Le Weekend!

So this weekend was super exciting...not. The only thing I did was go to get more junk stuff out of my storage unit both Saturday and Sunday. The good news? We only have 2-3 more trips to get it all cleaned out!! If I haven't mentioned it before, I hate the storage unit! I think it stems from the fact that my dad and I spent HOURS filling it last May in really hot weather, sans air conditioning. I hope I never have to have another one again.

I also took most of the furniture that needs to be recovered/ have cushions made to the upholsterer . Sunday we went to church and I pulled out my first summer Lilly of the year!

Excuse the mess in my room, and the lovely "2006" pinatas in the background, they're from my HS grad party...5 years later. I wore and old-school shift with horses and monkeys (love), a cornflower blue Ann Taylor cardi, and silver Jacks

P.S.- how do y'all like my blinged out phone? Haha I loves it, the bf's mom made it for me and its really sparkly!!

I also did some cooking this weekend! Saturday my sister and her bf came to town for the Braves game, so they had dinner at our house that night. I made some yummy roasted potatoes and a delish pound cake. The potatoes are something I always make. I just cut up small potatoes (either fingerling of other small ones) and dice some cippolini onions and throw those in a Pyrex. I then put a little EVOO (enough to coat each piece, but not too much!) and then sprinkle a packet of Lipton's onion soup mix on top. Just toss them to spread out all the seasoning and cook on 350 for about 30 mins. Yum-o! (Ugh that makes me think of Rachel Ray...)
I also made a pound cake from Fannie Farmer's cookbook, and it was sooo good! Her recipe is my go to for pound cake, and it didn't disappoint anybody in attendance, especially with homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberries! I wish we had eaten it all or given the whole thing to my sis and her bf before they left, because weight watchers/ healthy living "diet" started today and I can't have any more, boo!! If only I could eat whatever I want and never gain weight...

Yesterday I made a really nice dinner. I cooked halibut (which I thought was kind of fishy, but my mom and dad disagreed) with an lemon-champagne vinegar and EVOO arugula salad on top, steamed green beans, and amazing leek and Parmesan risotto. The risotto was my favorite, and was so creamy! I have always loved leeks so I just sauteed some up to add in and it turned out really well! Here is the recipe: (I made this up myself so you can kind of change things up)

Parmesan and Leek Risotto

2 leeks, washed
2 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs butter
1/2 tsp. lemon zest
1/4- 1/3 cup dry white wine
1 cup arborio rice
3 cups chicken broth (heated)
3/4 cup Parmesan
salt and pepper

Ingredients

1. After leeks are washed, cut off roots, and cut lengthwise up to just above the white part. Slice the leek 1/4 inch thick until you have chopped most of it. (I usually include a lot of the green part, but make sure it is washed really well because sometimes dirt can be in the leafy parts. Place olive oil and butter in a heavy saucepan, add leeks and lemon zest and saute on medium for about 5 minutes or until tender. (While that is sauteing, put the chicken broth in a small saucepan and heat until hot, but not boiling because you don't want it to evaporate.)

Leek saute with wine reducing. My broth is on the burner behind it.

2. With the stove still on medium heat, add wine to pot and stir leek and wine mixture until wine has reduced to 1/4 of what is was. Mix in dry rice and make sure all pieces are coated with the liquid in the pot (oil and wine).

With rice and some broth added

3. Add some of the broth (probably a little less than a cup), enough to go to the top of the rice line. Stir continuously until broth is mostly gone. Add more broth to the rice line, and repeat. Repeat these steps until all of the broth has been added and absorbed by the rice.

4. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir, making sure it gets distributed evenly and does not get stuck on the spoon. Serve and enjoy!

Entire meal!

(I hope these make sense. I have never really written a recipe before. so let me know if you have any questions!)

The thing I love about risotto is that you can put just about anything in it! My mom makes a really good chicken and green pea risotto.

Well I hope everybody else had a fab weekend! I'll be back tomorrow to talk about my new "health initiative"... fancy name, huh?

Have a lovely day!

ERK