The Adventures of a Calamari Queen – Page 42 – Christian, Wife, Mommy, Homemaker, Retired nurse, Fur-mama,living a simple and minimal life!

Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary

Hello Friends! Hope you’re having a good weekend, we just saw the Seahawks beat the Panthers in NFC playoffs game minutes ago. So Seattle is pretty happy right now! Anyways, I wanted to share the Cornish Game recipe I used for our NYE dinner because it was really tasty and so simple. I will definitely put this in my recipe binder for future use. I cut the recipe in half because it was just me and the Hubs.

Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary (allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

4 Cornish Game Hens

salt and pepper to taste

1 lemon,quartered

4 springs fresh rosemary

3 tablespoons olive oil

24 cloves garlic

1/3 cup white wine

1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth

4 fresh spring rosemary for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. Rub hens with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season hens with salt and pepper. Place 1 lemon wedge and 1 sprig rosemary in cavity of each hen. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around hens. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
3. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over hens. Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until hens are golden brown and juices run clear. Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes.
4. Transfer hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent hens with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise and arrange on plates. Spoon sauce and garlic around hens. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve.

Weekend Fun!

Hello family and friends! Hope your weekend was fun and relaxing. On our side, my husband is still recovering from the nasty flu/cold he had after Christmas. It was spent napping (for my hubs) and taking down the Christmas decorations (for me). I still have some decorations left but the majority, like the Christmas tree, are done and stored already. We were also able to order our Christmas tree for next year (it was on sale but I still find it pricey:-0). We didn’t go out this weekend because I cooked our meals at home, but we did get some things from the Asian market in Seattle. I wanted to get a Filipino delicacy called, “binignit”. I’m not sure what they call it here in the U.S but it has the consistency of pudding, with lots of tapioca, bananas, and yams. I’ve tried it in other Asian/Filipino stores here in Washington, but Foulee Asian market in Seattle is the only place I go now if I want to eat “Binignit”. I also got some filipino “junk food” too.

This is "Binignit glutinous rice porridge with coconut cream, blended with some fruits and root crops like sweet yams,bananas). — “Binignit” ( glutinous rice porridge with coconut cream, blended with some fruits and root crops like sweet yams,bananas).

Filipino junk food! — Filipino junk food

Creamy Mushroom pasta I made (Rachael Ray recipe)

Braised short ribs (another Rachael Ray recipe)

I also cleaned my empty candles. These are the ones I’ve gone through since September. I will not buy the small cheap ones from Target anymore because they aren’t very fragrant. It was pathetic! My favorites in the pic below are the Walmart candles (719 walnut and Better Homes), the Yankees were Okay, but nothing great. I like the Fresh Balsam (from Bath and body works) but it was too much for my husband so I only burn it when he’s not around. I burn a candle everyday, so I plan to share some of them here (I’m not a candle expert so don’t expect too much!). I just like making our house cozy and I think candles are one way I can do that:)

Candle empties for the month of September-December 2014 — Candle empties for the months of September-December 2014

My favorite schnauzer napping with his paposh (a common event this weekend).

Have a great week all, I’m off to hangout with my Hubs and Riley now! Talk to you soon:)

Happy New Year!

Hello 2015! Bye 2014! We had a quiet and simple NYE celebration because Zach is under the weather and still recovering. My poor Hubs rarely gets sick but when he does, he’s like bed ridden the whole time. We are hopeful that 2015 will be a healthy year for all of us. I went to the grocery store on the morning of NYE and wanted to check out some steaks (something nice to have for our NYE dinner for two) but quickly changed my mind because my Hubs is always in charge making steaks and he doesn’t have the energy for that. I ended up getting Cornish Game hens and found a simple recipe online. I will post it later this week, it’s from allrecipes.com. My DIL was kind enough to stop by during the day and bought us goodies (Ribs and cupcakes). He is that kind of person, despite his busy schedule he called us and wanted to get us something (maybe to cheer his miserable son?). He’s the best! We are looking forward to 2015. 2014 was great and we are thankful to God for all the many blessings He gave us and we cannot wait for what’s in store this coming year!

taking care of my sick Hubs and I spilled my coffee all over the kitchen floor! Oh how I need the Lord this morning:)

simple NYE dinner! we had meat and pate,crabcakes(it wasn't very good),roast cornish game hens,broccoli,cupcakes) — simple NYE dinner! we had meat and pate,crab cakes(they weren’t very good),roast cornish game hens,broccoli,cupcakes)

comfy socks is the best! — comfy socks are the best!

watched the Ball dropped at Timesquare — watched the Ball drop at Times square

we also waited to watch the Space needle's fireworks celebration (in bed) — we also waited to watch the Space needle’s fireworks celebration (in bed)

Hope you have a great NYE! — Hope you had a great NYE!

Christmas 2014!

Hello Family and friends! I hope you all had a great Christmas with your loved ones. Ours was pretty relaxed with lots of family time! This is my favorite time of the year because as a believer, this is the birthday of our Savior Jesus Christ (we know it’s not the exact date) but its more the celebration of His birth. He came to die for us all. He is the reason for the season. Aside from celebrating Jesus birth, we also spent time with family, eating yummy food, and exchanging gifts with family. My family, especially my Hubs, was so generous to give me wonderful things that I’m looking forward to using. It would have been the best if we also had my side of the family, but it is what it is. Hopefully next year we can be all together. I apologize in advance because this will be a picture overload post!

Days before Christmas,we had dinner at my In laws.

I love my In laws Christmas decorations.

Christmas Eve we went to my Husband’s grandma’s place for dinner and exchanged gifts.

Christmas Eve dinner (Hubs and his Sis Julia)

Grandma and DIL with their Seahawks rings. They look so happy..GO HAWKS!

We had Ham, Mac and Cheese,biscuits,salads! YUM!

we had Lots of dessert too, but not sure why I didn't take pictures. This was so good (i don't know the name) — we had lots of dessert too, but not sure why I didn’t take pictures. This was so good (i don’t know the name)

Christmas day, we had brunch at home, opened gifts, watched movies, relaxed and then ate some snacks! It was a fun and relaxed Christmas.

We read the story surrounding Jesus birth (i think we read in the Hebrews). My Hubs was reading.. — We read the story surrounding Jesus birth (I think we read in Luke). My Hubs was reading:)

I wanted to bake a cake for Jesus's Birthday but decided to just buy macaroons at whole foods. — I wanted to bake a cake for Jesus’s Birthday but decided to just buy macaroons at whole foods.

Hubs made eggs benedict, we also had bacon,fruits, LOTS of coffee!

Sis In Law Julia opening one of her stocking gift

MIL with her pretty scarf (one of her gifts)

Twinning! My MIL got a northface Jacket that is similar to Julias. — Twinning! My MIL got a north face Jacket that is similar to Julia’s.

Riley is jealous Auntie is not giving him attention!lol

Yankee winter wonderland collection for me!

My santa (aka Hubs) gave me a new iPad Air! — My santa (aka Hubs) gave me a new iPad Air 2!

My Christmas gifts 2014,thanks to my family for all the wonderful gifts!

Looking forward to using these 3 major gifts from my Hubs! I love this Rebecca Minkoff "Mini Mac" Crossbody bag! — Looking forward to using these 3 major gifts from my Hubs! I love this Rebecca Minkoff “Mini Mac” Crossbody bag!

These wallet and Hot choco pot are gifts from my sisters and Bro In Law! Thank you guys. I love your gifts.

Our Christmas snacks (crabs,shrimps,meat and pate platter,smoke salmon,poke,fondue)

Christmas Decorations 2014!

Hello Family and friends! I hope you’re all having a good day! I wanted to share my Christmas decorations this year. Although I decorated our home the usual way and the only new Christmas decors I have are my Holiday pillows from target. I still wanted to put it here because it’s fun for me look back through the years on how our home looked during the Christmas season. I’ve been really intentional this year about not stressing about my Christmas decorations, we have no Christmas lights outside our house (I think we are one of the few who didn’t put any lights out and I’m fine with that). We live in a community where our neighbors hire people for that kind of thing. I’d rather see all the lights inside the house:) This might also be the last time we will have our Christmas tree in our living room because we plan to get a new one for next year (we are waiting for the after Christmas day sale). The Hubs just can’t wait for a nicer tree, he doesn’t like the current one (we’ve used it for the last 4 years) and I “sort of” agree with him that it’s time to get a nicer tree for next year. I apologize in advance because some of the pictures are blurry.

My Nativity set that my Mom In Law gifted me.

closer look;the lenox lamp is another gift from my MIL last Christmas!

Candle I've been burning today! — Candle I’ve been burning today!

the new Holiday pillows,Riley liked it too!

Christmas teddy bears (I got from day after Christmas sale last year) — Christmas teddy bears (I got from the day after Christmas sale last year)

I like it at night coz of it's cozy vibe! — I like it at night coz of it’s cozy vibe!

I'm almost done with wrapping gifts! — I’m almost done with wrapping gifts!

my little helper..NOT! He is so cute and fatty!

Dining table..I love Poinsettias during this time of year,so I bought one for my table and hopefully they will last before the year ends.

In the bar I framed our Christmas pictures for display.It's fun to look out! — In the bar I framed our Christmas pictures for display.It’s fun to look out!

obligatory picture after decorating the tree!

Nutcracker Ballet Show!

Hello Family and Friends! It’s been a while since my last post, it’s always a busy season this time of year. A couple of weeks ago, my friend Faye and I watched the Nutcracker Ballet show in Seattle, it was such a nice night with her. I love watching ballet and it was special to share it with a friend.

Thanksgiving 2014!

Hello family and friends! I hope you all had a great thanksgiving (if you celebrate this Holiday) and stuffed your belly with yummy food! We hosted this year (2nd in a row now) and I think we will be hosting for the coming years too. I really don’t mind because everyone (my husband’s side of the family) shares responsibility in the food department. We enjoyed thanksgiving dinner and watched the Seahawks beat the 49ers (it was a boring game because I think the 49ers forgot how to play football!). Around 11pm when I was already in bed, the Hubs wanted to go check out target because he wanted to get something related to his computer! So off we go to 2 Targets and I’m glad he got what he wanted. We also checked out Walmart for candles (my new obsession lately) and there were a lot of people but nothing like what I normally see on T.V. I don’t think I will do it again. I prefer shopping online because the deals seem to be the same and it is more convenient.

My Thanksgiving table 2014; just bought flowers because I wanted just a simple table. — My Thanksgiving table 2014; just bought flowers because I wanted a simple table.

I made lechon belly(roast pork belly) because we wanted my DIL to taste it

someone's enjoying his dinner! — someone’s enjoying his dinner!(pic from the iPad so it’s blurry)

watching football and Riley is so over the game!

The next day (Friday) it’s a family tradition for all of us to walk around downtown Seattle and window shop. The weather was so nasty that we only stayed for 4 hours. It was still a nice time with my In laws though.

sorry for the ugly background!the Hubs just asked me to turn around.. — sorry for the ugly background!the Hubs just asked me to turn around…can barely see macys;).

Did you get me something mom?-Riey — Did you get me something mom?-Riley

Eques!

Hi Friends! Last Sunday (my birthday) we decided to have brunch after church at Eques (it’s located inside the Hyatt Bellevue). We’ve passed the place many times, we always said that we should try it because the place was known for their breakfast buffet. After checking out their buffet selection, we were not impressed (not that it was bad, just not a wide selection) we decided to just order ala carte and forget the buffet. I had the crab cake eggs benedict (I really enjoyed it) while Zach had the smoked salmon eggs benedict (he said it was great!) We shared their banana split pancakes with hazelnut chocolate ,we really liked it too.Though it was pricey for a what we got, we would still come back. Great service and ambiance too (they had a TV in one area where the Seahawks game was on! Too bad they lost!).

I also would like to thank my Hubs and my family (including my In laws) for all their birthday gifts! To my friends who also took time to text,message,greeted me on my birthday! I appreciate you all! Thanks again to my family for their thoughtful gifts.

Raybans from my Sis and BIL! The camera is not giving the shades justice!LOL..this is one lovely shades! I cannot wait to use this one!

Gift cards from our favorite stores/restaurants!

Bday gifts to myself! My obsession lately:CANDLES!!!!

On my bday weekend,Bath and Body works had a sale $3 for their lotion so I went a little crazy because I had a coupon that makes it $2 each! half of these will be for my sisters! (original price:$262,I paid $42)

More BBW (this store is a trap! Their coupons are just so good!) I bought these Kate Moss lipsticks because Kris Aquino "recommends" this on her morning show. How she liked drugstore makeups too. SO of course I have to check it out myself. I listen to Kris Aquino's makeup opinions you all *sarcasm!). — More BBW (this store is a trap! Their coupons are just so good!) I bought these Kate Moss lipsticks because Kris Aquino “recommends” this on her morning show. She mentioned how she’s impressed with drugstore makeup too (not just the high ends ). SO of course I have to check it out myself. I listen to Kris Aquino’s makeup opinions you all *sarcasm!).

John Howie Steakhouse

Hi all! I hope you had a great weekend! Yesterday (Sunday) was my birthday so it was a busy and fun weekend for us. The hubs and I have 10 days between our birthday so this year we decided to just celebrate together because with Thanksgiving next week it’s just going to be busy. We had our birthday dinner at John Howie steakhouse with my In Laws. John Howie is our favorite steakhouse here in Seattle. We’ve been here many times and we are ALWAYS impressed with the food and the service. It was so nice of them to give us a birthday cake/dessert of our choice, but we decided to just take them home because my In laws ordered our birthday cake for us (delicious white chocolate cake!). We watched the movie Jiro Dreams of Sushi while enjoying our cake. Thank You to our family and friends who sent their birthday wishes to us! Thank You Jesus for blessing us with another year!

Charcuterie Plate (selection of house cured meats,Saskatoon berry reduction,pickled shallots,Guinness mustard,cornichons)

our server making *Tableside Wagyu Beef tenderloin tartare

Roasted Beet Salad (organic greens,shaved purple onions,salt brined pistachio nuts,champagne chèvre vinaigrette,Humboldt Fog)

MIL kathy had Roasted Jidori Chicken(super moist and flavorful)

Maine Lobster Mashed Potatoes (we also shared brussels sprouts and mac n cheese)

Thanks to my MIL and DIL for giving us our birthday cake! It was so good and pricey!hehe — Thanks to my MIL and DIL for giving us our birthday cake! It was so good!

enjoying our cake and coffee while watching the movie

Sip Wine Bar and Restaurant

Hi all! Couple of weeks ago Hubs and I participated in the Seattle Restaurant week(it was a 2 week event) and we didn’t want to go to Seattle because of the traffic so we decided (lucky for us) to just go to one of our local restaurants that was participating, Sip restaurant. This is so convenient for us because it’s like 4 minutes from our house. We love our neighborhood! Anyways, this is our second time to do Seattle restaurant week at Sip (our first was 2 or 3 years ago). We like the ambiance there, so cozy and beautiful (we were seated near the fireplace and it was great!). The food was decent, I had the beef bourguignon and my Hubs had the duck confit. The Hubs dinner was just Ok for him but he totally enjoyed our appetizer that was the Sweet roll sliders. Dessert was nothing memorable, but all in all we liked the experience and will most likely be back again.