Fusilli Michelangelo with Roasted Chicken

This recipe is absolutely delicious!  I found it in a health magazine, and definitely plan on making it one of my week night staples.  And, even better, if you are short on time (or lazy tired after a long day of work), you can cut up a rotisserie chicken and put it in the dish.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb whole wheat fusilli
2 c. sliced white mushrooms
2 T. EVOO
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 c. fresh basil, chopped
1/8 c. sun dried tomatoes (oil packed, but drained)
1 1/2 c. tomato sauce
1/2 c. parmesan reggiano
3 c. spinach
2 T. toasted pine nuts

-Cook pasta al dente according to package direction.  Reserve 1/2 c. cooking water.
-Cook sliced mushrooms in EVOO one minute without stirring.  Saute 5 more minutes until brown.  Add minced garlic glove, and cook one minute.  Add fresh basil and sundried tomatoes. Cook one minute.  Add tomato sauce, and bring to a simmer.
-Add pasta, cheese, reserved pasta water, rotisserie chicken, spinach, and toasted pine nuts. Serve and enjoy :)

Awk.Ward.

Thursday night, my roommate and I went out to dinner at a local restaurant/ bar to have a couple beers before the national championship game. (By the way, whoop whoop SEC!!) As we were eating, a group of guys walked in the backdoor and caught my eye.  From the distance, one of the guys looked really familiar, and I guess he thought I looked familiar too because he made his way over to our table.  I turned back to my friends as he approached, got up from the table, and had the "hey! how are you? gosh its been so long!" conversation as I gave him a big hug--- all of this, without really giving him a good look.   As soon as we both pulled away from the hug, I realized . . .

I had never seen this guy before in me life.

Ever.

NO CLUE who he was.  And he had NO CLUE who I was either.

I could have died.  Looking back, it was hilarious.  I wish I had had a video camera.

By the grace of God, after our "oh, shit!" moment, we both played it cool, and found the fastest way to end that conversation.  So, face flushed, dumbfounded, with absolutely no idea what stranger I just hugged and pretended like we were long lost friends, I sat back down to finish my meal but could not get out of there fast enough.  hahahaha.

This Is Where I Live:

2009 in Review

January:  Went back to Wofford for my very last interim, and spent the whole month taking one class on cooking Chinese food.  (For the chef in me, it was heavenly!) Also, because I was taking only one class, I spent the entire month glued to the DVD player obsessed with the greatest TV show ever created on earth:

I watched seasons 1-4 throughout the one month.  86 1-hour long episodes.

February: Started my last semester as a college student and turned 22.  My mom and sister threw a surprise party for me with 20 of my best girlfriends!  I had NO idea it was coming, and was totally surprised!!

March: Went to Mardi Gras with 4 of my best friends, and loved the city of New Orleans.  I can't wait to go back.

April: Spent my spring break interviewing for jobs... and wanted to cry the whole time because all my friends were in sunny Florida getting tan and I was in SC in a business suit not getting hired. Back at school, I spent at much time as I could with my friends before graduation and the real world ripped us apart.

May: My spring break misery paid off and I was hired!  Within 8 days, I graduated from school, went to the Keys with my family (and got the monster seen below!!), and started my job.  It was a whirlwind, but totally worth it.

June: Settled into life in the real world, living on my own and having a j-o-b. One of my girlfriends got married so we had a mini- reunion at her wedding.

July:  After landlord drama, I moved downtown and haven't looked back!  My roommate and I have such a great location!  Friends came to town and visited, and I continued to enjoy the summertime by the beach and on the water.

August:  Did I mention that I love the summertime??  Check out this sunset.  Beautiful.

September:  September was tough because I think it was when it finally sunk in that I was not going back to college to be with my friends.  So, I hit the road to go see them!

October: As the fall started to come around, I began to spend time at our family plantation.  It was great to get away from "city" life and be outside crabbing and hanging out. Also, I carved my first--- and last--- pumpkin.  It was not a good experience for me.

November:  After a week of class and studying, I passed the South Carolina Department of Insurance Property/ Casualty Producer Exam!  My family and I went to my grandmother's for Thanksgiving, and Lash and I had the best time bouncing around town on the weekends going to Oyster Roasts and other parties.

December:  The most wonderful time of the year!  We spent Christmas at our plantation and had an amazing time-- lots of good food, family bonding, games, and exercise. We also had a debutante ball over Christmas, and managed to get our family Christmas card there.  :)

Indeed, 2009 was a fabulous year.  I can't wait to see what 2010 has in store!

NYE Pictures

Turns out I had not lost my camera like I had thought. . . it was buried in my purse!!  Here are a few pictures from NYE:

Me, Sally, Margie, and Blanche

Mimi, Bethany, Me, Blanche, and Lauren (I love this pictures of Lauren, haha!!)

Me and Margaret

It was such a fun night, but whew! I am glad NYE only comes once a year.

Resolutions

I've been working on my New Years Resolution, and this year I am determined to set goals that are both realistic and attainable.  Here's my list so far. . .

1- Get back in the exercise routine!  I have always been an athlete, but I've found it very difficult to find time to exercise in my new 'real world' routine.  I'm joining a gym this week, and going to try my best to make it there 3-4 times a week.  Obviously, it will be beneficial to my health, but also a great way to relieve stress and feel good!

2- Wake up 15 minutes earlier everyday to leave extra time in the morning for devotion and prayer before work.  I've not been giving myself enough time to do it and have felt pretty rushed or have had to wait until after work.

3- In the last year, spending time in the kitchen has really become a real hobby of mine, not a chore. I want to continue to cook and explore different cuisines and culinary styles.

4- Continue to track expenses, keep a budget, and be reasonable with my spending.

5- Read more!  I think I OD'ed on reading at college being an English major and have gotten into the bad habit of using my computer more at night than cracking open a book.  In 2010, I'm going to put my computer down earlier and read every night before going to bed.

Do you have any good new years resolutions to share?

5:30

Today, I think I have a hangover. sent. from. Satan. himself.

For some ungodly reason, I stayed up until 5:30 a.m. last night/ this morning.  I have never, ever stayed up that late in my life.  Ever.  During the week, I'm such an old lady-- I'm in bed (asleep!) by 10 or 10:30, and on the weekends, if I go out, I rarely make it to 1 or 2.  I require a lot of sleep and hate how I feel when I don't get enough.

So basically, today, I feel like I have been hit by a mack truck. Repeatedly.

I drank way to much cheap champagne and got only three hours of sleep.  Not the best way to start 2010, huh??

NYE was a lot of fun though.  It was awesome to be reunited with some of my best girlfriends, and fun to have a lower key NYE at a house party.  I took some pictures but accidentally left my camera in Columbia so when I get it back I'll post some.

By the way, my new favorite thing in the world is Rock Band.  I found out last night between the hours of 2-5:30 that I actually have hidden drummer talents in me!! It is so fun.