Do Yourself a Favor.

I'm a huge fan of starting the week off with a good laugh.  I love Mr. Yoshida's quirky personality and I've laughed myself to tears three times already...and counting.

Enjoy!

A Five Digit Change.

A number of weeks months have past since last I wrote and in that time five little digits in my life changed.

In mid-February, I said goodbye Chicago and hello Pittsburgh!  The entire idea left many people in our lives scratching their heads and muttering the phrase, "PPPIIITTTSSSSburgh?  Really?  There?"  Frankly, we may have muttered that phrase to ourselves a million times while making this decision.  For starters, we grew up in Cleveland and need I remind you that Cleveland Browns fans hate aren't very fond of Pittsburgh Steeler fans?  And if I'm being completely honest here, my dad might still remind me on a daily basis that I'd better not ever tell him that I'm a Steelers fan or it'll send him to his grave - true story.

I started my new job here one month ago today and it's been a great transition all the way around.  I feel at home here and my spirit is reinvigorated in so many ways.  It may only be five digits, but they can make a world of difference and they signify another bend in the road of life for this Crooked Pole.

Best Travel Coffee Mug.

During the holiday season we volunteered at a food pantry with some of our Marquette friends in the area.  One of them showed up with a Contigo travel coffee mug and swore upon it's dependability to be spill proof.  I was immediately intrigued as I've dumped many coffee mugs in my car as my husband can easily attest to.

We've had Contigo mugs in our home for a little over a month now and have gone spill-free.**

These mugs are the real deal and you can pick them up here.

** This remains to be the case despite many intentional tries to spill...into the kitchen sink of course.

Behold, the DATE!

Life has been moving at a feverish pace lately and I cannot believe I've been away for so long.  While I thought about sitting down to write many times in the last month, time just kept getting away from me.

And to think I shamelessly promoted this blog in our holiday card as a way to keep up with us - shameful, just shameful!

Anyway, there is plenty of 2009 business left to write about and I plan to catch myself up here soon enough.

Hope 2010 is treating everyone kindly!

Behold, Our Christmas Tree.

Pictured above is our beloved 2009 Christmas tree - isn't she a beauty?  

Artichoke (HEAVEN) Dip

Last week, there was a holiday potluck at work.  Yep, that's right, twelve floors overflowing with savory appetizers and the season's best desserts.  It was a shame that I couldn't get away with elastic banded pants that day, a damn shame.  Since introducing my artichoke dip, I've literally had ten people stop me in the halls to ask for the recipe.  It's truly a mouthwatering experience and comes together QUICKLY!  So if you're looking for a quick appetizer on the fly, I've got it...below.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 (14 oz.) cans water-packed artichoke hearts, well drained, chopped

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise

1 1/2 cups finely grated high-quality Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup, plus 2 tablespoons sliced green onion

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme OR 3/4 teaspoons dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more as needed

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Combine artichoke hearts, mayonnaise, 1 cup of the cheese, 1/3 cup of green onion, the garlic, thyme, kosher salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.  Mix and adjust the salt and pepper to taste.

3. Transfer mixture to 8-inch square glass baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese overtop.

4. Cover and bake until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes.

5. Increase the heat to broil and cook until the top is bubbly and golden brown, another 2 to 3 minutes.

6. Remove from the oven and garnish with the remaining green onion just before serving.

7. Enjoy with warm bagel or pita chips, French bread slices or crackers!

Do-Ahead: The dip can be assembled one day ahead but not cooked.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.

This delicious recipe came from one of my favorite cookbooks as seen here.  Every single recipe that I've tried (quite a few now!) has be amazing.  It would make a great holiday gift for a cook, even for someone who isn't a "bride" or "groom"...and it's on sale - bonus!

My Favorite Ornaments.

Once my parents married, my Grandma W. began a tradition and gave them an ornament each year for Christmas and while she is no longer with us, her tradition continues.  I give my parents an ornament every year as part of their gifts and since Andy and I have been married, I've given him one each year with a hand-written letter tucked inside its box.

Back in 2007, I was the hunt for an amazing ornament to kick-off my married Christmases with Andy and I happen to stumble upon one from Ne' Qwa Art in a little independent gift shop.  I have been buying Ne' Qwa ornaments ever since; they are absolutely beautiful and truly works of art.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, I am thankful for so much, it's hard to pick a few things to focus on.

Without further ado, here's my 2009 small list of gratitude:

1. I am thankful for my faith.

2. I am thankful for my loving and brilliant husband.

3. I am grateful for my two amazing families.

4. I am thankful for my wonderful friends.

5. I am thankful for my health and happiness.

6. I am thankful for my FUN puppy and the joy that she brings to my life.

7. I am thankful my puppy won't ever know that she came to mind sixth on my list.  Does that make me a bad pet owner?  I sure hope not...

8. I am thankful for my mom who agreed to make my favorite stuffing recipe just because I asked.

"S" is for Family.

In September we ventured back to Ohio for a little family reunion with my Dad's maternal side of the family.  We all had a wonderful time, shared some laughs, celebrated my Dad's birthday and enjoyed a beautiful day, together!

Here are some pictures:

Mom and Andy.

My sister and I can rarely hold it together for pictures.  We can never decide what is so funny but we have plenty of pictures similar to this one.

Maebe even enjoyed some time with her "cousin," Rocky

Getting ready to sing.

Steady...

My Dad's nickname has been "Moxie" since he was a kid.

The youngest cousins had a blast aiming full bottles of water at one another and jumping on them.  Look closely, you may see an impending "shower" headed for Alex's face.

We ended the day on a beautiful note.

Social Media - Just a Fad?

I think not.

OregaNO Go.

Despite giving my Oregano plant plenty of sunlight, water and loving care, the time had come to deal with reality.  My plant is now on it's way to its final resting place.

Basil, Rosemary, Chives and I are in mourning.

Veteran's Day Eve.

My dad is the most selfless man I've ever known and he never ceases to amaze me.  Tomorrow is Veteran's Day and my dad proudly represented the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.  Every year, I call my dad to thank him for his service to our country, not only as his very proud daughter but as an American citizen.

This year, at my dad's urging, I plan to not only thank him but to extend my thanks to other men and women who have served our country.  As Americans, we are very lucky to have people all over the world made up of the same selfless fabric that I've seen in my dad.

I will end with a recent e-mail from my dad to our family.  I sure hope he doesn't mind me making this public without his consent but I think he's got the right idea, as usual.  I plan to draft some letters tonight. 

Love you, dad!  

All:

I really appreciated all you've written to me personally on Veterans Days past.  I know you all recognize and value my service time.  This year, and in future years, however, I have a special request.

Please ----- instead of a heartfelt note sent to me ----- send a note, written, or emailed, card, or postcard to the resident veterans at one of your local VA hospitals.  I know they'd appreciate hearing from you.  If so inclined, even consider a volunteer visit, or task, at the same location at some time. If you call and inquire, I'm sure they'd be able to outline many opportunities for you to consider.  I'm planning on doing the same, although the service part probably is not going to happen with me until I've retired.

Another thing you may wish to consider is making a donation of various items, not money, that are needed through the USO.  They provide stuff in real time to military folks worldwide.  Beef jerky --------- yessssss.

Like I said, I know you're appreciative of what I've done in the past.  And I do sincerely appreciate that.  This year, and in the years that follow, please turn that effort toward others significantly more deserving.

OK?

I love you all, and I'm glad I had the opportunities to serve! (Go Navy!)

Me/Dad W.
xo, xo, xo, xo, xo

As a side note, Navy beat Notre Dame this past weekend - truly an early Veteran's Day present for many football fans!!