St. Patrick’s Day Dinner a Week Late

Posted on March 25, 2013 by The Wife

First, let me remind you that there is a giveaway going on here for an awesome blender. Go to the giveaway page and leave a comment telling me what fitness challenge you would like Slimkicker to use. The giveaway ends Friday, March 29th, at 8 AM. This contest has ended. Winner will be posted soon!

Last Sunday was St. Patrick’s Day. I always make corned beef, mashed potatoes, and something green (asparagus this time). But I spent half of last Sunday sick on the couch, so making this labor-intensive dinner was a no-go. So, in the midst of packing, I made it this Sunday.

Glazed Corned Beef

Ingredients:

3 Lb corned beef roast
1 onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 C. packed brown sugar
4 Tbsp. butter
1/3 C. apple cider vinegar
1/2 C. ketchup
2 Tbsp. mustard
2 Tbsp. horseradish

Step 1: Place the roast in the bottom of a deep pot. Make sure your roast specifies that it is corned beef. If it is, it sould come with a little packet of spices, like this:

Sprinkle those spices over the roast in the pot. Then throw the onion and celery over the top. Cover everything with water (plus a couple inches extra) and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat and simmer it for 3 hours.

Step 2: After the roast is finished boiling, it should look pretty gross. Let’s face it, boiled meat is slimy and disgusting. But fear not! You are not done yet.

Combine all the other ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until the butter and sugar are melted and everything is mixed. Place the roast in a roasting pan or in a dutch oven with a trivet and spoon 1/3 of the glaze you just made over the top.

Bake the roast, uncovered, in a 350 degree oven, for 30 minutes. Halfway through, spoon another 1/3 of the glaze over the top, then return it to the oven. After it is done baking, pour the remaining glaze over the top. Let the roast sit for about 10 minutes before serving.

I always serve this with mashed potatoes. Just boil the potatoes in the water you boiled the beef in. This year I used red potatoes and left the skin on, but the method and ingredients are the same. I also made asparagus this year; just coat with olive oil, sprinkle on some salt and pepper, and roast in the oven for 30 minutes.

This meal was just as delicious the week after as it is on St. Patrick’s Day.

The Wife

Fitness Friday: A Little Levity

Posted on March 1, 2013 by The Wife

I’m sure you all remember just how much I love my Pro Compression socks.

Like, seriously, love them.

Now I love them even more, because they have these:

No joke. These are the coolest socks I have ever seen, and I ordered a pair first thing this morning.

If you want to rock the shamrock with me, Pro Compression has a cupon code to save 40% + free shipping on these bad boys. Just enter SOM3 in the coupon section at checkout!

I will be wearing these at my 10k next weekend, and I promise I will get pictures of me in these socks.

The Wife

PS I know I promised to review some of my new toys. And I will, as soon as I take pictures of said toys. But how could I not share these socks with you? I mean…look at them.

PPS My Fitbit One came last weekend and I’m almost finished comparing the new with the old. So far, the new one is WAY better.

Irish Soda Bread: A St. Patrick’s Day Tradition

Posted on February 27, 2013 by The Wife

Just like The Renaissance Man making Irish cream throughout the holiday season, I begin making Irish soda bread as soon as the stores stop selling king cake. So from the beginning of Lent through March 17th, we have a loaf of Irish soda bread in the house.

If you have never had (or made) Irish soda bread, I encourage you to try it, even if you’re not irish (don’t worry, I won’t tell). The raisins and caraway seeds blend nicely, and the buttermilk gives it a nice tang. We eat ours warm with butter, but it’s also nice topped with honey, or marmalade.

Making Irish soda bread is a tradition in our house; maybe it will become one in yours.

Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients:

4 C. flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
6 Tbsp. cold butter
1 1/2 C. raisins
1 Tbsp. caraway seeds
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 C. buttermilk

Step 1: Combine the first five ingredients. Cut in the butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. If this means nothing to you, just blend it together until the butter is the size of peas. Stir in the raisins and caraway seeds and set it aside.

Step 2: In a small bowl, beat the eggs slightly. Reserve 2 Tbsp. of the beaten egg. Add the buttermilk to the remaining egg in the bowl. If you do not keep buttermilk in your fridge and you forgot to buy some (like me) you can stir 1/2 C. of plain yogurt into 1 C. of milk. It tastes just the same!

Step 3: Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until everything is moistened (the dough will be sticky). Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead ten times. Shape the dough into a ball.

(nothing like an Irish woman making Irish soda bread while wearing her Claddagh wedding-ring…)

Step 4: Grease a large cast iron skillet (or a round baking pan if you don’t have a cast iron skillet. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, you should go out and get one right now.) Place the dough in the center of the skillet/pan and cut a cross into the top.

Brush the top of the bread with the reserved egg, and sprinkle with sugar. Turbinado sugar is best, but regular granulated sugar works just fine (and is what I used). Bake the bread at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Cool it on a wire rack for at least ten minutes before serving.

I was recently forced to make this using 1/2 whole wheat flour (I may have forgotten to cut the butter into the flour on my first go-round and had to throw the whole thing out. Maybe.) It was good with half whole wheat flour, but I would hesitate to make it using only whole wheat flour. The flavor and texture would be altered too much.

I hope you enjoy this little tradition of ours!

The Wife

Happy Valentine’s Day! Red Velvet Brownies

Posted on February 14, 2013 by The Wife

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Despite the fact that I am a generally cynical and un-romantic individual, I love this holiday. I don’t know if it’s the fashion opportunities, the fun desserts I get to make, or the cards, but I have always loved it. It’s even better now that I am married to a man who understands my personality and comes up with Valentine’s Day activities that do not include the usual cliches. The Renaissance Man has never given me flowers.

Speaking of fun desserts to make: these brownies are delicious. And beautiful. They take a little doing, but they make a nice presentation, especially if you cut them out with a heart-shaped cookie cutter.

If you’re looking for a last minute gift today, consider making these brownies. Your sweetheart will thank you.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Ingredients:

Red Velvet Layer-

3 1/4 C. flour
2 1/4 C. granulated sugar
3 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 eggs
1 C. vegetable oil
4 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. red food coloring
2 tsp. white vinegar

Cheesecake Layer-

2 8oz. packages of cream cheese, softened
3/4 C. granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

Step 1: Grease a jelly roll pan. I mean really grease it. This brownie mix will stick to it, you’re just minimizing the damage.

Step 2: Mix all the dry ingredients for the red velvet layer together in a large bowl. Set it aside and mix together the rest of the ingredients. Carefully mix the two together (the red will stain, so don’t spill it. Also don’t spill it because it’s yummy). The batter will be a stiff dough consistency.

Step 3: Put 3/4 C. of the dough into a separate small bowl. Add 3-4 Tbsp. of milk and whisk it together to make a slurry. Set this aside.

Step 4: In the bowl of a mixer, beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar for the cheesecake layer until it’s fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat together well. Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the red velvet layer.

Step 5: Take the red velvet slurry you made and drop spoonfuls of it over the cheesecake layer. Run the tip of a knife lightly through the spoonfuls of dough to marble it.

Step 6: Bake the brownies in a 350 degree over for 25-30 minutes, depending on how “done” you want your brownies to be. I like a fudgy brownie, so 25 minutes is enough. Let them cool completely, then cut into squares or use a cookie cutter to cut them into shapes.

The best part about cutting these brownies into shapes: you get a pan full of “scraps” that I do not feel compelled to count in my calories consumed for the day. They’re just scraps, after all…

Happy Valentine’s Day! Please tell someone that you love them today, even if it’s only yourself.

The Wife

PS I love you!

The New Year

Posted on December 31, 2012 by The Wife

Happy new year everyone! I know it’s a day early, but I do really wish everyone has a happy, productive, insightful 2013.

I have never hated New Year’s eve (or day) like some people I know do. For me it is a time to reflect on the year before, and look forward to the year ahead. I have never been much for resolutions; they are easy to break, and discouraging when they are broken. Instead, I always resolve to have a better year than the one before. Considering how wonderful my life is, it seems like a tall order. But that is one resolution that hasn’t been broken yet.

In 2012 a lot happened for me to be happy about. I lost 7 pounds, I started running, I celebrated my 2nd wedding anniversary with the love of my life, and I started paying attention to the things I was putting into my body (and subsequently, my husband’s). Not to mention, I started this blog that I have come to love.

In 2013, I hope to accomplish even more! I want to grow this blog, I want to lose my last pesky 9 pounds, and I want to keep running. (I signed up for a 10k, so that last one shouldn’t be an issue until March). I want to keep supporting my husband as he tries to find his calling, and I want to keep going to bed every night as happy as I have for the last year. I want to keep finding and developing recipes that are good and good for you. Although sometimes just “good” is okay, too.

How do I find peace with the new year? I know a lot of people succumb to a feeling of hopelessness at this time of year. The days are dreary, the nights are long, and it is easy to focus on what didn’t get done the past year. And trust me, there is a lot that didn’t get done around here: I didn’t get a teaching job, I didn’t finish the quilt I started when I was a freshman in college, I didn’t lose all the weight I wanted. I drank too much, ate too much, and exercised too little.

The difference between me and those despondent people is this: I forgive myself. I forgive this glass of whiskey next to the keyboard. I forgive those 9 pounds; they’re tenacious and I respect that. I forgive my wish to be a housewife, and I forgive the fact that that wish is keeping me from seeking out a teaching job as stubbornly as I would if I were single. It is okay to fail. Because I always, always have another chance to succeed. This is the key to my happiness

If you find yourself a little down today, or a lot down, please do this: think about what you did this year. I don’t care if you didn’t do anything; nothing is something. You took a year for yourself; good for you! And once you accept that you did something in the past year, think about all the things you can do in the coming year. 2013 is full of possibilities! And you can’t be upset by unfulfilled possibilities, now can you!

I’ve said it a lot lately, but it’s true: I love all my readers new and old, and cherish the relationships I have formed here. I want each and every one of you to have a happy, healthy, blessed 2013. And have a glass of whiskey for yourself; you’ve earned it.

What are your resolutions? What do you hope 2013 has in store for you?

The Wife

P.S. I realize this picture makes no sense with the content of this post. But it’s pretty, isn’t it? This is from some park in North St. Louis where a bunch of beautiful stone structures are being taken over by the surrounding landscape.

//
//

Merry Christmas, From The Wife and The Renaissance Man

Posted on December 24, 2012 by The Wife

It’s Christmas Eve!

And that means you won’t hear from me tomorrow, because I will be too busy ripping into my presents and laughing with glee like a five-year-old. So I am wishing all of my readers, old and new (or just stopping by for the first time) a very Merry Christmas (and a Happy belated Channukah to my best friend, Meredith). The holiday season has always been a time of reflection for me, and looking back on this year has brought me nothing but joy. The Renaissance Man and I are so lucky to have good health, and a relationship that dreams are made of.

I am also very thankful for all of you! I have met so many wonderful people through this blog. It has not only provided me a personal creative outlet, but I have gotten to “meet” so many people who I never would have met otherwise. I also hope it has provided some inspiration to my readers.

Thank you, readers, for sticking with me and being a part of my life. And have a very Merry Christmas!

The Wife

//
//

Christmas Gifts: The Culmination

Posted on December 19, 2012 by The Wife

I finished my Christmas canning, which meant it was time to think about gift presentation.

I have always been a fan of gift baskets for giving gifts to people you’re not terribly close with. These gift baskets are for the families I sit for, with the addition of wrapped presents for the kids.

Included in my gift basket is a jar of brandied apple butter, a jar of honey-lemon marmalade, and a large jar with cranberry bran muffin mix in it (recipe to come). Plus a card, and books for the kiddos.

The labels came from My Own Labels. They have quite the array of labels for all kids of things, and a whole section of labels specifically sized for canning jars.

I got baskets from Hobby Lobby during a 50% off sale, and lined them with festive tissue paper. The hardest part of the whole thing was the canning!

I bet you wish you were on my gift list, now, don’t you?

What are you gifting this year? Is it homemade, or store bought? Do you think it’ll be “re-gifted”?

The Wife

//
//

Second Try at Bark: Peppermint Bark, to be Exact

Posted on December 12, 2012 by The Wife

A while ago I posted my semi-successful attempt at Candy Corn bark.

I learned from all the mistakes I made with that batch, and fixed them for this peppermint bark I made.

If I haven’t said it before, I love peppermint bark. It say Christmas to me like no other candy.

Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

2 12 oz. bags white chocolate chips
1 12 oz. bag dark chocolate chips
approx. 12 peppermint candy canes (or 30 ish peppermint candies)
1 tsp. peppermint extract
6 Tbsp. heavy cream

Step 1: Unwrap all of the candy canes and place them in a large Ziploc bag. Using a rolling pin or hammer, crush the candy until it’s in large chunks.

Step 2: Using a double boiler (or a glass bowl over a saucepan) melt the first bag of white chocolate until it is smooth.

Step 3: Line a 9″ by 13″ pan with parchment paper. Working quickly, pour the melted white chocolate into the lines pan and spread into a thin layer. Sprinkle about 1/4 of the crushed candy over the top. Put it in the fridge for about an hour, until it sets.

Step 4: Using the double boiler (or glass bowl) again, melt the dark chocolate with the cream and peppermint extract. Stir it around until it’s smooth. Pour the dark chocolate over the white chocolate in the pan and spread it over the top.Place it in the fridge for another hour.

Step 5: Melt the remaining white chocolate in the double boiler. Spread this over the top of the dark chocolate, forming an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining crushed candies on the top. Refrigerate for a few hours, or until firm.

Once it’s hard, you can break it into bite-sized chunks. This recipe is perfect for gift giving, or enjoying at home.

The dark chocolate layer is softer, more like a ganache, which is a nice contrast to the white chocolate layers. This is definitely gift-worthy peppermint bark!

The Wife

//
//

A Few of my Favorite Christmas Ornaments

Posted on December 10, 2012 by The Wife

I find it interesting that everyone approaches Christmas ornaments differently. Some people see them merely as decoration, and meticulously match the ornaments to the rest of the decor. Some people go with a theme and have nothing but polar bears, stars, or nativity scene ornaments (or example).

In our house we have taken to purchasing ornaments to mark milestones.

This was the first ornament The Renaissance Man and I purchased together as a couple. TRM works with exotic animals and aquariums, so it’s appropriate. Plus, the colors!

This is the Frosty Friends ornament from the year I was born. my parents started collecting these shortly after my brother was born, so I have one for every Christmas of my life. By the way, Mom and Dad, I took this ornament, in case you didn’t know…

Sorry about the blurry picture. It’s shameful, I know. This is the first ornament TRM and I bought as a married couple. We both instantly knew it was the ornament we would buy that year.

This is the ornament we bought at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert where TRM proposed to me. But that’s another story…

This was last year’s milestone ornament;our first Christmas in the great state of Texas!

We have many other ornaments. Some are just ornaments we saw and liked, some were given to us, but the ones that are most special (to me, at least) are the ornaments that remind me of a wonderful milestone or occasion.

So what category do your ornaments fall into? Purely decorative? A little wacky?

The Wife

P.S. If you have the opportunity to go to a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert, GO! It is a highly memorable experience, even if no one proposes to you…

My Wish List

Posted on December 1, 2012 by The Wife

Happy December 1st! We can officially go crazy about Christmas now. And, in the spirit of the season, I’m going to share with you my Christmas wish list. Apparently The Renaissance Man has already finished shopping for me, so we’ll see how much of this is under the tree in a few weeks.

These are the things I want, but don’t really need. Admit it; you’re curious to see what I want for Christmas this year!

And if you want to see where all this awesome stuff is available, click the pictures.

Pride and Prejudice Bracelet

How awesome is this?! Pardon me while I geek out, but I have a degree in English Literature, so this is right up my alley. This cuff bracelet has the entire text of Mr. Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth on it. SO NEAT! You can find it at Jezebel Charms’ Etsy shop.

Compression Sleeves

I have developed mild shin splints after my 5k training. A day off the road takes care of them, but I’ve always wanted to try these and see if they work. Plus, they come in all sorts of awesome colors! Find them at Zensah’s website, or here.

Large Fiestaware Canister

Some how when TRM and I got married, I ended up with the small and medium canisters, but didn’t get the large. Weird. I’ve always wanted to complete the set, especially now that they have this awesome marigold color. A lot of retailers sell fiestaware. So does Amazon, here.

Telephoto Lens

It didn’t take long for TRM and I to realize that we need a telephoto lens to take the kind of nature photography we really enjoy. This one is inexpensive, which is a plus.

Lodge Drop Biscuit Pan

I haven’t added any new cast iron to my collection lately, and this one, while not terribly versatile, would get a lot of use. I wouldn’t say no to Lodge’s muffin pan, either.

That’s my Christmas wish list! I’m sure you are all very confused regarding my various interests at this point. That’s what I love about Christmas, though: you can ask Santa for anything!

So what’s on your Christmas list? Really; I want to know!

The Wife