blog readers...I have a few things to ask you. Let me start with a little back story. You might have sensed from my last post that I'm having a little bit of a rough go of it right now. I've recently decided that I should maybe start a new and exciting hobby. Maybe a new hobby would help me be excited about something, or at least give me something to look forward to besides the weekend and the month of June. I don't know what my new hobby should be though. So, any ideas? I mean seriously look at that link I posted above...those are some interesting hobbies.

I did remember that blogging is one of my hobbies and maybe I should try to put more effort into my blogging, however, one of my blogging principles is to not pressure myself to write a certain number of posts because then I might not like blogging anymore. I have been considering doing a "new segment" entitled something like "Friday Love" when I post like a top five of things I love right now, or I post a bunch of links to things around the internet on Fridays. I read a couple of blogs that do things like this and I enjoy reading, or clicking, them. What do you think...top five list, or links to other things on the internet you might like reading?

Food for Thought

I've had a few "come to Jesus moments" with myself recently, and this weekend I did a lot of thinking. I guess I just want to share them on my blog because maybe someone needs to be reminded of it themself. After all, it's really easy to lose sight of all the positive things and people in our lives. I really got to thinking last Friday. It was our scheduled game night, and we had decided to make a come back to the bowling alley. I was looking forward to it all week. But after the work day finally ended I was just done and over it, I didn't think I wanted to go out anymore. After talking with a coworker and calling Matt (who was supposed to meet me at bowling), I decided to go. Best decision that I could have made. I even got a "rooster" in the 10th frame. I guess that's the whole reason I am writing this post. Yes, I'm writing a post because getting a rooster at cosmic bowling on a Friday night really showed me the meaning of life...this isn't dramatic at all. Things like your family, and game night, and the time you spend on the weekends with the people you choose to spend it with is what really matters. Those people you choose to spend time with and how they make you feel is how you should form the thoughts and feelings you have about yourself. There's always going to be someone or something that gets in the way and makes you feel less than, or doubt yourself, and it's hard, but all you can do is try your best and remember what really matters.

Recipe of the Week!

Quinoa Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

I told you in my last recipe that I had a recipe for a hot quinoa dish. Well here ya go. I think it turned out pretty good, and surprisingly Matt loved these. They were pretty easy to make too. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
6 Portobello Sliders (I'm sure you could use 2-4 regular sized mushrooms too)
1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
3 handfuls of fresh spinach
2 roma tomatos diced
goat cheese
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper

Directions:
Marinate portobellos in olive oil and vinegar for an hour or two before beginning this recipe. Once the mushrooms are marinated roast in the over for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile cook quinoa according to the directions on the package. Once quinoa is cooked through add olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste. Add spinach and tomatoes to quinoa and mix together. Remove the mushrooms from the oven and top with quinoa mixture. Sprinkle goat cheese on top. Place back in the oven for about 3 minutes. Yay!

Thirty.

I'm thirty. Officially. And I survived. It was quite a weekend. On Friday I was having a leisurely morning all to myself enjoying the Today show and looking at Facebook and whatever else I felt like doing. Basically I was delaying the inevitable...my job. I finally got myself together and drove to work. I received the following text from Julie Rimkus: "What is up? Stopping for breakfast? I'm dying for McD's?" My thoughts: "Is she pregnant?" and who says "What IS up?" Then I thought something might be up since that was completely random and I was later than usual for work and someone must have noticed. So I strolled on into work and turned the corner to my office which I thought might have people waiting for me, but it just looked dark and the same so I figured maybe Julie Rimkus was in fact pregnant, hungry for McDonald's, and doesn't know the appropriate use of slang. Then I looked in the window and saw the madness and 10 people shoved in there hiding in the dark for probably the last half hour when I felt like taking my gold old time. All the pictures on my blog today are of my office surprise. 

RUDE.

Sunday was my actual birthday. Matt suggested going on a shopping trip so I could pick out what I wanted for my birthday. I took him up on that offer and we spent the day at Tyson's doing some shopping. Earlier in the week I said to Matt that I was going to look up some restaurants I might want to go to for my birthday. He kept asking me why I wanted to do that and wasn't there only one choice. Thoroughly confused I asked him what he was talking about and he told me that the only restaurant worth eating at was Katerina's. While I was glad he had finally come to this realization, I couldn't understand why he didn't want me to pick the restaurant for my birthday. I thought he was kidding so I dropped it. I brought it back up on Saturday and he was adamant that we should go to Katerina's. This is when I thought something was up. He started telling me that we had to come all the way home after Tyson's so that he could cut the grass and shower. And that's what we did. I decided not to be difficult about it since he was probably already trying not to freak out about whatever surprise I thought was happening. When he stalled all evening long insisting that we could not possibly leave the house until he was done reading an article about Alex McCandless (the guy from Into the Wild) and his death, I could only imagine who was waiting at Katerina's.

I did decide to make things interesting on the car ride. I threw a fake fit about how I really wanted to go to Founding Farmers and this was so unfair. I probably said a lot of other ridiculous things to keep the ride entertaining, but we still went to Katerina's where all my friendsies were waiting. It was great and obviously I love Katerina's so I was happy to go there. It was a wonderful weekend and I am very thankful for all of my thoughtful and generous friends and husband for making turning 30 not so bad, and even a little exciting. That being said, when we got home we watched an episode of Mad Men and as I was getting up off the couch I started complaining about my sore hip and sore feet. Seriously, this happened. I immediately told myself to stop sounding like I was 30.

*Disclaimer: Julie Rimkus is not pregnant.

Recipe of the Week!

Summer Quinoa Salad

I know summer is over, but I'm a little behind in my recipes. And really every produce item is basically available year round so I'm sure you can still make this now, or in February if you want. I love quinoa. Mostly I like it cold like in this recipe, but I have a hot quinoa recipe coming up soon. Apparently its some wonder food, so it's worth a try.

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
Strawberries
Blueberries
Arugula/Spinach mix
Olive Oil
Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper

Directions:
Cook quinoa according to the directions on the package. When quinoa is cooked add olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Let chill in the refrigerator for a few hours. Remove from fridge and add spinach/arugula (about 4 or so oz.), sliced strawberries (I probably used about 3/4 pound), and a couple handfuls of blueberries. Mix together and add olive oil or lemon if needed.

Labor Day/Oktoberfest

Over Labor Day weekend Matt and I traveled to Pittsburgh to visit my family. My sister wanted to throw an Oktoberfest party and requested our presence. I believe the idea started as a way to try all the seasonal beers that come out in the fall, but then took on a German theme as well. The menu for the day included brats, sausages, hot dogs, and kielbasa for the main course as well as soft pretzels, potato salad, and other various sides. The assignment: everyone had to bring a hard to find, unique, or seasonal brew. For those of you who don't know, the majority of my extended family lives in Pittsburgh and joined in this event as well. 

I did research online about where we could get some different beers in Pittsburgh. We ended up venturing into New Kensington to the House of 1000 Beers. I have to tell you this place turned out to be a little bit of a gem. While shopping among the 1,000 beers we enjoyed one of their 40 beers that they have on tap...and none of them were your average beer. They had an entire section dedicated to pumpkin beer and oktoberfest. We each bought a six pack...none of the beers we had ever tasted before. Matt chose one he still is talking about as the best beer of his life...and it should be since it cost $9. I found the beer pictured above (Sweet Baby Jesus - a chocolate peanut butter stout - not that amazing) and bought it for my mom since she really likes Jesus (and I'm sure really appreciates me posting it on my blog). 

This was a great event to welcome fall. And since there is still plenty of time left between now and the end of October you can have your very own Oktoberfest! Just make sure to invite us!

Recipe of the Week!

Chicken and Eggplant Stir-Fry

This was not an all star recipe. The problem was with the sauce. Wayyyy to salty. And from someone who adds extra salt to everything, that's saying something. Maybe a chicken and eggplant involved stir-fry with a different sauce is the way to go next time. Or maybe little less soy sauce and some more wine? You be the judge.

Ingredients:
(for 2 people)
2 chicken breasts cut into chunks
1 small eggplant, in 3/4 inch pieces
3 jalapenos, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup white wine
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup basil leaves
3 cups cooked rice

Directions:
In a large skillet with olive oil cook chicken until golden. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate. Add eggplant and olive oil to the skillet and cook until soft. Stir in jalapeno and garlic. Add 1/2 cup water, wine, soy sauce, cooked chicken, and 2/3 cup basil leaves; simmer 3-5 minutes until thickened. Serve over rice with remaining basil.