Bouchon

Grateful

Vegas Baby!

I'm heading to Las Vegas today, yeah baby!  Time for some much needed relaxation.  I have been working like crazy lately and with the holidays coming up this is the perfect time to get away for some adult fun.
First and foremost, I am so looking forward to some much needed couple time.  In addition, I am super excited that I will finally get a chance to eat at one of Thomas Keller's restaurant, Bouchon.  I plan on eating there for brunch and dinner at least once, maybe more if I am lucky.  Who needs gambling when you have Thomas Keller?

Thanksgiving Table

This will be my first year hosting Thanksgiving and I can't stop thinking about tablescapes. I'm excited the torch has been passed from my Mother and Father on to me. Time to get ideas because Thanksgiving will be here before you know it.

Homade Oreos

I made these bad boys yesterday and damn they were good.  I wanted to make homemade Oreos for a long time now and I finally got around to it.  My son was having his girlfriend over for the first time, yikes, to watch a movie, The Hunger Games, and since I was banded for the TV room I thought I better busy myself in the kitchen.  This way I could still keep an eye on them as I bake. 

I followed this recipe from Smitten Kitchen, who just so happens to have a new cookbook.  The recipe is easy to follow and the cookies not too make or to put together difficult.  The only thing I did is add a little more powdered sugar to the cream filling to make it a little sweeter.  If it is too thick you can add a little more butter.  When you make the cream filling just taste it until you get the sweetness and consistency you like.  So far eveyone who has tasted them has loved them and I tpotally have to agree these are really good cookies, too bad I didn't have time for a few more batches.  These are definitely going on my Christmas cookie list. They make great gifts.

November

Sometimes the Universe Gets it Right.

I have the type of job where you go to work, mindlessly do your the same job as the 300 people sitting around you and independent thought isn't encouraged.  However, it is a good job.  I can support my children on my own. I am treated with respect and even occasionally appreciated.  My job isn't mentally or physically taxing which is nice since being a single parent of three boys can be both mentally and physically taxing.  I definitely don't dread coming to work.  I was once employed at a place where hitting a tree on my to work seemed more appealing then actually going to that place of employment. 

Do you ever have that feeling that the universe gives you exactly what you need at times?  Well, that is how I feel about my job.  I make decent money and have the ability to work overtime but more importantly I have made some incredible friends.  I have partaken in more female bonding in the past three years then I have done since high school.  My new friends have helped me get through situations I didn't even see coming.  We get so caught up and busy in our lives once we have partners and children that we forget how important it is to have time to talk to other woman.  At this job I have made friends with woman of all ages and I am incredibly grateful for their wisdom.