Vive le Macaron

This morning, I got to spend a few hours perfecting my pastry chef skills with my very talented friend Andrea at Sur la Table. Our task: macarons. We were quickly corrected that American macaroons are the coconut desserts, where the French macarons are the shelled sandwich creme cookie. There's your lesson of the day.

Our creations included strawberry with Champagne (eh, sparkling wine, we saw the bottle) buttercream, bacon with maple buttercream, and mint with dark chocolate ganache. While I don't see myself making these very often--they are pretty labor intensive and apparently not for the amateur baker-I could see a batch for a special occasion as definitely doable.

A very fitting way to spend Bastille Day :) Vive le France!

The Chefs Haselton

Last night, a dream I didn't knew I had came true-a participation dinner at Mr. Stox.

My in-laws have done several over the years and gifted us the opportunity at Christmas of 2011. It took over a year for our schedules to align with the offered dates, and our evening fell on the final one. Sadly, after 40+ years, the landmark restaurant is closing. So, we were so happy to finale joy a final meal, and prepare it.

The entire group hovered around 28 ( about 10-12 too many I'm told) and we were broken up into groups that would tackle each course. Frank and Sandy were assigned to the fourth course, dessert- a banana tartin, while Scott and I worked on the first, jumbo prawn stuffed with crab meat with a jalapeño orange hollandaise sauce.

At first I was totally overwhelmed with seriously so many cooks in the kitchen, plus servers coming in and out running desserts. Our own servers came with and ensured our cooking wine was always filled and the kitchen staff whisked away cutting boards and knives for washing.

We grilled and chopped jalapeños, squeezed and reduced orange juice, separated eggs, stuffed prawns, and babysat/ whisked the hollandaise. The lobster was thwacked around us (and memorialized on the back of my dress) while others poached the beef and assembled a ratatouille.

The experience was amazing. I stepped in the line kitchen and was completely overwhelmed again by the amount of people, burners raging, and food flipping.

Once everyone was done, each group plated and served the meal. It was tremendously fun and extremely delicious. I'm only sorry that we were able to do it once.



Thank you, thank you to my in- laws for such a fabulous evening doing something I love and fulfilling one of my foodie dreams!

2012: O

O is for outstanding, the kind of grade given in early elementary school, and how I sum up 2012.

It was the kind of year defined by amazing experiences, sharing moments with family and friends, but also living every day life to the fullest. Scott and I ate some amazing meals, worked on our house, learned more about each other, watched friends and family get married, have babies, and celebrate milestone birthdays. While the year was full of highs, there were certainly moments of reflection in loss, specifically the passing of my grandfather.

Yet, I feel very fortunate that the entire year feels like a highlight reel, which is essentially this blog. I started this back in 2007, and while some of those early posts were pretty juvenile in nature as I figured out this public diary business, I'm happy that it's been fairly consistently updated. I started it because I don't like to write in a journal as my handwriting is too sloppy, and it's grown into a way to stay in touch with family and friends from near and far. While it's no Young House Love or Dooce, I'm glad my parents care enough to still read what their nearly 29-year-old daughter puts on the Internet. And offer suggestions :)

On the final day of 2012, it seems appropriate to list favorites. It's organized, there are photos, and a pretty bitchin' top three.

1. The day we jumped out of a plane

2. Hiking to Machu Piccu

3. Meeting Ina Garten

And what's New Year's Eve without a grand finale activity like riding a Segway for the first time?

Cheers to 2013, and all that it has in store!

-Madam Commissioner Erin Haselton

Dollar Tree Christmas

Our neighbor held a Christmas party last night (note-more parties should occur Monday nights as it makes the day entirely more bearable) and the gift exchange consisted of five individual gifts purchased from the Dollar Tree or $.99 Store, that everyone randomly selected from.

This was pretty dang fun to shop for, though I'll kick myself of not getting photos of my purchases. Anyway, some lucky people walked away with:

• REO Speedwagon's latest (not greatest) hits album
• A "previously enjoyed" movie from 2007 starring Neve Campbell, touted as Waitress meets Devil Wears Prada. That sounds generous.
• A $1 version of Jennifer Lopez' Glow perfume
• An Angels Baseball garden gnome which I actually re-gifted. Kept the original 2013 kitties calendar for my office.
• Serena Williams autobiography (which the check out girl asked me to "let her know how it was.") Mmmkay.

My treasures included a cooling sweatband, Vienna sausages, magic football that reveals itself as a towel in water, a stained oven mitt with Arabic words, and Fuze iced tea that I promptly switched for a most coveted Bump It.

Happy Christmas!

Sunday Funday

My kind of Sundays are spent making meals that require extra TLC and are new to my recipe book.

Today was no exception with jambalaya for dinner. Lessons learned included being reminded that rice doubles and thus this jambalaya was rather thick. Yet, the flavor was good so I'll definitely do it again.

For dessert I used the apples picked last weekend to make a tart and we ate on lovely new dishes from Ashley :)

I'm with the DJ

My friend Courtney is carving out a name for herself in the DJ world and I am so happy that she's chasing her dream.

It can be hard to see her do her thang however, given that DJs generally work a shift I'll never see based upon my bedtime, work schedule, and proximity to LA. This DJ Dazzler has struck up a deal with a restaurant/club right here in our city and spins Wednesday nights, so there was no better time than Thanksgiving Eve to finally see her. Granted, a 9pm nap was required and some minor fretting about wardrobe, but so worth it. Plus, I experienced going out with my sister for the first time since her 21st and what a trip that is!

Romantic dates with friends

Farm houses, fall foliage, apple picking, donut eating, and long car rides with friends make for a lovely Sunday.

Dreams do come true!

Like meeting Ina "@&$?!$ Garten!!!!!!!!!!

And now, a pictorial for the history books.

1) My first (faux) glimpse of Ina today. 2-3) True fabulous fashion, they served cranberry bars-recipe in the cookbook, and espresso while we waited. 4) The posse!

1) ZOMG so excited! 2) THERE SHE IS!!!! 3) Speechless, except for gibberish squeal. 4) "Thank you, enjoy the cookbook." Our first conversation!!!!

SO WORTH TAKING A VACATION DAY FOR THIS!!!

Endeavor

I'm not sure I've experienced a more American moment than watching the space shuttle fly across the sky.

Other locals took way better photos-it looks like a smudge from my iPhone photos. Worth the multiple sweaty trips to the office roof with the suite mates.

The ship is massive, as was its NASA escort. I feel so lucky to have been able to catch a glimpse. Definitely the highlight of my day, and probably the random air conditioner guy that was also on the roof.

Post Script on Spinning

Last night I survived my first cycling class. I've been pretty much against it, like forever, because I'm not particularly interested in riding long distances due to the derriere discomfort, and well, sweating profusely. I've seen the people exiting that room. Must be the new wave in fitness, underwater cycling.

Apparently I'm on a streak of trying new things since golf, so yesterday was the day. I picked a class that a drill sergeant but favored teacher of mine was instructing, knowing she'd probably yell at me while I strived to be the star pupil on day one. I arrived early and chatted with some other women about their experiences. They love it-I get it, most people do. I still wasn't convinced, but I made myself promise to stay the entire duration of the class sohelpmeJesus.

Turns out I still don't like cycling, granted it was only one excruciatingly long hour. But doesn't it always feel longer the first time when you don't know how long its supposed to last? Also turns out I'm rather awkward on a bike. It shouldn't be that difficult, but somehow it is.

I tried to distract myself from watching the clock by counting 8's in the music looking for the endings of songs. Then I looked to my left and saw the guy next to me had a puddle, a PUDDLE beneath him and a river of water rushing down to it. Underwater cycler emerges from the pool.

Thus, in conclusion, 12 hours later, my derriere is most certainly in pain but apparently "you get used to it" (direct quotes from new cycling friend). I suppose muscle soreness occurs after all of the other classes I do, but none quite like this in that location. The calorie burn was amazing but then again I did go home and have a Sprinkles red velvet cupcake that was gifted to me earlier in the day. Couldn't let that go to waste.

Happy 4th

Today we went to the driving range and put put course for the first time because I FINALLY stopped turning up my lame nose and realized that golf is a luxury sport and that is right up my ally. Beers and a cigar anyone?

Busy Bee

Life is passing before my eyes, even though I soaked up most of the hours of the day recently, staying until past 1 a.m. two nights in a row this weekend.

Major work event this week that has taken prep for the past few months. God bless color coding and dry erase boards. AND post it notes.

We enjoyed a major blast from the past on Friday night when the Ataris played at Dipiazza's in Long Beach. We went with my sister and her boyfriend Max, who clearly are much more in tune with the goings on of bands and their comeback tours than I am.

Diapiazza's/Villapiano's (That Thing You Do-anyone?anyone?) was a random Chain Reaction like establishment in the LBC. The band went on at 11 p.m. 11 p.m.!!! I had to have a Scarlett style rest at 8:30 to prepare to LEAVE the house at 10 p.m.

Saturday morning was atypical, but the best part was enjoying the day with this peach and his mom for a day in Laguna.

My neighbor has a very California-friendly garden and though Scott is not on board for our entire yard, I love the idea of these flowers in a bed out front.

We've also been treated to two great family dinners-one with my aunt and parents and one with Scott's family in honor of his brother's birthday.

And, amen, Mad Men is back. TGMonday is over.

(photo credit)

What we ate.

I love a challenge in the kitchen, so this week I tried out a few new recipes and cooking methods.

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard and Beans

adapted from here.

Tomato and Artichoke Tart

adapted from here.

Salmon with Soy Sauce, Ginger and Sriracha Cream Sauce with Udon Noodles

adapted from here.

Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers

adapted from here.

White Bean and Kale Soup

adapted from here.

Seared Scallops with Parmesan Risotto and Spinach

adapted from here.

First time risotto maker on a 90 degree day in March. Next time, I'll be trying Ina's oven method.

Still flying high

I still can't believe we did this. It's like watching another person.

But for anyone who cares, the video is pretty funny, once you fast forward past the infomercial.

The day we jumped out of a plane.

The night before

I'm considering Xanax and wow, are they readily available at the mere thinking out loud suggestion. But, Scott says, "take it raw." So, thus, no aids in taking this leap. Probably best not to jump in a hazy stupor anyway.

Inspiring art by Scott.

Morning of
Nothing but fear-filled dreams during the night. Anxiety in the morning, especially the part about signing your life away death attorney video. Really, we weren't signing our life away buying a house-it was skydiving.

In the plane
Dear babyJesus, expletive, expletive, expletive.

Though everything physically said this is extremely unnatural, I kept my cool for the video camera.

Afterthoughts
Super fun and exhilarating, but probably the peak of my extreme sporting activities!

But at the end of the day, Happy Birthday Dad! May this be an exciting start to your 60s! And the entire reason for the insanity of us falling out of the sky!

The birthday

The birthday came, lingered, and went. A good one it was.

We had cupcakes and cake balls complete with song at work.

That night, Scott took me to a restaurant we've heard rave reviews about but had not tried-Il Garage at Park Ave. The Italian bistro portion of the restaurant-the garage- is in the garden where the chef sources his menu from- a menu that changes 25% each day. We'll definitely return.

The big trip for the bday consisted of a trip to the Huntington Library. An amazing place that one visit will never do justice.

The Blue boy...and Scott.

A path in the rose garden.

Mona Lisa Anemone.

She spoke to me. I don't recall the artist other than he was an American and amateur-which partly explains the oddness of the woman to me.

Magnolia trees.

Cactus garden...straight out of Dr. Seuss.

Massive fireplace in the Huntington's dining room accompanied by the original George W.

Thanks to Yelp, we had lunch at Roma Italian Grocery and Deli, which was delicious and a diamond in the rough of a strip mall. If you find yourself in Pasadena and craving a sandwich, by all means, go there. The little Italian man serving up The Sandwich-yes, there's only one-may offer you 10 year old cheese to sample. If he doesn't, by all means inquire-the people behind you won't mind you holding up the line. 1o year old provolone-ZOMG.

That night Rob and Kerri came up for dinner-Scott's famous steak, Brussels sprouts and aperitifs at the Twisted Vine. We wined, dined, and talked a little shop for the planning of my 10 year high school reunion. And Krob even me this awesome succulent planter.

Sunday night my parents, grandma, sister, her boyfriend and my in-laws celebrated at our local pizzeria. It was a birthday weekend well spent and I thank everyone who made it as special as it was, from the cards, texts, phone calls, emails and Facebook messages-cheers!

Final 2011 Victories

1. Fruits of my labor began sprouting-ziva paperwhites.

2. Built up my tolerance of other species.

3. FINALLY got around to organizing and decorating the office.

In process of moving everything out to prep for paint.

More put together, but not the final vision.

3a. Earthquake-strapped the bookcase to the wall.

4. Started new nail trends in the painting process, "the spackle".


5. Fixed the doorbell so that it's no longer on the same frequency as the next door neighbor's.

6. Hung rain gutters and down spouts.

Goodbye 2011, hello 2012. First anticipated victory will be staying up until midnight.