Nighttime Reflections

Are you one of those people that gets the best idea while you're trying to fall asleep at night? How about when you're taking a bathroom break? That's me! Inevitably when I'm trying to pass out in bed, I run through all the things I have to do tomorrow and come up with at least two or three things to add to my list. Of course, by morning, I've usually forgotten at least one of them. Same thing happens with the bathroom - I forget my brilliant idea by the time I get back to my desk.

Last night I decided to take some notes so I wouldn't forget today. I am having the "recipe group" over on Saturday night and I have to experiment with a new recipe (duh). I find this frustrating because any time I try something new and don't use a recipe for it, I screw it up. Like the time I tried to cook steak, or tonight, when I tried to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Easy enough right? I practically started a fire on my stove. God. With my mother and grandmother being such fabulous cooks, you'd think I'd inherit something.

Alas, I resign myself to another few selections from one of Ina Garten's cookbooks (Barefoot in Paris). I made a recipe from here recently, Beef Bourguignon, and it came out wonderfully. Helps that the recipe calls for a bottle of wine and a splash of brandy!

So, menu for Saturday night:
- Rosemary cashews
- Squash soup (although I might get my co-worker's recipe, which he claims is amazing)
- Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic (good thing Scottie lives in SF!)
- Moroccan Couscous

Ina Garten's recipes have never failed me, so I have faith that this will be a success....assuming I don't light anything on fire like I did for the Bourguignon recipe!!

Back in Boston!

Just returned to Boston tonight after 2+ weeks away, mostly spent on the West Coast visiting with family, friends and Scottie (obvi), but also a little bit in Texas, So Cal and NYC! Jet setter? Yep, gotta earn that elite status some how!

Highlights from the trip?
- Christmas morning @ home....3 bottle of champagne consumed! That's how the Ziders roll, duh!
- More champagne at the Maulick's - many thanks to Uncle Michael for letting me imbibe multiple bottles of Veuve
- Dinner at Nadine's - a delicious roast and good company w/all the Peradotto and 2 of 3 Dwyer kids
- Cocktails at Lotti's! Love those ladies - always crack me up
- Dinner w/the Elliott cousins @ Tyler and Nikki's - and the ensuing "Naked Game"!! Oh ya baby!
- Shooting a 9mm handgun at the range with the fam....yep, you read that right! I = champ, although I don't hold a flame to Scott's bro, Marino, on this one....
- Go-cart racing for Alex's Christmas gift. Holy crap that is REALLY tiring! I held my own pretty well with the boys but I think I need more practice
- Dinner with the Princeton '06 crowd @ Tipsy Pig. Sweet potato fries that made me die and go to heaven. And finally got to meet Maag's squeeze!!
- NYE done right - lots of alcohol, good friends and good times! Waking up at 3 pm on New Year's Day? GREAT start to 2010!
- Double date w/Rosy and Andre at Old Pro in Palo Alto. In case you haven't been there and happen to be looking for a mechanical bull, it can be found @ Old Pro! Next time I'm totally getting on that thing!
- Tasty Burmese food at the one, the only, Burma Superstar. LOVE that place
- Rendez-vous with former SF MS'ers, Julie and Deepak, in So Cal
- Date night w/Scottie too Hottie at Garibaldi's - jeez that was delicious! And not bad company either ;-)
- NYC opera with my fave NYC ladies followed by an equally intellectual viewing of The Hangover!!! Brunch @ Sarabeth's before jetting back to Boston was a MUST.
- Learning how to use google video and webcams! Welcomed into the 21st century finally with a laptop. Woo hoo!

First day back in the office tomorrow after my work travels last week in So Cal and Texas. Guess I better get some sleep!