Recipe: Roast Chicken May 31, 2009

Tonight I roasted a chicken for dinner.  I’ve never done this before, but Cooking Light has never lead me astray and their recipes are all fairly simple,  so I thought I could handle it.  It turned out perfect!  The chicken was moist and perfectly seasoned and the jus was so tasty.  If I were to make this over again, I would thicken up the jus a little more to make a gravy.

This was definitely a keeper recipe, but it also showed me just how easy roasting a chicken really is…inexpensive too.  I got a four pound bird for $.59 per pound!  You don’t need a complicated recipe, just a little salt & pepper and that’s it.  The hardest part is making gravy and you don’t even need to do that.

Enjoy!

Road Trip! May 31, 2009

Zoey and I took a quick car ride to Kent Park to really enjoy the beautiful Sunday afternoon weather.  She loves a car ride, but was even more excited to see us pull into the park.  I couldn’t believe how many people were out and about walking along the road, fishing, swimming, etc.

We stopped by our favorite spot and walked along the mowed path, Zoey just running free (shh, don’t tell!).  Then we hit the path along the lake.  On the way back to the car, we went to the edge of the lake so Zoey could get a drink and she just walked right into the water!  She swam around a little, or as much as she could on the leash, to cool off.

The perfect way to enjoy a beautiful spring day!

Gift Idea May 30, 2009

I realize my birthday isn’t for about four months, but I’ve already started a list.  This little guys is at the top:

My friend CB picked a slim little camera up a few weeks ago and it got me thinking…I kinda want one.  While I do love my big zoomin’ camera, it doesn’t really fit nicely in my purse (or pocket) for those nights out or when going to a wedding.  I want something that I can easily carry with me to capture all those fun moments without having to carry a huge bag to hold my camera.  That’s where this Nikon S220 comes in!

Josh, add this to your idea file for me!

Company May 28, 2009

We found these two in the tree outside our front door:

Instant Side Dish May 27, 2009

I just whipped up this simple side dish to go with dinner tonight…it’s super easy and very tasty.  Hy-Vee had some great locally grown tomatoes on sale, they taste almost (really, almost) as good as those right off the vine from your garden.  This is the perfect summer dish along with some corn on the cob and a hamburger!

• 5 Roma tomatoes (or any tomatoes)
• 2 cucumbers
• 2 sprigs fresh basil
• 5 TBSP olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1 TBSP capers (I didn’t use)
• salt & pepper to taste

Cut tomatoes into bite size wedges.  Cut cucumbers in 1/2 inch pieces.  Tear little pieces of basil (tastes better torn).  Combine remaining ingredients and mix until blended, pour over tomatoes and cucumbers, toss, and serve.

New at JCrew May 27, 2009

I just received the new JCrew catalog this afternoon and fell in love with quite a few items.   Here are some of my favorites:

If I were getting married again, that dress would be mine!

Gnats be gone! May 26, 2009

Last week I enjoyed a little happy hour with some friends.  It was so nice to sit out on friend AK’s deck, with a favorite beverage and some good conversation…until, the gnats attacked.  AK kept raving about how well Absorbine Jr. works on the gnats, but she couldn’t find her bottle.  She ran frantically through the house looking for it and was even ready to give her 3 year old $50 if he found this magic bottle.  Nothing…so AK’s hubby picked some up on his way home.  Friend CB and I were like, this stuff must be good.  The minute we swiped Absorbine Jr. on our wrists and behind our ears, those gnats were gone!

Try it the next time your at the ballpark, golf course, or just enjoying a spring evening on your deck.

PS – oh yeah, if you haven’t heard of it, you can find it with the Icy Hot and other products…it’s a pain reliever!  Who would have thought!

Happy Memorial Day May 24, 2009

Josh has been talking for years about how he really needs to get an American flag.  Every time we see one at the store or pass one on the road he says, I really need to get a flag.  Finally, he added it to the cart yesterday and is proudly flying his flag today and, I’m sure, many more days to come.  I’m don’t understand why he’s waited this long to get one, but I’m sure it has something to do with spending money…we all know he loves to spend money!

Happy Memorial Day!

Sad Morning… May 22, 2009

Today has started out a little somber.  On Josh and Zoey’s morning walk our friendly neighbor cat, Jackson, was spotted in the street…not moving.

I never thought of myself as a cat lover, but sweet Jackson made a little place in my heart.  Before we had Zoey, he used to come by and poke his head in the window and we’d let him in the house to run around and then he’d snuggle on the couch a little.

We’ll miss our little buddy Jackson!

New Glasses May 20, 2009

Tonight the Oswald family picked out new glasses.  Since we wear mostly contacts, new glasses only come around every couple of years…and it doesn’t hurt that we have flex dollars to spend!  Each time I get new glasses I swear I’m going to wear them more and it never happens.  This time is different though, because I got free perscription sunglasses!

I went trendy and got a smokin’ pair of red frames.  Next week, I’ll be proudly wearing these babies:

The sales lady totally sucked me in.  She was all like, “I just smile everytime I see you in these frames.”  “You can wear any of the trendy frames.”  “They are just perfect for your high cheekbones.”  Gimmme a spoon, I just ate it up!

Oh yeah, Josh’s glasses are nice too.