A Quiet NYE 2009

Here I am...home alone on New Years Eve. Before you start feeling sorry for me, know that Scott will be here just before 11 pm to ring in the new year with me. I could have insisted that he stay at home with me for the entire evening, but just because I'm stuck home bored and not able to even think about a couple of glasses of champagne, doesn't mean he should have to be bored too. So in favor of keeping me busy while I wait for the ball to drop, I thought I'd share two recipes that I've found, tried, and love!

One-Pot Salsa Beef Skillet

(Serves 4) Pictured above

Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 cups water
1 cup Salsa
1 pkg. (14 oz.) Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
2 cups frozen corn
1/2 cup Mexican Style Shredded Cheese
1 green onion, chopped

Instructions
BROWN meat in large skillet; drain. Return to skillet.
ADD water, salsa and Macaroni; stir. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover. Simmer 10 min. or until macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in corn and Cheese Sauce; cook 2 min. or until

heated through.
TOP with shredded cheese and onions.

Banana Pudding Squares

(makes 24 squares)

Ingredients
35 Reduced Fat Nilla Wafers, finely crushed
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine, melted
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Sugar Free Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
3 bananas
2 pkg. (1.5 oz. each) Jell-O Vanilla Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding
3 cups cold fat-free milk
1/2 square Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, grated

Instructions

COMBINE crumbs and margarine; press onto bottom of 13x9-inch dish. Refrigerate while preparing filling.
MIX Cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl until blended. Stir in 1-1/2 cups COOL WHIP; spread carefully onto crust. Cut bananas crosswise in half, then cut each piece lengthwise in half. Arrange over Cream cheese mixture.
BEAT pudding mixes and milk with whisk 2 min. Spoon over bananas. Spread with remaining COOL WHIP; sprinkle with chocolate. Refrigerate 3 hours before cutting to serve.

A Few of My Favorite Things...

This...right here...THIS is why I'm getting antsy!

One of my top 10 favorite things to do is to venture into broadripple, (the trendy/upscale side, not the trashy hippy side,) and visit some of the greatest places in Indianapolis. Now listen closely as I recommend a few places that you should definitely check out, (if you aren't already a huge fan like me!)

One of the best things about these places is that they are all right in the same place! Like I said, head to broad ripple, but instead of lingering on Broadripple Avenue where filth and trashy people reside together in perfect harmony, head down 62nd street just a little bit further. You'll want to then turn left on Illinois St. and park either on the street, in the Safeway grocery store parking lot (don't worry, they won't tow you,) or in the lot behind the shops and restaurants on the left side of the road.

Hopefully, you've head out on this trip at breakfast or lunch time. If so, make sure to stop into Oh Yumm Bistro. They are open for dinner as well, but in my opinion, are a little overpriced for the dinner menu. Hopefully you are visiting at lunch, because I definitely think that their lunch menu is where its at! The number one most amazing entree on the lunch menu - The Tuna Salad Wrap. It is absolutely fantastic! I am not even that big of a tuna fan, and I'm telling you, it will absolutely blow your mind. My other favorites (if you're not into tuna,) are the Bistro Burger (which you'll want to order with Gorgonzola cheese,) or the Quiche of the day, regardless of which quiche it is, it is hands down some of the best quiche I've ever had, plus it comes with a soup or salad. Make sure that you indulge in a Mimosa also...I'm sure that you deserve it. ;) Here is the full menu http://www.ohyummbistro.com/lunch.pdf.

On beautiful (and well manicured) Illinois St. there are lots of shops that you'll want to check out while you let your lunch settle. There is a children's book and gift store called Kid's Ink that has all kinds of awesome educational books and toys that you can pick up for your kids. I personally like to buy gifts there for my friends kids, (this gets you brownie points with their parents, no questions asked).

There is also a beautiful high end women's clothing store called The Secret Ingredient. The clothing really isn't for women my age, although a time or two I've stumbled upon a few dresses that were right up my alley. This store is more for women in their mid to late 40's and up, and is a great place to find gifts for stylish women in this age category. The greatest appeal is that the gorgeous pieces in this store can't be found in your average Macy's or Dressbarn stores, (thank God,) and are totally unique. Although the brand has stores in other parts of Indiana as well as Florida, the Secret Ingredient is the only store of its kind in Indianapolis.

If you're looking for fresh ideas for dinner tonight, skip Marsh and Kroger and stop in to L.E. Kincaid & Son's Meat Market instead. They have the freshest and widest selection of fresh cut meats. Many of their items are things that you can't find anywhere else, and if you do, they are probably not nearly as quality.

I know that its so cliche, but we all know its true - Diamonds, truly are a girls best friend. I realize that the majority of us don't have the money to drop thousands on any given weekend on much sought after jewelery. But browsing for it, and falling in love with that special piece that you'll ask for on your next birthday or Christmas is just as much fun. Check out G-Thrapp Jewelers and be prepared to fall head over heels in love...with not only the exquisite and completely unique jewelery pieces, but also with the talented and delightful staff. If you are looking for something that you don't see...not to worry, one of the nations most incredible designers, Ellen Bower is head of the design team and has an eye for individual perfection that will absolutely blow your mind.

Lastly, but certainly not least...you might just be ready to eat again - and boy are you in luck. When you pulled onto Illinois St. you probably noticed a bright teal painted brick building with charming shabby-chic-esque decor in the windows. This adorable little building is The Flying Cupcake Bakery...and if you didn't know about it before - now ya know! From here on out, you'll be trying to make excuses on a daily basis to run out to broadripple and snag up a cupcake, or six! There is something about a tiny cake that will do wonders for your mood and totally brighten your day. They have fabulous flavors with even more fabulous names; Red Velvet Elvis, Pretty In Pink, Butter Rumba, Auf Weidersein and so many more. Only $2.50 gets you a tiny little piece of heaven on a plate or cute little Chinese take-out box if you can't stay and enjoy your treat at the store. They also have bought out a little piece of the Gelato Di Vinci franchise, so if you'd prefer Gelato to a cupcake, or want both...you're good to go!

So there you have it...a little slice of heaven right in the middle of the Meridian Kessler neighborhood. Make it a lazy Saturday afternoon and take me up on my suggestions, you can thank me later! :)

The Strangest Holiday of Them All

Good Evening!

We've made it through another Holiday! Christmas can be really stressful for me, and I'm not really sure why. Okay, I'm lying - I know exactly why. I just feel like Christmas for Scott and I has become something that it really shouldn't be. I just feel like some people in our families, don't seem to understand the true meaning of Christmas. To me - Christmas is only about one thing; spending time with the people that you love the very most in life. I will admit that growing up, I probably didn't appreciate this notion. In fact, I remember on certain Christmas mornings, acting like a spoiled rotten brat because "Santa" forgot something "important." However, as I've grown to learn that material things won't get you too far in life, I really just wish we could all get back to the basics. A time of the year that is supposed to be so joyous and happy turns into this huge migraine that consistently gets more and more intense as the days pass on.

This year, was of course very different for us. With me being on bed rest, everyone had to take things down a notch as far as scaling the Christmas scene to a point of being out of control. Plus, everyone had to come to us. No running around to 5 different checkpoints to make sure that we see everyone and oh don't forget - exchange pointless gifts. This year, we almost avoided the gift giving nonsense completely! I was so overjoyed when our families agreed to throw it out for once! We only had to buy gifts for the kids, (which is actually appropriate in my opinion.) It was so strange this year not to track all over Indianapolis until our heads start spinning; strange in a good way. So all in all, this was probably BY FAR the best Christmas I've had since I've been with Scott, and for that, I am very thankful.

Bedrest Blunders...

Bed rest.
Boring. Boring. Boring. Boring Boring. There really isn't a better word to describe bed rest. There are only so many hours of the day that you can spend doing things that the average person would think up to occupy their time. Reading (in my opinion,) can only be comfortable for about an hour, maybe two hours tops, at a time. After this, your eyes start to glaze over and you'll find yourself having to re-read sentences more times than you'd care to. Watching TV shows or movies, sounds appealing at first...but I don't care who you are, staring at the television for hours at a time is neither satisfying nor healthy. To the person who recommended Netflix to me...thank, but really, no thanks. I've also tried coloring in coloring books, playing mindless computer games, scrapbooking, facebooking etc. I'm telling ya...there is only so much one can do from her bed or couch.

I'm a pretty social person, I would say. While I enjoy the occasional luxury of solitude, I am not one who enjoys being alone, especially for long periods of time. My GOOD friends and family members have been wonderful about trying to keep me occupied, visiting when they can, calling to check in on a regular basis. But people work. It's as simple as that. Between the hours of 8 and 6, I'm pretty much left to entertain myself.

I'm desperate to take on some sort of new project or hobby. The only (huge) limitation of course, is that I have to be doing it from not only a seated, but a laying down position. Now, I can sit up for a limited amount of time, just not long enough to get anything accomplished. I need to be able to find more things that I can do from a 45 degree angle that won't bore me after an hour of time has passed.

Who has any suggestions?