From the monthly archives:

March 2009

I wish he represented MY district

March 31, 2009

Ever since Ryan(8) started to talk we have suspected that he has a future in the legal profession. He has shown excellence in the field of debate. He has a passion for justice. He has a gift for finding the loophole. Should we send him to third grade or law school? I am now wondering [...]

Read the full article →

Strong and silent with a flair for drama

March 29, 2009

Reid (5 almost 6) is the middle child and has always been the forgotten one. From birth he has been my easiest, my most accommodating, my quietly independent child. The un-squeaky wheel. Thank God. He is flanked on either side by brothers with spirits as large as hurricanes. He huddles in the middle to weather [...]

Read the full article →

I would like to buy a vowel

March 24, 2009

So how did Nirvana begin? On Fridays I only had classes until noon. I usually worked in the afternoon, but this particular Friday I did not. I went over to blog-Stedman’s Southern California apartment and promptly fell asleep in his double Papasan – it was the early 90s and he was on the leading edge [...]

Read the full article →

Priceless real estate

March 23, 2009

Despite rough financial times I have identified an area of real estate that is still a hot commodity. It came to my attention while visiting the mountains of Colorado. Because as we all know when it comes to real estate… Location. Location. Location. This real estate is TINY, yet in such high demand I have [...]

Read the full article →

Potluck that is mushy and smells funny

March 23, 2009

Yipeee. Let’s hear it for Monday. Goooooooo Monday! *clap**clap* (those cheerleader claps with the outward elbows) Last week was spring break for my family and me which is why there wasn’t much original going on here at the Nirvana. I did more cooking in the last 7 days than I thought humanly possible. Thankfully we [...]

Read the full article →

I’m in the kitchen and I can’t get out!

March 22, 2009
Potato Frittata

This week Bianca and I tackled Chef Cat Cora’s 21 meal menu with the goal of staying under $150 for home cooked meals as seen on the Oprah show. This is day 6 of our journey. So let’s see what is for breakfast! Potato Frittata And here is where I yell “Please Chef Cora have [...]

Read the full article →

Hey, Cat Cora I need a word with YOU

March 21, 2009
Rizogalo - Creamy Brown Breakfast Rice Pudding

Bianca and I are DANCING into the kitchen this morning to see what day five of our 21 cheap, cheap, cheap meal menu courtesy of Chef Cat Cora and the all knowing Oprah has to offer… Let’s start with breakfast! Rizogalo (Creamy Breakfast Brown Rice Pudding) We were glad that I had made a large [...]

Read the full article →

For the love of pancakes

March 20, 2009
Lemon-Pecan Pancakes breakfast day 4

Today is another day on our quest for cheap meals with the help of Oprah and Chef Cat Cora! Holly squeals with excitement hoping to over come her kitchen fatigue. Today is day four of the Chef Cat Cora 21 meal menu as seen on the Oprah show. Let’s make breakfast! Lemon-Pecan Pancakes These pancakes [...]

Read the full article →

Holly may yell at Oprah day 3

March 19, 2009
Garlic Mashed Potato Pancakes

We made it through day one and flew through day two of our quest to attempt the 21 meal plan of Chef Cat Cora as seen on Oprah…so what does today hold? For breakfast we made: Garlic Mashed Potato Pancakes Let me start by saying this tasted good, BUT I just don’t get it. We [...]

Read the full article →

Holly makes it to Day Two of 21 meals

March 19, 2009
Egg Yolks for disposal

Whew. We felt pretty good making it through day one of the Chef Cat Cora 21 meal menu as seen on Oprah. And then we realized that day two would mean three homemade meals. Three homemade meals. I think I can…I think I can…I think I can. Let’s make breakfast! We decided to try: Egg [...]

Read the full article →

Holly takes on a 21 meal challenge

March 17, 2009

Someone recently lamented to me that “Americans follow Oprah like sheep”. Really? A few days ago I breezed through my TiVo’d Oprah episode from last week that told the story of three professional chefs “living with” three ordinary families and making-over the family meals to be cheap, healthy and easy. There is no way that [...]

Read the full article →