tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352030082024-02-28T11:35:03.034-07:00Tales of TaryntulaFun, free spirited, black sheep, obstinate and insecure, a little crazy...trying hard as hell not to kill my familyPhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-42951314429259473972011-03-22T12:41:00.000-07:002011-03-22T12:41:44.222-07:00Radio SilenceThings have been so kooky in the last 6 months. Good kooky...rather great kooky.
I have teamed up with my dear friend, Amy, on PhoenixBites as a staff writer. The experience has been nothing short of amazing. I have met some really incredible people and the food...let's be serious. i like to cook and my pants size shows that I really like to eat. The food PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-85644495738714123622010-10-03T18:18:00.002-07:002010-10-04T14:38:52.454-07:00Crazy Cooking Day!!Last weekend I spent 8 hours cooking. Yes, 8 hours. We still have a ridiculous amount of food to go through, so I suppose it was a smart move.
With me working now, meal times have been interesting to say the least. I decided to make a whole ton of food to make it easier on all of us come mealtime. So far it was a huge success.
Here what happened:
Meatloaf
Jambalaya
PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-49597268615029414062010-09-01T12:10:00.002-07:002010-09-01T12:11:37.696-07:00I am feeling fancy...I have a really amazing friend, Amy McCollum, who has a great website. She runs Phoenix Bites and does it very well. She has a plethora of information about Phoenix restaurants and foodie events. She even interviewed Chef Beau MacMillian, so she's obviously a big deal! Head over to check out her great site and if you feel so inclined my review of my new favorite sushi PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-87306611106795561852010-08-27T12:07:00.001-07:002010-08-27T12:08:29.557-07:00Letter to ThemI wish I liked you, really I do.
I wish I could disregard the things you said, the things you did...but I cannot.
Your words and deeds were ugly. Unforgivable. Despicable.
You would like me to see a sincerity and kindness in you...I can only see the opposite.
How is it possible for someone who made a choice to be a parent to throw that choice back in the child's face? I havePhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-20193577382765511362010-08-18T14:02:00.000-07:002010-08-18T14:02:28.820-07:00I am back...kindaI know - I have super sucked at the blogging bit lately. Not that you asked, but, what with my little Aido starting Kindergarten a month ago, starting to ease Cole into the care of another, the crazy drama of people who would like me to call them family and me desperately searching for a job I have been a wee bit overwhelmed with underwhelming results.
Aiden is doing fabulously in school.&PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-6525426132184387522010-07-20T11:19:00.001-07:002010-07-20T11:35:39.946-07:00Menu Plan for this week
Never, ever on time, I know!
Monday - Daddy grilled some burgers, super tasty but no pics
Tuesday - Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Wednesday - Peachy Keen Chicken
Thursday - Chicken Paella
Friday - Asian Noodles
Saturday - Chicken Parm
Sunday - Home made pizza
Should be an interesting week...last week with all my babies at home. Aiden starts Kindergarten on Monday and baby Cole will be PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-7878900637844002142010-07-09T16:06:00.001-07:002010-07-20T11:41:31.094-07:00Like a ton of bricks!So today while waiting for my nurse to come, yes I am that cool, I got a phone call from the baby's doctor. It's time for his 9 month old check up. Seriously??? What has happened to my tiny baby? 9 months already? Sounds like a bad joke to me.
So we start to make an appointment and she says, looks like he will be 9 months on the 26th - do you want to come in that dayPhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-77021878038303240102010-07-09T15:26:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:36:29.207-07:00I strike again!Last nights dinner...another huge success! I am on such a roll that I am scaring myself. I fear that I will not be able to keep this up and we will have to turn back to a life of frozen chicken nuggets and canned veggies!
I am sure everyone - minus Aiden - hopes not!
Grilled Steak with Basil Puree over Tuscan Beans
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 cup EVOO
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-44409047812265152002010-07-08T10:55:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:39:51.997-07:00Wednesday...Salad...So So good!Last nights dinner was ridiculous. To tell the truth, it was no Beef Wellington, but for 387 calories, it was robust and ridiculously satisfying.
Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Blue Cheese
3 Tbl. EVOO
2 tsp. cider vinegar
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 tsp. chopped fresh marjoram
1 tsp. salt
a pinch of red pepper flakes
3/4 lb. cherry tomatoes
1 lb. farfalle pasta
1 cup baby arugula
2 ozPhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-63477761904329341492010-07-08T10:37:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:37:20.068-07:00Dinner...Ramsey Style!So last night's dinner was my homage to Chef Gordon Ramsey. I super love him. I love the yelling and the drama, because it's really not necessary but definitely fun to watch. I'm not right that way.
Typically Beef Wellington is made with a large beef fillet and then later portioned out. I chose not to do things this way. We had separate smaller fillets and I thoughtPhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-24804598305345088202010-07-06T12:32:00.001-07:002010-07-20T11:35:58.145-07:00Menu Plan...TuesdayThat's right, I did it again. I don't like to conform to rules!
I have been a bit incapasitated lately and haven't had the time or energy to post anything interesting. I had a very lame and horrific surgical "procedure". I am almost completely healed and hoping to get back to my version of "normal".
Here is this weeks meal plan:
Monday: Asian Salmon Slider with Citrus PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-21776758024321089622010-06-15T12:03:00.003-07:002010-07-20T11:41:57.187-07:00Summertime
When I was growing up things were weird. Things were not normal - in the sense that I am still not sure at 35 what normal is supposed to be. I bounced around from family member to family member for reasons that I still don't understand completely and at this point in my life really no longer matter. Everyone has to arrive at a point in their lives where you stop looking for PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-61608141664951143112010-06-14T12:26:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:42:43.969-07:00What the what?So, I have been a major blog slacker. Not that anyone is hanging on my every word, but life has been happening and I just haven't marked out the time to write anything.
Little Cole has been growing a little more every day. I believe he is on the verge of crawling...as soon as he figures out how to life up his chubby little knees from the ground he will be unstoppable. PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-78951804074352920902010-05-19T15:01:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:40:17.731-07:00Deli Style Chicken Orange Salad...with some extras!So, I am super lame and started my menu week a day late. It happens!
We were scheduled to have Deli Style Chicken & Orange Salad with French Bread. I could have bought a loaf of bread at the store...but where is the fun in that?!
The French bread was super easy...with the help of my trusty breadmaker!
1.5 c water
1 Tbl veggie oil
2 Tbl milk
4 c flour
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
2 tspPhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-61267014662180104532010-05-19T13:10:00.002-07:002010-07-20T11:35:58.145-07:00Menu Plan Monday...on Wednesday?Yeah - so I actually created my menu plan on Monday night but haven't gotten around to posting it on here until now. As a result of another blogger's inspiration I tried to create a weeks worth of healthful and enticing meals...because, as poigantly as Kendra says, "You can't not eat!!"
So here we go:
Monday - This was a fend for yourself meal...I cannot even remember what I had!
Tuesday PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-56097678954052191272010-04-03T11:47:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:39:09.488-07:00PlayGroup Tryouts!So, it has come to my attention that this whole staying home with the kids thing is fun and all but I am in dire need of adult interaction. I recently met up with an old (old, as in from a long time ago not aged) friend from middle school for a play-date with her daughter. In our talks she spoke of her playgroup and how much she has gotten from it and suggested that I give it a whirl.PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-28459753649497824012010-03-23T13:53:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:40:44.290-07:00Kitchen Tales - Part 4 Bacon WafflesThis is my last post for the day...promise!
So - what do you think of when I say Bacon? Piggy goodness right? Now Waffles? Breakfast goodness? Thought so.
Someone had the ingenious idea to put the two together. I must say - in our house...anything with Bacon is a home-run. The husband once made a bacon log. That's right, sausage wrapped in bacon and thenPhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-51877788612233171892010-03-23T13:38:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:44:49.160-07:00Kitchen Tales - Part 3 Buffalo Chicken SpaghettiI have seen this on so many of the blogs that I follow, I can't even begin to think of where I saw it first. I am pretty sure it was here though.
This dish was really simple to make and ended up much better than I had initially thought.
Here is all you need (plus 2 chicken breast and 2 cups of chicken stock):
Use the salt and pepper to season your chicken breasts. Then add those to PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-55143877801960567052010-03-23T13:26:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:40:44.291-07:00Kitchen Tales - Part 2 French ToastSo, anytime the husband is away I get a little freaked out. For no reason, really. We have an amazing security system and a gun (so don't get any funny ideas). I just don't like it when he is away and I have trouble sleeping. This leads to very long nights watching far too much tv to distract me from the fact that I am on my own.
That being said - much of the late night PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-90400396133307973882010-03-23T13:03:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:43:10.938-07:00Kitchen Tales - Part 1 Asparagus FrittataMy poor kitchen has taken a beating this past week. The husband was away for an entire week...which led me to be very bored and walking a thin line between sane and ridiculously crazy. My remedy...make a whole bunch of stuff and take just as many pictures!
There was an egg inspiration. A late night watching the Food Network inspiration. Of course there was a blog PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-37214235702143860512010-03-19T14:29:00.001-07:002010-03-19T14:29:31.274-07:00Follow Me Fridays...PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-78032831355846079652010-03-18T11:15:00.001-07:002010-07-20T11:40:44.291-07:00Egg-cellent ChoiceThis morning, with sleepy eyes and hungry bellies, I started the day with a quick perusal through my favorite blogs for some divine breakfast inspiration. I happened over here and saw that she was looking for some inspired and inexpensive egg recipe ideas. After staring into what feels like the abyss of my fridge, I remembered something I whipped up a month or so ago and was received PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-73017292872508846702010-03-14T16:23:00.001-07:002010-07-20T11:44:21.308-07:00Birthday BonanzaYesterday was Thing One's 5th birthday. I can barely believe that I have only known him for five short years. He is such a neat kid. I realize that any parent will say the same of their child...but make no mistake, he is one of the neatest people I know. He has this huge personality - so much so that when I was pregnant with Thing 2, I was sure that this poor baby was going to end up just PhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-4476591691233323842010-03-02T22:44:00.001-07:002010-07-20T11:44:21.309-07:00I did it!I did it! I went site stalking and found some delightful decorating ideas and became a big ol' copycat!
I saw this great idea and the husband ended up having just the right amount of scraps in just about the right sizes. Thing One was quite happy to help, and of course have his picture taken.Then, I remembered having seen "House Rules" canvases on a number of sites, so I came upPhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35203008.post-29640101769787007702010-02-25T12:08:00.002-07:002010-07-20T11:44:21.309-07:00Feeling CreativeWell, actually - feeling like I wish I was creative. My late nights have left me surfing the internet looking at all the amazing crafting blogs. I wish so badly that I were capable of coming up with at least one amazing thing. Instead, I have decided to "borrow" other people's creativity in the hopes that after enough stolen projects are completed I will spark the crafty sectionPhoenixBiteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283527241568970552noreply@blogger.com0