Break

So, I'm taking a break....Or have already started a break. The end of the year is fast upon us and my schedule leaves hardly room for sleeping. Speaking of sleeping, I will only be sleeping in my bed somewhere around 12 days in December....I've been reading and commenting on your blogs, but probably won't be back here for a bit. Happy Holidays to all! Hopefully you have better managed your schedules and are not overbooked this month!!!

Recipe Share

I had been wanting to make a butternut squash ravioli for awhile now. Actually, I have wanted to make it since I had it last fall at Sotto Sotto. So with Fall in the air and our guests in town, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to try something new. Well, let me tell you....this might have been one of the best meals I have ever made....In fact, James has not raved about a meal in this way since I made the stuffed pork chops and smoked gouda grits the first time. (for recipe, go here.) Given that this meal was such a success, I thought I would share it with you all. It actually was not that difficult.

Menu:
Maple Pork Tenderloin
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce
Green Beans

For the Pork Tenderloin: I looked all over for a recipe and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I created my own marinade. I mixed maple syrup (I used Aunt Jemima), apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and fresh sage in a baggie. Insert pork tenderloin and marinate for about an hour. I cooked the tenderloin in the oven until it reached 5 degrees less than recommended (I am not sure what that is, I use a meat thermometer).


Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce: I adapted this recipe from Emeril.

Ingredients

• 9 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons minced shallots
• 1 cup roasted butternut squash puree (to make this, I used 1 1/2 butternut squash. I cut it in cubes, placed in baking dish with olive oil and some salt. I cooked for about an hour or until soft)
  
• Salt
• Freshly ground white pepper
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus 2 ounces
• Pinch nutmeg
• 1 recipe pasta dough, rolled out into wide ribbons, about 1/4-inch thick (short cut tip: Use wonton wrappers which are usually found in the produce section of your grocery store)
  
• 12 fresh sage leaves (I used some of the left over sage leaves for the pork marinade)
  
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

In a large saute pan, over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add the squash puree and cook until the mixture is slightly dry, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cream and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons cheese and nutmeg, to taste. Season with salt and pepper. Cool completely.

Cut the pasta ribbons into 3-inch squares. Place 2 teaspoons of the filling in the center of each pasta square. Bring 1 corner of the square to the other, forming a triangle and seal the pasta completely. Add the pasta to pot of boiling salted water. Cook until al dente, about 2 to 3 minutes or until the pasta floats and is pale in color.

Remove the pasta from the water and drain well. Season the pasta with salt and pepper.

In a large saute pan, melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter. Add the sage to the butter and continue to cook until the butter starts to brown. Remove from the heat.

Place some of the pasta in the center of each serving plate. Spoon the butter sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle the 2 ounces of cheese over each plate and garnish with parsley.

OMG - This is DIVINE!!!! And really not that difficult. ENJOY!!!

ATL Ladies

I am in need of a local stylist! Any and all suggestions are welcomed.

I just got my hair cut in Lexington during our visit...not one of my best cuts and I am trying to hold out until December for another cut, but need to get it done here. I like EASY, CUTE hairstyles. My hair is fine, but I have a ton of it. And, I don't like paying an arm and a leg for a hair cut...I know I am pretty high maintenance when it comes to hair cuts, but I want the cut to be low maintenance....YIKES, probably not a good combo...which is why I need your HELP!!!

Thanks!!

Shocking, even myself

I have already started Christmas shopping, am looking forward to decorating this week and even listened to Christmas music in the car. WOW! I normally am the "have to wait for Thanksgiving" girl.
In fact, I LOVE Thanksgiving, because other than cooking and traveling, there is no stress and you can relax with family. Unlike Christmas, where there can be stress related to "did I get the right gift", "will they like it", "what if I don't like my gift", etc.
Now, I shouldn't be that shocked since I am sort of a planner/type A person. And since I am out of town this weekend, leaving Tues for Thanksgiving in OH and then leaving from there for the Netherlands until the following Sunday, NOW is really the time to decorate and get ready.
So, what about you....are you already in the holiday mood?

(I've also been doing a little Jessi shopping too....all good deals, but I really shouldn't be shopping. I think its a little therapy for me.)

GA Mountains

While our friends were here we took a trip to the GA mountains. We stayed up there for 2 days and it was very peaceful. We got some great pictures.

Family Portrait - this would make a good Christmas card. Barley is even looking a the camera.

Walking through the forest

Barley and Me on the walk

Barley Relaxing with a stick....great picture. Isn't he a cute dog.

Our friends brought their little one....I spent the week loving on him...isn't he cute!!!!

The girls hanging out at the fire.....We had cheese/crackers and wine before dinner.

View from the cabin where we stayed.

It was a 3.5 mile drive off the main road to get to the cabin where we stayed. This waterfall is about halfway up the drive and goes under the road.

Pictures on our way down the drive after a relaxing couple days. The sun was awesome and really provided some great lighting.

James and me at the pumpkin patch. We had to take our European friends since they don't get to experience them at home! Plus it provided for great shots with the baby!

(the photos look a bit blurry, but I promise on my computer they look awesome!!)

I got tagged....

I got tagged by E at Some Like it Hot and just now am getting around to answering.....Sorry for the delay...I think most of you have done this, so I am not tagging anyone.

The rules: answer each question below with one word, then tag six friends to receive the Award!

1. Where is your cell phone- purse
2. Your hair- bad cut
3. Your mother- stressed
4. Your father- quiet
5. Your favorite food- pasta
6. Your dream last night- weird
7. Your favorite drink- vodkasoda
8. Your dream/goal- fulfillment
9. What room are you in- kitchen
10. Your hobby- tennis
11. Your fear- drowning
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years- idontknow
13. Where were you last night- home
14. Something that you aren’t- loud
15. Muffins- cinnamon
16. With list item- cartier
17. Where did you grow up- ohio
18. Last thing you did- costco
19. What are you wearing- casual
20. Your TV- solving cases
21. Your pets- Barley
22. Friends- Awesome
23. Your life- crazy
24. Your mood- overwhelmed
25. Missing someone- family
26. Vehicle- Acura
27. Something you’re not wearing- earrings
28. Favorite store- Nordstrom
29. Favorite color- pink
30. Last time you laughed- notsure
31. Last time you cried- october
32. Your best friend- multiple
33. One place that I go to over and over- grocery
34. One person who emails me regularly- husband
35. Favorite place to eat- toomany

ENJOY!

Lexington Trip Pictures

Our trip to Lexington was a whirlwind. Arrive lunch Thursday - Jessi to work - then to massage, which I needed (we always go in Lexington because we have the best person there - it hurts so good, but you always feel better the next day). Leave massage for birthday celebrations at Ali's brothers house. Picture below is of me and my SMIL and FIL. Notice the ponytail - that's post massage hair and pre hair cut hair.

Opening my gifts - the now famous JCrew TShirt
After the birthday celebration we crashed. We'd had some long nights at home before getting up early Thurs to drive to Lex, so that was all we had in us. (Notice the cute dress, I wore that with leggings, perfect car trip outfit! You may see that again)

Friday, I got up, went to work, had my review, attended several meetings, managed to upset James and all before lunch. Then I got my hair cut, ran back to work to drop something off (subject of upseting James) and then to get ready for the wedding. Did I mention it has been raining the entire time, especially on Friday? This wedding was meant to be outdoors? Well they moved it inside and it was beautiful. James has a way of capturing random pictures of me, see below. I was really excited to get my hair cut because I could wear the style (usually, I get my hair cut and then go home, but now I got to "show it off"). Well the rain had other ideas, so I ended up pulling it back a bit. Also had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction. The dress had a deep v in the back. Well I had brought sticky things in the place of a bra. Needless to say sticky things did not stick. So I went braless. Lucky for me, I can get away with it, but I hung on to that shawl most of the night anyway.
This is the best picture of the two of us and its still a bit blurry.
Saturday we went to Keeneland with my girlfriends. It was supposed to be a couples thing but the other guys bailed. And by we, I mean I went to Keeneland until about 3, when James joined us. He spent the morning helping pack up the moving truck for his mom and sister. And, truth be told, for us too as we got a few pieces (those pictures are coming too). After Keeneland, we went to Jonathan's at Gratz Park Inn for dinner. BEST FRIED GREEN TOMATO SALAD EVER. I had dreams about it. I should have just ordered 2 salads as my meal...awesome! (Check out the menu, I dare you - its awesome. And if you are in Lexington, I suggest you go). No group shots with the girls, but below is a picture of James and me.

Then on Sunday, James got up, drove his mom's car to TN to meet them and unload/reload the truck. I met Nikki for breakfast (thanks Nikki) and headed back to ATL. The crew ended up at our house around 8. They did some unloading, then called it a night. Unfortunately mother nature intervened the next day and the rest of the truck was unloaded in the pouring rain. All in all a packed weekend. Then it was my birthday day and I've already posted about that.

Coming soon....pictures of our trip to the GA mountains!

Facebook Status Update

This is my current status update....I've given up trying to eat food that doesn't upset my stomach, I had ice cream for dinner last night. Stupid antibiotics upsetting my stomach, seriously, I'd like to feel "well" again sometime soon.

(sorry for the blurry words, but wanted to cover up my real name....and that's the best way I found to do it)