I Fell Off

I fell off the wagon. Oh, you didn’t know I was on the wagon? Well, I was. And now I’m not.

You see, I had another one of those St. Patrick’s Days. This time I actually made it home and even got a few hours of sleep before the purging began, but still, not one of my finer moments.

The following day, I decided to give up drinking for a while. Seven weeks, to be exact—I thought I could try going from the day after St. Pat’s until Cinco de Mayo without a drop.

I lasted two weeks. But, I think I had a pretty good reason for my fall: it’s Opening Day. And what goes better with the return of baseball than a few cold beers—especially when your boss gives everyone in the company the OK to leave work for the afternoon to watch the Cubs game at a local bar? (Yes, I do work at the coolest place ever.)

So, the wagon and I, we had a nice little run. But it was time to head our separate ways. Maybe we’ll get back together sometime, like when I become one of those breeders. But for now, Hello booze.

Things I don't understand today

- People who say they don't like curry.

- Why it's snowing and sleeting at the end of March.

- How they get so much freaking flavor into Jelly Bellies.

- Why some dudes will eat Chinese food, but think Thai food is froo-froo.

- How UConn lost in the first round.

- People who have everything they could ever want in life, yet still find shit to complain about.

- Why I ever liked Steve Miller Band.

- Nougat.

Cream of Poblano Soup

About a year ago or so, my sister and I tried cream of poblano soup at El Tapatio, a little Mexican restaurant located near our hair dresser. It’s was one of those food experiences that you think about over and over again — spicy, warm, comforting, creamy, cheesy, crunchy soup. Basically, a foodgasm.



Since then, I’ve searched the Internet far and wide searching for a recipe that resembles the restaurant’s. After trying out a few I found and tested on my then-pregnant friends, I finally landed on one that’s pretty darn close. It’s spicy and creamy and cheesy, and the tortilla chip adds a nice crunch. I feel like, compared to the restaurant version, it’s still missing a little something-something I can’t put my finger on. Or maybe I just enjoyed it more in the restaurant because, unlike the home version, it followed a large margarita and didn’t come with all that related-dishwashing baggage.



Cream of Poblano Soup with Cheese Crust
Adapted from Soup Song

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon butter
3 medium poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
2 onions, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 large potato, chopped
1/2 cup whipping cream (or yogurt)
1 Tablespoon cilantro, chopped
8 large tortilla chips
1 cup of Monterrey Jack cheese, grated

Heat the oil and butter in a large saucepan. Add peppers, onions and carrots and sauté slowly for 5 minutes. Stir in the stock, add the diced potatoes, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

Remove from heat and puree in a blender (I used an immersion blender. Greatest. Invention. Ever.), solids first to get a smooth texture. Return to the pot. Add the cream and season with salt to taste.

When ready to serve, bring to simmer and stir in the cilantro. Ladle into oven-proof bowls, top with 2 tortilla chips, sprinkle with cheese and run under the broiler. Top each bowl with a cilantro leaf and take to the table.

No Girls Allowed

This terrifies me.

Chris and I have often said that we're never having daughters. Seriously, if I ever happen to birth one, I'll send it back to its womb until it learns how to be a boy. Because I can not fathom the idea of raising a daughter in the age of make-up and perfume and mini manis and pedis marketed to 3 year olds.

And if I do manage to spawn a female someday, she will not be allowed to watch TV or read magazines or go to the mall or go online until she's 25.

Ugh.

Can't resist singing "Kokomo"

So, I'm back from Aruba. I've actually been back for a week, unlike my parents, who decided last minute to stay for another week. Ah, the retired life.

Anyway, since returning, I just haven't had the time/motivation to blog. In fact, I finally unpacked from the trip last night. Work, just getting back into the swing of things and an ongoing knitting project have kept me away from the computer.

As far as my seasonal "issues" go, it's too early to tell if I've just got the winter blues, if Aruba cured them, or if it's something else. I'm still pretty peeved about the weather here, especially because it's March, yet still in the 20s. But the sun's been out lately, so that's helped my mood. That, and falling asleep on the couch to the sounds of baseball this weekend. I swear, there is no better napping than baseball-induced napping. Especially if the nap is preceded by a sandwich and cold beer. Heaven.

Anyway, now it's time to bore you with vacation pictures. At least I didn't pull out the projector.

me and chris in our beach wear.

the beautiful bride and groom.

me and the bride's family. the tall gentleman to my left, josh, is the bride's brother and my ex-husband. we got married when we were 3. then we had to get divorced so i could marry chris. it was pretty messy, dividing up the playhouse and sandbox and all. but now i've got chris, and josh is in an up-and-coming indie band, so it's all good.

chris enjoys climbing on things.

here, he gets my mom to join him. together, they command the waves.

we got some sun.

parting shot. i'm one lucky gal.