On the Menu Monday (MPM) - Week 2

Oh we had a quiet weekend around here. It has been bitterly cold all weekend. We stayed in for most of it, but we did get out and run some errands and got those out of the way before it got really cold today. I think the high yesterday was -10 with a windchill of about -25 and today is supposed to be a lot worse. The governor closed all public schools in the state for today due to the scary temperatures. The boy and I are both working from home today.  We had friends for dinner Saturday and had some delicious wine with it. I found a new favorite that is absolutely delicious. I love finding those hidden gems. Dinner was beef stew over mashed potatoes and a spinach salad with pomegranates, gorgonzola, an spiced pecans.  The appetizer was delicious as well, and I got to use my new cast iron skillet that the boy bought me for Christmas. Fresh baked rolls with jalapeno artichoke dip baked into it, num!

We don't have a ton of plans this week, waiting to see if it is going to warm up some. We didn't make it out to the movies this past weekend, so maybe we will get a couple of movies in this week. We did catch up on some of our shows, Revenge and also were riveted last night with the season premier of Downton Abbey (as were all of our friends, neighbors and family members). We woke up to -24 temperatures with windchills of -45, so needless to say, we will be staying in and trying to stay warm!

Monday Plans - HOME! Too cold to think about going anywhere! I need to get the laundry done! Breakfast and Lunch - Fruit, yogurt, spinach salad Dinner - The boy is going to make a beef and vegetable soup, sounds good to me! Tuesday Plans - Probably still home until this deep freeze ends.  Breakfast and Lunch - Fruit, Cottage Cheese, leftovers Dinner - Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas (I have been craving Mexican lately) and black beans Wednesday Plans - No plans Breakfast and Lunch - Fruit, yogurt, salad Dinner - Out - Hazellewood Grill and Tap Room Thursday Plans - Movie night Breakfast and Lunch - Fruit cottage cheese, leftovers Dinner - One Pot Blackberry Glazed Salmon over Asparagus (this was SOOOOO good - recipe to follow Friday Plans - Out maybe, depends on weather of course, I am such a wimp! Breakfast and Lunch - fruit, yogurt, leftovers Dinner - Out maybe? We are meeting friends out at Three Crows. I can't wait to try this place, they have live music and a date night menu for two that comes with two salads, two entrees a shared dessert and a bottle of wine for $40.  Saturday Plans - Errands, I should have had my nails and toes done this past weekend, maybe lunch out - Mani and Pedi with sister J. Breakfast and Lunch -out with sister J for lunch  Dinner - Friends T & J and neighbors B & P for dinner. Putting together the menu at the moment, but I am thinking it is going to be an Italian theme of some sort since we are going back on the 17 day diet strict on Monday! I wound up making braised lamb shanks over polenta and a couple of awesome appetizers! Sunday Plans - I am hosting a Pampered Chef and Steeped Tea party - Brunch! Brunch - Mushroom and Feta Breakfast Casserole Dinner - I might need to update this towards the end of the week! We went looking for a new ottoman/coffee table, and decided to grab a last dinner out before we go back onto the 17 day diet Monday. We went to the new Sunshine Factory, very good, really enjoyed it.
For more meal plans and links to recipes, check out the orgjunkie. 

First Fall Snow

Currently we are under a winter storm warning here in Minnie. I am not really ready for it, but if I am going to enjoy it, this is exactly how I would.

Curled up under a nice cozy cable throw in one of our new chairs in the sitting room.

Having a nice glass of mulled red wine reading one of my new book purchases which arrived last week from Amazon (planning for the holiday season of course).

Wearing some great Lands End slippers which also just arrived, and just in the nick of time I might add.

While my Pumpkin Chai candle from Nest flickers and Stella sits quietly (okay that part may not be true) and we watch the snow cover the beautifully colored trees.

On the Menu Monday (MPM) - Week 5

So the weekend was met with mixed reviews. We had a wonderful dinner at one of our favorite steak houses, went to the opera, not so much. It wasn't as theatrical as we normally like, the singing was great, but they also only had a piano and a drummer, normally the operas we have been to, have a full orchestra. We decided to leave after the intermission and enjoy a nightcap before heading home. It was fun to run into Sister S and her husband who were enjoying dinner with friends in the dining room.

Saturday I spent the morning running errands, getting my nails done (SO glad this is part of my "me" routine again). I also picked up a new laptop, loaded with Windows 8. Ugh, big learning curve. My mom had wanted to get a new laptop in November, I had asked her to hold off until either myself or my sister could get our hands on the new operating system since I knew it was vastly different from previous versions. Boy am I glad I asked her to wait. I spent three hours on Saturday just getting used to the tiles, getting things organized and figuring things out. I like it, but it is going to take a while to get used to things. Saturday night was our 5th Annual Winter Whites event for the wine club. It was a blast, so many fun new people, great food, wine and the best part, just a great night seeing some wonderful friends!

Sunday was spent running more errands. I decided it was time to change up my skincare routine so we headed over to Sephora for some advice. I am going to try things out before I recommend anything, but so far so good and we received excellent service. It had started sleeted while we were on our way and by the time we came out (after a couple more stops at J.Crew and Banana Republic - awesome sales!) it was coming down HARD and the ice nuggets hurt as they hit! We made one last stop at the grocery store and then of course it REALLY started coming down. Plans for dinner got postponed and we got a red box movie, made a fire and settled in for the night.

We, luckily, don't have a ton of plans this week, but we have a ton of things to do at home.

Monday
Plans - Home, errands, laundry
Dinner - Beef and vegetable fajitas, white rice and cuban beans

Tuesday
Plans - Dinner with L & J
Dinner - she is such an awesome cook

Wednesday
Plans - Home, sister J coming over to work on a project for a friend
Dinner - either chicken stir fry or salmon

Thursday
Plans - Maybe a movie and dinner out
Dinner - Possibly out

Friday
Plans - Home, looking forward to a night in, maybe HH with the neighbors
Dinner - Salmon

Saturday
Plans - Birthday party for our friend M, and, he just got engaged while on vacation!
Dinner - WA Frost

Sunday
Plans - Celebrating G & G's birthdays! Going bowling and out for pizza!
Dinner - Super Bowl, honestly, not sure if we will even watch it. . .

We have three movies left to see that have been nominated for best picture in preparation of our Oscar party, Amour, Les Miserables and Life of Pi. We watched Beasts of the Southern Wild on Sunday. Ugh, I wanted to like it, but we could not even get through it. The little girl who has been nominated for Best Actress was wonderful, I can totally understand that!

For more meal plans and links to recipes, check out the Orgjunkie or the Stone Gable.

On the Menu Monday - Week 50

We had a really fun weekend! Friday we started the weekend with the British Advertising Awards at the Walker Art Center, SO much fun, great videos. After we joined another couple out for drinks and some appetizers at BLVD, close to home and a nice way to end the night.

Saturday we ran errands and picked up some last minute items for dinner. We had two couples that could not make it to our holiday party for dinner. The menu wound up being appetizers, boneless leg of lamb roast, individual scalloped potatoes made in a muffin tin and steamed asparagus tips. It was a nice dinner and a great night.

Sunday we woke up to snow, and it just kept snowing. We spent the day cleaning the house and getting ready for dinner. Our parents went to see the play we had seen a couple of weeks earlier and then they joined us for dinner, and the finale of the Amazing Race. Dinner was fresh green salad (nothing fancy), chicken parmesan, sauce and spaghetti and fresh steamed green beans. We loved the finale of the Amazing Race. all of us. Awesome ending.

This week was supposed to be a travel week, but due to the weather it through things off and we are going to try to travel next week instead. So now I have to come up with a menu :).

Monday
Plans - Home, snuggling with my little Stella cat
Dinner - leftovers (especially since I did not even plan on being home), mashed potatoes, lamb and salad

Tuesday
Plans - Bunco! I am so glad I am home for this!
Dinner - frozen pizza. . . .

Wednesday
Plans - We are actually going to really go and try to see a movie, BUT, I still have not gotten pictures, which means I still have not done cards, and that may come first.
Dinner - I am going to put something on here as a back up, in case we don't go to the movies. Slow Cooker Northwoods Wild Rice Soup

Thursday
Plans - Friends for dinner
Dinner - Smothered Pork Chops, White Rice, Brussel Sprouts Braised Short Ribs, mashed potatoes, acorn squash.

Friday
Plans - No plans yet, but I had planned on traveling this week, so I am sure that will change - Flight
Dinner - We will seePineda Tacos

Saturday
Plans - Christmas shopping, pick up a log splitter for wood we need for the fireplace, maybe a movie - We saw Hitchcock
Dinner - up in the air at the moment - Bacio

Sunday
Plans - No plans at the moment. . .
Dinner - depends on weather, this time of year, I like to make something hearty and so we have leftovers. - We had a big lunch out, at Buster's on 28th, so dinner was cheese and crackers and fruit

For more meal plans and links to recipes, check out the Orgjunkie and Stone Gable.

On the Menu Monday (MPM) - Week 46

I can't believe the weekend is over. We had a good, but busy weekend and now I am on the road, traveling for the week, not back until Friday, so no meal planning this week. I am bringing my lunch in this week though so I know what I am eating.

We had a great turn out for the wine event Friday. Some really fun people, and a ton of fun. It was a big group, we had over 35 people, some great wines and wonderful food. Saturday we spent the entire morning working on the table settings and logistics for Thanksgiving. I wanted to make sure I had enough of everything before we headed out for the day so that if we needed to pick anything up we could, but we had everything we needed at home and I am pleased with the way the tables turned out. We have a table of 8, the dining room table, a table of 4 in the sitting room, a table of 5 in the eat-in kitchen and a table of 4 in the media room. We will use that table for some appetizers and then right before dinner will set that table as well. I also let the boy come up with the seating arrangement. I think he did a really good job. Now the only thing left for the tables is to iron the napkins and fill the salt and pepper shakers, but it is looking good.

After we finished the tables, we decided to head to the movies, it was an overcast day, even though it was very warm. We saw Argo and we both loved it, great movie, and I can't wait to see how it does during the awards.When we came out of the theater the sun was shining and it was about 60+ degrees, so we decided to meet up with friends who were enjoying drinks on a restaurant patio in Uptown. It was an awesome way to spend a November 10th Saturday afternoon!

Sunday we celebrated Veteran's Day and the boy picked his lunch spot, Red Robin. The weather had definitely turned. We had a storm come through overnight and actually had thunder and lightening. When we left the house around lunch time, it was only in the low 20's. My body definitely was not ready for that, I was chilled to the bone all day! After we did some errands, picking up non-perishables for Thanksgiving and ordering the turkey, crossed a lot off of the list this weekend for Thanksgiving which is good since this is a travel week and next week I can focus on preparing some of the side dishes in advance and cleaning the house. Next up, our annual holiday party December 1st. We sent out 48 invitations this year, and the RSVP's have started coming in. There have been a couple of regrets that I am super bummed about, but it is also someone that I am starting to get used to the disappointment from. It is weird when couples get together and start dating, it is weird to see where the friendshifts start to happen, but I guess you have to realize it is just going to happen to. Next up is finalizing the appetizer list and putting together the shopping list. I have some organizing to do to prepare for that evening as well, but my hair and nail appointments have been made, my outfit has been finalized and now it is just about putting the final ta-da list together. This little one has been more of a distraction than help lately :)

This week is pretty boring because of the travel, but have to make the best of it!

Monday
Plans - Travel
Dinner - Out with Co-workers

Tuesday
Plans - Travel
Dinner - Out with Co-workers - chili the boy made for lunch

Wednesday
Plans - Travel
Dinner - Out with co-workers - pasta dish for lunch

Thursday
Plans - Travel
Dinner - Out with co-workers

Friday
Plans - Travel
Dinner - on the road

Saturday
Plans - Shop for groceries for Thanksgiving
Dinner - Out, maybe a movie

Dinner
Plans - Work on the house, we have a couple of closets that need to be organized, we are also going to look at carpet for the lower level.
Dinner - finally a home cooked meal. . . .Greek Inspired Chicken

For more meal planning, with links to recipes and meal plans (real ones, not like this lame one), check out Stone Gable and the Orgjunkie.

My View for the rest of the Week

Winter Wonderland

Well it has happened. I am working up North again this week and as I came out to my car tonight, this is what I found

Yep, the snow is here, probably here to stay for the winter. Good thing I packed my boots and heavy coat this week!

No. . . .say it isn't so. . .

it's not April Fool's Day. No, it's not November. . .this is what waking up on April 20th in Minnesota looks like. Yes people, it is April in MN. Please, someone, let me win the lottery so that we can buy a house in Charleston and live there during the winter, oh and spring months. . .

So, how was your Wednesday? Man I miss the green. . .

Spring is right around the corner. . .I am ready!

Last week Target.com had shoes and bags, buy one get one 50% off and free shipping. I could not resist when I saw these, which are on their way to me, I LOVE the plaid, and cannot wait to wear them,

I picked up this dress about a month ago, with the anticipation of spring, and I think I can pull it off with the plaid shoes, what do you think? You can't really tell in the picture but it has a mattress ticking blue stripe.

I have a Lands End Inlet close to home now too, and one of my stops with my mom was here this past weekend, and I picked up this great dress (in Navy) and scarf too.

I LOVE patent shoes, and these are such a great basic, classic style and I think wedges are so comfortable. Black and a dusty pink? Perfect!

This bag is not really "me" but I thought it would be something fun that I could use for quite a few seasons. I am hoping it is comfortable to carry.

It got over 50 here this week, I know I have spring fever, I am SO ready to not have to wear a heavy coat or boots! The snow is dirty and gross, I am ready for green grass and flowers. It snowed here heavily in early November and really hasn't stopped. We have had snow on the ground ever since, I am ready to be done with that!

Menu from Friday Dinner with Friends and Recipes

This past Friday we had friends L & J over for dinner, it happened to be one of the coldest nights of the year, but it was nice and warm and cozy for dinner. I hemmed and hawed about what to make. We had been to dinner at L & J's a couple of times in the past couple of months. L is a fabulous cook and has put together some wonderful menus and picked out some great recipes from all kinds of sources.

Upon their arrival we started with some cheese, salami, crackers and marcona almonds, with a little wine for the girls and beer for the boys.

I started with a little salad, romaine, tomato, crispy onion, green onion and a wonderful homemade Parmesan dressing which is local to our grocery store.

I found the entree recipe for the Horseradish Crusted Roast Beef, here it was really good, the only thing I would have done differently would be to cook it not as long because we all like our roast beef more on the rare side. It was very good and very tasty. Along with it I just wanted to do a veggie and potato. I found this great recipe for Asparagus with Mushroom Cream Sauce, we all agreed that this was a great way to make asparagus, num, I will totally make this again. Lastly, I wanted to put a little spin and dress up some potatoes. How about some Parmesan Roasted Potatoes from Real Simple. Oh my goodness were these delicious!

For dessert I just picked out four different small little cake pastries at our grocery store. They have some amazing pastries, I had a really hard time choosing, but it was great because we took a bite, and passed, took a bite and passed and got to try all four! I loved them though, very delish. We have done this a couple of times, especially with my parents which is so much fun.

All in all it was wonderful and very relaxing evening with some great friends, who left on Sunday for a three week vacation to Vancouver, CA. The sad part is, they are also doing some location scouting and job hunting. I am excited for them, but would definitely miss them!

Cabin Fever

So, about this time of year, I really start to think I have S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I would rather not leave the house, it is so cold. I don't have much motivation, it is so cold. And I start to wonder if Spring will ever get here again and bring some color to this white world. In light of that, I thought maybe I would try to add one thing to my ta-da list every day to switch things up a bit. Here are some  ideas.

• Start a project — I need to make some cards and invitations, I just found my stamps again.
• Bake cookies or muffins, maybe a quick bread. I am not a big baker, so I think this would be good for me.
• Curl up with a good book, or my nook and a cup of cocoa.
• Plan what I am going to plant in the spring, and decide where and when. Start a gardening journal maybe.
• Do something my old photos, scan and organize. .
• Meet a friend for lunch or invite them over.
• Experiment with a new recipe on a weekly basis.
• Work through the DVD series of Mad Men.
• Go through the drawer of old recipes.
• Start organizing….one space or room at a time.
• Take an online course.
• Play uplifting music.
• Start a fitness program.
• Buy fresh colorful flowers.
• Hang a birdfeeder and watch its visitors.
• Invite my niece and nephews for a slumber party. 

Movie Reviews!

So having a few days off this past weekend, the boy and I decided to take in some movies. We started off just over a week ago with "It's Complicated".

We really enjoyed this movie and recommended this to both sets of our parents. It was super funny, had a great story, and we both actually liked it more than we had anticipated.

Next up was "Up in the Air".

We are trying to get through all of the movies that have been nominated for Golden Globes with the anticipation that they will also be nominated for the Oscars. After the last George Clooney movie that we saw, "Men Who Stare at Goats" I wasn't signing up for another George Clooney movie. We were pleasantly surprised by this one though. A few observations, the recent college grad, yes, unfortunately, I think that her character is pretty true to form, I personally think they need a wake up call. His "girlfriend" saw that one coming. And his job, over all? Well, lets just say he deserves every perk he gets.

Friday was a double-header, and we saw Sherlock Holmes right after. Robert Downey Jr. is one of my top three male actors at the moment.

I was a little disappointed in the story and the way that they depict Sherlock in the film, but I did love both Downey and Jude Law. Dark, but it had some great funny parts! I would say a must see.

Saturday, another double-header which started off with "Avatar" at the Imax in 3-D. The only way to see it if you ask me.

This was a surprise for me. I didn't think that I would really like it that much, but I was being a good sport. I am not big into the whole sci-fi thing, but this was an incredible movie. A great movie for really just about anyone. When I was watching it, I was thinking that both of my nephews would love it, but I know my dad would really like it as well. The graphics were amazing, it was such a cool story, I can't say enough!

Part two of the double header was "Nine". I have seen all of the reviews and interviews with the stars and was really excited for this one.

Kate Hudson Sings!

I loved the singing and dancing, the scenery the whole thing. We talked about this one quite a bit, which makes me think we really liked it! I really want the sound track. Hmmm, okay, off to download it now!

Few more on the list still to see, but with the weather not really getting above zero this weekend, it was a great thing to do!

Winter Comes to Minnie

In a big way. We got hit yesterday afternoon with snow and wind. Today, the temperature bottomed out, it is COLD! So, change in dinner plans this week. Last night we were home, missed the movie, but oh well, we will catch it later.

We had cleaned out the fridge the night before, so I had a pretty good idea of what was in there, and it was a good night to use it up. 2 half containers of basil pesto, half package of Campari tomatoes that were starting to go soft, and a container of soft herbed cheese. Sauteed the tomatoes up in olive oil with some minced garlic, mixed in the pesto and cheese, instant basil roma cream sauce (SO GOOD). Package of cheese ravioli in the freezer, cooked that up, package of fresh spinach, package of three cheese Italian cheese, layered it in a pan, ravioli, spinach, sauce, cheese, cooked for 30 minutes. SO tasty. For me, this was a perfect meal. The boy is much more meat and potatoes, comfort food. Me? A good pasta and a good sauce, almost anything Italian.

We stayed in, caught up on a couple weeks of Biggest Loser and the watched the finale. Nice fire, nice glass of wine, nice winter night.

Tonight, almost a repeat, however tonight again I am scrapping together whatever I can find in the fridge, and this recipe played in perfectly. Sister J is coming over for dinner with her dog Max, its cooking in the oven right now. Mashed potatoes and a spinach salad along with some crusty bread, num.

Find the meat loaf recipe here.

Time to finish those Christmas cards!

Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend

I am TRYING to think about Spring and getting ready for the warmer weather. But realistically we got 8 to 10 inches on Friday and flurries all weekend. BUT, I am also trying to pack, and it is one thing to venture out and not know what the weather is going to do, it is another thing to leave for two weeks and need a multitude of different types of clothing. But it was really fun to see this as I was trying to get myself organized.
A recipe tomorrow, it has been one of those days. . .