Resolute

At at time when most of us are busy perfecting our New Year’s Resolutions, I take comfort in knowing that I don’t have one.  I actually have a list of  things, as you know, that I want to accomplish, and the only resolution I might be able to eek out is in regards to the list:  finish it.

I am however, very resolute about one thing.

Very Simple Garlic Shrimp

To spoon over his gnocchi, I made MB a very easy shrimp dish.

Garlic Shrimp

• 1lb pre cook, deveined no tail shrimp
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• ~2tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 baby carrots,  cut with the potato peeler

Homemade Gnocchi

I know right.  So VERY Barefoot Contessa of me {I don’t know who that is.  I can only assume she’s some sort of food maven who shows her tatas a lot and makes ‘tasty’ treats via the Food Network.}

I decided I wanted to make some gnocchi because we had nothing to feed MB for lunch and it reminds of cold nights and warm dinners.  Which is what we’ve been having a lot of.  I digress.  I consulted my two kitchen heroes:  Anna and Martha.  The result was perfect.

Whole Wheat Potato Gnocchi {adapted from Martha’s recipe above}

• 4 large (about 2 pounds) Idaho potatoes, scrubbed
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 large eggs
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Let’s get started shall we.

On Mrs. Best Man

This weekend, like last year, Mr and Mrs Best Man will be on hand to celebrate a brand new  year with us.  We are pumped.  I was thinking the other day about how excited I was that they would be here and how the LNR of about 3-4 years ago would be shocked that such excitement existed over the impending visit.  Full disclosure:  Mrs Best Man and I have not always been BFF.

Shocking right {especially judging from my SUPER EXCITED face in that picture.  I look like I’m going to eat her.  Terrifying}

Here’s the deal…

Merry Holidays 09: Decoration Rewind

Before the Pickle, the Gbread house and the Calzones we had to decorate my parents’ family tree.

This happened the Sunday after Thanksgiving, which you remember, was spent on a sexy date in Pittsburgh.

Merry Holidays 09 — Part 3 of 6100

After the pickle was found the Gbread house decorated Christmas eve came with a start!  Big Paul and I did our traditional last minute shopping for Janny and then we were home for me to make a very tasty calzone for Christmas Eve Dinner.  Behold, the variation of the Pioneer Woman’s Cowboy Calzone.

Snowed In and Digging Out for a Party

Sunday after the epic snow storm brought warmer temperatures and clear and sunny skies.  S+J took to the front yard to construct for us MB the snowman.

While MB and I eagerly anticipated the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Best Man!  Hooray!

Merry Holidays 09 – Part 2 of 7711554

Wednesday, December 23, 23:30

After a non harrowing drive from NOVA to Jtown, MB and I relaxed, did some last-minute shopping and awaited Janny’s triumphant return from work.  After she got home, Big Paul soon followed and Eric followed by AG, KNoon and FSIL.  And a gingerbread house.  They got to work right away.

Merry Holidays 09 – Part 1 of 78bajillion

Instead of waffling around, complaining of how much there is to write about, let’s get right down to it…shall we?

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 19:00

Beloved neighbors S+J arrive to help us with our favorite Christmas tradition…finding the pickle.

ugh, we LURVE them

10lbs and Why I Quit Weight Watchers

Loyal fans of W&B remember that Weight Watchers changed my life.  I lost 40 lbs on WW plus another 20 before joining for a grand total of 60 lbs.  And recently {as in last week} I cancelled my membership to WW.

I probably shouldn’t look this happy about it.

And I’ve gained 10 lbs since the day I got married.

Eeeeee!