We finally got to view our wedding pictures from our photographer and....they are amazing!!! However, there are soooo many it took us roughly 2 days to see all of them. Actually, I'm not too sure we saw all 2,004 pictures. Yes, you read that right 2,004 pictures.
Our photographer is best...not just because of his work but his personality. He was there from when I was getting ready till we left the reception and he caught every moment. The following Monday we did a Trash Your Dress session that lasted 3 hours!!! He took us downtown and had us climbing stairs in back allies and behind old buildings. We love his work so when he asked us to sit on the floor in front of Gino's pizzeria a popular after clubbing spot where everything and anything has happened...we said SURE!!! And the pictures came out GREAT!
Now comes the task of just picking out 60-75 pictures for our album....wish us luck.
Check them out
Go to http://www.castaldostudio.com/
click on The Boutique
look for Marily and Chris Wedding (located under December 2008)
Enter your email address (they do not send you emails..there's no soliciting)
Password: huss
Check out the gallery on his website and his blog...he has pictures there too.
Let us know what you think.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
0
Chili
The case of the chopped finger didn't slow Marily down one bit. I had to play nurse and bandage her up, but she was good to go after that. Friday night, she prepared our favorite chili recipe...which originally was just for us, but then a few of our friends came over for an impromptu gathering. Typically, the chili would be good for nice hearty servings and then lunch or dinner the next day, but since we didn't know about our guest until the dish was already on the stove we had just enough (~5 average servings). This recipe is low carb, which is great for anyone on a diet, but is absolutely tasty. We kick it up since we like spicy foods.
Chili (adapted from Men's Health TNT Diet)
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 green bell pepper (we add this for the color)
1 teaspoon chopped garlic (or more generous depending on your tastes...we always put more)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (we substitute this with 2x12oz Rotel dice tomatoes & green chilis for the added heat) - full can, do not drain
1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (we get very liberal for added heat)
1 package McCormick original chili mix; for speed, otherwise you can add the individual spices w/*:
*1/4 cup chili powder
*1 tablespoon ground cumin
*1 teaspoon ground coriander
Salt & fresh ground pepper
Toppings:
grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
sour cream
Preparation:
Enjoy!!
Chili (adapted from Men's Health TNT Diet)
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 green bell pepper (we add this for the color)
1 teaspoon chopped garlic (or more generous depending on your tastes...we always put more)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (we substitute this with 2x12oz Rotel dice tomatoes & green chilis for the added heat) - full can, do not drain
1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (we get very liberal for added heat)
1 package McCormick original chili mix; for speed, otherwise you can add the individual spices w/*:
*1/4 cup chili powder
*1 tablespoon ground cumin
*1 teaspoon ground coriander
Salt & fresh ground pepper
Toppings:
grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
sour cream
Preparation:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook until browned.
- Add the bell peppers, garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, vinegar, Worcestershire, chili mix (or chili power, cumin, coriander) and pepper flakes and mix together. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally for 20-30 minutes, until desired thickness. Taste and season with salt & pepper if needed. Serve with grated cheese and sour cream on top.
Enjoy!!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
0
Learning how to cook
So I'll admit I'm not the best cook and well not until August when I left my job was I able to follow a recipe. Seriously my recipe following skills were/are embarrassing.
I know how to make simple things...seasoning meat, putting it in a skillet and making some rice...that's about it.
Well last night I seasoned some meat, cut up some onions and cooked it in the skillet and made yellow rice. For lunch Chris wanted left overs so I took out the uncooked seasoned meat and started to cut some more onions...well I wasn't paying attention and my finger was in the way of the knife and well the knife stopped with it felt resistance INSIDE my finger! Lets just say I screamed like a baby! The blood....the horror!
I now have decided to make homemade chili. Yes, I know, it requires a lot of chopping but I need to not be scared and jump back on that horse. :) I'm reading the recipe and it looks easy...hehe....easy for a normal person! I'll let you know how it turns out.
Now I do think I deserve some kudos....last night's dinner was pretty good. I took fajita meat, seasoned it like a typical Puerto Rican....Adobo, garlic and olive oil. Cooked it in the skillet with some onions and chopped garlic and a little bit of vinegar (yes i know weird but so yummy) I made yellow rice (which I had never done before) I use the rice cooker so took regular rice added some sazon, adobo, sofrito and a little tomato sauce. It turned out pretty good for my first time. I also made some peanut butter cookies with a Hershey's kiss in the middle just for my husband (he's been asking for them for WEEKS) Yes, they were from the bag I just had to add water and egg and stir. hehe.
Off to make friends with the chopping knife...I'll let you know how it turns out.
I know how to make simple things...seasoning meat, putting it in a skillet and making some rice...that's about it.
Well last night I seasoned some meat, cut up some onions and cooked it in the skillet and made yellow rice. For lunch Chris wanted left overs so I took out the uncooked seasoned meat and started to cut some more onions...well I wasn't paying attention and my finger was in the way of the knife and well the knife stopped with it felt resistance INSIDE my finger! Lets just say I screamed like a baby! The blood....the horror!
I now have decided to make homemade chili. Yes, I know, it requires a lot of chopping but I need to not be scared and jump back on that horse. :) I'm reading the recipe and it looks easy...hehe....easy for a normal person! I'll let you know how it turns out.
Now I do think I deserve some kudos....last night's dinner was pretty good. I took fajita meat, seasoned it like a typical Puerto Rican....Adobo, garlic and olive oil. Cooked it in the skillet with some onions and chopped garlic and a little bit of vinegar (yes i know weird but so yummy) I made yellow rice (which I had never done before) I use the rice cooker so took regular rice added some sazon, adobo, sofrito and a little tomato sauce. It turned out pretty good for my first time. I also made some peanut butter cookies with a Hershey's kiss in the middle just for my husband (he's been asking for them for WEEKS) Yes, they were from the bag I just had to add water and egg and stir. hehe.
Off to make friends with the chopping knife...I'll let you know how it turns out.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
1
Runner's Log: Week 1
Last Saturday one of our neighbors hosted a fantastic Christmas party (awesome food, good drinks & great friends). While attempting to increase my tolerance *read: enjoying several cocktails*, my other neighbor decides to proposition me into becoming his running buddy...needless to say, I must of had a couple by that time because I agreed. Now, let me give you some background...he's ex-military, you know the type to run 10 miles in full gear, special training, etc., etc...me...my credentials amount to high school cross country & track. I'm about 12 years removed...scratch that, since I stopped running in my junior (or was it after the sophomore season?)...anyway, suffice it to say, I am totally out of running shape.
So, "motivated Mondays" comes along and I ask my neighbor, "how far are we running?" His response, oh 3 miles....3 miles!!! First run in years and he wants to do 3 miles...in 47 degree weather (that is cold in Florida). Not wanting to seem like any less of a man, I said sure I can do it. Well, I survived and we finished up the 3 mile trek in 28:37. Not too shabby...I was pretty proud of myself and bonus, I didn't even get sick!! (Prior to departing on the wonderful run, I told Marily "if I'm not sick already, I'll have pneumonia by the time I get back."
Our second run was today, "try it again Wednesdays." We decided to take it easy today and change the course. My neighbor tells me lets hang a left out of the community and head toward the overpass, I'm sure it's less then 3 miles. I'm trusting the guy since I haven't mapped out any courses. As we're running through the fog and 14 minutes out (and still quite a distance from the overpass) I had to question his guesstimate on the distance. He agreed that it was likely over 3 miles and we cut back. We're still not sure what the distance was, but we ran for 28:04. So, I'll be interested to find out the mileage.
Next up, "Finally made it a week Fridays!"
So, "motivated Mondays" comes along and I ask my neighbor, "how far are we running?" His response, oh 3 miles....3 miles!!! First run in years and he wants to do 3 miles...in 47 degree weather (that is cold in Florida). Not wanting to seem like any less of a man, I said sure I can do it. Well, I survived and we finished up the 3 mile trek in 28:37. Not too shabby...I was pretty proud of myself and bonus, I didn't even get sick!! (Prior to departing on the wonderful run, I told Marily "if I'm not sick already, I'll have pneumonia by the time I get back."
Our second run was today, "try it again Wednesdays." We decided to take it easy today and change the course. My neighbor tells me lets hang a left out of the community and head toward the overpass, I'm sure it's less then 3 miles. I'm trusting the guy since I haven't mapped out any courses. As we're running through the fog and 14 minutes out (and still quite a distance from the overpass) I had to question his guesstimate on the distance. He agreed that it was likely over 3 miles and we cut back. We're still not sure what the distance was, but we ran for 28:04. So, I'll be interested to find out the mileage.
Next up, "Finally made it a week Fridays!"
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
0
Straight No Chaser
If you have not been a part of the YouTube buzz, you have to check these guys out ASAP! Straight No Chaser is an 'a cappella' group consisting of 10 men. The group started out at Indiana University in the fall of 1996 when founder Dan Ponce hand picked the other members. Video from their college performances made it onto YouTube and 8+ million views and a signing to Atlantic records, Straight No Chaser has gained national interests (well worth it).
I'm hooked. These guys are freakin' awesome! Marily came home the other day and found them on YouTube after hearing their rendition of '12 days of Christmas' on the radio. The song was originally written by Richard Gregory while he served in the Navy back in the 50's, but Straight No Chaser added their own comedic touch to the song and it is a 'must hear.' After hearing this song and many others posted to YouTube, I told Marily to buy the album off iTunes. If you enjoy it, please do the same!
Check these guys out at the following websites:
http://www.sncmusic.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8
Let us know what you think after you hear their songs!
I'm hooked. These guys are freakin' awesome! Marily came home the other day and found them on YouTube after hearing their rendition of '12 days of Christmas' on the radio. The song was originally written by Richard Gregory while he served in the Navy back in the 50's, but Straight No Chaser added their own comedic touch to the song and it is a 'must hear.' After hearing this song and many others posted to YouTube, I told Marily to buy the album off iTunes. If you enjoy it, please do the same!
Check these guys out at the following websites:
http://www.sncmusic.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8
Let us know what you think after you hear their songs!
1
Welcome
Hello! This is Chris...for months Marily and I have been talking about starting a blog to post reviews on restaurants we dined at. You see, we like food...not just to eat it, but to enjoy it...from the ambiance to the desserts and everything in between. Well, my wonderful wife finally decided to kick me in the arse and forced me to help setup this blog....finally. I admit, sometimes I procrastinate...OK, as she might tell you, I do it alot. I don't see it as procrastinating...I like to think of it as "research and development."
So, since this is OUR blog, you can expect to hear from us both...sometimes as separate blogs and sometimes written together. Like for instance, as I hear Marily giggling in my left ear, I'll take this time to pass the laptop to her for a Marily-ism or two (my wife has an amazing imagination, one of the reasons I love her so...if you stick around, you might get to experience it too!).
Aw man! Chris put me on the spot. Well, it's me Marily....Chris did a great job at summarizing exactly what this blog is for. Yes, you will hear from just me at times with my random thoughts and ideas so don't think this blog will be just about food. I tend to have many ideas and questions that I analyze and at times blogging will be inevitable.
She's not lying, maybe one day she'll share her conspiracy theory regarding Hillary Clinton ;) OK...time for bed, I've got 3 miles to run bright and early in the morning.
So, since this is OUR blog, you can expect to hear from us both...sometimes as separate blogs and sometimes written together. Like for instance, as I hear Marily giggling in my left ear, I'll take this time to pass the laptop to her for a Marily-ism or two (my wife has an amazing imagination, one of the reasons I love her so...if you stick around, you might get to experience it too!).
Aw man! Chris put me on the spot. Well, it's me Marily....Chris did a great job at summarizing exactly what this blog is for. Yes, you will hear from just me at times with my random thoughts and ideas so don't think this blog will be just about food. I tend to have many ideas and questions that I analyze and at times blogging will be inevitable.
She's not lying, maybe one day she'll share her conspiracy theory regarding Hillary Clinton ;) OK...time for bed, I've got 3 miles to run bright and early in the morning.
