Thanks for 2010, on to 2011

As 2010 is coming to an end, I was thinking of the things that made this year better.  Of course there's the obvious three people, my family, and friends, but it's the little things that make the day-to-day living good. 

Sophie & Sienna, what I'm most thankful.



Like my JBRAND SKINNY JEANS.  Without these, I'd be walking around in lounge wear all day.

Thank goodness for my LA friends who insisted that I buy these.

RED WINE I'm thankful that this a healthful choice, at least for now.

CAFFEINE I love you coffee, espresso, Diet Coke, tea (basically all drinks that will give my teeth a lovely yellow tinge).



Francis! Francis! Adds a nice kick to my morning coffee.



A GOOD LAWYER  Although it would be nice not to need one, if you do (as I do) it helps if he's also the dad of a dear friend.

A REGULAR BABYSITTER  Date night became a reality this year, and it's a bonus that she's family.

I'm also looking forward to some self- improvement in 2011.  I'm planning to:

1. Talk on the phone less.

2. Allow less TV watching by my children.

3. Get straight hair.  I'm in a quandary over Brazilian hair straightening or Japanese. Decisions, decisions.....

4. Be healthier (i.e. go to the gym more often, consume fewer carbs, lose a few pounds).

5. Have more private time with my husband (wink, wink).

Even if I accomplish some of my list, I'll be happy and grateful for the things I do have, hoping for world peace and equality for all in 2011.



Easy Brunch Recipe: Baked eggs with artichokes & parmesan

I found the easiest breakfast recipe in my (I mean Larry's) new Bon Appetit cookbook.  It takes just minutes to prepare, and can be prepared the night before and popped in the oven and served to two as easily as twenty.  I made them amidst the pleasant chaos of Christmas morning, and thought it would be perfect for a New Year's Day brunch with Bon Appetit's recommended toasted sliced ciabatta, grilled Italian sweet sausages, and Bellinis. 

2 Servings

Ingredients

1 Tb unsalted butter

2 tsp chopped fresh chives

1 tsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp chopped fresh oregano

8 frozen artichoke quarters, thawed

2 large eggs

2 Tb (packed0 freshly grated Parmesan cheese

RUB butter over bottom and sides of two 6-oz souffle dished or custard cups, dividing equally.  Sprinkle with herbs, dividing equally.  Place 4 artichoke pieces in each dish.  Crack 1 egg into each dish, being careful not to break yolk.  Sprinkle eggs with salt and pepper, and cheese.  (Can be prepared one day ahead.  Cover and chill.)

PREHEAT oven to 400.  Bake until eggs are softly set and cheese is golden, about 9 mins.  Serve immediately.

I usually attempt recipes based on their simplicity and the ability to substitute ingredients, since I'm almost always out of something.  This recipe wasn't an exception.  I had Pecorino Romano instead of Parmesan, so I ended up baking it for more like 15 mins since the cheese wasn't browning.  Also, I prepared the twins their own, but chopped the artichokes further and allowed the dish to cool before I gave it to them.  They each may have had one bite, and then requested grilled cheese sandwiches for breakfast, and of course I complied.

Holiday Cocktail: The Poinsettia

I love a cocktail, especially one with a theme.  Let's face it, besides meaning abundant, plentiful, and pleasing to the senses, the adjective "lush" also has a slang meaning of something else entirely.  I made a drink called the Poinsettia for tree trimming with the family.  The tree trimming was a bit of a flop because I was missing half of my Xmas lights and decorations, but the company, food, and drink were very successful.

The Poinsettia
1/4oz Grand Marnier
3oz Cranberry Juice
Champagne

Add Grand Marnier and chilled Cranberry juice to a champagne flute.  Top with Champagne. 

Grand Marnier can be substituted for Cointreu OR Triple Sec, and Champagne can be substituted for any sparkling wine (I used Prosecco).

Happiness is......

Nothing could make me happier than watching my husband brush our daughter's hair,

except maybe following up the hair brushing with feeding our other daughter spoonfuls of Nutella, to her delight.  The Nutella eating will also appear in a future post titled something like "Things I Swore We'd Never Do As Parents."

And yes, Sophie is almost always wearing a hand-me-down Christmas dress, and Sienna is often wearing a seasonally inappropriate summer dress with pearls.