Top Chef Masters premiers tonight

Top Chef Masters - the second season - premiers tonight at 10 p.m. on Bravo!

If you know what's good for you, watch it.

Our Direct TV isn't getting installed until Friday - wahhhhhh - so I'll have to wait for the re-run... which I'm sure they'll play about a hundred times.

Twig

So after Chad's surgery in December, the man (already skinny) dropped about 15 pounds... at least.

This despite the fact that he eats about 4 big Reese's peanut butter eggs a day. And drinks about 5 sodas. And buys bags of chips.

Ugh.

Doesn't that make you hate men?! Maybe just me?! Okay...

So anyway, this Sunday we were getting ready for Easter service, and Chad puts on his favorite linen pants... which he obviously has not put on for many, many months.

They are massive on him. They look like clown pants. He puts them on and continues to get dressed while I laugh and tell him, "Please tell me you're not wearing pants that are 3 sizes too big for you to church."

His response: "I look good." And then he started doing the MC Hammer dance.

I couldn't stop laughing and staring.

His response: "Take a picture, it will last longer."

So I did:
They don't look awful in this picture, but trust me in person it looked like he was wearing clown pants.

I'm telling you... every day with this man is an adventure.

Frittata Time!

So the other day I asked Chad what three things he loves most about me. (Does the fact I asked this question surprise you? If so, you obviously haven't been reading my blog enough.) Exhibit A. Exhibit B. Exhibit C.

So Chad responded, after careful consideration:
1) I think you're beautiful.
2) I like your smile.
3) You make a mean frittata.

Seriously. I couldn't make that up if I tried. All the things he could say he loves about me most- he mentions that I make an excellent frittata.

Sheesh - frittatas aren't even that hard!

So with that knowledge, there is no way I could keep my frittata recipe from the masses, now could I?

Here you are - customize as you'd like:

My Pretty Little Frittata

(((This picture is NOT my frittata. I think it's a sin to make a frittata look so nice and organized. Mine is a big ol' saute pan of messy goodness... the way it was intended.)))

Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Russet potatoes
- Milk or Half and Half
- Butter
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Onion
- Green pepper
- Tomato
- Any other veg that tickles your fancy - asparagus, spinach, etc. would all be good
- Bacon if you have it
- Salt and pep
- Sriracha hot chili sauce - aka: Rooster Sauce

Directions:
1. You need to have your russet potatoes cooked. Usually I'll bake a few the night before and store them in the fridge until the next day. But if you need to, you can pop a few in the microwave to get them cooked. Afterward, you cut them up into diced pieces. If your potato is hot, it will probably crumble and fall apart. No biggie. This is a frittata - it's meant to get messy.

2. If you want to use bacon, go ahead and prepare that (either in the oven or on the stovetop), crumble it and set it aside. Now, saute your potato with onions and green pepper in some butter. Wait for it to get nice and brown. I like my potatoes and onions crispy! When that's done, remove from the pan and then throw your veggies (tomato, zucchini, spinach, etc.) in that same saute pan. Cook those for a few minutes until they get soft.

3. In a mixing bowl, beat some eggs with milk and salt and pepper.

4. Now here is where it gets crazy, kids. Take your cooked potatoes, onions, peppers, bacon, and throw it in with your veggies. Dump your egg mixture on top. Throw some sharp cheddar on top of that. Stir it around until your eggs are cooked. It doesn't take long at all. Just keep stirring until your eggs are cooked and sticking to the veggies/potatoes and the cheese is nice and melty. And salt and pepper to taste.

5. Serve it with some rooster sauce. Trust me on this. It makes even a 6 frittata turn into a 10! Rooster sauce reigns king.

Notice I didn't put any quantities with this recipe. Why? Because I'm tired of giving you people step by step instructions. Use your brain! Just kidding... but this recipe is made to be customized to the number of people you have eating. So for me and Chad, I'd probably do two potatoes, four or five eggs, a whole medium onion (because sauted onion is my reason for living), half a pepper, a tomato, and maybe an entire bottle of Rooster Sauce. Just put in what looks right to you.

Go forth and make frittata! Report back ASAP how awesome I am.

Honey, We're Home!

Finally after 5 months of patiently waiting, Chad and I moved into our new place last Wednesday.

After two broken fingernails, a handful of random scratches, and a couple minor dings on the wall, we are finally all moved in! Luckily all my china and everyday dinnerware made it to the new house safe and sound (I was worried.)

Chad and I are settling back in to life as homeowners. Chad's been out every day watering the lawn trying to keep it alive before summer's brutal rays try to dry it out. I've been organizing and decorating every spare chance I get. If I do say so myself, I think it looks fabulous.

We actually hosted Easter dinner last night with both sides of the family - call me crazy, but I knew by putting a deadline on our getting settled would help motivated to quickly move, unpack and settle in. Dinner was a success, and we were so glad to spend the day with our loved ones.

I'll try to put up some pictures of the new place later this week. But thank you all so much for giving your input to decisions along the way!

Not really rude...

... more just funny.

(This conversation took place Sunday night right before Chad and I fell asleep, which - sidenote - is always when I decide to ask these random inquisitive questions.)

Me: "Do you think we fight a lot?"
Chad: "No. Do you?"
Me: "No... we hardly ever fight."
Chad (after a few seconds of thoughtful reflection): "...except when you're being irrational."
Me (after .0000001 seconds of thoughtful reflection): "...except when you're being a bully."

Then we went to sleep.

Glazed Orange Cookies

So a few months ago, I went to a family friend's 75th suprise birthday party.

At the party were maybe the most delicious cookies I've ever had. The cookies were really soft - almost a cake-like consistency - and were lightly glazed with this orange frosting.

Incredible.

Truth: I think I ate like five.
More truth: My brother Kevin actually wrapped like 7 cookies in a napkin and put them in his pocket to take home for later.
Even more truth: Chad may or may not have bribed Kevin with money for said contraband cookies.

So, in other words, cookies so good they'd make you steal 'em from a 75-year-old woman.

Right when we got back from the party, I began scouring the internet to find the recipe... and thanks to my amazing Google skills, I think I've found them. They're called Beth's Orange Cookies (since that is what Beth wants to call them.) Personally, I would have made a much more inventive name, but hey, to each their own.

So here they are:

Glazed Orange Cookies So Good They'll Make You Steal 'Em From a 75-Year-Old Woman

Ingredients
Cookies:
* 2 cups white sugar
* 1 cup shortening
* 2 eggs
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 5 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
* 2 tablespoons grated orange zest

Frosting:
* 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
* 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 4 tablespoons butter, melted
* 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions
1. Cream white sugar and shortening; add eggs and stir. Add sour cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla; stir and set aside. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add little by little to the creamed mixture and stir well. Add 3/4 cup orange juice concentrate, and 2 tablespoons orange zest. Drop onto greased cookie sheets by teaspoonfuls.

2. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 10 minutes. Frost cookies when they are cool.

3. To Make Frosting: Mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 2 Tablespoons of the thawed orange juice concentrate, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 4 Tablespoons of melted butter, 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar or enough to make frosting of spreading consistency.

This cookies would be perfect for an Easter Sunday dessert! Make these this weekend and report back to me how much you love me for introducing you to them.

This is the week!

We close on Wednesday morning! After five months of patiently waiting - and lots of decisions - we'll be in the new house.

... and I cannot WAIT!