My Version of Mashed Potatoes

Recently I went to a restaurant where I had "smashed cauliflower" instead of mashed potatoes. I decided that would be easy enough to recreate...here is my version.

I began by washing one head of cauliflower and then began to cut it up. Several of the recipes I read said that there you needed to cut it up into one inch chunks. I left several larger pieces so that I could use it at a later time. (I ate lots of raw cauliflower and even steamed some more later on.)

I then filled my steamer with the cauliflower and steamed it until it was just beginning to get tender.

Every recipe I found stressed the importance of making sure that the cauliflower was not only drained but dry. This took quite some time. I not only used the colander, but eventually just patted it dry.

I began my using a fork to mash the cauliflower, but I wasn't thrilled with the results.

I then pulled out my handy dandy Kitchen Aid hand mixer (in my favorite color) and added some margarine (well, Smart Balance with flax seed oil and omega 3 fatty acids) and sour cream (you know the light stuff since I'm still watching that girlish figure). Of course I also added some spices- salt, pepper, Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning, and garlic powder.

Of course by the time that my mixture was cold so I threw it on the stove to heat it back up. I also realized that it was missing something. I adjusted the seasonings, but it wasn't right...I decided to add a couple of tablespoons of ranch dressing.

And since I was trying to convince myself that these were mashed potatoes, I added a little grated cheese.

I must confess it was very yummy and I will definitely do this again!

Maybe I Should Become a Pirate

All I am missing is the peg leg, the eye patch, and the parrot. I do have several earrings that would definitely work.

You see in the last three weeks I have managed to lose one earring on two different occasions. Both times I have been out and about and either reached up or seen myself in a mirror and realized I was looking like a pirate.


The question is what am I supposed to do with these random earrings? All I can think of is become a pirate or find Jack Sparrow and see I can sell him some sterling silver hoops!

House Hunt Halt

It has become an all-consuming task. The laundry is piled high. My room needs some serious attention. And I need to find the life that I have lost under the MLS listings and meetings with the realtor. I also need clarity. I've seen more houses that I can begin to count...some nice, some okay, some...well, there are no words. Houses without appliances, houses without floors, houses without air conditioners, houses that had been trashed, houses with the owners in the them, houses abandoned and full of junk. A couple that had actually been "staged".

What started out as something fun has become exhausting. Last night after looking at 5 homes, I almost felt physically sick.

I need time to clear my head, to regain some insight.

With all that said, I am taking some time off from the "hunt". A sabbatical, so to speak. This "hunter" is tired and a wee bit frustrated. I think a week or so should do it. I will tentatively resume my search on July 7th.

Until then, maybe there will be more compelling content on my blog...wait, who am I kidding...my content is always thought-provoking and compelling! :)

Your Turn

It's your turn to speak...

1. What is the best advice you have ever received?
2. What is the worst advice you have ever received?

I'll start:
1. Personally I have been on the end of a lot of good advice. When I graduated from high school my dad's best friend told me to remember who I was and whose I was. A friend wrote in a email a couple of years ago, "Lead on in love and imperfect walk, but sustained pursuit." My dad use to come up with a different saying each year during basketball season. One of my favorites was, "Go for it, don't hold back!"
2. Recently someone I had just met asked me if I was married and had kids. I replied with, "No, I'm single." She then went on to tell me how lucky I was because I would not have to bury my husband. Yes! Something that I can cling to when I struggle with being lonely. :) Of course this all brought on the realization that it would be up to my brothers to make my "arrangements" some day. I have a feeling I'll get the cheapest option available at the time...which reminds me I should call those boys and tell them how much I love them! Or better yet, I'll call their wives!

Your turn...

Dealing with Disappointment

I thought the search was over as of last night. I thought I had found it, my future home. The neighborhood was nice. The location was great. The condition of the house didn't even compare to many of the "interesting" places I have seen in the last two months. The price...well, it was good. It would give me room to do a few things after the purchase...including buying all new appliances, which it needs. I mean my realtor and I were talking numbers. It was as almost too good to be true. Almost...because by the time I arrived back at my apartment the status in the listing had gone from "active" to "pending". Apparently that is real estate talk for "we got a good offer so you don't even need to be looking here any more."

I thought about crying. I thought about wallowing. I thought about giving up. Instead I have decided to move on, to press on, and to continue my search. I have decided that this deal will either fall through or there is something even better out there waiting for me to buy.

(Imagine a great and encouraging verse of Scripture here...however, I am too tired to think any more.)

Sunrise

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever. From the rising of the sun to the going down of it and from east to west, the name of the Lord is to be praised! The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens!

Psalm 113:2-4

Happy Anniversary

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to Stuart and Michelle, my brother and sister-in-law, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary today! It's hard to believe it has been 10 years...sometimes it seems like just yesterday and other it times it seems even longer. I guess that happens when you can't even remember meeting your sister-in-law. I think I would have been somewhere around the 8 or 9.

Congratulations you two! May you celebrate many, many, many more...like 50 or so! Thanks for setting an example to all those around you of what a godly marriage looks like.