So with a new pup, new school year, and insanely over scheduled hubs this weekend was the prime opportunity for a house cleaning- top to bottom, outside and in. I started off inside, and finished downstairs, hubs went to work outside. 8 hours later the outside was powerwashed and 1/2 of the inside was done- I was outside making sure he didn't fall off the roof most of the day! Pup was pooped from being out all day, and all was good in our well spiced home!


For dinner I had my heart set on Risotto... hubs never has his heart set on risotto. I usually don't tell him that's what I've made until the 18 minutes of constant stirring is complete. When prompted though, I couldn't lie, and under muffled breath stated seafood risotto?!?! No takers! Okay quick switch- fettucini with a cream sauce- still the same concept, rich and creamy, but with noodles-not rice!


GASP

Cream sauce you say?!

Cream sauce indeed- made with white wine and 1/2 and 1/2 instead of heavy cream. I believe in moderation, and yes even a little white sauce once in a while. While I poured light on the cream and heavy on the wine, the sauce came out perfect and was perfect along side scallops, shrimp, and jumbo lump crab meat.


While chores dominated the weekend, it is so nice to come away from it feeling like we accomplished so much.

Seafood Pasta Recipe

1/4 lb Jumbo Lump Crab Meat

8 Jumbo Shrimp

6 Scallops

1/2 cup half and half

1 cup white wine

3 cloves garlic
salt and pepper
3 tbsp fresh torn Basil
1 thinly sliced zuchinni
1/2 red onion
Olive oil... as much as you need :)
Parmesean Cheese
Cooked fettucini noodles-not rinsed!

Finely chop onions, and cook in olive oil on med low- about 10 minutes. Add garlic- cook another 2ish minutes. Dry shrimp and scallops on a towel, and turn up heat in pan to mediumish- not quite med-high. Cook shrimp and scallops- add zuchinni to pan and sautee a bit longer- turn down heat a tad. Add wine, then cream and simmer until thick. Crack pepper in pan, grate some parmesean over to taste. Gently add crab meat to sauce, and mix together. Add cooked noodles, continue to mix, and serve.... yum!

Workin' for the Weekend!

This week flew by in a blur. I remember the students came back on Monday, there were some meetings sprinkled in through out the week, school supplies were stuffed into cabinets, forms, forms, and more forms were filled out sorted and inventoried, and then FRIDAY... glorious Friday! Last year I was lucky enough to work directly with some amazing women. I made incredible life long friendships- as we shared a hallway, we got to see each other multiple times a day! This year my friends and I are split up into different buildings for some, and opposite ends of my building for others. I am so happy to have my new team, and LOVE where I am, but miss seeing my girlfriends everyday! To catch up on the first week of school, we made it out to Weston Farm Vineyard and Winery to have our first "wine down" of the school year. I expect to have many more at this fabulous location. We tasted all of the wines, ordered a glass, and set out on the deck to overlook the acres of grapes, farm animals, and cloud covered countryside that relaxed even the most frazzled teacher-accompanied by random gun shots- someone gearing up for hunting season perhaps?! AHHHH sweet country living! I went with a glass of their Rosso- a blend of Cab Franc and Norton (norton being an all time fave wine)!

Picked this up to accompany dinner!

Our time passed too quickly, as we all dashed off to Friday night plans! Mine included a puppy play date with my younger sister and her two dogs. In an effort to keep up the "socialization" of our Min Pit- miniature pit bull- with other dogs we invited her to come out bring the dogs, and stay for dinner! It was a blast. The dogs wore each other out- and even had a visit from 2 neighborhood goldens, that make it an effort to sneak down here as often as possible (or just to the creek to cool off and get muddy)!

Dinner was simple, healthy, filling, and tasty! Mojo marinated grilled chicken breasts over brown rice, with lightly sauteed veggies and black beans. It was put together quickly- almost too quick for a weekend dinner! The veggies were sauteed and seasoned with cumin, garlic, pepper, and chili powder!

Wine was had.

Conversations continued.

Jokes were made.

Laughter filled the room.

This Friday definitely set a precedent for others!

Riders on the... mountain...

So we woke up Saturday morning with the truck ready to take us westward on 64! This journey would be to Walnut Creek Park. Upon a 9:30AM arrival we set up in the parking lot with a handful of other riders.


Map in tow, we adventured out to ride a 11.25 mile figure eight.
Silly us, we saved a grueling up hill for mile number 8... live and learn! The park was the perfect place, perfect temp, and perfect distance from the house to be within a weekly striking distance- but new enough to send that little kid adventurous part of your brain (that EVERYONE has) into a frenzy! I believe WOOO HOOO sums it up.

This ride definitely took it's toll on me. Two wrecks- 1 bruised and battered leg, and 1 smashed pinkie finger- merely right of passage.. right of wreckage... one or the other, so I'm told!

hitting these rocks I promptly went flying off my bike, getting tangled up in it... but no tears!

Upon returning to the truck I announced to Hubs, that the time has come to retire the Cannondale. My fabulous first of bikes has been on many rides, logged many miles, and thrown me on the ground many times.

We came home and crashed again, this time in bed. When we woke up, pups took priority and a long walk was in order! Dinner was dreamt during the walk- and a trip to the store was next!

After picking up all of the ingredients we feasted on Asian Chicken in Lettuce Cups, Shrimp Spring rolls, and Homemade Baked Egg Rolls- this of course shared the spotlight with a glass of Vinho Verde!

a trio of sauces for dipping pleasure

And now as I reflect on my amazing weekend, I already look forward to the next one. See, my students return tomorrow- after too short of a summer! Time to put in practice careful planning, organized and precise time management, and prayers for sanity!!! Bring on another school year!

'Twas the Friday Before a New School Year

After spending 3 hours trying to plan out the first 2 days of school, making copies, moving baskets of freshly purchased school supplies around the classroom- I finally closed up the computer and headed out! I knew hubs was already home ready to kick off the weekend- with the help of the "not quite 100% adopted but becoming more and more of a permanent fixture everday" dog "Wiskie."

We opened and shared a delicious bottle of red wine- which will definitely become a staple here! It was a shiraz viognier blend. I love a bold shiraz- one of my favorite reds- especially in cooler months! In the warmer months a chilled glass of Viognier- and definite summer white wine- fits the bill perfectly! Friday's hubby/wife 'wine down' gave us a chance to enjoy the best of both worlds- while this bottle was 95% shiraz and 5% viognier it was 100% DELICIOUS!

We shared cheddar stuffed banana peppers (thank you neighbors) wrapped in bacon, with grilled hamburger sliders. We called it a night relatively early- after loading up the montain bikes and filling up the camelbacks for Saturday's morning date!

upside down

WOW!!! This bloggin' world has been turned upside down!!!

Just as I expected the school year has come and left little personal time in my days... weeks... ARGH!!! It is SO hard to find down time that my eyes aren't slowly closing, as sleep persuades me to get in bed around 9PM. I'm such an old woman this time of year!

So long mid week glasses of wine....

Long gone are days of gym classes and hard hitting workouts whenever the mood strikes...

Lately time has been taken up by this lil' lady as well. We've extended our trial period from 1 week to 2. It is hard to pass judgement when setting up the classroom has been number 1 priority for me, and Lord knows the hubs had 'one of those weeks.'

Dinners have been consistently wonderful, and healthy. Workouts have been tweaked to include 5AM runs. Strength training has not gone so well this week, but there is always next week.

For now the goal is to get into the groove, find a schedule, and POST MORE RECIPES!!!!!

Until then I will leave a teaser... Summer Chipotle Chili with White Beans along side Cheddar Corn (whole wheat) Biscuits.... satisfy my soul...