Dinner extraordinare

This six pound tome is fantastic. My wonderful husband bought it for me at Costco a couple of weeks ago and I finally had the courage to open it. What a reward! I made the vichyssoise (leek and potato soup) and it was awesome. Tonight, however, we attempted a dish we have heard about again and again but had never eaten. Risotto is our new favorite word. A time-consuming but easy dish, barolo and mushroom risotto is worth the wait. Apparently to make a delightful risotto one must be patient, otherwise the creamy texture evaporates before your eyes and never hits your tongue. Risotto is officially a household favorite thanks to The Silver Spoon!

Old friend, new blog

Meet Sue! She's my favorite friend and she's started a blog!

Sue is mom to Ruby, an adorable sassy one year old. Her blog includes stuff about mommyhood, great books to read to your tot, modern conveniences for busy moms and good beer recommendations.

Here we are prepping for my wedding, we look so fancy and put together, HA! Five minutes before this photo was taken, my mom came in the room to find us sitting on the floor, in our dresses shoveling sushi into our mouths. Then my poor mom tried to iron out the wrinkles from my dress, yes while I was inside of the dress, and burned my bum with steam. All I remember is Sue laughing hysterically at the entire situation.

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Sue's blog: @ny price, go here to check it out, and don't forget to comment!

The best course

I'm excited about Thanksgiving. I think its my favorite holiday. It doesn't involve anything but getting together, eating, drinking and having a good time. The first set of winter holidays after Thomas and I started dating, my family, all eleven of us, was invited to Thomas's parents' home. Pauline put on a huge meal for over twenty people serving all sorts of wonderful dishes I had never tried before. She had parsnips, leeks and little tiny onions in a fabulous gravy. We were stuffed to the gills and well beyond sated. Then she brought out the desserts. Wow! Pauline likes to put on a holiday just so she can make dessert, and more dessert and more dessert. There was apple pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate mousse, Russian cream and more. My family was dumbfounded with the number of sweet selections we had to choose from that day.

This Thanksgiving, I am not making the meal, hooray! We have been invited to my cousin's home in Orange County. When the invitation came in I quickly replied, "Sure! We'll bring dessert!"

I'm doing Thanksgiving 'Pauline style.' After all these years I now have a collection of my favorite recipes, my mom's pumpkin pie, Pauline's Russian cream and chocolate mousse. I am also going to try a new apple pie recipe, fresh crust and all.

Below is Pauline's famous chocolate mousse. It's an easy recipe, only six ingredients and so delicious. (My brother tried to horde the bowl all for himself on that Thanksgiving day nine years ago. I think he succeeded too, I have a very vivid picture in my mind of him clutching it tightly to his chest and giving other diners an evil glare.) Really you should try it. It's awesome.

Pauline's Famous Chocolate Mousse
8 oz semisweet chocolate
1/4 c butter
4 eggs, separated
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c sugar
1 c whipping cream, whipped

In a medium saucepan over very low heat, melt butter and chocolate stirring constantly. Remove from heat. In a large bowl, combine 4 yolks and vanilla. Using wire whisk gradually add the chocolate to yolks blending well. In a small bowl, beat 4 egg whites until soft peaks form, gradually add sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold egg whites into chocolate. Fold in whipped cream. Refrigerate. Enjoy!

Myth busted

I've been under the weather for the last few days, and in this house that means nothing changes. I am not allowed extra rest, a free pass to whine or a night off from making dinner. Thomas depends on me to keep the essential happenings of life in order. (You know... stuff like feeding the dogs, knowing what day it is and remebering where he last removed his slippers.) Therefore, I can't change my behavior in the slightest way because this would then throw off my husband's circadian rhythm and everything would spontaneously burst into flames.

So last night, after making dinner, I curled up on the couch with Thomas all ready to watch the new two hour Myth Busters special. I started by sitting. Henry came over and wanted some petting, and I leaned on the couch arm. Henry was really being soppy and desperate for attention so I rested my head on the arm and he put his head on my chest. Everything was great. I was relaxing, Thomas was happy and Henry was sated. As the show progressed my blinks steadily slowed, until finally I wasn't blinking anymore. Thomas woke me and insisted I go to bed. "No," I argued, "I'm awake!"

"Well, then sit up."

"I can't, I'll stay awake, I promise."

"Wake up."

"What? I'm not sleeping!"

"Yes, you are. Sit up or go to bed."

"OK, I'll sit up, I really want to watch this," I say as I shift myself upright.

Thirty seconds elapses.

"Wake up."

I had done something unbelievable, the unthinkable, the unimaginable. I fell asleep sitting up. I FELL ASLEEP SITTING UP! I know I've learned a lot of things from my Dad, but this skill snuck in unexpectedly!

Legendary

In my previous post, I listed one hundred things about me. I unfortunately forgot my strongest skill. This skill is not listed on my resume. I certainly would not discuss it in a job interview, however I am very completive with this skill. Frequently contested, my skill is unmatched and undefeated. It has been the topic of many a lunchroom discussion. When performed it brings with it fits of giggles. It is not something I brag about to others, unless those others are under the age of 16.

What is this skill? I can burp.

Now when I say burp, I mean shake the walls, frighten your pets, displace the air so your hair quivers. This is the thing legends are made of. I am legendary, at least to my niece and two nephews. They have conversations about Aunt Heather's belching that always end in fits of giggling.

Most others find my skill disgusting. I can't say I blame them, but this will not stop me.