Hot and Spicy

We've been saying for approximately 13 years we were going to try the new Indian place down the street. Sunday, after some pool time, we decided to walk down and try it. (We live a rough life. You might have to drag me kicking and screaming out of downtown.)



MS said I looked like a crazy tourist taking all these pictures. This is the kind of treatment I get for capturing photo documentation of our date night.

Everything sounded good, but what do I know about Indian food? Probably about as much as Donald Trump knows about being president, but it's not slowing him down, so I pressed onward and ordered a chicken delicacy - chicken tandoori.

Is it dramatic to say it changed my life? Ok, then it was the best meal I've had in a long time.

It was everything I hoped for and more. Great tasting, spicy and not weird. I really have a distinguished pallet.


If you get a chance to try it, I don't think you'll be dissapointed.

Practice

Saturday mornings race went splendidly - I love when a good training plan comes together. I have zero pictures, as I spent the first mile of the race trying to undress after quickly realizing 54 degrees and windy was too hot for long sleeves. Who knew. Luckily for everyone, I had a sleeveless shirt on underneath.

In case you were wondering all weekend, official results had me ahead of MS by a jillionth of a second. True story, he totally should have beaten me, but slowed down so we could cross together.

After MS collected another jewel in his heavenly crown, we headed down to Tuscaloosa for A-Day. Remember when no one went to A-Day because it was practice? Those days are behind us.

It's always good sense to practice stadium dog and yellowhammer consumption. True or false: We love these so much we served them at our wedding. (Hint:true) MS's dad got us some sweet seats. Nick was excited to see us. We do what we can. Also, I've decided Namath needs a houndstooth hat.

Fantastic Friday - Stairwell Edition

Supposedly there are storms a comin' to blow us all away. I did not envision ending this week crouched in the stairwell with all my co-workers.

I have a new appreciation for her bad mood. She probably just wanted to get home in time to watch Mad Men or Teen Mom: Unseen Moments. Sounds logical to me.

Luckily, the skies look sunny for tomorrows race.

I don't know who Ellis Porch is or why he enjoyed running hills so much, but I'm thankful I now have a name to curse tomorrow.

I kid. I'm looking forward to it. Last time we ran this race, there was some disagreement about who won.

And by disagreement, I mean the results clearly say I finished in 1:27:45.3, whereas MS was trailing at 1:27:45.6. How can you argue with that kind of blowout? Men.

Afterwards, I'm doing another race to see how fast I can get ready and get here.

Any race rewarded by stadium dogs and yellow hammers is fine by me.

Wordless Wednesday - Mid Week Pick Me Up

Fantastic Friday - Lofty Ambitions

It's been a long, rough week here in our little cube land, so we're breaking out early to enjoy the afternoon.

I can't imagine anything more enjoyable than a solo 10 miler with some long hills, followed by a trip to the grocery store. If I say it enough, maybe it will be true. I do like to eat and fit in my jeans, so time to pay the piper. Sometimes we have to do things we don't like.

Like watch the muscial episode of Grey's.

I laid out some essentials I dug out of the back of the junk drawer this morning. And by junk drawer, I mean treasure trove.

If you see a pasty blonde girl with superior energy running around today, feel free to offer me some water. Seriously. It's hot out there.

I plan on rewarding my efforts tomorrow.

How lucky was I to find a picture of our apartment pool via google images? It must be my day.

Thoughts Barely Worth a Penny

1. Tonight is the muscial episode of Grey's. I think they've been promoting this episode since well before George died, therefore I expect it to be about as entertaining as Bob Ross, and I won't even have a naturescape to show off at the end of the hour.

2. The Grizz has a yeast infection. Yes, you read that right. Before your mind goes to some bad places, let me clarify, its in his nose wrinkle. What? Your dog doesn't have a nose wrinkle? I feel bad for you.

I've been cleaning it with some medicated ointment. My google research suggested Monistat. I love this dog, but he'll have to stick to the aforementioned treatment plan for his embarrasing and uncomfortable feminine itch.

3. Thinking about chopping my hair circa de summer 2008. Opinions? Suggestions? Warnings? Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Not sure what I was doing in 2008 to get me this shade of brown, but I wish my past self would have written it down.

Iron Chef

For my birthday, one of my gifts from the in-laws was a cast iron skillet. Mostly I’ve used it as an upper body workout moving it in and out of the oven - because where do you keep a 30 lb skillet – but decided when making this week’s menu to put it in the lineup. And the crowd went wild.

Naturally, I started with something as close to fried as possible – baked chicken parmesan. I let Matt handle the gross part of the chicken while I took this picture of the Grizz. See, I did listen in the 'sharing household responsibilities' portion of pre-marital counseling.

I thought he looked svelte and would appreciate being shown off. He’s rocking his new exercise routine – one full block 3x a week – ever since a neighbor called him a fatty.

After dipping the chicken in egg and coating with Italian bread crumbs, do a quick swirl in the skillet of EVOO. Add chicken. Sear chicken on each side for about 3 minutes.

Pour a glass of wine. Yes, I buy most wines because of the labels.

Admire new spring kitchen towel while ignoring the fact its 48 degrees out.

Spoon some pasta sauce onto the chicken. The beauty of the cast iron – move directly to the oven for 25 minutes. With a few minutes left, sprinkle on cheese. We were out of parmesan, so I used cheddar. Livin’ on the edge. At some point in your prep, boil some pasta, toss with some basil and oregano.

Tip: If you wait to eat dinner until 9 p.m., even a sub-par meal gets a happy plate. Next time I would probably take fewer pictures of the dog and pound out the chicken breasts so they are a little flatter, cook more evenly and seem like more food.

Took this picture as an afterthought, so my apologies the presentation isn't cookbook worthy.

Friday Funday

It's been a long week. Like, I'm not sure how it's not July. To celebrate the fact that it is indeed Friday, I weaved a few treats into my day.

$3.50 is perfectly reasonable for something I could probably make for approximately 9 cents. But, $2.41 worth of festivity seemed like a good investment this a.m.

Sidenote -isn't interesting how you can pair the most hideous shade of the rainbow - orange - with pink and it just glosses over all the ugliness?

My love affair with Publix continues. Not only did the man point me to the aisle where the bisquick was located, he actually walked me over to make sure I found it ok. Take notes, Wal-Mart. I rewarded their good customer service with some more business in the way of brown rice sushi.

While I was on a roll, I ran by Walgreens. Did you know they carry Essie nail polish now? I've been soley an OPI girl, but I'm willing to stick my toe in the waters. Especially when those waters have a pale pink spring hue.

I'm flying solo this weekend. Which means a solo 10 miler. The forecast looks something like this.

Is Teen Mom a good substitute for a long run? Sometimes it's just as painful.

Fantastic Friday

After writing this post, I've buckled down a little on the diet front. A few new favorite staples.

The breakfast smoothie. Fortunately, I have a husband who can pull himself away from the latest Charlie Sheen news to mix these up. I thanked him by cutting his face out of the picture in the background. I'm nice like that.

This was lunch yesterday, and true to the post title, it was fantastic. I pretty much felt like Giada that I pushed some spinach around in a pan with some garlic and olive oil. Go ahead and laugh.

High protein, complex carbs. Unfortunately this left me with about 14 calories for dinner and snack. I'm not entirely convinced sparkpeople's calorie counts aren't controlled by Giuliana Rancic.

In case you live under a rock, March Madness has begun. I don't like basketball. I know nothing about basketball. But who doesn't love the opportunity to act like you know something. ("I totally called that upset.") To make it more exciting (or exciting at all for me), loser plans a date night. I love to plan. I hate to lose. This is quite the conundrum for me.

Spring is here, and we've broken out the flip flops. I'm glad to wear them. The Grizz is glad to snuggle with a new pair of shoes. Happy campers all around.

Hope this weekend brings some tan lines for some of you!

Saturday in the Park

Remember this post?

Well, it has been so nice to enjoy the fruits of good city planning. Not something you can say too often in Birmingham. It was beautiful last weekend (better late than never on this post), so we walked down to the park with our picnic lunch. Because we're hip and urban like that.

What says hip and urban better than a monogrammed picnic basket? Not much.

Unless its a monogrammed Tervis Tumbler filled with lemonade.

We had some of my favorite chicken salad. It's healthy too. If you know differently, do not tell me.


Not a bad spread.

Saturday night, we grilled out deer burgers, thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

I'm a new fan. Sorry, Bambi. You are delicious and lean.

Hate math. Love wine. I was torn about this.

But, it was pretty tasty.

Fantastic weekend that was over entirely too quick. TGIT!