Walnut Thumbprint Cookies

With The Great Blizzard of 2011 followed by The Great Cold Blast of 2011, I think it's time for a winter treat that's the perfect accompaniment to a thick fluffy blanket, mug of tea, and a good book. I love winter.

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 3/4 cup flour

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Filling:

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sour cream

In large bowl, cream butter & brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.  Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on greased baking sheets. Make indentation in center of each ball (usually with thumb but I use a small tart presser).

Combine filling ingredients.  Spoon about a teaspoon in each indentation. Bake @ 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes or until browned.  Cool for 5 minutes then place on wire racks to finish cooling.

Hodge Podge's notes:

• I use Smart Balance butter sticks to make my cookies low fat and it doesn't compromise flavor, as well as using Light Sour Cream.  You can also try using sugar and egg substitutes for a lower calorie cookie.

Bears vs. Packers: FAN-atics?

Although I'm a few days late blogging on a subject no one could stop talking about Sunday and Monday, I thought I would let the loss of the NFC Championship by the Chicago Bears to the Green Bays Packers sink in before emotions got the best of me.  And so, on the night before Hump Day after my husband has moved on from the sadness of his favorite team's loss to his brand new video game, I would like to share my thoughts on a decades old bitter rivalry.

Growing up in a family of nerds and musicians, football (and really sports in general) was of lowest priority in our household.  Mom thinks it's stupid and Dad falls asleep during the games, so I grew up unable to care less about football.  Then I met my husband and his family, aka People Who Love Football.  So over the past 5 years we've been together, I have slowly developed an enthusiasm for the sport and watching games.  A double bonus is that, even though he was raised in Wisconsin, Hubby is a die hard Bears fan along with his mother and siblings, and so I could cheer on my Chicago team happily with him.  My father-in-law, born & raised in WI, is a die hard Packer fan but everyone gets along just fine.  Everything was all peaches and cream... and then we moved to Wisconsin.

People in the Dairy State take their football SERIOUSLY. You don't quite understand unless you live up here during football season.  If you tell anyone you're from Chicago they immediately comment on you being a Bears fan... all year round.  Men, women, children-- all nuts for the Packers.  Sometimes it's just plain scary.  These people are complete football nerds, quoting stats, giving backgrounds on players, discussing past games and championships.  If Brett Favre enters Wisconsin on anything but Viking business, he will be shot on sight.  Kidding.

Now, although I'm a football newbie, I consider myself a loyal Bears fan as I love Chicago sports, but my life does not revolve around the Bears.  By all means cheer on your team, but what does it say when domestic violence in the state increases when the Packers lose? When the Bears lost this past Sunday, the most upsetting aspect for many fans wasn't that they aren't NFC Champions or headed to the Super Bowl (though that would've been nice); it was that they didn't pound the Packers into the ground.  Bitter much?  But why is that?  Why do fans of opposing teams such as the Bears & Vikings hate the Packers so much a victory against them is savored more than going to the Super Bowl?

Please don't yell at me, but I must be honest: the Green Bay Packers as a team are great.  They are skilled players that work together both offensively and defensively to win games.  In other words, they play as a TEAM.  That's an issue I've noticed with the Bears being unable to work together on their offense.  Sunday's game was a great example of both team's strengths-- it was close and exciting to watch-- but ultimately the Packers earned that win.  Which I'm okay to admit.  It's not like they creamed us.

Yet all the cheering after the Packers' win was actually jeering from the fans.  Instead of celebrating a win with dignity and excitement, Packer fans shouted "the Bears still suck." This is why people hate the Packers and want the team pulverized-- the negative, hateful poison coming from fans.  Of course, every team has fanatic fans that spew venom at the opposing side (Bears included), but the Packer fans have a reputation.  And PFs, before you start puffing yourselves up and declaring how this shows your loyalty and toughness, know this: it's not tough.  It's annoying and could get your ass kicked. Not by me, of course, but there are some people who just can't take it after a while.  Also, I am aware not all Packer fans are this way, it's just an observation after living here for 2 football seasons, going to a game against the Bears, and encountering them on Facebook.

Overall, I appreciate and encourage the enthusiasm from fans and get into the games myself.  But there's no need to attack each other.  The Bears don't suck. The Packers don't suck.  And it doesn't matter who wins at the end of the day because players all get paid millions more than I ever will.  Everyone's a winner.

Absent Cook Stew

It's been such a long time since I posted a recipe and with all of this ridiculously cold weather, I thought I'd post one of our household winter favorites: a delicious, super easy crock-pot beef stew.  Also, this is a great meal you can prepare the night before-- just dump everything in the crockpot, store in the fridge, then pop it in the cooker the next morning.

"Absent Cook" Stew

(Makes about 5-6 servings... but if you serve it in smaller bowls you can make this filling stew stretch)

2 lbs. stewing beef, cubed (you can buy it cubed @ the store)

3 carrots, sliced
1 onion, chopped (unless they're really small then use 2 onions)
3 large potatoes, cubed
3 ribs celery, sliced
1 can condensed tomato soup (10 3/4 oz)
1 soup can water
1 tsp. salt
dash of fresh ground pepper
2 Tbsp. white vinegar

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.  Cover.  Cook on Low 10 hours.  Great with a hot roll.


**Chef Hodge Podge's Notes:

When the stew has cooked about 8 hrs and if you're home to do so, check to see if it is finished.  Depending on the crockpot, the stew may take less time to cook and I wouldn't want you to eat dry beef.

This is a fairly healthy meal altogether made up of mostly fresh ingredients.  I am trying to brainstorm a substitution for the condensed tomato soup as that adds a lot of sodium to a healthy meal.  Perhaps a 12 oz can of tomato sauce and a small can of tomato paste?  Let me know if you've got a good substitution.

Finally, I like to add a bit more flavor by using only a 1/4 cup of water then substituting the rest with a mini bottle of red wine-- Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent choice.  You'll really notice the flavors the next day after they have had a chance to marinate.

Looking for a vegetarian option?  Check out my recipe for Aduki Bean Stew in the archives.

Poem for a Writer

I realize this is a love poem, but it's inspiring for a writer as well, and could even be construed as a poem about the love of writing. I found the inspiration suddenly and felt I must share.

Loving in Truth, and Fain in Verse My Love to Show 

by Sir Philip Sidney

Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show,

That She, dear She, might take some pleasure of my pain,

- Pleasure might cause her read, reading might make her know,

Knowledge might pity win, and pity grace obtain -

I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe,

Studying inventions fine, her wits to entertain,

Oft turning others' leaves, to see if thence would flow

Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sunburnt brain.

But words came halting forth, wanting Invention's stay;

Invention, Nature's child, fled step-dame Study's blows;

And others' feet still seemed but strangers in my way.

Thus, great with child to speak, and helpless in my throes,

Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite -

"Fool!" said my Muse to me "look in thy heart, and write!"

Quick-Fire Film Review

I haven't done this in a while-- mainly because I don't go to the theaters anymore due to overcharging-- but lately I've rented plenty of movies and TV shows so it's high time to offer up a few recommendations.

  The A-Team

Not. That. Great.  Honestly, if you can see it for free-- do it, otherwise save your money for one of the other options on this list that's worth watching .  It's your typical action film: predictable, a little too long for it's own good, and oozing with cheesy dialogue.

 Lie to Me

I know this show has been on FX for three seasons now, but thanks to the magic of Netflix instant streaming you can watch seasons 1 & 2 and love them as much as I do.  Though some episodes can be slightly predictable at times, a show about the Science of Lies (or more appropriately the Science of Truth) is intelligent, gripping, and even a bit fun.  Tim Roth's performance as the deliciously eccentric Dr. Lightman is underrated but fabulous to watch, and the show doesn't get so tied up with the characters' personal lives that is becomes melodramatic.

 The American

I liked it, though the film requires another viewing.  George Clooney is excellent as a seasoned assassin with plenty of paranoia and little to say.  Although the story moves slowly, the performances and story are interesting.

The Sons of Anarchy

What a cool show about a bad ass biker gang and their "old ladies." Excellent anti-heroes, the plot has plenty of twists and turns, and there is just enough violence and profanity.  A must see.     

       

 The Other Guys

Although I never would've chosen to watch this film myself, my husband's rental pick actually ended up being hilarious.  What else can I say? It's ridiculous but quotable and will get funnier the more you watch it.

The Social Network

I liked it. The acting was good, the topic is a great illustration of how culture changed within a couple years of Facebook landing on the scene, even if the story is skewed from the truth.  Did the film change my life?  Is it one of the best films I've ever scene?  Nope.  I get the controversy of making a "based on a true story" film while the main character is 25 and thriving, but overall I saw the film once, enjoyed it, and feel no need to see it again.

Easy A

Love it.  Emma Stone is hilarious and charming, the story is great and not at all cheesy.  Also another film relevant to our current culture.  It's one of the best comedies I've seen in a LONG time.

The Hunger Games Trilogy

One of the ways I celebrated the 2010 holiday was reading The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins consisting of the titles and order of The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.  Though I prefer leaving the book reviews to Miss Elizabeth and her Never Ending Reading List, these books moved me so much I felt compelled to blog about them.

First, let me say this is one of the best, most powerful set of books I've read since Harry Potter.  It has definitely entered my top 10.  In fact I would use Collins's futuristic society and mores as teaching tools over Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World.  This is a story about survival, politics, power, struggles, rebellion, and most of all, love.  The characters are engaging, the world is unbelievable and there is a richness of themes that require repeat readings.

For myself, Catching Fire is my favorite, but The Hunger Games paves the way for the powerful story of the second.  And the twists and turns.  However, I am still struggling over Mockingjay.  Though the very last pages brought me to tears, three quarters of the book feels like a struggle.  Collins unravels the main characters she spent the two previous books building.  Thus, Mockingjay is inconsistent with the trilogy's overall tone... almost a separate story entirely.  Some of the changes work once you reach the conclusion, but others are unnecessary.  Plus there is more gore in the third so be wary about giving it to young children.

Actually, I should confess that the whole series put me in such a head space that I had nightmares-- like the main character-- until two days after completing the trilogy.  My husband had the same issue.  Perhaps the result of overactive imaginations.  Despite my odd reaction, read these books.  They truly are wonderful.

Top 10 Things to Look Forward to in Marriage

Although there is something to be said about the single life and certain opportunities it affords, I've felt the current relationship climate is anti-marriage; that these forever and beyond commitments are doomed to failure.  As a married woman who enjoys this level of our relationship, I'd like to point out a few aspects of marriage that outweigh doubts should you choose to take the plunge.

**Please note this list applies only to couples deeply in love with one another, trust each other completely, and who will work their asses off for their marriage.

10.  Spending each and every day sharing your life with your best friend. It's pretty rad.

9.  Having that extra space in your bed occupied by the love of your life.

8.  Arguments.  Believe it or not these are the moments where your marriage can strengthen and you reach new phases of emotional intimacy.  I should clarify, the process is as such: argument, discussion, compromise, resolution, and makeup time... *wink*

7.  There is someone to come home to.

6.  Finally telling someone all your secrets, knowing it will bring you closer since you trust him/her fully enough not to judge you.  Unless of course, you killed someone-- that's not great.

5.  Being given the chance to serve on a daily basis.  These opportunities, obviously, will increase when I have children.  Hopefully I'll maintain this attitude...

4.  Someone to eat your various culinary experiments and tell you it's okay, you'll get it next time.

3.  Regular sex for the rest of your life.

2.  Even though I've gained 150lbs., have no idea what to do with my career, and there are days I refuse to wear make-up and do my hair, he still proclaims I am the most beautiful woman in the world-- and means it.

1.  The number one best part of marriage is knowing that neither of you complete the other.  You and your spouse are not two halves forming a whole but two wholes forming a brand new unit.  This new unit depends on a balance of mutual love, trust, attraction, and happiness.

In my limited experience, this is what I've learned so far on my journey as a wife.  Of course, as we "grow up" our marriage will grow, things will change, children will come along, and this top 10 will need to be revised.  But for now, marriage is wonderful and I highly recommend it.