No Small Feat

Ok gnomes creativity is tricky thing. It comes on it's own and doesn't really care if you're ready for it or not. I have been mulling over what this weeks blog is going to be about, I was considering writing all about the indiscretion that took place in a blanket fort... where I was seduced by a yummy twix. But no, that's not something we need to rehash. It's best to lay that demon to rest and move forward, eyes focused on staying positive... not thinking about the sweet cookie crunch... sorry... no, moving on.

So in this weeks blog I will help those who are also casting aside the demon o'bread. I found a few recipes, that are easy, and yummy. And in doing this I hope to keep your faith alive that a world where we can shun the bread overlords is possible and we will rise up! Sans yeast!

Lemon-Pepper Drummers:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons butter, divided
8 large chicken drumsticks
Kosher salt
Poultry seasoning or ground thyme
6 cloves garlic, grated or pasted
1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
1 lemon, zested
2 lemons, juiced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, to garnish
1/4 cup finely chopped scallions or chives, to garnish

Directions -

Heat the extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat in a large pan with a cover. When the butter foams, add the drumsticks and season with salt and poultry seasoning. Shake the pan and brown the chicken on all sides. Cover the pan and reduce the heat a bit. Cook for 20 minutes to cook through. Remove the drumsticks to a platter and add the remaining butter to the pan to melt. Add the garlic and pepper, stir for 2 minutes, and then add the lemon zest and juice. Swirl to combine and pour over the drumsticks. Garnish with parsley and scallions.

Broccoli Chowder with Corn and Bacon:

4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 large baking potato, peeled and diced
1 head broccoli (about 1 pound), cut into bite-size florets, stalks peeled and thinly sliced
1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn kernels
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup whole milk
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions -
1. In a large pot, cook bacon over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Increase heat to medium. Cook onion, stirring, until it begins to soften, 6 to 8 minutes.

2. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds. Add broth and potato; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; cook until potato is tender, about 10 minutes. Add broccoli, corn, thyme, and milk. Cook until broccoli is crisp-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with bacon.

Crustless Cheesecake:

2 (8 ounce) packages reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar, plus
1 tablespoon sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, divided
1 cup low-fat sour cream

Directions -

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, coat an 8 inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1/2 C sugar; beat well, beat in the eggs, one at a time, then beat in 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1/4 tsp lemon juice until well combined.
Spoon mixture into the baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until golden; remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes, do not turn off the oven.
Meanwhile in a small bowl, combine the sour cream and the remaining 1 TBS sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 tsp lemon juice; mix well, spread over the top of the cheesecake and bake for 10 minutes.
Let the cheesecake cool, then cover and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

My Beloved

Harold my every present guide and leader, decided that for lent he was going to give up bread. When he proclaimed this in our humble office I felt empowered! I was excited by his conviction, forty days no bread, yes YES! "Me too!" I cheered, promising myself to this noble and valiant crusade against bread and all of it devious deliciousness. Down with the scrumptious foe that has slowly added to my pants size year after year! I will show it, I can deal without sandwiches for a month. I shall triumph, and stand proud with my mentor, saying we were strong and did not yield!

Yeah, didn't realize everything I love has bread in it. Chicken Friand, haha no, it has puffed pastry, bread. The cupcakesmy son made me for valentines day, bread. The dry toast smeared with butter yesterday that my boyfriend used to sop up his food during breakfast, BREAD!

It's like I woke up in the matrix, and instead of machines taking over and making us their drones, it's bread! BREAD has taken over the world my gnomes. We're not safe! We looked away and now pastries, burger buns, and dinner rolls are trying to take over our souls! And it's just day two! How on earth will I last 40 days?!

I will fight the good fight, I will stay strong, and when my boyfriend teases me with bread products, eating them in a sultry pace that can only be compared to that of an adult film, I will hold strong! I will punch him in the teeth, and go eat salad! I can do this.

Let me hear you say "ahhh"

I have been mulling over what to write about this week and just been hitting a wall. A big writer's blocky wall. All thick with gooey-ness keeping me from spluttering brilliance for all to read. I debated talking about the lull you feel after a long vacation, the splendors of not traveling with children, and I think I even kicked around the idea of talking about unusual hotels again... But I went to an outside source and tapped into my dear beloved's brain and he gave me a fun topic I don't think I've touched on, comfort foods.

Ahhh comfort foods. They can really be anything. I think mine is whatever is fun to cook. In all honesty for me, it's more fun to prepare a gorgeous meal that's going to be delicious. Now there's certain foods I excel at preparing, asparagus, yep we are a good team, and chicken. But the one dish I think I make that's a generic comfort food that makes everyone happy is one taught to my by my best friend, and chef. It's a simply casserole of squash, and gooey cheese. It is so fattening, and god bless your soul if you are lactose intolerant, but damn it's so good.

I needed another reference for someone's comfort so I asked the brilliant Harold, and he said two simple words, Peanut Butter. Two simple decadent words oozing with luscious promise, because when it comes to peanut butter pretty much any food is made better in it's company. It comes in so many different shapes and forms and no matter what it's delicious splendor whisking you away from all your worries and stress. For those blissful moments you devour the scrumptious treat from heaven.

Seeing as an outside source gave me this topic to discuss I decided to keep going with that avenue and asked another outside source what was their chosen comfort. Needless to say my idea that savory was a great method of comfort dining, I was off. Harold had his love for the buttery composition of the peanut, and a friend of mine with candy, well gummy bears was the example given. Yet another hat tip to the world of sweet when it comes to nomming your way into the thralls of comfort, who knew.

I think it breaks down to this. Comfort food is what you reach for when you're feeling like a kicked puppy and all you want to do is curl up on the couch with your favorite *fill in the blank* get snuggly under a blanket and then veg out, be it with a good book or a something on TV  It's food that makes you let out a sigh, and when you bite into it, you feel that moment of tranquility where all your worries about the world and stress drip away and you're filled the deliciousness of your favorite dish, and all you say is "ahhh".

My dear gnomes, I am back, and I have missed you all. I apologize for the long absence but I was detained by life's chaos. I come back to you ready to feed you all with  tongue in cheek wit and brilliant vision. I would blame my lack of sleep. You see, I had a terrible bed. One where not even a troll would live under it because of dreadful back pain. Pain so wretched it ached our bodies and sadden(ed) our souls. But by the kindness of some good people, our suffering was ended and something magical came into our lives - memory foam.

Now when the mattress arrived, I promise this is going somewhere, bear with me, when it came into our feeble lives... We found that something tragic was also happening. Because (strike 'because' start with Where) where the torture bed made us flee from our bed, this new monster, it pulls you in. It locks you in it's embracing comfort and makes you want to stay, linger, or never leave. It's a pit of deception, yes your rest is peaceful and perfect, but when you wake up and it's time to get up, it's impossible to do so without being devastated. it's more torture than the bed of torture!

The great that comes with this bed, is the dreaming, the visions of beautiful getaways, and adventures I want to have, I dream of taking people to. I have inspiration, because no longer do I feel plagued by pain. And with this comfort, I can feel my wide eyes opening to other opportunities in my life. I can imagine the first group I trek through Prague on my first beer tour that takes me to the Augustine. I see the Danube, and those culinary river cruises I know are going to make an impact in culinary tourism so stellar, my phone won't stop ringing with requests.

I see the Danube and Rhine filling with wonderful river cruises featuring the great food and wine of the region. Impacting a new way to get to the heart of culinary tourism... and enticing you to call to request your own personal dream fulfillment!

The new comfort makes me want to go out there and see if there's other's as warm and welcoming. To see what retreats promise you the perfect night's sleep, because I now have this marvel to compare them to. Sweet dreams can come with the ultimate vacation, and I want to see that, and experience that!

It's important to dream, and see your vision. I think believe I was gone for so long because my dreams were so terribly clouded in pain. But now that I can sleep in peace, I can realize what my true goals are, and I'm ready to conquer them... But first let me take a nap in this comfy bed...  The new bed gets lonely!

Learning experiences

The gods of travel have always shown their light upon me.Never  truly shading me in the nightmares that often consume so many others... Being stuck in the middle seat of a plane parked on a tarmac... Missing my flight and having to wait in stand by... Nope not me. I have been given a blessing when it comes to travel. That was until this weekend.  I suppose all in all I shouldn't look at it as a disappointment and accept it as a learning experience.

Rather than writhe in blinded anger and spit venom about how a certain airline gave me the constant run around, lying to me, and clearly blowing smoke up my... nose... yes we'll go with nose. I'm going to shed some light on how you can avoid the headache I was dealt. Said headache was losing my luggage as I went to visit my main squeeze. Luggage I didn't see until I had been home from my vacation for a full day. I was foolish and roasted on what all I did wrong for the first day of my mini vacation.

So, ways to ensure, the nightmare will never occur:

1. Never under any circumstances, ever, do you part with your wallet. When traveling, at all times, keep your wallet (money, credit cards, ID) on YOU. You should never put it in your bag (even your carry-on), because you never know what's going to happen.
2. Pack a small duffel bag (yes even if you only have a rolling small carry on), with a change of clothes, and the "I can't live without's" ie; toothbrush, hair brush, underpants, and your phone charger. I know it seems like over kill when you don't necessarily need two carry-on's but trust me, you rather be over prepared than go four days with the same clothes, and just your cellphone... I promise.
3. ID tags. They are your best friends. I now plan on putting seven on each handle of my bags, writing out my contact information IN LARGE PRINT! The more clear who the bag belongs to, the sooner you will receive it!
4. Finally... When toting a carry-on, I know you don't think it's important to remove the old white tags from former flights, but it is... I swear it is. Because if you don't, you can bet the grumpy miss who begrudgingly tossed your carry-on onto your rather packed flight didn't remove it and when you get to your next destination they are going to reroute your bag to some unknown location, and you won't see it again until midnight the night after you get home from your vacation! Take the tags off!

It all breaks down to this my sweet underpants gnomes... When it comes to airlines, they are dealing with thousands of pissed off patrons every minute of the day, and you will only be a small voice in the ocean of complaints. Instead of being doomed to deal with the "resolutions" team who clearly have no resolve, protect yourself and go through ANY and ALL methods to ensure you have done all you can do, to make sure your travels go smoothly. Make sure to keep a very thorough record (who you spoke with, what time, when and where) so should something happen you will have a full recount of who helped you. Book your flights with plenty time for your luggage to make your connecting flights, clearly label your bag with all your contact information, and again, under no circumstances do you EVER part with your wallet.

Lost Luggage Department at Miami International Airport

Hey, Pony. Where you been?

Remember when running away from home was a tactic to scorn your parents? To punish them for their insolence and general defiance against your precious desires. It was a wagging finger at their audacity for daring to ask you to perform a menial chore, or passive aggressive chastising for having the nerve to place ridiculous punishment on you. No! You would show them that you were the victor, the one in charge, you would run away from their wretched shackles... until you got to the end of the block and realized the defiant tyrants at your gilded prison are the folk who feed and clothed you, so with your head held high and pride intact (as you were returning on your own terms) you graced the unfitting with your precious presence once again. 

What if it was now an adult standing at the corner, suitcase in hand and deciding where you would flee to? What place in this world would be the ideal place to escape the everyday life that vexes you? Well, I'd start with somewhere I didn't have to think about anything. All inclusive resorts are good for that. All your food, drinks, house keeping, and play time are effortlessly (it would seem) provided for you. The worry about things like cost and time frame slips from mind and you are swaddled in relaxation.

Ok beaches aren't your thing, if you're running away seeking adventure, there's always some nerve racking, thrill based getaway you could attack head on. Like a safari, and I know you're thinking "Oh African safari's are so last year." and I'd tell you that number one, you're full. Khaki's and lion watching are always in season. But secondly you should have waited for me to explain further. As I was going to say Alaskan safari, who feels foolish for jumping the gun now, you do. It's ok, I forgive you. Seriously my wee underpants gnomes, it's really amazing the wildlife one can find when they take a cruise in Alaska, yes there's whales, but there's more than that, it's the most untouched region of North America, our disgusting carbon footprint has barley made a mark there, and the wonders you can see are breath taking.

Trafalgar Square

Finally, if I truly could find a place where I really dream of running away to. I'd go back to London. I love England in general, but London stole my heart and soul when I went there. The culture is amazing, the people were kind, and the history mesmerized me. It's the one place I went and instantly felt like I had found where I belonged. There was no need to adjust to anything, it all felt like I had been lost and finally made my way home. If I truly had the chance to pack up everything I owned and everyone I loved that's where I would go. I'd runaway to London.

STRESS!

Ahh stress, it's a vicious thing stress. It's a virus of an emotion, that seems to only grow larger and more fierce the more you notice it. Indeed, of the baser emotions Stress is the body's Freddy Kruger, only when one puts it out of mind, and forgets it's existence does the nightmare dwelling, die away.

I've been thinking of ways to relieve life's stress. Not saying I'm stressed, I'm just simply curious about the means of letting said wretch go. When the world sucks, and you feel pulled in all directions getting away for a short... or very long vacation, can be the perfect answer to your stress problems. If you're on a budget look for something local to do. Just a day or two out of your element away from your razor sharp hub of undeniable pain and misery, can help you look at your problems with a level and sound head.

My perfect get away from the monster that never let's you sleep... A beach. It's cliche, I know. But something about laying out on a warm beach, umbrella drink in hand, sound of the crashing waves. It's paradise, especially if I leave my smart phone in some void where no one can reach me.

Now you might wonder if I'm going to give you some great ideas in the sandy tranquil beach department, and you'd be right! Direct from Dallas there's a lot of places one can hop a plane and be in the soothing paradise of your choice. Places like Puerto Vallarta, San Juan, and Cancun, and if you don't mind a longer flight you can always high tail it to Hawaii. Between now and early summer you can take advantage of mid seasons fares that are so cheap you have to take a moment and wonder when the other shoe is going to drop. It does though, it's just a great price for a much needed break from reality. The all inclusives in the Caribbean are even more relaxing, as once you are there, generally everything you do, eat, or drink is included in the price of your stay, and often have package deals with your airline.

The only question that really remains at this point is, when are you going to treat yourself and take a much needed break and return home and fully relaxed.