Hoo Are You Tuesdays

Yes, it's that time again. ALREADY!

1. What is your favorite restaurant?

Uncle Julio's has jumped to the top of our list. Mainly because the service is awesome, the food is fresh (not frozen!), and quality is top notch.

 

2. What kind of music do you like?

I love old country and 90's country (George Strait, Reba, Waylon Jennings, Bellamy Brothers). These days I listen to more Pop (I guess that's what you call it!), and a variety. The Pulse is my station on Sirius. oh, and Glee. I love Glee.

3. What do you watch on TV?

Did I mention Glee already? just checking...

I love Burn Notice, great show that my BF and I can enjoy together. True Blood has me addicted to HBO now. The Closer is a favorite too. Anthony Bourdain tops my foodie shows. Oh, and I simply cannot forget Dhani Jones. hubba hubba hubba (I made the pic large so you can drool over him too. You're welcome. Go ahead, I'll wait).

Still looking? it's ok, I understand.

moving on...

4. Do you enjoy reading and if so what kind of books do you read?

I *love* to read. Always have. I like fiction - light, fluffy reading. The stuff that doesn't require a lot of thought or concentration. I read to escape. I like anything from John Grisham to Charlaine Harris to JD Robb. A book has to grab my attention from the beginning, or I'll drop it like a hot pocket!

5. What is your favorite color?

Turquoise, lime green and orange. But never, EVER blue & orange together (it's against my FSU Seminole beliefs).

 

So, Hoo Are You? Visit Leslie at Night Owl Crafting and play along!

 

Enjoy your new day!

 

~Allie

Favorite Foods for the 4th (or any other day)

As I'm sitting here watching the fireworks (on TV...more about that in a minute), I thought I'd share some of my favorite recipes with you. Most of these I find online, though some are from magazines, and some are from friends.

The Pioneer Woman has quickly jumped to the top of my favorites list. Paula..who?

Quick background: I was not born in Texas. Therefore, I love PORK BBQ. Not beef. and that's nearly sacreligious here in Texas. The hunt for a good pulled pork sandwich here in Texas is almost pointless.

Then, one day... It happened. I stumbled across P-Dub's Spicy Shredded Pork Recipe (in her uber yummy cookbook).

I've blabbered on and on about the Spicy Shredded Pork several times on Facebook. You should really try it sometime! It's tender, flavorful, and still goes great with your favorite BBQ sauce.

This recipe cured my craving for pulled pork. I no longer seek it out, knowing I can MAKE MY OWN (rawr!).

Here's another - meatloaf. I know I know - I heard you groan from here. STOP THAT! Stop it RIGHT NOW.

Meatloaf is not "mystery-loaf". Or it shouldn't be...(sorry mom...). Use this recipe for P-Dub/Pastor Ryan's Cajun Meatloaf, and your family will no longer fear the loaf. I PROMISE.

I feel obligated to make this PSA: this recipe makes a kajillion servings. I cut it down to 1lb ground beef and 1lb ground pork, and it fits in 1 loaf pan nicely. Cut the veggies and spices too. You're welcome. I didn't have that much freezer space either.

And what's a meal without potatoes? I know, I can't imagine it either! (thanks for backing me up on that one!). P-Dub's Perfect Potatoes au Gratin will have your family weeping with joy. Oh.my.gawd.

Another Texas thing is salsa and chips with (nearly) every restaurant meal. I attempted P-Dub's Restaurant Style Salsa, with mild success. I'll be trying again soon!

Okok, so you're as much of a P-Dub fan as I am, and have already salivated over her recipes. Here are a few favorites I've found elsewhere:

I saw this one in Women's Day magazine: Meatball Souvlaki under the heading "easy beef recipes". And IT IS. The sauce (greek yogurt + mint) is divine. Add in the zuccini and onions, and mmm mmm!
I need to make this one again soon.

I was trying to find you a link to the Hot Artichoke Dip that my friend Kerrie has shared with me. It's a huge hit at any gathering, and easy-peasy! I hit up my friend Cooks.com, and here's what I got back. that's right, a kajillion recipes. (yes, kajillion is my word of the night). So here's the recipe, in all of it's simplicity and glory:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
4oz to 8oz montery jack or mozzarella cheese (I like more cheese, some people like less)
1, 4oz package cream cheese (see where this is going?)
1 small can artichoke hearts, quartered or halved
1 cup mayo
4 oz (or more) parmesean cheese (sure, the shake-it-on kind works just fine)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (or a chopped up garlic clove if you prefer)

The most difficult step is separating the artichoke heart pieces. You throw the whole thing in a pie-plate or small casserole, stir it up, and bake. For about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Uh huh, that's it. If you want to get all fancy, throw in some spinach, or chicken, or lump crab meat, or mushrooms. Whatever blows your skirt up!! I serve it up with fritos, and some hearty bagel crisps.

Another friend gave me her Texas Caviar Recipe. The linky is a recipe that is pretty close to it. Great with fritos, corn chips, etc.
Clearly, I'm a cook, and not a baker.

Fireworks on TV: apparently in my old age I've developed a phobia of crowds, traffic and mosquitos. Therefore I choose to watch fireworks on TV. This year I'm enjoying Washington DC, NYC, Houston AND Boston. 4 instead of 1! WHOA

Tell ya what, in honor suviving the first half of summer without melting, or floating away, I'll do a giveaway. All you have to do is post a link to your favorite recipe, cookbook, or share a recipe of your own in the comments. I'll choose at least 1 recipe to make next weekend, and the lucky winner will get the Goddess's The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook. Contest closes on Friday, July, 9th at 3pm CT. Winner(s) will be announced on Saturday, July 10th.

It's a new day to cook!
~Allie

The Great Brownie Debacle of 2010

I believe in honest and open communication. And that my friends is the whole purpose of this post.

To share with you a tragedy of gross (really!) proportions.

An event so awful, it'd crush most mortals.

An occurrence that could get you arrested in some small countries.

Here's the evidence. I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to be able to do this.

That's right. I burned the brownies.

I admit it.

I confess.

I'm hanging my head in shame.

Hanging up the apron.

Turning in my spatula.

I mean, I did TRY to eat the brownies. Hoping the very middle of the pan would yield some softness.

Alas, not to be.

Please excuse the ultra-white arm. I'm still working on my photo technique.

My arms really aren't that white.

I mean, they ARE white. Pale, pasty white.

But not THAT white.

Back to the brownies. Even ice cream couldn't save these suckers.

















Yes. that's a picture of my trash can. Keepin it raw people. Real n raw. (not the brownies, we know they are burnt).

Oh well. it's a new day, and a new batch of brownies are in my future!

~Allie

America's Next Top (Pug) Model

Our first contestant is a 5 year old male, a native of Texas.

He enjoys being annoying chasing squirrels, barking at traffic being a guard dog, and chewing on stuffies.

 

He claims to be a world class licker kisser, and a total love muffin.

 

He spends his day alternating between snoring beauty rest and patrol duty. Both require no great focus.

 

His smile and silly personality are popular with the crazy pug people viewers. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Bello.

 

Our next contestant is a 6 year old beauty, a native of Oklahoma. She's paranoid spunky, and keeps order in the house.

She is a down to earth girl, who worries constantly takes life very seriously. She's a bit camera shy, and doesn't have as much of a portfolio as our other contestants.

Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Jessie.

Our final contestant is a retired beauty queen, she's a mature 5 years old, and a moody bitch particular about her photo shoots.

She enjoys reminding everyone that she's now retired, and doesn't have to obey the humans work.

She enjoys shredding paper, digging in the trash, and is focused on environmental preservation, and needs her time away from the peasants alone time.

Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Audrey, or "Dre" for short (as in Doctor Dre..yes)

Luckily our three contestants are also good friends, as evidenced by these pairs photos:

Audrey and Bello

Jessie and Audrey (hmm which one is the attention whore treat lover??)

So, who will get your vote? Stay tuned for next week's photoshoot and challenge!

Hoo Are You Tuesdays

My fabulous crafty friend Michele at The Scrap Shoppe turned me on to this fun blog party with Leslie at Night Owl Crafting. If you want to play along, head over to Night Owl Crafting and link up!



Here are this weeks' questions:
1. Do you have any siblings?
Yes, a younger brother, Tim who is 29, and a younger sister, Kasie who is 31. Here's a picture of us with my dad. I'm ashamed to say this is from 2008 - we REALLY need to take more family pictures. (I have a mission now...)
 

2. Do you have any children?
Fur kids only! Here's 3 of them: Jessie, Audrey, and Bello. Not pictures are my oldest pug, Angel, and my cat, Tally.

3. Are you a morning or night person?

Neither. I wake up early because it's part of my routine, and go to bed early for the same reason. I'm more of a midday to early afternoon person. I've never, ever been a morning person! (you probably don't want to talk to me until I've finished my first cup of coffee, maybe my second too!)


4.Are you organized or spontaneous?

I am a serious planner. Case in point: Mom & I are planning a cruise for next May (yes, that's right - May 2011). We've already booked our pre-cruise hotel in Barcelona, and our post-cruise hotel in Venice. And I'm working on our airfare now.

That said, I try to be flexible, and allow that things may change. Yes, it's hard for me!!
 5. What is your typical 4th of July like? Laid back at home? Community celebrations? etc...?

Usually laid back at home. It's crazy hot in Texas, even at night. And the mosquitos will carry you away. Not to mention I hate the traffic and crowds that the fireworks draw. Yet, I LOVE the fireworks! It's always a dilemma..

A couple of years we've gone to the Texas Rangers' game, and enjoyed the fireworks there. But that goes back to the "it's crazy hot in Texas" issue!

Ah well, we'll see what happens from here.

So, hoo are you??

It's a new day!
~Allie

How NOT to treat your pugs

My pugs are the first to tell you that they are completely neglected. Unloved, pathetic, and sad. The only thing they are allowed to do is lay around.

Audrey is looking for her Nonna (Sarina) to take her home to FL again, while Jessie has to perch are the arm of the couch.

And finally decides it's pointless to ask. I'm so defeated she says

Meanwhile, Jessie has asked our vet for a Prozac prescription

Bello tries to console her by sticking close

It's absolutely hopeless...

Cute Finds

I have a slight addiction to jewelry. Not that I wear a ton of it - I don't. I tend to wear the same basic pieces every day...but that doesn't stop me from buying it! Oh no...I'm a pro!

Here's an adorable owl necklace I found for my mom:

At $10.90, it's a great buy! (ok, even if you wear it 3 times before the chain turns green..)

Here's the other necklace I bought for myself:

Yes, another bargain at $10.90!

Windsor is one of those teeny-bopper type stores, that I wouldn't venture into normally. BUT..I saw these necklaces in the window and made an exception. I'm glad I did!

Check out more of their cool jewelry:

http://www.windsorstore.com/

What fun jewelry finds have you made lately??

Enjoy your new day!