brussel sprout salad with maple vinaigrette

I first had a variation of this salad at our favorite local sushi restaurant (H20) and I played around at home until I came up with my version. It's pretty simple - you shave(either on a mandolin or like I did - with a sharp knife) raw brussel sprouts, julienned red radishes, green onion, and I added homemade roasted spanish peanuts and bacon. I drizzled this with my basic vinaigrette (recipe posted earlier this month) and instead of a pinch of sugar I added some maple syrup. Mmmm. Even dave who DESPISES brussel sprouts liked them raw in this dish. Score.

Rocky here for a visit

I got some cuddle time in after arriving home on Friday evening.

Carolina On My Mind

This past week I was on a business trip to Rich Square, NC. We were doing a physical inventory at one of our offsite printers, and stayed at a hotel in the bustling town of Roanoke Rapids. It turned out to be a productive week but I was very happy to leave the fried food and dusty warehouse. I was not so happy to come back to 29 degree weather and snow.

Before I left Mellow decided he wanted to come with me.



Minnie was cool staying behind.

Food...mmmm

None of these recipes are that spectacular - just old standbys that I make often.

First is my basic spinach salad:
Toss together spinach, hard boiled eggs, tomato, cucumber, avocado, whatever you have.

Dressing is my homemade vinaigrette: whisk or blend to emulsify all ingredients except for oil. Stream that in slowly until combined.
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 small clove garlic minced fine
1/4 tsp sugar(or honey)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup favorite vinegar(I usually use red wine, but can sub balsamic or other)
1/3 cup olive oil




Pasta and Peas(my mom used to make this for me all the time when I was a skinny malnourished 13 year old...now I have to eat this sparingly b/c of the cream):
Boil pasta. Heat cream. Add frozen peas. Done.



Individual Chicken Pot Pies.
Basically I make the chicken filling (I use peas, carrots, celery and onion) and then top with premade pie shells. I know I'm lazy.

how cute is he

ok I know this is my second post of the day - but I'm an obsessive cat lady. No shocker there.

Congrats!!!

Lots of congrats are in order - in the past 2 weeks we've learned of 3 pregnancies and 2 engagements of our friends and family!!!

You all know who you are(I dont want to spill the beans in case not everyone has been notified just yet) - we're so happy for all of you and are praying for a happy and healthy 9 months. For the engagements - I'm so excited!!!! Congrats to you all - we love you!

I'm not dead, it's just hot market time.

I've been MIA lately with friends, family - even Dave doesnt see me some days. Such is life during the month of January. We're all counting down the days until this is done and over with:



Working for adidas gives me a jaded look at who to route for...I usually go for whatever market is larger so our order volume goes up. Really sportsmanlike. This year I thought I'd base my decision on the QB. Who do you think I'm routing for?...

modern day Zeus?


Goofy younger-not-as-talented Manning brother?


and just for good measure: