#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Weekend Wrap-Up

April 25, 2005 · Narrative

A great day today – a combination of relaxing and productive moments, which is simply the best kind of day. Got a TON of errands done today, including picking up some fresh herb pots from a local farm. I don’t have much of a green thumb, but am determined to be better this year.

For dinner tonight, I made Satay Chicken. An excellent, flavorful dish, dinner was on the table in under 30 minutes. It was really, really good and I urge you to try it. I also made the Cannellini Bean, Red Onion and Arugula Salad recipe that I posted yesterday. A fresh yummy dish that is loaded with flavor. I love the peppery bite of arugula, and this is a healthy dish you can certainly feel good about eating. And lastly, in the freezer, I have Mint Granita that I’m still raking. A recipe from Dispensing Happiness, I think it’s going to be a winner.

This is shaping up to be a very busy cooking week. I have lunch duty for the office on Wednesday (we each have a day, making lunch for 4, so we cook once and have lunch taken care of for four days of the week), Supper Club (yup, it’s been a whole month since the last one already, can you believe it?) on Thursday and Brunch at my sister and brother-in-law’s on Sunday. So make sure you stay tuned this week especially for more upcoming cooking goodness.

And lastly, in the infinite wisdom of Tony Bourdain, in a recent episode of Cook’s Tour, he offered this: “What makes good food?” “A proud cook.” I like that. So that’s your lesson for today … be a proud cook.

Until tomorrow…

Satay Chicken
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 rotisserie chicken, taken apart, in bite sizes pieces
3-1/2 oz. snow peas
¼ cup cream of coconut
1 tablespoon crunchy peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon ginger paste
¼ cup chicken stock
3 tablespoons brown sugar
¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (reserve a few pieces for topping)
Peanuts

Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add the oil and chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes or until heated through. Add the snow peas and cook for 1 minute, then add the combined cream of coconut, peanut butter, soy sauce, stock, ginger paste and sugar and cook for a further 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Stir through the cilantro and serve over steamed rice. Top with a few pieces of cilantro and peanuts.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    April 25, 2005 at 2:06 am

    I love how you “lunch” at work! That sounds like a great idea. I’d love to do that at work but I’m afraid of some of the things I might end up eating for lunch. I kid you not; it is scary to see some of the things people consider food. I have a workmate that eats leftover hamburger helper and jello every day!

    Reply
  2. Sue says

    April 25, 2005 at 4:02 am

    A proud cook! That is nice. Usually I am so insecure about everything…both my cooking and my writing. My BF doesn’t help…he hates my cooking and puts it down all the time. I try to remember that other people all love it, but it is so weird to live with someone who doesn’t want to eat what I cook…I have given up on feeding him completely.

    Reply
  3. shoezoo says

    April 25, 2005 at 12:20 pm

    The chicken satay sounds great. Where did you find ginger paste? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that???

    Reply
  4. Cate says

    April 25, 2005 at 12:56 pm

    Jennifer, I can completely relate. I’m definitely the most adventurous cook out of the group (with one other woman). They don’t eat any strong cheeses (i.e., bleu, goat, brie!, etc.) and eschew things that are departures from the norm. That said, I tone it down a bit, but try to slowly introduce them to new stuff.

    Suebob – that’s horrible that your BF doesn’t appreciate your cooking. I’d stop cooking for him — no sense spending the time (and love!) for someone who doesn’t appreciate it, and worse yet, puts it down. I’m lucky in that The Husband will eat anything I cook. That said, I know some things he doesn’t like, and just make them for me or when he’s not there (i.e., ALL green vegetables!). As far as your writing, you’ve GOT to be confident in that … you’re making a living doing that, aren’t you? And if people are paying you for your writing, it means that others have confidence in your writing as well. I used to do a lot of freelance writing, but scaled back when we have Nicholas. I’m trying to get back into it, and am hoping the blog helps with that … the exposure can’t hurt. ;) Remember, no one is going to believe in you, if you don’t believe in yourself first.

    And lastly, Shoezoo — I buy my ginger paste at Indian grocery stores. You can get plain ginger paste or ginger and garlic paste. I love how easy it is to use, especially given what a PITA it is to peel and chop fresh ginger! If you can’t find any in your area, drop me a line — happy to send you some!

    Reply
  5. Stephanie says

    April 25, 2005 at 7:58 pm

    I think you’re going to enjoy the mint granita; it has such a pleasant, yet milk, flavor.

    Suebob? Anyone who takes the time to cook deserves praise. The way people live today…fast food, frozen dinners, and the like…and if the BF isn’t helping, he’s hindering. No Food For You!

    I’ve read your blog, and I think you do a great job. So…ppppppppllllllllbbbbbbbttttttt to him. (That’s a raspberry, if anyone wondered.)

    Reply
  6. Stephanie says

    April 25, 2005 at 7:59 pm

    MILD! Not milk. I have to remember to edit my comments!

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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