Lobster Night

We don't entertain much. But on those rare occasions when we do, we make it very complicated, it takes hours of preparations and long days. But today we decided to do something simple and really enjoy our time with friends. We had a few lobsters and what better way to enjoy it than with good friends.

Couple of months ago I found a lobster risotto recipe on this great blog and marked it for the special occasion. The chef decided that one recipe wasn't enough, so he used three different recipes to make tonight's feast.

To start the evening, we made mozzarella/tomato skewers. They were delicious - the sweetness of tomatoes was perfect. Such simple yet delicious appetizer.

I also cut up couple of peppers to dip with roasted red pepper hummus and some Stacey Pita Chips. This is probably my all time favorite appetizer.

So the lobsters....what can I say, they look so ugly, but they are so delicious when made right. They say, never judge a book by its cover, and this one is certainly true...they look terrible, they smell terrible (at least to me right now), but they are so yummy.

The chef used arborio rice, green peas, chicken stock and some parmesan. It was supposed to also have onions and chives, but somehow they got omitted. I loved the creamy rice. If I could, I would eat this type of rice all the time. I am not sure how to write and incorporate all three recipes, so if you would like to make this, go with the one from Sarah's blog. Chef - you've made another great new meal!!!

It was a great night - good conversations, simple/yummy food and a great dessert (oops, no pics of brownies but they were delicious, you should definitely trust me on this one).

Maybe we are not so bad about entertaining after all, and something we should definitely do more often.....So who wants to come over next?

Spa Day Can be Exhausting

It's absolutely exhausting to spend a day at a spa, that is a doggy spa. Brinkley was very happy to come home after her grooming and beautifying day at the Pet Spa, and hasn't moved off the couch for the last six hours. I ate a bowl of cereal and she didn't even look at me. As I am turning off the lights in the living room, she is stretching and contemplating moving this party to her bed....

P.S. I have not eaten anything nutritious today. It's been a junk food kind of a day. I think I will peel an orange and eat it. I have one hour left in a day to make up for my choices....

Sushi

I'm rarely hungry for sushi, but tonight was the night. It made the chef very happy. I loved the kotai red and shrimp tempura-all very safe, but satisfying choices for a pregnant girl.

Love is in the air

Happy Valentine's Day! Mili-mali (in Croatian it literary means a dear little one for babies and babies-to-be) and I are spending today eating Nutella and reading baby books. I feel so unprepared when it comes to children books, nursery rhymes and night time stories, so no better time than now to start learning. Over Thanksgiving, my in-laws threw a small family shower since they knew I wouldn't be coming back to PA before the baby's due date. It was such a nice shower with fun games, amazing cake and great gifts - baby books. They know me so well.

I am off to continue eating Nutella directly from the jar...you won't mind:) Enjoy your chocolates and love!!! Happy Valentine's!!!!

Baby Food Making and What I Want NOW

Someone asked me the other day if I will be making my own baby food - hmmm, they obviously do not know me. Me cooking - oh that baby would be either very hungry or eating the same cereal over and over every day.

But the thought stayed with me, and I couldn't help but research baby food making. Of course, in my mind, the baby food making involves these cool gadgets I found on amazon.com. With these little nifty items, even I could make the baby food.

(Source)

According to amazon.com product description, "the Beaba Babycook is a one-of-a-kind, patented compact countertop appliance that functions as a steamer, blender, warmer and defroster to prepare fresh, healthy meals for baby. It starts by steam cooking vegetables, fruits and meats in less than 15 minutes, while preserver their vitamins and flavors. It then purees and blends them to the desired consistency. Parents can also use the Babycook to quickly reheat or defrost precooked foods.

The bowl is made from unbreakable Polysulfone (PSU) and the cooking basket from transparent polypropylene (PP). It comes with a 2½ - cup capacity bowl, cooking basket, spatula and recipe booklet. The bowl and basket are top-rack dishwasher safe."

Maybe I just might change my mind on this whole home-made baby food. From this description, even I could do it!!! When I think of parenting, the thought of teaching my baby girl the smart, healthy and good choices is something that I am constantly thinking about and mentally preparing myself as to how I will do that. But starting the healthy habits is never too early. So this little nifty gadget is now definitely being added to my Baby's R US registry.

Let the adventures of home-made baby food begin!

my saving grace

I won't lie to you, the last seven months have not been easy. No one said it would be, but it was the hardest thing I have ever gone through, and I have no idea what is yet to come. But there has been one saving grace in my life - PRENATAL YOGA.

I discovered a yoga studio not too far from my house that offers prenatal yoga - YOGAFAIRY. "This is a gentle and safe prenatal yoga class. Open to all levels of yoga experience, including beginners. Each class has circle time in which we take time to discuss the joys and difficulties of pregnancy. We then do prenatal yoga poses and modifications are given with each trimester in mind. Yoga postures will focus on breathing, flexibility, and strength. Every class has a relaxation period at the end. It's a time to let go of everything and just take a break."

I am not sure if it's the actual yoga or the circle time that makes me anticipate with excitement each class and urge to go there every night. But I think knowing that there are others out there just like me somehow makes it easier and more normal and perhaps even a little enjoyable.

Yoga has certainly been my saving grace but Haagen Daz ice-cream is my best friend :)

Hello New York

I've made to the dream City! With all the snow, freezing rain and cold-I have arrived. Let the adventures begin....