Yummy Yummy In My Tummy

This recipe is one of my favourite things to make lately..and has also become a favourite for anyone I make it for!  It's pretty easy, simple flavours and is classic and delicious..and that's right up my alley. This is the original recipe that I have saved on my computer...but I'm the kind of cook that can't keep to a recipe and seems to add or change something every time I make it..so I've added a few of my alterations in brackets!

Asparagus Pasta Yummy Thing

Ingredients

• 1-2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
• 3/4 pound pasta
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut crosswise into strips
• 6 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese, diced (about 1 cup)
• 6 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Directions

Cook the asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp and tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. With a spider or slotted spoon, remove asparagus from boiling water to a bowl of ice water to cool and stop the cooking. When cool, strain, cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces, and set aside.

Boil the pasta and cook until al dente,  (I like my pasta al dente, but of course it depends on your preference!) tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.

Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 20 seconds. (I usually throw the prosciutto in for a minute or two to let it simmer with the garlic and get a little bit crispy..yummmmm!) Next you add asparagus to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the pasta, and if needed, some of the reserved cooking liquid. Toss to coat. Add the prosciutto, mozzarella, and basil, and toss to combine. Turn off the heat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

....As a side note..it takes a little bit of effort to make sure that everything gets mixed and the cheese gets melted...you definitely need to make sure that everyone is ready to eat as your finishing the last steps so that the dish doesn't cool down and you end with clumps of cheese that aren't melted. Unless of course you enjoy large clumps of cheese in your pasta..but it's better to eat it hot the first time because the leftovers are all sorts of clumpy cheesy goodness. Not that I eat clumpy-cheesy-pasta goodness straight from the fridge for breakfast. 

Um. So yeah. 

Enjoy!

How Do You Measure, Measure Ten Years.

So today it hit me. It's December.

Which means that it's the end of the year. The worlds longest year. A year filled with heartache and sorrow and elation and joy. A year with entirely too much indulgence and giddy smiles. A year filled with hateful thoughts and scowls and lost relationships. It feels like it has been the craziest year, so I'm a little bit thankful to realise that it's basically over.

..But that means - Holy crap.

Another year is basically OVER.

SERIOUSLY?

How the hell did that happen?

And it's not even just another year, it's another DECADE.

Like, a decade that I remember.

Vividly.

In its entirety.

Well - except for that night that included buying three bottles of wine 'TO GO!' at my favourite sketchy little dive in the old town of Zurich. I remember virtually nothing of that night. Except that I madeout a completely inappropriate person, somehow managed to lose both my shoes for a few minutes and then wound up sleeping in my friend's bed with a GIANT lollipop that I'd found in my purse. Only to wake up with a call from my boss in Tokyo saying that the house had been broken into and the police needed to speak to me RIGHT AWAY.

And by remember...I do mean...I pieced it together based on ridiculous photographs.

Okay. HOLY TANGENT.

So. Besides that sketchy night while resulted in a lot of embarrassing moments, there are a lot of of other things which I actually do remember over the last decade.

In the last ten years I've...

*Graduated from highschool
*Moved out on my own into an apartment with one of my best friends.
*Become an 'adult' in the legal sense of the word
*Drank a few too many beers. 
*Walked home barefoot in the snow carrying my heels because I was mad at them. Because I drank a few too many beers.
*Graduated from university with a BA with a double major in history and psychology...despite the mass amount of beer drinkage.
*Traveled to, through and around South Africa 
*Graduated from teachers college
*Thrown a few (but not nearly enough) fabulous dinner parties
*Spent a year living in Switzerland
*Been a bridesmaid in three weddings for people I love
*Got my drivers licence
*Travelled to and explored: Dublin, Barcelona,  Rome, Madrid, London, Paris, Athens, Florence, Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Krakow, Milan, Vienna, Liechtenstein, Zurich and oh so so so many other wonderful European cities
*Been a nanny for three (kinda-sorta-really-spoiled) girls.
*Roadtripped to the east coast of Canada - twice. 
*Worked on our farm every summer, and then decide to go into the farming business (because I'm crazy?)
*Said final goodbyes to a grandmother and a grandfather
*Had friends become mothers
*Cut off more than half my body height in hair in one ginormous cut (THREE FEET OF HAIR. GONE.)
*Spoiled myself and bought my first DSLR
*Cut off contact with friends and family alike who just aren't good for me anymore (or ever were..)
*Eaten way too much chocolate
*Watched a baby be born. Like, full out, THERE IS A HEAD COMING OUT OF YOUR VAGINA RIGHT NOW watching.
* Spent an extra long long weekend in Vegas with some of my favourite girlfriends
* Danced like a crazy fool for no other reason then dancing is fun. 
*Realized the importance of true happiness and following your heart (or your gut) regardless of what other people are doing, saying or thinking. 

Holy cow...It's been a crazy ten years, I can't believe that it's over already. Here's to the next ten years being filled with even more adventures and fun!

A Christmas Miracle

I have this little problem where I hate getting rid of things. I'm always afraid that I'll throw something away and then desperately need it for SOMETHING and be SO mad at myself for it no longer being in my possession.  This is multiplied but about SEVENTEEN KAJILLION because of the fact that I bounce around from my cousins house to my parents house and feel like half of the time I live in my car so my possessions can at any given point be scattered from here to who knows where.

But - this sometimes comes in handy.

Not that living in your car is something you should try - unless of course you plan on keeping all sorts of crap in there. A) For warmth - Canadian winters are cold (eh.) B) for AWESOME (explained below.)

So picture it...it's Christmas day..

The angels are singing, bank accounts are groaning and all of the stores are quiet and closed.

WHEN SUDDENLY - my aunt began freaking out because AHHH! THERE WAS NO MORE NUTMEG IN THE HOUSE AND THIS RECIPE REQUIRED NUTMEG AND THE WORLD WAS GOING TO END!

Enter: SUPER ERIN! TO THE RESCUE!

Being the superb being of awesome that I am, I ran out to my car, dug around a little in hopes I could find the collection of spices that one CLEARLY always keeps in the car.

By this point, as I was sifting through my 'car stuff', I was wondering why I would keep nutmeg with the laundry I keep planning on doing...and then was sure that I definitely didn't (shouldn't?) keep it with the spare shoes I keep in there...and as I dug deeper, I realised it wasn't with the take out bag, the recipe books OR the millions of cases for cds that I no longer have any idea where they are..So I sat there and wondered where the h, e, double hockey sticks did that I put that the spices. Because SERIOUSLY - WHO DOESN'T KEEP SPICES IN THEIR CAR??

Suddenly, much to my chagrin, the heavens opened up and my hand grasped a can that I pulled it out of a bag-o-random-crap-that-made-its-way-into-my-car - but I was foiled - as it was merely a can of PUMPKIN. As I cursed the spice gods, I knew that the nutmeg MUST be nearby...it MUST! Nutmeg and pumpkin are like two peas in a pod. So, I reached a little deeper into the darkness and suddenly....SUCCESS! NUTMEG FOUND!

So I ran back into the house, thrust out the find from my car onto the counter and was declared a national hero who saved Christmas.

Or at least I should have been. 

I mean - I was basically as awesome as Jesus. 

Water into wine? 

Psh, I'd like to see HIM turn laundry into nutmeg.  

PS - Yes. The can of pumpkin AND the tin of nutmeg have both been in my car since thanksgiving.

PPS - I live in Canada.

PPPS - Thanksgiving was in October. 

More Random About Me. 'Cause I'm Too Cool For School.

***

Here’s some stuff about me, because you know, I’m like, so, like, totally, like interesting and popular!

Okay - so not really...but here is a bit of background on my life...

Or some random things because I’m too lazy to write something real.

Here goes:

I grew up a farm kid.

Which basically means that I played with dirt and rocks a lot as a child.

 I know, you're already amazed at just how much this explains.  

I HATE HATE HATE cucumbers. EWWWA.

I put u's in words and use s's instead of z's because I'm Canadian.

 Eh. 

I like wine. 

Sometimes a little too much.  

I've been known to drink wine in a bathtub. 

Fully clothed. 

Laughing hysterically the entire time.

Don't judge. 

I'm perfectly content to discuss life with small children. 

They have perspective down to an art, and always know where it's at. 

I often wish things were different. 

Vague. 

But true. 

I sometimes (erm. always?) talk too fast. 

I hate cucumbers with a passion.

 Seriously....SO. GROSS.

I’ll sit on the patio for hours.

Especially with a beer in my hand and friends by my side. 

I'm pretty convinced that I'm doomed to be a crazy cat lady. 

I'm rather picky when it comes to guys.

I don't see the point of being in a relationship when it could never last.

Plus I live in a small town where it's impossible to meet anyone. 

Anyone DECENT it seems, that is.

That, and cats are pretty cute.  

I eat far too many tic tacs. Especially the sour ones. 

Ohhhh..now I want a tic tac. 

I really like cooking random things.

It's fun to pretend that I know what I'm doing in the kitchen. 

I try to travel often - but I always want to travel more.

So far I've been to around 25 different countries.

I have a list about a mile long of the many more I want to go to.

And about 25 I want to go BACK to.  

I sing loudly while driving. 

As long as no one else is in the car.

'Cause my singing voice is CRAP.

I don't have any kids, but I live with one and write about him often.

 Because I love when he smothers me in unconditional love kisses.

He doesn't care if I don't wear makeup or anything besides pajamas. 

He's the best kind of boy. 

I don't drink coffee unless its delicious European coffee. 

Or when I may be beyond the point of exhaustion.

Like, falling down tired.

Then I'll drink coffee.

Maybe.

I loooove the east coast of Canada. 

It makes my heart REALLY happy.

And the seafood makes my tummy REALLY happy.

I'm one of those creepy people that smiles at strangers. 

Just to see what they do. 

I may also stare at people in other cars at stop lights. 

Just to watch what they do when someone stares at them. 

It's kind of way too amusing. 

I hate change.

 A lot. 

Almost as much as I hate cucumbers. 

Lemonade is one of my favourite things. 

If I was Julie Andrews, I would sing about it from a mountain top.

If I was Oprah, I'd give you all the lemonade you could drink. 

Dinner parties make me happy.

 Alas, most of my good friends are spread about across the globe.

This makes it difficult to schedule dinner parties. 

Thus it makes me go BLAARG. 

I pick cucumbers out of everything because they taste and smell like yuck.

I really wish I could fix the world. 

I'm a huge procrastinator.

I realise the irony of wanting to fix the world and being a procrastinator. 

I take too many photographs. 

I'm not good at it, but it's something fun to play with.

Especially since I splurged and bought myself a pretty camera.

The snooze button is my favourite of all of the buttons.

In the whole world. 

I love lazy rainy days when I don't have to go anywhere or do anything.

I REALLY dislike cucumbers.

For real. 

I'm a huge book worm, but never take enough time to read. 

I need to fix that. 

I miss the good old days, when life seemed simple. 

I hate my basement.

It's gross.

And creepy. 

I also hate stupidhead people that act like jerks. 

They make my angry face come out to play.

I use to be a nanny for three girls in Switzerland. 

I'd love to take the journal I wrote during this time and turn it into a book.

Alas, some jerk apparently already DID that. 

And then went and made a MOVIE too.

Mine would have been WAY BETTER with WAY MORE drama. 

For real.

You have no idea the stories I have.

Maybe I'll write a sequel. 

And become a millionaire. 

I’ve got a couple of university degrees. 

History. Psychology. Education.

I ditched the aformentioned university degrees to be a farmer instead. 

A farmer who wears high heels in the muddy fields.

And her iPhone to check the weather.

And finally....have I mentioned that I don’t like cucumbers?

THEY’RE GROSS, PEOPLE.

***

Merry Christmas

The last few years have been rather odd for Christmas.

Three years ago...I was in sunny South Africa...lying at the pool and getting ready to go camping in the Drakensburg mountains while baking millions of pounds of cupcakes. And sampling millions of pounds of cupcakes.

Two years ago..I was in Rome...chilling with the pope. Or the millions of other peeps that had decided to decend upon the city. Not so smart of planning on my part. Alone, in a city that attracts WAY too many people on one of the most holy days of the year. I spent the most of my day charging 8 kajillion dollars to my credit card calling people I loved at home and walking about ancient ruins. It was a very odd, odd Christmas.

And then last year - a year that I was so exhausted I didn't even know how to hold my head up anymore. Twenty four years of never stopping doing everything and anything can do that to you I suppose. Sooo...I don't really remember Christmas last year. Except that there was yelling. And drama. And I slept a lot and my bank account emptied itself buying CRAP for people that didn't deserve it (And also, some crap for people who did deserve it. Not that anyone deserves crap. But they got presents. Not good ones, because I was exhausted from life - but they got them.)

And this year? A resolution..to not see people I don't care about.

To not put up with drama and bullshit.

To not do things that didn't make me happy.

So today? I woke up early and exchanged presents with my cousins - and watched the worlds cutest boy laugh in delight over the toys I carefully handpicked for him. Ones that I knew would makes his eyes sparkle with delight and joy. 

I sat in shock as I was given a brand new laptop 'just because' (because they loved me? because mine was a piece of crap? etc.)

I laughed over breakfast and shook my fist at my cousins husband as I (reluctantly) headed out to do last minute shopping because he just didn't know what he should be getting (gah! boys!)

I spent the afternoon chatting with my dad as we wrapped christmas presents...and playing scrabble on my phone with my amazed mother who didn't understand how I had GAMES on a TELEPHONE.

And then I had a lovely dinner with my parents, just the three of us. Some fingers foods and a nice salad. Good conversation and laughter. No drama. Just love.

It's nice. Tomorrow will be similar - good family. Laughing.  But with chocolate. And boardgames. And best of all? NO DRAMA OR HORRIBLE PEOPLE! 

What a merry, merry Christmas!

More Random About Me. 'Cause I'm Too Cool For School.

***

Here’s some stuff about me, because you know, I’m like, so, like, totally, like interesting and popular!

Okay - so not really...but here is a bit of background on my life...

Or some random things because I’m too lazy to write something real.

Here goes:

I grew up a farm kid.

Which basically means that I played with dirt and rocks a lot as a child.

 I know, you're already amazed at just how much this explains.  

I HATE HATE HATE cucumbers. EWWWA.

I put u's in words and use s's instead of z's because I'm Canadian.

 Eh. 

I like wine. 

Sometimes a little too much.  

I've been known to drink wine in a bathtub. 

Fully clothed. 

Laughing hysterically the entire time.

Don't judge. 

I'm perfectly content to discuss life with small children. 

They have perspective down to an art, and always know where it's at. 

I often wish things were different. 

Vague. 

But true. 

I sometimes (erm. always?) talk too fast. 

I hate cucumbers with a passion.

 Seriously....SO. GROSS.

I’ll sit on the patio for hours.

Especially with a beer in my hand and friends by my side. 

I'm pretty convinced that I'm doomed to be a crazy cat lady. 

I'm rather picky when it comes to guys.

I don't see the point of being in a relationship when it could never last.

Plus I live in a small town where it's impossible to meet anyone. 

Anyone DECENT it seems, that is.

That, and cats are pretty cute.  

I eat far too many tic tacs. Especially the sour ones. 

Ohhhh..now I want a tic tac. 

I really like cooking random things.

It's fun to pretend that I know what I'm doing in the kitchen. 

I try to travel often - but I always want to travel more.

So far I've been to around 25 different countries.

I have a list about a mile long of the many more I want to go to.

And about 25 I want to go BACK to.  

I sing loudly while driving. 

As long as no one else is in the car.

'Cause my singing voice is CRAP.

I don't have any kids, but I live with one and write about him often.

 Because I love when he smothers me in unconditional love kisses.

He doesn't care if I don't wear makeup or anything besides pajamas. 

He's the best kind of boy. 

I don't drink coffee unless its delicious European coffee. 

Or when I may be beyond the point of exhaustion.

Like, falling down tired.

Then I'll drink coffee.

Maybe.

I loooove the east coast of Canada. 

It makes my heart REALLY happy.

And the seafood makes my tummy REALLY happy.

I'm one of those creepy people that smiles at strangers. 

Just to see what they do. 

I may also stare at people in other cars at stop lights. 

Just to watch what they do when someone stares at them. 

It's kind of way too amusing. 

I hate change.

 A lot. 

Almost as much as I hate cucumbers. 

Lemonade is one of my favourite things. 

If I was Julie Andrews, I would sing about it from a mountain top.

If I was Oprah, I'd give you all the lemonade you could drink. 

Dinner parties make me happy.

 Alas, most of my good friends are spread about across the globe.

This makes it difficult to schedule dinner parties. 

Thus it makes me go BLAARG. 

I pick cucumbers out of everything because they taste and smell like yuck.

I really wish I could fix the world. 

I'm a huge procrastinator.

I realise the irony of wanting to fix the world and being a procrastinator. 

I take too many photographs. 

I'm not good at it, but it's something fun to play with.

Especially since I splurged and bought myself a pretty camera.

The snooze button is my favourite of all of the buttons.

In the whole world. 

I love lazy rainy days when I don't have to go anywhere or do anything.

I REALLY dislike cucumbers.

For real. 

I'm a huge book worm, but never take enough time to read. 

I need to fix that. 

I miss the good old days, when life seemed simple. 

I hate my basement.

It's gross.

And creepy. 

I also hate stupidhead people that act like jerks. 

They make my angry face come out to play.

I use to be a nanny for three girls in Switzerland. 

I'd love to take the journal I wrote during this time and turn it into a book.

Alas, some jerk apparently already DID that. 

And then went and made a MOVIE too.

Mine would have been WAY BETTER with WAY MORE drama. 

For real.

You have no idea the stories I have.

Maybe I'll write a sequel. 

And become a millionaire. 

I’ve got a couple of university degrees. 

History. Psychology. Education.

I ditched the aformentioned university degrees to be a farmer instead. 

A farmer who wears high heels in the muddy fields.

And her iPhone to check the weather.

And finally....have I mentioned that I don’t like cucumbers?

THEY’RE GROSS, PEOPLE.

***