#93 DOWN!

Polar Bear Plunge 2010!

This lady jumped....well RAN into some 31 degree water in the Chesapeake Bay.....and promptly RAN the F out!

It was 19 degrees out and SNOWING....we are talking about some crazy heavy snow. It was an absolute blast and it was for a great cause. The Special Olympics. I met some great people and even met some of the people the event was for.

I don't have any pictures of me actually plunging, because I gave my camera to a friend and it was just too far away to see anyone actually do it. :o( Maybe next year, I'll buy a water proof disposable for proof. Yes you heard me. I plan on doing it again.

Mel Gibson?

So I was watching "What Women Want" with Mel Gibson tonight.....totally made me think of my dad.

My dad is a good looking guy. Most of my friends see pics of him and are like "Who is the gray haired fox." Kinda funny when you have to look them in the eye and say "uh, my dad." He is also a "ladies man," meaning the LADIES love my dad. Every time I turn around he has a new girlfriend on his arm....hey I'm happy for the guy, he isn't alone. When they get too serious about my ol' man....he calls them "klingons" basically clingy women. First time I heard that, I about died from laughing. My dad is a great guy and I am glad that I am his daughter.

So back to the point.

My dad looks similar to Mel Gibson. Told you he was good looking!

On the left: Mel. On the right: Dad

You be the judge.

White Wine/Butter Sauce w/Chicken, Penne & Broccoli

My best friend is a Great cook.....and I took this recipe from the source and tweaked it for my own purposes.


White Wine & Butter Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)

Ingredients:

3-4 Chicken Breasts
1/2-1 cup white wine (I eyeballed it....so it was probably more like a cup)
1 stick of butter
Seasonings to taste
Penne Pasta
Frozen Broccoli

Directions:

1. Mix together butter, wine and seasonings to taste in a large frying pan, heat till butter melts and ingredients combine (I used Basil, Red Pepper Flakes, Oregano, Parsley, Onion Powder, Rosemary and Minced Garlic).

2. Place chicken in butter mixture and cook till done. Cut up to 1 inch cubes.

2. Cook pasta to directions on box. Drain.

3. Cook broccoli in the microwave till done.

4. Combine all ingredients and butter mixture and top with Parmesan cheese.

Thanks D for the incredible recipe....I'll be making this in the future!

TMJ

In the last month, I have been experiencing some pretty nasty jaw pain. I can't open wide, can't chew very well. Wake up every morning with my mouth ridiculously tight.

NOT fun when you can't eat anything but soft foods, and I am really craving a big ol' piece of STEAK!!!

Oh and my lovely dentist, whom I actually really like, told me NO caffeine, alcohol, and chocolate. IS HE TRYING TO KILL ME!!!!

I went to the dentist yesterday and he pretty much thinks I have TMJ, and I grind/clench my teeth at night and during the day. He thinks its stress related. I have no idea. He wanted to fit me with a night guard, but I was unable to open my mouth wide enough to put the mold in....that's how tight my jaw is. I love my dentist, he gave me muscle relaxers to try and ease the pain and tightness and we'll try again this Friday.

So here is hoping the wonderful muscle relaxers and Ibuprofin 800mg and NOT drinking caffeine, booze or eating chocolate will lead me to get something resolved. I am not sure I can handle the lack of coffee in the am, I mean who are we kidding, de-caf just doesn't cut it.

Traci Thursday's

Every Thursday my friend Traci and I take turn's cooking and hosting the other for Vampire Diaries and Grey's Anatomy...both shows we are addicted to.

Since Traci has just moved into her new home and is unpacking still....I hosted tonight, however she cooked. Having someone else in my kitchen cooking, well except for my mom, is just weird.


She made this AWESOME Bone in Chicken Breast. She marinated it for 24 hours in Lemon juice, thyme, rosemary and garlic. It was the perfect blend of spices. She cooked it in one of my stoneware casserole dishes at 425 degrees for 45 minutes. DELICIOUS.

I made some of my mom's special baked potatoes. Actually I just reheated them, because when my mom was here at Christmas she made a dozen potatoes and they are honestly hands down my FAVORITE potatoes. They are twice baked and filled with Bacon, Velvetta, Onions, and Sour Cream. SO FREAKING GOOD!

In addition, I also made my asparagus, though tonight I just steamed it in water and put pepper and salt on them. They were bright green and quite tasty.

Now we are sitting on my couch, watching the end of Vampire Diaries and then on to Grey's Anatomy.....drinking Cabernet.

I LOVE Traci Thursday's. One of my favorite nights of the week.

Rainy Day Comfort

It's raining like cats and dogs today and well comfort food just sounded YUMMY! After a day of massage and relaxing (oh yeah...I lead a hard life) I decided to make some chicken, stuffing and asparagus.

I never thought making stuffing in a crock-pot was plausible, but damn if it didn't work.


Easy Chicken Dinner (serves 4)

Ingredients:

4 Chicken Breasts
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/3 cup milk
1 6oz packaging of stuffing
1 2/3 cup water

Directions:

1. Place Chicken in Crock Pot.

2. Combine Chicken soup and milk in a small bowl till blended, pour over chicken.

2. Combine Stuffing and water in small bowl and spoon over the chicken mixture.

3. Cook on Low 6-8 hours till done.

I also made a side of asparagus to eat with my chicken concoction. I placed the asparagus in a saute pan, with 1/4 water, saute till al dente and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Delicious!

On the Fence

So I decided today would be the day to try Hummus. I'm not sure I like, but I am not sure that I dislike. Very odd....usually I am one way or the other, not smack dab in the middle.

I bought the Vegetable Hummus, cause well plain just sounded boring. I brought it to work with carrots, celery and 5-Grain Fiber Crackers.

I very much enjoyed the carrots and crackers, my celery had gone wimpy so I didn't eat that. The hummus while it has a pleasing texture, I am just not sure I really like it.

I'm thinking I might have to try a spicy pepper blend or even heat it up to really like it.

So for now I sit on the fence trying to decide if I wanna hop over one way or the other.