Happy House-aversary

May 8, 2010 we closed escrow and moved into our first home, which ended up being not just one, but two-which I lovingly refer to as "the twins."

Closing day!

What a year it has been. I never dreamed we'd become homeowners and landlords at the same time-but we've managed both with the help of insight from family, friends, and of course, the all knowing search engine that is Google. I thought I paid our first mortgage payment twice; a great set of renters serendipitously found us and stayed the entire year; I mowed the lawn for the first time; Scott (my own Wayne Szylinski) is in the planning stages for engineering a temperature-timed sprinkler system; he has completed countless projects that I have started and given up at finishing; and though no official housewarming party has been had, we've hosted the annual Haselton Cousin Christmas Party, a recent Mother's Day weekend, and countless dinners for our parents (which will never begin to repay them for their help in educating us to arrive at the point in our lives where we could afford to purchase, making curtains, helping us move and pulling up carpet and nails the day we moved in.)

I've mentioned before there are countless projects that need tackling and I'm sure they'll get done in the next few years-though this is not our forever house we plan to live in, we do plan to hang onto it as long as we are alive and kicking-and this house is already 86 years young. It's got a few creaks, cracks, and dings, but then again so do we. It's our perfect house we've made our home.

Mother's Day Part II

While Scott enjoyed all that Vegas had to offer for a friend's bachelor party, I entertained not once, not twice, but three evenings this weekend in honor of all that is mom. My mom, my pseudo moms, my mother-in-law, it was a rotating cast of moms at casa de Haselton.

Since Scott was in Vegas all weekend I offered to host his family for a dinner on Sunday night so that he could roll in from his trip straight to the previously prepared table from the night before. So smart. Some people called me crazy for three parties three nights in a row-I call it strategic. I was worn out, but Sunday was far less work than Saturday since I only had to prep food and barbecue.

For this affair, I served:

• Tequila-lime chicken kabobs with mushrooms, bell peppers, and red onions
• Giada's red tomato and potato salad (though it was really cold here yesterday so to add some warmth to the meal beyond the bbq, I made a bread crumb topping and added Parmesan and mozzarella and baked it. Turned out well, if you are interested in also attempting.)
• Roasted asparagus with a Dijon-lemon marinade (courtesy of my sister-in-law, Traci) These were super tasty.
• For dessert, we had leftover Nutella cupcakes from the night before from Caitlin, so they took center stage, though I'd originally planned on a lemon cake.

At most Haselton events, this guy was the hired entertainment:

But we were there to not only coo over him, but toast the moms:

Oliver likes to be in thick of things as well. He and Mason got along peachy.


To keep things simple, I used the same motif from Saturday's soiree and just changed the meal. Makes things really easy and I knew Sandy would love it. She's a sucker for twinkle lights like myself. It was the perfect ending to a great Mother's Day weekend.

Such a doll.

Happy Mother's Day!

Last night, my girlfriends and I held a mother's day dinner in honor of our moms. I think it's safe to say this might become a tradition-a great time was had by all.

Motif: Shabby-chic farm style dinner with vintage embroidered linens. (Thanks Cristal!)

You can see we attached pictures with our moms to the lattice in the background.

Backyards are always better with lights! This is proof I manned the BBQ.
Lessons with Scott paid off.

Kiss the cook!

Shannon-a great grill master herself. And maker of the best ever bacon-wrapped dates.

MEAT.

The moms-before they toasted us! Clever ladies, beat us the daughters to the punch.

End of the night group shot, though Katie, Paula, and Shannon had left.

I'm often interested in the menus for parties-here's the breakdown:

Appetizers:

• Caprese salad
• Blue cheese-stuffed olives
• Artichoke and bean crostini
• Bacon wrapped dates

Entree

• Filet mignon (with Scott's secret marinade)
• Chicken with tequila lime marinade
• Twice-baked potatoes
• Cesar salad

Dessert

• Nutella cupcakes
• Coffee cupcakes

And several bottles of wine-of course.

This was a super fun evening. We've all been friends from as early as elementary school and were all on dance team together during various years in high school and the friendships have remained. Cheers to moms-both biological, stand ins, in-laws, and soon-t0-be as well!

Foodie First-Timer: Artichokes

I've loved artichokes since the day they were introduced to me at our family friends' John and Shannon's home, when I was about 12. It was important date because Shannon took the opportunity to tell me one eyebrow was significantly shorter than the other thanks to my overzealous plucking. She told it like it was, and after a painfully long month or so, I had quasi-even eyebrows again. I say quasi because I think they are still more fraternal than identical.

Anyway, back to artichokes. It was my first experience eating these vegetables-leaves, heart, and copious amounts of butter and there was no turning back. I requested my mom make these for my next birthday, though I was the only one to enjoy them-not many other 13 year olds know what to make of the spiky vegetable.

Artichokes (the non-canned variety, specifically) and I experienced a period of absence until recently-last week specifically. I had not ventured into cooking them on my own and really admired their place in the kitchen more as a decorative center piece than meal accompaniment. My favorite magazine Real Simple, had a great spread dissecting the 'choke:



I purchased two artichokes at the farmer's market and then stopped by my favorite store in the world to get a steamer basket which I'm sure will prove itself useful in the long run.


The article suggested rubbing lemon wedges directly on the artichoke and including them in the steamer basket as well. Made for an enhanced flavor when done.

In an effort to not be a total cow, I opted for one of the recipes suggested in the magazine for the dipping sauce-a Dijon vinaigrette. Overall, pretty tasty.

Foodie Review: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Though on the list of the to be avoided sins, I tend to overlook the "thou shall not be gluttonous" request because as my motto goes, life's short-eat a cookie...or a burger in this case.

The buzz around Five Guys Burgers and Fries coming to town has been strong the past few months. They are strategically located near the university, on State College and Chapman, near other greats such as Chipotle, Starbucks, Yogurtland, Panera, and Office Depot of course.

I'm not sure how any Southern Californian could write a review of a new burger joint without the holy grail of burger chains-In 'n Out. A #2 with a lemon-up would probably be present at my last meal. For the record, I did go into Five Guys with an open mind and a starving stomach.

On Friday, April 29, the restaurant held their soft opening, and Scott and I went for dinner. The place was packed. My coworker had gone earlier in the day and by noon they'd already served 100 customers opening at 11 a.m. Needless to say, at 8 p.m. it was still going strong. They were well staffed with very friendly worker bees-the cashier happy to explain the menu, the bussers offering to refill drinks even though it was a self-serve machine.

We both ordered the "little" hamburger variety. For novices like ourselves, the regular is actually a double patty, the little a single. I had the little bacon cheeseburger with sauteed mushrooms and Scott the little bacon hamburger with grilled onions, pickles and mustard. We split an order of Cajun fries and holy mother of junk food-they have Cherry Coke on the fountain. It's my one soda indulgence and I'm glad to add them to the tally (along with Rubio's who offers Vanilla Coke for anyone interested.) While we waited for our order, we snacked on peanuts on the patio outside.

Now about those Cajun fries. I'd snuck a few earlier in the day when my coworker brought some back for the office, and wow-they have some zip. That night, because the portions are large, we split a regular order and could not finish it. They were just too spicy and over powering. Try them, but it will be a regular for us next time.

I had been craving a burger for a week when talk of this chain really began buzzing about their soft opening. And, like In-n-Out, they use the freshest produce and meats-no trans fat, grill in peanut oil, and nothing is ever frozen. You can read more here. Makes me feel a bit better about the burger indulgence.

The first bite-pretty darn good. First words that came to mind-homestyle. Good texture as well-soft bun, crispy bacon, melted cheese, meaty mushrooms, and a well executed burger. Seasonings were subtle and flavor enhancing. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't doing the In-n-Out comparison, because I was. There is such a distinct flavor that has come to be the burger benchmark it can be hard to have the self conversation of "it's ok, it doesn't have to taste that way." And by the way, it's not the spread-not a fan, I have it without.

Back to the burger-it was the perfect size. If you are a burger fiend, try the regular, but the entire meal was satisfying. We spent $14 for the two burgers,and shared fries and soda. Will we go back? Definitely. My overall impressions were that the staff (of nearly 20 on hand) did great with the first day, especially with the speedy delivery even with a packed restaurant. I believe that fresh products prepared with pure cooking methods equates to a truly happy meal.

If I were Kate

Today I was trying to imagine what Kate Middleton must be feeling on the eve of her wedding. I don't doubt the romance between her and Will, but their wedding really is a dog and pony show for the world. The intimacy is lost when you have 1200 guests from the Queen Mother to Lady Gaga to me at home fast forwarding through my DVR'd Lara Spencer's babbling to get to the good stuff.

Don't get me wrong-I am infatuated with the proceedings and the historical event that is this wedding. Part of me is sad for them-and it could be unnecessarily so-that they won't have a wedding attended by those near and dear, but a political who's-who affair full of dignitaries. Yes, Kate knew what she was signing up for-a public life with a public wedding. I'm sure she's been prepping herself for this day upon their initial courtship.

We all know the English are far more cultured than us Americans and there is likely no garter toss (though I'd love to see the Queen Mother's face during that) and we all know there is no beer. I sincerely hope it's a memorable day for the pair and that they can truly enjoy it, without having to follow 18th century orders during the entire day.

Cheers Will and Kate-I wish you nothing but happiness and I hope you stick to your household sans help and stock the fridge with plenty of Newcastle to make up for the absence on your wedding day.

Erin

Sunday Confessions

It's been a while. But seeing as today is Easter and this blog is about almost full disclosure, here goes.

Well I made it 32 days.

Scott was gone last weekend and my to-do list could not be accomplished anywhere else all together, and I did not have time for multiple stops. Where else can you refill your prescription, get allergy meds, buy cat food, candles, deodorant, paper towels, toilet paper, Brita filter replacements, Febreze, and cleaning wipes? Yes, probably WalMart or the Piggly Wiggly but we have neither of those (in location or a state I want to visit.)

So, I did not make the full 40 days of Lent, but the way I see it, it was longer than I'd ever gone before between Target runs, and of course it was a great homecoming returning. I wish I could have scheduled the employees to do an applause and balloon drop.

The conclusion: I don't want to live in a world without Target.