lipstick and chardonnay

faux risotto

2010-03-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

2AW9CMEX6PZQ Spring must be on many minds today. I had a hankering for asparagus risotto, but didn't have the time at lunch to whip up one up. So I faked it. And as I sit here and enjoy my faux risotto, I have to laugh. You see, Cindy, over at Figs, Lavender and Cheese (over there, on the right) apparently had a similar craving.

A nice little burst of lemon zest, a salty bite of pecorino, asparagus and peas. Does it get more spring-y than that? What's that? There's still snow on the ground? Well, this lunch has momentarily transported me to warmer weather and emerging daffodils. It was yummy, and I dare say "light"! Best of all...no stirring!

Insalata di Riso (or as it shall now be known in my house, Faux Spring Risotto)

very loosely interpreted from Michael Chiarello

I halved this for a generous single serving

1 cup Arborio rice

1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into spoon-size bites

1/2-1 cup peas

2 Tbsp plus 2 tsp lemon juice
Olive Oil
Italian parsley, chopped (as much or as little as you like)
1 Tbsp lemon zest
1/4 cup diced Pecorino Romano

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Cook for 15 minutes. In the last 1-1/2 to 2 minutes, add asparagus and peas to blanch.

Drain well and return to pot. Add lemon zest, parsley, cheese, olive oil and lemon juice. Toss well to blend. Season with S&P.

Some chopped basil would be a nice addition. You can also make this ahead and toss with the olive oil and lemon juice just before serving.

wine school

2010-02-22T16:11:00.000-08:00

As a lover of all things wine, and in particular Chardonnay, I was super-excited to hone my tasting skills when a local wine bar announced they were starting wine school! What I realized after class #1 is....

my tasting skills suck.

Does anyone know what a "wet meadow" tastes like? How about leather? Or tar. Seriously? TAR?

So, there are clearly numerous nuances you can detect in a glass of wine. Here's the starter list for red wine:
Berry - strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, currant
Tree Fruit - red cherry, black cherry, plum
Dried Fruit - jam, raisin, prune
Floral - violet, rose petal, lilac
Herbal - bell pepper, olive, sage, mint, anise, tobacco
Earth - mushroom, tar, truffle (here's where the good ole wet meadow comes in...or perhaps barnyard - yum)
Meat - smoked meat, bacon, leather
Spice - cinnamon, clove, black pepper, white pepper
Wood - vanilla, oak, smoke, toast
Other - chocolate, coffee

Now, not every wine will have every one of these elements. But I may have to start licking, smelling or eating some of these things in order to be able to smell them in my Cabernet!

the new pitchman?

2010-01-31T06:10:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else sick of seeing Brooke Shields pitching everything on TV? Toothpaste commercials, eyelash commercials...where does it end? Ugh!

frozen in time

2010-01-26T08:27:00.000-08:00

So, one of my nephews came to visit us this past weekend. What a sweetheart. Just graduated from college and came to hang out with his Aunt and Uncle. Although he is in his early twenties, I think I will always think of him as 5. I mean, look at this kid:

Could he be any cuter?! I know it drives my husband crazy, but seriously, this is how I see him. And I think it's what makes me so protective of him. I don't have any children of my own, but I can only imagine that you parents out there experience the same kind of freeze in the time/space continuum! I wonder if I'll ever move past it?

hullo.

2010-01-15T06:32:00.000-08:00

News flash. I haven't been posting here. I started another blog more work-related (houseaboutgr.blogspot.com). Plus, I wasn't feeling all that creative. Not when compared to the fabulous blogs I follow (over there, on the right). But I miss lipstick and chardonnay. So, who knows. I see that my profile has changed to reflect that from my other blog - so it probably doesn't make sense in this format, but I don't know how to separate the two. Hmmm...any ideas?

Anyway, I am back in training. A 25k run on May 8. Intimidating? Yes. Can it be done? Of course. Time to hit the treadmill.

withdrawal

2009-09-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

I think I'm going through training withdrawal. Now that the race is over, I really don't have to make myself get in the pool, get on the bike, go for a run. You know.

But I actually want to do all those things - and I can't! My leg injury is apparently a strain of some sort to my "I.T. Band". A friend of mine who is knowledgeable in all things muscular showed me a picture of it in her muscle/anatomy book last night. It's a long muscle-y, bone-y sort of thing that runs along the outside of your leg from your hip to your knee. And it's giving me a fit.

I went on a nice little 12 mile ride yesterday, and Bam! I get off the bike and hobble to my kitchen for an ice pack. Damn.

I know I need to take it easy and let it heal. I just don't want to lose my momentum. I'm sure swimming would be okay...but swimming in the ocean while on vacation next week is not an option. Blame it on Jaws.

So, a week's vacation it is. Hopefully that will be long enough so I can get back at it when I get home!

you won't know until you tri

2009-09-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it. I finished the race!

It was so much fun - much more fun than I anticipated. A beautiful day, warm water (about 72 degrees), cow bells, a cheering crowd, and words of encouragement throughout each stage.

Stage 1: a half-mile swim. Surprisingly to me, this was my best event. I remember thinking

upon entering the water, "how can I be swimming so fast?" It must have been adrenaline. I set a personal best for time. I'm not saying it was easy, but I did it, and did it pretty well!

Stage 2: a 17.2 mile bike. I don't really have a good biking picture. Finished five minutes faster than I anticipated. Excellent!

Stage 3: A 4.9 mile run. Here I am getting ready to head out on the course. I was confident this

was going to be my best stage, but actually, I ended up with a weird, sharp pain in my knee about a mile in. So, it took me a little longer than I would have liked, but you can bet I ran across that finish line!

(I'm not the one on the leash. As you can see, they're going the wrong way.)

While I am relieved it is over, I am proud of myself for this accomplishment. I proved to myself that when I put my mind to something, I can really do what I set out to do. A good lesson for many areas of life, I think.

Finally, here I am with my friend Dustin - who talked me into doing this crazy race. It was the first triathlon for us both - and something neither of us thought we'd ever do. Lucky for us we have great spouses and friends who encouraged and helped us along the way. And who took us out for a well-deserved cheeseburger and beer after the race!

the countdown begins

2009-09-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

8 days until the rubber meets the road. And the body meets the water. And the pain begins.

I am excited! I am nervous! I am tired of training!

Focus for the next, let's say, 6 days. Swimming. I do not want to drown. Nor do I want to breast-stroke the whole time. Why must a 1/2 mile feel like an eternity when you're in the water?!

The very best part...the following weekend I leave for a week at the beach. I'd say a very nice reward for all of my hard work, no?

mini milestone

2009-08-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

I kind of surprised myself today.

I ran 4.5 miles!

I don't know how, it just happened. I'm ecstatic.

Can I tell you something...? I wasn't even tired. I mean, my legs hurt. But I wasn't gasping for air. Who knew?

Yay me!

it's official

2009-08-26T07:46:00.001-07:00

I am now a registered participant in the Reeds Lake Triathlon! No backing out now!

I can't wait to put all of my training to the test.

So, let me share one very disturbing facet of the whole training process. I have not lost one pound! Not a one! What the?

And I'm working my butt off. Oh, how I miss my 20 year old metabolism, or whatever. Seriously, if that damn scale doesn't move, I'm gonna lose it.

can i get an advil?

2009-08-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

Today was indeed a tuffy. Swam 18 laps in the pool - which is a wee bit over my half-mile race distance (wee). Followed by a three mile run. My calves hurt.

Now my "coach" - a true Ironman himself - has suggested I gear up further. Apparently I now need Aero Bars for my bike. I have no idea what they run, but I'm guessing they're not cheap. My little personal challenge is becoming slightly pricey! I better be sure to finish the race!

in training

2009-08-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been absent as of late. I've been just slightly consumed with a new goal I set for myself once my birthday hit. Milestones tend to do that to you, don't they? Anyway, I have decided to partake in a triathlon in September - and have been training for the last month+!!!

I am nervous and excited all at the same time. The course is considered a "sprint" of sorts - half-mile swim, 17.2 mile bike, and 4.9 mile run. Although certain elements of the race are a bit daunting, I know now that physically, I can do it. The race is September 12, so the next few weeks are critical!

I rode my bike for 20 or so miles today, but I'm not sure if I can count it. It was on a flat trail, and really, not that hard. Oh, and I stopped for lunch halfway through. So no, I guess that doesn't count - which means tomorrow is going to be a killer!

wanted

2009-07-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

A good Pad Thai recipe. Anyone?

goal setting

2009-07-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

What are your goals? Do you write them down? Are you like me - write them down, and then neglect to check in on them?

Today I am recommitting to getting my act together! I will identify five goals that are important to me, get specific, make them personal, and most importantly, write them down. The big 4-0 is fast approaching, and I want to be sure that this next decade is spectacular!

Here are the categories I will choose from:

social
financial
family
physical
mental
spiritual
career

It has been said that a goal is a dream with a deadline. So, time to get to work.

wash your face!

2009-07-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

Consider this a PSA.

Removing your makeup at night is a must! This regime is important because when we sleep with our makeup on, the damage that is inflicted to our skin is equivalent to aging 7 DAYS.

When we sleep, our skin naturally heals itself from the stresses of the day. Clean skin that is prepped for healing excretes oil, and new cells develop. This process forces old skin cells to die and sit on the surface of the skin. If our skin is not prepped properly for sleep, all of yesterday's makeup and pollutants are added to the dead skin cells. As the pores open up, all of the debris on top of the skin is now deposited deep into our pores. We wake up to start a fresh, new day - but yesterday's skin cells are trapped in our pores. Just waiting to create lovely little blackheads and whiteheads.

Now, are you really too tired to wash your face at night?!

Thanks to professional makeup artist Krista Embry for sharing this little gem of wisdom!

do you twitter?

2009-07-01T07:22:00.001-07:00

I just started "twittering". Or is it, "tweeting"? Oy. Despite my utter confusing with this platform, I am trying to embrace it. I thought it would be an interesting forum to establish some sort of toe-hold as an expert of sorts, as my main focus is for my business. I don't want to use it for blatant product promotion. I want to be able to put out little blips of info on skin care, wellness, makeup tips, etc. that I think would be of interest to most women readers.

Here's what I don't understand about Twitter though. How on earth do people find you? Every day I receive notifications that someone is following me. Which is great! It was especially exciting when I was notified that the author John Maxwell was following me, (I'm SURE he took one look and thought "Wow! I need to know what SHE has to say!" when I showed up on his list of followers). But I have no idea how the others found me. And mind you, I don't know who most of them are. Some appear to be following in the hopes you will then "follow" them, and they can bombard you with weird, spammy messages. Who knows.

Well, any thoughts, tips, or ideas you have would be most helpful as I build my little twitter community. And if I knew how to include a link to send you there now, I would. But I don't. Help.

RIP Billy Mays

2009-06-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

if the sun ever starts shining...

2009-06-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

A reminder that your best anti-aging skin care product is sunscreen! Since 90 percent of the visible signs of aging (that's actinic aging) is due to sun exposure, protection is critical. Even when it's a cloudy day, remember to slather it on and protect that beautiful skin of yours :)

wanted: cute pig

2009-05-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

One of our friends recently adopted a little potbellied pig. Her name is Cecilia. She is THE cutest pig I've ever seen and I am completely smitten...

...is it any wonder? Don't you just love her little straw hat? She clicks around on her little cloven feet, grunts approvingly when you speak to her, and goes crazy for raisins. I don't know how I'm going to pull it off, what with three cats and a dog...

missing in action

2009-04-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

My motivation. Oh, and my vertigo for the most part, thank God.

But really, the motivation has just flown right out the window. Maybe it's because of all this rain we've been having. Either way, it's gone and I'm ready to get it back.

Suggestions would be much appreciated.

a cat in your lap is worth....what's that saying?

2009-04-24T13:41:00.001-07:00

My vertigo is almost gone. I have been out and about for the past two days and am happy to be able to enjoy spring weather! Not that doing nothing wasn't kind of nice...here's how I spent the better part of 3 days:

wha'dya think?

2009-04-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Cute huh?

I have some time on my hands at the moment because I'm actually home sick, and have been since my trip to the E.R. on Saturday morning. I have vertigo. Unbelievable. And let me tell you, it's no walk in the park.

But I am trying to find a silver lining between bouts of falling down, seeing double, and feeling like I'm going to barf.

Silver Lining #1 - I have guilt-free time to browse the web, find new blogs (of which I've added to my favs), update my own blog, and watch Food Network nonstop*
Silver Lining #2 - I am hoping that this vertigo will forever rid me of my motion sickness I experience whilst flying, boating, or carnival-ride riding

However, all this scrolling is making me dizzy. Time to lay down and watch food porn.

*One problem, I have printed out so many yummy recipes I may never leave the kitchen once I am better!

summer salad

2009-04-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know it's only April. But a 70 degree day is close enough for me to bust out my favorite summertime salad. So simple, fresh, delicious, and the perfect accoutrement to our delicious beef brisket burgers. Yes, beef brisket. But that will be another post on another day.

Back to salad. A go-with-anything salad. Great with fish, grilled shrimp, chicken. The possibilities are endless. Oh, it's also really very good with a grilled steak and a nice crusty bread to mop up all the goodness. And of course, a nice bottle of wine.

favorite summer salad

1 avocado, medium dice

1 small cucumber, cut in half moons, or quarter slices

1 stalk of celery, cut in half moons

Grape tomatoes (as many as you wish), cut in half

Generous handful of freshly chopped parsley

Hearts of palm (as many as you wish), cut in half lengthwise, then cut into half moons

Half a lemon

White wine vinegar

Good olive oil

Salt

Place first six ingredients into a medium bowl. Salt to taste. Squeeze half of lemon over everything. Add about 1 tsp vinegar and about 1/2 to 1 Tbsp olive oil. Gently mix. Adjust lemon, vinegar and olive oil to taste. You don't want it to be saturated in dressing, but you will know what tastes right to you.

and now for something completely different...

2009-04-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

I read this on another blog this morning and thought it was great. I hope that if you are in need of inspiration, this resonates with you.

You are stronger than you think, remember to stand tall.

Every challenge in your life helps you to grow.

Every problem you encounter strengthens your mind and your soul.

Every trouble you overcome increases your understanding of life.

When all your troubles weigh heavily on your shoulders, remember that

beneath the burden you can stand tall, because you are never given more than you can handle...and you are stronger than you think.

-Lisa Wroble

post vacation blues

2009-04-09T05:06:00.000-07:00

At this time last week I was talking a nice stroll in 80 degree weather to the corner grocer with my best girlfriend for a delicious cafe con leche. Ahhh...

Presently, I'm sitting on my sofa looking at leafless trees, 35 degree weather, drinking my bastardized version of what should be a very fine cup of coffee. Wah!

I miss Key West.

Choppers and I always have such a wonderful time there. And it was extra special this year for a few reasons: 1) our friends from Omaha came with us and we got to introduce them to our little slice of heaven, 2) we got our open water scuba certification, and 3) for once, I didn't gain 5 pounds!

Now, if I could just figure out a way to live there and make money without having to wait tables! Any ideas?

guac

2009-03-23T11:07:00.001-07:00

Once again, a month has flown by! My apologies for being a bad blogger this month.

I did however, manage to find inspiration in a few beautiful avocados. We enjoyed a delicious mexican fiesta with friends last night which included, you guessed it, guacamole. I learned this insanely simple version from a lovely hispanic gentleman years ago. It never fails.

guacamole

serves up to 5 guacamole-loving people

4 avocados

1-2 serrano peppers (depending on size), finely diced, ribs and seeds intact - remove if you don't like it hot

handful of chopped cilantro

1 lime

salt

Cut avocados in half, carefully removing pit. Using a large spoon, scoop out fruit into a bowl and mash gently with a potato masher, leaving some small chunks. Squeeze half of the lime over mashed avocados and add salt, diced serranos, and cilantro. Mix together with spoon. Add more lime juice and salt according to taste. Enjoy!

grits

2009-02-27T17:25:00.000-08:00

Ah, the simple, unassuming dish known as grits. I think they are misunderstood - especially here in the midwest. Perhaps if we spoke of them as polenta - yes, that sounds so much more refined. Well, call them what you wish, they have a lot to offer and I just love them. Especially when they're cheesy.

Lately, I have been favoring grits in lieu of mashed potatoes. Top them with gravy, and oh my my, what a treat.

I have no recipe to share, as grits are pretty straightforward. I might suggest that you add a little dollop of margarine (yes, margarine, not butter) into the boiling water before you add your grits. But other than that, I'd love to hear your favorite way to make and serve my new favorite side dish.

salad nicoise

2009-02-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

Okay, yum! This is one of my favorite dinners. Choppers' too. It is so good. And beautiful. And I'm sure, healthy. So I best write quickly, as I haven't eaten it yet, and it is waiting for me in all it's glory downstairs...

I adapted this recipe from the Noteworthy cookbook. Fabulous in its own right. This is the only salad nicoise I'm interested in eating. Oh, I've tried others. But in my humble opinion, unless that t.v. chef, or fancy-restaurant-chef is using this recipe. I'll pass.

If I had a decent camera, I'd take a photo to share. But just imagine the most beautiful shades of green, red, cream, yellow, and black all artfully arranged on a perfect white plate.

Salad Nicoise

loosely adapted from Noteworthy

to serve 2, all ingredients can be increased or decreased to your preference

12 green beans, end trimmed (or you can use asparagus)

1 stalk celery, thinly sliced

cherry or grape tomatoes

2-3 red potatoes, scrubbed clean, and cut into bite-sized bits

Handful of Nicoise or Kalamata olives, pits removed

2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered

6-8 Hearts of palm, halved and halved again lengthwise

1 avocado, halved, then each half sliced

chopped fresh parsley

chopped fresh basil

1 can tuna, drained OR two lovely little tuna steaks, grilled

Mixed greens, romaine, or any other lettuce torn into bite-size pieces

Steam beans or asparagus until crisp-tender. Refresh under cold water. Set aside.

Steam potatoes until tender. Remove from steamer and set aside.

Hard boil eggs.

Pile lettuce on plates. Arrange beans or gus, tomato, potatoes, eggs, hearts of palm and avocado around plate in little piles. For instance, depending on the amount of each used, I pile 3-4 green beans on one side of the plate, and 3-4 on the opposite side. Sprinkle sliced celery and olives all around. Flake tuna atop lettuce (a little mound in the center of the plate is nice). Shower basil and parsley all over. Drizzle dressing (recipe below) over it all. And remember, a little dressing goes a long way.

Dressing

2 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tbsp white wine or champagne vinegar

3/4-1 tsp kosher salt

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 tbsp olive oil

4 tbsp vegetable oil (sometimes I use all Olive)

-you can cut this with 1 to 1-1/2 tbsp water if you like

1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake until well blended. Easy peasy!

Did I mention this tastes lovely with a Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc or, naturally, a Chardonnay!?!

i want new pants

2009-02-12T16:15:00.000-08:00

I'm just so tired of having to rifle through the same, old pants every day! I know what I have, it hasn't changed recently. It's kind of like going to McDonald's. You know the menu, but you stand there and read it anyway. Right? That's what I do in my closet. I know the choices: black work, brown work, casual brown, khaki, grey pinstripe, jeans, blah, blah, blah. But I stand there and move hangers as if something new is going to suddenly appear. And it hasn't.

Problem is, I just don't know what I should get. Another pair of black pants seems....well, obvious. And boring. Help! Any suggestions? Who has nice pants worthy of my hard earned dollars?!

Onto lipstick

2009-02-09T18:27:00.000-08:00

Things have been pretty busy around the home office the past week. The company I rep for has launched a brand new product line, upped our compensation, and hit the road to promote it all across the U.S. Excellent! There's lots to do, and I love it.

it's february!?

2009-02-04T13:46:00.000-08:00

Wow, where does the time go? And I left on mashed potatoes? Well, they are delicious, but so many other gastronomical gems have come and gone since then. Curries, stews, casseroles, and cookies! Yes, cookies is a great place to start.

I must tell you, the cookies I'm about to share are sinfully delicious. Decadent. And with Valentine's Day fast approaching, the perfect chocolate treat.

Now, look over there, to the right. See the list of blogs? The Wednesday Chef was kind enough to share this tantalizing treat, which you will find by clicking here. I highly recommend you follow her instructions carefully. These cookies are not to be messed with!

So go forth and bake. You will not be sorry.

really good mashed potatoes

2009-01-17T18:39:00.000-08:00

To me, mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. And as I've watched the snow pile up tonight, making them with dinner was a no-brainer.

But wait, there are so many variations to be made! Cheese, garlic, root vegetable, herb. Hmmm....And so many different devices to use to get the perfect consistency - ricer, mill, hand-held mixer. But no, not tonight. Tonight, I'm keeping it simple. Butter, cream, salt, pepper, a hand held masher...and of course, a good potato.

The measurements are approximate, you can use more or less depending on your preference. This should make enough for 3 servings, or 2 very hungry mashed-potato-lovin' people!

5 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
2/3 - 3/4 cup half and half, heated through
3-4 tbsp. butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Drop peeled and quartered potatoes into boiling, salted water and cook until fork-tender. About 12-15 minutes. Drain, return to pot and set over medium-high heat to evaporate any remaining water, just for a minute or so. Meantime, gently heat half and half, but don't boil. Using a hand masher, mash potatoes, being careful not to overwork them. Add butter, salt, pepper, half and half. Combine with spoon or spatula then serve. They'll make you happy!

a sunday dinner recap

2009-01-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

Yikes! Where is this month going? Cleveland?

We've had some delectable Sunday dinners as of late, here's a summary:

Mexican Pulled Pork
French Pot Roast

And then there's the cookies...Tyler's "big, fat, chocolate chip cookies". Divine.

Recipes to come, if you like. All are definitely worth a try!

dream home

2009-01-03T06:39:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this years' HGTV Dream Home yet? Oh my. What a dream it is - being in Sonoma and all. This one has my name written all over it! Sonoma!

So please, don't enter. I really want to win this year.

heaven in a pasta bowl

2008-12-30T17:14:00.000-08:00

Butternut squash, pancetta, and cheese. How bad can this be, I thought. Seven or so ingredients, simple enough for a weekday meal. Sold! I shall make this tomorrow.

Those were just some of the thoughts going through my head last night as I watched the "Martha Stewart Show". I know, I know. But I was intrigued by all the NYC chefs she was featuring. I'm happy I stuck around. The first chef, Scott Conant, owner of Scarpetta, made this little, tantalizing concoction that I just had to tell you about, because I just ate it. Perhaps the perfect fall dish, but trust me, you can make it now and be oh-so-happy that you did. Pair with a nice bottle of, oh, I don't know...maybe Martin Ray Chardonnay and you'll be all set.

Penne with roasted butternut squash pancetta, and sage

loosely adapted from Scott Conant

1 medium (appx 2-1/4 lbs.) butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2 inch pieces

2 to 4 tbsp olive oil

Coarse salt (kosher will work)

3/4 lb penne pasta (a box of whole grain fits the bill)

1/4 - 1/2 lb pancetta, sliced 1/4 inch thick and finely chopped

2 shallots, thinly sliced crosswise (I didn't have shallots and so used 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced and 1 small onion, halved and thinly sliced)

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

10 fresh sage leaves, coarsely chopped or torn

1/2 cup finely grated pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for serving (a MUST!)

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place squash on a baking sheet and toss with 1 to 2 tbsp of olive oil and season with kosher salt. Roast in oven until squash is browned and tender - between 15 and 30 minutes depending on your oven.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Generously salt water and add pasta. Cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat 1 to 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low. Add pancetta and cook until just crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Add shallots (or my substitute), crushed red pepper, and sage. Cook until shallots are soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add squash and penne and toss gently. Add reserved pasta cooking liquid a little at a time until moistened to your liking.

Toss in cheese and black pepper and mix gently. Serve immediately with more grated Pecorino - YUM!

salad please

2008-12-27T06:28:00.000-08:00

The gluttony must come to an end. I have consumed more sweets, snacks, and mashed potatoes than any one person should. I'm actually looking forward to salads, brown rice and fish!

One more party to go tonight, and then I swear, I'll stop. Really.

Plus, the mid-winter vacation is looming and I simply must trim up!

coconut macaroons

2008-12-23T13:23:00.000-08:00

Such a festive cookie, and so easy!

adapted from Ina Garten

14 ounces sweetened, flaked coconut

14 ounces sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla (the good stuff)

2 extra large egg whites, at room temp

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325.

Using the whisk attachment for your stand mixer, whip the egg whites and salt at high speed until they make medium-firm peaks.

Meantime, combine the coconut, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in medium bowl. Gently fold in egg whites. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment or a Silpat. Bake for 25-30 minutes - with a nice golden tinge on the edge of the coconut flakes. Cool and enjoy.

*Note: These would also be delish with the bottoms dipped in melted chocolate

my long lost blog!

2008-12-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

How I have missed thee! The spirit of the season has caught up with me, and kept my from my blogging world.

But a few things have been on my mind. I'm thinking about changing the blog up a bit. Perhaps much more of a food focus. You may know that I just love Sunday dinner. As a matter of fact, the past few have been quite something! So I'm considering reinventing Lipstick & Chardonnay. Problem is, my first choice for a new name - Sunday Dinner - is already taken! Aargh! What do you think about "Sunday's Dinner"?

Well, I have to make a decision. I mean, I've got rotisserie leg of lamb waiting in the wings!

Next item. I just received a "friend request" on Facebook that kind of freaked me out. Someone I met about 22 years ago on high school spring break. Nothing naughty happened, mind you! But after 22 years, really? Is it bad I didn't recoginze this persons name at first? Yikes. Not sure I want to accept this request.

And finally, I found THE cutest handbag today and wanted to share. Now, I don't think I'm a very good shopper. As a matter of fact, I'd like a personal shopper. But, one of my girlfriends had this bag - in the most beautiful blue if you can imagine...

It's from a company called Big Buddha. Ever heard of it? Darling, yes?!?

giving thanks - day three

2008-11-26T20:35:00.000-08:00

One of my nephew's had emergency appendectomy surgery late last night. So today, I am thankful that he is alright and on the road to recovery.

giving thanks - day two

2008-11-25T17:07:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for this guy...

My Choppers. He does right by me (brought home a bottle of you-know-what to have with dinner tonight!), his friends, his family, and anyone fortunate enough to know him. I am incredibly blessed to have him in my life. He is, as they say, a good one. A very good one!

giving thanks - day one

2008-11-24T20:37:00.000-08:00

Since the holiday is fast-approaching, it feels like a good time to start giving thanks. So that is what I will do this week. Every day, actually. Just one thing, (okay, maybe two, if it's a really good day) I'm thankful for on a daily basis. Fun!

And today...it's not chardonnay (horrors!), it's not food (though it could be, given the pecan pie leftovers). It's something that comes to me from the "lipstick" portion of my world. As half of the name of this site, you would think I would talk more about. Ah, well.

So, here goes. Today I am thankful for spouses and/or significant others that pay attention, take notice, and compliment my clients (a.k.a. their wives and/or significant others)!! Is this goofy? To me, it is a sound that is as sweet as sweet can be (to borrow from my lovely Annapolis friend). And it makes my work wonderful!

Some of you lovely readers may know that I rep a specialty skin care line. Tonight, one of my new clients shared with me that not only has she noticed a difference in her skin since her new goodies arrived last Thursday. But her husband said he saw a difference too. Super sweet, no?! I mean, are men supposed to notice these things?

So to all you spouses and/or significant others out there (men especially) - check us out! Speak up! You never know how many people will be grateful for your kind words. Including me.

sunday dinner - rotisserie chicken with fingerling potatoes

2008-11-23T17:26:00.000-08:00

There's something so relaxing and routine about Sunday. Lattes and Sunday Morning in the a.m.; maybe a few errands in the afternoon; a good long walk with the dog; and most every Sunday, Choppers and I make a deliberate choice to have a fantastic "Sunday Dinner".

Today I got a new cookbook - Dinner at My Place, by Tyler Florence. How I love his recipes! Most often scrumptious, and very user-friendly. He's easy on the eyes, and I'm getting the impression there aren't enough "o's" in smooth to describe this chef. The show is cool, the website is cool, and even the music on his web site is cool. Rock on Tyler. Rock. On.

Anyway, back to the cookbook. I am already half-way through reading this one, and there are a stack of drool-inducing recipes and beautiful photos. Tonight it's the rotisserie chicken with lemon, garlic and fresh bay leaves. We are serving this with his lemon roasted fingerling potatoes (and Chardonnay!). Definitely Sunday Dinner worthy.

And the icing on the proverbial cake is dessert - which I am "rehearsing" for Thanksgiving. Chocolate Pecan Pie. God help me.

cold weather and warm meals

2008-11-21T14:47:00.000-08:00

Our pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving was a wild success! We had 14 for dinner and fit everyone comfortably. Whew! I set two tables-one for six with black and white transfer ware atop plain white Crate & Barrel plates, accented with chocolate brown and silver; and one for eight with crystal candlewick atop deep red and white transfer ware, also with chocolate brown and silver. Glimmering and gorgeous! But no pictures. So sad.

But the stars of the evening were all the lovely and delicious dishes our friends brought. Highlights include homemade (a la Alton Brown) Green Bean Casserole. Which, in my humble opinion, is the only GBC anyone should ever eat! A dee-lish mushroom-infused dressing to accommodate our vegetarian friend, and the best damn gravy you can imagine. Choppers deep fried two turkeys. Wonderful. Oh, did I mention the pumpkin cheesecake with homemade whipped cream? Heaven.

For my part, I made my soon-to-be famous Spicy/Sweet mixed nuts (thank you Nigella!) and to-die-for caramelized onion chip dip (thank you Ina Garten!).

Last weekend was a perfect kick-off to our cold weather entertaining. There's something about a little chill in the air, just enough to warrant a cozy fire; big snowflakes lazily falling outside; a good meal (like the one in the oven right now), and of course...a bottle of Chardonnay!

Tonight's feature is a yummy Gallo Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay. Make no mistake, this is not your mother's "gallon of Gallo", or "jug of joy". It's quite nice. A good value. And it has all my favorites - oak, vanilla, butter.

The only problem is that we're having a Mexican fiesta tonight. Slow roasted pork studded with garlic and semi-spicy seasonings. I'm sure this is not the "proper" bottle of wine to serve with this meal. But I love it nevertheless.

I am open to suggestions though. Please, do tell...what would you pair with Mexican fiesta?

big meal in a small space

2008-11-12T18:37:00.000-08:00

Every Thanksgiving Choppers and I spend a wonderful, gluttonous holiday with our friends. A tradition that good friends began many, many years ago for those of us not originally from our fine city and thus, no family nearby. This year, sadly, things have changed. So many of us will be celebrating in different homes and communities.

And even though we often get together for dinner with friends, it just didn't seem right that we weren't together for THIS dinner. So, in an effort to keep tradition alive, we are hosting a pre-Thanksgiving feast for our friends this weekend. It will be fabulous!

My dilemma. A small-ish house, a table that seats six (with the leaf in), and 14 guests. What to do? I don't need to create a formal, Martha Stewart perfect setting here. But, I would like everyone to be comfortable and able to eat a fantastic meal without spilling gravy in their lap.

Any suggestions, clever ideas, or strokes of pure genius would be greatly appreciated.

Sunday Dinner

2008-11-09T12:07:00.000-08:00

Sunday is one of my favorite days. Mainly because it includes Sunday Dinner! And with snowflakes in the air, today is the perfect day for a cozy fire and some comfort food. Tonight it's Fettuccini with Bolognese.

I have to tell you, my house smells scrumptious! A heady mix of garlic, pancetta, and onion simmering away in tomatoes and red wine. Heaven.

If you've ever tried a Bolognese and have been less-than-impressed, give this one a try. It's a keeper. My husband has ordered many a Bolognese at various restaurants just to compare, and has not yet found one as good.

I suppose I should pour a complimentary red tonight...but I'll have to sneak a little oak and vanilla in before we sit down!

Fettuccini Bolognese

Loosely adapted from Tyler Florence

2 ounces dried porcini mushrooms

1/3 pound Pancetta, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

5 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 bay leaves

2 sprigs rosemary

1 pound ground pork

1 pound ground beef

1-1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 28-once can whole tomatoes, crushed by hand

2 cups dry red wine

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 pound fettuccini

Freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano, for serving

Reconstitute the mushrooms in boiling water for 20 minutes until tender. Drain and coarsely chop.

Puree the mushrooms, pancetta, onion, celery stalks, carrots, and garlic in a food processor.

In a heavy bottom pot add the olive oil, bay leaves, and rosemary. Cook gently until fragrant. Remove herbs then add vegetable puree. Continue to cook for about 10 minutes.

Raise the heat a bit and add the ground beef and ground pork. You may need to add it in small batches to ensure you can nicely brown the meat. Brown until the meat is no longer pink, breaking up large clumps with a wooden spoon. Add the milk and simmer until the liquid is mostly evaporated, about 10 minutes. Carefully pour in the tomatoes and wine, and season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat and cover. Slowly simmer for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, stirring every now and then until the sauce is thick. Taste again for salt and pepper. When you are ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta until al dente. Drain well and either toss with the Bolognese or add sauce to individual serving bowls.

Tyler Florence suggests also topping with a dollop of fresh ricotta cheese, shredded fresh basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in addition to the grated Parmigiano. Delicious! But if you don't have all of those things, you're good to go with just the Parm.

What would you do?

2008-11-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

One of my dear friends was, for lack of a better word, mugged the other night. She was leaving her condo (a converted schoolhouse, very cool), walking toward her car AT 7:30 P.M. and as she passed by a regular-looking guy leaning on a BMW he lunged at her and ripped her purse from her arm! Is this a "mugging"? Perhaps a purse snatching. No mind. She, thankfully, was unharmed. Pretty rattled, of course.

What was surprising to us both was her reaction. Her first thought was that he was going to grab HER and throw her in the car. She didn't use any profanity, she didn't chase after him. As he grabbed the purse, she yelled, "What are you doing?". Then she watched her beautiful, fabulously metallic purse shimmer in the street lights as the perp ran down the street. :(

Thankfully, she had her keys in her other hand.

Have you ever rehearsed a similar scenario in your head? Where you use your best kung-fu moves, or a swift kick to the you-know-what to ward off anyone with bad intentions. What do you think you would have done?

I hope to never have to learn what I would have done in such a situation.

Maybe you've had a similar experience though. Did your reaction surprise you? Do tell.

The good news? The purse was found the next day with everything intact - except for the digital camera!

Nice Matters

2008-10-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

Have you ever received bad customer service, a bad meal, purchased a bum product, or just been treated badly in general by someone who was taking (or supposed to be) care of you? How many people did you then share your experience with?

What about when you received great service, a great meal or product, or the like? Were you as apt to share you good experience as you were your bad?

I have a business that allows me to help my clients, to provide a solution - be it product or otherwise. It's not rocket science, but to them I know it's important. I do my best at every given moment because I know how I like to be treated. So I must say when clients share their success stories with me, as one just recently did, it makes me all giddy inside!

And it serves as a reminder to me to be sure to let people know when I appreciate their help, their great service, their perfect recommendation. I don't think we do that enough.

A whole lot of nuthin'

2008-10-22T18:51:00.001-07:00

Oh boy, have I been neglecting my blog. Funny thing though, some of what has been keeping me away has shown up on other blogs. Project Runway, Rachel Zoe, and dare I admit...last night...The Real Atlanta Housewives. Lordy.

In my defense...I am not, by nature, a trashy reality-TV watching kind of gal. Unless it's Food Network or Discovery, I'm not really a TV watching gal these days. But, the husband (aka Choppers) has been out of town since last week and well, I've just kind of been LAZY. It's been a nice little break.

I must know...has anyone else seen this Atlanta Housewives thing? Thoughts? Rants? Is it me, or is this absurd????

Procrastination

2008-10-11T06:45:00.001-07:00

I have 30 minutes to get dressed, dry my hair, put on my face and get to an appointment. And instead, I am here. Coming off of vacation is hard! I just can't want to do one damn thing today. I miss the beach, miss the dolphins, and miss my quickly-fading tan! If you are going on vacation, please let me know so I can live vicariously through you.

Catch of the day

2008-09-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

Dinner...and yes, I caught it!

Wish you were here!

2008-09-27T18:38:00.001-07:00

This is my view for the next week...

Ahhh...a week of doing nothing

2008-09-25T13:01:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited! We're leaving for a week's vacation to the beaches of North Carolina. It's our annual trip with Choppers' family. Lots of good southern cookin'. I'm sure by this time next week I'll be completely sick of biscuits with sausage gravy and fried fish. But I never tire of real sweet tea.

I'm bringing my Emeril Essence just to be safe. Choppers won't let me bring my favorite chef's knife. He's afraid someone will use it to fillet a fish. I guess I'll make do. Or maybe I won't cook! Ha!

Process? What Process?!?

2008-09-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought you were following a process, a defined way of doing things, using a system and then just like that (insert snapping sound) your whole understanding of how to get the job done is obliterated?

It's a lot of fun, isn't it? This is the special dilemma I get to deal with today. Working with someone who has explained the process, trained me on the process, and then single-handedly defied the process! Oh, and it just happens to be the president of the company and thus, owner of the process.

Needless to say my business associate and I are left feeling and looking foolish - as though we are incapable of performing our contracted duties and oblivious to the...well, you know.

Sheesh.

Thankfully though, I have in front of me a nifty little recipe for a lovely dinner that will let me forget about all this b.s. for a little while - Chipotle Shrimp Tostadas. Yum. And you can bet your ass that something is already chilling in the fridge!

Summer's end salad

2008-09-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday is my favorite day to cook. It's a bit of a ritual in our home to have "Sunday dinner" - something really yummy, indulgent, and of course, including dessert. But today, I also added "Sunday lunch" after assessing the dwindling bounty in my little garden.

Precious little grape tomatoes, and a lovely bit of basil...
Cute-as-a-button yellow teardrop tomatoes...what shall I do with these?

A simple Panzanella would be the perfect fit. So I also harvested a chubby little cucumber, threw in some red and green peppers, capers, and some red onion - that someone else grew for me. Now for the bread. I had some seeded variety on hand, and that would do. Into the skillet with you!It was delicious. And my summer tomato cravings will soon give way to something less healthy...like mashed potatoes. But until then, here's a peak at the finished product.

Okay, I can't resist sharing these with you too. While they didn't make it into the salad, the color of these habaneros is so beautiful, I felt them deserving of their very own photo!

Am I blushing?

2008-09-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

Wow! I received this super-cute award from the lovely, talented, and witty Over My Head. I am so appreciative for this, especially since I am so new to the blog world. Thank you Monica!

I now need to bestow the same love onto seven other bloggers. Which I will as I discover more wonderful blogs just like the "fabulous reads" I've already found! Any recommendations?

Sushi Soiree

2008-09-16T14:08:00.001-07:00

We had quite the international dinner party the other night. Friends came over for a hands-on sushi extravaganza! Thankfully a couple couples had working knowledge of the proper assembly techniques, and owned the necessary accoutrement so we could do this for real. Because, even though Choppers and I had purchased the most beautiful salmon and tuna from our favorite sushi restaurant, we really only came to the party with two pair of chopsticks and a 10 pound bag of rice.

Nevertheless! The results were beautiful and delicious...

I'm quite confident we broke all the rules for proper sushi making, but isn't that what's fun about cooking (or in this case not cooking)? Taking something and making it your own. We had a bevy of supporting cast members to the fish—asparagus, scallion, avocado, egg, cream cheese, cucumber, etc. But my favorite was my homemade spicy mayonnaise, because what's better than a spicy tuna hand roll?

1/2 cup good mayo
2 Tbsp Sriracha
1 Tbsp Hot chili sesame oil
Mix together and refrigerate at least two hours to allow everything to meld into spicy deliciousness!

What d'ya think?

2008-09-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

How does the new "look", look? I was inspired by the super-cute "Over My Head"...but figured I'd take baby steps before I got really serious!

Just took the scale out of the box...

2008-09-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

...and I lost two pounds this week! Woo hoo! Despite sneaking a handful of oh-so-yummy potato chips last night while Choppers was walking the dog. We have been very good about doing our crazy workouts and following the menu all week. Well, with a few exceptions. One can't or really shouldn't, cook without olive oil. I mean, it's a good oil, right? So, a few tweaks here and there. I'll admit, I have had some crabby outbursts in the evening. Either from gastronomic dissatisfaction or Chardonnay withdrawal. But now I am motiavted to continue on! And I even kind of like my new scale. It's sleek and unassuming. And it turns off really fast.

Bonus post!

2008-09-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

Monday Night Football AND the Packers! This could only be better if Favre was still in gold and green.

New shoes! New shoes!

2008-09-08T19:15:00.001-07:00

Oh! I'm so very excited!! I got my new flip flops today! Two pair! I know, I know, summer's almost over. BUT I am going to the Carolina coast at the end of the month, and I just know I will wear these all the time around the house. They're too fab! Check them out...

I bought them in navy too. Yes, navy! Can you make out the little flower in the middle? Rhinestone! I think I must have been a parrot in a previous life what with my love of shiny and sparkly things! These are a great excuse to throw a dinner party (as if I needed one). Scale be damned! I want to be a sparkly hostess with the mostess!

To scale, or not to scale?

2008-09-05T13:12:00.001-07:00

I'm thinking of buying a bathroom scale. And the thought of it makes me cringe.

But, I am embarking on a new "program" that I've been hearing about for months - P90x - and apparently I need to have my before measurements, so I can track all the pounds and inches that are going to be falling off over the next 90 days as I "BRING IT"!

I meant to buy the scale yesterday. I talked myself out of it because I couldn't find a coupon for Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I mean, I shouldn't have to pay full price for something that is going to depress me, should I? I really don't think I want the scale.

However, I am excited to have just received my new body in a box. I'll keep you posted on just how buff I get. But wait, does this mean I have to put my beloved Chardonnay up for 90 days too? Oh boy. I better consult the training manual...and yes, get that scale.

Nebraska rocks!

2008-09-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

Home again! We had a great vacation AND lots o' meat! I did have that salad, and have been eating fish and/or some sort of crustacean since our return from the big O yesterday. So here's one of the many, many highlights from our long weekend. Box seats at a Nebraska football game. Ever heard of the "sea of red"? It's nuts. Did they win? You bet. Go big red!

We contributed as much red as we had...

I think I'm going to need a salad...

2008-08-28T19:42:00.001-07:00

Off to Omaha, Nebraska, you know, the state where all the cows are corn fed? We're not going to see cows of course. We're going to visit our awesome friends, Mark and Julie, and their three darling kiddies. But as per usual, it's sure to be a meat lovers weekend. Which I must say, I'm semi-excited about now. And I know my hubby - whom I'll lovingly refer to as "Choppers" - is super excited about the Beef Jerky snacks that await him! But I know come Monday I'm going to want to veg out. So in preparation, I laid a solid base tonight with a wonderful salad nicoise (and a might fine KJ Reserve Chard). And upon my return...detox!

I love Rachel Ray

2008-08-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

There, I said it. I've fought it for a long time. Especially when one of my nephew's roomates told him I looked like her. Now mind you, this was a few years ago when she was not "daytime talk-show host" polished and always talked out of the side of her mouth, gesturing wildly. I was not happy about this comparison. But now I gaze at her cute short hairstyle on the cover of her very own magazine and think that maybe I should try to look more like Rachel Ray. Will it get me my own cooking show? Adoring fans? Cute dresses?

But I digress. I love RR because once again, her 30 minute recipe did not disappoint. May I be so bold as to say I made a FANTASTIC dinner last night? Hmmm....wish I had leftovers. I'm starving.

do messages matter?

2008-08-25T17:20:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or are people NOT returning phone calls these days? Ugh! What's a girl to do??

inspiration

2008-08-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

From whom do you draw inspiration? A friend, parent, coworker? In the wake of the Olympics, perhaps an athlete? Someone you know, or even someone you don't know well. Regardless, I truly believe we all need someone to inspire us in some way to continue to work towards our goals - whatever they may be.

Today, I was moved, motivated, and definitely inspired by a professional associate. This woman has accomplished soooo much in her business over the last 17 years. Given her humble beginnings and self-imposed limitations, her success is beyond-inspiring. I hope to be just like her "when I grow up". Knowledgeable but a life-long student, gracious, funny but able to be serious, and charitable...with the ability to inspire the same in others. Who inspires and motivates you?

a very sushi blog...

2008-08-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

My friend Kerry suggested I start a blog. So here I am. Blogging. With personal guidance from Madelèn (http://www.the-larvik-way.blogspot.com/). An expert blogger herself and clearly, more "with it" than I when it comes to this kind of thing. I suspect I will want to muse about work, wine, and whatever.