For most of my life I have been a nail biter. I think since I was in grammar school. Just one of my nervous habits. The fact that my fingers were going in my mouth didn't bother me. That I could be putting germs didn't gross me out for some weird reason. It was a compulsion. But three months ago I somehow stopped and I let them grow out. I didn't have the urge anymore. And this is what my nails look like now.

Niel came home the other day with a bag of Vegetable Wheat Thin Chips. They taste so good. They are a bit healthier to eat as well since they are baked, have 60% less fat than potato chips and 0 trans fat. And come in other flavors. I could eat the entire bag but I won't.




Craving: A speedy morning

Usually I make my own pasta sauce. I buy the tomatoes canned and I add ingredients to make it my own. But if there is a sale at my local supermarket I will try a premade bottled pasta sauce. And by far the best bottled one I have ever tasted is Francesco Rinaldi Marinara. It was packed with flavorful! The taste hits me in the back of my throat. I highly recommend it. I have also made pasta sauce from scratch by stewing fresh tomatoes and letting it simmer for a long time in spices. I would love to do it again but once I have more room in my freezer. I am actually considering getting a small freezer. Just have to think of where to put it.








Song Stuck In My Head: "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks
Craving: Food

I got Niel a Silicone oven kitchen glove. He had been admiring a pair when we were at a home store. So I secretly brought one for him. One day we were cooking some Kielbasa for dinner when he decided to test the glove out. Oh and another weird fact I collect too many paper napkins from restaurants. And apparently not being able to stop sharing weird facts about myself.


Glove



Sticking his Siliconed hand in the water


Picking up the Kielbasa



Song Stuck In My Head:"The Flame" by Cheap Trick

Craving: For the Nigella Lawson cooking show to air on Food TV

I have been looking for the Reynolds egg shaped cups for Easter but could not find them in any of my supermarkets. I have a ton of the heart ones and more recently stars. However not as much as the hearts. But the egg shaped was my white whale. It irked me to no end that I couldn't get my hands on them. And now I find out there are Christmas tree shaped ones as well. What's next they'll make my beloved leaf shaped ones and I won't be able to find them as well?! If anyone out there still has egg or Christmas tree ones in their store I will trade you for the heart or star ones. Just drop me an email. Thank you! Side note American Dreamz good movie.


Pic from Reynolds site





Song Stuck In My Head: "Stand Back" by Fleetwood Mac

Craving: Reynolds egg shape cups

Happy Orthodox Easter everybody. As you know even though my family is Orthodox Christians we celebrate Easter following the Western calendar. But I still like to recognize Orthodox Easter as well. Hopefully when we have kids I will celebrate both Easters and Christmas's. Although neither of us is very religious. For the most part I think organized religion fails to accept everyone as it should. And is a safety net in a way for people not too feel so alone in the world. When maybe we really are just alone? I don't think God is this way just the people who wish to interpret what he says. But why does it have to be negative?
Sometimes I do feel like we're married to people from different religions because we follow different calendars and have different traditions. Even though obviously we're not. It's strange. Here is a link that explains pretty well the differences between the two. It is really only date wise. April 24 is also the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Usually there is an event in Times Square with politicians, some survivors of the genocide. Pretty much an informative event.
I don't know who was the genius that was in charge of putting this event together because many Armenians celebrate Easter today and will not attend. As well as the fact it is raining and bitterly cold. In fact the entire weekend it has been horrible weather wise. Today I will be indoors folding massive amounts of laundry, cursing the weather and trying to fix the stupid kitchen sink which is preventing me from doing dishes regularly. I hate hate to miss the event. This is the second year in a row I have missed it. Last year I missed it because we went to Niel's grandfather's birthday. It is sad to think it was the last birthday we would ever go to of his. So I am glad Niel and I went. But it still bothered me not to attend the Armenian Genocide commemorative that happens in Times Square every year. And this year because of this crappy weather we won't be going.

A few more weird things about me I only eat peanut butter and jelly with grape jelly and I only eat my mother's version of French Toast with strawberry jelly. And I only like strawberry jam if I have butter and scones. I also love oranges but not orange juice.

Happy Earth Day Everybody!! We only have one and we all can do something in are own way to make sure we appreciate her. Whether we recycle, conserve energy, or grew our own food. There are a ton of possibilities.

Shannon tagged me with a meme I have seen going around. Thanks Shannon. I have to list six weird things about myself. Just six? Hah!

1) I am a weirdo about certain foods. I love cherries fresh and in pie and cake but not in ice cream.

2) I will always order the same thing on the menu depending on what restaurant we go to.

3)This I admitted to Maryland Mommy I do as well. I too have the dishes washed and the bed made before I leave for work. It's not like if a burglar will come in and think to himself how tidy I am.

4)This I admitted to Victoria Winters I do as well. When I was a kid I used to count how many letters were in words. I don't know why I just did. Thankfully I grew out of it. Slight OCD. I know. Shut up.

5)I asked Niel for help(I figured he would know. lol.) and he says something I do he finds weird/funny when I see something on TV I think is ridiculous is I pause it(Thank God for DVR) and I say really loudly "HOLD ON. HOLD ON." Then I repeat the stupid thing I heard on TV. Niel usually starts to laugh after I am done.

6)I don't really like my food touching. Gravy on mashed potatoes is ok.

People I tag: Jessica, Jesser, Lisanne, Yvett, Squilky, and
Niel. Let me know if you plan on playing along by leaving a comment for me.

Song Stuck In My Head: The theme song to Hannah Montana

Craving: Less of a tummy ache.

So apparently mashed potato balls stuffed with meat are really an international dish. I wrote about how I tried one at a Hispanic Christening party and then at my mom's house for my birthday. Then I also saw it at a pizzeria. The one at the pizzeria was much larger and the potato was fluffier. I don't know how they got the inside to stay so fluffy. Plus the ground meat filling had tomato sauce mixed in. Neither of the potato balls I tried before did. The one at the pizzeria was sort of eating a condensed shepherd's pie but with tomato sauce. All were pretty tasty.








Song Stuck In My Head: "Milkshake" by Kelis

Besides markets to cater to the Polish and Irish immigrants that live in my neighborhood we also have an Italian market Iavarone Brothers which caters to the Italian-Americans in my neighborhood. There isn't a flock of Italians coming into my area but the children and grandchildren and great grandchildren of Italian immigrants in Queens have for the most part stayed in the surround neighborhoods and Iavarone Brothers is a nice place that reminds them of their grandmother's kitchens. Iavarone Brothers also has a few other stores in the surrounding towns. The market is amazing. I needed to go in there to get some of the ingredients for my Pizza Rustica and lamb kebabs. Sure I could go to the supermarket but they don't have everything. I walk inside and a little part of me thinks this is what Italy must be like. Or at least in my imagination. The whiff of whatever the hot and cold bars have to offer hits me. Some antipasta salad or meatballs. The next sense that is made happy are my ears because over the speakers some Italian crooner is singing. As I keep walking around I smile as I look at how much they have to offer. Besides the hot and cold bars they have various cheeses(not just mozzarella, ricotta or provolone), cold cuts, seafood, meat, canned goods, produce, bread and frozen products. I tried their fresh ricotta. Totally different then what you find in the supermarket. It is very good. So if you find any specialty store take a look around. It is the yummiest way to learn about a country.



Fish/Seafood display


Cold/War Bar and Cold Cuts


Hanging Cheese


More Cheese


Italian Plums





Song Stuck In My Head: The Coca Cola song by Jack White

I like it when birthdays are extended. Shannon sent me neat party plates and 2 bracelets and earrings from Bellatini. Proceeds go to her adoption so go shop!







Yesterday I received one of my favorite movies Lucas from Lisanne. Coincidentally also the name of her little boy. Heh heh.



And I came home to a note from the post office saying to pick something else up. Can't wait to see what it could be.


Thank you both very much again!!



Song Stuck In My Head: The various songs from Charilie & The Chocolate Factory

Craving: Perfect weather.

Hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend! Niel and I were both off on Friday so we ran errands, got haircuts and went to see the Britney Spears statue in Brooklyn. First we had trouble finding the place because we thought we were looking for a building. But it was in a garage. The door was not open but there was a window and you could peek inside. It was so disturbing. Saturday Niel finally got to play some baseball and afterwards we went to see Thank You For Smoking. Really good film. And had a nice meal afterwards. It's a tradition Niel and I have of having a date after his games. Sunday we hosted Easter. Our parents and brothers came over. Thanksgiving and Easter is what we host. I do hope to host another holiday soon in exchange for one of the above. We served ham, lamb kebabs, Easter eggs, Arancini(rice balls), mini red potatoes marinated in olive oil and oregano, antipasto platter, salad, and chocolate cupcakes. I made jello eggs too but this is the second year in a row that the eggs would not come out of the mold. I am going to throw out the mold. Which was from Jello by the way. Pooh. Both of the moms brought side dishes. To thank them for coming besides containers of leftovers from dinner I gave out mini mozzarella balls in olive oil and Italian spice in a pretty jar. We played the egg game again this year. The egg game is to see whose egg does not get cracked. You crack your opponent on the top and bottom of the egg. And Niel likes the idea so we continued the tradition. Mike has won two years in a row. Niel also surprised me with a lovely Easter basket. There was candy and cute peeps socks. Pictures here.


Niel getting his hair cut


Craving: Sleep

Niel has his own list of things he wants to try. I don't know if it is a 101 list but none the less he was interested in trying Coke Blak. It pisses me off they spelled Blak incorrectly. Anyway we tried it and the verdict is. It was nice to try once but cannot see myself drinking it regularly. It reminded me of coffee candy which I enjoy from time to time but not in drink form. I'll stick to drinking coffee and coke separately thank you very much.




Coke Blak


Excited to try it


Smelling It


Taking a swig


Smelling it


Trying to determine the flavor

I read on Jenny's blog that Nigella Lawson is going to have a show on the Food Network. I was a huge fan of her E show Nigella Feasts.



While perusing Slashfood.com I read that the Deen boys will have their own show on the Food Network called Good To Go. It will be a travel show about food. I thought they were pretty good on camera when they help out with their mom's show. Must take after her. Speaking of Paula Deen. Did you know she has her own magazine? I didn't till I clicked on her non Food Network site www.ladyandsons.com. She is one busy lady!



Another TV show I am excited to watch is with the ladies who starred in AbFab, will star in a new BBC comedy. Hee Hee! I loooved AbFab. Those drunken broads were hysterical. Did you know that Jennifer Saunders(Edina) is married to Adrian Edmundson(Vyvyn) from the Young Ones. Another BBC show. Did anyone watch the Young Ones? And Rik Mayal who also starred in the Young Ones was in a film with Pheobe Cates called Drop Dead Fred?/ Ok rambling must stop.



I have to rave about my recent Sopranos find. A just released entertaining book called Entertaining With The Sopranos. It is written by character Carmela Soprano played by Edie Falco. But when you open the book you see its of course actually penned by one of the shows writers and the recipes are from an professional chef. The recipes in there are fantastic. I was happily surprised. All the characters give advice on what makes for a good party. From toasts to how to pair wine with food to how much money you give as a gift. A neat find for fans of the show and good food.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter
Craving: To get everything done

Say Cheese is a neat little sandwich shop I accidentally found while looking for another sandwich shop on ninth avenue. And with a name like Say Cheese how could I not go in? I love cheese. Although my stomach does not. But that's another boring story. Say Cheese is a hole in the wall place and you could miss it as I have many times. But once I found it I have been back a few times. The walk is nice during this recent good weather(except for that freakish hail storm on Saturday) we are having and the food is very springy. They offer sandwiches, salads, smoothies, fries, stuffed and fried Jalapeno peppers, and soups. While you are waiting there is a whole pile of trashy magazines to keep one busy. So if you are in town and want to go off the beaten path of Times Square take a walk down to the neighborhood of Hells Kitchen. Not so scary anymore.




My Shroom sandwich and the BEST creamy tomato soup I have ever tasted


The tour trolley I saw on the way back






Song Stuck In My Head: "Feel Good Inc" by the Gorillaz

Craving: To go home early

My first Candy Swappers package came in. I am utterly pleased with my goodies. My partner sent me regional candies. She is from Texas and I got a lot neat peanutty and coconutty treats.








Song Stuck In My Head:"Superman" by REM

Craving: Consistent weather

Friday was my birthday. I want to thank everyone again who sent me an email, e-card or left comments. I really appreciate it. I also received some nice gifts from my coworker Stephanie, the Squilky's and of course Niel, my Niel. Stephanie gave me a nice pair of candle holders. She said I can use them to hold home office supplies too, which I think I will. The Squilkys besides a pretty candle holder, door hanging, neat wooden flowers and vase and two Easter Rabbits. Not real. Niel got me a strawberry short cake from Whole Foods. It was really good!! I also got two cool shirts, both Angry Little Girl Books, a neat peep bowl, frosting decorator, strawberry short cake pencils, note pad with the initial A, and Friday night we went to Medieval Times. That was so much fun. The reservation person told Niel to look for a castle. He didn't believe her. And when we were looking sure enough the building is a castle.

Conversation:

"Uh where is it?"

"The castle..."

"Oh"

There are people dressed as nights and they call you Lord and Lady. They also gave us hats. Some of the waitresses refer to themselves as wenches. But not ours. Niel was disappointed about that. There is a giftshop with some neat and some affordable things. Other things not so affordable. There is a drinking hole with alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. I got a cup shaped like a horse or a unicorn. I can't tell. The food suprisingly was amazing and plentiful: Veggie soup, garlic bread, half a chicken, ribs, baked potato and a delicious apple pie. We ate with our hands. Luckily they had plenty of napkins, and wet naps. There aren't any utensils in medieval times but there is soda. LOL! The show was pretty neat. Man those horses worked their hiney's off. The place was loud too. Everyone was really into it! We cheered and waved our banners. We were a bit deaf after the show. I would recommend going just for the experience.

Because it rained Saturday and Niel couldn't play softball again we saw V for vendetta. I hadn't seen a movie in the theater for a while. Glad we didn't go the opening weekend. Everyone was nice and quiet. I loved this movie. It might not be for everyone but I really enjoyed it(even if it made me sad) and I've never even read the comic it was loosely based on. Afterwards we went to a Christening party for a daughter of one of my MIL's friends. Then we came home and vegged out on the couch. I thought the food was good. My stomach did not. The toilet was my best friend the rest of the weekend. Unfortunately still is.

Sunday we went to my parents for my birthday dinner. It was nice to see my brother and Christine. My dad bbq'd. Actually I think the dishes at the christening, my dad's spicy bbq and the Indian on Thursday night made my stomach act up. Man he makes a good bbq. Funny my mom made the same potato thingies that we had at the Christening party. I guess it's an international recipe. It is mashed potatoes stuffed with seasoned ground meat and lightly coated in flour and fried in olive oil. I got some cool gifts. A ring that belonged to my grandmother. A few work tops. A cook book. A frame. And address book. I forget the rest. Also with Niel's help cleaned and did laundry. Pics Niel, my here.



Song Stuck In My Head:"Hello" by Me First and the Gimmie Gimmes(Redone)
Craving: My stomach to settle down

Recently it was my mom's birthday. I knew she enjoys Sushi; so me, Niel, my brother and Christine decided for her birthday we would take her and my dad to a Japanese restaurant in my neighborhood. The food and service is fabulous and we had fun. We ordered:Shumai(steamed Shrimp dumplings), Gyoza(fried pork dumplings), Sweet potato tempura roll, spider roll, caviar roll, and Love Boat(combo of Shashimi(no rice) and sushi) that came in a boat. I was happy my dad also enjoyed Japanese food. Even the Sushi! My mom especially loved the pickled ginger. She ate a bowl of it. Seriously. My mom was really good at mastering holding chopstikcs. My dad gave up after a bit and used a fork. We all admitted to using our chopsticks and stabbing into food at times. Afterwards we came back to Niel and my place for some cake and rainbow cookies while my mom opened up her presents. Pics here. Those few days were good minus Niel's softball league getting rained out. And me having to go to a dentist. As an April Fool's joke she said my bottom teeth needed to be pulled. LOL. We watched Lord of War. Very serious. Seemed more like a documentary. Got new cellphones. I can take photos now with my phone! And also we both purchased work shoes. Went to a Mets game. They won. Niel was so happy! Stadiums now are offering food options with more variety besides the usual ballpark fare. Such as Pizza, hot dogs, beer, pretzels, peanuts, etc. My favorites are corn dogs and sausage and peppers. Shea now offers cuban sandwiches and Arepas(griddle cakes with mozzarella cheese. The Foodnetwork had a special about it too. Pictures here. We also ate at a place we hadn't before. Fun times.



Song Stuck In My Head: "Chiquitita" by ABBA

Craving: Nothing much. Got everything I would want.

I was part of a sock exchange a few weeks back. While looking for socks to send to my partner I found these cute ones for myself. I never had toe socks before. (I ended up sending my partner toe socks too just in different colors.) It takes getting used to because all your toes are wrapped in their individual sock. They are cute though.








Song Stuck In My Head: "Picture Book" by the Kinks
Craving: A good appointment

Niel was an extra big old help the nights I would have class. We would park the car by the craft store during the times I had a lot of equipment so I wouldn't have to lug it in to work and then to class. And he would stay late at work or hang out at the nearby Starbucks(there was all there was around for him...poor thing) and read and sip coffee or chai until I was finished. Other nights he would pick me up and make dinner. He makes a great Pastrami/bacon sandwich. The nights we didn't cook or reheat a premade meal we would get Egg Drop and Wonton soups and watch Myth Busters. Thanks honey I couldn't do it without you!!



Bacon grilling on the Forman(The only way Niel likes his)


Bread waiting to be stuffed


Pastrami heating up in a pan


The sandwich waiting to be eaten


More you say?!



UPDATE:IT IS SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!







Song Stuck In My Head: Dominic The Donkey
Craving: A hat and gloves

I recently finished taking a few Wilton cake decorating courses at my local craft store. It was a great experience. I was part of a group of ladies taught by a fabulous cake decorator. We all took the class for various reasons. One was a bride looking to possibly make her own cake or cupcakes for her wedding in October. One was an elderly lady who had more time to devote to hobbies. But most of us wanted to improve on our cake decorating skills. The experience was a lot of fun and educational. I felt like I was being taught at a prestigious baking school. The instructor had four jobs. Her day job was an assistant, on weekend she was her church's secretary, plus she makes cakes on the side for whatever occasion and to keep her skills sharp she teaches for Wilton. It was a little sad to say goodbye to my classmates and teacher. Below is one of the cakes I made.



Song Stuck In My Head: "A Spoonful of Sugar Makes The Medicine Goes Down" Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins.

Craving: Not to lose my skillz!

The April/May edition of All Things Girl is out! This issue's topic is Mother Nature, Father Time. All Things Girl also has an blog. Information can get to you quicker! Go check out both! As always if you enjoy writing or taking pictures please submit to any of the eight sections of ATG.


Song Stuck In My Head: "City of Blinding Lights" by U2
Craving: A rain free day