Lazy Sunday Movie: Super Bowl

Ok so it's not a movie. I just love the Super Bowl! I love the atmosphere, the friends and family, the commercials, the game ( if it's close, or I've got squares) and sometimes the half-time show. Though, I'm not a big Madonna fan.

Last year's half-time show proved to me that Angel Baby needed to get into dance ASAP. She kept doing all the moves the Black-Eyed Peas were doing, just a second or two behind.

This year, we're going to my Sister-in-Law's for their Soul-per Bowl. They have "Soul" food instead of just the usual SB game fare.

So here's to a fun and relaxing afternoon for all of you. And keep an eye out for the Matthew Broderick Honda and the Dogs Barking the Vader theme for Volkswagon commercials. (I love the AT-AT at the end.) I also am hoping for a good Budwiser Clydesdale horse commercial...and the E-Trade Baby...and....

Yeah, I'm just a bit obsessed.

May whichever team you are rooting for win! And if any of you have squares, may your numbers pay off BIG!

March Inspirations

I'm so looking forward to March. I can't even begin to tell you all how much I can't wait for this month to get fully underway! Well, maybe it is already, and I'm just late to the party. Who, knows.

Anywho,

• I'm inspired by the rain that has been coming. Granted, I'm not a sloppy mud person. But I do appreciate the fact that it's no longer cold enough to snow. Bring on the warmer temps. And warmer temps = skirts and dresses. Yay!!!
• Ostara.
  
• We're going to be doing our backyard this year. Patio, fire pit?, the works. I'm looking forward to lazy summer days sitting on my back patio drinking lemonade and reading a beloved book.
• I'm hoping that in addition to doing our back yard, I can get the front flowerbed going. I have some ideas, so we'll see if we have the time and more importantly the funds to do it. If nothing else, I'll always have my kitchen windowsill garden.
• St. Patrick's Day. I love the Corned beef and cabbage and carrots and potatoes of it all. Mmmm.
• And of course, Fat Tuesday today!!! Come on everyone, get your Mardi Gras, Paczki grove on!!!
  

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

This is by far the best gingerbread cookie recipe I've found. I found it on some recipe site a few years ago. It's my staple for the Holiday Cookie swaps. And so far most everyone likes it! Feel free to share.

2 1/4 c flour
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c margarine/non salted butter softened
1 c. sugar
1 tbs water
1/4 c. molasses
2 tbs sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tbs sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

The recipie says it makes 2 dozen. But I can stretch it to 3.

Enjoy

Tuscan Pork Roast

Okay, this little beauty of a recipe is a comfort food of mine. My mom always made it when I was growing up and I tried my hand at it for the first time last weekend. Talk about a simple recipe.

Tuscan Pork Roast

3lb Pork Loin

Rub
3 cloves minced garlic
2 tbs. Olive Oil
1 tbs. Fennel (crushed)
1 tbs. Rosemary (crumbled)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Mix rub together and rub into meat. You can let it marinate for up to 8 hours in the fridge, but it's still great if you forgo the marinating time.

Cook at 350F until the center temperature is 170. (For a 4" diameter roast it takes about 2 hours.)

Cut into 1/2 slices. 1 roast will feed 4-6 people.

So yummy!!! (And for an extra yummy factor, I doubled the rub recipe so every bite had a ton of rub on it!!!)

I served it with salad, mashed potatoes and Cabernet Sauvignon. Perfect Sunday dinner.