Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Tamale Pie if You Please


Doesn't that look delicious? I can't remember exactly what it was called. After 10 courses and 10 exquisitely paired wines my memory fades a little. Just a little though. This tasty morsel is garlic custard on a delectable tamale crust. Sauteed tomatoes, onions, and bell pepper supply a crunchy, yet graceful topping. The roasted red pepper cream sauce just perfectly completed the dish. I could ask for nothing more, and this was only the 3rd course. I am filled with disappointment that I was a tad too impaired to take more pictures. Alas, this is the only course I can share with you.
I highly recommend Stephan Pyles 5 star restaurant. We opted for the 10 course tasting menu, which was on the expensive side. I have since looked over the regular menu and can say that it looks equally delectable. I would love to hear your take on dinner. Don't be a stranger!

Friday, February 9, 2007

Twiddling of Thumbs

Thumb twiddling is an activity that is done with the hands of an individual whereby the fingers are interlocked and the thumbs circle around a common focal point, usually in the middle of the distance between the two thumbs (duh?). Thumb twiddling is frequently used as an example of a useless, time-wasting activity.

And that's what I'm doing today folks. Wasting time (or dalliance, dawdling, trifling) is something that I am somewhat unaccustomed to. Don't get me wrong, I have spent many an hour reading through old blogs, but ever since Deb changed Smitten Newlywed to Smitten Kitchen I haven't been quite as interested. I like cooking and all, but she makes things that I can't even pronounce, which means that I have no business cooking those things.

But that's besides the point. What is the point you ask? Well, good question. Today I'm writing just for the hell of it. Nothing terribly exciting happened this week. Well, I guess that's only a little true. Yesterday was my birthday. Whoop. I do like my birthday though. It's a day all about me - maybe not in reality, but in my reality it is. Reality is only what you make of it anyway.

I haven't really felt like writing lately. I can't come up with a good premise for my blog. Every blog needs a purpose, right? Well, mine doesn't have one. I was trying to choose between a few different topics (i.e. diet and fitness, relationships, travel, restaurants) and then I realized that while I may be somewhat knowledgeable in several areas, I am the master of none.

Suggestions? I was thinking of maybe doing one on restaurants in different places I've traveled. Maybe I'll even give some recipes for global cuisine. I don't know. I'll get back to you on that.

Monday, February 5, 2007

Starting again, again.

The Diet

I have been slowly, but steadily, losing weight for the last 14 months. Before I moved to Dublin I was at an all time high of 148 pounds. And no, I'm not going to round that up to 150, thank you very much. Dublin was good for me. It was a little tough on me the first few months. I wasn't used to walking a few miles every day and carrying groceries all the way home (it was a trek!). I lost a good 10 pounds within the first 6 months. It was great! I felt wonderful and I was so proud of myself every day.

I joined the iVillage 6 week challenge, and since January 4th I've really been making a push to get down to my ideal goal weight (122 pounds). So far I'm doing really well. These last few pounds have been a little tougher to shed, but I work out regularly and I'm very motivated. The only problem I have is my sweet tooth. I just love candy and cake and cookies (and anything chocolate). I have such a hard time not eating sweets, and this week is my B-Day, so my mom made me a cake and I took some home and now I'm going to eat it all...

I only have 6 more pounds to go. I think I can, I think I can...

The Hormones

Last night I started a new kind of birth control pills (the "Pill"). I have needed to get a new one for quite some time now, as my previous Pill was the cause for some depression. Well, that's being nice. Not "some" depression, a lot of it. I have been horribly down in the dumps for the past 4 months. It took 2 for me to realize the cause of these problems and another 2 for me to solve it. Don't ask. So Joey is thrilled that I may be back to normal soon, and I am too. Depression doesn't go well with me. I'm usually such a happy person. So I can't wait for these babies to kick in and let me be happy while preventing babies. Stay tuned. We'll know soon enough. Anyone have any perils of wisdom for Yaz? I think it's new, so we'll see.

I almost forgot to tell you! I went to Stephan Pyles this weekend (www.stephanpyles.com) and had the tasting menu. It was amazing! It should have been for as much as we paid for it (heh) but it really was worth it and I wouldn't change anything about it. 10 course dinner with wine pairings from Texas's most renowned chef...totally out of this world. I especially liked the soup. It was cream of butternut squash with lobster base and lobster pieces. I know that probably shouldn't have been my favorite course, but I'm a Texan. What can I say? The quail was good too? If you ever get a chance to try Stephan Pyles you must. Worth every penny!