Cheers to 2011

In 2009, when we got married, we registered for a souffle dish. I vowed I would make a souffle that year. I did not. I told myself I'd do it in 2010. On December 31st I realized I still had not made a souffle. So I did.



Julia Child had me so scared not to over beat my egg whites, I think I under beat them. Next time, I will beat them longer to get more rise out of my souffle. Jim gave it rave reviews, personally, I found it just okay- but I am not that big on eggs lately. Next up... CHOCOLATE souffle.

New Years Eve sure was an epic day of eating for us. After the souffle, we ventured to the Village Market and bought ourselves a live lobster. Hunter was very intrigued by the creature in the box.
We steamed the lobster in a boiling pot of onion, celery, parsley and some seasonings. Then, we dipped every last bite in butter.


However, before the butter dipping... Jim had to get the meat out. What a mess!


I play with my food... so what?


We started the New Year with mimosas, with fresh squeezed OJ. Cheers!



In 2011, I hope to continue to have fun with my friends and family and continue to venture outside my comfort zone, in all aspects of my life. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bagels

Back in March I came home from NYC a changed woman. I had tasted greatness. The bagels. They were just so good. I swore to myself at the time I would recreate the greatness, right down to the veggie cream cheese with chunks of fresh vegetable mixed right in.




We had to knead the dough for almost 15 minutes, next time I'll use either the breadmaker or my KitchenAid Stand Mixer. The kneading took so long we took shifts.


After we let the dough rise we shaped them in to bagels:



Then we boiled them in water enhanced with malted barley syrup:



Then, as I was taking them out of the oven still... Jim ate:



We made plain, poppy seed, Asiago cheese, and everything bagels:



Poor Hunter thought they smelled really good:



I think we succeeded.



In case you want to want to try yourself to make these, here is the recipe I used.

The Last Two Months Or So....

We've been busy... Here is a sampling of what we've been up to.

We went to Niagara Falls to celebrate our first anniversary.

We went on vacation with Jim's family in the 1000 Islands.


While there... we bought lots of wine.


When we got home we ate our one year old wedding cake... Jim had seconds, and saved it to eat as snacks the rest of the week. Must have kept well!


We went sailing! Hunter is a natural!

We went to Chicago for a Bat Mitzvah.


Jim ate carnival food at Blueberry Festival. (We also saw Journey and Jimmy Buffett cover bands, and ate lots of blueberries.)



I baked some blueberry treats.


We took Hunter on Jim's Dad's boat.


We joined the masses and watched The Friends Goodwill lead Tall Ships in to port.


Hunter played lots of fetch at the beach.


The weather took a turn and it got cold and windy, check Hunter's ears.

Or, the waves breaking on the pier.


Jim went wakesurfing.


We went sailing a few more times...



We saw a beautiful sunset.


I'll try to be better at keeping Life on Lee Street up to date.... Lots of fall fun to come soon. :)