The Chef vs.The Baker

Which one are you:  A Baker?  A Chef?  A Microwaver?  A Burner?  A Take-outer? A throw it together and call it dinner? Do you follow recipes to the T?  Throw a little of this or that in the mix?

I would consider myself a cook, that throws a little of this and that in!  And sometimes I would call myself "just throw it together and call it dinner".  Most times it works, every now and then, it doesn't...  I also wouldn't consider myself a burner, however Hubby likes things WELL DONE!  Which makes things easy, however makes it hard to cook for other people.

In our household, getting take out is a treat or for a busy night where neither of us feel like anything but Pizza or Fried Chicken.  There isn't many choices out in the sticks where we live.  Your choices are Pizza, Pizza, Pizza or the sit down place just down the road (other wise known as the Fried Chicken place). 

A baker...  Well I attempt it...  And it just never turns out like moms...

But back to my cooking affair of a little bit of this and that...  I was introduce to Pioneer Women over a year ago... The other day she posted a recipe that looked delish!  Chicken Florentine with Pasta, with ingredients that I normally have on hand.  So I gave it a tried, well, come to find out I didn't have the chicken broth it called for and I needed use up some asparagus.  So the experiment began...

(Please click on the above link for amounts)



So the parts that I didn't quite follow according to P-Dub's recipe...  First, I think the recipe calls for a dry white wine and chicken broth.  Well, I didn't have chicken broth and the wine was a little on the sweet side rather than dry.  What did I do?  Just added the wine like it was chicken broth and then added the same amount she called for of the wine.  Second, she doesn't mention the asparagus, but I needed to use it up, so while the wine and garlic simmered together I added the asparagus at that time to saute together.  The rest I pretty much followed.

The verdict...  It was excellent!  Like, really good!  However, Hubby thought it was a little light, but what does he know (just kidding babe)...  And the next day for lunch...  It was just as good cold.  I'm thinking this would make a nice (fancy) summer salad...

So there you have it.  If you ever cook with me, just know that I don't follow the recipes to a T (maybe that is way my baking is lacking...)  I just eye ball the amounts of garlic etc..  And it normally turns out delish!

Happy cooking!

Lids

Yup, I have a shortage of them.  This is my problem!

You see, I haven't figured how best to store my "gladware" containers.  Do you store them with the lids on, or lids on one shelf, containers on the other?? I've tried both.  Lids on works for a few months, but then it turns into the above.  If I put the lids on another shelf, I have the problem of not being able to find the right lid.

I'm really good about taking my lunch to work most days.  So I have gather quite the collection of containers.  LIDS, however have been my nemesis!  It never fails, I'll grab a container, carefully place my leftovers in and what, can't find a lid that fits! I generally find that I have more containers than I have lids... How does that happen.

Well, after Easter I found out how.  My mom and brother were cleaning up after dinner, while I was entertaining the kids with games.  My mom asked me if I would like some left over ham, of course!  So she packed the dish I passed and her lefts over.  I get home to find that she has put the ham in a container with NO LID!

Mystery solved...  Well, maybe part of it... I still think there might be a cabinet monster, you know like the dryer monster that eats only one sock...

Young at Heart

My last baby to introduce (even though she made an appearance when I wished her a Happy Birthday here).

Lolabean!  Bubbles! Nose!  Our five year old Doberman Pinscher! 


Bubbles



Nose

It's amazing that my now 90lb "lap-dog" was this big... Perhaps that is why she still thinks she is a lap-dog...


First night home



Lola learning the ropes from big sister Daisy



Before getting Lola, I didn't know a whole lot about this breed.  They are always represented in movies as the "Guard-Attack" dog.  But this breed has a bad rap.  They are the most gentle, loving, easy going, loyal, tolerant, dedicated and affectionate dogs I have come across.  She is a lover not a hater.

Just checking out the bird

Now, don't get me wrong, she has a mean bark, and if were aren't home I wouldn't suggest walking in, but if we are around she will hide behind us.  You could see it in her eyes when she was a puppy, she is always looking to us, is it OK. 

There is a dog in there, I promise

A trait I have now learned about this breed, is they always need to be touching you.  And if it's not you, it's someone else...  Now that she is 90lbs, we need to tell her to quit sitting on Daisy!

Lola gave Daisy a spunk when she came home with us five years ago today. And they have only grown closer!  Not only will it be a hard day for us when Daisy goes, but it will be especially hard on Lola.

But enough of that sad talk. We need to celebrate!  Maybe I need to give these girls an extra special treat after dinner tonight...

The Sliver Lining

Sometimes you just need to accept the fact that your babies are going to break things... 

But in this case I have beautiful centerpieces!