A cry for help with my mouth full

At least I can admit I have a problem.

And I fully acknowledge that I am the Queen of the Theme cooking.

I will take any holiday, sporting event, television program, news item, or even an overheard sentence uttered by a stranger in the grocery store and turn it into a themed meal.

It's just kind of what I do--an inside culinary joke I have with myself four nights a week.

This month alone we've had paella and burgers for Columbus Day, Nathan's hot dogs for the playoffs and apple pie for the presidential debates. But the creme de la creme of my kooky cookery, my celebratory savories, festive foodstuffs, and motif meals is Halloween.

Our usual dinner is a pot of chili and the obligatory mummy dogs and cupcakes, but I think I've found a new freakish fare for the table: Mummy Meatloaf.

Spoonful.com

Use this guide from Spoonful.com and this 1770 House meatloaf recipe from Food Network Magazine (which is by far the best meatloaf I've ever eaten, family confirms) and you'll become a permanent member of my themed cook support group.

P.S. Our next meeting is November 1st for All Saint's Day.  Bring divinity, angel food cake, and St. Louis style ribs.


P.S.S. Imagine pairing this with graveyard ghost mashed potatoes? Ok, I'll stop now.

Awesomeness for charity

We are fortunate enough to be able to attend a lot of cool events around town, but last night's may have been one of the best.

Braving the heat and a fully-stocked stretch limo, we made the drive down to Sarasota to attend Dick Vitale's V Foundation annual gala to raise money for cancer research.

It was a star-studded event at the Ritz-Carlton (how could that be bad?) and we had a great time. We even got a chance to hang with some of those stars like Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson (well, we were in the same room at least) and Tony Dungy just to name a few of the many that were in attendance.

Some of whom were too slow to dodge our photo requests...


(That's Kenny Chesney in case you didn't recognize him without his cowboy hat.)

And did I mention the food? Delish as well as trademarked...



And then there were the real superstars...

Why yes, I am bragging

Posting on more outdoor fun later, but I just had to scream across the Interwebs, Guess who is talking to Brooke Shields tomorrow???!!!

ME!!!!

Okay, back to my regularly scheduled, non-mega celebrity life now at the gym.

It's called "research"

Lions, tigers and Snuffleupagus, oh my!

Jessie and I got to go on assignement together today.



We told you about all of the new happenings coming this spring to Busch Gardens and the new Sesame Street’s Safari of Fun, a new 2 ½ acre play land with kid-size rides, water fountains, and other fun attractions, but the good news just got better with the announcement that kids can experience the fun FOR FREE.

Acknowledging that serving families and younger guests was an area that Busch Gardens wanted to improve upon, Donnie Mills, executive vice president and general manager announced today that kids five and under could explore the new attraction (and the rest of the park) for free for the rest of 2010.

Although the Safari of Fun won’t officially open until March 27, 2010, you can take advantage of this special offer now. Simply visit the website SesameStreetSafariOfFun.com and register online under "Free Preschool Pass" before you come to the park. Once there, you can redeem your free pass with your registration confirmation and child’s birth certificate. (This offer is only available to Florida residents.)

Don’t forget to check out the other fun options on the website as well. In addition to games and videos and photos of all of the new attractions, you’ll also be able to reserve your table at Dine with Elmo & Friends, a new opportunity to eat a couple of cookies (or scrambled eggs) with Cookie Monster and other furry friends.

Another special treat for families? Forty four spots in a preferred parking area will be available for guests with strollers so they can bypass the tram. Spaces are limited, but no additional fees will be charged for these prime spots. (You can request the parking spots at the parking tollbooths.)

All of these new family-friendly additions and specials mean big time fun for your little one.

(Cross-posted at Whoa Momma)

Princess Tiana: I met her!

Following a colorful procession in a horse-drawn carriage befitting royalty, the newest Disney princess made her debut at the Magic Kingdom on Monday.



Princess Tiana from the upcoming Disney film, The Princess and the Frog, made her way from the Louisiana Bayou to Cinderella’s castle as Mickey and the gang welcomed her into the fold.



The first Disney princess since Mulan in 1998, Princess Tiana is breaking new ground in the old classic fairy tale. The first African American princess, she is also the first to be set in modern times. The Princess and the Frog, which opens nationwide on December 11, 2009, also returns to the classic hand-drawn animation that audiences have adored for generations. The story is a comical “modern twist on a classic tale” set in the mystical bayous of Louisiana and features music by Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman.

Visitors to the Magic Kingdom can get a glimpse--and ear-- of the high-energy music in the attraction “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee” which will run three shows daily until January 3, 2010. The nine minute show plays on the Liberty Belle Riverboat and features the movie characters as well as randomly-chosen park guests in the cleverly choreographed production that resembles a Mardi Gras parade on water. Fast-paced without the need for a Fast Pass, you can watch from the docks of Frontierland.

In addition to seeing a lot of Tiana on store shelves this holiday season, little ones can take a look in their magic mirrors after a trip to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for a glittery view. Prices for the girl glam packages start at $49.95 and Tiana’s fresh look is among the royal styles available.

And if you can’t make it to her house at the Magic Kingdom, chances are you’ll be seeing a lot of the new princess knocking at your door this Halloween or on your kids’ wish lists this year--already her soft green and cream petal dress and plush doll are big sellers.

But it is in theaters where kids are sure to fall in love with the beautiful Tiana. The impressive team that has contributed to this movie since the project began in 2006 assures success.

You can see scenes of the film here and if you enter a theme park between now and November 22, 2009, you can get details on how to receive a voucher for a free child’s movie ticket.

(Cross-posted at Whoa Momma! )

A Tasty Weekend

Since my last update regarding partying through October, we partied some more...

Took advantage of the long weekend to head to Disney. We hadn't ever done Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party (totally worth every penny--no lines!) and I got invited to Epcot's Party for the Senses, so it seemed like a good time to do both.

We stayed at the new Waldorf-Astoria which opened on October 1st, and was absolutely gorgeous. They were offering some pretty sweet Grand Opening specials which actually made it cheaper to stay there than at the Nick Hotel. No choice there. My only criticism may be that it they are going to tout their historic culinary contributions to the world in their in-room brochure--the Manhattan, Veal Oscar, 1000 Island Dressing, the Waldorf salad and Red Velvet Cake--they may actually consider offering them on their pricey menus. I would have paid a handsome sum for the original Red Velvet cake.

But I got my culinary freak on elsewhere.

You'll have to rely on your sense of imagination when I tell you about the Party for the Senses at Epcot since I forgot my camera like the slacker reporter that I am. If I had indeed brought it (which I desperately need a new one) I would have snapped impressive photos of an enormous room with dozens of stations offering the best wines and finest classic cuisine you've seen gathered in one place. Visiting chefs from around the world as well as Disney's award winners prepared an offering of amazing dishes that were delicious. My personal favorites included Confit of Berkshire Pork Tenderloin with Toasted Almond Pain Perdu, Heirloom Apple, and Calvados Cider Reduction, the Herb-Crusted Lamb Chop with Red Wine Cherry Sauce and Crispy Triple Onion Polenta or the Roasted Beef Tenderloin "Diane." I'd list more, but each one has a descriptor twenty words long and it makes me hungry just with the recall.

You probably won't believe me, but I swear it's true: This was my first trip to Epcot's Food and Wine Festival. I may be the only Floridian to ever have written those words in 2009. It is a hopping place and people take their food and wine very seriously. Or at least their wine.

It was absolutely packed on Saturday--the lines for the food stands were decades long and pushing a stroller or seven through the crowds of matching drinking gear T-shirts wasn't exactly a good time for me. Veterans at the party later, which was such a welcome respite from the crowds outside, told me that weekends are usually like that--your best bet is to come during the week. Which is what we'll do if we ever return (sans kids).

But the Party for the Senses was indeed a feast, and I loved every delicious moment of it.

We got home yesterday in time to celebrate the remaining hours of Sean's birthday and the cool weather and gear up for the busy week ahead.

I'm off to the store for that Calvados...

A funny thing happened on the way to the volleyball courts

Well, hello. Looking for a post-holiday wrap-up, are you? Well, okie dokie.
Settle back, this one might take a while.

When last we left my pre-vacation self, I was standing in line at Fresh Market waiting for my butterflied leg of lamb with the rest of central Florida. That Easter Eve, I managed to get the house cleaned, food prepared, (including homemade bread, mind you) get to the wine store and fill some baskets in time for our Easter feast. But these four looked so tasty that I could have gobbled them up.



After church on Sunday, we shared our meal with some great friends and most of the wine I purchased the day before. We played Kingers, and Danny somehow ended up winning even though I do not remember him coloring any of the eggs...I think this one might end up with an asterisk in the record books.

After vacuuming up the eggshells on Monday morning, we high-tailed it over to Orlando to spend some quality time with one of my all-time favorite hotels, the J.W. Marriott. Oh, how I love this hotel.

We spent Monday afternoon becoming reacquainted with its lazy river and poolside lounge chairs. Which ended up to be a good thing, because Tropical Storm Fun-Killer rolled in on Tuesday and we were quarantined to our high thread-count beds watching movies in between wandering the hotel. At one point, I was staring at the typhoon coming down and noticed it had even started to hail.

Not missing a beat, Amy exclaimed, "That means we're in hail??"

Yes, actually. Orlando in the rain can be described as exactly that.

Wednesday was much better. The sun appeared early and so did we. Camped out on the lazy river, we spent the day swimming, laughing, and playing.



We waded. We floated.



We racked up a mean tab from the waiter because who wants to leave this?



Amy declared that we should "stay here forever" as she gobbled up the chocolate on her pillow, and I really, really, really agreed.

And perhaps we would have if Sean hadn't got all jiggy on the volleyball court and broke two toes and three bones in his foot.

But it was an amazing shot, and that girl who he kicked going down was 10, not 8, thank you very much.

I wish I would have gone just to see his face

Although it was only Matty and Sean who attended Wrestlemania this weekend, we all lived vicariously through them by seeing pictures, watching the $55 pay-per-view event here and choke-slamming each other at every opportunity.

They are scheduled to arrive back home any minute, but I think this was pretty much the highlight of his eight year existence.



And that's about as good as it gets.

Suburban Diva pizza?

I've got the coolest contest for April. If you are local, or even if you plan on visiting the Tampa/St. Pete area in your lifetime, then we want to give you dinner at Vincenzo's restaurant--my personal favorite.

Simply come up with the toppings for the "Suburban Diva" pizza, and you'll win 1 of 2 $50 gift certificates to one of the best restaurants in town.

We'll play like this: submit your topping ideas to me at Divamail@SuburbanDiva.com and at the end of the month we'll have a big tasting party at Vincenzo's with the top topping recipes. Winners will receive the gift cards, a book, a great dinner and any other prizes I can come up with. (If you are not local, play along anyway and I'll make sure you win a tasty treat as well.)

Keep in mind that I am a pretty adventurous eater and love all things food related except broccoli. The winning pizza could end up on the menu, so start emailing those ideas! I will pass along more details on the big party as we move closer.

Bedtime Stories for the whole family

This is a scene from the newly-released movie, Bedtime Stories, starring Adam Sandler. And I just have to say that if you like family movies, or even just like families in general, then this is the perfect film for you.

Seriously.

The summary on the box is pretty accurate. “Skeeter entertains his niece and nephew with elaborate, original bedtime stories that transport them to exotic locales, including ancient Greece, the Wild West and outer space. When he tries to help his family by telling one outlandish tale after another, it’s the kids’ unexpected contributions that turn all of their lives upside down. Full of imaginative special effects and good-natured hilarity, Bedtime Stories is a winning combination of comedy and adventure.”

I loved this. We watched it together last Saturday morning, and each of us laughed aloud in different places. And not out of stifled embarrassment at something inappropriate, but honest laughter because it is just very clever.

The movie even received an even more dubious stamp of honor the very next day when eight third-graders camping out overnight watched together the entire time captivated and completely entertained.

So if you are looking for a great story, at bedtime or otherwise, I highly recommend starting with this one.

Sweet Things

I love cupcakes. No, seriously love them. I love them so much that if Florida recognized confectionary unions, I would marry them. That’s a lot of love.

So imagine my elation when perusing the selections at the Scholastic Book Fair at my childrens’ school, that amongst the Diaries of Wimpy Kids and paperback Spongebob episodes, was a sexy little tome in the adult section: Hello, Cupcake, Irresistibly playful creations anyone can make, by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson.

Hello, yourself, sweet thing.

Inside its colorful pages was the cupcake lover’s manifesto. In the introduction it teases, “All this is easy: honest. Forget the complicated pastry techniques and expensive decorating supplies. You can find almost everything for these projects at your local grocery store, drugstore, or even a gas-station convenience store.”

You had me at gas-station.

There were dozens of cool cakes to choose from. Sleeping children with fruit roll-up blankets for a slumber party, a candy corn turkey for Thanksgiving. There were dogs, horses, and even a T.V. dinner sculpted mostly from cut-up Starburst for April Fool’s Day. Decisions, decisions.

We ended up choosing the highest degree of difficulty to begin--the 3-dimensional penguins because that’s how we roll. After I procured all of the ingredients at the grocery store (except for the black food coloring which I found Michael’s) my kids and I set to work.

We used a regular cake mix, although there are recipes for homemade cupcakes and frosting in the back of the book. We baked them and let them cool and then began assembling them according to the books’ clear directions.


And you know, it worked. It actually worked.

In less than an hour (after baking time) we had these adorable penguin cupcakes complete with coconut-snow covered icebergs for the Swedish Fish. They looked pretty close to the picture, and using the candy pieces instead of something infinitely more complicated liked marzipan, made this a very kid-friendly project. The only trouble I had was dipping the cupcakes, which probably could be solved after a few practice runs.



I’d like to report that they taste as good as they look, but I can’t honestly say because no one is willing to bite the head of those penguins to do a taste test.

So the fires of my love affair with the cupcake have been stoked once again.

I'm surprised there aren't more "Sangrias"

OhmyLord.

Kirsten over at The Norwindians posted this fun little tool called Wordle that picks out the words you frequently use in your blog and posts them in a word bubble.



All of the Dexatrim and meat references are disturbing.

Ah, Michigan...

So now that I've had this Ash Wednesday to get organized, I can tell you about our trip to the lovely and completely forgettable, Midland, Michigan.

No, I'm kidding. We really had a great time, it's just an odd vacation destination is all. But we went there to see my Grandfather and so he could these great-grandchildren of his. Jess did not disappoint and gave him one of her nonsensical diatribes across the breakfast table complete with hand gestures and finger-waving. 90 years separate those two, and I cannot help but dwell on all of the love and life in between.

Much to Sean's gastric chagrin, we began our Michigan vacation with a trip to Big Boy--that culinary wonder.



He does not care much for this pleasant peninsula classic, but as I bit into that Slim Jim combination, I was taken back to many a day of my youth, and I swear I could smell my Mom's Cachet perfume sitting next to me.

After, we finished the drive up to our luxurious accommodations--the Holiday Inn. Now you know that I am admitted hotel snob, but I have to tell you, I was impressed. Not so much with the paper thin bed sheets, but for the mere fact they had a game room, indoor play place, pool and racquet ball courts. We had some fun getting our back-to-basics freak on with pinball and Ms. Pacman.

That night, after a quick visit with Grandpa and a not so quick trip to 37 different stores in search of boots and mittens, it started to snow. And snow. And snow. It was beautiful.

By the time we woke up the next morning, there was about 6 inches of fresh snow on the ground, and still coming down.



My Dad and Mary Anne came up, and we spent two days playing inside and then out. We tried sledding for the first time,


catching snowflakes on our tongues and generally figuring out this whole snow thing. Colleen came up on Sunday and we did the whole thing all over again with her. It was big fun.

I think after the kids had 36 hours of snow the consensus was that it was a great natural phenomenon to visit, but we wouldn't want to live there.


We ended the long weekend being almost late for the return flight because we had to make a stop at Bronner's and turkey jerky.



I wish we were going back this weekend.

Off to snowier pastures

I'm not quite packed yet, but bright and early tomorrow we're heading to Michigan for a long weekend of snow and family.

This also means I will have to board a plane with the whole crew, something that does not make me at all comfortable, but I hope to amply self-medicate on Dramamine to get me through.

Next week is going to be crazy fun and busy, and we'll have lots to discuss via blog, but for now my worthless, tired fingers will leave you with some green projects to keep you busy while I'm gone. I love the crayon thing.

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Besides cutting back on my meat intake, I have very few resolutions this year. Actually, you can’t even call them “resolutions” since there is nothing to resolve--I’ve said the same exact thing for years. That novel will be finished in 2009, and preferably the first half of it. I’m a whole lot closer to that goal than I was a year ago, so there’s a big fat yippee skippee.

But when I look back at 2008, I can’t get all down on myself for the lack of more progress. (I did finish half+ of it which is no small feat.) I got the unexpected St. Pete Times gig which was too big of a dream to even make it to the original goals list. And there was a whole lot of other nice surprises along the way--Disney, Generation Huggies, even the local stuff. Jessie turned 1, Amy went to preschool, Matty delighted me every minute and Stevie became a teenager. The Intern moved in and became the Graduate. Sean worked so hard, but still managed to take us all on some great trips and poise us solidly for the next adventure. So I’m officially calling it--at 9:29 a.m. on December 31st--2008 was a pretty awesome year.

Welcome 2009...I have a feeling you're going to be a crazy one.

Top 10 signs it was a good party

1) When you get all of your ridiculously complicated party food assembled and placed in chafing dishes before the first guests arrive.


2)The weather is the perfect temperature that all of the doors in the house are open to allow the party to spill in and out and back again.



3) Your dog looks like this thoroughout the evening.



4) You have plenty of adult beverages.



5) No one eats this because of what you served above.



6) You have no idea who the people are in this picture.



7) You know these guests very well, and are so glad they came and celebrated this wonderful evening with you.



8) Your wine cellar is stocked to the brim, yet no one left thirsty.



9) No one was arrested, ended up in the pool, or threw up in my bushes.



10) 150 people doesn't seem like too many people to have in your house at once.



We are exhausted, but pleasantly so. This was one of those special evenings in which you are surrounded by so many wonderful friends, you can feel nothing but blessed. (and just a little buzzed.)

Thanks to all--we'll never forget it.

Why is my inbox not full?

Did I mention I was giving away a free HP wireless printer and a plethora of HP specialty paper in exchange for just a little holiday e-Cheer?

And yes, I should be setting up and cooking for the 150 people about to descend upon this house, but I need a little love and you need a little help with your printing needs.

It's like the gift of the Magi...or something.

Crunch Time

It’s crunch time.

Crunching nuts for the snicker noodles. Crunching the red tissue to wrap in gift bags. Crunching the pavement to finish the shopping. Crunching the keyboard to get everything written and turned in on time. Crunching the star anise for the marinated olives to serve on Friday (please don’t ask). Crunching time.

I won’t lie to you and tell you I’m at all comfortable with this. Even today--on a Monday--the day of false confidence, I still feel overwhelmed at the enormity of the tasks ahead this week. But somehow, task by task, item by item, marinated olive by mini Yorkshire pudding I will prevail with proper inspiration.

Chocolate.

I’ve got a box of See’s candies on the table, and every time I walk past it to change laundry loads, I stuff my mouth like the dining room table is a quickened conveyor belt and I am Lucy at the candy factory. (Don’t tell Ricky I want to be in the show!)

I imagine crunch time is not exclusive around here, so I’m sending you some chocolate inspiration, too. I’ve got a $25 gift cert certificate to See’s Candy to give away to one of my Ethel’s. You can use it for a chocolate gift to yourself, as business gifts or just apply it directly to your soul. It’s up to you.

Divamail me your favorite chocolate candy type--mine is the chocolate-covered cherry--and that’ll be enough to earn a spot in the Santa hat for a drawing next Monday, December 22.

So let’s redefine "crunch time" as a peanut-cluster chocolate candy this week, shall we?

Hookey is fun

I've had a shower this morning and feel much better. One must wash off the unique perfume of amusement park--that captivating fragrance of sweat, wet metal, and onion rings--before moving on with real life.

Yesterday was a blast. Fun to be with Colleen and her beautiful children, if only for 10 hours in line for Dumbo. I'll take it. The particular irony of this is that as we were gathering any of the 8 children between us to buy an ice cream or souvenir, I had a deja vu. It was only 2 decades ago when we used to work side by side selling overpriced concert swag to people just like us once upon a time. Ah, how things change.



Weekend plans? Oh, the usual, 3 parties, 2 hockey games, 2 oil changes and about 4 gallons of milk. There's a pattern to my life at least...

Vote for Me!

The Intern got his Voter Registration card in the mail today.

Welcome to a battleground state with 27 Electoral votes up for grabs. Expect to be wooed like Popeye by the Spinach Lobbyists. Like you are Catherine, and the voter phone bank is Heathcliff. (And sometimes you're Heathcliff to their Catherine.) Like the Treasury Secretary on bended knee to the Speaker of the House. Like a Trick-Or-Treater at the house with the King size Snickers. Like a gas station in Charlotte. Like you are the Olympic delegation and the candidates are members of the Bejing Chamber of Commerce. You=valid U.S. email address. Them=Nigerian Prince. Like Sonja to Simon Cowell; Cloris Leachman to judges we have no idea what their names are.

Welcome to Florida during election season.

(This was a little bit fun to think about--post some more here and I'll see if I can't dig up a prize or two for some winners.)