Random Mondays!

Today's Random Monday emoticon:

{source}

When the train ride home is packed to the gills with people

Please be courteous to others and share handrails so we don't play human pinball nor embarrass ourselves when we accidentally graze/touch other commuters inappropriately.

Don't be this guy!

If you're a commuter, what do you find most annoying?

Busting out the grill

The weather in Texas has been a comfortable lower 90's / upper 80's the past week and I'm totally loving it (minus the ridiculous 40 mph wind we've been getting the past two months)!  Yay to shorts and sandals and boo to burning my ba-donka-donk on leather seats in the car. Warmer weather also means it's time to bust out the good ole grill!! There's something a grill does that adds a lil extra oomph to flavors. Perhaps it's the smokiness? Whatever it is - I like it. Plus, what's not to like about a simple dinner that requires a quick seasoning/marinating of the meat the night before and tossing it on the grill for a few minutes the next day? We're all about simple, quick, and delicious meals at this household!

Last night's dinner - Cuban marinated pork tenderloin!
Recipe adapted from elly says opa!

Ingredients:
1lb pork tenderloin
1/4 cup orange juice (about 1 orange)
2 Tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
3 Tbsp. canola or olive oil
2 bay leaves
3-4 garlic cloves, smashed (we're garlic lovers so I tossed in an extra 3!)
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
salt and pepper
I also added in half a cup of sliced onions

Gathered all your ingredients yet? Great! Let's marinate!

1. Combine all the ingredients and pour into a resealable bag with the pork tenderloin. I used a gallon size Ziploc bag. Marinate several hours (or in my case, overnight).

2. Grill the tenderloin, basting with the marinade as you grill, until internal temperature reaches 140°, approx. 20-25 minutes.

3. Set tenderloin aside to rest for 7-10 minutes, underneath an aluminum foil tent. Slice and consume!

I was starving and totally forgot to take a pic, but this

one is pretty darn accurate to what ours looks like.

{source}

We had this with steamed broccoli (for me) and garlic mashed potatoes (for the hubs). The tenderloin was juicy and tender and definitely full of flavor!

What's your favorite part of grilling? Do share seasoning mixes and marinating recipes!

Random Mondays!

Today's Random Monday emoticon:



Item in question:
The awesome (or not depending on how you look at it) about sushi buffets is the awesome dessert bar that comes complimentary of your meal. We learned the hard way that dessert isn't always that way *cough Rafain's cough* Without regards to our already overly stuffed sushi filled belly, we trapezed over to the dessert bar for some creme brulee, red wine ice cream, pecan pie, chocolate dipped strawberries, and whatever else our eyes feasted on. Then on your return to trip to your table, don't forget to grab a spoon from the bar to help shovel all the desserts into your mouth. Or 2... Or 3 spoons...

I don't recall this many dessert spoons during my business etiquette luncheons taught during my college years. I should call up career services and ask them what's up with that. They taught me the difference in the 3 forks, why not spoons too right??? You gotta give the restaurant props though for considering their diverse age range of clientele from baby to age X and their desire for what type of spoon!

Have you ever encountered something quirky while dining out?

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue,

wedding flowers, here to debut!

I totally messed up the poem huh? Sorry! At least you know what today's post will be about - wedding flowers!!!

Who would have ever knew these wedding decors were so darn expensive? They die before even the day is over shoo! Then again, you slap on the word wedding or bride and the price automatically inflates 1,000% (consider this a warning future brides. Avoid these words at all cost when inquiring of prices!).

My knowledge of flowers equals

Roses

and

Tulips

Period. So you can imagine how intimidated I was when vendors asked me what kind of flowers I wanted to include in the arrangements for my bouquet, the bridesmaids bouquets, the centerpieces, etc. I didn't want to show up at the florist appointments completely empty handed so I browsed various sites (e.g. The Knot) in search of arrangements and just saved them down to my jump drive. I figured I could just show my inspiration pictures even if I didn't know the names and let the florist do their magic. Fortunately, it worked!!

My wedding bouquet inspiration:

All flowers pictures were taken from The Knot

At each floral appointment, the florist pointed out I had a thing for lilies, specifically, calla lilies. Who would have known! With that new found knowledge, I announced I wanted calla lilies in the bouquets and the hubby's boutonniere and the rest was up to them.

We were debating between two florist. Both which had gorgeous displays, but one was well beyond our budget and we had to bid a sad adieu to. I highly recommend Karmen if she's in your budget. She will absolutely floor you with her vision. Fortunately, we are extremely excited to be working with the florist we did sign with and her vision for all our floral arrangements!

How is your flower knowledge and what's your favorite flower?

Chicken and Cashews

At our house, we almost always have chicken defrosting in the fridge. Work has been extremely hectic this year and I got home late last night so I whipped out this recipe because it's super easy and quick to make. Plus, I got the "I don't eat greens" hubby to eat a good chunk of the bell peppers. Yay for some veggies in his diet!!

Chicken and Cashew Stir Fry
Recipe adapted from Epicurious

Ingredients:

1 bunch scallions, separating white and green parts

1 pound skinless boneless chicken thighs (I used chicken breasts instead)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

3 tbs vegetable oil

1 red bell pepper, chopped

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 1/2 tbs finely chopped peeled fresh ginger (I used less because ginger can be overwhelming, but if you like the extra kick feel free to add even more!)

1/4 tsp dried hot red-pepper flakes

3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 tbs soy sauce

1 1/2 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp sugar

1/2 cup salted roasted whole cashews

Gathered and portioned out everything? Great! Let's cook!

 

1. Cut the chicken breasts into 3/4-inch chunks and toss with salt and pepper.

 

2. Heat oil in skillet over high heat. Add chicken and cook until just cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Don't overcook it or it'll be dry and rubbery. Ew! Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon (mine didn't produce excess liquid so I just dished it all over into a bowl via tilting my skillet and shoveling the chicken out with my spatula).  

 

3. Add the bell pepper, garlic, ginger, red-pepper flakes, and scallion whites (some of the scallion greens got in there. Oops. Oh well!) to the skillet and stir-fry until peppers are tender, about 5 minutes.

4. Stir together chicken broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, and sugar and add to the vegetables.

 

5. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Like this! I'm talented, what can I say!

6. Stir in cashews, scallion greens, and chicken along with any juices accumulated on plate. I didn't have any cashews and wasn't in the mood to go to the store and pick some up just for this recipe so I made cashew-less chicken stir fry. Then plate and consume!

As always, I had this with jasmine rice and braised baby bok choy. The flavor turned out alright, but it could definitely use some additions, but the simplicity of this recipe won it over. Next time, I think I'll marinate/season the chicken with some soy sauce along with the salt and pepper and cook it with garlic. Who doesn't love extra garlic right? We sure do! The hubby and I love onions and mushrooms so I'll definitely add that next time. And maybe some green bell peppers too. Plus, isn't stir fry all about tossing together whatever ingredients you have/want any way?  Definitely!

What's your favorite stir fry? And suggestions on what changes you would make to this recipe?

Andrew & Teresa's Wedding

While the weatherman predicted scattered rain and thunderstorms on Saturday, the rain gods held it all off until Sunday so that Andrew and Teresa could host their beautiful ceremony outdoors at the Four Seasons.

Wedding Program

Ceremony site

Chuppah

Chair decor for every other row

As we all were raving how darn cute the ring bearer was,

a change in melody signified the ceremony was commencing. First up, the groom and his mother.

Followed by the groomsmen escorting the bridesmaids.

Proceeding them was the flower girl

Another change in melody and it was time for the Bride to make her debut.

 and ceremony to make them man and wife took place.

Since the cocktail hour and reception took place in the main lobby area, we took advantage of the opportunity to take group pictures as we waited for a golf cart to whisk us away.

Cocktail hour details

Top to bottom, left to right:

Cocktail napkin wrapped around each beer bottle,

Andrew and the hubs, our escort cards, guestbook

table, centerpiece for cocktail tables, bride and

groom with me and the hubs, me and the bride

and groom, and the escort card table

Check out the shoes the bride was rocking!

Then the dinner bell rang to notify us to enter the ballroom for the reception.

Chivari chairs! Chocolate fountain that was absolutely

delish! Up lighting! Sweetheart table was gorgeous.

The bride and groom kicked off the evening with their first dance to "From This Moment" by Shania Twain

Then, dinner. was. served!

Top to bottom, left to right:

Meat/carving station with turkey and sirloin, Asian station

with lo mein and fried rice, variety of salads, and mac and

cheese with truffle oil and lobster meat

Then the bride pranced on the dance floor to let everyone know it was time to get jiggy with it and work off some of the food!

To give everyone some time to catch their breath from the raging dance floor, it was time for the bouquet and garter toss!

And the rest of the evening consisted of dancing the night away! Congratulations, Teresa and Andrew!!

Random Mondays!

Today's Random Monday emoticon rating:


Item in question:
During a Sam's run, I was in desperate need of releasing the fluids from an important organ in my body. Since we go to Sam's at least twice a week, I could locate the facilities with my eyes closed if need be, but they're currently doing some renovations so I had to search for the ladies room looking like a tourist trying to find a location while reading a map in a foreign country.

After a few minutes scurrying around, I found it! I thought finally! phew.

But as I entered and rounded the quick corner, I had to do a quick reeeewiiiind to make sure I was indeed in the women's restroom.

Yup, the sign still said Women's Restroom. I realized the urinals were covered, but still. Have you ever accidentally (or intentionally since it's apparently an okay practice in Italy) gone into the opposite sex's restroom?