Friday Funny

If your job requires you to be on conference calls, you can probably relate to this one. I know I sure can.

Happy Friday, everyone. Have a laugh and enjoy the weekend!

When Fish Can Drive

This is so cool! The fish pictured in the video below is actually driving the car, which is operated via a webcam that tracks the position of the fish within the tank. Living proof that positive things can come from people who have too much time on their hands.

Mixology Monday: Kahlua Candy Bar

I've had a major sweet tooth lately so this edition of Mixology Monday sounds especially delicious. This tasty beverage is called a Kahlua Candy Bar and here's what's in it:

1 oz. Kahlua liqueur
1 oz. heavy cream
1/2 oz. creme de cacao
1/2 oz. Frangelico hazelnut liqueur

Pinterest Pinwheel Sandwiches

I recently joined a twins club here in Seattle and once a week, there's a little get together with other members. We each take turns hosting each other at our houses. Last night was my turn so I had to whip up something for everyone to snack on. After several hours exploring Pinterest, I settled on pinwheel sandwiches. I didn't snap "real" photos so these iPhone photos will have to do, but you get the idea. Though I prefer meat on my sandwiches, the wrap with veggies was just as good as the one with turkey and bacon. Plus these were basically my own recipes, as I combined ideas that I saw online. I love it when a plan comes together.

Turkey, bacon and guacamole

Veggie 

Turkey Bacon Guacamole Pinwheel (approx. 6 servings):

1 container of turkey deli meat
3/4 cup guacamole
1/4 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
8 slices pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup baby spinach leaves
8 strips of bacon (cut it up into 2"x2" squares before cooking it)
4 veggie tortillas

Veggie Pinwheel (approx. 6 servings):

1 cup pickled carrots*
1/2 cup pickled red cabbage*
1/2 Red onion, chopped
1 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup baby spinach leaves
1 container of hummus
1 tbsp. capers
4 veggie tortillas

*Quick pickling: shred veggies and place in separate bowls with 1 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, and half of a fresh squeezed lemon. Add pepper to taste and let sit for 15 minutes.

How to make a pinwheel: start with your spread first (guacamole or hummus in the examples above). Spread it across one side of your tortilla. Then sprinkle ingredients over the spread and roll up the tortilla. Slice the tortilla log into 3 to 4 pieces and place a toothpick in the middle of each. I've found the toothpick really helps the roll maintain it's shape.

Mixology Monday: The Truffle

With Seattle winning the Super Bowl (yay!),  it seems fitting to feature a coffee-flavored drink in this edition of Mixology Monday. This one comes from Cosmopolitan magazine from a few years back, and features Frangelico, vodka, and espresso. Smooth, but sweet, with just enough caffeine to wake you up. Cheers!

The Truffle:

1 oz. Frangelico
1. oz Vodka
3/4 oz. cold espresso

Valentine's Day Treats

Instead of blowing money on an overpriced restaurant meal last Valentine's Day, I made my husband heart-shaped peanut butter French toast instead. It was a fun way to start the day and I'd love to repeat the experience, though what's the fun in having the same thing again? So I'm on the hunt for something equally fun and delicious to surprise him with this year. Here are some of my favorite treats so far. They all look yummy!

Doily-shaped cheese with Ritz crackers and strawberries

 Heart-shaped Rice Krispies treats

Heart Fruit Kabobs - pineapple, canteloupe, and watermelon.

LOVE pancakes. Easy to do with a batter dispenser. 

Mixology Monday: Sage Brown Derby

Hello all! I hope you had a fantastic weekend and you're ready to start your week off with a bang. But if you're not, I may have just the thing you need. Now that I've got the mommy thing mostly under more control, I'm bringing back Mixology Mondays. Hooray!

So if you have a case of the Mondays, today's little pick-me-up may be just what you need to relax, recharge, and get your creative juices pumping tonight. It's called a Sage Brown Derby, it features grapefruit juice, and it's fabulous. There's just something about the scent of citrus this time of year that gets me out of my January blues and into better spirits.

Sage Brown Derby (courtesy of this month's Bon Appetite magazine)

2 oz. rye whiskey
1 oz. Ruby Red grapefruit juice
1/2 oz. lime juice
1/4 oz. agave or simple syrup
2 dashes of bitters

Combine in a shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a glass. Squeeze one sage leaf between your hands until your palms become fragrant. Float atop your cocktail and enjoy!