Eight Random Things About My Kitchen

Over a month ago, Daja over at In Other Words tagged me for this meme. Better late than never, I'm supposing, Daja?

So, here's eight random things about my kitchen:

1. My husband and I painted all the cupboards white last year. The plan was to buy green glass knobs. I still have not done so.

2. I have two drawers for tableware (forks, knives, spoons). I have two different sets. I’d like to find an organizer big enough for all of them. That way I could free up a drawer.

3. I have oodles of cupboard space. Four walls worth. It is all used up. It is also often very crowded. But, it is organized!

4. Because I have oodles of cupboard space, I don’t have any wall space. So, I don’t have wall space to decorate. :-(

5. Though I have oodles of cupboard space, I have no room for a table. I love having a kitchen table. :-(

6. I have my spices separated into my “sweet” spices (which are located in the “baking area”) and savory spices (which are located to the left of my stove).

7. I have alphabet magnets all over my refrigerator. The grandchildren do play with them, but so does my mother!

8. My kitchen spills over into the laundry room where there is an extra refrigerator and BIG chest freezer and into an adjacent room where there is a huge pantry cupboard filled with appliances and such.

All in all, I do like my kitchen. Which is good, because I do spend a bit of time in there!

I tag Amy and TJ! Alright, girls! You're both it!

To Roast or Not to Roast

Garlic, that is.
I own a garlic roaster similar to this one. I love roasted garlic, but rarely make it as it takes a long time and I hate to waste the oven heat on just the garlic.

However, I have been shown a better way!

I was watching my daughter, Sarah-Kate, cooking dinner at her house the other day. She was basically stir-frying garlic and asparagus in her electric skillet. She just tossed the garlic cloves in, peel and all. They came to the table all soft and "roasted". And the asparagus was flavored just right. Wow, how easy was that?

So, I tried it at home with broccoli. Just broccoli and unpeeled garlic cloves (a whole bulb worth) frying away in a pan. Delicious. I had also made Spanish rice and the garlic cloves were great eaten with the rice.

When I questioned her about where she picked this nifty trick up, she said she heard on some cooking show that you should always cook garlic with the peel on as it makes it sweeter. Hmmm............. She says she rarely peels garlic. While cooking in more "liquidy" dishes, the peel just disappears -- or maybe just blends in.

But, I'm hooked. I will probably "roast" all my veggies on the stove top with a bulb worth of garlic cloves thrown in! Besides tasting fantastic, it'll keep us healthy, I suppose, but don't stand too close!

Diego's 2nd Birthday!

Last Saturday was Diego's 2nd birthday -- the last birthday of the "three cousins". Israel and Caesar were blessed by friends to catch a ride up from Pasadena to spend the day. As is Papa's custom, whenever there are a bunch of grandchildren around, he gathers them up early in the morning and takes them for a doughnut run.

Walking through the alley from Diego's house to the doughnut shop.

Got milk?

Off to Diego's "Mono" themed party.

These three were born two years ago in a five and a half week period. They are standing in reverse order of age.

Mom, look how grown up I am eating with my plate in my lap!

Diego opened all his gifts with dramatic expressions of pure delight!

Ooooooo!

Our gift to Diego: A boy's bag! Good for books, dinosaurs, and a barrel of monos!

Papa trying to help!

Daddy and Mommy's gift? A big boy bed!

Passionate Housewives, Revisited

On October 11, I posted about a book giveaway. And, yea! I won a copy and received it today!

Guess what? Another ten copies are being given away! This time they are autographed by the authors! You don't need a blog to enter. Go to this Ladies Against Feminism article to read how to enter. The drawing will be held November 5.

You can read about or order the book here.