Five on Friday

What a week! Here's a glimpse at mine: leaky window, crazy rain and wind for 2 days, a dryer that is just about to call it quits, a conference with mini#1's teacher (smart kid who is easily distracted or can distract others!) all combined with a bit of PMS. So today, my audience participation day, I ask you a few simple questions.

1- What age did you marry?

2- What age did you have your first child?

3- What was your major in college?

4- What is your favorite food at Thanksgiving?

5- Will you be shopping the Friday after Thanksgiving this year?

My answers:
1- 25; he was 29. (said he wouldn't marry until he was 30! Ha!)
2- 30
3- French Language and Literature (changed from Business Mgmt as a senior because economics was kicking my butt and I was already getting a minor in French.)
4- Dressing (as we say in the south)
5- I did last year. Not sure this year. I've already started on my shopping so, unless I hear about a major deal, I may skip the madness!

Now, see my poll to the right for an extra question. Have a great weekend!

Risotto Recipe

Remember I said I was going to make an Ina Garten recipe last Friday? Well, I did and it was so yummy that I wanted to share it. Very colorful and a good 'ole comfort food for a chilly night.

Butternut Squash Risotto

1 butternut squash (2 lbs)
2 tbsp olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cups chicken broth
6 tbsp (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
2 oz pancetta, diced
1/2 cup minced shallots (2 large)
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tsp saffron threads
1 cup freshly grated parmesan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Peel the butternut squash, remove seeds, and cut it into 3/4 inch cubes. You should have about 6 cups (think I had a little less and it was fine). Place squash on a sheet pan and toss it with the olive oil, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 mins, tossing once, until very tender. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the chicken broth/stock in a small covered saucepan. Leave it on low heat to simmer.

In a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the pancetta and shallots on med-low heat for 10 mins (I did this while squash was roasting), until the shallots are translucent, but not browned. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with butter. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 full ladles of broth
to the rice plus the saffron, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Stir, and simmer until the stock is absorbed, 5 to 10 mins. Continue to add the broth, 2 ladles at a time, stirring every few minutes (or more often!). Each time, cook until the mixture seems a little dry, then add more broth. Continue until the rice is cooked through, but still al dente, about 30 mins total. (I cooked 35-38 mins) Off the heat, add the roasted squash cubes nad the Parmesan cheese. Mix well and serve. Serves: 4 to 6.
Enjoy. We sure did!

Where did you get that outfit?

I recently ordered some items from Mini Boden because mini#1 found the tiny catalog I received in the mail and gave me his wish list! This British company has the cutest clothes for kids. I've never ordered anything for me, but the kids' clothes are really cute. He loves his new coat. It's great quality, too.

And for those of you with little girls, look at this precious coat and sweater. It's a good thing I don't have girls...I wouldn't be able to buy anything for me because I know I would go overboard with frilly, girly things. Ha!

I got to use a 15% coupon and got free shipping for my first time order. Then they emailed me another coupon! Gotta love the recession and all of these coupons!

My name is pink and I'm addicted.

Remember my obsession with the Diamond brand Wasabi and Soy Sauce almonds? Move over, I have a new love. These gourmet brown rice crisps (chips) in Sea Salt flavor are to die for. Honestly. I went through two bags last week and I even found them at Wal-Mart! I'm even happier because when I went to look for a picture for the blog, the website had a $1 coupon. So go here, get your coupon and get to Wal-mart. You won't be sorry. These are yummy and don't let the "brown rice" part scare you if this isn't your thing. They are good and good for you! I wouldn't steer you wrong. Tell me if you try them!

Out of the mouths of (not so little) babes...

As I write Mr. Pink and the minis are off to the NC State football game. I am going to a baby shower and am glad to have some "girl" time. The above shirt is one I bought from the Kelly's Kids catalog this year so mini#2 could wear to NC State games. Hello- it's red/white. Perfect!
I laid it out last night for him and he said "It's going to make me nervous"...to be translated as "It's going to embarrass me." I assured him it's a great shirt to wear to the game (as opposed to the worn out football jersey I hate). This morning he didn't grumble too much, but I was in his room as he put it on so I had to contain my hysterical laughter when he seriously said, "I look like an idiot!" Again, I assured him he did not and it's perfect because it's red/white. Then I raced downstairs to advise Mr. Pink that he better praise said shirt when mini#2 comes downstairs. Luckily he did by saying, "Wow! That shirt is awesome!" And, although mini#2 may be a mature 4, he is still very gullible. He grinned with satisfaction and that's all it took to happily ride off to the game in his new shirt. GO PACK!

Five on Friday!

It's been a mundane week, but that's ok. This Friday I'll just tell you five things I've done. Unoriginal, but I've got nothing right now. I promise to get back into things next week.

1- I was the mystery reader in mini#2's preschool class yesterday. He got to select the book so it was: Curious George and the Birthday Surprise. Those kids are so stinkin' cute and well-behaved. They asked questions and then gave me their special "silent thank you" which was "thank you" using sign language. It was fun. Mini#2 made sure he got to sit right beside his mom.

2- Mini#2 and I just ate lunch with mini#1 and his 3rd grade class. Afterwards we accompanied mini#1 to his playground where mini#2 was chased around by no less than 12 3rd graders. He said he was "worn'd out" as we were walking back to our car.

3- I received my Christmas cards in the mail and have already started addressing them during The Real Housewives of OC last night. Earliest. I. Have. Ever. Done. This. And I'm so glad to get a jump start this year. I decided not to have the usual stressful, sweating, crying photo session and just use some photos from throughout the year.

4- I started Christmas shopping and started to panic a bit because I'm really starting to have a difficult time finding things for mini#1. Mini#2 is so easy this year!

5- I bought an $18 bottle of saffron threads today and plan to make a butternut squash risotto (Ina Garten) tonight. My friend told me about the recipe. Doesn't it sound yummy and fall-y?

...and one more because mini#2 is asking me if we can go dig now. I'm planting the rest of my pansies this afternoon. I love these hearty cold weather flowers.

Have a great weekend! It's a baby shower for me tomorrow and Mr. Pink and the minis are off to see NC STATE play, and, Lord help us, win!

Ah, to be a kid again.

This is what you do on the day after Halloween if it's cold, rainy and you have nowhere to be.

We went from a nice 77 degrees on Halloween to a breezy, dreary 57 on Sunday! The minis gathered various pillows, portable TV and videos, a zoo of webkinz and a great deal of Halloween candy and made a house under my dining room table. They were even having lock downs. It was funny listening to them play. Lock downs because mini#1 had a practice one at school last week.

It reminded me of when I was little and used to do the same thing under a hall table at my house. Only I played office and created masterpieces out of various art supplies I had. Watching them made me want my minis to forever feel this protected and unconcerned with the problems adults encounter on a daily basis. No stress, no worries. Just pure fun being a kid. This weekend had a lot of these moments. Halloween allows for a lot of fun pretending to go on and brings back a lot of good childhood memories don't you think?