Lil' Sumpin'

Just a quick note on a delicious chicken dinner I made last night. Forgot to take a picture! Got the recipe courtesy of browsing through the Food Network site. It was Yogurt Herb Chicken with Roasted Pepper and Pineapple Salsa. Sounds dramatic but it really is very easy. I also happened to have practically all of the ingredients which is rare for me! You start off by mixing a cup of plain yogurt, 1/2 cup olive oil, two cloves of chopped garlic, zest of one lemon, teaspoon of hot sauce, teaspoon of dried oregano (I used a tablespoon), teaspoon of dried basil (again I used a tablespoon, crazy I know...!) and two teaspoons of salt. Marinate chicken in that for an hour in the refrigerator. The salsa is just a blend of the red peppers (I used a few from a jar) with some chunks of pineapple. I used a mini food processor to chop it all up. It calls for a teaspoon of hot sauce but I just put in a few drops. I added a bit of salt and pepper. Also asked for parsley which I didn't have--find it overrated anyway! Preheat grill or grill pan on high heat for about 4-5 minutes. Once chicken is ready, place it on grill for about 4 minutes on each side. (I get a little paranoid about that so kept mine on a bit longer) I sauteed some spinach as a side dish much to DR's delight! Anyway, the chicken turned out to be oh so tender and full of flavor. The salsa was fresh and tasty and wonderful with the chicken. I highly recommend it! Great for the warmer days ahead! Wonder what it would be like if you marinated it overnight and if used fresh herbs? Will have to try that!

Oh P My!

So the wedding season has begun for me and DR! Our first was this Saturday. Lots of fun and yum and dancing! To prep for the festivities I got a mani/pedi and discovered a new color line from OPI influenced by India. My fingernails were treated to "Get Me to the Taj on Time" (hilarious)--a pretty sheer pink, and my feets to "Blackcherry Chutney", a dark dark maroon that almost looks black. Both great colors. For Jessica's party I had "Moon over Mumbai" on my fingernails...a pretty light grey with a bit of sparkle. Highly recommend trying them for future events!

Speaking of weddings, Happy Anniversary to Sasa and Tom! What a wonderful time!

Hello!/Good-bye!

This past Saturday Jessica had a wonderful housewarming/going away party at her apartment in Stuyvesant Town. Housewarming to introduce her new apartment to everyone and going away because she is leaving for a 6 month stay in London in June! So exciting! Unfortunately DR couldn't make it so Beth and Chris were kind enough to let me be the third wheel AND drive me to and from! Such a treat! The party was a great success. Fun mix of people, good drinks (organic vodka no less!) and good eats. We all had a fabu time. Home and in bed by 1 to be fresh and ready for Mother's Day! The picture of the flowers was my dad's "card" to my mom. I think it is beautiful! His other tradition is to plant an herb garden for her. I made breakfast for everyone and we relaxed and read the paper. Later on mom and I ventured to Lord & Taylor because she wanted new eye make-up which was my treat. DR came in the late afternoon bearing roses! We ordered Chinese, ate a lot and called it at night around 9. It was a good weekend. Picture with me, Jess and Beth debuts my new hair-cut!

Little Things

More examples of Dad's work! Thank you for the photo tip Sasa!

Ooooh Domino!

I do really like Domino magazine...although it does not hold a candle to my beloved Blueprint. Why why WHY!!!! were you cancelled??! I still don't get it AND I'm not over it. In the latest issue featuring Julianne Moore looking like a complete loon on the cover...there is an article on a certain Spainsh born Parisian living shoe and bag designer that I was instantly smitten with. First, her name is Maloles Miracosta-Antignac...I'm mean come on! It doesn't get better than that...or does it? Yes. She is also ridculously pregnant and see above regarding birthplace, current residency and occupation. Of course her shoes and bags are beautiful and I want each and every one of them. The article actually focuses on her apartment which is, naturally, wonderfully chic and a mix of classic and modern. Le sigh. La sigha. Inspirational all around. I'm saving my pennies for those shoesies!

http://www.maloles.com/

Roddy Doyle Ha Ha Ha

The Irish author Roddy Doyle is one of my favorites. I was fortunate enough to hear him read from his latest (at the time) novel at NYU ages ago. I was reminded of what I like about his style so much after reading a short story of his called "Bullfighting" in the April 28, 2008 issue of The New Yorker. The story is mainly about the friendship between four men in their late 40s who have known each other forever. There is something endearing and touching to me about men and their friendships...particularly older men. I'm not sure why I feel this way but it might have something to do with exposing some sort of vulnerability which is often taught to be ignored/denied.
I love this story for many reasons. One in particular is that Doyle adds elements throughout to show the relatively recent economic changes in Ireland--which includes travel for the middle class and the switch from emigrating to sharing life with immigrants. Doyle mentions the Polish bartender and his characters traveling to the States, France, Spain. The men have ipods and Blackberrys. The banter he creates with the men is brilliant and funny as well. See link below:

http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2008/04/28/080428fi_fiction_doyle