The Odd Couple

I resisted this heavenly combination for way too long.  It just sounded too weird.  Or maybe I thought it just sounded gross.  I don't know what I was thinking. 

 

I have come to my senses and embraced the perfect pairing that is beer and ice cream. 

Frank Lloyd Wrong

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my family a day early this year.  Over the past couple of years we have learned to be very flexible about when we actually celebrate holidays since both Mom and my sis are nurses.  It has taught me that it's not so much about celebrating the holiday on the day itself, but more about about spending time with the ones you love, whenever that might be. 

(PW's to-die-for Green Bean Casserole)

We had a great meal, watched a movie/took a nap, played our favorite board game and then created the most craptacular gingerbread house I have ever laid my eyes on.  We all contributed our own unique touches to the structure and there is no unifying theme... except maybe 'tacky'.  There really are no words to accurately describe this monstrosity work of art.  You just have to see it for yourself. 

Eating for a Great Cause

Yesterday afternoon I headed out to the First Annual Westside Chef's Throwdown.  It was a fundraiser held at La Centerra to benefit MDA.  Think 'Throwdown with Bobby Flay' meets 'Next Iron Chef'.  The secret (and seasonal) ingredient was pumpkin.   

For $25 (or $20 if you planned ahead) you got a bracelet with 10 detachable numbers that could be redeemed for 10 plates of food.  Yes, I said plates of food.  Not just a taste.  What a deal!  You also received a green voting ticket to put in the jar of your favorite restaurant.  I am incredibly opinionated, so this was right up my alley!

You made us proud, Chef Caswell

In case you didn't see the show on Sunday or read the Houston Chronicle yesterday, my boy Bryan didn't 'survive to cook another day' on last week's episode of The Next Iron Chef. 

My heart is broken. 

Chef Caswell came across as incredibly likeable and so gosh darn down to earth. He always had a smile on his face and was an incredibly quotable contestant.  For example, after being (slightly) chastised at judging one week his response was, "Well, they said they want something between a ballerina and a linebacker, so I'm thinking NBA star". 

Check out this great video clip of Bryan explaining why it's always a good idea to hire someone with Waffle House experience on their resume. 



How can you not love this guy?  As Houstonians we are lucky to be able to call him one of our own

And I Don't Even Really Like Sausage...

It's cold (for the Houston area) and wet outside.  We're experiencing the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up with your Kindle and a cup of coffee under a warm blanket and just shut the rest of the world out. Unfortunately that is not my reality.  There are still errands to run, clothes to fold, meals to prepare and papers to grade.  In short, life goes on, even when I would rather it not.

Anyone else out there wish you could just raise the white 'surrender' flag every once and awhile and take a break?    That was what tonight's dinner was all about.  A simple, comforting, delicious stew that took about 20 minutes to make, but tasted like it had been simmering on the stovetop all day. 

Something else to think about...

Recently I ran out of time in the morning (or just hadn't been to the grocery store in awhile... I really can't remember) and found myself purchasing a 'tray lunch' from school. 

Amazingly this was the best choice offered that day. 

Pretty terrible, huh?  And I didn't even take a chocolate milk!  I can't believe we feed our students food like this.  No wonder ADD and ADHD are on the rise, along with childhood obesity.

I will refrain from commenting on the 'beige-ness' of the meal (an indication of just how processed everything is) and the fact that they are trying to pass corn off as a vegetable, instead of the starch that it really is.  I won't however neglect to mention the fact that it tastes like plastic.  All of it. 

In response, here is an article I found referenced on All Points Blog.  The title - Lunch Line Re-Design.

Basically, a simple re-design of the standard school cafeteria layout can strongly influence the food choices students make.  Interesting...