You can take the girl out of the south...

A few weeks ago I was watching The Food Network and chef Claire Robinson of "5 Ingredient Fix" was making some southern goodies.  Born in a small southern town in Kentucky meant I grew up eating all the good stuff--biscuits and gravy, corn-on-the-cob picked fresh from the garden and, one of my personal favorites, catfish.

Claire was making blackened catfish that made my mouth water (thanks in part to JB) so I just had to try it out.  The only thing I did differently was using blackening seasoning instead of the Creole seasoning.  It turned out AMAZING!!  I rounded the meal out with whole corn-filled corn muffins and fresh-brewed sweet tea with lemon.  Here's my end result and Claire's recipe which can also be found here.

BLACKENED CATFISH

Ingredients

Compound Butter:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives

Catfish:

• 2 lemons, thinly sliced
• Compound butter
• 4 (8-ounce) fresh skinless, boneless catfish fillets
• 1/4 cup Creole seasoning (recommended: Tony Chachere's)
• Whole chives, for garnishing

Directions

In a bowl, add the butter, Creole spices, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper and mix to combine. Stir in the chopped chives and set aside. The butter can be made ahead and chilled; bring to room temperature before using.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Preheat a large well-seasoned cast iron skillet or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Line the bottom of a 9 by 11-inch baking dish with the lemon slices and dollop half of the compound butter evenly over the lemon.

Evenly coat both sides of each fish fillet with 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning. Working in batches if necessary, add the seasoned fillets to the hot skillet, and cook 2 minutes on each side to just toast and brown the seasoning. With a spatula, carefully place the seared fish on top of the buttered lemon slices in the baking dish. Bake until fish easily breaks apart with a fork, 12 to 15 minutes. Immediately top each hot fillet with a spoonful of compound butter; transfer to heated serving plates and garnish with a few whole fresh chives crossed like an x over each fillet.

Birthday Shopping Success!!

So I got one out of three of my "Birthday Wish List" items! But I am far from disappointed because I got a steal of a deal on some additional amazing finds!

My one item from my wish list I got was the Michael Kors MK5020 watch that I have been drooling over for MONTHS! I absolutely LOVE it! It wears like a piece of jewelry and compliments my too-tiny wrist without overwhelming it. The mother-of-pearl face is gorgeous and I love the little crystals!

My additional finds were purchased from this amazing little upscale consignment store I recently discovered. They only except REAL designer merchandise and everything goes through a rigorous test for authenticity. So I may not have gotten the Michael Kors tote or wallet I originally wanted, but I scored a gorgeous black slim leather hobo Coach bag for $68, a black Coach hobo demi (perfect size for a night out) for $39 and a black leather HOBO wallet for $18! They are all three in pristine condition and I LOVE them all!!

I topped my shopping spree off with a trip to Sephora where I stocked up on some new makeup: Mineral foundation by Benefits, a gorgeous sheer berry gloss by Sephora and black BAD gal waterproof mascara also by Benefit.

As if all this weren't fabulous enough, I got two free gifts too! At the consignment store, if you spent $75 or more you got a free VOLUSPA candle ($27 value). And since I am a member of Sephora Insiders I got a free birthday gift today which was a vanilla birthday cake scented all-in-one shampoo/body wash/bubble bath!

All in all, this was quite a successful shopping trip. I am thrilled and DH was surprisingly patient through the whole process! I know this is probably the last "me-focused" shopping trip I'll have for a while and it felt really nice (after I got over the initial guilt). JB is due soon and she is certainly going to be the star player around here! But that's okay, baby bargains are just as fun!

My Birthday Wish List

My 32nd birthday is next month and with a baby on the way, I've quickly come to realize that my formerly enjoyed "luxury splurges" are about to come to a screeching halt. Therefore, I have decided to go all out for this year's birthday wish list.  Once our baby girl arrives, I know my shopping obsessions will be totally shifted to her (even more so than they already have).  I had quite some time trying to explain this to DH but I think he eventually "got it".  I absolutely LOVE Michael Kors so it's no surprise that his items topped my list.

So here's my "Top Three Wish List"--fingers crossed that I hopefully get at least ONE of these fabulous items!

1)  Michael Kors Watch MK5020

I haven't worn a watch in YEARS but when I saw this one, I was in love!  It's pretty enough to be a piece of everyday jewelry along with being totally functional!  It has a beautiful mother-of-pearl face and tiny crystal details.

2) Michael Kors Jet Set Continental Zip-Around Wallet

I'm still deciding between Luggage or Black for the colors (the one pictured is Luggage), but I love this because it's large enough to fit all my cards, cash and checkbook and the zip-around feature will keep everything from spilling out.  I plan to use this to toss into JB's diaper bag rather than carrying a purse everywhere so the no-spill feature is a big one.

3) Michael Kors Hamilton Large Tote

I would probably need to sell a kidney to own this one, but it's too beautiful not to share with you.  It's so classic in style and looks like it can hold ANYTHING!

So there you have it.  And I'm drooling again.  And JB is now kicking with approval.  Who can deny that kind of support?

What's on your "Top Three Wish List"?

The Most Joyfully Random News EVER!

We're going to have a baby!!

This news is particularly joyful and random because almost two years ago, I was told by my Ob-Gyn at the time that it would be very difficult for me to have children without the aide of fertility treatments.  The news was saddening at the time, but my optimistic nature quickly allowed me to keep my chin up about it.  DH and I agreed that when the time was right, we would pursue only the minimum fertility treatments (most likely Clomid) and if that didn't work, we would adopt.

Fast forward about two years, we were comfortably settling into our home, and the thought of starting a family was on the back burner for both of us.

I had been seeing a new Ob-Gyn who was thought I was suspicious for a diagnosis of Endometriosis.  I knew that sometimes being on the pill could help lessen the symptoms related to that condition so I asked to try that route before doing anything more invasive.  He agreed and prescribed the birth control.

I came home and discussed all of this with DH and revisited the "starting a family" topic and we both agreed we wanted to wait a bit longer anyway, so it would be fine to be on the pill for a few years.  I carried the little script around in my purse for a few weeks, finally finding the time to fill it.  The pharmacy tech rang it up and said, "Forty-five dollars."  I sputtered, "Oh my God!  Forty-five dollars with insurance??!!  It'd be cheaper to have a kid!!"  He laughed.  I paid.

It had been several years since I was on the pill so when I got home, I reread the instructions on when to start taking them.  I needed to wait until my next period.  No problem.  That should be any day now...  Well, actually, I guess it should've been last week.  But I'm hardly regular, so I didn't think twice about it.  However, I really wanted to go ahead and start taking them (for the relief that was sure to come!) so I used the tried and true method for making Aunt Flow arrive immediately.  I decided to take a pregnancy test.

Now before you think I'm insane, here me out.  In the past, when I've found myself waiting for my period for a frighteningly long time then decide to just suck it up and take a test, when it comes out negative, my "monthly visitor" basically comes knocking down the walls the very next day.  It's like Murphy's Law to the extremes.  Trust me.

So, anyway, I had a spare test under the sink (from a previous "motivational start" method a few months earlier) so I pulled it out and put it in my tampon box (how appropriate) by the toilet for the next morning's use.  I didn't even bother telling DH--he'd think I was insane too.

On the morning of January 28, 2011 at approximately 5:00am, I staggered into the bathroom, one eye open and proceeded with my "test taking".  I put the completed test stick (capped!) on the back of the toilet bowl and sleepily worked on getting my other eye to open.  A moment later, I grabbed the test nonchalantly, preparing to see a single line, thus securing my plans to be able to start my new pills the upcoming weekend.

I looked down at the test area and saw one DARK pink line...and a faint pink line next to it.

"HUH?!?!"


Surely my eyes were just blurry and creating some sort of "ghost image".  I rubbed my eyes fiercely and looked again.  Two lines.

I set the test on the sink and called for DH to come into the bathroom NOW.  I'm sure he thought it was another palmetto bug incident but he groggily walked in and asked what was going on.

I pointed to the stick on the sink, as if it were an ancient code that I was trying to decipher.  He looked at it, then leaned in for a closer look, then looked at me, then looked at it again.  "What's it mean?"

"Well, it says it's pregnant," I said, as if the stick were having a baby and now we were going to have to figure out how to support it.

After about seven or eight "Oh my God"s on my part, we departed from the bathroom.  I had to explain my "Murphy's Law" theory of "cycle encouragement" to my bewildered husband (remember, he had no idea I was even taking a test), then we both just finished our morning routine in complete and utter shock.

The next couple of days were a complete daze.  I was so shocked that when I talked about it to my mom, the doctor's office (to make my first appointment), or anyone else, I almost felt as if I were lying about being pregnant.  I didn't feel any different, aside from my ravenous appetite and hourly trips to the potty. I even took three more tests, just to be sure.

But the tests were right, and I am pregnant.  The most joyfully random news of our lives!  We can't wait to see how this new addition will change our lives for the better.  We are about to be a FAMILY!

Brushing elbows with HGTV for a weekend

This past spring, two months before our wedding, DH got an AMAZING opportunity.  He was selected to be one of the carpenters on an episode of "Battle on the Block" on HGTV! The first episode hadn't even aired yet so no one, myself included, had a clue what the show was even about.  And DH was able to remain calm as my questions became more and more probing as the first day of filming closed in: 


"Who's the host?"
"Exactly how much are you going to be on TV?"
"When is it gonna air?"
"Can I be on TV?"
"Who's the host???"


Unfortunately for me, Day One of filming was on a Friday and I had to work.  So most of my questions would remain unanswered until I spoke to DH.  But I didn't have to wait too long for at least one of my answers. DH was kind enough to drop this bombshell of a text on me later that afternoon:


Do you know some lady named Genevieve Gorder?  I guess she's gonna be the host.  I ate lunch across the table from her today.  She seems nice.  Is she famous?


Oh....My....Dear....Lord.


Genevieve Gorder???!!!???  I have been following her since her days on "Trading Spaces" on TLC!!


Somehow my shaking hands managed to punch in a reply text that said something roughly on the lines of "come Hell or high water I will be fighting rush hour traffic to get there the second I am off the clock." 


When four o'clock hit, I all but flew past my coworkers (who, by this time, were happy to let me leave so I could shut-up about Genevieve) and accelerated out of the parking lot to face the oh-so-near reality that I was about to meet my decorating mentor.


Fast forward one hour.  I hate rush hour.


I parked my car once I reached Centro Ybor.  I decided hoofing it was going to be much easier.  Right.  


I was lost.  I had already been walking around aimlessly for about 30 minutes.  Thank God I was in scrubs, or I may have been mistaken for a hooker standing on a street corner in Ybor city, trying not to look lost.  DH wasn't answering his phone and I had no idea how to find the condo he was working at.  I decided to call my mom (who lives 12 hours away) in hopes of looking less pathetic standing there by myself.  At least I looked busy now.  


Mom:  "Did you meet her yet???"  (Mom, also, is a huge fan).
Me:  "No.  I'm lost, I'm tired, I'm hungry and I look like a hooker."
Mom:  "Oh.  OK.  Well, call me when you meet her." 


Thanks Mom.


After another 15 minutes, I FINALLY found the condo and DH.  But as luck would have it, he was extremely busy and only had a brief second to lean over the balcony and tell me that Genevieve had gone for the day and I should probably just go home.  Oh and by the way, he was going to be home late.


I'll just gloss over the HUMONGOUS hissy fit I had by myself on the hour long drive back home...


The next morning, Saturday, was full of promise.  DH said that I could come to the set that day and chances would be much greater that I could meet Genevieve.  


I called up DH's boss' wife, K, and we planned to meet up in Ybor together.  When we got there, we were able to tour the three homes that were competing on the show. It was kind of surreal to be on this side of things.  Cameras and people were crammed everywhere inside the homes, and everyone seemed like they were in a big hurry, bustling around.  But on the outside, nothing looked unusual.  The huge trailer full of the tools for the show and the RV (where my beloved Genevieve apparently hangs out once she's on set) were the only evidence of anything remotely out of the ordinary.





The little table between the RV and the trailer is where DH ate lunch across from Genevieve.  The whole crew ate together daily.


We got to meet Genevieve's assistant who was very nice.  She said that Genevieve loves meeting people (aka: mega fans like myself) and that she would be on set around one o'clock.  It was late morning by then, so we decided to check out the nearby outdoor Art Festival for a while.  


I found DH to tell him where we were headed and I snapped these pics of him in action:

At promptly one o'clock we returned, my hopes high, only to be told that Genevieve's arrival time had been moved up to about three o'clock.  K had to leave, so I was now on my own.  

I figured I would take advantage of the close proximity of Centro Ybor. I walked around for a bit, wandering past shops and restaurants, killing time.  I decided to stop inside a small bar on one of the busy street corners and have a glass of wine.  If there's one thing that can make time seem unimportant, alcohol is it!  Then the call came.  DH called to tell me that Genevieve was on her way!  I quickly drained the rest of my wine, slammed down a wad of money and bolted out the open door.  

I walked, half ran, back to the condo where DH was waiting for me outside of the closed front door.  She was filming just inside that door!  The workers had to go outside so that there was quiet (and space) for filming.  Here's the legal notice that was taped on all the doors:

And then it happened.  The door opened, a couple of people (production people, I'm assuming) came out, talking very quickly to each other, rushing past me without acknowledging me, and then there she was.  And my goodness, is she tall!

G: "Oh, hi!" (smiling)

Me: "Hi!  I've been waiting to meet you!  I am such a big fan!  I've been a fan of yours since Trading Spaces!" (mental note:  I need to stop talking in exclamation points)

G:  "Oh wow, are you even old enough to remember that? (laughs) So who are you here with?"

Me: "I'm his fiance" (beaming, grinning ear to ear, pointing to DH)

G:  "Awww!  He's so sweet!  When are you guys getting married?" (still smiling)

Me: (blank brain....think, think, think...oh yes, that's right) "Two months"

G:  "Wow!  That's soon!  Are you nervous yet?" 

Me: (not as nervous as I am right now!!) "Nope, I'm just excited."

G: (getting impatient stares from the production guys) "Well, it was really nice to meet you.  I have to go now to film at the next house." (being shuffled down the stairs)  "You should come over to that house!" (over her shoulder)

Me:  "OK.  Thanks!"

And in the very same instant I realized she was gone, I remembered my unused camera in my purse. 

NOOOOOOOOO!!!

It took all of half a second for me to make up my mind to walk to the next house.  When else am I ever going to meet Genevieve Gorder again??  I can't let her just go and not get a picture!  

For a girl who doesn't exercise, I had logged some serious miles today, and I was nearing the end of my journey.  I arrived, out of breath, at the last house and waited.  One of her assistants I had met earlier in the day was kind enough to talk with me while I stood in the middle of the dirt like an idiot, stalking waiting for Genevieve.  He told me she was just finishing a quick meal in the RV and would be coming right out.  After about five more agonizing minutes, she emerged.  And thank God she didn't pepper spray me for reappearing out of nowhere.  

I told her I forgot to ask before, but would she mind taking a picture with me?  

G:  "Of course!" (handing my camera to her assistant and putting her arm around me)  "I'm sorry if I smell like garlic, I just had a Greek salad" (fanning her open mouth)

Me: "That's okay, I smell like wine" (Awesome.  I sound like an alcoholic.)

G:  (laughing) "That sounds even better!  I wish I had that instead!"

As the assistant was sizing and centering us in the camera, we exchanged a quick conversation under our breath (wine and garlic united) through our posed smiles about age and height--apparently our stats are quite similar.  And here's the long-awaited picture:

After a quick check that the picture was acceptable to both of us (hey, she may be famous, but we are both women) we hugged and said good-bye.  

I walked back to my car, satisfied.  She was just as completely sweet and genuine as she seems on TV and I was thrilled to have met her.  

THE EPISODE:

The anticipation to see the actual end product was so great and DH had been a great sport about my references to "My BFF, Genevieve" ever since I had met her. The episode actually aired while we were away on our honeymoon, so we had to DVR it.   We were excited to see how it all turned out.  After watching it, we just had to laugh.  Poor DH was just a momentary red blur in about four whole scenes of the entire episode.  We joked that it was like those photos of Bigfoot you see, just this big shape that resembles a body walking by in the background.  He had a real live 15 seconds of fame!  But it was an amazing opportunity and was so fun to experience from behind the scenes.  And who knows?  Maybe my BFF Genevieve will come back to the sunshine state and we can do lunch!  Salad and wine anyone?

Click here to watch the full episode on Hulu

Air date: 5/16/10

Season 1: Episode 6