101 Things in 1001 Days: # 4

I just got back from completing #4 on my 101 List: Go to a state I've never been to before. I took the red eye back from Portland, OR (P.S. People who can function after the red eye are my new heroes). The trip came as a wonderful surprise. My dear friend Becca moved out there over year ago and I've missed her wildly. A few weeks back, her wonderful fiance, Eric, asked me if I would like to fly out for a visit as his Valentine's gift for Becca. Is that the most romantic thing you have ever heard! Ok, well me showing up for a weekend isn't exactly romantic. But it was incredibly thoughtful.

I had a great time with both of them this past weekend. And I will be forever thankful to my friend's fiance for understanding the importance of our friendship and giving both of us this wonderful present.

Song of the Day
Today's song is ABBA's Take a Chance On Me, which came up a lot this weekend.

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you are having a nice Valentine's Day. I know a lot of people don't like this day, but I've always liked it, even when I haven't had a boyfriend. It is a great opportunity to be just a little bit sweeter to the people you love.

I sent a few homemade Valentine's this year. Something simple to let make someone feel special.

And I felt very special today too. Call me old fashion but I'm a sucker for roses. I love you Matt!

Song of the Day

Today's song is Chicago's Make Me Smile. Happy Valentine's Day!!!

A Day for Decadence

Something about snowy days makes me want to eat something warm and sweet. And there is nothing warmer and sweeter than sticky buns. Ina Garten's sticky bun recipe is insanely easy and tasty. WARNING: This recipe contains a ton of butter so it should be reserved for special occasions. I can't think of anything more special than a snow day. Enjoy!

Ingredients
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup pecans, chopped in very large pieces
1 package (17.3-ounces/ 2-sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted

For the filling:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2/3 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place a 12-cup standard muffin tin on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the 12 tablespoons butter and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Place 1 rounded tablespoon of the mixture in each of the 12 muffin cups. Distribute the pecans evenly among the 12 muffin cups on top of the butter and sugar mixture.

Lightly flour a wooden board or stone surface. Unfold 1 sheet of puff pastry with the folds going left to right. Brush the whole sheet with the melted butter. Leaving a 1-inch border on the puff pastry, sprinkle each sheet with 1/3 cup of the brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the cinnamon, and 1/2 cup of the raisins. Starting with the end nearest you, roll the pastry up snugly like a jelly roll around the filling, finishing the roll with the seam side down. Trim the ends of the roll about 1/2-inch and discard. Slice the roll in 6 equal pieces, each about 1 1/2 inches wide. Place each piece, spiral side up, in 6 of the muffin cups. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry to make 12 sticky buns.

Bake for 30 minutes, until the sticky buns are golden to dark brown on top and firm to the touch. Be careful - they're hot! Allow to cool for 5 minutes only, invert the buns onto the parchment paper (ease the filling and pecans out onto the buns with a spoon) and cool completely.

Song of the Day

I did a little research and Let It Snow is not a Christmas Song, so it is today's song of the day.

To The Rescue

Today started rough. It is Monday, which is tough on all of us, and I'm at the tail end of ANOTHER head cold. So I was wallowing in a dizzy, grumpy hazy, struggling through the day. Luckily a friend decided to snap me out of it. She chatted me up about books, working out, puppy poop, wine and bacon. Before I knew it, I was laughing and convinced the world wasn't going to end.

Thank you very much Amanda P. Daniels.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Carole King's You Got A Friend.

Zumba!

I went to a Zumba class! It is a fitness class with a mix of Latin and hip hop dance. I am a WASP from New England, so my Latin dance moves are exactly how you would imagine them, completely devoid of all sexual appeal. I managed to turn even the most seductive steps into something that looked like a soccer warm-up. I did have fun though. My hamstrings are still burning so it was clearly a good workout. So whether you dance like Jennifer Lopez or Elaine, I definitely recommend you try Zumba.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Shakira's Eyes Like Yours which I danced awkwardly to in Zumba.

Falling Off the Wagon In Style

I decided my first drink of 2010 should be something special. The only thing I have expensive taste in is champagne so of course I went with Veuve!

This picture was actually taken before I started drinking. But Matt made me take a sip every time I posed for one of those bottle shots so this picture was pretty accurate after about 10 minutes.

Song of the Day

I have played Scissor Sister's Take Your Momma Out All Night before but it is too perfect to pass up.

101 Things In 1001 Days: #62

I did it! #62: No drinking for a month. This was definitely the suckiest thing on my list so far. "Suckier than going to the dentist?" you ask. Yup! Not drinking for a month was worse than a root canal. And why I picked one of the longest months with 5 weekends is beyond me. Clearly I was drunk when I made that decision.

This month wasn't all bad. I did quickly drop my holiday weight and my skin looks good. But will I be going sober for another month, hell no!

I would like to thank my mom for again for joining in my January fast (She participated in the Sweet Fast of 2009). She has lost some weight and her skin looks better and she hated this month even more than I did.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Bare Naked Ladies' Alcohol, which has been stuck in my head for the past 31 days.