Recipe The First: Herbal Iced Tea

adapted from Barefoot Contessa Family Style)


4 bags Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger tea
4 bags C.S. Raspberry Zinger tea
4 cups pure apple juice (I used healthy balance since it's lower in sugar)

Place the tea bags in a pitcher. Boil a kettle of water and pour 4 cups boiling water over the teabags. Let seep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags.
Add 4 cups apple juice. Chill. Serve over ice.


(Note: In BC's book, she uses regular apple juice, so she doesn't have to add sugar. I thought I'd use the lower sugar apple juice, and if it needs sugar later, I'll add it.)

Belated Birthday Party

I usually celebrate my birthday with my friends the week after my actual birthday, since sometimes my birthday is during Easter or Holy Week, and there's just no time. Normally we go out to eat and then come back to my place for cake and The Birthday Game (sort of like Cranium, but incorporates questions about the Birthday Person). 
This year, we're mixing it up. My friend Aaron  (the food guru who introduced me to Mezzo) suggested we have a pizza party, where we make our own pizzas.
I thought this was a very good idea. So that's what we're doing. Everyone's coming to my place and we shall make pizza.
I'm also making:

• the Ever Wonderful Guinness Cake,
• Barefoot Contessa's Herbal Iced Tea, which uses Celestial Seasonings tea bags and apple juice,
• Tennis Team Salsa (recipe to follow)
• and this pizza.

Currently the cake is in the oven and water is heating for the tea. The salsa I make right before I serve it, so that can wait. I am cleaning while things bake/cool/chill out.
Pictures and recipes to come...

The Simple Woman's Daybook--April 12, 2010

 

 

Outside my window:

Bright and sunny--low 70s. Perfect. My office went out to lunch in honor of my birthday and we ate outside! I could get used to all this al fresco dining.

I am wearing: 

gray scoop neck top, a gray heather skirt, and I have kicked off my red flats. :) Oh, and my Tiffany key necklace.

I am thankful for:

my friends

I am reading:

The Last Lecture

From the kitchen:

Quesadillas (tonight), spaghetti (tomorrow), burgers (W). Not sure about the remainder of the week. 

I am thinking:

That it is so beautiful outside!!

I am creating:

A clean apartment.

On my iPod:

Oliver!

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

Cleaning the tub and bathroom mirror; sweeping/mopping kitchen floor. 

To Live the Liturgy: 

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!!!

I am hoping and praying:

for my grandfather. (still)

Around the House:

See above. :)

One of my favorite things:

Spring!!!!!!

A few plans for the week:

Th: Voice

Sat.: Birthday dinner w/ my friends!

A picture I'm sharing:

The communications office at lunch today.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--April 5, 2010

Outside my window:

Bright and sunny--upper 70s!

I am wearing: 

coral t-shirt dress, a string of peals, brown BR heels

I am thankful for:

my siblings

I am reading:

God and the World . But have also read: House Rules, Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, The Last Olympian, The Hour I First Believed. (Bookshelves coming later, I promise)

From the kitchen:

Not sure. Going to the parents' for dinner. I need to make out my menu tonight.

I am thinking:

That I do not want it to snow on my birthday! (Friday. And yes, it's a possibility.)

I am creating:

A clean apartment.

On my iPod:

Oliver!

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

Vaccuming. Possible window cleaning. 

To Live the Liturgy: 

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!!!

I am hoping and praying:

for my grandfather.

Around the House:

The vaccuming, dishes, dusting. Stuff like that.

One of my favorite things:

Spring; Holy Week

A few plans for the week:

Th: Voice

Friday: My birthday!!!!!

Sunday: LOTS of LOOP stuff. More on that later.

A picture I'm sharing: 

M

Mel and I at brunch yesterday.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--March 29, 2010

Outside my window:

Wee bit cloudy. The daffodils are up in their glory and the tulips are appearing!

I am wearing: 

gray pants, Talbots' top

I am thankful for:

my siblings

I am reading: 

The King's Good Servant But God's First

From the kitchen:

Pasta from Jamie's Food Revolution tonight. The stew last night was great!!!

I am thinking:

That I hope my mom is doing OK. (see the prayers section...)

I am creating:

I'm moving ahead well on the novel.

On my iPod:

"Woman" and other voice stuff

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

Since it's Holy Week, that equals--big cleaning.

To Live the Liturgy: 

Daily Mass, hopefully some Holy Week adoration and Vespers. Then Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday 7 last words and MOPS (Mass of the Pre-Sanctified--I LOVE that phrase), and then.....Easter!

I am hoping and praying:

for my grandfather. He's being moved into hospice today/tomorrow, and my mom is up in Pittsburgh with her siblings and her mom making this stuff happen. Dad and I are down here trying to get the troops ready for any sort of funeral things we have to do. 

My grandfather is a truly wonderful person. He has lived a wonderful, rich life. He has eight children, 25 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren! He has perfect pitch, does crossword puzzles and sudoku and used to carry tic tacs in his pocket. He hates dogs. He sings in the church choir and has his own music company! He is a great and holy man.

Around the House:

The vaccuming, dishes, dusting. Stuff like that.

One of my favorite things:

Spring; Holy Week

A few plans for the week:

T: Mass, Vespers

W: Voice

Th: Thyroid ultrasound and blood work; Holy Thursday Mass

Friday: Good Friday

The Simple Woman's Daybook--March 8, 2010

 

Outside my window:
It is 55! Snow is melting! The windows are open! Spring is here!!!! (Yes, I am really excited)

I am wearing: 

a yellow 3/4 length sleeve spring sweater, jeans, gray socks

I am thankful for:
My New Book

I am reading: 

Midwives, Master and Margarita

From the kitchen:
Last night: sloppy joes (really good!)

Tonight: I think Margherita Pizza, or pasta in general. 

I've got Alaska burgers and carbonara on the menu this week as well. 

I am thinking:
How happy I am to see my friend, Spring.

I am creating:
Editing the short story. 

On my iPod:
Sarah McLachlin, Mirrorball

Toward rhythm and beauty: 

A menu, regular prayer times

To Live the Liturgy: 

Daily Mass (as often as possible), Magnificat, my Lent books. 

I am hoping and praying:
for a good week; for my grandfather

Around the House:
Did massive cleaning on Saturday--really vacuumed, mopped, etc. Now it's the little things--cleaning the bookshelves, dusting off the top of my dresser (which gets dirty in record time, thanks make-up)

One of my favorite things:

Spring!

A few plans for the week:

T: Senate Session

Th: Voice

F: Dinner and movie w/ my brother

Sat.: Hair cut

A picture thought I am sharing: 

 

pretty spring flowers!!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--February 23, 2010

Outside My Window::

38 degrees, sort of sunny, the snow is melting! I can see my porch again!

I am wearing ::

jeans, a lavender t-shirt

I am Thankful For::

A fruitful Lent, thus far

I am Reading:

Just finished In This House of Brede (again), and am reading Master and Margarita (it's so good, so far!)

From the Kitchen::

Not sure. Made chicken curry last night, so might be a sandwich night around here.

I am Thinking:
how glad I am that the snow is going away!

I am Creating::
a short story. It's almost finished!

On my iPod::

My gym soundtrack

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:
Still keeping the gym log. The food log is a LOT harder!

To Live the Liturgy:

Lent at St. Pat's is beautiful and solemn. Today is the Feast of St. Polycarp. I went to Mass and heard Fr. Blau give a great sermon on the meaning of the Our Father and meaningful repetition vrs. just repetition. So great.

I am Hoping and Praying:
For some friends who are making big decisions. 

Around the House:

Always--the kitchen table. Vacuuming. (Are you surprised?) a little bathroom cleaning, too.

One of My Favorite Things:

Daily Mass

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

Th: Voice lesson

 

Winter Cooking

Most days when I cook, it's in the middle of a rush--the TV is on, I've just gotten home, and I'm hungry. Baking is another story; that's more meditative. I do it when I have time (or a chocolate craving). But cooking has a sense of urgency to it in my kitchen. 
Today, with the snow falling, I took my time. I scrubbed the potatoes and cut them into dice. I peeled the onion, and sliced it carefully, thinly. I slid them into the oil-slick pan, and cooked them slowly, for 30 minutes, letting them caramelize. 
There is no TV. There is no music. There's just the quiet sizzling of the vegetables in the pan. 


Nigella's Onion and Potato Hash
from Feast

1 small onion
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 cups all purpose potatoes (one regular sized spud) cut into 1/2" dice with skin on
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I didn't have any, so used red pepper flakes very generously)
1 egg

Peel and halve the onion and slice finely into half moons. Heat the oil in a rying pan, add the sliced onion and cook over medium heat with a sprinkle of salt to stop it catching. Scrub but do not peel the potato, cut into 1/2" dice and add to the onion in the pan, sprinkling over the cayenne pepper.
Turn the heat down to low and keeping moving the onions and potatoes about every now and then as you want them to caramelize rather than darken in color. Cook them slowly like this for about 30 minutes or until the potato is tender. Turn the heat up and push the potato and onion hash to one side of the pan. Crack in the egg in the other half, and when it is cooked spoon the onions and potatoes on to a plate and top with the fried egg.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--January 18, 2010

Outside My Window:: 

Almost dark, but the snow is almost gone! Yay!

I am wearing ::

A Talbot's tee, jeans. 

I am Thankful For::

Days off; a good clinic report

I am Reading:

Loot: The Battle Over the Stolen Treasures of the Ancient World; The Kalahari Typing School for Men.

From the Kitchen::

A lot this week, starting with the Irish Soda bread I'm about to make.

I am Thinking:
That I have had an excellent long weekend. 

I am Creating::
Good food

On my iPod::

U2's All That You Can't Leave Behind

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:
I've done a good job (so far) incorporating some of my New Year's goals, like keeping my apartment clearer, saying the Liturgy of the Hours, etc. Now I want to step it up a notch.

To Live the Liturgy:

Liturgy of the Hours, in the first Ordinary Time book. Back to green vestments.

I am Hoping and Praying:
For Barb, a friend of mine who died over the weekend (she was a truly wonderful woman who was kind to everyone she met).

Around the House:

After bread making, vaccuming and doing some more clearing off of the kitchen table. That, it seems, will always be piled with stuff.

One of My Favorite Things:

Long weekends

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

Wednesday and Thursday: Voice lessons both days, to prep for an audition next Monday. 

   A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

From the Chihuly Exhibit I attended yesterday

 

 

Seven Quick Takes Friday Vol. XX

I.

OK, first, a good thing--today's North Market haul: 4 blood oranges, 5 Pink Lady apples, 4 oz. of currents (I always buy these when they have them, so I can make Irish Soda Bread), 3 shallots, 8 ox. of honeyrun farm honey (southwest of here--it's sooo good), 4 oz. of aged English cheddar from the cheese dudes (it is so good!), milk from a local dairy (also sooo good), and....Jeni's ice cream. Because I haven't had any in months!

II.

The reason I went shopping is that I had NO food in the house. Of course, I chose to do my semi-annual Fridge Purge this week. Amidst the White Death (at least that's what the forecasters should've called it)

Shopping had to happen. This was only a quick trip, so I might have to head out again tomorrow for more things, but at least I have basic provisions now and can bake/cook things in the kitchen.

III.

Speaking of White Death: The drive to work today, post-storm, was easy. The roads were just wet. Yesterday, it took me 70 minutes to go 12 miles. I was not amused.

IV.

I was also not amused by the woman in the Black CR-V who decided, at 7:15 this morning (read: still dark), to NOT have her lights on. At all. Good thinking.

V.

I managed to get through the piles of paper that were waiting for me, post-vacation, by today. Next week committees start up again, so that will add to the busy-ness, but no sessions until after MLK day. Then we have the governor's State of the State Address (the last one of this term) the week after. It's going to be a busy session until the summer, when everyone leaves to go campaign. We also have to pass a capital budget this year, which is "bricks and mortar" building stuff around the state.

VI.

Books of 2010 (cont.): A Year in Provence, and three American Girl "Girl of the Year" books (Yes, I read kid lit. Yes, I Like It): Laine, Mia, and Bravo, Mia! (Mia is an ice skater, so I like her books).  And some cookbooks, because I read them for fun: Relaxed Cooking with Curtis Stone, The Amish Cook at Home.

VII.

Planning on relaxing this weekend. There are a lot of good movies out, but it's so cold I don't really want to venture out. I have a Lay Dominicans meeting on Sunday at church, which I am looking forward to, especially since I have the Breviary now!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--January 3, 2010

Outside My Window::

The sun is glorious, the sky is clear and bleached white. This, combined with the snow, makes it dazzling outside, but probably very cold!

I am Listening to::

Silence (CI's not in!)

I am wearing ::

My garnet hill nightgown, so I feel like Elizabeth Bennet

I am Thankful For::

* A wonderful Christmas season spent with family and friends, especially a chance to see my grandparents and Di and Susie;

* My new parish family

I am Reading:

Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: While The Greeks Still Matter

From the Kitchen::

So many big plans--I got cookbooks for Christmas. I just need to go shopping! But definitely my favorite Texas Cornbread (if I make it, recipe will be up). I'd also like to try some muffins from my new cookbook.

I am Thinking:

That even though I had a wonderful vacation, I've sort of missed my job! (whether or not I will be able to convey this into a cheerful wakeup tomorrow remains to be seen)

I am Creating::

ORDER. My mom and I did a massive apartment purge during my week off, so now all that's left is to clean off my desk and dining table. Both of those are easier said than done, but I want to tackle them today so that I can start 2010 back at work with a clean home slate. 

On my iPod::

Loreena McKennit's An Ancient Muse.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty:

Per my new year's goals, I want to incorporate some things into my life, like working out and daily writing. So today I will be creating a schedule to attempt to balance all the things I have going on right now.

To Live the Liturgy:

Today's Epiphany, one of my favorite feasts. I love the songs and the image of the Wise Men bearing gifts to the Baby Jesus. 

I am Hoping and Praying:

:: for health and fitness, strength and grace to do His will. (stole this from Elizabeth, but it's good!)

Around the House:

After last week's purge, I have to vacuum the floors. And, as I said above, the kitchen table needs HELP. 

One of My Favorite Things:

Babies, especially Susie and Justin, whom I got to see last week.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week:

:"Back to life," as the song goes. That means:

--Work, in general, and daily Mass at St. Pat's

--Voice lessons on Thursdays (I've missed them!)

A Picture Thought  I'm Sharing:

Susie, tasting the Baby Einstein Animals. :)

Ode to Italy: Movie Night Carbonara

The scenario:
It is Christmas Eve Eve. My gifts are bought. I am not leaving my house because I live on the same street as a Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Bath and Body Works, Hallmark, and a Target. It is INSANE out there.
So, instead, I am saying in for Christmas Movie night and the mother of all pastas: carbonara.
Carbonara, how I love thee.
The link provides a SLIGHTLY different version. The one she has in "How to Eat" doesn't use cream, it uses 1 egg yolk and 1 egg.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--November 23, 2009

Outside My Window ...

It's a gray day! But I got to wear my fun new navy peacoat, so that made it better. 

***

I am listening to...

My iTunes mix CD—Eagles, REM, Credence Clearwater Revival…good stuff.

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Mass as often as I can; Magnificat; Rosary

***

To Fit and Happy...

Gym. Sigh. And my pilates video.

***

I am thankful for...

A short week!

***

I am pondering ...

My next MA assignment for Biblical studies—outline of the Old Testament

***

From the kitchen ...

Pasta. Again. And making biscotti for Turkey day!

***

I am wearing ...

Gray pants; heater blue turtleneck; gray socks

***

I am creating ...

Christmas cards. Well  not creating them. Writing them.

***

On my iPod...

more "Messiah" and voice lesson music.

***

I am thinking...

That I am ready for some Turkey!

***

Around the House

Vacuuming, getting the table under control

.***

I am reading ...

Catherine of Sienna and The King's Good Servant, But God's First.

***

I am hoping and praying ...

for my grandpa.

***

On Keeping Home ...

Wrapping presents; digging out Christmas decorations.

***

One of my favorite things ...

singing

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Th: Happy Thanksgiving!

F: Dinner and movie with siblings

Sun: First Sunday of Advent! Messiah rehearsal

For more daybooks, go visit Peggy!

The Simple Woman's Daybook--November 9, 2009

Outside My Window ...

It's dark now, but it was a beautiful late fall day--highs in the 60s, and a pale blue sky. Fantastic.

***

I am listening to...

Handel's "Messiah" (Christmas section)

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Magnificat, Rosary, and Signs of Life, Scott Hahn's new book.

***

To Fit and Happy...

Gym and ballet this week. I get Wednesday off, so there is no reason gym and/or ballet should not happen.

***

I am thankful for...

short weeks!

***

I am pondering ...

tomorrow's Target list.

***

From the kitchen ...

Not sure. Lots of pasta/soup this week, I think. Maybe some meat sauce making on W.

I am wearing ...

Pitt sweatpants, a J.Jill camisole (heading to bed soon)

***

I am creating ...

music

***

On my iPod...

more "Messiah" and voice lesson music.

***

I am thinking...

that I can't wait for Wednesday

***

Around the House

Cleaning which =getting stuff off the floor!

.***

I am reading ...

See above; also The Looking Glass, and Catherine of Sienna. Also read: A Daughter's Love: Thomas More and His Dearest Meg yesterday. Soooo good.  (Of course this ALSO led to watching A Man for All Seasons, which is NEVER a bad thing.)

***

I am hoping and praying ...

for my grandpa.

***

On Keeping Home ...

Getting ready for the holidays--card writing, cleaning, etc., etc.

***

One of my favorite things ...

singing with talented people

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

T: Pampered Chef Party!

W: Voice at 2:00, gym/ballet, DAY OFF!

Th: CF clinic @ 3:30

Sat: Music Man auditions!

Sunday: Messiah rehearsal; Faith Sharing group

A picture thought I am sharing:

Corner of State and Third Street, Downtown Columbus, Fall (it was taken this year, ignore the '07 thing)

The Simple Woman's Daybook--October 19, 2009

Outside My Window ...

Sunny and the leaves are pretty close to peak color. They are fantastic!!!

***

I am listening to...

Loreena McKennit, "The Book of Secrets" (I'm ADDICTED, I tell you. Addicted.)

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Rosary, Magnificat, Bible reading, classes, and re-reading Rediscovering Catholicism for my Faith Sharing Group. I also got my Advent companion from Magnificat today. Can you believe in about a month, it will be the first week of Advent?!

***

To Fit and Happy...

Gym and ballet this week. If I achieve ONE day of gym, and ballet class, I will be happy.

***

I am thankful for...

beautiful fall days.

***

I am pondering ...

the rest of the day's schedule

***

From the kitchen ...

Made orzo pasta with saffron and shrimp last night, and had the leftovers for lunch. So probably just soup and sandwich for dinner. I'm sort of "eating down the kitchen" this week.

I am wearing ...

Brown tights, a heather khaki skirt from J. Jill, and a cashmere sweater from Talbots (in this fantastic color called "raven", it's a great blue. I want everything they have in this color, but I'm restraining myself.)

***

I am creating ...

The memoir; music (voice lesson practicing)

***

On my iPod...

The "random" Setting. :) (Or shuffle. Whatever)

***

I am thinking...

that it's shaping up to be a good week.

***

Around the House

More clearing of the kitchen table.

.***

I am reading ...

W.H. Auden's poems; The Amish Cook's Baking Book. (It is awesome. Believe me.)

***

I am hoping and praying ...

for friends who are undergoing cancer treatments.

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. (keeping this link because they are awesome)

***

One of my favorite things ...

baking

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Possibly Opera Columbus this weekend--they're doing Pagliacci. 

W: Ballet

Th: Voice

A picture thought I am sharing:

Jerome Bettis and Mario at the Steelers game yesterday. Two of my favorite sports people.

The Simple Woman's Daybook--October 5, 2009

Outside My Window ...

Another lovely fall day in central Ohio--a bit of a breeze, sunny, mid 60s. Perfect. 

***

I am listening to...
Loreena McKennit, "The Book of Secrets"

***

To Live the Liturgy...

Rosary, Magnificat, Bible reading, classes

***
To Fit and Happy...

Gym and ballet class. I feel so much better than I did last week, the gym will be happening. 

***

I am thankful for...
A few days to recover and get back on track.
***

I am pondering ...

How really good this smoked milk chocolate with marshmallow ice cream is. 

***

From the kitchen ...

I'm on the "milkshake, ice cream and pasta" diet until Friday, thanks to my oral surgery last week. Not that Imind, because I get to eat the yummy flavors I linked to above (besides the chocolate, I have root beer and Red Hot Apple Cider Sorbet! Don't those just sound delicious?)

I am wearing ...

my string of pearls, a white camisole with lace trim, a lavender cardigan from J.Crew, and a wool boucle skirt (in a purple-ish weave) from Talbots. And brown tights. 

***

I am creating ...
My memoir. I gave it to my brother to read yesterday and he really likes it so far, so I am pushing onward.

***
On my iPod...
Voice lesson music

***

I am thinking...

that fall is my favorite season
***

Around the House

Cleaning the floors, but that's about it...

.***

I am reading ...

Just finished the new Isabel Dalhousie novel. Tremendous! 

***

I am hoping and praying ...
For friends who are undergoing chemo this week; for my body to keep cooperating. 

***

On Keeping Home ...

these candles look awesome. (keeping this link because they are awesome)

***
One of my favorite things ...

See ice cream link, above. :)

***

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Monday: Parish Council

W: Ballet

Th: Voice

Sat: Homecoming at Capital--my five year class reunion. Yikes!

***

If you like reading my daybook, you can find many more over at Peggy's!