A Look Back at 2008 {And, I've Gone Custom}

One thing you'll learn about me is that I've never been the type of person to get all nostalgic thinking about the past year and the things that have happened to shape my life. And I'm definitely not one to set New Years resolutions. Well, that's all about to change.

I've come to the realization recently that it's time to grow up. I'm in my mid-30's and while I still consider myself a kid at heart, I need to stop living my life like a 22 year old. More about that in my New Years resolutions tomorrow. Today I'd like to highlight some key turning points in my life this year:

We tied the knot!
Jeff and I met in 2004 and had a rather quick courtship. I moved with him from Chicago to Florida in 2005 and we spent the past three years living together {and making sure we were ready to take the plunge}. Getting engaged and married has been the most amazing experience and I'm so thankful for my relationship with my husband. {Love you Jeff!!}

I lost my job and I'm OK with that.
Just three weeks before our wedding my employer gave me the news that they were letting me go. There's a bit more to that story, which I will likely chronicle in another posting, but that's the gist of it. Having been laid off before, I was much more mentally prepared to adjust to a different type of life and schedule. It hasn't been easy, but I truly believe I'm better off for it, even if it means struggling for a bit to get back on my feet. Being one of those "glass half full" types, I'm confident there's something better out there waiting for me.

My family welcomed two new babies, and we lost three beloved family members.
Jeff and I both lost our last living grandparents this year. And Jeff's cousin Amy, just 38 years-old, died suddenly after having a hysterectomy. She left behind a husband and a two year-old daughter. On a brighter note, Jeff's brothers both had babies this year, Grady and Samantha. And they are just absolutely adorable. I'm so excited to be an Aunt.

I've learned not to sweat the small stuff.
This is a big deal for me. Prior to meeting Jeff, I was a complete neat and clean freak. {OK, who am kidding?! I'm still like that, but it's toned down quite a bit.} Living with Jeff and his 13 year-old son Eric has forced me to let some things go. If the floor isn't clean, it's okay. If Eric wants to throw his socks all over his room I'm surprisingly calm about it. To my amazement, this attitude is helping me in other ways. I've learned how to chill out driving in this crazy South Florida traffic {snowbirds and senior citizens sharing the road is a disaster waiting to happen}. I take a deep breath when I head out to the grocery store because in the past I used to get really uptight about rude people, the bagger who throws my meat in with the Clorox, and the little old lady who wants to cut in front of me in line. I've learned it doesn't pay to get worked up about these kinds of things. And let me tell you, my blood pressure is much lower for it!

And finally, I started blogging!
This blog has taken off in a way I never expected and I'm so thankful for it. Writing and sharing bits and pieces of my life has been a lifesaver and a much-needed creative outlet. And perhaps more importantly, I've met so many wonderful people! Thank you to all the readers out there. Please feel free to follow me and comment! I really enjoy the social interaction and hearing from you.

And speaking of this blog...I now have a custom domain!
You'll find me at www.verymissy.com within the next 48 hours or so. No blogspot in the address. Please update your links. :)

I hope everyone enjoys their New Year's Eve parties and celebrations. Here's a healthy 2009 filled with happiness, laughter, and love.

Cheers,
Missy

Chicago Trip, Part Deux

This post is way overdue. Talk about slacking off! I've been home from Chicago for over a week now. But you know what? I've been trying to chillll out and relax these past few days because next week it's time to hit the job search pavement again. In the meantime, I'm taking advantage of the awesome weather we're having here in South Florida. After the nasty snow and sub-zero temps I experienced in Chicago, I'm really appreciating a day like today:

I had the entire pool all to myself!!

So, without further adieu, here's my Chicago hit list and pics of some things I bought along the way...

Do you have a Kleenex?
First of all, my allergies were in HIGH GEAR the moment I landed at O'Hare. Stuffed up, coughing, dry throat, sneezing, the whole nine yards. It was so weird! I suffer from seasonal allergies but they're usually terrible in the summer, not the winter. I felt like an 8 year old again with my Mom putting a humidifier in my room.

Angora and I do not get along
I made the fatal mistake of wearing a cute set of pink Angora gloves with a matching hat and scarf to my sister's doctoral graduation and spent the whole day wondering why the hell my face felt so itchy, and where was all this FUZZ coming from?! It was awful. I had to get up during the ceremony and go to the ladies room to scratch my neck, blow my nose, and cough. Not fun. Oh, and then I nearly ate it walking down the stairs at the Auditorium Theatre because the stairway was so dark. Here's a pic of my family with my sister on graduation day.

The pink angora scarf in action.

The Metra Fiasco
The trip into the city for my sister's graduation was a delicate balance of patience and persistence. It snowed the night before, and was still "snowing to beat the band" as my Mom said, the morning of the graduation. I persuaded my parents to take the Metra into the city after A LOT of negotiation. Can they be any more stubborn? My Dad was dead set on driving {and swearing under his breath about it}. My Mom was convinced we would not be able to figure out the Metra schedule or park in one of the FIVE Metra stations near their house. Incredible. We finally made it to the station, but only after I pushed both of them out the door just 20 minutes before the train departed. What is it about your parents getting older and suddenly becoming the biggest lollygaggers on the face of the planet?

Can I get a fork?
I certainly don't miss the Chicago winters, but I'm absolutely homesick for deep dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, hot dogs, and big, gooey, apple pancakes. What's ironic about this? Living in Chicago my entire life I took these culinary treats for granted. It's like living near a popular tourist attraction. Yea, it's there. But you've only gone once or twice. For me, eating Italian beef wasn't a weekly occurrence. Pizza, yes. Hot dogs, just once in a great while.

No matter. My parents and sister made it a point to take me to all my old haunts: Lou Malnati's {THE BEST DEEP DISH PIZZA, PERIOD}, Portillo's {Italian Beef, Hot Dogs, YUM}, Big Bowl {I'm in love with their Ginger Mint Tea and Chicken Potstickers with three dipping sauces}, Potbelly's for toasted sub sandwiches, and Walker Bros. for the best damn breakfast food. The Apple Pancake is killer and their coffee is to die for. This place is so good that I bundled up with double layers and drove {waaayy} out to the Walker Bros. in Lake Zurich to meet a friend for breakfast on the coldest day in Chicago since 1996. Yea, I'm nuts. But that coat I bought before the trip? It totally paid for itself.

Target, I Heart You
There is something about the Target near my parents house. I ALWAYS find something there, and this time it was a set of warm winter PJs. And I totally needed these because I get cold in my house with my husband and his love of the AC. I think he was a penguin in a past life.

Ok, so how festive are these?

Here's the V-neck top and matching detail on the pant leg.

Marshall Fields, um, I mean, Macy's at Northbrook Court? I love your purse selection!
My sister and I spent over an hour looking through all the handbags. Nearly everything was on sale and I suddenly got the urge to buy something. I had a Macy's gift card burning in my wallet from my wedding and decided I was going to use it. So after much debate, I selected a DKNY bag {it's not quite a purse, not quite a tote}. And guess how much I paid? $17!! {after the Macy's sale, an extra discount, and then my gift card. It originally sold for $175.} I ended up leaving my other purse at my parent's house since it wouldn't fit into my carry-on.

Alright, now that I got that out of my system it's time to start talking about New Year's resolutions! Woo hoo! {That's me being sarcastic.} Stay tuned...

Chicago furniture store mocks da Guv. Luv it!!

A Chicago-area furniture store, LeatherCreations, took out this quarter-page ad in the Chicago Tribune last week Thursday. A very clever print ad and marketing tactic. Guess we have Illinois Democratic Govenor Rod Blagojevich to thank for that!

I can't stop laughing.

I made these holiday videos featuring myself, my husband, my 13 year-old stepson, and our two cats, Cookie and Doughie. I'm sure it's only funny to us, but I couldn't resist sharing! Oh, and my husband is pouting because the day I took the picture it was really cold outside. He doesn't normally look like that, I swear.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/l58e62p1BHzq1bCmUezv

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/2lqVypja4Ovxweow

P.S. These videos expire on 01/15/09.

Yay hoo!!

I received this email today:

Subject: Jen Lancaster confirmed you as a friend on Facebook...

Jen confirmed you as a friend on Facebook.

To view Jen's profile or write on her Wall, follow this link:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?profile.php&id=538200780

Thanks,
The Facebook Team

How high did I jump when I saw this email? I can't help it. I'm such a fan of Jen Lancaster and often find that her life mirrors my own. We'd probably be friends in a parallel universe. But in this life, Facebook.

Strap Perfect? Right.

I just saw this infomercial for the Strap Perfect. Are you kidding me? I'd like to know who is buying this contraption and how they are putting it on their bra straps without assistance?!?

BTW, blog topics to come: Part II of my Chicago trip, the lists I'm making (I'm all about lists), and my 2009 New Year resolutions, also know as Project 2009: Get My Act Together.

Until then, I'm off to bake some Russian Tea Cookies so I can eat them before the effective date of my New Year resolutions. Because one of the resolutions includes losing 20 lbs!

This is not a good idea.

I asked my husband to pick up some Egg Nog from the store and this is what he brought home. XXX full strength Egg Nog made with Bourbon Whiskey, Blended Whiskey, Rum and Brandy.

There should be a warning label on the bottle. Something like, "Your lips will become numb the moment you taste this sweet, forbidden elixir. Dizziness may occur. Do not operate heavy machinery. May induce babbling about how much you love this Egg Nog and other crazy nonsense. And will definitely give you a hangover the next day."

Yep, this is how much I drank last night:

Is John Candy still alive?

I'm going to chronicle my Chicago trip from finish to start. So that means I must first tell you about my horrendous flight on Spirit Airlines out of O'Hare to Fort Lauderdale. And I'm sorry this is so long, but it's necessary.

Oh...where to begin?!?

After standing in the Spirit Security line for nearly 10 minutes without moving an inch forward, an airport official counts off 30 heads and asks us to proceed to a different Security checkpoint. Right off the bat the trip was starting to smell bad. So to speak...

Now, I'm in no rush to get to the gate. It's only 3 p.m. and the flight isn't scheduled to leave for another hour, at least. I decide to slow down my pace to a leisurely stroll. I'm walking through the gate corridor and taking note of every Starbucks, McDonald's, and Hudson News locations so I can map out my final Chicago eating frenzy before I get on my flight. And then I finally reach my gate, L9.

And Gate L9...is for DELTA Airlines.

A slight wave of panic overcomes me when I realize I'm not in the right location. I decide to take a deep breath and assess the situation. I don't see anyone else waiting. Or maybe more importantly, I don't see anyone wearing Tommy Bahama/Tony Soprano-style shirts or the Boca Raton cult color combination of pink and green.

Finally, I spot someone who looks Official and he says to me, "Oh yea, dis is da Spirit gate. You got da right spot, lady." Ahhh....that Chi-caw-go accent, gotta love it.

So I sit down and start waiting. I read a Marie Claire* my mom gave me. I futz around with my iPhone. And I watch the gate window, wondering when the plane will arrive. Oh, and I'm really enjoying the parade of people showing up at the gate and asking about the flight to Fort Lauderdale. Hey, Spirit Airlines? Are you so broke that you can't afford a sign at the gate stating that "This is Spirit Airlines and flight NK425 to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport will be departing from this gate at 4:55 pm"? Of course not. That would be too logical.

FINALLY, after the plane is an hour late arriving at the gate, they begin the boarding process. I suddenly realize that this flight is going to be filled with babies and toddlers. It's like the Baby Express to Grandma's House in Florida. I start to headcount each one and lose track after, like, 12 or so. This is bad. Real bad.

The late, great, John Candy

The only shining beacon of hope is that I've somehow scored a window seat in the Emergency Exit aisle. Woot! I glance at the older gentleman sitting in the aisle seat in my row. He seems completely harmless and immediately reminds me of John Candy. And there isn't anyone sitting in the middle seat! Score again! Ok, maybe this won't be so bad!

After taxing all over O'Hare for nearly another HOUR the flight finally takes off. I promptly put on my iPod and start zoning out. First I'm rocking out to Natasha Bedingfield. At some point I start the head nod and decide to switch to something sleepy. Ooohh, Coldplay. Perfect.

I wake up with a dry mouth -- apparently I was doing the classic airplane nap, mouth wide open. I reach for a swig of my Vitamin Water {XXX Acai-Blueberry-Pomegranate...yum!}. Feeling refreshed, I open my Jen Lancaster book. At that moment, I see THEM.

Ten toes and two nasty looking feet, naked, on the floor, are immediately in my line of sight. And that harmless looking fellow sitting next to me? It's John Candy back from the dead, reviving his role in the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Hat and all.

I take a look around to see if anyone is offended by this public display of naked feet. The guy sitting across the aisle is too absorbed in his Maxim magazine and is drinking a beer. And I can't really see anyone else. So I crouch down in my seat and decide to wrap my scarf around my neck a little higher so it reaches my nose. Then I hold up my book so it covers up The Feet.

His dogs are barking.

At that moment, John Candy starts sneezing and coughing, followed by him saying,"Oh Jee-zus! Good Lord! Christ Almighty! My dogs are BARKING!" Like, loud. And just like the movie. And now he's starting to get dirty looks. {Also? The little girl sitting in front of me started hacking and coughing up a lung. I could not confirm whether she threw up but it sure sounded like it.}

Thank God for my scarf, the veil through which no smelly smells could penetrate.

Finally, after nearly 2 hours of excruciating glances at The Feet followed by a quick Jen Lancaster book cover-up to hide said feet, the pilot announces we're landing. And you know what? I look over at John Candy and would you believe this guy got on the plane {mind you, in Chicago, in negative degree temps} WITHOUT SOCKS?!? Nope. No socks.

I have nothing more to say about this. It's just too gross.

* Marie Claire's December 2008 issue features the "40 Things You Don't Know About Jessica Simpson" article. Thank God for that. I haven't been able to sleep without this crucial information. Ken Paves, Jessica Simpson's hair stylist, reveals that Jessica only uses shampoo once or twice a month. The rest of the month she simply rinses her hair and applies conditioner.

Let me assure you, this doesn't work. I tried it.

A Belated Happy Happy!

I'm back from my whirlwind Chicago trip and want to say Happy Holidays to all!! Upon my return, Cookie promptly jumped on my big, fake shearling coat and told me that I'm not allowed to go anywhere. Ever. Again. Unless I take her with me.

Now I'm shifting gears and spending the rest of the week with my husband's brother, his wife, and their adorable son who are in town from Brooklyn. I get excited when they visit not only because I really like them, but also because Mike, my brother-in-law, went to bartending school and he makes really good drinks. Last night I had a Vodka Gimlet and drank it a little toooo fast. I think I ate dinner with one eye open. LOL. Today we are scheming on how to make the perfect Egg Nog drink. Will report back on that.

Other posts to come: My trip to Chicago, the AWFUL sub-degree temps, my terrible allergies and EXTREME allergy to Angora (!!!), the fiasco of getting my parents on the Metra {also known as the Metra Fiasco} and how I ate my way through the city {also known as Lou Malnati's, Walker Bros, and Big Bowl}.

Oh, and let it be known here and now: I'm sooooo thankful for warm weather and my Reef Flip Flops!!

I'm Out of the Office

Dear Followers and People Who Stumble Upon This Blog,

I'll be out for a few days, spending my time in wintry, icy, snowy, blistery Chicago. My sister is receiving her PhD and this is a Very Big Deal in my family.

Until then, please catch up on some old posts. Thanks, I really appreciate your following and support. :)

Cheers!
Missy

Oh, and PS? If I can catch a wireless signal at my parent's house (they're still using dial up!!) I'll try to Twitter a bit here and there. I can only imagine the adventures in store.

Top Chef? Please Pack Your Knives and Go.

{Spoiler Alert} First of all, I'm very happy that Jamie didn't win tonight's Quick Fire Challenge judged by Martha Stewart. Jamie's ego is much too big and she needs to GET OVER HERSELF. Hey Jamie, there's a reason why you're not winning the Quick Fires, and it's simply because your dishes are, well, overly simple.

So, after Jeff and I debated who would be "packing their knives", we see the three contestants lined up at Judges' Table: Jamie, Gene, and Melissa. After hearing the judges discuss the low points of their three dishes, I figured it was SO obvious that Jamie would be going home. Yay-hoo! Right? I mean, she served a raw, slimy scallop. And the judges thought that was completely unforgiving.

But nooooo. Head Judge {and resident cutie, I might add} Tom Colicchio decides he needs to have a little Heart-2-Heart with all the chefs. He's extremely disappointed with the food and wants them to know it. So what does he do? After the full hour of us hoping and praying that Jamie is going to be sent packing? He tells everyone "Hey, it's the holidays, so I'm going to cut all of you a break. We're not sending anyone home this week."

WTF? This is the single reason why I watch this show -- to see who is getting voted off Top Chef Island!! And you know what? Jamie should've gone home. I'm tired of seeing her sourpuss face and complaining that everyone {ie Ariane - love her!} but her keeps winning. Obviously you're not a Top Chef, Jamie. {Wow, I'm on a mean streak.}

I'm in Denial

I'm leaving for Chicago tomorrow. It's nearly 80 degrees here in Florida. I'm walking around in flip flops and doing everything to avoid packing. Because packing involves coming face to face with winter weather items like socks, warm jammies, and a pair of boots. And I'm not having it. Boo.

Also? I'm really not looking forward to going through the airports. I have this thing about public places and germs. It's not a crazy obsessive thing, but I just hate being around a lot of people in the winter months when colds and the flu are running rampant. I whip out my Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea Hand Sanitizer like every 30 seconds.

I've strategically planned my packing for a 4.5 day trip using one carry-on suitcase. I refuse to pay Spirit Airlines $15 to check my bag. And I know how the baggage claim can be at O'Hare and I have no plans to stand there waiting and staring at a non-moving baggage carousel for 30 minutes.

Ok, so my Mom just called me to announce that Chicago is expecting an ice storm tomorrow afternoon, right when I should be arriving. Great.

Dear Neighbor,

Today I learned from your house guest "Doreen" that you FINALLY bought your dog Hailey a collar that releases Chamomile or Lavender or something quirky like that to make her stop barking. I CAN BARELY CONTAIN MYSELF! After three years of listening to Hailey bark incessantly at the sky for hours on end, today is a day to be celebrated!

Honestly? I think my husband may have finally gotten through to you. You see, he finds you particularly interesting since you admitted to him that you're a lesbian. {Believe me, his ears perked up!} And since you both like to chat over a cigarette, I told Jeff to start planting gentle little hints here and there that we are {more than} a little tired of hearing your dog bark at all hours of the night.

Trust me, I considered saying something to you many times but I couldn't bear unnecessary tension between us. The dog aside, you're a good neighbor and the only person in the neighborhood who has bothered to be friendly. Everyone else around here keeps to themselves and that's been a big disappointment to me and Jeff. Plus? I feel for you. You suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety issues {more admissions to Jeff} and I do sympathize. We may joke about you being the lesbian neighbor, we may be DYING to know who Doreen really is, we may like to kid around and call you Diggity Dawn once in a while, but in the end you're a nice neighbor. A nice Jewish neighbor, as Jeff would say.

Now, if you don't mind, I'm off to enjoy the peace and quiet. And a silent, blissful evening of uninterrupted sleep.

Happy Holidays,

Missy & Jeff,
your ecstatic next door neighbors

P.S. You're off my shit list.

Chili Burgundy (Or, How to Win Over Your Man)

This recipe comes from my old boss when I worked in Chicago. She had a party at her house one winter evening and served this amazing chili, unlike any chili I'd ever tasted. Although I'm biased, I can tell you time and again this chili reigns as my favorite. {I made this last night and I caught my husband eating a bowl at 6 am this morning!! He LOVES it!}

The key to the chili is Burgundy wine. You must use Burgundy. I've tried to cheat using other red wines like a Merlot but the depth of flavor just isn't the same. Burgundy can be tricky to locate in your grocery store's wine section...it's usually sold in the cheaper wine section in a gigantic wine bottle. This can be good thing if you want to serve it with the chili. If not, you're better off purchasing a bottle from a liquor store so you don't end up with so much wine.

The recipe calls for ground beef but I've found that using ground turkey meat with a fat content of at least 7% works really well, and trust me, they'll never be able to tell the difference. If you use turkey, make sure it's NOT the Extra Lean, 99% fat free kind. I made this mistake once and it turned out awful because the meat was so white and dry. Also, the measurements are fairly exact but I'll modify things as I cook...sometimes I'll add another dash of Worcestershire sauce, or a little bit more celery if I want.

Let me know if you make this! Enjoy!

Missy's Chili Burgundy {Brand this as your own and put your name in front of the recipe!}

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 lbs ground beef or turkey
2. 1 large sweet yellow onion
3. 1 large green pepper
4. 5 stalks of celery {Celery hearts are best. Use the leaves! They're full of flavor.}
5. 2 cloves of garlic
   
6. 8 oz can of tomato sauce
7. 1 lb can of whole peeled tomatoes {San Marzano variety are best}
8. 1/4 - 1/2 cup Burgundy wine {More or less depending on your preference}
9. 1 teaspoon salt
10. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11. 2 teaspoons chili powder
12. 2 teaspoons onion powder
13. 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
14. 1 Tablespoon sugar
15. 2 beef bouillon cubes
16. 1 15 oz can dark kidney beans
    
17. 1 15 oz can light kidney beans

Instructions

1. Dice the celery, green pepper, onion, and garlic.
2. Drain and rinse the beans thoroughly. Set aside.
   
3. Brown the meat on medium high. Drain off any excess fat.
   
4. Add the celery, green pepper, onion and garlic to the meat. Let the ingredients sweat down for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add the 8 oz can of tomato sauce and stir.
6. Add the salt, pepper, chili powder, onion powder, sugar, bouillon cubes, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Add the whole tomatoes and the juices from the can. Mash the tomatoes into the chili and simmer for another 30 minutes.
8. Add the 1/4 cup wine. Simmer for 30 minutes.
9. Taste the chili and decide if it could use a little more wine. This is the point in the recipe where you'll be able to tell if it's just right or if it needs another 1/4 cup.
10. Finally, add the beans. Do this closer to the time you serve the chili so the beans do not become mushy. The chili can easily simmer for another 30 minutes at this point.

Perfect alone or top with freshly grated cheddar cheese or a dollop of sour cream. I've also served the chili over elbow macaroni or ditalini pasta. Happy eating!

Even People Living in Florida Need a Little Chili

I made a big pot of Chili Burgundy tonight. But I'm watching Intervention on A&E and I'm too damn lazy right now to share the recipe. Tomorrow, fo sho.

It's Only Monday and Already I Feel Like Throwing in the Towel.

I'm in the midst of a job search since being laid off in mid-October {just three weeks shy of my wedding, I might add}. For nearly 15 years I've built a career around corporate communications, marketing, and public relations. In Chicago, the professional communicators community is a robust, thriving group with no lack of networking and job opportunities primarily thanks to the amount of FORTUNE 500 corporations located in the Chicago area. Down here in South Florida, however, it's a completely different story.

The job search isn't going so well. This has got me down is a major way. There are definitely jobs out there, but it's all about who you know and being in the right place at the right time. Take, for instance, the response from a LinkedIn message I received this morning:

"Hello. Thanks for your email regarding the Communications Manager position. If you'd like to send your resume to me, my email address is blahblahblah.org. I am aware that we are well into the interview process with 2 final candidates but I will forward your information to the interview team nonetheless."

Um, excuse me, but I don't get it. This position just posted last week! And you're already in the final selection stage?!

I also received a call from a former colleague who wanted to pass my resume along for a marketing position with her company. "It's a great organization and I really like the hiring manager," she said. She pauses and seems to be taking a deep breath. Then she says, "The only catch is that the annual compensation is $48k. Are you OK with that?" Um, no, I'm not. I certainly don't want to limit myself, especially in this economy. But that would be a significant pay cut. This colleague also mentioned that the position's been open since April and "the hiring manager already reviewed 400 resumes and she's determined to find the right person." Talk about red flags.

When I was laid off last year it took me three months to find a new job. Something tells me that I could be in for a longer haul this time around.

This? This is Not Fried Chicken.

Let's just say it's not such a good idea to rely on a scone recipe from Southerner Paula Deen. Because she's Southern, not British?

The other day I went to Whole Foods with blueberries on my shopping list for this scone recipe. Instead, I became completely swept up in the holiday spirit, Whole Foods style, sniffing the organic cinnamon-scented wreaths, sampling a Clementine, and tasting a bit of organic mulled apple cider.

Tonight as I prepared all the scone ingredients I realized I forgot to buy blueberries! Shit! Now what?

I considered substituting a package of chopped pecans left over from a Thanksgiving pie I made. That didn't sound very appetizing. So, of course, I consulted the Food Network web site. And that's where I found Paula Deen's recipe for Sour Cream Scones. Turns out I had sour cream in my fridge so I decided to give it a shot.

Honestly, I don't know what happened. But these scones do not look like scones. And they do not taste like scones. They look like fried chicken and taste like biscuits.

Go ahead, you can laugh. I sure did!

What Christmas Looks Like When Your Husband is Jewish

I'm Catholic. My husband is Jewish. When we moved to Florida, my yearly Christmas celebration slowly dwindled to ornaments and reindeers. On a certain level I let this happen.

One of my favorite ornaments.

You'd think I'd be dying to have a tree since I grew up decorating a fake one year after year. Well, you see, my parents--as much as I love them--didn't exactly make the tree trimming a fun occasion. That fake tree sat in a box on our basement shelf year after year, stuck behind boxes of God-knows-what. Same thing with the ornaments. And the nativity sets my Mom made in her 80's ceramics class. Then there was the Advent calendar, the electric blue garland, and the Mr. & Mrs. Claus stuffed animals. And on and on. Taking these boxes out year after year was such a chore. Right around the time I turned 14 or 15 this suddenly didn't seem fun and that feeling followed me into adulthood.

Jeff's Jewish religion allows me to pull away from the decorating frenzy I experienced as a child. I have completely embraced that and it's quite liberating! So here's a little sampling of the decorations around the house. I think the ornaments hanging from the chandelier are tacky but I figure a few days out of the year can't hurt. Plus? Everything fits into one plastic container in our storage and that makes me very happy.

Silly? Deal with it. :)

Doughie and Cookie checking out the fake mice on their stocking.

Mmm, I really want to eat this.

A happy snowman & his winter white deer friends greet you at our front door.

Hair Salon Follow Up

As previously reported, I was a little freaked out about putting my hair in the hands of a different stylist today. Thankfully my color mixture, or whatever you call it, was saved in Joe's color book. The color turned out great and no complaints...until the last few minutes of the appointment.

All you Shampoo Girls {and Boys}? Why oh why do you forget that I have EARS and that I really do not like to get water in them? And why do I have to remind you about this practically every time I have my hair washed for a cut or color appoinment? Shouldn't this be a given, that I'm going to have two ears which should be treated, well, like EARS?

Also? There is nothing worse than coming home after a color appointment to discover slimy leftover color settling into your earlobes, practically needing its own zip code.

This hair coloring thing is for the birds. Now I remember why I loved highlights and lowlights so much. All foil, no mess. God I hope I find a job soon.

What Would You Do?

I'm scheduled for a single process color* tomorrow and the hair salon just called to tell me that Joe, my gay and fabulous hair guy, got into a car accident and won't be back for a few WEEKS! I can't decide if I'm in shock about that, or about the accident.

Anyway, the lady on the phone told me that Joe has all his formulas written down and there should be no problem at all if I want to keep the appointment. I hesitated for a few seconds too long and then she said, "It should be fine because we have your color formulas." Hmmm.

So I kept the appointment but I'll be going to a different stylist. And I'm a little worried. I would hold off, but with the holidays coming, not to mention my pending trip to Chicago, I can't be walking around with my roots hanging out for all the world to see! What would you do?

*A single process color? This is code for I'm unemployed and can't afford highlights, lowlights, or any lights for that matter. And forget about the blow-dry and style for the additional $35. At that price I'll be walking out of the salon with a head of wet hair.

Mascara Chat!

When you're laid off, unemployed, and stuck in your house wearing your PJs until all hours of the day, a trip to Whole Foods suddenly seems like a night at the opera! Or a bar! I get very excited to put on real outfits and do my make-up. The downside is coming home after the trip and realizing you're still dressed up with nowhere to go. {Hence my new evening ritual of making a Dirty Martini so I can extend the outfit and make-up...but that's a story for another time.}

I was applying my mascara today as I prepared for said trip and thought it might be useful {or maybe totally useless?} to share my favorite mascaras with you. Some women are blessed with high cheekbones, shiny hair, or long legs. Me? I've got long lashes. The kind that makes the department store beauty counter women practically jump at me with their latest mascara products. As a child, my lashes would stick together and my Mom would help to detach them. As I grew older, I realized my BFF would always be a lash curler, for without it my uncurled lashes would look like spider legs.

So here are my three favorite mascaras at different price points. All three are really good but for different reasons. I select the mascara depending on what's anticipated during the day {ie, humidity in Florida or crying my eyes out at the drop of a hat}.

Every Day, Affordable, Mascara for All Occasions
L'Oreal's Voluminous Mascara for $7.50

I've used this mascara for years and I continue to believe it's one of the best drugstore mascaras you can buy. The wand is thick and is great for applying multiple layers. Stands up to humidity.

Mid-Priced Department Store Mascara
MAC's Fibre Rich Lash for $12.00

This creates really awesome, fat, chunky lashes with its wand and the fibre in the mascara. I use this when I go out, or when I want a little more oomph. The only downside is that it isn't available in waterproof.

High-End Luxurious Splurge Mascara
Chanel's Inimitable Waterproof Mascara for $28.00

I bought this specifically for my wedding. It's absolutely incredible. I suffer from allergies and my eyes tend to water. This mascara will not move. The wand applies the mascara evenly, doesn't clump, and gives you that Red Carpet look without looking overdone. Love, love!

Finally, I am a HUGE fan of Shu Uemura's Eyelash Curler. I can't tell you how many years {not to mention $$} I spent using those drugstore brand curlers when one day I discovered Shu Uemura. It was like the clouds parted and the Gods began to sing. What a difference! It is absolutely worth the price {$19}. The curler comes with two eyelash pads and I usually can make it through a year until I need a new curler. Rather than tossing the old curler, I keep it in my purse or my {currently non-existent} desk at work.

What are your favs?

Oh the Joys of Marriage!

I've just returned home from The Pit of Hell otherwise known as the Social Security Office. Hey Knot.com? Where's your feature story about the mental and physical preparation needed for this Very Important Trip You Must Make After Marriage?

I thought about giving you a blow-by-blow of my afternoon spent in this awful, stuffy, crowded, germy, no-place-to-sit-down office. I considered telling you how my ticket number said "D-550" and how they were calling numbers randomly like 129, and then A-448, and then D-521. And I wondered if you really wanted to know about all the good people watching at the office while I stood there in the corner near the Men's bathroom shifting from one leg to the other and holding my breath every time a new number was called.

Nah, you don't want to hear about all that nonsense.

I finally saw a case worker after a two hour wait. It could have been worse, I suppose. But the best thing about this story? The best part is that my awesome husband went with me. Normally I'm very capable of doing things like this on my own. But in this case I questioned the office location because, honestly? It was located in a sketchy neighborhood {yes, there are parts of South Florida that are quite ghetto} and I didn't feel comfortable going there by myself. So, thank you Jeff. Thank you for being there and spending those two brutal hours waiting in line with me. I love you. :)

Everyone Needs a Moosie (Another Shameless Post About My Cats)

Here's my other cat, Cookie. She's incredibly independent and somewhat snobby at times whereas Doughie is a major love bug. Cookie's demeanor would lead you to believe she is quite the adult cat. Well, she is at least during the day!

At night it's a completely different story. When Cookie was a kitten, I happened to see these adorable Moose toys in the $1 Bargain Bin at Target. They're actually baby toys with a rattle inside. But for $1? I figured I'd buy two, one for each cat.

We started to notice that the Moosies {as we have come to affectionately call them} would show up every night in our bedroom in various places like next to our bed or in the closet. And we weren't sure who was playing with them...Cookie or Doughie? Well one night Jeff got up for a glass of water and caught Cookie red-handed with a Moosie in her mouth. Jeff said she seemed embarrassed, dropped the Moose, and ran off.

So now that we know the deal, the Moosie game is a nightly occurrence. Last night Cookie was crying like a baby and the noises made me sit straight up in bed. Sure enough, there she was with the Moose in her mouth. I've come to believe that the Moosies are her security blanket. She also likes to drop these in our room, almost like she is leaving us a little gift every night. It's just too sweet and makes me smile every morning.

If I May Vent for a Moment?

Job searching, without a doubt, is itself a full-time job. The following drove me mad today and I need to whine and complain, if only to make myself feel better. I'm also curious, is it just me, or do you also find these things challenging?

1.) Can I just say what a PAIN it is to do a cover letter for a job application?

2) Is there anything more dreadful than being directed to the employer's web site from the job search site, only to discover that it is required to fill out your entire work history? What is the point of uploading your resume if you must supply this information all over again in a series of never-ending pages of empty fields?

3) "Please provide salary history" makes my stomach churn. I turn into a Nervous Nelly hoping I'm not pointing too high and risking my chances of an interview.

4) I began to apply for a position with a healthcare organization and promptly stopped the application when they wanted my Social Security Number. There is something very unsettling about that, even if it's a legitimate part of their hiring process. What if I never get called in for an interview? Now they have my SSN. What do they do with it, and who has access to their job candidate records?

5) "Must be bilingual" is always a deal breaker for me. Living in South Florida I come across quite a few positions that require you to know Spanish or Portuguese, or both. At one time I could read and write in Spanish but I drank too much in college and it all went right out the window! Today I saw a position that I was ready to apply for, and then I read "must speak Canadian French" listed as one of the job requirements and I started to pout.

Recipe Swap 2008!

Shelby Nycole is hosting Recipe Swap 2008 with fellow bloggers. What a neat idea! Here's my contribution. Please visit Shelby's site to contribute and be sure to leave a comment pointing to your blog/recipe. Happy Holidays!

Spinach Gratin, Courtesy of Ina Garten

Ingredients
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
4 cups chopped yellow onions (2 large)
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon fresh, grated nutmeg
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups milk
3 pounds frozen chopped spinach, defrosted (five 10 ounce packages)
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese (Note: I like to add a little more than this)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Squeeze as much liquid as possible from the spinach and set aside. The best method to do this is using cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel by placing the spinach in the cloth and wringing the liquid out over a bowl or the sink. For more about this, see below.

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saute pan over medium heat.
Add the onions and saute until the onions are translucent, about 15 minutes.
Add the flour and nutmeg and cook, stirring for about 2 more minutes.
Add the cream and milk and cook until thickened.
Add the spinach to the sauce.
Add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese and mix well. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Transfer the spinach to a large baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and the Gruyere on top. Bake 20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve hot.

About This Recipe
I've made this for a few years now and it's turned into a popular holiday request with my husband's family. This is a decadent, calorie-laden dish so it's not something I normally make during the year. But if you make it, I guarantee it will quickly become a favorite with your family and friends.

I've experimented with different methods to wring out the liquid from the spinach. One year I used a salad spinner thinking that it would be such a no-brainer -- how easy would that be! WRONG. It was such a mess! The spinach was all over the bowl and no matter how long I spun the spinner, liquid still kept creeping out. The best method is to use cheesecloth which you can purchase from a specialty store like Bed Bath & Beyond. Cheesecloth is a very fine mesh and lint-free cloth, perfect for this sort of task.

If you are bringing this dish to your friend's or family's house, I make the entire recipe up to baking part. Then I put the grated Parmesan and Gruyere cheeses in a container and bake the dish in my family or friend's oven.

Enjoy!

Risotto, Straight Up

I didn't make it to the grocery store this weekend so tonight I got creative and made dinner with the items I had on hand in our pantry. When I realized I had everything to make Risotto I just went with it. Made this with a side of broccoli...very satisfying for a Sunday night winter meal. Apparently it was good because there are just a few bites left!

Risotto with butter, onion, chicken stock,
some white wine, and lots of stirring.
Topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

My Cat Loves Warm Laundry

I threw the clean towels on our bed, got a phone call, and came back to discover Doughie buried in our laundry. She's a little cross-eyed. How can you resist something so adorable? I'm a sucker for her.

Yay for David and Téa

I'm a former X-Files fanatic and spent much of my life in the mid-late 90's being completely obsessed with All Things David Duchovny. Actually, that's putting it mildly. Let's not go there otherwise I might get misty eyed. {Oh how I longed for David to be my boyfriend, dreaming about him every night, vowing to watch all the X-Files reruns on FX...damn that Scully!} Ahem. Anyway, I still have a thing for Mulder, um, I mean David, and probably always will.

That's why I was so elated to read in The Star {the Gold Standard for Journalism, ha-ha} that David and his wife Téa are possibly getting back together after being separated allegedly due to David's sex addiction and subsequent treatment in a rehab facility. I cannot even imagine the stress that must put on a marriage.

Married for 11 years, that's nearly a lifetime for celebrities in Hollywood. Good for them. This story made me happy. Even if David is my imaginary boyfriend. :)

Guilty Purchase of the Week

I'm heading to Chicago in a few weeks and now that I've lived in Florida for 3 years, my winter coat supply has dwindled down to one lightweight black quilted jacket. It's just not going to cut it for the cold December weather and winds, plus I've turned into a HUGE cold weather wimp. {And to think I used to walk outside in the winter with a head of wet hair when I was in college.}

Prior to moving, I left a bunch of sweaters, scarves, gloves, boots, and a down coat in my parents' basement for trips just like this. However, that was three years ago and who knows what sort of condition they're in {ie, smelling like a basement?}. So...this led to a late night online shopping excursion which left me feeling some buyer's remorse. Especially because I'm in the midst of job searching and spending money on a winter coat isn't exactly a good thing. I'm gonna wear this coat a total of four days and then it will sit in my closet.

My strategy for purchasing this coat boiled down to three things: 1) It must be on sale. 2) It needs to have a shelf life and look timeless so I can wear it again and again {who the hell am I kidding?}. And 3) if I can wrangle an additional discount at checkout, that would be really awesome.

Over at Nordstrom.com, I was able to find a coat that fit the bill AND they're currently offering free shipping on orders over $100. So I bought this for $123.00. Not bad. But I still feel so guilty about it.

Possessed?

What's with that crazy, Grover-like voice that comes out of Ann Burrell, chef and host of the Food Network show "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef"?!?!

It makes me crazy. She's all, "I'm roasting our lovely winter veg...Why? Because BROWN FOOD TASTES GOOD." {read with the Grover voice}

God it's so annoying.

And P.S.? Why does she call extra virgin olive oil "Earl"?? Am I missing something?

My Wedding

Shorty after our wedding ceremony, Angie, my wedding coordinator with the amazing Delray Beach Marriott Hotel, took me into our reception room for a peek at the flowers and tables as our guests enjoyed cocktails and hors' dourves. What I saw took my breath away...

Key Lime Mousse and White Buttercream Frosting with Fondant...yum.

Our beautiful sweetheart table.

Oh how I love blue Hydrangeas! What you can't see are the tiny LED lights in the vase.
The tables sparkled with the lights and candles.

Here's another shot of the tables.

What is it about the color combination of light blue and chocolate brown? Somehow they just work. These photos aren't the greatest but they're all I have until the photographer posts the pictures online...more soon!

Flowers and table arrangements: Dream Makers by Rose Kish

Mmm...Milk & Cookies

Since being laid off I started shopping at Publix {the horror!} because I'm on a budget and my beloved Whole Foods puts my credit card on Full Tilt.

So, I'm walking down the Sugar/Baking aisle at Publix {with the sole intention of purchasing a box of Splenda for my coffee} when I suddenly become distracted by a "Buy One, Get One" sign pointing to CHIPS AHOY COOKIES. Oh no. I've got me so serious trouble.

Before I know it, I've got two packages of cookies in my cart. And now I'm heading to the Organic section for my favorite milk.

And what do we have, people? At least two month's worth of cookies and fresh, cold, delicious milk sitting in my fridge, calling for me every evening before I go to bed. Not good.

You Ask, I Tell

My parents gave me the nickname Missy and it's stuck with me forever. I don't even respond to my full name, Melissa. Having the nickname Missy can be awkward in important adult settings, like the office. Because can you really take an adult seriously walking around with the name Missy? Right? As a result, my yet-to-be-born child will have a name that cannot be morphed into a nickname. Like...Kate. Or Maggie.

Very Busy Not Looking for a Job

It's funny, if you've ever been unemployed have you noticed how quickly the time goes by during the day? Normally I'd be sitting in the office looking at the clock on my computer, feeling as if the clock wasn't moving...always around 3 p.m. for some reason. 3:01...3:04...3:07...

The past few days I've found myself amazed how the days are flying by and thinking I wouldn't be able to hold down a full-time job right now even if I wanted to. My 90 year old paternal grandmother passed away recently and I spent a few days bumming around my house, unable to do anything because of my grief. Around the same time, my husband had an outpatient procedure to correct an umbilical hernia. That put him out of commission for a week. Then yesterday we got word that Jeff's stepfather collapsed at home and was rushed to the hospital. So today we're heading out to stay at the hospital so my mother-in-law can go home for a little bit.

Throughout it all, I am glad to be available to help and realize that perhaps I'm unemployed right now because I need to help others. That's really the point here. But boy, it sure is hard to not feel a tinge of guilt every day that goes by when I haven't job searched and sent out resumes. The lack of motivation doesn't help, either.