So, all my previous attempts at writing a year 2011 wrap-up stalled out. Instead of a couple posts on my year, behold - the year in list! (In no particular order)
- I got married to Mr. Aaron-man, who constantly amazes me with how creatively loving a person can be. And where one's love is located. The metatarsal was the latest location of his love for me.
- I surpassed my goal of reading 26 books in a year by two books.
- Some dear friends and family passed away. Tim, Amy, and Nanny are dearly missed.
- Favorite dessert I did not make: Honey and Sea Salt Pie at Piebird
- Favorite dessert I made and can remember: Cookies and Cream Ice Cream. It is AB's vanilla ice cream with a box (yes, a box) of crunched Oreos
- Favorite meal out: Tie between the Fried Shrimp Gnocchi at Top of the Hill and Chicken Saltimobocca at Tupelo Honey Cafe. I totally won in ordering food while on the honeymoon.
- Favorite meal I made: Corn and Cheese Chowder...ooh, and Panko-crusted Salmon
- Least favorite meal I made: Any time I made chicken noodle soup. I am beginning to think I just do not like chicken noodle soup.
- Favorite book I read: Matterhorn, without a doubt. Even now when I am looking at the shelves for the next book to read, I pause on this one, tempting myself to read it again.
- Least favorite book I read: Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer. This book, by an author whose work I love, made me so angry. Krakauer let his personal opinions and beliefs cloud the story and Pat Tillman kind of seemed like a jerk.
- Favorite food find: Gyoza sauce from Trader Joe's
- Product obsessions: Aveeno lotion and Mighty Leaf Tropical Green Tea
- Kitchen tool addition of the year: My blender...and my mandolin...and my salad spinner...wedding presents are the best!
- Household addition: Aaron (duh!)...and our awesome bed of awesomeness, the Tempurpedic.
- I have too many... Dish towels, wooden spoons, and blankets
- I do not have enough... Things to wear, comfy reading places
- Favorite spot: Caribou Coffee with Aaron after geocaching
- Cutest moment: Haydie-bug flirting with Aaron over Thanksgiving. (It may have been my BIL being the flower girl at the wedding when Haydie-bug got stage fright, but I was waiting in the wings, and thus unable to see.)
- Least favorite place: Schmacy's housewares department - over and over again
There are probably large chunks of my 2011 year I am missing here, but I think I hit most of the high notes. 2012 is going to be another big year of big changes - graduations, new jobs, maybe new cities, and a whole lot of "who knows" thrown in!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Vegetarian Chili with Sweet Potato
Welcome to 2012, long time no see. Aaron and I are still working out who uses the computer when, so my postings have faltered of late due to that...and becoming mildly entranced with a silly Facebook game (thanks, Fliss). However, sometimes a dish is so good, even silly Facebook games take a backseat. Such is the case with Vegetarian Slow Cooker Chili with Sweet Potatoes.
In order to imbue our meals with a little something different, reach that goal of a new dish every month, and because I like trying new things, at the end of every month I pull out all the magazines I have for the next month (end of January, pull out February mags) and check out the recipes. If something looks tasty, I make a note on a post-it with dish and page, and slap it on the front of the magazine. At the end of December I went through this routine while most likely watching football and uncovered this treasure of a recipe. Healthier than most chili, sweet potatoes, and slow cooker. The only things that would make this recipe more enticing are bacon and avocado, which you are welcome to add on top.
The chili has a great balance of spicy (both heat and spices) with a little sweet kick from the sweet potato. I also made some great cornbread (secret's in the buttermilk) and added a dollop of sour cream and crunched tortilla chips. On the chili, not the cornbread. Perfect football food, perfect cozy winter food. Even though Aaron would argue it is not winter if there is not 2 feet of snow on the ground. Fine, perfect below 60 degrees food.
In order to imbue our meals with a little something different, reach that goal of a new dish every month, and because I like trying new things, at the end of every month I pull out all the magazines I have for the next month (end of January, pull out February mags) and check out the recipes. If something looks tasty, I make a note on a post-it with dish and page, and slap it on the front of the magazine. At the end of December I went through this routine while most likely watching football and uncovered this treasure of a recipe. Healthier than most chili, sweet potatoes, and slow cooker. The only things that would make this recipe more enticing are bacon and avocado, which you are welcome to add on top.
The chili has a great balance of spicy (both heat and spices) with a little sweet kick from the sweet potato. I also made some great cornbread (secret's in the buttermilk) and added a dollop of sour cream and crunched tortilla chips. On the chili, not the cornbread. Perfect football food, perfect cozy winter food. Even though Aaron would argue it is not winter if there is not 2 feet of snow on the ground. Fine, perfect below 60 degrees food.
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