March 9, 2012

Cooking the tomatillo salsa. This was the only salsa that
had to cooked and then chilled before serving. 

Last night's event at the art gallery was very nice. The hands-down favorite of the five salsas I made was the avocado and feta. What I found funny was that several people asked where I got the green tomatoes for the tomatillo salsa. Obvious these people were non-cooks and non-Texans or else they would know that tomatillos are green. I love the little husk that wrap them! So cute.


Here's the recipe for the avocado and feta salsa. It's so easy and yummy!

Ingredients

• 4 plum tomatoes – chopped
• 4 ripe avocado – peeled, pitted and chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper – seeds removed and chopped
• 1/2 red onion – finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic – minced
• 1/2 cup cilantro – chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
• juice of one lime

Directions
In a bowl, gently stir together ingredients. Gently stir in olive oil and vinegar. Then stir in feta. Add lime juice. Cover, and chill for at least two hours.


Today I'm creating floral arrangements for the Board of Directors dinner for Bayou City Art Festival.  But first, I'm waiting on the website designer who works with Women of Wine Charities to arrive. We're  going to talk about revisions that need to be made to the website to make it more user friendly.

March 8, 2012

Dear friend Paula is just as sweet as she is cute!

It has been a busy day! I started my morning at the Houston Arts Alliance attending a conference on putting the strategic in strategic planning. Initially, I was not sure my brain would be ready to receive the information so early in the morning (9 a.m.), but it and I made it through. I came away with several inspiring ideas that I plan to share with the others on the two Board of Directors with which I'm involved.

One reason I might not have been ready to receive the information was that Mr. B, friend Paula, and I attended the kick-off party for the Memorial Park 2012 Bayou City Art Festival. What a fabulous party! Terrific turnout. I was jazzed by the time we left. Thanks to Mr. B for taking Ms. Paula and me for a quiet dinner at Shade after the kick-off party. I splurged by getting a salad, as well as mac and cheese. I should have stopped with the wonderful salad, but couldn't resist the mac and cheese. I think the mac and cheese served by Shade is nearly as good as mine, but I could be prejudice.

Today I'm creating five different salsas for an event Mr. B and I are co-hosting tonight at an art gallery. Actually, I have finished making all the salsas. I think my favorite is the avocado, tomato and feta salsa, but I also think the fruit salsa is very good. I also made traditional, tomatilla and black bean/corn salsas. I'll take photos tonight and post some tomorrow. Right now, I have to jump in the shower.

March 7, 2012

Rose, the gatherer.

I blog about my dogs Roz and Rose all the time. Maybe it's because I'm home with them so much. In some ways they are my co-workers. At least one of them is always by my side while I work on my computer.

Yesterday I went around the house collecting  earrings and bracelets from almost every surface of the house. I gathered the bracelets up and put them in a box on the floor until I clean out a drawer for them. Bad idea leaving the bracelets on the floor. Rose got in the box and took about five of the bracelets under the dining room table where she also gathers her toys. Fortunately she doesn't chew on things, except for shredding paper. She just likes to gather what she thinks is hers under the table. Then she'll roll around on them and sleep with whatever she has gathered. Funny, sweet girl!

Today I'm creating invitations for a shower. Got them printed this morning and now I need to address the envelopes. I also went to the grocery store and purchased the ingredients I need to make five different salsas. Mr. B and I are part of a group hosting an art opening tomorrow night. My contribution is going to be a "salsa bar." If parties can have a dessert bar, why not a salsa bar?

March 6, 2012

Roz is ready for her close-up. Look at that face!

I've ordered some vintage flour and feed sacks from eBay so I'm crazy for the mail to arrive every afternoon. It's like Christmas when the packages arrive and I rip open the envelope or box and discover what's inside. Unfortunately, the eggnog is missing. I've also been buying some wedding-themed fabric so I can make aprons. I'm surprised that I can't find this fabric in Houston, but yesterday I looked in two stores for wedding fabric and didn't find any. 


This afternoon I have a landscaping company coming to look at the yard, which is currently a hot mess. I'm very excited to share my ideas with the guy and get an estimate for the work. I love a pretty yard. The landscaping doesn't have to be over the top, just neat and clean.


Today I'm creating an ad for contraception and sending it to Snooki. Right now I hear Mr. B thinking "who?" Dear, she's a reality star whose claim to fame is being from New Jersey, where she enjoys drinking, partying, tanning, and swearing at will. Now she's unmarried and pregnant. At the risk of sounding like Rush Limbaugh (heaven forbid), I'm in favor of requiring people to obtain a parenting license before a woman can get pregnant and give birth to a sweet, unsuspecting child. While this is a nutty idea, it would give little babies a fighting chance!

March 5, 2012

Fat piggies a month ago.

How horrible for the people who have been hit by the tornados. It's a triple whammy for many in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. The tornados knocked out the power and now it's snowing. My thoughts and prayers to everyone suffering through the horrific conditions.

Foot and ankle two weeks ago.

I had an appointment this morning with the orthopedist. Does this scenario sound familiar? Spend an hour in the waiting room. The doctor spends no more than five minutes in the examining room. Schedule another appointment in two weeks. That will be $40, please and thank you. I should have phoned in my synopsis. Foot still swollen and bruised but less so than two weeks ago. Scabs on my ankle and knee are still present, but less than two weeks ago. No, I can't stand on my tippy toes. Could have saved $5 parking fee, also.

Foot and ankle this a.m.

Today I'm creating stuffed pillows. When Mr. B comes home from work, I'm getting him to walk with me up to my craft area so I can do a little sewing.

March 4, 2012

Look at all the buds on the azeleas bushes.

The month of March is ... well ... marching on. I was hoping to sneak off to Santa Fe this month by myself, but there's no time! And April isn't looking much better. We have to take care of some maintenance on the casita and need to make plans soon. Right now it looks like only the last week of April is available on my calendar.

I'm once again enjoying a quiet house. Mr. B is off to work today, as he was yesterday. Last night we did find time for a steak expertly prepared by the grill master himself. Then we watched two romantic comedies. Mr. B made an excellent observation. With the price of going out to the movie being what it is, it's cheaper to buy a $20 DVD than to go for a movie and snacks in the theater.

Today I'm creating a side dish to go with chicken Mr. B grilled last night. I want to try some recipes before the shower for my niece and her intended. Mr. B loves being a guinea pig.

March 3, 2012

I made two aprons so a friend could pick
between them for a gift for her daughter. She
bought one for her daughter and the other
for herself. Thanks, Denise M!

What a lazy Saturday! It's hard to know who has slept more: the dogs or me.

For family and friends who know me, it comes as no surprise when I say I'm spoiled. Yesterday I had lunch with friend Kelly S (delicious BLT from Revival Market) and then went in search of invitations that would inspire me for a shower Mr. B and I are giving for my niece Tricia and her "intended" Tom. After going to several paper stores, I looked at my watch around 3:20 p.m. and decided that I had to ceases and desist shopping because it was cutting into nap time. What? There was a time when nothing could deter me from an afternoon of shopping. Well, I did come home, but then got on the computer with Dr. Mc and started looking for items for the shower. No nap yesterday, but I made up for it today.

Today I'm creating another movie night. Last Saturday Mr. B and I had dinner and a movie marathon at the house. Sounds like a good idea again for tonight. What's your favorite all-time movie?