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!

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.

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!

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Do you remember when you got your wisdom teeth removed? It wasn't that long ago for me. I remember it being the day before Thanksgiving so I couldn't enjoy the dinner, and I remember my face swelling up to the size of tennis balls. Everyone called me a chipmunk, and yes, I did in fact resemble one.

Fast forward to today...the love of my life had his wisdom teeth removed on Monday. He was is such an enormous amount of pain (I think men are bigger weenies than women anyway) that I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. I wanted so badly to take care of him and ease his pain, but alas, I could not. So I picked him up a frosty and sugar coated his pain. And it worked! You know how I know it's true love? Today I think he is quite possibly the most adorable little puff ball ever. Today he is the chipmunk and I just want to hug him and squeeze him and kiss him. He's so cute! Don't tell him I said that. He's so embarrassed that he wouldn't even go to work. I guess playing hookie one more day can't hurt, especially since today he's out shopping for my Birthday present.

I'm going to be 23 soon. Very soon. Too soon. I'm not one of those people that freak out right before their Birthday though. It's just not in my blood. My mother still enjoys her Birthday. It's her special day; a day entirely devoted to her. I think that as long as you wine and dine her she'll enjoy her day forever. I hope I'm that same way. So far so good. I'm really looking forward to my day this year. We're going to dinner at Stephan Pyles. I haven't heard much about him before now, but he's supposed to be one of the most influential chefs in the South. And i like Southern food, so I'm sure it will be good. I'll tell you about it on Sunday.

Looks like I was all over the place today. Until we meet again.

A New Day is Dawning

I'm so excited that I'm at a loss for words. As you will soon come to realize, I am rarely in such a predicament. I have been reading blogs for so long that I don't know why I didn't start this much sooner. Well, enough of that. Where should we begin? We will have wonderful conversations covering any number of topics. Some of my favorites include travel, food, movies, diet and exercise, and the male psyche.

The Male Psyche

I will need much help with this one because, and I wince at this admission (don't tell my boyfriend), I don't really know all that much about men. They say they are simple creatures, and I bet some of them are, but mine is not. He is quite possibly the furthest thing from simple. I'm more simple than he is, and that's something else you will learn. I'm not simple at all. I'm quite confusing really. Hell, I confuse myself. But more on all that later...

I'm really just starting this to talk about my thoughts. I talk to myself too much as it is, and now I will have the chance to share my thoughts with all of you. Please comment on anything you deem worthy. I would love all the feedback and input I can get.

I look forward to sharing many experiences, good and bad, with you. Enjoy!