Virus

Apparently the ShoppyBag email program that has been flying about is a virus. I received it, opened it, and accepted it. I haven't had any problems so far, but you may not want to open any emails that say "Your friend is a member" or "You've been invited" or whatever for awhile. Just a heads-up. I apologize if I caused anyone else any ill effects by allowing it into my address book.

Etsy Crazy!

My cousin is turning 18(!) on February 18th!

 

(Second from the left)

 

(That's Mister's bike)

She loves fashion and she's funky and eclectic. Remember I told you she made her own dress for Thanksgiving?

I got her a book on sewing knits and the Sartorialist, which she saw on my coffee table and started looking at when she came over and I wasn't paying attention, so at least I know she'll like it!! And she loves headbands, so I decided to get her a fun headband from Etsy. It took me days to make a decision, there are so many fun options... I love Etsy! Here is the one I finally picked:

 

(yellowyellowdesign)

Pretty, right? I hope she likes it! 

While I was looking at stuff for her, I found stuff for me to! Etsy's going to be my downfall...

 

(NoraJane)

Pretty Thistle Birds Pillow Cover

 

(Lilybethgoodies)

Cotton Pink Pillow Covers (Pair)

I also bought some prints for the Living Room. I want to do a gallery wall behind the TV console, just as soon as I decide what color to spray my frames: white or silver? What do you think? 

Bucatini with Shrimp Recipe

Bucatini with Shrimp

 4    tbsp olive oil 

1.5  lbs. large shrimp, peeled and deveined 

       Salt and Pepper 

1     onion, chopped

3     cloves garlic, chopped

1     cup white wine

2     cans (35 oz. each) San Marzano whole tomatoes, crushed

1     tsp. red pepper flakes

1     cup torn basil leaves, plus more for garnish

1     lb. cooked bucatini

2     cups fresh buffalo ricotta

1. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper.

2. Cook shrimp about 3 minutes or until partially cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet; set aside.

3. Heat remaining 2 tbsp olive oil in skillet. Add onion and garlic; cook three minutes or until softened. Add wine.

4. Add tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta. Return shrimp to skillet; add basil and continue simmering for 5 minutes. 

5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon sauce over hot pasta. Dollop with ricotta and garnish with basil if desired. Serves 8. 

This is a very simple recipe, good for last minute dinners. 

I have changed it up over the two years I have been making this:

I rarely use ricotta, because it is pricey and would probably go bad before I remembered to use it, but it is delicious if you do use it. 

I also use whole wheat linguine or spaghetti in place of bucatini, but it's only because I don't know what bucatini is! lol 

I substitute vermouth for the white wine, because it is easier to keep around the house. Plus, the whites I like are WAY too sweet for cooking. 

I also substitute Hunt's 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes for the San Marzano, b/c Mister is weird about his tomatoes. He will only eat Hunt's. I use two cans to cut down the recipe, one plain diced tomatoes and one with green chilies to add a little something extra.

AND I use pre-cooked, tail-off frozen shrimp from Costco. Much easier - I HATE deveining shrimp.

So, obviously, this recipe is incredibly adaptable to your palate and your crowd size. 

Try it, it's delish!

Monkey Love

 

Mister decided he need a truck that he found on Craigslist, (in Indiana!!), so we packed up the fur-babies and drove to Indiana on Saturday. Long story short; the kid lied, the truck was crap, and we went all the way back home empty-handed. Fun, fun!! But the babies love riding in the truck and I slept most of the time... Plus, I got to eat Steak N' Shake for lunch, which is pretty exciting, cause we never, ever eat fast food.

Never confuse motion with progress...

I have made a large dent in the living room. It is progress, but it is by no means done. I do have a plan. Sort-of. But here is my progress so far:

BEFORE

DURING

 

The curtains and the coffee table are temporary. I hate the giant wall-o'-white, but I cannot find curtains that complement my desired scheme and that flowered chair. I am thinking I am going to have to lean more towards slate/sky blue and sage/apple green, as opposed to turquoise and lime. I just don't think Mister is going to let me replace all of the upholstery in the house. I am hoping I will be able to have slipcovers made for the chairs, like this, because the dogs climb all over them and the green one lives under a dropcloth (classy, I know). Mister is super-neurotic about the dogs ruining something or scratching the floor... Whereas I am more like "Meh, whatevs"...

Here are some of my inspiration photos:

Love this Bricklayers Coffee Table 

Mister would like nothing more than to superimpose this living room over ours... Our last house was definitely more "rustic chic" - I am resisting here though. It's hard to make pink rustic, right? 

BHG

Isn't this pillow adorable? And totally doable, even for the less crafty of us. I think this pale turquoise will work with the difficult grandma chair...  Hmmm... but maybe not with the green chair...

My Home Ideas

 

Apartment Therapy

 Apartment Therapy

 

Apartment Therapy

I want to have some mirrors cut to fit the inside of our firebox and then put some candles in there. Mister hates the idea - he doesn't understand what is wrong with the faux-wood gas logs (our fireplace is not gas!). Blech. But he was also vehement about not painting the living room pink and now he likes it. So there. 

Book Reviews (Sort Of)

I am finished two of the books I purchased on Friday.

Mary Kay Andrews' Deep Dish

This book was highly entertaining, as are all of M.K.A.'s books! If I haven't already said it, she is my favorite author!Definitely pick one up next time you are at the bookstore. I think my favorites are Savannah Blues and Savannah Breeze, but that's because I am partial to character follow-up.

I also finished Christopher Moore's Coyote Blue.

This is my fourth Christopher Moore novel. It was engaging and the characters were well written, but it was not my favorite. I very much enjoyed You Suck and Bloodsucking Fiends. What do you call two books about the same characters? A book and the sequel?... A series?... I am not sure, but they are funny!

Opa!

That means grandfather in German, but it is also the Greek word for cheer... My grandfather just celebrated his 80th birthday on the 18th!

We threw him a big party and invited all their friends, relatives, and all their old German cronies they escaped Hitler with. These are terrible quality photos, but you get the idea. This milestone was especially significant at this time. Two years ago, he developed a virus in his heart. The doctors misdiagnosed it for a year, he lost 70 lbs, and basically his will to live. In the fall of 2008, he spent more than three months in the hospital and nearly died, multiple times. Now he and my Oma know how to live with it (and cook for it, most importantly for them).

 My uncle and my cousin, Lauren, (right side of pic) came up from Kentucky for the weekend!

 

 

 My mother, my aunt, and my uncle giving the speech. 

And that's my grandmother at the bottom right.

Look how happy he is!

We had lunch and cake at a nice Italian restaurant. It was lovely and I think all of us were fully aware of just how lucky we are to still have him in our lives.

Is there anyone in your lives you are particularly grateful for? Or a milestone that has been significant in some way?