Are you a cookbook fiend?

I often find myself in a bookstore or gift shop making a beeline to the cookbook section.  I've always loved books and over the last few years have learned to love sweating over a hot stove to please hungry diners.  For the last few years, I've been amassing a nice collection of cookbooks of different sorts - Italian, Mexican, Healthy, Cupcakes, etc.  And now that my shelf that contains said books in our kitchen is full, I'm forced to make some tough choices.  I can either box up a few of the less-oft used books on the shelf or curb my spending.  Being that I use most of the books on the shelf, the latter is the only option it seems. 

This weekend, while I was avoiding the brutal 100+ degree heat (gross), I hit up my local library.  And as I've previously mentioned, you guys know I'm a fan of the library, as dorky as that may sound.  I found some fab-u-lous baking books and there were shelf upon shelf of every sort of cookbook under the (blistering) sun.  I was so excited to find that the shelves contained lots of current ones - Martha Stewart, Barefoot Contessa and the like.  I grabbed a few baking books and was on my merry way...to neutralize my AC with a burning oven.  Upon returning home, I quickly grabbed a few scraps of paper and wrote down the page numbers for recipes to try.  After a quick trip to Office Max (or any copy shop for that matter), and a few dimes later, I had some new recipes in my repertoire.  I keep a folder on my cookbook shelf with these and any others that I may tear out of a magazine or newspaper.  It's not the greatest system, but I'm stingy about my nice recipe cards and don't commit until a) I've tried a recipe and b) determined it will make it into the dinner rotation again.  So for those of you running out of cookbook space or running out of funds for a cookbook habit, get your library cards and your coin purses out like a schoolgirl on summer vacation and give this a whirl! 

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Summer's Bounty

I recently discovered a great farmers market in Chesapeake, near my home.  And by recent, I mean 2 weekends ago.  I was amazed and excited to find real farmers with wonderful prices on their goods.  The other farmers market that's 2 minutes from the house sells produce with a 3000% mark-up... in other words, it's more expensive than Whole Foods.  Not in my budget and it was a big turn-off.  In any case, I digress. 

The better, more newly discovered market had about 10-12 vendors with a diverse offering of produce, including one booth that also had pies and canned products.  I've heard that from time to time there is a farmer with eggs as well.  I was in awe and amazement of the farm fresh, ripe produce and filled my reusable bag full to the brim with peaches, blueberries, eggplant, squash, zucchini, cucumber, bell peppers and cantaloupe.  All for about $9!!

I went right home and cut up the cantaloupe, sampled a peach and cooked a delicious dinner of eggplant parmesan and cold cucumber and tomato salad with balsamic vinegar.  Perfect on a warm summer evening! 

I'm looking forward to heading back next weekend to find more fresh, ripe produce that hasn't travelled far and to support our local farmers.  For those of you not in Hampton Roads, check out this site to help you find a market in your area.
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Monday Meals

Since I've been really pathetic with my blogging lately, I figured if I gave myself a little structure, I might be more enthusiastic.  I've put together some tasty meals lately (toot toot there goes my horn!) and thought that a weekly meal installment might be a nice addition.  So in this week's Monday Meals, a relatively underwhelming meal, but one that is perfect for the wife on the go.

Breakfast Burrito...not just for breakfast!

• Eggs, 2 per person
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 C onion, chopped
• 1/4 C bell pepper (any color), chopped
• 4-6 grape tomatoes, quartered
• Salt and Pepper
• Flour tortillas (burrito size), 1 per person
• Sour Cream (optional)
• Salsa (optional)
• Fresh Cilantro (optional)

1. In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add onion and peppers and saute about 2-3 minutes or until tender.  Add tomatoes.
2. In medium bowl, beat eggs and add salt and pepper to taste.  Add eggs mixture to skillet and scramble about 2-3 minutes, until just set.  Just before removing from pan, add cheese to melt.
3. On a dinner plate, heat tortilla about 10 seconds in microwave, so it is warm and soft.  Place egg mixture into tortilla and roll into burrito.  Top with sour cream, salsa and fresh cilantro.

Note: if desired, add chicken sausage for meat-eaters.
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Mad-ness

I've perfected my Tom Collins and am eagerly awaiting the return of AMC's Mad Men.  Season 4 debuts tonight at 10pm eastern.

Oh Don, I've missed you...

*Photo courtesy of AMC.
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When should I?

As I was looking at my mangled toothbrush, I was trying to think how long I had it and what exactly is the recommended length of ownership for said device.  And it got me thinking about a few other things in my bathroom.  And I present to you a whole host of time lines for bathroom accessories.

Get a new toothbrush?

Every 3-6 months and when the bristles are splayed.  You should also switch them out when you have a cold or illness.

Switch blades in my razor?

Blades or disposable razors should be changed about every 2-4 weeks.  If you notice rust, dullness or hair in the blades, it's definitely time to do a little switcheroo!

Get a new hairbrush?

Hairbrushes can and should be washed about once a month.  And they don't need to be replaced until the bristles are damaged or any other part of the brush is damaged.

*Photo courtesy of Crest.

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Bachelorette Basics

Most of what I post on this blog has a lot to do with what's going on in my daily life.  I mean, let's be honest, my day-to-day routine isn't all that inspiring so when something is a bit more fun, it usually graces the pages of this site.  Recently, I had the pleasure of sharing a girl's weekend in honor of a very dear friend getting married next month.  I've known this girl since I was 14 years old.  We have shared so many memories together - college acceptances, high school boyfriends, collegiate adventures, first jobs and engagements.  And now I am beyond excited to stand by her as she is married to the man of her dreams.  But before she could walk down the aisle, we wanted to celebrate our dear friend with a bangin' bachelorette party!  We had a wonderful weekend on Long Island and it was just what she wanted.  And in the world of weddings with ever-expanding responsibilities, budgets and expectations, the bachelorette party can be tricky.  I've figured out a few things having helped throw two for good friends.

Know your pal: There's nothing worse than ordering a stripper for a conservative gal or bringing all beer to a wine-o's party.  If you're in the wedding, you have every right to delicately ask your friend what type of fete she would enjoy.  Maybe it's a rager on a club floor in Vegas or a low key weekend at a rented house on Long Island, but knowing this will definitely help ensure your party is a hit!

Location, location, location: While some may be able to jet across the country, Atlantic or Southern hemisphere for a long weekend, most are typically not afforded this luxury with time or the finances to back it.  And you don't have to go to Vegas or the DR to have a good time.  Pick a location that's attainable for the group.  In most cases, it's nice if a large percentage of the group doesn't need to fly to said location; in some cases it may be unavoidable though.

Don't break the bank: Unless the attendees all have large amounts of disposable income, which let's be honest, isn't all that common for a group of twenty-something women, it's smart to keep the budget under control.  A few splurges - maybe a limo or a private vineyard tour are great, but the whole celebration doesn't have to be about caviar and Dom Perignon.  It's smart to have a caucus with the group of planners (typically bridesmaids) to agree on a reasonable budget for the group.  Maybe its $300 and maybe its $1000.  Just pick something and stick with it.  Oh, it helps to communicate this tactfully to the attendees so they know what to expect.

Track it:  The ether is a perfect way to keep track of any logistics or aspects of planning.  Google docs is a great tool - you can keep track of things like attendees, contact info, transportation plans for all guests, ideas for favors, flowers and menus.

It's about her:  The number one thing to keep in mind is this is her celebration, not yours.  If she loves wineries and you're more of a beer and pretzels kinda girl, go with the flow and revel in her obsession with cabernets and pinots.  She may be a wild child or she may be more into a phallic-free celebration - just keep her wishes in the back of your mind as you are planning and reveling in girly fun times.

Seeing her light up with happiness, celebrating with her besties is all that any gal needs to enjoy this time!  Not to mention it's a great opportunity to meet some other friends attending the wedding.  No need to endlessly embarrass her; this isn't sorority hazing, it's a celebration of girlfriends so raise your glass in a toast to your friend, smile and have fun!
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Ch-ch-ch-check her out!

One of my favorite blogs, Palindrome Bride, just launched her "Mrs." blog entitled, Palindrome at Home.  I became friends w/ Mrs. Palindrome because we share an alma mater and workplace - how fabulous, yes?!  Exactly.  We could reminisce about the best spots on campus, understanding where we each grew up into adulthood.  The irony is that her husband, Mr. Palindrome, was a classmate of mine.  And by classmate, I mean we shared a major among 35 classmates so we spent a lot of time in class and lab together.  It's a small world after all.

In any case, I love her blogs.  They're witty, intelligent and informative.  I'm really exctied to see her enter the world of homemaking...hopefully happily (pun intended).  Congrats, M - can't wait to read more!

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Workplace etiquette

I'm going to assume that most of you faithful readers have worked in some sort of office environment.  And you have likely encountered some of the annoying and sometimes gross office etiquette faux pas.  From the dreaded spill in the microwave to empty coffee pots and printers void of paper, we've all seen it. 

The kitchen

*If your lunch explodes in the microwave, for goodness sake, clean it up!  Grab a wet paper towel and tidy up any messes.

*Don't burn your popcorn.  Burnt popcorn is stanky and permeates the office air for an eternity...or at least it feels that way.

*And speaking of stanky, I desperately try to stay away from reheating seafood at the office.  Another icky smell that can permeate the office.

ET phone home

*Every now and then a personal phone call is unavoidable, but really they should be kept to a minimum...especially those that are private...like making an appointment with your OBGYN or discussing a financial matter with your spouse.  For anything private, take it on your cell outside the office during lunch or close your office door.

*And it goes without saying that multiple calls throughout the day to your spouse or family is a bit much.

Fill it up
*If you drink the last cup of coffee from the coffeepot, make another pot.
*If your printing job empties the printer or copier of paper or ink, add more.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
*We may spend more waking hours with coworkers than our family, so it's easy to forget that those at the office are just that, colleagues.  So be polite and respectful.  You never know when one of them could be your boss.

*Photo courtesy of NBC.
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None of your beeswax

Every so often one of my friends or family members provides good advice on life.  And in a recent case, I was reminded of a helpful hint for dealing with personal issues.  Typically, my most assertive friends and family are the reminders (ahem Mom and friend, S) and in this case, I was the remindee.  I was recently discussing an issue with my friend S and how to potentially address with those outside of my circle of close family and friends.  And she simply told me, "it's nobody's business."  And you know what, she's right.  Not everyone I know is entitled to know everything about me.  And in some cases, providing personal information to people who are not part of my "inner circle" is unnecessary...and it's nobody's beeswax.

In a world of constant information availability via social networking (aka Facebook), twitter and blogs, personal information is available in overwhelming quantities.  From sonogram photos to posts about an annoying boss, people share a lot.  And it can be a form of passive peer pressure to reciprocate.  Au contraire, mon frere.  There's something nice about actually having a personal life and sharing news with your nearest and dearest.  And that's not to say that every once in a while, you want to share your news with the world (aka your facebook friends) or post a photo of your new couch on twitter.  Just be careful what you share whether via the ether or more traditional modes of communication.  Only those you choose are entitled to know the details of your life.

Disclaimer: Nothing ominous is happening in my life...just had a nice reminder to keep my private life...well, private, and thought I would remind my bloggy friends to keep that tidbit in mind as well!

*Photo courtesy of art.com.
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PTHH on the go

Hello bloggy friends!  After a long holiday weekend, a business trip and a personal trip (more details on this to come!), I'm back for some more summer fun!  Hope you all enjoyed your July 4th weekend.  Stay tuned for some new posts this week.
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Handy plastic bag uses

I am pretty diligent about bringing my reusable bags to the grocery store, but every now and then I forget and they're left in my car or on the back door in our home.  Thus, like everyone else, I've amassed quite the collection of plastic grocery sacks.  I've figured out a few uses other than the obvious - carrying groceries.

1. Pooper scooper.  Grocery sacks and the newspaper bags are perfect for cleaning up number two from the yard or on a walk.

2. Trash can liners.  Sort of an obvious one, but I usually line the office and bathroom trashcans with a grocery sack.  But a handy dandy trick I learned is to leave a few extras in the bottom of the trashcan (under the current bag) so you don't have to refill so frequently.

3. Packing helpers.  Whenever I pack a suitcase, I always have a few bags on hand to wrap up shoes and toiletry bags.  They'll help keep the other items in your bag clean and dry.

4. Mini trash bags.  If I'm cooking something stinky...like chicken or fish, I'll discard the packaging and any other unwanted items with stink power into a grocery sack and take it out that night.  That way, the next morning, I won't be left with a barely-filled stinky trash bag.

5. Auto assistance.  I keep a few in my glovebox for unexpected trash or clean up.  You never know when your lip gloss might explode and you need a safe place to dispose of it while on your way to the office.

*Photo courtesy of ABC news.

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Low Cal Cocktails

It's Friday, woo!!  There is nothing so enjoyable as a tasty cocktail on a summer evening, and preferably, enjoyed al fresco.  However, noticing your waistline expand as you enjoy said cocktail isn't so fun.  Here are a few tasty and simple cocktails that are tasty and help maintain your bikini-ready diet plan.

Vodka Soda
• 2 oz flavored vodka (like Absolute Mandarin or Three Olives Cherry)
•  Soda water (or Diet Sprite)
• Twist - lemon wedge, lime wedge, cherry or orange slice

Skinny Girl Margarita (from Bethenny Frenkel)
• 2 oz clear tequila (count 1, 2 while you pour)
• Splash of orange liquer like Grand Marnier or Triple Sec
• Juice of 4 lime wedges
• Kosher salt, for rim (optional)
Mix all ingredients together well and garnish with a lime.

Raspberry Frozen Cocktail (from Fitness Magazine)
• 1/2 C ice
• 8 oz. Minute Maid light raspberry passion (or other low cal raspberry juice/drink)
• 1 1/2 oz vodka
Blend all ingredients and garnish with raspberries skewered on toothpick.

Summertime is my favorite cocktail season.  Add some fresh fruit to your fav cocktail and let your mind wander to a tropical locale.

*Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.
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