New Favorite TV Show

Dead Like Me. We got streaming Netflix and now I can't stop watching this. I mean, I stop, when the dryer buzzes so I can change out the laundry and maybe Swiffer or vacuum. But I've got to say... this is pretty entertaining.

And fun fact: Ellen Muth is a member of MENSA. How awesome is that?

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Yada, Yada, Yada...

That's all for right now.

Last night after letting Rusty in from outside, the door handle came off in my hand.

Yes, oh, yes... we have another broken object in our house.

So the things I've learned in the past year about owning a house:

1. Door handles come off in your hands

2. Step stools disappear to the garage leaving me to act like a monkey climbing cabinets in the kitchen.

3. I'm short.

4. Cutting in when painting sucks.

5. Dust from ceiling tiles sucks.

6. Sewer pipes are awful.

7. Hard water is not good for your hair or skin.

8. I still really like the layout of our house.

9. Gardening is relaxing.

And

10. I need to learn how to use a sledgehammer effectively.

Crap.

I ran out of Christmas cards.

You know, our Christmas card list is comprised of our wedding guest list.

There were 120 people invited.

That was about 75 addresses.

And now there's way more people on that list.

And I've only gotten through 18 cards.

Crap.

Crap.

Crap.

I will be furiously writing out more cards this afternoon.

Did I ever mention how disorganized I can be?

To Do List For Today

1. Purchase snow blower

2. Wait for it to snow another 8 inches

3. Use snow blower to clear driveway

4. Laundry

5. Do the dishes

6. Clean the kitchen

7. Wash the rugs

8. More laundry

9. Pull my hair out while I write Christmas Cards

10. Mail Dexter DVD to Netflix

11. Try not to lose my mind while I write out more Christmas Cards

12. Open a bottle of wine.

Cute Canisters

Adorable right? They'd be cute in any kitchen! Find them here, at AllModern.com.

Oh, Martha, I Do Love Your Rugs

Martha Stewart Chrysanthemum Rug in Malted - $97 - $537 from Home Decorators

MS Terraza Area Rug - $104 - $727 from Home Decorators

Hey McTatty - Charlie Brown Wants His Tree Back

 Our cheesy Christmas tree. It looks so fake. Oh, well. This is what $16.99 gets you in 2003.

A close up of some of the ornaments. It's random. Sort of. Mostly from Ikea and then people keep giving us ornaments.

Maple Rosemary Glaze Pork Chops

 Searing away in the pan. YUM. I do have to say that I absolutely LOVE my cast iron pan. It's the best gift ever. It's been camping, moved across the country with me and has taught me how to make bacon. YUM.

This recipe is from Joelen at What's Cookin' Chicago. She has so many FABULOUS recipes and has totally inspired me to cook more in the kitchen. I've been wavering between frozen pizzas and plain baked chicken lately, so I've been awful about posting recipes. NO MORE, I say, I WILL BE A BETTER COOK and try more recipes and be more daring... BTW, Bimmer Man loved this so I will add this to a staple in my line up of recipes to make. And it's super easy!!!

Maple Rosemary Glazed Pork Chops
recipe adapted from The New Best Recipes

1/3 cup pure maple syrup (preferably grade B)
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, or 2 teaspoons fresh
4 thick sliced pork chops or pork loin
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Season both sides of each pork chop/pork loin slice.

Heat the oil in a heavy bottom skillet over medium high heat and when it just begins to smoke, add the pork. Sear on both sides until well browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the seared pork onto a baking sheet and set aside.

Drain off the fat from the skillet; add the maple syrup and rosemary. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to a minute. Place the pork back into the skillet to coat with the glaze and place the pork back onto the baking sheet.

Place the glazed pork into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pork registers about 135-140 degrees. Allow the pork to rest for a few minutes before serving.

And Woke Up To A Blizzard

 Here's our back door. I've shoveled three times starting last night at 11 and the snow just keeps piling up.

 Not only is it snowing, but it's blowing and drifting. GAH!!

Here's out our front window looking at the neighbor's house across the street. You wouldn't even see where the sidewalk leading up to our house is without the stair railing!

Happy Saturday!

Link Lovin'

I've been super inspired by the following blogs and websites lately, hopefully some are of interest to you readers...

The Heavy Table - Minneapolis/St. Paul Eating

What's Cookin' Chicago - by Joelen (whom I have starred almost ALL of her recipes in Google Reader)

Hooked on Houses - so lovely... and sometimes hilarious... and see celeb's houses!

Dooce

Meh, there's 4. I generally get bored if I click through more links. Go figure.

Get In The Mood For Christmas

Because at this very moment I need some inspiration. I feel sorta Scroogy lately so I'm listening to Pandora's music channel. Not only do I like the Eagles, but this is one of my favorite Christmas songs.

So with a sigh, I'm giving in to the Christmas mood. I did put up the tree. It's a Charlie Brown tree. Seriously. I'll post pics later.

Music Flashback

The local radio station was doing an iPod game (hilarious) and there were songs on the morning show people's iPods that brought me back a few years:



Oh, and this one:


And who could forget this one:

Ah... Artwork...

Restoration Hardware $795

I love this subway sign art. But I'm not paying $795 for it, sorry Restoration Hardware. You may inspire me to do lots of things, but not purchase this stuff for almost $800. Not in the budget.

I guess I might have to photoshop my own...

Every Tuesday Morning

Without fail, I scramble to get the recycling out. Like right now... I hear the stupid beeping truck and I'm rushing around to get all the cardboard. BOO.

I promise to be better next week.