Top 15 Recipes of 2010

I have been a worthless human being today.

I still haven't changed out of my pajamas, and my back hurts from lying on the couch for so long.  I'd love to be able to say that I'm sick (even though I don't actually want to be sick) or that I have some other good reason for being such a disgusting fatbody today, but I don't.  Just laziness.

What makes it even worse is that today is Matt's super long day at work, and my laziness draws a stark contrast to his grueling day.  If I were Matt, I'd be hating me right now. 

Maybe I'll bake him cookies. 

Or pour him a glass of bourbon when he walks in the door.

(Sorry, we're the last two people on the planet to get into Mad Men, and we've been watching several episodes a night.  Boy, that Don sure is dapper!)

Anyway, one of the only things I have done today (other than watch 16 and Pregnant on On Demand--which is much more base than just watching it when it comes on tv.  I had to seek out 16 and Pregnant to watch it, and I did, and that makes me a horrible person.) is read other people's blogs, and many of them have been doing these "best of 2010" things.  I actually kind of hate those posts, but I kind of love them, too. 

So, I've gone back and forth about whether I should do one, but now since I can basically either do this post or get off my ass and get on the elliptical machine, I'm going to do the post.  Ellipting is hard.

Okay, so these are my fifteen favorite new recipes from 2010. 

First up, appetizers.  My favorite appetizers from 2010 are: (click on the link to get the recipe)

Redipulous!  This stuff is stupid good, and I'm almost afraid to make it because it's so good and I would eat all of it by myself.  I think I'm going to try to make a healthier version so that I can eat the whole thing by myself and not feel as guilty.

Bacon Jam.  I know I've gone on and on about this lately, but it really is just so good.  Just remember to follow the directions.  And eat it on some fancy bread.

Okay, now for some entrees.

P Cubed.  It's just wonderful.  Matt hates peas and this is still one of his favorite meals. And don't skip the lemon; you'll regret it.

Kung Pao Chicken.  It was always our favorite thing to order when we ate Chinese, and now we can make it at home!  So good, and actually not all that bad for you.

Smitten Kitchen's Chicken Meatballs.  I will make these until the day I die.  Also not terrible for you.  (Oh, and did you know that you can grind chicken in a food processor?  I didn't.  Cassie told me, and it's super fast and easy.)

Ginger Pork Stir Fry.  Mmmmmmmmm.  It seems like pork tenderloin is always on sale, and this stuff is crazy tasty.  Add vegetables to your liking.

Guinness Steak.  This one's a grilling recipe, so you may be waiting until spring or summer to make it, but it's delicious, and it's simple, and you get to drink the other three Guinness beers.  Win, win, win.  (I actually hate beer, so Matt gets to drink the beer.)

Pioneer Woman's Chicken Pineapple Quesadillas.  So good.  So good.  I--I just love them so much!

Bitten Word's Lemon Rosemary Chicken.  Mmmmmmmm.

And now for the desserts.  Last year was all about cupcakes for me.  This year I changed gears a little and went bananas for ice cream making.  There's still some baking, but it's mostly frozen treats.  Just go buy yourself an ice cream maker and be an ice cream making pen-pal with me already.

Mandy's Famous Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream.  You'll just die, but in a good way.

Mandy's Famous Raspberry Sorbet.  It's the best, and it's beautiful, and it's good for you.

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes from Annie's Eats.  My favorite vanilla cupcake.  Also Mitch's favorite vanilla cupcake.

Blackberry Pie Bars.  (Or cherry, or raspberry, or whatever fruit you'd like.)  It's Cheryl from Back in the Day Bakery's recipe, so you know they're delicious.  Make them to share, and people will love you.

Banana Puddin' Ice Cream.  Goes over very well with Southerners.  Use twice as many Nilla Wafers.  Mmmmmmmm.

And, finally, Thomas Jefferson's Vanilla Ice Cream.  TJ's just good at everything, wasn't he?  This ice cream has the best texture, and rich flavor.  It's a little bit of a labor of love, but it's worth it.

So, there you have it.  That took way more time than I thought it would, and now I must peel my body off of this couch before I order myself a pair of pajama jeans.  (They're the hot new fashion sensation, you know.)

Who Are These People?

Sometimes when I'm out shopping, I come across really heinous objects like this one--a horse head with a hot pink feather hat/mane tree ornamental clip--and I wonder. . .

Whose idea was this?  And who agreed with that person that it was a good idea?  Who pitched the idea to their boss?  What boss then okayed production of such a ridiculous. . .thing.

And then who was the buyer for the store who decided that their store would sell it? 

And, finally, why did I buy it?

Christmas Booty

Shoot yeah, I really scored this Christmas!

Now, I actually got my big Christmas gift early.   You remember Whitey, righty?  By the way, Matt says that I should not name my camera Whitey because that's offensive.  I say that it's not offensive because I am also white.  He just shakes his head and rolls his eyes, basically defeated by my ability to argue.

But check out some of my other Christmas loot.

1.  Very cool owl drawing/painting thing.  This was a gift from our friend Collin, who bought it at a silent auction that was to benefit another friend.  It was very nice and thoughtful because I'd bid on it myself, but then been outbid, and decided I couldn't spend too much on it.  I'm really excited to have it.  It also kind of reminds me of the owl calendars that I made for a few of my friends using this amazing generator.

2.  Beautiful stationery.  This is from Cassie, and I'm a little bit crazy about it.  What makes it even cooler is that Emily Ley is a friend of hers from way back when.  This stuff makes me want to catch up on my correspondance (but really I'll probably just lie on the couch in my pajamas and drink Simply Grapefruit juice from a plastic goblet.)

3.  Awesome Martha Stewart kitchen tools.  These are from Matt's mom (who also gave us cash, which I know she hates to do because then she doesn't get to have as much fun shopping).  I love this stuff, and she even got it to match the kitchen!

4.  Pastry stand.  This one is from a friend at school, who left it in the carport wrapped up as a surprise.  I can't wait to fill it with tasty goods!

5.  Caitie made me this print using Wordle.  I love the bright colors and the way she managed to fit so much of what I love into one picture.  I also kind of like this spot for it.  What do you think?

6.  This apron that I bought for myself on the day after Christmas at World Market.  Maybe it'll keep me from wiping my hands all over my jeans.

7. Also bought myself The Perfect Scoop, which I've already mentioned here.  We bought it with a gift card, so it technically is a Christmas gift.  Expect to read about many a recipe from this one.

8.  Omigod I love this next gift.  This one is also from Cassie, and I'm pretty sure she got it from this Etsy shop.  It's a camera strap, and not only is it in some of my favorite colors, but it also has my initials on it.  I'm so excited about it! (Also, it's hard to take a picture of a camera strap when it's still on the camera.  I could've taken it off, but I'm lazy.)

9.  I don't know why I love this little juicer bowl that Matt's grandma gave me so much, but I do.  I love the color and I love the little pour spout and I think it's going to look gorgeous in the kitchen.

10.  The next thing is from Grandma Carol and Grandpa B., and it warms my heart.  Months and months ago I mentioned to her that I didn't know where to buy kitchen twine, and she filed that away.  She'd seen something like this at a store, but decided that it was overpriced.  Instead, she had Grandpa B. make it for me.  I love them, and I really, really love this gift.

11.  And, finally, I got this Whoville-style ornament from Tanya (she actually gave me two of these, but I only have a good picture of one of them). Tanya has some special ability to pick out the very best, most fun Christmas ornaments.  Most of my favorite Christmas ornaments have come from her, and they also make me smile.

Sooooo. . .I'm itchin' to know. . .

What'd you get?

This and That

 I love the week between Christmas and New Year's.  I love it even more when I don't have to work.  Horray for holidays!  Here are some random musings to get you through the next few minutes, or to keep you from checking Facebook compulsively.  Be forewarned, though: you may be dumber after having read it.

1.  All I can think about lately is ice cream and waffle cones.  Yesterday I bought David Lebovitz's The Perfect Scoop, and I couldn't be more excited about learning all of the new recipes.  That man's an ice cream genius!

  

2.  Saw True Grit on Christmas and The King's Speech yesterday.  Both are wonderful, perfect films that I plan to watch dozens more times.  Why are the Coen brothers so good?  And why is Colin Firth so self-depricatingly dreamy? 

3.  Yesterday we went to the mall and were afraid to get out of the car because there were a bunch of birds with really sharp beaks who seemed just a little too comfortable with the idea of killing after-Christmas shoppers.

4.  If you haven't made Hugh and Cassie's David Chang brussels sprouts, you need to. 

5.  How cute is Opal?

6.   I know everyone else in the world is dealing with blizzards and all, so this probably isn't as exciting to you--but on the day after Christmas it was snowing in Savannah (you have to say that the way Michael Scott said "There's been a murder in Savannah" on The Office).  It wasn't accumulating or sticking even, but it was snow, and it was beautiful, and it felt Christmasy.

7.  Mitch has taken to sitting in Matt's recliner.  It's never not funny.

8.  And, finally, this has been my official uniform of Christmas Break 2010.  It's basically a "homeless Punky Brewster" look. When I have to go out of the house, sometimes I put on actual shoes.  But I've not removed that hoodie from my body in over eight days.  Fancy, huh?

Happy Tuesday to you!  Hope you're enjoying your week!

Savannah Family Christmas

Cassie just wrote a post about the origins of our Savannah family, so if you're not sure who these people are or how this little family of vagabonds came to be, check it out. 

It was seeming like we weren't going to get to have our Savannah Family Christmas this year, so when Cassie called last week and asked it we would be up for an impromptu celebration, we were thrilled.  It was just one of those perfect visits, full of great food and laughter and just the right amount of chaos.

I just love these people. 

 Cassie got superhero capes for Iris and Opal.

 And then Iris decided that she would turn hers into a fabulous gown.

Mmmmmmm. . . 

 Big, crazy, delicious Mexican feast.

Big crazy happy family.